Page:Homer - Iliad, translation Pope, 1909.djvu/270

268 Now to the navy borne on silent wings,

To Neptune's ear soft Sleep his message brings;

Beside him sudden, unperceived he stood,

And thus with gentle words addressed the god:

"Now, Neptune! now, the important hour employ,

To check awhile the haughty hopes of Troy:

While Jove yet rests, while yet my vapours shed

The golden vision round his sacred head;

For Juno's love, and Somnus' pleasing ties,

Have closed those awful and eternal eyes."

Thus having said, the Power of slumber flew,

On human lids to drop the balmy dew.

Neptune, with zeal increased, renews his care,

And towering in the foremost ranks of war,

Indignant thus: "O once of martial fame,

O Greeks! if yet ye can deserve the name,

This half-recovered day shall Troy obtain?

Shall Hector thunder at your ships again?

Lo, still he vaunts, and threats the fleet with fires,

While stern Achilles in his wrath retires.

One hero's loss too tamely you deplore,

Be still yourselves, and we shall need no more.

Oh yet, if glory any bosom warms,

Brace on your firmest helms, and stand to arms:

His strongest spear each valiant Grecian wield,

Each valiant Grecian seize his broadest shield;

Let to the weak the lighter arms belong,

The ponderous targe be wielded by the strong.

Thus armed, not Hector shall our presence stay;

Myself, ye Greeks—myself will lead the way."

The troops assent; their martial arms they change,

The busy chiefs their banded legions range.

The kings, though wounded, and oppressed with pain,

With helpful hands themselves assist the train.

The strong and cumbrous arms the valiant wield,

The weaker warrior takes a lighter shield.

Thus sheathed in shining brass, in bright array

The legions march, and Neptune leads the way:

His brandished faulchion flames before their eyes,

Like lightning flashing through the frighted skies.

Clad in his might the earth-shaking Power appears;

Pale mortals tremble, and confess their fears.

Troy's great defender stands alone unawed,

Arms his proud host, and dares oppose a god:

And lo! the god and wondrous man appear,

The sea's stern ruler there, and Hector here.

The roaring main, at her great master's call,

Rose in huge ranks, and formed a watery wall

Around the ships, seas hanging o'er the shores: