scarse an ende had made now of this case But stoute and forwarde Menelau spake thus in open place Giue eare yée Gréeks and Troyans both vnto these words of mine Who shall declare vnto you al my griefe and grieuous pine I do agrée now for to end this daungerous debate Considering erst the trauailes great and mischiefs which of late And long sith by both campes sustainde for the adulterie And the iust cause whiche prickes me forth to venge this miserie That all men rest and that Paris against me come whereby All yée shall sée who ordainde is by fate to liue or dye And to effect that all be done thâ—…oblation whyche of due The Gods in such case ought to haue the pacte to holde more true It néedeful is by the Troyans two lambes there be assignde The one coale blacke the other white Male and Female by kinde White be the Male the female blacke vnto the sunne most cleare To shed their bloud and to the earth of all men dame so deare Benigne and auncient mother of man and we a thirde wil bring Which shal be offred vnto Ioue that great and mighty King I woulde also for suretie more one went for olde Priam That for this pact and couenaunt made he ratifie the same For his children all Greece wel knows are promise breakers all Falsers of Faith and vnto chaunge yong heades are alway thral The olde man if he sweare the othe if bounde he sée he be He wil abide no treason then nor offer iniurie This fight agréed the Citizens and souldiors strange of Troy The Troyans all the Gréekes ech one hereof beginne to ioy In hope an end shall now be made of this their wretched warre With busie toile they rounde about do place their horse afarre And kéeping order forthwith then they from their Chariots light Their shields their launces down they lay and harnesse fit for fight Leauing good scope betwéene them both ful fit by fight to trye The ioly Hector Heraults two to Troy sends by and by Two Lambes to fetche and hast Priam t'allowe all this accorde Talthybius eke went to the shippes commanded by his Lord Agamemn to fetche the Lambe vnto the company Which was appointed as before for the ceremonie This while from the Olympus high Iris made hir repaire To Troy to tell these newes to hir who fairest is offaire The shape she tooke of hir sister belovde faire Laodice Who marryed had Elicaon Anthenors sonne the wise She founde the faire not idle tho but working busilie She in hir chamber made a péece of worthy Chiualrie Wherin was wrought of Troyans and of Greekes the worthy Acts Most cunningly in portrature their sallies and their facts Their chargings oft their cruel fight their méetings one to one Which both the Campes continually made for hir loue alone Arise quoth Iris come Heleine and in the plaine hard by The Citie here thou straight shalt sée things wondrous to thine eye Those whom thou hast ech day beheld in wont deale doleful blowes In daungerous war thou shalt sée rest togither in sundry rowes And some there leaning on their shields wel wearie of their toyles And Menelau with Paris shal to end these wars and broyles Fight hand to hand and he who shall the better part obtaine Thée shall he haue by one consent as glorie of his gaine These newes declarde with a desire this Heleines minde is sped Of hir first spouse and countrey towne wherein she first was bred Of hir parents to sée them once a time this Heleine prayes With them to leade hir life againe and furnish forth hir dayes She riseth vp and deckes hir selfe with gorgeous attire And out she goes distilling teares as they wel saw stoode by hir And not alone she with hir led Climean and Aethrea And goes vnto the greatest port that named is Sciea Where on the Bulwarkes they might sée at ease the fields so wide There king Priam with Lordes of state was set on euery side To shrowde them in the shade within the pentus of the Wal Tymets Lampus Clytus Panthus in vertues famous all Hicetaon renoumde in warre also Vcalegon Of late that was of boysteous braine and eke Anthenor one As good a man of warre as they but now for councel out The aged dads there closely sit the scortching heate they dout As Grashoppers the olde men chat when two or thrée are founde In Sommer time amid the Grasse and make a charming sounde They loking on the heauenly Gréeke good cause confessed why Both campes should make such toile stirre and eke so long shold try Hir beautie wayed that was more than any earthly worke Which in hir Goddesse visage there did shine and séeme to lurke Yet they anoucht it better were to yéelde hir home to goe Without abode for to eschew the mischiefes which might grow By kéeping hir stil as they did as she arriued than Wheras they sat the king hir callde and thus to hir began Come thou to me my daughter faire here down by me do sit Leaue off thy mone leaue off thy tears which from thine eyes do â—…lit Do not consume lamenting thus come sée thy husband here And all the Gréekes thy kinsmen eke and coosins all so déere Oh Ioues wil is not that in thée I should th'occasion lay Of my mishaps which yeeldes my griefe no no the gods are they Who for the better to reuenge themselues of me and mine Desire by this wretched warre t'afflict vs all with pine Come néere and leaue your bashfulnesse and of the Gréekes declare Your neighbours kindred and alies and who you néerest are What who is he is formost there of middle pitch and bone With countenaunce graue as I forethinke I neuer saw yet one Since I was borne so wel beséene as he in euery thing And sure he beares the port and shew and grace of some great king Then answerde Heleine thus the King with humble voyce saide My most deare Lord thy reuerent state doeth yéelde me wel afraide When to thy presence I resort but would to God by death Before the turmoyles of this warre I yéelded had my breath And chiefely when to follow with thy sonne I was so mad Leauing my husband many a Dame and gentle phéere I had My brethren and my daughter both then both we frée from wo Had bene as now but what helpe when il lucke wil haue it so Sent for to do your graces will who doth commaunde the same For him you aske that prince he hath Agamemnon to name A King both wise and stoute in warre of Atreus eke the heire To whom the Campe in all obeyes and their alliegance beare Who now long sith when we in peace and suretie al did swim Was vnto me brother in law and I sister to him The péerelesse faire holding hir peace Priam with maruel mazde Hearing Agamemnons honor thus declarde set forth
You now are séene here in this place come downe so spéedily Sure great affaires or else some cause which muche your minde it léekes The victorie from Troyans good to giue vnto the Gréekes And is not that your meaning now your purpose and intent To sée the Troyan towne destroyed hir buildings all to rent It better were in my aduise this day to cease the warre And eft they may beginne their fields and fights wherein they ar Till that such time the citie there to sacke and pillage goe Sith that you Gods with one remorce of force will haue it so The Goddesse answerde then Agréed for so I meane aright Of purpose I descended downe to staie these folke from fight Wherefore séeke way to seuer now frō this daies warre these wights Apollo soothde quoth he therto of all these gallant knights Let Hector bold march boldly on and chalenge for to trie Yea man to man the stoutest foe with him to liue or die This braue demaund will much amaze the stoutest of their bands And they will point some odde man out with him to mingle hands And thus this battaile shall haue end Apollos saying théed Unto his graue and learned skill forthwith it was agréed Then sage and prudent Helenus who there their secret knewe By ghost diuine with courteous wordes lowlie to Hector drewe Quoth he my dearest brother now to me thine eare attend And maruaile not though to aduise and euerie way I bend My selfe t'aduaunce thy great renowme sith brethren both we be I cannot chuse to doe my best as duetie doth agrée Cause Gréekes and Troyans to retire with voice and courage hie Aduaunce thy selfe if any Gréeke will out this quarrell trie Upon him doe for by the fates this day thou shalt not dye I haue it from the mightie Gods whose councells cannot lye Hector right iolly marcheth on out of the rancks he goes His launce full long in midst he held he willes thē leaue their blowes He brings his squadrons backe againe the shot he bids retire The Gréekes stand fast they order kéepe and newes they doe desire Agamemn eke to harken to made Grecians to abide Both Pallas and Apollo then séeing on euerie side The dartes to cease vpon a Béeche of armes a mightie trée The God and Goddesse they doe sit as Uulturs there they bée They doe delight such puissant cries in field to sée so still The Bataillons yet soundly knit on ground doe lie at will With tooles of warre at elbowes end much like the Ocean waue Which working storme not gréen but black doth make y e colour haue Then Hector armde at euerie point thus spake vnto them all Hearke both ye Gréekes Troyan knights what to your wealth may fall Betwéene these campes the treaties sworne parts so firmly fast Imperfect are of no effect as none had euer past Ioue in this daunger hath vs lapt n'accord he will allowe He doth determine in his minde with malice he doth vowe He all a cruell sacrifice of vs doth meane to make As thus that either you the Gréekes our Troyan towne shall take Or that your iourney shall returne to you both voide and vaine Or hardly by vs Troyans set quite beaten downe and slaine And now I knowe it verie well that in your campe you haue As to defend so to assaile both souldiours fytte and braue And valiant men single to me the strong and stoutest knight Let him nowe here his manhood trie and cope with me in fight I will abide the man and truth and faith I giue withall To which if so it néedefull is I Ioue to witnesse call If victor of me for to be so luckie be his chaunce And in my bowels that he doe imbrewe his warlike launce Take he my spoyles vnto his shippes my bodie let it rest Without outrage let Troyans take it to the fierie feast Let them the ashes gather vp And if him vnder foote That I doe tread Apollo graunt I craue no other boote But that his harneys I may haue to Ilion thether I In temple his a relique signe to set and hang on hie And for his carcase send I will the Gréekes they shall it haue Who in the shore of Hellespont thereon may reare his graue That if hereafter to this land a straunger take his way And with the tombe doe haply méete full iustly he may say Here lies intombde the doughtie Gréeke whom Hector charging hard Downe slue although he shewde the part of knight of great regard For valure and for force and loe thus shall a forraine saye Whereby my fame and great renowme shall last for euer and aye This spéech so stunt and sodaine sayed yéelds all the troupe abasht Ech doubting to accept the fight they blushing all are dasht Menelaus who marked all and how they stoode he grewe In furie great he out doth come and sighes he déepely drewe O villaine Gréekes quoth he in wordes ech proude hardie speakes But come to déedes you quaile alacke like faint and coward freakes O Gréekes infamed tootoo much what Gréekish men not so But rather Gréekish wiues what shame and filthy spéech will goe Of you for this your cowardize with hart not standing out With Hector here to ioyne for why you daungers dreadfull doubt And without further mouing hence that ye to earthy molde Doe turne your faults to plague I pray or else to water cold And as for me I will me arme the combat I allowe With hardie minde I it accept I knowe it well ynowe The loftie Gods as best they please bestowe the victorie Thus Menelau doth blame his mates and armour on doth tye And now at hand O Menelau was end of all thy toiles Thy death was sure in Hectors hands whose skill in warlike brosles And strength of arme surmounts thée farre but the Gréekish kings Had come and stayde thée Agamemn he by the hand thée wrings And much misliking this thy Acte with rage quoth he thou asse Thou fondling thou thinkst thou thy strength of force to bring to passe To matche this doughtie Troyan here to whom of Gréekish race Net one howe stoute so ere he be dare boldly shewe his face Achilles no he greatly doubtes with him in field the fraie Drawe backe and quiet kéepe thy selfe we shall finde out a way To end this cause we shall finde one shall make him stirre his stumps Though that a dreadlesse knight he be and though in martiall iumps A souldior bold nere tirde in warre I hope right well that he Shall thinke himselfe a happie man if haplie so it be Without his death this quarrell end and that with humble hart Upon his knées thanke God aboue with life for to depart Agamemn Menelaus thus perswaded and he stayde His gromes right glad their maister sawe out daunger to be wayde And flocke about his armor one another takes his shield His weapons some and by his bands
he séeth him in the field Wherewith the reuerent Nestor graue stoode vp forth he drewe O great vnfitte reproch quoth he vnto this famous crue O what mishap if at our home this dolefull newes be tolde Surely the Prince of Myrmidons Peleus that father olde And all his prouince fast will whine he hath enquirde of me Of fauour great the names and race of meanest in degrée Of all you here but how abasht how great shalbe his griefe When he shall heare your cowardise it sure is my beliefe He clad with care his prayer will vnto the Gods commend That ere he sée the Gréekes so foyld of him they make an end I would the God Apollo Ioue and Pallas they would graunt I were so young and lustie as when able I did haunt The warres and in the battaile fought betwéene the Archads stout And Pyliens that auncient were who tride the quarrell out By citie Phee vpon the floud that Iardan hath to name Whereas I shewde by perfect proofe my valure and my fame Among them there then liued one that Ereuthalion hight Who on had put of Areithous the stéeled armour bright I meane that Areithous that bare the great and massie club And therewith fighting got such praise by force and wéelding good That syrname he obtainde thereby of Clubber thorowe all Whom after not by force but sleight Lycurgus gaue the fall And slue him downe in strayted lane where club he could not wéeld Lycurge with dart did drawe him nye therwith through him thréeld And dead he tooke his armor gaye himselfe to shield and ayde In all the byckerings that he had and nere was ouerlayde As long as that he lyvde and then to Ereuthalion He them bequeathd who bare himselfe as fierce as any Lion And often calld the Pyliens with man for man to trie With floutes ynowe and when I sawe the pride of Arcadie Th'abated mindes the cowardize and faintnesse of my phéeres I tooke in hand to shewe my worth for all my want in yéeres I tooke him vp I layde him dead by grace of mightie God A maruaile great to sée his corpse a thing for hugenesse odde Falling a long I wish my youth and courage such as tho A champion then to match in fight the Troyans well should knowe And sith the hardiest all of Gréece be present in this place If none of you defend this cause I thinke it great disgrace The Gréekish Lordes so prickt to quicke this good graue aged sire As of the greatest nine he made stand vp with great desire The combats hazarde for to proue Agamemn first did rise Next Diomede to conquer all which still hath bene his guise The Aiax twaine of like exploit Idomene was the â—…ift Merion eke his maisters match in euerie martiall drift With whom was good Euripilus the sonne of Euemon And with the rest stout Thoas rose the bréede of Andremon Of purpose eche to be receyude and Vlysses the slie Not to be thought to be agast or slacke in chiualrie Quoth Nestor herevpon finding their boldened mindes to growe Renowmed Lordes sith thus it stands full well we all shall knowe Who for this combat shalbe tane cast lots on whom it lights That forth his bullet first doth come with Hector him he fights With suretie he that ouercoÌ„mes immortall praise to take Ech of the nine with marke aduise a Bullet for to make His Helmet in their lots to put Agamemnon doth lend The while the souldiors good of Gréece their prayers thus attend With reatched hands O mightie Ioue graunt so it doe befall That first of doughtie Aiax he out come the lotting ball Or it the sonne of Tydees his whose laude so loude doth ring Or else to please thée to bestowe this honor on our King Our captaine chiefe and leader graue Nestor doth often blunder And shake the lotts within the helme to part them more asunder His hand thrust in the bullet first of Aiax forth he brings So much desired and Herault badde to carie it the Kings That they may knowe which of them all by fate appointed was In this conflict to deale he forth with bullet on doth passe By ranke and ranke through all the field he open doth it beare But yet vnknowne to Aiax bold till he approched were Who doth reioyce at so good lucke the scripture when he read And downe he throwes it on the ground and to the Kings he sayd Thus full right like a man of warre My louing friends so déere You sée that nowe I am the man I pray you all to chéere My minde assures me that I shall as victor downe him strike And while I put mine armour on you softly may beséeke The hie Gods in my fauour now and Troyans shall not néede To heare your cries what say I now I surely doe not héede For pray you lowe or out aloude I doubtfull nothing déeme For if the bréeding vp doe make men more of men estéeme If Countrey soile if worthy race doe mende the mindes of men With these thrée gifts so thorowly sith I am surnishte then You shall not sée me runne away I will not turne my backe To princely blond what doth belong you shall not finde the lacke So spake the bold manly Gréeke his friends with hart deuout To Ioue for safetie of the man did powre their prayers out With vowes in many sundry sortes but some that best perceavde The hazard great he entred on their hartes to God they heavde And prayed thus O mightie God most great most good who stayes On Ida hill beholding this O Ioue who beares the swayes And rules all combats at thy will this fauour graunt to day That this good Gréeke of this conflict may bring the palme away Or if thou dost too great good minde vnto sir Hector owe Graunt end this strife they both alyue with honor home may goe The Aiax strong himselfe doth arme in braue and brightsome brasse And forth he coÌ„mes into the campe in port and shewe he was Like Mars the God when he doth martch he yet a smiling hath But that his smile a visage shewes inflamde and set to wrath With notice to his fellowes all he was their certaine forte His countenaunce stout his sterne martch wheÌ„ they saw in such sort And so stiffe shaking of his launce they doe beginne to ioye But to this combat he thus prest now doubte the men of Troy Hector himselfe being agast would haue retired sure But him they would a cowarde count he did the strife procure Then Aiax hanging at his necke his huge and waightie targe Which towerwise so stoode aloft so dreadfull and so large He Tychius of late it forgde with seuen folded hydes With stiffe eke hard and azerde stéele he couerde it besides To Hector drawes he shewe full great and boldnesse on doth set Unto him there these were his wordes wherwith he thus doth threat This day thou Hector
he wist what was the secrete lot This 〈◊〉 was the Prophet he for to direct their wayes The Gréekes did thâ—…se in this exploite and sagely thus he sayes Achilles friend vnto the Gods thou counselst I shoulde showe Unto the hearers here from whence Apolloes wrath doth grow I wil it do but sweare thou shall my safetie to defend 〈◊〉 such out 〈◊〉 â—…uries which some on me wil bend I much do dâ—…bt â—…hat châ—…est one who shall my speaches heare Yea he whoâ—… all the campe obeyes wil greatly seeme to deare And much amazâ—…e Ost mightie Lordes although conceale they wuâ—… A crosse receivds of simple wight yet pay they at the ful â—…cancea ceaseth not â—…it they de yeeld their veâ—…geance due Asspire me then with your defence hereâ—… what way ensue Sap what â—…walt queth Achilles for by the God of might Whose secretes thou so well dost â—…nowe I wil defende thy right None of the Gréekes whereas I am shal wrong or iniure thée No not the greatest of regarde not Agamemnon hée Then Calchas thus assurde by worde pâ—…e â—…unst in oveâ—… sighâ—… Ye Gréekes this 〈◊〉 contiâ—… not 〈◊〉 â—…or that cause did light It fel not in the campe I say for want of sacrifice To Phoebus bright in Countrey â—…r this mischiefe whole doth rise For that you haue vnreuerently the aged Chryâ—…s vsde His daughter shoulde haue béene 〈◊〉 and not his gifts refusde Til mends be made of this our fault I thinke it wil not cease The blackenied Lady to hir home 〈◊〉 she be brought in peace No raunsome had in numbers tho our offerings let vs slay To purchase fauour of the God and turne his wâ—…th away Agamemnon forth standeth straite with rage inflamed so As like a burning brand his eies did twinckle to and fro And thus he sayth looking askance on Calchas furiously Unluckie Prophet that thou art for 〈◊〉 happily Ought dost thou shewe and badly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bad dost tel And me to spite now doâ—… thou preach forsooth a proper spel Auouching that vnto the camp this plague is from aboue Bycause I Chryses do withholde whome I so greatly loue Hir beautie gay and gallant glee hath conquerd so my wil As wel I hopâ—…e â—…he in my house shoulde haue râ—…yned stil With Clytemnestra wife of 〈◊〉 whoâ—… 〈◊〉 I dâ—… râ—…garde And iustly â—…o before hâ—…r she is muche to â—…e prâ—…rde For countnaunce good for colâ—…r cleaâ—…e for 〈◊〉 and body gay But â—…th I néedes muste yéelde hâ—…r vp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this sore away Ah take hir then I do agrâ—… hiâ—… wanâ—… I 〈◊〉 Than that this people here 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hâ—…ue But 〈◊〉 looke in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 You wel â—…hal know of al 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I wil 〈◊〉 be the â—…ut Achilles 〈◊〉 of the Gréekâ—…s to him replyed thus In presence of the Prâ—…ces aâ—… Thou sonnâ—… of Atreus Thou pâ—…nching Prâ—…nce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heart thou loftie â—…inded hâ—… Where dost thou thinke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…her 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 In guerdon â—…owe of al that warre dost thâ—… noâ—…â—…owe thy selfe Long time agoe among vs alâ—… dâ—…ed is theâ—…lfe Belike we must â—…he spoiles amaâ—… which is not easely done And bring the camp to mutine to 〈◊〉 not thy â—…inde sâ—… 〈◊〉 Obey the Gâ—…ds 〈◊〉 vp the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 times richer 〈◊〉 Thou shalt possesse if Ioue vouchsafe that we the Troians raigne And Towers happe to lay ful lowe Straight Agamemnon tho Said thou Achill thinke not I reade thy credite such no no Although thy force in shewe compare with suche to Gods belong Thinke not that I wil followe thée or beare this open wrong Doth reason beare that eche his part haue of the wealthy prayes Thinkst thou it fit I leaue the maide and emptie go my wayes Unrecompensâ—…e I hir forgoe as reason so it would But sée that I considered be as fit it is I shoulde Else mangre thée and all thy might that thine by thée possest Or Aiax or Vlysses theirs Ile haue as I think best And care who list who then shall déers that I his portion take And here an end I thinke it good to Sea we ready make A vessell strong with skilfull guides and eke that one of you Accompany the Lady home vnto hir father now With honor due religiously the Aultars high to reare To sacrifice that Apollo with fauour vs forbeare When Achilles had hearkned wel to Agamemnons tale Disdainfully he lookte at him and blewe this bitter gale Thou impudent thou iangler thou what Gréeke shall readye make Himselfe to fight at thy commaund thy party for to take I came not from my Countrey I the Troians stout to scarre Or to reuenge my selfe on them for in no broiles of warre They euer out my region fruites or cattaile tooke away Too large a sea too mightie hilles them deserts wilde do stay And champaines wiâ—…e their forraies bar twéene vs which are defeÌ„ce But I am coâ—… and 〈◊〉 my traine cutting the seas from thence Under thy leading not at al for any cause of ours But Menelaus wrong to venge a brother he of yours Not â—…ding thou the good we doe thou face and dogshead thou In place of thankes I shoulde receiue thou déepely threatens nowe To take away my good my good for so in truth it is For by my valor in the â—…elde I gained it ywis And whiche the Gréekes in witnesse large did giue of my desarte Of all the spoile I haue more cause than thou to take at harte These actions aye Of pillage stil I alwayes haue the worst The victorie of wont is mine infront I am the firste Yet what they giue I wil accepte Sith home is peacer quieâ—… Better than with a tyrant warre I warre no more wil trye it The working â—…ea I wil goe séeke in point of morning gray With Saile and Ore to Pthie land my countrey taking way And making here thou thy abode dishonor thou shalt gaine Thy substaunce great and 〈◊〉 wealth withall to waste in vaine And will you so quoth Agamâ—… Amen farewell adue I list not your abode entâ—…ate 〈◊〉 for your presence fue There are ynow will here abide and tender my renowme Ne vnprouided mightie Ioue will leaue me in this rowme Of all these Kings and Princes here thou dost delight Achill To bite and sting me of the noâ—…st and 〈◊〉 bendes thy will Contentiously maintaining hate presuâ—… 〈◊〉 much Of force procéeding from the Gods in thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such Farewel your godly Myrmidones commâ—…nd theÌ„ at your pleasure And your agoe and furie thus Ile care for at my leysure But herewith your audacitie that further I doâ—… daunt Sith that Apolloeâ—… pleasure is and ordaines 〈◊〉 â—…raunt That I Chryses restoâ—…e againe with 〈◊〉 as much as 〈◊〉 To olde Chryses â—…y peoâ—…le 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 To thy Pauillion wil I send tricke Brâ—…sida to bring Thy best belâ—…ued that al men knoweâ—…how â—…nsaunter a King I am than
â—…ankes and of his hornes beside By cunning workemanship was made a fine and proper bow Sixtéene pace the hornes were long ful hard it was I trow To make it serue to be shot in but erst the workmans craft Was so employde that now a bow they serâ—…de and shot a shaft And gorgeouser to make the bow appeare to all mens sight He hornde and tipt the ends right wel with beaten golde ful bright Then Pandarus without aboade drew out his bow to bende And that now of his enterprise none of them all should wende He causd his souldiours hap him wel with buckler and with targe Least that the wily subtile Gréekes might find his minde at large And sodaine broyle hys enterprise might let and turne to nought His bow in point an arrow he out of his quiuer cought Sure stéelde at end with piercing head and finely featherde wel Most fit by cruel wretched death an enimie to quell He nockes the shaft and then his vowes to Phoebus God doth make And him behights his pretie lambes if so his hast do take God place and proofe by Phoebus meanes his vow he thus ending With such a force he drew his bow as that he haâ—…lde the stryng To hys right pay and straight the head when as it euen stoode Hard with the backe he losde it quicke as 〈◊〉 sure and good Wherwith the bow with sturdye string when forth the shaft it â—…oong A clange so great and strong it gaue as wide abrode it roong 〈◊〉 The Gods as thenâ—…h Menelau they were not farre from thée It was no time Pallas hir selfe stoute armed there was she Of thy welfare hir selfe she shewed as careful as she coulde As when hir pretie sonne doth sléepe the tender mother would Haue good regard and charie eye least that the busie flye His tender flesh should bite or harme or come his visage nie Aâ—… ne with like care Mynerue did put by the mortall blow Yet stroke hys baâ—…dricke in the midst and it it pierced so The buckle great of massie gold which did his girdle tie Was pierst and through his Curats eke and stéeled head did flye And past so fur of the stoute Gréeke the flesh it thirled in And presently before them all the bloud was séene to spin Yea euen as on the â—…ie why 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Câ—…ry â—…ft Do worke the purple and â—…mbost with â—…yderie aloft To make the gallant gorgeous raines for coursers braue and gay Which for a king a decking is it is so rich aray The die was like and fairer much on the trimme Gretians flesh With scarlet bloud which by his thigh down to his héeles did desh The gâ—…eat Agamemnon with this so sore and sodaine shot Was grieued much the wound eke séeâ—…e the hurt man dolour got And colour chaundge he sighing sore his brother gay drew nie And toke him by the hande of Greekes most part then standing by He piteously begins his mone and thus he saith alas My only hope my brother deare who as assured was In assayling the Troyan freake shal it be now the meane That after this holy accorde thou couertly be slaine The oth before the Gods so sworne where it is now become Of these periured wicked folke can Gods iustice be mum Alas at rancour so much faynde I hope it wil not so For though the Gods do winke thereat a while and let it goe Yea though mens faults they séeme to slip at end they pay for all Great time 〈◊〉 doth cause the smart with rigor on them fal In time these â—…thy traytours shal so plagde be for their hire Themselues their sons and eke their wiues from the skies the firâ—… With hideous storme they shal behold to light vpon their pate I know ere long Troy shal to wracke Priam with his stafe Shal passe the 〈◊〉 Gods wrath which doth the déedes of al meÌ„ siâ—… Is now against him so stirde vp as theâ—…of is no shift But what mishap alas what griefe shal hap to be my share If I should 〈◊〉 you here behinde and death to be your fare With graue aâ—…cke in forraine land how wil all Greece cry out At my returne al Argos folke and Câ—…trey round about When they shal vâ—…erstand your death and they who with us are Shal they not set of their returne theiâ—…y â—…linde and care Shal they not leaue to Troyans false the luckie glorie at hand Shal they not leaue to vs the shame your carcase in this lande Which most me deaâ—…s shal they not leaue shal they not leaue Helleine Wherby hereafter to your tombe there shal came some Troyan And loubring on the grasse shall crie al puffed vp with pride To all Agamemns practises God graunt like ende betide God graunt the Gréekes here long abode may haue the like successe And after they maye hie them home with shame and wretchednesse The Troyan fierce he thus may chat then not to be aliue I do beséech th'immortal Gods but that the earth do cliue And swallow me Although the hurt did cause a grieuous paine Yet Menelau with chéereful looke thus aunswerde him againe And manlike to his brother sayde reioyce thou brother mine And courage take for wel thou maist by this mourning of thine Impute such feare in the Gréekes harts which eft they cannot flie I féele ful wel the blow is such therof I cannot die The golden buckle of my belt my Curet good I know Wherwith I armed am before hath surely stayde the blow My friendly brother would to God quoth Agamemnon he You were out of this daunger here and that it so might be You might be healed of this wound a surgeon good I wot Who should so wel attende you then that this your wounding got Which irkes you so he should delay this saide he causeth plod Taltibius to séeke the sonne of Esculape the God Macaon hight from bande to bande he willes the Herault prie Him out praying thither to him that he come by and by To visite Menelaus there his wound to search and féele Which one of Licie or of Troy hath forst by stroke of stéele In trayterous guile thinking to Gréekes there should redound therby Notorious shame to Troyans all to ioyful victorie So diligent Taltibius goes amidst the Campe that out At last he finds the Phisition enuironde rounde about With strength of souldiers which he brought from his great town of Trice Where horses plentie are whence by grasse great wealth doth rise His message to him he declares beséeching him that he Wyll come to Agamemn the king there Menelau to sée And careful to looke to his wounde he straight at the first dash Obeyes but yet the sodaine chaunce his minde doth greatly bash He coÌ„mes â—…d there on heapes he findes the Gréekish princes stande Loking for him with mindefull heartes the hurt to vnderstand The lech diuine strayght for his worke made all things very â—…tte And first the
vpon him fal If not my shaft had sent him erst to good king Plutoes Hall But now I sée him in the fight more furious than before And more I know some mighty God hath me displeasure bore For here I nothing haue to arme and fronte me to the fight My strong and shining chariots braue my coursers eke so light And mightie band alack I want oh no good reason why Far hence I left them at my home the more vnhappy I. I haue eleauen armed wel and richly wrought throughout With goldsmithes worke and gallauntly embroydred round about Two horses tough ech one it hath the Iades they are not dul Of Barley white of Rie and Oates they féede in mangier ful Licaon when I did depart the good old man me bad To take them with me for to shew what force in fight I had I do fore thinke for that I would my fathers hest obey And did forsake his counsel good I only fearde alway Knowing with siege this Citie girt I doubted to come by The woâ—…d foode my hoâ—…ses had wherfore vnhappily Trusting vnto my 〈◊〉 â—…owe I here am come a fooâ—…e And haue them left which bow of mine hath servde to little boote I hauing often provde the same two of my shots did pricke Both Menelau and Diomede and thrust them to the quicke And al in vaine for thinking I with death their bones to bore I nothing did but stirde them vp more furious than before Wherfore I iustly now may say vnluckie was my fate To bring my bow or souldioure else to fight in any rate Under the Troyan ensigues here or put my helping hande Hector the noble prince to ayde and subiectes of his lande If Gods do please that eft I may my wife and Countrey sée For this my gréeuous great mishap I willingly agrée And am content some straunger do cut off this heade of mine If bow if shafts and quiuers too as right as any line In fire and flame I do not cast with most despite to bâ—…rne Which with my payne in this exploite so il haue servde my turne This spake the Lycian Pandarus do not thy selfe thus déere Quoth Eneas vnto him but be of better chéere Let vs togither ioyne and leaue this fancie wood Let vs assayle this souldiour stoute if so you thinke it good Come vp into my Chariot here do you my horsses trie How light they are how wel to hand to such as do them gye To scoure apace or else to stop to ioyne to gallop swift To turne and how to helpe vs to at any sodaine lift Choose which you list take you the rain and guider be to me While I do go and fight with him or I wil guide to thée It best is that you take the charge quoth Pandare by my réede For they wil better gouernde be by him who doth them féede Than by a forraine for I feare when so we should retire With bit in téeth they still would stand and horses wil require The chearing of their wonted gâ—…ide and so it might befal That he the Gréeke assayling vs may raigne and gouerne all Wherfore do you your horses rule and let me now in faight My force and prowesse put in proofe these words be ended straight And both the lustie souldiours there in martch do forward goe And valiauntly do shake their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sthenelus doâ—… knowe He cals his friend and sayth him thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are here Who force themselues to ioyne with vs and now are drawing néere Both warlike men one cunning much in shooting very straight The Troyans praise the other stoute and wise in things of waighte Estéemde and honourde ouer all the olde Ancâ—…ses heire The which he vaunteth he begot on louely Venus faire Wherfore herin is daunger much and therfore I you pray Reâ—…ire a while hast not so much the hap of war t'assaie For doubt that this our forwardnesse may yéelde vs both to die Diomede hearing thus his mate to counsel him to flye In choler great doth aunswere him as miscontented much Thinke not thy foolish counsaile can yéelde feare or terror such In me no no al men of vs great villany would say No souldiour following at our backes to sée vs run away I aunswere can a greater cause than this yet wyth my force That it is true I wil not take my Chariot nor my horsse To deale with them let me alone Minerua she doth graunt This victorie it shal be mine one of them I must daunt And reaue from him his vital breath beléeue it true to finde At least I wil constraine them here to leaue their chare behinde Good friend remember wel my words part not from me away If so it hap and fortune that I both those Troyans stay Or if in field they mangled lye make hast in any case Their horsse and Chariot to my hall I pray you leade apace These goodly beastes are of the race of these great coursers trim Which Iupiter to Tros the prince presented vnto him When as he meant Ganimedes from Troy to steale and catch To serue him in the heauens hie no where is found their match For countenaunce and for courage not vnder the morning gray Nor yet beneath the shining sunne Anchise wel knew the way The race and kind for to come by for sith the same in gift Laomedon would neuer graunt he findes a pretie shift Into the pasture priuily he puts his goodly Mares To couer them the Stalions stoute and coursers nothing spares Sixe colts so had he beautifull of which he chose him foure To serue him at all tymes of néede and made of them great store Thâ—…e two he gaue Eneas here so gay and richly clad O what a pray were this if Ioue would I the bootie had So spake the Gréeke who euen thinkes the déede already done In meane time both the Troyans do against him ioyntly runne Then spake Pandare oh cruel Gréeke sith so it is befall That erst my mortal piercing shaft could not thée hurt at all To cleaue thy Curets once againe I now wil trie my dart And when he ended had these words his launce he threw so smart That through he thirlde his buckler quite and to his Curet fled And further not yet thinking there that he the Gréeke had sped Doth vaunt aloude O Diomede the déede now is it done Wherby I iustly iudge my selfe the happiest vnder sunne This blow so déepe it pierced hath thy side and pretie poke Of guts as die of force thou must receiuing thus the stroke Diomede nought afright him sayde thy strength it is too yong Thou art deceivde for by the same I nothing now am wroong I wil thée shew another tricke thou shalt not so wel brooke My launce shal send thée to thy graue at my handes do not looke For better grace but it in bloud of one of you to bathe He with these words at Pandarus doth throw it strong and
greatly was to feare FroÌ„ thence to Priams sumptuous court y e vertuous prince doth hie The pallace gaie with marble blacke is builtfull gorgeouslie In midst therof king Priamus did fiftie lodgings reare Unto his children and their wiues which onely lodgings were Twelue more against them he had built which giue away he would To great and loftie Lordes the which his daughters marrie should Dame Hecuba his mother olde at th'entrie he doth méete Going most courteous Laodice her daughter for to gréete She staies and takes him by the hand and gently thus begunne Why leaue you thus your tired folke my Hector déerest sonne Goes our affaires now backward still I feare it so alacke The Gréekes are sure here at our walles Troyans goe to wracke Which makes you thus in hast to come the mightie Ioue to pray For their safegard with me a while yet déerest sonne doe stay That I to you some pleasaunt wine may bring and readie make Before you sacrifice shall doe refreshing for to take Unto your ouerhaled limmes with toile and trauaile torne Good wine can much to strength y t wight that wearie is and worne For feare I féeble waxe no wine bring me quoth Hector he By to much drinke least of my selfe forgetfull I might be And ill it were a smered knight with bloud with dust and sweate Not washt before with prayers his the Gods for to entreate But mother mine the dames of state in Troy assemble yée And other Citizens also you first example bée Unto Mineruas temple goe hir fauour do implore Bestow on hir the costliest roabe you haue in all your store Deuoutly lay it on hir knées on prayers set your care Yearely behight twelue Buls of grease that neuer yoked were That she these wretched people here in hyr tuition haue That she Diomede of our folke in slaughter who doth raue Do kéepe far off and far aloufe our sacred turrets fro My brother Paris I will séeke and wil him that he go Into the Campe but of my word God knowes what wil betide Oh would to God wheras he standes the ground would open wide To swallow him in deapth therof the Gods haue giuen him life Sure to king Priams vtter ruine or to his endlesse griefe And of vs all his children too who else in fame and blisse Might haue triumphed with the rest my only wish it is That of his latter end I here the carke it would me leaue That forceth now my heauie thought and makes my hart to heaue With this the noble prince doth part and Hecuba she bends Unto hir lodging backe againe and thence hir women sends To go entreate the worthy dames that they come to hir thyther She all bewept to chamber comes wel swéete and deckt togither To wardrobe then wheras were pilde of roabes no number smal Bewrought with néedle Imagrie of pretious stuffe them al Which hyr tricke sonne sir Paris he had brought from Sidon tho With the faire Gréeke on Hecuba the same he did bestow Among them all the Quéene chose one for worke the best y t might The balme in odour it did match the star eke in his light No brighter was then it of hue Also she kept it layde In bottome of hir coffer coucht aboue most gorgeous wayde With heart deuoute than wayted on with numbers in a row Unto the Goddesse temple large wyth others she doth go In midst of all the pallace great no sooner there they came But that Theane Antenors wife did open them the same The dores of gold she doth vndoe vnfolded rich and large Of this gay Church by Troyans all as priest she had the charge Now thither come the Dames in troupe with reared hands on hie They make their vowes they strike their brests howle w t piteous cryâ—… And then the worthy Theano the royall roabe she laide On Pallas knées with humble grace and forthwith thus she prayde O chast Minerua o clemencie diuine and sacred séene Of this fortresse and Troyan folke who gardaine sure hath bene The prayers I beséech thée heare which we to thée commende In this thy house that of our woes we once may haue an ende We pray thée that the stoutest Gréeke Diomedes is he Be beaten down at Scea gate his launce eke broken be That done vpon the aultar we our sacrifice wil do Ofoxen twelue in thy seruice as many yearely too If so thou helpe vs at this plundge this prayre she did addresse But Pallas to accept the same in sooth thought nothing lesse This while coÌ„mes Hector to the place where tricke sir Paris lay A cunning piece of building yea both costly rich and gay Which Troyan maister builders had made vp in point deuise A court it had where Kitchin Hal and Chambers round do rise Unto king Priams mansion chiefe it ioyned was at hand This valiaunt Prince with stéeled launce he holding in his hand Sire foote in length with golden poynt vnto the place doth draw So sumptuous where his brother he Alexander saw Wel occupyed in déede of praise his targe and armour bright He furbushes his bow himselfe he rubs and séemely dight Heleine sits by amidst hir maydes that they may cunning be She studies and forethinks some workes that pretiest shew may she Then Hector thus his talke began frowning with moodie cheare What cause is there oh cursed thou that kéepes thée idle here What tetishnesse thus to thy house doth make thée draw aback Sith wel thou knowst that for thy sake the TroyaÌ„s go to wracke And sackt must néedes this Citie be who haue this war begun Only for thée thou séeing one who from the field should run Oughtst to crie open shame on him but now thou hidst thy head As ringleader and coward chiefe of all that ere was bred Go quickly now and do thy best if so thou do desire To saue the towne from spoyle and wast and from the Gréekish fire Tall Paris tho hearing him chide so roughly in his moode O brother Hector answerde straight sith of your meaning good You moued are yet please it you my scuse for to allow No pet nor wrath with any one retire doth make me now It is but only my mishap to ease by time I thought My griefe curteons Heleine here with me al means now wrought Perswading me with milde exhortes mine armour on to pul And for to leaue this idle fit and surely so I wil It giues me this day should be mine for victorie is so To day a friend it is to some and yet to morrow foe Stay here a while til I be armde or else go forward yée Straight at this geare hard at their héeles you shal me busie sée The valiant Hector these his words séemde nothing to regard Wherfore with milde and humble grace Heleine drew to him-ward Oh brother mine in law quoth she so worthy of the same If I a wretched woman may of fister
send them headlong borne Downe to the earth and in such plight as maugre all their skill In tenne yééres long they shall not heale their such receaued yll And then shall Pallas know what shame she doth deserue and shall To stirre against hir sire Iuno I blame no whit at all She treadeth but hir wontrd trod I know hir so accurst To labour my disquiet still she alwayes is the furst Iris his message to fulfill from Ida mount he skores And found them of the heauen hie then comming out the dores Whom wheÌ„ he séeth he resteth straight quoth he O frantick wights What fond foolish sottish geare hath poisoned thus your sprightes To meane to aide the Gréekes and stirre against you Ioue his ire He doth forbyd you further passe vnlesse you doe desire Een in a trice your chariot gaie to flie in péeres small And beame from horses burst and you in dust and dirt to fall By sodaine clap of lightning flames so tumbling from the aire As tenne yéeres long of quiet rest shall not your health repaire That Pallas you doe know that Ioue thy maister is and dad And as for Iuno he well knowes she is so leudly bad She is no whit at all abasht she alwayes takes delight His purposes to contrarie and that in his despight But Pallas be not stubborne then as dogge of currish kinde Striue not with him vse not thy staffe against his will and minde Least thou offend thy sire too farre Iris he flies his wayes And Iuno to Minerua turnes and thus to hir she sayes Not to performe our mindes set downe what can be greater hell Yet sith that Ioue doth vs gainsay I doe not thinke it well We should herein against him stand nor for no worldly wight Such painfull daunger for to take his hie and heauenly might Of their good hap or harme it shall at pleasure his dispose The stéeves with bridle straight she turnes right to heauen goes The houres doe loose the coursers braue and them to mangier â—…ye The chariot they doe fitly place in roome appointed by Hard by the Gods in golden chaires the loftie Ladies sit Who hauing failde of their intent they are in gréeuous fit To welkin now eke Ioue is come who is with honour due Receavde of eche assone as that of him they had a viewe His goodly stéedes the Marine god full quickly he vnties Their furniture he shutteth vp and then he hastie hies Of Ioue the mightie seate to set it readie at a looke He downe doth sit but clapping downe the whole Olympus shooke Betwéene Iuno and Pallas there in midst the God he sat No worde betwéene them both they had ne to the God doe chat But Ioue who well did know their thoughts in bitter choler was Ladies quoth he wheÌ„ce doth procéed your spite which thus doth passe Whence coÌ„mes ye séeke ye Troyans harme neuer haue your fill Unlesse you sée their vtter fall contrarie to my will My force sith that so great it is are you to learne to knowe That neither you nor all the Gods and Goddesses in rowe By force can make me chaunge my minde sith that my simple threate Doth make you quake with faces pale eke with trembling sweate What will you doe in bloudy marte so dreadfull to the sight When you shall féele my heauie fist inuincible in might Harke then gainsay no more of you I wishe you not to dare By happe if fondly ye oppugne my hie decrées that are Upon ye ye shall féele to fall the scortching lightning flash Wherewith I thunder with my flames downe they shall you dash On earth to dwell no meanes ye haue eft hetherto returne Your chares and stéedes in cinders quite and péeces it shall burne Hereat Minerua grones for griefe hir hart it boiles with rage Yet still and coie she helde hir selfe and furie doth asswage But Iuno takes the cause in hand O crabbed Ioue quoth she What stirre is here we well doe knowe your vassals all we be Your powre is odde but if one would the Gréekish armie aide Is it against you to rebell why should it so be saide So great an host to sée destroyde poore pittie makes vs rue But Iupiter to hir againe with wordes doth thus insue Their losse let it not trouble you it double shall to morowe I will make Hector Troyan chiefe to ding them with a sorowe And slaie them downe not ceasing he to kill and driue them backe Unto their shippes expecting nought but ruine death and wracke There fighting hard and round beset about Patroclus bones WhoÌ„ he shall slaie wherby Achill shal yéeld his grieuous grones Séeing the slaughter of his friend he shall in furie groe Him to reuenge and giue them aide he hastie on shall goe I will it so and sith that fate to Gréekes hath so assignde For you dame Iuno more I ioy the more you haue repinde A gods name get you in the sea or furthest earthlie felles Goe séeke Iapetus Saturne out in darknesse where he dwelles Where neuer Phoebus shewes his face nor no delight he takes To heare the winds trudge where you list looke after you who makes None shall you followe by my will of you I doe not reake Your feumishe hart with poysoned hate is ready still to breake This was his spéech the Goddesse great full quiet lowe doth lout The sterne God she greatly dreades and of him stands in doubt This while the cleare brightsome sunne to th'ocean takes his flight As is his wont and all the earth the browne and sable night Doth wholy hap and cloke about with his so darksome shade A night right welcome to the Gréekes but Troyans mad are made Therwith The gallaunt Hector drawes souldiors he commaundes Backe from the shippes hard to the brooke and coÌ„meth to the laundes Wheras that day with sorow great the slaughter was so bloudie There downe on foote they lighted straight in councell for to studie To whom Hector who in right hand a mightie launce did holde As royall mace launce stéeld and guilt of féete large truely tolde Eleuen full it was in length with voice doth loudly call Ye Troyans stoute and straungers eke I speake vnto you all Ye souldiors and ye citizens good hope I did conceaue This day and sure I thought my selfe them all of life to reaue Their vessailes eke to haue destroyde and as a conquerour To haue returnd but my intent I misse in euill houre Bicause the night so soone is come Wherfore I thinke it best Not hence to stirre but here t'encampe and take our quiet rest Well goe to then let euerie one point here his station out With otes and barley bate your horse And let another route Hie vnto Troy muttons and béeues readie for vs to make And others wine and bread to get let them the office take Some must before our supper to good store of fewell fell To
answers thus O Diomede thy part In bloudie warre right stout thou playst in councell good thou art I must confesse of all the kings thou art the oddest thou Of those thy yeares Of al the campe I thinke no souldior now Doth wish or will a harmefull truce yet all thou dost not touch Concerning this our question here more must be sayed much I olde who am and may be sire to all these mightie kings And eke to thée will end the rest I hope to their likings And euen so as none reproue my councell good and sound No viler or vnhappie man or wicked can be found Nor more vnworthy for to liue than ciuill warre who Ioues To supper let vs get vs nowe sith night so farre on shoues And stillie for to set the watch with bandes of youngest yeares Twene wall trench to place them so when TroyaÌ„ crues appeares To charge vs they may notice giue Agamemnon you ought That all the Princes vnto you they be to supper brought As I do thinke you nothing want to feast them as you wul With pleasaunt wine of Thracian soile your tent is stuffed ful And as we sup discourse wil hap and serue for councell eke And helpe in this so waightie cause we al our wits muste séeke For why the enmy lyes at hand it is a heauie thing God knowes their fires to sée and heare them by our noses ring Loe here the night which wil vs saue if prudent men we be But if we sléepe then shal we fall in handes of th'enimie When he had sayed and they had heard his wil it was obaydâ—… And Princes seauen vnto the watche do go right well arayde And souldiours they seuen hundred take the first was Thrasimede Duke Nestors sonne and Creons heire another Lacomede Ascalaphe was the thirde the fourth was willing Merion Aphareus Ialmen and Deyphire they forward passed on And made the number seauen vp thrée knights right hard to daunt And wights not betterâ—…e like to be where men come in their haunt These with their souldiors armed ful with dartes and armor bright Twéen wal and trench they set themselues tend the watch al night They fires make some eate some walke no one of them doth sléepe With eyes they looke for them that come and eares attentiue kéepe On th'other side Agamemn he to supper brings the Lords They neyther thirst nor hunger féele so wel he them afordes They supte Nestor whose councel graue of eche was knowne right wel Unto the chieftaine of the warre he thus his tale did tell O worthy Prince of none but you I am here for to say Sith you are poynted of these folke to beare the rule and sway Sith that the Gods haue gyuen you powre of all the Grecians here More counsaile and more stoutly minde in you there shoulde appeare Than any other which should enforce it selfe to giue good eare And counsaile take and after good to execute it were And chiefly when you are aduisde a thing that profite wil And honest is then who can say by you procéedeth ill An other thing to counsaile you it moueth me againe Which ful to followe is your best not contrary to saine As erst you did when raging wood in furie you did fret Against Achill and worse than that into youre shippes did fet To his despite out of his tent the Bryse in gift he had A fauourite of al the Gods the wrong it was too bad To stirre a personage so greate Wherefore we ought to studie If helpe may be how to repayre this facte outragious moodie And quietly it to appease with presents gay and riâ—…h Or else by meanes of curteous spéech and by entreatie miche Agamemnon thus answerd straight O aged sire no lesse Whereof thou hast accused me the fault I do confesse I can vouch no excuse at all I fowlie fell and faild I do perceiue by the outrage the Gréekes haue greatly quaild Ioue loues the man and whom God loues in camp where men are full Such one is worth a multitude of the vnbrideled scull Who hardly wil be rulde at al but as I am the man Uniustly who hath onely done Ile proue all meanes I can To mend the fault I wil bestow in guerdon for the facte Great gallant gifts of loftie price out of my treasures pacte Which I wil name vnto you here estéeme their price who can First seuen goodly Triuets large which neuer were set an The fire ten talents eke right pure and fine of golden masse And twentie Caudrons burnishte braue of gloring shining brasse Twelue Coursers with their gorgeous barbs and furniture arayed Whose swiftnesse hath in wager béene in Greece ful dearly payed If so much wealth and coine he had he should not thinke he néeds As I haue got and gained eke by trauel of these stéedes Eke seuen dames whose femine race surpasse for countnaunce rare Right cunning in Embroderie which fell vnto my share When Achill conquerd Lesbos Ile and with them wil I yéelde His Bryseis floure of Damsels al as pure and vndeféeld As when she first was giuen me I by my royal state And sceptre which I holde I sweare I in no manner rate Haue priuately dealt with the maide she neuer in my couch Did rest hir selfe I neuer neare approchte hir once to touch As men are wont when they alone themselues with women finde Lo here the wealthy gift to him by me is now assignde And if that fauoure do the Gods this enterprise begonne And that this Troy it may be tane and it to sacke be done I do agrée that of the spoile top ful with brasse and golde A mightie shippe he lade and eke towne dames out twentie tolde The fairest of the Troyans al saue Helene shall be his And to my country when I come I truly wil not misse So dearly to estéeme the man with honor vnbeguilde As I mine owne Orestes do my deare and louing childe And if he mariage liste to minde I gladly wil him knowe My sonne in lawe on him I wil a daughter mine bestowe Take where he please I thrée nowe haue which méeke modest are Chrisoâ—…eme faire wise Laodice and she of honest care Iphianas wel take he one for dower it shall not skill I hope right wel she shal not blame my fatherly good wil How great the match and princely is for dower I haue prepard I seuen Cities wil bestow with walles right round reparde Wel stufte with wealth and people eke fast by the sea of Pile That is to say Enopa one the second Cardamile Pheres diuine Hira enclose with goodly fruitful trées Pedâ—…sos whose fat fertile earth with Uineyards wel agrées Egea with hir gallant seate and Anthia so commended For fruitful â—…eades and pasture ground whiche cannot be amended And in these seuen so good townes such ciuil people liue As like a God they wil him hold and presents to him giue Of such their
wealth they do possesse with goods and body prest T'obey his sceptre and his wil as he is pleased best These gifts and these good turnes are his if this agréement doe Would Gods O valiant Achilles our strifes were brought vnto A quietnesse let Pluto to thy déede suche fauour send That thou thy selfe no way refuse but peace may haue the end Let Pluto graunt me so much grace in yeares and wealth as I Far passe Achill so in like case my sute he not deny Then Nestor héeding wel his tale his spéeche againe doth vse Sir Atreus sonne these presents told Achill ought not refuse For great they are wherefore prouide Embassadors to goe Thrée men sufficient I can choose if they be pleased so The Phoenix good shal be the first Schoolemaister his that was Of late of the Embassade chiefe and Aiax he shal passe The second man and eloquent Vlysses third shal be Whome Heraults two shal followe fast Odius Eurybatee Two loyall wights and fit it is for to confirme the déede To wash our hands you Heraults hie and water fetch with spéede And you ye Gréekes eche one aparte doe Iupiter require That this legation come to passe as we do all desire The heraults two to Princes handes the water out they skinke Who to the Gods their prayers make then the wine they drinke Therewith wel filld the Legates parte whome Nestor plyeth still To set themselues to purchase home good answeare from Achill Ere they returne Vlysses chiefe his spéeche to make the way So graue that is and he there with his courage to delay Thus went the pointed Princes forth with care to be wel heard And lowly to the Marine God their prayers they prefarde That of the valiant Gréeke the wrath so déepe and deadly placed To end the charge they now are in more calmed be and raced Unto the vessels straight they come and tents of Myrmidons In compasse wide and gay to sight Achilles where he runnes And on the Uiole Ditties sings in Musicke so delights Of those the hie and loftie Gods and worthy mortall wights This Uioles swéetnesse matchlesse was with beautie rare to sée Wel painted ore with siluer head was fine as fine might be The which was by Achilles wonne when Thebes he did race I meane Thebes where Aetion did rule with princely â—…ace Which Thebes was by hiâ—… destroyde no one there was that markie His musicke there saue Patroclus his harmonie who harkte These Princes when Achilles sawe who long his friends had bin He would not faile to raise himself and wondring doth beginne To bid them welcome as he scoulde Patroclus also rose And to receiue them â—…ut himselfe to spéeche Achilles goes Right welcome â—…e those my good friends â—…d Lords who with good heart Do in my shippes come visite me I take in most good part The same and though my wrath be great you are no cause I say I you estéeme I lovde I loue and loue you wil for ay Thus said with â—…eons 〈◊〉 â—…re he doth bring them on to sit One after one in sumptuous seats be hangde with vellet fit The hugest cup he had to bring Patroclus he did wil To make them drinke and wel the same with purest wine to fil For these quoth he here visite me are knightes of valiaunt bréede And more than that my wishers wel and very friends in déede His friends minde when Patroclus heard he doth obey the same And more a raldron he doth take it round about with flame He doth beset and in he puts of goate and mutton fat The vmbles whole with goodly chine of tender swine with that Ofone yeare fed Antomedon and Achil they do cut And brotch the rest Patroclus while he to the fire doth put Al smokelesse for to make it burne the wood he couched fit Aptly to rost the coales he spreades and down he layes the spit Wheron the strokes of flesh were brotcht and salt on them doth cast The meate to season and to make it méeter for the tast Already thus Patroclus bread out of a basket layde He had in hand and servde the borde and sir Achilles prayd When he had plast the Gréekish Lords y t they would fal to meate And to Vlisses face to faâ—…e himself he chose his seate He bids Patroclus sacrifice eke to the gods their right Which done they eate they drink and do with leasure great delight The good Phenix chiefe messenger a silent noyse began To warne Vlisses hauing supt who knew what ment the man He takes the cup and prayes Achil vnto him for to drinke O thou of Gréekes the choice quoth he I now ful méete it thinke The cause of our Embassade here now we so wel haue farde Be open layde before your selfe and by vs plaine declarde Though you with plentie haue vs fed Agamemnon before Hath feasted vs but al this cheare it cannot heale our sore Nor vs content the present time some other thing requires Than stil to féede and on our meate to set our whole desires Our care it is vnto our case al careful to prouide And wisely to inâ—… some way the Troyan force t'abide And kéepe our vessels from the fire that we in heapes not dy Which no way we can shun at al if haply you deny To put in vre your mighty fist and eke your selfe to decke With minde and force from vs to hold the harme lyes on our neck So hard at hand our foes they be incamped by our side They ly vs by they merry make their fiers burning bide They vow they wil not enter Troy til al the Gréekes bestaine And by their force defeated quite yea in the ships Againe And more their pride to set a gog séene hath bin in their campe A token sure of their great good the lightning for to rampe On the right hand And Hector stoute now puffed vp aloft For victorie of yesterday and in a suretie brought Of Ioue his aide doth nothing wish but that the dawning come And then he meanes to burne our ships and armie al and some To ouerthrow he is so braue so furious and so fel He réekes no whit of God or man with smoke he wil vs quel This threate hath troubled'much our sprites w t fear chilling dréed In doubt that fate wil haue it so and gods they haue agréed That after long abode this host must wholy haue the gelpe And in this Country leaue our liues Though you haue spaerd their helpe Til now and that although to late now vp your forces pul Eft cal your hart for to protect this host of dolour ful Else when we al shal haue the losse your selfe wil grow right sad To sée your friends so many quailde and that no care you had When néede there'was to saue their falles it better were t'avoyde This error great now in their aide your selfe you soone imployde And also stâ—…yde this vtter ruine which neuer can
it was a mightie hyde of béefe him vnderlay For pillow to his head he had a Carpet new and gay His mates his bands his men of war they sléepe him round about Their armor hangs them by and as the lightning breaking out Doth shine far off so do the same their darts and bucklers by The Nestor old with noise ynough doth draw the Grecian nye His héele he touchte and therewithall fault finding thus sayes he What dost thou sléepe O Diomede descended of Tydee Asléepe are you knowing our foes at hande to kéepe suche charme And loud to chaunt it in the plains wherein so thicke they swarme So wakde thus answerde Diomede Nestor I greatly muse How that your yeares can bide and beare such trauaile as you vse Why yéelde you stil your selfe to toile haue you no youthful lads To send about to call the kings but Nestor stil he gads Yes sure I am but your quicke sprite is neuer dull nor ydle Sound friend quoth Nestor what you say as true is as the Byble I doubtie children haue with men and subiects not a few Who zealous for my quiet rest themselues wil try and tewe And do what I shall wishe them doe but for this vrgent bracke Wherein I sée vs and our folke my helpe I can not slacke Wel knowing that if presently we make not head with héede But slacke the time we cannot holde but downe we al must bléede My yeares if that you pitie so on fellowship call yée Aiax Oilee with Meges eke who sonne is of Philee Straight Diomede him clad with skinne of boisteous Lyon weare And forth he goes forgetting not his staffe and loftie speare To the two Gréekes he hyed him fast and soone he founde them out And them entreates to come to him who ruleth all the rout The Princes straight and al the kings here named méete at watch They finde the watchmen all awake and none with slumber latche By course they liuely stand and hark like souldiors fierce they fare As mastiffes who for mightie flockes kéepers appointed are Do carefull héede the Lyons leape downe whirling from the rocke From wood or field for to assault the shéepe within the flocke The shepeheards plaste in quarters round about their séemely folde Déep scath in night least they receiue hie noise twéene them is trold And slumber none from their regard one whit can make thē stoupe So careful more if more may be was al the Gréekish troupe For sléepe was banishte from their eies desire of watch augmented To whome did Nestor ioyfully when as he sawe thus tented Their charge in hand performe this spéech watch watch my childrē déere Sléep not least y t our hateful foes shold now surprise vs héere And wreak on vs their spitefull téene vs taking at vnwares For want of looking to the watch full great then were our cares The Kings with him he past y e trench whē he these words had said And commeth straight vnto the place which ful of morts was layde Where Hector had the day before so highly done in fight And bloudie victorie had prolongde vnto the dreadfull night There downe the gallant Princes sit low placed on the grounde To talke they fall and Meryon whose match may not be founde For valiantnesse to councel him and Thrasymede they call That doubtie knight next to the kings commended most of all Nestor the flowre of Knighthood then thus al did speake thē there Beloued friends of you who doth in mind the valor beare Whose hart and wisedom wil him serue the Troyan camp to view And seeke the meane to bring vs worde that we may trust as true Whether they meane t'assaulte our ships or fortifie the plaine And home to goe after they haue such Gréekish number slaine Some captiue of the taile perhap the matter may him tell Or hearkning where they lye at rest he may it heare ful wel And if to vs he safe returne and do their purpose bring He wel may say he hath deservde that we his fame do ring Beside in guerdon he shall haue rich gifts and not a few Eche patrone of a ship shal giue a big blacke fatted Ewe Yea with the Lambe a gift in truth in price for to be had In banquets welcome shall he be and al men of him glad He done good space the hearers stayde no answere they replyed Diomede loude before the kings thus to his tale he hied My burning heart doth bid me goe and forth it prickes me on In this hazarde to serue a spie and doubtie champion And go I will so I may haue with me a dreadlesse mate For in a case of so great waight the wit of one mans pate Is not so good as that of two when one doth councel take He forward feareth daunger none him bolder doth it make But man alone though stout and strong yea resolute and wise At point sometime doth shrinke to him doth feare and terror rise This offer great hearde of the kings so nobly by the Gréeke The Aiax twaine wil followe him they al wyl do the léek To liue and dye in all assayes with him wil Merion The gallant Thrasimede so craues Menelau wil be one The wise Vlysses he doth sweare he wil the hazard proue Who far for wilie ingenie was all the Gréekes aboue When Agamemnon from this cause did sée they did not starte O friende quoth he as deare to me as is yea life or heart Sith now you sée to followe you are ready al and some Choose one your self who nearst wil stand when you in dāger come Let neither shame nor bashfulnesse cause you right iudgement misse Choose not for lignage great but who most sage and hardie is No greater harme coulde be than worst to haue and best to loose So sayde Agamemnon for feare he Menelau woulde choose Bycause his parentage was great which eke his wealth did fit Sith quoth he doubtie Gréeke to me the choise you do remit Should I forget Vlysses here whose wisedome is so famed Whose minde in dangers none so great could euer yet be tamed Of whome yea al the loftie Gods preserue a care and héede And chiefly to direct his factes Minerua is agréede I thinke I with this noble minde the fiercest flames to flye I knowe the prudence is so great which in the man doth lye Chaunt not I pray you quoth Vlysse my factes ne yet me blame Before these Kings my want and skil they knowe ful wel the same Lets goe the night it runnes away the stars are far agate The dawning straight wil bring the day it groweth very late With this the two renoumed Gréeks were armed by the Kings His sword vnwéeldy Thrasimede to the stout Gréeke he brings Two edged with point of perfect trampe for he to hast the more His shield and faulchon in his tent he left behinde therefore And without crest or plume at all his morian on doth pull