Might darts be bid to turn their points away, So fought each host, with thirst of glory fir'd, And crowds on crowds triumphantly expir'd. THE ARGUMENT. THE ACTS OF DIOMED. DIOMED, assisted by Pallas, performs wonders in this day's battle. Pandarus wounds him with an arrow, but the goddess cures him, euables him to discern gods from mortals, and prohibits him from contending with any of the former, excepting Venus. Eneas joins Pandarus to oppose him; Pandarus is killed, and Æneas in great danger but for the assistance of Venus; who, as she is removing her son from the fight, is wounded on the hand by Diomed. Apollo se. conds her in his rescue, and at length carries off Eneas to Troy, where he is healed in the temple of Pergamus. Mars rallies the Trojans, and assists Hector to make a stand. In the mean time Æneas is restored to the field, and they over throw several of the Greeks; among the rest Tlepolemus is slain by Sarpedon. Juno and Minerva descend to resist Mars; the latter incites Diomed to go against that god; he wounds him, and sends him groaning to Heaven. The first battle continues through this book. The scene is the same as in the former. THE ILIAD. BOOK V. BUT Pallas now Tydides' soul inspires, The' unwearied blaze incessant streams supplies, These singled from their troops the fight maintair. Which o'er the warrior's shoulder took its course, But pierc'd his breast, and stretch'd him on the plain. Left the rich chariot, and his brother dead. Struck with amaze and shame, the Trojan crew, Stern power of war! by whom the mighty fall Who bathe in blood, and shake the lofty wall! Let the brave chiefs their glorious toils divide; And whose the conquest, mighty Jove decide: While we from interdicted fields retire, Nor tempt the wrath of heaven's avenging sire.' Her words allay the' impetuous warrior's heat, The god of arms and martial maid retreat ; Remov'd from fight, on Xanthus' flowery bounds They sat, and listen'd to the dying sounds. Meantime, the Greeks the Trojan race pursue, And some bold chieftain every leader slew : First Odius falls, and bites the bloody sand, His death ennobled by Atrides' hand; As he to flight his wheeling car address'd, The speedy javelin drove from back to breast. In dust the mighty Halizonian lay, His arms resound, the spirit wings its way. |