THE

SEVENTH BOOK

OF THE

THE ARGUMENT.

THE SINGLE COMBAT OF HECTOR AND AJAX.

THE battle renewing with double ardour upon the return of Hector, Minerva is under apprehensions for the Greeks. Apollo, seeing her descend from Olympus, joins her near the Scæan gate. They agree to put off the general engagement for that day, and incite Hector to challenge the Greeks to a single combat. Nine of the princes accepting the challenge, the lot is cast, and falls npon Ajax. These heroes, after several attacks, are parted by the night. The Trojans calling a council, Antenor proposes the delivery of Helen to the Greeks; to which Paris will not consent, but offers to restore them her riches. Priam sends a herald to make this offer, and to demand a truce for burning the dead; the last of which only is agreed to by Agamemnon. When the funerals are performed, the Greeks, pursuant to the advice of Nestor, erect a fortification to protect their fleet and camp, flanked with towers, and defended by a ditch and palisades. Neptune testifies his jealousy at this work, but is pacified by a promise from Jupiter. Both armies pass the night in feasting; but Jupiter disheartens the Trojans with thunder, and other signs of his wrath.

The three-and-twentieth day ends with the duel of Hector and Ajax: the next day the truce is agreed: another is taken up in the funeral rites of the slain; and one more in building the fortification before the ships. So that somewhat above three days is employed in this book. The scene lies wholly in the field.

THE

ILIAD.

BOOK VII.

So spoke the guardian of the Trojan state,
Then rush'd impetuous through the Scæan gate.
Him Paris follow'd to the dire alarms;

Both breathing slaughter, both resolv'd in arms.
As when to sailors labouring through the main,
That long had heav'd the weary oar in vain,
Jove bids at length the' expected gales arise;
The gales blow grateful, and the vessel flies:
So welcome these to Troy's desiring train;
The bands are cheer'd, the war awakes again.
Bold Paris first the work of death begun
On great Menestheus, Areïthous' son:
Sprung from the fair Philomeda's embrace,
The pleasing Arnè was his native place.
Then sunk Eioneus to the shades below,
Beneath his steely casque he felt the blow
Full on his neck, from Hector's weighty hand;
And roll'd, with limbs relax'd, along the land.
By Glaucus' spear the bold Iphinous bleeds,
Fix'd in the shoulder as he mounts his steeds;
Headlong he tumbles: his slack nerves unbound
Drop the cold useless members on the ground.

When now Minerva saw her Argives slain, From vast Olympus to the gleaming plain Fierce she descends: Apollo mark'd her flight, Nor shot less swift from Ilion's towery height. Radiant they met, beneath the beechen shade; When thus Apollo to the blue-ey'd maid:

'What cause, O daughter of almighty Jove! Thus wings thy progress from the realms above! Once more impetuous dost thou bend thy way, To give to Greece the long-divided day? Too much has Troy already felt thy hate, Now breathe thy rage, and hush the stern debate ; This day, the business of the field suspend; War soon shall kindle, and great Ilion bend; Since vengeful goddesses confederate join To raze her walls, though built by hands divine.' To whom the progeny of Jove replies :'I left, for this, the council of the skies: But who shall bid conflicting hosts forbear, What art shall calm the furious sons of war? To her the god: 'Great Hector's soul incite To dare the boldest Greek to single fight, Till Greece, provok'd, from all her numbers show A warrior worthy to be Hector's foe.'

At this agreed, the heavenly powers withdrew;
Sage Helenus their secret counsels knew ;
Hector, inspir'd, he sought: to him address'd,
Thus told the dictates of his sacred breast:-
'O son of Priam! let thy faithful ear

Receive my words: thy friend and brother hear!
Go forth persuasive, and awhile engage
The warring nations to suspend their rage;
Then dare the boldest of the hostile train
To mortal combat on the listed plain.

For not this day shall end thy glorious date;
The gods have spoke it, and their voice is fate.'

He said the warrior heard the word with joy;
Then with his spear restrain❜d the youth of Troy,
Held by the midst athwart. On either hand
The squadrons part; the' expecting Trojans stand:
Great Agamemnon bids the Greeks forbear;
They breathe, and hush the tumult of the war.
The Athenian maid, and glorious god of day,
With silent joy the settling hosts survey:
In form of vultures, on the beech's height
They sit conceal'd, and wait the future fight.
The thronging troops obscure the dusky fields,
Horrid with bristling spears, and gleaming shields.
As when a general darkness veils the main,
(Soft Zephyr curling the wide watry plain)
The waves scarce heave, the face of Ocean sleeps,
And a still horror saddens all the deeps;

Thus in thick orders settling wide around,
At length compos'd they sit, and shade the ground.
Great Hector first amidst both armies broke
The solemn silence, and their powers bespoke.

'Hear, all ye Trojan, all ye Grecian bands, What my soul prompts, and what some god commands.

Great Jove, averse our warfare to compose,
O'erwhelms the nations with new toils and woes;
War with a fiercer tide once more returns,
Till Ilion falls, or till yon navy burns.
You then, O princes of the Greeks! appear;
"Tis Hector speaks, and calls the gods to hear:
From all your troops select the boldest knight,
And him, the boldest, Hector dares to fight.
Here if I fall, by chance of battle slain,
Be his my spoil, and his these arms remain ;