A fafe return was promis'd to our toils, Renown'd, triumphant, and enrich'd with spoils. 145 Now fhameful flight alone can fave the hoft, Our blood, our treasure, and our glory loft. So Jove decrees, refiftlefs Lord of all! At whofe command whole empires rife or fall: Once great in arms, the common fcorn we grow, 155 So fmall their number, that if wars were ceas'd, АН 155. So fmall their number, &c.] This part has a fow air in comparifon with the reft of the fpeech. Scaliger calls it tabernariam orationem: But it is well obferv'd by Madam Dacier, that the image Agamemnon here gives of the Trojans, does not only render their numbers contemptible in comparison of the Greeks, but their perfons too: For it makes them appear but as a few vile flaves fit only to ferve them with wine. To which we may add, that it affords a profpect to his foldiers of their future ftate and triumph after the conqueft of their enemies.. This paffage gives me occafion to animadvert upon a computation of the number of the Trojans, which the learned An gelus Politian has offer'd at in his Preface to Homer. He thinks they were fifty thoufand without the auxiliaries, from the con clufion of the eighth Hiad, where it is faid there were a thou fand Il rank'd by tens; whole decads when they dine Fly, Grecians, fly, your fails and oars employ, fand funeral piles of Trojans, and fifty men attending each of them. But that the auxiliaries are to be admitted into that number, appears plainly from this place: Agamemnon exprefly diftinguishes the native Trojans from the aids, and reckons but one to ten Grecians, at which eftimate there could not be above ten thousand Trojans. See the Notes on the catalogue. -Decay'd our veffels lie, *. 163. And scarce enfure the wretched pow'r to fly.] This, and fome other paffages, are here tranflated correfpondent to the general air and sense of this speech, rather than juft to the letter. The telling them in this place how much their fhipping was decay'd, was a hint of their danger in returning, as Madam Dacier has remaık'd. His deep defign unknown, the hofts approve Atrides' speech. The mighty numbers move. 175 So roll the billows to th' Icarian fhore, From Eaft and South when winds begin to roar, Burft their dark manfions in the clouds, and fweep The whitening furface of the ruffled deep. And as on corn when weftern gufts defcend, 180 Before the blaft the lofty harvests bend; Thus o'er the field the moving hoft appears, With nodding plumes and groves of waving fpears. The gath'ring murmur fpreads, their trampling feet Beat the loofe fands, and thicken to the fleet. 185With long-refounding cries they urge the train To fit the fhips, and launch into the main. They toil, they fweat, thick clouds of duft arife, The doubling clamours echo to the skies. Ev'n then the Greeks had left the hostile plain, And fate decreed the fall of Troy in vain; 190 .175. So roll the billows, &c. One may take notice that Homer in these two fimilitudes has judiciously made choice of the two most wavering and inconftant things in nature, to compare with the multitude; the waves and ears of corn. The first alludes to the noife and tumult of the people, in the breaking and rolling of the billows; the second to their taking the fame courfe, like corn bending one way; and both to the eafinefs with which they are mov'd by every breath. But But Jove's imperial Queen their flight furvey'd, Pallas obeys, and from Olympus' height 215 Hafte gen'rous Ithacus! prevent the shame, Recall your armies, and your chiefs reclaim. Your own refiftlefs eloquence employ, And to th' Iminortals truft the fall of Troy. The voice divine confess'd the warlike maid, 220Ulyffes heard, nor uninfpir'd obey'd: Then meeting first Atrides, from his hand Receiv'd th' imperial fceptre of command. Thus grac'd, attention and refpect to gain, He runs, he flies thro' all the Grecian train, 225 Each Prince of name, or chief in arms approv'd, He fir'd with praise, or with perfuafion mov'd. Warriors like you, with strength and wisdom bleft, By brave Examples fhould confirm the reft. The monarch's will not yet reveal'd appears: 230 He tries our courage, but refents our fears. Th' unwary Greeks his fury may provoke; 235 Not thus the King in fecret counsel spoke. Jove loves our chief, from Jove his honour fprings, But if a clam'rous vile Plebeian rose, Him with reproof he check'd, or tam'd with blows. Unknown alike in council and in field! Ye |