Part 49 (1/2)
Like furious, rush'd the Myrth, and such their deathful view
High in the reat Achilles stands, Directs their order, and the war commands
He, loved of Jove, had launch'd for Ilion's shores Full fifty vessels, mann'd with fifty oars: Five chosen leaders the fierce bands obey, Himself supreme in valour, as in sway
First march'd Menestheus, of celestial birth, Derived from thee, whose waters wash the earth, Divine Sperchius! Jove-descended flood!
Awith a God
Such was Menestheus, but miscall'd by fame The son of Borus, that espoused the daraceful dance, produced to-day
Her, sly Cellenius loved: on her would gaze, As with swift step she forh chaed, and crown'd his fire
The son confess'd his father's heavenly race, And heir'd hisEchecleus, bless'd in all those charms That pleased a God, succeeded to her arifts of price he sought and won the da to her sire she bare; Her sire caress'd him with a parent's care
Pisander follow'd;the spear, or aim the distant dart; No hand so sure of all the Ereat Patroclus! thine
The fourth by Phoenix' grave co led the last
Soon as Achilles with superior care Had call'd the chiefs, and order'd all the war, This stern reave: ”Ye far-famed Myrmidons, ye fierce and brave!
Think hat threats you dared the Trojan throng, Think what reproach these ears endured so long; 'Stern son of Peleus, (thus ye used to say, While restless, raging, in your shi+ps you lay) Oh nursed with gall, unknowing how to yield; Whose rage defrauds us of so famed a field: If that dire fury must for ever burn, What make we here? Return, ye chiefs, return!'
Such were your words--Noarriors! grieve no ore!
This day shall give you all your soul demands, Glut all your hearts, and weary all your hands!”
[Illustration: DIANA]
DIANA
Thus while he roused the fire in every breast, Close and ed in ranks; of arrows, and spreads, and thickens round the king
As when a circling wall the builder forainst wind and stor work corows: So heled on shi+eld, and ether join'd, Float in one sea, and wave before the wind
Far o'er the rest in glittering pomp appear, There bold Automedon, Patroclus here; Brothers in arms, with equal fury fired; Two friends, two bodies with one soul inspired
But mindful of the Gods, Achilles went To the rich coffer in his shady tent; There lay on heaps his various garold, (The presents of the silver-footed dame) From thence he took a bowl, of antique frame, Which never s to the power divine, But Peleus' son; and Peleus' son to none Had raised in offerings, but to Jove alone
This tinged with sulphur, sacred first to fla strea for a space His eyes on heaven, his feet upon the place Of sacrifice, the purple draught he pour'd Forth in the midst; and thus the God iht above!
O great Pelasgic, Dodonaean Jove!
Who ' frosts, and vapours chill, Presid'st on bleak Dodona's vocal hill: (Whose groves the Selli, race austere! surround, Their feet unwash'd, their slu oaks, thy dark decrees; And catch the fates, lohispered in the breeze;) Hear, as of old! Thou gav'st, at Thetis' prayer, Glory to ers of the fighting field The best, the dearest of h still deterone, I stay but half behind
Oh! be his guard thy providential care, Confirle force let Hector see His fa all to me
But when the fleets are saved from foes and fire, Let him with conquest and renown retire; Preserve his arms, preserve his social train, And safe return hiain!”
Great Jove consents to half the chief's request, But heaven's eternal dooranted to his prayer; His safe return, the winds dispersed in air
Back to his tent the stern Achilles flies, And waits the combat with impatient eyes
Meanwhile the troops beneath Patroclus' care, Invade the Trojans, and commence the war
As wasps, provoked by children in their play, Pour frouiltless traveller engage, Whet all their stings, and call forth all their rage: All rise in areneral cry, assert their waxen doeny
Thus froion swarms, So loud their clae Patroclus' breath inspires, Who thus inflames them with heroic fires:
”O warriors, partners of Achilles' praise!