And mourn the living Hector as the dead.

But now, no longer deaf to honour's call, Forth issues Paris from the palace wall. In brazen arms that cast a gleamy ray, 650 Swift thro' the town the warrior bends his way.

The wanton courser thus, with reins unbound,

Breaks from his stall, and beats the trembling ground;

Pamper'd and proud he seeks the wonted tides,

And laves, in height of blood, his shining sides:

His head now freed he tosses to the skies; His mane dishevell'd o'er his shoulders flies;

He snuffs the females in the distant plain, And springs, exulting, to his fields again. With equal triumph, sprightly, bold, and gay,

660

In arms refulgent as the God of Day,
The son of Priam, glorying in his might,
Rush'd forth with Hector to the fields of
fight.

And now the warriors passing on the

The battle renewing with double ardour upon the return of Hector, Minerva is under apprehensions for the Greeks. Apollo, seeing her descend from Olympus, joins her near the Scran gate. They agree to put off the general engagement for that day, and incite Hector to challenge the Greeks to a single combat. Nine of the Princes accepting the challenge, the lot is cast, and falls upon Ajax. These heroes, after several attacks, are parted by the night. The Trojans calling a council, Antenor proposes the delivery of Helen to the Greeks, to which Paris will not consent, but offers to restore them her riches. Priam sends a herald to make this offer, and to demand a truce for burning the dead, the last of which only is agreed to by Agamemnon. When the funerals are performed, the Greeks, pursuant to the advice of Nestor, erect a fortification to protect their fleet and camp. flanked with towers, and defended by a ditch and palisades. Neptune testifies his jealousy at this work, but is pacified by a promise from Jupiter. Both armies pass the night in feasting, but Jupiter disheartens the Trojans with thunder and other signs of his wrath.

The three-and-twentieth day ends with the duel of Hector and Ajax; the next day the truce is agreed: another is taken up in the funeral rites of the slain; and one more in building the fortification before the ships; so that somewhat above three days is employed in this book. The scene lies wholly in the field.

So spoke the guardian of the Trojan state, Then rush'd impetuous thro' the Scean gate.

Him Paris follow'd to the dire alarms;
Both breathing slaughter, both resolv'd in

arms.

As when to sailors lab'ring thro' the main, That long had heav'd the weary oar in vain,

Great Jove, averse our warfare to compose, O'erwhelms the nations with new toils and woes;

War with a fiercer tide once more returns,
Till Ilion falls, or till yon navy burns.
You then, O Princes of the Greeks! ap-
pear;

'T is Hector speaks, and calls the Gods to hear:

From all your troops select the boldest knight,

And him, the boldest, Hector dares to fight.

Here if I fall, by chance of battle slain, Be his my spoil, and his these arms remain;

90

I fought the Chief; my arms Minerva crown'd:

Prone fell the giant o'er a length of ground.

What then he was, oh were your Nestor

now!

Not Hector's self should want an equal foe. But, warriors, you that youthful vigour boast,

191

The flower of Greece, th' examples of our host,

Sprung from such fathers, who such numbers sway,

Can you stand trembling, and desert the day?'

His warm reproofs the list'ning Kings inflame;

And nine, the noblest of the Grecian name, Upstarted fierce: but far before the rest The King of men advanc'd his dauntless breast;

Then bold Tydides, great in arms, appear'd; And next his bulk gigantic Ajax rear'd. 200 Orleus follow'd: Idomen was there,

And Merion, dreadful as the God of War: With these Eurypylus and Thoas stand, And wise Ulysses closed the daring band. All these, alike inspired with noble rage, Demand the fight. To whom the Pylian