The Iliad: of Homer. Translated by Mr. Pope. [pt.2]

THE FIFTH BOOK OF THE ILIAD.

The ARGUMENT.

The Acts of Diomed.

DIOMED, assisted by Pallas, performs Wonders in this Day's Battel. Pandarus wounds him with an Arrow, but the Goddess cures him, enables him to discern Gods from Mortals, and prohibits him from contending with any of the former, excepting Venus. Aeneas joins Pandarus to oppose him, Pandarus is killed, and Aeneas in great danger but for the Assistance of Venus; who, as she is removing her Son from the Fight, is wounded on the Hand by Diomed. Apollo seconds her in his Rescue, and at length carries off Aeneas to Troy, where he is heal'd in the Temple of Pergamus. Mars rallies the Trojans, and assists Hector to make a Stand. In the mean time Aeneas is restor'd to the Field, and they overthrow several of the Greeks; among the rest Tlepolemus is slain by Sarpedon. Juno and Minerva descend to resist Mars; the latter incites Dio|med to go against that God; he wounds him, and sends him groaning to Heaven.

The first Battel continues thro' this Book. The Scene is the same as in the former.

THE FIFTH BOOK OF THE ILIAD.

BUT Pallas now Tydides Soul inspires, Fills with her Force, and warms with all her Fires, Above the Greeks his deathless Fame to raise, And crown her Hero with distinguish'd Praise. High on his Helm Celestial Lightnings play,Line 5 His beamy Shield emits a living Ray; Th' unweary'd Blaze incessant Streams supplies, Like the red Star that fires th' Autumnal Skies, When fresh he rears his radiant Orb to Sight, And bath'd in Ocean, shoots a keener Light.Line 10 Such Glories Pallas on the Chief bestow'd, Such, from his Arms, the fierce Effulgence flow'd:

Onward she drives him, furious to engage, Where the Fight burns, and where the thickest rage.

The Sons of Dares first the Combate sought,Line 15 A wealthy Priest, but rich without a Fault; In Vulcan's Fane the Father's Days were led, The Sons to Toils of glorious Battel bred; These singled from their Troops the Fight maintain, These from their Steeds, Tydides on the Plain.Line 20 Fierce for Renown the Brother Chiefs draw near, And first bold Phegeus cast his sounding Spear, Which o'er the Warrior's Shoulder took its Course, And spent in empty Air its erring Force. Not so, Tydides, flew thy Lance in vain,Line 25 But pierc'd his Breast, and stretch'd him on the Plain. Seiz'd with unusual Fear Idaeus fled, Left the rich Chariot, and his Brother dead; And had not Vulcan lent Celestial Aid, He too had sunk to Death's Eternal Shade;Line 30 But in a smoaky Cloud the God of Fire Preserv'd the Son, in Pity to the Sire. The Steeds and Chariot, to the Navy led, Encreas'd the Spoils of gallant Diomed.

Struck with Amaze, and Shame, the Trojan CrewLine 35 Or slain, or fled, the Sons of Dares view: When by the blood-stain'd Hand Minerva prest The God of Battels, and this Speech addrest.

Stern Pow'r of War! by whom the Mighty fall, Who bath'st in Blood, and shak'st the lofty Wall!Line 40 Let the brave Chiefs their glorious Toils divide; And whose the Conquest, mighty Jove decide: While we from interdicted Fields retire, Nor tempt the Wrath of Heav'ns avenging Sire.

Her Words allay th' impetuous Warrior's Heat,Line 45 The God of Arms and Martial Maid retreat; Remov'd from Fight, on Xanthus-flow'ry Bounds They sate, and listen'd to the dying Sounds.

Meantime the Greeks the Trojan Race pursue, And some bold Chieftain ev'ry Leader slew:Line 50 First Odius falls, and bites the bloody Sand, His Death ennobled by Atrides' Hand; As he to Flight his wheeling Car addrest, The speedy Javelin drove from Back to Breast. In Dust the mighty Halizonian lay,Line 55 His Arms resound, the Spirit wings its way.

Thy Fate was next, O Phaestus! doom'd to feel The great Idomeneus' protended Steel; Whom Borus sent (his Son and only Joy) From fruitful Tarne to the Fields of Troy.Line 60 The Cretan Javelin reach'd him from afar, And pierc'd his Shoulder as he mounts his Car; Back from the Car he tumbles to the Ground, And everlasting Shades his Eyes surround.

Then dy'd Scamandrius, expert in the Chace,Line 65 In Woods and Wilds to wound the Savage Race; Diana taught him all her Sylvan Arts, To bend the Bow and aim unerring Darts: But vainly here Diana's Arts he tries, The fatal Lance arrests him as he flies;Line 70 From Menelaus' Arm the Weapon sent, Thro' his broad Back and heaving Bosom went: Down sinks the Warrior with a thundring Sound, His Brazen Armor rings against the Ground.

Next artful Phereclus untimely fell;Line 75 Bold Merion sent him to the Realms of Hell. Thy Father's Skill, O Phereclus, was thine, The graceful Fabrick and the fair Design;

For lov'd by Pallas, Pallas did impart To him the Shipwright's and the Builder's Art.Line 80 Beneath his Hand the Fleet of Paris rose, The fatal Cause of all his Country's Woes, But he, the mystick Will of Heav'n unknown, Nor saw his Country's Peril, nor his own. The hapless Artist, while confus'd he fled,Line 85 The Spear of Merion mingled with the Dead. Thro' his right Hip with forceful Fury cast, Between the Bladder and the Bone it past: Prone on his Knees he falls with fruitless Cries, And Death in lasting Slumber seals his Eyes.Line 90

From Meges' Force the swift Pedaeus fled, Antenor's Offspring from a foreign Bed, Whose gen'rous Spouse, Theano, heav'nly Fair, Nurs'd the young Stranger with a Mother's Care. How vain those Cares! when Meges in the RearLine 95 Full in his Nape infix'd the fatal Spear; Swift thro' his crackling Jaws the Weapon glides, And the cold Tongue and grinning Teeth divides.

Then dy'd Hypsenor, gen'rous and divine, Sprung from the brave Dolopion's mighty Line,Line 100

Who near ador'd Scamander made Abode, Priest of the Stream, and honour'd as a God. On him, amidst the flying Numbers found, Eurypilus inflicts a deadly Wound; On his broad Shoulder fell the forceful Brand,Line 105 Thence glancing downward lopp'd his Holy Hand, Which stain'd with sacred Blood the blushing Sand. Down sunk the Priest: the Purple Hand of Death Clos'd his dim Eye, and Fate suppress'd his Breath.

Thus toil'd the Chiefs in diff'rent Parts engag'd,Line 110 In ev'ry Quarter fierce Tydides rag'd, Amid the Greek, amid the Trojan Train, Rapt thro' the Ranks he thunders o'er the Plain, Now here, now there, he darts from Place to Place, Pours on the Rear, or lightens in their Face.Line 115 Thus from high Hills the Torrents swift and strong Deluge whole Fields, and sweep the Trees along, Thro' ruin'd Moles the rushing Wave resounds, O'erwhelms the Bridge, and bursts the lofty Bounds; The yellow Harvests of the ripen'd Year,Line 120 And flatted Vineyards, one sad Waste appear;

While Jove descends in sluicy Sheets of Rain, And all the Labours of Mankind are vain.

So rag'd Tydides, boundless in his Ire, Drove Armies back, and made all Troy retire.Line 125 With Grief the * 1.1 Leader of the Lycian Band Saw the wide Waste of his destructive Hand: His bended Bow against the Chief he drew; Swift to the Mark the thirsty Arrow flew, Whose forky Point the hollow Breastplate tore,Line 130 Deep in his Shoulder pierc'd, and drank the Gore: The rushing Stream his Brazen Armor dy'd, While the proud Archer thus exulting cry'd.

Hither ye Trojans, hither drive your Steeds! Lo! by our Hand the bravest Grecian bleeds.Line 135 Not long the deathful Dart he can sustain; Or Phaebus urg'd me to these Fields in vain.

So spoke he, boastful; but the winged Dart Stopt short of Life, and mock'd the Shooter's Art. The wounded Chief behind his Car retir'd,Line 140 The helping Hand of Sthenelus requir'd; Swift from his Seat he leap'd upon the Ground, And tugg'd the Weapon from the gushing Wound;

When thus the King his Guardian Pow'r addrest, The purple Current wand'ring o'er his Vest.Line 145

O Progeny of Jove! unconquer'd Maid! If e'er my Godlike Sire deserv'd thy Aid, If e'er I felt thee in the fighting Field; Now, Goddess, now, thy sacred Succour yield. Oh give my Lance to reach the Trojan Knight,Line 150 Whose Arrow wounds the Chief thou guard'st in Fight; And lay the Boaster grov'ling on the Shore, That vaunts these Eyes shall view the Light no more.

Thus pray'd Tydides, and Minerva heard, His Nerves confirm'd, his languid Spirits chear'd;Line 155 He feels each Limb with wonted Vigor light; His beating Bosom claims the promis'd Fight. Be bold (she cry'd) in ev'ry Combate shine, War be thy Province, thy Protection mine; Rush to the Fight, and ev'ry Foe controul;Line 160 Wake each Paternal Virtue in thy Soul: Strength swells thy boiling Breast, infus'd by me, And all thy Godlike Father breathes in thee! Yet more, from mortal Mists I purge thy Eyes, And set to View the warring Deities.Line 165

These see thou shun, thro' all th' embattled Plain, Nor rashly strive where human Force is vain. If Venus mingle in the martial Band, Her shalt thou wound: So Pallas gives Command.

With that, the blue-ey'd Virgin wing'd her Flight;Line 170 The Hero rush'd impetuous to the Fight; With tenfold Ardor now invades the Plain, Wild with Delay, and more enrag'd by Pain. As on the fleecy Flocks, when Hunger calls, Amidst the Field a brindled Lyon falls;Line 175 If chance some Shepherd with a distant Dart The Savage wound, he rowzes at the Smart, He foams, he roars; The Shepherd dares not stay, But trembling leaves the scatt'ring Flocks a Prey. Heaps fall on Heaps; he bathes with Blood the Ground,Line 180 Then leaps victorious o'er the lofty Mound. Not with less Fury stern Tydides flew, And two brave Leaders at an Instant slew; Astynous breathless fell, and by his side His People's Pastor, good Hypenor, dy'd;Line 185 Astynous' Breast the deadly Lance receives, Hypenor's Shoulder his broad Faulchion cleaves.

Those slain he left; and sprung with noble Rage Abas, and Polyidus to engage; Sons of Eurydamas, who wise and old,Line 190 Could Fates foresee, and mystic Dreams unfold; The Youths return'd not from the doubtful Plain, And the sad Father try'd his Arts in vain; No mystic Dream could make their Fates appear, Tho' now determin'd by Tydides' Spear.Line 195

Young Xanthus next and Thoon felt his Rage, The Joy and Hope of Phoenops feeble Age, Vast was his Wealth, and these the only Heirs Of all his Labours, and a Life of Cares; Cold Death o'ertakes them in their blooming Years,Line 200 And leaves the Father unavailing Tears: To Strangers now descends his heapy Store, The Race forgotten, and the Name no more.

Two Sons of Priam in one Chariot ride, Glitt'ring in Arms, and combate Side by Side.Line 205 As when the lordly Lyon seeks his Food Where grazing Heifers range the lonely Wood, He leaps amidst them with a furious Bound, Bends their strong Necks, and tears them to the Ground. Line 210

So from their Seats the Brother-Chiefs are torn,Line 210 Their Steeds and Chariot to the Navy born.

With deep Concern divine Aeneas view'd The Foe prevailing, and his Friends pursu'd, Thro' the thick Storm of singing Spears he flies, Exploring Pandarus with careful Eyes.Line 215 At length he found Lycaon's mighty Son; To whom the Chief of Venus' Race begun.

Where, Pandarus, are all thy Honours now, Thy winged Arrows and unerring Bow, Thy matchless Skill, thy yet-unrival'd Fame,Line 220 And boasted Glory of the Lycian Name? Oh pierce that Mortal, if we Mortal call That wondrous Force by which whole Armies fall, Or God incens'd, who quits the distant Skies To punish Troy for slighted Sacrifice;Line 225 (Which oh avert from our unhappy State! For what so dreadful as Celestial Hate?) Whoe'er he be, propitiate Jove with Pray'r; If Man, destroy; if God, entreat to spare.

To him the Lycian. Whom your Eyes behold,Line 230 If right I judge, is Diomed the bold.

Such Coursers whirl him o'er the dusty Field, So tow'rs his Helmet, and so flames his Shield. If 'tis a God, he wears that Chief's Disguise; Or if that Chief, some Guardian of the SkiesLine 235 Involv'd in Clouds, protects him in the Fray, And turns unseen the frustrate Dart away. I wing'd an Arrow, which not idly fell, The Stroke had fix'd him to the Gates of Hell, And, but some God, some angry God withstands,Line 240 His Fate was due to these unerring Hands.

Skill'd in the Bow, on Foot I sought the War, Nor join'd swift Horses to the rapid Car. Ten polish'd Chariots I possess'd at home, And still they grace Lycaon's Princely Dome:Line 245 There veil'd in spacious Coverlets they stand; And twice ten Coursers wait their Lord's Command. The good old Warrior bade me trust to these, When first for Troy I sail'd the sacred Seas, In Fields, aloft, the whirling Car to guide,Line 250 And thro' the Ranks of Death triumphant ride. But vain with Youth, and yet to Thrift inclin'd, I heard his Counsels with unheedful Mind,

And thought the Steeds (your large Supplies unknown) Might fail of Forage in the straiten'd Town:Line 255 So took my Bow and pointed Darts in hand, And left the Chariots in my Native Land.

Too late, O Friend! my Rashness I deplore; These Shafts, once fatal, carry Death no more. Tydeus' and Atreus' Sons their Points have found,Line 260 And undissembled Gore pursu'd the Wound. In vain they bled: This unavailing Bow Serves not to slaughter, but provoke the Foe. In evil Hour these bended Horns I strung, And seiz'd the Quiver where it idly hung.Line 265 Curs'd be the Fate that sent me to the Field, Without a Warrior's Arms, the Spear and Shield! If e'er with Life I quit the Trojan Plain, If e'er I see my Spouse and Sire again, This Bow, unfaithful to my glorious Aims,Line 270 Broke by my Hand, shall feed the blazing Flames.

To whom the Leader of the Dardan Race: Be calm, nor Phoebus' honour'd Gift disgrace. The distant Dart be prais'd, tho' here we need The rushing Chariot, and the bounding Steed.Line 275

Against yon' Hero let us bend our Course, And, Hand to Hand, encounter Force with Force. Now haste, ascend my Seat, and from the Car Observe my Father's Steeds, renown'd in War, Practis'd alike to turn, to stop, to chace,Line 280 To dare the Shock, or urge the rapid Race: Secure with these, thro' fighting Fields we go, Or safe to Troy, if Jove assist the Foe. Haste, seize the Whip, and snatch the guiding Rein; The Warrior's Fury let this Arm sustain;Line 285 Or if to Combate thy bold Heart incline, Take thou the Spear, the Chariot's Care be mine.

O Prince! (Lycaon's valiant Son reply'd) As thine the Steeds, be thine the Task to guide. The Horses practis'd to their Lord's Command,Line 290 Shall hear the Rein, and answer to thy Hand. But if unhappy, we desert the Fight, Thy Voice alone can animate their Flight: Else shall our Fates be number'd with the Dead, And these, the Victor's Prize, in Triumph led.Line 295 Thine be the Guidance then: With Spear and Shield My self will charge this Terror of the Field.

And now both Heroes mount the glitt'ring Car; The bounding Coursers rush amidst the War. Their fierce Approach bold Sthenelus espy'd,Line 300 Who thus, alarm'd, to great Tydides cry'd.

O Friend! two Chiefs of Force immense I see, Dreadful they come, and bend their Rage on thee: Lo the brave Heir of old Lycaon's Line, And great Aeneas, sprung from Race Divine!Line 305 Enough is giv'n to Fame. Ascend thy Car; And save a Life, the Bulwark of our War.

At this the Hero cast a gloomy Look, Fix'd on the Chief with Scorn, and thus he spoke. Me dost thou bid to shun the coming Fight,Line 310 Me would'st thou move to base inglorious Flight? Know, 'tis not honest in my Soul to fear, Nor was Tydides born to tremble here. I loath in lazy Fights to press the Car, At distance wound, or wage a flying War;Line 315 But while my Nerves are strung, my Force entire, Thus front the Foe, and emulate my Sire. Nor shall yon' Steeds that fierce to Fight convey Those threatning Heroes, bear them both away; Line 320

One Chief at least beneath this Arm shall die;Line 320 So Pallas tells me, and forbids to fly. But if she dooms, and if no God withstand, That both shall fall by one victorious Hand; Then heed my Words: My Horses here detain, Fix'd to the Chariot by the straiten'd Rein;Line 325 Swift to Aeneas' empty Seat proceed, And seize the Coursers of Aetherial Breed. The Race of those which once the thund'ring God For ravish'd Ganymede on Tros bestow'd, The best that e'er on Earth's broad Surface run,Line 330 Beneath the rising or the setting Sun. Hence great Anchises stole a Breed unknown By mortal Mares, from fierce Laomedon. Four of this Race his ample Stalls contain, And two transport Aeneas o'er the Plain.Line 335 These, were the rich immortal Prize our own, Thro' the wide World should make our Glory known.

Thus while they spoke, the Foe came furious on, And stern Lycaon's warlike Race begun.

Prince, thou art met. Tho' late in vain assail'd,Line 340 The Spear may enter where the Arrow fail'd.

He said, then shook the pondrous Lance and flung, On his broad Shield the sounding Weapon rung, Pierc'd the tough Orb, and in his Cuirass hung. He bleeds! The Pride of Greece! (the Boaster cries)Line 345 Our Triumph now, the mighty Warrior lies! Mistaken Vaunter! Diomed reply'd; Thy Dart has err'd, and now my Spear be try'd: Ye scape not both; One, headlong from his Car, With hostile Blood shall glut the God of War.Line 350

He spoke, and rising hurl'd his forceful Dart, Which driv'n by Pallas, pierc'd a vital Part; Full in his Face it enter'd, and betwixt The Nose and Eye-ball the proud Lycian fixt; Crash'd all his Jaws, and cleft the Tongue within,Line 355 'Till the bright Point look'd out beneath the Chin. Headlong he falls, his Helmet knocks the Ground; Earth groans beneath him, and his Arms resound; The starting Coursers tremble with Affright; The Soul indignant seeks the Realms of Night.Line 360

To guard his slaughter'd Friend, Aeneas flies, His Spear extending where the Carcass lies;

Watchful he wheels, protects it ev'ry way, As the grim Lyon stalks around his Prey. O'er the fall'n Trunk his ample Shield display'd,Line 365 He hides the Hero with his mighty Shade. And threats aloud: The Greeks with longing Eyes Behold at distance, but forbear the Prize. Then fierce Tydides stoops; and from the Fields Heav'd with vast Force, a Rocky Fragment wields.Line 370 Not two strong Men th' enormous Weight could raise, Such Men as live in these degen'rate Days. He swung it round; and gath'ring Strength to throw, Discharg'd the pond'rous Ruin at the Foe. Where to the Hip th' inserted Thigh unites,Line 375 Full on the Bone the pointed Marble lights; Thro' both the Tendons broke the rugged Stone, And stripp'd the Skin, and crack'd the solid Bone. Sunk on his Knees and stagg'ring with his Pains, His falling Bulk his bended Arm sustains;Line 380 Lost in a dizzy Mist the Warrior lies; A sudden Cloud comes swimming o'er his Eyes. There the brave Chief who mighty Numbers sway'd Oppress'd had sunk to Death's Eternal Shade, Line 385

But Heav'nly Venus, mindful of the LoveLine 385 She bore Anchises in th' Idaean Grove, His Danger views with Anguish and Despair, And guards her Offspring with a Mother's Care. About her much-lov'd Son her Arms she throws, Her Arms whose Whiteness match'd the falling Snows.Line 390 Screen'd from the Foe behind her shining Veil, The Swords wave harmless, and the Javelins fail: Safe thro' the rushing Horse and feather'd Flight Of sounding Shafts, she bears him from the Fight.

Nor Sthenelus, with unassisting Hands,Line 395 Remain'd unheedful of his Lord's Commands: His panting Steeds, remov'd from out the War, He fix'd with straiten'd Traces to the Car. Next rushing to the Dardan Spoil, detains The heav'nly Coursers with the flowing Manes.Line 400 These in proud Triumph to the Fleet convey'd, No longer now a Trojan Lord obey'd. That Charge to bold Deipylus he gave, (Whom most he lov'd, as brave Men love the Brave) Then mounting on his Car, resum'd the Rein,Line 405 And follow'd where Tydides swept the Plain.

Meanwhile (his Conquest ravish'd from his Eyes) The raging Chief in chace of Venus flies: No Goddess She, commission'd to the Field, Like Pallas dreadful with her sable Shield,Line 410 Or fierce Bellona thund'ring at the Wall, While Flames ascend, and mighty Ruins fall. He knew soft Combates suit the tender Dame, New to the Field, and still a Foe to Fame. Thro' breaking Ranks his furious Course he bends,Line 415 And at the Goddess his broad Lance extends; Thro' her bright Veil the daring Weapon drove Th' Ambrosial Veil which all the Graces wove: Her snowie Hand the razing Steel profan'd, And the transparent Skin with Crimson stain'd.Line 420 From the clear Vein a Stream immortal flow'd, Such Stream as issues from a wounded God; Pure Emanation! uncorrupted Flood; Unlike our gross, diseas'd, terrestrial Blood: (For not the Bread of Man their Life sustains,Line 425 No Wine's inflaming Juice supplies their Veins.) With tender Shrieks the Goddess fill'd the Place, And dropt her Offspring from her weak Embrace.

Him Phaebus took: He casts a Cloud around The fainting Chief, and wards the mortal Wound.Line 430

Then with a Voice that shook the vaulted Skies, The King insults the Goddess as she flies. Ill with Jove's Daughter bloody Fights agree, The Field of Combate is no Scene for thee: Go, let thy own soft Sex employ thy Care,Line 435 Go lull the Coward, or delude the Fair. Taught by this Stroke, renounce the War's Alarms, And learn to tremble at the Name of Arms.

Tydides thus. The Goddess, seiz'd with Dread, Confus'd, distracted, from the Conflict fled.Line 440 To aid her, swift the winged Iris flew, Wrapt in a Mist above the warring Crew. The Queen of Love with faded Charms she found, Pale was her Cheek, and livid look'd the Wound. To Mars, who sate remote, they bent their way;Line 445 Far on the left, with Clouds involv'd, he lay; Beside him stood his Lance, distain'd with Gore, And, rein'd with Gold, his foaming Steeds before. Low at his Knee, she begg'd, with streaming Eyes, Her Brother's Car, to mount the distant Skies,Line 450

And shew'd the Wound by fierce Tydides giv'n, A mortal Man, who dares encounter Heav'n.

Stern Mars attentive hears the Queen complain, And to her Hand commits the golden Rein: She mounts the Seat oppress'd with silent Woe,Line 455 Driv'n by the Goddess of the painted Bow. The Lash resounds, the rapid Chariot flies, And in a Moment scales the lofty Skies. There stopp'd the Car, and there the Coursers stood, Fed by fair Iris with Ambrosial Food.Line 460 Before her Mother Love's bright Queen appears, O'erwhelm'd with Anguish and dissolv'd in Tears; She rais'd her in her Arms, beheld her bleed, And ask'd, what God had wrought this guilty Deed?

Then she: This Insult from no God I found,Line 465 An impious Mortal gave the daring Wound! Behold the Deed of haughty Diomed! 'Twas in the Son's Defence the Mother bled. The War with Troy no more the Grecians wage; But with the Gods (th' immortal Gods) engage.Line 470

Dione then. Thy Wrongs with Patience bear, And share those Griefs inferior Pow'rs must share;

Unnumber'd Woes Mankind from us sustain, And Men with Woes afflict the Gods again. The mighty Mars in mortal Fetters bound,Line 475 And lodg'd in Brazen Dungeons under Ground, Full thirteen Moons imprison'd roar'd in vain; Otus and Ephialtes held the Chain: Perhaps had perish'd; had not Hermes' Care Restor'd the groaning God to upper Air.Line 480 Great Juno's self has born her Weight of Pain, Th' imperial Partner of the heav'nly Reign; Amphitryon's Son infix'd the deadly Dart, And fill'd with Anguish her immortal Heart. Ev'n Hell's grim King Alcides' Pow'r confest,Line 485 The Shaft found Entrance in his Iron Breast, To Jove's high Palace for a Cure he fled, Pierc'd in his own Dominions of the Dead; Where Paeon sprinkling heav'nly Balm around, Asswag'd the glowing Pangs, and clos'd the Wound.Line 490 Rash, impious Man! to stain the blest Abodes, And drench his Arrows in the Blood of Gods!

But thou (tho' Pallas urg'd thy frantic Deed) Whose Spear ill-fated makes a Goddess bleed, Line 495

Know thou, whoe'er with heav'nly Pow'r contends,Line 495 Short is his Date, and soon his Glory ends; From Fields of Death when late he shall retire, No Infant on his Knees shall call him Sire. Strong as thou art, some God may yet be found, To stretch thee pale and gasping on the Ground;Line 500 Thy distant Wife, Aegiale the Fair, Starting from Sleep with a distracted Air, Shall rowze thy Slaves, and her lost Lord deplore, The brave, the great, the glorious, now no more!

This said, she wip'd from Venus' wounded PalmLine 505 The sacred Ichor, and infus'd the Balm. Juno and Pallas with a Smile survey'd, And thus to Jove began the blue-ey'd Maid.

Permit thy Daughter, gracious Jove! to tell How this Mischance the Cyprian Queen befell.Line 510 As late she try'd with Passion to inflame The tender Bosome of a Grecian Dame, Allur'd the Fair with moving Thoughts of Joy, To quit her Country for some Youth of Troy; The clasping Zone, with golden Buckles bound,Line 515 Raz'd her soft Hand with this lamented Wound.

The Sire of Gods and Men superior smil'd, And, calling Venus, thus addrest his Child. Not these, O Daughter, are thy proper Cares, Thee milder Arts befit, and softer Wars;Line 520 Sweet Smiles are thine and kind endearing Charms, To Mars and Pallas leave the Deeds of Arms.

Thus they in Heav'n: While on the Plain below The fierce Tydides charg'd his Dardan Foe: Flush'd with Celestial Blood pursu'd his way,Line 525 And fearless dar'd the threatning God of Day; Already in his Hopes he saw him kill'd, Tho' screen'd behind Apollo's mighty Shield. Thrice rushing furious, at the Chief he strook; His blazing Buckler thrice Apollo shook:Line 530 He try'd the fourth: When breaking from the Cloud, A more than mortal Voice was heard aloud.

O Son of Tydeus, cease! be wise and see How vast the Diff'rence of the Gods and Thee; Distance immense! between the Pow'rs that shineLine 535 Above, Eternal, Deathless, and Divine, And mortal Man! a Wretch of humble Birth, A short-liv'd Reptile in the Dust of Earth.

So spoke the God who darts Celestial Fires; He dreads his Fury, and some Steps retires.Line 540 Then Phoebus bore the Chief of Venus' Race To Troy's high Fane, and to his Holy Place; Latona there and Phoebe heal'd the Wound, With Vigor arm'd him, and with Glory crown'd. This done, the Patron of the Silver BowLine 545 A Phantom rais'd, the same in Shape and Show With great Aeneas; such the Form he bore, And such in Fight the radiant Arms he wore. Around the Spectre bloody Wars are wag'd, And Greece and Troy with clashing Shields engag'd.Line 550 Meantime on Ilion's Tow'r Apollo stood, And calling Mars, thus urg'd the raging God.

Stern Pow'r of Arms! by whom the Mighty fall, Who bathe in Blood, and shake th' embattel'd Wall! Rise in thy Wrath! To Hell's abhorr'd AbodesLine 555 Dispatch yon' Greek, and vindicate the Gods. First rosie Venus felt his brutal Rage; Me next he charg'd, and dares all Heav'n engage: The Wretch would brave high Heav'ns immortal Sire, His triple Thunder, and his Bolts of Fire.Line 560

The God of Battel issues on the Plain, Stirs all the Ranks, and fires the Trojan Train; In Form like Acamas, the Thracian Guide, Enrag'd, to Troy's retiring Chiefs he cry'd.

How long, ye Sons of Priam! will ye fly,Line 565 And unreveng'd see Priam's People die? Still unresisted shall the Foe destroy, And stretch the Slaughter to the Gates of Troy? Lo brave Aeneas sinks beneath his Wound, Not Godlike Hector more in Arms renown'd:Line 570 Haste all, and take the gen'rous Warrior's Part. He said; new Courage swell'd each Hero's Heart. Sarpedon first his ardent Soul express'd, And, turn'd to Hector, these bold Words address'd.

Say, Chief, is all thy ancient Valor lost,Line 575 Where are thy Threats, and where thy glorious Boast, That propt alone by Priam's Race should stand Troy's sacred Walls, nor need a foreign Hand? Now, now thy Country calls her wanted Friends, And the proud Vaunt in just Derision ends.Line 580 Remote they stand, while Alien Troops engage, Like trembling Hounds before the Lion's Rage.

Far distant hence I held my wide Command, Where foaming Xanthus laves the Lycian Land, With ample Wealth (the Wish of Mortals) blest,Line 585 A beauteous Wife, and Infant at her Breast; With those I left whatever dear could be; Greece, if she conquers, nothing wins from me. Yet first in Fight my Lycian Bands I chear, And long to meet this mighty Man ye fear.Line 590 While Hector idle stands, nor bids the Brave Their Wives, their Infants, and their Altars save. Haste, Warrior, haste! preserve thy threaten'd State; Or one vast Burst of all-involving Fate Full o'er your Tow'rs shall fall, and sweep awayLine 595 Sons, Sires, and Wives, an undistinguish'd Prey. Rowze all thy Trojans, urge thy Aids to fight; These claim thy Thoughts by Day, thy Watch by Night: With Force incessant the brave Greeks oppose; Such Cares thy Friends deserve, and such thy Foes.Line 600

Stung to the Heart the gen'rous Hector hears, But just Reproof with decent Silence bears. From his proud Car the Prince impetuous springs; On Earth he leaps; his Brazen Armor rings. Line 605

Two shining Spears are brandish'd in his Hands;Line 605 Thus arm'd, he animates his drooping Bands, Revives their Ardor, turns their Steps from Flight, And wakes anew the dying Flames of Fight. They turn, they stand: The Greeks their Fury dare, Condense their Pow'rs, and wait the growing War.Line 610

As when on Ceres' sacred Floor the Swain Spreads the wide Fan to clear the golden Grain, And the light Chaff, before the Breezes born, Ascends in Clouds from off the heapy Corn; The grey Dust, rising with collected Winds,Line 615 Drives o'er the Barn, and whitens all the Hinds. So white with Dust the Grecian Host appears, From trampling Steeds, and thundring Charioteers, The dusky Clouds from labour'd Earth arise, And roll in smoaking Volumes to the Skies.Line 620 Mars hovers o'er them with his sable Shield, And adds new Horrors to the darken'd Field; Pleas'd with his Charge, and ardent to fulfill In Troy's Defence Apollo's heav'nly Will: Soon as from Fight the blue-ey'd Maid retires,Line 625 Each Trojan Bosom with new Warmth he fires.

And now the God, from forth his sacred Fane, Produc'd Aeneas to the shouting Train; Alive, unharm'd, with all his Peers around, Erect he stood, and vig'rous from his Wound:Line 630 Enquiries none they made; the dreadful Day No Pause of Words admits, no dull Delay; Fierce Discord storms, Apollo loud exclaims, Fame calls, Mars thunders, and the Field's in Flames.

Stern Diomed with either Ajax stood,Line 635 And great Ulysses, bath'd in hostile Blood. Embodied close, the lab'ring Grecian Train The fiercest Shock of charging Hosts sustain; Unmov'd and silent, the whole War they wait, Serenely dreadful, and as fix'd as Fate.Line 640 So when th' embattel'd Clouds in dark Array Along the Skies their gloomy Lines display, When now the North his boist'rous Rage has spent, And peaceful sleeps the liquid Element, The low-hung Vapors, motionless and still,Line 645 Rest on the Summits of the shaded Hill; 'Till the Mass scatters as the Winds arise, Dispers'd and kroken thro' the ruffled Skies.

Nor was the Gen'ral wanting to his Train, From Troop to Troop he toils thro' all the Plain.Line 650 Ye Greeks be Men! the Charge of Battel bear; Your brave Associates, and Your-selves revere! Let glorious Acts more glorious Acts inspire, And catch from Breast to Breast the noble Fire! On Valor's side the Odds of Combate lie,Line 655 The Brave live glorious, or lamented die; The Wretch who trembles in the Field of Fame, Meets Death, and worse than Death, Eternal Shame.

These Words he seconds with his flying Lance, To meet whose Point was strong Deicoon's Chance;Line 660 Aeneas' Friend, and in his native Place Honour'd and lov'd like Priam's Royal Race: Long had he fought the foremost in the Field; But now the Monarch's Lance transpierc'd his Shield, His Shield too weak the furious Dart to stay,Line 665 Thro' his broad Belt the Weapon forc'd its way; The grizly Wound dismiss'd his Soul to Hell, His Arms around him rattled as he fell.

Then fierce Aeneas brandishing his Blade, In Dust Orsilochus and Crethon laid,Line 670

Whose Sire Diöcleus, wealthy, brave and great, In well-built Pherae held his lofty Seat: Sprung from Alpheus, plenteous Stream! that yields Encrease of Harvests to the Pylian Fields: He got Orsilochus, Diöcleus He,Line 675 And these descended in the third Degree. Too early expert in the martial Toil, In sable Ships they left their native Soil, T'avenge Atrides: Now, untimely slain, They fell with Glory on the Phrygian Plain.Line 680 So two young Mountain Lions, nurs'd with Blood In deep Recesses of the gloomy Wood, Rush fearless to the Plains, and uncontroul'd Depopulate the Stalls and waste the Fold; 'Till pierc'd at distance from their native Den,Line 685 O'erpow'r'd they fall beneath the Force of Men. Prostrate on Earth their beauteous Bodies lay, Like Mountain Firs, as tall and strait as they. Great Menelaus views with pitying Eyes, Lifts his bright Lance, and at the Victor flies;Line 690 Mars urg'd him on; yet, ruthless in his Hate, The God but urg'd him to provoke his Fate.

He thus advancing, Nestor's valiant Son Shakes for his Danger, and neglects his own; Struck with the Thought, should Helen's Lord be slain,Line 695 And all his Country's glorious Labours vain. Already met the threat'ning Heroes stand; The Spears already tremble in their Hand; In rush'd Antilochus, his Aid to bring, And fall or conquer by the Spartan King.Line 700 These seen, the Dardan backward turn'd his Course, Brave as he was, and shunn'd unequal Force. The breathless Bodies to the Greeks they drew; Then mix in Combate and their Toils renew.

First Pylaemenes, great in Battel, bled,Line 705 Who sheath'd in Brass the Paphlagonians led. Atrides mark'd him where sublime he stood; Fix'd in his Throat, the Javelin drank his Blood. The faithful Mydon as he turn'd from Fight His flying Coursers, sunk to endless Night:Line 710 A broken Rock by Nestor's Son was thrown, His bended Arm receiv'd the falling Stone, From his numb'd Hand the Iv'ry-studded Reins Dropt in the Dust are trail'd along the Plains. Line 715

Meanwhile his Temples feel a deadly Wound;Line 715 He groans in Death, and pondrous sinks to Ground: Deep drove his Helmet in the Sands, and there The Head stood fix'd, the quiv'ring Legs in Air: 'Till trampled flat beneath the Courser's Feet, The youthful Victor mounts his empty Seat,Line 720 And bears the Prize in Triumph to the Fleet.

Great Hector saw, and raging at the View Pours on the Greeks: The Trojan Troops pursue: He fires his Host with animating Cries, And brings along the Furies of the Skies.Line 725 Mars, stern Destroyer! and Bellona dread, Flame in the Front, and thunder at their Head: This swells the Tumult and the Rage of Fight; That shakes a Spear that casts a dreadful Light; Where Hector march'd, the God of Battels shin'd,Line 730 Now storm'd before him, and now rag'd behind.

Tydides paus'd amidst his full Carrier; Then first the Hero's manly Breast knew Fear. As when some simple Swain his Cot forsakes, And wide thro' Fens an unknown Journey takes;Line 735

If chance a swelling Brook his Passage stay, And foam impervious cross the Wand'rer's way, Confus'd he stops, a Length of Country past, Eyes the rough Waves, and tir'd returns at last. Amaz'd no less the great Tydides stands;Line 740 He stay'd, and turning, thus address'd his Bands.

No wonder, Greeks! that all to Hector yield, Secure of fav'ring Gods, he takes the Field; His Strokes they second, and avert our Spears: Behold where Mars in mortal Arms appears!Line 745 Retire then Warriors, but sedate and slow; Retire, but with your Faces to the Foe. Trust not too much your unavailing Might; 'Tis not with Troy, but with the Gods ye fight.

Now near the Greeks the black Battalions drew,Line 750 And first two Leaders valiant Hector slew, His Force Anchialus and Mnesthes found, In ev'ry Art of glorious War renown'd; In the same Car the Chiefs to Combate ride, And fought united, and united dy'd.Line 755 Struck at the Sight, the mighty Ajax glows With Thirst of Vengeance, and assaults the Foes.

His massy Spear with matchless Fury sent Thro' Amphius' Belt and heaving Belly went: Amphius Apaesus' happy Soil possess'd,Line 760 With Herds abounding, and with Treasure bless'd; But Fate resistless from his Country led The Chief, to perish at his People's Head. Shook with his Fall his Brazen Armor rung, And fierce, to seize it, conqu'ring Ajax sprung:Line 765 Around his Head an Iron Tempest rain'd; A Wood of Spears his ample Shield sustain'd; Beneath one Foot the yet-warm Corps he prest, And drew his Javelin from the bleeding Breast: He could no more; The show'ring Darts deny'dLine 770 To spoil his glitt'ring Arms, and Plumy Pride. Now Foes on Foes came pouring on the Fields, With bristling Lances, and compacted Shields; 'Till in the Steely Circle straiten'd round, Forc'd he gives way, and sternly quits the Ground.Line 775

While thus they strive, Tlepolemus the great, Urg'd by the Force of unresisted Fate, Burns with Desire Sarpedon's Strength to prove; Alcides' Offspring meets the Son of Jove. Line 780

Sheath'd in bright Arms each adverse Chief came on,Line 780 Jove's great Descendent, and his greater Son. Prepar'd for Combate, e're the Lance he tost, The daring Rhodian vents his haughty Boast.

What brings this Lycian Counsellor so far, To tremble at our Arms, not mix in War?Line 785 Know thy vain self, nor let their Flatt'ry move Who style thee Son of Cloud-compelling Jove. How far unlike those Chiefs of Race divine, How vast the Diff'rence of their Deeds and thine? Jove got such Heroes as my Sire, whose SoulLine 790 No Fear could daunt, nor Earth, nor Hell controul. Troy felt his Arm, and yon' proud Ramparts stand Rais'd on the Ruins of his vengeful Hand: With six small Ships, and but a slender Train, He left the Town a wide, deserted Plain.Line 795 But what art thou? who deedless look'st around, While unreveng'd thy Lycians bite the Ground: Small Aid to Troy thy feeble Force can be, But wert thou greater, thou must yield to me. Pierc'd by my Spear to endless Darkness go!Line 800 I make this Present to the Shades below.

The Son of Hercules, the Rhodian Guide, Thus haughty spoke. The Lycian King reply'd.

Thy Sire, O Prince! o'erturn'd the Trojan State, Whose perjur'd Monarch well deserv'd his Fate;Line 805 Those heav'nly Steeds the Hero sought so far, False he detain'd, the just Reward of War: Nor so content, the gen'rous Chief defy'd, With base Reproaches and unmanly Pride. But you, unworthy the high Race you boast,Line 810 Shall raise my Glory when thy own is lost: Now meet thy Fate, and by Sarpedon slain Add one more Ghost to Pluto's gloomy Reign.

He said: Both Javelins at an Instant flew: Both strook, both wounded, but Sarpedon's slew:Line 815 Full in the Boaster's Neck the Weapon stood, Transfix'd his Throat, and drank the vital Blood; The Soul disdainful seeks the Caves of Night, And his seal'd Eyes for ever lose the Light.

Yet not in vain, Tlepolemus, was thrownLine 820 Thy angry Lance; which piercing to the Bone Sarpedon's Thigh, had robb'd the Chief of Breath; But Jove was present, and forbad the Death.

Born from the Conflict by his Lycian Throng, The wounded Hero dragg'd the Lance along.Line 825 (His Friends, each busy'd in his sev'ral Part, Thro' Haste, or Danger, had not drawn the Dart) The Greeks with slain Tlepolemus retir'd; Whose Fall Ulysses view'd, with Fury fir'd; Doubtful if Jove's great Son he should pursue,Line 830 Or pour his Vengeance on the Lycian Crew. But Heav'n and Fate the first Design withstand, Nor this great Death must grace Ulysses' Hand. Minerva drives him on the Lycian Train; Alastor, Chromius, Halius strow'd the Plain,Line 835 Alcander, Prytanis, Noëmon fell, And Numbers more his Sword had sent to Hell: But Hector saw; and furious at the Sight, Rush'd terrible amidst the Ranks of Fight. With Joy Sarpedon view'd the wish'd Relief,Line 840 And faint, lamenting, thus implor'd the Chief.

Oh suffer not the Foe to bear away My helpless Corps, an unassisted Prey. If I, unblest, must see my Son no more, My much-lov'd Consort, and my native Shore,Line 845

Yet let me die in Ilion's sacred Wall; Troy, in whose Cause I fell, shall mourn my Fall.

He said, nor Hector to the Chief replies, But shakes his Plume, and fierce to Combate flies, Swift as a Whirlwind drives the scatt'ring Foes,Line 850 And dyes the Ground in Purple as he goes.

Beneath a Beech, Jove's consecrated Shade, His mournful Friends divine Sarpedon laid: Brave Pelagon, his fav'rite Chief, was nigh, Who wrench'd the Javelin from his sinewy Thigh.Line 855 The fainting Soul stood ready wing'd for Flight, And o'er his Eye-balls swum the Shades of Night. But Boreas rising fresh, with gentle Breath, Recall'd his Spirit from the Gates of Death.

The gen'rous Greeks recede with tardy Pace,Line 860 Tho Mars and Hector thunder in their Face; None turn their Backs to mean ignoble Flight, Slow they retreat, and ev'n retreating fight. Who first, who last, by Mars and Hector's Hand Stretch'd in their Blood lay gasping on the Sand?Line 865 Teuthras the great, Orestes the renown'd For manag'd Steeds, and Trechus press'd the Ground;

Next Oenomaus, and Oenops' Offspring dy'd; Oresbius last fell groaning at their side: Oresbius, in his painted Mitre gay,Line 870 In fat Boeotia held his wealthy Sway, Where Lakes surround low Hylè's watry Plain; A Prince and People studious of their Gain.

The Carnage Juno from the Skies survey'd, And touch'd with Grief bespoke the blue-ey'd Maid.Line 875 Oh Sight accurst! Shall faithless Troy prevail, And shall our Promise to our People fail? How vain the Word to Menelaus giv'n By Jove's great Daughter and the Queen of Heav'n, Beneath his Arms that Priam's Tow'rs should fall;Line 880 If warring Gods for ever guard the Wall? Mars, red with Slaughter, aids our hated Foes: Haste, let us arm, and Force with Force oppose!

She spoke; Minerva burns to meet the War: And now Heav'ns Empress calls her blazing Car.Line 885 At her Command rush forth the Steeds Divine; Rich with immortal Gold their Trappings shine. Bright Hebè waits; by Hebè, ever young, The whirling Wheels are to the Chariot hung. Line 890

On the bright Axle turns the bidden Wheel,Line 890 Of sounding Brass; the polish'd Axle Steel. Eight brazen Spokes in radiant Order flame; The Circles Gold, of uncorrupted Frame, Such as the Heav'ns produce: and round the Gold Two brazen Rings of Work divine were roll'd.Line 895 The bossie Naves of solid Silver shone; Braces of Gold suspend the moving Throne: The Car behind an arching Figure bore; The bending Concave form'd an Arch before. Silver the Beam, th' extended Yoke was Gold,Line 900 And golden Reins th' immortal Coursers hold. Herself, impatient, to the ready Car The Coursers joins, and breathes Revenge and War.

Pallas disrobes; Her radiant Veil unty'd, With Flow'rs adorn'd, with Art diversify'd,Line 905 (The labour'd Veil her heav'nly Fingers wove) Flows on the Pavement of the Court of Jove. Now Heav'ns dread Arms her mighty Limbs invest, Jove's Cuirass blazes on her ample Breast; Deck'd in sad Triumph for the mournful Field,Line 910 O'er her broad Shoulders hangs his horrid Shield,

Dire, black, tremendous! Round the Margin roll'd, A Fringe of Serpents hissing guards the Gold: Here all the Terrors of grim War appear, Here rages Force, here tremble Flight and Fear,Line 915 Here storm'd Contention, and here Fury frown'd; And the dire Orb Portentous Gorgon crown'd. The massy golden Helm she next assumes, That dreadful nods with four o'ershading Plumes; So vast, the broad Circumference containsLine 920 A hundred Armies on a hundred Plains. The Goddess thus th' imperial Car ascends; Shook by her Arm the mighty Javelin bends, Pond'rous and huge; that when her Fury burns, Proud Tyrants humbles, and whole Hosts o'erturns.Line 925

Swift at the Scourge th' Ethereal Coursers fly, While the smooth Chariot cuts the liquid Sky. Heav'n Gates spontaneous open to the Pow'rs, Heav'ns golden Gates, kept by the winged Hours; Commission'd in alternate Watch to stand,Line 930 The Sun's bright Portals and the Skies command, Involve in Clouds th' Eternal Gates of Day, Or the dark Barrier roll with Ease away.

The sounding Hinges ring: On either side The gloomy Volumes, pierc'd with Light, divide.Line 935 The Chariot mounts, where deep in ambient Skies, Confus'd, Olympus' hundred Heads arise; Where far apart the Thund'rer fills his Throne, O'er all the Gods, superior and alone. There with her snowy Hand the Queen restrainsLine 940 The fiery Steeds, and thus to Jove complains.

O Sire! can no Resentment touch thy Soul? Can Mars rebel, and does no Thunder roll? What lawless Rage on yon' forbidden Plain, What rash Destruction! and what Heroes slain?Line 945 Venus, and Phoebus with the dreadful Bow, Smile on the Slaughter, and enjoy my Woe. Mad, furious Pow'r! whose unrelenting Mind No God can govern, and no Justice bind. Say, mighty Father! Shall we scourge his Pride,Line 950 And drive from Fight th' impetuous Homicide?

To whom assenting, thus the Thund'rer said: Go! and the great Minerva be thy Aid. To tame the Monster-God Minerva knows, And oft' afflicts his Brutal Breast with Woes.Line 955

He said; Saturnia, ardent to obey, Lash'd her white Steeds along th' Aerial Way. Swift down the Steep of Heav'n the Chariot rolls, Between th' expanded Earth and starry Poles. Far as a Shepherd, from some Point on high,Line 960 O'er the wide Main extends his boundless Eye, Thro' such a Space of Air, with thund'ring Sound, At ev'ry Leap th' Immortal Coursers bound. Troy now they reach'd, and touch'd those Banks Divine Where Silver Simois and Scamander join.Line 965 There Juno stop'd, and (her fair Steeds unloos'd) Of Air condens'd a Vapor circumfus'd: For these, impregnate with Celestial Dew On Simois' Brink Ambrosial Herbage grew. Thence, to relieve the fainting Argive Throng,Line 970 Smooth as the sailing Doves they glide along. The best and bravest of the Grecian Band (A warlike Circle) round Tydides stand: Such was their Look as Lions bath'd in Blood, Or foaming Boars, the Terror of the Wood.Line 975 Heav'ns Empress mingles with the mortal Crowd, And shouts, in Stentor's sounding Voice, aloud:

Stentor the strong, endu'd with Brazen Lungs, Whose Throat surpass'd the Force of fifty Tongues.

Inglorious Argives! to your Race a Shame,Line 980 And only Men in Figure and in Name! Once from their Walls your tim'rous Foes engag'd, While fierce in War divine Achilles rag'd; Now issuing fearless they possess the Plain, Now win the Shores, and scarce the Seas remain.Line 985

Her Speech new Fury to their Hearts convey'd; While near Tydides stood th' Athenian Maid: The King beside his panting Steeds she found, O'erspent with Toil, reposing on the Ground; To cool his glowing Wound he sate apart,Line 990 (The Wound inflicted by the Lycian Dart) Large Drops of Sweat from all his Limbs descend, Beneath his pond'rous Shield his Sinews bend, Whose ample Belt that o'er his Shoulder lay, He eas'd; and wash'd the clotted Gore away.Line 995 The Goddess leaning o'er the bending Yoke, Beside his Coursers, thus her Silence broke.

Degen'rate Prince! and not of Tydeus' Kind, Whose little Body lodg'd a mighty Mind. Line 1000

Foremost he press'd, in glorious Toils to share,Line 1000 And scarce refrain'd when I forbad the War. Alone, unguarded, once he dar'd to go, And feast encircled by the Theban Foe; There brav'd, and vanquish'd, many a hardy Knight; Such Nerves I gave him, and such Force in Fight.Line 1005 Thou too no less hast been my constant Care; Thy Hands I arm'd, and sent thee forth to War: But Thee or Fear deterrs, or Sloth detains; No Drop of all thy Father warms thy Veins.

The Chief thus answer'd mild. Immortal Maid!Line 1010 I own thy Presence, and confess thy Aid. Not Fear, thou know'st, withholds me from the Plains, Nor Sloth hath seiz'd me, but thy Word restrains: From warring Gods thou bad'st me turn my Spear, And Venus only found Resistance here.Line 1015 Hence, Goddess! heedful of thy high Commands, Loth I gave way, and warn'd our Argive Bands: For Mars, the Homicide, these Eyes beheld, With Slaughter red, and raging round the Field.

Then thus Minerva. Brave Tydides hear!Line 1020 Not Mars himself, nor ought Immortal fear.

Full on the God impell thy foaming Horse: Pallas commands, and Pallas lends thee Force. Rash, furious, blind, from these to those he flies, And ev'ry side of wav'ring Combate tries;Line 1025 Large Promise makes, and breaks the Promise made; Now gives the Grecians, now the Trojans Aid.

She said, and to the Steeds approaching near, Drew from his Seat the martial Charioteer. The vig'rous Pow'r the trembling Car ascends,Line 1030 Fierce for Revenge; and Diomed attends. The groaning Axle bent beneath the Load; So great a Hero, and so great a God. She snatch'd the Reins, she lash'd with all her Force, And full on Mars impell'd the foaming Horse:Line 1035 But first, to hide her Heav'nly Visage, spread Black Orcus' Helmet o'er her radiant Head. Just then Gigantic Periphas lay slain, The strongest Warrior of th' Aetolian Train; The God who slew him, leaves his prostrate PrizeLine 1040 Stretch'd where he fell, and at Tydides flies. Now rushing fierce, in equal Arms appear, The daring Greek; the dreadful God of War!

Full at the Chief, above his Courser's Head, From Mars his Arm th' enormous Weapon fled:Line 1045 Pallas oppos'd her Hand, and caus'd to glance Far from the Car, the strong immortal Lance. Then threw the Force of Tydeus' warlike Son; The Javelin hiss'd; the Goddess urg'd it on: Where the broad Cincture girt his Armor round,Line 1050 It pierc'd the God: His Groin receiv'd the Wound. From the rent Skin the Warrior tuggs again The smoaking Steel. Mars bellows with the Pain: Loud, as the Roar encountring Armies yield, When shouting Millions shake the thund'ring Field.Line 1055 Both Armies start, and trembling gaze around; And Earth and Heav'n rebellow to the Sound. As Vapors blown by Auster's sultry Breath, Pregnant with Plagues, and shedding Seeds of Death, Beneath the Rage of burning Sirius rise,Line 1060 Choak the parch'd Earth, and blacken all the Skies; In such a Cloud the God from Combate driv'n, High o'er the dusty Whirlwind scales the Heav'n. Wild with his Pain, he sought the bright Abodes, There sullen sate beneath the Sire of Gods,Line 1065

Show'd the Celestial Blood, and with a Groan Thus pour'd his Plaints before th' immortal Throne.

Can Jove, supine, flagitious Facts survey, And brook the Furies of this daring Day? For mortal Men Celestial Pow'rs engage,Line 1070 And Gods on Gods exert Eternal Rage. From thee, O Father! all these Ills we bear, And thy fell Daughter with the Shield and Spear: Thou gav'st that Fury to the Realms of Light, Pernicious, wild, regardless of the Right.Line 1075 All Heav'n beside revere thy Sov'reign Sway, Thy Voice we hear, and thy Behests obey: 'Tis hers t'offend; and ev'n offending share Thy Breast, thy Counsels, thy distinguish'd Care: So boundless she, and thou so partial grown,Line 1080 Well may we deem the wond'rous Birth thy own. Now frantic Diomed, at her Command, Against th' Immortals lifts his raging Hand: The heav'nly Venus first his Fury found, Me next encount'ring, me he dar'd to wound;Line 1085 Vanquish'd I fled: Ev'n I, the God of Fight, From mortal Madness scarce was sav'd by Flight.

Else had'st thou seen me sink on yonder Plain, Heap'd round, and heaving under Loads of slain; Or pierc'd with Grecian Darts, for Ages lie,Line 1090 Condemn'd to Pain, tho' fated not to die.

Him thus upbraiding, with a wrathful Look The Lord of Thunders view'd, and stern bespoke. To me, Perfidious! this lamenting Strain? Of lawless Force shall lawless Mars complain?Line 1095 Of all the Gods who tread the spangled Skies, Thou most unjust, most odious in our Eyes! Inhuman Discord is thy dire Delight, The Waste of Slaughter, and the Rage of Fight. No Bound, no Law thy fiery Temper quells,Line 1100 And all thy Mother in thy Soul rebells. In vain our Threats, in vain our Pow'r we use; She gives th' Example, and her Son pursues. Yet long th' inflicted Pangs thou shalt not mourn, Sprung since thou art from Jove, and Heav'nly born.Line 1105 Else, sing'd with Light'ning, had'st thou hence been thrown, Where chain'd on burning Rocks the Titans groan.

Thus He who shakes Olympus with his Nod; Then gave to Poeon's Care the bleeding God. With gentle Hand the Balm he pour'd around,Line 1110 And heal'd th' immortal Flesh, and clos'd the Wound As when the Fig's prest Juice, infus'd in Cream, To Curds coagulates the liquid Stream, Sudden the Fluids fix, the Parts combin'd; Such, and so soon, th' Aetherial Texture join'd.Line 1115 Cleans'd from the Dust and Gore, fair Hebè drest His mighty Limbs in an immortal Vest. Glorious he sate, in Majesty restor'd, Fast by the Throne of Heav'ns superior Lord. Juno and Pallas mount the blest Abodes,Line 1120 Their Task perform'd, and mix among the Gods.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE Fifth Book.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE FIFTH BOOK.

I.

VERSE 1. BUT Pallas now, &c.]

As in every just History Picture there is one principal Figure, to which all the rest refer and are subservient; so in each Battel of the Iliad there is one principal Person, that may properly be call'd the Hero of that Day or Action. This Conduct preserves the Unity of the Piece, and keeps the Imagination from being distra|cted and confused with a wild Number of independent Figures, which have no Subordination to each other. To make this pro|bable, Homer supposes these extraordinary Measures of Courage to be the immediate Gift of the Gods; who bestow them some|times upon one, and sometimes upon another, as they think fit to make them the Instruments of their Designs; an Opi|nion conformable to true Theology. Whoever reflects upon this, will not blame our Author for representing the same Heroes brave at one time, and dispirited at another; just as the Gods assist, or abandon them on different Occasions.

II.

VERSE 1. Tydides.]

That we may enter into the Spirit and Beauty of this Book, it will be proper to settle the true Character of Diomed who is the Hero of it. Achilles is no

sooner retired, but Homer raises his other Greeks to supply his Absence; like Stars that shine each in his due Revolution, till the principal Hero rises again, and eclipses all others. As Diomed is the first in this Office, he seems to have more of the Character of Achilles than any besides. He has naturally an Excess of Boldness and too much Fury in his Temper, for|ward and intrepid like the other, and running after Gods or Men promiscuously as they offer themselves. But what differences his Character is, that he is soon reclaim'd by Advice, hears those that are more experienced, and in a word, obeys Minerva in all things. He is assisted by the Patroness of Wisdom and Arms, as he is eminent both for Prudence and Valor. That which characterizes his Prudence is a quick Sagacity and Presence of Mind in all Emergencies, and an undisturb'd Readiness in the very Article of Danger. And what is particular in his Valor is agreeable to these Qualities; his Actions being al|ways performed with remarkable Dexterity, Activity, and Dispatch. As the gentle and manageable Turn of his Mind seems drawn with an Opposition to the boisterous Temper of Achilles, so his bodily Excellencies seem design'd as in Con|traste to those of Ajax, who appears with great Strength, but heavy and unwieldy. As he is forward to act in the Field, so is he ready to speak in the Council: But 'tis observable that his Counsels still incline to War, and are byass'd rather on the side of Bravery than Caution. Thus he advises to reject the Proposals of the Trojans in the seventh Book, and not to accept of Helen her self, tho' Paris should offer her. In the ninth, he opposes Agamemnon's Proposition to return to Greece, in so strong a manner, as to declare he will stay and continue the Siege himself, if the General should de|part. And thus he hears without Concern Achilles's Re|fusal of a Reconciliation, and doubts not to be able to carry on the War without him. As for his private Character, he appears a gallant Lover of Hospitality in his Behaviour to Glaucus in the sixth Book; a Lover of Wisdom in his Assist|ance of Nestor in the eighth, and his Choice of Ulysses to ac|company him in the tenth; upon the whole, an open sin|cere Friend, and a generous Enemy.

The wonderful Actions he performs in this Battel, seem to be the Effect of a noble Resentment at the Reproach he had receiv'd from Agamemnon in the foregoing Book, to which these Deeds are the Answer. He becomes immediately the second Hero of Greece, and dreaded equally with Achilles by the Trojans. At the first Sight of him his Enemies make a Question, Whether he is a Man or a God? Aeneas and Pandarus go against him, whose Approach terrifies Sthenelus, and the Apprehension of so great a Warrior marvellously exalts the Intrepidity of Diomed. Aeneas himself is not sav'd but by the interposing of a Deity: He pursues and wounds that Deity, and Aeneas again escapes only by the Help of a stronger Power, Apollo. He attempts Apollo too, retreats not till the God threatens him in his own Voice, and even then retreats but a few Steps. When he sees Hector and Mars himself in open Arms against him, he had not retir'd tho' he was wounded, but in Obedience to Minerva, and then retires with his Face toward them. But as soon as she permits him to engage with that God, he conquers, and sends him groaning to Heaven. What Invention and what Conduct appears in this whole Episode? What Boldness in raising a Character to such a Pitch, and what Judgment in raising it by such De|grees? While the most daring Flights of Poetry are employ'd to move our Admiration, and at the same time the justest and closest Allegory, to reconcile those Flights to moral Truth and Probability? It may be farther remark'd, that the high Degree to which Homer elevates this Character, en|ters into the principal Design of his whole Poem; which is to shew, that the greatest Personal Qualities and Forces are of no Effect when Union is wanting among the chief Rulers, and that nothing can avail till they are reconciled so as to act in Concert.

III.

VERSE 5. High on his Helm Celestial Light'nings play.]

This beautiful Passage gave occasion to Zoilus for an insipid Piece of Raillery, who ask'd how it happen'd that the Hero escap'd burning by these Fires that continually broke from

his Armor? Eustathius answers, that there are several Exam|ples in History, of Fires being seen to break forth from hu|man Bodies as Presages of Greatness and Glory. Among the rest, Plutarch in the Life of Alexander describes his Helmet much in this manner. This is enough to warrant the Ficti|on, and were there no such Example, the same Author says very well that the Imagination of a Poet is not to be confi|ned to strict Physical Truths. But all Objections may easily be removed, if we consider it as done by Minerva, who had determined this Day to raise Diomed above all the Heroes, and caused this Apparition to render him formidable. The Power of a God makes it not only allowable but highly no|ble, and greatly imagined by Homer; as well as correspon|dent to a Miracle in holy Scripture, where Moses is described with a Glory shining on his Face at his Descent from Mount Sinai, a Parallel which Spondanus has taken notice of.

Virgil was too sensible of the Beauty of this Passage not to imitate it, and it must be owned he has surpassed his Original.

Ardet apex capiti, cristisque ac vertice flamma Funditur, & vastos umbo vomit aureus ignes. Non secus ac liquida si quando nocte Cometae Sanguinei lugubre rubent: aut Sirius ardor, Ille sitim morbosque ferens mortalibus aegris, Nascitur, & laevo contristat lumine caelum.

In Homer's Comparison there is no other Circumstance allu|ded to but that of a remarkable Brightness: Whereas Virgil's Comparison, beside this, seems to foretel the immense Slaughter his Hero was to make, by comparing him first to a Comet, which is vulgarly imagin'd a Prognostick, if not the real Cause of much Misery to Mankind; and again to the Dog-star, which appearing with the greatest Brightness in the latter end of Summer, is suppos'd the Occasion of all the Distempers of that sickly Season. And methinks the Ob|jection of Macrobius to this Place is not just, who thinks the Simile unseasonably apply'd by Virgil to Aeneas, because he was yet on his Ship, and had not begun the Battel. One may answer, that this miraculous Appearance could never be

more proper than at the first Sight of the Hero, to strike Terror into the Enemy, and to prognosticate his approach|ing Victory.

IV.

VERSE 27. Idaeus fled, Left the rich Chariot.]

It is finely said by M. Dacier, that Homer appears perhaps greater by the Criticisms that have been past upon him, than by the Praises which have been given him. Zoilus had a Cavil at this Place; he thought it ridiculous in Idaeus to descend from his Chariot to fly, which he might have done faster by the help of his Horses. Three things are said in answer to this; first, that Idaeus knowing the Passion which Diomed had for Horses, might hope the Pleasure of seizing these would re|tard him from pursuing him. Next, that Homer might de|sign to represent in this Action of Idaeus the common Effect of Fear, which disturbs the Understanding to such a degree, as to make Men abandon the surest means to save themselves. And then, that Idaeus might have some Advantage of Diomed in Swiftness, which he had reason to confide in. But I fancy one may add another Solution which will better account for this Passage. Homer's word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which I believe would be better translated non perseveravit, than non sustinuit defen|dere fratrem interfectum: and then the Sense will be clear, that Idaeus made an Effort to save his Brother's Body, which proving impracticable, he was obliged to fly with the utmost Precipitation. One may add, that his alighting from his Chariot was not that he could run faster on foot, but that he could sooner escape by mixing with the Crowd of com|mon Soldiers. There is a Particular exactly of the same Na|ture in the Book of Judges, Ch. 4. ℣. 15. where Sisera a|lights to fly in the same manner.

V.

VERSE 40. Who bathe in Blood.]

It may seem something unnatural, that Pallas at a time when she is endeavouring to work upon Mars under the Appearance of Benevolence and Kindness, should make use of Terms which seem so full of

bitter Reproaches; but these will appear very properly applied to this warlike Deity. For Persons of this mar|tial Character, who scorning Equity and Reason, carry all things by Force, are better pleas'd to be celebrated for their Power than their Virtue. Statues are rais'd to the Conquerors, that is, the Destroyers of Nations, who are com|plemented for excelling in the Arts of Ruine. Demetrius the Son of Antigonus was celebrated by his Flatterers with the Ti|tle of Poliorcetes, a Term equivalent to one here made use of.

VI.

VERSE 46. The God of Arms and martial Maid retreat.]

The Retreat of Mars from the Trojans intimates that Cou|rage forsook them: It may be said then, that Minerva's Ab|sence from the Greeks will signify that Wisdom deserted them also. It is true she does desert them, but it is at a time when there was more occasion for gallant Actions than for wise Counsels. Eustathius.

VII.

VERSE 48. The Greeks the Trojan Race pursue.]

Homer always appears very zealous for the Honour of Greece, which alone might be a Proof of his being of that Country, against the Opinion of those who would have him of other Nations.

It is observable thro' the whole Ilaid, that he endeavours every where to represent the Greeks as superior to the Tro|jans in Valor and the Art of War. In the beginning of the third Book he describes the Trojans rushing on to the Battel in a barbarous and confus'd manner, with loud Shouts and Cries, while the Greeks advance in the most profound Silence and exact Order. And in the latter Part of the fourth Book, where the two Armies march to the Engagement, the Greeks are animated by Pallas, while Mars instigates the Tro|jans, the Poet attributing by this plain Allegory to the for|mer a well-conducted Valor, to the latter rash Strength and brutal Force: So that the Abilities of each Nation are di|stinguish'd by the Characters of the Deities who assist them.

But in this Place, as Eustathius observes, the Poet being wil|ling to shew how much the Greeks excell'd their Enemies when they engag'd only with their proper Force, and when each side was alike destitute of divine Assistance, takes occa|sion to remove the Gods out of the Battel, and then each Grecian Chief gives signal Instances of Valor superior to the Trojans.

A modern Critick observes that this constant Superiority of the Greeks in the Art of War, Valor, and Number, is contradictory to the main Design of the Poem, which is to make the Return of Achilles appear necessary for the Preser|vation of the Greeks; but this Contradiction vanishes when we reflect that the Affront given Achilles was the occasion of Jupiter's interposing in favour of the Trojans. Wherefore the Anger of Achilles was not pernicious to the Greeks purely because it kept him inactive, but because it occasion'd Jupiter to afflict them in such a manner, as made it necessary to appease Achilles in order to render Jupiter propitious.

VIII.

VERSE 63. Back from the Car he tumbles.]

It is in Poetry as in Painting, the Postures and Attitudes of each Figure ought to be different: Homer takes care not to draw two Per|sons in the same Posture; one is tumbled from his Chariot, another is slain as he ascends it, a third as he endeavours to escape on Foot, a Conduct which is every where observed by the Poet. Eustathius.

IX.

VERSE 75. Next artful Phereclus.]

This Character of Phe|reclus is finely imagined, and presents a noble Moral in an un|common manner. There ran a Report, that the Trojans had formerly receiv'd an Oracle, commanding them to fol|low Husbandry, and not apply themselves to Navigation. Homer from hence takes occasion to feign, that the Ship|wright who presumed to build the Fleet of Paris when he took his fatal Voyage to Greece, was overtaken by the di|vine

Vengeance so long after as in this Battel. One may take notice too in this, as in many other Places, of the re|markable Disposition Homer shews to Mechanicks; he never omits an Opportunity either of describing a Piece of Work|manship, or of celebrating an Artist.

X.

VERSE 92.Antenor's Offspring from a foreign Bed, Whose gen'rous Spouse Theano heav'nly Fair, Nurs'd the young Stranger with a Mother's Care.

Homer in this remarkable Passage commends the fair Theano for breeding up a Bastard of her Husband's with the same Tenderness as her own Children. This Lady was a Wo|man of the first Quality, and (as it appears in the sixth Iliad) the high Priestess of Minerva: So that one cannot imagine the Education of this Child was imposed upon her by the Au|thority or Power of Antenor; Homer himself takes care to remove any such derogatory Notion, by particularizing the Motive of this unusual Piece of Humanity to have been to please her Husband, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Nor ought we to lessen this Commendation by thinking the Wives of those Times in general were more complaisant than those of our own. The Stories of Phoenix, Clytemnestra, Medea, and ma|ny others, are plain Instances how highly the keeping of Mi|stresses was resented by the married Ladies. But there was indeed a difference between the Greeks and Asiaticks as to their Notions of Marriage: For it is certain the latter al|lowed Plurality of Wives; Priam had many lawful ones, and some of them Princesses who brought great Dowries. Theano was an Asiatick, and that is the most we can grant; for the Son she nurs'd so carefully was apparently not by a Wife, but by a Mistress; and her Passions were naturally the same with those of the Grecian Women. As to the Degree of Regard then shewn to the Bastards, they were carefully enough educated, tho' not (like this of Ante|nor) as the lawful Issue, nor admitted to an equal share of Inheritance. Megapenthes and Nicostratus were excluded from the Inheritance of Sparta, because they were born of Bond-Women,

as Pausanias says. But Neoptolemus, a natural Son of Achilles by Deidamia, succeeded in his Father's Kingdom, per|haps with respect to his Mother's Quality who was a Princess. Upon the whole, however that Matter stood, Homer was very favourable to Bastards, and has paid them more Complements than one in his Works. If I am not mistaken Ulysses reckons himself one in the Odysseis. Agamemnon in the eighth Iliad plainly accounts it no Disgrace, when charm'd with the no|ble Exploits of young Teucer, and praising him in the Rap|ture of his Heart, he just then takes occasion to mention his Illegitimacy as a kind of Panegyrick upon him. The Reader may consult the Passage, ℣. 284 of the Original and ℣. 333 of the Translation. From all this I should not be averse to believe that Homer himself was a Bastard, as Virgil was, of which I think this Observation a better Proof, than what is said for it in the common Lives of him.

XI.

VERSE 100.—Hypsenor, gen'rous and divine, Sprung from the brave Dolopion's mighty Line; Who near ador'd Scamander made Abode; Priest of the Stream, and honour'd as a God.

From the Number of Circumstances put together here, and in many other Passages, of the Parentage, Place of Abode, Profession, and Quality of the Persons our Author mentions; I think it is plain he composed his Poem from some Records or Traditions of the Actions of the Times preceding, and complied with the Truth of History. Otherwise these parti|cular Descriptions of Genealogies and other minute Circum|stances would have been an Affectation extremely needless and unreasonable. This Consideration will account for several things that seem odd or tedious, not to add that one may naturally believe he took these Occasions of paying a Com|plement to many great Men and Families of his Patrons, both in Greece and Asia.

XII.

VERSE 108. Down sinks the Priest.]

Homer makes him die upon the cutting off his Arm, which is an Instance of his Skill; for the great Flux of Blood that must follow such a Wound, would be the immediate Cause of Death.

XIII.

VERSE 116. Thus Torrents swift and strong.]

This whole Passage (says Eustathius) is extremely beautiful. It de|scribes the Hero carry'd by an Enthusiastick Valor into the midst of his Enemies, and so mingled with their Ranks as if himself were a Trojan. And the Simile wonderfully il|lustrates this Fury proceeding from an uncommon Infusion of Courage from Heaven, in resembling it not to a constant River, but a Torrent rising from an extraordinary Burst of Rain. This Simile is one of those that draws along with it some foreign Circumstances: We must not often ex|pect from Homer those minute Resemblances in every Branch of a Comparison, which are the Pride of modern Similes. If that which one may call the main Action of it, or the prin|cipal Point of Likeness, be preserved; he affects, as to the rest, rather to present the Mind with a great Image, than to fix it down to an exact one. He is sure to make a fine Pi|cture in the whole, without drudging on the under Parts; like those free Painters who (one would think) had only made here and there a few very significant Strokes, that give Form and Spirit to all the Piece. For the present Comparison, Virgil in the second Aeneid has inserted an Imitation of it, which I cannot think equal to this, tho' Scaliger prefers Vir|gil's to all our Author's Similitudes from Rivers put together.

Non sic aggeribus ruptis cum spumeus amnis Exiit, oppositasque evicit gurgite moles, Fertur in arva furens cumulo, camposque per omnes Cum stabulis armenta trahit—

Not with so fierce a Rage, the foaming Flood Roars, when he finds his rapid Course withstood; Bears down the Dams with unresisted Sway, And sweeps the Cattel and the Cotts away. Dryden.

XIV.

VERSE 139. The Dart stopt short of Life.]

Homer says it did not kill him, and I am at a Loss why M. Dacier translates it, The Wound was slight; when just after the Arrow is said to have pierc'd quite thro', and she herself there turns it, Perçoit l'espaule d'outre en outre. Had it been so slight, he would not have needed the immediate Assistance of Minerva to restore his usual Vigor, and enable him to continue the Fight.

XV.

VERSE 164. From mortal Mists I purge thy Eyes.]

This Fiction of Homer (says M. Dacier) is founded upon an im|portant Truth of Religion, not unknown to the Pagans, that God only can open the Eyes of Men, and enable them to see what they cannot discover by their own Capacity. There are frequent Examples of this in the Old Testament. God opens the Eyes of Hagar that she might see the Fountain, in Genes. 21. ℣. 14. So Numbers 22. ℣. 31. The Lord open'd the Eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in his way, and his Sword drawn in his Hand. A Passage much resembling this of our Author. Venus in Virgil's se|cond Aeneid performs the same Office to Aeneas, and shews him the Gods who were engag'd in the Destruction of Troy.

Aspice; namque omnem quae nunc obducta tuenti Mortales hebetat visus tibi, & humida circum Caligat, nubem eripiam— Apparent dirae facies, inimicaque Trojae Numina magna Deûm.—

Milton seems likewise to have imitated this where he makes

Michael open Adam's Eyes to see the future Revolutions of the World, and Fortunes of his Posterity, Book 11.

—He purg'd with Euphrasie and Rue The visual Nerve, for he had much to see, And from the Well of Life three Drops distill'd.

This distinguishing Sight of Diomed was given him only for the present Occasion and Service in which he was employ'd by Pallas. For we find in the sixth Book that upon meeting Glaucus, he is ignorant whether that Hero be a Man or a God.

XVI.

VERSE 194. No mystic Dream.]

This Line in the Origi|nal, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, contains as puz|zling a Passage for the Construction as I have met with in Homer. Most Interpreters join the negative Particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with the Verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which may receive three different Mean|ings: That Eurydamas had not interpreted the Dreams of his Children when they went to the Wars, or that he had fore|told them by their Dreams they should never return from the Wars, or that he should now no more have the Satisfaction to interpret their Dreams at their Return. After all, this Construction seems forced, and no way agreeable to the ge|neral Idiom of the Greek Language, or to Homer's simple Di|ction in particular. If we join 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I think the most obvious Sense will be this; Diomed attacks the two Sons of Eurydamas an old Interpreter of Dreams; his Children not returning, the Prophet sought by his Dreams to know their Fate; however they fall by the Hands of Diomed. This Interpretation seems natural and poetical, and tends to move Compassion, which is almost constantly the Design of the Poet in his frequent short Digressions concerning the Circumstances and Relations of dying Persons.

XVII.

VERSE 202. To Strangers now descends his wealthy Store.]

This is a Circumstance than which nothing could be imagi|ned more tragical, considering the Character of the Father. Homer says the Trustees of the remote collateral Relations seiz'd the Estate before his Eyes (according to a Custom of those Times) which to a covetous old Man must be the greatest of Miseries.

XVIII.

VERSE 212. Divine Aeneas.]

It is here Aeneas begins to act, and if we take a View of the whole Episode of this Hero in Homer, where he makes but an Under-part, it will ap|pear that Virgil has kept him perfectly in the same Chara|cter in his Poem, where he shines as the first Hero. His Piety and his Valor, tho' not drawn at so full a length, are mark'd no less in the Original than in the Copy. It is the manner of Homer to express very strongly the Character of each Person in the first Speech he is made to utter in the Poem. In this of Aeneas, there is a great Air of Piety in those Strokes, Is he some God who punishes Troy for having neglected his Sacrifices? And then that Sentence, The Anger of Heaven is terrible. When he is in Danger afterwards, he is saved by the heavenly Assistance of two Deities at once, and his Wounds cured in the holy Temple of Pergamus by Latona and Diana. As to his Valor, he is second only to Hector, and in personal Bravery as great in the Greek Author as in the Roman. He is made to exert himself on Emergen|cies of the first Importance and Hazard, rather than on com|mon Occasions: he checks Diomed here in the midst of his Fury; in the thirteenth Book defends his Friend Deiphobus before it was his Turn to fight, being placed in one of the hind|most Ranks (which Homer, to take off all Objection to his Valor, tells us happen'd because Priam had an Animosity to him, tho' he was one of the bravest of the Army.) He is one of those who rescue Hector when he is overthrown by Ajax in the fourteenth Book. And what alone were suffici|ent to establish him a first-rate Hero, he is the first that dares resist Achilles himself at his Return to the Fight in all his Rage for the Loss of Patroclus. He indeed avoids encoun|tering

two at once, in the present Book; and shews upon the whole a sedate and deliberate Courage, which if not so glaring as that of some others, is yet more just. It is worth considering how thoroughly Virgil penetrated into all this, and saw into the very Idea of Homer; so as to extend and call forth the whole Figure in its full Dimensions and Colours from the slightest Hints and Sketches which were but casually touch'd by Homer, and even in some Points too where they were rather left to be understood, than express'd. And this, by the way, ought to be consider'd by those Criticks who object to Virgil's Hero the want of that sort of Courage which strikes us so much in Homer's Achilles. Aeneas was not the Crea|ture of Virgil's Imagination, but one whom the World was already acquainted with, and expected to see continued in the same Character; and one who perhaps was chosen for the Hero of the Latin Poem, not only as he was the Foun|der of the Roman Empire, but as this more calm and regu|lar Character better agreed with the Temper and Genius of the Poet himself.

XIX.

VERSE 242. Skill'd in the Bow, &c.]

We see thro' this whole Discourse of Pandarus the Character of a vain-glorious passionate Prince, who being skill'd in the Use of the Bow, was highly valued by himself and others for this Excellence; but having been successless in two different Trials of his Skill, he is rais'd into an outragious Passion, which vents itself in vain Threats on his guiltless Bow. Eustathius on this Pas|sage relates a Story of a Paphlagonian famous like him for his Archery, who having miss'd his Aim at repeated Trials, was so transported by Rage, that breaking his Bow and Ar|rows, he executed a more fatal Vengeance by hanging him|self.

XX.

VERSE 244. Ten polish'd Chariots.]

Among the many Pi|ctures Homer gives us of the Simplicity of the Heroic Ages, he mingles from time to time some Hints of an extraordina|ry

Magnificence. We have here a Prince who has all these Chariots for Pleasure at one time, with their particular Sets of Horses to each, and the most sumptuous Coverings in their Stables. But we must remember that he speaks of an Asiatic Prince, those Barbarians living in great Luxury. Dacier.

XXI.

VERSE 252. Yet to Thrift inclin'd.]

'Tis Eustathius his Re|mark, that Pandarus did this out of Avarice, to save the Ex|pence of his Horses. I like this Conjecture, because nothing seems more judicious, than to give a Man of a perfidious Character a strong Tincture of Avarice.

XXII.

VERSE 261. And undissembled Gore pursu'd the Wound.]

The Greek is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. He says he is sure it was real Blood that follow'd his Arrow; because it was anciently a Custom, particularly among the Spartans, to have Ornaments and Figures of a purple Colour on their Breast-Plates, that the Blood they lost might not be seen by the Soldiers, and tend to their Discouragement. Plutarch in his Instit. Lacon. takes notice of this Point of Antiquity, and I wonder it escap'd Madam Dacier in her Translation.

XXIII.

VERSE 273. Nor Phoebus' honour'd Gift disgrace.]

For Ho|mer tells us in the second Book, ℣. 334 of the Catalogue, that the Bow and Shafts of Pandarus were given him by Apollo.

XXIV.

VERSE 284. Haste, seize the Whip, &c.]

Homer means not here, that one of the Heroes should alight or descend from the Chariot, but only that he should quit the Reins to the Management of the other, and stand on Foot upon the Chariot to fight from thence. As one might use the Expres|sion,

to descend from the Ship, to signify to quit the Helm or Oar, in order to take up Arms. This is the Note of Eu|stathius, by which it appears that most of the Translators are mistaken in the Sense of this Passage, and among the rest Mr. Hobbes.

XXV.

VERSE 320. One Chief at least beneath this Arm shall die.]

It is the manner of our Author to make his Persons have some Intimation from within, either of prosperous or adverse Fortune, before it happens to them. In the present Instance, we have seen Aeneas, astonish'd at the great Exploits of Dio|med, proposing to himself the Means of his Escape by the Swiftness of his Horses, before he advances to encounter him. On the other hand, Diomed is so filled with Assurance, that he gives Orders here to Sthenelus to seize those Horses, before they come up to him. The Opposition of these two (as Mad. Dacier has remark'd) is very observable.

XXVI.

VERSE 327. The Coursers of Aethereal Breed.]

We have already observed the great Delight Homer takes in Horses. He makes some Horses, as well as Heroes, of celestial Race: and if he has been thought too fond of the Genealogies of some of his Warriors, in relating them even in a Battel; we find him here as willing to trace that of his Horses in the same Circumstance. These were of that Breed which Jupiter bestow'd upon Tros, and far superior to the common Strain of Trojan Horses. So that (according to Eustathius's Opini|on) the Translators are mistaken who turn 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Trojan Horses, in ℣. 222 of the Original, where Aeneas ex|tolls their Qualities to Pandarus. The same Author takes notice, that Frauds in the Case of Horses have been thought excusable in all Times, and commends Anchises for this Piece of Theft. Virgil was so well pleas'd with it as to imi|tate this Passage in the seventh Aeneid.

Absenti Aeneae currum, geminosque jugales Semine ab aethereo, spirantes naribus ignem, Illorum de gente, patri quos daedala Circe Supposita de matre nothos furata creavit.

XXVII.

VERSE 353. Full in his Face it enter'd.]

It has been ask'd, how Diomed being on Foot, could naturally be suppos'd to give such a Wound as is describ'd here. Were it never so improbable, the express mention that Minerva conducted the Javelin to that Part, would render this Passage unexceptiona|ble. But without having recourse to a Miracle, such a Wound might be receiv'd by Pandarus either if he stoop'd; or if his Enemy took the Advantage of a rising Ground, by which means he might not impossibly stand higher, tho' the other were in a Chariot. This is the Solution given by the anci|ent Scholia, which is confirm'd by the Lowness of the Cha|riots, observed in the Essay on Homer's Battels.

XXVIII.

VERSE 361. To guard his slaughter'd Friend Aeneas flies.]

This protecting of the dead Body was not only an Office of Piety agreeable to the Character of Aeneas in particular, but look'd upon as a Matter of great Importance in those Times. It was believ'd that the very Soul of the deceas'd suffer'd by the Body's remaining destitute of the Rites of Se|pulture, as not being else admitted to pass the Waters of Styx.

Haec omnis, quam cernis, inops inhumataque turba est; Portitor ille, Charon; hi, quos vehit unda, sepulti. Nec ripas datur horrendas & rauca fluenta Transportare prius, quam sedibus ossa quierunt. Centum errant annos, volitantque haec litora circum. Virg. Aen. 6.

Whoever considers this, will not be surprized at those long and obstinate Combates for the Bodies of the Heroes, so frequent in the Iliad. Homer thought it of such Weight, that he has put this Circumstance of want of Burial into the Propo|sition at the beginning of his Poem, as one of the chief Mis|fortunes that befel the Greeks.

XXIX.

VERSE 371. Not two strong Men.]

This Opinion of a Degeneracy of human Size and Strength in the Process of Ages, has been very general. Lucretius, Lib. 2.

Jamque adeo fracta est aetas, effoetaque tellus Vix animalia parva creat, quae cuncta creavit Saecla, deditque ferarum ingentia corpora partu.

The active Life and Temperance of the first Men, before their native Powers were prejudiced by Luxury, may be sup|posed to have given them this Advantage. Celsus in his first Book observes, that Homer mentions no sort of Diseases in the old Heroic Times but what were immediately inflicted by Heaven, as if their Temperance and Exercise preserved them from all besides. Virgil imitates this Passage, with a farther Allowance of the Decay in Proportion to the Distance of his Time from that of Homer. For he says it was an Attempt that exceeded the Strength of twelve Men, instead of two.

—Saxum circumspicit ingens— Vix illud lecti bis sex cervice subirent. Qualia nunc hominum producit corpora tellus.

Juvenal has made an agreeable Use of this Thought in his fourteenth Satyr.

Nam genus hoc vivo jam decrescebat Homero, Terra malos homines nunc educat, atque pusillos.

XXX.

VERSE 391. Hid from the Foe behind her shining Veil.]

Homer says, she spread her Veil that it might be a Defence against the Darts. How comes it then afterwards to be pierc'd thro', when Venus is wounded? It is manifest the Veil was not impenetrable, and is said here to be a Defence only as it render'd Aeneas invisible, by being interposed. This is the Observation of Eustathius, and was thought too material to be neglected in the Translation.

XXXI.

VERSE 403. To bold Deipylus—Whom most he lov'd.]

Sthe|nelus (says M. Dacier) loved Deipylus, parce qu'il avoit la mesme humeur que luy, la mesme sagesse. The Words in the Original are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Because his Mind was e|qual and consentaneous to his own; which I should rather translate, with regard to the Character of Sthenelus, that he had the same Bravery, than the same Wisdom. For that Sthenelus was not remarkable for Wisdom appears from ma|ny Passages, and particularly from his Speech to Agamemnon in the fourth Book, upon which see Plutarch's Remark, Note 28.

XXXII.

VERSE 408. The Chief in chace of Venus flies.]

We have seen with what Ease Venus takes Paris out of the Battel in the third Book, when his Life was in danger from Menelaus; but here when she has a Charge of more Importance and nearer Concern, she is not able to preserve her self or her Son from the Fury of Diomed. The difference of Success in two Attempts so like each other, is occasion'd by that Pene|tration of Sight with which Pallas had endu'd her Favorite. For the Gods in their Intercourse with Men are not ordina|rily seen but when they please to render themselves visible; wherefore Venus might think her self and her Son secure from the Insolence of this daring Mortal; but was in this de|ceiv'd,

being ignorant of that Faculty, wherewith the Hero was enabled to distinguish Gods as well as Men.

XXXIII.

VERSE 419. Her snowie Hand the razing Steel profan'd.]

Plutarch in his Symposiacks l. 9. tells us, that Maximus the Rhetorician propos'd this far-fetch'd Question at a Banquet, On which of her Hands Venus was wounded? and that Zopy|rion answer'd it by asking, On which of his Legs Philip was lame? But Maximus reply'd it was a different Case: For De|mosthenes left no Foundation to guess at the one, whereas Homer gives a Solution of the other, in saying that Diomed throwing his Spear across, wounded her Wrist: so that it was her right Hand he hurt, her left being opposite to his right. He adds another humorous Reason from Pallas's reproaching her afterwards, as having got this Wound while she was stro|king and solliciting some Grecian Lady, and unbuckling her Zone; An Action (says this Philosopher) in which no one would make use of the left Hand.

XXXIV.

VERSE 422. Such Stream as issues from a wounded God.]

This is one of those Passages in Homer which have given oc|casion to that famous Censure of Tully and Longinus, That he makes Gods of his Heroes, and Mortals of his Gods. These, taken in a general Sense, appear'd the highest Impiety to Plato and Pythagoras; one of whom has banish'd Homer from his Commonwealth, and the other said he was tortured in Hell, for Fictions of this Nature. But if a due Distinction be made of a difference among Beings superior to Mankind, which both the Pagans and Christians have allowed, these Fables may be easily accounted for. Wounds inflicted on the Dragon, Bruising of the Serpent's Head, and other such me|taphorical Images are consecrated in holy Writ, and apply'd to Angelical and incorporeal Natures. But in our Author's Days they had a Notion of Gods that were corporeal, to whom they ascribed Bodies, tho' of a more subtil Kind than

those of Mortals. So in this very Place he supposes them to have Blood, but Blood of a finer and superior Nature. Not|withstanding the foregoing Censures, Milton has not scrupled to imitate and apply this to Angels in the Christian System, when Satan is wounded by Michael in his sixth Book.

—Then Satan first knew Pain, And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd; so sore The griding Sword with discontinuous Wound Pass'd thro' him; but th' Aetherial Substance clos'd, Not long divisible, and from the gash A Stream of Nectarous Humour issuing flow'd, Sanguin, such as Celestial Spirits may bleed— Yet soon he heal'd, for Spirits that live throughout, Vital in ev'ry Part, not as frail Man In Entrails, Head or Heart, Liver or Reins, Cannot but by annihilating die.

Aristotle, Cap. 26. Art. Poet. excuses Homer for following Fame and common Opinion in his Account of the Gods, tho' no way agreeable to Truth. The Religion of those Times taught no other Notions of the Deity, than that the Gods were Beings of human Forms and Passions; so that a|ny but a real Anthropomorphite would probably have past among the ancient Greeks for an impious Heretick: They thought their Religion, which worshipped the Gods in Ima|ges of human Shape, was much more refin'd and rational than that of Aegypt and other Nations, who ador'd them in animal or monstrous Forms. And certainly Gods of human Shape cannot justly be esteemed or described otherwise, than as a celestial Race, superior only to mortal Men by greater Abili|ties, and a more extensive Degree of Wisdom and Strength, subject however to the necessary Inconveniencies consequent to corporeal Beings. Cicero in his Book de Nat. Deor. ur|ges this Consequence strongly against the Epicureans, who tho' they depos'd the Gods from any Power in creating or governing the World, yet maintain'd their Existence in human Forms.

Non enim sentitis quam multa vobis suscipienda sunt si impetraveritis ut concedamus eandem esse hominum & deorum

figuram; omnis cultus & curatio corporis erit eadem adhibenda Deo quae adhibetur homini, ingressus, cursus, accubatio, inclinatio, sessio, comprehensio, ad extremum etiam sermo & oratio. Nam quod & mares Deos & faeminas esse dicitis, quid sequatur videtis.

This Particular of the wounding of Venus seems to be a Fiction of Homer's own Brain, naturally deducible from the Doctrine of corporeal Gods above-mentioned; and consider|ed as Poetry, no way shocking. Yet our Author as if he had foreseen some Objection, has very artfully inserted a Ju|stification of this bold Stroke, in the Speech Dione soon af|ter makes to Venus. For as it was natural to comfort her Daughter, by putting her in mind that many other Deities had receiv'd as ill Treatment from Mortals by the Permission of Jupiter; so it was of great Use to the Poet, to enume|rate those ancient Fables to the same Purpose, which being then generally assented to might obtain Credit for his own. This fine Remark belongs to Eustathius.

XXXV.

VERSE 424. Unlike our gross, diseas'd, terrestrial Blood, &c.]

The Opinion of the Incorruptibility of Celestial Matter seems to have been receiv'd in the Time of Homer. For he makes the Immortality of the Gods to depend upon the incorrupti|ble Nature of the Nutriment by which they are sustained: As the Mortality of Men to proceed from the corruptible Ma|terials of which they are made, and by which they are nou|rished. We have several Instances in him from whence this may be inferred, as when Diomed questions Glaucus if he be a God or a Mortal, he adds, One who is sustained by the Fruits of the Earth. Lib. 6. ℣. 142.

XXXVI.

VERSE 449. Low at his Knee she begg'd.]

All the former English Translators make it, she fell on her Knees, an Over|sight occasion'd by the want of a competent Knowledge in Antiquities (without which no Man can tolerably understand this Author.) For the Custom of praying on the Knees was

unknown to the Greeks, and in use only among the Hebrews.

XXXVII.

VERSE 472. And share those Griefs inferior Pow'rs must share.]

The word Inferior is added by the Translator, to o|pen the Distinction Homer makes between the Divinity itself, which he represents impassible, and the subordinate celestial Beings or Spirits.

XXXVIII.

VERSE 475. The mighty Mars, &c.]

Homer in these Fa|bles, as upon many other Occasions, makes a great Show of his Theological Learning, which was the manner of all the Greeks who had travell'd into Aegypt. Those who would see these Allegories explained at large, may consult Eustathius on this Place. Virgil speaks much in the same Figure when he describes the happy Peace with which Augustus had blest the World,

—Furor impius intus Saeva sedens super arma, & centum vinctus aënis Post tergum nodis, fremit horridus ore cruento.

XXXIX.

VERSE 479. Perhaps had perish'd.]

Some of Homer's Cen|surers have inferr'd from this Passage, that the Poet represents his Gods subject to Death, when nothing but great Misery is here described. It is a common way of Speech to use Perdi|tion and Destruction for Misfortune. The Language of Scri|pture calls eternal Punishment perishing everlastingly. There is a remarkable Passage to this Purpose in Tacitus, An. 6. which very lively represents the miserable State of a distract|ed Tyrant: It is the beginning of a Letter from Tiberius to the Senate,

Quid scribam vobis, P. C. aut quomodo scribam, aut quid omnino non scribam hoc tempore, Dii me deaeque pe|jus perdant quam perire quotidie sentio, si scio.

XL.

VERSE 498. No Infant on his Knees shall call him Sire.]

This is Homer's manner of foretelling that he shall perish un|fortunately in Battel, which is infinitely a more artful way of conveying that Thought than by a direct Expression. He does not simply say, he shall never return from the War, but intimates as much by describing the Loss of the most sensible and affecting Pleasure that a Warrior can receive at his Re|turn. Of the like Nature is the Prophecy at the end of this Speech of the Hero's Death, by representing it in a Dream of his Wife's. There are many fine Strokes of this kind in the Prophetical Parts of the Old Testament. Nothing is more natural than Dione's forming these Images of Revenge upon Diomed, the Hope of which Vengeance was so proper a Topick of Consolation to Venus.

XLI.

VERSE 500. To stretch thee pale, &c.]

Virgil has taken notice of this threatning Denunciation of Vengeance, tho' fulfill'd in a different manner, where Diomed in his Answer to the Embassador of K. Latinus enumerates his Misfortunes, and imputes the Cause of them to this impious Attempt upon Venus. Aeneid, Lib. 11.

Invidisse Deos patriis ut redditus oris Conjugium optatum & pulchram Calydona viderem? Nunc etiam horribili visu portenta sequuntur: Et socii amissi petierunt Aequora pennis: Fluminibusque vagantur aves (heu dira meorum Supplicia!) & scopulos, lachrymosis vocibus implent. Haec adeo ex illo mihi jam speranda fuerunt Tempore, cum ferro caelestia corpora demens Appetii, & Veneris violavi vulnere dextram.

XLII.

VERSE 501. Thy distant Wife.]

The Poet seems here to complement the Fair Sex at the Expence of Truth, by con|cealing the Character of Aegiale, whom he has describ'd with the Disposition of a faithful Wife; tho' the History of those Times represents her as an abandon'd Prostitute, who gave up her own Person and her Husband's Crown to her Lover. So that Diomed at his Return from Troy, when he expected to be receiv'd with all the Tenderness of a loving Spouse, found his Bed and Throne possess'd by an Adulterer, was forc'd to fly his Country, and seek Refuge and Subsistence in foreign Lands. Thus the offended Goddess executed her Vengeance by the proper Effects of her own Power, by in|volving the Hero in a Series of Misfortunes proceeding from the Incontinence of his Wife.

XLIII.

VERSE 517. The Sire of Gods and Men superior smil'd.]

One may observe the Decorum and Decency our Author con|stantly preserves on this Occasion: Jupiter only smiles, the other Gods laugh out. That Homer was no Enemy to Mirth may appear from several Places of his Poem; which so seri|ous as it is, is interspers'd with many Gayeties, indeed more than he has been follow'd in by the succeeding Epic Poets. Milton, who was perhaps fonder of him than the rest, has given most into the ludicrous; of which his Paradise of Fools in the third Book, and his Jesting Angels in the sixth, are extraordinary Instances. Upon the Confusion of Babel, he says there was great Laughter in Heaven: as Homer calls the Laughter of the Gods in the first Book 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, an in|extinguishable Laugh: But the Scripture might perhaps em|bolden the English Poet, which says, The Lord shall laugh them to Scorn, and the like. Plato is very angry at Homer for making the Deities laugh, as a high Indecency and Of|fence to Gravity. He says the Gods in our Author repre|sent Magistrates and Persons in Authority, and are design|ed

as Examples to such: On this Supposition, he blames him for proposing immoderate Laughter as a thing de|cent in great Men. I forgot to take notice in its proper Place, that the Epither inextinguishable is not to be taken li|terally for dissolute or ceasless Mirth, but was only a Phrase of that time to signify Chearfulness and seasonable Gayety; in the same manner as we may now say, to die with Laughter, without being understood to be in danger of dying with it. The Place, Time, and Occasion were all agreeable to Mirth: It was at a Banquet; and Plato himself relates several things that past at the Banquet of Agathon, which had not been either decent or rational at any other Season. The same may be said of the present Passage: Raillery could never be more natural than when two of the Female Sex had an Opportu|nity of triumphing over another whom they hated. Homer makes Wisdom her self not able, even in the Presence of Jupiter, to resist the Temptation. She breaks into a ludi|crous Speech, and the supreme Being himself vouchsafes a Smile at it. But this (as Eustathius remarks) is not introdu|duced without Judgment and Precaution. For we see he makes Minerva first beg Jupiter's Permission for this Piece of Freedom, Permit thy Daughter, gracious Jove; in which he asks the Reader's leave to enliven his Narration with this Piece of Gayety.

XLIV.

VERSE 540. He dreads his Fury, and some Steps retires.]

Diomed still maintains his intrepid Character; he retires but a Step or two even from Apollo. The Conduct of Homer is remarkably just and rational here. He gives Diomed no sort of Advantage over Apollo, because he would not feign what was entirely incredible, and what no Allegory could justify. He wounds Venus and Mars, as it is morally possible to o|vercome the irregular Passions which are represented by those Deities. But it is impossible to vanquish Apollo, in whatsoe|ver Capacity he is considered, either as the Sun, or as Desti|ny: One may shoot at the Sun but not hurt him, and one may strive against Destiny but not surmount it. Eustathius.

XLV.

VERSE 546. A Phantome rais'd.]

The Fiction of a God's placing a Phantome instead of the Hero, to delude the E|nemy and continue the Engagement, means no more than that the Enemy thought he was in the Battel. This is the Language of Poetry, which prefers a marvellous Fiction to a plain and simple Truth, the Recital whereof would be cold and unaffecting. Thus Minerva's guiding a Javelin, signifies only that it was thrown with Art and Dexterity; Mars taking upon him the Shape of Acamas, that the Cou|rage of Acamas incited him to do so, and in like manner of the rest. The present Passage is copied by Virgil in the tenth Aeneid, where the Spectre of Aeneas is raised by Juno or the Air, as it is here by Apollo or the Sun; both equally proper to be employ'd in forming an Apparition. Whoever will compare the two Authors on this Subject, will observe with what admirable Art, and what exquisite Ornaments, the latter has improved and beautify'd his Original. Scaliger in comparing these Places, has absurdly censured the Phantome of Homer for its Inactivity; whereas it was only form'd to represent the Hero lying on the Ground, without any Ap|pearance of Life or Motion. Spencer in the eighth Canto of the third Book seems to have improved this Imagination, in the Creation of his false Florimel, who performs all the Functions of Life, and gives occasion for many Adventures.

XLVI.

VERSE 575. The Speech of Sarpedon to Hector.]

It will be hard to find a Speech more warm and spirited than this of Sarpedon, or which comprehends so much in so few Words. Nothing could be more artfully thought upon to pique He|ctor, who was so jealous of his Country's Glory, than to tell him he had formerly conceiv'd too great a Notion of the Trojan Valor; and to exalt the Auxiliaries above his Coun|trymen. The Description Sarpedon gives of the little Con|cern or Interest himself had in the War, in Opposition to the

Necessity and imminent Danger of the Trojans, greatly strengthens this Preference, and lays the Charge very home upon their Honour. In the latter Part, which prescribes Hector his Duty, there is a particular Reprimand in telling him how much it behoves him to animate and encourage the Auxiliaries; for this is to say in other Words, You should ex|hort them, and they are forc'd on the contrary to exhort you.

XLVII.

VERSE 611. Ceres' sacred Floor.]

Homer calls the Thresh|ing Floor sacred (says Eustathius) not only as it was conse|crated to Ceres, but in regard of its great Use and Advantage to human Kind; in which Sense also he frequently gives the same Epithet to Cities, &c. This Simile is of an exquisite Beauty.

XLVIII.

VERSE 641. So when th' embattel'd Clouds.]

This Simile contains as proper a Comparison, and as fine a Picture of Nature as any in Homer: Yet however it is to be fear'd the Beauty and Propriety of it will not be very obvious to many Readers, because it is the Description of a natural Appearance which they have not had an Opportunity to remark, and which can be observed only in a mountainous Country. It happens frequently in very calm Weather, that the Atmosphere is charg'd with thick Vapors, whose Gravity is such, that they neither rise nor fall, but remain poiz'd in the Air at a certain Height, where they continue frequently for several Days together. In a plain Country this occasions no other visible Appearance, but of an uniform clouded Sky; but in a Hilly Region these Vapors are to be seen covering the Tops and stretch'd along the Sides of the Mountains, the clouded Parts above being terminated and distinguish'd from the clear Parts below by a strait Line running parallel to the Horizon, as far as the Mountains extend. The whole Compass of Nature cannot afford a nobler and more exact Representa|tion of a numerous Army, drawn up in Line of Battel, and expecting the Charge. The long-extended even front, the

Closeness of the Ranks; the Firmness, Order, and Silence of the whole, are all drawn with great Resemblance in this one Comparison. The Poet adds, that this Appearance is while Boreas and the other boisterous Winds which disperse and break the Clouds, are laid asleep. This is as exact as it is Poetical; for when the Winds arise, this regular Order is soon dissolv'd. This Circumstance is added to the Descrip|tion, as an ominous Anticipation of the Flight and Dissipa|tion of the Greeks, which soon ensued when Mars and He|ctor broke in upon them.

XLIX.

VERSE 651. Ye Greeks be Men, &c.]

If Homer in the longer Speeches of the Iliad, says all that could be said by Eloquence, in the shorter he says all that can be said with Judgment. Whatever some few modern Criticks have thought, it will be found upon due Reflection, that the Length or Brevity of his Speeches is determined as the Oc|casions either allow Leisure or demand Haste. This concise Oration of Agamemnon is a Masterpiece in the Laconic way. The Exigence required he should say something very power|ful, and no Time was to be lost. He therefore warms the Brave and the Timorous by one and the same Exhortation, which at once moves by the Love of Glory, and the Fear of Death. It is short and full, like that of the brave Scotch General under Gustavus, who upon Sight of the Enemy, said only this; See ye those Lads? Either fell them or they'll fell you.

L.

VERSE 652. Your brave Associates and your selves revere.]

This noble Exhortation of Agamemnon is correspondent to the wise Scheme of Nestor in the second Book: where he ad|vised to rank the Soldiers of the same Nation together, that being known to each other, all might be incited either by a generous Emulation or a decent Shame. Spondanus.

LI.

VERSE 691. Mars urg'd him on.]

This is another Instance of what has been in general observ'd in the Discourse on the Battels of Homer, his artful manner of making us measure one Hero by another. We have here an exact Scale of the Valor of Aeneas and of Menelaus; how much the former outweighs the latter, appears by what is said of Mars in these Lines, and by the Necessity of Antilochus's assisting Menelaus: as afterwards what Over-balance that Assistance gave him, by Aeneas's retreating from them both. How very nicely are these Degrees mark'd on either Hand? This Knowledge of the Difference which Nature itself sets between one Man and another, makes our Author neither blame these two Heroes for going against one, who was superior to each of them in Strength; nor that one for retiring from both, when their Conjunction made them an Overmatch to him. There is great Judgment in all this.

LII.

VERSE 696. And all his Country's glorious Labours vain.]

For (as Agamemnon said in the fourth Book upon Menelaus's being wounded) if he were slain, the War would be at an end, and the Greeks think only of returning to their Coun|try. Spondanus.

LIII.

VERSE 726. Mars, stern Destroyer, &c.]

There is a great Nobleness in this Passage. With what Pomp is Hector introduced into the Battel, where Mars and Bellona are his Attendants? The Retreat of Diomed is no less beautiful; Minerva had remov'd the Mist from his Eyes, and he imme|diately discovers Mars assisting Hector. His Surprize on this Occasion is finely imag'd by that of the Traveller on the sudden Sight of the River.

LIV.

VERSE 784. What brings this Lycian Counsellor so far?]

There is a particular Sarcasm in Tlepolemus's calling Sarpedon in this Place 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Lycian Counsellor, one better skill'd in Oratory than War; as he was the Governor of a People who had long been in Peace, and probably (if we may guess from his Character in Homer) remarkable for his Speeches. This is rightly observed by Spondanus, tho' not taken notice of by M. Dacier.

LV.

VERSE 792. Troy felt his Arm.]

He alludes to the Hi|story of the first Destruction of Troy by Hercules, occasion'd by Laomedon's refusing that Hero the Horses, which were the Reward promis'd him for the Delivery of his Daughter Hesione.

LVI.

VERSE 809. With base Reproaches and unmanly Pride.]

Methinks these Words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 include the chief Sting of Sarpedon's Answer to Tlepolemus, which no Com|mentator that I remember has remark'd. He tells him Lao|medon deserv'd his Misfortune, not only for his Perfidy, but for injuring a brave Man with unmanly and scandalous Re|proaches; alluding to those which Tlepolemus had just before cast upon him.

LVII.

VERSE 848. Nor Hector to the Chief replies.]

Homer is in nothing more admirable than in the excellent Use he makes of the Silence of the Persons he introduces. It would be end|less to collect all the Instances of this Truth throughout his Poem; yet I cannot but put together those that have already occurr'd in the Course of this Work, and leave to the Reader the Pleasure of observing it in what remains. The Silence of

the two Heralds when they were to take Briseis from Achilles in Lib. 1. of which see Note 39. In the third Book, when Iris tells Helen the two Rivals were to fight in her Quarrel, and that all Troy were standing Spectators; that guilty Prin|cess makes no Answer, but casts a Veil over her Face and drops a Tear; and when she comes just after into the Pre|sence of Priam, she speaks not, till after he has in a particu|lar manner encourag'd and commanded her. Paris and Me|nelaus being just upon the Point to encounter, the latter de|clares his Wishes and Hopes of Conquest to Heaven, the for|mer being engag'd in an unjust Cause, says not a word. In the fourth Book, when Jupiter has express'd his Desire to fa|vour Troy, Juno declaims against him, but the Goddess of Wisdom, tho' much concern'd, holds her Peace. When A|gamemnon too rashly reproves Diomed, that Hero remains silent, and in the true Character of a rough Warrior, leaves it to his Actions to speak for him. In the present Book when Sarpedon has reproach'd Hector in an open and generous manner, Hector preserving the same warlike Character, re|turns no Answer, but immediately hastens to the Business of the Field; as he also does in this Place, where he instantly brings off Sarpedon, without so much as telling him he will endeavour his Rescue. Chapman was not sensible of the Beauty of this, when he imagined Hector's Silence here pro|ceeded from the Pique he had conceiv'd at Sarpedon for his late Reproof of him. That Translator has not scrupled to insert this Opinion of his in a groundless Interpolation alto|gether foreign to the Author. But indeed it is a Liberty he frequently takes, to draw any Passage to some new, far-fetch'd Conceit of his Invention; insomuch, that very often before he translates any Speech, to the Sense or Design of which he gives some fanciful Turn of his own; he prepares it by seve|ral additional Lines purposely to prepossess the Reader of that Meaning. Those who will take the Trouble may see Ex|amples of this in what he sets before the Speeches of Hector, Paris, and Helena in the sixth Book, and innumerable other Places.

LVIII.

VERSE 858. But Boreas rising fresh.]

Sarpedon's fainting at the Extraction of the Dart, and reviving by the free Air, shews the great Judgment of our Author in these Matters. But how Poetically has he told this Truth in raising the God Boreas to his Hero's Assistance, and making a little Machine of but one Line? This manner of representing common Things in Figure and Person, was perhaps the Effect of Ho|mer's Aegyptian Education.

LIX.

VERSE 860. The gen'rous Greeks, &c.]

This slow and or|derly Retreat of the Greeks with their Front constantly turn'd to the Enemy, is a fine Encomium both of their Courage and Discipline. This manner of Retreat was in use among the ancient Lacedaemonians, as were many other martial Customs describ'd by Homer. This Practice took its Rise among that brave People from the Apprehensions of being slain with a Wound receiv'd in their Back. Such a Misfortune was not only attended with the highest Infamy, but they had found a way to punish them who suffer'd thus even after their Death, by denying them (as Eustathius informs us) the Rites of Burial.

LX.

VERSE 864. Who first, who last, by Mars and Hector's HandStretch'd in their Blood, lay gasping on the Sand?]

This manner of breaking out into an Interrogation, amidst the Description of a Battel, is what serves very much to awa|ken the Reader. It is here an Invocation to the Muse that prepares us for something uncommon; and the Muse is sup|pos'd immediately to answer, Teuthras the great, &c. Vir|gil, I think, has improved the Strength of this Figure by addressing the Apostrophe to the Person whose Exploits he is celebrating, as to Camilla in the eleventh Book.

Quem telo primum, quem postremum, aspera virgo, Dejicis? aut quot humi morientia corpora fundis?

LXI.

VERSE 885. And now Heav'ns Empress calls her blazing Car, &c.]

Homer seems never more delighted than when he has some Occasion of displaying his Skill in Mechanicks. The Detail he gives us of this Chariot is a beautiful Example of it, where he takes occasion to describe every different Part with a Happiness rarely to be found in Descriptions of this Nature.

LXII.

VERSE 904. Pallas disrobes.]

This Fiction of Pallas array|ing herself with the Arms of Jupiter, finely intimates (says Eustathius) that she is nothing else but the Wisdom of the Almighty. The same Author tells us, that the Ancients mark'd this Place with a Star, to distinguish it as one of those that were perfectly admirable. Indeed there is a Greatness and Sublimity in the whole Passage, which is astonishing and superior to any Imagination but that of Homer, nor is there any that might better give occasion for that celebrated Say|ing, That he was the only Man who had seen the Forms of the Gods, or the only Man who had shewn them. With what Nobleness he describes the Chariot of Juno, the Armor of Minerva, the Aegis of Jupiter, fill'd with the Figures of Hor|ror, Affright, Discord, and all the Terrors of War, the Ef|fects of his Wrath against Men; and that Spear with which his Power and Wisdom overturns whole Armies, and humbles the Pride of the Kings who offend him? But we shall not wonder at the unusual Majesty of all these Ideas, if we con|sider that they have a near Resemblance to some Descripti|ons of the same Kind in the sacred Writings, where the Almighty is represented arm'd with Terror, and descen|ding in Majesty to be aveng'd on his Enemies: The Chariot, the Bow, and the Shield of God are Expressions frequent in the Psalms.

LXIII.

VERSE 913. A Fringe of Serpents.]

Our Author does not particularly describe this Fringe of the Aegis, as consisting of Serpents; but that it did so, may be learn'd from Herodotus in his fourth Book.

"The Greeks (says he) borrowed the Vest and Shield of Minerva from the Lybians, only with this Difference, that the Lybian Shield was fringed with Thongs of Leather, the Grecian with Serpents."

And Virgil's Description of the same Aegis agrees with this, Aen. 8. ℣. 435.

Aegidaque horriferam, turbatae Palladis arma, Certatim squamis serpentum, auroque polibant, Connexosque angues—

This Note is taken from Spondanus, as is also Ogilby's on this Place, but he has translated the Passage of Herodotus wrong, and made the Lybian Shield have the Serpents which were peculiar to the Grecian. By the way I must observe, that Ogilby's Notes are for the most part a Transcription of Spon|danus's.

LXIV.

VERSE 920. So vast, the wide Circumference contains A hundred Armies.]

The Words in the Original are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which are capable of two Meanings; either that this Helmet of Jupiter was sufficient to have co|vered the Armies of an hundred Cities, or that the Armies of an hundred Cities were engraved upon it. It is here tran|slated in such a manner that it may be taken either way, tho' the Learned are most inclined to the former Sense, as that Idea is greater and more extraordinary, indeed more agreeable to Homer's bold manner; and not extravagant if we call in the Allegory to our Assistance, and imagine it (with M. Dacier) an Allusion to the Providence of God that extends over all the Universe.

LXV.

VERSE 928. Heav'n Gates spontaneous open'd.]

This mar|vellous Circumstance of the Gates of Heaven opening them|selves of their own accord to the Divinities that past thro' them, is copied by Milton, Lib. 5.

—At the Gate Of Heav'n arriv'd, the Gate self-open'd wide On golden Hinges turning, as by Work Divine the Sov'reign Architect had fram'd.

And again in the seventh Book,

—Heav'n open'd wide Her everduring Gates, Harmonious Sound, On golden Hinges moving—

As the Fiction that the Hours are the Guards of those Gates, gave him the Hint of that beautiful Passage in the beginning of his sixth,

—The Morn Wak'd by the circling Hours, with rosie Hand Unbarr'd the Gates of Light, &c.

This Expression of the Gates of Heaven is in the Eastern manner, where they said the Gates of Heaven, or of Earth, for the Entrance or Extremities of Heaven or Earth; a Phrase usual in the Scriptures, as is observ'd by Dacier.

LXVI.

VERSE 929. Heav'ns golden Gates, kept by the winged Hours.]

By the Hours here are meant the Seasons; and so Hobbes translates it, but spoils the Sense by what he adds,

Tho' to the Seasons Jove the Power gave Alone to judge of early and of late,

Which is utterly unintelligible, and nothing like Homer's Thought. Natalis Comes explains it thus, Lib. 4. c. 5.

Homerus libro quinto Iliadis non solum has, Portas coeli ser|vare, sed etiam nubes inducere & serenum facere, cum libue|rit; quippe cum apertum coelum, serenum nominent Poetae, at clausum, tectum nubibus.

LXVII.

VERSE 954. To tame the Monster-God Minerva knows.]

For it is only Wisdom that can master Strength. It is worth while here to observe the Conduct of Homer. He makes Mi|nerva, and not Juno, to fight with Mars; because a Com|bate between Mars and Juno could not be supported by any Allegory to have authorized the Fable: whereas the Allego|ry of a Battel between Mars and Minerva is very open and intelligible. Eustathius.

LXVIII.

VERSE 960. Far as a Shepherd, &c.]

Longinus citing these Verses as a noble Instance of the Sublime, speaks to this Effect.

"In what a wonderful manner does Homer ex|alt his Deities; measuring the Leaps of their very Horses by the whole Breadth of the Horizon? Who is there that considering the Magnificence of this Hyperbole, would not cry out with Reason, that if these heavenly Steeds were to make a second Leap, the World would want room for a third?"

This puts me in mind of that Passage in Hesiod's Theogony, where he describes the Height of the Hea|vens, by saying a Smith's Anvil would be nine Days in falling from thence to Earth.

LXIX.

VERSE 971. Smooth as the gliding Doves.]

This Simile is intended to express the Lightness and Smoothness of the Motion of these Goddesses. The Doves to which Homer compares them, are said by the ancient Scholiast to leave no

Impression of their Steps. The Word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the Original may be render'd ascenderunt as well as incesserunt; so may imply (as M. Dacier translates it) moving without touching the Earth, which Milton finely calls smooth-gliding without Step. Virgil describes the gliding of one of these Birds by an Image parallel to that in this Verse.

—Mox aere lapsa quieto, Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas.

This kind of Movement was appropriated to the Gods by the Egyptians, as we see in Heliodorus, Lib. 3. Homer might possibly have taken this Notion from them. And Virgil in that Passage where Aeneas discovers Venus by her Gate, Et vera incessu patuit Dea, seems to allude to some manner of moving that distinguish'd Divinities from Mortals. This O|pinion is likewise hinted at by him in the fifth Aeneid, where he so beautifully and briefly enumerates the distinguishing Marks of a Deity,

—Divini signa decoris, Ardentesque notate oculos: qui spiritus illi, Qui vultus, vocisque sonus, vel gressus eunti!

This Passage likewise strengthens what is said in the thirtieth Note on the first Book.

LXX.

VERSE 978. Stentor the strong, endu'd with Brazen Lungs.]

There was a Necessity for Cryers whose Voices were stronger than ordinary, in those ancient Times, before the Use of Trumpets was known in their Armies. And that they were in Esteem afterwards may be seen from Herodotus, where he takes notice that Darius had in his Train an Egyptian, whose Voice was louder and stronger than any Man's of his Age. There is a farther Propriety in Homer's attributing this Voice to Juno; because Juno is no other than the Air, and because the Air is the Cause of Sound. Eustathius. Spondanus.

LXXI.

VERSE 998. Degen'rate Prince, &c.]

This Speech of Mi|nerva to Diomed derives its whole Force and Efficacy from the offensive Comparison she makes between Tydeus and his Son. Tydeus when he was single in the City of his Enemy, fought and overcame the Thebans even tho' Minerva forbade him; Diomed in the midst of his Army, and with Enemies inferior in Number, declines the Fight, tho' Minerva com|mands him. Tydeus disobeys her, to engage in the Battel; Diomed disobeys her to avoid engaging; and that too after he had upon many Occasions experienced the Assistance of the Goddess. Madam Dacier should have acknowledged this Remark to belong to Eustathius.

LXXII.

VERSE 1024. Rash, furious, blind, from these to those he flies.]

Minerva in this Place very well paints the Manners of Mars, whose Business was always to fortify the weaker side, in order to keep up the Broil. I think the Passage includes a fine Allegory of the Nature of War. Mars is called in|constant, and a Breaker of his Promises, because the Chance of War is wavering, and uncertain Victory is perpetually changing sides. This latent Meaning of the Epithet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is taken notice of by Eustathius.

LXXIII.

VERSE 1033. So great a God.]

The Translation has ventured to call a Goddess so; in Imitation of the Greek, which uses the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 promiscuously for either Gender. Some of the Latin Poets have not scrupled to do the same. Statius, Thebaid 4. (speaking of Diana)

Nec caret umbra Deo.

And Virgil, Aeneid 2. where Aeneas is conducted by Venus thro' the Dangers of the Fire and the Enemy.

Descendo, ac ducente Deo, flammam inter & hostes Expedior—

LXXIV.

VERSE 1037. Black Orcus' Helmet.]

As every thing that goes into the dark Empire of Pluto, or Orcus, disappears and is seen no more; the Greeks from thence borrow'd this figu|rative Expression, to put on Pluto's Helmet, that is to say, to become invisible. Plato uses this Proverb in the tenth Book of his Republick, and Aristophanes in Acharnens. Eustathius.

LXXV.

VERSE 1054. Loud as the Roar encountring Armies yield.]

This Hyperbole to express the roaring of Mars, so strong as it is, yet is not extravagant. It wants not a qualifying Cir|cumstance or two; the Voice is not Human, but that of a Deity, and the Comparison being taken from an Army, ren|ders it more natural with respect to the God of War. It is less daring to say that a God could send forth a Voice as loud as the Shout of two Armies, than that Camilla, a Latian Nymph, could run so swiftly over the Corn as not to bend an Ear of it. Or, to alledge a nearer Instance, that Poly|phemus a meer Mortal, shook all the Island of Sicily, and made the deepest Caverns of Aetna roar with his Cries. Yet Virgil generally escapes the Censure of those Moderns who are shock'd with the bold Flights of Homer. It is usual with those who are Slaves to common Opinion to overlook or praise the same Things in one, that they blame in another. They think to depreciate Homer in extolling the Judgment of Virgil, who never shew'd it more than when he followed him in these Boldnesses. And indeed they who would take Boldness from Poetry, must leave Dulness in the room of it.

LXXVI.

VERSE 1058. As Vapors blown, &c.]

Mars after a sharp

Engagement amidst the Rout of the Trojans, wrapt in a Whirlwind of Dust which was rais'd by so many thousand Combatants, flies toward Olympus. Homer compares him in this Estate, to those black Clouds, which during a scorching Southern Wind in the Dog-days, are sometimes born towards Heaven; for the Wind at that time gathering the Dust to|gether, forms a dark Cloud of it. The Heat of the Fight, the Precipitation of the Trojans, together with the Clouds of Dust that flew above the Army and took Mars from the Sight of his Enemy, supply'd Homer with this noble Image. Dacier.

LXXVII.

VERSE 1074. Thou gav'st that Fury to the Realms of Light, Pernicious, wild, &c.]

It is very artful in Homer, to make Mars accuse Minerva of all those Faults and Enormities he was himself so eminently guilty of. Those People who are the most unjust and violent accuse others, even the best, of the same Crimes: Every irrational Man is a distorted Rule, tries every thing by that wrong Measure, and forms his Judg|ment accordingly. Eustathius.

LXXVIII.

VERSE 1091. Condemn'd to Pain, tho' fated not to die.]

Those are mistaken who imagine our Author represents his Gods as mortal. He only represents the inferior or corporeal Deities as capable of Pains and Punishments, during the Will of Jupiter, which is not inconsistent with true Theology. If Mars is said in Dione's Speech to Venus to have been near perishing by Otus and Ephialtes, it means no more than last|ing Misery, such as Jupiter threatens him with when he speaks of precipitating him into Tartarus. Homer takes care to tell us both of this God and of Pluto when Paeon cured them, that they were not mortal.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

LXXIX.

VERSE 1096. Of all the Gods—Thou most unjust, most odious, &c.]

Jupiter's Reprimand of Mars is worthy the Ju|stice and Goodness of the great Governor of the World, and seems to be no more than was necessary in this Place. Ho|mer hereby admirably distinguishes between Minerva and Mars, that is to say, between Wisdom and ungovern'd Fury; the former is produced from Jupiter without a Mother, to show that it proceeds from God alone; (and Homer's allu|ding to that Fable in the preceding Speech shows that he was not unacquainted with this Opinion.) The latter is born of Jupiter and Juno, because, as Plato explains it, whatever is created by the Ministry of second Causes, and the Concur|rence of Matter, partakes of that Original Spirit of Division which reigned in the Chaos, and is of a corrupt and rebelli|ous Nature. The Reader will find this Allegory pursued with great Beauty in these two Speeches; especially where Jupiter concludes with saying he will not destroy Mars, be|cause he comes from himself; God will not annihilate Pas|sion, which he created to be of use to Reason:

"Wisdom (says Eustathius upon this Place) has occasion for Passion, in the same manner as Princes have need of Guards. Therefore Reason and Wisdom correct and keep Passion in Subjection, but do not entirely destroy and ruin it.

LXXX.

VERSE 1101. And all thy Mother in thy Soul rebels, &c.]

Jupiter says of Juno, that she has a Temper which is insup|portable, and knows not how to submit, tho' he is perpetually chastising her with his Reproofs. Homer says no more than this, but M. Dacier adds, Si je ne la retenois par la severitè des mes loix, il n'est rien qu'elle ne bouleversast dans l'Olympe & sous l'Olympe. Upon which she makes a Remark to this effect,

"that if it were not for the Laws of Providence, the whole World would be nothing but Confusion."

This Practice of refining and adding to Homer's Thought in the

Text, and then applauding the Author for it in the Notes, is pretty usual with the more florid modern Translators. In the third Iliad in Helen's Speech to Priam, ℣. 175. she wishes she had rather dy'd than follow'd Paris to Troy. To this is added in the French, Mais je n'eus ni assez de Courage ni as|sez de vertu, for which there is not the least Hint in Homer. I mention this particular Instance in pure Justice, because in the Treatise de la Corruption du Gout Exam. de Liv. 3. She triumphs over M. de la Motte as if he had omitted the Sense and Moral of Homer in that Place, when in Truth he only left out her own Interpolation.

LXXXI.

VERSE 1113. As when the Fig's prest Juice, &c.]

The sudden Operation of the Remedy administer'd by Paeon, is well express'd by this Similitude. It is necessary just to take notice, that they anciently made use of the Juice or Sap of a green Fig for Runnet, to cause their Milk to coagulate. It may not be amiss to observe, that Homer is not very delicate in the Choice of his Allusions. He often borrowed his Si|miles from low Life, and provided they illustrated his Thoughts in a just and lively manner, it was all he had regard to.

THE Allegory of this whole Book lies so open, is carry'd on with such Closeness, and wound up with so much Fulness and Strength, that it is a wonder how it could enter into the Imagination of any Critick, that these Actions of Diomed were only a daring and extravagant Fiction in Homer, as if he af|fected the Marvellous at any rate. The great Moral of it is, that a brave Man should not contend against Heaven, but re|sist only Venus and Mars, Incontinence and ungovern'd Fury. Diomed is propos'd as an Example of a great and enterprizing Nature, which would perpetually be venturing too far, and committing Extravagancies or Impieties, did it not suffer it|self to be check'd and guided by Minerva or Prudence: For it is this Wisdom (as we are told in the very first Lines of the Book) that raises a Hero above all others. Nothing is more observable than the particular Care Homer has taken to shew

he designed this Moral. He never omits any Occasion throughout the Book, to put it in express Terms into the Mouths of the Gods or Persons of the greatest Weight. Mi|nerva, at the beginning of the Battel, is made to give this Precept to Diomed; Fight not against the Gods, but give way to them, and resist only Venus. The same Goddess opens his Eyes, and enlightens him so far as to perceive when it is Heaven that acts immediately against him, or when it is Man only that opposes him. The Hero himself, as soon as he has perform'd her Dictates in driving away Venus, cries out, not as to the Goddess, but as to the Passion, Thou hast no Business with Warriors, is it not enough that thou deceiv'st weak Women? Even the Mother of Venus while she comforts her Daughter, bears Testimony to the Moral: That Man (says she) is not long-liv'd who contends with the Gods. And when Diomed, transported by his Nature, proceeds but a Step too far, Apollo discovers himself in the most solemn manner, and declares this Truth in his own Voice, as it were by direct Revelation: Mortal, forbear! consider, and know the vast difference there is between the Gods and Thee. They are im|mortal and divine, but Man a miserable Reptile of the Dust.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Panda|rus.