THE TWELFTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ILIADS

From The Iliads of Homer prince of poets (as typeset by Early English Books Online)

Neuer before in any languag truely translated. With a co[m]ment vppon some of his chiefe places; donne according to the Greeke by Geo: Chapman.

Homer., Chapman, George, 1559?-1634., Hole, William, d. 1624, engraver.

THE TWELFTH BOOK OF HOMERS ILIADS.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Troians at the trench, their powres engage,
Though greeted by a bird, of bad presage.
In fiue parts they diuide, their powre, to skale,
And Prince Sarpedon forceth downe the pale;
Great Hector from the Ports, teares out a stone,
And with so dead a strength, he sets it gone
At those brode gates the Grecians made to guard
Their tents and ships: that, broken, and vnbard,
They yeeld way to his powre; when all contend
To reach the ships: which all at last ascend.

Another Argument.

My, workes the Troians all the grace,
And doth the Grecian Fort deface.

PAtroclus, thus emploid in cure, of hurt Eurypilus;
Both hosts are all for other wounds, doubly contentious;
One, all wayes labouring to expell; the other to inuade:
Nor could the brode dike of the Grecks, nor that strong wall they made
To guard their fleete, be long vnrac’t; because it was not raisd,
By graue direction of the Gods; nor were their Deities praisd
(When they begun) with Hecatombes, that then they might be sure
(Their strength being season’d wel with heauēs) it should haue force t’endure;
And so, the safeguard of their fleete, and all their treasure there
Infallibly had bene confirm’d; when now, their bulwarks were
Not onely without powre of checke, to their assaulting foe
(Euen now, as soone as they were built) but apt to ouerthrow:
Such, as in verie little time, shall burie all their sight
And thought, that euer they were made: as long as the despight
Of great Aeacides held vp, and Hector went not downe:
And that by those two meanes stood safe, king Priams sacred towne:
So long their rampire had some vse, (though now it gaue some way:)
But when Troyes best men sufferd Fate, and many Greeks did pay
Deare for their sufferance; then the rest, home to their countrie turnd,
The tenth yeare of their warres at Troy, and Troy was sackt and burnd.
And then the Gods fell to their Fort: then they their powres imploy
To ruine their worke, and left lesse, of that then they, of Troy.*
Neptune and Phoebus tumbl’d downe, from the Idalian hils,
An inundation of all floods, that thence the brode sea fils

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On their huge rampire; in one glut, all these together rorde,
Rhesus, Heptaporus, Rhodius, Scamander, (the adorde)*
Caresus, Simois, Grenicus, Aesepus: of them all,
Apollo open’d the rough mouths; and made their lustie fall
Rauish the dustie champian, where, many a helme and shield,
And halfe-god race of men were strew’d: and that all these might yeeld
Full tribute to the heauenly worke: Neptune and Phoebus wun
Ioue to vnburthen the blacke wombes, of clouds (fild by the Sun)
And poure them into all their streames, that quickly they might send
The huge wall swimming to the Sea. Nine dayes their lights did spend
To nights, in tempests; and when all, their vtmost depth had made,
Ioue, Phoebus, Neptune, all came downe, and all in state did wade
To ruine of that impious fort: Great Neptune went before,
Wrought with his trident, and the stones, trunkes, rootes of trees he tore
Out of the rampire: tost them all, into the Hellespont;
Euen all the prowd toile of the Greeks, with which they durst confront
The to-be-shunned Deities: and not a stone remaind,
Of all their huge foundations, all with the earth were plaind.
Which done; againe the Gods turnd backe, the siluer flowing floods,
By that vast channell, through whose vaults, they pourd abrode their broods,
And couerd all the ample shore, againe with dustie sand:
And this the end was of that wall, where now so many a hand
Was emptied of stones and darts, contending to inuade;
Where Clamor spent so high a throate; and where the fell blowes made
The new-built woodden turrets grone. And here the Greeks were pent,
Tam’d with the Iron whip of Ioue: that terrors vehement
Shooke ouer them by Hectors hand, who was (in euerie thought)
The terror-maister of the field, and like a whirlewind fought;*
As fresh, as in his morns first charge. And as a sauage Bore
Or Lion, hunted long; at last, with hounds and hunters store,
Is compast round; they charge him close: and stand (as in a towre
They had inchac’t him) pouring on, of darts an Iron showre:
His glorious heart yet, nought appald, and forcing forth his way:
Here ouerthrowes a troope, and there; a running ring doth stay
His vtter passage: when againe, that stay he ouerthrowes,
And then the whole field frees his rage: so Hector wearies blowes,
Runs out his charge vpon the Fort: and all his force would force
To passe the dike. Which being so deepe, they could not get their horse
To venter on: but trample, snore, and on the verie brinke,
To neigh with spirit, yet still stand off: nor would a humane thinke
The passage safe; or if it were, twas lesse safe for retreate,
The dike being euerie where so deep; and (where twas least deep) set
With stakes exceeding thicke, sharpe, strong, that horse could neuer passe;
Much lesse their chariots, after them: yet for the foote there was
Some hopefull seruice, which they wisht. Polydamas then spake;

Hector, and all our friends of Troy, we indiscreetly make *
Offer of passage with our horse: ye see the stakes, the wall,
Impossible for horse to take: nor can men fight at all,

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The place being streight, and much more apt, to let vs take our bane,
Then giue the enemie: and yet, if Ioue decree the wane
Of Grecian glory vtterly: and so bereaue their hearts,
That we may freely charge them thus, and then, will take our parts:
I would with all speed, wish th’assault: that vgly shame might shed
(Thus farre from home) these Grecians bloods. But if they once turne head,
And sallie on vs from their fleet, when in so deepe a dike
We shall lie struggling; not a man, of all our hoast is like
To liue, and carrie backe the newes: and therefore, be it thus:
Here leaue we horse, kept by our men, and all on foot let vs
Hold close together, and attend, the grace of Hectors guide;
And then they shall not beare our charge, our conquest shall be dide
In their liues purples. This aduice, pleasd Hector, for twas sound:
Who first obeyd it, and full arm’d, betooke him to the ground:
And then all left their chariots, when he was seene to leade;
Rushing about him, and gaue vp, each chariot and steed
To their directors to be kept, in all procinct of warre:
There, and on that side of the dike. And thus the rest prepare
Their onset: In fiue regiments, they all their powre diuide:
Each regiment allow’d three Chiefes; of all which, euen the pride,
Seru’d in great Hectors Regiment: for all were set on fire
(Their passage beaten through the wall) with hazardous desire,
That they might once, but fight at fleete. With Hector, Captaines were,
Polydamas, and Cebriones, who was his chariotere:
But Hector found that place a worse. Chiefes of the second band,
Were Paris, and Alcathous, Agenor. The command
The third strong Phalanx had, was giuen, to th’Augure Hellenus;
Deiphobus, that God-like man, and mightie Asius;
Euen Asius Hyrtacides, that from Arisba rode
The huge bay horse, and had his house, where riuer Selleës flowde.
The fourth charge, good Aeneas led, and with him were combinde
Archelochus, and Acamas (Antenors dearest kinde)
And excellent at euerie fight. The fifth braue companie,
Sarpedon had to charge; who chusde, for his commands supply,
Asteropoeus great in armes, and Glaucus; for both these
Were best of all men, but himselfe: but he was fellowlesse.
Thus fitted with their well wrought shields, downe the steepe dike they go;
And (thirstie of the walls assault) beleeue in ouerthrow:
Not doubting but with headlong fals, to tumble downe the Greeks,
From their blacke nauie: in which trust, all on; and no man seeks
To crosse Polydamas aduice, with any other course,
But Asius Hyrtacides, who (prowd of his bay horse)
Would not forsake them; nor his man, that was their manager,
(Foole that he was) but all to fleete: and little knew how neare
An ill death sat him, and a sure; and that he neuer more
Must looke on loftie Ilion: but lookes, and all, before,
Put on th’all-couering mist of Fate; that then did hang vpon
The lance of great *Deucalides: he fatally rusht on

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The left hand way; by which the Greeks, with horse and chariot,
Came vsually from field to fleet: close to the gates he got,
Which both vnbard and ope he found; that so the easier might
An entrie be for any friend, that was behind in flight;
Yet not much easier for a foe: because there was a guard
Maintaind vpon it, past his thought; who still put for it hard,
Eagerly showting: and with him, were fiue more friends of name
That would not leaue him, though none else, would hunt that way for fame
(In their free choice) but he himselfe. Orestes, Iamenus,
And Acamas, Asiades, Thoon, Oenomaus,
Were those that followed Asius: within the gates they found
Two eminently valorous, that from the race renownd
Of the right valiant Lapithes, deriu’d their high descent.
Fierce Leonteus was the one, like Mars in detriment;*
The other mightie Polepaet, the great Pirithous sonne.
These stood within the loftie gates, and nothing more did shun,
The charge of Asius and his friends, then two high hill-bred Okes,
Well rooted in the binding earth, obey the airie strokes
Of wind and weather, standing firme, gainst euerie seasons spight:
Yet they poure on continued showts, and beare their shields vpright:
When in the meane space Polypaet, and Leonteus cheard
Their souldiers to the fleets defence: but when the rest had heard
The Troians in attempt to skale, Clamor and flight did flow
Amongst the Grecians: and then (the rest dismaid) these two
Met Asius entring; thrust him backe, and fought before their doores:
Nor far’d they then like Okes, that stood, but as a brace of Bores
Coucht in their owne bred hill, that heare, a sort of hunters showt
And hounds in hote traile coming on; then from their dens breake out,
Trauerse their force, and suffer not, in wildnesse of their way,
About them any plant to stand: but thickets, offering stay,
Breake through, and rend vp by the roots; whet gnashes into aire,
Which Tumult fils, with showts, hounds, horns, and all the hote affaire
Beates at their bosomes: so their armes, rung with assailing blowes;
And so they stird them in repulse, right well assur’d that those
Who were within, and on the wall, would adde their parts; who knew
They now fought for their tents, fleet, liues, 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;*
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 *
The gasping Cranny of a hill) when for a hunters feast,

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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
(To 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 spoild; 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;

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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 *
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 *
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 Ioue, 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? Tis 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 here 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 tis this lance. This said, all forwards make,
Himselfe the first: yet before him, exulting Clamor flew;
And thunder-louing-Iupiter, from loftie Ida blew

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A storme that vsherd their assault, and made them charge like him:
It draue directly on the fleet, a dust so fierce and dim,
That it amaz’d the Grecians: but was a grace diuine,
To Hector and his following troopes, who wholly did encline
To him, being now in grace with Ioue: and so put boldly on
To raze the rampire: in whose height, they fiercely set vpon
The Parrapets, and puld them downe, rac’t euery formost fight;
And all the Butteresses of stone, that held their towers vpright;
They tore away, with Crowes of Iron; and hop’t to ruine all.
The Greeks yet stood, and still repaird, the forefights of their wall
With hides of Oxen, and from thence, they pourd downe stones in showres
Vpon the vnderminers heads. Within the formost towres,
Both the Aiaces had command; who answer’d euerie part,
Th’assaulters, and their souldiers; represt, and put in heart:
Repairing valour as their wall: spake some faire, some reprou’d,
Who euer made not good his place: and thus they all sorts mou’d;
O countrimen, now need in aid, would haue excesse be spent:
The excellent must be admir’d; the meanest excellent;
The worst, do well: in changing warre, all should not be alike,
Nor any idle: which to know, fits all, lest Hector strike
Your minds with frights, as eares with threats; forward be all your hands,
Vrge one another: this doubt downe, that now betwixt vs stands,
Ioue will go with vs to their wals. To this effect, alow’d
Spake both the Princes: and as high (with this) th’expulsion flow’d.*
And as in winter time, when Ioue, his cold-sharpe iauelines throwes
Amongst vs mortals; and is mou’d, to white earth with his snowes:
(The winds asleepe) he freely poures, till highest Prominents,
Hill tops, low meddowes, and the fields, that crowne with most contents
The toiles of men: sea ports, and shores, are hid, and euerie place,
But floods (that snowes faire tender flakes, as their owne brood, embrace:)
So both fides couerd earth with stones, so both for life contend,
To shew their sharpnesse: through the wall, vprore stood vp an end.
Nor had great Hector and his friends, the rampire ouerrun,
If heauens great Counsellour, high Ioue, had not inflam’d his sonne
Sarpedon (like the forrests king, when he on Oxen flies)
Against the Grecians: his round targe, he to his arme applies
Brasse-leau’d without: and all within, thicke Oxe-hides quilted hard:
The verge naild round with rods of gold, and with two darts prepard;
He leades his people: as ye see, a mountaine Lion fare,
Long kept from prey: in forcing which, his high mind makes him dare,
Assault vpon the whole full fold: though guarded neuer so
With well-arm’d men, and eager dogs; away he will not go,
But venture on, and either snatch, a prey, or be a prey:
So far’d diuine Sarpedons mind, resolu’d to force his way *
Through all the fore-fights, and the wall: yet since he did not see
Others as great as he, in name, as great in mind as he:
He spake to Glaucus: Glaucus, say, why are we honord more
Then other men of Lycia, in place? with greater store

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Of meates and cups? with goodlier roofes? delightsome gardens? walks?
More lands, and better? so much wealth, that Court and countrie talks
Of vs, and our possessions; and euery way we go,
Gaze on vs as we were their Gods? this where we dwell, is so:
The shores of Xanthus ring of this; and shall not we exceed,
As much in merit, as in noise? Come, be we great in deed
As well as looke; shine not in gold, but in the flames of fight;
That so our neat-arm’d-Lycians, may say; See, these are right
Our kings, our Rulers; these deserue, to eate, and drinke the best;
These gouerne not ingloriously: these, thus exceed the rest,
Do more then they command to do. O friend, if keeping backe
Would keepe backe age from vs, and death; and that we might not wracke
In this lifes humane sea at all: but that deferring now
We shund death euer; nor would I, halfe this vaine valour show,
Nor glorifie a folly so, to wish thee to aduance:
Bur since we must go, though not here; and that, besides the chance
Proposd now, there are infinite fates, of other sort in death,
Which (neither to be fled nor scap’t) a man must sinke beneath:
Come, trie we, if this sort be ours: and either render thus,
Glorie to others, or make them, resigne the like to vs.

This motion, Glaucus shifted not, but (without words) obeyd;*
Fore-right went both, a mightie troope, of Lycians followed.
Which, by Menestheus obseru’d; his haire stood vp on end,
For at the towre where he had charge, he saw Calamitie bend
Her horrid browes in their approch. He threw his looks about
The whole fights neare, to see what Chiefe, might helpe the miserie out
Of his poore souldiers, and beheld, where both th’Aiaces fought,
And Teucer, newly come from fleete: whom it would profit nought
To call, since Tumult on their helmes, shields, and vpon the ports
Laid such lowde claps; for euerie way, defences of all sorts
Were adding, as Troy tooke away; and Clamor flew so high
Her wings strooke heauen, and drownd all voice. The two Dukes yet so nigh
And at the offer of assault; he to th’Aiaces sent
Thoos the herald, with this charge: Run to the regiment *
Of both th’Aiaces, and call Both, for both were better here,
Since here will slaughter, instantly; be more enforc’t then there.
The Lycian Captaines this way make, who in the fights of stand,
Haue often shew’d much excellence: yet if laborious hand
Be there more needfull then I hope, at least afford vs some,
Let Aiax Telamonius, and th’Archer Teucer come.
The Herald hasted, and arriu’d; and both th’Aiaces told,
That Peteus noble sonne desir’d, their little labour would
Employ it selfe in succouring him. Both their supplies were best,
Since death assaild his quarter most: for on it fiercely prest
The well-prou’d mightie Lycian Chiefs. Yet if the seruice there
Allowd not both, he praid that one, part of his charge would beare,
And that was Aiax Telamon, with whom he wisht would come,
The Archer Teucer. Telamon, left instantly his roome

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To strong Lycomedes, and will’d, Aiax Oiliades
With him to make vp his supply, and fill with courages
The Grecian hearts till his returne, which should be instantly
When he had well relieu’d his friend. With this, the companie
Of Teucer he tooke to his aide: Teucer, that did descend
(As Aiax did) from Telamon: with these two did attend
Pandion, that bore Teucers bow. When to Menestheus towre
They came, alongst the wall; they found, him, and his heartned powre
Toyling in making strong their fort. The Lycian Princes set
Blacke whirlwind-like, with both their powers, vpon the Parapet.
Aiax, and all, resisted them. Clamor amongst them rose:
The slaughter, Aiax led; who first, the last deare sight did close
Of strong Epicles, that was friend, to Ioues great Lycian sonne.
Amongst the high munition heape, a mightie marble stone
Lay highest, neare the Pinnacle; a stone of such a paise,
That one of this times strongest men, with both hands, could not raise:
Yet this did Aiax rowse, and throw; and all in sherds did driue
Epicles foure-topt caske and skull; who (as ye see one diue
In some deepe riuer) left his height; life left his bones withall.

Teucer shot Glaucus (rushing vp, yet higher on the wall)*
Where naked he discernd his arme, and made him steale retreat
From that hote seruice; lest some Greeke, with an insulting threat,
(Beholding it) might fright the rest. Sarpedon much was grieu’d,
At Glaucus parting, yet fought on; and his great heart relieu’d *
A little with Alcmaons blood, surnam’d Thestorides,
Whose life he hurld out with his lance; which following through the prease,
He drew from him. Downe from the towre, Alcmaon dead it strooke;
His faire armes ringing out his death. Then fierce Sarpedon tooke
In his strong hand the battlement, and downe he tore it quite:
The wall stript naked, and brode way, for entrie and full fight,
He made the many. Against him, Aiax and Teucer made;
Teucer, the rich belt on his breast, did with a shaft inuade:
But Iupiter auerted death; who would not see his sonne
Die at the tailes of th’Achiue ships. Aiax did fetch his run,
And (with his lance) strooke through the targe, of that braue Lycian king;
Yet kept he it from further passe; nor did it any thing
Dismay his mind, although his men, stood off from that high way,
His valour made them; which he kept, and hop’t that stormie day
Should euer make his glorie cleare. His mens fault thus he blam’d;
O Lycians, why are your hote spirits, so quickly disinflam’d?*
Suppose me ablest of you all: tis hard for me alone,
To ruine such a wall as this; and make Confusion,
Way to their Nauie; lend your hands. What many can dispatch
One cannot thinke: the noble worke, of many, hath no match.*

The wise kings iust rebuke did strike, a reuerence to his will
Through all his souldiers; all stood in; and gainst all th’Achiues still
Made strong their Squadrons; insomuch, that to the aduerse side
The worke shewd mightie; and the wall, when twas within descride,

Page 168

No easie seruice; yet the Greeks, could neither free their wall,
Of these braue Lycians, that held firme, the place they first did skale:
Nor could the Lycians from their fort, the sturdie Grecians driue,
Nor reach their fleet. But as two men, about the limits striue *
Of land that toucheth in a field; their measures in their hands,
They mete their parts out curiously, and either stiffely stands,
That so farre is his right in law; both hugely set on fire
About a passing little ground: so greedily aspire
Both these foes, to their seuerall ends; and all exhaust their most
About the verie battlements (for yet no more was lost.)
With sword, and fire they vext for them, their targes hugely round,
With Oxehides lin’d; and bucklers light, and many a ghastly wound
The sterne steele gaue, for that one prise; whereof though some receiu’d
Their portions on their naked backs; yet others were bereau’d
Of braue liues, face-turnd, through their shields: towres, bulwarks euery where
Were freckled with the blood of men; nor yet the Greeks did beare *
Base back-turnd faces; nor their foes, would therefore be outfac’t.
But as a Spinster poore and iust, ye sometimes see strait lac’t
About the weighing of her web, who (carefull) hauing charge,
For which, she would prouide some meanes, is loth to be too large
In giuing, or in taking weight; but euer with her hand,
Is doing with the weights and wooll, till Both in iust paise stand:
So euenly stood it with these foes, till Ioue to Hector gaue
The turning of the skoles; who first, against the rampire draue;
And spake so lowd that all might heare: O stand not at the pale
(Braue Troian friends) but mend your hands: vp, and breake through the wall,
And make a bonfire of their fleet. All heard, and all in heapes
Got skaling ladders, and aloft. In meane space, Hector leapes
Vpon the port, from whose out-part, he tore a massie stone
Thicke downwards, vpward edg’d; it was so huge an one
That two vast * yoemen of most strength (such as these times beget)
Could not from earth lift to a Cart: yet he did brandish it,
Alone (Saturnius made it light:) and swinging it as nought,
He came before the plankie gates, that all for strength were wrought,
And kept the Port: two fold they were, and with two rafters bard;
High, and strong lockt: he raisd the stone, bent to the hurle so hard,
And made it with so maine a strength, that all the gates did cracke;
The rafters left them, and the folds one from another brake:
The hinges peece-meale flew, and through, the feruent little rocke
Thundred a passage; with his weight, th’inwall his breast did knocke:
And in rusht Hector, fierce and grimme, as any stormie night;
His brasse armes, round about his breast, reflected terrible light.
Each arme held vp, held each a dart: his presence cald vp all
The dreadfull spirits his Being held, that to the threatned wall
None but the Gods might checke his way: his eyes were furnaces;
And thus he look’t backe, cald in all: all fir’d their courages,
And in they flow’d: the Grecians fled, their fleet now, and their freight
Askt all their rescue: Greece went downe, Tumult was at his height.

The end of the twelfth Booke.

Line 84: the last character was ▪ not the letter E.

Polytropy

THE TWELFTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ILIADS

THE TWELFTH BOOK OF HOMERS ILIADS.

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THE TWELFTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ILIADS

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