Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Speeches of Ajax and Ulysses
13:1 The chiefs were set; the soldiers crown'd the field:
13:2 To these the master of the seven-fold shield
13:3 Upstarted fierce: and kindled with disdain.
13:4 Eager to speak, unable to contain
13:5 His boiling rage, he rowl'd his eyes around
13:6 The shore, and Graecian gallies hall'd a-ground.
13:7 Then stretching out his hands, O Jove, he cry'd,
13:8 Must then our cause before the fleet be try'd?
13:9 And dares Ulysses for the prize contend,
13:10 In sight of what he durst not once defend?
13:11 But basely fled that memorable day,
13:12 When I from Hector's hands redeem'd the flaming prey.
13:13 So much 'tis safer at the noisie bar
13:14 With words to flourish, than ingage in war.
13:15 By diff'rent methods we maintain our right,
13:16 Nor am I made to talk, nor he to fight.
13:17 In bloody fields I labour to be great;
13:18 His arms are a smooth tongue, and soft deceit:
13:19 Nor need I speak my deeds, for those you see,
13:20 The sun, and day are witnesses for me.
13:21 Let him who fights unseen, relate his own,
13:22 And vouch the silent stars, and conscious moon.
13:23 Great is the prize demanded, I confess,
13:24 But such an abject rival makes it less;
13:25 That gift, those honours, he but hop'd to gain,
13:26 Can leave no room for Ajax to be vain:
13:27 Losing he wins, because his name will be
13:28 Ennobled by defeat, who durst contend with me.
13:29 Were my known valour question'd, yet my blood
13:30 Without that plea would make my title good:
13:31 My sire was Telamon, whose arms, employ'd
13:32 With Hercules, these Trojan walls destroy'd;
13:33 And who before with Jason sent from Greece,
13:34 In the first ship brought home the golden fleece.
13:35 Great Telamon from Aeacus derives
13:36 His birth (th' inquisitor of guilty lives
13:37 In shades below; where Sisyphus, whose son
13:38 This thief is thought, rouls up the restless heavy stone),
13:39 Just Aeacus, the king of Gods above
13:40 Begot: thus Ajax is the third from Jove.
13:41 Nor shou'd I seek advantage from my line,
13:42 Unless (Achilles) it was mix'd with thine:
13:43 As next of kin, Achilles' arms I claim;
13:44 This fellow wou'd ingraft a foreign name
13:45 Upon our stock, and the Sisyphian seed
13:46 By fraud, and theft asserts his father's breed:
13:47 Then must I lose these arms, because I came
13:48 To fight uncall'd, a voluntary name,
13:49 Nor shunn'd the cause, but offer'd you my aid?
13:50 While he long lurking was to war betray'd:
13:51 Forc'd to the field he came, but in the reer;
13:52 And feign'd distraction to conceal his fear:
13:53 'Till one more cunning caught him in the snare
13:54 (Ill for himself); and dragg'd him into war.
13:55 Now let a hero's arms a coward vest,
13:56 And he who shunn'd all honours, gain the best:
13:57 And let me stand excluded from my right,
13:58 Robb'd of my kinsman's arms, who first appear'd in fight,
13:59 Better for us, at home had he remain'd,
13:60 Had it been true the madness which he feign'd,
13:61 Or so believ'd; the less had been our shame,
13:62 The less his counsell'd crime, which brands the Grecian name;
13:63 Nor Philoctetes had been left inclos'd
13:64 In a bare isle, to wants and pains expos'd,
13:65 Where to the rocks, with solitary groans,
13:66 His suff'rings, and our baseness he bemoans:
13:67 And wishes (so may Heav'n his wish fulfill)
13:68 The due reward to him, who caus'd his ill.
13:69 Now he, with us to Troy's destruction sworn,
13:70 Our brother of the war, by whom are born
13:71 Alcides' arrows, pent in narrow bounds,
13:72 With cold and hunger pinch'd, and pain'd with wounds,
13:73 To find him food and cloathing, must employ
13:74 Against the birds the shafts due to the fate of Troy.
13:75 Yet still he lives, and lives from treason free,
13:76 Because he left Ulysses' company;
13:77 Poor Palamede might wish, so void of aid,
13:78 Rather to have been left, than so to death betray'd.
13:79 The coward bore the man immortal spight,
13:80 Who sham'd him out of madness into fight:
13:81 Nor daring otherwise to vent his hate,
13:82 Accus'd him first of treason to the state;
13:83 And then for proof produc'd the golden store,
13:84 Himself had hidden in his tent before:
13:85 Thus of two champions he depriv'd our host,
13:86 By exile one, and one by treason lost.
13:87 Thus fights Ulysses, thus his fame extends,
13:88 A formidable man, but to his friends:
13:89 Great, for what greatness is in words, and sound,
13:90 Ev'n faithful Nestor less in both is found:
13:91 But that he might without a rival reign,
13:92 He left this faithful Nestor on the plain;
13:93 Forsook his friend ev'n at his utmost need,
13:94 Who tir'd, and tardy with his wounded steed,
13:95 Cry'd out for aid, and call'd him by his name;
13:96 But cowardice has neither ears nor shame;
13:97 Thus fled the good old man, bereft of aid,
13:98 And, for as much as lay in him, betray'd:
13:99 That this is not a fable forg'd by me,
13:100 Like one of his, an Ulyssean lie,
13:101 I vouch ev'n Diomede, who tho' his friend,
13:102 Cannot that act excuse, much less defend:
13:103 He call'd him back aloud, and tax'd his fear;
13:104 And sure enough he heard, but durst not hear.
13:105 The Gods with equal eyes on mortal look,
13:106 He justly was forsaken, who forsook:
13:107 Wanted that succour, he refus'd to lend,
13:108 Found ev'ry fellow such another friend:
13:109 No wonder, if he roar'd that all might hear;
13:110 His elocution was increas'd by fear:
13:111 I heard, I ran, I found him out of breath,
13:112 Pale, trembling, and half dead with fear of death.
13:113 Though he had judg'd himself by his own laws,
13:114 And stood condemn'd, I help'd the common cause:
13:115 With my broad buckler hid him from the foe
13:116 (Ev'n the shield trembled as he lay below);
13:117 And from impending Fate the coward freed:
13:118 Good Heav'n forgive me for so bad a deed!
13:119 If still he will persist, and urge the strife,
13:120 First let him give me back his forfeit life:
13:121 Let him return to that opprobrious field;
13:122 Again creep under my protecting shield:
13:123 Let him lie wounded, let the foe be near,
13:124 And let his quiv'ring heart confess his fear;
13:125 There put him in the very jaws of Fate;
13:126 And let him plead his cause in that estate:
13:127 And yet when snatch'd from death, when from below
13:128 My lifted shield I loos'd, and let him go;
13:129 Good Heav'ns, how light he rose, with what a bound
13:130 He sprung from earth, forgetful of his wound;
13:131 How fresh, how eager then his feet to ply;
13:132 Who had not strength to stand, had speed to fly!
13:133 Hector came on, and brought the Gods along;
13:134 Fear seiz'd alike the feeble, and the strong:
13:135 Each Greek was an Ulysses; such a dread
13:136 Th' approach, and ev'n the sound of Hector bred:
13:137 Him, flesh'd with slaughter, and with conquest crown'd,
13:138 I met, and over-turn'd him to the ground;
13:139 When after, matchless as he deem'd in might,
13:140 He challeng'd all our host to single fight;
13:141 All eyes were fix'd on me: the lots were thrown;
13:142 But for your champion I was wish'd alone:
13:143 Your vows were heard; we fought, and neither yield;
13:144 Yet I return'd unvanquish'd from the field.
13:145 With Jove to friend, th' insulting Trojan came,
13:146 And menac'd us with force, our fleet with flame.
13:147 Was it the strength of this tongue-valiant lord,
13:148 In that black hour, that sav'd you from the sword?
13:149 Or was my breast expos'd alone, to brave
13:150 A thousand swords, a thousand ships to save?
13:151 The hopes of your return! And can you yield,
13:152 For a sav'd fleet, less than a single shield?
13:153 Think it no boast, o Grecians, if I deem
13:154 These arms want Ajax, more than Ajax them:
13:155 Or, I with them an equal honour share;
13:156 They honour'd to be worn, and I to wear.
13:157 Will he compare my courage with his sleight?
13:158 As well he may compare the day with night.
13:159 Night is indeed the province of his reign:
13:160 Yet all his dark exploits no more contain
13:161 Than a spy taken, and a sleeper slain;
13:162 A priest made pris'ner, Pallas made a prey:
13:163 But none of all these actions done by day:
13:164 Nor ought of these was done, and Diomede away.
13:165 If on such petty merits you confer
13:166 So vast a prize, let each his portion share;
13:167 Make a just dividend; and if not all,
13:168 The greater part to Diomede will fall.
13:169 But why for Ithacus such arms as those,
13:170 Who naked, and by night invades his foes?
13:171 The glitt'ring helm by moonlight will proclaim
13:172 The latent robber, and prevent his game:
13:173 Nor cou'd he hold his tott'ring head upright
13:174 Beneath that morion, or sustain the weight;
13:175 Nor that right arm cou'd toss the beamy lance;
13:176 Much less the left that ampler shield advance;
13:177 Pond'rous with precious weight, and rough with cost
13:178 Of the round world in rising gold emboss'd.
13:179 That orb would ill become his hand to wield,
13:180 And look as for the gold he stole the shield;
13:181 Which, shou'd your error on the wretch bestow,
13:182 It would not frighten, but allure the foe:
13:183 Why asks he, what avails him not in fight,
13:184 And wou'd but cumber, and retard his flight,
13:185 In which his only excellence is plac'd?
13:186 You give him death, that intercept his haste.
13:187 Add, that his own is yet a maiden-shield,
13:188 Nor the least dint has suffer'd in the field,
13:189 Guiltless of fight: mine batter'd, hew'd, and bor'd,
13:190 Worn out of service, must forsake his lord,
13:191 What farther need of words our right to scan?
13:192 My arguments are deeds, let action speak the man.
13:193 Since from a champion's arms the strife arose,
13:194 Go cast the glorious prize amid the foes;
13:195 Then send us to redeem both arms, and shield,
13:196 And let him wear, who wins 'em in the field.
13:197 He said: a murmur from a multitude,
13:198 Or somewhat like a stifled shout, ensu'd:
13:199 'Till from his seat arose Laertes' son,
13:200 Look'd down a while, and paus'd, e'er he begun;
13:201 Then, to th' expecting audience, rais'd his look,
13:202 And not without prepar'd attention spoke:
13:203 Soft was his tone, and sober was his face;
13:204 Action his words, and words his action grace.
13:205 If Heav'n, my lords, had heard our common pray'r,
13:206 These arms had caus'd no quarrel for an heir;
13:207 Still great Achilles had his own possess'd,
13:208 And we with great Achilles had been bless'd;
13:209 But since hard Fate, and Heav'n's severe decree,
13:210 Have ravish'd him away from you, and me
13:211 (At this he sigh'd, and wip'd his eyes, and drew,
13:212 Or seem'd to draw, some drops of kindly dew),
13:213 Who better can succeed Achilles lost,
13:214 Than he, who gave Achilles to your hoast?
13:215 This only I request, that neither he
13:216 May gain, by being what he seems to be,
13:217 A stupid thing; nor I may lose the prize,
13:218 By having sense, which Heav'n to him denies:
13:219 Since great or small, the talent I enjoy'd
13:220 Was ever in the common cause employ'd;
13:221 Nor let my wit, and wonted eloquence,
13:222 Which often has been us'd in your defense,
13:223 And in my own, this only time be brought
13:224 To bear against my self, and deem'd a fault.
13:225 Make not a crime, where Nature made it none;
13:226 For ev'ry man may freely use his own.
13:227 The deeds of long-descended ancestors
13:228 Are but by grace of imputation ours,
13:229 Theirs in effect; but since he draws his line
13:230 From Jove, and seems to plead a right divine;
13:231 From Jove, like him, I claim my pedigree,
13:232 And am descended in the same degree:
13:233 My sire Laertes was Arcesius' heir,
13:234 Arcesius was the son of Jupiter:
13:235 No parricide, no banish'd man, is known
13:236 In all my line: let him excuse his own.
13:237 Hermes ennobles too my mother's side,
13:238 By both my parents to the Gods ally'd.
13:239 But not because that on the female part
13:240 My blood is better, dare I claim desert,
13:241 Or that my sire from parricide is free;
13:242 But judge by merit betwixt him, and me:
13:243 The prize be to the best; provided yet
13:244 That Ajax for a while his kin forget,
13:245 And his great sire, and greater uncle's name,
13:246 To fortifie by them his feeble claim:
13:247 Be kindred and relation laid aside,
13:248 And honour's cause by laws of honour try'd:
13:249 For if he plead proximity of blood;
13:250 That empty title is with ease withstood.
13:251 Peleus, the hero's sire, more nigh than he,
13:252 And Pyrrhus, his undoubted progeny,
13:253 Inherit first these trophies of the field;
13:254 To Scyros, or to Pthia, send the shield:
13:255 And Teucer has an uncle's right; yet he
13:256 Waves his pretensions, nor contends with me.
13:257 Then since the cause on pure desert is plac'd,
13:258 Whence shall I take my rise, what reckon last?
13:259 I not presume on ev'ry act to dwell,
13:260 But take these few, in order as they fell.
13:261 Thetis, who knew the Fates, apply'd her care
13:262 To keep Achilles in disguise from war;
13:263 And 'till the threatning influence was past,
13:264 A woman's habit on the hero cast:
13:265 All eyes were cozen'd by the borrow'd vest,
13:266 And Ajax (never wiser than the rest)
13:267 Found no Pelides there: at length I came
13:268 With proffer'd wares to this pretended dame;
13:269 She, not discover'd by her mien, or voice,
13:270 Betray'd her manhood by her manly choice;
13:271 And while on female toys her fellows look,
13:272 Grasp'd in her warlike hand, a javelin shook;
13:273 Whom, by this act reveal'd, I thus bespoke:
13:274 O Goddess-born! resist not Heav'n's decree,
13:275 The fall of Ilium is reserv'd for thee;
13:276 Then seiz'd him, and produc'd in open light,
13:277 Sent blushing to the field the fatal knight.
13:278 Mine then are all his actions of the war;
13:279 Great Telephus was conquer'd by my spear,
13:280 And after cur'd: to me the Thebans owe,
13:281 Lesbos, and Tenedos, their overthrow;
13:282 Syros and Cylla: not on all to dwell,
13:283 By me Lyrnesus, and strong Chrysa fell:
13:284 And since I sent the man who Hector slew,
13:285 To me the noble Hector's death is due:
13:286 Those arms I put into his living hand,
13:287 Those arms, Pelides dead, I now demand.
13:288 When Greece was injur'd in the Spartan prince,
13:289 And met at Aulis to avenge th' offence,
13:290 'Twas a dead calm, or adverse blasts, that reign'd,
13:291 And in the port the wind-bound fleet detain'd:
13:292 Bad signs were seen, and oracles severe
13:293 Were daily thunder'd in our gen'ral's ear;
13:294 That by his daughter's blood we must appease
13:295 Diana's kindled wrath, and free the seas.
13:296 Affection, int'rest, fame, his heart assail'd:
13:297 But soon the father o'er the king prevail'd:
13:298 Bold, on himself he took the pious crime,
13:299 As angry with the Gods, as they with him.
13:300 No subject cou'd sustain their sov'reign's look,
13:301 'Till this hard enterprize I undertook:
13:302 I only durst th' imperial pow'r controul,
13:303 And undermin'd the parent in his soul;
13:304 Forc'd him t' exert the king for common good,
13:305 And pay our ransom with his daughter's blood.
13:306 Never was cause more difficult to plead,
13:307 Than where the judge against himself decreed:
13:308 Yet this I won by dint of argument;
13:309 The wrongs his injur'd brother underwent,
13:310 And his own office, sham'd him to consent.
13:311 'Tis harder yet to move the mother's mind,
13:312 And to this heavy task was I design'd:
13:313 Reasons against her love I knew were vain;
13:314 I circumvented whom I could not gain:
13:315 Had Ajax been employ'd, our slacken'd sails
13:316 Had still at Aulis waited happy gales.
13:317 Arriv'd at Troy, your choice was fix'd on me,
13:318 A fearless envoy, fit for a bold embassy:
13:319 Secure, I enter'd through the hostile court,
13:320 Glitt'ring with steel, and crowded with resort:
13:321 There, in the midst of arms, I plead our cause,
13:322 Urge the foul rape, and violated laws;
13:323 Accuse the foes, as authors of the strife,
13:324 Reproach the ravisher, demand the wife.
13:325 Priam, Antenor, and the wiser few,
13:326 I mov'd; but Paris, and his lawless crew
13:327 Scarce held their hands, and lifted swords; but stood
13:328 In act to quench their impious thirst of blood:
13:329 This Menelaus knows; expos'd to share
13:330 With me the rough preludium of the war.
13:331 Endless it were to tell, what I have done,
13:332 In arms, or council, since the siege begun:
13:333 The first encounter's past, the foe repell'd,
13:334 They skulk'd within the town, we kept the field.
13:335 War seem'd asleep for nine long years; at length
13:336 Both sides resolv'd to push, we try'd our strength
13:337 Now what did Ajax, while our arms took breath,
13:338 Vers'd only in the gross mechanick trade of death?
13:339 If you require my deeds, with ambush'd arms
13:340 I trapp'd the foe, or tir'd with false alarms;
13:341 Secur'd the ships, drew lines along the plain,
13:342 The fainting chear'd, chastis'd the rebel-train,
13:343 Provided forage, our spent arms renew'd;
13:344 Employ'd at home, or sent abroad, the common cause pursu'd.
13:345 The king, deluded in a dream by Jove,
13:346 Despair'd to take the town, and order'd to remove.
13:347 What subject durst arraign the Pow'r supream,
13:348 Producing Jove to justifie his dream?
13:349 Ajax might wish the soldiers to retain
13:350 From shameful flight, but wishes were in vain:
13:351 As wanting of effect had been his words,
13:352 Such as of course his thundring tongue affords.
13:353 But did this boaster threaten, did he pray,
13:354 Or by his own example urge their stay?
13:355 None, none of these: but ran himself away.
13:356 I saw him run, and was asham'd to see;
13:357 Who ply'd his feet so fast to get aboard, as he?
13:358 Then speeding through the place, I made a stand,
13:359 And loudly cry'd, O base degenerate band,
13:360 To leave a town already in your hand!
13:361 After so long expence of blood, for fame,
13:362 To bring home nothing, but perpetual shame!
13:363 These words, or what I have forgotten since
13:364 (For grief inspir'd me then with eloquence),
13:365 Reduc'd their minds; they leave the crowded port,
13:366 And to their late forsaken camp resort:
13:367 Dismay'd the council met: this man was there,
13:368 But mute, and not recover'd of his fear:
13:369 Thersites tax'd the king, and loudly rail'd,
13:370 But his wide opening mouth with blows I seal'd.
13:371 Then, rising, I excite their souls to fame,
13:372 And kindle sleeping virtue into flame.
13:373 From thence, whatever he perform'd in fight
13:374 Is justly mine, who drew him back from flight.
13:375 Which of the Grecian chiefs consorts with thee?
13:376 But Diomede desires my company,
13:377 And still communicates his praise with me.
13:378 As guided by a God, secure he goes,
13:379 Arm'd with my fellowship, amid the foes:
13:380 And sure no little merit I may boast,
13:381 Whom such a man selects from such an hoast;
13:382 Unforc'd by lots I went without affright,
13:383 To dare with him the dangers of the night:
13:384 On the same errand sent, we met the spy
13:385 Of Hector, double-tongu'd, and us'd to lie;
13:386 Him I dispatch'd, but not 'till undermin'd,
13:387 I drew him first to tell, what treach'rous Troy design'd:
13:388 My task perform'd, with praise I had retir'd,
13:389 But not content with this, to greater praise aspir'd:
13:390 Invaded Rhesus, and his Thracian crew,
13:391 And him, and his, in their own strength I slew;
13:392 Return'd a victor, all my vows compleat,
13:393 With the king's chariot, in his royal seat:
13:394 Refuse me now his arms, whose fiery steeds
13:395 Were promis'd to the spy for his nocturnal deeds:
13:396 Yet let dull Ajax bear away my right,
13:397 When all his days out-balance this one night.
13:398 Nor fought I darkling still: the sun beheld
13:399 With slaughter'd Lycians when I strew'd the field:
13:400 You saw, and counted as I pass'd along,
13:401 Alastor, Chromius, Ceranos the strong,
13:402 Alcander, Prytanis, and Halius,
13:403 Noemon, Charopes, and Ennomus;
13:404 Coon, Chersidamas; and five beside,
13:405 Men of obscure descent, but courage try'd:
13:406 All these this hand laid breathless on the ground;
13:407 Nor want I proofs of many a manly wound:
13:408 All honest, all before: believe not me;
13:409 Words may deceive, but credit what you see.
13:410 At this he bar'd his breast, and show'd his scars,
13:411 As of a furrow'd field, well plow'd with wars;
13:412 Nor is this part unexercis'd, said he;
13:413 That gyant-bulk of his from wounds is free:
13:414 Safe in his shield he fears no foe to try,
13:415 And better manages his blood, than I:
13:416 But this avails me not; our boaster strove
13:417 Not with our foes alone, but partial Jove,
13:418 To save the fleet: this I confess is true
13:419 (Nor will I take from any man his due):
13:420 But thus assuming all, he robs from you.
13:421 Some part of honour to your share will fall,
13:422 He did the best indeed, but did not all.
13:423 Patroclus in Achilles' arms, and thought
13:424 The chief he seem'd, with equal ardour fought;
13:425 Preserv'd the fleet, repell'd the raging fire,
13:426 And forc'd the fearful Trojans to retire.
13:427 But Ajax boasts, that he was only thought
13:428 A match for Hector, who the combat sought:
13:429 Sure he forgets the king, the chiefs, and me:
13:430 All were as eager for the fight, as he:
13:431 He but the ninth, and not by publick voice,
13:432 Or ours preferr'd, was only Fortune's choice:
13:433 They fought; nor can our hero boast th' event,
13:434 For Hector from the field unwounded went.
13:435 Why am I forc'd to name that fatal day,
13:436 That snatch'd the prop and pride of Greece away?
13:437 I saw Pelides sink, with pious grief,
13:438 And ran in vain, alas! to his relief;
13:439 For the brave soul was fled: full of my friend
13:440 I rush'd amid the war, his relicks to defend:
13:441 Nor ceas'd my toil, 'till I redeem'd the prey,
13:442 And, loaded with Achilles, march'd away:
13:443 Those arms, which on these shoulders then I bore,
13:444 'Tis just you to these shoulders should restore.
13:445 You see I want not nerves, who cou'd sustain
13:446 The pond'rous ruins of so great a man:
13:447 Or if in others equal force you find,
13:448 None is endu'd with a more grateful mind.
13:449 Did Thetis then, ambitious in her care,
13:450 These arms thus labour'd for her son prepare;
13:451 That Ajax after him the heav'nly gift shou'd wear!
13:452 For that dull soul to stare with stupid eyes,
13:453 On the learn'd unintelligible prize!
13:454 What are to him the sculptures of the shield,
13:455 Heav'n's planets, Earth, and Ocean's watry field?
13:456 The Pleiads, Hyads; less, and greater Bear,
13:457 Undipp'd in seas; Orion's angry star;
13:458 Two diff'ring cities, grav'd on either hand;
13:459 Would he wear arms he cannot understand?
13:460 Beside, what wise objections he prepares
13:461 Against my late accession to the wars?
13:462 Does not the fool perceive his argument
13:463 Is with more force against Achilles bent?
13:464 For if dissembling be so great a crime,
13:465 The fault is common, and the same in him:
13:466 And if he taxes both of long delay,
13:467 My guilt is less, who sooner came away.
13:468 His pious mother, anxious for his life,
13:469 Detain'd her son; and me, my pious wife.
13:470 To them the blossoms of our youth were due,
13:471 Our riper manhood we reserv'd for you.
13:472 But grant me guilty, 'tis not much my care,
13:473 When with so great a man my guilt I share:
13:474 My wit to war the matchless hero brought,
13:475 But by this fool I never had been caught.
13:476 Nor need I wonder, that on me he threw
13:477 Such foul aspersions, when he spares not you:
13:478 If Palamede unjustly fell by me,
13:479 Your honour suffer'd in th' unjust decree:
13:480 I but accus'd, you doom'd: and yet he dy'd,
13:481 Convinc'd of treason, and was fairly try'd:
13:482 You heard not he was false; your eyes beheld
13:483 The traytor manifest; the bribe reveal'd.
13:484 That Philoctetes is on Lemnos left,
13:485 Wounded, forlorn, of human aid bereft,
13:486 Is not my crime, or not my crime alone;
13:487 Defend your justice, for the fact's your own:
13:488 'Tis true, th' advice was mine; that staying there
13:489 He might his weary limbs with rest repair,
13:490 From a long voyage free, and from a longer war.
13:491 He took the counsl, and he lives at least;
13:492 Th' event declares I counsell'd for the best:
13:493 Though faith is all in ministers of state;
13:494 For who can promise to be fortunate?
13:495 Now since his arrows are the Fate of Troy,
13:496 Do not my wit, or weak address, employ;
13:497 Send Ajax there, with his persuasive sense,
13:498 To mollifie the man, and draw him thence:
13:499 But Xanthus shall run backward; Ida stand
13:500 A leafless mountain; and the Grecian band
13:501 Shall fight for Troy; if, when my councils fail,
13:502 The wit of heavy Ajax can prevail.
13:503 Hard Philoctetes, exercise thy spleen
13:504 Against thy fellows, and the king of men;
13:505 Curse my devoted head, above the rest,
13:506 And wish in arms to meet me breast to breast:
13:507 Yet I the dang'rous task will undertake,
13:508 And either die my self, or bring thee back.
13:509 Nor doubt the same success, as when before
13:510 The Phrygian prophet to these tents I bore,
13:511 Surpriz'd by night, and forc'd him to declare
13:512 In what was plac'd the fortune of the war,
13:513 Heav'n's dark decrees, and answers to display,
13:514 And how to take the town, and where the secret lay:
13:515 Yet this I compass'd, and from Troy convey'd
13:516 The fatal image of their guardian-maid;
13:517 That work was mine; for Pallas, though our friend,
13:518 Yet while she was in Troy, did Troy defend.
13:519 Now what has Ajax done, or what design'd?
13:520 A noisie nothing, and an empty wind.
13:521 If he be what he promises in show,
13:522 Why was I sent, and why fear'd he to go?
13:523 Our boasting champion thought the task not light
13:524 To pass the guards, commit himself to night;
13:525 Not only through a hostile town to pass,
13:526 But scale, with steep ascent, the sacred place;
13:527 With wand'ring steps to search the cittadel,
13:528 And from the priests their patroness to steal:
13:529 Then through surrounding foes to force my way,
13:530 And bear in triumph home the heavn'ly prey;
13:531 Which had I not, Ajax in vain had held,
13:532 Before that monst'rous bulk, his sev'nfold shield.
13:533 That night to conquer Troy I might be said,
13:534 When Troy was liable to conquest made.
13:535 Why point'st thou to my partner of the war?
13:536 Tydides had indeed a worthy share
13:537 In all my toil, and praise; but when thy might
13:538 Our ships protected, did'st thou singly fight?
13:539 All join'd, and thou of many wert but one;
13:540 I ask'd no friend, nor had, but him alone:
13:541 Who, had he not been well assur'd, that art,
13:542 And conduct were of war the better part,
13:543 And more avail'd than strength, my valiant friend
13:544 Had urg'd a better right, than Ajax can pretend:
13:545 As good at least Eurypilus may claim,
13:546 And the more mod'rate Ajax of the name:
13:547 The Cretan king, and his brave charioteer,
13:548 And Menelaus bold with sword, and spear:
13:549 All these had been my rivals in the shield,
13:550 And yet all these to my pretensions yield.
13:551 Thy boist'rous hands are then of use, when I
13:552 With this directing head those hands apply.
13:553 Brawn without brain is thine: my prudent care
13:554 Foresees, provides, administers the war:
13:555 Thy province is to fight; but when shall be
13:556 The time to fight, the king consults with me:
13:557 No dram of judgment with thy force is join'd:
13:558 Thy body is of profit, and my mind.
13:559 By how much more the ship her safety owes
13:560 To him who steers, than him that only rows;
13:561 By how much more the captain merits praise,
13:562 Than he who fights, and fighting but obeys;
13:563 By so much greater is my worth than thine,
13:564 Who canst but execute, what I design.
13:565 What gain'st thou, brutal man, if I confess
13:566 Thy strength superior, when thy wit is less?
13:567 Mind is the man: I claim my whole desert,
13:568 From the mind's vigour, and th' immortal part.
13:569 But you, o Grecian chiefs, reward my care,
13:570 Be grateful to your watchman of the war:
13:571 For all my labours in so long a space,
13:572 Sure I may plead a title to your grace:
13:573 Enter the town, I then unbarr'd the gates,
13:574 When I remov'd their tutelary Fates.
13:575 By all our common hopes, if hopes they be
13:576 Which I have now reduc'd to certainty;
13:577 By falling Troy, by yonder tott'ring tow'rs,
13:578 And by their taken Gods, which now are ours;
13:579 Or if there yet a farther task remains,
13:580 To be perform'd by prudence, or by pains;
13:581 If yet some desp'rate action rests behind,
13:582 That asks high conduct, and a dauntless mind;
13:583 If ought be wanting to the Trojan doom,
13:584 Which none but I can manage, and o'ercome,
13:585 Award, those arms I ask, by your decree:
13:586 Or give to this, what you refuse to me.
13:587 He ceas'd: and ceasing with respect he bow'd,
13:588 And with his hand at once the fatal statue show'd.
13:589 Heav'n, air and ocean rung, with loud applause,
13:590 And by the gen'ral vote he gain'd his cause.
13:591 Thus conduct won the prize, when courage fail'd,
13:592 And eloquence o'er brutal force prevail'd.
Metamorphoses (Books I-XIV)
The Speeches of Ajax and Ulysses
13:1 The chiefs were set; the soldiers crown'd the field:
13:2 To these the master of the seven-fold shield
13:3 Upstarted fierce: and kindled with disdain.
13:4 Eager to speak, unable to contain
13:5 His boiling rage, he rowl'd his eyes around
13:6 The shore, and Graecian gallies hall'd a-ground.
13:7 Then stretching out his hands, O Jove, he cry'd,
13:8 Must then our cause before the fleet be try'd?
13:9 And dares Ulysses for the prize contend,
13:10 In sight of what he durst not once defend?
13:11 But basely fled that memorable day,
13:12 When I from Hector's hands redeem'd the flaming prey.
13:13 So much 'tis safer at the noisie bar
13:14 With words to flourish, than ingage in war.
13:15 By diff'rent methods we maintain our right,
13:16 Nor am I made to talk, nor he to fight.
13:17 In bloody fields I labour to be great;
13:18 His arms are a smooth tongue, and soft deceit:
13:19 Nor need I speak my deeds, for those you see,
13:20 The sun, and day are witnesses for me.
13:21 Let him who fights unseen, relate his own,
13:22 And vouch the silent stars, and conscious moon.
13:23 Great is the prize demanded, I confess,
13:24 But such an abject rival makes it less;
13:25 That gift, those honours, he but hop'd to gain,
13:26 Can leave no room for Ajax to be vain:
13:27 Losing he wins, because his name will be
13:28 Ennobled by defeat, who durst contend with me.
13:29 Were my known valour question'd, yet my blood
13:30 Without that plea would make my title good:
13:31 My sire was Telamon, whose arms, employ'd
13:32 With Hercules, these Trojan walls destroy'd;
13:33 And who before with Jason sent from Greece,
13:34 In the first ship brought home the golden fleece.
13:35 Great Telamon from Aeacus derives
13:36 His birth (th' inquisitor of guilty lives
13:37 In shades below; where Sisyphus, whose son
13:38 This thief is thought, rouls up the restless heavy stone),
13:39 Just Aeacus, the king of Gods above
13:40 Begot: thus Ajax is the third from Jove.
13:41 Nor shou'd I seek advantage from my line,
13:42 Unless (Achilles) it was mix'd with thine:
13:43 As next of kin, Achilles' arms I claim;
13:44 This fellow wou'd ingraft a foreign name
13:45 Upon our stock, and the Sisyphian seed
13:46 By fraud, and theft asserts his father's breed:
13:47 Then must I lose these arms, because I came
13:48 To fight uncall'd, a voluntary name,
13:49 Nor shunn'd the cause, but offer'd you my aid?
13:50 While he long lurking was to war betray'd:
13:51 Forc'd to the field he came, but in the reer;
13:52 And feign'd distraction to conceal his fear:
13:53 'Till one more cunning caught him in the snare
13:54 (Ill for himself); and dragg'd him into war.
13:55 Now let a hero's arms a coward vest,
13:56 And he who shunn'd all honours, gain the best:
13:57 And let me stand excluded from my right,
13:58 Robb'd of my kinsman's arms, who first appear'd in fight,
13:59 Better for us, at home had he remain'd,
13:60 Had it been true the madness which he feign'd,
13:61 Or so believ'd; the less had been our shame,
13:62 The less his counsell'd crime, which brands the Grecian name;
13:63 Nor Philoctetes had been left inclos'd
13:64 In a bare isle, to wants and pains expos'd,
13:65 Where to the rocks, with solitary groans,
13:66 His suff'rings, and our baseness he bemoans:
13:67 And wishes (so may Heav'n his wish fulfill)
13:68 The due reward to him, who caus'd his ill.
13:69 Now he, with us to Troy's destruction sworn,
13:70 Our brother of the war, by whom are born
13:71 Alcides' arrows, pent in narrow bounds,
13:72 With cold and hunger pinch'd, and pain'd with wounds,
13:73 To find him food and cloathing, must employ
13:74 Against the birds the shafts due to the fate of Troy.
13:75 Yet still he lives, and lives from treason free,
13:76 Because he left Ulysses' company;
13:77 Poor Palamede might wish, so void of aid,
13:78 Rather to have been left, than so to death betray'd.
13:79 The coward bore the man immortal spight,
13:80 Who sham'd him out of madness into fight:
13:81 Nor daring otherwise to vent his hate,
13:82 Accus'd him first of treason to the state;
13:83 And then for proof produc'd the golden store,
13:84 Himself had hidden in his tent before:
13:85 Thus of two champions he depriv'd our host,
13:86 By exile one, and one by treason lost.
13:87 Thus fights Ulysses, thus his fame extends,
13:88 A formidable man, but to his friends:
13:89 Great, for what greatness is in words, and sound,
13:90 Ev'n faithful Nestor less in both is found:
13:91 But that he might without a rival reign,
13:92 He left this faithful Nestor on the plain;
13:93 Forsook his friend ev'n at his utmost need,
13:94 Who tir'd, and tardy with his wounded steed,
13:95 Cry'd out for aid, and call'd him by his name;
13:96 But cowardice has neither ears nor shame;
13:97 Thus fled the good old man, bereft of aid,
13:98 And, for as much as lay in him, betray'd:
13:99 That this is not a fable forg'd by me,
13:100 Like one of his, an Ulyssean lie,
13:101 I vouch ev'n Diomede, who tho' his friend,
13:102 Cannot that act excuse, much less defend:
13:103 He call'd him back aloud, and tax'd his fear;
13:104 And sure enough he heard, but durst not hear.
13:105 The Gods with equal eyes on mortal look,
13:106 He justly was forsaken, who forsook:
13:107 Wanted that succour, he refus'd to lend,
13:108 Found ev'ry fellow such another friend:
13:109 No wonder, if he roar'd that all might hear;
13:110 His elocution was increas'd by fear:
13:111 I heard, I ran, I found him out of breath,
13:112 Pale, trembling, and half dead with fear of death.
13:113 Though he had judg'd himself by his own laws,
13:114 And stood condemn'd, I help'd the common cause:
13:115 With my broad buckler hid him from the foe
13:116 (Ev'n the shield trembled as he lay below);
13:117 And from impending Fate the coward freed:
13:118 Good Heav'n forgive me for so bad a deed!
13:119 If still he will persist, and urge the strife,
13:120 First let him give me back his forfeit life:
13:121 Let him return to that opprobrious field;
13:122 Again creep under my protecting shield:
13:123 Let him lie wounded, let the foe be near,
13:124 And let his quiv'ring heart confess his fear;
13:125 There put him in the very jaws of Fate;
13:126 And let him plead his cause in that estate:
13:127 And yet when snatch'd from death, when from below
13:128 My lifted shield I loos'd, and let him go;
13:129 Good Heav'ns, how light he rose, with what a bound
13:130 He sprung from earth, forgetful of his wound;
13:131 How fresh, how eager then his feet to ply;
13:132 Who had not strength to stand, had speed to fly!
13:133 Hector came on, and brought the Gods along;
13:134 Fear seiz'd alike the feeble, and the strong:
13:135 Each Greek was an Ulysses; such a dread
13:136 Th' approach, and ev'n the sound of Hector bred:
13:137 Him, flesh'd with slaughter, and with conquest crown'd,
13:138 I met, and over-turn'd him to the ground;
13:139 When after, matchless as he deem'd in might,
13:140 He challeng'd all our host to single fight;
13:141 All eyes were fix'd on me: the lots were thrown;
13:142 But for your champion I was wish'd alone:
13:143 Your vows were heard; we fought, and neither yield;
13:144 Yet I return'd unvanquish'd from the field.
13:145 With Jove to friend, th' insulting Trojan came,
13:146 And menac'd us with force, our fleet with flame.
13:147 Was it the strength of this tongue-valiant lord,
13:148 In that black hour, that sav'd you from the sword?
13:149 Or was my breast expos'd alone, to brave
13:150 A thousand swords, a thousand ships to save?
13:151 The hopes of your return! And can you yield,
13:152 For a sav'd fleet, less than a single shield?
13:153 Think it no boast, o Grecians, if I deem
13:154 These arms want Ajax, more than Ajax them:
13:155 Or, I with them an equal honour share;
13:156 They honour'd to be worn, and I to wear.
13:157 Will he compare my courage with his sleight?
13:158 As well he may compare the day with night.
13:159 Night is indeed the province of his reign:
13:160 Yet all his dark exploits no more contain
13:161 Than a spy taken, and a sleeper slain;
13:162 A priest made pris'ner, Pallas made a prey:
13:163 But none of all these actions done by day:
13:164 Nor ought of these was done, and Diomede away.
13:165 If on such petty merits you confer
13:166 So vast a prize, let each his portion share;
13:167 Make a just dividend; and if not all,
13:168 The greater part to Diomede will fall.
13:169 But why for Ithacus such arms as those,
13:170 Who naked, and by night invades his foes?
13:171 The glitt'ring helm by moonlight will proclaim
13:172 The latent robber, and prevent his game:
13:173 Nor cou'd he hold his tott'ring head upright
13:174 Beneath that morion, or sustain the weight;
13:175 Nor that right arm cou'd toss the beamy lance;
13:176 Much less the left that ampler shield advance;
13:177 Pond'rous with precious weight, and rough with cost
13:178 Of the round world in rising gold emboss'd.
13:179 That orb would ill become his hand to wield,
13:180 And look as for the gold he stole the shield;
13:181 Which, shou'd your error on the wretch bestow,
13:182 It would not frighten, but allure the foe:
13:183 Why asks he, what avails him not in fight,
13:184 And wou'd but cumber, and retard his flight,
13:185 In which his only excellence is plac'd?
13:186 You give him death, that intercept his haste.
13:187 Add, that his own is yet a maiden-shield,
13:188 Nor the least dint has suffer'd in the field,
13:189 Guiltless of fight: mine batter'd, hew'd, and bor'd,
13:190 Worn out of service, must forsake his lord,
13:191 What farther need of words our right to scan?
13:192 My arguments are deeds, let action speak the man.
13:193 Since from a champion's arms the strife arose,
13:194 Go cast the glorious prize amid the foes;
13:195 Then send us to redeem both arms, and shield,
13:196 And let him wear, who wins 'em in the field.
13:197 He said: a murmur from a multitude,
13:198 Or somewhat like a stifled shout, ensu'd:
13:199 'Till from his seat arose Laertes' son,
13:200 Look'd down a while, and paus'd, e'er he begun;
13:201 Then, to th' expecting audience, rais'd his look,
13:202 And not without prepar'd attention spoke:
13:203 Soft was his tone, and sober was his face;
13:204 Action his words, and words his action grace.
13:205 If Heav'n, my lords, had heard our common pray'r,
13:206 These arms had caus'd no quarrel for an heir;
13:207 Still great Achilles had his own possess'd,
13:208 And we with great Achilles had been bless'd;
13:209 But since hard Fate, and Heav'n's severe decree,
13:210 Have ravish'd him away from you, and me
13:211 (At this he sigh'd, and wip'd his eyes, and drew,
13:212 Or seem'd to draw, some drops of kindly dew),
13:213 Who better can succeed Achilles lost,
13:214 Than he, who gave Achilles to your hoast?
13:215 This only I request, that neither he
13:216 May gain, by being what he seems to be,
13:217 A stupid thing; nor I may lose the prize,
13:218 By having sense, which Heav'n to him denies:
13:219 Since great or small, the talent I enjoy'd
13:220 Was ever in the common cause employ'd;
13:221 Nor let my wit, and wonted eloquence,
13:222 Which often has been us'd in your defense,
13:223 And in my own, this only time be brought
13:224 To bear against my self, and deem'd a fault.
13:225 Make not a crime, where Nature made it none;
13:226 For ev'ry man may freely use his own.
13:227 The deeds of long-descended ancestors
13:228 Are but by grace of imputation ours,
13:229 Theirs in effect; but since he draws his line
13:230 From Jove, and seems to plead a right divine;
13:231 From Jove, like him, I claim my pedigree,
13:232 And am descended in the same degree:
13:233 My sire Laertes was Arcesius' heir,
13:234 Arcesius was the son of Jupiter:
13:235 No parricide, no banish'd man, is known
13:236 In all my line: let him excuse his own.
13:237 Hermes ennobles too my mother's side,
13:238 By both my parents to the Gods ally'd.
13:239 But not because that on the female part
13:240 My blood is better, dare I claim desert,
13:241 Or that my sire from parricide is free;
13:242 But judge by merit betwixt him, and me:
13:243 The prize be to the best; provided yet
13:244 That Ajax for a while his kin forget,
13:245 And his great sire, and greater uncle's name,
13:246 To fortifie by them his feeble claim:
13:247 Be kindred and relation laid aside,
13:248 And honour's cause by laws of honour try'd:
13:249 For if he plead proximity of blood;
13:250 That empty title is with ease withstood.
13:251 Peleus, the hero's sire, more nigh than he,
13:252 And Pyrrhus, his undoubted progeny,
13:253 Inherit first these trophies of the field;
13:254 To Scyros, or to Pthia, send the shield:
13:255 And Teucer has an uncle's right; yet he
13:256 Waves his pretensions, nor contends with me.
13:257 Then since the cause on pure desert is plac'd,
13:258 Whence shall I take my rise, what reckon last?
13:259 I not presume on ev'ry act to dwell,
13:260 But take these few, in order as they fell.
13:261 Thetis, who knew the Fates, apply'd her care
13:262 To keep Achilles in disguise from war;
13:263 And 'till the threatning influence was past,
13:264 A woman's habit on the hero cast:
13:265 All eyes were cozen'd by the borrow'd vest,
13:266 And Ajax (never wiser than the rest)
13:267 Found no Pelides there: at length I came
13:268 With proffer'd wares to this pretended dame;
13:269 She, not discover'd by her mien, or voice,
13:270 Betray'd her manhood by her manly choice;
13:271 And while on female toys her fellows look,
13:272 Grasp'd in her warlike hand, a javelin shook;
13:273 Whom, by this act reveal'd, I thus bespoke:
13:274 O Goddess-born! resist not Heav'n's decree,
13:275 The fall of Ilium is reserv'd for thee;
13:276 Then seiz'd him, and produc'd in open light,
13:277 Sent blushing to the field the fatal knight.
13:278 Mine then are all his actions of the war;
13:279 Great Telephus was conquer'd by my spear,
13:280 And after cur'd: to me the Thebans owe,
13:281 Lesbos, and Tenedos, their overthrow;
13:282 Syros and Cylla: not on all to dwell,
13:283 By me Lyrnesus, and strong Chrysa fell:
13:284 And since I sent the man who Hector slew,
13:285 To me the noble Hector's death is due:
13:286 Those arms I put into his living hand,
13:287 Those arms, Pelides dead, I now demand.
13:288 When Greece was injur'd in the Spartan prince,
13:289 And met at Aulis to avenge th' offence,
13:290 'Twas a dead calm, or adverse blasts, that reign'd,
13:291 And in the port the wind-bound fleet detain'd:
13:292 Bad signs were seen, and oracles severe
13:293 Were daily thunder'd in our gen'ral's ear;
13:294 That by his daughter's blood we must appease
13:295 Diana's kindled wrath, and free the seas.
13:296 Affection, int'rest, fame, his heart assail'd:
13:297 But soon the father o'er the king prevail'd:
13:298 Bold, on himself he took the pious crime,
13:299 As angry with the Gods, as they with him.
13:300 No subject cou'd sustain their sov'reign's look,
13:301 'Till this hard enterprize I undertook:
13:302 I only durst th' imperial pow'r controul,
13:303 And undermin'd the parent in his soul;
13:304 Forc'd him t' exert the king for common good,
13:305 And pay our ransom with his daughter's blood.
13:306 Never was cause more difficult to plead,
13:307 Than where the judge against himself decreed:
13:308 Yet this I won by dint of argument;
13:309 The wrongs his injur'd brother underwent,
13:310 And his own office, sham'd him to consent.
13:311 'Tis harder yet to move the mother's mind,
13:312 And to this heavy task was I design'd:
13:313 Reasons against her love I knew were vain;
13:314 I circumvented whom I could not gain:
13:315 Had Ajax been employ'd, our slacken'd sails
13:316 Had still at Aulis waited happy gales.
13:317 Arriv'd at Troy, your choice was fix'd on me,
13:318 A fearless envoy, fit for a bold embassy:
13:319 Secure, I enter'd through the hostile court,
13:320 Glitt'ring with steel, and crowded with resort:
13:321 There, in the midst of arms, I plead our cause,
13:322 Urge the foul rape, and violated laws;
13:323 Accuse the foes, as authors of the strife,
13:324 Reproach the ravisher, demand the wife.
13:325 Priam, Antenor, and the wiser few,
13:326 I mov'd; but Paris, and his lawless crew
13:327 Scarce held their hands, and lifted swords; but stood
13:328 In act to quench their impious thirst of blood:
13:329 This Menelaus knows; expos'd to share
13:330 With me the rough preludium of the war.
13:331 Endless it were to tell, what I have done,
13:332 In arms, or council, since the siege begun:
13:333 The first encounter's past, the foe repell'd,
13:334 They skulk'd within the town, we kept the field.
13:335 War seem'd asleep for nine long years; at length
13:336 Both sides resolv'd to push, we try'd our strength
13:337 Now what did Ajax, while our arms took breath,
13:338 Vers'd only in the gross mechanick trade of death?
13:339 If you require my deeds, with ambush'd arms
13:340 I trapp'd the foe, or tir'd with false alarms;
13:341 Secur'd the ships, drew lines along the plain,
13:342 The fainting chear'd, chastis'd the rebel-train,
13:343 Provided forage, our spent arms renew'd;
13:344 Employ'd at home, or sent abroad, the common cause pursu'd.
13:345 The king, deluded in a dream by Jove,
13:346 Despair'd to take the town, and order'd to remove.
13:347 What subject durst arraign the Pow'r supream,
13:348 Producing Jove to justifie his dream?
13:349 Ajax might wish the soldiers to retain
13:350 From shameful flight, but wishes were in vain:
13:351 As wanting of effect had been his words,
13:352 Such as of course his thundring tongue affords.
13:353 But did this boaster threaten, did he pray,
13:354 Or by his own example urge their stay?
13:355 None, none of these: but ran himself away.
13:356 I saw him run, and was asham'd to see;
13:357 Who ply'd his feet so fast to get aboard, as he?
13:358 Then speeding through the place, I made a stand,
13:359 And loudly cry'd, O base degenerate band,
13:360 To leave a town already in your hand!
13:361 After so long expence of blood, for fame,
13:362 To bring home nothing, but perpetual shame!
13:363 These words, or what I have forgotten since
13:364 (For grief inspir'd me then with eloquence),
13:365 Reduc'd their minds; they leave the crowded port,
13:366 And to their late forsaken camp resort:
13:367 Dismay'd the council met: this man was there,
13:368 But mute, and not recover'd of his fear:
13:369 Thersites tax'd the king, and loudly rail'd,
13:370 But his wide opening mouth with blows I seal'd.
13:371 Then, rising, I excite their souls to fame,
13:372 And kindle sleeping virtue into flame.
13:373 From thence, whatever he perform'd in fight
13:374 Is justly mine, who drew him back from flight.
13:375 Which of the Grecian chiefs consorts with thee?
13:376 But Diomede desires my company,
13:377 And still communicates his praise with me.
13:378 As guided by a God, secure he goes,
13:379 Arm'd with my fellowship, amid the foes:
13:380 And sure no little merit I may boast,
13:381 Whom such a man selects from such an hoast;
13:382 Unforc'd by lots I went without affright,
13:383 To dare with him the dangers of the night:
13:384 On the same errand sent, we met the spy
13:385 Of Hector, double-tongu'd, and us'd to lie;
13:386 Him I dispatch'd, but not 'till undermin'd,
13:387 I drew him first to tell, what treach'rous Troy design'd:
13:388 My task perform'd, with praise I had retir'd,
13:389 But not content with this, to greater praise aspir'd:
13:390 Invaded Rhesus, and his Thracian crew,
13:391 And him, and his, in their own strength I slew;
13:392 Return'd a victor, all my vows compleat,
13:393 With the king's chariot, in his royal seat:
13:394 Refuse me now his arms, whose fiery steeds
13:395 Were promis'd to the spy for his nocturnal deeds:
13:396 Yet let dull Ajax bear away my right,
13:397 When all his days out-balance this one night.
13:398 Nor fought I darkling still: the sun beheld
13:399 With slaughter'd Lycians when I strew'd the field:
13:400 You saw, and counted as I pass'd along,
13:401 Alastor, Chromius, Ceranos the strong,
13:402 Alcander, Prytanis, and Halius,
13:403 Noemon, Charopes, and Ennomus;
13:404 Coon, Chersidamas; and five beside,
13:405 Men of obscure descent, but courage try'd:
13:406 All these this hand laid breathless on the ground;
13:407 Nor want I proofs of many a manly wound:
13:408 All honest, all before: believe not me;
13:409 Words may deceive, but credit what you see.
13:410 At this he bar'd his breast, and show'd his scars,
13:411 As of a furrow'd field, well plow'd with wars;
13:412 Nor is this part unexercis'd, said he;
13:413 That gyant-bulk of his from wounds is free:
13:414 Safe in his shield he fears no foe to try,
13:415 And better manages his blood, than I:
13:416 But this avails me not; our boaster strove
13:417 Not with our foes alone, but partial Jove,
13:418 To save the fleet: this I confess is true
13:419 (Nor will I take from any man his due):
13:420 But thus assuming all, he robs from you.
13:421 Some part of honour to your share will fall,
13:422 He did the best indeed, but did not all.
13:423 Patroclus in Achilles' arms, and thought
13:424 The chief he seem'd, with equal ardour fought;
13:425 Preserv'd the fleet, repell'd the raging fire,
13:426 And forc'd the fearful Trojans to retire.
13:427 But Ajax boasts, that he was only thought
13:428 A match for Hector, who the combat sought:
13:429 Sure he forgets the king, the chiefs, and me:
13:430 All were as eager for the fight, as he:
13:431 He but the ninth, and not by publick voice,
13:432 Or ours preferr'd, was only Fortune's choice:
13:433 They fought; nor can our hero boast th' event,
13:434 For Hector from the field unwounded went.
13:435 Why am I forc'd to name that fatal day,
13:436 That snatch'd the prop and pride of Greece away?
13:437 I saw Pelides sink, with pious grief,
13:438 And ran in vain, alas! to his relief;
13:439 For the brave soul was fled: full of my friend
13:440 I rush'd amid the war, his relicks to defend:
13:441 Nor ceas'd my toil, 'till I redeem'd the prey,
13:442 And, loaded with Achilles, march'd away:
13:443 Those arms, which on these shoulders then I bore,
13:444 'Tis just you to these shoulders should restore.
13:445 You see I want not nerves, who cou'd sustain
13:446 The pond'rous ruins of so great a man:
13:447 Or if in others equal force you find,
13:448 None is endu'd with a more grateful mind.
13:449 Did Thetis then, ambitious in her care,
13:450 These arms thus labour'd for her son prepare;
13:451 That Ajax after him the heav'nly gift shou'd wear!
13:452 For that dull soul to stare with stupid eyes,
13:453 On the learn'd unintelligible prize!
13:454 What are to him the sculptures of the shield,
13:455 Heav'n's planets, Earth, and Ocean's watry field?
13:456 The Pleiads, Hyads; less, and greater Bear,
13:457 Undipp'd in seas; Orion's angry star;
13:458 Two diff'ring cities, grav'd on either hand;
13:459 Would he wear arms he cannot understand?
13:460 Beside, what wise objections he prepares
13:461 Against my late accession to the wars?
13:462 Does not the fool perceive his argument
13:463 Is with more force against Achilles bent?
13:464 For if dissembling be so great a crime,
13:465 The fault is common, and the same in him:
13:466 And if he taxes both of long delay,
13:467 My guilt is less, who sooner came away.
13:468 His pious mother, anxious for his life,
13:469 Detain'd her son; and me, my pious wife.
13:470 To them the blossoms of our youth were due,
13:471 Our riper manhood we reserv'd for you.
13:472 But grant me guilty, 'tis not much my care,
13:473 When with so great a man my guilt I share:
13:474 My wit to war the matchless hero brought,
13:475 But by this fool I never had been caught.
13:476 Nor need I wonder, that on me he threw
13:477 Such foul aspersions, when he spares not you:
13:478 If Palamede unjustly fell by me,
13:479 Your honour suffer'd in th' unjust decree:
13:480 I but accus'd, you doom'd: and yet he dy'd,
13:481 Convinc'd of treason, and was fairly try'd:
13:482 You heard not he was false; your eyes beheld
13:483 The traytor manifest; the bribe reveal'd.
13:484 That Philoctetes is on Lemnos left,
13:485 Wounded, forlorn, of human aid bereft,
13:486 Is not my crime, or not my crime alone;
13:487 Defend your justice, for the fact's your own:
13:488 'Tis true, th' advice was mine; that staying there
13:489 He might his weary limbs with rest repair,
13:490 From a long voyage free, and from a longer war.
13:491 He took the counsl, and he lives at least;
13:492 Th' event declares I counsell'd for the best:
13:493 Though faith is all in ministers of state;
13:494 For who can promise to be fortunate?
13:495 Now since his arrows are the Fate of Troy,
13:496 Do not my wit, or weak address, employ;
13:497 Send Ajax there, with his persuasive sense,
13:498 To mollifie the man, and draw him thence:
13:499 But Xanthus shall run backward; Ida stand
13:500 A leafless mountain; and the Grecian band
13:501 Shall fight for Troy; if, when my councils fail,
13:502 The wit of heavy Ajax can prevail.
13:503 Hard Philoctetes, exercise thy spleen
13:504 Against thy fellows, and the king of men;
13:505 Curse my devoted head, above the rest,
13:506 And wish in arms to meet me breast to breast:
13:507 Yet I the dang'rous task will undertake,
13:508 And either die my self, or bring thee back.
13:509 Nor doubt the same success, as when before
13:510 The Phrygian prophet to these tents I bore,
13:511 Surpriz'd by night, and forc'd him to declare
13:512 In what was plac'd the fortune of the war,
13:513 Heav'n's dark decrees, and answers to display,
13:514 And how to take the town, and where the secret lay:
13:515 Yet this I compass'd, and from Troy convey'd
13:516 The fatal image of their guardian-maid;
13:517 That work was mine; for Pallas, though our friend,
13:518 Yet while she was in Troy, did Troy defend.
13:519 Now what has Ajax done, or what design'd?
13:520 A noisie nothing, and an empty wind.
13:521 If he be what he promises in show,
13:522 Why was I sent, and why fear'd he to go?
13:523 Our boasting champion thought the task not light
13:524 To pass the guards, commit himself to night;
13:525 Not only through a hostile town to pass,
13:526 But scale, with steep ascent, the sacred place;
13:527 With wand'ring steps to search the cittadel,
13:528 And from the priests their patroness to steal:
13:529 Then through surrounding foes to force my way,
13:530 And bear in triumph home the heavn'ly prey;
13:531 Which had I not, Ajax in vain had held,
13:532 Before that monst'rous bulk, his sev'nfold shield.
13:533 That night to conquer Troy I might be said,
13:534 When Troy was liable to conquest made.
13:535 Why point'st thou to my partner of the war?
13:536 Tydides had indeed a worthy share
13:537 In all my toil, and praise; but when thy might
13:538 Our ships protected, did'st thou singly fight?
13:539 All join'd, and thou of many wert but one;
13:540 I ask'd no friend, nor had, but him alone:
13:541 Who, had he not been well assur'd, that art,
13:542 And conduct were of war the better part,
13:543 And more avail'd than strength, my valiant friend
13:544 Had urg'd a better right, than Ajax can pretend:
13:545 As good at least Eurypilus may claim,
13:546 And the more mod'rate Ajax of the name:
13:547 The Cretan king, and his brave charioteer,
13:548 And Menelaus bold with sword, and spear:
13:549 All these had been my rivals in the shield,
13:550 And yet all these to my pretensions yield.
13:551 Thy boist'rous hands are then of use, when I
13:552 With this directing head those hands apply.
13:553 Brawn without brain is thine: my prudent care
13:554 Foresees, provides, administers the war:
13:555 Thy province is to fight; but when shall be
13:556 The time to fight, the king consults with me:
13:557 No dram of judgment with thy force is join'd:
13:558 Thy body is of profit, and my mind.
13:559 By how much more the ship her safety owes
13:560 To him who steers, than him that only rows;
13:561 By how much more the captain merits praise,
13:562 Than he who fights, and fighting but obeys;
13:563 By so much greater is my worth than thine,
13:564 Who canst but execute, what I design.
13:565 What gain'st thou, brutal man, if I confess
13:566 Thy strength superior, when thy wit is less?
13:567 Mind is the man: I claim my whole desert,
13:568 From the mind's vigour, and th' immortal part.
13:569 But you, o Grecian chiefs, reward my care,
13:570 Be grateful to your watchman of the war:
13:571 For all my labours in so long a space,
13:572 Sure I may plead a title to your grace:
13:573 Enter the town, I then unbarr'd the gates,
13:574 When I remov'd their tutelary Fates.
13:575 By all our common hopes, if hopes they be
13:576 Which I have now reduc'd to certainty;
13:577 By falling Troy, by yonder tott'ring tow'rs,
13:578 And by their taken Gods, which now are ours;
13:579 Or if there yet a farther task remains,
13:580 To be perform'd by prudence, or by pains;
13:581 If yet some desp'rate action rests behind,
13:582 That asks high conduct, and a dauntless mind;
13:583 If ought be wanting to the Trojan doom,
13:584 Which none but I can manage, and o'ercome,
13:585 Award, those arms I ask, by your decree:
13:586 Or give to this, what you refuse to me.
13:587 He ceas'd: and ceasing with respect he bow'd,
13:588 And with his hand at once the fatal statue show'd.
13:589 Heav'n, air and ocean rung, with loud applause,
13:590 And by the gen'ral vote he gain'd his cause.
13:591 Thus conduct won the prize, when courage fail'd,
13:592 And eloquence o'er brutal force prevail'd.