Page:Homer - Iliad, translation Pope, 1909.djvu/420

418 So not a leader shall our conduct blame,

Or judge me envious of a rival's fame.

But shall not we, ourselves, the truth maintain?

What needs appealing in a fact so plain?

What Greek shall blame me, if I bid thee rise,

And vindicate by oath the ill-gotten prize?

Rise, if thou darest, before thy chariot stand,

The driving scourge high lifted in thy hand,

And touch thy steeds, and swear thy whole intent

Was but to conquer, not to circumvent.

Swear by that god whose liquid arms surround

The globe, and whose dread earthquakes heave the ground."

The prudent chief with calm attention heard;

Then mildly thus: "Excuse, if youth hath erred;

Superior as thou art, forgive the offence,

Nor I thy equal, or in years, or sense.

Thou knowest the errors of unripened age,

Weak are its counsels, headlong is its rage.

The prize I quit, if thou thy wrath resign;

The mare, or aught thou ask'st, be freely thine,

Ere I become, from thy dear friendship torn,

Hateful to thee, and to the gods forsworn."

So spoke Antilochus; and at the word

The mare contested to the king restored.

Joy swells his soul, as when the vernal grain

Lifts the green ear above the springing plain,

The fields their vegetable life renew,

And laugh and glitter with the morning dew:

Such joy the Spartan's shining face o'erspread,

And lifted his gay heart, while thus he said:

"Still may our souls, O generous youth I agree;

'Tis now Atrides' turn to yield to thee.

Rash heat perhaps a moment might control,

Not break, the settled temper of thy soul.

Not but, my friend, 'tis still the wiser way

To waive contention with superior sway:

For ah I how few, who should like thee offend,

Like thee, have talents to regain the friend?

To plead indulgence, and thy fault atone,

Suffice thy father's merit, and thy own:

Generous alike for me, the sire and son

Have greatly suffered, and have greatly done.

I yield; that all may know my soul can bend,

Nor is my pride preferred before my friend."

He said: and pleased his passion to command,

Resigned the courser to Noemon's hand,

Friend of the youthful chief: himself content,

The shining charger to his vessel sent.

The golden talents Merion next obtained;