William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works

by William Cowper

  And oaths of amity shall bind the rest.

  He ceased, and all deep silence held, amazed; 110

  When valiant Menelaus thus began.

  Hear now me also, on whose aching heart

  These woes have heaviest fallen. At last I hope

  Decision near, Trojans and Greeks between,

  For ye have suffer’d in my quarrel much, 115

  And much by Paris, author of the war.

  Die he who must, and peace be to the rest.

  But ye shall hither bring two lambs, one white,

  069 The other black; this to the Earth devote,

  That to the Sun. We shall ourselves supply 120

  A third for Jove. Then bring ye Priam forth,

  Himself to swear the covenant, (for his sons

  Are faithless) lest the oath of Jove be scorn’d.

  Young men are ever of unstable mind;

  But when an elder interferes, he views 125

  Future and past together, and insures

  The compact, to both parties, uninfringed.

  So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts

  Awaken’d joyful hope that there should end

  War’s long calamities. Alighted each, 130

  And drew his steeds into the lines. The field

  Glitter’d with arms put off, and side by side,

  Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war

  Stood front to front, small interval between.

  Then Hector to the city sent in haste 135

  Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite

  Priam; while Agamemnon, royal Chief,

  Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss’d

  For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice

  Of noble Agamemnon disobey’d. 140

  Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while,

  To Helen came. Laödice she seem’d,

  Loveliest of all the daughters of the house

  Of Priam, wedded to Antenor’s son,

  King Helicäon. Her she found within, 145

  An ample web magnificent she wove,

  Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake

  Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks

  Mail-arm’d, and Trojans of equestrian fame.

  070 Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address’d. 150

  Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold!

  Greeks brazen-mail’d, and Trojans steed-renown’d.

  So lately on the cruel work of Mars

  Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit

  Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield 155

  Each leans, his long spear planted at his side.

  Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold,

  With quivering lances shall contend for thee,

  And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.

  So saying, the Goddess into Helen’s soul 160

  Sweetest desire infused to see again

  Her former Lord, her parents, and her home.

  At once o’ermantled with her snowy veil

  She started forth, and as she went let fall

  A tender tear; not unaccompanied 165

  She went, but by two maidens of her train

  Attended, Æthra, Pittheus’ daughter fair,

  And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps

  Convey’d them quickly to the Scæan gate.

  There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat, 170

  Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars,

  Antenor and Ucalegon the wise,

  All, elders of the people; warriors erst,

  But idle now through age, yet of a voice

  Still indefatigable as the fly’s 175

  Which perch’d among the boughs sends forth at noon

  Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet.

  Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower,

  Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw,

  In accents quick, but whisper’d, thus remark’d. 180

  Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse,

  Long war for so much beauty. Oh, how like

  In feature to the Goddesses above!

  071 Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away,

  Resistless as thou art and all divine, 185

  Nor leave a curse to us, and to our sons.

  So they among themselves; but Priam call’d

  Fair Helen to his side. My daughter dear!

  Come, sit beside me. Thou shalt hence discern

  Thy former Lord, thy kindred and thy friends. 190

  I charge no blame on thee. The Gods have caused,

  Not thou, this lamentable war to Troy.

  Name to me yon Achaian Chief for bulk

  Conspicuous, and for port. Taller indeed

  I may perceive than he; but with these eyes 195

  Saw never yet such dignity, and grace.

  Declare his name. Some royal Chief he seems.

  To whom thus Helen, loveliest of her sex,

  My other Sire! by me for ever held

  In reverence, and with filial fear beloved! 200

  Oh that some cruel death had been my choice,

  Rather than to abandon, as I did,

  All joys domestic, matrimonial bliss,

  Brethren, dear daughter, and companions dear,

  A wanderer with thy son. Yet I alas! 205

  Died not, and therefore now, live but to weep.

  But I resolve thee. Thou behold’st the son

  072 Of Atreus, Agamemnon, mighty king,

  In arms heroic, gracious in the throne,

  And, (though it shame me now to call him such,) 210

  By nuptial ties a brother once to me.

  Then him the ancient King-admiring, said.

  Oh blest Atrides, happy was thy birth,

  And thy lot glorious, whom this gallant host

  So numerous, of the sons of Greece obey! 215

  To vine-famed Phrygia, in my days of youth,

  I journey’d; many Phrygians there I saw,

  Brave horsemen, and expert; they were the powers

  Of Otreus and of Mygdon, godlike Chief,

  And on the banks of Sangar’s stream encamp’d. 220

  I march’d among them, chosen in that war

  Ally of Phrygia, and it was her day

  Of conflict with the man-defying race,

  The Amazons; yet multitudes like these

  Thy bright-eyed Greeks, I saw not even there. 225

  The venerable King observing next

  Ulysses, thus inquired. My child, declare

  Him also. Shorter by the head he seems

  Than Agamemnon, Atreus’ mighty son,

  But shoulder’d broader, and of ampler chest; 230

  He hath disposed his armor on the plain,

  But like a ram, himself the warrior ranks

  Ranges majestic; like a ram full-fleeced

  By numerous sheep encompass’d snowy-white.

  To whom Jove’s daughter Helen thus replied. 235

  In him the son of old Laërtes know,

  Ulysses; born in Ithaca the rude,

  But of a piercing wit, and deeply wise.

  Then answer thus, Antenor sage return’d.

  Princess thou hast described him: hither once 240

  The noble Ithacan, on thy behalf

  Ambassador with Menelaus, came:

  Beneath my roof, with hospitable fare

  Friendly I entertained them. Seeing then

  Occasion opportune, I closely mark’d 245

  073 The genius and the talents of the Chiefs,

  And this I noted well; that when they stood

  Amid the assembled counsellors of Troy,

  Then Menelaus his advantage show’d,

  Who by the shoulders overtopp’d his friend. 250

  But when both sat, Ulysses in his air

  Had more of state and dignity than he.

  In the delivery of a speech address’d

  To the full senate, Menelaus used
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  Few words, but to the matter, fitly ranged, 255

  And with much sweetness utter’d; for in loose

  And idle play of ostentatious terms

  He dealt not, thhugh he were the younger man.

  But when the wise Ulysses from his seat

  Had once arisen, he would his downcast eyes 260

  So rivet on the earth, and with a hand

  That seem’d untutor’d in its use, so hold

  His sceptre, swaying it to neither side,

  That hadst thou seen him, thou hadst thought him, sure,

  Some chafed and angry idiot, passion-fixt. 265

  Yet, when at length, the clear and mellow base

  Of his deep voice brake forth, and he let fall

  His chosen words like flakes of feather’d snow,

  None then might match Ulysses; leisure, then,

  Found none to wonder at his noble form. 270

  The third of whom the venerable king

  Inquired, was Ajax. — Yon Achaian tall,

  Whose head and shoulders tower above the rest,

  And of such bulk prodigious — who is he?

  Him answer’d Helen, loveliest of her sex. 275

  A bulwark of the Greeks. In him thou seest

  Gigantic Ajax. Opposite appear

  The Cretans, and among the Chiefs of Crete

  stands, like a God, Idomeneus. Him oft

  From Crete arrived, was Menelaüs wont 280

  To entertain; and others now I see,

  Achaians, whom I could recall to mind,

  And give to each his name; but two brave youths

  074 I yet discern not; for equestrian skill

  One famed, and one a boxer never foiled; 285

  My brothers; born of Leda; sons of Jove;

  Castor and Pollux. Either they abide

  In lovely Sparta still, or if they came,

  Decline the fight, by my disgrace abash’d

  And the reproaches which have fallen on me. 290

  She said; but they already slept inhumed

  In Lacedemon, in their native soil.

  And now the heralds, through the streets of Troy

  Charged with the lambs, and with a goat-skin filled

  With heart-exhilarating wine prepared 295

  For that divine solemnity, return’d.

  Idæus in his hand a beaker bore

  Resplendent, with its fellow cups of gold,

  And thus he summon’d ancient Priam forth.

  Son of Laömedon, arise. The Chiefs 300

  Call thee, the Chiefs of Ilium and of Greece.

  Descend into the plain. We strike a truce,

  And need thine oath to bind it. Paris fights

  With warlike Menelaüs for his spouse;

  Their spears decide the strife. The conqueror wins 305

  Helen and all her treasures. We, thenceforth,

  (Peace sworn and amity) shall dwell secure

  In Troy, while they to Argos shall return

  And to Achaia praised for women fair.

  He spake, and Priam, shuddering, bade his train 310

  Prepare his steeds; they sedulous obey’d.

  First, Priam mounting, backward stretch’d the reins;

  Antenor, next, beside him sat, and through

  The Scæan gate they drove into the plain.

  Arriving at the hosts of Greece and Troy 315

  They left the chariot, and proceeded both

  Into the interval between the hosts.

  075 Then uprose Agamemnon, and uprose

  All-wise Ulysses. Next, the heralds came

  Conspicuous forward, expediting each 320

  The ceremonial; they the beaker fill’d

  With wine, and to the hands of all the kings

  Minister’d water. Agamemnon then

  Drawing his dagger which he ever bore

  Appendant to his heavy falchion’s sheath, 325

  Cut off the forelocks of the lambs, of which

  The heralds gave to every Grecian Chief

  A portion, and to all the Chiefs of Troy.

  Then Agamemnon raised his hands, and pray’d.

  Jove, Father, who from Ida stretchest forth 330

  Thine arm omnipotent, o’erruling all,

  And thou, all-seeing and all-hearing Sun,

  Ye Rivers, and thou conscious Earth, and ye

  Who under earth on human kind avenge

  Severe, the guilt of violated oaths, 335

  Hear ye, and ratify what now we swear!

  Should Paris slay the hero amber-hair’d,

  My brother Menelaüs, Helen’s wealth

  And Helen’s self are his, and all our host

  Shall home return to Greece; but should it chance 340

  That Paris fall by Menelaüs’ hand,

  Then Troy shall render back what she detains,

  With such amercement as is meet, a sum

  To be remember’d in all future times.

  Which penalty should Priam and his sons 345

  Not pay, though Paris fall, then here in arms

  I will contend for payment of the mulct

  My due, till, satisfied, I close the war.

  He said, and with his ruthless steel the lambs

  Stretch’d panting all, but soon they ceased to pant, 350

  For mortal was the stroke. Then drawing forth

  076 Wine from the beaker, they with brimming cups

  Hail’d the immortal Gods, and pray’d again,

  And many a Grecian thus and Trojan spake.

  All-glorious Jove, and ye the powers of heaven, 355

  Whoso shall violate this contract first,

  So be the brains of them and of their sons

  Pour’d out, as we this wine pour on the earth,

  And may their wives bring forth to other men!

  So they: but them Jove heard not. Then arose 360

  Priam, the son of Dardanus, and said,

  Hear me, ye Trojans and ye Greeks well-arm’d.

  Hence back to wind-swept Ilium I return,

  Unable to sustain the sight, my son

  With warlike Menelaüs match’d in arms. 365

  Jove knows, and the immortal Gods, to whom

  Of both, this day is preordain’d the last.

  So spake the godlike monarch, and disposed

  Within the royal chariot all the lambs;

  Then, mounting, check’d the reins; Antenor next 370

  Ascended, and to Ilium both return’d.

  First, Hector and Ulysses, noble Chief,

  Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof

  Who of the combatants should foremost hurl

  His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque; 375

  Meantime the people raised their hands on high,

  And many a Grecian thus and Trojan prayed.

  Jove, Father, who on Ida seated, seest

  And rulest all below, glorious in power!

  Of these two champions, to the drear abodes 380

  Of Ades him appoint who furnish’d first

  The cause of strife between them, and let peace

  Oath-bound, and amity unite the rest!

  So spake the hosts; then Hector shook the lots,

  Majestic Chief, turning his face aside. 385

  Forth sprang the lot of Paris. They in ranks

  Sat all, where stood the fiery steeds of each,

  And where his radiant arms lay on the field.

  Illustrious Alexander his bright arms

  077 Put on, fair Helen’s paramour. He clasp’d 390

  His polish’d greaves with silver studs secured;

  His brother’s corselet to his breast he bound,

  Lycaon’s, apt to his own shape and size,

  And slung athwart his shoulders, bright emboss’d,

  His brazen sword; his massy buckler broad 395

  He took, and to his graceful head his casque

  Adjusted elegant, which, as he moved,

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bsp; Its bushy crest waved dreadful; last he seized,

  Well fitted to his gripe, his ponderous spear.

  Meantime the hero Menelaüs made 400

  Like preparation, and his arms put on.

  When thus, from all the multitude apart,

  Both combatants had arm’d, with eyes that flash’d

  Defiance, to the middle space they strode,

  Trojans and Greeks between. Astonishment 405

  Seized all beholders. On the measured ground

  Full near they stood, each brandishing on high

  His massy spear, and each was fiery wroth.

  First, Alexander his long-shadow’d spear

  Sent forth, and on his smooth shield’s surface struck 410

  The son of Atreus, but the brazen guard

  Pierced not, for at the disk, with blunted point

  Reflex, his ineffectual weapon stay’d.

  078 Then Menelaüs to the fight advanced

  Impetuous, after prayer offer’d to Jove. 415

  King over all! now grant me to avenge

  My wrongs on Alexander; now subdue

  The aggressor under me; that men unborn

  May shudder at the thought of faith abused,

  And hospitality with rape repaid. 420

  He said, and brandishing his massy spear,

  Dismiss’d it. Through the burnish’d buckler broad

  Of Priam’s son the stormy weapon flew,

  Transpierced his costly hauberk, and the vest

  Ripp’d on his flank; but with a sideward bend 425

  He baffled it, and baulk’d the dreadful death.

  Then Menelaüs drawing his bright blade,

  Swung it aloft, and on the hairy crest

  Smote him; but shiver’d into fragments small

  The falchion at the stroke fell from his hand. 430

  Vexation fill’d him; to the spacious heavens

  He look’d, and with a voice of wo exclaim’d —

  Jupiter! of all powers by man adored

  To me most adverse! Confident I hoped

  Revenge for Paris’ treason, but my sword 435

  Is shivered, and I sped my spear in vain.

  So saying, he sprang on him, and his long crest

  Seized fast; then, turning, drew him by that hold

  Toward the Grecian host. The broider’d band

  That underbraced his helmet at the chin, 440

  Strain’d to his smooth neck with a ceaseless force,