HEREDITARY FRIENDSHIP

From “The Iliad”, Book VI

Now paused the battle (godlike Hector gone),
Where darin Glaucus and great Tydeus’ son
Between both armies met: the chiefs from far
Observed each other, and had marked for war
Near as they drew, Tydides thus began:
“What art thou, boldest of the race of man?
Our eyes till now that aspect never beheld?

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I brave not heaven: but if the fruits of earth
Sustain thy life, and human be thy birth,
Bold as thou art, too prodigal of breath,
Approach, and enter the dark gates of death.”
“What, or form whence I am, or who my sire
(Replied the chief), can Tydeus’ son inquire?

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A city stands on Argos’ utmost bound
(Argos the fair, for warlike steeds renowned),
Æolian Sisyphus, with wisdom blessed,
In ancient time the happy wall possessed,
Then called Ephyre: Glaucus was his son;
Great Glaucus, father of Bellerophon,
Who over the sons of men in beauty shined,
Loved for that valor which preserves mankind.

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[Here Glaucus proclaims the valorous deeds of his grandfather, Bellerophon, and his happy marriage, “with two brave sons and one fair daughter blessed.”]

But when at last, distracted in his mind,
Forsook by heaven, forsaking humankind,
Wide over the Aleian field he choose to stray,
A long, forlon, uncomfortable way!
Woes heaped on woes consumed his wasted heart:
His beauteous daughter fell by Phœbe’s dart;
His eldest born by raging Mars was slain,
In combat on the Solymæan plain.
Hippolochus survived: from him I came,
The honored author of my birth and name;
By his decree I sought the Trojan town;
By his instructions learn to win renown,
To stand the first in worth as in command,
To add new honors to my native land,
Before my eyes my mighty sires to place,
And emulate the glories of our race.”
He spoke, and transport filled Tydides’ heart;
In earth the generous warrior fixed his dart,
Then friendly, thus the Lycian prince addressed:
“Welcome, my brave hereditary guest1
Thus eer let us meet, with kind embrace,
Nor stain the sacred friendship of our race.
Know, chief, our grandsires have been guests of old;
Œneus the strong, Bellerophon the bold:
Our ancient seat his honored presence graced,
Where twenty days in genial rites he passed.
The parting heroes mutual presents left;
A golden goblet was thy grandsire’s gift;
Œneus a belt of matchless work bestowed,
That rich with Tyrian dye refulgent glowed.

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Mindful of this, in friendship let us join;
If heaven our steps to foreign land incline,
My guests in Argos thou, and I in Lycia thine.
Enough of Trojans to this lance shall yield,
In the full harvest of yon ample field;
Enough of Greeks shall dye thy spear with gore;
But thou and Diomed be foes no more.
Now change we arms, and prove to either host
We guard the friendship of the line we boast.”
Thus having said, the gallant chiefs alight,
Their hands they join, their mutual faith they light.

HOMER
(Translation of Alexander Pope).