The lover of poetry will not be a little gratified, when he contemplates the variety of epithets, the imperfect idea, the gradual embellishment, and the critical rasures which are here discovered.[[27]] The action of Hector, in lifting his infant in his arms, occasioned Pope much trouble; and at length the printed copy has a different reading.
I must not omit noticing, that the whole is on the back of a letter franked by Addison; which cover I have given at one corner of the plate.
The parts distinguished by Italics were rejected.
Thus having spoke, the illustrious chief of Troy
Extends his eager arms to embrace his boy,
lovely
Stretched his fond arms to seize the beauteous boy;
babe
The boy clung crying to his nurse's breast,
Scar'd at the dazzling helm and nodding crest.
each kind
With silent pleasure the fond parent smil'd,
And Hector hasten'd to relieve his child.
The glittering terrors unbound,
His radiant helmet from his brows unbrac'd,
on the ground, he
And on the ground the glittering terror plac'd,
beamy
And placed the radiant helmet on the ground,
Then seized the boy and raising him in air,
lifting
Then fondling in his arms his infant heir,
dancing
Thus to the gods addrest a father's prayer.
glory fills
O thou, whose thunder shakes th' ethereal throne,
deathless
And all ye other powers protect my son!
Like mine, this war, blooming youth with every virtue blest,
grace
The shield and glory of the Trojan race;
Like mine his valour, and his just renown.
Like mine his labours, to defend the crown.
Grant him, like me, to purchase just renown,
the Trojans
To guard my country, to defend the crown:
In arms like me, his country's war to wage,
And rise the Hector of the future age!
Against his country's foes the war to wage,
And rise the Hector of the future age!
successful
So when triumphant from the glorious toils
Of heroes slain, he bears the reeking spoils,
Whole hosts may
All Troy shall hail him, with deserv'd acclaim,
own the son
And cry, this chief transcends his father's fame.
While pleas'd, amidst the general shouts of Troy,
His mother's conscious heart o'erflows with joy.
fondly on her
He said, and gazing o'er his consort's charms,
Restor'd his infant to her longing arms.
on
Soft in her fragrant breast the babe she laid,
Prest to her heart, and with a smile survey'd;
to repose
Hush'd him to rest, and with a smile survey'd.
passion
But soon the troubled pleasure mixt with rising fears,
dash'd with fear,
The tender pleasure soon, chastised by fear,
She mingled with the smile a tender tear.
The passage appears thus in the printed work. I have marked in Italics the variations.
Thus having spoke, the illustrious chief of Troy
Stretch'd his fond arms to clasp the lovely boy.
The babe clung crying to his nurse's breast,
Scar'd at the dazzling helm and nodding crest.
With secret[[28]] pleasure each fond parent smil'd,
And Hector hasted to relieve his child,
The glittering terrors from his brows unbound,
And placed the beaming helmet on the ground:
Then kiss'd the child, and lifting high in air,
Thus to the gods preferr'd a father's prayer:
O thou, whose glory fills th' ethereal throne,
And all ye deathless powers, protect my son!
Grant him like me to purchase just renown,
To guard the Trojans, to defend the crown;
Against his country's foes the war to wage,
And rise the Hector of the future age!
So when, triumphant from successful toils,
Of heroes slain he bears the reeking spoils,
Whole hosts may hail him, with deserv'd acclaim,
And say, this chief transcends his father's fame:
While pleas'd amidst the general shouts of Troy,
His mother's conscious heart o'erflows with joy.
He spoke, and fondly gazing on her charms,
Restor'd the pleasing burden to her arms:
Soft on her fragrant breast the babe she laid,
Hush'd to repose, and with a smile survey'd.
The troubled pleasure soon chastis'd by fear,
She mingled with the smile a tender tear.