Part 27 (2/2)

The long reflections of the distant fires Gleam on the walls, and treild, And shoot a shady lustre o'er the field

Full fifty guards each fla pile attend, Whose uh the coursers o'er their heaps of corn, And ardent warriors wait the rising morn

[Illustration: THE shi+ELD OF ACHILLES]

THE shi+ELD OF ACHILLES

BOOK IX

ARGUMENT

THE EMBassY TO ACHILLES

Agamemnon, after the last day's defeat, proposes to the Greeks to quit the siege, and return to their country Dio his wisdothened, and a council summoned to deliberate what amemnon pursues this advice, and Nestor further prevails upon him to send ambassadors to Achilles, in order to move him to a reconciliation Ulysses and Ajax are made choice of, who are acco and pressing speeches, but are rejected with roughness by Achilles, who notwithstanding retains Phoenix in his tent The ambassadors return unsuccessfully to the camp, and the troops betake the, take up the space of one night, which is the twenty-seventh fro of the poem The scene lies on the sea-shore, the station of the Grecian shi+ps

Thus joyful Troy lorious flight,(199) And heaven-bred horror, on the Grecian part, Sat on each face, and sadden'd every heart

As fro forth, A double tempest of the west and north Swells o'er the sea, from Thracia's frozen shore, Heaps waves on waves, and bids the aegean roar: This way and that the boiling deeps are toss'd: Such various passions urged the troubled host, Great Agarieved above the rest; Superior sorroell'd his royal breast; Himself his orders to the heralds bears, To bid to council all the Grecian peers, But bid in whispers: these surround their chief, In sole amidst the mournful circle rose: Down his wan cheek a briny torrent flows

So silent fountains, fro waters shed

With rief he stood oppress'd; Words,from his breast:

”Ye sons of Greece! partake your leader's care; Fellows in arms and princes of the war!

Of partial Jove too justly we complain, And heavenly oracles believed in vain

A safe return was promised to our toils, With conquest honour'd and enrich'd with spoils: Now shaht alone can save the host; Our wealth, our people, and our glory lost

So Jove decrees, alhty lord of all!

Jove, at whose nod whole empires rise or fall, Who shakes the feeble props of human trust, And towers and armies humbles to the dust

Haste then, for ever quit these fatal fields, Haste to the joys our native country yields; Spread all your canvas, all your oars employ, Nor hope the fall of heaven-defended Troy”

He said: deep silence held the Grecian band; Silent, unmov'd in dire dismay they stand; A pensive scene! till Tydeus' warlike son Roll'd on the king his eyes, and thus begun: ”When kings advise us to renounce our fame, First let him speak who first has suffer'd shame

If I oppose thee, prince! thy wrath withhold, The laws of council bid ue be bold

Thou first, and thou alone, in fields of fight, Durst brand ht: Nor from a friend the unkind reproach appear'd, The Greeks stood witness, all our army heard

The Gods, O chief! fro, The Gods have ave thee sceptres, and a wide coave doht the world control They gave thee not--a brave and virtuous soul

Is this a general's voice, that would suggest Fears like his own to every Grecian breast?

Confiding in our want of worth, he stands; And if we fly, 'tis what our king colorious! from the embattled plain; shi+ps thou hast store, and nearest to the main; A noble care the Grecians shall employ, To combat, conquer, and extirpate Troy

Here Greece shall stay; or, if all Greece retire, Myself shall stay, till Troy or I expire; Myself, and Sthenelus, will fight for faht, and 'tith God we came”

He ceased; the Greeks loud acclamations raise, And voice to voice resounds Tydides' praise

Wise Nestor then his reverend figure rear'd; He spoke: the host in still attention heard:(200)

”O truly great! in whoth of body with such force of e, you excel, Still first to act what you advise so well

These wholeso Greece with cos thou canst blas with praise, because with truth

And yet those years that since thy birth have run Would hardly style thee Nestor's youngest son

Then let enerousDistaste the people, or offend the king: