"So furrow'd are his cheeks, fo white his hairs, "Such and fo many his declining years: "Could you imagine (but that cannot be) "Could you imagine fuch his mifery! 35 "Yet it may come when he fhall be oppreft, 40 45 50 "His much-lov'd fon; would that were granted me! "But I, moft wretched I! of all bereft! "Of all my worthy fons how few are left! "Yet fifty goodly youths I had to boast, "When first the Greeks invaded Ilion's coaft; Nineteen, the joyful iffue of one womb, "Are now, alas! a mournful tribute to one tomb. 55 "Merciless War this devaftation wrought, "And their ftrong 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 ; 60 And to complete my ftore of countless wo, "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 endless fum, 65 "All to redeem that fatal prize you won ; "A worthless ransom for fo brave a fon. "Fear the juft gods, Achilles, and on me "With pity look; think you your father fee: Such as I am he is, alone in this, "I can no equal have in miferies; "Of all mankind most wretched and forlorn, 70 "Bow'd with fuch weight as never has been borne ; Now fadnefs o'er Achilles' face appears, 80 } 85 89 THE LAMENTATIONS OF HECUBA, ANDROMACHE, AND HELEN, OVER THE DEAD BODY OF HECTOR. Tranflated from the Greek of Homer, 'Ixiad. w. Beginning at this line, 'Has dè xpoxòwewros inidvaro nãoav ix' aïuv. PRIAM, at laft, moves Achilles to compaffion, and after having made him prefents of great valué, obtains the body of his fon. Mercury awakens Priam early in the morning, and advises him to hafte away with the body, left Agamemnon fhould be informed of his being in the camp: he himself helps to harnefs the mules and horfes, and conveys him fafely, and without noife, 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. Now did the faffron Morn her beams difplay, When mourning Priam to the town return'd; Her father and Idæus first appear, 10 15 20 "What once was all your joy now all your misery!" 25 30 There ftrove the rolling wheels to hold, while each 66 35 Trojans! enough; truce with your forrows make; "Give way to me, and yield the chariot room; “First let me bear my Hector's body home, "Then mourn your fill." At this the crowd gave way, Yielding like waves of a divided fea. Idæus to the palace drove, then laid, With care, the body on a fumptuous bed, And round about were skilful fingers plac'd, Who wept, and figh'd, and in sad notes exprefs'd Of univerfal, mournful harmony: When first Andromache her paflion broke, 40 45 And thus (clofe preffing his pale cheeks) she spoke. ANDROMACHE'S LAMENTATION. 50 55 “O my loft Husband' let me ever mourn Thy early fate and too untimely urn; "In the full pride of youth thy glories fade, "And thou in afhes nuft with them be laid. "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 biefs'd were I alone undone; "Alas! my Child! where can an infant run? Unhappy Orphan! thou in woes art nurs'd; "Why were you born? am with bleflings curs'd! "For long ere thou shalt be to manhood grown, 61 "Wide Defolation will lay wafte this town. |