Homer's Iliads in English by Tho. Hobbes ; to which may be added Homers Odysses, Englished by the same author.
Homer., Hobbes, Thomas, 1588-1679.
Page 236
ILIAD. LIB. XVI.
THus fiercely fought the Trojans and the Greeks.
And with Achilles was Patroclus now
With tears abundance running down his Cheeks,
Like Springs that from a high Rock streaming flow.
No sooner him Achilles weeping spi'd
But piti'd him. Why weep you so, said he,
Like a Childe running by his Mothers side,
And holding by her Coat would carri'd be?
Bring you some News that none but you can tell?
Menoetius and Peleus still do live
At Phthia with the Myrmidons, and well.
If not, we both have cause enough to grieve.
Or is it that the Greeks are slaughter'd so,
And fall before the Ships? 'tis for their pride?
Speak what's the matter, that we both may know.
Patroclus sobbing to him then repli'd,
O Son of Peleus, of all Greeks the best,
Forgive me if in this necessity
I freely speak. They that excel the rest
In Prowess, at the Ships all wounded lie.
Ulysses wounded is and Diomed,
And Agamemnon and Eurypylus,
And cur'd may be, but stand us in no sted;
Nor does your Vertue any good to us.
O Gods let never anger in me dwell
Like this of yours. If you cannot, who can
The Trojans from the Argive Fleet repel,
And save so many lives? O cruel man!
The noble Peleus sure was not your Father;
Born of the Goddess Thetis you were not.
Sprung from the raging Sea I think you rather,
And that by some hard Rock you were begot.
Page 237But if you stand upon some Prophecie,
Or Thetis have forbidden you to fight
From Jove, yet send some Myrmidons with me,
That I may to the Argives give some light.
But in your Armour let me be array'd,
That when they see me they may think me you,
And back into the City run dismay'd,
And th'Argives wearied take breath anew.
For long the Trojans have endur'd the Fight;
And if fresh Enemies they coming see,
With little labour they'll be put to flight,
And leave the Argive Tents and Navy free.
Thus prayed he, but 'gainst himself he pray'd,
And rashly su'd to cast his life away.
To this Achilles answer made and said,
My dear Patroclus what is this you say?
I stand not on, nor care for Prophecy,
Nor yet by Jove forbidden am to fight;
But at my heart it lieth grievously,
My equal should oppress me by meer might.
A Town I won, in which we found great Prey.
For my reward the Greeks gave me a Maid,
Which Agamemnon from me took away,
Only because more people him obey'd,
As if I were a man of little worth.
But let that pass. Though once I never meant
My Myrmidons should with the Greeks go forth
To Battle till the Foes were at my Tent,
Yet since the Argive Ships with such a mist
Of Trojans on the shore environ'd lie,
And th'Argives wanting room can scarce resist,
And have the pow'r of Troy for enemy,
Take you my Arms and lead unto the Fight
The Myrmidons. The Trojans shall not see
My Helmet neer, to put them in a fright.
If Agamemnon had been just to me,
The Ditches had been fill'd with Trojans dead.
But now into the very Camp they break;
Nor can resisted be by Diomed.
To save the Ships Tydides is too weak.
Page 238Nor can that hateful mouth of Atreus Son
Be heard for Hector, who the Air doth fill
With roaring to the Trojans to fall on,
And shouting of the Trojans as they kill.
Yet so, Patroclus, charge them lustily,
For fear the Ships should all be set on fire;
Then lost the Greeks are without remedy,
And to their Country never shall retire.
But now what I shall say give ear unto.
To th'end the Greeks may honour me, and send
Briseis back with Gifts, you thus must do.
When you have freed the Ships, there make an end
And come away. If Jove give you success
No longer without me pursue the Fight.
'Twill make my honour with the Greeks the less.
Nor in the slaughter take so much delight
As to proceed up to the Walls of Troy;
Lest by some God or other you be checkt.
But having freed the Ships come straight away
(Apollo has for Troy a great respect)
And leave both sides to fight upon the Plain
Till (grant it O ye Gods) there left are none,
But you and I, the Town of Troy to gain.
Thus they to one another talkt alone.
Ajax by this time from the Ship was gone,
Forc'd by the Spears that from the Trojans flew,
And weakned by the hand of Saturn's Son.
For at his head the Trojans always threw,
And forc'd he was to hold his great Shield high,
And weari'd was thereby his Buckler-hand.
With Spear in hand no Trojan durst come nigh,
But pelting him with Spears aloof they stand.
The sweat ran down his Limbs, nor could he well,
Though mightily for breath he pull'd, respire.
Now tell me Muses that in Heav'n do dwell,
How came the Ship first to be set on fire?
Thus. Hector with his broad Sword at a blow
The Spear of Ajax chanc'd to cut in twain
Where to the staff the head was fixt, and so
His mighty Naval Spear he shook in vain.
Page 239The head of Brass flew humming to the ground.
This Ajax saw, and frighted was to see
Jove thus the counsel of the Greeks confound,
To give unto the Trojans Victorie,
And went his way. Then in the Trojans came
With Brands of flaming fire; and presently
The hind part of the Ship was all in flame.
Achilles with his hand then clapt his Thigh
And to Patroclus said, A flame I see
Rise at the Ships. 'Tis time that you were gone,
Lest our Retreat should intercepted be.
Away and quickly put my Armour on.
This said, Patroclus first of all puts on
His Boots of War, and to his legs them ti'd
With Silver Clasps; and next of Thetis Son
The Breast-plate good he to his Breast appli'd
With Golden Stars like Heaven beautifi'd.
His Sword then ore his shoulder he puts on,
With Silver Studs to hang down by his side;
And then his Helmet shining like the Sun
He puts upon his head; and last of all
He took two Spears that fit were for his hand.
But not that which Achilles fought withal.
For that none but Achilles could command.
A great and strong and heavy Spear it was,
Made of an Ash cut down i'th' woody hill
Of Pelius, and by Chiron given 'twas
To Peleus, his mighty Foes to kill.
Then to Achilles Charre Automedon
The Horses Balius and Xanthus ti'd,
That were by Zephyrus begotten on
Podarge seeding by the Oceans side;
And at their heads he Pedasus did place
(A Horse he took at Thebe in the Prey)
That with them both was able to keep pace,
Though he were mortal, and immortal they.
While by his Charre Patroclus arming stands,
Apace from Tent to Tent Achilles runs,
And calleth unto those that had Commands,
To Arm and bring away the Myrmidons.
Page 240Then came they and about Patroclus stood
Like Wolves that on a lusty Stag had fed,
And lapping stain'd the River with his blood,
With Bellies full and hearts encouraged.
When they together were, Achilles then
Appointed who i'th'Field should them command.
To Troy he Ships brought with him five times ten,
From ev'ry Ship came fifty men to land.
And then five Bodies he made of them all,
And Captains five by whom they led should be.
But was himself the Captain-General;
For of the Myrmidons the King was he.
Of these five Captains one Menestius was,
Who was the River Sperchius his Son,
And by the name of Boro then did pass
His Mother was of Peleus Daughters one,
And Polydora was her name. And she
To Perierus had been married,
And for his Wife reputed constantly
Before she was of M'nestius brought to bed.
The second Bands were by Eudorus led,
The Son of Polymela a fair Maid.
Hermes of her became enamoured,
As at a Dance her Beauty he survay'd.
It was upon Diana's Holy-day
He saw her dancing, and at night he got
Unseen into her bed and with her lay,
And his brave Son Eudorus then begot.
To Echecles she after married.
Her Father Phylas to him took her Son,
And unto mans estate him nourished,
And lov'd no less than if t'had been his own.
The third Pisandrus led that swift could run,
And had at fighting with a Spear more art
In bloudy War than any Myrmidon
Amongst them all (Patroclus set apart.)
The fourth was by the old Knight Phoenix led.
And of the fifth, charge had Alcimedon.
When they were all together gathered,
Unto them sharply thus spake Thetis Son.
Page 241Ye Myrmidons, said he, remember now,
How all the time I kept you have from fight,
You have the Trojans threatned hard; and how
You said my Mother fed me had with Gall,
And in great tumult bid me let you go,
Or at the Ships upon the Trojans fall.
Lo there before you is the War you crave.
The Trojans are about to burn the Fleet;
Do you your utmost now the same to save.
Let him that brags of Valour let us see't.
This said, the Myrmidons became more keen,
Because they saw the King had chang'd his mind;
And presently into their Ranks fell in,
And close themselves to one another joyn'd.
As close as in a Wall are laid the stones
By him that means his House shall keep out wind;
So close together stood the Myrmidons.
Helmets with Helmets, Shields with Shields conjoyn'd.
Before them all two good men armed went,
Patroclus and Automedon to th'Fight.
Achilles then returned to his Tent,
Where stood a Chest most beautiful to sight,
Which Thetis gave him when he went to Troy,
Wherein were Carpets, Coats, and Cloaks laid up,
To keep him warm when he a Ship-board lay;
And in the same was kept a dainty Cup.
In which no other man ere drank but he,
Though 'twere to offer to the Gods above.
Nor he himself (such was his nicetie)
Ere in it drank but offering to Jove.
Achilles then with Sulphur scour'd the Cup,
And having rins'd it clean with water fair,
And washt his hands, went out and held it up
Tow'rds Heaven, and thus to Jove addrest his pray'r.
Pelasgique Jove that far from hence dost dwell,
But at Dodona men thy counsel know,
The Selli there thy Prophets fortunes tell,
Though on the ground they sleep, and barefoot go,
Page 242That at my Prayer once didst honour me,
And broughtest on the Argive Hoast much wo,
Once more unto my Pray'r enclined be.
Though to the Fight my self I do not go,
I thither send my dear Companion.
O Jove now honour him. Let Hector know
Patroclus is a man of War alone,
And not then only when I with him go.
And when he has the Trojans driven from
The Argive Ships, then grant, O Jove, he may
With all his Myrmidons safe hither come,
With all their Arms and make no longer stay.
Thus prayed he. To half of his desire
Jove nodded; but the other half deni'd.
He granted him to save the Ships from fire;
But at returning safe his neck he wri'd.
Achilles when he offer'd had and pray'd,
Went with the Cup agen into his Tent▪
And safely laid it up; and not long stay'd,
But out agen to see the Fight he went.
The Myrmidons now marched orderly.
But when unto the Trojans they were neer,
Like Wasps incensed they upon them fly.
As when at unawares a Traveller
Is going by a Wasps-nest neer the way,
Which to the common damage stir'd has been
And anger'd by a young unlucky Boy,
Upon the Traveller they vent their spleen;
And all at once with fury on him fly:
Just so the Myrmidons occasion take
Provok'd by Agamemnon's injury
To fall upon the Trojans for his sake.
Patroclus yet did further them incite.
Ye Myrmidons▪ said he, Achilles Bands,
Remember now couragiously to fight;
Achilles honour now lies in your hands
The best of Greeks. Let Agamemnon see
The fault he did, and know he was unwise,
How wide soever his Dominion be,
The best of all th'Achaeans to despise.
Page 243Then on the Trojans all at once they fly.
With them the other Greeks by shouts conspire.
The Trojans when they saw Patroclus nigh
With stout Automedon Achilles Squire,
Their courage fell, their Ranks disordered were,
They lookt about which way 'twere best to run.
For they suppos'd Achilles now was there,
And that his discontent was past and gone.
Patroclus first of all lets fly his Spear
Amongst the thickest of the Foes, about
Protesilaus hollow Ship (for there
The Trojans standing close together fought)
And slew Pyraechmes who from Amydon,
And Axius wide stream the Poeons led.
The Spear pass'd thorough his right Shoulder-bone.
And when the Poeons saw him fall, they fled.
Not only these he frighted had, but all,
By killing of a Captain of such fame.
Patroclus then upon the rest did fall,
And drave them from the Ship, & quencht the flame.
The Trojans towards Troy retire apace.
Patroclus and the Argives them pursue,
Leaving the Ship half burnt upon the place.
And on the Plain the Fight began anew.
As men see all the Rocks and Woods about
When than the Hills the Mist is gotten higher;
So when the Fire was at the Ships put out,
The Greeks did for a little while respire.
For yet the Trojans did not plainly fly,
But still resisting went, and losing ground.
Here Areïlochus was killed by
Patroclus that gave him a deadly wound
Upon the Thigh, just as he turn'd about.
The Spear went through and passing brake the Bone.
And at the wound his bloud and life went out,
And on his face he fell down with a groan.
Thoas by Menelaus on the Brest
Close by his Shield a wound receiv'd and di'd.
To Meges Antichus a Spear addrest.
But Meges that his purpose had espi'd
Page 244Prevented him, and with his Spear him hits
Upon the Leg and neer unto the Knee,
And all the Nerves thereof asunder splits,
And of the wound he died presently.
Antilochus then slew Atymnius.
The Spear went through his Flank & struck him dead.
And Maris then struck at Antilochus,
But he prevented was by Thrasymed
And slain, pierc'd through the shoulder with his Spear.
And thus by two Sons of old Nestor slain
The two Sons of Amisodorus were,
And of Sarpedon good Companions twain.
Their Sire Amisodorus kept at home.
The foul Chimaera that had done much harm,
Devouring people which did that way come,
Till she was slain by Bellerophontes arm.
Cl•obulus then pester'd in the throng
By little Ajax taken was alive,
But after he was taken liv'd not long.
For Ajax did him of his life deprive.
For on the Neck he gave him such a wound
With his broad Sword as made it smoak with blood;
And presently he fell unto the ground,
And on his Eyes perpetual darkness stood.
With Swords Peneleos and Lycon prest
Each other hard. For both their Spears had miss'd.
Lycon him hit upon the Helmet-crest,
And broke his Sword. One part staid in his Fist,
T•e other flew. Peneleos him hit
Upon the Neck. The Sword so far went in,
As from the shoulders it divided it,
Save that it hung a little by the skin.
Me•iones pursued Acamas,
Amongst the Trojans that before him fled;
And overtook him as he mounting was,
And with a wound i'th' shoulder left him dead.
And by Idomeneus the King of Creet
Hit in the Mouth was Eryma• and slain.
His Teeth all stricken out fell at his Feet,
And by the Spear pierc'd thorough was h•s Brain,
Page 245And fill'd with bloud stood staring both his Eyes,
Which through his nose and mouth he strove to voyd,
And gasping seeks to cast it out, and dies.
Thus the Greek Lords each one his man destroy'd.
And then as bloudy Wolves invade the Lambs
Or Kids that by the Shepherds negligence
Are wandred on the Mountains from their Dams,
And kill; for Nature gives them no defence;
So fiercely on the Trojans fell the Greeks.
But they no more trust to their hands but feet.
Ajax to throw his Spear at Hector seeks,
But with him Hector has no minde to meet,
But by th'advantage of his skill in Warre
Knowing of Arrows and of Spears the sound,
To keep aloof from Ajax still took care,
And cover'd with his Shield oft shifted ground.
And though he knew the honour of the day
Would fall unto th'Achaeans in the end,
Yet from the Field he went not straight away,
But stay'd and fought his people to defend.
And then as Clouds rise from Olympus high,
And through the Air to Heaven tend upright
Before tempestuous winds; so rose the Cry
At th'Argive Ships. Then Hector left the Fight.
And after him the Trojans take their heels,
But in the Trench greatly encumbred were,
And many Charret poles they brake and Wheels.
And when they of the Trench were gotten clear,
Fill'd with affright was ev'ry Path and Way.
Thus at the Ships the storm of War gave ore.
The Horses that were loose ran back to Troy;
And to the Ships the Trojans came no more.
Patroclus, where he most disorder found,
Thither he drove, and trod the Trojans down,
And Charret-seats were tumbled to the ground,
And many from their Seats were headlong thrown.
But the swift Horses of Patroclus, which
On Peleus by the Gods bestowed were,
Found no impediment, but leapt the Ditch,
Pursuing Hector, who now was not there.
Page 246As when with stormy winds th' Autumnal rain
Falls heavy on the Earth, from Heaven sent
When wrested are the Laws by men for gain,
Who from the Gods expect no Punishment,
The Rivers swell; down from the Mountains side
Innumerable Currents headlong run
Roaring and foaming to the Ocean wide;
And washt away is all mans work and gone:
So fled the Trojans. These thus put to flight,
He kept the Greeks from going to the Town,
As they desir'd; yet gave not over fight,
But 'twixt the Ships and River overthrown
Were many more; for unrevenged yet
Were many Greeks. First Pronous he kill'd,
Whom with his spear upon the Breast he hit,
Where he was not well cover'd with his Shield.
The next he slew was Thestor Enops Son
That sate upon his Seat amaz'd with fear,
And from his hand the Horses Reyns were gone.
Patroclus standing by him with his Spear
Strook him upon the Cheek, and there it stuck
Fast in his Teeth; and over the fore-wheel
To th' ground Patroclus fetcht him with a pluck
As to the Bank a Fisher pulls an Eel,
And to the Earth he threw him on his Face.
Eryalus then to him went, in vain,
And by Patroclus slain was on the place.
For with a stone he cleft his head in twain.
Epaltes, Erymas, Amphoterus,
And Echius, Pyres, Damastorides.
Euippus, Polymelus Iphius;
He one upon another kill'd all these.
Sarpedon saw how fast his good friends died,
And that his Lycians ready were to fly,
He them rebuking with a loud voice cried,
Whither d'ye go? For shame stay here. For I
Intend to meet this man my self and know
Who 'tis that here so furiously fights,
And lays so many valiant Trojans low.
This said, he from his Chariot alights.
Page 247Patroclus seeing that, alighted too;
And presently betook him to the fight,
As keen as on a high Rock Vultures two;
And Jupiter was grieved at the sight.
And to (his Wife and Sister) Juno said,
Ay me, my Son Sarpedon will be slain.
For by the Fates long since it so is laid.
And now my mind divided is in twain,
To snatch him hence and carry him again
To Lycia, or now to let him die,
And by Patroclus fatal Spear be slain.
And Juno then to Jove made this replie.
O Jove, most wilful of the Gods, what say'e?
A mortal man condemn'd is by the Fates,
And you would now the Execution stay?
Do. But take heed how you offend the State•.
And this I tell you further, if you do▪
Your Son Sarpedon from the Combate save,
The other Gods will look to do so too.
For Sons at Troy many Immortals have.
But since you love your Son and for him grieve,
First let Patroclus take away his life,
And then to Death and Sleep commandment give
To carry him from out the bloudy strife
To Lycia, amongst his friends and kin,
Who see him will embalm'd and buried,
And build a Tomb to lay his ashes in,
Which are the honours due unto the dead.
This Juno says; Jove to it condescends.
And for the honour of his Son so dear
For rain he drops of bloud from Heaven sends.
When they were come to one another near,
First threw Patroclus and kill'd Thrasymed
A valiant man Sarpedon's Charretier.
The Spear into his Belly entered.
Then at Patroclus flew Sarpedon's Spear,
And hit him not, but Pedasus he slew,
The Fore-horse of Achilles Charre, and now
The sprawling Horse caus'd a disorder new.
The Yoke screeks, and Automedon lets go
Page 248The Reyns; whereby the Combatants are parted;
Automedon soon found a remedy;
For from the Charret seat he nimbly started,
And cut the Geers that did the fore-horse tye.
The Horses two adjusted were again;
And then the Combatants the fight renew.
And first Sarpedon threw, and threw in vain.
The Spear just over his left shoulder slew.
But not in vain Patroclus Spear was thrown,
That smote him through the Midriff. Heavilie
Sarpedon then unto the ground came down,
As if 't had been an Oak or Poplar-tree.
Or as a Pine cut down i'th' Hill, to be
A Mast for some great Ship falls to the ground,
So fell to th'Earth Sarpedon heavilie,
And with his Armour made the place resound.
As when a Bull is by a Lion slain,
Under his Paw to th'ground he groaning falls;
So groaning fell Sarpedon in great pain,
And to his friend the valiant Glaucus calls,
And to him said, Now Glaucus valiant be,
And set your minde on nothing but to fight.
But first go call my best men all to me,
And to assist me here joyn all your might.
If of my Arms I stript be by the Foe,
The shame thereof for ever will abide.
So therefore quickly call the people. Go.
And when he thus had spoken to him, di'd.
Patroclus on the Body sets his foot,
And out agen he pull'd the bloudy Spear,
With pieces of the Midriff sticking to't.
And now away the Horses ready were
To run. For no man was upon the Seat;
But by the Myrmidons they soon were staid.
The grief of Glaucus then was very great
For that he knew not how the King to aid.
For in great pain his Arm was with the stroke
Of Teucer's Arrow at the Argive Wall,
And found no remedy but to invoke
Apollo, and upon him thus did call.
Or Lycia, unto my Pray'r give ear;
For when distressed men unto thee bow,
Thou dost from any place or distance hear.
I grievously am wounded in the hand,
The pain whereof up to my shoulder goes.
No longer now can I my Spear command,
When most I need to use it 'gainst the Foes.
Sarpedon the brave Son of Jove is slain.
H•s Father of him takes no further care.
But thou Apollo now asswage my pain,
And cure my wound and make me fit for Warre;
That I may bring the Lycians to fight,
And I with them the Body may defend.
This said, Apollo by his Heavenly might
His wound heal'd up, the pain was at an end.
The bloud was gone; encourag'd was his minde,
And Glaucus knew Apollo did it all,
And joy'd such favour with the God to finde.
Then out he went the Lycians to call.
That done he to the Trojan Princes goes,
Agenor, Hector, and Polydamas,
Divine Aeneas, and craves aid of those;
But what he said, to Hector spoken was.
Hector, said he, your friends you now forget,
Who from their Country hither came so far
Their lives to venture for your sake. For yet
How to assist them you take little care.
Slain is the King Sarpedon in the sight,
That both with Might and Justice rul'd the Land
Of Lycia. Let them not vent their spight
Upon the Body slain; but by him stand.
The Myrmidons else for th'Achaeans sake
Of whom we slew so many at the Fleet,
Will in revenge his Armour from him take,
And do unto him other things unmeet.
This said, the Trojans all were on a flame
To be reveng'd. To Troy he was a Wa•l,
Although he thither as a Stranger came,
He many led, himself the best of all▪
Page 250And to the Myrmidons they marcht away,
Hector himself before them at the head
As angry for Sarpedon's death as they.
Patroclus then the Greeks encouraged,
And speaking first to the Ajaxes two,
Ajax, said he, both you and you, again
Fight gallantly as you are us'd to do,
Or better if you can. For I have slain
Sarpedon with my Spear, who was the man
That mounted first up to the Argive Wall.
Let's take his Armour off him if we can,
And make his Fellows some of them to fall.
This said, they into order put their men
Trojan and Lycian; Greek and Myrmidon;
And to the Body slain return agen,
And fiercely one another fell upon.
And Jove the place with darkness cover'd round
As long as they were fighting 'bout his Son.
And at the first the Greeks forsook their ground.
For then there was a noble Myrmidon
Epigeus that King was formerly
Of Budeon, and forced thence away
For a mans death to Peleus did fly,
Who sent him with Achilles unto Troy.
And now no sooner layed had his hand
Upon Sarpedon's Body, but was slain
By a great stone that flew from Hector's hand,
And broke (for all his Cask) his skull in twain.
Down he upon the dead King falling dies.
Patroclus when he saw his friend thus fall,
Swift as a Hawk that at a Stareling flies,
Up to the Foes ran, and amongst them all
He threw a stone, which lighted on the Neck
Of Stenelaus, and the Tendon rent.
And this gave to the Trojan Horse a check;
And back a little Hector with them went
As far as one can for experiment,
Or at a Foe in Battle throw a Spear;
So far back Hector with his Charret went,
The Argives them pursuing in the Rear.
Pursu'd by Bathycles and very near,
Upon a sudden to him turn'd his head,
And deep into his breast he thrust his Spear.
And down he fell. The Trojans then were glad,
And at the Body fallen boldly stay'd.
On th'other side the Greeks were very sad
To lose so good a man, but not dismay'd.
Meriones then slew Laogonus
Son of Onetor Priest of Jupiter,
And honour'd like a God in Gargarus.
The Spear him pierc'd between the Cheek and Ear.
Then at Meriones Aeneas threw
And was in hope to give him his deaths wound;
But he then stoopt, and ore him the Spear flew;
And one end shook, the other stuck i'th'ground.
At this Aeneas angry to him said,
Meriones, as well as you can dance,
My Spear was like your motion to have stay'd,
And that it did not, think it was by chance.
To him replying said Meriones,
Aeneas strong and valiant as you are,
You cannot kill men whom and when you please,
Your self are subject to the chance of Warre
As well as I. And if my Spear fall right
(As much as to your hands you trust) you'll die
Like other men, and I win honour by't,
And to the shades below your Soul will fly.
This said, Patroclus came and him reproved.
Meriones, why talk you thus, said he,
D'ye think the Trojans can be hence removed
With evil words till many slain there be?
In counsel words may somewhat signifie,
But hands in War determine the event.
'Tis to no purpose words to multiplie.
This said, away they both together went.
And by and by was heard a mighty sound,
As if the Woods were felling on the Hills,
Of men in Armour falling to the ground,
And Swords and Spears on Helmets and on Shields.
Page 252Sarpedon cover'd was from top to toe
With dust and Spears, and so besmear'd with blood,
That wise he must have been that could him know,
Though who it was they all well understood▪
And busie were about him as the Flies
That buz in Summer-time about the Pans
Of Milk. And all this while Jove kept his Eyes
Upon the Battle; and advising stands
Whether 'twere best to let Patroclus die
Upon Sarpedon, slain by Hector, or
Let him go on, and follow those that fly,
And of the Trojans make the slaughter more.
At last resolv'd he made the Trojans fly.
Patroclus then pursu'd them up to Troy,
And as he went made many of them die;
And Hector was the first that fled away,
Not ignorant of Jove's Apostasie.
And then the lusty Lycians also fled;
Whose King Sarpedon now i'th' heap did lie
Stretcht out on th'Earth amongst the other dead.
And him Patroclus of his Armour strips,
His mighty Armour all of solid Brass,
And sent it by his fellows to the Ships.
Thus slain and stript Jove's Son Sarpedon was.
Then Jove unto Apollo spake and said,
Go Phoebus bear Sarpedon from the Fight
A great way off, and let him be array'd
In an immortal Garment pure and bright.
But in the River clear first wash him clean,
And with Ambrosia anoynt his skin.
Let Death and Sleep two Sisters bear him then
To Lycia unto his friends and kin,
By whom his Body will embalmed be,
And Tomb and Pillar set upon his Grave,
Whereby preserv'd will be his memorie,
Which all the honour is the dead can have.
This said, Apollo down from Ida came,
And bare Sarpedon's Body from the Fight,
And far off in the River washt the same,
And with Ambrosia his Body white
Page 253Anointed, and with Garments fair array'd,
Immortal Garments; and into the hands
Of Death and Sleep committed it, who layd
It down again amongst the Lycians.
Patroclus then commands Automedon
To drive to Troy. Not well. For had he then
The counsel of Achilles thought upon,
He had escapt. But Jove knows more than men,
And quickly can take from a man of might,
And to a weaker give the Victorie
Whom he himself encourage will to fight,
As now by Jove himself set on was he.
But while Patroclus chac'd the Trojans thus,
Who fell? Adrestus and Autonous,
Epistor, Melanippus, Perimus,
Pylartus, Mulius, and Echeclus
And Elasus. And taken had been Troy
Now by Patroclus, but that Phoebus stood
Upon the Tow'r and pusht him still away,
To vex the Greeks and do the Trojans good.
For thrice he mounted and was thrice put back
By the Immortal hand; but when again
He mounting was, Apollo to him spake.
Retire (said he) Patroclus, 'tis in vain.
It is not you that Ilium can win,
Nor Thetis Son, a better man than you.
Patroclus at these words great fear was in,
And far off from the Wall himself withdrew.
Now Hector was upon his Charret•seat
I'th' S•aean Gate, and did deliberate
Whether to make the Trojans to retreat,
And when they were come in to shut the Gate,
Or go to th'Fight. While he consulted thus,
Apollo came and standing by his side
In likeness of his Uncle Asius,
Him sharply did for standing idle chide.
Hector, said he, why stay you here? If I
Exceeded you in strength as you do me,
I teach you would, in such necessity
To quit the Field thus, and unuseful be.
Page 254Go. To Patroclus now directly drive,
And doubt not but that by Apollo's aid
You may him of his Life and Arms deprive.
Away went Phoebus when he this had said.
And Hector then returned to the Fight
While Phoebus did the Argive throng dismay.
Cebriones still kept his Horses right
Upon Patroclus. For upon the way
Hector past through the Greeks and killed none.
Patroclus then alighting, with his Spear
In his left hand, in th'other took a stone,
And with it killed Hector's Charrettier
Cebriones, King Priam's Bastard Son.
Above his Eyes upon his Forehead just
Patroclus hit him with the knobby stone.
Then from his Seat he dropt into the dust.
Broke was his Skull, his Eye-brows crusht int'one,
And at his feet before him fell his eyes.
Patroclus scoft and said 'tis nimbly done.
And proudly thus insulting ore him cryes,
Oh that we had a man could leap like him,
And set upon one of our Ships were he,
To leap into the Sea and groaping swim!
How satisfi'd with Oysters should we be!
So quickly down he tumbled to the Plain.
I see that there good tumblers are in Troy.
This said, he ran unto the Body slain,
Himself with his own valour to destroy.
And then unto the ground leapt Hector too,
And at Cebrion•s his Body fought
He and Patroclus, fierce as Lions two
That had a great Stag, slain by chance, found out;
And hungry both, strove who should first be fed.
So sought these two each other to destroy.
And Hector pull'd the dead man by the head,
Patroclus by the heels the other way.
Mean while the Greeks and Trojans fighting stood.
As when between two Hills two great Winds fight,
On both sides strongly s•aken is the Wood,
And Boughs beat one another with great might,
Page 255And with a horrid noise together clash,
And many lusty Limbs then broken are
Of barky Corme, broad Beech, and lofty Ash;
So did it with the Greeks and Trojans••re.
About Cebriones stuck many a Spear,
And many a fledged Arrow from the Bow,
And many Shields by great stones broken were,
While he along in bed of dust lay low,
And quite forgotten had his Chivalry.
Now all the while that mounting was the Sun
The Weapons flew, and men fell equally.
But after noon when half the day was gone
The Argives clearly had the Victory,
And from the Field Cebriones they drew,
And stript there of his Armour let him lie.
Patroclus then the Trojans chac'd anew.
And there before the Myrmidons leapt out
Like Mars himself, and thrice nine Trojans slew.
And out again he went; but at that bout,
Upon himself untimely death he drew.
For Phoebus came (Patroclus saw him not)
Wrapt up in Air, and standing on the ground
Between the shoulders with his hand him sm•t,
That all about him seemed to go round,
And from his head his Helmet then he flung
Into the dust, and foul it was all ore,
And beaten by the hoofs of Horses rung,
That never had been so defil'd before
When on Achilles Godlike head it sate.
But Jove to Hector gave it now to wear,
And only then when near him was his Fate.
Moreover Phoebus brake Patroclus Spear,
A heavie Spear well armed at the head,
And pluckt his mighty Shield out of his hand,
And left him of his Arms uncovered.
With this Patroclus did amazed stand.
And near unto him then a Dardan came,
And in the back he smote him with his Spear.
Panthoïdes Euphorbus was his name,
And kill'd him not, but back ran to the Rear.
Page 256For though he well could fight, and ride, and run,
And going first abroad to learn the Wars,
He was by no man of his age outdone,
And had orethrown twice ten men from their Chars;
Yet for Patroclus now he durst not stay,
Although he wounded and disarmed were.
Then to the Rear Patroclus went away;
And after him ran Hector with his Spear,
And at the Belly struck him through the side.
And down he fell. The Greeks were grieved sore.
As when at a small Fountain almost dri'd
Together come a Lion and a Boar
With equal thirst, and drink they both would fain,
But fight who shall drink first, slain is the Bore;
So now by Hector was Patroclus slain,
Though many Trojans he had kill'd before.
And Hector then triumphing ore him said,
Patroclus, you thought sure t'have stormed Troy.
And in your Ships our women t'have convay'd
To Argos with you when you went away.
Were you so simple that you could not see,
That Hector with his Horses and his Spear
Protects the Trojans from Captivitie?
Now shall you for the Dogs and Fowls lie here;
Nor can Achilles do you any good,
That bad you ('t may be) when you from him went,
Not to return, till dyed in his blood
You Hector's Coat had from his shoulders rent.
And vain enough you were to promise it.
Patroclus with a feeble voice repli'd,
Hector, you now may boast as you think fit,
And in your own Ability take pride.
T'Apollo first my death I owe, who threw
My Armour from my body to the ground;
I could have slain else twenty such as you.
And from Euphorbus I receiv'd a wound.
To bring me down; you were but one of three.
But hear me and remember what I say,
Hector, you will not long live after me,
And only for Achilles hand you stay.
Page 257And at these words he was of life bereft.
His Soul unto th'Infernal Regions fled
Lamenting so much Youth and Vigour left;
And Hector to him spake again though dead.
Patroclus, why do you foretel my death?
Who knows but that Achilles may be slain
By me first, and before me lose his breath?
This said, he pulled out the Spear again.
And presently pursu'd Automedon,
Who of Achilles was the Charretier;
But he away was carried and gone
By Peleus Horses that Immortal were.
