"Merciless war this devaftation wrought, "And their strong nerves to diffolution brought. "Still one was left, in whom was all my hope, "My age's comfort, and his country's prop; "Hector, my darling, and my last defence, "Whofe life alone, their deaths could recompenfe; "And, to complete my ftore of countless woe, "Him you have flain- of him bereav'd me too! "For his fake only, hither am I come ; "Rich gifts I bring, and wealth, an endlefs fum; "I can no equal have in miferies; "Of all mankind moft wretched and forlorn, "Bow'd with fuch weight as never has been borne; Now fadnefs o'er Achilles' face appears, But But paffion different ways Achilles turns, THE LAMENTATIONS O F HECUBA, ANDROMACHE, AND HELEN, OVER THE DEAD BODY OF HECTOR. Tranflated from the Greek of Homer, Iliad w. Beginning at this Line, Ἠὼς δὲ κροκόπεπλΘ- ἐκίδιαῖο πᾶσαν ἐπ' αἶαν. Connection of this with the former Translation. Priam, at last, moves Achilles to compaffion, and, after having made him prefents of great value, obtains the body of his fon. Mercury awakens Priam early in the orning, and advises him to hafte away with the body, Agamemnon fhould be informed of his being in camp: he himself helps to harness the mules and es, and conveys him fafely, and without noife, chariot D 3 chariot and all, from among the Grecian tents; then flies up to heaven, leaving Priam and Idæus to travel on with the body toward Troy. N OW did the faffron morn her beams display, When mourning Priam to the town return'd; Then Hector's corpse extended on a bier; At which, her boundless grief loud cries began, "If e'er you went with joy, to fe him come "What once was all your joy, now all your mifery!" She fpake, and ftrait the numerous crowd obey'd, In forrow they no moderation knew, But, wildly wailing, to the chariot flew ; There ftrove the rolling wheels to hold, while each Idæus to the palace drove, then laid Of univerfal mournful Harmony, When first Andromache her paffion broke, ANDROMACHE'S LAMENTATION. my loft husband! let me ever mourn Why is my heart thus miserably torn Why am I thus diftrefs'd! why thus forlorn! Am I that wretched thing a widow left? Why do I live, who am of thee bereft! Yet I were bleft, were I alone undone; Alas, my child! where can an infant run? Unhappy orphan! thou in woes art nurs'd; Why were you born? - I am with bleffings curs'd! For long ere thou shall be to manhood grown, Wide defolation will lay waste this town: Who is there now that can protection give, Since he, who was her strength, no more doth live? Who of her reverend matrons will have care? Who fave her children from the rage of war? For he to all father and husband was, And all are orphans now, and widows, by his lofs. By Hector's hand, on him will vent his rage, And with his blood his thirsty grief afsuage; For many fell by his relentless hand, Biting that ground, with which their blood was ftain'd. Fierce was thy father (O my child) in war, And never did his foes in battle spare; Thence |