DIEU ET MON DROIT
GEORGE R.
GEORGE, by the Grace of GOD, King of
Great Britain, France,
and
Ireland,
Defender of the Faith,
&c.
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting. Whereas Our Trusty and Well-beloved BERNARD LINTOT of our City of
London,
Bookseller, has humbly represented unto Us that he is now printing a Translation of the ILIAD of HOMER from the
Greek
in Six Volumes in Folio by ALEXANDER POPE Gent. with large Notes upon each Book: And whereas the said BERNARD LINTOT has inform'd Us that he has been at a great Expence in carrying on the said Work: and that the sole Right and Title of the Copy of the said Work is vested in the said BERNARD LINTOT. He has therefore humbly besought Us to grant him Our Royal Privilege and Licence for the sole printing and publishing thereof for the Term of fourteen Years. WE being graciously pleas'd to encourage so useful a Work, are pleased to condescend to his Request, and do therefore give and grant unto the said BERNARD LINTOTT our Royal Licence and Privilege for the sole printing and publishing the said Six Volumes of the said ILIAD of HOMER translated by the said ALEXANDER POPE, for, and during the Term of fourteen Years, to be computed from the Day of the Date hereof; strictly charging and prohibiting all Our Subjects within Our Kingdoms and Dominions to reprint or abridge the same either in the like or any other Volume or Volumes whatsoever, or to import, buy, vend, utter or distribute any Copies of the same or any part thereof reprinted beyond the Seas within the said Term of fourteen Years, without the Consent and Approbation of the said BERNARD LINTOT, his Heirs, Executors and Assigns, by Writing under his or their Hands and Seals first had and obtained, as they and every of them offending herein will answer the contrary at their Perils, and such other Penalties as by the Laws and Statutes of this our Realm may be inflicted: Whereof the Master, Wardens and Company of Stationers of our City of
London,
Commissioners and other Officers of Our Customs, and all other our Officers and Ministers whom it may concern, are to take Notice that due Obedience be given to Our Pleasure herein signified. Given at Our Court at St.
James
's the sixth Day of
May,
1715. in the first Year of Our Reign.
By His Majesty's Command JAMES STANHOPE.
THE ILIAD OF HOMER.
Translated by Mr.
POPE.
VOL. VI.
Qui cupit optatam cursu contingere metam,
Multa tulit, fecitque Puer—
HOR.
LONDON:
Printed by W. BOWYER, for BERNARD LINTOT between the
Temple-Gates.
1720.
THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK OF THE ILIAD.
The ARGUMENT.
The Death of
Hector.
THE
Trojans
being safe within the Walls,
Hector
only stays to oppose
Achilles. Priam
is struck at his approach, and tries to persuade his Son to re-enter the Town.
Hecuba
joins her Entreaties, but in vain.
Hector
consults within himself what Measures to take; but at the advance of
Achilles,
his Resolution fails him, and he flies;
Achilles
pursues him thrice round the Walls of
Troy.
The Gods debate concerning the Fate of
Hector,
at length
Minerva
descends to the aid of
Achilles.
She deludes
Hector
in the Shape of
Deiphobus,
he stands the Combate, and is slain.
Achilles
drags the dead Body at his Chariot, in the sight of
Priam
and
Hecuba.
Their Lamentations, Tears, and Despair. Their Cries reach the Ears of
Andromache,
who, ignorant of this, was retired into the inner part of the Palace: She mounts up to the Walls, and beholds her dead Husband. She swoons at the Spectacle. Her Excess of Grief, and Lamentation.
The thirtieth Day still continues. The Scene lies under the Walls, and on the Battlements of
Troy.
THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK OF THE ILIAD.
THUS to their Bulwarks, smit with Panick Fear,
The herded
Ilians
rush like driven Deer;
There safe, they wipe the briny Drops away,
And drown in Bowls the Labours of the Day.
Close to the Walls advancing o'er the Fields,
Beneath one Roof of well-compacted Shields
March, bending on, the
Greeks
embodied Pow'rs,
Far-stretching in the Shade of
Trojan
Tow'rs.
Great
Hector
singly stay'd; chain'd down by Fate,
There fixt he stood before the
Scaean
Gate;
Still his bold Arms determin'd to employ,
The Guardian still of long-defended
Troy.
Apollo
now to tir'd
Achilles
turns;
(The Pow'r confest in all his Glory burns)
And what (he cries) has
Peleus'
Son in view,
With mortal Speed a Godhead to pursue?
For not to thee to know the Gods is giv'n,
Unskill'd to trace the latent Marks of Heav'n.
What boots thee now, that
Troy
forsook the Plain?
Vain thy past Labour, and thy present vain:
Safe in their Walls are now her Troops bestow'd,
While here thy frantick Rage attacks a God.
The Chief incens'd—Too partial God of Day!
To check my Conquests in the middle way:
How few in
Ilion
else had Refuge found?
What gasping Numbers now had bit the Ground?
Thou robb'st me of a Glory justly mine,
Pow'rful of Godhead, and of Fraud Divine:
Mean Fame, alas! for one of heav'nly Strain,
To cheat a Mortal, who repines in vain.
Then to the City, terrible and strong,
With high and haughty steps he towr'd along.
So the proud Courser, victor of the prize,
To the near Goal with doubled Ardor flies.
Him, as he blazing shot across the Field,
The careful Eyes of
Priam
first beheld.
Not half so dreadful rises to the Sight
Thro' the thick Gloom of some tempestuous Night
Orion
's Dog (the Year when Autumn weighs)
And o'er the feebler Stars exerts his Rays;
Terrific Glory! for his burning Breath
Taints the red Air with Fevers, Plagues, and Death.
So flam'd his fiery Mail. Then wept the Sage;
He strikes his rev'rend Head now white with Age:
He lifts his wither'd Arms; obtests the Skies;
He calls his much lov'd Son with feeble Cries;
The Son, resolv'd
Achilles'
Force to dare,
Full at the
Scaean
Gates expects the War;
While the sad Father on the Rampart stands,
And thus adjures him, with extended Hands.
Ah stay not, stay not! guardless and alone;
Hector!
my lov'd, my dearest, bravest Son!
Methinks already I behold thee slain,
And stretch'd beneath that Fury of the Plain.
Implacable
Achilles!
might'st thou be
To all th' Immortals hateful as to me!
Thee, Vultures wild should scatter round the Shore
And bloody Dogs grow fiercer from thy Gore.
How many valiant Sons I late enjoy'd,
Valiant in vain! by thy curst Arm destroy'd:
Or, worse than slaughter'd, sold in distant Isles
To shameful Bondage and unworthy Toils.
Two, while I speak, my Eyes in vain explore,
Two from one Mother sprung, my
Polydore,
And lov'd
Lycaon;
now perhaps no more!
Oh if in yonder hostile Camp they live,
What Heaps of Gold, what Treasures would I give?
(Their Grandsire's Wealth, by right of Birth their own,
Consign'd his Daughter with
Lelegia
's Throne)
But if (which Heav'n forbid) already lost,
All pale they wander on the
Stygian
Coast;
What Sorrows then must their sad Mother know,
What Anguish I? Unutterable Woe!
Yet less that Anguish, less to her, to me,
Less to all
Troy,
if not depriv'd of thee,
Yet shun
Achilles!
enter yet the Wall;
And spare thy self, thy Father, spare us all!
Save thy dear Life; or if a Soul so brave
Neglect that Thought, thy dearer Glory save.
Pity, while yet I live, these silver Hairs;
While yet thy Father feels the Woes he bears,
Yet curst with Sense! a Wretch, whom in his Rage
(All trembling on the Verge of helpless Age)
Great
Jove
has plac'd, sad Spectacle of Pain!
The bitter Dregs of Fortune's Cup to drain:
To fill with Scenes of Death his closing Eyes,
And number all his Days by Miseries!
My Heroes slain, my Bridal Bed o'erturn'd,
My Daughters ravish'd, and my City burn'd,
My bleeding Infants dash'd against the Floor;
These I have yet to see, perhaps yet more!
Perhaps ev'n I, reserv'd by angry Fate
The last sad Relick of my ruin'd State,
(Dire Pomp of sov'reign Wretchedness!) must fall,
And stain the Pavement of my regal Hall;
Where famish'd Dogs, late Guardians of my Door,
Shall lick their mangled Master's spatter'd Gore.
Yet for my Sons I thank ye Gods! 'twas well:
Well have they perish'd, for in Fight they fell.
Who dies in Youth, and Vigor, dies the best,
Struck thro' with Wounds, all honest on the Breast.
But when the Fates, in Fulness of their Rage,
Spurn the hoar Head of unresisting Age,
In Dust the rev'rend Lineaments deform,
And pour to Dogs the Life-blood scarcely warm;
This, this is Misery! the last, the worst,
That Man can feel; Man, fated to be curst!
He said, and acting what no Words could say,
Rent from his Head the silver Locks away.
With him the mournful Mother bears a Part;
Yet all their Sorrows turn not
Hector
's Heart:
The Zone unbrac'd, her Bosom she display'd;
And thus, fast-falling the salt Tears, she said.
Have mercy on me, O my Son! Revere
The Words of Age; attend a Parent's Pray'r!
If ever thee in these fond Arms I prest,
Or still'd thy infant Clamours at this Breast;
Ah do not thus our helpless Years foregoe,
But by our Walls secur'd, repel the Foe.
Against his Rage if singly thou proceed,
Should'st thou (but Heav'n avert it!) should'st thou bleed,
Nor must thy Corps lye honour'd on the Bier,
Nor Spouse nor Mother grace thee with a Tear;
Far from our pious Rites, those dear Remains
Must feast the Vultures on the naked Plains.
So they, while down their Cheeks the Torrents roll;
But fix'd remains the Purpose of his Soul:
Resolv'd he stands, and with a fiery Glance
Expects the Hero's terrible Advance.
So roll'd up in his Den, the swelling Snake
Beholds the Traveller approach the Brake;
When fed with noxious Herbs his turgid Veins
Have gather'd half the Poisons of the Plains;
He burns, he stiffens with collected Ire,
And his red Eye-balls glare with living Fire.
Beneath a Turret, on his Shield reclin'd,
He stood, and question'd thus his mighty Mind.
Where lyes my Way? To enter in the Wall?
Honour and Shame th' ungen'rous Thought recall:
Shall proud
Polydamas
before the Gate
Proclaim, his Counsels are obey'd too late,
Which, timely follow'd but the former Night,
What Numbers had been sav'd by
Hector
's Flight?
That wise Advice rejected with Disdain,
I feel my Folly in my People slain.
Methinks my suff'ring Country's Voice I hear,
But most, her worthless Sons insult my Ear,
On my rash Courage charge the Chance of War,
And blame those Virtues which they cannot share.
No—If I e'er return, return I must
Glorious, my Country's Terror laid in Dust:
Or if I perish, let her see me fall
In Field at least, and fighting for her Wall.
And yet suppose these Measures I forego,
Approach unarm'd, and parly with the Foe,
The Warrior-Shield, the Helm, and Lance lay down,
And treat on Terms of Peace to save the Town:
The Wife with-held, the Treasure ill detain'd,
(Cause of the War, and Grievance of the Land)
With honourable Justice to restore;
And add half
Ilion
's yet remaining Store,
Which
Troy
shall, sworn, produce; that injur'd
Greece
May share our Wealth, and leave our Walls in Peace.
But why this Thought? Unarm'd if I should go,
What hope of Mercy from this vengeful Foe?
But Woman-like to fall, and fall without a Blow.
We greet not here, as Man conversing Man
Met at an Oak, or journeying o'er a Plain;
No Season now for calm familiar Talk,
Like Youths and Maidens in an Evening Walk:
War is our Business; but to whom is giv'n
To die or triumph, that, determine Heav'n!
Thus pond'ring, like a God the
Greek
drew nigh;
His dreadful Plumage nodded from on high;
The
Pelian
Jav'lin, in his better Hand,
Shot trembling Rays that glitter'd o'er the Land;
And on his Breast the beamy Splendors shone
Like
Jove
's own Lightning, or the rising Sun.
As
Hector
sees, unusual Terrors rise,
Struck by some God, he fears, recedes, and flies.
He leaves the Gates, he leaves the Walls behind;
Achilles
follows like the winged Wind.
Thus at the panting Dove a Falcon flies,
(The swiftest Racer of the liquid Skies)
Just when he holds or thinks he holds his Prey,
Obliquely wheeling thro' th' aerial Way;
With open Beak and shrilling Cries he springs,
And aims his Claws, and shoots upon his Wings:
No less fore-right the rapid Chace they held,
One urg'd by Fury, one by Fear impell'd;
Now circling round the Walls their Course maintain,
Where the high Watch-tow'r overlooks the Plain;
Now where the Fig-trees spread their Umbrage broad,
(A wider Compass) smoak along the Road.
Next by
Scamander
's double Source they bound,
Where two fam'd Fountains burst the parted Ground;
This hot thro' scorching Clefts is seen to rise,
With Exhalations steaming to the Skies;
That the green Banks in Summer's Heat o'erflows,
Like Crystal clear, and cold as Winter-Snows.
Each gushing Fount a marble Cistern fills,
Whose polish'd Bed receives the falling Rills;
Where
Trojan
Dames, (e'er yet alarm'd by
Greece,
)
Wash'd their fair Garments in the Days of Peace.
By these they past, one chasing, one in Flight,
(The Mighty fled, pursu'd by stronger Might)
Swift was the Course; No vulgar Prize they play,
No vulgar Victim must reward the Day,
(Such as in Races crown the speedy Strife)
The Prize contended was great
Hector
's Life.
As when some Hero's Fun'rals are decreed
In grateful Honour of the mighty Dead;
Where high Rewards the vig'rous Youth inflame,
(Some golden Tripod, or some lovely Dame)
The panting Coursers swiftly turn the Goal,
And with them turns the rais'd Spectator's Soul.
Thus three times round the
Trojan
Wall they fly;
The gazing Gods lean forward from the Sky:
To whom, while eager on the Chace they look,
The Sire of Mortals and Immortals spoke.
Unworthy Sight! The Man, belov'd of Heav'n,
Behold, inglorious round yon' City driv'n!
My Heart partakes the gen'rous
Hector
's Pain;
Hector,
whose Zeal whole Hecatombs has slain,
Whose grateful Fumes the Gods receiv'd with Joy,
From
Ida
's Summits, and the Tow'rs of
Troy:
Now see him flying! to his Fears resign'd,
And Fate, and fierce
Achilles,
close behind.
Consult, ye Pow'rs! ('tis worthy your Debate)
Whether to snatch him from impending Fate,
Or let him bear, by stern
Pelides
slain,
(Good as he is) the Lot impos'd on Man?
Then
Pallas
thus: Shall he whose Vengeance forms
The forky Bolt, and blackens Heav'n with Storms,
Shall he prolong one
Trojan
's forfeit Breath!
A Man, a Mortal, pre-ordain'd to Death!
And will no Murmurs fill the Courts above,
No Gods indignant blame their partial
Jove?
Go then (return'd the Sire) without delay,
Exert thy Will: I give the Fates their Way.
Swift at the Mandate pleas'd
Tritonia
flies,
And stoops impetuous from the cleaving Skies.
As thro' the Forest, o'er the Vale and Lawn,
The well-breath'd Beagle drives the flying Fawn;
In vain he tries the Covert of the Brakes,
Or deep beneath the trembling Thicket shakes;
Sure of the Vapour in the tainted Dews,
The certain Hound his various Maze pursues.
Thus step by step, where'er the
Trojan
wheel'd,
There swift
Achilles
compass'd round the Field.
Oft' as to reach the
Dardan
Gates he bends,
And hopes th' Assistance of his pitying Friends,
(Whose show'ring Arrows, as he cours'd below,
From the high Turrets might oppress the Foe.)
So oft'
Achilles
turns him to the Plain:
He eyes the City, but he eyes in vain.
As Men in Slumbers seem with speedy pace,
One to pursue, and one to lead the Chace,
Their sinking Limbs the fancy'd Course forsake,
Nor this can fly, nor that can overtake.
No less the lab'ring Heroes pant and strain;
While that but flies, and this pursues, in vain.
What God, O Muse! assisted
Hector
's Force,
With Fate itself so long to hold the Course?
Phoebus
it was; who, in his latest Hour,
Endu'd his Knees with strength, his Nerves with Pow'r:
And great
Achilles,
lest some
Greek
's Advance
Should snatch the Glory from his lifted Lance,
Sign'd to the Troops, to yield his Foe the Way,
And leave untouch'd the Honours of the Day.
Jove
lifts the golden Balances, that show
The Fates of mortal Men, and things below:
Here each contending Hero's Lot he tries,
And weighs, with equal Hand, their Destinies.
Low sinks the Scale surcharg'd with
Hector
's Fate;
Heavy with Death it sinks, and Hell receives the Weight.
Then
Phoebus
left him. Fierce
Minerva
flies
To stern
Pelides,
and triumphing, cries.
Oh lov'd of
Jove!
this Day our Labours cease,
And Conquest blazes with full Beams on
Greece.
Great
Hector
falls; that
Hector
fam'd so far,
Drunk with Renown, insatiable of War,
Falls by thy Hand, and mine! Nor Force, nor Flight
Shall more avail him, nor his God of Light.
See, where in vain he supplicates above,
Roll'd at the Feet of unrelenting
Jove!
Rest here: My self will lead the
Trojan
on,
And urge to meet the Fate he cannot shun.
Her Voice divine the Chief with joyful Mind
Obey'd; and rested, on his Lance reclin'd.
While like
Deïphobus
the martial Dame
(Her Face, her Gesture, and her Arms the same)
In show an Aid, by hapless
Hector
's Side
Approach'd, and greets him thus with Voice bely'd.
Too long, O
Hector!
have I born the Sight
Of this Distress, and sorrow'd in thy Flight:
It fits us now a noble Stand to make,
And here, as Brothers, equal Fates partake.
Then he. O Prince! ally'd in Blood and Fame,
Dearer than all that own a Brother's Name;
Of all that
Hecuba
to
Priam
bore,
Long try'd, long lov'd; much lov'd, but honour'd more!
Since You of all our num'rous Race, alone
Defend my Life regardless of your own.
Again the Goddess. Much my Father's Pray'r,
And much my Mother's, prest me to forbear:
My Friends embrac'd my Knees, adjur'd my stay,
But stronger Love impell'd, and I obey.
Come then, the glorious Conflict let us try,
Let the Steel sparkle, and the Jav'lin fly:
Or let us stretch
Achilles
on the Field,
Or to his Arm our bloody Trophies yield.
Fraudful she said; then swiftly march'd before;
The
Dardan
Hero shuns his Foe no more.
Sternly they met. The Silence
Hector
broke;
His dreadful Plumage nodded as he spoke.
Enough, O Son of
Peleus! Troy
has view'd
Her Walls thrice circled, and her Chief pursu'd.
But now some God within me bids me try
Thine, or my Fate: I kill thee, or I die.
Yet on the Verge of Battel let us stay,
And for a Moment's space, suspend the Day:
Let Heav'ns high Pow'rs be call'd to arbitrate
The just Conditions of this stern Debate.
(Eternal Witnesses of all below,
And faithful Guardians of the treasur'd Vow!)
To them I swear; if Victor in the Strife
Jove
by these Hands shall shed thy noble Life;
No vile Dishonour shall thy Corse pursue;
Stript of its Arms alone (the Conqu'rors Due)
The rest to
Greece
uninjur'd I'll restore:
Now plight thy mutual Oath, I ask no more.
Talk not of Oaths (the dreadful Chief replies,
While Anger flash'd from his disdainful Eyes)
Detested as thou art, and ought to be,
Nor Oath nor Pact
Achilles
plights with thee:
Such Pacts, as Lambs and rabid Wolves combine,
Such Leagues, as Men and furious Lions join,
To such I call the Gods! One constant state
Of lashing Rancour and eternal Hate:
No Thought but Rage, and never-ceasing Strife,
Till Death extinguish Rage, and Thought, and Life.
Rouze then thy Forces this important Hour;
Collect thy Soul, and call forth all thy Pow'r.
No farther Subterfuge, no farther Chance;
'Tis
Pallas, Pallas
gives thee to my Lance.
Each
Grecian
Ghost by thee depriv'd of Breath,
Now hovers round, and calls thee to thy Death.
He spoke, and lanch'd his Jav'lin at the Foe;
But
Hector
shun'd the meditated Blow:
He stoop'd, while o'er his Head the flying Spear
Sung innocent, and spent its Force in Air.
Minerva
watch'd it falling on the Land,
Then drew, and gave to great
Achilles'
Hand,
Unseen of
Hector,
who, elate with Joy,
Now shakes his Lance, and braves the Dread of
Troy.
The Life you boasted to that Jav'lin giv'n,
Prince! you have mist. My Fate depends on Heav'n.
To thee (presumptuous as thou art) unknown,
Or what must prove my Fortune or thy own.
Boasting is but an Art, our Fears to blind,
And with false Terrors sink another's Mind.
But know, whatever Fate I am to try,
By no dishonest Wound shall
Hector
die;
I shall not fall a Fugitive at least,
My Soul shall bravely issue from my Breast.
But first, try thou my Arm; and may this Dart
End all my Country's Woes, deep buried in thy Heart!
The Weapon flew, its Course unerring held,
Unerring, but the heav'nly Shield repell'd
The mortal Dart; resulting with a Bound
From off the ringing Orb, it struck the Ground.
Hector
beheld his Jav'lin fall in vain,
Nor other Lance, nor other Hope remain;
He calls
Deïphobus,
demands a Spear,
In vain, for no
Deïphobus
was there.
All comfortless he stands: Then, with a Sigh,
'Tis so—Heav'n wills it, and my Hour is nigh!
I deem'd
Deïphobus
had heard my Call,
But he secure lyes guarded in the Wall.
A God deceiv'd me;
Pallas,
'twas thy Deed.
Death, and black Fate approach! 'Tis I must bleed.
No Refuge now, no Succour from above;
Great
Jove
deserts me, and the Son of
Jove,
Propitious once, and kind! Then welcome Fate!
'Tis true I perish, yet I' perish great:
Yet in a mighty Deed I shall expire,
Let future Ages hear it, and admire!
Fierce, at the Word, his weighty Sword he drew
And, all collected, on
Achilles
flew.
So
Jove
's bold Bird, high-balanc'd in the Air,
Stoops from the Clouds to truss the quiv'ring Hare.
Nor less
Achilles
his fierce Soul prepares;
Before his Breast his flaming Shield he bears,
Refulgent Orb! Above his four-fold Cone
The gilded Horsehair sparkled in the Sun,
Nodding at ev'ry Step: (
Vulcanian
Frame!)
And as he mov'd, his Figure seem'd on flame.
As radiant
Hesper
shines with keener Light,
Far-beaming o'er the silver Host of Night,
When all the starry Train emblaze the Sphere:
So shone the Point of great
Achilles'
Spear.
In his right Hand he waves the Weapon round,
Eyes the whole Man, and meditates the Wound;
But the rich Mail
Patroclus
lately wore,
Securely cas'd the Warrior's Body o'er.
One at cealp length he spies, to let in Fate,
Where 'twixt the Neck and Throat the jointed Plate
Gave entrance: Thro' that penetrable Part
Furious he drove the well-directed Dart:
Nor pierc'd the Windpipe yet, nor took the Pow'r
Of Speech, Unhappy! from thy dying Hour.
Prone on the Field the bleeding Warrior lies,
While thus triumphing, stern
Achilles
cries.
At last is
Hector
stretch'd upon the Plain,
Who fear'd no Vengeance for
Patroclus
slain:
Then Prince! you should have fear'd, what now you feel;
Achilles
absent, was
Achilles
still.
Yet a short space the great Avenger stay'd,
Then low in Dust thy Strength and Glory lay'd.
Peaceful He sleeps, with all our Rites adorn'd,
For ever honour'd, and for ever mourn'd:
While cast to all the Rage of hostile Pow'r,
Thee, Birds shall mangle, and the Dogs devour.
Then
Hector,
fainting at th'approach of Death.
By thy own Soul! by those who gave thee Breath!
By all the sacred Prevalence of Pray'r;
Ah, leave me not for
Grecian
Dogs to tear!
The common Rites of Sepulture bestow,
To sooth a Father's and a Mother's Woe;
Let their large Gifts procure an Urn at least,
And
Hector
's Ashes in his Country rest.
No, Wretch accurst! Relentless he replies,
(Flames, as he spoke, shot flashing from his Eyes)
Not those who gave me Breath shou'd bid me spare,
Nor all the sacred Prevalence of Pray'r.
Could I my self the bloody Banquet join!
No—to the Dogs that Carcase I resign.
Shou'd
Troy,
to bribe me, bring forth all her Store,
And giving thousands, offer thousands more;
Should
Dardan Priam,
and the weeping Dame
Drain their whole Realm to buy one fun'ral Flame;
Their
Hector
on the Pile they should not see,
Nor rob the Vultures of one Limb of thee.
Then thus the Chief his dying Accents drew;
Thy Rage, Implacable! too well I knew:
The Furies that relentless Breast have steel'd,
And curs'd thee with a Heart that cannot yield.
Yet think, a Day will come, when Fate's Decree
And angry Gods, shall wreak this Wrong on thee;
Phoebus
and
Paris
shall avenge my Fate,
And stretch thee here, before this
Scaean
Gate.
He ceas'd. The Fates supprest his lab'ring Breath,
And his Eyes stiffen'd at the Hand of Death;
To the dark Realm the Spirit wings its Way,
(The manly Body left a Load of Clay)
And plaintive glides along the dreary Coast,
A naked, wandring, melancholy Ghost!
Achilles,
musing as he roll'd his eyes
O'er the dead Hero, thus (unheard) replies.
Die thou the first! When
Jove
and Heav'n ordain,
I follow thee—He said, and stripp'd the Slain.
Then forcing backward from the gaping Wound
The reeking Jav'lin, cast it on the Ground.
The thronging
Greeks
behold with wond'ring Eyes
His manly Beauty, and superiour Size:
While some ignobler, the great Dead deface
With Wounds ungen'rous, or with Taunts disgrace.
"How chang'd that
Hector!
who like
Jove
of late,
"Sent Lightning on our Fleets, and scatter'd Fate?
High o'er the Slain the great
Achilles
stands,
Begirt with Heroes, and surrounding Bands;
And thus aloud, while all the Host attends.
Princes and Leaders! Countrymen and Friends!
Since now at length the pow'rful Will of Heav'n
The dire Destroyer to our Arm has giv'n,
Is not
Troy
fall'n already? Haste, ye Pow'rs!
See, if already their deserted Tow'rs
Are left unman'd; or if they yet retain
The Souls of Heroes, their great
Hector
slain?
But what is
Troy,
or Glory what to me?
Or why reflects my Mind on ought but thee
Divine
Patroclus!
Death has seal'd his Eyes;
Unwept, unhonour'd, uninterr'd he lies!
Can his dear Image from my Soul depart,
Long as the vital Spirit moves my Heart?
If, in the silent Shades of Hell below,
The Flames of Friends and Lovers cease to glow,
Yet mine shall sacred last; mine, undecay'd,
Burn on thro' Death, and animate my Shade.
Meanwhile ye Sons of
Greece!
in Triumph bring
The Corps of
Hector,
and your
Paeans
sing.
Be this the Song, slow-moving tow'rd the Shore,
"
Hector
is dead, and
Ilion
is no more.
Then his fell Soul a Thought of Vengeance bred,
(Unworthy of himself, and of the Dead)
The nervous Ancles bor'd, his Feet he bound
With Thongs inserted thro' the double Wound;
These fix'd up high behind the rolling Wain,
His graceful Head was trail'd along the Plain.
Proud on his Car th'insulting Victor stood,
And bore aloft his Arms, distilling Blood.
He smites the Steeds; the rapid Chariot flies;
The sudden Clouds of circling Dust arise.
Now lost is all that formidable Air;
The Face divine, and long-descending Hair
Purple the Ground, and streak the sable Sand;
Deform'd, dishonour'd, in his native Land!
Giv'n to the Rage of an insulting Throng!
And, in his Parent's Sight, now dragg'd along!
The Mother first beheld with sad survey;
She rent her Tresses, venerably grey,
And cast, far off, the regal Veils away.
With piercing Shrieks his bitter Fate she moans,
While the sad Father answers Groans with Groans,
Tears after Tears his mournful Cheeks o'erflow,
And the whole City wears one Face of Woe.
No less, than if the Rage of hostile Fires
From her Foundations curling to her Spires,
O'er the proud Citadel at length should rise,
And the last Blaze send
Ilion
to the Skies.
The wretched Monarch of the falling State
Distracted, presses to the
Dardan
Gate.
Scarce the whole People stop his desp'rate Course,
While strong Affliction gives the Feeble Force:
Grief tears his Heart, and drives him to and fro,
In all the raging Impotence of Woe.
At length he roll'd in Dust, and thus begun:
Imploring all, and naming one by one.
Ah! let me, let me go where Sorrow calls;
I, only I, will issue from your Walls,
(Guide or Companion, Friends! I ask ye none)
And bow before the Murd'rer of my Son.
My Griefs perhaps his Pity may engage;
Perhaps at least he may respect my Age.
He has a Father too; a Man like me,
One, not exempt from Age and Misery,
(Vig'rous no more, as when his young Embrace
Begot this Pest of me, and all my Race.)
How many valiant Sons, in early Bloom,
Has that curst Hand sent headlong to the Tomb?
Thee,
Hector!
last: Thy Loss (divinely brave)
Sinks my sad Soul with Sorrow to the Grave.
Oh had thy gentle Spirit past in Peace,
The Son expiring in the Sire's Embrace;
While both thy Parents wept thy fatal Hour,
And bending o'er thee, mix'd the tender Show'r!
Some Comfort that had been, some sad Relief,
To melt in full Satiety of Grief!
Thus wail'd the Father, grov'ling on the Ground,
And all the Eyes of
Ilion
stream'd around.
Amidst her Matrons
Hecuba
appears,
(A mourning Princess, and a Train in Tears)
Ah why has Heav'n prolong'd this hated Breath,
Patient of Horrors, to behold thy Death?
O
Hector,
late thy Parents Pride and Joy,
The Boast of Nations! the Defence of
Troy!
To whom her Safety and her Fame she ow'd,
Her Chief, her Hero, and almost her God!
O fatal Change! become in one sad Day
A senseless Corps! inanimated Clay!
But not as yet the fatal News had spread
To fair
Andromache,
of
Hector
dead;
As yet no Messenger had told his Fate,
Nor ev'n his Stay without the
Scaean
Gate.
Far in the close Recesses of the Dome,
Pensive she ply'd the melancholy Loom;
A growing Work employ'd her secret Hours,
Confus'dly gay with intermingled Flowr's.
Her fair-hair'd Handmaids heat the brazen Urn,
The Bath preparing for her Lord's Return:
In vain: Alas! her Lord returns no more!
Unbath'd he lies, and bleeds along the Shore!
Now from the Walls the Clamours reach her Ear,
And all her Members shake with sudden Fear;
Forth from her Iv'ry Hand the Shuttle falls,
As thus, astonish'd, to her Maids she calls.
Ah follow me! (she cry'd) what plaintive Noise
Invades my Ear? 'Tis sure my Mother's Voice.
My falt'ring Knees their trembling Frame desert,
A Pulse unusual flutters at my Heart.
Some strange Disaster, some reverse of Fate
Ye (Gods avert it) threats the
Trojan
State.
Far be the Omen which my Thoughts suggest!
But much I fear my
Hector
's dauntless Breast
Confronts
Achilles;
chas'd along the Plain,
Shut from our Walls! I fear, I fear him slain!
Safe in the Crowd he ever scorn'd to wait,
And sought for Glory in the Jaws of Fate:
Perhaps that noble Heat has cost his Breath,
Now quench'd for ever in the Arms of Death.
She spoke; and furious, with distracted Pace,
Fears in her Heart, and Anguish in her Face,
Flies thro' the Dome, (the Maids her Steps pursue)
And mounts the Walls, and sends around her View.
Too soon her Eyes the killing Object found,
The god-like
Hector
dragg'd along the Ground.
A sudden Darkness shades her swimming Eyes:
She faints, she falls; her Breath, her Colour flies.
Her Hair's fair Ornaments, the Braids that bound,
The Net that held them, and the Wreath that crown'd,
The Veil and Diadem, flew far away;
(The Gift of
Venus
on her bridal Day)
Around, a Train of weeping Sisters stands,
To raise her sinking with assistant Hands.
Scarce from the Verge of Death recall'd, again
She faints, or but recovers to complain.
O wretched Husband of a wretched Wife!
Born with one Fate, to one unhappy Life!
For sure one Star its baneful Beam display'd
On
Priam
's Roof, and
Hippoplacia
's Shade.
From diff'rent Parents, diff'rent Climes we came,
At diff'rent Periods, yet our Fate the same!
Why was my Birth to great
Aëtion
ow'd,
And why was all that tender Care bestow'd?
Would I had never been!—O thou, the Ghost
Of my dead Husband! miserably lost!
Thou to the dismal Realms for ever gone!
And I abandon'd, desolate, alone!
An only Child, once Comfort of my Pains,
Sad Product now of hapless Love, remains!
No more to smile upon his Sire! no Friend
To help him now! No Father to defend!
For should he 'scape the Sword, the common Doom,
What Wrongs attend him, and what Griefs to come?
Ev'n from his own paternal Roof expell'd,
Some Stranger plows his patrimonial Field.
The Day, that to the Shades the Father sends,
Robs the sad Orphan of his Father's Friends:
He, wretched Outcast of Mankind! appears
For ever sad, for ever bath'd in Tears;
Amongst the Happy, unregarded he,
Hangs on the Robe, or trembles at the Knee,
While those his Father's former bounty fed,
Nor reach the Goblet, nor divide the Bread:
The Kindest but his present Wants allay,
To leave him wretched the succeeding Day.
Frugal Compassion! Heedless they who boast
Both Parents still, nor feel what he has lost,
Shall cry, "Begone! Thy Father feasts not here:
The Wretch obeys, retiring with a Tear.
Thus wretched, thus retiring all in Tears,
To my sad Soul
Astyanax
appears!
Forc'd by repeated Insults to return,
And to his widow'd Mother vainly mourn.
He, who with tender Delicacy bred,
With Princes sported, and on Dainties fed,
And when still Ev'ning gave him up to Rest,
Sunk soft in Down upon the Nurse's Breast,
Must—ah what must he not? Whom
Ilion
calls
Astyanax,
from her well-guarded Walls,
Is now that Name no more, unhappy Boy!
Since now no more the Father guards his
Troy.
But thou my
Hector
ly'st expos'd in Air,
Far from thy Parent's and thy Consort's Care,
Whose Hand in vain, directed by her Love,
The martial Scarf and Robe of Triumph wove.
Now to devouring Flames be these a Prey,
Useless to thee, from this accursed Day!
Yet let the Sacrifice at least be paid,
An Honour to the Living, not the Dead!
So spake the mournful Dame: Her Matrons hear,
Sigh back her Sighs, and answer Tear with Tear.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE Twenty-Second Book.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK.
I.
IT is impossible but the whole Attention of the Reader must be awaken'd in this Book: The Heroes of the two Armies are now to encounter, all the foregoing Battels have been but so many Preludes and Under-actions, in order to this great Event: Wherein the whole Fate of
Greece
and
Troy
is to be decided by the Sword of
Achilles
and
Hector.
This is the Book, which of the whole Iliad appears to me the most charming. It assembles in it all that can be imagined of great and important on the one hand, and of tender and melancholy on the other.
Terror
and
Pity
are here wrought up in Perfection, and if the Reader is not sensible of both in a high degree, either he is utterly void of all Taste, or the Translator of all Skill, in Poetry.
II.
VERSE 37.
Not half so dreadful rises,
&c.]
With how much dreadful Pomp is
Achilles
here introduced! How noble, and in what bold Colours hath he drawn the blazing of his Arms, the Rapidity of his Advance, the Terror of his Appearance, the Desolation around him; but above all, the certain Death attending all his Motions and his very Looks; what a Crowd of terrible Ideas in this one Simile!
But immediately after this, follows the moving Image of the two aged Parents, trembling, weeping, and imploring their Son: That is succeeded again by the dreadful gloomy Picture of
Hector,
all on fire, obstinately bent on Death, and expecting
Achilles;
admirably painted in the Simile of the Snake roll'd up in his Den and collecting his Poisons: And indeed thro' the whole Book this wonderful Contrast and Opposition of the
Moving
and of the
Terrible,
is perpetually kept up, each heightening the other: I can't find Words to express how so great Beauties affect me.
III.
VERSE 51.
The Speech of
Priam
to
Hector.]
The Poet has entertain'd us all along with various Scenes of Slaughter and Horrour: He now changes to the pathetick, and fills the Mind of the Reader with tender Sorrows.
Eustathius
observes that
Priam
preludes to his Words by Actions expressive of Misery: The unhappy Orator introduces his Speech to
Hector
with Groans and Tears, and rending his hoary Hair. The Father and the King plead with
Hector
to preserve his Life and his Country. He represents his own Age, and the Loss of many of his Children; and adds, that if
Hector
falls, he should then be inconsolable, and the Empire of
Troy
at an end.
It is a piece of great Judgment in
Homer
to make the Fall of
Troy
to depend upon the Death of
Hector:
The Poet does not openly tell us that
Troy
was taken by the
Greeks,
but that the Reader might not be unacquainted with what happen'd after the Period of his Poem, he gives us to understand in this Speech, that the City was taken, and that
Priam,
his Wives, his Sons and Daughters, were either kill'd or made Slaves.
IV.
VERSE 76.
Enter yet the Wall, and save,
&c.]
The Argument that
Priam
uses (says
Eustathius
) to induce
Hector
to secure himself in
Troy
is remarkable; he draws it not from
Hector
's Fears, nor does he tell him that he is to save his own Life; but he insists upon stronger Motives: He tells him he may preserve his Fellow-Citizens, his Country, and his Father; and farther, persuades him not to add Glory to his mortal Enemy by his Fall.
V.
VERSE 90.
My bleeding Infants dash'd against the Floor.
]
Cruelties which the
Barbarians
usually exercis'd in the sacking of Towns. Thus
Isaiah
foretels to
Babylon
that her Children shall be dash'd in pieces before her Eyes by the
Medes. Infantes eorum allidentur in oculis eorum,
xii. 16. And
David
says to the same City,
Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the Stones.
Psal. cxxxvii. 9. And in the Prophet
Hosea,
xiii. 16.
Their Infants shall be dash'd in pieces. Dacier.
VI.
VERSE 102.
But when the Fates,
&c.]
Nothing can be more moving than the Image which
Homer
gives here, in comparing the different Effects produc'd by the View of a young Man, and that of an old one, both bleeding, and extended on the Dust. The old Man 'tis certain touches us most, and several Reasons may be given for it; the principal is, that the young Man defended himself, and his Death is glorious; whereas an old Man has no defence but his Weakness, Prayers, and Tears. They must be very insensible of what is dreadful, and have no Taste in Poetry, who omit this Passage in a Translation, and substitute things of a trivial and insipid Nature.
Dacier.
VII.
VERSE 114.
The Speech of
Hecuba,]
The Speech of
Hecuba
opens with as much Tenderness as that of
Priam:
The Circumstance in particular of her shewing that Breast to her Son which had sustain'd his Infancy, is highly moving: It is a silent kind of Oratory, and prepares the Heart to listen, by prepossessing the Eye in favour of the Speaker.
Eustathius
takes notice of the Difference between the Speeches of
Priam
and
Hecuba: Priam
dissuades him from the Combat by enumerating not only the Loss of his own Family, but of his whole Country:
Hecuba
dwells entirely upon his single Death; this is a great Beauty in the Poet, to make
Priam
a Father to his whole Countrey; but to describe the Fondness of the Mother as prevailing over all other Considerations, and to mention that only which chiefly affects her.
This puts me in mind of a judicious Stroke in
Milton,
with regard to the several Characters of
Adam
and
Eve.
When the Angel is driving them both out of Paradise,
Adam
grieves that he must leave a place where he had convers'd with God and his Angels; but
Eve
laments that she shall never more behold the fine Flowers of
Eden:
Here
Adam
mourns like a Man, and
Eve
like a Woman.
VIII.
VERSE 140.
The Soliloquy of
Hector.]
There is much Greatness in the Sentiments of this whole Soliloquy.
Hector
prefers Death to an ignominious Life: He knows how to die with Glory, but not how to live with Dishonour. The Reproach of
Polydamas
affects him; the Scandals of the meanest People have an Influence on his Thoughts.
'Tis remarkable that he does not say, he fears the Insults of the braver
Trojans,
but of the most worthless only. Men of Merit are always the most candid; but others are ever for bringing all Men to a Level with themselves. They cannot bear that any one should be so bold as to excel, and are ready to pull him down to them, upon the least Miscarriage. This Sentiment is perfectly fine, and agreeable to the way of thinking natural to a great and sensible Mind.
There is a very beautiful Break in the middle of this Speech.
Hector
's Mind fluctuates every way, he is calling a Council in his own Breast, and consulting what Method to pursue: He doubts if he should not propose Terms of Peace to
Achilles,
and grants him very large Concessions; but of a sudden he checks himself, and leaves the Sentence unfinish'd. The Paragraph runs thus,
"If, says
Hector,
I should offer him the largest Conditions, give all that
Troy
contains—
There he stops, and immediately subjoins,
"But why do I delude myself,
&c.
'Tis evident from this Speech that the Power of making Peace was in
Hector
's Hands: For unless
Priam
had transfer'd it to him he could not have made these Propositions. So that it was
Hector
who broke the Treaty in the third Book; (where the very same Conditions were propos'd by
Agamemnon.
) 'Tis
Hector
therefore that is guilty, he is blameable in continuing the War, and involving the
Greeks
and
Trojans
in Blood. This Conduct in
Homer
was necessary; he observes a poetical Justice, and shews us that
Hector
is a Criminal, before he brings him to Death.
Eustathius.
IX.
VERSE 141.
Shall proud
Polydamas,
&c.
]
Hector
alludes to the Counsel given him by
Polydamas
in the eighteenth Book, which he then neglected to follow: It was, to withdraw to the City, and fortify themselves there, before
Achilles
return'd to the Battel.
X.
VERSE 167.
We greet not here as Man conversing Man,
Met at an Oak, or journeying o'er a Plain,
&c.]
The Words literally are these,
"
There is no talking with
Achilles,
,
from an Oak, or from a Rock,
[or about an Oak or a Rock]
as a young Man and a Maiden talk together.
It is thought an obscure Passage, tho' I confess I am either too fond of my own Explication in the above-cited Verses, or they make it a very clear one.
"There is no conversing with this implacable Enemy in the Rage of Battel; as when sauntring People talk at leisure to one another on the Road, or when young Men and Women meet in a Field."
I think the Exposition of
Eustathius
more farfetch'd, tho' it be ingenious; and therefore I must do him the Justice not to suppress it. It was a common Practice, says he, with the Heathens, to expose such Children as they either could not, or would not educate: The Places where they deposited them were usually in the Cavities of
Rocks,
or the Hollow of
Oaks:
These Children being frequently found and preserv'd by Strangers, were said to be the Offspring of those Oaks or Rocks where they were found. This gave occasion to the Poets to feign that Men were born of
Oaks,
and there was a famous Fable too of
Deucalion
and
Pyrrha
's repairing Mankind by casting
Stones
behind them: It grew at last into a Proverb, to signify idle Tales; so that in the present Passage it imports, that
Achilles will not listen to such idle Tales as may pass with silly Maids and fond Lovers.
For Fables and Stories (and particularly such Stories as the Preservation, strange Fortune, and Adventures of expos'd Children) are the usual Conversation of young Men and Maidens
Eustathius
his Explanation may be corroborated by a Parallel Place in the Odyssey; where the Poet says,
The Meaning of which Passage is plainly this,
Tell me of what Race you are, for undoubtedly you had a Father and Mother; you are not, according to the old Story, descended from an
Oak
or a
Rock. Where the Word
shews that this was become an ancient Proverb even in
Homer
's Days.
XI.
VERSE 180.
Struck by some God, he fears, recedes, and flies.
]
I doubt not most Readers are shock'd at the Flight of
Hector:
It is indeed a high Exaltation of
Achilles
(which was the Poets chief Care, as he was his chief Hero) that so brave a Man as
Hector
durst not stand him. While
Achilles
was at a distance he had fortify'd his Heart with noble Resolutions, but at his approach they all vanish, and he flies. This (as exceptionable as some may think it) may yet be allow'd to be a true Portrait of human Nature; for Distance, as it lessens all Objects, so it does our Fears: But where inevitable Danger approaches, the stoutest Hearts will feel some Apprehensions at certain Fate. It was the Saying of one of the bravest Men in this Age, to one who told him he fear'd nothing,
Shew me but a certain Danger, and I shall be as much afraid as any of you.
I don't absolutely pretend to justify this Passage in every point, but only to have thus much granted me, that
Hector
was in this desperate Circumstance.
First,
It will not be found in the whole Iliad, that
Hector
ever thought himself a Match for
Achilles. Homer
(to keep this in our Minds) had just now made
Priam
tell him (as a thing known, for certainly
Priam
would not insult him at that time) that there was no Comparison between his own Strength, and that of his Antagonist.
—
Secondly,
we may observe with
Dacier,
the Degrees by which
Homer
prepares this Incident. In the 18th Book the mere Sight and Voice of
Achilles,
unarm'd, has terrify'd and put the whole
Trojan
Army into Disorder. In the 19th, the very Sound of the coelestial Arms given him by
Vulcan,
has affrighted his own
Myrmidons
as they stand about him. In the 20th, he has been upon the point of killing
Aeneas,
and
Hector
himself was not sav'd from him but by
Apollo
's interposing. In that and the following Book, he makes an incredible Slaughter of all that oppose him; he overtakes most of those that fly from him, and
Priam
himself opens the Gates of
Troy
to receive the rest.
Thirdly, Hector
stays, not that he hopes to overcome
Achilles,
but because Shame and the dread of Reproach forbid him to re-enter the City; a Shame (says
Eustathius
) which was a Fault, that betray'd him out of his Life, and ruin'd his Countrey. Nay,
Homer
adds farther, that he only stay'd by the immediate
Will of Heaven,
intoxicated and irresistibly bound down by
Fate.
Fourthly,
He had just been reflecting on the Injustice of the War he maintain'd; his Spirits are deprest by Heaven, he expects certain Death, he perceives himself abandon'd by the Gods; (as he directly says in ℣. 300,
&c.
of the
Greek,
and 385 of the translation) so that he might say to
Achilles
what
Turnus
does to
Aeneas,
Dii
me terrent, &
Jupiter
hostis.
This indeed is the strongest Reason that can be offer'd for the Flight of
Hector.
He flies not from
Achilles
as a mortal Hero, but from one whom he sees clad in impenetrable Armour, seconded by
Minerva,
and one who had put to flight the inferior Gods themselves. This is not Cowardice according to the constant Principles of
Homer,
who thought it no part of a Hero's Character to be impious, or to fancy himself independent on the supreme Being.
Indeed it had been a grievous Fault, had our Author suffer'd the Courage of
Hector
entirely to forsake him even in this Extremity: A brave Man's Soul is still capable of rouzing itself, and acting honourably in the last Struggles. Accordingly
Hector,
tho' deliver'd over to his Destiny, abandon'd by the Gods, and certain of Death, yet stops and attacks
Achilles;
When he loses his Spear, he draws his Sword: it was impossible he should conquer, it was only in his Power to fall gloriously; this he did, and it was all that Man could do.
If the Reader, after all, cannot bring himself to like this Passage, for his own particular; yet to induce him to suspend his absolute Censure, he may consider that
Virgil
had an uncommon Esteem for it, as he has testify'd in transferring it almost entirely to the Death of
Turnus;
where there was no necessity of making use of the like Incidents: But doubtless he was touch'd with this Episode, as with one of those which interest us most of the whole Iliad, by a Spectacle at once so terrible, and so deplorable. I must also add the Suffrage of
Aristotle,
who was so far from looking upon this Passage as ridiculous or blameable, that he esteem'd it marvellous and admirable.
"The
wonderful,
says he, ought to have place in Tragedy, but still more in Epic Poetry, which proceeds in this Point even to the Unreasonable: For as in Epic Poems one sees not the Persons acting, so whatever passes the Bounds of Reason is proper to produce the admirable and the marvellous. For example, what
Homer
says of
Hector
pursued by
Achilles,
would appear ridiculous on the Stage; for the Spectators could not forbear laughing to see on one side the
Greeks
standing without any motion, and on the other;
Achilles
pursuing
Hector,
and making Signs to the Troops not to dart at him. But all this does not appear when we read the Poem: For what is wonderful is always agreeable, and as a proof of it, we find that they who relate any thing usually add something to the Truth, that it may the better please those who hear it.
The same great Critick vindicates this Passage in the Chapter following.
"A Poet, says he, is inexcusable if he introduces such things as are impossible according to the Rules of Poetry: but this ceases to be a Fault, if by those means he attains to the End he propos'd; for he has then brought about what he intended: For example, if he renders by it any part of his Poem more astonishing or admirable. Such is the Place in the Iliad, where
Achilles
pursues
Hector.
Arist.
Poet. chap. 25, 26.
XII.
VERSE 197.
Where two fam'd Fountains.
]
Strabo
blames
Homer
for saying that one of the Sources of
Scamander
was a warm Fountain; whereas (says he) there is but one Spring, and that cold, neither is this in the Place where
Homer
fixes it, but in the Mountain. It is observ'd by
Eustathius
that tho' this was not true in
Strabo
's Days, yet it might in
Homer
's, greater Changes having happen'd in less time than that which pass'd between those two Authors.
Sandys,
who was both a Geographer and Critick of great Accuracy, as well as a Traveller of great Veracity, affirms as an Eye witness, that there are yet some Hot-water Springs in that part of the Country, opposite to
Tenedos.
I cannot but think that Gentleman must have been particularly diligent and curious in his Enquiries into the Remains of a Place so celebrated in Poetry; as he was not only perhaps the most learned, but one of the best Poets of his Time: I am glad of this occasion to do his Memory so much Justice as to say, the
English
Versification owes much of its Improvement to his Translations, and especially that admirable one of
Job.
What chiefly pleases me in this place, is to see the exact Landskip of old
Troy,
we have a clear Idea of the Town itself, and of the Roads and Countrey about it; the River, the Fig-trees, and every part is set before our Eyes.
XIII.
VERSE 219.
The gazing Gods lean forward from the Skies.
]
We have here an Instance of the great Judgment of
Homer.
The Death of
Hector
being the chief Action of the Poem; he assembles the Gods, and calls a Council in Heaven concerning it: It is for the same Reason that he represents
Jupiter
with the greatest Solemnity weighing in his Scales the Fates of the two Heroes: I have before observ'd at large upon the last Circumstance in a preceding Note, so that there is no occasion to repeat it.
I wonder that none of the Commentators have taken notice of this Beauty; in my Opinion it is a very necessary Observation, and shews the Art and Judgment of the Poet, in that he has made the greatest and finishing Action of the Poem of such Importance that it engages the Gods in Debates.
XIV.
VERSE 226.
From
Ida
's Summits—
]
It was the Custom of the
Pagans
to sacrifice to the Gods upon the Hills and Mountains, in Scripture Language upon the
high places,
for they were persuaded that the Gods in a particular manner inhabited such Eminences: Wherefore God order'd his People to destroy all those high places, which the Nations had prophan'd by their Idolatry.
You shall utterly destroy all the Places wherein the Nations which you shall possess served their Gods, upon the high Mountains, and upon the Hills, and under every green Tree.
Deut. xii. 2. 'Tis for this Reason that so many Kings are reproach'd in Scripture for not
taking away the high Places.
XV.
VERSE 249.
Thus Step by Step,
&c.]
There is some Difficulty in this Passage, and it seems strange that
Achilles
could not overtake
Hector
when he is allow'd to excel so much in Swiftness, especially when the Poet describes him as running in a narrower Circle than
Hector: Eustathius
gives us many Solutions from the Ancients:
Homer
has already told us that they run for the Life of
Hector;
and consequently
Hector
would exert his utmost Speed, whereas
Achilles
might only endeavour to keep him from entring the City: Besides,
Achilles
could not directly pursue him, because he frequently made Efforts to shelter himself under the Wall, and he being oblig'd to turn him from it, he might be forced to take more Steps than
Hector;
but the Poet to take away all Grounds of an Objection, tells us afterwards, that
Apollo
gave him a supernatural Swiftness.
XVI.
VERSE 251.
As Men in Slumbers.
]
This beautiful Comparison has been condemn'd by some of the Ancients, even so far as to judge it unworthy of having a Place in the Iliad: They say the Diction is mean, and the Similitude itself absurd, because it compares the Swiftness of the Heroes to Men asleep, who are in a state of Rest and Inactivity; but surely there cannot be a more groundless Criticism: The Poet is so far from drawing his Comparison from the Repose of Men asleep, that he alludes only to their Dreams: It is a Race in fancy that he describes; and surely the Imagination is nimble enough to illustrate the greatest Degree of Swiftness: Besides the Verses themselves run with the utmost Rapidity, and imitate the Swiftness they describe.
Eustathius.
What sufficiently proves these Verses to be genuine, is, that
Virgil
has imitated them,
Aen.
12.
Ac veluti in somnis—
XVII.
VERSE 270.
Sign'd to the Troops,
&c.]
The Difference which
Homer
here makes between
Hector
and
Achilles
deserves to be taken notice of;
Hector
in running away towards the Walls, to the end that the
Trojans
who are upon them may overwhelm
Achilles
with their Darts; and
Achilles
in turning
Hector
towards the Plain, makes a Sign to his Troops not to attack him. This shews the great Courage of
Achilles;
and yet this Action which appears so generous has been very much condemn'd by the Ancients;
Plutarch
in the Life of
Pompey
gives us to understand, that it was look'd upon as the Action of a Fool too greedy of Glory: Indeed this is not a single Combat of
Achilles
against
Hector,
(for in that case
Achilles
would have done very ill not to hinder his Troops from assaulting him) this was a Rencounter in a Battel, and so
Achilles
might, and ought to take all Advantage to rid himself, the readiest and the surest way, of an Enemy whose Death would procure an entire Victory to his Party. Wherefore does he leave this Victory to Chance? Why expose himself to the Hazard of losing it? Why does he prefer his private Glory to the publick Weal, and the Safety of all the
Greeks,
which he puts to the venture by delaying to conquer, and endangering his own Person? I grant it is a Fault, but it must be own'd to be the Fault of a Hero.
Eustathius. Dacier.
XVIII.
VERSE 278.
Then
Phoebus
left him—
]
This is a very beautiful and poetical manner of describing a plain Circumstance: The Hour of
Hector
's Death was now come, and the Poet expresses it by saying that
Apollo,
or
Destiny,
forsakes him: That is, the Fates no longer protect him.
Eustathius.
XIX.
VERSE
id.—Fierce
Minerva
flies to stern
Pelides,
&c.
]
The Poet may seem to diminish the Glory of
Achilles,
by ascribing the Victory over
Hector
to the Assistance of
Pallas;
whereas in truth he fell by the Hand only of
Achilles:
But Poetry loves to raise every thing into a Wonder; it steps out of the common Road of Narration, and aims to surprize; and the Poet would farther insinuate that it is a greater Glory to
Achilles
to be belov'd by the Gods, than to be only excellent in Valour: For many Men have Valour, but few the Favour of Heaven.
Eustathius.
XX.
VERSE 291.
Obey'd and rested.
]
The whole Passage where
Pallas
deceives
Hector
is evidently an Allegory:
Achilles
perceiving that he cannot overtake
Hector,
pretends to be quite spent and wearied in the Pursuit; the Stratagem takes effect, and recalls his Enemy: This the Poet expresses by saying that
Pallas,
or
Wisdom,
came to assist
Achilles. Hector
observing his Enemy stay to rest concludes that he is quite fatigued, and immediately takes Courage and advances upon him; he thinks he has him at an Advantage, but at last finds himself deceiv'd: Thus making a wrong Judgment he is betray'd into his Death; so that his own
false Judgment
is the
treacherous Pallas
that deceives him.
Eustathius.
XXI.
VERSE 317.
The Speeches of
Hector,
and of
Achilles.]
There is an Opposition between these Speeches excellently adapted to the Characters of both the Heroes: That of
Hector
is full of Courage, but mixt with Humanity: That of
Achilles,
of Resentment and Arrogance: We see the great
Hector
disposing of his own Remains, and that Thirst of Glory which has made him live with Honour, now bids him provide, as
Eustathius
observes, that what once was
Hector
may not de dishonour'd: Thus we see a sedate, calm courage, with a Contempt of Death, in the Speeches of
Hector.
But in that of
Achilles
there is a
Fiertè,
and an insolent Air of Superiority; his Magnanimity makes him scorn to steal a Victory, he bids him prepare to defend himself with all his Forces, and that Valour and Resentment which made him desirous that he might revenge himself upon
Hector
with his own Hand, and forbade the
Greeks
to interpose, now directs him not to take any Advantage over a brave Enemy. I think both their Characters are admirably sustain'd, and tho'
Achilles
be drawn with a great Violence of Features, yet the Picture is undoubtedly like him; and it had been the utmost Absurdity to have soften'd one Line upon this Occasion, when the Soul of
Achilles
was all on fire to revenge the Death of his Friend
Patroclus.
I must desire the Reader to carry this Observation in his Memory, and particularly in that place, where
Achilles
says he could eat the very Flesh of
Hector;
(tho' I have a little soften'd it in the Translation) V. 438.
XXII.
VERSE 391.
So
Jove
's bold Bird,
&c.]
The Poet takes up some time in describing the two great Heroes before they close in Fight: The Verses are pompous and magnificent, and he illustrates his Description with two beautiful Similes: He makes a double use of this Conduct; he not only raises our Imagination to attend to so momentous an Action, but by lengthening his Narration he keeps the Mind in a pleasing Suspense, and divides it between Hopes and Fears for the Fate of
Hector
or
Achilles.
XXIII.
VERSE 409.
Thro' that penetrable Part furious he drove,
&c.]
It was necessary that the Poet shou'd be very particular in this Point, because the Arms that
Hector
wore, were the Arms of
Achilles,
taken from
Patroclus;
and consequently, as they were the Work of
Vulcan,
they would preserve
Hector
from the Possibility of a Wound: The Poet therefore to give an Air of Probability to his Story, tells us that they were
Patroclus
his Arms, and as they were not made for
Hector,
they might not exactly fit his Body: So that it is not improbable but there might be some place about the Neck of
Hector
so open as to admit the Spear of
Achilles. Eustathius.
XXIV.
VERSE 438.
Could I my self the bloody Banquet join!
]
I have before hinted that there is something very fierce and violent in this Passage; but I fancy that what I there observ'd will justify
Homer
in his Relation, tho' not
Achilles
in his savage Sentiments: Yet the Poet softens the Expression by saying that
Achilles
only wishes that his Heart would permit him to devour him: This is much more tolerable than a Passage in the
Thebais
of
Statius,
where
Tydeus
in the very Pangs of Death is represented as knawing the Head of his Enemy.
XXV.
VERSE 440.
Should
Troy,
to bribe me,
&c.]
Such Resolutions as
Achilles
here makes, are very natural to Men in Anger; he tells
Hector
that no Motives shall ever prevail with him to suffer his Body to be ransom'd; yet when Time had cool'd his Heat, and he had somewhat satisfy'd his Revenge by insulting his Remains, he restores them to
Priam,
this perfectly agrees with his Conduct in the ninth Book, where at first he gives a rough Denial, and afterwards softens into an easier Temper. And this is very agreeable to the Nature of
Achilles;
his Anger abates very slowly; it is stubborn, yet still it remits: Had the Poet drawn him as never to be pacify'd, he had outrag'd Nature, and not represented his Hero as a Man, but as a Monster.
Eustathius.
XXVI.
VERSE 450.
A Day will come—
]
Hector
prophesies at his Death that
Achilles
shall fall by the Hand of
Paris.
This confirms an Observation made in a former Note, that the Words of dying Men were look'd upon as Prophecies; but whether such Conjectures are true or false, it appears from hence, that such Opinions have prevail'd in the World above three thousand Years.
XXVII.
VERSE 468.
The great Dead deface with Wounds, &c.
]
Eustathius
tells us that
Homer
introduces the Soldiers wounding the dead Body of
Hector,
in order to mitigate the Cruelties which
Achilles
exercises upon his Body: For if every common Soldier takes a Pride in giving him a Wound, what Insults may we not expect from the inexorable, inflam'd
Achilles?
But I must confess myself unable to vindicate the Poet in giving us such an Idea of his Countreymen. I think the former Courage of their Enemy should have been so far from moving them to Revenge, that it should have recommended him to their Esteem: What
Achilles
afterwards acts is suitable to his Character, and consequently the Poet is justify'd; but surely all the
Greeks
were not of his Temper?
Patroclus
was not so dear to them all, as he was to
Achilles.
'Tis true the Poet represents
Achilles,
(as
Eustathius
observes) enumerating the many Ills they had suffer'd from
Hector;
and he seems to endeavour to infect the whole Army with his Resentment. Had
Hector
been living, they had been acted by a generous Indignation against him: But these Men seem as if they only dared approach him dead; in short, what they say over his Body is a mean Insult, and the Stabs they give it are cowardly and barbarous.
XXXI.
VERSE 474.
The Speech of
Achilles.]
We have a very fine Observation of
Eustathius
on this Place, that the Judgment and Address of
Homer
here is extreamly worthy of Remark: He knew, and had often said, that the Gods and Fate had not granted
Achilles
the Glory of taking
Troy:
There was then no reason to make him march against the Town after the Death of
Hector,
since all his Efforts must have been ineffectual. What has the Poet done in this Conjuncture? It was but reasonable that the first Thought of
Achilles
should be to march directly to
Troy,
and to profit himself of the general Consternation into which the Death of
Hector
had thrown the
Trojans.
We here see he knows the Duty, and does not want the Ability, of a great General; but after this on a sudden he changes his Design, and derives a plausible Pretence from the Impatience he has to pay the last Devoirs to his Friend. The Manners of
Achilles,
and what he has already done for
Patroclus,
make this very natural. At the same time, this turning off to the tender and pathetick has a fine Effect; the Reader in the very Fury of the Hero's Vengeance, perceives, that
Achilles
is still a Man, and capable of softer Passions.
XXXII.
VERSE 494. "Hector
is dead, and
Ilion
is no more.
]
I have follow'd the Opinion of
Eustathius,
who thought that what
Achilles
says here was the Chorus or Burden of a Song of Triumph, in which his Troops bear a part with him, as he returns from this glorious Combate.
Dacier
observes that this is very correspondent to the Manners of those Times; and instances in that Passage of the Book of
Kings,
when
David
returns from the Conquest of
Goliah:
The Women there go out to meet him from all the Cities of
Israel,
and sing a triumphal Song, the Chorus whereof is, Saul
has kill'd his Thousands, and
David
his ten Thousands.
XXXIII.
VERSE 496.]
Unworthy of himself, and of the Dead.
]
This Inhumanity of
Achilles
in dragging the dead Body of
Hector,
has been severely (and I think indeed not without some Justice) censur'd by several both Ancients and Moderns.
Plato
in his third Book
de Republica,
speaks of it with Detestation: But methinks it is a great Injustice to
Homer
to reflect upon the Morals of the Author himself, for things which he only paints as the Manners of a vicious Hero.
It may justly be observ'd in general of all
Plato
's Objections against
Homer,
that they are still in a View to Morality, constantly blaming him for representing ill and immoral Things as the Opinions or Actions of his Persons. To every one of these one general Answer will serve, which is, that
Homer
as often describes ill things, in order to make us avoid them, as good, to induce us to follow them (which is the Case with all Writers whatever.) But what is extremely remarkable, and evidently shews the Injustice of
Plato
's Censure is, that many of those very Actions for which he blames him are expressly characterized and marked by
Homer
himself as evil and detestable, by previous Expressions or Cautions. Thus in the present Place, before he describes this Barbarity of
Achilles,
he tells us it was a most unworthy Action.
—
When
Achilles
sacrifices the twelve young
Trojans
in l. 23. he repeats the same Words. When
Pandarus
broke the Truce in l. 4. he told us it was a mad, unjust Deed,
—
And so of the rest.
XXXIV.
VERSE 506.
The Face divine, and long-descending Hair.
]
It is impossible to read the Actions of great Men without having our Curiosity rais'd to know the least Circumstance that relates to them:
Homer
to satisfy it, has taken care in the Process of his Poem to give us the Shape of his Heroes, and the very Colour of their Hair; thus he has told us that
Achilles
's Locks were yellow, and here the Epithet
shews us that those of
Hector
were of a darker Colour: As to his Person, he told us a little above that it was so handsome that all the
Greeks
were surpriz'd to see it.
Plutarch
recites a remarkable Story of the Beauty of
Hector:
It was reported in
Lacedaemon,
that a handsome Youth who very much resembled
Hector,
was arriv'd there; immediately the whole City run in such Numbers to behold him, that he was trampled to Death by the Crowd.
Eustathius.
XXXV.
VERSE 543.
Sinks my sad Soul with Sorrow to the Grave.
]
It is in the
Greek
It is needless to observe to the Reader with what a beautiful Pathos the wretched Father laments his Son
Hector:
It is impossible not to join with
Priam
in his Sorrows. But what I would chiefly point out to my Reader, is the Beauty of this Line, which is particularly tender, and almost Word for Word the same with that of the Patriarch
Jacob;
who upon a like Occasion breaks out into the same Complaint, and tells his Children, that if they deprive him of his Son
Benjamin,
they will
bring down his grey Hairs with Sorrow to the Grave.
XXXVI.
VERSE 563,
&c.
] The Grief of
Andromache,
which is painted in the following Part, is far beyond all the Praises that can be given it; but I must take notice of one Particular which shews the great Art of the Poet. In order to make the Wife of
Hector
appear yet more afflicted than his Parents, he has taken care to encrease her Affliction by Surprize: It is finely prepar'd by the Circumstances of her being retir'd to her innermost Apartment, of her Employment in weaving a Robe for her Husband (as may be conjectur'd from what she says afterward, ℣. 657.) and of her Maids preparing the Bath for his Return: All which (as the Criticks have observ'd) augment the Surprize, and render this Reverse of Fortune much more dreadful and afflicting.
XXXVI.
VERSE 600.
Her Hair's fair Ornaments.
]
Eustathius
remarks, that in speaking of
Andromache
and
Hecuba, Homer
expatiates upon the Ornaments of Dress in
Andromache,
because she was a beautiful young Princess; but is very concise about that of
Hecuba,
because she was old, and wore a Dress rather suitable to her Age and Gravity, than to her State, Birth, and Condition. I cannot pass over a Matter of such Importance as a young Lady's Dress, without endeavouring to explain what sort of Heads were worn above three thousand Years ago.
It is difficult to describe particularly every Ornament mention'd by the Poet, but I shall lay before my female Readers the Bishop's Explanation. The
was used,
, that is, to tye backwards the Hair that grew on the fore-part of the Head: The
was a Veil of Network that cover'd the Hair when it was so ty'd:
was an Ornament us'd
, to tye backwards the Hair that grew on the Temples; and the
was a Fillet, perhaps embroider'd with Gold, (from the Expression of
) that bound the whole, and compleated the Dress.
The Ladies cannot but be pleas'd to see so much Learning and
Greek
upon this important Subject.
Homer
is in nothing more excellent than in that Distinction of Characters which he maintains thro' his whole Poem: What
Andromache
here says, can be spoken properly by none but
Andromache:
There is nothing general in her Sorrows, nothing that can be transfer'd to another Character: The Mother laments the Son, and the Wife weeps over the Husband.
XXXVIII.
VERSE 628.
The Day that to the Shades,
&c.]
The following Verses, which so finely describe the Condition of an Orphan, have been rejected by some ancient Criticks: It is a Proof there were always Criticks of no manner of Taste; it being impossible any where to meet with a more exquisite Passage. I will venture to say, there are not in all
Homer
any Lines more worthy of him: The Beauty of this tender and Compassionate Image is such, that it even makes amends for the many cruel ones, with which the Iliad is too much stained. These Censurers imagined this Description to be of too abject and mean a Nature for one of the Quality of
Astyanax;
but had they consider'd (says
Eustathius
) that these are the Words of a fond Mother who fear'd every thing for her Son, that Women are by Nature timorous and think all Misfortunes will happen, because there is a Possibility that they may; that
Andromache
is in the very height of her Sorrows, in the Instant she is speaking; I fancy they would have alter'd their Opinion.
It is undoubtedly an Aggravation to our Misfortunes when they sink us in a Moment from the highest flow of Prosperity to the lowest Adversity: The Poet judiciously makes use of this Circumstance, the more to excite our Pity, and introduces the Mother with the utmost Tenderness, lamenting this Reverse of Fortune in her Son; chang'd all at once into a Slave, a Beggar, an Orphan! Have we not Examples in our own Times of such unhappy Princes, whose Condition renders this of
Astyanax
but too probable?
XXXIX.
VERSE 647.
On Dainties fed.
]
It is in the
Greek,
"Who upon his Father's Knees us'd to eat Marrow and the Fat of Sheep.
This would seem gross if it were literally translated, but it is a figurative Expression; and in the Style of the Orientals, Marrow and Fatness are taken for whatever is best, tenderest, and most delicious. Thus in
Job
xxi. 24.
Viscera ejus plena sunt adipe & medullis ossa ejus
rigantur.
And xxxvi. 16.
Requies autem mensae tuae erit plena pinguedine.
In
Jer.
xxxi. 14. God says, that he will satiate the Soul of the Priests with Fatness.
Inebriabo animam Sacerdotum pinguedine. Dacier.
XL.
VERSE 657.
The martial Scarf and Robe of Triumph wove.
]
This Idea very naturally offers itself to a Woman, who represents to herself the Body of her Husband dash'd to pieces, and all his Limbs dragg'd upon the Ground uncover'd; and nothing is more proper to excite Pity. 'Tis well known that it was anciently the Custom among Princesses and great Ladies to have large Quantities of Stuffs and Moveables. This Provision was more necessary in those Times than now, because of the great Consumption made of them on those Occasions of Mourning.
I am of Opinion that
Homer
had a farther View in expatiating thus largely upon the Death of
Hector.
Every Word that
Hecuba, Priam,
and
Andromache
speaks, shews us the Importance of
Hector:
Every Word adds a Weight to the concluding Action of his Poem, and at the same time represents the sad Effects of the Anger of
Achilles,
which is the Subject of it.
THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK OF THE ILIAD.
The ARGUMENT.
The Funeral of
Patroclus.
ACHILLES
and the
Myrmidons
do Honours to the Body of
Patroclus.
After the funeral Feast he retires to the Sea-Shore, where falling asleep, the Ghost of his Friend appears to him, and demands the Rites of Burial; the next Morning the Soldiers are sent with Mules and Waggons to fetch Wood for the Pyre. The funeral Procession, and the offering of their Hair to the Dead.
Achilles
sacrifices several Animals, and lastly, twelve
Trojan
Captives at the Pile, then sets fire to it. He pays Libations to the Winds, which (at the instance of
Iris
) rise, and raise the Flames. When the Pile has burn'd all Night, they gather the Bones, place 'em in an Urn of Gold, and raise the Tomb.
Achilles
institutes the funeral Games: The Chariot Race, the Fight of the
Caestus,
the Wrestling, the Foot-Race, the single Combate, the
Discus,
the shooting with Arrows, the darting the Javelin: The various Descriptions of which, and the various Success of the several Antagonists, make the greatest part of the Book.
In this Book ends the thirtieth Day: The Night following, the Ghost of
Patroclus
appears to
Achilles:
The one and thirtieth Day is employ'd in felling the Timber for the Pile; the two and thirtieth in burning it; and the three and thirtieth in the Games. The Scene is generally on the Sea-Shore.
THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK OF THE ILIAD.
THUS humbled in the Dust, the pensive Train
Thro' the sad City mourn'd her Hero slain.
The Body soil'd with Dust, and black with Gore,
Lyes on broad
Hellespont
's resounding Shore:
The
Grecians
seek their Ships, and clear the Strand,
All, but the martial
Myrmidonian
Band:
These yet assembled great
Achilles
holds,
And the stern purpose of his Mind unfolds.
Not yet (my brave Companions of the War)
Release your smoaking Coursers from the Car;
But, with his Chariot each in order led,
Perform due Honours to
Patroclus
dead.
E'er yet from Rest or Food we seek Relief,
Some Rites remain, to glut our Rage of Grief.
The Troops obey'd; and thrice in order led
(
Achilles
first) their Coursers round the Dead;
And thrice their Sorrows and Laments renew;
Tears drop the Sands, and Tears their Arms bedew.
For such a Warrior
Thetis
aids their Woe,
Melts their strong Hearts, and bids their Eyes to flow.
But chief,
Pelides:
thick-succeeding Sighs
Burst from his Heart, and Torrents from his Eyes:
His slaught'ring Hands, yet red with Blood, he laid
On his dead Friend's cold Breast, and thus he said.
All hail
Patroclus!
let thy honour'd Ghost
Hear, and rejoice on
Pluto
's dreary Coast;
Behold!
Achilles'
Promise is compleat;
The bloody
Hector
stretch'd before thy Feet.
Lo! to the Dogs his Carcass I resign;
And twelve sad Victims of the
Trojan
Line
Sacred to Vengeance, instant shall expire,
Their Lives effus'd around thy fun'ral Pyre.
Gloomy he said, and (horrible to view)
Before the Bier the bleeding
Hector
threw,
Prone on the Dust. The
Myrmidons
around
Unbrac'd their Armour, and the Steeds unbound.
All to
Achilles'
sable Ship repair,
Frequent and full, the genial Feast to share.
Now from the well-fed Swine black Smokes aspire,
The bristly Victims hissing o'er the Fire;
The huge Ox bellowing falls; with feebler cries
Expires the Goat; the Sheep in Silence dies:
Around the Hero's prostrate Body flow'd
In one promiscuous Stream, the reeking Blood.
And now a Band of
Argive
Monarchs brings
The glorious Victor to the King of Kings.
From his dead Friend the pensive Warrior went,
With Steps unwilling, to the regal Tent.
Th' attending Heralds, as by Office bound,
With kindled Flames the Tripod-Vase surround;
To cleanse his conqu'ring Hands from hostile Gore,
They urg'd in vain; the Chief refus'd, and swore.
No Drop shall touch me, by almighty
Jove!
The first and greatest of the Gods above!
Till on the Pyre I place thee; till I rear
The grassy Mound, and clip thy sacred Hair.
Some Ease at least those pious Rites may give,
And sooth my Sorrows, while I bear to live.
Howe'er, reluctant as I am, I stay,
And share your Feast; but, with the Dawn of Day,
(O King of Men!) it claims thy royal Care,
That
Greece
the Warrior's fun'ral Pile prepare,
And bid the Forests fall: (Such Rites are paid
To Heroes slumb'ring in Eternal Shade)
Then, when his earthly Part shall mount in Fire,
Let the leagu'd Squadrons to their Posts retire.
He spoke; they hear him, and the Word obey;
The Rage of Hunger and of Thirst allay,
Then ease in Sleep the Labours of the Day.
But great
Pelides,
stretch'd along the Shore
Where dash'd on Rocks the broken Billows roar,
Lies inly groaning; while on either Hand
The martial
Myrmidons
confus'dly stand:
Along the Grass his languid Members fall,
Tir'd with his Chase around the
Trojan
Wall;
Hush'd by the Murmurs of the rolling Deep
At length he sinks in the soft Arms of Sleep.
When lo! the Shade before his closing Eyes
Of sad
Patroclus
rose, or seem'd to rise;
In the same Robe the Living wore, he came,
In Stature, Voice, and pleasing Look, the same.
The Form familiar hover'd o'er his Head,
And sleeps
Achilles,
(thus the Phantom said)
Sleeps my
Achilles,
his
Patroclus
dead?
Living, I seem'd his dearest, tend'rest Care,
But now forgot, I wander in the Air:
Let my pale Corse the Rites of Burial know,
And give me Entrance in the Realms below:
Till then, the Spirit finds no resting place,
But here and there th' unbody'd Spectres chace
The vagrant Dead around the dark Abode,
Forbid to cross th' irremeable Flood.
Now give thy Hand; for to the farther Shore
When once we pass, the Soul returns no more.
When once the last Funereal Flames ascend,
No more shall meet,
Achilles
and his Friend,
No more our Thoughts to those we lov'd make known,
Or quit the dearest, to converse alone.
Me Fate has sever'd from the Sons of Earth,
The Fate fore-doom'd that waited from my Birth:
Thee too it waits; before the
Trojan
Wall
Ev'n great and god-like Thou art doom'd to fall.
Hear then; and as in Fate and Love we joyn,
Ah suffer that my Bones may rest with thine!
Together have we liv'd, together bred,
One House receiv'd us, and one Table fed;
That golden Urn thy Goddess Mother gave
May mix our Ashes in one common Grave.
And is it thou (he answers) to my Sight
Once more return'st thou from the Realms of Night?
Oh more than Brother! Think each Office paid,
Whate'er can rest a discontented Shade;
But grant one last Embrace, unhappy Boy!
Afford at least that melancholy joy.
He said, and with his longing Arms essay'd
In vain to grasp the visionary Shade;
Like a thin Smoke he sees the Spirit fly,
And hears a feeble, lamentable Cry.
Confus'd he wakes; Amazement breaks the Bands
Of golden Sleep, and starting from the Sands,
Pensive he muses with uplifted Hands.
'Tis true, 'tis certain; Man, tho' dead, retains
Part of himself; th'immortal Mind remains:
The Form subsists, without the Body's Aid,
Aerial Semblance, and an empty Shade!
This night my Friend, so late in Battel lost,
Stood at my side, a pensive, plaintive Ghost;
Ev'n now familiar, as in Life, he came,
Alas how diff'rent! yet how like the same!
Thus while he spoke, each Eye grew big with Tears:
And now the rosy-finger'd Morn appears,
Shews every mournful Face with Tears o'erspread,
And glares on the pale Visage of the Dead.
But
Agamemnon,
as the Rites demand,
With Mules and Waggons sends a chosen Band;
To load the Timber and the Pile to rear,
A Charge consign'd to
Merion
's faithful Care.
With proper Instruments they take the Road,
Axes to cut, and Ropes to sling the Load.
First march the heavy Mules, securely slow,
O'er Hills, o'er Dales, o'er Crags, o'er Rocks, they go:
Jumping high o'er the Shrubs of the rough Ground,
Rattle the clatt'ring Cars, and the shockt Axles bound.
But when arriv'd at
Ida
's spreading Woods,
(Fair
Ida,
water'd with descending Floods)
Loud sounds the Axe, redoubling Strokes on Strokes;
On all sides round the Forest hurles her Oaks
Headlong. Deep-echoing groan the Thickets brown;
Then rustling, crackling, crashing, thunder down.
The Wood the
Grecians
cleave, prepar'd to burn;
And the slow Mules the same rough Road return.
The sturdy Woodmen equal Burthens bore
(Such charge was giv'n 'em) to the sandy Shore;
There on the Spot which great
Achilles
show'd,
They eas'd their Shoulders, and dispos'd the Load;
Circling around the Place, where Times to come
Shall view
Patroclus'
and
Achilles'
Tomb.
The Hero bids his martial Troops appear
High on their Cars, in all the Pomp of War;
Each in refulgent Arms his Limbs attires,
All mount their Chariots, Combatants and Squires.
The Chariots first proceed, a shining Train;
Then Clouds of Foot that smoak along the Plain;
Next these a melancholy Band appear,
Amidst, lay dead
Patroclus
on the Bier:
O'er all the Corse their scatter'd Locks they throw.
Achilles
next, opprest with mighty Woe,
Supporting with his Hands the Hero's Head,
Bends o'er th' extended Body of the Dead.
The Body decent, on th' appointed Ground
They place, and heap the Sylvan Pile around.
But great
Achilles
stands apart in Pray'r,
And from his Head divides the yellow Hair;
The curling Locks which from his Youth he vow'd,
And sacred grew to
Sperchius
honour'd Flood:
Then sighing, to the Deep his Looks he cast,
And roll'd his Eyes around the wat'ry Waste.
Sperchius!
whose Waves in mazy Errors lost
Delightful roll along my native Coast!
To whom we vainly vow'd, at our return,
These Locks to fall, and Hecatombs to burn;
Full fifty Rams to bleed in Sacrifice,
Where to the Day thy silver Fountains rise,
And where in Shade of consecrated Bow'rs
Thy Altars stand, perfum'd with native Flow'rs!
So vow'd my Father, but he vow'd in vain;
No more
Achilles
sees his native Plain;
In that vain Hope these Hairs no longer grow,
Patroclus
bears them to the Shades below.
Thus o'er
Patroclus
while the Hero pray'd,
On his cold Hand the sacred Lock he laid.
Once more afresh the
Grecian
Sorrows flow:
And now the Sun had set upon their Woe;
But to the King of Men thus spoke the Chief.
Enough,
Atrides!
give the Troops Relief:
Permit the mourning Legions to retire,
And let the Chiefs alone attend the Pyre;
The pious Care be ours, the Dead to burn—
He said: The People to their Ships return:
While those deputed to inter the Slain
Heap with a rising Pyramid the Plain.
A hundred Foot in length, a hundred wide,
The growing Structure spreads on ev'ry Side;
High on the Top the manly Corse they lay,
And well-fed Sheep, and sable Oxen slay:
Achilles
cover'd with their Fat the Dead,
And the pil'd Victims round the Body spread.
Then Jars of Honey, and of fragrant Oil
Suspends around, low-bending o'er the Pile.
Four sprightly Coursers, with a deadly Groan
Pour forth their Lives, and on the Pyre are thrown.
Of nine large Dogs, domestick at his Board,
Fall two, selected to attend their Lord.
Then last of all, and horrible to tell,
Sad Sacrifice! twelve
Trojan
Captives fell.
On these the Rage of Fire victorious preys,
Involves, and joins them in one common Blaze.
Smear'd with the bloody Rites, he stands on high,
And calls the Spirit with a dreadful Cry.
All hail,
Patroclus!
let thy vengeful Ghost
Hear, and exult on
Pluto
's dreary Coast.
Behold,
Achilles'
Promise fully paid,
Twelve
Trojan
Heroes offer'd to thy Shade;
But heavier Fates on
Hector
's Corse attend,
Sav'd from the Flames, for hungry Dogs to rend.
So spake he, threat'ning: But the Gods made vain
His Threat, and guard inviolate the Slain:
Celestial
Venus
hover'd o'er his Head,
And roseate Unguents, heav'nly Fragrance! shed:
She watch'd him all the Night, and all the Day,
And drove the Bloodhounds from their destin'd Prey.
Nor sacred
Phoebus
less employ'd his Care;
He pour'd around a Veil of gather'd Air,
And kept the Nerves undry'd, the Flesh entire,
Against the Solar Beam and
Sirian
Fire.
Nor yet the Pile where dead
Patroclus
lies,
Smokes, nor as yet the sullen Flames arise;
But fast beside
Achilles
stood in Pray'r,
Invok'd the Gods whose Spirit moves the Air,
And Victims promis'd, and Libations cast,
To gentle
Zephyr
and the
Boreal
Blast:
He call'd th' Aerial Pow'rs, along the Skies
To breathe, and whisper to the Fires to rise.
The winged
Iris
heard the Hero's Call,
And instant hasten'd to their airy Hall,
Where, in old
Zephyr
's open Courts on high,
Sate all the blustring Brethren of the Sky.
She shone amidst them, on her painted Bow;
The rocky Pavement glitter'd with the Show.
All from the Banquet rise, and each invites
The Various Goddess to partake the Rites.
Not so, (the Dame reply'd) I haste to go
To sacred Ocean, and the Floods below:
Ev'n now our solemn Hecatombs attend,
And Heav'n is feasting on the World's green End,
With righteous
Aethiops
(uncorrupted Train!)
Far on th'extreamest Limits of the Main.
But
Peleus'
Son intreats, with Sacrifice,
The
Western Spirit,
and the
North
to rise;
Let on
Patroclus'
Pile your Blast be driv'n,
And bear the blazing Honours high to Heav'n.
Swift as the Word, she vanish'd from their View;
Swift as the Word, the
Winds
tumultuous flew;
Forth burst the stormy Band with thundring Roar,
And Heaps on Heaps the Clouds are tost before.
To the wide Main then stooping from the Skies,
The heaving Deeps in wat'ry Mountains rise:
Troy
feels the Blast along her shaking Walls,
Till on the Pyle the gather'd Tempest falls.
The Structure crackles in the roaring Fires,
And all the Night the plenteous Flame aspires.
All Night,
Achilles
hails
Patroclus
Soul,
With large Libation from the golden Bowl.
As a poor Father helpless and undone,
Mourns o'er the Ashes of an only Son,
Takes a sad Pleasure the last Bones to burn,
And pour in Tears, e'er yet they close the Urn.
So stay'd
Achilles,
circling round the Shore,
So watch'd the Flames, till now they flam'd no more.
'Twas when, emerging thro' the Shades of Night,
The Morning Planet told th'approach of Light;
And fast behind,
Aurora
's warmer Ray
O'er the broad Ocean pour'd the golden Day:
Then sunk the Blaze, the Pyle no longer burn'd,
And to their Caves the whistling
Winds
return'd:
Across the
Thracian
Seas their Course they bore;
The ruffled Seas beneath their Passage roar.
Then parting from the Pyle he ceas'd to weep,
And sunk to Quiet in th' Embrace of Sleep,
Exhausted with his Grief: Meanwhile the Crowd
Of thronging
Grecians
round
Achilles
stood;
The Tumult wak'd him: From his Eyes he shook
Unwilling Slumber, and the Chiefs bespoke.
Ye Kings and Princes of th'
Achaian
Name!
First let us quench the yet-remaining Flame
With sable Wine; then, (as the Rites direct,)
The Hero's Bones with careful view select:
(Apart, and easy to be known they lye,
Amidst the Heap, and obvious to the Eye;
The rest around the Margins will be seen,
Promiscuous, Steeds, and immolated Men)
These wrapt in double Cauls of Fat, prepare;
And in the golden Vase dispose with Care;
There let them rest, with decent Honour laid,
Till I shall follow to th'Infernal Shade.
Meantime erect the Tomb with pious Hands,
A common Structure on the humble Sands;
Hereafter
Greece
some nobler Work may raise,
And late Posterity record our Praise.
The
Greeks
obey; where yet the Embers glow,
Wide o'er the Pyle the sable Wine they throw,
And deep subsides the ashy Heap below.
Next the white Bones his sad Companions place
With Tears collected, in the golden Vase.
The sacred Relicks to the Tent they bore;
The Urn a Veil of Linen cover'd o'er.
That done, they bid the Sepulchre aspire,
And cast the deep Foundations round the Pyre;
High in the midst they heap the swelling Bed
Of rising Earth, Memorial of the Dead.
The swarming Populace the Chief detains,
And leads amidst a wide Extent of Plains;
There plac'd 'em round: Then from the Ships proceeds
A Train of Oxen, Mules, and stately Steeds,
Vases and Tripods, for the Fun'ral Games,
Resplendent Brass, and more resplendent Dames.
First stood the Prizes to reward the Force
Of rapid Racers in the dusty Course.
A Woman for the first, in Beauty's Bloom,
Skill'd in the Needle, and the lab'ring Loom;
And a large Vase, where two bright Handles rise,
Of twenty Measures its capacious Size.
The second Victor claims a Mare unbroke,
Big with a Mule, unknowing of the Yoke:
The third, a Charger yet untouch'd by Flame;
Four ample Measures held the shining Frame:
Two golden Talents for the fourth were plac'd;
An ample double Bowl contents the last.
These in fair Order rang'd upon the Plain,
The Hero, rising, thus addrest the Train.
Behold the Prizes, valiant
Greeks!
decreed
To the brave Rulers of the racing Steed;
Prizes which none beside our self could gain,
Should our immortal Coursers take the Plain;
(A Race unrival'd, which from Ocean's God
Peleus
receiv'd, and on his Son bestow'd.)
But this no time our Vigour to display,
Nor suit, with them, the Games of this sad Day:
Lost is
Patroclus
now, that wont to deck
Their flowing Manes, and sleek their glossy Neck.
Sad, as they shar'd in human Grief, they stand,
And trail those graceful Honours on the Sand!
Let others for the noble Task prepare,
Who trust the Courser, and the flying Car.
Fir'd at his Word, the Rival Racers rise;
But far the first,
Eumelus
hopes the Prize,
Fam'd thro'
Pieria
for the fleetest Breed,
And skill'd to manage the high-bounding Steed.
With equal Ardor bold
Tydides
swell'd
The Steeds of
Tros
beneath his Yoke compell'd,
(Which late obey'd the
Dardan
Chief's Command,
When scarce a God redeem'd him from his Hand)
Then
Menelaus
his
Podargus
brings,
And the fam'd Courser of the King of Kings:
Whom rich
Echepolus,
(more rich than brave)
To 'scape the Wars, to
Agamemnon
gave,
(
Aethe
her Name) at home to end his Days,
Base Wealth preferring to eternal Praise.
Next him
Antilochus
demands the Course,
With beating Heart, and chears his
Pylian
Horse.
Experienc'd
Nestor
gives the Son the Reins,
Directs his Judgment, and his Heat restrains;
Nor idly warns the hoary Sire, nor hears
The prudent Son with unattending Ears.
My Son! tho' youthful Ardor fire thy Berast,
The Gods have lov'd thee, and with Arts have blest.
Neptune
and
Jove
on thee conferr'd the Skill,
Swift round the Goal to turn the flying Wheel.
To guide thy Conduct, little Precept needs;
But slow, and past their Vigour, are my Steeds.
Fear not thy Rivals, tho' for Swiftness known,
Compare those Rivals Judgment, and thy own:
It is not Strength, but Art, obtains the Prize,
And to be swift is less than to be wise:
'Tis more by Art, than Force of num'rous Strokes,
The dext'rous Woodman shapes the stubborn Oaks;
By Art, the Pilot thro' the boiling Deep
And howling Tempest, stears the fearless Ship;
And 'tis the Artist wins the glorious Course,
Not those, who trust in Chariots and in Horse.
In vain unskilfull to the Goal they strive,
And short, or wide, th'ungovern'd Courser drive:
While with sure Skill, tho' with inferior Steeds,
The knowing Racer to his End proceeds;
Fix'd on the Goal his Eye fore-runs the Course,
His Hand unerring steers the steady Horse,
And now contracts, or now extends the Rein,
Observing still the foremost on the Plain.
Mark then the Goal, 'tis easy to be found;
Yon' aged Trunk, a Cubit from the Ground;
Of some once-stately Oak the last Remains,
Or hardy Fir, unperish'd with the Rains.
Inclos'd with Stones conspicuous from afar,
And round, a Circle for the wheeling Car.
(Some Tomb perhaps of old, the Dead to grace;
Or then, as now, the Limit of a Race)
Bear close to this, and warily proceed,
A little bending to the left-hand Steed;
But urge the Right, and give him all the Reins;
While thy strict Hand his Fellows Head restrains,
And turns him short; till, doubling as they roll,
The Wheel's round Naves appear to brush the Goal.
Yet (not to break the Car, or lame the Horse)
Clear of the stony Heap direct the Course;
Lest thro' Incaution failing, thou may'st be
A Joy to others, a Reproach to me.
So shalt thou pass the Goal, secure of Mind,
And leave unskilful Swiftness far behind.
Tho' thy fierce Rival drove the matchless Steed
Which bore
Adrastus,
of celestial Breed;
Or the fam'd Race thro' all the Regions known,
That whirl'd the Car of proud
Laomedon.
Thus, (nought unsaid) the much-advising Sage
Concludes; then sate, stiff with unwieldy Age.
Next bold
Meriones
was seen to rise,
The last, but not least ardent for the Prize.
They mount their Seats; the Lots their Place dispose;
(Roll'd in his Helmet, these
Achilles
throws.)
Young
Nestor
leads the Race:
Eumelus
then;
And next, the Brother of the King of Men:
Thy Lot,
Meriones,
the fourth was cast;
And, far the bravest,
Diomed,
was last.
They stand in order, an impatient Train;
Pelides
points the Barrier on the Plain,
And sends before old
Phoenix
to the Place,
To mark the Racers, and to judge the Race.
At once the Coursers from the Barrier bound;
The lifted Scourges all at once resound;
Their Heart, their Eyes, their Voice, they send before;
And up the Champain thunder from the Shore:
Thick, where they drive, the dusty Clouds arise,
And the lost Courser in the Whirlwind flies;
Loose on their Shoulders the long Manes reclin'd,
Float in their Speed, and dance upon the Wind:
The smoaking Chariots, rapid as they bound,
Now seem to touch the Sky, and now the Ground.
While hot for Fame, and Conquest all their Care,
(Each o'er his flying Courser hung in Air)
Erect with Ardour, pois'd upon the Rein,
They pant, they stretch, they shout along the Plain.
Now, (the last Compass fetch'd around the Goal)
At the near Prize each gathers all his Soul,
Each burns with double Hope, with double Pain,
Tears up the Shore, and thunders tow'rd the Main.
First flew
Eumelus
on
Pheretian
Steeds;
With those of
Tros,
bold
Diomed
succeeds:
Close on
Eumelus'
Back they puff the Wind,
And seem just mounting on his Car behind;
Full on his Neck he feels the sultry Breeze,
And hov'ring o'er, their stretching Shadows sees.
Then had he lost, or left a doubtful Prize;
But angry
Phoebus
to
Tydides
flies,
Strikes from his Hand the Scourge, and renders vain
His matchless Horses labour on the Plain.
Rage fills his Eye with Anguish, to survey
Snatch'd from his Hope, the Glories of the Day.
The Fraud celestial
Pallas
sees with Pain,
Springs to her Knight, and gives the Scourge again,
And fills his Steeds with Vigour. At a Stroke,
She breaks his Rivals Chariot from the Yoke;
No more their Way the startled Horses held;
The Car revers'd came rat'ling on the Field;
Shot headlong from his Seat, beside the Wheel,
Prone on the Dust th' unhappy Master fell;
His batter'd Face and Elbows strike the Ground;
Nose, Mouth and Front, one undistinguish'd Wound:
Grief stops his Voice, a Torrent drowns his Eyes;
Before him far the glad
Tydides
flies;
Minerva
's Spirit drives his matchless Pace,
And crowns him Victor of the labour'd Race.
The next, tho' distant,
Menelas
succeeds;
While thus young
Nestor
animates his Steeds.
Now, now, my gen'rous Pair, exert your Force;
Not that we hope to match
Tydides'
Horse,
Since great
Minerva
wings their rapid Way,
And gives their Lord the Honours of the Day.
But reach
Atrides!
Shall his Mare out-go
Your Swiftness? Vanquish'd by a female Foe?
Thro' your neglect if lagging on the Plain
The last ignoble Gift be all we gain;
No more shall
Nestor
's Hand your Food supply,
The old Man's Fury rises, and ye die.
Haste then; yon' narrow Road before our Sight
Presents th' occasion, could we use it right.
Thus He. The Coursers at their Master's Threat
With quicker Steps the sounding Champain beat.
And now
Antilochus,
with nice survey,
Observes the Compass of the hollow way.
'Twas where by Force of wintry Torrents torn,
Fast by the Road a Precipice was worn:
Here, where but one could pass, to shun the Throng
The
Spartan
Hero's Chariot smoak'd along.
Close up the vent'rous Youth resolves to keep,
Still edging near, and bears him tow'rd the Steep.
Atrides,
trembling casts his Eye below,
And wonders at the Rashness of his Foe.
Hold, stay your Steeds—What Madness thus to ride?
This narrow way? Take larger Field (he cry'd)
Or both mull fall
—Atrides
cry'd in vain;
He flies more fast, and throws up all the Rein.
Far as an able Arm the Disk can send,
When youthful Rivals their full Force extend,
So far
Antilochus!
thy Chariot flew
Before the King: He, cautious, backward drew
His Horse compell'd; foreboding in his Fears
The rattling Ruin of the clashing Cars,
The flound'ring Coursers rolling on the Plain,
And Conquest lost thro' frantick Haste to gain.
But thus upbraids his Rival as he flies;
Go, furious Youth! ungen'rous and unwise!
Go, but expect not I'll the Prize resign;
Add Perjury to Fraud, and make it thine.—
Then to his Steeds with all his Force he cries;
Be swift, be vig'rous, and regain the Prize!
Your Rivals, destitute of youthful Force,
With fainting Knees shall labour in the Course,
And yield the Glory yours—The Steeds obey;
Already at their Heels they wing their Way,
And seem already to retrieve the Day.
Meantime the
Grecians
in a Ring beheld
The Coursers bounding o'er the dusty Field.
The first who markd them was the
Cretan
King;
High on a rising Ground, above the Ring,
The Monarch sate; from whence with sure survey
He well observ'd the Chief who led the way,
And heard from far his animating Cries,
And saw the foremost Steed with sharpen'd Eyes;
On whose broad Front a Blaze of shining white,
Like the full Moon, stood obvious to the Sight.
He saw; and rising, to the
Greeks
begun.
Are yonder Horse discern'd by me alone?
Or can ye, all, another Chief survey,
And other Steeds, than lately led the Way?
Those, tho' the swiftest, by some God with-held,
Lie sure disabled in the middle Field:
For since the Goal they doubled, round the Plain
I search to find them, but I search in vain.
Perchance the Reins forsook the Driver's Hand,
And, turn'd too short, he tumbled on the Strand,
Shot from the Chariot; while his Coursers stray
With frantick Fury from the destin'd Way.
Rise then some other, and inform my Sight,
(For these dim Eyes, perhaps, discern not right)
Yet sure he seems, (to judge by Shape and Air,)
The great
Aetolian
Chief, renown'd in War.
Old Man! (
Oïleus
rashly thus replies)
Thy Tongue too hastily confers the Prize.
Of those who view the Course, not sharpest ey'd,
Nor youngest, yet the readiest to decide.
Eumelus'
Steeds high-bounding in the Chace,
Still, as at first, unrivall'd lead the Race,
I well discern him, as he shakes the Rein,
And hear his Shouts victorious o'er the Plain.
Thus he.
Idomeneus
incens'd rejoin'd:
Barb'rous of Words! and arrogant of Mind!
Contentious Prince! of all the
Greeks
beside
The last in Merit, as the first in Pride.
To vile Reproach what Answer can we make?
A Goblet or a Tripod let us stake,
And be the King the Judge. The most unwise
Will learn their Rashness, when they pay the Price.
He said: and
Ajax
by mad Passion born,
Stern had reply'd; fierce Scorn inhancing Scorn
To fell extreams. But
Thetis'
god-like Son,
Awful, amidst them rose; and thus begun.
Forbear ye Chiefs! reproachful to contend;
Much would ye blame, should others thus offend:
And lo! th'approaching Steeds your Contest end.
No sooner had he spoke, but thund'ring near
Drives, thro' a Stream of Dust, the Charioteer;
High o'er his Head the circling Lash he wields;
His bounding Horses scarcely touch the Fields:
His Car amidst the dusty Whirlwind roll'd,
Bright with the mingled Blaze of Tin and Gold,
Refulgent thro' the Cloud, no Eye could find
The Track his flying Wheels had left behind:
And the fierce Coursers urg'd their rapid Pace
So swift, it seem'd a Flight, and not a Race.
Now Victor at the Goal
Tydides
stands,
Quits his bright Car, and springs upon the Sands;
From the hot Steeds the sweaty Torrents stream;
The well-ply'd Whip is hung athwart the Beam;
With Joy brave
Sthenelus
receives the Prize,
The Tripod-Vase, and Dame with radiant Eyes:
These to the Ships his Train triumphant leads,
The Chief himself unyokes the panting Steeds.
Young
Nestor
follows (who by Art, not Force,
O'er-past
Atrides
) second in the Course.
Behind,
Atrides
urg'd the Race, or more near
Than to the Courser in his swift Career
The following Car, just touching with his Heel
And brushing with his Tail the whirling Wheel.
Such, and so narrow now the Space between
The Rivals, late so distant on the Green.
So soon swift
Aethe
her lost Ground regain'd,
One Length, one Moment had the Race obtain'd.
Merion
pursu'd, at greater Distance still,
With tardier Coursers, and inferior Skill.
Last came,
Admetus!
thy unhappy Son;
Slow dragg'd the Steeds his batter'd Chariot on:
Achilles
saw, and pitying thus begun.
Behold! the Man whose matchless Art surpast
The Sons of
Greece!
the ablest, yet the last!
Fortune denies, but Justice bids us pay
(Since great
Tydides
bears the first away)
To him the second Honours of the Day.
The
Greeks
consent with loud applauding Cries,
And then
Eumelus
had receiv'd the Prize,
But youthful
Nestor,
jealous of his Fame,
Th' Award opposes, and asserts his Claim.
Think not (he cries) I tamely will resign
O
Peleus
Son! the Mare so justly mine.
What if the Gods, the Skilful to confound,
Have thrown the Horse and Horseman to the Ground?
Perhaps he sought not Heav'n by Sacrifice,
And Vows omitted forfeited the Prize.
If yet (Distinction to thy Friend to show,
And please a Soul, desirous to bestow,)
Some Gift must grace
Eumelus;
view thy Store
Of beauteous Handmaids, Steeds, and shining Ore,
An ample Present let him thence receive,
And
Greece
shall praise thy gen'rous Thirst to give.
But this, my Prize, I never shall forego;
This, who but touches, Warriors! is my Foe.
Thus spake the Youth, nor did his Words offend;
Pleas'd with the well-turn'd Flattery of a Friend,
Achilles
smil'd: The Gift propos'd (he cry'd)
Antilochus!
we shall our self provide.
With Plates of Brass the Corselet cover'd o'er,
(The same renown'd
Asteropaeus
wore)
Whose glitt'ring Margins rais'd with Silver shine;
No vulgar Gift)
Eumelus,
shall be thine.
He said:
Automedon
at his Command
The Corselet brought, and gave it to his Hand.
Distinguish'd by his Friend, his Bosom glows
With gen'rous Joy: Then
Menelaus
rose;
The Herald plac'd the Sceptre in his Hands,
And still'd the Clamour of the shouting Bands.
Not without Cause incens'd at
Nestor
's Son,
And inly grieving, thus the King begun:
The Praise of Wisdom, in thy Youth obtain'd,
An Act so rash (
Antilochus
) has stain'd.
Robb'd of my Glory and my just Reward,
To you O
Grecians!
be my Wrong declar'd:
So not a Leader shall our Conduct blame,
Or judge me envious of a Rival's Fame.
But shall not we, ourselves, the Truth maintain?
What needs appealing in a Fact so plain?
What
Greek
shall blame me, if I bid thee rise,
And vindicate by Oath th'ill-gotten Prize.
Rise if thou dar'st, before thy Chariot stand,
The driving Scourge high-lifted in thy Hand,
And touch thy Steeds, and swear, thy whole Intent
Was but to conquer, not to circumvent.
Swear by that God whose liquid Arms surround
The Globe, and whose dread Earthquakes heave the Ground.
The prudent Chief with calm Attention heard;
Then mildly thus: Excuse, if Youth have err'd;
Superior as thou art, forgive th'Offence,
Nor I thy Equal, or in Years, or Sense.
Thou know'st the Errors of unripen'd Age,
Weak are its Counsels, headlong is its Rage.
The Prize I quit, if thou thy Wrath resign;
The Mare, or ought thou ask'st, be freely thine,
E'er I become (from thy dear Friendship torn)
Hateful to thee, and to the Gods forsworn.
So spoke
Antilochus;
and at the Word
The Mare contested to the King restor'd.
Joy swells his Soul, as when the vernal Grain
Lifts the green Ear above the springing Plain,
The Fields their Vegetable Life renew,
And laugh and glitter with the Morning Dew:
Such Joy the
Spartan
's shining Face o'erspread,
And lifted his gay Heart, while thus he said.
Still may our Souls, O gen'rous Youth! agree,
'Tis now
Atrides'
turn to yield to thee.
Rash Heat perhaps a Moment might controul,
Not break, the settled Temper of thy Soul.
Not but (my Friend) 'tis still the wiser way
To wave Contention with superior Sway;
For ah! how few, who should like thee offend,
Like thee, have Talents to regain the Friend?
To plead Indulgence and thy Fault attone,
Suffice thy Father's Merits, and thy own:
Gen'rous alike, for me, the Sire and Son
Have greatly suffer'd, and have greatly done.
I yield; that all may know, my Soul can bend,
Nor is my Pride preferr'd before my Friend.
He said; and pleas'd his Passion to command,
Resign'd the Courser to
Noëmon
's Hand,
Friend of the youthful Chief: Himself content,
The shining Charger to his Vessel sent.
The golden Talents
Merion
next obtain'd;
The fifth Reward, the double Bowl, remain'd.
Achilles
this to rev'rend
Nestor
bears,
And thus the purpose of his Gift declares.
Accept thou this, O sacred Sire! (he said)
In dear Memorial of
Patroclus
dead;
Dead, and for ever lost
Patroclus
lies,
For ever snatch'd from our desiring Eyes!
Take thou this Token of a grateful Heart,
Tho' 'tis not thine to hurl the distant Dart,
The Quoit to toss, the pond'rous Mace to wield,
Or urge the Race, or wrestle on the Field.
Thy present Vigour Age has overthrown,
But left the Glory of the past thy own.
He said, and plac'd the Goblet at his side;
With Joy, the venerable King reply'd.
Wisely and well, my Son, thy Words have prov'd
A Senior honour'd, and a Friend belov'd!
Too true it is, deserted of my Strength,
These wither'd Arms and Limbs have fail'd at length.
Oh! had I now that Force I felt of yore,
Known thro'
Buprasium
and the
Pylian
Shore!
Victorious then in ev'ry solemn Game
Ordain'd to
Amarynces'
mighty Name;
The brave
Epeians
gave my Glory way,
Aetolians, Pylians,
all resign'd the Day.
I quell'd
Clytomedes
in Fights of Hand,
And backward hurl'd
Ancaeus
on the Sand,
Surpast
Iphyclus
in the swift Career,
Phyleus
and
Polydorus,
with the Spear.
The Sons of
Actor
won the Prize of Horse,
But won by Numbers, not by Art or Force:
For the fam'd Twins, impatient to survey
Prize after Prize by
Nestor
born away,
Sprung to their Car; and with united Pains
One lash'd the Coursers, while one rul'd the Reins.
Such once I was! Now to these Tasks succeeds
A younger Race, that emulate our Deeds:
I yield alas! (to Age who must not yield?)
Tho' once the foremost Hero of the Field.
Go thou, my Son! by gen'rous Friendship led,
With martial Honours decorate the Dead;
While pleas'd I take the Gift thy Hands present,
(Pledge of Benevolence, and kind Intent)
Rejoic'd, of all the num'rous
Greeks,
to see
Not one but honours sacred Age and me:
Those due distinctions thou so well can'st pay,
May the just Gods return another Day.
Proud of the Gift, thus spake the Full of Days:
Achilles
heard him, prouder of the Praise.
The Prizes next are order'd to the Field
For the bold Champions who the
Caestus
wield.
A stately Mule, as yet by Toils unbroke,
Of six years Age, unconscious of the Yoke,
Is to the
Circus
led, and firmly bound;
Next stands a Goblet, massy, large and round.
Achilles
rising, thus: Let
Greece
excite
Two Heroes equal to this hardy Fight;
Who dares his Foe with lifted Arms provoke,
And rush beneath the long-descending Stroke?
On whom
Apollo
shall the Palm bestow,
And whom the
Greeks
supreme by Conquest know,
This Mule his dauntless Labours shall repay;
The Vanquish'd bear the massy Bowl away.
This dreadful Combate great
Epaeus
chose,
High o'er the Crowd, enormous Bulk! he rose,
And seiz'd the Beast, and thus began to say:
Stand forth some Man, to bear the Bowl away!
(Price of his Ruin:) For who dares deny
This Mule my right? th'undoubted Victor I.
Others 'tis own'd, in Fields of Battle shine,
But the first Honours of this Fight are mine;
For who excells in all? Then let my Foe
Draw near, but first his certain Fortune know,
Secure, this Hand shall his whole Frame confound,
Mash all his Bones, and all his Body pound:
So let his Friends be nigh, a needful Train
To heave the batter'd Carcase off the Plain.
The Giant spoke; and in a stupid Gaze
The Host beheld him, silent with Amaze!
'Twas thou,
Euryalus!
who durst aspire
To meet his Might, and emulate thy Sire,
The great
Mecistheus;
who in Days of yore
In
Theban
Games the noblest Trophy bore,
(The Games ordain'd dead
Oedipus
to grace)
And singly vanquish'd the
Cadmaean
Race.
Him great
Tydides
urges to contend,
Warm with the Hopes of Conquest for his Friend,
Officious with the Cincture girds him round;
And to his Wrists the Gloves of Death are bound.
Amid the Circle now each Champion stands,
And poises high in Air his Iron Hands;
With clashing Gantlets now they fiercely close,
Their crackling Jaws re-echoe to the Blows,
And painful Sweat from all their Members flows.
At length
Epaeus
dealt a weighty Blow
Full on the Cheek of his unwary Foe;
Beneath that pond'rous Arm's resistless Sway
Down dropt he, nerveless, and extended lay.
As a large Fish, when Winds and Waters roar,
By some huge Billow dash'd against the Shore,
Lies panting: Not less batter'd with his Wound,
The bleeding Hero pants upon the Ground.
To rear his fallen Foe, the Victor lends
Scornful, his Hand; and gives him to his Friends;
Whose Arms support him, reeling thro' the Throng,
And dragging his disabled Legs along;
Nodding, his Head hangs down his Shoulder o'er;
His Mouth and Nostrils pour the clotted Gore;
Wrapt round in Mists he lies, and lost to Thought:
His Friends receive the Bowl, too dearly bought.
The third bold Game
Achilles
next demands,
And calls the Wrestlers to the level Sands:
A massy Tripod for the Victor lies,
Of twice six Oxen its reputed Price;
And next, the Losers Spirits to restore,
A female Captive, valu'd but at four.
Scarce did the Chief the vig'rous Strife propose,
When tow'r-like
Ajax
and
Ulysses
rose.
Amid the Ring each nervous Rival stands,
Embracing rigid with implicit Hands:
Close lock'd above, their Heads and Arms are mixt;
Below, their planted Feet at distance fixt:
Like two strong Rafters which the Builder forms
Proof to the wintry Winds and howling Storms,
Their Tops connected, but at wider space
Fixt on the Center stands their solid Base.
Now to the Grasp each manly Body bends;
The humid Sweat from ev'ry Pore descends;
Their Bones resound with Blows: Sides, Shoulders, Thighs
Swell to each Gripe, and bloody Tumours rise.
Nor could
Ulysses,
for his Art renown'd,
O'erturn the Strength of
Ajax
on the Ground;
Nor could the Strength of
Ajax
overthrow
The watchful Caution of his artful Foe.
While the long Strife ev'n tir'd the Lookers-on,
Thus to
Ulysses
spoke great
Telamon.
Or let me lift thee, Chief, or lift thou me:
Prove we our Force, and
Jove
the rest decree.
He said; and straining, heav'd him off the Ground
With matchless Strength; that time
Ulysses
found
The Strength t'evade, and where the Nerves combine,
His Ankle strook: The Giant fell supine:
Ulysses
following, on his Bosom lies;
Shouts of Applause run rattling thro the Skies.
Ajax
to lift,
Ulysses
next essays,
He barely stirr'd him, but he could not raise:
His Knee lock'd fast the Foe's Attempt deny'd;
And grappling close, they tumble side by side.
Defil'd with honourable Dust, they roll,
Still breathing Strife, and unsubdu'd of Soul:
Again they rage, again to Combat rise;
When great
Achilles
thus divides the Prize.
Your noble Vigour, oh my Friends restrain;
Nor weary out your gen'rous Strength in vain.
Ye both have won: Let others who excell
Now prove that Prowess you have prov'd so well.
The Hero's Words the willing Chiefs obey,
From their tir'd Bodies wipe the Dust away,
And, cloth'd anew, the following Games survey.
And now succeed the Gifts, ordain'd to grace
The Youths contending in the rapid Race.
A silver Urn; that full six Measures held,
By none in Weight or Workmanship excell'd:
Sidonian
Artists taught the Frame to shine,
Elaborate, with Artifice divine;
Whence
Tyrian
Sailors did the Prize transport,
And gave to
Thoas
at the
Lemnian
Port:
From him descended good
Eunaeus
heir'd
The glorious Gift; and, for
Lycaon
spar'd,
To brave
Patroclus
gave the rich Reward.
Now, the same Hero's Funeral Rites to grace,
It stands the Prize of Swiftness in the Race.
A well-fed Ox was for the second plac'd;
And half a Talent must content the last.
Achilles
rising then bespoke the Train:
Who hopes the Palm of Swiftness to obtain,
Stand forth, and bear these Prizes from the Plain.
The Hero said, and starting from his Place
Oïlean Ajax
rises to the Race;
Ulysses
next; and he whose Speed surpast
His youthful Equals,
Nestor
's Son the last.
Rang'd in a Line the ready Racers stand;
Pelides
points the Barrier with his Hand;
All start at once;
Oïleus
led the Race;
The next
Ulysses,
meas'ring Pace with Pace;
Behind him, diligently close, he sped,
As closely following as the running Thread
The Spindle follows, and displays the Charms
Of the fair Spinster's Breast, and moving Arms:
Graceful in Motion thus, his Foe he plies,
And treads each Footstep e'er the Dust can rise:
His glowing Breath upon his Shoulders plays;
Th'admiring
Greeks
loud Acclamations raise,
To him they give their Wishes, Hearts, and Eyes,
And send their Souls before him as he flies.
Now three times turn'd in prospect of the Goal,
The panting Chief to
Pallas
lifts his Soul:
Assist O Goddess! (thus in Thought he pray'd)
And present at his Thought, defcends the Maid.
Buoy'd by her heav'nly Force, he seems to swim,
And feels a Pinion lifting ev'ry Limb.
All fierce, and ready now the Prize to gain,
Unhappy
Ajax
stumbles on the Plain;
(O'erturn'd by
Pallas
) where the slipp'ry Shore
Was clogg'd with slimy Dung, and mingled Gore.
(The self-same Place beside
Patroclus'
Pyre,
Where late the slaughter'd Victims fed the Fire)
Besmear'd with Filth, and blotted o'er with Clay,
Obscene to sight, the ruefull Racer lay;
The well-fed Bull (the second Prize) he shar'd,
And left the Urn
Ulysses'
rich Reward.
Then, grasping by the Horn the mighty Beast,
The baffled Hero thus the
Greeks
addrest.
Accursed Fate! the Conquest I forego;
A Mortal I, a Goddess was my Foe:
She urg'd her Fav'rite on the rapid Way,
And
Pallas,
not
Ulysses
won the Day.
Thus fow'rly wail'd he, sputt'ring Dirt and Gore;
A burst of Laughter echo'd thro' the Shore.
Antilochus,
more hum'rous than the rest,
Takes the last Prize, and takes it with a Jest.
Why with our wiser Elders should we strive?
The Gods still love them, and they always thrive.
Ye see, to
Ajax
I must yield the Prize;
He to
Ulysses,
still more ag'd and wise;
(A green old Age unconscious of Decays,
That proves the Hero born in better Days!)
Behold his Vigor in this active Race!
Achilles
only boasts a swifter Pace:
For who can match
Achilles?
He who can,
Must yet be more than Hero, or than Man.
Th'Effect succeeds the Speech.
Pelides
cries,
Thy artful Praise deserves a better Prize.
Nor
Greece
in vain shall hear thy Friend extoll'd;
Receive a Talent of the purest Gold.
The Youth departs content. The Hosts admire
The Son of
Nestor,
worthy of his Sire.
Next these a Buckler, Spear and Helm, he brings,
Cast on the Plain the brazen Burthen rings:
Arms, which of late divine
Sarpedon
wore,
And great
Patroclus
in short Triumph bore.
Stand forth the bravest of our Host! (he cries)
Whoever dares deserve so rich a Prize!
Now grace the Lists before our Army's Sight,
And sheath'd in Steel, provoke his Foe to fight.
Who first the jointed Armour shall explore,
And stain his Rival's Mail with issuing Gore;
The Sword,
Asteropeus
possest of old,
(A
Thracian
Blade, distinct with Studs of Gold)
Shall pay the Stroke, and grace the Striker's Side:
These Arms in common let the Chief divide:
For each brave Champion, when the Combat ends,
A sumptuous Banquet at our Tent attends.
Fierce, at the Word, uprose great
Tydeus'
Son,
And the huge Bulk of
Ajax Telamon.
Clad in refulgent Steel on either hand,
The dreadful Chiefs amid the Circle stand:
Low'ring they meet, tremendous to the Sight;
Each
Argive
Bosom beats with fierce Delight.
Oppos'd in Arms not long they idly stood,
But thrice they clos'd, and thrice the Charge renew'd.
A furious Pass the Spear of
Ajax
made
Thro' the broad Shield, but at the Corselet stay'd:
Not thus the Foe: His Jav'lin aim'd above
The Buckler's Margin, at the Neck he drove.
But
Greece
now trembling for her Hero's Life,
Bade share the Honours, and surcease the Strife.
Yet still the Victor's Due
Tydides
gains,
With him the Sword and studded Belt remains.
Then hurl'd the Hero, thund'ring on the Ground
A Mass of Iron, (an enormous Round)
Whose Weight and Size the circling
Greeks
admire,
Rude from the Furnace, and but shap'd by Fire.
This mighty Quoit
Aëtion
wont to rear,
And from his whirling Arm dismiss in Air:
The Giant by
Achilles
slain, he stow'd
Among his Spoils this memorable Load.
For this, he bids those nervous Artists vie,
That teach the Disk to sound along the Sky.
Let him whose Might can hurl this Bowl, arise,
Who farthest hurls it, take it as his Prize:
If he be one, enrich'd with large Domain
Of Downs for Flocks, and Arable for Grain,
Small Stock of Iron needs that Man provide;
His Hinds and Swains whole years shall be supply'd
From hence: Nor ask the neighb'ring City's Aid,
For Plowshares, Wheels, and all the rural Trade.
Stern
Polyphaetes
stept before the Throng,
And great
Leonteus,
more than mortal strong;
Whose Force with rival Forces to oppose,
Uprose great
Ajax;
up
Epaeus
rose.
Each stood in order: First
Epaeus
threw;
High o'er the wond'ring Crowds the whirling Circle flew.
Leonteus
next a little space surpast,
And third, the Strength of god-like
Ajax
cast.
O'er both their Marks it flew; till fiercely flung
From
Polypaetes
Arm, the
Discus
sung:
Far, as a Swain his whirling Sheephook throws,
That distant falls among the grazing Cows,
So past them all the rapid Circle flies:
His Friends (while loud Applauses shake the Skies)
With Force conjoin'd heave off the weighty Prize
Those, who in skilful Archery contend
He next invites the twanging Bow to bend:
And twice ten Axes casts amidst the Round,
(Ten double-edg'd, and ten that singly wound.)
The Mast, which late a first-rate Galley bore,
The Hero fixes in the sandy Shore:
To the tall Top a milk-white Dove they tye,
The trembling Mark at which their Arrows fly.
Whose Weapon strikes yon' flutt'ring Bird, shall bear
These two-edg'd Axes, terrible in War;
The single, he, whose Shaft divides the Cord.
He said: Experienc'd
Merion
took the Word;
And skilful
Teucer:
In the Helm they threw
Their Lots inscrib'd, and forth the latter flew.
Swift from the String the sounding Arrow flies;
But flies unblest! No grateful Sacrifice,
No firstling Lambs, unheedful! didst thou vow,
To
Phoebus,
Patron of the Shaft and Bow.
For this, thy well-aim'd Arrow, turn'd aside,
Err'd from the Dove, yet cut the Cord that ty'd:
A-down the Main-mast fell the parted String,
And the free Bird to Heav'n displays her Wing:
Seas, Shores, and Skies with loud Applause resound,
And
Merion
eager meditates the Wound;
He takes the Bow, directs the Shaft above,
And following with his Eye the soaring Dove,
Implores the God to speed it thro' the Skies,
With Vows of firstling Lambs, and grateful Sacrifice.
The Dove, in airy Circles as she wheels,
Amid the Clouds the piercing Arrow feels;
Quite thro' and thro' the Point its Passage found,
And at his Feet fell bloody to the Ground.
The wounded Bird, e'er yet she breath'd her last,
With flagging Wings alighted on the Mast,
A Moment hung, and spread her Pinions there,
Then sudden dropt, and left her Life in Air.
From the pleas'd Crowd new Peals of Thunder rise,
And to the Ships brave
Merion
bears the Prize.
To close the Fun'ral Games,
Achilles
last
A massy Spear amid the Circle plac'd,
And ample Charger of unsullyed Frame,
With Flow'rs high-wrought, not blacken'd yet by Flame.
For these he bids the Heroes prove their Art
Whose dext'rous Skill directs the flying Dart.
Here too great
Merion
hopes the noble Prize;
Nor here disdain'd the King of Men to rise.
With Joy
Pelides
saw the Honour paid,
Rose to the Monarch and respectful said.
Thee first in Virtue, as in Pow'r supreme,
O King of Nations! all thy
Greeks
proclaim;
In ev'ry martial Game thy Worth attest,
And know thee both their Greatest, and their Best.
Take then the Prize, but let brave
Merion
bear
This beamy Jav'lin in thy Brother's War.
Pleas'd from the Hero's Lips his Praise to hear,
The King to
Merion
gives the brazen Spear:
But, set apart for sacred Use, commands
The glitt'ring Charger to
Talthybius'
Hands.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE Twenty-Third Book.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK.
I.
THIS, and the following Book, which contain the Description of the Funeral of
Patroclus,
and other Matters relating to
Hector,
are undoubtedly superadded to the grand Catastrophe of the Poem; for the Story is compleatly finish'd with the Death of that Hero in the 22d Book. Many judicious Criticks have been of opinion that
Homer
is blameable for protracting it.
Virgil
closes the whole Scene of Action with the Death of
Turnus,
and leaves the rest to be imagin'd by the Mind of the Reader: He does not draw the Picture at full Length, but delineates it so far, that we cannot fail of imagining the whole Draught. There is however one thing to be said in favour of
Homer
which may perhaps justify him in his Method, that what he undertook was to paint the
Anger of
Achilles: And as that Anger does not die with
Hector,
but persecutes his very remains, so the Poet still keeps up to his Subject; nay it seems to require that he should carry down the Relation of that Resentment, which is the Foundation of his Poem, till it is fully satisfy'd: And as this survives
Hector,
and gives the Poet an Opportunity of still shewing many sad Effects of
Achilles
's Anger, the two following Books may be thought not to be Excrescencies, but essential to the Poem.
Virgil
had been inexcusable had he trod in
Homer
's Footsteps; for it is evident that the Fall of
Turnus,
by giving
Aeneas
a full Power over
Italy,
answers the whole Design and Intention of the Poem; had he gone farther he had overshot his Mark: And tho'
Homer
proceeds after
Hector
's Death, yet the Subject is still the Anger of
Achilles.
We are now past the War and Violence of the
Ilias,
the Scenes of Blood are closed during the rest of the Poem; we may look back with a pleasing kind of Horror upon the Anger of
Achilles,
and see what dire Effects it has wrought in the compass of nineteen Days:
Troy
and
Greece
are both in Mourning for it, Heaven and Earth, Gods and Men, have suffer'd in the Conflict. The Reader seems landed upon the Shore after a violent Storm; and has Leisure to survey the Consequences of the Tempest, and the Wreck occasion'd by the former Commotions,
Troy
weeping for
Hector,
and
Greece
for
Patroclus.
Our Passions have been in an Agitation since the opening of the Poem; wherefore the Poet, like some great Master in Musick, softens his Notes, and melts his Readers into Tenderness and Pity.
II.
VERSE 18.
Tears bathe their Arms, and tears the Sands bedew,—
—Thetis
aids their Woe—
]
It is not easy to give a reason why
Thetis
should be said to excite the Grief of the
Myrmidons,
and of
Achilles;
it had seem'd more natural for the Mother to have compos'd the Sorrows of the Son, and restored his troubled Mind to Tranquillity.
But such a Procedure would have outrag'd the Character of
Achilles,
who is all along describ'd to be of such a Violence of Temper, that he is not easy to be pacify'd at any time, much less upon so great an Incident as the Death of his Friend
Patroclus.
Perhaps the Poet made use of this Fiction in honour of
Achilles;
he makes every Passion of his Hero considerable, his Sorrow as well as Anger is important, and he cannot grieve but a Goddess attends him, and a whole Army weeps.
Some Commentators fancy'd that
Homer
animates the very Sands of the Seas, and the Arms of the
Myrmidons,
and makes them sensible of the Loss of
Patroclus;
the preceding Words seem to strengthen that Opinion, because the Poet introduces a Goddess to raise the Sorrow of the Army. But
Eustathius
seems not to give into this Conjecture, and I think very judiciously; for what Relation is there between the Sands of the Shores, and the Arms of the
Myrmidons?
It would have been more poetical to have said, the Sands and the Rocks, than the Sands and the Arms; but it is very natural to say, that the Soldiers wept so bitterly, that their Armour and the very Sands were wet with their Tears. I believe this Remark will appear very just by reading the Verse, with a Comma after
, thus,
Then the Construction will be natural and easy, Period will answer Period in the
Greek,
and the Sense in
English
will be, the Sands were wet, and the Arms were wet, with the Tears of the Mourners.
But however this be, there is a very remarkable Beauty in the run of the Verse in
Homer,
every Word has a melancholy Cadence, and the Poet has not only made the Sands and the Arms, but even his very Verse, to lament with
Achilles.
III.
VERSE 23.
His slaught'ring Hands yet red with Blood he laid
On his dead Friend's cold Breast—
]
I could not pass by this Passage without observing to my Reader the great Beauty of this Epithet,
. An ordinary Poet would have contented himself with saying, he laid his Hand upon the Breast of
Patroclus,
but
Homer
knows how to raise the most trivial Circumstance, and by adding this one Word, he laid his
deadly
Hands, or his
murderous
Hands on
Patroclus
Breast, he fills our Minds with great Ideas, and by a single Epithet recalls to our Thoughts all the noble Atchievements of
Achilles
thro' the Iliad.
IV.
VERSE 25.
All hail
Patroclus,
&c.
]
There is in this Apostrophe of
Achilles
to the Ghost of
Patroclus,
a sort of Savageness, and a mixture of Softness and Atrocity, which are highly conformable to his Character.
Dacier.
V.
VERSE 51.
To cleanse his conqu'ring Hands—
—The Chief refus'd—
]
This is conformable to the Custom of the Orientals:
Achilles
will not be induc'd to wash, and afterwards retires to the Seashore, and sleeps on the Ground. It is just thus that
David
mourns in the Scriptures; he refuses to wash, or to take any Repast, but retires from Company, and lies upon the Earth.
VI.
VERSE 78.
The Ghost of
Patroclus.]
Homer
has introduc'd into the former parts of the Poem the Personages of Gods and Goddesses from Heaven, and of Furies from Hell: He has embellished it with Ornaments from Earth, Sea, and Air; and he here opens a new Scene, and brings to the view a Ghost, the Shade of the departed Friend: By these Methods he diversifies his Poem with new and surprizing Circumstances, and awakens the Attention of the Reader; at the same time he very poetically adapts his Language to the Circumstances of this imaginary
Patroclus,
and teaches us the Opinions that prevail'd in his time, concerning the State of separate Souls.
VII.
VERSE 92.
Forbid to pass th'irremeable Flood.
]
It was the common Opinion of the Ancients, that the Souls of the Departed were not admitted into the Number of the Happy till their Bodies had receiv'd the funeral Rites; they suppos'd those that wanted them wander'd an hundred Years before they were wafted over the infernal River:
Virgil
perhaps had this Passage of
Homer
in his view in the sixth
Aeneis,
at least he coincides with his Sentiments concerning the State of the departed Souls.
Haec omnis, quam cernis inops inhumata
que
Turba est:
Nec ripas datur horrendas, nec rauca fluenta
Transportare priùs, quàm sedibus ossa quierunt;
Centum errant annos volitant
que
haec littora circum
Tum demum admissi stagna exoptata revisunt.
It was during this Interval, between their Death and the Rites of Funeral, that they suppos'd the only Time allow'd for separate Spirits to appear to Men; therefore
Patroclus
here tells his Friend,
—To the farther Shore
When once we pass, the Soul returns no more.
For the fuller understanding of
Homer,
it is necessary to be acquainted with his Notion of the State of the Soul after Death: He follow'd the Philosophy of the
Aegyptians,
who suppos'd Man to be compounded of three Parts, an intelligent Mind, a Vehicle for that Mind, and a Body; the Mind they call'd
, or
, the Vehicle
,
Image
or
Soul,
and the gross Body
. The Soul, in which the Mind was lodg'd, was suppos'd exactly to resemble the Body in Shape, Magnitude, and Features; for this being in the Body as the Statue in its Mold, so soon as it goes forth is properly the Image of that Body in which it was enclos'd: This it was that appear'd to
Achilles,
with the full Resemblance of his Friend
Patroclus. Vid. Dacier
on the Life of
Pythagoras,
p. 71.
VIII.
VERSE 108.
May mix our Ashes in one common Grave.
]
There is something very pathetical in this whole Speech of
Patroclus;
he begins it with kind Reproaches, and blames
Achilles
with a friendly Tenderness; he recounts to him the inseparable Affection that had been between them in their Lives, and makes it his last Request, that they may not be parted even in Death, but that their Bones may rest in the same Urn. The Speech itself is of a due Length, it ought not to be very short, because this Apparition is an Incident entirely different from any other in the whole Poem, and consequently the Reader would not have been satisfy'd with a cursory mention of it; neither ought it to be long, because this would have been contrary to the Nature of such Apparitions, whose Stay upon Earth has ever been describ'd as very short, and consequently they cannot be suppos'd to use many Words.
The Circumstance of being buried in the same Urn, is entirely conformable to the Eastern Custom: There are innumerable Instances in the Scriptures of great Personages being buried with their Fathers: So
Joseph
would not suffer his Bones to rest in
Aegypt,
but commands his Brethren to carry them into
Canaan
to the Burying-place of his Father
Jacob.
IX.
VERSE 122.
The Form subsists without the Body's Aid,
Aerial Semblance, and an empty Shade.
]
The Words of
Homer
are
In which there seems to be a great Difficulty; it being not casy to explain how
Achilles
can say that the Ghost of his Friend had no Understanding, when it had but just made such a rational and moving Speech: Especially when the Poet introduces the Apparition with the very Shape, Air, and Voice of
Patroclus.
But this Passage will be clearly understood, by explaining the Notion which the Ancients entertain'd of the Souls of the Departed, according to the fore-cited triple Division of
Mind, Image,
and
Body.
They imagin'd that the Soul was, not only separated from the Body at the Hour of Death, but that there was a farther Separation of the
, or Understanding, from its
, or Vehicle; so that while the
, or Image of the Body, was in Hell, the
, or Understanding, might be in Heaven: And that this is a true Explication is evident from a Passage in the
Odysseis,
Book 11. ℣. 600.
Now I the Strength of
Hercules
behold,
A tow'ring Spectre of gigantick Mold;
A shadowy Form! for high in Heav'n's Abodes
Himself resides, a God among the Gods!
There in the bright Assemblies of the Skies
He
Nectar
quaffs, and
Hebe
crowns with Joys.
By this it appears that
Homer
was of opinion that
Hercules
was in Heaven, while his
, or Image, was in Hell: So that when this second Separation is made, the Image or Vehicle becomes a mere thoughtless Form.
We have this whole Doctrine very distinctly deliver'd by
Plutarch
in these Words.
"Man is a compound Subject; but not of two Parts, as is commonly believed, because the
Understanding
is generally accounted a Part of the
Soul;
whereas indeed it as far exceeds the Soul, as the Soul is diviner than the Body. Now the Soul, when compounded with the Understanding, makes Reason, and when compounded with the Body, Passion: Whereof the one is the Source or Principle of Pleasure or Pain, the other of Vice or Virtue. Man therefore properly dies two Deaths; the first Death makes him two of three, and the second makes him one of two."
[Plutarch
of the Face in the Moon.
X.
VERSE 139.
O'er Hills, o'er Dales, o'er Rocks, o'er Crags they go—
On all sides round the Forest hurls her Oaks
Headlong—
]
The Numbers in the Original of this whole Passage are admirably adapted to the Images the Verses convey to us. Every Ear must have felt the Propriety of Sound in this Line,
That other in its kind is no less exact,
—
Dionysius
of
Halicarnassus
has collected many Instances of these sorts of Beauties in
Homer.
This Description of felling the Forests, so excellent as it is, is comprehended in a few Lines, which has left room for a larger and more particular one in
Statius,
one of the best (I think) in that Author.
—Cadit ardua fagus,
Chaoniumque nemus, brumaeque illaesa cupressus;
Procumbunt piceae, flammis alimenta supremis,
Ornique, iliceaeque trabes, metuendaque sulco
Taxus, & infandos belli potura cruores
Fraxinus, atque situ non expugnabile robur:
Hinc audax abies, & odorae vulnere pinus
Scinditur, acclinant intonsa cacumina terrae
Alnus amica fretis, nec inhospita vitibus ulmus,
&c.
I the rather cite this fine Passage, because I find it copied by two of the greatest Poets of our own Nation,
Chaucer
and
Spencer.
The first in the
Assembly of Fowls,
the second in his
Fairy Queen.
lib. 1.
The sailing Pine, the Cedar proud and tall,
The Vine-prop Elm, the Poplar never dry,
The builder Oak, sole King of Forests all,
The Aspine good for Staves, the Cypress Funeral.
The Laurel, Meed of mighty Conquerors,
And Poets sage: The Fir that weepeth still,
The Willow, worn of forlorn Paramours,
The Ewe obedient to the Bender's Will,
The Birch for Shafts, the Sallow for the Mill,
The Myrrh, sweet bleeding in the bitter Wound,
The warlike Beech, the Ash for nothing ill,
The fruitful Olive, and the Platane round,
The Carver Holme, the Maple seldom inward sound.
XI.
VERSE 158.
Each in refulgent Arms,
&c—]
'Tis not to be suppos'd that this was a general Custom used at all Funerals; but
Patroclus
being a Warrior he is buried like a Soldier, with military Honours.
Eustathius.
XII.
VERSE 164.
O'er all the Corse their scatterd Locks they throw.
]
The Ceremony of cutting off the Hair in honour of the Dead was practis'd not only among the
Greeks,
but also among other Nations; Thus
Statius Thebaid.
VI.
—Tergoque & pectore fusam
Caesariem
ferro minuit, sectisque jacentis
Obnubit tenuia ora comis.
This Custom is taken notice of in holy Scripture:
Ezekiel
describing a great Lamentation, says,
They shall make themselves utterly bald for thee,
ch. 27. ℣. 31. I believe it was done not only in token of Sorrow, but perhaps had a conceal'd Meaning, that as the Hair was cut from the Head, and was never more to be join'd to it, so was the Dead for ever cut off from the Living, never more to return.
I must just observe that this Ceremony of cutting off the Hair was not always in token of Sorrow;
Lycophron
in his
Cassandra,
℣. 976. describing a general Lamentation, says
A Length of unshorn Hair adorn'd their Backs.
And that the Ancients sometimes had their Hair cut off in token of
Joy
is evident from
Juvenal Sat.
12. ℣. 82.
—Gaudent ibi vertice raso
Garrula securi narrare pericula Nautae.
This seeming Contradiction will be solv'd by having respect to the different Practices of different Nations. If it was the general Custom of any Country to wear long Hair, then the cutting it off was a token of Sorrow; but if it was the Custom to wear short Hair, then the letting it grow long and neglecting it, shew'd that such People were Mourners.
XIII.
VERSE 166.
Supporting with his Hands the Hero's Head.
]
Achilles
follows the Corpse as chief Mourner, and sustains the Head of his Friend: This last Circumstance seems to be neral; thus
Euripides
in the Funeral of
Rhesus,
℣. 886.
What God, O King, with his Hands supports the Head of the deceased?
XIV.
VERSE 173.
And sacred grew to
Sperchius
honour'd Flood.
]
It was the Custom of the Ancients not only to offer their own Hair, but likewise to consecrate that of their Children to the River-Gods of their Countrey. This is what
Pausanias
shews in his
Attics: Before you pass the
Cephisa (says he)
you find the Tomb of
Theodorus,
who was the most excellent Actor of his Time for Tragedy; and on the Banks you see two Statues, one of
Mnesimachus,
and the other of his Son, who cut off his Hair in honour of the Rivers; for that this was in all Ages
the Custom of the
Greeks,
may be inferr'd from
Homer
's Poetry, where
Peleus
promises by a solemn Vow to consecrate to the River
Sperchius
the Hair of his Son, if he returns safe from the
Trojan
War.
This Custom was likewise in
Aegypt,
where
Philostratus
tells us, that
Memnon
consecrated his Hair to the
Nile.
This Practice of
Achilles
was imitated by
Alexander
at the Funeral of
Hephaestion. Spondanus.
XV.
VERES 226.
Coelestial
Venus,
&c.
]
Homer
has here introduc'd a Series of Allegories in the Compass of a few Lines: The Body of
Hector
may be suppos'd to have continued beautiful even after he was slain; and
Venus
being the President of Beauty, the Poet by a natural Fiction tells us it was preserv'd by that Goddess.
Apollo
's covering the Body with a Cloud is a very natural Allegory: For the Sun (says
Eustathius
) has a double Quality which produces contrary Effects; the Heat of it causes a Dryness, but at the same time it exhales the Vapours of the Earth, from whence the Clouds of Heaven are form'd. This Allegory may be founded upon Truth; there might happen to be a cool Season while
Hector
lay unburied, and
Apollo,
or the Sun, raising Clouds which intercept the Heat of his Beams, by a very easy Fiction in Poetry may be introduc'd in Person to preserve the Body of
Hector.
XVI.
VERSE 261.
The Allegory of the Winds.
]
A Poet ought to express nothing vulgarly; and sure no Poet ever trespass'd less against this Rule than
Homer;
the Fruitfulness of his Invention is continually raising Incidents new and surprising. Take this Passage out of its poetical Dress, and it will be no more than this: A strong Gale of Wind blew, and so increased the Flame that it soon consum'd the Pile. But
Homer
introduces the Gods of the Winds in Person: And
Iris,
or the Rainbow, being (as
Eustathius
observes) a Sign not only of Showers, but of Winds, he makes them come at her Summons.
Every Circumstance is well adapted: As soon as the Winds see
Iris,
they rise; that is, when the Rainbow appears, the the Wind rises: She refuses to sit, and immediately returns; that is, the Rainbow is never seen long at one time, but soon appears, and soon vanishes: She returns over the Ocean; that is, the Bow is compos'd of Waters, and it would have been an unnatural Fiction to have describ'd her as passing by Land.
The Winds are all together in the Cave of
Zephyrus,
which may imply that they were there as at their general Rendezvous; or that the Nature of all the Winds is the same; or that the Western Wind is in that Countrey the most constant, and consequently it may be said that at such Seasons all the Winds are assembled in one Corner, or rendezvous with
Zephyrus.
Iris
will not enter the Cave: It is the Nature of the Rainbow to be stretch'd entirely upon the Surface, and therefore this Fiction is agreeable to Reason.
When
Iris
says that the Gods are partaking Hecatombs in
Aethiopia,
it is to be remember'd that the Gods are represented there in the first Book, before the Scenes of War were open'd, and now they are closed, they return thither.
Eustathius—
Thus
Homer
makes the Anger of his Hero so important, that it rouz'd Heaven to Arms, and now when it is almost appeas'd,
Achilles
as it were gives Peace to the Gods.
XVII.
VERSE 306.
Hereafter
Greece
a nobler Pyle shall raise.
]
We see how
Achilles
consults his own Glory; the desire of it prevails over his Tenderness for
Patroclus,
and he will not permit any Man, not even his belov'd
Patroclus,
to share an equality of Honour with himself, even in the Grave.
Eustathius.
XVIII.
VERSE 320.
The Games for
Patroclus.]
The Conduct of
Homer
in enlarging upon the Games at the Funeral of
Patroclus
is very judicious: There had undoubtedly been such Honours paid to several Heroes during this War, as appears from a Passage in the ninth Book, where
Agamemnon
to enhance the Value of the Horses which he offers
Achilles,
says, that any Person would be rich that had Treasures equal to the Value of the Prizes they had won; which Races must have been run during the Seige: for had they been before it, the Horses would now have been too old to be of any Value, this being the tenth Year of the War. But he Poet passes all those Games over in Silence, and reserves them for this Season; not only in honour of
Patroclus,
but also of his Hero
Achilles;
who exhibits Games to a whole Army; great Generals are Candidates for the Prizes, and he himself sits the Judge and Arbitrator: Thus in Peace as well as War the Poet maintains the Superiority of the Character of
Achilles.
But there is another Reason why the Poet deferr'd to relate any Games that were exhibited at any preceding Funerals: The Death of
Patroclus
was the most eminent Period; and consequently the most proper Time for such Games.
'Tis farther observable, that he chuses this peculiar Time with great Judgment. When the Fury of the War rag'd, the Army could not well have found Leisure for the Games, and they might have met with Interruption from the Enemy: But
Hector
being dead, all
Troy
is in Confusion: They are in too great a Consternation to make any Attempts, and therefore the Poet could not possibly have chosen a more happy Opportunity.
Eustathius.
XIX.
VERSE 347.
Lost is
Patroclus
now,
&c.]
I am not ignorant that
Homer
has frequently been blamed for such little Digressions as these; in this Passage he gives us the Genealogy of his Horses, which he has frequently told us in the preceding part of the Poem. But
Eustathius
justifies his Conduct, and says that it was very proper to commend the Virtue of these Horses upon this Occasion, when Horses were to contend for Victory: At the same time he takes an Opportunity to make an honourable Mention of his Friend
Patroclus,
in whose Honour these Games were exhibited.
It may be added as a farther Justification of
Homer,
that this last Circumstance is very natural:
Achilles
while he commends his Horses remembers how careful
Patroclus
had been of them: His Love for his Friend is so great, that the minutest Circumstance recalls him to his Mind; and such little Digressions, such Avocations of Thought as these, very naturally proceed from the Overflows of Love and Sorrow.
XX.
VERSE 363.
Whom rich
Echepolus,
&c.
]
One wou'd think that
Agamemnon
might be accus'd of Avarice, in dispensing a Man from going to the War for the sake of a Horse; but
Aristotle
very well observes, that this Prince is praiseworthy for having preferr'd a Horse to a Person so cowardly, and so uncapable of Service. It may also be conjectur'd from this Passage, that even in those elder Times it was the Custom, that those who were willing to be excus'd from the War, should give either a Horse or a Man and often both. Thus
Scipio
going to
Africa
order'd the
Sicilians
either to attend him, or to give him Horses or Men: And
Agesilaus
being at
Ephesus
and wanting Cavalry, made a Proclamation, that the rich Men who wou'd not serve in the War should be dispens'd with, provided they furnish'd a Man and a Horse in their stead: In which, says
Plutarch,
he wisely follow'd the Example of King
Agamemnon,
who excus'd a very rich Coward from serving in Person, for a Present of a good Mare.
Eustathius. Dacier.
XXI.
VERSE 369.
Experienc'd
Nestor,
&c.
]
The Poet omits no Opportunity of paying Honour to his old favourite
Nestor,
and I think he is no where more particularly complemented than in this Book. His Age had disabled him from bearing any share in the Games; and yet he artfully introduces him not as a mere Spectator, but as an Actor in the Sports. Thus he as it were wins the Prize for
Antilochus, Antilochus
wins not by the Swiftness of his Horses, but by the Wisdom of
Nestor.
This fatherly Tenderness is wonderfully natural: We see him in all imaginable Inquietude and Concern for his Son; He comes to the Barrier, stands beside the Chariot, animates his Son by his Praises, and directs him by his Lessons: You think the old Man's Soul mounts on the Chariot with his
Antilochus,
to partake the same Dangers, and run the same Career.
Nothing can be better adapted to the Character than this Speech; he expatiates upon the Advantages of Wisdom over Strength, which is a tacit Complement to himself: And had there been a Prize for Wisdom, undoubtedly the old Man would have claim'd it as his Right.
Eustathius.
XXII.
VERSE 426.
The Lots their place dispose.
]
According to these Lots the Charioteers took their Places; but to know whether they stood all in an equal Front, or one behind the other, is a Difficulty:
Eustathius
says the Ancients were of Opinion that they did not stand in one Front; because it is evident that he who had the first Lot had a great Advantage of the other Charioteers: If he had not, why should
Achilles
cast Lots? Madam
Dacier
is of Opinion that they all stood a-breast at the Barrier, and that the first would still have a sufficient Advantage, as he was nearer the Bound, and stood within the rest, whereas the others must take a larger Circle, and consequently were forc'd to run a greater Compass of Ground.
Phoenix
was plac'd as an Inspector of the Race, that is, says
Eustathius,
he was to make report whether they had observ'd the Laws of the Race in their several Turnings.
Sophocles
observes the same Method with
Homer
in relation to the Lots and Inspectors, in his
Electra.
—
The constituted Judges assign'd the Places according to the Lots.
The Ancients say that the Charioteers started at the
Sigaeum,
where the Ships of
Achilles
lay, and ran towards the
Rhaeteum,
from the Ships towards the Shores. But
Aristarchus
affirm'd that they run in the Compass of Ground of five Stadia, which lay between the Wall and the Tents toward the Shore.
Eustathius.
XXIII.
VERSE 457.
And seem just mounting on his Car behind.
]
A more natural Image than this could not be thought of. The Poet makes us Spectators of the Race, we see
Diomed
pressing upon
Eumelus
so closely, that his Chariot seems to climb the Chariot of
Eumelus.
XXIV.
VERSE 464.
Rage fills his Eye with Anguish to survey,
&c.]
We have seen
Diomed
surrounded with innumerable Dangers, acting in the most perilous Scenes of Blood and Death, yet never shed one Tear: And now he weeps on a small occasion, for a mere Trifle: This must be ascrib'd to the Nature of Mankind, who are often transported with Trifles; and there are certain unguarded Moments in every Man's Life; so that he who could meet the greatest Dangers with Intrepidity, may thro' Anger be betray'd into an Indecency.
Eustathius.
The reason why
Apollo
is angry at
Diomed,
according to
Eustathius,
is because he was interested for
Eumelus,
whose Mares he had fed, when he serv'd
Admetus;
but I fancy he is under a Mistake: This indeed is a Reason why he should favour
Eumelus,
but not why he should be angry at
Diomed.
I rather think that the Quarrel of
Apollo
with
Diomed
was personal; because he offer'd him a Violence in the first Book, and
Apollo
still resents it.
The Fiction of
Minerva
's assisting
Diomed
is grounded upon his being so wise as to take a couple of Whips to prevent any Mischance: So that
Wisdom,
or
Pallas,
may be said to lend him one.
Eustathius.
XXV.
VERSE 486.
The Speech of
Antilochus
to his Horses.
]
I fear
Antilochus
his Speech to his Horses is blameable;
Eustathius
himself seems to think it a Fault that he should speak so much in the very Heat of the Race. He commands and sooths, counsels and threatens his Horses, as if they were reasonable Creatures. The subsequent Speech of
Menelaus
is more excusable as it is more short, but both of them are spoken in a Passion, and Anger we know makes us speak to every thing, and we discharge it upon the most senseless Objects.
XXVI.
VERSE 563.
The Dispute between
Idomeneus
and
Ajax.]
Nothing could be more naturally imagin'd than this Contention at a Horse-Race: The Leaders were divided into Parties, and each was interested for his Friend: The Poet had a two-fold Design, not only to embellish and diversity his Poem by such natural Circumstances, but also to shew us, as
Eustathius
observes, from the Conduct of
Ajax,
that passionate Men betray themselves into Follies, and are themselves guilty of the Faults of which they accuse others.
It is with a particular Decency that
Homer
makes
Achilles
the Arbitrator between
Idomeneus
and
Ajax: Agamemnon
was his Superior in the Army, but as
Achilles
exhibited the Shows he was the proper Judge of any Difference that should arise about them; had the Contest been between
Ajax
and
Idomeneus,
consider'd as Soldiers, the Cause must have been brought before
Agamemnon;
but as they are to be consider'd as Spectators of the Games, they ought to be determin'd by
Achilles.
It may not be unnecessary just to observe to the Reader the Judiciousness of
Homer
's Conduct in making
Achilles
exhibit the Games, and not
Agamemnon: Achilles
is the Hero of the Poem, and consequently must be the chief Actor in all the great Scenes of it: He had remain'd inactive during a great Part of the Poem, yet the Poet makes his very Inactivity contribute to the carrying on the Design of his
Ilias:
And to supply his Absence from many of the busy Scenes of the preceding Parts of it, he now in the Conclusion makes him almost the sole Agent: By these means he leaves a noble Idea of his Hero upon the Mind of his Reader, and as he rais'd our Expectations when he brought him upon the Stage of Action, so he makes him go off with the utmost Pomp and Applause.
XXVII.
VERSE 580.
High o'er his Head the circling Lash he wields.
]
I am persuaded that the common Translation of the Word
, in the Original of this Verse, is faulty: It is render'd,
he lash'd the Horses continually over the Shoulders;
whereas I fancy it should be translated thus,
assiduè
(Equos)
agitabat scuticâ ab humero ductâ.
This naturally expresses the very Action, and whirl of the Whip over the Driver's Shoulder, in the Act of lashing the Horses, and agrees with the Use of the same Word in the 431st Line of this Book, where
must be translated
Jactus Disci ab humero vibrati.
XXVIII.
VERSE 613.
Fortune denies, but Justice,
&c.]
Achilles
here intends to shew, that it is not just Fortune should rule over Virtue, but that a brave Man who had perform'd his Duty, and who did not bring upon himself his Misfortune, ought to have the Recompence he has deserv'd: And this Principle is just, provided we do not reward him at the Expence of another's Right:
Eumelus
is a
Thessalian,
and it is probable
Achilles
has a Partiality to his Countryman.
Dacier.
XXIX.
VERSE 632.
But this, my Prize, I never shall forego—
There is an Air of Bravery in this Discourse of
Antilochus:
He speaks with the Generosity of a gallant Soldier, and prefers his Honour to his Interest; he tells
Achilles
if he pleases he may make
Eumelus
a richer Present than his Prize; he is not concern'd for the Value of it, but as it was the Reward of Victory, he would not resign it, because that would be an Acknowledgment that
Eumelus
deserv'd it.
The Character of
Antilochus
is admirably sustain'd thro' this whole Episode; he is a very sensible Man, but transported with youthful Heat, and ambitious of Glory: His Rashness in driving so furiously against
Menelaus
must be imputed to this; but his Passions being gratify'd by the Conquest in the Race, his Reason again returns, he owns his Error, and is full of Resignation to
Menelaus.
XXX.
VERSE 662.
And touch the Steeds, and swear—
]
'Tis evident, says
Eustathius,
from hence, that all Fraud was forbid in the Chariot-Race; but it is not very plain what unlawful Deceit
Antilochus
used against
Menelaus;
perhaps
Antilochus
in his Haste had declin'd from the Race-Ground, and avoided some of the uneven Places of it, and consequently took an unfair Advantage of his Adversary; or perhaps his driving so furiously against
Menelaus
as to endanger both their Chariots and their Lives, might be reckon'd foul play; and therefore
Antilochus
refuses to take the Oath.
XXXI.
VERSE 678.
Joy swells his Soul, as when the vernal Grain,
&c.]
Eustathius
is very large in the Explication of this Similitude, which at the first view seems obscure: His Words are these
As the Dew raises the Blades of Corn, that are for want of it weak and depressed, and by pervading the Pores of the Corn animates and makes it flourish, so did the Behaviour of
Antilochus
raise the dejected Mind of
Menelaus,
exalt his Spirits, and restore him to a full Satisfaction.
I have given the Reader his Interpretation, and translated it with the Liberty of Poetry: It is very much in the Language of Scripture, and in the Spirit of the Orientals.
XXXII.
VERSE 706.
Accept thou this, O sacred Sire!
]
The Poet in my Opinion preserves a great deal of Decency towards this old Hero, and venerable Counsellour: He gives him an honorary Reward for his superior Wisdom, and therefore
Achilles
calls it
, and not
, a Prize, and not a Present. The Moral of
Homer
is, that Princes ought no less to honour and recompense those who excel in Wisdom and Counsel, than those who are capable of actual Service.
Achilles,
perhaps, had a double view in paying him this Respect, not only out of Deference to his Age, and Wisdom, but also because he had, in a manner, won the Prize by the Advice he gave his Son: So that
Nestor
may be said to have conquer'd in the Person of
Antilochus. Eustathius.
XXXIII.
VERSE 718. Nestor
's Speech to
Achilles.]
This Speech is admirably well adapted to the Character of
Nestor:
He aggrandizes, with an Infirmity peculiar to Age, his own Exploits; and one would think
Horace
had him in his Eye,
—Laudatur temporis acti
Se puero—
Neither is it any Blemish to the Character of
Nestor
thus to be a little talkative about his own Atchievements: To have describ'd him otherwise would have been an Outrage to human Nature, in as much as the wisest Man living is not free from the Infirmities of Man: and as every Stage of Life has some Imperfection peculiar to it self.
—
—
The Reader may observe that the old Man takes abundance of pains to give Reasons how his Rivals came to be Victors in the Chariot-Race: He is very solicitous to make it appear that it was not thro' any want of Skill or Power in himself: And in my Opinion
Nestor
is never more vainglorious than in this recital of his own Disappointment.
It is for the same reason he repeats the Words I have cited above: He obtrudes (by that Repetition) the Disadvantages under which he labour'd, upon the Observation of the Reader, for fear he should impute the Loss of the Victory to his want of Skill.
Nestor
says that these
Moliones
overpower'd him by their Number. The Criticks, as
Eustathius
remarks, have labour'd hard to explain this Difficulty; they tell us a formal Story, that when
Nestor
was ready to enter the Lists against these Brothers, he objected against them as unfair Adversaries, (for it must be remember'd that they were Monsters that grew together, and consequently had four Hands to
Nestor
's two) but the Judges would not allow his plea, but determin'd, that as they grew together so they ought to be consider'd as one Man.
Others tell us, that they brought several Chariots into the Lists, whose Charioteers combin'd together in favour of
Eurytus
and
Cteatus,
these brother-Monsters.
Others say, that the Multitude of the Spectators conspir'd to disappoint
Nestor.
I thought it necessary to give my Reader these several Conjectures; that he might understand why
Nestor
says he was overpower'd by
, or
Numbers;
and also, because it confirms my former Observation, that
Nestor
is very careful to draw his own Picture in the strongest Colours, and to shew it in the fairest Light.
XXXIV.
VERSE 820.
A female Captive valu'd but at four.
]
I cannot in Civility neglect a Remark made upon this Passage by Madam
Dacier,
who highly resents the Affront put upon her Sex by the Ancients, who set (it seems) thrice the Value upon a
Tripod
as upon a beautiful female Slave: Nay, she is afraid the Value of Women is not rais'd even in our Days; for she says there are curious Persons now living who had rather have a true antique Kettle, than the finest Woman alive: I confess I entirely agree with the Lady, and must impute such Opinions of the fair Sex to want of Taste in both Ancients and Moderns: The Reader may remember that these Tripods were of no use, but made entirely for Show, and consequently the most satyrical Critick could only say, the Woman and Tripod ought to have born an equal Value.
XXXV.
VERSE 827.
Like two strong Rafters,
&c.]
I will give the Reader the Words of
Eustathius
upon this Similitude, which very happily represents the Wrestlers in the Posture of Wrestling. Their Heads lean'd one against the other, like the Rafters that support the Roof of a House; at the Foot they are disjoin'd, and stand at a greater Distance, which naturally paints the Attitude of Body in these two Wrestlers, while they contend for Victory.
XXXVI.
VERSE 850.
He barely stirr'd him, but he could not raise.
]
The Poet by this Circumstance excellently maintains the Character of
Ajax,
who has all along been describ'd as a strong, unweildy Warrior: He is so heavy that
Ulysses
can scarce lift him. The Words that follow will bear a different Meaning, either that
Ajax
lock'd his Leg within that of
Ulysses,
or that
Ulysses
did it.
Eustathius
observes, that if
Ajax
gave
Ulysses
this Shock, then he may be allow'd to have some appearance of an Equality in the Contest, but if
Ulysses
gave it, then
Ajax
must be acknowledg'd to have been foil'd: But (continues he) it appear'd to be otherwise to
Achilles,
who was the Judge of the Field, and therefore he gives them an equal Prize, because they were equal in the Contest.
Madam
Dacier
misrepresents
Eustathius
on this Place, in saying he thinks it was
Ulysses
who gave this second Stroke to
Ajax,
whereas it appears by the foregoing Note that he rather determines otherwise in consent with the Judgment given by
Achilles.
XXXVII.
VERSE 902.
Assist O Goddess! (thus in Thought he pray'd)
]
Nothing could be better adapted to the present Circumstance of
Ulysses
than this Prayer: It is short, and ought to be so, because the Time would not allow him to make a longer; nay he prefers this Petition mentally,
; all his Faculties are so bent upon the Race, that he does not call off his Attention from it, even to speak so short a Petition as seven Words, which comprehend the whole of it: Such Passages as these are Instances of great Judgment in the Poet.
XXXVIII.
VERSE 926.
And takes it with a Jest.
]
Antilochus
comes off very well, and wittily prevents Raillery; by attributing the Victory of his Rivals to the Protection which the Gods gave to Age. By this he insinuates, that he has something to comfort himself with; (for Youth is better than the Prize) and that he may pretend hereafter to the same Protection, since 'tis a Privilege of Seniority.
Dacier.
XXXIX.
VERSE 935.
For who can match
Achilles?]
There is great Art in these transient Complements to
Achilles:
That Hero could not possibly shew his own Superiority in these Games by contending for any of the Prizes, because he was the Exhibiter of the Sports: But
Homer
has found out a way to give him the Victory in two of them. In the Chariot-Race
Achilles
is represented as being able to conquer every Opponent, and tho' he speaks it himself, the Poet brings it in so happily, that he speaks it without any Indecency: And in this place
Antilochus
with a very good grace tells
Achilles,
that in the Foot-Race no one can dispute the Prize with him. Thus tho'
Diomed
and
Ulysses
conquer in the Chariot and Foot-Race, it is only because
Achilles
is not their Antagonist.
XL.
VERSE 951.
Who first the jointed Armour shall explore.
]
Some of the Ancients have been shock'd at this Combat, thinking it a Barbarity that Men in Sport should thus contend for their Lives; and therefore
Aristophanes
the
Grammarian
made this Alteration in the Verses.
,
&c.
But it is evident that they entirely mistook the Meaning and Intention of
Achilles;
for he that gave the first Wound was to be accounted the Victor. How could
Achilles
promise to entertain them both in his Tent after the Combat, if he intended that one of them should fall in it? This Duel therefore was only a Tryal of Skill, and as such single Combats were frequent in the Wars of those Ages against Adversaries, so this was proposed only to shew the Dexterity of the Combatants in that Exercise.
Eustathius.
XLI.
VERSE 973.
Yet still the Victor's Due
Tydides
gains.
]
Achilles
In this place acts the part of a very just Arbitrator: Tho' the Combat did not proceed to a full issue, yet
Diomed
had evidently the Advantage, and consequently ought to be rewarded as Victor, because he would have been victorious, had not the
Greeks
interpos'd.
I could have wish'd that the Poet had given
Ajax
the Prize in some of these Contests. He undoubtedly was a very gallant Soldier, and has been describ'd as repulsing a whole Army; yet in all these Sports he is foil'd. But perhaps the Poet had a double View in this Representation, not only to shew, that Strength without Conduct is usually unsuccessful, but also his Design might be to complement the
Greeks
his Countreymen; by shewing that this
Ajax,
who had repell'd a whole Army of
Trojans
was not able to conquer any one of the
Grecian
Worthies: For we find him overpower'd in three of these Exercises.
XLII.
VERSE 987.
If he be one, enrich'd,
&c.]
The Poet in this place speaks in the Simplicity of ancient Times: The prodigious Weight and Size of the Quoit is describ'd with a noble Plainness, peculiar to the oriental way, and agreeable to the Manners of those heroick Ages. He does not set down the Quantity of this enormous piece of Iron, neither as to its Bigness nor Weight, but as to the Use it will be of to him who shall gain it. We see from hence, that the Ancients in the Prizes they propos'd, had in view not only the Honourable, but the Useful; a Captive for Work, a Bull for Tillage, a Quoit for the Provision of Iron. Besides it must be remember'd, that in those Times Iron was very scarce; and a sure sign of this Scarcity, is, that their Arms were Brass.
Eustath. Dacier.
XLIII.
VERSE 1032.
He takes the Bow.
]
There having been many Editions of
Homer,
that of
Marseilles
represents these two Rivals in Archery as using two Bows in the Contest; and reads the Verses thus,
Our common Editions follow the better Alteration of
Antimachus,
with this only Difference, that he reads it
And they,
It is evident that these Archers had but one Bow, as they that threw the Quoit had but one Quoit; by these means the one had no Advantage over the other, because both of them shot with the same Bow. So that the common Reading is undoubtedly the best, where the Lines stand thus,
Eustath.
This
Teucer
is the most eminent Man for Archery of any thro' the whole Iliad, yet he is here excell'd by
Meriones:
And the Poet ascribes his Miscarriage to the neglect of invoking
Apollo,
the God of Archery; whereas
Meriones,
who invokes him, is crown'd with Success. There is an excellent Moral in this Passage, and the Poet would teach us, that without addressing to Heaven we cannot succeed:
Meriones
does not conquer because he is the better Archer, but because he is the better Man.
XLIV.
VERSE 1053.
Nor here disdain'd the King of Men to rise.
]
There is an admirable Conduct in this Passage;
Agamemnon
never contended for any of the former Prizes, tho' of much greater Value; so that he is a Candidate for this, only to honour
Patroclus
and
Achilles.
The decency which the Poet uses both in the choice of the Game, in which
Agamemnon
is about to contend, and the giving him the Prize without a Contest, is very remarkable: The Game was a warlike Exercise, fit for the General of an Army; the giving him the Prize without a Contest is a Decency judiciously observed, because no one ought to be suppos'd to excel the General in any military Art:
Agamemnon
does Justice to his own Character, for whereas he had been represented by
Achilles
in the opening of the Poem as a covetous Person, he now puts in for the Prize that is of the least Value, and generously gives even that to
Talthybius. Eustathius.
As to this last Particular, of
Agamemnon
's presenting the Charger to
Talthybius,
I can't but be of a different Opinion. It had been an Affront to
Achilles
not to have accepted of his Present on this Occasion, and I believe the Words of
Homer,
mean no more, than that he put it into the Hands of this Herald to carry it to his Ships;
Talthybius
being by his Office an Attendant upon
Agamemnon.
XLV.
It will be expected I should here say something tending to a Comparison between the Games of
Homer
and those of
Virgil.
If I may own my private Opinion, there is in general more Variety of natural Incidents, and a more lively Picture of natural Passions, in the Games and Persons of
Homer.
On the other hand, there seems to me more Art, Contrivance, Gradation, and a greater Pomp of Verse in those of
Virgil.
The Chariot-Race is that which
Homer
has most labour'd, of which
Virgil
being sensible, he judiciously avoided the Imitation of what he could not improve, and substituted in its place the Naval-Course, or Ship-Race. It is in this the
Roman
Poet has employ'd all his Force, as if on set purpose to rival his great Master; but it is extremely observable how constantly he keeps
Homer
in his Eye, and is afraid to depart from his very Track, even when he had vary'd the Subject itself. Accordingly the Accidents of the Naval-Course have a strange Resemblance with those of
Homer
's Chariot-Race. He could not forbear at the very Beginning to draw a part of that Description into a Simile. Do not we see he has
Homer
's Chariots in his Head, by these Lines
Non tam praecipites bijugó certamine campum
Corripuere, ruuntque effusi carcere currus.
Nec sic immissis aurigae undantia lora
Concussere jugis, pronique in verbera pendent.
Aen. v. ℣. 144.
What is the Encounter of
Cloanthus
and
Gyas
in the Strait between the Rocks, but the same with that of
Menelaus
and
Antilochus
in the hollow Way? Had the Galley of
Sergestus
been broken, if the Chariot of
Eumelus
had not been demolish'd? Or
Mnestheus
been cast from the Helm, had not the other been thrown from his Seat? Does not
Mnestheus
exhort his Rowers in the very Words
Antilochus
had us'd to his Horses?
Non jamprima peto
Mnestheus,
neque vincere cesto
Quamquam O! sed superent quibus hoc
Neptune
dedisti;
Extremos pudeat rediisse! hoc vincite, cives,
Etprohibete nefas—
—
—
Upon the whole, the Description of the Sea-Race I think has the more Poetry and Majesty, that of the Chariots more Nature, and lively Incidents. There is nothing in
Virgil
so picturesque, so animated, or which so much marks the Characters, as the Episodes of
Antilochus
and
Menelaus, Ajax
and
Idomeneus,
with that beautiful Interposition of old
Nestor,
(so naturally introduc'd into an Affair where one so little expects him.) On the other side, in
Virgil
the Description itself is much nobler; it has something more ostentatiously grand, and seems a Spectacle more worthy the Presence of Princes and great Persons.
In three other Games we find the
Roman
Poet contending openly with the
Grecian.
That of the
Caestus
is in great part a verbal Translation: But it must be own'd in favour of
Virgil,
that he has vary'd from
Homer
in the Event of the Combate with admirable Judgment and with an Improvement of the Moral.
Epaeus
and
Dares
are describ'd by both Poets as vain Boasters; but
Virgil
with more poetical Justice punishes
Dares
for his Arrogance, whereas the Presumption and Pride of
Epaeus
is rewarded by
Homer.
On the contrary, in the Foot-Race, I am of opinion that
Homer
has shewn more Judgment and Morality than
Virgil. Nisus
in the latter is unjust to his Adversary in favour of his Friend
Euryalus;
so that
Euryalus
wins the Race by palpable Fraud, and yet the Poet gives him the first Prize; whereas
Homer
makes
Ulysses
victorious, purely thro' the Mischance of
Ajax,
and his own Piety in invoking
Minerva.
The shooting is also a direct Copy, but with the Addition of two Circumstances which make a beautiful Gradation. In
Homer
the first Archer cuts the String that held the Bird, and the other shoots him as he is mounting. In
Virgil
the first only hits the Mast which the Bird was fix'd upon, the second cuts the String, the third shoots him, and the fourth to vaunt the Strength of his Arm directs his Arrow up to Heaven, where it kindles into a Flame, and makes a Prodigy. This last is certainly superior to
Homer
in what they call the
Wonderful:
but what is the Intent or Effect of this Prodigy, or whether a Reader is not at least as much surprized at it, as at the most unreasonable Parts in
Homer,
I leave to those Criticks who are more inclin'd to find Faults than I am: Nor shall I observe upon the many literal Imitations in the
Roman
Poet, to object against which were to derogate from the Merit of those fine Passages, which
Virgil
was so very sensible of, that he was resolv'd to take them, at any rate, to himself.
There remain in
Homer
three Games untouch'd by
Virgil;
the Wrestling, the single Combate, and the
Discus.
In
Virgil
there is only the
Lusus Trojae
added, which is purely his own, and must be confest to be inimitable: I don't know whether I may be allow'd to say, it is worth all those three of
Homer?
I could not forgive my self if I omitted to mention in this place the Funeral Games in the sixth
Thebaïd
of
Statius;
it is by much the most beautiful Book of that Poem. It's very remarkable, that he has follow'd
Homer
thro' the whole Course of his Games: There is the Chariot-Race, the Foot-Race, the
Discus,
the
Caestus,
the Wrestling, the single Combate (which is put off in the same manner as in
Homer
) and the Shooting; which last ends (as in
Virgil
) with a Prodigy: Yet in the particular Descriptions of each of these Games this Poet has not borrow'd from either of his Predecessors, and his Poem is so much the worse for it.
THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK OF THE ILIAD.
The ARGUMENT.
The Redemption of the Body of
Hector.
THE Gods deliberate about the Redemption of
Hector. Jupiter
sends
Thetis
to
Achilles
to dispose him for the restoring it, and
Iris
to
Priam,
to encourage him to go in Person, and treat for it. The old King, notwithstanding the Remonstrances of his Queen, makes ready for the Journey, to which he is encourag'd by an Omen from
Jupiter.
He sets forth in his Chariot, with a Waggon loaded with Presents under the Charge of
Idaeus
the Herald.
Mercury
descends in the Shape of a young Man, and conducts him to the Pavilion of
Achilles.
Their Conversation on the way.
Priam
finds
Achilles
at his Table, casts himself at his Feet, and begs for the Body of his Son;
Achilles,
mov'd with Compassion, grants his Request, detains him one Night in his Tent, and the next Morning sends him home with the Body: The
Trojans
run out to meet him. The Lamentations of
Andromache, Hecuba,
and
Helen,
with the Solemnities of the Funeral.
The Time of twelve Days is employ'd in this Book, while the Body of
Hector
lies in the Tent of
Achilles.
And as many more are spent in the Truce allow'd for his Interment. The Scene is partly in
Achilles
's Camp, and partly in
Troy.
THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK OF THE ILIAD.
NOW from the finish'd Games the
Grecian
Band
Sought their black Ships, and clear'd the crowded Strand;
All stretch'd at ease the genial Banquet share,
And pleasing Slumbers quiet all their Care.
Not so
Achilles:
He, to Grief resign'd,
His Friend's dear Image present to his Mind,
Takes his sad Couch, more unobserv'd to weep,
Nor tastes the Gifts of all-composing Sleep.
Restless he roll'd around his weary Bed,
And all his Soul on his
Patroclus
fed:
The Form so pleasing, and the Heart so kind,
That youthful Vigour, and that manly Mind,
What Toils they shar'd, what martial Works they wrought,
What Seas they measur'd, and what Fields they fought;
All past before him in Remembrance dear,
Thought follows Thought, and Tear succeeds to Tear.
And now supine, now prone, the Hero lay,
Now shifts his Side, impatient for the Day:
Then starting up, disconsolate he goes
Wide on the lonely Beach to vent his Woes.
There as the solitary Mourner raves,
The ruddy Morning rises o'er the Waves;
Soon as it rose, his furious Steeds he join'd;
The Chariot flies, and
Hector
trails behind.
And thrice
Patroclus!
round thy Monument
Was
Hector
dragg'd, then hurry'd to the Tent.
There Sleep at last o'ercomes the Hero's Eyes;
While foul in Dust th'unhonour'd Carcase lies,
But not deserted by the pitying Skies.
For
Phoebus
watch'd it with superior Care,
Preserv'd from gaping Wounds, and tainting Air;
And ignominious as it swept the Field,
Spread o'er the sacred Corse his golden Shield.
All Heav'n was mov'd, and
Hermes
will'd to go
By Stealth to snatch him from th'insulting Foe:
But
Neptune
this, and
Pallas
this denies,
And th'unrelenting Empress of the Skies:
E'er since that Day implacable to
Troy,
What time young
Paris,
simple Shepherd Boy,
Won by destructive Lust (Reward obscene)
Their Charms rejected for the
Cyprian
Queen.
But when the tenth coelestial Morning broke;
To Heav'n assembled, thus
Apollo
spoke.
Unpitying Pow'rs! how oft each holy Fane
Has
Hector
ting'd with Blood of Victims slain?
And can ye still his cold Remains pursue?
Still grudge his Body to the
Trojans
View?
Deny to Consort, Mother, Son, and Sire,
The last sad Honours of the fun'ral Fire?
Is then the dire
Achilles
all your Care?
That Iron Heart, inflexibly severe;
A Lion, not a Man, who slaughters wide
In Strength of Rage and Impotence of Pride,
Who hastes to murder with a savage Joy,
Invades around, and breathes but to destroy.
Shame is not of his Soul; nor understood,
The greatest Evil and the greatest Good
Still for one Loss he rages unresign'd,
Repugnant to the Lot of all Mankind;
To lose a Friend, a Brother, or a Son,
Heav'n dooms each Mortal, and its Will is done:
A while they sorrow, then dismiss their Care;
Fate gives the Wound, and Man is born to bear.
But this Insatiate the Commission giv'n
By Fate, exceeds; and tempts the Wrath of Heav'n:
Lo how his Rage dishonest drags along
Hector
's dead Earth insensible of Wrong!
Brave tho' he be, yet by no Reason aw'd,
He violates the Laws of Man and God.
If equal Honours by the partial Skies
Are doom'd both Heroes, (
Juno
thus replies)
If
Thetis'
Son must no Distinction know,
Then hear, ye Gods! the Patron of the Bow.
But
Hector
only boasts a mortal Claim,
His Birth deriving from a mortal Dame:
Achilles
of your own Aetherial Race
Springs from a Goddess, by a Man's Embrace;
(A Goddess by our self to
Peleus
giv'n,
A Man divine, and chosen Friend of Heav'n.)
To grace those Nuptials, from the bright Abode
Your selves were present; where this Minstrel-God
(Well-pleas'd to share the Feast,) amid the Quire
Stood proud to Hymn, and tune his youthful Lyre.
Then thus the Thund'rer checks th'imperial Dame:
Let not thy Wrath the Court of Heav'n inflame;
Their Merits, nor their Honours, are the same.
But mine, and ev'ry God's peculiar Grace
Hector
deserves, of all the
Trojan
Race:
Still on our Shrines his grateful Off'rings lay,
(The only Honours Men to Gods can pay)
Nor ever from our smoking Altar ceast
The pure Libation, and the holy Feast.
Howe'er by Stealth to snatch the Corse away,
We will not:
Thetis
guards it Night and Day.
But haste, and summon to our Courts above
The Azure Queen; let her Persuasion move
Her furious Son from
Priam
to receive
The proffer'd Ransom, and the Corps to leave.
He added not: And
Iris
from the Skies
Swift as a Whirlwind, on the Message flies,
Meteorous
the Face of Ocean sweeps,
Refulgent gliding o'er the sable Deeps.
Between where
Samos
wide his Forests spreads,
And rocky
Imbrus
lifts its pointed Heads,
Down plung'd the Maid; (the parted Waves resound)
She plung'd, and instant shot the dark Profound.
As bearing Death in the fallacious Bait
From the bent Angle sinks the loaden Weight;
So past the Goddess thro' the closing Wave,
Where
Thetis
sorrow'd in her secret Cave:
There plac'd amidst her melancholy Train
(The blue-hair'd Sisters of the sacred Main)
Pensive she sate, revolving Fates to come,
And wept her god-like Son's approaching Doom:
Then thus the Goddess of the painted Bow.
Arise! O
Thetis,
from thy Seats below.
'Tis
Jove
that calls. And why (the Dame replies)
Calls
Jove
his
Thetis
to the hated Skies?
Sad Object as I am for heav'nly Sight!
Ah! may my Sorrows ever shun the Light!
Howe'er be Heav'ns almighty Sire obey'd—
She spake, and veil'd her Head in sable Shade,
Which, flowing long, her graceful Person clad;
And forth she pac'd, majestically sad.
Then thro' the World of Waters, they repair
(The Way fair
Iris
led) to upper Air.
The Deeps dividing, o'er the Coast they rise,
And touch with momentary Flight the Skies.
There in the Light'nings Blaze the Sire they found,
And all the Gods in shining Synod round.
Thetis
approach'd with Anguish in her Face,
(
Minerva
rising, gave the Mourner place)
Ev'n
Juno
sought her Sorrows to console,
And offer'd from her Hand the Nectar Bowl:
She tasted, and resign'd it: Then began
The sacred Sire of Gods and mortal Man:
Thou com'st fair
Thetis,
but with Grief o'ercast,
Maternal Sorrows, long, ah long to last!
Suffice, we know and we partake thy Cares:
But yield to Fate, and hear what
Jove
declares.
Nine Days are past, since all the Court above
In
Hector
's Cause have mov'd the Ear of
Jove;
'Twas voted,
Hermes
from his god-like Foe
By Stealth should bear him, but we will'd not so:
We will, thy Son himself the Corse restore,
And to his Conquest add this Glory more.
Then hye thee to him, and our Mandate bear;
Tell him he tempts the Wrath of Heav'n too far:
Nor let him more (our Anger if he dread)
Vent his mad Vengeance on the sacred Dead:
But yield to Ransom and the Father's Pray'r.
The mournful Father
Iris
shall prepare,
With Gifts to sue; and offer to his Hands
Whate'er his Honour asks, or Heart demands.
His Word the silver-footed Queen attends,
And from
Olympus'
snowy Tops descends.
Arriv'd, she heard the Voice of loud Lament,
And echoing Groans that shook the lofty Tent.
His Friends prepare the Victim, and dispose
Repast unheeded, while he vents his Woes.
The Goddess seats her by her pensive Son,
She prest his Hand, and tender thus begun.
How long, unhappy! shall thy Sorrows flow,
And thy Heart waste with life-consuming Woe?
Mindless of Food, or Love whose pleasing Reign
Sooths weary Life, and softens human Pain.
O snatch the Moments yet within thy Pow'r,
Nor long to live, indulge the am'rous Hour!
Lo!
Jove
himself (for
Jove
's Command I bear)
Forbids to tempt the Wrath of Heav'n too far,
No longer then (his Fury if thou dread)
Detain the Relicks of great
Hector
dead;
Nor vent on senseless Earth thy Vengeance vain,
But yield to Ransom, and restore the Slain.
To whom
Achilles:
Be the Ransom giv'n,
And we submit, since such the Will of Heav'n.
While thus they commun'd, from th'
Olympian
Bow'rs
Jove
orders
Iris
to the
Trojan
Tow'rs.
Haste, winged Goddess! to the sacred Town,
And urge her Monarch to redeem his Son;
Alone, the
Ilian
Ramparts let him leave,
And bear what stern
Achilles
may receive:
Alone, for so we will: No
Trojan
near;
Except, to place the Dead with decent Care,
Some aged Herald, who with gentle Hand,
May the slow Mules and fun'ral Car command.
Nor let him Death, nor let him Danger dread,
Safe thro' the Foe by our Protection led:
Him
Hermes
to
Achilles
shall convey,
Guard of his Life, and Partner of his Way.
Fierce as he is,
Achilles
self shall spare
His Age, nor touch one venerable Hair,
Some Thought there must be, in a Soul so brave,
Some Sense of Duty, some Desire to save.
Then down her Bow the winged
Iris
drives,
And swift at
Priam
's mournful Court arrives;
Where the sad Sons beside their Father's Throne
Sate bath'd in Tears, and answer'd Groan with Groan.
And all amidst them lay the hoary Sire,
(Sad Scene of Woe!) His Face his wrapt Attire
Conceal'd from Sight; With frantick Hands he spread
A Show'r of Ashes o'er his Neck and Head.
From Room to Room his pensive Daughters roam;
Whose Shrieks and Clamours fill the vaulted Dome;
Mindful of those, who, late their Pride and Joy,
Lye pale and breathless round the Fields of
Troy!
Before the King
Jove
's Messenger appears,
And thus in Whispers greets his trembling Ears.
Fear not, oh Father! no ill News I bear;
From
Jove
I come,
Jove
makes thee still his Care:
For
Hector
's sake these Walls he bids thee leave,
And bear what stern
Achilles
may receive:
Alone, for so he wills: No
Trojan
near,
Except to place the Dead with decent Care,
Some aged Herald, who with gentle Hand
May the slow Mules and fun'ral Car command.
Nor shalt thou Death, nor shalt thou Danger dread;
Safe thro' the Foe by his Protection led:
Thee
Hermes
to
Pelides
shall convey,
Guard of thy Life, and Partner of thy Way.
Fierce as he is,
Achilles'
self shall spare
Thy Age, nor touch one venerable Hair,
Some Thought there must be, in a Soul so brave,
Some Sense of Duty, some Desire to save.
She spoke, and vanish'd.
Priam
bids prepare
His gentle Mules, and harness to the Car,
There, for the Gifts, a polish'd Casket lay:
His pious Sons the King's Command obey.
Then past the Monarch to his Bridal-Room,
Where Cedar-Beams the lofty Roofs perfume,
And where the Treasures of his Empire lay;
Then call'd his Queen, and thus began to say.
Unhappy Consort of a King distrest!
Partake the Troubles of thy Husband's Breast:
I saw descend the Messenger of
Jove,
Who bids me try
Achilles'
Mind to move,
Forsake these Ramparts, and with Gifts obtain
The Corps of
Hector,
at yon' Navy slain.
Tell me thy Thought: My Heart impells to go
Thro' hostile Camps, and bears me to the Foe.
The hoary Monarch thus. Her piercing Cries
Sad
Hecuba
renews, and then replies.
Ah! whither wanders thy distemper'd Mind,
And where the Prudence now that aw'd Mankind,
Thro'
Phrygia
once, and foreign Regions known,
Now all confus'd, distracted, overthrown!
Singly to pass thro' Hosts of Foes! to face
(Oh Heart of Steel!) the Murd'rer of thy Race!
To view that deathful Eye, and wander o'er
Those Hands, yet red with
Hector
's noble Gore!
Alas! my Lord! he knows not how to spare,
And what his Mercy, thy slain Sons declare;
So brave! so many fall'n! To calm his Rage
Vain were thy Dignity, and vain thy Age.
No—pent in this sad Palace let us give
To Grief the wretched Days we have to live.
Still, still for
Hector
let our Sorrows flow,
Born to his own, and to his Parents Woe!
Doom'd from the Hour his luckless Life begun,
To Dogs, to Vultures, and to
Peleus'
Son!
Oh! in his dearest Blood might I allay
My Rage, and these Barbarities repay!
For ah! could
Hector
merit thus? whose Breath
Expir'd not meanly, in unactive Death:
He pour'd his latest Blood in manly Fight,
And fell a Hero in his Country's Right.
Seek not to stay me, nor my Soul affright
With Words of Omen like a Bird of Night.
(Reply'd unmov'd the venerable Man)
'Tis Heav'n commands me, and you urge in vain.
Had any mortal Voice th' Injunction laid,
Nor Augur, Priest, or Seer had been obey'd.
A present Goddess brought the high Command,
I saw, I heard her, and the Word shall stand.
I go, ye Gods! obedient to your Call:
If in yon' Camp your Pow'rs have doom'd my Fall,
Content—By the same Hand let me expire!
Add to the slaughter'd Son the wretched Sire!
One cold Embrace at least may be allow'd,
And my last Tears flow mingled with his Blood!
From forth his open'd Stores, this said, he drew
Twelve costly Carpets of refulgent Hue,
As many Vests, as many Mantles told,
And twelve fair Veils, and Garments stiff with Gold.
Two Tripods next and twice two Chargers shine,
With ten pure Talents from the richest Mine;
And last a large well-labour'd Bowl had place,
(The Pledge of Treaties once with friendly
Thrace
)
Seem'd all too mean the Stores he could employ,
For one last Look to buy him back to
Troy!
Lo! the sad Father, frantick with his Pain,
Around him furious drives his menial Train:
In vain each Slave with duteous Care attends,
Each Office hurts him, and each Face offends.
What make ye here? Officious Crowds? (he cries)
Hence! Nor obtrude your Anguish on my Eyes.
Have ye no Griefs at Home, to fix ye there?
Am I the only Object of Despair?
Am I become my People's common Show,
Set up by
Jove
your Spectacle of Woe?
No, you must feel him too; your selves must fall;
The same stern God to Ruin gives you all.
Nor is great
Hector
lost by me alone;
Your sole Defence, your guardian Pow'r is gone!
I see your Blood the Fields of
Phrygia
drown,
I see the Ruins of your smoking Town!
Oh send me, Gods! e'er that sad Day shall come,
A willing Ghost to
Pluto
's dreary Dome!
He said, and feebly drives his Friends away;
The sorrowing Friends his frantick Rage obey.
Next on his Sons his erring Fury falls,
Polites, Paris, Agathon,
he calls,
His Threats
Deïphobus
and
Dius
hear,
Hippothous, Pammon, Helenus
the Seer,
And gen'rous
Antiphon:
For yet these nine
Surviv'd, sad Relicks of his num'rous Line.
Inglorious Sons of an unhappy Sire!
Why did not all in
Hector
's Cause expire?
Wretch that I am! my bravest Offspring slain,
You, the Disgrace of
Priam
's House, remain!
Mestor
the brave, renown'd in Ranks of War,
With
Troilus,
dreadful on his rushing Car,
And last great
Hector,
more than Man divine,
For sure he seem'd not of terrestial Line!
All those relentless
Mars
untimely slew,
And left me these, a soft and servile Crew,
Whose Days the Feast and wanton Dance employ,
Gluttons and Flatt'rers, the Contempt of
Troy!
Why teach ye not my rapid Wheels to run,
And speed my Journey to redeem my Son?
The Sons their Father's wretched Age revere,
Forgive his Anger, and produce the Car.
High on the Seat the Cabinet they bind:
The new-made Car with solid Beauty shin'd;
Box was the Yoke, embost with costly Pains,
And hung with Ringlets to receive the Reins;
Nine Cubits long the Traces swept the Ground;
These to the Chariots polish'd Pole they bound,
Then fix'd a Ring the running Reins to guide,
And close beneath the gather'd Ends were ty'd.
Next with the Gifts (the Price of
Hector
slain)
The sad Attendants load the groaning Wain:
Last to the Yoke the well-match'd Mules they bring,
(The Gift of
Mysia
to the
Trojan
King.)
But the fair Horses, long his darling Care,
Himself receiv'd and harness'd to his Car:
Griev'd as he was, he not this Task deny'd;
The hoary Herald help'd him at his Side.
While careful these the gentle Coursers join'd,
Sad
Hecuba
approach'd with anxious Mind;
A golden Bowl that foam'd with fragrant Wine,
(Libation destin'd to the Pow'r divine)
Held in her right, before the Steeds she stands,
And thus consigns it to the Monarch's Hands.
Take this, and pour to
Jove:
that safe from Harms,
His Grace restore thee to our Roof, and Arms;
Since Victor of thy Fears, and slighting mine,
Heav'n, or thy Soul, inspire this bold Design:
Pray to that God, who high on
Ida
's Brow
Surveys thy desolated Realms below,
His winged Messenger to send from high,
And lead thy way with heav'nly Augury:
Let the strong Sov'reign of the plumy Race
Tow'r on the right of yon' aethereal Space.
That Sign beheld, and strengthen'd from above,
Boldly pursue the Journey mark'd by
Jove;
But if the God his Augury denies,
Suppress thy Impulse, nor reject Advice.
'Tis just (said
Priam
) to the Sire above
To raise our Hands, for who so good as
Jove?
He spoke, and bad th'attendant Handmaid bring
The purest Water of the living Spring;
(Her ready Hands the Ew'er and Bason held)
Then took the golden Cup his Queen had fill'd,
On the mid Pavement pours the rosy Wine,
Uplifts his Eyes, and calls the Pow'r divine.
Oh First, and Greatest! Heav'ns Imperial Lord!
On lofty
Ida
's holy Hill ador'd!
To stern
Achilles
now direct my ways,
And teach him Mercy when a Father prays.
If such thy Will, dispatch from yonder Sky
Thy sacred Bird, coelestial Augury!
Let the strong Sov'reign of the plumy Race
Tow'r on the right of you' aethereal Space.
So shall thy Suppliant, strengthen'd from above,
Fearless pursue the Journey mark'd by
Jove.
Jove
heard his Pray'r, and from the Throne on high
Dispatch'd his Bird, coelestial Augury!
The swift-wing'd Chaser of the feather'd Game,
And known to Gods by
Percnos'
lofty Name.
Wide as appears some Palace Gate display'd,
So broad, his Pinions stretch their ample Shade,
As stooping dexter with resounding Wings
Th'imperial Bird descends in airy Rings.
A Dawn of Joy in ev'ry Face appears;
The mourning Matron dries her tim'rous Tears.
Swift on his Car th'impatient Monarch sprung;
The brazen Portal in his Passage rung.
The Mules preceding draw the loaded Wain,
Charg'd with the Gifts;
Idaeus
holds the Rein,
The King himself his gentle Steeds controuls,
And thro' surrounding Friends the Chariot rolls.
On his slow Wheels the following People wait,
Mourn at each Step, and give him up to Fate,
With Hands uplifted, eye him as he past,
And gaze upon him as they gaz'd their last.
Now forward fares the Father on his way,
Thro' the lone Fields, and back to
Ilion
they.
Great
Jove
beheld him as he crost the Plain,
And felt the Woes of miserable Man.
Then thus to
Hermes.
Thou whose constant Cares
Still succour Mortals, and attend their Pray'rs;
Behold an Object to thy Charge consign'd,
If ever Pity touch'd thee for Mankind.
Go, guard the Sire; th'observing Foe prevent,
And safe conduct him to
Achilles'
Tent.
The God obeys, his golden Pinions binds,
And mounts incumbent on the Wings of Winds,
That high thro' Fields of Air his Flight sustain,
O'er the wide Earth, and o'er the boundless Main:
Then grasps the Wand that causes Sleep to fly,
Or in soft Slumbers seals the wakeful Eye;
Thus arm'd, swift
Hermes
steers his airy way,
And stoops on
Hellespont
's resounding Sea.
A beauteous Youth, majestick and divine,
He seem'd, fair Offspring of some princely Line!
Now Twilight veil'd the glaring Face of Day,
And clad the dusky Fields in sober Gray;
What time the Herald and the hoary King
Their Chariots stopping, at the silver Spring
That circling
Ilus'
ancient Marble flows,
Allow'd their Mules and Steeds a short Repose.
Thro' the dim Shade the Herald first espies
A Man's approach, and thus to
Priam
cries.
I mark some Foes Advance: O King! beware;
This hard Adventure claims thy utmost Care:
For much I fear, Destruction hovers nigh:
Our State asks Counsel; is it best to fly?
Or, old and helpless, at his Feet to fall,
(Two wretched Suppliants) and for Mercy call?
Th' afflicted Monarch shiver'd with Despair;
Pale grew his Face, and upright stood his Hair;
Sunk was his Heart; his Colour went and came;
A sudden Trembling shook his aged Frame:
When
Hermes
greeting, touch'd his royal Hand,
And gentle, thus accosts with kind Demand.
Say whither, Father! when each mortal Sight
Is seal'd in Sleep, thou wander'st thro' the Night?
Why roam thy Mules and Steeds the Plains along,
Thro'
Grecian
Foes, so num'rous and so strong?
What couldst thou hope, should these thy Treasures view,
These, who with endless Hate thy Race pursue?
For what Defence alas! couldst thou provide?
Thy self not young, a weak old Man thy Guide.
Yet suffer not thy Soul to sink with Dread;
From me, no Harm shall touch thy rev'rend Head;
From
Greece
I'll guard thee too; for in those Lines
The living Image of my Father shines.
Thy Words, that speak Benevolence of Mind
Are true, my Son! (the godlike Sire rejoin'd)
Great are my Hazards; but the Gods survey
My Steps, and send thee, Guardian of my way.
Hail, and be blest! For scarce of mortal Kind
Appears thy Form, thy Feature, and thy Mind.
Nor true are all thy Words, nor erring wide;
(The sacred Messenger of Heav'n reply'd)
But say, convey'st thou thro' the lonely Plains
What yet most precious of thy Store remains,
To lodge in safety with some friendly Hand?
Prepar'd perchance to leave thy native Land.
Or fly'st thou now? What Hopes can
Troy
retain?
Thy matchless Son, her Guard and Glory, slain!
The King, alarm'd. Say what, and whence thou art,
Who search the Sorrows of a Parent's Heart,
And know so well how god-like
Hector
dy'd?
Thus
Priam
spoke, and
Hermes
thus reply'd.
You tempt me, Father, and with Pity touch:
On this sad Subject you enquire too much.
Oft have these Eyes that godlike
Hector
view'd
In glorious Fight with
Grecian
Blood embru'd:
I saw him, when like
Jove,
his Flames he tost
On thousand Ships, and wither'd half an Host:
I saw, but help'd not: Stern
Achilles'
Ire
Forbad Assistance, and enjoy'd the Fire.
For him I serve, of
Myrmidonian
Race;
One Ship convey'd us from our native Place;
Polyctor
is my Sire, an honour'd Name,
Old like thy self, and not unknown to Fame;
Of sev'n his Sons, by whom the Lot was cast
To serve our Prince, it fell on me, the last.
To watch this Quarter my Adventure falls,
For with the Morn the
Greeks
attack your Walls;
Sleepless they sit, impatient to engage,
And scarce their Rulers check the martial Rage.
If then thou art of stern
Pelides'
Train,
(The mournful Monarch thus rejoin'd again)
Ah tell me truly, where, oh where are laid
My Son's dear Relicks? what befalls him dead?
Have Dogs dismember'd on the naked Plains,
Or yet unmangled rest his cold Remains?
O favor'd of the Skies! (Thus answer'd then
The Pow'r that mediates between Gods and Men)
Nor Dogs nor Vultures have thy
Hector
rent,
But whole he lies, neglected in the Tent:
This the twelfth Evening since he rested there,
Untouch'd by Worms, untainted by the Air.
Still as
Aurora
's ruddy Beam is spread,
Round his Friend's Tomb
Achilles
drags the Dead;
Yet undisfigur'd, or in Limb, or Face,
All fresh he lies, with ev'ry living Grace,
Majestical in Death! No Stains are found
O'er all the Corse, and clos'd is ev'ry Wound,
(Tho' many a Wound they gave) Some heav'nly Care,
Some Hand divine, preserves him ever fair:
Or all the Host of Heav'n, to whom he led
A Life so grateful, still regard him dead.
Thus spoke to
Priam
the coelestial Guide,
And joyful thus the royal Sire reply'd.
Blest is the Man who pays the Gods above
The constant Tribute of Respect and Love:
Those who inhabit the
Olympian
Bow'r
My Son forgot not, in exalted Pow'r;
And Heav'n, that ev'ry Virtue bears in mind,
Ev'n to the Ashes of the Just, is kind.
But thou, oh gen'rous Youth! this Goblet take,
A Pledge of Gratitude for
Hector
's sake;
And while the fav'ring Gods our Steps survey,
Safe to
Pelides'
Tent conduct my way.
To whom the latent God. O King forbear
To tempt my Youth, for apt is Youth to err:
But can I, absent from my Prince's Sight,
Take Gifts in secret, that must shun the Light?
What from our Master's Int'rest thus we draw,
Is but a licens'd Theft that 'scapes the Law.
Respecting him, my Soul abjures th' Offence;
And as the Crime I dread the Consequence.
Thee, far as
Argos,
pleas'd I could convey;
Guard of thy Life, and Partner of thy Way.
On thee attend, thy Safety to maintain,
O'er pathless Forests, or the roaring Main.
He said, then took the Chariot at a Bound,
And snatch'd the Reins, and whirl'd the Lash around:
Before th'inspiring God that urg'd them on,
The Coursers fly with Spirit not their own.
And now they reach'd the naval Walls, and found
The Guards repasting, while the Bowls go round;
On these the Virtue of his Wand he tries,
And pours deep Slumber on their watchful Eyes:
Then heav'd the massy Gates, remov'd the Bars,
And o'er the Trenches led the rolling Cars.
Unseen, thro' all the hostile Camp they went,
And now approach'd
Pelides'
lofty Tent.
Of Fir the Roof was rais'd, and cover'd o'er
With Reeds collected from the marshy Shore;
And, fenc'd with Palisades, a Hall of State,
(The Work of Soldiers) where the Hero sate.
Large was the Door, whose well-compacted Strength
A solid Pine-tree barr'd of wond'rous Length;
Scarce three strong
Greeks
could lift its mighty Weight,
But great
Achilles
singly clos'd the Gate.
This
Hermes
(such the Pow'r of Gods) set wide;
Then swift alighted the coelestial Guide,
And thus, reveal'd—Hear Prince! and understand
Thou ow'st thy Guidance to no mortal Hand:
Hermes
I am, descended from above,
The King of Arts, the Messenger of
Jove.
Farewell: To shun
Achilles'
Sight I fly;
Uncommon are such Favours of the Sky,
Nor stand confest to frail Mortality.
Now fearless enter, and prefer thy Pray'rs;
Adjure him by his Father's silver Hairs,
His Son, his Mother! urge him to bestow
Whatever Pity that stern Heart can know.
Thus having said, he vanish'd from his Eyes,
And in a moment shot into the Skies:
The King, confirm'd from Heav'n, alighted there,
And left his aged Herald on the Car.
With solemn Pace thro' various Rooms he went,
And found
Achilles
in his inner Tent:
There sate the Hero;
Alcimus
the brave,
And great
Automedon,
Attendance gave:
These serv'd his Person at the royal Feast,
Around, at awful distance, stood the rest.
Unseen by these, the King his Entry made;
And prostrate now before
Achilles
laid,
Sudden, (a venerable Sight!) appears;
Embrac'd his Knees, and bath'd his Hands in Tears;
Those direful Hands his Kisses press'd, embru'd
Ev'n with the best, the dearest of his Blood!
As when a Wretch, (who conscious of his Crime
Pursu'd for Murder, flies his native Clime)
Just gains some Frontier, breathless, pale! amaz'd!
All gaze, all wonder: Thus
Achilles
gaz'd:
Thus stood th'Attendants stupid with Surprize;
All mute, yet seem'd to question with their Eyes:
Each look'd on other, none the Silence broke,
Till thus at last the Kingly Suppliant spoke,
Ah think, thou favour'd of the Pow'rs Divine!
Think of thy Father's Age, and pity mine!
In me, that Father's rev'rend Image trace,
Those silver Hairs, that venerable Face;
His trembling Limbs, his helpless Person, see!
In all my Equal, but in Misery!
Yet now perhaps, some Turn of human Fate
Expells him helpless from his peaceful State;
Think from some pow'rful Foe tho see'st him fly,
And beg Protection with a feeble Cry,
Yet still one Comfort in his Soul may rise;
He hears his Son still lives to glad his Eyes;
And hearing still may hope, a better Day
May send him thee to chase that Foe away.
No Comfort to my Griefs, no Hopes remain,
The best, the bravest of my Sons are slain!
Yet what a Race? e'er
Greece
to
Ilion
came,
The Pledge of many a lov'd, and loving Dame;
Nineteen one Mother bore—Dead, all are dead!
How oft, alas! has wretched
Priam
bled?
Still One was left, their Loss to recompense;
His Father's Hope, his Country's last Defence.
Him too thy Rage has slain! beneath thy Steel
Unhappy, in his Country's Cause he fell!
For him, thro' hostile Camps I bent my way,
For him thus prostrate at thy Feet I lay;
Large Gifts, proportion'd to thy Wrath, I bear;
Oh hear the Wretched, and the Gods revere!
Think of thy Father, and this Face behold!
See him in me, as helpless and as old!
Tho' not so wretched: There he yields to me,
The First of Men in sov'reign Misery.
Thus forc'd to kneel, thus grov'ling to embrace
The Scourage and Ruin of my Realm and Race;
Suppliant my Childrens Murd'rer to implore,
And kiss those Hands yet reeking with their Gore!
These Words soft Pity in the Chief inspire,
Touch'd with the dear Remembrance of his Sire.
Then with his Hand (as prostrate still he lay)
The Old Man's Cheek he gently turn'd away.
Now each by turns indulg'd the Gush of Woe;
And now the mingled Tides together flow:
This low on Earth, that gently bending o'er,
A Father one, and one a Son, deplore:
But great
Achilles
diff'rent Passions rend,
And now his Sire he mourns, and now his Friend.
Th' infectious Softness thro' the Heroes ran;
One universal, solemn Show'r began;
They bore as Heroes, but they felt as Man.
Satiate at length with unavailing Woes,
From the high Throne divine
Achilles
rose;
The rev'rend Monarch by the Hand he rais'd;
On his white Beard and Form majestick gaz'd,
Not unrelenting: Then serene began
With Words to sooth the miserable Man.
Alas! what Weight of Anguish hast thou known?
Unhappy Prince! thus guardless and alone
To pass thro' Foes, and thus undaunted face
The Man whose Fury has destroy'd thy Race?
Heav'n sure has arm'd thee with a Heart of Steel,
A Strength proportion'd to the Woes you feel.
Rise then: Let Reason mitigate our Care:
To mourn, avails not: Man is born to bear.
Such is, alas! the Gods severe Decree;
They, only they are blest, and only free.
Two Urns by
Jove
's high Throne have ever stood,
The Source of Evil one, and one of Good;
From thence the Cup of mortal Man he fills,
Blessings to these, to those distributes Ills;
To most, he mingles both: The Wretch decreed
To taste the bad, unmix'd, is curst indeed;
Pursu'd by Wrongs, by meagre Famine driv'n,
He wanders, Outcast both of Earth and Heav'n.
The Happiest taste not Happiness sincere,
But find the cordial Draught is dash'd with Care.
Who more than
Peleus
shone in Wealth and Pow'r?
What Stars concurring blest his natal Hour?
A Realm, a Goddess, to his Wishes giv'n,
Grac'd by the Gods with all the Gifts of Heav'n!
One Evil yet o'ertakes his latest Day,
No Race succeeding to imperial Sway:
One only Son! and he (alas!) ordain'd
To fall untimely in a foreign Land!
See him, in
Troy,
the pious Care decline
Of his weak Age, to live the Curse of thine!
Thou too, Old Man, hast happier Days beheld;
In Riches once, in Children once excell'd;
Extended
Phrygia
own'd thy ample Reign,
And all fair
Lesbos'
blissful Seats contain,
And all wide
Hellespont
's unmeasur'd Main.
But since the God his Hand has pleas'd to turn,
And fill thy Measure from his bitter Urn,
What sees the Sun, but hapless Heroes Falls?
War, and the Blood of Men, surround thy Walls!
What must be, must be. Bear thy Lot, nor shed
These unavailing Sorrows o'er the Dead;
Thou can'st not call him from the
Stygian
Shore,
But thou alas! may'st live, to suffer more!
To whom the King. Oh favour'd of the Skies!
Here let me grow to Earth! since
Hector
lies
On the bare Beach, depriv'd of Obsequies.
Oh give me
Hector!
to my Eyes restore
His Corse, and take the Gifts: I ask no more.
Thou, as thou may'st, these boundless Stores enjoy;
Safe may'st thou sail, and turn thy Wrath from
Troy;
So shall thy Pity and Forbearance give
A weak old Man to see the Light and live!
Move me no more (
Achilles
thus replies
While kindling Anger sparkled in his Eyes)
Nor seek by Tears my steady Soul to bend;
To yield thy
Hector
I my self intend:
For know, from
Jove
my Goddess-Mother came,
(Old Ocean's Daughter, silver-footed Dame)
Nor com'st thou but by Heav'n; nor com'st alone,
Some God impells with Courage not thy own:
No human Hand the weighty Gates unbarr'd,
Nor could the boldest of our Youth have dar'd
To pass our Outworks, or elude the Guard.
Cease; lest neglectful of high
Jove
's Command
I show thee, King! thou tread'st on hostile Land;
Release my Knees, thy suppliant Arts give o'er,
And shake the Purpose of my Soul no more.
The Sire obey'd him, trembling and o'er-aw'd.
Achilles,
like a Lion, rush'd abroad:
Automedon
and
Alcimus
attend,
Whom most he honour'd, since he lost his Friend;
These to unyoke the Mules and Horses went,
And led the hoary Herald to the Tent;
Next heap'd on high the num'rous Presents bear
(Great
Hector
's Ransome) from the polish'd Car.
Two splendid Mantles, and a Carpet spread,
They leave; to cover, and inwrap the Dead.
Then call the Handmaids with assistant Toil
To wash the Body, and anoint with Oil;
Apart from
Priam,
lest th' unhappy Sire
Provok'd to Passion, once more rouze to Ire
The stern
Pelides;
and nor sacred Age
Nor
Jove
's Command, should check the rising Rage.
This done, the Garments o'er the Corse they spread;
Achilles
lifts it to the fun'ral Bed:
Then, while the Body on the Car they laid,
He groans, and calls on lov'd
Patroclus'
Shade.
If, in that Gloom which never Light must know,
The Deeds of Mortals touch the Ghosts below;
O Friend! forgive me, that I thus fulfill
(Restoring
Hector
) Heav'ns unquestion'd Will.
The Gifts the Father gave, be ever thine,
To grace thy
Manes,
and adorn thy Shrine.
He said, and entring, took his Seat of State,
Where full before him rev'rend
Priam
sate:
To whom, compos'd, the god-like Chief begun.
Lo! to thy Pray'r restor'd, thy breathless Son:
Extended on the Fun'ral Couch he lies;
And soon as Morning paints the Eastern Skies,
The Sight is granted to thy longing Eyes.
But now the peaceful Hours of sacred Night
Demand Refection, and to Rest invite:
Nor thou O Father! thus consum'd with Woe,
The common Cares that nourish Life, foregoe.
Not thus did
Niobe,
of Form divine,
A Parent once, whose Sorrows equal'd thine:
Six youthful Sons, as many blooming Maids
In one sad Day beheld the
Stygian
Shades;
These by
Apollo
's silver Bow were slain,
Those,
Cynthia
's Arrows stretch'd upon the Plain.
So was her Pride chastiz'd by Wrath divine,
Who match'd her own with bright
Latona
's Line;
But two the Goddess, twelve the Queen enjoy'd;
Those boasted twelve th'avenging two destroy'd.
Steep'd in their Blood, and in the Dust outspread,
Nine Days neglected lay expos'd the Dead;
None by to weep them, to inhume them none;
(For
Jove
had turn'd the Nation all to Stone:)
The Gods themselves at length relenting, gave
Th'unhappy Race the Honours of a Grave.
Her self a Rock, (for such was Heav'ns high Will)
Thro' Desarts wild now pours a weeping Rill;
Where round the Bed whence
Acheloüs
springs
The wat'ry Fairies dance in mazy Rings,
There high on
Sipylus
his shaggy Brow,
She stands her own sad Monument of Woe;
The Rock for ever lasts, the Tears for ever flow!
Such Griefs, O King! have other Parents known;
Remember theirs, and mitigate thy own.
The Care of Heav'n thy
Hector
has appear'd,
Nor shall he lye unwept, and uninterr'd;
Soon may thy aged Cheeks in Tears be drown'd,
And all the Eyes of
Ilion
stream around.
He said, and rising, chose the Victim Ewe
With silver Fleece, which his Attendants slew.
The Limbs they sever from the reeking Hyde,
With Skill prepare them, and in Parts divide:
Each on the Coals the sep'rate Morsels lays,
And hasty, snatches from the rising Blaze.
With Bread the glitt'ring Canisters they load,
Which round the Board
Automedon
bestow'd:
The Chief himself to each his Portion plac'd,
And each indulging shar'd in sweet Repast.
When now the Rage of Hunger was represt,
The wond'ring Hero eyes his royal Guest;
No less the royal Guest the Hero eyes,
His god-like Aspect and majestick Size;
Here, youthful Grace and noble Fire engage,
And there, the mild Benevolence of Age.
Thus gazing long, the Silence neither broke,
(A solemn Scene!) at length the Father spoke.
Permit me now, belov'd of
Jove!
to steep
My careful Temples in the Dew of Sleep:
For since the Day that numbred with the Dead
My hapless Son, the Dust has been my Bed,
Soft Sleep a Stranger to my weeping Eyes,
My only Food my Sorrows and my Sighs!
Till now, encourag'd by the Grace you give,
I share thy Banquet, and consent to live.
With that,
Achilles
bad prepare the Bed,
With Purple soft, and shaggy Carpets spread;
Forth, by the flaming Lights, they bend their way,
And place the Couches, and the Cov'rings lay.
Then he: Now Father sleep, but sleep not here,
Consult thy Safety, and forgive my Fear,
Lest any
Argive,
(at this Hour awake,
To ask our Counsel or our Orders take,)
Approaching sudden to our open'd Tent,
Perchance behold thee, and our Grace prevent.
Should such report thy honour'd Person here,
The King of Men the Ransom might defer.
But say with speed, if ought of thy Desire
Remains unask'd; what Time the Rites require
T' inter thy
Hector?
For, so long we stay
Our slaught'ring Arm, and bid the Hosts obey.
If then thy Will permit (the Monarch said)
To finish all due Honours to the Dead,
This, of thy Grace, accord: To thee are known
The Fears of
Ilion,
clos'd within her Town,
And at what distance from our Walls aspire
The Hills of
Ide,
and Forests for the Fire.
Nine Days to vent our Sorrows I request,
The tenth shall see the Fun'ral and the Feast;
The next, to raise his Monument be giv'n;
The twelfth we war, if War be doom'd by Heav'n!
This thy Request (reply'd the Chief) enjoy:
Till then, our Arms suspend the Fall of
Troy.
Then gave his Hand at parting, to prevent
The Old Man's Fears, and turn'd within the Tent;
Where fair
Briseis
bright in blooming Charms
Expects her Hero with desiring Arms.
But in the Porch the King and Herald rest,
Sad Dreams of Care yet wand'ring in their Breast.
Now Gods and Men the Gifts of Sleep partake;
Industrious
Hermes
only was awake,
The King's Return revolving in his Mind,
To pass the Ramparts, and the Watch to blind.
The Pow'r descending hover'd o'er his Head:
And sleep'st thou Father! (thus the Vision said)
Now dost thou sleep, when
Hector
is restor'd?
Nor fear the
Grecian
Foes, nor
Grecian
Lord?
Thy Presence here shou'd stern
Atrides
see,
Thy still-surviving Sons may sue for thee,
May offer all thy Treasures yet contain,
To spare thy Age; and offer all in vain!
Wak'd with the Word, the trembling Sire arose,
And rais'd his Friend: The God before him goes,
He joins the Mules, directs them with his Hand,
And moves in Silence thro' the hostile Land.
When now to
Xanthus'
yellow Stream they drove,
(
Xanthus,
immortal Progeny of
Jove
)
The winged Deity forsook their View,
And in a Moment to
Olympus
flew.
Now shed
Aurora
round her Saffron Ray,
Sprung thro' the Gates of Light, and gave the Day:
Charg'd with their mournful Load, to
Ilion
goe
The Sage and King, majestically slow.
Cassandra
first beholds, from
Ilion
's Spire,
The sad Procession of her hoary Sire,
Then, as the pensive Pomp advanc'd more near,
Her breathless Brother stretch'd upon the Bier:
A Show'r of Tears o'erflows her beauteous Eyes,
Alarming thus all
Ilion
with her Cries.
Turn here your steps, and here your eyes employ,
Ye wretched Daughters, and ye Sons of
Troy!
If e'er ye rush'd in Crowds, with vast Delight
To hail your Hero glorious from the Fight;
Now meet him dead, and let your Sorrows flow!
Your common Triumph, and your common Woe
In thronging Crowds they issue to the Plains,
Nor Man, nor Woman, in the Walls remains.
In ev'ry Face the self-same Grief is shown,
And
Troy
sends forth one universal Groan.
At
Scaea
's Gates they meet the mourning Wain,
Hang on the Wheels, and grovel round the Slain.
The Wife and Mother, frantic with Despair,
Kiss his pale Cheek, and rend their scatter'd Hair:
Thus wildly wailing, at the Gates they lay;
And there had sigh'd and sorrow'd out the Day;
But god-like
Priam
from the Chariot rose:
Forbear (he cry'd) this Violence of Woes,
First to the Palace let the Car proceed,
Then pour your boundless Sorrows o'er the Dead.
The Waves of People at his Word divide,
Slow rolls the Chariot thro' the following Tide;
Ev'n to the Palace the sad Pomp they wait:
They weep, and place him on the Bed of State.
A melancholy Choir attend around,
With plaintive Sighs, and Musick's solemn Sound:
Alternately they sing, alternate flow
Th' obedient Tears, melodious in their Woe.
While deeper Sorrows groan from each full Heart,
And Nature speaks at ev'ry Pause of Art.
First to the Corse the weeping Consort flew;
Around his Neck her milk-white Arms she threw,
And oh my
Hector!
oh my Lord! she cries,
Snatch'd in thy Bloom from these desiring Eyes!
Thou to the dismal Realms for ever gone!
And I abandon'd, desolate, alone!
An only Son, once Comfort of our Pains,
Sad Product now of hapless Love, remains!
Never to manly Age that Son shall rise,
Or with increasing Graces glad my Eyes:
For
Ilion
now (her great Defender slain)
Shall sink, a smoaking Ruin on the Plain.
Who now protects her Wives with guardian Care?
Who saves her Infants from the Rage of War?
Now hostile Fleets must waft those Infants o'er,
(Those Wives must wait 'em) to a foreign Shore!
Thou too my Son! to barb'rous Climes shalt goe,
The sad Companion of thy Mother's Woe;
Driv'n hence a Slave before the Victor's Sword;
Condemn'd to toil for some inhuman Lord.
Or else some
Greek
whose Father prest the Plain,
Or Son, or Brother, by great
Hector
slain;
In
Hector
's Blood his Vengeance shall enjoy,
And hurl thee headlong from the Tow'rs of
Troy.
For thy stern Father never spar'd a Foe:
Thence all these Tears, and all this Scene of Woe!
Thence, many Evils his sad Parents bore,
His Parents many, but his Consort more.
Why gav'st thou not to me thy dying Hand?
And why receiv'd not I thy last Command?
Some Word thou would'st have spoke, which sadly dear,
My Soul might keep, or utter with a Tear;
Which never, never could be lost in Air,
Fix'd in my Heart, and oft repeated there!
Thus to her weeping Maids she makes her Moan;
Her weeping Handmaids echo Groan for Groan.
The mournful Mother next sustains her Part.
Oh thou, the best, the dearest to my Heart!
Of all my Race thou most by Heav'n approv'd,
And by th'Immortals ev'n in Death belov'd!
While all my other Sons in barb'rous Bands
Achilles
bound, and sold to foreign Lands,
This felt no Chains, but went a glorious Ghost
Free, and a Hero, to the
Stygian
Coast.
Sentenc'd, 'tis true, by his inhuman Doom,
Thy noble Corse was dragg'd around the Tomb,
(The Tomb of him thy warlike Arm had slain)
Ungen'rous Insult, impotent and vain!
Yet glow'st thou fresh with ev'ry living Grace,
No mark of Pain, or Violence of Face;
Rosy and fair! as
Phoebus'
silver Bow
Dismiss'd thee gently to the Shades below.
Thus spoke the Dame, and melted into Tears.
Sad
Helen
next in Pomp of Grief appears:
Fast from the shining Sluices of her Eyes
Fall the round crystal Drops, while thus she cries.
Ah dearest Friend! in whom the Gods had join'd
The mildest Manners with the bravest Mind!
Now twice ten Years (unhappy Years) are o'er
Since
Paris
brought me to the
Trojan
Shore;
(Oh had I perish'd, e'er that Form divine
Seduc'd this soft, this easy Heart of mine!)
Yet was it ne'er my Fate, from thee to find
A Deed ungentle, or a Word unkind:
When others curst the Auth'ress of their Woe,
Thy Pity check'd my Sorrows in their Flow:
If some proud Brother ey'd me with Disdain,
Or scornful Sister with her sweeping Train,
Thy gentle Accents soften'd all my Pain.
For thee I mourn; and mourn my self in thee,
The wretched Source of all this Misery!
The Fate I caus'd, for ever I bemoan;
Sad
Helen
has no Friend now thou art gone!
Thro'
Troy
's wide Streets abandon'd shall I roam,
In
Troy
deserted, as abhorr'd at Home!
So spoke the Fair, with Sorrow-streaming Eye:
Distressful Beauty melts each Stander-by;
On all around th'infectious Sorrow grows;
But
Priam
check'd the Torrent as it rose.
Perform, ye
Trojans!
what the Rites require,
And fell the Forests for a fun'ral Pyre;
Twelve Days, nor Foes, nor secret Ambush dread;
Achilles
grants these Honours to the Dead.
He spoke; and at his Word, the
Trojan
Train
Their Mules and Oxen harness to the Wain,
Pour thro' the Gates, and, fell'd from
Ida
's Crown,
Roll back the gather'd Forests to the Town.
These Toils continue nine succeeding Days,
And high in Air a Sylvan Structure raise.
But when the tenth fair Morn began to shine,
Forth to the Pile was born the Man divine,
And plac'd aloft: while all, with streaming Eyes,
Beheld the Flames and rolling Smokes arise.
Soon as
Aurora,
Daughter of the Dawn,
With rosy Lustre streak'd the dewy Lawn;
Again the mournful Crowds surround the Pyre,
And quench with Wine the yet remaining Fire.
The snowy Bones his Friends and Brothers place
(With Tears collected) in a golden Vase;
The golden Vase in purple Palls they roll'd,
Of softest Texture, and inwrought with Gold;
Last o'er the Urn the sacred Earth they spread,
And rais'd the Tomb, Memorial of the Dead.
(Strong Guards and Spies, till all the Rites were done,
Watch'd from the rising to the setting Sun)
All
Troy
then moves to
Priam
's Court again,
A solemn, silent, melancholy Train.
Assembled there, from pious Toil they rest,
And sadly shar'd the last Sepulcral Feast.
Such Honours
Ilion
to her Hero paid,
And peaceful slept the mighty
Hector
's Shade.
The End of the ILIAD.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE Twenty-Fourth Book.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK.
I.
VERSE 14.
What Seas they measur'd,
&c.]
There is something very noble in these Sentiments of
Achilles:
He does not recollect any soft Moments, any Tendernesses that had pass'd between him and
Patroclus,
but he revolves the many Difficulties, the Toils by Land, and the Dangers by Sea, in which they had been Companions: Thus the Poet on all Occasions admirably sustains the Character of
Achilles;
when he play'd upon the Harp in the ninth Book, he sung the Atchievements of Kings; and in this place there is an air of Greatness in his very Sorrows:
Achilles
is as much a Hero when he weeps, as when he fights.
This Passage in
Homer
has not escap'd the Censure of
Plato,
who thought it a Diminution to his Character to be thus transported with Grief; but the Objection will vanish if we remember that all the Passions of
Achilles
are in the extreme; his Nature is violent, and it would have been an Outrage to his general Character to have represented him as mourning moderately for his Friend.
Plato
spoke more like a Philosopher than a Critick when he blamed the Behaviour of
Achilles
as unmanly: These Tears would have ill-become
Plato,
but they are graceful in
Achilles.
Besides there is something very instructive in this whole Representation, it shews us the Power of a sincere Friendship, and softens and recommends the Character of
Achilles;
the Violence he us'd towards his Enemy is alleviated by the Sincerity he expresses towards his Friend; he is a terrible Enemy, but an amiable Friend.
II.
VERSE 30.
For
Phoebus
watch'd it,
&c.]
Eustathius
says, that by this Shield of
Apollo
are meant the Clouds that are drawn up by the Beams of the Sun, which cooling and qualifying the Sultriness of the Air, preserved the Body from Decay: But perhaps the Poet had something farther in his Eye when he introduc'd
Apollo
upon this Occasion:
Apollo
is a Physician and the God of Medicaments; if therefore
Achilles
used any Arts to preserve
Hector
from Decay that he might be able the longer to insult his Remains,
Apollo
may properly be said to protect it with his
Aegis.
III.
VERSE 36.
But
Neptune
this, and
Pallas
this denies.
]
It is with excellent Art that the Poet carries on this part of his Poem, he shews that he could have contriv'd another way to recover the Body of
Hector,
but as a God is never to be introduc'd but when human Means fail, he rejects the Interposition of
Mercury,
makes use of ordinary Methods, and
Priam
redeems his Son: This gives an Air of Probability to the Relation, at the same time that it advances the Glory of
Achilles;
for the greatest of his Enemies labours to purchase his Favour, the Gods hold a Consultation, and a King becomes his Suppliant.
Eustathius.
Those seven Lines, from
to
, have been thought spurious by some of the Ancients: They judg'd it an Indecency that the Goddess of Wisdom and
Achilles
should be equally inexorable; and that it was below the Majesty of the Gods to be said at all to steal. Besides, say they, had
Homer
been acquainted with the Judgment of
Paris,
he would undoubtedly have mention'd it before this time in his Poem, and consequently that Story was of a later Invention: And
Aristarchus
affirms that
is a more modern Word, and never known before the Time of
Hesiod,
who uses it when he speaks of the Daughters of
Praetus;
and adds, that it is appropriated to signify the Incontinence of Women, and cannot be at all apply'd to Men: Therefore others read the last Verse,
These Objections are entirely gather'd from
Eustathius;
to which we may add, that
Macrobius
seems to have been one of those who rejected these Verses, since he affirms that our Author never mentions the Judgment of
Paris.
It may be answer'd, that the Silence of
Homer
in the foregoing part of the Poem, as to the Judgment of
Paris,
is no Argument that he was ignorant of that Story: Perhaps he might think it most proper to unfold the Cause of the Destruction of
Troy
in the Conclusion of the
Ilias;
that the Reader seeing the Wrong done, and the Punishment of that Wrong immediately following, might acknowledge the Justice of it.
The same Reason will be an answer to the Objection relating to the Anger of
Pallas:
Wisdom cannot be satisfy'd without Justice, and consequently
Pallas
ought not to cease from Resentment, till
Troy
has suffer'd the Deserts of her Crimes.
I cannot think that the Objection about the Word
is of any Weight; the Date of Words is utterly uncertain, and as no one has been able to determine the Ages of
Homer,
and
Hesiod,
so neither can any Person be assured that such Words were not in use in
Homer
's Days.
IV.
VERSE 52.
A Lion, not a Man,
&c.]
This is a very formal Condemnation of the Morals of
Achilles,
which
Homer
puts into the Mouth of a God. One may see from this alone that he was far from designing his Hero a virtuous Character, yet the Poet artfully introduces
Apollo
in the midst of his Reproaches, intermingling the Hero's Praises with his Blemishes:
Brave tho' he be,
&c. Thus what is the real Merit of
Achilles
is distinguish'd from what is blameable in his Character, and we see
Apollo,
or the God of Wisdom, is no less impartial than just in his Representation of
Achilles.
V.
VERSE 114.
And wept her god like Son's approaching Doom.
]
These words are very artfully inserted by the Poet. The Poem could not proceed to the Death of
Achilles
without breaking the Action; and therefore to satisfy the Curiosity of the Reader concerning the Fate of this great Man, he takes care to inform us that his Life draws to a Period, and as it were celebrates his Funeral before his Death.
Such Circumstances as these greatly raise the Character of
Achilles;
he is so truly valiant, that tho' he knows he must fall before
Troy,
yet he does not abstain from the War, but couragiously meets his Death: And here I think it proper to insert an Observation that ought to have been made before, which is, that
Achilles
did not know that
Hector
was to fall by his Hand; if he had known it, where would have been the mighty Courage in engaging him in a single Combat, in which he was sure to conquer? The contrary of this is evident from the Words of
Achilles
to
Hector
just before the Combat,
, &c.—
I will make no Compacts with thee,
says
Achilles, but one of us shall fall.
VI.
VERSE 141.
Nine Days are past since all the Court above,
&c.]
It may be thought that so many Interpositions of the Gods, such Messages from Heaven to Earth, and down to the Seas, are needless Machines; and it may be imagin'd that it is an Offence against Probability that so many Deities should be employ'd to pacify
Achilles:
But I am of Opinion that the Poet conducts this whole Affair with admirable Judgment. The Poem is now almost at the Conclusion, and
Achilles
is to pass from a State of an almost inexorable Resentment to a State of perfect Tranquillity; such a Change could not be brought about by human Means;
Achilles
is too stubborn to obey any thing less than a God: This is evident from his rejecting the Persuasion of the whole
Grecian
Army to return to the Battle: So that it appears that this Machinery was necessary, and consequently a Beauty to the Poem.
It may be farther added, that these several Incidents proceed from
Jupiter:
It is by his Appointment that so many Gods are employ'd to attend
Achilles.
By these means
Jupiter
fulfills the Promise mention'd in the first Book, of honouring the Son of
Thetis,
and the Poet excellently sustains his Character by representing the inexorable
Achilles
as not parting with the Body of his mortal Enemy, but by the immediate Command of
Jupiter.
If the Poet had conducted these Incidents merely by human Means, or suppos'd
Achilles
to restore the Body of
Hector
entirely out of Compassion, the Draught had been unnatural, because unlike
Achilles:
Such a Violence of Temper was not to be pacify'd by ordinary Methods. Besides, the Poet has made use of the properest Personages to carry on the Affair; for who could be suppos'd to have so great an Influence upon
Achilles
as his own Mother, who is a Goddess?
VII.
VERSE 164.
And thy Heart waste with life-consuming Woe.
]
This Expression in the Original is very particular. Were it to be translated literally it must be render'd, how long wilt thou eat, or prey upon thy own Heart by these Sorrows? And it seems that it was a common way of expressing a deep Sorrow; and
Pythagoras
uses it in this Sense,
, that is, grieve not excessively, let not sorrow make too great an Impression upon thy Heart.
Eustathius.
VIII.
VERSE 168.
—Indulge the am'rous Hour!
]
The Ancients (says
Eustathius
) rejected these Verses because of the indecent Idea they convey: The Goddess in plain Terms advises
Achilles
to go to Bed to his Mistress, and tells him a Woman will be a Comfort. The good Bishop is of Opinion, that they ought to be rejected, but the Reason he gives is as extraordinary as that of
Thetis:
Soldiers, says he, have more occasion for something to strengthen themselves with, than for Women: And this is the Reason, continues he, why Wrestlers are forbid all Commerce with that Sex during the whole Time of their Exercise.
Dionysius
of
Halicarnassus
endeavours to justify
Homer
by observing, that this Advice of
Thetis
was not given him to induce him to any Wantonness, but was intended to indulge a nobler Passion, his Desire of Glory: She advises him to go to that Captive who was restor'd to him in a publick manner, to satisfy his Honour: To that Captive, the Detention of whom had been so great a Punishment to the whole
Grecian
Army: And therefore
Thetis
uses a very proper Motive to comfort her Son, by advising him to gratify at once both his Love and his Glory.
Plutarch
has likewise labour'd in
Homer
's Justification; he observes that the Poet has set the Picture of
Achilles
in this place in a very fair and strong point of Light: Tho'
Achilles
had so lately receiv'd his belov'd
Briseïs
from the Hands of
Agamemnon;
tho' he knew that his own Life drew to a sudden Period, yet the Hero prevails over the Lover, and he does not haste to indulge his Love: He does not lament
Patroclus
like a common Man by neglecting the Duties of Life, but he abstains from all Pleasures by an Excess of Sorrow, and the Love of his Mistress is lost in that of his Friend.
This Observation excellently justifies
Achilles,
in not indulging himself with the Company of his Mistress: The Hero prevails so much over the Lover, that
Thetis
thinks her self oblig'd to recall
Briseïs
to his Memory. Yet still the Indecency remains. All that can be said in favour of
Thetis
is, that she was Mother to
Achilles,
and consequently might take the greater Freedom with her Son.
Madam
Dacier
disapproves of both the former Observations: She has recourse to the Lawfulness of such a Practice between
Achilles
and
Briseïs;
and because such Commerces in those times were reputed honest, therefore she thinks the Advice was decent: The married Ladies are oblig'd to her for this Observation, and I hope all tender Mothers, when their Sons are afflicted, will advise them to comfort themselves in this manner.
In short, I am of Opinion that this Passage outrages Decency; and 'tis a sign of some Weakness to have so much occasion of Justification. Indeed the whole Passage is capable of a serious Construction, and of such a Sense as a Mother might express to a Son with Decency: And then it will run thus;
"Why art thou, my Son, thus afflicted? Why thus resign'd to Sorrow? Can neither Sleep nor Love divert you? Short is thy Date of Life, spend it not all in weeping, but allow some part of it to Love and Pleasure!"
But still the Indecency lies in the manner of the Expression, which must be allow'd to be almost obscene, (for such is the Word
misceri
) all that can be said in Defence of it is, that as we are not competent Judges of what Ideas Words might carry in
Homer
's Time, so we ought not entirely to condemn him, because it is possible the Expression might not sound so indecently in ancient as in modern Ears.
IX.
VERSE 189.
Him
Hermes
to
Achilles
shall convey.
]
The Intervention of
Mercury
was very necessary at this Time, and by it the Poet not only gives an Air of Probability to the Relation, but also pays a Complement to his Countreymen the
Grecians:
They kept so strict a Guard that nothing but a God could pass unobserv'd, and this highly recommends their military Discipline; and
Priam
not being able to carry the Ransom without a Chariot, it would have been an Offence against Probability, to have suppos'd him able to have pass'd all the Guards of the Army in his Chariot, without the Assistance of some Deity:
Horace
had this Passage in his view, Ode the 10th of the first Book.
Iniqua
Trojae
castra fefellit.
X.
VERSE 191.
—Achilles
self shall spare
His Age, nor touch one venerable Hair,
&c.]
It is observable that every Word here is a Negative,
,
,
;
Achilles
is still so angry that
Jupiter
cannot say he is wise, judicious, and merciful; he only commends him negatively, and barely says he is not a Madman, nor perversely wicked.
It is the Observation of the Ancients, says
Eustathius,
that all the Causes of the Sins of Man are included in those three Words: Man offends either out of Ignorance, and then he is
, or thro' Inadvertency, then he is
, or wilfully and maliciously, and then he is
. So that this Description agrees very well with the present Disposition of
Achilles;
he is not
, because his Resentment begins to abate; he is not
, because his Mother has given him Instructions, nor
, because he will not offend against the Injunctions of
Jupiter.
XI.
VERSE 195.
The winged
Iris
flies,
&c.]
Mons.
Rapin
has been very free upon this Passage, where so many Machines are made use of to cause
Priam
to obtain the Body of
Hector
from
Achilles.
"This Father (says he) who has so much Tenderness for his Son, who is so superstitious in observing the funeral Ceremonies, and saving those precious Remains from the Dogs and Vultures; ought not he to have thought of doing this himself, without being thus expressly commanded by the Gods? Was there need of a Machine to make him remember that he was a Father?"
But this Critick entirely forgets what render'd such a Conduct of absolute Necessity; namely, the extreme Danger and (in all Probability) imminent Ruin both of the King and State, upon
Priam
's putting himself into the Power of his most inveterate Enemy. There was no other Method of recovering
Hector,
and of discharging his funeral Rites (which were look'd upon by the Ancients of so high Importance) and therefore the Message from
Jupiter
to encourage
Priam,
with the Assistance of
Mercury
to conduct him, and to prepare
Achilles
to receive him with Favour, was far from impertinent: It was
Dignus vindice nodus,
as
Horace
expresses it.
XII.
VERSE 200.
His Face his wrapt Attire conceal'd from Sight.
]
The Poet has observ'd a great Decency in this place, he was not able to express the Grief of this royal Mourner, and so covers what he could not represent. From this Passage
Semanthes
the
Sicyonian
Painter borrow'd his Design in the Sacrifice of
Iphigenia,
and represents his
Agamemnon,
as
Homer
does his
Priam: Aeschylus
has likewise imitated this Place, and draws his
Niobe
exactly after the manner of
Homer. Eustathius.
XIII.
VERSE 265.
He pour'd his latest Blood in manly Fight,
And fell a Hero—
]
This whole Discourse of
Hecuba
is exceedingly natural, she aggravates the Features of
Achilles,
and softens those of
Hector:
Her Anger blinds her so much that she can see nothing great in
Achilles,
and her Fondness so much, that she can discern no Defects in
Hector:
Thus she draws
Achilles
in the fiercest Colours, like a Barbarian, and calls him
: But at the same time forgets that
Hector
ever fled from
Achilles,
and in the Original directly tells us that he
knew not how to fear, or how to fly.
Eustathius.
XIV.
VERSE 291.
Lo, the sad Father,
&c.]
This Behaviour of
Priam
is very natural to a Person in his Circumstances: The Loss of his favourite Son makes so deep an Impression upon his Spirits, that he is incapable of Consolation; he is displeased with every body; he is angry he knows not why; the Disorder and Hurry of his Spirits make him break out into passionate Expressions, and those Expressions are contain'd in short Periods, very natural to Men in Anger, who give not themselves Leisure to express their Sentiments at full length: It is from the same Passion that
Priam,
in the second Speech, treats all his Sons with the utmost Indignity, calls 'em Gluttons, Dancers, and Flatterers.
Eustathius
very justly remarks, that he had
Paris
particularly in his Eye; but his Anger makes him transfer that Character to the rest of his Children, not being calm enough to make a Distinction between the Innocent and Guilty.
That Passage where he runs out into the Praises of
Hector,
is particularly natural: His Concern and Fondness makes him as extravagant in the Commendation of him, as in the Disparagement of his other Sons: They are less than Mortals, he more than Man.
Rapin
has censur'd this Anger of
Priam
as a Breach of the
Manners,
and says he might have shewn himself a Father, otherwise than by this Usage of his Children. But whoever considers his Circumstances will judge after another manner.
Priam,
after having been the most wealthy, most powerful and formidable Monarch of
Asia,
becomes all at once the most miserable of Men; He loses in less than eight Days the best of his Army, and a great Number of virtuous Sons; he loses the bravest of 'em all, his Glory and his Defence, the gallant
Hector.
This last Blow sinks him quite, and changes him so much, that he is no longer the same: He becomes impatient, frantick, unreasonable! The terrible Effect of ill Fortune! Whoever has the least Insight into Nature, must admire so fine a Picture of the Force of Adversity on an unhappy old Man.
XV.
VERSE 313.
Deiphobus
and
Dius.
]
It has been a Dispute whether
or
, in ℣. 251. was a proper Name, but
Pherecydes
(says
Eustathius
) determines it, and assures us that
Dios
was a spurious Son of Priam.
XVI.
VERSE 342.
The sad Attendants load the groaning Wain.
]
It is necessary to observe to the Reader, to avoid Confusion, that two Cars are here prepared; the one drawn by Mules, to carry the Presents, and to bring back the Body of
Hector;
the other drawn by Horses, in which the Herald and
Priam
rode.
Eustathius.
XVII.
VERSE 377.
Oh first, and greatest!
&c.]
Eustathius
observes, that there is not one Instance in the whole
Ilias
of any Prayer that was justly prefer'd, that fail'd of Success. This Procedure of
Homer
's is very judicious, and answers exactly to the true end of Poetry, which is to please and instruct. Thus
Priam
prays that
Achilles
may cease his Wrath, and compassionate his Miseries; and
Jupiter
grants his Request: The unfortunate King obtains Compassion, and in his most inveterate Enemy finds a Friend.
XVIII.
VERSE 416.
The Description of
Mercury.]
A Man must have no Taste for Poetry that does not admire this sublime Description:
Virgil
has translated it almost
verbatim
in the 4th Book of the
Aeneis,
℣. 240.
—Ille patris magni parere parabat
Imperio, & primùm pedibus talaria nectit
Aurea, quae sublimem alis, sive aequora supra,
Seu terram rapido pariter cum flamine portant.
Tum virgam capit, hâc animas ille evocat orco
Pallentes, alias sub tristia tartara mittit;
Dat somnos, adimitque, & lumina morte resignat.
It is hard to determine which is more excellent, the Copy, or the Original:
Mercury
appears in both Pictures with equal Majesty; and the
Roman
Dress becomes him, as well as the
Grecian. Virgil
has added the latter part of the fifth, and the whole sixth Line to
Homer,
which makes it still more full and majestical.
Give me leave to produce a Passage out of
Milton,
of near Affinity with the Lines above, which is not inferior to
Homer
or
Virgil:
It is the Description of the Descent of an Angel,
—Down thither, prone in Flight
He speeds, and thro' the vast Aethereal Sky
Sails between Worlds and Worlds; with steady Wing
Now on the polar Winds: Then with quick Force
Winnows the buxom Air—
Of beaming sunny Rays a golden Tiar
Circled his Head; nor less his Locks behind
Illustrious, on his Shoulders fledg'd with Wings,
Lay waving round.—
&c.
XIX.
VERSE 427.
Now Twilight veil'd the glaring Face of Day.
]
The Poet by such Intimations as these recalls to our Minds the exact Time which
Priam
takes up in this Journey to
Achilles:
He set out in the Evening; and by the time that he reach'd the Tomb of
Ilus,
it was grown somewhat dark, which shews that this Tomb stood at some distance from the City: Here
Mercury
meets him, and when it was quite dark, guides him into the Presence of
Achilles.
By these Methods we may discover how exactly the Poet preserves the Unities of Time and Place, that he allots Space sufficient for the Actions which he describes, and yet does not crowd more Incidents into any Interval of Time than may be executed in as much as he allows: Thus it being improbable that so stubborn a Man as
Achilles
should relent in a few Moments, the Poet allows a whole Night for this Affair, so that
Priam
has Leisure enough to go and return, and Time enough remaining to persuade
Achilles.
XX.
VERSE 447,
&c. The Speech of
Mercury
to
Priam.]
I shall not trouble the Reader with the Dreams of
Eustathius,
who tells us that this Fiction of
Mercury
is partly true, and partly false: 'Tis true that his Father is old, rich, and has seven Children; for
Jupiter
is King of the whole Universe, was from Eternity, and created both Men and Gods: In like manner, when
Mercury
says he is the seventh Child of his Father,
Eustathius
affirms that he meant that there were six Planets besides
Mercury.
Sure it requires great Pains and Thought to be so learnedly absurd: The Supposition which he makes afterwards is far more natural;
Priam,
says he, might by chance meet with one of the
Myrmidons,
who might conduct him unobserv'd thro' the Camp into the Presence of
Achilles,
and as the Execution of any wise Design is ascrib'd to
Pallas,
so may this clandestine Enterprize be said to be manag'd by the Guidance of
Mercury.
But perhaps this whole Passage may be better explain'd by having recourse to the Pagan Theology: It was an Opinion that obtain'd in those early Days, that
Jupiter
frequently sent some friendly Messengers to protect the Innocent, so that
Homer
might intend to give his Readers a Lecture of Morality, by telling us that this unhappy King was under the Protection of the Gods.
Madam
Dacier
carries it farther.
Homer
(says she) instructed by Tradition, knew that God sends his Angels to the Succour of the afflicted. The Scripture is full of Examples of this Truth. The Story of
Tobit
has a wonderful Relation with this of
Homer: Tobit
sent his Son to
Rages,
a City of
Media,
to receive a considerable Sum;
Tobias
did not know the Way; he found at his Door a young Man cloath'd with a majestick Glory, which attracted Admiration: It was an Angel under the Form of a Man. This Angel being ask'd who he was, answer'd (as
Mercury
does here) by a Fiction: He said that he was of the Children of
Israel,
that his Name was
Azarias,
and that he was Son of
Ananias.
This Angel conducted
Tobias
in Safety; he gave him Instructions; and when he was to receive the Recompence which the Father and Son offer'd him, he declar'd that he was the Angel of the Lord, took his Flight towards heaven, and disappear'd. Here is a great Conformity in the Ideas and in the Style; and the Example of our Author so long before
Tobit,
proves, that this Opinion of God's sending his Angels to the Aid of Man was very common, and much spread amongst the Pagans in those former Times.
Dacier.
XXI.
VERSE 519.
Blest is the Man,
&c.]
Homer
now begins after a beautiful and long Fable, to give the Moral of it, and display his poetical Justice in Rewards and Punishments: Thus
Hector
fought in a bad Cause, and therefore suffers in the Defence of it; but because he was a good Man, and obedient to the Gods in other Respects, his very Remains become the Care of Heaven.
I think it necessary to take notice to the Reader, that nothing is more admirable than the Conduct of
Homer
throughout his whole Poem, in respect to Morality. He justifies the Character of
Horace,
—Quid pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non,
Plenius & melius Chrysippo & Crantore dicit.
If the Reader does not observe the Morality of the
Ilias,
he loses half, and the nobler part of its Beauty: He reads it as a common Romance, and mistakes the chief Aim of it, which is to instruct.
XXII.
VERSE 531.
But can I, absent,
&c.]
In the Original of this Place (which I have paraphras'd a little) the Word
is remarkable.
Priam
offers
Mercury
(whom he looks upon as a Soldier of
Achilles
) a Present, which he refuses, because his Prince is ignorant of it: This Present he calls a direct
Theft
or
Robbery;
which may shew us how strict the Notions of Justice were in the Days of
Homer,
when if a Prince's Servant receiv'd any Present without the Knowledge of his Master, he was esteem'd a Thief and a Robber.
Eustathius.
XXIII.
VERSE 553.
Of Fir the Roof was rais'd.
]
I have in the course of these Observations describ'd the Method of encamping used by the
Grecians:
The Reader has here a full and exact Description of the Tent of
Achilles:
This royal Pavilion was built with long Palisadoes made of Firr; the Top of it cover'd with Reeds, and the Inside was divided into several Apartments: Thus
Achilles
had his
, or large Hall, and behind it were lodging Rooms. So in the ninth Book
Phoenix
has a Bed prepared for him in one Apartment,
Patroclus
has another for himself and his Captive
Iphis,
and
Achilles
has a third for himself and his Mistress
Diomeda.
But we must not imagine that the other
Myrmidons
had Tents of the like Dimensions: they were, as
Eustathius
observes, inferior to this royal one of
Achilles:
Which indeed is no better than an Hovel, yet agrees very well with the Duties of a Soldier, and the Simplicity of those early Times.
I am of Opinion that such fixed Tents were not used by the
Grecians
in their common Marches, but only during the time of Sieges, when their long stay in one Place made it necessary to build such Tents as are here describ'd; at other times they lay like
Diomed
in the tenth Book, in the open Air, their Spears standing upright, to be ready upon any Alarm; and with the Hides of Beasts spread on the Ground instead of a Bed.
It is worthy Observation that
Homer
even upon so trivial an Occasion as the describing the Tent of
Achilles,
takes an Opportunity to shew the superior Strength of his Hero; and tells us that three Men could scarce open the Door of his Pavilion, but
Achilles
could open it alone.
XXIV.
VERSE 569.
Nor stand confest to frail Mortality.
]
Eustathius
thinks it was from this Maxim, that the Princes of the East assum'd that Air of Majesty which separates them from the Sight of their Subjects; but I should rather believe that
Homer
copied this after the Originals from some Kings of his Time: it not being unlikely that this Policy is very ancient.
Dacier.
XXV.
VERSE 571.
Adjure him by his Father,
&c.]
Eustathius
observes that
Priam
does not entirely follow the Instructions of
Mercury,
but only calls to his remembrance his aged Father
Peleus:
And this was judiciously done by
Priam:
For what Motive to Compassion could arise from the mention of
Thetis,
who was a Goddess, and incapable of Misfortune? Or how could
Neoptolemus
be any Inducement to make
Achilles
pity
Priam,
when at the same time he flourish'd in the greatest Prosperity? And therefore
Priam
only mentions his Father
Peleus,
who like him, stood upon the very Brink of the Grave, and was liable to the same Misfortunes he then suffer'd. These are the Remarks of
Eustathius,
but how then shall we justify
Mercury,
the God of Eloquence, who gave him such improper Instructions with relation to
Thetis?
All that can be said in defence of the Poet is, that
Thetis,
tho' a Goddess, has thro' the whole Course of the
Ilias
been describ'd as a Partner in all the Afflictions of
Achilles,
and consequently might be made use of as an Inducement to raise the Compassion of
Achilles. Priam
might have said, I conjure thee by the Love thou bearest to thy Mother, take pity on me! For if she who is a Goddess would grieve for the Loss of her beloved Son, how greatly must the Loss of
Hector
afflict the unfortunate
Hecuba
and
Priam?
XXVII.
VERSE 586.
Sudden, (a venerable Sight!) appears.
]
I fancy this Interview between
Priam
and
Achilles
would furnish an admirable Subject for a Painter, in the Surprize of
Achilles,
and the other Spectators, the Attitude of
Priam,
and the Sorrows in the Countenance of this unfortunate King.
That Circumstance of
Priam
's kissing the Hands of
Achilles
is inimitably fine; he kiss'd, says
Homer,
the Hands of
Achilles,
those terrible, murderous Hands that had robb'd him of so many Sons: By these two Words the Poet recalls to our Mind all the noble Actions perform'd by
Achilles
in the whole
Ilias;
and at the same time strikes us with the utmost Compassion for this unhappy King, who is reduc'd so low as to be oblig'd to kiss those Hands that had slain his Subjects, and ruin'd his Kingdom and Family.
XXVIII.
VERSE 598.
The Speech of
Priam
to
Achilles.]
The Curiosity of the Reader must needs be awaken'd to know how
Achilles
would behave to this unfortunate King; it requires all the Art of the Poet to sustain the violent Character of
Achilles,
and yet at the same time to soften him into Compassion. To this end the Poet uses no Preamble, but breaks directly into that Circumstance which is most likely to mollify him, and the two first Words he utters are,
,
see thy Father, O
Achilles,
in me!
Nothing could be more happily imagin'd than this Entrance into his Speech;
Achilles
has every where been describ'd as bearing a great Affection to his Father, and by two Words the Poet recalls all the Tenderness that Love and Duty can suggest to an affectionate Son.
Priam
tells
Achilles
that
Hector
fell in the Defence of his Country: I am far from thinking that this was inserted accidentally; it could not fail of having a very good Effect upon
Achilles,
not only as one brave Man naturally loves another, but as it implies that
Hector
had no particular Enmity against
Achilles,
but that tho' he fought against him it was in Defence of his Country.
The Reader will observe that
Priam
repeats the Beginning of his Speech, and recalls his Father to his Memory in the Conclusion of it. This is done with great Judgment; the Poet takes care to enforce his Petition with the strongest Motive, and leaves it fresh upon his Memory; and possibly
Priam
might perceive that the mention of his Father had made a deeper Impression upon
Achilles
than any other part of his Petition, therefore while the Mind of
Achilles
dwells upon it, he again sets him before his Imagination by this Repetition, and softens him into Compassion.
XXIX.
VERSE 634.
These Words soft Pity,
&c.]
We are now come almost to the end of the Poem, and consequently to the end of the Anger of
Achilles:
And
Homer
has describ'd the Abatement of it with excellent Judgment. We may here observe how necessary the Conduct of
Homer
was, in sending
Thetis
to prepare her Son to use
Priam
with Civility: It would have ill suited with the violent Temper of
Achilles
to have used
Priam
with Tenderness without such Pre-admonition; nay, the unexpected Sight of his Enemy might probably have carry'd him into Violence and Rage: But
Homer
has avoided these Absurdities; for
Achilles
being already prepared for a Reconciliation, the Misery of this venerable Prince naturally melts him into Compassion.
XXX.
VERSE 653. Achilles
's Speech to
Priam.]
There is not a more beautiful Passage in the whole
Ilias
than this before us:
Homer
to shew that
Achilles
was not a mere Soldier, here draws him as a Person of excellent Sense and sound reason:
Plato
himself (who condemns this Passage) could not speak more like a true Philosopher: And it was a piece of great Judgment thus to describe him; for the Reader would have retain'd but a very indifferent Opinion of the Hero of a Poem, that had no Qualification but mere Strength: It also shews the Art of the Poet thus to defer this part of his Character till the very Conclusion of the Poem: By these means he fixes an Idea of his Greatness upon our Minds, and makes his Hero go off the Stage with Applause.
Neither does he here ascribe more Wisdom to
Achilles
than he might really be Master of; for as
Eustathius
observes, he had
Chiron
and
Phoenix
for his Tutors, and a Goddess for his Mother.
XXXI.
VERSE 663.
Two Urns by
Jove
's high Throne,
&c.
This is an admirable Allegory, and very beautifully imagin'd by the Poet.
Plato
has accus'd it as an Impiety to say that God gives Evil: But it seems borrow'd from the Eastern way of speaking, and bears a great Resemblance to several Expressions in Scripture: Thus in the
Psalms, In the Hand of the Lord there is a Cup, and he poureth out of the same; as for the Dregs thereof, all the Ungodly of the Earth shall drink them.
It was the Custom of the
Jews
to give condemn'd Persons just before Execution,
, Wine mix'd with Myrrh; to make them less sensible of Pain: Thus
Proverbs
xxxi. 6.
Give strong Drink to him that is ready to perish.
This Custom was so frequent among the
Jews,
that the Cup which was given before Execution, came to denote Death itself, as in that Passage,
Father let this Cup pass from me.
Some have suppos'd that there were three Urns, one of Good, and two of Evil; thus
Pindar,
But, as
Eustathius
observes, the Word
shews that there were but two, for that Word is never used when more than two are intended.
XXXII.
VERSE 685.
Extended
Phrygia,
&c.
]
Homer
here gives us a piece of Geography, and shews the full Extent of
Priam
's Kingdom.
Lesbos
bounded it on the South,
Phrygia
on the East, and the
Hellespont
on the North. This Kingdom, according to
Strabo
in the 13th Book, was divided into nine Dynasties, who all depended upon
Priam
as their King: So that what
Homer
here relates of
Priam
's Power is literally true, and confirm'd by History.
Eustathius.
XXXIII.
VERSE 706.
While kindling Anger sparkled in his Eyes.
]
I believe every Reader must be surpriz'd, as I confess I was, to see
Achilles
fly out into so sudden a Passion, without any apparent Reason for it. It can scarce be imagin'd that the Name of
Hector
(as
Eustathius
thinks, could throw him into so much Violence, when he had heard it mention'd with Patience and Calmness by
Priam
in this very Conference: Especially if we remember that
Achilles
had actually determin'd to restore the Body of
Hector
to
Priam.
I was therefore very well pleas'd to find that the Words in the Original would bear another Interpretation, and such a one as naturally solves the Difficulty. The Meaning of the Passage I fancy may be this:
Priam
perceiving that his address had mollify'd the Heart of
Achilles,
takes this Opportunity to persuade him to give over the War, and return home; especially since his Anger was sufficiently satisfy'd by the Fall of
Hector.
Immediately
Achilles
takes fire at this Proposal, and answers,
"Is it not enough that I have determin'd to restore thy Son? Ask no more, lest I retract that Resolution."
In this View we see a natural Reason for the sudden Passion of
Achilles.
What may perhaps strengthen this Conjecture is the Word
; and then the Sense will run thus; Since I have found so much Favour in thy Sight, as first to permit me to live, O wouldst thou still enlarge my Happiness, and return home to thy own Country!
&c.
This Opinion may be farther establish'd from what follows in the latter end of this Interview, where
Achilles
asks
Priam
how many Days he would request for the Interment of
Hector? Achilles
had refus'd to give over the war, but yet consents to intermit it a few Days; and then the Sense will be this,
"I will not consent to return home, but ask a time for a Cessation, and it shall be granted."
And what most strongly speaks for this Interpretation is the Answer of
Priam,
I ask, says he, eleven Days to bury my Son, and then let the War commence again, since
it must be so,
; since you necessitate me to it; or since you will not be persuaded to leave these Shores.
XXXIV.
VERSE 706.
While kindling Anger sparkled in his Eyes.
]
The Reader may be pleas'd to observe that this is the last Sally of the Resentment of
Achilles;
and the Poet judiciously describes him moderating it by his own Reflection: So that his Reason now prevails over his Anger, and the Design of the Poem is fully executed.
XXXV.
VERSE 708, 709.
For know from
Jove
my Goddess Mother came.
]
The Injustice of
La Motte
's Criticism (who blames
Homer
for representing
Achilles
so mercenary, as to enquire into the Price offer'd for
Hector
's Body before he would restore it) will appear plainly from this Passage, where he makes
Achilles
expressly say, it is not for any other Reason that he delivers the Body, but that Heaven had directly commanded it. The Words are very full,
—
XXXVI.
VERSE 757.
Not thus did
Niobe,
&c.
]
Achilles,
to comfort
Priam,
tells him a known History; which was very proper to work this Effect.
Niobe
had lost all her Children,
Priam
had some remaining.
Niobe
's Children had been nine Days extended on the Earth, drown'd in their Blood, in the Sight of their People, without any one presenting himself to interr them:
Hector
has likewise been twelve Days, but in the midst of his Enemies; therefore 'tis no wonder that no one has paid him the last Duties. The Gods at last interr'd
Niobe
's Children, and the Gods likewise are concern'd to procure honourable Funerals for
Hector. Eustathius.
XXXVII.
VERSE 799.
The royal Guest the Hero eyes,
&c.]
The Poet omits no Opportunity of praising his Hero
Achilles,
and it is observable that he now commends him for his more amiable Qualities: He softens the terrible Idea we have conceiv'd of him, as a Warrior, with several Virtues of Humanity; and the angry, vindictive Soldier is become calm and compassionate. In this place he makes his very Enemy admire his Personage, and be astonish'd at his manly Beauty. So that tho' Courage be his most distinguishing Character, yet
Achilles
is admirable both for the Endowments of Mind and Body.
. The Sense of this Word differs in this place from that it usually bears: It does not imply
, any reproachful Asperity of Language, but
, the raising of a false Fear in the old Man, that he might not be concern'd at his being lodg'd in the outermost part of the Tent; and by this method he gives
Priam
an Opportunity of going away in the Morning without Observation.
Eustathius.
XXXVIII.
VERSE 819.
To ask our Counsel, or our Orders take.
]
The Poet here shews the Importance of
Achilles
in the Army; tho'
Agamemnon
be the General, yet all the chief Commanders apply to him for Advice; and thus he promises
Priam
a Cessation of Arms for several Days, purely by his own Authority. The Method that
Achilles
took to confirm the Truth of the Cessation, agrees with the Custom which we use at this Day, he gave him his Hand upon it.
—
—
Eustathius.
XXXIX.
VERSE 900.
A melancholy Choir,
&c.
This was a Custom generally receiv'd, and which passed from the
Hebrews
to the
Greeks, Romans,
and
Asiaticks.
There were Weepers by Profession, of both Sexes, who sung doleful Tunes round the Dead.
Ecclesiasticus
cap. 12. ℣. 5.
When a Man shall go into the House of his Eternity, there shall encompass him Weepers.
It appears from St.
Matthew
xi. 17. that Children were likewise employed in this Office.
Dacier.
XL.
VERSE 906,
&c. The Lamentations over
Hector.]
The Poet judiciously makes
Priam
to be silent in this general Lamentation; he has already born a sufficient Share in these Sorrows, in the Tent of
Achilles,
and said what Grief can dictate to a Father and a King upon such a melancholy Subject. But he introduces three Women as chief Mourners, and speaks only in general of the Lamentation of the Men of
Troy,
an Excess of Sorrow being unmanly: Whereas these Women might with Decency indulge themselves in all the Lamentation that Fondness and Grief could suggest. The Wife, the Mother of
Hector,
and
Helen,
are the three Persons introduced; and tho' they all mourn upon the same Occasion, yet their Lamentations are so different, that not a Sentence that is spoken by the one, could be made use of by the other:
Andromache
speaks like a tender Wife,
Hecuba
like a fond Mother, and
Helen
mourns with a Sorrow rising from Self-accusation:
Andromache
commends his Bravery,
Hecuba
his manly Beauty, and
Helen
his Gentleness and Humanity.
Homer
is very concise in describing the Funeral of
Hector,
which was but a necessary piece of Conduct, after he had been so full in that of
Patroclus.
XLI.
VERSE 394.
Why gav'st thou not to me thy dying Hand,
And why receiv'd not I thy last Command?
I have taken these two Lines from Mr.
Congreve,
whose Translation of this Part was one of his first Essays in Poetry. He has very justly render'd the Sense of
,
dictum prudens,
which is meant of the Words of a dying Man, or one in some dangerous Exigence; at which times what is spoken is usually something of the utmost Importance, and deliver'd with the utmost Care: Which is the true Signification of the Epithet
in this place.
XLII.
We have now past thro' the
Iliad,
and seen the Anger of
Achilles,
and the terrible Effects of it, at an end: As that only was the Subject of the Poem, and the Nature of Epic Poetry would not permit our Author to proceed to the Event of the War, it may perhaps be acceptable to the common Reader to give a short Account of what happen'd to
Troy
and the chief Actors in this Poem, after the Conclusion of it.
I need not mention that
Troy
was taken soon after the Death of
Hector,
by the Stratagem of the wooden Horse, the Particulars of which are describ'd by
Virgil
in the second Book of the
Aeneis.
Achilles
fell before
Troy,
by the Hand of
Paris,
by the Shot of an Arrow in his Heel, as
Hector
had prophesied at his Death,
Lib.
22.
The unfortunate
Priam
was kill'd by
Pyrrhus
the Son of
Achilles.
Ajax
after the Death of
Achilles
had a Contest with
Ulysses
for the Armour of
Vulcan,
but being defeated in his Aim, he slew himself thro' Indignation.
Helen,
after the Death of
Paris,
married
Deïphobus
his Brother, and at the taking of
Troy
betray'd him, in order to reconcile herself to
Menelaus
her first Husband, who receiv'd her again into Favour.
Agamemnon
at his return was barbarously murther'd by
Aegysthus
at the Instigation of
Clytaemnestra
his Wife, who in his Absence had dishonour'd his Bed with
Aegysthus.
Diomed
after the Fall of
Troy
was expell'd his own Countrey, and scarce escap'd with Life from his adulterous Wife
Aegiale;
but at last was receiv'd by
Daunus
in
Apulia,
and shar'd his Kingdom: 'Tis uncertain how he died.
Nestor
liv'd in Peace, with his Children, in
Pylos
his native Countrey.
Ulysses
also after innumerable Troubles by Sea and Land, at last return'd in Safety to
Ithaca,
which is the Subject of
Homer
's
Odysses.
I must end these Notes by discharging my Duty to two of my Friends, which is the more an indispensable piece of Justice, as the one of them is since dead: The Merit of their Kindness to me will appear infinitely the greater, as the Task they undertook was in its own nature of much more Labour, than either Pleasure or Reputation. The larger part of the Extracts from
Eustathius,
together with several excellent Observations were sent me by Mr.
Broome:
And the whole Essay upon
Homer
was written upon such Memoirs as I had collected, by the late Dr.
Parnell,
Archdeacon of
Clogher
in
Ireland:
How very much that Gentleman's Friendship prevail'd over his Genius, in detaining a Writer of his Spirit in the Drudgery of removing the Rubbish of past Pedants, will soon appear to the World, when they shall see those beautiful Pieces of Poetry the Publication of which he left to my Charge, almost with his dying Breath.
For what remains, I beg to be excus'd from the Ceremonies of taking leave at the End of my Work; and from embarassing myself, or others, with any Defences or Apologies about it. But instead of endeavouring to raise a vain Monument to my self, of the Merits or Difficulties of it (which must be left to the World, to Truth, and to Posterity) let me leave behind me a Memorial of my Friendship, with one of the most valuable Men as well as finest Writers, of my Age and Countrey: One who has try'd, and knows by his own Experience, how hard an Undertaking it is to do Justice to
Homer:
And one, who (I am sure) sincerely rejoices with me at the Period of my Labours. To Him therefore, having brought this long Work to a Conclusion, I desire to
Dedicate
it; and to have the Honour and Satisfaction of placing together, in this manner, the Names of Mr.
CONGREVE,
and of
A. POPE.
March
25. 1720.
M. AUREL. ANTON.
de seipso,
L. 1.
FINIS.
AN INDEX OF PERSONS and THINGS.
A.
ACAMAS Book 2 Verse 996
he kills
Promachus Book 14 Verse 559
ACHILLES
prays his Mother to revenge his Injuries on the
Greeks Book 1 Verse 460
his Speech to the
Greeks Book 1 Verse 79
his Quarrel with
Agamemnon Book 1 Verse 155 297 386
entertains
Agamemnon
's Embassadors
Book 9 Verse 267
answers
Ulysses Book 9 Verse 406
answers
Phoenix Book 9 Verse 713
answers
Ajax Book 9 Verse 762
his double Fate
Book 9 Verse 532
seeing
Machaon
wounded sends
Patroclus
to him
Book 11 Verse 730
enquires of
Patroclus
the cause of his Grief
Book 16 Verse 9
sends
Patroclus
to the Battle, and gives him Orders
Book 16 Verse 68
arms his
Myrmidons Book 16 Verse 190
and animates 'em
Book 16 Verse 329
his Bowl
Book 16 Verse 273
offers a Libation with Prayers to
Jove Book 16 Verse 282
not heard of the Death of of
Patroclus Book 17 Verse 462
his Horses lament the Death of
Patroclus Book 17 Verse 486
he grieves for the Death of
Patroclus Book 18 Verse 25 367
tells
Thetis
his Grief
Book 18 Verse 99
a Description of his Shield
Book 18 Verse 551
is concern'd lest
Patroclus
's Body should putrify
Book 19 Verse 28
calls an Assembly
Book 19 Verse 44
makes a Speech to the Assembly
Book 19 Verse 57
refuses to take any Food before the Battel
Book 19 Verse 197
moans exceedingly for the Death of
Patroclus Book 19 Verse 335
he is armed
Book 19 Verse 398
Agamemnon
's Presents are delivered to
Achilles Book 19 Verse 243
he and
Agamemnon
reconciled
Book 19 Verse 57
his answer to
Agamemnon Book 19 Verse 143
dissuades
Aeneas
from contending with him
Book 20 Verse 214
contemns
Aeneas
for flying from him
Book 20 Verse 393
he kills
Iphition Book 20 Verse 439
he kills
Demoleon Book 20 Verse 457
he kills
Hippodomas Book 20 Verse 463
he kills
Polydore Book 20 Verse 471
and many others
Book 20 Verse 525
addresses the Spirit of
Patroclus Book 23 Verse 25
kills many
Trojans
in the River
Xanthus Book 21 Verse 25
Denies
Lycaon
his Life
Book 21 Verse 112
he pursues
Hector Book 22 Verse 182
kills him
Book 22 Verse 453
declares the Rites to be observ'd by his
Myrmidons Book 23 Verse 8
cuts off his Hair devoted to the River
Sperchius Book 23 Verse 171
he prays to the Winds
Book 23 Verse 237
institutes funeral Games
Book 23 Verse 319
gives a Cup to
Nestor Book 23 Verse 704
is depriv'd of Sleep
Book 24 Verse 9
receives the Petition of
Priam Book 24 Verse 652
lays
Hector
's Body on
Priam
's Chariot
Book 24 Verse 717
ADRESTUS Book 2 Verse 1007
taken by
Menelaus Book 6 Verse 45
AENEAS Book 2 Verse 992
seeks
Pandarus Book 5 Verse 214
together assault
Diomede Book 5 Verse 298
he kills
Crethon
and
Orsilochus Book 5 Verse 670
he encounters with
Achilles Book 20 Verse 193
answers
Achilles Book 20 Verse 240
tells his Linage
Book 20 Verse 252
the Fight of
Aeneas
and
Achilles Book 20 Verse 307
Aetolians Book 2 Verse 694 Book 2 Verse 779
AGAMEMNON Book 3 Verse 220
restores
Chryseïs
to her Father
Book 1 Verse 406
takes
Briseïs
from
Achilles Book 1 Verse 423
tells his Dream in Council
Book 2 Verse 69
his Speech advising a return to
Greece Book 2 Verse 139
his Prayer to
Jupiter Book 2 Verse 489
orders
Machaon
to be called to assist
Menelaus
wounded
Book 4 Verse 230
exhorts his Soldiers
Book 4 Verse 266 Book 5 Verse 650
blames the Indolent
Book 4 Verse 275
speaks to
Idomeneus Book 4 Verse 292
goes to the two
Ajax
's
Book 4 Verse 311
goes to
Nestor Book 4 Verse 334
blames
Menestheus Book 4 Verse 390
blames
Diomede Book 4 Verse 422
his Words to wounded
Menelaus Book 4 Verse 186
kills
Deicoon Book 5 Verse 660
treats the Generals
Book 7 Verse 385
his Speech to the Generals
Book 9 Verse 23
swears he has not carnally known
Briseïs Book 9 Verse 172
acknowledges his Fault, and makes large Offers to satisfy
Achilles Book 9 Verse 148
sends Ambassadors to
Achilles Book 9 Verse 119
AGAMEMNON
and
MENELAUS
in great Perplexity
Book 10 Verse 3
they deliberate together
Book 10 Verse 41
he goes to
Nestor Book 10 Verse 81
he arms
Book 11 Verse 21
fights bravely
Book 11 Verse 127
kills a great Number
Book 11 Verse 281
is wounded
Book 11 Verse 325
goes out of the Battel
Book 11 Verse 360
advises Flight
Book 14 Verse 71
for which
Ulysses
blames him
Book 14 Verse 88
is reconcil'd to
Achilles Book 19
he swears he has not enjoy'd
Briseïs Book 19 Verse 267
his Speech concerning the Goddess
Discord Book 19 Verse 81
AGENOR
deliberates if he shall meet
Achilles Book 21 Verse 649
— meets him and is sav'd by
Apollo Book 21 Verse 686
The
Aegis
of
Jupiter Book 2 Verse 526 Book 5 Verse 911 Book 15 Verse 350 Book 21 Verse 467
Agapenor Book 2 Verse 741
AJAX Oïleus
's Son
Book 2 Verse 631
contends with
Ulysses
in the Foot-race
Book 23 Verse 880
quarrels with
Idomeneus Book 23 Verse 555
AJAX TELAMON
fights
with
Hector Book 7 Verse 250
his Speech to
Achilles Book 9 Verse 740
his Retreat nobly describ'd
Book 11 Verse 672
The two
AJAX
's fight together
Book 13 Verse 1023
AJAX TELAMON
challenges
Hector Book 13 Verse 628
his Fight over the dead Body of
Alcathous Book 13 Verse 628
he wounds
Hector Book 14 Verse 471
kills
Archilocus Book 14 Verse 540
exhorts his Men
Book 15 Verse 591 666, 890
defends the Ships
Book 15 Verse 814
is hard press'd
Book 16 Verse 130
he speaks to
Menelaus Book 17 Verse 282
kills
Hippothous Book 17 Verse 338
he is in fear
Book 17 Verse 705
advises
Menelaus
to send
Antilochus
to inform
Achilles
of
Patroclus
's Death
Book 17 Verse 737
contends with
Ulysses
in Wrestling
Book 23 Verse 820
Fights with
Diomed Book 23 Verse 956
Amphimachus Book 2 Verse 755 1060
Amphius Book 2 Verse 1007
Antenor
advises to restore
Helen Book 7 Verse 419
ANDROMACHE
and
Hector Book 6 Verse 490
Andromache
ignorant of
Hector
's Death runs to the Tumult
Book 22 Verse 562
her Grief for his Death
Book 22 Verse 592
her Lamentation
Book 24 Verse 906
ANTILOCHUS
kills
Echepolus Book 4 Verse 522
kills
Mydon Book 5 Verse 709
kills
Menalippus Book 15 Verse 692
informs
Achilles
of
Patroclus
's Death
Book 18 Verse 21
he chears up his Horses in the Race
Book 23 Verse 522
yields the contested Prize to
Menelaus Book 23 Verse 676
Antiphus Book 2 Verse 827 1054
APOLLO
sends a Plague among the
Greeks Book 1 Verse 61
encourages the
Trojans Book 4 Verse 585
reprimands
Diomede Book 5 Verse 533
raises the Phantom of
Aeneas
to deceive his Enemies
Book 5 Verse 546
excites
Mars Book 5 Verse 553
drives
Patroclus
from the Walls of
Troy Book 16 Verse 863
and overthrows him
Book 16 Verse 954
informs
Hector
of the Death of
Euphorbus Book 17 Verse 84
encourages
Aeneas Book 17 Verse 378
and
Hector Book 17 Verse 658
incites
Aeneas
to encounter
Achilles Book 20 Verse 110
forbids
Hector
to engage
Achilles Book 20 Verse 431
saves
Hector
from
Achilles Book 20 Verse 513
refuses to fight with
Neptune Book 21 Verse 536
takes
Agenor
from
Achilles Book 21 Verse 710
discovers the Deceit to
Achilles Book 22 Verse 15
complains to the Gods of the Cruelties done to
Hector
's Body
Book 24 Verse 44
Archilochus Book 2 Verse 996
Ascalaphus
and
Jalmenus
the Sons of
Mars Book 2 Verse 612
Ascanius Book 2 Verse 1050
Asius Book 2 Verse 1015
he is angry with
Jupiter Book 12 Verse 184
Aspledon
and
Orchomenians Book 2 Verse 610
Asteropaeus
meets
Achilles
and is kill'd
Book 21 Verse 157
Astyanax Book 22 Verse 643
Athenians Book 2 Verse 655
Automedon
and
Alcimedon
rule the Horses of
Achilles Book 17 Verse 488 548
B.
Bellerophon Book 6 Verse 194
The Bowl of
Achilles Book 16 Verse 273
Briseïs Book 2 Verse 841
she is restored to
Achilles Book 19 Verse 254
grieves for
Patroclus Book 19 Verse 303
Buprasians Book 2 Verse 747
C.
Calchas
the Prophet
Book 1 Verse 91
he is blamed by
Agamemnon Book 1 Verse 131
Castor
and
Pollux Book 3 Verse 302
Cebrion
Brother and Charioteer to
Hector Book 16 Verse 895
Chromis Book 2 Verse 1046
Chryses
desires his Daughter who was captive
Book 1 Verse 15
his Prayers to
Apollo Book 1 Verse 53
Coon Book 13 Verse 590
The
Cestus
of
Venus Book 14 Verse 245
Cretans Book 2 Verse 785
D.
Dardanus Book 20 Verse 255
The Dead are buried
Book 7 Verse 495
Deïphobus
is stricken by
Merion,
but not wounded
Book 13 Verse 213
kills
Hypsenor Book 13 Verse 509
he asks
Aeneas
to assist him in attacking
Idomeneus Book 13 Verse 575
kills
Ascalaphus Book 13 Verse 655
DIOMED Book 2 Verse 683
blames
Sthenelus Book 4 Verse 466
is wounded by
Pandarus Book 5 Verse 130
invokes
Minerva Book 5 Verse 146
kills
Pandarus Book 5 Verse 352
wounds
Venus Book 5 Verse 417
is in fear of
Hector Book 5 Verse 732
wounds
Mars Book 5 Verse 1050
exhorts
Ulysses
to succour
Nestor Book 8 Verse 117
he relieves
Nestor Book 8 Verse 129
his Speech to
Agamemnon Book 9 Verse 43
going a Spy to the Enemy's Camp, chuses
Ulysses
for his Companion
Book 10 Verse 283
prays to
Minerva Book 10 Verse 335
DIOMED
and
Ulysses
surprize
Dolon,
whom they take and examine
Book 10 Verse 455
DIOMED
kills
Dolon Book 10 Verse 524
kills the
Thracians
while sleeping
Book 10 Verse 560
returns with
Ulysses
to the Fleet
Book 10 Verse 624
he strikes
Hector Book 11 Verse 452
advises the Wounded to go into the Army to encourage others
Book 14 Verse 121
Dione
comforts
Venus Book 5 Verse 471
Dius Book 2 Verse 1043
Dolon
a Spy,
taken
Book 10 Verse 447
is killed
Book 10 Verse 524
Dulichians Book 2 Verse 763
E.
Elephenor Book 2 Verse 654
Ennomus
the Augur
Book 2 Verse 1047
Epistrophus Book 3 Verse 1043
Erichthonius Book 20 Verse 260
Eumelus
's Mares
Book 2 Verse 926
Euphemus Book 2 Verse 1026
Euphorbus
wounds
Patroclus Book 16 Verse 978
advises
Menelaus
to yield to him
Book 17 Verse 14
is kill'd by
Menelaus Book 17 Verse 50
Euryalus Book 2 Verse 682
Eurypylus Book 2 Verse 893
wounded, is cur'd by
Patroclus Book 11 Verse 982
G.
Ganymedes Book 20 Verse 278
Glaucus Book 2 Verse 1069
accuses
Hector
of Flight
Book 17 Verse 153
Glaucus
and
Diomed
in the Battel meet and discourse together
Book 6 Verse 150
interchange Armour
Book 6 Verse 286
his Prayers to
Apollo Book 16 Verse 633
exhorts the
Trojans
to defend the Corse of
Sarpedon Book 16 Verse 654
Gods, an Assembly of 'em
Book 4 Verse 2
Gods engage some on one side, and some on the other
Book 20 Verse 91
The Fight of the Gods
Book 21 Verse 450
Grecian
Sacrifices
Book 1 Verse 599 Book 2 Verse 502
they retreat from
Troy Book 2 Verse 173
prepare for War
Book 2 Verse 470
go to Battel
Book 3 Verse 522
their Forces march
Book 4 Verse 484
their Flight
Book 8 Verse 97
their Watch
Book 9 Verse 110
nine
Grecians
are willing to accept
Hector
's Challenge
Book 7 Verse 196
build a Wall round the Fleet
Book 7 Verse 520
buy Wine
Book 7 Verse 566
an assembly of their Generals
Book 15 Verse 339
their Ships are burnt
Book 16 Verse 140
Guneus Book 2 Verse 906
H.
HECTOR
sends out his Forces to Battel
Book 2 Verse 988
tells
Paris
's Challenge to the
Greeks Book 3 Verse 123
retreats out of the Battel into
Troy Book 6 Verse 296
exhorts the
Trojans
to supplicate
Minerva Book 6 Verse 338
goes to the House of
Paris Book 6 Verse 389
to his Wife
Andromache Book 6 Verse 463
his Discourse with her
Book 6 Verse 510
challenges the
Greeks
to single Combate
Book 7 Verse 79
exhorts his Men
Book 8 Verse 210
encourages his Horses
Book 8 Verse 226
sends
Dolon
as a Spy
Book 10 Verse 376
his Glory
Book 11 Verse 83
he exhorts his Forces, and rushes to Battel
Book 11 Verse 368
derides
Polydamas
his Advice
Book 12 Verse 267
forces open a Gate of the
Grecian
Wall
Book 12 Verse 537
exhorts his Men
Book 13 Verse 205
seeks for Aid
Book 13 Verse 967
rallies his Forces and attacks the Enemy
Book 13 Verse 991
answers
Ajax Book 13 Verse 1041
kills
Amphimachus Book 13 Verse 247
wounded, retreats
Book 14 Verse 503
is encouraged by
Apollo Book 15 Verse 288
goes again to Battel
Book 15 Verse 296
kills
Lycophron Book 15 Verse 500
exhorts
Menalippus Book 15 Verse 654
kills
Peripoetes Book 15 Verse 770
takes a Ship
Book 15 Verse 854
is put to flight
Book 16 Verse 440 797
encounters with
Patroclus Book 16 Verse 885
and kills him
Book 16 Verse 987
excites his Men
Book 17 Verse 260
his Speech to his warlike Friends
Book 17 Verse 205
he gives way to
Ajax Book 17 Verse 140
answers
Glaucus Book 17 Verse 187
puts on
Achilles
's Armour
Book 17 Verse 219
he pursues
Achilles
his Horses with the Assistance of
Aeneas Book 17 Verse 550
again endeavours to take the Body of
Patroclus Book 18 Verse 187
resolves to combate with
Achilles Book 20 Verse 415
assaults
Achilles Book 20 Verse 485
his Wound
Book 23 Verse 470
he deliberates with himself
Book 22 Verse 138
he fights with
Achilles Book 22 Verse 317
his Death
Book 22 Verse 453
his Funeral
Book 24 Verse 989
Hecuba
desires he wou'd not fight
Achilles Book 22 Verse 110
she renews her Desires he would not fight
Achilles Book 22 Verse 552
she mourns his Death
Book 24 Verse 942
Helen
goes to see the Combate between
Paris
and
Menelaus Book 3 Verse 123
the
Trojans
admire her Beauty
Book 3 Verse 204
chides
Paris Book 3 Verse 553
speaks to
Hector Book 6 Verse 432
laments over
Hector
's Body
Book 24 Verse 962
Helenus
advises
Hector
and
Aeneas Book 7 Verse 48 Book 6 Verse 95
Hippothoüs Book 2 Verse 1021
I.
Idaeus
carries
Paris
his Challenge to the
Greeks Book 7 Verse 460
Idomeneus Book 2 Verse 791 Book 3 Verse 295
kills
Othryoneus Book 13 Verse 457
kills
Asius Book 13 Verse 483
kills
Alcathoüs Book 13 Verse 537
Iphidamas,
his Death finely describ'd
Book 11 Verse 283 , &c.
Iris
orders the
Trojans
to arm
Book 2 Verse 956
tells
Helen
of the single Combat of
Paris
and
Menelaüs Book 3 Verse 165
is sent to
Pallas
and
Juno
with
Jove
's Orders
Book 8 Verse 488
admonishes
Achilles
to succour his Friends fighting for the Body of
Patroclus Book 18 Verse 209
summons the Winds to raise the Fire of
Patroclus
's Pile
Book 23 Verse 342
Ithacans Book 2 Verse 769
Juno
sends
Minerva
to hinder the
Greeks
from retreating
Book 2 Verse 191
her Quarrel with
Jupiter Book 4 Verse 35
she and
Minerva
prepare for Fight
Book 5 Verse 883
ask leave of
Jupiter
to go to Battel
Book 5 Verse 942
her Speech to
Neptune Book 8 Verse 242
dresses her self to deceive
Jupiter Book 14 Verse 191
desires of
Venus
her Girdle to deceive
Jupiter Book 14 Verse 225
goes to the God of Sleep to put
Jupiter
into a Sleep
Book 14 Verse 266
by large Promises obtains her Requests
Book 14 Verse 305
goes to
Jupiter Book 14 Verse 331
denies it was at her Request that
Neptune
assisted the
Greeks Book 15 Verse 41
goes to the rest of the Gods
Book 15 Verse 84
tells the Order of
Jupiter
to
Apollo
and
Iris Book 15 Verse 162
she advises with the Gods concerning
Aeneas
his fighting with
Achilles Book 20 Verse 146
sends
Vulcan
to oppose
Xanthus Book 21 Verse 386
overcomes
Diana Book 21 Verse 564
JUPITER
promises
Thetis
to be reveng'd on the
Greeks Book 1 Verse 672
inspires
Agamemnon
with a Dream
Book 2 Verse 9
forbids the Gods to assist either part
Book 8 Verse 7
his golden Chain
Book 8 Verse 25
descends on
Ida Book 8 Verse 57
sends
Iris
to order
Juno
and
Minerva
to retreat from the Battel
Book 8 Verse 488
sends
Eris
amongst the
Greeks Book 11 Verse 5
sends
Iris
to forbid
Hector
some time from personally engaging
Book 11 Verse 241
inspires
Sarpedon
to assault the
Greek
Wall
Book 12 Verse 348
is caus'd by
Juno
to sleep, awaking from Sleep he is angry with
Juno Book 15 Verse 5
orders
Juno
to send
Iris
and
Apollo
to him
Book 15 Verse 59
sends
Iris
to order
Neptune
to desist from fighting
Book 15 Verse 180
sends
Apollo
to encourage
Hector Book 15 Verse 258
encourages
Hector
himself
Book 15 Verse 722
is grieved for
Sarpedon
's Death
Book 16 Verse 530
orders
Apollo
to take care of
Sarpedon
's Funeral
Book 16 Verse 811
he examines
Juno
concerning the exciting
Achilles
to engage in Battel
Book 18 Verse 417
he gives the Gods leave to assist which Party they please
Book 20 Verse 29
he pities
Hector Book 17 Verse 227
sends
Minerva
to comfort
Achilles Book 19 Verse 364
sends
Thetis
to
Achilles,
ordering him to deliver
Hector
's Body to
Priam Book 24 Verse 137
sends
Iris
to advise
Priam
to go to
Achilles Book 24 Verse 178
orders
Mercury
to conduct
Priam
to
Achilles Book 24 Verse 411
L.
Lacedaemonians Book 2 Verse 704
Locrians Book 2 Verse 630
Lycaon
overcome by
Achilles Book 21 Verse 41
begs his Life in vain
Book 21 Verse 111
M.
Machaon Book 2 Verse 889
cures
Menelaüs Book 4 Verse 250
Magnesians Book 2 Verse 916
Mars
is wounded by
Diomed Book 5 Verse 1050
on which account he expostulates with
Jupiter Book 5 Verse 1069
for which he is reprehended by
Jupiter Book 5 Verse 1092
hearing of the Death of his Son is enraged
Book 15 Verse 126
Meges Book 2 Verse 761
Meleager
the Story of him
Book 9 Verse 653
MENELAUS Book 2 Verse 710
undertakes to fight with
Paris Book 3 Verse 137
is treacherously wounded by
Pandarus Book 4 Verse 135
takes
Adrestus Book 6 Verse 45
wou'd undertake to fight with
Hector,
but is hinder'd by
Agamemnon Book 7 Verse 127
he and
Ajax
assist
Ulysses Book 11 Verse 582
wounds
Helenus Book 13 Verse 733
kills
Pisander Book 13 Verse 753
exhorts
Antilochus Book 15 Verse 680
he is despis'd by
Euphorbus Book 17 Verse 18
kills
Euphorbus Book 17 Verse 50
yields to
Hector Book 17 Verse 101
exhorts the Generals
Book 17 Verse 294
is encourag'd by
Minerva Book 17 Verse 626
he sends
Antilochus
to tell
Achilles
of the Death of
Patroclus Book 17 Verse 775
is angry with
Antilochus Book 23 Verse 651
Menestheus Book 2 Verse 665
sends
Thoös
to the
Ajax
's for Aid
Book 12 Verse 411
Mercury
accompanies
Priam Book 24 Verse 447
and conducts him to
Achilles Book 24 Verse 541
admonishes
Priam
in his Sleep
Book 24 Verse 780
Merion Book 2 Verse 792
wounds
Deïphobus Book 13 Verse 668
kills
Harpalion Book 13 Verse 813
Mestles Book 2 Verse 1054
MINERVA
goes to
Pandarus
to induce him to break the Truce
Book 4 Verse 119
strengthens
Diomed Book 5 Verse 109
forces
Mars
from the Battel
Book 5 Verse 45
derides
Venus Book 5 Verse 509
prepares her self for the War
Book 5 Verse 883 908
asks leave of
Jupiter
to go to the War
Book 5 Verse 942
speaks to
Diomed Book 5 Verse 998
encourages
Diomed
to assault
Mars Book 5 Verse 1020
her Speech to
Jupiter Book 8 Verse 39
restrains
Mars
his Anger
Book 15 Verse 140
knocks down
Mars
with a mighty Stone
Book 21 Verse 469
vanquishes
Venus
and her Lover
Book 21 Verse 498
in the Shape of
Deïphobus
persuades
Hector
to meet
Achilles Book 22 Verse 291
Mycenians Book 2 Verse 686
Myrmidons Book 2 Verse 834
go to the fight
Book 16 Verse 312
N.
Nastes Book 2 Verse 1060
Neptune
his and
Jupiter
's Discourse concerning the
Grecian
Wall
Book 7 Verse 530
his Discourse with
Idomeneus Book 13 Verse 289
brings Help to the
Greeks Book 12 Verse 17
encourages the two
Ajax
's
Book 13 Verse 73
and the
Greeks Book 13 Verse 131
is angry with
Jupiter Book 15 Verse 206
advises about the Preservation of
Aeneas Book 20 Verse 341
preserves
Aeneas
from
Achilles
's Fury
Book 20 Verse 367
comforts
Ulysses Book 21 Verse 333
urges
Apollo
to fight
Book 21 Verse 450
Nereïds,
the Catalogue and Names of them
Book 18 Verse 42
&c.
NESTOR
endeavours to reconcile
Achilles
and
Agamemnon Book 1 Verse 330
Nestor
praised by
Agamemnon Book 2 Verse 440
his Speech to the Soldiers
Book 2 Verse 402
NESTOR Book 2 Verse 716
his Speech to
Agamemnon Book 4 Verse 370
exhorts the Soldiers
Book 6 Verse 84
his Speech for burying the Dead, and building a Wall
Book 7 Verse 392
blames the
Greeks
for not daring to encounter
Hector Book 7 Verse 145
is in great Danger
Book 8 Verse 102
flies with
Diomed Book 8 Verse 190
his Advice for Guards and Refreshment
Book 9 Verse 86
for pacifying
Achilles Book 9 Verse 141
approves
Diomed
's Speech to
Agamemnon Book 9 Verse 73
goes by Night to
Ulysses Book 10 Verse 157
encourages
Diomed Book 10 Verse 180
advises to send Spies into the Enemy's Camp
Book 10 Verse 241
recites what he did in his Youth
Book 11 Verse 817
goes on an Uproar to know the cause
Book 14 Verse 1
prays to
Jupiter Book 15 Verse 428
exhorts the
Greeks
to oppose the Enemy
Book 15 Verse 796
advises his Son concerning the Race
Book 23 Verse 369
Niobe,
her Fable
Book 24 Verse 757
Nireus
the most handsome
Greek Book 2 Verse 817
O.
Orcus
his Helmet.
Book 5 Verse 1037
Odius Book 2 Verse 1043
P.
Pandarus Book 2 Verse 1001
treacherously wounds
Menelaüs Book 4 Verse 135
is kill'd by
Diomed Book 5 Verse 352
PARIS
boasts at the beginning of the Fight
Book 3 Verse 26
cowardly flies
Book 3 Verse 44
blamed of
Hector Book 3 Verse 55
undertakes a single Combate with
Menelaüs Book 3 Verse 101
is armed
Book 3 Verse 409
and fights with
Menelaüs Book 3 Verse 427
is taken from the Combate by
Venus Book 3 Verse 467
blamed by
Helen Book 3 Verse 533
rescued from Fight, is put to bed with
Helen Book 3 Verse 555
refuses to restore
Helen Book 7 Verse 428
wounds
Diomed Book 11 Verse 482
wounds
Machaon Book 11 Verse 629
wounds
Eurypylus Book 11 Verse 709
kills
Euchenor Book 13 Verse 626
PATROCLUS
returns to
Achilles Book 15 Verse 462
entreats
Achilles
to let him go to aid the
Greeks Book 16 Verse 31
is armed
Book 16 Verse 162
exhorts the
Myrmidons Book 16 Verse 324
he and his Men kill many of the
Trojans Book 16 Verse 448 483 847
exhorts the two
Ajax
's
Book 16 Verse 681
kills
Cebrion Book 16 Verse 895
is struck by
Apollo Book 16 Verse 954
a fierce Contest about the Body of
Patroclus Book 17 Verse 324 472 613
appears to
Achilles
in a Dream
Book 23 Verse 78
his funeral Pile
Book 23 Verse 198
his Sepulchre
Book 23 Verse 305
his funeral Games
Book 23 Verse 323
Phidippus Book 2 Verse 827
Phocians Book 2 Verse 620
Phoenix
intreats
Achilles
to be reconciled with
Agamemnon Book 9 Verse 562
sits as one of the Judges of the Race
Book 24 Verse 435
Phorcis Book 2 Verse 1050
Podalirius Book 2 Verse 889
Podarces Book 2 Verse 860
Polydamas
advises to force the
Greek
Lines
Book 12 Verse 67
interprets a Prodigy, and gives his Advice
Book 12 Verse 245
blames
Hector Book 13 Verse 907
kills
Prothenor Book 14 Verse 525
Polypoetes Book 2 Verse 904
and
Leontius Book 12 Verse 141
Prayers and Injustice, their influence on the Gods
Book 9 Verse 624
PRIAM
enquires of
Helen
about the
Grecians
which they saw
Book 3 Verse 220
is called by an Herald to agree to a Treaty
Book 3 Verse 319
returns into the City
Book 3 Verse 386
speaks to the
Trojans Book 7 Verse 444
commands the Soldiers to open the Gate
Book 21 Verse 620
intreats
Hector
not to meet
Achilles Book 22 Verse 51
bemoans the Death of
Hector Book 23 Verse 515
tells his Wife the Commands of
Jupiter Book 24 Verse 233
takes the Gifts to carry to
Achilles Book 24 Verse 341
rebukes his Sons
Book 24 Verse 311
his Council to
Hecuba Book 24 Verse 355
he prays to
Jupiter Book 24 Verse 377
he meets
Achilles Book 24 Verse 579
desires to sleep
Book 24
he carries the Body of
Hector
into the City
Book 24 Verse 882
Prodigies
Book 11 Verse 70 Book 12 Verse 233
of a Dragon which devoured a Nest of Birds and the Dam
Book 2 Verse 372
Protesilaüs Book 2 Verse 853
Prothous Book 2 Verse 916
Pylaemenes Book 2 Verse 1034
is slain
Book 5 Verse 705
Pylians Book 2 Verse 715
Pyraechmes Book 2 Verse 1028
R.
Rhesus Book 10 Verse 505
is slain by
Diomed Book 10 Verse 576
Rhodians Book 2 Verse 795
S.
Sarpedon Book 2 Verse 1069
wounded by
Tlepolemus,
desires the assistance of
Hector Book 5 Verse 842
exhorts
Glaucus
to fight
Book 12 Verse 371
breaks down a Battlement of the Wall
Book 12 Verse 483
Soldiers, the good and bad described
Book 13 Verse 359
Somnus
the God of Sleep,
at the Instance of
Juno
puts
Jupiter
into a Sleep
Book 14 Verse 266
incites
Neptune Book 14 Verse 411
Sthenelus Book 2 Verse 683
Answers
Agammenon
sharply
Book 4 Verse 456
T.
Talthybius Book 1 Verse 421
Teucer
from behind the Shield of
Ajax,
kills many
Trojans Book 8 Verse 320
is wounded by
Hector Book 8 Verse 387
kills
Imbrius Book 13 Verse 227
and
Clitus Book 15 Verse 522
his Bow is broke by a divine Power
Book 15 Verse 544
Thalpius Book 2 Verse 755
Thamyris
his Story
Book 2 Verse 721
Themis
presents the Nectar Bowl to
Juno Book 15 Verse 96
Thersites
his Loquacity
Book 2 Verse 255
Thetis
her Words to
Achilles Book 1 Verse 540
her Petition to
Jove
for her Son
Book 1 Verse 652
she in great Grief speaks to the
Nereïds Book 18 Verse 69
enquires of
Achilles Book 18 Verse 95
promises
Achilles
Armour made by
Vulcan Book 18 Verse 172
goes to
Vulcan Book 18 Verse 431
beseeches
Vulcan
to make
Achilles
's Armour
Book 18 Verse 529
carries the Armour made by
Vulcan
to
Achilles Book 19 Verse 13
Thoas Book 2 Verse 775
kills
Pirus Book 4 Verse 610
Titaresius
a River
Book 2 Verse 910
Tlepolemus Book 2 Verse 793
fights with
Sarpedon Book 5 Verse 776
Trojans
and
Grecians
march to Battel
Book 3 Verse 1
they sign a Treaty
Book 3 Verse 338
Trojans
and
Greeks
in Battel
Book 4 Verse 508
many of the
Trojan
kill'd
Book 6 Verse 5
the
Trojan
Watch
Book 8 Verse 686
Trojans
march, attack the
Greek
Trenches
Book 12 Verse 95 295
Trojans
fly
Book 14 Verse 596
Trojans
make a great slaughter
Book 15 Verse 372
The
Trojans
fight bravely at the
Grecian
Fleet
Book 15 Verse 842
they sly before the
Greeks Book 17 Verse 676
An Assembly of the
Trojans Book 18 Verse 289
V.
Venus
conveys
Paris
from the Fight
Book 3 Verse 467
bespeaks
Helen Book 3 Verse 481
is angry with
Helen Book 3 Verse 513
carries
Helen
to
Paris Book 3 Verse 533
cenveys
Aeneas
out of the Battel
Book 5 Verse 385
is wounded by
Diomed Book 5 Verse 417
complains of her being wounded to
Dione Book 5 Verse 465
is laught at by
Minerva Book 5 Verse 499
with
Apollo
keeps the Body of
Hector
from putrifying
Book 23 Verse 226
Ulysses Book 2 Verse 765 Book 3 Verse 254
delivers
Chryseïs
to her Father
Book 1 Verse 575
contends with
Ajax
in the Course
Book 23 Verse 828
prevents the
Greeks
from retreating
Book 2 Verse 225
provokes
Thersites Book 2 Verse 305
exhorts the Soldiers to Battel
Book 2 Verse 347
answers
Agamemnon Book 4 Verse 402
his Speech to
Achilles
to reconcile him and
Agamemnon Book 9 Verse 562
exhorts
Diomed
to Battel
Book 11 Verse 408
is surrounded by the Enemy
Book 11 Verse 510
is wounded by
Socus Book 11 Verse 547
kills
Socus Book 11 Verse 561
advises to give the Soldiers Refreshment before the Battel
Book 19 Verse 153
advises
Achilles
to refresh himself
Book 19 Verse 215
Vulcan
admonishes
Juno Book 1 Verse 746
remembers the Benefits he has received of
Thetis Book 18 Verse 461
enquires of
Thetis
the cause of her coming
Book 18 Verse 496
makes a Suit of Armour for
Achilles Book 18 Verse 537
drys up the River
Xanthus Book 21 Verse 400
X.
Xanthus, Achilles
's Horse, foreshews the Destruction of
Achilles Book 19 Verse 452
Xanthus,
the River,
speaks to
Achilles Book 21 Verse 232
rises against
Achilles Book 21 Verse 258
invokes
Simoïs
against
Achilles Book 21 Verse 364
supplicates
Vulcan
and
Juno Book 21 Verse 423
A POETICAL INDEX TO
HOMER
's
ILIAD.
The first Number marks the Book, the second the Verse.
FABLE.
THE great
Moral
of the Iliad, that
Concord, among Governours, is the preservation of States, and Discord the ruin of them:
pursued thro' the whole
Fable.
The Anger of
Achilles breaks this Union in the opening of the Poem,
l.
1. He withdraws from the Body of the
Greeks,
which first interrupts the Success of the common Cause,
ibid.
The Army mutiny,
l.
2. The
Trojans
break the Truce,
l.
4. A great number of the
Greeks
slain, 7. 392. Forc'd to build Fortifications to guard their Fleet,
ibid.
In great Distress from the Enemy, whose Victory is only stopt by the Night, 8. Ready to quit their Design and return with Infamy, 9. Send to
Achilles
to persuade him to a Re-union, in vain,
ibid.
The Distress continues; the General and all the best Warriors are wounded, 11. The Fortification overthrown, and the Fleet set on fire, 15.
Achilles
himself shares in the Misfortunes he brought upon the Allies, by the loss of his Friend
Patroclus,
16. Hereupon the Hero is reconciled to the General, the Victory over
Troy
is compleat, and
Hector
slain by
Achilles,
19, 20, 21, 22,
&c.
EPISODES
or
FABLES
which are interwoven into the Poem, but foreign to its Design.
The Fable of the Conspiracy of the Gods against
Jupiter,
1. 516. Of
Vulcan
's fall from Heav'n on the Island of
Lemnos,
1. 761. The Imprisonment of
Mars
by
Otus
and
Ephialtes,
5. 475. The Story of
Thamyris,
2. 721. The Embassy of
Tydeus
to
Thebes,
4. 430. The Tale of
Bellerophon,
6. 195. Of
Lycurgus
and the
Bacchanals,
6. 161. The War of the
Pylians
and
Arcadians,
6. 165. The Story of
Phoenix,
9. 572. Of
Meleager
and the Wars of the
Curetes
and
Aetolians,
9. 653. The Wars of
Pyle
and
Elis,
11. 818. The Birth of
Hercules
and Labour of
Alemena,
19. 103. The Expulsion of
Ate
from Heaven, 19. 93.
Vulcan
's abode with
Thetis,
and his Employment there, 18. 463. The Family and History of
Troy,
20. 255. The Transformation of
Niobe,
24. 757. Building of the Walls of
Troy
by
Neptune,
21. 518.
ALLEGORICAL FABLES.
Moral.
]
Prudence
restraining
Passion,
represented in the Machine of
Minerva
descending to calm
Achilles,
1. 261. Love alluring, and extinguishing
Honour,
in
Venus
bringing
Paris
from the Combate to the Arms of
Helen,
3. 460,
&c.
True
Courage
overcoming
Passion
in
Diomed
's Conquest of
Mars
and
Venus,
by the assistance of
Pallas,
5. 407, &c.
through that whole Book. Prayers
the Daughters of
Jupiter,
following
Justice,
and persecuting her at the Throne of Heaven, 9. 625. The
Cestus,
or Girdle of
Venus,
14. 247. The Allegory of
Sleep,
14. 265. The Allegory of
Discord
cast out of Heaven, to Earth; 19. 93. The Allegory of the two
Urns
of
Pleasure
and
Pain,
24. 663.
Physical or Philosophical.
] The Combate of the
Elements
till the
Water
subsided, in the Fable of the Wars of
Juno
or the
Air,
and
Neptune
or the
Sea,
with
Jupiter
or the
Aether,
till
Thetis
put an end to 'em, 1. 516.
Fire
deriv'd from Heaven to Earth, imag'd by the Fall of
Vulcan
on
Lemnos,
1. 761. The Gravitation of the
Planets
upon the
Sun,
in the Allegory of the
Golden Chain
of
Jupiter,
8 25. The Influence of the
Aether
upon the
Air,
in the Allegory of the Congress of
Jupiter
and
Juno,
14. 395. The
Air
supply'd by the Vapors of the
Ocean
and
Earth,
in the Story of
Juno
nourish'd by
Oceanus
and
Tethys,
14. 231. The Allegory of the
Winds,
23. 242. The quality of
Salt
preserving dead Bodies from Corruption, in
Thetis
or the
Sea
preserving the Body of
Patroclus,
19. 40.
For the rest of the
Allegories,
see the
System of the Gods
as acting in their Allegorical Characters, under the Article
CHARACTERS.
ALLEGORICAL
or
FICTITIOUS PERSONS
in
Homer.
The
Lying Dream
sent to
Agamemnon
by
Jupiter,
2. 7.
Fame
the Messenger of
Jove,
2. 121.
Furies,
punishers of the wicked, 3. 351.
Hebe,
or
Youth,
attending the Banquets of the Gods, 4. 3.
Flight
and
Terror
Attendants upon
Mars,
4. 500.
Discord
describ'd, 4. 502.
Bellona
Goddess of War, 5. 726. The
Hours,
Keepers of the Gates of Heaven, 5. 929. Nymphs of the Mountains, 6. 532.
Night
a Goddess, 6. 342.
Iris,
or the
Rainbow,
8. 486.
Prayers
the Daughters of
Jupiter.
9. 625.
Eris,
or
Discord,
11. 5.
Ilythiae,
Goddesses presiding in Womens Labour, 11. 349.
Terror
the Son of
Mars,
13. 386.
Sleep,
14. 265.
Night,
14. 293.
Death
and
Sleep,
two Twins, 16. 831.
Nereids,
or Nymphs of the Sea, A Catalogue of them, 18. 45.
Ate,
or the Goddess of
Discord,
19. 93.
Scamander
the River-God, 21. 231.
Fire
and
Water
made Persons in the Battel of
Scamander
and
Vulcan,
21. 387. The
East
and
West-Winds,
ibid.
Iris,
or the
Rainbow,
and the
Winds,
23. 242.
The
MARVELLOUS,
or supernatural
FICTIONS
in
Homer.
Omen of the Birds and Serpent representing the Event of the
Trojan
War, 2. 370. The miraculous Rivers
Titaresius
and
Styx,
2. 910. The Giant
Typhon
under the burning Mountain
Typhoeus,
2. 952. Battel of the Cranes and Pygmies, 3. 6. Prodigy of a Comet, 4. 101.
Diomed
's Helmet ejecting Fire, 5. 6. Horses of coelestial Breed, 5. 327. Vast Stone heav'd by
Diomed,
5. 370. And
Hector,
12. 537. . And
Minerva,
20. 470. The miraculous Chariot and Arms of
Pallas,
5. 885, 907,
&c.
The
Gorgon;
Hehnet, and
Aegis
of
Jupiter, ibid.
The Gates of Heaven,
ibid.
The Leap of immortal Horses, 5. 960. Shout of
Stentor,
5. 978. Roaring of
Mars,
5. 1054. Helmet of
Orcus,
which render'd the Wearer invisible, 5 1036. The
Blood
of the Gods, 5. 422. The immediate healing of their Wounds, 5. 1116. The Chimaera, 6. 220. Destruction by
Neptune
of the
Grecian
Rampart, 12. 15. Wall push'd down by
Apollo,
15, 415. The golden Chain of
Jpiter,
8. 25. Horses and Chariot of
Jupiter,
8. 50. His Balances, weighing the Fates of Men, 8. 88. 22. 271.
Jupiter
's assisting the
Trojans
by Thunders and Lightnings, and visible Declarations of his Favour. 8. 93, 165,
&c.
17. 670. Prodigy of an Eagle and Fawn, 8. 297. Horses of the Gods, Stables and Chariots, pompously describ'd, 8. 535,
&c. Hector
's Lance of ten Cubits, 8. 615. Omen of an Heron, 10, 320. The Descent of
Eris,
11. 5. A Shower of Blood, 11. 70.—16. 560. Omen of an Eagle and Serpent, 12. 230. The Progress of
Neptune
thro' the Seas, 13. 42. The Chain of
War
and
Discord
stretch'd over the Armies, 13. 451. The loud Voice of
Neptune,
14. 173. Solemn Oath of the Gods, 14. 307—15, 41.
Minerva
spreads a Light over the Army, 15. 808.
Jupiter
involves the Combatants in thick Darkness, 16. 695, 422. Horses begot by the Wind on a Harpye, 16. 183. A Shower of Blood, 16. 560. Miraculous Transportation and Interment of
Sarpedon
by
Apollo, Sleep
and
Death,
16. 810,
&c.
Prophecy at the Hour of Death, 16. 1026.—22. 450.
Achilles
unarmed puts the whole
Trojan
Army to flight on his Appearance, 18. 240,
&c.
Moving Tripods and living Statues of
Vulcan,
18. 440, 488. The Horse of
Achilles
speaks by a Prodigy, 19. 450. The Battel of the Gods, 20. 63,
&c.
Horses of a miraculous Extraction, the Transformation of
Boreas,
20. 264. The wonderful Battel of the
Xanthus,
21. 230,
&c. Hector
's Body preserv'd by
Apollo
and
Venus,
23. 226. The Ghost of
Patroclus,
23. 77. The two Urns of
Jupiter,
24. 663. The vast Quoit of
Aē tion,
23. 975. The Transformation of
Niobe
and her People into Stones, 24. 757.
Under this Head of the
Marvellous
may also be included all the immediate
Machines
and
Appearances of the Gods
in the Poem, and their
Transformations;
the
miraculous Birth
of
Heroes;
the
Passions in human and visible Forms,
and the rest.
CHARACTERS,
OR, MANNERS.
Characters of the
GODS
of
Homer,
as acting in the
Physical
or
Moral
Capacities of those Deities.
JUPITER.
Acting and governing all, as the supreme Being.
] See the Article
Theology
in the next Index.
JUNO.
As the Element of Air.
] Her Congress with
Jupiter,
or the
Aether,
and Production of Vegetables, 14. 390,
&c.
Her loud Shout, the Air being the cause of Sound, 5. 978. Nourish'd by
Oceanus
and
Tethys,
14. 231.
As Goddess of Empire and Honour.
] Stops the
Greeks
from flying ignominiously, 2. 191.
and in many other Places.
Incites and commands
Achilles
to revenge the Death of his Friend, 18. 203,
&c.
Inspires into
Helen
a Contempt of
Paris,
and sends
Iris
to call her to behold the Combate with
Menelaus,
3. 185
APOLLO.
As the Sun.
] Causes the Plague in the Heat of Summer, 1. 61. Raises a Phantom of Clouds and Vapours, 5. 545 Discovers in the Morning the Slaughter made the Night before, 10. 606. Recovers
Hector
from fainting, and opens his Eyes, 15. 280. Dazzles the Eyes of the
Greeks,
and shakes his
Aegis
in their Faces, 15. 362. Restores Vigour to
Glaucus,
16. 647. Preserves the Body of
Sarpedon
from Corruption, 16. 830. And that of
Hector,
23. 230. Raises a Cloud to conceal
Aeneas,
20. 515.
As Destiny.
] Saves
Aeneas
from Death, 5. 441. And
Hector,
20. 513. Saves
Agenor,
21. 706. Deserts
Hector
when his Hour is come, 22. 277.
As Wisdom.
] He and
Minerva
inspire
Helenus
to keep off the general Engagement by a single Combate, 7. 25. Advises
Hector
to shun encountering
Achilles,
20. 431.
MARS.
As mere martial Courage without Conduct.
] Goes to the Fight against the Orders of
Jupiter,
5. 726. Again provoked to rebel against
Jupiter
by his Passion, 15. 126. Is vanquish'd by
Minerva,
or
Conduct,
21. 480.
MINERVA.
As martial Courage with Wisdom.
] Joins with
Juno
in restraining the
Greeks
from flight, and inspires
Ulysses
to do it, 2. 210. Animates the Army, 2. 525. Describ'd as leading a Hero safe thro' a Battel, 4. 632. Assists
Diomed
to overcome
Mars
and
Venus,
5. 407. 1042. Overcomes them her self, 21. 480. Restrains
Mars
from Rebellion against
Jupiter,
5. 45—15. 140. Submits to
Jupiter,
8. 40. Advises
Ulysses
to retire in time from the Night Expedition, 10. 593. Assists him throughout that Expedition, 10. 350,
&c.
Discovers the Ambush said against the
Pylians
by Night, and causes them to sally, 11. 851. Assists
Achilles
to conquer
Hector,
22. 277,
&c.
As Wisdom separately consider'd.
] Suppresses
Achilles
's Passion, 1. 261. Suppresses her own Anger against
Jupiter,
4. 31. Brings to pass
Jupiter
's Will in contriving the Breach of the Truce, 4. 95. Teaches
Diomed
to discern Gods from Men, and to conquer
Venus,
5. 155,
&c.
Call'd the best belov'd of
Jupiter,
8. 48. Obtains leave of
Jupiter,
that while the other Gods do not assist the
Greeks,
she may direct 'em with her Counsels, 8. 45. Is again check'd by the command of
Jupiter
and submits, 8. 506, 580. Is said to assist, or save any Hero, in general thro' the Poem, when any Act of Prudence preserves him.
VENUS.
As the Passion of Love.
] Brings
Paris
from the Fight to the Embraces of
Helen,
and inflames the Lovers, 3. 460, 530,
&c.
Is overcome by
Minerva,
or Wisdom, 5. 407. And again, 21. 500. Her
Cestos
or Girdle, and the Effects of it, 14. 247.
NEPTUNE.
As the Sea.
] Overturns the
Grecian
Wall with his Waves, 12. 15. Assists the
Greeks
at their Fleet, which was drawn up at the Sea-side, 13. 67,
&c.
Retreats at the Order of
Jupiter,
15. 245. Shakes the whole Field of Battel and Sea-shore with Earthquakes, 20. 77.
VULCAN.
Or the Element of Fire.
] Falls from Heaven to Earth, 1. 761. Receiv'd in
Lemnos,
a Place of subterraneous Fires,
ibid.
His Operations of various kinds, 18. 440, 468, 540. Dries up the River
Xanthus,
21. 460. Assisted by the Winds, 21. 390.
Characters of the
HEROES.
N.B. The
Speeches
which depend upon, and flow from these several Characters, are distinguished by an
S.
ACHILLES.
Furious, passionate, disdainful, and reproachful,
Lib.
1. 155. 155. S. 195. S. 295. S—9. 405. S. 746. S—24. 705.
Revengeful and implacable in the highest degree, 9. 765. 755.—16. 68. S. 121. S.—19. 211. S—22. 333. S. 437. S.
Cruel, 16. 122—19. 395—21. 112—22. 437. S. 495. S—23. 30—24. 51—
Superior to all Men in Valour, 20. 60. 437, &c.
—l.
21. 22. throughout.
Constant and violent in Friendship, 9. 730. 18. 30—371—23. 54. 272—24. 5—16. 9. S. 20. 8. S. 18. 100. S. 380.
S—19. 335. S—22. 482. S.
—Achilles
scarce ever speaks without mention of his Friend
Patroclus.
AENEAS.
Pious to the Gods, 5. 226. S—20. 132. 290. 345—
Sensible, and Moral, 20. 242. 293,
&c.
S.
Valiant, not rash, 20. 130. 240—S.
Tender to his Friend, 13. 590.
See this Character in the Notes on l. 5. ℣. 212. and on l. 13. ℣. 578.
AGAMEMNON.
Imperious and passionate, 1. 34. 729—S—
Sometimes cruel, 6. 80—2. 140. S—
Artful and designing, 2. 68. 95—
Valiant and an excellent General, 4. 256. 265,
&c.
11.
throughout.
Eminent for brotherly Affection, 4. 183,
&c.
S. 7. 120—
See his Character in the Notes on l. 11. ℣. 1.
AJAX.
Of superior strength and size, and fearless on that account, 13. 410—7. 227. S. 274. S—15. 666.
Indefatigable and patient, 11. 683,
&c.
13. 877—15.
throughout—
14. 535—short in his Speeches, 7. 277—9. 742—15. 666,
&c.
See his Character in the Notes on l. 7. ℣. 226.
DIOMED.
Daring and intrepid,
l.
5.
throughout,
and 8. 163. 180 S—9. 65. 820—10. 260—
Proud, and boasting, 6. 152—11. 500.
Vain of his Birth, 14. 125.
Generous, 6. 265—
Is guided by
Pallas
or Wisdom, and chuses
Ulysses
to direct him, 5.
throughout.
10. 287. 335.
See his Character in the Notes on l. 5. ℣. 1.
HECTOR.
A true Lover of his Country, 8. 621. S—12. 284—15. 582. S.
Valiant in the highest degree, 3. 89—7. 80. 12. 270. S—18. 333. S
—&c.
Excellent in Conduct, 8. 610. S.—11 663—
Pious, 6. 140. 335. 605—
Tender to his Parents, 6. 315.
— to his Wife, 6. 456.
— to his Child, 6. 606.
— to his Friends, 20. 485—24. 962—
See his Character in the Notes on l. 3. ℣. 53.
IDOMENEUS.
An old Soldier, 13. 455. 648—
A lover of his Soldiers, 13. 280—
Talkative upon Subjects of War, 13. 340—355,
&c.
4. 305. S—
Vain of his Family, 13. 565,
&c.
Stately and insulting, 13. 472
—&c.
See his Character in the Notes on l. 13. ℣. 279.
MENELAUS.
Valiant, 3. 35—13. 733—17.
throughout.
Tender of the People, 10. 32—
Gentle in his Nature, 10. 138—23. 685—
But fir'd by a Sense of his Wrongs, 2. 711—3. 45—7. 109. S—13. 780. S—17. 640.
See his Character in the Notes on l. 3. ℣. 278.
NESTOR.
Wise and experienced in Council, 1. 331. 340—2. 441—
Skilful in the Art of War, 2. 432. 670—4. 338,
&c.
S. 7. 392. S—
Brave, 7. 165—11. 817—15. 796. S.
Eloquent, 1. 332,
&c.
Vigilant, 10. 88. 186. 624—
Pious, 15. 427.
Talkative thro' Old Age, 4. 370—7. 145—11. 800—23 373. 718—and in general thro' the Book.
See his Character in the Notes on l. 1. ℣. 339.
on
2. 402, &c.
PRIAM.
A tender Father to
Hector,
22. 51. S—24. 275—to
Paris,
3. 381—to
Helen,
3. 212. S.
An easy Prince, of too yielding a Temper, 7. 443.
Gentle and compassionate, 3. 211. 382.
Pious, 4. 70—24. 520. S.
See his Character in the Notes on l. 3. ℣. 211.
PARIS.
Esseminate in Dress and Person, 3. 27. 55. 80. 409.
Amorous, 3. 550.
Ingenious in Arts, Musick, 3. 80. Building, 6. 390.
Patient of Reproof, 3. 86.
Naturally valiant, 6. 669—13. 985.
See his Characters in the Notes on l. 3. ℣. 26. 37. 86.
PATROCLUS.
Compassionate of the Sufferings of his Countreymen, 11. 947—16. 5. 31. S.
Rash, but Valiant, 16. 709.
Of a gentle Nature, 19. 320—17. 755—
SARPEDON.
Valiant, out of Principle and Honour, 5. 575. S—12. 371. S.
Eloquent,
ibid.
Careful only of the common Cause in his Death, 16. 605. S.
See his Character in the Notes on l. 16. ℣. 512.
ULYSSES.
Prudent, 3. 261—10. 287—19. 218—
Eloquent, 3. 283.—9. 295. S.
&c.
Valiant in the Field with Caution, 4. 566—11. 515,
&c.
Bold in the Council with Prudence, 14. 90—
See his Character in the Notes on l. 2. ℣. 402. & sparsim.
Characters of other
HEROES.
Agenor,
valiant and considerate, 21. 648.
Antenor,
a prudent Counsellor, 7. 418.
Ajax Oileus,
famous for swiftness, 2. 631—14. 618.
Antilochus,
bold-spirited, but reasonable; and artful, 4. 522—23. 505. 618. 666. S—23. 920. 930.
Euphorbus,
beautiful and valiant, 16. 973—17. 11. 57—
Glaucus,
pious to his Friend, 16. 660—17. 165. 180.
Helenus,
a Prophet and Hero, 6. 92.
Meriones,
dauntless and faithful, 13. 325,
&c.
Machaon,
and excellent Physician, 2. 890—11. 630.
Phoenix,
his Friendship and Tenderness for
Achilles,
9. 605.
Polydamas,
Prudent and Eloquent.
See his Speeches,
12. 70. 245—13. 907—18. 300—
Teucer,
famous for Archery, 8. 320—15. 510,
&c.
Thoas,
famous for Eloquence, 15. 322.
For other less distinguished Characters, see the Article,
Descriptions of the Passions.
SPEECHES,
OR ORATIONS.
A Table of the most considerable in the Iliad.
In the Exhortatory or Deliberative Kind.
The Oration of
Nestor
to
Agamemnon
and
Achilles,
persuading a Reconciliation, 1. 340. The Orations of
Nestor, Ulysses,
and
Agamemnon,
to persuade the Army to stay, 2. 350. 402. 452. Of
Sarpedon
to
Hector
5. 575. Of
Nestor
to encourage the
Greeks
to accept the Challenge of
Hector,
7. 145. Of
Hector
to the
Trojans,
8. 621. Of
Nestor
to send to
Achilles,
9. 127. Of
Ulysses, Phoenix
and
Ajax,
to move
Achilles
to a Reconciliation, 9. 295. 562. 742.
Achilles
's Reply to each,
ibid. Sarpedon
to
Glaucus,
12. 371. Of
Neptune
to the
Greeks,
to defend the Fleet, 13. 131. Of
Ajax
to the
Greeks,
15. 666.
Nestor
to the same, 15. 796. Of
Ajax
again, 15. 890.
Scamander
to the River
Simois,
21. 360.
Juno
to
Vulcan,
21. 387.
Achilles
to
Patroclus,
16. 70,
&c.
In the Vituperative Kind.
The Speech of
Thersites,
2. 275. That of
Ulysses
answering him, 2. 306. Of
Hector
to
Paris,
3. 55. Of
Agamemnon
to
Diomed,
4. 422. Of
Hector
to
Paris,
6. 406. Of
Diomed
to
Agamemnon,
9. 43. Of
Ulysses
to the same, 14. 90.
Sarpedon
to
Hector,
5. 575.
Glaucus
to
Hector,
17. 153.
In the Narrative.
Achilles
to
Thetis,
1. 476.
Pandarus
to
Aeneas,
5. 230.
Glaucus
to
Diomed,
6. 190.
Phoenix
to
Achilles,
9. 562, 652.
—Agamemnon
to the
Greeks,
19. 90.
Aeneas
to
Achilles,
20. 240. Of
Nestor,
7. 163—11. 800—and the Speeches of
Nestor
in general.
In the Pathetick.
Agamemnon
on
Menelaus
wounded, 4. 186.
Andromache
to
Hector,
and his
Answer,
6. 510. 570.
Patroclus
and
Achilles,
16. 10,
&c.
Jupiter
on sight of
Hector,
17. 231.
Lamentation of
Briseis
for
Patroclus,
19. 303.
Lamentation of
Achilles
for
Patroclus,
19. 335.
— of
Priam
to
Hector,
22. 51. 530.
— of
Hecuba
to the same, 22. 115. and again, 24. 243, 942.
— of
Andromache
at
Hector
's Death, 22. 608.
— of
Andromache
at his Funeral, 24. 908.
— of
Helena,
24. 962.
Lycaon
to
Achilles,
21, 85.
Thetis
to the
Nereids,
17. 70.
The Ghost of
Patroclus
to
Achilles,
23. 83.
Priam
to
Achilles,
24. 600.
In the Irony, or Sarcasm.
The Speech of
Pallas
on
Venus
being wounded, 5. 509.
Ulysses
over
Socus,
11. 566.
Idomeneus
over
Othryoneus,
13. 472.
Four Sarcastic Speeches over the Dead, 14. 529. 550. 561. 587.
Juno
to
Mars
concerning
Ascalaphus,
15. 120.
Aeneas
to
Meriones,
16. 745.
Patroclus
on
Cebriones,
16. 903.
Hector
on
Patroclus,
16. 1003.
Achilles
to
Otryntides,
20. 450. to
Lycaon,
21. 135. to
Hector,
22. 415.
Speeches to Horses.
Hector
to his Horses, 8. 225.
Achilles
to his Horses, 19. 440.
Jove
to the Horses of
Achilles,
17. 504.
Antilochus,
23. 483.
Menelaus,
23. 522.
DESCRIPTIONS
OR IMAGES.
A Collection of the most remarkable throughout the Poem.
Descriptions of
PLACES.
Of the Apartment of
Juno,
14. 191.
Of a Burning Mountain, 2. 950.
City in Flames, 17. 825.
Court of Justice, 18. 577.
Ends of the Earth and Sea, the Residence of
Saturn
and
Iapetus,
8. 597.
Fountains of
Scamander,
22. 195.
Field, plowed, 18. 627.
Forest, when Timber is fell'd, 11. 120. 23. 144.
Heaven, the Seat and Pleasures of the Gods, 1. 690. 772.—4. 3. The Gates of Heaven, 5. 928—8. 478. The Gods assembled, 20. 9.
Ida,
its Forests, Temple and Prospect, 8. 57—14. 320.
Landscapes of a fine Country, 2. 840. 1036. 1040. Of Pasture Grounds and Sheep, 18. 677.
Mount of
Hercules
near
Troy,
20. 174.
Palace of
Neptune,
13. 35.
Palace of
Priam
describ'd, 6. 304. Of
Paris,
6. 59.
River
Axius
describ'd, 2. 1030.
River
Titaresius
and
Peneus,
2. 910.
Sea and Islands rising out of it, 2. 770.
Tempe
describ'd, 2. 918.
Tent of
Achilles
describ'd, 24. 553.
Troy,
the Country about it and Roads, 22. 191. 13. 20—14. 260.
Tomb of
Ilus,
11. 477. Of
Batiea,
2. 984. Of
Sarpedon,
16. 820.
Vulcan,
his Palace, Forge,
&c.
18. 431.
&c.
A Vineyard, 18. 651.
Wall of the
Grecians,
7. 523.
Winds,
their Court and Mansion describ'd, 23. 241.
Descriptions of
PERSONS.
Achilles
's dreadful Appearance, 20. 59—22. 31,
&c.
393—
Apollo
's Person, Ensigns, and Descent to Earth, 1. 61.
Apollo
's appearance in the War, 15. 348—
Ajax,
his sullen retreat describ'd, 11. 675,
&c.
to 696.
Brothers, two kill'd together, 20. 531.
A Coward, describ'd in
Thersites,
beaten, 2. 326. A Coward describ'd throughout, 13. 359—again in
Thestor,
16. 488. A Coward surpriz'd, 10. 443.
Diana,
cuffed and buffeted, 21. 570.
Gods,
Homer
's great Ideas of them, in the Descriptions of their Armor, 5. 907. Motion, 13. 30—15. 90—5. 960—Battels, 15. 252—20. 63,
&c.
21. 450,
&c.
Hours
at the Gates of Heaven, 5. 929.
Hector
's horrible appearance in Battel. 8. 417—12. 553—13. 1010—15. 730
—Hector
's dead Body dragg'd at the Chariot of
Achilles,
22. 500.
Jupiter
in his Glory, 1. 15. 172.—8. 550. in his Chariot, 8. 50. 542,
&c.
in his Terrors, 17. 670.
Juno,
drest, 14. 200.
Lycaon,
his Youth and unhappy Death, 21. 40,
&c,
Mars
and
Bellona
before
Hector
in Battel, 5. 726.
Mars
in Arms, 7. 252—13. 385—15. 726—his monstrous Size, 21. 473.
Mercury
describ'd, 24. 417.
Neptune,
his Chariot and Progress, 13. 28,
&c.
Niobe,
turn'd into a Rock, 24. 773.
Old Man, a venerable one, 1. 330. Old Counsellors of
Troy
conversing, 3. 197,
&c.
A miserable old Man, in
Priam,
22. 80,
&c.
Priam
passing thro' his People, in Sorrow, to go to redeem
Hector,
24. 402.
Priam
weeping at the Feet of
Achilles,
24. 636.
Pallas,
her Descent from Heaven, 4. 99. her Armor, Spear, and Veil, 5. 905—8. 466.
Teucer,
behind
Ajax
's Shield, 8. 321.
Youth, a beautiful one, kill'd, 4. 542—17. 55,
&c.
20. 537. interceding for Mercy in vain, 21. 75.
A young, and old Man slain in War, their Picture, 22. 100—
Descriptions of
THINGS.
Of an Assembly gathering together, 2. 110—
Battel. [
See the Article Military Descriptions.
]
Burning up of a Field, 21. 400. A Bow, 4. 137—
Blood trickling from a Wound, 4. 170,
&c.
Brightness of a Helmet, 5. 5.
Burial of the Dead, 7. 494.
A Breach made in an Attack, 12. 485—
Boiling Water in a Cauldron, 18. 405—21. 425.
Beacon, 19. 405—
Beasts sacrific'd, 23. 41.
A Bird shot thro' 23. 1033.
Chariot of
Jupiter,
8. 50. 542. Of
Neptune,
13. 41—Chariot describ'd at large, 24. 335.—5. 889,
&c.
A Chariot Race, 23. 353,
&c.
Chariot's over-turn'd, 16. 445. Chariots crushing the Bodies, 20. 577.
A Child frighted at a Helmet, 6. 595.
Golden Chain of
Jupiter,
8. 25.
A Conslagration, 21. 387. 400.
Cookery describ'd, 9. 277—
Cestus,
the Game describ'd, 23. 766,
&c.
Deformity, 2. 263—
Dancing, 18. 681,
&c.
Discus,
the Game describ'd, 23. 927,
&c.
Diving, 24. 105.
Driving a Chariot, 11. 363. 655—
Dreadful Appearance of the Myrmidons, 16. 192—of
Achilles,
18. 254.
Darkness, 17. 422.
Death, 16. 1033. 22. 455
—The Descriptions of different sorts of Deaths in
Homer,
are innumerable, and scatter'd throughout the Battels.
Aegis,
or Shield of
Jupiter,
2. 526—5. 909—15. 350—21. 465.
An Entrenchment, 7. 520—
Eagle stung by a Serpent, 12. 233—Eagle soaring, 24. 390.
Furnace and Forge describ'd, 18. 540.
Fishes, scorch'd, 21. 413.
Flowers of various kinds, 14. 396—
Famine, 19. 160,
&c.
Fall of a Warrior headlong into the deep Sands, 5. 715.
Fatigue in the Day of Battel, 2. 458—16. 132—17. 445.
Fainting, 5. 856—11. 460—14. 487. 509—
Fires by Night describ'd, 8. 685,
&c.
Recovery from Fainting, 15. 271.
Fortification attack'd, 12. 170,
&c.
201. 304. 407.
Funeral of a Warrior, 23. 156—Funeral Pile describ'd, 23. 200.
Gates of a Fortification broken, 12. 545.
Goblet describ'd, 11. 774.
Girdle of
Venus,
14. 245.
Horses, the famous ones of
Eumelus,
2. 924. Of
Hector,
8. 226. Of
Achilles,
16. 181—Of
Tros,
5. 327.—Of
Ericthonius.
20. 262.
Horse pamper'd and prancing, 6. 652. Horse kill'd by a Dart, 8. 105. Horses afraid of leaping a Ditch, 12. 57. Horses of
Achilles
mourning for
Patroclus,
17. 490.
A Feat of Horsemanship, 15. 822—
Helmet of
Jupiter,
5. 918. Helmets nodding their Plumes, 13. 945—
Hospitable Life of a good Man, 6. 16.
Harvest, 18. 637
Herds of Oxen, 18. 665
Inundation, 12 23—15. 465. Of
Scamander
against
Achilles,
21. 258,
&c.
350
—&c.
Lightnings and Thunder, 7. 571—8. 93,
&c.
161,
&c.
Light coming over a Plain, 15. 810—17. 430—
Light streaming from a Beacon by Night, 19. 405.
Majesty of a Prince, 2 564.—3. 221.
Majestic March of
Sarpedon,
12. 356. Of
Juno,
14. 26.
Melancholy, 6. 245.
Moon and Stars describ'd, 8. 687.
Marriage-pomp, 18 570—
Monument over the Dead, 17. 492.
Noise, a loud one, 5. 1054—13. 1055—14. 172. 457—16. 767.
Night past in Inquietude by the Soldiers, and their several Postures of taking rest, 10. 82. 170.
Old Age, 3. 150. The Picture of its Miseries in State of War, 22. 80.
Orphan its Misery, 22, 620,
&c.
Procession describ'd, 6. 367.
Peaceful Life, 9. 520.
Posture of a Man receiving a Dart on his Shield lifted up, 13. 511—20. 325,
&c.
Panting describ'd, 13 555. 720—
Perfumes, 14. 198—
Plume of a Helmet, 19. 410—13. 947.
Plowing, 12. 627.
Rainbow, 11. 37—24. 100—17. 616.
Reaping, 18. 637.
Running away, 21. 634. Running round
Troy, Hector
and
Achilles,
22. 250,
&c.
Seeming to run in a Dream, 22. 257.
Rough way describ'd, 23. 139.
A Race describ'd, 23. 881,
&c.
Shield of
Achilles,
describ'd at large, 18. 550,
&c.
Of
Hector,
6. 143. Of
Ajax,
7. 265.
Scales of
Jupiter,
22. 271.
Smoke clear'd, and Light returning, 16. 350—
Sailing of a Ship, 1. 625. Ship anchoring and coming into Port, 1. 566.
The stately Stalk of a Hero, 7. 251—15. 815—
A Sacrifice describ'd, 1. 600—7. 380—
Sleep, 2.
init.
14. 265,
&c.
A Slaughter by Night, 10. 560.
Snow, 12. 331—
Soldiers, when off from Duty, their Amusements, 2. 938.
Shooting with the Bow, 4. 144 to 156. 23. 10
5—8. 389.
Spear of
Achilles,
19. 420. A Spear driven deep into the Earth, 21. 188.
A Stone whirling on the Ground with vast force, 14. 474.
Stone, thrown by a Hero, 5. 370—7. 320—12. 537—14. 472—
Swiftness of Horses, 20. 270.
Swooning, 16. 955.
Vintage, 18. 651.
Wall, overwhelm'd by Waters, 7. 550. 12. 23.
Woodman
's
Dinner, 11. 120.
Woods fell'd down, 23. 144—16. 767.
War, its Miseries, 9. 709.
Watch by Night, 10 208.
Wrestling describ'd, 23. 821—
Wound of
Venus
describ'd, 5. 417.
Diomed
wounded, 5. 988. A Wound healing, 5. 1111.
Water, Troops plunging in, 21. 9. A Fight in the Water, 21. A Tree falling in the Water, 21. 269. Water rolling down a Hill in a Current, 21. 290. Arms floating upon the Water, 21. 351.
Winds rising, 23. 261.
Descriptions of
TIMES
and
SEASONS.
Day-break, 10. 295—
Morning, 2. 60—7. 515—8. 183—9. 833—11. 1—11. 115—19. 1—
Sun-rising, 11. 871—
Noon, 16. 938—
Sun-setting, 1. 716—7. 556—8. 605.
Evening, 16. 942—
Night, 2.
init.
10th
Book throughout.
A starry Night, 8. 687.
Spring, 14. 395—
Summer, 18. 637.
Autumn, 18. 651. 5. 1060—22. 40.
Winter, 12. 175. 331.
MILITARY
Descriptions.
An Army descending on the Shore, 2. 117. An Army marching, 2. 181. 940. The Day of Battle, 2. 458. A vast Army on the Plain, 535,
&c.
to 563. An Army going forth to Battel, 2. 976—13. 59—16. 255—19. 377.
A Chariot of War, 5. 890,
&c.
Confufion and noise of Battel, 16. 921—
A single Combate, with all the Ceremonial, 3. 123,
&c.
The Combate between
Paris
and
Menelaus,
3. 423.
— of
Hector
and
Ajax,
7. 250, to 335.
— of
Hector
and
Achilles,
22.
Squadrons embattled, 4. 322—5. 637—8. 260—
First Onset of Battel, 4. 498, to 515.
A Circle inclosing the Foe, 5. 712.
Stand of an Army, 7. 75. Joining in Battel, 8. 75,
&c.
13, 422—A Rout, 11. 193—14. 166—16. 440,
&c.
21. 720—A Fortification attack'd, 12. 170, 201. 304. A Breach made, 12. 485. An obstinate close Fight, 12. 510—15. 860. An Army in close Order, 13. 177, to 185—17. 406. An Attack on the Sea side, 14. 452—Levelling and passing a Trench, 15. 408. Attack of the Fleet, 15. 677,
&c.
786. 855,
&c.
A Hero arming at all Points,
Agamemnon,
11. 21.
Patroclus,
16. 162.
Achilles,
19. 390. Siege of a Town, 18. 591,
&c.
Surprize of a Convoy,
ibid.
Skirmish,
ibid.
Battle of the Gods, 20. 63, to 90. Two Heroes meeting in Battel, 20. 192. The Rage, Destruction and Carnage of Battel. 20. 574,
&c.
Descriptions of the
INTERNAL PASSIONS,
or of their visible
EFFECTS.
Anxiety, in
Agamemnon,
10, 13,
&c.
100,
&c.
Activity, in
Achilles,
19. 416.
Admiration, 21, 62—24. 800—
Affright, 16, 968—
Amazement, 24. 590.
Ambition, 13. 458.
Anger, 1. 252.
Awe, 1. 430.
Buffoonry in
Thersites,
2. 255,
&c.
Contentment, 9, 520.
Conjugal Love, in
Hector
and
Androm.
6. 510,
&c.
Courage, 13. 109. 366—17. 250.
Cowardise, 13. 359—16. 488—
Curiosity, in old Men, 3. 194,
&c.
Despair, 22. 377.
Diffidence, 3. 280.
Distress, 8. 290—9. 12,
&c.
10. 96.
Doubt, 14. 21,
&c.
21. 651,
&c.
22. 138—.
Fear, 10. 443—24. 441—
Fear in
Priam,
21. 615. For his Son, 22. 43. 51,
&c.
Fear of a Child, 6. 596.
Fidelity, in
Lycophron,
Servant of
Ajax,
15. 502
—Calesius,
Servant of
Axylus,
6. 20.
Grief in a fine Woman, 1. 150—3. 185—1. 450—
Grief of a Sister for her dead Brothers, 3. 300,
&c.
Grief in two Parents in tenderness for their Child, 6. 504.
Grief occasion'd by love of our Country, in
Patroclus,
16.
init.
Grief for a Friend in
Achilles
for
Patroclus,
18. 25—100,
&c.
19. 335—22. 482—24. 5—
Furious Grief, 18. 367.
Frantic Grief, 24. 291.
Grief of a Father for his Son, in
Priam,
22. 522,
&c.
24. 200. 275. 291.
Grief of a Wife for her Husband, 22. 562. to the end, the Episode of
Andromache,
and again, 24. 906.
Grief out of gratitude, in
Briseïs,
19. 319. in
Helen,
24.
Haste, exprest in
Hector,
15. 395. 402,
&c.
Hate, in
Achilles
to
Hector,
22. 335. 433,
&c.
Hardness of Heart, 9. 750—
Insolence, in
Tlepolemus,
5. 783. in
Epeus,
23. 767.
Joy, its visible Effects, 23. 678.
Love, in
Helen
and
Paris,
3. 551,
&c.
in
Jupiter
and
Juno,
14. 332,
&c.
357—
Conjugal Love, in
Hector
and
Androm.
6,
&c.
Love of a Mother to her Son, in
Thetis
to
Achilles,
18. 70—24. 117.
Brotherly Love, in
Agamemnon
and
Menelaus,
4. 183.
Filial Love, in
Harpalion,
13. 805.
Lovers Sorrow at parting, in
Achilles
and
Briseis,
1. 450. In
Hector
and
Andromache,
6. 640—Effects of Beauty on old Men, 3. 203—Malice in
Thirsites,
2. 255.
Pride, in
Othryoneus,
13. 457—Modesty, 14. 373.
Pity, of a People for their Prince in misery, 24. 402.
Repentance, in
Helen,
3. 230. 493—6. 432. to 450—
Rashness, in
Asius,
12. 125,
&c.
Resentment, in
Achilles,
1. 635—15. 72—
Revenge, in
Menelaus,
2. 710. In
Achilles,
for
Patroclus,
18. 125,
&c.
19. 211—394—211—
Revenge and Glory, 16. 123.
Resolution, 19. 466. In
Hector,
22. 47. 127.
Shame, in
Helen,
3. 185,
&c.
521—in
Juno,
14. 373—
Spite, in
Juno,
15. 110—in
Menelaus,
17. 640.
Tenderness, of Parents for their Child, in in
Hector
and
Andromache,
6. 504. 598. 616—
Wish, of
Hector,
to be Immortal, 13. 1046.—of
Achilles,
for a general Destruction, 16. 122.
— of
Ajax,
to die in the Day-light, 17. 730.
SIMILES.
From
BEASTS.
The Stateliness of a Bull, to the Port of
Agamemnon,
2. 566.—Of a Ram stalking before the Flock, to
Ulysses,
3. 259. A wanton Stallion breaking from the Pastures and Mares, to
Paris
issuing from his Apartment, 6. 652. A Hound following a Lion, to
Hector
following the
Grecians,
8. 407. Dogs watching the Folds, to the Guards by Night, 10. 211. Hounds chasing a Hare thro' thick Woods, to
Diomed
and
Ulysses
pursuing an Enemy by Night, 10. 427. A Hind flying from a Lion, to the
Trojans
flying from
Agamemnon,
11 153. Beasts flying from a Lion to the same, 10. 227. Hounds chear'd by the Hunter, to Troops encourag'd by the General, 11. 378. A hunted Boar to
Ajax,
11. 526. A wounded Deer encompass'd with Wolves, to
Ulysses
surrounded by Enemies, 11. 595. An Ass surrounded by Boys to
Ajax,
11. 683. A Fawn carry'd off by two Lions, to the Body of
Imbrius
carry'd by the
Ajaxes,
13. 265. A Boar enrag'd, to
Idomeneus
meeting his Enemy, 13. 595. An Ox rolling in the Pangs of Death, to a dying Warrior, 13. 721. Beasts retreating from Hunters, to the
Greeks
retiring, 15. 303. Oxen flying from Lions, to the
Greeks
flying from
Apollo
and
Hector,
15. 366. A Hound fastening on a Roe, to a Hero flying on an Enemy, 15. 697. A wild Beast wounded and retiring from a Multitude, to
Antilochus
his Retreat, 15. 702. A hideous Assembly of Wolves, to the fierce Figure of the Myrmidons, 16. 194. Wolves invading the Flocks, to the
Greeks,
16. 420. A Bull torn by a Lion, to
Sarpedon
kill'd by
Patroclus,
16. 600. A Bull sacrificed, to
Aretus,
17. 588. Hounds following a Boar, to the
Trojans
following
Ajax,
17. 811. Mules dragging a Beam, to Heroes carrying a dead Body, 17. 832. A Panther hunted, to
Agenor,
21. 978. A Hound pursuing a Fawn, to
Achilles
pursuing
Hector,
22. 243.
From
LIONS.
A Lion rowzing at his Prey, to
Menelaus
at sight of
Paris,
3. 37. A Lion falling on the Flocks, and wounded by a Shepherd, to
Diomed
wounded, 5. 174. A Lion among Heifers, to the same, 5. 206. Two young Lions kill'd by Hunters, to two young Warriors, 5. 681. A Lion destroying the Sheep in their Folds, to
Ulysses
slaughtering the
Thracians
asleep, 10. 564. The sowr Retreat of a Lion, to that of
Ajax,
11. 675. Lion, or Boat hunted, to a Hero distress'd, 12. 47. A Lion rushing on the Flocks, to
Sarpedon
's March, 12. 357. A Lion killing a Bull, to
Hector
killing
Periphas,
15. 760. A Lion slain, after he has made a great Slaughter, apply'd to
Patroclus,
16. 909. Two Lions fighting, to
Hector
and
Patroclus,
16. 915. A Lion and Boar at a Spring, to the same, 16. 993. A Lion putting a whole Village to Flight, to
Menelaus,
17. 70. Retreat of a Lion, to that of
Menelaus,
17. 117. A Lioness defending her young, to his Defence of
Patroclus,
17. 145. Another Retreat of a Lion, to that of
Menelaus,
17. 741. The Rage and Grief of a Lion for his Young, to that of
Achilles
for
Patroclus,
18. 371. A Lion rushing on his Foe, to
Achilles,
20. 200.
From
BIRDS.
A Flight of Cranes or Swans, to a numerous Army, 2. 540. The Noise of Cranes, to the Shouts of an Army, 3. 5—An Eagle preserving and fighting for her Young, to
Achilles
protecting the
Grecians,
9. 424. A Falcon flying at the Quarry, to
Neptune
's Flight, 13. 91. An Eagle stooping at a Swan, to
Hector
's attacking a Ship, 15. 836. Two Vultures fighting, to
Sarpedon
and
Patroclus,
16. 522. A Vulture driving Geese, to
Automedon
scattering the
Trojans,
17. 527. An Eagle casting his Eyes on the Quarry, to
Menelaus
looking thro' the Ranks for
Antilochus,
17. 761. Cranes afraid of Falcons, to the
Greeks
afraid of
Hector
and
Aeneas,
17. 845. A Dove afraid of a Falcon, to
Diana
afraid of
Juno,
21. 576. A Falcon following a Dove, to
Achilles
pursuing
Hector,
22. 183. An Eagle at an Hare, to
Achilles
at
Hector,
22. 391. The broad Wings of an Eagle extended, to Palace-Gates set open, 24. 391.
From
SERPENTS.
A Traveller retreating from a Serpent, to
Paris
afraid of
Menelaus,
3. 47. A Snake roll'd up in his Den, and collecting his Anger, to
Hector
expecting
Achilles,
22. 130.
From
INSECTS.
Bees swarming, to a numerous Army issuing out, 2. 111. Swarms of Flies, to the same, 2. 552. Grashoppers chirping in the Sun, to old Men talking, 3. 201. Wasps defending their Nest, to the Multitude and Violence of Soldiers defending a Battlement, 12. 190. Wasps provok'd by Children flying at the Traveller, to Troops violent in an Attack, 16. 314. A Hornet angry, to
Menelaus
incens'd, 17. 642. Locusts driv'n into a River, to the
Trojans
in
Scamander,
21. 14.
From
FIRES.
A Forest in Flames, to the Lustre of Armour, 2. 534. The spreading of a Conslagration, to the March of an Army, 2. 948. Trees sinking in a Conslagration, to Squadrons falling in Battel, 11. 201. The Noise of Fire in a Wood, to that of an Army in Confusion, 14. 461. A Conslagration, to
Hector,
15. 728. The Rumbling and Rage of a Fire, to the Confusion and Roar of a routed Army, 17. 825. Fires on the Hills, and Beacons to give Signals of Distress, to the Blaze of
Achilles
's Helmet, 18. 245. A Fire running over Fields and Woods, to the Progress and Devastations made by
Achilles,
20, 569. Fire boiling the Waters, to
Vulcan
operating on
Scamander,
21. 425. A Fire raging in a Town, to
Achilles
in the Battel, 21. 608. A Town on fire, 22. 518.
From
ARTS.
The staining of Ivory, to the Blood running down the Thigh of
Menelaus,
4. 170. An Architect observing the Rule and Line, to Leaders preserving the Line of Battel, 4. 474. An Artist managing four Horses, and leaping from one to another, compar'd to
Ajax
striding from Ship to Ship, 15. 822. A Builder cementing a Wall, to a Leader embodying his Men, 16. 256. Curriers straining a Hide, to Soldiers tugging for a dead Body, 17. 450. Bringing a Current to water a Garden, to the pursuit of
Scamander
after
Achilles,
21. 290. The placing of Rafters in a Building, to the Posture of two Wrestlers, 23. 825. The Motions of a Spinster, the Spindle and Thread, to the Swiftness of a Racer, 23. 889. The sinking of a Plummet, to the Passage of
Iris
thro' the Sea, 24. 107.
From
TREES.
The Fall of a Poplar, to that of
Simoisius,
4. 552. Of a beautiful Olive, to that of
Euphorbus,
17. 57. Two tall Oakes on the Mountains, to two Heroes, 12. 145. The fall of an Ash, to that of
Imbrius,
13. 241. Of a Pine or Oak stretch'd on the Ground, to
Asius
dead, 13. 493. An Oak overturn'd by a Thunderbolt, to
Hector
fell'd by a Stone, 14. 408. An Oak, Pine or Poplar falling, to
Sarpedon,
16. 591.
From the
SEA.
Rolling Billows, to an Army in Motion, 2. 175. The Murmurs of Waves, to the Noise of a Multitude, 2. 249. Succession of Waves, to the moving of Troops, 4. 478. A fresh Gale to weary Mariners, like the coming of
Hector
to his Troops, 7. 5—The Seas settling themselves, to thick Troops compos'd in Order and Silence, 7. 71. The Sea agitated by different Winds, to the Army in Doubt and Confusion, 9. 5. The Waves rolling neither way, till one Wind sways 'em, to
Nestor
's Doubt and sudden Resolution, 14. 21. A Rock breaking the Billows, to the Body of
Greeks
resisting the
Trojans,
15, 746. The Sea roaring at its Reception of a River into it, to the meeting of Armies at a Charge, 17. 310. A Beacon to Mariners at Sea, to the Light of
Achilles
's Shield, 19. 405. A Dolphin pursuing the lesser Fish, to
Achilles
in
Scamander,
21. 30.
From the
SUN, MOON, STARS.
The Moon and Stars in Glory, to the Brightness and Number of the
Trojan
Fires, 8. 687. A Star sometimes shewing and sometimes hiding itself in Clouds, to
Hector
seen by Fits thro' the Battalions, 11. 83. The Sun in Glory, to
Achilles,
19. 436. The Evening Star, to the Point of his Spear, 22. 399. The Dog-Star rising, to
Diomed
's dreadful Appearance, 5. 8.—to
Achilles,
22. 37. The red Rays of the Dog Star, to
Achilles
's Helmet, 19. 412. The Morning Star, its Beauty, to young
Astyanax,
6. 499.
From
TORRENTS, STORMS, WINDS.
Tortents rushing to the Vallies, to Armies meeting in an Engagement, 4. 516. Torrents drowning the Field, to the Rage of a Hero, 5. 116. A Torrent stopping a Shepherd, to
Hector
stopping
Diomed,
5. 734. The Violence of a Torrent, to
Ajax,
11. 615. A Storm over whelming a Ship at Sea, to the
Trojans
mounting a Breach, 15. 440. An Autumnal Storm and a Deluge, to the ruin of a routed Army, 16. 467. A Storm roaring in a Wood, to Armies shouting, 16. 923. The Wind tossing the Clouds, to
Hector
driving the
Greeks,
11. 396. Different Winds driving the Dust, to different Passions urging the Combatants, 13. 425. A Whirlwind on the Waters, to a Hurry of an Army in Motion, 13. 1000. Winds roaring thro' Woods, or on the Seas, to the noise of an Army, 14. 457. A Tempest and Shipwreck, compar'd to the Rage of
Hector
and Terrors of the
Greeks,
15. 752. The Northwind drying a Garden, to
Vulcan
drying the Field after an Inundation, 21. 403.
From heavenly Appearances,
THUNDER
and
LIGHTNING, COMETS, CLOUDS,
&c.
A Mountain shaken by Thunder, to the trampling of an Army, 2. 950. The Blaze of a Comet, to the Descent of
Pallas,
4. 101. The darkness of Troops, to the gathering of Clouds, 4. 314. The regular appearance of Clouds on the Mountain Tops, to a Line of Battel, 5. 641. Pestilential Vapors ascending, to
Mars
flying to Heaven, 5. 1058. The quick Flashes of Lightning, to the thick Sighs of
Agamemnon,
10. 5. Thick Flakes of Snow, to Showers of Arrows, 12. 175. Snow covering the Earth, to Heaps of Stones hiding the Fields, 12. 331. The Blaze of Lightning, to the Arms of
Idomeneus,
13. 318. Clouds dispers'd and the Prospect appearing, to the Smokes being clear'd from the Ships, and the Navy appearing, 16. 354. A Cloud shading the Fields as it rises, to the Rout of
Trojans
flying over the Plain, 16. 434. The Figure of a Rainbow, to the Appearance of
Pallas,
17. 616. The lustre of Snow, to that of Armour, 19. 380.
From
RURAL AFFAIRS.
Waving of Corn in the Field, to the Motion of Plumes and Spears, 2. 179. A Shepherd gathering his Flocks, to a general ranging his Army, 2. 562. A thick Mist on the Mountains, to the Dust rais'd by an Army, 3. 15. The bleating of Flocks, to the Noise of Men, 4. 492. Chaff flying from the Barn-Floor, to the Dust, 5. 611. Corn falling in Ranks, to Men slain in Battle, 10. 90. The Joy of a Shepherd seeing his Flock, to the Joy of a General surveying his Army, 13. 620. The Corn bounding from the Threshing-Floor, to an Arrow bounding from Armour, 13. 739. Two Bulls plowing, to two Heroes labouring in a Battel Side by Side, 13. 879. Felling of Timber, to the Fall of Heroes in Battel, 16. 767. Oxen trampling out the Corn, to Horses trampling on the Slain, 20. 580. The Morning Dew reviv
ing the Corn, to the exaltation of Joy in a Man's Mind, 23. 678.
From
LOW LIFE.
A Mother defending her Child from a Wasp, to
Minerva
's sheltering
Menelaus
from an Arrow, 4. 162. A Heyfer standing over her Young one, to
Menelaus
guarding the Body of
Patroclus,
17. 5. Two Countrymen disputing about the Limits of their Land, to two Armies disputing a Post, 12. 511. A poor Woman weighing Wool, the Scales hanging uncertain, to the doubtful Fates of two Armies, 12. 521. Boys building and destroying Houses of Sand, to
Apollo
's overturning the
Grecian
Wall, 15. 416. A Child weeping to his Mother, to
Patroclus
's Supplications to
Achilles,
16. 11.
SIMILES
exalting the Characters of Men by comparing them to
GODS.
Agamemnon
compar'd to
Jupiter, Mars,
and
Neptune,
2. 564.
Ajax
to
Mars,
7. 252.
Meriones,
to
Mars
rushing to the Battel, 13. 384.
Hector,
to
Mars
destroying Armies, 15. 726.
SIMILES
disadvantagious to the
CHARACTERS.
Paris
running from
Menelaus,
to a Traveller frighted by a Snake, 3. 47. A grawdy, foppish Soldier, to a Woman dress'd out, 2. 1063.
Teucer
skulking behind
Ajax
's Shield, to a Child, 8. 325.
Thestor
pull'd from his Chariot, to a Fish drawn by an Angler, 16. 495.
Ajax
to an Ass, patient and stubborn, 11. 683.
Patroclus
weeping, to an Infant, 16. 11.
Cebriones
tumbling, to a Diver, 16. 904.
MISCELLANEOUS SIMILES.
Soft piercing Words, to Snow, 3. 285. The closing of a Wound, to Milk turning to Curd, 5. 1114. The Fall of a Hero, to a Tower, 4. 528. Indefatigable Courage, to an Axe, 3. 90.
Agamemnon
weeping, to a Fountain, 9. 19.
Juno
flying, to the Mind passing over distant Places, 15. 86. Dancers, to a Wheel turning round, 18. 695. A Warrior breaking the Squadrons, to a Mound dividing the Course of a River, 17. 839. Men seeming to run in a Dream, to the Course of
Hector
and
Achilles,
22. 257. A Father mourning at the Funeral of his Son, to
Achilles
for
Patroclus,
23. 272. A Fragment of a Rock falling, to the furious Descent of
Hector,
13. 191. A Poppy bending the Head, to
Gorgythion
dying, 8. 371. The swift Motion of the Gods, to the Eye passing over a Prospect, 5. 960. The Smoothness of their Motion, to the Flight of Doves, 5. 971.
VERSIFICATION.
Expressing in the Sound the Thing describ'd.
Made
abrupt
(and without Conjunctions) in expressing Haste, 7. 282. 15. 402—
Short,
in earnest and vehement Entreaties, 21. 420.—23. 506.
Full of Breaks, where Disappointment is imag'd. 18. 101, 144.—22. 378.
— where Rage and Fury is express'd, 18. 137.
— where Grief is scarce able to go on, 18. 101. 22. 616, 650.
Broken and disorder'd in describing a stormy Sea, 13. 1005.
Straining, imag'd in the Sound, 15. 544.
Trembling, imag'd in the Sound, 10. 446.
Panting, 13. 721.
Relaxation of all the Limbs in Death, 7. 18, 22.
A confused Noise, 12, 410.
A hard-fought Spot of Ground, 12. 513,
&c.
Tumbling of a Wall, 7. 552.
Bounding of a Stone from a Rock, 13. 198.
A sudden Stop, 13. 199.
Stiffness and Slowness of old Age, 13. 649, 653.—23. 423.
A sudden Fall, 23. 146.
The rustling and crashing of Trees falling, 23. 147.
The rattling and jumping of Carts over rough and rocky Way, 23. 139, 140.
A sudden Shock of Chariots stopp'd, 16. 445.
Leaping over a Ditch, 16. 460.
The quivering of Feathers in the Sun, 19. 415.
Supplanted by a Stream, 21. 268, 269.
The flashing of Waters, 21. 273.
Bounding and heaving on the Waters, 21. 350.
Out of Breath. 21. 419,
&c.
Voice of different Animals expiring, 23. 41, 42,
&c.
INDEX OF ARTS and SCIENCES.
The first Number marks the Book, the second the Verse.
ART MILITARY.
PRaise of Art Military, 4. 631.
Ambush
esteem'd a venturous manner of fighting,
l.
1. ℣. 299.
l.
13. ℣. 355.
Ambuscade describ'd, 18. 605.
Attack,
12. 95.
&c. ibid.
171.
&c. ibid.
305.
&c.
Arming,
the Policy of giving the best Arms to the strongest, 14. 438.
Besieging,
11. 61—12. 170. 303. 534—8. 262.—22. 5.
Single Combate,
3. 123,
&c.—
7. 80,
&c.
Courts of Justice in the Camp, 11. 938.
Counoils of War,
7. 415—8. 610—9. 130,
&c.
10. 146—232—357—18. 290,
—Military Exercise,
7. 289,
&c.
Encamping.
The manner of Encampment of the
Trojans,
10. 496. Of the
Thracians,
in three Lines, their Weapons on the Ground before them, the Chariots as a Fence, outward, 10. 544.
Fortification.
Walls with Battlements, in a Line, Towers upon those Walls, Gates at proper Distances, and Trenches, inclos'd with Palisades, 7. 406, and 523. The strong Gates to a Fortification, how compos'd, 12. 545.
Marshalling of Armies,
2. 667,
&c.
Cantoning the Troops of each Nation under their own Leaders, 2. 433. Embodying in an Orb, 4. 312. Disposing in order of Battle, 4. 342,
&c.
Lines of Battle in exact order, 5. 641,
&c.
Where to place the worst Soldiers, 4. 344.
Another Order of Battle, 11. 62.
— In an
Orb,
17. 411. Close Fight, 15. 860.
— In the
Phalanx,
13. 177,
&c.
15. 744. In the
Testudo,
22. 6.
Armies drawn up in
two Wings,
will a
Centre,
13. 396.
The Strength of the Army placed in the Centre, 13. 401.
Marching an Army
in Silence and Discipline,
l.
3. ℣. 11
—l.
4. 487.
Method of passing a Trench and Palisades, 12. 65,
&c.
Plunder and Pillage forbidden till the Conquest is compleat, 6. 85.
Retreat.
The manner of Retreat prescrib'd, 5. 746. That of
Ajax,
11. 675—17. 837.
Soldiers taught to row in the Gallies, serving both as Soldiers and Sailors, 2. 876.
Scouts,
10. 43—245. and at large in the Story of
Diomed, Ulysses
and
Dolon,
in that Book.
Spies,
18. 605.
Watch-towers,
to observe the Motions of the Foe, 2. 261—22. 192.
Watch,
at set Stations, 7. 455—Nightly Watch by Fires, 8. 632. at the Fortifications in regular Bodies under distinct Captains, 9. 110,
&c.
Management of the Army by Night under Fears of Surprize, 10. 63, to 226. The manner of the Warriors sleeping, 10. 170. The posture of the Guards, 10. 210. Better to trust the Guard to native Troops than to Foreigners, 10. 490,
&c.
AGRICULTURE and RURAL ARTS.
Tillage.
The manner of plowing, 10. 420. 18. 627. Plowing with Oxen, 13. 880. with Mules, 10. 420. Usual to plow the Field three times over, 18. 628. Reaping, 11. 89—18. 637. Treading out the Corn by Oxen instead of Threshing, 20. 580. Fanning the Chaff, 5. 611. 13. 740.
Pasturage,
18. 667. Meadow Grounds with running Water,
ibid.
Vintage, 18. 651. Bringing Currents to water Gardens, 21. 290.
Fishing,
by Angling, 24. 107.
— By Diving, 16. 905,
Hunting,
the Boar, 17. 814—11. 526. Lion, 11. 378.—17. 743. The Deer, 11. 595—15. 697. The Panther, 21. 680. The Hare, 10. 427.
Shooting
flying, 23. 1030.
ARCHITECTURE.
Architecture, the Gift of
Minerva,
5. 80.
Architecture of a Palace upon Arches, with Apartments round a Court, built entirely of Marble, 6. 304.
—Paris
skilful in Architecture, brings together Architects to erect his Palace, 6. 391.
Rafters, how placed, 23. 827—
Building Walls, 16. 256.
The Rule and Line, 15. 477.
Architecture of a Tent, with a Suite of Apartments within one another, 24. 555,
&c.
ASTRONOMY.
In General, 18. 560,
Orion
and the Bear, 18, 563.
The Rising of the
Dog-star,
5. 10.
A Comet describ'd, 4. 101—
The Rainbow, 11. 36.
Power of the Stars in Nativities, 22. 610.
DIVINATION.
Divination
by Angury,
2. 375,
&c.
8. 297—10. 320—12. 230—13. 1039—24. 361,
&c.
Hector
's Opinion of Augury, 12. 277.
By Omens,
Thunder and Lightnings, 7. 571—9. 310—11. 58.—13. 319.
The Rainbow, 11. 38—17. 616.
Comets, 4. 101—
Showers of Blood, 11. 70—16. 560.
By Lots,
7. 215.
By Dreams,
1. 81—5. 191.
By Oracles,
16. 54—16. 290. that of
Dodona,
and the manner of it,
&c.
GYMNASTICKS.
Dancing,
16. 217. The different kinds for Men and Women, 18. 687—The Circular, 18. 573—Mixed, 18. 690—
Dancing practised by Warriors, 16. 746.
— With Swords, 18. 688—
Diving, 16. 905. 495.
Tumblers,
18, 698—
Horsemanship.
] Manage of the Horse, 5. 280. Precepts of Horsemanship and the Art of Racing, 23. 391,
&c.
Four Horses rid by one Man at once, 15. 822. Three thousand breeding Mares at once in the Stables of
Ericthonius,
20. 262.
The Cestus,
23. 753,
&c.
The Quoit,
or Discus, 23. 972,
&c.
Wrestling,
23. 820,
&c.
Racing,
23. 880,
&c.
GEOGRAPHY.
A
TABLE
of those Places, whose Situation, Products, People, or History,
&c.
are particularized by
Homer.
Aetolia,
and its Royal Family, 2. 780.
Arcadia,
and the Genius of the Inhabitants, 2. 735.
Aulis,
its rocky Situation, 2. 590.
Imbrus
and
Tenedos,
Islands near
Troy,
13. 50—
Istiaea,
famous for Vineyards, 2. 645.
Ithaca,
and the neighbouring Islands in Prospect, 2. 769,
&c.
Lanissa,
its Fertility, 2. 1019.
Lectos,
situate on the Top of Mount
Ida,
14. 320.
Lemnos,
traded in Wines, 7. 559.
Maeander,
the River, 2. 1056.
Maeonia,
under the Mountains of
Tmolus,
2. 1052.
Messe,
a Town of
Sparta;
abounding in Doves, 2. 705.
Mycalessus,
its Plain famous for Pine-Trees, 2. 593.
Anthedon,
the last Town in
Boeotia,
2. 607.
Arene,
its Plain, water'd by the River
Minyas,
11. 860.
Arisba,
on the River
Selleis,
2. 1014.
Arne,
celebrated for Vines, 2. 606.
Aesepus,
a
Trojan
River of black Water, 2. 1000.
Argos,
its Sea-coast describ'd with the Products of that part of the Country, 9. 198,
&c.
Athens,
and some Customs of the
Athenians,
with mention of the Temple of
Minerva,
2. 657. 663.
Alybe,
famous anciently for Silver Mines, 2. 1045.
Axius,
the River, describ'd, 2. 1030.
Boagrius,
the River, and places adjacent, 2. 638.
Boebe,
the Lake and Parts adjacent, 2. 865.
Calydon,
its rocky Situation, 2. 777—9. 653.
Cephissus,
the River and Places upon its Banks, 2. 622.
Cerinthus,
situate on the Sea-shore, 2. 648.
Cyllene,
the
Arcadian
Mountain, with the Tomb of
Aepytus,
2. 731.
Crete,
its hundred Cities, 2. 790.
Carians,
a barbarous mixed People, 2. 1059.
Dodona,
its Site, Temple, Grove,
&c.
16. 287. 2. 909.
Dorion,
the Place of
Thamyris
's Death, the celebrated Musician, 2. 721.
Elis,
its exact Boundaries, 2. 747. and the Islands opposite to that Continent, 760. to 774.
Ephyre,
the ancient Name of
Corinth,
6. 193.
Epidaurus,
planted with Vineyards, 2. 679.
Eteon,
its Hills, 2. 591.
Haliartus,
Pasture Grounds, 2. 598.
Hellespont,
2. 1024,
&c.
Helos,
a Maritime Town, 2. 708.
Henetia,
famous for its Breed of Mules, 2. 1035.
Hermion
and
Asine,
seated on the Bay, 2. 680.
Hippemolgians,
their long Life and Nutriment, 13. 12.
Hippoplacian
Woods, 6. 539—22. 611—
Hylas,
watry Situation and the Genius of the Inhabitants, 5. 872.
Hyperia,
its Fountains, 2. 895.
Mount
Ida,
its Fountains and Forests, 14. 321.
Catalogue of the Rivers that run from Mount
Ida,
12. 17.
Jardanus
and
Celadon,
two Rivers, 7. 163.
Mycenae,
and its maritime Towns, 2. 686.
Onchestus,
the Grove of
Neptune,
2. 600.
Orchomenos,
one of the principal Cities for Wealth in
Homer
's Time, 9. 498.
Parthenius,
the River, and Places adjacent, 2. 1038.
Pedasus,
seated on the River
Satnio,
6. 41.
Peneus,
the River running thro'
Tempe,
and Mount
Pelion,
describ'd, 2. 918.
Phthia,
its Situation, 1. 204. Famous for Horses, 203.
Phylace
and
Pyrrhasus,
a beautiful Country with Groves and flow'ry Meadows, describ'd, 2. 850.
Rhodes,
its Wealth, its Plantation by
Tlepolemus,
and Division into three Dynasties, 2. 808,
&c.
Samothracia,
the View from its Mountains, 13. 19.
Scamander,
its two Springs, 22. Its Confluence with
Simois,
5. 965.
Scyros,
the Island, 19. 353.
Sidon,
famous for Works of Sculpture, 23. 866. and Embroidery, 6. 360.
Sipylus,
its Mountains, Rocks, and Desarts, 24. 775.
Sperchius,
a River of
Thessaly,
23. 176.
Styx,
the River describ'd, 2. 915.
Thebae,
in
Aegypt,
anciently the richest City in the World with a hundred Gates, described, 9. 506.
Thessaly,
its ancient Division, and Inhabitants, 2. 833.
Thisbe,
famous for Doves, 2. 601.
Thrace,
its Hills and Promontories, 14. 260.
&c.
Titaresius,
the River, 2. 910.
Troy,
its Situation and remarkable Places about it, 2. 982—11. 217.
Typhoeus,
the burning Mountain, 2. 953.
Xanthus,
the River of
Troy
describ'd, its Banks and Plants produc'd there, 21. 507,
&c.
Xanthus,
the River of
Lycia,
2. ℣.
ult.
Zelia,
situate at the foot of Mount
Ida,
2. 998.
HISTORY.
History preserv'd by
Homer.] Of the Heroes before the Siege of
Troy, Centaurs,
&c. 1. 347. to 358. Of
Tlepolemus
planting a Colony in
Rhodes,
2. 808. Of the Expulsion of the
Centaurs
from
Greece,
2. 902. Of the Wars of the
Phrygians
and
Amazous,
3. 245. Of the War with
Thebes,
and Embassy of
Tydeus,
4. 430. Of
Bellerophon,
6. 194. Of
Eruthalion
and
Lycurgus,
7. 164. Of the
Curetes
and
Aetolians,
9. 653. Of the Wars of the
Pylians
and
Aetolians,
11. 818. Of the Race of
Troy,
20. 255.
&c. To this Head may be referred the numerous
Genealogies
in our Author.
MUSICK.
Musick practis'd by Princes, the Use of the Harp, in
Achilles,
9. 247. in
Paris,
3. 80.
The Use of the Pipe, 10. 15—18. 609.
Vocal Musick accompanying the Instruments, 1. 775.
Chorus's at Intervals, 24. 902.
Musick used in the Army, 10. 15.
— at Funerals, 24. 900.
— in the Vintage, 18. 661.
Trumpets in War, 18. 260.
MECHANICKS.
Archery,
Making a Bow, and all its Parts described, 4. 136,
&c.
Chariot-making,
A Chariot described in all its Parts, 5. 889,
&c.
24. 335.
Poplar proper for Wheels, 4. 554.
Sycamore fit for Wheels, 21. 44.
Clockwork,
18. 441.
Enamelling,
18. 635.
Ship—building,
5. 80.—15. 475.
Pine, a proper Wood for the Mast of a Ship, 16. 592.
Smithery, Iron-work,
&c. The Forge describ'd, 18. 435, 540. Bellows, 435, 482, 540. Hammer, Tongs, Anvil, 547.
Mixing of Metals,
ibid.
Spinning,
23. 890.
Weaving,
3. 580. 6. 580.
Embroidery,
6. 361.—
Armoury, and Instruments of War.
]
A compleat Suit, that of
Paris,
3. 410,
&c.
of
Agamemnon,
11. 22,
—&c.
Scale-Armour, 15, 629—
Helmets,
with four Plumes, 5. 919—
— without any Crests, 10. 303—
— lin'd with Wool, and ornamented with
Boars Teeth, of a particular make, 10. 311.
— lin'd with Furr, 10. 397—
Bows,
how made, 4. 137—
Battel-Ax,
describ'd, 13. 766.
Belts,
crossing each other, to hang the Sword and the Shield, 14. 468.
Corselets,
ornamented with Sculpture, 11. 33.
— how lin'd, 4. 165—
Mace,
or Club, 7. 170—15. 816.
Shields,
so large as to cover from the Neck to the Ankles, 6. 145—How made and cover'd, 7. 267. describ'd in every particular, 11. 43,
&c.
Slings,
13. 899.
Spears,
with Brass Points, 8. 617.
Ash fit to make them, 16. 143—19. 422.
How the Wood was join'd to the Point, 18. 618.
Swords,
how ornamented, with Ivory, Gems, 19, 400.
ORATORY.
See the Article
Speeches
in the Poetical Index.
POLICY.
Kings.
] Derive their Honour from God, 2. 233.—1. 315. Their Names to be honour'd, 2. 313. One sole Monarch, 2. 243. Hereditary Right of Kings represented by the Sceptre of
Agamemnon
given by
Jove,
2. 129. Kings not to be disobey'd on the one hand, nor to stretch too far their Prerogative on the other, 1. 365.
&c.
Kings not absolute in Council, 9. 133. Kings made so, only for their excelling others in Virtue and Valour, 12. 377. Vigilance continually necessary in Princes, 2. 27—10. 102. Against Monarchs delighting in War, 9. 82,
&c.—
24. 55. The true Valour, that which preserves, not destroys Mankind, 6. 196. Kings may do wrong, and are oblig'd to Reparation, 9. 144. Character of a great Prince in War and Peace, 3. 236.
Councils.
] The Danger of a Subject's too bold Advice, 1. 103. The Advantage of wise Counsels seconded by a wise Prince, 9. 101. The Use of Advice, 9. 137. The singular Blessing to a Nation and Prince, in a good and wise Counsellor, 13. 918. The Deliberations of the Council to be free, the Prince only to give a Sanction to the best, 9. 133.
Laws
] deriv'd from God, and Legislators his Delegates, 1. 315. Committed to the Care of Kings, as Guardians of the Laws of God, 9. 129.
Tribute
paid to Princes from Towns, 9. 206.
Taxes
upon Subjects to assist foreign Allies, 17. 266.
Ambassadors,
a sacred Character, 1. 435—9. 261.
Voluntiers,
listed into Service, 11. 904.
See the Article
Art Military.
PHYSICK.
The Praise of a Physician, 11. 637.
Chiron
learn'd it from
Aesculapius,
4. 251.
Machaon
and
Podalirius
Professors of it, 2. 890.
Botany.
] Profess'd by skilful Women,
Agamede
famous for it, 11. 877.
Anatomy.
] Of the
Head,
16. 415,
&c.
The
Eye,
14. 577.
Under the
Ear,
a Wound there mortal, 13. 841.
The Juncture of the
Head,
and its
Nerves,
14. 544.
The Juncture of the
Neck
and
Chest,
the
Collar-Bone
and its Insertion, the disjointing of which renders the Arm useless, 8. 393,
&c.
The
Spinal Marrow
exprest by the Vein that runs along the Chine, a wound there mortal, 13. 692—20. 559—
The
Elbow,
its Tendons and Ligaments, 20. 554.
Blood,
a great Effusion of it, by cutting off the Arm, the cause of immediate Death, 5. 105—
The
Heart
and its Fibres, 16, 590.
The force of the Muscle of the Heart, 13. 554.
A Wound in the
Bladder
by piercing the
Ischiatic
Joint, mortal, 13. 813.
The Insertion of the Thigh-bone, and its Ligaments describ'd, 5. 375.
The Wounds of the
Abdomen
mortal, and excessively painful, 13. 718.
The Tendons of the
Ankle,
4. 597.
Chirurgery.
] Extraction of Darts, 4. 228.
Sucking the Blood from the Wound, 4. 250.
Infusion of Balms into Wounds, 4. 250. 5. 1111.
Washing the Wound with warm Water, and the Use of Lenitives, 11. 965.
Stanching the Blood by the Bitter Root, 11. 983.
Ligatures of Wool, 13, 752.
Use of Baths for wounded Men, 14. 10.
Sprinkling Water to recover from Fainting, 14. 509.
Pharmacy
and
Diaeteticks.
The Use of Wine forbidden, 6. 330.
Cordial Potion of
Nestor,
11. 782,
&c.
Infection, seizing first on Animals, then Men, 1. 70. Nine Days the Crisis of Diseases, 1. 71. Fevers and Plagues from the Dog-star, 5. 1058—19. 412—22. 41.
PAINTING, SCULPTURE,
&c.
See the whole Shield of
Achilles,
and the Notes, on
Lib. 18.
The CHARACTERS.
Homer
distinguishes the Character in the Figures of Gods superior to those of Men, 18. 602.
Characters of Majesty.
] The Majesty of
Jupiter,
from whence
Phidias
copied his Statue, 1. 683. Of
Mars
and
Neptune,
2. 569.
The Majesty of a Prince, in the Figure of
Agamemnon,
2. 564,
&c.
Of a wise Man, in
Ulysses
's Aspect, 3. 280. Of an old Man, in
Nestor
and
Priam,
1. 330—24. 600. Of a young Hero, in
Achilles,
19. 390,
&c.
All variously characterized by
Homer.
Characters of Beauty
]
Alluring
Beauty in the Goddess
Venus,
14. 250.
Majestic
Beauty in
Juno,
14. 216. Beauty of a
Woman
in
Helen,
3. 205. Beauty of a
young Man,
in
Paris,
3. 26.
Euphorbus
17. 53,
&c.
Beauty of a
fine Insant,
in
Astyanax,
6. 497.
Beauties of the Parts of the Body.
] Largeness and Majesty of the Eyes, in
Juno
's. Blackness, in those of
Chryseis.
Blue, in
Minerva
's,
&c.
Eye-brows, black, graceful, 1. 683. The Beauty of the Cheeks, and the fairness of Hair, in the Epithets of
Helen.
Whiteness of the Arms in those of
Juno.
Fingers rather red than pale, in the Epithet of
Rosie-finger'd
to
Aurora.
Whiteness of the Feet in that of
Silverfooted
to
Thetis,
&c. Colour of the Skin to be painted differently according to the Condition of the Personages, applyed to the whiteness of the Thigh of
Menelaus,
4. 175.
Character of Deformity,
the Opposites to Beauty in the several parts, consider'd in the Figure of
Thersites,
2. 263,
&c.
For Pictures of particular things, see the Article
Images
in the
Poetical INDEX.
History, Landscape-Painting, Animals,
&c. In the Buckler of
Achilles,
18. at large. The design of a Goblet in
Sculpture,
11. 775.
Sculpture
of a Corslet, 11. 33,
&c.
Of a Bowl, 23. Horses carv'd on Monuments, 17. 495.
Enameling,
and
In-laying,
in the Buckler of
Achilles,
18. 635. 655. and Breast-plate of
Agamemnon,
11. 35.
Tapestry,
or weaving Histories, Flowers,
&c.
3. 171.—6. 580.—22. 569—Embroidery of Garments, 6. 360.
POETRY.
See the entire Index.
THEOLOGY.
A view of
Homer
's
THEOLOGY.
JUPITER,
or the
SUPREME BEING.
Superior to all Powers of Heaven, 7. 244. 8. 10.
&c.
Enjoying himself in the Contemplation of his Glory and Power, 11. 107. Self-sufficient, and above all second Causes, or inferior Deities, 1. 647. The other Deities resort to him as their Sovereign Appeal, 5. 1065—21. 590. His Will his Fate, 8. 10. His sole Will the Cause of all humane Events, 1. 8. His Will takes certain and instant Effect, 1. 685. His Will immutable and always just, 1. 730. All-seeing, 8. 65—2. 4—Supreme above all, and sole Sufficient, 11. 107 The sole Governor and Fate of all Things, 2. 147—16. 845. Disposer of all the Glories and Success of Men, 17. 198. Foreseeing all Things, 71. 228. The Giver of Victory. 7. 118. Disposer of all human Affairs, 9. 32. His least Regard, or Thought restores Mankind, 15. 274. or turns the Fate of Armies, 17. 675. Dispenser of all the Good and Evil that befalls Mankind, 24. 663. His Favour superior to all human Means, 9. 152. His Counsels unsearchable, 1. 705.
Themis
or
Justice
is his Messenger, 20. 5. God prospers those who worship him, 1. 290. Constantly punishes the wicked, tho' late, 4. 194. The Avenger of Injustice, 4. 202. Nothing so terrible as his Wrath, 5. 227. His divine Justice sometimes punishes whole Nations by general Calamities, 16. 468. Children punished for the Sins of their Parents, 11. 166. and 16. 393.
The Inferior
DEITIES.
Have different Offices under God: Some preside over Elements, 18. 46—23. 240.
Some over Cities and Countries, 4. 75—
Some over Woods, Springs,
&c.
20. 12.
They have a subordinate Power over one another. Inferior Deities or Angels subject to Pain, Imprisonment, 5. 475. 1090. Threatned by
Jupiter
to be cast into
Tartarus,
8. 15. Are supposed to converse in a Language different from that of Mortals, 2. 985—Subsist not by material Food, 5. 4 Compassionate Mankind, 8. 42—24. 412. Able to assist Mortals at any distance, 16. 633. Regard and take care of those who serve them, even to their Remains after Death, 24. 520. No resisting heavenly Powers. 5. 495. The meanness and vileness of all earthly Creatures in comparison of the divine Natures, 5. 535.
Prayer recommended on all Enterprizes,
throughout the Poem.
Prayers intercede at the Throne of Heaven, 9. 624.
Opinions of the Ancients concerning
Hell,
the Place of Punishment for the wicked after Death, 8. 15—19. 271—
Opinions of the Ancients concerning the State of separate
Spirits,
23. 89,
&c.
120,
&c.
ERRATA.
PREFACE.] Page 4. line 18. for supply
this
Characters, read supply
his
Characters. Page 8. line 25. for
self-considering
Valour, read
self confiding.
Page 22. line 5. for
praise
the Superstructure, read
raise
the Superstructure. Page 24. line 10. for
with
read
with.
Page 18. line 11. after
Myrtles distilling Blood,
add,
the latter,
&c.
Essay.] Page 15. line 34. for brings
him,
read brings
it.
Page 17. in the References at the bottom, for
, read
. Page 36. in the Citation from
Horace
at the bottom, for
Argue
read
Arguet.
Page 51. line 25. for
Sheep
reed
Ewes.
Note,
Wherever there are References in the Observations throughout the Book, to any particular Verses cited from
Homer,
it is constantly to be understood of the number of that Verse in the Original, and not in the
English.
Book 1.] Verse 262. add in the Margin in reference to the Star, *
Juno.
℣. 517. for
The
undaunted, read
Th'
undaunted.
Observations on Book 1.] Obs. 35. line 10. instead of Centaurs fell out fifty five or
sixty
Years, read fifty five or
fifty six
Years. And the third line after, instead of It was then
fifty five
or
sixty five,
read It was then
sixty five
or
sixty six.
This Error totally destroys the Sense.
Book 2.] Verse 77. for Ill
suits
a Chief, read Ill
fits
a Chief. ℣. 666. for
martial
Armies, read
marshal
Armies.
Observations on Book 2.] Obs. 9. toward the end, for a thousand
funeral Piles,
read a thousand
Fires.
Obs. 23. toward the end, for another Criticism upon the 290th Verse of this
Book,
read another Criticism upon the 290th Verse of the
Catalogue.
Obs. 32. in the last lines, place the Stop thus; the Description of her Preparation for Death, and her Behaviour in it, can never be enough admired.
Book 3.] Verse 43. for
high
Chariot, read
proud
Chariot. ℣. 444. read the whole line thus; Eludes the Death and disappoints his Foe. ℣. the last but one of the Book, for
just
Applauses, read
loud
Applauses.
Observations on Book 3.] Obs. 6. line 21. for the
Intemperance
of
Hector,
read the
Temperance
of
Hector.
Obs. 7. at the end, for
Nireus
's Prophecy, read
Nereus
's Prophecy.
Observations on Book 4.] Obs. 36. the last line but two, for
Conclusion,
read
Confusion.
Book 5.] Verse 647. for
kroken,
read
broken.
℣. 930. for
to
stand, read
they
stand.
Observations on Book 5.] Obs. 10. within four Lines of the end, for 333, read 343.
Book 6.] Verse 451. read the Commas thus, The
Trojan
Bands, by Hostile Fury prest, Demand their Hector—
Observations on Book 6.] Obs. 3. line
ult.
for
human
read
humane.
Obs. 17. line the last, for
this
read
his.
Observations on Book 7.] Obs. 29. line
ult.
dele
in.
Book 8.] Verse 264. for
Bands,
read
Brands.
℣. 480. for
to
stand, read
they
stand. ℣. 688. for
sheds,
read
spreads.
Observations on Book. 8.] Obs. 53. line 5. for
fair-hair'd,
read
fair-sphear'd.
Observations on Book. 9.] Obs. 9. line 7. for to
be,
read to
me.
Obs. 50. line 2. for
Heliopolis,
read
Diospolis.
Obs. 52. line 1, for
bled,
read
fled.
Book 10.] Line 116. for
agrees,
read
agree.
Book 11.] Verse 702. for
drinks the
dry Dust, read
prints
the dry Dust.
Observations on Book 13.] Obs. 51, 52, 53. are referred to wrong Figures.
Book 14.] Verse 304 and 312. for
Pasithae,
read
Pasithea.
Observations on Book 15.] Obs. 2. line 19. for
wise,
read
Wise.
and two lines after, for
Pontius,
read
Ponticus.
Obs. 6. toward the end, after
mark by these Recapitulations,
add,
and Anticipations,
&c.
Book 16.] Verse 199. for
rolling,
read
lolling.
℣. 1010. for
great
Achilles, read
fierce
Achilles.
Observations on Book 16.] Obs. 40. line 4. for
mortal,
read
immortal.
Observations on Book 17.] Obs. 7. line 6. for
at
his own
Epicedion,
read
as
his own,
&c.
Book 18.] Verse 353. for
Welkin,
read
Orient.
℣. 415. for Milk-white
Linen,
read
Mantle.
Observations on Book 18.] Obs. 6. last line but three, for
their
own Nature, read
its
own Nature. Obs. 19. last line but two, for
show him,
read
show himself.
Book 19.] Verse 372. for Harpye
sings,
read
Springs.
Book 20.] Verse 1. read
breathing War and Blood.
Observations on Book 20.] Obs. 21. at the end of it, add the Name of
Dacier,
the latter part of that Note being hers.
Book 21.] Verse 3. for
flying Train,
read
scatt'ring Train.
Book 22.] Verse 407. read
One place at length.
Observations on Book 22.] at the end of Note 14. add
Dacier.
And in Note the last, after the Words
Occasions of Mourning,
place also the Name of
Dacier.
Book 23.] Verse 508. for
mull,
read
must.
℣. 598. dele
or.
Observations on Book 24.] Note 3. line 15. for
that,
read
thought.
In the Poetical
INDEX.
Fable.] Under the Article Allegorical Fables, for
Prayers following Justice,
read
following Injustice.
Characters of the Heroes.] Of
Achilles, Revengeful and implacable,
add Book 18. ℣. 120, 125 S—In the same Article,
constant and violent in Friendship,
for 20-8, read 208.