Penthesilea Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIFFJKLMJFNOP GQARSTUVFWXYZFA2FFB2 SIC2GD2E2F2FG2AFFH2I 2J2I2K2G2DFL2M2N2O2E P2H2PQ2R2DS2T2U2D2FV 2W2X2X2FY2Z2X2FX2FA3 X2SB3X2X2FY2X2FX2FFX 2SH2FFFX2FFFX2X2SC3C 2D3FX2E3FFF3F2X2X2G3 X2H3I3 JX2J3X2X2K3X2FL3FFX2 M3MD3B3FX2X2X2N3M2FO 3P3H3X2X2X2Q3X2X2X2X 2X2FR3S3X2X2P3X2DT3F JX2C3MU3X2X2FFX2X2FV 3X2SX2R3X2X2FW3 Y2FI P3X3YX2FD3X2X2D3 FX2Y3P3X2X2X2Y2 FFX2Z3MFO3F3Y2X2X2A4 X2P3FX2I3IQ2AB4P3FMF P3 IX2P3X3X2FW3C3P3FFFX 2X2C4FD4FFFMFFX2X2E3 X2Q2E4X2P3X2X2FX2V3J F4DFX2X2X2FFX2Y2X2P3 FJX2X2G4FX2 C3B2H4DX2FY X2Y2X2I4J4K4X2S3X2D3 X2T2 X2Q2X2FFX2FAFP3 X2JFX2X2FX2X2X2FX2FF R3X2X2X2X2FX2FFX2IIP 3MFX2Y2X2FY2R3L4FX2J FB2X2M4X2X2P3L4X2C3F X2X2X2JFK3X2M2C2N4X2 X2F2X2M X2O4F3F Q2P4C2X2X2F FFY2X2X2G4X2X2IFIAY2 M SAF U3FX2FFFX2X2SX2X2T2F D4F FX2X2X2Q4FFFC3X2X2X2 FP3R4X2X2X2IX2FT2X2X 2AP3FC3 AL3S4P3SX2T4X2SX2K3R 2K4AT4B4D3FX2FFFY2 FFD3L3X2FX2DFFP3FYYX 2FX2X2P3FT3FX2X2X2FX 2D4K3Y2X2FK3X2B4P3J4 X2P3U4X2FX2K3V4X2X2X 2X2W4FFFP3U3Z3E3FFFO 4X2SK3K3P3U3S O3X2FK3FX2Y2X2X2X2 K3X2H3L2K3FX2X2FX2K3 FP3P3X2 FO3W3K3K3K3R4K3 X2L4X2X2FL4FX2K3T4X4 FX2K3FY4FX2X2FFK3K3 AP3 FFX2K3X2X2X2P3FS4FSF FP3X2SK3FFK3FFFX2 W3Y2X2X2X2X4FJX2X2K3 X2 IK4X2M2X2 X2FX2FFFFU3FX2X2X2O3 P3Z4FFX2X2FX2K3FD2FK 3FFK3X2X2FSX2FFX2K3P 3X2X2K3 IF FK3FX2FK3X2X2FX2X2X2 Z4FFFAX2 X2X2 P3FX2FX2FK4X2FX2D4FF AIX2FK3X2X2X2X2X2FK3 FFK3M2FFR3X2X2X2X2X2 X2F Z4K3K3FFFK3 X2X2Q2FR2Y2FFX2X2FFD 2X2Y2A F X2K3FU4FM2O4X2FX2X2K 3X2FJFY2X2X2K3X2SX2X 2O4Y2FX2FFFIIFIK3K3F IK3FX2R2X2X2X2SO3FJF IO4FU3X2K3JK3P3X2T2D 4K3Q2FX2K3X2FFX2K3K3 Y2X2 FFU4FFX2W4O4O4O3K3X2 X2L4X2FX2X2O4V2FK3FX 2FFW3L4FX2FC4IX2X2FF FU4FFX2FK3X2SP3P3P3F X2L4 JX2K3X4X2FFX2X2X2FX2 FT2X2X2X2FFX2FX2X2X2 P2W3X2FU4O3FFX2K3X2T 2X2AU3 FK3K3FAFX2X2K3P3E3AF U3X2FP3X2FX2X2FFFX2K 3FX2FP3O3FFT2FX2 K3 X2 O4X2 IH3FT2U3FX2P3X2V4X2X 2O3X2K3X2 K3X2X2FX2X2T2 X2X2O3X2FFP3 X2X2X2FX2O4O3X2FX2K3 D2SX2P3Y2Y2FR2K3IT2M 2X2K3X2P3X2X2X2X2Y2M 2X2K3P3X2 P3R3X2X2W3FT2F X2K3X4FP3SX2K3R2K3N4 U4FFX2P3X2H3K3X2 X2FX2T3P3O3IK3X2X2K3 FX2U3K3X2X2FFFX2 V2X2V2X2X2FIQ2X2JF K3K3T2K3X2D2U3FX2X2X 2FD2X2FFK3O3X2X2X2K3 X2X2V2X2FSX2X2Y2K3

I	A
The Coming Of The Amazons	B
Dark in the noonday dark as solemn pines	C
A circle of dark towers above the plain	D
Troy sat bereaved her desolation seemed	E
To have drawn slowly down in sultry drops	F
The sky of gathered and contracted cloud	G
Hung silent close as is a cavern roof	H
That deep in heavy forests lost from day	I
Echoes the groans of a hurt lioness	F
For her slain cubs she fills her den with groans	F
Stretching her hoarse throat to the flinty floor	J
And with like lamentable echo barred	K
Within the great gates dirge of women swelled	L
Along the dark door'd streets that lately shone	M
With Hector's splendour as he strode to war	J
Wailing for Hector fallen upon towers	F
Unchampioned men grasped idle spears and groaned	N
But in the heart of Troy dead silence dwelt	O
There to a temple throned on a green mound	P
Andromache was stolen there she bowed	G
Her widowed forehead pressed upon the strength	Q
Of a square pillar not a sob nor sigh	A
Passed from her but immovably inclined	R
She waited yet expected nought that hour	S
Of grief was on her when the exhausted flood	T
Of passion ebbs and the still shaken heart	U
Hungers for staunching silence then the touch	V
Of patient cold stone is desired like bliss	F
So mourned Andromache unmoved to know	W
If earth that lacked her Hector still endured	X
Absorbed into the vastness of a grief	Y
Only by its own majesty consoled	Z
Crouched at her feet the child Astyanax	F
Played on the slabbed floor with the creviced dust	A2
Or followed with soft parted lips and eyes	F
Bemused the foiled flight of a swallow's wings	F
That strayed within sighed swiftly up and down	B2
The temple gloom there was no other stir	S
In that hushed place of stone while the slow day	I
Declining moved the sullen cope of heaven	C2
With westering breezes under brooding cloud	G
Light newly trembled looking up the boy	D2
Saw wide sheen in the portico that laid	E2
Long shadows from the pillars It was then	F2
A faint and clear sound in the distance rose	F
He knew not what but wondered as full soon	G2
Troy seemed to stir and waken it drew nigh	A
Up the steep street a noise of horses' hooves	F
Numerous and gallant with the ring of arms	F
He rose up and on soft feet tripping stole	H2
To the porch pillars looked forth and returned	I2
Bright eyed back to his mother thrice he twitched	J2
Her robe ere she perceived then slow she turned	I2
Her face down on him bending so she changed	K2
As a sky changes when the unmuffled moon	G2
Steals tender over April's vanished rain	D
And love older than sorrow filled her eyes	F
A mother's not a widow's now With awe	L2
In his quick voice the boy cried Mother come	M2
The Goddesses ride up to fight for us ''	N2
Andromache smiled on him though she heard	O2
Scarce sought to understand and yet it seemed	E
Those soft lips brought an answer from afar	P2
As oracle or dream to her sad soul	H2
That long had waited she too heard that sound	P
And as impetuous freshet in the spring	Q2
Breaks on a stagnant stream the bright blood warm	R2
Extravagance of hope shot like a pain	D
Through her dulled body then her heart recoiled	S2
On doubt and trembled though the noise now near	T2
Mingled with cries and swarm of running feet	U2
Drew her steps on beside her pressed the boy	D2
Exchanging wonder with his mother's eyes	F
Till on one knee she dropt and holding him	V2
In jealous clasping arms close to her breast	W2
Looked to the door now thronging heads appeared	X2
Beneath the temple steps and they beheld	X2
Framed in the wide porch men and women pass	F
And over them proceeding proud and fair	Y2
Like goddesses indeed a wondrous troop	Z2
That glorified the sunlight as they rode	X2
With easy hips bestriding their tall steeds	F
Whose necks shone as they turned this way and that	X2
Bold riders on bold horses light mail coats	F
They wore upon loose tunics over which	A3
Where to the throat the stormy bosom swelled	X2
A virgin shoulder gleamed for now the fire	S
Of evening struck back from the temple wall	B3
Burned ardent hues upon them moving past	X2
Untamable as their own steeds that moved	X2
With them and beautiful with ice bright eyes	F
Glancing around them strange and tossing hair	Y2
Flashed upon bronze bits of the horses flamed	X2
Along smooth brown wood of their javelin shafts	F
To the bright points and radiantly repelled	X2
From hilt and helm glowed changing upon shields	F
Like moons in August like a hundred moons	F
Of moving brilliance scarves of coral red	X2
Blown from the baldric trembled like the fire	S
In eyes that kindled the beholder's soul	H2
To presage of what fury these fierce queens	F
Should madden with when they were loosed to dance	F
The dance of battle matched with men or gods	F
Wild as the white brooks when they leap and shout	X2
In tumult tossing down the wintry hills	F
So filled with wonder the thronged faces saw	F
Those terrible and lovely huntresses	F
Mid whom one rode yet queenlier than the rest	X2
With steadfast eyes superb a spirit crowned	X2
She seemed the votaress of some far desire	S
She turned not like the others but rode on	C3
Like one that follows a star fixt in heaven	C2
Fixt as her thought is whom beholding now	D3
Mourning Andromache with closer arms	F
Entwined her boy her heart was full it pressed	X2
Against her side invoking that strange hope	E3
That here was the avenger of her loss	F
A sword brought from afar she leaned at gaze	F
Following that form impassioned to divine	F3
What purpose charmed her from the world of men	F2
When lo the street was empty all had passed	X2
She rose and with uncertain motion stood	X2
Swayed like a slender poplar when the south	G3
Tremulously bows it over her dear child	X2
Who clung upon her fingers looking up	H3
Wide eyed with joy together they went forth	I3
	-
Already fast as over an ebb shore	J
The fresh tide rolls up with a rising wind	X2
Invading dry ledge and deserted pool	J3
And ere the seaward rocks be overstormed	X2
Streams gliding with a soft stir far inland	X2
So fast through Troy the stir of rumour ran	K3
To every hushed house every chieftain heard	X2
Indoors and sent forth messengers to see	F
Even to Priam's palace it was borne	L3
Then there was hurrying through the empty courts	F
And women drawing water at the wells	F
Set down their pitchers boys ran out it seemed	X2
As if a city of sleepers sprang to life	M3
A thousand beating hearts Priam alone	M
Heard not at all for none was with him now	D3
But solitary in that pillared hall	B3
Where he had feasted with his glorious sons	F
In days of old sat patient mournful rapt	X2
His chilly limbs warmed by a cloak's long fold	X2
In such December solitude of mind	X2
As when the last leaf glides to frozen earth	N3
And all the boughs are bare the days to come	M2
Were darkness and the past days like a sea	F
Of roaring waters vacant unto each	O3
He mused upon the evening gold that fell	P3
Aslant a pillar's roundness holding up	H3
One hand against the fire that burned beside	X2
He heard not saw not though without the sound	X2
Of opened gates and murmuring hubbub fast	X2
Increasing on the distance gathered in	Q3
As to the silent centre where he sat	X2
Alone in gloom nor noted how behind	X2
Came stealing steps Cassandra first the shunned	X2
Of all the happy who yet disbelieved	X2
The fate of her foreseeing others next	X2
Of Priam's house mid whom the heavenly eyes	F
Of Helen like a mirror to the doom	R3
Coming on beauty till the end of time	S3
Shone in their sadness beautiful she leaned	X2
On fair flushed Paris of the golden head	X2
They as they entered stood expectantly	P3
Pausing although the King still sat entranced	X2
Clouded in sorrow's deep and distant reign	D
Until Cassandra touched him on the arm	T3
And his eyes woke a sad astonished gaze	F
He lifted in that moment the far door	J
Was opened lo upon the threshold gleamed	X2
The splendour of an arm d Amazon	C3
Coming towards him her eyes sought his own	M
Slowly and yet without a pause she came	U3
And those that saw her deeply breathed she moved	X2
As if a clearness from within inspired	X2
Her motion challenging their inmost thoughts	F
Simplicity ennobled all her ways	F
The heart leapt at the turning of her head	X2
But in her eyes a soul deep as the night	X2
Filled by the beauty of assembling stars	F
Night on lone mountains could shine out sword keen	V3
As now though touched for Priam's woe she gazed	X2
While slowly stirred he lifted up to her	S
His brow and it was kingly now he seemed	X2
Though seated in his stature to resume	R3
Old majesty for princes of the East	X2
Had sued to him and Asia sought his word	X2
To hearken to its wisdom Some few steps	F
The Amazon approached at last she spoke	W3
Art thou the royal Priam '' What seek'st thou ''	-
He answered of an old unhappy man ''	-
I seek '' her voice rose ardently to bear	Y2
My arms against Achilles in thy cause	F
To hazard in the venture all I may	I
For Troy and thee O King This is my quest ''	-
Proudly she spoke but he as old men will	P3
Because he wondered was displeased nor knew	X3
How to rub clear the dimmed sense of his grief	Y
And pausing half incredulous replied	X2
What hast thou said Abuse not these old ears	F
Thou know'st that I have suffered who art thou	D3
A woman Art a woman and would lift	X2
Thy hand against Achilles Never hand	X2
Of man prevailed against him yet and thou	D3
A woman made to bear and suckle babes ''	-
A woman '' she broke in but not as those	F
Who spin at home and blench to see a sword	X2
Penthesilea am I called and am	Y3
An Amazon and Amazons I rule	P3
They call me queen but I like them was reared	X2
To suffer and to dare my body bathed	X2
In cold Thermodon can outrace his speed	X2
And I have slain the lion in his lair	Y2
Yea and have fought with men and have prevailed ''	-
	-
Admiring murmur followed on her words	F
From those that hearkened with hope kindled eyes	F
Priam said only Hector fell '' That word	X2
Slow spoken not to her but in the dark	Z3
Of his own grieving mind dropt like a stone	M
Down a well's echoing silence There was pause	F
Just in that moment stole Andromache	O3
Over the threshold then her heart drank wine	F3
For she beheld Penthesilea there	Y2
Moved but not shaken like a Goddess stand	X2
Of all regarded while her spirit seemed	X2
To swell within her on some secret wave	A4
Of strength and lifting up her queenly head	X2
She spoke like music through the darkening hall	P3
One certain night I stood upon our hills	F
Before the dawn was come and I beheld	X2
All the stars over me from south to north	I3
And east to west each in his place as they	I
Had shone before I was or thou O King	Q2
And as I looked one fell far down the sky	A
It shot in fire to nothing Who might think	B4
One of heaven's splendours fixed in heaven could fall	P3
O Priam even Achilles even he	F
This far renowned one shall be overthrown	M
For all his glory and his might perhaps	F
By hand unguessed and thou behold him fall	P3
It may be by another or by me ''	-
	-
Yet Priam would not be persuaded nay	I
Clinging to his old lamenting thoughts he cried	X2
There was none brave as Hector and he fell	P3
Hector is fallen snap all swords in two	X3
Break all your bows asunder as my heart	X2
Is broken it were better What avails	F
What wouldst thou Queen '' Yet even as he spoke	W3
Gazing upon the noble Amazon	C3
The strong bonds of his grief were loosed awhile	P3
There seemed a courage in those shapely arms	F
In that clear brow which to refuse might be	F
Unpardoned of the gods her clarion words	F
Rang through him still and as a traveller tired	X2
Vacantly resting at the long day's end	X2
Under the hollow of a stream's high bank	C4
Hears rushing over him the beat of wings	F
And sees a wild swan snowy throated take	D4
His effortless great flight in the sun's beams	F
So Priam saw her bound afar to lands	F
Of morning like the beauty of those wide wings	F
Free where he might not follow left alone	M
In the fast falling night but oh not so	F
Not bound afar but at his feet with eyes	F
Of proud petition of a sweet command	X2
Penthesilea like a vision stayed	X2
And her voice breathed one silver summons Hope	E3
	-
A hush took all who listened then they stirred	X2
Only Cassandra crouching by the King	Q2
Hid her dark face the others nearer drawn	E4
Looked upon Priam and his soul was moved	X2
But not as they his gaze now at the full	P3
Answered the clear magnanimous regard	X2
Of her that spoke with pity as he replied	X2
What sad word hast thou uttered Oh thy lips	F
Are young that shape it ere they understand	X2
Look on me that was once called happy Queen	V3
What knowest thou of ill I have borne more	J
Than my young fears stretched by some childish wrong	F4
Imagined that the whole world could contain	D
Or this frail flesh that pens us in our place	F
Find possible to bear I have been taught	X2
None was so blest in sons and none so curst	X2
And now I know not if the Gods be kind	X2
Or if 'tis the last cruelty they use	F
That having heaped such evil on our heads	F
They lend us power to bear it O speak not	X2
For I can teach thee how men learn to bear	Y2
'Tis not with fortitude of hope increased	X2
'Tis with dulled sense that thickens on the soul	P3
And all its longings pined in frost that cramps	F
The quivering heart up till it feel no more	J
I am so knitted in harsh fortune's root	X2
As tottering towers in bitter fibre bound	X2
That props what it has killed Yet I endure	G4
Why wilt thou trouble me For thy young face	F
Pricks with its courage like reviving blood	X2
In a numbed arm I was at peace O Queen ''	-
	-
He ended and the glorious Amazon	C3
Moved even to tears stept toward him and knelt down	B2
And touched his knees entreating Let me learn	H4
Even though the price be of such utmost pain	D
As thou hast tasted I would prove my heart	X2
That is prepared for all things let me go	F
I am not all so ignorant of grief	Y
Grant me this boon that I may fight for thee ''	-
Priam heard marvelling bending o'er her soft	X2
He laid his old hands on her youthful hair	Y2
Answering Is thy heart so fixed indeed	X2
Ah child is not life sweet Turn again home	I4
In honour for so surely as I live	J4
And as Troy stands thou shalt have honour here	K4
The hazard is too much I that have ploughed	X2
This heavy and hard furrow into Time	S3
Cannot turn back but thou canst Wilt thou not	X2
None shall reproach thee O too much ere now	D3
Too much too dear blood in my cause is spilt	X2
And thou art dear and shalt be always dear	T2
And thy name named with blessing in my house ''	-
Penthesilea lifted up her head	X2
She looked on him and smiled I thank thee King	Q2
And thou art wise and I am foolish yet	X2
Though Heaven in thunder did forbid me this	F
My heart is fixed '' Then Priam sighed she rose	F
And he made answer Be it as thou wilt	X2
And I will say some good thing of the Gods	F
Since they have raised a woman's heart so high	A
Bring torches for the Queen shall feast with us	F
This night and on the morrow if she will	P3
Go with our battle forth Bid Troy prepare ''	-
So Priam ordered and the chiefs obeyed	X2
Through all the city ran the word for war	J
And swords refurbished gleamed in kindled eyes	F
At hope of help unlooked for Troy was glad	X2
And all the Amazons that night held feast	X2
Among the captains in the torch lit halls	F
Of Priam's royal house At his right hand	X2
Admired of all Penthesilea sat	X2
Still in her bright mail though unhelmeted	X2
For when she had bathed they brought her women's robes	F
But she refused for in her heart she thought	X2
I shall be deemed but as a woman is	F
And they will put no faith in me for deeds	F
	-
How strange the hush was of the glimmering room	R3
In a high tower apart when after feast	X2
And song were ended and all gone to rest	X2
Penthesilea sat beside the bed	X2
Whereon her coat of mail now laid aside	X2
Shone keenly crumpled into glittering folds	F
Next the smooth texture of a coverlet	X2
Embroidered in dim Indian town with shapes	F
Of golden lions thronged by suns and stars	F
A Tyrian rug was soft to her bare feet	X2
When kneeling by her side Harmothoe	I
Had loosed their sandal thongs and bathed them both	I
In warm clear water from a brazen bowl	P3
Who now was gone and the Queen left alone	M
Stood up and let the loose white robe fall free	F
Holding her strong hands clasped behind her head	X2
While through their fingers streamed the heavy hair	Y2
She sighed a fierce sigh panted from her breast	X2
Like some imprisoned leopard's ill at ease	F
In those rich walls that held her from the air	Y2
And with faint subtlety of old perfume	R3
Wrought on her sense remembrance as through dream	L4
Of what dead women fair in idle hours	F
Had here adorned them pacing with soft feet	X2
The coloured stones inlaid upon the floor	J
Parting these curtains with their silver rings	F
To gaze upon a mirror kneeling down	B2
Beside the ebon coffer to search out	X2
Within its depths of robe laid over robe	M4
Some beaten armlet of Assyrian gold	X2
Jade brooch or branches of rose coral brought	X2
From far bays of Arabian Astabel	P3
Foreign and fair devices dream on dream	L4
In the low lamp flame's wavering oppressed	X2
The panting free heart of the Amazon	C3
Thus as she leaned with heavy lidded eyes	F
Backward and into grandeur slow rebelled	X2
The strong mould of her breast beneath the throat	X2
Andromache stole in to her she stood	X2
With wondering gaze fixt faltering in the door	J
A moment then hope trembling at her lips	F
While the warm blood rushed up her cheek she ran	K3
Swift to the other's knees and falling cried	X2
O Goddess help Ah surely thou art come	M2
From heaven to avenge me for the gods in heaven	C2
Loved Hector well thou hast a woman's shape	N4
But mov'st not like a woman no nor look'st	X2
O certify my heart my wounded heart	X2
Fill me for I am empty turn again	F2
The water of life into this stony bed	X2
Where my days used to run I am alone	M
Reveal thyself if to none else to me ''	-
	-
Penthesilea with stern looks amazed	X2
With both hands on her shoulders put her off	O4
Saying Who art thou What wild thought is thine	F3
Rise up kneel not embrace not so my knees	F
My arms are stronger nay look up behold ''	-
Then with a milder voice continuing	Q2
I am no goddess feel my heart beats quick	P4
I am not calm as the gods are in heaven	C2
This flesh is mortal strike and it will bleed	X2
Has bled ere now and feels thy wound and throbbed	X2
To hear thy supplication and to see	F
How like a bird thou droppedst to my feet ''	-
	-
Andromache sank backward on her knees	F
Wide eyed with fearful doubt then slowly rose	F
And stood apart cold now as if despair	Y2
Had closed about her sudden as dark night	X2
Like thunder drops her words fell desolate	X2
O my great hope how easy was thy lure	G4
How sweet and now how bitter to my taste	X2
The folly of my fond heart bites my heart	X2
The gods are loth to be revealed when they	I
Take among men disguises but oh no	F
Thou art a woman thy face speaks the truth	I
And yet yet if a woman whence and why	A
Comest thou what madness pricks thee so to dare	Y2
What scarce a God might compass when my own	M
Great Hector whom none else could vanquish fell ''	-
But now the Amazon regarding her	S
More earnestly spoke heedless of her cry	A
I saw thee in the hall where Priam was	F
Art thou not Priam's daughter '' Hector's wife ''	-
Answered the other Then I know thy name	U3
Andromache men call thee and I know	F
Thy wound sit by me be my friend to night	X2
Tell me of this Achilles I would know	F
What manner of a man is he who sounds	F
In the world's ear so terrible Is he	F
Fair haired as I have heard or swarthy cheeked	X2
Like those men I have matched my strength against	X2
The Gargareans Do his inches tower	S
Much over mine How goes he into fight	X2
On horseback as we Amazons or afoot	X2
Or standing in a chariot hurls his spear	T2
Tell me of all these things that I may know	F
And be aware and in the battle take	D4
What vantage may be mine among the Greeks	F
The better to avenge thee if fate will ''	-
	-
Andromache said no word for a space	F
Facing her with dulled eyes and mind confused	X2
Then to her lips a word outleapt her thought	X2
Fledged with a bitter meaning she exclaimed	X2
Thou lovest him '' The queen laughed a scornful laugh	Q4
O woman have you none but woman's thoughts	F
Because you are weak and have such clinging arms	F
I felt them soft and trembling round my knees	F
Deem you such weakness rules an Amazon	C3
What is this love you are so quick to find	X2
The key of all you cannot understand	X2
To tremble and to wait on a man's mood	X2
And seek I know not what bliss in his arms	F
That fondle you a plaything far from all	P3
The thoughts that make him strong Such thoughts I have	R4
Such will to tame and conquer such delight	X2
In battle such resolve never to yield	X2
My soul to any other's servitude	X2
Love love Think you I have been wont to bathe	I
My body in snow brooks to temper it	X2
True as a sword blade slept on forest leaves	F
Raced the wild colts to break them chased the deer	T2
The lion even seen the red blood spirt	X2
Of men into whose murderous eyes I looked	X2
And did not quail think you that such as I	A
Have hung my life's joy on another's smile	P3
Pining with fancies such as in close walls	F
You women fill slow days with feeding on	C3
Who lie upon soft couches and dream dreams ''	-
	-
She ended with an anger burning eye	A
Standing dilated in her beauteous scorn	L3
Over against Andromache who shook	S4
Her head distrustfully insisting still	P3
Yet yet thou lovest him '' Suddenly a fire	S
Swept o'er her and impatiently she cried	X2
When thou hast borne a man child speak of love	T4
Thou knowest not thou though in thine ignorant heart	X2
The blind beginnings of that selfsame power	S
Compel thee where it wills where thou wouldst not	X2
Thou hast not loved thou hast not known a man	K3
Yet a man's glory a man's imagined form	R2
Has drawn thee from thy mountains even here	K4
To meet him face to face Ask thy heart why	A
Hate hope fear longing 'tis all one 'tis love	T4
Betwixt a man and woman Ah didst think	B4
Penthesilea to escape But now	D3
Necessity has overtaken thee	F
Achilles masters and o'ertops thy mind	X2
Who wouldst be wooed not with soft words but spears	F
And thou must seek him To thy wooing go	F
But oh thou goest into a fell embrace	F
For he will clutch thee as a hawk a hare	Y2
And thy bride bed shall be the bloody ground ''	-
	-
With that harsh word she would have turned to go	F
But stayed upon the threshold for the voice	F
Of Penthesilea called her changing now	D3
To a deep cry not angered nor in scorn	L3
But grievous as though suddenly her heart	X2
Imperiously swelled beyond its bounds	F
And loosed its secret storm and sweetness out	X2
The proud voice breaking into truth and pain	D
No no not so thou shalt not leave me so	F
Thou dost not know me far away thy words	F
Fly over me they hurt me not at all	P3
Yet didst thou know my heart I am not wise	F
In love thou say'st yet I am wise in grief	Y
'Twas not Achilles drew me it was grief	Y
That drove me hither grief brims up my heart	X2
And blinded me to thy grief sit by me	F
Andromache and hear me nay thou must	X2
I had a sister whom indeed I loved	X2
For we were twinned in thought and act and soul	P3
My bedfellow and playmate oft have we	F
To one another brought a timely arm	T3
Faint in the heat of battle or of chase	F
But oh it was this arm that should have first	X2
Withered on the shoulder this right arm that sped	X2
The bolt that slew her my Hippolyta	X2
She had outstript me on the woody hills	F
Hunting a hind that fled us I saw not	X2
But where the boughs were stirring in the brake	D4
I drew my bow the arrow leapt I ran	K3
Parted the hazels and beheld her there	Y2
Lying beyond the arrow in her side	X2
Where still I see her on soaked yellow ferns	F
Under a thorn trailed with black bryony	K3
So near a pool the fingers of her hand	X2
Could touch the trembling harebells on its brink	B4
She bled within there was no blood at all	P3
To soil her body that still seemed to live	J4
Nor gave a cry but with one hand she beat	X2
On the wet ground a little then was still	P3
But when I took her by the hand it hung	U4
Cold in my grasp though close I cherished it	X2
And kissed her cheek her mouth a hundred times	F
Calling upon her name Hippolyta	X2
Calling the dead that heard not I have seen	K3
When Euxine on a sudden rises black	V4
With storm a sail that sought our haven swept	X2
Out into darkness from the cliffs have watched	X2
How it flew onward fearfully far out	X2
Blind under sheets of tempest and was lost	X2
From that hour I drove like that driving ship	W4
Borne on I recked not whither over wastes	F
Of time that have no harbour and no peace	F
I fled and yet I feared being thought to flee	F
Therefore did I imagine to my soul	P3
Some dear atonement that should make my name	U3
Burn on the lips of men set up my mark	Z3
And that pursued till the usurping hope	E3
Of glory with a glozing tongue sometimes	F
Flattered my dark thoughts to forget but oh	F
It is myself that am pursued the hounds	F
Of memory are upon me Break this off	O4
Too much is spoken Yet my heart is eased	X2
Forget this weakness tell not to another	S
Penthesilea's sorrow for from now	K3
She puts it from her she is strong again	K3
Nay from my childhood up 'twas in my soul	P3
The dearest hope to do a thing of fame	U3
To morrow I will slay thy husband's slayer	S
Or gladly if the fates refuse will die ''	-
While she was speaking sad Andromache	O3
Changed in her countenance her soft bosom swelled	X2
And her eyes brightening were soon dimmed with tears	F
At last she broke forth O unhappy Queen	K3
Pardon '' But ere another word could pass	F
Her lips there was a babbling cry without	X2
Soft feet came running to the door and there	Y2
Parting the heavy curtain stood the child	X2
Astyanax who ran to her and called	X2
O Mother I have found you Come to bed	X2
I woke and could not find you and was afraid ''	-
The old nurse following at his heels began	K3
To chide him but Andromache embraced	X2
Her boy and kissed him he looked wondering up	H3
Now at the Amazon and spoke in awe	L2
It is the Goddess mother'' when again	K3
She hugged him close and gentle came her voice	F
Penthesilea pardon I have erred	X2
My hope was blind and my despair was blind	X2
I dreamed of Gods come down to succour me	F
Lo here is my avenger '' and she held	X2
The boy before her while the warrior queen	K3
Admiring his bold limbs and fearless gaze	F
That wandered to the splendour of the mail	P3
Lying on the bed uplifted with a smile	P3
The sword beside it saying Wilt thou fight	X2
With such a sword when thou art grown a man ''	-
Whereat he gravely answered to her face	F
Yea I am Hector's son '' Andromache	O3
Drawing him towards her with warm kisses spoke	W3
I keep thy father's sword for thee but now	K3
Thou must to bed and sleep Sleep also thou	K3
Penthesilea and to morrow morn	K3
Eat with me ere thou go and thou shalt have	R4
All such as Hector's heart delighted in	K3
When he went forth to battle Fare thee well ''	-
	-
Penthesilea was alone She turned	X2
Lo in the corner the moon's wandered beam	L4
Lay gentle like the soul of solitude	X2
She drew a curtain over earth the night	X2
Rose naked and she looked with longing eyes	F
Past the low plain where Simois wound his stream	L4
To choke in marsh mist and the creeping ooze	F
Up to the mountain tops and far beyond	X2
Saw in her memory clear a certain glen	K3
Where snows among the pale cloud gleamed above	T4
Crag pines but from the spongy mosses sprang	X4
Tall ash and chestnut plundered by the gusts	F
Of autumn to let fall gold leaves adrift	X2
Upon the young Thermodon that between	K3
Gray boulders dancing in his frolic race	F
Over the abrupt edge of a gloomy gulf	Y4
Leapt and was lost but lost in splendour so	F
Should her life be ennobled in its end	X2
Lifting her heart she prayed and in her mind	X2
Knew how removed from all that others use	F
And have their joy in she must fix her course	F
One way since exiles in the world of men	K3
Heroic hearts are unto the end alone	K3
	-
	-
II	A
THE BATTLE	P3
	-
Waters of Asia westward beating waves	F
Of estuaries and mountain warded straits	F
Whose solitary beaches long had lost	X2
The ashen glimmer of that sinking moon	K3
Listened in darkness to their own lone sound	X2
Moving about the shores of sleep when first	X2
A faint light stole and hills in the east emerged	X2
A faint wind soon born upon ocean blew	P3
The cold stars faded high on forest slopes	F
The goatherd woke in his thatched hut and shook	S4
His cloak about him striding forth and saw	F
Pale over the round world of shadow tower	S
The silently awakened presences	F
Of Rhodope and Ida dawning peaks	F
Far opposite that slowly flushed till all	P3
The hill thronged vales streamed out in sudden gold	X2
He saw the young sun ripple into fire	S
Propontis and the bright seas run like wine	K3
Into the dim west where aerial snows	F
Of Athos hovered o'er a hundred isles	F
Nearer Troy towers stood gleaming in the plain	K3
The river smoked with mist and cranes in flocks	F
Rose through the sun soaked vapour toward the sea	F
Beyond the trench and trench encircled huts	F
And black beaked Danaan ships upon the strand	X2
	-
There in their huts and tents the Danaans woke	W3
And streamed abroad in the keen morning air	Y2
But armed not yet their camp made holiday	X2
With shields hung up with heads unhelmeted	X2
Greek challenged Greek to hurling of the quoit	X2
To wrestle and race not a sole trumpet rang	X4
For Troy since Hector's slaying kept her gates	F
Fast barred nor sent her files forth to the war	J
So now the battle weary Greeks prepared	X2
Their meal beside the trenches eased at heart	X2
When single scouts came running from the plain	K3
Arm arm '' they cried for Troy will fight to day	X2
The Amazons are come to succour them ''	-
Then sportful laughter leapt from mouth to mouth	I
Among the gay eyed youth mocking to hear	K4
And one to another shot a mirthful word	X2
The hawk is dead the twittering swallows come	M2
To harry us We will go garlanded	X2
To battle and will hale these women home ''	-
	-
So as for sport they armed but ere the word	X2
Had run through half the camp Thersites rose	F
Filled with his dwarfish malice that rejoiced	X2
In quarrels without causes between friends	F
Pleased with the comedy of angry wits	F
When wisest men show weakest he arose	F
Glancing from side to side in evil glee	F
And went along the sea beach till he came	U3
Where lay Achilles and his Myrmidons	F
Who pitched apart a separate host he went	X2
Alone for all despised him though they feared	X2
His tongue and coming to Achilles' tent	X2
Called to him with a gibing pomp of speech	O3
Hail son of Thetis slayer of thousands hail	P3
Hear what fresh tidings echoes through our camp	Z4
Thy fame is flown into the Asian lands	F
And how thou didst a goddess helping thee	F
Hew Hector down provokes the envious world	X2
To emulate thy glory Lo to day	X2
Troy's latest hope there comes to challenge thee	F
A woman '' Then Achilles laughed aloud	X2
But he continued Nay it is a queen	K3
Penthesilea Queen of the Amazons	F
Brings her wild squadrons to this faint heart Troy	D2
A queen of fame with courage like a man's	F
And more than woman's beauty Agamemnon	K3
Already in his gloating thought adorns	F
His palace with this all outshining gem
Captive to him O Eagle of the Greeks	F
Doth not the quarry please thee '' But again	K3
Achilles laughed Come yet another day	X2
I shall have peace and leisure from the fight	X2
I wore a woman's robes once feigned their ways	F
In Scyros and I know them quick to fire	S
Upon imagination of a deed	X2
That blazes through them like a strand of flax	F
Left light as ashes fluttering when the hour strikes	F
For doing what a man's heart leaps to do	X2
On such Achilles draws not Get thee gone	K3
Thersites let the Greeks fight if they will	P3
With these mad women but my heart is stirred	X2
To be alone and think upon the dead	X2
This day Thy wry face puts me out of tune	K3
Begone thou crookedness ere thou be driven ''	-
So trudging back with ill smiles on his mouth	I
Thersites went well pleased to bear bad news	F
	-
Achilles stood at his tent door the sea	F
Before him smiled but heavy thoughts like rain	K3
Clouded his darkening spirit as his eyes	F
Looked homeward toward the far Thessalian coast	X2
Where he was nurtured in fresh upland glens	F
Of Pelion and his father even now	K3
Kept his old age watching uncomforted	X2
But most the thought of dear Patroclus' dust	X2
Drew his soul down to sorrow pacing slow	F
The shore he came to where the mound was heaped	X2
On those beloved ashes there he bade	X2
Fetch wine and poured libation to the dead	X2
	-
There came a runner hasting from the camp	Z4
Who cried Achilles arm The battle joins	F
And half our host yet unprepared recoils	F
Before the onset of those Amazons	F
Whose horses rush upon them and they cry	A
Where is Achilles Arm and bring us aid	X2
'Tis Agamemnon sends thee this command ''	-
But Peleus' son looked frowning and replied	X2
Go tell the King I heed not his command	X2
Nor any man's to day my sword is sheathed ''	-
With that he turned him to his grief the peal	P3
Of distant horn and crying of many cries	F
All the harsh drone of battle muttering swelled	X2
Beyond the trench and rows of stranded ships	F
Half sunk in sand that with their rampart shut	X2
The beach into its calm of little waves	F
Falling and hushing but to Achilles' ear	K4
That roar was vain and hateful and he drew	X2
His cloak over his head and cried with groans	F
O to what end what end Must our souls beat	X2
Their high attempered force out and keen edge
Blunt in a senseless turmoil but to make	D4
A pageant for the Gods O friend I lose	F
How much more than thyself in losing thee	F
Have I appeased thy ghost and given thee sleep
By my so great revenge Yet am not I	A
Appeased Because in courage and in strength	I
The Gods have made me excellent beyond	X2
All other sons of men this is my woe	F
That none can match me easy comes the crown	K3
Of glory and I would toss it from my hand	X2
Into these careless waters could I find	X2
Some stay and dear abode such as I found	X2
In those thoughts that together O my friend	X2
We held and well companioned ever looked	X2
On through all days with never sated eyes	F
But now the splendour and the spur is gone	K3
I hunger after thine untimeliness	F
For which my tears were shed O that these Gods	F
Who smile on their calm seats in happy heaven	K3
Could be provoked to wrath and themselves come	M2
Against me armed then were there scope and marge
For this full fire to burn in that consumes	F
My soul in puny angers at the pomp
Of Agamemnon's puffed authority	F
But me they mean for some inglorious doom	R3
And even now plotting my shame have sent	X2
A woman to defy me '' Thus he cried	X2
Pacing in angry grief the calm sea sand	X2
While still the noise of war rolled nearer charged	X2
The air with jarring clamour noon was passed	X2
And the sky strewn with slow clouds idly moved	X2
But ever louder at the trench it rose	F
	-
At last a second runner from the camp	Z4
Came and Achilles knew him as he ran	K3
It was a youth from white Iolcos town	K3
Of Peleus' kin he sobbed forth breathless words	F
Come to the trench Achilles come and see	F
Not women are these Amazons but wolves	F
Like Maenads maddened beyond strength of men	K3
They rage and with amazement bear us down ''	-
So both went forth to the great dyke and looked	X2
Over the trench then in Achilles' heart	X2
Grief straightway slumbered and the cruel sting	Q2
Of battle stirred in him as one who sees	F
A wild bright bay of angry ocean storm	R2
With thunderous upleaping surge on surge
Black rampart rocks filling the brilliant air	Y2
With sound and splendour and joy charms his eyes	F
So now rejoiced Achilles not less fierce	F
In onset than those waters snowy maned	X2
The Amazons on their wild horses rode	X2
Storming upon the stubborn infantry	F
And by them thrice inspirited with shouts	F
Of vengeance the victorious ranks of Troy	D2
Achilles looked far o'er the fray and laughed	X2
See how the sullen Ajax like a bear	Y2
Stung by a bee swarm puzzles how to strike
But you shall see how these same Maenads fly	A
When that I leap upon them Say I come ''	-
Glad the youth turned and ran back to the Greeks	F
And through them flew the word Achilles comes ''	-
	-
Penthesilea through the press all day	X2
Had sought for Hector's slayer and sought in vain	K3
Though many a captain on her path in arms	F
So tall so splendid stood that hope had sprung	U4
Not twice or thrice alone that this was he	F
She should defy the rest she scorned yet some	M2
Essayed her prowess and came wounded off	O4
Or fell beneath her and so trampled died	X2
Lo as a potter strikes with eager hands	F
Shapes of soft moulded clay fired with the thought	X2
To make a thing more noble so she smote	X2
Those meaner challengers crushed idly down	K3
If haply from the wreck and tumult might	X2
Spring the desired Achilles her bright axe	F
Shone over shouts and groans and maddened more	J
The tempest of those headlong Amazons	F
Who rushed black maned upon spurred horses where	Y2
The spears bristled the thickest They outmatched	X2
The fury of impetuous Diomed	X2
Who even now where fierce Antandra struck
Hardly avoided catching at her rein	K3
And was borne backward raging in his beard	X2
With half his helm plumes shorn away with her	S
Derione and Thermodossa red	X2
With rapture of the sword Antibrote	X2
Hippodamia and Brontissa drave	O4
Like screaming gusts of whirlwind when the air	Y2
Fills with torn boughs of cracking oaks and pines	F
Shiver to ground uprooted thrust on thrust	X2
Met shrieks where desperately tugging hands	F
Clutching a spear were tost up suddenly	F
As it stabbed home strange echoing female cries	F
Exulted in the van Harmothoe	I
Called as her axe blows rang about her path	I
Hard as the white hail when it strips the vines	F
And their bruised clusters the gay Danaan youth	I
Spoiled of their sweet imagined sport laughed now	K3
But as the mad in whom no mirth is driven	K3
Before the Amazons in pale amaze	F
And terror of their beauty and their strength	I
While crest on crest the Phrygians followed on	K3
But most all marvelled friend and foe to see	F
Clear where the foremost onset hurled and clanged	X2
Penthesilea like a star in storm	R2
That through the black rents of a burying cloud	X2
Rides unimperilled for none stayed her not	X2
Diomed nor Ajax yet her quest despaired	X2
Achilles came not something failed the hour	S
And ere he came 'twas lost there at the trench	O3
In baffled frenzy the wild warring queens	F
Perceived it in their hearts and raged the more	J
Wanting the one goal's glory that should force	F
Their last strength onward by so much as they	I
Began to faint by so much more the foe	O4
Rousing his stubborn manhood clenched his ranks	F
And bore them backward Then Achilles came	U3
He leapt upon the dyke bright as a brand	X2
Breaking to sudden fire they saw him shine	K3
They heard his great voice clear above the roar	J
And half the battle swerved along the plain	K3
Toward Simois Far upon the city wall	P3
Andromache was gazing now she pressed	X2
Her hands upon her bounding heart in fear	T2
She saw her own host in the centre break	D4
Before Achilles and roll back in vain	K3
Penthesilea on the seaward wing	Q2
Maintained the onset half her Amazons	F
Caught in the frayed edge of the flight were turned	X2
Were flying nay it seemed that earth and heaven	K3
Joined in that altered combat and pursuit	X2
For in the west the sun charged out of clouds	F
And shot his rays forth over shadowy isles	F
Set in the fiery seas and flashed behind	X2
The Argives and their crested coming on	K3
Dazzling the ranks of Troy that broken now	K3
Reeled from the middle outward here and there	Y2
Stemmed by a chieftain's cry with hot blood cheek
The youthful Troilus was storming shamed	X2
And shouted Rally at the river bank ''	-
But now among the fleers thudding hooves	F
The maddened steeds of single Amazons	F
Headlong and helpless thrice confounded them
In whom the terror of Achilles stung	U4
Sharp as a cruel rowel in the flanks	F
Of those scared horses uncontrollably	F
Crushed wrestling groaning trodden all were hurled	X2
Together wild as from a foundered ship	W4
A hundred men flung forth one moment strive	O4
Huddled in the hollow of one tremendous wave	O4
The next upon its crest toss up to crash	O3
Down upon rocks they agonize to shun	K3
So desperate in a huge blind tide of flight	X2
Phrygian and Amazon together reeled	X2
All in a moment they had reached the stream	L4
A grove of oaks stood on the hither side	X2
Where Troilus made rally some stout hearts	F
Staying the rout Woe then to him that fled	X2
When in his back the pouncing arrow plunged	X2
And straight was bloody to the feathers woe	O4
To him that fled there was no help for him	V2
Ingloriously he fell or pressed by shields	F
Of comrades from behind was beaten down	K3
Or on the crumbling bank was crushed by hooves	F
That broke the bones in many a breathing breast	X2
Of strong men trampled like tall mallow stalks	F
At the stream's edge broken like leafy boughs	F
That cracked and splintered in the whirling stroke	W3
Of swords and many falling in the stream	L4
Meshed by long weeds were strangled in the ooze	F
Black haired Antandra there forced with the rout	X2
Strove ever like a raging lioness	F
To turn on her pursuers on the bank	C4
She stayed her horse and some Thessalian youth	I
Stung by her beauty caught her by the belt	X2
And dragged her from the saddle she so spent	X2
Let fall the axe from her dead weary arms	F
But with sobbed breath caught him so desperately	F
That both together in a blind embrace	F
Fell plunging in the shallows rolled among	U4
Marsh marigolds she thrust upon his face	F
Under the water laughed and strove to rise	F
When even then a javelin bit her breast	X2
And clove her through so died Antandra so	F
Fell many another pity there was none	K3
For cruel is the anger of men shamed	X2
When they avenge their shame and that fierce hour	S
Made many a widow on far hill town wall	P3
That golden evening dandling with fond smile	P3
A son already fatherless and still	P3
Achilles' murderous and resistless hands	F
Were stayed not So by Simois the red flight	X2
Streamed swift and fearful as a fever dream	L4
	-
But meanwhile upon either wing the war	J
Swung doubtful nay the Greeks were overmatched	X2
Wanting their champion drawn with all his men	K3
So far dispersed though now shrill trumpets rang	X4
Recalling them for on the seaward side	X2
Penthesilea pressing hardly she	F
With the fierce remnant of her Amazons	F
And gray Antenor passionately smote	X2
As in a kind of anguish like a net	X2
Trapping a lion's limbs the battle closed	X2
Round her deep thwarted spirit Sthenelus	F
Assailed her striding huge among the rest	X2
And riding at him as she struck the axe	F
Crashed broken on his helm she wrenched the spear	T2
From his stunned arm when on the other side	X2
Leapt Ornytus against her and she swerved	X2
To dart the spear point through him crying out	X2
O that thou wert Achilles '' All at once	F
Clear from the distant battle's farther edge
Sounded upon a sudden several horns	F
Harsh blown bull's horns Antenor knew the note	X2
Of signal and he called across the spears	F
Penthesilea hark upon the left	X2
The son of Aphrodite holds the day	X2
Between us all the foe is locked and hemmed	X2
And hot Achilles has pursued too far	P2
Press 'tis Troy's hour '' and even as he spoke	W3
The Greeks relaxed but now flushed from the rout	X2
Those same pursuers singly and in troops	F
Mixed in the battle all confused and swung	U4
A score of ways with half arrested clash	O3
And crossing tides of onset streaming loose	F
In separate combats or bewildered pause	F
Where all was doubt Penthesilea burned	X2
Amid the scattered mellay surely now	K3
From Simois through the dust and disarray	X2
She spied a great crest and a blazing spear	T2
Returning and Harmothoe cried out	X2
Penthesilea '' with so keen a cry	A
That her heart leapt she knew Achilles came	U3
	-
All knew the spent arms and the shouting heads	F
Were stayed and turned they halted man by man	K3
As knowing the hour was other than their own	K3
Awaiting in a thrilled expectancy	F
As a drawn bowstring ere the arrow fly	A
That strange encounter not alone the shock
Of chosen champions but a storm of worlds	F
Where the deep blood tides man and woman met	X2
Penthesilea kindled her soul soared	X2
Above the beating of her heart alone	K3
Answering that high peril that made pale	P3
The boldest round her all their fluttered hope	E3
Afraid as with a deep imperious cry	A
And striding pace through moil of crimsoned arms	F
Dinted and shattered shields Achilles came	U3
Shining from head to heel a demigod	X2
Whom smouldering anger dyed in fire whose limbs	F
For swiftness and for strength unmatchable	P3
Seemed but the prison of a spirit that freed	X2
As a flame leaps in beauty to and fro	F
Splendid in indignation should have towered	X2
Against the lords of heaven a spirit wronged	X2
That for oblivion of its sore heart strings	F
Had robed itself so red in slaughterous deeds	F
And as in scorn feasted on dying cries	F
Hot like a reveller seeking to forget	X2
But as a reveller comes out into dawn	K3
Shooting bright beams up to the fading stars	F
So was it with Achilles when he found	X2
The royal Amazon in ardour she	F
Leaned on her reined horse forward all her soul	P3
Ingathered at a breath ready to launch	O3
And dare as those together leaping looks	F
Like stone and steel flashed To the fingers tense	F
She poised in one uplifted hand her spear	T2
Against him over challenging proud eyes	F
That quailed not where the eyes of kings had quailed	X2
	-
Turn again home Thou canst not fight with men	K3
And least with me whom no man overcomes ''	-
Scornfully with a mighty voice he cried	X2
Madwoman turn or here thou spill'st thy soul ''	-
Clear rang her voice back Put me to the proof	O4
Have I not sought thee Achilles all this day	X2
And having found thee shall I let thee go ''	-
With that she hurled and the spear bounded forth	I
Straight at Achilles' face but lifting up	H3
His shield he caught it on the golden boss	F
That shivered it to pieces his own spear	T2
Flew on the instant the shock marred his aim	U3
And not the queen he smote but smote her horse	F
Deep in the shoulder with sharp shriek he reared	X2
And staggering fell but lightly ere he fell	P3
Penthesilea leapt upon the ground	X2
As swiftly Achilles plucked his weapon back	V4
Pale grew the Trojans glad the Greeks exclaimed	X2
But she stood deeply breathing and her mind	X2
Debated if to draw her sword and rush	O3
On death at once while marvelling to behold	X2
The beauty of the daring on her brow	K3
Achilles called Thou tameless one be tamed	X2
Else thou art dead no god shall save thee now ''	-
She answered Nay thou shalt not think such scorn	K3
Of me that am a woman Men are bold	X2
All men are bold and women are all weak
Thou think'st yet when a woman's heart is bold	X2
By so much more it can outmatch a man's	F
As all her strength is in extremity	X2
Sped like a shaft that stops but in a wound	X2
Though but a woman thou hast cause to fear	T2
And fear me most because I stand alone ''	-
She called undaunted yet her heart despaired	X2
When quickly came Harmothoe and thrust	X2
A second javelin in her hand at which	O3
Achilles frowned Bold art thou overbold	X2
And surely as high Zeus on Ida sits	F
And watches now I swear none braver moves	F
In this day's battle nay alone of all	P3
Worthy my strife Be wise venture not more ''	-
He spoke reluctant But without a word	X2
She moving in his path until she backed	X2
The low sun where he faced it full upraised	X2
The spear and cast at him with all her force	F
Then taken half at unawares he swerved	X2
On the left shoulder near the neck above	O4
The great shield's rim it smote and grazed the flesh	O3
So that the blood sprang like winged Victory	X2
The Amazon flushed bright a hundred throats	F
Broke into one loud cry and the Greeks clutched	X2
Their swords as that exulting murmur ran	K3
Trembling and echoing o'er the plain to Troy	D2
There was such pause as when the ear waits thunder	S
Achilles' face was dark yet lightning lit	X2
And all the ruthless eagle in his soul	P3
Called instant for her death yet she was fair	Y2
Young and a woman and surpassing fair	Y2
But she had shamed him as an eagle beats	F
Towering against the mastery of a storm	R2
That blows him o'er a tossed lake backward then	K3
Upon a lull swoops forward so his wrath	I
Leapt conquering on a sudden and the spear	T2
Flamed from his hurling hand she saw it come	M2
She raised her shield but through the shield it crashed	X2
Under the arm through the tough panther skin	K3
And plates of iron in her side it pierced	X2
And bore her down imperially she fell	P3
Without a cry sank on lost feet nor heard	X2
Achilles' dread voice Art thou satisfied	X2
Penthesilea '' but the heavy shield	X2
Rang on her fallen the helmet rolled in dust	X2
From her proud head and the long loosened hair	Y2
Tossed one tress richly over throat and bosom	M2
Shuddering strongly up from where the blood	X2
Welled dark about the spear forced deep within	K3
And sudden as a torch plunged in a pool	P3
Her face lay dead pale with the eyes quite closed	X2
	-
Some moments held still as deep snow is still	P3
The hearts of either watching throng for whom	R3
There seemed a glory fallen from the world	X2
Where she lay fallen stirred not spear and shield	X2
Were silent then among the Danaans woke	W3
A cruel exultation as they saw	F
The Trojan faces and one cast a spear	T2
At random harsh the shouts of battle rose	F
	-
But still Achilles stood where he had hurled	X2
Filled with besieging thoughts that in his brain	K3
Like thunder broke he heard the cry and clang	X4
Renewing and faced back upon his Greeks	F
Staying them sternly wrath was in his soul	P3
Wrath with those spirits despised and wrath with her	S
That had provoked him wrath that his right hand	X2
Abhorred its own act and deep wrath with heaven	K3
And fate so darkened inly like a storm	R2
He came and standing o'er the fallen queen	K3
Gazed on the shape his wound had marred a shape	N4
Where strength had into beauty thewed and strung	U4
Thighs of swift purpose deep bosom and loins	F
Largely imagined a God's dream such limbs	F
As in the forges of desire should mould	X2
Heroes oh never now to be So pale	P3
She lay a life that might have with him soared	X2
Abreast but all its world of hope a cup	H3
Quite spilled a splendour ravelled and undone	K3
By his own hand who now so darkly stirred	X2
Saw her eyes open on him full and strange
	-
Imperiously O thou shalt live '' he cried	X2
Flung his shield off with a fierce tenderness	F
Bending beside her to uplift the weight	X2
Of her resigning shoulder on his arm	T3
But faint she moaned I thirst '' Then at his call	P3
One ran to where a stream welled near a bush	O3
Hard by but quicker ran Harmothoe	I
And brought her helmet brimming which the queen	K3
Drank of a little though the bubbling cold	X2
Of her own mountain springs hardly had eased	X2
The growing anguish of the wound when now	K3
Among the Greeks murmur and strife arose	F
Where loud among the rest Thersites mocked	X2
See lords of Hellas see this prince you fame	U3
So high beyond us all and fawn upon	K3
His all contemptuous pride shows his true heart	X2
A fondler of soft women would he be	X2
A Paris Kills and weeps on those he kills	F
We should have left him in his proper robes	F
On Scyros hollow braggart that he is	F
What is this woman she should baulk our fray	X2
Let kites and dogs stay over her not we ''	-
But ere he ceased Achilles sprang on him	V2
Flaming Thou toad '' he cried and in an instant	X2
Seized with both furious hands and lifted him	V2
Towering and terrible above his head	X2
And as a lion flings a snarling hound	X2
Tossed him afar to fall with gnashing noise	F
Horribly biting the blood spattered earth	I
Spit thy slime there thou shalt not on a thing	Q2
Less vile than thine own soul '' Achilles cried	X2
And all the rest half wroth half shamed before	J
The domination of his burning eyes	F
Fell backward To the trench and to your huts ''	-
He called again Go for the night comes on	K3
You fight to day no more '' He shouted stern	K3
And one to another whispered in his fear	T2
The Gods have sent a madness on this man	K3
Stir not his fury '' So they all retired	X2
And on their side slowly the men of Troy	D2
Drew homeward but alone Achilles came	U3
Back to the Amazon propped on the knees	F
Of sad Harmothoe and darkling stood	X2
Over her where she cast her eyes around	X2
And knew the earth and heaven but saw them strange
Saw the stilled armies and far towers and light	X2
Upon the great clouds drooping sanguine plumes	F
On Ida from the zenith over Troy	D2
Where wept Andromache brief evening burned	X2
One solemn colour o'er a world at pause	F
Last she beheld Achilles in their eyes	F
Meeting the marvel of what might have been	K3
Was with that moment married as a touch	O3
On thrilling strings wakes from the eternal void	X2
Beauty unending but the excluded heart	X2
Heaves mutinous in pangs at the dear cost	X2
And pity to be mortal pangs more keen	K3
Pierced now Achilles gazing and in smart	X2
He cried Thou smilest '' for her countenance changed	X2
Eased out of anguish under falling calm
A lightening and release Now not on him	V2
Her dying eyes looked not on him who stood	X2
Meshed in the wrath of his own fiery deeds	F
Passionate yet transfixed as if the power	S
Of some Immortal had made vain his might	X2
And helpless his victorious hands her head	X2
Sank and her liberated spirit where	Y2
He might not follow was already flown	K3

Robert Laurence Binyon

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