The Athenaid

Soft rose the morn, and still; the azure flood In gentle volumes, undisturb'd with tides, But heav'd by zephyrs, glaz'd the pebbled shore; When Caria's princess, visiting the beach With Haliartus, and her son belov'd, Her bosom thus disclos'd: O brother! friend In danger tried, not yet are Asia's woes Complete; to Greece new trophies I forbode. Oh! soon transported o'er these hostile waves, May Artemisia rest her wearied head At length in peace, and thou, so late redeem'd, With her partake the blessing! Ah! thy looks Reject the proffer—yet some rev'rence bear To Artemisia, some fraternal love. How shall I plead? will haughty Greece admit Thee to her honours, thee in humblest state, Tho' meriting the highest, known so long? Halicarnassus, an illustrious town, Among her noblest citizens will rank The son avow'd of Lygdamis. O cast A kindred eye on this my orphan boy! Who must become his guardian, who supply My care, should fate precipitate my doom?

Tears down the beard of Haliartus flow'd, Afflicted, tho' determin'd. On his hand Leander hung; the captivating mien Of Meliboeus had at once allur'd The tender youth to entertain belief In old Aronces, when he first proclaim'd The swain true son of Lygdamis. These words From Haliartus broke: Thy birth, thy name, Thy virtues, queen, I rev'rence; of thy blood Acknowledg'd, more ennobled in thy praise, I feel my elevation; but thy ear Approving lend. Three suns are now elaps'd Since gen'rous Medon, by a faithful mouth, Convey'd his promise to redeem my head, Exchang'd for splendid captives, by his arm In fight acquir'd; I hourly watch to hail His peaceful mast, perhaps yon distant keel Contains his person. To forsake this friend, Whose kindness bless'd my former humble state, Friend of my childhood, youth, and ripen'd years, Would be an act, O thou of purest fame, To plunge thy brother in the lowest depth Of human baseness, baseness of the mind, Thy long-lost brother, found too soon a stain To Lygdamis and thee. Concluding here, He eyes the vessel bounding to the port, With branches green of olive on her head, Her poop, and mast; the Carian sailors hail The fair, pacific signal. On the beach The warrior leaps, when Haliartus cries, I see my patron! with expanded arms Flies to embrace him. Medon stops, and speaks:

In splendid mail is Meliboeus cas'd? Are these not Persian standards flying round? Art thou enroll'd an enemy to Greece?

No, interpos'd the queen, behold him free, To thee, to Greece unchang'd, in arms my gift; He is my brother, brother to the queen Of Caria. Medon here: Immortal pow'rs! Do I survey the wonder of her sex, That heroine of Asia, who alone, While now the fate of empire balanc'd hangs, Contributes virtue to the Persian scale? My friend to such a sister I resign.

Ah! never, never, Haliartus cried, Shalt thou resign me; nor th' Oïlean house Will I forsake; in that belov'd abode I was too happy for aspiring thoughts. First to redeem thy Locris I devote These arms; will perish there before thy foes, If such my fate, if victor in thy ranks, Hang in thy mansion my reposing shield, There make my home. Yet often will I court Thy welcome, princess, on the Carian shore To worship still thy virtue, on thy son Still pour the blessings of parental love.

The Carian queen subjoins: I must approve, To such clear honour yield; bring Timon, call The king; Time presses, we must all depart; A sacred Delphian too from bondage freed Thou shalt receive, O Medon. Swift the chief To disembark his captives gave command; Five was their number; one beyond the rest In stature tower'd, his armour was unspoil'd, Though rich in burnish'd gold, emboss'd with gems Of starry light; his dignity and form The victors rev'renc'd. Medon to the queen:

These Aristides, at my efforts pleas'd, Gave to my choice from numbers; an exchange For Meliboeus and the Delphian priest These I design'd; my friends thy bounty frees; Take these unransom'd from a grateful hand.

O lib'ral man! the Carian princess here: Thou dost produce Masistius; virtuous lord! How will Mardonius in thy sight rejoice, How lift his hopes! To her Masistius bow'd, To Medon spake: O Grecian! if a thought To die thy debtor could debase my soul, I should deserve till death all human woes. Demand, obtain; to Asia I am dear, Lov'd by Mardonius, honour'd by the king, I cannot ask what either would refuse To him who gave me liberty and life.

Thou canst, rejoins the chief, obtain a grace To me of precious worth, to Xerxes none; Nor golden stores nor gems attract my eye; I have a sister, dearer than the mines Of Ind, or wealth of Susa, who resides A priestess pure, on that Oetaean ridge Which overlooks Thermopylae, her name Melissa; there an ancient fane is plac'd, No splendid seat oracular, enrich'd By proud donations, but a mossy pile, Where ev'ry Grecian hath from age to age Ador'd the muses. Lift thy hand to swear, Thou wilt implore of Xerxes a decree, Irrevocable like a Median law, Forbidding all to climb that holy crag.

To him Masistius: Not the Delian isle, By Persians held inviolate of old, Shall boast of safety like Melissa's hill; For my performance, lo! I lift my hand To Horomazes. Thou, return'd, salute Athenian Aristides in my name; From me, his captive in that direful hour Of carnage round Psyttalia's bloody strand, Say, that my thankful tongue will never cease Extolling his beneficence and thine. To him far more than liberty and life I owe; in bondage precious were the hours, With him the hours of converse, who enlarg'd, Illum'd my heart and mind; his captive freed, I go a wiser, and a better man.

Now with his consort Macedonia's king, And Timon were in sight; a sad'ning look Fair Amarantha mute on Timon fix'd, On her the father: We must part, he said; Alas! too many of thy father's days Captivity hath wasted, sorrow more Deploring thee, my child, while other Greeks, Erecting brilliant trophies, have obtain'd Eternal praise. Thee, Amarantha, found, Thee wedded, happy in thy choice and mine, I quit, my tarnish'd honours to retrieve.

She then: In him a husband I avow Felicity unstain'd; in him ally To Persia's tyrant I am left unbless'd. Malignant fortune still pursues thy child; Before me holds a consort and a sire In adverse ranks contending. He rejoins:

I know thee, daughter, like the manliest Greek The wrongs of Greece resenting, but thy heart Keep in subjection to a tender spouse Of constancy approv'd, whose house with mine, From eldest times, by mutual tokens pass'd In sacred hospitality is link'd. Thy pow'r of beauty never for thyself Employ, be all compliance; use that charm, As kind occasion whispers, in behalf Of Greece alone; by counsel sweetly breath'd, Diffuse remembrance of his Grecian blood Thro' Alexander's heart. While these converse Apart, the keels are launch'd; now all embark; Aboard his vessel Medon leads the son Of Lygdamis with Timon; on her own Imperial deck th' attentive queen dispos'd The Macedonian with his beauteous bride, And Persians freed by Medon, chief of these Masistius merits her peculiar care; Confin'd, Argestes trembles at his doom From Xerxes' ire. Along thy rocky verge, Thermopylae, with sails and shrouds relax'd, Smooth glide the Carian gallies thro' a calm, Which o'er the Malian surface sleeps unmov'd, Unless by measur'd strokes of sounding oars, Or foam-besilver'd prows. A royal guard, Preceding Xerxes, through that dreaded pass Were then advancing, not in order'd pomp, As on his march to Athens; now behind The regal chariot panic fear impell'd On its encumber'd wheels disorder'd throngs, As if Leonidas had ris'n and shook The snaky shield of Gorgon, or his sword, Stain'd with Psyttalian havoc, o'er their heads The living arm of Aristides wav'd. On sight of Oeta Carian's queen relates To her illustrious passengers the deeds Which signaliz'd that rock, nor leaves untold The fate of Teribazus, nor the wound Of Ariana, victims both to love.

Now, where Spercheos from his spumy jaws A tribute large delivers to the bay, They land; Mardonius, passing tow'rds a tent Magnificent, erected for the king, Arriv'd but newly, on his way perceives Masistius; transport locks his tongue; he flies, Hangs on his friend, unutterable joy His tears alone discover. More compos'd, Though not less cordial, with a close embrace, First spake the late redeem'd: Receive thy friend, Whom wreck'd and captive on Psyttalia's isle, An Attic leader, Aristides nam'd, Restores unspoil'd, unransom'd, undisgrac'd!

Mardonius quick: Thy unexpected sight, By an Athenian all unsought restor'd, Presages all the good my warmest hopes Could e'er suggest; the omen I enjoy; For this shall Athens, to my friendship won, Possess her laws, her freedom, with increase Of rich dominion. Artemisia then:

Behold, the king of Macedon, his wife In Amarantha. Wond'ring at her form, Exclaims the Persian hero; of one crime I now acquit Argestes and his son; What ice of virtue could resist that face!

Again the queen: For other crimes my ship Detains Argestes; him before the king To charge, immediate audience we demand.

Mardonius guides them to the royal tent. With half his chiefs the monarch anxious sat, His swift departure by the break of dawn Arranging. Amarantha, in her shape A deity, among them sudden spreads A blaze of beauty, like the sun at noon In dazzling state amidst an ether blue Of torrid climates: admiration loud Wounds her offended ear. She thus began:

What you admire, ye Persians, O that Heav'n Had ne'er conferr'd! the cause of woe to me, Of guilt in others; then a maiden hand Had ne'er been dipp'd in slaughter, nor these eyes Survey'd the pavement of Nicaea strewn With subjects made rebellious by my fate, Thy subjects, monarch. With a Caspian troop Argestes forc'd thy castle me to seize, Th' affianc'd bride of Macedonia's king, Me, to Sandauce giv'n a royal boon, Me, then in freedom by the gracious will Of thy imperial sister. Help, unhop'd From Artemisia, from my husband came; Me they preserv'd, Argestes pris'ner bring To undergo thy justice. Caria's queen With Macedon's indignant prince confirm This accusation. On his own retreat Secure to Susa Xerxes all intent, Turns to Mardonius: thou be judge, he said; Take to thyself the forfeits of this crime.

The king commands his servant shall be judge, Mardonius answer'd; chief among my foes Hath been Argestes, therefore must not die By my decree. Let Cyra, fort remote On Iaxartes hide his banish'd head; That care to Artemisia I commit; His satrapy, his treasure and domain To Artamanes his remaining son, Thy meritorious vassal, I ordain.

This judgment pass'd, a murmur nigh the tent, Denouncing an ambassador, is heard; Ambassador of Sparta. Soon appears The manly frame of Aemnestus bold, Surpassing all his countrymen in arms, An Ephorus in office, function high; Whose jealous vigilance imprison'd kings Unjust, or impious, or assuming pow'r Unwarranted by laws. No train attends; He asks for Xerxes, when Mardonius stern:

Before the future sov'reign of the world, With princes round him, single dost thou bring An embassy from Sparta? Spartans hold One man with one sufficient in discourse, Cry'd Aemnestus. Xerxes interpos'd:

Reveal thy errand, stranger: He reply'd. Admonish'd by an oracle, the state Of Lacedaemon, and the race divine There dwelling, sprung from Hercules, demand Of thee atonement for a slaughter'd king, Leonidas, whom multitude oppress'd, While he defended Greece; whate'er thou giv'st I will accept. The monarch to his cheek A shew of laughter calls; awhile is mute; Then, breaking silence, to Mardonius points.

They shall receive th' atonement they deserve From him: Thou hear'st, Mardonius. Then, with looks Of scorn and menace: Yes, the Spartan said, Thee I accept my victim to appease Leonidas; disdainful then his foot He turns away, nor fears th' unnumber'd guard.

Meantime the royal progeny is brought To Artemisia; urgent time requires, Their Father's fears the embarkation press For Ephesus that night. Them down the beach Mardonius follows, and the Carian queen In secret thus addresses: Didst thou mark That Spartan's threat'ning words and haughty mien? An oracle suggested this demand, Strange and mysterious. On the martial field Him I can single from Laconian ranks, Audacious challenger! but something more Behind the veil of destiny may lurk Unseen by me. Mardonius, she replied; Look only where no mystery can lurk, On ev'ry manly duty; nothing dark O'ershades the track of virtue; plain her path; But superstition chosen for a guide, Misleads the best and wisest. Think no more Of this, an object like that passing cloud Before the moon, who shortly will unfold Her wonted brightness. Prudent thy design To gain th' Athenians; to that noble race Be large in proffers, in performance true; Purchase but their neutrality, thy sword Will, in despight of oracles, reduce The rest of Greece. This utter'd, she embarks.

He seeks his tent, and finds Masistius there, Whose honour, mindful of a promise pledg'd, Requests protection for Melissa's fane.

Him in his arms the son of Gobrias clasp'd, Thus fervent answ'ring: Xerxes will renew His rapid march to-morrow; pow'r supreme He leaves with me, which instant shall be urg'd To render firm the promise of my friend. Now lend thy counsel on the copious roll Of Asia's host; assist me to select The thirty myriads giv'n to my command.

They sat till dayspring; then the camp is mov'd; Then Amarantha, from her husband's tent Ascends a car, and traverses the vale, By fluent crystal of Spercheos lav'd, To join Sandauce. On her way she meets Artuchus, guardian of the Persian fair; The satrap gazes, courtesy entranc'd Forgets awhile her function. Thus, at length, He greets the queen: Fair stranger, who dost rise A second dayspring to th' astonish'd eye, Accept my service; whither tends thy course? Whom dost thou seek? and gracious tell thy name.

In rosy blushes, like Aurora still, She graceful thus: Of Macedonia's king I am th' espous'd; my patroness I seek, Sandauce, issue of th' imperial house.

Artuchus answer'd: Yesternoon beheld Her languid steps approach this vale of woe. Thou, beauteous princess, to Sandauce known, Thou must have heard of Ariana's fate; Sandauce now is mourning at her tomb, A grave preparing for Autarctus slain. Mayst thou suspend despair! Not distant flows The fount of sorrow, so we styl'd the place, Frequented oft by Ariana's grief; There oft her head disconsolate she hung To feed incessant anguish, ne'er disclos'd Unless in sighing whispers to the stream; Her last abode is there. The myrtles shed Their odours round, the virgin roses bloom; I there have caus'd a monument to rise, That passing strangers may her name revere, And weep her fortune; from her early grave May learn, how Heav'n is jealous of its boons, Not long to flourish, where they most excel. A marble mansion new erected nigh Her faithful slaves inhabit; who attune To thrilling lutes a daily fun'ral song. He leads, he stops. On gently-moving air Sweet measures glide; this melancholy dirge, To melting chords, by sorrow touch'd, is heard.

Cropp'd is the rose of beauty in her bud, Bright virtue's purest mansion is defac'd; Like Mithra's beams her silken tresses shone In lustre gentle as a vernal morn; Her eye reveal'd the beauties of her mind; The slave, the captive, in her light rejoic'd.

Lament, ye daughters of Choaspes, wail, Ye Cissian maids, your paragon is lost!

Once like the fresh-blown lily in the vale, In Susa fair, in radiancy of bloom Like summer glowing, till consuming love Deform'd her graces; then her hue she chang'd To lilies pining in decay, but kept The smile of kindness on her wasted cheek.

Lament, ye daughters of Choaspes, wail, Ye Cissian maids, your paragon is lost!

O ray of wisdom, eye of virtue, form'd To spread superior light, the dazzling brand Of love malign obscur'd thy eagle sight; Thy vital flames are vanish'd, ours remain, As lamps to endless mourning in thy tomb, Till we rejoin thee in a land of bliss.

Lament, ye daughters of Choaspes, wail, Ye Cissian maids, your paragon is lost!

The song concludes. Sandauce from a bank Of turf uprises, resting on her slaves; A pallid visage, and a fainting step, She brings before the sepulchre and spake:

O Ariana! listen from thy tomb, To me in woe thy sister, as in blood! By diff'rent fortunes both were doom'd to waste An early bloom in sorrow; O admit Autarctus first a neighbour to thy clay, Me next, who feel my vital thread unwind. O Heav'n! my humble spirit would submit To thy afflicting hand—but ev'ry fount Of health is dry'd; my frame enfeebled sinks Beneath its trial. When the inhuman priest Condemn'd my children to his cruel knife, The freezing sheers of fate that moment cut My heart-strings; never have they heal'd again; Decay'd and wither'd in the flower of life, My strength deserts my patience: tender friends Provide another grave.—For whom? bursts forth Emathia's queen, and threw her clasping arms Around the princess; whose discolour'd hue In warm affection flushes at the sight Of Amarantha, as a languid rose, Shrunk by the rigour of nocturnal frosts, A while reviving at the tepid rays Of wintry Phoebus, glows. For me, she sigh'd, For me, that bed of endless rest is made. Com'st thou, neglectful of thy nuptial bliss, To poor Sandauce's burial! soon the hour, When of the sun these sickly eyes must take Their last farewel, may call thy friendly hand To close their curtains in eternal night!

These words the Grecian fair, in sorrow try'd, In constancy unshaken, swift return'd:

Thou shalt not die, avoid this mournful spot, Thou hast accomplish'd all thy duty here; Let other duties, wak'ning in thy breast, Strive with despair; transported in my arms, To Alexander's capital resort. Thou shalt not die; returning health, allur'd By Amarantha's love and tender care, Again shall bless her patroness, renew Her youth in bloom, in vigour, ne'er to leave Her infants doubly orphans. At their name The princess faints, too sensitive a plant, Which on the lightest touch contracts the leaves, And seems to wither in the fold of death. Her lovely weight Artuchus to his tent Conveys; a litter gentle, as it moves, Receives her soon; her children by her side, In Macedonian chariots are dispos'd, Her female slaves and eunuchs. Now appears Emathia's prince to guard his matchless bride; In arms complete, resembling Mars, he rules The fiery courser. Artamanes swift This royal mandate to Artuchus bears:

The king, O satrap, hath begun his march; Delay not thine with all thy precious charge.

To Artamanes then, the Grecian queen: Let me request thee in Sandauce's name To visit yonder fount, of sorrow call'd, There see th' unfinish'd obsequies perform'd, To great Autarctus due. Her languid head With me a while at Aegae will repose, My consort's royal seat; and, gentle youth, If justice whisper to thy feeling heart, That well I sav'd my innocence and fame, Thou wilt be welcome to the Aegaean hall.

This said, she mounts her chariot; not unpleas'd, He to accomplish her command proceeds.

Artuchus now conducts the female train, Unhappy victims of ambition! These, A prey to famine, to congealing blasts From cold Olympus, from Bisaltio hills, And Rhodope, snow-vested, were condemn'd, With that innumerable host in flight Unform'd, unfurnish'd, scatter'd, to partake Of miseries surpassing nature's help. On earth's unwholsome lap their tender limbs To couch, to feed on grass, on bitter leaves, On noisome bark of trees, and swell the scene Between Spercheos and the distant shores Of Hellespontine Sestos: real scene Of death, beyond the massacre denounc'd By that stern angel in the prophet's dream, When were assembled ev'ry fowl of prey From all the regions of the peopled air, At Heav'ns dread call, to banquet on the flesh Of princes, captains, and of mighty men.