Nestors art iâ—… ordering his souldiers Embattelling his men at armes and stirring all to blowes Points euerie legion out his Chiefe and euery Chiefe he showes The formes and discipline of warre yet his Commanders were All expert and renowmed men Great Pelagon was there Alastor manly Chromius and Hemon worth a Throne And Byas that could armies leade with these he first put on His horse troopes with their chariots his foote of which he chusde Many the best and ablest men and which he euer vsde As rampire to his generall powre he in the Rere disposd The slouthfull and the least of spirit he in the midst inclosd That such as wanted noble wils base need might force to stand His horse troopes that the Vantgard had he strictly did command To ride their horses temperatly to keepe their rankes and shun Confusion lest their horsemanship and courage made them run Too much presum'd on much too farre and charging so alone Engage themselues in th' enemies strength where many fight with one Who his owne chariot leaues to range let him not freely go But straight vnhorse him with a lance for t is much better so And with this discipline said he this forme these minds this trust Our Ancestors haue walles and townes laid leuell with the dust Thus prompt and long inur'd to armes this old man did exhort And this Atrides likewise tooke in wondrous chearefull sort And said O Father would to heauen that as thy mind remaines Agamemnon to Nestor In wonted vigor so thy knees could vndergo our paines But age that all men ouercomes hath made his prise on thee Yet still I wish that some young man growne old in mind might be Put in proportion with thy yeares and thy mind young in age Be fitly answerd with his youth that still where conflicts rage And young men vsd to thrust for fame thy braue exampling hand Might double our young Grecian spirits and grace our whole Command The old knight answer'd I my selfe could wish O Atreus sonne Nestor to Agamemnon I were as young as when I slue braue Ereuâ—…halion But Gods at all times giue not all their gifts to mortall men If then I had the strength of youth I mist the Counsels then That yeares now giue me and now yeares want that maine strength of youth Yet still my mind retaines her strength as you now said the sooth And would be where that strength is vsd affoording counsels sage To stirre youths minds vp t is the grace and office of our age Let yonger sinewes Men sprong vp whole ages after me And such as haue strength vse it and as strong in honour be The king all this while comforted arriu'd next where he found Well-rode Menestheus Peteus sonne stand still inuirond round With his well-train'd Athenian troopes and next to him he spide The wise Vlysses deedlesse too and all his bands beside Of strong Cephalians for as yet th' alarme had not bene heard In all their quarters Greece and Troy were then so newly stird And then first mou'd as they conceiu'd and they so lookt about To see both hoasts giue proofe of that they yet had cause to doubt Atrides seeing them stand so still and spend their eyes at gaze Began to chide And why said he dissolu'd thus in a maze Thou sonne of Peteus Ioue-nurst king and thou in wicked sleight Agamemnon to Vlysses and Menestheuâ—… A cunning souldier stand ye off Expect ye that the fight Should be by other men begun t is fit the formost band Should shew you there you first should front who first lifts vp his hand First you can heare when I inuite the Princes to a feast When first most friendly and at will ye eate and drinke the best Yet in the fight most willingly ten troopes ye can behold Take place before ye Ithacus at this his browes did fold And said How hath thy violent tongue broke through thy set of teeth Vlysses to Agaâ—…emnon To say that we are slacke in fight and to the field of death Looke others should enforce our way when we were busied then Euen when thou spak'st against the foe to cheate and leade our men But thy eyes shall be witnesses if it content thy will And that as thou pretendst these cares do so affect thee still The father of Telemachâ—… whom I esteeme so deare And to whom as a Legacie I le leaue my deeds done here Euen with the formost band of Troy hath his encounter dar'd And therefore are thy speeches vaine and had bene better spar'd He smiling since he saw him mou'd recald his words and said Agamemnon to Vlysses Most generous Lâ—…ertes sonne most wise of all our aid I neither do accuse thy worth more then thy selfe may hold Fit that inferiours thinke not much being slacke to be controld Nor take I on me thy command for well I know thy mind Knowes how sweet gentle counsels are and that thou standst enclind As I my selfe for all our good On then if now we spake What hath displeasd another time we full amends will make And Gods grant that thy vertue here may proue so free and braue That my reproofes may still be vaine and thy deseruings graue Thus parted they and forth he went when he did leaning find Against his chariot neare his horse him with the mightie mind Great Diomedes Tydeus sonne and Sthenelus the seed Of Capaneius whom the king seeing likewise out of deed Thus cried he out on Diomed O melin what a feare Agamemnon chideth Diomed. The wise great warriour Tydeus sonne stands gazing euerie where For others to begin the fight It was not Tydeus vse To be so danted whom his spirit would euermore produce Before the formost of his friends in these affaires of fright As they report that haue beheld him labour in a fight For me I neuer knew the man nor in his presence came But excellent aboue the rest he was in generall fame And one renowm'd exploit of his I am assur'd is true The historie of Tydeus He came to the Mycenian Court without armes and did sue At Godlike Polinices hands to haue some worthie aid To their designes that gainst the wals of sacred Thebes were laid He was great Polinices guest and nobly entertaind And of the kind Mycenian state what he requested gaind In meere consent but when they should the same in act approue By some sinister prodigies held out to them by Ioâ—…e They were discourag'd thence he went and safely had his passe Backe to Aesopus flood renowm'd for Bulrushes and grasse Yet once more their Ambassadour the Grecian Peâ—…res addresse Lord Tydeus to Eteocles to whom being giuen accesse He found him feasting with a crew of Cadmians in his hall Amongst whom though an enemie and onely one to all To all yet he his challenge made at euerie Martiall feate And easly foild all since with him Minerâ—…a was so great The ranke-rode Cadmians much incenst with their so
and fame and therefore threw Stones from the wals and towres as thicke as when a drift wind shakes Blacke-clouds in peeces and plucks snow in great and plumie flakes From their soft bosomes till the ground be wholly cloth'd in white So earth was hid with stones and darts darts from the Troian fight Stones from the Greeks that on the helms and bossie Troian shields Kept such a rapping it amaz'd great Asius who now yeelds Sighes beates his thighes and in a rage his fault to Ioue applies O Ioue said he now cleare thou shew'st thou art a friend to lies Asiâ—… neare his dâ—…ath blames 〈◊〉 for it Pretending in the flight of Greece the making of it good To all their ruines which I thought could neuer be withstood Yet they as yellow Waspes or Bees that hauing made their nest Apta ad rem comparatio The gasping Cranny of a hill when for a hunters feast Hunters come hote and hungrie in and dig for honny Comes They flie vpon them strike and sting and from their hollow homes Will not be beaten but defend their labours fruite and brood No more will these be from their port but either lose their blood Although but two against all vs or be our prisoners made All this to do his action grace could not firme Ioue perswade Who for the generall counsell stood and gainst his singular braue Bestow'd on Hector that daies fame Yet he and these behaue Themselues thus nobly at this port but how at other ports And all alongst the stony wall sole force gainst force and forts Rag'd in contention twixt both hoasts it were no easie thing Had I the bosome of a God to tune to life and sing The Troians fought not of themselues a fire from heauen was throwne That ran amongst them through the wall meere added to their owne The Greeks held not their owne weake griefe went with her witherd hand And dipt it deepely in their spirits since they could not command Their forces to abide the field whom harsh Necessitie â—…o saue those ships should bring them home and their good forts supply Draue to th'expulsiue fight they made and this might stoope them more Then Need it selfe could eleuate for euen Gods did deplore Their dire estates and all the Gods that were their aids in war Who though they could not cleare their plights yet were their friends thus far Still to vphold the better sort for then did Polepaet passe A lance at Damasus whose helme was made with cheekes of brasse Yet had not proofe enough the pyle draue through it and his skull His braine in blood drownd and the man so late so spiritfull Fell now quite spirit-lesse to earth So emptied he the veines Of Pylon and Ormenus liues and then Leonteus gaines The lifes end of Hippomachus Antimachus-his sonne His lance fell at his girdle stead and with his end begun Another end Leonteus left him and through the prease His keene sword drawne ran desperatly vpon Antiphates And liuelesse tumbled him to earth Nor could all these liues quench His fierie spirit that his flame in Menons blood did drench And rag'd vp euen to Iamens and yong Orestes life All heapt together made their peace in that red field of strife Whose faire armes while the victors â—…poild the youth of Ilion Of which thereseru'd the most and best still boldly built vpon The wisedome of Polydamas and Hectors matchlesse strength And follow'd fild with wondrous spirit with wish and hope at length The Greeks wall wun to fire their fleet But hauing past the dike And willing now to passe the wall this prodigie did strike Their hearts with some deliberate stay A high-flowne-Eagle sorde On their troopes left hand and sustaind a Dragon all engorde In her strong seres of wondrous sise and yet had no such checke In life and spirit but still she fought and turning backe her necke So stung the Eagles gorge that downe she cast her feruent prey Amongst the multitude and tooke vpon the winds her way Crying with anguish When they saw a branded Serpent sprawle So full amongst them from aboue and from Ioues fowle let fall They tooke it an ostent from him stood frighted and their cause Polydamas thought iust and spake Hector you know applause Polydamas to Hector Of humour hath bene farre from me nor fits it or in warre Or in affaires of Court a man imploid in publicke care To blanch things further then their truth or flatter any powre And therefore for that simple course your strength hath oft bene sowre To me in counsels yet againe what shewes in my thoughts best I must discouer let vs ceasse and make their flight our rest For this dayes honor and not now attempt the Grecian fleet For this I feare will be th' euent the prodigie doth meet So full with our affaire in hand As this high flying fowle Vpon the left wing of our host implying our controwle Houerd aboue vs and did trusse within her golden seres A Serpent so embrew'd and bigge which yet in all her feares Kept life and feruent spirit to fight and wrought her owne release Nor did the Eagles Airie feed So though we thus farre prease Vpon the Grecians and perhaps may ouerrune their wall Our high minds aiming at their fleet and that we much appall Their trussed spirits yet are they so Serpent-like disposd That they willl fight though in our seres and will at length be losd With all our outcries and the life of many a Troian breast Shall with the Eagle flie before we carrie to our nest Them or their nauie thus expounds the Augure this ostent Whose depth he knowes these should feare Hector with countenance bent Thus answerd him Polydamas your depth in augurie Hector to Polydamas I like not and know passing well thou dost not satisfie Thy selfe in this opinion or if thou think'st it true Thy thoughts the Gods blind to aduise and vrge that as our due That breakes our duties and to â—…oue whose vow and signe to me Is past directly for our speed yet light-wingd birds must be By thy aduice our Oracles whose feathers little stay My serious actions What care I if this or th' other way Their wild wings sway them if the right on which the Sunne doth rise Or to the left hand where he sets T is Ioues high counsell flies With those wings that shall beare vp vs Ioues that both earth and heauen Both men and Gods sustaines and rules One augurie is giuen To order all men best of all fight for thy countries right But why fearst thou our further charge for though the dangerous fight Strew all men heâ—…e about the fleet yet thou needst neuer feare To beare their Fates thy warie heart will neuer trust thee where An enemies looke is and yet fight for if thou dar'st abstaine Or whisper into any eare an abstinence so vaine As thou aduisest neuer feare that any foe shall take Thy life from thee for t
Consumption Iris heard The winds were at a feast All in the Court of Zephyrus that boisterous blowing aire Iris to the winds Gather'd together She that weares the thousand-colourd haire Flew thither standing in the porch They seeing her all arose Cald to her euery one desir'd she would a while repose And eate with them She answerd No no place of feate is here Retreate cals to the Ocean and Aethiopia where A Hecatombe is offering now to heauen and there must I Partake the feast of sacrifise I come to signifie That Thetis sonne implores your aides Princes of North and West 〈◊〉 North and West wind flie to incense the fâ—…nerall pile With vowes of much faire sacrifise if each will set his breast Against his heape of funerall and make it quickly burne Patroclus lies there whose deceasse all the AchaiÌ„ans mourne She said and parted and out rusht with an vnmeasur'd rore Those two winds tumbling clouds in heapes vshers to eithers blore And instantly they reacht the sea Vp flew the waues the gale Was strong reacht fruitfull Troy and full vpon the fire they fall The huge heape thunderd All night long from his chok't breast they blew A liberall flame vp and all night swift-foote Achilles threw Wine from a golden bowle on earth and steept the soyle in wine Still calling on Patroclus soule No father could incline More to a sonne most deare nor more mourne at his burned bones Then did the great Prince to his friend at his combustions Still creeping neare and neare the heape still sighing weeping still But when the day starre look't abrode and promist from his hill The morning Light which the saffron morne made good and sprinkl'd on the seas Then languisht the great pile then sunke the flames and then calme Peace Turn'd backe the rough winds to their homes the Thraâ—… billow rings Their high retreate rufl'd with cuffes of their triumphant wings Pelides then forsooke the pile and to his tired limme Chusd place of rest where laide sweete sleepe fell to his wish on him When all the kings guard waiting then perceiuing will to rise In that great Session hurried in and op't againe his eyes With tumult of their troope and haste A little then he rear'd His troubled person sitting vp and this affaire referd To wisht commandment of the kings Atrides and the rest Of our Commanders generall vouchsafe me this request Achilles to Agamemnon and the other kings Before your parting Giue in charge the quenching with blacke wâ—…e Of this heapes reliques euery brand the yellow fire made shine And then let search Patroclus bones distinguishing them well As well ye may they kept the midst therest at randome fell About th' extreme part of the pile Mens bones and horses mixt Being found I le finde an vrne of gold t' enclose them and betwixt The aire and them two kels of fat lay on them and to Rest Commit them till mine owne bones seale our loue my soule deceast The sepulcher I haue not charg'd to make of too much state But of a modell something meane that you of younger Fate When I am gone may amplifie with such a bredth and height As fits your iudgements and our worths This charge receiu'd his weight In all obseruance first they quencht with sable wine the heape As farre as it had fed the flame The ash fell wondrous deepe In which his consorts that his life religiously lou'd Searcht weeping for his bones which found they conscionably prou'd His will made to Aeacides and what his loue did adde A golden vessell double fat containd them all which clad In vailes of linnen pure and rich were solemnly conuaid T' Achilles tent The platforme then about the pile they laid Of his fit sepulcher and raisd a heape of earth and then Offerd departure But the Prince retaind there still his men Employing them to fetch from fleete rich Tripods for his games Caldrons Horse Mules brode-headed Beeues bright steele brighter dames The best at horse race he ordain'd a Lady for his prise Generally praisefull faire and yong and skild in house wiferies The â—…ames for Patroclus funerall Of all kinds fitting and withall a Triuet that enclosde Twentie two measures roome with eares The next prise he proposde Was that which then had high respect a mare of sixe yeares old Vnhandl'd horsed with a mule and readie to haue foald The third game was a Caldron new faire bright and could for sise Containe two measures For the fourth two talents quantities Of finest gold The fift game was a great new standing boule To set downe both waies These brought in Achilles then stood vp And said Atrides and my Lords chiefe horsemen of our host These games expect ye If my selfe should interpose my most Achilles to the Grecian kings For our horse race I make no doubt but I should take againe These gifts proposde Ye all know well of how diuine a straine My horse are and how eminent Of Neptunes gift they aâ—…e To Peleus and of his to me My selfe then will not share In gifts giuen others nor my steeds breathe any spirit to shake Their airie pasterns so they mourne for their kind guiders sake Late lost that vsde with humorous oyle to slick their loftie manes Cleare water hauing cleansd them first and his bane being their banes Those loftie manes now strew the earth their heads held shaken downe You then that trust in chariots and hope with horse to crowne Your conquering temples gird your selues now fame and prise stretch for All that haue spirits This fir'd all the first competitor Was king Eumelus whom the Art of horsemanship did grace Sonne to Admetus Next to him rose Diomed to the race That vnder reines rul'd Troian horse of late forc't from the sonne Of Lord Anchises himselfe freed of neare confusion By Phoebus Next to him set foorth the yellow-headed king Of Lacedâ—…mon Ioues high seed and in his managing Podargus and swift Aethe trod steeds to the king of men Aethe giuen by Echepolus the Anchisiaden As bribe to free him from the warre resolu'd for Ilion So Delicacie feasted him whom Ioue bestow'd vpon A mightie wealth his dwelling was in brode Sicyone Old Nestors sonne Antilochus was fourth for chiualrie In this Contention his faire horse were of the Pylian breed And his old father coming neare inform'd him for good speed With good Race notes in which himselfe could good instruction giue Antilochus though yong thou art yet thy graue virtues liue Nestor to his son Antilochus giues instructions for the race with chariots Belou'd of Neptune and of Ioue their spirits haue taught thee all The art of horsemanship for which the lesse thy merits fall In need of doctrine Well thy skill can wield a chariot In all fit turnings yet thy horse their slow feet handle not As fits thy manage which makes me cast doubts of thy successe I well know all these are not seene in art of this addresse
fit respects of men Are vanisht quite our right hands giuen our faiths our counsels vaine Our sacrifice with wine all fled in that prophaned flame We made to bind all for thus still we vaine perswasions frame And striue to worke our end with words not ioyning stratagemes And hands together though thus long the powre of our extremes Hath vrg'd vs to them Atreus sonne firme as at first howre stand Make good thy purpose talke no more in counsels but command In actiue field Let two or three that by themselues aduise Faint in their crowning they are such as are not truly wise They will for Argos ere they know if that which Ioue hath said Be false or true I tell them all that high Ioue bowd his head As first we went aboord our fleet for signe we should confer These Troians their due fate and death almightie Iupiter All that day darting forth his flames in an vnmeasur'd light On our right hands let therefore none once dreame of coward flight Till for his owne some wife of Troy he sleepes withall the rape Of Hellen wreaking and our sighes enforc't for her escape If any yet dare dote on home let his dishonor'd hast His blacke and well-built barke but touch that as he first disgrac't His countries spirit fate and death may first his spirit let go But be thou wise king do not trust thy selfe but others Know I will not vse an abiect word see all thy men arraid In tribes and nations that tribes tribes nations may nations aid Which doing thou shalt know what chiefs what souldiers play the men And what the cowards for they all will fight in seuerall then Easie for note And then shalt thou if thou destroist not Troy Know if the prophecies defect or men thou dost employ In their approu'd arts want in warre or lacke of that braue heate Fit for the ventrous spirits of Greece was cause to thy defeate To this the king of men replied O father all the sonnes Agamemnon to Nestor Of Greece thou conquerst in the strife of consultations I would to Ioue Atheniâ—… and Phoebus I could make Of all but ten such Counsellers then instantly would shake Kings Priams citie by our hands laid hold on and laid wast But Ioue hath orderd I should grieue and to that end hath cast My life into debates past end My selfe and Thetis sonne Like girles in words fought for a girle and I th' offence begunne But if we euer talke as friends Troys thus deferred fall Shall neuer vexe vs more one houre Come then to victles all That strong Mars all may bring to field each man his lances steele See sharpned well his shield well lin'd his horses meated well His chariot carefully made strong that these affaires of death We all day may hold fiercely out no man must rest or breath The bosomes of our targatiers must all be steept in sweate The lanciers arme must fall dissolu'd our chariot horse with heate Must seeme to melt But if I find one souldier take the chase Or stirre from fight or fight not still fixt in his enemies face Or hid a shipboord all the world for force nor price shall saue His hated life but fowles and dogs be his abhorred graue He said and such a murmure rose as on a loftie shore Simile The waues make when the Southwind comes and tumbles them before Against a rocke growne neare the strand which diuersly beset Is neuer free but here and there with varied vprores beat All rose then rushing to the fleete perfum'd their tents and eate Each offring to th' immortall Gods and praying to scape th' heate Of waâ—…e and death The king of men an Oxe of fiue yeares spring T'almightie Ioue slue call'd the Peeres first Nestor then the king Idomenaeus after them th' Aiaces and the sonne Of Tydeus Ithacus the sixth in counsell Paragon Diomed. To Ioue himselfe All these he bad but cat-a-martiall-crie Good Menelaus since he saw his brother busily Employd at that time would not stand on inuitation dBut of himselfe came All about the offring ouerthrowne Stood round tooke salt-cakes and the king himselfe thus praid for all O Ioue most great most glorious that in that starrie hall Sit'st drawing darke clouds vp to aire let not the Sunne go downe Darknesse supplying it till my hands the Pallace and the towne Of Priam ouerthrow and burne the armes on Hectors brest Diuiding spoiling with my sword thousands in interest Of his bad quarrell laid by him in dust and eating earth He pray'd Ioue heard him not but made more plentifull the birth Of his sad toiles yet tooke his gifts Prayres past cakes on they threw The Oxe then to the altar drawne they kill'd and from him drew His hide then cut him vp his thighes in two hewne dubd with fat Prickt on the sweet-breads and with wood leauelesse and kindl'd at Apposed fire they burne the thighes which done the inwards slit They broild on coales and eate The rest in giggots cut they spit Roast cunningly draw sit and feast nought lackt to leaue alaid Each temperate appetite which seru'd Nestor began and said Atrides most grac't king of men now no more words allow Nestor to Agamemnon Nor more deferre the deed Ioue vowes Let heralds summon nâ—…w The brasen-coted Greekes and vs range euerie where the host To stirre a strong warre quickly vp This speech no sillable lost The high-voic't heralds instantly he charg'd to call to armes The curld-head Greeks they call'd the Greeks straight answerd their alarmes The Ioue-kept kings about the king all gatherd with their aide Rang'd all in tribes and nations With them the gray-eyd maide Great Aegis Ioues bright shield sustain'd that can be neuer old Neuer corrupted fring'd about with serpents forg'd of gold As many as suffisde to make an hundred fringes worth A hunderd oxen euerie snake all sprawling all set forth With wondrous spirit Through the host with this the Goddesse ranne In furie casting round her eyes and furnisht euerie man With strength exciting all to armes and fight incessant None Now lik't their lou'd homes like the warres And as a fire vpon A huge wood on the heights of hils that farre off hurles his light So the diuine brasse shin'd on these thus thrusting on for fight Their splendor through the aire reacht heauen and as about the flood Caister in an Asian meade flockes of the airie brood Cranes Geese or long-neckt Swans here there proud of their pinions ffiâ—… And in their fals lay out such throats that with their spiritfull crie The meddow shrikes againe so here these many nation'd men Flow'd ouer the Scamandrian field from tents and ships the din Was dreadfull that the feete of men and horse beate out of earth And in the florishing meade they stood thicke as the odorous birth Of flowres or leaues bred in the spring or thicke as swarmes of flies Throng then to ship-coates when each swarme his erring wing applies To milke
charges and so hote the burning fire brands shine Which he though horrible abhors about his glowing eyne And early his great heart retires so Aiax from the foe For feare their fleet should be inflam'd gainst his swolne heart did go As when a dull mill Asse comes neare a goodly field of corne Another simile expressing the maner of Aiax retreate Kept from the birds by childrens cries the boyes are ouerborne By his insensible approach and simply he will eate About whom many wands are broke and still the children beate And still the selfe-prouiding Asse doth with their weaknesse beare Not stirring till his panch be full and scarcely then will stere So the huge sonne of Telamon amongst the Troians far'd Bore showers of darts vpon his shield yet scornd to flie as skar'd And so kept softlie on his way nor would he mend his pace For all their violent pursuits that still did arme the chace With singing lances but at last when their Cur-like presumes More vrg'd the more forborne his spirits did rarifie their fumes And he reuokt his actiue strength turnd head and did repell The horse troopes that were new made in twixt whom the fight grew fell And by degrees he stole retreate yet with such puissant stay That none could passe him to the fleet in both the armies sway He stood and from strong hands receiu'd sharpe Iauelins on his shield Where many stucke throwne on before many fell short in field Ere the white bodie they could reach and stucke as telling how They purposd to haue pierc't his flesh his perill pierced now The eyes of Prince Eurypilus Euemons famous sonne Who came close on and with his dart strooke Duke Apisaon Whose surname was Phausiades euen to the concrete blood That makes the liuer on the earth out gusht his vitall blood Eurypilus made in and easd his shoulders of his armes Which Paris seeing he drew his bow and wreakt in part the harmes Of his good friend Phausiades his arrow he let flie That smote Eurypilus and brake in his attainted thie Then tooke he troope to shun blacke death and to the flyers cride Eurypilus to the Greekes Princes and Leaders of the Greeks stand and repulse the tide Of this our honour-wracking chace Aiax is drownd in darts I feare past scape turne honord friends helpe out his ventrous parts Thus spake the wounded Greeke the sound cast on their backs their shields And raisd their darts to whose reliefe Aiax his person wields Then stood he firmely with his friends retiring their retire And thus both hosts indifferent ioynd the fight grew hote aâ—… fire Now had Neleides sweating steeds brought him and his hurt friend Amongst their Fleet Aeacides that wishly did intend Standing asterne his tall neckt ship how deepe the skirmish drew Amongst the Greeks and with what ruth the insecution grew Saw Nestor bring Machaon hurt and from within did call His friend Patroclus who like Mars in forme celestiall Achilles to troclâ—… Came forth with first sound of his voice first spring of his decay And askt his Princely friends desire Deare friend said he this day I doubt not will enforce the Greeks to swarme about my knees I see vnsufferd Need imployd in their extremities Go sweet Patroclus and enquire of old Neleides Whom he brought wounded from the fight by his backe parts I guesse It is Machaon but his face I could not well descrie They past me in such earnest speed Patroclus presently Obeyd his friend and ran to know They now descended were And Nestors squire Eurimidon the horses did vngeare Themselues stood neare th' extremest shore to let the gentle aire Drie vp their sweat then to the tent where Hecamed the faire Set chaires and for the wounded Prince a potion did prepare This Hecamed by wars hard fate fell to old Nestors share When Thetis sonne sackt Tenedos She was the Princely seed Of worthie king Arsynous and by the Greeks decreed The prize of Nestor since all men in counsell he surpast First a faire table she apposd of which the feet were grac't With blewish mettall mixt with blacke and on the same she put A brasse fruit dish in which she seru'd a holsome Onion cur For pittance to the potion and honey newly wrought And bread the fruite of sacred meale then to the boord she brought A right faire cup with gold studs driuen which Nestor did transfer From Pylos on whose swelling sides foure handles fixed were And vpon euerie handle sate a paire of doues of gold Some billing and some pecking meate Two gilt feet did vphold The antique body and withall so weightie was the cup That being proposd brim full of wine one scarse could lift it vp Yet Nestor drunke in it with ease spite of his yeares respect In this the Goddesse-like faire Dame a potion did confect With good old wine of Pramnius and scrap't into the wine Cheese made of Goates milke and on it sperst flow'r exceeding fine In this sort for the wounded Lord the potion she prepar'd And bad him drinke for companie with him old Nestor shar'd Thus physically quencht they thirst and then their spirits reuiu'd With pleasant conference And now Patroclus being arriu'd Made stay at th' entrie of the tent old Nestor seeing it Rose and receiu'd him by the hand and faine would haue him sit He set that courtesie aside excusing it with hast Since his much to be reuerenc't friend sent him to know who past Wounded with him in chariot so swiftly through the shore Whom now said he I see and know and now can stay no more You know good father our great friend is apt to take offence Whose fierie temper will inflame sometimes with innocence He answerd When will Peleus sonne some royall pittie show Nestor to Patrociâ—… On his thus wounded countrimen Ah is he yet to know How much affliction tires our host how our especiall aide Tainted with lances at their tents are miserably laide Vlysses Diomed our King Euripylus Machaon All hurt and all our worthiest friends yet no compassion Can supple thy friends friendlesse breast Doth he reserue his eye Till our fleet burne and we our selues one after other die Alas my forces are not now as in my yonger life Oh would to God I had that strength I vsed in the strife Betwixt vs and the Elians for Oxen to be driuen When Itumonius loâ—…tie soule was by my valour giuen As sacrifice to destinie Hypporocus strong sonne That dwelt in Elis and fought first in our contention We forrag'd as proclaimed foes a wondrous wealthie boote And he in rescue of his Herds fell breathlesse at my foote All the Dorpe Bores with terror fled our prey was rich and great Twise fiue and twentie flocks of sheepe as many herds of neate As many goates and nastie swine a hundred fiftie mares All sorrell most with sucking foales and these soone-monied wares We draue into Neileus towne faire Pylos all by night My fathers heart
as not being satis compotes mentis Poeticae for want of which which all their reading and language cannot supply they are thus often graueld and mistaken d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Veluti Aquila The sport Homer makes with Menelaus is here likewise confirmed and amplified in another Simile resembling him intentionally to a harefinder though for colours sake he vseth the word Eagle as in all other places where he presents him being so eminent a person â—…e hides his simplicity with some shadow of glory or other The circumstances making it cleare being here and in diuers other places made a messenger from Aiax and others to call such and such to their aid which was vnfit for a man of his place if he had bene in magnanimitie and valour equall or any thing neare it But to confirme his imperfection therein in diuers other places he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mollis bellator and therefore was fittest to be employed to cal vp those that were â—…ardier and abler In going about which businesse Homer shewes how he looks about leering like a hare-finder for to make it simply a Simile illustrating the state of his addresse in that base affaire had neither wit nor decorum Both which being at their height in the other sence because our Homer was their great master to all accomplishment let none detract so miserably from him as to take this otherwise then a continuance of his Ironie The end of the seuenteenth Booke THE XVIII BOOKE OF HOMERS ILIADS. THE ARGVMENT AChilles mournes told of Patroclus end When Thetis doth from forth the sea ascâ—…nd And comfort him aduising to abstaine From any fight till her request could gaine Fit armes of Vulcan Iuno yet commands To shew himselfe And at the dike he stands In sight of th' enemie who with his sight Flies and a number perish in the flight Patroclus person safe brought from the warres His souldiers wash Vulcan the armes prepares Another Argument Sigma continues the alarmes And fashions the renowmed armes THey fought still like the rage of fire And now Antilochus Came to Aeacides whose mind was much solicitous For that which as he fear'd was falne He found him neer the fleet With vpright saile-yeards vttering this to his heroike conceit Ay me why see the Greeks themselues thus beaten from the field And routed headlong to their fleet O let not heauen yeeld Achilles to himselfe concerning Patroclus Effect to what my sad soule feares that as I was foretold The strongest Myrmidon next me when I should still behold The Sunnes faire light must part with it Past doubt Menaetius sonne Is he on whom that fate is wrought O wretch to leaue vndone What I commanded that the fleete once freed of hostile fire Not meeting Hector instantly he should his powres retire As thus his troubl'd mind discourst Antilochus appear'd And told with teares the sad newes thus My Lord that must be heard Antilochus reâ—…ates Patroclus death Which would to heauen I might not tell Menaetius sonne lies dead And for his naked corse his armes alreadie forfeited And worne by Hector the debate is now most vehement This said Griefe darkned all his powres With both his hands he rent The blacke mould from the forced earth and pour'd it on his head Achilles his rage Smear'd all his louely face his weeds diuinely fashioned All filde and mangl'd and himselfe he threw vpon the shore Lay as laid out for funerall Then tumbl'd round and tore His gracious curles his Ecstacie he did so farre extend That all the Ladies wonne by him and his now slaughterd friend Afflicted strangely for his plight came shrieking from the tents And fell about him beate their breasts their tender lineaments Dissolu'd with sorrow And with them wept Nestors warlike sonne Fell by him holding his faire hands in feare he would haue done His person violence his heart extremely streightned burn'd Beate sweld and sighd as it would burst So terribly he mourn'd That Thetis sitting in the deepes of her old fathers seas Heard and lamented To her plaints the bright Nereides Flockt all how many those darke gulfes soeuer comprehend There Glauce and Cymodoce and Spyo did attend Nesaea and Cymothoa and calme Amphithoe Thalia Thoa Panope and swift Dynanime Actaea and Lymnoria and Halia the faire Fam'd for the beautie of her eyes Amathia for her haire Iaera Proto Clymene and curl'd Dexamine Pherusa Doris and with these the smooth Amphinome Chast Galathea so renowm'd and Callianira came With Doto and Orythia to cheare the mournfull Dame Apseudes likewise visited and Callianassa gaue Her kind attendance and with her Agaue grac't the Caue Nemertes Maera followed Melita Ianesse With Ianira and the rest of those Nereides That in the deepe seas make abode all which together beate Their dewie bosomes and to all thus Thetis did repeate Her cause of mourning Sisters heare how much the sorrowes wey Thâ—…u to the Nâ—…reides Whose cries now cald ye haplesse I brought forth vnhappily The best of all the sonnes of men who like a well-set plant In best soiles grew and flourished and when his spirit did want Employment for his youth and strength I sent him with a fleete To fight at Ilion from whence his fate-confined feete Passe all my deitie to retire The court of his high birth The glorious court of Peleus must entertaine his worth Neuer hereafter All the life he hath to liue with me Must wast in sorrowes and this sonne I now am bent to see Being now afflicted with some griefe not vsually graue Whose knowledge and recure I seeke This said she left her caue Which all left with her swimming forth the greene waues as they swom Cleft with their bosomes curld and gaue quicke way to Troy Being come They all ascended two and two and trod the honor'd shore Till where the fleete of Myrmidons drawne vp in heapes it bore There stayd they at Achilles ship and there did Thetis lay Thet is to Achilles Her faire hand on her sonnes curl'd head sigh'd wept and bad him say What griefe drew from his eyes those teares conceale it not said she Till this houre thy vplifted hands haue all things granted thee The Greeks all thrust vp at their sternes haue pour'd on t teares enow And in them seene how much they misse remission of thy vow Achilles to Thetis He said T is true Olympius hath done me all that grace But what ioy haue I of it all when thus â—…hrusts in the place Losse of my whole selfe in my friend whom when his foe had slaine He spoil'd of those prophaned armes that Peleus did obtaine From heauens high powres solemnizing thy sacred nuptiall bands As th' onely present of them all and fitted well their hands Being louely radiant maruellous O would to heauen thy throne With these faire deities of the sea thou still hadst sate vpon And Peleus had a mortall wife since by his meanes is done So much
turndst me from the walls whose ports had neuer entertaind Numbers now enter'd ouer whom thy sauing hand hath raign'd And robd my honor And all is since all thy actions stand Past feare of reckoning but held I the measure in my hand It should affoord thee deare-bought fcapes Thus with elated spirits Steed-like that at Olympus games weares garlands for his merits And rattles home his chariot extending all his pride Achilles so parts with the god When aged Priam spide The great Greek come sphear'd round with beames and show'ng as if the star Surnam'd Orions hound that springs in Autumne and sends farre His radiance through a world of starres of all whose beames his owne Cast greatest splendor the midnight that renders them most showne Then being their foile and on their points cure-passing Feuers then Come shaking downe into the ioynts of miserable men As this were falne to earth and shot along the field his raies Now towards Priam when he saw in great Aeacides Priams fright at the sight of Achilles Out flew his tender voice in shriekes and with raisde hands he smit His reuerend head then vp to heauen he cast them shewing it What plagues it sent him Downe againe then threw them to his sonne To make him shun them He now stood without steepe Ilion Thirsting the combat and to him thus miserably cride The kind old king O Hector flie this man this homicide Priam to Hector That strait will stroy thee Hee 's too strong and would to heauen he were As strong in heauens loue as in mine Vultures and dogs should teare His prostrate carkasse all my woes quencht with his bloudy spirits He has robd me of many sonnes and worthy and their merits Sold to farre Ilands Two of them aye me I misse but now They are not enterd nor stay here Laothoe O t was thou O Queene of women from whose wombe they breath'd O did the tents Detaine them onely brasse and gold would purschase safe euents To their sad durance t is within Old Altes yong in fame Gaue plentie for his daughters dowre but if they fed the flame Of this mans furie woe is me woe to my wretched Queene But in our states woe their two deaths will nought at all be seene So thy life quit them take the towne retire deare sonne and saue Troys husbands and her wiues nor giue thine owne life to the graue For this mans glorie pitie me me wretch so long aliue Whom in the doore of Age Ioue keepes that so he may depriue My being in Fortunes vtmost curse to see the blackest thred Of this lifes miseries my sonnes slaine my daughters rauished Their resting chambers sackt their babes torne from them on their knees Pleading for mercie themselues dragd to Grecian slaueries And all this drawne through my red eyes Then last of all kneele I Alone all helplesse at my gates before my enemie That ruthlesse giues me to my dogs all the deformitie Of age discouer'd and all this thy death sought wilfully Will poure on me A faire yong man at all parts it beseemes Being brauely slaine to lie all gasht and weare â—…he worst extremes Of warres most crueltie no wound of whatsoeuer ruth But is his ornament but I a man so farre from youth White head white bearded wrinkl'd pin'd all shames must shew the eye Liue preuent this then this most shame of all mans miserie Thus wept the old king and tore off his white haire yet all these Retir'd not Hector Hecuba then fell vpon her knees Stript nak't her bosome shew'd her breasts and bad him reuerence them And pitie her if euer she had quieted his exclaime He would ceasse hers and take the towne not tempting the rude field When all had left it thinke said she I gaue thee life to yeeld My life recomfort thy rich wife shall haue no rites of thee Nor do thee rites our teares shall pay thy corse no obsequie Being rauisht from vs Grecian dogs nourisht with what I nâ—…rst Thus wept both these and to his ruth proposde the vtmost worst Of what could chance them yet he staid And now drew deadly neare Mightie Achilles yet he still kept deadly station there Looke how a Dragon when she sees a traueller bent vpon A Simile expressing how Hector stood Achilles Her breeding den her bosome fed with fell contagion Gathers her forces sits him firme and at his nearest pace Wraps all her Cauerne in her folds and thrusts a horrid face Out at his entrie Hector so with vnextinguisht spirit Stood great Achilles stird no foote but at the prominent turret Bent to his bright shield and resolu'd to beare falne heauen on it Yet all this resolute abode did not so truly fit His free election but he felt a much more galling spurre To the performance with conceit of what he should incurre Entring like others for this cause to which he thus gaue way O me if I shall take the towne Polydamas will lay This flight and all this death on me who counseld me to leade Hectors discourse My powres to Troy this last blacke night when so I saw make head Incenst Achilles I yet staid though past all doubt that course Had much more profited then mine which being by so much worse As comes to all our flight and death my folly now I feare Hath bred this scandall all our towne now burnes my ominous earâ—… With whispering Hectors selfe conceit hath cast away his host And this true this extremitie that I relie on most Is best for me stay and retire with this mans life or die Here for our citiâ—… with renowme since all else fled but I. And yet one way cuts both these wayes what if I hang my shield My helme and lance here on these wals and meete in humble field Renowm'd Achilles offering him Hellen and all the wealth What euer in his hollow keeles bore Alexanders stealth For both th' Atrides For the rest what euer is possest In all this citie knowne or hid by oath shall be confest Of all our citizens of which one halfe the Greeks shall haue One halfe themselues But why lou'd soule would these suggestions saue Thy state still in me I le not sue nor would he grant but I Mine armes cast off should be assur'd a womans death to die To men of oke and rocke no words virgins and youths talke thus Virgins and youths that loue and wooe there 's other warre with vs What blowes and conflicts vrge we crie hates and defiances And with the garlands these trees beare trie which hand Ioue will blesse These thoughts emploid his stay and now Achilles comes now neare Achilles dreadfull approch to Hector His Mars-like presence terribly came brandishing his speare His right arme shooke it his bright armes like day came glittering on Like fire-light or the light of heauen shot from the rising Sun This sight outwrought discourse cold Feare shooke Hector from his stand No more stay now all ports
againe for feare himselfe his goodly chariot And horse together strew'd the dust in being so dustie hote Of thirsted conquest But he chid at parting passing sore Antilochus said he a worse then thee earth neuer bore Menelaus chidâ—…s Antilochus Farewell we neuer thought thee wise that were wise but not so Without othes shall the wreath be sure crowne thy mad temples Go. Yet he bethought him and went too thus stirring vp his steeds Leaue me not last thus nor stand vext let these faile in the speeds Of feet and knees not you shall these these old iades past the flowre Of youth that you haue passe you This the horse fear'd and more powre Put to their knees straite getting ground Both flew and so the rest All came in smokes like spirits the Greeks set to see who did best Without the race aloft now made a new discouerie Other then that they made at first Idomeneus eye Distinguisht all he knew the voice of Diomed seeing a horse Of speciall marke of colour bay and was the first in course His forehead putting forth a starre round like the Moone and white Vp stood the Cretan vttering this Is it alone my sight Idomenaeus the king of Crete first discouers the runners Princes and Captaines that discernes another leade the race With other horse then led of late Eumelus made most pace With his fleete mares and he began the flexure as we thought Now all the field I search and find no where his view hath nought Befalne amisse to him perhaps he hath not with successe Perform'd his flexure his reines lost or seate or with the tresse His chariot faild him and his mares haue outraid with affright Stand vp trie you your eyes for mine hold with the second sight This seemes to me th' Etolian king the Tydean Diomed. To you it seemes so rustickly Aiax Oileus said Aiax Oileus angry with Idomeneâ—… Your words are suited to your eyes Those mares leade still that led Eumelus owes them and he still holds reines and place that did Not falne as you hop't you must prate before vs all though last In iudgement of all y' are too old your tongue goes still too fast You must not talke so Here are those that better thee and looke For first place in the censure This Idomeneus tooke In much disdaine and thus replide Thou best in speeches worst Idomeneus to Aiax Barbarous languag'd others here might haue reprou'd me first Not thou vnfitst of all I hold a Tripode with thee here Or Caldron and our Generall make our equall arbiter Those horse are first that when thou paist thou then maist know This fir'd Oileades more and more then words this quarell had inspir'd Had not Achilles rose and vsde this pacifying speech No more away with words in warre it toucheth both with breach Achilles pacifies Idomeneus and Aiax Of that which fits ye your deserts should others reprehend That giue such foule termes sit ye still the men themselues will end The strife betwixt you instantly and eithers owne lode beare On his owne shoulders Then to both the first horse will appeare And which is second These words vsde Tydides was at hand His horse ranne high glanc't on the way and vp they tost the sand Thicke on their Coachman on their pace their chariot deckt with gold Swiftly attended no wheele â—…eene nor wheeles print in the mould Imprest behind them These horse flew a flight not ranne a race Arriu'd amids the lists they stood sweate trickling downe apace Their high manes and their prominent breasts and downe iumpt Diomed The runners arriue at the races end Laid vp his scorge aloft the seate and straite his prise was led Home to his tent rough Sthenelus laid quicke hand on the dame And handled Triuet and sent both home by his men Next came Antilochus that wonne with wiles not swiftnesse of his horse Precedence of the gold-lockt king who yet maintaind the course So close that not the kings owne horse gat more before the wheele Of his rich chariot that might still the insecution feele With the extreme haires of his taile and that sufficient close Held to his leader no great space it let him interpose Considerd in so great a field Then Nestors wilie sonne Gate of the king now at his heeles though at the breach he wonne A quoytes cast of him which the king againe at th' instant gaind Aethe Agamemnonides that was so richly maind Gat strength still as she spent which words her worth had prou'd with deeds Had more ground bene allow'd the race and coted farre his steeds No question leauing for the prise And now Meriones A darts cast came behind the king his horse of speed much lesse Himselfe lesse skild t' importune them and giue a chariot wing Admetus sonne was last whose plight Achilles pittying Thus spake Best man comes last yet Right must see his prise not least Achilles sentence The second his deserts must beare and Diomed the best He said and all allow'd and sure the mare had bene his owne Had not Antilochus stood forth and in his answer showne Antilochus to Achilles Good reason for his interest Achilles he replied I should be angry with you much to see this ratified Ought you to take from me my right because his horse had wrong Himselfe being good he should haue vsde as good men do his tongue In prayre to their powres that blesse good not trusting to his owne Not to haue bene in this good last His chariot ouerthrowne O'rethrew not me who 's last who 's first mens goodnesse without these Is not our question If his good you pitie yet and please Princely to grace it your tents hold a goodly deale of gold Brasse horse sheepe women out of these your bountie may be bold To take a much more worthy prise then my poore merit seekes And giue it here before my face and all these that the Greekes May glorifie your liberall hands This prise I will not yeeld Who beares this whatsoeuer man he beares a tried field His hand and mine must change some blowes Achilles laught and said If thy will be Antilochus I le see Eumelus paid Out of my tents I le giue him th' armes which late I conquerd in Asteropaeus forg'd of brasse and wau'd about with tin T will be a present worthy him This said Automedon He sent for them He went and brought and to Admetus sonne Achilles gaue them He well pleasde receiu'd them Then arose Wrong'd Menelaus much incenst with yong Antilochus He bent to speake a herald tooke his Scepter and gaue charge Of silence to the other Greeks then did the king enlarge The spleene he prisoned vttering this Antilochus till now Note Menelaus ridiculous speech for conclusion of his character We grant thee wise but in this act what wisedome vtter'st thou Thou hast disgrac't my vertue wrong'd my horse preferring thine Much their inferiors but go to Princes nor