The Battle at the Grecian Wall.
THE Greeks being retired into their entrenchments, Hector attempts to force them; but it proving impoffible to pafs the ditch, Polydamas advises to quit their chariots, and manage the attack on foot. The Trojans follow his counfel, and, having divided their army into five bodies of foot, begin the affault. But upon the fignal of an eagle with a ferpent in his talons, which appear'd on the left hand of the Trojans, Polydamas endeavours to withdraw them again. This Hector oppofes, and continues the attack; in which, after many actions, Sarpedon makes the first breach in the wall: Hector alfo cafting a ftone of a vast fize, forces open one of the gates, and enters at the head of his troops, who victoriously pursue the Grecians even to their fhips.
HILE thus the hero's pious cares attend The cure and fafety of his wounded friend, Trojans and Greeks with clashing fhields engage, And mutual deaths are dealt with mutual rage. Nor long the trench or lofty walls oppose; With Gods averfe th' ill-fated works arofe; Their powers neglected, and no victim slain, The walls were rais'd, the trenches funk in vain. Without the Gods, how fhort a period stands The proudeft monument of mortal hands! This ftood, while Hector and Achilles rag'd, While facred Troy the warring hosts engag'd; But when her fons were flain, her city burn'd, And what furviv'd of Greece to Greece return'd; Then Neptune and Apollo shook the shore, Then Ida's fummits pour'd their watery store; Rhefus and Rhodius then unite their rills, Carefus roaring down the ftony hills, Afopus, Granicus, with mingled force, And Xanthus foaming from his fruitful fource; And gulphy Simoïs, rolling to the main
Helmets, and shields, and god-like heroes flain:
These turn'd by Phoebus from their wonted ways,
Delug'd the rampire nine continual days;
The weight of waters faps the yielding wall,
And to the fea the floating bulwarks fall.
Incessant cataracts the Thunderer pours,
And half the skies descend in fluicy showers.
The God of Ocean, marching stern before,
With his huge trident wounds the trembling shore, 30
Vast stones and piles from their foundation heaves,
And whelms the fmoky ruin in the waves.
Now fmooth'd with fand, and level'd by the flood,
No fragment tells where once the wonder stood;
In their old bounds the rivers roll again,
Shine 'twixt the hills, or wander o'er the plain.
But this the Gods in later times perform;
As yet the bulwark stood, and brav'd the storm;
The strokes yet echoed of contending powers;
War thunder'd at the gates, and blood diftain'd the
Smote by the arm of Jove, and dire difmay, [towers.
Close by their hollow ships the Grecians lay :
Hector's approach in every wind they hear,
And Hector's fury every moment fear.
He, like a whirlwind, tofs'd the scattering throng, 45
Mingled the troops, and drove the field along.
So midft the dogs and hunters daring bands,
Fierce of his might, a boar or lion stands ;
Arm'd foes around a dreadful circle form,
And hiffing javelins rain an iron storm :
His powers untam'd their bold affault defy,
And where he turns, the rout difperfe, or die:
He foams, he glares, he bounds against them all,
And if he falls, his courage makes him fall.
With equal rage encompafs'd Hector glows;
Exhorts his armies, and the trenches fhows.
The panting steeds impatient fury breathe,
But fnort and tremble at the gulph beneath;
Juft on the brink they neigh, and paw the ground,
And the turf trembles, and the skies refound.
Eager they view'd the profpect dark and deep,
Vaft was the leap, and headlong hung the steep;
The bottom bare (a formidable show!)
And bristled thick with sharpen'd stakes below.
The foot alone this strong defence could force,
And try the pafs impervious to the horse.
This faw Polydamas; who, wifely brave,
Restrain❜d great Hector, and this counsel gave:
Oh thou! bold leader of the Trojan bands,
And you, confederate chiefs from foreign lands!
What entrance here can cumbrous chariots find,
The stakes beneath, the Grecian walls behind?
No pass through thofe, without a thousand wounds,
No fpace for combat in yon narrow bounds.
Proud of the favours mighty Jove has shown,
On certain dangers we too rafhly run:
If 'tis his will our haughty foes to tame,
Oh this inftant end the Grecian name!
may
Here, far from Argos, let their heroes fall,
And one great day destroy and bury all!
But fhould they turn, and here oppress our train,
What hopes, what methods of retreat remain?
Wedg'd in the trench, by our own troops confus'd,
In one promifcuous carnage crush'd and bruis'd;
All Troy muft perifh, if their arms prevail,
Nor fhall a Trojan live to tell the tale.
Hear then, ye warriours! and obey with speed;
Back from the trenches let your fteeds be led,
Then all alighting, wedg'd in firm array,
Proceed on foot, and Hector lead the way:
So Greece fhall ftoop before our conquering power,
And this (if Jove confent) her fatal hour.
This counfel pleas'd: the God-like Hector fprung
Swift from his feat; his clanging armour rung.
The chief's example follow'd by his train,
Each quirs his car, and issues on the plain.
By orders ftrict the charioteers enjoin'd,
Compel the courfers to their ranks behind.
The forces part in five diftinguish'd bands,
And all obey their several chiefs' commands.
The best and bravest in the first confpire,
Pant for the fight, and threat the fleet with fire:
Great Hector glorious in the van of thefe,
Polydamas, and brave Cebriones.
Before the next the graceful Paris fhines,
And bold Alcathoüs, and Agenor joins.
The fons of Priam with the third appear,
Deiphobus, and Helenus the feer;
In arms with thefe the mighty Afius flood,
Who drew from Hyrtacus his noble blood,
And whom Arifba's yellow courfers bore,
The courfers fed on Selle's winding fhore.
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