Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Winged Words Of Ancient Archers.—Part Iv.
dinary in the author of the Odyssey describing his hero as shooting through a certain number of steel or brass targets , in the shape of thin axes , or hatchets , planted pretty close to one another , we will suppose , for no specific distance is particularized ? If we reckon each blade of tbe twelve axes at one quarter of an inch in thickness at the point pierced , we shall , of course , have an aggregate of three inches altogether . And surely either practically or poeticallytbe force of the godlike Ulysses
, may be allowed to effect such a feat ; and that such was the impression meant to have been conveyed by the bard we are bound in all classic fealty to believe . To have threaded a ring or a certain number of rings was no such very wonderful performance ; for that we would have backed any of the suitors to have done if they had had power to have bent the stubborn bow : but to have shot sheer through a dozen of axes ( possibly , for
what we know , each half an inch thick ) , was an exploit more worthy of the arm of Ulysses , and which probably none but he could perform . It is not unlikely , indeed , that the game or sport was one of his own invention , and practiced by none but himself . Telemachus had never seen it before ; and though but an infant when Ulysses left home for Troy , he must have seen it practised sometime during his minority , had it been known or common to the princes or people of Ithaca . Neither
do any of the suitors seem to have been in the least familiar with itand among them were experienced warriors from different quarters . The game , then , it may be inferred , was invented by Ulysses , ( some captious critic may here say—by Homer . ) But let us pass to tbe issue of the contest—for to pause in contemplation of the many interesting passages of the " Bending of the Bow " would take up a " quarterly" entire . Telemachus has dug a trench or
furrow to insert the ends of the axes therein ; the bright blades are gleaming in a line parallel to each other ' s surfaces ; and all ( but the young Telemachus ) have proved themselves utterly unable to bend the stubborn boms . Ulysses now takes his turn , despite of the opposition and taunts of the suitors .
" So they ; but when the wary hero wise Had made his hand familiar with the bow , Poising it and examining—at once , — As when in harp and song adept , a bard Strings a new lyre , extending first the chords , He knits them to tlie frame at cither end Willi prompted ease—with such Ulysses strung His own huge bow , and witli his right hand trilled The nerve , whieli in its quick vibration sang As with a swallow's voice . He seized a shaftwhich at the table ' s side
, Lay ready drawn ; but in his quiver ' s womb The rest yet slept , though destined soon to steep Their points in Grecian blood . He lodged the reed Full on the bowstring , drew the parted head Home to his breast , and aiming as he sat At once dismissed it . "
Where flew that shaft ? not through any rings , for none were visible , but" Straight through every axe It sped , perforating from first to last , Nor slacked its forceful course , till the huge gate Resounded , by the polished point transtixt . " Well might Ulysses , yet redolent of youthful vigour , exclaim , ? iri pot ptVOS UpTVliftoV CtTTll / . TOXOTES .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Winged Words Of Ancient Archers.—Part Iv.
dinary in the author of the Odyssey describing his hero as shooting through a certain number of steel or brass targets , in the shape of thin axes , or hatchets , planted pretty close to one another , we will suppose , for no specific distance is particularized ? If we reckon each blade of tbe twelve axes at one quarter of an inch in thickness at the point pierced , we shall , of course , have an aggregate of three inches altogether . And surely either practically or poeticallytbe force of the godlike Ulysses
, may be allowed to effect such a feat ; and that such was the impression meant to have been conveyed by the bard we are bound in all classic fealty to believe . To have threaded a ring or a certain number of rings was no such very wonderful performance ; for that we would have backed any of the suitors to have done if they had had power to have bent the stubborn bow : but to have shot sheer through a dozen of axes ( possibly , for
what we know , each half an inch thick ) , was an exploit more worthy of the arm of Ulysses , and which probably none but he could perform . It is not unlikely , indeed , that the game or sport was one of his own invention , and practiced by none but himself . Telemachus had never seen it before ; and though but an infant when Ulysses left home for Troy , he must have seen it practised sometime during his minority , had it been known or common to the princes or people of Ithaca . Neither
do any of the suitors seem to have been in the least familiar with itand among them were experienced warriors from different quarters . The game , then , it may be inferred , was invented by Ulysses , ( some captious critic may here say—by Homer . ) But let us pass to tbe issue of the contest—for to pause in contemplation of the many interesting passages of the " Bending of the Bow " would take up a " quarterly" entire . Telemachus has dug a trench or
furrow to insert the ends of the axes therein ; the bright blades are gleaming in a line parallel to each other ' s surfaces ; and all ( but the young Telemachus ) have proved themselves utterly unable to bend the stubborn boms . Ulysses now takes his turn , despite of the opposition and taunts of the suitors .
" So they ; but when the wary hero wise Had made his hand familiar with the bow , Poising it and examining—at once , — As when in harp and song adept , a bard Strings a new lyre , extending first the chords , He knits them to tlie frame at cither end Willi prompted ease—with such Ulysses strung His own huge bow , and witli his right hand trilled The nerve , whieli in its quick vibration sang As with a swallow's voice . He seized a shaftwhich at the table ' s side
, Lay ready drawn ; but in his quiver ' s womb The rest yet slept , though destined soon to steep Their points in Grecian blood . He lodged the reed Full on the bowstring , drew the parted head Home to his breast , and aiming as he sat At once dismissed it . "
Where flew that shaft ? not through any rings , for none were visible , but" Straight through every axe It sped , perforating from first to last , Nor slacked its forceful course , till the huge gate Resounded , by the polished point transtixt . " Well might Ulysses , yet redolent of youthful vigour , exclaim , ? iri pot ptVOS UpTVliftoV CtTTll / . TOXOTES .