The Daunians entred there with such force that the Lacedemonian Youth being surpriz'd were not able to resist While they were looking for their Arms in the Confusion they hinder'd one another Adrastus sets Fire to the Camp It seizes on the Tents and mounts up to the Clouds With its terrible Noise it resembled a Torrent which overspreads a whole Countrey and with its rapid Course carries it along with it the lofty Oaks with their deep Roots the Corn the Granaries the Flocks and their Stalls The Wind blows the Flame from Tent to Tent and in an instant the Camp look'd like an old Forest burnt down by a Spark of Fire Phalanthus tho' nearest the Danger could not remedy it He saw clearly that all the Troops must perish in this Fire if they did not make haste to leave the Camp but he likewise saw how dangerous such a disorderly Retreat must be before a victorious Enemy He began to draw out the Lacedemonian Youth half Arm'd but Adrastus would not give them time to breath On one Hand a Troop of cunning Archers let fly a shower of Arrows upon the Soldiers of Phalanthus on the other the Slingers hailed great Stones Adrastus himself with Sword in Hand marching at the head of a chosen Company of the bravest Daunians by the light of the Fire pursu'd the flying Troops mowing down with his Sword what had escaped the Fire Tho' he swam in Blood he was not satiated with slaughter Lyons and Tygers when they worry the Shepherds with their Flocks fall short of his Fury The Troops of Phalanthus faint their Courage fails them Pale Death led on by an Infernal Fury with her Head brisled with Serpents freezes their Blood in their Veins Their benumm'd Members grow stiff and their faint Limbs deprive them even of the Hope of Flight Phalanthus whose Shame and Despair had rouz'd up his small remainder of Courage and Vigour lifting his Eyes and Hands towards Heaven he saw his Brother Hippias fall at his Feet under the redoubled strokes of the thundering Hand of Adrastus There he lay stretched out and groveling in the Dust with black and boiling Blood gushing like a Torrent from the deep Wound of his side He shuts his Eyes and his furious Soul flies out with the last drop of his Blood Phalanthus besmear'd with his Brother's Blood and unable to help him finds himself environ'd with a Crowd of his Enemies who were endeavouring to run him down His Buckler was pierc'd with a Thousand Darts and his Body wounded in several Places He could not rally any more his fleeing Troops the Gods look'd down and did not pity Jupiter amidst the Celestial Deities beheld from Olympus the slaughter of the Consederates At the same time he consulted the immutable Destinies and saw all those Captains whose Thread was to be cut that Day with the fatal Cissars All the Gods were attentive to discover his Will by his Countenance but the Father of the Gods and Men told them with a sweet and majestick Voice You see to what Extremity the Allies are reduced you see Adrastus routing the Enemies but this Sight is fallacious Short is the Glory and Prosperity of the Wicked The Impious Adrastus and detestable for his Treachery shall not gain an intire Victory This Misfortune happens to the Allies only to teach them to correct their Folly and keep their counsels more secret On this occasion the Sage Minerva is preparing a new Triumph for her young Darling Telemachus Here Jupiter having ended all the Gods in deep silence continued to behold the Battle In the mean time Nestor and Philoct tes were advertis'd that a part of their Camp was already burnt that the Flame pusht on by the Wind was continually advancing that their Troops were in Disorder that Phalanthus was not any longer able to sustain the Enemies Attacks As soon as this fatal News had reach'd their Ears they run to Arms assemble their Captains and command them to retire immediately out of the Camp to shun the Fire Telemachus formerly cast down and disconsolate now forgets his Grief he puts on his Armour the invaluable Present of the sage Minerva who appearing in the shape of Mentor made as if she had got them from a curious Workman at Salentum but in reality he caus'd them to be made by Vulcan in the fuming Caverns of Mount AEtna This Armour was as smooth as Ice and bright as the Beams of the Sun Upon them was grav'd the famous History of the Siege of Thebes There you might see the unhappy Laius who being inform'd by the Oracle of Apollo that his New-born Son should be his Fathers Murderer deliver'd the Child to a Shepherd to expose him to the Wild Beasts and Birds of Prey Then you might observe the Shepherd carry the Child up the Mountain Citheron betwixt Boetica and Phocis whilst it seem'd to cry as sensible of its deplorable Destiny It had in its Countenance that native Simplicity and Tenderness which makes Childhood so lovely The Shepherd who carrid him up the hideous Rocks seem'd to do it with Regret and being mov'd with Compassion the Tears flow from his Eyes Irresolute and perplex'd he pierces the Child'd Feet with his Sword and thrusting in an Ozier Branch he hange him to a Tree neither daring to save him against his Masters Orders nor to deliver him up to certain Death After this he leaves him for fear of seeing the little Innocent die which he lov'd so dearly By this time the Child was ready to perish for want of Nourishment his Feet by which he was hung were Black and Swell'd Phorbas a Shepherd of Polybus King of Corinth feeding his Master's Flocks in this Desert heard the Cries of the poor Child He runs and takes him down delivers him to another Shepherd to carry him to Queen Merope who was Childless She was mov'd with his Beauty and from his swell'd Feet nam'd him Oedipus nurses him as her own Son believing him sent from the Gods All these different Actions were represented in their proper places Asterwards you saw Oedipus now grown up who being inform'd that Polybus was not his Father travel'd from Country to Country to discover his Nativity The Oracle told him that he should find his Father in Phocis Thither he goes where finding the People in an Uproar in the Tumult he kill'd his Father Laius without knowing him After that he appears at Thebes he explains the AEnigma of Sphinx kills the Monster and espouses Queen Jocasta his Mother not knowing her and she believing him to be the Son of Polybus This detestable Marriage was follow'd by a dreadful Plague a manifest Sign of the anger of the Gods Here Vulcan had taken Pleasure to represent Infants dying in their Mothers Bosom the People languishing and Death and Sorrow painted on their Countenance but that which was most frightful was to see Oedipus after having for a long time sought out the Reason of the Wrath of the Gods discover himself to
wretched Hopes of that imperfect Rest which the Souls enjoy that have cross'd the River Styx after their Bodies have receiv'd Burial Idomeneus lifting up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven invok'd Neptune in these Words O powerful God! who commandest the Empire of the Sea vouchsafe to hear the Prayer of the Distressed if thou deliverest me from the fury of the Winds and bringest me safe to Creet the first Head I see shall fall by my own Hands a sacrifice to thy Deity In the mean time his Son impatient to see his Father made haste to meet and embrace him at his Landing unhappy Youth who knew not that he was running to his own Destruction The Father escap'd the Storm and landed in the Port of Syria He gave Thanks to Neptune for hearing his Prayers but soon found how fatal they had been to him A black Presage of his Misfortune made him bitterly repent his rash Vow He dreaded his own Arrival he fix't his Eyes upon the Ground He fear'd to see whatever was dear to him in the World But the inexorable Goddess Nemesis who never fails to punish Men and especially haughty Kings push'd him on with a fatal and invisible Hand Idomeneus arrives hardly daring to lift up his Eyes He sees his Son He starts back with Horrour his Eyes in vain look about for some other Head to serve for his vow'd Sacrifice His Son approach'd and threw his Arms about his Neck surpris'd to see his Father dissolving in Tears and making no return to his Tenderness O my Father said he Whence comes this Sadness after so long absence are you displeas'd to see your Kingdom and to be the Joy of Your Son What have I done You turn your Eyes away for fear of seeing me The Father overwhelm'd with Grief made no answer At last after many bitter Sighs he said Ah! Neptune what have I promis'd Restore me to the Winds and to the Rocks which ought to have dash'd me in Pieces and finish'd my wretched Life Let my Son live O thou cruel God here take my Blood and spare his As he spoke he drew his Sword to pierce his own Heart but those that were about him staid his Hand The aged Sophronymus by whom the will of the Gods is convey'd to Men assur'd him that he might satisfie Neptune without the Death of his Son Your Promise said he was imprudent the Gods will not be honour'd by Cruelty Beware of adding to the Error of your Promise the crime of accomplishing it against the Laws of Nature Offer a hundred Bulls white as Snow to Neptune let their Blood stream about his Altar crown'd with Flowers let the sweetest Incense smoak in Honour of the God Idomeneus heard this Discourse inclining his Head towards the Earth and answer'd not one Word Fury sat glaring in his Eyes his pale and disfigur'd Face chang'd Colour every Moment and all his Limbs shook with horrour In the mean time his Son said to him My Father here Lam your Son is ready to Die to appease the God I die contented since my Death will have prevented yours Strike O my Father and suspect not to find in me the least fear of Death or any thing unbecoming your Son In that Moment Idomeneus transported with Distraction and possess'd by infernal Furies surpris'd all that stood about him with Astonishment He thrust his Sword into the Heart of this Youth and drew it out again reeking and full of Blood to plunge it into his own Bowels But he was once more prevented by those that were present The Youth fell down into his own Blood the shades of Death hung upon his Eyes he open'd them a little to the Light but could not support its Brightness As a beautiful Lilly in the midst of the Field out up from the Root by the Plowshare lies down and languishes on the Ground It receives no more Nourishment from the Earth and the Springs of Life are intercepted yet the snowy White and noble Lustre in part remains So the Son of Idomeneus like a young and tender Flower is cut down in the bloom of his Age. The Father through excess of Grief is become insensible he knows not where he is nor what he does nor what he ought to do he reels to wards the City and demands his Son FINIS The other Parts will be Publish'd in a short time THE ADVENTURES OF TELEMACHUS The Son of ULYSSES PART II III IV V. LONDON Printed for A. and J. Chruchill at the Black-Swan in Pater-Noster-Row MDCC THE ADVENTURES OF TELEMACHUS The Son of ULYSSES PART II. IN the mean time the People being touch'd with Pity for the Son and full of Horror at the barbarous Action of the Father cry out That the just Gods have abandon'd him to the Furies Their Rage furnishes 'em with Arms They lay hold of what Weapons come next to hand Discord breaths a secret Venom into their Breasts The Cretans the wise Cretans forget their belov'd Wisdom They will no longer acknowledge the Son of sage Minos Idomeneus ' s Friends know not how to consult his Saftey but by conducting him back to his Ship They embark with him and commit their Flight to the Waves Idomeneus being come to himself returns them Thanks for carrying him away from a Land he 〈◊〉 besprinkled with his Son's 〈◊〉 and which he could no longer inhabit the Winds waft 'em over to Hesperia where they lay the Foundation of a new Kingdom in the Country of the Salentines But now the Cretans being destitute of a King to govern 'em they resolve to chuse such an one as will keep up the Purity of the establish'd Laws And these are the Measures they take for that purpose All the chief Men of a hundred Cities are now to meet at one Place they begin with offering Sacrifices they assemble all the most renown'd Sages of the Neighbouring Countries to examine the Wisdom of those who shall be thought worthy of Command they order publick Games where all the Competitors are to fight for the Crown is the Prize which they propose to him who shall excel both as to strength of Body and endowment of Mind They will have a King whose Body must be strong and active and his Soul adorn'd with Wisdom and Virtue They invite all Strangers to this grand Assembly Nausicrates having recounted to us this wonderous Story cries out Haste therefore you Strangers to our Assembly you shall contend with the Rest and if the Gods decree the Victory for either of you he shall Reign in this Country We followed him not out of any desire of being victorious but only out of a Curiosity to see an Election so extraordinary We arrived at a Place resembling a very large Circus surrounded with a thick Wood. The middle of this Circus was an Arena or Pit prepared for the Combatants it was surrounded by a large Amphitheater of green Turf whereon sat in order an innumerable multitude of Spectators As soon as we came there we were
seen which fearful Mortals were afraid to approach The chief care of the Shepherds was to turn away their Flocks from it The sulphureous Stams which the Stygian Lake incessantly cast forth through this Passage infected the Air. Around it grew neither Herb nor Flower There no gentle Zephirs fann'd the Air There you could neither see the blooming Graces of the Spring nor the rich Blessings of Autumn There the Ground was all dry and languishing and there was nothing to be seen but a few Shrubs stript of their Leaves and the fatal Cypress All round for a great way Ceres denied the Labourers her Golden Harvests In vain did Bacchus seem to promise his pleasant Fruits the Grapes wither'd instead of ripening The Sorrowful Nayades could not make the Water run pure their Streams were always bitter and muddy No warbling of Birds was to be heard in that Desert that was all bristled with Bryers and Thorns there was no Grove to shelter them they went and sung their Loves in a gentler Air. Nothing was to be heard there but the croaking of Ravens and the melancholy Voice of the Owl The very Herbs were bitter and the Flocks that pass'd that way did not feed on that pleasant Pasture which used to make them skip The Bull loath'd the 〈◊〉 and the Shepherds forgot their Pipe and Flute Out of this Cavern oftentimes there issu'd forth a dark and thick Smoke which made a sort of Night at Mid-day The neighbouring People redoubled their Sacrifices to appease the Wrath of the infernal Gods but oftentimes Men in the flower of their Age and in the bloom of their Youth were the only Victims which these cruel Divinities by a fatal Contagion took Pleasure to Sacrifice It was here that Telemachus resolved to find out the way into the black Habitation of Pluto Minerva who always kept a watchful Eye over him and had cover'd him with her Shield had bespoke Pluto's Favour Jupiter at the Request of Minerva had given Orders to Mercury who went down every Day to the Regions below to deliver a certain number of Mortals into the Hands of Charon to desire the King of Shades that he would allow the Son of Ulysses to enter into his Dominions Telemachus secretly withdrew out of the Camp by Night he travel'd by the Light of the Moon and invok'd that powerful Deity who in the Heavens appears a bright Star in the Night on Earth is the chaste Diana and in Hell is the dreadful Hecate This Goddess vouchsafed him a favourable Ear because his Heart was upright and because he was guided by the pious Love of a dutiful Son Scarce had he approach'd the entry of the Cave when he heard the bellowing of the subterranean Empire The Earth trembled under his Feet the Heavens arm'd themselves with Lightning and Fire that seem'd ready to fall down The young Son of Ulysses was shock'd and his whole Body was bedew'd with a cold Sweat but his Courage supported him he rais'd up his Eyes and his Hands towards Heaven Ye great Gods cry'd he I accept this happy Omen Compleat your Work This said he redoubled his Pace and went forward boldly Presently the thick Smoke which rendred the entry to the Cavern fatal to all other Creatures that approach'd it was dissipated the poisonous Smell ceased for a while and Telemachus entred alone for what other Mortal durst follow him Two Cretans who had accompanied him to a certain distance from the Cave and to whom he had entrusted his Design stood Trembling and half Dead a great way from it in a Temple making their Vows and despairing of ever seeing Telemachus again In the mean time the Son of Ulysses with his Sword in his Hand plunges himself in horrible Darkness Presently he perceiv'd a dim and faint Light such as we see in the Night Time on Earth He observ'd the airy Ghosts fluttering about him whom he warded off with his Sword Not long after he came in sight of the melancholy brink of the marshy River whose muddy and stagnant Waters turn in a continual Whirlpool He discover'd upon the Banks of it an innumerable crowd of departed Souls who had been depriv'd of Sepulture making their fruitless Addresses to the pitiless Charon This Deity whose perpetual old Age made him morose and fretful return'd them nothing but Threats and Refusals but at first sight receiv'd the young Greek aboard his Boat Telemachus had no sooner entred than he heard the mournful Groans of a certain disconsolate Ghost What is the cause pray said he of your Misery what was you on Earth I was reply'd the Ghost Nabopharzan King of proud Babylon all the Eastern Nations trembled at the sound of my Name I made the Babylonians pay divine Honours to me in a Temple of Marble where I was represented by a Statue of Gold before which night and day the most precious Perfumes of Ethiopia were burnt none ever contradicted me unpunish'd new Pleasures were daily invented to sweeten my Life I was then young and vigorous What Pleasure was there that I did not taste while I sat on the Throne But an ungrateful Woman whom I dearly lov'd convinc'd me that I was not a God she has poison'd me and I am no more Yesternight my Ashes were with great Solemnity put into an Urn of Gold they cry'd they tore off their Hair and seem'd as if they would throw themselves into the Flames of my Pile and share in my death Some are going still to mourn at the Foot of the magnificent Tomb where my Ashes were laid but no body does really regret my Loss My Memory is abhorr'd by my own Family and here below I am already expos'd to the most dreadful Reproaches Telemachus mov'd at this sight said to him But were you truly happy during your Reign Were you sensible of that calm and gentle Peace without which the Heart remains always as 't were withred and shrunk up amidst the greatest Pleasures No reply'd the Babylonian I don't so much as know what you mean The Sages boast of this Peace as the only Good but for my part I never felt it My Soul was incessantly agitated with new desires with fear and with hope I endeavour'd to intoxicate my self with the tumultuous Motion of my Passions I was careful to entertain this Frenzy to make it lasting the shortest interval of calm Reason had been bitter Behold this was the Peace that I enjoy'd all other seem'd a meer Trifle and a Dream these are the Blessings that I regret While the Babylonian was thus speaking he wept like one of a mean Spirit soften'd by Prosperity and who had never been accustom'd to bear Misfortunes with Constancy There were hard by him certain Slaves who had been slain to grace his Funeral Mercury had deliver'd them to Charon with their King and had given them absolute Power over him whom they had serv'd on Earth The Ghosts of these Slaves stood now no more in awe of the Ghost of Nabopharzan they kept
Sagacious Attentive to the remotest Exigences disposing all Things to the best Advantage not embarrasing himself with any Thing nor perplexing others excusing Faults rectifying Mistakes preventing Difficulties never requiring too much of any one and every where inspiring Freedom and Confidence if he gave an Order it was in the most simple and plain Terms he repeated it the better to inform the Mind of him that was to put it in Execution He saw by his Eyes whether he comprehended it aright He afterwards made him familiarly express how he understood his Words and what was the principal Scope of the Attempt When he had thus made Proof of the good Sense of the Person he sent and had made him enter into his Designs he never let him go till he had given him some Mark of his Esteem and Confidence to encourage him so that all he sent from him were full of Zeal to please him and a fervent Desire to succeed in their Undertakings But they were not tormented with Fear that he would impute to them their ill Success for he excused all Faults that did not arise from an ill Disposition of Mind The Horizon appear'd Red and inflam'd with the Sun's Morning-Rays the Sea was fill'd with the bright Reflection of the rising Day all the Coast was cover'd with Men Horses and Chariots all in Motion which made a confus'd Noise like that of the angry Waves when Neptune stirs up dismal Tempests at the bottom of his deep Territories Thus Mars began by the Noise of Arms and the dreadful preparations of War to sow Rage in every Heart The Field was full of bristling Pikes thick set like a Crop of Corn that covers a fruitful Field at the time of Harvest there soon arose a Cloud of Dust which vail'd both Heaven and Earth from the Eyes of Men Darkness Bloodshed Horror and merciless Death advanc'd apace Scarce were the first Arrows Shot when Telemachus with his Eyes and Hands towards Heaven pronounced these Words O Jupiter Father of the Gods and Men Behold behold on our side Justice and Peace which we have not been asham'd to pursue 'T is with Regret we Fight we would willingly be sparing of humane Blood we do not hate even such an Enemy as this tho he is Cruel Perfidious and Sacrilegious Behold and give a decision between him and us If we must Die our Lives are in our Hands If we must deliver Hesperia and humble this Tyrant it will be thy Power and the Wisdom of Minerva thy Daughter that will give us the Victory and the Glory of it will be due to you 'T is you that hold the Ballance and regulate the Fate of Battles we Fight for you and seeing you are Just Adrastus is more your Enemy than ours If your Cause prove Victorious before the end of the Day the Blood of a whole Hecatomb shall flow upon your Altars No sooner had he thus spoken but he push'd on his fiery and foaming Coursers into the closest Ranks of the Enemy He presently met with Periander the Locrian cover'd with the Skin of a Lyon which he had kill'd in Sicily when he travel'd thither He was arm'd like Hercules with a prodigious Club in Strength and Stature he was like the ancient Gyants When he saw Telemachus he despis'd his Youth and the Beauty of his Countenance Is it not says he a pretty Business for thee thou young effeminate Spark to dispute with us the Glory of Battle Go Child get thee among the Shades to seek thy Father in speaking which Words he lifted up his heavy Club which was full of Knots and arm'd with Iron Spikes it was so big and long that it look'd like the Mast of a Ship Every one near was afraid of being crush'd by the fall of it It most threaten'd Telemachus his Head but he avoided the Stroke and flew upon Periander as swiftly as an Eagle cuts through the Air. The Club fell upon the Wheel of a Chariot near that of Telemachus and broke it in the mean time the young Greek struck a Dart into Periander's Throat The Blood that ran bubbling out in abundance from the wide Wound soon suffocated his Voice his furious Horses no longer felt any restraint from his fainting Hand but ran madly up and down with the Reins hanging loose upon their Necks he soon fell from his Chariot with his Eyes already clos'd from the Light and pale Death was already painted on his deform'd Visage Telemachus mov'd with pity towards him immediately gave his Body to his Domesticks and kept the Lyon's Skin together with his Club as a Mark of his Victory After this he sought for Adrastus in the Body of the Army and in his way precipitated into Hell a Multitude of Warriours Hileus who had his Chariot drawn by two Courses like those of the Sun which were fed in those vast Meadows which Aufidus Waters Dimoleon who formerly in Sicily had almost equal'd Erix in Combat for the embroider'd Girdle Cranter who had been the Host and Friend of Hercules when this Son of Jupiter was going into Hesperia where he kill'd the infamous Cacus Menecrates who was said to resemble Pollux in Wrestling Hippocon the Salapian who imitated the peaceful Addresses of Castor in the management of a Horse The famous Hunter Eurimedes who was always stain'd with the Blood of Beasts and wild Boars which he kill'd on the Ridges of the cold Appenine which are cover'd with Snow who is said to have been so dear to Diana that she taught him her self to handle the Bow Nicostrasius who had quer'd a Gyant that vomited Fire in the Rocks of Mount Gargan Eleanthus who was to espouse the Young Pholoe Daughter of the River Lyris She had been promised by her Father to the Person that should deliver her from a Winged Serpent that was bred on the Banks of the River and would have devoured her in a few Days according to the Prediction of an Oracle This Young Man prompted by an extraordinary love to her ventur'd his Life to kill this Monster he succeeded in the Attempt but could not taste the Fruit of his Victory for while Pholoe was preparing for the Rights of Charming Hymen and expected Eleanthus with impatience she was inform'd that he follow'd Adrastus into the Wars and that the Destinies had cruelly cut off his Days This News made her fill the Woods and Mountains near the River with her Groans she drowned her Eyes in Tears and tore off her lovely Hair She forgot the Garlands of Flowers she was wont to gather and accus'd Heaven of Injustice because she incessantly wept Day and Night the Gods touch'd with her Complaints and mov'd by the Prayers of the River put an end to her Sorrow for she pour'd out such abundance of Tears that she was instantly turn'd into a Fountain which running into the Bosom of the River seeks to join her Waters with those of the God her Father but the Water of this Fountain is still
you ought so to have related them as might only excite her Compassion You should have told her that you had been sometimes wandring in Deserts then a Prisoner in Sicily and afterwards in Egypt This had been enough and all the rest has only serv'd to augment the Poison that has already siez'd her Heart May the Gods grant that yours may be untouch'd But what shall I now do said Telemachus in a modest and teachable accent 'T is now in vain replied Mentor to conceal the rest of your Adventures she knows enough to secure her from being deceived in that which is to come any reserve on your part would only serve to provoke her Finish therefore your Relation to Morrow tell her all that the Gods have done for you and learn for the future to speak with Moderation of all Things that may tend to your own Praise Telemachus kindly received this good Advice and both lay down to Sleep As soon as Phaebus had shed the first Rays of his Glory upon the Earth Mentor hearing the Voice of the Goddess who called to her Nymphs in the Wood awaken'd Telemachus 'T is time said he to shake off Sleep Come let us return to Calypso but beware of the Charms of her Tongue Never open your Heart to her dread the insinuating Poison of her Praises Yesterday she exalted you above your wise Father above the invincible Achilles or the renowned Theseus or Hercules himself who has obtain'd Immortality by his glorious Actions Could you not perceive the Excess of this Commendation Or did you not observe what she said Know that she believes it not her self She only commends you because she thinks you weak and vain enough to be deceiv'd with Praises far exceeding your Actions After this Discourse they went to the place where the Goddess expected them She smil'd when she saw them approaching and under an appearance of Joy conceal'd the Fears and Suspicions that disturb'd her Heart For she foresaw that Telemachus under the Conduct of Mentor would escape her Hands as Ulysses had done Go on said she my dear Telemachus and satisfie my Curiosity I thought all the Night I saw you departing from Phenicia and going to seek a new Destiny in the Island of Cyprus Tell me then the success of this Voyage and let us not lose one moment They sat down in a shady Grove upon the green Turf intermix'd with Violets Calypso could not refrain from looking upon Telemachus with Tenderness and Passion nor see without Indignation that Mentor observ'd her even to the least motion of her Eyes In the mean time the Nymphs stood silent forming a half-circle and leaning somewhat forward that they might both hear and see with more advantage The Eyes of all the Assembly were unmoveably fix'd upon the young Man Telemachus looking down and gracefully blushing thus resum'd the Thread of his Discourse Scarce had the Breath of a savorable Wind fill'd our Sails when the Coast of Phenicia intirely disappear'd from us And because I was with the Cyprians whose Manners I knew not I resolv'd to be silent and to observe all keeping my self within the strictest Rules of Discretion that I might acquire their Esteem During my silence a soft and powerful slumber seiz'd upon me my Senses were ravish'd and suspended my Heart was quiet and full of joy On a sudden I thought I saw Venus launching down from the Clouds in a Charriot guided by a pair of Doves She had the same shining Beauty the same lively Youth and those blooming Graces that appear'd in her when she arose from the Foam of the Ocean and dazled the Eyes of Jupiter himself She descended with extreme Rapidity plac'd her self by me laid her Hand upon my Shoulder call'd me by my Name and smilling pronounc'd these Words Young Greek thou art going into my peculiar Empire Thou shalt soon arrive in that fortunate Island where Pleasures Sports and wanton Joys abound There thou shalt burn Perfumes upon my Altar There I will plunge thee into a River of Delights Open thy Heart to the most charming Hopes and beware of resisting the most powerful of all the Goddesses who resolves to make thee happy At the same time I saw Cupid as a Child gently moving his little Wings and hovering about his Mother He had the tenderest Graces in his Face and the Smiles of an Infant yet there was something so fierce in his Eyes as to make me afraid He smil'd when he look'd upon me but his Smiles were malicious scornful and cruel He took the sharpest of his Arrows from his golden Quiver He drew his Bow and was going to pierce my Heart when Minerva appear'd and cover'd me with her immortal Shield The Face of this Goddess had not the same effeminate Beauty nor that passionate Languishing which I had observ'd in the Face and Posture of Venus On the contrary her Beauty was natural unaffected modest all was Grave Vigorous Noble full of Power and Majesty The Arrow too weak to pierce the Shield fell down upon the Ground Cupid in a rage sigh'd bitterly and was asham'd to see himself overcome Be gone cried Minerva rash Boy be gone Thou can'st Conquer none but the Base who prefer dishonourable Pleasures before Wisdom Virtue and Glory At these Words Cupid fir'd with Indignation flew away and as Venus re-ascended towards Olympus I saw her Chariot and Doves rowling in a Cloud of Gold and Azur a long time before she disappear'd When I turned my Eyes towards the Earth I could no where see Minerva Methought I was transported into a delicious Garden as Men paint the Elysian Fields There I found Mentor who said to me Fly from this cruel Country this pernicious Island where the Inhabitants breath nothing but Pleasure The boldest Virtue ought to tremble and cannot be safe but by Flight As soon as I saw him I endeavour'd to throw my Arms about his Neck and to embrace him but I found my Feet unable to move my Knees sunk under me and my Hands attempting to lay hold upon Mentor follow'd an empty Phantome that would not be touch'd As I was making this Effort I waked and perceiv'd that this misterious Dream was no less than a Divine Admonition I found in my self a firm Resolution against the Allurements of Pleasure a watchful Jealousie of my own Conduct and a just abhorrence of the dissolute Manners that reign'd in Cyprus But that which wounded me to the Heart was that I thought Mentor dead that he had pass'd the Stygian Lake and was become an Inhabitant of those fortunate Fields where the Souls of the Just reside This Thought made me shed a Torrent of Tears The Cyprians ask'd me why I wept These Tears said I are but too suitable to the Condition of an unhappy Stranger who has lost all Hopes of ever seeing his Country more In the mean time all the Cyprians that were in the Ship abandon'd themselves to the most extravagant Follies the Rowers who hated to take Pains
to Reign here At last I resum'd my Discourse and every one was silent in a moment not knowing whether or no I was going to accept what I had at first rejected in these words therefore I address'd my self to 'em Suffer me Oh! Cretans to tell you my Thoughts You are the wisest of all Nations but methinks Wisdom requires a Precaution which you seem to have forgot you ought to fix your Election not on that Man who best Discourses about the Laws but on him who with a most steddy and constant Virtue puts them in Practice For my part I am young and consequently without Experience expos'd to the Violence of Passions and more fit to be instructed by Obeying in order to Command hereafter than to Command at present Therefore seek not a Man that has overcome others in those Tryals of Wit and Strength but one that has overcome himself look for a Man that has your Laws deeply engraven in his Heart and whose Life is a continu'd Practice of those Laws let his Actions rather than his Words bespeak your Choice All the old Men charm'd with this Discourse and seeing the Applauses of the whole Assembly still encreasing told me Since the Gods will not suffer us to hope to see you Reign among us at least do us the favour to assist us in the finding out a King that will govern according to our Laws Do you know any Body that can Command with that Moderatiou you speak of I know a Man answer'd I to whom I am beholden for all you have admir'd in me 't is his Wisdom and not mine that spoke to you 't is he who suggested to me all those Answers you heard just now Thereupon all the Assembly cast their Eyes upon Mentor whom I shew'd to them holding him by the hand moreover I told them what care he had taken of me from my Infancy what Dangers he had rescued me from what Misfortunes had besallen me as soon as I began to neglect his Counsels At first they took no notice of him because of his plain negligent Dress his modest Countenance his being silent almost all the while and his reserv'd Looks But when they view'd him more attentively they discover'd in his Countenance something that bespoke a firm noble and elevated Soul they took notice of the liveliness of his Eyes and how active he was in all his Actions they ask'd him several Questions which he answer'd to the Admiration of all they resolv'd to make him their King but he excused himself without any concern He told them he preferr'd the Sweets of a private Life before the grand Pomp of a Crown that even the best Kings were unhappy in that they scarce ever did that Good they had a mind to do and that through Surprize and the Insinuations of Flatterers they often did that Mischief they never intended He added that if Slaves be miserable the Condition of a King is no less wretched since 't is but servitude in a disguise When a Man said he is King he is still dependent upon all those whom he has occasion for to support his Authority and make others obey Happy is he who is not oblig'd to Command 'T is only to ones own Country when she invests a Man with Power that he ought to offer the dear Sacrifice of his Liberty in order to consult and promote the publick Good At these words the Cretans still full of wonder and admiration ask'd him What Man they ought to chuse A Man reply'd he that 's well known to you all since you must be govern'd by him and such a one as is affraid to govern you Whoever desires Sovereignty is not acquainted with it and how then will he perform the Duties incumbent upon his Dignity if he be a stranger to them He courts a Crown for himself but you ought to endeavour after one who accepts it only for your advantage All the Cretans being very much surpriz'd to see these two Strangers resuse a Crown which a great many others seek after with eager Ambition they enqui'd who came along with them Nausicrates who had conducted them from the Port to the Circus where the Games were celebrated shew'd them Hasael who was come with Mentor and my self from the Isle of Cyprus but their wonder still encreased when they heard that Mentor had been Hasael's Slave That Hasael deeply affected with the Wisdom and Virtue of his Slave had made him his Counsellor and intimate Friend That that Slave made free was the same who just now refused to be King and that Hasael was come from Damascus in Syria to make himself acquainted with the Laws of Minos so much was his Heart possest with the love of Wisdom The old Men said to Hasael We dare not to desire you to Rule over us for we suppose your Thoughts are the same with those of Mentor you despise Men too much to be willing to take upon you the Conduct of them Besides you have so far renounc'd Riches and the vain Pomp of a Crown that you would not purchase them at the expence of your Liberty and with the Fatigue and anxious Cares which are inseparably attending upon Rule and Government Hasael answer'd Do not understand me Oh! Cretans as if I despis'd Men. No I know too well what great and noble Employment it is to make them good and happy but that Employment is full of Trouble and Dangers the Pomp that attends it has but a false Brightness which can only dazzle the Eyes of Vain-glorious Men. Life is short Greatness and Elevation do more provoke the Passions than they can satisfie them My design in coming so far was not to purchase those false Goods but only to learn to be easie without them I must bid you farewel I have no other Thoughts than to return to a peaceful and retir'd Life where Wisdom shall fill my Heart and nourish my Soul and where the hopes that result from virtue towards a better Life shall comfort me under the Miseries of old Age if I wish for any thing 't is not to be a King but rather never to be parted from those two Men you see here before you At last the Cretans addressing themselves to Mentor cry'd out You the wisest and greatest of all Mortals tell us then who it is we must chuse to be our King for we will not let you go till you have determin'd our Choice To which he answer'd Whilst I was among the Crowd of the Spectators I took notice of a vigorous old Man who shewed no manner of eagerness or concern I ask'd who he was and answer was made he was call'd Aristomedes Afterwards I heard some Body telling him that his two Sons were amongst the Combatants at which he exprest no manner of Joy he said That as for the one he did not wish him the Dangers which attend a Crown and as for the other he lov'd his Country too well ever to consent that he should be King By that
where Eucharis would have enjoy'd the Company of Telemachus in full Liberty Her Jealousie never suffer'd her to lose sight of those two Lovers but at the same time she endeavour'd to lead the Hunters toward that Place where she knew Mentor was Building the Ship she heard the strokes of the Hatchets and the Hammers and every blow she heard made her quake and tremble yet at the same moment she fear'd her lest minding Mentor should make her lose the sight either of a Sign a Look or a Wink from Telemachus to the young Nymph In the mean time Eucharis said to Telemachus as it were in jest Are not you affraid of being reprov'd by Mentor for going out a Hunting without him Oh! how much you are to be pitied for living under so rigorous a Master whose severe Authority nothing can mitigate He professes himself an Enemy to all manner of Pleasures and will not suffer you to enjoy any he condemns as a Crime the most innocent Actions you might indeed have suffer'd your self to be govern'd by him when you was not able to govern your self but after you have shew'd so much Wisdom why should you be us'd like a Child These cunning insinuating Words went deep into Telemachus's Heart and fill'd it with spite and hatred against Mentor whose Yoke he was willing to shake off he fear'd to see him again and was so perplex'd that he return'd Eucharis no Answer Whilest they were a Hunting every Body was in a continued hurry but at last towards the Evening they return'd home thro' that Part of the Forest near which Mentor had been working all day Calypso saw afar off the Ship ready built and at that sight her Eyes were over-spread with a thick Cloud like that of gloomy Death Her trembling Knees betray'd her sinking Body a cold Sweat over-ran all her Limbs she let her self fall on those Nymphs that stood about her and as Eucharis reach'd her Hand to support her she put it back with a dreadful Frown Telemachus who saw that Ship but did not see Mentor who was already gone home having just finish'd his Work ask'd the Goddess whose that Ship was and what she was design'd for She knew not at first what Answer to make but a while after she said I caus'd her to be built to send away Mentor you 'll not be troubled any longer by that severe Friend who thwarts your Happiness and would grow jealous of you if you should become immortal Mentor forsake me I am undone cry'd Telemachus Oh! Eucharis if Mentor abandons me I have no Friend left but you Having let these Words fall in the Transports of his Passion he saw presently how much his Rashness was to blame but he was not at liberty enough to think on their meaning at first All the Company was silent and full of surprize Eucharis blush'd and cast her Eyes down she staid behind the rest Speechless not daring to shew her self Yet whilest her Face was full of Trouble and Confusion she felt a secret Joy in her Heart As for Telemachus he could not apprehend himself nor think he had spoke so indiscreetly what he had done seem'd to him as a Dream but such a Dream as fill'd him with perplexing and disquieting Thoughts Calypso more fierce and wild than a Lyoness that had her Whelps taken from her run up and down the Forest without knowing whither she was going At last she found her self at the Entrance of her Grotto where Mentor expected her Go out of my Island said she you Strangers who came hither to trouble my Repose A way with that young Fool as for you imprudent old Man you shall feel the Power of an enraged Goddess unless you carry him away this very moment I will neither see him nor suffer that any of my Nymphs should speak to him nor so much as look upon him I swear by the Stygian Lake an Oath which makes the Gods themselves tremble But know Oh! Telemachus that thy Misfortunes are not at an end No ungrateful Wretch if I turn thee out of my Island 't is only that thou may'st become a Prey to new Disasters then I shall be reveng'd thou shalt wish again for Calypso but all in vain Neptune still angry at thy Father who offended him at Sicily and sollicited by Venus whom thou didst despise in the Isle of Cyprus prepares new Storms for thee thou shalt see thy Father who is still alive but tho' thou seest him yet thou shalt neither know him nor be known to him Thou shalt not meet him at Ithaca before thou hast been the Sport of cruel Fortune Depart may all the Celestial Powers revenge me may'st thou in the middle of the raging Sea hang Thunder-struck on the sharp Top of a Rock invoking in vain Calypso whom thy just Punishment will fill with Joy Having spoke these Words her troubled and perplexed Mind was ready to re call what she had said and put her upon Resolutions quite opposite to the former Love reviv'd in her Heart the fond desire of staying Telemachus Let him live said she to her self let him stay here perhaps he may at last be sensible how much I have done for him Eucharis cannot bestow Immortality upon him as I can Oh! too too rash Calipso thou hast betray'd thy self by thy rash Oath thou art now engag'd and the Stygian Waves by which thou hast sworn leave thee no manner of hope These words were heard by no Body but one might see the Picture of a Fury in her ghastly Face and all the pestilential Venom of black Cocythus seem'd to reek out of her Heart Telemachus was seiz'd with Horror She perceiv'd it for what can be hid from a jealous Lover And the Trouble of Telemachus redoubled the Transports of the Goddess Like a furious Bacchanal who fills the Air with frightful Roarings and makes the Thracian Mountains resound with her Shrieks Thus Calypso roves about the Woods with a Dart in her Hand calling all her Nymphs and threatning to strike any one that shall refuse to follow her frightned by her Threats they all crowd after her with speed even Eucharis advances with Tears in her Eyes keeping her Looks fix'd at a distance upon Telemachus but not daring to speak to him any more The Goddess shiver'd when she saw her and her Fury redoubled when she perceiv'd that even Grief and Affiction serv'd to heighten the Beauty of her Rival In the mean time Telemachus being alone with Mentor he grasps his Knees not daring either to embrace him or look upon him he sheds a Flood of Tears he is going to speak but his Speech fails him he knows not either what he does what he ought to do or what he would do At last he cries out Oh! my true Father Oh! Mento deliver me from my Miseries I cannot leave you neither can I follow you Oh! rid me of my Troubles rid me of my self strike strike me dead Mentor embraces him comforts him encourages him teaches him
him nor careful to distinguish Merit He follow'd his Humour without reflection in spite of Mentor his Mother Penelope had brought him up in Pride and Haughtiness of temper that tainted all his good Qualities He look'd upon himself as made of other Metal than the rest of Mankind who seem'd to him to be sent by the Gods only for his Pleasure and Service and to make every thing subservient to him as a Deity The Happiness of serving him was a sufficient Reward Where his Pleasures were concern'd nothing must be impossible the most trivial Delays did irritate his eager Temper Had any one seen him in his natural Disposition they would have thought him incapable of loving any thing besides himself being only mov'd by his own Vain-glory and Pleasure but this indifference for others and regard for himself proceeded from nothing but the continual transport and violence of his Passions which his Mother had humour'd from his Cradle He was a remarkable Instance of the Unhappiness of those who are High-born The Serverities of Fortune which he felt in his early Youth had not moderated the impetuosity and haughtiness of his Temper Tho' destitute forsaken and expos'd to so many Miseries yet he abated nothing of his Pride It would raise it self like a supple Palm after all Attempts to press it down These Faults did not shew themselves in Mentor's Company but daily decreas'd as a fiery Courser who frisking through the spacious Fields whom neither Rocks nor Precipices nor Torrents can stop is obedient only to the Voice and Hand of one Man who knows how to tame him So Telemachus full of a Noble Ardour could be kept in by none but the Wise Mentor one of his Frowns would immediately stop him in his most impetuous Career He knew the meaning of each Look and at that Moment would summon all his virtuous Resolutions Wisdom in an instant would render his Countenance smooth and serene Neptune does not more quickly appease the hideous Tempests when with his Trident he threatens the proud Billows When Telemachus was alone all his Passions that seem'd only suspended for a time like a Torrent damm'd in would take their natural Course He could not endure the Arrogance of the Lacedemonians nor of Phalanthus who was at their Head This Colony which came with a Design to found the City of Tarentum was compos'd of young Men who were Born during the Siege of Troy who for their illegitimate Birth irregular Manners and the Licentiousness in which they had been brought up had something about them that was wild and barbarous They resembl'd more a Company of Robbers than a Grecian Colony Phalanthus would seek out all occasions to contradict Telemachus despising his Counsels as those of a Young Man without Experience and would make him the Subject of his Raillery treating him as if he had been pusillanimous and effeminate He expos'd his smallest Failings to the Captains of the Army endeavouring to sow Jealousie and to make the haughtiness of Telemachus odious to all the Confederate Princes One Day Telemachus having taken some Daunian Prisoners pretended that they belong'd to him alledging it was he that had defeated that Party of the Enemies And that Telemachus having found the Daunians already beat and put to flight had nothing to do but give them Quarter and carry them along to the Camp Telemachus on the other hand maintain'd that he had saved Phalanthus from being beat and obtain'd this Victory over the Daunians Both of 'em pleaded their Cause before the Confederate Kings where Telemachus was so much transported with his Passion that he gave Phalanthus threatning Language so that they had gone to Blows if the By-standers had not interpos'd Phalanthus had a Brother whose name was Hippias famous thro' all the Army for his Valour Strength and Address Pollux as the Tarentines alledge was not a better Champion and he surpass'd Castor himself in managing a Horse He had almost the Stature and Strength of Hercules and was redoubted of all the Army tho he was more quarrelsom and brutal than brave Hippias when he saw with what Insolence Telemachus had treated his Brother goes in haste and carries off the Prisoners to Tarentum without waiting for the Sentence of the Assembly which somebody having whisper'd to Telemachus out he went in a Rage foaming like a Bear pursuing the Huntsman that had wounded him You might see him wandring thro' the Camp endeavouring to spy out his Enemy and shaking the Dart with which he resolv'd to pierce him At last meeting him the Sight redoubl'd his Rage he was now no more the wise Telemachus instructed by Minerva in the shape of Mentor but a mad-Man a furious Lyon Immediately he call'd out Stay Hippias Thou basest of Mortals I will try if thou dar'st rob me of the Spoils of my Victory Thou shalt not carry these Prisoners to Tarentum I 'll send thee down to the gloomy Banks of Styx This said he flung his Dart but with so much Fury that he could not measure his Stroke and the Dart miss'd Hippias Immediately he puts his Hand to his Sword whose Handle was of Gold and which Laertes had given him when he parted from Ithaca as a Pledge of his Love This Sword had won Laertes much Honour in his Youth and was stain'd with the Blood of many famous Captains of the Epirots in a War wherein Laertes was Victorious Telemachus had hardly drawn his Sword when Hippias taking the Advantage of his own Strength falls upon him endeavouring to snatch it out of his Hand The Sword was broke betwixt 'em so they grapled and clos'd They seem'd like Two young Lyons tearing one another to Pieces they dart Fire from their Eyes they contract themselves then they stretch they stoop they rise again they dart themselves and are all over besmear'd with Blood Now they come to Handy-blows Foot to Foot Hand to Hand with their two Bodies so twisted together that they seem'd but one Hippias who was already arriv'd at Manhood seem'd able to crush the weaker and more tender Youth of Telemachus who already found himself out of Breath and his Legs begin to fail Hippias finding him in a staggering Condition doubled his Force There had been an end of the Son of Ulysses and he had received the just Punishment of his Rashness and Passion if Minerva who in her absence watch'd over him and left him in this Danger only for his Instruction had not determin'd the Victory in his Favour She did not leave her Palace of Salentum her self but sent Iris the swift Messenger of the Gods who with nimble Wing cutting the spacious Air and leaving behind her a Tract of Light which painted the Clouds with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 different Colours rested at last upon the Shoar where the numerous Army of the Confederates was Encamp'd She beheld from afar the Strife and Ardor of the two Combatants she trembled at the sight of the Danger to which the young Telemachus was expos'd And
their Sheep instead of leading 'em into good Pasture According to you a Man becomes Guilty as soon as he is accus'd and Suspicion makes him deserve Death the Innocent lie at the mercy of Envy and Calumny and according to your encrease of this tyrannical Jealousie in your Minds we must have more such Victims sacrific'd Telemachus utter'd these Words with such Authority and Vehemence as captivated their Hearts and cover'd the Authors of this so unmanly Advice with Shame and Confusion In fine he soften'd his words For my part said he I am not so much in love with Life as to secure it at that rate I had rather Acanthus should be Vile and Wicked than my self and would sooner chuse to die by his Treachery than put him to Death by any unjust Sentence only founded upon Suspicion But have a little Patience O you who in being establish'd Kings that is Judges of the People under your Charge ought to know how to discharge the Function with Justice Prudence and Moderation let me examine Acanthus in your Presence Immediately he interrogated this Man about his Correspondence with Arion he press'd him with an infinite number of Circumstances he often made him believe he would send him back to Adrastus as a Deserter that deserv'd to be punish'd that he might the better make his Observation whether he were afraid to be sent back or not but the Countenance of Acanthus still remain'd calm and even From which Telemachus concluded that Acanthus might not be Guilty In fine perceiving he could not thus draw the Truth out of his Breast says he to him Give me your Ring for I 'll send it to Adrastus No sooner was the Ring demanded but Acanthus turn'd Pale and was much embarrassed Telemachus whose Eyes were continually fix'd on him discern'd it he took the Ring I 'll immediately send this says he to Adrastus by the Hand of an intreaging Lucanian nam'd Polytropus with whom you are acquainted he shall pretend to be come secretly from you if we can by this means discover their private Intelligence with Adrastus you shall without Mercy be put to Death by the most cruel Torments if on the contrary you now confess your Fault you shall be pardon'd and we 'll content our selves only in sending you into an Island where you shall want nothing Upon this Acanthus corfess'd all and Telemachus obtain'd of the Kings that his Life might be spar'd because he had given him the promise of it and he was sent to the Islands call'd Echinades where he liv'd in Peace Not long after this a Daunian of obscure Birth but of a violent and daring Temper nam'd Discorus Temper nam'd Discorus came in the Night into the confederate Camp to make an offer to 'em to kill King Adrastus in his Tent. He was capable of this Attempt for that Man is Master of the Life of another who puts no Value upon his own This Person breath'd nothing but Revenge because Adrastus had taken away his Wife whom he passionately Lov'd and whose Beauty did not come behind that of Venus her self He had secret Intelligence whereby he could find a Way into the King's Tent in the Night and could be favour'd in this Enterprize by several Daunian Captains but he thought it necessary for the Confederate 〈◊〉 to attack Adrastus his Camp at the same time that in the noiseand hurry of Action he might with greater Facility make his Escape and carry away his Wife too and if he could not compass this last Thing after he had kill'd the King he was content to Die As soon as Dioscorus had explain'd his Design to the Kings they all turn'd themselves toward Telemachus thereby signifying they desir'd a direction in this matter from him The Gods said he who have preserv'd us from Traitors forbid us to make use of 'em and if we had not Vertue enough to detest the Treason our Interest alone would be sufficient to make us reject it when we have once authoriz'd it by our Example we shall deserve to have it turn'd against us and who among us from that Moment will be safe 'T is possible Adrastus may escape the Blow that threatens him and may make it fall upon the Confederate Princes and then War will become quite another Thing Wisdom and Vertue will be of no manner of use and nothing will be seen but Frauds Treasons and Assassinations I therefore conclude we ought to send this Traitor back to Adrastus I cofess the King does not deserve it but all Hesperia and all Greece who have their Eyes upon us deserve that we should conduct our selves so as to gain their Esteem we owe our selves and in short we owe the just Gods such a Testimony as this of our Horror of Treachery Dioscorus was immediately sent to Adrastus who trembled to think of the Danger he had been in and mightily wonder'd at the Generosity of his Enemies for ill Men know not how to comprehend what pure Vertue is Adrastus was oblig'd whether he would or no to admire what he saw but durst not commend it This noble Action of the Allies recall'd the shameful Remembrance both of all his Treacheries and all his Cruelties he would fain have extenuated the Generosity of his Enemies yet was ashamed to appear Ungrateful while he ow'd 'em his Life but Men that are corrupted soon harden themselves against every Thing that touches ' em Adrastus observing that the Reputation of the Allies daily augmented thought himself oblig'd to perform some Action against 'em that might make a Noise in the World and since he could not do a Vertuous one he was desirous at least of obtaining some great Advantage over 'em by Arms and therefore made what haste he could to Fight The Day of Battle being come scarce had Aurora open'd the oriental Gates to the Sun in a Path strow'd with Roses when the young Telemachus by his early Care out-stript the Vigilance of the oldest Captains by throwing off the soft Embraces of Sleep and putting all the Officers in Motion already his Helmet cover'd with his floating Hair glitter'd on his Head and his Cuirass dazzled the Eyes of the whole Army it was the Work of Vulcan and had besides its natural Beauty the Lustre of a shining Breast-plate that was plac'd under it He held a Spear in one Hand and pointed with the other to the divers Posts that 't was necessary to possess Minerva had fill'd his Eyes with a divine Fire and his Countenance with an awful Majesty which began already to promise Victory He march'd and all the Kings forgetting their Age and Dignity found themselves attracted by a superior Power which oblig'd 'em to follow his Steps Weak Jealousie could enter their Breasts no more Every thing gives way to him whom Minerva insensibly Leads by the Hand His Action had nothing in it that was Impetuous or Precipitant he was Mild Calm Patient always ready to hear others and to profit by their Advice but Active
bitter Grass never grows upon the Bank of it nor is any Shade to be found on the sides of it but that of mournful Cypress Trees But to return Adrastus perceiving that Telemachus spread Terror on every side sought after him with the utmost diligence hoping easily to Conquer the Son of Ulysses in an Age as yet so tender He was attended with Thirty Daunians of extraordinary Strength Dexterity and Boldness to whom he promis'd very great Rewards if thy could any way in the World kill Telemachus in Battle And if they had met him just at this time of the Fight without doubt these Thirty Men by surroundings his Chariot while Adrastus would have attack'd him in the Front would have found no great difficulty in dispatching him But Minerva turn'd 'em out of their way Adrastus thought he saw and heard Telemachus in a low part of the Plain at the foot of a Hill where a great number of Soldiers were closely engag'd Hither he runs or rather flies with an eager Desire to satiate himself with Blood but instead of Telemachus he finds the Aged Nestor who with his trembling Hand was throwing Darts at a venture tho' he did little or no Execution Adrastus in his fury would have run him through had not a Troop of Pylians thrown themselves round about Nestor A Cloud of Darts then soon obscur'd the Air and cover'd all the Combatants nothing was to be heard but the Woful Cries of dying Men and the clashing of the Arms of those that fell in among the Crowd the Earth groan'd under Heaps of dead Bodies Torrents of Blood ran on all sides Bellona and Mars together with the Infernal Furies cloath'd with Robes all over running down with Blood glutted their hollow Eyes with this Spectacle and incessantly renew'd a Marshal Rage in the Hearts of the Combatants these Deities who are the Enemies of Men chased far away from both Parties generous Pity moderated Valour and sweet Humanity There was nothing among these confus'd Heaps of Men enrag'd one against another but Slaughter Revenge Despair and brutish Fury The Wife and Invincible Pallas her self trembled at the sight and started back with horror In the mean time Philoctetus march'd on by degrees with the Arrows of Hercules in his Hands endeavouring to come to the Relief of Nestor Adrastus not able to reach the Divine Old Man had pierc'd several Pylians with his Darts and made 'em lick the Dust. He overthrew Eusilas who was so swift a Runner that he scarce left the print of his Steps upon the Sand and in his own Countrey outstript the most rapid Streams of the Eurotas and the Alpheus At his Feet fell Entiphon who was more Beautiful than Hylas and as violent a Hunter as Hyppolitus Pterelas who had followed Nestor to the Siege of Troy and whom Achilles himself lov'd for his Courage and Strength Aristogiton who by bathing in the Waters of the River Achelous had friendly receiv'd of this God the power of assuming all sorts of Forms in short he was so supple and nimble in all his Motions that he escap'd the Hands of the strongest Warriors but Adrastus with one thrust of his Spear depriv'd him of all Motion and soon let out his Blood and Soul together Nestor seeing his most Valiant Captains fall by the Hand of Adrastus as the gilded Ears of Corn in time of Harvest fall under the keen Sickle of the Indefatigable Reaper forgot his own Danger and needlesly expos'd himself He threw away his Old Age and thought of nothing but how to follow his Son Pisistratus in keeping his Eyes intent on him who on his side was very warmly engag'd to keep off Danger from his Father But the fatal Moment was come in which Pisistratus was to make Nestor feel how unfortunate a Man may be in living too long Pisistratus push'd his Spear with such violence against Adrastus that this Daunian Prince must needs have fallen but that he avoided the Stroke and while Pisistratus who was somewhat discompos'd by the false Thrust he had 〈◊〉 was recovering his Spear 〈◊〉 pierc'd him with a Javesin in the middle of his Folly His Bowels immediately began to come out with a Torrent of Blood His lively Colour vanish'd like that of a Flower after the Hand of some Nymph has gather'd it in the Meadow his Eyes were already almost extinguish'd and his Speech falter'd when Alisius his Governour who 〈◊〉 near him supported him just as he was falling and had only time to 〈◊〉 him to his Father and throw him into his Arms then he would fain have spoken and have given him the last marks of his tender Affection but as he open'd his Mouth to speak he expir'd While 〈◊〉 spread Slaughter and Horror round him in 〈◊〉 the Efforts of Adrastus Nestor held the Body of his Son closely grasp'd in his Arms and fill'd the Air with lamentable Cries not being able to 〈◊〉 the Light any longer All unfortunate 〈◊〉 that I am said he that I have been a Father and lived so long Alas ye cruel Destinies why did you not end my Life either 〈◊〉 Hunting the 〈◊〉 Boar or in my 〈◊〉 Voyage or at the first Siege of 〈◊〉 Then I should have died with Glory and without bitterness and Sorrow Now I carry with me a 〈◊〉 despiss'd and impotent Old Age I now live only to suffer 〈◊〉 and have no other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me but that of Sorrow O my Son my Son O my dear Son 〈◊〉 When I lost they Brother 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wast my 〈◊〉 but now I have thee no more now I have nothing left nothing can yield me any Consolation more All is at an End with me Hope the only mitigation of Human 〈◊〉 is an Advantage in which I have no Interest O 〈◊〉 O 〈◊〉 my dear Children this seems to me the 〈◊〉 Day wherein I lose you both The Death of one opens again the Wound which that of the other had made in the bottom of my Heart I shall never see either of you again Who now shall close my Eyes Who shall gather up my Ashes O Pisistratus thou didst die as well as thy Brother a Valiant Man 't is only I that cannot tell how to die In uttering these Words he would have pierc'd himself with a Dart which he held in his Hand if he had not been prevented by those that were about him after which they took from him the Body of his Son and this unfortunate Old Man falling into a Swoon they carried him into his Tent when after he had a little recover'd his Spirits he would have return'd into the Battel which they would by no means suffer him to do In the mean time Adrastus and Philoctetus were searching for each other Their Eyes sparkled like those of a Lion and a Leopard that are seeking to devour one another in those Fields which Cocyties waters Menaces warlike Rage and cruel Revenge glitter in their furious Eyes they bring certain Death wherever they throw their Darts
Authority upon Earth all that I aim at is to assist such as are enquiring after Justice and Virtue And can I ever forget the Confidence you have put in me and Friendship you have shewn me At these Words Idomeneus was quite alter'd and found his Mind appeas'd and calm like the Sea when Neptune with his Trident quells the tumultuous Waves and scatters the blackest Tempests There only remain'd in him a calm and peaceable Sorrow which was rather a tender sentiment of Regret than a lively Passion of Grief Courage Confidence Virtue and the hope of the assistance of the Gods began to revive within him Well then said he my dear Mentor it seems one may lose every Thing and yet not be discourag'd At least remember Idomeneus when you are arriv'd at Ithaca where your Wisdom will Crown you with Prosperity Forget not that Salentum was your Work and that you have left an Unfortunate King there who has no Hope but in you Farewell O worthy Son of Ulysses I 'le no longer detain you I am not willing to resist the Gods who sent me so great a Treasure And Farewell Mentor the wisest and greatest of all Mankind if indeed a Human Creature is able to do what I have seen in you and if you are not some Deity under a borrow'd Form to instruct Weak and Ignorant Men Go and conduct the Son of Ulysses who is more happy in having you with him than in having been the Conqueror of Adrastus Farewel both of you I dare speak no more forgive my Sighs Farewel live and be Happy there now remains nothing more to me in the World but the Remembrance that I once possess'd you Oh pleasant Days too happy Days Days which I knew not how sufficiently to value Days that have too swistly glided away You 'l hever more return My Eyes will never again see what they now behold Mentor suppos'd this Moment to be expir'd he embrac'd Philocles who bath'd him with his Tears without being able to Speak Telemachus went to take Mentor by the Hand to take him out of the Hand of Idomeneus but this last pressing towards the Door placed himself between Mentor and Telemachus He look'd upon 'em he sigh'd he began to speak but his Words were cut off in the midst so that he could not finish a Sentence Confus'd Cries were heard on the Shore which was cover'd with Seamen these fall to handling their Ropes and spreading their Sales A favourable Wind begins to present Telemachus and Mentor take their leave of the King who accompanies them to the Harbour keeping his Eyes fixt on 'em and having weighed Anchor the Land seems to fly from 'em The Experienced Pilot perceives at a distance the Leucatian Mountains whose Head hides it self in a Cloud of frozen Rime and the Acroceraunian Hills which still held up their proud Foreheads to Heaven tho' they have been so often torn with Thunder During this Voyage Telemachus said to Mentor methinks I now conceive the Methods of Government which you have explain'd to me at first they seem'd to me like a Dream but by degrees they unfold themselves in my Mind and present themselves clearly to me As all Objects seem cloath'd with Darkness at the first glimmerings of Aurora and afterwards seem as it were to come out of a Chaos when the Light that increases insensibly distinguishes them and restores 'em their natural Colours I am perswaded that the Essential Point of Government is to discern well the different Inclinations of the Minds of Men to know how to make a prudent choice and apply 'em to Business according to their respective Talents but I want to know how to do this He that knows this is able to be well skill'd in Men. To this Mentor answer'd swer'd You must study Men if you would know 'em you must Converse and treat with ' em They that govern ought to treat with their Subjects to make Proof of 'em by small Employments of which they may make 'em render an Account to try if they are capable of higher Functions How my dear Telemachus have you learn'd in Ithaca so much skill in Horses It was by often seeing 'em and by oserving both their Faults and good Properties with Men that were experienced in ' em Just so you should be so often speaking of the Good and Evil Qualities of Men with other wise and virtuous Persons who have long studied their Qualifications You will insensibly learn how they are made and what you may expect from ' em Who is it that taught you how to know Good and Bad Poets It was frequent reading and reflection with snch Persons as had a right Relish of Poesie Who is it that acquir'd for you that Judgment in Musick It was the same Application of Mind in observing Musicians How can any one hope to govern Men well if he does not know ' em and how can that be if he never lives with ' em To see 'em all in publick is not to live with 'em for on such Occasions there is scarce any thing said on one side or other but about indifferent Things and such as are prepar'd with Art The great Business is to Converse with them in private to draw from the bottom of their Souls all the secret Springs that lie conceal'd there to handle 'em on every side and to sound their Maxims But to judge well of Men a Man should begin by knowing what they ought to be He should know what true and solid Merit is that he may discern those that have it from such as have it not He ought to have certain Principles of Justice Reason and Vertue by which to know who are Reasonable and Vertuous he should know the Maxims of a good and wife Government that he may know the Men that have these Maxims and those that wander from 'em through a false Subtilty In a Word to take the Dimensions of many Bodies one ought to have a fix'd Measure and in like manner to judge well one ought to have certain Principles to which all is reducible A Man ought to know precisely what is the Design of Humane Life and what end ought to be propos'd in governing Men. This only and essential 〈◊〉 is for a Man never to desire Authority and Grandeur for himself which only tends to gratifie a Tyrannical Pride but to Sacrifice himself in the Infinite Cares of Government to render Men Good and Happy Otherwise he gropes in the Dark and steps at a venture through the whole Course of his Life He goes like a Ship in a high Sea without a Pilot which can't consult the Stars and to which all the noighbouring Coasts are unknown and therefore cannot choose but suffer Ship-wrack Princes often for want of Knowledge wherein true Virtue consists are Ignorant of what they ought to look for in Men. True Virtue has something Rough Austere and Independant in it which frights 'em and so they turn themselves towards Flattery and from
perceived Towns equalling Cities well-built Villages and magnificent Cities We saw neither Hill nor Vale where the Hand of the diligent Husbandman was not stampt the Plow had left deep Furrows in every part Thorns Bryars and such Plants as are a useless Burden to the Earth are utterly unknown in this Country We contemplated with Pleasure the fruitful Vallies where Troops of Oxen go lowing in the sweet Pastures that abound with Springs of running Water the Sheep every where Feeding upon the descent of the Hills the champion Ground cover'd with Corn presented with a liberal Hand by the bountiful Ceres in a Word the Mountains adorn'd with Vines and Grapes of a rich purple Colour promising a plentiful Vintage of the delicious Presents of Bacchus which charm the Cares of Men. Mentor told us he had been formerly in Creet and informed us of what he knew This Island said he justly admir'd by all Strangers and famous for its hundred Cities is more than sufficient to nourish all the Inhabitants tho' they are innumerable for the Earth never ceases to produce her Fruits if Industry be not wanting her fertil Bosom can never be exhausted The more numerous Men are in a Country provided they be Laborious the greater abundance they enjoy They need not be jealous of one another for this tender Mother multiplies her Gifts according to the number of her Children if they deserve her Favours by their Labour The Ambition and Covetousness of Men are the only Springs of their Unhappiness They covet all and make themselves miserable by desiring what is superfluous If they would be moderate and contented with what is necessary we should see Plenty Peace Union and Happiness restor'd to the World Minos the wisest and best of Kings understood this well All the admirable Things you shall see in this Island are owing to the excellency of his Laws The Education he appointed for Children renders their Bodies strong and healthful They are accustomed from their Infancy to a plain frugal laborious Life because Pleasure enervates both the Body and the Mind No other Pleasure is ever propos'd to them but the acquisition of an invincible Virtue and solid Glory This People do not measure Mens Courage only by despising Death in the hazards of War but by the contempt of great Riches and ignominious Pleasures Three Vices are punish'd here which remain unpunish'd in all other Nations Ingratitude Dissimulation Covetousness They have no need of Laws to suppress Luxury and dissolution of Manners for such Things are unknown in Creet Every Man Works yet no Man desires to be rich They think all their Labour sufficiently recompenced with an easy and regular Life in which they enjoy plentifully and quietly all that is truly necessary to Men. Costly Furniture rich Apparel delicious Feasts and guilded Palaces are not permitted in this Country Their Cloths are of fine Wool wrought with Art and beautiful in Colour but without Embroidery or any other Ornament Their Tables are sober They drink little Wine good Bread with excellent Fruits and the Milk of the Cattle make the principal part of their Meals At the most their Meat is plain dress'd without Sauce or Ragou and they always take care to reserve the best and strongest of the Cattle to be employ'd in Husbandry Their Houses are neat commodious pleasant but without Ornaments They are not ignorant of the most magnificent Architecture but that 's reserv'd for the Temples of the Gods They dare not live in Houses like those of the immortal Beings The great Riches of this People are Health Strength Courage Peace and Union in Families the liberty of all the Citizens plenty of Things necessary and a contempt of those that are superfluous a habit of Labour and an abhorrence of Sloth a mutual emulation of virtuous Actions submission to the Laws and a reverence of the just Gods I ask'd him in what the Authority of the King consisted And he answer'd thus The King is above all the People but the Laws are above the King He has an absolute Power to do Good but his Hands are tied so soon as he attempts to do Ill. The Laws entrust him with the care of the People as the most valuable of all Trusts on condition to be the Father of his Subjects They intend that one Man shall serve by his Wisdom and Moderation to make whole Nations happy and not that so many Men shall by their Misery and abject Slavery serve to flatter the Pride and Luxury of one Man The King ought to have nothing more than other Men except such assistance as is necessary either to the discharge of his painful Functions or to imprint on the Minds of the People that Respect which is due to the Person who is to maintain the vigour of the Laws On the other Hand the King ought to be more sober more 〈◊〉 to Luxury more free from Vanity Haughtiness and Ostentation than any other Man He is not to have more Riches and Pleasures but more Wisdom Virtue and Glory than the rest of Men. Abroad he is to be the Defende of his Country at the Head of their Armies at Home he is to distribute Justice to the People to make them good wise and happy 'T is not for his own sake that the Gods have made him King but only that he may be the Man of his People He owes all his Time to the People all his Care all his Affection and he is no otherwise worthy of the Crown than as he forgets his own Interests to sacrifice himself to the Publick Good Minos appointed that his Children should not reign after him unless they would reign by these Rules for he lov'd his People more than his Family By this Wisdom he render'd Greet so powerful and so happy By this Moderation he has effac'd the Glory of all Conquerors who make their People subservient to their Greatness that is to their Vanity In a Word by his Justice he do serv'd to be the supreme Judg of the Dead in the Regions below Whilst Mentor was speaking we arrived in the Island we saw the famous Labyrinth built by the Hands of the ingenious Dedalus in imitation of the great Labyrinth which we had seen in Egypt As we were considering this curious Fabrick we beheld the Shoar cover'd with People and Multitudes pressing towards a Place that was near the Sea We ask'd the reason of their hast and receiv'd this Account from one Nausicrates a Native of Creet Idomeneus the Son of Deucalion and Grand-son to Minos wint with the rest of the Grecian Kings to the Siege of Troy After the Destruction of that City he set Sail in order to return to Creet but was surpris'd by so violent a Storm that the Pilot and the most experienc'd Mariners in the Ship gave themselves for lost Every one had Death before his Eyes every one saw the Abyss open to swallow him up every one deplor'd his Misfortune and had not so much as the
All the Soldiers beheld 'em with Terror And now they see one another Philoctetus held in his Hand one of those terrible Arrows which never fail'd to do Execution in his Hands and made Wounds that were incurable But Mars who favour'd the Cruel and Intrepid Adrastus would not suffer him to die so soon having a Desire by his means to prolong the Horrors of War and multiply Slaughter and Cruelty Adrastus his Life was yet owing to the Justice of the Gods as their Scourge to punish Men and shed their Blood In the very Moment Philoctetus design'd to attack him he was himself wounded by the thrust of a Spear given him by Amphimachus a young Lucanian whose Beauty exceeded the famous Niceus as the Beauty of this latter gave place to none but that of Achilles among all the Greeks that Wound but he drew his Bow against 〈◊〉 and sent an Arrow to him that pienc'd his 〈◊〉 The Lustre of his lovely Black Eyes was instantly extinguish'd and cover'd with the Shades of Death his Vermilion Lips whose Colour excell'd that of the 〈◊〉 which oising 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 along the Horizon grew Wan and a dreadful Paleness 〈◊〉 his lovely Cheeks In a word his tender 〈◊〉 dolicate Countenance was all on a Asudden disfigur'd 〈◊〉 himself could not forbear to pity him And all the Souldiers that observ'd him could not chuse but sigh to see this Young Man fall and roul in his own Blood his Head of Hair which for Beauty might vie with that of Apollo all dishevel'd and defil'd in the Dust. Philoctetus having Conquer'd Amphimachus was constrain'd to retire from the Battle he lost his Blood and Strength and even his Ancient Wound seem'd in the heat of 〈◊〉 on ready to open again and 〈◊〉 his Pain for the Sons of 〈◊〉 with all their Divide Art could not entirely cure it And now he was just ready to fall among the Heap of bleeding Bodies that were round about him when Archiaamus the holdest and most dextrous of all the Thebalians that he had brought with him to Found Philelia carried him out of the Battel in the very moment when Adrastus would have 〈◊〉 him at his Feet with ease And now Adrastus finds no farther 〈◊〉 none daring to resist or retard his Victory All fall or fly before him and he becomes like a Torrent which having overflown its Banks sweeps away with its fullous Waves Corn and Cattle Shepherds and their Cottages together Telemachus hears from far the shouts of the Conquerors and sees the Disorders of his Men who fled before Adrastus as a Company of timorous Deer traverse the vast Plains Woods Mountains and even the swiftest Rivers when pursued by the Hunters Telemachus sigh'd Indignation sparkles in his Eyes he quits the Place where he had been so long fighting with so much Danger and Glory and runs to the Succour of his discouraged Troops He advances all besmear'd with the Blood of a multitude of Enemies whom he had spread upon the Dust. He gives a shout at a distance that was heard by both Armies Minerva had put something unexpressibly terrible both in his Eyes and Voice with which he made the neighbouring Mountains eccho Never did Mars make his own cruel Voice to be heard louder in Thrace when he call'd upon the infernal Furies War and Death to attend him This shout of Telemachus inspird the Hearts of his Soldiers with Courage and Boldness and fills the Souls of his Enemies with Fear and Dread Adrastus is asham'd to feel himself thus disorder'd I know not how many fatal Presages fills him with Terror and that which animates him is rather Despair than true Valour which is accompanied with Tranquillity of Mind Three times his trembling Knees began to slip away from under him three times he stept back without thinking what he was doing a faint Paleness and a cold Sweat ran through all his Limbs his hoarse and faltering Voice could not finish any Sentence his Eyes full of gloomy Fire sparkled and look'd as if they would start out of his Head he seem'd agitated by the Furies like Orestes all his Motions were Convulsive he thought he saw the Gods irritated against him and that he heard a whispering Voice proceeding from the bottom of Hell to call him into black 〈◊〉 every thing made him sensible there was a 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Hand waving over his Head which was going to 〈◊〉 its Force in 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 Hope was extinguish'd at the 〈◊〉 of his Heart his Resolution was 〈◊〉 and disappear'd like the Light of the Day when the Sun lies down in the Bosom of the Sea and the Earth wraps her self in the Shades of the Night The impious Adrastus too long suffer'd upon the Earth too long if Mankind had not stood in need of such a Scourge the impious Adrastus in sine draws near his last Hour he runs like a mad Man to meet his inevitablo Fare Horror cutting Remorse Consternation Fury Rage and Despair march along with him No sooner does he see Telemachus but he thinks he sees Avertius open it self and the rowling Flames of black Phlegethon ready to dovour him He cries out and his Mouth remain open without being 〈◊〉 Man 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 frightfuli Dream opens his Mouth and makes attempts no speak but still wants 〈◊〉 and seeks it in 〈◊〉 However 〈◊〉 with a trembling and 〈◊〉 Hand throws his Dart at Telemachus while the latter intrepid and calm as the Minds of the Gods defends himself with his Buokler Victory covering him with her Wings seems already to hold a Crown over his Head a sweet and orderly Courage shines in his Eyes one would have taken him for Minerva her self he appear'd so wise and regular in the midst of the greatest Dangers The Dart which Adrastus cast being repuls'd by his Buckler Adrastus made hast to draw his Sword to hinder 〈◊〉 Son of the Advantage of taking 〈◊〉 turn to throw his Dart at him 〈◊〉 seeing Adrastus's Sword in his Hand betakes himself immed 〈◊〉 to his own omitting to throw his Dart. When they were seen in this Posture of fighting one another hand to hand all the rest of the Soldiers laid down their Arms in silence to look upon 'em with the greatest Attention expecting from their single Engagement the destiny of the whole War The two Swords glitter'd like the Lightning which sends forth terrible Claps of Thunder they often cross one another and deal Blows without Execution on their polish'd Armor which resounded with the heavy strokes The two Combatants stretch out and recover themselves stoop down and rise up all in an instant and in fine they fall to grappling The Ivy that grows at the Foot of a young Elm does not more straitly wreath its twining Branches about the hard and knotty Trunk till it climbs up to the lostiest Boughs of the Tree than these two Combatants Clasp and Lock one another Adrustus had yet lost nothing of his Strength and Telemachus had not muster'd all his together