Myths of Greece and Rome Part 19

Cowper.

Then, trembling lest her efforts should prove vain, she gently drew near the youth, and softly promised him a bride as fair as herself, in return for the coveted golden apple.

Won either by her superior attractions or by her alluring bribe, Paris no longer hesitated, but placed the prize in her extended palm.

"Ere yet her speech was finished, he consign'd To her soft hand the fruit of burnished rind; And foam-born Venus grasp'd the graceful meed, Of war, of evil war, the quickening seed."

Coluthus (Elton's tr.).

This act of partiality, of course, called down upon him the wrath and hatred of Juno and Minerva, who, biding their time, watched for a suitable opportunity to avenge themselves; while Venus, triumphant, and anxious to redeem her promise, directed Paris to return to Troy, make himself known to his parents,--who, the G.o.ddess promised, would welcome him warmly,--and obtain from them a fleet in which he might sail to Greece.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PARIS. (Vatican, Rome.)]

In obedience to these instructions, Paris ruthlessly abandoned the fair and faithful Oenone, and, joining a band of youthful shepherds, went to Troy, under pretext of witnessing a solemn festival. There he took part in the athletic games, distinguished himself, and attracted the attention of his sister Ca.s.sandra.

[Sidenote: Paris' return to Troy.]

This princess was noted for her beauty, and it is said had even been wooed by Apollo, who, hoping to win her favor, bestowed upon her the gift of prophecy. For some reason the G.o.d's suit had not prospered; and, as he could not take back the power conferred, he annulled it by making her hearers refuse to credit her words.

Ca.s.sandra immediately called her parents' attention to the extraordinary likeness Paris bore to her other brothers; and then, breaking out into a prophetic strain, she foretold that he would bring destruction upon his native city. Priam and Hecuba, scorning her prophecy, joyfully received their long-lost son, lovingly compelled him to take up his abode in their palace, and promised to atone for their past neglect by granting his every wish.

[Sidenote: Paris sails for Greece.]

Still advised by Venus, Paris soon expressed a desire to sail for Greece, under the pretext of rescuing Hesione, his father's sister, whom Hercules had carried off, after besieging Troy. He was promptly provided with several well-manned galleys, and soon after appeared at the court of Menelaus, King of Sparta, whose young wife, Helen, was the most beautiful woman of her time, if we are to believe the testimony of her contemporaries.

"Full threescore girls, in sportive flight we stray'd, Like youths anointing, where along the glade The baths of cool Eurotas limpid play'd. But none, of all, with Helen might compare, Nor one seem'd faultless of the fairest fair. As morn, with vermeil visage, looks from high, When solemn night has vanish'd suddenly; When winter melts, and frees the frozen hours, And spring's green bough is gemm'd with silvery flowers: So bloom'd the virgin Helen in our eyes, With full voluptuous limbs, and towering size: In shape, in height, in stately presence fair, Straight as a furrow gliding from the share; A cypress of the gardens, spiring high, A courser in the cars of Thessaly. So rose-complexion'd Helen charm'd the sight; Our Sparta's grace, our glory, and delight."

Theocritus (Elton's tr.).

[Sidenote: Helen's suitors.]

A daughter of Jupiter and Leda (whom Jove had courted in the guise of a snow-white swan), Helen had many suitors who ardently strove to win her favor. The n.o.blest, bravest, and best came to woo and hoped to win; but all were left in suspense, as the maiden did not show any preference, and refused to make known her choice.

Tyndareus, Helen's stepfather, thinking the rejected suitors might attempt to steal her away from any husband she selected, proposed that all the candidates for her hand should take a solemn oath, binding themselves to respect the marital rights of the favored suitor, and help him regain possession of his wife should any one venture to kidnap her.

"This was cause To Tyndarus her father of much doubt, To give, or not to give her, and how best To make good fortune his: at length this thought Occurr'd, that each to each the wooers give Their oath, and plight their hands, and on the flames Pour the libations, and with solemn vows Bind their firm faith that him, who should obtain The virgin for his bride, they all would aid; If any dar'd to seize and bear her off, And drive by force her husband from her bed, All would unite in arms, and lay his town, Greek or Barbaric, level with the ground."

Euripides (Potter's tr.).

All agreed to this proposal, the oath was taken, and Helen, whose deliberations had come to an end, bestowed her hand upon Menelaus, King of Sparta.

[Sidenote: Abduction of Helen.]

On his arrival at Sparta, in Lacedaemonia, Paris was received with graceful hospitality by Menelaus and Helen. He had not sojourned there many days, however, before the king was called away from home, and departed, confiding to his wife the care of entertaining his princely guest. During his absence, Paris, urged by Venus, courted Helen so successfully, that she finally consented to elope with him, and allowed herself to be borne away in triumph to Troy.

"Then from her husband's stranger-sheltering home He tempted Helen o'er the ocean foam."

Coluthus (Elton's tr.).

[Sidenote: Preparations for war.]

Menelaus, on his return from Crete, discovered his guest's treachery, and swore never to rest satisfied until he had recovered his truant wife, and punished her seducer. Messengers were sent in haste in every direction, to summon Helen's former suitors to keep their oath, and join Menelaus at Aulis with men and weapons. All came promptly at his call except Ulysses, King of Ithaca, who, to console himself for Helen's refusal of his suit, had married her cousin, Penelope, and had now no dearer wish than to linger by her side and admire his infant son, Telemachus.

[Sidenote: Ulysses feigns madness.]

In the presence of the messenger Palamedes, Ulysses feigned insanity, hoping thereby to elude the tedious journey to Troy; but the messenger was not so easily duped, and cleverly determined to ascertain the truth by stratagem. One day, therefore, when the king was plowing the seash.o.r.e with an ox and horse harnessed together, and sowing this strange field with salt, Palamedes placed the babe Telemachus in the furrow, directly in front of the plow, and marked how skillfully Ulysses turned his ill-a.s.sorted team aside to avoid harming his heir. This action sufficed to prove to Palamedes that the king had not lost all control of his senses, and enabled him to force Ulysses to obey Menelaus' summons.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ABDUCTION OF HELEN.--Deutsch.]

[Sidenote: Agamemnon made chief.]

At Aulis the a.s.sembled army with unanimous consent elected Agamemnon, Menelaus' brother, chief of the expedition, which numbered, among many others, Nestor, noted for his wise counsel; Ajax, gigantic in strength and courage; and Diomedes, the renowned warrior.

The troops were a.s.sembled, the vessels freighted; but before they departed, the chiefs considered it expedient to consult an oracle, to ascertain whether their expedition was destined to succeed. In a somewhat veiled and ambiguous manner, they received answer that Troy could never be taken without the aid of the son of Peleus and Thetis, Achilles, of whom the Fates had predicted that he would surpa.s.s his father in greatness (p. 305).

[Sidenote: Achilles' early life.]

Thetis loved this only child so dearly, that when he was but a babe, she had carried him to the banks of the Styx, whose waters had the magic power of rendering all the parts they touched invulnerable. Premising that her son would be a great warrior, and thus exposed to great danger, she plunged him wholly into the tide with the exception of one heel, by which she held him, and then returned home.

Some time after, an oracle foretold that Achilles would die beneath the walls of Troy from a wound in his heel, the only vulnerable part of his body. With many tears Thetis vowed that her son should never leave her to encounter such a fate, and intrusted the care of his education to the Centaur Chiron, who had taught all the greatest heroes in turn.

From this instructor Achilles learned the arts of war, wrestling, poetry, music, and song,--all, in short, that an accomplished Greek warrior was expected to know,--and, when his studies were finished, returned to his father's court to gladden his fond mother's heart by his presence.

Thetis' joy was all turned to grief, however, when rumors of the war imminent between Greece and Troy came to her ears. She knew her son would soon be summoned, and, to prevent his going, sent him off to the court of Lycomedes, where, under some pretext, he was prevailed upon to a.s.sume a disguise and mingle with the king's daughters and their handmaidens.

One messenger after another was dispatched to summon Achilles to join the fleet at Aulis, but one after another returned without having seen him, or being able to ascertain where he was hiding. The Greeks, however anxious to depart, dared not sail without him. They were in despair, until Ulysses, the wily, proposed a plan, and offered to carry it out.

"Ulysses, man of many arts, Son of Laertes, reared in Ithaca, That rugged isle, and skilled in every form Of shrewd device and action wisely planned."

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

[Sidenote: Ulysses discovers Achilles.]

Arrayed in peddler's garb, with a pack upon his shoulders, Ulysses entered Lycomedes' palace, where he shrewdly suspected Achilles was concealed, and offered his wares for sale. The maidens selected trinkets; but one of them, closely veiled, seized a weapon concealed among the ornaments, and brandished it with such skill, that Ulysses saw through the a.s.sumed disguise, explained his presence and purpose, and by his eloquence persuaded the young Achilles to accompany him to Aulis.

The Greeks were now ready to embark; but no favorable wind came to swell the sails, which day after day hung limp and motionless against the tall masts of their vessels.

"The troops Collected and imbodied, here we sit Inactive, and from Aulis wish to sail In vain."

Euripides (Potter's tr.).

[Sidenote: Sacrifice of Iphigenia.]

Calchas, the soothsayer of the expedition, was again consulted, to discover how they might best win the favor of the G.o.ds; and the reply given purported that no favorable wind would blow until Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, was offered up in sacrifice to appease the everlasting G.o.ds.

Many other propitiatory methods were tried; but as they all proved ineffective, Agamemnon, urged by his companions, sent for his daughter, feigning that he wished to celebrate her nuptials with Achilles before his departure.

"I wrote, I seal'd A letter to my wife, that she should send Her daughter, to Achilles as a bride Affianc'd."

Euripides (Potter's tr.).

Iphigenia came to her father secretly delighted at being the chosen bride of such a hero; but, instead of being led to the hymeneal altar, she was dragged to the place of sacrifice, where the priest, with uplifted knife, was about to end her sufferings, when Diana suddenly appeared, s.n.a.t.c.hed her up in a cloud, and left in her stead a deer, which was duly sacrificed, while Iphigenia was borne in safety to Tauris, where she became a priestess in one of the G.o.ddess's temples.

[Sidenote: Arrival at Troy.]

The G.o.ds were now propitious, and the wind slowly rose, filled the sails of the waiting vessels, and wafted them swiftly and steadily over the sea to the Trojan sh.o.r.es, where an army stood ready to prevent the Greek troops from disembarking. The invaders were eager to land to measure their strength against the Trojans; yet all hesitated to leave the ships, for an oracle had foretold that the first warrior who attempted to land would meet with instant death.

"'The Delphic oracle foretold That the first Greek who touched the Trojan strand Should die.'"

Wordsworth.

[Sidenote: Protesilaus and Laodamia.]

Protesilaus, a brave chief, seeing his comrades' irresolution, and animated by a spirit of self-sacrifice, sprang boldly ash.o.r.e, and perished, slain by the enemy, as soon as his foot had touched the foreign soil. When the tidings of his death reached his beloved wife, Laodamia, whom he had left in Thessaly, they well-nigh broke her heart; and in her despair she entreated the G.o.ds to let her die, or allow her to see her lord once more, were it but for a moment. Her appeal was so touching, that the G.o.ds could not refuse to hear it, and bade Mercury conduct her husband's shade back to earth, to tarry with her for three hours' time.

"'Such grace hath crowned thy prayer, Laodamia! that at Jove's command Thy husband walks the paths of upper air: He comes to tarry with thee three hours' s.p.a.ce; Accept the gift, behold him face to face!'"

Wordsworth.

With an inarticulate cry of joy, Laodamia beheld the beloved countenance of Protesilaus once more, and from his own lips heard the detailed account of his early death. The three hours pa.s.sed all too quickly in delicious intercourse; and when Mercury reappeared to lead him back to Hades, the loving wife, unable to endure a second parting, died of grief.

The same grave, it is said, was the resting place of this united pair, and kind-hearted nymphs planted elm trees over their remains. These trees grew "until they were high enough to command a view of Troy, and then withered away, while fresh branches sprang from the roots."

"Upon the side Of h.e.l.lespont (such faith was entertained) A knot of spiry trees for ages grew From out the tomb of him for whom she died; And ever, when such stature they had gained That Ilium's walls were subject to their view, The trees' tall summits withered at the sight; A constant interchange of growth and blight!"

Wordsworth.

Hostilities had now begun, and the war between the conflicting hosts was waged with equal courage and skill. During nine long years of uninterrupted strife, the Greeks' efforts to enter Troy, or Ilium, as it was also called, were vain, as were also the Trojans' attempts to force the foe to leave their sh.o.r.es. This memorable struggle is the theme of many poems. The oldest and most renowned of all, the Iliad, begins with the story of the tenth and last year's events.

[Sidenote: Chryseis and Briseis.]

Among a number of captives taken in a skirmish by the h.e.l.lenic troops, were two beautiful maidens, Chryseis, daughter of Chryses, priest of Apollo, and Briseis. The prisoners were, as usual, allotted to various chiefs, and Agamemnon received the priest's daughter as reward for his bravery, while Achilles triumphantly led to his tent the equally fair Briseis.

When Chryses heard that his child had fallen into the hands of the enemy, he hastened to Agamemnon's tent to offer a rich ransom for her recovery; but the aged father's entreaties were all unheeded, and he was dismissed with many heartless taunts. Exasperated by this cruel treatment, he raised his hands to heaven, and implored Apollo to avenge the insults he had received by sending down upon the Greeks all manner of evil. This prayer was no sooner heard than answered, by the sun G.o.d's sending a terrible plague to decimate the enemy's troops.

"The aged man indignantly withdrew; And Phoebus--for the priest was dear to him-- Granted his prayer, and sent among the Greeks A deadly shaft. The people of the camp Were perishing in heaps."

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

The Greeks, in terror, now consulted an oracle to know why this calamity had come upon them, and how they might check the progress of the deadly disease which was so rapidly reducing their forces. They were told that the plague would never cease until Agamemnon surrendered his captive, and thus disarmed Apollo's wrath, which had been kindled by his rude refusal to comply with the aged priest's request.

All the Greek chiefs, a.s.sembled in council, decided to send Achilles to Agamemnon to apprise him of their wish that he should set Chryseis free,--a wish which he immediately consented to grant, if Briseis were given him in exchange.

The plague was raging throughout the camp; the cries of the sufferers rent the air; many had already succ.u.mbed to the scourge, and all were threatened with an inglorious death. Achilles, mindful of all this, and anxious to save his beloved companions, consented to comply with this unreasonable request; but at the same time he swore, that, if Agamemnon really took his captive away, he would not strike another blow.

Chryseis was immediately consigned to the care of a herald, who led her back to her aged father's arms. Ready to forgive all, now that his child was restored to him, Chryses implored Apollo to stay his hand, and the plague instantly ceased.

As for Agamemnon, he sent his slaves to Achilles' tent to lead away Briseis; and the hero, true to his promise, laid aside his armor, determined to fight no more.

"The great Achilles, swift of foot, remained Within his ships, indignant for the sake Of the fair-haired Briseis."

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

[Sidenote: Achilles' wrath.]

Thetis, hearing of the wanton insult offered her son, left her coral caves, ascended to Olympus, cast herself at Jupiter's feet, and with many tears tremulously prayed he would avenge Achilles and make the Greeks fail in all their attempts as long as her son's wrath remained unappeased.

Jupiter, touched by her beauty and distress, frowned until the very firmament shook, and swore to make the Greeks rue the day they left their native sh.o.r.es, "To give Achilles honor and to cause Myriads of Greeks to perish by their fleet."

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

[Sidenote: Agamemnon misled.]

In consequence of a treacherous dream purposely sent by Jupiter to delude him, Agamemnon again a.s.sembled his troops, and proposed a new onslaught upon the Trojan forces. But when the army was drawn up in battle array, Hector, the eldest son of Priam, and therefore leader of his army, stepping forward, proposed that the prolonged quarrel should be definitely settled by a single combat between Paris and Menelaus.

"Hector then stood forth and said:-- 'Hearken, ye Trojans and ye n.o.bly-armed Achaians, to what Paris says by me. He bids the Trojans and the Greeks lay down Their shining arms upon the teeming earth, And he and Menelaus, loved of Mars, Will strive in single combat, on the ground Between the hosts, for Helen and her wealth; And he who shall o'ercome, and prove himself The better warrior, to his home shall bear The treasure and the woman, while the rest Shall frame a solemn covenant of peace.'"

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

[Sidenote: Menelaus and Paris fight.]

This proposal having been received favorably, Menelaus and Paris soon engaged in a duel, which was witnessed by both armies, by Helen and Priam from the Trojan walls, and by the everlasting G.o.ds from the wooded heights of Mount Ida; but in the very midst of the fight, Venus, seeing her favorite about to succ.u.mb, suddenly s.n.a.t.c.hed him away from the battlefield, and bore him unseen to his chamber, where he was joined by Helen, who bitterly reproached him for his cowardly flight.

Indignant at this interference on Venus' part, the G.o.ds decreed that the war should be renewed; and Minerva, a.s.suming the form of a Trojan warrior, aimed an arrow at Menelaus, who was vainly seeking his vanished opponent. This act of treachery was the signal for a general call to arms and a renewal of hostilities. Countless deeds of valor were now performed by the heroes on both sides, and also by the G.o.ds, who mingled in the ranks and even fought against each other, until recalled by Jupiter, and forbidden to fight any more.

[Sidenote: Hector and Andromache.]

For a little while fortune seemed to favor the Greeks; and Hector, hastening back to Troy, bade his mother go to the temple with all her women, and endeavor by her prayers and gifts to propitiate Minerva and obtain her aid. Then he hastened off in search of his wife Andromache and little son Astyanax, whom he wished to embrace once more before rushing out to battle and possible death.

He found his palace deserted, and, upon questioning the women, heard that his wife had gone to the Scaean Gate, where he now drove as fast as his n.o.ble steeds could drag him. There, at the gate, took place the parting scene, which has deservedly been called the most pathetic in all the Iliad, in which Andromache vainly tried to detain her husband within the walls, while Hector gently reproved her, and demonstrated that his duty called him out upon the field of battle, where he must hold his own if he would not see the city taken, the Trojans slain, and the women, including his mother and beloved Andromache, borne away into bitter captivity.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PARTING OF HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE.--Maignan.]

"Andromache Pressed to his side meanwhile, and, all in tears, Clung to his hand, and, thus beginning, said:-- 'Too brave! thy valor yet will cause thy death. Thou hast no pity on thy tender child, Nor me, unhappy one, who soon must be Thy widow. All the Greeks will rush on thee To take thy life. A happier lot were mine, If I must lose thee, to go down to earth, For I shall have no hope when thou art gone,-- Nothing but sorrow. Father have I none, And no dear mother.

Hector, thou Art father and dear mother now to me, And brother and my youthful spouse besides. In pity keep within the fortress here, Nor make thy child an orphan nor thy wife A widow.' Then answered Hector, great in war: 'All this I bear in mind, dear wife; but I should stand Ashamed before the men and long-robed dames Of Troy, were I to keep aloof and shun The conflict, coward-like.'"

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

Then he stretched out his arms for his infant son, who, however, shrank back affrighted at the sight of his brilliant helmet and nodding plumes, and would not go to him until he had set the gleaming headdress aside. After a pa.s.sionate prayer for his little heir's future welfare, Hector gave the child back to Andromache, and, with a last farewell embrace, sprang into his chariot and drove away.

"'Sorrow not thus, beloved one, for me. No living man can send me to the shades Before my time; no man of woman born, Coward or brave, can shun his destiny. But go thou home, and tend thy labors there,-- The web, the distaff,--and command thy maids To speed the work. The cares of war pertain To all men born in Troy, and most to me.'"

Homer (Bryant's tr.).

[Sidenote: Greeks repelled.]