The prayer of Ajax was for light.
Ipsa quidem virtus sibimet pulcherrima merces (Virtue herself is her own fairest reward).--SILIUS ITALICUS (25?-99): _Punica, lib. xiii. line 663._ The glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate; Death lays his icy hands on kings.
Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.[209-3]
~Dirt.~--"Ignorance," says Ajax, "is a painless evil;" so, I should think, is dirt, considering the merry faces that go along with it.--_George Eliot._
Dispel this cloud, the light of Heaven restore; Give me to see, and Ajax asks no more.
Soft is the strain when zephyr gently blows, And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows; But when loud surges lash the sounding shore, The hoarse rough verse should like the torrent roar. When Ajax strives some rock's vast weight to throw, The line too labours, and the words move slow: Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o'er th' unbending corn, and skims along the main.
He said; then sudden from his seat upsprang Swift Ajax Oïliades, prepared For harsh retort, nor had the contest ceased Between them, but had grown from ill to worse, Had not himself, Achilles, interposed.
But Ajax Oïliades the swift Him sharp reproved. Why art thou always given To prate, Idomeneus? thou seest the mares, Remote indeed, but posting to the goal. Thou art not youngest of the Argives here So much, nor from beneath thy brows look forth Quick-sighted more than ours, thine eyes abroad. Yet still thou pratest, although silence more Should suit thee, among wiser far than thou. The mares which led, lead still, and he who drives Eumelus is, the same who drove before.
And now Cyllenian Hermes summon'd forth The spirits of the suitors; waving wide The golden wand of pow'r to seal all eyes In slumber, and to ope them wide again, He drove them gibb'ring down into the shades, As when the bats within some hallow'd cave Flit squeaking all around, for if but one Fall from the rock, the rest all follow him, In such connexion mutual they adhere, So, after bounteous Mercury, the ghosts, Troop'd downward gibb'ring all the dreary way. The Ocean's flood and the Leucadian rock, The Sun's gate also and the land of Dreams They pass'd, whence, next, into the meads they came Of Asphodel, by shadowy forms possess'd, Simulars of the dead. They found the souls Of brave Pelides there, and of his friend Patroclus, of Antilochus renown'd, And of the mightier Ajax, for his form And bulk (Achilles sole except) of all The sons of the Achaians most admired. These waited on Achilles. Then, appear'd The mournful ghost of Agamemnon, son Of Atreus, compass'd by the ghosts of all Who shared his fate beneath Ægisthus' roof, And him the ghost of Peleus' son bespake.
Here are we busied, Hector! on the skirts Of roaring battle, and meantime I see Our host confused, their horses and themselves All mingled. Telamonian Ajax there Routs them; I know the hero by his shield. Haste, drive we thither, for the carnage most Of horse and foot conflicting furious, there Rages, and infinite the shouts arise.
My gallant Ajax, haste--come quickly--strive With me to rescue for Achilles' sake His friend, though bare, for Hector hath his arms.
He said, then Telamonian Ajax huge Arose, and opposite the son arose Of warlike Tydeus, Diomede the brave. Apart from all the people each put on His arms, then moved into the middle space, Lowering terrific, and on fire to fight. The host look'd on amazed. Approaching each The other, thrice they sprang to the assault, And thrice struck hand to hand. Ajax the shield Pierced of his adversary, but the flesh Attain'd not, baffled by his mail within. Then Tydeus' son, sheer o'er the ample disk Of Ajax, thrust a lance home to his neck, And the Achaians for the life appall'd Of Ajax, bade them, ceasing, share the prize. But the huge falchion with its sheath and belt-- Achilles them on Diomede bestow'd.
Hector the ashen lance of Ajax smote With his broad falchion, at the nether end, And lopp'd it sheer. The Telamonian Chief His mutilated beam brandish'd in vain, And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote. Then Ajax in his noble mind perceived, Shuddering with awe, the interposing power Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain'd to mar And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks. He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark; Through all her length the conflagration ran Incontinent, and wrapp'd her stern in flames. Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said,
So saying, the hero soothed his brother's mind. Then moved they both toward the hottest war Together, where Polydamas the brave, Phalces, Cebriones, Orthæus fought, Palmys and Polyphoetes, godlike Chief, And Morys and Ascanius, gallant sons Both of Hippotion. They at Troy arrived From fair Ascania the preceding morn, In recompense for aid by Priam lent Erewhile to Phrygia, and, by Jove impell'd, Now waged the furious battle side by side. The march of these at once, was as the sound Of mighty winds from deep-hung thunder-clouds Descending; clamorous the blast and wild With ocean mingles; many a billow, then, Upridged rides turbulent the sounding flood, Foam-crested billow after billow driven, So moved the host of Troy, rank after rank Behind their Chiefs, all dazzling bright in arms. Before them Priameian Hector strode Fierce as gore-tainted Mars, and his broad shield Advancing came, heavy with hides, and thick- Plated with brass; his helmet on his brows Refulgent shook, and in its turn he tried The force of every phalanx, if perchance Behind his broad shield pacing he might shake Their steadfast order; but he bore not down The spirit of the firm Achaian host. Then Ajax striding forth, him, first, defied.
To whom great Agamemnon thus replied. Heaven-favor'd Menelaus! We have need, Thou and myself, of some device well-framed, Which both the Grecians and the fleet of Greece May rescue, for the mind of Jove hath changed, And Hector's prayers alone now reach his ear. I never saw, nor by report have learn'd From any man, that ever single chief Such awful wonders in one day perform'd As he with ease against the Greeks, although Nor from a Goddess sprung nor from a God. Deeds he hath done, which, as I think, the Greeks Shall deep and long lament, such numerous ills Achaia's host hath at his hands sustain'd. But haste, begone, and at their several ships Call Ajax and Idomeneus; I go To exhort the noble Nestor to arise, That he may visit, if he so incline, The chosen band who watch, and his advice Give them; for him most prompt they will obey, Whose son, together with Meriones, Friend of Idomeneus, controls them all, Entrusted by ourselves with that command.
He ended; and the Trojans now approach'd. Then two bold warriors in one chariot borne, By valiant Hector died, Menesthes one, And one, Anchialus. Them fallen in fight Ajax the vast, touch'd with compassion saw; Within small space he stood, his glittering spear Dismiss'd, and pierced Amphius. Son was he Of Selagus, and Pæsus was his home, Where opulent he dwelt, but by his fate Was led to fight for Priam and his sons. Him Telamonian Ajax through his belt Wounded, and in his nether bowels deep Fix'd his long-shadow'd spear. Sounding he fell. Illustrious Ajax running to the slain Prepared to strip his arms, but him a shower Of glittering-weapons keen from Trojan hands Assail'd, and numerous his broad shield received. He, on the body planting firm his heel, Forth drew the polish'd spear, but his bright arms Took not, by darts thick-flying sore annoy'd, Nor fear'd he little lest his haughty foes, Spear-arm'd and bold, should compass him around; Him, therefore, valiant though he were and huge, They push'd before them. Staggering he retired.
Then Nestor thus Gerenian Hero old. Young friend! since thou remind'st me, speaking thus, Of all the woes which indefatigable We sons of the Achaians there sustain'd, Both those which wand'ring on the Deep we bore Wherever by Achilles led in quest Of booty, and the many woes beside Which under royal Priam's spacious walls We suffer'd, know, that there our bravest fell. There warlike Ajax lies, there Peleus' son; There, too, Patroclus, like the Gods themselves In council, and my son beloved there, Brave, virtuous, swift of foot, and bold in fight, Antilochus. Nor are these sorrows all; What tongue of mortal man could all relate? Should'st thou, abiding here, five years employ Or six, enquiring of the woes endured By the Achaians, ere thou should'st have learn'd The whole, thou would'st depart, tir'd of the tale. For we, nine years, stratagems of all kinds Devised against them, and Saturnian Jove Scarce crown'd the difficult attempt at last. There, no competitor in wiles well-plann'd Ulysses found, so far were all surpass'd In shrewd invention by thy noble Sire, If thou indeed art his, as sure thou art, Whose sight breeds wonder in me, and thy speech His speech resembles more than might be deem'd Within the scope of years so green as thine. There, never in opinion, or in voice Illustrious Ulysses and myself Divided were, but, one in heart, contrived As best we might, the benefit of all. But after Priam's lofty city sack'd, And the departure of the Greeks on board Their barks, and when the Gods had scatter'd them, Then Jove imagin'd for the Argive host A sorrowful return; for neither just Were all, nor prudent, therefore many found A fate disast'rous through the vengeful ire Of Jove-born Pallas, who between the sons Of Atreus sharp contention interposed. They both, irregularly, and against Just order, summoning by night the Greeks To council, of whom many came with wine Oppress'd, promulgated the cause for which They had convened the people. Then it was That Menelaus bade the general host Their thoughts bend homeward o'er the sacred Deep, Which Agamemnon in no sort approved. His counsel was to slay them yet at Troy, That so he might assuage the dreadful wrath Of Pallas, first, by sacrifice and pray'r. Vain hope! he little thought how ill should speed That fond attempt, for, once provok'd, the Gods Are not with ease conciliated again. Thus stood the brothers, altercation hot Maintaining, till at length, uprose the Greeks With deaf'ning clamours, and with diff'ring minds. We slept the night, but teeming with disgust Mutual, for Jove great woe prepar'd for all. At dawn of day we drew our gallies down Into the sea, and, hasty, put on board The spoils and female captives. Half the host, With Agamemnon, son of Atreus, stay'd Supreme commander, and, embarking, half Push'd forth. Swift course we made, for Neptune smooth'd The waves before us of the monstrous Deep. At Tenedos arriv'd, we there perform'd Sacrifice to the Gods, ardent to reach Our native land, but unpropitious Jove, Not yet designing our arrival there, Involved us in dissension fierce again. For all the crews, followers of the King, Thy noble Sire, to gratify our Chief, The son of Atreus, chose a diff'rent course, And steer'd their oary barks again to Troy. But I, assured that evil from the Gods Impended, gath'ring all my gallant fleet, Fled thence in haste, and warlike Diomede Exhorting his attendants, also fled. At length, the Hero Menelaus join'd Our fleets at Lesbos; there he found us held In deep deliberation on the length Of way before us, whether we should steer Above the craggy Chios to the isle Psyria, that island holding on our left, Or under Chios by the wind-swept heights Of Mimas. Then we ask'd from Jove a sign, And by a sign vouchsafed he bade us cut The wide sea to Eubœa sheer athwart, So soonest to escape the threat'ned harm. Shrill sang the rising gale, and with swift prows Cleaving the fishy flood, we reach'd by night Geræstus, where arrived, we burn'd the thighs Of num'rous bulls to Neptune, who had safe Conducted us through all our perilous course. The fleet of Diomede in safety moor'd On the fourth day at Argos, but myself Held on my course to Pylus, nor the wind One moment thwarted us, or died away, When Jove had once commanded it to blow.
To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied. Atrides! glorious sovereign! King of men! No sordid gifts, or to be view'd with scorn, Givest thou the Prince Achilles. But away! Send chosen messengers, who shall the son Of Peleus, instant, in his tent address. Myself will choose them, be it theirs to obey. Let Phoenix lead, Jove loves him. Be the next Huge Ajax; and the wise Ulysses third. Of heralds, Odius and Eurybates Shall them attend. Bring water for our hands; Give charge that every tongue abstain from speech Portentous, and propitiate Jove by prayer.
The other souls of men by death dismiss'd Stood mournful by, sad uttering each his woes; The soul alone I saw standing remote Of Telamonian Ajax, still incensed That in our public contest for the arms Worn by Achilles, and by Thetis thrown Into dispute, my claim had strongest proved, Troy and Minerva judges of the cause. Disastrous victory! which I could wish Not to have won, since for that armour's sake The earth hath cover'd Ajax, in his form And martial deeds superior far to all The Greecians, Peleus' matchless son except. I, seeking to appease him, thus began.
Then Ajax put his radiant armor on, And, arm'd complete, rush'd forward. As huge Mars To battle moves the sons of men between Whom Jove with heart-devouring thirst inspires Of war, so moved huge Ajax to the fight, Tower of the Greeks, dilating with a smile His martial features terrible; on feet, Firm-planted, to the combat he advanced Stride after stride, and shook his quivering spear. Him viewing, Argos' universal host Exulted, while a panic loosed the knees Of every Trojan; even Hector's heart Beat double, but escape for him remain'd None now, or to retreat into his ranks Again, from whom himself had challenged forth. Ajax advancing like a tower his shield Sevenfold, approach'd. It was the labor'd work Of Tychius, armorer of matchless skill, Who dwelt in Hyla; coated with the hides Of seven high-pamper'd bulls that shield he framed For Ajax, and the disk plated with brass. Advancing it before his breast, the son Of Telamon approach'd the Trojan Chief, And face to face, him threatening, thus began.
He said, and from the nerve another shaft Impatient sent at Hector; but it flew Devious, and brave Gorgythion struck instead. Him beautiful Castianira, brought By Priam from Æsyma, nymph of form Celestial, to the King of Ilium bore. As in the garden, with the weight surcharged Of its own fruit, and drench'd by vernal rains The poppy falls oblique, so he his head Hung languid, by his helmet's weight depress'd. Then Teucer yet an arrow from the nerve Dispatch'd at Hector, with impatience fired To pierce him; but again his weapon err'd Turn'd by Apollo, and the bosom struck Of Archeptolemus, his rapid steeds To battle urging, Hector's charioteer. He fell, his fiery coursers at the sound Recoil'd, and lifeless where he fell he lay. Deep sorrow for his charioteer the mind O'erwhelm'd of Hector, yet he left the slain, And seeing his own brother nigh at hand, Cebriones, him summon'd to the reins, Who with alacrity that charge received. Then Hector, leaping with a dreadful shout From his resplendent chariot, grasp'd a stone, And rush'd on Teucer, vengeance in his heart. Teucer had newly fitted to the nerve An arrow keen selected from the rest, And warlike Hector, while he stood the cord Retracting, smote him with that rugged rock Just where the key-bone interposed divides The neck and bosom, a most mortal part. It snapp'd the bow-string, and with numbing force Struck dead his hand; low on his knees he dropp'd, And from his opening grasp let fall the bow. Then not unmindful of a brother fallen Was Ajax, but, advancing rapid, stalk'd Around him, and his broad shield interposed, Till brave Alaster and Mecisteus, son Of Echius, friends of Teucer, from the earth Upraised and bore him groaning to the fleet. And now again fresh force Olympian Jove Gave to the Trojans; right toward the foss They drove the Greeks, while Hector in the van Advanced, death menacing in every look.
So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard. But most indignant, Ajax, offspring bold Of Telamon, to whom he nearest fell. He, quick, at the retiring conqueror cast His radiant spear; Polydamas the stroke Shunn'd, starting sideward; but Antenor's son Archilochus the mortal dint received, Death-destined by the Gods; where neck and spine Unite, both tendons he dissever'd wide, And, ere his knees, his nostrils met the ground.
The rest all fought, and dread the shouts arose On all sides. Telamonian Teucer, first, Slew valiant Imbrius, son of Mentor, rich In herds of sprightly steeds. He ere the Greeks Arrived at Ilium, in Pedæus dwelt, And Priam's spurious daughter had espoused Medesicasta. But the barks well-oar'd Of Greece arriving, he return'd to Troy, Where he excell'd the noblest, and abode With Priam, loved and honor'd as his own. Him Teucer pierced beneath his ear, and pluck'd His weapon home; he fell as falls an ash Which on some mountain visible afar, Hewn from its bottom by the woodman's axe, With all its tender foliage meets the ground So Imbrius fell; loud rang his armor bright With ornamental brass, and Teucer flew To seize his arms, whom hasting to the spoil Hector with his resplendent spear assail'd; He, marking opposite its rapid flight, Declined it narrowly and it pierced the breast, As he advanced to battle, of the son Of Cteatus of the Actorian race, Amphimachus; he, sounding, smote the plain, And all his batter'd armor rang aloud. Then Hector swift approaching, would have torn The well-forged helmet from the brows away Of brave Amphimachus; but Ajax hurl'd Right forth at Hector hasting to the spoil His radiant spear; no wound the spear impress'd, For he was arm'd complete in burnish'd brass Terrific; but the solid boss it pierced Of Hector's shield, and with enormous force So shock'd him, that retiring he resign'd Both bodies, which the Grecians dragg'd away. Stichius and Menestheus, leaders both Of the Athenians, to the host of Greece Bore off Amphimachus, and, fierce in arms The Ajaces, Imbrius. As two lions bear Through thick entanglement of boughs and brakes A goat snatch'd newly from the peasants' cogs, Upholding high their prey above the ground, So either Ajax terrible in fight, Upholding Imbrius high, his brazen arms Tore off, and Oïliades his head From his smooth neck dissevering in revenge For slain Amphimachus, through all the host Sent it with swift rotation like a globe, Till in the dust at Hector's feet it fell.
Now stand ye forth who shall this prize dispute. He said, and at his word instant arose Swift Ajax Oïliades; upsprang The shrewd Ulysses next, and after him Brave Nestor's son Antilochus, with whom None vied in speed of all the youths of Greece. They stood prepared. Achilles show'd the goal. At once all started. Oïliades Led swift the course, and closely at his heels Ulysses ran. Near as some cinctured maid Industrious holds the distaff to her breast, While to and fro with practised finger neat She tends the flax drawing it to a thread, So near Ulysses follow'd him, and press'd His footsteps, ere the dust fill'd them again, Pouring his breath into his neck behind, And never slackening pace. His ardent thirst Of victory with universal shouts All seconded, and, eager, bade him on. And now the contest shortening to a close, Ulysses his request silent and brief To azure-eyed Minerva thus preferr'd.
So Neptune spake, compasser of the earth, And, with his sceptre smiting both, their hearts Fill'd with fresh fortitude; their limbs the touch Made agile, wing'd their feet and nerved their arms. Then, swift as stoops a falcon from the point Of some rude rock sublime, when he would chase A fowl of other wing along the meads, So started Neptune thence, and disappear'd. Him, as he went, swift Oïliades First recognized, and, instant, thus his speech To Ajax, son of Telamon, address'd.
He ceased; they still more violent assail'd The Grecians. Even Ajax could endure, Whelm'd under weapons numberless, that storm No longer, but expecting death retired Down from the decks to an inferior stand, Where still he watch'd, and if a Trojan bore Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear, Roaring continual to the host of Greece.
To stand aloof where other Grecians stood No longer now would satisfy the mind Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides Enormous marching, to and fro he swung With iron studs emboss'd a battle-pole Unwieldy, twenty and two cubits long. As one expert to spring from horse to horse, From many steeds selecting four, toward Some noble city drives them from the plain Along the populous road; him many a youth And many a maiden eyes, while still secure From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly; So Ajax o'er the decks of numerous ships Stalk'd striding large, and sent his voice to heaven. Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself Hector, contented, now, the battle wage Lost in the multitude of Trojans more, But as the tawny eagle on full wing Assails the feather'd nations, geese or cranes Or swans lithe-neck'd grazing the river's verge, So Hector at a galley sable-prow'd Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on With mighty hand, and his host after him. And now again the battle at the ships Grew furious; thou hadst deem'd them of a kind By toil untameable, so fierce they strove, And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged Hope vain, and the whole host's destruction sure; But nought expected every Trojan less Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave Achaia's heroes lifeless on the field. With such persuasions occupied, they fought.
So saying, he with his sheath and belt a sword Presented bright-emboss'd, and a bright belt Purpureal took from Ajax in return. Thus separated, one the Grecians sought, And one the Trojans; they when him they saw From the unconquer'd hands return'd alive Of Ajax, with delight their Chief received, And to the city led him, double joy Conceiving all at his unhoped escape. On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail'd To noble Agamemnon introduced Exulting Ajax, and the King of men In honor of the conqueror slew an ox Of the fifth year to Jove omnipotent. Him flaying first, they carved him next and spread The whole abroad, then, scoring deep the flesh, They pierced it with the spits, and from the spits (Once roasted well) withdrew it all again. Their labor thus accomplish'd, and the board Furnish'd with plenteous cheer, they feasted all Till all were satisfied; nor Ajax miss'd The conqueror's meed, to whom the hero-king Wide-ruling Agamemnon, gave the chine Perpetual, his distinguish'd portion due. The calls of hunger and of thirst at length Both well sufficed, thus, foremost of them all The ancient Nestor, whose advice had oft Proved salutary, prudent thus began.
So saying, he animated each. Meantime, Ajax his fellow-warriors thus address'd.
The third of whom the venerable king Inquired, was Ajax.--Yon Achaian tall, Whose head and shoulders tower above the rest, And of such bulk prodigious--who is he?
Ye need not, fellow-warriors, to be taught That now, as ever, the immortal Gods Honor on seniority bestow. Ajax is elder, yet not much, than I. But Laertiades was born in times Long past, a chief coëval with our sires, Not young, but vigorous; and of the Greeks, Achilles may alone with him contend.
So saying, he call'd aloud on Menelaus With either Ajax. Oh, illustrious Chiefs Of Argos, Menelaus, and ye bold Ajaces! leaving all your best to cope With Ilium's powers and to protect the dead, From friends still living ward the bitter day. For hither borne, two Chiefs, bravest of all The Trojans, Hector and Æneas rush Right through the battle. The events of war Heaven orders; therefore even I will give My spear its flight, and Jove dispose the rest!
To whom majestic Hector fierce in arms. Ajax! heroic leader of the Greeks! Offspring of Telamon! essay not me With words to terrify, as I were boy. Or girl unskill'd in war; I am a man Well exercised in battle, who have shed The blood of many a warrior, and have learn'd, From hand to hand shifting my shield, to fight Unwearied; I can make a sport of war, In standing fight adjusting all my steps To martial measures sweet, or vaulting light Into my chariot, thence can urge the foe. Yet in contention with a Chief like thee I will employ no stratagem, or seek To smite thee privily, but with a stroke (If I may reach thee) visible to all.