A brimming chalice to Mardonius bears,
Whom in these words he solemnly accosts:

"This fount is nam'd of Lethè. Who consults
Our subterranean deity, must quaff
Oblivion here of all preceding thoughts,
Sensations, and affections."_"Reach the draught;
If such oblivious sweets this cup contains,
I gladly grasp it," cries the chief, and drinks.
Ascending thence, a mazy walk they tread,
Where all the Season's florid children show
Their gorgeous raiment, and their odours breathe
Unspent; while musical in murmur flows
Fast down a deep declivity of bed
Hercyna, winding in a channel new,
Apparent often to the glancing eye

Through apertures, which pierce the loaden boughs
Of golden fruit Hesperian, and th' attire
Of myrtles green, o'ershadowing the banks.
In alabaster's variegated hues,
To bound the pleasing avenue, a fane
Its symmetry discover'd on a plat,

Thick-set with roses, which a circling skreen
Of that fair ash, where cluster'd berries glow,
From ruffling gusts defended. Thither speeds
Mardonius, there deliver'd to a third
Religious minister supreme. Two youths,
In snow-like vesture, and of lib'ral mien,
Sons of Lebadian citizens, attend,
Entitl'd Mercuries. The seer address'd
The Persian warrior: "In this mansion pure
Mnemosyne is worshipp'd; so in Greece
The pow'r of memory is styl'd. Advance,
Invoke her aid propitious to retain
Whate'er by sounds, or visions, in his cave
The prophet god reveals." The chief comply'd ;
The hallow'd image he approach'd, and spake:
"Thou art indeed a goddess, I revere.
Now to Mardonius, if some dream or sign
Prognosticate success, and thou imprint
The admonitions of unerring Heav'n

In his retentive mind; this arm, this sword
Shall win thy further favour to record
His name and glory on the rolls of time."
This said, with lighter steps he quits the fane.
The Mercuries conduct him to a bath,
Fed from Hercyna's fairer, second source,
In shade sequester'd close. While there his limbs
Are disarray'd of armour, to assume
A civil garment, soon as spotless streams
Have purify'd his frame; the priest, who stands
Without, in ecstasy of joy remarks
The rich Mardonian off'rings on their way,
By servitors transported to enlarge
The holy treasure. Instant he prepares
For sacrifice. A sable ram is slain.

Fresh from ablution, lo! Mardonius comes
In linen vesture, fine and white, as down
Of Paphian doves. A sash of tincture bright,
Which rivall'd Flora's brilliancy of dye,
Engirds his loins; majestical his brows
A wreath sustain; Lebadian sandals ease
His steps. Exchanging thus his martial guise,
Like some immortal, of a gentler mould

Than Mars, he moves. So Phoebus, when he sets,
Lav'd by the nymphs of Tethys in their grot
Of coral after his diurnal toil,

Repairs his splendours, and his rosy track
Of morn resumes. With partial eyes the priest
Explores the victim's entrails, and reports
Each sign auspicious with a willing tongue;

Then to Mardonius: "Thee, Boeotia's friend,
Magnificently pious to her gods,
Thee I pronounce a votary approv'd
By this Baotian deity. Now seek

In confidence the cavern. But the rites
Demand, that first an image thou approach,
Which none, but those in purity of garb,
None, but accepted suppliants of the god,
Can lawfully behold." Above the bath
A rock was hollow'd to an ample space;
Thence issued bubbling waters. "See," he said,
"The main Hercynian fount, whose face reflects
Yon Dædalean workmanship, the form
Trophonius bears. Adore that rev'rend beard,
The twisted serpents round that awful staff,
Those looks, which pierce the mysteries of fate."
Next through a winding cavity and vast
He guides the prince along a mossy vault,
Rough with protuberant and tortuous roots
Of ancient woods, which, clothing all above,
In depth shoot downward equal to their height;
Suspended lamps, with livid glimpse and faint,
Direct their darkling passage. Now they reach
The further mouth unclosing in a dale
Abrupt; there shadow, never-fleeting, rests.
Rude-featur'd crags, o'erhanging, thence expel
The blaze of noon. Beneath a frowning cliff
A native arch, of altitude which tempts
The soaring eagle to construct his nest,
Expands before an excavation deep,
Unbowelling the hill. On either side
This gate of nature, hoary sons of time,
Enlarg'd by ages to protentous growth,
Impenetrable yews augment the gloom.

In height two cubits, on the rocky floor
A parapet was rais'd of marble white,
In circular dimension; this upholds
The weight of polish'd obelisks, by zones
Of brass connected, ornamental fence.
A wicket opens to th' advancing prince;
Steps moveable th' attentive priest supplies;
By whom instructed, to the awful chasm
Below, profound but narrow, where the god
His inspiration breathes, th' intrepid son
Of Gobryas firm descends. His nether limbs
Up to the loins he plunges. Downward drawn,
As by a whirlpool of some rapid flood,
At once the body is from sight conceal'd.
Entranc'd he lies in subterranean gloom,
Less dark than superstition. She, who caus'd
His bold adventure, with her wonted fumes
Of perturbation from his torpid state
Awakes him; rather in a dream suggests
That he is waking. On a naked bank
He seems to stand; before him sleeps a pool,
Edg'd round by desert mountains, in their height
Obscuring Heav'n. Without impulsive oars,
Without a sail, spontaneous flies a bark
Above the stagnant surface, which, untouch'd,
Maintains its silence. On the margin rests
The skiff, presenting to the hero's view
An aged sire, of penetrating ken,
His weight inclining on an ebon staff,
With serpents wreath'd, who, beck'ning, thus began:
"If, seed of Gobryas, thou wouldst know thy fate,
Embark with me; Trophonius I am call'd."

Th' undaunted chief obeys. In flight more swift Than eagles, swiftest of the feather'd kind, Th' unmoving water's central spot they gain. At once its bosom opens; down they sink

Will throw me prostrate. To th' alluring face
Of my progenitrix a victim fell

Th' Assyrian captain, Holofernes proud;
So shall thy foe of Athens fall by mine.
The meritorious and heroic deed
Soon will erase the transitory stain.
O! if successful, let Bethulia hope

For thy reviving love." Mardonius starts
In dubious trouble. Whether to chastise
So fierce a spirit, or its zeal admire,
He hesitates. Compassion for the sex
At length prevails, suggesting this reply:
"Fell magnanimity! enormous proof
Of such intemp'rate passion! I forgive
While I reject thy proffer'd crime, although
The deed might fix my glory and success;
And in return for thy prepost'rous love
Will safe replace thee in thy native seat
With gifts to raise from indigence thy house.
But never, never from this hour will view
Thy face again, Bethulia. Eunuchs, hear;
Remove, conceal this woman from my sight."
"No, thou inhuman," thus Bethulia wild:
"This shall remove for ever from thy sight
A woman scorn'd, and terminate her pains.'

She said, and struck a poniard through her heart.
With shrieks the haram sounds; th' afflicted fair,
The eunuchs shudder; when the satrap thus:
"Is this another black portent of ill,
Stern Horomazes? or is this my crime?
No, thou art just. My conscious spirit feels
Thy approbation of Mardonius now."

But from his breast the dire event expels
All soft and am'rous cares. His vast command,
His long inaction, and the dread of shame
Recur. He quits the chamber; to his own
Repairing, summons Mindarus, and firm

In aspect speaks: "The morning soon will dawn.
Draw down our slingers, archers, and the skill'd
In flying darts, to line th' Asopian brink;
Thence gall the Grecians, whose diurnal wants
That flood relieves." Then Mindarus: "O chief,
This instant sure intelligence is brought,
That from the isthmus, to supply their camp,
A convoy, rich in plenty, is descry'd
Advancing tow'rds Citharon's neighb'ring pass."
Mardonius quick: "No moment shall be lost.
Bid Tiridates with five thousand horse
Possess that pass, and, pouring on the plain,
Secure the precious store." This said, he seeks
A short repose, and Mindarus withdraws.

In arms anon to paragon the Morn,
The Morn new-rising, whose vermilion hand
Draws from the bright'ning front of Heav'n serene
The humid curtains of tempestuous night,
Mardonius mounts his courser. On his bank
The godlike figure soon Asopus views.

BOOK XXVIII.

WHILE lamentation for Masistius dead
Depress'd the Persians, undisturb'd the Greeks
To all their camp refreshment had deriv'd
From clear Asopus. To th' accustom'd edge
Of his abounding flood they now resort.

Stones, darts, and arrows, from unnumber'd ranks,
Along the margin opposite dispos'd

By Mindarus, forbid access. Repulse

Disbands the Greeks. Exulting, he forgets
Cleora; active valour in his breast
Extinguishes the embers, cherish'd long
By self-tormenting memory, and warmth
Of fruitless passion. Present too his chief,
His friend and kinsman, from a fiery steed
Mardonius rules and stimulates the fight,
Like Boreas, riding on a stormy cloud,
Whence issue darts of light'ning, mix'd with hail
In rattling show'rs, The enemies dispers'd,
Embolden Mindarus to ford the stream,
In guidance swift of cavalry expert,
With unresisted squadrons he careers
Along the field. Inviolate the flood

He guards; each hostile quarter he insults.
Now Gobryas' son, unfetter'd from the bonds
Of superstitious terrours, joyful sees
In Mindarus a new Masistius rise;
Nor less the tidings Tiridates sends,
Who in Citharon's passes hath despoil'd

The slaughter'd foes, inspire the gen'ral's thoughts,
Which teem with arduous enterprise. The camp
He empties all; beneath whose forming host
The meadow sounds. The native Persians face
Laconia's station, Greek allies oppose

Th' Athenian. All the force of Thebes array'd
Envenom'd Leontiades commands.

Greece in her lines sits tranquil; either host
Expects the other. By their augurs still
Restrain'd, they shun the interdicted ford.
But of the river's plenteous stream depriv'd
By Mindarus, the Grecians fear a dearth
Of that all-cheering element. A rill
Flows from a distant spring, Gargaphia nam'd,
Their sole resource. Nor dread of other wants
Afflicts them less; their convoy is o'erpow'r'd
By Tiridates. Anxious, all exhaust

A night disturb'd; the bravest grieve the most,
Lest through severe necessity they quit
Inglorious their position. Morning shines;
When frequent signals from th' external guards,
Near and remote, successive rise. To arms
All rush. Along the spacious public way
From Megara, obscuring dust ascends.
The sound of trampling hoofs, and laden wheels,
With shouts of multitude, is heard. Behold,
Forth from the cloud, a messenger of joy,
Sicinus breaks, of bold auxiliar bands
Forerunner swift, and unexpected aid
In copious stores, at Megara's wide port
New-landed from Thermopylæ. The camp
Admits, and hails in rapturous acclaim
Euboean standards, Potidæa's ranks,
The laurell'd priest and hero, Timon sage,
Th' ennobled heir of Lygdamis, and thee,
Melissa's brother, great Oïleus' son,
Friend of Leonidas, thee dear to all,

O brave, and gen'rous Medon! From their tents
The chiefs assemble, when Sicinus spake:

"Pausanius, gen'ral of united Greece,
Accept these ample succours from the hand
Of provident Themistocles. Possess'd
Of Eta's passes, he the Persian host
Now with impenetrable toils besets
Like beasts of prey, entangled by the skill
Of some experienc'd hunter. Thou receive,
Just Aristides, from Timothea's love,
A suit of armour new, in Chalcis fram'd,
Without luxuriant ornament, or gold.
The shield, an emblem of thy soul, displays

Truth, Equity, and Wisdom, hand in hand.
This for her children, and thy own, consign'd
To her Euboean roof and pious care,

She bids thee lift and conquer. Thou restore
The little exiles in their native homes

To dwell in peace. Her gift, she adds, derives
Its only value from the wearer's worth."

In smiles, like Saturn at the tribute pure
Of fruits and flow'rs in singleness of heart
Paid by religion of the golden age,
Timothea's gift the righteous man receives,
Not righteous more than practis'd to endure
Heroic labours, soon by matchless deeds
To justify the giver. He began:

"Confederated warriors, who withstand A tyrant's pow'r, unanimous confess

Your debt to great Themistocles, the lord
Of all-admir'd Timothea. He and I
Evince the fruits of concord. Ancient foes,
Through her united, cheerful we sustain
Our public charge. From gen'ral union Greece
Expects her safety. Him success hath crown'd
In arms and counsel; whether on the main
His naval flag he spread, or shook the land
With his triumphant step. O, hero-born
Pausanias! glowing with Herculean blood,
Now under thee let Aristides hope

To share success, nor tarnish with disgrace
His armour new. Behold, yon river gleams
With hostile.arms. Those standards on the left,
Well-known to Attic eyes, are proudly borne
By native Medes and Persians. Treach'rous Thebes
Lifts her Cadmëan banner on the right.
A second time Mardonius forms his host
To proffer battle. He, perhaps, may ford
Asopus, which Tisamenus, the learn'd
In divination, hath forbid our steps

To pass. Thy former numbers swift arrange.
New from a march let these auxiliars guard
The camp." To him Pausanias thus apart:
"Athenian, hear: Your citizens are vers'd
In this barbarian warfare, yet unknown

To us.
Let Spartans and Athenians change
Their station. You, an adversary try'd
At Marathon, and foil'd, will best oppose.
To vanquish Grecians we accustom'd long
Will yon Boeotians and Thessalians face.
Such is my will." Concise the Attic sage:
"Thou hast commanded what my willing
thoughts

Themselves devis'd, but waited first to hear.
Well canst thou fight, Pausanias. I will strive
To imitate thy deeds and thy renown,
On whose increase our liberty and laws
Depend." This said, they part. Behind the rear
Soon from the left th' Athenians, from the right
The Spartans file. Their stations they exchange,
Not by Mardonius unperceiv'd. He moves
His Medes and Persians to the post of Thebes,
Whence still the Spartan phalanx they confront,
The Thebans still th' Athenian. This observ'd,
Pausanias swift to Aristides sends
Strict charge his old position to resume.

Now indignation high through all the tribes
Of Athens rages. Noble pride, and sense
Of just desert, in exclamation fierce
Break from th' exalted populace, who claim
Their soil for parent. "Gods! from wing to wing
Must we like servile mercenary bands,
Like Helots, slaves to Lacedæmon born,

Be hurry'd thus obsequious to control From an imperious Spartan? Tegea first Contested our prerogative. The pride Of Sparta next removes us from the post, Assign'd by public judgment; we comply. Must we at her contemptuous nod resume The station we forsook? Defending Greece, Ourselves meanwhile deserted and betray'd, Twice have we lost our city. What is left Of our abandon'd residence, but dust? Let Greece defend herself. Let us remove For the last time our standards, hoist our sails, Our floating empire fix on distant shores, Our household gods, our progeny, and name, On some new soil establish, sure to find None so ingrate as this." The Athenians thus Swell with ingenuous ire, as ocean boils, Disturb'd by Eurus, and the rude career Of Boreas, threat'ning furious to surmount All circumscription. But as oft a cloud, Distilling gentle moisture as it glides, Dissolves the rigour of their boist❜rous wings, Till o'er the main serenity returns; So from the mouth of Aristides fall Composing words. Insensibly he soothes Their justly-irritated minds, and calms Their just resentment. Righteousness and truth, How prevalent your efforts, when apply'd By placid wisdom! In these strains he spake: "Ye men of Athens, at Laconia's call To meet the flow'r of Asia's host in fight Do ye repine? A station, which implies Pre-eminence of Attic worth, a task Of all most glorious, which the martial race Of Sparta shuns, and you should covet most, Ye Marathonian victors? In the sight Of Greece, who trembles at a Median garb, You are preferr'd for valour. Arms the same, The same embroider'd vestment on their limbs Effeminate, the same unmanly souls, Debas'd by vices and monarchal rule, The Medes retain, as when their vanquish'd ranks Fled heretofore. With weapons often try'd, With confidence by victories increas'd, Not now for liberty and Greece alone You march to battle; but to keep unspoil'd Your trophies won already, and the name, Which Marathon and Salamis have rais'd, Preserve unstain'd; that men may ever say, Not through your leaders, not by fortune there You triumph'd, but by fortitude innate, And lib'ral vigour of Athenian blood."

[love

He said, and march'd. All follow mute through Of Aristides, inexpressive love, Which melts each bosom. Solemn they proceed, Though lion-like in courage, at his call Meek and obedient, as the fleecy breed To wonted notes of Pan's conducting pipe.

Arriv'd, disbanded, in their sep'rate tents Cecropia's tribes exhaust a tedious night, Unvisited by sleep. The morning breaks; Instead of joy to gratulate her light The tone of sadness from dejected hearts, Combining sighs and groans in murmur deep, Alarms the leader. "Aristides, show Thy countenance amongst us," hasty spake The warrior-poet ent'ring: "All thy camp Enthusiastic sorrow hath o'erwhelm'd, And ev'ry heart unbrac'd. By earliest dawn Each left his restless couch. Their first discourse

Was calm, and fill'd with narratives distinct
Of thy accomplishments, and worth. At length
A soldier thus in agitation spake:
'Yet, O most excellent of gods! O Jove!
This is the man we banish'd! In thy sight'
The most excelling man, whose sole offence
Was all-transcending merit, from his home
Our impious votes expell'd, by envy's spite
Seduc'd. We drove him fugitive through Greece;
Where still he held ungrateful Athens dear,
For whose redemption from her sloth he rous'd
All Greece to arms.' The soldier clos'd in floods
Of anguish. Instant through the concourse ran
Contagious grief; as if the fiend Despair,
From his black chariot, wheeling o'er their heads
In clouds of darkness, dropp'd his pois'nous dews
Of melancholy down to chill the blood,
Unnerve the limbs, and fortitude dissolve.
Speed, Aristides. By th' immortal pow'rs!
The feeblest troop of Persians in this hour
Might overcome the tame, desponding force
Of thy dear country, mistress long confess'd
Of eloquence and arts, of virtue now
Through thy unerring guidance." Here the sage:
"Withhold thy praise, good Æschylus-Be swift,
Arrange my fellow citizens in arms
Beneath each ensign of the sev'ral tribes.
I will appear a comforter, a friend,
Their public servant." Eschylus withdraws.
Soon Aristides, in his armour new,
Timothea's gift, advances from his tent.
Should from his throne th' Omnipotent descend
In visitation of the human race,
While dreading his displeasure; as to earth
All heads would bend in reverential awe,
Contrite and conscious of their own misdeeds;
So look th' Athenians, though in all the pomp
Of Mars array'd, and terrible to half

The world in battle. Down their corslets bright
Tears trickle, tears of penitence and shame,
To see their injur'd patriot chief assume

In goodness Heav'n's whole semblance, as he moves
Observant by, and through the weeping ranks
From man to man his lib'ral hand extends,
Consoling. No resentment he could show,
Who none had felt. Ascending now on high,
He thus address'd the penitential throng:
"Rate not too high my merit, nor too low
Your own depreciate. Errour is the lot
Of man; but lovely in the eye of Heav'n
Is sense of errour. Better will you fight,
As better men from these auspicious tears,
Which evidence your worth, and please the gods.
With strength and valour, equity of mind
Uniting doubles fortitude. Your wives,
Your progeny and parents, laws and rites,
Were ne'er so well secur'd." The warlike bard
Rose next: 26
Requested by the sev'ral tribes,
In their behalf I promise to thy rule
All acquiescence. Bid them fight, retreat,
Maintain, or yield a station; bid them face
Innumerable foes, surmount a foss

Deep as the sea, or bulwarks high as rocks;
Subordination, vigilance, contempt
Of toil and death, thy dictates shall command,"
Th' Oilean hero, Timon, and the seed
Of Lygdamis, are present, who encamp'd
Among th' Athenians. They admire the chief,
Nor less the people. While the term of morn
Was passing thus, a summons to his tent

Calls Aristides. Aemnestus there
Salutes him: "Attic friend, a new event
In Sparta's quarter is to thee unknown;
From me accept th' intelligence. The Sun
Was newly ris'n, when o'er th' Asopian flood
An eastern herald pass'd. Behind him tow'r'd
A giant-siz'd barbarian. He approach'd
Our camp; before Pausanias brought, he spake:
"I am Briareus, of Mardonian guards
Commander. Through my delegated mouth
Thus saith the son of Gobryas: I have heard
Among the Greeks your prowess vaunted high,
Ye men of Sparta, that in martial ranks
You either kill, or perish; but I find
Fame is a liar. I expected long,

You would defy me on the field of war.
Have I not seen you shift from wing to wing,
The task imposing on th' Athenians twice
To face the Medes and Persians; while yourselves
Sought with our servants to contend in arms,
Ye brave in name alone! Since you decline
To challenge us, we, prime of eastern blood,
With equal numbers challenge you to prove,
That you possess, what rumour hatir proclaim'd,
The boldest hearts in Greece. Acknowledge else
Your boasted valour bury'd in the grave
With your Leonidas, o'erthrown and slain.'

"Pausanias gave no answer, not through fear,
But humour torpid and morose, which wrapp'd
In clouds of scorn his brow. Consulting none,
With silent pride the giant he dismiss'd.
The challenger, in triumph turning back,
Repass'd the river." Aemnestus paus'd;
A second messenger appear'd. Behold,
In blooming vigour, flush'd by rapid haste,
Young Menalippus, from the rev'rend seer
Megistias sprung. "Athenian chief," he said,
"Bring down thy active, missile-weapon'd troops;
On their immediate help Pausanias calls.
A cloud of hostile cavalry invests

Laconia's quarter. Javelins, arrows, darts,
In sheets discharg'd, have chok'd our last resource,
Gargaphia's fountain, and our heavy bands
Perplex and harass." Aristides hears,
And issues swift his orders, while the youth
Continues thus: "Thou knew'st of old my sire,
Who at Thermopyla expir'd. The just
Consort together." Aristides thus:

"Ingenuous youth, for Greece thy father bled A spotless victim, but for ever lives Companion with Leonidas in fame.

By Heav'n protected, thou shalt live to see
Their death aton'd; the period is not far.
Come on; my force is ready." Medon arms
With Haliartus, once the shepherd-swain
In Eta's pass to Menalippus known,
Whom both embrace with gratulation kind.
All march, but reach not Sparta's distant wing,
Before the Persians, sated with success,
Fil'd back to join Mardonius. Secret he
Was communing with Mirzes, most renown'd
Among the Magi. Thus the satrap clos'd:

"Through each occurrence undisguis'd, O sage!
My circumstantial narrative hath run,
From where I enter'd first Trophonian ground,
Till my descent and vision in the cave.
Speak frankly, Mirzes-nor believe thy words,
Whatever black presages they contain,
Subjoin'd to all Trophonius hath foretold,
Can change my firm resolves, or blunt my sword."