132
Translations, &c.
"Of Ilion had receiv'd the final stroke
"From Grecian valour, with barbaric spoil, 600
"To his high same proportion'd, he return'd,
"Unmark'd with hostile wound, tho' round him Mars
"With tenfold rage oft' made the battle burn."
I ended: joy ineffable possess'd
The great paternal shade; his steps he rais'd 605
With more majestic portance o'er the mead
Vernant with asphodel, elate to hear
His son's exploits emblazon'd fair by Fame.
The rest, a pensive circle, round await
Reciting various dooms, to mortal ear 610
Calamitous and sad! from these apart
The Telamonian hero, whom I foil'd
In contest for Achilles' arms, abode
Sullen with treasur'd wrath: the fatal strife
By Thetis was propos'd, and ev'ry judge 615
Instinct by Pallas, to my claim declar'd
The prize of right. O! why was I constrain'd
By honour to prevail, and cause to die
Ajax, the chief with manly grace adorn'd,
And prowess; paragon'd for both to none 620
But the great son of Pelcus! him with speech
Lenient of wrath I thus accosted mild:
"Ajax! let this oblivious gloom deface
"The memory of those arms which Heav'n decreed
"Pernicious to the Greeks, who lost in thee 625
"Their tow'r of strong defence: to mourn thy fall
"From Grecian valour, with barbaric spoil, 600
"To his high same proportion'd, he return'd,
"Unmark'd with hostile wound, tho' round him Mars
"With tenfold rage oft' made the battle burn."
I ended: joy ineffable possess'd
The great paternal shade; his steps he rais'd 605
With more majestic portance o'er the mead
Vernant with asphodel, elate to hear
His son's exploits emblazon'd fair by Fame.
The rest, a pensive circle, round await
Reciting various dooms, to mortal ear 610
Calamitous and sad! from these apart
The Telamonian hero, whom I foil'd
In contest for Achilles' arms, abode
Sullen with treasur'd wrath: the fatal strife
By Thetis was propos'd, and ev'ry judge 615
Instinct by Pallas, to my claim declar'd
The prize of right. O! why was I constrain'd
By honour to prevail, and cause to die
Ajax, the chief with manly grace adorn'd,
And prowess; paragon'd for both to none 620
But the great son of Pelcus! him with speech
Lenient of wrath I thus accosted mild:
"Ajax! let this oblivious gloom deface
"The memory of those arms which Heav'n decreed
"Pernicious to the Greeks, who lost in thee 625
"Their tow'r of strong defence: to mourn thy fall
