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PDFof Andraemon, King In Pleuro and in lofty Calydon,
And honor’d by the AEtolians as a God.
270
Oh counsellor of Crete! our threats denounced
Against the towers of Troy, where are they now?
To whom the leader of the Cretans, thus,
Idomeneus. For aught that I perceive Thoas! no Grecian is this day in fault! 275 For we are all intelligent in arms, None yields by fear oppress’d, none lull’d by sloth From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems Of Jove himself, that we should perish here Inglorious, from our country far remote 280 But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse Whom thou observ’st remiss) now also fight As erst, and urge each leader of the host.
Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep. 285
Return that Grecian never from the shores Of Troy, Idomeneus! but may the dogs Feast on him, who shall this day intermit Through wilful negligence his force in fight! But haste, take arms and come; we must exert 290 All diligence, that, being only two, We yet may yield some service. Union much Emboldens even the weakest, and our might Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown.
So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again 295
The toilsome field. Ere long, Idomeneus Arriving in his spacious tent, put on His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand, Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove From bright Olympus shakes into the air, 300 A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes; So beam’d the Hero’s armor as he ran. But him not yet far distant from his tent Meriones, his fellow-warrior met, For he had left the fight, seeking a spear, 305 When thus the brave Idomeneus began.
Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear!
Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field Abandon’d? Art thou wounded? Bring’st thou home Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt? 310 Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself The still tent covet not, but feats of arms?
To whom Meriones discreet replied,
Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail’d Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear 315 Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought, Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus.
Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return’d,
Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need, 320 Within my tent, leaning against the wall, Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy, Which from the slain I took; for distant fight Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques 325 And corselets bright that smile against the sun.
Him answer’d, then, Meriones discreet.
I also, at my tent and in my ship Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence Far distant. I not
Oh counsellor of Crete! our threats denounced
Against the towers of Troy, where are they now?
To whom the leader of the Cretans, thus,
Idomeneus. For aught that I perceive Thoas! no Grecian is this day in fault! 275 For we are all intelligent in arms, None yields by fear oppress’d, none lull’d by sloth From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems Of Jove himself, that we should perish here Inglorious, from our country far remote 280 But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse Whom thou observ’st remiss) now also fight As erst, and urge each leader of the host.
Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep. 285
Return that Grecian never from the shores Of Troy, Idomeneus! but may the dogs Feast on him, who shall this day intermit Through wilful negligence his force in fight! But haste, take arms and come; we must exert 290 All diligence, that, being only two, We yet may yield some service. Union much Emboldens even the weakest, and our might Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown.
So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again 295
The toilsome field. Ere long, Idomeneus Arriving in his spacious tent, put on His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand, Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove From bright Olympus shakes into the air, 300 A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes; So beam’d the Hero’s armor as he ran. But him not yet far distant from his tent Meriones, his fellow-warrior met, For he had left the fight, seeking a spear, 305 When thus the brave Idomeneus began.
Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear!
Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field Abandon’d? Art thou wounded? Bring’st thou home Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt? 310 Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself The still tent covet not, but feats of arms?
To whom Meriones discreet replied,
Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail’d Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear 315 Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought, Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus.
Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return’d,
Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need, 320 Within my tent, leaning against the wall, Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy, Which from the slain I took; for distant fight Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques 325 And corselets bright that smile against the sun.
Him answer’d, then, Meriones discreet.
I also, at my tent and in my ship Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence Far distant. I not
