Squadrons on squadrons drives, and fills the fields
With close-ranged chariots, and with thickened shields.
Where the deep trench in length extended lay,
Compacted troops stand wedged in firm array,
A dreadful front, they shake the bands, and threat
With long-destroying flames the hostile fleet.
The king of men, by Juno's self inspired,
Toiled through the tents, and all his army fired.
Swift as he moved, he lifted in his hand
His purple robe,[1]bright ensign of command.
High on the midmost bark the king appeared;
There, from Ulysses' deck, his voice was heard:
To Ajax and Achilles reached the sound,
Whose distant ships the guarded navy bound.
"O Argives! shame of human race!" he cried—
The hollow vessels to his voice replied—
"Where now are all your glorious boasts of yore,
Your hasty triumphs on the Lemnian shore?
Each fearless hero dares a hundred foes,
While the feast lasts, and while the goblet flows;
But who to meet one martial man is found,
When the fight rages, and the flames surround?
O mighty Jove! oh, sire of the distressed!
Was ever king like me, like me oppressed?
With power immense, with justice armed in vain;
My glory ravished, and my people slain!
To thee my vows were breathed from every shore;
What altar smoked not with our victims' gore?
With fat of bulls I fed the constant flame,
And asked destruction to the Trojan name.
Now, gracious god! far humbler our demand;
Give these at least to 'scape from Hector's hand,
And save the relics of the Grecian land!"
Thus prayed the king, and heaven's great father heard
His vows, in bitterness of soul preferred;
The wrath appeased by happy signs declares,
And gives the people to their monarch's prayers.
His eagle, sacred bird of heaven! he sent,
A fawn his talons trussed, divine portent!
High o'er the wandering hosts he soared above,
Who paid their vows to Panomphæan[2] Jove;
Then let the prey before his altar fall:
The Greeks beheld, and transport seized on all:
Encouraged by the sign, the troops revive,
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THE ILIAD
260—303
