Book XII / Sandys' Notes to the Commentary / All-Change Central--Text-Image Links
VPON THE TWELFTH BOOKE
OF OVID'S METAMORPHOSIS.
Aesacus, supposed dead, is lamented by Priamus, and his brethren: who performe his funeralls and erect him a sepulcher. For such was the custome of the
ancient, euen then when the body was not to be found: supposing that the Ghosts of those who wanted these rites, wandred vp and downe on the bankes of the
infernall Riuer; and could not passe ouer to the aboads of rest, vntill their exequies were accomplished: powring milke, hony, blood, and wine, on their  tombs, and inuoking the soules of the departed. But Paris was absent at these ceremonies: then on his fatall voyage to Sparta; who brought
back the reuenge of his guilt, and subuersion of his Country: reuealed to Hecuba in a dreame, while yet hee lay in her belly. | She dreamt her wombe brought forth
a mighty flame:
Affrighted, wakes, to Priam told the same:
He to his Prophets, they this sense returne,
How Paris fires should lofty Ilium burne.1 |
Wherefore Paris as soone as borne was exposed by his father. So Astiages dreamt that his daughter Mandane made water in so great quantity, that it surunded
all Asia. Whereof the Astrologians gaue this iudgement; that the child in her belly (which was Cyrus) should subiect all that part of the world to his dominion:
whereupon his Grandfather exposed him to the mercy of wild beasts; the infant-fortune of sundry great Princes. But Paris through the care of his mother was
taken vp and secretly nourished by the shepheards on Ida with the milke of Goats, whereupon he was called Paris: so Alexander (as himselfe testifies in his
Epistle to Helena) for the recouery of the Kings Heard that was stolne, and slaughter of the Pirats. By obtaining the victory in certaine publique exercises,
performed with great strength and actiuity; he was knowne to the King, and receaued into fauour. Priamus had sent Antenor into Greece to negotiate the
surrender of his sister Hesione, taken from Troy by Hercules, and giuen to Telamon. But his embassy was ill accepted, and himselfe no better entreated. This
iniury added to the other, the King intends a warre, and for that cause assembles his Princes. Their opinions differ according to their seuerall conceptions and
courages: when Paris intreats that a Fleet may be prepared and committed to his conduct; not doubting but to recouer his Aunt, and reuenge the death of his
Grandfather Laomedon. For he had dreamt in Ida, how Iuno, Venus, and Minerva, were presented vnto him by Mercury, that their contention concerning their
beauties might be decided by his iudgment: Venus promising him the fairest Dame among all the Greekes in reward of his giuing her the preheminency, and
therefore he knewe, that shee would be propitious to his enterprise. No maruaile then, though the successe were tragicall, when Pleasure was preferred before
Glory and Virtue. For such was Venus: whose Cestus or Zone is thus described by Homer. | Then from her brest her Zone diuinely wrought
Vnties, with all inciting pleasures fraught.
In it, Loue, Longings, courtly conference,
Faire language, which inchants the wisest sense.2 |
And therefore the image of Venus, as Plutarch obserueth, was anciently placed by the image of Mercury. But Suidas approaching neerer the truth; deriues this
fable of the iudgement of Paris, from an eloquent oration which he made (being learned in the knowledge of the Grecians) in the praise of Venus, preferring her
before either Iuno, or Minerva: who also composed a Hymne in her honour. A while after he was sent by his father into Greece, not to offer violence, but to
sacrifice to the Gods of that country: although he had the rape of Helena in his intention. Hee puts to sea, for all, the propheticall dehortations of Helenus and
Cassandra; and arriues at the Iland Cythera, at such time as Menelaus was on his voiage for Pylos; and Castor and Pollux the brothers of Helena, were gone to
Argos: with whom pretending occasions, he thereby pacifies the feare of the Ilanders. Helena had an eager desire to see him, and vnder a show of deuotion
repaired to a maritim citty of her name, where stood the temple of Apollo and Diana. This knowne to Paris, hee there acosts her, confident in his owne
perfections. For he was of a comely stature, and delicate composition: his skin white, his eyes shining, his aspect full of fauour and sweetnesse, his haire yellow
and soft, of speech alluring, and in ambition vnlimitable. They are taken with the beauties of each other; and by their eyes contract a fatall affection. For the
Platonists hold (agreeable with this their assertion, how sight proceeds from the emission of beames to the Obiect, and not by receauing the species of the obiect
into the eye, as maintained by Aristotle) that the spirits of the louer passe through the eye into the spirits of the beloued; which procures a desire of returning into
that body from whence they were emitted, whereupon insues that appetite of coniunction betweene louers. The night following this interuiew, Paris surpriseth
Helena; and together with many Prisoners and much treasure, carries her aboard; then hoysing sailes, shapes his course for Phrygia. Menelaus at his returne
from Pylos, incensed with the wrong, conuents the Grecian Princes; who take it as a publique iniury, and ioyne in the reuenge; electing Agamemnon for their
Generall; who now imbarqued in one thousand fourescore and six ships, lies windebound at Aulis, a Hauen of Boeotia, which
tooke that name from their long detention. As the Grecians sacrificed to Iupiter, a Serpent in sight of the army, creeping vp a tree, deuoured eight young
sparrowes, together with the old one. This the Augur Calchas thus interprets, that Troy after nine yeares siege should be taken. For by the Sparrow the
Aegyptians deciphered the yeare; as time by the Serpent, which deuoureth all things (and therefore the Serpent is the Hierogliphick of Saturne). Here turn'd into
a stone, to expresse the irreuocable decree of destiny. Not vnlike was that which befell vnto Marius when he hid himselfe in the Marishes of Minturnae; who
hauing found an Eagles nest with seuen young ones, reassumed his courage vpon this interpretation; That hee should suruiue to be seuen times Consul; which fell
out accordingly.
The windes continue still contrary through the wrath of Diana; in that Agamemnon, as Cicero writes, had not paid his Vow; who vowed vnto her
the fairest of that yeares birth: falling out to be his daughter Iphigenia; which Calchas vrgeth him to accomplish for the publique vtility. Superstition is more
preualent then the truth in the blindly deuoted. But vnaduised vowes are punished in the performance; not required by God, but perswaded by the author of
impiety. This bloody sceane thus described and censured by Lucretius. | I feare you thinke that wicked reasons I
Inforce; which lead vnto impiety.
As how religion it selfe oft-times
Hath perpetrated foule and bloody crimes.
As when the Grecian Chiefes of prime repute
Vnwed Diana's altar did pollute
With Iphigenia's blood, by Aulis sound.
The sacred fillet which her temples bound
In labells hang: who seeing her sad Sire
By th' Altar stand in funerall attire;
And how the Priest the sword concealed kept,
While all the people round about her wept:
Strucke mute with feare, she lowly kneeles on earth:
Nor then poore wretch auail'd her princely birth,
Her fathers regall stile. The trembling maid
Now to the Altar by the armes conuei'd,
(Not so, as when in Hymeneall rites
The bride is led to nuptiall delights)
Where the pure marriageable sacrifice,
By her sad sires consent impurely dies;
That prosp'rous gales their flagging sailes might fill.
Religion could perswade so great an ill. 3 |
As indeed the Diuell was so greedy of humane blood, that few great enterprises there were which found not some interruption; vntill they either offered their
own, or the Childrens vnto him. And to this purpose were the solemne answers of their Wizards, and Oracles. So in the warres of Thebes Menaecius the sonne
of Creon (as the last of the race of Cadmus) must vow himselfe vnto Mars; Codrus King of Athens disguis'd his person to be slaine; Curtius leapt into the
yawning gulph; the Decii deuoue themselues to the Infernall Gods: and so far the Diuell had preuailed, that those wicked sacrifices, performed before but vpon
extraordinary occasions, were brought into ordinary practise; and the most effectuall & acceptable oblations. When the light of the true religion (saith
Tertullian) had abolished these inhumane superstitions, he reuenged his losse on the innocent Christians: if Tiber ouer-flow, or Nilus overflow not; if there
happen either Drought or Earthquake, Famine or Pestilence; the Christians as a remedy must be throwne to the Lyons. Timantes the painter presenting this
sacrifice of Iphigenia; drewe Chalchas, Vlisses, and Menelaus, with sad and afflicted countenances: but made a vaile ouer the face of Agamemnon; in that no
pensill could expresse so franticke a sorrow. Or perhaps hauing spent the height of his fantasie in drawing the other: as hapned to Euphranor; who about to
portrait the twelue Gods at Athens, and beginning with Neptune, represented him with such exquisite Art, that despairing to finish the rest with the like felicity
(especially Iupiters) hee forbore to proceed any farther. If this be fabulous it alludes; if historicall, it parallells that act of Ieptha; who to performe a rash vow
inhumanely sacrificed his only daughter. So Marius in his warres against the Cymbrians sacrificed his daughter Calphurnia; promised in his dreame, that in so
doing he should obtaine the victory. Yet our Poet makes Iphigenia not to suffer, but to bee conueyed from thence by Diana; a hind in the roome supplying the
sacrifice. Which might (saith S. Augustine) be done by the subtlety and power of some wicked Angell. The Mythologists will haue this (as many haue their
originalls from the sacred Scriptures) to bee feigned from the history of the immolation of Isaack, and the Hinde put in for the Goat: Whereof the
vnwarrantable imitation (saith a moderne Author) produced that Sonne-sacrificing diuinity. But Agamemnons forwardnesse to sacrifice his daughter may
include this precept, that the common good should be prised by Princes before their owne liues, or the liues of their children. So Paulus Aemilius, loosing his
only remaining sons (not giuen in adoption) the one fiue daies before, and the other three daies after his triumph for the conquest of Macedon, seemed not so
much affected with so neere a losse as swallowed vp in the publique felicity.
Diana appeased, the winde now sings in their shrouds and driues them swiftly through Aegaeum; yet are they out-stripped by fame; who forewarnes, and
armes the Troians: whose mansion and disposition is here described to admiration. And showes that no warre can be intended or so secretly prepared, but fame
will discouer it, among so many suspitions, diuisions, and whisperings; and as speedily diuulge it. Not vnaptly therefore haue they placed wings on her shoulders.
It is reported by Iustine, that the newes of the ouerthrow of Mardonius by Epaminondas in Boeotia, was carried before night ouer so many lands and seas into
Asia. And by Plutarch that the newes of Lucius Antonius slaughter with the ouerthrow of his army (who had rebelled in the vpper Germany) was diuulged at
Rome with such assurance of truth, that the Citty was filled with publike reioycings; but the heat thereof being a little abated, there could be no Author found of
those tidings. Yet Domitian, being before on his march to suppresse that rebellion, met with letters of the same tenour; and conferring the times, found the
victory and the first report to haue befallen on the same day; although in places aboue two thousand miles distant. Neither need it seeme strange (though
sometimes such accidents depend vpon supernaturall causes) that among so many rumors, begotten by mistakings or forgery, and fostered by credulity, some
one or other should proue true; which among such infinite failings are onely obserued; as in dreames, and the predictions of Astrologians. They haue a way by
Pigeons to giue intelligence a farre off with wonderfull celerity. They take them when they sit on their nests, transporting them in open Cages; and returne them
with letters, bound about their legges like Iesses; who will neuer giue rest to their wings, vntill they come to their young ones. So Taurosthenes by a Pigeon
stained with purple, gaue notice of his victory at the Olympian games, the selfe same day to his father in Aegina.
The Troians impeach the landing of the Grecians: when the sonne of Iphiclus first leapt ashore, and thereupon had the name of Protesilaus,
who was called Iölaus before. But Ausonius will haue him to haue had it from his natiuity. | Protesilaus I, b'instinct of Fate:
The first that fell in Greece and Troys debate.
That boldly leapt on the Sygaeum shore,
Deceiu'd by sly Vlisses who, before
Appear'd t' haue trod vpon the fatall strand,
But lighted on his shield, first throwne to land.
Why grieues my Ghost? this death the fates proclaim'd;
When at my birth Protesilaus nam'd.4 |
For by the Oracle it was foretold, that he should dye, who first set his foot on the Troian earth. Vpon his Sepulcher, close by the Hellespont, grew certaine trees,
whose branches toward Troy soone flourished, and as suddenly lost the ornament of their leaues; the rest continuing greene: presenting his vntimely death, being
slaine in the twentieth yeare of his age. This Pliny reports to haue indured till his time.
Achilles encounters Cygnus, the son of Neptune; but can with no weapon penetrate his skin; which causeth him to misdoubt his former exploits,
whereof hee makes a recitall. Among the rest of Telephus King of Mysia, wounded and cured by his speare. Which Naturallists impute to the brasen point (for
the ancient Heroes had all their weapons forged of brasse) which hath in it selfe a sanatiue virtue. Others report, that his wound being ill healed and inwardly
impostumated; was lanced in a second fight by the same hand & speare, which gaue an issue to the corruption. As that valiant, and after cowardly souldier, vnder
Antigonus, was cured of an inueterate griefe by a wound receaued in battaile. The like is reported of Iason Phereus, who being giuen ouer by the Phisitians, and
desperately rushing on to seeke his death, found an vnexpected cure from the sword of the enemy. But why could the cure be only effected by that weapon
which hurt him? | Who hurt me (as Achilles speare alone
Could cure the wound it gaue) must heale or none.5 |
It may therefore be coniectured, that Telephus was cured by the Magneticall ointment, applied to the speare that wounded him; which many at this day (and
some in my hearing) affirme that they haue vsed with seldome failing successe. The receipt is at large set downe in Crollius his Dispensatory, extracted out of
Paracelsus. But this is by a neerer way, and lesse troublesome effected: without any Astronomicall obseruations, or ingredients hard to be had, (which perhaps
are inserted to amaze the reader, and make difficult the performance) as I haue receiued from those whom I cannot but credit. For a handkerchiefe (as they say)
dipped in the blood of the wounded, or any part of his garment whereon it hath fallen, being put into a wide mouth'd glasse or gally pot containing a quart of
faire water, wherein an ounce of a certaine Minerall, euery where to be had, is dissolued, and closely couered, will performe as much without farther trouble. If
the blood of a part thereof be easily washed out with the aforesaid water, it is a certaine signe of recouery: if not, of death: so the powder of the Minerall being
sprinkled vpon the cloath, before the blood be dry, if it incorporate therewith it assures the cure; but if otherwise the contrary. If you take the handkerchiefe out
of the vessell and expose it to the ayre, it will put the patient to much paine; but if held to the fire to intollerable: which againe will cease when closed in the
water. And this may be done when the party is farre distant.
But returne we to Achilles, who could giue no wound vnto Cygnus, though hee exposed his brest to the blow. Intimating that he was an expert souldier, and so
skilfull in his weapon as hardly to be touched by his aduersary; confirmed by the finding of his body vnwounded (for hee was throwne backward and strangled by
Achilles) whereupon diuulged vnuulnerable. As Iulius Caesar, who receaued not one wound (although vpon all occasions exposing himselfe vnto danger) in two
and fifty set battailes. Yet why not preserued from wounds by Enchantments? as many are said to be at this day in the Low Countries and Germany; some
sticke-free, others shot-free. The Diuell deludes his seruants with imaginary safety. For although a bullet of lead, as they report, will not enter, one of Siluer will:
Not vnknowne, as they say, to those Peasants, who are oppressed by these Charmed Free-booters. Now Cygnus is feigned to haue beene converted into a Swan:
partly in regard of his name and partly of his white haire. | Or Neptunes youthfull sonne o'rethrowne:
Whose head with snowy tresses shone.6 |
Said to be the sonne of Neptune; because that Fowle affecteth the water; or rather in that esteemed a Heroe for his heroicall actions; and such were held to
descend on one side from coelestiall parentage.
The Troians retire to their walls, and the Grecians to their Camp, when Achilles at a festiuall relates the wonderfull story of Cygnus; which is paralell'd by
Nestor with another of Ceneus, once a maid, then called Caenis and deuirginated by Neptune; who bid to wish what he would, desires that she might no longer
continue a woman to be obnoxious to the like violence; and thereupon is changed into a man. Of such conversions wee haue formerly spoken. But this by
Plutarch (and before by Plato) is said to haue beene feigned of Ceneus; in that of a sloathfull and effeminate youth; he became a couragious and expert souldier.
As among the Romans Valerius Flaccus; who hauing behaued himselfe so vnworthily, that his neerest friends were ashamed to acknowledge him; shewed so
suddaine a change in the execution of a publique office, that he became an example of moderation and fortitude. So here our valiant Ceneus in the battaile with
the Centaures and the Lapithites at the nuptials of Perithous, to which they
were inuited. | Be they admonisht by the wine-rais' d fight
Betweene the Centaure and the Lapethite,
Who too much in their liberall cups delight.7 |
Ixion is said to haue begotten them on a Clowd, formed like, & mistaken for Iuno: representing the vaine pursute of imaginary glory, attempted by vnlawful
meanes; and the prodigious conceptions of Ambition: for from the nauell downeward they carried the shapes of horses. But this was meerely fictitious. | For neuer was, nor euer could there be
Such two-fold shapes; nor can in one agree
So disproportion'd limbs; nor sympathy
In strength or time: what man will this deny?
A horse at three yeares growth is in his prime;
An Infant hardly weaned in that time:
And when the horse growes old, and worne with yeares,
The other in his pride of youth appeares:
Nor their desires the same. Bee't then decreed,
No Centaure can from man and horse proceed.8 |
But the fable hath an allusion to this history. Ixion king of Thessaly, hauing a part of his country infested with wild Bulls, proclaimed a reward to such as should
destroy them; which the inhabitants of Mount Pelion vndertooke (who dwelt in the Citty of Nephele, which signifies a Clowd; and therefore faigned to haue had
from the Clowds their originall) the first that euer backt horses; who by the addition of their speed ouertooke the Buls, and goared them with their Iauelins;
whereupon they were called Centaures. These being seene by the borderers, as they watred their horses at the riuer Peneus, amazed at so vncouth a sight, they
supposed both to be but one creature. So did the Mexicans, when Ferdinando Cortez, the Spaniard, first inuaded that Empire. Now the Centaures and the
Lapithites were all one people, inhabiting one country; and no otherwise distinguished then the Romans and the Latines. Seruius writes that this fable was
invented to declare the swift passage of the life of man. But rather that they were a cruell and libidinous people iniurious to strangers; and therefore the Poets
inuested their beastly mindes with such monstrous bodies; which is not obscurely expressed in their names. For Aphidas (as obserued by Delreus) signifies
contentious, Antimachus an enimy, Bromus a railer, Bianor violent, Craneus obdure, Brialus a theefe; and so in most of the other. These were said to dwell
vpon mountaines; for such are not onely more saluage but of higher statures, and withall more daring, as generally obserued. Whereupon Cyrus would not suffer
the Persians to leaue their rough and barren country, for another more plaine and fertile, least by the exchange they should change their manners, and become
effeminate. But valiant Ceneus is pressed to death, though hee could not be wounded, by a pile of trees throwne on him by the Centaures: and
changed by the God, some say into an Eagle, others into a Swan, which flew from thence to the astonishment of the beholders. So feigned in his honour; as at
the funeralls of the Roman Emperours whom they intended to Deifie, an Eagle was let forth at the top of the flaming Pyle: which the vulgar beleeued to carry the
soule of their Emperour into heauen. But our Ceneus after his death was said to be seene in the similitude of a Swan; by which is meant his suruiuing fame; the
Swan being consecrated to Apollo and the Muses, whose pens bestowe immortality on the Heroicall. (Wherefore the Lacedemonians, before they went to the
battaile, accustomed to sacrifice to the Muses, that their actions might haue a noble memoriall.) Who rather elect a short life, accompanied with dangers, and
succeeded by glory, then a long consumed in obscurity; which neuerthelesse must in the end be resigned. This Homer admirably expresseth in the person of
Sarpedon, thus exhorting his kinsman: | Why Glaucus are we honour'd aboue all,
With Thrones, Crown'd Cups, and frequent festiuall,
In fruitfull Lycia; gaz'd on as their Gods;
On Zanthus banks possesse such large aboads;
Fields ranke with corne, Groues, Gardens for delight;
But that we now in feruor of the fight
Appeare the first and best? that some may say
Among the neat arm'd Lycians, these are they
Who gouerne not ingloriousy; these feed
On dainties, drinke choice wines; withall exceed
In fortitude and still in dangers shine.
O friend, could we mortality decline
By our retreat, nor stoope to age or death;
I would not thus aduance; nor with vaine breath
Thy blood inflame. But since diuersity
Of Fates attend vs, and we needs must dy:
Come, fall we brauely on, and glory so
Either afford, or force it from the foe.9 |
The Lapethites reuenge the death of Ceneus with the slaughter of the Centaures, and flight of the suruiuers, who driuen out of their Country, the reward of their
iniustice and insolence; seated themselues in a part of Arcadia.
Nestor hauing finished his discourse, is reproued by Tlepolemus the sonne of Hercules, for making no mention of his father, the prime Actor
in that enterprise; which he excuseth, as not fit for him to magnifie the subuerter of his country and killer of his brethren. For Hercules had besieged Pylos,
because Neleus would not purge him for the slaughter of Iphitus: as also for the insolency of his twelue sonnes: who gloried in their number, and fame of their
actions. The warre continued long; nor could the citty be taken but by the death of Peryclimenes, who could change himselfe into any shape; and in the end was
slaine by Hercules in the forme of an Eagle. Then dismantling Pylus, he slew the rest of his brethren: Nestor onely escaping, before conuaied to Grenios.
Pereclymenes transformations represent the subtilty of enuy; which changeth it selfe into all shapes, to eclipse and ruine the renowne of heroicall actions; and
now an Eagle (the symboll of pride) is wounded by the arrowes of Hercules; the fame which ascends from noble endeauours, finally confounding enuy and
arrogancy. Others write that Periclimenes, concealing himselfe in the shape of a fly, was discouered by Pallas, and so killed by Hercules: from whence his other
morall is drawne by Delreus. Pereclymen, as he will haue it, signifies to forge, a name suting with a parasite, prepared to invent, and transforming himselfe into
any shape to claw the abused, who Camelion-like can assume all colours: where in vncheckt vntill he arriue at the height of impudence: when growing
intolerable; discouered, and hated, euen by those who formerly swallowed his flatteries, at length he tumbles downe from his ill purchased aduancement into
contempt and ruine: slaine by Hercules, or virtue, in the likenesse of a fly, the figure of Impudence; and that by the inquisition of Pallas, or wisedome.
But Neptune inraged for the death of his sonne Cygnus, inciteth Apollo to ruine Achilles; who kills him by the arrow of Paris. So fell the illustrious
by the most effeminate: to shew how the weakest hand can confound the most strong, when directed by the deity. Yet is it a misery aboue death to the valiant to
fall by a weake and vnworthy instrument. Euen they saith Germanicus, who enuyed me liuing, will be grieued that he, who sometimes flourished, and suruiued
so many great battailes, should fall by the treachery of a woman. Our Poet declares how hee shot him in the field, as he pursued the Troians. Others that falling
in loue with Polyxena, and drawne into the Temple of Apollo, borne in hand that hee should there espouse her; he treacherously shot him in the heele, in which
part he was onely vulnerable. For his mother Thetis had dipt him in the riuer of Styx; which is, had hardned and fortified his mind against all dangers and
encounters: but the soales of his feete, by which she held, were vntoucht by the water. Which fable is thus vnfolded by Eustathius: that the wounding in the heele
doth signify the sting of lustfull desires: for from the heele as Phisitians affirme, runne certaine veines and slender sinewes, which cut a sunder according to
Hyppocrates make the party cold and vnfruitfull: the heels being therefore called the seat of incontinence, by Orpheus; which declares how humane virtue, how
euer confirmed against other vices, yet open lyes to the wounds of lust. So our strenuous Achilles perisheth by his loue to Polyxena, and is slaine in the heele of
incontinency. For Polyxena signifies a various wanderer; either for that loue makes the mind to wander from his owns discretion, or else because lust delights in
variety. Achilles so glorified by Homer, the onely scope of his immortall Iliads; is thus introduced by Scaliger. | I Asia's strong supports, my fathers fame
And Roman Godlike Ancestors, o're came.
Immortall Honours, which to mortall seed
Euen Ioue enuy'd, I purchast by my meed.
Heroick liues with terror men inuade;
But I, before I was, made Ioue affraid.10 |
Alluding to that prophecy in the Eleuenth booke. | For aged Proteus thus foretold the truth
To waue wet Thetis: thou shalt beare a youth
Greater then him from whom he tooke his birth
In armes and fame. Least any thing on earth
Should be more great then Ioue, Ioue shuns the bed
Of Sea-thron'd Thetis, though her beauty led
His strong desires: who bids Aeacides
Succeede his loue, and wed the Queene of Seas.11 |
He was buried on the Promontory of Sigaeum. |
Achilles tomb, loe on Sigean shores:
Whom here faire footed Thetis oft deplores.
This still-greene Amaranthus doth imply
How that great Heroes fame shall neuer dy.
The Grecians Bulwarks, Hectors bane: set forth
By Homer, as much honour'd by his worth.12 |
This Amaranthus, of colour purple, and something figured like the eares of Corne (called by others the flower of loue, in that frequently worne by virgins in their
garlands) is so named of immortality, because it neuer fadeth: symbolizing the still-flourishing fame of that Heroe. So the Mahometans at this day plant
Semperuiuum, a kind of Alloes, on their graues. The Thessalians euery yeare, by the admonition of the Dodonian Oracle, brought expiations and sacrifices to his
sepulcher, with all that appertained to those Ceremonies, out of their owne Country. As two tame Bulls, one white, and another black: Wood cut from mount
Pelion, fire from Thessaly, meale and water from Sperchius, but especially Garlands of Amaranthus, in that they would not wither with the Sunne, the wind, or
length of the voyage. But man no more permanent then the leaues of trees, which sometimes are blasted in the spring (as here our Achilles; to all but death
inuincible) oft torne from their branches in the Summer, but euer falling in the Autumne whereof incomparable Homer. | Hyppolachus illustrious sonne replies:
Great soul'd Tidides, why vaine progenies
Explore you thus? mans race, the race of leaues
Presents; which now Autumnus breath bereaues
From lofty trees: now tender buds display:
So sonnes of mortalls flourish and decay.13 |
Vlisses and Aiax Telamon durst onely contend for the Armes of Achilles, which Agamemnon refuseth to arbitrate; but referrs it to the Colonells of the Army:
declaring how wise princes should decline both hatred and offence in deciding such controuersies; and leaue them to a legall triall. Which yet not alwaies answers
expectation; Because all, saith Tacitus, draw the glory of worthy actions to themselues; but the burden of blame lights vpon the Principall. |
