THE BATTLE AT THE GRECIAN WALL.
The Greeks having retired1 into their intrenchments, Hector attempts to force them; but it proving impossible to pass the ditch, Polydamas advises to quit their chariots, and manage the attack on foot. The Trojans follow his counsel; and having divided their army into five bodies of foot, begin the assault. But upon the signal of an eagle with a serpent in his talons3, which appeared on the left hand of the Trojans, Polydamas endeavours to withdraw them again. This Hector opposes, and continues the attack; in which, after many actions, Sarpedon makes the first breach4 in the wall. Hector also, casting a stone of vast size, forces open one of the gates, and enters at the head of his troops, who victoriously5 pursue the Grecians even to their ships.
While thus the hero's pious7 cares attend
The cure and safety of his wounded friend,
Trojans and Greeks with clashing shields engage,
And mutual8 deaths are dealt with mutual rage.
Nor long the trench2 or lofty walls oppose;
With gods averse9 the ill-fated works arose;
Their powers neglected, and no victim slain10,
The walls were raised, the trenches11 sunk in vain.
Without the gods, how short a period stands
The proudest monument of mortal hands!
This stood while Hector and Achilles raged.
While sacred Troy the warring hosts engaged;
But when her sons were slain, her city burn'd,
And what survived of Greece to Greece return'd;
Then Neptune12 and Apollo shook the shore,
Then Ida's summits pour'd their watery13 store;
Rhesus and Rhodius then unite their rills,
Caresus roaring down the stony14 hills,
?sepus, Granicus, with mingled15 force,
And Xanthus foaming16 from his fruitful source;
And gulfy Simois, rolling to the main224
[pg 218]
Helmets, and shields, and godlike heroes slain:
These, turn'd by Phoebus from their wonted ways,
Deluged18 the rampire nine continual days;
The weight of waters saps the yielding wall,
And to the sea the floating bulwarks21 fall.
Incessant23 cataracts24 the Thunderer pours,
And half the skies descend25 in sluicy showers.
The god of ocean, marching stern before,
With his huge trident wounds the trembling shore,
Vast stones and piles from their foundation heaves,
And whelms the smoky ruin in the waves.
Now smooth'd with sand, and levell'd by the flood,
No fragment tells where once the wonder stood;
In their old bounds the rivers roll again,
Shine 'twixt the hills, or wander o'er the plain.225
But this the gods in later times perform;
As yet the bulwark22 stood, and braved the storm;
The strokes yet echoed of contending powers;
War thunder'd at the gates, and blood distain'd the towers.
Smote27 by the arm of Jove with dire28 dismay,
Close by their hollow ships the Grecians lay:
Hector's approach in every wind they hear,
And Hector's fury every moment fear.
He, like a whirlwind, toss'd the scattering30 throng31,
Mingled the troops, and drove the field along.
So 'midst the dogs and hunters' daring bands,
Fierce of his might, a boar or lion stands;
Arm'd foes33 around a dreadful circle form,
And hissing34 javelins36 rain an iron storm:
His powers untamed, their bold assault defy,
And where he turns the rout37 disperse38 or die:
He foams39, he glares, he bounds against them all,
And if he falls, his courage makes him fall.
With equal rage encompass'd Hector glows;
Exhorts40 his armies, and the trenches shows.
The panting steeds impatient fury breathe,
And snort and tremble at the gulf17 beneath;
Just at the brink41 they neigh, and paw the ground,
And the turf trembles, and the skies resound42.
Eager they view'd the prospect43 dark and deep,
Vast was the leap, and headlong hung the steep;
The bottom bare, (a formidable show!)
And bristled44 thick with sharpen'd stakes below.
The foot alone this strong defence could force,
And try the pass impervious45 to the horse.
[pg 219]
This saw Polydamas; who, wisely brave,
Restrain'd great Hector, and this counsel gave:
"O thou, bold leader of the Trojan bands!
And you, confederate chiefs from foreign lands!
What entrance here can cumbrous chariots find,
The stakes beneath, the Grecian walls behind?
No pass through those, without a thousand wounds,
No space for combat in yon narrow bounds.
Proud of the favours mighty47 Jove has shown,
On certain dangers we too rashly run:
If 'tis will our haughty48 foes to tame,
Oh may this instant end the Grecian name!
Here, far from Argos, let their heroes fall,
And one great day destroy and bury all!
But should they turn, and here oppress our train,
What hopes, what methods of retreat remain?
Wedged in the trench, by our own troops confused,
In one promiscuous49 carnage crush'd and bruised50,
All Troy must perish, if their arms prevail,
Nor shall a Trojan live to tell the tale.
Hear then, ye warriors51! and obey with speed;
Back from the trenches let your steeds be led;
Then all alighting, wedged in firm array,
Proceed on foot, and Hector lead the way.
So Greece shall stoop before our conquering power,
And this (if Jove consent) her fatal hour."
Illustration: POLYDAMAS ADVISING HECTOR.
POLYDAMAS ADVISING HECTOR.
This counsel pleased: the godlike Hector sprung
Swift from his seat; his clanging armour54 rung.
The chief's example follow'd by his train,
Each quits his car, and issues on the plain,
By orders strict the charioteers enjoin'd
Compel the coursers to their ranks behind.
[pg 220]
The forces part in five distinguish'd bands,
And all obey their several chiefs' commands.
The best and bravest in the first conspire55,
Pant for the fight, and threat the fleet with fire:
Great Hector glorious in the van of these,
Polydamas, and brave Cebriones.
Before the next the graceful56 Paris shines,
And bold Alcathous, and Agenor joins.
The sons of Priam with the third appear,
Deiphobus, and Helenas the seer;
In arms with these the mighty Asius stood,
Who drew from Hyrtacus his noble blood,
And whom Arisba's yellow coursers bore,
The coursers fed on Selle's winding57 shore.
Antenor's sons the fourth battalion58 guide,
And great ?neas, born on fountful Ide.
Divine Sarpedon the last band obey'd,
Whom Glaucus and Asteropaeus aid.
Next him, the bravest, at their army's head,
But he more brave than all the hosts he led.
Now with compacted shields in close array,
The moving legions speed their headlong way:
Already in their hopes they fire the fleet,
And see the Grecians gasping59 at their feet.
While every Trojan thus, and every aid,
The advice of wise Polydamas obey'd,
Asius alone, confiding60 in his car,
His vaunted coursers urged to meet the war.
Unhappy hero! and advised in vain;
Those wheels returning ne'er shall mark the plain;
No more those coursers with triumphant61 joy
Restore their master to the gates of Troy!
Black death attends behind the Grecian wall,
And great Idomeneus shall boast thy fall!
Fierce to the left he drives, where from the plain
The flying Grecians strove their ships to gain;
Swift through the wall their horse and chariots pass'd,
The gates half-open'd to receive the last.
Thither62, exulting63 in his force, he flies:
His following host with clamours rend64 the skies:
To plunge65 the Grecians headlong in the main,
Such their proud hopes; but all their hopes were vain!
To guard the gates, two mighty chiefs attend,
Who from the Lapiths' warlike race descend;
This Polypoetes, great Perithous' heir,
And that Leonteus, like the god of war.
As two tall oaks, before the wall they rise;
Their roots in earth, their heads amidst the skies:
Whose spreading arms with leafy honours crown'd,
Forbid the tempest, and protect the ground;
[pg 221]
High on the hills appears their stately form,
And their deep roots for ever brave the storm.
So graceful these, and so the shock they stand
Of raging Asius, and his furious band.
Orestes, Acamas, in front appear,
And OEnomaus and Thoon close the rear:
In vain their clamours shake the ambient fields,
In vain around them beat their hollow shields;
The fearless brothers on the Grecians call,
To guard their navies, and defend the wall.
Even when they saw Troy's sable67 troops impend68,
And Greece tumultuous from her towers descend,
Forth70 from the portals rush'd the intrepid71 pair,
Opposed their breasts, and stood themselves the war.
So two wild boars spring furious from their den26,
Roused with the cries of dogs and voice of men;
On every side the crackling trees they tear,
And root the shrubs72, and lay the forest bare;
They gnash their tusks73, with fire their eye-balls roll,
Till some wide wound lets out their mighty soul.
Around their heads the whistling javelins sung,
With sounding strokes their brazen74 targets rung;
Fierce was the fight, while yet the Grecian powers
Maintain'd the walls, and mann'd the lofty towers:
To save their fleet their last efforts they try,
And stones and darts75 in mingled tempests fly.
As when sharp Boreas blows abroad, and brings
The dreary76 winter on his frozen wings;
Beneath the low-hung clouds the sheets of snow
Descend, and whiten all the fields below:
So fast the darts on either army pour,
So down the rampires rolls the rocky shower:
Heavy, and thick, resound the batter'd shields,
And the deaf echo rattles77 round the fields.
With shame repulsed78, with grief and fury driven,
The frantic79 Asius thus accuses Heaven:
"In powers immortal80 who shall now believe?
Can those too flatter, and can Jove deceive?
What man could doubt but Troy's victorious6 power
Should humble81 Greece, and this her fatal hour?
But like when wasps82 from hollow crannies drive,
To guard the entrance of their common hive,
Darkening the rock, while with unwearied wings
They strike the assailants, and infix their stings;
A race determined83, that to death contend:
So fierce these Greeks their last retreats defend.
Gods! shall two warriors only guard their gates,
Repel84 an army, and defraud85 the fates?"
These empty accents mingled with the wind,
Nor moved great Jove's unalterable mind;
[pg 222]
To godlike Hector and his matchless might
Was owed the glory of the destined86 fight.
Like deeds of arms through all the forts were tried,
And all the gates sustain'd an equal tide;
Through the long walls the stony showers were heard,
The blaze of flames, the flash of arms appear'd.
The spirit of a god my breast inspire,
To raise each act to life, and sing with fire!
While Greece unconquer'd kept alive the war,
Secure of death, confiding in despair;
And all her guardian87 gods, in deep dismay,
With unassisting arms deplored88 the day.
Even yet the dauntless Lapithae maintain
The dreadful pass, and round them heap the slain.
First Damasus, by Polypoetes' steel,
Pierced through his helmet's brazen visor, fell;
The weapon drank the mingled brains and gore89!
The warrior52 sinks, tremendous now no more!
Next Ormenus and Pylon90 yield their breath:
Nor less Leonteus strews91 the field with death;
First through the belt Hippomachus he gored92,
Then sudden waved his unresisted sword:
Antiphates, as through the ranks he broke,
The falchion struck, and fate pursued the stroke:
Iamenus, Orestes, Menon, bled;
And round him rose a monument of dead.
Meantime, the bravest of the Trojan crew,
Bold Hector and Polydamas, pursue;
Fierce with impatience93 on the works to fall,
And wrap in rolling flames the fleet and wall.
These on the farther bank now stood and gazed,
By Heaven alarm'd, by prodigies94 amazed:
A signal omen29 stopp'd the passing host,
Their martial95 fury in their wonder lost.
Jove's bird on sounding pinions96 beat the skies;
A bleeding serpent of enormous size,
His talons truss'd; alive, and curling round,
He stung the bird, whose throat received the wound:
Mad with the smart, he drops the fatal prey97,
In airy circles wings his painful way,
Floats on the winds, and rends98 the heaven with cries:
Amidst the host the fallen serpent lies.
They, pale with terror, mark its spires99 unroll'd,
And Jove's portent100 with beating hearts behold101.
Then first Polydamas the silence broke,
Long weigh'd the signal, and to Hector spoke102:
"How oft, my brother, thy reproach I bear,
For words well meant, and sentiments sincere?
True to those counsels which I judge the best,
I tell the faithful dictates103 of my breast.
[pg 223]
To speak his thoughts is every freeman's right,
In peace, in war, in council, and in fight;
And all I move, deferring104 to thy sway,
But tends to raise that power which I obey.
Then hear my words, nor may my words be vain!
Seek not this day the Grecian ships to gain;
For sure, to warn us, Jove his omen sent,
And thus my mind explains its clear event:
The victor eagle, whose sinister106 flight
Retards107 our host, and fills our hearts with fright,
Dismiss'd his conquest in the middle skies,
Allow'd to seize, but not possess the prize;
Thus, though we gird with fires the Grecian fleet,
Though these proud bulwalks tumble at our feet,
Toils108 unforeseen, and fiercer, are decreed;
More woes109 shall follow, and more heroes bleed.
So bodes110 my soul, and bids me thus advise;
For thus a skilful111 seer would read the skies."
To him then Hector with disdain112 return'd:
(Fierce as he spoke, his eyes with fury burn'd:)
"Are these the faithful counsels of thy tongue?
Thy will is partial, not thy reason wrong:
Or if the purpose of thy heart thou vent105,
Sure heaven resumes the little sense it lent.
What coward counsels would thy madness move
Against the word, the will reveal'd of Jove?
The leading sign, the irrevocable nod,
And happy thunders of the favouring god,
These shall I slight, and guide my wavering mind
By wandering birds that flit with every wind?
Ye vagrants113 of the sky! your wings extend,
Or where the suns arise, or where descend;
To right, to left, unheeded take your way,
While I the dictates of high heaven obey.
Without a sign his sword the brave man draws,
And asks no omen but his country's cause.
But why should'st thou suspect the war's success?
None fears it more, as none promotes it less:
Though all our chiefs amidst yon ships expire,
Trust thy own cowardice114 to escape their fire.
Troy and her sons may find a general grave,
But thou canst live, for thou canst be a slave.
Yet should the fears that wary115 mind suggests
Spread their cold poison through our soldiers' breasts,
My javelin35 can revenge so base a part,
And free the soul that quivers in thy heart."
Furious he spoke, and, rushing to the wall,
Calls on his host; his host obey the call;
With ardour follow where their leader flies:
Redoubling clamours thunder in the skies.
[pg 224]
Jove breathes a whirlwind from the hills of Ide,
And drifts of dust the clouded navy hide;
He fills the Greeks with terror and dismay,
And gives great Hector the predestined day.
Strong in themselves, but stronger in his aid,
Close to the works their rigid116 siege they laid.
In vain the mounds117 and massy beams defend,
While these they undermine, and those they rend;
Upheaved the piles that prop118 the solid wall;
And heaps on heaps the smoky ruins fall.
Greece on her ramparts stands the fierce alarms;
The crowded bulwarks blaze with waving arms,
Shield touching119 shield, a long refulgent120 row;
Whence hissing darts, incessant, rain below.
The bold Ajaces fly from tower to tower,
And rouse, with flame divine, the Grecian power.
The generous impulse every Greek obeys;
Threats urge the fearful; and the valiant121, praise.
"Fellows in arms! whose deeds are known to fame,
And you, whose ardour hopes an equal name!
Since not alike endued122 with force or art;
Behold a day when each may act his part!
A day to fire the brave, and warm the cold,
To gain new glories, or augment123 the old.
Urge those who stand, and those who faint, excite;
Drown Hector's vaunts in loud exhorts of fight;
Conquest, not safety, fill the thoughts of all;
Seek not your fleet, but sally from the wall;
So Jove once more may drive their routed train,
And Troy lie trembling in her walls again."
Their ardour kindles124 all the Grecian powers;
And now the stones descend in heavier showers.
As when high Jove his sharp artillery125 forms,
And opes his cloudy magazine of storms;
In winter's bleak126 un comfortable reign46,
A snowy inundation127 hides the plain;
He stills the winds, and bids the skies to sleep;
Then pours the silent tempest thick and deep;
And first the mountain-tops are cover'd o'er,
Then the green fields, and then the sandy shore;
Bent128 with the weight, the nodding woods are seen,
And one bright waste hides all the works of men:
The circling seas, alone absorbing all,
Drink the dissolving fleeces as they fall:
So from each side increased the stony rain,
And the white ruin rises o'er the plain.
Thus godlike Hector and his troops contend
To force the ramparts, and the gates to rend:
Nor Troy could conquer, nor the Greeks would yield,
Till great Sarpedon tower'd amid the field;
[pg 225]
For mighty Jove inspired with martial flame
His matchless son, and urged him on to fame.
In arms he shines, conspicuous129 from afar,
And bears aloft his ample shield in air;
Within whose orb66 the thick bull-hides were roll'd,
Ponderous130 with brass131, and bound with ductile132 gold:
And while two pointed133 javelins arm his hands,
Majestic134 moves along, and leads his Lycian bands.
So press'd with hunger, from the mountain's brow
Descends135 a lion on the flocks below;
So stalks the lordly savage136 o'er the plain,
In sullen137 majesty138, and stern disdain:
In vain loud mastiffs bay him from afar,
And shepherds gall140 him with an iron war;
Regardless, furious, he pursues his way;
He foams, he roars, he rends the panting prey.
Resolved alike, divine Sarpedon glows
With generous rage that drives him on the foes.
He views the towers, and meditates141 their fall,
To sure destruction dooms142 the aspiring144 wall;
Then casting on his friend an ardent145 look,
Fired with the thirst of glory, thus he spoke:
"Why boast we, Glaucus! our extended reign,226
Where Xanthus' streams enrich the Lycian plain,
Our numerous herds139 that range the fruitful field,
And hills where vines their purple harvest yield,
Our foaming bowls with purer nectar crown'd,
Our feasts enhanced with music's sprightly146 sound?
Why on those shores are we with joy survey'd,
Admired as heroes, and as gods obey'd,
Unless great acts superior merit prove,
And vindicate147 the bounteous148 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 transcending149 our commands,
Such, they may cry, deserve the sovereign state,
Whom those that envy dare not imitate!
Could all our care elude150 the gloomy grave,
Which claims no less the fearful and the brave,
For lust53 of fame I should not vainly dare
In fighting fields, nor urge thy soul to war.
But since, alas151! ignoble152 age must come,
[pg 226]
Disease, and death's inexorable doom143
The life, which others pay, let us bestow153,
And give to fame what we to nature owe;
Brave though we fall, and honour'd 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 foe32, and claim the promised fight.
Menestheus from on high the storm beheld154
Threatening the fort, and blackening in the field:
Around the walls he gazed, to view from far
What aid appear'd to avert155 the approaching war,
And saw where Teucer with the Ajaces stood,
Of fight insatiate, prodigal156 of blood.
In vain he calls; the din20 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 Thoos: "Hence with speed (he said),
And urge the bold Ajaces to our aid;
Their strength, united, best may help to bear
The bloody157 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,
Let Telamon, at least, our towers defend,
And Teucer haste with his unerring bow
To share the danger, and repel the foe."
Swift, at the word, the herald158 speeds along
The lofty ramparts, through the martial throng,
And finds the heroes bathed in sweat and gore,
Opposed in combat on the dusty shore.
"Ye valiant leaders of our warlike bands!
Your aid (said Thoos) Peteus' son demands;
Your strength, united, best may help to bear
The bloody labours of the doubtful war:
Thither the Lycian princes bend their course,
The best and bravest of the hostile force.
But if too fiercely, here, the foes contend,
At least, let Telamon those towers defend,
And Teucer haste with his unerring bow
To share the danger, and repel the foe."
Straight to the fort great Ajax turn'd his care,
And thus bespoke159 his brothers of the war:
"Now, valiant Lycomede! exert your might,
And, brave Oileus, prove your force in fight;
To you I trust the fortune of the field,
Till by this arm the foe shall be repell'd:
That done, expect me to complete the day
[pg 227]
Then with his sevenfold shield he strode away.
With equal steps bold Teucer press'd the shore,
Whose fatal bow the strong Pandion bore.
High on the walls appear'd the Lycian powers,
Like some black tempest gathering160 round the towers:
The Greeks, oppress'd, their utmost force unite,
Prepared to labour in the unequal fight:
The war renews, mix'd shouts and groans161 arise;
Tumultuous clamour mounts, and thickens in the skies.
Fierce Ajax first the advancing host invades,
And sends the brave Epicles to the shades,
Sarpedon's friend. Across the warrior's way,
Rent from the walls, a rocky fragment lay;
In modern ages not the strongest swain
Could heave the unwieldy burden from the plain:
He poised162, and swung it round; then toss'd on high,
It flew with force, and labour'd up the sky;
Full on the Lycian's helmet thundering down,
The ponderous ruin crush'd his batter'd crown.
As skilful divers163 from some airy steep
Headlong descend, and shoot into the deep,
So falls Epicles; then in groans expires,
And murmuring to the shades the soul retires.
While to the ramparts daring Glaucus drew,
From Teucer's hand a winged arrow flew;
The bearded shaft164 the destined passage found,
And on his naked arm inflicts165 a wound.
The chief, who fear'd some foe's insulting boast
Might stop the progress of his warlike host,
Conceal'd the wound, and, leaping from his height
Retired reluctant from the unfinish'd fight.
Divine Sarpedon with regret beheld
Disabled Glaucus slowly quit the field;
His beating breast with generous ardour glows,
He springs to fight, and flies upon the foes.
Alcmaon first was doom'd his force to feel;
Deep in his breast he plunged166 the pointed steel;
Then from the yawning wound with fury tore
The spear, pursued by gushing167 streams of gore:
Down sinks the warrior with a thundering sound,
His brazen armour rings against the ground.
Swift to the battlement the victor flies,
Tugs168 with full force, and every nerve applies:
It shakes; the ponderous stones disjointed yield;
The rolling ruins smoke along the field.
A mighty breach appears; the walls lie bare;
And, like a deluge19, rushes in the war.
At once bold Teucer draws the twanging bow,
And Ajax sends his javelin at the foe;
Fix'd in his belt the feather'd weapon stood,
[pg 228]
And through his buckler drove the trembling wood;
But Jove was present in the dire debate,
To shield his offspring, and avert his fate.
The prince gave back, not meditating170 flight,
But urging vengeance171, and severer fight;
Then raised with hope, and fired with glory's charms,
His fainting squadrons to new fury warms.
"O where, ye Lycians, is the strength you boast?
Your former fame and ancient virtue172 lost!
The breach lies open, but your chief in vain
Attempts alone the guarded pass to gain:
Unite, and soon that hostile fleet shall fall:
The force of powerful union conquers all."
This just rebuke173 inflamed174 the Lycian crew;
They join, they thicken, and the assault renew:
Unmoved the embodied175 Greeks their fury dare,
And fix'd support the weight of all the war;
Nor could the Greeks repel the Lycian powers,
Nor the bold Lycians force the Grecian towers.
As on the confines of adjoining grounds,
Two stubborn swains with blows dispute their bounds;
They tug169, they sweat; but neither gain, nor yield,
One foot, one inch, of the contended field;
Thus obstinate176 to death, they fight, they fall;
Nor these can keep, nor those can win the wall.
Their manly177 breasts are pierced with many a wound,
Loud strokes are heard, and rattling178 arms resound;
The copious179 slaughter180 covers all the shore,
And the high ramparts drip with human gore.
As when two scales are charged with doubtful loads,
From side to side the trembling balance nods,
(While some laborious181 matron, just and poor,
With nice exactness weighs her woolly store,)
Till poised aloft, the resting beam suspends
Each equal weight; nor this, nor that, descends:227
So stood the war, till Hector's matchless might,
With fates prevailing182, turn'd the scale of fight.
Fierce as a whirlwind up the walls he flies,
And fires his host with loud repeated cries.
"Advance, ye Trojans! lend your valiant hands,
Haste to the fleet, and toss the blazing brands!"
They hear, they run; and, gathering at his call,
Raise scaling engines, and ascend183 the wall:
Around the works a wood of glittering spears
Shoots up, and all the rising host appears.
A ponderous stone bold Hector heaved to throw,
Pointed above, and rough and gross below:
[pg 229]
Not two strong men the enormous weight could raise,
Such men as live in these degenerate184 days:
Yet this, as easy as a swain could bear
The snowy fleece, he toss'd, and shook in air;
For Jove upheld, and lighten'd of its load
The unwieldy rock, the labour of a god.
Thus arm'd, before the folded gates he came,
Of massy substance, and stupendous frame;
With iron bars and brazen hinges strong,
On lofty beams of solid timber hung:
Then thundering through the planks185 with forceful sway,
Drives the sharp rock; the solid beams give way,
The folds are shatter'd; from the crackling door
Leap the resounding186 bars, the flying hinges roar.
Now rushing in, the furious chief appears,
Gloomy as night! and shakes two shining spears:228
A dreadful gleam from his bright armour came,
And from his eye-balls flash'd the living flame.
He moves a god, resistless in his course,
And seems a match for more than mortal force.
Then pouring after, through the gaping187 space,
A tide of Trojans flows, and fills the place;
The Greeks behold, they tremble, and they fly;
The shore is heap'd with death, and tumult69 rends the sky.
Illustration: GREEK ALTAR.
GREEK ALTAR.
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收听单词发音
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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3
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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4
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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5
victoriously
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| adv.获胜地，胜利地 | |
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6
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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7
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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8
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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9
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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10
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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11
trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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12
Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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13
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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14
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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15
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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16
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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17
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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18
deluged
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| v.使淹没( deluge的过去式和过去分词 )；淹没；被洪水般涌来的事物所淹没；穷于应付 | |
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19
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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20
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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21
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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22
bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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23
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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24
cataracts
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| n.大瀑布( cataract的名词复数 )；白内障 | |
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25
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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26
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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27
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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28
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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29
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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30
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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31
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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32
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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33
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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34
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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35
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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36
javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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37
rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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38
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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39
foams
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| n.泡沫，泡沫材料( foam的名词复数 ) | |
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40
exhorts
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| n.劝勉者，告诫者，提倡者( exhort的名词复数 )v.劝告，劝说( exhort的第三人称单数 ) | |
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41
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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42
resound
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| v.回响 | |
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43
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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44
bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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45
impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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46
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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47
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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48
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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49
promiscuous
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| adj.杂乱的，随便的 | |
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50
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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51
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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52
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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53
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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54
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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55
conspire
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| v.密谋，（事件等）巧合，共同导致 | |
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56
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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57
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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58
battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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59
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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60
confiding
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|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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61
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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62
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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63
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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64
rend
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| vt.把…撕开，割裂；把…揪下来，强行夺取 | |
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65
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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66
orb
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| n.太阳；星球；v.弄圆；成球形 | |
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67
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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68
impend
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| v.迫近，逼近，即将发生 | |
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69
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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70
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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71
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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72
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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73
tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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74
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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75
darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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76
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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77
rattles
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| （使）发出格格的响声， （使）作嘎嘎声( rattle的第三人称单数 )； 喋喋不休地说话； 迅速而嘎嘎作响地移动，堕下或走动； 使紧张，使恐惧 | |
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78
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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79
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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80
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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81
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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82
wasps
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| 黄蜂( wasp的名词复数 )； 胡蜂； 易动怒的人； 刻毒的人 | |
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83
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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84
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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85
defraud
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| vt.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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86
destined
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|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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87
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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88
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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90
pylon
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| n.高压电线架，桥塔 | |
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91
strews
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| v.撒在…上( strew的第三人称单数 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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92
gored
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| v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破( gore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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94
prodigies
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| n.奇才，天才（尤指神童）( prodigy的名词复数 ) | |
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95
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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96
pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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97
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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98
rends
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| v.撕碎( rend的第三人称单数 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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99
spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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100
portent
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| n.预兆；恶兆；怪事 | |
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101
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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102
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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103
dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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104
deferring
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| v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的现在分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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105
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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106
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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107
retards
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| 使减速( retard的第三人称单数 )； 妨碍； 阻止； 推迟 | |
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108
toils
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| 网 | |
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109
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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110
bodes
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的第三人称单数 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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111
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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112
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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113
vagrants
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| 流浪者( vagrant的名词复数 )； 无业游民； 乞丐； 无赖 | |
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114
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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115
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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116
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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117
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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118
prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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119
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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120
refulgent
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| adj.辉煌的，灿烂的 | |
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121
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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122
endued
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| v.授予，赋予（特性、才能等）( endue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
augment
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| vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张 | |
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124
kindles
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的第三人称单数 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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125
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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126
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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127
inundation
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| n.the act or fact of overflowing | |
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128
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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129
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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130
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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131
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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132
ductile
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| adj.易延展的，柔软的 | |
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133
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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134
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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135
descends
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| v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 )；下去；下降；下斜 | |
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136
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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137
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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138
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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139
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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140
gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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141
meditates
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的第三人称单数 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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142
dooms
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| v.注定( doom的第三人称单数 )；判定；使…的失败（或灭亡、毁灭、坏结局）成为必然；宣判 | |
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143
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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144
aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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145
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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146
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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147
vindicate
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| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
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148
bounteous
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| adj.丰富的 | |
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149
transcending
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| 超出或超越（经验、信念、描写能力等）的范围( transcend的现在分词 )； 优于或胜过… | |
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150
elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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151
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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152
ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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153
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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154
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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155
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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156
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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157
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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158
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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159
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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160
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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161
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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162
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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163
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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164
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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165
inflicts
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的第三人称单数 ) | |
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166
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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167
gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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168
tugs
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| n.猛拉( tug的名词复数 )；猛拖；拖船v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的第三人称单数 ) | |
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169
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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170
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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171
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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172
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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173
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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174
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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175
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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176
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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177
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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178
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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179
copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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180
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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181
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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182
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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183
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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184
degenerate
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| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
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185
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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186
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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187
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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