He spoke—the warriors at his fierce command
Pour a new deluge on the Grecian band.
Even Ajax paused, (so thick the javelins fly,)
Stepp’d back, and doubted or to live or die.
Yet, where the oars are placed, he stands to wait
What chief approaching dares attempt his fate:
Even to the last his naval charge defends,
Now shakes his spear, now lifts, and now protends;
Even yet, the Greeks with piercing shouts inspires,
Amidst attacks, and deaths, and darts, and fires.
“O friends! O heroes! names for ever dear,
Once sons of Mars, and thunderbolts of war!
Ah! yet be mindful of your old renown,
Your great forefathers’ virtues and your own.
What aids expect you in this utmost strait?
What bulwarks rising between you and fate?
No aids, no bulwarks your retreat attend,
No friends to help, no city to defend.
This spot is all you have, to lose or keep;
There stand the Trojans, and here rolls the deep.
’Tis hostile ground you tread; your native lands
Far, far from hence: your fates are in your hands.”
Raging he spoke; nor further wastes his breath,
But turns his javelin to the work of death.
Whate’er bold Trojan arm’d his daring
hands,
Against the sable ships, with flaming brands,
So well the chief his naval weapon sped,
The luckless warrior at his stern lay dead:
Full twelve, the boldest, in a moment fell,
Sent by great Ajax to the shades of hell.
{Illustration: CASTOR AND POLLUX.}
BOOK XVI.
ARGUMENT
THE SIXTH BATTLE, THE ACTS AND DEATH OF PATROCLUS
Patroclus (in pursuance of the request of Nestor in
the eleventh book) entreats Achilles to suffer him
to go to the assistance of the Greeks with Achilles’
troops and armour. He agrees to it, but at the
same time charges him to content himself with rescuing
the fleet, without further pursuit of the enemy.
The armour, horses, soldiers, and officers are described.
Achilles offers a libation for the success of his friend,
after which Patroclus leads the Myrmidons to battle.
The Trojans, at the sight of Patroclus in Achilles’
armour, taking him for that hero, are cast into the
uttermost consternation; he beats them off from the
vessels, Hector himself flies, Sarpedon is killed,
though Jupiter was averse to his fate. Several
other particulars of the battle are described; in
the heat of which, Patroclus, neglecting the orders
of Achilles, pursues the foe to the walls of Troy,
where Apollo repulses and disarms him, Euphorbus wounds
him, and Hector kills him, which concludes the book.
So warr’d both armies on the ensanguined shore,
While the black vessels smoked with human gore.
Meantime Patroclus to Achilles flies;
The streaming tears fall copious from his eyes
Not faster, trickling to the plains below,
From the tall rock the sable waters flow.
Divine Pelides, with compassion moved.
Thus spoke, indulgent, to his best beloved:
[203]
