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have stood upon, to make fools always foolish, cowards at all times cowardly, &c., is far from the variant order of nature, whose principles being contrary, her productions must needs contain the like opposition.

But now to the first; avróμaros dè oi hate, &c., spontaneus autem ei venit, &c., about which a passing great piece of work is picked out by our greatest philosophers, touching the unbidden coming of Menelaus to supper or council, which some commend, others condemn in him; but the reason why he staid not the invitement, rendered immediately by Homer, none of them will understand-viz., "Hôee yàp катà Oνμòν, &c., sciebat enim in animo quantum frater laborabat; of which verse his interpreters cry out for the expunction, only because it was never entered in their apprehension, which I more than admire (for the easiness of it) so freely offering itself to their entertainment, and yet using the hoof of Pegasus, only with a touch breaking open (as above said) the fountain of his humour.

For thus I expound it (laying all again together, to make it plain enough for you); Agamemnon, inviting all the chief commanders to supper, left out his brother; but he, seeing how much his brother was troubled about the dream, and busied, would not stand upon invitement, but came of himself. And this being spoken scoptice, or by way of irrision, argueth what manner of man he made of him. Ineptus enim (as it is affirmed in Plutarch, 1. Symp. and second question) fuit Menelaus, et locum dedit proverbio, qui ad consilium dandum accessisset non vocatus. And to this place he had reference, because a council of war was to be held at this supper. And here, I say, Homer opened the vein of his simplicity, not so much in his going unbidden to supper, and council, as in the reason for it ironically rendered, that he knew his brother was busy, &c. And yet that addition, without which the very sense of our poet is not safe, our interpreters would have razed.

THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK,

THE THIRD BOOK OF HOMER'S ILIADS.

THE ARGUMENT.

PARIS, betwixt the hosts, to single fight,

A crooked bow, and sword, and shook two brazen-headed darts;

Of all the Greeks, dares the most hardy knight. With which well-arm'd, his tongue pro

King Menelaus doth accept his brave,
Conditioning that he again should have
Fair Helena, with all she brought to Troy,
If he subdued; else Paris should enjoy

Her, and her wealth, in peace. Conquest doth grant

Her dear wreath to the Grecian combatant;
But Venus to her champion's life doth yield
Safe rescue, and conveys him from the field
Into his chamber, and for Helen sends,
Whom much her lover's foul disgrace offends;
Yet Venus for him still makes good her charms,
And ends the second combat in his arms.

ANOTHER ARGUMENT.

Gamma the single fight doth sing
"Twixt Paris and the Spartan king.

WHEN every least commander's will best soldiers had obey'd,

And both the hosts were ranged for fight, the Trojans would have fray'd The Greeks with noises, crying out, in coming rudely on;

At all parts like the cranes that fill, with harsh confusion,

Of brutish clanges all the air, and in ridiculous war

(Eschewing the unsuffer'd storms, shot from the winter's star)

Visit the ocean, and confer the Pygmei soldier's death.

The Greeks charged silent, and like men,

bestow'd their thrifty breath

In strength of far-resounding blows, still entertaining care

Of either's rescue, when their strength did their engagements dare. And as, upon a hill's steep tops, the south wind pours a cloud,

To shepherds thankless, but by thieves, that love the night, allow'd,

A darkness letting down, that blinds a stone's cast off men's eyes; Such darkness from the Greeks' swift feet (made all of dust) did rise.

But, ere stern conflict mix'd both strengths, fair Paris stept before

The Trojan host; athwart his back a panther's hide he wore,

voked the best of Grecian hearts To stand with him in single fight. Whom when the man, wrong'd most

Of all the Greeks, so gloriously saw stalk before the host:

As when a lion is rejoiced (with hunger half forlorn),

That finds some sweet prey, as a hart, whose grace lies in his horn,

Or sylvan goat, which he devours, though never so pursued

With dogs and men; so Sparta's king exulted, when he view'd

The fair-faced Paris so exposed to his so thirsted wreak,

Whereof his good cause made him sure. The Grecian front did break,

And forth he rush'd, at all parts arm'd, leapt from his chariot,

And royally prepared for charge. Which seen, cold terror shot

The heart of Paris, who retired as headlong from the king

As in him he had shunn'd his death. And as a hilly spring

Presents a serpent to a man, full underneath his feet,

Her blue neck, swoln with poison, raised, and her sting out, to greet

His heedless entry, suddenly his walk he altereth,

Starts back amazed, is shook with fear, and looks as pale as death;

So Menelaus Paris scared; so that divinefaced foe

Shrunk in his beauties. Which beheld by Hector, he let go

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This bitter check at him: Accursed, made but in beauty's scorn, Impostor, woman's man! O heaven, that thou hadst ne'er been born, Or, being so manless, never lived to bear man's noblest state,

The nuptial honour! which I wish, because it were a fate

Much better for thee than this shame. This spectacle doth make

A

man a monster. Hark how loud the Grecks laugh, who did take

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What strength lost beauty can infuse, and with the more grief died

To feel thou robb'dst a worthier man, to wrong a soldier's right.

Your harp's sweet touch, curl'd locks, fine shape, and gifts so exquisite, Given thee by Venus, would have done your fine dames little good, When blood and dust had ruffled them; and had as little stood

Thyself in stead; but what thy care of all these in thee flies [fectious cowardice We should inflict on thee ourselves. InIn thee hath terrified our host; for which thou well deservest

A coat of tombstone, not of steel, in which, for form, thou servest.'

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To this thus Paris spake (for form, that might inhabit heaven): "Hector, because thy sharp reproof is out of justice given,

I take it well; but though thy heart,

inured to these affrights,

Cuts through them as an axe through oak, that more used more excites The workman's faculty, whose art can make the edge go far;

Yet I, less practised than thyself in these extremes of war,

May well be pardon'd, though less bold; in these your worth exceeds; In others mine. Nor is my mind of less force to the deeds

Required in war, because my form more

flows in gifts of peace. Reproach not, therefore, the kind gifts of golden Cyprides.

All heaven's gifts have their worthy price; as little to be scorn'd

As to be won with strength, wealth, state; with which to be adorn'd,

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Some men would change state, wealth, or strength. But, if your martial heart Wish me to make my challenge good, and hold it such a part

Of shame to give it over thus, cause all the rest to rest,

And, 'twixt both hosts, let Sparta's king and me perform our best

For Helen and the wealth she brought; and he that overcomes,

Or proves superior any way, in all your equal dooms,

Let him enjoy her utmost wealth, keep her, or take her home;

The rest strike leagues of endless date, and hearty friends become;

You dwelling safe in gleby Troy, the Greeks retire their force

T' Achaia, that breeds fairest dames, and
Argos, fairest horse."

He said, and his amendsful words did
Hector highly please,

Who rush'd betwixt the fighting hosts, and made the Trojans cease,

By holding up in midst his lance. The Grecians noted not

The signal he for parley used, but at him fiercely shot,

Hurl'd stones, and still were levelling darts. At last the king of men, Great Agamemnon, cried aloud: "Argives for shame, contain;

Youths of Achaia, shoot no more; the fairhelm'd Hector shows

As he desired to treat with us." This said, all ceased from blows,

And Hector spake to both the hosts: "Trojans, and hardy Greeks,

Hear now what he that stirr'd these wars, for their cessation seeks.

He bids us all, and you, disarm, that he alone may fight

With Menelaus, for us all, for Helen and her right,

With all the dower she brought to Troy;

and he that wins the day,

[way, Or is, in all the art of arms, superior any The queen, and all her sorts of wealth, let him at will enjoy ;

The rest strike truce, and let love seal firm leagues 'twixt Greece and Troy." The Greek host wonder'd at this brave; silence flew everywhere;

At last spake Sparta's warlike king: "Now also give me ear,

Whom grief gives most cause of reply. I now have hope to free The Greeks and Trojans of all ills, they

have sustain'd for me,

And Alexander, that was cause I stretch'd Woven for herself; it shined like fire, was my spleen so far.

Of both then, which is nearest fate, let his death end the war ;

The rest immediately retire, and greet all homes in peace.

Go then (to bless your champion, and give his powers success)

Fetch for the Earth, and for the Sun (the Gods on whom ye call)

Two lambs, a black one and a white, a female and a male;

And we another, for ourselves, will fetch, and kill to Jove.

To sign which rites bring Priam's force, because we well approve

His sons perfidious, envious, and (out of practised bane

To faith, when she believes in them) Jove's high truce may profane.

All young men's hearts are still unstaid; but in those well-weigh'd deeds An old man will consent to pass things past, and what succeeds

He looks into, that he may know, how best to make his way

Through both the fortunes of a fact, and will the worst obey."

This granted, a delightful hope, both
Greeks and Trojans fed,

Of long'd-for rest from those long toils,
their tedious war had bred.
Their horses then in rank they set, drawn
from their chariots round,
Descend themselves, took off their arms,
and placed them on the ground,
Near one another; for the space 'twixt both
the hosts was small.

Hector two heralds sent to Troy, that they from thence might call

King Priam, and to bring the lambs, to rate the truce they swore.

But Agameninon to the fleet Talthybius sent before,

To fetch their lamb; who nothing slack'd, the royal charge was given.

Iris, the rain-bow, then came down, ambassadress from heaven,

To white-arm'd Helen.' She assumed at every part the grace

Of Helen's last love's sister's shape, who had the highest place

In Helen's love, and had to name Laodice ; most fair

Of all the daughters Priam had, and made the nuptial pair

With Helicaon, royal sprout of old Antenor's seed. [about a weed, She found queen Helena at home, at work

rich, and full of size,

The work of both sides being alike; in which she did comprise

The many labours warlike Troy and brassarm'd Greece endured

For her fair sake, by cruel Mars and his stern friends procured.

Iris came in in joyful haste, and said: “O come with me,

Loved nymph, and an admired sight of Greeks and Trojans see,

Who first on one another brought a war so full of tears,

Even thirsty of contentious war. Now every man forbears,

And friendly by each other sits, each leaning on his shield,

Their long and shining lances pitch'd fast by them in the field.

Paris, and Sparta's king, alone must take up all the strife; [his wife." And he that conquers only call fair Helena Thus spake the thousand-colour'd Dame,

and to her mind commends

The joy to see her first espoused, her native towers, and friends;

Which stirr'd a sweet desire in her; to serve the which she hied,

Shadow'd her graces with white veils, and (though she took a pride

To set her thoughts at gaze, and see, in her clear beauty's flood,

What choice of glory swum to her yet tender womanhood)

Season'd with tears her joys to see, more joys the more offence,

And that perfection could not flow from earthly excellence.

Thus went she forth, and took with her her women most of name, Ethra, Pittheus' lovely birth, and Clymene, whose fame

Hath for her fair eyes memorized. reach'd the Scean towers,

They

Where Priam sat, to see the fight, with all his counsellors;

Panthous, Lampus, Clytius, and stout Hicetaon,

Thymotes, wise Antenor, and profound Ucalegon;

All grave old men; and soldiers they had been, but for age

Now left the wars; yet counsellors they were exceeding sage.

And as in well-grown woods, on trees, cold spiny grasshoppers

Sit chirping, and send voices out, that scarce can pierce our ears2

For softness, and their weak faint sounds;

so, talking on the tower, These seniors of the people sate; who when they saw the power

Of beauty, in the queen, ascend, even those cold-spirited peers,

Those wise and almost wither'd men, found this heat in their years, That they were forced (through whispering) to say: "What man can blame The Greeks and Trojans to endure, for so admired a dame,

So many miseries, and so long? In her sweet countenance shine Looks like the Goddesses'. And yet (though never so divine)

Before we boast, unjustly still, of her enforced prize,

[progenies,

And justly suffer for her sake, with all our Labour and ruin, let her go; the profit of our land Must pass the beauty." Thus, though these could bear so fit a hand On their affections, yet, when all their gravest powers were used, They could not choose but welcome her, and rather they accused

The gods than beauty; for thus spake the most-famed king of Troy : "Come, loved daughter, sit by me, and take the worthy joy

Of thy first husband's sight, old friends, and princes near allied,

And name me some of these brave Greeks, so manly beautified.

Come, do not think I lay the wars, endured by us, on thee,

The gods have sent them, and the tears in

which they swum to me.

Sit then, and name this goodly Greek, so tall, and broadly spread, Who than the rest, that stand by him, is higher by the head;

The bravest man I ever saw, and most majestical,

His only presence makes me think him king amongst them all."

The fairest of her sex replied: "Most reverend father-in-law, Most loved, most fear'd, would some ill

death had seized me, when I saw The first mean why I wrong'd you thus; that I had never lost

The sight of these my ancient friends, of him that loved me most;

Of my sole daughter, brothers both, with all those kindly mates,

Of one soil, one age, born with me, though under different fates.

But these boons envious stars deny; the memory of these

In sorrow pines those beauties now, that then did too much please;

Nor satisfy they your demand, to which I thus reply: [in empery;

That's Agamemnon, Atreus' son, the great A king, whom double royalty doth crown, being great and good,

And one that was my brother-in-law, when I contain'd my blood,

And was more worthy; if at all I might be said to be,

My being being lost so soon in all that honour'd me."

The good old king admired, and said: "O Atreus' blessed son,

Born under joyful destinies, that hast the empire won

Of

I

such a world of Grecian youths, as I discover here!

once march'd into Phrygia, that many vines doth bear,

Where many Phrygians I beheld, wellskill'd in use of horse,

That of the two men, like two gods, were the commanded force,

Otrëus, and great Mygdonus, who on Sangarius' sands

Set down their tents, with whom myself, for my assistant bands,

Was number'd as a man in chief; the cause of war was then

Th'

Amazon dames,, that in their facts affected to be men.

In all there was a mighty power, which yet did never rise

To equal these Achaian youths, what have the sable eyes."

Then (seeing Ulysses next) he said: "Loved daughter, what is he That, lower than great Atreus' son, seems by the head to me,

Yet, in his shoulders and big breast, presents a broader show?

His armour lies upon the earth; he up and down doth go,

To see his soldiers keep their ranks, and ready have their arms,

If, in this truce, they should be tried by any false alarms.

Much like a well-grown bell-wether, or feltred ram, he shows,

That walks before a wealthy flock of fair white-fleeced ewes."

High Jove and Leda's fairest seed to
Priam thus replies:

"This is the old Laertes' son, Ulysses, call'd the wise;

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