The Athenaid: a poem, by the author of Leonidas. [pt.1]

THE ATHENAID.

BOOK the THIRD.

O'ER his own squadron soon Troezene's chief Hath reassum'd command; the rest embark Aboard the Delphian. Aeschylus then spake:

To Salamis we hoist returning sails: Say, Aristides, shall my voice, of weightLine 5 Among the tribes, solicit thy recal? Our country wants that helpful hand of thine.

No, Aristides answers, this again Might waken faction; let the monster sleep. Line 10

Themistocles directs united minds,Line 10 In him confiding: not the stock reviv'd Of all Cecropia's heroes since her birth, Could like this union prop the Attic state. Brave too the son of Neocles, expert, Cool, politic; his talents will upholdLine 15 The public safety for his own renown. May he enjoy a glory so acquir'd! My secret counsels from Aegina's isle Shall not be wanting: for my country's sake, Which I forgive, him, author of my wrongs,Line 20 My utmost efforts shall advance to fame.

The gulph Saronic now admits their keel. By Epidaurus coasting, they attain The cape of high Spiraeum, which o'erlooks Aegina. Guided by Aurora's light,Line 25 Th' illustrious exile on that isle they land; Thence veering, steer for Salamis. These words

Now break from Medon; Silent have I gaz'd On Aristides, shortly must behold Themistocles; Athenian friend, explainLine 30 Between such men what cause produc'd their feuds.

Their diff'rent merits, Aeschylus replied, Rais'd emulation in their younger days. A soldier's part they gallantly achiev'd In the same rank at Marathon; I saw,Line 35 Admir'd their valour. For distinction high In pow'r and fame, Themistocles hath us'd His num'rous virtues; Aristides walk'd In virtuous paths, alone by virtue mov'd; For him his justice hath a title gain'dLine 40 Of JUST. The son of Neocles, inflam'd By envy, stirr'd the people's jealous fear Against his rival to assert a law, Where, by inscription of his name on shells, A citizen so potent, that his willLine 45

Seems only wanting to subvert the state, Is by concurrence of six thousand hands Doom'd for ten years to absence from their bounds, Without disgrace or mulct. Among the tribes Themistocles hath since obtain'd a swayLine 50 Which might incur the rigour of that law; Yet by the gods his influence supreme He at this crisis gallantly employs To save the public.—Lift thy wond'ring eyes! The whole confederated fleet of Greece,Line 55 Four hundred gallies, bulwark all the round Of Salamis: one animated mass That island shews; from swarms of either sex, And ev'ry age, dales, hillocks seem to heave With undulating motion.—His discourseLine 60 Clos'd with his voyage: on the furrow'd sands Of Salamis the vessels rest their keels; Where living waters from a copious spring Discharge their bubbling current. On a smooth, Line 65

But gently-shelving green, pavilions rose;Line 65 One from the rest sequester'd, under shade Of oaks above, was neighbour to the fane Of Telamonian Ajax, hero known At Troy: the Attic phalanx then he join'd, By Athens honour'd since with rites divine.Line 70

This tent, by ensigns of command in front Adorn'd, Themistocles possess'd: alone He now remain'd; artificer sublime Of great expedients, in the greatest storms Which rock a state, he, politic and firm,Line 75 In manly strife with fortune when she frown'd, Whene'er she smil'd her favour to secure— He now, to feed his enterprising soul, Successes past enumerating sat, Thus in a glow of thought: While others dream'd Of rest and safety permanent in Greece,Line 81 I from the day of Marathon presag'd

The war begun, not finish'd; I, in time, Exhorted Athens to construct her fleet, A destin'd refuge; for the sail and oar,Line 85 The shrouds and rudder, I her lusty youth Prepar'd; ere yet the Hellespont was bridg'd, I cur'd intestine feuds distracting Greece; When fate remov'd Leonidas from earth, My penetration, fathoming the depthsLine 90 Of ocean, like futurity foresaw Laconia's sloth; yet undismay'd I form'd The mighty plan to save th' Athenian state By yielding Athens to Barbarian flames. That I might plead the mandates of a god,Line 95 I won, by secret gifts, the Pythian maid An oracle to render, which I fram'd; Th' interpretation to enforce, that ships Were wooden walls, Minerva's priest I gain'd Among the people to imprint beliefLine 100 By feign'd portents, and all religion's craft,

That to the sea their deity was fled, Th' Acropolis deserting. Thus at will This restive, fierce democracy I sway For their salvation, and my own behoofLine 105 In pow'r and lustre .... Interrupting here His eagle vanity in lofty soar, The warrior-poet and Oïleus' son Appear. Serene and vacant he descends At once to affability and ease;Line 110 As from his airy tow'r the lark, who strikes Heav'n's highest concave with his matin trill, His pinions shuts, and tranquil drops to earth. Of Aristides Aeschylus he knew The friend approv'd; him courteous he salutes:Line 115

Thy eloquence and arms, the gen'rous toils Of Aristides too, have reach'd my ear By late intelligence. Thus far at least You have prevail'd; this navy is enlarg'd Line 120

By squadrons new from various Grecian states.Line 120 Is not this Medon? Honour'd in thy sire, More in thy own deservings, my embrace Accept; accept the welcome of this tent.

Myronides now joins him, mighty chief! The destin'd scourge of Thebes; Xanthippus, soon At Mycale to conquer; in his handLine 126 Young Pericles, that future star of Greece; Then Cimon, fated on the land and main To gather palms in one triumphant day; Subaltern warriors to the prudent sonLine 130 Of Neocles. Saluting these, he spake:

My gallant fellow-citizens, you come To learn the issue of this day's debate In gen'ral council. Wisely did we cede To Spartan Eurybiades command;Line 135 The diff'rent squadrons to their native ports

Had else deserted. Irksome, I confess, This acquiescence; but occasion looks Disdainful back on him who lets her pass; You have embrac'd her. Yielding to the Greeks, You fix their station here, the num'rous foeLine 141 In narrow streights between Psyttalia's isle And Salamis to face. Can he possess, Who sees a treasure scatter'd on the ground, Unless he stoop? So prostrate in your sightLine 145 Lies Greece, that precious treasure. Can you rule Before you save? On union safety grows. Resigning now an empty name of pow'r, Your moderation, winning grateful states, Will to your own a real sway procureLine 150 Of long duration. Lacedaemon's pride, Her best allies abandoning—a force Of ten weak vessels sparing to a fleet, Where Attic hands unfurl two hundred sails— Shall pay hereafter retribution fullLine 155

To you, Athenians, out of ashes rais'd From her to wrest ascendancy in Greece.

Not sweetest music lulls the melting soul Beyond his artful eloquence, which soothes Their warm, their injur'd virtue. They reply:Line 160

To thee, not Sparta, cheerful we submit, Our leader sole; thou judge and act for all.

Now to his frugal Attic meal they sat; Where Aeschylus and Medon, each in turn Unfolding amply his adventures, wonLine 165 Attention: pleasing information charm'd Deluded time, till midnight prompted sleep.

Thus, after labours past, the martial bard His countrymen rejoin'd. The hostile ships, Which gave him battle under Malea's cape,Line 170

Veer'd for the streights Euboean, where the fleet Of Asia moor'd. Subsiding on their way, The wind grants leisure for the Persian chief To view the captives. Artamanes steps Before the rest: on sight of Caria's queen,Line 175 Great Artemisia, who commanded there, His cheek, with recollection of his sire To her so late perfidious, reddens warm.

She first to him: Argestes could behold Me worsted, long resisting adverse fateLine 180 On fam'd Thermopylae's disastrous field; My danger he enjoy'd: his rescued son, Whose growing merit wins observant eyes, I see with gladness; welcome to my deck! But who is he, disconsolate in mien?Line 185 O rev'rend man of sorrows, lift thy head! From Artemisia no dishonour fear. He makes no answer—Artamanes, speak.

The youth replies: His name is Timon, chief And priest in Delphi; on our inroad there,Line 190 My brother, Mithridates, snatch'd away From his paternal breast a noble maid, An only child. His mind is darken'd since By frenzy; my compassion his distress Hath ever tended, fervent now imploresLine 195 Thou wouldst commit him to my grateful care: Myself am debtor to indulgent Greeks.

In smiles the princess answer'd: Gen'rous youth! Couldst thou protect him, I would trust thy care; But those deform'd by ignominious deedsLine 200 May exercise in malice stronger pow'r Than thou in goodness: for the present lay Th' unhappy Delphian on a bed of rest.

Beside her waits Aronces, high in trust, A hoary senior, freedman of her sire.Line 205

On Meliboeus, on the queen, he fix'd Alternate looks; then earnest him address'd:

O thou of noble frame, in lowly garb, Speak whence thou com'st, thy own, thy father's name. What region gave thee birth? Did nature print,Line 210 Or some disaster, on thy cheek that mark? I am not curious from a slender cause.

The swain replied: From nature I derive That mark; of parents, of my native seat, Within this breast no traces now survive;Line 215 In childhood stol'n by pirates, I was sold (Heav'n there was gracious) to the best of men: Full thirty annual suns have since elaps'd. He oft appris'd me, that my infant lips In Grecian accents would repeat the namesLine 220 Of Lygdamis and Dirce; so I styl'd My sire and mother.—O imperial dame,

Thyself the seed of Lygdamis, exclaim'd The ancient man. If circumstance be proof, He is thy brother, Haliartus, stol'nLine 225 Within that period from thy father's tow'r Wash'd by the waves, that fair abode retir'd. Halicarnassus mourn'd the dire event. He is thy likeness. I, preferr'd to rule Thy father's household; I, whose faithful armsLine 230 So oft the infant Haliartus bore, So oft with eyes delighted have perus'd That object dear, I never can forget That signal mark, coeval with his birth, Distinguishing thy brother.—Pensive, mute,Line 235 Uncertain rests the queen.—He still proceeds:

Behold thy son, Leander, melts in tears! It is the touch of nature hath unclos'd That tender spring.—To him the regal dame:

Old man, thou know'st I honour, I consideLine 240 In thy untainted faith. All strange events, Dress'd in affecting circumstance, excite These soft emotions; such in ev'ry breast Should rise, but not decide. Pure truth is built Not on our passions; reason is her base.Line 245 Him to accept my brother, needs more proof; But to his manly and ingenuous looks I render homage. Let him case his limbs. In Carian steel, and combat near my side; Let deeds illustrate an exalted mind;Line 250 Then, whether kin or alien to my blood, He like a brother shall obtain regard From Artemisia.—Meliboeus here:

Endear'd to heroes of Oïlean race, I claim with none alliance; I have liv'dLine 255 With them in joy, from ignorance been rais'd By them to knowledge, from the lowly state

Which heav'n's deciding providence ordain'd, To their deserv'd regard, my utmost wish. To them restore me; I request no moreLine 260 From deities or mortals. Case my limbs In Carian armour splendid as thy own, Ne'er shalt thou see me combat near thy side Against the Grecians. Place of birth, or blood Of noblest dye in kindred, quite estrang'dLine 265 By time and fortune, I reject for Greece; Greece, my kind nurse, the guardian of my youth, Who for my tutors did her heroes lend. My dear affections all are center'd there, My gratitude, my duty.—By the handLine 270 She grasps the gallant captive, and proceeds:

Thy sentiments are noble, they bespeak The care of heroes; thy release my hopes Forbid, my tend'rest wishes; to constrain Thy presence here, while we assail thy friends,Line 275

I scorn. Aronces, launch a nimble skiff; On him attendant, reach Nicaea's walls, For him transport a suit of arms compelete; Nor let unhappy Timon want thy care. Thee, Greek or Carian, brother, friend, or soe,Line 280 Whate'er thou prov'st hereafter, I will greet Again, my heart so prompts me; I require No plighted word, no token; ere we meet Once more at least, thou wilt not, I confide, Thou canst not harbour such a thought as flight From Artemisia.—Meliboeus look'dLine 286 Integrity; he felt too full for words, And sees her thoughtful and perplex'd retire.

Aronces now on Artamanes calls; With him, and either captive, he embarks;Line 290 Of Carian arms he lodges on the poop A rich-emblazon'd suit. The pinnace light Along the shore, from ev'ry foe secure,

Skims o'er the waters with distended sails, Swift as a vig'rous stag who hears no cryLine 295 Of dogs or men, but o'er the champaign green Or valley sweeps, to glory in his speed And branching antlers. On the form and port Of Meliboeus long Aronces fed His eager eye, unsated with delight;Line 300 At last he spake: My lord, Nicaea's fort, A garrison of Xerxes, will afford A refuge kind, till Caria's queen her sail Of visitation hoists; the setting sun Will see my lord safe landed in the cove.Line 305

That splendid title thou dost ill bestow On my condition, Meliboeus then.

To whom Aronces: Oh thou art my lord, Thou art the son of Lygdamis! My heart, Old as I am, experienc'd in events,Line 310

Without a cause to such excess of joy Would ne'er mislead me.—Honest hearts, rejoin'd The other, oft are credulous, and lead The mind to error; art thou sure, my friend, That I am no impostor, who hath heardLine 315 Of Lygdamis and Dyrce, and apply Their names to falsehood?—Haliartus, no! Exclaims Aronces; I before me see My noble master, Lygdamis, restor'd; Such as he was when thou, his child, was lost.Line 320 Oh! lend attention—lo! the winds are still, The sea unruffled, while my tongue begins A tale which once with horror pierc'd my soul, ut in thy hearing rapt'rous I repeat:

Halicarnassus gave thy father birth,Line 325 Her most illustrious citizen; with twins Thy mother's bed was bless'd; thy sister one, That Artemisia, glory of her sex,

Bestow'd in marriage on the Carian king; Thou art the other. Oft thy sire abodeLine 330 Within a tow'r delightful, but remote, Wash'd by the billows; one disastrous day, As thou wast tripping on the silver sands, Thy nurse attending with some faithful slaves, A troop of pirates landed; all thy trainLine 335 Defending thee were kill'd, or wounded sunk Disabled on the beach; with various spoil, From those unguarded borders, they convey'd Aboard their vessels thee their richest prize.

Aronces paus'd.—From Timon, listing by,Line 340 This exclamation broke: My daughter too May be recover'd!—Artamanes here:

Myself, redeem'd from capture, pledge my faith That I will struggle to restore thy child.

Night dropp'd her dusky veil; the pinnace gain'd Nicaea, Locrian fortress, seated nighLine 346 Thermopylae; ensuing morn proclaims, By shouts and clangour, an approaching host. That gate of Greece, by Lacedaemon's king So well maintain'd, defenceless now admitsLine 350 Uncheck'd Barbarian inroads: thus a mound By art constructed to restrain the sea, Or some huge river's course, neglected long, And unsustain'd by vigilance and care, Affords a passage new to whelming floods,Line 355 Whose surface hides fertility in waste; Till some sagacious architect oppose To nature's violence a skill divine, Prescribing where th' obedient wave shall flow.

To his companions Artamanes spake,Line 360 As in their sight, extended from a tow'r, Thermopylae in torrents from its mouth

Pours mingled nations: See Mardonius there, The son of Gobryas, author of this war, The flow'r of Asia's captains. At the timeLine 365 We first attack'd this pass, with num'rous bands, A distant range of Macedon and Thrace He was detach'd to ravage and subdue, Triumphant now returning. Friends, farewel! Him I must follow. Timon, may the lightLine 370 Of Mithra shine propitious on m•…•… days As I protect thy daughter, and restore, If fate so wills, her spotless to thy arms.

These words, relumining with hope, compos'd The clouded soul of Timon. Swift the youth,Line 375 In vigour issuing through the portal, mix'd Among his native friends: a blithsome steer, At op'ning dawn deliver'd from the stall, Thus o'er the flow'ry pasture bounding, joins The well-known herd. Mardonius him receiv'd, Foe to Argestes, cordial to his son,Line 381

Mardonius all-commanding, all in frame, In nervous limbs excelling, like that bull Who stemm'd the billows with his brawny chest, Who on his back of silver whiteness boreLine 385 Europa's precious weight to Cretan strands, Himself a god transform'd. New martial pow'rs Are here from Haemus, from Pangaean snows. A Greek in lineage, Alexander here, Young sov'reign o'er Barbarians, leads to warLine 390 His Macedonian troops. To Athens bound By mutual hospitality, he lov'd That gen'rous city; now, by force compell'd, He arms against her. But persuasive love, The charms and virtues of a Grecian fair,Line 395 Will wake remembrance of his Grecian race, To better counsels turn his youthful mind.

That Asia's king was now advanc'd to Thebes, Intelligence is brought; this known, a steed Of swiftest pace Mardonius mounts; commandLine 400

To Tiridates delegates—Thy force Extend o'er Locris, o'er the Phocian bounds, Our conquests new. This giv'n in charge, he speeds, With no companion but Argestes' son, Nor other guard than fifty horsemen light,Line 405 To greet the king. The second morning shews Cadmean Thebes, whose citadel was rais'd By stones descending from Cithaeron's hill Spontaneous, feign'd in fables to assume A due arrangement in their mural bedLine 410 At sweet Amphion's lute; but truth records, That savage breasts by eloquence he tam'd, By his instructions humaniz'd, they felt The harmony of laws and social ties. To him succeeded stern Agenor's son,Line 415 Phoenician Cadmus, he who letters brought From Tyre to Greece; yet ignorance o'erwhelm'd His generation; barbarous of heart, Obtuse of mind they grew; the suries there, Line 420

There parricide and incest reign'd of old,Line 420 Impiety and horror: more debas'd, They now for gold their liberty exchange; They court a tyrant, whose Barbaric host Flames round their bulwarks, harrows up their plain, Lays waste their plenty, drinks Asopus dry,Line 425 Their swift Ismenus, and Dircaean spring.

End of the Third Book.