第5章
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  XIII。

  Andonce,whenwoundedchiefstheirtentsdidkeep,AndonlyAiasmighthisweaponswield,CameHectorwithhishost,andsmitingdeep,Brakebowandspear,brakeaxeandglaiveandshield,Bulwarkandbattlementmustrendandyield,AndbytheshipshesmotethefoeandcastFireontheships;ando’erthestrickenfield,TheTrojanssawthatflameariseatlast!

  XIV。

  ButwhenAchillessawthesoaringflame,Andknewtheshipsinperil,suddenlyAchangeuponhiswrathfulspiritcame,Norwill’dhethattheDanaansshoulddie:

  Butcall’dhisMyrmidons,andwithacryTheyfollow’dwhere,likefoamonasea—wavePatroclus’crestwasdancing,whiteandhigh,AbovethetidethatbacktheTrojansdrave。

  XV。

  Butlikearockamidtheshiftingsands,Andchangingsprings,andtumultofthedeep,Sarpedonstood,till’neathPatroclus’hands,Smittenhefell;thenDeathandgentleSleepBarehimfromforththebattletothesteepWhereshineshiscastleo’ertheLyciandell;

  Therehathheburialdue,whileallfolkweepAroundthekindlyPrincethatlovedthemwell。

  XVI。

  Notunavengedhefell,norallaloneToHadesdidhissoulindignantfly,ForsoonwaskeenPatroclusoverthrownByHector,andtheGodofarchery;

  AndHectorstripp’dhisshiningpanoply,BrightarmsAchilleslent:ah!nakedthen,Forgetfulwhollyofhischivalry,Patrocluslay,norheardthestrifeofmen。

  XVII。

  ThenHectorfromthewaralittlespaceWithdrew,andcladhiminAchilles’gear,Andbracedthegleaminghelmetonhisface,Anddonn’dthecorslet,andthatmightyspearHegrasped——thelancethatmakestheboldestfear;

  Andhomehiscomradesbarehisarmsofgold,ThosePriamoncehadworn,hisfatherdear,Butinhisfather’sarmshewaxednotold!

  XVIII。

  ThenroundPatroclus’body,likeatideThatstormstheswollenoutletofastreamWhenthewindsblow,andtherainsfall,andwideTheriverruns,andwhitethebreakersgleam,—

  TrojansandArgivesbattledtillthebeamOfHelioswassinkingtothewave,Andnowtheynear’dtheships:yetfewcoulddeemThatarmsofArgosmightthebodysave。

  XIX。

  ButeventhenthetidingssorewereborneTogreatAchilles,ofPatroclusdead,Andallhisgoodlyraimenthathhetorn,Andcastthedustuponhisgoldenhead,Andmanyatearandbitterdidheshed。

  Ay;therebyhisownswordhadhebeenslain,ButswifthisGoddess—mother,Thetis,spedForthwithherlovelysea—nymphsfromthemain。

  XX。

  For,asamotherwhenheryoungchildcallsHearkenstothat,andhathnoothercare:

  SoThetis,fromhergreenandwindlesshallsRose,atthefirstwordofAchilles’prayer,Tocomforthim,andpromisegiftsoffairNewarmourwroughtbyanimmortalhand;

  Thenlikeasilvercloudshescaledtheair,WherebrightthedwellingsofOlympusstand。

  XXI。

  But,asabeaconfroma’leaguer’dtownWithinasea—girtisle,leapssuddenly,Acloudbyday;butwhenthesungoesdown,Thetonguesoffireflashout,andsoaronhigh,TosummonwarlikementhatdwelltherebyAndbidthembringarescueover—seas,—

  SonowAthenesentaflametoflyFrombrowandtemplesofAeacides。

  XXII。

  Thenallunarm’dhesped,andthroughthethrong,Hepass’dtothedyke’sedge,beyondthewall,Norleap’dtheranksoffightingmenamong,Butshoutedclearerthantheclarion’scallWhenfoesonabeleaguer’dcityfall。

  Threetimeshecried,andterrorfellontheseThatheardhim;andtheTrojans,oneandall,FledfromthatshoutingofAeacides。

  XXIII。

  BackwardtheTrojansreel’dinheadlongflight,Chariotsandmen,andlefttheirbravestslain;

  Andthesunfell;hutTroythroughallthenightWatch’dbyherfiresupontheIlianplain,ForHectordidthesacredwallsdisdainOfIlios;norknewthatheshouldstandErenightreturn’d,andburialcraveinvain,Unarm’d,forsaken,atAchilles’hand。

  XXIV。

  ButallthatnightwithinhischamberhighHephaestusmadehisironanvilsring;

  And,erethedawn,hadwroughtapanoply,Thegoodliesteverwornbymortalking。

  ThistotheArgivecampdidThetisbring,Andwhenherchildhadprovedit,likethestarThatheraldsday,hewentforthsummoningThehostAchaeantodelightofwar。

  XXV。

  Andasamountaintorrentleavesitsbed,Andseawardsweepsthetoilsofmeninspate,Orasaforest—fire,thatoverheadBurnsintheboughs,athinginsatiate,SoragedthefierceAchillesinhishate;

  AndXanthus,angryforhisTrojansslain,Brakeforth,whilefireandwindmadedesolateWhatwarandwavehadsparedupontheplain。

  XXVI。

  NowthroughthefumeandvapourofthesmokeBetweenthewind’svoiceandthewater’scry,ThebattleshoutingoftheTrojansbroke,AndreachedtheIlianwallsconfusedly,Butoversoonthefolkthatwatch’dmightspyThinbrokenbandsthatfled,avoidingdeath,Yetmanyamanbeneaththespearmustdie,Erebythesacredgatewaytheydrewbreath。

  XXVII。

  AndaswhenfiredothonaforestfallAndhotwindsbearitraginginitsflight,Andbeechenboughs,andpinesareruin’dall,SoragedAchilles’angerinthatfight;

  Andmanyanemptycar,withnonetosmiteThemadden’dhorses,o’erthebridgeofwarWaswildlywhirled,andmanyamaid’sdelightThatdaytotheredwolveswasdearerfar。

  *

  XXVIII。

  SomeMusethatlovednotTroyhathdonetheewrong,Homer!whowhisper’dtheethatHectorfledThriceroundthesacredwallshekeptsolong;

  Nay,whenhesawhispeoplevanquishedAlonehestoodforTroy;alonehespedOnemoment,tothestruggleofthespear,And,bytheGodsdeserted,fellandbled,Awarriorstainlessofreproachandfear。

  XXIX。

  ThenallthepeoplefromthebattlementBeheldwhatdreadfulthingsAchilleswrought,Foronthebodyhisrevengehespent,TheangerofthehighGodsheedingnought,TowhomwasHectordearest,whilehefought,OfalltheTrojanmenthatweretheirjoy,ButnownomoretheirfavourmightbeboughtBysavourofhishecatombsinTroy。

  XXX。

  SofortwelvedaysrejoicedtheArgivehost,AndnowPatroclushathtoHadeswon,ButHectornakedlay,andstillhisghostMustwailwherewatersofCocytusrun;

  TillPriamdidwhatnomanbornhathdone,WhodaredtopassamongtheArgivebands,Andclasp’dthekneesofhimthatslewhisson,Andkiss’dhisawfulhomicidalhands。

  XXXI。

  AtsuchapricewasHector’sbodysentToIlios,wherethewomenwail’dhimshrill;

  AndHelen’ssorrowbrakeintolamentAsburstsalakethebarriersofahill,Forlost,lost,lostwasthatonefriendwhostillStoodbyherwithkindspeechandgentleheart,Theswordofwar,purefaith,andsteadfastwill,Thatstrovetokeepallevilthingsapart。

  *

  XXXII。

  AndsomenburiedHector。Buttheycame,TheAmazons,fromfrozenfieldsafar。

  AmatchforheroesinthedreadfulgameOfspears,thedarlingsoftheGodofWar,WhosecomingwastoPriamdearerfarThanlighttohimthatisalongwhileblind,Whenleech’shandhathtaenawaythebarThatvex’dhim,orthehealingGodiskind;

  XXXIII。

  AndTroywasglad,andwiththemorninglightTheAmazonswentforthtoslayandslay;

  Andwondrouslytheydravethefoeinflight,UntiltheSunhadwander’dhalfhisway;

  Butwhenhestoop’dtotwilightandthegreyHourwhenmenloosethesteerbeneaththeyoke,NomoreAchillesheldhimfromthefray,Butdreadfulthroughthewomen’srankshebroke。

  XXXIV。

  Thencomeseclipseuponthecrescentshield,Anddeathonthemthatbearit,andtheyfallOnehere,onethere,aboutthestrickenfield,Asinthatart,ofLovememorial,WhichmouldersontheholyCarianwall。

  Ay,stillwesee,stilllove,stillpitythereThewarrior—maids,sobrave,sogod—liketall,InTime’sdespiteimperishablyfair。

  XXXV。

  But,asadovethatbravesafalcon,stoodPenthesilea,wrathoutcastingfear,Orasahind,thatinthedarklingwoodWithstandsalionforheryounglingsdear;

  SostoodthegirlbeforeAchilles’spear;

  Invain,forsingingfromhishanditsped,Andcrash’dthroughshieldandbreastplatetillthesheerColdbronzedrankblood,anddownthequeenfelldead。

  XXXVI。

  ThenfromherlocksthehelmAchillestoreAndboastedo’ertheslain;butlo,thefaceOfherthuslyinginthedustandgoreSeem’dlovelierthanisthemaidengraceOfArtemis,whenwearyfromthechase,Shesleepethinahaunteddellunknown。

  AndalltheArgivesmarvell’dforaspace,ButmostAchillesmadeaheavymoan:

  XXXVII。

  AndinhishearttherecamethewearythoughtOfallthatwas,andallthatmighthavebeen,Ofallthesorrowthathisswordhadwrought,OfDeaththatnowdrewnearhim:ofthegreenValesofLarissa,where,withsuchaqueen,Withsuchaloveasnowhisspearhadslain,Hehadbeenhappy,whomustwindtheskeinOfgrievouswars,andne’erbegladagain。

  XXXVIII。

  Yea,nowwax’dFatehalfwearyofhergame,Andhadnocarebutayetokillandkill,Andmanyyoungkingstothebattlecame,Andofthatjoytheyquicklyhadtheirfill,AndlastcameMemnon:andtheTrojansstillTookheart,likeweariedmarinersthatsee(Longtoss’donunknownwavesatthewinds’will)

  ThroughcloudsthegleamingcrestofHelike。

  XXXIX。

  ForMemnonwasthechildofthebrightDawn,AGoddessweddedtoamortalking,WhodwellsforeverontheshoreswithdrawnThatborderonthelandofsun—rising;

  AndhewasnurturednighthesacredspringThatisthehiddenfountainofallseas,BythemthatintheGods’owngardensing,Thelily—maidenscall’dHesperides。

  XL。

  ButhimthechildofThetisinthefightMetonawindywinterday,whenhighThedustwaswhirled,andwrapp’dthemlikethenightThatfallethonthemountainsstealthilyWhenthefloodscome,anddowntheircoursesdryThetorrentsroar,andlightningflashethfar:

  Sorang,soshonetheirharnessterriblyBeneaththeblindingthunder—cloudofwar。

  XLI。

  ThentheDawnshudder’donhergoldenthrone,AndcalleduntotheWestWind,andheblewAndbrakethecloudasunder;andaloneAchillesstood,butMemnon,smittenthrough,LaybeautifulamidthedreadfuldewOfbattle,andadeathlessheartwasfainOftears,toGodsimpossible,thatdrewFrommortalheartsalittleoftheirpain。

  XLII……

  Butnow,theirleaderslain,theTrojansfled,AndfierceAchillesdrovetheminhishate,AvengingstillhisdearPatroclusdead,Norknewthehourwithhisowndoomwasgreat,Nortrembled,standingintheScaeangate,Whereancientprophecyforetoldhisfall;

  ThensuddenlytherespedtheboltofFate,AndsmoteAchillesbytheIlianwall:

  XLIII。

  FromParis’bowitsped,andeventhere,Evenashegrasp’dtheskirtsofvictory,Achillesfell,noranymanmightdareFromforththeTrojangatewaytodrawnigh;

  But,asthewoodmenwatchaliondie,Piercedwiththehunter’sarrow,norcomenearTillDeathhathveil’dhiseyelidsutterly,EvensotheTrojansheldaloofinfear。

  XLIV。

  ButtherehisfellowsonhiswondrousshieldLaidthefairbodyofAchillesslain,Andsadlybarehimthroughthetrampledfield,Andlo!thedeathlessmaidensofthemainRoseup,withThetis,fromthewindyplain,Androundthedeadmanbeautifultheycried,Lamenting,andwithmelancholystrainThesweet—voicedMusesmournfullyreplied。

  XLV。

  Yea,MusesandSea—maidenssanghisdirge,Andmightilythechantaroseandshrill,Andwondrousechoesanswer’dfromthesurgeOfthegreysea,andfromtheholyhillOfIda;andtheheavycloudsandchillWeregatheringlikemourners,sadandslow,AndZeusdidthundermightily,andfillThedellsandgladesofIdadeepwithsnow。

  XLVI。

  NowPariswasnotsatedwiththefameAndrichrewardTroygavehisarchery;

  Buto’erthewineheboastedthatthegameThatverynighthedeem’dtowin,ordie;

  \"Forscarcetheirwatchthetempestwilldefy,\"

  Hesaid,\"andallundream’dofmightwego,AndfallupontheArgiveswheretheylie,Unseen,unheard,amidthesilentsnow。\"

  XLVII。

  So,flush’dwithwine,andcladinraimentwhiteAbovetheirmail,theyoungmenfollow’dhim,Theirguideafadingcamp—fireinthenight,Andthesea’smoaninginthedistancedim。

  Andstillwitheddyingsnowtheairdidswim,Anddarklydidtheywendtheyknewnotwhere,Whiteinthatcursednight:anarmygrim,’Wilder’dwithwine,andblindwithwhirlingair。

  XLVIII。

  TherewasanoutcastintheArgivehost,OnePhiloctetes;whomOdysseus’wile,(For,savehehelp’d,theLeaguerallwaslost,)

  DrewfromhislairwithintheLemnianisle。

  Buthimthepeople,asalepervile,Hated,anddravetoalonehutafar,Forwoundedsorewashe,andmanyawhileHiscrieswouldwakethehostforedonewithwar。

  XLIX。

  NowPhilocteteswasanarcherwight;

  ButinhisquiverhadhelittlestoreOfarrowstipp’dwithbronze,andfeather’dbright;

  Nay,hiswerebluewithmould,andfrettedo’erWithmanyaspellMelampuswroughtofyore,Singingabovehistaskasongofbane;

  Andtheywerevenom’dwiththeCentaur’sgore,Andtipp’dwithbonesofmenalongwhileslain。

  L。

  Thiswretchforverypainmightseldomsleep,Andthatnightsleptnot:inthemoaningblastHedeem’dthedeadabouthishutdidcreep,Andsilentlyherose,androundhimcastHisraimentfoul,andfromthedoorhepass’d,Andpeer’dintothenight,andsoothlyheardAwhisper’dvoice;thengripp’dhisarrowsfastAndstrunghisbow,andcriedabitterword:

  LI。

  \"Artthouagibberingghostwithwaroutworn,AndthyfaintlifeinHadesnotbegun?

  Artthouamanthatholdstmygriefinscorn,Andyetdostlive,andlookuponthesun?

  Ifman,——methinksthypleasantdaysaredone,Andthoushaltwritheintormentworsethanmine;

  Ifghost,——newpaininHadeshastthouwon,Andtherewithdoublewoeshaltsurelypine。\"

  LII。

  Hespake,anddrewthestring,andsentashaftAtventurethroughthemidnightandthesnow,Alittlewhilehelisten’d,thenhelaugh’dWithinhimself,adreadfullaughandlow;

  ForoverwelltheanswerdidheknowThatmidnightgavehismessage,thesharpcryAndarmourrattlingonafallenfoeThatnowwaslearningwhatitistodie。

  LIII。

  ThenPhiloctetescrawl’dintohisdenAndhugg’dhimselfagainstthebittercold,WhileroundtheirleadercametheTrojanmenAndboundhiswound,andbarehimo’erthewold,BacktothelightsofIlios;butthegoldOfDawnwasbreakingonthemountainswhite,Oreretheywonwithintheguardedfold,Long’wilder’dinthetempestandthenight。

  LIV。

  Andthroughthegate,andthroughthesilentstreet,Andhouseswheremendream’dofwarnomore,Thebearerswander’dwiththeirwearyfeet,AndParistohishigh—roof’dhousetheybore。

  Butvainlyleechesonhiswounddidpore,AndvainwasArgiveHelen’smagicsong,Ah,vainherhealinghands,andallherlore,Tohelpthelifethatwroughtherendlesswrong。

  LV。

  Slowpass’dthefever’dhours,untilthegreyColdlightwaspaling,andasullenglowOflividyellowcrown’dthedyingday,Andbroodedonthewastesofmournfulsnow。

  ThenPariswhisper’dfaintly,\"ImustgoAndfacethatwildwood—maidenofthehill;

  FornonebutshecanwinfromoverthrowTroy’slife,andminethatguardsit,ifshewill。\"

  LVI。

  Sothroughthedumbwhitemeadows,deepwithsnow,Theyborehimonapalletshroudedwhite,Andsoretheydreadedlestanambush’dfoeShouldhearhimmoan,ormarkthemovinglightThatwavedbeforetheirfootstepsinthenight;

  Andmuchtheyjoy’dwhenIda’skneeswerewon,And’neaththepinesuponanuplandheight,Theywatch’dthestarthatheraldeththesun。

  LVII。

  Forunderwovenbranchesofthepine,Thesoftdryneedleslikeacarpetspread,AndhighabovethearchingboughsdidshineInfrostyfretofsilver,thattheredNewdawnfiredintogold—workoverhead:

  WithinthatvalewhereParisofthadbeenWithfairOEnone,erethehillshefledTobethesinfulloverofaQueen。

  LVIII。

  NotheretheyfoundOEnone:\"Nay,nothere,\"

  SaidParis,faintandlow,\"shallshebefound;

  Nay,bearmeupthemountain,wherethedrearWindswalkforeveronahauntedground。

  MethinksIhearhersighingintheirsound;

  OrsomeGodcallsmethere,adyingman。

  PerchancemylatestjourneyingisboundBackwherethesorrowofmylifebegan。\"

  LIX。

  Theyreach’dthegatewayofthathighestglenAndhalted,wond’ringwhattheendshouldbe;

  ButPariswhisper’dHelen,whilehismenFellback:\"HerejudgedIGods,hereshaltthouseeWhatjudgmentmineoldlovewillpassonme。

  Buthidetheehere;thousoontheendshaltknow,WhethertheGodsatlengthwillsettheefreeFromthatoldnettheywovesolongago。\"

  LX。

  Ah,therewithwidesnowsroundherlikeapall,OEnonecrouch’dinsablerobes;asstillAsWinterbroodingo’ertheSummer’sfall,OrNiobeuponherhauntedhill,Awomanchangedtostonebygrief,wherechillTherain—dropsfallliketears,andthewindsighs:

  AndParisdeem’dhesawadeadlywillUnmovedinwildOEnone’sfrozeneyes。

  LXI。

  \"Nay,prayertoherwerevainasprayertoFate,\"

  Hemurmur’d,almostgladthatitwasso,Likesomesickmanthatneednolongerwait,ButhispainlullsasDeathdrawsnearhiswoe。

  AndParisbeckon’dtohismen,andslowTheyborehimdyingfromthatfatalplace,Anddidnotturnagain,anddidnotknowThesoftrepentanceonOEnone’sface。

  LXII。

  ButParisspaketoHelen:\"Longago,Dear,wewereglad,whonevermoreshallbeTogether,wherethewestwindsfainterblowRoundthatElysianislandofthesea,WhereZeusfromevildaysshallsettheefree。

  Nay,kissmeonce,itisawearywhile,Tenwearyyearssincethouhastsmiledonme,But,Helen,saygood—bye,withthineoldsmile!\"

  LXIII。

  AndasthedyingsunsetthroughtherainWillflushwithrosyglowamountainheight,Evenso,athislastsmile,ablushagainPass’doverHelen’sface,sochangedandwhite;

  Andthroughhertearsshesmiled,hislastdelight,Thelastofpleasantlifeheknew,forgreyTheveilofdarknessgather’d,andthenightClosedo’erhishead,andParispass’daway。

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