Page:Homer - Iliad, translation Pope, 1909.djvu/234

232 Fired with the thirst of glory, thus he spoke:

"Why boast we, Glaucus, our extended reign,

Where Xanthus' streams enrich the Lycian plain,

Our numerous herds that range the fruitful field,

And hills where vines their purple harvest yield,

Our foaming bowls with purer nectar crowned,

Our feasts enhanced with music's sprightly sound?

Why on those shores are we with joy surveyed,

Admired as heroes, and as gods obeyed;

Unless great acts superior merit prove,

And vindicate the bounteous powers above?

'Tis ours, the dignity they give to grace;

The first in valour, as the first in place:

That when, with wondering eyes, our martial bands

Behold our deeds transcending our commands,

Such, they may cry, deserve the sovereign state,

Whom those that envy dare not imitate!

Could all our care elude the gloomy grave,

Which claims no less the fearful than the brave,

For lust of fame I should not vainly dare

In fighting fields, nor urge thy soul to war;

But since, alas! ignoble age must come,

Disease, and death's inexorable doom;

The life which others pay, let us bestow,

And give to fame what we to nature owe;

Brave though we fall, and honoured if we live,

Or let us glory gain, or glory give!"

He said: his words the listening chief inspire

With equal warmth, and rouse the warrior's fire;

The troops pursue their leaders with delight,

Rush to the foe, and claim the promised fight.

Menestheus from on high the storm beheld,

Threatening the fort, and blackening in the field;

Around the walls he gazed, to view from far

What aid appeared to avert the approaching war,

And saw where Teucer with the Ajaces stood,

Of fight insatiate, prodigal of blood.

In vain he calls; the din of helms and shields

Rings to the skies, and echoes through the fields;

The brazen hinges fly, the walls resound,

Heaven trembles, roar the mountains, thunders all the ground.

Then thus to Thoös:— "Hence with speed," he said,

"And urge the bold Ajaces to our aid;

Their strength united best may help to bear

The bloody labours of the doubtful war:

Hither the Lycian princes bend their course,

The best and bravest of the hostile force.

But if too fiercely there the foes contend,