Part 12

To dazzle fierce Pelides’ sight, Before him wave thy golden shield Obliquely raised, that meteor of the field, Vault from thy chariot with unrivalled might, And brandish with each dexterous hand a lance; Whoever strives with thee shall ne’er return To Argive fanes, and join Saturnia’s dance, He by the spear of Thrace in combat slain, Shall lie a breathless corse on Troy’s exulting plain.

Hail, mighty chief! ye Thracian realms, the mien Of him ye bore speaks his exalted rank. Observe those nervous limbs with plated gold Incased, and hearken to those tinkling chains Which on his shield are hung. A god, O Troy, E’en Mars himself, from Strymon’s current sprung, And from the Muse, brings this auspicious gale.

RHESUS, HECTOR, CHORUS.

RHE. Thou brave descendant of a noble sire, Lord of this realm, O Hector, I accost thee After a tedious absence, and rejoice In thy success, for to the turrets reared By Greece, thou now lay’st siege, and I am come With thee those hostile bulwarks to o’erthrow, And burn their fleet.

HEC. Son of the tuneful Muse, And Thracian Strymon’s stream, I ever love To speak the truth, for I am not a man Versed in duplicity; long, long ago, Should you have come to succour Troy, nor suffered, Far as on you depended, by our foes This city to be ta’en. You cannot say That uninvited by your friends you came not, Because you marked not our distress. What heralds, What embassies to you did Phrygia send, Beseeching you, the city to protect, What sumptuous presents did she not bestow? But you, our kinsman, who derive your birth From a barbarian stem, to Greece betrayed Us, a barbarian nation, though from ruling Over a petty state, by this right arm I raised you to the wide-extended throne, When round Pangæum and Pæonia’s realm Rushing upon the hardiest Thracian troops I broke their ranks of battle, and subdued The people to your empire: but you spurn My benefits, nor come with speed to succour Your friends in their distress. Though they who spring not From the same ancestors, observed our summons; Of whom full many in yon field of death Have tombs heaped o’er them, a most glorious proof Of faith unshaken; others under arms Their chariots mount, and steadfastly endure The wintry blasts, the parching flames of heaven, Nor on a gay convivial couch reclined Like you, O Rhesus, drain the frequent bowl. That you may know I yet can stand alone, Such conduct I resent; this to your face I speak.

RHE. I also am the same: my language Is plain and honest; I am not a man Of mean duplicity. My soul was tortured With greater anguish far than thou couldst feel, Because I was not present in this land; But Scythia’s tribes who near our confines dwell Made war against me just as I to Troy Was journeying; I had reached the Euxine shore To sail with Thracia’s host, the Scythian blood There stained our spears, and my brave troops expired ’Midst intermingled slaughter: this event Hindered my reaching Troy, and aiding thee In battle. Having conquered them, and taken For hostages their children, them I bound To pay me annual tribute; with my fleet Then crossed the Hellespont, and marched on foot Through various realms, nor, as thou proudly say’st, Drained the intoxicating bowl, nor slept Beneath a gilded roof, but to such blasts As cover with thick ice the Thracian wave, Or through Pæonia howl, was I exposed Wrapped in this mantle many a sleepless night. But I, though late, am in due season come: For this is the tenth year since thou hast waged An ineffectual war, day after day By thee is idly lavished, while the die Of battle ’twixt the Argive host and thine Spins doubtful ere it fall. But it for me Will be sufficient that the sun once mount The heavens, while I their bulwarks storm, invade Their fleet, and slay the Greeks. To my own home I the next day from Ilion will return, Thy toils soon ending: let no Trojan bear A shield: for with this spear will I subdue The boasters, though ’twas late ere I arrived.

CHOR. My soul this language doth approve, Such friends as thou art sent by Jove, But humbly I that god beseech, To pardon thy presumptuous speech. The navy launched from Argos’ strand, Though freighted with a daring band, Neither in former times, nor now Contained a chief more brave than thou. How shall Achilles’ self withstand, Or Ajax meet, thy vengeful hand? O may the morn with orient ray Exhibit that auspicious day, When thou the victor’s prize shalt gain And dye with crimson gore the plain.

RHE. Soon with exploits like these will I atone For my long absence: but, with due submission To Nemesis, I speak; when from the foe We have delivered this beleaguered city And seized their spoils for offerings to the gods; With thee to Argos will I go, invade, And ravage with victorious arms, all Greece, To teach them in their turn what ’tis to suffer.

HEC. Could I escape from the impending stroke, And with that safety which we erst enjoyed These walls inhabit, I to Heaven should pay Full many a grateful vow: but as for Argos, As for the Grecian states, to lay them waste By arms were far less easy than you speak of.

RHE. Is it not said the bravest chiefs of Greece Came hither?

HEC. Them I hold not in contempt, But long have kept at bay.

RHE. When these are slain, We therefore each obstruction have removed.

HEC. Forbear to think of distant prospects now, While our immediate interests lie neglected.

RHE. Art thou so tame as to endure such wrongs Without retorting them?

HEC. While I maintain What I possess, my empire is sufficient. But freely take your choice, or in the left Or the right wing, or centre of our host Display your shield, and range your troops around.

RHE. I singly will encounter all our foes, O Hector; but if thou esteem it base Not to assist me when I burn their fleet, Because thou hast already toiled so long, Oppose me to Achilles in the front Of battle.

HEC. We at him no spear must aim.

RHE. Yet was I told he sailed for Troy.

HEC. He sailed, And still is here, but angry with the chiefs, Refuses to assist them.

RHE. In the camp Of Greece, say who is second in renown?

HEC. Ajax, I deem, and Tydeus’ son are equal To any; but most fluent in his speech, And with sufficient fortitude inspired, Is that Ulysses, from whom Troy hath suffered Insults the most atrocious; for by night, Entering Minerva’s fane, he stole her image, And bore it to the Grecian fleet: disguised In tattered vest, that vile impostor next Entered the gates, and cursed the Argive host, Sent as a spy to Ilion; having slain The sentinels, he through the gates escaped, And in some fraudful scheme is ever found: At the Thymbræan temple is he stationed Hard by our ramparts, we in him contend With a most grievous pest.

RHE. The valiant man Is never mean enough to slay his foes By stealth, he loves to meet them face to face; But, as for him, the recreant chief thou nam’st, Who lurking with a thievish purpose frames These dark contrivances, as through the gates I sally forth to combat, I will seize him; Driven through his back, my spear shall leave the miscreant Food for the vultures, for the impious robber Who spoils the temples of the gods deserves No better fate.

HEC. Now choose, for it is night, The spot for an encampment: I will show you A separate quarter where your troops must sleep. But mark me well, Apollo is the watchword; In case of an emergency, announce This signal to the Thracian host.

[_Exit_ RHESUS.

Extend The watch beyond the lines, and there receive Dolon our spy, who sallied forth t’ explore The navy of our foes; if he be safe He, by this time, the trenches must approach.

[_Exit_ HECTOR.

CHORUS.

I.

Who comes this rampart to defend? The times assigned us sentinels is o’er; Yon fading constellation shines no more Now the seven Pleiades the heaven ascend, In ether view the eagle glide. Wake! what means this long delay? Rise and watch; now dawns the day? Saw ye the moon diffuse her radiance wide? Aurora is at hand: but at the gate (For Dolon sure returns) what faithful guard shall wait?

SEMICHOR. To whom did the first watch belong?

SEMICHOR. ’Tis said Choræbus, son of Mygdon, is their chief.

SEMICHOR. Who in his room was stationed?

SEMICHOR. The Pæonians Called from their tent Cilicia’s hardy troops.

SEMICHOR. The Mysians summoned us.

SEMICHOR. Haste, let us seek The fifth division of the watch, and rouse Lycia’s brave warriors as by lot ordained.

CHORUS.

II.

Hark! couched on her ill-omened nest, Fell murderess of her son, in varied strains Near Simois’ banks the nightingale complains: What sounds melodious heave her throbbing breast! The flocks on Ida wont to feed Still browse o’er that airy height, Soothing the cold ear of night, Hark to the murmurs of the pastoral reed. Sleep on our closing eyelids gently steals; Sweet are its dews when morn her earliest dawn reveals.

SEMICHOR. But wherefore doth not he draw near whom Hector Sent to explore the fleet?

SEMICHOR. He hath so long Been absent that I tremble.

SEMICHOR. If he fell Into some ambush, and is slain, we soon Shall have sufficient cause for fear.

SEMICHOR. But haste, Rouse Lycia’s warriors as by lot ordained.

[_Exit_ CHORUS.

ULYSSES, DIOMEDE.

ULY. Heard’st thou, O Diomede, the sound of arms, Or in these ears did empty murmurs ring?

DIO. No; but the steely trappings which are linked To yonder chariots, rattled, and I too With vain alarm was seized, till I perceived The coursers, who their clanging harness shook.

ULY. Beware, lest in this gloom of night thou stumble Upon the sentinels.

DIO. Though in the dark We tread, I with such caution will direct My steps as not to err.

ULY. But, should’st thou wake them, Thou know’st the watchword of their host.

DIO. I know It is Apollo; this I heard from Dolon.

ULY. Ha! I perceive our foes have left these chambers.

DIO. Here, Dolon told us, is the tent of Hector: ’Gainst him I wield this javelin.

ULY. What hath happened? Is the whole squadron too elsewhere removed?

DIO. Perchance they too ’gainst us may have contrived Some stratagem.

ULY. For Hector now is brave Since he hath conquered.

DIO. How shall we proceed? For in this chamber him we cannot find, And all our hopes are vanished.

ULY. To the fleet Let us in haste return: for him some god Protects, and crowns him with triumphant wreaths: We must not strive ’gainst Fortune’s dread behests.

DIO. Then to Æneas will we go, or Paris That Phrygian most abhorred, and with our swords Lop off their heads.

ULY. But how, in darkness wrapt, Canst thou direct thy passage through the troops, To slay them without danger?

DIO. Yet ’twere base, Back to the Grecian fleet should we return, No fresh exploit performing ’gainst the foe.

ULY. What means this language? hast thou not performed A great exploit? have we not slain the spy Who to our navy went, and are not these The spoils of Dolon? how canst thou expect To spread a general havoc through their troops? Comply; let us retire: may Fortune speed Our progress homeward.

MINERVA, ULYSSES, DIOMEDE.

MIN. With affliction stung, Why from the Trojan camp do ye retire? Although the gods forbid you to destroy Hector or Paris, heard ye not that Rhesus, A mighty chief, with numerous troops is come To Troy? If he outlives this night, nor Ajax, Nor can Achilles hinder him from wasting The camp of Greece, demolishing your walls, And forcing a wide passage through your gates With his victorious spear: him slay, and all Is yours; but go not to the couch of Hector, Nor hope to leave that chief a weltering trunk, For he must perish by another hand.

ULY. Dread goddess, O Minerva, I distinguished Thy well-known voice: for midst unnumbered toils Thou ever dost support me: but, oh say, Where sleeps the mighty warrior thou hast named, And in what part of the barbarian host Have they assigned his station?

MIN. Near at hand, And separate from the Phrygian troops, he lies; Hector hath placed him just without the lines Till morn arise; conspicuous in the gloom Of night, and close beside their sleeping lord, Yoked to the car his Thracian coursers stand, White as the glossy plumage of the swan: Them bear away when ye have slain their lord, A glorious prize, for the whole world can boast No car beside drawn by such beauteous steeds.

ULY. Either do thou, O Diomede, transpierce The Thracian soldiers, or to me consign That task; meanwhile seize thou the steeds.

DIO. To slay The foe be mine; do you the coursers guide, For you are practised in each nicer art, And quick of apprehension. To each man Should that peculiar station be assigned In which he can be useful.

MIN. But to us Paris I see is coming, who hath heard A doubtful rumour from the watch, that foes Enter the trenches.

DIO. Hath he any comrade, Or marches he alone?

MIN. Alone he seems To go to Hector’s chamber, to announce That there are foes discovered in the camp.

DIO. Is it not first ordained that he shall die?

MIN. You can no more, the Destinies forbid: For Hector must not perish by your hand; But haste to him on whom ye came to wreak Fate’s dreadful purposes: myself meanwhile Assuming Venus’ form, who ’midst the toils Of battle by her tutelary care Protects him, will with empty words detain Paris your foe. Thus much have I declared: Yet he, whom you must smite, though near at hand, Nor knows, nor hears, the words which I have uttered.

[_Exeunt_ ULYSSES _and_ DIOMEDE.

PARIS, MINERVA.

PAR. General and brother, Hector, thee I call: Yet sleep’st thou? doth not this important hour Demand thy vigilance? some foes approach, Robbers or spies.

MIN. Be of good cheer; for Venus Protects you: I in all your battles feel An interest, mindful of the prize I gained Favoured by you, and am for ever grateful: Now to the host of Ilion I conduct Your noble Thracian friend, who from the Muse, Harmonious goddess, and from Strymon springs.

PAR. To Troy and me thou ever art a friend. In thy behalf when I that judgment gave, I boast that for this city I obtained The greatest treasure life affords. But hither, Hearing an indistinct account, I come; For ’mong the guards there hath prevailed a rumour, That Grecian spies have entered Ilion’s walls: Though the astonished messenger who bore These tidings, saw them not himself, nor knows Who saw them: I on this account am going To Hector’s tent.

MIN. Fear nought; for in the camp No new event hath happened. To arrange The Thracian troops is Hector gone.

PAR. Thy words Are most persuasive, and to them I yield Implicit credence. From all fears released, I to my former station will return.

MIN. Go and depend upon my guardian care To see my faithful votaries ever blest; For you in me shall find a zealous friend.

[_Exit_ PARIS.

ULYSSES, DIOMEDE, MINERVA.

MIN. But now to you, my real friends, I speak. Son of Laertes, O conceal your sword, For we have slain the Thracian chief, and seized His coursers, but our foes have ta’en th’ alarm And rush upon you, therefore fly with speed, Fly to the naval ramparts. Why delay To save your lives when hostile throngs approach?

[_Exit_ MINERVA.

CHORUS, ULYSSES, DIOMEDE.

CHOR. Come on, strike, strike, destroy. Who marches yonder? Look, look, ’tis him I mean! these are the robbers Who in the dead of night alarmed our host. Hither, my friends, haste hither; I have seized them. What answer mak’st thou? tell me whence thou cam’st, And who thou art.

ULY. No right hast thou to know; Insult me, and this instant thou shalt die.

CHOR. Wilt thou not, ere this lance transpierce thy breast, Repeat the watchword?

ULY. That thou soon shalt hear; Be satisfied.

1st SEMICHOR. Come on, my friends, strike! strike!

2nd SEMICHOR. Hast thou slain Rhesus?

ULY. I have slain the man Who would have murdered thee: forbear.

1st SEMICHOR. I will not.

2nd SEMICHOR. Forbear to slay a friend.

1st SEMICHOR. Pronounce the watchword.

ULY. Apollo.

2nd SEMICHOR. Thou art right; let not a spear Be lifted up against him.

1st SEMICHOR. Know’st thou whither Those men are gone?

2nd SEMICHOR. We saw not.

1st SEMICHOR. Follow close Their steps, or we must call aloud for aid.

2nd SEMICHOR. Yet were it most unseemly to disturb Our valiant comrades with our nightly fears.

[_Exeunt_ ULYSSES _and_ DIOMEDE.

CHORUS.

ODE.

I.

What chief is he, who moved along; What daring plunderer fleet and strong, Shall boast he ’scaped my vengeful hand? How overtake his rapid flight? To whom compare him, who by night, With dauntless step passed through our armed band And slumbering guards? doth he reside In Thessaly, near ocean’s boisterous tide In Locris, or those islands scattered o’er The waves? whence comes he to this fell debate? What power supreme doth he adore?

1st SEMICHOR. Was this Ulysses’ enterprise, or whose?

2nd SEMICHOR. If we may form our judgment from the past, Who but Ulysses——

1st SEMICHOR. Think’st thou that it was?

2nd SEMICHOR. Why not?

1st SEMICHOR. He is an enterprising foe.

2nd SEMICHOR. What bravery? whom do you applaud?

1st SEMICHOR. Ulysses.

2nd SEMICHOR. Praise not the treacherous weapon of a robber.

CHORUS.

II.

He entered Ilion once before, With foam his eyes were covered o’er, In tatters hung his squalid vest; He artfully concealed his sword, And sued for fragments from our board; Shorn was his head, and like a beggar dressed; He cursed with simulated hate Th’ Atrides, rulers of the Grecian state. May just revenge his forfeit life demand: Would he had perished as his crimes deserve, Before he reached the Phrygian land.

1st SEMICHOR. Whether this deed was by Ulysses wrought It matters not, I shrink with fear, for Hector Will to us guards impute the blame.

2nd SEMICHOR. What charge Can he allege?

1st SEMICHOR. He will suspect.

2nd SEMICHOR. Why shrink With terror?

1st SEMICHOR. ’Twixt our ranks they passed.

2nd SEMICHOR. Who passed?

1st SEMICHOR. They, who this night have entered Phrygia’s camp.

CHARIOTEER OF RHESUS, CHORUS.

CHA. Alas! intolerable stroke of fate!

1st SEMICHOR. Be silent.

2nd SEMICHOR. Rouse! for some one may have fallen Into the snare.

CHA. O dire calamity Of Troy’s allies, the Thracians!

1st SEMICHOR. Who is he That groans?

CHA. Ah! wretched me, and O thou king Of Thrace, who in an evil hour beheld’st Accursed Ilion; what an end of life Was thine!

CHOR. But which of our allies art thou? For o’er these eyes the gloom of night is spread, And I discern thee not.

CHA. Where shall I find Some of the Trojan chiefs? beneath his shield O where doth Hector taste the charms of sleep? To which of Ilion’s leaders shall I tell All we have suffered? and what wounds unseen Some stranger hath on us with ruthless hand Inflicted? but he vanished and hath heaped Conspicuous sorrows on the Thracian realm.

CHOR. Some terrible disaster to the troops Of Thrace it seems hath happened, if aright I comprehend what I from him have heard.

CHA. Our host is utterly destroyed, our king Hath been despatched by some foul secret stroke. How am I tortured by a deadly wound, Yet know not to what cause I must impute My perishing! ’Twas by the Fates ordained, That I, and Rhesus, who to Ilion led Auxiliar troops, ingloriously should bleed.

CHOR. He in no riddle hath expressed the tale Of our misfortunes; he asserts too clearly That our allies are slain.