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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16452-0.txt b/16452-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6814915 --- /dev/null +++ b/16452-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,23377 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Iliad, by Homer + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: The Iliad + Translated into English Blank Verse + +Author: Homer + +Translator: William Cowper + +Release Date: August 5, 2005 [eBook #16452] +[Most recently updated: September 4, 2021] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: Ted Garvin, Melissa Er-Raqabi, Fred Robinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ILIAD *** + + + + +There are several editions of this ebook in the Project Gutenberg +collection. Various characteristics of each ebook are listed to aid in +selecting the preferred file. Click on any of the filenumbers below to +quickly view each ebook. + +22382 (With 800 linked footnotes, No illustrations) +16452 (In blank verse, Many footnotes.) +2199 (No footnotes or illustrations) +6130 (Many line drawings, and 300 footnotes) +3059 +6150 + + + + +THE +ILIAD OF HOMER, + +TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BLANK VERSE +BY WILLIAM COWPER. + +Zeus (Jupiter), seated upon an eagle + +EDITED BY ROBERT SOUTHEY. LL.D. + + +WITH NOTES, +BY M.A. DWIGHT, +AUTHOR OF “GRECIAN AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY.” + + +NEW-YORK: +D. APPLETON & CO., 346 & 348 BROADWAY. +M.DCCC.LX. + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, + +By M.A. DWIGHT, + +in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Southern District +of New York. + + +TO THE +RIGHT HONORABLE +EARL COWPER, +THIS +TRANSLATION OF THE ILIAD, +THE INSCRIPTION OF WHICH TO HIMSELF, +THE LATE LAMENTED EARL, +BENEVOLENT TO ALL, +AND ESPECIALLY KIND TO THE AUTHOR, +HAD NOT DISDAINED TO ACCEPT +IS HUMBLY OFFERED, +AS A SMALL BUT GRATEFUL TRIBUTE, +TO THE MEMORY OF HIS FATHER, +BY HIS LORDSHIP’S +AFFECTIONATE KINSMAN AND SERVANT + +WILLIAM COWPER. +_June 4, 1791._ + + + + +PREFACE. + +Whether a translation of Homer may be best executed in blank verse or +in rhyme, is a question in the decision of which no man can find +difficulty, who has ever duly considered what translation ought to be, +or who is in any degree practically acquainted with those very +different kinds of versification. I will venture to assert that a just +translation of any ancient poet in rhyme, is impossible. No human +ingenuity can be equal to the task of closing every couplet with sounds +homotonous, expressing at the same time the full sense, and only the +full sense of his original. The translator’s ingenuity, indeed, in this +case becomes itself a snare, and the readier he is at invention and +expedient, the more likely he is to be betrayed into the widest +departures from the guide whom he professes to follow. Hence it has +happened, that although the public have long been in possession of an +English Homer by a poet whose writings have done immortal honor to his +country, the demand of a new one, and especially in blank verse, has +been repeatedly and loudly made by some of the best judges and ablest +writers of the present day. + +I have no contest with my predecessor. None is supposable between +performers on different instruments. Mr. Pope has surmounted all +difficulties in his version of Homer that it was possible to surmount +in rhyme. But he was fettered, and his fetters were his choice. +Accustomed always to rhyme, he had formed to himself an ear which +probably could not be much gratified by verse that wanted it, and +determined to encounter even impossibilities, rather than abandon a +mode of writing in which he had excelled every body, for the sake of +another to which, unexercised in it as he was, he must have felt strong +objections. + +I number myself among the warmest admirers of Mr. Pope as an original +writer, and I allow him all the merit he can justly claim as the +translator of this chief of poets. He has given us the _Tale of Troy +divine_ in smooth verse, generally in correct and elegant language, and +in diction often highly poetical. But his deviations are so many, +occasioned chiefly by the cause already mentioned, that, much as he has +done, and valuable as his work is on some accounts, it was yet in the +humble province of a translator that I thought it possible even for me +to fellow him with some advantage. + +That he has sometimes altogether suppressed the sense of his author, +and has not seldom intermingled his own ideas with it, is a remark +which, on this occasion, nothing but necessity should have extorted +from me. But we differ sometimes so widely in our matter, that unless +this remark, invidious as it seems, be premised, I know not how to +obviate a suspicion, on the one hand, of careless oversight, or of +factitious embellishment on the other. On this head, therefore, the +English reader is to be admonished, that the matter found in me, +whether he like it or not, is found also in Homer, and that the matter +not found in me, how much soever he may admire it, is found only in Mr. +Pope. I have omitted nothing; I have invented nothing. + +There is indisputably a wide difference between the case of an original +writer in rhyme and a translator. In an original work the author is +free; if the rhyme be of difficult attainment, and he cannot find it in +one direction, he is at liberty to seek it in another; the matter that +will not accommodate itself to his occasions he may discard, adopting +such as will. But in a translation no such option is allowable; the +sense of the author is required, and we do not surrender it willingly +even to the plea of necessity. Fidelity is indeed of the very essence +of translation, and the term itself implies it. For which reason, if we +suppress the sense of our original, and force into its place our own, +we may call our work an _imitation_, if we please, or perhaps a +_paraphrase_, but it is no longer the same author only in a different +dress, and therefore it is not translation. Should a painter, +professing to draw the likeness of a beautiful woman, give her more or +fewer features than belong to her, and a general cast of countenance of +his own invention, he might be said to have produced a _jeu d’esprit_, +a curiosity perhaps in its way, but by no means the lady in question. + +It will however be necessary to speak a little more largely to this +subject, on which discordant opinions prevail even among good judges. + +The free and the close translation have, each, their advocates. But +inconveniences belong to both. The former can hardly be true to the +original author’s style and manner, and the latter is apt to be +servile. The one loses his peculiarities, and the other his spirit. +Were it possible, therefore, to find an exact medium, a manner so close +that it should let slip nothing of the text, nor mingle any thing +extraneous with it, and at the same time so free as to have an air of +originality, this seems precisely the mode in which an author might be +best rendered. I can assure my readers from my own experience, that to +discover this very delicate line is difficult, and to proceed by it +when found, through the whole length of a poet voluminous as Homer, +nearly impossible. I can only pretend to have endeavored it. + +It is an opinion commonly received, but, like many others, indebted for +its prevalence to mere want of examination, that a translator should +imagine to himself the style which his author would probably have used, +had the language into which he is rendered been his own. A direction +which wants nothing but practicability to recommend it. For suppose six +persons, equally qualified for the task, employed to translate the same +Ancient into their own language, with this rule to guide them. In the +event it would be found, that each had fallen on a manner different +from that of all the rest, and by probable inference it would follow +that none had fallen on the right. On the whole, therefore, as has been +said, the translation which partakes equally of fidelity and +liberality, that is close, but not so close as to be servile, free, but +not so free as to be licentious, promises fairest; and my ambition will +be sufficiently gratified, if such of my readers as are able, and will +take the pains to compare me in this respect with Homer, shall judge +that I have in any measure attained a point so difficult. + +As to energy and harmony, two grand requisites in a translation of this +most energetic and most harmonious of all poets, it is neither my +purpose nor my wish, should I be found deficient in either, or in both, +to shelter myself under an unfilial imputation of blame to my +mother-tongue. Our language is indeed less musical than the Greek, and +there is no language with which I am at all acquainted that is not. But +it is musical enough for the purposes of melodious verse, and if it +seem to fail, on whatsoever occasion, in energy, the blame is due, not +to itself, but to the unskilful manager of it. For so long as Milton’s +works, whether his prose or his verse, shall exist, so long there will +be abundant proof that no subject, however important, however sublime, +can demand greater force of expression than is within the compass of +the English language. + +I have no fear of judges familiar with original Homer. They need not be +told that a translation of him is an arduous enterprise, and as such, +entitled to some favor. From these, therefore, I shall expect, and +shall not be disappointed, considerable candor and allowance. +Especially _they_ will be candid, and I believe that there are many +such, who have occasionally tried their own strength in this _bow of +Ulysses_. They have not found it supple and pliable, and with me are +perhaps ready to acknowledge that they could not always even approach +with it the mark of their ambition. But I would willingly, were it +possible, obviate uncandid criticism, because to answer it is lost +labor, and to receive it in silence has the appearance of stately +reserve, and self-importance. + +To those, therefore, who shall be inclined to tell me hereafter that my +diction is often plain and unelevated, I reply beforehand that I know +it,—that it would be absurd were it otherwise, and that Homer himself +stands in the same predicament. In fact, it is one of his numberless +excellences, and a point in which his judgment never fails him, that he +is grand and lofty always in the right place, and knows infallibly how +to rise and fall with his subject. _Big words on small matters_ may +serve as a pretty exact definition of the burlesque; an instance of +which they will find in the Battle of the Frogs and Mice, but none in +the Iliad. + +By others I expect to be told that my numbers, though here and there +tolerably smooth, are not always such, but have, now and then, an ugly +hitch in their gait, ungraceful in itself, and inconvenient to the +reader. To this charge also I plead guilty, but beg leave in +alleviation of judgment to add, that my limping lines are not numerous, +compared with those that limp not. The truth is, that not one of them +all escaped me, but, such as they are, they were all made such with a +wilful intention. In poems of great length there is no blemish more to +be feared than sameness of numbers, and every art is useful by which it +may be avoided. A line, rough in itself, has yet its recommendations; +it saves the ear the pain of an irksome monotony, and seems even to add +greater smoothness to others. Milton, whose ear and taste were +exquisite, has exemplified in his Paradise Lost the effect of this +practice frequently. + +Having mentioned Milton, I cannot but add an observation on the +similitude of his manner to that of Homer. It is such, that no person +familiar with both, can read either without being reminded of the +other; and it is in those breaks and pauses, to which the numbers of +the English poet are so much indebted both for their dignity and +variety, that he chiefly copies the Grecian. But these are graces to +which rhyme is not competent; so broken, it loses all its music; of +which any person may convince himself by reading a page only of any of +our poets anterior to Denham, Waller, and Dryden. A translator of +Homer, therefore, seems directed by Homer himself to the use of blank +verse, as to that alone in which he can be rendered with any tolerable +representation of his manner in this particular. A remark which I am +naturally led to make by a desire to conciliate, if possible, some, +who, rather unreasonably partial to rhyme, demand it on all occasions, +and seem persuaded that poetry in our language is a vain attempt +without it. Verse, that claims to be verse in right of its metre only, +they judge to be such rather by courtesy than by kind, on an +apprehension that it costs the writer little trouble, that he has only +to give his lines their prescribed number of syllables, and so far as +the mechanical part is concerned, all is well. Were this true, they +would have reason on their side; for the author is certainly best +entitled to applause who succeeds against the greatest difficulty, and +in verse that calls for the most artificial management in its +construction. But the case is not as they suppose. To rhyme, in our +language, demands no great exertion of ingenuity, but is always easy to +a person exercised in the practice. Witness the multitudes who rhyme, +but have no other poetical pretensions. Let it be considered too, how +merciful we are apt to be to unclassical and indifferent language for +the sake of rhyme, and we shall soon see that the labor lies +principally on the other side. Many ornaments of no easy purchase are +required to atone for the absence of this single recommendation. It is +not sufficient that the lines of blank verse be smooth in themselves, +they must also be harmonious in the combination. Whereas the chief +concern of the rhymist is to beware that his couplets and his sense be +commensurate, lest the regularity of his numbers should be (too +frequently at least) interrupted. A trivial difficulty this, compared +with those which attend the poet unaccompanied by his bells. He, in +order that he may be musical, must exhibit all the variations, as he +proceeds, of which ten syllables are susceptible; between the first +syllable and the last there is no place at which he must not +occasionally pause, and the place of the pause must be perpetually +shifted. To effect this variety, his attention must be given, at one +and the same time, to the pauses he has already made in the period +before him, as well as to that which he is about to make, and to those +which shall succeed it. On no lighter terms than these is it possible +that blank verse can be written which will not, in the course of a long +work, fatigue the ear past all endurance. If it be easier, therefore, +to throw five balls into the air and to catch them in succession, than +to sport in that manner with one only, then may blank verse be more +easily fabricated than rhyme. And if to these labors we add others +equally requisite, a style in general more elaborate than rhyme +requires, farther removed from the vernacular idiom both in the +language itself and in the arrangement of it, we shall not long doubt +which of these two very different species of verse threatens the +composer with most expense of study and contrivance. I feel it +unpleasant to appeal to my own experience, but, having no other voucher +at hand, am constrained to it. As I affirm, so I have found. I have +dealt pretty largely in both kinds, and have frequently written more +verses in a day, with tags, than I could ever write without them. To +what has been here said (which whether it have been said by others or +not, I cannot tell, having never read any modern book on the subject) I +shall only add, that to be poetical without rhyme, is an argument of a +sound and classical constitution in any language. + +A word or two on the subject of the following translation, and I have +done. + +My chief boast is that I have adhered closely to my original, convinced +that every departure from him would be punished with the forfeiture of +some grace or beauty for which I could substitute no equivalent. The +epithets that would consent to an English form I have preserved as +epithets; others that would not, I have melted into the context. There +are none, I believe, which I have not translated in one way or other, +though the reader will not find them repeated so often as most of them +are in Homer, for a reason that need not be mentioned. + +Few persons of any consideration are introduced either in the Iliad or +Odyssey by their own name only, but their patronymic is given also. To +this ceremonial I have generally attended, because it is a circumstance +of my author’s manner. + +Homer never allots less than a whole line to the introduction of a +speaker. No, not even when the speech itself is no longer than the line +that leads it. A practice to which, since he never departs from it, he +must have been determined by some cogent reason. He probably deemed it +a formality necessary to the majesty of his narration. In this article, +therefore, I have scrupulously adhered to my pattern, considering these +introductory lines as heralds in a procession; important persons, +because employed to usher in persons more important than themselves. + +It has been my point every where to be as little verbose as possible, +though; at the same time, my constant determination not to sacrifice my +author’s full meaning to an affected brevity. + +In the affair of style, I have endeavored neither to creep nor to +bluster, for no author is so likely to betray his translator into both +these faults, as Homer, though himself never guilty of either. I have +cautiously avoided all terms of new invention, with an abundance of +which, persons of more ingenuity than judgment have not enriched our +language, but incumbered it. I have also every where used an +unabbreviated fullness of phrase as most suited to the nature of the +work, and, above all, have studied perspicuity, not only because verse +is good for little that wants it, but because Homer is the most +perspicuous of all poets. + +In all difficult places I have consulted the best commentators, and +where they have differed, or have given, as is often the case, a +variety of solutions, I have ever exercised my best judgment, and +selected that which appears, at least to myself, the most probable +interpretation. On this ground, and on account of the fidelity which I +have already boasted, I may venture, I believe, to recommend my work as +promising some usefulness to young students of the original. + +The passages which will be least noticed, and possibly not at all, +except by those who shall wish to find me at a fault, are those which +have cost me abundantly the most labor. It is difficult to kill a sheep +with dignity in a modern language, to flay and to prepare it for the +table, detailing every circumstance of the process. Difficult also, +without sinking below the level of poetry, to harness mules to a wagon, +particularizing every article of their furniture, straps, rings, +staples, and even the tying of the knots that kept all together. Homer, +who writes always to the eye, with all his sublimity and grandeur, has +the minuteness of a Flemish painter. + +But in what degree I have succeeded in my version either of these +passages, and such as these, or of others more buoyant and +above-ground, and especially of the most sublime, is now submitted to +the decision of the reader, to whom I am ready enough to confess that I +have not at all consulted their approbation, who account nothing grand +that is not turgid, or elegant that is not bedizened with metaphor. + +I purposely decline all declamation on the merits of Homer, because a +translator’s praises of his author are liable to a suspicion of dotage, +and because it were impossible to improve on those which this author +has received already. He has been the wonder of all countries that his +works have ever reached, even deified by the greatest names of +antiquity, and in some places actually worshipped. And to say truth, +were it possible that mere man could entitle himself by pre-eminence of +any kind to divine honors, Homer’s astonishing powers seem to have +given him the best pretensions. + +I cannot conclude without due acknowledgments to the best critic in +Homer I have ever met with, the learned and ingenious Mr. Fuseli. +Unknown as he was to me when I entered on this arduous undertaking +(indeed to this moment I have never seen him) he yet voluntarily and +generously offered himself as my revisor. To his classical taste and +just discernment I have been indebted for the discovery of many +blemishes in my own work, and of beauties, which would otherwise have +escaped me, in the original. But his necessary avocations would not +suffer him to accompany me farther than to the latter books of the +Iliad, a circumstance which I fear my readers, as well as myself, will +regret with too much reason.[1] + +I have obligations likewise to many friends, whose names, were it +proper to mention them here, would do me great honor. They have +encouraged me by their approbation, have assisted me with valuable +books, and have eased me of almost the whole labor of transcribing. + +And now I have only to regret that my pleasant work is ended. To the +illustrious Greek I owe the smooth and easy flight of many thousand +hours. He has been my companion at home and abroad, in the study, in +the garden, and in the field; and no measure of success, let my labors +succeed as they may, will ever compensate to me the loss of the +innocent luxury that I have enjoyed, as a translator of Homer. + +Footnote: + +Some of the few notes subjoined to my translation of the Odyssey are by +Mr. Fuseli, who had a short opportunity to peruse the MSS. while the +Iliad was printing. They are marked with his initial. + + + + +PREFACE + + +PREPARED BY MR. COWPER, +FOR A +SECOND EDITION. + +Soon after my publication of this work, I began to prepare it for a +second edition, by an accurate revisal of the first. It seemed to me, +that here and there, perhaps a slight alteration might satisfy the +demands of some, whom I was desirous to please; and I comforted myself +with the reflection, that if I still failed to conciliate all, I should +yet have no cause to account myself in a singular degree unfortunate. +To please an unqualified judge, an author must sacrifice too much; and +the attempt to please an uncandid one were altogether hopeless. In one +or other of these classes may be ranged all such objectors, as would +deprive blank verse of one of its principal advantages, the variety of +its pauses; together with all such as deny the good effect, on the +whole, of a line, now and then, less harmonious than its fellows. + +With respect to the pauses, it has been affirmed with an unaccountable +rashness, that Homer himself has given me an example of verse without +them. Had this been true, it would by no means have concluded against +the use of them in an English version of Homer; because, in one +language, and in one species of metre, that may be musical, which in +another would be found disgusting. But the assertion is totally +unfounded. The pauses in Homer’s verse are so frequent and various, +that to name another poet, if pauses are a fault, more faulty than he, +were, perhaps, impossible. It may even be questioned, if a single +passage of ten lines flowing with uninterrupted smoothness could be +singled out from all the thousands that he has left us. He frequently +pauses at the first word of the line, when it consists of three or more +syllables; not seldom when of two; and sometimes even when of one only. +In this practice he was followed, as was observed in my Preface to the +first edition, by the Author of the Paradise Lost. An example +inimitable indeed, but which no writer of English heroic verse without +rhyme can neglect with impunity. + +Similar to this is the objection which proscribes absolutely the +occasional use of a line irregularly constructed. When Horace censured +Lucilius for his lines _incomposite pede currentes_, he did not mean to +say, that he was chargeable with such in some instances, or even in +many, for then the censure would have been equally applicable to +himself; but he designed by that expression to characterize all his +writings. The censure therefore was just; Lucilius wrote at a time when +the Roman verse had not yet received its polish, and instead of +introducing artfully his rugged lines, and to serve a particular +purpose, had probably seldom, and never but by accident, composed a +smooth one. Such has been the versification of the earliest poets in +every country. Children lisp, at first, and stammer; but, in time, +their speech becomes fluent, and, if they are well taught, harmonious. + +Homer himself is not invariably regular in the construction of his +verse. Had he been so, Eustathius, an excellent critic and warm admirer +of Homer, had never affirmed, that some of his lines want a head, some +a tail, and others a middle. Some begin with a word that is neither +dactyl nor spondee, some conclude with a dactyl, and in the +intermediate part he sometimes deviates equally from the established +custom. I confess that instances of this sort are rare; but they are +surely, though few, sufficient to warrant a sparing use of similar +license in the present day. + +Unwilling, however, to seem obstinate in both these particulars, I +conformed myself in some measure to these objections, though +unconvinced myself of their propriety. Several of the rudest and most +unshapely lines I composed anew; and several of the pauses least in use +I displaced for the sake of an easier enunciation.—And this was the +state of the work after the revisal given it about seven years since. + +Between that revisal and the present a considerable time intervened, +and the effect of long discontinuance was, that I became more +dissatisfied with it myself, than the most difficult to be pleased of +all my judges. Not for the sake of a few uneven lines or unwonted +pauses, but for reasons far more substantial. The diction seemed to me +in many passages either not sufficiently elevated, or deficient in the +grace of ease, and in others I found the sense of the original either +not adequately expressed or misapprehended. Many elisions still +remained unsoftened; the compound epithets I found not always happily +combined, and the same sometimes too frequently repeated. + +There is no end of passages in Homer, which must creep unless they are +lifted; yet in such, all embellishment is out of the question. The hero +puts on his clothes, or refreshes himself with food and wine, or he +yokes his steed, takes a journey, and in the evening preparation is +made for his repose. To give relief to subjects prosaic as these +without seeming unreasonably tumid is extremely difficult. Mr. Pope +much abridges some of them, and others he omits; but neither of these +liberties was compatible with the nature of my undertaking. These, +therefore, and many similar to these, have been new-modeled; somewhat +to their advantage I hope, but not even now entirely to my +satisfaction. The lines have a more natural movement, the pauses are +fewer and less stately, the expression as easy as I could make it +without meanness, and these were all the improvements that I could give +them. + +The elisions, I believe, are all cured, with only one exception. An +alternative proposes itself to a modern versifier, from which there is +no escape, which occurs perpetually, and which, choose as he may, +presents him always with an evil. I mean in the instance of the +particle (_the_). When this particle precedes a vowel, shall he melt it +into the substantive, or leave the _hiatus_ open? Both practices are +offensive to a delicate ear. The particle absorbed occasions harshness, +and the open vowel a vacuity equally inconvenient. Sometimes, +therefore, to leave it open, and sometimes to ingraft it into its +adjunct seems most advisable; this course Mr. Pope has taken, whose +authority recommended it to me; though of the two evils I have most +frequently chosen the elision as the least. + +Compound epithets have obtained so long in the poetical language of our +country, that I employed them without fear or scruple. To have +abstained from them in a blank verse translation of Homer, who abounds +with them, and from whom our poets probably first adopted them, would +have been strange indeed. But though the genius of our language favors +the formation of such words almost as much as that of the Greek, it +happens sometimes, that a Grecian compound either cannot be rendered in +English at all, or, at best, but awkwardly. For this reason, and +because I found that some readers much disliked them, I have expunged +many; retaining, according to my best judgment, the most eligible only, +and making less frequent the repetitions even of these. + +I know not that I can add any thing material on the subject of this +last revisal, unless it be proper to give the reason why the Iliad, +though greatly altered, has undergone much fewer alterations than the +Odyssey. The true reason I believe is this. The Iliad demanded my +utmost possible exertions; it seemed to meet me like an ascent almost +perpendicular, which could not be surmounted at less cost than of all +the labor that I could bestow on it. The Odyssey on the contrary seemed +to resemble an open and level country, through which I might travel at +my ease. The latter, therefore, betrayed me into some negligence, +which, though little conscious of it at the time, on an accurate +search, I found had left many disagreeable effects behind it. + +I now leave the work to its fate. Another may labor hereafter in an +attempt of the same kind with more success; but more industriously, I +believe, none ever will. + + + + +PREFACE + + +BY +J. JOHNSON, LL.B. +CHAPLAIN TO THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH. + +I have no other pretensions to the honorable name of Editor on this +occasion, than as a faithful transcriber of the Manuscript, and a +diligent corrector of the Press, which are, doubtless, two of the very +humblest employments in that most extensive province. I have wanted the +ability to attempt any thing higher; and, fortunately for the reader, I +have also wanted the presumption. What, however, I can do, I will. +Instead of critical remark, I will furnish him with anecdote. He shall +trace from beginning to end the progress of the following work; and in +proportion as I have the happiness to engage his attention, I shall +merit the name of a fortunate editor. + +It was in the darkest season of a most calamitous depression of his +spirits, that I was summoned to the house of my inestimable friend the +Translator, in the month of January, 1794. He had happily completed a +revisal of his Homer, and was thinking of the preface to his new +edition, when all his satisfaction in the one, and whatever he had +projected for the other, in a moment vanished from his mind. He had +fallen into a deplorable illness; and though the foremost wish of my +heart was to lessen the intenseness of his misery, I was utterly unable +to afford him any aid. + +I had, however, a pleasing though a melancholy opportunity of tracing +his recent footsteps in the Field of Troy, and in the Palace of Ithaca. +He had materially altered both the Iliad and Odyssey; and, so far as my +ability allowed me to judge, they were each of them greatly improved. +He had also, at the request of his bookseller, interspersed the two +poems with copious notes; for the most part translations of the ancient +Scholia, and gleaned, at the cost of many valuable hours, from the +pages of Barnes, Clarke, and Villoisson. It has been a constant subject +of regret to the admirers of “The Task,” that the exercise of such +marvelous original powers, should have been so long suspended by the +drudgery of translation; and in this view, their quarrel with the +illustrious Greek will be, doubtless, extended to his commentators.[1] + +During two long years from this most anxious period, the translation +continued as it was; and though, in the hope of its being able to +divert his melancholy, I had attempted more than once to introduce it +to its Author, I was every time painfully obliged to desist. But in the +summer of ninety-six, when he had resided with me in Norfolk twelve +miserable months, the introduction long wished for took place. To my +inexpressible astonishment and joy, I surprised him, one morning, with +the Iliad in his hand; and with an excess of delight, which I am still +more unable to describe, I the next day discovered that he had been +writing.—Were I to mention one of the happiest moments of my life, it +might be that which introduced me to the following lines:— + +Mistaken meanings corrected, +admonente G. Wakefield. B. XXIII. L. 429. that the nave +Of thy neat wheel seem e’en to grind upon it. L. 865. As when (the +north wind freshening) near the bank +Up springs a fish in air, then falls again +And disappears beneath the sable flood, +So at the stroke, he bounded. L. 1018. Thenceforth Tydides o’er his +ample shield +Aim’d and still aim’d to pierce him in the neck. Or better thus— +Tydides, in return, with spear high-poised +O’er the broad shield, aim’d ever at his neck, Or best of all— Then +Tydeus’ son, with spear high-poised above +The ample shield, stood aiming at his neck. + +He had written these lines with a pencil, on a leaf at the end of his +Iliad; and when I reflected on the cause which had given them birth, I +could not but admire its disproportion to the effect. What the voice of +persuasion had failed in for a year, accident had silently accomplished +in a single day. The circumstance I allude to was this: I received a +copy of the Iliad and Odyssey of Pope, then recently published by the +Editor above mentioned, with illustrative and critical notes of his +own. As it commended Mr. Cowper’s Translation in the Preface, and +occasionally pointed out its merits in the Notes, I was careful to +place it in his way; though it was more from a habit of experiment +which I had contracted, than from well-grounded hopes of success. But +what a fortunate circumstance was the arrival of this Work! and by what +name worthy of its influence shall I call it? In the mouth of an +indifferent person it might be Chance; but in mine; whom it rendered so +peculiarly happy, common gratitude requires that it should be +Providence. + +As I watched him with an indescribable interest in his progress, I had +the satisfaction to find, that, after a few mornings given to +promiscuous correction, and to frequent perusal of the above-mentioned +Notes, he was evidently settling on the sixteenth Book. This he went +regularly through, and the fruits of an application so happily resumed +were, one day with another, about sixty new lines. But with the end of +the sixteenth Book he had closed the corrections of the year. An +excursion to the coast, which immediately followed, though it promised +an accession of strength to the body, could not fail to interfere with +the pursuits of the mind. It was therefore with much less surprise than +regret, that I saw him relinquish the “_Tale of Troy Divine_.” + +Such was the prelude to the last revisal, which, in the month of +January, ninety-seven, Mr. Cowper was persuaded to undertake; and to a +faithful copy, as I trust, of which, I have at this time the honor to +conduct the reader. But it may not be amiss to observe, that with +regard to the earlier books of the Iliad, it was less a revisal of the +altered text, than of the text as it stands in the first edition. For +though the interleaved copy was always at hand, and in the multitude of +its altered places could hardly fail to offer some things worthy to be +preserved, but which the ravages of illness and the lapse of time might +have utterly effaced from his mind, I could not often persuade the +Translator to consult it. I was therefore induced, in the course of +transcribing, to compare the two revisals as I went along, and to plead +for the continuance of the first correction, when it forcibly struck me +as better than the last. This, however, but seldom occurred; and the +practice, at length, was completely left off, by his consenting to +receive into the number of the books which were daily laid open before +him, the interleaved copy to which I allude. + +At the end of the first six books of the Iliad, the arrival of spring +brought the usual interruptions of exercise and air, which increased as +the summer advanced to a degree so unfavorable to the progress of +Homer, that in the requisite attention to their salutary claims, the +revisal was, at one time, altogether at a stand. Only four books were +added in the course of nine months; but opportunity returning as the +winter set in, there were added, in less than seven weeks, four more: +and thus ended the year ninety-seven. + +As the spring that succeeded was a happier spring, so it led to a +happier summer. We had no longer air and exercise alone, but exercise +and Homer hand in hand. He even followed us thrice to the sea: and +whether our walks were + +“on the margin of the land, +O’er the green summit of the” cliffs, “whose base +Beats back the roaring surge,” +“or on the shore +Of the untillable and barren deep,” + +they were always within hearing of his magic song. About the middle of +this busy summer, the revisal of the Iliad was brought to a close; and +on the very next day, the 24th of July, the correction of the Odyssey +commenced,—a morning rendered memorable by a kind and unexpected visit +from the patroness of that work, the Dowager Lady Spencer! + +It is not my intention to detain the reader with a progressive account +of the Odyssey revised, as circumstantial as that of the Iliad, because +it went on smoothly from beginning to end, and was finished in less +than eight months. + +I cannot deliver these volumes to the public without feeling emotions +of gratitude toward Heaven, in recollecting how often this corrected +Work has appeared to me an instrument of Divine mercy, to mitigate the +sufferings of my excellent relation. Its progress in our private hours +was singularly medicinal to his mind: may its presentment to the Public +prove not less conducive to the honor of the departed Author, who has +every claim to my veneration! As a copious life of the Poet is already +in the press, from the pen of his intimate friend Mr. Hayley, it is +unnecessary for me to enter on such extensive commendation of his +character, as my own intimacy with him might suggest; but I hope the +reader will kindly allow me the privilege of indulging, in some degree, +the feelings of my heart, by applying to him, in the close of this +Preface, an expressive verse (borrowed from Homer) which he inscribed +himself, with some little variation, on a bust of his Grecian Favorite. + + +Ως τε πατηρ ω παιδι, και ουποτε λησομαι αυτε. + +Loved as his Son, in him I early found +A Father, such as I will ne’er forget. + + +Footnote: + +Very few signatures had at this time been affixed to the notes; but I +afterward compared them with the Greek, note by note, and endeavored to +supply the defect; more especially in the last three Volumes, where the +reader will be pleased to observe that all the notes without signatures +are Mr. Cowper’s, and that those marked B.C.V. are respectively found +in the editions of Homer by Barnes, Clarke, and Villoisson. But the +employment was so little to the taste and inclination of the poet, that +he never afterward revised them, or added to their number more than +these which follow;—In the Odyssey, Vol. I. Book xi., the note 32.—Vol. +II. Book xv., the note 13.—The note10 Book xvi., of that volume, and +the note 14, Book xix., of the same. + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT TO SOUTHEY’S EDITION + + +It is incumbent upon the present Editor to state the reasons which have +induced him, between two editions of Cowper’s Homer, differing so +materially from each other that they might almost be deemed different +versions, to prefer the first. + +Whoever has perused the Translator’s letters, must have perceived that +he had considered with no ordinary care the scheme of his +versification, and that when he resolved upon altering it in a second +edition, it was in deference to the opinion of others. + +It seems to the Editor that Cowper’s own judgment is entitled to more +respect, than that of any, or all his critics; and that the version +which he composed when his faculties were most active and his spirits +least subject to depression,—indeed in the happiest part of his +life,—ought not to be superseded by a revisal, or rather +reconstruction, which was undertaken three years before his death,—not +like the first translation as “a pleasant work, an innocent luxury,” +the cheerful and delightful occupation of hope and ardor and +ambition,—but as a “hopeless employment,” a task to which he gave “all +his miserable days, and often many hours of the night,” seeking to +beguile the sense of utter wretchedness, by altering as if for the sake +of alteration. + +The Editor has been confirmed in this opinion by the concurrence of +every person with whom he has communicated on the subject. Among others +he takes the liberty of mentioning Mr. Cary, whose authority upon such +a question is of especial weight, the Translator of Dante being the +only one of our countrymen who has ever executed a translation of equal +magnitude and not less difficulty, with the same perfect fidelity and +admirable skill. + +In support of this determination, the case of Tasso may be cited as +curiously in point. The great Italian poet altered his Jerusalem like +Cowper, against his own judgment, in submission to his critics: he made +the alteration in the latter years of his life, and in a diseased state +of mind; and he proceeded upon the same prescribed rule of smoothing +down his versification, and removing all the elisions. The consequence +has been that the reconstructed poem is utterly neglected, and has +rarely, if ever, been reprinted, except in the two great editions of +his collected works; while the original poem has been and continues to +be in such demand, that the most diligent bibliographer might vainly +attempt to enumerate all the editions through which it has passed. + + + + +EDITOR’S NOTE. + + +It will be seen by the Advertisement to Southey’s edition of Cowper’s +Translation of the Iliad, that he has the highest opinion of its +merits, and that he also gives the preference to Cowper’s unrevised +edition. The Editor of the present edition is happy to offer it to the +public under the sanction of such high authority. + +In the addition of notes I have availed myself of the learning of +various commentators (Pope, Coleridge, Müller, etc.) and covet no +higher praise than the approval of my judgment in the selection. + +Those bearing the signature E.P.P., were furnished by my friend Miss +Peabody, of Boston. I would also acknowledge my obligations to C.C. +Felton, Eliot Professor of Greek in Harvard University. It should be +observed, that the remarks upon the language of the poem refer to it in +the original. + +For a definite treatment of the character of each deity introduced in +the Iliad, and for the fable of the Judgment of Paris, which was the +primary cause of the Trojan war, the reader is referred to “Grecian and +Roman Mythology.” + +It is intended that this edition of the Iliad shall be followed by a +similar one of the Odyssey, provided sufficient encouragement is given +by the demand for the present volume. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + BOOK I. + BOOK II. + BOOK III. + BOOK IV. + BOOK V. + BOOK VI. + BOOK VII. + BOOK VIII. + BOOK IX. + BOOK X. + BOOK XI. + BOOK XII. + BOOK XIII. + BOOK XIV. + BOOK XV. + BOOK XVI. + BOOK XVII. + BOOK XVIII. + BOOK XIX. + BOOK XX. + BOOK XXI. + BOOK XXII. + BOOK XXIII. + BOOK XXIV. + + + + +THE +ILIAD OF HOMER, +TRANSLATED INTO +ENGLISH BLANK VERSE. + + + + +BOOK I. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK. + +The book opens with an account of a pestilence that prevailed in the +Grecian camp, and the cause of it is assigned. A council is called, in +which fierce altercation takes place between Agamemnon and Achilles. +The latter solemnly renounces the field. Agamemnon, by his heralds, +demands Brisëis, and Achilles resigns her. He makes his complaint to +Thetis, who undertakes to plead his cause with Jupiter. She pleads it, +and prevails. The book concludes with an account of what passed in +Heaven on that occasion. + + +[The reader will please observe, that by Achaians, Argives, Danaï, are +signified Grecians. Homer himself having found these various +appellatives both graceful and convenient, it seemed unreasonable that +a Translator of him should be denied the same advantage.—Tr.] + + +BOOK I. + + +Achilles sing, O Goddess! Peleus’ son; +His wrath pernicious, who ten thousand woes +Caused to Achaia’s host, sent many a soul +Illustrious into Ades premature, +And Heroes gave (so stood the will of Jove)5 +To dogs and to all ravening fowls a prey, +When fierce dispute had separated once +The noble Chief Achilles from the son +Of Atreus, Agamemnon, King of men. +Who them to strife impell’d? What power divine?10 +Latona’s son and Jove’s.[1] For he, incensed +Against the King, a foul contagion raised +In all the host, and multitudes destroy’d, +For that the son of Atreus had his priest +Dishonored, Chryses. To the fleet he came15 +Bearing rich ransom glorious to redeem +His daughter, and his hands charged with the wreath +And golden sceptre[2] of the God shaft-arm’d. +His supplication was at large to all +The host of Greece, but most of all to two,20 +The sons of Atreus, highest in command. +Ye gallant Chiefs, and ye their gallant host, +(So may the Gods who in Olympus dwell +Give Priam’s treasures to you for a spoil +And ye return in safety,) take my gifts25 +And loose my child, in honor of the son +Of Jove, Apollo, archer of the skies.[3] +At once the voice of all was to respect +The priest, and to accept the bounteous price; +But so it pleased not Atreus’ mighty son,30 +Who with rude threatenings stern him thence dismiss’d. +Beware, old man! that at these hollow barks +I find thee not now lingering, or henceforth +Returning, lest the garland of thy God +And his bright sceptre should avail thee nought.35 +I will not loose thy daughter, till old age +Steal on her. From her native country far, +In Argos, in my palace, she shall ply +The loom, and shall be partner of my bed. +Move me no more. Begone; hence while thou may’st.40 +He spake, the old priest trembled and obey’d. +Forlorn he roamed the ocean’s sounding shore, +And, solitary, with much prayer his King +Bright-hair’d Latona’s son, Phœbus, implored.[4] +God of the silver bow, who with thy power45 +Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign’st supreme +In Tenedos and Cilla the divine, +Sminthian[5] Apollo![6] If I e’er adorned +Thy beauteous fane, or on the altar burn’d +The fat acceptable of bulls or goats,50 +Grant my petition. With thy shafts avenge +On the Achaian host thy servant’s tears. +Such prayer he made, and it was heard.[7] The God, +Down from Olympus with his radiant bow +And his full quiver o’er his shoulder slung,55 +Marched in his anger; shaken as he moved +His rattling arrows told of his approach. +Gloomy he came as night; sat from the ships +Apart, and sent an arrow. Clang’d the cord +[8]Dread-sounding, bounding on the silver bow.[9]60 +Mules first and dogs he struck,[10] but at themselves +Dispatching soon his bitter arrows keen, +Smote them. Death-piles on all sides always blazed. +Nine days throughout the camp his arrows flew; +The tenth, Achilles from all parts convened65 +The host in council. Juno the white-armed +Moved at the sight of Grecians all around +Dying, imparted to his mind the thought.[11] +The full assembly, therefore, now convened, +Uprose Achilles ardent, and began.70 + +Atrides! Now, it seems, no course remains +For us, but that the seas roaming again, +We hence return; at least if we survive; +But haste, consult we quick some prophet here +Or priest, or even interpreter of dreams,75 +(For dreams are also of Jove,) that we may learn +By what crime we have thus incensed Apollo, +What broken vow, what hecatomb unpaid +He charges on us, and if soothed with steam +Of lambs or goats unblemish’d, he may yet80 +Be won to spare us, and avert the plague. +He spake and sat, when Thestor’s son arose +Calchas, an augur foremost in his art, +Who all things, present, past, and future knew, +And whom his skill in prophecy, a gift85 +Conferred by Phœbus on him, had advanced +To be conductor of the fleet to Troy; +He, prudent, them admonishing, replied.[12] +Jove-loved Achilles! Wouldst thou learn from me +What cause hath moved Apollo to this wrath,90 +The shaft-arm’d King? I shall divulge the cause. +But thou, swear first and covenant on thy part +That speaking, acting, thou wilt stand prepared +To give me succor; for I judge amiss, +Or he who rules the Argives, the supreme95 +O’er all Achaia’s host, will be incensed. +Wo to the man who shall provoke the King +For if, to-day, he smother close his wrath, +He harbors still the vengeance, and in time +Performs it. Answer, therefore, wilt thou save me?100 +To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift. +What thou hast learn’d in secret from the God +That speak, and boldly. By the son of Jove, +Apollo, whom thou, Calchas, seek’st in prayer +Made for the Danaï, and who thy soul105 +Fills with futurity, in all the host +The Grecian lives not, who while I shall breathe, +And see the light of day, shall in this camp +Oppress thee; no, not even if thou name +Him, Agamemnon, sovereign o’er us all.110 +Then was the seer embolden’d, and he spake. +Nor vow nor hecatomb unpaid on us +He charges, but the wrong done to his priest +Whom Agamemnon slighted when he sought +His daughter’s freedom, and his gifts refused.115 +He is the cause. Apollo for his sake +Afflicts and will afflict us, neither end +Nor intermission of his heavy scourge +Granting, till unredeem’d, no price required, +The black-eyed maid be to her father sent,120 +And a whole hecatomb in Chrysa bleed. +Then, not before, the God may be appeased. +He spake and sat; when Atreus’ son arose, +The Hero Agamemnon, throned supreme. +Tempests of black resentment overcharged125 +His heart, and indignation fired his eyes. +On Calchas lowering, him he first address’d. +Prophet of mischief! from whose tongue no note +Of grateful sound to me, was ever heard; +Ill tidings are thy joy, and tidings glad130 +Thou tell’st not, or thy words come not to pass. +And now among the Danaï thy dreams +Divulging, thou pretend’st the Archer-God +For his priest’s sake, our enemy, because +I scorn’d his offer’d ransom of the maid135 +Chrysëis, more desirous far to bear +Her to my home, for that she charms me more +Than Clytemnestra, my own first espoused, +With whom, in disposition, feature, form, +Accomplishments, she may be well compared.140 +Yet, being such, I will return her hence +If that she go be best. Perish myself— +But let the people of my charge be saved +Prepare ye, therefore, a reward for me, +And seek it instant. It were much unmeet145 +That I alone of all the Argive host +Should want due recompense, whose former prize +Is elsewhere destined, as ye all perceive. +To whom Achilles, matchless in the race. +Atrides, glorious above all in rank,150 +And as intent on gain as thou art great, +Whence shall the Grecians give a prize to thee? +The general stock is poor; the spoil of towns +Which we have taken, hath already passed +In distribution, and it were unjust155 +To gather it from all the Greeks again. +But send thou back this Virgin to her God, +And when Jove’s favor shall have given us Troy, +A threefold, fourfold share shall then be thine. +To whom the Sovereign of the host replied.160 +Godlike Achilles, valiant as thou art, +Wouldst thou be subtle too? But me no fraud +Shall overreach, or art persuade, of thine. +Wouldst thou, that thou be recompensed, and I +Sit meekly down, defrauded of my due?165 +And didst thou bid me yield her? Let the bold +Achaians give me competent amends, +Such as may please me, and it shall be well. +Else, if they give me none, I will command +Thy prize, the prize of Ajax, or the prize170 +It may be of Ulysses to my tent, +And let the loser chafe. But this concern +Shall be adjusted at convenient time. +Come—launch we now into the sacred deep +A bark with lusty rowers well supplied;175 +Then put on board Chrysëis, and with her +The sacrifice required. Go also one +High in authority, some counsellor, +Idomeneus, or Ajax, or thyself, +Thou most untractable of all mankind;180 +And seek by rites of sacrifice and prayer +To appease Apollo on our host’s behalf. +Achilles eyed him with a frown, and spake. +Ah! clothed with impudence as with a cloak, +And full of subtlety, who, thinkest thou—185 +What Grecian here will serve thee, or for thee +Wage covert war, or open? Me thou know’st, +Troy never wronged; I came not to avenge +Harm done to me; no Trojan ever drove +My pastures, steeds or oxen took of mine,190 +Or plunder’d of their fruits the golden fields +Of Phthia[13] the deep-soil’d. She lies remote, +And obstacles are numerous interposed, +Vale-darkening mountains, and the dashing sea. +No, [14]Shameless Wolf! For thy good pleasure’s sake195 +We came, and, [15]Face of flint! to avenge the wrongs +By Menelaus and thyself sustain’d, +On the offending Trojan—service kind, +But lost on thee, regardless of it all. +And now—What now? Thy threatening is to seize200 +Thyself, the just requital of my toils, +My prize hard-earn’d, by common suffrage mine. +I never gain, what Trojan town soe’er +We ransack, half thy booty. The swift march +And furious onset—these I largely reap,205 +But, distribution made, thy lot exceeds +Mine far; while I, with any pittance pleased, +Bear to my ships the little that I win +After long battle, and account it much. +But I am gone, I and my sable barks210 +(My wiser course) to Phthia, and I judge, +Scorn’d as I am, that thou shalt hardly glean +Without me, more than thou shalt soon consume.[16] +He ceased, and Agamemnon thus replied +Fly, and fly now; if in thy soul thou feel215 +Such ardor of desire to go—begone! +I woo thee not to stay; stay not an hour +On my behalf, for I have others here +Who will respect me more, and above all +All-judging Jove. There is not in the host220 +King or commander whom I hate as thee, +For all thy pleasure is in strife and blood, +And at all times; yet valor is no ground +Whereon to boast, it is the gift of Heaven +Go, get ye back to Phthia, thou and thine!225 +There rule thy Myrmidons.[17] I need not thee, +Nor heed thy wrath a jot. But this I say, +Sure as Apollo takes my lovely prize +Chrysëis, and I shall return her home +In mine own bark, and with my proper crew,230 +So sure the fair Brisëis shall be mine. +I shall demand her even at thy tent. +So shalt thou well be taught, how high in power +I soar above thy pitch, and none shall dare +Attempt, thenceforth, comparison with me.235 +He ended, and the big, disdainful heart +Throbbed of Achilles; racking doubt ensued +And sore perplex’d him, whether forcing wide +A passage through them, with his blade unsheathed +To lay Atrides breathless at his foot,240 +Or to command his stormy spirit down. +So doubted he, and undecided yet +Stood drawing forth his falchion huge; when lo! +Down sent by Juno, to whom both alike +Were dear, and who alike watched over both,245 +Pallas descended. At his back she stood +To none apparent, save himself alone, +And seized his golden locks. Startled, he turned, +And instant knew Minerva. Flashed her eyes +Terrific;[18] whom with accents on the wing250 +Of haste, incontinent he questioned thus. +Daughter of Jove, why comest thou? that thyself +May’st witness these affronts which I endure +From Agamemnon? Surely as I speak, +This moment, for his arrogance, he dies.255 +To whom the blue-eyed Deity. From heaven +Mine errand is, to sooth, if thou wilt hear, +Thine anger. Juno the white-arm’d alike +To him and thee propitious, bade me down: +Restrain thy wrath. Draw not thy falchion forth.260 +Retort, and sharply, and let that suffice. +For I foretell thee true. Thou shalt receive, +Some future day, thrice told, thy present loss +For this day’s wrong. Cease, therefore, and be still. +To whom Achilles. Goddess, although much265 +Exasperate, I dare not disregard +Thy word, which to obey is always best.[19] +Who hears the Gods, the Gods hear also him. +He said; and on his silver hilt the force +Of his broad hand impressing, sent the blade270 +Home to its rest, nor would the counsel scorn +Of Pallas. She to heaven well-pleased return’d, +And in the mansion of Jove Ægis[20]-armed +Arriving, mingled with her kindred Gods. +But though from violence, yet not from words275 +Abstained Achilles, but with bitter taunt +Opprobrious, his antagonist reproached. +Oh charged with wine, in steadfastness of face +Dog unabashed, and yet at heart a deer! +Thou never, when the troops have taken arms,280 +Hast dared to take thine also; never thou +Associate with Achaia’s Chiefs, to form +The secret ambush.[21] No. The sound of war +Is as the voice of destiny to thee. +Doubtless the course is safer far, to range285 +Our numerous host, and if a man have dared +Dispute thy will, to rob him of his prize. +King! over whom? Women and spiritless— +Whom therefore thou devourest; else themselves +Would stop that mouth that it should scoff no more.290 +But hearken. I shall swear a solemn oath. +By this same sceptre,[22] which shall never bud, +Nor boughs bring forth as once, which having left +Its stock on the high mountains, at what time +The woodman’s axe lopped off its foliage green,295 +And stript its bark, shall never grow again; +Which now the judges of Achaia bear, +Who under Jove, stand guardians of the laws, +By this I swear (mark thou the sacred oath) +Time shall be, when Achilles shall be missed;300 +When all shall want him, and thyself the power +To help the Achaians, whatsoe’er thy will; +When Hector at your heels shall mow you down: +The Hero-slaughtering Hector! Then thy soul, +Vexation-stung, shall tear thee with remorse,305 +That thou hast scorn’d, as he were nothing worth, +A Chief, the soul and bulwark of your cause. +So saying, he cast his sceptre on the ground +Studded with gold, and sat. On the other side +The son of Atreus all impassion’d stood,310 +When the harmonious orator arose +Nestor, the Pylian oracle, whose lips +Dropped eloquence—the honey not so sweet. +Two generations past of mortals born +In Pylus, coëtaneous with himself,315 +He govern’d now the third—amid them all +He stood, and thus, benevolent, began. +Ah! what calamity hath fall’n on Greece! +Now Priam and his sons may well exult, +Now all in Ilium shall have joy of heart320 +Abundant, hearing of this broil, the prime +Of Greece between, in council and in arms. +But be persuaded; ye are younger both +Than I, and I was conversant of old +With Princes your superiors, yet from them325 +No disrespect at any time received. +Their equals saw I never; never shall; +Exadius, Cœneus, and the Godlike son +Of Ægeus, mighty Theseus; men renown’d +For force superior to the race of man,330 +Brave Chiefs they were, and with brave foes they fought, +With the rude dwellers on the mountain-heights +The Centaurs,[23] whom with havoc such as fame +Shall never cease to celebrate, they slew. +With these men I consorted erst, what time335 +From Pylus, though a land from theirs remote, +They called me forth, and such as was my strength, +With all that strength I served them. Who is he? +What Prince or Chief of the degenerate race +Now seen on earth who might with these compare?340 +Yet even these would listen and conform +To my advice in consultation given, +Which hear ye also; for compliance proves +Oft times the safer and the manlier course. +Thou, Agamemnon! valiant as thou art,345 +Seize not the maid, his portion from the Greeks, +But leave her his; nor thou, Achilles, strive +With our imperial Chief; for never King +Had equal honor at the hands of Jove +With Agamemnon, or was throned so high.350 +Say thou art stronger, and art Goddess-born, +How then? His territory passes thine, +And he is Lord of thousands more than thou. +Cease, therefore, Agamemnon; calm thy wrath; +And it shall be mine office to entreat355 +Achilles also to a calm, whose might +The chief munition is of all our host. +To whom the sovereign of the Greeks replied, +The son of Atreus. Thou hast spoken well, +Old Chief, and wisely. But this wrangler here—360 +Nought will suffice him but the highest place: +He must control us all, reign over all, +Dictate to all; but he shall find at least +One here, disposed to question his commands. +If the eternal Gods have made him brave,365 +Derives he thence a privilege to rail? +Whom thus Achilles interrupted fierce. +Could I be found so abject as to take +The measure of my doings at thy lips, +Well might they call me coward through the camp,370 +A vassal, and a fellow of no worth. +Give law to others. Think not to control +Me, subject to thy proud commands no more. +Hear yet again! And weigh what thou shalt hear. +I will not strive with thee in such a cause,375 +Nor yet with any man; I scorn to fight +For her, whom having given, ye take away. +But I have other precious things on board; +Of those take none away without my leave. +Or if it please thee, put me to the proof380 +Before this whole assembly, and my spear +Shall stream that moment, purpled with thy blood. +Thus they long time in opposition fierce +Maintained the war of words; and now, at length, +(The grand consult dissolved,) Achilles walked385 +(Patroclus and the Myrmidons his steps +Attending) to his camp and to his fleet. +But Agamemnon order’d forth a bark, +A swift one, manned with twice ten lusty rowers; +He sent on board the Hecatomb:[24] he placed390 +Chrysëis with the blooming cheeks, himself, +And to Ulysses gave the freight in charge. +So all embarked, and plow’d their watery way. +Atrides, next, bade purify the host; +The host was purified, as he enjoin’d,395 +And the ablution cast into the sea. +Then to Apollo, on the shore they slew, +Of the untillable and barren deep, +Whole Hecatombs of bulls and goats, whose steam +Slowly in smoky volumes climbed the skies.400 +Thus was the camp employed; nor ceased the while +The son of Atreus from his threats denounced +At first against Achilles, but command +Gave to Talthybius and Eurybates +His heralds, ever faithful to his will.405 +Haste—Seek ye both the tent of Peleus’ son +Achilles. Thence lead hither by the hand +Blooming Brisëis, whom if he withhold, +Not her alone, but other spoil myself +Will take in person—He shall rue the hour.410 +With such harsh message charged he them dismissed +They, sad and slow, beside the barren waste +Of Ocean, to the galleys and the tents +Moved of the Myrmidons. Him there they found +Beneath the shadow of his bark reclined,415 +Nor glad at their approach. Trembling they stood, +In presence of the royal Chief, awe-struck, +Nor questioned him or spake. He not the less +Knew well their embassy, and thus began. +Ye heralds, messengers of Gods and men,420 +Hail, and draw near! I bid you welcome both. +I blame not you; the fault is his alone +Who sends you to conduct the damsel hence +Brisëis. Go, Patroclus, generous friend! +Lead forth, and to their guidance give the maid.425 +But be themselves my witnesses before +The blessed Gods, before mankind, before +The ruthless king, should want of me be felt +To save the host from havoc[25]—Oh, his thoughts +Are madness all; intelligence or skill,430 +Forecast or retrospect, how best the camp +May be secured from inroad, none hath he. +He ended, nor Patroclus disobey’d, +But leading beautiful Brisëis forth +Into their guidance gave her; loth she went435 +From whom she loved, and looking oft behind. +Then wept Achilles, and apart from all, +With eyes directed to the gloomy Deep +And arms outstretch’d, his mother suppliant sought. +Since, mother, though ordain’d so soon to die,440 +I am thy son, I might with cause expect +Some honor at the Thunderer’s hands, but none +To me he shows, whom Agamemnon, Chief +Of the Achaians, hath himself disgraced, +Seizing by violence my just reward.445 +So prayed he weeping, whom his mother heard +Within the gulfs of Ocean where she sat +Beside her ancient sire. From the gray flood +Ascending sudden, like a mist she came, +Sat down before him, stroked his face, and said.450 +Why weeps my son? and what is thy distress? +Hide not a sorrow that I wish to share. +To whom Achilles, sighing deep, replied. +Why tell thee woes to thee already known? +At Thebes, Eëtion’s city we arrived,455 +Smote, sack’d it, and brought all the spoil away. +Just distribution made among the Greeks, +The son of Atreus for his lot received +Blooming Chrysëis. Her, Apollo’s priest +Old Chryses followed to Achaia’s camp,460 +That he might loose his daughter. Ransom rich +He brought, and in his hands the hallow’d wreath +And golden sceptre of the Archer God +Apollo, bore; to the whole Grecian host, +But chiefly to the foremost in command465 +He sued, the sons of Atreus; then, the rest +All recommended reverence of the Seer, +And prompt acceptance of his costly gifts. +But Agamemnon might not so be pleased, +Who gave him rude dismission; he in wrath470 +Returning, prayed, whose prayer Apollo heard, +For much he loved him. A pestiferous shaft +He instant shot into the Grecian host, +And heap’d the people died. His arrows swept +The whole wide camp of Greece, till at the last475 +A Seer, by Phœbus taught, explain’d the cause. +I first advised propitiation. Rage +Fired Agamemnon. Rising, he denounced +Vengeance, and hath fulfilled it. She, in truth, +Is gone to Chrysa, and with her we send480 +Propitiation also to the King +Shaft-arm’d Apollo. But my beauteous prize +Brisëis, mine by the award of all, +His heralds, at this moment, lead away. +But thou, wherein thou canst, aid thy own son!485 +Haste hence to Heaven, and if thy word or deed +Hath ever gratified the heart of Jove, +With earnest suit press him on my behalf. +For I, not seldom, in my father’s hall +Have heard thee boasting, how when once the Gods,490 +With Juno, Neptune, Pallas at their head, +Conspired to bind the Thunderer, thou didst loose +His bands, O Goddess! calling to his aid +The Hundred-handed warrior, by the Gods +Briareus, but by men, Ægeon named.[26]495 +For he in prowess and in might surpassed +His father Neptune, who, enthroned sublime, +Sits second only to Saturnian Jove, +Elate with glory and joy. Him all the Gods +Fearing from that bold enterprise abstained.500 +Now, therefore, of these things reminding Jove, +Embrace his knees; entreat him that he give +The host of Troy his succor, and shut fast +The routed Grecians, prisoners in the fleet, +That all may find much solace[27] in their King,505 +And that the mighty sovereign o’er them all, +Their Agamemnon, may himself be taught +His rashness, who hath thus dishonor’d foul +The life itself, and bulwark of his cause. +To him, with streaming eyes, Thetis replied.510 +Born as thou wast to sorrow, ah, my son! +Why have I rear’d thee! Would that without tears, +Or cause for tears (transient as is thy life, +A little span) thy days might pass at Troy! +But short and sorrowful the fates ordain515 +Thy life, peculiar trouble must be thine, +Whom, therefore, oh that I had never borne! +But seeking the Olympian hill snow-crown’d, +I will myself plead for thee in the ear +Of Jove, the Thunderer. Meantime at thy fleet520 +Abiding, let thy wrath against the Greeks +Still burn, and altogether cease from war. +For to the banks of the Oceanus,[28] +Where Æthiopia holds a feast to Jove,[29] +He journey’d yesterday, with whom the Gods525 +Went also, and the twelfth day brings them home. +Then will I to his brazen-floor’d abode, +That I may clasp his knees, and much misdeem +Of my endeavor, or my prayer shall speed. +So saying, she went; but him she left enraged530 +For fair Brisëis’ sake, forced from his arms +By stress of power. Meantime Ulysses came +To Chrysa with the Hecatomb in charge. +Arrived within the haven[30] deep, their sails +Furling, they stowed them in the bark below.535 +Then by its tackle lowering swift the mast +Into its crutch, they briskly push’d to land, +Heaved anchors out, and moor’d the vessel fast. +Forth came the mariners, and trod the beach; +Forth came the victims of Apollo next,540 +And, last, Chrysëis. Her Ulysses led +Toward the altar, gave her to the arms +Of her own father, and him thus address’d. +O Chryses! Agamemnon, King of men, +Hath sent thy daughter home, with whom we bring545 +A Hecatomb on all our host’s behalf +To Phœbus, hoping to appease the God +By whose dread shafts the Argives now expire. +So saying, he gave her to him, who with joy +Received his daughter. Then, before the shrine550 +Magnificent in order due they ranged +The noble Hecatomb.[31] Each laved his hands +And took the salted meal, and Chryses made +His fervent prayer with hands upraised on high. +God of the silver bow, who with thy power555 +Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign’st supreme +In Tenedos, and Cilla the divine! +Thou prov’dst propitious to my first request, +Hast honor’d me, and punish’d sore the Greeks; +Hear yet thy servant’s prayer; take from their host560 +At once the loathsome pestilence away! +So Chryses prayed, whom Phœbus heard well-pleased; +Then prayed the Grecians also, and with meal +Sprinkling the victims, their retracted necks +First pierced, then flay’d them; the disjointed thighs565 +They, next, invested with the double caul, +Which with crude slices thin they overspread. +The priest burned incense, and libation poured +Large on the hissing brands, while, him beside, +Busy with spit and prong, stood many a youth570 +Trained to the task. The thighs with fire consumed, +They gave to each his portion of the maw, +Then slashed the remnant, pierced it with the spits, +And managing with culinary skill +The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.575 +Their whole task thus accomplish’d, and the board +Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed. +When neither hunger more nor thirst remained +Unsatisfied, boys crown’d the beakers high +With wine delicious, and from right to left580 +Distributing the cups, served every guest. +Thenceforth the youths of the Achaian race +To song propitiatory gave the day, +Pæans[32] to Phœbus, Archer of the skies, +Chaunting melodious. Pleased, Apollo heard.585 +But, when, the sun descending, darkness fell, +They on the beach beside their hawsers slept; +And, when the day-spring’s daughter rosy-palm’d +Aurora look’d abroad, then back they steer’d +To the vast camp. Fair wind, and blowing fresh,590 +Apollo sent them; quick they rear’d the mast, +Then spread the unsullied canvas to the gale, +And the wind filled it. Roared the sable flood +Around the bark, that ever as she went +Dash’d wide the brine, and scudded swift away.595 +Thus reaching soon the spacious camp of Greece, +Their galley they updrew sheer o’er the sands +From the rude surge remote, then propp’d her sides +With scantlings long,[33] and sought their several tents. +But Peleus’ noble son, the speed-renown’d600 +Achilles, he, his well-built bark beside, +Consumed his hours, nor would in council more, +Where wise men win distinction, or in fight +Appear, to sorrow and heart-withering wo +Abandon’d; though for battle, ardent, still605 +He panted, and the shout-resounding field. +But when the twelfth fair morrow streak’d the East, +Then all the everlasting Gods to Heaven +Resorted, with the Thunderer at their head, +And Thetis, not unmindful of her son,610 +Prom the salt flood emerged, seeking betimes +Olympus and the boundless fields of heaven. +High, on the topmost eminence sublime +Of the deep-fork’d Olympian she perceived +The Thunderer seated, from the Gods apart.615 +She sat before him, clasp’d with her left hand +His knees, her right beneath his chin she placed, +And thus the King, Saturnian Jove, implored. +Father of all, by all that I have done +Or said that ever pleased thee, grant my suit.620 +Exalt my son, by destiny short-lived +Beyond the lot of others. Him with shame +The King of men hath overwhelm’d, by force +Usurping his just meed; thou, therefore, Jove, +Supreme in wisdom, honor him, and give625 +Success to Troy, till all Achaia’s sons +Shall yield him honor more than he hath lost! +She spake, to whom the Thunderer nought replied, +But silent sat long time. She, as her hand +Had grown there, still importunate, his knees630 +Clasp’d as at first, and thus her suit renew’d.[34] +Or grant my prayer, and ratify the grant, +Or send me hence (for thou hast none to fear) +Plainly refused; that I may know and feel +By how much I am least of all in heaven.635 +To whom the cloud-assembler at the last +Spake, deep-distress’d. Hard task and full of strife +Thou hast enjoined me; Juno will not spare +For gibe and taunt injurious, whose complaint +Sounds daily in the ears of all the Gods,640 +That I assist the Trojans; but depart, +Lest she observe thee; my concern shall be +How best I may perform thy full desire. +And to assure thee more, I give the sign +Indubitable, which all fear expels645 +At once from heavenly minds. Nought, so confirmed, +May, after, be reversed or render’d vain. +He ceased, and under his dark brows the nod +Vouchsafed of confirmation. All around +The Sovereign’s everlasting head his curls650 +Ambrosial shook,[35] and the huge mountain reeled. +Their conference closed, they parted. She, at once, +From bright Olympus plunged into the flood +Profound, and Jove to his own courts withdrew. +Together all the Gods, at his approach,655 +Uprose; none sat expectant till he came, +But all advanced to meet the Eternal Sire. +So on his throne he sat. Nor Juno him +Not understood; she, watchful, had observed, +In consultation close with Jove engaged660 +Thetis, bright-footed daughter of the deep, +And keen the son of Saturn thus reproved. +Shrewd as thou art, who now hath had thine ear? +Thy joy is ever such, from me apart +To plan and plot clandestine, and thy thoughts,665 +Think what thou may’st, are always barred to me. +To whom the father, thus, of heaven and earth. +Expect not, Juno, that thou shalt partake +My counsels at all times, which oft in height +And depth, thy comprehension far exceed,670 +Jove’s consort as thou art. When aught occurs +Meet for thine ear, to none will I impart +Of Gods or men more free than to thyself. +But for my secret thoughts, which I withhold +From all in heaven beside, them search not thou675 +With irksome curiosity and vain. + +Him answer’d then the Goddess ample-eyed.[36] +What word hath passed thy lips, Saturnian Jove, +Thou most severe! I never search thy thoughts, +Nor the serenity of thy profound680 +Intentions trouble; they are safe from me: +But now there seems a cause. Deeply I dread +Lest Thetis, silver-footed daughter fair +Of Ocean’s hoary Sovereign, here arrived +At early dawn to practise on thee, Jove!685 +I noticed her a suitress at thy knees, +And much misdeem or promise-bound thou stand’st +To Thetis past recall, to exalt her son, +And Greeks to slaughter thousands at the ships. +To whom the cloud-assembler God, incensed.690 +Ah subtle! ever teeming with surmise, +And fathomer of my concealed designs, +Thy toil is vain, or (which is worse for thee,) +Shall but estrange thee from mine heart the more. +And be it as thou sayest,—I am well pleased695 +That so it should be. Be advised, desist, +Hold thou thy peace. Else, if my glorious hands +Once reach thee, the Olympian Powers combined +To rescue thee, shall interfere in vain. +He said,—whom Juno, awful Goddess, heard700 +Appall’d, and mute submitted to his will. +But through the courts of Jove the heavenly Powers +All felt displeasure; when to them arose +Vulcan, illustrious artist, who with speech +Conciliatory interposed to sooth705 +His white-armed mother Juno, Goddess dread. +Hard doom is ours, and not to be endured, +If feast and merriment must pause in heaven +While ye such clamor raise tumultuous here +For man’s unworthy sake: yet thus we speed710 +Ever, when evil overpoises good. +But I exhort my mother, though herself +Already warn’d, that meekly she submit +To Jove our father, lest our father chide +More roughly, and confusion mar the feast.715 +For the Olympian Thunderer could with ease +Us from our thrones precipitate, so far +He reigns to all superior. Seek to assuage +His anger therefore; so shall he with smiles +Cheer thee, nor thee alone, but all in heaven.720 +So Vulcan, and, upstarting, placed a cup +Full-charged between his mother’s hands, and said, +My mother, be advised, and, though aggrieved, +Yet patient; lest I see thee whom I love +So dear, with stripes chastised before my face,725 +Willing, but impotent to give thee aid.[37] +Who can resist the Thunderer? Me, when once +I flew to save thee, by the foot he seized +And hurl’d me through the portal of the skies. +“From morn to eve I fell, a summer’s day,”730 +And dropped, at last, in Lemnos. There half-dead +The Sintians found me, and with succor prompt +And hospitable, entertained me fallen. +So He; then Juno smiled, Goddess white-arm’d, +And smiling still, from his unwonted hand[38]735 +Received the goblet. He from right to left +Rich nectar from the beaker drawn, alert +Distributed to all the powers divine. +Heaven rang with laughter inextinguishable +Peal after peal, such pleasure all conceived740 +At sight of Vulcan in his new employ. +So spent they in festivity the day, +And all were cheered; nor was Apollo’s harp +Silent, nor did the Muses spare to add +Responsive melody of vocal sweets.745 +But when the sun’s bright orb had now declined, +Each to his mansion, wheresoever built +By the lame matchless Architect, withdrew.[39] +Jove also, kindler of the fires of heaven, +His couch ascending as at other times750 +When gentle sleep approach’d him, slept serene, +With golden-sceptred Juno at his side. + + +The first book contains the preliminaries to the commencement of +serious action. First, the visit of the priest of Apollo to ransom his +captive daughter, the refusal of Agamemnon to yield her up, and the +pestilence sent by the god upon the Grecian army in consequence. +Secondly, the restoration, the propitiation of Apollo, the quarrel of +Agamemnon and Achilles, and the withdrawing of the latter from the +Grecian army. Thirdly, the intercession of Thetis with Jupiter; his +promise, unwillingly given, to avenge Achilles; and the assembly of the +gods, in which the promise is angrily alluded to by Juno, and the +discussion peremptorily checked by Jupiter. The poet, throughout this +book, maintains a simple, unadorned style, but highly descriptive, and +happily adapted to the nature of the subject.—Felton. + + + + +BOOK II. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE SECOND BOOK. + +Jupiter, in pursuance of his purpose to distress the Grecians in answer +to the prayer of Thetis, deceives Agamemnon by a dream. He, in +consequence of it, calls a council, the result of which is that the +army shall go forth to battle. Thersites is mutinous, and is chastised +by Ulysses. Ulysses, Nestor, and Agamemnon, harangue the people; and +preparation is made for battle. An exact account follows of the forces +on both sides. + + +BOOK II. + + +[1]All night both Gods and Chiefs equestrian slept, +But not the Sire of all. He, waking soon, +Mused how to exalt Achilles, and destroy +No few in battle at the Grecian fleet. +This counsel, at the last, as best he chose5 +And likeliest; to dispatch an evil Dream +To Agamemnon’s tent, and to his side +The phantom summoning, him thus addressed. +Haste, evil Dream! Fly to the Grecian fleet, +And, entering royal Agamemnon’s tent,10 +His ear possess thou thus, omitting nought +Of all that I enjoin thee. Bid him arm +His universal host, for that the time +When the Achaians shall at length possess +Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above15 +No longer dwell at variance. The request +Of Juno hath prevail’d; now, wo to Troy! +So charged, the Dream departed. At the ships +Well-built arriving of Achaia’s host, +He Agamemnon, son of Atreus, sought.20 +Him sleeping in his tent he found, immersed +In soft repose ambrosial. At his head +The shadow stood, similitude exact +Of Nestor, son of Neleus; sage, with whom +In Agamemnon’s thought might none compare.25 +His form assumed, the sacred Dream began. +Oh son of Atreus the renown’d in arms +And in the race! Sleep’st thou? It ill behoves +To sleep all night the man of high employ, +And charged, as thou art, with a people’s care.30 +Now, therefore, mark me well, who, sent from Jove, +Inform thee, that although so far remote, +He yet compassionates and thinks on thee +With kind solicitude. He bids thee arm +Thy universal host, for that the time35 +When the Achaians shall at length possess +Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above +No longer dwell at variance. The requests +Of Juno have prevail’d. Now, wo to Troy +From Jove himself! Her fate is on the wing.40 +Awaking from thy dewy slumbers, hold +In firm remembrance all that thou hast heard. +So spake the Dream, and vanishing, him left +In false hopes occupied and musings vain. +Full sure he thought, ignorant of the plan45 +By Jove design’d, that day the last of Troy. +Fond thought! For toils and agonies to Greeks +And Trojans both, in many a bloody field +To be endured, the Thunderer yet ordain’d. +Starting he woke, and seeming still to hear50 +The warning voice divine, with hasty leap +Sprang from his bed, and sat.[2] His fleecy vest +New-woven he put on, and mantle wide; +His sandals fair to his unsullied feet +He braced, and slung his argent-studded sword.55 +Then, incorruptible for evermore +The sceptre of his sires he took, with which +He issued forth into the camp of Greece. +Aurora now on the Olympian heights +Proclaiming stood new day to all in heaven,60 +When he his clear-voiced heralds bade convene +The Greeks in council. Went the summons forth +Into all quarters, and the throng began. +First, at the ship of Nestor, Pylian King,[3] +The senior Chiefs for high exploits renown’d65 +He gather’d, whom he prudent thus address’d. +My fellow warriors, hear! A dream from heaven, +Amid the stillness of the vacant night +Approach’d me, semblance close in stature, bulk, +And air, of noble Nestor. At mine head70 +The shadow took his stand, and thus he spake. +Oh son of Atreus the renown’d in arms +And in the race, sleep’st thou? It ill behoves +To sleep all night the man of high employ, +And charged as thou art with a people’s care.75 +Now, therefore, mark me well, who, sent from Jove, +Inform thee, that although so far remote, +He yet compassionates and thinks on thee +With kind solicitude. He bids thee arm +Thy universal host; for that the time80 +When the Achaians shall at length possess +Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above +No longer dwell at variance. The requests +Of Juno have prevail’d. Now, wo to Troy +From Jove himself! Her fate is on the wing.85 +Charge this on thy remembrance. Thus he spake, +Then vanished suddenly, and I awoke. +Haste therefore, let us arm, if arm we may,[4] +The warlike sons of Greece; but first, myself +Will prove them, recommending instant flight90 +With all our ships, and ye throughout the host +Dispersed, shall, next, encourage all to stay. +He ceased, and sat; when in the midst arose +Of highest fame for wisdom, Nestor, King +Of sandy Pylus, who them thus bespake.95 +Friends, Counsellors, and Leaders of the Greeks! +Had any meaner Argive told his dream, +We had pronounced it false, and should the more +Have shrunk from battle; but the dream is his +Who boasts himself our highest in command.100 +Haste, arm we, if we may, the sons of Greece. +So saying, he left the council; him, at once +The sceptred Chiefs, obedient to his voice, +Arising, follow’d; and the throng began. +As from the hollow rock bees stream abroad,105 +And in succession endless seek the fields, +Now clustering, and now scattered far and near, +In spring-time, among all the new-blown flowers, +So they to council swarm’d, troop after troop, +Grecians of every tribe, from camp and fleet110 +Assembling orderly o’er all the plain +Beside the shore of Ocean. In the midst +A kindling rumor, messenger of Jove, +Impell’d them, and they went. Loud was the din +Of the assembling thousands; groan’d the earth115 +When down they sat, and murmurs ran around. +Nine heralds cried aloud—Will ye restrain +Your clamors, that your heaven-taught Kings may speak? +Scarce were they settled, and the clang had ceased, +When Agamemnon, sovereign o’er them all,120 +Sceptre in hand, arose. (That sceptre erst +Vulcan with labor forged, and to the hand +Consign’d it of the King, Saturnian Jove; +Jove to the vanquisher[5] of Ino’s[6] guard, +And he to Pelops; Pelops in his turn,125 +To royal Atreus; Atreus at his death +Bequeath’d it to Thyestes rich in flocks, +And rich Thyestes left it to be borne +By Agamemnon, symbol of his right +To empire over Argos and her isles)130 +On that he lean’d, and rapid, thus began.[7] +Friends, Grecian Heroes, ministers of Mars! +Ye see me here entangled in the snares +Of unpropitious Jove. He promised once, +And with a nod confirm’d it, that with spoils135 +Of Ilium laden, we should hence return; +But now, devising ill, he sends me shamed, +And with diminished numbers, home to Greece. +So stands his sovereign pleasure, who hath laid +The bulwarks of full many a city low,140 +And more shall level, matchless in his might. +That such a numerous host of Greeks as we, +Warring with fewer than ourselves, should find +No fruit of all our toil, (and none appears) +Will make us vile with ages yet to come.145 +For should we now strike truce, till Greece and Troy +Might number each her own, and were the Greeks +Distributed in bands, ten Greeks in each, +Our banded decads should exceed so far +Their units, that all Troy could not supply150 +For every ten, a man, to fill us wine; +So far the Achaians, in my thought, surpass +The native Trojans. But in Troy are those +Who baffle much my purpose; aids derived +From other states, spear-arm’d auxiliars, firm155 +In the defence of Ilium’s lofty towers. +Nine years have passed us over, nine long years; +Our ships are rotted, and our tackle marr’d, +And all our wives and little-ones at home +Sit watching our return, while this attempt160 +Hangs still in doubt, for which that home we left. +Accept ye then my counsel. Fly we swift +With all our fleet back to our native land, +Hopeless of Troy, not yet to be subdued. +So spake the King, whom all the concourse heard165 +With minds in tumult toss’d; all, save the few, +Partners of his intent. Commotion shook +The whole assembly, such as heaves the flood +Of the Icarian Deep, when South and East +Burst forth together from the clouds of Jove.170 +And as when vehement the West-wind falls +On standing corn mature, the loaded ears +Innumerable bow before the gale, +So was the council shaken. With a shout +All flew toward the ships; uprais’d, the dust175 +Stood o’er them; universal was the cry, +“Now clear the passages, strike down the props, +Set every vessel free, launch, and away!” +Heaven rang with exclamation of the host +All homeward bent, and launching glad the fleet.180 +Then baffled Fate had the Achaians seen +Returning premature, but Juno thus, +With admonition quick to Pallas spake. +Unconquer’d daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d! +Ah foul dishonor! Is it thus at last185 +That the Achaians on the billows borne, +Shall seek again their country, leaving here, +To be the vaunt of Ilium and her King, +Helen of Argos, in whose cause the Greeks +Have numerous perish’d from their home remote?190 +Haste! Seek the mail-arm’d multitude, by force +Detain them of thy soothing speech, ere yet +All launch their oary barks into the flood. +She spake, nor did Minerva not comply, +But darting swift from the Olympian heights,195 +Reach’d soon Achaia’s fleet. There, she perceived +Prudent as Jove himself, Ulysses; firm +He stood; he touch’d not even with his hand +His sable bark, for sorrow whelm’d his soul. +The Athenæan Goddess azure-eyed200 +Beside him stood, and thus the Chief bespake. +Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d! +Why seek ye, thus precipitate, your ships? +Intend ye flight? And is it thus at last, +That the Achaians on the billows borne,205 +Shall seek again their country, leaving here, +To be the vaunt of Ilium and her King, +Helen of Argos, in whose cause the Greeks +Have numerous perish’d from their home remote? +Delay not. Rush into the throng; by force210 +Detain them of thy soothing speech, ere yet +All launch their oary barks into the flood. +She ceased, whom by her voice Ulysses knew, +Casting his mantle from him, which his friend +Eurybates the Ithacensian caught,215 +He ran; and in his course meeting the son +Of Atreus, Agamemnon, from his hand +The everlasting sceptre quick received, +Which bearing, through Achaia’s fleet he pass’d. +What King soever, or distinguish’d Greek220 +He found, approaching to his side, in terms +Of gentle sort he stay’d him. Sir, he cried, +It is unseemly that a man renown’d +As thou, should tremble. Go—Resume the seat +Which thou hast left, and bid the people sit.225 +Thou know’st not clearly yet the monarch’s mind. +He proves us now, but soon he will chastize. +All were not present; few of us have heard +His speech this day in council. Oh, beware, +Lest in resentment of this hasty course230 +Irregular, he let his anger loose. +Dread is the anger of a King; he reigns +By Jove’s own ordinance, and is dear to Jove, +But what plebeian base soe’er he heard +Stretching his throat to swell the general cry,235 +He laid the sceptre smartly on his back, +With reprimand severe. Fellow, he said, +Sit still; hear others; thy superiors hear. +For who art thou? A dastard and a drone, +Of none account in council, or in arms.240 +By no means may we all alike bear sway +At Ilium; such plurality of Kings +Were evil. One suffices. One, to whom +The son of politic Saturn hath assign’d +The sceptre, and inforcement of the laws,245 +That he may rule us as a monarch ought.[8] +With such authority the troubled host +He sway’d; they, quitting camp and fleet again +Rush’d back to council; deafening was the sound +As when a billow of the boisterous deep250 +Some broad beach dashes, and the Ocean roars. +The host all seated, and the benches fill’d, +Thersites only of loquacious tongue +Ungovern’d, clamor’d mutinous; a wretch +Of utterance prompt, but in coarse phrase obscene255 +Deep learn’d alone, with which to slander Kings. +Might he but set the rabble in a roar, +He cared not with what jest; of all from Greece +To Ilium sent, his country’s chief reproach. +Cross-eyed he was, and halting moved on legs260 +Ill-pair’d; his gibbous shoulders o’er his breast +Contracted, pinch’d it; to a peak his head +Was moulded sharp, and sprinkled thin with hair +Of starveling length, flimsy and soft as down. +Achilles and Ulysses had incurr’d265 +Most his aversion; them he never spared; +But now, imperial Agamemnon self +In piercing accents stridulous he charged +With foul reproach. The Grecians with contempt +Listen’d, and indignation, while with voice270 +At highest pitch, he thus the monarch mock’d. +What wouldst thou now? Whereof is thy complaint +Now, Agamemnon? Thou hast fill’d thy tents +With treasure, and the Grecians, when they take +A city, choose the loveliest girls for thee.275 +Is gold thy wish? More gold? A ransom brought +By some chief Trojan for his son’s release +Whom I, or other valiant Greek may bind? +Or wouldst thou yet a virgin, one, by right +Another’s claim, but made by force thine own?280 +It was not well, great Sir, that thou shouldst bring +A plague on the Achaians, as of late. +But come, my Grecian sisters, soldiers named +Unfitly, of a sex too soft for war, +Come, let us homeward: let him here digest285 +What he shall gorge, alone; that he may learn +If our assistance profit him or not. +For when he shamed Achilles, he disgraced +A Chief far worthier than himself, whose prize +He now withholds. But tush,—Achilles lacks290 +Himself the spirit of a man; no gall +Hath he within him, or his hand long since +Had stopp’d that mouth,[9] that it should scoff no more. +Thus, mocking royal Agamemnon, spake +Thersites. Instant starting to his side, 295 +Noble Ulysses with indignant brows +Survey’d him, and him thus reproved severe. + +Thersites! Railer!—peace. Think not thyself, +Although thus eloquent, alone exempt +From obligation not to slander Kings.300 +I deem thee most contemptible, the worst +Of Agamemnon’s followers to the war; +Presume not then to take the names revered +Of Sovereigns on thy sordid lips, to asperse +Their sacred character, and to appoint305 +The Greeks a time when they shall voyage home. +How soon, how late, with what success at last +We shall return, we know not: but because +Achaia’s heroes numerous spoils allot +To Agamemnon, Leader of the host,310 +Thou therefore from thy seat revilest the King. +But mark me. If I find thee, as even now, +Raving and foaming at the lips again, +May never man behold Ulysses’ head +On these my shoulders more, and may my son315 +Prove the begotten of another Sire, +If I not strip thee to that hide of thine +As bare as thou wast born, and whip thee hence +Home to thy galley, sniveling like a boy. +He ceased, and with his sceptre on the back320 +And shoulders smote him. Writhing to and fro, +He wept profuse, while many a bloody whelk +Protuberant beneath the sceptre sprang. +Awe-quell’d he sat, and from his visage mean, +Deep-sighing, wiped the rheums. It was no time325 +For mirth, yet mirth illumined every face, +And laughing, thus they spake. A thousand acts +Illustrious, both by well-concerted plans +And prudent disposition of the host +Ulysses hath achieved, but this by far330 +Transcends his former praise, that he hath quell’d +Such contumelious rhetoric profuse. +The valiant talker shall not soon, we judge, +Take liberties with royal names again.[10] +So spake the multitude. Then, stretching forth335 +The sceptre, city-spoiler Chief, arose +Ulysses. Him beside, herald in form, +Appeared Minerva. Silence she enjoined +To all, that all Achaia’s sons might hear, +Foremost and rearmost, and might weigh his words.340 +He then his counsel, prudent, thus proposed. +Atrides! Monarch! The Achaians seek +To make thee ignominious above all +In sight of all mankind. None recollects +His promise more in steed-famed Argos pledged,345 +Here to abide till Ilium wall’d to heaven +Should vanquish’d sink, and all her wealth be ours. +No—now, like widow’d women, or weak boys, +They whimper to each other, wishing home. +And home, I grant, to the afflicted soul350 +Seems pleasant.[11] The poor seaman from his wife +One month detain’d, cheerless his ship and sad +Possesses, by the force of wintry blasts, +And by the billows of the troubled deep +Fast lock’d in port. But us the ninth long year355 +Revolving, finds camp’d under Ilium still. +I therefore blame not, if they mourn beside +Their sable barks, the Grecians. Yet the shame +That must attend us after absence long +Returning unsuccessful, who can bear?360 +Be patient, friends! wait only till we learn +If Calchas truly prophesied, or not; +For well we know, and I to all appeal, +Whom Fate hath not already snatch’d away, +(It seems but yesterday, or at the most365 +A day or two before) that when the ships +Wo-fraught for Priam, and the race of Troy, +At Aulis met, and we beside the fount +With perfect hecatombs the Gods adored +Beneath the plane-tree, from whose root a stream370 +Ran crystal-clear, there we beheld a sign +Wonderful in all eyes. A serpent huge, +Tremendous spectacle! with crimson spots +His back all dappled, by Olympian Jove +Himself protruded, from the altar’s foot375 +Slipp’d into light, and glided to the tree. +There on the topmost bough, close-cover’d sat +With foliage broad, eight sparrows, younglings all, +Then newly feather’d, with their dam, the ninth. +The little ones lamenting shrill he gorged,380 +While, wheeling o’er his head, with screams the dam +Bewail’d her darling brood. Her also next, +Hovering and clamoring, he by the wing +Within his spiry folds drew, and devoured. +All eaten thus, the nestlings and the dam,385 +The God who sent him, signalized him too, +For him Saturnian Jove transform’d to stone. +We wondering stood, to see that strange portent +Intrude itself into our holy rites, +When Calchas, instant, thus the sign explain’d.390 +Why stand ye, Greeks, astonish’d? Ye behold +A prodigy by Jove himself produced, +An omen, whose accomplishment indeed +Is distant, but whose fame shall never die.[12] +E’en as this serpent in your sight devour’d395 +Eight youngling sparrows, with their dam, the ninth, +So we nine years must war on yonder plain, +And in the tenth, wide-bulwark’d Troy is ours. +So spake the seer, and as he spake, is done. +Wait, therefore, brave Achaians! go not hence400 +Till Priam’s spacious city be your prize. +He ceased, and such a shout ensued, that all +The hollow ships the deafening roar return’d +Of acclamation, every voice the speech +Extolling of Ulysses, glorious Chief.405 +Then Nestor the Gerenian,[13] warrior old, +Arising, spake; and, by the Gods, he said, +Ye more resemble children inexpert +In war, than disciplined and prudent men. +Where now are all your promises and vows,410 +Councils, libations, right-hand covenants?[14] +Burn them, since all our occupation here +Is to debate and wrangle, whereof end +Or fruit though long we wait, shall none be found. +But, Sovereign, be not thou appall’d. Be firm.415 +Relax not aught of thine accustomed sway, +But set the battle forth as thou art wont. +And if there be a Grecian, here and there, +One,[15] adverse to the general voice, let such +Wither alone. He shall not see his wish420 +Gratified, neither will we hence return +To Argos, ere events shall yet have proved +Jove’s promise false or true. For when we climb’d +Our gallant barks full-charged with Ilium’s fate, +Saturnian Jove omnipotent, that day,425 +(Omen propitious!) thunder’d on the right. +Let no man therefore pant for home, till each +Possess a Trojan spouse, and from her lips +Take sweet revenge for Helen’s pangs of heart. +Who then? What soldier languishes and sighs430 +To leave us? Let him dare to lay his hand +On his own vessel, and he dies the first. +But hear, O King! I shall suggest a course +Not trivial. Agamemnon! sort the Greeks +By districts and by tribes, that tribe may tribe435 +Support, and each his fellow. This performed, +And with consent of all, thou shalt discern +With ease what Chief, what private man deserts, +And who performs his part. The base, the brave, +Such disposition made, shall both appear;440 +And thou shalt also know, if heaven or we, +The Gods, or our supineness, succor Troy. +To whom Atrides, King of men, replied. +Old Chief! Thou passest all Achaia’s sons +In consultation; would to Jove our Sire,445 +To Athenæan Pallas, and Apollo! +That I had ten such coadjutors, wise +As thou art, and the royal city soon +Of Priam, with her wealth, should all be ours.[16] +But me the son of Saturn, Jove supreme450 +Himself afflicts, who in contentious broils +Involves me, and in altercation vain. +Thence all that wordy tempest for a girl +Achilles and myself between, and I +The fierce aggressor. Be that breach but heal’d!455 +And Troy’s reprieve thenceforth is at an end. +Go—take refreshment now that we may march +Forth to our enemies. Let each whet well +His spear, brace well his shield, well feed his brisk +High-mettled horses, well survey and search460 +His chariot on all sides, that no defect +Disgrace his bright habiliments of war. +So will we give the day from morn to eve +To dreadful battle. Pause there shall be none +Till night divide us. Every buckler’s thong465 +Shall sweat on the toil’d bosom, every hand +That shakes the spear shall ache, and every steed +Shall smoke that whirls the chariot o’er the plain. +Wo then to whom I shall discover here +Loitering among the tents; let him escape470 +My vengeance if he can. The vulture’s maw +Shall have his carcase, and the dogs his bones. +He spake; whom all applauded with a shout +Loud as against some headland cliff the waves +Roll’d by the stormy South o’er rocks that shoot475 +Afar into the deep, which in all winds +The flood still overspreads, blow whence they may. +Arising, forth they rush’d, among the ships +All scatter’d; smoke from every tent arose, +The host their food preparing; next, his God480 +Each man invoked (of the Immortals him +Whom he preferr’d) with sacrifice and prayer +For safe escape from danger and from death. +But Agamemnon to Saturnian Jove +Omnipotent, an ox of the fifth year485 +Full-flesh’d devoted, and the Princes call’d +Noblest of all the Grecians to his feast. +First, Nestor with Idomeneus the King, +Then either Ajax, and the son he call’d +Of Tydeus, with Ulysses sixth and last,490 +Jove’s peer in wisdom. Menelaus went, +Heroic Chief! unbidden, for he knew +His brother’s mind with weight of care oppress’d. +The ox encircling, and their hands with meal +Of consecration fill’d, the assembly stood,495 +When Agamemnon thus his prayer preferred. +Almighty Father! Glorious above all! +Cloud-girt, who dwell’st in heaven thy throne sublime, +Let not the sun go down, till Priam’s roof +Fall flat into the flames; till I shall burn500 +His gates with fire; till I shall hew away +His hack’d and riven corslet from the breast +Of Hector, and till numerous Chiefs, his friends, +Around him, prone in dust, shall bite the ground. +So prayed he, but with none effect, The God505 +Received his offering, but to double toil +Doom’d them, and sorrow more than all the past. +They then, the triturated barley grain +First duly sprinkling, the sharp steel infix’d +Deep in the victim’s neck reversed, then stripp’d510 +The carcase, and divided at their joint +The thighs, which in the double caul involved +They spread with slices crude, and burn’d with fire +Ascending fierce from billets sere and dry. +The spitted entrails next they o’er the coals515 +Suspended held. The thighs with fire consumed, +They gave to each his portion of the maw, +Then slash’d the remnant, pierced it with the spits, +And managing with culinary skill +The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.520 +Thus, all their task accomplished, and the board +Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed. +When neither hunger more nor thirst remain’d +Unsatisfied, Gerenian Nestor spake. +Atrides! Agamemnon! King of men!525 +No longer waste we time in useless words, +Nor to a distant hour postpone the work +To which heaven calls thee. Send thine heralds forth. +Who shall convene the Achaians at the fleet, +That we, the Chiefs assembled here, may range,530 +Together, the imbattled multitude, +And edge their spirits for immediate fight. +He spake, nor Agamemnon not complied. +At once he bade his clear-voiced heralds call +The Greeks to battle. They the summons loud535 +Gave forth, and at the sound the people throng’d. +Then Agamemnon and the Kings of Greece +Dispatchful drew them into order just, +With whom Minerva azure-eyed advanced, +The inestimable Ægis on her arm,540 +Immortal, unobnoxious to decay +A hundred braids, close twisted, all of gold, +Each valued at a hundred beeves,[17] around +Dependent fringed it. She from side to side +Her eyes cerulean rolled, infusing thirst545 +Of battle endless into every breast. +War won them now, war sweeter now to each +Than gales to waft them over ocean home.[18] +As when devouring flames some forest seize +On the high mountains, splendid from afar550 +The blaze appears, so, moving on the plain, +The steel-clad host innumerous flash’d to heaven. +And as a multitude of fowls in flocks +Assembled various, geese, or cranes, or swans +Lithe-neck’d, long hovering o’er Caÿster’s banks555 +On wanton plumes, successive on the mead +Alight at last, and with a clang so loud +That all the hollow vale of Asius rings; +In number such from ships and tents effused, +They cover’d the Scamandrian plain; the earth560 +Rebellow’d to the feet of steeds and men. +They overspread Scamander’s grassy vale, +Myriads, as leaves, or as the flowers of spring. +As in the hovel where the peasant milks +His kine in spring-time, when his pails are fill’d,565 +Thick clouds of humming insects on the wing +Swarm all around him, so the Grecians swarm’d +An unsumm’d multitude o’er all the plain, +Bright arm’d, high crested, and athirst for war. +As goat-herds separate their numerous flocks570 +With ease, though fed promiscuous, with like ease +Their leaders them on every side reduced +To martial order glorious;[19] among whom +Stood Agamemnon “with an eye like Jove’s, +To threaten or command,” like Mars in girth,575 +And with the port of Neptune. As the bull +Conspicuous among all the herd appears, +For he surpasses all, such Jove ordain’d +That day the son of Atreus, in the midst +Of Heroes, eminent above them all.580 +Tell me, (for ye are are heavenly, and beheld[20] +A scene, whereof the faint report alone +Hath reached our ears, remote and ill-informed,) +Tell me, ye Muses, under whom, beneath +What Chiefs of royal or of humbler note585 +Stood forth the embattled Greeks? The host at large; +_They_ were a multitude in number more +Than with ten tongues, and with ten mouths, each mouth +Made vocal with a trumpet’s throat of brass +I might declare, unless the Olympian nine,590 +Jove’s daughters, would the chronicle themselves +Indite, of all assembled, under Troy. +I will rehearse the Captains and their fleets. +[21]Bœotia’s sturdy sons Peneleus led, +And Leïtus, whose partners in command595 +Arcesilaus and Prothoenor came, +And Clonius. Them the dwellers on the rocks +Of Aulis followed, with the hardy clans +Of Hyrie, Schoenos, Scholos, and the hills +Of Eteon; Thespia, Græa, and the plains600 +Of Mycalessus them, and Harma served, +Eleon, Erythræ, Peteon; Hyle them, +Hesius and Ocalea, and the strength +Of Medeon; Copæ also in their train +Marched, with Eutresis and the mighty men605 +Of Thisbe famed for doves; nor pass unnamed +Whom Coronæa, and the grassy land +Of Haliartus added to the war, +Nor whom Platæa, nor whom Glissa bred, +And Hypothebæ,[22] and thy sacred groves610 +To Neptune, dark Onchestus. Arne claims +A record next for her illustrious sons, +Vine-bearing Arne. Thou wast also there +Mideia, and thou Nissa; nor be thine +Though last, Anthedon, a forgotten name.615 +These in Bœotia’s fair and gallant fleet +Of fifty ships, each bearing o’er the waves +Thrice forty warriors, had arrived at Troy. +In thirty ships deep-laden with the brave, +Aspledon and Orchomenos had sent620 +Their chosen youth; them ruled a noble pair, +Sons of Astyoche; she, lovely nymph, +Received by stealth, on Actor’s stately roof, +The embraces of a God, and bore to Mars +Twins like himself, Ascalaphus the bold,625 +And bold Iälmenus, expert in arms. +Beneath Epistrophus and Schedius, took +Their destined station on Bœotia’s left, +The brave Phocensians; they in forty ships +From Cyparissus came, and from the rocks630 +Of Python, and from Crissa the divine; +From Anemoria, Daulis, Panopeus, +And from Hyampolis, and from the banks +Of the Cephissus, sacred stream, and from +Lilæa, seated at its fountain-head.635 +Next from beyond Eubœa’s happy isle +In forty ships conveyed, stood forth well armed +The Locrians; dwellers in Augeia some +The pleasant, some of Opoëis possessed, +Some of Calliarus; these Scarpha sent,640 +And Cynus those; from Bessa came the rest, +From Tarpha, Thronius, and from the brink +Of loud Boagrius; Ajax them, the swift, +Son of Oïleus led, not such as he +From Telamon, big-boned and lofty built,645 +But small of limb, and of an humbler crest; +Yet he, competitor had none throughout +The Grecians of what land soe’er, for skill +In ushering to its mark the rapid lance. +Elphenor brought (Calchodon’s mighty son)650 +The Eubœans to the field. In forty ships +From Histrïæa for her vintage famed, +From Chalcis, from Iretria, from the gates +Of maritime Cerinthus, from the heights +Of Dios rock-built citadel sublime,655 +And from Caristus and from Styra came +His warlike multitudes, all named alike +Abantes, on whose shoulders fell behind +Their locks profuse,[23] and they were eager all +To split the hauberk with the pointed spear.660 +Nor Athens had withheld her generous sons, +The people of Erectheus. Him of old +The teeming glebe produced, a wondrous birth! +And Pallas rear’d him: her own unctuous fane +She made his habitation, where with bulls665 +The youth of Athens, and with slaughter’d lambs +Her annual worship celebrate. Then led +Menestheus, whom, (sage Nestor’s self except, +Thrice school’d in all events of human life,) +None rivall’d ever in the just array670 +Of horse and man to battle. Fifty ships +Black-prowed, had borne them to the distant war. +Ajax from Salamis twelve vessels brought, +And where the Athenian band in phalanx stood +Marshall’d compact, there station’d he his powers.675 +The men of Argos and Tyrintha next, +And of Hermione, that stands retired +With Asine, within her spacious bay; +Of Epidaurus, crown’d with purple vines, +And of Trœzena, with the Achaian youth680 +Of sea-begirt Ægina, and with thine, +Maseta, and the dwellers on thy coast, +Wave-worn Eïonæ; these all obeyed +The dauntless Hero Diomede, whom served +Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, a Chief685 +Of deathless fame, his second in command, +And godlike man, Euryalus, the son +Of King Mecisteus, Talaüs’ son, his third. +But Diomede controll’d them all, and him +Twice forty sable ships their leader own’d.690 +Came Agamemnon with a hundred ships, +Exulting in his powers; more numerous they, +And more illustrious far than other Chief +Could boast, whoever. Clad in burnish’d brass, +And conscious of pre-eminence, he stood.695 +He drew his host from cities far renown’d, +Mycenæ, and Corinthus, seat of wealth, +Orneia, and Cleonæ bulwark’d strong, +And lovely Aræthyria; Sicyon, where +His seat of royal power held at the first700 +Adrastus: Hyperesia, and the heights +Of Gonoëssa; Ægium, with the towns +That sprinkle all that far-extended coast, +Pellene also and wide Helice +With all their shores, were number’d in his train.705 +From hollow Lacedæmon’s glen profound, +From Phare, Sparta, and from Messa, still +Resounding with the ring-dove’s amorous moan, +From Brysia, from Augeia, from the rocks +Of Laas, from Amycla, Otilus,710 +And from the towers of Helos, at whose foot +The surf of Ocean falls, came sixty barks +With Menelaus. From the monarch’s host +The royal brother ranged his own apart, +and panted for revenge of Helen’s wrongs,715 +And of her sighs and tears.[24] From rank to rank, +Conscious of dauntless might he pass’d, and sent +Into all hearts the fervor of his own. +Gerenian Nestor in thrice thirty ships +Had brought his warriors; they from Pylus came,720 +From blithe Arene, and from Thryos, built +Fast by the fords of Alpheus, and from steep +And stately Æpy. Their confederate powers +Sent Amphigenia, Cyparissa veiled +With broad redundance of funereal shades,725 +Pteleos and Helos, and of deathless fame +Dorion. In Dorion erst the Muses met +Threïcian Thamyris, on his return +From Eurytus, Oechalian Chief, and hush’d +His song for ever; for he dared to vaunt730 +That he would pass in song even themselves +The Muses, daughters of Jove Ægis-arm’d. +They therefore, by his boast incensed, the bard +Struck blind, and from his memory dash’d severe +All traces of his once celestial strains.735 +Arcadia’s sons, the dwellers at the foot +Of mount Cyllene, where Æpytus sleeps +Intomb’d; a generation bold in fight, +And warriors hand to hand; the valiant men +Of Pheneus, of Orchomenos by flocks740 +Grazed numberless, of Ripe, Stratia, bleak +Enispe; Mantinea city fair, +Stymphelus and Parrhasia, and the youth +Of Tegea; royal Agapenor these, +Ancæus’ offspring, had in sixty ships745 +To Troy conducted; numerous was the crew, +And skilled in arms, which every vessel brought, +And Agamemnon had with barks himself +Supplied them, for, of inland realms possessed, +They little heeded maritime employs.[25]750 +The dwellers in Buprasium, on the shores +Of pleasant Elis, and in all the land +Myrsinus and the Hyrminian plain between, +The rock Olenian, and the Alysian fount; +These all obey’d four Chiefs, and galleys ten755 +Each Chief commanded, with Epeans filled. +Amphimachus and Thalpius govern’d these, +This, son of Cteatus, the other, sprung +From Eurytus, and both of Actor’s house. +Diores, son of Amarynceus, those760 +Led on, and, for his godlike form renown’d, +Polyxenus was Chieftain o’er the rest, +Son of Agasthenes, Augeias’ son. +Dulichium, and her sister sacred isles +The Echinades, whose opposite aspect765 +Looks toward Elis o’er the curling waves, +Sent forth their powers with Meges at their head, +Brave son of Phyleus, warrior dear to Jove. +Phyleus in wrath, his father’s house renounced, +And to Dulichium wandering, there abode.770 +Twice twenty ships had follow’d Meges forth. +Ulysses led the Cephallenians bold. +From Ithaca, and from the lofty woods +Of Neritus they came, and from the rocks +Of rude Ægilipa. Crocylia these,775 +And these Zacynthus own’d; nor yet a few +From Samos, from Epirus join’d their aid, +And from the opposite Ionian shore. +Them, wise as Jove himself, Ulysses led +In twelve fair ships, with crimson prows adorn’d.780 +From forty ships, Thoas, Andræmon’s son, +Had landed his Ætolians; for extinct +Was Meleager, and extinct the house +Of Oeneus all, nor Oeneus self survived; +To Thoas therefore had Ætolia fallen;785 +Him Olenos, Pylene, Chalcis served, +With Pleuro, and the rock-bound Calydon. +Idomeneus, spear-practised warrior, led +The numerous Cretans. In twice forty ships +He brought his powers to Troy. The warlike bands790 +Of Cnossus, of Gortyna wall’d around, +Of Lyctus, of Lycastus chalky-white, +Of Phæstus, of Miletus, with the youth +Of Rhytius him obey’d; nor these were all, +But others from her hundred cities Crete795 +Sent forth, all whom Idomeneus the brave +Commanded, with Meriones in arms +Dread as the God of battles blood-imbrued. +Nine ships Tlepolemus, Herculean-born, +For courage famed and for superior size,800 +Fill’d with his haughty Rhodians. They, in tribes +Divided, dwelt distinct. Jelyssus these, +Those Lindus, and the rest the shining soil +Of white Camirus occupied. Him bore +To Hercules, (what time he led the nymph805 +From Ephyre, and from Sellea’s banks, +After full many a city laid in dust.) +Astyocheia. In his father’s house +Magnificent, Tlepolemus spear-famed +Had scarce up-grown to manhood’s lusty prime810 +When he his father’s hoary uncle slew +Lycimnius, branch of Mars. Then built he ships, +And, pushing forth to sea, fled from the threats +Of the whole house of Hercules. Huge toil +And many woes he suffer’d, till at length815 +At Rhodes arriving, in three separate bands +He spread himself abroad, Much was he loved +Of all-commanding Jove, who bless’d him there, +And shower’d abundant riches on them all. +Nireus of Syma, with three vessels came;820 +Nireus, Aglæa’s offspring, whom she bore +To Charopus the King; Nireus in form, +(The faultless son of Peleus sole except,) +Loveliest of all the Grecians call’d to Troy. +But he was heartless and his men were few.[26]825 +Nisyrus, Casus, Crapathus, and Cos +Where reign’d Eurypylus, with all the isles +Calydnæ named, under two valiant Chiefs +Their troops disposed; Phidippus one, and one, +His brother Antiphus, begotten both830 +By Thessalus, whom Hercules begat. +In thirty ships they sought the shores of Troy. +The warriors of Pelasgian Argos next, +Of Alus, and Alope, and who held +Trechina, Phthia, and for women fair835 +Distinguish’d, Hellas; known by various names +Hellenes, Myrmidons, Achæans, them +In fifty ships embark’d, Achilles ruled. +But these were deaf to the hoarse-throated war, +For there was none to draw their battle forth,840 +And give them just array. Close in his ships +Achilles, after loss of the bright-hair’d +Brisëis, lay, resentful; her obtained +Not without labor hard, and after sack +Of Thebes and of Lyrnessus, where he slew845 +Two mighty Chiefs, sons of Evenus both, +Epistrophus and Mynes, her he mourn’d, +And for her sake self-prison’d in his fleet +And idle lay, though soon to rise again. +From Phylace, and from the flowery fields850 +Of Pyrrhasus, a land to Ceres given +By consecration, and from Iton green, +Mother of flocks; from Antron by the sea, +And from the grassy meads of Pteleus, came +A people, whom while yet he lived, the brave855 +Protesilaüs led; but him the earth +Now cover’d dark and drear. A wife he left, +To rend in Phylace her bleeding cheeks, +And an unfinish’d mansion. First he died +Of all the Greeks; for as he leap’d to land860 +Foremost by far, a Dardan struck him dead. +Nor had his troops, though filled with deep regret, +No leader; them Podarces led, a Chief +Like Mars in battle, brother of the slain, +But younger born, and from Iphiclus sprung865 +Who sprang from Phylacus the rich in flocks. +But him Protesilaüs, as in years, +So also in desert of arms excell’d +Heroic, whom his host, although they saw +Podarces at their head, still justly mourn’d;870 +For he was fierce in battle, and at Troy +With forty sable-sided ships arrived. +Eleven galleys, Pheræ on the lake, +And Boebe, and Iölchus, and the vale +Of Glaphyræ supplied with crews robust875 +Under Eumelus; him Alcestis, praised +For beauty above all her sisters fair, +In Thessaly to King Admetus bore. +Methone, and Olizon’s craggy coast, +With Melibœa and Thaumasia sent880 +Seven ships; their rowers were good archers all, +And every vessel dipped into the wave +Her fifty oars. Them Philoctetes, skill’d +To draw with sinewy arm the stubborn bow, +Commanded; but he suffering anguish keen885 +Inflicted by a serpent’s venom’d tooth, +Lay sick in Lemnos; him the Grecians there +Had left sore-wounded, but were destined soon +To call to dear remembrance whom they left. +Meantime, though sorrowing for his sake, his troops890 +Yet wanted not a chief; them Medon ruled, +Whom Rhena to the far-famed conqueror bore +Oïleus, fruit of their unsanction’d loves. +From Tricca, from Ithome rough and rude +With rocks and glens, and from Oechalia, town895 +Of Eurytus Oechalian-born, came forth +Their warlike youth by Podalirius led +And by Machaon, healers both expert +Of all disease, and thirty ships were theirs. +The men of Ormenus, and from beside900 +The fountain Hypereia, from the tops +Of chalky Titan, and Asteria’s band; +Them ruled Eurypylus, Evæmon’s son +Illustrious, whom twice twenty ships obeyed. +Orthe, Gyrtone, Oloösson white,905 +Argissa and Helone; they their youth +Gave to control of Polypœtes, son +Undaunted of Pirithoüs, son of Jove. +Him, to Pirithoüs, (on the self-same day +When he the Centaurs punish’d and pursued910 +Sheer to Æthicæ driven from Pelion’s heights +The shaggy race) Hippodamia bore. +Nor he alone them led. With him was join’d +Leonteus dauntless warrior, from the bold +Coronus sprung, who Cæneus call’d his sire.915 +Twice twenty ships awaited their command. +Guneus from Cyphus twenty and two ships +Led forth; the Enienes him obey’d, +And the robust Perœbi, warriors bold, +And dwellers on Dodona’s wintry brow.920 +To these were join’d who till the pleasant fields +Where Titaresius winds; the gentle flood +Pours into Peneus all his limpid stores, +But with the silver-eddied Peneus flows +Unmixt as oil;[27] for Stygian is his stream,925 +And Styx is the inviolable oath. +Last with his forty ships, Tenthredon’s son, +The active Prothoüs came. From the green banks +Of Peneus his Magnesians far and near +He gather’d, and from Pelion forest-crown’d.930 +These were the princes and the Chiefs of Greece. +Say, Muse, who most in personal desert +Excell’d, and whose were the most warlike steeds +And of the noblest strain. Their hue, their age, +Their height the same, swift as the winds of heaven935 +And passing far all others, were the mares +Which drew Eumelus; on Pierian hills +The heavenly Archer of the silver bow, +Apollo, bred them. But of men, the chief +Was Telamonian Ajax, while wrath-bound940 +Achilles lay; for he was worthier far, +And more illustrious were the steeds which bore +The noble son of Peleus; but revenge +On Agamemnon leader of the host +Was all his thought, while in his gallant ships945 +Sharp-keel’d to cut the foaming flood, he lay. +Meantime, along the margin of the deep +His soldiers hurled the disk, or bent the bow. +Or to its mark dispatch’d the quivering lance. +Beside the chariots stood the unharness’d steeds950 +Cropping the lotus, or at leisure browsed +On celery wild, from watery freshes gleaned. +Beneath the shadow of the sheltering tent +The chariot stood, while they, the charioteers +Roam’d here and there the camp, their warlike lord955 +Regretting sad, and idle for his sake. +As if a fire had burnt along the ground, +Such seem’d their march; earth groan’d their steps beneath; +As when in Arimi, where fame reports +Typhoëus stretch’d, the fires of angry Jove960 +Down darted, lash the ground, so groan’d the earth +Beneath them, for they traversed swift the plain. +And now from Jove, with heavy tidings charged, +Wind-footed Iris to the Trojans came. +It was the time of council, when the throng965 +At Priam’s gate assembled, young and old: +Them, standing nigh, the messenger of heaven +Accosted with the voice of Priam’s son, +Polites. He, confiding in his speed +For sure deliverance, posted was abroad970 +On Æsyeta’s tomb,[28] intent to watch +When the Achaian host should leave the fleet. +The Goddess in his form thus them address’d. +Oh, ancient Monarch! Ever, evermore +Speaking, debating, as if all were peace;975 +I have seen many a bright-embattled field, +But never one so throng’d as this to-day. +For like the leaves, or like the sands they come +Swept by the winds, to gird the city round. +But Hector! chiefly thee I shall exhort.980 +In Priam’s spacious city are allies +Collected numerous, and of nations wide +Disseminated various are the tongues. +Let every Chief his proper troop command, +And marshal his own citizens to war.985 +She ceased; her Hector heard intelligent, +And quick dissolved the council. All took arms. +Wide flew the gates; forth rush’d the multitude, +Horsemen and foot, and boisterous stir arose. +In front of Ilium, distant on the plain,990 +Clear all around from all obstruction, stands +An eminence high-raised, by mortal men +Call’d Bateia, but the Gods the tomb +Have named it of Myrinna swift in fight. +Troy and her aids there set the battle forth.995 +Huge Priameian Hector, fierce in arms, +Led on the Trojans; with whom march’d the most +And the most valiant, dexterous at the spear. +Æneas, (on the hills of Ida him +The lovely Venus to Anchises bore,1000 +A Goddess by a mortal man embraced) +Led the Dardanians; but not he alone; +Archilochus with him and Acamas +Stood forth, the offspring of Antenor, each, +And well instructed in all forms of war.1005 +Fast by the foot of Ida, where they drank +The limpid waters of Æsepus, dwelt +The Trojans of Zeleia. Rich were they +And led by Pandarus, Lycaon’s son, +Whom Phœbus self graced with the bow he bore.1010 +Apæsus, Adrastea, Terie steep, +And Pitueia—them, Amphius clad +In mail thick-woven, and Adrastus, ruled. +They were the sons of the Percosian seer +Merops, expert in the soothsayers’ art1015 +Above all other; he his sons forbad +The bloody fight, but disobedient they +Still sought it, for their destiny prevailed. +The warriors of Percote, and who dwelt +In Practius, in Arisba, city fair,1020 +In Sestus, in Abydus, march’d behind +Princely Hyrtacides; his tawny steeds, +Strong-built and tall, from Sellcentes’ bank +And from Arisba, had him borne to Troy. +Hippothous and Pilmus, branch of Mars,1025 +Both sons of Lethus the Pelasgian, they, +Forth from Larissa for her fertile soil +Far-famed, the spear-expert Pelasgians brought. +The Thracians (all whom Hellespont includes +Within the banks of his swift-racing tide)1030 +Heroic Acamas and Pirous led. +Euphemus, offspring of Trœzenus, son +Of Jove-protected Ceas, was the Chief +Whom the spear-arm’d Ciconian band obey’d. +Pæonia’s archers follow’d to the field1035 +Pyræchmes; they from Amydon remote +Were drawn, where Axius winds; broad Axius, stream +Diffused delightful over all the vale. +Pylæmenes, a Chief of giant might +From the Eneti for forest-mules renowned1040 +March’d with his Paphlagonians; dwellers they +In Sesamus and in Cytorus were, +And by the stream Parthenius; Cromna these +Sent forth, and those Ægialus on the lip +And margin of the land, and some, the heights1045 +Of Erythini, rugged and abrupt. +Epistrophus and Odius from the land +Of Alybe, a region far remote, +Where veins of silver wind, led to the field +The Halizonians. With the Mysians came1050 +Chromis their Chief, and Ennomus; him skill’d +In augury, but skill’d in vain, his art +Saved not, but by Æacides[29] the swift, +With others in the Xanthus[30] slain, he died. +Ascanius, lovely youth, and Phorcis, led1055 +The Phrygians from Ascania far remote, +Ardent for battle. The Mœonian race, +(All those who at the foot of Tmolus dwelt,) +Mesthles and Antiphus, fraternal pair, +Sons of Pylæmenes commanded, both1060 +Of the Gygæan lake in Lydia born. +Amphimachus and Nastes led to fight +The Carians, people of a barbarous speech,[31] +With the Milesians, and the mountain-race +Of wood-crown’d Phthira, and who dwelt beside1065 +Mæander, or on Mycale sublime. +Them led Amphimachus and Nastes, sons +Renown’d of Nomion. Like a simple girl +Came forth Amphimachus with gold bedight, +But him his trappings from a woful death1070 +Saved not, when whirled beneath the bloody tide +To Peleus’ stormy son his spoils he left. +Sarpedon with the noble Glaucus led +Their warriors forth from farthest Lycia, where +Xanthus deep-dimpled rolls his oozy tide.1075 + + + + +BOOK III. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK. + +The armies meet. Paris throws out a challenge to the Grecian Princes. +Menelaus accepts it. The terms of the combat are adjusted solemnly by +Agamemnon on the part of Greece, and by Priam on the part of Troy. The +combat ensues, in which Paris is vanquished, whom yet Venus rescues. +Agamemnon demands from the Trojans a performance of the covenant. + + +BOOK III. + + +[1]Now marshall’d all beneath their several chiefs, +With deafening shouts, and with the clang of arms, +The host of Troy advanced. Such clang is heard +Along the skies, when from incessant showers +Escaping, and from winter’s cold, the cranes5 +Take wing, and over Ocean speed away;[2] +Wo to the land of dwarfs! prepared they fly +For slaughter of the small Pygmæan race. +Not so the Greeks; they breathing valor came, +But silent all, and all with faithful hearts10 +On succor mutual to the last, resolved. +As when the south wind wraps the mountain top +In mist the shepherd’s dread, but to the thief +Than night itself more welcome, and the eye +Is bounded in its ken to a stone’s cast,15 +Such from beneath their footsteps dun and dense +Uprose the dust, for swift they cross the plain. + +When, host to host opposed, full nigh they stood, +Then Alexander[3] in the Trojan van +Advanced was seen, all beauteous as a God;20 +His leopard’s skin, his falchion and his bow +Hung from his shoulder; bright with heads of brass +He shook two spears, and challenged to the fight +The bravest Argives there, defying all. +Him, striding haughtily his host before25 +When Menelaus saw, such joy he felt +As hunger-pinch’d the lion feels, by chance +Conducted to some carcase huge, wild goat, +Or antler’d stag; huntsmen and baying hounds +Disturb not _him_, he gorges in their sight.30 +So Menelaus at the view rejoiced +Of lovely Alexander, for he hoped +His punishment at hand. At once, all armed, +Down from his chariot to the ground he leap’d +When godlike Paris him in front beheld35 +Conspicuous, his heart smote him, and his fate +Avoiding, far within the lines he shrank.[4] +As one, who in some woodland height descrying +A serpent huge, with sudden start recoils, +His limbs shake under him; with cautious step40 +He slow retires; fear blanches cold his cheeks; +So beauteous Alexander at the sight +Of Atreus’ son dishearten’d sore, the ranks +Of haughty Trojans enter’d deep again: +Him Hector eyed, and thus rebuked severe.45 +Curst Paris! Fair deceiver! Woman-mad! +I would to all in heaven that thou hadst died +Unborn, at least unmated! happier far +Than here to have incurr’d this public shame! +Well may the Grecians taunt, and laughing loud,50 +Applaud the champion, slow indeed to fight +And pusillanimous, but wondrous fair. +Wast thou as timid, tell me, when with those +Thy loved companions in that famed exploit, +Thou didst consort with strangers, and convey55 +From distant lands a warrior’s beauteous bride +To be thy father’s and his people’s curse, +Joy to our foes, but to thyself reproach? +Behold her husband! Darest thou not to face +The warlike prince? Now learn how brave a Chief60 +Thou hast defrauded of his blooming spouse. +Thy lyre, thy locks, thy person, specious gifts +Of partial Venus, will avail thee nought, +Once mixt by Menelaus with the dust. +But we are base ourselves, or long ago,65 +For all thy numerous mischiefs, thou hadst slept +Secure beneath a coverlet[5] of stone.[6] +Then godlike Alexander thus replied. +Oh Hector, true in temper as the axe +Which in the shipwright’s hand the naval plank70 +Divides resistless, doubling all his force, +Such is thy dauntless spirit whose reproach +Perforce I own, nor causeless nor unjust. +Yet let the gracious gifts uncensured pass +Of golden Venus; man may not reject75 +The glorious bounty by the Gods bestow’d, +Nor follows their beneficence our choice. +But if thy pleasure be that I engage +With Menelaus in decision fierce +Of desperate combat bid the host of Troy80 +And bid the Grecians sit; then face to face +Commit us, in the vacant field between, +To fight for Helen and for all her wealth. +Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her +And hers possess’d shall bear them safe away;85 +While ye (peace sworn and firm accord) shall dwell +At Troy, and these to Argos shall return +And to Achaia praised for women fair. +He ceased, whom Hector heard with joy; he moved +Into the middle space, and with his spear90 +Advanced athwart push’d back the Trojan van, +And all stood fast. Meantime at him the Greeks +Discharged full volley, showering thick around +From bow and sling;[7] when with a mighty voice +Thus Agamemnon, leader of the host.95 +Argives! Be still—shoot not, ye sons of Greece! +Hector bespeaks attention. Hear the Chief! +He said, at once the Grecians ceased to shoot, +And all sat silent. Hector then began. +Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye Greeks mail-arm’d,100 +While I shall publish in your ears the words +Of Alexander, author of our strife. +Trojans, he bids, and Grecians on the field +Their arms dispose; while he, the hosts between, +With warlike Menelaus shall in fight105 +Contend for Helen, and for all her wealth. +Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her +And hers possess’d, shall bear them safe away, +And oaths of amity shall bind the rest. +He ceased, and all deep silence held, amazed;110 +When valiant Menelaus thus began. +Hear now me also, on whose aching heart +These woes have heaviest fallen. At last I hope +Decision near, Trojans and Greeks between, +For ye have suffer’d in my quarrel much,115 +And much by Paris, author of the war. +Die he who must, and peace be to the rest. +But ye shall hither bring two lambs, one white, +The other black;[8] this to the Earth devote, +That to the Sun. We shall ourselves supply120 +A third for Jove. Then bring ye Priam forth, +Himself to swear the covenant, (for his sons +Are faithless) lest the oath of Jove be scorn’d. +Young men are ever of unstable mind; +But when an elder interferes, he views125 +Future and past together, and insures +The compact, to both parties, uninfringed. +So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts +Awaken’d joyful hope that there should end +War’s long calamities. Alighted each,130 +And drew his steeds into the lines. The field +Glitter’d with arms put off, and side by side, +Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war +Stood front to front, small interval between. +Then Hector to the city sent in haste135 +Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite +Priam; while Agamemnon, royal Chief, +Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss’d +For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice +Of noble Agamemnon disobey’d.140 +Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while, +To Helen came. Laödice she seem’d, +Loveliest of all the daughters of the house +Of Priam, wedded to Antenor’s son, +King Helicäon. Her she found within,145 +An ample web magnificent she wove,[9] +Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake +Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks +Mail-arm’d, and Trojans of equestrian fame. +Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address’d.150 +Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold! +Greeks brazen-mail’d, and Trojans steed-renown’d. +So lately on the cruel work of Mars +Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit +Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield155 +Each leans, his long spear planted at his side. +Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold, +With quivering lances shall contend for thee, +And thou art his who conquers; his for ever. +So saying, the Goddess into Helen’s soul160 +Sweetest desire infused to see again +Her former Lord, her parents, and her home. +At once o’ermantled with her snowy veil +She started forth, and as she went let fall +A tender tear; not unaccompanied165 +She went, but by two maidens of her train +Attended, Æthra, Pittheus’ daughter fair, +And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps +Convey’d them quickly to the Scæan gate. +There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat,170 +Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars, +Antenor and Ucalegon the wise, +All, elders of the people; warriors erst, +But idle now through age, yet of a voice +Still indefatigable as the fly’s[10]175 +Which perch’d among the boughs sends forth at noon +Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet. +Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower, +Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw, +In accents quick, but whisper’d, thus remark’d.180 +Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse, +Long war for so much beauty.[11] Oh, how like +In feature to the Goddesses above! +Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away, +Resistless as thou art and all divine,185 +Nor leave a curse to us, and to our sons. +So they among themselves; but Priam call’d +Fair Helen to his side.[12] My daughter dear! +Come, sit beside me. Thou shalt hence discern +Thy former Lord, thy kindred and thy friends.190 +I charge no blame on thee. The Gods have caused, +Not thou, this lamentable war to Troy.[13] +Name to me yon Achaian Chief for bulk +Conspicuous, and for port. Taller indeed +I may perceive than he; but with these eyes195 +Saw never yet such dignity, and grace. +Declare his name. Some royal Chief he seems. +To whom thus Helen, loveliest of her sex, +My other Sire! by me for ever held +In reverence, and with filial fear beloved!200 +Oh that some cruel death had been my choice, +Rather than to abandon, as I did, +All joys domestic, matrimonial bliss, +Brethren, dear daughter, and companions dear, +A wanderer with thy son. Yet I alas!205 +Died not, and therefore now, live but to weep. +But I resolve thee. Thou behold’st the son +Of Atreus, Agamemnon, mighty king, +In arms heroic, gracious in the throne, +And, (though it shame me now to call him such,)210 +By nuptial ties a brother once to me. +Then him the ancient King-admiring, said. +Oh blest Atrides, happy was thy birth, +And thy lot glorious, whom this gallant host +So numerous, of the sons of Greece obey!215 +To vine-famed Phrygia, in my days of youth, +I journey’d; many Phrygians there I saw, +Brave horsemen, and expert; they were the powers +Of Otreus and of Mygdon, godlike Chief, +And on the banks of Sangar’s stream encamp’d.220 +I march’d among them, chosen in that war +Ally of Phrygia, and it was her day +Of conflict with the man-defying race, +The Amazons; yet multitudes like these +Thy bright-eyed Greeks, I saw not even there.225 +The venerable King observing next +Ulysses, thus inquired. My child, declare +Him also. Shorter by the head he seems +Than Agamemnon, Atreus’ mighty son, +But shoulder’d broader, and of ampler chest;230 +He hath disposed his armor on the plain, +But like a ram, himself the warrior ranks +Ranges majestic; like a ram full-fleeced +By numerous sheep encompass’d snowy-white. +To whom Jove’s daughter Helen thus replied.235 +In him the son of old Laërtes know, +Ulysses; born in Ithaca the rude, +But of a piercing wit, and deeply wise. +Then answer thus, Antenor sage return’d. +Princess thou hast described him: hither once240 +The noble Ithacan, on thy behalf +Ambassador with Menelaus, came: +Beneath my roof, with hospitable fare +Friendly I entertained them. Seeing then +Occasion opportune, I closely mark’d245 +The genius and the talents of the Chiefs, +And this I noted well; that when they stood +Amid the assembled counsellors of Troy, +Then Menelaus his advantage show’d, +Who by the shoulders overtopp’d his friend.250 +But when both sat, Ulysses in his air +Had more of state and dignity than he. +In the delivery of a speech address’d +To the full senate, Menelaus used +Few words, but to the matter, fitly ranged,255 +And with much sweetness utter’d; for in loose +And idle play of ostentatious terms +He dealt not, thhugh he were the younger man. +But when the wise Ulysses from his seat +Had once arisen, he would his downcast eyes260 +So rivet on the earth, and with a hand +That seem’d untutor’d in its use, so hold +His sceptre, swaying it to neither side, +That hadst thou seen him, thou hadst thought him, sure, +Some chafed and angry idiot, passion-fixt.265 +Yet, when at length, the clear and mellow base +Of his deep voice brake forth, and he let fall +His chosen words like flakes of feather’d snow, +None then might match Ulysses; leisure, then, +Found none to wonder at his noble form.270 +The third of whom the venerable king +Inquired, was Ajax.—Yon Achaian tall, +Whose head and shoulders tower above the rest, +And of such bulk prodigious—who is he? +Him answer’d Helen, loveliest of her sex.275 +A bulwark of the Greeks. In him thou seest +Gigantic Ajax. Opposite appear +The Cretans, and among the Chiefs of Crete +stands, like a God, Idomeneus. Him oft +From Crete arrived, was Menelaüs wont280 +To entertain; and others now I see, +Achaians, whom I could recall to mind, +And give to each his name; but two brave youths +I yet discern not; for equestrian skill +One famed, and one a boxer never foiled;285 +My brothers; born of Leda; sons of Jove; +Castor and Pollux. Either they abide +In lovely Sparta still, or if they came, +Decline the fight, by my disgrace abash’d +And the reproaches which have fallen on me.[14]290 +She said; but they already slept inhumed +In Lacedemon, in their native soil. +And now the heralds, through the streets of Troy +Charged with the lambs, and with a goat-skin filled +With heart-exhilarating wine prepared295 +For that divine solemnity, return’d. +Idæus in his hand a beaker bore +Resplendent, with its fellow cups of gold, +And thus he summon’d ancient Priam forth. +Son of Laömedon, arise. The Chiefs300 +Call thee, the Chiefs of Ilium and of Greece. +Descend into the plain. We strike a truce, +And need thine oath to bind it. Paris fights +With warlike Menelaüs for his spouse; +Their spears decide the strife. The conqueror wins305 +Helen and all her treasures. We, thenceforth, +(Peace sworn and amity) shall dwell secure +In Troy, while they to Argos shall return +And to Achaia praised for women fair. +He spake, and Priam, shuddering, bade his train310 +Prepare his steeds; they sedulous obey’d. +First, Priam mounting, backward stretch’d the reins; +Antenor, next, beside him sat, and through +The Scæan gate they drove into the plain. +Arriving at the hosts of Greece and Troy315 +They left the chariot, and proceeded both +Into the interval between the hosts. +Then uprose Agamemnon, and uprose +All-wise Ulysses. Next, the heralds came +Conspicuous forward, expediting each320 +The ceremonial; they the beaker fill’d +With wine, and to the hands of all the kings +Minister’d water. Agamemnon then +Drawing his dagger which he ever bore +Appendant to his heavy falchion’s sheath,325 +Cut off the forelocks of the lambs,[15] of which +The heralds gave to every Grecian Chief +A portion, and to all the Chiefs of Troy. +Then Agamemnon raised his hands, and pray’d. +Jove, Father, who from Ida stretchest forth330 +Thine arm omnipotent, o’erruling all, +And thou, all-seeing and all-hearing Sun, +Ye Rivers, and thou conscious Earth, and ye +Who under earth on human kind avenge +Severe, the guilt of violated oaths,335 +Hear ye, and ratify what now we swear! +Should Paris slay the hero amber-hair’d, +My brother Menelaüs, Helen’s wealth +And Helen’s self are his, and all our host +Shall home return to Greece; but should it chance340 +That Paris fall by Menelaüs’ hand, +Then Troy shall render back what she detains, +With such amercement as is meet, a sum +To be remember’d in all future times. +Which penalty should Priam and his sons345 +Not pay, though Paris fall, then here in arms +I will contend for payment of the mulct +My due, till, satisfied, I close the war. +He said, and with his ruthless steel the lambs +Stretch’d panting all, but soon they ceased to pant,350 +For mortal was the stroke.[16] Then drawing forth +Wine from the beaker, they with brimming cups +Hail’d the immortal Gods, and pray’d again, +And many a Grecian thus and Trojan spake. +All-glorious Jove, and ye the powers of heaven,355 +Whoso shall violate this contract first, +So be the brains of them and of their sons +Pour’d out, as we this wine pour on the earth, +And may their wives bring forth to other men! +So they: but them Jove heard not. Then arose360 +Priam, the son of Dardanus, and said, +Hear me, ye Trojans and ye Greeks well-arm’d. +Hence back to wind-swept Ilium I return, +Unable to sustain the sight, my son +With warlike Menelaüs match’d in arms.365 +Jove knows, and the immortal Gods, to whom +Of both, this day is preordain’d the last. +So spake the godlike monarch, and disposed +Within the royal chariot all the lambs; +Then, mounting, check’d the reins; Antenor next370 +Ascended, and to Ilium both return’d. +First, Hector and Ulysses, noble Chief, +Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof +Who of the combatants should foremost hurl +His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque;375 +Meantime the people raised their hands on high, +And many a Grecian thus and Trojan prayed. +Jove, Father, who on Ida seated, seest +And rulest all below, glorious in power! +Of these two champions, to the drear abodes380 +Of Ades him appoint who furnish’d first +The cause of strife between them, and let peace +Oath-bound, and amity unite the rest! +So spake the hosts; then Hector shook the lots, +Majestic Chief, turning his face aside.385 +Forth sprang the lot of Paris. They in ranks +Sat all, where stood the fiery steeds of each, +And where his radiant arms lay on the field. +Illustrious Alexander his bright arms +Put on, fair Helen’s paramour. [17]He clasp’d390 +His polish’d greaves with silver studs secured; +His brother’s corselet to his breast he bound, +Lycaon’s, apt to his own shape and size, +And slung athwart his shoulders, bright emboss’d, +His brazen sword; his massy buckler broad395 +He took, and to his graceful head his casque +Adjusted elegant, which, as he moved, +Its bushy crest waved dreadful; last he seized, +Well fitted to his gripe, his ponderous spear. +Meantime the hero Menelaüs made400 +Like preparation, and his arms put on. +When thus, from all the multitude apart, +Both combatants had arm’d, with eyes that flash’d +Defiance, to the middle space they strode, +Trojans and Greeks between. Astonishment405 +Seized all beholders. On the measured ground +Full near they stood, each brandishing on high +His massy spear, and each was fiery wroth. +First, Alexander his long-shadow’d spear +Sent forth, and on his smooth shield’s surface struck410 +The son of Atreus, but the brazen guard +Pierced not, for at the disk, with blunted point +Reflex, his ineffectual weapon stay’d. +Then Menelaüs to the fight advanced +Impetuous, after prayer offer’d to Jove.[18]415 +King over all! now grant me to avenge +My wrongs on Alexander; now subdue +The aggressor under me; that men unborn +May shudder at the thought of faith abused, +And hospitality with rape repaid.420 +He said, and brandishing his massy spear, +Dismiss’d it. Through the burnish’d buckler broad +Of Priam’s son the stormy weapon flew, +Transpierced his costly hauberk, and the vest +Ripp’d on his flank; but with a sideward bend425 +He baffled it, and baulk’d the dreadful death. +Then Menelaüs drawing his bright blade, +Swung it aloft, and on the hairy crest +Smote him; but shiver’d into fragments small +The falchion at the stroke fell from his hand.430 +Vexation fill’d him; to the spacious heavens +He look’d, and with a voice of wo exclaim’d— +Jupiter! of all powers by man adored +To me most adverse! Confident I hoped +Revenge for Paris’ treason, but my sword435 +Is shivered, and I sped my spear in vain. +So saying, he sprang on him, and his long crest +Seized fast; then, turning, drew him by that hold +Toward the Grecian host. The broider’d band +That underbraced his helmet at the chin,440 +Strain’d to his smooth neck with a ceaseless force, +Chok’d him; and now had Menelaus won +Deathless renown, dragging him off the field, +But Venus, foam-sprung Goddess, feeling quick +His peril imminent, snapp’d short the brace445 +Though stubborn, by a slaughter’d[19] ox supplied, +And the void helmet follow’d as he pull’d. +That prize the Hero, whirling it aloft, +Threw to his Greeks, who caught it and secured, +Then with vindictive strides he rush’d again450 +On Paris, spear in hand; but him involved +In mist opaque Venus with ease divine +Snatch’d thence, and in his chamber placed him, fill’d +With scents odorous, spirit-soothing sweets. +Nor stay’d the Goddess, but at once in quest455 +Of Helen went; her on a lofty tower +She found, where many a damsel stood of Troy, +And twitch’d her fragrant robe. In form she seem’d +An ancient matron, who, while Helen dwelt +In Lacedæmon, her unsullied wool460 +Dress’d for her, faithfullest of all her train. +Like her disguised the Goddess thus began. +Haste—Paris calls thee—on his sculptured couch, +(Sparkling alike his looks and his attire) +He waits thy wish’d return. Thou wouldst not dream465 +That he had fought; he rather seems prepared +For dance, or after dance, for soft repose. +So saying, she tumult raised in Helen’s mind. +Yet soon as by her symmetry of neck, +By her love-kindling breasts and luminous eyes470 +She knew the Goddess, her she thus bespake. +Ah whence, deceitful deity! thy wish +Now to ensnare me? Wouldst thou lure me, say, +To some fair city of Mæonian name +Or Phrygian, more remote from Sparta still?475 +Hast thou some human favorite also there? +Is it because Atrides hath prevailed +To vanquish Paris, and would bear me home +Unworthy as I am, that thou attempt’st +Again to cheat me? Go thyself—sit thou480 +Beside him—for his sake renounce the skies; +Watch him, weep for him; till at length his wife +He deign to make thee, or perchance his slave. +I go not (now to go were shame indeed) +To dress his couch; nor will I be the jest485 +Of all my sex in Ilium. Oh! my griefs +Are infinite, and more than I can bear. +To whom, the foam-sprung Goddess, thus incensed. +Ah wretch! provoke not me; lest in my wrath +Abandoning thee, I not hate thee less490 +Than now I fondly love thee, and beget +Such detestation of thee in all hearts, +Grecian and Trojan, that thou die abhorr’d. +The Goddess ceased. Jove’s daughter, Helen, fear’d, +And, in her lucid veil close wrapt around,495 +Silent retired, of all those Trojan dames +Unseen, and Venus led, herself, the way. +Soon then as Alexander’s fair abode +They reach’d, her maidens quick their tasks resumed, +And she to her own chamber lofty-roof’d500 +Ascended, loveliest of her sex. A seat +For Helen, daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d, +To Paris opposite, the Queen of smiles +Herself disposed; but with averted eyes +She sat before him, and him keen reproach’d.505 +Thou hast escaped.—Ah would that thou hadst died +By that heroic arm, mine husband’s erst! +Thou once didst vaunt thee in address and strength +Superior. Go then—challenge yet again +The warlike Menelaüs forth in fight.510 +But hold. The hero of the amber locks +Provoke no more so rashly, lest the point +Of his victorious spear soon stretch thee dead. +She ended, to whom Paris thus replied. +Ah Helen, wound me not with taunt severe!515 +Me, Menelaüs, by Minerva’s aid, +Hath vanquish’d now, who may hereafter, him. +We also have our Gods. But let us love. +For never since the day when thee I bore +From pleasant Lacedæmon o’er the waves520 +To Cranäe’s fair isle, and first enjoy’d +Thy beauty, loved I as I love thee now, +Or felt such sweetness of intense desire. + +He spake, and sought his bed, whom follow’d soon +Jove’s daughter, reconciled to his embrace.525 +But Menelaüs like a lion ranged +The multitude, inquiring far and near +For Paris lost. Yet neither Trojan him +Nor friend of Troy could show, whom, else, through love +None had conceal’d, for him as death itself530 +All hated, but his going none had seen. +Amidst them all then spake the King of men. +Trojans, and Dardans, and allies of Troy! +The warlike Menelaüs hath prevailed, +As is most plain. Now therefore bring ye forth535 +Helen with all her treasures, also bring +Such large amercement as is meet, a sum +To be remember’d in all future times. +So spake Atrides, and Achaia’s host +With loud applause confirm’d the monarch’s claim.540 + + + + +BOOK IV. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTH BOOK. + +In a Council of the Gods, a dispute arises between Jupiter and Juno, +which is at last compromised, Jove consenting to dispatch Minerva with +a charge to incite some Trojan to a violation of the truce. Minerva +descends for that purpose, and in the form of Laodocus, a son of Priam, +exhorts Pandarus to shoot at Menelaus, and succeeds. Menelaus is +wounded, and Agamemnon having consigned him to the care of Machaon, +goes forth to perform the duties of commander-in-chief, in the +encouragement of his host to battle. The battle begins. + + +BOOK IV. + + +Now, on the golden floor of Jove’s abode +The Gods all sat consulting; Hebe them, +Graceful, with nectar served;[1] they pledging each +His next, alternate quaff’d from cups of gold, +And at their ease reclined, look’d down on Troy,5 +When, sudden, Jove essay’d by piercing speech +Invidious, to enkindle Juno’s ire. +Two Goddesses on Menelaus’ part +Confederate stand, Juno in Argos known, +Pallas in Alalcomene;[2] yet they10 +Sequester’d sit, look on, and are amused. +Not so smile-loving Venus; she, beside +Her champion station’d, saves him from his fate, +And at this moment, by her aid, he lives. +But now, since victory hath proved the lot15 +Of warlike Menelaus, weigh ye well +The matter; shall we yet the ruinous strife +Prolong between the nations, or consent +To give them peace? should peace your preference win, +And prove alike acceptable to all,20 +Stand Ilium, and let Menelaus bear +Helen of Argos back to Greece again. + +He ended; Juno and Minerva heard, +Low-murmuring deep disgust; for side by side +They forging sat calamity to Troy.25 +Minerva through displeasure against Jove +Nought utter’d, for with rage her bosom boil’d; +But Juno check’d not hers, who thus replied. +What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove most severe! +How? wouldst thou render fruitless all my pains?30 +The sweat that I have pour’d? my steeds themselves +Have fainted while I gather’d Greece in arms +For punishment of Priam and his sons. +Do it. But small thy praise shall be in heaven. +Then her the Thunderer answer’d sore displeased.35 +Ah shameless! how have Priam and his sons +So much transgress’d against thee, that thou burn’st +With ceaseless rage to ruin populous Troy? +Go, make thine entrance at her lofty gates, +Priam and all his house, and all his host40 +Alive devour; then, haply, thou wilt rest; +Do even as thou wilt, that this dispute +Live not between us a consuming fire +For ever. But attend; mark well the word. +When I shall also doom in future time45 +Some city to destruction, dear to thee, +Oppose me not, but give my fury way +As I give way to thine, not pleased myself, +Yet not unsatisfied, so thou be pleased. +For of all cities of the sons of men,50 +And which the sun and stars from heaven behold, +Me sacred Troy most pleases, Priam me +Most, and the people of the warrior King. +Nor without cause. They feed mine altar well; +Libation there, and steam of savory scent55 +Fail not, the tribute which by lot is ours. +Him answer’d, then, the Goddess ample-eyed,[3] +Majestic Juno: Three fair cities me, +Of all the earth, most interest and engage, +Mycenæ for magnificence renown’d,60 +Argos, and Sparta. Them, when next thy wrath +Shall be inflamed against them, lay thou waste; +I will not interpose on their behalf; +Thou shalt not hear me murmur; what avail +Complaint or force against thy matchless arm?65 +Yet were it most unmeet that even I +Should toil in vain; I also boast a birth +Celestial; Saturn deeply wise, thy Sire, +Is also mine; our origin is one. +Thee I acknowledge Sovereign, yet account70 +Myself entitled by a twofold claim +To veneration both from Gods and men, +The daughter of Jove’s sire, and spouse of Jove. +Concession mutual therefore both thyself +Befits and me, whom when the Gods perceive75 +Disposed to peace, they also shall accord. +Come then.—To yon dread field dispatch in haste +Minerva, with command that she incite +The Trojans first to violate their oath +By some fresh insult on the exulting Greeks.80 +So Juno; nor the sire of all refused, +But in wing’d accents thus to Pallas spake. +Begone; swift fly to yonder field; incite +The Trojans first to violate their oath +By some fresh insult on the exulting Greeks.85 +The Goddess heard, and what she wish’d, enjoin’d, +Down-darted swift from the Olympian heights, +In form a meteor, such as from his hand +Not seldom Jove dismisses, beaming bright +And breaking into stars, an omen sent90 +To mariners, or to some numerous host. +Such Pallas seem’d, and swift descending, dropp’d +Full in the midst between them. They with awe +That sign portentous and with wonder view’d, +Achaians both and Trojans, and his next95 +The soldier thus bespake. Now either war +And dire hostility again shall flame, +Or Jove now gives us peace. Both are from Jove. +So spake the soldiery; but she the form +Taking of brave Laodocus, the son100 +Of old Antenor, throughout all the ranks +Sought godlike Pandarus.[4] Ere long she found +The valiant son illustrious of Lycaon, +Standing encompass’d by his dauntless troops, +Broad-shielded warriors, from Æsepus’ stream105 +His followers; to his side the Goddess came, +And in wing’d accents ardent him bespake. +Brave offspring of Lycaon, is there hope +That thou wilt hear my counsel? darest thou slip +A shaft at Menelaus? much renown110 +Thou shalt and thanks from all the Trojans win, +But most of all, from Paris, prince of Troy. +From him illustrious gifts thou shalt receive +Doubtless, when Menelaus he shall see +The martial son of Atreus by a shaft115 +Subdued of thine, placed on his funeral pile. +Come. Shoot at Menelaus, glorious Chief! +But vow to Lycian Phœbus bow-renown’d +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock, +To fair Zeleia’s[5] walls once safe restored.120 +So Pallas spake, to whom infatuate he +Listening, uncased at once his polished bow.[6] +That bow, the laden brows of a wild goat +Salacious had supplied; him on a day +Forth-issuing from his cave, in ambush placed125 +He wounded with an arrow to his breast +Dispatch’d, and on the rock supine he fell. +Each horn had from his head tall growth attain’d, +Full sixteen palms; them shaven smooth the smith +Had aptly join’d, and tipt their points with gold.130 +That bow he strung, then, stooping, planted firm +The nether horn, his comrades bold the while +Screening him close with shields, lest ere the prince +Were stricken, Menelaus brave in arms, +The Greeks with fierce assault should interpose.135 +He raised his quiver’s lid; he chose a dart +Unflown, full-fledged, and barb’d with pangs of death. +He lodged in haste the arrow on the string, +And vow’d to Lycian Phœbus bow-renown’d +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock,140 +To fair Zeleia’s walls once safe restored. +Compressing next nerve and notch’d arrow-head +He drew back both together, to his pap +Drew home the nerve, the barb home to his bow, +And when the horn was curved to a wide arch,145 +He twang’d it. Whizz’d the bowstring, and the reed +Leap’d off, impatient for the distant throng. +Thee, Menelaus, then the blessed Gods +Forgat not; Pallas huntress of the spoil, +Thy guardian then, baffled the cruel dart.150 +Far as a mother wafts the fly aside[7] +That haunts her slumbering babe, so far she drove +Its course aslant, directing it herself +Against the golden clasps that join’d his belt; +For there the doubled hauberk interposed.155 +The bitter arrow plunged into his belt. +It pierced his broider’d belt, stood fixt within +His twisted hauberk, nor the interior quilt, +Though penetrable least to arrow-points +And his best guard, withheld it, but it pass’d160 +That also, and the Hero’s skin inscribed. +Quick flowed a sable current from the wound. +As when a Carian or Mæonian maid +Impurples ivory ordain’d to grace +The cheek of martial steed; safe stored it lies,165 +By many a Chief desired, but proves at last +The stately trapping of some prince,[8] the pride +Of his high pamper’d steed, nor less his own; +Such, Menelaus, seem’d thy shapely thighs, +Thy legs, thy feet, stained with thy trickling blood.170 +Shudder’d King Agamemnon when he saw +The blood fast trickling from the wound, nor less +Shudder’d himself the bleeding warrior bold. +But neck and barb observing from the flesh +Extant, he gather’d heart, and lived again.175 +The royal Agamemnon, sighing, grasp’d +The hand of Menelaus, and while all +Their followers sigh’d around them, thus began.[9] + +I swore thy death, my brother, when I swore +This truce, and set thee forth in sight of Greeks180 +And Trojans, our sole champion; for the foe +Hath trodden underfoot his sacred oath, +And stained it with thy blood. But not in vain, +The truce was ratified, the blood of lambs +Poured forth, libation made, and right hands join’d185 +In holy confidence. The wrath of Jove +May sleep, but will not always; they shall pay +Dear penalty; their own obnoxious heads +Shall be the mulct, their children and their wives. +For this I know, know surely; that a day190 +Shall come, when Ilium, when the warlike King +Of Ilium and his host shall perish all. +Saturnian Jove high-throned, dwelling in heaven, +Resentful of this outrage, then shall shake +His storm-clad Ægis over them. He will;195 +I speak no fable. Time shall prove me true. +But, oh my Menelaus, dire distress +Awaits me, if thy close of life be come, +And thou must die. Then ignominy foul +Shall hunt me back to Argos long-desired;200 +For then all here will recollect their home, +And, hope abandoning, will Helen yield +To be the boast of Priam, and of Troy. +So shall our toils be vain, and while thy bones +Shall waste these clods beneath, Troy’s haughty sons205 +The tomb of Menelaus glory-crown’d +Insulting barbarous, shall scoff at me. +So may Atrides, shall they say, perform +His anger still as he performed it here, +Whither he led an unsuccessful host,210 +Whence he hath sail’d again without the spoils, +And where he left his brother’s bones to rot. +So shall the Trojan speak; then open earth +Her mouth, and hide me in her deepest gulfs! +But him, the hero of the golden locks215 +Thus cheer’d. My brother, fear not, nor infect +With fear the Grecians; the sharp-pointed reed +Hath touch’d no vital part. The broider’d zone, +The hauberk, and the tough interior quilt, +Work of the armorer, its force repress’d.220 +Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men. +So be it brother! but the hand of one +Skilful to heal shall visit and shall dress +The wound with drugs of pain-assuaging power. +He ended, and his noble herald, next,225 +Bespake, Talthybius. Haste, call hither quick +The son of Æsculapius, leech renown’d, +The prince Machaon. Bid him fly to attend +The warlike Chieftain Menelaus; him +Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy,230 +A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft +To his own glory, and to our distress. +He spake, nor him the herald disobey’d, +But through the Greeks bright-arm’d his course began +The Hero seeking earnest on all sides235 +Machaon. Him, ere long, he station’d saw +Amid the shielded-ranks of his brave band +From steed-famed Tricca drawn, and at his side +With accents ardor-wing’d, him thus address’d. +Haste, Asclepiades! The King of men240 +Calls thee. Delay not. Thou must visit quick +Brave Menelaus, Atreus’ son, for him +Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy, +A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft +To his own glory, and to our distress.245 +So saying, he roused Machaon, who his course +Through the wide host began. Arriving soon +Where wounded Menelaus stood, while all +The bravest of Achaia’s host around +The godlike hero press’d, he strove at once250 +To draw the arrow from his cincture forth. +But, drawing, bent the barbs. He therefore loosed +His broider’d belt, his hauberk and his quilt, +Work of the armorer, and laying bare +His body where the bitter shaft had plow’d255 +His flesh, he suck’d the wound, then spread it o’er +With drugs of balmy power, given on a time +For friendship’s sake by Chiron to his sire. +While Menelaus thus the cares engross’d +Of all those Chiefs, the shielded powers of Troy260 +’Gan move toward them, and the Greeks again +Put on their armor, mindful of the fight. +Then hadst thou[10] not great Agamemnon seen +Slumbering, or trembling, or averse from war, +But ardent to begin his glorious task.265 +His steeds, and his bright chariot brass-inlaid +He left; the snorting steeds Eurymedon, +Offspring of Ptolemy Piraïdes +Detain’d apart; for him he strict enjoin’d +Attendance near, lest weariness of limbs270 +Should seize him marshalling his numerous host. +So forth he went, and through the files on foot +Proceeding, where the warrior Greeks he saw +Alert, he roused them by his words the more.[11] +Argives! abate no spark of all your fire.275 +Jove will not prosper traitors. Them who first +Transgress’d the truce the vultures shall devour, +But we (their city taken) shall their wives +Lead captive, and their children home to Greece. +So cheer’d he them. But whom he saw supine,280 +Or in the rugged work of war remiss, +In terms of anger them he stern rebuked. +Oh Greeks! The shame of Argos! Arrow-doom’d! +Blush ye not? Wherefore stand ye thus aghast, +Like fawns which wearied after scouring wide285 +The champain, gaze and pant, and can no more? +Senseless like them ye stand, nor seek the fight. +Is it your purpose patient here to wait +Till Troy invade your vessels on the shore +Of the grey deep, that ye may trial make290 +Of Jove, if he will prove, himself, your shield? +Thus, in discharge of his high office, pass’d +Atrides through the ranks, and now arrived +Where, hardy Chief! Idomeneus in front +Of his bold Cretans stood, stout as a boar295 +The van he occupied, while in the rear +Meriones harangued the most remote. +Them so prepared the King of men beheld +With joyful heart, and thus in courteous terms +Instant the brave Idomeneus address’d.300 +Thee fighting, feasting, howsoe’er employed, +I most respect, Idomeneus, of all +The well-horsed Danäi; for when the Chiefs +Of Argos, banqueting, their beakers charge +With rosy wine the honorable meed305 +Of valor, thou alone of all the Greeks +Drink’st not by measure.[12] No—thy goblet stands +Replenish’d still, and like myself thou know’st +No rule or bound, save what thy choice prescribes. +March. Seek the foe. Fight now as heretofore,310 +To whom Idomeneus of Crete replied, +Atrides! all the friendship and the love +Which I have promised will I well perform. +Go; animate the rest, Chief after Chief +Of the Achaians, that the fight begin.315 +For Troy has scatter’d to the winds all faith, +All conscience; and for such her treachery foul +Shall have large recompence of death and wo. +He said, whom Agamemnon at his heart +Exulting, pass’d, and in his progress came320 +Where stood each Ajax; them he found prepared +With all their cloud of infantry behind. +As when the goat-herd on some rocky point +Advanced, a cloud sees wafted o’er the deep +By western gales, and rolling slow along,325 +To him, who stands remote, pitch-black it seems, +And comes with tempest charged; he at the sight +Shuddering, his flock compels into a cave; +So moved the gloomy phalanx, rough with spears, +And dense with shields of youthful warriors bold,330 +Close-following either Ajax to the fight. +Them also, pleased, the King of men beheld, +And in wing’d accents hail’d them as he pass’d. +Brave leaders of the mail-clad host of Greece! +I move not you to duty; ye yourselves335 +Move others, and no lesson need from me. +Jove, Pallas, and Apollo! were but all +Courageous as yourselves, soon Priam’s towers +Should totter, and his Ilium storm’d and sack’d +By our victorious bands, stoop to the dust.340 +He ceased, and still proceeding, next arrived +Where stood the Pylian orator, his band +Marshalling under all their leaders bold +Alastor, Chromius, Pelagon the vast, +Hæmon the prince, and Bias, martial Chief.345 +Chariot and horse he station’d in the front; +His numerous infantry, a strong reserve +Right valiant, in the rear; the worst, and those +In whom he trusted least, he drove between, +That such through mere necessity might act.350 +First to his charioteers he gave in charge +Their duty; bade them rein their horses hard, +Shunning confusion. Let no warrior, vain +And overweening of his strength or skill, +Start from his rank to dare the fight alone,355 +Or fall behind it, weakening whom he leaves. +[13]And if, dismounted from his own, he climb +Another’s chariot, let him not affect +Perverse the reins, but let him stand, his spear +Advancing firm, far better so employ’d.360 +Such was the discipline, in ancient times, +Of our forefathers; by these rules they fought +Successful, and laid many a city low. +So counsell’d them the venerable Chief +Long time expert in arms; him also saw365 +King Agamemnon with delight, and said, +Old Chief! ah how I wish, that thy firm heart +Were but supported by as firm a knee! +But time unhinges all. Oh that some youth +Had thine old age, and thou wast young again!370 +To whom the valiant Nestor thus replied. +Atrides, I could also ardent wish +That I were now robust as when I struck +Brave Ereuthalion[14] breathless to the ground! +But never all their gifts the Gods confer375 +On man at once; if then I had the force +Of youth, I suffer now the effects of age. +Yet ancient as I am, I will be seen +Still mingling with the charioteers, still prompt +To give them counsel; for to counsel youth380 +Is the old warrior’s province. Let the green +In years, my juniors, unimpaired by time, +Push with the lance, for they have strength to boast. +So he, whom Agamemnon joyful heard, +And passing thence, the son of Peteos found385 +Menestheus, foremost in equestrian fame, +Among the brave Athenians; near to him +Ulysses held his station, and at hand +The Cephallenians stood, hardy and bold; +For rumor none of the approaching fight390 +Them yet had reach’d, so recent had the stir +Arisen in either host; they, therefore, watch’d +Till the example of some other band +Marching, should prompt them to begin the fight, +But Agamemnon, thus, the King of men395 +Them seeing, sudden and severe reproved. +Menestheus, son of Peteos prince renown’d, +And thou, deviser of all evil wiles! +Adept in artifice! why stand ye here +Appall’d? why wait ye on this distant spot400 +Till others move? I might expect from you +More readiness to meet the burning war, +Whom foremost I invite of all to share +The banquet, when the Princes feast with me. +There ye are prompt; ye find it pleasant there405 +To eat your savory food, and quaff your wine +Delicious till satiety ensue; +But here you could be well content to stand +Spectators only, while ten Grecian troops +Should wage before you the wide-wasting war.410 +To whom Ulysses, with resentful tone +Dark-frowning, thus replied. What words are these +Which have escaped thy lips; and for what cause, +Atrides, hast thou call’d me slow to fight? +When we of Greece shall in sharp contest clash415 +With you steed-tamer Trojans, mark me then; +Then thou shalt see (if the concerns of war +So nearly touch thee, and thou so incline) +The father of Telemachus, engaged +Among the foremost Trojans. But thy speech420 +Was light as is the wind, and rashly made. +When him thus moved he saw, the monarch smiled +Complacent, and in gentler terms replied. +Laërtes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d! +Short reprimand and exhortation short425 +Suffice for thee, nor did I purpose more. +For I have known thee long, that thou art one +Of kindest nature, and so much my friend +That we have both one heart. Go therefore thou, +Lead on, and if a word have fallen amiss,430 +We will hereafter mend it, and may heaven +Obliterate in thine heart its whole effect! +He ceased, and ranging still along the line, +The son of Tydeus, Diomede, perceived, +Heroic Chief, by chariots all around435 +Environ’d, and by steeds, at side of whom +Stood Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus. +Him also, Agamemnon, King of men, +In accents of asperity reproved. +Ah, son of Tydeus, Chief of dauntless heart440 +And of equestrian fame! why standest thou +Appall’d, and peering through the walks of war? +So did not Tydeus. In the foremost fight +His favorite station was, as they affirm +Who witness’d his exploits; I never saw445 +Or met him, but by popular report +He was the bravest warrior of his day. +Yet came he once, but not in hostile sort, +To fair Mycenæ, by the godlike prince +Attended, Polynices, at what time450 +The host was called together, and the siege +Was purposed of the sacred city Thebes. +Earnest they sued for an auxiliar band, +Which we had gladly granted, but that Jove +By unpropitious tokens interfered.455 +So forth they went, and on the reedy banks +Arriving of Asopus, there thy sire +By designation of the Greeks was sent +Ambassador, and enter’d Thebes. He found +In Eteocles’ palace numerous guests,460 +The sons of Cadmus feasting, among whom, +Although a solitary stranger, stood +Thy father without fear, and challenged forth +Their best to cope with him in manly games. +Them Tydeus vanquish’d easily, such aid465 +Pallas vouchsafed him. Then the spur-arm’d race +Of Cadmus was incensed, and fifty youths +In ambush close expected his return. +Them, Lycophontes obstinate in fight, +Son of Autophonus, and Mæon, son470 +Of Hæmon, Chief of godlike stature, led. +Those also Tydeus slew; Mæon except, +(Whom, warned from heaven, he spared, and sent him home +With tidings of the rest) he slew them all. +Such was Ætolian Tydeus; who begat475 +A son in speech his better, not in arms. +He ended, and his sovereign’s awful voice +Tydides reverencing, nought replied; +But thus the son of glorious Capaneus. +Atrides, conscious of the truth, speak truth.480 +We with our sires compared, superior praise +Claim justly.[15] We, confiding in the aid +Of Jove, and in propitious signs from heaven, +Led to the city consecrate to Mars +Our little host, inferior far to theirs,485 +And took seven-gated Thebes, under whose walls +Our fathers by their own imprudence fell. +Their glory, then, match never more with ours. +He spake, whom with a frowning brow the brave +Tydides answer’d. Sthenelus, my friend!490 +I give thee counsel. Mark it. Hold thy peace. +If Agamemnon, who hath charge of all, +Excite his well-appointed host to war, +He hath no blame from me. For should the Greeks +(Her people vanquished) win imperial Troy,495 +The glory shall be his; or, if his host +O’erpower’d in battle perish, his the shame. +Come, therefore; be it ours to rouse at once +To action all the fury of our might. +He said, and from his chariot to the plain500 +Leap’d ardent; rang the armor on the breast +Of the advancing Chief; the boldest heart +Had felt emotion, startled at the sound. +As when the waves by Zephyrus up-heaved +Crowd fast toward some sounding shore, at first,505 +On the broad bosom of the deep their heads +They curl on high, then breaking on the land +Thunder, and o’er the rocks that breast the flood +Borne turgid, scatter far the showery spray; +So moved the Greeks successive, rank by rank,510 +And phalanx after phalanx, every Chief +His loud command proclaiming, while the rest, +As voice in all those thousands none had been +Heard mute; and, in resplendent armor clad, +With martial order terrible advanced.515 +Not so the Trojans came. As sheep, the flock +Of some rich man, by thousands in his court +Penn’d close at milking time, incessant bleat, +Loud answering all their bleating lambs without, +Such din from Ilium’s wide-spread host arose.520 +Nor was their shout, nor was their accent one, +But mingled languages were heard of men +From various climes. These Mars to battle roused, +Those Pallas azure-eyed; nor Terror thence +Nor Flight was absent, nor insatiate Strife,525 +Sister and mate of homicidal Mars, +Who small at first, but swift to grow, from earth +Her towering crest lifts gradual to the skies. +She, foe alike to both, the brands dispersed +Of burning hate between them, and the woes530 +Enhanced of battle wheresoe’er she pass’d. +And now the battle join’d. Shield clash’d with shield[16] +And spear with spear, conflicting corselets rang, +Boss’d bucklers met, and tumult wild arose. +Then, many a yell was heard, and many a shout535 +Loud intermix’d, the slayer o’er the maim’d +Exulting, and the field was drench’d with blood. +As when two winter torrents rolling down +The mountains, shoot their floods through gulleys huge +Into one gulf below, station’d remote540 +The shepherd in the uplands hears the roar; +Such was the thunder of the mingling hosts. +And first, Antilochus a Trojan Chief +Slew Echepolus, from Thalysias sprung, +Contending valiant in the van of Troy.545 +Him smiting on his crested casque, he drove +The brazen lance into his front, and pierced +The bones within; night overspread his eyes, +And in fierce battle, like a tower, he fell. +Him fallen by both feet Calchodon’s son550 +Seized, royal Elephenor, leader brave +Of the Abantes, and in haste to strip +His armor, drew him from the fight aside. +But short was that attempt. Him so employ’d +Dauntless Agenor mark’d, and as he stoop’d,555 +In his unshielded flank a pointed spear +Implanted deep; he languid sunk and died. +So Elephenor fell, for whom arose +Sharp conflict; Greeks and Trojans mutual flew +Like wolves to battle, and man grappled man.560 +Then Telamonian Ajax, in his prime +Of youthful vigor Simöisius slew,[17] +Son of Anthemion. Him on Simoïs’ banks +His mother bore, when with her parents once +She came from Ida down to view the flocks,565 +And thence they named him; but his parents’ +He lived not to requite, in early youth +Slain by the spear of Ajax famed in arms. +For him advancing Ajax at the pap +Wounded; right through his shoulder driven the point570 +Stood forth behind; he fell, and press’d the dust. +So in some spacious marsh the poplar falls +Smooth-skinn’d, with boughs unladen save aloft; +Some chariot-builder with his axe the trunk +Severs, that he may warp it to a wheel575 +Of shapely form; meantime exposed it lies +To parching airs beside the running stream; +Such Simöisius seemed, Anthemion’s son, +Whom noble Ajax slew. But soon at him +Antiphus, son of Priam, bright in arms,580 +Hurl’d through the multitude his pointed spear. +He erred from Ajax, but he pierced the groin +Of Leucus, valiant warrior of the band +Led by Ulysses. He the body dragg’d +Apart, but fell beside it, and let fall,585 +Breathless himself, the burthen from his hand. +Then burn’d Ulysses’ wrath for Leucus slain, +And through the foremost combatants, array’d +In dazzling arms, he rush’d. Full near he stood, +And, looking keen around him, hurl’d a lance.590 +Back fell the Trojans from before the face +Dispersed of great Ulysses. Not in vain +His weapon flew, but on the field outstretch’d +A spurious son of Priam, from the shores +Call’d of Abydus famed for fleetest mares,595 +Democoon; him, for Leucus’ sake enraged, +Ulysses through both temples with his spear +Transpierced. The night of death hung on his eyes, +And sounding on his batter’d arms he fell. +Then Hector and the van of Troy retired;600 +Loud shout the Grecians; these draw off the dead, +Those onward march amain, and from the heights +Of Pergamus Apollo looking down +In anger, to the Trojans called aloud. +Turn, turn, ye Trojans! face your Grecian foes.605 +They, like yourselves, are vulnerable flesh, +Not adamant or steel. Your direst dread +Achilles, son of Thetis radiant-hair’d, +Fights not, but sullen in his fleet abides.[18] +Such from the citadel was heard the voice610 +Of dread Apollo. But Minerva ranged +Meantime, Tritonian progeny of Jove, +The Grecians, rousing whom she saw remiss. +Then Amarynceus’ son, Diores, felt +The force of fate, bruised by a rugged rock615 +At his right heel, which Pirus, Thracian Chief, +The son of Imbrasus of Ænos, threw. +Bones and both tendons in its fall the mass +Enormous crush’d. He, stretch’d in dust supine, +With palms outspread toward his warrior friends620 +Lay gasping life away. But he who gave +The fatal blow, Pirus, advancing, urged +Into his navel a keen lance, and shed +His bowels forth; then, darkness veil’d his eyes. +Nor Pirus long survived; him through the breast625 +Above the pap, Ætolian Thoas pierced, +And in his lungs set fast the quivering spear. +Then Thoas swift approach’d, pluck’d from the wound +His stormy spear, and with his falchion bright +Gashing his middle belly, stretch’d him dead.630 +Yet stripp’d he not the slain, whom with long spears +His Thracians hairy-scalp’d[19] so round about +Encompassed, that though bold and large of limb +Were Thoas, from before them him they thrust +Staggering and reeling in his forced retreat.635 +They therefore in the dust, the Epean Chief +Diores, and the Thracian, Pirus lay +Stretch’d side by side, with numerous slain around. +Then had Minerva led through all that field +Some warrior yet unhurt, him sheltering safe640 +From all annoyance dread of dart or spear, +No cause of blame in either had he found +That day, so many Greeks and Trojans press’d, +Extended side by side, the dusty plain. + + + + +BOOK V. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTH BOOK. + +Diomede is extraordinarily distinguished. He kills Pandarus, who had +violated the truce, and wounds first Venus and then Mars. + + +BOOK V. + + +Then Athenæan Pallas on the son +Of Tydeus,[1] Diomede, new force conferr’d +And daring courage, that the Argives all +He might surpass, and deathless fame achieve. +Fires on his helmet and his shield around5 +She kindled, bright and steady as the star +Autumnal,[2] which in Ocean newly bathed +Assumes fresh beauty; with such glorious beams +His head encircling and his shoulders broad, +She urged him forth into the thickest fight.10 +There lived a man in Troy, Dares his name, +The priest of Vulcan; rich he was and good, +The father of two sons, Idæus this, +That, Phegeus call’d; accomplish’d warriors both. +These, issuing from their phalanx, push’d direct15 +Their steeds at Diomede, who fought on foot. +When now small interval was left between, +First Phegeus his long-shadow’d spear dismiss’d; +But over Diomede’s left shoulder pass’d +The point, innocuous. Then his splendid lance20 +Tydides hurl’d; nor ineffectual flew +The weapon from his hand, but Phegeus pierced +His paps between, and forced him to the ground. +At once, his sumptuous chariot left, down leap’d +Idæsus, wanting courage to defend25 +His brother slain; nor had he scaped himself +His louring fate, but Vulcan, to preserve +His ancient priest from unmixt sorrow, snatch’d +The fugitive in darkness wrapt, away. +Then brave Tydides, driving off the steeds,30 +Consign’d them to his fellow-warriors’ care, +That they might lead them down into the fleet. +The valiant Trojans, when they saw the sons +Of Dares, one beside his chariot slain, +And one by flight preserved, through all their host35 +Felt consternation. Then Minerva seized +The hand of fiery Mars, and thus she spake. +Gore-tainted homicide, town-battering Mars! +Leave we the Trojans and the Greeks to wage +Fierce fight alone, Jove prospering whom he will,40 +So shall we not provoke our father’s ire. +She said, and from the fight conducted forth +The impetuous Deity, whom on the side +She seated of Scamander deep-embank’d.[3] +And now the host of Troy to flight inclined45 +Before the Grecians, and the Chiefs of Greece +Each slew a warrior. Agamemnon first +Gigantic Odius from his chariot hurl’d. +Chief of the Halizonians. He to flight +Turn’d foremost, when the monarch in his spine50 +Between the shoulder-bones his spear infixt, +And urged it through his breast. Sounding he fell, +And loud his batter’d armor rang around. +By brave Idomeneus a Lydian died, +Phæstus, from fruitful Tarne sent to Troy,55 +Son of Mæonian Borus; him his steeds +Mounting, Idomeneus the spear-renown’d +Through his right shoulder pierced; unwelcome night +Involved him; from his chariot down he fell,[4] +And the attendant Cretans stripp’d his arms.60 +But Menelaus, son of Atreus slew +With his bright spear Scamandrius, Stropius’ son, +A skilful hunter; for Diana him, +Herself, the slaughter of all savage kinds +Had taught, on mountain or in forest bred.65 +But she, shaft-aiming Goddess, in that hour +Avail’d him not, nor his own matchless skill; +For Menelaus, Atreus son spear-famed, +Him flying wounded in the spine between +His shoulders, and the spear urged through his breast.70 +Prone on his loud-resounding arms he fell. +Next, by Meriones, Phereclus died, +Son of Harmonides. All arts that ask +A well-instructed hand his sire had learn’d, +For Pallas dearly loved him. He the fleet,75 +Prime source of harm to Troy and to himself, +For Paris built, unskill’d to spell aright +The oracles predictive of the wo. +Phereclus fled; Meriones his flight +Outstripping, deep in his posterior flesh80 +A spear infix’d; sliding beneath the bone +It grazed his bladder as it pass’d, and stood +Protruded far before. Low on his knees +Phereclus sank, and with a shriek expired. +Pedæus, whom, although his spurious son,85 +Antenor’s wife, to gratify her lord, +Had cherish’d as her own—him Meges slew. +Warlike Phylides[5] following close his flight, +His keen lance drove into his poll, cut sheer +His tongue within, and through his mouth enforced90 +The glittering point. He, prostrate in the dust, +The cold steel press’d between his teeth and died. +Eurypylus, Evemon’s son, the brave +Hypsenor slew; Dolopion was his sire, +Priest of Scamander, reverenced as a God.95 +In vain before Eurypylus he fled; +He, running, with his falchion lopp’d his arm +Fast by the shoulder; on the field his hand +Fell blood-distained, and destiny severe +With shades of death for ever veil’d his eyes.100 +Thus strenuous they the toilsome battle waged. +But where Tydides fought, whether in aid +Of Ilium’s host, or on the part of Greece, +Might none discern. For as a winter-flood +Impetuous, mounds and bridges sweeps away;[6]105 +The buttress’d bridge checks not its sudden force, +The firm inclosure of vine-planted fields +Luxuriant, falls before it; finish’d works +Of youthful hinds, once pleasant to the eye, +Now levell’d, after ceaseless rain from Jove;110 +So drove Tydides into sudden flight +The Trojans; phalanx after phalanx fled +Before the terror of his single arm. +When him Lycaon’s son illustrious saw +Scouring the field, and from before his face115 +The ranks dispersing wide, at once he bent +Against Tydides his elastic bow. +The arrow met him in his swift career +Sure-aim’d; it struck direct the hollow mail +Of his right shoulder, with resistless force120 +Transfix’d it, and his hauberk stain’d with blood. +Loud shouted then Lycaon’s son renown’d. +Rush on, ye Trojans, spur your coursers hard. +Our fiercest foe is wounded, and I deem +His death not distant far, if me the King[7]125 +Jove’s son, indeed, from Lycia sent to Troy. +So boasted Pandarus. Yet him the dart +Quell’d not. Retreating, at his coursers’ heads +He stood, and to the son of Capaneus +His charioteer and faithful friend he said.130 +Arise, sweet son of Capaneus, dismount, +And from my shoulder draw this bitter shaft. +He spake; at once the son of Capaneus +Descending, by its barb the bitter shaft +Drew forth; blood spouted through his twisted mail135 +Incontinent, and thus the Hero pray’d. +Unconquer’d daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d! +If ever me, propitious, or my sire +Thou hast in furious fight help’d heretofore, +Now aid me also. Bring within the reach140 +Of my swift spear, Oh grant me to strike through +The warrior who hath check’d my course, and boasts +The sun’s bright beams for ever quench’d to me![8] +He prayed, and Pallas heard; she braced his limbs, +She wing’d him with alacrity divine,145 +And, standing at his side, him thus bespake. +Now Diomede, be bold! Fight now with Troy. +To thee, thy father’s spirit I impart +Fearless; shield-shaking Tydeus felt the same. +I also from thine eye the darkness purge150 +Which dimm’d thy sight[9] before, that thou may’st know +Both Gods and men; should, therefore, other God +Approach to try thee, fight not with the powers +Immortal; but if foam-born Venus come, +Her spare not. Wound her with thy glittering spear.155 +So spake the blue-eyed Deity, and went, +Then with the champions in the van again +Tydides mingled; hot before, he fights +With threefold fury now, nor less enraged +Than some gaunt lion whom o’erleaping light160 +The fold, a shepherd hath but gall’d, not kill’d, +Him irritating more; thenceforth the swain +Lurks unresisting; flies the abandon’d flock; +Heaps slain on heaps he leaves, and with a bound +Surmounting all impediment, escapes;165 +Such seem’d the valiant Diomede incensed +To fury, mingling with the host of Troy. +Astynoüs and Hypenor first he slew; +One with his brazen lance above the pap +He pierced, and one with his huge falchion smote170 +Fast by the key-bone,[10] from the neck and spine +His parted shoulder driving at a blow. +Them leaving, Polyides next he sought +And Abas, sons of a dream-dealing seer, +Eurydamas; their hoary father’s dreams175 +Or not interpreted, or kept concealed, +Them saved not, for by Diomede they died. +Xanthus and Thöon he encounter’d next, +Both sons of Phænops, sons of his old age, +Who other heir had none of all his wealth,180 +Nor hoped another, worn with many years. +Tydides slew them both; nor aught remain’d +To the old man but sorrow for his sons +For ever lost, and strangers were his heirs. +Two sons of Priam in one chariot borne185 +Echemon next, and Chromius felt his hand +Resistless. As a lion on the herd +Leaping, while they the shrubs and bushes browse, +Breaks short the neck of heifer or of steer, +So them, though clinging fast and loth to fall,190 +Tydides hurl’d together to the ground, +Then stripp’d their splendid armor, and the steeds +Consigned and chariot to his soldiers’ care. +Æneas him discern’d scattering the ranks, +And through the battle and the clash of spears195 +Went seeking godlike Pandarus; ere long +Finding Lycaon’s martial son renown’d, +He stood before him, and him thus address’d. +Thy bow, thy feather’d shafts, and glorious name +Where are they, Pandarus? whom none of Troy200 +Could equal, whom of Lycia, none excel. +Come. Lift thine hands to Jove, and at yon Chief +Dispatch an arrow, who afflicts the host +Of Ilium thus, conquering where’er he flies, +And who hath slaughter’d numerous brave in arms,205 +But him some Deity I rather deem +Avenging on us his neglected rites, +And who can stand before an angry God? +Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d. +Brave leader of the Trojans brazen-mail’d,210 +Æneas! By his buckler which I know, +And by his helmet’s height, considering, too +His steeds, I deem him Diomede the bold; +Yet such pronounce him not, who seems a God. +But if bold Diomede indeed he be215 +Of whom I speak, not without aid from heaven +His fury thus prevails, but at his side +Some God, in clouds enveloped, turns away +From him the arrow to a devious course. +Already, at his shoulder’s hollow mail220 +My shaft hath pierced him through, and him I deem’d +Dismiss’d full sure to Pluto ere his time +But he survives; whom therefore I at last +Perforce conclude some angry Deity. +Steeds have I none or chariot to ascend,225 +Who have eleven chariots in the stands +Left of Lycaon, with fair hangings all +O’ermantled, strong, new finish’d, with their steeds +In pairs beside them, eating winnow’d grain. +Me much Lycaon my old valiant sire230 +At my departure from his palace gates +Persuaded, that my chariot and my steeds +Ascending, I should so conduct my bands +To battle; counsel wise, and ill-refused! +But anxious, lest (the host in Troy so long235 +Immew’d) my steeds, fed plenteously at home, +Should here want food, I left them, and on foot +To Ilium came, confiding in my bow +Ordain’d at last to yield me little good. +Twice have I shot, and twice I struck the mark,240 +First Menelaus, and Tydides next; +From each I drew the blood, true, genuine blood, +Yet have but more incensed them. In an hour +Unfortunate, I therefore took my bow +Down from the wall that day, when for the sake245 +Of noble Hector, to these pleasant plains +I came, a leader on the part of Troy. +But should I once return, and with these eyes +Again behold my native land, my sire, +My wife, my stately mansion, may the hand,250 +That moment, of some adversary there +Shorten me by the head, if I not snap +This bow with which I charged myself in vain, +And burn the unprofitable tool to dust. +To whom Æneas, Trojan Chief, replied.255 +Nay, speak not so. For ere that hour arrive +We will, with chariot and with horse, in arms +Encounter him, and put his strength to proof. +Delay not, mount my chariot. Thou shalt see +With what rapidity the steeds of Troy260 +Pursuing or retreating, scour the field. +If after all, Jove purpose still to exalt +The son of Tydeus, these shall bear us safe +Back to the city. Come then. Let us on. +The lash take thou, and the resplendent reins,265 +While I alight for battle, or thyself +Receive them, and the steeds shall be my care. +Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d. +Æneas! manage thou the reins, and guide +Thy proper steeds. If fly at last we must270 +The son of Tydeus, they will readier draw +Directed by their wonted charioteer. +Else, terrified, and missing thy control, +They may refuse to bear us from the fight, +And Tydeus’ son assailing us, with ease275 +Shall slay us both, and drive thy steeds away. +Rule therefore thou the chariot, and myself +With my sharp spear will his assault receive. +So saying, they mounted both, and furious drove +Against Tydides. Them the noble son280 +Of Capaneus observed, and turning quick +His speech to Diomede, him thus address’d. +Tydides, Diomede, my heart’s delight! +Two warriors of immeasurable force +In battle, ardent to contend with thee,285 +Come rattling on. Lycaon’s offspring one, +Bow-practised Pandarus; with whom appears +Æneas; he who calls the mighty Chief +Anchises father, and whom Venus bore. +Mount—drive we swift away—lest borne so far290 +Beyond the foremost battle, thou be slain. +To whom, dark-frowning, Diomede replied +Speak not of flight to me, who am disposed +To no such course. I am ashamed to fly +Or tremble, and my strength is still entire;295 +I cannot mount. No. Rather thus, on foot, +I will advance against them. Fear and dread +Are not for me; Pallas forbids the thought. +One falls, be sure; swift as they are, the steeds +That whirl them on, shall never rescue both.300 +But hear my bidding, and hold fast the word. +Should all-wise Pallas grant me my desire +To slay them both, drive not my coursers hence, +But hook the reins, and seizing quick the pair +That draw Æneas, urge them from the powers305 +Of Troy away into the host of Greece. +For they are sprung from those which Jove to Tros +In compensation gave for Ganymede; +The Sun himself sees not their like below. +Anchises, King of men, clandestine them310 +Obtain’d, his mares submitting to the steeds +Of King Laomedon. Six brought him foals; +Four to himself reserving, in his stalls +He fed them sleek, and two he gave his son: +These, might we win them, were a noble prize.315 +Thus mutual they conferr’d; those Chiefs, the while, +With swiftest pace approach’d, and first his speech +To Diomede Lycaon’s son address’d. +Heroic offspring of a noble sire, +Brave son of Tydeus! false to my intent320 +My shaft hath harm’d thee little. I will now +Make trial with my spear, if that may speed. +He said, and shaking his long-shadow’d spear, +Dismiss’d it. Forceful on the shield it struck +Of Diomede, transpierced it, and approach’d325 +With threatening point the hauberk on his breast. +Loud shouted Pandarus—Ah nobly thrown! +Home to thy bowels. Die, for die thou must, +And all the glory of thy death is mine. +Then answer thus brave Diomede return’d330 +Undaunted. I am whole. Thy cast was short. +But ye desist not, as I plain perceive, +Till one at least extended on the plain +Shall sate the God of battles with his blood. +He said and threw. Pallas the spear herself335 +Directed; at his eye fast by the nose +Deep-entering, through his ivory teeth it pass’d, +At its extremity divided sheer +His tongue, and started through his chin below. +He headlong fell, and with his dazzling arms340 +Smote full the plain. Back flew the fiery steeds +With swift recoil, and where he fell he died. +Then sprang Æneas forth with spear and shield, +That none might drag the body;[11] lion-like +He stalk’d around it, oval shield and spear345 +Advancing firm, and with incessant cries +Terrific, death denouncing on his foes. +But Diomede with hollow grasp a stone +Enormous seized, a weight to overtask +Two strongest men of such as now are strong,350 +Yet he, alone, wielded the rock with ease. +Full on the hip he smote him, where the thigh +Rolls in its cavity, the socket named. +He crushed the socket, lacerated wide +Both tendons, and with that rough-angled mass355 +Flay’d all his flesh, The Hero on his knees +Sank, on his ample palm his weight upbore +Laboring, and darkness overspread his eyes. +There had Æneas perish’d, King of men, +Had not Jove’s daughter Venus quick perceived360 +His peril imminent, whom she had borne +Herself to Anchises pasturing his herds. +Her snowy arras her darling son around +She threw maternal, and behind a fold +Of her bright mantle screening close his breast365 +From mortal harm by some brave Grecian’s spear, +Stole him with eager swiftness from the fight. +Nor then forgat brave Sthenelus his charge +Received from Diomede, but his own steeds +Detaining distant from the boisterous war,370 +Stretch’d tight the reins, and hook’d them fast behind. +The coursers of Æneas next he seized +Ardent, and them into the host of Greece +Driving remote, consign’d them to his care, +Whom far above all others his compeers375 +He loved, Deipylus, his bosom friend +Congenial. Him he charged to drive them thence +Into the fleet, then, mounting swift his own, +Lash’d after Diomede; he, fierce in arms, +Pursued the Cyprian Goddess, conscious whom,380 +Not Pallas, not Enyo, waster dread +Of cities close-beleaguer’d, none of all +Who o’er the battle’s bloody course preside, +But one of softer kind and prone to fear. +When, therefore, her at length, after long chase385 +Through all the warring multitude he reach’d, +With his protruded spear her gentle hand +He wounded, piercing through her thin attire +Ambrosial, by themselves the graces wrought, +Her inside wrist, fast by the rosy palm.390 +Blood follow’d, but immortal; ichor pure, +Such as the blest inhabitants of heaven +May bleed, nectareous; for the Gods eat not +Man’s food, nor slake as he with sable wine +Their thirst, thence bloodless and from death exempt.395 +She, shrieking, from her arms cast down her son, +And Phœbus, in impenetrable clouds +Him hiding, lest the spear of some brave Greek +Should pierce his bosom, caught him swift away. +Then shouted brave Tydides after her—400 +Depart, Jove’s daughter! fly the bloody field. +Is’t not enough that thou beguilest the hearts +Of feeble women? If thou dare intrude +Again into the war, war’s very name +Shall make thee shudder, wheresoever heard.405 +He said, and Venus with excess of pain +Bewilder’d went; but Iris tempest-wing’d +Forth led her through the multitude, oppress’d +With anguish, her white wrist to livid changed. +They came where Mars far on the left retired410 +Of battle sat, his horses and his spear +In darkness veil’d. Before her brother’s knees +She fell, and with entreaties urgent sought +The succor of his coursers golden-rein’d. +Save me, my brother! Pity me! Thy steeds415 +Give me, that they may bear me to the heights +Olympian, seat of the immortal Gods! +Oh! I am wounded deep; a mortal man +Hath done it, Diomede; nor would he fear +This day in fight the Sire himself of all.420 +Then Mars his coursers gold-caparison’d +Resign’d to Venus; she, with countenance sad, +The chariot climb’d, and Iris at her side +The bright reins seizing lash’d the ready steeds. +Soon as the Olympian heights, seat of the Gods,425 +They reach’d, wing-footed Iris loosing quick +The coursers, gave them large whereon to browse +Ambrosial food; but Venus on the knees +Sank of Dione, who with folded arms +Maternal, to her bosom straining close430 +Her daughter, stroked her cheek, and thus inquired. +My darling child! who? which of all the Gods +Hath rashly done such violence to thee +As if convicted of some open wrong? +Her then the Goddess of love-kindling smiles435 +Venus thus answer’d; Diomede the proud, +Audacious Diomede; he gave the wound, +For that I stole Æneas from the fight +My son of all mankind my most beloved; +Nor is it now the war of Greece with Troy,440 +But of the Grecians with the Gods themselves. +Then thus Dione, Goddess all divine. +My child! how hard soe’er thy sufferings seem +Endure them patiently. Full many a wrong +From human hands profane the Gods endure,445 +And many a painful stroke, mankind from ours. +Mars once endured much wrong, when on a time +Him Otus bound and Ephialtes fast, +Sons of Alöeus, and full thirteen moons +In brazen thraldom held him. There, at length,450 +The fierce blood-nourished Mars had pined away, +But that Eëribœa, loveliest nymph, +His step-mother, in happy hour disclosed +To Mercury the story of his wrongs; +He stole the prisoner forth, but with his woes455 +Already worn, languid and fetter-gall’d. +Nor Juno less endured, when erst the bold +Son of Amphytrion with tridental shaft +Her bosom pierced; she then the misery felt +Of irremediable pain severe.460 +Nor suffer’d Pluto less, of all the Gods +Gigantic most, by the same son of Jove +Alcides, at the portals of the dead +Transfix’d and fill’d with anguish; he the house +Of Jove and the Olympian summit sought465 +Dejected, torture-stung, for sore the shaft +Oppress’d him, into his huge shoulder driven. +But Pæon[12] him not liable to death +With unction smooth of salutiferous balms +Heal’d soon. Presumptuous, sacrilegious man!470 +Careless what dire enormities he wrought, +Who bent his bow against the powers of heaven! +But blue-eyed Pallas instigated him +By whom thou bleed’st. Infatuate! he forgets +That whoso turns against the Gods his arm475 +Lives never long; he never, safe escaped +From furious fight, the lisp’d caresses hears +Of his own infants prattling at his knees. +Let therefore Diomede beware, lest strong +And valiant as he is, he chance to meet490 +Some mightier foe than thou, and lest his wife, +Daughter of King Adrastus, the discrete +Ægialea, from portentous dreams +Upstarting, call her family to wail +Her first-espoused, Achaia’s proudest boast,485 +Diomede, whom she must behold no more. +She said, and from her wrist with both hands wiped +The trickling ichor; the effectual touch +Divine chased all her pains, and she was heal’d. +Them Juno mark’d and Pallas, and with speech490 +Sarcastic pointed at Saturnian Jove +To vex him, blue-eyed Pallas thus began. +Eternal father! may I speak my thought, +And not incense thee, Jove? I can but judge +That Venus, while she coax’d some Grecian fair495 +To accompany the Trojans whom she loves +With such extravagance, hath heedless stroked +Her golden clasps, and scratch’d her lily hand. +So she; then smiled the sire of Gods and men, +And calling golden Venus, her bespake.500 +War and the tented field, my beauteous child, +Are not for thee. Thou rather shouldst be found +In scenes of matrimonial bliss. The toils +Of war to Pallas and to Mars belong. +Thus they in heaven. But Diomede the while505 +Sprang on Æneas, conscious of the God +Whose hand o’ershadow’d him, yet even him +Regarding lightly; for he burn’d to slay +Æneas, and to seize his glorious arms. +Thrice then he sprang impetuous to the deed,510 +And thrice Apollo with his radiant shield +Repulsed him. But when ardent as a God +The fourth time he advanced, with thundering-voice +Him thus the Archer of the skies rebuked. +Think, and retire, Tydides! nor affect515 +Equality with Gods; for not the same +Our nature is and theirs who tread the ground. +He spake, and Diomede a step retired, +Not more; the anger of the Archer-God +Declining slow, and with a sullen awe.520 +Then Phœbus, far from all the warrior throng +To his own shrine the sacred dome beneath +Of Pergamus, Æneas bore; there him +Latona and shaft-arm’d Diana heal’d +And glorified within their spacious fane.525 +Meantime the Archer of the silver bow +A visionary form prepared; it seem’d +Himself Æneas, and was arm’d as he. +At once, in contest for that airy form, +Grecians and Trojans on each other’s breasts530 +The bull-hide buckler batter’d and light targe. +Then thus Apollo to the warrior God. +Gore-tainted homicide, town-batterer Mars! +Wilt thou not meet and from the fight withdraw +This man Tydides, now so fiery grown535 +That he would even cope with Jove himself? +First Venus’ hand he wounded, and assail’d +Impetuous as a God, next, even me. +He ceased, and on the topmost turret sat +Of Pergamus. Then all-destroyer Mars540 +Ranging the Trojan host, rank after rank +Exhorted loud, and in the form assumed +Of Acamas the Thracian leader bold, +The godlike sons of Priam thus harangued. +Ye sons of Priam, monarch Jove-beloved!545 +How long permit ye your Achaian foes +To slay the people?—till the battle rage +(Push’d home to Ilium) at her solid gates? +Behold—a Chief disabled lies, than whom +We reverence not even Hector more,550 +Æneas; fly, save from the roaring storm +The noble Anchisiades your friend. +He said; then every heart for battle glow’d; +And thus Sarpedon with rebuke severe +Upbraiding generous Hector, stern began.555 +Where is thy courage, Hector? for thou once +Hadst courage. Is it fled? In other days +Thy boast hath been that without native troops +Or foreign aids, thy kindred and thyself +Alone, were guard sufficient for the town.560 +But none of all thy kindred now appears; +I can discover none; they stand aloof +Quaking, as dogs that hear the lion’s roar. +We bear the stress, who are but Troy’s allies; +Myself am such, and from afar I came;565 +For Lycia lies far distant on the banks +Of the deep-eddied Xanthus. There a wife +I left and infant son, both dear to me, +With plenteous wealth, the wish of all who want. +Yet urge I still my Lycians, and am prompt570 +Myself to fight, although possessing here +Nought that the Greeks can carry or drive hence. +But there stand’st thou, neither employed thyself, +Nor moving others to an active part +For all their dearest pledges. Oh beware!575 +Lest, as with meshes of an ample net, +At one huge draught the Grecians sweep you all, +And desolate at once your populous Troy! +By day, by night, thoughts such as these should still +Thy conduct influence, and from Chief to Chief580 +Of the allies should send thee, praying each +To make firm stand, all bickerings put away. +So spake Sarpedon, and his reprimand +Stung Hector; instant to the ground he leap’d +All arm’d, and shaking his bright spears his host585 +Ranged in all quarters animating loud +His legions, and rekindling horrid war. +Then, rolling back, the powers of Troy opposed +Once more the Grecians, whom the Grecians dense +Expected, unretreating, void of fear.590 +As flies the chaff wide scatter’d by the wind +O’er all the consecrated floor, what time +Ripe Ceres[13] with brisk airs her golden grain +Ventilates, whitening with its husk the ground; +So grew the Achaians white, a dusty cloud595 +Descending on their arms, which steeds with steeds +Again to battle mingling, with their hoofs +Up-stamp’d into the brazen vault of heaven; +For now the charioteers turn’d all to fight. +Host toward host with full collected force600 +They moved direct. Then Mars through all the field +Took wide his range, and overhung the war +With night, in aid of Troy, at the command +Of Phœbus of the golden sword; for he +Perceiving Pallas from the field withdrawn,605 +Patroness of the Greeks, had Mars enjoin’d +To rouse the spirit of the Trojan host. +Meantime Apollo from his unctuous shrine +Sent forth restored and with new force inspired +Æneas. He amidst his warriors stood,610 +Who him with joy beheld still living, heal’d, +And all his strength possessing unimpair’d. +Yet no man ask’d him aught. No leisure now +For question was; far other thoughts had they; +Such toils the archer of the silver bow,615 +Wide-slaughtering Mars, and Discord as at first +Raging implacable, for them prepared. +Ulysses, either Ajax, Diomede— +These roused the Greeks to battle, who themselves +The force fear’d nothing, or the shouts of Troy,620 +But steadfast stood, like clouds by Jove amass’d +On lofty mountains, while the fury sleeps +Of Boreas, and of all the stormy winds +Shrill-voiced, that chase the vapors when they blow, +So stood the Greeks, expecting firm the approach625 +Of Ilium’s powers, and neither fled nor fear’d. +Then Agamemnon the embattled host +On all sides ranging, cheer’d them. Now, he cried, +Be steadfast, fellow warriors, now be men! +Hold fast a sense of honor. More escape630 +Of men who fear disgrace, than fall in fight, +While dastards forfeit life and glory both. +He said, and hurl’d his spear. He pierced a friend +Of brave Æneas, warring in the van, +Deicöon son of Pergasus, in Troy635 +Not less esteem’d than Priam’s sons themselves, +Such was his fame in foremost fight acquired. +Him Agamemnon on his buckler smote, +Nor stayed the weapon there, but through his belt +His bowels enter’d, and with hideous clang640 +And outcry[14] of his batter’d arms he fell. +Æneas next two mightiest warriors slew, +Sons of Diocles, of a wealthy sire, +Whose house magnificent in Phæræ stood, +Orsilochus and Crethon. Their descent645 +From broad-stream’d Alpheus, Pylian flood, they drew. +Alpheus begat Orsilochus, a prince +Of numerous powers. Orsilochus begat +Warlike Diodes. From Diodes sprang +Twins, Crethon and Orsilochus, alike650 +Valiant, and skilful in all forms of war. +Their boyish prime scarce past, they, with the Greeks +Embarking, in their sable ships had sail’d +To steed-fam’d Ilium; just revenge they sought +For Atreus’ sons, but perished first themselves.655 +As two young lions, in the deep recess +Of some dark forest on the mountain’s brow +Late nourished by their dam, forth-issuing, seize +The fatted flocks and kine, both folds and stalls +Wasting rapacious, till, at length, themselves660 +Deep-wounded perish by the hand of man, +So they, both vanquish’d by Æneas, fell, +And like two lofty pines uprooted, lay. +Them fallen in battle Menelaus saw +With pity moved; radiant in arms he shook665 +His brazen spear, and strode into the van. +Mars urged him furious on, conceiving hope +Of his death also by Æneas’ hand. +But him the son of generous Nestor mark’d +Antilochus, and to the foremost fight670 +Flew also, fearing lest some dire mischance +The Prince befalling, at one fatal stroke +Should frustrate all the labors of the Greeks. +They, hand to hand, and spear to spear opposed, +Stood threatening dreadful onset, when beside675 +The Spartan chief Antilochus appear’d. +Æneas, at the sight of two combined, +Stood not, although intrepid. They the dead +Thence drawing far into the Grecian host +To their associates gave the hapless pair,680 +Then, both returning, fought in front again. +Next, fierce as Mars, Pylæmenes they slew, +Prince of the shielded band magnanimous +Of Paphlagonia. Him Atrides kill’d +Spear-practised Menelaus, with a lance685 +His throat transpiercing while erect he rode. +Then, while his charioteer, Mydon the brave, +Son of Atymnias, turn’d his steeds to flight, +Full on his elbow-point Antilochus, +The son of Nestor, dash’d him with a stone.690 +The slack reins, white as ivory,[15] forsook +His torpid hand and trail’d the dust. At once +Forth sprang Antilochus, and with his sword +Hew’d deep his temples. On his head he pitch’d +Panting, and on his shoulders in the sand695 +(For in deep sand he fell) stood long erect, +Till his own coursers spread him in the dust; +The son of Nestor seized, and with his scourge +Drove them afar into the host of Greece. +Them Hector through the ranks espying, flew700 +With clamor loud to meet them; after whom +Advanced in phalanx firm the powers of Troy, +Mars led them, with Enyo terror-clad; +She by the maddening tumult of the fight +Attended, he, with his enormous spear705 +in both hands brandish’d, stalking now in front +Of Hector, and now following his steps. +Him Diomede the bold discerning, felt +Himself no small dismay; and as a man +Wandering he knows not whither, far from home,710 +If chance a rapid torrent to the sea +Borne headlong thwart his course, the foaming flood +Obstreperous views awhile, then quick retires, +So he, and his attendants thus bespake. +How oft, my countrymen! have we admired715 +The noble Hector, skillful at the spear +And unappall’d in fight? but still hath he +Some God his guard, and even now I view +In human form Mars moving at his side. +Ye, then, with faces to the Trojans turn’d,720 +Ceaseless retire, and war not with the Gods. +He ended; and the Trojans now approach’d. +Then two bold warriors in one chariot borne, +By valiant Hector died, Menesthes one, +And one, Anchialus. Them fallen in fight725 +Ajax the vast, touch’d with compassion saw; +Within small space he stood, his glittering spear +Dismiss’d, and pierced Amphius. Son was he +Of Selagus, and Pæsus was his home, +Where opulent he dwelt, but by his fate730 +Was led to fight for Priam and his sons. +Him Telamonian Ajax through his belt +Wounded, and in his nether bowels deep +Fix’d his long-shadow’d spear. Sounding he fell. +Illustrious Ajax running to the slain735 +Prepared to strip his arms, but him a shower +Of glittering-weapons keen from Trojan hands +Assail’d, and numerous his broad shield received. +He, on the body planting firm his heel, +Forth drew the polish’d spear, but his bright arms740 +Took not, by darts thick-flying sore annoy’d, +Nor fear’d he little lest his haughty foes, +Spear-arm’d and bold, should compass him around; +Him, therefore, valiant though he were and huge, +They push’d before them. Staggering he retired.745 +Thus toil’d both hosts in that laborious field. +And now his ruthless destiny impell’d +Tlepolemus, Alcides’ son, a Chief +Dauntless and huge, against a godlike foe +Sarpedon. They approaching face to face750 +Stood, son and grandson of high-thundering Jove, +And, haughty, thus Tlepolemus began. +Sarpedon, leader of the Lycian host, +Thou trembler! thee what cause could hither urge +A man unskill’d in arms? They falsely speak755 +Who call thee son of Ægis-bearing Jove, +So far below their might thou fall’st who sprang +From Jove in days of old. What says report +Of Hercules (for him I boast my sire) +All-daring hero with a lion’s heart?760 +With six ships only, and with followers few, +He for the horses of Laomedon +Lay’d Troy in dust, and widow’d all her streets. +But thou art base, and thy diminish’d powers +Perish around thee; think not that thou earnest765 +For Ilium’s good, but rather, whatsoe’er +Thy force in fight, to find, subdued by me, +A sure dismission to the gates of hell. +To whom the leader of the Lycian band. +Tlepolemus! he ransack’d sacred Troy,770 +As thou hast said, but for her monarch’s fault +Laomedon, who him with language harsh +Requited ill for benefits received, +Nor would the steeds surrender, seeking which +He voyaged from afar. But thou shalt take775 +Thy bloody doom from this victorious arm, +And, vanquish’d by my spear, shalt yield thy fame +To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d. +So spake Sarpedon, and his ashen beam +Tlepolemus upraised. Both hurl’d at once780 +Their quivering spears. Sarpedon’s through the neck +Pass’d of Tlepolemus, and show’d beyond +Its ruthless point; thick darkness veil’d his eyes. +Tlepolemus with his long lance the thigh +Pierced of Sarpedon; sheer into his bone785 +He pierced him, but Sarpedon’s father, Jove, +Him rescued even on the verge of fate. +His noble friends conducted from the field +The godlike Lycian, trailing as he went +The pendent spear, none thinking to extract790 +For his relief the weapon from his thigh, +Through eagerness of haste to bear him thence. +On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d +Bore off Tlepolemus. Ulysses fill’d +With earnest thoughts tumultuous them observed,795 +Danger-defying Chief! Doubtful he stood +Or to pursue at once the Thunderer’s son +Sarpedon, or to take more Lycian lives. +But not for brave Ulysses had his fate +That praise reserved, that he should slay the son800 +Renown’d of Jove; therefore his wavering mind +Minerva bent against the Lycian band. +Then Cœranus, Alastor, Chromius fell, +Alcander, Halius, Prytanis, and brave +Noëmon; nor had these sufficed the Chief805 +Of Ithaca, but Lycians more had fallen, +Had not crest-tossing Hector huge perceived +The havoc; radiant to the van he flew, +Filling with dread the Grecians; his approach +Sarpedon, son of Jove, joyful beheld,810 +And piteous thus address’d him as he came. +Ah, leave not me, Priamides! a prey +To Grecian hands, but in your city, at least, +Grant me to die: since hither, doom’d, I came +Never to gratify with my return815 +To Lycia, my loved spouse, or infant child. +He spake; but Hector unreplying pass’d +Impetuous, ardent to repulse the Greeks +That moment, and to drench his sword in blood. +Then, under shelter of a spreading beech820 +Sacred to Jove, his noble followers placed +The godlike Chief Sarpedon, where his friend +Illustrious Pelagon, the ashen spear +Extracted. Sightless, of all thought bereft, +He sank, but soon revived, by breathing airs825 +Refresh’d, that fann’d him gently from the North. +Meantime the Argives, although press’d alike +By Mars himself and Hector brazen-arm’d, +Neither to flight inclined, nor yet advanced +To battle, but inform’d that Mars the fight830 +Waged on the side of Ilium, slow retired.[16] +Whom first, whom last slew then the mighty son +Of Priam, Hector, and the brazen Mars! +First godlike Teuthras, an equestrian Chief, +Orestes, Trechus of Ætolian race,835 +Œnomaüs, Helenus from Œnops’ sprung, +And brisk[17] in fight Oresbius; rich was he, +And covetous of more; in Hyla dwelt +Fast by the lake Cephissus, where abode +Bœotian Princes numerous, rich themselves840 +And rulers of a people wealth-renown’d. +But Juno, such dread slaughter of the Greeks +Noting, thus, ardent, to Minerva spake. +Daughter of Jove invincible! Our word +That Troy shall perish, hath been given in vain845 +To Menelaus, if we suffer Mars +To ravage longer uncontrol’d. The time +Urges, and need appears that we ourselves +Now call to mind the fury of our might. +She spake; nor blue-eyed Pallas not complied.850 +Then Juno, Goddess dread, from Saturn sprung, +Her coursers gold-caparison’d prepared +Impatient. Hebe to the chariot roll’d +The brazen wheels,[18] and joined them to the smooth +Steel axle; twice four spokes divided each855 +Shot from the centre to the verge. The verge +Was gold by fellies of eternal brass +Guarded, a dazzling show! The shining naves +Were silver; silver cords and cords of gold +The seat upbore; two crescents[19] blazed in front.860 +The pole was argent all, to which she bound +The golden yoke, and in their place disposed +The breast-bands incorruptible of gold; +But Juno to the yoke, herself, the steeds +Led forth, on fire to reach the dreadful field.865 +Meantime, Minerva, progeny of Jove, +On the adamantine floor of his abode +Let fall profuse her variegated robe, +Labor of her own hands. She first put on +The corselet of the cloud-assembler God,870 +Then arm’d her for the field of wo complete. +She charged her shoulder with the dreadful shield +The shaggy Ægis,[20] border’d thick around +With terror; there was Discord, Prowess there, +There hot Pursuit, and there the feature grim875 +Of Gorgon, dire Deformity, a sign +Oft borne portentous on the arm of Jove. +Her golden helm, whose concave had sufficed +The legions of an hundred cities, rough +With warlike ornament superb, she fix’d880 +On her immortal head. Thus arm’d, she rose +Into the flaming chariot, and her spear +Seized ponderous, huge, with which the Goddess sprung +From an Almighty father, levels ranks +Of heroes, against whom her anger burns.885 +Juno with lifted lash urged quick the steeds; +At her approach, spontaneous roar’d the wide- +Unfolding gates of heaven;[21] the heavenly gates +Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge +Of the Olympian summit appertains,890 +And of the boundless ether, back to roll, +And to replace the cloudy barrier dense. +Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds; +Apart from all, and seated on the point +Superior of the cloven mount, they found895 +The Thunderer. Juno the white-arm’d her steeds +There stay’d, and thus the Goddess, ere she pass’d, +Question’d the son of Saturn, Jove supreme. +Jove, Father, seest thou, and art not incensed, +These ravages of Mars? Oh what a field,900 +Drench’d with what Grecian blood! All rashly spilt, +And in despite of me. Venus, the while, +Sits, and the Archer of the silver bow +Delighted, and have urged, themselves, to this +The frantic Mars within no bounds confined905 +Of law or order. But, eternal sire! +Shall I offend thee chasing far away +Mars deeply smitten from the field of war? +To whom the cloud-assembler God replied. +Go! but exhort thou rather to the task910 +Spoil-huntress Athenæan Pallas, him +Accustom’d to chastise with pain severe. +He spake, nor white-arm’d Juno not obey’d. +She lash’d her steeds; they readily their flight +Began, the earth and starry vault between.915 +Far as from his high tower the watchman kens +O’er gloomy ocean, so far at one bound +Advance the shrill-voiced coursers of the Gods. +But when at Troy and at the confluent streams +Of Simoïs and Scamander they arrived,920 +There Juno, white-arm’d Goddess, from the yoke +Her steeds releasing, them in gather’d shades +Conceal’d opaque, while Simoïs caused to spring +Ambrosia from his bank, whereon they browsed. +Swift as her pinions waft the dove away925 +They sought the Grecians, ardent to begin: +Arriving where the mightiest and the most +Compass’d equestrian Diomede around, +In aspect lion-like, or like wild boars +Of matchless force, there white-arm’d Juno stood,930 +And in the form of Stentor for his voice +Of brass renown’d, audible as the roar +Of fifty throats, the Grecians thus harangued. +Oh shame, shame, shame! Argives in form alone, +Beautiful but dishonorable race!935 +While yet divine Achilles ranged the field, +No Trojan stepp’d from yon Dardanian gates +Abroad; all trembled at his stormy spear; +But now they venture forth, now at your ships +Defy you, from their city far remote.940 +She ceased, and all caught courage from the sound. +But Athenæan Pallas eager sought +The son of Tydeus; at his chariot side +She found the Chief cooling his fiery wound +Received from Pandarus; for him the sweat945 +Beneath the broad band of his oval shield +Exhausted, and his arm fail’d him fatigued; +He therefore raised the band and wiped the blood +Coagulate; when o’er his chariot yoke +Her arm the Goddess threw, and thus began.950 +Tydeus, in truth, begat a son himself +Not much resembling. Tydeus was of size +Diminutive, but had a warrior’s heart. +When him I once commanded to abstain +From furious fight (what time he enter’d Thebes955 +Ambassador, and the Cadmeans found +Feasting, himself the sole Achaian there) +And bade him quietly partake the feast. +He, fired with wonted ardor, challenged forth +To proof of manhood the Cadmean youth,960 +Whom easily, through my effectual aid, +In contests of each kind he overcame. +But thou, whom I encircle with my power, +Guard vigilant, and even bid thee forth +To combat with the Trojans, thou, thy limbs965 +Feel’st wearied with the toils of war, or worse, +Indulgest womanish and heartless fear. +Henceforth thou art not worthy to be deem’d +Son of Oenides, Tydeus famed in arms. +To whom thus valiant Diomede replied.970 +I know thee well, oh Goddess sprung from Jove! +And therefore willing shall, and plain, reply. +Me neither weariness nor heartless fear +Restrains, but thine injunctions which impress +My memory, still, that I should fear to oppose975 +The blessed Gods in fight, Venus except, +Whom in the battle found thou badest me pierce +With unrelenting spear; therefore myself +Retiring hither, I have hither call’d +The other Argives also, for I know980 +That Mars, himself in arms, controls the war. +Him answer’d then the Goddess azure-eyed. +Tydides! Diomede, my heart’s delight! +Fear not this Mars,[22] nor fear thou other power +Immortal, but be confident in me.985 +Arise. Drive forth. Seek Mars; him only seek; +Him hand to hand engage; this fiery Mars +Respect not aught, base implement of wrong +And mischief, shifting still from side to side. +He promised Juno lately and myself990 +That he would fight for Greece, yet now forgets +His promise, and gives all his aid to Troy. +So saying, she backward by his hand withdrew +The son of Capaneus, who to the ground +Leap’d instant; she, impatient to his place995 +Ascending, sat beside brave Diomede. +Loud groan’d the beechen axle, under weight +Unwonted, for it bore into the fight +An awful Goddess, and the chief of men. +Quick-seizing lash and reins Minerva drove1000 +Direct at Mars. That moment he had slain +Periphas, bravest of Ætolia’s sons, +And huge of bulk; Ochesius was his sire. +Him Mars the slaughterer had of life bereft +Newly, and Pallas to elude his sight1005 +The helmet fixed of Ades on her head.[23] +Soon as gore-tainted Mars the approach perceived +Of Diomede, he left the giant length +Of Periphas extended where he died, +And flew to cope with Tydeus’ valiant son.1010 +Full nigh they came, when Mars on fire to slay +The hero, foremost with his brazen lance +Assail’d him, hurling o’er his horses’ heads. +But Athenæan Pallas in her hand +The flying weapon caught and turn’d it wide,1015 +Baffling his aim. Then Diomede on him +Rush’d furious in his turn, and Pallas plunged +The bright spear deep into his cinctured waist +Dire was the wound, and plucking back the spear +She tore him. Bellow’d brazen-throated Mars1020 +Loud as nine thousand warriors, or as ten +Join’d in close combat. Grecians, Trojans shook +Appall’d alike at the tremendous voice +Of Mars insatiable with deeds of blood. +Such as the dimness is when summer winds1025 +Breathe hot, and sultry mist obscures the sky, +Such brazen Mars to Diomede appear’d +By clouds accompanied in his ascent +Into the boundless ether. Reaching soon +The Olympian heights, seat of the Gods, he sat1030 +Beside Saturnian Jove; wo fill’d his heart; +He show’d fast-streaming from the wound his blood +Immortal, and impatient thus complain’d. +Jove, Father! Seest thou these outrageous acts +Unmoved with anger? Such are day by day1035 +The dreadful mischiefs by the Gods contrived +Against each other, for the sake of man. +Thou art thyself the cause. Thou hast produced +A foolish daughter petulant, addict +To evil only and injurious deeds;1040 +There is not in Olympus, save herself, +Who feels not thy control; but she her will +Gratifies ever, and reproof from thee +Finds none, because, pernicious as she is, +She is thy daughter. She hath now the mind1045 +Of haughty Diomede with madness fill’d +Against the immortal Gods; first Venus bled; +Her hand he pierced impetuous, then assail’d, +As if himself immortal, even me, +But me my feet stole thence, or overwhelm’d1050 +Beneath yon heaps of carcases impure, +What had I not sustain’d? And if at last +I lived, had halted crippled by the sword. +To whom with dark displeasure Jove replied. +Base and side-shifting traitor! vex not me1055 +Here sitting querulous; of all who dwell +On the Olympian heights, thee most I hate +Contentious, whose delight is war alone. +Thou hast thy mother’s moods, the very spleen +Of Juno, uncontrolable as she.1060 +Whom even I, reprove her as I may, +Scarce rule by mere commands; I therefore judge +Thy sufferings a contrivance all her own. +But soft. Thou art my son whom I begat. +And Juno bare thee. I can not endure1065 +That thou shouldst suffer long. Hadst thou been born +Of other parents thus detestable, +What Deity soe’er had brought thee forth, +Thou shouldst have found long since a humbler sphere. +He ceased, and to the care his son consign’d1070 +Of Pæon; he with drugs of lenient powers, +Soon heal’d whom immortality secured +From dissolution. As the juice from figs +Express’d what fluid was in milk before +Coagulates, stirr’d rapidly around,1075 +So soon was Mars by Pæon skill restored. +Him Hebe bathed, and with divine attire +Graceful adorn’d; when at the side of Jove +Again his glorious seat sublime he took. +Meantime to the abode of Jove supreme1080 +Ascended Juno throughout Argos known +And mighty Pallas; Mars the plague of man, +By their successful force from slaughter driven. + + + + +BOOK VI. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK. + +The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector by +the advice of Helenus enters Troy, and recommends it to Hecuba to go in +solemn procession to the temple of Minerva; she with the matrons goes +accordingly. Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris, and +exhorts him to return to the field of battle. An interview succeeds +between Hector and Andromache, and Paris, having armed himself in the +mean time, comes up with Hector at the close of it, when they sally +from the gate together. + + +BOOK VI. + + +Thus was the field forsaken by the Gods. +And now success proved various; here the Greeks +With their extended spears, the Trojans there +Prevail’d alternate, on the champain spread +The Xanthus and the Simoïs between.[1]5 +First Telamonian Ajax,[2] bulwark firm +Of the Achaians, broke the Trojan ranks, +And kindled for the Greeks a gleam of hope, +Slaying the bravest of the Thracian band, +Huge Acamas, Eusorus’ son; him first10 +Full on the shaggy crest he smote, and urged +The spear into his forehead; through his skull +The bright point pass’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes. +But Diomede, heroic Chief, the son +Of Teuthras slew, Axylus.[3] Rich was he,15 +And in Arisba (where he dwelt beside +The public road, and at his open door +Made welcome all) respected and beloved. +But of his numerous guests none interposed +To avert his woful doom; nor him alone20 +He slew, but with him also to the shades +Calesius sent, his friend and charioteer. +Opheltius fell and Dresus, by the hand +Slain of Euryalus, who, next, his arms +On Pedasus and on Æsepus turned25 +Brethren and twins. Them Abarbarea bore, +A Naiad, to Bucolion, son renown’d +Of King Laomedon, his eldest born, +But by his mother, at his birth, conceal’d. +Bucolion pasturing his flocks, embraced30 +The lovely nymph; she twins produced, both whom, +Brave as they were and beautiful, thy son[4] +Mecisteus! slew, and from their shoulders tore +Their armor. Dauntless Polypœtes slew +Astyalus. Ulysses with his spear35 +Transfixed Pydites, a Percosian Chief, +And Teucer Aretaön; Nestor’s pride +Antilochus, with his bright lance, of life +Bereft Ablerus, and the royal arm +Of Agamemnon, Elatus; he dwelt40 +Among the hills of lofty Pedasus, +On Satnio’s banks, smooth-sliding river pure +Phylacus fled, whom Leïtus as swift +Soon smote. Melanthius at the feet expired +Of the renown’d Eurypylus, and, flush’d45 +With martial ardor, Menelaus seized +And took alive Adrastus. As it chanced +A thicket his affrighted steeds detain’d +Their feet entangling; they with restive force +At its extremity snapp’d short the pole,50 +And to the city, whither others fled, +Fled also. From his chariot headlong hurl’d, +Adrastus press’d the plain fast by his wheel. +Flew Menelaus, and his quivering spear +Shook over him; he, life imploring, clasp’d55 +Importunate his knees, and thus exclaim’d. +Oh, son of Atreus, let me live! accept +Illustrious ransom! In my father’s house +Is wealth abundant, gold, and brass, and steel +Of truest temper, which he will impart60 +Till he have gratified thine utmost wish, +Inform’d that I am captive in your fleet. +He said, and Menelaus by his words +Vanquish’d, him soon had to the fleet dismiss’d +Given to his train in charge, but swift and stern65 +Approaching, Agamemnon interposed. +Now, brother, whence this milkiness of mind, +These scruples about blood? Thy Trojan friends +Have doubtless much obliged thee. Die the race! +May none escape us! neither he who flies,70 +Nor even the infant in his mother’s womb +Unconscious. Perish universal Troy +Unpitied, till her place be found no more![5] +So saying, his brother’s mind the Hero turn’d, +Advising him aright; he with his hand75 +Thrust back Adrastus, and himself, the King, +His bowels pierced. Supine Adrastus fell, +And Agamemnon, with his foot the corse +Impressing firm, pluck’d forth his ashen spear. +Then Nestor, raising high his voice, exclaim’d.80 +Friends, Heroes, Grecians, ministers of Mars! +Let none, desirous of the spoil, his time +Devote to plunder now; now slay your foes, +And strip them when the field shall be your own.[6] + +He said, and all took courage at his word.85 +Then had the Trojans enter’d Troy again +By the heroic Grecians foul repulsed, +So was their spirit daunted, but the son +Of Priam, Helenus, an augur far +Excelling all, at Hector’s side his speech90 +To him and to Æneas thus address’d. +Hector, and thou, Æneas, since on you +The Lycians chiefly and ourselves depend, +For that in difficult emprize ye show +Most courage; give best counsel; stand yourselves,95 +And, visiting all quarters, cause to stand +Before the city-gates our scatter’d troops, +Ere yet the fugitives within the arms +Be slaughter’d of their wives, the scorn of Greece. +When thus ye shall have rallied every band100 +And roused their courage, weary though we be, +Yet since necessity commands, even here +Will we give battle to the host of Greece. +But, Hector! to the city thou depart; +There charge our mother, that she go direct,105 +With the assembled matrons, to the fane +Of Pallas in the citadel of Troy. +Opening her chambers’ sacred doors, of all +Her treasured mantles there, let her select +The widest, most magnificently wrought,110 +And which she values most; _that_ let her spread +On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine.[7] +Twelve heifers of the year yet never touch’d +With puncture of the goad, let her alike +Devote to her, if she will pity Troy,115 +Our wives and little ones, and will avert +The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers, +That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host, +Bravest, in my account, of all the Greeks. +For never yet Achilles hath himself120 +So taught our people fear, although esteemed +Son of a Goddess. But this warrior’s rage +Is boundless, and his strength past all compare. +So Helenus; nor Hector not complied. +Down from his chariot instant to the ground125 +All arm’d he leap’d, and, shaking his sharp spears, +Through every phalanx pass’d, rousing again +Their courage, and rekindling horrid war. +They, turning, faced the Greeks; the Greeks repulsed, +Ceased from all carnage, nor supposed they less130 +Than that some Deity, the starry skies +Forsaken, help’d their foes, so firm they stood. +But Hector to the Trojans call’d aloud. +Ye dauntless Trojans and confederate powers +Call’d from afar! now be ye men, my friends,135 +Now summon all the fury of your might! +I go to charge our senators and wives +That they address the Gods with prayers and vows +For our success, and hecatombs devote. +So saying the Hero went, and as he strode140 +The sable hide that lined his bossy shield +Smote on his neck and on his ancle-bone. +And now into the middle space between +Both hosts, the son of Tydeus and the son +Moved of Hippolochus, intent alike145 +On furious combat; face to face they stood, +And thus heroic Diomede began. +Most noble Champion! who of human kind +Art thou,[8] whom in the man-ennobling fight +I now encounter first? Past all thy peers150 +I must esteem thee valiant, who hast dared +To meet my coming, and my spear defy. +Ah! they are sons of miserable sires +Who dare my might; but if a God from heaven +Thou come, behold! I fight not with the Gods.155 +That war Lycurgus son of Dryas waged, +And saw not many years. The nurses he +Of brain-disturbing Bacchus down the steep +Pursued of sacred Nyssa; they their wands +Vine-wreathed cast all away, with an ox-goad160 +Chastised by fell Lycurgus. Bacchus plunged +Meantime dismay’d into the deep, where him +Trembling, and at the Hero’s haughty threats +Confounded, Thetis in her bosom hid.[9] +Thus by Lycurgus were the blessed powers165 +Of heaven offended, and Saturnian Jove +Of sight bereaved him, who not long that loss +Survived, for he was curst by all above. +I, therefore, wage no contest with the Gods; +But if thou be of men, and feed on bread170 +Of earthly growth, draw nigh, that with a stroke +Well-aim’d, I may at once cut short thy days.[10] +To whom the illustrious Lycian Chief replied. +Why asks brave Diomede of my descent? +For, as the leaves, such is the race of man.[11]175 +The wind shakes down the leaves, the budding grove +Soon teems with others, and in spring they grow. +So pass mankind. One generation meets +Its destined period, and a new succeeds. +But since thou seem’st desirous to be taught180 +My pedigree, whereof no few have heard, +Know that in Argos, in the very lap +Of Argos, for her steed-grazed meadows famed, +Stands Ephyra;[12] there Sisyphus abode, +Shrewdest of human kind; Sisyphus, named185 +Æolides. Himself a son begat, +Glaucus, and he Bellerophon, to whom +The Gods both manly force and beauty gave. +Him Prœtus (for in Argos at that time +Prœtus was sovereign, to whose sceptre Jove190 +Had subjected the land) plotting his death, +Contrived to banish from his native home. +For fair Anteia, wife of Prœtus, mad +Through love of young Bellerophon, him oft +In secret to illicit joys enticed;195 +But she prevail’d not o’er the virtuous mind +Discrete of whom she wooed; therefore a lie +Framing, she royal Prœtus thus bespake. +Die thou, or slay Bellerophon, who sought +Of late to force me to his lewd embrace.200 +So saying, the anger of the King she roused. +Slay him himself he would not, for his heart +Forbad the deed; him therefore he dismiss’d +To Lycia, charged with tales of dire import +Written in tablets,[13] which he bade him show,205 +That he might perish, to Anteia’s sire. +To Lycia then, conducted by the Gods, +He went, and on the shores of Xanthus found +Free entertainment noble at the hands +Of Lycia’s potent King. Nine days complete210 +He feasted him, and slew each day an ox. +But when the tenth day’s ruddy morn appear’d, +He asked him then his errand, and to see +Those written tablets from his son-in-law. +The letters seen, he bade him, first, destroy215 +Chimæra, deem’d invincible, divine +In nature, alien from the race of man, +Lion in front, but dragon all behind, +And in the midst a she-goat breathing forth +Profuse the violence of flaming fire.220 +Her, confident in signs from heaven, he slew. +Next, with the men of Solymæ[14] he fought, +Brave warriors far renown’d, with whom he waged, +In his account, the fiercest of his wars. +And lastly, when in battle he had slain225 +The man-resisting Amazons, the king +Another stratagem at his return +Devised against him, placing close-conceal’d +An ambush for him from the bravest chosen +In Lycia; but they saw their homes no more;230 +Bellerophon the valiant slew them all. +The monarch hence collecting, at the last, +His heavenly origin, him there detain’d, +And gave him his own daughter, with the half +Of all his royal dignity and power.235 +The Lycians also, for his proper use, +Large lot assigned him of their richest soil,[15] +Commodious for the vine, or for the plow. +And now his consort fair three children bore +To bold Bellerophon; Isandrus one,240 +And one, Hippolochus; his youngest born +Laodamia was for beauty such +That she became a concubine of Jove. +She bore Sarpedon of heroic note. +But when Bellerophon, at last, himself245 +Had anger’d all the Gods, feeding on grief +He roam’d alone the Aleian field, exiled, +By choice, from every cheerful haunt of man. +Mars, thirsty still for blood, his son destroy’d +Isandrus, warring with the host renown’d250 +Of Solymæ; and in her wrath divine +Diana from her chariot golden-rein’d +Laodamia slew. Myself I boast +Sprung from Hippolochus; he sent me forth +To fight for Troy, charging me much and oft255 +That I should outstrip always all mankind +In worth and valor, nor the house disgrace +Of my forefathers, heroes without peer +In Ephyra, and in Lycia’s wide domain. +Such is my lineage; such the blood I boast.260 +He ceased. Then valiant Diomede rejoiced. +He pitch’d his spear, and to the Lycian Prince +In terms of peace and amity replied. +Thou art my own hereditary friend, +Whose noble grandsire was the guest of mine.[16]265 +For Oeneus, on a time, full twenty days +Regaled Bellerophon, and pledges fair +Of hospitality they interchanged. +Oeneus a belt radiant with purple gave +To brave Bellerophon, who in return270 +Gave him a golden goblet. Coming forth +I left the kind memorial safe at home. +A child was I when Tydeus went to Thebes, +Where the Achaians perish’d, and of him +Hold no remembrance; but henceforth, my friend,275 +Thine host am I in Argos, and thou mine +In Lycia, should I chance to sojourn there. +We will not clash. Trojans or aids of Troy +No few the Gods shall furnish to my spear, +Whom I may slaughter; and no want of Greeks280 +On whom to prove thy prowess, thou shalt find. +But it were well that an exchange ensued +Between us; take mine armor, give me thine, +That all who notice us may understand +Our patrimonial[17] amity and love.285 +So they, and each alighting, hand in hand +Stood lock’d, faith promising and firm accord. +Then Jove of sober judgment so bereft +Infatuate Glaucus that with Tydeus’ son +He barter’d gold for brass, an hundred beeves290 +In value, for the value small of nine. +But Hector at the Scæan gate and beech[18] +Meantime arrived, to whose approach the wives +And daughters flock’d of Troy, inquiring each +The fate of husband, brother, son, or friend.295 +He bade them all with solemn prayer the Gods +Seek fervent, for that wo was on the wing. +But when he enter’d Priam’s palace, built +With splendid porticoes, and which within +Had fifty chambers lined with polish’d stone,300 +Contiguous all, where Priam’s sons reposed +And his sons’ wives, and where, on the other side. +In twelve magnificent chambers also lined +With polish’d marble and contiguous all, +The sons-in-law of Priam lay beside305 +His spotless daughters, there the mother queen +Seeking the chamber of Laodice, +Loveliest of all her children, as she went +Met Hector. On his hand she hung and said: +Why leavest thou, O my son! the dangerous field?310 +I fear that the Achaians (hateful name!) +Compass the walls so closely, that thou seek’st +Urged by distress the citadel, to lift +Thine hands in prayer to Jove? But pause awhile +Till I shall bring thee wine, that having pour’d315 +Libation rich to Jove and to the powers +Immortal, thou may’st drink and be refresh’d. +For wine is mighty to renew the strength +Of weary man, and weary thou must be +Thyself, thus long defending us and ours.320 +To whom her son majestic thus replied. +My mother, whom I reverence! cheering wine +Bring none to me, lest I forget my might.[19] +I fear, beside, with unwash’d hands to pour +Libation forth of sable wine to Jove,325 +And dare on none account, thus blood-defiled,[20] +Approach the tempest-stirring God in prayer. +Thou, therefore, gathering all our matrons, seek +The fane of Pallas, huntress of the spoil, +Bearing sweet incense; but from the attire330 +Treasured within thy chamber, first select +The amplest robe, most exquisitely wrought, +And which thou prizest most—then spread the gift +On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine. +Twelve heifers also of the year, untouch’d335 +With puncture of the goad, promise to slay +In sacrifice, if she will pity Troy, +Our wives and little ones, and will avert +The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers, +That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host.340 +Go then, my mother, seek the hallowed fane +Of the spoil-huntress Deity. I, the while, +Seek Paris, and if Paris yet can hear, +Shall call him forth. But oh that earth would yawn +And swallow him, whom Jove hath made a curse345 +To Troy, to Priam, and to all his house; +Methinks, to see him plunged into the shades +For ever, were a cure for all my woes. +He ceased; the Queen, her palace entering, charged +Her maidens; they, incontinent, throughout350 +All Troy convened the matrons, as she bade. +Meantime into her wardrobe incense-fumed, +Herself descended; there her treasures lay, +Works of Sidonian women,[21] whom her son +The godlike Paris, when he cross’d the seas355 +With Jove-begotten Helen, brought to Troy. +The most magnificent, and varied most +With colors radiant, from the rest she chose +For Pallas; vivid as a star it shone, +And lowest lay of all. Then forth she went,360 +The Trojan matrons all following her steps. +But when the long procession reach’d the fane +Of Pallas in the heights of Troy, to them +The fair Theano ope’d the portals wide, +Daughter of Cisseus, brave Antenor’s spouse,365 +And by appointment public, at that time, +Priestess of Pallas. All with lifted hands[22] +In presence of Minerva wept aloud. +Beauteous Theano on the Goddess’ lap +Then spread the robe, and to the daughter fair370 +Of Jove omnipotent her suit address’d. +Goddess[23] of Goddesses, our city’s shield, +Adored Minerva, hear! oh! break the lance +Of Diomede, and give himself to fall +Prone in the dust before the Scæan gate.375 +So will we offer to thee at thy shrine, +This day twelve heifers of the year, untouch’d +By yoke or goad, if thou wilt pity show +To Troy, and save our children and our wives. +Such prayer the priestess offer’d, and such prayer380 +All present; whom Minerva heard averse. +But Hector to the palace sped meantime +Of Alexander, which himself had built, +Aided by every architect of name +Illustrious then in Troy. Chamber it had,385 +Wide hall, proud dome, and on the heights of Troy +Near-neighboring Hector’s house and Priam’s stood. +There enter’d Hector, Jove-beloved, a spear +Its length eleven cubits in his hand, +Its glittering head bound with a ring of gold.390 +He found within his chamber whom he sought, +Polishing with exactest care his arms +Resplendent, shield and hauberk fingering o’er +With curious touch, and tampering with his bow.[24] +Helen of Argos with her female train395 +Sat occupied, the while, to each in turn +Some splendid task assigning. Hector fix’d +His eyes on Paris, and him stern rebuked. +Thy sullen humors, Paris, are ill-timed. +The people perish at our lofty walls;400 +The flames of war have compass’d Troy around +And thou hast kindled them; who yet thyself +That slackness show’st which in another seen +Thou would’st resent to death. Haste, seek the field +This moment, lest, the next, all Ilium blaze.405 +To whom thus Paris, graceful as a God. +Since, Hector, thou hast charged me with a fault, +And not unjustly, I will answer make, +And give thou special heed. That here I sit, +The cause is sorrow, which I wish’d to soothe410 +In secret, not displeasure or revenge. +I tell thee also, that even now my wife +Was urgent with me in most soothing terms +That I would forth to battle; and myself, +Aware that victory oft changes sides,415 +That course prefer. Wait, therefore, thou awhile, +Till I shall dress me for the fight, or go +Thou first, and I will overtake thee soon. +He ceased, to whom brave Hector answer none +Return’d, when Helen him with lenient speech420 +Accosted mild.[25] My brother! who in me +Hast found a sister worthy of thy hate, +Authoress of all calamity to Troy, +Oh that the winds, the day when I was born, +Had swept me out of sight, whirl’d me aloft425 +To some inhospitable mountain-top, +Or plunged me in the deep; there I had sunk +O’erwhelm’d, and all these ills had never been. +But since the Gods would bring these ills to pass, +I should, at least, some worthier mate have chosen,430 +One not insensible to public shame. +But this, oh this, nor hath nor will acquire +Hereafter, aught which like discretion shows +Or reason, and shall find his just reward. +But enter; take this seat; for who as thou435 +Labors, or who hath cause like thee to rue +The crime, my brother, for which Heaven hath doom’d +Both Paris and my most detested self +To be the burthens of an endless song? +To whom the warlike Hector huge[26] replied.440 +Me bid not, Helen, to a seat, howe’er +Thou wish my stay, for thou must not prevail. +The Trojans miss me, and myself no less +Am anxious to return. But urge in haste +This loiterer forth; yea, let him urge himself445 +To overtake me ere I quit the town. +For I must home in haste, that I may see +My loved Andromache, my infant boy, +And my domestics, ignorant if e’er +I shall behold them more, or if my fate450 +Ordain me now to fall by Grecian hands. +So spake the dauntless hero, and withdrew. +But reaching soon his own well-built abode +He found not fair Andromache; she stood +Lamenting Hector, with the nurse who bore455 +Her infant, on a turret’s top sublime. +He then, not finding his chaste spouse within, +Thus from the portal, of her train inquired. +Tell me, ye maidens, whither went from home +Andromache the fair?[27] Went she to see460 +Her female kindred of my father’s house, +Or to Minerva’s temple, where convened +The bright-hair’d matrons of the city seek +To soothe the awful Goddess? Tell me true. +To whom his household’s governess discreet.465 +Since, Hector, truth is thy demand, receive +True answer. Neither went she forth to see +Her female kindred of thy father’s house, +Nor to Minerva’s temple, where convened +The bright-haired matrons of the city seek470 +To soothe the awful Goddess; but she went +Hence to the tower of Troy: for she had heard +That the Achaians had prevail’d, and driven +The Trojans to the walls; she, therefore, wild +With grief, flew thither, and the nurse her steps475 +Attended, with thy infant in her arms. +So spake the prudent governess; whose words +When Hector heard, issuing from his door +He backward trod with hasty steps the streets +Of lofty Troy, and having traversed all480 +The spacious city, when he now approach’d +The Scæan gate, whence he must seek the field, +There, hasting home again his noble wife +Met him, Andromache the rich-endow’d +Fair daughter of Eëtion famed in arms.485 +Eëtion, who in Hypoplacian Thebes +Umbrageous dwelt, Cilicia’s mighty lord— +His daughter valiant Hector had espoused. +There she encounter’d him, and with herself +The nurse came also, bearing in her arms490 +Hectorides, his infant darling boy, +Beautiful as a star. Him Hector called +Scamandrios, but Astyanax[28] all else +In Ilium named him, for that Hector’s arm +Alone was the defence and strength of Troy.495 +The father, silent, eyed his babe, and smiled. +Andromache, meantime, before him stood, +With streaming cheeks, hung on his hand, and said. +Thy own great courage will cut short thy days, +My noble Hector! neither pitiest thou500 +Thy helpless infant, or my hapless self, +Whose widowhood is near; for thou wilt fall +Ere long, assail’d by the whole host of Greece. +Then let me to the tomb, my best retreat +When thou art slain. For comfort none or joy505 +Can I expect, thy day of life extinct, +But thenceforth, sorrow. Father I have none; +No mother. When Cilicia’s city, Thebes +The populous, was by Achilles sack’d. +He slew my father; yet his gorgeous arms510 +Stripp’d not through reverence of him, but consumed, +Arm’d as it was, his body on the pile, +And heap’d his tomb, which the Oreades, +Jove’s daughters, had with elms inclosed around.[29] +My seven brothers, glory of our house,515 +All in one day descended to the shades; +For brave Achilles,[30] while they fed their herds +And snowy flocks together, slew them all. +My mother, Queen of the well-wooded realm +Of Hypoplacian Thebes, her hither brought520 +Among his other spoils, he loosed again +At an inestimable ransom-price, +But by Diana pierced, she died at home. +Yet Hector—oh my husband! I in thee +Find parents, brothers, all that I have lost.525 +Come! have compassion on us. Go not hence, +But guard this turret, lest of me thou make +A widow, and an orphan of thy boy. +The city walls are easiest of ascent +At yonder fig-tree; station there thy powers;530 +For whether by a prophet warn’d, or taught +By search and observation, in that part +Each Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete, +The sons of Atreus, and the valiant son +Of Tydeus, have now thrice assail’d the town.535 +To whom the leader of the host of Troy. +These cares, Andromache, which thee engage, +All touch me also; but I dread to incur +The scorn of male and female tongues in Troy, +If, dastard-like, I should decline the fight.540 +Nor feel I such a wish. No. I have learn’d +To be courageous ever, in the van +Among the flower of Ilium to assert +My glorious father’s honor, and my own. +For that the day shall come when sacred Troy,545 +When Priam, and the people of the old +Spear-practised King shall perish, well I know. +But for no Trojan sorrows yet to come +So much I mourn, not e’en for Hecuba, +Nor yet for Priam, nor for all the brave550 +Of my own brothers who shall kiss the dust, +As for thyself, when some Achaian Chief +Shall have convey’d thee weeping hence, thy sun +Of peace and liberty for ever set. +Then shalt thou toil in Argos at the loom555 +For a task-mistress, and constrain’d shalt draw +From Hypereïa’s fount,[31] or from the fount +Messeïs, water at her proud command. +Some Grecian then, seeing thy tears, shall say— +“This was the wife of Hector, who excell’d560 +All Troy in fight when Ilium was besieged.” +Such he shall speak thee, and thy heart, the while, +Shall bleed afresh through want of such a friend +To stand between captivity and thee. +But may I rest beneath my hill of earth565 +Or ere that day arrive! I would not live +To hear thy cries, and see thee torn away. +So saying, illustrious Hector stretch’d his arms +Forth to his son, but with a scream, the child +Fell back into the bosom of his nurse,570 +His father’s aspect dreading, whose bright arms +He had attentive mark’d and shaggy crest +Playing tremendous o’er his helmet’s height. +His father and his gentle mother laugh’d,[32] +And noble Hector lifting from his head575 +His dazzling helmet, placed it on the ground, +Then kiss’d his boy and dandled him, and thus +In earnest prayer the heavenly powers implored. +Hear all ye Gods! as ye have given to me, +So also on my son excelling might580 +Bestow, with chief authority in Troy. +And be his record this, in time to come, +When he returns from battle. Lo! how far +The son excels the sire! May every foe +Fall under him, and he come laden home585 +With spoils blood-stain’d to his dear mother’s joy. +He said, and gave his infant to the arms +Of his Andromache, who him received +Into her fragrant bosom, bitter tears +With sweet smiles mingling; he with pity moved590 +That sight observed, soft touch’d her cheek, and said, +Mourn not, my loved Andromache, for me +Too much; no man shall send me to the shades +Of Tartarus, ere mine allotted hour, +Nor lives he who can overpass the date595 +By heaven assign’d him, be he base or brave.[33] +Go then, and occupy content at home +The woman’s province; ply the distaff, spin +And weave, and task thy maidens. War belongs +To man; to all men; and of all who first600 +Drew vital breath in Ilium, most to me.[34] + +He ceased, and from the ground his helmet raised +Hair-crested; his Andromache, at once +Obedient, to her home repair’d, but oft +Turn’d as she went, and, turning, wept afresh.605 +No sooner at the palace she arrived +Of havoc-spreading Hector, than among +Her numerous maidens found within, she raised +A general lamentation; with one voice, +In his own house, his whole domestic train610 +Mourn’d Hector, yet alive; for none the hope +Conceived of his escape from Grecian hands, +Or to behold their living master more. +Nor Paris in his stately mansion long +Delay’d, but, arm’d resplendent, traversed swift615 +The city, all alacrity and joy. +As some stall’d horse high-fed, his stable-cord +Snapt short, beats under foot the sounding plain, +Accustomed in smooth-sliding streams to lave +Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane620 +Undulates o’er his shoulders, pleased he eyes +His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees +Shoots to the meadow where his fellows graze; +So Paris, son of Priam, from the heights +Of Pergamus into the streets of Troy,625 +All dazzling as the sun, descended, flush’d +With martial pride, and bounding in his course. +At once he came where noble Hector stood +Now turning, after conference with his spouse, +When godlike Alexander thus began.630 +My hero brother, thou hast surely found +My long delay most irksome. More dispatch +Had pleased thee more, for such was thy command. +To whom the warlike Hector thus replied. +No man, judicious, and in feat of arms635 +Intelligent, would pour contempt on thee +(For thou art valiant) wert thou not remiss +And wilful negligent; and when I hear +The very men who labor in thy cause +Reviling thee, I make thy shame my own.640 +But let us on. All such complaints shall cease +Hereafter, and thy faults be touch’d no more, +Let Jove but once afford us riddance clear +Of these Achaians, and to quaff the cup +Of liberty, before the living Gods.645 + + +It may be observed, that Hector begins to resume his hope of success, +and his warlike spirit is roused again, as he approaches the field of +action. The depressing effect of his sad interview is wearing away from +his mind, and he is already prepared for the battle with Ajax, which +awaits him. + +The student who has once read this book, will read it again and again. +It contains much that is addressed to the deepest feelings of our +common nature, and, despite of the long interval of time which lies +between our age and the Homeric—despite the manifold changes of +customs, habits, pursuits, and the advances that have been made in +civilization and art—despite of all these, the universal spirit of +humanity will recognize in these scenes much of that true poetry which +delights alike all ages, all nations, all men.—Felton. + + + + +BOOK VII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOK. + +Ajax and Hector engage in single combat. The Grecians fortify their +camp. + + +BOOK VII. + + +So saying, illustrious Hector through the gates +To battle rush’d, with Paris at his side, +And both were bent on deeds of high renown. +As when the Gods vouchsafe propitious gales +To longing mariners, who with smooth oars5 +Threshing the waves have all their strength consumed, +So them the longing Trojans glad received. +At once each slew a Grecian. Paris slew +Menesthius who in Arna dwelt, the son +Of Areithoüs, club-bearing chief,10 +And of Philomedusa radiant-eyed. +But Hector wounded with his glittering spear +Eïoneus; he pierced his neck beneath +His brazen morion’s verge, and dead he fell. +Then Glaucus, leader of the Lycian host,15 +Son of Hippolochus, in furious fight +Iphinoüs son of Dexias assail’d, +Mounting his rapid mares, and with his lance +His shoulder pierced; unhorsed he fell and died. +Such slaughter of the Grecians in fierce fight20 +Minerva noting, from the Olympian hills +Flew down to sacred Ilium; whose approach +Marking from Pergamus, Apollo flew +To meet her, ardent on the part of Troy. +Beneath the beech they join’d, when first the King,25 +The son of Jove, Apollo thus began. + +Daughter of Jove supreme! why hast thou left +Olympus, and with such impetuous speed? +Comest thou to give the Danaï success +Decisive? For I know that pity none30 +Thou feel’st for Trojans, perish as they may +But if advice of mine can influence thee +To that which shall be best, let us compose +This day the furious fight which shall again +Hereafter rage, till Ilium be destroy’d.35 +Since such is Juno’s pleasure and thy own. +Him answer’d then Pallas cærulean-eyed. +Celestial archer! be it so. I came +Myself so purposing into the field +From the Olympian heights. But by what means40 +Wilt thou induce the warriors to a pause? +To whom the King, the son of Jove, replied. +The courage of equestrian Hector bold +Let us excite, that he may challenge forth +To single conflict terrible some chief45 +Achaian. The Achaians brazen-mail’d +Indignant, will supply a champion soon +To combat with the noble Chief of Troy. +So spake Apollo, and his counsel pleased +Minerva; which when Helenus the seer,50 +Priam’s own son, in his prophetic soul +Perceived, approaching Hector, thus he spake. +Jove’s peer in wisdom, Hector, Priam’s son! +I am thy brother. Wilt thou list to me? +Bid cease the battle. Bid both armies sit.55 +Call first, thyself, the mightiest of the Greeks +To single conflict. I have heard the voice +Of the Eternal Gods, and well-assured +Foretell thee that thy death not now impends. +He spake, whom Hector heard with joy elate.60 +Before his van striding into the space +Both hosts between, he with his spear transverse[1] +Press’d back the Trojans, and they sat. Down sat +The well-greaved Grecians also at command +Of Agamemnon; and in shape assumed65 +Of vultures, Pallas and Apollo perch’d +High on the lofty beech sacred to Jove +The father Ægis-arm’d; delighted thence +They view’d the peopled plain horrent around +With shields and helms and glittering spears erect.70 +As when fresh-blowing Zephyrus the flood +Sweeps first, the ocean blackens at the blast, +Such seem’d the plain whereon the Achaians sat +And Trojans, whom between thus Hector spake. +Ye Trojans and Achaians brazen-greaved,75 +Attend while I shall speak! Jove high-enthroned +Hath not fulfill’d the truce, but evil plans +Against both hosts, till either ye shall take +Troy’s lofty towers, or shall yourselves in flight +Fall vanquish’d at your billow-cleaving barks.80 +With you is all the flower of Greece.[2] Let him +Whose heart shall move him to encounter sole +Illustrious Hector, from among you all +Stand forth, and Jove be witness to us both. +If he, with his long-pointed lance, of life85 +Shall me bereave, my armor is his prize, +Which he shall hence into your fleet convey; +Not so my body; that he shall resign +For burial to the men and wives of Troy. +But if Apollo make the glory mine,90 +And he fall vanquish’d, him will I despoil, +And hence conveying into sacred Troy +His arms, will in the temple hang them high[3] +Of the bow-bender God, but I will send +His body to the fleet, that him the Greeks95 +May grace with rights funereal. On the banks +Of wide-spread Hellespont ye shall upraise +His tomb, and as they cleave with oary barks +The sable deep, posterity shall say— +“It is a warrior’s tomb; in ancient days100 +The Hero died; him warlike Hector slew.” +So men shall speak hereafter, and my fame +Who slew him, and my praise, shall never die. +He ceased, and all sat mute. His challenge bold +None dared accept, which yet they blush’d to shun,105 +Till Menelaus, at the last, arose +Groaning profound, and thus reproach’d the Greeks. +Ah boasters! henceforth women—men no more— +Eternal shame, shame infinite is ours, +If none of all the Grecians dares contend110 +With Hector. Dastards—deaf to glory’s call— +Rot where ye sit! I will myself take arms +Against him, for the gods alone dispose, +At their own pleasure, the events of war. +He ended, and put on his radiant arms.115 +Then, Menelaus, manifest appear’d +Thy death approaching by the dreadful hands +Of Hector, mightier far in arms than thou, +But that the Chiefs of the Achaians all +Upstarting stay’d thee, and himself the King,120 +The son of Atreus, on thy better hand +Seizing affectionate, thee thus address’d. +Thou ravest, my royal brother! and art seized +With needless frenzy. But, however chafed, +Restrain thy wrath, nor covet to contend125 +With Priameian Hector, whom in fight +All dread, a warrior thy superior far. +Not even Achilles, in the glorious field +(Though stronger far than thou) this hero meets +Undaunted. Go then, and thy seat resume130 +In thy own band; the Achaians shall for him, +Doubtless, some fitter champion furnish forth. +Brave though he be, and with the toils of war +Insatiable, he shall be willing yet, +Seated on his bent knees, to breathe a while,135 +Should he escape the arduous brunt severe. +So saying, the hero by his counsel wise +His brother’s purpose alter’d; he complied, +And his glad servants eased him of his arms. +Then Nestor thus the Argive host bespake.140 +Great wo, ye Gods! hath on Achaia fallen. +Now may the warlike Pelaus, hoary Chief, +Who both with eloquence and wisdom rules +The Myrmidons, our foul disgrace deplore. +With him discoursing, erst, of ancient times,145 +When all your pedigrees I traced, I made +His heart bound in him at the proud report. +But now, when he shall learn how here we sat +Cowering at the foot of Hector, he shall oft +His hands uplift to the immortal Gods,150 +Praying a swift release into the shades. +Jove! Pallas! Phœbus! Oh that I were young +As when the Pylians in fierce fight engaged +The Arcadians spear-expert, beside the stream +Of rapid Celadon! Beneath the walls155 +We fought of Pheia, where the Jardan rolls. +There Ereuthalion, Chief of godlike form, +Stood forth before his van, and with loud voice +Defied the Pylians. Arm’d he was in steel +By royal Areïthous whilom worn;160 +Brave Areïthous, Corynetes[4] named +By every tongue; for that in bow and spear +Nought trusted he, but with an iron mace +The close-embattled phalanx shatter’d wide. +Him by address, not by superior force,165 +Lycurgus vanquish’d, in a narrow pass, +Where him his iron whirl-bat[5] nought avail’d. +Lycurgus stealing on him, with his lance +Transpierced and fix’d him to the soil supine. +Him of his arms, bright gift of brazen Mars,170 +He stripp’d, which after, in the embattled field +Lycurgus wore himself, but, growing old, +Surrender’d them to Ereuthalion’s use +His armor-bearer, high in his esteem, +And Ereuthalion wore them on the day175 +When he defied our best. All hung their heads +And trembled; none dared meet him; till at last +With inborn courage warm’d, and nought dismayed, +Though youngest of them all, I undertook +That contest, and, by Pallas’ aid, prevail’d.180 +I slew the man in height and bulk all men +Surpassing, and much soil he cover’d slain. +Oh for the vigor of those better days! +Then should not Hector want a champion long, +Whose call to combat, ye, although the prime185 +And pride of all our land, seem slow to hear. +He spake reproachful, when at once arose +Nine heroes. Agamemnon, King of men, +Foremost arose; then Tydeus’ mighty son, +With either Ajax in fierce prowess clad;190 +The Cretan next, Idomeneus, with whom +Uprose Meriones his friend approved, +Terrible as the man-destroyer Mars. +Evæmon’s noble offspring next appear’d +Eurypylus; Andræmon’s son the next195 +Thoas; and last, Ulysses, glorious Chief. +All these stood ready to engage in arms +With warlike Hector, when the ancient King, +Gerenian Nestor, thus his speech resumed. +Now cast the lot for all. Who wins the chance200 +Shall yield Achaia service, and himself +Serve also, if successful he escape +This brunt of hostile hardiment severe. +So Nestor. They, inscribing each his lot, +Into the helmet cast it of the son205 +Of Atreus, Agamemnon. Then the host +Pray’d all, their hands uplifting, and with eyes +To the wide heavens directed, many said[6]— +Eternal sire! choose Ajax, or the son +Of Tydeus, or the King himself[7] who sways210 +The sceptre in Mycenæ wealth-renown’d! +Such prayer the people made; then Nestor shook +The helmet, and forth leaped, whose most they wished, +The lot of Ajax. Throughout all the host +To every chief and potentate of Greece,215 +From right to left the herald bore the lot +By all disown’d; but when at length he reach’d +The inscriber of the lot, who cast it in, +Illustrious Ajax, in his open palm +The herald placed it, standing at his side.220 +He, conscious, with heroic joy the lot +Cast at his foot, and thus exclaim’d aloud. +My friends! the lot is mine,[8] and my own heart +Rejoices also; for I nothing doubt +That noble Hector shall be foil’d by me.225 +But while I put mine armor on, pray all +In silence to the King Saturnian Jove, +Lest, while ye pray, the Trojans overhear. +Or pray aloud, for whom have we to dread? +No man shall my firm standing by his strength230 +Unsettle, or for ignorance of mine +Me vanquish, who, I hope, brought forth and train’d +In Salamis, have, now, not much to learn. +He ended. They with heaven-directed eyes +The King in prayer address’d, Saturnian Jove.235 +Jove! glorious father! who from Ida’s height +Controlest all below, let Ajax prove +Victorious; make the honor all his own! +Or, if not less than Ajax, Hector share +Thy love and thy regard, divide the prize240 +Of glory, and let each achieve renown! +Then Ajax put his radiant armor on, +And, arm’d complete, rush’d forward. As huge Mars +To battle moves the sons of men between +Whom Jove with heart-devouring thirst inspires245 +Of war, so moved huge Ajax to the fight, +Tower of the Greeks, dilating with a smile +His martial features terrible; on feet, +Firm-planted, to the combat he advanced +Stride after stride, and shook his quivering spear.250 +Him viewing, Argos’ universal host +Exulted, while a panic loosed the knees +Of every Trojan; even Hector’s heart +Beat double, but escape for him remain’d +None now, or to retreat into his ranks255 +Again, from whom himself had challenged forth. +Ajax advancing like a tower his shield +Sevenfold, approach’d. It was the labor’d work +Of Tychius, armorer of matchless skill, +Who dwelt in Hyla; coated with the hides260 +Of seven high-pamper’d bulls that shield he framed +For Ajax, and the disk plated with brass. +Advancing it before his breast, the son +Of Telamon approach’d the Trojan Chief, +And face to face, him threatening, thus began.265 +Now, Hector, prove, by me alone opposed, +What Chiefs the Danaï can furnish forth +In absence of the lion-hearted prince +Achilles, breaker of the ranks of war. +He, in his billow-cleaving barks incensed270 +Against our leader Agamemnon, lies; +But warriors of my measure, who may serve +To cope with thee, we want not; numerous such +Are found amongst us. But begin the fight. +To whom majestic Hector fierce in arms.275 +Ajax! heroic leader of the Greeks! +Offspring of Telamon! essay not me +With words to terrify, as I were boy. +Or girl unskill’d in war;[9] I am a man +Well exercised in battle, who have shed280 +The blood of many a warrior, and have learn’d, +From hand to hand shifting my shield, to fight +Unwearied; I can make a sport of war, +In standing fight adjusting all my steps +To martial measures sweet, or vaulting light285 +Into my chariot, thence can urge the foe. +Yet in contention with a Chief like thee +I will employ no stratagem, or seek +To smite thee privily, but with a stroke +(If I may reach thee) visible to all.290 +So saying, he shook, then hurl’d his massy spear +At Ajax, and his broad shield sevenfold +On its eighth surface of resplendent brass +Smote full; six hides the unblunted weapon pierced, +But in the seventh stood rooted. Ajax, next,295 +Heroic Chief, hurl’d his long shadow’d spear +And struck the oval shield of Priam’s son. +Through his bright disk the weapon tempest-driven +Glided, and in his hauberk-rings infixt +At his soft flank, ripp’d wide his vest within.300 +Inclined oblique he ’scaped the dreadful doom +Then each from other’s shield his massy spear +Recovering quick, like lions hunger-pinch’d +Or wild boars irresistible in force, +They fell to close encounter. Priam’s son305 +The shield of Ajax at its centre smote, +But fail’d to pierce it, for he bent his point. +Sprang Ajax then, and meeting full the targe +Of Hector, shock’d him; through it and beyond +He urged the weapon with its sliding edge310 +Athwart his neck, and blood was seen to start. +But still, for no such cause, from battle ceased +Crest-tossing Hector, but retiring, seized +A huge stone angled sharp and black with age +That on the champain lay. The bull-hide guard315 +Sevenfold of Ajax with that stone he smote +Full on its centre; sang the circling brass. +Then Ajax far a heavier stone upheaved; +He whirled it, and with might immeasurable +Dismiss’d the mass, which with a mill-stone weight320 +Sank through the shield of Hector, and his knees +Disabled; with his shield supine he fell, +But by Apollo raised, stood soon again. +And now, with swords they had each other hewn, +Had not the messengers of Gods and men325 +The heralds wise, Idæus on the part +Of Ilium, and Talthybius for the Greeks, +Advancing interposed. His sceptre each +Between them held, and thus Idæus spake.[10] +My children, cease! prolong not still the fight.330 +Ye both are dear to cloud-assembler Jove, +Both valiant, and all know it. But the Night +Hath fallen, and Night’s command must be obeyed. +To him the son of Telamon replied. +Idæus! bid thy master speak as thou.335 +He is the challenger. If such his choice, +Mine differs not; I wait but to comply. +Him answer’d then heroic Hector huge. +Since, Ajax, the immortal powers on thee +Have bulk pre-eminent and strength bestow’d,340 +With such address in battle, that the host +Of Greece hath not thine equal at the spear, +Now let the combat cease. We shall not want +More fair occasion; on some future day +We will not part till all-disposing heaven345 +Shall give thee victory, or shall make her mine. +But Night hath fallen, and Night must be obey’d, +That them may’st gratify with thy return +The Achaians, and especially thy friends +And thy own countrymen. I go, no less350 +To exhilarate in Priam’s royal town +Men and robed matrons, who shall seek the Gods +For me, with pious ceremonial due. +But come. We will exchange, or ere we part, +Some princely gift, that Greece and Troy may say355 +Hereafter, with soul-wasting rage they fought, +But parted with the gentleness of friends. +So saying, he with his sheath and belt a sword +Presented bright-emboss’d, and a bright belt +Purpureal[11] took from Ajax in return.360 +Thus separated, one the Grecians sought, +And one the Trojans; they when him they saw +From the unconquer’d hands return’d alive +Of Ajax, with delight their Chief received, +And to the city led him, double joy365 +Conceiving all at his unhoped escape. +On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d +To noble Agamemnon introduced +Exulting Ajax, and the King of men +In honor of the conqueror slew an ox370 +Of the fifth year to Jove omnipotent. +Him flaying first, they carved him next and spread +The whole abroad, then, scoring deep the flesh, +They pierced it with the spits, and from the spits +(Once roasted well) withdrew it all again.375 +Their labor thus accomplish’d, and the board +Furnish’d with plenteous cheer, they feasted all +Till all were satisfied; nor Ajax miss’d +The conqueror’s meed, to whom the hero-king +Wide-ruling Agamemnon, gave the chine[12]380 +Perpetual,[13] his distinguish’d portion due. +The calls of hunger and of thirst at length +Both well sufficed, thus, foremost of them all +The ancient Nestor, whose advice had oft +Proved salutary, prudent thus began.385 +Chiefs of Achaia, and thou, chief of all, +Great Agamemnon! Many of our host +Lie slain, whose blood sprinkles, in battle shed, +The banks of smooth Scamander, and their souls +Have journey’d down into the realms of death.390 +To-morrow, therefore, let the battle pause +As need requires, and at the peep of day +With mules and oxen, wheel ye from all parts +The dead, that we may burn them near the fleet. +So, home to Greece returning, will we give395 +The fathers’ ashes to the children’s care. +Accumulating next, the pile around, +One common tomb for all, with brisk dispatch +We will upbuild for more secure defence +Of us and of our fleet, strong towers and tall400 +Adjoining to the tomb, and every tower +Shall have its ponderous gate, commodious pass +Affording to the mounted charioteer. +And last, without those towers and at their foot, +Dig we a trench, which compassing around405 +Our camp, both steeds and warriors shall exclude, +And all fierce inroad of the haughty foe. +So counsell’d he, whom every Chief approved. +In Troy meantime, at Priam’s gate beside +The lofty citadel, debate began410 +The assembled senators between, confused, +Clamorous, and with furious heat pursued, +When them Antenor, prudent, thus bespake. +Ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies of Troy, +My counsel hear! Delay not. Instant yield415 +To the Atridæ, hence to be convey’d, +Helen of Greece with all that is her own. +For charged with violated oaths we fight, +And hope I none conceive that aught by us +Design’d shall prosper, unless so be done.420 +He spake and sat; when from his seat arose +Paris, fair Helen’s noble paramour, +Who thus with speech impassion’d quick replied. +Antenor! me thy counsel hath not pleased; +Thou could’st have framed far better; but if this425 +Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods +Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth. +But I will speak myself. Ye Chiefs of Troy, +I tell you plain. I will not yield my spouse. +But all her treasures to our house convey’d430 +From Argos, those will I resign, and add +Still other compensation from my own. +Thus Paris said and sat; when like the Gods +Themselves in wisdom, from his seat uprose +Dardanian Priam, who them thus address’d.435 +Trojans, Dardanians, and allies of Troy! +I shall declare my sentence; hear ye me. +Now let the legions, as at other times, +Take due refreshment; let the watch be set, +And keep ye vigilant guard. At early dawn440 +We will dispatch Idæus to the fleet, +Who shall inform the Atridæ of this last +Resolve of Paris, author of the war. +Discreet Idæus also shall propose +A respite (if the Atridæ so incline)445 +From war’s dread clamor, while we burn the dead. +Then will we clash again, till heaven at length +Shall part us, and the doubtful strife decide. +He ceased, whose voice the assembly pleased, obey’d. +Then, troop by troop, the army took repast,450 +And at the dawn Idæus sought the fleet. +He found the Danaï, servants of Mars, +Beside the stern of Agamemnon’s ship +Consulting; and amid the assembled Chiefs +Arrived, with utterance clear them thus address’d.455 +Ye sons of Atreus, and ye Chiefs, the flower +Of all Achaia! Priam and the Chiefs +Of Ilium, bade me to your ear impart +(If chance such embassy might please your ear) +The mind of Paris, author of the war.460 +The treasures which on board his ships he brought +From Argos home (oh, had he perish’d first!) +He yields them with addition from his own. +Not so the consort of the glorious prince +Brave Menelaus; her (although in Troy465 +All counsel otherwise) he still detains. +Thus too I have in charge. Are ye inclined +That the dread sounding clamors of the field +Be caused to cease till we shall burn the dead? +Then will we clash again, till heaven at length470 +Shall part us, and the doubtful strife decide. +So spake Idæus, and all silent sat; +Till at the last brave Diomede replied. +No. We will none of Paris’ treasures now, +Nor even Helen’s self. A child may see475 +Destruction winging swift her course to Troy. +He said. The admiring Greeks with loud applause +All praised the speech of warlike Diomede, +And answer thus the King of men return’d. +Idæus! thou hast witness’d the resolve480 +Of the Achaian Chiefs, whose choice is mine. +But for the slain, I shall not envy them +A funeral pile; the spirit fled, delay +Suits not. Last rites can not too soon be paid. +Burn them. And let high-thundering Jove attest485 +Himself mine oath, that war shall cease the while. +So saying, he to all the Gods upraised +His sceptre, and Idæus homeward sped +To sacred Ilium. The Dardanians there +And Trojans, all assembled, his return490 +Expected anxious. He amid them told +Distinct his errand, when, at once dissolved, +The whole assembly rose, these to collect +The scatter’d bodies, those to gather wood; +While on the other side, the Greeks arose495 +As sudden, and all issuing from the fleet +Sought fuel, some, and some, the scatter’d dead. +Now from the gently-swelling flood profound +The sun arising, with his earliest rays +In his ascent to heaven smote on the fields.500 +When Greeks and Trojans met. Scarce could the slain +Be clear distinguish’d, but they cleansed from each +His clotted gore with water, and warm tears +Distilling copious, heaved them to the wains. +But wailing none was heard, for such command505 +Had Priam issued; therefore heaping high +The bodies, silent and with sorrowing hearts +They burn’d them, and to sacred Troy return’d. +The Grecians also, on the funeral pile +The bodies heaping sad, burn’d them with fire510 +Together, and return’d into the fleet. +Then, ere the peep of dawn, and while the veil +Of night, though thinner, still o’erhung the earth, +Achaians, chosen from the rest, the pile +Encompass’d. With a tomb (one tomb for all)515 +They crown’d the spot adust, and to the tomb +(For safety of their fleet and of themselves) +Strong fortress added of high wall and tower, +With solid gates affording egress thence +Commodious to the mounted charioteer;520 +Deep foss and broad they also dug without, +And planted it with piles. So toil’d the Greeks. + +The Gods, that mighty labor, from beside +The Thunderer’s throne with admiration view’d, +When Neptune, shaker of the shores, began.525 +Eternal father! is there on the face +Of all the boundless earth one mortal man +Who will, in times to come, consult with heaven? +See’st thou yon height of wall, and yon deep trench +With which the Grecians have their fleet inclosed,530 +And, careless of our blessing, hecatomb +Or invocation have presented none? +Far as the day-spring shoots herself abroad, +So far the glory of this work shall spread, +While Phœbus and myself, who, toiling hard,535 +Built walls for king Laomedon, shall see +Forgotten all the labor of our hands. +To whom, indignant, thus high-thundering Jove. +Oh thou, who shakest the solid earth at will, +What hast thou spoken? An inferior power,540 +A god of less sufficiency than thou, +Might be allowed some fear from such a cause. +Fear not. Where’er the morning shoots her beams, +Thy glory shall be known; and when the Greeks +Shall seek their country through the waves again,545 +Then break this bulwark down, submerge it whole, +And spreading deep with sand the spacious shore +As at the first, leave not a trace behind. +Such conference held the Gods; and now the sun +Went down, and, that great work perform’d, the Greeks550 +From tent to tent slaughter’d the fatted ox +And ate their evening cheer. Meantime arrived +Large fleet with Lemnian wine; Euneus, son +Of Jason and Hypsipile, that fleet +From Lemnos freighted, and had stow’d on board555 +A thousand measures from the rest apart +For the Atridæ; but the host at large +By traffic were supplied; some barter’d brass, +Others bright steel; some purchased wine with hides, +These with their cattle, with their captives those,560 +And the whole host prepared a glad regale. +All night the Grecians feasted, and the host +Of Ilium, and all night deep-planning Jove +Portended dire calamities to both, +Thundering tremendous!—Pale was every cheek;565 +Each pour’d his goblet on the ground, nor dared +The hardiest drink, till he had first perform’d +Libation meet to the Saturnian King +Omnipotent; then, all retiring, sought +Their couches, and partook the gift of sleep.570 + + + + +BOOK VIII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTH BOOK. + +Jove calls a council, in which he forbids all interference of the Gods +between the Greeks and Trojans. He repairs to Ida, where, having +consulted the scales of destiny, he directs his lightning against the +Grecians. Nestor is endangered by the death of one of his horses. +Diomede delivers him. In the chariot of Diomede they both hasten to +engage Hector, whose charioteer is slain by Diomede. Jupiter again +interposes by his thunders, and the whole Grecian host, discomfited, is +obliged to seek refuge within the rampart. Diomede, with others, at +sight of a favorable omen sent from Jove in answer to Agamemnon’s +prayer, sallies. Teucer performs great exploits, but is disabled by +Hector. Juno and Pallas set forth from Olympus in aid of the Grecians, +but are stopped by Jupiter, who reascends from Ida, and in heaven +foretells the distresses which await the Grecians. + +Hector takes measures for the security of Troy during the night, and +prepares his host for an assault to be made on the Grecian camp in the +morning. + + +BOOK VIII. + + +The saffron-mantled morning[1] now was spread +O’er all the nations, when the Thunderer Jove +On the deep-fork’d Olympian topmost height +Convened the Gods in council, amid whom +He spake himself; they all attentive heard.5 +Gods! Goddesses! Inhabitants of heaven! +Attend; I make my secret purpose known. +Let neither God nor Goddess interpose +My counsel to rescind, but with one heart +Approve it, that it reach, at once, its end.10 +Whom I shall mark soever from the rest +Withdrawn, that he may Greeks or Trojans aid, +Disgrace shall find him; shamefully chastised +He shall return to the Olympian heights, +Or I will hurl him deep into the gulfs15 +Of gloomy Tartarus, where Hell shuts fast +Her iron gates, and spreads her brazen floor, +As far below the shades, as earth from heaven. +There shall he learn how far I pass in might +All others; which if ye incline to doubt,20 +Now prove me. Let ye down the golden chain[2] +From heaven, and at its nether links pull all, +Both Goddesses and Gods. But me your King, +Supreme in wisdom, ye shall never draw +To earth from heaven, toil adverse as ye may.25 +Yet I, when once I shall be pleased to pull, +The earth itself, itself the sea, and you +Will lift with ease together, and will wind +The chain around the spiry summit sharp +Of the Olympian, that all things upheaved30 +Shall hang in the mid heaven. So far do I, +Compared with all who live, transcend them all. +He ended, and the Gods long time amazed +Sat silent, for with awful tone he spake: +But at the last Pallas blue-eyed began.35 +Father! Saturnian Jove! of Kings supreme! +We know thy force resistless; but our hearts +Feel not the less, when we behold the Greeks +Exhausting all the sorrows of their lot. +If thou command, we, doubtless, will abstain40 +From battle, yet such counsel to the Greeks +Suggesting still, as may in part effect +Their safety, lest thy wrath consume them all. +To whom with smiles answer’d cloud-gatherer Jove. +Fear not, my child! stern as mine accent was,45 +I forced a frown—no more. For in mine heart +Nought feel I but benevolence to thee. +He said, and to his chariot join’d his steeds +Swift, brazen-hoof’d, and mailed with wavy gold; +He put on golden raiment, his bright scourge50 +Of gold receiving rose into his seat, +And lash’d his steeds; they not unwilling flew +Midway the earth between and starry heaven. +To spring-fed Ida, mother of wild beasts, +He came, where stands in Gargarus[3] his shrine55 +Breathing fresh incense! there the Sire of all +Arriving, loosed his coursers, and around +Involving them in gather’d clouds opaque, +Sat on the mountain’s head, in his own might +Exulting, with the towers of Ilium all60 +Beneath his eye, and the whole fleet of Greece. +In all their tents, meantime, Achaia’s sons +Took short refreshment, and for fight prepared. +On the other side, though fewer, yet constrain’d +By strong necessity, throughout all Troy,65 +In the defence of children and wives +Ardent, the Trojans panted for the field. +Wide flew the city gates: forth rush’d to war +Horsemen and foot, and tumult wild arose. +They met, they clash’d; loud was the din of spears70 +And bucklers on their bosoms brazen-mail’d +Encountering, shields in opposition from +Met bossy shields, and tumult wild arose.[4] +There many a shout and many a dying groan +Were heard, the slayer and the maim’d aloud75 +Clamoring, and the earth was drench’d with blood. +Till sacred morn[5] had brighten’d into noon, +The vollied weapons on both sides their task +Perform’d effectual, and the people fell. +But when the sun had climb’d the middle skies,80 +The Sire of all then took his golden scales;[6] +Doom against doom he weigh’d, the eternal fates +In counterpoise, of Trojans and of Greeks. +He rais’d the beam; low sank the heavier lot +Of the Achaians; the Achaian doom85 +Subsided, and the Trojan struck the skies. +Then roar’d the thunders from the summit hurl’d +of Ida, and his vivid lightnings flew +Into Achaia’s host. They at the sight +Astonish’d stood; fear whiten’d every cheek.[7]90 +Idomeneus dared not himself abide +That shock, nor Agamemnon stood, nor stood +The heroes Ajax, ministers of Mars. +Gerenian Nestor, guardian of the Greeks, +Alone fled not, nor he by choice remain’d,95 +But by his steed retarded, which the mate +Of beauteous Helen, Paris, with a shaft +Had stricken where the forelock grows, a part +Of all most mortal. Tortured by the wound +Erect he rose, the arrow in his brain,100 +And writhing furious, scared his fellow-steeds. +Meantime, while, strenuous, with his falchion’s edge +The hoary warrior stood slashing the reins, +Through multitudes of fierce pursuers borne +On rapid wheels, the dauntless charioteer105 +Approach’d him, Hector. Then, past hope, had died +The ancient King, but Diomede discern’d +His peril imminent, and with a voice +Like thunder, called Ulysses to his aid. +Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!110 +Art thou too fugitive, and turn’st thy back +Like the base multitude? Ah! fear a lance +Implanted ignominious in thy spine. +Stop—Nestor dies. Fell Hector is at hand. +So shouted Diomede, whose summons loud,115 +Ulysses yet heard not, but, passing, flew +With headlong haste to the Achaian fleet. +Then, Diomede, unaided as he was, +Rush’d ardent to the vanward, and before +The steeds of the Neleian sovereign old120 +Standing, in accents wing’d, him thus address’d. +Old Chief! these youthful warriors are too brisk +For thee, press’d also by encroaching age, +Thy servant too is feeble, and thy steeds +Are tardy. Mount my chariot. Thou shalt see125 +With what rapidity the steeds of Troy, +Pursuing or retreating, scour the field. +I took them from that terror of his foes, +Æneas. Thine to our attendants leave, +While these against the warlike powers of Troy130 +We push direct; that Hector’s self may know +If my spear rage not furious as his own. +He said, nor the Gerenian Chief refused. +Thenceforth their servants, Sthenelus and good +Eurymedon, took charge of Nestor’s steeds,135 +And they the chariot of Tydides both +Ascended; Nestor seized the reins, plied well +The scourge, and soon they met. Tydides hurl’d +At Hector first, while rapid he advanced; +But missing Hector, wounded in the breast140 +Eniopeus his charioteer, the son +Of brave Thebæus, managing the steeds. +He fell; his fiery coursers at the sound +Startled, recoil’d, and where he fell he died. +Deep sorrow for his charioteer o’erwhelm’d145 +The mind of Hector; yet, although he mourn’d +He left him, and another sought as brave. +Nor wanted long his steeds a charioteer, +For finding soon the son of Iphitus, +Bold Archeptolemus, he bade him mount150 +His chariot, and the reins gave to his hand. +Then deeds of bloodiest note should have ensued, +Penn’d had the Trojans been, as lambs, in Troy, +But for quick succor of the sire of all. +Thundering, he downward hurled his candent bolt155 +To the horse-feet of Diomede; dire fumed +The flaming sulphur, and both horses drove +Under the axle, belly to the ground. +Forth flew the splendid reins from Nestor’s hand, +And thus to Diomede, appall’d, he spake.160 + +Back to the fleet, Tydides! Can’st not see +That Jove ordains not, now, the victory thine? +The son of Saturn glorifies to-day +This Trojan, and, if such his will, can make +The morrow ours; but vain it is to thwart165 +The mind of Jove, for he is Lord of all. +To him the valiant Diomede replied. +Thou hast well said, old warrior! but the pang +That wrings my soul, is this. The public ear +In Ilium shall from Hector’s lips be told—170 +I drove Tydides—fearing me he fled. +So shall he vaunt, and may the earth her jaws +That moment opening swallow me alive! +Him answer’d the Gerenian warrior old. +What saith the son of Tydeus, glorious Chief?175 +Should Hector so traduce thee as to call +Thee base and timid, neither Trojan him +Nor Dardan would believe, nor yet the wives +Of numerous shielded warriors brave of Troy, +Widow’d by thy unconquerable arm.180 +So saying, he through the fugitives his steeds +Turn’d swift to flight. Then Hector and his host +With clamor infinite their darts wo-wing’d +Shower’d after them, and Hector, mighty Chief +Majestic, from afar, thus call’d aloud.185 +Tydides! thee the Danaï swift-horsed +Were wont to grace with a superior seat, +The mess of honor, and the brimming cup, +But now will mock thee. Thou art woman now. +Go, timorous girl! Thou never shalt behold190 +Me flying, climb our battlements, or lead +Our women captive. I will slay thee first. +He ceased. Then Diomede in dread suspense +Thrice purposed, turning, to withstand the foe, +And thrice in thunder from the mountain-top195 +Jove gave the signal of success to Troy. +When Hector thus the Trojans hail’d aloud. +Trojans and Lycians, and close-warring sons +Of Dardanus, oh summon all your might, +Now, now be men! I know that from his heart200 +Saturnian Jove glory and bright success +For me prepares, but havoc for the Greeks. +Fools! they shall find this wall which they have raised +Too weak to check my course, a feeble guard +Contemptible; such also is the trench;205 +My steeds shall slight it with an easy leap. +But when ye see me in their fleet arrived, +Remember fire. Then bring me flaming brands +That I may burn their galleys and themselves +Slaughter beside them, struggling in the smoke.[8]210 +He spake, and thus encouraged next his steeds. +Xanthus! Podargus! and ye generous pair +Æthon and glossy Lampus! now requite +Mine, and the bounty of Andromache, +Far-famed Eëtion’s daughter; she your bowl215 +With corn fresh-flavor’d and with wine full oft +Hath mingled, your refreshment seeking first +Ere mine, who have a youthful husband’s claim.[9] +Now follow! now be swift; that we may seize +The shield of Nestor, bruited to the skies220 +As golden all, trappings and disk alike. +Now from the shoulders of the equestrian Chief +Tydides tear we off his splendid mail, +The work of Vulcan.[10] May we take but these, +I have good hope that, ere this night be spent,225 +The Greeks shall climb their galleys and away. +So vaunted he, but Juno with disdain +His proud boast heard, and shuddering in her throne, +Rock’d the Olympian; turning then toward +The Ocean’s mighty sovereign, thus she spake.230 +Alas! earth-shaking sovereign of the waves, +Feel’st thou no pity of the perishing Greeks? +Yet Greece, in Helice, with gifts nor few +Nor sordid, and in Ægæ, honors thee, +Whom therefore thou shouldst prosper. Would we all235 +Who favor Greece associate to repulse +The Trojans, and to check loud-thundering Jove, +On Ida seated he might lour alone. +To whom the Sovereign, Shaker of the Shores, +Indignant. Juno! rash in speech! what word240 +Hath ’scaped thy lips? never, with my consent, +Shall we, the powers subordinate, in arms +With Jove contend. He far excels us all. +So they. Meantime, the trench and wall between,[11] +The narrow interval with steeds was fill’d245 +Close throng’d and shielded warriors. There immew’d +By Priameian Hector, fierce as Mars, +They stood, for Hector had the help of Jove. +And now with blazing fire their gallant barks +He had consumed, but Juno moved the mind250 +Of Agamemnon, vigilant himself, +To exhortation of Achaia’s host. +Through camp and fleet the monarch took his way, +And, his wide robe imperial in his hand, +High on Ulysses’ huge black galley stood,255 +The central ship conspicuous; thence his voice +Might reach the most remote of all the line +At each extreme, where Ajax had his tent +Pitch’d, and Achilles, fearless of surprise. +Thence, with loud voice, the Grecians thus he hail’d.260 +Oh shame to Greece! Warriors in show alone! +Where is your boasted prowess? Ye profess’d +Vain-glorious erst in Lemnos, while ye fed +Plenteously on the flesh of beeves full-grown, +And crown’d your beakers high, that ye would face265 +Each man a hundred Trojans in the field— +Ay, twice a hundred—yet are all too few +To face one Hector now; nor doubt I aught +But he shall soon fire the whole fleet of Greece. +Jove! Father! what great sovereign ever felt270 +Thy frowns as I? Whom hast thou shamed as me? +Yet I neglected not, through all the course +Of our disasterous voyage (in the hope +That we should vanquish Troy) thy sacred rites, +But where I found thine altar, piled it high275 +With fat and flesh of bulls, on every shore. +But oh, vouchsafe to us, that we at least +Ourselves, deliver’d, may escape the sword, +Nor let their foes thus tread the Grecians down! +He said. The eternal father pitying saw280 +His tears, and for the monarch’s sake preserved +The people. Instant, surest of all signs, +He sent his eagle; in his pounces strong +A fawn he bore, fruit of the nimble hind, +Which fast beside the beauteous altar raised285 +To Panomphæan[12] Jove sudden he dropp’d.[13] +They, conscious, soon, that sent from Jove he came, +More ardent sprang to fight. Then none of all +Those numerous Chiefs could boast that he outstripp’d +Tydides, urging forth beyond the foss290 +His rapid steeds, and rushing to the war. +He, foremost far, a Trojan slew, the son +Of Phradmon, Ageläus; as he turn’d +His steeds to flight, him turning with his spear +Through back and bosom Diomede transpierced.295 +And with loud clangor of his arms he fell. +Then, royal Agamemnon pass’d the trench +And Menelaus; either Ajax, then, +Clad with fresh prowess both; them follow’d, next, +Idomeneus, with his heroic friend300 +In battle dread as homicidal Mars, +Meriones; Evæmon’s son renown’d +Succeeded, bold Eurypylus; and ninth +Teucer, wide-straining his impatient bow. +He under covert fought of the broad shield305 +Of Telamonian Ajax; Ajax high +Upraised his shield; the hero from beneath +Took aim, and whom his arrow struck, he fell; +Then close as to his mother’s side a child +For safety creeps, Teucer to Ajax’ side310 +Retired, and Ajax shielded him again. +Whom then slew Teucer first, illustrious Chief? +Orsilochus, and Ophelestes, first, +And Ormenus he slew, then Dætor died, +Chromius and Lycophontes brave in fight315 +With Amopaon Polyæmon’s son, +And Melanippus. These, together heap’d, +All fell by Teucer on the plain of Troy. +The Trojan ranks thinn’d by his mighty bow +The King of armies Agamemnon saw320 +Well-pleased, and him approaching, thus began. +Brave Telamonian Teucer, oh, my friend, +Thus shoot, that light may visit once again +The Danaï, and Telamon rejoice! +Thee Telamon within his own abode325 +Rear’d although spurious; mount him, in return, +Although remote, on glory’s heights again. +I tell thee, and the effect shall follow sure, +Let but the Thunderer and Minerva grant +The pillage of fair Ilium to the Greeks,330 +And I will give to thy victorious hand, +After my own, the noblest recompense, +A tripod or a chariot with its steeds, +Or some fair captive to partake thy bed. +To whom the generous Teucer thus replied.335 +Atrides! glorious monarch! wherefore me +Exhortest thou to battle? who myself +Glow with sufficient ardor, and such strength +As heaven affords me spare not to employ. +Since first we drove them back, with watchful eye340 +Their warriors I have mark’d; eight shafts my bow +Hath sent long-barb’d, and every shaft, well-aim’d. +The body of some Trojan youth robust +Hath pierced, but still you ravening wolf escapes. +He said, and from the nerve another shaft345 +Impatient sent at Hector; but it flew +Devious, and brave Gorgythion struck instead. +Him beautiful Castianira, brought +By Priam from Æsyma, nymph of form +Celestial, to the King of Ilium bore.350 +As in the garden, with the weight surcharged +Of its own fruit, and drench’d by vernal rains +The poppy falls oblique, so he his head +Hung languid, by his helmet’s weight depress’d.[14] +Then Teucer yet an arrow from the nerve355 +Dispatch’d at Hector, with impatience fired +To pierce him; but again his weapon err’d +Turn’d by Apollo, and the bosom struck +Of Archeptolemus, his rapid steeds +To battle urging, Hector’s charioteer.360 +He fell, his fiery coursers at the sound +Recoil’d, and lifeless where he fell he lay. +Deep sorrow for his charioteer the mind +O’erwhelm’d of Hector, yet he left the slain, +And seeing his own brother nigh at hand,365 +Cebriones, him summon’d to the reins, +Who with alacrity that charge received. +Then Hector, leaping with a dreadful shout +From his resplendent chariot, grasp’d a stone, +And rush’d on Teucer, vengeance in his heart.370 +Teucer had newly fitted to the nerve +An arrow keen selected from the rest, +And warlike Hector, while he stood the cord +Retracting, smote him with that rugged rock +Just where the key-bone interposed divides375 +The neck and bosom, a most mortal part. +It snapp’d the bow-string, and with numbing force +Struck dead his hand; low on his knees he dropp’d, +And from his opening grasp let fall the bow. +Then not unmindful of a brother fallen380 +Was Ajax, but, advancing rapid, stalk’d +Around him, and his broad shield interposed, +Till brave Alaster and Mecisteus, son +Of Echius, friends of Teucer, from the earth +Upraised and bore him groaning to the fleet.385 +And now again fresh force Olympian Jove +Gave to the Trojans; right toward the foss +They drove the Greeks, while Hector in the van +Advanced, death menacing in every look. +As some fleet hound close-threatening flank or haunch390 +Of boar or lion, oft as he his head +Turns flying, marks him with a steadfast eye, +So Hector chased the Grecians, slaying still +The hindmost of the scatter’d multitude. +But when, at length, both piles and hollow foss395 +They had surmounted, and no few had fallen +By Trojan hands, within their fleet they stood +Imprison’d, calling each to each, and prayer +With lifted hands, loud offering to the Gods. +With Gorgon looks, meantime, and eyes of Mars,400 +Hector impetuous his mane-tossing steeds +From side to side before the rampart drove, +When white-arm’d Juno pitying the Greeks, +In accents wing’d her speech to Pallas turn’d. +Alas, Jove’s daughter! shall not we at least405 +In this extremity of their distress +Care for the Grecians by the fatal force +Of this one Chief destroy’d? I can endure +The rage of Priameïan Hector now +No longer; such dire mischiefs he hath wrought.410 +Whom answer’d thus Pallas, cærulean-eyed. +—And Hector had himself long since his life +Resign’d and rage together, by the Greeks +Slain under Ilium’s walls, but Jove, my sire, +Mad counsels executing and perverse,415 +Me counterworks in all that I attempt, +Nor aught remembers how I saved ofttimes +His son enjoin’d full many a task severe +By King Eurystheus; to the Gods he wept, +And me Jove sent in haste to his relief.420 +But had I then foreseen what now I know, +When through the adamantine gates he pass’d +To bind the dog of hell, by the deep floods +Hemm’d in of Styx, he had return’d no more. +But Thetis wins him now; her will prevails,425 +And mine he hates; for she hath kiss’d his knees +And grasp’d his beard, and him in prayer implored +That he would honor her heroic son +Achilles, city-waster prince renown’d. +’Tis well—the day shall come when Jove again430 +Shall call me darling, and his blue-eyed maid +As heretofore;—but thou thy steeds prepare, +While I, my father’s mansion entering, arm +For battle. I would learn by trial sure, +If Hector, Priam’s offspring famed in fight435 +(Ourselves appearing in the walks of war) +Will greet us gladly. Doubtless at the fleet +Some Trojan also, shall to dogs resign +His flesh for food, and to the fowls of heaven. + +So counsell’d Pallas, nor the daughter dread440 +Of mighty Saturn, Juno, disapproved, +But busily and with dispatch prepared +The trappings of her coursers golden-rein’d. +Meantime, Minerva progeny of Jove, +On the adamantine floor of his abode445 +Let fall profuse her variegated robe, +Labor of her own hands. She first put on +The corslet of the cloud-assembler God, +Then arm’d her for the field of wo, complete. +Mounting the fiery chariot, next she seized450 +Her ponderous spear, huge, irresistible, +With which Jove’s awful daughter levels ranks +Of heroes against whom her anger burns. +Juno with lifted lash urged on the steeds. +At their approach, spontaneous roar’d the wide-455 +Unfolding gates of heaven; the heavenly gates +Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge +Of the Olympian summit appertains, +And of the boundless ether, back to roll, +And to replace the cloudy barrier dense.460 +Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds: +Which when the Eternal Father from the heights +Of Ida saw, kindling with instant ire +To golden-pinion’d Iris thus he spake. +Haste, Iris, turn them thither whence they came;465 +Me let them not encounter; honor small +To them, to me, should from that strife accrue. +Tell them, and the effect shall sure ensue, +That I will smite their steeds, and they shall halt +Disabled; break their chariot, dash themselves470 +Headlong, and ten whole years shall not efface +The wounds by my avenging bolts impress’d. +So shall my blue-eyed daughter learn to dread +A father’s anger; but for the offence +Of Juno, I resent it less; for she475 +Clashes[15] with all my counsels from of old. +He ended; Iris with a tempest’s speed +From the Idæan summit soar’d at once +To the Olympian; at the open gates +Exterior of the mountain many-valed480 +She stayed them, and her coming thus declared. +Whither, and for what cause? What rage is this? +Ye may not aid the Grecians; Jove forbids; +The son of Saturn threatens, if ye force +His wrath by perseverance into act,485 +That he will smite your steeds, and they shall halt +Disabled; break your chariot, dash yourselves +Headlong, and ten whole years shall not efface +The wounds by his avenging bolts impress’d. +So shall his blue-eyed daughter learn to dread490 +A father’s anger; but for the offence +Of Juno, he resents it less; for she +Clashes with all his counsels from of old. +But thou, Minerva, if thou dare indeed +Lift thy vast spear against the breast of Jove,495 +Incorrigible art and dead to shame. +So saying, the rapid Iris disappear’d, +And thus her speech to Pallas Juno turn’d. +Ah Pallas, progeny of Jove! henceforth +No longer, in the cause of mortal men,500 +Contend we against Jove. Perish or live +Grecians or Trojans as he wills; let him +Dispose the order of his own concerns, +And judge between them, as of right he may. +So saying, she turn’d the coursers; them the Hours505 +Released, and to ambrosial mangers bound, +Then thrust their chariot to the luminous wall. +They, mingling with the Gods, on golden thrones +Dejected sat, and Jove from Ida borne +Reach’d the Olympian heights, seat of the Gods.510 +His steeds the glorious King of Ocean loosed, +And thrust the chariot, with its veil o’erspread. +Into its station at the altar’s side. +Then sat the Thunderer on his throne of gold +Himself, and the huge mountain shook. Meantime515 +Juno and Pallas, seated both apart, +Spake not or question’d him. Their mute reserve +He noticed, conscious of the cause, and said. +Juno and Pallas, wherefore sit ye sad? +Not through fatigue by glorious fight incurr’d520 +And slaughter of the Trojans whom ye hate. +Mark now the difference. Not the Gods combined +Should have constrain’d _me_ back, till all my force, +Superior as it is, had fail’d, and all +My fortitude. But ye, ere ye beheld525 +The wonders of the field, trembling retired. +And ye did well—Hear what had else befallen. +My bolts had found you both, and ye had reach’d, +In your own chariot borne, the Olympian height, +Seat of the blest Immortals, never more.530 +He ended; Juno and Minerva heard +Low murmuring deep disgust, and side by side +Devising sat calamity to Troy. +Minerva, through displeasure against Jove, +Nought utter’d, for her bosom boil’d with rage;535 +But Juno check’d not hers, who thus replied. +What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove most severe? +We know thy force resistless; yet our hearts +Feel not the less when we behold the Greeks +Exhausting all the sorrows of their lot.540 +If thou command, we doubtless will abstain +From battle, yet such counsel to the Greeks +Suggesting still, as may in part effect +Their safety, lest thy wrath consume them all. +Then answer, thus, cloud-gatherer Jove return’d.545 +Look forth, imperial Juno, if thou wilt, +To-morrow at the blush of earliest dawn, +And thou shalt see Saturn’s almighty son +The Argive host destroying far and wide. +For Hector’s fury shall admit no pause550 +Till he have roused Achilles, in that day +When at the ships, in perilous straits, the hosts +Shall wage fierce battle for Patroclus slain. +Such is the voice of fate. But, as for thee— +Withdraw thou to the confines of the abyss555 +Where Saturn and Iäpetus retired, +Exclusion sad endure from balmy airs +And from the light of morn, hell-girt around, +I will not call thee thence. No. Should thy rage +Transport thee thither, there thou may’st abide,560 +There sullen nurse thy disregarded spleen +Obstinate as thou art, and void of shame. +He ended; to whom Juno nought replied. +And now the radiant Sun in Ocean sank, +Drawing night after him o’er all the earth;565 +Night, undesired by Troy, but to the Greeks +Thrice welcome for its interposing gloom. +Then Hector on the river’s brink fast by +The Grecian fleet, where space he found unstrew’d +With carcases convened the Chiefs of Troy.570 +They, there dismounting, listen’d to the words +Of Hector Jove-beloved; he grasp’d a spear +In length eleven cubits, bright its head +Of brass, and color’d with a ring of gold. +He lean’d on it, and ardent thus began.575 +Trojans, Dardanians, and allies of Troy! +I hoped, this evening (every ship consumed, +And all the Grecians slain) to have return’d +To wind-swept Ilium. But the shades of night +Have intervened, and to the night they owe,580 +In chief, their whole fleet’s safety and their own. +Now, therefore, as the night enjoins, all take +Needful refreshment. Your high-mettled steeds +Release, lay food before them, and in haste +Drive hither from the city fatted sheep585 +And oxen; bring ye from your houses bread, +Make speedy purchase of heart-cheering wine, +And gather fuel plenteous; that all night, +E’en till Aurora, daughter of the morn +Shall look abroad, we may with many fires590 +Illume the skies; lest even in the night, +Launching, they mount the billows and escape. +Beware that they depart not unannoy’d, +But, as he leaps on board, give each a wound +With shaft or spear, which he shall nurse at home.595 +So shall the nations fear us, and shall vex +With ruthless war Troy’s gallant sons no more. +Next, let the heralds, ministers of Jove, +Loud notice issue that the boys well-grown, +And ancients silver-hair’d on the high towers600 +Built by the Gods, keep watch; on every hearth +In Troy, let those of the inferior sex +Make sprightly blaze, and place ye there a guard +Sufficient, lest in absence of the troops +An ambush enter, and surprise the town.605 +Act thus, ye dauntless Trojans; the advice +Is wholesome, and shall serve the present need, +And so much for the night; ye shall be told +The business of the morn when morn appears. +It is my prayer to Jove and to all heaven610 +(Not without hope) that I may hence expel +These dogs, whom Ilium’s unpropitious fates +Have wafted hither in their sable barks. +But we will also watch this night, ourselves, +And, arming with the dawn, will at their ships615 +Give them brisk onset. Then shall it appear +If Diomede the brave shall me compel +Back to our walls, or I, his arms blood-stain’d, +Torn from his breathless body, bear away. +To-morrow, if he dare but to abide620 +My lance, he shall not want occasion meet +For show of valor. But much more I judge +That the next rising sun shall see him slain +With no few friends around him. Would to heaven! +I were as sure to ’scape the blight of age625 +And share their honors with the Gods above, +As comes the morrow fraught with wo to Greece. +So Hector, whom his host with loud acclaim +All praised. Then each his sweating steeds released, +And rein’d them safely at his chariot-side.630 +And now from Troy provision large they brought, +Oxen, and sheep, with store of wine and bread, +And fuel much was gather’d. [16]Next the Gods +With sacrifice they sought, and from the plain +Upwafted by the winds the smoke aspired635 +Savoury, but unacceptable to those +Above; such hatred in their hearts they bore +To Priam, to the people of the brave +Spear-practised Priam, and to sacred Troy. +Big with great purposes and proud, they sat,640 +Not disarray’d, but in fair form disposed +Of even ranks, and watch’d their numerous fires, +As when around the clear bright moon, the stars +Shine in full splendor, and the winds are hush’d, +The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland-heights645 +Stand all apparent, not a vapor streaks +The boundless blue, but ether open’d wide +All glitters, and the shepherd’s heart is cheer’d;[17] +So numerous seem’d those fires the bank between +Of Xanthus, blazing, and the fleet of Greece,650 +In prospect all of Troy; a thousand fires, +Each watch’d by fifty warriors seated near. +The steeds beside the chariots stood, their corn +Chewing, and waiting till the golden-throned +Aurora should restore the light of day.655 + + + + +BOOK IX. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE NINTH BOOK. + +By advice of Nestor, Agamemnon sends Ulysses, Phœnix, and Ajax to the +tent of Achilles with proposals of reconciliation. They execute their +commission, but without effect. Phœnix remains with Achilles; Ulysses +and Ajax return. + + +BOOK IX. + + +So watch’d the Trojan host; but thoughts of flight, +Companions of chill fear, from heaven infused, +Possess’d the Grecians; every leader’s heart +Bled, pierced with anguish insupportable. +As when two adverse winds blowing from Thrace,5 +Boreas and Zephyrus, the fishy Deep +Vex sudden, all around, the sable flood +High curl’d, flings forth the salt weed on the shore +Such tempest rent the mind of every Greek. + Forth stalk’d Atrides with heart-riving wo10 +Transfixt; he bade his heralds call by name +Each Chief to council, but without the sound +Of proclamation; and that task himself +Among the foremost sedulous perform’d. +The sad assembly sat; when weeping fast15 +As some deep[1] fountain pours its rapid stream +Down from the summit of a lofty rock, +King Agamemnon in the midst arose, +And, groaning, the Achaians thus address’d. + Friends, counsellors and leaders of the Greeks!20 +In dire perplexity Saturnian Jove +Involves me, cruel; he assured me erst, +And solemnly, that I should not return +Till I had wasted wall-encircled Troy; +But now (ah fraudulent and foul reverse!)25 +Commands me back inglorious to the shores +Of distant Argos, with diminish’d troops. +So stands the purpose of almighty Jove, +Who many a citadel hath laid in dust, +And shall hereafter, matchless in his power.30 +Haste therefore. My advice is, that we all +Fly with our fleet into our native land, +For wide-built Ilium shall not yet be ours. + He ceased, and all sat silent; long the sons +Of Greece, o’erwhelm’d with sorrow, silent sat,35 +When thus, at last, bold Diomede began. + Atrides! foremost of the Chiefs I rise +To contravert thy purpose ill-conceived, +And with such freedom as the laws, O King! +Of consultation and debate allow.40 +Hear patient. Thou hast been thyself the first +Who e’er reproach’d me in the public ear +As one effeminate and slow to fight; +How truly, let both young and old decide. +The son of wily Saturn hath to thee45 +Given, and refused; he placed thee high in power, +Gave thee to sway the sceptre o’er us all, +But courage gave thee not, his noblest gift.[2] +Art thou in truth persuaded that the Greeks +Are pusillanimous, as thou hast said?50 +If thy own fears impel thee to depart, +Go thou, the way is open; numerous ships, +Thy followers from Mycenæ, line the shore. +But we, the rest, depart not, till the spoil +Of Troy reward us. Or if all incline55 +To seek again their native home, fly all; +Myself and Sthenelus will persevere +Till Ilium fall, for with the Gods we came. + He ended; all the admiring sons of Greece +With shouts the warlike Diomede extoll’d,60 +When thus equestrian Nestor next began. + Tydides, thou art eminently brave +In fight, and all the princes of thy years +Excell’st in council. None of all the Greeks +Shall find occasion just to blame thy speech65 +Or to gainsay; yet thou hast fallen short. +What wonder? Thou art young; and were myself +Thy father, thou should’st be my latest born. +Yet when thy speech is to the Kings of Greece, +It is well-framed and prudent. Now attend!70 +Myself will speak, who have more years to boast +Than thou hast seen, and will so closely scan +The matter, that Atrides, our supreme, +Himself shall have no cause to censure _me_. +He is a wretch, insensible and dead75 +To all the charities of social life, +Whose pleasure is in civil broils alone.[3] +But Night is urgent, and with Night’s demands +Let all comply. Prepare we now repast, +And let the guard be stationed at the trench80 +Without the wall; the youngest shall supply +That service; next, Atrides, thou begin +(For thou art here supreme) thy proper task. +Banquet the elders; it shall not disgrace +Thy sovereignty, but shall become thee well.85 +Thy tents are fill’d with wine which day by day +Ships bring from Thrace; accommodation large +Hast thou, and numerous is thy menial train. +Thy many guests assembled, thou shalt hear +Our counsel, and shalt choose the best; great need90 +Have all Achaia’s sons, now, of advice +Most prudent; for the foe, fast by the fleet +Hath kindled numerous fires, which who can see +Unmoved? This night shall save us or destroy.[4] + He spake, whom all with full consent approved.95 +Forth rush’d the guard well-arm’d; first went the son +Of Nestor, Thrasymedes, valiant Chief; +Then, sons of Mars, Ascalaphus advanced, +And brave Iälmenus; whom follow’d next +Deipyrus, Aphareus, Meriones,100 +And Lycomedes, Creon’s son renown’d. +Seven were the leaders of the guard, and each +A hundred spearmen headed, young and bold. +Between the wall and trench their seat they chose, +There kindled fires, and each his food prepared.105 + Atrides, then, to his pavilion led +The thronging Chiefs of Greece, and at his board +Regaled them; they with readiness and keen +Dispatch of hunger shared the savory feast, +And when nor thirst remain’d nor hunger more110 +Unsated, Nestor then, arising first, +Whose counsels had been ever wisest deem’d, +Warm for the public interest, thus began. + Atrides! glorious sovereign! King of men! +Thou art my first and last, proem and close,115 +For thou art mighty, and to thee are given +From Jove the sceptre and the laws in charge, +For the advancement of the general good. +Hence, in peculiar, both to speak and hear +Become thy duty, and the best advice,120 +By whomsoever offer’d, to adopt +And to perform, for thou art judge alone. +I will promulge the counsel which to me +Seems wisest; such, that other Grecian none +Shall give thee better; neither is it new,125 +But I have ever held it since the day +When, most illustrious! thou wast pleased to take +By force the maid Briseïs from the tent +Of the enraged Achilles; not, in truth, +By my advice, who did dissuade thee much;130 +But thou, complying with thy princely wrath, +Hast shamed a Hero whom themselves the Gods +Delight to honor, and his prize detain’st. +Yet even now contrive we, although late, +By lenient gifts liberal, and by speech135 +Conciliatory, to assuage his ire. + Then answer’d Agamemnon, King of men. +Old Chief! there is no falsehood in thy charge; +I have offended, and confess the wrong. +The warrior is alone a host, whom Jove140 +Loves as he loves Achilles, for whose sake +He hath Achaia’s thousands thus subdued. +But if the impulse of a wayward mind +Obeying, I have err’d, behold me, now, +Prepared to soothe him with atonement large145 +Of gifts inestimable, which by name +I will propound in presence of you all. +Seven tripods, never sullied yet with fire; +Of gold ten talents; twenty cauldrons bright; +Twelve coursers, strong, victorious in the race;150 +No man possessing prizes such as mine +Which they have won for me, shall feel the want +Of acquisitions splendid or of gold. +Seven virtuous female captives will I give +Expert in arts domestic, Lesbians all,155 +Whom, when himself took Lesbos, I received +My chosen portion, passing womankind +In perfect loveliness of face and form. +These will I give, and will with these resign +Her whom I took, Briseïs, with an oath160 +Most solemn, that unconscious as she was +Of my embraces, such I yield her his. +All these I give him now; and if at length +The Gods vouchsafe to us to overturn +Priam’s great city, let him heap his ships165 +With gold and brass, entering and choosing first +When we shall share the spoil. Let him beside +Choose twenty from among the maids of Troy, +Helen except, loveliest of all their sex. +And if once more, the rich milk-flowing land170 +We reach of Argos, he shall there become +My son-in-law, and shall enjoy like state +With him whom I in all abundance rear, +My only son Orestes. At my home +I have three daughters; let him thence conduct175 +To Phthia, her whom he shall most approve. +Chrysothemis shall be his bride, or else +Laodice; or if she please him more, +Iphianassa; and from him I ask +No dower;[5] myself will such a dower bestow180 +As never father on his child before. +Seven fair well-peopled cities I will give +Cardamyle and Enope, and rich +In herbage, Hira; Pheræ stately-built, +And for her depth of pasturage renown’d185 +Antheia; proud Æpeia’s lofty towers, +And Pedasus impurpled dark with vines. +All these are maritime, and on the shore +They stand of Pylus, by a race possess’d +Most rich in flocks and herds, who tributes large,190 +And gifts presenting to his sceptred hand, +Shall hold him high in honor as a God. +These will I give him if from wrath he cease. +Let him be overcome. Pluto alone +Is found implacable and deaf to prayer,195 +Whom therefore of all Gods men hate the most. +My power is greater, and my years than his +More numerous, therefore let him yield to me. + To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied. +Atrides! glorious sovereign! King of men!200 +No sordid gifts, or to be view’d with scorn, +Givest thou the Prince Achilles. But away! +Send chosen messengers, who shall the son +Of Peleus, instant, in his tent address. +Myself will choose them, be it theirs to obey.205 +Let Phœnix lead, Jove loves him. Be the next +Huge Ajax; and the wise Ulysses third. +Of heralds, Odius and Eurybates +Shall them attend. Bring water for our hands; +Give charge that every tongue abstain from speech210 +Portentous, and propitiate Jove by prayer. + He spake, and all were pleased. The heralds pour’d +Pure water on their hands;[6] attendant youths +The beakers crown’d, and wine from right to left +Distributed to all. Libation made,215 +All drank, and in such measure as they chose, +Then hasted forth from Agamemnon’s tent. +Gerenian Nestor at their side them oft +Instructed, each admonishing by looks +Significant, and motion of his eyes,220 +But most Ulysses, to omit no means +By which Achilles likeliest might be won. +Along the margin of the sounding deep +They pass’d, to Neptune, compasser of earth, +Preferring vows ardent with numerous prayers,225 +That they might sway with ease the mighty mind +Of fierce Æacides. And now they reach’d +The station where his Myrmidons abode. +Him solacing they found his heart with notes +Struck from his silver-framed harmonious lyre;230 +Among the spoils he found it when he sack’d +Eëtion’s city; with that lyre his cares +He sooth’d, and glorious heroes were his theme.[7] +Patroclus silent sat, and he alone, +Before him, on Æacides intent,235 +Expecting still when he should cease to sing. +The messengers advanced (Ulysses first) +Into his presence; at the sight, his harp +Still in his hand, Achilles from his seat +Started astonish’d; nor with less amaze240 +Patroclus also, seeing them, arose. +Achilles seized their hands, and thus he spake.[8] + + Hail friends! ye all are welcome. Urgent cause +Hath doubtless brought you, whom I dearest hold +(Though angry still) of all Achaia’s host.245 + So saying, he introduced them, and on seats +Placed them with purple arras overspread, +Then thus bespake Patroclus standing nigh. + Son of Menætius! bring a beaker more +Capacious, and replenish it with wine250 +Diluted[9] less; then give to each his cup; +For dearer friends than these who now arrive +My roof beneath, or worthier, have I none. + He ended, and Patroclus quick obey’d, +Whom much he loved. Achilles, then, himself255 +Advancing near the fire an ample[10] tray, +Spread goats’ flesh on it, with the flesh of sheep +And of a fatted brawn; of each a chine. +Automedon attending held them fast, +While with sharp steel Achilles from the bone260 +Sliced thin the meat, then pierced it with the spits. +Meantime the godlike Menætiades +Kindled fierce fire, and when the flame declined, +Raked wide the embers, laid the meat to roast, +And taking sacred salt from the hearth-side265 +Where it was treasured, shower’d it o’er the feast. +When all was finish’d, and the board set forth, +Patroclus furnish’d it around with bread +In baskets, and Achilles served the guests. +Beside the tent-wall, opposite, he sat270 +To the divine Ulysses; first he bade +Patroclus make oblation; he consign’d +The consecrated morsel to the fire, +And each, at once, his savoury mess assail’d. +When neither edge of hunger now they felt275 +Nor thirsted longer, Ajax with a nod +Made sign to Phœnix, which Ulysses mark’d, +And charging high his cup, drank to his host. + Health to Achilles! hospitable cheer +And well prepared, we want not at the board280 +Of royal Agamemnon, or at thine, +For both are nobly spread; but dainties now, +Or plenteous boards, are little our concern.[11] +Oh godlike Chief! tremendous ills we sit +Contemplating with fear, doubtful if life285 +Or death, with the destruction of our fleet, +Attend us, unless thou put on thy might. +For lo! the haughty Trojans, with their friends +Call’d from afar, at the fleet-side encamp, +Fast by the wall, where they have kindled fires290 +Numerous, and threaten that no force of ours +Shall check their purposed inroad on the ships. +Jove grants them favorable signs from heaven, +Bright lightnings; Hector glares revenge, with rage +Infuriate, and by Jove assisted, heeds295 +Nor God nor man, but prays the morn to rise +That he may hew away our vessel-heads, +Burn all our fleet with fire, and at their sides +Slay the Achaians struggling in the smoke. +Horrible are my fears lest these his threats300 +The Gods accomplish, and it be our doom +To perish here, from Argos far remote. +Up, therefore! if thou canst, and now at last +The weary sons of all Achaia save +From Trojan violence. Regret, but vain,305 +Shall else be thine hereafter, when no cure +Of such great ill, once suffer’d, can be found. +Thou therefore, seasonably kind, devise +Means to preserve from such disast’rous fate +The Grecians. Ah, my friend! when Peleus thee310 +From Phthia sent to Agamemnon’s aid, +On that same day he gave thee thus in charge. +“Juno, my son, and Pallas, if they please, +Can make thee valiant; but thy own big heart +Thyself restrain. Sweet manners win respect.315 +Cease from pernicious strife, and young and old +Throughout the host shall honor thee the more.” +Such was thy father’s charge, which thou, it seems, +Remember’st not. Yet even now thy wrath +Renounce; be reconciled; for princely gifts320 +Atrides gives thee if thy wrath subside. +Hear, if thou wilt, and I will tell thee all, +How vast the gifts which Agamemnon made +By promise thine, this night within his tent. +Seven tripods never sullied yet with fire;325 +Of gold ten talents; twenty cauldrons bright; +Twelve steeds strong-limb’d, victorious in the race; +No man possessing prizes such as those +Which they have won for him, shall feel the want +Of acquisitions splendid, or of gold.330 +Seven virtuous female captives he will give, +Expert in arts domestic, Lesbians all, +Whom when thou conquer’dst Lesbos, he received +His chosen portion, passing woman-kind +In perfect loveliness of face and form.335 +These will he give, and will with these resign +Her whom he took, Briseïs, with an oath +Most solemn, that unconscious as she was +Of his embraces, such he yields her back. +All these he gives thee now! and if at length340 +The Gods vouchsafe to us to overturn +Priam’s great city, thou shalt heap thy ships +With gold and brass, entering and choosing first, +When we shall share the spoil; and shalt beside +Choose twenty from among the maids of Troy,345 +Helen except, loveliest of all their sex. +And if once more the rich milk-flowing land +We reach of Argos, thou shalt there become +His son-in-law, and shalt enjoy like state +With him, whom he in all abundance rears,350 +His only son Orestes. In his house +He hath three daughters; thou may’st home conduct +To Phthia, her whom thou shalt most approve. +Chrysothemis shall be thy bride; or else +Laodice; or if she please thee more355 +Iphianassa; and from thee he asks +No dower; himself will such a dower bestow +As never father on his child before. +Seven fair well-peopled cities will he give; +Cardamyle and Enope; and rich360 +In herbage, Hira; Pheræ stately-built, +And for her depth of pasturage renown’d, +Antheia; proud Æpeia’s lofty towers, +And Pedasus impurpled dark with vines. +All these are maritime, and on the shore365 +They stand of Pylus, by a race possess’d +Most rich in flocks and herds, who tribute large +And gifts presenting to thy sceptred hand, +Shall hold thee high in honor as a God. +These will he give thee, if thy wrath subside.370 + But should’st thou rather in thine heart the more +Both Agamemnon and his gifts detest, +Yet oh compassionate the afflicted host +Prepared to adore thee. Thou shalt win renown +Among the Grecians that shall never die.375 +Now strike at Hector. He is here;—himself +Provokes thee forth; madness is in his heart, +And in his rage he glories that our ships +Have hither brought no Grecian brave as he. + Then thus Achilles matchless in the race.380 +Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d! +I must with plainness speak my fixt resolve +Unalterable; lest I hear from each +The same long murmur’d melancholy tale. +For I abhor the man, not more the gates385 +Of hell itself, whose words belie his heart. +So shall not mine. My judgment undisguised +Is this; that neither Agamemnon me +Nor all the Greeks shall move; for ceaseless toil +Wins here no thanks; one recompense awaits390 +The sedentary and the most alert, +The brave and base in equal honor stand, +And drones and heroes fall unwept alike. +I after all my labors, who exposed +My life continual in the field, have earn’d395 +No very sumptuous prize. As the poor bird +Gives to her unfledged brood a morsel gain’d +After long search, though wanting it herself, +So I have worn out many sleepless nights, +And waded deep through many a bloody day400 +In battle for their wives.[12] I have destroy’d +Twelve cities with my fleet, and twelve, save one, +On foot contending in the fields of Troy. +From all these cities, precious spoils I took +Abundant, and to Agamemnon’s hand405 +Gave all the treasure. He within his ships +Abode the while, and having all received, +Little distributed, and much retained; +He gave, however, to the Kings and Chiefs +A portion, and they keep it. Me alone410 +Of all the Grecian host he hath despoil’d; +My bride, my soul’s delight is in his hands, +And let him, couch’d with her, enjoy his fill +Of dalliance. What sufficient cause, what need +Have the Achaians to contend with Troy?415 +Why hath Atrides gather’d such a host, +And led them hither? Was’t not for the sake +Of beauteous Helen? And of all mankind +Can none be found who love their proper wives +But the Atridæ? There is no good man420 +Who loves not, guards not, and with care provides +For his own wife, and, though in battle won, +I loved the fair Briseïs at my heart. +But having dispossess’d me of my prize +So foully, let him not essay me now,425 +For I am warn’d, and he shall not prevail. +With thee and with thy peers let him advise, +Ulysses! how the fleet may likeliest ’scape +Yon hostile fires; full many an arduous task +He hath accomplished without aid of mine;430 +So hath he now this rampart and the trench +Which he hath digg’d around it, and with stakes +Planted contiguous—puny barriers all +To hero-slaughtering Hector’s force opposed. +While I the battle waged, present myself435 +Among the Achaians, Hector never fought +Far from his walls, but to the Scæan gate +Advancing and the beech-tree, there remain’d. +Once, on that spot he met me, and my arm +Escaped with difficulty even there.440 +But, since I feel myself not now inclined +To fight with noble Hector, yielding first +To Jove due worship, and to all the Gods, +To-morrow will I launch, and give my ships +Their lading. Look thou forth at early dawn,445 +And, if such spectacle delight thee aught, +Thou shalt behold me cleaving with my prows +The waves of Hellespont, and all my crews +Of lusty rowers active in their task. +So shall I reach (if Ocean’s mighty God450 +Prosper my passage) Phthia the deep-soil’d +On the third day. I have possessions there, +Which hither roaming in an evil hour +I left abundant. I shall also hence +Convey much treasure, gold and burnish’d brass,455 +And glittering steel, and women passing fair +My portion of the spoils. But he, your King, +The prize he gave, himself resumed, +And taunted at me. Tell him my reply, +And tell it him aloud, that other Greeks460 +May indignation feel like me, if arm’d +Always in impudence, he seek to wrong +Them also. Let him not henceforth presume, +Canine and hard in aspect though he be, +To look me in the face. I will not share465 +His counsels, neither will I aid his works. +Let it suffice him, that he wrong’d me once, +Deceived me once, henceforth his glozing arts +Are lost on me. But let him rot in peace +Crazed as he is, and by the stroke of Jove470 +Infatuate. I detest his gifts, and him +So honor as the thing which most I scorn. +And would he give me twenty times the worth +Of this his offer, all the treasured heaps +Which he possesses, or shall yet possess,475 +All that Orchomenos within her walls, +And all that opulent Egyptian Thebes +Receives, the city with a hundred gates, +Whence twenty thousand chariots rush to war, +And would he give me riches as the sands,480 +And as the dust of earth, no gifts from him +Should soothe me, till my soul were first avenged +For all the offensive license of his tongue. +I will not wed the daughter of your Chief, +Of Agamemnon. Could she vie in charms485 +With golden Venus, had she all the skill +Of blue-eyed Pallas, even so endow’d +She were no bride for me. No. He may choose +From the Achaians some superior Prince, +One more her equal. Peleus, if the Gods490 +Preserve me, and I safe arrive at home, +Himself, ere long, shall mate me with a bride. +In Hellas and in Phthia may be found +Fair damsels many, daughters of the Chiefs +Who guard our cities; I may choose of them,495 +And make the loveliest of them all my own. +There, in my country, it hath ever been +My dearest purpose, wedded to a wife +Of rank convenient, to enjoy in peace +Such wealth as ancient Peleus hath acquired.500 +For life, in my account, surpasses far +In value all the treasures which report +Ascribed to populous Ilium, ere the Greeks +Arrived, and while the city yet had peace; +Those also which Apollo’s marble shrine505 +In rocky Pytho boasts. Fat flocks and beeves +May be by force obtain’d, tripods and steeds +Are bought or won, but if the breath of man +Once overpass its bounds, no force arrests +Or may constrain the unbodied spirit back.510 +Me, as my silver-footed mother speaks +Thetis, a twofold consummation waits. +If still with battle I encompass Troy, +I win immortal glory, but all hope +Renounce of my return. If I return515 +To my beloved country, I renounce +The illustrious meed of glory, but obtain +Secure and long immunity from death. +And truly I would recommend to all +To voyage homeward, for the fall as yet520 +Ye shall not see of Ilium’s lofty towers, +For that the Thunderer with uplifted arm +Protects her, and her courage hath revived. +Bear ye mine answer back, as is the part +Of good ambassadors, that they may frame525 +Some likelier plan, by which both fleet and host +May be preserved; for, my resentment still +Burning, this project is but premature. +Let Phœnix stay with us, and sleep this night +Within my tent, that, if he so incline,530 +He may to-morrow in my fleet embark, +And hence attend me; but I leave him free. + He ended; they astonish’d at his tone +(For vehement he spake) sat silent all, +Till Phœnix, aged warrior, at the last535 +Gush’d into tears (for dread his heart o’erwhelm’d +Lest the whole fleet should perish) and replied. + If thou indeed have purposed to return, +Noble Achilles! and such wrath retain’st +That thou art altogether fixt to leave540 +The fleet a prey to desolating fires, +How then, my son! shall I at Troy abide +Forlorn of thee? When Peleus, hoary Chief, +Sent thee to Agamemnon, yet a child,[13] +Unpractised in destructive fight, nor less545 +Of councils ignorant, the schools in which +Great minds are form’d, he bade me to the war +Attend thee forth, that I might teach thee all, +Both elocution and address in arms. +Me therefore shalt thou not with my consent550 +Leave here, my son! no, not would Jove himself +Promise me, reaping smooth this silver beard, +To make me downy-cheek’d as in my youth; +Such as when erst from Hellas beauty-famed +I fled, escaping from my father’s wrath555 +Amyntor, son of Ormenus, who loved +A beauteous concubine, and for her sake +Despised his wife and persecuted me. +My mother suppliant at my knees, with prayer +Perpetual importuned me to embrace560 +The damsel first, that she might loathe my sire. +I did so; and my father soon possess’d +With hot suspicion of the fact, let loose +A storm of imprecation, in his rage +Invoking all the Furies to forbid565 +That ever son of mine should press his knees. +Tartarian Jove[14] and dread Persephone +Fulfill’d his curses; with my pointed spear +I would have pierced his heart, but that my wrath +Some Deity assuaged, suggesting oft570 +What shame and obloquy I should incur, +Known as a parricide through all the land. +At length, so treated, I resolved to dwell +No longer in his house. My friends, indeed, +And all my kindred compass’d me around575 +With much entreaty, wooing me to stay; +Oxen and sheep they slaughter’d, many a plump +Well-fatted brawn extended in the flames, +And drank the old man’s vessels to the lees. +Nine nights continual at my side they slept,580 +While others watch’d by turns, nor were the fires +Extinguish’d ever, one, beneath the porch +Of the barr’d hall, and one that from within +The vestibule illumed my chamber door. +But when the tenth dark night at length arrived,585 +Sudden the chamber doors bursting I flew +That moment forth, and unperceived alike +By guards and menial woman, leap’d the wall. +Through spacious Hellas flying thence afar, +I came at length to Phthia the deep-soil’d,590 +Mother of flocks, and to the royal house +Of Peleus; Peleus with a willing heart +Receiving, loved me as a father loves +His only son, the son of his old age, +Inheritor of all his large demesnes.595 +He made me rich; placed under my control +A populous realm, and on the skirts I dwelt +Of Phthia, ruling the Dolopian race. +Thee from my soul, thou semblance of the Gods, +I loved, and all illustrious as thou art,600 +Achilles! such I made thee. For with me, +Me only, would’st thou forth to feast abroad, +Nor would’st thou taste thy food at home, till first +I placed thee on my knees, with my own hand +Thy viands carved and fed thee, and the wine605 +Held to thy lips; and many a time, in fits +Of infant frowardness, the purple juice +Rejecting thou hast deluged all my vest, +And fill’d my bosom. Oh, I have endured +Much, and have also much perform’d for thee,610 +Thus purposing, that since the Gods vouchsaf’d +No son to me, thyself shouldst be my son, +Godlike Achilles! who shouldst screen perchance +From a foul fate my else unshelter’d age. +Achilles! bid thy mighty spirit down.615 +Thou shouldst not be thus merciless; the Gods, +Although more honorable, and in power +And virtue thy superiors, are themselves +Yet placable; and if a mortal man +Offend them by transgression of their laws,620 +Libation, incense, sacrifice, and prayer, +In meekness offer’d turn their wrath away. +Prayers are Jove’s daughters,[15] wrinkled,[16] lame, slant-eyed, +Which though far distant, yet with constant pace +Follow Offence. Offence, robust of limb,625 +And treading firm the ground, outstrips them all, +And over all the earth before them runs +Hurtful to man. They, following, heal the hurt. +Received respectfully when they approach, +They help us, and our prayers hear in return.630 +But if we slight, and with obdurate heart +Resist them, to Saturnian Jove they cry +Against us, supplicating that Offence +May cleave to us for vengeance of the wrong. +Thou, therefore, O Achilles! honor yield635 +To Jove’s own daughters, vanquished, as the brave +Have ofttimes been, by honor paid to thee. +For came not Agamemnon as he comes +With gifts in hand, and promises of more +Hereafter; burn’d his anger still the same,640 +I would not move thee to renounce thy own, +And to assist us, howsoe’er distress’d. +But now, not only are his present gifts +Most liberal, and his promises of more +Such also, but these Princes he hath sent645 +Charged with entreaties, thine especial friends, +And chosen for that cause, from all the host. +Slight not their embassy, nor put to shame +Their intercession. We confess that once +Thy wrath was unreprovable and just.650 +Thus we have heard the heroes of old times +Applauded oft, whose anger, though intense, +Yet left them open to the gentle sway +Of reason and conciliatory gifts. +I recollect an ancient history,655 +Which, since all here are friends, I will relate. +The brave Ætolians and Curetes met +Beneath the walls of Calydon, and fought +With mutual slaughter; the Ætolian powers +In the defence of Calydon the fair,660 +And the Curetes bent to lay it waste: +That strife Diana of the golden throne +Kindled between them, with resentment fired +That Oeneus had not in some fertile spot +The first fruits of his harvest set apart665 +To her; with hecatombs he entertained +All the Divinities of heaven beside, +And her alone, daughter of Jove supreme, +Or through forgetfulness, or some neglect, +Served not; omission careless and profane!670 +She, progeny of Jove, Goddess shaft-arm’d, +A savage boar bright-tusk’d in anger sent, +Which haunting Oeneus’ fields much havoc made. +Trees numerous on the earth in heaps he cast +Uprooting them, with all their blossoms on.675 +But Meleager, Oeneus’ son, at length +Slew him, the hunters gathering and the hounds +Of numerous cities; for a boar so vast +Might not be vanquish’d by the power of few, +And many to their funeral piles he sent.680 +Then raised Diana clamorous dispute, +And contest hot between them, all alike, +Curetes and Ætolians fierce in arms +The boar’s head claiming, and his bristly hide. +So long as warlike Meleager fought,685 +Ætolia prosper’d, nor with all their powers +Could the Curetes stand before the walls. +But when resentment once had fired the heart +Of Meleager, which hath tumult oft +Excited in the breasts of wisest men,690 +(For his own mother had his wrath provoked +Althæa) thenceforth with his wedded wife +He dwelt, fair Cleopatra, close retired. +She was Marpessa’s daughter, whom she bore +To Idas, bravest warrior in his day695 +Of all on earth. He fear’d not ’gainst the King +Himself Apollo, for the lovely nymph +Marpessa’s sake, his spouse, to bend his bow. +Her, therefore, Idas and Marpessa named +Thenceforth Alcyone, because the fate700 +Of sad Alcyone Marpessa shared, +And wept like her, by Phœbus forced away. +Thus Meleager, tortured with the pangs +Of wrath indulged, with Cleopatra dwelt, +Vex’d that his mother cursed him; for, with grief705 +Frantic, his mother importuned the Gods +To avenge her slaughter’d brothers[17] on his head. +Oft would she smite the earth, while on her knees +Seated, she fill’d her bosom with her tears, +And call’d on Pluto and dread Proserpine710 +To slay her son; nor vain was that request, +But by implacable Erynnis heard +Roaming the shades of Erebus. Ere long +The tumult and the deafening din of war +Roar’d at the gates, and all the batter’d towers715 +Resounded. Then the elders of the town +Dispatch’d the high-priests of the Gods to plead +With Meleager for his instant aid, +With strong assurances of rich reward. +Where Calydon afforded fattest soil720 +They bade him choose to his own use a farm +Of fifty measured acres, vineyard half, +And half of land commodious for the plow. +Him Oeneus also, warrior grey with age, +Ascending to his chamber, and his doors725 +Smiting importunate, with earnest prayers +Assay’d to soften, kneeling to his son. +Nor less his sisters woo’d him to relent, +Nor less his mother; but in vain; he grew +Still more obdurate. His companions last,730 +The most esteem’d and dearest of his friends, +The same suit urged, yet he persisted still +Relentless, nor could even they prevail. +But when the battle shook his chamber-doors +And the Curetes climbing the high towers735 +Had fired the spacious city, then with tears +The beauteous Cleopatra, and with prayers +Assail’d him; in his view she set the woes +Numberless of a city storm’d—the men +Slaughter’d, the city burnt to dust, the chaste740 +Matrons with all their children dragg’d away. +That dread recital roused him, and at length +Issuing, he put his radiant armor on. +Thus Meleager, gratifying first +His own resentment from a fatal day745 +Saved the Ætolians, who the promised gift +Refused him, and his toils found no reward. +But thou, my son, be wiser; follow thou +No demon who would tempt thee to a course +Like his; occasion more propitious far750 +Smiles on thee now, than if the fleet were fired. +Come, while by gifts invited, and receive +From all the host, the honors of a God; +For shouldst thou, by no gifts induced, at last +Enter the bloody field, although thou chase755 +The Trojans hence, yet less shall be thy praise. + Then thus Achilles, matchless in the race. +Phœnix, my guide, wise, noble and revered! +I covet no such glory! the renown +Ordain’d by Jove for me, is to resist760 +All importunity to quit my ships +While I have power to move, or breath to draw. +Hear now, and mark me well. Cease thou from tears. +Confound me not, pleading with sighs and sobs +In Agamemnon’s cause; O love not him,765 +Lest I renounce thee, who am now thy friend. +Assist me rather, as thy duty bids, +Him to afflict, who hath afflicted me, +So shalt thou share my glory and my power. +These shall report as they have heard, but here770 +Rest thou this night, and with the rising morn +We will decide, to stay or to depart. + He ceased, and silent, by a nod enjoin’d +Patroclus to prepare an easy couch +For Phœnix, anxious to dismiss the rest775 +Incontinent; when Ajax, godlike son +Of Telamon, arising, thus began. + Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d: +Depart we now; for I perceive that end +Or fruit of all our reasonings shall be none.780 +It is expedient also that we bear +Our answer back (unwelcome as it is) +With all dispatch, for the assembled Greeks +Expect us. Brave Achilles shuts a fire +Within his breast; the kindness of his friends,785 +And the respect peculiar by ourselves +Shown to him, on his heart work no effect. +Inexorable man! others accept +Even for a brother slain, or for a son +Due compensation;[18] the delinquent dwells790 +Secure at home, and the receiver, soothed +And pacified, represses his revenge. +But thou, resentful of the loss of one, +One virgin (such obduracy of heart +The Gods have given thee) can’st not be appeased795 +Yet we assign thee seven in her stead, +The most distinguish’d of their sex, and add +Large gifts beside. Ah then, at last relent! +Respect thy roof; we are thy guests; we come +Chosen from the multitude of all the Greeks,800 +Beyond them all ambitious of thy love. + To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift. +My noble friend, offspring of Telamon! +Thou seem’st sincere, and I believe thee such. +But at the very mention of the name805 +Of Atreus’ son, who shamed me in the sight +Of all Achaia’s host, bearing me down +As I had been some vagrant at his door, +My bosom boils. Return ye and report +Your answer. I no thought will entertain810 +Of crimson war, till the illustrious son +Of warlike Priam, Hector, blood-embrued, +Shall in their tents the Myrmidons assail +Themselves, and fire my fleet. At my own ship, +And at my own pavilion it may chance815 +That even Hector’s violence shall pause.[19] + He ended; they from massy goblets each +Libation pour’d, and to the fleet their course +Resumed direct, Ulysses at their head. +Patroclus then his fellow-warriors bade,820 +And the attendant women spread a couch +For Phœnix; they the couch, obedient, spread +With fleeces, with rich arras, and with flax +Of subtlest woof. There hoary Phœnix lay +In expectation of the sacred dawn.825 +Meantime Achilles in the interior tent, +With beauteous Diomeda by himself +From Lesbos brought, daughter of Phorbas, lay. +Patroclus opposite reposed, with whom +Slept charming Iphis; her, when he had won830 +The lofty towers of Scyros, the divine +Achilles took, and on his friend bestow’d. + But when those Chiefs at Agamemnon’s tent +Arrived, the Greeks on every side arose +With golden cups welcoming their return.835 +All question’d them, but Agamemnon first. + Oh worthy of Achaia’s highest praise, +And her chief ornament, Ulysses, speak! +Will he defend the fleet? or his big heart +Indulging wrathful, doth he still refuse?840 + To whom renown’d Ulysses thus replied. +Atrides, Agamemnon, King of men! +He his resentment quenches not, nor will, +But burns with wrath the more, thee and thy gifts +Rejecting both. He bids thee with the Greeks845 +Consult by what expedient thou may’st save +The fleet and people, threatening that himself +Will at the peep of day launch all his barks, +And counselling, beside, the general host +To voyage homeward, for that end as yet850 +Of Ilium wall’d to heaven, ye shall not find, +Since Jove the Thunderer with uplifted arm +Protects her, and her courage hath revived. +Thus speaks the Chief, and Ajax is prepared, +With the attendant heralds to report855 +As I have said. But Phœnix in the tent +Sleeps of Achilles, who his stay desired, +That on the morrow, if he so incline, +The hoary warrior may attend him hence +Home to his country, but he leaves him free.860 + He ended. They astonish’d at his tone +(For vehement he spake) sat silent all. +Long silent sat the afflicted sons of Greece, +When thus the mighty Diomede began. + Atrides, Agamemnon, King of men!865 +Thy supplications to the valiant son +Of Peleus, and the offer of thy gifts +Innumerous, had been better far withheld. +He is at all times haughty, and thy suit +Hath but increased his haughtiness of heart870 +Past bounds: but let him stay or let him go +As he shall choose. He will resume the fight +When his own mind shall prompt him, and the Gods +Shall urge him forth. Now follow my advice. +Ye have refresh’d your hearts with food and wine875 +Which are the strength of man; take now repose. +And when the rosy-finger’d morning fair +Shall shine again, set forth without delay +The battle, horse and foot, before the fleet, +And where the foremost fight, fight also thou.880 + + He ended; all the Kings applauded warm +His counsel, and the dauntless tone admired +Of Diomede. Then, due libation made, +Each sought his tent, and took the gift of sleep. + + +There is much in this book which is worthy of close attention. The +consummate genius, the varied and versatile power, the eloquence, +truth, and nature displayed in it, will always be admired. Perhaps +there is no portion of the poem more remarkable for these +attributes.—Felton. + + + + +BOOK X. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE TENTH BOOK. + +Diomede and Ulysses enter the Trojan host by night, and slay Rhesus. + + +BOOK X. + + +All night the leaders of the host of Greece +Lay sunk in soft repose, all, save the Chief,[1] +The son of Atreus; him from thought to thought +Roving solicitous, no sleep relieved. +As when the spouse of beauteous Juno, darts5 +His frequent fires, designing heavy rain +Immense, or hail-storm, or field-whitening snow, +Or else wide-throated war calamitous, +So frequent were the groans by Atreus’ son +Heaved from his inmost heart, trembling with dread.10 +For cast he but his eye toward the plain +Of Ilium, there, astonish’d he beheld +The city fronted with bright fires, and heard +Pipes, and recorders, and the hum of war; +But when again the Grecian fleet he view’d,15 +And thought on his own people, then his hair +Uprooted elevating to the Gods, +He from his generous bosom groan’d again. +At length he thus resolved; of all the Greeks +To seek Neleian Nestor first, with whom20 +He might, perchance, some plan for the defence +Of the afflicted Danaï devise. +Rising, he wrapp’d his tunic to his breast, +And to his royal feet unsullied bound +His sandals; o’er his shoulders, next, he threw25 +Of amplest size a lion’s tawny skin +That swept his footsteps, dappled o’er with blood, +Then took his spear. Meantime, not less appall’d +Was Menelaus, on whose eyelids sleep +Sat not, lest the Achaians for his sake30 +O’er many waters borne, and now intent +On glorious deeds, should perish all at Troy. +With a pard’s spotted hide his shoulders broad +He mantled over; to his head he raised +His brazen helmet, and with vigorous hand35 +Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse +His brother, mighty sovereign of the host, +And by the Grecians like a God revered. +He found him at his galley’s stern, his arms +Assuming radiant; welcome he arrived40 +To Agamemnon, whom he thus address’d. + Why arm’st thou, brother? Wouldst thou urge abroad +Some trusty spy into the Trojan camp?[2] +I fear lest none so hardy shall be found +As to adventure, in the dead still night,45 +So far, alone; valiant indeed were he! + To whom great Agamemnon thus replied. +Heaven-favor’d Menelaus! We have need, +Thou and myself, of some device well-framed, +Which both the Grecians and the fleet of Greece50 +May rescue, for the mind of Jove hath changed, +And Hector’s prayers alone now reach his ear. +I never saw, nor by report have learn’d +From any man, that ever single chief +Such awful wonders in one day perform’d55 +As he with ease against the Greeks, although +Nor from a Goddess sprung nor from a God. +Deeds he hath done, which, as I think, the Greeks +Shall deep and long lament, such numerous ills +Achaia’s host hath at his hands sustain’d.60 +But haste, begone, and at their several ships +Call Ajax and Idomeneus; I go +To exhort the noble Nestor to arise, +That he may visit, if he so incline, +The chosen band who watch, and his advice65 +Give them; for him most prompt they will obey, +Whose son, together with Meriones, +Friend of Idomeneus, controls them all, +Entrusted by ourselves with that command. + Him answer’d Menelaus bold in arms.70 +Explain thy purpose. Wouldst thou that I wait +Thy coming, there, or thy commands to both +Given, that I incontinent return? + To whom the Sovereign of the host replied. +There stay; lest striking into different paths75 +(For many passes intersect the camp) +We miss each other; summon them aloud +Where thou shalt come; enjoin them to arise; +Call each by his hereditary name, +Honoring all. Beware of manners proud,80 +For we ourselves must labor, at our birth +By Jove ordain’d to suffering and to toil. + So saying, he his brother thence dismiss’d +Instructed duly, and himself, his steps +Turned to the tent of Nestor. Him he found85 +Amid his sable galleys in his tent +Reposing soft, his armor at his side, +Shield, spears, bright helmet, and the broider’d belt +Which, when the Senior arm’d led forth his host +To fight, he wore; for he complied not yet90 +With the encroachments of enfeebling age. +He raised his head, and on his elbow propp’d, +Questioning Agamemnon, thus began. + But who art thou, who thus alone, the camp +Roamest, amid the darkness of the night,95 +While other mortals sleep? Comest thou abroad +Seeking some friend or soldier of the guard? +Speak—come not nearer mute. What is thy wish? + To whom the son of Atreus, King of men. +Oh Nestor, glory of the Grecian name,100 +Offspring of Neleus! thou in me shalt know +The son of Atreus, Agamemnon, doom’d +By Jove to toil, while life shall yet inform +These limbs, or I shall draw the vital air. +I wander thus, because that on my lids105 +Sweet sleep sits not, but war and the concerns +Of the Achaians occupy my soul. +Terrible are the fears which I endure +For these my people; such as supersede +All thought; my bosom can no longer hold110 +My throbbing heart, and tremors shake my limbs. +But if thy mind, more capable, project +Aught that may profit us (for thee it seems +Sleep also shuns) arise, and let us both +Visit the watch, lest, haply, overtoil’d115 +They yield to sleep, forgetful of their charge. +The foe is posted near, and may intend +(None knows his purpose) an assault by night. + To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied. +Illustrious Agamemnon, King of men!120 +Deep-planning Jove the imaginations proud +Of Hector will not ratify, nor all +His sanguine hopes effectuate; in his turn +He also (fierce Achilles once appeased) +Shall trouble feel, and haply, more than we.125 +But with all readiness I will arise +And follow thee, that we may also rouse +Yet others; Diomede the spear-renown’d, +Ulysses, the swift Ajax, and the son +Of Phyleus, valiant Meges. It were well130 +Were others also visited and call’d, +The godlike Ajax, and Idomeneus, +Whose ships are at the camp’s extremest bounds. +But though I love thy brother and revere, +And though I grieve e’en thee, yet speak I must,135 +And plainly censure him, that thus he sleeps +And leaves to thee the labor, who himself +Should range the host, soliciting the Chiefs +Of every band, as utmost need requires. + Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men.140 +Old warrior, times there are, when I could wish +Myself thy censure of him, for in act +He is not seldom tardy and remiss. +Yet is not sluggish indolence the cause, +No, nor stupidity, but he observes145 +Me much, expecting till I lead the way. +But he was foremost now, far more alert +This night than I, and I have sent him forth +Already, those to call whom thou hast named. +But let us hence, for at the guard I trust150 +To find them, since I gave them so in charge.[3] + To whom the brave Gerenian Chief replied. +Him none will censure, or his will dispute, +Whom he shall waken and exhort to rise. + So saying, he bound his corselet to his breast,155 +His sandals fair to his unsullied feet, +And fastening by its clasps his purple cloak +Around him, double and of shaggy pile, +Seized, next, his sturdy spear headed with brass, +And issued first into the Grecian fleet.160 +There, Nestor, brave Gerenian, with a voice +Sonorous roused the godlike counsellor +From sleep, Ulysses; the alarm came o’er +His startled ear, forth from his tent he sprang +Sudden, and of their coming, quick, inquired.165 + Why roam ye thus the camp and fleet alone +In darkness? by what urgent need constrain’d? + To whom the hoary Pylian thus replied. +Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d! +Resent it not, for dread is our distress.170 +Come, therefore, and assist us to convene +Yet others, qualified to judge if war +Be most expedient, or immediate flight. + He ended, and regaining, quick, his tent, +Ulysses slung his shield, then coming forth175 +Join’d them. The son of Tydeus first they sought. +Him sleeping arm’d before his tent they found, +Encompass’d by his friends also asleep; +His head each rested on his shield, and each +Had planted on its nether point[4] erect180 +His spear beside him; bright their polish’d heads, +As Jove’s own lightning glittered from afar. +Himself, the Hero, slept. A wild bull’s hide +Was spread beneath him, and on arras tinged +With splendid purple lay his head reclined.185 +Nestor, beside him standing, with his heel +Shook him, and, urgent, thus the Chief reproved. + Awake, Tydides! wherefore givest the night +Entire to balmy slumber? Hast not heard +How on the rising ground beside the fleet190 +The Trojans sit, small interval between? + He ceased; then up sprang Diomede alarm’d +Instant, and in wing’d accents thus replied. + Old wakeful Chief! thy toils are never done. +Are there not younger of the sons of Greece,195 +Who ranging in all parts the camp, might call +The Kings to council? But no curb controls +Or can abate activity like thine. + To whom Gerenian Nestor in return. +My friend! thou hast well spoken. I have sons,200 +And they are well deserving; I have here +A numerous people also, one of whom +Might have sufficed to call the Kings of Greece. +But such occasion presses now the host +As hath not oft occurr’d; the overthrow205 +Complete, or full deliverance of us all, +In balance hangs, poised on a razor’s edge. +But haste, and if thy pity of my toils +Be such, since thou art younger, call, thyself, +Ajax the swift, and Meges to the guard.210 + Then Diomede a lion’s tawny skin +Around him wrapp’d, dependent to his heels, +And, spear in hand, set forth. The Hero call’d +Those two, and led them whither Nestor bade. + They, at the guard arrived, not sleeping found215 +The captains of the guard, but sitting all +In vigilant posture with their arms prepared. +As dogs that, careful, watch the fold by night, +Hearing some wild beast in the woods,[5] which hounds +And hunters with tumultuous clamor drive220 +Down from the mountain-top, all sleep forego; +So, sat not on their eyelids gentle sleep +That dreadful night, but constant to the plain +At every sound of Trojan feet they turn’d. +The old Chief joyful at the sight, in terms225 +Of kind encouragement them thus address’d. + So watch, my children! and beware that sleep +Invade none here, lest all become a prey. + So saying, he traversed with quick pace the trench +By every Chief whom they had thither call’d230 +Attended, with whom Nestor’s noble son +Went, and Meriones, invited both +To join their consultation. From the foss +Emerging, in a vacant space they sat, +Unstrew’d with bodies of the slain, the spot,235 +Whence furious Hector, after slaughter made +Of numerous Greeks, night falling, had return’d. +There seated, mutual converse close they held, +And Nestor, brave Gerenian, thus began. + + Oh friends! hath no Achaian here such trust240 +In his own prowess, as to venture forth +Among yon haughty Trojans? He, perchance, +Might on the borders of their host surprise +Some wandering adversary, or might learn +Their consultations, whether they propose245 +Here to abide in prospect of the fleet, +Or, satiate with success against the Greeks +So signal, meditate retreat to Troy. +These tidings gain’d, should he at last return +Secure, his recompense will be renown250 +Extensive as the heavens, and fair reward. +From every leader of the fleet, his gift +Shall be a sable[6] ewe, and sucking lamb, +Rare acquisition! and at every board +And sumptuous banquet, he shall be a guest.255 + He ceased, and all sat silent, when at length +The mighty son of Tydeus thus replied. + Me, Nestor, my courageous heart incites +To penetrate into the neighbor host +Of enemies; but went some other Chief260 +With me, far greater would my comfort prove, +And I should dare the more. Two going forth, +One quicker sees than other, and suggests +Prudent advice; but he who single goes, +Mark whatsoe’er he may, the occasion less265 +Improves, and his expedients soon exhausts. + He ended, and no few willing arose +To go with Diomede. Servants of Mars +Each Ajax willing stood; willing as they +Meriones; most willing Nestor’s son;270 +Willing the brother of the Chief of all, +Nor willing less Ulysses to explore +The host of Troy, for he possess’d a heart +Delighted ever with some bold exploit. + Then Agamemnon, King of men, began.275 +Now Diomede, in whom my soul delights! +Choose whom thou wilt for thy companion; choose +The fittest here; for numerous wish to go. +Leave not through deference to another’s rank, +The more deserving, nor prefer a worse,280 +Respecting either pedigree or power. + Such speech he interposed, fearing his choice +Of Menelaus; then, renown’d in arms +The son of Tydeus, rising, spake again. + Since, then, ye bid me my own partner choose285 +Free from constraint, how can I overlook +Divine Ulysses, whose courageous heart +With such peculiar cheerfulness endures +Whatever toils, and whom Minerva loves? +Let _him_ attend me, and through fire itself290 +We shall return; for none is wise as he.[7] + To him Ulysses, hardy Chief, replied. +Tydides! neither praise me much, nor blame, +For these are Grecians in whose ears thou speak’st, +And know me well. But let us hence! the night295 +Draws to a close; day comes apace; the stars +Are far advanced; two portions have elapsed +Of darkness, but the third is yet entire. + So they; then each his dreadful arms put on. +To Diomede, who at the fleet had left300 +His own, the dauntless Thrasymedes gave +His shield and sword two-edged, and on his head +Placed, crestless, unadorn’d, his bull-skin casque. +It was a stripling’s helmet, such as youths +Scarce yet confirm’d in lusty manhood, wear.305 +Meriones with quiver, bow and sword +Furnish’d Ulysses, and his brows enclosed +In his own casque of hide with many a thong +Well braced within;[8] guarded it was without +With boar’s teeth ivory-white inherent firm310 +On all sides, and with woolen head-piece lined. +That helmet erst Autolycus[9] had brought +From Eleon, city of Amyntor son +Of Hormenus, where he the solid walls +Bored through, clandestine, of Amyntor’s house.315 +He on Amphidamas the prize bestow’d +In Scandia;[10] from Amphidamas it pass’d +To Molus as a hospitable pledge; +He gave it to Meriones his son, +And now it guarded shrewd Ulysses’ brows.320 +Both clad in arms terrific, forth they sped, +Leaving their fellow Chiefs, and as they went +A heron, by command of Pallas, flew +Close on the right beside them; darkling they +Discern’d him not, but heard his clanging plumes.[11]325 +Ulysses in the favorable sign +Exulted, and Minerva thus invoked.[12] + + Oh hear me, daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d! +My present helper in all straits, whose eye +Marks all my ways, oh with peculiar care330 +Now guard me, Pallas! grant that after toil +Successful, glorious, such as long shall fill +With grief the Trojans, we may safe return +And with immortal honors to the fleet. + Valiant Tydides, next, his prayer preferr’d.335 +Hear also me, Jove’s offspring by the toils +Of war invincible! me follow now +As my heroic father erst to Thebes +Thou followedst, Tydeus; by the Greeks dispatch’d +Ambassador, he left the mail-clad host340 +Beside Asopus, and with terms of peace +Entrusted, enter’d Thebes; but by thine aid +Benevolent, and in thy strength, perform’d +Returning, deeds of terrible renown. +Thus, now, protect me also! In return345 +I vow an offering at thy shrine, a young +Broad-fronted heifer, to the yoke as yet +Untamed, whose horns I will incase with gold. + Such prayer they made, and Pallas heard well pleased. +Their orisons ended to the daughter dread350 +Of mighty Jove, lion-like they advanced +Through shades of night, through carnage, arms and blood. + Nor Hector to his gallant host indulged +Sleep, but convened the leaders; leader none +Or senator of all his host he left355 +Unsummon’d, and his purpose thus promulged. + Where is the warrior who for rich reward, +Such as shall well suffice him, will the task +Adventurous, which I propose, perform? +A chariot with two steeds of proudest height,360 +Surpassing all in the whole fleet of Greece +Shall be his portion, with immortal praise, +Who shall the well-appointed ships approach +Courageous, there to learn if yet a guard +As heretofore, keep them, or if subdued365 +Beneath us, the Achaians flight intend, +And worn with labor have no will to watch. + So Hector spake, but answer none return’d. +There was a certain Trojan, Dolon named,[13] +Son of Eumedes herald of the Gods,370 +Rich both in gold and brass, but in his form +Unsightly; yet the man was swift of foot, +Sole brother of five sisters; he his speech +To Hector and the Trojans thus address’d. + My spirit, Hector, prompts me, and my mind375 +Endued with manly vigor, to approach +Yon gallant ships, that I may tidings hear. +But come. For my assurance, lifting high +Thy sceptre, swear to me, for my reward, +The horses and the brazen chariot bright380 +Which bear renown’d Achilles o’er the field. +I will not prove a useless spy, nor fall +Below thy best opinion; pass I will +Their army through, till I shall reach the ship +Of Agamemnon, where the Chiefs, perchance,385 +Now sit consulting, or to fight, or fly.[14] + + Then raising high his sceptre, Hector sware +Know, Jove himself, Juno’s high-thundering spouse! +That Trojan none shall in that chariot ride +By those steeds drawn, save Dolon; on my oath390 +I make them thine; enjoy them evermore. + He said, and falsely sware, yet him assured. +Then Dolon, instant, o’er his shoulder slung +His bow elastic, wrapp’d himself around +With a grey wolf-skin, to his head a casque395 +Adjusted, coated o’er with ferret’s felt, +And seizing his sharp javelin, from the host +Turn’d right toward the fleet, but was ordain’d +To disappoint his sender, and to bring +No tidings thence. The throng of Trojan steeds400 +And warriors left, with brisker pace he moved, +When brave Ulysses his approach perceived, +And thus to Diomede his speech address’d. + Tydides! yonder man is from the host; +Either a spy he comes, or with intent405 +To spoil the dead. First, freely let him pass +Few paces, then pursuing him with speed, +Seize on him suddenly; but should he prove +The nimbler of the three, with threatening spear +Enforce him from his camp toward the fleet,410 +Lest he elude us, and escape to Troy. + So they; then, turning from the road oblique, +Among the carcases each laid him down. +Dolon, suspecting nought, ran swiftly by. +[15]But when such space was interposed as mules415 +Plow in a day (for mules the ox surpass +Through fallows deep drawing the ponderous plow) +Both ran toward him. Dolon at the sound +Stood; for he hoped some Trojan friends at hand +From Hector sent to bid him back again.420 +But when within spear’s cast, or less they came, +Knowing them enemies he turn’d to flight +Incontinent, whom they as swift pursued. +As two fleet hounds sharp fang’d, train’d to the chase, +Hang on the rear of flying hind or hare,425 +And drive her, never swerving from the track, +Through copses close; she screaming scuds before; +So Diomede and dread Ulysses him +Chased constant, intercepting his return. +And now, fast-fleeting to the ships, he soon430 +Had reach’d the guard, but Pallas with new force +Inspired Tydides, lest a meaner Greek +Should boast that he had smitten Dolon first, +And Diomede win only second praise. +He poised his lifted spear, and thus exclaim’d.435 + Stand! or my spear shall stop thee. Death impends +At every step; thou canst not ’scape me long. + He said, and threw his spear, but by design, +Err’d from the man. The polish’d weapon swift +O’er-glancing his right shoulder, in the soil440 +Stood fixt, beyond him. Terrified he stood, +Stammering, and sounding through his lips the clash +Of chattering teeth, with visage deadly wan. +They panting rush’d on him, and both his hands +Seized fast; he wept, and suppliant them bespake.445 + Take me alive, and I will pay the price +Of my redemption. I have gold at home, +Brass also, and bright steel, and when report +Of my captivity within your fleet +Shall reach my father, treasures he will give450 +Not to be told, for ransom of his son. + To whom Ulysses politic replied. +Take courage; entertain no thought of death.[16] +But haste! this tell me, and disclose the truth. +Why thus toward the ships comest thou alone455 +From yonder host, by night, while others sleep? +To spoil some carcase? or from Hector sent +A spy of all that passes in the fleet? +Or by thy curiosity impell’d? + Then Dolon, his limbs trembling, thus replied.460 +To my great detriment, and far beyond +My own design, Hector trepann’d me forth, +Who promised me the steeds of Peleus’ son +Illustrious, and his brazen chariot bright. +He bade me, under night’s fast-flitting shades465 +Approach our enemies, a spy, to learn +If still as heretofore, ye station guards +For safety of your fleet, or if subdued +Completely, ye intend immediate flight, +And worn with labor, have no will to watch.470 + To whom Ulysses, smiling, thus replied. +Thou hadst, in truth, an appetite to gifts +Of no mean value, coveting the steeds +Of brave Æacides; but steeds are they +Of fiery sort, difficult to be ruled475 +By force of mortal man, Achilles’ self +Except, whom an immortal mother bore. +But tell me yet again; use no disguise; +Where left’st thou, at thy coming forth, your Chief, +The valiant Hector? where hath he disposed480 +His armor battle-worn, and where his steeds? +What other quar4ers of your host are watch’d? +Where lodge the guard, and what intend ye next? +Still to abide in prospect of the fleet? +Or well-content that ye have thus reduced485 +Achaia’s host, will ye retire to Troy? + To whom this answer Dolon straight returned +Son of Eumedes. With unfeigning truth +Simply and plainly will I utter all. +Hector, with all the Senatorial Chiefs,490 +Beside the tomb of sacred Ilius sits +Consulting, from the noisy camp remote. +But for the guards, Hero! concerning whom +Thou hast inquired, there is no certain watch +And regular appointed o’er the camp;495 +The native[17] Trojans (for _they_ can no less) +Sit sleepless all, and each his next exhorts +To vigilance; but all our foreign aids, +Who neither wives nor children hazard here, +Trusting the Trojans for that service, sleep.500 + To whom Ulysses, ever wise, replied. +How sleep the strangers and allies?—apart? +Or with the Trojans mingled?—I would learn. + So spake Ulysses; to whom Dolon thus, +Son of Eumedes. I will all unfold,505 +And all most truly. By the sea are lodged +The Carians, the Pæonians arm’d with bows, +The Leleges, with the Pelasgian band, +And the Caucones. On the skirts encamp +Of Thymbra, the Mæonians crested high,510 +The Phrygian horsemen, with the Lycian host, +And the bold troop of Mysia’s haughty sons. +But wherefore these inquiries thus minu4e? +For if ye wish to penetrate the host, +These who possess the borders of the camp515 +Farthest removed of all, are Thracian powers +Newly arrived; among them Rhesus sleeps, +Son of Eïoneus, their Chief and King. +His steeds I saw, the fairest by these eyes +Ever beheld, and loftiest; snow itself520 +They pass in whiteness, and in speed the winds, +With gold and silver all his chariot burns, +And he arrived in golden armor clad +Stupendous! little suited to the state +Of mortal man—fit for a God to wear!525 +Now, either lead me to your gallant fleet, +Or where ye find me leave me straitly bound +Till ye return, and after trial made, +Shall know if I have spoken false or true. + + But him brave Diomede with aspect stern530 +Answer’d. Since, Dolon! thou art caught, although +Thy tidings have been good, hope not to live; +For should we now release thee and dismiss, +Thou wilt revisit yet again the fleet +A spy or open foe; but smitten once535 +By this death-dealing arm, thou shall return +To render mischief to the Greeks no more. + He ceased, and Dolon would have stretch’d his hand +Toward his beard, and pleaded hard for life, +But with his falchion, rising to the blow,540 +On the mid-neck he smote him, cutting sheer +Both tendons with a stroke so swift, that ere +His tongue had ceased, his head was in the dust.[18] +They took his helmet clothed with ferret’s felt, +Stripp’d off his wolf-skin, seized his bow and spear,545 +And brave Ulysses lifting in his hand +The trophy to Minerva, pray’d and said: + Hail Goddess; these are thine! for thee of all +Who in Olympus dwell, we will invoke +First to our aid. Now also guide our steps,550 +Propitious, to the Thracian tents and steeds. + He ceased, and at arm’s-length the lifted spoils +Hung on a tamarisk; but mark’d the spot, +Plucking away with handful grasp the reeds +And spreading boughs, lest they should seek the prize555 +Themselves in vain, returning ere the night, +Swift traveller, should have fled before the dawn. +Thence, o’er the bloody champain strew’d with arms +Proceeding, to the Thracian lines they came. +They, wearied, slept profound; beside them lay,560 +In triple order regular arranged, +Their radiant armor, and their steeds in pairs. +Amid them Rhesus slept, and at his side +His coursers, to the outer chariot-ring +Fasten’d secure. Ulysses saw him first,565 +And, seeing, mark’d him out to Diomede. + Behold the man, Tydides! Lo! the steeds +By Dolon specified whom we have slain. +Be quick. Exert thy force. Arm’d as thou art, +Sleep not. Loose thou the steeds, or slaughter thou570 +The Thracians, and the steeds shall be my care. + He ceased; then blue-eyed Pallas with fresh force +Invigor’d Diomede. From side to side +He slew; dread groans arose of dying men +Hewn with the sword, and the earth swam with blood.575 +As if he find a flock unguarded, sheep +Or goats, the lion rushes on his prey, +With such unsparing force Tydides smote +The men of Thrace, till he had slaughter’d twelve; +And whom Tydides with his falchion struck580 +Laertes’ son dragg’d by his feet abroad, +Forecasting that the steeds might pass with ease, +Nor start, as yet uncustom’d to the dead. +But when the son of Tydeus found the King, +Him also panting forth his last, last, breath,585 +He added to the twelve; for at his head +An evil dream that night had stood, the form +Of Diomede, by Pallas’ art devised. +Meantime, the bold Ulysses loosed the steeds, +Which, to each other rein’d, he drove abroad,590 +Smiting them with his bow (for of the scourge +He thought not in the chariot-seat secured) +And as he went, hiss’d, warning Diomede. +But he, projecting still some hardier deed, +Stood doubtful, whether by the pole to draw595 +The chariot thence, laden with gorgeous arms, +Or whether heaving it on high, to bear +The burthen off, or whether yet to take +More Thracian lives; when him with various thoughts +Perplex’d, Minerva, drawing near, bespake.600 + Son of bold Tydeus! think on thy return +To yonder fleet, lest thou depart constrain’d. +Some other God may rouse the powers of Troy. + She ended, and he knew the voice divine. +At once he mounted. With his bow the steeds605 +Ulysses plyed, and to the ships they flew. + Nor look’d the bender of the silver bow, +Apollo, forth in vain, but at the sight +Of Pallas following Diomede incensed, +Descended to the field where numerous most610 +He saw the Trojans, and the Thracian Chief +And counsellor, Hippocoön aroused,[19] +Kinsman of Rhesus, and renown’d in arms. +He, starting from his sleep, soon as he saw +The spot deserted where so lately lay615 +Those fiery coursers, and his warrior friends +Gasping around him, sounded loud the name +Of his loved Rhesus. Instant, at the voice, +Wild stir arose and clamorous uproar +Of fast-assembling Trojans. Deeds they saw—620 +Terrible deeds, and marvellous perform’d, +But not their authors—they had sought the ships. + Meantime arrived where they had slain the spy +Of Hector, there Ulysses, dear to Jove, +The coursers stay’d, and, leaping to the ground,625 +The son of Tydeus in Ulysses’ hands +The arms of Dolon placed foul with his blood, +Then vaulted light into his seat again. +He lash’d the steeds, they, not unwilling, flew +To the deep-bellied barks, as to their home.630 +First Nestor heard the sound, and thus he said. + Friends! Counsellors! and leaders of the Greeks! +False shall I speak, or true?—but speak I must. +The echoing sound of hoofs alarms my ear. +Oh, that Ulysses, and brave Diomede635 +This moment might arrive drawn into camp +By Trojan steeds! But, ah, the dread I feel! +Lest some disaster have for ever quell’d +In yon rude host those noblest of the Greeks. + He hath not ended, when themselves arrived,640 +Both quick dismounted; joy at their return +Fill’d every bosom; each with kind salute +Cordial, and right-hand welcome greeted them, +And first Gerenian Nestor thus inquired. + Oh Chief by all extoll’d, glory of Greece,645 +Ulysses! how have ye these steeds acquired? +In yonder host? or met ye as ye went +Some God who gave them to you? for they show +A lustre dazzling as the beams of day. +Old as I am, I mingle yet in fight650 +With Ilium’s sons—lurk never in the fleet— +Yet saw I at no time, or have remark’d +Steeds such as these; which therefore I believe +Perforce, that ye have gained by gift divine; +For cloud-assembler Jove, and azure-eyed655 +Minerva, Jove’s own daughter, love you both. + To whom Ulysses, thus, discreet, replied. +Neleian Nestor, glory of the Greeks! +A God, so willing, could have given us steeds +Superior, for their bounty knows no bounds.660 +But, venerable Chief! these which thou seest +Are Thracians new-arrived. Their master lies +Slain by the valiant Diomede, with twelve +The noblest of his warriors at his side, +A thirteenth[20] also, at small distance hence665 +We slew, by Hector and the Chiefs of Troy +Sent to inspect the posture of our host. + He said; then, high in exultation, drove +The coursers o’er the trench, and with him pass’d +The glad Achaians; at the spacious tent670 +Of Diomede arrived, with even thongs +They tied them at the cribs where stood the steeds +Of Tydeus’ son, with winnow’d wheat supplied. +Ulysses in his bark the gory spoils +Of Dolon placed, designing them a gift675 +To Pallas. Then, descending to the sea, +Neck, thighs, and legs from sweat profuse they cleansed, +And, so refresh’d and purified, their last +Ablution in bright tepid baths perform’d. +Each thus completely laved, and with smooth oil680 +Anointed, at the well-spread board they sat, +And quaff’d, in honor of Minerva, wine +Delicious, from the brimming beaker drawn. + + +The vividness of the scenes presented to us in this Book constitute its +chief beauty. The reader sees the most natural night-scene in the +world. He is led step by step with the adventurers, and made the +companion of all their expectations and uncertainties. We see the very +color of the sky; know the time to a minute; are impatient while the +heroes are arming; our imagination follows them, knows all their +doubts, and even the secret wishes of their hearts sent up to Minerva. +We are alarmed at the approach of Dolon, hear his very footsteps, +assist the two chiefs in pursuing him, and stop just with the spear +that arrests him. We are perfectly acquainted with the situation of all +the forces, with the figure in which they lie, with the disposition of +Rhesus and the Thracians, with the posture of his chariot and horses. +The marshy spot of ground where Dolon is killed, the tamarisk, or +aquatic plant upon which they hung his spoils, and the reeds that are +heaped together to mark the place, are circumstances the most +picturesque imaginable. + + + + +BOOK XI. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK. + +Agamemnon distinguishes himself. He is wounded, and retires. Diomede is +wounded by Paris; Ulysses by Socus. Ajax with Menelaus flies to the +relief of Ulysses, and Eurypylus, soon after, to the relief of Ajax. +While he is employed in assisting Ajax, he is shot in the thigh by +Paris, who also wounds Machaon. Nestor conveys Machaon from the field. +Achilles dispatches Patroclus to the tent of Nestor, and Nestor takes +that occasion to exhort Patroclus to engage in battle, clothed in the +armor of Achilles. + + +BOOK XI. + + +Aurora from Tithonus’ side arose +With light for heaven and earth, when Jove dispatch’d +Discord, the fiery signal in her hand +Of battle bearing, to the Grecian fleet. +High on Ulysses’ huge black ship she stood5 +The centre of the fleet, whence all might hear, +The tent of Telamon’s huge son between, +And of Achilles; for confiding they +In their heroic fortitude, their barks +Well-poised had station’d utmost of the line.10 +There standing, shrill she sent a cry abroad +Among the Achaians, such as thirst infused +Of battle ceaseless into every breast. +All deem’d, at once, war sweeter, than to seek +Their native country through the waves again.15 +Then with loud voice Atrides bade the Greeks +Gird on their armor, and himself his arms +Took radiant. First around his legs he clasp’d +His shining greaves with silver studs secured, +Then bound his corselet to his bosom, gift20 +Of Cynyras long since;[1] for rumor loud +Had Cyprus reached of an Achaian host +Assembling, destined to the shores of Troy: +Wherefore, to gratify the King of men, +He made the splendid ornament his own.25 +Ten rods of steel cœrulean all around +Embraced it, twelve of gold, twenty of tin; +Six[2] spiry serpents their uplifted heads +Cœrulean darted at the wearer’s throat, +Splendor diffusing as the various bow30 +Fix’d by Saturnian Jove in showery clouds, +A sign to mortal men.[3] He slung his sword +Athwart his shoulders; dazzling bright it shone +With gold emboss’d, and silver was the sheath +Suspended graceful in a belt of gold.35 +His massy shield o’ershadowing him whole, +High-wrought and beautiful, he next assumed. +Ten circles bright of brass around its field +Extensive, circle within circle, ran; +The central boss was black, but hemm’d about40 +With twice ten bosses of resplendent tin. +There, dreadful ornament! the visage dark +Of Gorgon scowl’d, border’d by Flight and Fear. +The loop was silver, and a serpent form +Cœrulean over all its surface twined,45 +Three heads erecting on one neck, the heads +Together wreath’d into a stately crown. +His helmet quâtre-crested,[4] and with studs +Fast riveted around he to his brows +Adjusted, whence tremendous waved his crest50 +Of mounted hair on high. Two spears he seized +Ponderous, brass-pointed, and that flash’d to heaven. +Sounds[5] like clear thunder, by the spouse of Jove +And by Minerva raised to extol the King +Of opulent Mycenæ, roll’d around.55 +At once each bade his charioteer his steeds +Hold fast beside the margin of the trench +In orderly array; the foot all arm’d +Rush’d forward, and the clamor of the host +Rose infinite into the dawning skies.60 +First, at the trench, the embattled infantry[6] +Stood ranged; the chariots follow’d close behind; +Dire was the tumult by Saturnian Jove +Excited, and from ether down he shed +Blood-tinctured dews among them, for he meant65 +That day to send full many a warrior bold +To Pluto’s dreary realm, slain premature. + Opposite, on the rising-ground, appear’d +The Trojans; them majestic Hector led, +Noble Polydamas, Æneas raised70 +To godlike honors in all Trojan hearts, +And Polybus, with whom Antenor’s sons +Agenor, and young Acamas advanced. +Hector the splendid orb of his broad shield +Bore in the van, and as a comet now75 +Glares through the clouds portentous, and again, +Obscured by gloomy vapors, disappears, +So Hector, marshalling his host, in front +Now shone, now vanish’d in the distant rear. +All-cased he flamed in brass, and on the sight80 +Flash’d as the lightnings of Jove Ægis-arm’d. +As reapers, toiling opposite,[7] lay bare +Some rich man’s furrows, while the sever’d grain, +Barley or wheat, sinks as the sickle moves, +So Greeks and Trojans springing into fight85 +Slew mutual; foul retreat alike they scorn’d, +Alike in fierce hostility their heads +Both bore aloft, and rush’d like wolves to war. +Discord, spectatress terrible, that sight +Beheld exulting; she, of all the Gods,90 +Alone was present; not a Power beside +There interfered, but each his bright abode +Quiescent occupied wherever built +Among the windings of the Olympian heights; +Yet blamed they all the storm-assembler King95 +Saturnian, for his purposed aid to Troy. +The eternal father reck’d not; he, apart, +Seated in solitary pomp, enjoy’d +His glory, and from on high the towers survey’d +Of Ilium and the fleet of Greece, the flash100 +Of gleaming arms, the slayer and the slain. + While morning lasted, and the light of day +Increased, so long the weapons on both sides +Flew in thick vollies, and the people fell. +But, what time his repast the woodman spreads105 +In some umbrageous vale, his sinewy arms +Wearied with hewing many a lofty tree, +And his wants satisfied, he feels at length +The pinch of appetite to pleasant food,[8] +Then was it, that encouraging aloud110 +Each other, in their native virtue strong, +The Grecians through the phalanx burst of Troy. +Forth sprang the monarch first; he slew the Chief +Bianor, nor himself alone, but slew +Oïleus also driver of his steeds.115 +Oïleus, with a leap alighting, rush’d +On Agamemnon; he his fierce assault +Encountering, with a spear met full his front. +Nor could his helmet’s ponderous brass sustain +That force, but both his helmet and his skull120 +It shatter’d, and his martial rage repress’d. +The King of men, stripping their corselets, bared +Their shining breasts, and left them. Isus, next, +And Antiphus he flew to slay, the sons +Of Priam both, and in one chariot borne,125 +This spurious, genuine that. The bastard drove, +And Antiphus, a warrior high-renown’d, +Fought from the chariot; them Achilles erst +Feeding their flocks on Ida had surprised +And bound with osiers, but for ransom loosed.130 +Of these, imperial Agamemnon, first, +Above the pap pierced Isus; next, he smote +Antiphus with his sword beside the ear, +And from his chariot cast him to the ground. +Conscious of both, their glittering arms he stripp’d,135 +For he had seen them when from Ida’s heights +Achilles led them to the Grecian fleet. +As with resistless fangs the lion breaks +The young in pieces of the nimble hind, +Entering her lair, and takes their feeble lives;140 +She, though at hand, can yield them no defence, +But through the thick wood, wing’d with terror, starts +Herself away, trembling at such a foe; +So them the Trojans had no power to save, +Themselves all driven before the host of Greece.145 +Next, on Pisandrus, and of dauntless heart +Hippolochus he rush’d; they were the sons +Of brave Antimachus, who with rich gifts +By Paris bought, inflexible withheld +From Menelaus still his lovely bride.150 +His sons, the monarch, in one chariot borne +Encounter’d; they (for they had lost the reins) +With trepidation and united force +Essay’d to check the steeds; astonishment +Seized both; Atrides with a lion’s rage155 +Came on, and from the chariot thus they sued. + Oh spare us! son of Atreus, and accept +Ransom immense. Antimachus our sire +Is rich in various treasure, gold and brass, +And temper’d steel, and, hearing the report160 +That in Achaia’s fleet his sons survive, +He will requite thee with a glorious price. + So they, with tears and gentle terms the King +Accosted, but no gentle answer heard. + Are ye indeed the offspring of the Chief165 +Antimachus, who when my brother once +With godlike Laertiades your town +Enter’d ambassador, his death advised +In council, and to let him forth no more? +Now rue ye both the baseness of your sire.170 + He said, and from his chariot to the plain +Thrust down Pisandrus, piercing with keen lance +His bosom, and supine he smote the field. +Down leap’d Hippolochus, whom on the ground +He slew, cut sheer his hands, and lopp’d his head,175 +And roll’d it like a mortar[9] through the ranks. +He left the slain, and where he saw the field +With thickest battle cover’d, thither flew +By all the Grecians follow’d bright in arms. +The scatter’d infantry constrained to fly,180 +Fell by the infantry; the charioteers, +While with loud hoofs their steeds the dusty soil +Excited, o’er the charioteers their wheels +Drove brazen-fellied, and the King of men +Incessant slaughtering, called his Argives[10] on.185 +As when fierce flames some ancient forest seize, +From side to side in flakes the various wind +Rolls them, and to the roots devour’d, the trunks +Fall prostrate under fury of the fire, +So under Agamemnon fell the heads190 +Of flying Trojans. Many a courser proud +The empty chariots through the paths of war +Whirl’d rattling, of their charioteers deprived; +They breathless press’d the plain, now fitter far +To feed the vultures than to cheer their wives.195 + Conceal’d, meantime, by Jove, Hector escaped +The dust, darts, deaths, and tumult of the field; +And Agamemnon to the swift pursuit +Call’d loud the Grecians. Through the middle plain +Beside the sepulchre of Ilus, son200 +Of Dardanus, and where the fig-tree stood, +The Trojans flew, panting to gain the town, +While Agamemnon pressing close the rear, +Shout after shout terrific sent abroad, +And his victorious hands reek’d, red with gore.205 +But at the beech-tree and the Scæan gate +Arrived, the Trojans halted, waiting there +The rearmost fugitives; they o’er the field +Came like a herd, which in the dead of night +A lion drives; all fly, but one is doom’d210 +To death inevitable; her with jaws +True to their hold he seizes, and her neck +Breaking, embowels her, and laps the blood; +So, Atreus’ royal son, the hindmost still +Slaying, and still pursuing, urged them on.215 +Many supine, and many prone, the field +Press’d, by the son of Atreus in their flight +Dismounted; for no weapon raged as his. +But now, at last, when he should soon have reach’d +The lofty walls of Ilium, came the Sire220 +Of Gods and men descending from the skies, +And on the heights of Ida fountain-fed, +Sat arm’d with thunders. Calling to his foot +Swift Iris golden-pinion’d, thus he spake. + Iris! away. Thus speak in Hector’s ears.225 +While yet he shall the son of Atreus see +Fierce warring in the van, and mowing down +The Trojan ranks, so long let him abstain +From battle, leaving to his host the task +Of bloody contest furious with the Greeks.230 +But soon as Atreus’ son by spear or shaft +Wounded shall climb his chariot, with such force +I will endue Hector, that he shall slay +Till he have reach’d the ships, and till, the sun +Descending, sacred darkness cover all.235 + He spake, nor rapid Iris disobey’d +Storm-wing’d ambassadress, but from the heights +Of Ida stoop’d to Ilium. There she found +The son of royal Priam by the throng +Of chariots and of steeds compass’d about240 +She, standing at his side, him thus bespake. + Oh, son of Priam! as the Gods discreet! +I bring thee counsel from the Sire of all. +While yet thou shalt the son of Atreus see +Fierce warring in the van, and mowing down245 +The warrior ranks, so long he bids thee pause +From battle, leaving to thy host the task +Of bloody contest furious with the Greeks. +But soon as Atreus’ son, by spear or shaft +Wounded, shall climb his chariot, Jove will then250 +Endue thee with such force, that thou shalt slay +Till thou have reach’d the ships, and till, the sun +Descending, sacred darkness cover all. + So saying, swift-pinion’d Iris disappear’d. +Then Hector from his chariot at a leap255 +Came down all arm’d, and, shaking his bright spears, +Ranged every quarter, animating loud +The legions, and rekindling horrid war. +Back roll’d the Trojan ranks, and faced the Greeks; +The Greeks their host to closer phalanx drew;260 +The battle was restored, van fronting van +They stood, and Agamemnon into fight +Sprang foremost, panting for superior fame. + Say now, ye Nine, who on Olympus dwell! +What Trojan first, or what ally of Troy265 +Opposed the force of Agamemnon’s arm? +Iphidamas, Antenor’s valiant son, +Of loftiest stature, who in fertile Thrace +Mother of flocks was nourish’d, Cisseus him +His grandsire, father of Theano praised270 +For loveliest features, in his own abode +Rear’d yet a child, and when at length he reach’d +The measure of his glorious manhood firm +Dismiss’d him not, but, to engage him more, +Gave him his daughter. Wedded, he his bride275 +As soon deserted, and with galleys twelve +Following the rumor’d voyage of the Greeks, +The same course steer’d; but at Percope moor’d, +And marching thence, arrived on foot at Troy. +He first opposed Atrides. They approach’d.280 +The spear of Agamemnon wander’d wide; +But him Iphidamas on his broad belt +Beneath the corselet struck, and, bearing still +On his spear-beam, enforced it; but ere yet +He pierced the broider’d zone, his point, impress’d285 +Against the silver, turn’d, obtuse as lead. +Then royal Agamemnon in his hand +The weapon grasping, with a lion’s rage +Home drew it to himself, and from his gripe +Wresting it, with his falchion keen his neck290 +Smote full, and stretch’d him lifeless at his foot. +So slept Iphidamas among the slain; +Unhappy! from his virgin bride remote, +Associate with the men of Troy in arms +He fell, and left her beauties unenjoy’d.295 +He gave her much, gave her a hundred beeves, +And sheep and goats a thousand from his flocks +Promised, for numberless his meadows ranged; +But Agamemnon, son of Atreus, him +Slew and despoil’d, and through the Grecian host300 +Proceeded, laden with his gorgeous arms. +Coön that sight beheld, illustrious Chief, +Antenor’s eldest born, but with dim eyes +Through anguish for his brother’s fall. Unseen +Of noble Agamemnon, at his side305 +He cautious stood, and with a spear his arm, +Where thickest flesh’d, below his elbow, pierced, +Till opposite the glittering point appear’d. +A thrilling horror seized the King of men +So wounded; yet though wounded so, from fight310 +He ceased not, but on Coön rush’d, his spear +Grasping, well-thriven growth[11] of many a wind. +He by the foot drew off Iphidamas, +His brother, son of his own sire, aloud +Calling the Trojan leaders to his aid;315 +When him so occupied with his keen point +Atrides pierced his bossy shield beneath. +Expiring on Iphidamas he fell +Prostrate, and Agamemnon lopp’d his head. +Thus, under royal Agamemnon’s hand,320 +Antenor’s sons their destiny fulfill’d, +And to the house of Ades journey’d both. +Through other ranks of warriors then he pass’d, +Now with his spear, now with his falchion arm’d, +And now with missile force of massy stones,325 +While yet his warm blood sallied from the wound. +But when the wound grew dry, and the blood ceased, +Anguish intolerable undermined +Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son. +As when a laboring woman’s arrowy throes330 +Seize her intense, by Juno’s daughters dread +The birth-presiding Ilithyæ deep +Infixt, dispensers of those pangs severe; +So, anguish insupportable subdued +Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son.335 +Up-springing to his seat, instant he bade +His charioteer drive to the hollow barks, +Heart-sick himself with pain; yet, ere he went, +With voice loud-echoing hail’d the Danaï. + Friends! counsellors and leaders of the Greeks!340 +Now drive, yourselves, the battle from your ships. +For me the Gods permit not to employ +In fight with Ilium’s host the day entire. + He ended, and the charioteer his steeds +Lash’d to the ships; they not unwilling flew,345 +Bearing from battle the afflicted King +With foaming chests and bellies grey with dust. +Soon Hector, noting his retreat, aloud +Call’d on the Trojans and allies of Troy. + Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons350 +Of Dardanus! oh summon all your might; +Now, now be men! Their bravest is withdrawn! +Glory and honor from Saturnian Jove +On me attend; now full against the Greeks +Drive all your steeds, and win a deathless name.355 + He spake—and all drew courage from his word. +As when his hounds bright-tooth’d some hunter cheers +Against the lion or the forest-boar, +So Priameïan Hector cheer’d his host +Magnanimous against the sons of Greece,360 +Terrible as gore-tainted Mars. Among +The foremost warriors, with success elate +He strode, and flung himself into the fight +Black as a storm which sudden from on high +Descending, furrows deep the gloomy flood.365 + Then whom slew Priameïan Hector first, +Whom last, by Jove, that day, with glory crown’d? +Assæus, Dolops, Orus, Agelaüs, +Autonoüs, Hipponoüs, Æsymnus, +Opheltius and Opites first he slew,370 +All leaders of the Greeks, and, after these, +The people. As when whirlwinds of the West +A storm encounter from the gloomy South, +The waves roll multitudinous, and the foam +Upswept by wandering gusts fills all the air,375 +So Hector swept the Grecians. Then defeat +Past remedy and havoc had ensued, +Then had the routed Grecians, flying, sought +Their ships again, but that Ulysses[12] thus +Summon’d the brave Tydides to his aid.380 + Whence comes it, Diomede, that we forget +Our wonted courage? Hither, O my friend! +And, fighting at my side, ward off the shame +That must be ours, should Hector seize the fleet. + To whom the valiant Diomede replied.385 +I will be firm; trust me thou shalt not find +Me shrinking; yet small fruit of our attempts +Shall follow, for the Thunderer, not to us, +But to the Trojan, gives the glorious day. + The Hero spake, and from his chariot cast390 +Thymbræus to the ground pierced through the pap, +While by Ulysses’ hand his charioteer +Godlike Molion, fell. The warfare thus +Of both for ever closed, them there they left, +And plunging deep into the warrior-throng395 +Troubled the multitude. As when two boars +Turn desperate on the close-pursuing hounds, +So they, returning on the host of Troy, +Slew on all sides, and overtoil’d with flight +From Hector’s arm, the Greeks meantime respired.400 +Two warriors, next, their chariot and themselves +They took, plebeians brave, sons of the seer +Percosian Merops in prophetic skill +Surpassing all; he both his sons forbad +The mortal field, but disobedient they405 +Still sought it, for their destiny prevail’d. +Spear-practised Diomede of life deprived +Both these, and stripp’d them of their glorious arms, +While by Ulysses’ hand Hippodamus +Died and Hypeirochus. And now the son410 +Of Saturn, looking down from Ida, poised +The doubtful war, and mutual deaths they dealt. +Tydides plunged his spear into the groin +Of the illustrious son of Pæon, bold +Agastrophus. No steeds at his command415 +Had he, infatuate! but his charioteer +His steeds detain’d remote, while through the van +Himself on foot rush’d madly till he fell. +But Hector through the ranks darting his eye +Perceived, and with ear-piercing cries advanced420 +Against them, follow’d by the host of Troy. +The son of Tydeus, shuddering, his approach +Discern’d, and instant to Ulysses spake.[13] + Now comes the storm! This way the mischief rolls! +Stand and repulse the Trojan. Now be firm.425 + He said, and hurling his long-shadow’d beam +Smote Hector. At his helmet’s crown he aim’d, +Nor err’d, but brass encountering brass, the point +Glanced wide, for he had cased his youthful brows +In triple brass, Apollo’s glorious gift.430 +Yet with rapidity at such a shock +Hector recoil’d into the multitude +Afar, where sinking to his knees, he lean’d +On his broad palm, and darkness veil’d his eyes. +But while Tydides follow’d through the van435 +His stormy spear, which in the distant soil +Implanted stood, Hector his scatter’d sense +Recovering, to his chariot sprang again, +And, diving deep into his host, escaped. +The noble son of Tydeus, spear in hand,440 +Rush’d after him, and as he went, exclaim’d. + Dog! thou hast now escaped; but, sure the stroke +Approach’d thee nigh, well-aim’d. Once more thy prayers +Which ever to Apollo thou prefer’st +Entering the clash of battle, have prevail’d,445 +And he hath rescued thee. But well beware +Our next encounter, for if also me +Some God befriend, thou diest. Now will I seek +Another mark, and smite whom next I may. + He spake, and of his armor stripp’d the son450 +Spear-famed of Pæon. Meantime Paris, mate +Of beauteous Helen, drew his bow against +Tydides; by a pillar of the tomb +Of Ilus, ancient senator revered, +Conceal’d he stood, and while the Hero loosed455 +His corselet from the breast of Pæon’s son +Renown’d, and of his helmet and his targe +Despoil’d him; Paris, arching quick his bow, +No devious shaft dismiss’d, but his right foot +Pierced through the sole, and fix’d it to the ground.460 +Transported from his ambush forth he leap’d +With a loud laugh, and, vaunting, thus exclaim’d: + Oh shaft well shot! it galls thee. Would to heaven +That it had pierced thy heart, and thou hadst died! +So had the Trojans respite from their toils465 +Enjoy’d, who, now, shudder at sight of thee +Like she-goats when the lion is at hand. + To whom, undaunted, Diomede replied. +Archer shrew-tongued! spie-maiden! man of curls![14] +Shouldst thou in arms attempt me face to face,470 +Thy bow and arrows should avail thee nought. +Vain boaster! thou hast scratch’d my foot—no more— +And I regard it as I might the stroke +Of a weak woman or a simple child. +The weapons of a dastard and a slave475 +Are ever such. More terrible are mine, +And whom they pierce, though slightly pierced, he dies. +His wife her cheeks rends inconsolable, +His babes are fatherless, his blood the glebe +Incarnadines, and where he bleeds and rots480 +More birds of prey than women haunt the place. + He ended, and Ulysses, drawing nigh, +Shelter’d Tydides; he behind the Chief +Of Ithaca sat drawing forth the shaft, +But pierced with agonizing pangs the while.485 +Then, climbing to his chariot-seat, he bade +Sthenelus hasten to the hollow ships, +Heart-sick with pain. And now alone was seen +Spear-famed Ulysses; not an Argive more +Remain’d, so universal was the rout,490 +And groaning, to his own great heart he said. + Alas! what now awaits me? If, appall’d +By multitudes, I fly, much detriment; +And if alone they intercept me here, +Still more; for Jove hath scatter’d all the host,495 +Yet why these doubts! for know I not of old +That only dastards fly, and that the voice +Of honor bids the famed in battle stand, +Bleed they themselves, or cause their foes to bleed? + While busied in such thought he stood, the ranks500 +Of Trojans fronted with broad shields, enclosed +The hero with a ring, hemming around +Their own destruction. As when dogs, and swains +In prime of manhood, from all quarters rush +Around a boar, he from his thicket bolts,505 +The bright tusk whetting in his crooked jaws: +They press him on all sides, and from beneath +Loud gnashings hear, yet firm, his threats defy; +Like them the Trojans on all sides assail’d +Ulysses dear to Jove. First with his spear510 +He sprang impetuous on a valiant chief, +Whose shoulder with a downright point he pierced, +Deïopites; Thoön next he slew, +And Ennomus, and from his coursers’ backs +Alighting quick, Chersidamas; beneath515 +His bossy shield the gliding weapon pass’d +Right through his navel; on the plain he fell +Expiring, and with both hands clench’d the dust. +Them slain he left, and Charops wounded next, +Brother of Socus, generous Chief, and son520 +Of Hippasus; brave Socus to the aid +Of Charops flew, and, godlike, thus began. + Illustrious chief, Ulysses! strong to toil +And rich in artifice! Or boast to-day +Two sons of Hippasus, brave warriors both,525 +Of armor and of life bereft by thee, +Or to my vengeful spear resign thy own! + So saying, Ulysses’ oval disk he smote. +Through his bright disk the stormy weapon flew, +Transpierced his twisted mail, and from his side530 +Drove all the skin, but to his nobler parts +Found entrance none, by Pallas turn’d aslant.[15] +Ulysses, conscious of his life untouch’d, +Retired a step from Socus, and replied. + Ah hapless youth; thy fate is on the wing;535 +Me thou hast forced indeed to cease a while +From battle with the Trojans, but I speak +Thy death at hand; for vanquish’d by my spear, +This self-same day thou shalt to me resign +Thy fame, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.540 + He ceased; then Socus turn’d his back to fly, +But, as he turn’d, his shoulder-blades between +He pierced him, and the spear urged through his breast. +On his resounding arms he fell, and thus +Godlike Ulysses gloried in his fall.545 + Ah, Socus, son of Hippasus, a chief +Of fame equestrian! swifter far than thou +Death follow’d thee, and thou hast not escaped. +Ill-fated youth! thy parents’ hands thine eyes +Shall never close, but birds of ravenous maw550 +Shall tear thee, flapping thee with frequent wing, +While me the noble Grecians shall entomb! + So saying, the valiant Socus’ spear he drew +From his own flesh, and through his bossy shield. +The weapon drawn, forth sprang the blood, and left555 +His spirit faint. Then Ilium’s dauntless sons, +Seeing Ulysses’ blood, exhorted glad +Each other, and, with force united, all +Press’d on him. He, retiring, summon’d loud +His followers. Thrice, loud as mortal may,560 +He call’d, and valiant Menelaus thrice +Hearing the voice, to Ajax thus remark’d. + Illustrious son of Telamon! The voice +Of Laertiades comes o’er my ear +With such a sound, as if the hardy chief,565 +Abandon’d of his friends, were overpower’d +By numbers intercepting his retreat. +Haste! force we quick a passage through the ranks. +His worth demands our succor, for I fear +Lest sole conflicting with the host of Troy,570 +Brave as he is, he perish, to the loss +Unspeakable and long regret of Greece. + So saying, he went, and Ajax, godlike Chief, +Follow’d him. At the voice arrived, they found +Ulysses Jove-beloved compass’d about575 +By Trojans, as the lynxes in the hills, +Adust for blood, compass an antler’d stag +Pierced by an archer; while his blood is warm +And his limbs pliable, from him he ’scapes; +But when the feather’d barb hath quell’d his force,580 +In some dark hollow of the mountain’s side, +The hungry troop devour him; chance, the while, +Conducts a lion thither, before whom +All vanish, and the lion feeds alone; +So swarm’d the Trojan powers, numerous and bold,585 +Around Ulysses, who with wary skill +Heroic combated his evil day. +But Ajax came, cover’d with his broad shield +That seem’d a tower, and at Ulysses’ side +Stood fast; then fled the Trojans wide-dispersed,590 +And Menelaus led him by the hand +Till his own chariot to his aid approach’d. +But Ajax, springing on the Trojans, slew +Doryclus, from the loins of Priam sprung, +But spurious. Pandocus he wounded next,595 +Then wounded Pyrasus, and after him +Pylartes and Lysander. As a flood +Runs headlong from the mountains to the plain +After long showers from Jove; many a dry oak +And many a pine the torrent sweeps along,600 +And, turbid, shoots much soil into the sea, +So, glorious Ajax troubled wide the field, +Horse and man slaughtering, whereof Hector yet +Heard not; for on the left of all the war +He fought beside Scamander, where around605 +Huge Nestor, and Idomeneus the brave, +Most deaths were dealt, and loudest roar’d the fight. +There Hector toil’d, feats wonderful of spear +And horsemanship achieving, and the lines +Of many a phalanx desolating wide.610 +Nor even then had the bold Greeks retired, +But that an arrow triple-barb’d, dispatch’d +By Paris, Helen’s mate, against the Chief +Machaon warring with distinguish’d force, +Pierced his right shoulder. For his sake alarm’d,615 +The valor-breathing Grecians fear’d, lest he +In that disast’rous field should also fall.[16] +At once, Idomeneus of Crete approach’d +The noble Nestor, and him thus bespake. + Arise, Neleian Nestor! Pride of Greece!620 +Ascend thy chariot, and Machaon placed +Beside thee, bear him, instant to the fleet. +For one, so skill’d in medicine, and to free +The inherent barb, is worth a multitude. + He said, nor the Gerenian hero old625 +Aught hesitated, but into his seat +Ascended, and Machaon, son renown’d +Of Æsculapius, mounted at his side. +He lash’d the steeds, they not unwilling sought +The hollow ships, long their familiar home.630 + Cebriones, meantime, the charioteer +Of Hector, from his seat the Trojan ranks +Observing sore discomfited, began. + Here are we busied, Hector! on the skirts +Of roaring battle, and meantime I see635 +Our host confused, their horses and themselves +All mingled. Telamonian Ajax there +Routs them; I know the hero by his shield. +Haste, drive we thither, for the carnage most +Of horse and foot conflicting furious, there640 +Rages, and infinite the shouts arise. + He said, and with shrill-sounding scourge the steeds +Smote ample-maned; they, at the sudden stroke +Through both hosts whirl’d the chariot, shields and men +Trampling; with blood the axle underneath645 +All redden’d, and the chariot-rings with drops +From the horse-hoofs, and from the fellied wheels. +Full on the multitude he drove, on fire +To burst the phalanx, and confusion sent +Among the Greeks, for nought[17] he shunn’d the spear.650 +All quarters else with falchion or with lance, +Or with huge stones he ranged, but cautious shunn’d +The encounter of the Telamonian Chief. + But the eternal father throned on high +With fear fill’d Ajax; panic-fixt he stood,655 +His seven-fold shield behind his shoulder cast, +And hemm’d by numbers, with an eye askant, +Watchful retreated. As a beast of prey +Retiring, turns and looks, so he his face +Turn’d oft, retiring slow, and step by step.660 +As when the watch-dogs and assembled swains +Have driven a tawny lion from the stalls, +Then, interdicting him his wish’d repast, +Watch all the night, he, famish’d, yet again +Comes furious on, but speeds not, kept aloof665 +By frequent spears from daring hands, but more +By flash of torches, which, though fierce, he dreads, +Till, at the dawn, sullen he stalks away; +So from before the Trojans Ajax stalk’d +Sullen, and with reluctance slow retired.670 +His brave heart trembling for the fleet of Greece. +As when (the boys o’erpower’d) a sluggish ass, +On whose tough sides they have spent many a staff, +Enters the harvest, and the spiry ears +Crops persevering; with their rods the boys675 +Still ply him hard, but all their puny might +Scarce drives him forth when he hath browsed his fill, +So, there, the Trojans and their foreign aids +With glittering lances keen huge Ajax urged, +His broad shield’s centre smiting.[18] He, by turns,680 +With desperate force the Trojan phalanx dense +Facing, repulsed them, and by turns he fled, +But still forbad all inroad on the fleet. +Trojans and Greeks between, alone, he stood +A bulwark. Spears from daring hands dismiss’d685 +Some, piercing his broad shield, there planted stood, +While others, in the midway falling, spent +Their disappointed rage deep in the ground. + + Eurypylus, Evæmon’s noble son, +Him seeing, thus, with weapons overwhelmed690 +Flew to his side, his glittering lance dismiss’d, +And Apisaon, son of Phausias, struck +Under the midriff; through his liver pass’d +The ruthless point, and, falling, he expired. +Forth sprang Eurypylus to seize the spoil;695 +Whom soon as godlike Alexander saw +Despoiling Apisaon of his arms, +Drawing incontinent his bow, he sent +A shaft to his right thigh; the brittle reed +Snapp’d, and the rankling barb stuck fast within.700 +Terrified at the stroke, the wounded Chief +To his own band retired, but, as he went, +With echoing voice call’d on the Danaï— + Friends! Counsellors, and leaders of the Greeks! +Turn ye and stand, and from his dreadful lot705 +Save Ajax whelm’d with weapons; ’scape, I judge, +He cannot from the roaring fight, yet oh +Stand fast around him; if save ye may, +Your champion huge, the Telamonian Chief! + So spake the wounded warrior. They at once710 +With sloping bucklers, and with spears erect, +To his relief approach’d. Ajax with joy +The friendly phalanx join’d, then turn’d and stood. + Thus burn’d the embattled field as with the flames +Of a devouring fire. Meantime afar715 +From all that tumult the Neleian mares +Bore Nestor, foaming as they ran, with whom +Machaon also rode, leader revered. +Achilles mark’d him passing; for he stood +Exalted on his huge ship’s lofty stern,720 +Spectator of the toil severe, and flight +Deplorable of the defeated Greeks. +He call’d his friend Patroclus. He below +Within his tent the sudden summons heard +And sprang like Mars abroad, all unaware725 +That in that sound he heard the voice of fate. +Him first Menœtius’ gallant son address’d. + What would Achilles? Wherefore hath he call’d? +To whom Achilles swiftest of the swift: + Brave Menœtiades! my soul’s delight!730 +Soon will the Grecians now my knees surround +Suppliant, by dread extremity constrain’d. +But fly Patroclus, haste, oh dear to Jove! +Inquire of Nestor, whom he hath convey’d +From battle, wounded? Viewing him behind,735 +I most believed him Æsculapius’ son +Machaon, but the steeds so swiftly pass’d +My galley, that his face escaped my note.[19] + He said, and prompt to gratify his friend, +Forth ran Patroclus through the camp of Greece.740 + Now when Neleian Nestor to his tent +Had brought Machaon, they alighted both, +And the old hero’s friend Eurymedon +Released the coursers. On the beach awhile +Their tunics sweat-imbued in the cool air745 +They ventilated, facing full the breeze, +Then on soft couches in the tent reposed. +Meantime, their beverage Hecamede mix’d, +The old King’s bright-hair’d captive, whom he brought +From Tenedos, what time Achilles sack’d750 +The city, daughter of the noble Chief +Arsinoüs, and selected from the rest +For Nestor, as the honorable meed +Of counsels always eminently wise. +She, first, before them placed a table bright,755 +With feet cœrulean; thirst-provoking sauce +She brought them also in a brazen tray, +Garlic[20] and honey new, and sacred meal. +Beside them, next, she placed a noble cup +Of labor exquisite, which from his home760 +The ancient King had brought with golden studs +Embellish’d; it presented to the grasp +Four ears; two golden turtles, perch’d on each, +Seem’d feeding, and two turtles[21] form’d the base. +That cup once fill’d, all others must have toil’d765 +To move it from the board, but it was light +In Nestor’s hand; he lifted it with ease.[22] +The graceful virgin in that cup a draught +Mix’d for them, Pramnian wine and savory cheese +Of goat’s milk, grated with a brazen rasp,770 +Then sprinkled all with meal. The draught prepared, +She gave it to their hand; they, drinking, slaked +Their fiery thirst, and with each other sat +Conversing friendly, when the godlike youth +By brave Achilles sent, stood at the door.775 + Him seeing, Nestor from his splendid couch +Arose, and by the hand leading him in, +Entreated him to sit, but that request +Patroclus, on his part refusing, said, + Oh venerable King! no seat is here780 +For me, nor may thy courtesy prevail. +He is irascible, and to be fear’d +Who bade me ask what Chieftain thou hast brought +From battle, wounded; but untold I learn; +I see Machaon, and shall now report785 +As I have seen; oh ancient King revered! +Thou know’st Achilles fiery, and propense +Blame to impute even where blame is none. + + To whom the brave Gerenian thus replied. +Why feels Achilles for the wounded Greeks790 +Such deep concern? He little knows the height +To which our sorrows swell. Our noblest lie +By spear or arrow wounded in the fleet. +Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds, +Gall’d by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief,795 +And Agamemnon[23] suffer by the spear; +Eurypylus is shot into the thigh, +And here lies still another newly brought +By me from fight, pierced also by a shaft. +What then? How strong soe’er to give them aid,800 +Achilles feels no pity of the Greeks. +Waits he till every vessel on the shore +Fired, in despite of the whole Argive host, +Be sunk in its own ashes, and ourselves +All perish, heaps on heaps? For in my limbs805 +No longer lives the agility of my youth. +Oh, for the vigor of those days again, +When Elis, for her cattle which we took, +Strove with us and Itymoneus I slew, +Brave offspring of Hypirochus; he dwelt810 +In Elis, and while I the pledges drove, +Stood for his herd, but fell among the first +By a spear hurl’d from my victorious arm. +Then fled the rustic multitude, and we +Drove off abundant booty from the plain,815 +Herds fifty of fat beeves, large flocks of goats +As many, with as many sheep and swine, +And full thrice fifty mares of brightest hue, +All breeders, many with their foals beneath. +All these, by night returning safe, we drove820 +Into Neleian Pylus, and the heart +Rejoiced of Neleus, in a son so young +A warrior, yet enrich’d with such a prize. +At early dawn the heralds summon’d loud +The citizens, to prove their just demands825 +On fruitful Elis, and the assembled Chiefs +Division made (for numerous were the debts +Which the Epeans, in the weak estate +Of the unpeopled Pylus, had incurr’d; +For Hercules, few years before, had sack’d[24]830 +Our city, and our mightiest slain. Ourselves +The gallant sons of Neleus, were in all +Twelve youths, of whom myself alone survived; +The rest all perish’d; whence, presumptuous grown, +The brazen-mail’d Epeans wrong’d us oft).835 +A herd of beeves my father for himself +Selected, and a numerous flock beside, +Three hundred sheep, with shepherds for them all. +For he a claimant was of large arrears +From sacred Elis. Four unrivall’d steeds840 +With his own chariot to the games he sent, +That should contend for the appointed prize +A tripod; but Augeias, King of men, +Detain’d the steeds, and sent the charioteer +Defrauded home. My father, therefore, fired845 +At such foul outrage both of deeds and words, +Took much, and to the Pylians gave the rest +For satisfaction of the claims of all. +While thus we busied were in these concerns, +And in performance of religious rites850 +Throughout the city, came the Epeans arm’d, +Their whole vast multitude both horse and foot +On the third day; came also clad in brass +The two Molions, inexpert as yet +In feats of arms, and of a boyish age.855 +There is a city on a mountain’s head, +Fast by the banks of Alpheus, far remote, +The utmost town which sandy Pylus owns, +Named Thryoëssa, and, with ardor fired +To lay it waste, that city they besieged.860 +Now when their host had traversed all the plain, +Minerva from Olympus flew by night +And bade us arm; nor were the Pylians slow +To assemble, but impatient for the fight. +Me, then, my father suffer’d not to arm,865 +But hid my steeds, for he supposed me raw +As yet, and ignorant how war is waged. +Yet, even thus, unvantaged and on foot, +Superior honors I that day acquired +To theirs who rode, for Pallas led me on870 +Herself to victory. There is a stream +Which at Arena falls into the sea, +Named Minuëius; on that river’s bank +The Pylian horsemen waited day’s approach, +And thither all our foot came pouring down.875 +The flood divine of Alpheus thence we reach’d +At noon, all arm’d complete; there, hallow’d rites +We held to Jove omnipotent, and slew +A bull to sacred Alpheus, with a bull +To Neptune, and a heifer of the herd880 +To Pallas; then, all marshall’d as they were, +From van to rear our legions took repast, +And at the river’s side slept on their arms. +Already the Epean host had round +Begirt the city, bent to lay it waste,885 +A task which cost them, first, both blood and toil, +For when the radiant sun on the green earth +Had risen, with prayer to Pallas and to Jove, +We gave them battle. When the Pylian host +And the Epeans thus were close engaged,890 +I first a warrior slew, Mulius the brave, +And seized his coursers. He the eldest-born +Of King Augeias’ daughters had espoused +The golden Agamede; not an herb +The spacious earth yields but she knew its powers,895 +Him, rushing on me, with my brazen lance +I smote, and in the dust he fell; I leap’d +Into his seat, and drove into the van. +A panic seized the Epeans when they saw +The leader of their horse o’erthrown, a Chief900 +Surpassing all in fight. Black as a cloud +With whirlwind fraught, I drove impetuous on, +Took fifty chariots, and at side of each +Lay two slain warriors, with their teeth the soil +Grinding, all vanquish’d by my single arm.905 +I had slain also the Molions, sons +Of Actor, but the Sovereign of the deep +Their own authentic Sire, in darkness dense +Involving both, convey’d them safe away. +Then Jove a victory of prime renown910 +Gave to the Pylians; for we chased and slew +And gather’d spoil o’er all the champain spread +With scatter’d shields, till we our steeds had driven +To the Buprasian fields laden with corn, +To the Olenian rock, and to a town915 +In fair Colona situate, and named +Alesia. There it was that Pallas turn’d +Our people homeward; there I left the last +Of all the slain, and he was slain by me. +Then drove the Achaians from Buprasium home920 +Their coursers fleet, and Jove, of Gods above, +Received most praise, Nestor of men below. + Such once was I. But brave Achilles shuts +His virtues close, an unimparted store; +Yet even he shall weep, when all the host,925 +His fellow-warriors once, shall be destroy’d. +But recollect, young friend! the sage advice +Which when thou earnest from Phthia to the aid +Of Agamemnon, on that selfsame day +Menœtius gave thee. We were present there,930 +Ulysses and myself, both in the house, +And heard it all; for to the house we came +Of Peleus in our journey through the land +Of fertile Greece, gathering her states to war. +We found thy noble sire Menœtius there,935 +Thee and Achilles; ancient Peleus stood +To Jove the Thunderer offering in his court +Thighs of an ox, and on the blazing rites +Libation pouring from a cup of gold. +While ye on preparation of the feast940 +Attended both, Ulysses and myself +Stood in the vestibule; Achilles flew +Toward us, introduced us by the hand, +And, seating us, such liberal portion gave +To each, as hospitality requires.945 +Our thirst, at length, and hunger both sufficed, +I, foremost speaking, ask’d you to the wars, +And ye were eager both, but from your sires +Much admonition, ere ye went, received. +Old Peleus charged Achilles to aspire950 +To highest praise, and always to excel. +But thee, thy sire Menœtius thus advised. +“My son! Achilles boasts the nobler birth, +But thou art elder; he in strength excels +Thee far; thou, therefore, with discretion rule955 +His inexperience; thy advice impart +With gentleness; instruction wise suggest +Wisely, and thou shalt find him apt to learn.” +So thee thy father taught, but, as it seems, +In vain. Yet even now essay to move960 +Warlike Achilles; if the Gods so please, +Who knows but that thy reasons may prevail +To rouse his valiant heart? men rarely scorn +The earnest intercession of a friend. +But if some prophecy alarm his fears,965 +And from his Goddess mother he have aught +Received, who may have learnt the same from Jove, +Thee let him send at least, and order forth +With thee the Myrmidons; a dawn of hope +Shall thence, it may be, on our host arise.970 +And let him send thee to the battle clad +In his own radiant armor; Troy, deceived +By such resemblance, shall abstain perchance +From conflict, and the weary Greeks enjoy +Short respite; it is all that war allows.975 +Fresh as ye are, ye, by your shouts alone, +May easily repulse an army spent +With labor from the camp and from the fleet. + Thus Nestor, and his mind bent to his words. +Back to Æacides through all the camp980 +He ran; and when, still running, he arrived +Among Ulysses’ barks, where they had fix’d +The forum, where they minister’d the laws, +And had erected altars to the Gods, +There him Eurypylus, Evæmon’s son,985 +Illustrious met, deep-wounded in his thigh, +And halting-back from battle. From his head +The sweat, and from his shoulders ran profuse, +And from his perilous wound the sable blood +Continual stream’d; yet was his mind composed.990 +Him seeing, Menœtiades the brave +Compassion felt, and mournful, thus began. + Ah hapless senators and Chiefs of Greece! +Left ye your native country that the dogs +Might fatten on your flesh at distant Troy?995 +But tell me, Hero! say, Eurypylus! +Have the Achaians power still to withstand +The enormous force of Hector, or is this +The moment when his spear must pierce us all? + To whom Eurypylus, discreet, replied.1000 +Patroclus, dear to Jove! there is no help, +No remedy. We perish at our ships. +The warriors, once most strenuous of the Greeks, +Lie wounded in the fleet by foes whose might +Increases ever. But thyself afford1005 +To me some succor; lead me to my ship; +Cut forth the arrow from my thigh; the gore +With warm ablution cleanse, and on the wound +Smooth unguents spread, the same as by report +Achilles taught thee; taught, himself, their use1010 +By Chiron, Centaur, justest of his kind +For Podalirius and Machaon both +Are occupied. Machaon, as I judge, +Lies wounded in his tent, needing like aid +Himself, and Podalirius in the field1015 +Maintains sharp conflict with the sons of Troy. + To whom Menœtius’ gallant son replied. +Hero! Eurypylus! how shall we act +In this perplexity? what course pursue? +I seek the brave Achilles, to whose ear1020 +I bear a message from the ancient chief +Gerenian Nestor, guardian of the Greeks. +Yet will I not, even for such a cause, +My friend! abandon thee in thy distress. + He ended, and his arms folding around1025 +The warrior bore him thence into his tent. +His servant, on his entrance, spread the floor +With hides, on which Patroclus at his length +Extended him, and with his knife cut forth +The rankling point; with tepid lotion, next,1030 +He cleansed the gore, and with a bitter root +Bruised small between his palms, sprinkled the wound. +At once, the anodyne his pain assuaged, +The wound was dried within, and the blood ceased. + + +It will be well here to observe the position of the Greeks. All human +aid is cut off by the wounds of their heroes, and all assistance from +the Gods forbidden by Jupiter. On the contrary, the Trojans see their +general at their head, and Jupiter himself fights on their side. Upon +this hinge turns the whole poem. The distress of the Greeks occasions +first the assistance of Patroclus, and then the death of that hero +brings back Achilles. + +The poet shows great skill in conducting these incidents. He gives +Achilles the pleasure of seeing that the Greeks could not carry on the +war without his assistance, and upon this depends the great catastrophe +of the poem. + + + + +BOOK XII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE TWELFTH BOOK. + +The Trojans assail the ramparts, and Hector forces the gates. + + +BOOK XII. + + +So was Menœtius’ gallant son employ’d +Healing Eurypylus. The Greeks, meantime, +And Trojans with tumultuous fury fought. +Nor was the foss ordain’d long time to exclude +The host of Troy, nor yet the rampart built5 +Beside it for protection of the fleet; +For hecatomb the Greeks had offer’d none, +Nor prayer to heaven, that it might keep secure +Their ships with all their spoils. The mighty work +As in defiance of the Immortal Powers10 +Had risen, and could not therefore long endure. +While Hector lived, and while Achilles held +His wrathful purpose; while the city yet +Of royal Priam was unsack’d, so long +The massy structure stood; but when the best15 +And bravest of the Trojan host were slain, +And of the Grecian heroes, some had fallen +And some survived, when Priam’s towers had blazed +In the tenth year, and to their native shores +The Grecians with their ships, at length, return’d,20 +Then Neptune, with Apollo leagued, devised +Its ruin; every river that descends +From the Idæan heights into the sea +They brought against it, gathering all their force. +Rhesus, Caresus, Rhodius, the wide-branch’d25 +Heptaporus, Æsepus, Granicus, +Scamander’s sacred current, and thy stream +Simöis, whose banks with helmets and with shields +Were strew’d, and Chiefs of origin divine; +All these with refluent course Apollo drove30 +Nine days against the rampart, and Jove rain’d +Incessant, that the Grecian wall wave-whelm’d +Through all its length might sudden disappear. +Neptune with his tridental mace, himself, +Led them, and beam and buttress to the flood35 +Consigning, laid by the laborious Greeks, +Swept the foundation, and the level bank +Of the swift-rolling Hellespont restored. +The structure thus effaced, the spacious beach +He spread with sand as at the first; then bade40 +Subside the streams, and in their channels wind +With limpid course, and pleasant as before, + Apollo thus and Neptune, from the first, +Design’d its fall; but now the battle raved +And clamors of the warriors all around45 +The strong-built turrets, whose assaulted planks +Rang, while the Grecians, by the scourge of Jove +Subdued, stood close within their fleet immured, +At Hector’s phalanx-scattering force appall’d. +He, as before, with whirlwind fury fought.50 +As when the boar or lion fiery-eyed +Turns short, the hunters and the hounds among, +The close-embattled troop him firm oppose, +And ply him fast with spears; he no dismay +Conceives or terror in his noble heart,55 +But by his courage falls; frequent he turns +Attempting bold the ranks, and where he points +Direct his onset, there the ranks retire; +So, through the concourse on his rolling wheels +Borne rapid, Hector animated loud60 +His fellow-warriors to surpass the trench. +But not his own swift-footed steeds would dare +That hazard; standing on the dangerous brink +They neigh’d aloud, for by its breadth the foss +Deterr’d them; neither was the effort slight65 +To leap that gulf, nor easy the attempt +To pass it through; steep were the banks profound +On both sides, and with massy piles acute +Thick-planted, interdicting all assault. +No courser to the rapid chariot braced70 +Had enter’d there with ease; yet strong desires +Possess’d the infantry of that emprize, +And thus Polydamas the ear address’d +Of dauntless Hector, standing at his side. + Hector, and ye the leaders of our host,75 +Both Trojans and allies! rash the attempt +I deem, and vain, to push our horses through, +So dangerous is the pass; rough is the trench +With pointed stakes, and the Achaian wall +Meets us beyond. No chariot may descend80 +Or charioteer fight there; strait are the bounds, +And incommodious, and his death were sure. +If Jove, high-thundering Ruler of the skies, +Will succor Ilium, and nought less intend +Than utter devastation of the Greeks,85 +I am content; now perish all their host +Inglorious, from their country far remote. +But should they turn, and should ourselves be driven +Back from the fleet impeded and perplex’d +In this deep foss, I judge that not a man,90 +’Scaping the rallied Grecians, should survive +To bear the tidings of our fate to Troy. +Now, therefore, act we all as I advise. +Let every charioteer his coursers hold +Fast-rein’d beside the foss, while we on foot,95 +With order undisturb’d and arms in hand, +Shall follow Hector. If destruction borne +On wings of destiny this day approach +The Grecians, they will fly our first assault. + So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice100 +Pleased Hector; from his chariot to the ground +All arm’d he leap’d, nor would a Trojan there +(When once they saw the Hero on his feet) +Ride into battle, but unanimous +Descending with a leap, all trod the plain.105 +Each gave command that at the trench his steeds +Should stand detain’d in orderly array; +Then, suddenly, the parted host became +Five bands, each following its appointed chief. +The bravest and most numerous, and whose hearts110 +Wish’d most to burst the barrier and to wage +The battle at the ships, with Hector march’d +And with Polydamas, whom follow’d, third, +Cebriones; for Hector had his steeds +Consign’d and chariot to inferior care.115 +Paris, Alcathoüs, and Agenor led +The second band, and, sons of Priam both, +Deïphobus and Helenus, the third; +With them was seen partner of their command; +The Hero Asius; from Arisba came120 +Asius Hyrtacides, to battle drawn +From the Selleïs banks by martial steeds +Hair’d fiery-red and of the noblest size. +The fourth, Anchises’ mighty son controll’d, +Æneas; under him Antenor’s sons,125 +Archilochus and Acamas, advanced, +Adept in all the practice of the field. +Last came the glorious powers in league with Troy +Led by Sarpedon; he with Glaucus shared +His high control, and with the warlike Chief130 +Asteropæus; for of all his host +Them bravest he esteem’d, himself except +Superior in heroic might to all. +And now (their shields adjusted each to each) +With dauntless courage fired, right on they moved135 +Against the Grecians; nor expected less +Than that beside their sable ships, the host +Should self-abandon’d fall an easy prey. + The Trojans, thus with their confederate powers, +The counsel of the accomplish’d Prince pursued,140 +Polydamas, one Chief alone except, +Asius Hyrtacides. He scorn’d to leave +His charioteer and coursers at the trench, +And drove toward the fleet. Ah, madly brave! +His evil hour was come; he was ordain’d145 +With horse and chariot and triumphant shout +To enter wind-swept Ilium never more. +Deucalion’s offspring, first, into the shades +Dismiss’d him; by Idomeneus he died. +Leftward he drove furious, along the road150 +By which the steeds and chariots of the Greeks +Return’d from battle; in that track he flew, +Nor found the portals by the massy bar +Secured, but open for reception safe +Of fugitives, and to a guard consign’d.155 +Thither he drove direct, and in his rear +His band shrill-shouting follow’d, for they judged +The Greeks no longer able to withstand +Their foes, but sure to perish in the camp. +Vain hope! for in the gate two Chiefs they found160 +Lapithæ-born, courageous offspring each +Of dauntless father; Polypœtes, this, +Sprung from Pirithöus; that, the warrior bold +Leonteus, terrible as gore-tainted Mars. +These two, defenders of the lofty gates,165 +Stood firm before them. As when two tall oaks +On the high mountains day by day endure +Rough wind and rain, by deep-descending roots +Of hugest growth fast-founded in the soil; +So they, sustain’d by conscious valor, saw,170 +Unmoved, high towering Asius on his way, +Nor fear’d him aught, nor shrank from his approach +Right on toward the barrier, lifting high +Their season’d bucklers and with clamor loud +The band advanced, King Asius at their head,175 +With whom Iämenus, expert in arms, +Orestes, Thöon, Acamas the son +Of Asius, and Oenomäus, led them on. +Till now, the warlike pair, exhorting loud +The Grecians to defend the fleet, had stood180 +Within the gates; but soon as they perceived +The Trojans swift advancing to the wall, +And heard a cry from all the flying Greeks, +Both sallying, before the gates they fought +Like forest-boars, which hearing in the hills185 +The crash of hounds and huntsmen nigh at hand, +With start oblique lay many a sapling flat +Short-broken by the root, nor cease to grind +Their sounding tusks, till by the spear they die; +So sounded on the breasts of those brave two190 +The smitten brass; for resolute they fought, +Embolden’d by their might who kept the wall, +And trusting in their own; they, in defence +Of camp and fleet and life, thick battery hurl’d +Of stones precipitated from the towers;195 +Frequent as snows they fell, which stormy winds, +Driving the gloomy clouds, shake to the ground, +Till all the fertile earth lies cover’d deep. +Such volley pour’d the Greeks, and such return’d +The Trojans; casques of hide, arid and tough,200 +And bossy shields rattled, by such a storm +Assail’d of millstone masses from above. +Then Asius, son of Hyrtacus, a groan +Indignant utter’d; on both thighs he smote +With disappointment furious, and exclaim’d,205 + Jupiter! even thou art false become, +And altogether such. Full sure I deem’d +That not a Grecian hero should abide +One moment force invincible as ours, +And lo! as wasps ring-streaked,[1] or bees that build210 +Their dwellings in the highway’s craggy side +Leave not their hollow home, but fearless wait +The hunter’s coming, in their brood’s defence, +So these, although two only, from the gates +Move not, nor will, till either seized or slain.215 + So Asius spake, but speaking so, changed not +The mind of Jove on Hector’s glory bent. +Others, as obstinate, at other gates +Such deeds perform’d, that to enumerate all +Were difficult, unless to power divine.220 +For fierce the hail of stones from end to end +Smote on the barrier; anguish fill’d the Greeks. +Yet, by necessity constrain’d, their ships +They guarded still; nor less the Gods themselves, +Patrons of Greece, all sorrow’d at the sight.225 + At once the valiant Lapithæ began +Terrible conflict, and Pirithous’ son +Brave Polypœtes through his helmet pierced +Damasus; his resplendent point the brass +Sufficed not to withstand; entering, it crush’d230 +The bone within, and mingling all his brain +With his own blood, his onset fierce repress’d. +Pylon and Ormenus he next subdued. +Meantime Leonteus, branch of Mars, his spear +Hurl’d at Hippomachus, whom through his belt235 +He pierced; then drawing forth his falchion keen, +Through all the multitude he flew to smite +Antiphates, and with a downright stroke +Fell’d him. Iämenus and Menon next +He slew, with brave Orestes, whom he heap’d,240 +All three together, on the fertile glebe. + While them the Lapithæ of their bright arms +Despoil’d, Polydamas and Hector stood +(With all the bravest youths and most resolved +To burst the barrier and to fire the fleet)245 +Beside the foss, pondering the event. +For, while they press’d to pass, they spied a bird +Sublime in air, an eagle. Right between +Both hosts he soar’d (the Trojan on his left) +A serpent bearing in his pounces clutch’d250 +Enormous, dripping blood, but lively still +And mindful of revenge; for from beneath +The eagle’s breast, updarting fierce his head, +Fast by the throat he struck him; anguish-sick +The eagle cast him down into the space255 +Between the hosts, and, clanging loud his plumes +As the wind bore him, floated far away. +Shudder’d the Trojans viewing at their feet +The spotted serpent ominous, and thus +Polydamas to dauntless Hector spake.260 + Ofttimes in council, Hector, thou art wont +To censure me, although advising well; +Nor ought the private citizen, I confess, +Either in council or in war to indulge +Loquacity, but ever to employ265 +All his exertions in support of thine. +Yet hear my best opinion once again. +Proceed we not in our attempt against +The Grecian fleet. For if in truth the sign +Respect the host of Troy ardent to pass,270 +Then, as the eagle soar’d both hosts between, +With Ilium’s on his left, and clutch’d a snake +Enormous, dripping blood, but still alive, +Which yet he dropp’d suddenly, ere he reach’d +His eyry, or could give it to his young,275 +So we, although with mighty force we burst +Both gates and barrier, and although the Greeks +Should all retire, shall never yet the way +Tread honorably back by which we came. +No. Many a Trojan shall we leave behind280 +Slain by the Grecians in their fleet’s defence. +An augur skill’d in omens would expound +This omen thus, and faith would win from all. + To whom, dark-louring, Hector thus replied. +Polydamas! I like not thy advice;285 +Thou couldst have framed far better; but if this +Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods +Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth, +Who bidd’st me disregard the Thunderer’s[2] firm +Assurance to myself announced, and make290 +The wild inhabitants of air my guides, +Which I alike despise, speed they their course +With right-hand flight toward the ruddy East, +Or leftward down into the shades of eve. +Consider _we_ the will of Jove alone,295 +Sovereign of heaven and earth. Omens abound, +But the best omen is our country’s cause.[3] +Wherefore should fiery war _thy_ soul alarm? +For were we slaughter’d, one and all, around +The fleet of Greece, _thou_ need’st not fear to die,300 +Whose courage never will thy flight retard. +But if thou shrink thyself, or by smooth speech +Seduce one other from a soldier’s part, +Pierced by this spear incontinent thou diest. + So saying he led them, who with deafening roar305 +Follow’d him. Then, from the Idæan hills +Jove hurl’d a storm which wafted right the dust +Into the fleet; the spirits too he quell’d +Of the Achaians, and the glory gave +To Hector and his host; they, trusting firm310 +In signs from Jove, and in their proper force, +Assay’d the barrier; from the towers they tore +The galleries, cast the battlements to ground, +And the projecting buttresses adjoin’d +To strengthen the vast work, with bars upheaved.315 +All these, with expectation fierce to break +The rampart, down they drew; nor yet the Greeks +Gave back, but fencing close with shields the wall, +Smote from behind them many a foe beneath. +Meantime from tower to tower the Ajaces moved320 +Exhorting all; with mildness some, and some +With harsh rebuke, whom they observed through fear +Declining base the labors of the fight, + Friends! Argives! warriors of whatever rank! +Ye who excel, and ye of humbler note!325 +And ye the last and least! (for such there are, +All have not magnanimity alike) +Now have we work for all, as all perceive. +Turn not, retreat not to your ships, appall’d +By sounding menaces, but press the foe;330 +Exhort each other, and e’en now perchance +Olympian Jove, by whom the lightnings burn, +Shall grant us to repulse them, and to chase +The routed Trojans to their gates again. + So they vociferating to the Greeks,335 +Stirr’d them to battle. As the feathery snows +Fall frequent, on some wintry day, when Jove +Hath risen to shed them on the race of man, +And show his arrowy stores; he lulls the winds, +Then shakes them down continual, covering thick340 +Mountain tops, promontories, flowery meads, +And cultured valleys rich; the ports and shores +Receive it also of the hoary deep, +But there the waves bound it, while all beside +Lies whelm’d beneath Jove’s fast-descending shower,345 +So thick, from side to side, by Trojans hurl’d +Against the Greeks, and by the Greeks return’d +The stony vollies flew; resounding loud +Through all its length the battered rampart roar’d. +Nor yet had Hector and his host prevail’d350 +To burst the gates, and break the massy bar, +Had not all-seeing Jove Sarpedon moved +His son, against the Greeks, furious as falls +The lion on some horned herd of beeves. +At once his polish’d buckler he advanced355 +With leafy brass o’erlaid; for with smooth brass +The forger of that shield its oval disk +Had plated, and with thickest hides throughout +Had lined it, stitch’d with circling wires of gold. +That shield he bore before him; firmly grasp’d360 +He shook two spears, and with determined strides +March’d forward. As the lion mountain-bred, +After long fast, by impulse of his heart +Undaunted urged, seeks resolute the flock +Even in the shelter of their guarded home;365 +He finds, perchance, the shepherds arm’d with spears, +And all their dogs awake, yet can not leave +Untried the fence, but either leaps it light, +And entering tears the prey, or in the attempt +Pierced by some dexterous peasant, bleeds himself;370 +So high his courage to the assault impell’d +Godlike Sarpedon, and him fired with hope +To break the barrier; when to Glaucus thus, +Son of Hippolochus, his speech he turn’d. + Why, Glaucus, is the seat of honor ours,375 +Why drink we brimming cups, and feast in state? +Why gaze they all on us as we were Gods +In Lycia, and why share we pleasant fields +And spacious vineyards, where the Xanthus winds? +Distinguished thus in Lycia, we are call’d380 +To firmness here, and to encounter bold +The burning battle, that our fair report +Among the Lycians may be blazon’d thus— +No dastards are the potentates who rule +The bright-arm’d Lycians; on the fatted flock385 +They banquet, and they drink the richest wines; +But they are also valiant, and the fight +Wage dauntless in the vanward of us all. +Oh Glaucus, if escaping safe the death +That threats us here, we also could escape390 +Old age, and to ourselves secure a life +Immortal, I would neither in the van +Myself expose, nor would encourage thee +To tempt the perils of the glorious field. +But since a thousand messengers of fate395 +Pursue us close, and man is born to die— +E’en let us on; the prize of glory yield, +If yield we must, or wrest it from the foe. + He said, nor cold refusal in return +Received from Glaucus, but toward the wall400 +Their numerous Lycian host both led direct. +Menestheus, son of Peteos, saw appall’d +Their dread approach, for to his tower they bent; +Their threatening march. An eager look he cast, +On the embodied Greeks, seeking some Chief405 +Whose aid might turn the battle from his van: +He saw, where never sated with exploits +Of war, each Ajax fought, near whom his eye +Kenn’d Teucer also, newly from his tent; +But vain his efforts were with loudest call410 +To reach their ears, such was the deafening din +Upsent to heaven, of shields and crested helms, +And of the batter’d gates; for at each gate +They thundering stood, and urged alike at each +Their fierce attempt by force to burst the bars.415 +To Ajax therefore he at once dispatch’d +A herald, and Thöotes thus enjoin’d. + My noble friend, Thöotes! with all speed +Call either Ajax; bid them hither both; +Far better so; for havoc is at hand.420 +The Lycian leaders, ever in assault +Tempestuous, bend their force against this tower +My station. But if also there they find +Laborious conflict pressing them severe, +At least let Telamonian Ajax come,425 +And Teucer with his death-dispensing bow. + He spake, nor was Thöotes slow to hear; +Beside the rampart of the mail-clad Greeks +Rapid he flew, and, at their side arrived, +To either Ajax, eager, thus began.430 + Ye leaders of the well-appointed Greeks, +The son of noble Peteos calls; he begs +With instant suit, that ye would share his toils, +However short your stay; the aid of both +Will serve him best, for havoc threatens there435 +The Lycian leaders, ever in assault +Tempestuous, bend their force toward the tower +His station. But if also here ye find +Laborious conflict pressing you severe, +At least let Telamonian Ajax come,440 +And Teucer with his death-dispensing bow. + He spake, nor his request the towering son +Of Telamon denied, but quick his speech +To Ajax Oïliades address’d. + Ajax! abiding here, exhort ye both445 +(Heroic Lycomedes and thyself) +The Greeks to battle. Thither I depart +To aid our friends, which service once perform’d +Duly, I will incontinent return. + So saying, the Telamonian Chief withdrew450 +With whom went Teucer, son of the same sire, +Pandion also, bearing Teucer’s bow. +Arriving at the turret given in charge +To the bold Chief Menestheus, and the wall +Entering, they found their friends all sharply tried.455 +Black as a storm the senators renown’d +And leaders of the Lycian host assail’d +Buttress and tower, while opposite the Greeks +Withstood them, and the battle-shout began. +First, Ajax, son of Telamon, a friend460 +And fellow-warrior of Sarpedon slew, +Epicles. With a marble fragment huge +That crown’d the battlement’s interior side, +He smote him. No man of our puny race, +Although in prime of youth, had with both hands465 +That weight sustain’d; but he the cumberous mass +Uplifted high, and hurl’d it on his head. +It burst his helmet, and his batter’d skull +Dash’d from all form. He from the lofty tower +Dropp’d downright, with a diver’s plunge, and died.470 +But Teucer wounded Glaucus with a shaft +Son of Hippolochus; he, climbing, bared +His arm, which Teucer, marking, from the wall +Transfix’d it, and his onset fierce repress’d; +For with a backward leap Glaucus withdrew475 +Sudden and silent, cautious lest the Greeks +Seeing him wounded should insult his pain. +Grief seized, at sight of his retiring friend, +Sarpedon, who forgat not yet the fight, +But piercing with his lance Alcmaon, son480 +Of Thestor, suddenly reversed the beam, +Which following, Alcmaon to the earth +Fell prone, with clangor of his brazen arms. +Sarpedon, then, strenuous with both hands +Tugg’d, and down fell the battlement entire;485 +The wall, dismantled at the summit, stood +A ruin, and wide chasm was open’d through. +Then Ajax him and Teucer at one time +Struck both; an arrow struck from Teucer’s bow +The belt that cross’d his bosom, by which hung490 +His ample shield; yet lest his son should fall +Among the ships, Jove turn’d the death aside. +But Ajax, springing to his thrust, a spear +Drove through his shield. Sarpedon at the shock +With backward step short interval recoil’d,495 +But not retired, for in his bosom lived +The hope of glory still, and, looking back +On all his godlike Lycians, he exclaim’d, + Oh Lycians! where is your heroic might? +Brave as I boast myself, I feel the task500 +Arduous, through the breach made by myself +To win a passage to the ships, alone. +Follow me all—Most laborers, most dispatch.[4] + So he; at whose sharp reprimand abash’d +The embattled host to closer conflict moved,505 +Obedient to their counsellor and King. +On the other side the Greeks within the wall +Made firm the phalanx, seeing urgent need; +Nor could the valiant Lycians through the breach +Admittance to the Grecian fleet obtain,510 +Nor since they first approach’d it, had the Greeks +With all their efforts, thrust the Lycians back. +But as two claimants of one common field, +Each with his rod of measurement in hand, +Dispute the boundaries, litigating warm515 +Their right in some small portion of the soil, +So they, divided by the barrier, struck +With hostile rage the bull-hide bucklers round, +And the light targets on each other’s breast. +Then many a wound the ruthless weapons made.520 +Pierced through the unarm’d back, if any turn’d, +He died, and numerous even through the shield. +The battlements from end to end with blood +Of Grecians and of Trojans on both sides +Were sprinkled; yet no violence could move525 +The stubborn Greeks, or turn their powers to flight. +So hung the war in balance, as the scales +Held by some woman scrupulously just, +A spinner; wool and weight she poises nice, +Hard-earning slender pittance for her babes,[5]530 +Such was the poise in which the battle hung +Till Jove himself superior fame, at length, +To Priamëian Hector gave, who sprang +First through the wall. In lofty sounds that reach’d +Their utmost ranks, he call’d on all his host.535 + Now press them, now ye Trojans steed-renown’d +Rush on! break through the Grecian rampart, hurl +At once devouring flames into the fleet. +Such was his exhortation; they his voice +All hearing, with close-order’d ranks direct540 +Bore on the barrier, and up-swarming show’d +On the high battlement their glittering spears. +But Hector seized a stone; of ample base +But tapering to a point, before the gate +It stood. No two men, mightiest of a land545 +(Such men as now are mighty) could with ease +Have heaved it from the earth up to a wain; +He swung it easily alone; so light +The son of Saturn made it in his hand. +As in one hand with ease the shepherd bears550 +A ram’s fleece home, nor toils beneath the weight, +So Hector, right toward the planks of those +Majestic folding-gates, close-jointed, firm +And solid, bore the stone. Two bars within +Their corresponding force combined transvere555 +To guard them, and one bolt secured the bars. +He stood fast by them, parting wide his feet +For ’vantage sake, and smote them in the midst. +He burst both hinges; inward fell the rock +Ponderous, and the portals roar’d; the bars560 +Endured not, and the planks, riven by the force +Of that huge mass, flew scatter’d on all sides. +In leap’d the godlike Hero at the breach, +Gloomy as night in aspect, but in arms +All-dazzling, and he grasp’d two quivering spears.565 +Him entering with a leap the gates, no force +Whate’er of opposition had repress’d, +Save of the Gods alone. Fire fill’d his eyes; +Turning, he bade the multitude without +Ascend the rampart; they his voice obey’d;570 +Part climb’d the wall, part pour’d into the gate; +The Grecians to their hollow galleys flew +Scatter’d, and tumult infinite arose.[6] + + + + +BOOK XIII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE THIRTEENTH BOOK. + +Neptune engages on the part of the Grecians. The battle proceeds. +Deiphobus advances to combat, but is repulsed by Meriones, who losing +his spear, repairs to his tent for another. Teucer slays Imbrius, and +Hector Amphimachus. Neptune, under the similitude of Thoas, exhorts +Idomeneus. Idomeneus having armed himself in his tent, and going forth +to battle, meets Meriones. After discourse held with each other, +Idomeneus accommodates Meriones with a spear, and they proceed to +battle. Idomeneus slays Othryoneus, and Asius. Deiphobus assails +Idomeneus, but, his spear glancing over him, kills Hypsenor. Idomeneus +slays Alcathoüs, son-in-law of Anchises. Deiphobus and Idomeneus +respectively summon their friends to their assistance, and a contest +ensues for the body of Alcathoüs. + + +BOOK XIII. + + +[1]When Jove to Hector and his host had given +Such entrance to the fleet, to all the woes +And toils of unremitting battle there +He them abandon’d, and his glorious eyes +Averting, on the land look’d down remote5 +Of the horse-breeding Thracians, of the bold +Close-fighting Mysian race, and where abide +On milk sustain’d, and blest with length of days, +The Hippemolgi,[2] justest of mankind. +No longer now on Troy his eyes he turn’d,10 +For expectation none within his breast +Survived, that God or Goddess would the Greeks +Approach with succor, or the Trojans more. + Nor Neptune, sovereign of the boundless Deep, +Look’d forth in vain; he on the summit sat15 +Of Samothracia forest-crown’d, the stir +Admiring thence and tempest of the field; +For thence appear’d all Ida, thence the towers +Of lofty Ilium, and the fleet of Greece. +There sitting from the deeps uprisen, he mourn’d20 +The vanquished Grecians, and resentment fierce +Conceived and wrath against all-ruling Jove. +Arising sudden, down the rugged steep +With rapid strides he came; the mountains huge +And forests under the immortal feet25 +Trembled of Ocean’s Sovereign as he strode. +Three strides he made, the fourth convey’d him home +To Ægæ. At the bottom of the abyss, +There stands magnificent his golden fane, +A dazzling, incorruptible abode.30 +Arrived, he to his chariot join’d his steeds +Swift, brazen-hoof’d, and maned with wavy gold; +Himself attiring next in gold, he seized +His golden scourge, and to his seat sublime +Ascending, o’er the billows drove; the whales35 +Leaving their caverns, gambol’d on all sides +Around him, not unconscious of their King; +He swept the surge that tinged not as he pass’d +His axle, and the sea parted for joy. +His bounding coursers to the Grecian fleet40 +Convey’d him swift. There is a spacious cave +Deep in the bottom of the flood, the rocks +Of Imbrus rude and Tenedos between; +There Neptune, Shaker of the Shores, his steeds +Station’d secure; he loosed them from the yoke,45 +Gave them ambrosial food, and bound their feet +With golden tethers not to be untied +Or broken, that unwandering they might wait +Their Lord’s return, then sought the Grecian host. +The Trojans, tempest-like or like a flame,50 +Now, following Priameïan Hector, all +Came furious on and shouting to the skies. +Their hope was to possess the fleet, and leave +Not an Achaian of the host unslain. +But earth-encircler Neptune from the gulf55 +Emerging, in the form and with the voice +Loud-toned of Calchas, roused the Argive ranks +To battle—and his exhortation first +To either Ajax turn’d, themselves prepared. + Ye heroes Ajax! your accustomed force60 +Exert, oh! think not of disastrous flight, +And ye shall save the people. Nought I fear +Fatal elsewhere, although Troy’s haughty sons +Have pass’d the barrier with so fierce a throng +Tumultuous; for the Grecians brazen-greaved65 +Will check them there. Here only I expect +And with much dread some dire event forebode, +Where Hector, terrible as fire, and loud +Vaunting his glorious origin from Jove, +Leads on the Trojans. Oh that from on high70 +Some God would form the purpose in your hearts +To stand yourselves firmly, and to exhort +The rest to stand! so should ye chase him hence +All ardent as he is, and even although +Olympian Jove himself his rage inspire.75 + So Neptune spake, compasser of the earth, +And, with his sceptre smiting both, their hearts +Fill’d with fresh fortitude; their limbs the touch +Made agile, wing’d their feet and nerved their arms. +Then, swift as stoops a falcon from the point80 +Of some rude rock sublime, when he would chase +A fowl of other wing along the meads, +So started Neptune thence, and disappear’d. +Him, as he went, swift Oïliades +First recognized, and, instant, thus his speech85 +To Ajax, son of Telamon, address’d. + Since, Ajax, some inhabitant of heaven +Exhorts us, in the prophet’s form to fight +(For prophet none or augur we have seen; +This was not Calchas; as he went I mark’d90 +His steps and knew him; Gods are known with ease) +I feel my spirit in my bosom fired +Afresh for battle; lightness in my limbs, +In hands and feet a glow unfelt before. + To whom the son of Telamon replied.95 +I also with invigorated hands +More firmly grasp my spear; my courage mounts, +A buoyant animation in my feet +Bears me along, and I am all on fire +To cope with Priam’s furious son, alone.100 + Thus they, with martial transport to their souls +Imparted by the God, conferr’d elate. +Meantime the King of Ocean roused the Greeks, +Who in the rear, beside their gallant barks +Some respite sought. They, spent with arduous toil,105 +Felt not alone their weary limbs unapt +To battle, but their hearts with grief oppress’d, +Seeing the numerous multitude of Troy +Within the mighty barrier; sad they view’d +That sight, and bathed their cheeks with many a tear,110 +Despairing of escape. But Ocean’s Lord +Entering among them, soon the spirit stirr’d +Of every valiant phalanx to the fight. +Teucer and Leïtus, and famed in arms +Peneleus, Thoas and Deipyrus,115 +Meriones, and his compeer renown’d, +Antilochus; all these in accents wing’d +With fierce alacrity the God address’d. + Oh shame, ye Grecians! vigorous as ye are +And in life’s prime, to your exertions most120 +I trusted for the safety of our ships. +If _ye_ renounce the labors of the field, +Then hath the day arisen of our defeat +And final ruin by the powers of Troy. +Oh! I behold a prodigy, a sight125 +Tremendous, deem’d impossible by me, +The Trojans at our ships! the dastard race +Fled once like fleetest hinds the destined prey +Of lynxes, leopards, wolves; feeble and slight +And of a nature indisposed to war130 +They rove uncertain; so the Trojans erst +Stood not, nor to Achaian prowess dared +The hindrance of a moment’s strife oppose. +But now, Troy left afar, even at our ships +They give us battle, through our leader’s fault135 +And through the people’s negligence, who fill’d +With fierce displeasure against _him_, prefer +Death at their ships, to war in their defence. +But if the son of Atreus, our supreme, +If Agamemnon, have indeed transgress’d140 +Past all excuse, dishonoring the swift +Achilles, ye at least the fight decline +Blame-worthy, and with no sufficient plea. +But heal we speedily the breach; brave minds +Easily coalesce. It is not well145 +That thus your fury slumbers, for the host +Hath none illustrious as yourselves in arms. +I can excuse the timid if he shrink, +But am incensed at _you_. My friends, beware! +Your tardiness will prove ere long the cause150 +Of some worse evil. Let the dread of shame +Affect your hearts; oh tremble at the thought +Of infamy! Fierce conflict hath arisen; +Loud shouting Hector combats at the ships +Nobly, hath forced the gates and burst the bar.155 + With such encouragement those Grecian chiefs +The King of Ocean roused. Then, circled soon +By many a phalanx either Ajax stood, +Whose order Mars himself arriving there +Had praised, or Pallas, patroness of arms.160 +For there the flower of all expected firm +Bold Hector and his host; spear crowded spear, +Shield, helmet, man, press’d helmet, man and shield;[3] +The hairy crests of their resplendent casques +Kiss’d close at every nod, so wedged they stood;165 +No spear was seen but in the manly grasp +It quiver’d, and their every wish was war. +The powers of Ilium gave the first assault +Embattled close; them Hector led himself[4] +Right on, impetuous as a rolling rock170 +Destructive; torn by torrent waters off +From its old lodgment on the mountain’s brow, +It bounds, it shoots away; the crashing wood +Falls under it; impediment or check +None stays its fury, till the level found,175 +There, settling by degrees, it rolls no more; +So after many a threat that he would pass +Easily through the Grecian camp and fleet +And slay to the sea-brink, when Hector once +Had fallen on those firm ranks, standing, he bore180 +Vehement on them; but by many a spear +Urged and bright falchion, soon, reeling, retired, +And call’d vociferous on the host of Troy. + Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons +Of Dardanus, oh stand! not long the Greeks185 +Will me confront, although embodied close +In solid phalanx; doubt it not; my spear +Shall chase and scatter them, if Jove, in truth, +High-thundering mate of Juno, bid me on. + So saying he roused the courage of them all190 +Foremost of whom advanced, of Priam’s race +Deiphobus, ambitious of renown. +Tripping he came with shorten’d steps,[5] his feet +Sheltering behind his buckler; but at him +Aiming, Meriones his splendid lance195 +Dismiss’d, nor err’d; his bull-hide targe he struck +But ineffectual; where the hollow wood +Receives the inserted brass, the quivering beam +Snapp’d; then, Deiphobus his shield afar +Advanced before him, trembling at a spear200 +Hurl’d by Meriones. He, moved alike +With indignation for the victory lost +And for his broken spear, into his band +At first retired, but soon set forth again +In prowess through the Achaian camp, to fetch205 +Its fellow-spear within his tent reserved. + The rest all fought, and dread the shouts arose +On all sides. Telamonian Teucer, first, +Slew valiant Imbrius, son of Mentor, rich +In herds of sprightly steeds. He ere the Greeks210 +Arrived at Ilium, in Pedæus dwelt, +And Priam’s spurious daughter had espoused +Medesicasta. But the barks well-oar’d +Of Greece arriving, he return’d to Troy, +Where he excell’d the noblest, and abode215 +With Priam, loved and honor’d as his own. +Him Teucer pierced beneath his ear, and pluck’d +His weapon home; he fell as falls an ash +Which on some mountain visible afar, +Hewn from its bottom by the woodman’s axe,220 +With all its tender foliage meets the ground +So Imbrius fell; loud rang his armor bright +With ornamental brass, and Teucer flew +To seize his arms, whom hasting to the spoil +Hector with his resplendent spear assail’d;225 +He, marking opposite its rapid flight, +Declined it narrowly and it pierced the breast, +As he advanced to battle, of the son +Of Cteatus of the Actorian race, +Amphimachus; he, sounding, smote the plain,230 +And all his batter’d armor rang aloud. +Then Hector swift approaching, would have torn +The well-forged helmet from the brows away +Of brave Amphimachus; but Ajax hurl’d +Right forth at Hector hasting to the spoil235 +His radiant spear; no wound the spear impress’d, +For he was arm’d complete in burnish’d brass +Terrific; but the solid boss it pierced +Of Hector’s shield, and with enormous force +So shock’d him, that retiring he resign’d240 +Both bodies,[6] which the Grecians dragg’d away. +Stichius and Menestheus, leaders both +Of the Athenians, to the host of Greece +Bore off Amphimachus, and, fierce in arms +The Ajaces, Imbrius. As two lions bear245 +Through thick entanglement of boughs and brakes +A goat snatch’d newly from the peasants’ cogs, +Upholding high their prey above the ground, +So either Ajax terrible in fight, +Upholding Imbrius high, his brazen arms250 +Tore off, and Oïliades his head +From his smooth neck dissevering in revenge +For slain Amphimachus, through all the host +Sent it with swift rotation like a globe, +Till in the dust at Hector’s feet it fell.255 + Then anger fill’d the heart of Ocean’s King, +His grandson[7] slain in battle; forth he pass’d +Through the Achaian camp and fleet, the Greeks +Rousing, and meditating wo to Troy. +It chanced that brave Idomeneus return’d260 +That moment from a Cretan at the knee +Wounded, and newly borne into his tent; +His friends had borne him off, and when the Chief +Had given him into skilful hands, he sought +The field again, still coveting renown.265 +Him therefore, meeting him on his return, +Neptune bespake, but with the borrow’d voice +Of Thoas, offspring of Andræmon, King +In Pleuro and in lofty Calydon, +And honor’d by the Ætolians as a God.270 + Oh counsellor of Crete! our threats denounced +Against the towers of Troy, where are they now? + To whom the leader of the Cretans, thus, +Idomeneus. For aught that I perceive +Thoas! no Grecian is this day in fault!275 +For we are all intelligent in arms, +None yields by fear oppress’d, none lull’d by sloth +From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems +Of Jove himself, that we should perish here +Inglorious, from our country far remote280 +But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm +In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse +Whom thou observ’st remiss) now also fight +As erst, and urge each leader of the host. + Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep.285 +Return that Grecian never from the shores +Of Troy, Idomeneus! but may the dogs +Feast on him, who shall this day intermit +Through wilful negligence his force in fight! +But haste, take arms and come; we must exert290 +All diligence, that, being only two, +We yet may yield some service. Union much +Emboldens even the weakest, and our might +Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown. + So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again295 +The toilsome field. Ere long, Idomeneus +Arriving in his spacious tent, put on +His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand, +Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove +From bright Olympus shakes into the air,300 +A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes; +So beam’d the Hero’s armor as he ran. +But him not yet far distant from his tent +Meriones, his fellow-warrior met, +For he had left the fight, seeking a spear,305 +When thus the brave Idomeneus began. + Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear! +Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field +Abandon’d? Art thou wounded? Bring’st thou home +Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt?310 +Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself +The still tent covet not, but feats of arms? + To whom Meriones discreet replied, +Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail’d +Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear315 +Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke +The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought, +Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus. + Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return’d, +Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need,320 +Within my tent, leaning against the wall, +Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy, +Which from the slain I took; for distant fight +Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I +Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques325 +And corselets bright that smile against the sun. + Him answer’d, then, Meriones discreet. +I also, at my tent and in my ship +Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence +Far distant. I not less myself than thou330 +Am ever mindful of a warrior’s part, +And when the din of glorious arms is heard, +Fight in the van. If other Greeks my deeds +Know not, at least I judge them known to thee. + To whom the leader of the host of Crete335 +Idomeneus. I know thy valor well, +Why speakest thus to me? Choose we this day +An ambush forth of all the bravest Greeks, +(For in the ambush is distinguish’d best +The courage; there the timorous and the bold340 +Plainly appear; the dastard changes hue +And shifts from place to place, nor can he calm +The fears that shake his trembling limbs, but sits +Low-crouching on his hams, while in his breast +Quick palpitates his death-foreboding heart,345 +And his teeth chatter; but the valiant man +His posture shifts not; no excessive fears +Feels he, but seated once in ambush, deems +Time tedious till the bloody fight begin;) +Even there, thy courage should no blame incur.[8]350 +For should’st thou, toiling in the fight, by spear +Or falchion bleed, not on thy neck behind +Would fall the weapon, or thy back annoy, +But it would meet thy bowels or thy chest +While thou didst rush into the clamorous van.355 +But haste—we may not longer loiter here +As children prating, lest some sharp rebuke +Reward us. Enter quick, and from within +My tent provide thee with a noble spear. + Then, swift as Mars, Meriones produced360 +A brazen spear of those within the tent +Reserved, and kindling with heroic fire +Follow’d Idomeneus. As gory Mars +By Terror follow’d, his own dauntless son +Who quells the boldest heart, to battle moves;365 +From Thrace against the Ephyri they arm, +Or hardy Phlegyans, and by both invoked, +Hear and grant victory to which they please; +Such, bright in arms Meriones, and such +Idomeneus advanced, when foremost thus370 +Meriones his fellow-chief bespake. + Son of Deucalion! where inclinest thou most +To enter into battle? On the right +Of all the host? or through the central ranks? +Or on the left? for nowhere I account375 +The Greeks so destitute of force as there. + Then answer thus Idomeneus return’d +Chief of the Cretans. Others stand to guard +The middle fleet; there either Ajax wars, +And Teucer, noblest archer of the Greeks,380 +Nor less in stationary fight approved. +Bent as he is on battle, they will task +And urge to proof sufficiently the force +Of Priameïan Hector; burn his rage +How fierce soever, he shall find it hard,385 +With all his thirst of victory, to quell +Their firm resistance, and to fire the fleet, +Let not Saturnian Jove cast down from heaven +Himself a flaming brand into the ships. +High towering Telamonian Ajax yields390 +To no mere mortal by the common gift +Sustain’d of Ceres, and whose flesh the spear +Can penetrate, or rocky fragment bruise; +In standing fight Ajax would not retire +Even before that breaker of the ranks395 +Achilles, although far less swift than he. +But turn we to the left, that we may learn +At once, if glorious death, or life be ours. + Then, rapid as the God of war, his course +Meriones toward the left began,400 +As he enjoin’d. Soon as the Trojans saw +Idomeneus advancing like a flame, +And his compeer Meriones in arms +All-radiant clad, encouraging aloud +From rank to rank each other, on they came405 +To the assault combined. Then soon arose +Sharp contest on the left of all the fleet. +As when shrill winds blow vehement, what time +Dust deepest spreads the ways, by warring blasts +Upborne a sable cloud stands in the air,410 +Such was the sudden conflict; equal rage +To stain with gore the lance ruled every breast. +Horrent with quivering spears the fatal field +Frown’d on all sides; the brazen flashes dread +Of numerous helmets, corselets furbish’d bright,415 +And shields refulgent meeting, dull’d the eye, +And turn’d it dark away. Stranger indeed +Were he to fear, who could that strife have view’d +With heart elate, or spirit unperturb’d. + Two mighty sons of Saturn adverse parts420 +Took in that contest, purposing alike +To many a valiant Chief sorrow and pain. +Jove, for the honor of Achilles, gave +Success to Hector and the host of Troy, +Not for complete destruction of the Greeks425 +At Ilium, but that glory might redound +To Thetis thence, and to her dauntless son. +On the other side, the King of Ocean risen +Secretly from the hoary Deep, the host +Of Greece encouraged, whom he grieved to see430 +Vanquish’d by Trojans, and with anger fierce +Against the Thunderer burn’d on their behalf. +Alike from one great origin divine +Sprang they, but Jove was elder, and surpass’d +In various knowledge; therefore when he roused435 +Their courage, Neptune traversed still the ranks +Clandestine, and in human form disguised. +Thus, these Immortal Two, straining the cord +Indissoluble of all-wasting war, +Alternate measured with it either host,440 +And loosed the joints of many a warrior bold. +Then, loud exhorting (though himself with age +Half grey) the Achaians, into battle sprang +Idomeneus, and scatter’d, first, the foe, +Slaying Othryoneus, who, by the lure445 +Of martial glory drawn, had left of late +Cabesus. He Priam’s fair daughter woo’d +Cassandra, but no nuptial gift vouchsafed +To offer, save a sounding promise proud +To chase, himself, however resolute450 +The Grecian host, and to deliver Troy. +To him assenting, Priam, ancient King, +Assured to him his wish, and in the faith +Of that assurance confident, he fought. +But brave Idomeneus his splendid lance455 +Well-aim’d dismissing, struck the haughty Chief. +Pacing elate the field; his brazen mail +Endured not; through his bowels pierced, with clang +Of all his arms he fell, and thus with joy +Immense exulting, spake Idomeneus.460 + I give thee praise, Othryoneus! beyond +All mortal men, if truly thou perform +Thy whole big promise to the Dardan king, +Who promised thee his daughter. Now, behold, +We also promise: doubt not the effect.465 +We give into thy arms the most admired +Of Agamemnon’s daughters, whom ourselves +Will hither bring from Argos, if thy force +With ours uniting, thou wilt rase the walls +Of populous Troy. Come—follow me; that here470 +Among the ships we may adjust the terms +Of marriage, for we take not scanty dower. + So saying, the Hero dragg’d him by his heel +Through all the furious fight. His death to avenge +Asius on foot before his steeds advanced,475 +For them, where’er he moved, his charioteer +Kept breathing ever on his neck behind. +With fierce desire the heart of Asius burn’d +To smite Idomeneus, who with his lance +Him reaching first, pierced him beneath the chin480 +Into his throat, and urged the weapon through. +He fell, as some green poplar falls, or oak, +Or lofty pine, by naval artists hewn +With new-edged axes on the mountain’s side. +So, his teeth grinding, and the bloody dust485 +Clenching, before his chariot and his steeds +Extended, Asius lay. His charioteer +(All recollection lost) sat panic-stunn’d, +Nor dared for safety turn his steeds to flight. +Him bold Antilochus right through the waist490 +Transpierced; his mail sufficed not, but the spear +Implanted in his midmost bowels stood. +Down from his seat magnificent he fell +Panting, and young Antilochus the steeds +Drove captive thence into the host of Greece.495 +Then came Deiphobus by sorrow urged +For Asius, and, small interval between, +Hurl’d at Idomeneus his glittering lance; +But he, foreseeing its approach, the point +Eluded, cover’d whole by his round shield500 +Of hides and brass by double belt sustain’d, +And it flew over him, but on his targe +Glancing, elicited a tinkling sound. +Yet left it not in vain his vigorous grasp, +But pierced the liver of Hypsenor, son505 +Of Hippasus; he fell incontinent, +And measureless exulting in his fall +Deiphobus with mighty voice exclaim’d. + Not unavenged lies Asius; though he seek +Hell’s iron portals, yet shall he rejoice,510 +For I have given him a conductor home. + So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard! +But of them all to anger most he roused +Antilochus, who yet his breathless friend[9] +Left not, but hasting, fenced him with his shield,515 +And brave Alastor with Mecisteus son +Of Echius, bore him to the hollow ships +Deep-groaning both, for of their band was he. +Nor yet Idomeneus his warlike rage +Remitted aught, but persevering strove520 +Either to plunge some Trojan in the shades, +Or fall himself, guarding the fleet of Greece. +Then slew he brave Alcathoüs the son +Of Æsyeta, and the son-in-law +Of old Anchises, who to him had given525 +The eldest-born of all his daughters fair, +Hippodamia; dearly loved was she +By both her parents in her virgin state,[10] +For that in beauty she surpass’d, in works +Ingenious, and in faculties of mind530 +All her coëvals; wherefore she was deem’d +Well worthy of the noblest prince of Troy. +Him in that moment, Neptune by the arm +Quell’d of Idomeneus, his radiant eyes +Dimming, and fettering his proportion’d limbs.535 +All power of flight or to elude the stroke +Forsook him, and while motionless he stood +As stands a pillar tall or towering oak, +The hero of the Cretans with a spear +Transfix’d his middle chest. He split the mail540 +Erewhile his bosom’s faithful guard; shrill rang +The shiver’d brass; sounding he fell; the beam +Implanted in his palpitating heart +Shook to its topmost point, but, its force spent, +At last, quiescent, stood. Then loud exclaim’d545 +Idomeneus, exulting in his fall. + What thinks Deiphobus? seems it to thee +Vain boaster, that, three warriors slain for one, +We yield thee just amends? else, stand thyself +Against me; learn the valor of a Chief550 +The progeny of Jove; Jove first begat +Crete’s guardian, Minos, from which Minos sprang +Deucalion, and from famed Deucalion, I; +I, sovereign of the numerous race of Crete’s +Extensive isle, and whom my galleys brought555 +To these your shores at last, that I might prove +Thy curse, thy father’s, and a curse to Troy. + He spake; Deiphobus uncertain stood +Whether, retreating, to engage the help +Of some heroic Trojan, or himself560 +To make the dread experiment alone. +At length, as his discreeter course, he chose +To seek Æneas; him he found afar +Station’d, remotest of the host of Troy, +For he resented evermore his worth565 +By Priam[11] recompensed with cold neglect. +Approaching him, in accents wing’d he said. + Æneas! Trojan Chief! If e’er thou lov’dst +Thy sister’s husband, duty calls thee now +To prove it. Haste—defend with me the dead570 +Alcathoüs, guardian of thy tender years, +Slain by Idomeneus the spear-renown’d. + So saying, he roused his spirit, and on fire +To combat with the Cretan, forth he sprang. +But fear seized not Idomeneus as fear575 +May seize a nursling boy; resolved he stood +As in the mountains, conscious of his force, +The wild boar waits a coming multitude +Of boisterous hunters to his lone retreat; +Arching his bristly spine he stands, his eyes580 +Beam fire, and whetting his bright tusks, he burns +To drive, not dogs alone, but men to flight; +So stood the royal Cretan, and fled not, +Expecting brave Æneas; yet his friends +He summon’d, on Ascalaphus his eyes585 +Fastening, on Aphareus, Deipyrus, +Meriones, and Antilochus, all bold +In battle, and in accents wing’d exclaim’d. + Haste ye, my friends! to aid me, for I stand +Alone, nor undismay’d the coming wait590 +Of swift Æneas, nor less brave than swift, +And who possesses fresh his flower of youth, +Man’s prime advantage; were we match’d in years +As in our spirits, either he should earn +At once the meed of deathless fame, or I.595 + He said; they all unanimous approach’d, +Sloping their shields, and stood. On the other side +His aids Æneas call’d, with eyes toward +Paris, Deiphobus, Agenor, turn’d, +His fellow-warriors bold; them follow’d all600 +Their people as the pastured flock the ram +To water, by the shepherd seen with joy; +Such joy Æneas felt, seeing, so soon, +That numerous host attendant at his call. +Then, for Alcathoüs, into contest close605 +Arm’d with long spears they rush’d; on every breast +Dread rang the brazen corselet, each his foe +Assailing opposite; but two, the rest +Surpassing far, terrible both as Mars, +Æneas and Idomeneus, alike610 +Panted to pierce each other with the spear. +Æneas, first, cast at Idomeneus, +But, warn’d, he shunn’d the weapon, and it pass’d. +Quivering in the soil Æneas’ lance +Stood, hurl’d in vain, though by a forceful arm.615 +Not so the Cretan; at his waist he pierced +Oenomaüs, his hollow corselet clave, +And in his midmost bowels drench’d the spear; +Down fell the Chief, and dying, clench’d the dust. +Instant, his massy spear the King of Crete620 +Pluck’d from the dead, but of his radiant arms +Despoil’d him not, by numerous weapons urged; +For now, time-worn, he could no longer make +Brisk sally, spring to follow his own spear, +Or shun another, or by swift retreat625 +Vanish from battle, but the evil day +Warded in stationary fight alone. +At him retiring, therefore, step by step +Deiphobus, who had with bitterest hate +Long time pursued him, hurl’d his splendid lance,630 +But yet again erroneous, for he pierced +Ascalaphus instead, offspring of Mars; +Right through his shoulder flew the spear; he fell +Incontinent, and dying, clench’d the dust. +But tidings none the brazen-throated Mars635 +Tempestuous yet received, that his own son +In bloody fight had fallen, for on the heights +Olympian over-arch’d with clouds of gold +He sat, where sat the other Powers divine, +Prisoners together of the will of Jove.640 +Meantime, for slain Ascalaphus arose +Conflict severe; Deiphobus his casque +Resplendent seized, but swift as fiery Mars +Assailing him, Meriones his arm +Pierced with a spear, and from his idle hand645 +Fallen, the casque sonorous struck the ground. +Again, as darts the vulture on his prey, +Meriones assailing him, the lance +Pluck’d from his arm, and to his band retired. +Then, casting his fraternal arms around650 +Deiphobus, him young Polites led +From the hoarse battle to his rapid steeds +And his bright chariot in the distant rear, +Which bore him back to Troy, languid and loud- +Groaning, and bleeding from his recent wound.655 +Still raged the war, and infinite arose +The clamor. Aphareus, Caletor’s son, +Turning to face Æneas, in his throat +Instant the hero’s pointed lance received. +With head reclined, and bearing to the ground660 +Buckler and helmet with him, in dark shades +Of soul-divorcing death involved, he fell. +Antilochus, observing Thoön turn’d +To flight, that moment pierced him; from his back +He ripp’d the vein which through the trunk its course665 +Winds upward to the neck; that vein he ripp’d +All forth; supine he fell, and with both hands +Extended to his fellow-warriors, died. +Forth sprang Antilochus to strip his arms, +But watch’d, meantime, the Trojans, who in crowds670 +Encircling him, his splendid buckler broad +Smote oft, but none with ruthless point prevail’d +Even to inscribe the skin of Nestor’s son, +Whom Neptune, shaker of the shores, amid +Innumerable darts kept still secure.675 +Yet never from his foes he shrank, but faced +From side to side, nor idle slept his spear, +But with rotation ceaseless turn’d and turn’d +To every part, now levell’d at a foe +Far-distant, at a foe, now, near at hand.680 +Nor he, thus occupied, unseen escaped +By Asius’ offspring Adamas, who close +Advancing, struck the centre of his shield. +But Neptune azure-hair’d so dear a life +Denied to Adamas, and render’d vain685 +The weapon; part within his disk remain’d +Like a seer’d stake, and part fell at his feet. +Then Adamas, for his own life alarm’d, +Retired, but as he went, Meriones +Him reaching with his lance, the shame between690 +And navel pierced him, where the stroke of Mars +Proves painful most to miserable man. +There enter’d deep the weapon; down he fell, +And in the dust lay panting as an ox +Among the mountains pants by peasants held695 +In twisted bands, and dragg’d perforce along; +So panted dying Adamas, but soon +Ceased, for Meriones, approaching, pluck’d +The weapon forth, and darkness veil’d his eyes. +Helenus, with his heavy Thracian blade700 +Smiting the temples of Deipyrus, +Dash’d off his helmet; from his brows remote +It fell, and wandering roll’d, till at his feet +Some warrior found it, and secured; meantime +The sightless shades of death him wrapp’d around.705 +Grief at that spectacle the bosom fill’d +Of valiant Menelaus; high he shook +His radiant spear, and threatening him, advanced +On royal Helenus, who ready stood +With his bow bent. They met; impatient, one,710 +To give his pointed lance its rapid course, +And one, to start his arrow from the nerve. +The arrow of the son of Priam struck +Atrides’ hollow corselet, but the reed +Glanced wide. As vetches or as swarthy beans715 +Leap from the van and fly athwart the floor, +By sharp winds driven, and by the winnower’s force, +So from the corselet of the glorious Greek +Wide-wandering flew the bitter shaft away. +But Menelaus the left-hand transpierced720 +Of Helenus, and with the lance’s point +Fasten’d it to his bow; shunning a stroke +More fatal, Helenus into his band +Retired, his arm dependent at his side, +And trailing, as he went, the ashen beam;725 +There, bold Agenor from his hand the lance +Drew forth, then folded it with softest wool +Around, sling-wool, and borrow’d from the sling +Which his attendant into battle bore. +Then sprang Pisander on the glorious Chief730 +The son of Atreus, but his evil fate +Beckon’d him to his death in conflict fierce, +Oh Menelaus, mighty Chief! with thee. +And now they met, small interval between. +Atrides hurl’d his weapon, and it err’d.735 +Pisander with his spear struck full the shield +Of glorious Menelaus, but his force +Resisted by the stubborn buckler broad +Fail’d to transpierce it, and the weapon fell +Snapp’d at the neck. Yet, when he struck, the heart740 +Rebounded of Pisander, full of hope. +But Menelaus, drawing his bright blade, +Sprang on him, while Pisander from behind +His buckler drew a brazen battle-axe +By its long haft of polish’d olive-wood,745 +And both Chiefs struck together. He the crest +That crown’d the shaggy casque of Atreus’ son +Hew’d from its base, but Menelaus him +In his swift onset smote full on the front +Above his nose; sounded the shatter’d bone,750 +And his eyes both fell bloody at his feet. +Convolved with pain he lay; then, on his breast +Atrides setting fast his heel, tore off +His armor, and exulting thus began. + So shall ye leave at length the Grecian fleet,755 +Traitors, and never satisfied with war! +Nor want ye other guilt, dogs and profane! +But me have injured also, and defied +The hot displeasure of high-thundering Jove +The hospitable, who shall waste in time,760 +And level with the dust your lofty Troy. +I wrong’d not you, yet bore ye far away +My youthful bride who welcomed you, and stole +My treasures also, and ye now are bent +To burn Achaia’s gallant fleet with fire765 +And slay her heroes; but your furious thirst +Of battle shall hereafter meet a check. +Oh, Father Jove! Thee wisest we account +In heaven or earth, yet from thyself proceed +All these calamities, who favor show’st770 +To this flagitious race the Trojans, strong +In wickedness alone, and whose delight +In war and bloodshed never can be cloy’d. +All pleasures breed satiety, sweet sleep, +Soft dalliance, music, and the graceful dance,775 +Though sought with keener appetite by most +Than bloody war; but Troy still covets blood. + So spake the royal Chief, and to his friends +Pisander’s gory spoils consigning, flew +To mingle in the foremost fight again.780 +Him, next, Harpalion, offspring of the King +Pylæmenes assail’d; to Troy he came +Following his sire, but never thence return’d. +He, from small distance, smote the central boss +Of Menelaus’ buckler with his lance,785 +But wanting power to pierce it, with an eye +Of cautious circumspection, lest perchance +Some spear should reach him, to his band retired. +But him retiring with a brazen shaft +Meriones pursued; swift flew the dart790 +To his right buttock, slipp’d beneath the bone, +His bladder grazed, and started through before. +There ended his retreat; sudden he sank +And like a worm lay on the ground, his life +Exhaling in his fellow-warrior’s arms,795 +And with his sable blood soaking the plain. +Around him flock’d his Paphlagonians bold, +And in his chariot placed drove him to Troy, +With whom his father went, mourning with tears +A son, whose death he never saw avenged.800 + Him slain with indignation Paris view’d, +For he, with numerous Paphlagonians more +His guest had been; he, therefore, in the thirst +Of vengeance, sent a brazen arrow forth. +There was a certain Greek, Euchenor, son805 +Of Polyides the soothsayer, rich +And brave in fight, and who in Corinth dwelt +He, knowing well his fate, yet sail’d to Troy +For Polyides oft, his reverend sire, +Had prophecied that he should either die810 +By some dire malady at home, or, slain +By Trojan hands, amid the fleet of Greece. +He, therefore, shunning the reproach alike +Of the Achaians, and that dire disease, +Had join’d the Grecian host; him Paris pierced815 +The ear and jaw beneath; life at the stroke +Left him, and darkness overspread his eyes. + So raged the battle like devouring fire. +But Hector dear to Jove not yet had learn’d, +Nor aught surmised the havoc of his host820 +Made on the left, where victory crown’d well-nigh +The Grecians animated to the fight +By Neptune seconding himself their arms. +He, where he first had started through the gate +After dispersion of the shielded Greeks825 +Compact, still persevered. The galleys there +Of Ajax and Protesilaüs stood +Updrawn above the hoary Deep; the wall +Was there of humblest structure, and the steeds +And warriors there conflicted furious most.830 +The Epeans there and Iäonians[12] robed- +Prolix, the Phthians,[13] Locrians, and the bold +Bœtians check’d the terrible assault +Of Hector, noble Chief, ardent as flame, +Yet not repulsed him. Chosen Athenians form’d835 +The van, by Peteos’ son, Menestheus, led, +Whose high command undaunted Bias shared, +Phidas and Stichius. The Epean host +Under Amphion, Dracius, Meges, fought. +Podarces brave in arms the Phthians ruled,840 +And Medon (Medon was by spurious birth +Brother of Ajax Oïliades, +And for his uncle’s death, whom he had slain, +The brother of Oïleus’ wife, abode +In Phylace; but from Iphiclus sprang845 +Podarces;) these, all station’d in the front +Of Phthias’ hardy sons, together strove +With the Bœotians for the fleet’s defence. +Ajax the swift swerved never from the side +Of Ajax son of Telamon a step,850 +But as in some deep fallow two black steers +Labor combined, dragging the ponderous plow, +The briny sweat around their rooted horns +Oozes profuse; they, parted as they toil +Along the furrow, by the yoke alone,855 +Cleave to its bottom sheer the stubborn glebe, +So, side by side, they, persevering fought.[14] +The son of Telamon a people led +Numerous and bold, who, when his bulky limbs +Fail’d overlabor’d, eased him of his shield.860 +Not so attended by his Locrians fought +Oïleus’ valiant son; pitch’d battle them +Suited not, unprovided with bright casques +Of hairy crest, with ashen spears, and shields +Of ample orb; for, trusting in the bow865 +And twisted sling alone, they came to Troy, +And broke with shafts and volley’d stones the ranks. +Thus occupying, clad in burnish’d arms, +The van, these two with Hector and his host +Conflicted, while the Locrians from behind870 +Vex’d them with shafts, secure; nor could the men +Of Ilium stand, by such a shower confused. +Then, driven with dreadful havoc thence, the foe +To wind-swept Ilium had again retired. +Had not Polydamas, at Hector’s side875 +Standing, the dauntless hero thus address’d. + Hector! Thou ne’er canst listen to advice; +But think’st thou, that if heaven in feats of arms +Give thee pre-eminence, thou must excel +Therefore in council also all mankind?880 +No. All-sufficiency is not for thee. +To one, superior force in arms is given, +Skill to another in the graceful dance, +Sweet song and powers of music to a third, +And to a fourth loud-thundering Jove imparts885 +Wisdom, which profits many, and which saves +Whole cities oft, though reverenced but by few. +Yet hear; I speak as wisest seems to me. +War, like a fiery circle, all around +Environs thee; the Trojans, since they pass’d890 +The bulwark, either hold themselves aloof, +Or, wide-dispersed among the galleys, cope +With numbers far superior to their own. +Retiring, therefore, summon all our Chiefs +To consultation on the sum of all,895 +Whether (should heaven so prosper us) to rush +Impetuous on the gallant barks of Greece, +Or to retreat secure; for much I dread +Lest the Achaians punctually refund +All yesterday’s arrear, since yonder Chief[15]900 +Insatiable with battle still abides +Within the fleet, nor longer, as I judge, +Will rest a mere spectator of the field. + So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice +Pleased Hector; from his chariot down he leap’d905 +All arm’d, and in wing’d accents thus replied. + Polydamas! here gather all the Chiefs; +I haste into the fight, and my commands +Once issued there, incontinent return. + He ended, and conspicuous as the height910 +Of some snow-crested mountain, shouting ranged +The Trojans and confederates of Troy. +They swift around Polydamas, brave son +Of Panthus, at the voice of Hector, ran. +Himself with hasty strides the front, meantime,915 +Of battle roam’d, seeking from rank to rank +Asius Hyrtacides, with Asius’ son +Adamas, and Deiphobus, and the might +Of Helenus, his royal brother bold. +Them neither altogether free from hurt920 +He found, nor living all. Beneath the sterns +Of the Achaian ships some slaughter’d lay +By Grecian hands; some stricken by the spear +Within the rampart sat, some by the sword. +But leftward of the woful field he found,925 +Ere long, bright Helen’s paramour his band +Exhorting to the fight. Hector approach’d, +And him, in fierce displeasure, thus bespake. + Curst Paris, specious, fraudulent and lewd! +Where is Deiphobus, and where the might930 +Of royal Helenus? Where Adamas +Offspring of Asius, and where Asius, son +Of Hyrtacus, and where Othryoneus? +Now lofty Ilium from her topmost height +Falls headlong, now is thy own ruin sure!935 + To whom the godlike Paris thus replied. +Since Hector! thou art pleased with no just cause +To censure me, I may decline, perchance, +Much more the battle on some future day, +For I profess some courage, even I.940 +Witness our constant conflict with the Greeks +Here, on this spot, since first led on by thee +The host of Troy waged battle at the ships. +But those our friends of whom thou hast inquired +Are slain, Deiphobus alone except945 +And royal Helenus, who in the hand +Bear each a wound inflicted by the spear, +And have retired; but Jove their life preserved. +Come now—conduct us whither most thine heart +Prompts thee, and thou shalt find us ardent all950 +To face like danger; what we can, we will, +The best and most determined can no more. + So saying, the hero soothed his brother’s mind. +Then moved they both toward the hottest war +Together, where Polydamas the brave,955 +Phalces, Cebriones, Orthæus fought, +Palmys and Polyphœtes, godlike Chief, +And Morys and Ascanius, gallant sons +Both of Hippotion. They at Troy arrived +From fair Ascania the preceding morn,960 +In recompense for aid[16] by Priam lent +Erewhile to Phrygia, and, by Jove impell’d, +Now waged the furious battle side by side. +The march of these at once, was as the sound +Of mighty winds from deep-hung thunder-clouds965 +Descending; clamorous the blast and wild +With ocean mingles; many a billow, then, +Upridged rides turbulent the sounding flood, +Foam-crested billow after billow driven, +So moved the host of Troy, rank after rank970 +Behind their Chiefs, all dazzling bright in arms. +Before them Priameian Hector strode +Fierce as gore-tainted Mars, and his broad shield +Advancing came, heavy with hides, and thick- +Plated with brass; his helmet on his brows975 +Refulgent shook, and in its turn he tried +The force of every phalanx, if perchance +Behind his broad shield pacing he might shake +Their steadfast order; but he bore not down +The spirit of the firm Achaian host.980 +Then Ajax striding forth, him, first, defied. + Approach. Why temptest thou the Greeks to fear? +No babes are we in aught that appertains +To arms, though humbled by the scourge of Jove. +Thou cherishest the foolish hope to burn985 +Our fleet with fire; but even we have hearts +Prepared to guard it, and your populous Troy, +By us dismantled and to pillage given, +Shall perish sooner far. Know this thyself +Also; the hour is nigh when thou shalt ask990 +In prayer to Jove and all the Gods of heaven, +That speed more rapid than the falcon’s flight +May wing thy coursers, while, exciting dense +The dusty plain, they whirl thee back to Troy. + While thus he spake, sublime on the right-hand995 +An eagle soar’d; confident in the sign +The whole Achaian host with loud acclaim +Hail’d it. Then glorious Hector thus replied. + Brainless and big, what means this boast of thine, +Earth-cumberer Ajax? Would I were the son1000 +As sure, for ever, of almighty Jove +And Juno, and such honor might receive +Henceforth as Pallas and Apollo share, +As comes this day with universal wo +Fraught for the Grecians, among whom thyself1005 +Shalt also perish if thou dare abide +My massy spear, which shall thy pamper’d flesh +Disfigure, and amid the barks of Greece +Falling, thou shalt the vultures with thy bulk +Enormous satiate, and the dogs of Troy.1010 + He spake, and led his host; with clamor loud +They follow’d him, and all the distant rear +Came shouting on. On the other side the Greeks +Re-echoed shout for shout, all undismay’d, +And waiting firm the bravest of their foes.1015 +Upwent the double roar into the heights +Ethereal, and among the beams of Jove. + + + + +BOOK XIV. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTEENTH BOOK. + +Agamemnon and the other wounded Chiefs taking Nestor with them, visit +the battle. Juno having borrowed the Cestus of Venus, first engages the +assistance of Sleep, then hastens to Ida to inveigle Jove. She +prevails. Jove sleeps; and Neptune takes that opportunity to succor the +Grecians. + + +BOOK XIV. + + +Nor was that cry by Nestor unperceived +Though drinking, who in words wing’d with surprise +The son of Æsculapius thus address’d. + Divine Machaon! think what this may bode. +The cry of our young warriors at the ships5 +Grows louder; sitting here, the sable wine +Quaff thou, while bright-hair’d Hecamede warms +A bath, to cleanse thy crimson stains away. +I from yon eminence will learn the cause. + So saying, he took a shield radiant with brass10 +There lying in the tent, the shield well-forged +Of valiant Thrasymedes, his own son +(For he had borne to fight his father’s shield) +And arming next his hand with a keen lance +Stood forth before the tent. Thence soon he saw15 +Foul deeds and strange, the Grecian host confused, +Their broken ranks flying before the host +Of Ilium, and the rampart overthrown. +As when the wide sea, darken’d over all +Its silent flood, forebodes shrill winds to blow,20 +The doubtful waves roll yet to neither side, +Till swept at length by a decisive gale;[1] +So stood the senior, with distressful doubts +Conflicting anxious, whether first to seek +The Grecian host, or Agamemnon’s self25 +The sovereign, and at length that course preferr’d. +Meantime with mutual carnage they the field +Spread far and wide, and by spears double-edged +Smitten, and by the sword their corselets rang. + The royal Chiefs ascending from the fleet,30 +Ulysses, Diomede, and Atreus’ son +Imperial Agamemnon, who had each +Bled in the battle, met him on his way. +For from the war remote they had updrawn +Their galleys on the shore of the gray Deep,35 +The foremost to the plain, and at the sterns +Of that exterior line had built the wall. +For, spacious though it were, the shore alone +That fleet sufficed not, incommoding much +The people; wherefore they had ranged the ships40 +Line above line gradual, and the bay +Between both promontories, all was fill’d. +They, therefore, curious to survey the fight, +Came forth together, leaning on the spear, +When Nestor met them; heavy were their hearts,45 +And at the sight of him still more alarm’d, +Whom royal Agamemnon thus bespake. + Neleian Nestor, glory of the Greeks! +What moved thee to forsake yon bloody field, +And urged thee hither? Cause I see of fear,50 +Lest furious Hector even now his threat +Among the Trojans publish’d, verify, +That he would never enter Ilium more +Till he had burn’d our fleet, and slain ourselves. +So threaten’d Hector, and shall now perform.55 +Alas! alas! the Achaians brazen-greaved +All, like Achilles, have deserted me +Resentful, and decline their fleet’s defence. + To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied. +Those threats are verified; nor Jove himself60 +The Thunderer can disappoint them now; +For our chief strength in which we trusted most +That it should guard impregnably secure +Our navy and ourselves, the wall hath fallen. +Hence all this conflict by our host sustain’d65 +Among the ships; nor could thy keenest sight +Inform thee where in the Achaian camp +Confusion most prevails, such deaths are dealt +Promiscuous, and the cry ascends to heaven. +But come—consult we on the sum of all,70 +If counsel yet may profit. As for you, +Ye shall have exhortation none from me +To seek the fight; the wounded have excuse. + Whom Agamemnon answer’d, King of men. +Ah Nestor! if beneath our very sterns75 +The battle rage, if neither trench nor wall +Constructed with such labor, and supposed +Of strength to guard impregnably secure +Our navy and ourselves, avail us aught, +It is because almighty Jove hath will’d80 +That the Achaian host should perish here +Inglorious, from their country far remote. +When he vouchsafed assistance to the Greeks, +I knew it well; and now, not less I know +That high as the immortal Gods he lifts85 +Our foes to glory, and depresses us. +Haste therefore all, and act as I advise. +Our ships—all those that nearest skirt the Deep, +Launch we into the sacred flood, and moor +With anchors safely, till o’ershadowing night90 +(If night itself may save us) shall arrive. +Then may we launch the rest; for I no shame +Account it, even by ’vantage of the night +To fly destruction. Wiser him I deem +Who ’scapes his foe, than whom his foe enthralls.95 + But him Ulysses, frowning stern, reproved. +What word, Atrides, now hath pass’d thy lips? +Counsellor of despair! thou should’st command +(And would to heaven thou didst) a different host, +Some dastard race, not ours; whom Jove ordains100 +From youth to hoary age to weave the web +Of toilsome warfare, till we perish all. +Wilt thou the spacious city thus renounce +For which such numerous woes we have endured? +Hush! lest some other hear; it is a word105 +Which no man qualified by years mature +To speak discreetly, no man bearing rule +O’er such a people as confess thy sway, +Should suffer to contaminate his lips. +I from my soul condemn thee, and condemn110 +Thy counsel, who persuad’st us in the heat +Of battle terrible as this, to launch +Our fleet into the waves, that we may give +Our too successful foes their full desire, +And that our own prepondering scale115 +May plunge us past all hope; for while they draw +Their galleys down, the Grecians shall but ill +Sustain the fight, seaward will cast their eyes +And shun the battle, bent on flight alone. +Then, shall they rue thy counsel, King of men!120 + To whom the imperial leader of the Greeks. +Thy sharp reproof, Ulysses, hath my soul +Pierced deeply. Yet I gave no such command +That the Achaians should their galleys launch, +Would they, or would they not. No. I desire125 +That young or old, some other may advice +More prudent give, and he shall please me well. + Then thus the gallant Diomede replied. +That man is near, and may ye but be found +Tractable, our inquiry shall be short.130 +Be patient each, nor chide me nor reproach +Because I am of greener years than ye, +For I am sprung from an illustrious Sire, +From Tydeus, who beneath his hill of earth +Lies now entomb’d at Thebes. Three noble sons135 +Were born to Portheus, who in Pleuro dwelt, +And on the heights of Calydon; the first +Agrius; the second Melas; and the third +Brave Oeneus, father of my father, famed +For virtuous qualities above the rest.140 +Oeneus still dwelt at home; but wandering thence +My father dwelt in Argos; so the will +Of Jove appointed, and of all the Gods. +There he espoused the daughter of the King +Adrastus, occupied a mansion rich145 +In all abundance; many a field possess’d +Of wheat, well-planted gardens, numerous flocks, +And was expert in spearmanship esteem’d +Past all the Grecians. I esteem’d it right +That ye should hear these things, for they are true.150 +Ye will not, therefore, as I were obscure +And of ignoble origin, reject +What I shall well advise. Expedience bids +That, wounded as we are, we join the host. +We will preserve due distance from the range155 +Of spears and arrows, lest already gall’d, +We suffer worse; but we will others urge +To combat, who have stood too long aloof, +Attentive only to their own repose. + He spake, whom all approved, and forth they went,160 +Imperial Agamemnon at their head. + Nor watch’d the glorious Shaker of the shores +In vain, but like a man time-worn approach’d, +And, seizing Agamemnon’s better hand, +In accents wing’d the monarch thus address’d.165 + Atrides! now exults the vengeful heart +Of fierce Achilles, viewing at his ease +The flight and slaughter of Achaia’s host; +For he is mad, and let him perish such, +And may his portion from the Gods be shame!170 +But as for thee, not yet the powers of heaven +Thee hate implacable; the Chiefs of Troy +Shall cover yet with cloudy dust the breadth +Of all the plain, and backward from the camp +To Ilium’s gates thyself shalt see them driven.175 + He ceased, and shouting traversed swift the field. +Loud as nine thousand or ten thousand shout +In furious battle mingled, Neptune sent +His voice abroad, force irresistible +Infusing into every Grecian heart,180 +And thirst of battle not to be assuaged. + But Juno of the golden throne stood forth +On the Olympian summit, viewing thence +The field, where clear distinguishing the God +Of ocean, her own brother, sole engaged185 +Amid the glorious battle, glad was she. +Seeing Jove also on the topmost point +Of spring-fed Ida seated, she conceived +Hatred against him, and thenceforth began +Deliberate how best she might deceive190 +The Thunderer, and thus at last resolved; +Attired with skill celestial to descend +On Ida, with a hope to allure him first +Won by her beauty to a fond embrace, +Then closing fast in balmy sleep profound195 +His eyes, to elude his vigilance, secure. +She sought her chamber; Vulcan her own son +That chamber built. He framed the solid doors, +And to the posts fast closed them with a key +Mysterious, which, herself except, in heaven200 +None understood. Entering she secured +The splendid portal. First, she laved all o’er +Her beauteous body with ambrosial lymph, +Then polish’d it with richest oil divine +Of boundless fragrance;[2] oil that in the courts205 +Eternal only shaken, through the skies +Breathed odors, and through all the distant earth. +Her whole fair body with those sweets bedew’d, +She passed the comb through her ambrosial hair, +And braided her bright locks streaming profuse210 +From her immortal brows; with golden studs +She made her gorgeous mantle fast before, +Ethereal texture, labor of the hands +Of Pallas beautified with various art, +And braced it with a zone fringed all around215 +A hundred fold; her pendants triple-gemm’d +Luminous, graceful, in her ears she hung, +And covering all her glories with a veil +Sun-bright, new-woven, bound to her fair feet +Her sandals elegant. Thus full attired,220 +In all her ornaments, she issued forth, +And beckoning Venus from the other powers +Of heaven apart, the Goddess thus bespake. + Daughter beloved! shall I obtain my suit, +Or wilt thou thwart me, angry that I aid225 +The Grecians, while thine aid is given to Troy? + To whom Jove’s daughter Venus thus replied. +What would majestic Juno, daughter dread +Of Saturn, sire of Jove? I feel a mind +Disposed to gratify thee, if thou ask230 +Things possible, and possible to me. + Then thus with wiles veiling her deep design +Imperial Juno. Give me those desires, +That love-enkindling power by which thou sway’st +Immortal hearts and mortal, all alike;235 +For to the green earth’s utmost bounds I go, +To visit there the parent of the Gods, +Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused, +Mother of all. They kindly from the hands +Of Rhea took, and with parental care240 +Sustain’d and cherish’d me, what time from heaven +The Thunderer hurled down Saturn, and beneath +The earth fast bound him and the barren Deep. +Them go I now to visit, and their feuds +Innumerable to compose; for long245 +They have from conjugal embrace abstain’d +Through mutual wrath, whom by persuasive speech +Might I restore into each other’s arms, +They would for ever love me and revere. + Her, foam-born Venus then, Goddess of smiles,250 +Thus answer’d. Thy request, who in the arms +Of Jove reposest the omnipotent, +Nor just it were nor seemly to refuse. + So saying, the cincture from her breast she loosed +Embroider’d, various, her all-charming zone.255 +It was an ambush of sweet snares, replete +With love, desire, soft intercourse of hearts, +And music of resistless whisper’d sounds +That from the wisest steal their best resolves; +She placed it in her hands and thus she said.260 + Take this—this girdle fraught with every charm. +Hide this within thy bosom, and return, +Whate’er thy purpose, mistress of it all. + She spake; imperial Juno smiled, and still +Smiling complacent, bosom’d safe the zone.265 +Then Venus to her father’s court return’d, +And Juno, starting from the Olympian height, +O’erflew Pieria and the lovely plains +Of broad Emathia; soaring thence she swept +The snow-clad summits of the Thracian hills270 +Steed-famed, nor printed, as she passed, the soil. +From Athos o’er the foaming billows borne +She came to Lemnos, city and abode +Of noble Thoas, and there meeting Sleep, +Brother of Death, she press’d his hand, and said,275 + Sleep, over all, both Gods and men, supreme! +If ever thou hast heard, hear also now +My suit; I will be grateful evermore. +Seal for me fast the radiant eyes of Jove +In the instant of his gratified desire.280 +Thy recompense shall be a throne of gold, +Bright, incorruptible; my limping son, +Vulcan, shall fashion it himself with art +Laborious, and, beneath, shall place a stool[3] +For thy fair feet, at the convivial board.285 + Then answer thus the tranquil Sleep returned +Great Saturn’s daughter, awe-inspiring Queen! +All other of the everlasting Gods +I could with ease make slumber, even the streams +Of Ocean, Sire of all.[4] Not so the King290 +The son of Saturn: him, unless himself +Give me command, I dare not lull to rest, +Or even approach him, taught as I have been +Already in the school of thy commands +That wisdom. I forget not yet the day295 +When, Troy laid waste, that valiant son[5] of his +Sail’d homeward: then my influence I diffused +Soft o’er the sovereign intellect of Jove; +While thou, against the Hero plotting harm, +Didst rouse the billows with tempestuous blasts,300 +And separating him from all his friend, +Brought’st him to populous Cos. Then Jove awoke, +And, hurling in his wrath the Gods about, +Sought chiefly me, whom far below all ken +He had from heaven cast down into the Deep,305 +But Night, resistless vanquisher of all, +Both Gods and men, preserved me; for to her +I fled for refuge. So the Thunderer cool’d, +Though sore displeased, and spared me through a fear +To violate the peaceful sway of Night.[6]310 +And thou wouldst now embroil me yet again! + To whom majestic Juno thus replied. +Ah, wherefore, Sleep! shouldst thou indulge a fear +So groundless? Chase it from thy mind afar. +Think’st thou the Thunderer as intent to serve315 +The Trojans, and as jealous in their cause +As erst for Hercules, his genuine son? +Come then, and I will bless thee with a bride; +One of the younger Graces shall be thine, +Pasithea, day by day still thy desire.320 + She spake; Sleep heard delighted, and replied. +By the inviolable Stygian flood +Swear to me; lay thy right hand on the glebe +All-teeming, lay thy other on the face +Of the flat sea, that all the Immortal Powers325 +Who compass Saturn in the nether realms +May witness, that thou givest me for a bride +The younger Grace whom thou hast named, divine +Pasithea, day by day still my desire. + He said, nor beauteous Juno not complied,330 +But sware, by name invoking all the powers +Titanian call’d who in the lowest gulf +Dwell under Tartarus, omitting none. +Her oath with solemn ceremonial sworn, +Together forth they went; Lemnos they left335 +And Imbrus, city of Thrace, and in dark clouds +Mantled, with gliding ease swam through the air +To Ida’s mount with rilling waters vein’d, +Parent of savage beasts; at Lectos[7] first +They quitted Ocean, overpassing high340 +The dry land, while beneath their feet the woods +Their spiry summits waved. There, unperceived +By Jove, Sleep mounted Ida’s loftiest pine +Of growth that pierced the sky, and hidden sat +Secure by its expanded boughs, the bird345 +Shrill-voiced resembling in the mountains seen,[8] +Chalcis in heaven, on earth Cymindis named. + But Juno swift to Gargarus the top +Of Ida, soar’d, and there Jove saw his spouse. +—Saw her—and in his breast the same love felt350 +Rekindled vehement, which had of old +Join’d them, when, by their parents unperceived, +They stole aside, and snatch’d their first embrace. +Soon he accosted her, and thus inquired. + + Juno! what region seeking hast thou left355 +The Olympian summit, and hast here arrived +With neither steed nor chariot in thy train? + To whom majestic Juno thus replied +Dissembling. To the green earth’s end I go, +To visit there the parent of the Gods360 +Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused, +Mother of all. They kindly from the hands +Of Rhea took, and with parental care +Sustain’d and cherish’d me;[9] to them I haste +Their feuds innumerable to compose,365 +Who disunited by intestine strife +Long time, from conjugal embrace abstain. +My steeds, that lightly over dank and dry +Shall bear me, at the rooted base I left +Of Ida river-vein’d. But for thy sake370 +From the Olympian summit I arrive, +Lest journeying remote to the abode +Of Ocean, and with no consent of thine +Entreated first, I should, perchance, offend. + To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.375 +Juno! thy journey thither may be made +Hereafter. Let us turn to dalliance now. +For never Goddess pour’d, nor woman yet +So full a tide of love into my breast; +I never loved Ixion’s consort thus380 +Who bore Pirithoüs, wise as we in heaven; +Nor sweet Acrisian Danäe, from whom +Sprang Perseus, noblest of the race of man; +Nor Phœnix’ daughter fair,[10] of whom were born +Minos unmatch’d but by the powers above,385 +And Rhadamanthus; nor yet Semele, +Nor yet Alcmena, who in Thebes produced +The valiant Hercules; and though my son +By Semele were Bacchus, joy of man; +Nor Ceres golden-hair’d, nor high-enthroned390 +Latona in the skies, no—nor thyself +As now I love thee, and my soul perceive +O’erwhelm’d with sweetness of intense desire. + Then thus majestic Juno her reply +Framed artful. Oh unreasonable haste!395 +What speaks the Thunderer? If on Ida’s heights. +Where all is open and to view exposed +Thou wilt that we embrace, what must betide, +Should any of the everlasting Gods +Observe us, and declare it to the rest?400 +Never could I, arising, seek again, +Thy mansion, so unseemly were the deed. +But if thy inclinations that way tend, +Thou hast a chamber; it is Vulcan’s work, +Our son’s; he framed and fitted to its posts405 +The solid portal; thither let us his, +And there repose, since such thy pleasure seems. + To whom the cloud-assembler Deity. +Fear thou not, Juno, lest the eye of man +Or of a God discern us; at my word410 +A golden cloud shall fold us so around, +That not the Sun himself shall through that veil +Discover aught, though keenest-eyed of all. + So spake the son of Saturn, and his spouse +Fast lock’d within his arms. Beneath them earth415 +With sudden herbage teem’d; at once upsprang +The crocus soft, the lotus bathed in dew, +And the crisp hyacinth with clustering bells; +Thick was their growth, and high above the ground +Upbore them. On that flowery couch they lay,420 +Invested with a golden cloud that shed +Bright dew-drops all around.[11] His heart at ease, +There lay the Sire of all, by Sleep and Love +Vanquish’d on lofty Gargarus, his spouse +Constraining still with amorous embrace.425 +Then, gentle Sleep to the Achaian camp +Sped swift away, with tidings for the ear +Of earth-encircler Neptune charged; him soon +He found, and in wing’d accents thus began. + Now Neptune, yield the Greeks effectual aid,430 +And, while the moment lasts of Jove’s repose, +Make victory theirs; for him in slumbers soft +I have involved, while Juno by deceit +Prevailing, lured him with the bait of love. + He said, and swift departed to his task435 +Among the nations; but his tidings urged +Neptune with still more ardor to assist +The Danaï; he leap’d into the van +Afar, and thus exhorted them aloud. + Oh Argives! yield we yet again the day440 +To Priameian Hector? Shall he seize +Our ships, and make the glory all his own? +Such is his expectation, so he vaunts, +For that Achilles leaves not yet his camp, +Resentful; but of him small need, I judge,445 +Should here be felt, could once the rest be roused +To mutual aid. Act, then, as I advise. +The best and broadest bucklers of the host, +And brightest helmets put we on, and arm’d +With longest spears, advance; myself will lead;450 +And trust me, furious though he be, the son +Of Priam flies. Ye then who feel your hearts +Undaunted, but are arm’d with smaller shields, +Them give to those who fear, and in exchange +Their stronger shields and broader take yourselves.455 + So he, whom, unreluctant, all obey’d. +Then, wounded as they were, themselves the Kings, +Tydides, Agamemnon and Ulysses +Marshall’d the warriors, and from rank to rank +Made just exchange of arms, giving the best460 +To the best warriors, to the worse, the worst. +And now in brazen armor all array’d +Refulgent on they moved, by Neptune led +With firm hand grasping his long-bladed sword +Keen as Jove’s bolt; with him may none contend465 +In dreadful fight; but fear chains every arm. + Opposite, Priameian Hector ranged +His Trojans; then they stretch’d the bloody cord +Of conflict tight, Neptune cœrulean-hair’d, +And Hector, pride of Ilium; one, the Greeks470 +Supporting firm, and one, the powers of Troy; +A sea-flood dash’d the galleys, and the hosts +Join’d clamorous. Not so the billows roar +The shores among, when Boreas’ roughest blast +Sweeps landward from the main the towering surge;475 +Not so, devouring fire among the trees +That clothe the mountain, when the sheeted flames +Ascending wrap the forest in a blaze; +Nor howl the winds through leafy boughs of oaks +Upgrown aloft (though loudest there they rave)480 +With sounds so awful as were heard of Greeks +And Trojans shouting when the clash began. + At Ajax, first (for face to face they stood) +Illustrious Hector threw a spear well-aim’d, +But smote him where the belts that bore his shield485 +And falchion cross’d each other on his breast. +The double guard preserved him unannoy’d. +Indignant that his spear had bootless flown, +Yet fearing death at hand, the Trojan Chief +Toward the phalanx of his friends retired.490 +But, as he went, huge Ajax with a stone +Of those which propp’d the ships (for numerous such +Lay rolling at the feet of those who fought) +Assail’d him. Twirling like a top it pass’d +The shield of Hector, near the neck his breast495 +Struck full, then plough’d circuitous the dust. +As when Jove’s arm omnipotent an oak +Prostrates uprooted on the plain, a fume +Rises sulphureous from the riven trunk, +And if, perchance, some traveller nigh at hand500 +See it, he trembles at the bolt of Jove, +So fell the might of Hector, to the earth +Smitten at once. Down dropp’d his idle spear, +And with his helmet and his shield himself +Also; loud thunder’d all his gorgeous arms.505 +Swift flew the Grecians shouting to the skies, +And showering darts, to drag his body thence, +But neither spear of theirs nor shaft could harm +The fallen leader, with such instant aid +His princely friends encircled him around,510 +Sarpedon, Lycian Chief, Glaucus the brave, +Polydamas, Æneas, and renown’d +Agenor; neither tardy were the rest, +But with round shields all shelter’d Hector fallen. +Him soon uplifted from the plain his friends515 +Bore thence, till where his fiery coursers stood, +And splendid chariot in the rear, they came, +Then Troy-ward drove him groaning as he went. +Ere long arriving at the pleasant stream +Of eddied Xanthus, progeny of Jove,520 +They laid him on the bank, and on his face +Pour’d water; he, reviving, upward gazed, +And seated on his hams black blood disgorged +Coagulate, but soon relapsing, fell +Supine, his eyes with pitchy darkness veil’d,525 +And all his powers still torpid by the blow. + Then, seeing Hector borne away, the Greeks +Rush’d fiercer on, all mindful of the fight, +And far before the rest, Ajax the swift, +The Oïlean Chief, with pointed spear530 +On Satnius springing, pierced him. Him a nymph +A Naiad, bore to Enops, while his herd +Feeding, on Satnio’s grassy verge he stray’d. +But Oïliades the spear-renown’d +Approaching, pierced his flank; supine he fell,535 +And fiery contest for the dead arose. +In vengeance of his fall, spear-shaking Chief +The son of Panthus into fight advanced +Polydamas, who Prothöenor pierced +Offspring of Areïlocus, and urged540 +Through his right shoulder sheer the stormy lance. +He, prostrate, clench’d the dust, and with loud voice +Polydamas exulted at his fall. + Yon spear, methinks, hurl’d from the warlike hand +Of Panthus’ noble son, flew not in vain,545 +But some Greek hath it, purposing, I judge, +To lean on it in his descent to hell. + So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard. +But most indignant, Ajax, offspring bold +Of Telamon, to whom he nearest fell.550 +He, quick, at the retiring conqueror cast +His radiant spear; Polydamas the stroke +Shunn’d, starting sideward; but Antenor’s son +Archilochus the mortal dint received, +Death-destined by the Gods; where neck and spine555 +Unite, both tendons he dissever’d wide, +And, ere his knees, his nostrils met the ground. + Then Ajax in his turn vaunting aloud +Against renown’d Polydamas, exclaim’d. +Speak now the truth, Polydamas, and weigh560 +My question well. His life whom I have slain +Makes it not compensation for the loss +Of Prothöenor’s life! To me he seems +Nor base himself; nor yet of base descent, +But brother of Atenor steed-renown’d,565 +Or else perchance his son; for in my eyes +Antenor’s lineage he resembles most. + So he, well knowing him, and sorrow seized +Each Trojan heart. Then Acamas around +His brother stalking, wounded with his spear570 +Bœotian Promachus, who by the feet +Dragg’d off the slain. Acamas in his fall +Aloud exulted with a boundless joy. + Vain-glorious Argives, archers inexpert! +War’s toil and trouble are not ours alone,575 +But ye shall perish also; mark the man— +How sound he sleeps tamed by my conquering arm, +Your fellow-warrior Promachus! the debt +Of vengeance on my brother’s dear behalf +Demanded quick discharge; well may the wish580 +Of every dying warrior be to leave +A brother living to avenge his fall. + He ended, whom the Greeks indignant heard, +But chiefly brave Peneleus; swift he rush’d +On Acamas; but from before the force585 +Of King Peneleus Acamas retired, +And, in his stead, Ilioneus he pierced, +Offspring of Phorbas, rich in flocks; and blest +By Mercury with such abundant wealth +As other Trojan none, nor child to him590 +His spouse had borne, Ilioneus except. +Him close beneath the brow to his eye-roots +Piercing, he push’d the pupil from its seat, +And through his eye and through his poll the spear +Urged furious. He down-sitting on the earth595 +Both hands extended; but, his glittering blade +Forth-drawn, Peneleus through his middle neck +Enforced it; head and helmet to the ground +He lopp’d together, with the lance infixt +Still in his eye; then like a poppy’s head600 +The crimson trophy lifting, in the ears +He vaunted loud of Ilium’s host, and cried. + Go, Trojans! be my messengers! Inform +The parents of Ilioneus the brave +That they may mourn their son through all their house,605 +For so the wife of Alegenor’s son +Bœotian Promachus must him bewail, +Nor shall she welcome his return with smiles +Of joy affectionate, when from the shores +Of Troy the fleet shall bear us Grecians home.610 + He said; fear whiten’d every Trojan cheek, +And every Trojan eye with earnest look +Inquired a refuge from impending fate. + Say now, ye Muses, blest inhabitants +Of the Olympian realms! what Grecian first615 +Fill’d his victorious hand with armor stript +From slaughter’d Trojans, after Ocean’s God +Had, interposing, changed the battle’s course? + First, Telamonian Ajax Hyrtius slew, +Undaunted leader of the Mysian band.620 +Phalces and Mermerus their arms resign’d +To young Antilochus; Hyppotion fell +And Morys by Meriones; the shafts +Right-aim’d of Teucer to the shades dismiss’d +Prothöus and Periphetes, and the prince625 +Of Sparta, Menelaus, in his flank +Pierced Hyperenor; on his entrails prey’d +The hungry steel, and, through the gaping wound +Expell’d, his spirit flew; night veil’d his eyes. +But Ajax Oïliades the swift630 +Slew most; him none could equal in pursuit +Of tremblers scatter’d by the frown of Jove. + + + + +BOOK XV. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTEENTH BOOK. + +Jove, awaking and seeing the Trojans routed, threatens Juno. He sends +Iris to admonish Neptune to relinquish the battle, and Apollo to +restore health to Hector. Apollo armed with the Ægis, puts to flight +the Grecians; they are pursued home to their fleet, and Telamonian Ajax +slays twelve Trojans bringing fire to burn it. + + +BOOK XV. + + +But when the flying Trojans had o’erpass’d +Both stakes and trench, and numerous slaughtered lay +By Grecian hands, the remnant halted all +Beside their chariots, pale, discomfited. +Then was it that on Ida’s summit Jove5 +At Juno’s side awoke; starting, he stood +At once erect; Trojans and Greeks he saw, +These broken, those pursuing and led on +By Neptune; he beheld also remote +Encircled by his friends, and on the plain10 +Extended, Hector; there he panting lay, +Senseless, ejecting blood, bruised by a blow +From not the feeblest of the sons of Greece. +Touch’d with compassion at that sight, the Sire +Of Gods and men, frowning terrific, fix’d15 +His eyes on Juno, and her thus bespake. + No place for doubt remains. Oh, versed in wiles, +Juno! thy mischief-teeming mind perverse +Hath plotted this; thou hast contrived the hurt +Of Hector, and hast driven his host to flight.20 +I know not but thyself mayst chance to reap +The first-fruits of thy cunning, scourged[1] by me. +Hast thou forgotten how I once aloft +Suspended thee, with anvils at thy feet, +And both thy wrists bound with a golden cord25 +Indissoluble? In the clouds of heaven +I hung thee, while from the Olympian heights +The Gods look’d mournful on, but of them all +None could deliver thee, for whom I seized, +Hurl’d through the gates of heaven on earth he fell,30 +Half-breathless. Neither so did I resign +My hot resentment of the hero’s wrongs +Immortal Hercules, whom thou by storms +Call’d from the North, with mischievous intent +Hadst driven far distant o’er the barren Deep35 +To populous Cos. Thence I deliver’d him, +And after numerous woes severe, he reach’d +The shores of fruitful Argos, saved by me. +I thus remind thee now, that thou mayst cease +Henceforth from artifice, and mayst be taught40 +How little all the dalliance and the love +Which, stealing down from heaven, thou hast by fraud +Obtain’d from me, shall profit thee at last. + He ended, whom imperial Juno heard +Shuddering, and in wing’d accents thus replied.45 + Be witness Earth, the boundless Heaven above, +And Styx beneath, whose stream the blessed Gods +Even tremble to adjure;[2] be witness too +Thy sacred life, and our connubial bed, +Which by a false oath I will never wrong,50 +That by no art induced or plot of mine +Neptune, the Shaker of the shores, inflicts +These harms on Hector and the Trojan host +Aiding the Grecians, but impell’d alone +By his own heart with pity moved at sight55 +Of the Achaians at the ships subdued. +But even him, oh Sovereign of the storms! +I am prepared to admonish that he quit +The battle, and retire where thou command’st. + So she; then smiled the Sire of Gods and men,60 +And in wing’d accents answer thus return’d.[3] + Juno! wouldst thou on thy celestial throne +Assist my counsels, howso’er in heart +He differ now, Neptune should soon his will +Submissive bend to thy desires and mine.65 +But if sincerity be in thy words +And truth, repairing to the blest abodes +Send Iris hither, with the archer God +Apollo; that she, visiting the host +Of Greece, may bid the Sovereign of the Deep70 +Renounce the fight, and seek his proper home. +Apollo’s part shall be to rouse again +Hector to battle, to inspire his soul +Afresh with courage, and all memory thence +To banish of the pangs which now he feels.75 +Apollo also shall again repulse +Achaia’s host, which with base panic fill’d, +Shall even to Achilles’ ships be driven. +Achilles shall his valiant friend exhort +Patroclus forth; him under Ilium’s walls80 +Shall glorious Hector slay; but many a youth +Shall perish by Patroclus first, with whom, +My noble son Sarpedon. Peleus’ son, +Resentful of Patroclus’ death, shall slay +Hector, and I will urge ceaseless, myself,85 +Thenceforth the routed Trojans back again, +Till by Minerva’s aid the Greeks shall take +Ilium’s proud city; till that day arrive +My wrath shall burn, nor will I one permit +Of all the Immortals to assist the Greeks,90 +But will perform Achilles’ whole desire. +Such was my promise to him at the first, +Ratified by a nod that self-same day +When Thetis clasp’d my knees, begging revenge +And glory for her city-spoiler son.95 + He ended; nor his spouse white-arm’d refused +Obedience, but from the Idæan heights +Departing, to the Olympian summit soar’d. +Swift as the traveller’s thought,[4] who, many a land +Traversed, deliberates on his future course100 +Uncertain, and his mind sends every way, +So swift updarted Juno to the skies. +Arrived on the Olympian heights, she found +The Gods assembled; they, at once, their seats +At her approach forsaking, with full cups105 +Her coming hail’d; heedless of all beside, +She took the cup from blooming Themis’ hand, +For she first flew to welcome her, and thus +In accents wing’d of her return inquired. + Say, Juno, why this sudden re-ascent?110 +Thou seem’st dismay’d; hath Saturn’s son, thy spouse, +Driven thee affrighted to the skies again? + To whom the white-arm’d Goddess thus replied. +Themis divine, ask not. Full well thou know’st +How harshly temper’d is the mind of Jove,115 +And how untractable. Resume thy seat; +The banquet calls thee; at our board preside, +Thou shalt be told, and all in heaven shall hear +What ills he threatens; such as shall not leave +All minds at ease, I judge, here or on earth,120 +However tranquil some and joyous now. + So spake the awful spouse of Jove, and sat. +Then, all alike, the Gods displeasure felt +Throughout the courts of Jove, but she, her lips +Gracing with smiles from which her sable brows125 +Dissented,[5] thus indignant them address’d. + Alas! how vain against the Thunderer’s will +Our anger, and the hope to supersede +His purpose, by persuasion or by force! +He solitary sits, all unconcern’d130 +At our resentment, and himself proclaims +Mightiest and most to be revered in heaven. +Be patient, therefore, and let each endure +Such ills as Jove may send him. Mars, I ween, +Already hath his share; the warrior God135 +Hath lost Ascalaphus, of all mankind +His most beloved, and whom he calls his own. + She spake, and with expanded palms his thighs +Smiling, thus, sorrowful, the God exclaim’d. + Inhabitants of the Olympian heights!140 +Oh bear with me, if to avenge my son +I seek Achaia’s fleet, although my doom +Be thunder-bolts from Jove, and with the dead +Outstretch’d to lie in carnage and in dust. + He spake, and bidding Horror and Dismay145 +Lead to the yoke his rapid steeds, put on +His all-refulgent armor. Then had wrath +More dreadful, some strange vengeance on the Gods +From Jove befallen, had not Minerva, touch’d +With timely fears for all, upstarting sprung150 +From where she sat, right through the vestibule. +She snatch’d the helmet from his brows, the shield +From his broad shoulder, and the brazen spear +Forced from his grasp into its place restored. +Then reprimanding Mars, she thus began.155 + Frantic, delirious! thou art lost for ever! +Is it in vain that thou hast ears to hear, +And hast thou neither shame nor reason left? +How? hear’st thou not the Goddess? the report +Of white-arm’d Juno from Olympian Jove160 +Return’d this moment? or perfer’st thou rather, +Plagued with a thousand woes, and under force +Of sad necessity to seek again +Olympus, and at thy return to prove +Author of countless miseries to us all?165 +For He at once Grecians and Trojans both +Abandoning, will hither haste prepared +To tempest[6] us in heaven, whom he will seize, +The guilty and the guiltless, all alike. +I bid thee, therefore, patient bear the death170 +Of thy Ascalaphus; braver than he +And abler have, ere now, in battle fallen, +And shall hereafter; arduous were the task +To rescue from the stroke of fate the race +Of mortal men, with all their progeny.175 + So saying, Minerva on his throne replaced +The fiery Mars. Then, summoning abroad +Apollo from within the hall of Jove, +With Iris, swift ambassadress of heaven, +Them in wing’d accents Juno thus bespake.180 + Jove bids you hence with undelaying speed +To Ida; in his presence once arrived, +See that ye execute his whole command. + So saying, the awful Goddess to her throne +Return’d and sat. They, cleaving swift the air,185 +Alighted soon on Ida fountain-fed, +Parent of savage kinds. High on the point +Seated of Gargarus, and wrapt around +With fragrant clouds, they found Saturnian Jove +The Thunderer, and in his presence stood.190 +He, nought displeased that they his high command +Had with such readiness obey’d, his speech +To Iris, first, in accents wing’d address’d + Swift Iris, haste—to royal Neptune bear +My charge entire; falsify not the word.195 +Bid him, relinquishing the fight, withdraw +Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep. +But should he disobedient prove, and scorn +My message, let him, next, consider well +How he will bear, powerful as he is,200 +My coming. Me I boast superior far +In force, and elder-born; yet deems he slight +The danger of comparison with me, +Who am the terror of all heaven beside. + He spake, nor storm-wing’d Iris disobey’d,205 +But down from the Idæan summit stoop’d +To sacred Ilium. As when snow or hail +Flies drifted by the cloud-dispelling North, +So swiftly, wing’d with readiness of will, +She shot the gulf between, and standing soon210 +At glorious Neptune’s side, him thus address’d. + To thee, O Neptune azure-hair’d! I come +With tidings charged from Ægis-bearing Jove. +He bids thee cease from battle, and retire +Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep.215 +But shouldst thou, disobedient, set at nought +His words, he threatens that himself will haste +To fight against thee; but he bids thee shun +That strife with one superior far to thee, +And elder-born; yet deem’st thou slight, he saith,220 +The danger of comparison with Him, +Although the terror of all heaven beside. + Her then the mighty Shaker of the shores +Answer’d indignant. Great as is his power, +Yet he hath spoken proudly, threatening me225 +With force, high-born and glorious as himself. +We are three brothers; Saturn is our sire, +And Rhea brought us forth; first, Jove she bore; +Me next; then, Pluto, Sovereign of the shades. +By distribution tripart we received230 +Each his peculiar honors; me the lots +Made Ruler of the hoary floods, and there +I dwell for ever. Pluto, for his part, +The regions took of darkness; and the heavens, +The clouds, and boundless æther, fell to Jove.235 +The Earth and the Olympian heights alike +Are common to the three. My life and being +I hold not, therefore, at his will, whose best +And safest course, with all his boasted power, +Were to possess in peace his proper third.240 +Let him not seek to terrify with force +Me like a dastard; let him rather chide +His own-begotten; with big-sounding words +His sons and daughters govern, who perforce +Obey his voice, and shrink at his commands.245 + To whom thus Iris tempest-wing’d replied, +Cœrulean-tress’d Sovereign of the Deep! +Shall I report to Jove, harsh as it is, +Thy speech, or wilt thou soften it? The wise +Are flexible, and on the elder-born250 +Erynnis, with her vengeful sisters, waits.[7] + Her answer’d then the Shaker of the shores. +Prudent is thy advice, Iris divine! +Discretion in a messenger is good +At all times. But the cause that fires me thus,255 +And with resentment my whole heart and mind +Possesses, is the license that he claims +To vex with provocation rude of speech +Me his compeer, and by decree of Fate +Illustrious as himself; yet, though incensed,260 +And with just cause, I will not now persist. +But hear—for it is treasured in my heart +The threat that my lips utter. If he still +Resolve to spare proud Ilium in despite +Of me, of Pallas, Goddess of the spoils,265 +Of Juno, Mercury, and the King of fire, +And will not overturn her lofty towers, +Nor grant immortal glory to the Greeks, +Then tell him thus—hostility shall burn, +And wrath between us never to be quench’d.270 + So saying, the Shaker of the shores forsook +The Grecian host, and plunged into the deep, +Miss’d by Achaia’s heroes. Then, the cloud-Assembler +God thus to Apollo spake. + Hence, my Apollo! to the Trojan Chief275 +Hector; for earth-encircler Neptune, awed +By fear of my displeasure imminent, +Hath sought the sacred Deep. Else, all the Gods +Who compass Saturn in the nether realms, +Had even there our contest heard, I ween,280 +And heard it loudly. But that he retreats +Although at first incensed, shunning my wrath, +Is salutary both for him and me, +Whose difference else had not been healed with ease. +Take thou my shaggy Ægis, and with force285 +Smiting it, terrify the Chiefs of Greece. +As for illustrious Hector, him I give +To thy peculiar care; fail not to rouse +His fiercest courage, till he push the Greeks +To Hellespont, and to their ships again;290 +Thenceforth to yield to their afflicted host +Some pause from toil, shall be my own concern. + He ended, nor Apollo disobey’d +His father’s voice; from the Idæan heights, +Swift as the swiftest of the fowls of air,295 +The dove-destroyer falcon, down he flew. +The noble Hector, valiant Priam’s son +He found, not now extended on the plain, +But seated; newly, as from death, awaked, +And conscious of his friends; freely he breathed300 +Nor sweated more, by Jove himself revived. +Apollo stood beside him, and began. + Say, Hector, Priam’s son! why sittest here +Feeble and spiritless, and from thy host +Apart? what new disaster hath befall’n?305 + To whom with difficulty thus replied +The warlike Chief.—But tell me who art Thou, +Divine inquirer! best of powers above! +Know’st not that dauntless Ajax me his friends +Slaughtering at yonder ships, hath with a stone310 +Surceased from fight, smiting me on the breast? +I thought to have beheld, this day, the dead +In Ades, every breath so seem’d my last. + Then answer thus the Archer-God return’d. +Courage this moment! such a helper Jove315 +From Ida sends thee at thy side to war +Continual, Phœbus of the golden sword, +Whose guardian aid both thee and lofty Troy +Hath succor’d many a time. Therefore arise! +Instant bid drive thy numerous charioteers320 +Their rapid steeds full on the Grecian fleet; +I, marching at their head, will smooth, myself, +The way before them, and will turn again +To flight the heroes of the host of Greece. + He said and with new strength the Chief inspired.325 +As some stall’d horse high pamper’d, snapping short +His cord, beats under foot the sounding soil, +Accustom’d in smooth-sliding streams to lave +Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane +Wantons around his shoulders; pleased, he eyes330 +His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees +Soon finds the haunts where all his fellows graze; +So bounded Hector, and his agile joints +Plied lightly, quicken’d by the voice divine, +And gather’d fast his charioteers to battle.335 +But as when hounds and hunters through the woods +Rush in pursuit of stag or of wild goat, +He, in some cave with tangled boughs o’erhung, +Lies safe conceal’d, no destined prey of theirs, +Till by their clamors roused, a lion grim340 +Starts forth to meet them; then, the boldest fly; +Such hot pursuit the Danaï, with swords +And spears of double edge long time maintain’d. +But seeing Hector in his ranks again +Occupied, felt at once their courage fall’n.345 + Then, Thoas them, Andræmon’s son, address’d, +Foremost of the Ætolians, at the spear +Skilful, in stationary combat bold, +And when the sons of Greece held in dispute +The prize of eloquence, excell’d by few.350 +Prudent advising them, he thus began. + Ye Gods! what prodigy do I behold? +Hath Hector, ’scaping death, risen again? +For him, with confident persuasion all +Believed by Telamonian Ajax slain.355 +But some Divinity hath interposed +To rescue and save Hector, who the joints +Hath stiffen’d of full many a valiant Greek, +As surely now he shall; for, not without +The Thunderer’s aid, he flames in front again.360 +But take ye all my counsel. Send we back +The multitude into the fleet, and first +Let us, who boast ourselves bravest in fight, +Stand, that encountering him with lifted spears, +We may attempt to give his rage a check.365 +To thrust himself into a band like ours +Will, doubtless, even in Hector move a fear. + He ceased, with whose advice all, glad, complied. +Then Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete, +Teucer, Meriones, and Meges fierce370 +As Mars in battle, summoning aloud +The noblest Greeks, in opposition firm +To Hector and his host their bands prepared, +While others all into the fleet retired. +Troy’s crowded host[8] struck first. With awful strides375 +Came Hector foremost; him Apollo led, +His shoulders wrapt in clouds, and, on his arm, +The Ægis shagg’d terrific all around, +Tempestuous, dazzling-bright; it was a gift +To Jove from Vulcan, and design’d to appall,380 +And drive to flight the armies of the earth. +Arm’d with that shield Apollo led them on. +Firm stood the embodied Greeks; from either host +Shrill cries arose; the arrows from the nerve +Leap’d, and, by vigorous arms dismiss’d, the spears385 +Flew frequent; in the flesh some stood infixt +Of warlike youths, but many, ere they reach’d +The mark they coveted, unsated fell +Between the hosts, and rested in the soil. +Long as the God unagitated held390 +The dreadful disk, so long the vollied darts +Made mutual slaughter, and the people fell; +But when he look’d the Grecian charioteers +Full in the face and shook it, raising high +Himself the shout of battle, then he quell’d395 +Their spirits, then he struck from every mind +At once all memory of their might in arms. +As when two lions in the still, dark night +A herd of beeves scatter or numerous flock +Suddenly, in the absence of the guard,400 +So fled the heartless Greeks, for Phœbus sent +Terrors among them, but renown conferr’d +And triumph proud on Hector and his host. +Then, in that foul disorder of the field, +Man singled man. Arcesilaüs died405 +By Hector’s arm, and Stichius; one, a Chief[9] +Of the Bœotians brazen-mail’d, and one, +Menestheus’ faithful follower to the fight. +Æneas Medon and Iäsus slew. +Medon was spurious offspring of divine410 +Oïleus Ajax’ father, and abode +In Phylace; for he had slain a Chief +Brother of Eriopis the espoused +Of brave Oïleus; but Iäsus led +A phalanx of Athenians, and the son415 +Of Sphelus, son of Bucolus was deem’d. +Pierced by Polydamas Mecisteus fell, +Polites, in the van of battle, slew +Echion, and Agenor Clonius; +But Paris, while Deïochus to flight420 +Turn’d with the routed van, pierced him beneath +His shoulder-blade, and urged the weapon through. + While them the Trojans spoil’d, meantime the Greeks, +Entangled in the piles of the deep foss, +Fled every way, and through necessity425 +Repass’d the wall. Then Hector with a voice +Of loud command bade every Trojan cease +From spoil, and rush impetuous on the fleet. +[10]And whom I find far lingering from the ships +Wherever, there he dies; no funeral fires430 +Brother on him, or sister, shall bestow, +But dogs shall rend him in the sight of Troy. + So saying, he lash’d the shoulders of his steeds, +And through the ranks vociferating, call’d +His Trojans on; they, clamorous as he,435 +All lash’d their steeds, and menacing, advanced. +Before them with his feet Apollo push’d +The banks into the foss, bridging the gulf +With pass commodious, both in length and breadth +A lance’s flight, for proof of vigor hurl’d.440 +There, phalanx after phalanx, they their host +Pour’d dense along, while Phœbus in the van +Display’d the awful ægis, and the wall +Levell’d with ease divine. As, on the shore +Some wanton boy with sand builds plaything walls,445 +Then, sportive spreads them with his feet abroad, +So thou, shaft-arm’d Apollo! that huge work +Laborious of the Greeks didst turn with ease +To ruin, and themselves drovest all to flight. +They, thus enforced into the fleet, again450 +Stood fast, with mutual exhortation each +His friend encouraging, and all the Gods +With lifted hands soliciting aloud. +But, more than all, Gerenian Nestor pray’d +Fervent, Achaia’s guardian, and with arms455 +Outstretch’d toward the starry skies, exclaim’d. + Jove, Father! if in corn-clad Argos, one, +One Greek hath ever, burning at thy shrine +Fat thighs of sheep or oxen, ask’d from thee +A safe return, whom thou hast gracious heard,460 +Olympian King! and promised what he sought, +Now, in remembrance of it, give us help +In this disastrous day, nor thus permit +Their Trojan foes to tread the Grecians down! + So Nestor pray’d, and Jove thunder’d aloud465 +Responsive to the old Neleïan’s prayer. +But when that voice of Ægis-bearing Jove +The Trojans heard, more furious on the Greeks +They sprang, all mindful of the fight. As when +A turgid billow of some spacious sea,470 +While the wind blow that heaves its highest, borne +Sheer o’er the vessel’s side, rolls into her, +With such loud roar the Trojans pass’d the wall; +In rush’d the steeds, and at the ships they waged +Fierce battle hand to hand, from chariots, these,475 +With spears of double edge, those, from the decks +Of many a sable bark, with naval poles +Long, ponderous, shod with steel; for every ship +Had such, for conflict maritime prepared. + While yet the battle raged only without480 +The wall, and from the ships apart, so long +Patroclus quiet in the tent and calm +Sat of Eurypylus, his generous friend +Consoling with sweet converse, and his wound +Sprinkling with drugs assuasive of his pains.485 +But soon as through the broken rampart borne +He saw the Trojans, and the clamor heard +And tumult of the flying Greeks, a voice +Of loud lament uttering, with open palms +His thighs he smote, and, sorrowful, exclaim’d.490 + Eurypylus! although thy need be great, +No longer may I now sit at thy side, +Such contest hath arisen; thy servant’s voice +Must soothe thee now, for I will to the tent +Haste of Achilles, and exhort him forth;495 +Who knows? if such the pleasure of the Gods, +I may prevail; friends rarely plead in vain. + So saying, he went. Meantime the Greeks endured +The Trojan onset, firm, yet from the ships +Repulsed them not, though fewer than themselves,500 +Nor could the host of Troy, breaking the ranks +Of Greece, mix either with the camp or fleet; +But as the line divides the plank aright, +Stretch’d by some naval architect, whose hand +Minerva hath accomplish’d in his art,505 +So stretch’d on them the cord of battle lay. +Others at other ships the conflict waged, +But Hector to the ship advanced direct +Of glorious Ajax; for one ship they strove; +Nor Hector, him dislodging thence, could fire510 +The fleet, nor Ajax from the fleet repulse +Hector, conducted thither by the Gods. +Then, noble Ajax with a spear the breast +Pierced of Caletor, son of Clytius, arm’d +With fire to burn his bark; sounding he fell,515 +And from his loosen’d grasp down dropp’d the brand. +But Hector seeing his own kinsman fallen +Beneath the sable bark, with mighty voice +Call’d on the hosts of Lycia and of Troy. + Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons520 +Of Dardanus, within this narrow pass +Stand firm, retreat not, but redeem the son +Of Clytius, lest the Grecians of his arms +Despoil him slain in battle at the ships. + + So saying, at Ajax his bright spear he cast525 +Him pierced he not, but Lycophron the son +Of Mastor, a Cytherian, who had left +Cytheras, fugitive for blood, and dwelt +With Ajax. Him standing at Ajax’ side, +He pierced above his ear; down from the stern530 +Supine he fell, and in the dust expired. +Then, shuddering, Ajax to his brother spake. + Alas, my Teucer! we have lost our friend; +Mastorides is slain, whom we received +An inmate from Cytheræ, and with love535 +And reverence even filia,, entertain’d; +B9 Hector pierced, he dies. Where are thy shafts +Death-wing’d, and bow, by gift from Phœbus thine? + He said, whom Teucer hearing, instant ran +With bow and well-stored quiver to his side,540 +Whence soon his arrows sought the Trojan host. +He struck Pisenor’s son Clytus, the friend +And charioteer of brave Polydamas, +Offspring of Panthus, toiling with both hands +To rule his fiery steeds; for more to please545 +The Trojans and their Chief, where stormy most +He saw the battle, thither he had driven. +But sudden mischief, valiant as he was, +Found him, and such as none could waft aside, +For right into his neck the arrow plunged,550 +And down he fell; his startled coursers shook +Their trappings, and the empty chariot rang. +That sound alarm’d Polydamas; he turn’d, +And flying to their heads, consign’d them o’er +To Protiaön’s son, Astynoüs,555 +Whom he enjoin’d to keep them in his view; +Then, turning, mingled with the van again. +But Teucer still another shaft produced +Design’d for valiant Hector, whose exploits +(Had that shaft reach’d him) at the ships of Greece560 +Had ceased for ever. But the eye of Jove, +Guardian of Hector’s life, slept not; he took +From Telamonian Te5cer that renown, +And while he stood straining the twisted nerve +Against the Trojan, snapp’d it. Devious flew565 +The steel-charged[11] arrow, and he dropp’d his bow. +Then shuddering, to his brother thus he spake. + Ah! it is evident. Some Power divine +Makes fruitless all our efforts, who hath struck +My bow out of my hand, and snapt the cord570 +With which I strung it new at dawn of day, +That it might bear the bound of many a shaft. + To whom the towering son of Telamon. +Leave then thy bow, and let thine arrows rest, +Which, envious of the Greeks, some God confounds,575 +That thou may’st fight with spear and buckler arm’d, +And animate the rest. Such be our deeds +That, should they conquer us, our foes may find +Our ships, at least a prize not lightly won. + So Ajax spake; then Teucer, in his tent580 +The bow replacing, slung his fourfold shield, +Settled on his illustrious brows his casque +With hair high-crested, waving, as he moved, +Terrible from above, took forth a spear +Tough-grain’d, acuminated sharp with brass,585 +And stood, incontinent, at Ajax’ side. +Hector perceived the change, and of the cause +Conscious, with echoing voice call’d to his host. + Trojans and Lycians and close-fighting sons +Of Dardanus, oh now, my friends, be men;590 +Now, wheresoever through the fleet dispersed, +Call into mind the fury of your might! +For I have seen, myself, Jove rendering vain +The arrows of their mightiest. Man may know +With ease the hand of interposing Jove,595 +Both whom to glory he ordains, and whom +He weakens and aids not; so now he leaves +The Grecians, but propitious smiles on us. +Therefore stand fast, and whosoever gall’d +By arrow or by spear, dies—let him die;600 +It shall not shame him that he died to serve +His country,[12] but his children, wife and home, +With all his heritage, shall be secure, +Drive but the Grecians from the shores of Troy. + So saying, he animated each. Meantime,605 +Ajax his fellow-warriors thus address’d. + Shame on you all! Now, Grecians, either die, +Or save at once your galley and yourselves. +Hope ye, that should your ships become the prize +Of warlike Hector, ye shall yet return610 +On foot? Or hear ye not the Chief aloud +Summoning all his host, and publishing +His own heart’s wish to burn your fleet with fire? +Not to a dance, believe me, but to fight +He calls them; therefore wiser course for us615 +Is none, than that we mingle hands with hands +In contest obstinate, and force with force. +Better at once to perish, or at once +To rescue life, than to consume the time +Hour after hour in lingering conflict vain620 +Here at the ships, with an inferior foe. + He said, and by his words into all hearts +Fresh confidence infused. Then Hector smote +Schedius, a Chief of the Phocensian powers +And son of Perimedes; Ajax slew,625 +Meantime, a Chief of Trojan infantry, +Laodamas, Antenor’s noble son +While by Polydamas, a leader bold +Of the Epeans, and Phylides’[13] friend, +Cyllenian Otus died. Meges that sight630 +Viewing indignant on the conqueror sprang, +But, starting wide, Polydamas escaped, +Saved by Apollo, and his spear transpierced +The breast of Cræsmus; on his sounding shield +Prostrate he fell, and Meges stripp’d his arms.635 +Him so employ’d Dolops assail’d, brave son +Of Lampus, best of men and bold in fight, +Offspring of King Laomedon; he stood +Full near, and through his middle buckler struck +The son of Phyleus, but his corselet thick640 +With plates of scaly brass his life secured. +That corselet Phyleus on a time brought home +From Ephyre, where the Selleïs winds, +And it was given him for his life’s defence +In furious battle by the King of men,645 +Euphetes. Many a time had it preserved +Unharm’d the sire, and now it saved the son. +Then Meges, rising, with his pointed lance +The bushy crest of Dolops’ helmet drove +Sheer from its base; new-tinged with purple bright650 +Entire it fell and mingled with the dust. +While thus they strove, each hoping victory, +Came martial Menelaus to the aid +Of Meges; spear in hand apart he stood +By Dolops unperceived, through his back drove655 +And through his breast the spear, and far beyond. +And down fell Dolops, forehead to the ground. +At once both flew to strip his radiant arms, +Then, Hector summoning his kindred, call’d +Each to his aid, and Melanippus first,660 +Illustrious Hicetaon’s son, reproved. +Ere yet the enemies of Troy arrived +He in Percote fed his wandering beeves; +But when the Danaï with all their fleet +Came thither, then returning, he outshone665 +The noblest Trojans, and at Priam’s side +Dwelling, was honor’d by him as a son. +Him Hector reprimanding, stern began. + Are we thus slack? Can Melanippus view +Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks670 +How busy there with Dolops and his arms? +Come on. It is no time for distant war, +But either our Achaian foes must bleed, +Or Ilium taken, from her topmost height +Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain.675 + So saying he went, whose steps the godlike Chief +Attended; and the Telamonian, next, +Huge Ajax, animated thus the Greeks. + Oh friends, be men! Deep treasure in your hearts +An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear680 +Each to incur the censure of the rest. +Of men so minded more survive than die, +While dastards forfeit life and glory both. + So moved he them, themselves already bent +To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore685 +Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass +Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell’d the foe. +Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach’d +Antilochus, and thus his courage roused. + Antilochus! in all the host is none690 +Younger, or swifter, or of stronger limb +Than thou. Make trial, therefore, of thy might, +Spring forth and prove it on some Chief of Troy. + He ended and retired, but him his praise +Effectual animated; from the van695 +Starting, he cast a wistful eye around +And hurl’d his glittering spear; back fell the ranks +Of Troy appall’d; nor vain his weapon flew, +But Melanippus pierced heroic son +Of Hicetaon, coming forth to fight,700 +Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound +Of all his batter’d armor down he fell. +Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound +Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair +The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead,705 +So thee, O Melanippus! to despoil +Of thy bright arms valiant Antilochus +Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye +Of noble Hector, who through all the war +Ran to encounter him; his dread approach710 +Antilochus, although expert in arms, +Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds, +Conscious of injury that he hath done, +Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog, +Escapes, ere yet the peasantry arise,715 +So fled the son of Nestor, after whom +The Trojans clamoring and Hector pour’d +Darts numberless; but at the front arrived +Of his own phalanx, there he turn’d and stood. +Then, eager as voracious lions, rush’d720 +The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind +Of Jove accomplishing who them impell’d +Continual, calling all their courage forth, +While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took +Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium’s host.725 +For Jove’s unalter’d purpose was to give +Success to Priameian Hector’s arms,[14] +That he might cast into the fleet of Greece +Devouring flames, and that no part might fail +Of Thetis’ ruthless prayer; that sight alone730 +He watch’d to see, one galley in a blaze, +Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight +To Ilium’s host, but glory to the Greeks. +Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved +To that assault Hector, himself prepared735 +And ardent for the task; nor less he raged +Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize +Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam +Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front +His keen eyes glisten’d, and his helmet mark’d740 +The agitation wild with which he fought. +For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven +Assisted Hector, and, although alone +With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach +The heights of glory, for that now his life745 +Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on,[15] his hour +To die by Peleus’ mighty son approach’d. +He then, wherever richest arms he saw +And thickest throng, the warrior-ranks essay’d +To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved,750 +In even square compact so firm they stood. +As some vast rock beside the hoary Deep +The stress endures of many a hollow wind, +And the huge billows tumbling at his base, +So stood the Danaï, nor fled nor fear’d.755 +But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host +Assail’d on every side, and on the van +Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved +Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam +Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm,760 +And every seaman trembles at the view +Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes, +Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks. +But he, as leaps a famish’d lion fell +On beeves that graze some marshy meadow’s breadth,765 +A countless herd, tended by one unskill’d +To cope with savage beasts in their defence, +Beside the foremost kine or with the last +He paces heedless, but the lion, borne +Impetuous on the midmost, one devours770 +And scatters all the rest,[16] so fled the Greeks, +Terrified from above, before the arm +Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove. +All fled, but of them all alone he slew +The Mycenæan Periphetes, son775 +Of Copreus custom’d messenger of King +Eurystheus to the might of Hercules. +From such a sire inglorious had arisen +A son far worthier, with all virtue graced, +Swift-footed, valiant, and by none excell’d780 +In wisdom of the Mycenæan name; +Yet all but served to ennoble Hector more. +For Periphetes, with a backward step +Retiring, on his buckler’s border trod, +Which swept his heels; so check’d, he fell supine,785 +And dreadful rang the helmet on his brows. +Him Hector quick noticing, to his side +Hasted, and, planting in his breast a spear, +Slew him before the phalanx of his friends. +But they, although their fellow-warrior’s fate790 +They mourn’d, no succor interposed, or could, +Themselves by noble Hector sore appall’d. + And now behind the ships (all that updrawn +Above the shore, stood foremost of the fleet) +The Greeks retired; in rush’d a flood of foes;795 +Then, through necessity, the ships in front +Abandoning, amid the tents they stood +Compact, not disarray’d, for shame and fear +Fast held them, and vociferating each +Aloud, call’d ceaseless on the rest to stand.800 +But earnest more than all, guardian of all, +Gerenian Nestor in their parents’ name +Implored them, falling at the knees of each. + Oh friends! be men. Now dearly prize your place +Each in the estimation of the rest.805 +Now call to memory your children, wives, +Possessions, parents; ye whose parents live, +And ye whose parents are not, all alike! +By them as if here present, I entreat +That ye stand fast—oh be not turn’d to flight!810 + So saying he roused the courage of the Greeks; +Then, Pallas chased the cloud fall’n from above +On every eye; great light the plain illumed +On all sides, both toward the fleet, and where +The undiscriminating battle raged.815 +Then might be seen Hector and Hector’s host +Distinct, as well the rearmost who the fight +Shared not, as those who waged it at the ships. + To stand aloof where other Grecians stood +No longer now would satisfy the mind820 +Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides +Enormous marching, to and fro he swung +With iron studs emboss’d a battle-pole +Unwieldy, twenty and two cubits long. +As one expert to spring from horse to horse,825 +From many steeds selecting four, toward +Some noble city drives them from the plain +Along the populous road; him many a youth +And many a maiden eyes, while still secure +From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly;830 +So Ajax o’er the decks of numerous ships +Stalk’d striding large, and sent his voice to heaven. +Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks +Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself +Hector, contented, now, the battle wage835 +Lost in the multitude of Trojans more, +But as the tawny eagle on full wing +Assails the feather’d nations, geese or cranes +Or swans lithe-neck’d grazing the river’s verge, +So Hector at a galley sable-prow’d840 +Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on +With mighty hand, and his host after him. +And now again the battle at the ships +Grew furious; thou hadst deem’d them of a kind +By toil untameable, so fierce they strove,845 +And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged +Hope vain, and the whole host’s destruction sure; +But nought expected every Trojan less +Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave +Achaia’s heroes lifeless on the field.850 +With such persuasions occupied, they fought. + Then Hector seized the stern of a brave bark +Well-built, sharp-keel’d, and of the swiftest sail, +Which had to Troy Protesiläus brought, +But bore him never thence. For that same ship855 +Contending, Greeks and Trojans hand to hand +Dealt slaughter mutual. Javelins now no more +Might serve them, or the arrow-starting bow, +But close conflicting and of one mind all +With bill and battle-axe, with ponderous swords,860 +And with long lances double-edged they fought. +Many a black-hilted falchion huge of haft +Fell to the ground, some from the grasp, and some +From shoulders of embattled warriors hewn, +And pools of blood soak’d all the sable glebe.865 +Hector that ship once grappled by the stern +Left not, but griping fast her upper edge +With both hands, to his Trojans call’d aloud. + Fire! Bring me fire! Stand fast and shout to heaven! +Jove gives us now a day worth all the past;870 +The ships are ours which, in the Gods’ despite +Steer’d hither, such calamities to us +Have caused, for which our seniors most I blame +Who me withheld from battle at the fleet +And check’d the people; but if then the hand875 +Of Thunderer Jove our better judgment marr’d, +Himself now urges and commands us on. + He ceased; they still more violent assail’d +The Grecians. Even Ajax could endure, +Whelm’d under weapons numberless, that storm880 +No longer, but expecting death retired +Down from the decks to an inferior stand, +Where still he watch’d, and if a Trojan bore +Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear, +Roaring continual to the host of Greece.885 + Friends! Grecian heroes! ministers of Mars! +Be men, my friends! now summon all your might! +Think we that we have thousands at our backs +To succor us, or yet some stronger wall +To guard our warriors from the battle’s force?890 +Not so. No tower’d city is at hand, +None that presents us with a safe retreat +While others occupy our station here, +But from the shores of Argos far remote +Our camp is, where the Trojans arm’d complete895 +Swarm on the plain, and Ocean shuts us in. +Our hands must therefore save us, not our heels + He said, and furious with his spear again +Press’d them, and whatsoever Trojan came, +Obsequious to the will of Hector, arm’d900 +With fire to burn the fleet, on his spear’s point +Ajax receiving pierced him, till at length +Twelve in close fight fell by his single arm. + + + + +BOOK XVI. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK. + +Achilles, at the suit of Patroclus, grants him his own armor, and +permission to lead the Myrmidons to battle. They, sallying, repulse the +Trojans. Patroclus slays Sarpedon, and Hector, when Apollo had first +stripped off his armor and Euphorbus wounded him, slays Patroclus. + + +BOOK XVI. + + +Such contest for that gallant bark they waged. +Meantime Patroclus, standing at the side +Of the illustrious Chief Achilles, wept +Fast as a crystal fountain from the height +Of some rude rock pours down its rapid[1] stream.5 +Divine Achilles with compassion moved +Mark’d him, and in wing’d accents thus began.[2] + Who weeps Patroclus like an infant girl +Who, running at her mother’s side, entreats +To be uplifted in her arms? She grasps10 +Her mantle, checks her haste, and looking up +With tearful eyes, pleads earnest to be borne; +So fall, Patroclus! thy unceasing tears. +Bring’st thou to me or to my people aught +Afflictive? Hast thou mournful tidings learn’d15 +Prom Phthia, trusted to thy ear alone? +Menœtius, son of Actor, as they say, +Still lives; still lives his Myrmidons among +Peleus Æacides; whom, were they dead, +With cause sufficient we should both deplore.20 +Or weep’st thou the Achaians at the ships +Perishing, for their outrage done to me? +Speak. Name thy trouble. I would learn the cause + To whom, deep-sorrowing, thou didst reply, +Patroclus! Oh Achilles, Peleus’ son!25 +Noblest of all our host! bear with my grief, +Since such distress hath on the Grecians fallen. +The bravest of their ships disabled lie, +Some wounded from afar, some hand to hand. +Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds,30 +Gall’d by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief, +And Agamemnon suffer by the spear, +And brave Eurypylus an arrow-point +Bears in his thigh. These all, are now the care +Of healing hands. Oh thou art pity-proof,35 +Achilles! be my bosom ever free +From anger such as harbor finds in thine, +Scorning all limits! whom, of men unborn, +Hereafter wilt thou save, from whom avert +Disgrace, if not from the Achaians now?40 +Ah ruthless! neither Peleus thee begat, +Nor Thetis bore, but rugged rocks sublime, +And roaring billows blue gave birth to thee, +Who bear’st a mind that knows not to relent, +But, if some prophecy alarm thy fears,45 +If from thy Goddess-mother thou have aught +Received, and with authority of Jove, +Me send at least, me quickly, and with me +The Myrmidons. A dawn of cheerful hope +Shall thence, it may be, on the Greeks arise.50 +Grant me thine armor also, that the foe +Thyself supposing present, may abstain +From battle, and the weary Greeks enjoy +Short respite; it is all that war allows. +We, fresh and vigorous, by our shouts alone55 +May easily repulse an army spent +With labor from the camp, and from the fleet, + Such suit he made, alas! all unforewarn’d +That his own death should be the bitter fruit, +And thus Achilles, sorrowful, replied.60 + Patroclus, noble friend! what hast thou spoken? +Me neither prophesy that I have heard +Holds in suspense, nor aught that I have learn’d +From Thetis with authority of Jove! +Hence springs, and hence alone, my grief of heart;65 +If one, in nought superior to myself +Save in his office only, should by force +Amerce me of my well-earn’d recompense— +How then? There lies the grief that stings my soul. +The virgin chosen for me by the sons70 +Of Greece, my just reward, by my own spear +Obtain’d when I Eëtion’s city took, +Her, Agamemnon, leader of the host +From my possession wrung, as I had been +Some alien wretch, unhonor’d and unknown.75 +But let it pass; anger is not a flame +To feed for ever; I affirm’d, indeed, +Mine inextinguishable till the shout +Of battle should invade my proper barks; +But thou put on my glorious arms, lead forth80 +My valiant Myrmidons, since such a cloud, +So dark, of dire hostility surrounds +The fleet, and the Achaians, by the waves +Hemm’d in, are prison’d now in narrow space. +Because the Trojans meet not in the field85 +My dazzling helmet, therefore bolder grown +All Ilium comes abroad; but had I found +Kindness at royal Agamemnon’s hands, +Soon had they fled, and with their bodies chok’d +The streams, from whom ourselves now suffer siege90 +For in the hands of Diomede his spear +No longer rages rescuing from death +The afflicted Danaï, nor hear I more +The voice of Agamemnon issuing harsh +From his detested throat, but all around95 +The burst[3] of homicidal Hector’s cries, +Calling his Trojans on; they loud insult +The vanquish’d Greeks, and claim the field their own. +Go therefore, my Patroclus; furious fall +On these assailants, even now preserve100 +From fire the only hope of our return. +But hear the sum of all; mark well my word; +So shalt thou glorify me in the eyes +Of all the Danaï, and they shall yield +Brisëis mine, with many a gift beside.105 +The Trojans from the fleet expell’d, return. +Should Juno’s awful spouse give thee to win +Victory, be content; seek not to press +The Trojans without me, for thou shalt add +Still more to the disgrace already mine.[4]110 +Much less, by martial ardor urged, conduct +Thy slaughtering legions to the walls of Troy, +Lest some immortal power on her behalf +Descend, for much the Archer of the skies +Loves Ilium. No—the fleet once saved, lead back115 +Thy band, and leave the battle to themselves. +For oh, by all the powers of heaven I would +That not one Trojan might escape of all, +Nor yet a Grecian, but that we, from death +Ourselves escaping, might survive to spread120 +Troy’s sacred bulwarks on the ground, alone. + Thus they conferr’d. [5]But Ajax overwhelm’d +Meantime with darts, no longer could endure, +Quell’d both by Jupiter and by the spears +Of many a noble Trojan; hideous rang125 +His batter’d helmet bright, stroke after stroke +Sustaining on all sides, and his left arm +That had so long shifted from side to side +His restless shield, now fail’d; yet could not all +Displace him with united force, or move.130 +Quick pantings heaved his chest, copious the sweat +Trickled from all his limbs, nor found he time, +However short, to breathe again, so close +Evil on evil heap’d hemm’d him around. + Olympian Muses! now declare, how first135 +The fire was kindled in Achaia’s fleet? + Hector the ashen lance of Ajax smote +With his broad falchion, at the nether end, +And lopp’d it sheer. The Telamonian Chief +His mutilated beam brandish’d in vain,140 +And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote. +Then Ajax in his noble mind perceived, +Shuddering with awe, the interposing power +Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms +Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain’d to mar145 +And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks. +He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark; +Through all her length the conflagration ran +Incontinent, and wrapp’d her stern in flames. +Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said,150 + Patroclus, noble charioteer, arise! +I see the rapid run of hostile fires +Already in the fleet—lest all be lost, +And our return impossible, arm, arm +This moment; I will call, myself, the band.155 + Then put Patroclus on his radiant arms. +Around his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d, +With argent studs secured; the hauberk rich +Star-spangled to his breast he bound of swift +Æacides; he slung his brazen sword160 +With silver bright emboss’d, and his broad shield +Ponderous; on his noble head his casque +He settled elegant, whose lofty crest +Waved dreadful o’er his brows, and last he seized +Well fitted to his gripe two sturdy spears.165 +Of all Achilles’ arms his spear alone +He took not; that huge beam, of bulk and length +Enormous, none, Æacides except, +In all Achaia’s host had power to wield. +It was that Pelian ash which from the top170 +Of Pelion hewn that it might prove the death +Of heroes, Chiron had to Peleus given. +He bade Automedon his coursers bind +Speedily to the yoke, for him he loved +Next to Achilles most, as worthiest found175 +Of trust, what time the battle loudest roar’d. +Then led Automedon the fiery steeds +Swift as wing’d tempests to the chariot-yoke, +Xanthus and Balius. Them the harpy bore +Podarge, while in meadows green she fed180 +On Ocean’s side, to Zephyrus the wind. +To these he added, at their side, a third, +The noble Pedasus; him Peleus’ son, +Eëtion’s city taken, thence had brought, +Though mortal, yet a match for steeds divine.185 +Meantime from every tent Achilles call’d +And arm’d his Myrmidons. As wolves that gorge +The prey yet panting, terrible in force, +When on the mountains wild they have devour’d +An antler’d stag new-slain, with bloody jaws190 +Troop all at once to some clear fountain, there +To lap with slender tongues the brimming wave; +No fears have they, but at their ease eject +From full maws flatulent the clotted gore; +Such seem’d the Myrmidon heroic Chiefs195 +Assembling fast around the valiant friend +Of swift Æacides. Amid them stood +Warlike Achilles, the well-shielded ranks +Exhorting, and the steeds, to glorious war. + The galleys by Achilles dear to Jove200 +Commanded, when to Ilium’s coast he steer’d, +Were fifty; fifty rowers sat in each, +And five, in whom he trusted, o’er the rest +He captains named, but ruled, himself, supreme. +One band Menestheus swift in battle led,205 +Offspring of Sperchius heaven-descended stream. +Him Polydora, Peleus’ daughter, bore +To ever-flowing Sperchius, compress’d, +Although a mortal woman, by a God. +But his reputed father was the son210 +Of Perieres, Borus, who with dower +Enrich’d, and made her openly his bride. +Warlike Eudorus led the second band. +Him Polymela, graceful in the dance, +And daughter beautiful of Phylas, bore,215 +A mother unsuspected of a child. +Her worshiping the golden-shafted Queen +Diana, in full choir, with song and dance, +The valiant Argicide[6] beheld and loved. +Ascending with her to an upper room,220 +All-bounteous Mercury[7] clandestine there +Embraced her, who a noble son produced +Eudorus, swift to run, and bold in fight. +No sooner Ilithya, arbitress +Of pangs puerperal, had given him birth,225 +And he beheld the beaming sun, than her +Echechleus, Actor’s mighty son, enrich’d +With countless dower, and led her to his home; +While ancient Phylas, cherishing her boy +With fond affection, reared him as his own.230 +The third brave troop warlike Pisander led, +Offspring of Maimalus; he far excell’d +In spear-fight every Myrmidon, the friend +Of Peleus’ dauntless son alone except. +The hoary Phœnix of equestrian fame235 +The fourth band led to battle, and the fifth +Laërceus’ offspring, bold Alcimedon. +Thus, all his bands beneath their proper Chiefs +Marshall’d, Achilles gave them strict command— + Myrmidons! all that vengeance now inflict,240 +Which in this fleet ye ceased not to denounce +Against the Trojans while my wrath endured. +Me censuring, ye have proclaim’d me oft +Obdurate. Oh Achilles! ye have said, +Thee not with milk thy mother but with bile245 +Suckled, who hold’st thy people here in camp +Thus long imprison’d. Unrelenting Chief! +Even let us hence in our sea-skimming barks +To Phthia, since thou can’st not be appeased— +Thus in full council have ye spoken oft.250 +Now, therefore, since a day of glorious toil +At last appears, such as ye have desired, +There lies the field—go—give your courage proof. + So them he roused, and they, their leader’s voice +Hearing elate, to closest order drew.255 +As when an architect some palace wall +With shapely stones upbuilds, cementing close +A barrier against all the winds of heaven, +So wedged, the helmets and boss’d bucklers stood; +Shield, helmet, man, press’d helmet, man, and shield,260 +And every bright-arm’d warrior’s bushy crest +Its fellow swept, so dense was their array. +In front of all, two Chiefs their station took, +Patroclus and Automedon; one mind +In both prevail’d, to combat in the van265 +Of all the Myrmidons. Achilles, then, +Retiring to his tent, displaced the lid +Of a capacious chest magnificent +By silver-footed Thetis stow’d on board +His bark, and fill’d with tunics, mantles warm,270 +And gorgeous arras; there he also kept +Secure a goblet exquisitely wrought, +Which never lip touched save his own, and whence +He offer’d only to the Sire of all. +That cup producing from the chest, he first275 +With sulphur fumed it, then with water rinsed +Pellucid of the running stream, and, last +(His hands clean laved) he charged it high with wine. +And now, advancing to his middle court, +He pour’d libation, and with eyes to heaven280 +Uplifted pray’d,[8] of Jove not unobserved. + Pelasgian, Dodonæan Jove supreme, +Dwelling remote, who on Dodona’s heights +Snow-clad reign’st Sovereign, by thy seers around +Compass’d the Selli, prophets vow-constrain’d285 +To unwash’d feet and slumbers on the ground! +Plain I behold my former prayer perform’d, +Myself exalted, and the Greeks abased. +Now also grant me, Jove, this my desire! +Here, in my fleet, I shall myself abide,290 +But lo! with all these Myrmidons I send +My friend to battle. Thunder-rolling Jove, +Send glory with him, make his courage firm! +That even Hector may himself be taught, +If my companion have a valiant heart295 +When he goes forth alone, or only then +The noble frenzy feels that Mars inspires +When I rush also to the glorious field. +But when he shall have driven the battle-shout +Once from the fleet, grant him with all his arms,300 +None lost, himself unhurt, and my whole band +Of dauntless warriors with him, safe return! + Such prayer Achilles offer’d, and his suit +Jove hearing, part confirm’d, and part refused; +To chase the dreadful battle from the fleet305 +He gave him, but vouchsafed him no return. +Prayer and libation thus perform’d to Jove +The Sire of all, Achilles to his tent +Return’d, replaced the goblet in his chest, +And anxious still that conflict to behold310 +Between the hosts, stood forth before his tent. + Then rush’d the bands by brave Patroclus led, +Full on the Trojan host. As wasps forsake +Their home by the way-side, provoked by boys +Disturbing inconsiderate their abode,315 +Not without nuisance sore to all who pass, +For if, thenceforth, some traveller unaware +Annoy them, issuing one and all they swarm +Around him, fearless in their broods’ defence, +So issued from their fleet the Myrmidons320 +Undaunted; clamor infinite arose, +And thus Patroclus loud his host address’d. + Oh Myrmidons, attendants in the field +On Peleus’ son, now be ye men, my friends! +Call now to mind the fury of your might;325 +That we, close-fighting servants of the Chief +Most excellent in all the camp of Greece, +May glory gain for him, and that the wide- +Commanding Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, +May learn his fault, that he dishonor’d foul330 +The prince in whom Achaia glories most. + So saying he fired their hearts, and on the van +Of Troy at once they fell; loud shouted all +The joyful Grecians, and the navy rang. +Then, soon as Ilium’s host the valiant son335 +Saw of Menœtius and his charioteer +In dazzling armor clad, all courage lost, +Their closest ranks gave way, believing sure +That, wrath renounced, and terms of friendship chosen, +Achilles’ self was there; thus thinking, each340 +Look’d every way for refuge from his fate. + Patroclus first, where thickest throng he saw +Gather’d tumultuous around the bark +Of brave Protesilaüs, hurl’d direct +At the whole multitude his glittering spear.345 +He smote Pyræchmes; he his horsemen band +Pœonian led from Amydon, and from +Broad-flowing Axius. In his shoulder stood +The spear, and with loud groans supine he fell. +At once fled all his followers, on all sides350 +With consternation fill’d, seeing their Chief +And their best warrior, by Patroclus slain. +Forth from the fleet he drove them, quench’d the flames, +And rescued half the ship. Then scatter’d fled +With infinite uproar the host of Troy,355 +While from between their ships the Danaï +Pour’d after them, and hideous rout ensued. +As when the king of lightnings, Jove, dispels +From some huge eminence a gloomy cloud, +The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland heights360 +Shine all, illumined from the boundless heaven, +So when the Danaï those hostile fires +Had from their fleet expell’d, awhile they breathed, +Yet found short respite, for the battle yet +Ceased not, nor fled the Trojans in all parts365 +Alike, but still resisted, from the ships +Retiring through necessity alone. +Then, in that scatter’d warfare, every Chief +Slew one. While Areïlochus his back +Turn’d on Patroclus, sudden with a lance370 +His thigh he pierced, and urged the weapon through, +Shivering the bone; he headlong smote the ground. +The hero Menelaus, where he saw +The breast of Thoas by his slanting shield +Unguarded, struck and stretch’d him at his feet.375 +Phylides,[9] meeting with preventive spear +The furious onset of Amphiclus, gash’d +His leg below the knee, where brawny most +The muscles swell in man; disparted wide +The tendons shrank, and darkness veil’d his eyes.380 +The two Nestoridæ slew each a Chief. +Of these, Antilochus Atymnius pierced +Right through his flank, and at his feet he fell. +With fierce resentment fired Maris beheld +His brother’s fall, and guarding, spear in hand,385 +The slain, impetuous on the conqueror flew; +But godlike Thrasymedes[10] wounded first +Maris, ere he Antilochus; he pierced +His upper arm, and with the lance’s point +Rent off and stript the muscles to the bone.390 +Sounding he fell, and darkness veil’d his eyes. +They thus, two brothers by two brothers slain, +Went down to Erebus, associates both +Of brave Sarpedon, and spear-practised sons +Of Amisodarus; of him who fed395 +Chimæra,[11] monster, by whom many died. +Ajax the swift on Cleobulus sprang, +Whom while he toil’d entangled in the crowd, +He seized alive, but smote him where he stood +With his huge-hafted sword full on the neck;400 +The blood warm’d all his blade, and ruthless fate +Benighted dark the dying warrior’s eyes. +Peneleus into close contention rush’d +And Lycon. Each had hurl’d his glittering spear, +But each in vain, and now with swords they met.405 +He smote Peneleus on the crested casque, +But snapp’d his falchion; him Peneleus smote +Beneath his ear; the whole blade entering sank +Into his neck, and Lycon with his head +Depending by the skin alone, expired.410 +Meriones o’ertaking Acamas +Ere yet he could ascend his chariot, thrust +A lance into his shoulder; down he fell +In dreary death’s eternal darkness whelm’d. +Idomeneus his ruthless spear enforced415 +Into the mouth of Erymas. The point +Stay’d not, but gliding close beneath the brain, +Transpierced his spine,[12] and started forth beyond. +It wrench’d his teeth, and fill’d his eyes with blood; +Blood also blowing through his open mouth420 +And nostrils, to the realms of death he pass’d. +Thus slew these Grecian leaders, each, a foe. + Sudden as hungry wolves the kids purloin +Or lambs, which haply some unheeding swain +Hath left to roam at large the mountains wild;425 +They, seeing, snatch them from beside the dams, +And rend incontinent the feeble prey, +So swift the Danaï the host assail’d +Of Ilium; they, into tumultuous flight +Together driven, all hope, all courage lost.430 + Huge Ajax ceaseless sought his spear to cast +At Hector brazen-mail’d, who, not untaught +The warrior’s art, with bull-hide buckler stood +Sheltering his ample shoulders, while he mark’d +The hiss of flying shafts and crash of spears.435 +Full sure he saw the shifting course of war +Now turn’d, but scorning flight, bent all his thoughts +To rescue yet the remnant of his friends. + As when the Thunderer spreads a sable storm +O’er ether, late serene, the cloud that wrapp’d440 +Olympus’ head escapes into the skies, +So fled the Trojans from the fleet of Greece +Clamoring in their flight, nor pass’d the trench +In fair array; the coursers fleet indeed +Of Hector, him bore safe with all his arms445 +Right through, but in the foss entangled foul +He left his host, and struggling to escape. +Then many a chariot-whirling steed, the pole +Broken at its extremity, forsook +His driver, while Patroclus with the shout450 +Of battle calling his Achaians on, +Destruction purposed to the powers of Troy. +They, once dispersed, with clamor and with flight +Fill’d all the ways, the dust beneath the clouds +Hung like a tempest, and the steeds firm-hoof’d455 +Whirl’d off at stretch the chariots to the town. +He, wheresoe’er most troubled he perceived +The routed host, loud-threatening thither drove, +While under his own axle many a Chief +Fell prone, and the o’ertumbled chariots rang.460 +Right o’er the hollow foss the coursers leap’d +Immortal, by the Gods to Peleus given, +Impatient for the plain, nor less desire +Felt he who drove to smite the Trojan Chief, +But him his fiery steeds caught swift away.465 + As when a tempest from autumnal skies +Floats all the fields, what time Jove heaviest pours +Impetuous rain, token of wrath divine +Against perverters of the laws by force, +Who drive forth justice, reckless of the Gods;470 +The rivers and the torrents, where they dwell, +Sweep many a green declivity away, +And plunge at length, groaning, into the Deep +From the hills headlong, leaving where they pass’d +No traces of the pleasant works of man,475 +So, in their flight, loud groan’d the steeds of Troy. +And now, their foremost intercepted all, +Patroclus back again toward the fleet +Drove them precipitate, nor the ascent +Permitted them to Troy for which they strove,480 +But in the midway space between the ships +The river and the lofty Trojan wall +Pursued them ardent, slaughtering whom he reached, +And vengeance took for many a Grecian slain. +First then, with glittering spear the breast he pierced485 +Of Pronöus, undefended by his shield, +And stretch’d him dead; loud rang his batter’d arms. +The son of Enops, Thestor next he smote. +He on his chariot-seat magnificent +Low-cowering sat, a fear-distracted form,490 +And from his palsied grasp the reins had fallen. +Then came Patroclus nigh, and through his cheek +His teeth transpiercing, drew him by his lance +Sheer o’er the chariot front. As when a man +On some projecting rock seated, with line495 +And splendid hook draws forth a sea-fish huge, +So him wide-gaping from his seat he drew +At his spear-point, then shook him to the ground +Prone on his face, where gasping he expired. +At Eryalus, next, advancing swift500 +He hurl’d a rock; full on the middle front +He smote him, and within the ponderous casque +His whole head open’d into equal halves. +With deadliest night surrounded, prone he fell. +Epaltes, Erymas, Amphoterus,505 +Echius, Tlepolemus Damastor’s son, +Evippus, Ipheus, Pyres, Polymelus, +All these he on the champain, corse on corse +Promiscuous flung. Sarpedon, when he saw +Such havoc made of his uncinctured[13] friends510 +By Menœtiades, with sharp rebuke +His band of godlike Lycians loud address’d. + Shame on you, Lycians! whither would ye fly? +Now are ye swift indeed! I will oppose +Myself this conqueror, that I may learn515 +Who thus afflicts the Trojan host, of life +Bereaving numerous of their warriors bold. + He said, and with his arms leap’d to the ground. +On the other side, Patroclus at that sight +Sprang from his chariot. As two vultures clash520 +Bow-beak’d, crook-talon’d, on some lofty rock +Clamoring both, so they together rush’d +With clamors loud; whom when the son observed +Of wily Saturn, with compassion moved +His sister and his spouse he thus bespake.525 + Alas, he falls! my most beloved of men +Sarpedon, vanquished by Patroclus, falls! +So will the Fates. Yet, doubtful, much I muse +Whether to place him, snatch’d from furious fight +In Lycia’s wealthy realm, or to permit530 +His death by valiant Menœtiades. + To whom his awful spouse, displeased, replied. +How speaks the terrible Saturnian Jove! +Wouldst thou again from pangs of death exempt +A mortal man, destined long since to die?535 +Do it. But small thy praise shall be in heaven, +Mark thou my words, and in thy inmost breast +Treasure them. If thou send Sarpedon safe +To his own home, how many Gods _their_ sons +May also send from battle? Weigh it well.540 +For under yon great city fight no few +Sprung from Immortals whom thou shalt provoke. +But if thou love him, and thine heart his lot +Commiserate, leave him by the hands to fall +Of Menœtiades in conflict dire;545 +But give command to Death and gentle Sleep +That him of life bereft at once they bear +To Lycia’s ample realm,[14] where, with due rites +Funereal, his next kindred and his friends +Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb550 +(The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name. + She said, from whom the Sire of Gods and men +Dissented not, but on the earth distill’d +A sanguine shower in honor of a son +Dear to him, whom Patroclus on the field555 +Of fruitful Troy should slay, far from his home. + Opposite now, small interval between, +Those heroes stood. Patroclus at his waist +Pierced Thrasymelus the illustrious friend +Of King Sarpedon, and his charioteer.560 +Spear’d through the lower bowels, dead he fell. +Then hurl’d Sarpedon in his turn a lance, +But miss’d Patroclus and the shoulder pierced +Of Pedasus the horse; he groaning heaved +His spirit forth, and fallen on the field565 +In long loud moanings sorrowful expired. +Wide started the immortal pair; the yoke +Creak’d, and entanglement of reins ensued +To both, their fellow slaughter’d at their side. +That mischief soon Automedon redress’d.570 +He rose, and from beside his sturdy thigh +Drawing his falchion, with effectual stroke +Cut loose the side-horse; then the pair reduced +To order, in their traces stood composed, +And the two heroes fierce engaged again.575 + Again his radiant spear Sarpedon hurl’d, +But miss’d Patroclus; the innocuous point, +O’erflying his left shoulder, pass’d beyond. +Then with bright lance Patroclus in his turn +Assail’d Sarpedon, nor with erring course580 +The weapon sped or vain, but pierced profound +His chest, enclosure of the guarded heart. +As falls an oak, poplar, or lofty pine +With new-edged axes on the mountains hewn +Right through, for structure of some gallant bark,585 +So fell Sarpedon stretch’d his steeds before +And gnash’d his teeth and clutch’d the bloody dust, +And as a lion slays a tawny bull +Leader magnanimous of all the herd; +Beneath the lion’s jaws groaning he dies;590 +So, leader of the shielded Lycians groan’d +Indignant, by Patroclus slain, the bold +Sarpedon, and his friend thus, sad, bespake. + Glaucus, my friend, among these warring Chiefs +Thyself a Chief illustrious! thou hast need595 +Of all thy valor now; now strenuous fight, +And, if thou bear within thee a brave mind, +Now make the war’s calamities thy joy. +First, marching through the host of Lycia, rouse +Our Chiefs to combat for Sarpedon slain,600 +Then haste, thyself, to battle for thy friend. +For shame and foul dishonor which no time +Shall e’er obliterate, I must prove to thee, +Should the Achaians of my glorious arms +Despoil me in full prospect[15] of the fleet.605 +Fight, therefore, thou, and others urge to fight. + He said, and cover’d by the night of death, +Nor look’d nor breath’d again; for on his chest +Implanting firm his heel, Patroclus drew +The spear enfolded with his vitals forth,610 +Weapon and life at once. Meantime his steeds +Snorted, by Myrmidons detain’d, and, loosed +From their own master’s chariot, foam’d to fly. +Terrible was the grief by Glaucus felt, +Hearing that charge, and troubled was his heart615 +That all power fail’d him to protect the dead. +Compressing his own arm he stood, with pain +Extreme tormented which the shaft had caused +Of Teucer, who while Glaucus climb’d the wall, +Had pierced him from it, in the fleet’s defence.620 +Then, thus, to Phœbus, King shaft-arm’d, he pray’d. + Hear now, O King! For whether in the land +Of wealthy Lycia dwelling, or in Troy, +Thou hear’st in every place alike the prayer +Of the afflicted heart, and such is mine;625 +Behold my wound; it fills my useless hand +With anguish, neither can my blood be stay’d, +And all my shoulder suffers. I can grasp +A spear, or rush to conflict with the Greeks +No longer now; and we have also lost630 +Our noblest Chief, Sarpedon, son of Jove, +Who guards not his own son. But thou, O King! +Heal me, assuage my anguish, give me strength, +That I may animate the Lycian host +To fight, and may, myself, defend the dead!635 + Such prayer he offer’d, whom Apollo heard; +He eased at once his pain, the sable blood +Staunch’d, and his soul with vigor new inspired. +Then Glaucus in his heart that prayer perceived +Granted, and joyful for the sudden aid640 +Vouchsafed to him by Phœbus, first the lines +Of Lycia ranged, summoning every Chief +To fight for slain Sarpedon; striding next +With eager haste into the ranks of Troy, +Renown’d Agenor and the son he call’d645 +Of Panthus, brave Polydamas, with whom +Æneas also, and approaching last +To Hector brazen-mail’d him thus bespake. + Now, Hector! now, thou hast indeed resign’d +All care of thy allies, who, for thy sake,650 +Lost both to friends and country, on these plains +Perish, unaided and unmiss’d by thee. +Sarpedon breathless lies, who led to fight +Our shielded bands, and from whose just control +And courage Lycia drew her chief defence.655 +Him brazen Mars hath by the spear subdued +Of Menœtiades. But stand ye firm! +Let indignation fire you, O my friends! +Lest, stripping him of his resplendent arms, +The Myrmidons with foul dishonor shame660 +His body, through resentment of the deaths +Of numerous Grecians slain by spears of ours. + He ceased; then sorrow every Trojan heart +Seized insupportable and that disdain’d +All bounds, for that, although a stranger born,665 +Sarpedon ever had a bulwark proved +To Troy, the leader of a numerous host, +And of that host by none in fight excell’d. +Right on toward the Danaï they moved +Ardent for battle all, and at their head670 +Enraged for slain Sarpedon, Hector came. +Meantime, stout-hearted[16] Chief, Patroclus roused +The Grecians, and exhorting first (themselves +Already prompt) the Ajaces, thus began. + Heroic pair! now make it all your joy675 +To chase the Trojan host, and such to prove +As erst, or even bolder, if ye may. +The Chief lies breathless who ascended first +Our wall, Sarpedon. Let us bear him hence, +Strip and dishonor him, and in the blood680 +Of his protectors drench the ruthless spear. + So Menœtiades his warriors urged, +Themselves courageous. Then the Lycian host +And Trojan here, and there the Myrmidons +With all the host of Greece, closing the ranks685 +Rush’d into furious contest for the dead, +Shouting tremendous; clang’d their brazen arms, +And Jove with Night’s pernicious shades[17] o’erhung +The bloody field, so to enhance the more +Their toilsome strife for his own son. First then690 +The Trojans from their place and order shock’d +The bright-eyed Grecians, slaying not the least +Nor worst among the Myrmidons, the brave +Epigeus from renown’d Agacles sprung. +He, erst, in populous Budeum ruled,695 +But for a valiant kinsman of his own +Whom there he slew, had thence to Peleus fled +And to his silver-footed spouse divine, +Who with Achilles, phalanx-breaker Chief, +Sent him to fight beneath the walls of Troy.700 +Him seizing fast the body, with a stone +Illustrious Hector smote full on the front, +And his whole skull within the ponderous casque +Split sheer; he prostrate on the body fell +In shades of soul-divorcing death involved.705 +Patroclus, grieving for his slaughter’d friend, +Rush’d through the foremost warriors. As the hawk +Swift-wing’d before him starlings drives or daws, +So thou, Patroclus, of equestrian fame! +Full on the Lycian ranks and Trojan drov’st,710 +Resentful of thy fellow-warrior’s fall. +At Sthenelaüs a huge stone he cast, +Son of Ithæmenes, whom on the neck +He smote and burst the tendons; then the van +Of Ilium’s host, with Hector, all retired.715 +Far as the slender javelin cuts the air +Hurl’d with collected force, or in the games, +Or even in battle at a desperate foe, +So far the Greeks repulsed the host of Troy. +Then Glaucus first, Chief of the shielded bands720 +Of Lycia, slew Bathycles, valiant son +Of Calchon; Hellas was his home, and far +He pass’d in riches all the Myrmidons. +Him chasing Glaucus whom he now attain’d, +The Lycian, turning sudden, with his lance725 +Pierced through the breast, and, sounding, down he fell +Grief fill’d Achaia’s sons for such a Chief +So slain, but joy the Trojans; thick they throng’d +The conqueror around, nor yet the Greeks +Forgat their force, but resolute advanced.730 +Then, by Meriones a Trojan died +Of noble rank, Laogonus, the son +Undaunted of Onetor great in Troy, +Priest of Idæan Jove. The ear and jaw +Between, he pierced him with a mortal force;735 +Swift flew the life, and darkness veil’d his eyes. +Æneas, in return, his brazen spear +Hurl’d at Meriones with ardent hope +To pierce him, while, with nimble[18] steps and short +Behind his buckler made, he paced the field;740 +But, warn’d of its approach, Meriones +Bow’d low his head, shunning it, and the spear +Behind him pierced the soil; there quivering stood +The weapon, vain, though from a vigorous arm, +Till spent by slow degrees its fury slept.745 + * * * * * + * * * * *[19] +Indignant then Æneas thus exclaim’d. + + Meriones! I sent thee such a spear +As reaching thee, should have for ever marr’d750 +Thy step, accomplish’d dancer as thou art. + To whom Meriones spear-famed replied. +Æneas! thou wilt find the labor hard +How great soe’er thy might, to quell the force +Of all opposers. Thou art also doom’d755 +Thyself to die; and may but spear of mine +Well-aim’d once strike thee full, what strength soe’er +Or magnanimity be thine to boast, +Thy glory in that moment thou resign’st +To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.760 + He said, but him Patroclus sharp reproved. +Why speaks Meriones, although in fight +Approved, thus proudly? Nay, my gallant friend! +The Trojans will not for reproach of ours +Renounce the body. Blood must first be spilt.765 +Tongues in debate, but hands in war decide; +Deeds therefore now, not wordy vaunts, we need. + So saying he led the way, whom follow’d close +Godlike Meriones. As from the depth +Of some lone wood that clothes the mountain’s side770 +The fellers at their toil are heard remote, +So, from the face of Ilium’s ample plain +Reverberated, was the din of brass +And of tough targets heard by falchions huge +Hard-smitten, and by spears of double-edge.775 +None then, no, not the quickest to discern, +Had known divine Sarpedon, from his head +To his foot-sole with mingled blood and dust +Polluted, and o’erwhelm’d with weapons. They +Around the body swarm’d. As hovel-flies780 +In spring-time buzz around the brimming pails +With milk bedew’d, so they around the dead. +Nor Jove averted once his glorious eyes +From that dread contest, but with watchful note +Marked all, the future death in battle deep785 +Pondering of Patroclus, whether him +Hector should even now slay on divine +Sarpedon, and despoil him of his arms, +Or he should still that arduous strife prolong. +This counsel gain’d as eligible most790 +At length his preference: that the valiant friend +Of Peleus’ son should yet again compel +The Trojan host with Hector brazen-mail’d +To Ilium, slaughtering numerous by the way. +First then, with fears unmanly he possess’d795 +The heart of Hector; mounting to his seat +He turn’d to flight himself, and bade his host +Fly also; for he knew Jove’s purpose[20] changed. +Thenceforth, no longer even Lycia’s host +Endured, but all fled scatter’d, seeing pierced800 +Their sovereign through his heart, and heap’d with dead; +For numerous, while Saturnian Jove the fight +Held in suspense, had on his body fallen. +At once the Grecians of his dazzling arms +Despoil’d Sarpedon, which the Myrmidons805 +By order of Menœtius’ valiant son +Bore thence into the fleet. Meantime his will +The Thunderer to Apollo thus express’d. + Phœbus, my son, delay not; from beneath +Yon hill of weapons drawn cleanse from his blood810 +Sarpedon’s corse; then, bearing him remote, +Lave him in waters of the running stream, +With oils divine anoint, and in attire +Immortal clothe him. Last, to Death and Sleep, +Swift bearers both, twin-born, deliver him;815 +For hence to Lycia’s opulent abodes +They shall transport him quickly, where, with rites +Funereal, his next kindred and his friends +Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb +(The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.820 + He ceased; nor was Apollo slow to hear +His father’s will, but, from the Idæan heights +Descending swift into the dreadful field, +Godlike Sarpedon’s body from beneath +The hill of weapons drew, which, borne remote,825 +He laved in waters of the running stream, +With oils ambrosial bathed, and clothed in robes +Immortal. Then to Death and gentle Sleep, +Swift-bearers both, twin-born, he gave the charge, +Who placed it soon in Lycia’s wealthy realm.830 + Meantime Patroclus, calling to his steeds, +And to Automedon, the Trojans chased +And Lycians, on his own destruction bent +Infatuate; heedless of his charge received +From Peleus’ son, which, well perform’d, had saved835 +The hero from his miserable doom. +But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails +Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight +The bravest, and the victory takes with ease +E’en from the Chief whom he impels himself840 +To battle, as he now this Chief impell’d. +Who, then, Patroclus! first, who last by thee +Fell slain, what time thyself was call’d to die? +Adrastus first, then Perimus he slew, +Offspring of Megas, then Autonoüs,845 +Echechlus, Melanippus, and Epistor, +Pylartes, Mulius, Elasus. All these +He slew, and from the field chased all beside. +Then, doubtless, had Achaia’s sons prevail’d +To take proud-gated Troy, such havoc made850 +He with his spear, but that the son of Jove +Apollo, on a tower’s conspicuous height +Station’d, devoted him for Ilium’s sake. +Thrice on a buttress of the lofty wall +Patroclus mounted, and him thrice the God855 +With hands immortal his resplendent shield +Smiting, struck down again; but when he rush’d +A fourth time, demon-like, to the assault, +The King of radiant shafts him, stern, rebuked. + Patroclus, warrior of renown, retire!860 +The fates ordain not that imperial Troy +Stoop to thy spear, nor to the spear itself +Of Peleus’ son, though mightier far than thou. + He said, and Menœtiades the wrath +Of shaft-arm’d Phœbus shunning, far retired.865 +But in the Scæan gate Hector his steeds +Detain’d, uncertain whether thence to drive +Amid the warring multitude again, +Or, loud commandment issuing, to collect +His host within the walls. Him musing long870 +Apollo, clad in semblance of a Chief +Youthful and valiant, join’d. Asius he seem’d +Equestrian Hector’s uncle, brother born +Of Hecuba the queen, and Dymas’ son, +Who on the Sangar’s banks in Phrygia dwelt.875 +Apollo, so disguised, him thus bespake. + Why, Hector, hast thou left the fight? this sloth +Not well befits thee. Oh that I as far +Thee pass’d in force as thou transcendest me, +Then, not unpunish’d long, should’st thou retire;880 +But haste, and with thy coursers solid-hoof’d +Seek out Patroclus, him perchance to slay, +Should Phœbus have decreed that glory thine. + So saying, Apollo join’d the host again. +Then noble Hector bade his charioteer885 +Valiant Cebriones his coursers lash +Back into battle, while the God himself +Entering the multitude confounded sore +The Argives, victory conferring proud +And glory on Hector and the host of Troy.890 +But Hector, leaving all beside unslain, +Furious impell’d his coursers solid-hoof’d +Against Patroclus; on the other side +Patroclus from his chariot to the ground +Leap’d ardent; in his left a spear he bore,895 +And in his right a marble fragment rough, +Large as his grasp. With full collected might +He hurl’d it; neither was the weapon slow +To whom he had mark’d, or sent in vain. +He smote the charioteer of Hector, bold900 +Cebriones, King Priam’s spurious son, +Full on the forehead, while he sway’d the reins. +The bone that force withstood not, but the rock +With ragged points beset dash’d both his brows +In pieces, and his eyes fell at his feet.905 +He diver-like, from his exalted stand +Behind the steeds pitch’d headlong, and expired; +O’er whom, Patroclus of equestrian fame! +Thou didst exult with taunting speech severe. + Ye Gods, with what agility he dives!910 +Ah! it were well if in the fishy deep +This man were occupied; he might no few +With oysters satisfy, although the waves +Were churlish, plunging headlong from his bark +As easily as from his chariot here.915 +So then—in Troy, it seems, are divers too! + So saying, on bold Cebriones he sprang +With all a lion’s force, who, while the folds +He ravages, is wounded in the breast, +And, victim of his own fierce courage, dies.920 +So didst thou spring, Patroclus! to despoil +Cebriones, and Hector opposite +Leap’d also to the ground. Then contest such +For dead Cebriones those two between +Arose, as in the lofty mountain-tops925 +Two lions wage, contending for a deer +New-slain, both hunger-pinch’d and haughty both. +So for Cebriones, alike in arms +Expert, brave Hector and Patroclus strove +To pierce each other with the ruthless spear.930 +First, Hector seized his head, nor loosed his hold, +Patroclus, next, his feet, while all beside +Of either host in furious battle join’d. + As when the East wind and the South contend +To shake some deep wood on the mountain’s side,935 +Or beech, or ash, or rugged cornel old. +With stormy violence the mingled boughs +Smite and snap short each other, crashing loud; +So, Trojans and Achaians, mingling, slew +Mutual, while neither felt a wish to fly.940 +Around Cebriones stood many a spear, +And many a shaft sent smartly from the nerve +Implanted deep, and many a stone of grasp +Enormous sounded on their batter’d shields +Who fought to gain him. He, in eddies lost945 +Of sable dust, with his huge trunk huge space +O’erspread, nor steeds nor chariots heeded more. + While yet the sun ascending climb’d the heavens, +Their darts flew equal, and the people fell; +But when he westward journey’d, by a change950 +Surpassing hope the Grecians then prevail’d. +They drew Cebriones the hero forth +From all those weapons, and his armor stripp’d +At leisure, distant from the battle’s roar. +Then sprang Patroclus on the Trojan host;955 +Thrice, like another Mars, he sprang with shouts +Tremendous, and nine warriors thrice he slew. +But when the fourth time, demon-like, he rush’d +Against them, then, oh then, too manifest +The consummation of thy days approach’d960 +Patroclus! whom Apollo, terror-clad +Met then in battle. He the coming God +Through all that multitude knew not, such gloom +Impenetrable him involved around. +Behind him close he stood, and with his palms965 +Expanded on the spine and shoulders broad +Smote him; his eyes swam dizzy at the stroke. +Then Phœbus from his head his helmet dash’d +To earth; sonorous at the feet it roll’d +Of many a prancing steed, and all the crest970 +Defilement gather’d gross of dust and blood, +Then first; till then, impossible; for how +Should dust the tresses of that helmet shame +With which Achilles fighting fenced his head +Illustrious, and his graceful brows divine?975 +But Jove now made it Hector’s; he awhile +Bore it, himself to swift perdition doom’d +His spear brass-mounted, ponderous, huge and long, +Fell shiver’d from his grasp. His shield that swept +His ancle, with its belt dropp’d from his arm,980 +And Phœbus loosed the corselet from his breast. +Confusion seized his brain; his noble limbs +Quaked under him, and panic-stunn’d he stood. +Then came a Dardan Chief, who from behind +Enforced a pointed lance into his back985 +Between the shoulders; Panthus’ son was he, +Euphorbus, famous for equestrian skill, +For spearmanship, and in the rapid race +Past all of equal age. He twenty men +(Although a learner yet of martial feats,990 +And by his steeds then first to battle borne) +Dismounted. He, Patroclus, mighty Chief! +First threw a lance at thee, which yet life +Quell’d not; then snatching hasty from the wound +His ashen beam, he ran into the crowd,995 +Nor dared confront in fight even the unarm’d +Patroclus. But Patroclus, by the lance, +And by the stroke of an immortal hand +Subdued, fell back toward his ranks again. +Then, soon as Hector the retreat perceived1000 +Of brave Patroclus wounded, issuing forth +From his own phalanx, he approach’d and drove +A spear right through his body at the waist. +Sounding he fell. Loud groan’d Achaia’s host. +As when the lion and the sturdy boar1005 +Contend in battle on the mountain-tops +For some scant rivulet, thirst-parch’d alike, +Ere long the lion quells the panting boar; +So Priameian Hector, spear in hand, +Slew Menœtiades the valiant slayer1010 +Of multitudes, and thus in accents wing’d, +With fierce delight exulted in his fall. + + It was thy thought, Patroclus, to have laid +Our city waste, and to have wafted hence +Our wives and daughters to thy native land,1015 +Their day of liberty for ever set. +Fool! for their sakes the feet of Hector’s steeds +Fly into battle, and myself excel, +For their sakes, all our bravest of the spear, +That I may turn from them that evil hour1020 +Necessitous. But thou art vulture’s food, +Unhappy youth! all valiant as he is, +Achilles hath no succor given to thee, +Who when he sent the forth whither himself +Would not, thus doubtless gave thee oft in charge:1025 +Ah, well beware, Patroclus, glorious Chief! +That thou revisit not these ships again, +Till first on hero-slaughterer Hector’s breast +Thou cleave his bloody corselet. So he spake, +And with vain words thee credulous beguiled.1030 + To whom Patroclus, mighty Chief, with breath +Drawn faintly, and dying, thou didst thus reply. +Now, Hector, boast! now glory! for the son +Of Saturn and Apollo, me with ease +Vanquishing, whom they had themselves disarm’d,1035 +Have made the victory thine; else, twenty such +As thou, had fallen by my victorious spear. +Me Phœbus and my ruthless fate combined +To slay; these foremost; but of mortal men +Euphorbus, and thy praise is only third.1040 +I tell thee also, and within thy heart +Repose it deep—thou shalt not long survive; +But, even now, fate, and a violent death +Attend thee by Achilles’ hands ordain’d +To perish, by Æacides the brave.[21]1045 + So saying, the shades of death him wrapp’d around. +Down into Ades from his limbs dismiss’d, +His spirit fled sorrowful, of youth’s prime +And vigorous manhood suddenly bereft +Then, him though dead, Hector again bespake.1050 + Patroclus! these prophetic strains of death +At hand, and fate, why hast thou sung to me? +May not the son of Thetis azure-hair’d, +Achilles, perish first by spear of mine? + He said; then pressing with his heel the trunk1055 +Supine, and backward thursting it, he drew +His glittering weapon from the wound, nor stay’d, +But lance in hand, the godlike charioteer +Pursued of swift Æacides, on fire +To smite Automedon; but him the steeds1060 +Immortal, rapid, by the Gods conferr’d +(A glorious gift) on Peleus, snatch’d away. + + + + +BOOK XVII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK. + +Sharp contest ensues around the body of Patroclus. Hector puts on the +armor of Achilles. Menelaus, having dispatched Antilochus to Achilles +with news of the death of Patroclus, returns to the battle, and, +together with Meriones, bears Patroclus off the field, while the Ajaces +cover their retreat. + + +BOOK XVII. + + +Nor Menelaus, Atreus’ valiant son, +Knew not how Menœtiades had fallen +By Trojan hands in battle; forth he rush’d +All bright in burnish’d armor through his van, +And as some heifer with maternal fears5 +Now first acquainted, compasses around +Her young one murmuring, with tender moan, +So moved the hero of the amber locks +Around Patroclus, before whom his spear +Advancing and broad shield, he death denounced10 +On all opposers; neither stood the son +Spear-famed of Panthus inattentive long +To slain Patroclus, but approach’d the dead, +And warlike Menelaus thus bespake. + Prince! Menelaus! Atreus’ mighty son!15 +Yield. Leave the body and these gory spoils; +For of the Trojans or allies of Troy +None sooner made Patroclus bleed than I. +Seek not to rob me, therefore, of my praise +Among the Trojans, lest my spear assail20 +Thee also, and thou perish premature.[1] + To whom, indignant, Atreus’ son replied. +Self-praise, the Gods do know, is little worth. +But neither lion may in pride compare +Nor panther, nor the savage boar whose heart’s25 +High temper flashes in his eyes, with these +The spear accomplish’d youths of Panthus’ house. +Yet Hyperenor of equestrian fame +Lived not his lusty manhood to enjoy, +Who scoffingly defied my force in arms,30 +And call’d me most contemptible in fight +Of all the Danaï. But him, I ween, +His feet bore never hence to cheer at home +His wife and parents with his glad return. +So also shall thy courage fierce be tamed,35 +If thou oppose me. I command thee, go— +Mix with the multitude; withstand not me, +Lest evil overtake thee! To be taught +By sufferings only, is the part of fools. + He said, but him sway’d not, who thus replied.40 +Now, even now, Atrides! thou shalt rue +My brother’s blood which thou hast shed, and mak’st +His death thy boast. Thou hast his blooming bride +Widow’d, and thou hast fill’d his parents’ hearts +With anguish of unutterable wo;45 +But bearing hence thy armor and thy head +To Troy, and casting them at Panthus’ feet, +And at the feet of Phrontis, his espoused, +I shall console the miserable pair. +Nor will I leave that service unessay’d50 +Longer, nor will I fail through want of force, +Of courage, or of terrible address. + He ceased, and smote his shield, nor pierced the disk, +But bent his point against the stubborn brass. +Then Menelaus, prayer preferring first55 +To Jove,[2] assail’d Euphorbus in his turn, +Whom pacing backward in the throat he struck, +And both hands and his full force the spear +Impelled, urged it through his neck behind. +Sounding he fell; loud rang his batter’d arms.60 +His locks, which even the Graces might have own’d, +Blood-sullied, and his ringlets wound about +With twine of gold and silver, swept the dust. +As the luxuriant olive by a swain +Rear’d in some solitude where rills abound,65 +Puts forth her buds, and fann’d by genial airs +On all sides, hangs her boughs with whitest flowers, +But by a sudden whirlwind from its trench +Uptorn, it lies extended on the field; +Such, Panthus’ warlike son Euphorbus seem’d,70 +By Menelaus, son of Atreus, slain +Suddenly, and of all his arms despoil’d. +But as the lion on the mountains bred, +Glorious in strength, when he hath seized the best +And fairest of the herd, with savage fangs75 +First breaks her neck, then laps the bloody paunch +Torn wide; meantime, around him, but remote, +Dogs stand and swains clamoring, yet by fear +Repress’d, annoy him not nor dare approach; +So there all wanted courage to oppose80 +The force of Menelaus, glorious Chief. +Then, easily had Menelaus borne +The armor of the son of Panthus thence, +But that Apollo the illustrious prize +Denied him, who in semblance of the Chief85 +Of the Ciconians, Mentes, prompted forth +Against him Hector terrible as Mars, +Whose spirit thus in accents wing’d he roused. + Hector! the chase is vain; here thou pursuest +The horses of Æacides the brave,90 +Which thou shalt never win, for they are steeds +Of fiery nature, such as ill endure +To draw or carry mortal man, himself +Except, whom an immortal mother bore. +Meantime, bold Menelaus, in defence95 +Of dead Patroclus, hath a Trojan slain +Of highest note, Euphorbus, Panthus’ son, +And hath his might in arms for ever quell’d. + So spake the God and to the fight return’d. +But grief intolerable at that word100 +Seized Hector; darting through the ranks his eye, +He knew at once who stripp’d Euphorbus’ arms, +And him knew also lying on the field, +And from his wide wound bleeding copious still. +Then dazzling bright in arms, through all the van105 +He flew, shrill-shouting, fierce as Vulcan’s fire +Unquenchable; nor were his shouts unheard +By Atreus’ son, who with his noble mind +Conferring sad, thus to himself began. + Alas! if I forsake these gorgeous spoils,110 +And leave Patroclus for my glory slain, +I fear lest the Achaians at that sight +Incensed, reproach me; and if, urged by shame, +I fight with Hector and his host, alone, +Lest, hemm’d around by multitudes, I fall;115 +For Hector, by his whole embattled force +Attended, comes. But whither tend my thoughts? +No man may combat with another fenced +By power divine and whom the Gods exalt, +But he must draw down wo on his own head.120 +Me, therefore, none of all Achaia’s host +Will blame indignant, seeing my retreat +From Hector, whom themselves the Gods assist. +But might the battle-shout of Ajax once +Reach me, with force united we would strive,125 +Even in opposition to a God, +To rescue for Achilles’ sake, his friend. +Task arduous! but less arduous than this. + While he thus meditated, swift advanced +The Trojan ranks, with Hector at their head.130 +He then, retiring slow, and turning oft, +Forsook the body. As by dogs and swains +With clamors loud and spears driven from the stalls +A bearded lion goes, his noble heart +Abhors retreat, and slow he quits the prey;135 +So Menelaus with slow steps forsook +Patroclus, and arrived in front, at length, +Of his own phalanx, stood, with sharpen’d eyes +Seeking vast Ajax, son of Telamon. +Him leftward, soon, of all the field he mark’d140 +Encouraging aloud his band, whose hearts +With terrors irresistible himself +Phœbus had fill’d. He ran, and at his side +Standing, incontinent him thus bespake. + My gallant Ajax, haste—come quickly—strive145 +With me to rescue for Achilles’ sake +His friend, though bare, for Hector hath his arms. + He said, and by his words the noble mind +Of Ajax roused; issuing through the van +He went, and Menelaus at his side.150 +Hector the body of Patroclus dragg’d, +Stript of his arms, with falchion keen erelong +Purposing to strike off his head, and cast +His trunk, drawn distant, to the dogs of Troy. +But Ajax, with broad shield tower-like, approach’d.155 +Then Hector, to his bands retreating, sprang +Into his chariot, and to others gave +The splendid arms in charge, who into Troy +Should bear the destined trophy of his praise, +But Ajax with his broad shield guarding stood160 +Slain Menœtiades, as for his whelps +The lion stands; him through some forest drear +Leading his little ones, the hunters meet; +Fire glimmers in his looks, and down he draws +His whole brow into frowns, covering his eyes;165 +So, guarding slain Patroclus, Ajax lour’d. +On the other side, with tender grief oppress’d +Unspeakable, brave Menelaus stood. +But Glaucus, leader of the Lycian band, +Son of Hippolochus, in bitter terms170 +Indignant, reprimanded Hector thus, + Ah, Hector, Chieftain of excelling form, +But all unfurnish’d with a warrior’s heart! +Unwarranted I deem thy great renown +Who art to flight addicted. Think, henceforth,175 +How ye shall save city and citadel +Thou and thy people born in Troy, alone. +No Lycian shall, at least, in your defence +Fight with the Grecians, for our ceaseless toil +In arms, hath ever been a thankless task.180 +Inglorious Chief! how wilt thou save a worse +From warring crowds, who hast Sarpedon left +Thy guest, thy friend, to be a spoil, a prey +To yonder Argives? While he lived he much +Thee and thy city profited, whom dead185 +Thou fear’st to rescue even from the dogs. +Now, therefore, may but my advice prevail, +Back to your country, Lycians! so, at once, +Shall remediless ruin fall on Troy. +For had the Trojans now a daring heart190 +Intrepid, such as in the breast resides +Of laborers in their country’s dear behalf, +We soon should drag Patroclus into Troy; +And were his body, from the battle drawn, +In Priam’s royal city once secured,195 +As soon, the Argives would in ransom give +Sarpedon’s body with his splendid arms +To be conducted safe into the town. +For when Patroclus fell, the friend was slain +Of such a Chief as is not in the fleet200 +For valor, and his bands are dauntless all. +But thou, at the first glimpse of Ajax’ eye +Confounded, hast not dared in arms to face +That warrior bold, superior far to thee. + To whom brave Hector, frowning stern, replied,205 +Why, Glaucus! should a Chief like thee his tongue +Presume to employ thus haughtily? My friend! +I thee accounted wisest, once, of all +Who dwell in fruitful Lycia, but thy speech +Now utter’d altogether merits blame,210 +In which thou tell’st me that I fear to stand +Against vast Ajax. Know that I from fight +Shrink not, nor yet from sound of prancing steeds; +But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails +Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight215 +The bravest, and the victory takes with ease +Even from those whom once he favor’d most. +But hither, friend! stand with me; mark my deed; +Prove me, if I be found, as thou hast said, +An idler all the day, or if by force220 +I not compel some Grecian to renounce +Patroclus, even the boldest of them all. + He ceased, and to his host exclaim’d aloud. +Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons +Of Dardanus, oh be ye men, my friends!225 +Now summon all your fortitude, while I +Put on the armor of Achilles, won +From the renown’d Patroclus slain by me. + So saying, illustrious Hector from the clash +Of spears withdrew, and with his swiftest pace230 +Departing, overtook, not far remote, +The bearers of Achilles’ arms to Troy. +Apart from all the horrors of the field +Standing, he changed his armor; gave his own +To be by them to sacred Ilium borne,235 +And the immortal arms of Peleus’ son +Achilles, by the ever-living Gods +To Peleüs given, put on. Those arms the Sire, +Now old himself, had on his son conferr’d +But in those arms his son grew never old.240 + Him, therefore, soon as cloud-assembler Jove +Saw glittering in divine Achilles’ arms, +Contemplative he shook his brows, and said, + Ah hapless Chief! thy death, although at hand, +Nought troubles thee. Thou wear’st his heavenly245 +Who all excels, terror of Ilium’s host. +His friend, though bold yet gentle, thou hast slain +And hast the brows and bosom of the dead +Unseemly bared: yet, bright success awhile +I give thee; so compensating thy lot,250 +From whom Andromache shall ne’er receive +Those glorious arms, for thou shalt ne’er return. + So spake the Thunderer, and his sable brows +Shaking, confirm’d the word. But Hector found +The armor apt; the God of war his soul255 +With fury fill’d, he felt his limbs afresh +Invigorated, and with loudest shouts +Return’d to his illustrious allies. +To them he seem’d, clad in those radiant arms, +Himself Achilles; rank by rank he pass’d260 +Through all the host, exhorting every Chief, +Asteropæus, Mesthles, Phorcys, Medon, +Thersilochus, Deisenor, augur Ennomus, +Chromius, Hippothoüs; all these he roused +To battle, and in accents wing’d began.265 + Hear me, ye myriads, neighbors and allies! +For not through fond desire to fill the plain +With multitudes, have I convened you here +Each from his city, but that well-inclined +To Ilium, ye might help to guard our wives270 +And little ones against the host of Greece. +Therefore it is that forage large and gifts +Providing for you, I exhaust the stores +Of Troy, and drain our people for your sake. +Turn then direct against them, and his life275 +Save each, or lose; it is the course of war. +Him who shall drag, though dead, Patroclus home +Into the host of Troy, and shall repulse +Ajax, I will reward with half the spoils +And half shall be my own; glory and praise280 +Shall also be his meed, equal to mine. + He ended; they compact with lifted spears +Bore on the Danaï, conceiving each +Warm expectation in his heart to wrest +From Ajax son of Telamon, the dead.285 +Vain hope! he many a lifeless Trojan heap’d +On slain Patroclus, but at length his speech +To warlike Menelaus thus address’d. + Ah, Menelaus, valiant friend! I hope +No longer, now, that even we shall ’scape290 +Ourselves from fight; nor fear I so the loss +Of dead Patroclus, who shall soon the dogs +Of Ilium, and the fowls sate with his flesh, +As for my life I tremble and for thine, +That cloud of battle, Hector, such a gloom295 +Sheds all around; death manifest impends. +Haste—call our best, if even they can hear. + He spake, nor Menelaus not complied, +But call’d aloud on all the Chiefs of Greece. + Friends, senators, and leaders of the powers300 +Of Argos! who with Agamemnon drink +And Menelaus at the public feast, +Each bearing rule o’er many, by the will +Of Jove advanced to honor and renown! +The task were difficult to single out305 +Chief after Chief by name amid the blaze +Of such contention; but oh, come yourselves +Indignant forth, nor let the dogs of Troy +Patroclus rend, and gambol with his bones! + He ceased, whom Oïliades the swift310 +Hearing incontinent, of all the Chiefs +Ran foremost, after whom Idomeneus +Approach’d, and dread as homicidal Mars +Meriones. But never mind of man +Could even in silent recollection name315 +The whole vast multitude who, following these +Renew’d the battle on the part of Greece. +The Trojans first, with Hector at their head, +Wedged in close phalanx, rush’d to the assault + As when within some rapid river’s mouth320 +The billows and stream clash, on either shore[3] +Loud sounds the roar[3] of waves ejected wide, +Such seem’d the clamors of the Trojan host. +But the Achaians, one in heart, around +Patroclus stood, bulwark’d with shields of brass325 +And over all their glittering helmets Jove +Darkness diffused, for he had loved Patroclus +While yet he lived friend of Æacides, +And now, abhorring that the dogs of Troy +Should eat him, urged the Greeks to his defence,330 +The host of Troy first shook the Grecian host; +The body left, they fled; yet of them all, +The Trojan powers, determined as they were, +Slew none, but dragg’d the body. Neither stood +The Greeks long time aloof, soon as repulsed335 +Again led on by Ajax, who in form +And in exploits all others far excell’d. +Peerless Æacides alone except. +Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d, +In force resembling most some savage boar340 +That in the mountains bursting through the brakes, +The swains disperses and their hounds with ease; +Like him, illustrious Ajax, mighty son +Of Telamon, at his assault dispersed +With ease the close imbattled ranks who fought345 +Around Patroclus’ body, strong in hope +To achieve it, and to make the glory theirs. +Hippothoüs, a youth of high renown, +Son of Pelasgian Lethus, by a noose +Around his ancle cast dragg’d through the fight350 +Patroclus, so to gratify the host +Of Ilium and their Chief; but evil him +Reached suddenly, by none of all his friends +(Though numerous wish’d to save him) turn’d aside. +For swift advancing on him through the crowd355 +The son of Telamon pierced, spear in hand, +His helmet brazen-cheek’d; the crested casque, +So smitten, open’d wide, for huge the hand +And ponderous was the spear that gave the blow +And all around its neck, mingled with blood360 +Gush’d forth the brain. There, lifeless, down he sank, +Let fall the hero’s foot, and fell himself +Prone on the dead, never to see again? +Deep-soil’d Larissa, never to require +Their kind solicitudes who gave him birth,365 +In bloom of life by dauntless Ajax slain. +Then Hector hurl’d at Ajax his bright spear, +But he, forewarn’d of its approach, escaped +Narrowly, and it pierced Schedius instead, +Brave son of Iphitus; he, noblest Chief370 +Of the Phocensians, over many reign’d, +Dwelling in Panopeus the far-renown’d. +Entering beneath the clavicle[4] the point +Right through his shoulder’s summit pass’d behind, +And on his loud-resounding arms he fell.375 +But Ajax at his waist wounded the son +Of Phœnops, valiant Phorcys, while he stood +Guarding Hippothöus; through his hollow mail +Enforced the weapon drank his inmost life, +And in his palm, supine, he clench’d the dust.380 +Then, Hector with the foremost Chiefs of Troy +Fell back; the Argives sent a shout to heaven, +And dragging Phorcys and Hippothöus thence +Stripp’d both. In that bright moment Ilium’s host +Fear-quell’d before Achaia’s warlike sons385 +Had Troy re-enter’d, and the host of Greece +By matchless might and fortitude their own +Had snatch’d a victory from the grasp of fate, +But that, himself, the King of radiant shafts +Æneas roused; Epytis’ son he seem’d390 +Periphas, ancient in the service grown +Of old Anchises whom he dearly loved; +His form assumed, Apollo thus began. + How could ye save, Æneas, were the Gods +Your enemies, the towers of lofty Troy?395 +As I have others seen, warriors who would, +Men fill’d with might and valor, firm themselves +And Chiefs of multitudes disdaining fear. +But Jove to us the victory far more +Than to the Grecians wills; therefore the fault400 +Is yours, who tremble and refuse the fight. + He ended, whom Æneas marking, knew +At once the glorious Archer of the skies, +And thus to distant Hector call’d aloud. + Oh, Hector, and ye other Chiefs of Troy405 +And of her brave confederates! Shame it were +Should we re-enter Ilium, driven to flight +By dastard fear before the host of Greece. +A God assured me even now, that Jove, +Supreme in battle, gives his aid to Troy.410 +Rush, therefore, on the Danaï direct, +Nor let them, safe at least and unannoy’d, +Bear hence Patroclus’ body to the fleet. + He spake, and starting far into the van +Stood foremost forth; they, wheeling, faced the Greeks.415 +Then, spear in hand, Æneas smote the friend +Of Lycomedes, brave Leocritus, +Son of Arisbas. Lycomedes saw +Compassionate his death, and drawing nigh +First stood, then hurling his resplendent lance,420 +Right through the liver Apisaon pierced +Offspring of Hippasus, his chest beneath, +And, lifeless, instant, on the field he fell. +He from Pæonia the deep soil’d to Troy +Came forth, Asteropæus sole except,425 +Bravest of all Pæonia’s band in arms. +Asteropæus saw, and to the van +Sprang forth for furious combat well prepared, +But room for fight found none, so thick a fence +Of shields and ported spears fronted secure430 +The phalanx guarding Menœtiades. +For Ajax ranging all the ranks, aloud +Admonish’d them that no man yielding ground +Should leave Patroclus, or advance before +The rest, but all alike fight and stand fast.435 +Such order gave huge Ajax; purple gore +Drench’d all the ground; in slaughter’d heaps they fell +Trojans and Trojan aids of dauntless hearts +And Grecians; for not even they the fight +Waged bloodless, though with far less cost of blood,440 +Each mindful to avert his fellow’s fate. + Thus burn’d the battle; neither hadst thou deem’d +The sun himself in heaven unquench’d, or moon, +Beneath a cope so dense of darkness strove +Unceasing all the most renown’d in arms445 +For Menœtiades. Meantime the war, +Wherever else, the bright-arm’d Grecians waged +And Trojans under skies serene. The sun +On them his radiance darted; not a cloud, +From mountain or from vale rising, allay’d450 +His fervor; there at distance due they fought +And paused by turns, and shunn’d the cruel dart. +But in the middle field not war alone +They suffer’d, but night also; ruthless raged +The iron storm, and all the mightiest bled.455 +Two glorious Chiefs, the while, Antilochus +And Thrasymedes, had no tidings heard +Of brave Patroclus slain, but deem’d him still +Living, and troubling still the host of Troy; +For watchful[5] only to prevent the flight460 +Or slaughter of their fellow-warriors, they +Maintain’d a distant station, so enjoin’d +By Nestor when he sent them to the field. +But fiery conflict arduous employ’d +The rest all day continual; knees and legs,465 +Feet, hands, and eyes of those who fought to guard +The valiant friend of swift Æacides +Sweat gather’d foul and dust. As when a man +A huge ox-hide drunken with slippery lard +Gives to be stretch’d, his servants all around470 +Disposed, just intervals between, the task +Ply strenuous, and while many straining hard +Extend it equal on all sides, it sweats +The moisture out, and drinks the unction in,[6] +So they, in narrow space struggling, the dead475 +Dragg’d every way, warm hope conceiving, these +To drag him thence to Troy, those, to the ships. +Wild tumult raged around him; neither Mars, +Gatherer of hosts to battle, nor herself +Pallas, however angry, had beheld480 +That conflict with disdain, Jove to such length +Protracted on that day the bloody toil +Of steeds and men for Menœtiades. +Nor knew divine Achilles or had aught +Heard of Patroclus slain, for from the ships485 +Remote they fought, beneath the walls of Troy. +He, therefore, fear’d not for his death, but hope +Indulged much rather, that, the battle push’d +To Ilium’s gates, he should return alive. +For that his friend, unaided by himself490 +Or ever aided, should prevail to lay +Troy waste, he nought supposed; by Thetis warn’d +In secret conference oft, he better knew +Jove’s purpose; yet not even she had borne +Those dreadful tidings to his ear, the loss495 +Immeasurable of his dearest friend. + They all around the dead fought spear in hand +With mutual slaughter ceaseless, and amid +Achaia’s host thus spake a Chief mail-arm’d. + Shame were it, Grecians! should we seek by flight500 +Our galleys now; yawn earth our feet beneath +And here ingulf us rather! Better far +Than to permit the steed-famed host of Troy +To drag Patroclus hence into the town, +And make the glory of this conflict theirs.505 + Thus also of the dauntless Trojans spake +A certain warrior. Oh, my friends! although +The Fates ordain us, one and all, to die +Around this body, stand! quit not the field. + So spake the warrior prompting into act510 +The courage of his friends, and such they strove +On both sides; high into the vault of heaven +The iron din pass’d through the desart air. +Meantime the horses of Æacides +From fight withdrawn, soon as they understood515 +Their charioteer fallen in the dust beneath +The arm of homicidal Hector, wept. +Them oft with hasty lash Diores’ son +Automedon impatient smote, full oft +He stroked them gently, and as oft he chode;[7]520 +Yet neither to the fleet ranged on the shore +Of spacious Hellespont would they return, +Nor with the Grecians seek the fight, but stood +As a sepulchral pillar stands, unmoved +Between their traces;[8] to the earth they hung525 +Their heads, with plenteous tears their driver mourn’d, +And mingled their dishevell’d manes with dust. +Jove saw their grief with pity, and his brows +Shaking, within himself thus, pensive, said. + Ah hapless pair! Wherefore by gift divine530 +Were ye to Peleus given, a mortal king, +Yourselves immortal and from age exempt? +Was it that ye might share in human woes? +For, of all things that breathe or creep the earth, +No creature lives so mere a wretch as man.535 +Yet shall not Priameian Hector ride +Triumphant, drawn by you. Myself forbid. +Suffice it that he boasts vain-gloriously +Those arms his own. Your spirit and your limbs +I will invigorate, that ye may bear540 +Safe hence Automedon into the fleet. +For I ordain the Trojans still to spread +Carnage around victorious, till they reach +The gallant barks, and till the sun at length +Descending, sacred darkness cover all.545 + He said, and with new might the steeds inspired. +They, shaking from their hair profuse the dust, +Between the van of either army whirl’d +The rapid chariot. Fighting as he pass’d, +Though fill’d with sorrow for his slaughter’d friend,550 +Automedon high-mounted swept the field +Impetuous as a vulture scattering geese; +Now would he vanish, and now, turn’d again, +Chase through a multitude his trembling foe; +But whomsoe’er he follow’d, none he slew,555 +Nor was the task possible to a Chief +Sole in the sacred chariot, both to aim +The spear aright and guide the fiery steeds. +At length Alcimedon, his friend in arms, +Son of Laerceus son of Æmon, him560 +Observing, from behind the chariot hail’d +The flying warrior, whom he thus bespake. + What power, Automedon! hath ta’en away +Thy better judgment, and thy breast inspired +With this vain purpose to assail alone565 +The Trojan van? Thy partner in the fight +Is slain, and Hector on his shoulders bears, +Elate, the armor of Æacides. + Then, answer thus Automedon return’d, +Son of Diores. Who of all our host570 +Was ever skill’d, Alcimedon! as thou +To rule the fire of these immortal steeds, +Save only while he lived, peer of the Gods +In that great art, Patroclus, now no more? +Thou, therefore, the resplendent reins receive575 +And scourge, while I, dismounting, wage the fight. + He ceased; Alcimedon without delay +The battle-chariot mounting, seized at once +The lash and reins, and from his seat down leap’d +Automedon. Them noble Hector mark’d,580 +And to Æneas at his side began. + Illustrious Chief of Trojans brazen-mail’d +Æneas! I have noticed yonder steeds +Of swift Achilles rushing into fight +Conspicuous, but under sway of hands585 +Unskilful; whence arises a fair hope +That we might seize them, wert thou so inclined; +For never would those two dare to oppose +In battle an assault dreadful as ours. + He ended, nor the valiant son refused590 +Of old Anchises, but with targets firm +Of season’d hide brass-plated thrown athwart +Their shoulders, both advanced direct, with whom +Of godlike form Aretus also went +And Chromius. Ardent hope they all conceived595 +To slay those Chiefs, and from the field to drive +Achilles’ lofty steeds. Vain hope! for them +No bloodless strife awaited with the force +Of brave Automedon; he, prayer to Jove +First offering, felt his angry soul with might600 +Heroic fill’d, and thus his faithful friend +Alcimedon, incontinent, address’d. + Alcimedon! hold not the steeds remote +But breathing on my back; for I expect +That never Priameïan Hector’s rage605 +Shall limit know, or pause, till, slaying us, +He shall himself the coursers ample-maned +Mount of Achilles, and to flight compel +The Argive host, or perish in the van. + So saying, he call’d aloud on Menelaus610 +With either Ajax. Oh, illustrious Chiefs +Of Argos, Menelaus, and ye bold +Ajaces![9] leaving all your best to cope +With Ilium’s powers and to protect the dead, +From friends still living ward the bitter day.615 +For hither borne, two Chiefs, bravest of all +The Trojans, Hector and Æneas rush +Right through the battle. The events of war +Heaven orders; therefore even I will give +My spear its flight, and Jove dispose the rest!620 + He said, and brandishing his massy spear +Dismiss’d it at Aretus; full he smote +His ample shield, nor stay’d the pointed brass, +But penetrating sheer the disk, his belt +Pierced also, and stood planted in his waist.625 +As when some vigorous youth with sharpen’d axe +A pastured bullock smites behind the horns +And hews the muscle through; he, at the stroke +Springs forth and falls, so sprang Aretus forth, +Then fell supine, and in his bowels stood630 +The keen-edged lance still quivering till he died. +Then Hector, in return, his radiant spear +Hurl’d at Automedon, who of its flight +Forewarn’d his body bowing prone, the stroke +Eluded, and the spear piercing the soil635 +Behind him, shook to its superior end, +Till, spent by slow degrees, its fury slept. +And now, with hand to hilt, for closer war +Both stood prepared, when through the multitude +Advancing at their fellow-warrior’s call,640 +The Ajaces suddenly their combat fierce +Prevented. Awed at once by their approach +Hector retired, with whom Æneas went +Also and godlike Chromius, leaving there +Aretus with his vitals torn, whose arms,645 +Fierce as the God of war Automedon +Stripp’d off, and thus exulted o’er the slain. + My soul some portion of her grief resigns +Consoled, although by slaughter of a worse, +For loss of valiant Menœtiades.650 + So saying, within his chariot he disposed +The gory spoils, then mounted it himself +With hands and feet purpled, as from a bull +His bloody prey, some lion newly-gorged. + And now around Patroclus raged again655 +Dread strife deplorable! for from the skies +Descending at the Thunderer’s command +Whose purpose now was to assist the Greeks, +Pallas enhanced the fury of the fight. +As when from heaven, in view of mortals, Jove660 +Exhibits bright his bow, a sign ordain’d +Of war, or numbing frost which all the works +Suspends of man and saddens all the flocks; +So she, all mantled with a radiant cloud +Entering Achaia’s host, fired every breast.665 +But meeting Menelaus first, brave son +Of Atreus, in the form and with the voice +Robust of Phœnix, him she thus bespake. + Shame, Menelaus, shall to thee redound +For ever, and reproach, should dogs devour670 +The faithful friend of Peleus’ noble son +Under Troy’s battlements; but stand, thyself, +Undaunted, and encourage all the host. + To whom the son of Atreus bold in arms. +Ah, Phœnix, friend revered, ancient and sage!675 +Would Pallas give me might and from the dint +Shield me of dart and spear, with willing mind +I would defend Patroclus, for his death +Hath touch’d me deep. But Hector with the rage +Burns of consuming fire, nor to his spear680 +Gives pause, for him Jove leads to victory. + He ceased, whom Pallas, Goddess azure-eyed +Hearing, rejoiced that of the heavenly powers +He had invoked _her_ foremost to his aid. +His shoulders with new might, and limbs she fill’d,685 +And persevering boldness to his breast +Imparted, such as prompts the fly, which oft +From flesh of man repulsed, her purpose yet +To bite holds fast, resolved on human blood. +His stormy bosom with such courage fill’d690 +By Pallas, to Patroclus he approach’d +And hurl’d, incontinent, his glittering spear. +There was a Trojan Chief, Podes by name, +Son of Eëtion, valorous and rich; +Of all Troy’s citizens him Hector most695 +Respected, in convivial pleasures sweet +His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight, +The hero of the golden locks his belt +Struck with full force and sent the weapon through. +Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks700 +Atrides dragg’d the body to his own. +Then drew Apollo near to Hector’s side, +And in the form of Phœnops, Asius’ son, +Of all the foreign guests at Hector’s board +His favorite most, the hero thus address’d.705 + What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth +Fear Hector, who from Menelaus shrinks +Once deem’d effeminate, but dragging now +The body of thy valiant friend approved +Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eëtion’s son?710 + He spake, and at his words grief like a cloud +Involved the mind of Hector dark around; +Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d +All clad in dazzling brass. Then, lifting high +His tassel’d Ægis radiant, Jove with storms715 +Enveloped Ida; flash’d his lightnings, roar’d +His thunders, and the mountain shook throughout. +Troy’s host he prosper’d, and the Greeks dispersed. + First fled Peneleus, the Bœotian Chief, +Whom facing firm the foe Polydamas720 +Struck on his shoulder’s summit with a lance +Hurl’d nigh at hand, which slight inscribed the bone. +[10]Leïtus also, son of the renown’d +Alectryon, pierced by Hector in the wrist, +Disabled left the fight; trembling he fled725 +And peering narrowly around, nor hoped +To lift a spear against the Trojans more. +Hector, pursuing Leïtus, the point +Encounter’d of the brave Idomeneus +Full on his chest; but in his mail the lance730 +Snapp’d, and the Trojans shouted to the skies. +He, in his turn, cast at Deucalion’s son +Idomeneus, who in that moment gain’d[11] +A chariot-seat; but him the erring spear +Attain’d not, piercing Cœranus instead735 +The friend and follower of Meriones +From wealthy Lyctus, and his charioteer. +For when he left, that day, the gallant barks +Idomeneus had sought the field on foot, +And triumph proud, full sure, to Ilium’s host740 +Had yielded now, but that with rapid haste +Cœranus drove to his relief, from him +The fate averting which himself incurr’d +Victim of Hector’s homicidal arm. +Him Hector smiting between ear and jaw745 +Push’d from their sockets with the lance’s point +His firm-set teeth, and sever’d sheer his tongue. +Dismounted down he fell, and from his hand +Let slide the flowing reins, which, to the earth +Stooping, Meriones in haste resumed,750 +And briefly thus Idomeneus address’d. + Now drive, and cease not, to the fleet of Greece! +Thyself see’st victory no longer ours. + He said; Idomeneus whom, now, dismay +Seized also, with his lash plying severe755 +The coursers ample-maned, flew to the fleet. +Nor Ajax, dauntless hero, not perceived, +Nor Menelaus, by the sway of Jove +The victory inclining fast to Troy, +And thus the Telamonian Chief began.760 + Ah! who can be so blind as not to see +The eternal Father, now, with his own hand +Awarding glory to the Trojan host, +Whose every spear flies, instant, to the mark +Sent forth by brave or base? Jove guides them all,765 +While, ineffectual, ours fall to the ground. +But haste, devise we of ourselves the means +How likeliest we may bear Patroclus hence, +And gladden, safe returning, all our friends, +Who, hither looking anxious, hope have none770 +That we shall longer check the unconquer’d force +Of hero-slaughtering Hector, but expect +[12]To see him soon amid the fleet of Greece. +Oh for some Grecian now to carry swift +The tidings to Achilles’ ear, untaught,775 +As I conjecture, yet the doleful news +Of his Patroclus slain! but no such Greek +May I discern, such universal gloom +Both men and steeds envelops all around. +Father of heaven and earth! deliver thou780 +Achaia’s host from darkness; clear the skies; +Give day; and (since thy sovereign will is such) +Destruction with it—but oh give us day![13] + He spake, whose tears Jove saw with pity moved, +And chased the untimely shades; bright beam’d the sun785 +And the whole battle was display’d. Then spake +The hero thus to Atreus’ mighty son. + Now noble Menelaus! looking forth, +See if Antilochus be yet alive, +Brave son of Nestor, whom exhort to fly790 +With tidings to Achilles, of the friend +Whom most he loved, of his Patroclus slain. + He ceased, nor Menelaus, dauntless Chief, +That task refused, but went; yet neither swift +Nor willing. As a lion leaves the stalls795 +Wearied himself with harassing the guard, +Who, interdicting him his purposed prey, +Watch all the night; he famish’d, yet again +Comes furious on, but speeds not, kept aloof +By spears from daring hands dismissed, but more800 +By flash of torches which, though fierce, he dreads, +Till at the dawn, sullen he stalks away; +So from Patroclus Menelaus went +Heroic Chief! reluctant; for he fear’d +Lest the Achaians should resign the dead,805 +Through consternation, to the host of Troy. +Departing, therefore, he admonish’d oft +Meriones and the Ajaces, thus. + Ye two brave leaders of the Argive host, +And thou, Meriones! now recollect810 +The gentle manners of Patroclus fallen +Hapless in battle, who by carriage mild +Well understood, while yet he lived, to engage +All hearts, through prisoner now of death and fate. + So saying, the hero amber-hair’d his steps815 +Turn’d thence, the field exploring with an eye +Sharp as the eagle’s, of all fowls beneath +The azure heavens for keenest sight renown’d, +Whom, though he soar sublime, the leveret +By broadest leaves conceal’d ’scapes not, but swift820 +Descending, even her he makes his prey; +So, noble Menelaus! were thine eyes +Turn’d into every quarter of the host +In search of Nestor’s son, if still he lived. +Him, soon, encouraging his band to fight,825 +He noticed on the left of all the field, +And sudden standing at his side, began. + Antilochus! oh hear me, noble friend! +And thou shalt learn tidings of such a deed +As best had never been. Thou know’st, I judge,830 +And hast already seen, how Jove exalts +To victory the Trojan host, and rolls +Distress on ours; but ah! Patroclus lies, +Our chief Achaian, slain, whose loss the Greeks +Fills with regret. Haste, therefore, to the fleet,835 +Inform Achilles; bid him haste to save, +If save he can, the body of his friend; +He can no more, for Hector hath his arms. + He ceased. Antilochus with horror heard +Those tidings; mute long time he stood, his eyes840 +Swam tearful, and his voice, sonorous erst, +Found utterance none. Yet even so distress’d, +He not the more neglected the command +Of Menelaus. Setting forth to run, +He gave his armor to his noble friend845 +Laodocus, who thither turn’d his steeds, +And weeping as he went, on rapid feet +Sped to Achilles with that tale of wo. + Nor could the noble Menelaus stay +To give the weary Pylian band, bereft850 +Of their beloved Antilochus, his aid, +But leaving them to Thrasymedes’ care, +He flew to Menœtiades again, +And the Ajaces, thus, instant bespake. + He goes. I have dispatch’d him to the fleet855 +To seek Achilles; but his coming naught +Expect I now, although with rage he burn +Against illustrious Hector; for what fight +Can he, unarm’d, against the Trojans wage? +Deliberating, therefore, frame we means860 +How best to save Patroclus, and to ’scape +Ourselves unslain from this disastrous field. + Whom answer’d the vast son of Telamon. +Most noble Menelaus! good is all +Which thou hast spoken. Lift ye from the earth865 +Thou and Meriones, at once, and bear +The dead Patroclus from the bloody field. +To cope meantime with Hector and his host +Shall be our task, who, one in name, nor less +In spirit one, already have the brunt870 +Of much sharp conflict, side by side, sustain’d. + He ended; they enfolding in their arms +The dead, upbore him high above the ground +With force united; after whom the host +Of Troy, seeing the body borne away,875 +Shouted, and with impetuous onset all +Follow’d them. As the hounds, urged from behind +By youthful hunters, on the wounded boar +Make fierce assault; awhile at utmost speed +They stretch toward him hungering, for the prey,880 +But oft as, turning sudden, the stout brawn +Faces them, scatter’d on all sides escape; +The Trojans so, thick thronging in the rear, +Ceaseless with falchions and spears double-edged +Annoy’d them sore, but oft as in retreat885 +The dauntless heroes, the Ajaces turn’d +To face them, deadly wan grew every cheek, +And not a Trojan dared with onset rude +Molest them more in conflict for the dead. + Thus they, laborious, forth from battle bore890 +Patroclus to the fleet, tempestuous war +Their steps attending, rapid as the flames +Which, kindled suddenly, some city waste; +Consumed amid the blaze house after house +Sinks, and the wind, meantime, roars through the fire;895 +So them a deafening tumult as they went +Pursued, of horses and of men spear-arm’d. +And as two mules with strength for toil endued, +Draw through rough ways down from the distant hills +Huge timber, beam or mast; sweating they go,900 +And overlabor’d to faint weariness; +So they the body bore, while, turning oft, +The Ajaces check’d the Trojans. As a mound +Planted with trees and stretch’d athwart the mead +Repels an overflow; the torrents loud905 +Baffling, it sends them far away to float +The level land, nor can they with the force +Of all their waters burst a passage through; +So the Ajaces, constant, in the rear +Repress’d the Trojans; but the Trojans them910 +Attended still, of whom Æneas most +Troubled them, and the glorious Chief of Troy. +They as a cloud of starlings or of daws +Fly screaming shrill, warn’d timely of the kite +Or hawk, devourers of the smaller kinds,915 +So they shrill-clamoring toward the fleet, +Hasted before Æneas and the might +Of Hector, nor the battle heeded more. +Much radiant armor round about the foss +Fell of the flying Grecians, or within920 +Lay scatter’d, and no pause of war they found. + + + + +BOOK XVIII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK. + +Achilles, by command of Juno, shows himself to the Trojans, who fly at +his appearance; Vulcan, at the insistence of Thetis, forges for him a +suit of armor. + + +BOOK XVIII. + + +Thus burn’d the battle like devouring fire. +Meantime, Antilochus with rapid steps +Came to Achilles. Him he found before +His lofty barks, occupied, as he stood, +With boding fears of all that had befall’n.5 +He groan’d, and to his noble self he said. + Ah! wo is me—why falls Achaia’s host, +With such disorder foul, back on the fleet? +I tremble lest the Gods my anxious thoughts +Accomplish and my mother’s words, who erst10 +Hath warn’d me, that the bravest and the best +Of all my Myrmidons, while yet I live, +Slain under Troy, must view the sun no more. +Brave Menœtiades is, doubtless, slain. +Unhappy friend! I bade thee oft, our barks15 +Deliver’d once from hostile fires, not seek +To cope in arms with Hector, but return. + While musing thus he stood, the son approach’d +Of noble Nestor, and with tears his cheeks +Bedewing copious, his sad message told.20 + Oh son of warlike Peleus! thou shalt hear +Tidings of deeds which best had never been. +Patroclus is no more. The Grecians fight +For his bare corse, and Hector hath his arms.[1] + + Then clouds of sorrow fell on Peleus’ son,25 +And, grasping with both hands the ashes, down +He pour’d them on his head, his graceful brows +Dishonoring, and thick the sooty shower +Descending settled on his fragrant vest. +Then, stretch’d in ashes, at the vast extent30 +Of his whole length he lay, disordering wild +With his own hands, and rending off his hair. +The maidens, captived by himself in war +And by Patroclus, shrieking from the tent +Ran forth, and hemm’d the glorious Chief around.[2]35 +All smote their bosoms, and all, fainting, fell. +On the other side, Antilochus the hands +Held of Achilles, mourning and deep groans +Uttering from his noble heart, through fear +Lest Peleus’ son should perish self-destroy’d.40 +Loud groan’d the hero, whose loud groans within +The gulfs of ocean, where she sat beside +Her ancient sire, his Goddess-mother heard, +And hearing shriek’d; around her at the voice +Assembled all the Nereids of the deep45 +Cymodoce, Thalia, Glauca came, +Nisæa, Spio, Thoa, and with eyes +Protuberant beauteous Halia; came with these +Cymothöe, and Actæa, and the nymph +Of marshes, Limnorea, nor delay’d50 +Agave, nor Amphithöe the swift, +Iæra, Doto, Melita, nor thence +Was absent Proto or Dynamene, +Callianira, Doris, Panope, +Pherusa or Amphinome, or fair55 +Dexamene, or Galatea praised +For matchless form divine; Nemertes pure +Came also, with Apseudes crystal-bright, +Callianassa, Mæra, Clymene, +Janeira and Janassa, sister pair,60 +And Orithya and with azure locks +Luxuriant, Amathea; nor alone +Came these, but every ocean-nymph beside, +The silver cave was fill’d; each smote her breast, +And Thetis, loud lamenting, thus began.65 + Ye sister Nereids, hear! that ye may all +From my own lips my boundless sorrow learn. +Ah me forlorn! ah me, parent in vain +Of an illustrious birth! who, having borne +A noble son magnanimous, the chief70 +Of heroes, saw him like a thriving plant +Shoot vigorous under my maternal care, +And sent him early in his gallant fleet +Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy. +But him from fight return’d I shall receive75 +Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more; +And while he lives, and on the sun his eyes +Opens, he mourns, nor, going, can I aught +Assist him; yet I go, that I may see +My darling son, and from his lips be taught80 +What grief hath now befallen him, who close +Abiding in his tent shares not the war. +So saying she left the cave, whom all her nymphs +Attended weeping, and where’er they pass’d +The breaking billows open’d wide a way.85 +At fruitful Troy arrived, in order fair +They climb’d the beach, where by his numerous barks +Encompass’d, swift Achilles sighing lay. +Then, drawing nigh to her afflicted son, +The Goddess-mother press’d between her palms90 +His temples, and in accents wing’d inquired. + Why weeps my son? what sorrow wrings thy soul? +Speak, hide it not. Jove hath fulfill’d the prayer +Which erst with lifted hands thou didst prefer, +That all Achaia’s host, wanting thy aid,95 +Might be compell’d into the fleet, and foul +Disgrace incur, there prison’d for thy sake. + To whom Achilles, groaning deep, replied. +My mother! it is true; Olympian Jove +That prayer fulfils; but thence, what joy to me,100 +Patroclus slain? the friend of all my friends +Whom most I loved, dear to me as my life— +Him I have lost. Slain and despoil’d he lies +By Hector of his glorious armor bright, +The wonder of all eyes, a matchless gift105 +Given by the Gods to Peleus on that day +When thee they doom’d into a mortal’s arms. +Oh that with these thy deathless ocean-nymphs +Dwelling content, thou hadst my father left +To espouse a mortal bride, so hadst thou ’scaped110 +Pangs numberless which thou must now endure +For thy son’s death, whom thou shalt never meet +From Troy return’d, in Peleus’ mansion more! +For life I covet not, nor longer wish +To mix with human kind, unless my spear115 +May find out Hector, and atonement take +By slaying him, for my Patroclus slain. + To whom, with streaming tears, Thetis replied. +Swift comes thy destiny as thou hast said, +For after Hector’s death thine next ensues.120 + Then answer, thus, indignant he return’d. +Death, seize me now! since when my friend was slain, +My doom was, not to succor him. He died +From home remote, and wanting me to save him. +Now, therefore, since I neither visit more125 +My native land, nor, present here, have aught +Avail’d Patroclus or my many friends +Whom noble Hector hath in battle slain, +But here I sit unprofitable grown, +Earth’s burden, though of such heroic note,130 +If not in council foremost (for I yield +That prize to others) yet in feats of arms, +Such as none other in Achaia’s host, +May fierce contention from among the Gods +Perish, and from among the human race,135 +With wrath, which sets the wisest hearts on fire; +Sweeter than dropping honey to the taste, +But in the bosom of mankind, a smoke![3] +Such was my wrath which Agamemnon roused, +The king of men. But since the past is fled140 +Irrevocable, howsoe’er distress’d, +Renounce we now vain musings on the past, +Content through sad necessity. I go +In quest of noble Hector, who hath slain +My loved Patroclus, and such death will take145 +As Jove ordains me and the Powers of Heaven +At their own season, send it when they may. +For neither might the force of Hercules, +Although high-favored of Saturnian Jove, +From death escape, but Fate and the revenge150 +Restless of Juno vanquish’d even Him. +I also, if a destiny like his +Await me, shall, like him, find rest in death; +But glory calls me now; now will I make +Some Trojan wife or Dardan with both hands155 +Wipe her soft cheeks, and utter many a groan. +Long time have I been absent from the field, +And they shall know it. Love me as thou may’st, +Yet thwart me not, for I am fixt to go. + Whom Thetis answer’d, Goddess of the Deep.160 +Thou hast well said, my son! it is no blame +To save from threaten’d death our suffering friends. +But thy magnificent and dazzling arms +Are now in Trojan hands; them Hector wears +Exulting, but ordain’d not long to exult,165 +So habited; his death is also nigh. +But thou with yonder warring multitudes +Mix not till thou behold me here again; +For with the rising sun I will return +To-morrow, and will bring thee glorious arms,170 +By Vulcan forged himself, the King of fire.[4] + She said, and turning from her son aside, +The sisterhood of Ocean thus address’d. + Plunge ye again into the briny Deep, +And to the hoary Sovereign of the floods175 +Report as ye have heard. I to the heights +Olympian haste, that I may there obtain +From Vulcan, glorious artist of the skies, +Arms of excelling beauty for my son. + She said; they plunged into the waves again,180 +And silver-footed Thetis, to the heights +Olympian soaring swiftly to obtain +Arms for renown’d Achilles, disappear’d. + Meantime, with infinite uproar the Greeks +From Hector’s hero-slaying arm had fled185 +Home to their galleys station’d on the banks +Of Hellespont. Nor yet Achaia’s sons +Had borne the body of Patroclus clear +From flight of darts away, but still again +The multitude of warriors and of steeds190 +Came on, by Priameian Hector led +Rapid as fire. Thrice noble Hector seized +His ancles from behind, ardent to drag +Patroclus, calling to his host the while; +But thrice, the two Ajaces, clothed with might,195 +Shock’d and repulsed him reeling. He with force +Fill’d indefatigable, through his ranks +Issuing, by turns assail’d them, and by turns +Stood clamoring, yet not a step retired; +But as the hinds deter not from his prey200 +A tawny lion by keen hunger urged, +So would not both Ajaces, warriors bold, +Intimidate and from the body drive +Hector; and he had dragg’d him thence and won +Immortal glory, but that Iris, sent205 +Unseen by Jove and by the powers of heaven, +From Juno, to Achilles brought command +That he should show himself. Full near she drew, +And in wing’d accents thus the Chief address’d. + Hero! most terrible of men, arise!210 +protect Patroclus, for whose sake the war +Stands at the fleet of Greece. Mutual prevails +The slaughter, these the dead defending, those +Resolute hence to drag him to the gates +Of wind-swept Ilium. But beyond them all215 +Illustrious Hector, obstinate is bent +To win him, purposing to lop his head, +And to exhibit it impaled on high. +Thou then arise, nor longer on the ground +Lie stretch’d inactive; let the thought with shame220 +Touch thee, of thy Patroclus made the sport +Of Trojan dogs, whose corse, if it return +Dishonored home, brings with it thy reproach. + To whom Achilles matchless in the race. +Iris divine! of all the Gods, who sent thee?225 + Then, thus, the swift ambassadress of heaven. +By Juno sent I come, consort of Jove. +Nor knows Saturnian Jove high-throned, himself, +My flight, nor any of the Immortal Powers, +Tenants of the Olympian heights snow-crown’d.230 + Her answer’d then Pelides, glorious Chief. +How shall I seek the fight? they have my arms. +My mother charged me also to abstain +From battle, till she bring me armor new +Which she hath promised me from Vulcan’s hand.235 +Meantime, whose armor else might serve my need +I know not, save perhaps alone the shield +Of Telamonian Ajax, whom I deem +Himself now busied in the stormy van, +Slaying the Trojans in my friend’s defence.240 + To whom the swift-wing’d messenger of heaven, +Full well we know thine armor Hector’s prize +Yet, issuing to the margin of the foss, +Show thyself only. Panic-seized, perchance, +The Trojans shall from fight desist, and yield245 +To the o’ertoil’d though dauntless sons of Greece +Short respite; it is all that war allows. + So saying, the storm-wing’d Iris disappear’d. +Then rose at once Achilles dear to Jove, +Athwart whose shoulders broad Minerva cast250 +Her Ægis fringed terrific, and his brows +Encircled with a golden cloud that shot +Fires insupportable to sight abroad. +As when some island, situate afar +On the wide waves, invested all the day255 +By cruel foes from their own city pour’d, +Upsends a smoke to heaven, and torches shows +On all her turrets at the close of eve +Which flash against the clouds, kindled in hope +Of aid from neighbor maritime allies,260 +So from Achilles’ head light flash’d to heaven. +Issuing through the wall, beside the foss +He stood, but mix’d not with Achaia’s host, +Obedient to his mother’s wise command. +He stood and shouted; Pallas also raised265 +A dreadful shout and tumult infinite +Excited throughout all the host of Troy. +Clear as the trumpet’s note when it proclaims +A numerous host approaching to invest +Some city close around, so clear the voice270 +Rang of Æacides, and tumult-toss’d +Was every soul that heard the brazen tone. +With swift recoil the long-maned coursers thrust +The chariots back, all boding wo at hand, +And every charioteer astonish’d saw275 +Fires that fail’d not, illumining the brows +Of Peleus’ son, by Pallas kindled there. +Thrice o’er the trench Achilles sent his voice +Sonorous, and confusion at the sound +Thrice seized the Trojans, and their famed allies.280 +Twelve in that moment of their noblest died +By their own spears and chariots, and with joy +The Grecians from beneath a hill of darts +Dragging Patroclus, placed him on his bier. +Around him throng’d his fellow-warriors bold,285 +All weeping, after whom Achilles went +Fast-weeping also at the doleful sight +Of his true friend on his funereal bed +Extended, gash’d with many a mortal wound, +Whom he had sent into the fight with steeds290 +And chariot, but received him thence no more. + And now majestic Juno sent the sun, +Unwearied minister of light, although +Reluctant, down into the Ocean stream.[5] +So the sun sank, and the Achaians ceased295 +From the all-wasting labors of the war. +On the other side, the Trojans, from the fight +Retiring, loosed their steeds, but ere they took +Thought of refreshment, in full council met. +It was a council at which no man sat,300 +Or dared; all stood; such terror had on all +Fallen, for that Achilles had appear’d, +After long pause from battle’s arduous toil. +First rose Polydamas the prudent son +Of Panthus, above all the Trojans skill’d305 +Both in futurity and in the past. +He was the friend of Hector, and one night +Gave birth to both. In council one excell’d +And one still more in feats of high renown. +Thus then, admonishing them, he began.310 + My friends! weigh well the occasion. Back to Troy +By my advice, nor wait the sacred morn +Here, on the plain, from Ilium’s walls remote +So long as yet the anger of this Chief +’Gainst noble Agamemnon burn’d, so long315 +We found the Greeks less formidable foes, +And I rejoiced, myself, spending the night +Beside their oary barks, for that I hoped +To seize them; but I now tremble at thought +Of Peleus’ rapid son again in arms.320 +A spirit proud as his will scorn to fight +Here, on the plain, where Greeks and Trojans take +Their common share of danger and of toil, +And will at once strike at your citadel, +Impatient till he make your wives his prey.325 +Haste—let us home—else thus shall it befall; +Night’s balmy influence in his tent detains +Achilles now, but rushing arm’d abroad +To-morrow, should he find us lingering here, +None shall mistake him then; happy the man330 +Who soonest, then, shall ’scape to sacred Troy! +Then, dogs shall make and vultures on our flesh +Plenteous repast. Oh spare mine ears the tale! +But if, though troubled, ye can yet receive +My counsel, thus assembled we will keep335 +Strict guard to-night; meantime, her gates and towers +With all their mass of solid timbers, smooth +And cramp’d with bolts of steel, will keep the town. +But early on the morrow we will stand +All arm’d on Ilium’s towers. Then, if he choose,340 +His galleys left, to compass Troy about, +He shall be task’d enough; his lofty steeds +Shall have their fill of coursing to and fro +Beneath, and gladly shall to camp return. +But waste the town he shall not, nor attempt345 +With all the utmost valor that he boasts +To force a pass; dogs shall devour him first. + To whom brave Hector louring, and in wrath. +Polydamas, I like not thy advice +Who bidd’st us in our city skulk, again350 +Imprison’d there. Are ye not yet content? +Wish ye for durance still in your own towers? +Time was, when in all regions under heaven +Men praised the wealth of Priam’s city stored +With gold and brass; but all our houses now355 +Stand emptied of their hidden treasures rare. +Jove in his wrath hath scatter’d them; our wealth +Is marketed, and Phrygia hath a part +Purchased, and part Mæonia’s lovely land. +But since the son of wily Saturn old360 +Hath given me glory now, and to inclose +The Grecians in their fleet hemm’d by the sea, +Fool! taint not with such talk the public mind. +For not a Trojan here will thy advice +Follow, or shall; it hath not my consent.365 +But thus I counsel. Let us, band by band, +Throughout the host take supper, and let each, +Guarded against nocturnal danger, watch. +And if a Trojan here be rack’d in mind +Lest his possessions perish, let him cast370 +His golden heaps into the public maw,[6] +Far better so consumed than by the Greeks. +Then, with the morrow’s dawn, all fair array’d +In battle, we will give them at their fleet +Sharp onset, and if Peleus’ noble son375 +Have risen indeed to conflict for the ships, +The worse for him. I shall not for his sake +Avoid the deep-toned battle, but will firm +Oppose his utmost. Either he shall gain +Or I, great glory. Mars his favors deals380 +Impartial, and the slayer oft is slain. +So counsell’d Hector, whom with shouts of praise +The Trojans answer’d:—fools, and by the power +Of Pallas of all sober thought bereft! +For all applauded Hector, who had given385 +Advice pernicious, and Polydamas, +Whose counsel was discreet and wholesome none. +So then they took repast. But all night long +The Grecians o’er Patroclus wept aloud, +While, standing in the midst, Pelides led390 +The lamentation, heaving many a groan, +And on the bosom of his breathless friend +Imposing, sad, his homicidal hands. +As the grim lion, from whose gloomy lair +Among thick trees the hunter hath his whelps395 +Purloin’d, too late returning mourns his loss, +Then, up and down, the length of many a vale +Courses, exploring fierce the robber’s foot, +Incensed as he, and with a sigh deep-drawn +Thus to his Myrmidons Achilles spake.400 + How vain, alas! my word spoken that day +At random, when to soothe the hero’s fears +Menœtius, then our guest, I promised him +His noble son at Opoeis again, +Living and laden with the spoils of Troy!405 +But Jove performs not all the thoughts of man, +For we were both destined to tinge the soil +Of Ilium with our blood, nor I shall see, +Myself, my father in his mansion more +Or Thetis, but must find my burial here.410 +Yet, my Patroclus! since the earth expects +Me next, I will not thy funereal rites +Finish, till I shall bring both head and arms +Of that bold Chief who slew thee, to my tent. +I also will smite off, before thy pile,415 +The heads of twelve illustrious sons of Troy, +Resentful of thy death. Meantime, among +My lofty galleys thou shalt lie, with tears +Mourn’d day and night by Trojan captives fair +And Dardan compassing thy bier around,420 +Whom we, at price of labor hard, ourselves +With massy spears toiling in battle took +From many an opulent city, now no more. + So saying, he bade his train surround with fire +A tripod huge, that they might quickly cleanse425 +Patroclus from all stain of clotted gore. +They on the blazing hearth a tripod placed +Capacious, fill’d with water its wide womb, +And thrust dry wood beneath, till, fierce, the flames +Embraced it round, and warm’d the flood within.430 +Soon as the water in the singing brass +Simmer’d, they bathed him, and with limpid oil +Anointed; filling, next, his ruddy wounds +With unguent mellow’d by nine circling years, +They stretch’d him on his bed, then cover’d him435 +From head to feet with linen texture light, +And with a wide unsullied mantle, last.[7] +All night the Myrmidons around the swift +Achilles stood, deploring loud his friend, +And Jove his spouse and sister thus bespake.440 + So then, Imperial Juno! not in vain +Thou hast the swift Achilles sought to rouse +Again to battle; the Achaians, sure, +Are thy own children, thou hast borne them all. + To whom the awful Goddess ample-eyed.445 +What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove, most severe? +A man, though mortal merely, and to me +Inferior in device, might have achieved +That labor easily. Can I who boast +Myself the chief of Goddesses, and such450 +Not by birth only, but as thine espoused, +Who art thyself sovereign of all the Gods, +Can I with anger burn against the house +Of Priam, and want means of just revenge? + + Thus they in heaven their mutual conference455 +Meantime, the silver-footed Thetis reach’d +The starr’d abode eternal, brazen wall’d +Of Vulcan, by the builder lame himself +Uprear’d, a wonder even in eyes divine. +She found him sweating, at his bellows huge460 +Toiling industrious; tripods bright he form’d +Twenty at once, his palace-wall to grace +Ranged in harmonious order. Under each +Two golden wheels he set, on which (a sight +Marvellous!) into council they should roll465 +Self-moved, and to his house, self-moved, return. +Thus far the work was finish’d, but not yet +Their ears of exquisite design affixt, +For them he stood fashioning, and prepared +The rivets. While he thus his matchless skill470 +Employ’d laborious, to his palace-gate +The silver-footed Thetis now advanced, +Whom Charis, Vulcan’s well-attired spouse, +Beholding from the palace portal, flew +To seize the Goddess’ hand, and thus inquired.475 + Why, Thetis! worthy of all reverence +And of all love, comest thou to our abode, +Unfrequent here? But enter, and accept +Such welcome as to such a guest is due. + So saying, she introduced and to a seat480 +Led her with argent studs border’d around +And foot-stool’d sumptuously;[8] then, calling forth +Her spouse, the glorious artist, thus she said. + Haste, Vulcan! Thetis wants thee; linger not. +To whom the artist of the skies replied.485 + A Goddess then, whom with much cause I love +And venerate is here, who when I fell +Saved me, what time my shameless mother sought +To cast me, because lame, out of all sight; +Then had I been indeed forlorn, had not490 +Eurynome the daughter of the Deep +And Thetis in their laps received me fallen. +Nine years with them residing, for their use +I form’d nice trinkets, clasps, rings, pipes, and chains, +While loud around our hollow cavern roar’d495 +The surge of the vast deep, nor God nor man, +Save Thetis and Eurynome, my life’s +Preservers, knew where I was kept conceal’d. +Since, therefore, she is come, I cannot less +Than recompense to Thetis amber-hair’d500 +With readiness the boon of life preserved. +Haste, then, and hospitably spread the board +For her regale, while with my best dispatch +I lay my bellows and my tools aside. + He spake, and vast in bulk and hot with toil505 +Rose limping from beside his anvil-stock +Upborne, with pain on legs tortuous and weak. +First, from the forge dislodged he thrust apart +His bellows, and his tools collecting all +Bestow’d them, careful, in a silver chest,510 +Then all around with a wet sponge he wiped +His visage, and his arms and brawny neck +Purified, and his shaggy breast from smutch; +Last, putting on his vest, he took in hand +His sturdy staff, and shuffled through the door.515 +Beside the King of fire two golden forms +Majestic moved, that served him in the place +Of handmaids; young they seem’d, and seem’d alive, +Nor want they intellect, or speech, or force, +Or prompt dexterity by the Gods inspired.520 +These his supporters were, and at his side +Attendant diligent, while he, with gait +Uncouth, approaching Thetis where she sat +On a bright throne, seized fast her hand and said, + Why, Thetis! worthy as thou art of love525 +And of all reverence, hast thou arrived, +Unfrequent here? Speak—tell me thy desire, +Nor doubt my services, if thou demand +Things possible, and possible to me. + Then Thetis, weeping plenteously, replied.530 +Oh Vulcan! Is there on Olympius’ heights +A Goddess with such load of sorrow press’d +As, in peculiar, Jove assigns to me? +Me only, of all ocean-nymphs, he made +Spouse to a man, Peleus Æacides,535 +Whose bed, although reluctant and perforce, +I yet endured to share. He now, the prey +Of cheerless age, decrepid lies, and Jove +Still other woes heaps on my wretched head. +He gave me to bring forth, gave me to rear540 +A son illustrious, valiant, and the chief +Of heroes; he, like a luxuriant plant +Upran[9] to manhood, while his lusty growth +I nourish’d as the husbandman his vine +Set in a fruitful field, and being grown545 +I sent him early in his gallant fleet +Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy; +But him from fight return’d I shall receive, +Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more, +And while he lives and on the sun his eyes550 +Opens, affliction is his certain doom, +Nor aid resides or remedy in me. +The virgin, his own portion of the spoils, +Allotted to him by the Grecians—her +Atrides, King of men, resumed, and grief555 +Devour’d Achilles’ spirit for her sake. +Meantime, the Trojans shutting close within +Their camp the Grecians, have forbidden them +All egress, and the senators of Greece +Have sought with splendid gifts to soothe my son.560 +He, indisposed to rescue them himself +From ruin, sent, instead, Patroclus forth, +Clad in his own resplendent armor, Chief +Of the whole host of Myrmidons. Before +The Scæan gate from morn to eve they fought,565 +And on that self-same day had Ilium fallen, +But that Apollo, to advance the fame +Of Hector, slew Menœtius’ noble son +Full-flush’d with victory. Therefore at thy knees +Suppliant I fall, imploring from thine art570 +A shield and helmet, greaves of shapely form +With clasps secured, and corselet for my son. +For those, once his, his faithful friend hath lost, +Slain by the Trojans, and Achilles lies, +Himself, extended mournful on the ground.575 + Her answer’d then the artist of the skies. +Courage! Perplex not with these cares thy soul. +I would that when his fatal hour shall come, +I could as sure secrete him from the stroke +Of destiny, as he shall soon have arms580 +Illustrious, such as each particular man +Of thousands, seeing them, shall wish his own. + He said, and to his bellows quick repair’d, +Which turning to the fire he bade them heave. +Full twenty bellows working all at once595 +Breathed on the furnace, blowing easy and free +The managed winds, now forcible, as best +Suited dispatch, now gentle, if the will +Of Vulcan and his labor so required. +Impenetrable brass, tin, silver, gold,590 +He cast into the forge, then, settling firm +His ponderous anvil on the block, one hand +With his huge hammer fill’d, one with the tongs. + [10]He fashion’d first a shield massy and broad +Of labor exquisite, for which he form’d595 +A triple border beauteous, dazzling bright, +And loop’d it with a silver brace behind. +The shield itself with five strong folds he forged, +And with devices multiform the disk +Capacious charged, toiling with skill divine.600 + There he described the earth, the heaven, the sea, +The sun that rests not, and the moon full-orb’d. +There also, all the stars which round about +As with a radiant frontlet bind the skies, +The Pleiads and the Hyads, and the might605 +Of huge Orion, with him Ursa call’d, +Known also by his popular name, the Wain, +That spins around the pole looking toward +Orion, only star of these denied +To slake his beams in ocean’s briny baths.610 + Two splendid cities also there he form’d +Such as men build. In one were to be seen +Rites matrimonial solemnized with pomp +Of sumptuous banquets; from their chambers forth +Leading the brides they usher’d them along615 +With torches through the streets, and sweet was heard +The voice around of Hymenæal song. +Here striplings danced in circles to the sound +Of pipe and harp, while in the portals stood +Women, admiring, all, the gallant show.620 +Elsewhere was to be seen in council met +The close-throng’d multitude. There strife arose. +Two citizens contended for a mulct +The price of blood. This man affirm’d the fine +All paid,[11] haranguing vehement the crowd,625 +That man denied that he had aught received, +And to the judges each made his appeal +Eager for their award. Meantime the people, +As favor sway’d them, clamor’d loud for each. +The heralds quell’d the tumult; reverend sat630 +On polish’d stones the elders in a ring, +Each with a herald’s sceptre in his hand, +Which holding they arose, and all in turn +Gave sentence. In the midst two talents lay +Of gold, his destined recompense whose voice635 +Decisive should pronounce the best award. +The other city by two glittering hosts +Invested stood, and a dispute arose +Between the hosts, whether to burn the town +And lay all waste, or to divide the spoil.640 +Meantime, the citizens, still undismay’d, +Surrender’d not the town, but taking arms +Secretly, set the ambush in array, +And on the walls their wives and children kept +Vigilant guard, with all the ancient men.645 +They sallied; at their head Pallas and Mars +Both golden and in golden vests attired +Advanced, proportion each showing divine, +Large, prominent, and such as Gods beseem’d. +Not such the people, but of humbler size.650 +Arriving at the spot for ambush chosen, +A river’s side, where cattle of each kind +Drank, down they sat, all arm’d in dazzling brass. +Apart from all the rest sat also down +Two spies, both looking for the flocks and herds.655 +Soon they appear’d, and at their side were seen +Two shepherd swains, each playing on his pipe +Careless, and of the danger nought apprized, +Swift ran the spies, perceiving their approach, +And intercepting suddenly the herds660 +And flocks of silver fleece, slew also those +Who fed them. The besiegers, at that time +In council, by the sound alarm’d, their steeds +Mounted, and hasted, instant, to the place; +Then, standing on the river’s brink they fought665 +And push’d each other with the brazen lance. +There Discord raged, there Tumult, and the force +Of ruthless Destiny; she now a Chief +Seized newly wounded, and now captive held +Another yet unhurt, and now a third670 +Dragg’d breathless through the battle by his feet +And all her garb was dappled thick with blood +Like living men they traversed and they strove, +And dragg’d by turns the bodies of the slain. + He also graved on it a fallow field675 +Rich, spacious, and well-till’d. Plowers not few, +There driving to and fro their sturdy teams, +Labor’d the land; and oft as in their course +They came to the field’s bourn, so oft a man +Met them, who in their hands a goblet placed680 +Charged with delicious wine. They, turning, wrought +Each his own furrow, and impatient seem’d +To reach the border of the tilth, which black +Appear’d behind them as a glebe new-turn’d, +Though golden. Sight to be admired by all!685 + There too he form’d the likeness of a field +Crowded with corn, in which the reapers toil’d +Each with a sharp-tooth’d sickle in his hand. +Along the furrow here, the harvest fell +In frequent handfuls, there, they bound the sheaves.690 +Three binders of the sheaves their sultry task +All plied industrious, and behind them boys +Attended, filling with the corn their arms +And offering still their bundles to be bound. +Amid them, staff in hand, the master stood695 +Silent exulting, while beneath an oak +Apart, his heralds busily prepared +The banquet, dressing a well-thriven ox +New slain, and the attendant maidens mix’d +Large supper for the hinds of whitest flour.700 + There also, laden with its fruit he form’d +A vineyard all of gold; purple he made +The clusters, and the vines supported stood +By poles of silver set in even rows. +The trench he color’d sable, and around705 +Fenced it with tin. One only path it show’d +By which the gatherers when they stripp’d the vines +Pass’d and repass’d. There, youths and maidens blithe +In frails of wicker bore the luscious fruit, +While, in the midst, a boy on his shrill harp710 +Harmonious play’d, still as he struck the chord +Carolling to it with a slender voice. +They smote the ground together, and with song +And sprightly reed came dancing on behind.[12] + There too a herd he fashion’d of tall beeves715 +Part gold, part tin. They, lowing, from the stalls +Rush’d forth to pasture by a river-side +Rapid, sonorous, fringed with whispering reeds. +Four golden herdsmen drove the kine a-field +By nine swift dogs attended. Dreadful sprang720 +Two lions forth, and of the foremost herd +Seized fast a bull. Him bellowing they dragg’d, +While dogs and peasants all flew to his aid. +The lions tore the hide of the huge prey +And lapp’d his entrails and his blood. Meantime725 +The herdsmen, troubling them in vain, their hounds +Encouraged; but no tooth for lions’ flesh +Found they, and therefore stood aside and bark’d. + There also, the illustrious smith divine +Amidst a pleasant grove a pasture form’d730 +Spacious, and sprinkled o’er with silver sheep +Numerous, and stalls and huts and shepherds’ tents. + To these the glorious artist added next, +With various skill delineated exact, +A labyrinth for the dance, such as of old735 +In Crete’s broad island Dædalus composed +For bright-hair’d Ariadne.[13] There the youths +And youth-alluring maidens, hand in hand, +Danced jocund, every maiden neat-attired +In finest linen, and the youths in vests740 +Well-woven, glossy as the glaze of oil. +These all wore garlands, and bright falchions, those, +Of burnish’d gold in silver trappings hung:—[14] +They with well-tutor’d step, now nimbly ran +The circle, swift, as when, before his wheel745 +Seated, the potter twirls it with both hands +For trial of its speed,[15] now, crossing quick +They pass’d at once into each other’s place. +On either side spectators numerous stood +Delighted, and two tumblers roll’d themselves750 +Between the dancers, singing as they roll’d. + Last, with the might of ocean’s boundless flood +He fill’d the border of the wondrous shield. + When thus the massy shield magnificent +He had accomplish’d, for the hero next755 +He forged, more ardent than the blaze of fire, +A corselet; then, a ponderous helmet bright +Well fitted to his brows, crested with gold, +And with laborious art divine adorn’d. +He also made him greaves of molten tin.760 + The armor finish’d, bearing in his hand +The whole, he set it down at Thetis’ feet. +She, like a falcon from the snowy top +Stoop’d of Olympus, bearing to the earth +The dazzling wonder, fresh from Vulcan’s hand.765 + + + + +BOOK XIX. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE NINETEENTH BOOK. + +Achilles is reconciled to Agamemnon, and clothed in new armor forged by +Vulcan, leads out the Myrmidons to battle. + + +BOOK XIX. + + +Now rose the morn in saffron vest attired +From ocean, with new day for Gods and men, +When Thetis at the fleet of Greece arrived, +Bearing that gift divine. She found her son +All tears, and close enfolding in his arms5 +Patroclus, while his Myrmidons around +Wept also;[1] she amid them, graceful, stood, +And seizing fast his hand, him thus bespake. + Although our loss be great, yet, oh my son! +Leave we Patroclus lying on the bier10 +To which the Gods ordain’d him from the first. +Receive from Vulcan’s hands these glorious arms, +Such as no mortal shoulders ever bore. + So saying, she placed the armor on the ground +Before him, and the whole bright treasure rang.15 +A tremor shook the Myrmidons; none dared +Look on it, but all fled. Not so himself. +In him fresh vengeance kindled at the view, +And, while he gazed, a splendor as of fire +Flash’d from his eyes. Delighted, in his hand20 +He held the glorious bounty of the God, +And, wondering at those strokes of art divine, +His eager speech thus to his mother turn’d.[2] + The God, my mother! hath bestow’d in truth +Such armor on me as demanded skill25 +Like his, surpassing far all power of man. +Now, therefore, I will arm. But anxious fears +Trouble me, lest intrusive flies, meantime, +Breed worms within the spear-inflicted wounds +Of Menœtiades, and fill with taint30 +Of putrefaction his whole breathless form.[3] + But him the silver-footed Goddess fair +Thus answer’d. Oh, my son! chase from thy mind +All such concern. I will, myself, essay +To drive the noisome swarms which on the slain35 +In battle feed voracious. Should he lie +The year complete, his flesh shall yet be found +Untainted, and, it may be, fragrant too. +But thou the heroes of Achaia’s host +Convening, in their ears thy wrath renounce40 +Against the King of men, then, instant, arm +For battle, and put on thy glorious might. + So saying, the Goddess raised his courage high. +Then, through the nostrils of the dead she pour’d +Ambrosia, and the ruddy juice divine45 +Of nectar, antidotes against decay. + And now forth went Achilles by the side +Of ocean, calling with a dreadful shout +To council all the heroes of the host.[4] +Then, even they who in the fleet before50 +Constant abode, helmsmen and those who held +In stewardship the food and public stores, +All flock’d to council, for that now at length +After long abstinence from dread exploits +Of war, Achilles had once more appear’d.55 +Two went together, halting on the spear, +(For still they felt the anguish of their wounds) +Noble Ulysses and brave Diomede, +And took an early seat; whom follow’d last +The King of men, by Coön in the field60 +Of furious battle wounded with a lance. +The Grecians all assembled, in the midst +Upstood the swift Achilles, and began. + Atrides! we had doubtless better sped +Both thou and I, thus doing, when at first65 +With cruel rage we burn’d, a girl the cause. +I would that Dian’s shaft had in the fleet +Slain her that self-same day when I destroy’d +Lyrnessus, and by conquest made her mine! +Then had not many a Grecian, lifeless now,70 +Clench’d with his teeth the ground, victim, alas! +Of my revenge; whence triumph hath accrued +To Hector and his host, while ours have cause +For long remembrance of our mutual strife. +But evils past let pass, yielding perforce75 +To sad necessity. My wrath shall cease +Now; I resign it; it hath burn’d too long. +Thou therefore summon forth the host to fight, +That I may learn meeting them in the field, +If still the Trojans purpose at our fleet80 +To watch us this night also. But I judge +That driven by my spear to rapid flight, +They shall escape with weary limbs[5] at least. + He ended, and the Grecians brazen-greaved +Rejoiced that Peleus’ mighty son had cast85 +His wrath aside. Then not into the midst +Proceeding, but at his own seat, upstood +King Agamemnon, and them thus bespake. + + Friends! Grecian heroes! Ministers of Mars! +Arise who may to speak, he claims your ear;90 +All interruption wrongs him, and distracts, +Howe’er expert the speaker. Who can hear +Amid the roar of tumult, or who speak? +The clearest voice, best utterance, both are vain +I shall address Achilles. Hear my speech95 +Ye Argives, and with understanding mark. +I hear not now the voice of your reproach[6] +First; ye have oft condemn’d me. Yet the blame +Rests not with me; Jove, Destiny, and she +Who roams the shades, Erynnis, caused the offence.100 +She fill’d my soul with fury on that day +In council, when I seized Achilles’ prize. +For what could I? All things obey the Gods. +Ate, pernicious Power, daughter of Jove, +By whom all suffer, challenges from all105 +Reverence and fear. Delicate are her feet +Which scorn the ground, and over human heads +She glides, injurious to the race of man, +Of two who strive, at least entangling one. +She injured, on a day, dread Jove himself110 +Most excellent of all in earth or heaven, +When Juno, although female, him deceived, +What time Alcmena should have brought to light +In bulwark’d Thebes the force of Hercules. +Then Jove, among the gods glorying, spake.115 + Hear all! both Gods and Goddesses, attend! +That I may make my purpose known. This day +Birth-pang-dispensing Ilithya brings +An hero forth to light, who, sprung from those +That sprang from me, his empire shall extend120 +Over all kingdoms bordering on his own. + To whom, designing fraud, Juno replied. +Thou wilt be found false, and this word of thine +Shall want performance. But Olympian Jove! +Swear now the inviolable oath, that he125 +Who shall, this day, fall from between the feet +Of woman, drawing his descent from thee, +Shall rule all kingdoms bordering on his own. + She said, and Jove, suspecting nought her wiles, +The great oath swore, to his own grief and wrong.130 +At once from the Olympian summit flew +Juno, and to Achaian Argos borne, +There sought the noble wife[7] of Sthenelus, +Offspring of Perseus. Pregnant with a son +Six months, she now the seventh saw at hand,135 +But him the Goddess premature produced, +And check’d Alcmena’s pangs already due. +Then joyful to have so prevail’d, she bore +Herself the tidings to Saturnian Jove. + Lord of the candent lightnings! Sire of all!140 +I bring thee tidings. The great prince, ordain’d +To rule the Argive race, this day is born, +Eurystheus, son of Sthenelus, the son +Of Perseus; therefore he derives from thee, +Nor shall the throne of Argos shame his birth.145 + She spake; then anguish stung the heart of Jove +Deeply, and seizing by her glossy locks +The Goddess Ate, in his wrath he swore +That never to the starry skies again +And the Olympian heights he would permit150 +The universal mischief to return. +Then, whirling her around, he cast her down +To earth. She, mingling with all works of men, +Caused many a pang to Jove, who saw his son +Laborious tasks servile, and of his birth155 +Unworthy, at Eurystheus’ will enjoin’d. + So when the hero Hector at our ships +Slew us, I then regretted my offence +Which Ate first impell’d me to commit. +But since, infatuated by the Gods160 +I err’d, behold me ready to appease +With gifts of price immense whom I have wrong’d. +Thou, then, arise to battle, and the host +Rouse also. Not a promise yesternight +Was made thee by Ulysses in thy tent165 +On my behalf, but shall be well perform’d. +Or if it please thee, though impatient, wait +Short season, and my train shall bring the gifts +Even now; that thou may’st understand and know +That my peace-offerings are indeed sincere.170 + To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift. +Atrides! Agamemnon! passing all +In glory! King of men! recompense just +By gifts to make me, or to make me none, +That rests with thee. But let us to the fight175 +Incontinent. It is no time to play +The game of rhetoric, and to waste the hours +In speeches. Much remains yet unperform’d. +Achilles must go forth. He must be seen +Once more in front of battle, wasting wide180 +With brazen spear, the crowded ranks of Troy. +Mark him—and as he fights, fight also ye. + To whom Ulysses ever-wise replied. +Nay—urge not, valiant as thou art thyself, +Achaia’s sons up to the battlements185 +Of Ilium, by repast yet unrefresh’d, +Godlike Achilles!—For when phalanx once +Shall clash with phalanx, and the Gods with rage +Both hosts inspire, the contest shall not then +Prove short. Bid rather the Achaians take190 +Both food and wine, for they are strength and might. +To stand all day till sunset to a foe +Opposed in battle, fasting, were a task +Might foil the best; for though his will be prompt +To combat, yet the power must by degrees195 +Forsake him; thirst and hunger he must feel, +And his limbs failing him at every step. +But he who hath his vigor to the full +Fed with due nourishment, although he fight +All day, yet feels his courage unimpair’d,200 +Nor weariness perceives till all retire. +Come then—dismiss the people with command +That each prepare replenishment. Meantime +Let Agamemnon, King of men, his gifts +In presence here of the assembled Greeks205 +Produce, that all may view them, and that thou +May’st feel thine own heart gladden’d at the sight. +Let the King also, standing in the midst, +Swear to thee, that he renders back the maid +A virgin still, and strange to his embrace,210 +And let thy own composure prove, the while, +That thou art satisfied. Last, let him spread +A princely banquet for thee in his tent, +That thou may’st want no part of just amends. +Thou too, Atrides, shalt hereafter prove215 +More just to others; for himself, a King, +Stoops not too low, soothing whom he hath wrong’d. + Him Agamemnon answer’d, King of men. +Thou hast arranged wisely the whole concern, +O Läertiades, and I have heard220 +Thy speech, both words and method with delight. +Willing I am, yea more, I wish to swear +As thou hast said, for by the Gods I can +Most truly. Let Achilles, though of pause +Impatient, suffer yet a short delay225 +With all assembled here, till from my tent +The gifts arrive, and oaths of peace be sworn. +To thee I give it in peculiar charge +That choosing forth the most illustrious youths +Of all Achaia, thou produce the gifts230 +from my own ship, all those which yesternight +We promised, nor the women leave behind. +And let Talthybius throughout all the camp +Of the Achaians, instant, seek a boar +For sacrifice to Jove and to the Sun.235 + Then thus Achilles matchless in the race. +Atrides! most illustrious! King of men! +Expedience bids us to these cares attend +Hereafter, when some pause, perchance, of fight +Shall happen, and the martial rage which fires240 +My bosom now, shall somewhat less be felt. +Our friends by Priameian Hector slain, +Now strew the field mangled, for him hath Jove +Exalted high, and given him great renown. +But haste, now take refreshment; though, in truth245 +Might I direct, the host should by all means +Unfed to battle, and at set of sun +All sup together, this affront revenged. +But as for me, no drop shall pass my lips +Or morsel, whose companion lies with feet250 +Turn’d to the vestibule, pierced by the spear, +And compass’d by my weeping train around. +No want of food feel I. My wishes call +For carnage, blood, and agonies and groans. + But him, excelling in all wisdom, thus255 +Ulysses answer’d. Oh Achilles! son +Of Peleus! bravest far of all our host! +Me, in no scanty measure, thou excell’st +Wielding the spear, and thee in prudence, I +Not less. For I am elder, and have learn’d260 +What thou hast yet to learn. Bid then thine heart +Endure with patience to be taught by me. +Men, satiate soon with battle, loathe the field +On which the most abundant harvest falls, +Reap’d by the sword; and when the hand of Jove265 +Dispenser of the great events of war, +Turns once the scale, then, farewell every hope +Of more than scanty gleanings. Shall the Greeks +Abstain from sustenance for all who die? +That were indeed severe, since day by day270 +No few expire, and respite could be none. +The dead, die whoso may, should be inhumed. +This, duty bids, but bids us also deem +One day sufficient for our sighs and tears. +Ourselves, all we who still survive the war,275 +Have need of sustenance, that we may bear +The lengthen’d conflict with recruited might, +Case in enduring brass.—Ye all have heard +Your call to battle; let none lingering stand +In expectation of a farther call,280 +Which if it sound, shall thunder prove to him +Who lurks among the ships. No. Rush we all +Together forth, for contest sharp prepared, +And persevering with the host of Troy. + So saying, the sons of Nestor, glorious Chief,285 +He chose, with Meges Phyleus’ noble son, +Thoas, Meriones, and Melanippus +And Lycomedes. These, together, sought +The tent of Agamemnon, King of men. +They ask’d, and they received. Soon they produced290 +The seven promised tripods from the tent, +Twice ten bright caldrons, twelve high-mettled steeds, +Seven lovely captives skill’d alike in arts +Domestic, of unblemish’d beauty rare, +And last, Brisëis with the blooming cheeks.295 +Before them went Ulysses, bearing weigh’d +Ten golden talents, whom the chosen Greeks +Attended laden with the remnant gifts. +Full in the midst they placed them. Then arose +King Agamemnon, and Talthybius300 +The herald, clear in utterance as a God, +Beside him stood, holding the victim boar. +Atrides, drawing forth his dagger bright, +Appendant ever to his sword’s huge sheath, +Sever’d the bristly forelock of the boar,305 +A previous offering. Next, with lifted hands +To Jove he pray’d, while, all around, the Greeks +Sat listening silent to the Sovereign’s voice. +He look’d to the wide heaven, and thus he pray’d. + First, Jove be witness! of all Powers above310 +Best and supreme; Earth next, and next the Sun! +And last, who under Earth the guilt avenge +Of oaths sworn falsely, let the Furies hear! +For no respect of amorous desire +Or other purpose, have I laid mine hand315 +On fair Brisëis, but within my tent +Untouch’d, immaculate she hath remain’d. +And if I falsely swear, then may the Gods +The many woes with which they mark the crime +Of men forsworn, pour also down on me!320 + So saying, he pierced the victim in his throat +And, whirling him around, Talthybius, next, +Cast him into the ocean, fishes’ food.[8] +Then, in the centre of Achaia’s sons +Uprose Achilles, and thus spake again.325 + Jove! Father! dire calamities, effects +Of thy appointment, fall on human-kind. +Never had Agamemnon in my breast +Such anger kindled, never had he seized, +Blinded by wrath, and torn my prize away,330 +But that the slaughter of our numerous friends +Which thence ensued, thou hadst, thyself, ordained. +Now go, ye Grecians, eat, and then to battle. + So saying, Achilles suddenly dissolved +The hasty council, and all flew dispersed335 +To their own ships. Then took the Myrmidons +Those splendid gifts which in the tent they lodged +Of swift Achilles, and the damsels led +Each to a seat, while others of his train +Drove forth the steeds to pasture with his herd.340 +But when Brisëis, bright as Venus, saw +Patroclus lying mangled by the spear, +Enfolding him around, she shriek’d and tore +Her bosom, her smooth neck and beauteous cheeks. +Then thus, divinely fair, with tears she said.345 + Ah, my Patroclus! dearest friend of all +To hapless me, departing from this tent +I left thee living, and now, generous Chief! +Restored to it again, here find thee dead. +How rapid in succession are my woes!350 +I saw, myself, the valiant prince to whom +My parents had betroth’d me, slain before +Our city walls; and my three brothers, sons +Of my own mother, whom with long regret +I mourn, fell also in that dreadful field.355 +But when the swift Achilles slew the prince +Design’d my spouse, and the fair city sack’d +Of noble Mynes, thou by every art +Of tender friendship didst forbid my tears, +Promising oft that thou would’st make me bride360 +Of Peleus’ godlike son, that thy own ship +Should waft me hence to Phthia, and that thyself +Would’st furnish forth among the Myrmidons +Our nuptial feast. Therefore thy death I mourn +Ceaseless, for thou wast ever kind to me.365 + She spake, and all her fellow-captives heaved +Responsive sighs, deploring each, in show, +The dead Patroclus, but, in truth, herself.[9] +Then the Achaian Chiefs gather’d around +Achilles, wooing him to eat, but he370 +Groan’d and still resolute, their suit refused— + If I have here a friend on whom by prayers +I may prevail, I pray that ye desist, +Nor longer press me, mourner as I am, +To eat or drink, for till the sun go down375 +I am inflexible, and _will_ abstain. + So saying, the other princes he dismiss’d +Impatient, but the sons of Atreus both, +Ulysses, Nestor and Idomeneus, +With Phœnix, hoary warrior, in his tent380 +Abiding still, with cheerful converse kind +Essay’d to soothe him, whose afflicted soul +All soothing scorn’d till he should once again +Rush on the ravening edge of bloody war. +Then, mindful of his friend, groaning he said385 + Time was, unhappiest, dearest of my friends! +When even thou, with diligent dispatch, +Thyself, hast spread a table in my tent, +The hour of battle drawing nigh between +The Greeks and warlike Trojans. But there lies390 +Thy body now, gored by the ruthless steel, +And for thy sake I neither eat nor drink, +Though dearth be none, conscious that other wo +Surpassing this I can have none to fear. +No, not if tidings of my father’s death395 +Should reach me, who, this moment, weeps, perhaps, +In Phthia tears of tenderest regret +For such a son; while I, remote from home +Fight for detested Helen under Troy. +Nor even were _he_ dead, whom, if he live,400 +I rear in Scyros, my own darling son, +My Neoptolemus of form divine.[10] +For still this hope I cherish’d in my breast +Till now, that, of us two, myself alone +Should fall at Ilium, and that thou, restored405 +To Phthia, should’st have wafted o’er the waves +My son from Scyros to his native home, +That thou might’st show him all his heritage, +My train of menials, and my fair abode. +For either dead already I account410 +Peleus, or doubt not that his residue +Of miserable life shall soon be spent, +Through stress of age and expectation sad +That tidings of my death shall, next, arrive. + So spake Achilles weeping, around whom415 +The Chiefs all sigh’d, each with remembrance pain’d +Of some loved object left at home. Meantime +Jove, with compassion moved, their sorrow saw, +And in wing’d accents thus to Pallas spake. + + Daughter! thou hast abandon’d, as it seems,420 +Yon virtuous Chief for ever; shall no care +Thy mind engage of brave Achilles more? +Before his gallant fleet mourning he sits +His friend, disconsolate; the other Greeks +Sat and are satisfied; he only fasts.425 +Go then—instil nectar into his breast, +And sweets ambrosial, that he hunger not. + So saying, he urged Minerva prompt before. +In form a shrill-voiced Harpy of long wing +Through ether down she darted, while the Greeks430 +In all their camp for instant battle arm’d. +Ambrosial sweets and nectar she instill’d +Into his breast, lest he should suffer loss +Of strength through abstinence, then soar’d again +To her great Sire’s unperishing abode.435 +And now the Grecians from their gallant fleet +All pour’d themselves abroad. As when thick snow +From Jove descends, driven by impetuous gusts +Of the cloud-scattering North, so frequent shone +Issuing from the fleet the dazzling casques,440 +Boss’d bucklers, hauberks strong, and ashen spears. +Upwent the flash to heaven; wide all around +The champain laugh’d with beamy brass illumed, +And tramplings of the warriors on all sides +Resounded, amidst whom Achilles arm’d.445 +He gnash’d his teeth, fire glimmer’d in his eyes, +Anguish intolerable wrung his heart +And fury against Troy, while he put on +His glorious arms, the labor of a God. +First, to his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d450 +Studded with silver, then his corselet bright +Braced to his bosom, his huge sword of brass +Athwart his shoulder slung, and his broad shield +Uplifted last, luminous as the moon. +Such as to mariners a fire appears,455 +Kindled by shepherds on the distant top +Of some lone hill; they, driven by stormy winds, +Reluctant roam far off the fishy deep, +Such from Achilles’ burning shield divine +A lustre struck the skies; his ponderous helm460 +He lifted to his brows; starlike it shone, +And shook its curling crest of bushy gold, +By Vulcan taught to wave profuse around. +So clad, godlike Achilles trial made +If his arms fitted him, and gave free scope465 +To his proportion’d limbs; buoyant they proved +As wings, and high upbore his airy tread. +He drew his father’s spear forth from his case, +Heavy and huge and long. That spear, of all +Achaia’s sons, none else had power to wield;470 +Achilles only could the Pelian spear +Brandish, by Chiron for his father hewn +From Pelion’s top for slaughter of the brave. +His coursers, then, Automedon prepared +And Alcimus, adjusting diligent475 +The fair caparisons; they thrust the bits +Into their mouths, and to the chariot seat +Extended and made fast the reins behind. +The splendid scourge commodious to the grasp +Seizing, at once Automedon upsprang480 +Into his place; behind him, arm’d complete +Achilles mounted, as the orient sun +All dazzling, and with awful tone his speech +Directed to the coursers of his Sire. + Xanthus, and Balius of Podarges’ blood485 +Illustrious! see ye that, the battle done, +Ye bring whom now ye bear back to the host +Of the Achaians in far other sort, +Nor leave him, as ye left Patroclus, dead.[11] +Him then his steed unconquer’d in the race,490 +Xanthus answer’d from beneath his yoke, +But, hanging low his head, and with his mane +Dishevell’d all, and streaming to the ground. +Him Juno vocal made, Goddess white-arm’d. + And doubtless so we will. This day at least495 +We bear thee safe from battle, stormy Chief! +But thee the hour of thy destruction swift +Approaches, hasten’d by no fault of ours, +But by the force of fate and power divine. +For not through sloth or tardiness on us500 +Aught chargeable, have Ilium’s sons thine arms +Stript from Patroclus’ shoulders, but a God +Matchless in battle, offspring of bright-hair’d +Latona, him contending in the van +Slew, for the glory of the Chief of Troy.505 +We, Zephyrus himself, though by report +Swiftest of all the winds of heaven, in speed +Could equal, but the Fates thee also doom +By human hands to fall, and hands divine. + The interposing Furies at that word510 +Suppress’d his utterance,[12] and indignant, thus, +Achilles, swiftest of the swift, replied. + Why, Xanthus, propheciest thou my death? +It ill beseems thee. I already know +That from my parents far remote my doom515 +Appoints me here to die; yet not the more +Cease I from feats if arms, till Ilium’s host +Shall have received, at length, their fill of war. + He said, and with a shout drove forth to battle. + + + + +BOOK XX. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTIETH BOOK. + +By permission of Jupiter the Gods descend into the battle, and range +themselves on either side respectively. Neptune rescues Æneas from +death by the hand of Achilles, from whom Apollo, soon after, rescues +Hector. Achilles slays many Trojans. + + +BOOK XX. + + +The Grecians, thus, before their lofty ships +Stood arm’d around Achilles, glorious Chief +Insatiable with war, and opposite +The Trojans on the rising-ground appear’d.[1] +Meantime, Jove order’d Themis, from the head5 +Of the deep-fork’d Olympian to convene +The Gods in council. She to every part +Proceeding, bade them to the courts of Jove.[2] +Nor of the Floods was any absent thence +Oceanus except, or of the Nymphs10 +Who haunt the pleasant groves, or dwell beside +Stream-feeding fountains, or in meadows green. +Within the courts of cloud-assembler Jove +Arrived, on pillar’d thrones radiant they sat, +With ingenuity divine contrived15 +By Vulcan for the mighty Sire of all. +Thus they within the Thunderer’s palace sat +Assembled; nor was Neptune slow to hear +The voice of Themis, but (the billows left) +Came also; in the midst his seat he took,20 +And ask’d, incontinent, the mind of Jove.[3] + King of the lightnings! wherefore hast thou call’d +The Gods to council? Hast thou aught at heart +Important to the hosts of Greece and Troy? +For on the battle’s fiery edge they stand.25 + To whom replied Jove, Sovereign of the storms, +Thou know’st my council, Shaker of the shores! +And wherefore ye are call’d. Although ordain’d +So soon to die, they interest me still. +Myself, here seated on Olympus’ top,30 +With contemplation will my mind indulge +Of yon great spectacle; but ye, the rest, +Descend into the field, Trojan or Greek +Each to assist, as each shall most incline. +For should Achilles in the field no foe35 +Find save the Trojans, quickly should they fly +Before the rapid force of Peleus’ son. +They trembled ever at his look, and since +Such fury for his friend hath fired his heart, +I fear lest he anticipate the will40 +Of Fate, and Ilium perish premature. + So spake the son of Saturn kindling war +Inevitable, and the Gods to fight +’Gan move with minds discordant. Juno sought +And Pallas, with the earth-encircling Power45 +Neptune, the Grecian fleet, with whom were join’d +Mercury, teacher of all useful arts, +And Vulcan, rolling on all sides his eyes +Tremendous, but on disproportion’d legs, +Not without labor hard, halting uncouth.50 +Mars, warrior-God, on Ilium’s part appear’d +With Phœbus never-shorn, Dian shaft-arm’d, +Xanthus, Latona, and the Queen of smiles, +Venus. So long as the immortal Gods +Mixed not with either host, Achaia’s sons55 +Exulted, seeing, after tedious pause, +Achilles in the field, and terror shook +The knees of every Trojan, at the sight +Of swift Achilles like another Mars +Panting for blood, and bright in arms again.60 +But when the Olympian Powers had enter’d once +The multitude, then Discord, at whose voice +The million maddens, vehement arose; +Then, Pallas at the trench without the wall +By turns stood shouting, and by turns a shout65 +Sent terrible along the sounding shore, +While, gloomy as a tempest, opposite, +Mars from the lofty citadel of Troy +Now yell’d aloud, now running o’er the hill +Callicolone, on the Simois’ side.70 + Thus the Immortals, ever-blest, impell’d +Both hosts to battle, and dire inroad caused +Of strife among them. Sudden from on high +The Sire of Gods and men thunder’d; meantime, +Neptune the earth and the high mountains shook;75 +Through all her base and to her topmost peak +Ida spring-fed the agitation felt +Reeling, all Ilium and the fleet of Greece. +Upstarted from his throne, appall’d, the King +Of Erebus, and with a cry his fears80 +Through hell proclaim’d, lest Neptune, o’er his head +Shattering the vaulted earth, should wide disclose +To mortal and immortal eyes his realm +Terrible, squalid, to the Gods themselves +A dreaded spectacle; with such a sound85 +The Powers eternal into battle rush’d.[4] +Opposed to Neptune, King of the vast Deep, +Apollo stood with his wing’d arrows arm’d; +Pallas to Mars; Diana shaft-expert, +Sister of Phœbus, in her golden bow90 +Rejoicing, with whose shouts the forests ring +To Juno; Mercury, for useful arts +Famed, to Latona; and to Vulcan’s force +The eddied River broad by mortal men +Scamander call’d, but Xanthus by the Gods.95 + So Gods encounter’d Gods. But most desire +Achilles felt, breaking the ranks, to rush +On Priameian Hector, with whose blood +Chiefly his fury prompted him to sate +The indefatigable God of war.100 +But, the encourager of Ilium’s host +Apollo, urged Æneas to assail +The son of Peleus, with heroic might +Inspiring his bold heart. He feign’d the voice +Of Priam’s son Lycaon, and his form105 +Assuming, thus the Trojan Chief address’d. + Æneas! Trojan leader! where are now +Thy vaunts, which, banqueting erewhile among +Our princes, o’er thy brimming cups thou mad’st, +That thou would’st fight, thyself, with Peleus’ son?110 + To whom Æneas answer thus returned. +Offspring of Priam! why enjoin’st thou me +Not so inclined, that arduous task, to cope +With the unmatch’d Achilles? I have proved +His force already, when he chased me down115 +From Ida with his spear, what time he made +Seizure of all our cattle, and destroy’d +Pedasus and Lyrnessus; but I ’scaped +Unslain, by Jove himself empower’d to fly, +Else had I fallen by Achilles’ hand,120 +And by the hand of Pallas, who his steps +Conducted, and exhorted him to slay +Us and the Leleges.[5] Vain, therefore, proves +All mortal force to Peleus’ son opposed; +For one, at least, of the Immortals stands125 +Ever beside him, guardian of his life, +And, of himself, he hath an arm that sends +His rapid spear unerring to the mark. +Yet, would the Gods more equal sway the scales +Of battle, not with ease should he subdue130 +Me, though he boast a panoply of brass. + Him, then, Apollo answer’d, son of Jove. +Hero! prefer to the immortal Gods +Thy Prayer, for thee men rumor Venus’ son +Daughter of Jove; and Peleus’ son his birth135 +Drew from a Goddess of inferior note. +Thy mother is from Jove; the offspring, his, +Less noble of the hoary Ocean old. +Go, therefore, and thy conquering spear uplift +Against him, nor let aught his sounding words140 +Appal thee, or his threats turn thee away. + So saying, with martial force the Chief he fill’d, +Who through the foremost combatants advanced +Radiant in arms. Nor pass’d Anchises’ son +Unseen of Juno, through the crowded ranks145 +Seeking Achilles, but the Powers of heaven +Convened by her command, she thus address’d. + Neptune, and thou, Minerva! with mature +Deliberation, ponder the event. +Yon Chief, Æneas, dazzling bright in arms;150 +Goes to withstand Achilles, and he goes +Sent by Apollo; in despite of whom +Be it our task to give him quick repulse, +Or, of ourselves, let some propitious Power +Strengthen Achilles with a mind exempt155 +From terror, and with force invincible. +So shall he know that of the Gods above +The mightiest are his friends, with whom compared +The favorers of Ilium in time past, +Who stood her guardians in the bloody strife,160 +Are empty boasters all, and nothing worth. +For therefore came we down, that we may share +This fight, and that Achilles suffer nought +Fatal to-day, though suffer all he must +Hereafter, with his thread of life entwined165 +By Destiny, the day when he was born. +But should Achilles unapprized remain +Of such advantage by a voice divine, +When he shall meet some Deity in the field, +Fear then will seize him, for celestial forms170 +Unveil’d are terrible to mortal eyes. + To whom replied the Shaker of the shores. +Juno! thy hot impatience needs control; +It ill befits thee. No desire I feel +To force into contention with ourselves175 +Gods, our inferiors. No. Let us, retired +To yonder hill, distant from all resort, +There sit, while these the battle wage alone. +But if Apollo, or if Mars the fight +Entering, begin, themselves, to interfere180 +Against Achilles, then will we at once +To battle also; and, I much misdeem, +Or glad they shall be soon to mix again +Among the Gods on the Olympian heights, +By strong coercion of our arms subdued.185 + So saying, the God of Ocean azure-hair’d +Moved foremost to the lofty mound earth-built +Of noble Hercules, by Pallas raised +And by the Trojans for his safe escape, +What time the monster of the deep pursued190 +The hero from the sea-bank o’er the plain. +There Neptune sat, and his confederate Gods, +Their shoulders with impenetrable clouds +O’ermantled, while the city-spoiler Mars +Sat with Apollo opposite on the hill195 +Callicolone, with their aids divine. +So, Gods to Gods in opposite aspect +Sat ruminating, and alike the work +All fearing to begin of arduous war, +While from his seat sublime Jove urged them on.200 +The champain all was fill’d, and with the blaze +Illumined wide of men and steeds brass-arm’d, +And the incumber’d earth jarr’d under foot +Of the encountering hosts. Then, two, the rest +Surpassing far, into the midst advanced205 +Impatient for the fight, Anchises’ son +Æneas and Achilles, glorious Chief! +Æneas first, under his ponderous casque +Nodding and menacing, advanced; before +His breast he held the well-conducted orb210 +Of his broad shield, and shook his brazen spear. +On the other side, Achilles to the fight +Flew like a ravening lion, on whose death +Resolved, the peasants from all quarters meet; +He, viewing with disdain the foremost, stalks215 +Right on, but smitten by some dauntless youth +Writhes himself, and discloses his huge fangs +Hung with white foam; then, growling for revenge, +Lashes himself to battle with his tail, +Till with a burning eye and a bold heart220 +He springs to slaughter, or himself is slain; +So, by his valor and his noble mind +Impell’d, renown’d Achilles moved toward +Æneas, and, small interval between, +Thus spake the hero matchless in the race.225 + Why stand’st thou here, Æneas! thy own band +Left at such distance? Is it that thine heart +Glows with ambition to contend with me +In hope of Priam’s honors, and to fill +His throne hereafter in Troy steed-renown’d?230 +But shouldst thou slay me, not for that exploit +Would Priam such large recompense bestow, +For he hath sons, and hath, beside, a mind +And disposition not so lightly changed. +Or have the Trojans of their richest soil235 +For vineyard apt or plow assign’d thee part +If thou shalt slay me? Difficult, I hope, +At least, thou shalt experience that emprize. +For, as I think, I have already chased +Thee with my spear. Forgettest thou the day240 +When, finding thee alone, I drove thee down +Headlong from Ida, and, thy cattle left +Afar, thou didst not dare in all thy flight +Turn once, till at Lyrnessus safe arrived, +Which city by Jove’s aid and by the aid245 +Of Pallas I destroy’d, and captive led +Their women? Thee, indeed, the Gods preserved +But they shall not preserve thee, as thou dream’st +Now also. Back into thy host again; +Hence, I command thee, nor oppose in fight250 +My force, lest evil find thee. To be taught +By suffering only is the part of fools. + To whom Æneas answer thus return’d. +Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy, +With words to scare me. I have also taunts255 +At my command, and could be sharp as thou. +By such reports as from the lips of men +We oft have heard, each other’s birth we know +And parents; but my parents to behold +Was ne’er thy lot, nor have I thine beheld.260 +Thee men proclaim from noble Peleus sprung +And Thetis, bright hair’d Goddess of the Deep; +I boast myself of lovely Venus born +To brave Anchises; and his son this day +In battle slain thy sire shall mourn, or mine;265 +For I expect not that we shall depart +Like children, satisfied with words alone. +But if it please thee more at large to learn +My lineage (thousands can attest it true) +Know this. Jove, Sovereign of the storms, begat270 +Dardanus, and ere yet the sacred walls +Of Ilium rose, the glory of this plain, +He built Dardania; for at Ida’s foot +Dwelt our progenitors in ancient days. +Dardanus was the father of a son,275 +King Ericthonius, wealthiest of mankind. +Three thousand mares of his the marish grazed, +Each suckling with delight her tender foal. +Boreas, enamor’d of no few of these, +The pasture sought, and cover’d them in form280 +Of a steed azure-maned. They, pregnant thence, +Twelve foals produced, and all so light of foot, +That when they wanton’d in the fruitful field +They swept, and snapp’d it not, the golden ear; +And when they wanton’d on the boundless deep,285 +They skimm’d the green wave’s frothy ridge, secure. +From Ericthonius sprang Tros, King of Troy, +And Tros was father of three famous sons, +Ilus, Assaracus, and Ganymede +Loveliest of human kind, whom for his charms290 +The Gods caught up to heaven, there to abide +With the immortals, cup-bearer of Jove. +Ilus begat Laomedon, and he +Five sons, Tithonus, Priam, Clytius, +Lampus, and Hicetaon, branch of Mars.295 +Assaracus a son begat, by name +Capys, and Capys in due time his son +Warlike Anchises, and Anchises me. +But Priam is the noble Hector’s sire.[6] +Such is my lineage, and such blood I boast;300 +But valor is from Jove; he, as he wills, +Increases or reduces it in man, +For he is lord of all. Therefore enough— +Too long like children we have stood, the time +Consuming here, while battle roars around.305 +Reproach is cheap. Easily might we cast +Gibes at each other, till a ship that asks +A hundred oars should sink beneath the load. +The tongue of man is voluble, hath words +For every theme, nor wants wide field and long,310 +And as he speaks so shall he hear again. +But we—why should we wrangle, and with taunts +Assail each other, as the practice is +Of women, who with heart-devouring strife +On fire, start forth into the public way315 +To mock each other, uttering, as may chance, +Much truth, much falsehood, as their anger bids? +The ardor of my courage will not slack +For all thy speeches; we must combat first; +Now, therefore, without more delay, begin,320 +That we may taste each other’s force in arms.[7] + So spake Æneas, and his brazen lance +Hurl’d with full force against the dreadful shield. +Loud roar’d its ample concave at the blow. +Not unalarm’d, Pelides his broad disk325 +Thrust farther from him, deeming that the force +Of such an arm should pierce his guard with ease. +Vain fear! he recollected not that arms +Glorious as his, gifts of the immortal Gods, +Yield not so quickly to the force of man.330 +The stormy spear by brave Æneas sent, +No passage found; the golden plate divine +Repress’d its vehemence; two folds it pierced, +But three were still behind, for with five folds +Vulcan had fortified it; two were brass;335 +The two interior, tin; the midmost, gold; +And at the golden one the weapon stood.[8] +Achilles next, hurl’d his long shadow’d spear, +And struck Æneas on the utmost verge +Of his broad shield, where thinnest lay the brass,340 +And thinnest the ox-hide. The Pelian ash +Started right through the buckler, and it rang. +Æneas crouch’d terrified, and his shield +Thrust farther from him; but the rapid beam +Bursting both borders of the ample disk,345 +Glanced o’er his back, and plunged into the soil. +He ’scaped it, and he stood; but, as he stood, +With horror infinite the weapon saw +Planted so near him. Then, Achilles drew +His falchion keen, and with a deafening shout350 +Sprang on him; but Æneas seized a stone +Heavy and huge, a weight to overcharge +Two men (such men as are accounted strong +Now) but he wielded it with ease, alone. +Then had Æneas, as Achilles came355 +Impetuous on, smitten, although in vain, +His helmet or his shield, and Peleus’ son +Had with his falchion him stretch’d at his feet, +But that the God of Ocean quick perceived +His peril, and the Immortals thus bespake.360 + I pity brave Æneas, who shall soon, +Slain by Achilles, see the realms below, +By smooth suggestions of Apollo lured +To danger, such as he can ne’er avert. +But wherefore should the Chief, guiltless himself,365 +Die for the fault of others? at no time +His gifts have fail’d, grateful to all in heaven. +Come, therefore, and let us from death ourselves +Rescue him, lest if by Achilles’ arm +This hero perish, Jove himself be wroth;370 +For he is destined to survive, lest all +The house of Dardanus (whom Jove beyond +All others loved, his sons of woman born) +Fail with Æneas, and be found no more. +Saturnian Jove hath hated now long time375 +The family of Priam, and henceforth +Æneas and his son, and his sons’ sons, +Shall sway the sceptre o’er the race of Troy. + To whom, majestic thus the spouse of Jove. +Neptune! deliberate thyself, and choose380 +Whether to save Æneas, or to leave +The hero victim of Achilles’ ire. +For Pallas and myself ofttimes have sworn +In full assembly of the Gods, to aid +Troy never, never to avert the day385 +Of her distress, not even when the flames +Kindled by the heroic sons of Greece, +Shall climb with fury to her topmost towers. + She spake; then Neptune, instant, through the throng +Of battle flying, and the clash of spears,390 +Came where Achilles and Æneas fought. +At once with shadows dim he blurr’d the sight +Of Peleus’ son, and from the shield, himself, +Of brave Æneas the bright-pointed ash +Retracting, placed it at Achilles’ feet.395 +Then, lifting high Æneas from the ground, +He heaved him far remote; o’er many a rank +Of heroes and of bounding steeds he flew, +Launch’d into air from the expanded palm +Of Neptune, and alighted in the rear400 +Of all the battle where the Caucons stood. +Neptune approach’d him there, and at his side +Standing, in accents wing’d, him thus bespake. + What God, Æneas! tempted thee to cope +Thus inconsiderately with the son405 +Of Peleus, both more excellent in fight +Than thou, and more the favorite of the skies? +From him retire hereafter, or expect +A premature descent into the shades. +But when Achilles shall have once fulfill’d410 +His destiny, in battle slain, then fight +Fearless, for thou canst fall by none beside. + So saying, he left the well-admonish’d Chief, +And from Achilles’ eyes scatter’d the gloom +Shed o’er them by himself. The hero saw415 +Clearly, and with his noble heart incensed +By disappointment, thus conferring, said. + Gods! I behold a prodigy. My spear +Lies at my foot, and he at whom I cast +The weapon with such deadly force, is gone!420 +Æneas therefore, as it seems, himself +Interests the immortal Gods, although +I deem’d his boast of their protection vain. +I reck not. Let him go. So gladly ’scaped +From slaughter now, he shall not soon again425 +Feel an ambition to contend with me. +Now will I rouse the Danaï, and prove +The force in fight of many a Trojan more. + He said, and sprang to battle with loud voice, +Calling the Grecians after him.—Ye sons430 +Of the Achaians! stand not now aloof, +My noble friends! but foot to foot let each +Fall on courageous, and desire the fight. +The task were difficult for me alone, +Brave as I boast myself, to chase a foe435 +So numerous, and to combat with them all. +Not Mars himself, immortal though he be, +Nor Pallas, could with all the ranks contend +Of this vast multitude, and drive the whole. +With hands, with feet, with spirit and with might,440 +All that I can I will; right through I go, +And not a Trojan who shall chance within +Spear’s reach of me, shall, as I judge, rejoice. + Thus he the Greeks exhorted. Opposite, +Meantime, illustrious Hector to his host445 +Vociferated, his design to oppose +Achilles publishing in every ear. + Fear not, ye valiant men of Troy! fear not +The son of Peleus. In a war of words +I could, myself, cope even with the Gods;450 +But not with spears; there they excel us all. +Nor shall Achilles full performance give +To all his vaunts, but, if he some fulfil, +Shall others leave mutilate in the midst. +I will encounter him, though his hands be fire,455 +Though fire his hands, and his heart hammer’d steel. + So spake he them exhorting. At his word +Uprose the Trojan spears, thick intermixt +The battle join’d, and clamor loud began. +Then thus, approaching Hector, Phœbus spake.460 + Henceforth, advance not Hector! in the front +Seeking Achilles, but retired within +The stormy multitude his coming wait, +Lest his spear reach thee, or his glittering sword. + He said, and Hector far into his host465 +Withdrew, admonish’d by the voice divine. +Then, shouting terrible, and clothed with might, +Achilles sprang to battle. First, he slew +The valiant Chief Iphition, whom a band +Numerous obey’d. Otrynteus was his sire.470 +Him to Otrynteus, city-waster Chief, +A Naiad under snowy Tmolus bore +In fruitful Hyda.[9] Right into his front +As he advanced, Achilles drove his spear, +And rived his skull; with thundering sound he fell,475 +And thus the conqueror gloried in his fall. + Ah Otryntides! thou art slain. Here lies +The terrible in arms, who born beside +The broad Gygæan lake, where Hyllus flows +And Hermus, call’d the fertile soil his own.480 + Thus gloried he. Meantime the shades of death +Cover’d Iphition, and Achaian wheels +And horses ground his body in the van. +Demoleon next, Antenor’s son, a brave +Defender of the walls of Troy, he slew.485 +Into his temples through his brazen casque +He thrust the Pelian ash, nor could the brass +Such force resist, but the huge weapon drove +The shatter’d bone into his inmost brain, +And his fierce onset at a stroke repress’d.490 +Hippodamas his weapon next received +Within his spine, while with a leap he left +His steeds and fled. He, panting forth his life, +Moan’d like a bull, by consecrated youths +Dragg’d round the Heliconian King,[10] who views495 +That victim with delight. So, with loud moans +The noble warrior sigh’d his soul away. +Then, spear in hand, against the godlike son +Of Priam, Polydorus, he advanced. +Not yet his father had to him indulged500 +A warrior’s place, for that of all his sons +He was the youngest-born, his hoary sire’s +Chief darling, and in speed surpass’d them all. +Then also, in the vanity of youth, +For show of nimbleness, he started oft505 +Into the vanward, till at last he fell. +Him gliding swiftly by, swifter than he +Achilles with a javelin reach’d; he struck +His belt behind him, where the golden clasps +Met, and the double hauberk interposed.510 +The point transpierced his bowels, and sprang through +His navel; screaming, on his knees he fell, +Death-shadows dimm’d his eyes, and with both hands, +Stooping, he press’d his gather’d bowels back. +But noble Hector, soon as he beheld515 +His brother Polydorus to the earth +Inclined, and with his bowels in his hands, +Sightless well-nigh with anguish could endure +No longer to remain aloof; flame-like +He burst abroad,[11] and shaking his sharp spear,520 +Advanced to meet Achilles, whose approach +Seeing, Achilles bounded with delight, +And thus, exulting, to himself he said. + Ah! he approaches, who hath stung my soul +Deepest, the slayer of whom most I loved!525 +Behold, we meet! Caution is at an end, +And timid skulking in the walks of war. + He ceased, and with a brow knit into frowns, +Call’d to illustrious Hector. Haste, approach, +That I may quick dispatch thee to the shades.530 + Whom answer’d warlike Hector, nought appall’d. +Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy, +With words to scare me. I have also taunts +At my command, and can be sharp as thou. +I know thee valiant, and myself I know535 +Inferior far; yet, whether thou shalt slay +Me, or, inferior as I am, be slain +By me, is at the pleasure of the Gods, +For I wield also not a pointless beam. + He said, and, brandishing it, hurl’d his spear,540 +Which Pallas, breathing softly, wafted back +From the renown’d Achilles, and it fell +Successless at illustrious Hector’s feet. +Then, all on fire to slay him, with a shout +That rent the air Achilles rapid flew545 +Toward him; but him wrapt in clouds opaque +Apollo caught with ease divine away. +Thrice, swift Achilles sprang to the assault +Impetuous, thrice the pitchy cloud he smote, +And at his fourth assault, godlike in act,550 +And terrible in utterance, thus exclaim’d. + Dog! thou art safe, and hast escaped again; +But narrowly, and by the aid once more +Of Phœbus, without previous suit to whom +Thou venturest never where the javelin sings.555 +But when we next encounter, then expect, +If one of all in heaven aid also me, +To close thy proud career. Meantime I seek +Some other, and assail e’en whom I may. + So saying, he pierced the neck of Dryops through,560 +And at his feet he fell. Him there he left, +And turning on a valiant warrior huge, +Philetor’s son, Demuchus, in the knee +Pierced, and detain’d him by the planted spear, +Till with his sword he smote him, and he died.565 +Laogonus and Dardanus he next +Assaulted, sons of Bias; to the ground +Dismounting both, one with his spear he slew, +The other with his falchion at a blow. +Tros too, Alastor’s son—he suppliant clasp’d570 +Achilles’ knees, and for his pity sued, +Pleading equality of years, in hope +That he would spare, and send him thence alive. +Ah dreamer! ignorant how much in vain +That suit he urged; for not of milky mind,575 +Or placable in temper was the Chief +To whom he sued, but fiery. With both hands +His knees he clasp’d importunate, and he +Fast by the liver gash’d him with his sword. +His liver falling forth, with sable blood580 +His bosom fill’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes. +Then, drawing close to Mulius, in his ear +He set the pointed brass, and at a thrust +Sent it, next moment, through his ear beyond. +Then, through the forehead of Agenor’s son585 +Echechlus, his huge-hafted blade he drove, +And death and fate forever veil’d his eyes. +Next, where the tendons of the elbow meet, +Striking Deucalion, through his wrist he urged +The brazen point; he all defenceless stood,590 +Expecting death; down came Achilles’ blade +Full on his neck; away went head and casque +Together; from his spine the marrow sprang, +And at his length outstretch’d he press’d the plain. +From him to Rhigmus, Pireus’ noble son,595 +He flew, a warrior from the fields of Thrace. +Him through the loins he pierced, and with the beam +Fixt in his bowels, to the earth he fell; +Then piercing, as he turn’d to flight, the spine +Of Areithöus his charioteer,600 +He thrust him from his seat; wild with dismay +Back flew the fiery coursers at his fall. +As a devouring fire within the glens +Of some dry mountain ravages the trees, +While, blown around, the flames roll to all sides,605 +So, on all sides, terrible as a God, +Achilles drove the death-devoted host +Of Ilium, and the champain ran with blood. +As when the peasant his yoked steers employs +To tread his barley, the broad-fronted pair610 +With ponderous hoofs trample it out with ease, +So, by magnanimous Achilles driven, +His coursers solid-hoof’d stamp’d as they ran +The shields, at once, and bodies of the slain; +Blood spatter’d all his axle, and with blood615 +From the horse-hoofs and from the fellied wheels +His chariot redden’d, while himself, athirst +For glory, his unconquerable hands +Defiled with mingled carnage, sweat, and dust. + + + + +BOOK XXI. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST BOOK. + +Achilles having separated the Trojans, and driven one part of them to +the city and the other into the Scamander, takes twelve young men +alive, his intended victims to the manes of Patroclus. The river +overflowing his banks with purpose to overwhelm him, is opposed by +Vulcan, and gladly relinquishes the attempt. The battle of the gods +ensues. Apollo, in the form of Agenor, decoys Achilles from the town, +which in the mean time the Trojans enter and shut the gates against +him. + + +BOOK XXI. + + +[1]But when they came, at length, where Xanthus winds +His stream vortiginous from Jove derived, +There, separating Ilium’s host, he drove +Part o’er the plain to Troy in the same road +By which the Grecians had so lately fled5 +The fury of illustrious Hector’s arm. +That way they fled pouring themselves along +Flood-like, and Juno, to retard them, threw +Darkness as night before them. Other part, +Push’d down the sides of Xanthus, headlong plunged10 +With dashing sound into his dizzy stream, +And all his banks re-echoed loud the roar. +They, struggling, shriek’d in silver eddies whirl’d. +As when, by violence of fire expell’d, +Locusts uplifted on the wing escape15 +To some broad river, swift the sudden blaze +Pursues them, they, astonish’d, strew the flood,[2] +So, by Achilles driven, a mingled throng +Of horses and of warriors overspread +Xanthus, and glutted all his sounding course20 +He, chief of heroes, leaving on the bank +His spear against a tamarisk reclined, +Plunged like a God, with falchion arm’d alone +But fill’d with thoughts of havoc. On all sides +Down came his edge; groans follow’d dread to hear25 +Of warriors smitten by the sword, and all +The waters as they ran redden’d with blood. +As smaller fishes, flying the pursuit +Of some huge dolphin, terrified, the creeks +And secret hollows of a haven fill,30 +For none of all that he can seize he spares, +So lurk’d the trembling Trojans in the caves +Of Xanthus’ awful flood. But he (his hands +Wearied at length with slaughter) from the rest +Twelve youths selected whom to death he doom’d,35 +In vengeance for his loved Patroclus slain. +Them stupified with dread like fawns he drove +Forth from the river, manacling their hands +Behind them fast with their own tunic-strings, +And gave them to his warrior train in charge.40 +Then, ardent still for blood, rushing again +Toward the stream, Dardanian Priam’s son +He met, Lycaon, as he climb’d the bank. +Him erst by night, in his own father’s field +Finding him, he had led captive away.45 +Lycaon was employ’d cutting green shoots +Of the wild-fig for chariot-rings, when lo! +Terrible, unforeseen, Achilles came. +He seized and sent him in a ship afar +To Lemnos; there the son of Jason paid50 +His price, and, at great cost, Eëtion +The guest of Jason, thence redeeming him, +Sent him to fair Arisba;[3] but he ’scaped +Thence also and regain’d his father’s house. +Eleven days, at his return, he gave55 +To recreation joyous with his friends, +And on the twelfth his fate cast him again +Into Achilles’ hands, who to the shades +Now doom’d him, howsoever loth to go. +Soon as Achilles swiftest of the swift60 +Him naked saw (for neither spear had he +Nor shield nor helmet, but, when he emerged, +Weary and faint had cast them all away) +Indignant to his mighty self he said. + Gods! I behold a miracle! Ere long65 +The valiant Trojans whom my self have slain +Shall rise from Erebus, for he is here, +The self-same warrior whom I lately sold +At Lemnos, free, and in the field again. +The hoary deep is prison strong enough70 +For most, but not for him. Now shall he taste +The point of this my spear, that I may learn +By sure experience, whether hell itself +That holds the strongest fast, can him detain, +Or whether he shall thence also escape.75 + While musing thus he stood, stunn’d with dismay +The youth approach’d, eager to clasp his knees, +For vehement he felt the dread of death +Working within him; with his Pelian ash +Uplifted high noble Achilles stood80 +Ardent to smite him; he with body bent +Ran under it, and to his knees adhered; +The weapon, missing him, implanted stood +Close at his back, when, seizing with one hand +Achilles’ knees, he with the other grasp’d85 +The dreadful beam, resolute through despair, +And in wing’d accents suppliant thus began. + Oh spare me! pity me! Behold I clasp +Thy knees, Achilles! Ah, illustrious Chief! +Reject not with disdain a suppliant’s prayer.90 +I am thy guest also, who at thy own board +Have eaten bread, and did partake the gift +Of Ceres with thee on the very day +When thou didst send me in yon field surprised +For sale to sacred Lemnos, far remote,95 +And for my price receiv’dst a hundred beeves. +Loose me, and I will yield thee now that sum +Thrice told. Alas! this morn is but the twelfth +Since, after numerous hardships, I arrived +Once more in Troy, and now my ruthless lot100 +Hath given me into thy hands again. +Jove cannot less than hate me, who hath twice +Made me thy prisoner, and my doom was death, +Death in my prime, the day when I was born +Son of Laothöe from Alta sprung,105 +From Alta, whom the Leleges obey +On Satnio’s banks in lofty Pedasus. +His daughter to his other numerous wives +King Priam added, and two sons she bore +Only to be deprived by thee of both.110 +My brother hath already died, in front +Of Ilium’s infantry, by thy bright spear, +The godlike Polydorus; and like doom +Shall now be mine, for I despair to escape +Thine hands, to which the Gods yield me again.115 +But hear and mark me well. My birth was not +From the same womb as Hector’s, who hath slain +Thy valiant friend for clemency renown’d. + Such supplication the illustrious son +Of Priam made, but answer harsh received.120 + Fool! speak’st of ransom? Name it not to me. +For till my friend his miserable fate +Accomplish’d, I was somewhat given to spare, +And numerous, whom I seized alive, I sold. +But now, of all the Trojans whom the Gods125 +Deliver to me, none shall death escape, +’Specially of the house of Priam, none. +Die therefore, even thou, my friend! What mean +Thy tears unreasonably shed and vain? +Died not Patroclus. braver far than thou?130 +And look on me—see’st not to what a height +My stature towers, and what a bulk I boast? +A King begat me, and a Goddess bore. +What then! A death by violence awaits +Me also, and at morn, or eve, or noon,135 +I perish, whensoe’er the destined spear +Shall reach me, or the arrow from the nerve. + He ceased, and where the suppliant kneel’d, he died. +Quitting the spear, with both hands spread abroad +He sat, but swift Achilles with his sword140 +’Twixt neck and key-bone smote him, and his blade +Of double edge sank all into the wound. +He prone extended on the champain lay +Bedewing with his sable blood the glebe, +Till, by the foot, Achilles cast him far145 +Into the stream, and, as he floated down, +Thus in wing’d accents, glorying, exclaim’d. + Lie there, and feed the fishes, which shall lick +Thy blood secure. Thy mother ne’er shall place +Thee on thy bier, nor on thy body weep,150 +But swift Scamander on his giddy tide +Shall bear thee to the bosom of the sea. +There, many a fish shall through the crystal flood +Ascending to the rippled surface, find +Lycaon’s pamper’d flesh delicious fare.155 +Die Trojans! till we reach your city, you +Fleeing, and slaughtering, I. This pleasant stream +Of dimpling silver which ye worship oft +With victim bulls, and sate with living steeds[4] +His rapid whirlpools, shall avail you nought,160 +But ye shall die, die terribly, till all +Shall have requited me with just amends +For my Patroclus, and for other Greeks +Slain at the ships while I declined the war. + He ended, at those words still more incensed165 +Scamander means devised, thenceforth to check +Achilles, and avert the doom of Troy. +Meantime the son of Peleus, his huge spear +Grasping, assail’d Asteropæus son +Of Pelegon, on fire to take his life.170 +Fair Peribœa, daughter eldest-born +Of Acessamenus, his father bore +To broad-stream’d Axius, who had clasp’d the nymph +In his embrace. On him Achilles sprang. +He newly risen from the river, stood175 +Arm’d with two lances opposite, for him +Xanthus embolden’d, at the deaths incensed +Of many a youth, whom, mercy none vouchsafed, +Achilles had in all his current slain. +And now small distance interposed, they faced180 +Each other, when Achilles thus began. + Who art and whence, who dar’st encounter me? +Hapless the sires whose sons my force defy. + To whom the noble son of Pelegon. +Pelides, mighty Chief? Why hast thou ask’d185 +My derivation? From the land I come +Of mellow-soil’d Pœonia far remote, +Chief leader of Pœnia’s host spear-arm’d; +This day hath also the eleventh risen +Since I at Troy arrived. For my descent,190 +It is from Axius river wide-diffused, +From Axius, fairest stream that waters earth, +Sire of bold Pelegon whom men report +My sire. Let this suffice. Now fight, Achilles! + So spake he threatening, and Achilles raised195 +Dauntless the Pelian ash. At once two spears +The hero bold, Asteropæus threw, +With both hands apt for battle. One his shield +Struck but pierced not, impeded by the gold, +Gift of a God; the other as it flew200 +Grazed at his right elbow; sprang the sable blood; +But, overflying him, the spear in earth +Stood planted deep, still hungering for the prey. +Then, full at the Pœonian Peleus’ son +Hurl’d forth his weapon with unsparing force205 +But vain; he struck the sloping river bank, +And mid-length deep stood plunged the ashen beam. +Then, with his falchion drawn, Achilles flew +To smite him; he in vain, meantime, essay’d +To pluck the rooted spear forth from the bank;210 +Thrice with full force he shook the beam, and thrice, +Although reluctant, left it; at his fourth +Last effort, bending it he sought to break +The ashen spear-beam of Æacides, +But perish’d by his keen-edged falchion first;215 +For on the belly at his navel’s side +He smote him; to the ground effused fell all +His bowels, death’s dim shadows veil’d his eyes. +Achilles ardent on his bosom fix’d +His foot, despoil’d him, and exulting cried.220 + Lie there; though River-sprung, thou find’st it hard +To cope with sons of Jove omnipotent. +Thou said’st, a mighty River is my sire— +But my descent from mightier Jove I boast; +My father, whom the Myrmidons obey,225 +Is son of Æacus, and he of Jove. +As Jove all streams excels that seek the sea, +So, Jove’s descendants nobler are than theirs. +Behold a River at thy side—let him +Afford thee, if he can, some succor—No—230 +He may not fight against Saturnian Jove. +Therefore, not kingly Acheloïus, +Nor yet the strength of Ocean’s vast profound, +Although from him all rivers and all seas, +All fountains and all wells proceed, may boast235 +Comparison with Jove, but even he +Astonish’d trembles at his fiery bolt, +And his dread thunders rattling in the sky. +He said, and drawing from the bank his spear[5] +Asteropæus left stretch’d on the sands,240 +Where, while the clear wave dash’d him, eels his flanks +And ravening fishes numerous nibbled bare. +The horsed Pœonians next he fierce assail’d, +Who seeing their brave Chief slain by the sword +And forceful arm of Peleus’ son, beside245 +The eddy-whirling stream fled all dispersed. +Thersilochus and Mydon then he slew, +Thrasius, Astypylus and Ophelestes, +Ænius and Mnesus; nor had these sufficed +Achilles, but Pœonians more had fallen,250 +Had not the angry River from within +His circling gulfs in semblance, of a man +Call’d to him, interrupting thus his rage. + Oh both in courage and injurious deeds +Unmatch’d, Achilles! whom themselves the Gods255 +Cease not to aid, if Saturn’s son have doom’d +All Ilium’s race to perish by thine arm, +Expel them, first, from me, ere thou achieve +That dread exploit; for, cumber’d as I am +With bodies, I can pour my pleasant stream260 +No longer down into the sacred deep; +All vanish where thou comest. But oh desist +Dread Chief! Amazement fills me at thy deeds. + To whom Achilles, matchless in the race. +River divine! hereafter be it so.265 +But not from slaughter of this faithless host +I cease, till I shall shut them fast in Troy +And trial make of Hector, if his arm +In single fight shall strongest prove, or mine + He said, and like a God, furious, again270 +Assail’d the Trojans; then the circling flood +To Phœbus thus his loud complaint address’d. + Ah son of Jove, God of the silver bow! +The mandate of the son of Saturn ill +Hast thou perform’d, who, earnest, bade thee aid275 +The Trojans, till (the sun sunk in the West) +Night’s shadow dim should veil the fruitful field. + He ended, and Achilles spear-renown’d +Plunged from the bank into the middle stream. +Then, turbulent, the River all his tide280 +Stirr’d from the bottom, landward heaving off +The numerous bodies that his current chok’d +Slain by Achilles; them, as with the roar +Of bulls, he cast aground, but deep within +His oozy gulfs the living safe conceal’d.285 +Terrible all around Achilles stood +The curling wave, then, falling on his shield +Dash’d him, nor found his footsteps where to rest. +An elm of massy trunk he seized and branch +Luxuriant, but it fell torn from the root290 +And drew the whole bank after it; immersed +It damm’d the current with its ample boughs, +And join’d as with a bridge the distant shores, +Upsprang Achilles from the gulf and turn’d +His feet, now wing’d for flight, into the plain295 +Astonish’d; but the God, not so appeased, +Arose against him with a darker curl,[6] +That he might quell him and deliver Troy. +Back flew Achilles with a bound, the length +Of a spear’s cast, for such a spring he own’d300 +As bears the black-plumed eagle on her prey +Strongest and swiftest of the fowls of air. +Like her he sprang, and dreadful on his chest +Clang’d his bright armor. Then, with course oblique +He fled his fierce pursuer, but the flood,305 +Fly where he might, came thundering in his rear. +As when the peasant with his spade a rill +Conducts from some pure fountain through his grove +Or garden, clearing the obstructed course, +The pebbles, as it runs, all ring beneath,310 +And, as the slope still deepens, swifter still +It runs, and, murmuring, outstrips the guide, +So him, though swift, the river always reach’d +Still swifter; who can cope with power divine? +Oft as the noble Chief, turning, essay’d315 +Resistance, and to learn if all the Gods +Alike rush’d after him, so oft the flood, +Jove’s offspring, laved his shoulders. Upward then +He sprang distress’d, but with a sidelong sweep +Assailing him, and from beneath his steps320 +Wasting the soil, the Stream his force subdued. +Then looking to the skies, aloud he mourn’d. + Eternal Sire! forsaken by the Gods +I sink, none deigns to save me from the flood, +From which once saved, I would no death decline.325 +Yet blame I none of all the Powers of heaven +As Thetis; she with falsehood sooth’d my soul, +She promised me a death by Phœbus’ shafts +Swift-wing’d, beneath the battlements of Troy. +I would that Hector, noblest of his race,330 +Had slain me, I had then bravely expired +And a brave man had stripp’d me of my arms. +But fate now dooms me to a death abhorr’d +Whelm’d in deep waters, like a swine-herd’s boy +Drown’d in wet weather while he fords a brook.335 + So spake Achilles; then, in human form, +Minerva stood and Neptune at his side; +Each seized his hand confirming him, and thus +The mighty Shaker of the shores began. + Achilles! moderate thy dismay, fear nought.340 +In us behold, in Pallas and in me, +Effectual aids, and with consent of Jove; +For to be vanquish’d by a River’s force +Is not thy doom. This foe shall soon be quell’d; +Thine eyes shall see it. Let our counsel rule345 +Thy deed, and all is well. Cease not from war +Till fast within proud Ilium’s walls her host +Again be prison’d, all who shall escape; +Then (Hector slain) to the Achaian fleet +Return; we make the glorious victory thine.350 + So they, and both departing sought the skies. +Then, animated by the voice divine, +He moved toward the plain now all o’erspread +By the vast flood on which the bodies swam +And shields of many a youth in battle slain.355 +He leap’d, he waded, and the current stemm’d +Right onward, by the flood in vain opposed, +With such might Pallas fill’d him. Nor his rage +Scamander aught repress’d, but still the more +Incensed against Achilles, curl’d aloft360 +His waters, and on Simoïs call’d aloud. + Brother! oh let us with united force +Check, if we may, this warrior; he shall else +Soon lay the lofty towers of Priam low, +Whose host appall’d, defend them now no more.365 +Haste—succor me—thy channel fill with streams +From all thy fountains; call thy torrents down; +Lift high the waters; mingle trees and stones +With uproar wild, that we may quell the force +Of this dread Chief triumphant now, and fill’d370 +With projects that might more beseem a God. +But vain shall be his strength, his beauty nought +Shall profit him or his resplendent arms, +For I will bury them in slime and ooze, +And I will overwhelm himself with soil,375 +Sands heaping o’er him and around him sands +Infinite, that no Greek shall find his bones +For ever, in my bottom deep immersed. +There shall his tomb be piled, nor other earth, +At his last rites, his friends shall need for him.380 + He said, and lifting high his angry tide +Vortiginous, against Achilles hurl’d, +Roaring, the foam, the bodies, and the blood; +Then all his sable waves divine again +Accumulating, bore him swift along.385 +Shriek’d Juno at that sight, terrified lest +Achilles in the whirling deluge sunk +Should perish, and to Vulcan quick exclaim’d. + Vulcan, my son, arise; for we account +Xanthus well able to contend with thee.390 +Give instant succor; show forth all thy fires. +Myself will haste to call the rapid South +And Zephyrus, that tempests from the sea +Blowing, thou may’st both arms and dead consume +With hideous conflagration. Burn along395 +The banks of Xanthus, fire his trees and him +Seize also. Let him by no specious guile +Of flattery soothe thee, or by threats appall, +Nor slack thy furious fires till with a shout +I give command, then bid them cease to blaze.400 + She spake, and Vulcan at her word his fires +Shot dreadful forth; first, kindling on the field, +He burn’d the bodies strew’d numerous around +Slain by Achilles; arid grew the earth +And the flood ceased. As when a sprightly breeze405 +Autumnal blowing from the North, at once +Dries the new-water’d garden,[7] gladdening him +Who tills the soil, so was the champain dried; +The dead consumed, against the River, next, +He turn’d the fierceness of his glittering fires.410 +Willows and tamarisks and elms he burn’d, +Burn’d lotus, rushes, reeds; all plants and herbs +That clothed profuse the margin of his flood. +His eels and fishes, whether wont to dwell +In gulfs beneath, or tumble in the stream,415 +All languish’d while the artist of the skies +Breath’d on them; even Xanthus lost, himself, +All force, and, suppliant, Vulcan thus address’d. + Oh Vulcan! none in heaven itself may cope +With thee. I yield to thy consuming fires.420 +Cease, cease. I reck not if Achilles drive +Her citizens, this moment, forth from Troy, +For what are war and war’s concerns to me? + So spake he scorch’d, and all his waters boil’d. +As some huge caldron hisses urged by force425 +Of circling fires and fill’d with melted lard, +The unctuous fluid overbubbling[8] streams +On all sides, while the dry wood flames beneath, +So Xanthus bubbled and his pleasant flood +Hiss’d in the fire, nor could he longer flow430 +But check’d his current, with hot steams annoy’d +By Vulcan raised. His supplication, then, +Importunate to Juno thus he turn’d. + Ah Juno! why assails thy son my streams, +Hostile to me alone? Of all who aid435 +The Trojans I am surely least to blame, +Yet even I desist if thou command; +And let thy son cease also; for I swear +That never will I from the Trojans turn +Their evil day, not even when the host440 +Of Greece shall set all Ilium in a blaze. + He said, and by his oath pacified, thus +The white-arm’d Deity to Vulcan spake. + Peace, glorious son! we may not in behalf +Of mortal man thus longer vex a God.445 + Then Vulcan his tremendous fires repress’d, +And down into his gulfy channel rush’d +The refluent flood; for when the force was once +Subdued of Xanthus, Juno interposed, +Although incensed, herself to quell the strife.450 + But contest vehement the other Gods +Now waged, each breathing discord; loud they rush’d +And fierce to battle, while the boundless earth +Quaked under them, and, all around, the heavens +Sang them together with a trumpet’s voice.455 +Jove listening, on the Olympian summit sat +Well-pleased, and, in his heart laughing for joy, +Beheld the Powers of heaven in battle join’d. +Not long aloof they stood. Shield-piercer Mars, +His brazen spear grasp’d, and began the fight460 +Rushing on Pallas, whom he thus reproach’d. + Wasp! front of impudence, and past all bounds +Audacious! Why impellest thou the Gods +To fight? Thy own proud spirit is the cause. +Remember’st not, how, urged by thee, the son465 +Of Tydeus, Diomede, myself assail’d, +When thou, the radiant spear with thy own hand +Guiding, didst rend my body? Now, I ween, +The hour is come in which I shall exact +Vengeance for all thy malice shown to me.470 + So saying, her shield he smote tassell’d around +Terrific, proof against the bolts of Jove; +That shield gore-tainted Mars with fury smote. +But she, retiring, with strong grasp upheaved +A rugged stone, black, ponderous, from the plain,475 +A land-mark fixt by men of ancient times, +Which hurling at the neck of stormy Mars +She smote him. Down he fell. Seven acres, stretch’d, +He overspread, his ringlets in the dust +Polluted lay, and dreadful rang his arms.480 +The Goddess laugh’d, and thus in accents wing’d +With exultation, as he lay, exclaim’d. + Fool! Art thou still to learn how far my force +Surpasses thine, and darest thou cope with me? +Now feel the furies of thy mother’s ire485 +Who hates thee for thy treachery to the Greeks, +And for thy succor given to faithless Troy. + She said, and turn’d from Mars her glorious eyes. +But him deep-groaning and his torpid powers +Recovering slow, Venus conducted thence490 +Daughter of Jove, whom soon as Juno mark’d, +In accents wing’d to Pallas thus she spake. + Daughter invincible of glorious Jove! +Haste—follow her—Ah shameless! how she leads +Gore-tainted Mars through all the host of heaven.495 + + So she, whom Pallas with delight obey’d; +To Venus swift she flew, and on the breast +With such force smote her that of sense bereft +The fainting Goddess fell. There Venus lay +And Mars extended on the fruitful glebe,500 +And Pallas thus in accents wing’d exclaim’d. + I would that all who on the part of Troy +Oppose in fight Achaia’s valiant sons, +Were firm and bold as Venus in defence +Of Mars, for whom she dared my power defy!505 +So had dissension (Ilium overthrown +And desolated) ceased long since in heaven. + So Pallas, and approving Juno smiled. +Then the imperial Shaker of the shores +Thus to Apollo. Phœbus! wherefore stand510 +_We_ thus aloof? Since others have begun, +Begin we also; shame it were to both +Should we, no combat waged, ascend again +Olympus and the brass-built hall of Jove. +Begin, for thou art younger; me, whose years515 +Alike and knowledge thine surpass so far, +It suits not. Oh stupidity! how gross +Art thou and senseless! Are no traces left +In thy remembrance of our numerous wrongs +Sustain’d at Ilium, when, of all the Gods520 +Ourselves alone, by Jove’s commandment, served +For stipulated hire, a year complete, +Our task-master the proud Laomedon? +Myself a bulwark’d town, spacious, secure +Against assault, and beautiful as strong525 +Built for the Trojans, and thine office was +To feed for King Laomedon his herds +Among the groves of Ida many-valed. +But when the gladsome hours the season brought +Of payment, then the unjust King of Troy530 +Dismiss’d us of our whole reward amerced +By violence, and added threats beside. +Thee into distant isles, bound hand and foot, +To sell he threatened, and to amputate +The ears of both; we, therefore, hasted thence535 +Resenting deep our promised hire withheld. +Aid’st thou for this the Trojans? Canst thou less +Than seek, with us, to exterminate the whole +Perfidious race, wives, children, husbands, all? + To whom the King of radiant shafts Apollo.540 +Me, Neptune, thou wouldst deem, thyself, unwise +Contending for the sake of mortal men +With thee; a wretched race, who like the leaves +Now flourish rank, by fruits of earth sustain’d, +Now sapless fall. Here, therefore, us between545 +Let all strife cease, far better left to them. + He said, and turn’d away, fearing to lift +His hand against the brother of his sire. +But him Diana of the woods with sharp +Rebuke, his huntress sister, thus reproved.550 + Fly’st thou, Apollo! and to Neptune yield’st +An unearn’d victory, the prize of fame +Resigning patient and with no dispute? +Fool! wherefore bearest thou the bow in vain? +Ah, let me never in my father’s courts555 +Hear thee among the immortals vaunting more +That thou wouldst Neptune’s self confront in arms. + So she, to whom Apollo nought replied.[9] +But thus the consort of the Thunderer, fired +With wrath, reproved the Archeress of heaven.560 + How hast thou dared, impudent, to oppose +My will? Bow-practised as thou art, the task +To match my force were difficult to thee. +Is it, because by ordinance of Jove +Thou art a lioness to womankind,565 +Killing them at thy pleasure? Ah beware— +Far easier is it, on the mountain-heights +To slay wild beasts and chase the roving hind, +Than to conflict with mightier than ourselves. +But, if thou wish a lesson on that theme,570 +Approach—thou shalt be taught with good effect +How far my force in combat passes thine. + She said, and with her left hand seizing both +Diana’s wrists, snatch’d suddenly the bow +Suspended on her shoulder with the right,575 +And, smiling, smote her with it on the ears. +She, writhing oft and struggling, to the ground +Shook forth her rapid shafts, then, weeping, fled +As to her cavern in some hollow rock +The dove, not destined to his talons, flies580 +The hawk’s pursuit, and left her arms behind. + Then, messenger of heaven, the Argicide +Address’d Latona. Combat none with thee, +Latona, will I wage. Unsafe it were +To cope in battle with a spouse of Jove.585 +Go, therefore, loudly as thou wilt, proclaim +To all the Gods that thou hast vanquish’d me. + Collecting, then, the bow and arrows fallen +In wild disorder on the dusty plain, +Latona with the sacred charge withdrew590 +Following her daughter; she, in the abode +Brass-built arriving of Olympian Jove, +Sat on his knees, weeping till all her robe +Ambrosial shook. The mighty Father smiled, +And to his bosom straining her, inquired.595 + Daughter beloved! who, which of all the Gods +Hath raised his hand, presumptuous, against thee, +As if convicted of some open wrong? + To whom the clear-voiced Huntress crescent-crown’d. +My Father! Juno, thy own consort fair600 +My sorrow caused, from whom dispute and strife +Perpetual, threaten the immortal Powers. + Thus they in heaven mutual conferr’d. Meantime +Apollo into sacred Troy return’d +Mindful to guard her bulwarks, lest the Greeks605 +Too soon for Fate should desolate the town. +The other Gods, some angry, some elate +With victory, the Olympian heights regain’d, +And sat beside the Thunderer. But the son +Of Peleus—He both Trojans slew and steeds.610 +As when in volumes slow smoke climbs the skies +From some great city which the Gods have fired +Vindictive, sorrow thence to many ensues +With mischief, and to all labor severe, +So caused Achilles labor on that day,615 +Severe, and mischief to the men of Troy. + But ancient Priam from a sacred tower +Stood looking forth, whence soon he noticed vast +Achilles, before whom the Trojans fled +All courage lost. Descending from the tower620 +With mournful cries and hasting to the wall +He thus enjoin’d the keepers of the gates. + Hold wide the portals till the flying host +Re-enter, for himself is nigh, himself +Achilles drives them home. Now, wo to Troy!625 +But soon as safe within the walls received +They breathe again, shut fast the ponderous gates +At once, lest that destroyer also pass. + He said; they, shooting back the bars, threw wide +The gates and saved the people, whom to aid630 +Apollo also sprang into the field, +They, parch’d with drought and whiten’d all with dust, +Flew right toward the town, while, spear in hand, +Achilles press’d them, vengeance in his heart +And all on fire for glory. Then, full sure,635 +Ilium, the city of lofty gates, had fallen +Won by the Grecians, had not Phœbus roused +Antenor’s valiant son, the noble Chief +Agenor; him with dauntless might he fill’d, +And shielding him against the stroke of fate640 +Beside him stood himself, by the broad beech +Cover’d and wrapt in clouds. Agenor then, +Seeing the city-waster hero nigh +Achilles, stood, but standing, felt his mind +Troubled with doubts; he groan’d, and thus he mused.645 + [10]Alas! if following the tumultuous flight +Of these, I shun Achilles, swifter far +He soon will lop my ignominious head. +But if, these leaving to be thus dispersed +Before him, from the city-wall I fly650 +Across the plain of Troy into the groves +Of Ida, and in Ida’s thickets lurk, +I may, at evening, to the town return +Bathed and refresh’d. But whither tend my thoughts? +Should he my flight into the plain observe655 +And swift pursuing seize me, then, farewell +All hope to scape a miserable death, +For he hath strength passing the strength of man. +How then—shall I withstand him here before +The city? He hath also flesh to steel660 +Pervious, within it but a single life, +And men report him mortal, howsoe’er +Saturnian Jove lift him to glory now. + So saying, he turn’d and stood, his dauntless heart +Beating for battle. As the pard springs forth665 +To meet the hunter from her gloomy lair, +Nor, hearing loud the hounds, fears or retires, +But whether from afar or nigh at hand +He pierce her first, although transfixt, the fight +Still tries, and combats desperate till she fall,670 +So, brave Antenor’s son fled not, or shrank, +Till he had proved Achilles, but his breast +O’ershadowing with his buckler and his spear +Aiming well-poised against him, loud exclaim’d. + Renown’d Achilles! Thou art high in hope675 +Doubtless, that thou shalt this day overthrow +The city of the glorious sons of Troy. +Fool! ye must labor yet ere she be won, +For numerous are her citizens and bold, +And we will guard her for our parents’ sake680 +Our wives and little ones. But here thou diest +Terrible Chief and dauntless as thou art. + He said, and with full force hurling his lance +Smote, and err’d not, his greave beneath his knee +The glittering tin, forged newly, at the stroke685 +Tremendous rang, but quick recoil’d and vain +The weapon, weak against that guard divine. +Then sprang Achilles in his turn to assail +Godlike Agenor, but Apollo took +That glory from him, snatching wrapt in clouds690 +Agenor thence, whom calm he sent away. + Then Phœbus from pursuit of Ilium’s host +By art averted Peleus’ son; the form +Assuming of Agenor, swift he fled +Before him, and Achilles swift pursued.695 +While him Apollo thus lured to the chase +Wide o’er the fruitful plain, inclining still +Toward Scamander’s dizzy stream his course +Nor flying far before, but with false hope +Always beguiling him, the scatter’d host700 +Meantime, in joyful throngs, regain’d the town. +They fill’d and shut it fast, nor dared to wait +Each other in the field, or to inquire +Who lived and who had fallen, but all, whom flight +Had rescued, like a flood pour’d into Troy.705 + + +The Trojans being now within the city, excepting Hector, the field is +cleared for the most important and decisive action in the poem; that +is, the battle between Achilles and Hector, and the death of the +latter. This part of the story is managed with singular skill. It seems +as if the poet, feeling the importance of the catastrophe, wished to +withdraw from view the personages of less consequence, and to +concentrate our attention upon those two alone. The poetic action and +description are narrowed in extent, but deepened in interest. The fate +of Troy is impending; the irreversible decree of Jupiter is about to be +executed; the heroes, whose bravery is to be the instrument of bringing +about this consummation, are left together on the plain.—Felton. + + + + +BOOK XXII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK. + +Achilles slays Hector. + + +BOOK XXII. + + +Thus they, throughout all Troy, like hunted fawns +Dispersed, their trickling limbs at leisure cool’d, +And, drinking, slaked their fiery thirst, reclined +Against the battlements. Meantime, the Greeks +Sloping their shields, approach’d the walls of Troy,5 +And Hector, by his adverse fate ensnared, +Still stood exposed before the Scæan gate. +Then spake Apollo thus to Peleus’ son. + Wherefore, thyself mortal, pursuest thou me +Immortal? oh Achilles! blind with rage,10 +Thou know’st not yet, that thou pursuest a God. +Unmindful of thy proper task, to press +The flying Trojans, thou hast hither turn’d +Devious, and they are all now safe in Troy; +Yet hope me not to slay; I cannot die.15 + To whom Achilles swiftest of the swift, +Indignant. Oh, of all the Powers above +To me most adverse, Archer of the skies! +Thou hast beguiled me, leading me away +From Ilium far, whence intercepted, else,20 +No few had at this moment gnaw’d the glebe. +Thou hast defrauded me of great renown, +And, safe thyself, hast rescued _them_ with ease. +Ah—had I power, I would requite thee well. + So saying, incensed he turned toward the town25 +His rapid course, like some victorious steed +That whirls, at stretch, a chariot to the goal. +Such seem’d Achilles, coursing light the field. + Him, first, the ancient King of Troy perceived +Scouring the plain, resplendent as the star30 +Autumnal, of all stars in dead of night +Conspicous most, and named Orion’s dog; +Brightest it shines, but ominous, and dire +Disease portends to miserable man;[1] +So beam’d Achilles’ armor as he flew.35 +Loud wail’d the hoary King; with lifted hands +His head he smote, and, uttering doleful cries +Of supplication, sued to his own son. +He, fixt before the gate, desirous stood +Of combat with Achilles, when his sire40 +With arms outstretch’d toward him, thus began. + My Hector! wait not, oh my son! the approach +Of this dread Chief, alone, lest premature +Thou die, this moment by Achilles slain, +For he is strongest far. Oh that the Gods45 +Him loved as I! then, soon should vultures rend +And dogs his carcase, and my grief should cease. +He hath unchilded me of many a son, +All valiant youths, whom he hath slain or sold +To distant isles, and even now, I miss50 +Two sons, whom since the shutting of the gates +I find not, Polydorus and Lycaon, +My children by Laothöe the fair. +If they survive prisoners in yonder camp, +I will redeem them with gold and brass55 +By noble Eltes to his daughter given, +Large store, and still reserved. But should they both, +Already slain, have journey’d to the shades, +We, then, from whom they sprang have cause to mourn +And mourn them long, but shorter shall the grief60 +Of Ilium prove, if thou escape and live. +Come then, my son! enter the city-gate +That thou may’st save us all, nor in thy bloom +Of life cut off, enhance Achilles’ fame. +Commiserate also thy unhappy sire65 +Ere yet distracted, whom Saturnian Jove +Ordains to a sad death, and ere I die +To woes innumerable; to behold +Sons slaughter’d, daughters ravish’d, torn and stripp’d +The matrimonial chamber, infants dash’d70 +Against the ground in dire hostility,[2] +And matrons dragg’d by ruthless Grecian hands. +Me, haply, last of all, dogs shall devour +In my own vestibule, when once the spear +Or falchion of some Greek hath laid me low.75 +The very dogs fed at my table-side, +My portal-guards, drinking their master’s blood +To drunkenness, shall wallow in my courts. +Fair falls the warlike youth in battle slain, +And when he lies torn by the pointed steel,80 +His death becomes him well; he is secure, +Though dead, from shame, whatever next befalls: +But when the silver locks and silver beard +Of an old man slain by the sword, from dogs +Receive dishonor, of all ills that wait85 +On miserable man, that sure is worst. + So spake the ancient King, and his grey hairs +Pluck’d with both hands, but Hector firm endured. +On the other side all tears his mother stood, +And lamentation; with one hand she bared,90 +And with the other hand produced her breast, +Then in wing’d accents, weeping, him bespake. + My Hector! reverence this, and pity me +If ever, drawing forth this breast, thy griefs +Of infancy I soothed, oh now, my son!95 +Acknowledge it, and from within the walls +Repulse this enemy; stand not abroad +To cope with _him_, for he is savage-fierce, +And should he slay thee, neither shall myself +Who bore thee, nor thy noble spouse weep o’er100 +Thy body, but, where we can never come, +Dogs shall devour it in the fleet of Greece. + So they with prayers importuned, and with tears +Their son, but him sway’d not; unmoved he stood, +Expecting vast Achilles now at hand.105 +As some fell serpent in his cave expects +The traveller’s approach, batten’d with herbs +Of baneful juice to fury,[3] forth he looks +Hideous, and lies coil’d all around his den, +So Hector, fill’d with confidence untamed,110 +Fled not, but placing his bright shield against +A buttress, with his noble heart conferr’d. + [4]Alas for me! should I repass the gate, +Polydamas would be the first to heap +Reproaches on me, for he bade me lead115 +The Trojans back this last calamitous night +In which Achilles rose to arms again. +But I refused, although to have complied, +Had proved more profitable far; since then +By rash resolves of mine I have destroy’d120 +The people, how can I escape the blame +Of all in Troy? The meanest there will say— +By his self-will he hath destroy’d us all. +So shall they speak, and then shall I regret +That I return’d ere I had slain in fight125 +Achilles, or that, by Achilles slain, +I died not nobly in defence of Troy. +But shall I thus? Lay down my bossy shield, +Put off my helmet, and my spear recline +Against the city wall, then go myself130 +To meet the brave Achilles, and at once +Promise him Helen, for whose sake we strive +With all the wealth that Paris in his fleet +Brought home, to be restored to Atreus’ sons, +And to distribute to the Greeks at large135 +All hidden treasures of the town, an oath +Taking beside from every senator, +That he will nought conceal, but will produce +And share in just equality what stores +Soever our fair city still includes?140 +Ah airy speculations, questions vain! +I may not sue to him: compassion none +Will he vouchsafe me, or my suit respect. +But, seeing me unarm’d, will sate at once +His rage, and womanlike I shall be slain.145 +It is no time from oak or hollow rock +With him to parley, as a nymph and swain, +A nymph and swain[5] soft parley mutual hold, +But rather to engage in combat fierce +Incontinent; so shall we soonest learn150 +Whom Jove will make victorious, him or me. + Thus pondering he stood; meantime approach’d +Achilles, terrible as fiery Mars, +Crest-tossing God, and brandish’d as he came +O’er his right shoulder high the Pelian spear.155 +Like lightning, or like flame, or like the sun +Ascending, beam’d his armor. At that sight +Trembled the Trojan Chief, nor dared expect +His nearer step, but flying left the gates +Far distant, and Achilles swift pursued.160 +As in the mountains, fleetest fowl of air, +The hawk darts eager at the dove; she scuds +Aslant, he screaming, springs and springs again +To seize her, all impatient for the prey, +So flew Achilles constant to the track165 +Of Hector, who with dreadful haste beneath +The Trojan bulwarks plied his agile limbs. +Passing the prospect-mount where high in air +The wild-fig waved,[6] they rush’d along the road, +Declining never from the wall of Troy.170 +And now they reach’d the running rivulets clear, +Where from Scamander’s dizzy flood arise +Two fountains,[7] tepid one, from which a smoke +Issues voluminous as from a fire, +The other, even in summer heats, like hail175 +For cold, or snow, or crystal-stream frost-bound. +Beside them may be seen the broad canals +Of marble scoop’d, in which the wives of Troy +And all her daughters fair were wont to lave +Their costly raiment,[8] while the land had rest,180 +And ere the warlike sons of Greece arrived. +By these they ran, one fleeing, one in chase. +Valiant was he who fled, but valiant far +Beyond him he who urged the swift pursuit; +Nor ran they for a vulgar prize, a beast185 +For sacrifice, or for the hide of such, +The swift foot-racer’s customary meed, +But for the noble Hector’s life they ran. +As when two steeds, oft conquerors, trim the goal +For some illustrious prize, a tripod bright190 +Or beauteous virgin, at a funeral game, +So they with nimble feet the city thrice +Of Priam compass’d. All the Gods look’d on, +And thus the Sire of Gods and men began. + Ah—I behold a warrior dear to me195 +Around the walls of Ilium driven, and grieve +For Hector, who the thighs of fatted bulls +On yonder heights of Ida many-valed +Burn’d oft to me, and in the heights of Troy:[9] +But him Achilles, glorious Chief, around200 +The city walls of Priam now pursues. +Consider this, ye Gods! weigh the event. +Shall we from death save Hector? or, at length, +Leave him, although in battle high renown’d, +To perish by the might of Peleus’ son?205 + Whom answer’d thus Pallas cerulean-eyed. +Dread Sovereign of the storms! what hast thou said? +Wouldst thou deliver from the stroke of fate +A mortal man death-destined from of old? +Do it; but small thy praise shall be in heaven.210 + Then answer thus, cloud-gatherer Jove return’d. +Fear not, Tritonia, daughter dear! that word +Spake not my purpose; me thou shalt perceive +Always to thee indulgent. What thou wilt +That execute, and use thou no delay.215 + So roused he Pallas of herself prepared, +And from the heights Olympian down she flew. +With unremitting speed Achilles still +Urged Hector. As among the mountain-height +The hound pursues, roused newly from her lair220 +The flying fawn through many a vale and grove; +And though she trembling skulk the shrubs beneath, +Tracks her continual, till he find the prey, +So ’scaped not Hector Peleus’ rapid son. +Oft as toward the Dardan gates he sprang225 +Direct, and to the bulwarks firm of Troy, +Hoping some aid by volleys from the wall, +So oft, outstripping him, Achilles thence +Enforced him to the field, who, as he might, +Still ever stretch’d toward the walls again.230 +As, in a dream,[10] pursuit hesitates oft, +This hath no power to fly, that to pursue, +So these—one fled, and one pursued in vain. +How, then, had Hector his impending fate +Eluded, had not Phœbus, at his last,235 +Last effort meeting him, his strength restored, +And wing’d for flight his agile limbs anew? +The son of Peleus, as he ran, his brows +Shaking, forbad the people to dismiss +A dart at Hector, lest a meaner hand240 +Piercing him, should usurp the foremost praise. +But when the fourth time to those rivulets. +They came, then lifting high his golden scales, +Two lots the everlasting Father placed +Within them, for Achilles one, and one245 +For Hector, balancing the doom of both. +Grasping it in the midst, he raised the beam. +Down went the fatal day of Hector, down +To Ades, and Apollo left his side. +Then blue-eyed Pallas hasting to the son250 +Of Peleus, in wing’d accents him address’d. + Now, dear to Jove, Achilles famed in arms! +I hope that, fierce in combat though he be, +We shall, at last, slay Hector, and return +Crown’d with great glory to the fleet of Greece.255 +No fear of his deliverance now remains, +Not even should the King of radiant shafts, +Apollo, toil in supplication, roll’d +And roll’d again[11] before the Thunderer’s feet. +But stand, recover breath; myself, the while,260 +Shall urge him to oppose thee face to face. + So Pallas spake, whom joyful he obey’d, +And on his spear brass-pointed lean’d. But she, +(Achilles left) to noble Hector pass’d, +And in the form, and with the voice loud-toned265 +Approaching of Deiphobus, his ear +In accents, as of pity, thus address’d. + Ah brother! thou art overtask’d, around +The walls of Troy by swift Achilles driven; +But stand, that we may chase him in his turn.[12]270 + To whom crest-tossing Hector huge replied. +Deiphobus! of all my father’s sons +Brought forth by Hecuba, I ever loved +Thee most, but more than ever love thee now, +Who hast not fear’d, seeing me, for my sake275 +To quit the town, where others rest content. + To whom the Goddess, thus, cerulean-eyed. +Brother! our parents with much earnest suit +Clasping my knees, and all my friends implored me +To stay in Troy, (such fear hath seized on all)280 +But grief for thee prey’d on my inmost soul. +Come—fight we bravely—spare we now our spears +No longer; now for proof if Peleus’ son +Slaying us both, shall bear into the fleet +Our arms gore-stain’d, or perish slain by thee.285 + So saying, the wily Goddess led the way. +They soon, approaching each the other, stood +Opposite, and huge Hector thus began. + Pelides! I will fly thee now no more. +Thrice I have compass’d Priam’s spacious walls290 +A fugitive, and have not dared abide +Thy onset, but my heart now bids me stand +Dauntless, and I will slay, or will be slain. +But come. We will attest the Gods; for they +Are fittest both to witness and to guard295 +Our covenant. If Jove to me vouchsafe +The hard-earn’d victory, and to take thy life, +I will not with dishonor foul insult +Thy body, but, thine armor stripp’d, will give +Thee to thy friends, as thou shalt me to mine.300 + To whom Achilles, lowering dark, replied. +Hector! my bitterest foe! speak not to me +Of covenants! as concord can be none +Lions and men between, nor wolves and lambs +Can be unanimous, but hate perforce305 +Each other by a law not to be changed, +So cannot amity subsist between +Thee and myself; nor league make I with thee +Or compact, till thy blood in battle shed +Or mine, shall gratify the fiery Mars.310 +Rouse all thy virtue; thou hast utmost need +Of valor now, and of address in arms. +Escape me more thou canst not; Pallas’ hand +By mine subdues thee; now will I avenge +At once the agonies of every Greek315 +In thy unsparing fury slain by thee. + He said, and, brandishing the Pelian ash, +Dismiss’d it; but illustrious Hector warn’d, +Crouched low, and, overflying him, it pierced +The soil beyond, whence Pallas plucking it320 +Unseen, restored it to Achilles’ hand, +And Hector to his godlike foe replied. + Godlike Achilles! thou hast err’d, nor know’st +At all my doom from Jove, as thou pretend’st, +But seek’st, by subtlety and wind of words,325 +All empty sounds, to rob me of my might. +Yet stand I firm. Think not to pierce my back. +Behold my bosom! if the Gods permit, +Meet me advancing, and transpierce me there. +Meantime avoid my glittering spear, but oh330 +May’st thou receive it all! since lighter far +To Ilium should the toils of battle prove, +Wert thou once slain, the fiercest of her foes. + He said, and hurling his long spear with aim +Unerring, smote the centre of the shield335 +Of Peleus’ son, but his spear glanced away. +He, angry to have sent it forth in vain, +(For he had other none) with eyes downcast +Stood motionless awhile, then with loud voice +Sought from Deiphobus, white-shielded Chief,340 +A second; but Deiphobus was gone. +Then Hector understood his doom, and said. + Ah, it is plain; this is mine hour to die. +I thought Deiphobus at hand, but me +Pallas beguiled, and he is still in Troy.345 +A bitter death threatens me, it is nigh, +And there is no escape; Jove, and Jove’s son +Apollo, from the first, although awhile +My prompt deliverers, chose this lot for me, +And now it finds me. But I will not fall350 +Inglorious; I will act some great exploit +That shall be celebrated ages hence. + So saying, his keen falchion from his side +He drew, well-temper’d, ponderous, and rush’d +At once to combat. As the eagle darts355 +Right downward through a sullen cloud to seize +Weak lamb or timorous hare, so brandishing +His splendid falchion, Hector rush’d to fight. +Achilles, opposite, with fellest ire +Full-fraught came on; his shield with various art360 +Celestial form’d, o’erspread his ample chest, +And on his radiant casque terrific waved +The bushy gold of his resplendent crest, +By Vulcan spun, and pour’d profuse around. +Bright as, among the stars, the star of all365 +Most radiant, Hesperus, at midnight moves, +So, in the right hand of Achilles beam’d +His brandish’d spear, while, meditating wo +To Hector, he explored his noble form, +Seeking where he was vulnerable most.370 +But every part, his dazzling armor torn +From brave Patroclus’ body, well secured, +Save where the circling key-bone from the neck +Disjoins the shoulder; there his throat appear’d, +Whence injured life with swiftest flight escapes;375 +Achilles, plunging in that part his spear, +Impell’d it through the yielding flesh beyond. +The ashen beam his power of utterance left +Still unimpair’d, but in the dust he fell, +And the exulting conqueror exclaim’d.380 + But Hector! thou hadst once far other hopes, +And, stripping slain Patroclus, thought’st thee safe, +Nor caredst for absent me. Fond dream and vain! +I was not distant far; in yonder fleet +He left one able to avenge his death,385 +And he hath slain thee. Thee the dogs shall rend +Dishonorably, and the fowls of air, +But all Achaia’s host shall him entomb. + To whom the Trojan Chief languid replied. +By thy own life, by theirs who gave thee birth,390 +And by thy knees,[13] oh let not Grecian dogs +Rend and devour me, but in gold accept +And brass a ransom at my father’s hands, +And at my mother’s an illustrious price; +Send home my body, grant me burial rites395 +Among the daughters and the sons of Troy. + To whom with aspect stern Achilles thus. +Dog! neither knees nor parents name to me. +I would my fierceness of revenge were such, +That I could carve and eat thee, to whose arms400 +Such griefs I owe; so true it is and sure, +That none shall save thy carcase from the dogs. +No, trust me, would thy parents bring me weigh’d +Ten—twenty ransoms, and engage on oath +To add still more; would thy Dardanian Sire405 +Priam, redeem thee with thy weight in gold, +Not even at that price would I consent +That she who bare should place thee on thy bier +With lamentation; dogs and ravening fowls +Shall rend thy body while a scrap remains.410 + Then, dying, warlike Hector thus replied. +Full well I knew before, how suit of mine +Should speed preferr’d to thee. Thy heart is steel. +But oh, while yet thou livest, think, lest the Gods +Requite thee on that day, when pierced thyself415 +By Paris and Apollo, thou shalt fall, +Brave as thou art, before the Scæan gate. + He ceased, and death involved him dark around. +His spirit, from his limbs dismiss’d, the house +Of Ades sought, mourning in her descent420 +Youth’s prime and vigor lost, disastrous doom! +But him though dead, Achilles thus bespake. + Die thou. My death shall find me at what hour +Jove gives commandment, and the Gods above. + He spake, and from the dead drawing away425 +His brazen spear, placed it apart, then stripp’d +His arms gore-stain’d. Meantime the other sons +Of the Achaians, gathering fast around, +The bulk admired, and the proportion just +Of Hector; neither stood a Grecian there430 +Who pierced him not, and thus the soldier spake. + Ye Gods! how far more patient of the touch +Is Hector now, than when he fired the fleet! + Thus would they speak, then give him each a stab. +And now, the body stripp’d, their noble Chief435 +The swift Achilles standing in the midst, +The Grecians in wing’d accents thus address’d. + Friends, Chiefs and Senators of Argos’ host! +Since, by the will of heaven, this man is slain +Who harm’d us more than all our foes beside,440 +Essay we next the city, so to learn +The Trojan purpose, whether (Hector slain) +They will forsake the citadel, or still +Defend it, even though of him deprived. +But wherefore speak I thus? still undeplored,445 +Unburied in my fleet Patroclus lies; +Him never, while alive myself, I mix +With living men and move, will I forget. +In Ades, haply, they forget the dead, +Yet will not I Patroclus, even there.450 +Now chanting pæans, ye Achaian youths! +Return we to the fleet with this our prize; +We have achieved great glory,[14] we have slain +Illustrious Hector, him whom Ilium praised +In all her gates, and as a God revered.455 + He said; then purposing dishonor foul +To noble Hector, both his feet he bored +From heel to ancle, and, inserting thongs, +Them tied behind his chariot, but his head +Left unsustain’d to trail along the ground.460 +Ascending next, the armor at his side +He placed, then lash’d the steeds; they willing flew +Thick dust around the body dragg’d arose, +His sable locks all swept the plain, and all +His head, so graceful once, now track’d the dust,465 +For Jove had given it into hostile hands +That they might shame it in his native soil.[15] +Thus, whelm’d in dust, it went. The mother Queen +Her son beholding, pluck’d her hair away, +Cast far aside her lucid veil, and fill’d470 +With shrieks the air. His father wept aloud, +And, all around, long, long complaints were heard +And lamentations in the streets of Troy, +Not fewer or less piercing, than if flames +Had wrapt all Ilium to her topmost towers.475 +His people scarce detain’d the ancient King +Grief-stung, and resolute to issue forth +Through the Dardanian gates; to all he kneel’d +In turn, then roll’d himself in dust, and each +By name solicited to give him way.480 + Stand off, my fellow mourners! I would pass +The gates, would seek, alone, the Grecian fleet. +I go to supplicate the bloody man, +Yon ravager; he may respect, perchance, +My years, may feel some pity of my age;485 +For, such as I am, his own father is, +Peleus, who rear’d him for a curse to Troy, +But chiefly rear’d him to myself a curse, +So numerous have my sons in prime of youth +Fall’n by his hand, all whom I less deplore490 +(Though mourning all) than one; my agonies +For Hector soon shall send me to the shades. +Oh had he but within these arms expired, +The hapless Queen who bore him, and myself +Had wept him, then, till sorrow could no more!495 + So spake he weeping, and the citizens +All sigh’d around; next, Hecuba began +Amid the women, thus, her sad complaint. + Ah wherefore, oh my son! wretch that I am, +Breathe I forlorn of thee? Thou, night and day,500 +My glory wast in Ilium, thee her sons +And daughters, both, hail’d as their guardian God, +Conscious of benefits from thee received, +Whose life prolong’d should have advanced them all +To high renown. Vain boast! thou art no more.505 + So mourn’d the Queen. But fair Andromache +Nought yet had heard, nor knew by sure report +Hector’s delay without the city gates. +She in a closet of her palace sat, +A twofold web weaving magnificent,510 +With sprinkled flowers inwrought of various hues, +And to her maidens had commandment given +Through all her house, that compassing with fire +An ample tripod, they should warm a bath +For noble Hector from the fight return’d.515 +Tenderness ill-inform’d! she little knew +That in the field, from such refreshments far, +Pallas had slain him by Achilles’ hand. +She heard a cry of sorrow from the tower; +Her limbs shook under her, her shuttle fell,520 +And to her bright-hair’d train, alarm’d, she cried. + Attend me two of you, that I may learn +What hath befallen. I have heard the voice +Of the Queen-mother; my rebounding heart +Chokes me, and I seem fetter’d by a frost.525 +Some mischief sure o’er Priam’s sons impends. +Far be such tidings from me! but I fear +Horribly, lest Achilles, cutting off +My dauntless Hector from the gates alone, +Enforce him to the field, and quell perhaps530 +The might, this moment, of that dreadful arm +His hinderance long; for Hector ne’er was wont +To seek his safety in the ranks, but flew +First into battle, yielding place to none. + So saying, she rush’d with palpitating heart535 +And frantic air abroad, by her two maids +Attended; soon arriving at the tower, +And at the throng of men, awhile she stood +Down-looking wistful from the city-wall, +And, seeing him in front of Ilium, dragg’d540 +So cruelly toward the fleet of Greece, +O’erwhelm’d with sudden darkness at the view +Fell backward, with a sigh heard all around. +Far distant flew dispersed her head-attire, +Twist, frontlet, diadem, and even the veil545 +By golden Venus given her on the day +When Hector led her from Eëtion’s house +Enrich’d with nuptial presents to his home. +Around her throng’d her sisters of the house +Of Priam, numerous, who within their arms550 +Fast held her[16] loathing life; but she, her breath +At length and sense recovering, her complaint +Broken with sighs amid them thus began. + Hector! I am undone; we both were born +To misery, thou in Priam’s house in Troy,555 +And I in Hypoplacian Thebes wood-crown’d +Beneath Eëtion’s roof. He, doom’d himself +To sorrow, me more sorrowfully doom’d, +Sustain’d in helpless infancy, whom oh +That he had ne’er begotten! thou descend’st560 +To Pluto’s subterraneous dwelling drear, +Leaving myself destitute, and thy boy, +Fruit of our hapless loves, an infant yet, +Never to be hereafter thy delight, +Nor love of thine to share or kindness more.565 +For should he safe survive this cruel war, +With the Achaians penury and toil +Must be his lot, since strangers will remove +At will his landmarks, and possess his fields. +Thee lost, he loses all, of father, both,570 +And equal playmate in one day deprived, +To sad looks doom’d, and never-ceasing-tears. +He seeks, necessitous his father’s friends, +One by his mantle pulls, one by his vest, +Whose utmost pity yields to his parch’d lips575 +A thirst-provoking drop, and grudges more; +Some happier child, as yet untaught to mourn +A parent’s loss, shoves rudely from the board +My son, and, smiting him, reproachful cries— +Away—thy father is no guest of ours—580 +Then, weeping, to his widow’d mother comes +Astyanax, who on his father’s lap +Ate marrow only, once, and fat of lambs,[17] +And when sleep took him, and his crying fit +Had ceased, slept ever on the softest bed,585 +Warm in his nurse’s arms, fed to his fill +With delicacies, and his heart at rest. +But now, Astyanax (so named in Troy +For thy sake, guardian of her gates and towers) +His father lost, must many a pang endure.590 +And as for thee, cast naked forth among +Yon galleys, where no parent’s eye of thine +Shall find thee, when the dogs have torn thee once +Till they are sated, worms shall eat thee next. +Meantime, thy graceful raiment rich, prepared595 +By our own maidens, in thy palace lies; +But I will burn it, burn it all, because +Useless to thee, who never, so adorn’d, +Shalt slumber more; yet every eye in Troy +Shall see, how glorious once was thy attire.[18]600 + So, weeping, she; to whom the multitude +Of Trojan dames responsive sigh’d around. + + + + +BOOK XXIII. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK. + +The body of Patroclus is burned, and the funeral games ensue. + + +BOOK XXIII. + + +Such mourning was in Troy; meantime the Greeks +Their galleys and the shores of Hellespont +Regaining, each to his own ship retired. +But not the Myrmidons; Achilles them +Close rank’d in martial order still detain’d,5 +And thus his fellow-warriors brave address’d. + Ye swift-horsed Myrmidons, associates dear! +Release not from your chariots yet your steeds +Firm-hoof’d, but steeds and chariots driving near, +Bewail Patroclus, as the rites demand10 +Of burial; then, satiate with grief and tears, +We will release our steeds, and take repast. + He ended, and, himself leading the way, +His numerous band all mourn’d at once the dead. +Around the body thrice their glossy steeds,15 +Mourning they drove, while Thetis in their hearts +The thirst of sorrow kindled; they with tears +The sands bedew’d, with tears their radiant arms, +Such deep regret of one so brave they felt. +Then, placing on the bosom of his friend20 +His homicidal hands, Achilles thus +The shade of his Patroclus, sad, bespake. + Hail, oh Patroclus, even in Ades hail! +For I will now accomplish to the full +My promise pledged to thee, that I would give25 +Hector dragg’d hither to be torn by dogs +Piecemeal, and would before thy funeral pile +The necks dissever of twelve Trojan youths +Of noblest rank, resentful of thy death. + He said, and meditating foul disgrace30 +To noble Hector, stretch’d him prone in dust +Beside the bier of Menœtiades. +Then all the Myrmidons their radiant arms +Put off, and their shrill-neighing steeds released. +A numerous band beside the bark they sat35 +Of swift Æacides, who furnish’d forth +Himself a feast funereal for them all. +Many a white ox under the ruthless steel +Lay bleeding, many a sheep and blatant goat, +With many a saginated boar bright-tusk’d,40 +Amid fierce flames Vulcanian stretch’d to roast. +Copious the blood ran all around the dead. + And now the Kings of Greece conducted thence +To Agamemnon’s tent the royal son +Of Peleus, loth to go, and won at last45 +With difficulty, such his anger was +And deep resentment of his slaughter’d friend. +Soon then as Agamemnon’s tent they reach’d, +The sovereign bade his heralds kindle fire +Around an ample vase, with purpose kind50 +Moving Achilles from his limbs to cleanse +The stains of battle; but he firm refused +That suit, and bound refusal with an oath— + No; by the highest and the best of all, +By Jove I will not. Never may it be55 +That brazen bath approach this head of mine, +Till I shall first Patroclus’ body give +To his last fires, till I shall pile his tomb, +And sheer my locks in honor of my friend; +For, like to this, no second wo shall e’er60 +My heart invade, while vital breath I draw. +But, all unwelcome as it is, repast +Now calls us. Agamemnon, King of men! +Give thou command that at the dawn they bring +Wood hither, such large portion as beseems65 +The dead, descending to the shades, to share, +That hungry flames consuming out of sight +His body soon, the host may war again. + He spake; they, hearing, readily obey’d. +Then, each his food preparing with dispatch,70 +They ate, nor wanted any of the guests +Due portion, and their appetites sufficed +To food and wine, all to their tents repair’d +Seeking repose; but on the sands beside +The billowy deep Achilles groaning lay75 +Amidst his Myrmidons, where space he found +With blood unstain’d beside the dashing wave.[1] +There, soon as sleep, deliverer of the mind, +Wrapp’d him around (for much his noble limbs +With chase of Hector round the battlements80 +Of wind-swept Ilium wearied were and spent) +The soul came to him of his hapless friend, +In bulk resembling, in expressive eyes +And voice Patroclus, and so clad as he. +Him, hovering o’er his head, the form address’d.85 + Sleep’st thou, Achilles! of thy friend become +Heedless? Him living thou didst not neglect +Whom thou neglectest dead. Give me a tomb +Instant, that I may pass the infernal gates. +For now, the shades and spirits of the dead90 +Drive me afar, denying me my wish +To mingle with them on the farthest shore, +And in wide-portal’d Ades sole I roam. +Give me thine hand, I pray thee, for the earth +I visit never more, once burnt with fire;95 +We never shall again close council hold +As we were wont, for me my fate severe, +Mine even from my birth, hath deep absorb’d. +And oh Achilles, semblance of the Gods! +Thou too predestined art beneath the wall100 +To perish of the high-born Trojan race. +But hear my last injunction! ah, my friend! +My bones sepulchre not from thine apart, +But as, together we were nourish’d both +Beneath thy roof (what time from Opoëis105 +Menœtius led me to thy father’s house, +Although a child, yet fugitive for blood, +Which, in a quarrel at the dice, I spilt, +Killing my playmate by a casual blow, +The offspring of Amphidamas, when, like110 +A father, Peleus with all tenderness +Received and cherish’d me, and call’d me thine) +So, let one vase inclose, at last, our bones, +The golden vase, thy Goddess mother’s gift.[2] + To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.115 +Ah, loved and honor’d! wherefore hast thou come! +Why thus enjoin’d me? I will all perform +With diligence that thou hast now desired. +But nearer stand, that we may mutual clasp +Each other, though but with a short embrace,120 +And sad satiety of grief enjoy. + He said, and stretch’d his arms toward the shade, +But him seized not; shrill-clamoring and light +As smoke, the spirit pass’d into the earth. +Amazed, upsprang Achilles, clash’d aloud125 +His palms together, and thus, sad, exclaim’d. + Ah then, ye Gods! there doubtless are below +The soul and semblance both, but empty forms; +For all night long, mourning, disconsolate, +The soul of my Patroclus, hapless friend!130 +Hath hover’d o’er me, giving me in charge +His last requests, just image of himself. + So saying, he call’d anew their sorrow forth, +And rosy-palm’d Aurora found them all +Mourning afresh the pitiable dead.135 +Then royal Agamemnon call’d abroad +Mules and mule-drivers from the tents in haste +To gather wood. Uprose a valiant man, +Friend of the virtuous Chief Idomeneus, +Meriones, who led them to the task.140 +They, bearing each in hand his sharpen’d axe +And twisted cord, thence journey’d forth, the mules +Driving before them; much uneven space +They measured, hill and dale, right onward now, +And now circuitous; but at the groves145 +Arrived at length, of Ida fountain-fed, +Their keen-edged axes to the towering oaks +Dispatchful they applied; down fell the trees +With crash sonorous. Splitting, next, the trunks, +They bound them on the mules; they, with firm hoofs150 +The hill-side stamping, through the thickets rush’d +Desirous of the plain. Each man his log +(For so the armor-bearer of the King +Of Crete, Meriones, had them enjoin’d) +Bore after them, and each his burthen cast155 +Down on the beach regular, where a tomb +Of ample size Achilles for his friend +Patroclus had, and for himself, design’d. + Much fuel thrown together, side by side +There down they sat, and his command at once160 +Achilles issued to his warriors bold, +That all should gird their armor, and the steeds +Join to their chariots; undelaying each +Complied, and in bright arms stood soon array’d. +Then mounted combatants and charioteers.165 +First, moved the chariots, next, the infantry +Proceeded numerous, amid whom his friends, +Bearing the body of Patroclus, went. +They poll’d their heads, and cover’d him with hair +Shower’d over all his body, while behind170 +Noble Achilles march’d, the hero’s head +Sustaining sorrowful, for to the realms +Of Ades a distinguish’d friend he sent. + And now, arriving on the ground erewhile +Mark’d by Achilles, setting down the dead,175 +They heap’d the fuel quick, a lofty pile.[3] +But Peleus’ son, on other thoughts intent, +Retiring from the funeral pile, shore off +His amber ringlets,[4] whose exuberant growth +Sacred to Sperchius he had kept unshorn,180 +And looking o’er the gloomy deep, he said. + Sperchius! in vain Peleus my father vow’d +That, hence returning to my native land, +These ringlets shorn I should present to thee[5] +With a whole hecatomb, and should, beside,185 +Rams offer fifty at thy fountain head +In thy own field, at thy own fragrant shrine. +So vow’d the hoary Chief, whose wishes thou +Leavest unperform’d. Since, therefore, never more +I see my native home, the hero these190 +Patroclus takes down with him to the shades. + He said, and filling with his hair the hand +Of his dead friend, the sorrows of his train +Waken’d afresh. And now the lamp of day +Westering[6] apace, had left them still in tears,195 +Had not Achilles suddenly address’d +King Agamemnon, standing at his side. + Atrides! (for Achaia’s sons thy word +Will readiest execute) we may with grief +Satiate ourselves hereafter; but, the host200 +Dispersing from the pile, now give command +That they prepare repast; ourselves,[7] to whom +These labors in peculiar appertain +Will finish them; but bid the Chiefs abide. + Which when imperial Agamemnon heard,205 +He scatter’d instant to their several ships +The people; but the burial-dressers thence +Went not; they, still abiding, heap’d the pile. +A hundred feet of breadth from side to side +They gave to it, and on the summit placed210 +With sorrowing hearts the body of the dead. +Many a fat sheep, with many an ox full-horn’d +They flay’d before the pile, busy their task +Administering, and Peleus’ son the fat +Taking from every victim, overspread215 +Complete the body with it of his friend[8] +Patroclus, and the flay’d beasts heap’d around. +Then, placing flagons on the pile, replete +With oil and honey, he inclined their mouths +Toward the bier, and slew and added next,220 +Deep-groaning and in haste, four martial steeds. +Nine dogs the hero at his table fed, +Of which beheading two, their carcases +He added also. Last, twelve gallant sons +Of noble Trojans slaying (for his heart225 +Teem’d with great vengeance) he applied the force +Of hungry flames that should devour the whole, +Then, mourning loud, by name his friend invoked. + Rejoice, Patroclus! even in the shades, +Behold my promise to thee all fulfill’d!230 +Twelve gallant sons of Trojans famed in arms, +Together with thyself, are all become +Food for these fires: but fire shall never feed +On Hector; him I destine to the dogs. + So threaten’d he; but him no dogs devour’d;235 +Them, day and night, Jove’s daughter Venus chased +Afar, and smooth’d the hero o’er with oils +Of rosy scent ambrosial, lest his corse, +Behind Achilles’ chariot dragg’d along +So rudely, should be torn; and Phœbus hung240 +A veil of sable clouds from heaven to earth, +O’ershadowing broad the space where Hector lay, +Lest parching suns intense should stiffen him. + But the pile kindled not. Then, Peleus’ son +Seeking a place apart, two Winds in prayer245 +Boreas invoked and Zephyrus, to each +Vowing large sacrifice. With earnest suit +(Libation pouring from a golden cup) +Their coming he implored, that so the flames +Kindling, incontinent might burn the dead.250 +Iris, his supplications hearing, swift +Convey’d them to the Winds; they, in the hall +Banqueting of the heavy-blowing West +Sat frequent. Iris, sudden at the gate +Appear’d; they, at the sight upstarting all,255 +Invited each the Goddess to himself. +But she refused a seat and thus she spake.[9] + I sit not here. Borne over Ocean’s stream +Again, to Æthiopia’s land I go +Where hecatombs are offer’d to the Gods,260 +Which, with the rest, I also wish to share. +But Peleus’ son, earnest, the aid implores +Of Boreas and of Zephyrus the loud, +Vowing large sacrifice if ye will fan +Briskly the pile on which Patroclus lies265 +By all Achaia’s warriors deep deplored. + She said, and went. Then suddenly arose +The Winds, and, roaring, swept the clouds along. +First, on the sea they blew; big rose the waves +Beneath the blast. At fruitful Troy arrived270 +Vehement on the pile they fell, and dread +On all sides soon a crackling blaze ensued. +All night, together blowing shrill, they drove +The sheeted flames wide from the funeral pile, +And all night long, a goblet in his hand275 +From golden beakers fill’d, Achilles stood +With large libations soaking deep the soil, +And calling on the spirit of his friend. +As some fond father mourns, burning the bones +Of his own son, who, dying on the eve280 +Of his glad nuptials, hath his parents left +O’erwhelm’d with inconsolable distress, +So mourn’d Achilles, his companion’s bones +Burning, and pacing to and fro the field +Beside the pile with many a sigh profound.285 +But when the star, day’s harbinger, arose, +Soon after whom, in saffron vest attired +The morn her beams diffuses o’er the sea, +The pile, then wasted, ceased to flame, and then +Back flew the Winds over the Thracian deep290 +Rolling the flood before them as they pass’d. +And now Pelides lying down apart +From the funereal pile, slept, but not long, +Though weary; waken’d by the stir and din +Of Agamemnon’s train. He sat erect,295 +And thus the leaders of the host address’d. + Atrides, and ye potentates who rule +The whole Achaian host! first quench the pile +Throughout with generous wine, where’er the fire +Hath seized it. We will then the bones collect300 +Of Menœtiades, which shall with ease +Be known, though many bones lie scatter’d near, +Since in the middle pile Patroclus lay, +But wide apart and on its verge we burn’d +The steeds and Trojans, a promiscuous heap.305 +Them so collected in a golden vase +We will dispose, lined with a double cawl, +Till I shall, also, to my home below. +I wish not now a tomb of amplest bounds, +But such as may suffice, which yet in height310 +The Grecians and in breadth shall much augment +Hereafter, who, survivors of my fate, +Shall still remain in the Achaian fleet. + So spake Pelides, and the Chiefs complied. +Where’er the pile had blazed, with generous wine315 +They quench’d it, and the hills of ashes sank. +Then, weeping, to a golden vase, with lard +Twice lined, they gave their gentle comrade’s bones +Fire-bleach’d, and lodging safely in his tent +The relics, overspread them with a veil.320 +Designing, next, the compass of the tomb, +They mark’d its boundary with stones, then fill’d +The wide enclosure hastily with earth, +And, having heap’d it to its height, return’d. +But all the people, by Achilles still325 +Detain’d, there sitting, form’d a spacious ring, +And he the destined prizes from his fleet +Produced, capacious caldrons, tripods bright, +Steeds, mules, tall oxen, women at the breast +Close-cinctured, elegant, and unwrought[10] iron.330 +First, to the chariot-drivers he proposed +A noble prize; a beauteous maiden versed +In arts domestic, with a tripod ear’d, +Of twenty and two measures. These he made +The conqueror’s meed. The second should a mare335 +Obtain, unbroken yet, six years her age, +Pregnant, and bearing in her womb a mule. +A caldron of four measures, never smirch’d +By smoke or flame, but fresh as from the forge +The third awaited; to the fourth he gave340 +Two golden talents, and, unsullied yet +By use, a twin-ear’d phial[11] to the fifth. +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried. + + Atrides, and ye chiefs of all the host! +These prizes, in the circus placed, attend345 +The charioteers. Held we the present games +In honor of some other Grecian dead, +I would myself bear hence the foremost prize; +For ye are all witnesses well-inform’d +Of the superior virtue of my steeds.350 +They are immortal; Neptune on my sire +Peleus conferr’d them, and my sire on me. +But neither I this contest share myself, +Nor shall my steeds; for they would miss the force +And guidance of a charioteer so kind355 +As they have lost, who many a time hath cleansed +Their manes with water of the crystal brook, +And made them sleek, himself, with limpid oil. +Him, therefore, mourning, motionless they stand +With hair dishevell’d, streaming to the ground.360 +But ye, whoever of the host profess +Superior skill, and glory in your steeds +And well-built chariots, for the strife prepare! + So spake Pelides, and the charioteers, +For speed renown’d arose. Long ere the rest365 +Eumelus, King of men, Admetus’ son +Arose, accomplish’d in equestrian arts. +Next, Tydeus’ son, brave Diomede, arose; +He yoked the Trojan coursers by himself +In battle from Æneas won, what time370 +Apollo saved their master. Third, upstood +The son of Atreus with the golden locks, +Who to his chariot Agamemnon’s mare +Swift Æthe and his own Podargus join’d. +Her Echepolus from Anchises sprung375 +To Agamemnon gave; she was the price +At which he purchased leave to dwell at home +Excused attendance on the King at Troy; +For, by the gift of Jove, he had acquired +Great riches, and in wide-spread Sicyon dwelt.380 +Her wing’d with ardor, Menelaus yoked. +Antilochus, arising fourth, his steeds +Bright-maned prepared, son of the valiant King +Of Pylus, Nestor Neleïades. +Of Pylian breed were they, and thus his sire,385 +With kind intent approaching to his side, +Advised him, of himself not uninform’d.[12] + Antilochus! Thou art, I know, beloved +By Jove and Neptune both, from whom, though young +Thou hast received knowledge of every art390 +Equestrian, and hast little need to learn. +Thou know’st already how to trim the goal +With nicest skill, yet wondrous slow of foot +Thy coursers are, whence evil may ensue. +But though their steeds be swifter, I account395 +Thee wise, at least, as they. Now is the time +For counsel, furnish now thy mind with all +Precaution, that the prize escape thee not. +The feller of huge trees by skill prevails +More than by strength; by skill the pilot guides400 +His flying bark rock’d by tempestuous winds, +And more by skill than speed the race is won. +But he who in his chariot and his steeds +Trusts only, wanders here and wanders there +Unsteady, while his coursers loosely rein’d405 +Roam wide the field; not so the charioteer +Of sound intelligence; he though he drive +Inferior steeds, looks ever to the goal +Which close he clips, not ignorant to check +His coursers at the first but with tight rein410 +Ruling his own, and watching those before. +Now mark; I will describe so plain the goal +That thou shalt know it surely. A dry stump +Extant above the ground an ell in height +Stands yonder; either oak it is, or pine415 +More likely, which the weather least impairs. +Two stones, both white, flank it on either hand. +The way is narrow there, but smooth the course +On both sides. It is either, as I think, +A monument of one long since deceased,420 +Or was, perchance, in ancient days design’d, +As now by Peleus’ mighty son, a goal. +That mark in view, thy steeds and chariot push +Near to it as thou may’st; then, in thy seat +Inclining gently to the left, prick smart425 +Thy right-hand horse challenging him aloud, +And give him rein; but let thy left-hand horse +Bear on the goal so closely, that the nave +And felly[13] of thy wheel may seem to meet. +Yet fear to strike the stone, lest foul disgrace430 +Of broken chariot and of crippled steeds +Ensue, and thou become the public jest. +My boy beloved! use caution; for if once +Thou turn the goal at speed, no man thenceforth +Shall reach, or if he reach, shall pass thee by,435 +Although Arion in thy rear he drove +Adrastus’ rapid horse of race divine, +Or those, Troy’s boast, bred by Laomedon. + So Nestor spake, inculcating with care +On his son’s mind these lessons in the art,440 +And to his place retiring, sat again. +Meriones his coursers glossy-maned +Made ready last. Then to his chariot-seat +Each mounted, and the lots were thrown; himself +Achilles shook them. First, forth leap’d the lot445 +Of Nestor’s son Antilochus, after whom +The King Eumelus took his destined place. +The third was Menelaus spear-renown’d; +Meriones the fourth; and last of all, +Bravest of all, heroic Diomede450 +The son of Tydeus took his lot to drive. +So ranged they stood; Achilles show’d the goal +Far on the champain, nigh to which he placed +The godlike Phœnix servant of his sire, +To mark the race and make a true report.455 + All raised the lash at once, and with the reins +At once all smote their steeds, urging them on +Vociferous; they, sudden, left the fleet +Far, far behind them, scouring swift the plain. +Dark, like a stormy cloud, uprose the dust460 +Their chests beneath, and scatter’d in the wind +Their manes all floated; now the chariots swept +The low declivity unseen, and now +Emerging started into view; erect +The drivers stood; emulous, every heart465 +Beat double; each encouraged loud his steeds; +They, flying, fill’d with dust the darken’d air. +But when returning to the hoary deep +They ran their last career, then each display’d +Brightest his charioteership, and the race470 +Lay stretch’d, at once, into its utmost speed. +Then, soon the mares of Pheretiades[14] +Pass’d all, but Diomede behind him came, +Borne by his unemasculated steeds +Of Trojan pedigree; they not remote,475 +But close pursued him; and at every pace +Seem’d entering both; the chariot at their head, +For blowing warm into Eumelus’ neck +Behind, and on his shoulders broad, they went, +And their chins rested on him as they flew.480 +Then had Tydides pass’d him, or had made +Decision dubious, but Apollo struck, +Resentful,[15] from his hand the glittering scourge. +Fast roll’d the tears indignant down his cheeks, +For he beheld the mares with double speed,485 +Flying, and of the spur deprived, his own +Retarded steeds continual thrown behind. +But not unnoticed by Minerva pass’d +The art by Phœbus practised to impede +The son of Tydeus, whom with winged haste490 +Following, she gave to him his scourge again, +And with new force his lagging steeds inspired. +Eumelus, next, the angry Goddess, swift +Pursuing, snapt his yoke; wide flew the mares +Asunder, and the pole fell to the ground.495 +Himself, roll’d from his seat, fast by the wheel +With lacerated elbows, nostrils, mouth, +And batter’d brows lay prone; sorrow his eyes +Deluged, and disappointment chok’d his voice. +Then, far outstripping all, Tydides push’d500 +His steeds beyond, which Pallas fill’d with power +That she might make the glorious prize his own. +Him follow’d Menelaus amber-hair’d, +The son of Atreus, and his father’s steeds +Encouraging, thus spake Antilochus.505 + Away—now stretch ye forward to the goal. +I bid you not to an unequal strife +With those of Diomede, for Pallas them +Quickens that he may conquer, and the Chief +So far advanced makes competition vain.510 +But reach the son of Atreus, fly to reach +His steeds, incontinent; ah, be not shamed +For ever, foil’d by Æthe, by a mare! +Why fall ye thus behind, my noblest steeds? +I tell you both, and ye shall prove me true,515 +No favor shall ye find at Nestor’s hands, +My valiant sire, but he will thrust his spear +Right through you, should we lose, for sloth of yours, +Or by your negligence, the nobler prize. +Haste then—pursue him—reach the royal Chief—520 +And how to pass him in yon narrow way +Shall be my care, and not my care in vain. + He ended; they, awhile, awed by his voice, +With more exertion ran, and Nestor’s son +Now saw the hollow strait mark’d by his sire.525 +It was a chasm abrupt, where winter-floods, +Wearing the soil, had gullied deep the way. +Thither Atrides, anxious to avoid +A clash of chariots drove, and thither drove +Also, but somewhat devious from his track,530 +Antilochus. Then Menelaus fear’d, +And with loud voice the son of Nestor hail’d. + Antilochus, at what a madman’s rate +Drivest thou! stop—check thy steeds—the way is here +Too strait, but widening soon, will give thee scope535 +To pass me by; beware, lest chariot close +To chariot driven, thou maim thyself and me. + He said; but still more rapid and the scourge +Plying continual, as he had not heard, +Antilochus came on. Far as the quoit540 +By some broad-shoulder’d youth for trial hurl’d +Of manhood flies, so far Antilochus +Shot forward; but the coursers fell behind +Of Atreus’ son, who now abated much +By choice his driving, lest the steeds of both545 +Jostling, should overturn with sudden shock +Both chariots, and themselves in dust be roll’d, +Through hot ambition of the foremost prize. +Him then the hero golden-hair’d reproved. + Antilochus! the man lives not on earth550 +Like thee for love of mischief. Go, extoll’d +For wisdom falsely by the sons of Greece. +Yet, trust me, not without an oath, the prize +Thus foully sought shall even now be thine. + He said, and to his coursers call’d aloud.555 +Ah be not tardy; stand not sorrow-check’d; +Their feet will fail them sooner far than yours, +For years have pass’d since they had youth to boast. + So he; and springing at his voice, his steeds +Regain’d apace the vantage lost. Meantime560 +The Grecians, in full circus seated, mark’d +The steeds; they flying, fill’d with dust the air. +Then, ere the rest, Idomeneus discern’d +The foremost pair; for, on a rising ground +Exalted, he without the circus sat,565 +And hearing, though remote, the driver’s voice +Chiding his steeds, knew it, and knew beside +The leader horse distinguish’d by his hue, +Chestnut throughout, save that his forehead bore +A splendid blazon white, round as the moon.570 + He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried. +Friends! Chiefs and senators of Argos’ host! +Discern I sole the steeds, or also ye? +The horses, foremost now, to me appear +Other than erst, and I descry at hand575 +A different charioteer; the mares of late +Victorious, somewhere distant in the race +Are hurt; I plainly saw them at the first +Turning the goal, but see them now no more; +And yet with eyes inquisitive I range580 +From side to side the whole broad plain of Troy. +Either the charioteer hath slipp’d the reins, +Or rounded not successfully the goal +Through want of guidance. Thrown, as it should seem, +Forth from his seat, he hath his chariot maim’d,585 +And his ungovern’d steeds have roam’d away. +Arise and look ye forth yourselves, for I +With doubtful ken behold him; yet the man +Seems, in my view, Ætolian by descent, +A Chief of prime renown in Argos’ host,590 +The hero Tydeus’ son, brave Diomede, + But Ajax Oïliades the swift +Him sharp reproved. Why art thou always given +To prate, Idomeneus? thou seest the mares, +Remote indeed, but posting to the goal.595 +Thou art not youngest of the Argives here +So much, nor from beneath thy brows look forth +Quick-sighted more than ours, thine eyes abroad. +Yet still thou pratest, although silence more +Should suit thee, among wiser far than thou.600 +The mares which led, lead still, and he who drives +Eumelus is, the same who drove before. + To whom the Cretan Chief, angry, replied. +Ajax! whom none in wrangling can excel +Or rudeness, though in all beside thou fall605 +Below the Argives, being boorish-rough, +Come now—a tripod let us wager each, +Or caldron, and let Agamemnon judge +Whose horses lead, that, losing, thou may’st learn. + He said; then sudden from his seat upsprang610 +Swift Ajax Oïliades, prepared +For harsh retort, nor had the contest ceased +Between them, but had grown from ill to worse, +Had not himself, Achilles, interposed. + Ajax—Idomeneus—abstain ye both615 +From bitter speech offensive, and such terms +As ill become you. Ye would feel, yourselves, +Resentment, should another act as ye. +Survey the course, peaceable, from your seats; +The charioteers, by competition wing’d,620 +Will soon themselves arrive, then shall ye know +Distinctly, both who follows and who leads. + He scarce had said, when nigh at hand appear’d +Tydides, lashing, as he came, his steeds +Continual; they with hoofs uplifted high625 +Their yet remaining ground shorten’d apace, +Sprinkling with dusty drops at every stroke +Their charioteer, while close upon their heels +Radiant with tin and gold the chariot ran, +Scarce tracking light the dust, so swift they flew.630 +He stood in the mid-circus; there the sweat +Rain’d under them from neck and chest profuse, +And Diomede from his resplendent seat +Leaping, reclined his scourge against the yoke. +Nor was his friend brave Sthenelus remiss,635 +But, seizing with alacrity the prize, +Consign’d the tripod and the virgin, first, +To his own band in charge; then, loosed the steeds. +Next came, by stratagem, not speed advanced +To that distinction, Nestor’s son, whom yet640 +The hero Menelaus close pursued +Near as the wheel runs to a courser’s heels, +Drawing his master at full speed; his tail +With its extremest hairs the felly sweeps +That close attends him o’er the spacious plain,645 +So near had Menelaus now approach’d +Antilochus; for though at first he fell +A full quoit’s cast behind, he soon retrieved +That loss, with such increasing speed the mare +Bright-maned of Agamemnon, Æthe, ran;650 +She, had the course few paces more to both +Afforded, should have clearly shot beyond +Antilochus, nor dubious left the prize. +But noble Menelaus threw behind +Meriones, companion in the field,655 +Of King Idomeneus, a lance’s flight, +For slowest were his steeds, and he, to rule +The chariot in the race, least skill’d of all. +Last came Eumelus drawing to the goal, +Himself, his splendid chariot, and his mares660 +Driving before him. Peleus’ rapid son +Beheld him with compassion, and, amid +The Argives, in wing’d accents thus he spake. + Here comes the most expert, driving his steeds +Before him. Just it were that he received665 +The second prize; Tydides claims the first. + He said, and all applauded the award. +Then had Achilles to Eumelus given +The mare (for such the pleasure seem’d of all) +Had not the son of mighty Nestor risen,670 +Antilochus, who pleaded thus his right. + Achilles! acting as thou hast proposed, +Thou shalt offend me much, for thou shalt take +The prize from me, because the Gods, his steeds +And chariot-yoke disabling, render’d vain675 +His efforts, and no failure of his own. +It was his duty to have sought the Gods +In prayer, then had he not, following on foot +His coursers, hindmost of us all arrived. +But if thou pity him, and deem it good,680 +Thou hast much gold, much brass, and many sheep +In thy pavilion; thou hast maidens fair, +And coursers also. Of thy proper stores +Hereafter give to him a richer prize +Than this, or give it now, so shall the Greeks685 +Applaud thee; but this mare yield I to none; +Stand forth the Grecian who desires to win +That recompense, and let him fight with me. + He ended, and Achilles, godlike Chief, +Smiled on him, gratulating his success,690 +Whom much he loved; then, ardent, thus replied. + Antilochus! if thou wouldst wish me give +Eumelus of my own, even so I will. +I will present to him my corslet bright +Won from Asteropæus, edged around695 +With glittering tin; a precious gift, and rare. + So saying, he bade Automedon his friend +Produce it from the tent; he at his word +Departing, to Achilles brought the spoil, +Which at his hands Eumelus glad received.700 +Then, stung with grief, and with resentment fired +Immeasurable, Menelaus rose +To charge Antilochus. His herald gave +The sceptre to his hand, and (silence bidden +To all) the godlike hero thus began.705 + Antilochus! oh heretofore discreet! +What hast thou done? Thou hast dishonor’d foul +My skill, and wrong’d my coursers, throwing thine, +Although inferior far, by fraud before them. +Ye Chiefs and Senators of Argos’ host!710 +Impartial judge between us, lest, of these, +Some say hereafter, Menelaus bore +Antilochus by falsehood down, and led +The mare away, because, although his steeds +Were worse, his arm was mightier, and prevail’d.715 +Yet hold—myself will judge, and will to all +Contentment give, for I will judge aright. +Hither, Antilochus, illustrious youth! +And, as the law prescribes, standing before +Thy steeds and chariot, holding too the scourge720 +With which thou drovest, lay hand on both thy steeds, +And swear by Neptune, circler of the earth, +That neither wilfully, nor yet by fraud +Thou didst impede my chariot in its course. + Then prudent, thus Antilochus replied.725 +Oh royal Menelaus! patient bear +The fault of one thy junior far, in years +Alike unequal and in worth to thee. +Thou know’st how rash is youth, and how propense +To pass the bounds by decency prescribed,730 +Quick, but not wise. Lay, then, thy wrath aside; +The mare now given me I will myself +Deliver to thee, and if thou require +A larger recompense, will rather yield +A larger much than from thy favor fall735 +Deservedly for ever, mighty Prince! +And sin so heinously against the Gods. + So saying, the son of valiant Nestor led +The mare, himself, to Menelaus’ hand, +Who with heart-freshening joy the prize received.740 +As on the ears of growing corn the dews +Fall grateful, while the spiry grain erect +Bristles the fields, so, Menelaus, felt +Thy inmost soul a soothing pleasure sweet! +Then answer thus the hero quick return’d.745 + Antilochus! exasperate though I were, +Now, such no longer, I relinquish glad +All strife with thee, for that at other times +Thou never inconsiderate wast or light, +Although by youthful heat misled to-day.750 +Yet safer is it not to over-reach +Superiors, for no other Grecian here +Had my extreme displeasure calm’d so soon; +But thou hast suffer’d much, and much hast toil’d, +As thy good father and thy brother have,755 +On my behalf; I, therefore, yield, subdued +By thy entreaties, and the mare, though mine, +Will also give thee, that these Grecians all +May know me neither proud nor hard to appease. + So saying, the mare he to Noëmon gave,760 +Friend of Antilochus, and, well-content, +The polish’d caldron for _his_ prize received. +The fourth awarded lot (for he had fourth +Arrived) Meriones asserted next, +The golden talents; but the phial still765 +Left unappropriated Achilles bore +Across the circus in his hand, a gift +To ancient Nestor, whom he thus bespake. + Thou also, oh my father! this accept, +Which in remembrance of the funeral rites770 +Of my Patroclus, keep, for him thou seest +Among the Greeks no more. Receive a prize, +Thine by gratuity; for thou shalt wield +The cestus, wrestle, at the spear contend, +Or in the foot-race (fallen as thou art775 +Into the wane of life) never again. + He said, and placed it in his hands. He, glad, +Receiving it, in accents wing’d replied. + True, oh my son! is all which thou hast spoken. +These limbs, these hands, young friend! (their vigor lost)780 +No longer, darted from the shoulder, spring +At once to battle. Ah that I could grow +Young yet again, could feel again such force +Athletic, as when in Buprasium erst +The Epeans with sepulchral pomp entomb’d785 +King Amarynceus, where his sons ordain’d +Funereal games in honor of their sire! +Epean none or even Pylian there +Could cope with me, or yet Ætolian bold. +Boxing, I vanquish’d Clytomedes, son790 +Of Enops; wrestling, the Pleuronian Chief +Ancæus; in the foot-race Iphiclus, +Though a fleet runner; and I over-pitch’d +Phyleus and Polydorus at the spear. +The sons of Actor[16] in the chariot-race795 +Alone surpass’d me, being two for one, +And jealous both lest I should also win +That prize, for to the victor charioteer +They had assign’d the noblest prize of all. +They were twin-brothers, and one ruled the steeds,800 +The steeds one ruled,[17] the other lash’d them on. +Such once was I; but now, these sports I leave +To younger; me submission most befits +To withering age, who then outshone the best. +But go. The funeral of thy friend with games805 +Proceed to celebrate; I accept thy gift +With pleasure; and my heart is also glad +That thou art mindful evermore of one +Who loves thee, and such honor in the sight +Yield’st me of all the Greeks, as is my due.810 +May the Gods bless thee for it more and more! + He spake, and Peleus’ son, when he had heard +At large his commendation from the lips +Of Nestor, through the assembled Greeks return’d. +He next proposed, not lightly to be won,815 +The boxer’s prize. He tether’d down a mule, +Untamed and hard to tame, but strong to toil, +And in her prime of vigor, in the midst; +A goblet to the vanquish’d he assign’d, +Then stood erect and to the Greeks exclaim’d.820 + Atridæ! and ye Argives brazen-greaved! +I call for two bold combatants expert +To wage fierce strife for these, with lifted fists +Smiting each other. He, who by the aid +Of Phœbus shall o’ertome, and whom the Greeks825 +Shall all pronounce victorious, leads the mule +Hence to his tent; the vanquish’d takes the cup. + He spake, and at his word a Greek arose +Big, bold, and skillful in the boxer’s art, +Epeüs, son of Panopeus; his hand830 +He on the mule imposed, and thus he said. + Approach the man ambitious of the cup! +For no Achaian here shall with his fist +Me foiling, win the mule. I boast myself +To all superior. May it not suffice835 +That I to no pre-eminence pretend +In battle? To attain to foremost praise +Alike in every art is not for one. +But this I promise, and will well perform— +My blows shall lay him open, split him, crush840 +His bones to splinters, and let all his friends, +Attendant on him, wait to bear him hence, +Vanquish’d by my superior force in fight. + He ended, and his speech found no reply. +One godlike Chief alone, Euryalus,845 +Son of the King Mecisteus, who, himself, +Sprang from Talaion, opposite arose. +He, on the death of Oedipus, at Thebes +Contending in the games held at his tomb, +Had overcome the whole Cadmean race.850 +Him Diomede spear-famed for fight prepared, +Giving him all encouragement, for much +He wish’d him victory. First then he threw[18] +His cincture to him; next, he gave him thongs[19] +Cut from the hide of a wild buffalo.855 +Both girt around, into the midst they moved. +Then, lifting high their brawny arms, and fists +Mingling with fists, to furious fight they fell; +Dire was the crash of jaws, and the sweat stream’d +From every limb. Epeüs fierce advanced,860 +And while Euryalus with cautious eye +Watch’d his advantage, pash’d him on the cheek +He stood no longer, but, his shapely limbs, +Unequal to his weight, sinking, he fell. +As by the rising north-wind driven ashore865 +A huge fish flounces on the weedy beach, +Which soon the sable flood covers again, +So, beaten down, he bounded. But Epeüs, +Heroic chief, upraised him by his hand, +And his own comrades from the circus forth870 +Led him, step dragging after step, the blood +Ejecting grumous, and at every pace +Rolling his head languid from side to side. +They placed him all unconscious on his seat +In his own band, then fetch’d his prize, the cup.875 + Still other prizes, then, Achilles placed +In view of all, the sturdy wrestler’s meed. +A large hearth-tripod, valued by the Greeks +At twice six beeves, should pay the victor’s toil; +But for the vanquish’d, in the midst he set880 +A damsel in variety expert +Of arts domestic, valued at four beeves. +He rose erect, and to the Greeks he cried. + Arise ye, now, who shall this prize dispute. +So spake the son of Peleus; then arose885 +Huge Telamonian Ajax, and upstood +Ulysses also, in all wiles adept. +Both girt around, into the midst they moved. +With vigorous gripe each lock’d the other fast, +Like rafters, standing, of some mansion built890 +By a prime artist proof against all winds. +Their backs, tugg’d vehemently, creak’d,[20] the sweat +Trickled, and on their flanks and shoulders, red +The whelks arose; they bearing still in mind +The tripod, ceased not struggling for the prize.895 +Nor could Ulysses from his station move +And cast down Ajax, nor could Ajax him +Unsettle, fixt so firm Ulysses stood. +But when, long time expectant, all the Greeks +Grew weary, then, huge Ajax him bespake.900 + Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d! +Lift, or be lifted, and let Jove decide. + He said, and heaved Ulysses. Then, his wiles +Forgat not he, but on the ham behind +Chopp’d him; the limbs of Ajax at the stroke905 +Disabled sank; he fell supine, and bore +Ulysses close adhering to his chest +Down with him. Wonder riveted all eyes. +Then brave Ulysses from the ground awhile +Him lifted in his turn, but ere he stood,910 +Inserting his own knee the knees between[21] +Of Ajax, threw him. To the earth they fell +Both, and with dust defiled lay side by side. +And now, arising to a third essay, +They should have wrestled yet again, had not915 +Achilles, interfering, them restrain’d. + Strive not together more; cease to exhaust +Each other’s force; ye both have earn’d the prize +Depart alike requited, and give place +To other Grecians who shall next contend.920 + He spake; they glad complied, and wiping off +The dust, put on their tunics. Then again +Achilles other prizes yet proposed, +The rapid runner’s meed. First, he produced +A silver goblet of six measures; earth925 +Own’d not its like for elegance of form. +Skilful Sidonian artists had around +Embellish’d it,[22] and o’er the sable deep +Phœnician merchants into Lemnos’ port +Had borne it, and the boon to Thoas[23] given;930 +But Jason’s son, Euneüs, in exchange +For Priam’s son Lycaon, to the hand +Had pass’d it of Patroclus famed in arms. +Achilles this, in honor of his friend, +Set forth, the swiftest runner’s recompense.935 +The second should a fatted ox receive +Of largest size, and he assign’d of gold +A just half-talent to the worst and last. +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried. + Now stand ye forth who shall this prize dispute.940 +He said, and at his word instant arose +Swift Ajax Oïliades; upsprang +The shrewd Ulysses next, and after him +Brave Nestor’s son Antilochus, with whom +None vied in speed of all the youths of Greece.945 +They stood prepared. Achilles show’d the goal. +At once all started. Oïliades +Led swift the course, and closely at his heels +Ulysses ran. Near as some cinctured maid +Industrious holds the distaff to her breast,950 +While to and fro with practised finger neat +She tends the flax drawing it to a thread, +So near Ulysses follow’d him, and press’d +His footsteps, ere the dust fill’d them again, +Pouring his breath into his neck behind,955 +And never slackening pace. His ardent thirst +Of victory with universal shouts +All seconded, and, eager, bade him on. +And now the contest shortening to a close, +Ulysses his request silent and brief960 +To azure-eyed Minerva thus preferr’d. + Oh Goddess hear, prosper me in the race! +Such was his prayer, with which Minerva pleased, +Freshen’d his limbs, and made him light to run. +And now, when in one moment they should both965 +Have darted on the prize, then Ajax’ foot +Sliding, he fell; for where the dung of beeves +Slain by Achilles for his friend, had spread +The soil, there[24] Pallas tripp’d him. Ordure foul +His mouth, and ordure foul his nostrils fill’d.970 +Then brave Ulysses, first arriving, seized +The cup, and Ajax took his prize, the ox. +He grasp’d his horn, and sputtering as he stood +The ordure forth, the Argives thus bespake. + Ah—Pallas tripp’d my footsteps; she attends975 +Ulysses ever with a mother’s care. + Loud laugh’d the Grecians. Then, the remnant prize +Antilochus receiving, smiled and said. + Ye need not, fellow-warriors, to be taught +That now, as ever, the immortal Gods980 +Honor on seniority bestow. +Ajax is elder, yet not much, than I. +But Laertiades was born in times +Long past, a chief coëval with our sires, +Not young, but vigorous; and of the Greeks,985 +Achilles may alone with him contend. + So saying, the merit of superior speed +To Peleus’ son he gave, who thus replied. + Antilochus! thy praise of me shall prove +Nor vain nor unproductive to thyself,990 +For the half-talent doubled shall be thine. + He spake, and, doubling it, the talent placed +Whole in his hand. He glad the gift received. +Achilles, then Sarpedon’s arms produced, +Stripp’d from him by Patroclus, his long spear,995 +Helmet and shield, which in the midst he placed. +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried. + I call for two brave warriors arm’d to prove +Each other’s skill with weapons keen, this prize +Disputing, next, in presence of us all.1000 +Who first shall through his armor reach the skin +Of his antagonist, and shall draw his blood, +To him this silver-studded falchion bright +I give; the blade is Thracian, and of late +Asteropæus wore it, whom I slew.1005 +These other arms shall be their common meed, +And I will banquet both within my tent. + He said, then Telamonian Ajax huge +Arose, and opposite the son arose +Of warlike Tydeus, Diomede the brave.1010 +Apart from all the people each put on +His arms, then moved into the middle space, +Lowering terrific, and on fire to fight. +The host look’d on amazed. Approaching each +The other, thrice they sprang to the assault,1015 +And thrice struck hand to hand. Ajax the shield +Pierced of his adversary, but the flesh +Attain’d not, baffled by his mail within. +Then Tydeus’ son, sheer o’er the ample disk +Of Ajax, thrust a lance home to his neck,1020 +And the Achaians for the life appall’d +Of Ajax, bade them, ceasing, share the prize. +But the huge falchion with its sheath and belt— +Achilles them on Diomede bestow’d. + The hero, next, an iron clod produced1025 +Rough from the forge, and wont to task the might +Of King Eëtion; but, when him he slew, +Pelides, glorious chief, with other spoils +From Thebes convey’d it in his fleet to Troy. +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.1030 + Come forth who also shall this prize dispute! +How far soe’er remote the winner’s fields, +This lump shall serve his wants five circling years; +His shepherd shall not, or his plower, need +In quest of iron seek the distant town,1035 +But hence he shall himself their wants supply.[25] +Then Polypœtes brave in fight arose, +Arose Leonteus also, godlike chief, +With Ajax son of Telamon. Each took +His station, and Epeüs seized the clod.1040 +He swung, he cast it, and the Grecians laugh’d. +Leonteus, branch of Mars, quoited it next. +Huge Telamonian Ajax with strong arm +Dismiss’d it third, and overpitch’d them both. +But when brave Polypœtes seized the mass1045 +Far as the vigorous herdsman flings his staff +That twirling flies his numerous beeves between,[26] +So far his cast outmeasured all beside, +And the host shouted. Then the friends arose +Of Polypœtes valiant chief, and bore1050 +His ponderous acquisition to the ships. + The archers’ prize Achilles next proposed, +Ten double and ten single axes, form’d +Of steel convertible to arrow-points. +He fix’d, far distant on the sands, the mast1055 +Of a brave bark cerulean-prow’d, to which +With small cord fasten’d by the foot he tied +A timorous dove, their mark at which to aim. +[27]Who strikes the dove, he conquers, and shall bear +These double axes all into his tent.1060 +But who the cord alone, missing the bird, +Successful less, he wins the single blades. + The might of royal Teucer then arose, +And, fellow-warrior of the King of Crete, +Valiant Meriones. A brazen casque1065 +Received the lots; they shook them, and the lot +Fell first to Teucer. He, at once, a shaft +Sent smartly forth, but vow’d not to the King[28] +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock. +He therefore (for Apollo greater praise1070 +Denied him) miss’d the dove, but struck the cord +That tied her, at small distance from the knot, +And with his arrow sever’d it. Upsprang +The bird into the air, and to the ground +Depending fell the cord. Shouts rent the skies.1075 +Then, all in haste, Meriones the bow +Caught from his hand holding a shaft the while +Already aim’d, and to Apollo vow’d +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock. +He eyed the dove aloft, under a cloud,1080 +And, while she wheel’d around, struck her beneath +The pinion; through her and beyond her pass’d +The arrow, and, returning, pierced the soil +Fast by the foot of brave Meriones. +She, perching on the mast again, her head1085 +Reclined, and hung her wide-unfolded wing, +But, soon expiring, dropp’d and fell remote. +Amazement seized the people. To his tent +Meriones the ten best axes bore, +And Teucer the inferior ten to his.[29]1090 + Then, last, Achilles in the circus placed +A ponderous spear and caldron yet unfired, +Emboss’d with flowers around, its worth an ox. +Upstood the spear-expert; Atrides first, +Wide-ruling Agamemnon, King of men,1095 +And next, brave fellow-warrior of the King +Of Crete, Meriones; when thus his speech +Achilles to the royal chief address’d. + Atrides! (for we know thy skill and force +Matchless! that none can hurl the spear as thou)1100 +This prize is thine, order it to thy ship; +And if it please thee, as I would it might, +Let brave Meriones the spear receive. + He said; nor Agamemnon not complied, +But to Meriones the brazen spear +Presenting, to Talthybius gave in charge +The caldron, next, his own illustrious prize. + + + + +BOOK XXIV. + + +ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK. + +Priam, by command of Jupiter, and under conduct of Mercury, seeks +Achilles in his tent, who admonished previously by Thetis, consents to +accept ransom for the body of Hector. Hector is mourned, and the manner +of his funeral, circumstantially described, concludes the poem. + + +BOOK XXIV. + + +The games all closed, the people went dispersed +Each to his ship; they, mindful of repast, +And to enjoy repose; but other thoughts +Achilles’ mind employ’d: he still deplored +With tears his loved Patroclus, nor the force5 +Felt of all-conquering sleep, but turn’d and turn’d +Restless from side to side, mourning the loss +Of such a friend, so manly, and so brave. +Their fellowship in toil; their hardships oft +Sustain’d in fight laborious, or o’ercome10 +With difficulty on the perilous deep— +Remembrance busily retracing themes +Like these, drew down his cheeks continual tears. +Now on his side he lay, now lay supine, +Now prone, then starting from his couch he roam’d15 +Forlorn the beach, nor did the rising morn +On seas and shores escape his watchful eye, +But joining to his chariot his swift steeds, +He fasten’d Hector to be dragg’d behind. +Around the tomb of Menœtiades20 +Him thrice he dragg’d; then rested in his tent, +Leaving him at his length stretch’d in the dust. +Meantime Apollo with compassion touch’d +Even of the lifeless Hector, from all taint +Saved him, and with the golden ægis broad25 +Covering, preserved him, although dragg’d, untorn. + + While he, indulging thus his wrath, disgraced +Brave Hector, the immortals at that sight +With pity moved, exhorted Mercury +The watchful Argicide, to steal him thence.30 +That counsel pleased the rest, but neither pleased +Juno, nor Neptune, nor the blue-eyed maid. +They still, as at the first, held fast their hate +Of sacred Troy, detested Priam still, +And still his people, mindful of the crime35 +Of Paris, who when to his rural hut +They came, those Goddesses affronting,[1] praise +And admiration gave to her alone +Who with vile lusts his preference repaid. +But when the twelfth ensuing morn arose,40 +Apollo, then, the immortals thus address’d. + Ye Gods, your dealings now injurious seem +And cruel. Was not Hector wont to burn +Thighs of fat goats and bullocks at your shrines? +Whom now, though dead, ye cannot yet endure45 +To rescue, that Andromache once more +Might view him, his own mother, his own son, +His father and the people, who would soon +Yield him his just demand, a funeral fire. +But, oh ye Gods! your pleasure is alone50 +To please Achilles, that pernicious chief, +Who neither right regards, nor owns a mind +That can relent, but as the lion, urged +By his own dauntless heart and savage force, +Invades without remorse the rights of man,55 +That he may banquet on his herds and flocks, +So Peleus’ son all pity from his breast +Hath driven, and shame, man’s blessing or his curse.[2] +For whosoever hath a loss sustain’d +Still dearer, whether of his brother born60 +From the same womb, or even of his son, +When he hath once bewail’d him, weeps no more, +For fate itself gives man a patient mind. +Yet Peleus’ son, not so contented, slays +Illustrious Hector first, then drags his corse65 +In cruel triumph at his chariot-wheels +Around Patroclus’ tomb; but neither well +He acts, nor honorably to himself, +Who may, perchance, brave though he be, incur +Our anger, while to gratify revenge70 +He pours dishonor thus on senseless clay. + To whom, incensed, Juno white-arm’d replied. +And be it so; stand fast this word of thine, +God of the silver bow! if ye account +Only such honor to Achilles due75 +As Hector claims; but Hector was by birth +Mere man, and suckled at a woman’s breast. +Not such Achilles; him a Goddess bore, +Whom I myself nourish’d, and on my lap +Fondled, and in due time to Peleus gave80 +In marriage, to a chief beloved in heaven +Peculiarly; ye were yourselves, ye Gods! +Partakers of the nuptial feast, and thou +Wast present also with thine harp in hand, +Thou comrade of the vile! thou faithless ever!85 + Then answer thus cloud-gatherer Jove return’d. +Juno, forbear. Indulge not always wrath +Against the Gods. They shall not share alike, +And in the same proportion our regards. +Yet even Hector was the man in Troy90 +Most favor’d by the Gods, and him no less +I also loved, for punctual were his gifts +To us; mine altar never miss’d from him +Libation, or the steam of sacrifice, +The meed allotted to us from of old.95 +But steal him not, since by Achilles’ eye +Unseen ye cannot, who both day and night +Watches[3] him, as a mother tends her son. +But call ye Thetis hither, I would give +The Goddess counsel, that, at Priam’s hands100 +Accepting gifts, Achilles loose the dead. + He ceased. Then Iris tempest-wing’d arose. +Samos between, and Imbrus rock-begirt, +She plunged into the gloomy flood; loud groan’d +The briny pool, while sudden down she rush’d,105 +As sinks the bull’s[4] horn with its leaden weight, +Death bearing to the raveners of the deep. +Within her vaulted cave Thetis she found +By every nymph of Ocean round about +Encompass’d; she, amid them all, the fate110 +Wept of her noble son ordain’d to death +At fertile Troy, from Phthia far remote. +Then, Iris, drawing near, her thus address’d. + Arise, O Thetis! Jove, the author dread +Of everlasting counsels, calls for thee.115 + To whom the Goddess of the silver feet. +Why calls the mighty Thunderer me? I fear, +Oppress’d with countless sorrows as I am, +To mingle with the Gods. Yet I obey— +No word of his can prove an empty sound.120 + So saying, the Goddess took her sable veil +(Eye ne’er beheld a darker) and began +Her progress, by the storm-wing’d Iris led. +On either hand the billows open’d wide +A pass before them; they, ascending soon125 +The shore, updarted swift into the skies. +They found loud-voiced Saturnian Jove around +Environ’d by the ever-blessed Gods +Convened in full assembly; she beside +Her Father Jove (Pallas retiring) sat.130 +Then, Juno, with consolatory speech, +Presented to her hand a golden cup, +Of which she drank, then gave it back again, +And thus the sire of Gods and men began. + Goddess of ocean, Thetis! thou hast sought135 +Olympus, bearing in thy bosom grief +Never to be assuaged, as well I know. +Yet shalt thou learn, afflicted as thou art, +Why I have summon’d thee. Nine days the Gods, +Concerning Hector’s body and thy own140 +Brave city-spoiler son, have held dispute, +And some have urged ofttimes the Argicide +Keen-sighted Mercury, to steal the dead. +But I forbade it for Achilles’ sake, +Whom I exalt, the better to insure145 +Thy reverence and thy friendship evermore. +Haste, therefore, seek thy son, and tell him thus, +The Gods resent it, say (but most of all +Myself am angry) that he still detains +Amid his fleet, through fury of revenge,150 +Unransom’d Hector; so shall he, at length, +Through fear of me, perchance, release the slain. +Myself to generous Priam will, the while, +Send Iris, who shall bid him to the fleet +Of Greece, such ransom bearing as may soothe155 +Achilles, for redemption of his son. + So spake the God, nor Thetis not complied. +Descending swift from the Olympian heights +She reach’d Achilles’ tent. Him there she found +Groaning disconsolate, while others ran160 +To and fro, occupied around a sheep +New-slaughter’d, large, and of exuberant fleece. +She, sitting close beside him, softly strok’d +His cheek, and thus, affectionate, began. + How long, my son! sorrowing and mourning here,165 +Wilt thou consume thy soul, nor give one thought +Either to food or love? Yet love is good, +And woman grief’s best cure; for length of days +Is not thy doom, but, even now, thy death +And ruthless destiny are on the wing.170 +Mark me,—I come a lieger sent from Jove. +The Gods, he saith, resent it, but himself +More deeply than the rest, that thou detain’st +Amid thy fleet, through fury of revenge, +Unransom’d Hector. Be advised, accept175 +Ransom, and to his friends resign the dead. + To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift. +Come then the ransomer, and take him hence; +If Jove himself command it,—be it so. + So they, among the ships, conferring sat180 +On various themes, the Goddess and her son; +Meantime Saturnian Jove commanded down +His swift ambassadress to sacred Troy. + Hence, rapid Iris! leave the Olympian heights. +And, finding noble Priam, bid him haste185 +Into Achaia’s fleet, bearing such gifts +As may assuage Achilles, and prevail +To liberate the body of his son. +Alone, he must; no Trojan of them all +May company the senior thither, save190 +An ancient herald to direct his mules +And his wheel’d litter, and to bring the dead +Back into Ilium, whom Achilles slew. +Let neither fear of death nor other fear +Trouble him aught, so safe a guard and sure195 +We give him; Mercury shall be his guide +Into Achilles’ presence in his tent. +Nor will himself Achilles slay him there, +Or even permit his death, but will forbid +All violence; for he is not unwise200 +Nor heedless, no—nor wilful to offend, +But will his suppliant with much grace receive.[5] + + He ceased; then Iris tempest-wing’d arose, +Jove’s messenger, and, at the gates arrived +Of Priam, wo and wailing found within.205 +Around their father, in the hall, his sons +Their robes with tears water’d, while them amidst +The hoary King sat mantled, muffled close, +And on his venerable head and neck +Much dust was spread, which, rolling on the earth,210 +He had shower’d on them with unsparing hands. +The palace echoed to his daughters’ cries, +And to the cries of matrons calling fresh +Into remembrance many a valiant chief +Now stretch’d in dust, by Argive hands destroy’d.215 +The messenger of Jove at Priam’s side +Standing, with whisper’d accents low his ear +Saluted, but he trembled at the sound. + Courage, Dardanian Priam! fear thou nought; +To thee no prophetess of ill, I come;220 +But with kind purpose: Jove’s ambassadress +Am I, who though remote, yet entertains +Much pity, and much tender care for thee. +Olympian Jove commands thee to redeem +The noble Hector, with an offering large225 +Of gifts that may Achilles’ wrath appease. +Alone, thou must; no Trojan of them all +Hath leave to attend thy journey thither, save +An ancient herald to direct thy mules +And thy wheel’d litter, and to bring the dead230 +Back into Ilium, whom Achilles slew. +Let neither fear of death nor other fear +Trouble thee aught, so safe a guard and sure +He gives thee; Mercury shall be thy guide +Even to Achilles’ presence in his tent.235 +Nor will himself Achilles slay thee there, +Or even permit thy death, but will forbid +All violence; for he is not unwise +Nor heedless, no—nor wilful to offend, +But will his suppliant with much grace receive.240 + + So spake the swift ambassadress, and went. +Then, calling to his sons, he bade them bring +His litter forth, and bind the coffer on, +While to his fragrant chamber he repair’d +Himself, with cedar lined and lofty-roof’d,245 +A treasury of wonders into which +The Queen he summon’d, whom he thus bespake. + Hecuba! the ambassadress of Jove +Hath come, who bids me to the Grecian fleet, +Bearing such presents thither as may soothe250 +Achilles, for redemption of my son. +But say, what seems this enterprise to thee? +Myself am much inclined to it, I feel +My courage prompting me amain toward +The fleet, and into the Achaian camp.255 + Then wept the Queen aloud, and thus replied. +Ah! whither is thy wisdom fled, for which +Both strangers once, and Trojans honor’d _thee_? +How canst thou wish to penetrate alone +The Grecian fleet, and to appear before260 +His face, by whom so many valiant sons +Of thine have fallen? Thou hast an iron heart! +For should that savage man and faithless once +Seize and discover thee, no pity expect +Or reverence at his hands. Come—let us weep265 +Together, here sequester’d; for the thread +Spun for him by his destiny severe +When he was born, ordain’d our son remote +From us his parents to be food for hounds +In that chief’s tent. Oh! clinging to his side,270 +How I could tear him with my teeth! His deeds, +Disgraceful to my son, then should not want +Retaliation; for he slew not him +Skulking, but standing boldly for the wives, +The daughters fair, and citizens of Troy,275 +Guiltless of flight,[6] and of the wish to fly. + + Whom godlike Priam answer’d, ancient King. +Impede me not who willing am to go, +Nor be, thyself, a bird of ominous note +To terrify me under my own roof,280 +For thou shalt not prevail. Had mortal man +Enjoin’d me this attempt, prophet, or priest, +Or soothsayer, I had pronounced him false +And fear’d it but the more. But, since I saw +The Goddess with these eyes, and heard, myself,285 +The voice divine, I go; that word shall stand; +And, if my doom be in the fleet of Greece +To perish, be it so; Achilles’ arm +Shall give me speedy death, and I shall die +Folding my son, and satisfied with tears.290 + So saying, he open’d wide the elegant lids +Of numerous chests, whence mantles twelve he took +Of texture beautiful; twelve single cloaks; +As many carpets, with as many robes, +To which he added vests, an equal store.295 +He also took ten talents forth of gold, +All weigh’d, two splendid tripods, caldrons four, +And after these a cup of matchless worth +Given to him when ambassador in Thrace; +A noble gift, which yet the hoary King300 +Spared not, such fervor of desire he felt +To loose his son. Then from his portico, +With angry taunts he drove the gather’d crowds. + Away! away! ye dregs of earth, away! +Ye shame of human kind! Have ye no griefs305 +At home, that ye come hither troubling _me_? +Deem ye it little that Saturnian Jove +Afflicts me thus, and of my very best, +Best boy deprives me? Ah! ye shall be taught +Yourselves that loss, far easier to be slain310 +By the Achaians now, since he is dead. +But I, ere yet the city I behold +Taken and pillaged, with these aged eyes, +Shall find safe hiding in the shades below. + + He said, and chased them with his staff; they left315 +In haste the doors, by the old King expell’d. +Then, chiding them aloud, his sons he call’d, +Helenus, Paris, noble Agathon, +Pammon, Antiphonus, and bold in fight +Polites, Dios of illustrious fame,320 +Hippothoüs and Deiphobus—all nine +He call’d, thus issuing, angry, his commands. + Quick! quick! ye slothful in your father’s cause, +Ye worthless brood! would that in Hector’s stead +Ye all had perish’d in the fleet of Greece!325 +Oh altogether wretched! in all Troy +No man had sons to boast valiant as mine, +And I have lost them all. Mestor is gone +The godlike, Troilus the steed-renown’d, +And Hector, who with other men compared330 +Seem’d a Divinity, whom none had deem’d +From mortal man derived, but from a God. +These Mars hath taken, and hath left me none +But scandals of my house, void of all truth, +Dancers, exact step-measurers,[7] a band335 +Of public robbers, thieves of kids and lambs. +Will ye not bring my litter to the gate +This moment, and with all this package quick +Charge it, that we may hence without delay? + He said, and by his chiding awed, his sons340 +Drew forth the royal litter, neat, new-built, +And following swift the draught, on which they bound +The coffer; next, they lower’d from the wall +The sculptured boxen yoke with its two rings;[8] +And with the yoke its furniture, in length345 +Nine cubits; this to the extremest end +Adjusting of the pole, they cast the ring +Over the ring-bolt; then, thrice through the yoke +They drew the brace on both sides, made it fast +With even knots, and tuck’d[9] the dangling ends.350 +Producing, next, the glorious ransom-price +Of Hector’s body, on the litter’s floor +They heap’d it all, then yoked the sturdy mules, +A gift illustrious by the Mysians erst +Conferr’d on Priam; to the chariot, last,355 +They led forth Priam’s steeds, which the old King +(In person serving them) with freshest corn +Constant supplied; meantime, himself within +The palace, and his herald, were employ’d +Girding[10] themselves, to go; wise each and good.360 +And now came mournful Hecuba, with wine +Delicious charged, which in a golden cup +She brought, that not without libation due +First made, they might depart. Before the steeds +Her steps she stay’d, and Priam thus address’d.365 + Take this, and to the Sire of all perform +Libation, praying him a safe return +From hostile hands, since thou art urged to seek +The Grecian camp, though not by my desire. +Pray also to Idæan Jove cloud-girt,370 +Who oversees all Ilium, that he send +His messenger or ere thou go, the bird +His favorite most, surpassing all in strength, +At thy right hand; him seeing, thou shalt tend +With better hope toward the fleet of Greece.375 +But should loud-thundering Jove his lieger swift +Withhold, from me far be it to advise +This journey, howsoe’er thou wish to go. + To whom the godlike Priam thus replied. +This exhortation will I not refuse,380 +O Queen! for, lifting to the Gods his hands +In prayer for their compassion, none can err. + So saying, he bade the maiden o’er the rest, +Chief in authority, pour on his hands +Pure water, for the maiden at his side385 +With ewer charged and laver, stood prepared. +He laved his hands; then, taking from the Queen +The goblet, in his middle area stood +Pouring libation with his eyes upturn’d +Heaven-ward devout, and thus his prayer preferr’d.390 + Jove, great and glorious above all, who rulest, +On Ida’s summit seated, all below! +Grant me arrived within Achilles’ tent +Kindness to meet and pity, and oh send +Thy messenger or ere I go, the bird395 +Thy favorite most, surpassing all in strength, +At my right hand, which seeing, I shall tend +With better hope toward the fleet of Greece. + He ended, at whose prayer, incontinent, +Jove sent his eagle, surest of all signs,400 +The black-plumed bird voracious, Morphnos[11] named, +And Percnos.[11] Wide as the well-guarded door +Of some rich potentate his vans he spread +On either side; they saw him on the right, +Skimming the towers of Troy; glad they beheld405 +That omen, and all felt their hearts consoled. + Delay’d not then the hoary King, but quick +Ascending to his seat, his coursers urged +Through vestibule and sounding porch abroad. +The four-wheel’d litter led, drawn by the mules410 +Which sage Idæus managed, behind whom +Went Priam, plying with the scourge his steeds +Continual through the town, while all his friends, +Following their sovereign with dejected hearts, +Lamented him as going to his death.415 +But when from Ilium’s gate into the plain +They had descended, then the sons-in-law +Of Priam, and his sons, to Troy return’d. +Nor they, now traversing the plain, the note +Escaped of Jove the Thunderer; he beheld420 +Compassionate the venerable King, +And thus his own son Mercury bespake. + Mercury! (for above all others thou +Delightest to associate with mankind +Familiar, whom thou wilt winning with ease425 +To converse free) go thou, and so conduct +Priam into the Grecian camp, that none +Of all the numerous Danaï may see +Or mark him, till he reach Achilles’ tent. + He spake, nor the ambassador of heaven430 +The Argicide delay’d, but bound in haste +His undecaying sandals to his feet, +Golden, divine, which waft him o’er the floods +Swift as the wind, and o’er the boundless earth. +He took his rod with which he charms to sleep435 +All eyes, and theirs who sleep opens again. +Arm’d with that rod, forth flew the Argicide. +At Ilium and the Hellespontic shores +Arriving sudden, a king’s son he seem’d, +Now clothing first his ruddy cheek with down,440 +Which is youth’s loveliest season; so disguised, +His progress he began. They now (the tomb +Magnificent of Ilus past) beside +The river stay’d the mules and steeds to drink, +For twilight dimm’d the fields. Idæus first445 +Perceived him near, and Priam thus bespake. + Think, son of Dardanus! for we have need +Of our best thought. I see a warrior. Now, +Now we shall die; I know it. Turn we quick +Our steeds to flight; or let us clasp his knees450 +And his compassion suppliant essay. + Terror and consternation at that sound +The mind of Priam felt; erect the hair +Bristled his limbs, and with amaze he stood +Motionless. But the God, meantime, approach’d,455 +And, seizing ancient Priam’s hand, inquired. + Whither, my father! in the dewy night +Drivest thou thy mules and steeds, while others sleep? +And fear’st thou not the fiery host of Greece, +Thy foes implacable, so nigh at hand?460 +Of whom should any, through the shadow dun +Of flitting night, discern thee bearing forth +So rich a charge, then what wouldst thou expect? +Thou art not young thyself, nor with the aid +Of this thine ancient servant, strong enough465 +Force to repulse, should any threaten force. +But injury fear none or harm from me; +I rather much from harm by other hands +Would save thee, thou resemblest so my sire. + Whom answer’d godlike Priam, hoar with age.470 +My son! well spoken. Thou hast judged aright. +Yet even me some Deity protects +Thus far; to whom I owe it that I meet +So seasonably one like thee, in form +So admirable, and in mind discreet475 +As thou art beautiful. Blest parents, thine! + To whom the messenger of heaven again, +The Argicide. Oh ancient and revered! +Thou hast well spoken all. Yet this declare, +And with sincerity; bear’st thou away480 +Into some foreign country, for the sake +Of safer custody, this precious charge? +Or, urged by fear, forsake ye all alike +Troy’s sacred towers! since he whom thou hast lost, +Thy noble son, was of excelling worth485 +In arms, and nought inferior to the Greeks. + Then thus the godlike Priam, hoary King. +But tell me first who _Thou_ art, and from whom +Descended, loveliest youth! who hast the fate +So well of my unhappy son rehearsed?490 + To whom the herald Mercury replied. +Thy questions, venerable sire! proposed +Concerning noble Hector, are design’d +To prove me. Him, not seldom, with these eyes +In man-ennobling fight I have beheld495 +Most active; saw him when he thinn’d the Greeks +With his sharp spear, and drove them to the ships. +Amazed we stood to notice him; for us, +Incensed against the ruler of our host, +Achilles suffer’d not to share the fight.500 +I serve Achilles; the same gallant bark +Brought us, and of the Myrmidons am I, +Son of Polyctor; wealthy is my sire, +And such in years as thou; six sons he hath, +Beside myself the seventh, and (the lots cast505 +Among us all) mine sent me to the wars. +That I have left the ships, seeking the plain, +The cause is this; the Greeks, at break of day, +Will compass, arm’d, the city, for they loathe +To sit inactive, neither can the chiefs510 +Restrain the hot impatience of the host. + Then godlike Priam answer thus return’d. +If of the band thou be of Peleus’ son, +Achilles, tell me undisguised the truth. +My son, subsists he still, or hath thy chief515 +Limb after limb given him to his dogs? + Him answer’d then the herald of the skies. +Oh venerable sir! him neither dogs +Have eaten yet, nor fowls, but at the ships +His body, and within Achilles’ tent520 +Neglected lies. Twelve days he so hath lain; +Yet neither worm which diets on the brave +In battle fallen, hath eaten him, or taint +Invaded. He around Patroclus’ tomb +Drags him indeed pitiless, oft as day525 +Reddens the east, yet safe from blemish still +His corse remains. Thou wouldst, thyself, admire +Seeing how fresh the dew-drops, as he lies, +Rest on him, and his blood is cleansed away +That not a stain is left. Even his wounds530 +(For many a wound they gave him) all are closed, +Such care the blessed Gods have of thy son, +Dead as he is, whom living much they loved. + So he; then, glad, the ancient King replied. +Good is it, oh my son! to yield the Gods535 +Their just demands. My boy, while yet he lived, +Lived not unmindful of the worship due +To the Olympian powers, who, therefore, him +Remember, even in the bands of death. +Come then—this beauteous cup take at my hand—540 +Be thou my guard, and, if the Gods permit, +My guide, till to Achilles’ tent I come. + Whom answer’d then the messenger of heaven. +Sir! thou perceivest me young, and art disposed +To try my virtue; but it shall not fail.545 +Thou bidd’st me at thine hand a gift accept, +Whereof Achilles knows not; but I fear +Achilles, and on no account should dare +Defraud him, lest some evil find me next. +But thee I would with pleasure hence conduct550 +Even to glorious Argos, over sea +Or over land, nor any, through contempt +Of such a guard, should dare to do thee wrong. + So Mercury, and to the chariot seat +Upspringing, seized at once the lash and reins,555 +And with fresh vigor mules and steeds inspired. +Arriving at the foss and towers, they found +The guard preparing now their evening cheer, +All whom the Argicide with sudden sleep +Oppress’d, then oped the gates, thrust back the bars,560 +And introduced, with all his litter-load +Of costly gifts, the venerable King. +But when they reached the tent for Peleus’ son +Raised by the Myrmidons (with trunks of pine +They built it, lopping smooth the boughs away,555 +Then spread with shaggy mowings of the mead +Its lofty roof, and with a spacious court +Surrounded it, all fenced with driven stakes; +One bar alone of pine secured the door, +Which ask’d three Grecians with united force570 +To thrust it to its place, and three again +To thrust it back, although Achilles oft +Would heave it to the door himself alone;) +Then Hermes, benefactor of mankind, +That bar displacing for the King of Troy,575 +Gave entrance to himself and to his gifts +For Peleus’ son design’d, and from the seat +Alighting, thus his speech to Priam turn’d. + Oh ancient Priam! an immortal God +Attends thee; I am Hermes, by command580 +Of Jove my father thy appointed guide. +But I return. I will not, entering here, +Stand in Achilles’ sight; immortal Powers +May not so unreservedly indulge +Creatures of mortal kind. But enter thou,585 +Embrace his knees, and by his father both +And by his Goddess mother sue to him, +And by his son, that his whole heart may melt. + So Hermes spake, and to the skies again +Ascended. Then leap’d Priam to the ground,590 +Leaving Idæus; he, the mules and steeds +Watch’d, while the ancient King into the tent +Proceeded of Achilles dear to Jove. +Him there he found, and sitting found apart +His fellow-warriors, of whom two alone595 +Served at his side, Alcimus, branch of Mars +And brave Automedon; he had himself +Supp’d newly, and the board stood unremoved. +Unseen of all huge Priam enter’d, stood +Near to Achilles, clasp’d his knees, and kiss’d600 +Those terrible and homicidal hands +That had destroy’d so many of his sons. +As when a fugitive for blood the house +Of some chief enters in a foreign land, +All gaze, astonish’d at the sudden guest,605 +So gazed Achilles seeing Priam there, +And so stood all astonish’d, each his eyes +In silence fastening on his fellow’s face. +But Priam kneel’d, and suppliant thus began. + Think, oh Achilles, semblance of the Gods!610 +On thy own father full of days like me, +And trembling on the gloomy verge of life.[12] +Some neighbor chief, it may be, even now +Oppresses him, and there is none at hand, +No friend to suocor him in his distress.615 +Yet, doubtless, hearing that Achilles lives, +He still rejoices, hoping, day by day, +That one day he shall see the face again +Of his own son from distant Troy return’d. +But me no comfort cheers, whose bravest sons,620 +So late the flower of Ilium, all are slain. +When Greece came hither, I had fifty sons; +Nineteen were children of one bed, the rest +Born of my concubines. A numerous house! +But fiery Mars hath thinn’d it. One I had,625 +One, more than all my sons the strength of Troy, +Whom standing for his country thou hast slain— +Hector—his body to redeem I come +Into Achaia’s fleet, bringing, myself, +Ransom inestimable to thy tent.630 +Reverence the Gods, Achilles! recollect +Thy father; for his sake compassion show +To me more pitiable still, who draw +Home to my lips (humiliation yet +Unseen on earth) his hand who slew my son.635 + So saying, he waken’d in his soul regret +Of his own sire; softly he placed his hand +On Priam’s hand, and push’d him gently away. +Remembrance melted both. Rolling before +Achilles’ feet, Priam his son deplored640 +Wide-slaughtering Hector, and Achilles wept +By turns his father, and by turns his friend +Patroclus; sounds of sorrow fill’d the tent. +But when, at length satiate, Achilles felt +His heart from grief, and all his frame relieved,645 +Upstarting from his seat, with pity moved +Of Priam’s silver locks and silver beard, +He raised the ancient father by his hand, +Whom in wing’d accents kind he thus bespake. + Wretched indeed! ah what must thou have felt!650 +How hast thou dared to seek alone the fleet +Of the Achaians, and his face by whom +So many of thy valiant sons have fallen? +Thou hast a heart of iron, terror-proof. +Come—sit beside me—let us, if we may,665 +Great mourners both, bid sorrow sleep awhile. +There is no profit of our sighs and tears; +For thus, exempt from care themselves, the Gods +Ordain man’s miserable race to mourn. +Fast by the threshold of Jove’s courts are placed660 +Two casks, one stored with evil, one with good, +From which the God dispenses as he wills. +For whom the glorious Thunderer mingles both, +He leads a life checker’d with good and ill +Alternate; but to whom he gives unmixt665 +The bitter cup, he makes that man a curse, +His name becomes a by-word of reproach, +His strength is hunger-bitten, and he walks +The blessed earth, unblest, go where he may. +So was my father Peleus at his birth670 +Nobly endow’d with plenty and with wealth +Distinguish’d by the Gods past all mankind, +Lord of the Myrmidons, and, though a man, +Yet match’d from heaven with an immortal bride. +But even him the Gods afflict, a son675 +Refusing him, who might possess his throne +Hereafter; for myself, his only heir, +Pass as a dream, and while I live, instead +Of solacing his age, here sit, before +Your distant walls, the scourge of thee and thine.680 +Thee also, ancient Priam, we have heard +Reported, once possessor of such wealth +As neither Lesbos, seat of Macar, owns, +Nor eastern Phrygia, nor yet all the ports +Of Hellespont, but thou didst pass them all685 +In riches, and in number of thy sons. +But since the Powers of heaven brought on thy land +This fatal war, battle and deeds of death +Always surround the city where thou reign’st. +Cease, therefore, from unprofitable tears,690 +Which, ere they raise thy son to life again +Shall, doubtless, find fresh cause for which to flow. + To whom the ancient King godlike replied. +Hero, forbear. No seat is here for me, +While Hector lies unburied in your camp.695 +Loose him, and loose him now, that with these eyes +I may behold my son; accept a price +Magnificent, which may’st thou long enjoy, +And, since my life was precious in thy sight, +May’st thou revisit safe thy native shore!700 + To whom Achilles, lowering, and in wrath.[13] +Urge me no longer, at a time like this, +With that harsh note; I am already inclin’d +To loose him. Thetis, my own mother came +Herself on that same errand, sent from Jove.705 +Priam! I understand thee well. I know +That, by some God conducted, thou hast reach’d +Achaia’s fleet; for, without aid divine, +No mortal even in his prime of youth, +Had dared the attempt; guards vigilant as ours710 +He should not easily elude, such gates, +So massy, should not easily unbar. +Thou, therefore, vex me not in my distress, +Lest I abhor to see thee in my tent, +And, borne beyond all limits, set at nought715 +Thee, and thy prayer, and the command of Jove. + He said; the old King trembled, and obey’d. +Then sprang Pelides like a lion forth, +Not sole, but with his two attendant friends +Alcimus and Automedon the brave,720 +For them (Patroclus slain) he honor’d most +Of all the Myrmidons. They from the yoke +Released both steeds and mules, then introduced +And placed the herald of the hoary King. +They lighten’d next the litter of its charge725 +Inestimable, leaving yet behind +Two mantles and a vest, that, not unveil’d, +The body might be borne back into Troy. +Then, calling forth his women, them he bade +Lave and anoint the body, but apart,730 +Lest haply Priam, noticing his son, +Through stress of grief should give resentment scope, +And irritate by some affront himself +To slay him, in despite of Jove’s commands.[14] +They, therefore, laving and anointing first735 +The body, cover’d it with cloak and vest; +Then, Peleus’ son disposed it on the bier, +Lifting it from the ground, and his two friends +Together heaved it to the royal wain. +Achilles, last, groaning, his friend invoked.740 + + Patroclus! should the tidings reach thine ear, +Although in Ades, that I have released +The noble Hector at his father’s suit, +Resent it not; no sordid gifts have paid +His ransom-price, which thou shalt also share.745 + So saying, Achilles to his tent return’d, +And on the splendid couch whence he had risen +Again reclined, opposite to the seat +Of Priam, whom the hero thus bespake. + Priam! at thy request thy son is loosed,750 +And lying on his bier; at dawn of day +Thou shalt both see him and convey him hence +Thyself to Troy. But take we now repast; +For even bright-hair’d Niobe her food +Forgat not, though of children twelve bereft,755 +Of daughters six, and of six blooming sons. +Apollo these struck from his silver bow, +And those shaft-arm’d Diana, both incensed +That oft Latona’s children and her own +Numbering, she scorn’d the Goddess who had borne760 +Two only, while herself had twelve to boast. +Vain boast! those two sufficed to slay them all. +Nine days they welter’d in their blood, no man +Was found to bury them, for Jove had changed +To stone the people; but themselves, at last,765 +The Powers of heaven entomb’d them on the tenth. +Yet even she, once satisfied with tears, +Remember’d food; and now the rocks among +And pathless solitudes of Sipylus, +The rumor’d cradle of the nymphs who dance770 +On Acheloüs’ banks, although to stone +Transform’d, she broods her heaven-inflicted woes. +Come, then, my venerable guest! take we +Refreshment also; once arrived in Troy +With thy dear son, thou shalt have time to weep775 +Sufficient, nor without most weighty cause. + So spake Achilles, and, upstarting, slew +A sheep white-fleeced, which his attendants flay’d, +And busily and with much skill their task +Administ’ring, first scored the viands well,780 +Then pierced them with the spits, and when the roast +Was finish’d, drew them from the spits again. +And now, Automedon dispensed around +The polish’d board bread in neat baskets piled, +Which done, Achilles portion’d out to each785 +His share, and all assail’d the ready feast. +But when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt, +Dardanian Priam, wond’ring at his bulk +And beauty (for he seem’d some God from heaven) +Gazed on Achilles, while Achilles held790 +Not less in admiration of his looks +Benign, and of his gentle converse wise, +Gazed on Dardanian Priam, and, at length +(The eyes of each gratified to the full) +The ancient King thus to Achilles spake.795 + Hero! dismiss us now each to our bed, +That there at ease reclined, we may enjoy +Sweet sleep; for never have these eyelids closed +Since Hector fell and died, but without cease +I mourn, and nourishing unnumber’d woes,800 +Have roll’d me in the ashes of my courts. +But I have now both tasted food, and given +Wine to my lips, untasted till with thee. + So he, and at his word Achilles bade +His train beneath his portico prepare805 +With all dispatch two couches, purple rugs, +And arras, and warm mantles over all. +Forth went the women bearing lights, and spread +A couch for each, when feigning needful fear,[15] +Achilles thus his speech to Priam turn’d.810 + My aged guest beloved; sleep thou without; +Lest some Achaian chief (for such are wont +Ofttimes, here sitting, to consult with me) +Hither repair; of whom should any chance +To spy thee through the gloom, he would at once815 +Convey the tale to Agamemnon’s ear, +Whence hindrance might arise, and the release +Haply of Hector’s body be delay’d. +But answer me with truth. How many days +Wouldst thou assign to the funereal rites820 +Of noble Hector, for so long I mean +Myself to rest, and keep the host at home? + Then thus the ancient King godlike replied. +If thou indeed be willing that we give +Burial to noble Hector, by an act825 +So generous, O Achilles! me thou shalt +Much gratify; for we are shut, thou know’st, +In Ilium close, and fuel must procure +From Ida’s side remote; fear, too, hath seized +On all our people. Therefore thus I say.830 +Nine days we wish to mourn him in the house; +To his interment we would give the tenth, +And to the public banquet; the eleventh +Shall see us build his tomb; and on the twelfth +(If war we must) we will to war again.835 + To whom Achilles, matchless in the race. +So be it, ancient Priam! I will curb +Twelve days the rage of war, at thy desire.[16] + He spake, and at his wrist the right hand grasp’d +Of the old sovereign, to dispel his fear.840 +Then in the vestibule the herald slept +And Priam, prudent both, but Peleus’ son +In the interior tent, and at his side +Brisëis, with transcendent beauty adorn’d. + + Now all, all night, by gentle sleep subdued,845 +Both Gods and chariot-ruling warriors lay, +But not the benefactor of mankind, +Hermes; him sleep seized not, but deep he mused +How likeliest from amid the Grecian fleet +He might deliver by the guard unseen850 +The King of Ilium; at his head he stood +In vision, and the senior thus bespake. + Ah heedless and secure! hast thou no dread +Of mischief, ancient King, that thus by foes +Thou sleep’st surrounded, lull’d by the consent855 +And sufferance of Achilles? Thou hast given +Much for redemption of thy darling son, +But thrice that sum thy sons who still survive +Must give to Agamemnon and the Greeks +For _thy_ redemption, should they know thee here.860 + He ended; at the sound alarm’d upsprang +The King, and roused his herald. Hermes yoked +Himself both mules and steeds, and through the camp +Drove them incontinent, by all unseen. + Soon as the windings of the stream they reach’d,865 +Deep-eddied Xanthus, progeny of Jove, +Mercury the Olympian summit sought, +And saffron-vested morn o’erspread the earth. +They, loud lamenting, to the city drove +Their steeds; the mules close follow’d with the dead.870 +Nor warrior yet, nor cinctured matron knew +Of all in Ilium aught of their approach, +Cassandra sole except. She, beautiful +As golden Venus, mounted on the height +Of Pergamus, her father first discern’d,875 +Borne on his chariot-seat erect, and knew: +The herald heard so oft in echoing Troy; +Him also on his bier outstretch’d she mark’d, +Whom the mules drew. Then, shrieking, through the streets +She ran of Troy, and loud proclaim’d the sight.880 +Ye sons of Ilium and ye daughters, haste, +Haste all to look on Hector, if ye e’er +With joy beheld him, while he yet survived, +From fight returning; for all Ilium erst +In him, and all her citizens rejoiced.885 + She spake. Then neither male nor female more +In Troy remain’d, such sorrow seized on all. +Issuing from the city-gate, they met +Priam conducting, sad, the body home, +And, foremost of them all, the mother flew890 +And wife of Hector to the bier, on which +Their torn-off tresses with unsparing hands +They shower’d, while all the people wept around. +All day, and to the going down of day +They thus had mourn’d the dead before the gates,895 +Had not their Sovereign from his chariot-seat +Thus spoken to the multitude around. + Fall back on either side, and let the mules +Pass on; the body in my palace once +Deposited, ye then may weep your fill.900 + He said; they, opening, gave the litter way. +Arrived within the royal house, they stretch’d +The breathless Hector on a sumptuous bed, +And singers placed beside him, who should chant +The strain funereal; they with many a groan905 +The dirge began, and still, at every close, +The female train with many a groan replied. +Then, in the midst, Andromache white-arm’d +Between her palms the dreadful Hector’s head +Pressing, her lamentation thus began.910 + [17]My hero! thou hast fallen in prime of life, +Me leaving here desolate, and the fruit +Of our ill-fated loves, a helpless child, +Whom grown to manhood I despair to see. +For ere that day arrive, down from her height915 +Precipitated shall this city fall, +Since thou hast perish’d once her sure defence, +Faithful protector of her spotless wives, +And all their little ones. Those wives shall soon +In Grecian barks capacious hence be borne,920 +And I among the rest. But thee, my child! +Either thy fate shall with thy mother send +Captive into a land where thou shalt serve +In sordid drudgery some cruel lord, +Or haply some Achaian here, thy hand925 +Seizing, shall hurl thee from a turret-top +To a sad death, avenging brother, son, +Or father by the hands of Hector slain; +For he made many a Grecian bite the ground. +Thy father, boy, bore never into fight930 +A milky mind, and for that self-same cause +Is now bewail’d in every house of Troy. +Sorrow unutterable thou hast caused +Thy parents, Hector! but to me hast left +Largest bequest of misery, to whom,935 +Dying, thou neither didst thy arms extend +Forth from thy bed, nor gavest me precious word +To be remember’d day and night with tears. + So spake she weeping, whom her maidens all +With sighs accompanied, and her complaint940 +Mingled with sobs Hecuba next began. + Ah Hector! dearest to thy mother’s heart +Of all her sons, much must the Gods have loved +Thee living, whom, though dead, they thus preserve. +What son soever of our house beside945 +Achilles took, over the barren deep +To Samos, Imbrus, or to Lemnos girt +With rocks inhospitable, him he sold; +But thee, by his dread spear of life deprived, +He dragg’d and dragg’d around Patroclus’ tomb,950 +As if to raise again his friend to life +Whom thou hadst vanquish’d; yet he raised him not. +But as for thee, thou liest here with dew +Besprinkled, fresh as a young plant,[18] and more +Resemblest some fair youth by gentle shafts955 +Of Phœbus pierced, than one in battle slain. + So spake the Queen, exciting in all hearts +Sorrow immeasurable, after whom +Thus Helen, third, her lamentation pour’d. + [19]Ah dearer far than all my brothers else960 +Of Priam’s house! for being Paris’ spouse, +Who brought me (would I had first died!) to Troy, +I call thy brothers mine; since forth I came +From Sparta, it is now the twentieth year, +Yet never heard I once hard speech from thee,965 +Or taunt morose, but if it ever chanced, +That of thy father’s house female or male +Blamed me, and even if herself the Queen +(For in the King, whate’er befell, I found +Always a father) thou hast interposed970 +Thy gentle temper and thy gentle speech +To soothe them; therefore, with the same sad drops +Thy fate, oh Hector! and my own I weep; +For other friend within the ample bounds +Of Ilium have I none, nor hope to hear975 +Kind word again, with horror view’d by all. + So Helen spake weeping, to whom with groans +The countless multitude replied, and thus +Their ancient sovereign next his people charged. + Ye Trojans, now bring fuel home, nor fear980 +Close ambush of the Greeks; Achilles’ self +Gave me, at my dismission from his fleet, +Assurance, that from hostile force secure +We shall remain, till the twelfth dawn arise. + All, then, their mules and oxen to the wains985 +Join’d speedily, and under Ilium’s walls +Assembled numerous; nine whole days they toil’d, +Bringing much fuel home, and when the tenth +Bright morn, with light for human kind, arose, +Then bearing noble Hector forth, with tears990 +Shed copious, on the summit of the pile +They placed him, and the fuel fired beneath. + But when Aurora, daughter of the Dawn, +Redden’d the east, then, thronging forth, all Troy +Encompass’d noble Hector’s pile around.995 +The whole vast multitude convened, with wine +They quench’d the pile throughout, leaving no part +Unvisited, on which the fire had seized. +His brothers, next, collected, and his friends, +His white bones, mourning, and with tears profuse1000 +Watering their cheeks; then in a golden urn +They placed them, which with mantles soft they veil’d +Mæonian-hued, and, delving, buried it, +And overspread with stones the spot adust. +Lastly, short time allowing to the task,1005 +They heap’d his tomb, while, posted on all sides, +Suspicious of assault, spies watch’d the Greeks. +The tomb once heap’d, assembling all again +Within the palace, they a banquet shared +Magnificent, by godlike Priam given.1010 + +Such burial the illustrious Hector found.[20] + + +[I cannot take my leave of this noble poem, without expressing how much +I am struck with this plain conclusion of it. It is like the exit of a +great man out of company whom he has entertained magnificently; neither +pompous nor familiar; not contemptuous, yet without much ceremony. I +recollect nothing, among the works of mere man, that exemplifies so +strongly the true style of great antiquity.]—Tr. + + + + +FOOTNOTES + + + + +Footnotes for Book I: + + +“Latona’s son and Jove’s,” was Apollo, the tutelary deity of the +Dorians. The Dorians had not, however, at this early age, become the +predominant race in Greece proper. They had spread along the eastern +shores of the Archipelago into the islands, especially Crete, and had +every where signalized themselves by the Temples of Apollo, of which +there seems to have been many in and about Troy. These temples were +schools of art, and prove the Dorians to have been both intellectual +and powerful. Homer was an Ionian, and therefore not deeply acquainted +with the nature of the Dorian god. But to a mind like his, the god of a +people so cultivated, and associated with what was most grand in art, +must have been an imposing being, and we find him so represented. +Throughout the Iliad, he appears and acts with splendor and effect, but +always against the Greeks from mere partiality to Hector. It would +perhaps be too much to say, that in this partiality to Hector, we +detect the spirit of the Dorian worship, the only Paganism of antiquity +that tended to perfect the individual—Apollo being the expression of +the moral harmony of the universe, and the great spirit of the Dorian +culture being to make a perfect man, an incarnation of the +κοσμος. This Homer could only have known intuitively. + +In making Apollo author of the plague, he was confounded with Helios, +which was frequent afterwards, but is not seen elsewhere in Homer. The +arrows of Apollo were “silent as light,” and their emblem the sun’s +rays. The analogies are multitudinous between the natural and +intellectual sun; but Helios and Apollo were two.—E.P.P. + +There is something exceedingly venerable in this appearance of the +priest. He comes with the ensigns of the gods to whom he belongs, with +the laurel wreath, to show that he was a suppliant, and a golden +sceptre, which the ancients gave in particular to Apollo, as they did +one of silver to Diana. + +The art of this speech is remarkable. Chryses considers the army of +Greeks, as made up of troops, partly from the kingdoms and partly from +democracies, and therefore begins with a distinction that includes all. +Then, as priest of Apollo, he prays that they may obtain the two +blessings they most desire—the conquest of Troy and a safe return. As +he names his petition, he offers an extraordinary ransom, and concludes +with bidding them fear the god if they refuse it; like one who from his +office seems to foretell their misery, and exhorts them to shun it. +Thus he endeavors to work by the art of a general application, by +religion, by interest, and the insinuation of danger. + +Homer is frequently eloquent in his silence. Chryses says not a word in +answer to the insults of Agamemnon, but walks pensively along the +shore. The melancholy flowing of the verse admirably expresses the +condition of the mournful and deserted father. + +[So called on account of his having saved the people of Troas from a +plague of mice, _sminthos_ in their language meaning a mouse.—Tr.] + +Apollo had temples at Chrysa, Tenedos, and Cilla, all of which lay +round the bay of Troas. Müller remarks, that “the temple actually stood +in the situation referred to, and that the appellation of Smintheus was +still preserved in the district. Thus far actual circumstances are +embodied in the mythus. On the other hand, the action of the deity as +such, is purely ideal, and can have no other foundation than the belief +that Apollo sternly resents ill usage of his priests, and that too in +the way here represented, viz., by sending plagues. This belief is in +perfect harmony with the idea generally entertained of the power and +agency of Apollo; and it is manifest that the idea placed in +combination with certain events, gave birth to the story so far as +relates to the god. We have not yet the means of ascertaining whether +it is to be regarded as a historical tradition, or an invention, and +must therefore leave that question for the present undecided.” + +The poet is careful to leave no prayer unanswered that has justice on +its side. He who prays either kills his enemy, or has signs given him +that he has been heard. + +[For this singular line the Translator begs to apologize, by pleading +the strong desire he felt to produce an English line, if possible, +somewhat resembling in its effect the famous original one. + +Δεινη δε κλαγγη γενετ αργυρεοιο βιοιο.—Tr.] + +The plague in the Grecian camp was occasioned perhaps by immoderate +heats and gross exhalations. Homer takes occasion from it, to open the +scene with a beautiful allegory. He supposes that such afflictions are +sent from Heaven for the punishment of evil actions; and because the +sun was the principal agent, he says it was sent to punish Agamemnon +for despising that god, and injuring his priest. + +Hippocrates observes two things of plagues; that their cause is in the +air, and that different animals are differently affected by them, +according to their nature and nourishment. This philosophy is referred +to the plagues here mentioned. First, the cause is in the air by means +of the darts or beams of Apollo; second, the mules and dogs are said to +die sooner than the men, partly from their natural quickness of smell, +and partly from their feeding so near the earth whence the exhalations +arise. + +Juno, queen of Olympus, sides with the Grecians. Mr. Coleridge (in his +disquisition upon the Prometheus of Æschylus, published in his Remains) +shows very clearly by historical criticism, that Juno, in the Grecian +religion, expressed the spirit of conservatism. Without going over his +argument we assume it here, for Homer always attributes to Juno every +thing that may be predicated of this principle. She is persistent, +obstinate, acts from no idea, but often uses a superficial reasoning, +and refers to Fate, with which she upbraids Jupiter. Jupiter is the +intellectual power or Free Will, and by their union, or rather from +their antagonism, the course of things proceeds with perpetual +vicissitude, but with a great deal of life.—E.P.P. + +Observe this Grecian priest. He has no political power, and commands +little reverence. In Agamemnon’s treatment of him, as well as Chryses, +is seen the relation of the religion to the government. It was neither +master nor slave.—E.P.P. + +A district of Thessaly forming a part of the larger district of +Phthiotis. Phthiotis, according to Strabo, included all the southern +portion of that country as far as Mount Œta and the Maliac Gulf. To the +west it bordered on Dolopia, and on the east reached the confines of +Magnesia. Homer comprised within this extent of territory the districts +of Phthia and Hellas properly so called, and, generally speaking, the +dominions of Achilles, together with those of Protesilaus and +Eurypylus. + +Κυνωπα. + +μεγαναιδες. + +Agamemnon’s anger is that of a lover, and Achilles’ that of a warrior. +Agamemnon speaks of Chrysëis as a beauty whom he values too much to +resign. Achilles treats Brisëis as a slave, whom he is anxious to +preserve in point of honor, and as a testimony of his glory. Hence he +mentions her only as “his spoil,” “the reward of war,” etc.; +accordingly he relinquishes her not in grief for a favorite whom he +loses, but in sullenness for the injury done him.—Dacier. + +Jupiter, in the disguise of an ant, deceived Eurymedusa, the daughter +of Cleitos. Her son was for this reason called Myrmidon (from μυρμηξ, +an ant), and was regarded as the ancestor of the Myrmidons in +Thessaly.—Smith. + +According to the belief of the ancients, the gods were supposed to have +a peculiar light in their eyes. That Homer was not ignorant of this +opinion appears from his use of it in other places. + +Minerva is the goddess of the art of war rather than of war itself. And +this fable of her descent is an allegory of Achilles restraining his +wrath through his consideration of martial law and order. This law in +that age, prescribed that a subordinate should not draw his sword upon +the commander of all, but allowed a liberty of speech which appears to +us moderns rather out of order.—E.P.P. + +[The shield of Jupiter, made by Vulcan, and so called from its +covering, which was the skin of the goat that suckled him.—Tr.] + +Homer magnifies the ambush as the boldest enterprise of war. They went +upon those parties with a few only, and generally the most daring of +the army, and on occasions of the greatest hazard, when the exposure +was greater than in a regular battle. Idomeneus, in the 13th book, +tells Meriones that the greatest courage appears in this way of +service, each man being in a manner singled out to the proof of it. + +In the earlier ages of the world, the sceptre of a king was nothing +more than his walking-staff, and thence had the name of sceptre. Ovid, +in speaking of Jupiter, describes him as resting on his +sceptre.—Spence. + +From the description here given, it would appear to have been a young +tree cut from the root and stripped of its branches. It was the custom +of Kings to swear by their sceptres. + +For an account of the contest between the Centaurs and Lapiths here +referred to, see Grecian and Roman Mythology. + +In _antiquity_, a sacrifice of a hundred oxen, or beasts of the same +kind; hence sometimes _indefinitely_, any sacrifice of a large number +of victims. + +[The original is here abrupt, and expresses the precipitancy of the +speaker by a most beautiful aposiopesis.—Tr.] + +The Iliad, in its connection, is, we all know, a glorification of +Achilles by Zeus; for the Trojans only prevail because Zeus wishes to +show that the reposing hero who sits in solitude, can alone conquer +them. But to leave him this glorification entirely unmixed with sorrow, +the Grecian sense of moderation forbids. The deepest anguish must +mingle with his consciousness of fame, and punish his insolence. That +glorification is the will of Zeus; and in the spirit of the ancient +mythus, a motive for it is assigned in a divine legend. The sea-goddess +Thetis, who was, according to the Phthiotic mythus, wedded to the +mortal Peleus, saved Zeus, by calling up the giant Briareus or Ægæon to +his rescue. Why it was Ægæon, is explained by the fact that this was a +great sea-demon, who formed the subject of fables at Poseidonian +Corinth, where even the sea-god himself was called Ægæon; who, +moreover, was worshipped at several places in Eubœa, the seat of +Poseidon Ægæus; and whom the Theogony calls the son-in-law of Poseidon, +and most of the genealogists, especially Eumelus in the Titanomachy, +brought into relation with the sea. There is therefore good reason to +be found in ancient belief, why Thetis called up Ægæon of all others to +Jove’s assistance. The whole of the story, however, is not detailed—it +is not much more than indicated—and therefore it would be difficult +even now to interpret it in a perfectly satisfactory manner. It bears +the same relation to the Iliad, that the northern fables of the gods, +which serve as a back-ground to the legend of Nibelungen, bear to our +German ballad, only that here the separation is much greater +still—Muller. + +Homer makes use of this fable, without reference to its meaning as an +allegory. Briareus seems to symbolize a navy, and the fable refers to +some event in remote history, when the reigning power was threatened in +his autocracy, and strengthened by means of his association with the +people against some intermediate class.—E.P.P. + +επαυρωνται. + +[A name by which we are frequently to understand the Nile in +Homer.—Tr.] + +Around the sources of the Nile, and thence south-west into the very +heart of Africa, stretching away indefinitely over its mountain plains, +lies the country which the ancients called Ethiopia, rumors of whose +wonderful people found their way early into Greece, and are scattered +over the pages of her poets and historians. + +Homer wrote at least eight hundred years before Christ, and his poems +are well ascertained to be a most faithful mirror of the manners of his +times and the knowledge of his age. * * * * * * + +Homer never wastes an epithet. He often alludes to the Ethiopians +elsewhere, and always in terms of admiration and praise, as being the +most just of men, and the favorites of the gods. The same allusions +glimmer through the Greek mythology, and appear in the verses of almost +all the Greek poets, ere yet the countries of Italy and Sicily were +even discovered. The Jewish Scriptures and Jewish literature abound in +allusions to this distant and mysterious people, the annals of the +Egyptian priests are full of them, and uniformly, the Ethiopians are +there lauded as among the best, the most religious, and most civilized +of men.—Christian Examiner. + +The Ethiopians, says Diodorus, are said to be the inventors of pomps, +sacrifices, solemn meetings, and other honors paid to the gods. From +hence arose their character of piety, which is here celebrated by +Homer. Among these there was an annual feast at Diospolis, which +Eustathius mentions, when they carried about the statues of Jupiter and +other gods, for twelve days, according to their number; to which, if we +add the ancient custom of setting meat before statues, it will appear +to be a rite from which this fable might easily have arisen. + +[The original word (πολυβενθεος) seems to express variety of soundings, +an idea probably not to be conveyed in an English epithet.—Tr.] + +The following passage gives the most exact account of the ancient +sacrifices that we have left us. There is first, the purification by +the washing of hands; second, the offering up of prayers; third, the +barley-cakes thrown upon the victim; fourth, the manner of killing it, +with the head turned upwards; fifth, selecting the thighs and fat for +their gods, as the best of the sacrifice, and disposing about them +pieces cut from every part for a representation of the whole (hence the +thighs are frequently spoken of in Homer and the Greek poets as the +whole victim); sixth, the libation of wine; seventh, consuming the +thighs in the fire of the altar; eighth, the sacrificers dressing and +feasting on the rest, with joy and hymns to the gods. + +The _Pæan_ (originally sung in honor of Apollo) was a hymn to +propitiate the god, and also a song of thanksgiving, when freed from +danger. It was always of a joyous nature. Both tune and sound expressed +hope and confidence. It was sung by several persons, one of whom +probably led the others, and the singers either marched onward, or sat +together at table. + +It was the custom to draw the ships entirely upon the shore, and to +secure them by long props.—Felton + +Suppliants threw themselves at the feet of the person to whom the +supplication was addressed, and embraced his knees.—Felton. + +Ambrosia, the food of the gods, conferred upon them eternal youth and +immortality, and was brought to Jupiter by pigeons. It was also used by +the gods for anointing the body and hair. Hence the expression, +ambrosial locks. + +The original says, “the ox-eyed goddess,” which furnishes Coleridge +with one of the hints on which he proceeds in historically identifying +the Argive Juno with Io and Isis, &c. There is real wit in Homer’s +making her say to Jupiter, “I never search thy thoughts,” &c. The +principle of conservatism asks nothing of the intellectual power, but +blindly contends, reposing upon the instinct of a common sense, which +leads her always to surmise that something is intended by the +intellectual power that she shall not like.—E.P.P. + +This refers to an old fable of Jupiter’s hanging up Juno and whipping +her. Homer introduces it without reference to its meaning, which was +undoubtedly some physical truth connected with the ether and the +atmosphere.—E.P.P. + +[The reader, in order that he may partake with the gods in the drollery +of this scene, should observe that the crippled and distorted Vulcan +had thrust himself into an office at all other times administered +either by Hebe or Ganymede.—Tr.] + +As Minerva or Wisdom was among the company, the poet’s making Vulcan +act the part of peace-maker, would appear to have been from choice, +knowing that a mirthful person may often stop a quarrel, by making +himself the subject of merriment. + + + + +Footnotes for Book II: + + +The poem now becomes more exciting; the language more animated; the +descriptions more lively and figurative. Homer seems to kindle with his +subject, and to press all the phenomena of nature into his service for +the purpose of illustration and adornment. Jupiter prepares to keep his +promise of avenging Achilles, by drawing Agamemnon into a deceitful +expectation of taking the city. The forces are arranged for battle, +which gives occasion for the celebrated catalogue.—Felton. + +The whole action of the Dream is natural. It takes the figure of one +much beloved by Agamemnon, as the object that is most in our thoughts +when awake, is the one that oftenest appears to us in our dreams, and +just at the instant of its vanishing, leaves so strong an impression, +that the voice seems still sounding in his ear. + +The Dream also repeats the words of Jupiter without variation, which is +considered as a great propriety in delivering a message from the father +of gods and men. + +King of Pylus, an ancient city of Elis. + +[Agamemnon seems to entertain some doubts lest the army should so +resent his treatment of their favorite Achilles, as to be indisposed to +serve him.—Tr.] + +[Mercury.] + +[Argus.] + +Homer, in a happy and poetical manner, acquaints us with the high +descent of Agamemnon, and traces the origin of his power to the highest +source, by saying, that the sceptre had descended to him from the hand +of Jupiter. + +The power of Agamemnon as a monarch refers to his being the leader of +an army. According to the form of royalty in the heroic age, a king had +only the power of a magistrate, except as he held the office of priest. +Aristotle defines a king as a Leader of war, a Judge of controversies, +and President of the ceremonies of the gods. That he had the principal +care of religious rites, appears from many passages in Homer. His power +was nowhere absolute but in war, for we find Agamemnon insulted in the +council, but in the army threatening deserters with death. Agamemnon is +sometimes styled king of kings, as the other princes had given him +supreme authority over them in the siege. + +[The extremest provocation is implied in this expression, which +Thersites quotes exactly as he had heard it from the lips of +Achilles.—Tr.] + +The character of Thersites is admirably sketched. There is nothing +vague and indistinct, but all the traits are so lively, that he stands +before us like the image of some absurd being whom we have ourselves +seen. It has been justly remarked by critics, that the poet displays +great skill in representing the opponents of Agamemnon in the character +of so base a personage, since nothing could more effectually reconcile +the Greeks to the continuance of the war, than the ridiculous +turbulence of Thersites.—Felton. + +[Some for πονος here read ποθος; which reading I have adopted for the +sake both of perspicuity and connection.—Tr.] + +The principal signs by which the gods were thought to declare their +will, were things connected with the offering of sacrifices, the flight +and voice of birds, all kinds of natural phenomena, ordinary as well as +extraordinary dreams. + +An epithet supposed to have been derived from Gerenia, a Messenian +town, where Nestor was educated. + +In the pictures which Homer draws of him, the most striking features +are his wisdom, bravery, and knowledge of war, his eloquence, and his +old age. + +For some general remarks upon the heroes of the time, see Grecian and +Roman Mythology. + +In allusion to the custom of pouring out a libation of pure wine, in +the ceremony of forming a league, and joining right hands, as a pledge +of mutual fidelity after the sacrifice.—Felton. + +[Nestor is supposed here to glance at Achilles.—Tr.] + +Homer here exalts wisdom over valor. + +[Money stamped with the figure of an ox.]—Tr. + +The encouragement of a divine power, seemed all that was requisite to +change the dispositions of the Grecians, and make them more ardent for +combat than they had previously been to return. This conquers their +inclinations in a manner at once poetical and in keeping with the moral +which is every where spread through Homer, that nothing is accomplished +without divine assistance. + +Homer’s rich invention gives us five beautiful similes on the march of +the army. This profusion and variety can never be sufficiently admired. + +The superior knowledge that the poet here attributes to the Muses as +divine beings, and then his occasional invocations to them, gives an +air of importance to his subject and has an imposing effect. + +However fabulous the other parts of Homer’s poems may be, this account +of the princes, people, and countries, is by far the most valuable +piece of history and geography left us in regard to the state of Greece +in that early period. Greece was then divided into several dynasties, +which Homer has enumerated under their respective princes; and his +division was considered so correct, that many disputes respecting the +boundaries of Grecian cities were decided upon his authority. +Eustathius has collected together the following instances: The city of +Calydon was adjudged to the Ætolians, notwithstanding the pretensions +of Æolia, because it was ranked by Homer as belonging to the former. +Sestos was given to those of Abydos, upon the plea that he had said the +Abydonians were possessors of Sestos, Abydos, and Arisbe. When the +Milesians and people of Priene disputed their claim to Mycale, a verse +of Homer gave it to the Milesians. The Athenians were put in possession +of Salamis by another which was cited by Solon, or (according to some) +interpolated by him for that purpose; and Porphyry says, that the +catalogue was so highly esteemed, that the youths of some nations were +required to commit it to memory. + +Professor Felton remarks, “The student is advised to give particular +attention to this important passage. He will find it the most +interesting fragment of geography extant; interesting for the poetical +beauty of the verse, the regular order which is followed, and the +little characteristic touches which denote the peculiarities of the +several provinces. The more he examines this catalogue with the +subsidiary lights of geography, history and travels, the more cause +will he find of wonder, that a description so ancient should combine so +much accuracy, beauty, and interest. It is recommended to the student, +to trace the provinces and cities on some good map of ancient Greece.” + +[Some say Thebes the less, others, the suburbs of Thebes the greater. +It is certain that Thebes itself sent none.—Tr.] + +It was the custom of these people to shave the fore parts of their +heads, that their enemies might not seize them by the hair; on the +hinder part they allowed it to grow, as a valiant race that would never +turn their backs. Their manner of fighting was hand to hand, without +quitting their javelins. + +Menelaus is occasionally distinguished by his activity, which shows his +personal concern in the war. + +The Arcadians, being an inland people, were unskilled in navigation, +for which reason Agamemnon furnished them with shipping. + +Nireus is nowhere mentioned as a leader but in these lines. As rank and +beauty were his only qualifications, he is allowed to sink into +oblivion. + +The mud of the Peneus is of a light color, for which reason Homer gives +it the epithet of silvery. The Titaresius, and other small streams +which are rolled from Olympus and Ossa, are so extremely clear, that +their waters are distinguished from those of the Peneus for a +considerable distance from the point of their confluence.—Dodwell. + +Dr. Clarke, in his travels, describes this tomb as a conical mound; and +says that it is the spot of all others for viewing the plain of Troy, +as it is visible in all parts of Troas. From its top may be traced the +course of the Scamander, the whole chain of Ida, stretching towards +Lectum, the snowy heights of Gargarus, and all the shores of +Hellespont, near the mouth of the river Sigæum and the other tumuli +upon the coast. + +A patronymic given to Achilles as descendant of Æacus, father of +Peleus. + +A river of Troas in Asia Minor, the same as the Scamander. + +This expression is construed by critics as denoting an unpolished +dialect, but not a foreign. + + + + +Footnotes for Book III: + + +The scenes described in this book are exceedingly lifesome. The figures +are animating and beautiful, and the mind of the reader is borne along +with breathless interest over the sonorous verse.—Felton. + +This is a striking simile, from its exactness in two points—the noise +and the order. It has been supposed that the embattling of an army was +first learned by observing the close order of the flight of these +birds. The noise of the Trojans contrasts strongly with the silence of +the Greeks. Plutarch remarks upon this distinction as a credit to the +military discipline of the latter, and Homer would seem to have +attached some importance to it, as he again alludes to the same thing. +Book iv. 510. + +[Paris, frequently named Alexander in the original.—Tr.] + +Not from cowardice, but from a sense of guilt towards Menelaus. At the +head of an army he challenges the boldest of the enemy; and Hector, at +the end of the Sixth Book, confesses that no man could reproach him as +a coward. Homer has a fine moral;—A brave mind, however blinded with +passion, is sensible of remorse whenever he meets the person whom he +has injured; and Paris is never made to appear cowardly, but when +overcome by the consciousness of his injustice. + +[Λαινον εσσο χιτωνα] + +In allusion to the Oriental custom of stoning to death for the crime of +adultery.—Felton. + +The sling was a very efficacious and important instrument in ancient +warfare. Stones were also thrown with the hand. The Libyans carried no +other arms than the spear and a bag of stones. + +The Trojans were required to sacrifice two lambs; one male of a white +color to the Sun, as the father of light, and one female and black to +the Earth, the mother and nurse of men. That these were the powers to +which they sacrificed appears from their being attested by name in the +oath. III. 330. + +Helen’s weaving the events of the Trojan war in a veil is an agreeable +fiction; and one might suppose that it was inherited by Homer, and +explained in his Iliad.—Dacier. + +[Not the grasshopper, but an insect well known in hot countries, and +which in Italy is called Cicála. The grasshopper rests on the ground, +but the favorite abode of the Cicála is in the trees and hedges.—Tr.] + +This episode is remarkable for its beauty. The effect of Helen’s +appearance upon the aged counsellors is striking and poetical. It must +be borne in mind, that Helen was of divine parentage and unfading +beauty, and this will explain the enthusiasm which her sight called +forth from the old men. The poet’s skill in taking this method of +describing the Grecian chieftains is obvious, and the sketches +themselves are living and characteristic to a high degree. The +reminiscences of the aged Priam, as their names are announced, and the +penitential sorrow of the erring Helen, which the sight of her +countrymen, and the recollection of her home, her child, her +companions, excite in her bosom, are among the most skilful touches of +natural feeling.—Felton. + +The character of a benevolent old man is well preserved in Priam’s +behavior to Helen. Upon observing her confusion, he attributes the +misfortunes of the war to the gods alone. This sentiment is also +natural to old age. Those who have had the longest experience of life, +are the most inclined to ascribe the disposal of all things to the will +of Heaven. + +This view of the Grecian leaders from the walls of Troy, is admired as +an episode of great beauty, and considered a masterly manner of +acquainting the reader with the figure and qualifications of each hero. + +Helen sees no where in the plain her two brothers Castor and Pollux. +Her inquiry is a natural one, and her self-reproach naturally suggests +her own disgrace as the cause of their not appearing among the other +commanders. The two lines in which the poet mentions their death are +simple and touching.—Felton. + +Homer here gives the whole ceremonial of the solemn oath, as it was +then observed by the nations of whom he writes. + +It must be borne in mind that sacrificing was the most solemn act of +religion, and that kings were also chief-priests. + +The armor of both Greeks and Trojans consisted of six portions, and was +always put on in the order here given. The greaves were for the defence +of the legs. They were made of some kind of metal, and probably lined +with cloth or felt. The cuirass or corselet for the body, was made of +horn cut in thin pieces and fastened upon linen cloth, one piece +overlapping another. The sword hung on the left side by means of a belt +which passed over the right shoulder. The large round shield, sometimes +made of osiers twisted together and covered with several ox-hides, and +bound round the edge with metal. In the Homeric times it was supported +by a belt; subsequently a band was placed across the inner side, in +which the left arm was inserted, and a strong leather strap fastened +near the edge at certain distances, which was grasped by the hand. The +helmet, made of metal and lined with felt. Lastly the spear, and in +many cases two. The heavy-armed soldiery were distinguished from the +light. The covering of the latter consisted of skins, and instead of +the sword and lance, they fought with darts, bows and arrows, or +slings, and were generally attached in a subordinate capacity to the +heavy-armed soldiery. + +Homer puts a prayer in the mouth of Menelaüs, but none in that of +Paris. Menelaüs is injured and innocent, and may therefore ask for +justice; but Paris, who is the criminal, remains silent. + +[Because the hide of a beast that dies in health is tougher and fitter +for use than of another that dies diseased.] + + + + +Footnotes for Book IV: + + +The goddess of youth is made an attendant at the banquets of the gods, +to show that they enjoyed a perpetual youth, and endless felicity. + +[A town of that name in Bœotia, where Pallas was particularly +worshipped.—Tr.] + +[Βοωπις, constant description of Juno, but not susceptible of literal +translation.] + +Homer does not make the gods use all persons indiscriminately as their +agents, but each according to his powers. When Minerva would persuade +the Greeks, she seeks Ulysses; when she would break the truce, for +Pandarus; and when she would conquer, for Diomede. The goddess went not +to the Trojans, because they hated Paris, and looks among the allies, +where she finds Pandarus, who was of a nation noted for perfidiousness, +and who, from his avarice, was capable of engaging in this treachery +for the hope of a reward from Paris. + +A city of Asia Minor. + +This description, so full of circumstantial detail, is remarkably +beautiful. 1. The history of the bow, giving in a few words the picture +of a hunter, lying in ambush and slaying his victim. 2. Then the +process of making the bow. 3. The anxious preparation for discharging +the arrow with certainty, which was destined to break off the truce and +precipitate the battle. 4. The hurried prayer and vow to Apollo, after +which the string is drawn, the cord twangs, the arrow “leaps forth.” +The whole is described with such graphic truth, that we see, and hear, +and wait in breathless suspense to know the result.—Felton. + +This is one of those humble comparisons with which Homer sometimes +diversifies his subject, but a very exact one of its kind, and +corresponding in all its parts. The care of the goddess, the +unsuspecting security of Menelaus, the ease with which she diverts the +danger, and the danger itself, are all included in these few words. To +which may be added, that if the providence of heavenly powers to their +creatures is expressed by the love of a mother to her child, if men in +regard to them are but as sleeping infants, and the dangers that seem +so great to us, as easily warded off as the simile implies, the +conception appears sublime, however insignificant the image may at +first seem in regard to a hero. + +From this we learn that the Lydians and Carians were famous for their +skill in dying purple, and that their women excelled in works of ivory; +and also that there were certain ornaments that only kings and princes +were privileged to wear. + +This speech of Agamemnon over his wounded brother, is full of noble +power and touching eloquence. The Trojans have violated a truce +sanctioned by a solemn sacrifice to the gods. The reflection that such +perjury cannot pass with impunity, but that Jove will, sooner or later, +punish it, occurs first to the mind of the warrior. In the excitement +of the moment, he predicts that the day will surely come when sacred +Troy shall fall. From this impetuous feeling his mind suddenly returns +to the condition of his brother, and imagines with much pathos, the +consequences that will follow from his death, and ends with the wish, +that the earth may open before him when that time shall come.—Felton. + +The poet here changes the narration, and apostrophises the reader. +Critics commend this figure, as the reader then becomes a spectator, +and his mind is kept fixed on the action. + +In the following review of the army, we see the skill of an +accomplished general as well as the characters of the leaders whom +Agamemnon addresses. He begins with an address to the army in general, +and then turns to individuals. To the brave he urges their secure hopes +of conquest, since the gods must punish perjury; to the timid, their +inevitable destruction if the enemy should burn their ships. After this +he flies from rank to rank, skilfully addressing each ally, and +presents a lively picture of a great mind in the highest emotion. + +The ancients usually in their feasts divided to the guests in equal +portions, except they took particular occasion to show distinction. It +was then considered the highest mark of honor to be allotted the best +portion of meat and wine, and to be allowed an exemption from the laws +of the feast in drinking wine unmingled and without measure. This +custom was much more ancient than the time of the Trojan war, and we +find it practised in the banquet given by Joseph to his brethren. + +[Diverse interpretations are given of this passage. I have adopted that +which to me appeared most plausible. It seems to be a caution against +the mischiefs that might ensue, should the horses be put under the +management of a driver with whom they were unacquainted.—The scholium +by Villoisson much countenances this solution.—Tr.] + +[Here Nestor only mentions the name of Ereuthalion, knowing the present +to be an improper time for story-telling; in the seventh book he +relates his fight and victory at length. This passage may serve to +confute those who charge Nestor with indiscriminate loquacity.—Tr.] + +The first Theban war, previously alluded to, took place twenty-seven +years before the war of Troy. Sthenelus here speaks of the second, +which happened ten years after the first. For an account of these wars +see Grecian and Roman Mythology. + +This is a most animated description. The onset, the clashing of spears, +the shield pressed to shield, the tumult of the battle, the shouts and +groans of the slayer and the dying—all are described in words, the very +sound of which conveys the terrible meaning. Then come the exploits +performed by individual heroes. The student must bear in mind, that the +battles of the heroic age depended in a great measure upon the prowess +of single chieftains. Hence the appropriateness of the following +enumeration.—Felton. + +So called from the river Simoïs, near which he was born. It was an +eastern custom to name children from the most remarkable accident of +their birth. The Scriptures furnish many examples. In the Old Testament +princes were also compared to trees, and Simöisius is here resembled to +a poplar. + +Homer occasionally puts his readers in mind of Achilles, and finds +occasion to celebrate his valor with the highest praise. Apollo here +tells the Trojans they have nothing to fear, since Achilles fights not. + +[Ακροκομοι. They wore only a lock of hair on the crown of the head.] + + + + +Footnotes for Book V: + + +In each battle there is one prominent person who may be called the hero +of the day. This arrangement preserves unity, and helps to fix the +attention of the reader. The gods sometimes favor one hero, and +sometimes another. In this book we have the exploits of Diomede. +Assisted by Minerva, he is eminent both for prudence and valor. + +Sirius. This comparison, among many others, shows how constantly the +poet’s attention was directed to the phenomena of nature.—Felton. + +Ηιοεντι. + +The chariots were probably very low. We frequently find in the Iliad +that a person standing in a chariot is killed (and sometimes by a +stroke on the head) by a foot soldier with a sword. This may farther +appear from the ease with which they mount or alight, to facilitate +which, the chariots were made open behind. That the wheels were small, +may be supposed from their custom of taking them off and putting them +on. Hebe puts on the wheels of Juno’s chariot, when he called for it in +battle. It may be in allusion to the same custom, that it is said in +Ex., ch. xiv.: “The Lord took off their chariot wheels, so that they +drove them heavily.” That it was very small and light, is evident from +a passage in the tenth Il., where Diomede debates whether he shall draw +the chariot of Rhesus out of the way, or carry it on his shoulders to a +place of safety. + +[Meges, son of Phyleus.] + +This whole passage is considered by critics as very beautiful. It +describes the hero carried by an enthusiastic valor into the midst of +his enemies, and mingling in the ranks indiscriminately. The simile +thoroughly illustrates this fury, proceeding as it did from an +extraordinary infusion of courage from Heaven. + +[Apollo.] + +The deities are often invoked because of the agency ascribed to them +and not from any particular religious usage. And just as often the +heroes are protected by the gods who are worshipped by their own tribes +and families—Muller. + +This fiction of Homer, says Dacier, is founded upon an important truth +of religion, not unknown to the Pagans: viz. that God only can open the +eyes of men, and enable them to see what they cannot otherwise +discover. The Old Testament furnishes examples. God opens the eyes of +Hagar, that she may see the fountain. “The Lord opened the eyes of +Baalam, and he saw the angel,” etc. This power of sight was given to +Diomede only for the present occasion. In the 6th Book, on meeting +Glaucus, he is ignorant whether he is a god, a hero, or a man. + +[Or collar-bone.] + +The belief of those times, in regard to the peace and happiness of the +soul after death, made the protection of the body a matter of great +importance. For a full account of these rites, see the articles Charon +and Pluto, Gr. & Rom. Mythology. + +The physician of the gods. Homer says nothing of his origin. He seems +to be considered as distinct from Apollo, though perhaps originally +identical with him. + +From the fact that so few mystical myths are introduced in the Iliad, +Müller infers that the mystical element of religion could not have +predominated among the Grecian people for whom Homer sang. Otherwise, +his poems in which that element is but little regarded, would not have +afforded universal pleasure and satisfaction. He therefore takes but a +passing notice of Demeter. Müller also remarks, that in this we cannot +but admire the artistic skill of Homer, and the feeling for what is +right and fitting that was innate with the Greeks. + +[Vide Samson to Harapha in the Agonistes. There the word is used in the +same sense.—Tr.] + +[This is a construction of λευκ ελεφαντι given by some of the best +commentators, and that seems the most probable.—Tr.] + +This slow and orderly retreat of the Greeks, with their front +constantly turned to the enemy, is a fine encomium on their courage and +discipline. This manner of retreating was customary among the +Lacedæmonians, as were many other martial customs described by Homer. +The practice arose from the apprehension of being killed by a wound in +the back, which was not only punished with infamy, but a person bearing +the mark was denied the rites of burial. + +[This, according to Porphyrius as quoted by Clarke, is the true meaning +of αιολομιτρης.—Tr.] + +The chariots of the gods were formed of various metals, and drawn +through the air, or upon the surface of the sea, by horses of celestial +breed. These chariots were used by the deities only on occasion of a +long journey, or when they wished to appear with state and +magnificence. Ordinarily they were transported from place to place by +the aid of their golden sandals, with the exception of the +“silver-footed Thetis,” to whom they seem to have been superfluous. +When at home, the gods were barefoot, according to the custom of the +age, as we see from various representations of antique art. + +[These which I have called crescents, were a kind of hook of a +semicircular form, to which the reins were occasionally fastened.—Tr.] + +The Greeks borrowed the vest and shield of Minerva from the Lybians, +only with this difference: the Lybian shield was fringed with thongs of +leather, and the Grecian with serpents.—Herodotus. + +This expression (the gates of Heaven) is in the eastern manner, and +common in the Scriptures. + +[Αρεα τονδε.] + +Every thing that enters the dark empire of Hades disappears, and is +seen no more; hence the figurative expression, to put on Pluto’s +helmet; that is to become invisible. + + + + +Footnotes for Book VI: + + +The Simoïs and Xanthus were two rivers of the Troad, which form a +junction before they reached the Hellespont. The Simoïs rose in Mt. +Ida, and the Xanthus had its origin near Troy.—Felton. + +Ajax commences his exploits immediately on the departure of the gods +from the battle. It is observed of this hero, that he is never assisted +by the deities. + +Axylus was distinguished for his hospitality. This trait was +characteristic of the Oriental nations, and is often alluded to by +ancient writers. The rite of hospitality often united families +belonging to different and hostile nations, and was even transmitted +from father to son. This description is a fine tribute to the +generosity of Axylus.—Felton + +[Euryalus.] + +Agamemnon’s taking the life of the Trojan whom Menelaus had pardoned, +was according to the custom of the times. The historical books of the +Old Testament abound in instances of the like cruelty to conquered +enemies. + +This important maxim of war is very naturally introduced, upon Menelaus +being ready to spare an enemy for the sake of a ransom. According to +Dacier, it was for such lessons as these that Alexander so much +esteemed Homer and studied his poem. + +The custom of making donations to the gods is found among the ancients, +from the earliest times of which we have any record down to the +introduction of Christianity; and even after that period it was +observed by the Christians during the middle ages. Its origin seems to +have been the same as that of sacrifices: viz. the belief that the gods +were susceptible of influence in their conduct towards men. These gifts +were sometimes very costly, but often nothing more than locks of hair +cut from the head of the votary. + +Diomede had knowingly wounded and insulted the deities; he therefore +met Glaucus with a superstitious fear that he might be some deity in +human shape. This feeling brought to his mind the story of Lycurgus. + +It is said that Lycurgus caused most of the vines of his country to be +rooted up, so that his subjects were obliged to mix their wine with +water, as it became less plentiful. Hence the fable that Thetis +received Bacchus into her bosom. + +This style of language was according to the manners of the times. Thus +Goliath to David, “Approach, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of +the air and the beasts of the field.” The Orientals still speak in the +same manner. + +Though this comparison may be justly admired for its beauty in the +obvious application to the mortality and succession of human life, it +seems designed by the poet, in this place, as a proper emblem of the +transitory state of families which, by their misfortune or folly, have +fallen and decayed, and again appear, in a happier season, to revive +and flourish in the fame and virtues of their posterity. In this sense +it is a direct answer to the question of Diomede, as well as a proper +preface to what Glaticus relates of his own family, which, having +become extinct in Corinth, recovers new life in Lycia. + +The same as Corinth. + +Some suppose that alphabetical writing was unknown in the Homeric age, +and consequently that these signs must have been hieroglyphical marks. +The question is a difficult one, and the most distinguished scholars +are divided in opinion. We can hardly imagine that a poem of the length +and general excellence of the Iliad, could be composed without the aid +of writing; and yet, we are told, there are well-authenticated examples +of such works being preserved and handed down by traditional memory. +However this may be, we know that the Oriental nations were in +possession of the art of alphabetical writing it a very early period, +and before the Trojan war. It cannot, then, seem very improbable, that +the authors of the Iliad should also have been acquainted with +it.—Felton. + +The Solymi were an ancient nation inhabiting the mountainous parts of +Asia Minor, between Lycia and Pisidia. Pliny mentions them as having +become extinct in his time. + +It was the custom in ancient times, upon the performance of any signal +service by kings or great men, for the public to grant them a tract of +land as a reward. When Sarpedon, in the 12th Book, exhorts Glaucus to +behave valiantly, he reminds him of these possessions granted by his +countrymen. + +The laws of hospitality were considered so sacred, that a friendship +contracted under their observance was preferred to the ties of +consanguinity and alliance, and regarded as obligatory even to the +third and fourth generation. Diomede and Glaucus here became friends, +on the ground of their grandfathers having been mutual guests. The +presents made on these occasions were preserved by families, as it was +considered obligatory to transmit them as memorials to their children. + +[Ξεινοι πατρωιοι.] + +The Scæan gate opened to the field of battle, and was the one through +which the Trojans made their excursions. Close to this stood the beech +tree sacred to Jupiter, and often mentioned in connection with it. + +There is a mournfulness in the interview between the hero and his +mother which is deeply interesting. Her urging him to take wine and his +refusal were natural and simple incidents, which heighten the effect of +the scene.—Felton. + +The custom that prohibits persons polluted with blood from performing +any offices of divine worship before purification, is so ancient and +universal, that it may be considered a precept of natural religion, +tending to inspire a horror of bloodshed. In Euripides, Iphigenia +argues the impossibility of human sacrifices being acceptable to the +gods, since they do not permit any one defiled with blood, or even +polluted with the touch of a dead body, to come near their altars. + +Paris surprised the King of Phœnecia by night, and carried off many of +his treasures and captives, among whom probably were these Sidonian +women. Tyre and Sidon were famous for works in gold, embroidery, etc., +and for whatever pertained to magnificence and luxury. + +This gesture is the only one described by Homer as being used by the +ancients in their invocations of the gods. + +[δια θεαων.] + +The employment in which Hector finds Paris engaged, is extremely +characteristic.—Felton. + +This address of Helen is in fine keeping with her character.—Felton. + +[The bulk of his heroes is a circumstance of which Homer frequently +reminds us by the use of the word μεγας—and which ought, therefore, by +no means to be suppressed.—Tr.] + +Love of his country is a prominent characteristic of Hector, and is +here beautifully displayed in his discharging the duties that the +public welfare required, before seeking his wife and child. Then +finding that she had gone to the tower, he retraces his steps to “the +Scæan gate, whence he must seek the field.” Here his wife, on her +return home, accidentally meets him. + + [The name signifies, the _Chief of the city_.—Tr.] + +It was the custom to plant about tombs only such trees as elms, alders, +etc., that bear no fruit, as being most appropriate to the dead. + +In this recapitulation, Homer acquaints us with some of the great +achievements of Achilles, which preceded the opening of the poem—a +happy manner of exalting his hero, and exciting our expectation as to +what he is yet to accomplish. His greatest enemies never upbraid him, +but confess his glory. When Apollo encourages the Trojans to fight, it +is by telling them Achilles fights no more. When Juno animates the +Greeks, she reminds them how their enemies fear Achilles; and when +Andromache trembles for Hector, it is with the remembrance of his +resistless force. + +Drawing water was considered the most servile employment. + +[The Scholiast in Villoisson calls it +φυσικον τινα και μετριον γελωτα a natural and moderate laughter.—Tr.] + +According to the ancient belief, the fatal period of life is appointed +to all men at the time of their birth, which no precaution can avoid +and no danger hasten. + +This scene, for true and unaffected pathos, delicate touches of nature, +and a profound knowledge of the human heart, has rarely been equalled, +and never surpassed, among all the efforts of genius during the three +thousand years that have gone by since it was conceived and +composed.—Felton. + + + + +Footnotes for Book VII: + + +Holding the spear in this manner was, in ancient warfare, understood as +a signal to discontinue the fight. + +The challenge of Hector and the consternation of the Greeks, presents +much the same scene as the challenge of Goliath, 1 Samuel, ch. 17: “And +he stood and cried to the armies of Israel;—Choose you a man for you, +and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to +kill me, then will we be your servants.—When Saul and all Israel heard +the words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” + +It was an ancient custom for warriors to dedicate trophies of this kind +to the temples of their tutelary deities. + +[The club-bearer.] + +[It is a word used by Dryden.] + +Homer refers every thing, even the chance of the lots, to the +disposition of the gods. + +[Agamemnon.] + +The lot was merely a piece of wood or shell, or any thing of the kind +that was at hand. Probably it had some private mark, and not the name, +as it was only recognized by the owner. + +This reply is supposed to allude to some gesture made by Ajax in +approaching Hector. + +The heralds were considered as sacred persons, the delegates of +Mercury, and inviolable by the laws of nations. Ancient history +furnishes examples of the severity exercised upon those who were guilty +of any outrage upon them. Their office was, to assist in the sacrifices +and councils, to proclaim war or peace, to command silence at +ceremonies or single combats, to part the combatants and declare the +conqueror. + +This word I have taken leave to coin. The Latins have both substantive +and adjective. _Purpura—Purpureus._ We make purple serve both uses; but +it seems a poverty to which we have no need to submit, at least in +poetry.—Tr. + +A particular mark of honor and respect, as this part of the victim +belonged to the king. In the simplicity of the times, the reward +offered a victorious warrior of the best portion of the sacrifice at +supper, a more capacious bowl, or an upper seat at table, was a +recompense for the greatest actions. +It is worthy of observation, that beef, mutton, or kid, was the food of +the heroes of Homer and the patriarchs and warriors of the Old +Testament. Fishing and fowling were then the arts of more luxurious +nations. + +[The word is here used in the Latin sense of it. Virgil, describing the +entertainment given by Evander to the Trojans, says that he regaled +them + +Perpetui _tergo bovis et lustralibus extis._ +Æn. viii. + +It means, the whole.—Tr.] + + + + +Footnotes for Book VIII: + + +An epithet of Aurora, supposed to designate an early hour. + +Many have explained this as an allegorical expression for one of the +great laws of nature—gravity or the attraction of the sun. There is not +the slightest probability that any such meaning is intended.—Felton. + +A part of Mt. Ida. This place was celebrated, in subsequent times, for +the worship of Jupiter. Several years ago, Dr. E.D. Clarke deposited, +in the vestibule of the public library in Cambridge, England, a marble +bust of Juno, taken from the ruins of this temple of Jupiter, at the +base of Mt. Ida.—Felton + +[In the repetition of this expression, the translator follows the +original.] + +Sacred, because that part of the day was appropriate to sacrifice and +religious worship. + +This figure is first used in the Scriptures. Job prays to be weighed in +an even balance, that God may know his integrity. Daniel says to +Belshazzar, “thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting,” etc. + +Jupiter’s declaring against the Greeks by thunder and lightning, is +drawn (says Dacier) from truth itself. 1 Sam. ch. vii.: “And as Samuel +was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle +against Israel; but the Lord thundered on that day upon the Philistines +and discomfited them.” + +Nothing can be more spirited than the enthusiasm of Hector, who, in the +transport of his joy, breaks out in the following apostrophe to his +horses. He has, in imagination, already forced the Grecian +entrenchments, set the fleet in flames, and destroyed the whole army. + +From this speech, it may be gathered that women were accustomed to +loosen the horses from the chariot, on their return from battle, and +feed them; and from line 214, unless it is spurious, it seems that the +provender was sometimes mixed with wine. It is most probable, however, +that the line is not genuine.—Felton. + +Homer describes a princess so tender in her love to her husband, that +she meets him on his return from every battle, and, in the joy of +seeing him again, feeds his horses with bread and wine, as an +acknowledgment to them for bringing him back.—Dacier. + +These were the arms that Diomede had received from Glaucus. + +[None daring to keep the field, and all striving to enter the gates +together, they obstructed their own passage, and were, of course, +compelled into the narrow interval between the foss and rampart. + +But there are different opinions about the space intended. See +Villoisson.—Tr.] + +[To Jove, the source of all oracular information.] + +Jupiter, in answer to the prayer of Agamemnon, sends an omen to +encourage the Greeks. The application of it is obvious: The eagle +signified Hector, the fawn denoted the fear and flight of the Greeks, +and being dropped at the altar of Jupiter, indicated that they would be +saved by the protection of that god. + +This simile is very beautiful, and exactly represents the manner of +Gorgythion’s death. There is so much truth in the comparison, that we +pity the fall of the youth and almost feel his wound. + +[Ενικλαν.—The word is here metaphorical, and expresses, in its primary +use, the breaking of a spear against a shield.—Tr.] + +[The following lines, to the end of this paragraph, are a translation +of some which Barnes has here inserted from the second Alcibiades of +Plato.] + +The simile is the most magnificent that can be conceived. The stars +come forth brightly, the whole heaven is cloudless and serene, the moon +is in the sky, the heights, and promontories, and forests stand forth +distinctly in the light, _and the shepherd rejoices in his heart_. This +last simple and natural circumstance is inexpressibly beautiful, and +heightens the effect of the visible scene, by associating it, in the +most direct and poetical manner, with the inward emotion that such a +scene must produce.—Felton. + + + + +Footnotes for Book IX: + + +[In the original the word is—μελανυδρος—dark-watered; and it is +rendered—_deep_—by the best interpreters, because deep waters have a +blackish appearance. Δνοφερον υδωρ is properly water that runs with +rapidity; water—μετα δονησεως φερομενον—See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +This is the language of a brave man, boldly to affirm that courage is +above crowns and sceptres. In former times they were not hereditary, +but the recompense of valor. + +[The observation seems made with a view to prevent such a reply from +Agamemnon to Diomede as might give birth to new dissensions, while it +reminds him indirectly of the mischiefs that had already attended his +quarrel with Achilles.]—Tr. + +This speech of Nestor is happily conceived. It belonged to him as the +aged counsellor to begin the debate, by laying the subject before the +assembly, especially as it was necessary to impale the blame of the +present unfortunate condition of the army to Agamemnon. It would have +been presumptuous in any other, and it was a matter of difficulty and +delicacy even for Nestor.—Felton. + +In the heroic age, the bridegroom, before marriage, was obliged to make +two presents, one to his betrothed wife, and one to his father-in-law. +This was also an ancient custom of the Hebrews. Abraham’s servant gave +presents to Rebekah: Gen. xxiv. 22. Shechem promised a dowry and gift +to Jacob for his daughter: Gen. xxiv. 12. And in after times, Saul said +he desired no dowry for Michal: 1 Sam. xviii. 25. + +One of the religious ceremonies previous to any important enterprise. +Then followed the order for silence and reverent attention; then the +libation, &c.—Felton + + Achilles having retired from action in displeasure to Agamemnon, + quieted himself by singing to his lyre the achievements of demi-gods + and heroes. Nothing was better suited to the martial disposition of + this hero, than these heroic songs. Celebrating the actions of the + valiant prepared him for his own great exploits. Such was the music of + the ancients, and to such purposes was it applied. When the lyre of + Paris was offered to Alexander, he replied that he had little value + for it, but much desired that of Achilles, on which he sung the + actions of heroes in former times.—Plutarch. + +The manners of the Iliad are the manners of the patriarchal and early +ages of the East. The chief differences arise from a different religion +and a more maritime situation. Very far removed from the savage state +on the one hand, and equally distant from the artificial state of an +extended commerce and a manufacturing population on the other, the +spirit and habitudes of the two modes of society are almost identical. +The hero and the Patriarch are substantially coëval; but the first +wanders in twilight, the last stands in the eye of Heaven. When three +men appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre, he ran to meet them +from the tent door, brought them in, directed Sarah to make bread, +fetched from the herd himself a calf tender and good, dressed it, and +set it before them. When Ajax, Ulysses, and Phœnix stand before +Achilles, he rushes forth to greet them, brings them into the tent, +directs Patroclus to mix the wine, cuts up the meat, dresses it, and +sets it before the ambassadors. * * * * + +Instances of this sort might be multiplied to any extent, but the +student will find it a pleasing and useful task to discover them for +himself; and these will amply suffice to demonstrate the existence of +that correspondence of spirit and manners between the Homeric and the +early ages of the Bible history, to which I have adverted. It is real +and important; it affords a standard of the feelings with which we +ought to read the Iliad, if we mean to read it as it deserves; and it +explains and sets in the true point of view numberless passages, which +the ignorance or frivolity of after-times has charged with obscurity, +meanness or error. The Old Testament and the Iliad reflect light +mutually on each other; and both in respect of poetry and morals (for +the whole of Homer’s poetry is a praise of virtue, and every thing in +him tends to this point, except that which is merely superfluous and +for ornament) it may with great truth be said, that he who has the +longest studied, and the most deeply imbibed, the spirit of the Hebrew +Bible, will the best understand and the most lastingly appreciate the +tale of Troy divine.—H.N. Coleridge. + +[I have given this sense to the word +Ζωροτερον—on the authority of the Venetian Scholium, though some +contend that it should be translated—_quickly_. Achilles, who had +reproached Agamemnon with intemperate drinking, was, himself, more +addicted to music than to wine.]—Tr. + +[It is not without authority that I have thus rendered +κρειον μεγα. Homer’s banquets are never stewed or boiled; it cannot +therefore signify a kettle. It was probably a kitchen-table, dresser, +or tray, on which the meat was prepared for the spit. Accordingly we +find that this very meat was spitted afterward.—See +Schaufelbergerus.]—Tr. + +There are no speeches in the Iliad better placed, better timed, or that +give a greater idea of Homer’s genius than these of the ambassadors to +Achilles. They are not only demanded by the occasion, but skilfully +arranged, and in a manner that gives pleasure to the reader. + +[Dacier observes, that he pluralizes the one wife of Menelaus, through +the impetuosity of his spirit.]—Tr. + +According to some ancient writers, Achilles was but twelve years of age +when he went to the wars of Troy. And from what is here related of his +education under Phœnix, it may be inferred, that the fable of his +having been taught by Chiron is an invention of a later age and unknown +to Homer. + +The ancients gave the name of Jupiter not only to the God of heaven, +but also to the God of hell, as is seen here; and to the God of the +sea, as appears from Æschylus. They meant thereby to show that one sole +deity governed the world. To teach this truth, statues were made of +Jupiter which had three eyes. Priam had one in the court of his palace, +which, in sharing the booty of the war of Troy, fell to the lot of +Sthenelus, who carried it to Greece.—Dacier. + +So called because Jove protects those who implore his aid. + +[Wrinkled—because the countenance of a man driven to prayer by a +consciousness of guilt is sorrowful and dejected. Lame—because it is a +remedy to which men recur late, and with reluctance. And +slant-eyed—either because, in that state of humiliation they fear to +lift their eyes to heaven, or are employed in taking a retrospect of +their past misconduct. + +The whole allegory, considering _when_ and _where_ it was composed, +forms a very striking passage.]—Tr. + +[She had five brothers: Iphiclus, Polyphontes, Phanes, Eurypylus, +Plexippus.]—Tr. + +It was the custom for the murderer to go into banishment for one year. +But if the relations of the murdered person were willing, the criminal, +by paying a certain fine, might buy off the exile and remain at home. +Ajax sums up this argument with great strength: We see, says he, a +brother forgive the murder of his brother, a father that of his son; +but Achilles will not forgive the injury offered him by taking away one +captive woman. + +The character of Achilles is well sustained in all his speeches. To +Ulysses he returns a flat denial, and threatens to leave the Trojan +shore in the morning. To Phœnix his answer is more gentle. After Ajax +has spoken, he seems determined not to depart, but yet refuses to bear +arms, except in defence of his own squadron. + + + + +Footnotes for Book X: + + +With slight alteration, Homer here repeats the verses that open the 2d +Book, and ascribes to Agamemnon the same watchfulness over men that +Jupiter had over the gods. + +Menelaus starts a design, which is afterwards proposed by Nestor in +council. The poet knew that the project would come with greater weight +from the age of the one than from the youth of the other, and that the +valiant would be ready to engage in the enterprise suggested by so +venerable a counsellor. + +Agamemnon is uniformly represented as an example of brotherly +affection, and at all times defends Menelaus. + +[Σαυρωτηρ—seems to have been a hollow iron with a point, fitted to the +obtuse end of the spear, for the purpose of planting that end of it in +the ground. It might probably be taken off at pleasure.]—Tr. + +The dogs represent the watch, the flocks the Greeks, the fold their +camp, and the wild beast that invades them, Hector. The place, +position, and circumstances are represented with the utmost life and +nature. + +[_Sable_, because the expedition was made by night, and _each with a +lamb_, as typical of the fruit of their labors.]—Tr. + +It required some address in Diomede to make a choice without offending +the Grecian princes, each one of whom might consider it an indignity to +be refused such a place of honor. Diomede, therefore, chose Ulysses, +not for his valor, but for his wisdom. On this point, the other leaders +all yielded to him. + +The heroes are well armed for their design. Ulysses has a bow and +arrows, that he may be able to wound the enemy at a distance, and +Diomede a two-edged sword. They both have leathern helmets, as the +glittering of the metal might betray them to the enemy. + +[Autolycus was grandfather of Ulysses by the mother’s side.]—Tr. + +Making these military presents to brave adventurers was an ancient +custom. “Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and +gave it to David; and his garments, even to his sword, and his bow, and +his girdle.” 1 Sam. xviii. v. + +These lines show how careful the poet always was to be true to nature. +The little circumstance that they could not _see_ the heron, but only +heard him, stamps the description with an air of verisimilitude which +is at once recognized.—Felton. + +This passage sufficiently justifies Diomede for his choice of Ulysses. +Diomede, who was most renowned for valor, might have given a wrong +interpretation to this omen, and have been discouraged from proceeding +in the attempt. For though it really signified that, as the bird was +not seen, but only heard, so they should not be discovered by the +Trojans, but perform actions of which all Troy should hear with sorrow; +yet, on the other hand, it might imply that, as they discovered the +bird by the noise of its wings, so the noise they should make would +betray them to the Trojans. Pallas does not send the bird sacred to +herself, but the heron, because that is a bird of prey, and denoted +that they should spoil the Trojans. + +Dolon seems to have been eminent for wealth, and Hector summons him to +the assembly as one of the chiefs of Troy. He was known to the Greeks, +perhaps, from his having passed between the two armies as a herald. +Ancient writers observe, that it was the office of Dolon that led him +to offer himself in this service. The sacredness attached to it gave +him hopes that they would not violate his person, should he chance to +be taken; and his riches he knew were sufficient to purchase his +liberty. Besides these advantages, he probably trusted to his swiftness +to escape pursuit. + +Eustathius remarks upon the different manner in which the Grecians and +Trojans conduct the same enterprise. In the council of the Greeks, a +wise old man proposes the adventure with an air of deference; in that +of the Trojans, a brave young man with an air of authority. The one +promises a small gift, but honorable and certain; the other a great +one, but uncertain and less honorable, because it is given as a reward. +Diomede and Ulysses are inspired with a love of glory; Dolon with the +thirst of gain. They proceed with caution and bravery; he with rashness +and vanity. They go in conjunction; he alone. They cross the fields out +of the road, he follows the common track. In all this there is an +admirable contrast, and a moral that strikes every reader at first +sight. + +[Commentators are extremely in the dark, and even Aristarchus seems to +have attempted an explanation in vain. The translator does not pretend +to have ascertained the distance intended, but only to have given a +distance suited to the occasion.]—Tr. + +Ulysses makes no promise of life, but artfully bids Dolon, who is +overpowered by fear, not to think of death. He was so cautious as not +to believe a friend just before without an oath, but he trusts an enemy +without even a promise. + +['Οσσαι γαρ Τρωων πυρος εσχαραι—As many as are owners of hearths—that +is to say, all who are householders here, or natives of the city.]—Tr + +It seems barbarous in Diomede thus to have killed Dolon, but Eustathius +observes that it was necessary to their success, as his cries might +have put the Trojans on their guard. + +An allegorical manner of saying that they were awakened by the morning +light. + +[Homer did not here forget himself, though some have altered +τρις ιο τετρακαιδεκατον.—Rhesus for distinction sake is not numbered +with his people—See Villoisson _in loco_.]—Tr. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XI: + + +Cynyras was king of Cyprus, and this probably alludes to some +historical fact. Cyprus was famous for its minerals. + +[Τρεις εκατερθ'—three on a side, This is evidently the proper +punctuation, though it differs from that of all the editions that I +have seen. I find it no where but in the _Venetian Scholium_.]—Tr. + +It is finely remarked by Trollope, that, of all the points of +resemblance which may be discovered between the sentiments, +associations and expressions of Homer, and those of the sacred +writings, this similitude is perhaps the most striking; and there can +be little doubt that it exhibits a traditional vestige of the +patriarchal record of God’s covenant.—Felton. + +[Quâtre-crested. So I have rendered +τετραφαληρον which literally signifies having four cones. The cone was +a tube into which the crest was inserted. The word quâtre-crested may +need a precedent for its justification, and seems to have a sufficient +one in the cinque-spotted cowslip of Shakspeare.]—Tr. + +[This seems the proper import of +εγδουπησαν. Jupiter is called +εριγδουτος.]—Tr. + +[The translator follows Clarke in this interpretation of a passage to +us not very intelligible.] + +The ancient manner of mowing and reaping was, for the laborers to +divide in two parties, and to begin at each end of the field, which was +equally divided, and proceed till they met in the middle of it. + +Time was then measured by the progression of the sun, and the parts of +the day were distinguished by the various employments. + +[ολμος.] + +[The Grecians at large are indiscriminately called Danaï, Argives, and +Achaians, in the original. The Phthians in particular—Hellenes. They +were the troops of Achilles.]—Tr. + +[Ανεμοτρεφες—literally—wind-nourished.]—Tr. + +In making Ulysses direct Diomede, Homer intends to show that valor +should be under the guidance of wisdom. In the 8th Book, when Diomede +could hardly be restrained by the thunder of Jupiter, his valor is +checked by the wisdom of Nestor. + +Diomede does not fear Hector, but Jupiter, who, he has previously said, +will give the Trojans the day. + +[In the original—κερα αγλαε.—All that I pretend to know of this +expression is that it is ironical, and may relate either to the +head-dress of Paris, or to his archership. To translate it is +impossible; to paraphrase it, in a passage of so much emotion, would be +absurd. I have endeavored to supply its place by an appellation in +point of contempt equal.]—Tr. + +No moral is so evident throughout the Iliad, as the dependence of man +upon divine assistance and protection. Apollo saves Hector from the +dart, and Minerva Ulysses. + +Homer here pays a marked distinction. The army had seen several of +their bravest heroes wounded, yet without expressing as much concern as +at the danger of Machaon, their physician and surgeon. + +[This interpretation of—μινυνθα δε χαζετο δουρος—is taken from the +Scholium by Villoisson. It differs from those of Clarke, Eustathius, +and another Scholiast quoted by Clarke, but seems to suit the context +much better than either.]—Tr. + +The address of Homer in bringing off Ajax is admirable. He makes Hector +afraid to approach him, and brings down Jupiter to terrify him. Thus he +retreats, not from a mortal, but from a God. + +The whole passage is inimitably just and beautiful. We see Ajax slowly +retreating between two armies, and even with a look repulse the one and +protect the other. Every line resembles Ajax. The character of a +stubborn and undaunted warrior is perfectly maintained. He compares him +first to the lion for his undaunted spirit in fighting, and then to the +ass for his stubborn slowness in retreating. In the latter comparison +there are many points of resemblance that enliven the image. The havoc +he makes in the field is represented by the tearing and trampling down +the harvests; and we see the bulk, strength, and obstinancy of the +hero, when the Trojans, in respect to him, are compared to the troops +of boys that impotently endeavor to drive him away. + +It must be borne in mind that among the people of the East, an ass was +a beast upon which kings and princes might ride with dignity. + +Though the resentment of Achilles would not permit him to be an actor +in the field, yet his love of war inclines him to be a spectator. As +the poet did not intend to draw the character of a perfect man in +Achilles, he makes him delighted with the destruction of the Greeks, +because it gratified his revenge. That resentment which is the subject +of the poem, still presides over every other feeling, even the love of +his country. He begins now to pity his countrymen, yet he seems +gratified by their distress, because it will contribute to his glory. + +This onion was very different from the root which now passes under that +name. It had a sweet flavor, and was used to impart an agreeable flavor +to wine. It is in high repute at the present day in Egypt.—Felton. + +[I have interpreted the very ambiguous words +ουω δ' υπο πυθμενες ησαν according to Athenæus as quoted by Clarke, and +his interpretation of them is confirmed by the Scholium in the Venetian +edition of the Iliad, lately published by Villoisson.]—Tr. + +Homer here reminds the reader, that Nestor belonged to a former +generation of men, who were stronger than the heroes of the war. + +[It would have suited the dignity of Agamemnon’s rank to have mentioned +_his_ wound first; but Nestor making this recital to the _friend of +Achilles_, names him slightly, and without any addition.]—Tr. + +[It is said that the Thebans having war with the people of Orchomenos, +the Pylians assisted the latter, for which cause Hercules destroyed +their city.—See Scholium per Villoisson.]—Tr. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XII: + + +[The word is of scripture use; see Gen. ch. xxx. where it describes the +cattle of Jacob.]—Tr. + +[Alluding to the message delivered to him from Jupiter by Iris.]—Tr. + +The morality of the Iliad deserves particular attention. It is not +_perfect_, upon Christian principles. How should it be under the +circumstances of the composition of the poem? Yet, compared with that +of all the rest of the classical poetry, it is of a transcendently +noble and generous character. The answer of Hector to Polydamas, who +would have dissuaded a further prosecution of the Trojan success, has +been repeated by many of the most devoted patriots the world ever saw. +_We_, who defy augury in these matters, can yet add nothing to the +nobleness of the sentiment.—H.N. Coleridge. + +[πλεονων δε τοι εργον αμεινον.—This is evidently proverbial, for which +reason I have given it that air in the translation.]—Tr. + +There is something touching in this simile. Our attention is fixed, not +so much on the battle, as on the struggles of the laboring, +true-hearted woman, who toils for a hard-earned pittance for her +children. The description is not so much illustrated by the simile, as +the simile by the description.—Felton. + +The description of this exploit of Hector is wonderfully imposing. It +seems to be the poet’s wish to magnify his deeds during the short +period that he has yet to live, both to do justice to the hero of Troy, +and to give the greater glory to Achilles his conquerer.—Felton. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XIII: + + +We are hurried through this book by the warlike ardor of the poet. +Battle succeeds battle with animating rapidity. The speeches are in +fine keeping with the scenes, and the similes are drawn from the most +imposing natural phenomena. The descriptions possess a wonderful +distinctness and vigor, presenting the images to the mind by a few bold +and grand lines, thus shunning the confusion of intricate and minute +detail.—Felton. + +So called from their simple diet, consisting principally of mare’s +milk. They were a people living on the north-east coast of the Euxine +Sea. These epithets are sometimes supposed to be the _gentile_ +denominations of the different tribes; but they are all susceptible of +interpretation as epithets applied to the Hippemolgi.—Felton. + +[For this admirable line the translator is indebted to Mr. Fuseli.]—Tr. + +The following simile is considered by critics as one of the finest in +Homer. + +[A fitter occasion to remark on this singular mode of approach in +battle, will present itself hereafter.]—Tr. + +[The bodies of Imbrius and Amphimachus.] + +[Amphimachus.] + +This is a noble passage. The difference between the conduct of the +brave man and that of the coward is drawn with great vigor and +beauty.—Felton. + +[Hypsenor.] + +[This seems to be he meaning ofεν μεγαρω an expression similar to that +of Demosthenes in a parallel case—ετι ενδον ουσαν.—See +Schaufelburgerus.]—Tr + +[He is said to have been jealous of him on account of his great +popularity, and to have discountenanced him, fearing a conspiracy in +his favor to the prejudice of his own family.—See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[The Iäonianans were a distinct people from the Ionians, and according +to the Scholium, separated from them by a pillar bearing on opposite +sides the name of each.—See Barnes. See also Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[The people of Achilles were properly called the Phthiotæ, whereas the +Phthians belonged to Protesiläus and Philoctetes.—See Eustathius, as +quoted by Clarke.]—Tr. + +This simile is derived from one of the most familiar sights among a +simple people. It is extremely natural, and its propriety will be +peculiarly striking to those who have had occasion to see a yoke of +oxen plowing in a hot day.—Felton. + +[Achilles.] + +[This, according to Eustathius, is the import of +αμοιβοι.—See Iliad III., in which Priam relates an expedition of his +into that country.]—Tr. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XIV: + + +The beauty of this simile will be lost to those who have never been at +sea during a calm. The water is then not quite motionless, but swells +gently in smooth waves, which fluctuate in a balancing motion, until a +rising wind gives them a certain determination. Every circumstance of +the comparison is just, as well as beautiful. + +Anointing the body with perfumed oil was a remarkable part of ancient +cosmetics. It was probably an eastern invention, agreeable to the +luxury of the Asiatics. + +A footstool was considered a mark of honor. + +In accordance with the doctrine of Thales the Milesian, that all things +are generated from water, and nourished by the same element. + +[Hercules.] + +Night was venerated, both for her antiquity and power. + +[One of the heads of Ida.] + +A bird about the size of a hawk, and entirely black. + +By Juno is understood the air, and it is allegorically said that she +was nourished by the vapors that rise from the ocean and the earth. +Tethys being the same as Rhea. + +[Europa.] + +An evident allusion to the ether and the atmosphere.—E.P.P. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XV: + + +[The translator seizes the opportunity afforded to him by this +remarkable passage, to assure his readers who are not readers of the +original, that the discipline which Juno is here said to have suffered +from the hands of Jove, is not his own invention. He found it in the +original, and considering fidelity as his indispensable duty, has not +attempted to soften or to refine away the matter. He begs that this +observation may be adverted to as often as any passage shall occur in +which ancient practices or customs, not consonant to our own, either in +point of delicacy or humanity, may be either expressed or alluded to. + +He makes this request the rather, because on these occasions Mr. Pope +has observed a different conduct, suppressing all such images as he had +reason to suppose might be offensive.]—Tr. + +The earliest form of an oath seems to have been by the elements of +nature, or rather the deities who preside over them.—Trollope. + +In the following speech, Jupiter discloses the future events of the +war. + +The illustration in the following lines is one of the most beautiful in +Homer. The rapid passage of Juno is compared to the speed of thought, +by which a traveller revisits in imagination the scenes over which he +has passed. No simile could more exalt the power of the +Goddess.—Felton. + +The picture is strikingly true to nature. The smile upon the lip, and +frown upon the brow, express admirably the state of mind in which the +Goddess must be supposed to have been at this moment.—Felton. + +[_To tempest_—κυδοιμησων—Milton uses _tempest_ as a verb. Speaking of +the fishes, he says + +... part, huge of bulk +Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait, +_Tempest_ the ocean. + +]—Tr. + +The Furies are said to wait upon men in a double sense; either for +evil; as upon Orestes after he had killed his mother, or else for their +good, as upon elders when they are injured, to protect them and avenge +their wrongs. The ancients considered birth-right as a right divine. + +[Τρωες δε προυτυψαν αολλεες. The translation is literal, and affords +one of many instances in which the Greek and English idiom correspond +exactly.]—Tr. + +[Arcesilaüs.] + +[This abruptness of transition from the third person to the first, +follows the original.] + +[The translator hopes that his learned readers will pardon him, if +sometimes, to avoid an irksome cacophony, he turns brass into steel. In +fact, arrow had not a point of steel, but a brazen one.]—Tr. + +This sentiment is noble and patriotic. It is in strict keeping with the +character of Hector, who always appears as his country’s champion, and +ready to die in her defence. Our sympathies go with him; we +involuntarily wish him success, and deplore his misfortune, though we +admire the invincible courage of his more fortunate antagonist. His +actions and sentiments, springing from the simplest feelings of our +nature, will always command applause, and, under all circumstances, and +every form of political existence, will be imitated by the defenders of +their country. + +The speech of Ajax is animating and powerful. It is conceived in the +true spirit of a warrior rousing his followers to make a last effort to +repel the enemy.—Felton. + +[Meges.] + +Hector is here represented as an instrument in the hand of Jupiter, to +bring about the design the God had long ago projected. As his fatal +hour now approaches, Jove is willing to recompense his early death with +this short-lived glory. + +It may be asked what Pallas has to do with the Fates, or what power has +she over them? Homer speaks thus, because Minerva has already resolved +to deceive Hector and exalt Achilles. Pallas, as the wisdom and +knowledge of Jove, may be considered as drawing all things to the +termination decreed by his councils. + +[This termination of the period, so little consonant to the beginning +of it, follows the original, where it is esteemed by commentators a +great beauty.]—Tr. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XVI: + + +[This translation of +δνοφερον is warranted by the Scholiast, who paraphrases it thus: + + +μετα δονησεως φερομενον. +_Iliad per Vill._] + +The friendship of Achilles and Patroclus was celebrated by all +antiquity. It is said in the life of Alexander the Great, that when +that prince visited the monuments of the heroes of Troy, and placed a +crown upon the tomb of Achilles, his friend Hephæstion placed another +on that of Patroclus; an intimation of his being to Alexander, what +Patroclus was to Achilles. It is also said, that Alexander remarked, +“Achilles was happy indeed, in having had such a friend to love him +when living, and such a poet to celebrate him when dead.” + +[περιαγνυται. A word of incomparable force, and that defies +translation.] + +This charge is in keeping with the ambitious character of Achilles. He +is unwilling that even his dearest friend should have the honor of +conquering Hector. + +The picture of the situation of Ajax, exhausted by his efforts, pressed +by the arms of his assailants and the will of Jupiter, is drawn with +much graphic power.—Felton. + +Argus-slayer. + +The mythi which we find in the Iliad respecting Mercury, represent him +as the god who blessed the land with fertility, which was his attribute +in the original worship. He is represented as loving the daughter of +Phthiotian Phylas, the possessor of many herds, and by her had Eudorus +(or riches) whom the aged Phylas fostered and brought up in his +house—quite a significant local mythus, which is here related, like +others in the usual tone of heroic mythology.—Muller. + +This passage is an exact description and perfect ritual of the +ceremonies on these occasions. Achilles, urgent as the case was, would +not suffer Patroclus to enter the fight, till he had in the most solemn +manner recommended him to the protection of Jupiter. + +[Meges.] + +[Brother of Antilochus.] + +[αμαιμακετην—is a word which I can find nowhere satisfactorily derived. +Perhaps it is expressive of great length, and I am the more inclined to +that sense of it, because it is the epithet given to the mast on which +Ulysses floated to Charybdis. We must in that case derive it from +αμα and μηκος Doricè, μακος—longitudo. + +In this uncertainty I thought myself free to translate it as I have, by +the word—monster.]—Tr. + +[Apollonius says that the +οστεα λευκα here means the οπονδυλους, or vertebræ of the neck.—See +Villoisson.]—Tr. + +['Αμιτροχιτονας is a word, according to Clarke, descriptive of their +peculiar habit. Their corselet, and the mail worn under it, were of a +piece, and put on together. To them therefore the cincture or belt of +the Greeks was unnecessary.]—Tr. + +According to the history or fable received in Homer’s time, Sarpedon +was interred in Lycia. This gave the poet the liberty of making him die +at Troy, provided that after his death he was carried into Lycia, to +preserve the fable. In those times, as at this day, princes and persons +of rank who died abroad, were carried to their own country to be laid +in the tomb of their fathers. Jacob, when dying in Egypt, desired his +children to carry him to the land of Canaan, where he wished to be +buried. + +[Sarpedon certainly was not slain _in the fleet_, neither can the Greek +expression νεων εν αγωνι be with propriety interpreted—_in certamine de +navibus_—as Clarke and Mme. Dacier are inclined to render it. _Juvenum +in certamine_, seems equally an improbable sense of it. Eustathius, +indeed, and Terrasson, supposing Sarpedon to assert that he dies in the +middle of the fleet (which was false in fact) are kind enough to +vindicate Homer by pleading in his favor, that Sarpedon, being in the +article of death, was delirious, and knew not, in reality, where he +died. But Homer, however he may have been charged with now and then a +nap (a crime of which I am persuaded he is never guilty) certainly does +not slumber here, nor needs to be so defended. 'Αγων in the 23d Iliad, +means the _whole extensive area_ in which the games were exhibited, and +may therefore here, without any strain of the expression, be understood +to signify the _whole range of shore_ on which the ships were +stationed. In which case Sarpedon represents the matter as it was, +saying that he dies—νεων εν αγωνι—that is, in the neighborhood of the +ships, and in full prospect of them. + +The translator assumes not to himself the honor of this judicious +remark. It belongs to Mr. Fuseli.]—Tr. + +[λασιν κηρ.] + +The clouds of thick dust that rise from beneath the feet of the +combatants, which hinder them from knowing one another. + +[Υπασπιδια προβιβωντος. A similar expression occurs in Book xiii., 158. +There we read υπασπιδια προποδιζων. Which is explained by the Scholiast +in Villoisson to signify—advancing with quick, short steps, and at the +same time covering the feet with a shield. A practice which, unless +they bore the +αμφιβροτην ασπιδα, must necessarily leave the upper parts exposed. + +It is not improbable, though the translation is not accommodated to +that conjecture, that Æneas, in his following speech to Meriones, calls +him, +ορχηστην, with a view to the agility with which he performed this +particular step in battle.]—Tr. + +[Two lines occurring here in the original which contain only the same +matter as the two preceding, and which are found neither in the MSS. +use by Barnes nor in the Harleian, the translator has omitted them in +his version as interpolated and superfluous.]—Tr. + +[Ιρα ταλαντα—_Voluntatem Jovis cui cedendum_—So it is interpreted is +the Scholium MSS. Lipsiensis.—Vide Schaufelbergerus.]—Tr. + +It is an opinion of great antiquity, that when the soul is on the point +of leaving the body, its views become stronger and clearer, and the +mind is endowed with a spirit of true prediction. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XVII: + + +In the chase, the spoils of the prey, the hide and head of the animal, +belonged to the one who gave the first wound. So in war—the one who +first pierced an enemy slain in battle, was entitled to his armor. + +[The expediency and utility of prayer, Homer misses no opportunity of +enforcing. Cold and comfortless as the religious creed of the heathens +was, they were piously attentive to its dictates, and to a degree that +may serve as a reproof to many professed believers of revelation. The +allegorical history of prayer, given us in the 9th Book of the Iliad +from the lips of Phœnix, the speech of Antilochus in the 23d, in which +he ascribes the ill success of Eumelus in the chariot race to his +neglect of prayer, and that of Pisistratus in the 3d book of the +Odyssey, where speaking of the newly-arrived Telemachus, he says; + +For I deem + Him wont to pray; since all of every land + Need succor from the Gods; + +are so many proofs of the truth of this remark; to which a curious +reader might easily add a multitude.]—Tr. + +[There is no word in our language expressive of loud sound at all +comparable in effect to the Greek _Bo-o-osin_. I have therefore +endeavored by the juxta-position of two words similar in sound, to +palliate in some degree defect which it was not in my power to +cure.]—Tr. + +[Or collar-bone.] + +[The proper meaning of +επιοσαομενω—is not simply _looking on_, but _providing against_. And +thus their ignorance of the death of Patroclus is accounted for. They +were ordered by Nestor to a post in which they should have little to do +themselves, except to superintend others, and were consequently too +remote from Patroclus to see him fall, or even to hear that he had +fallen.—See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +This is one of the similes of Homer which illustrates the manners and +customs of his age. The mode of preparing hides for use is particularly +described. They were first softened with oil, and then were stretched +every direction by the hands of men, so that the moisture might be +removed and the oil might penetrate them. Considered in the single +point of comparison intended, it gives a lively picture of the struggle +on all sides to get possession of the body.—Felton. + +This is the proper imperfect of the verb _chide_, though modern usage +has substituted _chid_, a word of mean and awkward sound, in the place +of it. + +This alludes to the custom of placing columns upon tombs, on which were +frequently represented chariots with two or four horses. The horses +standing still to mourn for their master, could not be more finely +represented than by the dumb sorrow of images standing over a tomb. +Perhaps the very posture in which these horses are described, their +heads bowed down, and their manes falling in the dust, has an allusion +to the attitude in which those statues on monuments were usually +represented; there are bas-reliefs that favor this conjecture. + +[The Latin plural of Ajax is sometimes necessary, because the English +plural—Ajaxes—would be insupportable.]—Tr. + +[Leïtus was another chief of the Bœotians.]—Tr. + +[Διφρω εφεσταοτος—Yet we learn soon after that he fought on foot. But +the Scholiast explains the expression thus—νεωστι τω διφωω επιβαντος. +The fact was that Idomeneus had left the camp on foot, and was on foot +when Hector prepared to throw at him. But Cœranus, charioteer of +Meriones, observing his danger, drove instantly to his aid. Idomeneus +had just time to mount, and the spear designed for him, struck +Cœranus.—For a right understanding of this very intricate and difficult +passage, I am altogether indebted to the Scholiast as quoted by +Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[The translator here follows the interpretation preferred by the +Scholiast. The original expression is ambiguous, and may signify, +either, that _we shall perish in the fleet ourselves_, or that Hector +will soon be in the midst of it. Vide Villoisson _in loco_.]—Tr. + +[A noble instance of the heroism of Ajax, who asks not deliverance from +the Trojans, or that he may escape alive, but light only, without which +be could not possibly distinguish himself. The tears of such a warrior, +and shed for such a reason, are singularly affecting.]—Tr. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XVIII: + + +This speech of Antilochus may serve as a model for its brevity. + +This form of manifesting grief is frequently alluded to in the +classical writers, and sometimes in the Bible. The lamentation of +Achilles is in the spirit of the heroic times, and the poet describes +it with much simplicity. The captives join in the lamentation, perhaps +in the recollection of his gentleness, which has before been alluded +to.—Felton. + +[Here it is that the drift of the whole poem is fulfilled. The evils +consequent on the quarrel between him and Agamemnon, at last teach +Achilles himself this wisdom—that wrath and strife are criminal and +pernicious; and the confession is extorted from his own lips, that the +lesson may be the more powerfully inculcated. To point the instruction +to leaders of armies only, is to narrow its operation unnecessarily. +The moral is of universal application, and the poet’s beneficent +intentions are wronged by one so partial.]—Tr. + +The promise of Thetis to present her son with a suit of armor, was the +most artful method of hindering him from putting immediately in +practice his resolution of fighting, which, with his characteristic +violence, he would otherwise have done. + +[The sun is said to set with reluctance, because his setting-time was +not yet come. Jupiter had promised Hector that he should prevail till +the sun should go down, and _sacred darkness cover all_. Juno +therefore, impatient to arrest the victor’s progress, and having no +other means of doing it, shortens the time allotted him.]—Tr. + +[καταδημοβορησαι.] + +This custom of washing the dead is continued among the Greeks to this +day, and is performed by the dearest friend or relative. The body is +then anointed with a perfume, and covered with linen, exactly in the +manner here related. + +Among the Greeks, visitors of rank are still honored in the same +manner, by being set apart from the rest of the company, on a high +seat, with a footstool. + +['Ανεδραμε.] + +The description of the shield of Achilles is one of the noblest +passages in the Iliad. It is elaborated to the highest finish of +poetry. The verse is beautifully harmonious, and the language as nicely +chosen and as descriptive as can be conceived. But a still stronger +interest belongs to this episode when considered as an exact +representation of life at a very early period of the world, as it +undoubtedly was designed by the poet. + +It is certainly a most remarkable passage for the amount of information +it conveys relative to the state of arts, and the general condition of +life at that period. From many intimations in the ancient authors, it +may be gathered, that shields were often adorned by deities of figures +in bas-relief, similar to those here described. In particular, see +Æschylus in the Seven against Thebes. A close examination of the whole +passage will lead to many curious inductions and inferences relative to +the ancient world, and throw much light upon points which are elsewhere +left in great obscurity.—Felton. + +Murder was not always punished with death or even banishment. But on +the payment of a fine, the criminal was allowed to remain in the city. + +Linus was the most ancient name in poetry, the first upon record as +inventor of verse and measure among the Grecians. There was a solemn +custom among the Greeks, of bewailing annually their first poet. +Pausanias informs us, that before the yearly sacrifice to the Muses on +Mount Helicon, the obsequies of Linus were performed, who had a statue +and altar erected to him in that place. In this passage Homer is +supposed to allude to that custom. + +See article Theseus, Gr. and Rom. Mythology. + +There were two kinds of dance—the Pyrrhic, and the common dance; both +are here introduced. The Pyrrhic, or military, is performed by Youths +wearing swords, the other by the virgins crowned with garlands. The +Grecian dance is still performed in this manner in the oriental +nations. The youths and maidens dance in a ring, beginning slowly; by +degrees the music plays in quicker time, till at last they dance with +the utmost swiftness; and towards the conclusion, they sing in a +general chorus. + +The point of comparison is this. When the potter first tries the wheel +to see “if it will run,” he moves it much faster than when at work. +Thus it illustrates the rapidity of the dance.—Felton. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XIX: + + +[Brave men are great weepers—was a proverbial saying in Greece. +Accordingly there are few of Homer’s heroes who do not weep plenteously +on occasion. True courage is doubtless compatible with the utmost +sensibility. See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +The fear with which the divine armor filled the Myrmidons, and the +exaltation of Achilles, the terrible gleam of his eye, and his +increased desire for revenge, are highly poetical.—Felton. + +The ancients had a great horror of putrefaction previous to interment. + +[Achilles in the first book also summons a council himself, and not as +was customary, by a herald. It seems a stroke of character, and +intended by the poet to express the impetuosity of his spirit, too +ardent for the observance of common forms, and that could trust no one +for the dispatch he wanted.]—Tr. + +['Ασπασιως γονυ καμψειν.—Shall be glad to bend their knee, i.e. to sit +and repose themselves.]—Tr. + +[Τουτον μυθον.—He seems to intend the reproaches sounded in his ear +from all quarters, and which he had repeatedly heard before.]—Tr. + +[By some call’d Antibia, by others, Nicippe.]—Tr. + +It was unlawful to eat the flesh of victims that were sacrificed in +confirmation of oaths. Such were victims of malediction. + +Nothing can be more natural than the representation of these unhappy +young women; who, weary of captivity, take occasion from every mournful +occurrence to weep afresh, though in reality little interested in the +objects that call forth these expressions of sorrow.—Dacier. + +Son of Deidameia, daughter of Lycomedes, in whose house Achilles was +concealed at the time when he was led forth to the war. + +[We are not warranted in accounting any practice unnatural or absurd, +merely because it does not obtain among ourselves. I know not that any +historian has recorded this custom of the Grecians, but that it was a +custom among them occasionally to harangue their horses, we may assure +ourselves on the authority of Homer, who would not have introduced such +speeches, if they could have appeared as strange to his countrymen as +they do to us.]—Tr. + +Hence it seems, that too great an insight into futurity, or the +revelation of more than was expedient, was prevented by the +Furies.—Trollope. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XX: + + +[This rising ground was five stadia in circumference, and was between +the river Simois and a village named Ilicon, in which Paris is said to +have decided between the goddesses. It was called Callicolone, being +the most conspicuous ground in the neighborhood of the +city.—Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[Iris is the messenger of the gods on ordinary occasions, Mercury on +those of importance. But Themis is now employed, because the affair in +question is a council, and to assemble and dissolve councils is her +peculiar Province. The return of Achilles is made as magnificent as +possible. A council in heaven precedes it, and a battle of the gods is +the consequence.—Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[The readiness of Neptune to obey the summons is particularly noticed, +on account of the resentment he so lately expressed, when commanded by +Jupiter to quit the battle.—Villoisson.]—Tr. + +The description of the battle of the gods is strikingly grand. Jupiter +thunders in the heavens, Neptune shakes the boundless earth and the +high mountain-tops; Ida rocks on its base, and the city of the Trojans +and the ships of the Greeks tremble; and Pluto leaps from his throne in +terror, lest his loathsome dominions should be laid open to mortals and +immortals.—Felton. + +[The Leleges were a colony of Thessalians, and the first inhabitants of +the shores of the Hellespont.]—Tr. + +Hector was the son of Priam, who descended from Ilus, and Æneas the son +of Anchises, whose descent was from Assaracus, the brother of Ilus. + +This dialogue between Achilles and Æneas, when on the point of battle, +as well as several others of a similar description, have been censured +as improbable and impossible. The true explanation is to be found in +the peculiar character of war in the heroic age. A similar passage has +been the subject of remark.—Felton. + +[Some commentators, supposing the golden plate the outermost as the +most ornamental, have perplexed themselves much with this passage, for +how, say they, could two folds be pierced and the spear be stopped by +the gold, if the gold lay on the surface? But to avoid the difficulty, +we need only suppose that the gold was inserted between the two plates +of brass and the two of tin; Vulcan, in this particular, having +attended less to ornament than to security. + +See the Scholiast in Villoisson, who argues at large in favor of this +opinion.]—Tr. + +Tmolus was a mountain of Lydia, and Hyda a city of the same country. +The Gygæan lake was also in Lydia. + +[Neptune. So called, either because he was worshiped on Helicon, a +mountain of Bœotia, or from Helice, an island of Achaia, where he had a +temple.]—Tr. +If the bull bellowed as he was led to the altar, it was considered a +favorable omen. Hence the simile.—Felton. + +[It is an amiable trait in the character of Hector, that his pity in +this instance supercedes his caution, and that at the sight of his +brother in circumstances so affecting, he becomes at once inattentive +to himself and the command of Apollo.]—Tr. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XXI: + + +The scene is now entirely changed, and the battle diversified with a +vast variety of imagery and description. It is worthy of notice, that +though the whole war of the Iliad was upon the banks of these rivers, +yet Homer has reserved the machinery of the river-gods to aggrandize +his hero in this battle. There is no book in the poem which exhibits +greater force of imagination, none in which the inexhaustible invention +of the poet is more powerfully exerted. + +The swarms of locusts that sometimes invade whole countries in the +East, have often been described. It seems that the ancient mode of +exterminating them was, to kindle a fire, and thus drive them into a +lake or river. The simile illustrates in the most striking manner the +panic caused by Achilles.—Felton. + +According to the Scholiast, Arisba was a city of Thrace, and near to +the Hellespont; but according to Eustathius, a city of Troas, inhabited +by a colony from Mitylene. + +It was an ancient custom to cast living horses into rivers, to honor, +as it were, the rapidity of their streams. + +This gives us an idea of the superior strength of Achilles. His spear +pierced so deep in the ground, that another hero of great strength +could not disengage it, but immediately after, Achilles draws it with +the utmost ease. + +['Ακροκελαινιοων.—The beauty and force of this word are wonderful; I +have in vain endeavored to do it justice.]—Tr. + +[The reason given in the Scholium is, that the surface being hardened +by the wind, the moisture remains unexhaled from beneath, and has time +to saturate the roots.—See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[Αμβολαδην.] + +Homer represents Aphrodite as the protector of Æneas, and in the battle +of the Trojans, Ares appears in a disadvantageous light; the weakness +of the goddess, and the brutal confidence of the god are described with +evident irony. In like manner Diana and the river-god Scamander +sometimes play a very undignified part. Apollo alone uniformly +maintains his dignity.—Muller. + +This is a very beautiful soliloquy of Agenor, such as would naturally +arise in the soul of a brave man going upon a desperate enterprise. +From the conclusion it is evident, that the story of Achilles being +invulnerable except in the heel, is an invention of a later age. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XXII: + + +This simile is very striking. It not only describes the appearance of +Achilles, but is peculiarly appropriate because the star was supposed +to be of evil omen, and to bring with it disease and destruction. So +Priam beholds Achilles, splendid with the divine armor, and the +destined slayer of his son.—Felton. + +The usual cruelties practised in the sacking of towns. Isaiah foretells +to Babylon, that her children shall be dashed in pieces by the Medes. +David says to the same city, “Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth +thy little ones against the stones.”—Ps. c22vii. 9. + +It was supposed that venomous serpents were accustomed to eat poisonous +roots and plants before attacking their victims.—Felton. + +This speech of Hector shows the fluctuation of his mind, with much +discernment on the part of the poet. He breaks out, after having +apparently meditated a return to the city. But the imagined reproaches +of Polydamas, and the anticipated scorn of the Trojans forbid it. He +soliloquizes upon the possibility of coming to terms with Achilles, and +offering him large concessions; but the character of Achilles precludes +all hope of reconciliation. It is a fearful crisis with him, and his +mind wavers, as if presentient of his approaching doom.—Felton. + +[The repetition follows the original, and the Scholiast is of opinion +that Homer uses it here that he may express more emphatically the +length to which such conferences are apt to proceed.—Δια την πολυλογιαν +τη αναληψε εχρησατο.]—Tr. + +[It grew near to the tomb of Ilus.] + +The Scamander ran down the eastern side of Ida, and at the distance of +three stadia from Troy, making a subterraneous dip, it passed under the +walls and rose again in the form of the two fountains here +described—from which fountains these rivulets are said to have +proceeded. + +It was the custom of that age to have cisterns by the side of rivers +and fountains, to which the women, including the wives and daughters of +kings and princes, resorted to wash their garments. + +Sacrifices were offered to the gods upon the hills and mountains, or, +in the language of scripture, upon the _high places_, for the people +believed that the gods inhabited such eminences. + +[The numbers in the original are so constructed as to express the +painful struggle that characterizes such a dream.]—Tr. + +[προπροκυλινδομενος.] + +The whole circumference of ancient Troy is said to have measured sixty +stadia. A stadium measured one hundred and twenty-five paces. + +[The knees of the conqueror were a kind of sanctuary to which the +vanquished fled for refuge.]—Tr. + +[The lines of which these three are a translation, are supposed by some +to have been designed for the Επινικιον, or song of victory sung by the +whole army.]—Tr. + +[It was a custom in Thessaly to drag the slayer around the tomb of the +slain; which custom was first begun by Simon, whose brother being +killed by Eurydamas, he thus treated the body of the murderer. Achilles +therefore, being a Thessalian, when he thus dishonors Hector, does it +merely in compliance with the common practice of his country.]—Tr. + +[It is an observation of the Scholiast, that two more affecting +spectacles cannot be imagined, than Priam struggling to escape into the +field, and Andromache to cast herself from the wall; for so he +understands +ατυζομενην απολεσθαι.]—Tr. + +A figurative expression. In the style of the orientals, marrow and +fatness are taken for whatever is best, most tender, and most +delicious. + +Homer is in nothing more excellent than in the distinction of +characters, which he maintains throughout the poem. What Andromache +here says, cannot be said with propriety by any one but Andromache. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XXIII: + + +According to the oriental custom. David mourns in the same manner, +refusing to wash or take any repast, and lies upon the earth. + +[Bacchus having hospitably entertained Vulcan in the island of Naxos, +one of the Cyclades, received from him a cup as a present; but being +driven afterward by Lycurgus into the sea, and kindly protected by +Thetis, he presented her with this work of Vulcan, which she gave to +Achilles for a receptacle of his bones after death.]—Tr. + +[The funeral pile was a square of a hundred feet on each side.]—Tr. + +The ceremony of cutting off the hair in honor of the dead, was +practised not only among the Greeks, but among other nations. Ezekiel +describing a great lamentation, says, “They shall make themselves +utterly bald for thee.” ch. xxvii. 31. If it was the general custom of +any country to wear long hair, then the cutting it off was a token of +sorrow; but if the custom was to wear it short, then letting it grow, +in neglect, was a sign of mourning. + +It was the custom of the ancients not only to offer their own hair to +the river-gods of their country, but also the hair of their children. +In Egypt hair was consecrated to the Nile. + +[Westering wheel.—Milton.] + +[Himself and the Myrmidons.] + +[That the body might be the more speedily consumed. The same end was +promoted by the flagons of oil and honey.]—Tr. + +Homer here introduces the gods of the winds in person, and as Iris, or +the rainbow, is a sign of winds, they are made to come at her bidding. + +[Such it appears to have been in the sequel.]—Tr. + +[Φιαλη—a vessel, as Athenæus describes it, made for the purpose of +warming water. It was formed of brass, and expanded somewhat in the +shape of a broad leaf.]—Tr. + +The poet omits no opportunity of paying honor to Nestor. His age has +disabled him from taking an active part in the games, yet, Antilochus +wins, not by the speed of his horses, but by the wisdom of Nestor. + +[This could not happen unless the felly of the wheel were nearly +horizontal to the eye of the spectator, in which case the chariot must +be infallibly overturned.—There is an obscurity in the passage which +none of the commentators explain. The Scholiast, as quoted by Clarke, +attempts an explanation, but, I think, not successfully.]—Tr. + +[Eumelus.] + +[Resentful of the attack made on him by Diomede in the fifth Book.] + +[The twin monster or double man called the Molions. They were sons of +Actor and Molione, and are said to have had two heads with four hands +and four feet, and being so formed were invincible both in battle and +in athletic exercises. Even Hercules could only slay them by stratagem, +which he did when he desolated Elis. See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[The repetition follows the original.]—Tr. + +[παρακαββαλε.] + + [With which they bound on the cestus.]—Tr. + +[τετριγει—It is a circumstance on which the Scholiast observes that it +denotes in a wrestler the greatest possible bodily strength and +firmness of position.—See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[I have given what seems to me the most probable interpretation, and +such a one as to any person who has ever witnessed a wrestling-match, +will, I presume, appear intelligible.]—Tr. + +[The Sidonians were celebrated not only as the most ingenious artists +but as great adepts in science, especially in astronomy and +arithmetical calculation.]—Tr. + +[King of Lemnos.] + +[That is to say, Ulysses; who, from the first intending it, had run +close behind him.]—Tr. + +The prodigious weight and size of the quoit is described with the +simplicity of the orientals, and in the manner of the heroic ages. The +poet does not specify the quantity of this enormous piece of iron, but +the use it will be to the winner. We see from hence that the ancients +in the prizes they proposed, had in view not only the honorable but the +useful; a captive for work, a bull for tillage, a quoit for the +provision of iron, which in those days was scarce. + +[The use of this staff was to separate the cattle. It had a string +attached to the lower part of it, which the herdsman wound about his +hand, and by the help of it whirled the staff to a prodigious +distance.—Villoisson.]—Tr. + +[The transition from narrative to dramatic follows the original.]—Tr. + +[Apollo; frequently by Homer called the King without any addition.]—Tr. + +Teucer is eminent for his archery, yet he is excelled by Meriones, who +had not neglected to invoke Apollo the god of archery. + + + + +Footnotes for Book XXIV: + + +This is the first allusion in the Iliad to the _Judgment of Paris_, +which gave mortal offence to Minerva and Juno. On this account it has +been supposed by some that these lines are spurious, on the ground that +Homer could not have known the fable, or he would have mentioned it +earlier in the poem.—Felton. + +[His blessing, if he is properly influenced by it; his curse in its +consequences if he is deaf to its dictates.]—Tr. + +[This is the sense preferred by the Scholiast, for it is not true that +Thetis was always present with Achilles, as is proved by the passage +immediately ensuing.]—Tr. + +[The angler’s custom was, in those days, to guard his line above the +hook from the fishes’ bite, by passing it through a pipe of horn.]—Tr. + +[Jupiter justifies him against Apollo’s charge, affirming him to be +free from those mental defects which chiefly betray men into sin, +folly, improvidence, and perverseness.]—Tr. + +[But, at first, he did fly. It is therefore spoken, as the Scholiast +observes, +φιλοστοργως, and must be understood as the language of strong maternal +affection.]—Tr. + +[κοροιτυπιησιν αριστοι.] + +[Through which the reins were passed.]—Tr. + +[The yoke being flat at the bottom, and the pole round, there would of +course be a small aperture between the band and the pole on both sides, +through which, according to the Scholium in Villoisson, they thrust the +ends of the tackle lest they should dangle.]—Tr. + +[The text here is extremely intricate; as it stands now, the sons are, +first, said to yoke the horses, then Priam and Idæus are said to do it, +and in the palace too. I have therefore adopted an alteration suggested +by Clarke, who with very little violence to the copy, proposes instead +of ζευγνυσθην to read—ζωννυσθην.]—Tr. + +[The words both signify—sable.]—Tr. + +Priam begins not with a display of the treasures he has brought for the +redemption of Hector’s body, but with a pathetic address to the +feelings of Achilles. Homer well knew that neither gold nor silver +would influence the heart of a young and generous warrior, but that +persuasion would. The old king therefore, with a judicious abruptness, +avails himself of his most powerful plea at once, and seizes the +sympathy of the hero, before he has time to recollect who it is that +addresses him. + +[Mortified to see his generosity, after so much kindness shown to +Priam, still distrusted, and that the impatience of the old king +threatened to deprive him of all opportunity to do gracefully what he +could not be expected to do willingly.]—Tr. + +[To control anger argues a great mind—and to avoid occasions that may +betray one into it, argues a still greater. An observation that should +suggest itself to us with no little force, when Achilles, not +remarkable either for patience or meekness, exhorts Priam to beware of +provoking him; and when having cleansed the body of Hector and covered +it, he places it himself in the litter, lest his father, seeing how +indecently he had treated it, should be exasperated at the sight, and +by some passionate reproach exasperate himself also. For that a person +so singularly irascible and of a temper harsh as his, should not only +be aware of his infirmity, but even guard against it with so much +precaution, evidences a prudence truly wonderful.—Plutarch.]—Tr. + +['Επικερτομεων. Clarke renders the word in this place, _falso metû, +ludens,_ and Eustathius says that Achilles suggested such cause of fear +to Priam, to excuse his lodging him in an exterior part of the tent. +The general import of the Greek word is sarcastic, but here it +signifies rather—to intimidate. See also Dacier.]—Tr. + +The poet here shows the importance of Achilles in the army. Agamemnon +is the general, yet all the chief commanders appeal to him for advice, +and on his own authority he promises Priam a cessation of arms. Giving +his hand to confirm the promise, agrees with the custom of the present +day. + +This lament of Andromache may be compared to her pathetic address to +Hector in the scene at the Scæan gate. It forms indeed, a most +beautiful and eloquent pendant to that.—Felton. + +[This, according to the Scholiast, is a probable sense of προσφατος.—He +derives it απο των νεωστι πεφασμενων εκ γης φυτων.—See Villoisson.]—Tr. + +Helen is throughout the Iliad a genuine lady, graceful in motion and +speech, noble in her associations, full of remorse for a fault for +which higher powers seem responsible, yet grateful and affectionate +towards those with whom that fault had connected her. I have always +thought the following speech in which Helen laments Hector and hints at +her own invidious and unprotected situation in Troy, as almost the +sweetest passage in the poem.—H.N. Coleridge. + +[Ως οι γ'αμφιεπον ταφον Εκτορος ιπποδαμοιο.] + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ILIAD *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Iliad<br /> +Translated into English Blank Verse</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Homer</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Translator: William Cowper</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 5, 2005 [eBook #16452]<br /> +[Most recently updated: September 4, 2021]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Ted Garvin, Melissa Er-Raqabi, Fred Robinson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ILIAD ***</div> + +<h4>There are several editions of this ebook in the Project Gutenberg collection. Various characteristics of each ebook are listed to aid in selecting the preferred file.<br />Click on any of the filenumbers below to quickly view each ebook. +</h4> + + +<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> + +<tr><td> + <b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/22382/22382-h/22382-h.htm"> +22382</a> </b> </td><td>(With 800 linked footnotes, No illustrations) +</td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16452/16452-h/16452-h.htm"> +16452</a></b></td><td>(In blank verse, Many footnotes.) +</td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2199/2199-h/2199-h.htm"> +2199</a></b> </td><td>(No footnotes or illustrations) +</td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6130/6130-h/6130-h.htm"> +6130</a></b> </td><td>(Many line drawings, and 300 footnotes) +</td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3059/3059-h/3059-h.htm"> +3059</a></b> </td><td> +</td></tr> + +<tr><td> + <b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6150/6150-h/6150-h.htm"> +6150</a></b> </td><td> +</td></tr> + +</table> + +<h3>THE</h3> +<h1 class="nomarg">ILIAD OF HOMER,</h1> + +<h2>TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BLANK VERSE<br /> +BY WILLIAM COWPER.</h2> + +<div class="ctr"><img src="images/cover.png" + alt="Zeus (Jupiter), seated upon an eagle" + height="573" + width="600"></img></div> + +<h3>EDITED BY ROBERT SOUTHEY. LL.D.</h3> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p class="ctr">WITH NOTES,<br /> +<b>BY M.A. DWIGHT,</b><br /> +AUTHOR OF “GRECIAN AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY.”</p> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p class="ctr">NEW-YORK:<br /> +D. APPLETON & CO., 346 & 348 BROADWAY.<br /> +M.DCCC.LX.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<p class="ctr">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849,<br /> + +<span class="smcap">By</span> M.A. DWIGHT,<br /> + +in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Southern District +of New York.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<p class="ctr" style="font-size: small; line-height: 200%">TO THE<br /> +RIGHT HONORABLE<br /> +<span style="font-size: large;">EARL COWPER,</span><br /> +THIS<br /> +<span style="font-size: medium;">TRANSLATION OF THE ILIAD,</span><br /> +THE INSCRIPTION OF WHICH TO HIMSELF,<br /> +THE LATE LAMENTED EARL,<br /> +BENEVOLENT TO ALL,<br /> +AND ESPECIALLY KIND TO THE AUTHOR,<br /> +HAD NOT DISDAINED TO ACCEPT<br /> +IS HUMBLY OFFERED,<br /> +AS A SMALL BUT GRATEFUL TRIBUTE,<br /> +TO THE MEMORY OF HIS FATHER,<br /> +BY HIS LORDSHIP’S<br /> +AFFECTIONATE KINSMAN AND SERVANT</p> + +<p class="citation">WILLIAM COWPER.</p> +<p style="font-size: small; text-indent: 10em;"><i>June 4, 1791.</i></p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>Whether a translation of <span class="smcap">Homer</span> may be best executed in blank verse or +in rhyme, is a question in the decision of which no man can find difficulty, +who has ever duly considered what translation ought to be, or who is in any +degree practically acquainted with those very different kinds of versification. +I will venture to assert that a just translation of any ancient poet in rhyme, +is impossible. No human ingenuity can be equal to the task of closing +every couplet with sounds homotonous, expressing at the same time the +full sense, and only the full sense of his original. The translator’s ingenuity, +indeed, in this case becomes itself a snare, and the readier he is at invention +and expedient, the more likely he is to be betrayed into the widest departures +from the guide whom he professes to follow. Hence it has happened, +that although the public have long been in possession of an English <span class="smcap">Homer</span> +by a poet whose writings have done immortal honor to his country, the +demand of a new one, and especially in blank verse, has been repeatedly +and loudly made by some of the best judges and ablest writers of the present +day.</p> + +<p>I have no contest with my predecessor. None is supposable between +performers on different instruments. Mr. Pope has surmounted all difficulties +in his version of <span class="smcap">Homer</span> that it was possible to surmount in rhyme. +But he was fettered, and his fetters were his choice. Accustomed always +to rhyme, he had formed to himself an ear which probably could not be +much gratified by verse that wanted it, and determined to encounter even +impossibilities, rather than abandon a mode of writing in which he had +excelled every body, for the sake of another to which, unexercised in it as +he was, he must have felt strong objections.</p> + +<p>I number myself among the warmest admirers of Mr. Pope as an original +writer, and I allow him all the merit he can justly claim as the translator of +this chief of poets. He has given us the <i>Tale of Troy divine</i> in smooth +verse, generally in correct and elegant language, and in diction often highly +poetical. But his deviations are so many, occasioned chiefly by the cause +already mentioned, that, much as he has done, and valuable as his work is +on some accounts, it was yet in the humble province of a translator that I +thought it possible even for me to fellow him with some advantage.</p> + +<p>That he has sometimes altogether suppressed the sense of his author, and +has not seldom intermingled his own ideas with it, is a remark which, on +this occasion, nothing but necessity should have extorted from me. But +we differ sometimes so widely in our matter, that unless this remark, invidious +as it seems, be premised, I know not how to obviate a suspicion, on +the one hand, of careless oversight, or of factitious embellishment on the +other. On this head, therefore, the English reader is to be admonished, +that the matter found in me, whether he like it or not, is found also in <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, +and that the matter not found in me, how much soever he may admire +it, is found only in Mr. Pope. I have omitted nothing; I have invented +nothing.</p> + +<p>There is indisputably a wide difference between the case of an original +writer in rhyme and a translator. In an original work the author is free; +if the rhyme be of difficult attainment, and he cannot find it in one direction, +he is at liberty to seek it in another; the matter that will not accommodate +itself to his occasions he may discard, adopting such as will. But +in a translation no such option is allowable; the sense of the author is required, +and we do not surrender it willingly even to the plea of necessity. +Fidelity is indeed of the very essence of translation, and the term itself implies +it. For which reason, if we suppress the sense of our original, and +force into its place our own, we may call our work an <i>imitation</i>, if we +please, or perhaps a <i>paraphrase</i>, but it is no longer the same author only in +a different dress, and therefore it is not translation. Should a painter, professing +to draw the likeness of a beautiful woman, give her more or fewer +features than belong to her, and a general cast of countenance of his own +invention, he might be said to have produced a <i>jeu d’esprit</i>, a curiosity perhaps +in its way, but by no means the lady in question.</p> + +<p>It will however be necessary to speak a little more largely to this subject, +on which discordant opinions prevail even among good judges.</p> + +<p>The free and the close translation have, each, their advocates. But inconveniences +belong to both. The former can hardly be true to the original +author’s style and manner, and the latter is apt to be servile. The one loses +his peculiarities, and the other his spirit. Were it possible, therefore, to +find an exact medium, a manner so close that it should let slip nothing of +the text, nor mingle any thing extraneous with it, and at the same time so +free as to have an air of originality, this seems precisely the mode in which +an author might be best rendered. I can assure my readers from my own +experience, that to discover this very delicate line is difficult, and to proceed +by it when found, through the whole length of a poet voluminous as <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, +nearly impossible. I can only pretend to have endeavored it.</p> + +<p>It is an opinion commonly received, but, like many others, indebted for +its prevalence to mere want of examination, that a translator should imagine +to himself the style which his author would probably have used, had +the language into which he is rendered been his own. A direction which +wants nothing but practicability to recommend it. For suppose six persons, +equally qualified for the task, employed to translate the same Ancient +into their own language, with this rule to guide them. In the event it +would be found, that each had fallen on a manner different from that of all +the rest, and by probable inference it would follow that none had fallen on +the right. On the whole, therefore, as has been said, the translation which +partakes equally of fidelity and liberality, that is close, but not so close as to +be servile, free, but not so free as to be licentious, promises fairest; and my +ambition will be sufficiently gratified, if such of my readers as are able, and +will take the pains to compare me in this respect with <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, shall judge +that I have in any measure attained a point so difficult.</p> + +<p>As to energy and harmony, two grand requisites in a translation of this +most energetic and most harmonious of all poets, it is neither my purpose nor +my wish, should I be found deficient in either, or in both, to shelter myself +under an unfilial imputation of blame to my mother-tongue. Our language +is indeed less musical than the Greek, and there is no language with which +I am at all acquainted that is not. But it is musical enough for the purposes +of melodious verse, and if it seem to fail, on whatsoever occasion, in energy, +the blame is due, not to itself, but to the unskilful manager of it. For so +long as Milton’s works, whether his prose or his verse, shall exist, so long +there will be abundant proof that no subject, however important, however +sublime, can demand greater force of expression than is within the compass +of the English language.</p> + +<p>I have no fear of judges familiar with original <span class="smcap">Homer</span>. They need not be +told that a translation of him is an arduous enterprise, and as such, entitled +to some favor. From these, therefore, I shall expect, and shall not be disappointed, +considerable candor and allowance. Especially <i>they</i> will be candid, +and I believe that there are many such, who have occasionally tried their +own strength in this <i>bow of Ulysses</i>. They have not found it supple and pliable, +and with me are perhaps ready to acknowledge that they could not +always even approach with it the mark of their ambition. But I would willingly, +were it possible, obviate uncandid criticism, because to answer it is +lost labor, and to receive it in silence has the appearance of stately reserve, +and self-importance.</p> + +<p>To those, therefore, who shall be inclined to tell me hereafter that my diction +is often plain and unelevated, I reply beforehand that I know it,—that +it would be absurd were it otherwise, and that Homer himself stands in the +same predicament. In fact, it is one of his numberless excellences, and a +point in which his judgment never fails him, that he is grand and lofty always +in the right place, and knows infallibly how to rise and fall with his +subject. <i>Big words on small matters</i> may serve as a pretty exact definition +of the burlesque; an instance of which they will find in the Battle of the +Frogs and Mice, but none in the Iliad.</p> + +<p>By others I expect to be told that my numbers, though here and there tolerably +smooth, are not always such, but have, now and then, an ugly hitch +in their gait, ungraceful in itself, and inconvenient to the reader. To this +charge also I plead guilty, but beg leave in alleviation of judgment to add, +that my limping lines are not numerous, compared with those that limp not. +The truth is, that not one of them all escaped me, but, such as they are, they +were all made such with a wilful intention. In poems of great length there +is no blemish more to be feared than sameness of numbers, and every art is +useful by which it may be avoided. A line, rough in itself, has yet its recommendations; +it saves the ear the pain of an irksome monotony, and +seems even to add greater smoothness to others. Milton, whose ear and +taste were exquisite, has exemplified in his Paradise Lost the effect of this +practice frequently.</p> + +<p> +Having mentioned Milton, I cannot but add an observation on the similitude +of his manner to that of <span class="smcap">Homer</span>. It is such, that no person familiar +with both, can read either without being reminded of the other; and it is +in those breaks and pauses, to which the numbers of the English poet are +so much indebted both for their dignity and variety, that he chiefly copies +the Grecian. But these are graces to which rhyme is not competent; so +broken, it loses all its music; of which any person may convince himself by +reading a page only of any of our poets anterior to Denham, Waller, and +Dryden. A translator of <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, therefore, seems directed by <span class="smcap">Homer</span> himself +to the use of blank verse, as to that alone in which he can be rendered +with any tolerable representation of his manner in this particular. A +remark which I am naturally led to make by a desire to conciliate, if possible, +some, who, rather unreasonably partial to rhyme, demand it on all +occasions, and seem persuaded that poetry in our language is a vain attempt +without it. Verse, that claims to be verse in right of its metre only, they +judge to be such rather by courtesy than by kind, on an apprehension that +it costs the writer little trouble, that he has only to give his lines their +prescribed number of syllables, and so far as the mechanical part is concerned, +all is well. Were this true, they would have reason on their side; +for the author is certainly best entitled to applause who succeeds against +the greatest difficulty, and in verse that calls for the most artificial management +in its construction. But the case is not as they suppose. To rhyme, +in our language, demands no great exertion of ingenuity, but is always easy +to a person exercised in the practice. Witness the multitudes who rhyme, +but have no other poetical pretensions. Let it be considered too, how merciful +we are apt to be to unclassical and indifferent language for the sake +of rhyme, and we shall soon see that the labor lies principally on the other +side. Many ornaments of no easy purchase are required to atone for the +absence of this single recommendation. It is not sufficient that the lines +of blank verse be smooth in themselves, they must also be harmonious in +the combination. Whereas the chief concern of the rhymist is to beware +that his couplets and his sense be commensurate, lest the regularity of his +numbers should be (too frequently at least) interrupted. A trivial difficulty +this, compared with those which attend the poet unaccompanied by his +bells. He, in order that he may be musical, must exhibit all the variations, +as he proceeds, of which ten syllables are susceptible; between the first +syllable and the last there is no place at which he must not occasionally +pause, and the place of the pause must be perpetually shifted. To effect +this variety, his attention must be given, at one and the same time, to the +pauses he has already made in the period before him, as well as to that +which he is about to make, and to those which shall succeed it. On no +lighter terms than these is it possible that blank verse can be written which +will not, in the course of a long work, fatigue the ear past all endurance. +If it be easier, therefore, to throw five balls into the air and to catch them in +succession, than to sport in that manner with one only, then may blank +verse be more easily fabricated than rhyme. And if to these labors we add +others equally requisite, a style in general more elaborate than rhyme requires, +farther removed from the vernacular idiom both in the language +itself and in the arrangement of it, we shall not long doubt which of these +two very different species of verse threatens the composer with most +expense of study and contrivance. I feel it unpleasant to appeal to my own +experience, but, having no other voucher at hand, am constrained to it. As +I affirm, so I have found. I have dealt pretty largely in both kinds, and +have frequently written more verses in a day, with tags, than I could ever +write without them. To what has been here said (which whether it have +been said by others or not, I cannot tell, having never read any modern book +on the subject) I shall only add, that to be poetical without rhyme, is an +argument of a sound and classical constitution in any language.</p> + +<p>A word or two on the subject of the following translation, and I have +done.</p> + +<p>My chief boast is that I have adhered closely to my original, convinced +that every departure from him would be punished with the forfeiture of +some grace or beauty for which I could substitute no equivalent. The +epithets that would consent to an English form I have preserved as +epithets; others that would not, I have melted into the context. There are +none, I believe, which I have not translated in one way or other, though the +reader will not find them repeated so often as most of them are in <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, +for a reason that need not be mentioned.</p> + +<p>Few persons of any consideration are introduced either in the Iliad or +Odyssey by their own name only, but their patronymic is given also. To +this ceremonial I have generally attended, because it is a circumstance of +my author’s manner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Homer</span> never allots less than a whole line to the introduction of a +speaker. No, not even when the speech itself is no longer than the line +that leads it. A practice to which, since he never departs from it, he must +have been determined by some cogent reason. He probably deemed it a +formality necessary to the majesty of his narration. In this article, therefore, +I have scrupulously adhered to my pattern, considering these introductory +lines as heralds in a procession; important persons, because employed +to usher in persons more important than themselves.</p> + +<p>It has been my point every where to be as little verbose as possible, +though; at the same time, my constant determination not to sacrifice my +author’s full meaning to an affected brevity.</p> + +<p>In the affair of style, I have endeavored neither to creep nor to bluster, +for no author is so likely to betray his translator into both these faults, as +<span class="smcap">Homer</span>, though himself never guilty of either. I have cautiously avoided +all terms of new invention, with an abundance of which, persons of more +ingenuity than judgment have not enriched our language, but incumbered +it. I have also every where used an unabbreviated fullness of phrase as +most suited to the nature of the work, and, above all, have studied perspicuity, +not only because verse is good for little that wants it, but because +<span class="smcap">Homer</span> is the most perspicuous of all poets.</p> + +<p>In all difficult places I have consulted the best commentators, and where +they have differed, or have given, as is often the case, a variety of solutions, +I have ever exercised my best judgment, and selected that which appears, +at least to myself, the most probable interpretation. On this ground, +and on account of the fidelity which I have already boasted, I may venture, +I believe, to recommend my work as promising some usefulness to young +students of the original.</p> + +<p>The passages which will be least noticed, and possibly not at all, except +by those who shall wish to find me at a fault, are those which have cost me +abundantly the most labor. It is difficult to kill a sheep with dignity in a +modern language, to flay and to prepare it for the table, detailing every circumstance +of the process. Difficult also, without sinking below the level +of poetry, to harness mules to a wagon, particularizing every article of their +furniture, straps, rings, staples, and even the tying of the knots that kept all +together. <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, who writes always to the eye, with all his sublimity and +grandeur, has the minuteness of a Flemish painter.</p> + +<p>But in what degree I have succeeded in my version either of these passages, +and such as these, or of others more buoyant and above-ground, and +especially of the most sublime, is now submitted to the decision of the +reader, to whom I am ready enough to confess that I have not at all consulted +their approbation, who account nothing grand that is not turgid, or elegant +that is not bedizened with metaphor.</p> + +<p>I purposely decline all declamation on the merits of <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, because a +translator’s praises of his author are liable to a suspicion of dotage, and because +it were impossible to improve on those which this author has received +already. He has been the wonder of all countries that his works have ever +reached, even deified by the greatest names of antiquity, and in some places +actually worshipped. And to say truth, were it possible that mere man +could entitle himself by pre-eminence of any kind to divine honors, Homer’s +astonishing powers seem to have given him the best pretensions.</p> + +<p>I cannot conclude without due acknowledgments to the best critic in +<span class="smcap">Homer</span> I have ever met with, the learned and ingenious Mr. <span class="smcap">Fuseli</span>. Unknown +as he was to me when I entered on this arduous undertaking (indeed +to this moment I have never seen him) he yet voluntarily and generously +offered himself as my revisor. To his classical taste and just discernment +I have been indebted for the discovery of many blemishes in my own work, +and of beauties, which would otherwise have escaped me, in the original. +But his necessary avocations would not suffer him to accompany me farther +than to the latter books of the Iliad, a circumstance which I fear my readers, +as well as myself, will regret with too much reason.<a class="ftnt" href="#Pref1_1">[1]</a></p> + +<p>I have obligations likewise to many friends, whose names, were it proper +to mention them here, would do me great honor. They have encouraged me +by their approbation, have assisted me with valuable books, and have eased +me of almost the whole labor of transcribing.</p> + +<p>And now I have only to regret that my pleasant work is ended. To the +illustrious Greek I owe the smooth and easy flight of many thousand hours. +He has been my companion at home and abroad, in the study, in the garden, +and in the field; and no measure of success, let my labors succeed as they +may, will ever compensate to me the loss of the innocent luxury that I have +enjoyed, as a translator of <span class="smcap">Homer</span>.</p> + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Pref1_1" id="Pref1_1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnote:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">Some of the few notes subjoined to my translation of the Odyssey are by Mr. <span class="smcap">Fuseli</span>, +who had a short opportunity to peruse the MSS. while the Iliad was printing. They are +marked with his initial.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>PREFACE</h2> +<p class="ctr">PREPARED BY MR. COWPER,<br /> +<span style="font-size: smaller">FOR A</span><br /> +<b>SECOND EDITION.</b></p> + +<p>Soon after my publication of this work, I began to prepare it for a second +edition, by an accurate revisal of the first. It seemed to me, that here and +there, perhaps a slight alteration might satisfy the demands of some, whom +I was desirous to please; and I comforted myself with the reflection, that +if I still failed to conciliate all, I should yet have no cause to account myself +in a singular degree unfortunate. To please an unqualified judge, an author +must sacrifice too much; and the attempt to please an uncandid one were +altogether hopeless. In one or other of these classes may be ranged all such +objectors, as would deprive blank verse of one of its principal advantages, +the variety of its pauses; together with all such as deny the good effect, on +the whole, of a line, now and then, less harmonious than its fellows.</p> + +<p>With respect to the pauses, it has been affirmed with an unaccountable +rashness, that <span class="smcap">Homer</span> himself has given me an example of verse without +them. Had this been true, it would by no means have concluded against +the use of them in an English version of <span class="smcap">Homer</span>; because, in one language, +and in one species of metre, that may be musical, which in another would +be found disgusting. But the assertion is totally unfounded. The pauses +in Homer’s verse are so frequent and various, that to name another poet, if +pauses are a fault, more faulty than he, were, perhaps, impossible. It may +even be questioned, if a single passage of ten lines flowing with uninterrupted +smoothness could be singled out from all the thousands that he has +left us. He frequently pauses at the first word of the line, when it consists +of three or more syllables; not seldom when of two; and sometimes even +when of one only. In this practice he was followed, as was observed in my +Preface to the first edition, by the Author of the Paradise Lost. An example +inimitable indeed, but which no writer of English heroic verse without +rhyme can neglect with impunity.</p> + +<p>Similar to this is the objection which proscribes absolutely the occasional +use of a line irregularly constructed. When Horace censured Lucilius for +his lines <i>incomposite pede currentes</i>, he did not mean to say, that he was +chargeable with such in some instances, or even in many, for then the censure +would have been equally applicable to himself; but he designed by that +expression to characterize all his writings. The censure therefore was just; +Lucilius wrote at a time when the Roman verse had not yet received its +polish, and instead of introducing artfully his rugged lines, and to serve a +particular purpose, had probably seldom, and never but by accident, composed +a smooth one. Such has been the versification of the earliest +poets in every country. Children lisp, at first, and stammer; but, in time, +their speech becomes fluent, and, if they are well taught, harmonious.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Homer</span> himself is not invariably regular in the construction of his verse. +Had he been so, Eustathius, an excellent critic and warm admirer of <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, +had never affirmed, that some of his lines want a head, some a tail, +and others a middle. Some begin with a word that is neither dactyl nor +spondee, some conclude with a dactyl, and in the intermediate part he +sometimes deviates equally from the established custom. I confess that +instances of this sort are rare; but they are surely, though few, sufficient to +warrant a sparing use of similar license in the present day.</p> + +<p>Unwilling, however, to seem obstinate in both these particulars, I conformed +myself in some measure to these objections, though unconvinced +myself of their propriety. Several of the rudest and most unshapely lines I +composed anew; and several of the pauses least in use I displaced for the +sake of an easier enunciation.—And this was the state of the work after the +revisal given it about seven years since.</p> + +<p>Between that revisal and the present a considerable time intervened, and +the effect of long discontinuance was, that I became more dissatisfied with +it myself, than the most difficult to be pleased of all my judges. Not for the +sake of a few uneven lines or unwonted pauses, but for reasons far more +substantial. The diction seemed to me in many passages either not sufficiently +elevated, or deficient in the grace of ease, and in others I found the +sense of the original either not adequately expressed or misapprehended. +Many elisions still remained unsoftened; the compound epithets I found +not always happily combined, and the same sometimes too frequently repeated.</p> + +<p>There is no end of passages in <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, which must creep unless they are +lifted; yet in such, all embellishment is out of the question. The hero puts +on his clothes, or refreshes himself with food and wine, or he yokes his +steed, takes a journey, and in the evening preparation is made for his +repose. To give relief to subjects prosaic as these without seeming unreasonably +tumid is extremely difficult. Mr. Pope much abridges some of +them, and others he omits; but neither of these liberties was compatible +with the nature of my undertaking. These, therefore, and many similar to +these, have been new-modeled; somewhat to their advantage I hope, but +not even now entirely to my satisfaction. The lines have a more natural +movement, the pauses are fewer and less stately, the expression as easy as +I could make it without meanness, and these were all the improvements +that I could give them.</p> + +<p>The elisions, I believe, are all cured, with only one exception. An alternative +proposes itself to a modern versifier, from which there is no escape, +which occurs perpetually, and which, choose as he may, presents him +always with an evil. I mean in the instance of the particle (<i>the</i>). When +this particle precedes a vowel, shall he melt it into the substantive, or leave +the <i>hiatus</i> open? Both practices are offensive to a delicate ear. The particle +absorbed occasions harshness, and the open vowel a vacuity equally +inconvenient. Sometimes, therefore, to leave it open, and sometimes to +ingraft it into its adjunct seems most advisable; this course Mr. Pope has +taken, whose authority recommended it to me; though of the two evils I +have most frequently chosen the elision as the least.</p> + +<p>Compound epithets have obtained so long in the poetical language of our +country, that I employed them without fear or scruple. To have abstained +from them in a blank verse translation of Homer, who abounds with them, +and from whom our poets probably first adopted them, would have been +strange indeed. But though the genius of our language favors the formation +of such words almost as much as that of the Greek, it happens sometimes, +that a Grecian compound either cannot be rendered in English at all, +or, at best, but awkwardly. For this reason, and because I found that +some readers much disliked them, I have expunged many; retaining, according +to my best judgment, the most eligible only, and making less frequent +the repetitions even of these.</p> + +<p>I know not that I can add any thing material on the subject of this last +revisal, unless it be proper to give the reason why the Iliad, though greatly +altered, has undergone much fewer alterations than the Odyssey. The true +reason I believe is this. The Iliad demanded my utmost possible exertions; +it seemed to meet me like an ascent almost perpendicular, which could not +be surmounted at less cost than of all the labor that I could bestow on it. +The Odyssey on the contrary seemed to resemble an open and level country, +through which I might travel at my ease. The latter, therefore, betrayed +me into some negligence, which, though little conscious of it at the time, +on an accurate search, I found had left many disagreeable effects behind it.</p> + +<p>I now leave the work to its fate. Another may labor hereafter in an +attempt of the same kind with more success; but more industriously, I believe, +none ever will.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>PREFACE</h2> +<p class="ctr"><span style="font-size: smaller">BY</span><br /> +J. JOHNSON, LL.B.<br /> +<span style="font-size: smaller">CHAPLAIN TO THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH.</span></p> + +<p>I have no other pretensions to the honorable name of Editor on this occasion, +than as a faithful transcriber of the Manuscript, and a diligent corrector +of the Press, which are, doubtless, two of the very humblest employments +in that most extensive province. I have wanted the ability to attempt +any thing higher; and, fortunately for the reader, I have also wanted the +presumption. What, however, I can do, I will. Instead of critical remark, +I will furnish him with anecdote. He shall trace from beginning to end the +progress of the following work; and in proportion as I have the happiness +to engage his attention, I shall merit the name of a fortunate editor.</p> + +<p>It was in the darkest season of a most calamitous depression of his spirits, +that I was summoned to the house of my inestimable friend the Translator, +in the month of January, 1794. He had happily completed a revisal of his +<span class="smcap">Homer</span>, and was thinking of the preface to his new edition, when all his +satisfaction in the one, and whatever he had projected for the other, in a +moment vanished from his mind. He had fallen into a deplorable illness; +and though the foremost wish of my heart was to lessen the intenseness of +his misery, I was utterly unable to afford him any aid.</p> + +<p>I had, however, a pleasing though a melancholy opportunity of tracing his +recent footsteps in the Field of Troy, and in the Palace of Ithaca. He had +materially altered both the Iliad and Odyssey; and, so far as my ability +allowed me to judge, they were each of them greatly improved. He had +also, at the request of his bookseller, interspersed the two poems with copious +notes; for the most part translations of the ancient Scholia, and gleaned, +at the cost of many valuable hours, from the pages of Barnes, Clarke, and +Villoisson. It has been a constant subject of regret to the admirers of “The +Task,” that the exercise of such marvelous original powers, should have +been so long suspended by the drudgery of translation; and in this view, +their quarrel with the illustrious Greek will be, doubtless, extended to his +commentators.<a class="ftnt" href="#Pref3_1">[1]</a></p> + +<p> +During two long years from this most anxious period, the translation +continued as it was; and though, in the hope of its being able to divert his +melancholy, I had attempted more than once to introduce it to its Author, I +was every time painfully obliged to desist. But in the summer of ninety-six, +when he had resided with me in Norfolk twelve miserable months, the introduction +long wished for took place. To my inexpressible astonishment +and joy, I surprised him, one morning, with the Iliad in his hand; and with +an excess of delight, which I am still more unable to describe, I the next day +discovered that he had been writing.—Were I to mention one of the happiest +moments of my life, it might be that which introduced me to the following +lines:—</p> + +<div class="ctr"> +<table class="ctr" summary="corrections" cellspacing="8"> +<tr><td></td><td class="ctr">Mistaken meanings corrected,<br /> +admonente G. Wakefield.</td></tr> + +<tr><td>B. XXIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td style="vertical-align: top;">L. 429.</td> +<td><span style="margin-left: 50%;">that the nave</span><br /> +Of thy neat wheel seem e’en to grind upon it.</td></tr> + +<tr><td style="vertical-align: top;">L. 865.</td> +<td>As when (the north wind freshening) near the bank<br /> +Up springs a fish in air, then falls again<br /> +And disappears beneath the sable flood,<br /> +So at the stroke, he bounded.</td></tr> + +<tr><td style="vertical-align: top;">L. 1018.</td> +<td>Thenceforth Tydides o’er his ample shield<br /> +Aim’d and still aim’d to pierce him in the neck.</td></tr> + +<tr><td></td><td class="ctr">Or better thus—</td></tr> + +<tr><td></td> +<td>Tydides, in return, with spear high-poised<br /> +O’er the broad shield, aim’d ever at his neck,</td></tr> + +<tr><td></td><td class="ctr">Or best of all—</td></tr> + +<tr><td></td> +<td>Then Tydeus’ son, with spear high-poised above<br /> +The ample shield, stood aiming at his neck.</td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>He had written these lines with a pencil, on a leaf at the end of his Iliad; +and when I reflected on the cause which had given them birth, I could not +but admire its disproportion to the effect. What the voice of persuasion had +failed in for a year, accident had silently accomplished in a single day. The +circumstance I allude to was this: I received a copy of the Iliad and Odyssey +of Pope, then recently published by the Editor above mentioned, with +illustrative and critical notes of his own. As it commended Mr. Cowper’s +Translation in the Preface, and occasionally pointed out its merits in the +Notes, I was careful to place it in his way; though it was more from a habit +of experiment which I had contracted, than from well-grounded hopes of +success. But what a fortunate circumstance was the arrival of this Work! +and by what name worthy of its influence shall I call it? In the mouth of +an indifferent person it might be Chance; but in mine; whom it rendered so +peculiarly happy, common gratitude requires that it should be Providence.</p> + +<p>As I watched him with an indescribable interest in his progress, I had the +satisfaction to find, that, after a few mornings given to promiscuous correction, +and to frequent perusal of the above-mentioned Notes, he was evidently +settling on the sixteenth Book. This he went regularly through, and the +fruits of an application so happily resumed were, one day with another, about +sixty new lines. But with the end of the sixteenth Book he had closed the +corrections of the year. An excursion to the coast, which immediately +followed, though it promised an accession of strength to the body, could not +fail to interfere with the pursuits of the mind. It was therefore with much +less surprise than regret, that I saw him relinquish the “<i>Tale of Troy Divine</i>.”</p> + +<p>Such was the prelude to the last revisal, which, in the month of January, +ninety-seven, Mr. Cowper was persuaded to undertake; and to a +faithful copy, as I trust, of which, I have at this time the honor to conduct +the reader. But it may not be amiss to observe, that with regard to the +earlier books of the Iliad, it was less a revisal of the altered text, than of the +text as it stands in the first edition. For though the interleaved copy was +always at hand, and in the multitude of its altered places could hardly fail to +offer some things worthy to be preserved, but which the ravages of illness +and the lapse of time might have utterly effaced from his mind, I could not +often persuade the Translator to consult it. I was therefore induced, in the +course of transcribing, to compare the two revisals as I went along, and to +plead for the continuance of the first correction, when it forcibly struck me +as better than the last. This, however, but seldom occurred; and the +practice, at length, was completely left off, by his consenting to receive into +the number of the books which were daily laid open before him, the interleaved +copy to which I allude.</p> + +<p>At the end of the first six books of the Iliad, the arrival of spring brought +the usual interruptions of exercise and air, which increased as the summer +advanced to a degree so unfavorable to the progress of <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, that in the +requisite attention to their salutary claims, the revisal was, at one time, +altogether at a stand. Only four books were added in the course of nine +months; but opportunity returning as the winter set in, there were added, +in less than seven weeks, four more: and thus ended the year ninety-seven.</p> + +<p>As the spring that succeeded was a happier spring, so it led to a happier +summer. We had no longer air and exercise alone, but exercise and Homer +hand in hand. He even followed us thrice to the sea: and whether +our walks were</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p style="text-indent: 7em;">“on the margin of the land,<br /> +O’er the green summit of the” cliffs, “whose base<br /> +Beats back the roaring surge,”</p> +<p style="text-indent: 8em;">“or on the shore<br /> +Of the untillable and barren deep,”</p> +</div> + +<p style="text-indent: 0;">they were always within hearing of his magic song. About the middle of +this busy summer, the revisal of the Iliad was brought to a close; and on +the very next day, the 24th of July, the correction of the Odyssey commenced,—a +morning rendered memorable by a kind and unexpected visit +from the patroness of that work, the Dowager Lady Spencer!</p> + +<p>It is not my intention to detain the reader with a progressive account of +the Odyssey revised, as circumstantial as that of the Iliad, because it went +on smoothly from beginning to end, and was finished in less than eight +months.</p> + +<p>I cannot deliver these volumes to the public without feeling emotions of +gratitude toward Heaven, in recollecting how often this corrected Work +has appeared to me an instrument of Divine mercy, to mitigate the sufferings +of my excellent relation. Its progress in our private hours was singularly +medicinal to his mind: may its presentment to the Public prove not +less conducive to the honor of the departed Author, who has every claim to +my veneration! As a copious life of the Poet is already in the press, from +the pen of his intimate friend Mr. Hayley, it is unnecessary for me to enter +on such extensive commendation of his character, as my own intimacy +with him might suggest; but I hope the reader will kindly allow me the +privilege of indulging, in some degree, the feelings of my heart, by applying +to him, in the close of this Preface, an expressive verse (borrowed from +Homer) which he inscribed himself, with some little variation, on a bust of +his Grecian Favorite.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p style="text-indent: 0;"> +<span class="Greek" title="Ôs te patêr ô paidi, kai oupote lêsomai aute"> +Ως +τε +πατηρ +ω +παιδι, +και +ουποτε +λησομαι +αυτε</span>.<br /><br /></p> + +<p style="text-indent: 0;">Loved as his Son, in him I early found<br /> +A Father, such as I will ne’er forget.</p> +</div> + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Pref3_1" id="Pref3_1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnote:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">Very few signatures had at this time been affixed to the notes; but I afterward compared +them with the Greek, note by note, and endeavored to supply the defect; more +especially in the last three Volumes, where the reader will be pleased to observe that +all the notes without signatures are Mr. Cowper’s, and that those marked B.C.V. are +respectively found in the editions of Homer by Barnes, Clarke, and Villoisson. But +the employment was so little to the taste and inclination of the poet, that he never afterward +revised them, or added to their number more than these which follow;—In the +Odyssey, Vol. I. Book xi., the note 32.—Vol. II. Book xv., the note 13.—The note<span class="lnm">10</span> +Book xvi., of that volume, and the note 14, Book xix., of the same.</p></li> +</ol></div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>ADVERTISEMENT TO SOUTHEY’S EDITION</h2> + +<p>It is incumbent upon the present Editor to state the reasons which have +induced him, between two editions of Cowper’s <span class="smcap">Homer</span>, differing so materially +from each other that they might almost be deemed different versions, +to prefer the first.</p> + +<p>Whoever has perused the Translator’s letters, must have perceived that +he had considered with no ordinary care the scheme of his versification, +and that when he resolved upon altering it in a second edition, it was in +deference to the opinion of others.</p> + +<p>It seems to the Editor that Cowper’s own judgment is entitled to more +respect, than that of any, or all his critics; and that the version which he +composed when his faculties were most active and his spirits least subject +to depression,—indeed in the happiest part of his life,—ought not to be +superseded by a revisal, or rather reconstruction, which was undertaken +three years before his death,—not like the first translation as “a pleasant +work, an innocent luxury,” the cheerful and delightful occupation of hope +and ardor and ambition,—but as a “hopeless employment,” a task to which +he gave “all his miserable days, and often many hours of the night,” seeking +to beguile the sense of utter wretchedness, by altering as if for the sake +of alteration.</p> + +<p>The Editor has been confirmed in this opinion by the concurrence of every +person with whom he has communicated on the subject. Among others +he takes the liberty of mentioning Mr. Cary, whose authority upon such a +question is of especial weight, the Translator of Dante being the only one +of our countrymen who has ever executed a translation of equal magnitude +and not less difficulty, with the same perfect fidelity and admirable skill.</p> + +<p>In support of this determination, the case of Tasso may be cited as curiously +in point. The great Italian poet altered his Jerusalem like Cowper, +against his own judgment, in submission to his critics: he made the alteration +in the latter years of his life, and in a diseased state of mind; and he +proceeded upon the same prescribed rule of smoothing down his versification, +and removing all the elisions. The consequence has been that the +reconstructed poem is utterly neglected, and has rarely, if ever, been reprinted, +except in the two great editions of his collected works; while the original +poem has been and continues to be in such demand, that the most diligent +bibliographer might vainly attempt to enumerate all the editions +through which it has passed.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>EDITOR’S NOTE.</h2> + +<p>It will be seen by the Advertisement to Southey’s edition of Cowper’s +Translation of the Iliad, that he has the highest opinion of its merits, and +that he also gives the preference to Cowper’s unrevised edition. The Editor +of the present edition is happy to offer it to the public under the sanction +of such high authority.</p> + +<p>In the addition of notes I have availed myself of the learning of various +commentators (Pope, Coleridge, Müller, etc.) and covet no higher praise +than the approval of my judgment in the selection.</p> + +<p>Those bearing the signature E.P.P., were furnished by my friend Miss +Peabody, of Boston. I would also acknowledge my obligations to C.C. +Felton, Eliot Professor of Greek in Harvard University. It should be observed, +that the remarks upon the language of the poem refer to it in the +original.</p> + +<p>For a definite treatment of the character of each deity introduced in the +Iliad, and for the fable of the Judgment of Paris, which was the primary +cause of the Trojan war, the reader is referred to “Grecian and Roman +Mythology.”</p> + +<p>It is intended that this edition of the Iliad shall be followed by a similar +one of the Odyssey, provided sufficient encouragement is given by the demand +for the present volume.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book01">BOOK I.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book02">BOOK II.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book03">BOOK III.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book04">BOOK IV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book05">BOOK V.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book06">BOOK VI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book07">BOOK VII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book08">BOOK VIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book09">BOOK IX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book10">BOOK X.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book11">BOOK XI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book12">BOOK XII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book13">BOOK XIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book14">BOOK XIV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book15">BOOK XV.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book16">BOOK XVI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book17">BOOK XVII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book18">BOOK XVIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book19">BOOK XIX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book20">BOOK XX.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book21">BOOK XXI.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book22">BOOK XXII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book23">BOOK XXIII.</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#book24">BOOK XXIV.</a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><span style="font-size: 80%;">THE<br /><br /></span> +ILIAD OF HOMER,</h2> +<p class="ctr">TRANSLATED INTO<br /><br /> +<b>ENGLISH BLANK VERSE.</b></p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book01"></a>BOOK I.</h2> + +<hr class="large" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">The book opens with an account of a pestilence that prevailed in the Grecian +camp, and the cause of it is assigned. A council is called, in which +fierce altercation takes place between Agamemnon and Achilles. The +latter solemnly renounces the field. Agamemnon, by his heralds, demands +Brisëis, and Achilles resigns her. He makes his complaint to +Thetis, who undertakes to plead his cause with Jupiter. She pleads it, +and prevails. The book concludes with an account of what passed in +Heaven on that occasion.</p> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>[The reader will please observe, that by Achaians, Argives, Danaï, are +signified Grecians. Homer himself having found these various appellatives +both graceful and convenient, it seemed unreasonable that a Translator of +him should be denied the same advantage.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK I.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Achilles sing, O Goddess! Peleus’ son;<br /> +His wrath pernicious, who ten thousand woes<br /> +Caused to Achaia’s host, sent many a soul<br /> +Illustrious into Ades premature,<br /> +And Heroes gave (so stood the will of Jove)<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +To dogs and to all ravening fowls a prey,<br /> +When fierce dispute had separated once<br /> +The noble Chief Achilles from the son<br /> +Of Atreus, Agamemnon, King of men.</p> +<p>Who them to strife impell’d? What power divine?<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Latona’s son and Jove’s.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-1">[1]</a> For he, incensed<br /> +Against the King, a foul contagion raised<br /> +In all the host, and multitudes destroy’d,<br /> +For that the son of Atreus had his priest<br /> +Dishonored, Chryses. To the fleet he came<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Bearing rich ransom glorious to redeem<br /> +His daughter, and his hands charged with the wreath<br /> +And golden sceptre<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-2">[2]</a> of the God shaft-arm’d.</p> +<p>His supplication was at large to all<br /> +The host of Greece, but most of all to two,<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +The sons of Atreus, highest in command.</p> +<p>Ye gallant Chiefs, and ye their gallant host,<br /> +(So may the Gods who in Olympus dwell<br /> +Give Priam’s treasures to you for a spoil<br /> +And ye return in safety,) take my gifts<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +And loose my child, in honor of the son<br /> +Of Jove, Apollo, archer of the skies.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-3">[3]</a></p> +<p>At once the voice of all was to respect<br /> +The priest, and to accept the bounteous price;<br /> +But so it pleased not Atreus’ mighty son,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Who with rude threatenings stern him thence dismiss’d.</p> +<p>Beware, old man! that at these hollow barks<br /> +I find thee not now lingering, or henceforth<br /> +Returning, lest the garland of thy God<br /> +And his bright sceptre should avail thee nought.<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +I will not loose thy daughter, till old age<br /> +Steal on her. From her native country far,<br /> +In Argos, in my palace, she shall ply<br /> +The loom, and shall be partner of my bed.<br /> +Move me no more. Begone; hence while thou may’st.<span class="lnm">40</span></p> +<p>He spake, the old priest trembled and obey’d.<br /> +Forlorn he roamed the ocean’s sounding shore,<br /> +And, solitary, with much prayer his King<br /> +Bright-hair’d Latona’s son, Phœbus, implored.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-4">[4]</a></p> +<p>God of the silver bow, who with thy power<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign’st supreme<br /> +In Tenedos and Cilla the divine,<br /> +Sminthian<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-5">[5]</a> Apollo!<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-6">[6]</a> If I e’er adorned<br /> +Thy beauteous fane, or on the altar burn’d<br /> +The fat acceptable of bulls or goats,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Grant my petition. With thy shafts avenge<br /> +On the Achaian host thy servant’s tears.</p> +<p>Such prayer he made, and it was heard.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-7">[7]</a> The God,<br /> +Down from Olympus with his radiant bow<br /> +And his full quiver o’er his shoulder slung,<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Marched in his anger; shaken as he moved<br /> +His rattling arrows told of his approach.<br /> +Gloomy he came as night; sat from the ships<br /> +Apart, and sent an arrow. Clang’d the cord<br /> +<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-8">[8]</a>Dread-sounding, bounding on the silver bow.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-9">[9]</a><span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Mules first and dogs he struck,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-10">[10]</a> but at themselves<br /> +Dispatching soon his bitter arrows keen,<br /> +Smote them. Death-piles on all sides always blazed.<br /> +Nine days throughout the camp his arrows flew;<br /> +The tenth, Achilles from all parts convened<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +The host in council. Juno the white-armed<br /> +Moved at the sight of Grecians all around<br /> +Dying, imparted to his mind the thought.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-11">[11]</a><br /> +The full assembly, therefore, now convened,<br /> +Uprose Achilles ardent, and began.<span class="lnm">70</span></p> +<p> +Atrides! Now, it seems, no course remains<br /> +For us, but that the seas roaming again,<br /> +We hence return; at least if we survive;<br /> +But haste, consult we quick some prophet here<br /> +Or priest, or even interpreter of dreams,<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +(For dreams are also of Jove,) that we may learn<br /> +By what crime we have thus incensed Apollo,<br /> +What broken vow, what hecatomb unpaid<br /> +He charges on us, and if soothed with steam<br /> +Of lambs or goats unblemish’d, he may yet<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Be won to spare us, and avert the plague.</p> +<p>He spake and sat, when Thestor’s son arose<br /> +Calchas, an augur foremost in his art,<br /> +Who all things, present, past, and future knew,<br /> +And whom his skill in prophecy, a gift<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Conferred by Phœbus on him, had advanced<br /> +To be conductor of the fleet to Troy;<br /> +He, prudent, them admonishing, replied.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-12">[12]</a></p> +<p>Jove-loved Achilles! Wouldst thou learn from me<br /> +What cause hath moved Apollo to this wrath,<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +The shaft-arm’d King? I shall divulge the cause.<br /> +But thou, swear first and covenant on thy part<br /> +That speaking, acting, thou wilt stand prepared<br /> +To give me succor; for I judge amiss,<br /> +Or he who rules the Argives, the supreme<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +O’er all Achaia’s host, will be incensed.<br /> +Wo to the man who shall provoke the King<br /> +For if, to-day, he smother close his wrath,<br /> +He harbors still the vengeance, and in time<br /> +Performs it. Answer, therefore, wilt thou save me?<span class="lnm">100</span></p> +<p>To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.<br /> +What thou hast learn’d in secret from the God<br /> +That speak, and boldly. By the son of Jove,<br /> +Apollo, whom thou, Calchas, seek’st in prayer<br /> +Made for the Danaï, and who thy soul<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Fills with futurity, in all the host<br /> +The Grecian lives not, who while I shall breathe,<br /> +And see the light of day, shall in this camp<br /> +Oppress thee; no, not even if thou name<br /> +Him, Agamemnon, sovereign o’er us all.<span class="lnm">110</span></p> +<p>Then was the seer embolden’d, and he spake.<br /> +Nor vow nor hecatomb unpaid on us<br /> +He charges, but the wrong done to his priest<br /> +Whom Agamemnon slighted when he sought<br /> +His daughter’s freedom, and his gifts refused.<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +He is the cause. Apollo for his sake<br /> +Afflicts and will afflict us, neither end<br /> +Nor intermission of his heavy scourge<br /> +Granting, till unredeem’d, no price required,<br /> +The black-eyed maid be to her father sent,<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +And a whole hecatomb in Chrysa bleed.<br /> +Then, not before, the God may be appeased.</p> +<p>He spake and sat; when Atreus’ son arose,<br /> +The Hero Agamemnon, throned supreme.<br /> +Tempests of black resentment overcharged<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +His heart, and indignation fired his eyes.<br /> +On Calchas lowering, him he first address’d.</p> +<p>Prophet of mischief! from whose tongue no note<br /> +Of grateful sound to me, was ever heard;<br /> +Ill tidings are thy joy, and tidings glad<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Thou tell’st not, or thy words come not to pass.<br /> +And now among the Danaï thy dreams<br /> +Divulging, thou pretend’st the Archer-God<br /> +For his priest’s sake, our enemy, because<br /> +I scorn’d his offer’d ransom of the maid<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Chrysëis, more desirous far to bear<br /> +Her to my home, for that she charms me more<br /> +Than Clytemnestra, my own first espoused,<br /> +With whom, in disposition, feature, form,<br /> +Accomplishments, she may be well compared.<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Yet, being such, I will return her hence<br /> +If that she go be best. Perish myself—<br /> +But let the people of my charge be saved<br /> +Prepare ye, therefore, a reward for me,<br /> +And seek it instant. It were much unmeet<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +That I alone of all the Argive host<br /> +Should want due recompense, whose former prize<br /> +Is elsewhere destined, as ye all perceive.</p> +<p>To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.<br /> +Atrides, glorious above all in rank,<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +And as intent on gain as thou art great,<br /> +Whence shall the Grecians give a prize to thee?<br /> +The general stock is poor; the spoil of towns<br /> +Which we have taken, hath already passed<br /> +In distribution, and it were unjust<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +To gather it from all the Greeks again.<br /> +But send thou back this Virgin to her God,<br /> +And when Jove’s favor shall have given us Troy,<br /> +A threefold, fourfold share shall then be thine.</p> +<p>To whom the Sovereign of the host replied.<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Godlike Achilles, valiant as thou art,<br /> +Wouldst thou be subtle too? But me no fraud<br /> +Shall overreach, or art persuade, of thine.<br /> +Wouldst thou, that thou be recompensed, and I<br /> +Sit meekly down, defrauded of my due?<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +And didst thou bid me yield her? Let the bold<br /> +Achaians give me competent amends,<br /> +Such as may please me, and it shall be well.<br /> +Else, if they give me none, I will command<br /> +Thy prize, the prize of Ajax, or the prize<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +It may be of Ulysses to my tent,<br /> +And let the loser chafe. But this concern<br /> +Shall be adjusted at convenient time.<br /> +Come—launch we now into the sacred deep<br /> +A bark with lusty rowers well supplied;<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Then put on board Chrysëis, and with her<br /> +The sacrifice required. Go also one<br /> +High in authority, some counsellor,<br /> +Idomeneus, or Ajax, or thyself,<br /> +Thou most untractable of all mankind;<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +And seek by rites of sacrifice and prayer<br /> +To appease Apollo on our host’s behalf.</p> +<p>Achilles eyed him with a frown, and spake.<br /> +Ah! clothed with impudence as with a cloak,<br /> +And full of subtlety, who, thinkest thou—<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +What Grecian here will serve thee, or for thee<br /> +Wage covert war, or open? Me thou know’st,<br /> +Troy never wronged; I came not to avenge<br /> +Harm done to me; no Trojan ever drove<br /> +My pastures, steeds or oxen took of mine,<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Or plunder’d of their fruits the golden fields<br /> +Of Phthia<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-13">[13]</a> the deep-soil’d. She lies remote,<br /> +And obstacles are numerous interposed,<br /> +Vale-darkening mountains, and the dashing sea.<br /> +No, <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-14">[14]</a>Shameless Wolf! For thy good pleasure’s sake<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +We came, and, <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-15">[15]</a>Face of flint! to avenge the wrongs<br /> +By Menelaus and thyself sustain’d,<br /> +On the offending Trojan—service kind,<br /> +But lost on thee, regardless of it all.<br /> +And now—What now? Thy threatening is to seize<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Thyself, the just requital of my toils,<br /> +My prize hard-earn’d, by common suffrage mine.<br /> +I never gain, what Trojan town soe’er<br /> +We ransack, half thy booty. The swift march<br /> +And furious onset—these I largely reap,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +But, distribution made, thy lot exceeds<br /> +Mine far; while I, with any pittance pleased,<br /> +Bear to my ships the little that I win<br /> +After long battle, and account it much.<br /> +But I am gone, I and my sable barks<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +(My wiser course) to Phthia, and I judge,<br /> +Scorn’d as I am, that thou shalt hardly glean<br /> +Without me, more than thou shalt soon consume.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-16">[16]</a></p> +<p>He ceased, and Agamemnon thus replied<br /> +Fly, and fly now; if in thy soul thou feel<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Such ardor of desire to go—begone!<br /> +I woo thee not to stay; stay not an hour<br /> +On my behalf, for I have others here<br /> +Who will respect me more, and above all<br /> +All-judging Jove. There is not in the host<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +King or commander whom I hate as thee,<br /> +For all thy pleasure is in strife and blood,<br /> +And at all times; yet valor is no ground<br /> +Whereon to boast, it is the gift of Heaven<br /> +Go, get ye back to Phthia, thou and thine!<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +There rule thy Myrmidons.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-17">[17]</a> I need not thee,<br /> +Nor heed thy wrath a jot. But this I say,<br /> +Sure as Apollo takes my lovely prize<br /> +Chrysëis, and I shall return her home<br /> +In mine own bark, and with my proper crew,<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +So sure the fair Brisëis shall be mine.<br /> +I shall demand her even at thy tent.<br /> +So shalt thou well be taught, how high in power<br /> +I soar above thy pitch, and none shall dare<br /> +Attempt, thenceforth, comparison with me.<span class="lnm">235</span></p> +<p>He ended, and the big, disdainful heart<br /> +Throbbed of Achilles; racking doubt ensued<br /> +And sore perplex’d him, whether forcing wide<br /> +A passage through them, with his blade unsheathed<br /> +To lay Atrides breathless at his foot,<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Or to command his stormy spirit down.<br /> +So doubted he, and undecided yet<br /> +Stood drawing forth his falchion huge; when lo!<br /> +Down sent by Juno, to whom both alike<br /> +Were dear, and who alike watched over both,<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Pallas descended. At his back she stood<br /> +To none apparent, save himself alone,<br /> +And seized his golden locks. Startled, he turned,<br /> +And instant knew Minerva. Flashed her eyes<br /> +Terrific;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-18">[18]</a> whom with accents on the wing<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Of haste, incontinent he questioned thus.</p> +<p>Daughter of Jove, why comest thou? that thyself<br /> +May’st witness these affronts which I endure<br /> +From Agamemnon? Surely as I speak,<br /> +This moment, for his arrogance, he dies.<span class="lnm">255</span></p> +<p>To whom the blue-eyed Deity. From heaven<br /> +Mine errand is, to sooth, if thou wilt hear,<br /> +Thine anger. Juno the white-arm’d alike<br /> +To him and thee propitious, bade me down:<br /> +Restrain thy wrath. Draw not thy falchion forth.<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Retort, and sharply, and let that suffice.<br /> +For I foretell thee true. Thou shalt receive,<br /> +Some future day, thrice told, thy present loss<br /> +For this day’s wrong. Cease, therefore, and be still.</p> +<p>To whom Achilles. Goddess, although much<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Exasperate, I dare not disregard<br /> +Thy word, which to obey is always best.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-19">[19]</a><br /> +Who hears the Gods, the Gods hear also him.</p> +<p>He said; and on his silver hilt the force<br /> +Of his broad hand impressing, sent the blade<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Home to its rest, nor would the counsel scorn<br /> +Of Pallas. She to heaven well-pleased return’d,<br /> +And in the mansion of Jove Ægis<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-20">[20]</a>-armed<br /> +Arriving, mingled with her kindred Gods.<br /> +But though from violence, yet not from words<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Abstained Achilles, but with bitter taunt<br /> +Opprobrious, his antagonist reproached.</p> +<p>Oh charged with wine, in steadfastness of face<br /> +Dog unabashed, and yet at heart a deer!<br /> +Thou never, when the troops have taken arms,<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Hast dared to take thine also; never thou<br /> +Associate with Achaia’s Chiefs, to form<br /> +The secret ambush.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-21">[21]</a> No. The sound of war<br /> +Is as the voice of destiny to thee.<br /> +Doubtless the course is safer far, to range<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Our numerous host, and if a man have dared<br /> +Dispute thy will, to rob him of his prize.<br /> +King! over whom? Women and spiritless—<br /> +Whom therefore thou devourest; else themselves<br /> +Would stop that mouth that it should scoff no more.<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +But hearken. I shall swear a solemn oath.<br /> +By this same sceptre,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-22">[22]</a> which shall never bud,<br /> +Nor boughs bring forth as once, which having left<br /> +Its stock on the high mountains, at what time<br /> +The woodman’s axe lopped off its foliage green,<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +And stript its bark, shall never grow again;<br /> +Which now the judges of Achaia bear,<br /> +Who under Jove, stand guardians of the laws,<br /> +By this I swear (mark thou the sacred oath)<br /> +Time shall be, when Achilles shall be missed;<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +When all shall want him, and thyself the power<br /> +To help the Achaians, whatsoe’er thy will;<br /> +When Hector at your heels shall mow you down:<br /> +The Hero-slaughtering Hector! Then thy soul,<br /> +Vexation-stung, shall tear thee with remorse,<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +That thou hast scorn’d, as he were nothing worth,<br /> +A Chief, the soul and bulwark of your cause.</p> +<p>So saying, he cast his sceptre on the ground<br /> +Studded with gold, and sat. On the other side<br /> +The son of Atreus all impassion’d stood,<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +When the harmonious orator arose<br /> +Nestor, the Pylian oracle, whose lips<br /> +Dropped eloquence—the honey not so sweet.<br /> +Two generations past of mortals born<br /> +In Pylus, coëtaneous with himself,<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +He govern’d now the third—amid them all<br /> +He stood, and thus, benevolent, began.</p> +<p>Ah! what calamity hath fall’n on Greece!<br /> +Now Priam and his sons may well exult,<br /> +Now all in Ilium shall have joy of heart<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Abundant, hearing of this broil, the prime<br /> +Of Greece between, in council and in arms.<br /> +But be persuaded; ye are younger both<br /> +Than I, and I was conversant of old<br /> +With Princes your superiors, yet from them<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +No disrespect at any time received.<br /> +Their equals saw I never; never shall;<br /> +Exadius, Cœneus, and the Godlike son<br /> +Of Ægeus, mighty Theseus; men renown’d<br /> +For force superior to the race of man,<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Brave Chiefs they were, and with brave foes they fought,<br /> +With the rude dwellers on the mountain-heights<br /> +The Centaurs,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-23">[23]</a> whom with havoc such as fame<br /> +Shall never cease to celebrate, they slew.<br /> +With these men I consorted erst, what time<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +From Pylus, though a land from theirs remote,<br /> +They called me forth, and such as was my strength,<br /> +With all that strength I served them. Who is he?<br /> +What Prince or Chief of the degenerate race<br /> +Now seen on earth who might with these compare?<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Yet even these would listen and conform<br /> +To my advice in consultation given,<br /> +Which hear ye also; for compliance proves<br /> +Oft times the safer and the manlier course.<br /> +Thou, Agamemnon! valiant as thou art,<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Seize not the maid, his portion from the Greeks,<br /> +But leave her his; nor thou, Achilles, strive<br /> +With our imperial Chief; for never King<br /> +Had equal honor at the hands of Jove<br /> +With Agamemnon, or was throned so high.<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Say thou art stronger, and art Goddess-born,<br /> +How then? His territory passes thine,<br /> +And he is Lord of thousands more than thou.<br /> +Cease, therefore, Agamemnon; calm thy wrath;<br /> +And it shall be mine office to entreat<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Achilles also to a calm, whose might<br /> +The chief munition is of all our host.</p> +<p>To whom the sovereign of the Greeks replied,<br /> +The son of Atreus. Thou hast spoken well,<br /> +Old Chief, and wisely. But this wrangler here—<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Nought will suffice him but the highest place:<br /> +He must control us all, reign over all,<br /> +Dictate to all; but he shall find at least<br /> +One here, disposed to question his commands.<br /> +If the eternal Gods have made him brave,<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Derives he thence a privilege to rail?</p> +<p>Whom thus Achilles interrupted fierce.<br /> +Could I be found so abject as to take<br /> +The measure of my doings at thy lips,<br /> +Well might they call me coward through the camp,<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +A vassal, and a fellow of no worth.<br /> +Give law to others. Think not to control<br /> +Me, subject to thy proud commands no more.<br /> +Hear yet again! And weigh what thou shalt hear.<br /> +I will not strive with thee in such a cause,<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Nor yet with any man; I scorn to fight<br /> +For her, whom having given, ye take away.<br /> +But I have other precious things on board;<br /> +Of those take none away without my leave.<br /> +Or if it please thee, put me to the proof<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Before this whole assembly, and my spear<br /> +Shall stream that moment, purpled with thy blood.</p> +<p>Thus they long time in opposition fierce<br /> +Maintained the war of words; and now, at length,<br /> +(The grand consult dissolved,) Achilles walked<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +(Patroclus and the Myrmidons his steps<br /> +Attending) to his camp and to his fleet.<br /> +But Agamemnon order’d forth a bark,<br /> +A swift one, manned with twice ten lusty rowers;<br /> +He sent on board the Hecatomb:<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-24">[24]</a> he placed<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Chrysëis with the blooming cheeks, himself,<br /> +And to Ulysses gave the freight in charge.<br /> +So all embarked, and plow’d their watery way.<br /> +Atrides, next, bade purify the host;<br /> +The host was purified, as he enjoin’d,<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +And the ablution cast into the sea.</p> +<p>Then to Apollo, on the shore they slew,<br /> +Of the untillable and barren deep,<br /> +Whole Hecatombs of bulls and goats, whose steam<br /> +Slowly in smoky volumes climbed the skies.<span class="lnm">400</span></p> +<p>Thus was the camp employed; nor ceased the while<br /> +The son of Atreus from his threats denounced<br /> +At first against Achilles, but command<br /> +Gave to Talthybius and Eurybates<br /> +His heralds, ever faithful to his will.<span class="lnm">405</span></p> +<p>Haste—Seek ye both the tent of Peleus’ son<br /> +Achilles. Thence lead hither by the hand<br /> +Blooming Brisëis, whom if he withhold,<br /> +Not her alone, but other spoil myself<br /> +Will take in person—He shall rue the hour.<span class="lnm">410</span></p> +<p>With such harsh message charged he them dismissed<br /> +They, sad and slow, beside the barren waste<br /> +Of Ocean, to the galleys and the tents<br /> +Moved of the Myrmidons. Him there they found<br /> +Beneath the shadow of his bark reclined,<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Nor glad at their approach. Trembling they stood,<br /> +In presence of the royal Chief, awe-struck,<br /> +Nor questioned him or spake. He not the less<br /> +Knew well their embassy, and thus began.</p> +<p>Ye heralds, messengers of Gods and men,<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Hail, and draw near! I bid you welcome both.<br /> +I blame not you; the fault is his alone<br /> +Who sends you to conduct the damsel hence<br /> +Brisëis. Go, Patroclus, generous friend!<br /> +Lead forth, and to their guidance give the maid.<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +But be themselves my witnesses before<br /> +The blessed Gods, before mankind, before<br /> +The ruthless king, should want of me be felt<br /> +To save the host from havoc<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-25">[25]</a>—Oh, his thoughts<br /> +Are madness all; intelligence or skill,<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Forecast or retrospect, how best the camp<br /> +May be secured from inroad, none hath he.</p> +<p>He ended, nor Patroclus disobey’d,<br /> +But leading beautiful Brisëis forth<br /> +Into their guidance gave her; loth she went<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +From whom she loved, and looking oft behind.<br /> +Then wept Achilles, and apart from all,<br /> +With eyes directed to the gloomy Deep<br /> +And arms outstretch’d, his mother suppliant sought.</p> +<p>Since, mother, though ordain’d so soon to die,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +I am thy son, I might with cause expect<br /> +Some honor at the Thunderer’s hands, but none<br /> +To me he shows, whom Agamemnon, Chief<br /> +Of the Achaians, hath himself disgraced,<br /> +Seizing by violence my just reward.<span class="lnm">445</span></p> +<p>So prayed he weeping, whom his mother heard<br /> +Within the gulfs of Ocean where she sat<br /> +Beside her ancient sire. From the gray flood<br /> +Ascending sudden, like a mist she came,<br /> +Sat down before him, stroked his face, and said.<span class="lnm">450</span></p> +<p>Why weeps my son? and what is thy distress?<br /> +Hide not a sorrow that I wish to share.</p> +<p>To whom Achilles, sighing deep, replied.<br /> +Why tell thee woes to thee already known?<br /> +At Thebes, Eëtion’s city we arrived,<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Smote, sack’d it, and brought all the spoil away.<br /> +Just distribution made among the Greeks,<br /> +The son of Atreus for his lot received<br /> +Blooming Chrysëis. Her, Apollo’s priest<br /> +Old Chryses followed to Achaia’s camp,<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +That he might loose his daughter. Ransom rich<br /> +He brought, and in his hands the hallow’d wreath<br /> +And golden sceptre of the Archer God<br /> +Apollo, bore; to the whole Grecian host,<br /> +But chiefly to the foremost in command<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +He sued, the sons of Atreus; then, the rest<br /> +All recommended reverence of the Seer,<br /> +And prompt acceptance of his costly gifts.<br /> +But Agamemnon might not so be pleased,<br /> +Who gave him rude dismission; he in wrath<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Returning, prayed, whose prayer Apollo heard,<br /> +For much he loved him. A pestiferous shaft<br /> +He instant shot into the Grecian host,<br /> +And heap’d the people died. His arrows swept<br /> +The whole wide camp of Greece, till at the last<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +A Seer, by Phœbus taught, explain’d the cause.<br /> +I first advised propitiation. Rage<br /> +Fired Agamemnon. Rising, he denounced<br /> +Vengeance, and hath fulfilled it. She, in truth,<br /> +Is gone to Chrysa, and with her we send<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Propitiation also to the King<br /> +Shaft-arm’d Apollo. But my beauteous prize<br /> +Brisëis, mine by the award of all,<br /> +His heralds, at this moment, lead away.<br /> +But thou, wherein thou canst, aid thy own son!<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Haste hence to Heaven, and if thy word or deed<br /> +Hath ever gratified the heart of Jove,<br /> +With earnest suit press him on my behalf.<br /> +For I, not seldom, in my father’s hall<br /> +Have heard thee boasting, how when once the Gods,<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +With Juno, Neptune, Pallas at their head,<br /> +Conspired to bind the Thunderer, thou didst loose<br /> +His bands, O Goddess! calling to his aid<br /> +The Hundred-handed warrior, by the Gods<br /> +Briareus, but by men, Ægeon named.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-26">[26]</a><span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +For he in prowess and in might surpassed<br /> +His father Neptune, who, enthroned sublime,<br /> +Sits second only to Saturnian Jove,<br /> +Elate with glory and joy. Him all the Gods<br /> +Fearing from that bold enterprise abstained.<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Now, therefore, of these things reminding Jove,<br /> +Embrace his knees; entreat him that he give<br /> +The host of Troy his succor, and shut fast<br /> +The routed Grecians, prisoners in the fleet,<br /> +That all may find much solace<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-27">[27]</a> in their King,<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +And that the mighty sovereign o’er them all,<br /> +Their Agamemnon, may himself be taught<br /> +His rashness, who hath thus dishonor’d foul<br /> +The life itself, and bulwark of his cause.</p> +<p>To him, with streaming eyes, Thetis replied.<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Born as thou wast to sorrow, ah, my son!<br /> +Why have I rear’d thee! Would that without tears,<br /> +Or cause for tears (transient as is thy life,<br /> +A little span) thy days might pass at Troy!<br /> +But short and sorrowful the fates ordain<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Thy life, peculiar trouble must be thine,<br /> +Whom, therefore, oh that I had never borne!<br /> +But seeking the Olympian hill snow-crown’d,<br /> +I will myself plead for thee in the ear<br /> +Of Jove, the Thunderer. Meantime at thy fleet<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Abiding, let thy wrath against the Greeks<br /> +Still burn, and altogether cease from war.<br /> +For to the banks of the Oceanus,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-28">[28]</a><br /> +Where Æthiopia holds a feast to Jove,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-29">[29]</a><br /> +He journey’d yesterday, with whom the Gods<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Went also, and the twelfth day brings them home.<br /> +Then will I to his brazen-floor’d abode,<br /> +That I may clasp his knees, and much misdeem<br /> +Of my endeavor, or my prayer shall speed.</p> +<p>So saying, she went; but him she left enraged<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +For fair Brisëis’ sake, forced from his arms<br /> +By stress of power. Meantime Ulysses came<br /> +To Chrysa with the Hecatomb in charge.<br /> +Arrived within the haven<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-30">[30]</a> deep, their sails<br /> +Furling, they stowed them in the bark below.<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Then by its tackle lowering swift the mast<br /> +Into its crutch, they briskly push’d to land,<br /> +Heaved anchors out, and moor’d the vessel fast.<br /> +Forth came the mariners, and trod the beach;<br /> +Forth came the victims of Apollo next,<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +And, last, Chrysëis. Her Ulysses led<br /> +Toward the altar, gave her to the arms<br /> +Of her own father, and him thus address’d.</p> +<p>O Chryses! Agamemnon, King of men,<br /> +Hath sent thy daughter home, with whom we bring<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +A Hecatomb on all our host’s behalf<br /> +To Phœbus, hoping to appease the God<br /> +By whose dread shafts the Argives now expire.</p> +<p>So saying, he gave her to him, who with joy<br /> +Received his daughter. Then, before the shrine<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Magnificent in order due they ranged<br /> +The noble Hecatomb.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-31">[31]</a> Each laved his hands<br /> +And took the salted meal, and Chryses made<br /> +His fervent prayer with hands upraised on high.</p> +<p>God of the silver bow, who with thy power<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign’st supreme<br /> +In Tenedos, and Cilla the divine!<br /> +Thou prov’dst propitious to my first request,<br /> +Hast honor’d me, and punish’d sore the Greeks;<br /> +Hear yet thy servant’s prayer; take from their host<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +At once the loathsome pestilence away!</p> +<p>So Chryses prayed, whom Phœbus heard well-pleased;<br /> +Then prayed the Grecians also, and with meal<br /> +Sprinkling the victims, their retracted necks<br /> +First pierced, then flay’d them; the disjointed thighs<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +They, next, invested with the double caul,<br /> +Which with crude slices thin they overspread.<br /> +The priest burned incense, and libation poured<br /> +Large on the hissing brands, while, him beside,<br /> +Busy with spit and prong, stood many a youth<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Trained to the task. The thighs with fire consumed,<br /> +They gave to each his portion of the maw,<br /> +Then slashed the remnant, pierced it with the spits,<br /> +And managing with culinary skill<br /> +The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +Their whole task thus accomplish’d, and the board<br /> +Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed.<br /> +When neither hunger more nor thirst remained<br /> +Unsatisfied, boys crown’d the beakers high<br /> +With wine delicious, and from right to left<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Distributing the cups, served every guest.<br /> +Thenceforth the youths of the Achaian race<br /> +To song propitiatory gave the day,<br /> +Pæans<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-32">[32]</a> to Phœbus, Archer of the skies,<br /> +Chaunting melodious. Pleased, Apollo heard.<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +But, when, the sun descending, darkness fell,<br /> +They on the beach beside their hawsers slept;<br /> +And, when the day-spring’s daughter rosy-palm’d<br /> +Aurora look’d abroad, then back they steer’d<br /> +To the vast camp. Fair wind, and blowing fresh,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Apollo sent them; quick they rear’d the mast,<br /> +Then spread the unsullied canvas to the gale,<br /> +And the wind filled it. Roared the sable flood<br /> +Around the bark, that ever as she went<br /> +Dash’d wide the brine, and scudded swift away.<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Thus reaching soon the spacious camp of Greece,<br /> +Their galley they updrew sheer o’er the sands<br /> +From the rude surge remote, then propp’d her sides<br /> +With scantlings long,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-33">[33]</a> and sought their several tents.</p> +<p>But Peleus’ noble son, the speed-renown’d<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Achilles, he, his well-built bark beside,<br /> +Consumed his hours, nor would in council more,<br /> +Where wise men win distinction, or in fight<br /> +Appear, to sorrow and heart-withering wo<br /> +Abandon’d; though for battle, ardent, still<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +He panted, and the shout-resounding field.<br /> +But when the twelfth fair morrow streak’d the East,<br /> +Then all the everlasting Gods to Heaven<br /> +Resorted, with the Thunderer at their head,<br /> +And Thetis, not unmindful of her son,<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Prom the salt flood emerged, seeking betimes<br /> +Olympus and the boundless fields of heaven.<br /> +High, on the topmost eminence sublime<br /> +Of the deep-fork’d Olympian she perceived<br /> +The Thunderer seated, from the Gods apart.<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +She sat before him, clasp’d with her left hand<br /> +His knees, her right beneath his chin she placed,<br /> +And thus the King, Saturnian Jove, implored.</p> +<p>Father of all, by all that I have done<br /> +Or said that ever pleased thee, grant my suit.<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Exalt my son, by destiny short-lived<br /> +Beyond the lot of others. Him with shame<br /> +The King of men hath overwhelm’d, by force<br /> +Usurping his just meed; thou, therefore, Jove,<br /> +Supreme in wisdom, honor him, and give<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Success to Troy, till all Achaia’s sons<br /> +Shall yield him honor more than he hath lost!</p> +<p>She spake, to whom the Thunderer nought replied,<br /> +But silent sat long time. She, as her hand<br /> +Had grown there, still importunate, his knees<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Clasp’d as at first, and thus her suit renew’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-34">[34]</a></p> +<p>Or grant my prayer, and ratify the grant,<br /> +Or send me hence (for thou hast none to fear)<br /> +Plainly refused; that I may know and feel<br /> +By how much I am least of all in heaven.<span class="lnm">635</span></p> +<p>To whom the cloud-assembler at the last<br /> +Spake, deep-distress’d. Hard task and full of strife<br /> +Thou hast enjoined me; Juno will not spare<br /> +For gibe and taunt injurious, whose complaint<br /> +Sounds daily in the ears of all the Gods,<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +That I assist the Trojans; but depart,<br /> +Lest she observe thee; my concern shall be<br /> +How best I may perform thy full desire.<br /> +And to assure thee more, I give the sign<br /> +Indubitable, which all fear expels<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +At once from heavenly minds. Nought, so confirmed,<br /> +May, after, be reversed or render’d vain.</p> +<p>He ceased, and under his dark brows the nod<br /> +Vouchsafed of confirmation. All around<br /> +The Sovereign’s everlasting head his curls<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Ambrosial shook,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-35">[35]</a> and the huge mountain reeled.</p> +<p>Their conference closed, they parted. She, at once,<br /> +From bright Olympus plunged into the flood<br /> +Profound, and Jove to his own courts withdrew.<br /> +Together all the Gods, at his approach,<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Uprose; none sat expectant till he came,<br /> +But all advanced to meet the Eternal Sire.<br /> +So on his throne he sat. Nor Juno him<br /> +Not understood; she, watchful, had observed,<br /> +In consultation close with Jove engaged<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Thetis, bright-footed daughter of the deep,<br /> +And keen the son of Saturn thus reproved.</p> +<p>Shrewd as thou art, who now hath had thine ear?<br /> +Thy joy is ever such, from me apart<br /> +To plan and plot clandestine, and thy thoughts,<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +Think what thou may’st, are always barred to me.</p> +<p>To whom the father, thus, of heaven and earth.<br /> +Expect not, Juno, that thou shalt partake<br /> +My counsels at all times, which oft in height<br /> +And depth, thy comprehension far exceed,<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Jove’s consort as thou art. When aught occurs<br /> +Meet for thine ear, to none will I impart<br /> +Of Gods or men more free than to thyself.<br /> +But for my secret thoughts, which I withhold<br /> +From all in heaven beside, them search not thou<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +With irksome curiosity and vain.</p> +<p> +Him answer’d then the Goddess ample-eyed.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-36">[36]</a><br /> +What word hath passed thy lips, Saturnian Jove,<br /> +Thou most severe! I never search thy thoughts,<br /> +Nor the serenity of thy profound<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Intentions trouble; they are safe from me:<br /> +But now there seems a cause. Deeply I dread<br /> +Lest Thetis, silver-footed daughter fair<br /> +Of Ocean’s hoary Sovereign, here arrived<br /> +At early dawn to practise on thee, Jove!<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +I noticed her a suitress at thy knees,<br /> +And much misdeem or promise-bound thou stand’st<br /> +To Thetis past recall, to exalt her son,<br /> +And Greeks to slaughter thousands at the ships.</p> +<p>To whom the cloud-assembler God, incensed.<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +Ah subtle! ever teeming with surmise,<br /> +And fathomer of my concealed designs,<br /> +Thy toil is vain, or (which is worse for thee,)<br /> +Shall but estrange thee from mine heart the more.<br /> +And be it as thou sayest,—I am well pleased<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +That so it should be. Be advised, desist,<br /> +Hold thou thy peace. Else, if my glorious hands<br /> +Once reach thee, the Olympian Powers combined<br /> +To rescue thee, shall interfere in vain.</p> +<p>He said,—whom Juno, awful Goddess, heard<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Appall’d, and mute submitted to his will.<br /> +But through the courts of Jove the heavenly Powers<br /> +All felt displeasure; when to them arose<br /> +Vulcan, illustrious artist, who with speech<br /> +Conciliatory interposed to sooth<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +His white-armed mother Juno, Goddess dread.</p> +<p>Hard doom is ours, and not to be endured,<br /> +If feast and merriment must pause in heaven<br /> +While ye such clamor raise tumultuous here<br /> +For man’s unworthy sake: yet thus we speed<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +Ever, when evil overpoises good.<br /> +But I exhort my mother, though herself<br /> +Already warn’d, that meekly she submit<br /> +To Jove our father, lest our father chide<br /> +More roughly, and confusion mar the feast.<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +For the Olympian Thunderer could with ease<br /> +Us from our thrones precipitate, so far<br /> +He reigns to all superior. Seek to assuage<br /> +His anger therefore; so shall he with smiles<br /> +Cheer thee, nor thee alone, but all in heaven.<span class="lnm">720</span></p> +<p>So Vulcan, and, upstarting, placed a cup<br /> +Full-charged between his mother’s hands, and said,</p> +<p>My mother, be advised, and, though aggrieved,<br /> +Yet patient; lest I see thee whom I love<br /> +So dear, with stripes chastised before my face,<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +Willing, but impotent to give thee aid.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-37">[37]</a><br /> +Who can resist the Thunderer? Me, when once<br /> +I flew to save thee, by the foot he seized<br /> +And hurl’d me through the portal of the skies.<br /> +“From morn to eve I fell, a summer’s day,”<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +And dropped, at last, in Lemnos. There half-dead<br /> +The Sintians found me, and with succor prompt<br /> +And hospitable, entertained me fallen.</p> +<p>So He; then Juno smiled, Goddess white-arm’d,<br /> +And smiling still, from his unwonted hand<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-38">[38]</a><span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +Received the goblet. He from right to left<br /> +Rich nectar from the beaker drawn, alert<br /> +Distributed to all the powers divine.<br /> +Heaven rang with laughter inextinguishable<br /> +Peal after peal, such pleasure all conceived<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +At sight of Vulcan in his new employ.</p> +<p>So spent they in festivity the day,<br /> +And all were cheered; nor was Apollo’s harp<br /> +Silent, nor did the Muses spare to add<br /> +Responsive melody of vocal sweets.<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +But when the sun’s bright orb had now declined,<br /> +Each to his mansion, wheresoever built<br /> +By the lame matchless Architect, withdrew.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_1-39">[39]</a><br /> +Jove also, kindler of the fires of heaven,<br /> +His couch ascending as at other times<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +When gentle sleep approach’d him, slept serene,<br /> +With golden-sceptred Juno at his side.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>The first book contains the preliminaries to the commencement of serious +action. First, the visit of the priest of Apollo to ransom his captive +daughter, the refusal of Agamemnon to yield her up, and the pestilence sent +by the god upon the Grecian army in consequence. Secondly, the restoration, +the propitiation of Apollo, the quarrel of Agamemnon and Achilles, +and the withdrawing of the latter from the Grecian army. Thirdly, the +intercession of Thetis with Jupiter; his promise, unwillingly given, to +avenge Achilles; and the assembly of the gods, in which the promise is +angrily alluded to by Juno, and the discussion peremptorily checked by Jupiter. +The poet, throughout this book, maintains a simple, unadorned +style, but highly descriptive, and happily adapted to the nature of the subject.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book02"></a>BOOK II.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE SECOND BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Jupiter, in pursuance of his purpose to distress the Grecians in answer to +the prayer of Thetis, deceives Agamemnon by a dream. He, in consequence +of it, calls a council, the result of which is that the army shall +go forth to battle. Thersites is mutinous, and is chastised by Ulysses. +Ulysses, Nestor, and Agamemnon, harangue the people; and preparation +is made for battle. An exact account follows of the forces on both sides.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK II.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind"><a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-1">[1]</a>All night both Gods and Chiefs equestrian slept,<br /> +But not the Sire of all. He, waking soon,<br /> +Mused how to exalt Achilles, and destroy<br /> +No few in battle at the Grecian fleet.<br /> +This counsel, at the last, as best he chose<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +And likeliest; to dispatch an evil Dream<br /> +To Agamemnon’s tent, and to his side<br /> +The phantom summoning, him thus addressed.</p> +<p>Haste, evil Dream! Fly to the Grecian fleet,<br /> +And, entering royal Agamemnon’s tent,<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +His ear possess thou thus, omitting nought<br /> +Of all that I enjoin thee. Bid him arm<br /> +His universal host, for that the time<br /> +When the Achaians shall at length possess<br /> +Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +No longer dwell at variance. The request<br /> +Of Juno hath prevail’d; now, wo to Troy!<br /> +So charged, the Dream departed. At the ships<br /> +Well-built arriving of Achaia’s host,<br /> +He Agamemnon, son of Atreus, sought.<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Him sleeping in his tent he found, immersed<br /> +In soft repose ambrosial. At his head<br /> +The shadow stood, similitude exact<br /> +Of Nestor, son of Neleus; sage, with whom<br /> +In Agamemnon’s thought might none compare.<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +His form assumed, the sacred Dream began.</p> +<p>Oh son of Atreus the renown’d in arms<br /> +And in the race! Sleep’st thou? It ill behoves<br /> +To sleep all night the man of high employ,<br /> +And charged, as thou art, with a people’s care.<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Now, therefore, mark me well, who, sent from Jove,<br /> +Inform thee, that although so far remote,<br /> +He yet compassionates and thinks on thee<br /> +With kind solicitude. He bids thee arm<br /> +Thy universal host, for that the time<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +When the Achaians shall at length possess<br /> +Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above<br /> +No longer dwell at variance. The requests<br /> +Of Juno have prevail’d. Now, wo to Troy<br /> +From Jove himself! Her fate is on the wing.<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Awaking from thy dewy slumbers, hold<br /> +In firm remembrance all that thou hast heard.</p> +<p>So spake the Dream, and vanishing, him left<br /> +In false hopes occupied and musings vain.<br /> +Full sure he thought, ignorant of the plan<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +By Jove design’d, that day the last of Troy.<br /> +Fond thought! For toils and agonies to Greeks<br /> +And Trojans both, in many a bloody field<br /> +To be endured, the Thunderer yet ordain’d.<br /> +Starting he woke, and seeming still to hear<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +The warning voice divine, with hasty leap<br /> +Sprang from his bed, and sat.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-2">[2]</a> His fleecy vest<br /> +New-woven he put on, and mantle wide;<br /> +His sandals fair to his unsullied feet<br /> +He braced, and slung his argent-studded sword.<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Then, incorruptible for evermore<br /> +The sceptre of his sires he took, with which<br /> +He issued forth into the camp of Greece.</p> +<p>Aurora now on the Olympian heights<br /> +Proclaiming stood new day to all in heaven,<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +When he his clear-voiced heralds bade convene<br /> +The Greeks in council. Went the summons forth<br /> +Into all quarters, and the throng began.<br /> +First, at the ship of Nestor, Pylian King,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-3">[3]</a><br /> +The senior Chiefs for high exploits renown’d<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +He gather’d, whom he prudent thus address’d.</p> +<p>My fellow warriors, hear! A dream from heaven,<br /> +Amid the stillness of the vacant night<br /> +Approach’d me, semblance close in stature, bulk,<br /> +And air, of noble Nestor. At mine head<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +The shadow took his stand, and thus he spake.</p> +<p>Oh son of Atreus the renown’d in arms<br /> +And in the race, sleep’st thou? It ill behoves<br /> +To sleep all night the man of high employ,<br /> +And charged as thou art with a people’s care.<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Now, therefore, mark me well, who, sent from Jove,<br /> +Inform thee, that although so far remote,<br /> +He yet compassionates and thinks on thee<br /> +With kind solicitude. He bids thee arm<br /> +Thy universal host; for that the time<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +When the Achaians shall at length possess<br /> +Wide Ilium, hath arrived. The Gods above<br /> +No longer dwell at variance. The requests<br /> +Of Juno have prevail’d. Now, wo to Troy<br /> +From Jove himself! Her fate is on the wing.<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Charge this on thy remembrance. Thus he spake,<br /> +Then vanished suddenly, and I awoke.<br /> +Haste therefore, let us arm, if arm we may,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-4">[4]</a><br /> +The warlike sons of Greece; but first, myself<br /> +Will prove them, recommending instant flight<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +With all our ships, and ye throughout the host<br /> +Dispersed, shall, next, encourage all to stay.</p> +<p>He ceased, and sat; when in the midst arose<br /> +Of highest fame for wisdom, Nestor, King<br /> +Of sandy Pylus, who them thus bespake.<span class="lnm">95</span></p> +<p>Friends, Counsellors, and Leaders of the Greeks!<br /> +Had any meaner Argive told his dream,<br /> +We had pronounced it false, and should the more<br /> +Have shrunk from battle; but the dream is his<br /> +Who boasts himself our highest in command.<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Haste, arm we, if we may, the sons of Greece.</p> +<p>So saying, he left the council; him, at once<br /> +The sceptred Chiefs, obedient to his voice,<br /> +Arising, follow’d; and the throng began.<br /> +As from the hollow rock bees stream abroad,<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +And in succession endless seek the fields,<br /> +Now clustering, and now scattered far and near,<br /> +In spring-time, among all the new-blown flowers,<br /> +So they to council swarm’d, troop after troop,<br /> +Grecians of every tribe, from camp and fleet<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Assembling orderly o’er all the plain<br /> +Beside the shore of Ocean. In the midst<br /> +A kindling rumor, messenger of Jove,<br /> +Impell’d them, and they went. Loud was the din<br /> +Of the assembling thousands; groan’d the earth<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +When down they sat, and murmurs ran around.<br /> +Nine heralds cried aloud—Will ye restrain<br /> +Your clamors, that your heaven-taught Kings may speak?<br /> +Scarce were they settled, and the clang had ceased,<br /> +When Agamemnon, sovereign o’er them all,<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Sceptre in hand, arose. (That sceptre erst<br /> +Vulcan with labor forged, and to the hand<br /> +Consign’d it of the King, Saturnian Jove;<br /> +Jove to the vanquisher<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-5">[5]</a> of Ino’s<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-6">[6]</a> guard,<br /> +And he to Pelops; Pelops in his turn,<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +To royal Atreus; Atreus at his death<br /> +Bequeath’d it to Thyestes rich in flocks,<br /> +And rich Thyestes left it to be borne<br /> +By Agamemnon, symbol of his right<br /> +To empire over Argos and her isles)<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +On that he lean’d, and rapid, thus began.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-7">[7]</a></p> +<p>Friends, Grecian Heroes, ministers of Mars!<br /> +Ye see me here entangled in the snares<br /> +Of unpropitious Jove. He promised once,<br /> +And with a nod confirm’d it, that with spoils<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Of Ilium laden, we should hence return;<br /> +But now, devising ill, he sends me shamed,<br /> +And with diminished numbers, home to Greece.<br /> +So stands his sovereign pleasure, who hath laid<br /> +The bulwarks of full many a city low,<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +And more shall level, matchless in his might.<br /> +That such a numerous host of Greeks as we,<br /> +Warring with fewer than ourselves, should find<br /> +No fruit of all our toil, (and none appears)<br /> +Will make us vile with ages yet to come.<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +For should we now strike truce, till Greece and Troy<br /> +Might number each her own, and were the Greeks<br /> +Distributed in bands, ten Greeks in each,<br /> +Our banded decads should exceed so far<br /> +Their units, that all Troy could not supply<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +For every ten, a man, to fill us wine;<br /> +So far the Achaians, in my thought, surpass<br /> +The native Trojans. But in Troy are those<br /> +Who baffle much my purpose; aids derived<br /> +From other states, spear-arm’d auxiliars, firm<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +In the defence of Ilium’s lofty towers.<br /> +Nine years have passed us over, nine long years;<br /> +Our ships are rotted, and our tackle marr’d,<br /> +And all our wives and little-ones at home<br /> +Sit watching our return, while this attempt<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Hangs still in doubt, for which that home we left.<br /> +Accept ye then my counsel. Fly we swift<br /> +With all our fleet back to our native land,<br /> +Hopeless of Troy, not yet to be subdued.</p> +<p>So spake the King, whom all the concourse heard<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +With minds in tumult toss’d; all, save the few,<br /> +Partners of his intent. Commotion shook<br /> +The whole assembly, such as heaves the flood<br /> +Of the Icarian Deep, when South and East<br /> +Burst forth together from the clouds of Jove.<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +And as when vehement the West-wind falls<br /> +On standing corn mature, the loaded ears<br /> +Innumerable bow before the gale,<br /> +So was the council shaken. With a shout<br /> +All flew toward the ships; uprais’d, the dust<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Stood o’er them; universal was the cry,<br /> +“Now clear the passages, strike down the props,<br /> +Set every vessel free, launch, and away!”<br /> +Heaven rang with exclamation of the host<br /> +All homeward bent, and launching glad the fleet.<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Then baffled Fate had the Achaians seen<br /> +Returning premature, but Juno thus,<br /> +With admonition quick to Pallas spake.</p> +<p>Unconquer’d daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d!<br /> +Ah foul dishonor! Is it thus at last<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +That the Achaians on the billows borne,<br /> +Shall seek again their country, leaving here,<br /> +To be the vaunt of Ilium and her King,<br /> +Helen of Argos, in whose cause the Greeks<br /> +Have numerous perish’d from their home remote?<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Haste! Seek the mail-arm’d multitude, by force<br /> +Detain them of thy soothing speech, ere yet<br /> +All launch their oary barks into the flood.</p> +<p>She spake, nor did Minerva not comply,<br /> +But darting swift from the Olympian heights,<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Reach’d soon Achaia’s fleet. There, she perceived<br /> +Prudent as Jove himself, Ulysses; firm<br /> +He stood; he touch’d not even with his hand<br /> +His sable bark, for sorrow whelm’d his soul.<br /> +The Athenæan Goddess azure-eyed<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Beside him stood, and thus the Chief bespake.</p> +<p>Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!<br /> +Why seek ye, thus precipitate, your ships?<br /> +Intend ye flight? And is it thus at last,<br /> +That the Achaians on the billows borne,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Shall seek again their country, leaving here,<br /> +To be the vaunt of Ilium and her King,<br /> +Helen of Argos, in whose cause the Greeks<br /> +Have numerous perish’d from their home remote?<br /> +Delay not. Rush into the throng; by force<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Detain them of thy soothing speech, ere yet<br /> +All launch their oary barks into the flood.</p> +<p>She ceased, whom by her voice Ulysses knew,<br /> +Casting his mantle from him, which his friend<br /> +Eurybates the Ithacensian caught,<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +He ran; and in his course meeting the son<br /> +Of Atreus, Agamemnon, from his hand<br /> +The everlasting sceptre quick received,<br /> +Which bearing, through Achaia’s fleet he pass’d.<br /> +What King soever, or distinguish’d Greek<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +He found, approaching to his side, in terms<br /> +Of gentle sort he stay’d him. Sir, he cried,<br /> +It is unseemly that a man renown’d<br /> +As thou, should tremble. Go—Resume the seat<br /> +Which thou hast left, and bid the people sit.<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Thou know’st not clearly yet the monarch’s mind.<br /> +He proves us now, but soon he will chastize.<br /> +All were not present; few of us have heard<br /> +His speech this day in council. Oh, beware,<br /> +Lest in resentment of this hasty course<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Irregular, he let his anger loose.<br /> +Dread is the anger of a King; he reigns<br /> +By Jove’s own ordinance, and is dear to Jove,</p> +<p>But what plebeian base soe’er he heard<br /> +Stretching his throat to swell the general cry,<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +He laid the sceptre smartly on his back,<br /> +With reprimand severe. Fellow, he said,<br /> +Sit still; hear others; thy superiors hear.<br /> +For who art thou? A dastard and a drone,<br /> +Of none account in council, or in arms.<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +By no means may we all alike bear sway<br /> +At Ilium; such plurality of Kings<br /> +Were evil. One suffices. One, to whom<br /> +The son of politic Saturn hath assign’d<br /> +The sceptre, and inforcement of the laws,<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +That he may rule us as a monarch ought.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-8">[8]</a></p> +<p>With such authority the troubled host<br /> +He sway’d; they, quitting camp and fleet again<br /> +Rush’d back to council; deafening was the sound<br /> +As when a billow of the boisterous deep<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Some broad beach dashes, and the Ocean roars.</p> +<p>The host all seated, and the benches fill’d,<br /> +Thersites only of loquacious tongue<br /> +Ungovern’d, clamor’d mutinous; a wretch<br /> +Of utterance prompt, but in coarse phrase obscene<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Deep learn’d alone, with which to slander Kings.<br /> +Might he but set the rabble in a roar,<br /> +He cared not with what jest; of all from Greece<br /> +To Ilium sent, his country’s chief reproach.<br /> +Cross-eyed he was, and halting moved on legs<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Ill-pair’d; his gibbous shoulders o’er his breast<br /> +Contracted, pinch’d it; to a peak his head<br /> +Was moulded sharp, and sprinkled thin with hair<br /> +Of starveling length, flimsy and soft as down.<br /> +Achilles and Ulysses had incurr’d<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Most his aversion; them he never spared;<br /> +But now, imperial Agamemnon self<br /> +In piercing accents stridulous he charged<br /> +With foul reproach. The Grecians with contempt<br /> +Listen’d, and indignation, while with voice<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +At highest pitch, he thus the monarch mock’d.</p> +<p>What wouldst thou now? Whereof is thy complaint<br /> +Now, Agamemnon? Thou hast fill’d thy tents<br /> +With treasure, and the Grecians, when they take<br /> +A city, choose the loveliest girls for thee.<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Is gold thy wish? More gold? A ransom brought<br /> +By some chief Trojan for his son’s release<br /> +Whom I, or other valiant Greek may bind?<br /> +Or wouldst thou yet a virgin, one, by right<br /> +Another’s claim, but made by force thine own?<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +It was not well, great Sir, that thou shouldst bring<br /> +A plague on the Achaians, as of late.<br /> +But come, my Grecian sisters, soldiers named<br /> +Unfitly, of a sex too soft for war,<br /> +Come, let us homeward: let him here digest<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +What he shall gorge, alone; that he may learn<br /> +If our assistance profit him or not.<br /> +For when he shamed Achilles, he disgraced<br /> +A Chief far worthier than himself, whose prize<br /> +He now withholds. But tush,—Achilles lacks<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Himself the spirit of a man; no gall<br /> +Hath he within him, or his hand long since<br /> +Had stopp’d that mouth,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-9">[9]</a> that it should scoff no more.</p> +<p>Thus, mocking royal Agamemnon, spake<br /> +Thersites. Instant starting to his side,<br /><span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Noble Ulysses with indignant brows<br /> +Survey’d him, and him thus reproved severe.</p> +<p> +Thersites! Railer!—peace. Think not thyself,<br /> +Although thus eloquent, alone exempt<br /> +From obligation not to slander Kings.<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +I deem thee most contemptible, the worst<br /> +Of Agamemnon’s followers to the war;<br /> +Presume not then to take the names revered<br /> +Of Sovereigns on thy sordid lips, to asperse<br /> +Their sacred character, and to appoint<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +The Greeks a time when they shall voyage home.<br /> +How soon, how late, with what success at last<br /> +We shall return, we know not: but because<br /> +Achaia’s heroes numerous spoils allot<br /> +To Agamemnon, Leader of the host,<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Thou therefore from thy seat revilest the King.<br /> +But mark me. If I find thee, as even now,<br /> +Raving and foaming at the lips again,<br /> +May never man behold Ulysses’ head<br /> +On these my shoulders more, and may my son<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +Prove the begotten of another Sire,<br /> +If I not strip thee to that hide of thine<br /> +As bare as thou wast born, and whip thee hence<br /> +Home to thy galley, sniveling like a boy.</p> +<p>He ceased, and with his sceptre on the back<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +And shoulders smote him. Writhing to and fro,<br /> +He wept profuse, while many a bloody whelk<br /> +Protuberant beneath the sceptre sprang.<br /> +Awe-quell’d he sat, and from his visage mean,<br /> +Deep-sighing, wiped the rheums. It was no time<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +For mirth, yet mirth illumined every face,<br /> +And laughing, thus they spake. A thousand acts<br /> +Illustrious, both by well-concerted plans<br /> +And prudent disposition of the host<br /> +Ulysses hath achieved, but this by far<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Transcends his former praise, that he hath quell’d<br /> +Such contumelious rhetoric profuse.<br /> +The valiant talker shall not soon, we judge,<br /> +Take liberties with royal names again.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-10">[10]</a><br /> +So spake the multitude. Then, stretching forth<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +The sceptre, city-spoiler Chief, arose<br /> +Ulysses. Him beside, herald in form,<br /> +Appeared Minerva. Silence she enjoined<br /> +To all, that all Achaia’s sons might hear,<br /> +Foremost and rearmost, and might weigh his words.<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +He then his counsel, prudent, thus proposed.</p> +<p>Atrides! Monarch! The Achaians seek<br /> +To make thee ignominious above all<br /> +In sight of all mankind. None recollects<br /> +His promise more in steed-famed Argos pledged,<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Here to abide till Ilium wall’d to heaven<br /> +Should vanquish’d sink, and all her wealth be ours.<br /> +No—now, like widow’d women, or weak boys,<br /> +They whimper to each other, wishing home.<br /> +And home, I grant, to the afflicted soul<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Seems pleasant.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-11">[11]</a> The poor seaman from his wife<br /> +One month detain’d, cheerless his ship and sad<br /> +Possesses, by the force of wintry blasts,<br /> +And by the billows of the troubled deep<br /> +Fast lock’d in port. But us the ninth long year<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Revolving, finds camp’d under Ilium still.<br /> +I therefore blame not, if they mourn beside<br /> +Their sable barks, the Grecians. Yet the shame<br /> +That must attend us after absence long<br /> +Returning unsuccessful, who can bear?<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Be patient, friends! wait only till we learn<br /> +If Calchas truly prophesied, or not;<br /> +For well we know, and I to all appeal,<br /> +Whom Fate hath not already snatch’d away,<br /> +(It seems but yesterday, or at the most<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +A day or two before) that when the ships<br /> +Wo-fraught for Priam, and the race of Troy,<br /> +At Aulis met, and we beside the fount<br /> +With perfect hecatombs the Gods adored<br /> +Beneath the plane-tree, from whose root a stream<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Ran crystal-clear, there we beheld a sign<br /> +Wonderful in all eyes. A serpent huge,<br /> +Tremendous spectacle! with crimson spots<br /> +His back all dappled, by Olympian Jove<br /> +Himself protruded, from the altar’s foot<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Slipp’d into light, and glided to the tree.<br /> +There on the topmost bough, close-cover’d sat<br /> +With foliage broad, eight sparrows, younglings all,<br /> +Then newly feather’d, with their dam, the ninth.<br /> +The little ones lamenting shrill he gorged,<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +While, wheeling o’er his head, with screams the dam<br /> +Bewail’d her darling brood. Her also next,<br /> +Hovering and clamoring, he by the wing<br /> +Within his spiry folds drew, and devoured.<br /> +All eaten thus, the nestlings and the dam,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +The God who sent him, signalized him too,<br /> +For him Saturnian Jove transform’d to stone.<br /> +We wondering stood, to see that strange portent<br /> +Intrude itself into our holy rites,<br /> +When Calchas, instant, thus the sign explain’d.<span class="lnm">390</span></p> +<p>Why stand ye, Greeks, astonish’d? Ye behold<br /> +A prodigy by Jove himself produced,<br /> +An omen, whose accomplishment indeed<br /> +Is distant, but whose fame shall never die.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-12">[12]</a><br /> +E’en as this serpent in your sight devour’d<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Eight youngling sparrows, with their dam, the ninth,<br /> +So we nine years must war on yonder plain,<br /> +And in the tenth, wide-bulwark’d Troy is ours.</p> +<p>So spake the seer, and as he spake, is done.<br /> +Wait, therefore, brave Achaians! go not hence<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Till Priam’s spacious city be your prize.</p> +<p>He ceased, and such a shout ensued, that all<br /> +The hollow ships the deafening roar return’d<br /> +Of acclamation, every voice the speech<br /> +Extolling of Ulysses, glorious Chief.<span class="lnm">405</span></p> +<p>Then Nestor the Gerenian,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-13">[13]</a> warrior old,<br /> +Arising, spake; and, by the Gods, he said,<br /> +Ye more resemble children inexpert<br /> +In war, than disciplined and prudent men.<br /> +Where now are all your promises and vows,<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Councils, libations, right-hand covenants?<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-14">[14]</a><br /> +Burn them, since all our occupation here<br /> +Is to debate and wrangle, whereof end<br /> +Or fruit though long we wait, shall none be found.<br /> +But, Sovereign, be not thou appall’d. Be firm.<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Relax not aught of thine accustomed sway,<br /> +But set the battle forth as thou art wont.<br /> +And if there be a Grecian, here and there,<br /> +One,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-15">[15]</a> adverse to the general voice, let such<br /> +Wither alone. He shall not see his wish<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Gratified, neither will we hence return<br /> +To Argos, ere events shall yet have proved<br /> +Jove’s promise false or true. For when we climb’d<br /> +Our gallant barks full-charged with Ilium’s fate,<br /> +Saturnian Jove omnipotent, that day,<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +(Omen propitious!) thunder’d on the right.<br /> +Let no man therefore pant for home, till each<br /> +Possess a Trojan spouse, and from her lips<br /> +Take sweet revenge for Helen’s pangs of heart.<br /> +Who then? What soldier languishes and sighs<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +To leave us? Let him dare to lay his hand<br /> +On his own vessel, and he dies the first.<br /> +But hear, O King! I shall suggest a course<br /> +Not trivial. Agamemnon! sort the Greeks<br /> +By districts and by tribes, that tribe may tribe<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Support, and each his fellow. This performed,<br /> +And with consent of all, thou shalt discern<br /> +With ease what Chief, what private man deserts,<br /> +And who performs his part. The base, the brave,<br /> +Such disposition made, shall both appear;<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +And thou shalt also know, if heaven or we,<br /> +The Gods, or our supineness, succor Troy.</p> +<p>To whom Atrides, King of men, replied.<br /> +Old Chief! Thou passest all Achaia’s sons<br /> +In consultation; would to Jove our Sire,<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +To Athenæan Pallas, and Apollo!<br /> +That I had ten such coadjutors, wise<br /> +As thou art, and the royal city soon<br /> +Of Priam, with her wealth, should all be ours.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-16">[16]</a><br /> +But me the son of Saturn, Jove supreme<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Himself afflicts, who in contentious broils<br /> +Involves me, and in altercation vain.<br /> +Thence all that wordy tempest for a girl<br /> +Achilles and myself between, and I<br /> +The fierce aggressor. Be that breach but heal’d!<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +And Troy’s reprieve thenceforth is at an end.<br /> +Go—take refreshment now that we may march<br /> +Forth to our enemies. Let each whet well<br /> +His spear, brace well his shield, well feed his brisk<br /> +High-mettled horses, well survey and search<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +His chariot on all sides, that no defect<br /> +Disgrace his bright habiliments of war.<br /> +So will we give the day from morn to eve<br /> +To dreadful battle. Pause there shall be none<br /> +Till night divide us. Every buckler’s thong<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Shall sweat on the toil’d bosom, every hand<br /> +That shakes the spear shall ache, and every steed<br /> +Shall smoke that whirls the chariot o’er the plain.<br /> +Wo then to whom I shall discover here<br /> +Loitering among the tents; let him escape<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +My vengeance if he can. The vulture’s maw<br /> +Shall have his carcase, and the dogs his bones.</p> +<p>He spake; whom all applauded with a shout<br /> +Loud as against some headland cliff the waves<br /> +Roll’d by the stormy South o’er rocks that shoot<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Afar into the deep, which in all winds<br /> +The flood still overspreads, blow whence they may.<br /> +Arising, forth they rush’d, among the ships<br /> +All scatter’d; smoke from every tent arose,<br /> +The host their food preparing; next, his God<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Each man invoked (of the Immortals him<br /> +Whom he preferr’d) with sacrifice and prayer<br /> +For safe escape from danger and from death.<br /> +But Agamemnon to Saturnian Jove<br /> +Omnipotent, an ox of the fifth year<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Full-flesh’d devoted, and the Princes call’d<br /> +Noblest of all the Grecians to his feast.<br /> +First, Nestor with Idomeneus the King,<br /> +Then either Ajax, and the son he call’d<br /> +Of Tydeus, with Ulysses sixth and last,<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Jove’s peer in wisdom. Menelaus went,<br /> +Heroic Chief! unbidden, for he knew<br /> +His brother’s mind with weight of care oppress’d.<br /> +The ox encircling, and their hands with meal<br /> +Of consecration fill’d, the assembly stood,<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +When Agamemnon thus his prayer preferred.</p> +<p>Almighty Father! Glorious above all!<br /> +Cloud-girt, who dwell’st in heaven thy throne sublime,<br /> +Let not the sun go down, till Priam’s roof<br /> +Fall flat into the flames; till I shall burn<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +His gates with fire; till I shall hew away<br /> +His hack’d and riven corslet from the breast<br /> +Of Hector, and till numerous Chiefs, his friends,<br /> +Around him, prone in dust, shall bite the ground.</p> +<p>So prayed he, but with none effect, The God<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Received his offering, but to double toil<br /> +Doom’d them, and sorrow more than all the past.</p> +<p>They then, the triturated barley grain<br /> +First duly sprinkling, the sharp steel infix’d<br /> +Deep in the victim’s neck reversed, then stripp’d<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +The carcase, and divided at their joint<br /> +The thighs, which in the double caul involved<br /> +They spread with slices crude, and burn’d with fire<br /> +Ascending fierce from billets sere and dry.<br /> +The spitted entrails next they o’er the coals<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Suspended held. The thighs with fire consumed,<br /> +They gave to each his portion of the maw,<br /> +Then slash’d the remnant, pierced it with the spits,<br /> +And managing with culinary skill<br /> +The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Thus, all their task accomplished, and the board<br /> +Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed.<br /> +When neither hunger more nor thirst remain’d<br /> +Unsatisfied, Gerenian Nestor spake.</p> +<p>Atrides! Agamemnon! King of men!<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +No longer waste we time in useless words,<br /> +Nor to a distant hour postpone the work<br /> +To which heaven calls thee. Send thine heralds forth.<br /> +Who shall convene the Achaians at the fleet,<br /> +That we, the Chiefs assembled here, may range,<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Together, the imbattled multitude,<br /> +And edge their spirits for immediate fight.</p> +<p>He spake, nor Agamemnon not complied.<br /> +At once he bade his clear-voiced heralds call<br /> +The Greeks to battle. They the summons loud<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Gave forth, and at the sound the people throng’d.<br /> +Then Agamemnon and the Kings of Greece<br /> +Dispatchful drew them into order just,<br /> +With whom Minerva azure-eyed advanced,<br /> +The inestimable Ægis on her arm,<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Immortal, unobnoxious to decay<br /> +A hundred braids, close twisted, all of gold,<br /> +Each valued at a hundred beeves,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-17">[17]</a> around<br /> +Dependent fringed it. She from side to side<br /> +Her eyes cerulean rolled, infusing thirst<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Of battle endless into every breast.<br /> +War won them now, war sweeter now to each<br /> +Than gales to waft them over ocean home.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-18">[18]</a><br /> +As when devouring flames some forest seize<br /> +On the high mountains, splendid from afar<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +The blaze appears, so, moving on the plain,<br /> +The steel-clad host innumerous flash’d to heaven.<br /> +And as a multitude of fowls in flocks<br /> +Assembled various, geese, or cranes, or swans<br /> +Lithe-neck’d, long hovering o’er Caÿster’s banks<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +On wanton plumes, successive on the mead<br /> +Alight at last, and with a clang so loud<br /> +That all the hollow vale of Asius rings;<br /> +In number such from ships and tents effused,<br /> +They cover’d the Scamandrian plain; the earth<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +Rebellow’d to the feet of steeds and men.<br /> +They overspread Scamander’s grassy vale,<br /> +Myriads, as leaves, or as the flowers of spring.<br /> +As in the hovel where the peasant milks<br /> +His kine in spring-time, when his pails are fill’d,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Thick clouds of humming insects on the wing<br /> +Swarm all around him, so the Grecians swarm’d<br /> +An unsumm’d multitude o’er all the plain,<br /> +Bright arm’d, high crested, and athirst for war.<br /> +As goat-herds separate their numerous flocks<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +With ease, though fed promiscuous, with like ease<br /> +Their leaders them on every side reduced<br /> +To martial order glorious;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-19">[19]</a> among whom<br /> +Stood Agamemnon “with an eye like Jove’s,<br /> +To threaten or command,” like Mars in girth,<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +And with the port of Neptune. As the bull<br /> +Conspicuous among all the herd appears,<br /> +For he surpasses all, such Jove ordain’d<br /> +That day the son of Atreus, in the midst<br /> +Of Heroes, eminent above them all.<span class="lnm">580</span></p> +<p>Tell me, (for ye are are heavenly, and beheld<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-20">[20]</a><br /> +A scene, whereof the faint report alone<br /> +Hath reached our ears, remote and ill-informed,)<br /> +Tell me, ye Muses, under whom, beneath<br /> +What Chiefs of royal or of humbler note<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Stood forth the embattled Greeks? The host at large;<br /> +<i>They</i> were a multitude in number more<br /> +Than with ten tongues, and with ten mouths, each mouth<br /> +Made vocal with a trumpet’s throat of brass<br /> +I might declare, unless the Olympian nine,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Jove’s daughters, would the chronicle themselves<br /> +Indite, of all assembled, under Troy.<br /> +I will rehearse the Captains and their fleets.</p> +<p><a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-21">[21]</a>Bœotia’s sturdy sons Peneleus led,<br /> +And Leïtus, whose partners in command<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Arcesilaus and Prothoenor came,<br /> +And Clonius. Them the dwellers on the rocks<br /> +Of Aulis followed, with the hardy clans<br /> +Of Hyrie, Schoenos, Scholos, and the hills<br /> +Of Eteon; Thespia, Græa, and the plains<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Of Mycalessus them, and Harma served,<br /> +Eleon, Erythræ, Peteon; Hyle them,<br /> +Hesius and Ocalea, and the strength<br /> +Of Medeon; Copæ also in their train<br /> +Marched, with Eutresis and the mighty men<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Of Thisbe famed for doves; nor pass unnamed<br /> +Whom Coronæa, and the grassy land<br /> +Of Haliartus added to the war,<br /> +Nor whom Platæa, nor whom Glissa bred,<br /> +And Hypothebæ,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-22">[22]</a> and thy sacred groves<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +To Neptune, dark Onchestus. Arne claims<br /> +A record next for her illustrious sons,<br /> +Vine-bearing Arne. Thou wast also there<br /> +Mideia, and thou Nissa; nor be thine<br /> +Though last, Anthedon, a forgotten name.<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +These in Bœotia’s fair and gallant fleet<br /> +Of fifty ships, each bearing o’er the waves<br /> +Thrice forty warriors, had arrived at Troy.</p> +<p>In thirty ships deep-laden with the brave,<br /> +Aspledon and Orchomenos had sent<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Their chosen youth; them ruled a noble pair,<br /> +Sons of Astyoche; she, lovely nymph,<br /> +Received by stealth, on Actor’s stately roof,<br /> +The embraces of a God, and bore to Mars<br /> +Twins like himself, Ascalaphus the bold,<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +And bold Iälmenus, expert in arms.</p> +<p>Beneath Epistrophus and Schedius, took<br /> +Their destined station on Bœotia’s left,<br /> +The brave Phocensians; they in forty ships<br /> +From Cyparissus came, and from the rocks<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Of Python, and from Crissa the divine;<br /> +From Anemoria, Daulis, Panopeus,<br /> +And from Hyampolis, and from the banks<br /> +Of the Cephissus, sacred stream, and from<br /> +Lilæa, seated at its fountain-head.<span class="lnm">635</span></p> +<p>Next from beyond Eubœa’s happy isle<br /> +In forty ships conveyed, stood forth well armed<br /> +The Locrians; dwellers in Augeia some<br /> +The pleasant, some of Opoëis possessed,<br /> +Some of Calliarus; these Scarpha sent,<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +And Cynus those; from Bessa came the rest,<br /> +From Tarpha, Thronius, and from the brink<br /> +Of loud Boagrius; Ajax them, the swift,<br /> +Son of Oïleus led, not such as he<br /> +From Telamon, big-boned and lofty built,<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +But small of limb, and of an humbler crest;<br /> +Yet he, competitor had none throughout<br /> +The Grecians of what land soe’er, for skill<br /> +In ushering to its mark the rapid lance.</p> +<p>Elphenor brought (Calchodon’s mighty son)<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +The Eubœans to the field. In forty ships<br /> +From Histrïæa for her vintage famed,<br /> +From Chalcis, from Iretria, from the gates<br /> +Of maritime Cerinthus, from the heights<br /> +Of Dios rock-built citadel sublime,<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +And from Caristus and from Styra came<br /> +His warlike multitudes, all named alike<br /> +Abantes, on whose shoulders fell behind<br /> +Their locks profuse,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-23">[23]</a> and they were eager all<br /> +To split the hauberk with the pointed spear.<span class="lnm">660</span></p> +<p>Nor Athens had withheld her generous sons,<br /> +The people of Erectheus. Him of old<br /> +The teeming glebe produced, a wondrous birth!<br /> +And Pallas rear’d him: her own unctuous fane<br /> +She made his habitation, where with bulls<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +The youth of Athens, and with slaughter’d lambs<br /> +Her annual worship celebrate. Then led<br /> +Menestheus, whom, (sage Nestor’s self except,<br /> +Thrice school’d in all events of human life,)<br /> +None rivall’d ever in the just array<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Of horse and man to battle. Fifty ships<br /> +Black-prowed, had borne them to the distant war.</p> +<p>Ajax from Salamis twelve vessels brought,<br /> +And where the Athenian band in phalanx stood<br /> +Marshall’d compact, there station’d he his powers.<span class="lnm">675</span></p> +<p>The men of Argos and Tyrintha next,<br /> +And of Hermione, that stands retired<br /> +With Asine, within her spacious bay;<br /> +Of Epidaurus, crown’d with purple vines,<br /> +And of Trœzena, with the Achaian youth<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Of sea-begirt Ægina, and with thine,<br /> +Maseta, and the dwellers on thy coast,<br /> +Wave-worn Eïonæ; these all obeyed<br /> +The dauntless Hero Diomede, whom served<br /> +Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, a Chief<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +Of deathless fame, his second in command,<br /> +And godlike man, Euryalus, the son<br /> +Of King Mecisteus, Talaüs’ son, his third.<br /> +But Diomede controll’d them all, and him<br /> +Twice forty sable ships their leader own’d.<span class="lnm">690</span></p> +<p>Came Agamemnon with a hundred ships,<br /> +Exulting in his powers; more numerous they,<br /> +And more illustrious far than other Chief<br /> +Could boast, whoever. Clad in burnish’d brass,<br /> +And conscious of pre-eminence, he stood.<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +He drew his host from cities far renown’d,<br /> +Mycenæ, and Corinthus, seat of wealth,<br /> +Orneia, and Cleonæ bulwark’d strong,<br /> +And lovely Aræthyria; Sicyon, where<br /> +His seat of royal power held at the first<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Adrastus: Hyperesia, and the heights<br /> +Of Gonoëssa; Ægium, with the towns<br /> +That sprinkle all that far-extended coast,<br /> +Pellene also and wide Helice<br /> +With all their shores, were number’d in his train.<span class="lnm">705</span></p> +<p>From hollow Lacedæmon’s glen profound,<br /> +From Phare, Sparta, and from Messa, still<br /> +Resounding with the ring-dove’s amorous moan,<br /> +From Brysia, from Augeia, from the rocks<br /> +Of Laas, from Amycla, Otilus,<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +And from the towers of Helos, at whose foot<br /> +The surf of Ocean falls, came sixty barks<br /> +With Menelaus. From the monarch’s host<br /> +The royal brother ranged his own apart,<br /> +and panted for revenge of Helen’s wrongs,<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +And of her sighs and tears.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-24">[24]</a> From rank to rank,<br /> +Conscious of dauntless might he pass’d, and sent<br /> +Into all hearts the fervor of his own.</p> +<p>Gerenian Nestor in thrice thirty ships<br /> +Had brought his warriors; they from Pylus came,<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +From blithe Arene, and from Thryos, built<br /> +Fast by the fords of Alpheus, and from steep<br /> +And stately Æpy. Their confederate powers<br /> +Sent Amphigenia, Cyparissa veiled<br /> +With broad redundance of funereal shades,<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +Pteleos and Helos, and of deathless fame<br /> +Dorion. In Dorion erst the Muses met<br /> +Threïcian Thamyris, on his return<br /> +From Eurytus, Oechalian Chief, and hush’d<br /> +His song for ever; for he dared to vaunt<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +That he would pass in song even themselves<br /> +The Muses, daughters of Jove Ægis-arm’d.<br /> +They therefore, by his boast incensed, the bard<br /> +Struck blind, and from his memory dash’d severe<br /> +All traces of his once celestial strains.<span class="lnm">735</span></p> +<p>Arcadia’s sons, the dwellers at the foot<br /> +Of mount Cyllene, where Æpytus sleeps<br /> +Intomb’d; a generation bold in fight,<br /> +And warriors hand to hand; the valiant men<br /> +Of Pheneus, of Orchomenos by flocks<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +Grazed numberless, of Ripe, Stratia, bleak<br /> +Enispe; Mantinea city fair,<br /> +Stymphelus and Parrhasia, and the youth<br /> +Of Tegea; royal Agapenor these,<br /> +Ancæus’ offspring, had in sixty ships<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +To Troy conducted; numerous was the crew,<br /> +And skilled in arms, which every vessel brought,<br /> +And Agamemnon had with barks himself<br /> +Supplied them, for, of inland realms possessed,<br /> +They little heeded maritime employs.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-25">[25]</a><span class="lnm">750</span></p> +<p>The dwellers in Buprasium, on the shores<br /> +Of pleasant Elis, and in all the land<br /> +Myrsinus and the Hyrminian plain between,<br /> +The rock Olenian, and the Alysian fount;<br /> +These all obey’d four Chiefs, and galleys ten<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +Each Chief commanded, with Epeans filled.<br /> +Amphimachus and Thalpius govern’d these,<br /> +This, son of Cteatus, the other, sprung<br /> +From Eurytus, and both of Actor’s house.<br /> +Diores, son of Amarynceus, those<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +Led on, and, for his godlike form renown’d,<br /> +Polyxenus was Chieftain o’er the rest,<br /> +Son of Agasthenes, Augeias’ son.</p> +<p>Dulichium, and her sister sacred isles<br /> +The Echinades, whose opposite aspect<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +Looks toward Elis o’er the curling waves,<br /> +Sent forth their powers with Meges at their head,<br /> +Brave son of Phyleus, warrior dear to Jove.<br /> +Phyleus in wrath, his father’s house renounced,<br /> +And to Dulichium wandering, there abode.<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +Twice twenty ships had follow’d Meges forth.</p> +<p>Ulysses led the Cephallenians bold.<br /> +From Ithaca, and from the lofty woods<br /> +Of Neritus they came, and from the rocks<br /> +Of rude Ægilipa. Crocylia these,<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +And these Zacynthus own’d; nor yet a few<br /> +From Samos, from Epirus join’d their aid,<br /> +And from the opposite Ionian shore.<br /> +Them, wise as Jove himself, Ulysses led<br /> +In twelve fair ships, with crimson prows adorn’d.<span class="lnm">780</span></p> +<p>From forty ships, Thoas, Andræmon’s son,<br /> +Had landed his Ætolians; for extinct<br /> +Was Meleager, and extinct the house<br /> +Of Oeneus all, nor Oeneus self survived;<br /> +To Thoas therefore had Ætolia fallen;<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +Him Olenos, Pylene, Chalcis served,<br /> +With Pleuro, and the rock-bound Calydon.</p> +<p>Idomeneus, spear-practised warrior, led<br /> +The numerous Cretans. In twice forty ships<br /> +He brought his powers to Troy. The warlike bands<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +Of Cnossus, of Gortyna wall’d around,<br /> +Of Lyctus, of Lycastus chalky-white,<br /> +Of Phæstus, of Miletus, with the youth<br /> +Of Rhytius him obey’d; nor these were all,<br /> +But others from her hundred cities Crete<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +Sent forth, all whom Idomeneus the brave<br /> +Commanded, with Meriones in arms<br /> +Dread as the God of battles blood-imbrued.</p> +<p>Nine ships Tlepolemus, Herculean-born,<br /> +For courage famed and for superior size,<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +Fill’d with his haughty Rhodians. They, in tribes<br /> +Divided, dwelt distinct. Jelyssus these,<br /> +Those Lindus, and the rest the shining soil<br /> +Of white Camirus occupied. Him bore<br /> +To Hercules, (what time he led the nymph<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +From Ephyre, and from Sellea’s banks,<br /> +After full many a city laid in dust.)<br /> +Astyocheia. In his father’s house<br /> +Magnificent, Tlepolemus spear-famed<br /> +Had scarce up-grown to manhood’s lusty prime<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +When he his father’s hoary uncle slew<br /> +Lycimnius, branch of Mars. Then built he ships,<br /> +And, pushing forth to sea, fled from the threats<br /> +Of the whole house of Hercules. Huge toil<br /> +And many woes he suffer’d, till at length<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +At Rhodes arriving, in three separate bands<br /> +He spread himself abroad, Much was he loved<br /> +Of all-commanding Jove, who bless’d him there,<br /> +And shower’d abundant riches on them all.</p> +<p>Nireus of Syma, with three vessels came;<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +Nireus, Aglæa’s offspring, whom she bore<br /> +To Charopus the King; Nireus in form,<br /> +(The faultless son of Peleus sole except,)<br /> +Loveliest of all the Grecians call’d to Troy.<br /> +But he was heartless and his men were few.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-26">[26]</a><span class="lnm">825</span></p> +<p>Nisyrus, Casus, Crapathus, and Cos<br /> +Where reign’d Eurypylus, with all the isles<br /> +Calydnæ named, under two valiant Chiefs<br /> +Their troops disposed; Phidippus one, and one,<br /> +His brother Antiphus, begotten both<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +By Thessalus, whom Hercules begat.<br /> +In thirty ships they sought the shores of Troy.</p> +<p>The warriors of Pelasgian Argos next,<br /> +Of Alus, and Alope, and who held<br /> +Trechina, Phthia, and for women fair<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +Distinguish’d, Hellas; known by various names<br /> +Hellenes, Myrmidons, Achæans, them<br /> +In fifty ships embark’d, Achilles ruled.<br /> +But these were deaf to the hoarse-throated war,<br /> +For there was none to draw their battle forth,<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +And give them just array. Close in his ships<br /> +Achilles, after loss of the bright-hair’d<br /> +Brisëis, lay, resentful; her obtained<br /> +Not without labor hard, and after sack<br /> +Of Thebes and of Lyrnessus, where he slew<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +Two mighty Chiefs, sons of Evenus both,<br /> +Epistrophus and Mynes, her he mourn’d,<br /> +And for her sake self-prison’d in his fleet<br /> +And idle lay, though soon to rise again.</p> +<p>From Phylace, and from the flowery fields<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +Of Pyrrhasus, a land to Ceres given<br /> +By consecration, and from Iton green,<br /> +Mother of flocks; from Antron by the sea,<br /> +And from the grassy meads of Pteleus, came<br /> +A people, whom while yet he lived, the brave<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +Protesilaüs led; but him the earth<br /> +Now cover’d dark and drear. A wife he left,<br /> +To rend in Phylace her bleeding cheeks,<br /> +And an unfinish’d mansion. First he died<br /> +Of all the Greeks; for as he leap’d to land<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +Foremost by far, a Dardan struck him dead.<br /> +Nor had his troops, though filled with deep regret,<br /> +No leader; them Podarces led, a Chief<br /> +Like Mars in battle, brother of the slain,<br /> +But younger born, and from Iphiclus sprung<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +Who sprang from Phylacus the rich in flocks.<br /> +But him Protesilaüs, as in years,<br /> +So also in desert of arms excell’d<br /> +Heroic, whom his host, although they saw<br /> +Podarces at their head, still justly mourn’d;<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +For he was fierce in battle, and at Troy<br /> +With forty sable-sided ships arrived.</p> +<p>Eleven galleys, Pheræ on the lake,<br /> +And Boebe, and Iölchus, and the vale<br /> +Of Glaphyræ supplied with crews robust<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Under Eumelus; him Alcestis, praised<br /> +For beauty above all her sisters fair,<br /> +In Thessaly to King Admetus bore.</p> +<p>Methone, and Olizon’s craggy coast,<br /> +With Melibœa and Thaumasia sent<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +Seven ships; their rowers were good archers all,<br /> +And every vessel dipped into the wave<br /> +Her fifty oars. Them Philoctetes, skill’d<br /> +To draw with sinewy arm the stubborn bow,<br /> +Commanded; but he suffering anguish keen<span class="lnm">885</span><br /> +Inflicted by a serpent’s venom’d tooth,<br /> +Lay sick in Lemnos; him the Grecians there<br /> +Had left sore-wounded, but were destined soon<br /> +To call to dear remembrance whom they left.<br /> +Meantime, though sorrowing for his sake, his troops<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +Yet wanted not a chief; them Medon ruled,<br /> +Whom Rhena to the far-famed conqueror bore<br /> +Oïleus, fruit of their unsanction’d loves.</p> +<p>From Tricca, from Ithome rough and rude<br /> +With rocks and glens, and from Oechalia, town<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +Of Eurytus Oechalian-born, came forth<br /> +Their warlike youth by Podalirius led<br /> +And by Machaon, healers both expert<br /> +Of all disease, and thirty ships were theirs.</p> +<p>The men of Ormenus, and from beside<span class="lnm">900</span><br /> +The fountain Hypereia, from the tops<br /> +Of chalky Titan, and Asteria’s band;<br /> +Them ruled Eurypylus, Evæmon’s son<br /> +Illustrious, whom twice twenty ships obeyed.</p> +<p>Orthe, Gyrtone, Oloösson white,<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +Argissa and Helone; they their youth<br /> +Gave to control of Polypœtes, son<br /> +Undaunted of Pirithoüs, son of Jove.<br /> +Him, to Pirithoüs, (on the self-same day<br /> +When he the Centaurs punish’d and pursued<span class="lnm">910</span><br /> +Sheer to Æthicæ driven from Pelion’s heights<br /> +The shaggy race) Hippodamia bore.<br /> +Nor he alone them led. With him was join’d<br /> +Leonteus dauntless warrior, from the bold<br /> +Coronus sprung, who Cæneus call’d his sire.<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +Twice twenty ships awaited their command.</p> +<p>Guneus from Cyphus twenty and two ships<br /> +Led forth; the Enienes him obey’d,<br /> +And the robust Perœbi, warriors bold,<br /> +And dwellers on Dodona’s wintry brow.<span class="lnm">920</span><br /> +To these were join’d who till the pleasant fields<br /> +Where Titaresius winds; the gentle flood<br /> +Pours into Peneus all his limpid stores,<br /> +But with the silver-eddied Peneus flows<br /> +Unmixt as oil;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-27">[27]</a> for Stygian is his stream,<span class="lnm">925</span><br /> +And Styx is the inviolable oath.</p> +<p>Last with his forty ships, Tenthredon’s son,<br /> +The active Prothoüs came. From the green banks<br /> +Of Peneus his Magnesians far and near<br /> +He gather’d, and from Pelion forest-crown’d.<span class="lnm">930</span></p> +<p>These were the princes and the Chiefs of Greece.<br /> +Say, Muse, who most in personal desert<br /> +Excell’d, and whose were the most warlike steeds<br /> +And of the noblest strain. Their hue, their age,<br /> +Their height the same, swift as the winds of heaven<span class="lnm">935</span><br /> +And passing far all others, were the mares<br /> +Which drew Eumelus; on Pierian hills<br /> +The heavenly Archer of the silver bow,<br /> +Apollo, bred them. But of men, the chief<br /> +Was Telamonian Ajax, while wrath-bound<span class="lnm">940</span><br /> +Achilles lay; for he was worthier far,<br /> +And more illustrious were the steeds which bore<br /> +The noble son of Peleus; but revenge<br /> +On Agamemnon leader of the host<br /> +Was all his thought, while in his gallant ships<span class="lnm">945</span><br /> +Sharp-keel’d to cut the foaming flood, he lay.<br /> +Meantime, along the margin of the deep<br /> +His soldiers hurled the disk, or bent the bow.<br /> +Or to its mark dispatch’d the quivering lance.<br /> +Beside the chariots stood the unharness’d steeds<span class="lnm">950</span><br /> +Cropping the lotus, or at leisure browsed<br /> +On celery wild, from watery freshes gleaned.<br /> +Beneath the shadow of the sheltering tent<br /> +The chariot stood, while they, the charioteers<br /> +Roam’d here and there the camp, their warlike lord<span class="lnm">955</span><br /> +Regretting sad, and idle for his sake.</p> +<p>As if a fire had burnt along the ground,<br /> +Such seem’d their march; earth groan’d their steps beneath;<br /> +As when in Arimi, where fame reports<br /> +Typhoëus stretch’d, the fires of angry Jove<span class="lnm">960</span><br /> +Down darted, lash the ground, so groan’d the earth<br /> +Beneath them, for they traversed swift the plain.</p> +<p>And now from Jove, with heavy tidings charged,<br /> +Wind-footed Iris to the Trojans came.<br /> +It was the time of council, when the throng<span class="lnm">965</span><br /> +At Priam’s gate assembled, young and old:<br /> +Them, standing nigh, the messenger of heaven<br /> +Accosted with the voice of Priam’s son,<br /> +Polites. He, confiding in his speed<br /> +For sure deliverance, posted was abroad<span class="lnm">970</span><br /> +On Æsyeta’s tomb,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-28">[28]</a> intent to watch<br /> +When the Achaian host should leave the fleet.<br /> +The Goddess in his form thus them address’d.</p> +<p>Oh, ancient Monarch! Ever, evermore<br /> +Speaking, debating, as if all were peace;<span class="lnm">975</span><br /> +I have seen many a bright-embattled field,<br /> +But never one so throng’d as this to-day.<br /> +For like the leaves, or like the sands they come<br /> +Swept by the winds, to gird the city round.</p> +<p>But Hector! chiefly thee I shall exhort.<span class="lnm">980</span><br /> +In Priam’s spacious city are allies<br /> +Collected numerous, and of nations wide<br /> +Disseminated various are the tongues.<br /> +Let every Chief his proper troop command,<br /> +And marshal his own citizens to war.<span class="lnm">985</span></p> +<p>She ceased; her Hector heard intelligent,<br /> +And quick dissolved the council. All took arms.<br /> +Wide flew the gates; forth rush’d the multitude,<br /> +Horsemen and foot, and boisterous stir arose.<br /> +In front of Ilium, distant on the plain,<span class="lnm">990</span><br /> +Clear all around from all obstruction, stands<br /> +An eminence high-raised, by mortal men<br /> +Call’d Bateia, but the Gods the tomb<br /> +Have named it of Myrinna swift in fight.<br /> +Troy and her aids there set the battle forth.<span class="lnm">995</span></p> +<p>Huge Priameian Hector, fierce in arms,<br /> +Led on the Trojans; with whom march’d the most<br /> +And the most valiant, dexterous at the spear.</p> +<p>Æneas, (on the hills of Ida him<br /> +The lovely Venus to Anchises bore,<span class="lnm">1000</span><br /> +A Goddess by a mortal man embraced)<br /> +Led the Dardanians; but not he alone;<br /> +Archilochus with him and Acamas<br /> +Stood forth, the offspring of Antenor, each,<br /> +And well instructed in all forms of war.<span class="lnm">1005</span></p> +<p>Fast by the foot of Ida, where they drank<br /> +The limpid waters of Æsepus, dwelt<br /> +The Trojans of Zeleia. Rich were they<br /> +And led by Pandarus, Lycaon’s son,<br /> +Whom Phœbus self graced with the bow he bore.<span class="lnm">1010</span></p> +<p>Apæsus, Adrastea, Terie steep,<br /> +And Pitueia—them, Amphius clad<br /> +In mail thick-woven, and Adrastus, ruled.<br /> +They were the sons of the Percosian seer<br /> +Merops, expert in the soothsayers’ art<span class="lnm">1015</span><br /> +Above all other; he his sons forbad<br /> +The bloody fight, but disobedient they<br /> +Still sought it, for their destiny prevailed.</p> +<p>The warriors of Percote, and who dwelt<br /> +In Practius, in Arisba, city fair,<span class="lnm">1020</span><br /> +In Sestus, in Abydus, march’d behind<br /> +Princely Hyrtacides; his tawny steeds,<br /> +Strong-built and tall, from Sellcentes’ bank<br /> +And from Arisba, had him borne to Troy.</p> +<p>Hippothous and Pilmus, branch of Mars,<span class="lnm">1025</span><br /> +Both sons of Lethus the Pelasgian, they,<br /> +Forth from Larissa for her fertile soil<br /> +Far-famed, the spear-expert Pelasgians brought.</p> +<p>The Thracians (all whom Hellespont includes<br /> +Within the banks of his swift-racing tide)<span class="lnm">1030</span><br /> +Heroic Acamas and Pirous led.<br /> +Euphemus, offspring of Trœzenus, son<br /> +Of Jove-protected Ceas, was the Chief<br /> +Whom the spear-arm’d Ciconian band obey’d.</p> +<p>Pæonia’s archers follow’d to the field<span class="lnm">1035</span><br /> +Pyræchmes; they from Amydon remote<br /> +Were drawn, where Axius winds; broad Axius, stream<br /> +Diffused delightful over all the vale.</p> +<p>Pylæmenes, a Chief of giant might<br /> +From the Eneti for forest-mules renowned<span class="lnm">1040</span><br /> +March’d with his Paphlagonians; dwellers they<br /> +In Sesamus and in Cytorus were,<br /> +And by the stream Parthenius; Cromna these<br /> +Sent forth, and those Ægialus on the lip<br /> +And margin of the land, and some, the heights<span class="lnm">1045</span><br /> +Of Erythini, rugged and abrupt.</p> +<p>Epistrophus and Odius from the land<br /> +Of Alybe, a region far remote,<br /> +Where veins of silver wind, led to the field<br /> +The Halizonians. With the Mysians came<span class="lnm">1050</span><br /> +Chromis their Chief, and Ennomus; him skill’d<br /> +In augury, but skill’d in vain, his art<br /> +Saved not, but by Æacides<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-29">[29]</a> the swift,<br /> +With others in the Xanthus<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-30">[30]</a> slain, he died.<br /> +Ascanius, lovely youth, and Phorcis, led<span class="lnm">1055</span><br /> +The Phrygians from Ascania far remote,<br /> +Ardent for battle. The Mœonian race,<br /> +(All those who at the foot of Tmolus dwelt,)<br /> +Mesthles and Antiphus, fraternal pair,<br /> +Sons of Pylæmenes commanded, both<span class="lnm">1060</span><br /> +Of the Gygæan lake in Lydia born.</p> +<p>Amphimachus and Nastes led to fight<br /> +The Carians, people of a barbarous speech,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_2-31">[31]</a><br /> +With the Milesians, and the mountain-race<br /> +Of wood-crown’d Phthira, and who dwelt beside<span class="lnm">1065</span><br /> +Mæander, or on Mycale sublime.<br /> +Them led Amphimachus and Nastes, sons<br /> +Renown’d of Nomion. Like a simple girl<br /> +Came forth Amphimachus with gold bedight,<br /> +But him his trappings from a woful death<span class="lnm">1070</span><br /> +Saved not, when whirled beneath the bloody tide<br /> +To Peleus’ stormy son his spoils he left.</p> +<p>Sarpedon with the noble Glaucus led<br /> +Their warriors forth from farthest Lycia, where<br /> +Xanthus deep-dimpled rolls his oozy tide.<span class="lnm">1075</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book03"></a>BOOK III.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">The armies meet. Paris throws out a challenge to the Grecian Princes. +Menelaus accepts it. The terms of the combat are adjusted solemnly by +Agamemnon on the part of Greece, and by Priam on the part of Troy. +The combat ensues, in which Paris is vanquished, whom yet Venus rescues. +Agamemnon demands from the Trojans a performance of the +covenant.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK III.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind"><a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-1">[1]</a>Now marshall’d all beneath their several chiefs,<br /> +With deafening shouts, and with the clang of arms,<br /> +The host of Troy advanced. Such clang is heard<br /> +Along the skies, when from incessant showers<br /> +Escaping, and from winter’s cold, the cranes<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Take wing, and over Ocean speed away;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-2">[2]</a><br /> +Wo to the land of dwarfs! prepared they fly<br /> +For slaughter of the small Pygmæan race.<br /> +Not so the Greeks; they breathing valor came,<br /> +But silent all, and all with faithful hearts<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +On succor mutual to the last, resolved.<br /> +As when the south wind wraps the mountain top<br /> +In mist the shepherd’s dread, but to the thief<br /> +Than night itself more welcome, and the eye<br /> +Is bounded in its ken to a stone’s cast,<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Such from beneath their footsteps dun and dense<br /> +Uprose the dust, for swift they cross the plain.</p> +<p> +When, host to host opposed, full nigh they stood,<br /> +Then Alexander<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-3">[3]</a> in the Trojan van<br /> +Advanced was seen, all beauteous as a God;<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +His leopard’s skin, his falchion and his bow<br /> +Hung from his shoulder; bright with heads of brass<br /> +He shook two spears, and challenged to the fight<br /> +The bravest Argives there, defying all.<br /> +Him, striding haughtily his host before<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +When Menelaus saw, such joy he felt<br /> +As hunger-pinch’d the lion feels, by chance<br /> +Conducted to some carcase huge, wild goat,<br /> +Or antler’d stag; huntsmen and baying hounds<br /> +Disturb not <i>him</i>, he gorges in their sight.<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +So Menelaus at the view rejoiced<br /> +Of lovely Alexander, for he hoped<br /> +His punishment at hand. At once, all armed,<br /> +Down from his chariot to the ground he leap’d</p> +<p>When godlike Paris him in front beheld<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Conspicuous, his heart smote him, and his fate<br /> +Avoiding, far within the lines he shrank.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-4">[4]</a><br /> +As one, who in some woodland height descrying<br /> +A serpent huge, with sudden start recoils,<br /> +His limbs shake under him; with cautious step<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +He slow retires; fear blanches cold his cheeks;<br /> +So beauteous Alexander at the sight<br /> +Of Atreus’ son dishearten’d sore, the ranks<br /> +Of haughty Trojans enter’d deep again:<br /> +Him Hector eyed, and thus rebuked severe.<span class="lnm">45</span></p> +<p>Curst Paris! Fair deceiver! Woman-mad!<br /> +I would to all in heaven that thou hadst died<br /> +Unborn, at least unmated! happier far<br /> +Than here to have incurr’d this public shame!<br /> +Well may the Grecians taunt, and laughing loud,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Applaud the champion, slow indeed to fight<br /> +And pusillanimous, but wondrous fair.<br /> +Wast thou as timid, tell me, when with those<br /> +Thy loved companions in that famed exploit,<br /> +Thou didst consort with strangers, and convey<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +From distant lands a warrior’s beauteous bride<br /> +To be thy father’s and his people’s curse,<br /> +Joy to our foes, but to thyself reproach?<br /> +Behold her husband! Darest thou not to face<br /> +The warlike prince? Now learn how brave a Chief<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Thou hast defrauded of his blooming spouse.<br /> +Thy lyre, thy locks, thy person, specious gifts<br /> +Of partial Venus, will avail thee nought,<br /> +Once mixt by Menelaus with the dust.<br /> +But we are base ourselves, or long ago,<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +For all thy numerous mischiefs, thou hadst slept<br /> +Secure beneath a coverlet<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-5">[5]</a> of stone.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-6">[6]</a></p> +<p>Then godlike Alexander thus replied.<br /> +Oh Hector, true in temper as the axe<br /> +Which in the shipwright’s hand the naval plank<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Divides resistless, doubling all his force,<br /> +Such is thy dauntless spirit whose reproach<br /> +Perforce I own, nor causeless nor unjust.<br /> +Yet let the gracious gifts uncensured pass<br /> +Of golden Venus; man may not reject<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +The glorious bounty by the Gods bestow’d,<br /> +Nor follows their beneficence our choice.<br /> +But if thy pleasure be that I engage<br /> +With Menelaus in decision fierce<br /> +Of desperate combat bid the host of Troy<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +And bid the Grecians sit; then face to face<br /> +Commit us, in the vacant field between,<br /> +To fight for Helen and for all her wealth.<br /> +Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her<br /> +And hers possess’d shall bear them safe away;<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +While ye (peace sworn and firm accord) shall dwell<br /> +At Troy, and these to Argos shall return<br /> +And to Achaia praised for women fair.</p> +<p>He ceased, whom Hector heard with joy; he moved<br /> +Into the middle space, and with his spear<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Advanced athwart push’d back the Trojan van,<br /> +And all stood fast. Meantime at him the Greeks<br /> +Discharged full volley, showering thick around<br /> +From bow and sling;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-7">[7]</a> when with a mighty voice<br /> +Thus Agamemnon, leader of the host.<span class="lnm">95</span></p> +<p>Argives! Be still—shoot not, ye sons of Greece!<br /> +Hector bespeaks attention. Hear the Chief!</p> +<p>He said, at once the Grecians ceased to shoot,<br /> +And all sat silent. Hector then began.</p> +<p>Hear me, ye Trojans, and ye Greeks mail-arm’d,<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +While I shall publish in your ears the words<br /> +Of Alexander, author of our strife.<br /> +Trojans, he bids, and Grecians on the field<br /> +Their arms dispose; while he, the hosts between,<br /> +With warlike Menelaus shall in fight<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Contend for Helen, and for all her wealth.<br /> +Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her<br /> +And hers possess’d, shall bear them safe away,<br /> +And oaths of amity shall bind the rest.</p> +<p>He ceased, and all deep silence held, amazed;<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +When valiant Menelaus thus began.</p> +<p>Hear now me also, on whose aching heart<br /> +These woes have heaviest fallen. At last I hope<br /> +Decision near, Trojans and Greeks between,<br /> +For ye have suffer’d in my quarrel much,<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +And much by Paris, author of the war.<br /> +Die he who must, and peace be to the rest.<br /> +But ye shall hither bring two lambs, one white,<br /> +The other black;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-8">[8]</a> this to the Earth devote,<br /> +That to the Sun. We shall ourselves supply<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +A third for Jove. Then bring ye Priam forth,<br /> +Himself to swear the covenant, (for his sons<br /> +Are faithless) lest the oath of Jove be scorn’d.<br /> +Young men are ever of unstable mind;<br /> +But when an elder interferes, he views<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Future and past together, and insures<br /> +The compact, to both parties, uninfringed.</p> +<p>So Menelaus spake; and in all hearts<br /> +Awaken’d joyful hope that there should end<br /> +War’s long calamities. Alighted each,<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +And drew his steeds into the lines. The field<br /> +Glitter’d with arms put off, and side by side,<br /> +Ranged orderly, while the interrupted war<br /> +Stood front to front, small interval between.</p> +<p>Then Hector to the city sent in haste<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Two heralds for the lambs, and to invite<br /> +Priam; while Agamemnon, royal Chief,<br /> +Talthybius to the Grecian fleet dismiss’d<br /> +For a third lamb to Jove; nor he the voice<br /> +Of noble Agamemnon disobey’d.<span class="lnm">140</span></p> +<p>Iris, ambassadress of heaven, the while,<br /> +To Helen came. Laödice she seem’d,<br /> +Loveliest of all the daughters of the house<br /> +Of Priam, wedded to Antenor’s son,<br /> +King Helicäon. Her she found within,<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +An ample web magnificent she wove,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-9">[9]</a><br /> +Inwrought with numerous conflicts for her sake<br /> +Beneath the hands of Mars endured by Greeks<br /> +Mail-arm’d, and Trojans of equestrian fame.<br /> +Swift Iris, at her side, her thus address’d.<span class="lnm">150</span></p> +<p>Haste, dearest nymph! a wondrous sight behold!<br /> +Greeks brazen-mail’d, and Trojans steed-renown’d.<br /> +So lately on the cruel work of Mars<br /> +Intent and hot for mutual havoc, sit<br /> +Silent; the war hath paused, and on his shield<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Each leans, his long spear planted at his side.<br /> +Paris and Menelaus, warrior bold,<br /> +With quivering lances shall contend for thee,<br /> +And thou art his who conquers; his for ever.</p> +<p>So saying, the Goddess into Helen’s soul<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Sweetest desire infused to see again<br /> +Her former Lord, her parents, and her home.<br /> +At once o’ermantled with her snowy veil<br /> +She started forth, and as she went let fall<br /> +A tender tear; not unaccompanied<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +She went, but by two maidens of her train<br /> +Attended, Æthra, Pittheus’ daughter fair,<br /> +And soft-eyed Clymene. Their hasty steps<br /> +Convey’d them quickly to the Scæan gate.<br /> +There Priam, Panthous, Clytius, Lampus sat,<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Thymoetes, Hicetaon, branch of Mars,<br /> +Antenor and Ucalegon the wise,<br /> +All, elders of the people; warriors erst,<br /> +But idle now through age, yet of a voice<br /> +Still indefatigable as the fly’s<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-10">[10]</a><span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Which perch’d among the boughs sends forth at noon<br /> +Through all the grove his slender ditty sweet.<br /> +Such sat those Trojan leaders on the tower,<br /> +Who, soon as Helen on the steps they saw,<br /> +In accents quick, but whisper’d, thus remark’d.<span class="lnm">180</span></p> +<p>Trojans and Grecians wage, with fair excuse,<br /> +Long war for so much beauty.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-11">[11]</a> Oh, how like<br /> +In feature to the Goddesses above!<br /> +Pernicious loveliness! Ah, hence away,<br /> +Resistless as thou art and all divine,<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Nor leave a curse to us, and to our sons.</p> +<p>So they among themselves; but Priam call’d<br /> +Fair Helen to his side.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-12">[12]</a> My daughter dear!<br /> +Come, sit beside me. Thou shalt hence discern<br /> +Thy former Lord, thy kindred and thy friends.<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +I charge no blame on thee. The Gods have caused,<br /> +Not thou, this lamentable war to Troy.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-13">[13]</a><br /> +Name to me yon Achaian Chief for bulk<br /> +Conspicuous, and for port. Taller indeed<br /> +I may perceive than he; but with these eyes<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Saw never yet such dignity, and grace.<br /> +Declare his name. Some royal Chief he seems.</p> +<p>To whom thus Helen, loveliest of her sex,<br /> +My other Sire! by me for ever held<br /> +In reverence, and with filial fear beloved!<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Oh that some cruel death had been my choice,<br /> +Rather than to abandon, as I did,<br /> +All joys domestic, matrimonial bliss,<br /> +Brethren, dear daughter, and companions dear,<br /> +A wanderer with thy son. Yet I alas!<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Died not, and therefore now, live but to weep.<br /> +But I resolve thee. Thou behold’st the son<br /> +Of Atreus, Agamemnon, mighty king,<br /> +In arms heroic, gracious in the throne,<br /> +And, (though it shame me now to call him such,)<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +By nuptial ties a brother once to me.</p> +<p>Then him the ancient King-admiring, said.<br /> +Oh blest Atrides, happy was thy birth,<br /> +And thy lot glorious, whom this gallant host<br /> +So numerous, of the sons of Greece obey!<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +To vine-famed Phrygia, in my days of youth,<br /> +I journey’d; many Phrygians there I saw,<br /> +Brave horsemen, and expert; they were the powers<br /> +Of Otreus and of Mygdon, godlike Chief,<br /> +And on the banks of Sangar’s stream encamp’d.<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +I march’d among them, chosen in that war<br /> +Ally of Phrygia, and it was her day<br /> +Of conflict with the man-defying race,<br /> +The Amazons; yet multitudes like these<br /> +Thy bright-eyed Greeks, I saw not even there.<span class="lnm">225</span></p> +<p>The venerable King observing next<br /> +Ulysses, thus inquired. My child, declare<br /> +Him also. Shorter by the head he seems<br /> +Than Agamemnon, Atreus’ mighty son,<br /> +But shoulder’d broader, and of ampler chest;<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +He hath disposed his armor on the plain,<br /> +But like a ram, himself the warrior ranks<br /> +Ranges majestic; like a ram full-fleeced<br /> +By numerous sheep encompass’d snowy-white.</p> +<p>To whom Jove’s daughter Helen thus replied.<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +In him the son of old Laërtes know,<br /> +Ulysses; born in Ithaca the rude,<br /> +But of a piercing wit, and deeply wise.</p> +<p>Then answer thus, Antenor sage return’d.<br /> +Princess thou hast described him: hither once<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +The noble Ithacan, on thy behalf<br /> +Ambassador with Menelaus, came:<br /> +Beneath my roof, with hospitable fare<br /> +Friendly I entertained them. Seeing then<br /> +Occasion opportune, I closely mark’d<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +The genius and the talents of the Chiefs,<br /> +And this I noted well; that when they stood<br /> +Amid the assembled counsellors of Troy,<br /> +Then Menelaus his advantage show’d,<br /> +Who by the shoulders overtopp’d his friend.<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +But when both sat, Ulysses in his air<br /> +Had more of state and dignity than he.<br /> +In the delivery of a speech address’d<br /> +To the full senate, Menelaus used<br /> +Few words, but to the matter, fitly ranged,<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +And with much sweetness utter’d; for in loose<br /> +And idle play of ostentatious terms<br /> +He dealt not, thhugh he were the younger man.<br /> +But when the wise Ulysses from his seat<br /> +Had once arisen, he would his downcast eyes<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +So rivet on the earth, and with a hand<br /> +That seem’d untutor’d in its use, so hold<br /> +His sceptre, swaying it to neither side,<br /> +That hadst thou seen him, thou hadst thought him, sure,<br /> +Some chafed and angry idiot, passion-fixt.<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Yet, when at length, the clear and mellow base<br /> +Of his deep voice brake forth, and he let fall<br /> +His chosen words like flakes of feather’d snow,<br /> +None then might match Ulysses; leisure, then,<br /> +Found none to wonder at his noble form.<span class="lnm">270</span></p> +<p>The third of whom the venerable king<br /> +Inquired, was Ajax.—Yon Achaian tall,<br /> +Whose head and shoulders tower above the rest,<br /> +And of such bulk prodigious—who is he?</p> +<p>Him answer’d Helen, loveliest of her sex.<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +A bulwark of the Greeks. In him thou seest<br /> +Gigantic Ajax. Opposite appear<br /> +The Cretans, and among the Chiefs of Crete<br /> +stands, like a God, Idomeneus. Him oft<br /> +From Crete arrived, was Menelaüs wont<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +To entertain; and others now I see,<br /> +Achaians, whom I could recall to mind,<br /> +And give to each his name; but two brave youths<br /> +I yet discern not; for equestrian skill<br /> +One famed, and one a boxer never foiled;<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +My brothers; born of Leda; sons of Jove;<br /> +Castor and Pollux. Either they abide<br /> +In lovely Sparta still, or if they came,<br /> +Decline the fight, by my disgrace abash’d<br /> +And the reproaches which have fallen on me.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-14">[14]</a><span class="lnm">290</span></p> +<p>She said; but they already slept inhumed<br /> +In Lacedemon, in their native soil.</p> +<p>And now the heralds, through the streets of Troy<br /> +Charged with the lambs, and with a goat-skin filled<br /> +With heart-exhilarating wine prepared<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +For that divine solemnity, return’d.<br /> +Idæus in his hand a beaker bore<br /> +Resplendent, with its fellow cups of gold,<br /> +And thus he summon’d ancient Priam forth.</p> +<p>Son of Laömedon, arise. The Chiefs<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Call thee, the Chiefs of Ilium and of Greece.<br /> +Descend into the plain. We strike a truce,<br /> +And need thine oath to bind it. Paris fights<br /> +With warlike Menelaüs for his spouse;<br /> +Their spears decide the strife. The conqueror wins<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Helen and all her treasures. We, thenceforth,<br /> +(Peace sworn and amity) shall dwell secure<br /> +In Troy, while they to Argos shall return<br /> +And to Achaia praised for women fair.</p> +<p>He spake, and Priam, shuddering, bade his train<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Prepare his steeds; they sedulous obey’d.<br /> +First, Priam mounting, backward stretch’d the reins;<br /> +Antenor, next, beside him sat, and through<br /> +The Scæan gate they drove into the plain.<br /> +Arriving at the hosts of Greece and Troy<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +They left the chariot, and proceeded both<br /> +Into the interval between the hosts.<br /> +Then uprose Agamemnon, and uprose<br /> +All-wise Ulysses. Next, the heralds came<br /> +Conspicuous forward, expediting each<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +The ceremonial; they the beaker fill’d<br /> +With wine, and to the hands of all the kings<br /> +Minister’d water. Agamemnon then<br /> +Drawing his dagger which he ever bore<br /> +Appendant to his heavy falchion’s sheath,<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Cut off the forelocks of the lambs,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-15">[15]</a> of which<br /> +The heralds gave to every Grecian Chief<br /> +A portion, and to all the Chiefs of Troy.<br /> +Then Agamemnon raised his hands, and pray’d.</p> +<p>Jove, Father, who from Ida stretchest forth<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Thine arm omnipotent, o’erruling all,<br /> +And thou, all-seeing and all-hearing Sun,<br /> +Ye Rivers, and thou conscious Earth, and ye<br /> +Who under earth on human kind avenge<br /> +Severe, the guilt of violated oaths,<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Hear ye, and ratify what now we swear!<br /> +Should Paris slay the hero amber-hair’d,<br /> +My brother Menelaüs, Helen’s wealth<br /> +And Helen’s self are his, and all our host<br /> +Shall home return to Greece; but should it chance<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +That Paris fall by Menelaüs’ hand,<br /> +Then Troy shall render back what she detains,<br /> +With such amercement as is meet, a sum<br /> +To be remember’d in all future times.<br /> +Which penalty should Priam and his sons<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Not pay, though Paris fall, then here in arms<br /> +I will contend for payment of the mulct<br /> +My due, till, satisfied, I close the war.</p> +<p>He said, and with his ruthless steel the lambs<br /> +Stretch’d panting all, but soon they ceased to pant,<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +For mortal was the stroke.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-16">[16]</a> Then drawing forth<br /> +Wine from the beaker, they with brimming cups<br /> +Hail’d the immortal Gods, and pray’d again,<br /> +And many a Grecian thus and Trojan spake.</p> +<p>All-glorious Jove, and ye the powers of heaven,<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Whoso shall violate this contract first,<br /> +So be the brains of them and of their sons<br /> +Pour’d out, as we this wine pour on the earth,<br /> +And may their wives bring forth to other men!</p> +<p>So they: but them Jove heard not. Then arose<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Priam, the son of Dardanus, and said,</p> +<p>Hear me, ye Trojans and ye Greeks well-arm’d.<br /> +Hence back to wind-swept Ilium I return,<br /> +Unable to sustain the sight, my son<br /> +With warlike Menelaüs match’d in arms.<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Jove knows, and the immortal Gods, to whom<br /> +Of both, this day is preordain’d the last.</p> +<p>So spake the godlike monarch, and disposed<br /> +Within the royal chariot all the lambs;<br /> +Then, mounting, check’d the reins; Antenor next<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Ascended, and to Ilium both return’d.</p> +<p>First, Hector and Ulysses, noble Chief,<br /> +Measured the ground; then taking lots for proof<br /> +Who of the combatants should foremost hurl<br /> +His spear, they shook them in a brazen casque;<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Meantime the people raised their hands on high,<br /> +And many a Grecian thus and Trojan prayed.</p> +<p>Jove, Father, who on Ida seated, seest<br /> +And rulest all below, glorious in power!<br /> +Of these two champions, to the drear abodes<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Of Ades him appoint who furnish’d first<br /> +The cause of strife between them, and let peace<br /> +Oath-bound, and amity unite the rest!</p> +<p>So spake the hosts; then Hector shook the lots,<br /> +Majestic Chief, turning his face aside.<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Forth sprang the lot of Paris. They in ranks<br /> +Sat all, where stood the fiery steeds of each,<br /> +And where his radiant arms lay on the field.<br /> +Illustrious Alexander his bright arms<br /> +Put on, fair Helen’s paramour. <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-17">[17]</a>He clasp’d<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +His polish’d greaves with silver studs secured;<br /> +His brother’s corselet to his breast he bound,<br /> +Lycaon’s, apt to his own shape and size,<br /> +And slung athwart his shoulders, bright emboss’d,<br /> +His brazen sword; his massy buckler broad<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +He took, and to his graceful head his casque<br /> +Adjusted elegant, which, as he moved,<br /> +Its bushy crest waved dreadful; last he seized,<br /> +Well fitted to his gripe, his ponderous spear.<br /> +Meantime the hero Menelaüs made<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Like preparation, and his arms put on.</p> +<p>When thus, from all the multitude apart,<br /> +Both combatants had arm’d, with eyes that flash’d<br /> +Defiance, to the middle space they strode,<br /> +Trojans and Greeks between. Astonishment<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Seized all beholders. On the measured ground<br /> +Full near they stood, each brandishing on high<br /> +His massy spear, and each was fiery wroth.</p> +<p>First, Alexander his long-shadow’d spear<br /> +Sent forth, and on his smooth shield’s surface struck<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +The son of Atreus, but the brazen guard<br /> +Pierced not, for at the disk, with blunted point<br /> +Reflex, his ineffectual weapon stay’d.<br /> +Then Menelaüs to the fight advanced<br /> +Impetuous, after prayer offer’d to Jove.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-18">[18]</a><span class="lnm">415</span></p> +<p>King over all! now grant me to avenge<br /> +My wrongs on Alexander; now subdue<br /> +The aggressor under me; that men unborn<br /> +May shudder at the thought of faith abused,<br /> +And hospitality with rape repaid.<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +He said, and brandishing his massy spear,<br /> +Dismiss’d it. Through the burnish’d buckler broad<br /> +Of Priam’s son the stormy weapon flew,<br /> +Transpierced his costly hauberk, and the vest<br /> +Ripp’d on his flank; but with a sideward bend<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +He baffled it, and baulk’d the dreadful death.</p> +<p>Then Menelaüs drawing his bright blade,<br /> +Swung it aloft, and on the hairy crest<br /> +Smote him; but shiver’d into fragments small<br /> +The falchion at the stroke fell from his hand.<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Vexation fill’d him; to the spacious heavens<br /> +He look’d, and with a voice of wo exclaim’d—</p> +<p>Jupiter! of all powers by man adored<br /> +To me most adverse! Confident I hoped<br /> +Revenge for Paris’ treason, but my sword<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Is shivered, and I sped my spear in vain.</p> +<p>So saying, he sprang on him, and his long crest<br /> +Seized fast; then, turning, drew him by that hold<br /> +Toward the Grecian host. The broider’d band<br /> +That underbraced his helmet at the chin,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Strain’d to his smooth neck with a ceaseless force,<br /> +Chok’d him; and now had Menelaus won<br /> +Deathless renown, dragging him off the field,<br /> +But Venus, foam-sprung Goddess, feeling quick<br /> +His peril imminent, snapp’d short the brace<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Though stubborn, by a slaughter’d<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_3-19">[19]</a> ox supplied,<br /> +And the void helmet follow’d as he pull’d.<br /> +That prize the Hero, whirling it aloft,<br /> +Threw to his Greeks, who caught it and secured,<br /> +Then with vindictive strides he rush’d again<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +On Paris, spear in hand; but him involved<br /> +In mist opaque Venus with ease divine<br /> +Snatch’d thence, and in his chamber placed him, fill’d<br /> +With scents odorous, spirit-soothing sweets.<br /> +Nor stay’d the Goddess, but at once in quest<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Of Helen went; her on a lofty tower<br /> +She found, where many a damsel stood of Troy,<br /> +And twitch’d her fragrant robe. In form she seem’d<br /> +An ancient matron, who, while Helen dwelt<br /> +In Lacedæmon, her unsullied wool<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Dress’d for her, faithfullest of all her train.<br /> +Like her disguised the Goddess thus began.</p> +<p>Haste—Paris calls thee—on his sculptured couch,<br /> +(Sparkling alike his looks and his attire)<br /> +He waits thy wish’d return. Thou wouldst not dream<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +That he had fought; he rather seems prepared<br /> +For dance, or after dance, for soft repose.</p> +<p>So saying, she tumult raised in Helen’s mind.<br /> +Yet soon as by her symmetry of neck,<br /> +By her love-kindling breasts and luminous eyes<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +She knew the Goddess, her she thus bespake.</p> +<p>Ah whence, deceitful deity! thy wish<br /> +Now to ensnare me? Wouldst thou lure me, say,<br /> +To some fair city of Mæonian name<br /> +Or Phrygian, more remote from Sparta still?<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Hast thou some human favorite also there?<br /> +Is it because Atrides hath prevailed<br /> +To vanquish Paris, and would bear me home<br /> +Unworthy as I am, that thou attempt’st<br /> +Again to cheat me? Go thyself—sit thou<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Beside him—for his sake renounce the skies;<br /> +Watch him, weep for him; till at length his wife<br /> +He deign to make thee, or perchance his slave.<br /> +I go not (now to go were shame indeed)<br /> +To dress his couch; nor will I be the jest<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Of all my sex in Ilium. Oh! my griefs<br /> +Are infinite, and more than I can bear.</p> +<p>To whom, the foam-sprung Goddess, thus incensed.<br /> +Ah wretch! provoke not me; lest in my wrath<br /> +Abandoning thee, I not hate thee less<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Than now I fondly love thee, and beget<br /> +Such detestation of thee in all hearts,<br /> +Grecian and Trojan, that thou die abhorr’d.</p> +<p>The Goddess ceased. Jove’s daughter, Helen, fear’d,<br /> +And, in her lucid veil close wrapt around,<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Silent retired, of all those Trojan dames<br /> +Unseen, and Venus led, herself, the way.<br /> +Soon then as Alexander’s fair abode<br /> +They reach’d, her maidens quick their tasks resumed,<br /> +And she to her own chamber lofty-roof’d<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Ascended, loveliest of her sex. A seat<br /> +For Helen, daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d,<br /> +To Paris opposite, the Queen of smiles<br /> +Herself disposed; but with averted eyes<br /> +She sat before him, and him keen reproach’d.<span class="lnm">505</span></p> +<p>Thou hast escaped.—Ah would that thou hadst died<br /> +By that heroic arm, mine husband’s erst!<br /> +Thou once didst vaunt thee in address and strength<br /> +Superior. Go then—challenge yet again<br /> +The warlike Menelaüs forth in fight.<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +But hold. The hero of the amber locks<br /> +Provoke no more so rashly, lest the point<br /> +Of his victorious spear soon stretch thee dead.</p> +<p>She ended, to whom Paris thus replied.<br /> +Ah Helen, wound me not with taunt severe!<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Me, Menelaüs, by Minerva’s aid,<br /> +Hath vanquish’d now, who may hereafter, him.<br /> +We also have our Gods. But let us love.<br /> +For never since the day when thee I bore<br /> +From pleasant Lacedæmon o’er the waves<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +To Cranäe’s fair isle, and first enjoy’d<br /> +Thy beauty, loved I as I love thee now,<br /> +Or felt such sweetness of intense desire.</p> +<p> +He spake, and sought his bed, whom follow’d soon<br /> +Jove’s daughter, reconciled to his embrace.<span class="lnm">525</span></p> +<p>But Menelaüs like a lion ranged<br /> +The multitude, inquiring far and near<br /> +For Paris lost. Yet neither Trojan him<br /> +Nor friend of Troy could show, whom, else, through love<br /> +None had conceal’d, for him as death itself<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +All hated, but his going none had seen.</p> +<p>Amidst them all then spake the King of men.<br /> +Trojans, and Dardans, and allies of Troy!<br /> +The warlike Menelaüs hath prevailed,<br /> +As is most plain. Now therefore bring ye forth<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Helen with all her treasures, also bring<br /> +Such large amercement as is meet, a sum<br /> +To be remember’d in all future times.</p> +<p>So spake Atrides, and Achaia’s host<br /> +With loud applause confirm’d the monarch’s claim.<span class="lnm">540</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book04"></a>BOOK IV.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">In a Council of the Gods, a dispute arises between Jupiter and Juno, +which is at last compromised, Jove consenting to dispatch Minerva with +a charge to incite some Trojan to a violation of the truce. Minerva descends +for that purpose, and in the form of Laodocus, a son of Priam, +exhorts Pandarus to shoot at Menelaus, and succeeds. Menelaus is +wounded, and Agamemnon having consigned him to the care of Machaon, +goes forth to perform the duties of commander-in-chief, in the encouragement +of his host to battle. The battle begins.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK IV.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Now, on the golden floor of Jove’s abode<br /> +The Gods all sat consulting; Hebe them,<br /> +Graceful, with nectar served;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-1">[1]</a> they pledging each<br /> +His next, alternate quaff’d from cups of gold,<br /> +And at their ease reclined, look’d down on Troy,<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +When, sudden, Jove essay’d by piercing speech<br /> +Invidious, to enkindle Juno’s ire.</p> +<p>Two Goddesses on Menelaus’ part<br /> +Confederate stand, Juno in Argos known,<br /> +Pallas in Alalcomene;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-2">[2]</a> yet they<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Sequester’d sit, look on, and are amused.<br /> +Not so smile-loving Venus; she, beside<br /> +Her champion station’d, saves him from his fate,<br /> +And at this moment, by her aid, he lives.<br /> +But now, since victory hath proved the lot<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Of warlike Menelaus, weigh ye well<br /> +The matter; shall we yet the ruinous strife<br /> +Prolong between the nations, or consent<br /> +To give them peace? should peace your preference win,<br /> +And prove alike acceptable to all,<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Stand Ilium, and let Menelaus bear<br /> +Helen of Argos back to Greece again.</p> +<p> +He ended; Juno and Minerva heard,<br /> +Low-murmuring deep disgust; for side by side<br /> +They forging sat calamity to Troy.<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Minerva through displeasure against Jove<br /> +Nought utter’d, for with rage her bosom boil’d;<br /> +But Juno check’d not hers, who thus replied.</p> +<p>What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove most severe!<br /> +How? wouldst thou render fruitless all my pains?<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +The sweat that I have pour’d? my steeds themselves<br /> +Have fainted while I gather’d Greece in arms<br /> +For punishment of Priam and his sons.<br /> +Do it. But small thy praise shall be in heaven.</p> +<p>Then her the Thunderer answer’d sore displeased.<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Ah shameless! how have Priam and his sons<br /> +So much transgress’d against thee, that thou burn’st<br /> +With ceaseless rage to ruin populous Troy?<br /> +Go, make thine entrance at her lofty gates,<br /> +Priam and all his house, and all his host<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Alive devour; then, haply, thou wilt rest;<br /> +Do even as thou wilt, that this dispute<br /> +Live not between us a consuming fire<br /> +For ever. But attend; mark well the word.<br /> +When I shall also doom in future time<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Some city to destruction, dear to thee,<br /> +Oppose me not, but give my fury way<br /> +As I give way to thine, not pleased myself,<br /> +Yet not unsatisfied, so thou be pleased.<br /> +For of all cities of the sons of men,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +And which the sun and stars from heaven behold,<br /> +Me sacred Troy most pleases, Priam me<br /> +Most, and the people of the warrior King.<br /> +Nor without cause. They feed mine altar well;<br /> +Libation there, and steam of savory scent<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Fail not, the tribute which by lot is ours.</p> +<p>Him answer’d, then, the Goddess ample-eyed,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-3">[3]</a><br /> +Majestic Juno: Three fair cities me,<br /> +Of all the earth, most interest and engage,<br /> +Mycenæ for magnificence renown’d,<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Argos, and Sparta. Them, when next thy wrath<br /> +Shall be inflamed against them, lay thou waste;<br /> +I will not interpose on their behalf;<br /> +Thou shalt not hear me murmur; what avail<br /> +Complaint or force against thy matchless arm?<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Yet were it most unmeet that even I<br /> +Should toil in vain; I also boast a birth<br /> +Celestial; Saturn deeply wise, thy Sire,<br /> +Is also mine; our origin is one.<br /> +Thee I acknowledge Sovereign, yet account<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Myself entitled by a twofold claim<br /> +To veneration both from Gods and men,<br /> +The daughter of Jove’s sire, and spouse of Jove.<br /> +Concession mutual therefore both thyself<br /> +Befits and me, whom when the Gods perceive<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Disposed to peace, they also shall accord.<br /> +Come then.—To yon dread field dispatch in haste<br /> +Minerva, with command that she incite<br /> +The Trojans first to violate their oath<br /> +By some fresh insult on the exulting Greeks.<span class="lnm">80</span></p> +<p>So Juno; nor the sire of all refused,<br /> +But in wing’d accents thus to Pallas spake.</p> +<p>Begone; swift fly to yonder field; incite<br /> +The Trojans first to violate their oath<br /> +By some fresh insult on the exulting Greeks.<span class="lnm">85</span></p> +<p>The Goddess heard, and what she wish’d, enjoin’d,<br /> +Down-darted swift from the Olympian heights,<br /> +In form a meteor, such as from his hand<br /> +Not seldom Jove dismisses, beaming bright<br /> +And breaking into stars, an omen sent<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +To mariners, or to some numerous host.<br /> +Such Pallas seem’d, and swift descending, dropp’d<br /> +Full in the midst between them. They with awe<br /> +That sign portentous and with wonder view’d,<br /> +Achaians both and Trojans, and his next<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +The soldier thus bespake. Now either war<br /> +And dire hostility again shall flame,<br /> +Or Jove now gives us peace. Both are from Jove.</p> +<p>So spake the soldiery; but she the form<br /> +Taking of brave Laodocus, the son<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Of old Antenor, throughout all the ranks<br /> +Sought godlike Pandarus.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-4">[4]</a> Ere long she found<br /> +The valiant son illustrious of Lycaon,<br /> +Standing encompass’d by his dauntless troops,<br /> +Broad-shielded warriors, from Æsepus’ stream<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +His followers; to his side the Goddess came,<br /> +And in wing’d accents ardent him bespake.</p> +<p>Brave offspring of Lycaon, is there hope<br /> +That thou wilt hear my counsel? darest thou slip<br /> +A shaft at Menelaus? much renown<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Thou shalt and thanks from all the Trojans win,<br /> +But most of all, from Paris, prince of Troy.<br /> +From him illustrious gifts thou shalt receive<br /> +Doubtless, when Menelaus he shall see<br /> +The martial son of Atreus by a shaft<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Subdued of thine, placed on his funeral pile.<br /> +Come. Shoot at Menelaus, glorious Chief!<br /> +But vow to Lycian Phœbus bow-renown’d<br /> +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock,<br /> +To fair Zeleia’s<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-5">[5]</a> walls once safe restored.<span class="lnm">120</span></p> +<p>So Pallas spake, to whom infatuate he<br /> +Listening, uncased at once his polished bow.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-6">[6]</a><br /> +That bow, the laden brows of a wild goat<br /> +Salacious had supplied; him on a day<br /> +Forth-issuing from his cave, in ambush placed<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +He wounded with an arrow to his breast<br /> +Dispatch’d, and on the rock supine he fell.<br /> +Each horn had from his head tall growth attain’d,<br /> +Full sixteen palms; them shaven smooth the smith<br /> +Had aptly join’d, and tipt their points with gold.<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +That bow he strung, then, stooping, planted firm<br /> +The nether horn, his comrades bold the while<br /> +Screening him close with shields, lest ere the prince<br /> +Were stricken, Menelaus brave in arms,<br /> +The Greeks with fierce assault should interpose.<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +He raised his quiver’s lid; he chose a dart<br /> +Unflown, full-fledged, and barb’d with pangs of death.<br /> +He lodged in haste the arrow on the string,<br /> +And vow’d to Lycian Phœbus bow-renown’d<br /> +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock,<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +To fair Zeleia’s walls once safe restored.<br /> +Compressing next nerve and notch’d arrow-head<br /> +He drew back both together, to his pap<br /> +Drew home the nerve, the barb home to his bow,<br /> +And when the horn was curved to a wide arch,<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +He twang’d it. Whizz’d the bowstring, and the reed<br /> +Leap’d off, impatient for the distant throng.</p> +<p>Thee, Menelaus, then the blessed Gods<br /> +Forgat not; Pallas huntress of the spoil,<br /> +Thy guardian then, baffled the cruel dart.<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Far as a mother wafts the fly aside<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-7">[7]</a><br /> +That haunts her slumbering babe, so far she drove<br /> +Its course aslant, directing it herself<br /> +Against the golden clasps that join’d his belt;<br /> +For there the doubled hauberk interposed.<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +The bitter arrow plunged into his belt.<br /> +It pierced his broider’d belt, stood fixt within<br /> +His twisted hauberk, nor the interior quilt,<br /> +Though penetrable least to arrow-points<br /> +And his best guard, withheld it, but it pass’d<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +That also, and the Hero’s skin inscribed.<br /> +Quick flowed a sable current from the wound.</p> +<p>As when a Carian or Mæonian maid<br /> +Impurples ivory ordain’d to grace<br /> +The cheek of martial steed; safe stored it lies,<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +By many a Chief desired, but proves at last<br /> +The stately trapping of some prince,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-8">[8]</a> the pride<br /> +Of his high pamper’d steed, nor less his own;<br /> +Such, Menelaus, seem’d thy shapely thighs,<br /> +Thy legs, thy feet, stained with thy trickling blood.<span class="lnm">170</span></p> +<p>Shudder’d King Agamemnon when he saw<br /> +The blood fast trickling from the wound, nor less<br /> +Shudder’d himself the bleeding warrior bold.<br /> +But neck and barb observing from the flesh<br /> +Extant, he gather’d heart, and lived again.<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +The royal Agamemnon, sighing, grasp’d<br /> +The hand of Menelaus, and while all<br /> +Their followers sigh’d around them, thus began.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-9">[9]</a></p> +<p> +I swore thy death, my brother, when I swore<br /> +This truce, and set thee forth in sight of Greeks<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +And Trojans, our sole champion; for the foe<br /> +Hath trodden underfoot his sacred oath,<br /> +And stained it with thy blood. But not in vain,<br /> +The truce was ratified, the blood of lambs<br /> +Poured forth, libation made, and right hands join’d<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +In holy confidence. The wrath of Jove<br /> +May sleep, but will not always; they shall pay<br /> +Dear penalty; their own obnoxious heads<br /> +Shall be the mulct, their children and their wives.<br /> +For this I know, know surely; that a day<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Shall come, when Ilium, when the warlike King<br /> +Of Ilium and his host shall perish all.<br /> +Saturnian Jove high-throned, dwelling in heaven,<br /> +Resentful of this outrage, then shall shake<br /> +His storm-clad Ægis over them. He will;<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +I speak no fable. Time shall prove me true.<br /> +But, oh my Menelaus, dire distress<br /> +Awaits me, if thy close of life be come,<br /> +And thou must die. Then ignominy foul<br /> +Shall hunt me back to Argos long-desired;<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +For then all here will recollect their home,<br /> +And, hope abandoning, will Helen yield<br /> +To be the boast of Priam, and of Troy.<br /> +So shall our toils be vain, and while thy bones<br /> +Shall waste these clods beneath, Troy’s haughty sons<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +The tomb of Menelaus glory-crown’d<br /> +Insulting barbarous, shall scoff at me.<br /> +So may Atrides, shall they say, perform<br /> +His anger still as he performed it here,<br /> +Whither he led an unsuccessful host,<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Whence he hath sail’d again without the spoils,<br /> +And where he left his brother’s bones to rot.<br /> +So shall the Trojan speak; then open earth<br /> +Her mouth, and hide me in her deepest gulfs!</p> +<p>But him, the hero of the golden locks<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Thus cheer’d. My brother, fear not, nor infect<br /> +With fear the Grecians; the sharp-pointed reed<br /> +Hath touch’d no vital part. The broider’d zone,<br /> +The hauberk, and the tough interior quilt,<br /> +Work of the armorer, its force repress’d.<span class="lnm">220</span></p> +<p>Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men.<br /> +So be it brother! but the hand of one<br /> +Skilful to heal shall visit and shall dress<br /> +The wound with drugs of pain-assuaging power.</p> +<p>He ended, and his noble herald, next,<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Bespake, Talthybius. Haste, call hither quick<br /> +The son of Æsculapius, leech renown’d,<br /> +The prince Machaon. Bid him fly to attend<br /> +The warlike Chieftain Menelaus; him<br /> +Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy,<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft<br /> +To his own glory, and to our distress.</p> +<p>He spake, nor him the herald disobey’d,<br /> +But through the Greeks bright-arm’d his course began<br /> +The Hero seeking earnest on all sides<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Machaon. Him, ere long, he station’d saw<br /> +Amid the shielded-ranks of his brave band<br /> +From steed-famed Tricca drawn, and at his side<br /> +With accents ardor-wing’d, him thus address’d.</p> +<p>Haste, Asclepiades! The King of men<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Calls thee. Delay not. Thou must visit quick<br /> +Brave Menelaus, Atreus’ son, for him<br /> +Some archer, either Lycian or of Troy,<br /> +A dexterous one, hath stricken with a shaft<br /> +To his own glory, and to our distress.<span class="lnm">245</span></p> +<p>So saying, he roused Machaon, who his course<br /> +Through the wide host began. Arriving soon<br /> +Where wounded Menelaus stood, while all<br /> +The bravest of Achaia’s host around<br /> +The godlike hero press’d, he strove at once<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +To draw the arrow from his cincture forth.<br /> +But, drawing, bent the barbs. He therefore loosed<br /> +His broider’d belt, his hauberk and his quilt,<br /> +Work of the armorer, and laying bare<br /> +His body where the bitter shaft had plow’d<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +His flesh, he suck’d the wound, then spread it o’er<br /> +With drugs of balmy power, given on a time<br /> +For friendship’s sake by Chiron to his sire.</p> +<p>While Menelaus thus the cares engross’d<br /> +Of all those Chiefs, the shielded powers of Troy<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +’Gan move toward them, and the Greeks again<br /> +Put on their armor, mindful of the fight.<br /> +Then hadst thou<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-10">[10]</a> not great Agamemnon seen<br /> +Slumbering, or trembling, or averse from war,<br /> +But ardent to begin his glorious task.<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +His steeds, and his bright chariot brass-inlaid<br /> +He left; the snorting steeds Eurymedon,<br /> +Offspring of Ptolemy Piraïdes<br /> +Detain’d apart; for him he strict enjoin’d<br /> +Attendance near, lest weariness of limbs<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Should seize him marshalling his numerous host.<br /> +So forth he went, and through the files on foot<br /> +Proceeding, where the warrior Greeks he saw<br /> +Alert, he roused them by his words the more.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-11">[11]</a></p> +<p>Argives! abate no spark of all your fire.<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Jove will not prosper traitors. Them who first<br /> +Transgress’d the truce the vultures shall devour,<br /> +But we (their city taken) shall their wives<br /> +Lead captive, and their children home to Greece.</p> +<p>So cheer’d he them. But whom he saw supine,<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Or in the rugged work of war remiss,<br /> +In terms of anger them he stern rebuked.</p> +<p>Oh Greeks! The shame of Argos! Arrow-doom’d!<br /> +Blush ye not? Wherefore stand ye thus aghast,<br /> +Like fawns which wearied after scouring wide<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +The champain, gaze and pant, and can no more?<br /> +Senseless like them ye stand, nor seek the fight.<br /> +Is it your purpose patient here to wait<br /> +Till Troy invade your vessels on the shore<br /> +Of the grey deep, that ye may trial make<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Of Jove, if he will prove, himself, your shield?</p> +<p>Thus, in discharge of his high office, pass’d<br /> +Atrides through the ranks, and now arrived<br /> +Where, hardy Chief! Idomeneus in front<br /> +Of his bold Cretans stood, stout as a boar<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +The van he occupied, while in the rear<br /> +Meriones harangued the most remote.<br /> +Them so prepared the King of men beheld<br /> +With joyful heart, and thus in courteous terms<br /> +Instant the brave Idomeneus address’d.<span class="lnm">300</span></p> +<p>Thee fighting, feasting, howsoe’er employed,<br /> +I most respect, Idomeneus, of all<br /> +The well-horsed Danäi; for when the Chiefs<br /> +Of Argos, banqueting, their beakers charge<br /> +With rosy wine the honorable meed<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Of valor, thou alone of all the Greeks<br /> +Drink’st not by measure.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-12">[12]</a> No—thy goblet stands<br /> +Replenish’d still, and like myself thou know’st<br /> +No rule or bound, save what thy choice prescribes.<br /> +March. Seek the foe. Fight now as heretofore,<span class="lnm">310</span></p> +<p>To whom Idomeneus of Crete replied,<br /> +Atrides! all the friendship and the love<br /> +Which I have promised will I well perform.<br /> +Go; animate the rest, Chief after Chief<br /> +Of the Achaians, that the fight begin.<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +For Troy has scatter’d to the winds all faith,<br /> +All conscience; and for such her treachery foul<br /> +Shall have large recompence of death and wo.</p> +<p>He said, whom Agamemnon at his heart<br /> +Exulting, pass’d, and in his progress came<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Where stood each Ajax; them he found prepared<br /> +With all their cloud of infantry behind.<br /> +As when the goat-herd on some rocky point<br /> +Advanced, a cloud sees wafted o’er the deep<br /> +By western gales, and rolling slow along,<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +To him, who stands remote, pitch-black it seems,<br /> +And comes with tempest charged; he at the sight<br /> +Shuddering, his flock compels into a cave;<br /> +So moved the gloomy phalanx, rough with spears,<br /> +And dense with shields of youthful warriors bold,<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Close-following either Ajax to the fight.</p> +<p>Them also, pleased, the King of men beheld,<br /> +And in wing’d accents hail’d them as he pass’d.</p> +<p>Brave leaders of the mail-clad host of Greece!<br /> +I move not you to duty; ye yourselves<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Move others, and no lesson need from me.<br /> +Jove, Pallas, and Apollo! were but all<br /> +Courageous as yourselves, soon Priam’s towers<br /> +Should totter, and his Ilium storm’d and sack’d<br /> +By our victorious bands, stoop to the dust.<span class="lnm">340</span></p> +<p>He ceased, and still proceeding, next arrived<br /> +Where stood the Pylian orator, his band<br /> +Marshalling under all their leaders bold<br /> +Alastor, Chromius, Pelagon the vast,<br /> +Hæmon the prince, and Bias, martial Chief.<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Chariot and horse he station’d in the front;<br /> +His numerous infantry, a strong reserve<br /> +Right valiant, in the rear; the worst, and those<br /> +In whom he trusted least, he drove between,<br /> +That such through mere necessity might act.<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +First to his charioteers he gave in charge<br /> +Their duty; bade them rein their horses hard,<br /> +Shunning confusion. Let no warrior, vain<br /> +And overweening of his strength or skill,<br /> +Start from his rank to dare the fight alone,<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Or fall behind it, weakening whom he leaves.<br /> +<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-13">[13]</a>And if, dismounted from his own, he climb<br /> +Another’s chariot, let him not affect<br /> +Perverse the reins, but let him stand, his spear<br /> +Advancing firm, far better so employ’d.<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Such was the discipline, in ancient times,<br /> +Of our forefathers; by these rules they fought<br /> +Successful, and laid many a city low.</p> +<p>So counsell’d them the venerable Chief<br /> +Long time expert in arms; him also saw<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +King Agamemnon with delight, and said,</p> +<p>Old Chief! ah how I wish, that thy firm heart<br /> +Were but supported by as firm a knee!<br /> +But time unhinges all. Oh that some youth<br /> +Had thine old age, and thou wast young again!<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +To whom the valiant Nestor thus replied.</p> +<p>Atrides, I could also ardent wish<br /> +That I were now robust as when I struck<br /> +Brave Ereuthalion<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-14">[14]</a> breathless to the ground!<br /> +But never all their gifts the Gods confer<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +On man at once; if then I had the force<br /> +Of youth, I suffer now the effects of age.<br /> +Yet ancient as I am, I will be seen<br /> +Still mingling with the charioteers, still prompt<br /> +To give them counsel; for to counsel youth<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Is the old warrior’s province. Let the green<br /> +In years, my juniors, unimpaired by time,<br /> +Push with the lance, for they have strength to boast.</p> +<p>So he, whom Agamemnon joyful heard,<br /> +And passing thence, the son of Peteos found<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Menestheus, foremost in equestrian fame,<br /> +Among the brave Athenians; near to him<br /> +Ulysses held his station, and at hand<br /> +The Cephallenians stood, hardy and bold;<br /> +For rumor none of the approaching fight<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Them yet had reach’d, so recent had the stir<br /> +Arisen in either host; they, therefore, watch’d<br /> +Till the example of some other band<br /> +Marching, should prompt them to begin the fight,<br /> +But Agamemnon, thus, the King of men<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Them seeing, sudden and severe reproved.</p> +<p>Menestheus, son of Peteos prince renown’d,<br /> +And thou, deviser of all evil wiles!<br /> +Adept in artifice! why stand ye here<br /> +Appall’d? why wait ye on this distant spot<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Till others move? I might expect from you<br /> +More readiness to meet the burning war,<br /> +Whom foremost I invite of all to share<br /> +The banquet, when the Princes feast with me.<br /> +There ye are prompt; ye find it pleasant there<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +To eat your savory food, and quaff your wine<br /> +Delicious till satiety ensue;<br /> +But here you could be well content to stand<br /> +Spectators only, while ten Grecian troops<br /> +Should wage before you the wide-wasting war.<span class="lnm">410</span></p> +<p>To whom Ulysses, with resentful tone<br /> +Dark-frowning, thus replied. What words are these<br /> +Which have escaped thy lips; and for what cause,<br /> +Atrides, hast thou call’d me slow to fight?<br /> +When we of Greece shall in sharp contest clash<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +With you steed-tamer Trojans, mark me then;<br /> +Then thou shalt see (if the concerns of war<br /> +So nearly touch thee, and thou so incline)<br /> +The father of Telemachus, engaged<br /> +Among the foremost Trojans. But thy speech<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Was light as is the wind, and rashly made.</p> +<p>When him thus moved he saw, the monarch smiled<br /> +Complacent, and in gentler terms replied.</p> +<p>Laërtes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!<br /> +Short reprimand and exhortation short<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Suffice for thee, nor did I purpose more.<br /> +For I have known thee long, that thou art one<br /> +Of kindest nature, and so much my friend<br /> +That we have both one heart. Go therefore thou,<br /> +Lead on, and if a word have fallen amiss,<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +We will hereafter mend it, and may heaven<br /> +Obliterate in thine heart its whole effect!</p> +<p>He ceased, and ranging still along the line,<br /> +The son of Tydeus, Diomede, perceived,<br /> +Heroic Chief, by chariots all around<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Environ’d, and by steeds, at side of whom<br /> +Stood Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus.<br /> +Him also, Agamemnon, King of men,<br /> +In accents of asperity reproved.</p> +<p>Ah, son of Tydeus, Chief of dauntless heart<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +And of equestrian fame! why standest thou<br /> +Appall’d, and peering through the walks of war?<br /> +So did not Tydeus. In the foremost fight<br /> +His favorite station was, as they affirm<br /> +Who witness’d his exploits; I never saw<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Or met him, but by popular report<br /> +He was the bravest warrior of his day.<br /> +Yet came he once, but not in hostile sort,<br /> +To fair Mycenæ, by the godlike prince<br /> +Attended, Polynices, at what time<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +The host was called together, and the siege<br /> +Was purposed of the sacred city Thebes.<br /> +Earnest they sued for an auxiliar band,<br /> +Which we had gladly granted, but that Jove<br /> +By unpropitious tokens interfered.<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +So forth they went, and on the reedy banks<br /> +Arriving of Asopus, there thy sire<br /> +By designation of the Greeks was sent<br /> +Ambassador, and enter’d Thebes. He found<br /> +In Eteocles’ palace numerous guests,<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +The sons of Cadmus feasting, among whom,<br /> +Although a solitary stranger, stood<br /> +Thy father without fear, and challenged forth<br /> +Their best to cope with him in manly games.<br /> +Them Tydeus vanquish’d easily, such aid<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Pallas vouchsafed him. Then the spur-arm’d race<br /> +Of Cadmus was incensed, and fifty youths<br /> +In ambush close expected his return.<br /> +Them, Lycophontes obstinate in fight,<br /> +Son of Autophonus, and Mæon, son<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Of Hæmon, Chief of godlike stature, led.<br /> +Those also Tydeus slew; Mæon except,<br /> +(Whom, warned from heaven, he spared, and sent him home<br /> +With tidings of the rest) he slew them all.<br /> +Such was Ætolian Tydeus; who begat<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +A son in speech his better, not in arms.</p> +<p>He ended, and his sovereign’s awful voice<br /> +Tydides reverencing, nought replied;<br /> +But thus the son of glorious Capaneus.</p> +<p>Atrides, conscious of the truth, speak truth.<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +We with our sires compared, superior praise<br /> +Claim justly.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-15">[15]</a> We, confiding in the aid<br /> +Of Jove, and in propitious signs from heaven,<br /> +Led to the city consecrate to Mars<br /> +Our little host, inferior far to theirs,<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +And took seven-gated Thebes, under whose walls<br /> +Our fathers by their own imprudence fell.<br /> +Their glory, then, match never more with ours.</p> +<p>He spake, whom with a frowning brow the brave<br /> +Tydides answer’d. Sthenelus, my friend!<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +I give thee counsel. Mark it. Hold thy peace.<br /> +If Agamemnon, who hath charge of all,<br /> +Excite his well-appointed host to war,<br /> +He hath no blame from me. For should the Greeks<br /> +(Her people vanquished) win imperial Troy,<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +The glory shall be his; or, if his host<br /> +O’erpower’d in battle perish, his the shame.<br /> +Come, therefore; be it ours to rouse at once<br /> +To action all the fury of our might.</p> +<p>He said, and from his chariot to the plain<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Leap’d ardent; rang the armor on the breast<br /> +Of the advancing Chief; the boldest heart<br /> +Had felt emotion, startled at the sound.</p> +<p>As when the waves by Zephyrus up-heaved<br /> +Crowd fast toward some sounding shore, at first,<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +On the broad bosom of the deep their heads<br /> +They curl on high, then breaking on the land<br /> +Thunder, and o’er the rocks that breast the flood<br /> +Borne turgid, scatter far the showery spray;<br /> +So moved the Greeks successive, rank by rank,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +And phalanx after phalanx, every Chief<br /> +His loud command proclaiming, while the rest,<br /> +As voice in all those thousands none had been<br /> +Heard mute; and, in resplendent armor clad,<br /> +With martial order terrible advanced.<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Not so the Trojans came. As sheep, the flock<br /> +Of some rich man, by thousands in his court<br /> +Penn’d close at milking time, incessant bleat,<br /> +Loud answering all their bleating lambs without,<br /> +Such din from Ilium’s wide-spread host arose.<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Nor was their shout, nor was their accent one,<br /> +But mingled languages were heard of men<br /> +From various climes. These Mars to battle roused,<br /> +Those Pallas azure-eyed; nor Terror thence<br /> +Nor Flight was absent, nor insatiate Strife,<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Sister and mate of homicidal Mars,<br /> +Who small at first, but swift to grow, from earth<br /> +Her towering crest lifts gradual to the skies.<br /> +She, foe alike to both, the brands dispersed<br /> +Of burning hate between them, and the woes<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Enhanced of battle wheresoe’er she pass’d.</p> +<p>And now the battle join’d. Shield clash’d with shield<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-16">[16]</a><br /> +And spear with spear, conflicting corselets rang,<br /> +Boss’d bucklers met, and tumult wild arose.<br /> +Then, many a yell was heard, and many a shout<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Loud intermix’d, the slayer o’er the maim’d<br /> +Exulting, and the field was drench’d with blood.<br /> +As when two winter torrents rolling down<br /> +The mountains, shoot their floods through gulleys huge<br /> +Into one gulf below, station’d remote<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +The shepherd in the uplands hears the roar;<br /> +Such was the thunder of the mingling hosts.<br /> +And first, Antilochus a Trojan Chief<br /> +Slew Echepolus, from Thalysias sprung,<br /> +Contending valiant in the van of Troy.<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Him smiting on his crested casque, he drove<br /> +The brazen lance into his front, and pierced<br /> +The bones within; night overspread his eyes,<br /> +And in fierce battle, like a tower, he fell.<br /> +Him fallen by both feet Calchodon’s son<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Seized, royal Elephenor, leader brave<br /> +Of the Abantes, and in haste to strip<br /> +His armor, drew him from the fight aside.<br /> +But short was that attempt. Him so employ’d<br /> +Dauntless Agenor mark’d, and as he stoop’d,<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +In his unshielded flank a pointed spear<br /> +Implanted deep; he languid sunk and died.<br /> +So Elephenor fell, for whom arose<br /> +Sharp conflict; Greeks and Trojans mutual flew<br /> +Like wolves to battle, and man grappled man.<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +Then Telamonian Ajax, in his prime<br /> +Of youthful vigor Simöisius slew,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-17">[17]</a><br /> +Son of Anthemion. Him on Simoïs’ banks<br /> +His mother bore, when with her parents once<br /> +She came from Ida down to view the flocks,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +And thence they named him; but his parents’<br /> +He lived not to requite, in early youth<br /> +Slain by the spear of Ajax famed in arms.<br /> +For him advancing Ajax at the pap<br /> +Wounded; right through his shoulder driven the point<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Stood forth behind; he fell, and press’d the dust.<br /> +So in some spacious marsh the poplar falls<br /> +Smooth-skinn’d, with boughs unladen save aloft;<br /> +Some chariot-builder with his axe the trunk<br /> +Severs, that he may warp it to a wheel<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +Of shapely form; meantime exposed it lies<br /> +To parching airs beside the running stream;<br /> +Such Simöisius seemed, Anthemion’s son,<br /> +Whom noble Ajax slew. But soon at him<br /> +Antiphus, son of Priam, bright in arms,<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Hurl’d through the multitude his pointed spear.<br /> +He erred from Ajax, but he pierced the groin<br /> +Of Leucus, valiant warrior of the band<br /> +Led by Ulysses. He the body dragg’d<br /> +Apart, but fell beside it, and let fall,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Breathless himself, the burthen from his hand.<br /> +Then burn’d Ulysses’ wrath for Leucus slain,<br /> +And through the foremost combatants, array’d<br /> +In dazzling arms, he rush’d. Full near he stood,<br /> +And, looking keen around him, hurl’d a lance.<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Back fell the Trojans from before the face<br /> +Dispersed of great Ulysses. Not in vain<br /> +His weapon flew, but on the field outstretch’d<br /> +A spurious son of Priam, from the shores<br /> +Call’d of Abydus famed for fleetest mares,<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Democoon; him, for Leucus’ sake enraged,<br /> +Ulysses through both temples with his spear<br /> +Transpierced. The night of death hung on his eyes,<br /> +And sounding on his batter’d arms he fell.<br /> +Then Hector and the van of Troy retired;<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Loud shout the Grecians; these draw off the dead,<br /> +Those onward march amain, and from the heights<br /> +Of Pergamus Apollo looking down<br /> +In anger, to the Trojans called aloud.</p> +<p>Turn, turn, ye Trojans! face your Grecian foes.<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +They, like yourselves, are vulnerable flesh,<br /> +Not adamant or steel. Your direst dread<br /> +Achilles, son of Thetis radiant-hair’d,<br /> +Fights not, but sullen in his fleet abides.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-18">[18]</a></p> +<p>Such from the citadel was heard the voice<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Of dread Apollo. But Minerva ranged<br /> +Meantime, Tritonian progeny of Jove,<br /> +The Grecians, rousing whom she saw remiss.<br /> +Then Amarynceus’ son, Diores, felt<br /> +The force of fate, bruised by a rugged rock<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +At his right heel, which Pirus, Thracian Chief,<br /> +The son of Imbrasus of Ænos, threw.<br /> +Bones and both tendons in its fall the mass<br /> +Enormous crush’d. He, stretch’d in dust supine,<br /> +With palms outspread toward his warrior friends<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Lay gasping life away. But he who gave<br /> +The fatal blow, Pirus, advancing, urged<br /> +Into his navel a keen lance, and shed<br /> +His bowels forth; then, darkness veil’d his eyes.</p> +<p>Nor Pirus long survived; him through the breast<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Above the pap, Ætolian Thoas pierced,<br /> +And in his lungs set fast the quivering spear.<br /> +Then Thoas swift approach’d, pluck’d from the wound<br /> +His stormy spear, and with his falchion bright<br /> +Gashing his middle belly, stretch’d him dead.<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Yet stripp’d he not the slain, whom with long spears<br /> +His Thracians hairy-scalp’d<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_4-19">[19]</a> so round about<br /> +Encompassed, that though bold and large of limb<br /> +Were Thoas, from before them him they thrust<br /> +Staggering and reeling in his forced retreat.<span class="lnm">635</span></p> +<p>They therefore in the dust, the Epean Chief<br /> +Diores, and the Thracian, Pirus lay<br /> +Stretch’d side by side, with numerous slain around.</p> +<p>Then had Minerva led through all that field<br /> +Some warrior yet unhurt, him sheltering safe<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +From all annoyance dread of dart or spear,<br /> +No cause of blame in either had he found<br /> +That day, so many Greeks and Trojans press’d,<br /> +Extended side by side, the dusty plain.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book05"></a>BOOK V.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="ctr">Diomede is extraordinarily distinguished. He kills Pandarus, who had +violated the truce, and wounds first Venus and then Mars.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK V.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Then Athenæan Pallas on the son<br /> +Of Tydeus,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-1">[1]</a> Diomede, new force conferr’d<br /> +And daring courage, that the Argives all<br /> +He might surpass, and deathless fame achieve.<br /> +Fires on his helmet and his shield around<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +She kindled, bright and steady as the star<br /> +Autumnal,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-2">[2]</a> which in Ocean newly bathed<br /> +Assumes fresh beauty; with such glorious beams<br /> +His head encircling and his shoulders broad,<br /> +She urged him forth into the thickest fight.<span class="lnm">10</span></p> +<p>There lived a man in Troy, Dares his name,<br /> +The priest of Vulcan; rich he was and good,<br /> +The father of two sons, Idæus this,<br /> +That, Phegeus call’d; accomplish’d warriors both.<br /> +These, issuing from their phalanx, push’d direct<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Their steeds at Diomede, who fought on foot.<br /> +When now small interval was left between,<br /> +First Phegeus his long-shadow’d spear dismiss’d;<br /> +But over Diomede’s left shoulder pass’d<br /> +The point, innocuous. Then his splendid lance<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Tydides hurl’d; nor ineffectual flew<br /> +The weapon from his hand, but Phegeus pierced<br /> +His paps between, and forced him to the ground.<br /> +At once, his sumptuous chariot left, down leap’d<br /> +Idæsus, wanting courage to defend<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +His brother slain; nor had he scaped himself<br /> +His louring fate, but Vulcan, to preserve<br /> +His ancient priest from unmixt sorrow, snatch’d<br /> +The fugitive in darkness wrapt, away.<br /> +Then brave Tydides, driving off the steeds,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Consign’d them to his fellow-warriors’ care,<br /> +That they might lead them down into the fleet.</p> +<p>The valiant Trojans, when they saw the sons<br /> +Of Dares, one beside his chariot slain,<br /> +And one by flight preserved, through all their host<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Felt consternation. Then Minerva seized<br /> +The hand of fiery Mars, and thus she spake.</p> +<p>Gore-tainted homicide, town-battering Mars!<br /> +Leave we the Trojans and the Greeks to wage<br /> +Fierce fight alone, Jove prospering whom he will,<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +So shall we not provoke our father’s ire.</p> +<p>She said, and from the fight conducted forth<br /> +The impetuous Deity, whom on the side<br /> +She seated of Scamander deep-embank’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-3">[3]</a></p> +<p>And now the host of Troy to flight inclined<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Before the Grecians, and the Chiefs of Greece<br /> +Each slew a warrior. Agamemnon first<br /> +Gigantic Odius from his chariot hurl’d.<br /> +Chief of the Halizonians. He to flight<br /> +Turn’d foremost, when the monarch in his spine<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Between the shoulder-bones his spear infixt,<br /> +And urged it through his breast. Sounding he fell,<br /> +And loud his batter’d armor rang around.</p> +<p>By brave Idomeneus a Lydian died,<br /> +Phæstus, from fruitful Tarne sent to Troy,<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Son of Mæonian Borus; him his steeds<br /> +Mounting, Idomeneus the spear-renown’d<br /> +Through his right shoulder pierced; unwelcome night<br /> +Involved him; from his chariot down he fell,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-4">[4]</a><br /> +And the attendant Cretans stripp’d his arms.<span class="lnm">60</span></p> +<p>But Menelaus, son of Atreus slew<br /> +With his bright spear Scamandrius, Stropius’ son,<br /> +A skilful hunter; for Diana him,<br /> +Herself, the slaughter of all savage kinds<br /> +Had taught, on mountain or in forest bred.<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +But she, shaft-aiming Goddess, in that hour<br /> +Avail’d him not, nor his own matchless skill;<br /> +For Menelaus, Atreus son spear-famed,<br /> +Him flying wounded in the spine between<br /> +His shoulders, and the spear urged through his breast.<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Prone on his loud-resounding arms he fell.</p> +<p>Next, by Meriones, Phereclus died,<br /> +Son of Harmonides. All arts that ask<br /> +A well-instructed hand his sire had learn’d,<br /> +For Pallas dearly loved him. He the fleet,<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Prime source of harm to Troy and to himself,<br /> +For Paris built, unskill’d to spell aright<br /> +The oracles predictive of the wo.<br /> +Phereclus fled; Meriones his flight<br /> +Outstripping, deep in his posterior flesh<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +A spear infix’d; sliding beneath the bone<br /> +It grazed his bladder as it pass’d, and stood<br /> +Protruded far before. Low on his knees<br /> +Phereclus sank, and with a shriek expired.<br /> +Pedæus, whom, although his spurious son,<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Antenor’s wife, to gratify her lord,<br /> +Had cherish’d as her own—him Meges slew.<br /> +Warlike Phylides<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-5">[5]</a> following close his flight,<br /> +His keen lance drove into his poll, cut sheer<br /> +His tongue within, and through his mouth enforced<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +The glittering point. He, prostrate in the dust,<br /> +The cold steel press’d between his teeth and died.</p> +<p>Eurypylus, Evemon’s son, the brave<br /> +Hypsenor slew; Dolopion was his sire,<br /> +Priest of Scamander, reverenced as a God.<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +In vain before Eurypylus he fled;<br /> +He, running, with his falchion lopp’d his arm<br /> +Fast by the shoulder; on the field his hand<br /> +Fell blood-distained, and destiny severe<br /> +With shades of death for ever veil’d his eyes.<span class="lnm">100</span></p> +<p>Thus strenuous they the toilsome battle waged.<br /> +But where Tydides fought, whether in aid<br /> +Of Ilium’s host, or on the part of Greece,<br /> +Might none discern. For as a winter-flood<br /> +Impetuous, mounds and bridges sweeps away;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-6">[6]</a><span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +The buttress’d bridge checks not its sudden force,<br /> +The firm inclosure of vine-planted fields<br /> +Luxuriant, falls before it; finish’d works<br /> +Of youthful hinds, once pleasant to the eye,<br /> +Now levell’d, after ceaseless rain from Jove;<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +So drove Tydides into sudden flight<br /> +The Trojans; phalanx after phalanx fled<br /> +Before the terror of his single arm.</p> +<p>When him Lycaon’s son illustrious saw<br /> +Scouring the field, and from before his face<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +The ranks dispersing wide, at once he bent<br /> +Against Tydides his elastic bow.<br /> +The arrow met him in his swift career<br /> +Sure-aim’d; it struck direct the hollow mail<br /> +Of his right shoulder, with resistless force<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Transfix’d it, and his hauberk stain’d with blood.<br /> +Loud shouted then Lycaon’s son renown’d.</p> +<p>Rush on, ye Trojans, spur your coursers hard.<br /> +Our fiercest foe is wounded, and I deem<br /> +His death not distant far, if me the King<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-7">[7]</a><span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Jove’s son, indeed, from Lycia sent to Troy.</p> +<p>So boasted Pandarus. Yet him the dart<br /> +Quell’d not. Retreating, at his coursers’ heads<br /> +He stood, and to the son of Capaneus<br /> +His charioteer and faithful friend he said.<span class="lnm">130</span></p> +<p>Arise, sweet son of Capaneus, dismount,<br /> +And from my shoulder draw this bitter shaft.</p> +<p>He spake; at once the son of Capaneus<br /> +Descending, by its barb the bitter shaft<br /> +Drew forth; blood spouted through his twisted mail<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Incontinent, and thus the Hero pray’d.</p> +<p>Unconquer’d daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d!<br /> +If ever me, propitious, or my sire<br /> +Thou hast in furious fight help’d heretofore,<br /> +Now aid me also. Bring within the reach<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Of my swift spear, Oh grant me to strike through<br /> +The warrior who hath check’d my course, and boasts<br /> +The sun’s bright beams for ever quench’d to me!<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-8">[8]</a></p> +<p>He prayed, and Pallas heard; she braced his limbs,<br /> +She wing’d him with alacrity divine,<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +And, standing at his side, him thus bespake.</p> +<p>Now Diomede, be bold! Fight now with Troy.<br /> +To thee, thy father’s spirit I impart<br /> +Fearless; shield-shaking Tydeus felt the same.<br /> +I also from thine eye the darkness purge<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Which dimm’d thy sight<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-9">[9]</a> before, that thou may’st know<br /> +Both Gods and men; should, therefore, other God<br /> +Approach to try thee, fight not with the powers<br /> +Immortal; but if foam-born Venus come,<br /> +Her spare not. Wound her with thy glittering spear.<span class="lnm">155</span></p> +<p>So spake the blue-eyed Deity, and went,<br /> +Then with the champions in the van again<br /> +Tydides mingled; hot before, he fights<br /> +With threefold fury now, nor less enraged<br /> +Than some gaunt lion whom o’erleaping light<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +The fold, a shepherd hath but gall’d, not kill’d,<br /> +Him irritating more; thenceforth the swain<br /> +Lurks unresisting; flies the abandon’d flock;<br /> +Heaps slain on heaps he leaves, and with a bound<br /> +Surmounting all impediment, escapes;<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Such seem’d the valiant Diomede incensed<br /> +To fury, mingling with the host of Troy.</p> +<p>Astynoüs and Hypenor first he slew;<br /> +One with his brazen lance above the pap<br /> +He pierced, and one with his huge falchion smote<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Fast by the key-bone,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-10">[10]</a> from the neck and spine<br /> +His parted shoulder driving at a blow.</p> +<p>Them leaving, Polyides next he sought<br /> +And Abas, sons of a dream-dealing seer,<br /> +Eurydamas; their hoary father’s dreams<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Or not interpreted, or kept concealed,<br /> +Them saved not, for by Diomede they died.<br /> +Xanthus and Thöon he encounter’d next,<br /> +Both sons of Phænops, sons of his old age,<br /> +Who other heir had none of all his wealth,<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Nor hoped another, worn with many years.<br /> +Tydides slew them both; nor aught remain’d<br /> +To the old man but sorrow for his sons<br /> +For ever lost, and strangers were his heirs.<br /> +Two sons of Priam in one chariot borne<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Echemon next, and Chromius felt his hand<br /> +Resistless. As a lion on the herd<br /> +Leaping, while they the shrubs and bushes browse,<br /> +Breaks short the neck of heifer or of steer,<br /> +So them, though clinging fast and loth to fall,<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Tydides hurl’d together to the ground,<br /> +Then stripp’d their splendid armor, and the steeds<br /> +Consigned and chariot to his soldiers’ care.</p> +<p>Æneas him discern’d scattering the ranks,<br /> +And through the battle and the clash of spears<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Went seeking godlike Pandarus; ere long<br /> +Finding Lycaon’s martial son renown’d,<br /> +He stood before him, and him thus address’d.</p> +<p>Thy bow, thy feather’d shafts, and glorious name<br /> +Where are they, Pandarus? whom none of Troy<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Could equal, whom of Lycia, none excel.<br /> +Come. Lift thine hands to Jove, and at yon Chief<br /> +Dispatch an arrow, who afflicts the host<br /> +Of Ilium thus, conquering where’er he flies,<br /> +And who hath slaughter’d numerous brave in arms,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +But him some Deity I rather deem<br /> +Avenging on us his neglected rites,<br /> +And who can stand before an angry God?</p> +<p>Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d.<br /> +Brave leader of the Trojans brazen-mail’d,<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Æneas! By his buckler which I know,<br /> +And by his helmet’s height, considering, too<br /> +His steeds, I deem him Diomede the bold;<br /> +Yet such pronounce him not, who seems a God.<br /> +But if bold Diomede indeed he be<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Of whom I speak, not without aid from heaven<br /> +His fury thus prevails, but at his side<br /> +Some God, in clouds enveloped, turns away<br /> +From him the arrow to a devious course.<br /> +Already, at his shoulder’s hollow mail<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +My shaft hath pierced him through, and him I deem’d<br /> +Dismiss’d full sure to Pluto ere his time<br /> +But he survives; whom therefore I at last<br /> +Perforce conclude some angry Deity.<br /> +Steeds have I none or chariot to ascend,<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Who have eleven chariots in the stands<br /> +Left of Lycaon, with fair hangings all<br /> +O’ermantled, strong, new finish’d, with their steeds<br /> +In pairs beside them, eating winnow’d grain.<br /> +Me much Lycaon my old valiant sire<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +At my departure from his palace gates<br /> +Persuaded, that my chariot and my steeds<br /> +Ascending, I should so conduct my bands<br /> +To battle; counsel wise, and ill-refused!<br /> +But anxious, lest (the host in Troy so long<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Immew’d) my steeds, fed plenteously at home,<br /> +Should here want food, I left them, and on foot<br /> +To Ilium came, confiding in my bow<br /> +Ordain’d at last to yield me little good.<br /> +Twice have I shot, and twice I struck the mark,<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +First Menelaus, and Tydides next;<br /> +From each I drew the blood, true, genuine blood,<br /> +Yet have but more incensed them. In an hour<br /> +Unfortunate, I therefore took my bow<br /> +Down from the wall that day, when for the sake<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Of noble Hector, to these pleasant plains<br /> +I came, a leader on the part of Troy.<br /> +But should I once return, and with these eyes<br /> +Again behold my native land, my sire,<br /> +My wife, my stately mansion, may the hand,<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +That moment, of some adversary there<br /> +Shorten me by the head, if I not snap<br /> +This bow with which I charged myself in vain,<br /> +And burn the unprofitable tool to dust.</p> +<p>To whom Æneas, Trojan Chief, replied.<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Nay, speak not so. For ere that hour arrive<br /> +We will, with chariot and with horse, in arms<br /> +Encounter him, and put his strength to proof.<br /> +Delay not, mount my chariot. Thou shalt see<br /> +With what rapidity the steeds of Troy<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Pursuing or retreating, scour the field.<br /> +If after all, Jove purpose still to exalt<br /> +The son of Tydeus, these shall bear us safe<br /> +Back to the city. Come then. Let us on.<br /> +The lash take thou, and the resplendent reins,<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +While I alight for battle, or thyself<br /> +Receive them, and the steeds shall be my care.</p> +<p>Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d.<br /> +Æneas! manage thou the reins, and guide<br /> +Thy proper steeds. If fly at last we must<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +The son of Tydeus, they will readier draw<br /> +Directed by their wonted charioteer.<br /> +Else, terrified, and missing thy control,<br /> +They may refuse to bear us from the fight,<br /> +And Tydeus’ son assailing us, with ease<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Shall slay us both, and drive thy steeds away.<br /> +Rule therefore thou the chariot, and myself<br /> +With my sharp spear will his assault receive.</p> +<p>So saying, they mounted both, and furious drove<br /> +Against Tydides. Them the noble son<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Of Capaneus observed, and turning quick<br /> +His speech to Diomede, him thus address’d.</p> +<p>Tydides, Diomede, my heart’s delight!<br /> +Two warriors of immeasurable force<br /> +In battle, ardent to contend with thee,<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Come rattling on. Lycaon’s offspring one,<br /> +Bow-practised Pandarus; with whom appears<br /> +Æneas; he who calls the mighty Chief<br /> +Anchises father, and whom Venus bore.<br /> +Mount—drive we swift away—lest borne so far<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Beyond the foremost battle, thou be slain.</p> +<p>To whom, dark-frowning, Diomede replied<br /> +Speak not of flight to me, who am disposed<br /> +To no such course. I am ashamed to fly<br /> +Or tremble, and my strength is still entire;<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +I cannot mount. No. Rather thus, on foot,<br /> +I will advance against them. Fear and dread<br /> +Are not for me; Pallas forbids the thought.<br /> +One falls, be sure; swift as they are, the steeds<br /> +That whirl them on, shall never rescue both.<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +But hear my bidding, and hold fast the word.<br /> +Should all-wise Pallas grant me my desire<br /> +To slay them both, drive not my coursers hence,<br /> +But hook the reins, and seizing quick the pair<br /> +That draw Æneas, urge them from the powers<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Of Troy away into the host of Greece.<br /> +For they are sprung from those which Jove to Tros<br /> +In compensation gave for Ganymede;<br /> +The Sun himself sees not their like below.<br /> +Anchises, King of men, clandestine them<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Obtain’d, his mares submitting to the steeds<br /> +Of King Laomedon. Six brought him foals;<br /> +Four to himself reserving, in his stalls<br /> +He fed them sleek, and two he gave his son:<br /> +These, might we win them, were a noble prize.<span class="lnm">315</span></p> +<p>Thus mutual they conferr’d; those Chiefs, the while,<br /> +With swiftest pace approach’d, and first his speech<br /> +To Diomede Lycaon’s son address’d.</p> +<p>Heroic offspring of a noble sire,<br /> +Brave son of Tydeus! false to my intent<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +My shaft hath harm’d thee little. I will now<br /> +Make trial with my spear, if that may speed.</p> +<p>He said, and shaking his long-shadow’d spear,<br /> +Dismiss’d it. Forceful on the shield it struck<br /> +Of Diomede, transpierced it, and approach’d<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +With threatening point the hauberk on his breast.<br /> +Loud shouted Pandarus—Ah nobly thrown!<br /> +Home to thy bowels. Die, for die thou must,<br /> +And all the glory of thy death is mine.</p> +<p>Then answer thus brave Diomede return’d<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Undaunted. I am whole. Thy cast was short.<br /> +But ye desist not, as I plain perceive,<br /> +Till one at least extended on the plain<br /> +Shall sate the God of battles with his blood.</p> +<p>He said and threw. Pallas the spear herself<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Directed; at his eye fast by the nose<br /> +Deep-entering, through his ivory teeth it pass’d,<br /> +At its extremity divided sheer<br /> +His tongue, and started through his chin below.<br /> +He headlong fell, and with his dazzling arms<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Smote full the plain. Back flew the fiery steeds<br /> +With swift recoil, and where he fell he died.<br /> +Then sprang Æneas forth with spear and shield,<br /> +That none might drag the body;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-11">[11]</a> lion-like<br /> +He stalk’d around it, oval shield and spear<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Advancing firm, and with incessant cries<br /> +Terrific, death denouncing on his foes.<br /> +But Diomede with hollow grasp a stone<br /> +Enormous seized, a weight to overtask<br /> +Two strongest men of such as now are strong,<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Yet he, alone, wielded the rock with ease.<br /> +Full on the hip he smote him, where the thigh<br /> +Rolls in its cavity, the socket named.<br /> +He crushed the socket, lacerated wide<br /> +Both tendons, and with that rough-angled mass<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Flay’d all his flesh, The Hero on his knees<br /> +Sank, on his ample palm his weight upbore<br /> +Laboring, and darkness overspread his eyes.</p> +<p>There had Æneas perish’d, King of men,<br /> +Had not Jove’s daughter Venus quick perceived<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +His peril imminent, whom she had borne<br /> +Herself to Anchises pasturing his herds.<br /> +Her snowy arras her darling son around<br /> +She threw maternal, and behind a fold<br /> +Of her bright mantle screening close his breast<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +From mortal harm by some brave Grecian’s spear,<br /> +Stole him with eager swiftness from the fight.</p> +<p>Nor then forgat brave Sthenelus his charge<br /> +Received from Diomede, but his own steeds<br /> +Detaining distant from the boisterous war,<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Stretch’d tight the reins, and hook’d them fast behind.<br /> +The coursers of Æneas next he seized<br /> +Ardent, and them into the host of Greece<br /> +Driving remote, consign’d them to his care,<br /> +Whom far above all others his compeers<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +He loved, Deipylus, his bosom friend<br /> +Congenial. Him he charged to drive them thence<br /> +Into the fleet, then, mounting swift his own,<br /> +Lash’d after Diomede; he, fierce in arms,<br /> +Pursued the Cyprian Goddess, conscious whom,<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Not Pallas, not Enyo, waster dread<br /> +Of cities close-beleaguer’d, none of all<br /> +Who o’er the battle’s bloody course preside,<br /> +But one of softer kind and prone to fear.<br /> +When, therefore, her at length, after long chase<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Through all the warring multitude he reach’d,<br /> +With his protruded spear her gentle hand<br /> +He wounded, piercing through her thin attire<br /> +Ambrosial, by themselves the graces wrought,<br /> +Her inside wrist, fast by the rosy palm.<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Blood follow’d, but immortal; ichor pure,<br /> +Such as the blest inhabitants of heaven<br /> +May bleed, nectareous; for the Gods eat not<br /> +Man’s food, nor slake as he with sable wine<br /> +Their thirst, thence bloodless and from death exempt.<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +She, shrieking, from her arms cast down her son,<br /> +And Phœbus, in impenetrable clouds<br /> +Him hiding, lest the spear of some brave Greek<br /> +Should pierce his bosom, caught him swift away.<br /> +Then shouted brave Tydides after her—<span class="lnm">400</span></p> +<p>Depart, Jove’s daughter! fly the bloody field.<br /> +Is’t not enough that thou beguilest the hearts<br /> +Of feeble women? If thou dare intrude<br /> +Again into the war, war’s very name<br /> +Shall make thee shudder, wheresoever heard.<span class="lnm">405</span></p> +<p>He said, and Venus with excess of pain<br /> +Bewilder’d went; but Iris tempest-wing’d<br /> +Forth led her through the multitude, oppress’d<br /> +With anguish, her white wrist to livid changed.<br /> +They came where Mars far on the left retired<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Of battle sat, his horses and his spear<br /> +In darkness veil’d. Before her brother’s knees<br /> +She fell, and with entreaties urgent sought<br /> +The succor of his coursers golden-rein’d.</p> +<p>Save me, my brother! Pity me! Thy steeds<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Give me, that they may bear me to the heights<br /> +Olympian, seat of the immortal Gods!<br /> +Oh! I am wounded deep; a mortal man<br /> +Hath done it, Diomede; nor would he fear<br /> +This day in fight the Sire himself of all.<span class="lnm">420</span></p> +<p>Then Mars his coursers gold-caparison’d<br /> +Resign’d to Venus; she, with countenance sad,<br /> +The chariot climb’d, and Iris at her side<br /> +The bright reins seizing lash’d the ready steeds.<br /> +Soon as the Olympian heights, seat of the Gods,<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +They reach’d, wing-footed Iris loosing quick<br /> +The coursers, gave them large whereon to browse<br /> +Ambrosial food; but Venus on the knees<br /> +Sank of Dione, who with folded arms<br /> +Maternal, to her bosom straining close<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Her daughter, stroked her cheek, and thus inquired.</p> +<p>My darling child! who? which of all the Gods<br /> +Hath rashly done such violence to thee<br /> +As if convicted of some open wrong?</p> +<p>Her then the Goddess of love-kindling smiles<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Venus thus answer’d; Diomede the proud,<br /> +Audacious Diomede; he gave the wound,<br /> +For that I stole Æneas from the fight<br /> +My son of all mankind my most beloved;<br /> +Nor is it now the war of Greece with Troy,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +But of the Grecians with the Gods themselves.</p> +<p>Then thus Dione, Goddess all divine.<br /> +My child! how hard soe’er thy sufferings seem<br /> +Endure them patiently. Full many a wrong<br /> +From human hands profane the Gods endure,<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +And many a painful stroke, mankind from ours.<br /> +Mars once endured much wrong, when on a time<br /> +Him Otus bound and Ephialtes fast,<br /> +Sons of Alöeus, and full thirteen moons<br /> +In brazen thraldom held him. There, at length,<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +The fierce blood-nourished Mars had pined away,<br /> +But that Eëribœa, loveliest nymph,<br /> +His step-mother, in happy hour disclosed<br /> +To Mercury the story of his wrongs;<br /> +He stole the prisoner forth, but with his woes<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Already worn, languid and fetter-gall’d.<br /> +Nor Juno less endured, when erst the bold<br /> +Son of Amphytrion with tridental shaft<br /> +Her bosom pierced; she then the misery felt<br /> +Of irremediable pain severe.<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Nor suffer’d Pluto less, of all the Gods<br /> +Gigantic most, by the same son of Jove<br /> +Alcides, at the portals of the dead<br /> +Transfix’d and fill’d with anguish; he the house<br /> +Of Jove and the Olympian summit sought<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Dejected, torture-stung, for sore the shaft<br /> +Oppress’d him, into his huge shoulder driven.<br /> +But Pæon<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-12">[12]</a> him not liable to death<br /> +With unction smooth of salutiferous balms<br /> +Heal’d soon. Presumptuous, sacrilegious man!<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Careless what dire enormities he wrought,<br /> +Who bent his bow against the powers of heaven!<br /> +But blue-eyed Pallas instigated him<br /> +By whom thou bleed’st. Infatuate! he forgets<br /> +That whoso turns against the Gods his arm<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Lives never long; he never, safe escaped<br /> +From furious fight, the lisp’d caresses hears<br /> +Of his own infants prattling at his knees.<br /> +Let therefore Diomede beware, lest strong<br /> +And valiant as he is, he chance to meet<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Some mightier foe than thou, and lest his wife,<br /> +Daughter of King Adrastus, the discrete<br /> +Ægialea, from portentous dreams<br /> +Upstarting, call her family to wail<br /> +Her first-espoused, Achaia’s proudest boast,<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Diomede, whom she must behold no more.</p> +<p>She said, and from her wrist with both hands wiped<br /> +The trickling ichor; the effectual touch<br /> +Divine chased all her pains, and she was heal’d.<br /> +Them Juno mark’d and Pallas, and with speech<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Sarcastic pointed at Saturnian Jove<br /> +To vex him, blue-eyed Pallas thus began.</p> +<p>Eternal father! may I speak my thought,<br /> +And not incense thee, Jove? I can but judge<br /> +That Venus, while she coax’d some Grecian fair<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +To accompany the Trojans whom she loves<br /> +With such extravagance, hath heedless stroked<br /> +Her golden clasps, and scratch’d her lily hand.</p> +<p>So she; then smiled the sire of Gods and men,<br /> +And calling golden Venus, her bespake.<span class="lnm">500</span></p> +<p>War and the tented field, my beauteous child,<br /> +Are not for thee. Thou rather shouldst be found<br /> +In scenes of matrimonial bliss. The toils<br /> +Of war to Pallas and to Mars belong.</p> +<p>Thus they in heaven. But Diomede the while<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Sprang on Æneas, conscious of the God<br /> +Whose hand o’ershadow’d him, yet even him<br /> +Regarding lightly; for he burn’d to slay<br /> +Æneas, and to seize his glorious arms.<br /> +Thrice then he sprang impetuous to the deed,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +And thrice Apollo with his radiant shield<br /> +Repulsed him. But when ardent as a God<br /> +The fourth time he advanced, with thundering-voice<br /> +Him thus the Archer of the skies rebuked.</p> +<p>Think, and retire, Tydides! nor affect<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Equality with Gods; for not the same<br /> +Our nature is and theirs who tread the ground.</p> +<p>He spake, and Diomede a step retired,<br /> +Not more; the anger of the Archer-God<br /> +Declining slow, and with a sullen awe.<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Then Phœbus, far from all the warrior throng<br /> +To his own shrine the sacred dome beneath<br /> +Of Pergamus, Æneas bore; there him<br /> +Latona and shaft-arm’d Diana heal’d<br /> +And glorified within their spacious fane.<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Meantime the Archer of the silver bow<br /> +A visionary form prepared; it seem’d<br /> +Himself Æneas, and was arm’d as he.<br /> +At once, in contest for that airy form,<br /> +Grecians and Trojans on each other’s breasts<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +The bull-hide buckler batter’d and light targe.</p> +<p>Then thus Apollo to the warrior God.<br /> +Gore-tainted homicide, town-batterer Mars!<br /> +Wilt thou not meet and from the fight withdraw<br /> +This man Tydides, now so fiery grown<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +That he would even cope with Jove himself?<br /> +First Venus’ hand he wounded, and assail’d<br /> +Impetuous as a God, next, even me.<br /> +He ceased, and on the topmost turret sat<br /> +Of Pergamus. Then all-destroyer Mars<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Ranging the Trojan host, rank after rank<br /> +Exhorted loud, and in the form assumed<br /> +Of Acamas the Thracian leader bold,<br /> +The godlike sons of Priam thus harangued.</p> +<p>Ye sons of Priam, monarch Jove-beloved!<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +How long permit ye your Achaian foes<br /> +To slay the people?—till the battle rage<br /> +(Push’d home to Ilium) at her solid gates?<br /> +Behold—a Chief disabled lies, than whom<br /> +We reverence not even Hector more,<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Æneas; fly, save from the roaring storm<br /> +The noble Anchisiades your friend.</p> +<p>He said; then every heart for battle glow’d;<br /> +And thus Sarpedon with rebuke severe<br /> +Upbraiding generous Hector, stern began.<span class="lnm">555</span></p> +<p>Where is thy courage, Hector? for thou once<br /> +Hadst courage. Is it fled? In other days<br /> +Thy boast hath been that without native troops<br /> +Or foreign aids, thy kindred and thyself<br /> +Alone, were guard sufficient for the town.<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +But none of all thy kindred now appears;<br /> +I can discover none; they stand aloof<br /> +Quaking, as dogs that hear the lion’s roar.<br /> +We bear the stress, who are but Troy’s allies;<br /> +Myself am such, and from afar I came;<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +For Lycia lies far distant on the banks<br /> +Of the deep-eddied Xanthus. There a wife<br /> +I left and infant son, both dear to me,<br /> +With plenteous wealth, the wish of all who want.<br /> +Yet urge I still my Lycians, and am prompt<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Myself to fight, although possessing here<br /> +Nought that the Greeks can carry or drive hence.<br /> +But there stand’st thou, neither employed thyself,<br /> +Nor moving others to an active part<br /> +For all their dearest pledges. Oh beware!<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +Lest, as with meshes of an ample net,<br /> +At one huge draught the Grecians sweep you all,<br /> +And desolate at once your populous Troy!<br /> +By day, by night, thoughts such as these should still<br /> +Thy conduct influence, and from Chief to Chief<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Of the allies should send thee, praying each<br /> +To make firm stand, all bickerings put away.</p> +<p>So spake Sarpedon, and his reprimand<br /> +Stung Hector; instant to the ground he leap’d<br /> +All arm’d, and shaking his bright spears his host<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Ranged in all quarters animating loud<br /> +His legions, and rekindling horrid war.<br /> +Then, rolling back, the powers of Troy opposed<br /> +Once more the Grecians, whom the Grecians dense<br /> +Expected, unretreating, void of fear.<span class="lnm">590</span></p> +<p>As flies the chaff wide scatter’d by the wind<br /> +O’er all the consecrated floor, what time<br /> +Ripe Ceres<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-13">[13]</a> with brisk airs her golden grain<br /> +Ventilates, whitening with its husk the ground;<br /> +So grew the Achaians white, a dusty cloud<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Descending on their arms, which steeds with steeds<br /> +Again to battle mingling, with their hoofs<br /> +Up-stamp’d into the brazen vault of heaven;<br /> +For now the charioteers turn’d all to fight.<br /> +Host toward host with full collected force<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +They moved direct. Then Mars through all the field<br /> +Took wide his range, and overhung the war<br /> +With night, in aid of Troy, at the command<br /> +Of Phœbus of the golden sword; for he<br /> +Perceiving Pallas from the field withdrawn,<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Patroness of the Greeks, had Mars enjoin’d<br /> +To rouse the spirit of the Trojan host.<br /> +Meantime Apollo from his unctuous shrine<br /> +Sent forth restored and with new force inspired<br /> +Æneas. He amidst his warriors stood,<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Who him with joy beheld still living, heal’d,<br /> +And all his strength possessing unimpair’d.<br /> +Yet no man ask’d him aught. No leisure now<br /> +For question was; far other thoughts had they;<br /> +Such toils the archer of the silver bow,<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Wide-slaughtering Mars, and Discord as at first<br /> +Raging implacable, for them prepared.</p> +<p>Ulysses, either Ajax, Diomede—<br /> +These roused the Greeks to battle, who themselves<br /> +The force fear’d nothing, or the shouts of Troy,<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +But steadfast stood, like clouds by Jove amass’d<br /> +On lofty mountains, while the fury sleeps<br /> +Of Boreas, and of all the stormy winds<br /> +Shrill-voiced, that chase the vapors when they blow,<br /> +So stood the Greeks, expecting firm the approach<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Of Ilium’s powers, and neither fled nor fear’d.</p> +<p>Then Agamemnon the embattled host<br /> +On all sides ranging, cheer’d them. Now, he cried,<br /> +Be steadfast, fellow warriors, now be men!<br /> +Hold fast a sense of honor. More escape<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Of men who fear disgrace, than fall in fight,<br /> +While dastards forfeit life and glory both.</p> +<p>He said, and hurl’d his spear. He pierced a friend<br /> +Of brave Æneas, warring in the van,<br /> +Deicöon son of Pergasus, in Troy<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Not less esteem’d than Priam’s sons themselves,<br /> +Such was his fame in foremost fight acquired.<br /> +Him Agamemnon on his buckler smote,<br /> +Nor stayed the weapon there, but through his belt<br /> +His bowels enter’d, and with hideous clang<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +And outcry<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-14">[14]</a> of his batter’d arms he fell.</p> +<p>Æneas next two mightiest warriors slew,<br /> +Sons of Diocles, of a wealthy sire,<br /> +Whose house magnificent in Phæræ stood,<br /> +Orsilochus and Crethon. Their descent<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +From broad-stream’d Alpheus, Pylian flood, they drew.<br /> +Alpheus begat Orsilochus, a prince<br /> +Of numerous powers. Orsilochus begat<br /> +Warlike Diodes. From Diodes sprang<br /> +Twins, Crethon and Orsilochus, alike<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Valiant, and skilful in all forms of war.<br /> +Their boyish prime scarce past, they, with the Greeks<br /> +Embarking, in their sable ships had sail’d<br /> +To steed-fam’d Ilium; just revenge they sought<br /> +For Atreus’ sons, but perished first themselves.<span class="lnm">655</span></p> +<p>As two young lions, in the deep recess<br /> +Of some dark forest on the mountain’s brow<br /> +Late nourished by their dam, forth-issuing, seize<br /> +The fatted flocks and kine, both folds and stalls<br /> +Wasting rapacious, till, at length, themselves<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Deep-wounded perish by the hand of man,<br /> +So they, both vanquish’d by Æneas, fell,<br /> +And like two lofty pines uprooted, lay.<br /> +Them fallen in battle Menelaus saw<br /> +With pity moved; radiant in arms he shook<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +His brazen spear, and strode into the van.<br /> +Mars urged him furious on, conceiving hope<br /> +Of his death also by Æneas’ hand.</p> +<p>But him the son of generous Nestor mark’d<br /> +Antilochus, and to the foremost fight<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Flew also, fearing lest some dire mischance<br /> +The Prince befalling, at one fatal stroke<br /> +Should frustrate all the labors of the Greeks.<br /> +They, hand to hand, and spear to spear opposed,<br /> +Stood threatening dreadful onset, when beside<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +The Spartan chief Antilochus appear’d.<br /> +Æneas, at the sight of two combined,<br /> +Stood not, although intrepid. They the dead<br /> +Thence drawing far into the Grecian host<br /> +To their associates gave the hapless pair,<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Then, both returning, fought in front again.</p> +<p>Next, fierce as Mars, Pylæmenes they slew,<br /> +Prince of the shielded band magnanimous<br /> +Of Paphlagonia. Him Atrides kill’d<br /> +Spear-practised Menelaus, with a lance<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +His throat transpiercing while erect he rode.<br /> +Then, while his charioteer, Mydon the brave,<br /> +Son of Atymnias, turn’d his steeds to flight,<br /> +Full on his elbow-point Antilochus,<br /> +The son of Nestor, dash’d him with a stone.<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +The slack reins, white as ivory,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-15">[15]</a> forsook<br /> +His torpid hand and trail’d the dust. At once<br /> +Forth sprang Antilochus, and with his sword<br /> +Hew’d deep his temples. On his head he pitch’d<br /> +Panting, and on his shoulders in the sand<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +(For in deep sand he fell) stood long erect,<br /> +Till his own coursers spread him in the dust;<br /> +The son of Nestor seized, and with his scourge<br /> +Drove them afar into the host of Greece.</p> +<p>Them Hector through the ranks espying, flew<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +With clamor loud to meet them; after whom<br /> +Advanced in phalanx firm the powers of Troy,<br /> +Mars led them, with Enyo terror-clad;<br /> +She by the maddening tumult of the fight<br /> +Attended, he, with his enormous spear<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +in both hands brandish’d, stalking now in front<br /> +Of Hector, and now following his steps.</p> +<p>Him Diomede the bold discerning, felt<br /> +Himself no small dismay; and as a man<br /> +Wandering he knows not whither, far from home,<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +If chance a rapid torrent to the sea<br /> +Borne headlong thwart his course, the foaming flood<br /> +Obstreperous views awhile, then quick retires,<br /> +So he, and his attendants thus bespake.</p> +<p>How oft, my countrymen! have we admired<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +The noble Hector, skillful at the spear<br /> +And unappall’d in fight? but still hath he<br /> +Some God his guard, and even now I view<br /> +In human form Mars moving at his side.<br /> +Ye, then, with faces to the Trojans turn’d,<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +Ceaseless retire, and war not with the Gods.</p> +<p>He ended; and the Trojans now approach’d.<br /> +Then two bold warriors in one chariot borne,<br /> +By valiant Hector died, Menesthes one,<br /> +And one, Anchialus. Them fallen in fight<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +Ajax the vast, touch’d with compassion saw;<br /> +Within small space he stood, his glittering spear<br /> +Dismiss’d, and pierced Amphius. Son was he<br /> +Of Selagus, and Pæsus was his home,<br /> +Where opulent he dwelt, but by his fate<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +Was led to fight for Priam and his sons.<br /> +Him Telamonian Ajax through his belt<br /> +Wounded, and in his nether bowels deep<br /> +Fix’d his long-shadow’d spear. Sounding he fell.<br /> +Illustrious Ajax running to the slain<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +Prepared to strip his arms, but him a shower<br /> +Of glittering-weapons keen from Trojan hands<br /> +Assail’d, and numerous his broad shield received.<br /> +He, on the body planting firm his heel,<br /> +Forth drew the polish’d spear, but his bright arms<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +Took not, by darts thick-flying sore annoy’d,<br /> +Nor fear’d he little lest his haughty foes,<br /> +Spear-arm’d and bold, should compass him around;<br /> +Him, therefore, valiant though he were and huge,<br /> +They push’d before them. Staggering he retired.<span class="lnm">745</span></p> +<p>Thus toil’d both hosts in that laborious field.<br /> +And now his ruthless destiny impell’d<br /> +Tlepolemus, Alcides’ son, a Chief<br /> +Dauntless and huge, against a godlike foe<br /> +Sarpedon. They approaching face to face<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +Stood, son and grandson of high-thundering Jove,<br /> +And, haughty, thus Tlepolemus began.</p> +<p>Sarpedon, leader of the Lycian host,<br /> +Thou trembler! thee what cause could hither urge<br /> +A man unskill’d in arms? They falsely speak<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +Who call thee son of Ægis-bearing Jove,<br /> +So far below their might thou fall’st who sprang<br /> +From Jove in days of old. What says report<br /> +Of Hercules (for him I boast my sire)<br /> +All-daring hero with a lion’s heart?<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +With six ships only, and with followers few,<br /> +He for the horses of Laomedon<br /> +Lay’d Troy in dust, and widow’d all her streets.<br /> +But thou art base, and thy diminish’d powers<br /> +Perish around thee; think not that thou earnest<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +For Ilium’s good, but rather, whatsoe’er<br /> +Thy force in fight, to find, subdued by me,<br /> +A sure dismission to the gates of hell.</p> +<p>To whom the leader of the Lycian band.<br /> +Tlepolemus! he ransack’d sacred Troy,<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +As thou hast said, but for her monarch’s fault<br /> +Laomedon, who him with language harsh<br /> +Requited ill for benefits received,<br /> +Nor would the steeds surrender, seeking which<br /> +He voyaged from afar. But thou shalt take<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +Thy bloody doom from this victorious arm,<br /> +And, vanquish’d by my spear, shalt yield thy fame<br /> +To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.</p> +<p>So spake Sarpedon, and his ashen beam<br /> +Tlepolemus upraised. Both hurl’d at once<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +Their quivering spears. Sarpedon’s through the neck<br /> +Pass’d of Tlepolemus, and show’d beyond<br /> +Its ruthless point; thick darkness veil’d his eyes.<br /> +Tlepolemus with his long lance the thigh<br /> +Pierced of Sarpedon; sheer into his bone<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +He pierced him, but Sarpedon’s father, Jove,<br /> +Him rescued even on the verge of fate.</p> +<p>His noble friends conducted from the field<br /> +The godlike Lycian, trailing as he went<br /> +The pendent spear, none thinking to extract<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +For his relief the weapon from his thigh,<br /> +Through eagerness of haste to bear him thence.<br /> +On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d<br /> +Bore off Tlepolemus. Ulysses fill’d<br /> +With earnest thoughts tumultuous them observed,<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +Danger-defying Chief! Doubtful he stood<br /> +Or to pursue at once the Thunderer’s son<br /> +Sarpedon, or to take more Lycian lives.<br /> +But not for brave Ulysses had his fate<br /> +That praise reserved, that he should slay the son<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +Renown’d of Jove; therefore his wavering mind<br /> +Minerva bent against the Lycian band.<br /> +Then Cœranus, Alastor, Chromius fell,<br /> +Alcander, Halius, Prytanis, and brave<br /> +Noëmon; nor had these sufficed the Chief<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +Of Ithaca, but Lycians more had fallen,<br /> +Had not crest-tossing Hector huge perceived<br /> +The havoc; radiant to the van he flew,<br /> +Filling with dread the Grecians; his approach<br /> +Sarpedon, son of Jove, joyful beheld,<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +And piteous thus address’d him as he came.</p> +<p>Ah, leave not me, Priamides! a prey<br /> +To Grecian hands, but in your city, at least,<br /> +Grant me to die: since hither, doom’d, I came<br /> +Never to gratify with my return<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +To Lycia, my loved spouse, or infant child.</p> +<p>He spake; but Hector unreplying pass’d<br /> +Impetuous, ardent to repulse the Greeks<br /> +That moment, and to drench his sword in blood.<br /> +Then, under shelter of a spreading beech<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +Sacred to Jove, his noble followers placed<br /> +The godlike Chief Sarpedon, where his friend<br /> +Illustrious Pelagon, the ashen spear<br /> +Extracted. Sightless, of all thought bereft,<br /> +He sank, but soon revived, by breathing airs<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +Refresh’d, that fann’d him gently from the North.</p> +<p>Meantime the Argives, although press’d alike<br /> +By Mars himself and Hector brazen-arm’d,<br /> +Neither to flight inclined, nor yet advanced<br /> +To battle, but inform’d that Mars the fight<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +Waged on the side of Ilium, slow retired.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-16">[16]</a></p> +<p>Whom first, whom last slew then the mighty son<br /> +Of Priam, Hector, and the brazen Mars!<br /> +First godlike Teuthras, an equestrian Chief,<br /> +Orestes, Trechus of Ætolian race,<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +Œnomaüs, Helenus from Œnops’ sprung,<br /> +And brisk<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-17">[17]</a> in fight Oresbius; rich was he,<br /> +And covetous of more; in Hyla dwelt<br /> +Fast by the lake Cephissus, where abode<br /> +Bœotian Princes numerous, rich themselves<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +And rulers of a people wealth-renown’d.<br /> +But Juno, such dread slaughter of the Greeks<br /> +Noting, thus, ardent, to Minerva spake.</p> +<p>Daughter of Jove invincible! Our word<br /> +That Troy shall perish, hath been given in vain<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +To Menelaus, if we suffer Mars<br /> +To ravage longer uncontrol’d. The time<br /> +Urges, and need appears that we ourselves<br /> +Now call to mind the fury of our might.</p> +<p>She spake; nor blue-eyed Pallas not complied.<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +Then Juno, Goddess dread, from Saturn sprung,<br /> +Her coursers gold-caparison’d prepared<br /> +Impatient. Hebe to the chariot roll’d<br /> +The brazen wheels,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-18">[18]</a> and joined them to the smooth<br /> +Steel axle; twice four spokes divided each<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +Shot from the centre to the verge. The verge<br /> +Was gold by fellies of eternal brass<br /> +Guarded, a dazzling show! The shining naves<br /> +Were silver; silver cords and cords of gold<br /> +The seat upbore; two crescents<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-19">[19]</a> blazed in front.<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +The pole was argent all, to which she bound<br /> +The golden yoke, and in their place disposed<br /> +The breast-bands incorruptible of gold;<br /> +But Juno to the yoke, herself, the steeds<br /> +Led forth, on fire to reach the dreadful field.<span class="lnm">865</span></p> +<p>Meantime, Minerva, progeny of Jove,<br /> +On the adamantine floor of his abode<br /> +Let fall profuse her variegated robe,<br /> +Labor of her own hands. She first put on<br /> +The corselet of the cloud-assembler God,<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Then arm’d her for the field of wo complete.<br /> +She charged her shoulder with the dreadful shield<br /> +The shaggy Ægis,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-20">[20]</a> border’d thick around<br /> +With terror; there was Discord, Prowess there,<br /> +There hot Pursuit, and there the feature grim<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Of Gorgon, dire Deformity, a sign<br /> +Oft borne portentous on the arm of Jove.<br /> +Her golden helm, whose concave had sufficed<br /> +The legions of an hundred cities, rough<br /> +With warlike ornament superb, she fix’d<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +On her immortal head. Thus arm’d, she rose<br /> +Into the flaming chariot, and her spear<br /> +Seized ponderous, huge, with which the Goddess sprung<br /> +From an Almighty father, levels ranks<br /> +Of heroes, against whom her anger burns.<span class="lnm">885</span><br /> +Juno with lifted lash urged quick the steeds;<br /> +At her approach, spontaneous roar’d the wide-<br /> +Unfolding gates of heaven;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-21">[21]</a> the heavenly gates<br /> +Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge<br /> +Of the Olympian summit appertains,<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +And of the boundless ether, back to roll,<br /> +And to replace the cloudy barrier dense.<br /> +Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds;<br /> +Apart from all, and seated on the point<br /> +Superior of the cloven mount, they found<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +The Thunderer. Juno the white-arm’d her steeds<br /> +There stay’d, and thus the Goddess, ere she pass’d,<br /> +Question’d the son of Saturn, Jove supreme.</p> +<p>Jove, Father, seest thou, and art not incensed,<br /> +These ravages of Mars? Oh what a field,<span class="lnm">900</span><br /> +Drench’d with what Grecian blood! All rashly spilt,<br /> +And in despite of me. Venus, the while,<br /> +Sits, and the Archer of the silver bow<br /> +Delighted, and have urged, themselves, to this<br /> +The frantic Mars within no bounds confined<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +Of law or order. But, eternal sire!<br /> +Shall I offend thee chasing far away<br /> +Mars deeply smitten from the field of war?</p> +<p>To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.<br /> +Go! but exhort thou rather to the task<span class="lnm">910</span><br /> +Spoil-huntress Athenæan Pallas, him<br /> +Accustom’d to chastise with pain severe.</p> +<p>He spake, nor white-arm’d Juno not obey’d.<br /> +She lash’d her steeds; they readily their flight<br /> +Began, the earth and starry vault between.<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +Far as from his high tower the watchman kens<br /> +O’er gloomy ocean, so far at one bound<br /> +Advance the shrill-voiced coursers of the Gods.<br /> +But when at Troy and at the confluent streams<br /> +Of Simoïs and Scamander they arrived,<span class="lnm">920</span><br /> +There Juno, white-arm’d Goddess, from the yoke<br /> +Her steeds releasing, them in gather’d shades<br /> +Conceal’d opaque, while Simoïs caused to spring<br /> +Ambrosia from his bank, whereon they browsed.</p> +<p>Swift as her pinions waft the dove away<span class="lnm">925</span><br /> +They sought the Grecians, ardent to begin:<br /> +Arriving where the mightiest and the most<br /> +Compass’d equestrian Diomede around,<br /> +In aspect lion-like, or like wild boars<br /> +Of matchless force, there white-arm’d Juno stood,<span class="lnm">930</span><br /> +And in the form of Stentor for his voice<br /> +Of brass renown’d, audible as the roar<br /> +Of fifty throats, the Grecians thus harangued.</p> +<p>Oh shame, shame, shame! Argives in form alone,<br /> +Beautiful but dishonorable race!<span class="lnm">935</span><br /> +While yet divine Achilles ranged the field,<br /> +No Trojan stepp’d from yon Dardanian gates<br /> +Abroad; all trembled at his stormy spear;<br /> +But now they venture forth, now at your ships<br /> +Defy you, from their city far remote.<span class="lnm">940</span></p> +<p>She ceased, and all caught courage from the sound.<br /> +But Athenæan Pallas eager sought<br /> +The son of Tydeus; at his chariot side<br /> +She found the Chief cooling his fiery wound<br /> +Received from Pandarus; for him the sweat<span class="lnm">945</span><br /> +Beneath the broad band of his oval shield<br /> +Exhausted, and his arm fail’d him fatigued;<br /> +He therefore raised the band and wiped the blood<br /> +Coagulate; when o’er his chariot yoke<br /> +Her arm the Goddess threw, and thus began.<span class="lnm">950</span></p> +<p>Tydeus, in truth, begat a son himself<br /> +Not much resembling. Tydeus was of size<br /> +Diminutive, but had a warrior’s heart.<br /> +When him I once commanded to abstain<br /> +From furious fight (what time he enter’d Thebes<span class="lnm">955</span><br /> +Ambassador, and the Cadmeans found<br /> +Feasting, himself the sole Achaian there)<br /> +And bade him quietly partake the feast.<br /> +He, fired with wonted ardor, challenged forth<br /> +To proof of manhood the Cadmean youth,<span class="lnm">960</span><br /> +Whom easily, through my effectual aid,<br /> +In contests of each kind he overcame.<br /> +But thou, whom I encircle with my power,<br /> +Guard vigilant, and even bid thee forth<br /> +To combat with the Trojans, thou, thy limbs<span class="lnm">965</span><br /> +Feel’st wearied with the toils of war, or worse,<br /> +Indulgest womanish and heartless fear.<br /> +Henceforth thou art not worthy to be deem’d<br /> +Son of Oenides, Tydeus famed in arms.</p> +<p>To whom thus valiant Diomede replied.<span class="lnm">970</span><br /> +I know thee well, oh Goddess sprung from Jove!<br /> +And therefore willing shall, and plain, reply.<br /> +Me neither weariness nor heartless fear<br /> +Restrains, but thine injunctions which impress<br /> +My memory, still, that I should fear to oppose<span class="lnm">975</span><br /> +The blessed Gods in fight, Venus except,<br /> +Whom in the battle found thou badest me pierce<br /> +With unrelenting spear; therefore myself<br /> +Retiring hither, I have hither call’d<br /> +The other Argives also, for I know<span class="lnm">980</span><br /> +That Mars, himself in arms, controls the war.</p> +<p>Him answer’d then the Goddess azure-eyed.<br /> +Tydides! Diomede, my heart’s delight!<br /> +Fear not this Mars,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-22">[22]</a> nor fear thou other power<br /> +Immortal, but be confident in me.<span class="lnm">985</span><br /> +Arise. Drive forth. Seek Mars; him only seek;<br /> +Him hand to hand engage; this fiery Mars<br /> +Respect not aught, base implement of wrong<br /> +And mischief, shifting still from side to side.<br /> +He promised Juno lately and myself<span class="lnm">990</span><br /> +That he would fight for Greece, yet now forgets<br /> +His promise, and gives all his aid to Troy.</p> +<p>So saying, she backward by his hand withdrew<br /> +The son of Capaneus, who to the ground<br /> +Leap’d instant; she, impatient to his place<span class="lnm">995</span><br /> +Ascending, sat beside brave Diomede.<br /> +Loud groan’d the beechen axle, under weight<br /> +Unwonted, for it bore into the fight<br /> +An awful Goddess, and the chief of men.<br /> +Quick-seizing lash and reins Minerva drove<span class="lnm">1000</span><br /> +Direct at Mars. That moment he had slain<br /> +Periphas, bravest of Ætolia’s sons,<br /> +And huge of bulk; Ochesius was his sire.<br /> +Him Mars the slaughterer had of life bereft<br /> +Newly, and Pallas to elude his sight<span class="lnm">1005</span><br /> +The helmet fixed of Ades on her head.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_5-23">[23]</a><br /> +Soon as gore-tainted Mars the approach perceived<br /> +Of Diomede, he left the giant length<br /> +Of Periphas extended where he died,<br /> +And flew to cope with Tydeus’ valiant son.<span class="lnm">1010</span><br /> +Full nigh they came, when Mars on fire to slay<br /> +The hero, foremost with his brazen lance<br /> +Assail’d him, hurling o’er his horses’ heads.<br /> +But Athenæan Pallas in her hand<br /> +The flying weapon caught and turn’d it wide,<span class="lnm">1015</span><br /> +Baffling his aim. Then Diomede on him<br /> +Rush’d furious in his turn, and Pallas plunged<br /> +The bright spear deep into his cinctured waist<br /> +Dire was the wound, and plucking back the spear<br /> +She tore him. Bellow’d brazen-throated Mars<span class="lnm">1020</span><br /> +Loud as nine thousand warriors, or as ten<br /> +Join’d in close combat. Grecians, Trojans shook<br /> +Appall’d alike at the tremendous voice<br /> +Of Mars insatiable with deeds of blood.<br /> +Such as the dimness is when summer winds<span class="lnm">1025</span><br /> +Breathe hot, and sultry mist obscures the sky,<br /> +Such brazen Mars to Diomede appear’d<br /> +By clouds accompanied in his ascent<br /> +Into the boundless ether. Reaching soon<br /> +The Olympian heights, seat of the Gods, he sat<span class="lnm">1030</span><br /> +Beside Saturnian Jove; wo fill’d his heart;<br /> +He show’d fast-streaming from the wound his blood<br /> +Immortal, and impatient thus complain’d.</p> +<p>Jove, Father! Seest thou these outrageous acts<br /> +Unmoved with anger? Such are day by day<span class="lnm">1035</span><br /> +The dreadful mischiefs by the Gods contrived<br /> +Against each other, for the sake of man.<br /> +Thou art thyself the cause. Thou hast produced<br /> +A foolish daughter petulant, addict<br /> +To evil only and injurious deeds;<span class="lnm">1040</span><br /> +There is not in Olympus, save herself,<br /> +Who feels not thy control; but she her will<br /> +Gratifies ever, and reproof from thee<br /> +Finds none, because, pernicious as she is,<br /> +She is thy daughter. She hath now the mind<span class="lnm">1045</span><br /> +Of haughty Diomede with madness fill’d<br /> +Against the immortal Gods; first Venus bled;<br /> +Her hand he pierced impetuous, then assail’d,<br /> +As if himself immortal, even me,<br /> +But me my feet stole thence, or overwhelm’d<span class="lnm">1050</span><br /> +Beneath yon heaps of carcases impure,<br /> +What had I not sustain’d? And if at last<br /> +I lived, had halted crippled by the sword.</p> +<p>To whom with dark displeasure Jove replied.<br /> +Base and side-shifting traitor! vex not me<span class="lnm">1055</span><br /> +Here sitting querulous; of all who dwell<br /> +On the Olympian heights, thee most I hate<br /> +Contentious, whose delight is war alone.<br /> +Thou hast thy mother’s moods, the very spleen<br /> +Of Juno, uncontrolable as she.<span class="lnm">1060</span><br /> +Whom even I, reprove her as I may,<br /> +Scarce rule by mere commands; I therefore judge<br /> +Thy sufferings a contrivance all her own.<br /> +But soft. Thou art my son whom I begat.<br /> +And Juno bare thee. I can not endure<span class="lnm">1065</span><br /> +That thou shouldst suffer long. Hadst thou been born<br /> +Of other parents thus detestable,<br /> +What Deity soe’er had brought thee forth,<br /> +Thou shouldst have found long since a humbler sphere.</p> +<p>He ceased, and to the care his son consign’d<span class="lnm">1070</span><br /> +Of Pæon; he with drugs of lenient powers,<br /> +Soon heal’d whom immortality secured<br /> +From dissolution. As the juice from figs<br /> +Express’d what fluid was in milk before<br /> +Coagulates, stirr’d rapidly around,<span class="lnm">1075</span><br /> +So soon was Mars by Pæon skill restored.<br /> +Him Hebe bathed, and with divine attire<br /> +Graceful adorn’d; when at the side of Jove<br /> +Again his glorious seat sublime he took.</p> +<p>Meantime to the abode of Jove supreme<span class="lnm">1080</span><br /> +Ascended Juno throughout Argos known<br /> +And mighty Pallas; Mars the plague of man,<br /> +By their successful force from slaughter driven.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book06"></a>BOOK VI.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector by the +advice of Helenus enters Troy, and recommends it to Hecuba to go in +solemn procession to the temple of Minerva; she with the matrons goes +accordingly. Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris, and exhorts +him to return to the field of battle. An interview succeeds between Hector +and Andromache, and Paris, having armed himself in the mean time, +comes up with Hector at the close of it, when they sally from the gate together.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK VI.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Thus was the field forsaken by the Gods.<br /> +And now success proved various; here the Greeks<br /> +With their extended spears, the Trojans there<br /> +Prevail’d alternate, on the champain spread<br /> +The Xanthus and the Simoïs between.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-1">[1]</a><span class="lnm">5</span></p> +<p>First Telamonian Ajax,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-2">[2]</a> bulwark firm<br /> +Of the Achaians, broke the Trojan ranks,<br /> +And kindled for the Greeks a gleam of hope,<br /> +Slaying the bravest of the Thracian band,<br /> +Huge Acamas, Eusorus’ son; him first<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Full on the shaggy crest he smote, and urged<br /> +The spear into his forehead; through his skull<br /> +The bright point pass’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes.<br /> +But Diomede, heroic Chief, the son<br /> +Of Teuthras slew, Axylus.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-3">[3]</a> Rich was he,<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +And in Arisba (where he dwelt beside<br /> +The public road, and at his open door<br /> +Made welcome all) respected and beloved.<br /> +But of his numerous guests none interposed<br /> +To avert his woful doom; nor him alone<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +He slew, but with him also to the shades<br /> +Calesius sent, his friend and charioteer.</p> +<p>Opheltius fell and Dresus, by the hand<br /> +Slain of Euryalus, who, next, his arms<br /> +On Pedasus and on Æsepus turned<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Brethren and twins. Them Abarbarea bore,<br /> +A Naiad, to Bucolion, son renown’d<br /> +Of King Laomedon, his eldest born,<br /> +But by his mother, at his birth, conceal’d.<br /> +Bucolion pasturing his flocks, embraced<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +The lovely nymph; she twins produced, both whom,<br /> +Brave as they were and beautiful, thy son<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-4">[4]</a><br /> +Mecisteus! slew, and from their shoulders tore<br /> +Their armor. Dauntless Polypœtes slew<br /> +Astyalus. Ulysses with his spear<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Transfixed Pydites, a Percosian Chief,<br /> +And Teucer Aretaön; Nestor’s pride<br /> +Antilochus, with his bright lance, of life<br /> +Bereft Ablerus, and the royal arm<br /> +Of Agamemnon, Elatus; he dwelt<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Among the hills of lofty Pedasus,<br /> +On Satnio’s banks, smooth-sliding river pure<br /> +Phylacus fled, whom Leïtus as swift<br /> +Soon smote. Melanthius at the feet expired<br /> +Of the renown’d Eurypylus, and, flush’d<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +With martial ardor, Menelaus seized<br /> +And took alive Adrastus. As it chanced<br /> +A thicket his affrighted steeds detain’d<br /> +Their feet entangling; they with restive force<br /> +At its extremity snapp’d short the pole,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +And to the city, whither others fled,<br /> +Fled also. From his chariot headlong hurl’d,<br /> +Adrastus press’d the plain fast by his wheel.<br /> +Flew Menelaus, and his quivering spear<br /> +Shook over him; he, life imploring, clasp’d<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Importunate his knees, and thus exclaim’d.</p> +<p>Oh, son of Atreus, let me live! accept<br /> +Illustrious ransom! In my father’s house<br /> +Is wealth abundant, gold, and brass, and steel<br /> +Of truest temper, which he will impart<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Till he have gratified thine utmost wish,<br /> +Inform’d that I am captive in your fleet.</p> +<p>He said, and Menelaus by his words<br /> +Vanquish’d, him soon had to the fleet dismiss’d<br /> +Given to his train in charge, but swift and stern<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Approaching, Agamemnon interposed.</p> +<p>Now, brother, whence this milkiness of mind,<br /> +These scruples about blood? Thy Trojan friends<br /> +Have doubtless much obliged thee. Die the race!<br /> +May none escape us! neither he who flies,<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Nor even the infant in his mother’s womb<br /> +Unconscious. Perish universal Troy<br /> +Unpitied, till her place be found no more!<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-5">[5]</a></p> +<p>So saying, his brother’s mind the Hero turn’d,<br /> +Advising him aright; he with his hand<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Thrust back Adrastus, and himself, the King,<br /> +His bowels pierced. Supine Adrastus fell,<br /> +And Agamemnon, with his foot the corse<br /> +Impressing firm, pluck’d forth his ashen spear.<br /> +Then Nestor, raising high his voice, exclaim’d.<span class="lnm">80</span></p> +<p>Friends, Heroes, Grecians, ministers of Mars!<br /> +Let none, desirous of the spoil, his time<br /> +Devote to plunder now; now slay your foes,<br /> +And strip them when the field shall be your own.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-6">[6]</a></p> +<p> +He said, and all took courage at his word.<span class="lnm">85</span></p> +<p>Then had the Trojans enter’d Troy again<br /> +By the heroic Grecians foul repulsed,<br /> +So was their spirit daunted, but the son<br /> +Of Priam, Helenus, an augur far<br /> +Excelling all, at Hector’s side his speech<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +To him and to Æneas thus address’d.</p> +<p>Hector, and thou, Æneas, since on you<br /> +The Lycians chiefly and ourselves depend,<br /> +For that in difficult emprize ye show<br /> +Most courage; give best counsel; stand yourselves,<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +And, visiting all quarters, cause to stand<br /> +Before the city-gates our scatter’d troops,<br /> +Ere yet the fugitives within the arms<br /> +Be slaughter’d of their wives, the scorn of Greece.<br /> +When thus ye shall have rallied every band<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +And roused their courage, weary though we be,<br /> +Yet since necessity commands, even here<br /> +Will we give battle to the host of Greece.<br /> +But, Hector! to the city thou depart;<br /> +There charge our mother, that she go direct,<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +With the assembled matrons, to the fane<br /> +Of Pallas in the citadel of Troy.<br /> +Opening her chambers’ sacred doors, of all<br /> +Her treasured mantles there, let her select<br /> +The widest, most magnificently wrought,<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +And which she values most; <i>that</i> let her spread<br /> +On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-7">[7]</a><br /> +Twelve heifers of the year yet never touch’d<br /> +With puncture of the goad, let her alike<br /> +Devote to her, if she will pity Troy,<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Our wives and little ones, and will avert<br /> +The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,<br /> +That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host,<br /> +Bravest, in my account, of all the Greeks.<br /> +For never yet Achilles hath himself<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +So taught our people fear, although esteemed<br /> +Son of a Goddess. But this warrior’s rage<br /> +Is boundless, and his strength past all compare.</p> +<p>So Helenus; nor Hector not complied.<br /> +Down from his chariot instant to the ground<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +All arm’d he leap’d, and, shaking his sharp spears,<br /> +Through every phalanx pass’d, rousing again<br /> +Their courage, and rekindling horrid war.<br /> +They, turning, faced the Greeks; the Greeks repulsed,<br /> +Ceased from all carnage, nor supposed they less<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Than that some Deity, the starry skies<br /> +Forsaken, help’d their foes, so firm they stood.<br /> +But Hector to the Trojans call’d aloud.<br /> +Ye dauntless Trojans and confederate powers<br /> +Call’d from afar! now be ye men, my friends,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Now summon all the fury of your might!<br /> +I go to charge our senators and wives<br /> +That they address the Gods with prayers and vows<br /> +For our success, and hecatombs devote.</p> +<p>So saying the Hero went, and as he strode<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +The sable hide that lined his bossy shield<br /> +Smote on his neck and on his ancle-bone.</p> +<p>And now into the middle space between<br /> +Both hosts, the son of Tydeus and the son<br /> +Moved of Hippolochus, intent alike<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +On furious combat; face to face they stood,<br /> +And thus heroic Diomede began.</p> +<p>Most noble Champion! who of human kind<br /> +Art thou,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-8">[8]</a> whom in the man-ennobling fight<br /> +I now encounter first? Past all thy peers<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +I must esteem thee valiant, who hast dared<br /> +To meet my coming, and my spear defy.<br /> +Ah! they are sons of miserable sires<br /> +Who dare my might; but if a God from heaven<br /> +Thou come, behold! I fight not with the Gods.<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +That war Lycurgus son of Dryas waged,<br /> +And saw not many years. The nurses he<br /> +Of brain-disturbing Bacchus down the steep<br /> +Pursued of sacred Nyssa; they their wands<br /> +Vine-wreathed cast all away, with an ox-goad<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Chastised by fell Lycurgus. Bacchus plunged<br /> +Meantime dismay’d into the deep, where him<br /> +Trembling, and at the Hero’s haughty threats<br /> +Confounded, Thetis in her bosom hid.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-9">[9]</a><br /> +Thus by Lycurgus were the blessed powers<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Of heaven offended, and Saturnian Jove<br /> +Of sight bereaved him, who not long that loss<br /> +Survived, for he was curst by all above.<br /> +I, therefore, wage no contest with the Gods;<br /> +But if thou be of men, and feed on bread<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Of earthly growth, draw nigh, that with a stroke<br /> +Well-aim’d, I may at once cut short thy days.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-10">[10]</a></p> +<p>To whom the illustrious Lycian Chief replied.<br /> +Why asks brave Diomede of my descent?<br /> +For, as the leaves, such is the race of man.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-11">[11]</a><span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +The wind shakes down the leaves, the budding grove<br /> +Soon teems with others, and in spring they grow.<br /> +So pass mankind. One generation meets<br /> +Its destined period, and a new succeeds.<br /> +But since thou seem’st desirous to be taught<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +My pedigree, whereof no few have heard,<br /> +Know that in Argos, in the very lap<br /> +Of Argos, for her steed-grazed meadows famed,<br /> +Stands Ephyra;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-12">[12]</a> there Sisyphus abode,<br /> +Shrewdest of human kind; Sisyphus, named<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Æolides. Himself a son begat,<br /> +Glaucus, and he Bellerophon, to whom<br /> +The Gods both manly force and beauty gave.<br /> +Him Prœtus (for in Argos at that time<br /> +Prœtus was sovereign, to whose sceptre Jove<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Had subjected the land) plotting his death,<br /> +Contrived to banish from his native home.<br /> +For fair Anteia, wife of Prœtus, mad<br /> +Through love of young Bellerophon, him oft<br /> +In secret to illicit joys enticed;<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +But she prevail’d not o’er the virtuous mind<br /> +Discrete of whom she wooed; therefore a lie<br /> +Framing, she royal Prœtus thus bespake.</p> +<p>Die thou, or slay Bellerophon, who sought<br /> +Of late to force me to his lewd embrace.<span class="lnm">200</span></p> +<p>So saying, the anger of the King she roused.<br /> +Slay him himself he would not, for his heart<br /> +Forbad the deed; him therefore he dismiss’d<br /> +To Lycia, charged with tales of dire import<br /> +Written in tablets,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-13">[13]</a> which he bade him show,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +That he might perish, to Anteia’s sire.<br /> +To Lycia then, conducted by the Gods,<br /> +He went, and on the shores of Xanthus found<br /> +Free entertainment noble at the hands<br /> +Of Lycia’s potent King. Nine days complete<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +He feasted him, and slew each day an ox.<br /> +But when the tenth day’s ruddy morn appear’d,<br /> +He asked him then his errand, and to see<br /> +Those written tablets from his son-in-law.<br /> +The letters seen, he bade him, first, destroy<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Chimæra, deem’d invincible, divine<br /> +In nature, alien from the race of man,<br /> +Lion in front, but dragon all behind,<br /> +And in the midst a she-goat breathing forth<br /> +Profuse the violence of flaming fire.<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +Her, confident in signs from heaven, he slew.<br /> +Next, with the men of Solymæ<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-14">[14]</a> he fought,<br /> +Brave warriors far renown’d, with whom he waged,<br /> +In his account, the fiercest of his wars.<br /> +And lastly, when in battle he had slain<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +The man-resisting Amazons, the king<br /> +Another stratagem at his return<br /> +Devised against him, placing close-conceal’d<br /> +An ambush for him from the bravest chosen<br /> +In Lycia; but they saw their homes no more;<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Bellerophon the valiant slew them all.<br /> +The monarch hence collecting, at the last,<br /> +His heavenly origin, him there detain’d,<br /> +And gave him his own daughter, with the half<br /> +Of all his royal dignity and power.<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +The Lycians also, for his proper use,<br /> +Large lot assigned him of their richest soil,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-15">[15]</a><br /> +Commodious for the vine, or for the plow.<br /> +And now his consort fair three children bore<br /> +To bold Bellerophon; Isandrus one,<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +And one, Hippolochus; his youngest born<br /> +Laodamia was for beauty such<br /> +That she became a concubine of Jove.<br /> +She bore Sarpedon of heroic note.<br /> +But when Bellerophon, at last, himself<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Had anger’d all the Gods, feeding on grief<br /> +He roam’d alone the Aleian field, exiled,<br /> +By choice, from every cheerful haunt of man.<br /> +Mars, thirsty still for blood, his son destroy’d<br /> +Isandrus, warring with the host renown’d<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Of Solymæ; and in her wrath divine<br /> +Diana from her chariot golden-rein’d<br /> +Laodamia slew. Myself I boast<br /> +Sprung from Hippolochus; he sent me forth<br /> +To fight for Troy, charging me much and oft<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +That I should outstrip always all mankind<br /> +In worth and valor, nor the house disgrace<br /> +Of my forefathers, heroes without peer<br /> +In Ephyra, and in Lycia’s wide domain.<br /> +Such is my lineage; such the blood I boast.<span class="lnm">260</span></p> +<p>He ceased. Then valiant Diomede rejoiced.<br /> +He pitch’d his spear, and to the Lycian Prince<br /> +In terms of peace and amity replied.</p> +<p>Thou art my own hereditary friend,<br /> +Whose noble grandsire was the guest of mine.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-16">[16]</a><span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +For Oeneus, on a time, full twenty days<br /> +Regaled Bellerophon, and pledges fair<br /> +Of hospitality they interchanged.<br /> +Oeneus a belt radiant with purple gave<br /> +To brave Bellerophon, who in return<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Gave him a golden goblet. Coming forth<br /> +I left the kind memorial safe at home.<br /> +A child was I when Tydeus went to Thebes,<br /> +Where the Achaians perish’d, and of him<br /> +Hold no remembrance; but henceforth, my friend,<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Thine host am I in Argos, and thou mine<br /> +In Lycia, should I chance to sojourn there.<br /> +We will not clash. Trojans or aids of Troy<br /> +No few the Gods shall furnish to my spear,<br /> +Whom I may slaughter; and no want of Greeks<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +On whom to prove thy prowess, thou shalt find.<br /> +But it were well that an exchange ensued<br /> +Between us; take mine armor, give me thine,<br /> +That all who notice us may understand<br /> +Our patrimonial<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-17">[17]</a> amity and love.<span class="lnm">285</span></p> +<p>So they, and each alighting, hand in hand<br /> +Stood lock’d, faith promising and firm accord.<br /> +Then Jove of sober judgment so bereft<br /> +Infatuate Glaucus that with Tydeus’ son<br /> +He barter’d gold for brass, an hundred beeves<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +In value, for the value small of nine.</p> +<p>But Hector at the Scæan gate and beech<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-18">[18]</a><br /> +Meantime arrived, to whose approach the wives<br /> +And daughters flock’d of Troy, inquiring each<br /> +The fate of husband, brother, son, or friend.<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +He bade them all with solemn prayer the Gods<br /> +Seek fervent, for that wo was on the wing.</p> +<p>But when he enter’d Priam’s palace, built<br /> +With splendid porticoes, and which within<br /> +Had fifty chambers lined with polish’d stone,<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Contiguous all, where Priam’s sons reposed<br /> +And his sons’ wives, and where, on the other side.<br /> +In twelve magnificent chambers also lined<br /> +With polish’d marble and contiguous all,<br /> +The sons-in-law of Priam lay beside<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +His spotless daughters, there the mother queen<br /> +Seeking the chamber of Laodice,<br /> +Loveliest of all her children, as she went<br /> +Met Hector. On his hand she hung and said:</p> +<p>Why leavest thou, O my son! the dangerous field?<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +I fear that the Achaians (hateful name!)<br /> +Compass the walls so closely, that thou seek’st<br /> +Urged by distress the citadel, to lift<br /> +Thine hands in prayer to Jove? But pause awhile<br /> +Till I shall bring thee wine, that having pour’d<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +Libation rich to Jove and to the powers<br /> +Immortal, thou may’st drink and be refresh’d.<br /> +For wine is mighty to renew the strength<br /> +Of weary man, and weary thou must be<br /> +Thyself, thus long defending us and ours.<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +To whom her son majestic thus replied.</p> +<p>My mother, whom I reverence! cheering wine<br /> +Bring none to me, lest I forget my might.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-19">[19]</a><br /> +I fear, beside, with unwash’d hands to pour<br /> +Libation forth of sable wine to Jove,<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +And dare on none account, thus blood-defiled,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-20">[20]</a><br /> +Approach the tempest-stirring God in prayer.<br /> +Thou, therefore, gathering all our matrons, seek<br /> +The fane of Pallas, huntress of the spoil,<br /> +Bearing sweet incense; but from the attire<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Treasured within thy chamber, first select<br /> +The amplest robe, most exquisitely wrought,<br /> +And which thou prizest most—then spread the gift<br /> +On Athenæan Pallas’ lap divine.<br /> +Twelve heifers also of the year, untouch’d<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +With puncture of the goad, promise to slay<br /> +In sacrifice, if she will pity Troy,<br /> +Our wives and little ones, and will avert<br /> +The son of Tydeus from these sacred towers,<br /> +That dreadful Chief, terror of all our host.<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Go then, my mother, seek the hallowed fane<br /> +Of the spoil-huntress Deity. I, the while,<br /> +Seek Paris, and if Paris yet can hear,<br /> +Shall call him forth. But oh that earth would yawn<br /> +And swallow him, whom Jove hath made a curse<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +To Troy, to Priam, and to all his house;<br /> +Methinks, to see him plunged into the shades<br /> +For ever, were a cure for all my woes.</p> +<p>He ceased; the Queen, her palace entering, charged<br /> +Her maidens; they, incontinent, throughout<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +All Troy convened the matrons, as she bade.<br /> +Meantime into her wardrobe incense-fumed,<br /> +Herself descended; there her treasures lay,<br /> +Works of Sidonian women,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-21">[21]</a> whom her son<br /> +The godlike Paris, when he cross’d the seas<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +With Jove-begotten Helen, brought to Troy.<br /> +The most magnificent, and varied most<br /> +With colors radiant, from the rest she chose<br /> +For Pallas; vivid as a star it shone,<br /> +And lowest lay of all. Then forth she went,<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +The Trojan matrons all following her steps.</p> +<p>But when the long procession reach’d the fane<br /> +Of Pallas in the heights of Troy, to them<br /> +The fair Theano ope’d the portals wide,<br /> +Daughter of Cisseus, brave Antenor’s spouse,<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +And by appointment public, at that time,<br /> +Priestess of Pallas. All with lifted hands<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-22">[22]</a><br /> +In presence of Minerva wept aloud.<br /> +Beauteous Theano on the Goddess’ lap<br /> +Then spread the robe, and to the daughter fair<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Of Jove omnipotent her suit address’d.</p> +<p>Goddess<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-23">[23]</a> of Goddesses, our city’s shield,<br /> +Adored Minerva, hear! oh! break the lance<br /> +Of Diomede, and give himself to fall<br /> +Prone in the dust before the Scæan gate.<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +So will we offer to thee at thy shrine,<br /> +This day twelve heifers of the year, untouch’d<br /> +By yoke or goad, if thou wilt pity show<br /> +To Troy, and save our children and our wives.</p> +<p>Such prayer the priestess offer’d, and such prayer<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +All present; whom Minerva heard averse.<br /> +But Hector to the palace sped meantime<br /> +Of Alexander, which himself had built,<br /> +Aided by every architect of name<br /> +Illustrious then in Troy. Chamber it had,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Wide hall, proud dome, and on the heights of Troy<br /> +Near-neighboring Hector’s house and Priam’s stood.<br /> +There enter’d Hector, Jove-beloved, a spear<br /> +Its length eleven cubits in his hand,<br /> +Its glittering head bound with a ring of gold.<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +He found within his chamber whom he sought,<br /> +Polishing with exactest care his arms<br /> +Resplendent, shield and hauberk fingering o’er<br /> +With curious touch, and tampering with his bow.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-24">[24]</a><br /> +Helen of Argos with her female train<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Sat occupied, the while, to each in turn<br /> +Some splendid task assigning. Hector fix’d<br /> +His eyes on Paris, and him stern rebuked.</p> +<p>Thy sullen humors, Paris, are ill-timed.<br /> +The people perish at our lofty walls;<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +The flames of war have compass’d Troy around<br /> +And thou hast kindled them; who yet thyself<br /> +That slackness show’st which in another seen<br /> +Thou would’st resent to death. Haste, seek the field<br /> +This moment, lest, the next, all Ilium blaze.<span class="lnm">405</span></p> +<p>To whom thus Paris, graceful as a God.<br /> +Since, Hector, thou hast charged me with a fault,<br /> +And not unjustly, I will answer make,<br /> +And give thou special heed. That here I sit,<br /> +The cause is sorrow, which I wish’d to soothe<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +In secret, not displeasure or revenge.<br /> +I tell thee also, that even now my wife<br /> +Was urgent with me in most soothing terms<br /> +That I would forth to battle; and myself,<br /> +Aware that victory oft changes sides,<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +That course prefer. Wait, therefore, thou awhile,<br /> +Till I shall dress me for the fight, or go<br /> +Thou first, and I will overtake thee soon.</p> +<p>He ceased, to whom brave Hector answer none<br /> +Return’d, when Helen him with lenient speech<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Accosted mild.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-25">[25]</a> My brother! who in me<br /> +Hast found a sister worthy of thy hate,<br /> +Authoress of all calamity to Troy,<br /> +Oh that the winds, the day when I was born,<br /> +Had swept me out of sight, whirl’d me aloft<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +To some inhospitable mountain-top,<br /> +Or plunged me in the deep; there I had sunk<br /> +O’erwhelm’d, and all these ills had never been.<br /> +But since the Gods would bring these ills to pass,<br /> +I should, at least, some worthier mate have chosen,<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +One not insensible to public shame.<br /> +But this, oh this, nor hath nor will acquire<br /> +Hereafter, aught which like discretion shows<br /> +Or reason, and shall find his just reward.<br /> +But enter; take this seat; for who as thou<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Labors, or who hath cause like thee to rue<br /> +The crime, my brother, for which Heaven hath doom’d<br /> +Both Paris and my most detested self<br /> +To be the burthens of an endless song?</p> +<p>To whom the warlike Hector huge<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-26">[26]</a> replied.<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Me bid not, Helen, to a seat, howe’er<br /> +Thou wish my stay, for thou must not prevail.<br /> +The Trojans miss me, and myself no less<br /> +Am anxious to return. But urge in haste<br /> +This loiterer forth; yea, let him urge himself<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +To overtake me ere I quit the town.<br /> +For I must home in haste, that I may see<br /> +My loved Andromache, my infant boy,<br /> +And my domestics, ignorant if e’er<br /> +I shall behold them more, or if my fate<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Ordain me now to fall by Grecian hands.</p> +<p>So spake the dauntless hero, and withdrew.<br /> +But reaching soon his own well-built abode<br /> +He found not fair Andromache; she stood<br /> +Lamenting Hector, with the nurse who bore<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Her infant, on a turret’s top sublime.<br /> +He then, not finding his chaste spouse within,<br /> +Thus from the portal, of her train inquired.</p> +<p>Tell me, ye maidens, whither went from home<br /> +Andromache the fair?<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-27">[27]</a> Went she to see<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Her female kindred of my father’s house,<br /> +Or to Minerva’s temple, where convened<br /> +The bright-hair’d matrons of the city seek<br /> +To soothe the awful Goddess? Tell me true.</p> +<p>To whom his household’s governess discreet.<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Since, Hector, truth is thy demand, receive<br /> +True answer. Neither went she forth to see<br /> +Her female kindred of thy father’s house,<br /> +Nor to Minerva’s temple, where convened<br /> +The bright-haired matrons of the city seek<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +To soothe the awful Goddess; but she went<br /> +Hence to the tower of Troy: for she had heard<br /> +That the Achaians had prevail’d, and driven<br /> +The Trojans to the walls; she, therefore, wild<br /> +With grief, flew thither, and the nurse her steps<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Attended, with thy infant in her arms.</p> +<p>So spake the prudent governess; whose words<br /> +When Hector heard, issuing from his door<br /> +He backward trod with hasty steps the streets<br /> +Of lofty Troy, and having traversed all<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +The spacious city, when he now approach’d<br /> +The Scæan gate, whence he must seek the field,<br /> +There, hasting home again his noble wife<br /> +Met him, Andromache the rich-endow’d<br /> +Fair daughter of Eëtion famed in arms.<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Eëtion, who in Hypoplacian Thebes<br /> +Umbrageous dwelt, Cilicia’s mighty lord—<br /> +His daughter valiant Hector had espoused.<br /> +There she encounter’d him, and with herself<br /> +The nurse came also, bearing in her arms<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Hectorides, his infant darling boy,<br /> +Beautiful as a star. Him Hector called<br /> +Scamandrios, but Astyanax<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-28">[28]</a> all else<br /> +In Ilium named him, for that Hector’s arm<br /> +Alone was the defence and strength of Troy.<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +The father, silent, eyed his babe, and smiled.<br /> +Andromache, meantime, before him stood,<br /> +With streaming cheeks, hung on his hand, and said.</p> +<p>Thy own great courage will cut short thy days,<br /> +My noble Hector! neither pitiest thou<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Thy helpless infant, or my hapless self,<br /> +Whose widowhood is near; for thou wilt fall<br /> +Ere long, assail’d by the whole host of Greece.<br /> +Then let me to the tomb, my best retreat<br /> +When thou art slain. For comfort none or joy<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Can I expect, thy day of life extinct,<br /> +But thenceforth, sorrow. Father I have none;<br /> +No mother. When Cilicia’s city, Thebes<br /> +The populous, was by Achilles sack’d.<br /> +He slew my father; yet his gorgeous arms<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Stripp’d not through reverence of him, but consumed,<br /> +Arm’d as it was, his body on the pile,<br /> +And heap’d his tomb, which the Oreades,<br /> +Jove’s daughters, had with elms inclosed around.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-29">[29]</a><br /> +My seven brothers, glory of our house,<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +All in one day descended to the shades;<br /> +For brave Achilles,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-30">[30]</a> while they fed their herds<br /> +And snowy flocks together, slew them all.<br /> +My mother, Queen of the well-wooded realm<br /> +Of Hypoplacian Thebes, her hither brought<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Among his other spoils, he loosed again<br /> +At an inestimable ransom-price,<br /> +But by Diana pierced, she died at home.<br /> +Yet Hector—oh my husband! I in thee<br /> +Find parents, brothers, all that I have lost.<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Come! have compassion on us. Go not hence,<br /> +But guard this turret, lest of me thou make<br /> +A widow, and an orphan of thy boy.<br /> +The city walls are easiest of ascent<br /> +At yonder fig-tree; station there thy powers;<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +For whether by a prophet warn’d, or taught<br /> +By search and observation, in that part<br /> +Each Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete,<br /> +The sons of Atreus, and the valiant son<br /> +Of Tydeus, have now thrice assail’d the town.<span class="lnm">535</span></p> +<p>To whom the leader of the host of Troy.</p> +<p>These cares, Andromache, which thee engage,<br /> +All touch me also; but I dread to incur<br /> +The scorn of male and female tongues in Troy,<br /> +If, dastard-like, I should decline the fight.<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Nor feel I such a wish. No. I have learn’d<br /> +To be courageous ever, in the van<br /> +Among the flower of Ilium to assert<br /> +My glorious father’s honor, and my own.<br /> +For that the day shall come when sacred Troy,<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +When Priam, and the people of the old<br /> +Spear-practised King shall perish, well I know.<br /> +But for no Trojan sorrows yet to come<br /> +So much I mourn, not e’en for Hecuba,<br /> +Nor yet for Priam, nor for all the brave<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Of my own brothers who shall kiss the dust,<br /> +As for thyself, when some Achaian Chief<br /> +Shall have convey’d thee weeping hence, thy sun<br /> +Of peace and liberty for ever set.<br /> +Then shalt thou toil in Argos at the loom<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +For a task-mistress, and constrain’d shalt draw<br /> +From Hypereïa’s fount,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-31">[31]</a> or from the fount<br /> +Messeïs, water at her proud command.<br /> +Some Grecian then, seeing thy tears, shall say—<br /> +“This was the wife of Hector, who excell’d<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +All Troy in fight when Ilium was besieged.”<br /> +Such he shall speak thee, and thy heart, the while,<br /> +Shall bleed afresh through want of such a friend<br /> +To stand between captivity and thee.<br /> +But may I rest beneath my hill of earth<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Or ere that day arrive! I would not live<br /> +To hear thy cries, and see thee torn away.</p> +<p>So saying, illustrious Hector stretch’d his arms<br /> +Forth to his son, but with a scream, the child<br /> +Fell back into the bosom of his nurse,<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +His father’s aspect dreading, whose bright arms<br /> +He had attentive mark’d and shaggy crest<br /> +Playing tremendous o’er his helmet’s height.<br /> +His father and his gentle mother laugh’d,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-32">[32]</a><br /> +And noble Hector lifting from his head<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +His dazzling helmet, placed it on the ground,<br /> +Then kiss’d his boy and dandled him, and thus<br /> +In earnest prayer the heavenly powers implored.</p> +<p>Hear all ye Gods! as ye have given to me,<br /> +So also on my son excelling might<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Bestow, with chief authority in Troy.<br /> +And be his record this, in time to come,<br /> +When he returns from battle. Lo! how far<br /> +The son excels the sire! May every foe<br /> +Fall under him, and he come laden home<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +With spoils blood-stain’d to his dear mother’s joy.</p> +<p>He said, and gave his infant to the arms<br /> +Of his Andromache, who him received<br /> +Into her fragrant bosom, bitter tears<br /> +With sweet smiles mingling; he with pity moved<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +That sight observed, soft touch’d her cheek, and said,</p> +<p>Mourn not, my loved Andromache, for me<br /> +Too much; no man shall send me to the shades<br /> +Of Tartarus, ere mine allotted hour,<br /> +Nor lives he who can overpass the date<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +By heaven assign’d him, be he base or brave.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-33">[33]</a><br /> +Go then, and occupy content at home<br /> +The woman’s province; ply the distaff, spin<br /> +And weave, and task thy maidens. War belongs<br /> +To man; to all men; and of all who first<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Drew vital breath in Ilium, most to me.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_6-34">[34]</a></p> +<p> +He ceased, and from the ground his helmet raised<br /> +Hair-crested; his Andromache, at once<br /> +Obedient, to her home repair’d, but oft<br /> +Turn’d as she went, and, turning, wept afresh.<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +No sooner at the palace she arrived<br /> +Of havoc-spreading Hector, than among<br /> +Her numerous maidens found within, she raised<br /> +A general lamentation; with one voice,<br /> +In his own house, his whole domestic train<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Mourn’d Hector, yet alive; for none the hope<br /> +Conceived of his escape from Grecian hands,<br /> +Or to behold their living master more.</p> +<p>Nor Paris in his stately mansion long<br /> +Delay’d, but, arm’d resplendent, traversed swift<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +The city, all alacrity and joy.<br /> +As some stall’d horse high-fed, his stable-cord<br /> +Snapt short, beats under foot the sounding plain,<br /> +Accustomed in smooth-sliding streams to lave<br /> +Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Undulates o’er his shoulders, pleased he eyes<br /> +His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees<br /> +Shoots to the meadow where his fellows graze;<br /> +So Paris, son of Priam, from the heights<br /> +Of Pergamus into the streets of Troy,<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +All dazzling as the sun, descended, flush’d<br /> +With martial pride, and bounding in his course.<br /> +At once he came where noble Hector stood<br /> +Now turning, after conference with his spouse,<br /> +When godlike Alexander thus began.<span class="lnm">630</span></p> +<p>My hero brother, thou hast surely found<br /> +My long delay most irksome. More dispatch<br /> +Had pleased thee more, for such was thy command.</p> +<p>To whom the warlike Hector thus replied.<br /> +No man, judicious, and in feat of arms<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Intelligent, would pour contempt on thee<br /> +(For thou art valiant) wert thou not remiss<br /> +And wilful negligent; and when I hear<br /> +The very men who labor in thy cause<br /> +Reviling thee, I make thy shame my own.<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +But let us on. All such complaints shall cease<br /> +Hereafter, and thy faults be touch’d no more,<br /> +Let Jove but once afford us riddance clear<br /> +Of these Achaians, and to quaff the cup<br /> +Of liberty, before the living Gods.<span class="lnm">645</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>It may be observed, that Hector begins to resume his hope of success, and +his warlike spirit is roused again, as he approaches the field of action. The +depressing effect of his sad interview is wearing away from his mind, and +he is already prepared for the battle with Ajax, which awaits him.</p> + +<p>The student who has once read this book, will read it again and again. +It contains much that is addressed to the deepest feelings of our common +nature, and, despite of the long interval of time which lies between our age +and the Homeric—despite the manifold changes of customs, habits, pursuits, +and the advances that have been made in civilization and art—despite of all +these, the universal spirit of humanity will recognize in these scenes much +of that true poetry which delights alike all ages, all nations, all men.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p> + + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book07"></a>BOOK VII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="ctr">Ajax and Hector engage in single combat. The Grecians fortify their +camp.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK VII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">So saying, illustrious Hector through the gates<br /> +To battle rush’d, with Paris at his side,<br /> +And both were bent on deeds of high renown.<br /> +As when the Gods vouchsafe propitious gales<br /> +To longing mariners, who with smooth oars<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Threshing the waves have all their strength consumed,<br /> +So them the longing Trojans glad received.</p> +<p>At once each slew a Grecian. Paris slew<br /> +Menesthius who in Arna dwelt, the son<br /> +Of Areithoüs, club-bearing chief,<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +And of Philomedusa radiant-eyed.<br /> +But Hector wounded with his glittering spear<br /> +Eïoneus; he pierced his neck beneath<br /> +His brazen morion’s verge, and dead he fell.<br /> +Then Glaucus, leader of the Lycian host,<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Son of Hippolochus, in furious fight<br /> +Iphinoüs son of Dexias assail’d,<br /> +Mounting his rapid mares, and with his lance<br /> +His shoulder pierced; unhorsed he fell and died.</p> +<p>Such slaughter of the Grecians in fierce fight<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Minerva noting, from the Olympian hills<br /> +Flew down to sacred Ilium; whose approach<br /> +Marking from Pergamus, Apollo flew<br /> +To meet her, ardent on the part of Troy.<br /> +Beneath the beech they join’d, when first the King,<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +The son of Jove, Apollo thus began.</p> +<p> +Daughter of Jove supreme! why hast thou left<br /> +Olympus, and with such impetuous speed?<br /> +Comest thou to give the Danaï success<br /> +Decisive? For I know that pity none<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Thou feel’st for Trojans, perish as they may<br /> +But if advice of mine can influence thee<br /> +To that which shall be best, let us compose<br /> +This day the furious fight which shall again<br /> +Hereafter rage, till Ilium be destroy’d.<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Since such is Juno’s pleasure and thy own.</p> +<p>Him answer’d then Pallas cærulean-eyed.<br /> +Celestial archer! be it so. I came<br /> +Myself so purposing into the field<br /> +From the Olympian heights. But by what means<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Wilt thou induce the warriors to a pause?</p> +<p>To whom the King, the son of Jove, replied.<br /> +The courage of equestrian Hector bold<br /> +Let us excite, that he may challenge forth<br /> +To single conflict terrible some chief<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Achaian. The Achaians brazen-mail’d<br /> +Indignant, will supply a champion soon<br /> +To combat with the noble Chief of Troy.</p> +<p>So spake Apollo, and his counsel pleased<br /> +Minerva; which when Helenus the seer,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Priam’s own son, in his prophetic soul<br /> +Perceived, approaching Hector, thus he spake.</p> +<p>Jove’s peer in wisdom, Hector, Priam’s son!<br /> +I am thy brother. Wilt thou list to me?<br /> +Bid cease the battle. Bid both armies sit.<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Call first, thyself, the mightiest of the Greeks<br /> +To single conflict. I have heard the voice<br /> +Of the Eternal Gods, and well-assured<br /> +Foretell thee that thy death not now impends.</p> +<p>He spake, whom Hector heard with joy elate.<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Before his van striding into the space<br /> +Both hosts between, he with his spear transverse<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-1">[1]</a><br /> +Press’d back the Trojans, and they sat. Down sat<br /> +The well-greaved Grecians also at command<br /> +Of Agamemnon; and in shape assumed<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Of vultures, Pallas and Apollo perch’d<br /> +High on the lofty beech sacred to Jove<br /> +The father Ægis-arm’d; delighted thence<br /> +They view’d the peopled plain horrent around<br /> +With shields and helms and glittering spears erect.<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +As when fresh-blowing Zephyrus the flood<br /> +Sweeps first, the ocean blackens at the blast,<br /> +Such seem’d the plain whereon the Achaians sat<br /> +And Trojans, whom between thus Hector spake.</p> +<p>Ye Trojans and Achaians brazen-greaved,<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Attend while I shall speak! Jove high-enthroned<br /> +Hath not fulfill’d the truce, but evil plans<br /> +Against both hosts, till either ye shall take<br /> +Troy’s lofty towers, or shall yourselves in flight<br /> +Fall vanquish’d at your billow-cleaving barks.<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +With you is all the flower of Greece.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-2">[2]</a> Let him<br /> +Whose heart shall move him to encounter sole<br /> +Illustrious Hector, from among you all<br /> +Stand forth, and Jove be witness to us both.<br /> +If he, with his long-pointed lance, of life<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Shall me bereave, my armor is his prize,<br /> +Which he shall hence into your fleet convey;<br /> +Not so my body; that he shall resign<br /> +For burial to the men and wives of Troy.<br /> +But if Apollo make the glory mine,<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +And he fall vanquish’d, him will I despoil,<br /> +And hence conveying into sacred Troy<br /> +His arms, will in the temple hang them high<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-3">[3]</a><br /> +Of the bow-bender God, but I will send<br /> +His body to the fleet, that him the Greeks<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +May grace with rights funereal. On the banks<br /> +Of wide-spread Hellespont ye shall upraise<br /> +His tomb, and as they cleave with oary barks<br /> +The sable deep, posterity shall say—<br /> +“It is a warrior’s tomb; in ancient days<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +The Hero died; him warlike Hector slew.”<br /> +So men shall speak hereafter, and my fame<br /> +Who slew him, and my praise, shall never die.</p> +<p>He ceased, and all sat mute. His challenge bold<br /> +None dared accept, which yet they blush’d to shun,<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Till Menelaus, at the last, arose<br /> +Groaning profound, and thus reproach’d the Greeks.</p> +<p>Ah boasters! henceforth women—men no more—<br /> +Eternal shame, shame infinite is ours,<br /> +If none of all the Grecians dares contend<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +With Hector. Dastards—deaf to glory’s call—<br /> +Rot where ye sit! I will myself take arms<br /> +Against him, for the gods alone dispose,<br /> +At their own pleasure, the events of war.</p> +<p>He ended, and put on his radiant arms.<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Then, Menelaus, manifest appear’d<br /> +Thy death approaching by the dreadful hands<br /> +Of Hector, mightier far in arms than thou,<br /> +But that the Chiefs of the Achaians all<br /> +Upstarting stay’d thee, and himself the King,<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +The son of Atreus, on thy better hand<br /> +Seizing affectionate, thee thus address’d.</p> +<p>Thou ravest, my royal brother! and art seized<br /> +With needless frenzy. But, however chafed,<br /> +Restrain thy wrath, nor covet to contend<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +With Priameian Hector, whom in fight<br /> +All dread, a warrior thy superior far.<br /> +Not even Achilles, in the glorious field<br /> +(Though stronger far than thou) this hero meets<br /> +Undaunted. Go then, and thy seat resume<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +In thy own band; the Achaians shall for him,<br /> +Doubtless, some fitter champion furnish forth.<br /> +Brave though he be, and with the toils of war<br /> +Insatiable, he shall be willing yet,<br /> +Seated on his bent knees, to breathe a while,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Should he escape the arduous brunt severe.</p> +<p>So saying, the hero by his counsel wise<br /> +His brother’s purpose alter’d; he complied,<br /> +And his glad servants eased him of his arms.<br /> +Then Nestor thus the Argive host bespake.<span class="lnm">140</span></p> +<p>Great wo, ye Gods! hath on Achaia fallen.<br /> +Now may the warlike Pelaus, hoary Chief,<br /> +Who both with eloquence and wisdom rules<br /> +The Myrmidons, our foul disgrace deplore.<br /> +With him discoursing, erst, of ancient times,<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +When all your pedigrees I traced, I made<br /> +His heart bound in him at the proud report.<br /> +But now, when he shall learn how here we sat<br /> +Cowering at the foot of Hector, he shall oft<br /> +His hands uplift to the immortal Gods,<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Praying a swift release into the shades.<br /> +Jove! Pallas! Phœbus! Oh that I were young<br /> +As when the Pylians in fierce fight engaged<br /> +The Arcadians spear-expert, beside the stream<br /> +Of rapid Celadon! Beneath the walls<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +We fought of Pheia, where the Jardan rolls.<br /> +There Ereuthalion, Chief of godlike form,<br /> +Stood forth before his van, and with loud voice<br /> +Defied the Pylians. Arm’d he was in steel<br /> +By royal Areïthous whilom worn;<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Brave Areïthous, Corynetes<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-4">[4]</a> named<br /> +By every tongue; for that in bow and spear<br /> +Nought trusted he, but with an iron mace<br /> +The close-embattled phalanx shatter’d wide.<br /> +Him by address, not by superior force,<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Lycurgus vanquish’d, in a narrow pass,<br /> +Where him his iron whirl-bat<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-5">[5]</a> nought avail’d.<br /> +Lycurgus stealing on him, with his lance<br /> +Transpierced and fix’d him to the soil supine.<br /> +Him of his arms, bright gift of brazen Mars,<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +He stripp’d, which after, in the embattled field<br /> +Lycurgus wore himself, but, growing old,<br /> +Surrender’d them to Ereuthalion’s use<br /> +His armor-bearer, high in his esteem,<br /> +And Ereuthalion wore them on the day<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +When he defied our best. All hung their heads<br /> +And trembled; none dared meet him; till at last<br /> +With inborn courage warm’d, and nought dismayed,<br /> +Though youngest of them all, I undertook<br /> +That contest, and, by Pallas’ aid, prevail’d.<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +I slew the man in height and bulk all men<br /> +Surpassing, and much soil he cover’d slain.<br /> +Oh for the vigor of those better days!<br /> +Then should not Hector want a champion long,<br /> +Whose call to combat, ye, although the prime<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +And pride of all our land, seem slow to hear.</p> +<p>He spake reproachful, when at once arose<br /> +Nine heroes. Agamemnon, King of men,<br /> +Foremost arose; then Tydeus’ mighty son,<br /> +With either Ajax in fierce prowess clad;<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +The Cretan next, Idomeneus, with whom<br /> +Uprose Meriones his friend approved,<br /> +Terrible as the man-destroyer Mars.<br /> +Evæmon’s noble offspring next appear’d<br /> +Eurypylus; Andræmon’s son the next<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Thoas; and last, Ulysses, glorious Chief.<br /> +All these stood ready to engage in arms<br /> +With warlike Hector, when the ancient King,<br /> +Gerenian Nestor, thus his speech resumed.</p> +<p>Now cast the lot for all. Who wins the chance<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Shall yield Achaia service, and himself<br /> +Serve also, if successful he escape<br /> +This brunt of hostile hardiment severe.</p> +<p>So Nestor. They, inscribing each his lot,<br /> +Into the helmet cast it of the son<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Of Atreus, Agamemnon. Then the host<br /> +Pray’d all, their hands uplifting, and with eyes<br /> +To the wide heavens directed, many said<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-6">[6]</a>—</p> +<p>Eternal sire! choose Ajax, or the son<br /> +Of Tydeus, or the King himself<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-7">[7]</a> who sways<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +The sceptre in Mycenæ wealth-renown’d!</p> +<p>Such prayer the people made; then Nestor shook<br /> +The helmet, and forth leaped, whose most they wished,<br /> +The lot of Ajax. Throughout all the host<br /> +To every chief and potentate of Greece,<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +From right to left the herald bore the lot<br /> +By all disown’d; but when at length he reach’d<br /> +The inscriber of the lot, who cast it in,<br /> +Illustrious Ajax, in his open palm<br /> +The herald placed it, standing at his side.<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +He, conscious, with heroic joy the lot<br /> +Cast at his foot, and thus exclaim’d aloud.</p> +<p>My friends! the lot is mine,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-8">[8]</a> and my own heart<br /> +Rejoices also; for I nothing doubt<br /> +That noble Hector shall be foil’d by me.<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +But while I put mine armor on, pray all<br /> +In silence to the King Saturnian Jove,<br /> +Lest, while ye pray, the Trojans overhear.<br /> +Or pray aloud, for whom have we to dread?<br /> +No man shall my firm standing by his strength<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Unsettle, or for ignorance of mine<br /> +Me vanquish, who, I hope, brought forth and train’d<br /> +In Salamis, have, now, not much to learn.</p> +<p>He ended. They with heaven-directed eyes<br /> +The King in prayer address’d, Saturnian Jove.<span class="lnm">235</span></p> +<p>Jove! glorious father! who from Ida’s height<br /> +Controlest all below, let Ajax prove<br /> +Victorious; make the honor all his own!<br /> +Or, if not less than Ajax, Hector share<br /> +Thy love and thy regard, divide the prize<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Of glory, and let each achieve renown!</p> +<p>Then Ajax put his radiant armor on,<br /> +And, arm’d complete, rush’d forward. As huge Mars<br /> +To battle moves the sons of men between<br /> +Whom Jove with heart-devouring thirst inspires<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Of war, so moved huge Ajax to the fight,<br /> +Tower of the Greeks, dilating with a smile<br /> +His martial features terrible; on feet,<br /> +Firm-planted, to the combat he advanced<br /> +Stride after stride, and shook his quivering spear.<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Him viewing, Argos’ universal host<br /> +Exulted, while a panic loosed the knees<br /> +Of every Trojan; even Hector’s heart<br /> +Beat double, but escape for him remain’d<br /> +None now, or to retreat into his ranks<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Again, from whom himself had challenged forth.<br /> +Ajax advancing like a tower his shield<br /> +Sevenfold, approach’d. It was the labor’d work<br /> +Of Tychius, armorer of matchless skill,<br /> +Who dwelt in Hyla; coated with the hides<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Of seven high-pamper’d bulls that shield he framed<br /> +For Ajax, and the disk plated with brass.<br /> +Advancing it before his breast, the son<br /> +Of Telamon approach’d the Trojan Chief,<br /> +And face to face, him threatening, thus began.<span class="lnm">265</span></p> +<p>Now, Hector, prove, by me alone opposed,<br /> +What Chiefs the Danaï can furnish forth<br /> +In absence of the lion-hearted prince<br /> +Achilles, breaker of the ranks of war.<br /> +He, in his billow-cleaving barks incensed<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Against our leader Agamemnon, lies;<br /> +But warriors of my measure, who may serve<br /> +To cope with thee, we want not; numerous such<br /> +Are found amongst us. But begin the fight.</p> +<p>To whom majestic Hector fierce in arms.<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Ajax! heroic leader of the Greeks!<br /> +Offspring of Telamon! essay not me<br /> +With words to terrify, as I were boy.<br /> +Or girl unskill’d in war;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-9">[9]</a> I am a man<br /> +Well exercised in battle, who have shed<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +The blood of many a warrior, and have learn’d,<br /> +From hand to hand shifting my shield, to fight<br /> +Unwearied; I can make a sport of war,<br /> +In standing fight adjusting all my steps<br /> +To martial measures sweet, or vaulting light<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Into my chariot, thence can urge the foe.<br /> +Yet in contention with a Chief like thee<br /> +I will employ no stratagem, or seek<br /> +To smite thee privily, but with a stroke<br /> +(If I may reach thee) visible to all.<span class="lnm">290</span></p> +<p>So saying, he shook, then hurl’d his massy spear<br /> +At Ajax, and his broad shield sevenfold<br /> +On its eighth surface of resplendent brass<br /> +Smote full; six hides the unblunted weapon pierced,<br /> +But in the seventh stood rooted. Ajax, next,<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Heroic Chief, hurl’d his long shadow’d spear<br /> +And struck the oval shield of Priam’s son.<br /> +Through his bright disk the weapon tempest-driven<br /> +Glided, and in his hauberk-rings infixt<br /> +At his soft flank, ripp’d wide his vest within.<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Inclined oblique he ’scaped the dreadful doom<br /> +Then each from other’s shield his massy spear<br /> +Recovering quick, like lions hunger-pinch’d<br /> +Or wild boars irresistible in force,<br /> +They fell to close encounter. Priam’s son<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +The shield of Ajax at its centre smote,<br /> +But fail’d to pierce it, for he bent his point.<br /> +Sprang Ajax then, and meeting full the targe<br /> +Of Hector, shock’d him; through it and beyond<br /> +He urged the weapon with its sliding edge<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Athwart his neck, and blood was seen to start.<br /> +But still, for no such cause, from battle ceased<br /> +Crest-tossing Hector, but retiring, seized<br /> +A huge stone angled sharp and black with age<br /> +That on the champain lay. The bull-hide guard<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +Sevenfold of Ajax with that stone he smote<br /> +Full on its centre; sang the circling brass.<br /> +Then Ajax far a heavier stone upheaved;<br /> +He whirled it, and with might immeasurable<br /> +Dismiss’d the mass, which with a mill-stone weight<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Sank through the shield of Hector, and his knees<br /> +Disabled; with his shield supine he fell,<br /> +But by Apollo raised, stood soon again.<br /> +And now, with swords they had each other hewn,<br /> +Had not the messengers of Gods and men<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +The heralds wise, Idæus on the part<br /> +Of Ilium, and Talthybius for the Greeks,<br /> +Advancing interposed. His sceptre each<br /> +Between them held, and thus Idæus spake.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-10">[10]</a></p> +<p>My children, cease! prolong not still the fight.<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Ye both are dear to cloud-assembler Jove,<br /> +Both valiant, and all know it. But the Night<br /> +Hath fallen, and Night’s command must be obeyed.</p> +<p>To him the son of Telamon replied.<br /> +Idæus! bid thy master speak as thou.<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +He is the challenger. If such his choice,<br /> +Mine differs not; I wait but to comply.</p> +<p>Him answer’d then heroic Hector huge.<br /> +Since, Ajax, the immortal powers on thee<br /> +Have bulk pre-eminent and strength bestow’d,<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +With such address in battle, that the host<br /> +Of Greece hath not thine equal at the spear,<br /> +Now let the combat cease. We shall not want<br /> +More fair occasion; on some future day<br /> +We will not part till all-disposing heaven<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Shall give thee victory, or shall make her mine.<br /> +But Night hath fallen, and Night must be obey’d,<br /> +That them may’st gratify with thy return<br /> +The Achaians, and especially thy friends<br /> +And thy own countrymen. I go, no less<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +To exhilarate in Priam’s royal town<br /> +Men and robed matrons, who shall seek the Gods<br /> +For me, with pious ceremonial due.<br /> +But come. We will exchange, or ere we part,<br /> +Some princely gift, that Greece and Troy may say<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Hereafter, with soul-wasting rage they fought,<br /> +But parted with the gentleness of friends.</p> +<p>So saying, he with his sheath and belt a sword<br /> +Presented bright-emboss’d, and a bright belt<br /> +Purpureal<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-11">[11]</a> took from Ajax in return.<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Thus separated, one the Grecians sought,<br /> +And one the Trojans; they when him they saw<br /> +From the unconquer’d hands return’d alive<br /> +Of Ajax, with delight their Chief received,<br /> +And to the city led him, double joy<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Conceiving all at his unhoped escape.<br /> +On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d<br /> +To noble Agamemnon introduced<br /> +Exulting Ajax, and the King of men<br /> +In honor of the conqueror slew an ox<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Of the fifth year to Jove omnipotent.<br /> +Him flaying first, they carved him next and spread<br /> +The whole abroad, then, scoring deep the flesh,<br /> +They pierced it with the spits, and from the spits<br /> +(Once roasted well) withdrew it all again.<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Their labor thus accomplish’d, and the board<br /> +Furnish’d with plenteous cheer, they feasted all<br /> +Till all were satisfied; nor Ajax miss’d<br /> +The conqueror’s meed, to whom the hero-king<br /> +Wide-ruling Agamemnon, gave the chine<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-12">[12]</a><span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Perpetual,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_7-13">[13]</a> his distinguish’d portion due.<br /> +The calls of hunger and of thirst at length<br /> +Both well sufficed, thus, foremost of them all<br /> +The ancient Nestor, whose advice had oft<br /> +Proved salutary, prudent thus began.<span class="lnm">385</span></p> +<p>Chiefs of Achaia, and thou, chief of all,<br /> +Great Agamemnon! Many of our host<br /> +Lie slain, whose blood sprinkles, in battle shed,<br /> +The banks of smooth Scamander, and their souls<br /> +Have journey’d down into the realms of death.<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +To-morrow, therefore, let the battle pause<br /> +As need requires, and at the peep of day<br /> +With mules and oxen, wheel ye from all parts<br /> +The dead, that we may burn them near the fleet.<br /> +So, home to Greece returning, will we give<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +The fathers’ ashes to the children’s care.<br /> +Accumulating next, the pile around,<br /> +One common tomb for all, with brisk dispatch<br /> +We will upbuild for more secure defence<br /> +Of us and of our fleet, strong towers and tall<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Adjoining to the tomb, and every tower<br /> +Shall have its ponderous gate, commodious pass<br /> +Affording to the mounted charioteer.<br /> +And last, without those towers and at their foot,<br /> +Dig we a trench, which compassing around<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Our camp, both steeds and warriors shall exclude,<br /> +And all fierce inroad of the haughty foe.</p> +<p>So counsell’d he, whom every Chief approved.<br /> +In Troy meantime, at Priam’s gate beside<br /> +The lofty citadel, debate began<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +The assembled senators between, confused,<br /> +Clamorous, and with furious heat pursued,<br /> +When them Antenor, prudent, thus bespake.</p> +<p>Ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies of Troy,<br /> +My counsel hear! Delay not. Instant yield<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +To the Atridæ, hence to be convey’d,<br /> +Helen of Greece with all that is her own.<br /> +For charged with violated oaths we fight,<br /> +And hope I none conceive that aught by us<br /> +Design’d shall prosper, unless so be done.<span class="lnm">420</span></p> +<p>He spake and sat; when from his seat arose<br /> +Paris, fair Helen’s noble paramour,<br /> +Who thus with speech impassion’d quick replied.</p> +<p>Antenor! me thy counsel hath not pleased;<br /> +Thou could’st have framed far better; but if this<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods<br /> +Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth.<br /> +But I will speak myself. Ye Chiefs of Troy,<br /> +I tell you plain. I will not yield my spouse.<br /> +But all her treasures to our house convey’d<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +From Argos, those will I resign, and add<br /> +Still other compensation from my own.</p> +<p>Thus Paris said and sat; when like the Gods<br /> +Themselves in wisdom, from his seat uprose<br /> +Dardanian Priam, who them thus address’d.<span class="lnm">435</span></p> +<p>Trojans, Dardanians, and allies of Troy!<br /> +I shall declare my sentence; hear ye me.<br /> +Now let the legions, as at other times,<br /> +Take due refreshment; let the watch be set,<br /> +And keep ye vigilant guard. At early dawn<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +We will dispatch Idæus to the fleet,<br /> +Who shall inform the Atridæ of this last<br /> +Resolve of Paris, author of the war.<br /> +Discreet Idæus also shall propose<br /> +A respite (if the Atridæ so incline)<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +From war’s dread clamor, while we burn the dead.<br /> +Then will we clash again, till heaven at length<br /> +Shall part us, and the doubtful strife decide.</p> +<p>He ceased, whose voice the assembly pleased, obey’d.<br /> +Then, troop by troop, the army took repast,<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +And at the dawn Idæus sought the fleet.<br /> +He found the Danaï, servants of Mars,<br /> +Beside the stern of Agamemnon’s ship<br /> +Consulting; and amid the assembled Chiefs<br /> +Arrived, with utterance clear them thus address’d.<span class="lnm">455</span></p> +<p>Ye sons of Atreus, and ye Chiefs, the flower<br /> +Of all Achaia! Priam and the Chiefs<br /> +Of Ilium, bade me to your ear impart<br /> +(If chance such embassy might please your ear)<br /> +The mind of Paris, author of the war.<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +The treasures which on board his ships he brought<br /> +From Argos home (oh, had he perish’d first!)<br /> +He yields them with addition from his own.<br /> +Not so the consort of the glorious prince<br /> +Brave Menelaus; her (although in Troy<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +All counsel otherwise) he still detains.<br /> +Thus too I have in charge. Are ye inclined<br /> +That the dread sounding clamors of the field<br /> +Be caused to cease till we shall burn the dead?<br /> +Then will we clash again, till heaven at length<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Shall part us, and the doubtful strife decide.</p> +<p>So spake Idæus, and all silent sat;<br /> +Till at the last brave Diomede replied.</p> +<p>No. We will none of Paris’ treasures now,<br /> +Nor even Helen’s self. A child may see<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Destruction winging swift her course to Troy.</p> +<p>He said. The admiring Greeks with loud applause<br /> +All praised the speech of warlike Diomede,<br /> +And answer thus the King of men return’d.</p> +<p>Idæus! thou hast witness’d the resolve<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Of the Achaian Chiefs, whose choice is mine.<br /> +But for the slain, I shall not envy them<br /> +A funeral pile; the spirit fled, delay<br /> +Suits not. Last rites can not too soon be paid.<br /> +Burn them. And let high-thundering Jove attest<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Himself mine oath, that war shall cease the while.</p> +<p>So saying, he to all the Gods upraised<br /> +His sceptre, and Idæus homeward sped<br /> +To sacred Ilium. The Dardanians there<br /> +And Trojans, all assembled, his return<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Expected anxious. He amid them told<br /> +Distinct his errand, when, at once dissolved,<br /> +The whole assembly rose, these to collect<br /> +The scatter’d bodies, those to gather wood;<br /> +While on the other side, the Greeks arose<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +As sudden, and all issuing from the fleet<br /> +Sought fuel, some, and some, the scatter’d dead.</p> +<p>Now from the gently-swelling flood profound<br /> +The sun arising, with his earliest rays<br /> +In his ascent to heaven smote on the fields.<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +When Greeks and Trojans met. Scarce could the slain<br /> +Be clear distinguish’d, but they cleansed from each<br /> +His clotted gore with water, and warm tears<br /> +Distilling copious, heaved them to the wains.<br /> +But wailing none was heard, for such command<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Had Priam issued; therefore heaping high<br /> +The bodies, silent and with sorrowing hearts<br /> +They burn’d them, and to sacred Troy return’d.<br /> +The Grecians also, on the funeral pile<br /> +The bodies heaping sad, burn’d them with fire<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Together, and return’d into the fleet.<br /> +Then, ere the peep of dawn, and while the veil<br /> +Of night, though thinner, still o’erhung the earth,<br /> +Achaians, chosen from the rest, the pile<br /> +Encompass’d. With a tomb (one tomb for all)<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +They crown’d the spot adust, and to the tomb<br /> +(For safety of their fleet and of themselves)<br /> +Strong fortress added of high wall and tower,<br /> +With solid gates affording egress thence<br /> +Commodious to the mounted charioteer;<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Deep foss and broad they also dug without,<br /> +And planted it with piles. So toil’d the Greeks.</p> +<p> +The Gods, that mighty labor, from beside<br /> +The Thunderer’s throne with admiration view’d,<br /> +When Neptune, shaker of the shores, began.<span class="lnm">525</span></p> +<p>Eternal father! is there on the face<br /> +Of all the boundless earth one mortal man<br /> +Who will, in times to come, consult with heaven?<br /> +See’st thou yon height of wall, and yon deep trench<br /> +With which the Grecians have their fleet inclosed,<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +And, careless of our blessing, hecatomb<br /> +Or invocation have presented none?<br /> +Far as the day-spring shoots herself abroad,<br /> +So far the glory of this work shall spread,<br /> +While Phœbus and myself, who, toiling hard,<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Built walls for king Laomedon, shall see<br /> +Forgotten all the labor of our hands.</p> +<p>To whom, indignant, thus high-thundering Jove.<br /> +Oh thou, who shakest the solid earth at will,<br /> +What hast thou spoken? An inferior power,<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +A god of less sufficiency than thou,<br /> +Might be allowed some fear from such a cause.<br /> +Fear not. Where’er the morning shoots her beams,<br /> +Thy glory shall be known; and when the Greeks<br /> +Shall seek their country through the waves again,<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Then break this bulwark down, submerge it whole,<br /> +And spreading deep with sand the spacious shore<br /> +As at the first, leave not a trace behind.</p> +<p>Such conference held the Gods; and now the sun<br /> +Went down, and, that great work perform’d, the Greeks<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +From tent to tent slaughter’d the fatted ox<br /> +And ate their evening cheer. Meantime arrived<br /> +Large fleet with Lemnian wine; Euneus, son<br /> +Of Jason and Hypsipile, that fleet<br /> +From Lemnos freighted, and had stow’d on board<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +A thousand measures from the rest apart<br /> +For the Atridæ; but the host at large<br /> +By traffic were supplied; some barter’d brass,<br /> +Others bright steel; some purchased wine with hides,<br /> +These with their cattle, with their captives those,<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +And the whole host prepared a glad regale.<br /> +All night the Grecians feasted, and the host<br /> +Of Ilium, and all night deep-planning Jove<br /> +Portended dire calamities to both,<br /> +Thundering tremendous!—Pale was every cheek;<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Each pour’d his goblet on the ground, nor dared<br /> +The hardiest drink, till he had first perform’d<br /> +Libation meet to the Saturnian King<br /> +Omnipotent; then, all retiring, sought<br /> +Their couches, and partook the gift of sleep.<span class="lnm">570</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book08"></a>BOOK VIII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Jove calls a council, in which he forbids all interference of the Gods between +the Greeks and Trojans. He repairs to Ida, where, having consulted +the scales of destiny, he directs his lightning against the Grecians. +Nestor is endangered by the death of one of his horses. Diomede delivers +him. In the chariot of Diomede they both hasten to engage Hector, +whose charioteer is slain by Diomede. Jupiter again interposes by his +thunders, and the whole Grecian host, discomfited, is obliged to seek +refuge within the rampart. Diomede, with others, at sight of a favorable +omen sent from Jove in answer to Agamemnon’s prayer, sallies. Teucer +performs great exploits, but is disabled by Hector. Juno and Pallas set +forth from Olympus in aid of the Grecians, but are stopped by Jupiter, +who reascends from Ida, and in heaven foretells the distresses which await +the Grecians.</p> + +<p class="outd">Hector takes measures for the security of Troy during the night, and +prepares his host for an assault to be made on the Grecian camp in the +morning.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK VIII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">The saffron-mantled morning<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-1">[1]</a> now was spread<br /> +O’er all the nations, when the Thunderer Jove<br /> +On the deep-fork’d Olympian topmost height<br /> +Convened the Gods in council, amid whom<br /> +He spake himself; they all attentive heard.<span class="lnm">5</span></p> +<p>Gods! Goddesses! Inhabitants of heaven!<br /> +Attend; I make my secret purpose known.<br /> +Let neither God nor Goddess interpose<br /> +My counsel to rescind, but with one heart<br /> +Approve it, that it reach, at once, its end.<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Whom I shall mark soever from the rest<br /> +Withdrawn, that he may Greeks or Trojans aid,<br /> +Disgrace shall find him; shamefully chastised<br /> +He shall return to the Olympian heights,<br /> +Or I will hurl him deep into the gulfs<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Of gloomy Tartarus, where Hell shuts fast<br /> +Her iron gates, and spreads her brazen floor,<br /> +As far below the shades, as earth from heaven.<br /> +There shall he learn how far I pass in might<br /> +All others; which if ye incline to doubt,<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Now prove me. Let ye down the golden chain<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-2">[2]</a><br /> +From heaven, and at its nether links pull all,<br /> +Both Goddesses and Gods. But me your King,<br /> +Supreme in wisdom, ye shall never draw<br /> +To earth from heaven, toil adverse as ye may.<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Yet I, when once I shall be pleased to pull,<br /> +The earth itself, itself the sea, and you<br /> +Will lift with ease together, and will wind<br /> +The chain around the spiry summit sharp<br /> +Of the Olympian, that all things upheaved<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Shall hang in the mid heaven. So far do I,<br /> +Compared with all who live, transcend them all.</p> +<p>He ended, and the Gods long time amazed<br /> +Sat silent, for with awful tone he spake:<br /> +But at the last Pallas blue-eyed began.<span class="lnm">35</span></p> +<p>Father! Saturnian Jove! of Kings supreme!<br /> +We know thy force resistless; but our hearts<br /> +Feel not the less, when we behold the Greeks<br /> +Exhausting all the sorrows of their lot.<br /> +If thou command, we, doubtless, will abstain<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +From battle, yet such counsel to the Greeks<br /> +Suggesting still, as may in part effect<br /> +Their safety, lest thy wrath consume them all.</p> +<p>To whom with smiles answer’d cloud-gatherer Jove.<br /> +Fear not, my child! stern as mine accent was,<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +I forced a frown—no more. For in mine heart<br /> +Nought feel I but benevolence to thee.</p> +<p>He said, and to his chariot join’d his steeds<br /> +Swift, brazen-hoof’d, and mailed with wavy gold;<br /> +He put on golden raiment, his bright scourge<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Of gold receiving rose into his seat,<br /> +And lash’d his steeds; they not unwilling flew<br /> +Midway the earth between and starry heaven.<br /> +To spring-fed Ida, mother of wild beasts,<br /> +He came, where stands in Gargarus<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-3">[3]</a> his shrine<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Breathing fresh incense! there the Sire of all<br /> +Arriving, loosed his coursers, and around<br /> +Involving them in gather’d clouds opaque,<br /> +Sat on the mountain’s head, in his own might<br /> +Exulting, with the towers of Ilium all<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Beneath his eye, and the whole fleet of Greece.</p> +<p>In all their tents, meantime, Achaia’s sons<br /> +Took short refreshment, and for fight prepared.<br /> +On the other side, though fewer, yet constrain’d<br /> +By strong necessity, throughout all Troy,<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +In the defence of children and wives<br /> +Ardent, the Trojans panted for the field.<br /> +Wide flew the city gates: forth rush’d to war<br /> +Horsemen and foot, and tumult wild arose.<br /> +They met, they clash’d; loud was the din of spears<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +And bucklers on their bosoms brazen-mail’d<br /> +Encountering, shields in opposition from<br /> +Met bossy shields, and tumult wild arose.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-4">[4]</a></p> +<p>There many a shout and many a dying groan<br /> +Were heard, the slayer and the maim’d aloud<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Clamoring, and the earth was drench’d with blood.<br /> +Till sacred morn<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-5">[5]</a> had brighten’d into noon,<br /> +The vollied weapons on both sides their task<br /> +Perform’d effectual, and the people fell.<br /> +But when the sun had climb’d the middle skies,<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +The Sire of all then took his golden scales;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-6">[6]</a><br /> +Doom against doom he weigh’d, the eternal fates<br /> +In counterpoise, of Trojans and of Greeks.<br /> +He rais’d the beam; low sank the heavier lot<br /> +Of the Achaians; the Achaian doom<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Subsided, and the Trojan struck the skies.</p> +<p>Then roar’d the thunders from the summit hurl’d<br /> +of Ida, and his vivid lightnings flew<br /> +Into Achaia’s host. They at the sight<br /> +Astonish’d stood; fear whiten’d every cheek.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-7">[7]</a><span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Idomeneus dared not himself abide<br /> +That shock, nor Agamemnon stood, nor stood<br /> +The heroes Ajax, ministers of Mars.<br /> +Gerenian Nestor, guardian of the Greeks,<br /> +Alone fled not, nor he by choice remain’d,<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +But by his steed retarded, which the mate<br /> +Of beauteous Helen, Paris, with a shaft<br /> +Had stricken where the forelock grows, a part<br /> +Of all most mortal. Tortured by the wound<br /> +Erect he rose, the arrow in his brain,<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +And writhing furious, scared his fellow-steeds.<br /> +Meantime, while, strenuous, with his falchion’s edge<br /> +The hoary warrior stood slashing the reins,<br /> +Through multitudes of fierce pursuers borne<br /> +On rapid wheels, the dauntless charioteer<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Approach’d him, Hector. Then, past hope, had died<br /> +The ancient King, but Diomede discern’d<br /> +His peril imminent, and with a voice<br /> +Like thunder, called Ulysses to his aid.</p> +<p>Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Art thou too fugitive, and turn’st thy back<br /> +Like the base multitude? Ah! fear a lance<br /> +Implanted ignominious in thy spine.<br /> +Stop—Nestor dies. Fell Hector is at hand.</p> +<p>So shouted Diomede, whose summons loud,<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Ulysses yet heard not, but, passing, flew<br /> +With headlong haste to the Achaian fleet.<br /> +Then, Diomede, unaided as he was,<br /> +Rush’d ardent to the vanward, and before<br /> +The steeds of the Neleian sovereign old<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Standing, in accents wing’d, him thus address’d.</p> +<p>Old Chief! these youthful warriors are too brisk<br /> +For thee, press’d also by encroaching age,<br /> +Thy servant too is feeble, and thy steeds<br /> +Are tardy. Mount my chariot. Thou shalt see<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +With what rapidity the steeds of Troy,<br /> +Pursuing or retreating, scour the field.<br /> +I took them from that terror of his foes,<br /> +Æneas. Thine to our attendants leave,<br /> +While these against the warlike powers of Troy<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +We push direct; that Hector’s self may know<br /> +If my spear rage not furious as his own.</p> +<p>He said, nor the Gerenian Chief refused.<br /> +Thenceforth their servants, Sthenelus and good<br /> +Eurymedon, took charge of Nestor’s steeds,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +And they the chariot of Tydides both<br /> +Ascended; Nestor seized the reins, plied well<br /> +The scourge, and soon they met. Tydides hurl’d<br /> +At Hector first, while rapid he advanced;<br /> +But missing Hector, wounded in the breast<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Eniopeus his charioteer, the son<br /> +Of brave Thebæus, managing the steeds.<br /> +He fell; his fiery coursers at the sound<br /> +Startled, recoil’d, and where he fell he died.<br /> +Deep sorrow for his charioteer o’erwhelm’d<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +The mind of Hector; yet, although he mourn’d<br /> +He left him, and another sought as brave.<br /> +Nor wanted long his steeds a charioteer,<br /> +For finding soon the son of Iphitus,<br /> +Bold Archeptolemus, he bade him mount<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +His chariot, and the reins gave to his hand.<br /> +Then deeds of bloodiest note should have ensued,<br /> +Penn’d had the Trojans been, as lambs, in Troy,<br /> +But for quick succor of the sire of all.<br /> +Thundering, he downward hurled his candent bolt<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +To the horse-feet of Diomede; dire fumed<br /> +The flaming sulphur, and both horses drove<br /> +Under the axle, belly to the ground.<br /> +Forth flew the splendid reins from Nestor’s hand,<br /> +And thus to Diomede, appall’d, he spake.<span class="lnm">160</span></p> +<p> +Back to the fleet, Tydides! Can’st not see<br /> +That Jove ordains not, now, the victory thine?<br /> +The son of Saturn glorifies to-day<br /> +This Trojan, and, if such his will, can make<br /> +The morrow ours; but vain it is to thwart<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +The mind of Jove, for he is Lord of all.</p> +<p>To him the valiant Diomede replied.<br /> +Thou hast well said, old warrior! but the pang<br /> +That wrings my soul, is this. The public ear<br /> +In Ilium shall from Hector’s lips be told—<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +I drove Tydides—fearing me he fled.<br /> +So shall he vaunt, and may the earth her jaws<br /> +That moment opening swallow me alive!</p> +<p>Him answer’d the Gerenian warrior old.<br /> +What saith the son of Tydeus, glorious Chief?<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Should Hector so traduce thee as to call<br /> +Thee base and timid, neither Trojan him<br /> +Nor Dardan would believe, nor yet the wives<br /> +Of numerous shielded warriors brave of Troy,<br /> +Widow’d by thy unconquerable arm.<span class="lnm">180</span></p> +<p>So saying, he through the fugitives his steeds<br /> +Turn’d swift to flight. Then Hector and his host<br /> +With clamor infinite their darts wo-wing’d<br /> +Shower’d after them, and Hector, mighty Chief<br /> +Majestic, from afar, thus call’d aloud.<span class="lnm">185</span></p> +<p>Tydides! thee the Danaï swift-horsed<br /> +Were wont to grace with a superior seat,<br /> +The mess of honor, and the brimming cup,<br /> +But now will mock thee. Thou art woman now.<br /> +Go, timorous girl! Thou never shalt behold<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Me flying, climb our battlements, or lead<br /> +Our women captive. I will slay thee first.</p> +<p>He ceased. Then Diomede in dread suspense<br /> +Thrice purposed, turning, to withstand the foe,<br /> +And thrice in thunder from the mountain-top<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Jove gave the signal of success to Troy.<br /> +When Hector thus the Trojans hail’d aloud.</p> +<p>Trojans and Lycians, and close-warring sons<br /> +Of Dardanus, oh summon all your might,<br /> +Now, now be men! I know that from his heart<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Saturnian Jove glory and bright success<br /> +For me prepares, but havoc for the Greeks.<br /> +Fools! they shall find this wall which they have raised<br /> +Too weak to check my course, a feeble guard<br /> +Contemptible; such also is the trench;<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +My steeds shall slight it with an easy leap.<br /> +But when ye see me in their fleet arrived,<br /> +Remember fire. Then bring me flaming brands<br /> +That I may burn their galleys and themselves<br /> +Slaughter beside them, struggling in the smoke.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-8">[8]</a><span class="lnm">210</span></p> +<p>He spake, and thus encouraged next his steeds.<br /> +Xanthus! Podargus! and ye generous pair<br /> +Æthon and glossy Lampus! now requite<br /> +Mine, and the bounty of Andromache,<br /> +Far-famed Eëtion’s daughter; she your bowl<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +With corn fresh-flavor’d and with wine full oft<br /> +Hath mingled, your refreshment seeking first<br /> +Ere mine, who have a youthful husband’s claim.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-9">[9]</a><br /> +Now follow! now be swift; that we may seize<br /> +The shield of Nestor, bruited to the skies<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +As golden all, trappings and disk alike.<br /> +Now from the shoulders of the equestrian Chief<br /> +Tydides tear we off his splendid mail,<br /> +The work of Vulcan.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-10">[10]</a> May we take but these,<br /> +I have good hope that, ere this night be spent,<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +The Greeks shall climb their galleys and away.</p> +<p>So vaunted he, but Juno with disdain<br /> +His proud boast heard, and shuddering in her throne,<br /> +Rock’d the Olympian; turning then toward<br /> +The Ocean’s mighty sovereign, thus she spake.<span class="lnm">230</span></p> +<p>Alas! earth-shaking sovereign of the waves,<br /> +Feel’st thou no pity of the perishing Greeks?<br /> +Yet Greece, in Helice, with gifts nor few<br /> +Nor sordid, and in Ægæ, honors thee,<br /> +Whom therefore thou shouldst prosper. Would we all<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Who favor Greece associate to repulse<br /> +The Trojans, and to check loud-thundering Jove,<br /> +On Ida seated he might lour alone.</p> +<p>To whom the Sovereign, Shaker of the Shores,<br /> +Indignant. Juno! rash in speech! what word<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Hath ’scaped thy lips? never, with my consent,<br /> +Shall we, the powers subordinate, in arms<br /> +With Jove contend. He far excels us all.</p> +<p>So they. Meantime, the trench and wall between,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-11">[11]</a><br /> +The narrow interval with steeds was fill’d<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Close throng’d and shielded warriors. There immew’d<br /> +By Priameian Hector, fierce as Mars,<br /> +They stood, for Hector had the help of Jove.<br /> +And now with blazing fire their gallant barks<br /> +He had consumed, but Juno moved the mind<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Of Agamemnon, vigilant himself,<br /> +To exhortation of Achaia’s host.<br /> +Through camp and fleet the monarch took his way,<br /> +And, his wide robe imperial in his hand,<br /> +High on Ulysses’ huge black galley stood,<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +The central ship conspicuous; thence his voice<br /> +Might reach the most remote of all the line<br /> +At each extreme, where Ajax had his tent<br /> +Pitch’d, and Achilles, fearless of surprise.<br /> +Thence, with loud voice, the Grecians thus he hail’d.<span class="lnm">260</span></p> +<p>Oh shame to Greece! Warriors in show alone!<br /> +Where is your boasted prowess? Ye profess’d<br /> +Vain-glorious erst in Lemnos, while ye fed<br /> +Plenteously on the flesh of beeves full-grown,<br /> +And crown’d your beakers high, that ye would face<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Each man a hundred Trojans in the field—<br /> +Ay, twice a hundred—yet are all too few<br /> +To face one Hector now; nor doubt I aught<br /> +But he shall soon fire the whole fleet of Greece.<br /> +Jove! Father! what great sovereign ever felt<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Thy frowns as I? Whom hast thou shamed as me?<br /> +Yet I neglected not, through all the course<br /> +Of our disasterous voyage (in the hope<br /> +That we should vanquish Troy) thy sacred rites,<br /> +But where I found thine altar, piled it high<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +With fat and flesh of bulls, on every shore.<br /> +But oh, vouchsafe to us, that we at least<br /> +Ourselves, deliver’d, may escape the sword,<br /> +Nor let their foes thus tread the Grecians down!</p> +<p>He said. The eternal father pitying saw<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +His tears, and for the monarch’s sake preserved<br /> +The people. Instant, surest of all signs,<br /> +He sent his eagle; in his pounces strong<br /> +A fawn he bore, fruit of the nimble hind,<br /> +Which fast beside the beauteous altar raised<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +To Panomphæan<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-12">[12]</a> Jove sudden he dropp’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-13">[13]</a></p> +<p>They, conscious, soon, that sent from Jove he came,<br /> +More ardent sprang to fight. Then none of all<br /> +Those numerous Chiefs could boast that he outstripp’d<br /> +Tydides, urging forth beyond the foss<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +His rapid steeds, and rushing to the war.<br /> +He, foremost far, a Trojan slew, the son<br /> +Of Phradmon, Ageläus; as he turn’d<br /> +His steeds to flight, him turning with his spear<br /> +Through back and bosom Diomede transpierced.<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +And with loud clangor of his arms he fell.<br /> +Then, royal Agamemnon pass’d the trench<br /> +And Menelaus; either Ajax, then,<br /> +Clad with fresh prowess both; them follow’d, next,<br /> +Idomeneus, with his heroic friend<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +In battle dread as homicidal Mars,<br /> +Meriones; Evæmon’s son renown’d<br /> +Succeeded, bold Eurypylus; and ninth<br /> +Teucer, wide-straining his impatient bow.<br /> +He under covert fought of the broad shield<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Of Telamonian Ajax; Ajax high<br /> +Upraised his shield; the hero from beneath<br /> +Took aim, and whom his arrow struck, he fell;<br /> +Then close as to his mother’s side a child<br /> +For safety creeps, Teucer to Ajax’ side<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Retired, and Ajax shielded him again.<br /> +Whom then slew Teucer first, illustrious Chief?<br /> +Orsilochus, and Ophelestes, first,<br /> +And Ormenus he slew, then Dætor died,<br /> +Chromius and Lycophontes brave in fight<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +With Amopaon Polyæmon’s son,<br /> +And Melanippus. These, together heap’d,<br /> +All fell by Teucer on the plain of Troy.<br /> +The Trojan ranks thinn’d by his mighty bow<br /> +The King of armies Agamemnon saw<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Well-pleased, and him approaching, thus began.</p> +<p>Brave Telamonian Teucer, oh, my friend,<br /> +Thus shoot, that light may visit once again<br /> +The Danaï, and Telamon rejoice!<br /> +Thee Telamon within his own abode<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Rear’d although spurious; mount him, in return,<br /> +Although remote, on glory’s heights again.<br /> +I tell thee, and the effect shall follow sure,<br /> +Let but the Thunderer and Minerva grant<br /> +The pillage of fair Ilium to the Greeks,<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +And I will give to thy victorious hand,<br /> +After my own, the noblest recompense,<br /> +A tripod or a chariot with its steeds,<br /> +Or some fair captive to partake thy bed.</p> +<p>To whom the generous Teucer thus replied.<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Atrides! glorious monarch! wherefore me<br /> +Exhortest thou to battle? who myself<br /> +Glow with sufficient ardor, and such strength<br /> +As heaven affords me spare not to employ.<br /> +Since first we drove them back, with watchful eye<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Their warriors I have mark’d; eight shafts my bow<br /> +Hath sent long-barb’d, and every shaft, well-aim’d.<br /> +The body of some Trojan youth robust<br /> +Hath pierced, but still you ravening wolf escapes.</p> +<p>He said, and from the nerve another shaft<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Impatient sent at Hector; but it flew<br /> +Devious, and brave Gorgythion struck instead.<br /> +Him beautiful Castianira, brought<br /> +By Priam from Æsyma, nymph of form<br /> +Celestial, to the King of Ilium bore.<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +As in the garden, with the weight surcharged<br /> +Of its own fruit, and drench’d by vernal rains<br /> +The poppy falls oblique, so he his head<br /> +Hung languid, by his helmet’s weight depress’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-14">[14]</a><br /> +Then Teucer yet an arrow from the nerve<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Dispatch’d at Hector, with impatience fired<br /> +To pierce him; but again his weapon err’d<br /> +Turn’d by Apollo, and the bosom struck<br /> +Of Archeptolemus, his rapid steeds<br /> +To battle urging, Hector’s charioteer.<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +He fell, his fiery coursers at the sound<br /> +Recoil’d, and lifeless where he fell he lay.<br /> +Deep sorrow for his charioteer the mind<br /> +O’erwhelm’d of Hector, yet he left the slain,<br /> +And seeing his own brother nigh at hand,<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Cebriones, him summon’d to the reins,<br /> +Who with alacrity that charge received.<br /> +Then Hector, leaping with a dreadful shout<br /> +From his resplendent chariot, grasp’d a stone,<br /> +And rush’d on Teucer, vengeance in his heart.<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Teucer had newly fitted to the nerve<br /> +An arrow keen selected from the rest,<br /> +And warlike Hector, while he stood the cord<br /> +Retracting, smote him with that rugged rock<br /> +Just where the key-bone interposed divides<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +The neck and bosom, a most mortal part.<br /> +It snapp’d the bow-string, and with numbing force<br /> +Struck dead his hand; low on his knees he dropp’d,<br /> +And from his opening grasp let fall the bow.<br /> +Then not unmindful of a brother fallen<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Was Ajax, but, advancing rapid, stalk’d<br /> +Around him, and his broad shield interposed,<br /> +Till brave Alaster and Mecisteus, son<br /> +Of Echius, friends of Teucer, from the earth<br /> +Upraised and bore him groaning to the fleet.<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +And now again fresh force Olympian Jove<br /> +Gave to the Trojans; right toward the foss<br /> +They drove the Greeks, while Hector in the van<br /> +Advanced, death menacing in every look.</p> +<p>As some fleet hound close-threatening flank or haunch<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Of boar or lion, oft as he his head<br /> +Turns flying, marks him with a steadfast eye,<br /> +So Hector chased the Grecians, slaying still<br /> +The hindmost of the scatter’d multitude.<br /> +But when, at length, both piles and hollow foss<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +They had surmounted, and no few had fallen<br /> +By Trojan hands, within their fleet they stood<br /> +Imprison’d, calling each to each, and prayer<br /> +With lifted hands, loud offering to the Gods.<br /> +With Gorgon looks, meantime, and eyes of Mars,<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Hector impetuous his mane-tossing steeds<br /> +From side to side before the rampart drove,<br /> +When white-arm’d Juno pitying the Greeks,<br /> +In accents wing’d her speech to Pallas turn’d.</p> +<p>Alas, Jove’s daughter! shall not we at least<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +In this extremity of their distress<br /> +Care for the Grecians by the fatal force<br /> +Of this one Chief destroy’d? I can endure<br /> +The rage of Priameïan Hector now<br /> +No longer; such dire mischiefs he hath wrought.<span class="lnm">410</span></p> +<p>Whom answer’d thus Pallas, cærulean-eyed.<br /> +—And Hector had himself long since his life<br /> +Resign’d and rage together, by the Greeks<br /> +Slain under Ilium’s walls, but Jove, my sire,<br /> +Mad counsels executing and perverse,<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Me counterworks in all that I attempt,<br /> +Nor aught remembers how I saved ofttimes<br /> +His son enjoin’d full many a task severe<br /> +By King Eurystheus; to the Gods he wept,<br /> +And me Jove sent in haste to his relief.<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +But had I then foreseen what now I know,<br /> +When through the adamantine gates he pass’d<br /> +To bind the dog of hell, by the deep floods<br /> +Hemm’d in of Styx, he had return’d no more.<br /> +But Thetis wins him now; her will prevails,<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +And mine he hates; for she hath kiss’d his knees<br /> +And grasp’d his beard, and him in prayer implored<br /> +That he would honor her heroic son<br /> +Achilles, city-waster prince renown’d.<br /> +’Tis well—the day shall come when Jove again<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Shall call me darling, and his blue-eyed maid<br /> +As heretofore;—but thou thy steeds prepare,<br /> +While I, my father’s mansion entering, arm<br /> +For battle. I would learn by trial sure,<br /> +If Hector, Priam’s offspring famed in fight<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +(Ourselves appearing in the walks of war)<br /> +Will greet us gladly. Doubtless at the fleet<br /> +Some Trojan also, shall to dogs resign<br /> +His flesh for food, and to the fowls of heaven.</p> +<p> +So counsell’d Pallas, nor the daughter dread<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Of mighty Saturn, Juno, disapproved,<br /> +But busily and with dispatch prepared<br /> +The trappings of her coursers golden-rein’d.<br /> +Meantime, Minerva progeny of Jove,<br /> +On the adamantine floor of his abode<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Let fall profuse her variegated robe,<br /> +Labor of her own hands. She first put on<br /> +The corslet of the cloud-assembler God,<br /> +Then arm’d her for the field of wo, complete.<br /> +Mounting the fiery chariot, next she seized<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Her ponderous spear, huge, irresistible,<br /> +With which Jove’s awful daughter levels ranks<br /> +Of heroes against whom her anger burns.<br /> +Juno with lifted lash urged on the steeds.<br /> +At their approach, spontaneous roar’d the wide-<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Unfolding gates of heaven; the heavenly gates<br /> +Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge<br /> +Of the Olympian summit appertains,<br /> +And of the boundless ether, back to roll,<br /> +And to replace the cloudy barrier dense.<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds:<br /> +Which when the Eternal Father from the heights<br /> +Of Ida saw, kindling with instant ire<br /> +To golden-pinion’d Iris thus he spake.</p> +<p>Haste, Iris, turn them thither whence they came;<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Me let them not encounter; honor small<br /> +To them, to me, should from that strife accrue.<br /> +Tell them, and the effect shall sure ensue,<br /> +That I will smite their steeds, and they shall halt<br /> +Disabled; break their chariot, dash themselves<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Headlong, and ten whole years shall not efface<br /> +The wounds by my avenging bolts impress’d.<br /> +So shall my blue-eyed daughter learn to dread<br /> +A father’s anger; but for the offence<br /> +Of Juno, I resent it less; for she<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Clashes<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-15">[15]</a> with all my counsels from of old.<br /> +He ended; Iris with a tempest’s speed<br /> +From the Idæan summit soar’d at once<br /> +To the Olympian; at the open gates<br /> +Exterior of the mountain many-valed<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +She stayed them, and her coming thus declared.</p> +<p>Whither, and for what cause? What rage is this?<br /> +Ye may not aid the Grecians; Jove forbids;<br /> +The son of Saturn threatens, if ye force<br /> +His wrath by perseverance into act,<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +That he will smite your steeds, and they shall halt<br /> +Disabled; break your chariot, dash yourselves<br /> +Headlong, and ten whole years shall not efface<br /> +The wounds by his avenging bolts impress’d.<br /> +So shall his blue-eyed daughter learn to dread<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +A father’s anger; but for the offence<br /> +Of Juno, he resents it less; for she<br /> +Clashes with all his counsels from of old.<br /> +But thou, Minerva, if thou dare indeed<br /> +Lift thy vast spear against the breast of Jove,<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Incorrigible art and dead to shame.</p> +<p>So saying, the rapid Iris disappear’d,<br /> +And thus her speech to Pallas Juno turn’d.</p> +<p>Ah Pallas, progeny of Jove! henceforth<br /> +No longer, in the cause of mortal men,<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Contend we against Jove. Perish or live<br /> +Grecians or Trojans as he wills; let him<br /> +Dispose the order of his own concerns,<br /> +And judge between them, as of right he may.</p> +<p>So saying, she turn’d the coursers; them the Hours<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Released, and to ambrosial mangers bound,<br /> +Then thrust their chariot to the luminous wall.<br /> +They, mingling with the Gods, on golden thrones<br /> +Dejected sat, and Jove from Ida borne<br /> +Reach’d the Olympian heights, seat of the Gods.<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +His steeds the glorious King of Ocean loosed,<br /> +And thrust the chariot, with its veil o’erspread.<br /> +Into its station at the altar’s side.<br /> +Then sat the Thunderer on his throne of gold<br /> +Himself, and the huge mountain shook. Meantime<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Juno and Pallas, seated both apart,<br /> +Spake not or question’d him. Their mute reserve<br /> +He noticed, conscious of the cause, and said.</p> +<p>Juno and Pallas, wherefore sit ye sad?<br /> +Not through fatigue by glorious fight incurr’d<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +And slaughter of the Trojans whom ye hate.<br /> +Mark now the difference. Not the Gods combined<br /> +Should have constrain’d <i>me</i> back, till all my force,<br /> +Superior as it is, had fail’d, and all<br /> +My fortitude. But ye, ere ye beheld<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +The wonders of the field, trembling retired.<br /> +And ye did well—Hear what had else befallen.<br /> +My bolts had found you both, and ye had reach’d,<br /> +In your own chariot borne, the Olympian height,<br /> +Seat of the blest Immortals, never more.<span class="lnm">530</span></p> +<p>He ended; Juno and Minerva heard<br /> +Low murmuring deep disgust, and side by side<br /> +Devising sat calamity to Troy.<br /> +Minerva, through displeasure against Jove,<br /> +Nought utter’d, for her bosom boil’d with rage;<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +But Juno check’d not hers, who thus replied.</p> +<p>What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove most severe?<br /> +We know thy force resistless; yet our hearts<br /> +Feel not the less when we behold the Greeks<br /> +Exhausting all the sorrows of their lot.<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +If thou command, we doubtless will abstain<br /> +From battle, yet such counsel to the Greeks<br /> +Suggesting still, as may in part effect<br /> +Their safety, lest thy wrath consume them all.</p> +<p>Then answer, thus, cloud-gatherer Jove return’d.<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Look forth, imperial Juno, if thou wilt,<br /> +To-morrow at the blush of earliest dawn,<br /> +And thou shalt see Saturn’s almighty son<br /> +The Argive host destroying far and wide.<br /> +For Hector’s fury shall admit no pause<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Till he have roused Achilles, in that day<br /> +When at the ships, in perilous straits, the hosts<br /> +Shall wage fierce battle for Patroclus slain.<br /> +Such is the voice of fate. But, as for thee—<br /> +Withdraw thou to the confines of the abyss<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Where Saturn and Iäpetus retired,<br /> +Exclusion sad endure from balmy airs<br /> +And from the light of morn, hell-girt around,<br /> +I will not call thee thence. No. Should thy rage<br /> +Transport thee thither, there thou may’st abide,<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +There sullen nurse thy disregarded spleen<br /> +Obstinate as thou art, and void of shame.</p> +<p>He ended; to whom Juno nought replied.<br /> +And now the radiant Sun in Ocean sank,<br /> +Drawing night after him o’er all the earth;<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Night, undesired by Troy, but to the Greeks<br /> +Thrice welcome for its interposing gloom.</p> +<p>Then Hector on the river’s brink fast by<br /> +The Grecian fleet, where space he found unstrew’d<br /> +With carcases convened the Chiefs of Troy.<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +They, there dismounting, listen’d to the words<br /> +Of Hector Jove-beloved; he grasp’d a spear<br /> +In length eleven cubits, bright its head<br /> +Of brass, and color’d with a ring of gold.<br /> +He lean’d on it, and ardent thus began.<span class="lnm">575</span></p> +<p>Trojans, Dardanians, and allies of Troy!<br /> +I hoped, this evening (every ship consumed,<br /> +And all the Grecians slain) to have return’d<br /> +To wind-swept Ilium. But the shades of night<br /> +Have intervened, and to the night they owe,<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +In chief, their whole fleet’s safety and their own.<br /> +Now, therefore, as the night enjoins, all take<br /> +Needful refreshment. Your high-mettled steeds<br /> +Release, lay food before them, and in haste<br /> +Drive hither from the city fatted sheep<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +And oxen; bring ye from your houses bread,<br /> +Make speedy purchase of heart-cheering wine,<br /> +And gather fuel plenteous; that all night,<br /> +E’en till Aurora, daughter of the morn<br /> +Shall look abroad, we may with many fires<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Illume the skies; lest even in the night,<br /> +Launching, they mount the billows and escape.<br /> +Beware that they depart not unannoy’d,<br /> +But, as he leaps on board, give each a wound<br /> +With shaft or spear, which he shall nurse at home.<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +So shall the nations fear us, and shall vex<br /> +With ruthless war Troy’s gallant sons no more.<br /> +Next, let the heralds, ministers of Jove,<br /> +Loud notice issue that the boys well-grown,<br /> +And ancients silver-hair’d on the high towers<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Built by the Gods, keep watch; on every hearth<br /> +In Troy, let those of the inferior sex<br /> +Make sprightly blaze, and place ye there a guard<br /> +Sufficient, lest in absence of the troops<br /> +An ambush enter, and surprise the town.<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Act thus, ye dauntless Trojans; the advice<br /> +Is wholesome, and shall serve the present need,<br /> +And so much for the night; ye shall be told<br /> +The business of the morn when morn appears.<br /> +It is my prayer to Jove and to all heaven<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +(Not without hope) that I may hence expel<br /> +These dogs, whom Ilium’s unpropitious fates<br /> +Have wafted hither in their sable barks.<br /> +But we will also watch this night, ourselves,<br /> +And, arming with the dawn, will at their ships<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Give them brisk onset. Then shall it appear<br /> +If Diomede the brave shall me compel<br /> +Back to our walls, or I, his arms blood-stain’d,<br /> +Torn from his breathless body, bear away.<br /> +To-morrow, if he dare but to abide<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +My lance, he shall not want occasion meet<br /> +For show of valor. But much more I judge<br /> +That the next rising sun shall see him slain<br /> +With no few friends around him. Would to heaven!<br /> +I were as sure to ’scape the blight of age<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +And share their honors with the Gods above,<br /> +As comes the morrow fraught with wo to Greece.</p> +<p>So Hector, whom his host with loud acclaim<br /> +All praised. Then each his sweating steeds released,<br /> +And rein’d them safely at his chariot-side.<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +And now from Troy provision large they brought,<br /> +Oxen, and sheep, with store of wine and bread,<br /> +And fuel much was gather’d. <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-16">[16]</a>Next the Gods<br /> +With sacrifice they sought, and from the plain<br /> +Upwafted by the winds the smoke aspired<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Savoury, but unacceptable to those<br /> +Above; such hatred in their hearts they bore<br /> +To Priam, to the people of the brave<br /> +Spear-practised Priam, and to sacred Troy.</p> +<p>Big with great purposes and proud, they sat,<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Not disarray’d, but in fair form disposed<br /> +Of even ranks, and watch’d their numerous fires,<br /> +As when around the clear bright moon, the stars<br /> +Shine in full splendor, and the winds are hush’d,<br /> +The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland-heights<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Stand all apparent, not a vapor streaks<br /> +The boundless blue, but ether open’d wide<br /> +All glitters, and the shepherd’s heart is cheer’d;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_8-17">[17]</a><br /> +So numerous seem’d those fires the bank between<br /> +Of Xanthus, blazing, and the fleet of Greece,<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +In prospect all of Troy; a thousand fires,<br /> +Each watch’d by fifty warriors seated near.<br /> +The steeds beside the chariots stood, their corn<br /> +Chewing, and waiting till the golden-throned<br /> +Aurora should restore the light of day.<span class="lnm">655</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book09"></a>BOOK IX.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE NINTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">By advice of Nestor, Agamemnon sends Ulysses, Phœnix, and Ajax to the +tent of Achilles with proposals of reconciliation. They execute their +commission, but without effect. Phœnix remains with Achilles; Ulysses +and Ajax return.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK IX.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">So watch’d the Trojan host; but thoughts of flight,<br /> +Companions of chill fear, from heaven infused,<br /> +Possess’d the Grecians; every leader’s heart<br /> +Bled, pierced with anguish insupportable.<br /> +As when two adverse winds blowing from Thrace,<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Boreas and Zephyrus, the fishy Deep<br /> +Vex sudden, all around, the sable flood<br /> +High curl’d, flings forth the salt weed on the shore<br /> +Such tempest rent the mind of every Greek.</p> +<p> Forth stalk’d Atrides with heart-riving wo<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Transfixt; he bade his heralds call by name<br /> +Each Chief to council, but without the sound<br /> +Of proclamation; and that task himself<br /> +Among the foremost sedulous perform’d.<br /> +The sad assembly sat; when weeping fast<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +As some deep<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-1">[1]</a> fountain pours its rapid stream<br /> +Down from the summit of a lofty rock,<br /> +King Agamemnon in the midst arose,<br /> +And, groaning, the Achaians thus address’d.</p> +<p> Friends, counsellors and leaders of the Greeks!<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +In dire perplexity Saturnian Jove<br /> +Involves me, cruel; he assured me erst,<br /> +And solemnly, that I should not return<br /> +Till I had wasted wall-encircled Troy;<br /> +But now (ah fraudulent and foul reverse!)<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Commands me back inglorious to the shores<br /> +Of distant Argos, with diminish’d troops.<br /> +So stands the purpose of almighty Jove,<br /> +Who many a citadel hath laid in dust,<br /> +And shall hereafter, matchless in his power.<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Haste therefore. My advice is, that we all<br /> +Fly with our fleet into our native land,<br /> +For wide-built Ilium shall not yet be ours.</p> +<p> He ceased, and all sat silent; long the sons<br /> +Of Greece, o’erwhelm’d with sorrow, silent sat,<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +When thus, at last, bold Diomede began.</p> +<p> Atrides! foremost of the Chiefs I rise<br /> +To contravert thy purpose ill-conceived,<br /> +And with such freedom as the laws, O King!<br /> +Of consultation and debate allow.<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Hear patient. Thou hast been thyself the first<br /> +Who e’er reproach’d me in the public ear<br /> +As one effeminate and slow to fight;<br /> +How truly, let both young and old decide.<br /> +The son of wily Saturn hath to thee<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Given, and refused; he placed thee high in power,<br /> +Gave thee to sway the sceptre o’er us all,<br /> +But courage gave thee not, his noblest gift.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-2">[2]</a><br /> +Art thou in truth persuaded that the Greeks<br /> +Are pusillanimous, as thou hast said?<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +If thy own fears impel thee to depart,<br /> +Go thou, the way is open; numerous ships,<br /> +Thy followers from Mycenæ, line the shore.<br /> +But we, the rest, depart not, till the spoil<br /> +Of Troy reward us. Or if all incline<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +To seek again their native home, fly all;<br /> +Myself and Sthenelus will persevere<br /> +Till Ilium fall, for with the Gods we came.</p> +<p> He ended; all the admiring sons of Greece<br /> +With shouts the warlike Diomede extoll’d,<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +When thus equestrian Nestor next began.</p> +<p> Tydides, thou art eminently brave<br /> +In fight, and all the princes of thy years<br /> +Excell’st in council. None of all the Greeks<br /> +Shall find occasion just to blame thy speech<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Or to gainsay; yet thou hast fallen short.<br /> +What wonder? Thou art young; and were myself<br /> +Thy father, thou should’st be my latest born.<br /> +Yet when thy speech is to the Kings of Greece,<br /> +It is well-framed and prudent. Now attend!<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Myself will speak, who have more years to boast<br /> +Than thou hast seen, and will so closely scan<br /> +The matter, that Atrides, our supreme,<br /> +Himself shall have no cause to censure <i>me</i>.<br /> +He is a wretch, insensible and dead<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +To all the charities of social life,<br /> +Whose pleasure is in civil broils alone.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-3">[3]</a><br /> +But Night is urgent, and with Night’s demands<br /> +Let all comply. Prepare we now repast,<br /> +And let the guard be stationed at the trench<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Without the wall; the youngest shall supply<br /> +That service; next, Atrides, thou begin<br /> +(For thou art here supreme) thy proper task.<br /> +Banquet the elders; it shall not disgrace<br /> +Thy sovereignty, but shall become thee well.<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Thy tents are fill’d with wine which day by day<br /> +Ships bring from Thrace; accommodation large<br /> +Hast thou, and numerous is thy menial train.<br /> +Thy many guests assembled, thou shalt hear<br /> +Our counsel, and shalt choose the best; great need<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Have all Achaia’s sons, now, of advice<br /> +Most prudent; for the foe, fast by the fleet<br /> +Hath kindled numerous fires, which who can see<br /> +Unmoved? This night shall save us or destroy.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-4">[4]</a></p> +<p> He spake, whom all with full consent approved.<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +Forth rush’d the guard well-arm’d; first went the son<br /> +Of Nestor, Thrasymedes, valiant Chief;<br /> +Then, sons of Mars, Ascalaphus advanced,<br /> +And brave Iälmenus; whom follow’d next<br /> +Deipyrus, Aphareus, Meriones,<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +And Lycomedes, Creon’s son renown’d.<br /> +Seven were the leaders of the guard, and each<br /> +A hundred spearmen headed, young and bold.<br /> +Between the wall and trench their seat they chose,<br /> +There kindled fires, and each his food prepared.<span class="lnm">105</span></p> +<p> Atrides, then, to his pavilion led<br /> +The thronging Chiefs of Greece, and at his board<br /> +Regaled them; they with readiness and keen<br /> +Dispatch of hunger shared the savory feast,<br /> +And when nor thirst remain’d nor hunger more<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Unsated, Nestor then, arising first,<br /> +Whose counsels had been ever wisest deem’d,<br /> +Warm for the public interest, thus began.</p> +<p> Atrides! glorious sovereign! King of men!<br /> +Thou art my first and last, proem and close,<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +For thou art mighty, and to thee are given<br /> +From Jove the sceptre and the laws in charge,<br /> +For the advancement of the general good.<br /> +Hence, in peculiar, both to speak and hear<br /> +Become thy duty, and the best advice,<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +By whomsoever offer’d, to adopt<br /> +And to perform, for thou art judge alone.<br /> +I will promulge the counsel which to me<br /> +Seems wisest; such, that other Grecian none<br /> +Shall give thee better; neither is it new,<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +But I have ever held it since the day<br /> +When, most illustrious! thou wast pleased to take<br /> +By force the maid Briseïs from the tent<br /> +Of the enraged Achilles; not, in truth,<br /> +By my advice, who did dissuade thee much;<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +But thou, complying with thy princely wrath,<br /> +Hast shamed a Hero whom themselves the Gods<br /> +Delight to honor, and his prize detain’st.<br /> +Yet even now contrive we, although late,<br /> +By lenient gifts liberal, and by speech<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Conciliatory, to assuage his ire.</p> +<p> Then answer’d Agamemnon, King of men.<br /> +Old Chief! there is no falsehood in thy charge;<br /> +I have offended, and confess the wrong.<br /> +The warrior is alone a host, whom Jove<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Loves as he loves Achilles, for whose sake<br /> +He hath Achaia’s thousands thus subdued.<br /> +But if the impulse of a wayward mind<br /> +Obeying, I have err’d, behold me, now,<br /> +Prepared to soothe him with atonement large<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Of gifts inestimable, which by name<br /> +I will propound in presence of you all.<br /> +Seven tripods, never sullied yet with fire;<br /> +Of gold ten talents; twenty cauldrons bright;<br /> +Twelve coursers, strong, victorious in the race;<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +No man possessing prizes such as mine<br /> +Which they have won for me, shall feel the want<br /> +Of acquisitions splendid or of gold.<br /> +Seven virtuous female captives will I give<br /> +Expert in arts domestic, Lesbians all,<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Whom, when himself took Lesbos, I received<br /> +My chosen portion, passing womankind<br /> +In perfect loveliness of face and form.<br /> +These will I give, and will with these resign<br /> +Her whom I took, Briseïs, with an oath<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Most solemn, that unconscious as she was<br /> +Of my embraces, such I yield her his.<br /> +All these I give him now; and if at length<br /> +The Gods vouchsafe to us to overturn<br /> +Priam’s great city, let him heap his ships<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +With gold and brass, entering and choosing first<br /> +When we shall share the spoil. Let him beside<br /> +Choose twenty from among the maids of Troy,<br /> +Helen except, loveliest of all their sex.<br /> +And if once more, the rich milk-flowing land<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +We reach of Argos, he shall there become<br /> +My son-in-law, and shall enjoy like state<br /> +With him whom I in all abundance rear,<br /> +My only son Orestes. At my home<br /> +I have three daughters; let him thence conduct<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +To Phthia, her whom he shall most approve.<br /> +Chrysothemis shall be his bride, or else<br /> +Laodice; or if she please him more,<br /> +Iphianassa; and from him I ask<br /> +No dower;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-5">[5]</a> myself will such a dower bestow<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +As never father on his child before.<br /> +Seven fair well-peopled cities I will give<br /> +Cardamyle and Enope, and rich<br /> +In herbage, Hira; Pheræ stately-built,<br /> +And for her depth of pasturage renown’d<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Antheia; proud Æpeia’s lofty towers,<br /> +And Pedasus impurpled dark with vines.<br /> +All these are maritime, and on the shore<br /> +They stand of Pylus, by a race possess’d<br /> +Most rich in flocks and herds, who tributes large,<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +And gifts presenting to his sceptred hand,<br /> +Shall hold him high in honor as a God.<br /> +These will I give him if from wrath he cease.<br /> +Let him be overcome. Pluto alone<br /> +Is found implacable and deaf to prayer,<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Whom therefore of all Gods men hate the most.<br /> +My power is greater, and my years than his<br /> +More numerous, therefore let him yield to me.</p> +<p> To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied.<br /> +Atrides! glorious sovereign! King of men!<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +No sordid gifts, or to be view’d with scorn,<br /> +Givest thou the Prince Achilles. But away!<br /> +Send chosen messengers, who shall the son<br /> +Of Peleus, instant, in his tent address.<br /> +Myself will choose them, be it theirs to obey.<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Let Phœnix lead, Jove loves him. Be the next<br /> +Huge Ajax; and the wise Ulysses third.<br /> +Of heralds, Odius and Eurybates<br /> +Shall them attend. Bring water for our hands;<br /> +Give charge that every tongue abstain from speech<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Portentous, and propitiate Jove by prayer.</p> +<p> He spake, and all were pleased. The heralds pour’d<br /> +Pure water on their hands;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-6">[6]</a> attendant youths<br /> +The beakers crown’d, and wine from right to left<br /> +Distributed to all. Libation made,<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +All drank, and in such measure as they chose,<br /> +Then hasted forth from Agamemnon’s tent.<br /> +Gerenian Nestor at their side them oft<br /> +Instructed, each admonishing by looks<br /> +Significant, and motion of his eyes,<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +But most Ulysses, to omit no means<br /> +By which Achilles likeliest might be won.<br /> +Along the margin of the sounding deep<br /> +They pass’d, to Neptune, compasser of earth,<br /> +Preferring vows ardent with numerous prayers,<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +That they might sway with ease the mighty mind<br /> +Of fierce Æacides. And now they reach’d<br /> +The station where his Myrmidons abode.<br /> +Him solacing they found his heart with notes<br /> +Struck from his silver-framed harmonious lyre;<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Among the spoils he found it when he sack’d<br /> +Eëtion’s city; with that lyre his cares<br /> +He sooth’d, and glorious heroes were his theme.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-7">[7]</a><br /> +Patroclus silent sat, and he alone,<br /> +Before him, on Æacides intent,<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Expecting still when he should cease to sing.<br /> +The messengers advanced (Ulysses first)<br /> +Into his presence; at the sight, his harp<br /> +Still in his hand, Achilles from his seat<br /> +Started astonish’d; nor with less amaze<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Patroclus also, seeing them, arose.<br /> +Achilles seized their hands, and thus he spake.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-8">[8]</a></p> +<p> + Hail friends! ye all are welcome. Urgent cause<br /> +Hath doubtless brought you, whom I dearest hold<br /> +(Though angry still) of all Achaia’s host.<span class="lnm">245</span></p> +<p> So saying, he introduced them, and on seats<br /> +Placed them with purple arras overspread,<br /> +Then thus bespake Patroclus standing nigh.</p> +<p> Son of Menætius! bring a beaker more<br /> +Capacious, and replenish it with wine<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Diluted<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-9">[9]</a> less; then give to each his cup;<br /> +For dearer friends than these who now arrive<br /> +My roof beneath, or worthier, have I none.</p> +<p> He ended, and Patroclus quick obey’d,<br /> +Whom much he loved. Achilles, then, himself<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Advancing near the fire an ample<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-10">[10]</a> tray,<br /> +Spread goats’ flesh on it, with the flesh of sheep<br /> +And of a fatted brawn; of each a chine.<br /> +Automedon attending held them fast,<br /> +While with sharp steel Achilles from the bone<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Sliced thin the meat, then pierced it with the spits.<br /> +Meantime the godlike Menætiades<br /> +Kindled fierce fire, and when the flame declined,<br /> +Raked wide the embers, laid the meat to roast,<br /> +And taking sacred salt from the hearth-side<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Where it was treasured, shower’d it o’er the feast.<br /> +When all was finish’d, and the board set forth,<br /> +Patroclus furnish’d it around with bread<br /> +In baskets, and Achilles served the guests.<br /> +Beside the tent-wall, opposite, he sat<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +To the divine Ulysses; first he bade<br /> +Patroclus make oblation; he consign’d<br /> +The consecrated morsel to the fire,<br /> +And each, at once, his savoury mess assail’d.<br /> +When neither edge of hunger now they felt<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Nor thirsted longer, Ajax with a nod<br /> +Made sign to Phœnix, which Ulysses mark’d,<br /> +And charging high his cup, drank to his host.</p> +<p> Health to Achilles! hospitable cheer<br /> +And well prepared, we want not at the board<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Of royal Agamemnon, or at thine,<br /> +For both are nobly spread; but dainties now,<br /> +Or plenteous boards, are little our concern.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-11">[11]</a><br /> +Oh godlike Chief! tremendous ills we sit<br /> +Contemplating with fear, doubtful if life<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Or death, with the destruction of our fleet,<br /> +Attend us, unless thou put on thy might.<br /> +For lo! the haughty Trojans, with their friends<br /> +Call’d from afar, at the fleet-side encamp,<br /> +Fast by the wall, where they have kindled fires<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Numerous, and threaten that no force of ours<br /> +Shall check their purposed inroad on the ships.<br /> +Jove grants them favorable signs from heaven,<br /> +Bright lightnings; Hector glares revenge, with rage<br /> +Infuriate, and by Jove assisted, heeds<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Nor God nor man, but prays the morn to rise<br /> +That he may hew away our vessel-heads,<br /> +Burn all our fleet with fire, and at their sides<br /> +Slay the Achaians struggling in the smoke.<br /> +Horrible are my fears lest these his threats<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +The Gods accomplish, and it be our doom<br /> +To perish here, from Argos far remote.<br /> +Up, therefore! if thou canst, and now at last<br /> +The weary sons of all Achaia save<br /> +From Trojan violence. Regret, but vain,<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Shall else be thine hereafter, when no cure<br /> +Of such great ill, once suffer’d, can be found.<br /> +Thou therefore, seasonably kind, devise<br /> +Means to preserve from such disast’rous fate<br /> +The Grecians. Ah, my friend! when Peleus thee<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +From Phthia sent to Agamemnon’s aid,<br /> +On that same day he gave thee thus in charge.<br /> +“Juno, my son, and Pallas, if they please,<br /> +Can make thee valiant; but thy own big heart<br /> +Thyself restrain. Sweet manners win respect.<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +Cease from pernicious strife, and young and old<br /> +Throughout the host shall honor thee the more.”<br /> +Such was thy father’s charge, which thou, it seems,<br /> +Remember’st not. Yet even now thy wrath<br /> +Renounce; be reconciled; for princely gifts<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Atrides gives thee if thy wrath subside.<br /> +Hear, if thou wilt, and I will tell thee all,<br /> +How vast the gifts which Agamemnon made<br /> +By promise thine, this night within his tent.<br /> +Seven tripods never sullied yet with fire;<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Of gold ten talents; twenty cauldrons bright;<br /> +Twelve steeds strong-limb’d, victorious in the race;<br /> +No man possessing prizes such as those<br /> +Which they have won for him, shall feel the want<br /> +Of acquisitions splendid, or of gold.<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Seven virtuous female captives he will give,<br /> +Expert in arts domestic, Lesbians all,<br /> +Whom when thou conquer’dst Lesbos, he received<br /> +His chosen portion, passing woman-kind<br /> +In perfect loveliness of face and form.<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +These will he give, and will with these resign<br /> +Her whom he took, Briseïs, with an oath<br /> +Most solemn, that unconscious as she was<br /> +Of his embraces, such he yields her back.<br /> +All these he gives thee now! and if at length<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +The Gods vouchsafe to us to overturn<br /> +Priam’s great city, thou shalt heap thy ships<br /> +With gold and brass, entering and choosing first,<br /> +When we shall share the spoil; and shalt beside<br /> +Choose twenty from among the maids of Troy,<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Helen except, loveliest of all their sex.<br /> +And if once more the rich milk-flowing land<br /> +We reach of Argos, thou shalt there become<br /> +His son-in-law, and shalt enjoy like state<br /> +With him, whom he in all abundance rears,<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +His only son Orestes. In his house<br /> +He hath three daughters; thou may’st home conduct<br /> +To Phthia, her whom thou shalt most approve.<br /> +Chrysothemis shall be thy bride; or else<br /> +Laodice; or if she please thee more<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Iphianassa; and from thee he asks<br /> +No dower; himself will such a dower bestow<br /> +As never father on his child before.<br /> +Seven fair well-peopled cities will he give;<br /> +Cardamyle and Enope; and rich<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +In herbage, Hira; Pheræ stately-built,<br /> +And for her depth of pasturage renown’d,<br /> +Antheia; proud Æpeia’s lofty towers,<br /> +And Pedasus impurpled dark with vines.<br /> +All these are maritime, and on the shore<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +They stand of Pylus, by a race possess’d<br /> +Most rich in flocks and herds, who tribute large<br /> +And gifts presenting to thy sceptred hand,<br /> +Shall hold thee high in honor as a God.<br /> +These will he give thee, if thy wrath subside.<span class="lnm">370</span></p> +<p> But should’st thou rather in thine heart the more<br /> +Both Agamemnon and his gifts detest,<br /> +Yet oh compassionate the afflicted host<br /> +Prepared to adore thee. Thou shalt win renown<br /> +Among the Grecians that shall never die.<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Now strike at Hector. He is here;—himself<br /> +Provokes thee forth; madness is in his heart,<br /> +And in his rage he glories that our ships<br /> +Have hither brought no Grecian brave as he.</p> +<p> Then thus Achilles matchless in the race.<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!<br /> +I must with plainness speak my fixt resolve<br /> +Unalterable; lest I hear from each<br /> +The same long murmur’d melancholy tale.<br /> +For I abhor the man, not more the gates<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Of hell itself, whose words belie his heart.<br /> +So shall not mine. My judgment undisguised<br /> +Is this; that neither Agamemnon me<br /> +Nor all the Greeks shall move; for ceaseless toil<br /> +Wins here no thanks; one recompense awaits<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +The sedentary and the most alert,<br /> +The brave and base in equal honor stand,<br /> +And drones and heroes fall unwept alike.<br /> +I after all my labors, who exposed<br /> +My life continual in the field, have earn’d<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +No very sumptuous prize. As the poor bird<br /> +Gives to her unfledged brood a morsel gain’d<br /> +After long search, though wanting it herself,<br /> +So I have worn out many sleepless nights,<br /> +And waded deep through many a bloody day<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +In battle for their wives.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-12">[12]</a> I have destroy’d<br /> +Twelve cities with my fleet, and twelve, save one,<br /> +On foot contending in the fields of Troy.<br /> +From all these cities, precious spoils I took<br /> +Abundant, and to Agamemnon’s hand<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Gave all the treasure. He within his ships<br /> +Abode the while, and having all received,<br /> +Little distributed, and much retained;<br /> +He gave, however, to the Kings and Chiefs<br /> +A portion, and they keep it. Me alone<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Of all the Grecian host he hath despoil’d;<br /> +My bride, my soul’s delight is in his hands,<br /> +And let him, couch’d with her, enjoy his fill<br /> +Of dalliance. What sufficient cause, what need<br /> +Have the Achaians to contend with Troy?<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Why hath Atrides gather’d such a host,<br /> +And led them hither? Was’t not for the sake<br /> +Of beauteous Helen? And of all mankind<br /> +Can none be found who love their proper wives<br /> +But the Atridæ? There is no good man<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Who loves not, guards not, and with care provides<br /> +For his own wife, and, though in battle won,<br /> +I loved the fair Briseïs at my heart.<br /> +But having dispossess’d me of my prize<br /> +So foully, let him not essay me now,<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +For I am warn’d, and he shall not prevail.<br /> +With thee and with thy peers let him advise,<br /> +Ulysses! how the fleet may likeliest ’scape<br /> +Yon hostile fires; full many an arduous task<br /> +He hath accomplished without aid of mine;<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +So hath he now this rampart and the trench<br /> +Which he hath digg’d around it, and with stakes<br /> +Planted contiguous—puny barriers all<br /> +To hero-slaughtering Hector’s force opposed.<br /> +While I the battle waged, present myself<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Among the Achaians, Hector never fought<br /> +Far from his walls, but to the Scæan gate<br /> +Advancing and the beech-tree, there remain’d.<br /> +Once, on that spot he met me, and my arm<br /> +Escaped with difficulty even there.<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +But, since I feel myself not now inclined<br /> +To fight with noble Hector, yielding first<br /> +To Jove due worship, and to all the Gods,<br /> +To-morrow will I launch, and give my ships<br /> +Their lading. Look thou forth at early dawn,<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +And, if such spectacle delight thee aught,<br /> +Thou shalt behold me cleaving with my prows<br /> +The waves of Hellespont, and all my crews<br /> +Of lusty rowers active in their task.<br /> +So shall I reach (if Ocean’s mighty God<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Prosper my passage) Phthia the deep-soil’d<br /> +On the third day. I have possessions there,<br /> +Which hither roaming in an evil hour<br /> +I left abundant. I shall also hence<br /> +Convey much treasure, gold and burnish’d brass,<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +And glittering steel, and women passing fair<br /> +My portion of the spoils. But he, your King,<br /> +The prize he gave, himself resumed,<br /> +And taunted at me. Tell him my reply,<br /> +And tell it him aloud, that other Greeks<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +May indignation feel like me, if arm’d<br /> +Always in impudence, he seek to wrong<br /> +Them also. Let him not henceforth presume,<br /> +Canine and hard in aspect though he be,<br /> +To look me in the face. I will not share<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +His counsels, neither will I aid his works.<br /> +Let it suffice him, that he wrong’d me once,<br /> +Deceived me once, henceforth his glozing arts<br /> +Are lost on me. But let him rot in peace<br /> +Crazed as he is, and by the stroke of Jove<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Infatuate. I detest his gifts, and him<br /> +So honor as the thing which most I scorn.<br /> +And would he give me twenty times the worth<br /> +Of this his offer, all the treasured heaps<br /> +Which he possesses, or shall yet possess,<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +All that Orchomenos within her walls,<br /> +And all that opulent Egyptian Thebes<br /> +Receives, the city with a hundred gates,<br /> +Whence twenty thousand chariots rush to war,<br /> +And would he give me riches as the sands,<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +And as the dust of earth, no gifts from him<br /> +Should soothe me, till my soul were first avenged<br /> +For all the offensive license of his tongue.<br /> +I will not wed the daughter of your Chief,<br /> +Of Agamemnon. Could she vie in charms<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +With golden Venus, had she all the skill<br /> +Of blue-eyed Pallas, even so endow’d<br /> +She were no bride for me. No. He may choose<br /> +From the Achaians some superior Prince,<br /> +One more her equal. Peleus, if the Gods<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Preserve me, and I safe arrive at home,<br /> +Himself, ere long, shall mate me with a bride.<br /> +In Hellas and in Phthia may be found<br /> +Fair damsels many, daughters of the Chiefs<br /> +Who guard our cities; I may choose of them,<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +And make the loveliest of them all my own.<br /> +There, in my country, it hath ever been<br /> +My dearest purpose, wedded to a wife<br /> +Of rank convenient, to enjoy in peace<br /> +Such wealth as ancient Peleus hath acquired.<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +For life, in my account, surpasses far<br /> +In value all the treasures which report<br /> +Ascribed to populous Ilium, ere the Greeks<br /> +Arrived, and while the city yet had peace;<br /> +Those also which Apollo’s marble shrine<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +In rocky Pytho boasts. Fat flocks and beeves<br /> +May be by force obtain’d, tripods and steeds<br /> +Are bought or won, but if the breath of man<br /> +Once overpass its bounds, no force arrests<br /> +Or may constrain the unbodied spirit back.<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Me, as my silver-footed mother speaks<br /> +Thetis, a twofold consummation waits.<br /> +If still with battle I encompass Troy,<br /> +I win immortal glory, but all hope<br /> +Renounce of my return. If I return<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +To my beloved country, I renounce<br /> +The illustrious meed of glory, but obtain<br /> +Secure and long immunity from death.<br /> +And truly I would recommend to all<br /> +To voyage homeward, for the fall as yet<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Ye shall not see of Ilium’s lofty towers,<br /> +For that the Thunderer with uplifted arm<br /> +Protects her, and her courage hath revived.<br /> +Bear ye mine answer back, as is the part<br /> +Of good ambassadors, that they may frame<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Some likelier plan, by which both fleet and host<br /> +May be preserved; for, my resentment still<br /> +Burning, this project is but premature.<br /> +Let Phœnix stay with us, and sleep this night<br /> +Within my tent, that, if he so incline,<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +He may to-morrow in my fleet embark,<br /> +And hence attend me; but I leave him free.</p> +<p> He ended; they astonish’d at his tone<br /> +(For vehement he spake) sat silent all,<br /> +Till Phœnix, aged warrior, at the last<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Gush’d into tears (for dread his heart o’erwhelm’d<br /> +Lest the whole fleet should perish) and replied.</p> +<p> If thou indeed have purposed to return,<br /> +Noble Achilles! and such wrath retain’st<br /> +That thou art altogether fixt to leave<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +The fleet a prey to desolating fires,<br /> +How then, my son! shall I at Troy abide<br /> +Forlorn of thee? When Peleus, hoary Chief,<br /> +Sent thee to Agamemnon, yet a child,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-13">[13]</a><br /> +Unpractised in destructive fight, nor less<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Of councils ignorant, the schools in which<br /> +Great minds are form’d, he bade me to the war<br /> +Attend thee forth, that I might teach thee all,<br /> +Both elocution and address in arms.<br /> +Me therefore shalt thou not with my consent<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Leave here, my son! no, not would Jove himself<br /> +Promise me, reaping smooth this silver beard,<br /> +To make me downy-cheek’d as in my youth;<br /> +Such as when erst from Hellas beauty-famed<br /> +I fled, escaping from my father’s wrath<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Amyntor, son of Ormenus, who loved<br /> +A beauteous concubine, and for her sake<br /> +Despised his wife and persecuted me.<br /> +My mother suppliant at my knees, with prayer<br /> +Perpetual importuned me to embrace<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +The damsel first, that she might loathe my sire.<br /> +I did so; and my father soon possess’d<br /> +With hot suspicion of the fact, let loose<br /> +A storm of imprecation, in his rage<br /> +Invoking all the Furies to forbid<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +That ever son of mine should press his knees.<br /> +Tartarian Jove<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-14">[14]</a> and dread Persephone<br /> +Fulfill’d his curses; with my pointed spear<br /> +I would have pierced his heart, but that my wrath<br /> +Some Deity assuaged, suggesting oft<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +What shame and obloquy I should incur,<br /> +Known as a parricide through all the land.<br /> +At length, so treated, I resolved to dwell<br /> +No longer in his house. My friends, indeed,<br /> +And all my kindred compass’d me around<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +With much entreaty, wooing me to stay;<br /> +Oxen and sheep they slaughter’d, many a plump<br /> +Well-fatted brawn extended in the flames,<br /> +And drank the old man’s vessels to the lees.<br /> +Nine nights continual at my side they slept,<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +While others watch’d by turns, nor were the fires<br /> +Extinguish’d ever, one, beneath the porch<br /> +Of the barr’d hall, and one that from within<br /> +The vestibule illumed my chamber door.<br /> +But when the tenth dark night at length arrived,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Sudden the chamber doors bursting I flew<br /> +That moment forth, and unperceived alike<br /> +By guards and menial woman, leap’d the wall.<br /> +Through spacious Hellas flying thence afar,<br /> +I came at length to Phthia the deep-soil’d,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Mother of flocks, and to the royal house<br /> +Of Peleus; Peleus with a willing heart<br /> +Receiving, loved me as a father loves<br /> +His only son, the son of his old age,<br /> +Inheritor of all his large demesnes.<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +He made me rich; placed under my control<br /> +A populous realm, and on the skirts I dwelt<br /> +Of Phthia, ruling the Dolopian race.<br /> +Thee from my soul, thou semblance of the Gods,<br /> +I loved, and all illustrious as thou art,<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Achilles! such I made thee. For with me,<br /> +Me only, would’st thou forth to feast abroad,<br /> +Nor would’st thou taste thy food at home, till first<br /> +I placed thee on my knees, with my own hand<br /> +Thy viands carved and fed thee, and the wine<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Held to thy lips; and many a time, in fits<br /> +Of infant frowardness, the purple juice<br /> +Rejecting thou hast deluged all my vest,<br /> +And fill’d my bosom. Oh, I have endured<br /> +Much, and have also much perform’d for thee,<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Thus purposing, that since the Gods vouchsaf’d<br /> +No son to me, thyself shouldst be my son,<br /> +Godlike Achilles! who shouldst screen perchance<br /> +From a foul fate my else unshelter’d age.<br /> +Achilles! bid thy mighty spirit down.<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Thou shouldst not be thus merciless; the Gods,<br /> +Although more honorable, and in power<br /> +And virtue thy superiors, are themselves<br /> +Yet placable; and if a mortal man<br /> +Offend them by transgression of their laws,<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Libation, incense, sacrifice, and prayer,<br /> +In meekness offer’d turn their wrath away.<br /> +Prayers are Jove’s daughters,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-15">[15]</a> wrinkled,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-16">[16]</a> lame, slant-eyed,<br /> +Which though far distant, yet with constant pace<br /> +Follow Offence. Offence, robust of limb,<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +And treading firm the ground, outstrips them all,<br /> +And over all the earth before them runs<br /> +Hurtful to man. They, following, heal the hurt.<br /> +Received respectfully when they approach,<br /> +They help us, and our prayers hear in return.<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +But if we slight, and with obdurate heart<br /> +Resist them, to Saturnian Jove they cry<br /> +Against us, supplicating that Offence<br /> +May cleave to us for vengeance of the wrong.<br /> +Thou, therefore, O Achilles! honor yield<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +To Jove’s own daughters, vanquished, as the brave<br /> +Have ofttimes been, by honor paid to thee.<br /> +For came not Agamemnon as he comes<br /> +With gifts in hand, and promises of more<br /> +Hereafter; burn’d his anger still the same,<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +I would not move thee to renounce thy own,<br /> +And to assist us, howsoe’er distress’d.<br /> +But now, not only are his present gifts<br /> +Most liberal, and his promises of more<br /> +Such also, but these Princes he hath sent<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Charged with entreaties, thine especial friends,<br /> +And chosen for that cause, from all the host.<br /> +Slight not their embassy, nor put to shame<br /> +Their intercession. We confess that once<br /> +Thy wrath was unreprovable and just.<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Thus we have heard the heroes of old times<br /> +Applauded oft, whose anger, though intense,<br /> +Yet left them open to the gentle sway<br /> +Of reason and conciliatory gifts.<br /> +I recollect an ancient history,<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Which, since all here are friends, I will relate.<br /> +The brave Ætolians and Curetes met<br /> +Beneath the walls of Calydon, and fought<br /> +With mutual slaughter; the Ætolian powers<br /> +In the defence of Calydon the fair,<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +And the Curetes bent to lay it waste:<br /> +That strife Diana of the golden throne<br /> +Kindled between them, with resentment fired<br /> +That Oeneus had not in some fertile spot<br /> +The first fruits of his harvest set apart<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +To her; with hecatombs he entertained<br /> +All the Divinities of heaven beside,<br /> +And her alone, daughter of Jove supreme,<br /> +Or through forgetfulness, or some neglect,<br /> +Served not; omission careless and profane!<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +She, progeny of Jove, Goddess shaft-arm’d,<br /> +A savage boar bright-tusk’d in anger sent,<br /> +Which haunting Oeneus’ fields much havoc made.<br /> +Trees numerous on the earth in heaps he cast<br /> +Uprooting them, with all their blossoms on.<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +But Meleager, Oeneus’ son, at length<br /> +Slew him, the hunters gathering and the hounds<br /> +Of numerous cities; for a boar so vast<br /> +Might not be vanquish’d by the power of few,<br /> +And many to their funeral piles he sent.<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Then raised Diana clamorous dispute,<br /> +And contest hot between them, all alike,<br /> +Curetes and Ætolians fierce in arms<br /> +The boar’s head claiming, and his bristly hide.<br /> +So long as warlike Meleager fought,<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +Ætolia prosper’d, nor with all their powers<br /> +Could the Curetes stand before the walls.<br /> +But when resentment once had fired the heart<br /> +Of Meleager, which hath tumult oft<br /> +Excited in the breasts of wisest men,<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +(For his own mother had his wrath provoked<br /> +Althæa) thenceforth with his wedded wife<br /> +He dwelt, fair Cleopatra, close retired.<br /> +She was Marpessa’s daughter, whom she bore<br /> +To Idas, bravest warrior in his day<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +Of all on earth. He fear’d not ’gainst the King<br /> +Himself Apollo, for the lovely nymph<br /> +Marpessa’s sake, his spouse, to bend his bow.<br /> +Her, therefore, Idas and Marpessa named<br /> +Thenceforth Alcyone, because the fate<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Of sad Alcyone Marpessa shared,<br /> +And wept like her, by Phœbus forced away.<br /> +Thus Meleager, tortured with the pangs<br /> +Of wrath indulged, with Cleopatra dwelt,<br /> +Vex’d that his mother cursed him; for, with grief<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +Frantic, his mother importuned the Gods<br /> +To avenge her slaughter’d brothers<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-17">[17]</a> on his head.<br /> +Oft would she smite the earth, while on her knees<br /> +Seated, she fill’d her bosom with her tears,<br /> +And call’d on Pluto and dread Proserpine<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +To slay her son; nor vain was that request,<br /> +But by implacable Erynnis heard<br /> +Roaming the shades of Erebus. Ere long<br /> +The tumult and the deafening din of war<br /> +Roar’d at the gates, and all the batter’d towers<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +Resounded. Then the elders of the town<br /> +Dispatch’d the high-priests of the Gods to plead<br /> +With Meleager for his instant aid,<br /> +With strong assurances of rich reward.<br /> +Where Calydon afforded fattest soil<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +They bade him choose to his own use a farm<br /> +Of fifty measured acres, vineyard half,<br /> +And half of land commodious for the plow.<br /> +Him Oeneus also, warrior grey with age,<br /> +Ascending to his chamber, and his doors<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +Smiting importunate, with earnest prayers<br /> +Assay’d to soften, kneeling to his son.<br /> +Nor less his sisters woo’d him to relent,<br /> +Nor less his mother; but in vain; he grew<br /> +Still more obdurate. His companions last,<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +The most esteem’d and dearest of his friends,<br /> +The same suit urged, yet he persisted still<br /> +Relentless, nor could even they prevail.<br /> +But when the battle shook his chamber-doors<br /> +And the Curetes climbing the high towers<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +Had fired the spacious city, then with tears<br /> +The beauteous Cleopatra, and with prayers<br /> +Assail’d him; in his view she set the woes<br /> +Numberless of a city storm’d—the men<br /> +Slaughter’d, the city burnt to dust, the chaste<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +Matrons with all their children dragg’d away.<br /> +That dread recital roused him, and at length<br /> +Issuing, he put his radiant armor on.<br /> +Thus Meleager, gratifying first<br /> +His own resentment from a fatal day<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +Saved the Ætolians, who the promised gift<br /> +Refused him, and his toils found no reward.<br /> +But thou, my son, be wiser; follow thou<br /> +No demon who would tempt thee to a course<br /> +Like his; occasion more propitious far<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +Smiles on thee now, than if the fleet were fired.<br /> +Come, while by gifts invited, and receive<br /> +From all the host, the honors of a God;<br /> +For shouldst thou, by no gifts induced, at last<br /> +Enter the bloody field, although thou chase<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +The Trojans hence, yet less shall be thy praise.</p> +<p> Then thus Achilles, matchless in the race.<br /> +Phœnix, my guide, wise, noble and revered!<br /> +I covet no such glory! the renown<br /> +Ordain’d by Jove for me, is to resist<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +All importunity to quit my ships<br /> +While I have power to move, or breath to draw.<br /> +Hear now, and mark me well. Cease thou from tears.<br /> +Confound me not, pleading with sighs and sobs<br /> +In Agamemnon’s cause; O love not him,<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +Lest I renounce thee, who am now thy friend.<br /> +Assist me rather, as thy duty bids,<br /> +Him to afflict, who hath afflicted me,<br /> +So shalt thou share my glory and my power.<br /> +These shall report as they have heard, but here<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +Rest thou this night, and with the rising morn<br /> +We will decide, to stay or to depart.</p> +<p> He ceased, and silent, by a nod enjoin’d<br /> +Patroclus to prepare an easy couch<br /> +For Phœnix, anxious to dismiss the rest<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +Incontinent; when Ajax, godlike son<br /> +Of Telamon, arising, thus began.</p> +<p> Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d:<br /> +Depart we now; for I perceive that end<br /> +Or fruit of all our reasonings shall be none.<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +It is expedient also that we bear<br /> +Our answer back (unwelcome as it is)<br /> +With all dispatch, for the assembled Greeks<br /> +Expect us. Brave Achilles shuts a fire<br /> +Within his breast; the kindness of his friends,<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +And the respect peculiar by ourselves<br /> +Shown to him, on his heart work no effect.<br /> +Inexorable man! others accept<br /> +Even for a brother slain, or for a son<br /> +Due compensation;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-18">[18]</a> the delinquent dwells<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +Secure at home, and the receiver, soothed<br /> +And pacified, represses his revenge.<br /> +But thou, resentful of the loss of one,<br /> +One virgin (such obduracy of heart<br /> +The Gods have given thee) can’st not be appeased<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +Yet we assign thee seven in her stead,<br /> +The most distinguish’d of their sex, and add<br /> +Large gifts beside. Ah then, at last relent!<br /> +Respect thy roof; we are thy guests; we come<br /> +Chosen from the multitude of all the Greeks,<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +Beyond them all ambitious of thy love.</p> +<p> To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.<br /> +My noble friend, offspring of Telamon!<br /> +Thou seem’st sincere, and I believe thee such.<br /> +But at the very mention of the name<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +Of Atreus’ son, who shamed me in the sight<br /> +Of all Achaia’s host, bearing me down<br /> +As I had been some vagrant at his door,<br /> +My bosom boils. Return ye and report<br /> +Your answer. I no thought will entertain<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +Of crimson war, till the illustrious son<br /> +Of warlike Priam, Hector, blood-embrued,<br /> +Shall in their tents the Myrmidons assail<br /> +Themselves, and fire my fleet. At my own ship,<br /> +And at my own pavilion it may chance<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +That even Hector’s violence shall pause.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_9-19">[19]</a></p> +<p> He ended; they from massy goblets each<br /> +Libation pour’d, and to the fleet their course<br /> +Resumed direct, Ulysses at their head.<br /> +Patroclus then his fellow-warriors bade,<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +And the attendant women spread a couch<br /> +For Phœnix; they the couch, obedient, spread<br /> +With fleeces, with rich arras, and with flax<br /> +Of subtlest woof. There hoary Phœnix lay<br /> +In expectation of the sacred dawn.<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +Meantime Achilles in the interior tent,<br /> +With beauteous Diomeda by himself<br /> +From Lesbos brought, daughter of Phorbas, lay.<br /> +Patroclus opposite reposed, with whom<br /> +Slept charming Iphis; her, when he had won<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +The lofty towers of Scyros, the divine<br /> +Achilles took, and on his friend bestow’d.</p> +<p> But when those Chiefs at Agamemnon’s tent<br /> +Arrived, the Greeks on every side arose<br /> +With golden cups welcoming their return.<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +All question’d them, but Agamemnon first.</p> +<p> Oh worthy of Achaia’s highest praise,<br /> +And her chief ornament, Ulysses, speak!<br /> +Will he defend the fleet? or his big heart<br /> +Indulging wrathful, doth he still refuse?<span class="lnm">840</span></p> +<p> To whom renown’d Ulysses thus replied.<br /> +Atrides, Agamemnon, King of men!<br /> +He his resentment quenches not, nor will,<br /> +But burns with wrath the more, thee and thy gifts<br /> +Rejecting both. He bids thee with the Greeks<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +Consult by what expedient thou may’st save<br /> +The fleet and people, threatening that himself<br /> +Will at the peep of day launch all his barks,<br /> +And counselling, beside, the general host<br /> +To voyage homeward, for that end as yet<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +Of Ilium wall’d to heaven, ye shall not find,<br /> +Since Jove the Thunderer with uplifted arm<br /> +Protects her, and her courage hath revived.<br /> +Thus speaks the Chief, and Ajax is prepared,<br /> +With the attendant heralds to report<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +As I have said. But Phœnix in the tent<br /> +Sleeps of Achilles, who his stay desired,<br /> +That on the morrow, if he so incline,<br /> +The hoary warrior may attend him hence<br /> +Home to his country, but he leaves him free.<span class="lnm">860</span></p> +<p> He ended. They astonish’d at his tone<br /> +(For vehement he spake) sat silent all.<br /> +Long silent sat the afflicted sons of Greece,<br /> +When thus the mighty Diomede began.</p> +<p> Atrides, Agamemnon, King of men!<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +Thy supplications to the valiant son<br /> +Of Peleus, and the offer of thy gifts<br /> +Innumerous, had been better far withheld.<br /> +He is at all times haughty, and thy suit<br /> +Hath but increased his haughtiness of heart<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Past bounds: but let him stay or let him go<br /> +As he shall choose. He will resume the fight<br /> +When his own mind shall prompt him, and the Gods<br /> +Shall urge him forth. Now follow my advice.<br /> +Ye have refresh’d your hearts with food and wine<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Which are the strength of man; take now repose.<br /> +And when the rosy-finger’d morning fair<br /> +Shall shine again, set forth without delay<br /> +The battle, horse and foot, before the fleet,<br /> +And where the foremost fight, fight also thou.<span class="lnm">880</span></p> +<p> + He ended; all the Kings applauded warm<br /> +His counsel, and the dauntless tone admired<br /> +Of Diomede. Then, due libation made,<br /> +Each sought his tent, and took the gift of sleep.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>There is much in this book which is worthy of close attention. The consummate +genius, the varied and versatile power, the eloquence, truth, and +nature displayed in it, will always be admired. Perhaps there is no portion +of the poem more remarkable for these attributes.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book10"></a>BOOK X.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE TENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="ctr">Diomede and Ulysses enter the Trojan host by night, and slay Rhesus.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK X.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">All night the leaders of the host of Greece<br /> +Lay sunk in soft repose, all, save the Chief,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-1">[1]</a><br /> +The son of Atreus; him from thought to thought<br /> +Roving solicitous, no sleep relieved.<br /> +As when the spouse of beauteous Juno, darts<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +His frequent fires, designing heavy rain<br /> +Immense, or hail-storm, or field-whitening snow,<br /> +Or else wide-throated war calamitous,<br /> +So frequent were the groans by Atreus’ son<br /> +Heaved from his inmost heart, trembling with dread.<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +For cast he but his eye toward the plain<br /> +Of Ilium, there, astonish’d he beheld<br /> +The city fronted with bright fires, and heard<br /> +Pipes, and recorders, and the hum of war;<br /> +But when again the Grecian fleet he view’d,<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +And thought on his own people, then his hair<br /> +Uprooted elevating to the Gods,<br /> +He from his generous bosom groan’d again.<br /> +At length he thus resolved; of all the Greeks<br /> +To seek Neleian Nestor first, with whom<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +He might, perchance, some plan for the defence<br /> +Of the afflicted Danaï devise.<br /> +Rising, he wrapp’d his tunic to his breast,<br /> +And to his royal feet unsullied bound<br /> +His sandals; o’er his shoulders, next, he threw<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Of amplest size a lion’s tawny skin<br /> +That swept his footsteps, dappled o’er with blood,<br /> +Then took his spear. Meantime, not less appall’d<br /> +Was Menelaus, on whose eyelids sleep<br /> +Sat not, lest the Achaians for his sake<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +O’er many waters borne, and now intent<br /> +On glorious deeds, should perish all at Troy.<br /> +With a pard’s spotted hide his shoulders broad<br /> +He mantled over; to his head he raised<br /> +His brazen helmet, and with vigorous hand<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse<br /> +His brother, mighty sovereign of the host,<br /> +And by the Grecians like a God revered.<br /> +He found him at his galley’s stern, his arms<br /> +Assuming radiant; welcome he arrived<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +To Agamemnon, whom he thus address’d.</p> +<p> Why arm’st thou, brother? Wouldst thou urge abroad<br /> +Some trusty spy into the Trojan camp?<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-2">[2]</a><br /> +I fear lest none so hardy shall be found<br /> +As to adventure, in the dead still night,<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +So far, alone; valiant indeed were he!</p> +<p> To whom great Agamemnon thus replied.<br /> +Heaven-favor’d Menelaus! We have need,<br /> +Thou and myself, of some device well-framed,<br /> +Which both the Grecians and the fleet of Greece<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +May rescue, for the mind of Jove hath changed,<br /> +And Hector’s prayers alone now reach his ear.<br /> +I never saw, nor by report have learn’d<br /> +From any man, that ever single chief<br /> +Such awful wonders in one day perform’d<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +As he with ease against the Greeks, although<br /> +Nor from a Goddess sprung nor from a God.<br /> +Deeds he hath done, which, as I think, the Greeks<br /> +Shall deep and long lament, such numerous ills<br /> +Achaia’s host hath at his hands sustain’d.<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +But haste, begone, and at their several ships<br /> +Call Ajax and Idomeneus; I go<br /> +To exhort the noble Nestor to arise,<br /> +That he may visit, if he so incline,<br /> +The chosen band who watch, and his advice<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Give them; for him most prompt they will obey,<br /> +Whose son, together with Meriones,<br /> +Friend of Idomeneus, controls them all,<br /> +Entrusted by ourselves with that command.</p> +<p> Him answer’d Menelaus bold in arms.<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Explain thy purpose. Wouldst thou that I wait<br /> +Thy coming, there, or thy commands to both<br /> +Given, that I incontinent return?</p> +<p> To whom the Sovereign of the host replied.<br /> +There stay; lest striking into different paths<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +(For many passes intersect the camp)<br /> +We miss each other; summon them aloud<br /> +Where thou shalt come; enjoin them to arise;<br /> +Call each by his hereditary name,<br /> +Honoring all. Beware of manners proud,<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +For we ourselves must labor, at our birth<br /> +By Jove ordain’d to suffering and to toil.</p> +<p> So saying, he his brother thence dismiss’d<br /> +Instructed duly, and himself, his steps<br /> +Turned to the tent of Nestor. Him he found<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Amid his sable galleys in his tent<br /> +Reposing soft, his armor at his side,<br /> +Shield, spears, bright helmet, and the broider’d belt<br /> +Which, when the Senior arm’d led forth his host<br /> +To fight, he wore; for he complied not yet<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +With the encroachments of enfeebling age.<br /> +He raised his head, and on his elbow propp’d,<br /> +Questioning Agamemnon, thus began.</p> +<p> But who art thou, who thus alone, the camp<br /> +Roamest, amid the darkness of the night,<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +While other mortals sleep? Comest thou abroad<br /> +Seeking some friend or soldier of the guard?<br /> +Speak—come not nearer mute. What is thy wish?</p> +<p> To whom the son of Atreus, King of men.<br /> +Oh Nestor, glory of the Grecian name,<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Offspring of Neleus! thou in me shalt know<br /> +The son of Atreus, Agamemnon, doom’d<br /> +By Jove to toil, while life shall yet inform<br /> +These limbs, or I shall draw the vital air.<br /> +I wander thus, because that on my lids<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Sweet sleep sits not, but war and the concerns<br /> +Of the Achaians occupy my soul.<br /> +Terrible are the fears which I endure<br /> +For these my people; such as supersede<br /> +All thought; my bosom can no longer hold<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +My throbbing heart, and tremors shake my limbs.<br /> +But if thy mind, more capable, project<br /> +Aught that may profit us (for thee it seems<br /> +Sleep also shuns) arise, and let us both<br /> +Visit the watch, lest, haply, overtoil’d<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +They yield to sleep, forgetful of their charge.<br /> +The foe is posted near, and may intend<br /> +(None knows his purpose) an assault by night.</p> +<p> To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied.<br /> +Illustrious Agamemnon, King of men!<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Deep-planning Jove the imaginations proud<br /> +Of Hector will not ratify, nor all<br /> +His sanguine hopes effectuate; in his turn<br /> +He also (fierce Achilles once appeased)<br /> +Shall trouble feel, and haply, more than we.<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +But with all readiness I will arise<br /> +And follow thee, that we may also rouse<br /> +Yet others; Diomede the spear-renown’d,<br /> +Ulysses, the swift Ajax, and the son<br /> +Of Phyleus, valiant Meges. It were well<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Were others also visited and call’d,<br /> +The godlike Ajax, and Idomeneus,<br /> +Whose ships are at the camp’s extremest bounds.<br /> +But though I love thy brother and revere,<br /> +And though I grieve e’en thee, yet speak I must,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +And plainly censure him, that thus he sleeps<br /> +And leaves to thee the labor, who himself<br /> +Should range the host, soliciting the Chiefs<br /> +Of every band, as utmost need requires.</p> +<p> Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men.<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Old warrior, times there are, when I could wish<br /> +Myself thy censure of him, for in act<br /> +He is not seldom tardy and remiss.<br /> +Yet is not sluggish indolence the cause,<br /> +No, nor stupidity, but he observes<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Me much, expecting till I lead the way.<br /> +But he was foremost now, far more alert<br /> +This night than I, and I have sent him forth<br /> +Already, those to call whom thou hast named.<br /> +But let us hence, for at the guard I trust<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +To find them, since I gave them so in charge.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-3">[3]</a></p> +<p> To whom the brave Gerenian Chief replied.<br /> +Him none will censure, or his will dispute,<br /> +Whom he shall waken and exhort to rise.</p> +<p> So saying, he bound his corselet to his breast,<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +His sandals fair to his unsullied feet,<br /> +And fastening by its clasps his purple cloak<br /> +Around him, double and of shaggy pile,<br /> +Seized, next, his sturdy spear headed with brass,<br /> +And issued first into the Grecian fleet.<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +There, Nestor, brave Gerenian, with a voice<br /> +Sonorous roused the godlike counsellor<br /> +From sleep, Ulysses; the alarm came o’er<br /> +His startled ear, forth from his tent he sprang<br /> +Sudden, and of their coming, quick, inquired.<span class="lnm">165</span></p> +<p> Why roam ye thus the camp and fleet alone<br /> +In darkness? by what urgent need constrain’d?</p> +<p> To whom the hoary Pylian thus replied.<br /> +Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!<br /> +Resent it not, for dread is our distress.<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Come, therefore, and assist us to convene<br /> +Yet others, qualified to judge if war<br /> +Be most expedient, or immediate flight.</p> +<p> He ended, and regaining, quick, his tent,<br /> +Ulysses slung his shield, then coming forth<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Join’d them. The son of Tydeus first they sought.<br /> +Him sleeping arm’d before his tent they found,<br /> +Encompass’d by his friends also asleep;<br /> +His head each rested on his shield, and each<br /> +Had planted on its nether point<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-4">[4]</a> erect<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +His spear beside him; bright their polish’d heads,<br /> +As Jove’s own lightning glittered from afar.<br /> +Himself, the Hero, slept. A wild bull’s hide<br /> +Was spread beneath him, and on arras tinged<br /> +With splendid purple lay his head reclined.<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Nestor, beside him standing, with his heel<br /> +Shook him, and, urgent, thus the Chief reproved.</p> +<p> Awake, Tydides! wherefore givest the night<br /> +Entire to balmy slumber? Hast not heard<br /> +How on the rising ground beside the fleet<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +The Trojans sit, small interval between?</p> +<p> He ceased; then up sprang Diomede alarm’d<br /> +Instant, and in wing’d accents thus replied.</p> +<p> Old wakeful Chief! thy toils are never done.<br /> +Are there not younger of the sons of Greece,<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Who ranging in all parts the camp, might call<br /> +The Kings to council? But no curb controls<br /> +Or can abate activity like thine.</p> +<p> To whom Gerenian Nestor in return.<br /> +My friend! thou hast well spoken. I have sons,<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +And they are well deserving; I have here<br /> +A numerous people also, one of whom<br /> +Might have sufficed to call the Kings of Greece.<br /> +But such occasion presses now the host<br /> +As hath not oft occurr’d; the overthrow<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Complete, or full deliverance of us all,<br /> +In balance hangs, poised on a razor’s edge.<br /> +But haste, and if thy pity of my toils<br /> +Be such, since thou art younger, call, thyself,<br /> +Ajax the swift, and Meges to the guard.<span class="lnm">210</span></p> +<p> Then Diomede a lion’s tawny skin<br /> +Around him wrapp’d, dependent to his heels,<br /> +And, spear in hand, set forth. The Hero call’d<br /> +Those two, and led them whither Nestor bade.</p> +<p> They, at the guard arrived, not sleeping found<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +The captains of the guard, but sitting all<br /> +In vigilant posture with their arms prepared.<br /> +As dogs that, careful, watch the fold by night,<br /> +Hearing some wild beast in the woods,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-5">[5]</a> which hounds<br /> +And hunters with tumultuous clamor drive<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +Down from the mountain-top, all sleep forego;<br /> +So, sat not on their eyelids gentle sleep<br /> +That dreadful night, but constant to the plain<br /> +At every sound of Trojan feet they turn’d.<br /> +The old Chief joyful at the sight, in terms<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Of kind encouragement them thus address’d.</p> +<p> So watch, my children! and beware that sleep<br /> +Invade none here, lest all become a prey.</p> +<p> So saying, he traversed with quick pace the trench<br /> +By every Chief whom they had thither call’d<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Attended, with whom Nestor’s noble son<br /> +Went, and Meriones, invited both<br /> +To join their consultation. From the foss<br /> +Emerging, in a vacant space they sat,<br /> +Unstrew’d with bodies of the slain, the spot,<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Whence furious Hector, after slaughter made<br /> +Of numerous Greeks, night falling, had return’d.<br /> +There seated, mutual converse close they held,<br /> +And Nestor, brave Gerenian, thus began.</p> +<p> + Oh friends! hath no Achaian here such trust<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +In his own prowess, as to venture forth<br /> +Among yon haughty Trojans? He, perchance,<br /> +Might on the borders of their host surprise<br /> +Some wandering adversary, or might learn<br /> +Their consultations, whether they propose<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Here to abide in prospect of the fleet,<br /> +Or, satiate with success against the Greeks<br /> +So signal, meditate retreat to Troy.<br /> +These tidings gain’d, should he at last return<br /> +Secure, his recompense will be renown<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Extensive as the heavens, and fair reward.<br /> +From every leader of the fleet, his gift<br /> +Shall be a sable<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-6">[6]</a> ewe, and sucking lamb,<br /> +Rare acquisition! and at every board<br /> +And sumptuous banquet, he shall be a guest.<span class="lnm">255</span></p> +<p> He ceased, and all sat silent, when at length<br /> +The mighty son of Tydeus thus replied.</p> +<p> Me, Nestor, my courageous heart incites<br /> +To penetrate into the neighbor host<br /> +Of enemies; but went some other Chief<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +With me, far greater would my comfort prove,<br /> +And I should dare the more. Two going forth,<br /> +One quicker sees than other, and suggests<br /> +Prudent advice; but he who single goes,<br /> +Mark whatsoe’er he may, the occasion less<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Improves, and his expedients soon exhausts.</p> +<p> He ended, and no few willing arose<br /> +To go with Diomede. Servants of Mars<br /> +Each Ajax willing stood; willing as they<br /> +Meriones; most willing Nestor’s son;<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Willing the brother of the Chief of all,<br /> +Nor willing less Ulysses to explore<br /> +The host of Troy, for he possess’d a heart<br /> +Delighted ever with some bold exploit.</p> +<p> Then Agamemnon, King of men, began.<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Now Diomede, in whom my soul delights!<br /> +Choose whom thou wilt for thy companion; choose<br /> +The fittest here; for numerous wish to go.<br /> +Leave not through deference to another’s rank,<br /> +The more deserving, nor prefer a worse,<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Respecting either pedigree or power.</p> +<p> Such speech he interposed, fearing his choice<br /> +Of Menelaus; then, renown’d in arms<br /> +The son of Tydeus, rising, spake again.</p> +<p> Since, then, ye bid me my own partner choose<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Free from constraint, how can I overlook<br /> +Divine Ulysses, whose courageous heart<br /> +With such peculiar cheerfulness endures<br /> +Whatever toils, and whom Minerva loves?<br /> +Let <i>him</i> attend me, and through fire itself<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +We shall return; for none is wise as he.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-7">[7]</a></p> +<p> To him Ulysses, hardy Chief, replied.<br /> +Tydides! neither praise me much, nor blame,<br /> +For these are Grecians in whose ears thou speak’st,<br /> +And know me well. But let us hence! the night<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Draws to a close; day comes apace; the stars<br /> +Are far advanced; two portions have elapsed<br /> +Of darkness, but the third is yet entire.</p> +<p> So they; then each his dreadful arms put on.<br /> +To Diomede, who at the fleet had left<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +His own, the dauntless Thrasymedes gave<br /> +His shield and sword two-edged, and on his head<br /> +Placed, crestless, unadorn’d, his bull-skin casque.<br /> +It was a stripling’s helmet, such as youths<br /> +Scarce yet confirm’d in lusty manhood, wear.<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Meriones with quiver, bow and sword<br /> +Furnish’d Ulysses, and his brows enclosed<br /> +In his own casque of hide with many a thong<br /> +Well braced within;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-8">[8]</a> guarded it was without<br /> +With boar’s teeth ivory-white inherent firm<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +On all sides, and with woolen head-piece lined.<br /> +That helmet erst Autolycus<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-9">[9]</a> had brought<br /> +From Eleon, city of Amyntor son<br /> +Of Hormenus, where he the solid walls<br /> +Bored through, clandestine, of Amyntor’s house.<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +He on Amphidamas the prize bestow’d<br /> +In Scandia;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-10">[10]</a> from Amphidamas it pass’d<br /> +To Molus as a hospitable pledge;<br /> +He gave it to Meriones his son,<br /> +And now it guarded shrewd Ulysses’ brows.<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Both clad in arms terrific, forth they sped,<br /> +Leaving their fellow Chiefs, and as they went<br /> +A heron, by command of Pallas, flew<br /> +Close on the right beside them; darkling they<br /> +Discern’d him not, but heard his clanging plumes.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-11">[11]</a><span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Ulysses in the favorable sign<br /> +Exulted, and Minerva thus invoked.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-12">[12]</a></p> +<p> + Oh hear me, daughter of Jove Ægis-arm’d!<br /> +My present helper in all straits, whose eye<br /> +Marks all my ways, oh with peculiar care<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Now guard me, Pallas! grant that after toil<br /> +Successful, glorious, such as long shall fill<br /> +With grief the Trojans, we may safe return<br /> +And with immortal honors to the fleet.</p> +<p> Valiant Tydides, next, his prayer preferr’d.<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Hear also me, Jove’s offspring by the toils<br /> +Of war invincible! me follow now<br /> +As my heroic father erst to Thebes<br /> +Thou followedst, Tydeus; by the Greeks dispatch’d<br /> +Ambassador, he left the mail-clad host<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Beside Asopus, and with terms of peace<br /> +Entrusted, enter’d Thebes; but by thine aid<br /> +Benevolent, and in thy strength, perform’d<br /> +Returning, deeds of terrible renown.<br /> +Thus, now, protect me also! In return<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +I vow an offering at thy shrine, a young<br /> +Broad-fronted heifer, to the yoke as yet<br /> +Untamed, whose horns I will incase with gold.</p> +<p> Such prayer they made, and Pallas heard well pleased.<br /> +Their orisons ended to the daughter dread<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Of mighty Jove, lion-like they advanced<br /> +Through shades of night, through carnage, arms and blood.</p> +<p> Nor Hector to his gallant host indulged<br /> +Sleep, but convened the leaders; leader none<br /> +Or senator of all his host he left<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Unsummon’d, and his purpose thus promulged.</p> +<p> Where is the warrior who for rich reward,<br /> +Such as shall well suffice him, will the task<br /> +Adventurous, which I propose, perform?<br /> +A chariot with two steeds of proudest height,<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Surpassing all in the whole fleet of Greece<br /> +Shall be his portion, with immortal praise,<br /> +Who shall the well-appointed ships approach<br /> +Courageous, there to learn if yet a guard<br /> +As heretofore, keep them, or if subdued<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Beneath us, the Achaians flight intend,<br /> +And worn with labor have no will to watch.</p> +<p> So Hector spake, but answer none return’d.<br /> +There was a certain Trojan, Dolon named,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-13">[13]</a><br /> +Son of Eumedes herald of the Gods,<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Rich both in gold and brass, but in his form<br /> +Unsightly; yet the man was swift of foot,<br /> +Sole brother of five sisters; he his speech<br /> +To Hector and the Trojans thus address’d.</p> +<p> My spirit, Hector, prompts me, and my mind<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Endued with manly vigor, to approach<br /> +Yon gallant ships, that I may tidings hear.<br /> +But come. For my assurance, lifting high<br /> +Thy sceptre, swear to me, for my reward,<br /> +The horses and the brazen chariot bright<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Which bear renown’d Achilles o’er the field.<br /> +I will not prove a useless spy, nor fall<br /> +Below thy best opinion; pass I will<br /> +Their army through, till I shall reach the ship<br /> +Of Agamemnon, where the Chiefs, perchance,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Now sit consulting, or to fight, or fly.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-14">[14]</a></p> +<p> + Then raising high his sceptre, Hector sware<br /> +Know, Jove himself, Juno’s high-thundering spouse!<br /> +That Trojan none shall in that chariot ride<br /> +By those steeds drawn, save Dolon; on my oath<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +I make them thine; enjoy them evermore.</p> +<p> He said, and falsely sware, yet him assured.<br /> +Then Dolon, instant, o’er his shoulder slung<br /> +His bow elastic, wrapp’d himself around<br /> +With a grey wolf-skin, to his head a casque<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Adjusted, coated o’er with ferret’s felt,<br /> +And seizing his sharp javelin, from the host<br /> +Turn’d right toward the fleet, but was ordain’d<br /> +To disappoint his sender, and to bring<br /> +No tidings thence. The throng of Trojan steeds<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +And warriors left, with brisker pace he moved,<br /> +When brave Ulysses his approach perceived,<br /> +And thus to Diomede his speech address’d.</p> +<p> Tydides! yonder man is from the host;<br /> +Either a spy he comes, or with intent<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +To spoil the dead. First, freely let him pass<br /> +Few paces, then pursuing him with speed,<br /> +Seize on him suddenly; but should he prove<br /> +The nimbler of the three, with threatening spear<br /> +Enforce him from his camp toward the fleet,<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Lest he elude us, and escape to Troy.</p> +<p> So they; then, turning from the road oblique,<br /> +Among the carcases each laid him down.<br /> +Dolon, suspecting nought, ran swiftly by.<br /> +<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-15">[15]</a>But when such space was interposed as mules<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Plow in a day (for mules the ox surpass<br /> +Through fallows deep drawing the ponderous plow)<br /> +Both ran toward him. Dolon at the sound<br /> +Stood; for he hoped some Trojan friends at hand<br /> +From Hector sent to bid him back again.<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +But when within spear’s cast, or less they came,<br /> +Knowing them enemies he turn’d to flight<br /> +Incontinent, whom they as swift pursued.<br /> +As two fleet hounds sharp fang’d, train’d to the chase,<br /> +Hang on the rear of flying hind or hare,<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +And drive her, never swerving from the track,<br /> +Through copses close; she screaming scuds before;<br /> +So Diomede and dread Ulysses him<br /> +Chased constant, intercepting his return.<br /> +And now, fast-fleeting to the ships, he soon<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Had reach’d the guard, but Pallas with new force<br /> +Inspired Tydides, lest a meaner Greek<br /> +Should boast that he had smitten Dolon first,<br /> +And Diomede win only second praise.<br /> +He poised his lifted spear, and thus exclaim’d.<span class="lnm">435</span></p> +<p> Stand! or my spear shall stop thee. Death impends<br /> +At every step; thou canst not ’scape me long.</p> +<p> He said, and threw his spear, but by design,<br /> +Err’d from the man. The polish’d weapon swift<br /> +O’er-glancing his right shoulder, in the soil<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Stood fixt, beyond him. Terrified he stood,<br /> +Stammering, and sounding through his lips the clash<br /> +Of chattering teeth, with visage deadly wan.<br /> +They panting rush’d on him, and both his hands<br /> +Seized fast; he wept, and suppliant them bespake.<span class="lnm">445</span></p> +<p> Take me alive, and I will pay the price<br /> +Of my redemption. I have gold at home,<br /> +Brass also, and bright steel, and when report<br /> +Of my captivity within your fleet<br /> +Shall reach my father, treasures he will give<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Not to be told, for ransom of his son.</p> +<p> To whom Ulysses politic replied.<br /> +Take courage; entertain no thought of death.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-16">[16]</a><br /> +But haste! this tell me, and disclose the truth.<br /> +Why thus toward the ships comest thou alone<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +From yonder host, by night, while others sleep?<br /> +To spoil some carcase? or from Hector sent<br /> +A spy of all that passes in the fleet?<br /> +Or by thy curiosity impell’d?</p> +<p> Then Dolon, his limbs trembling, thus replied.<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +To my great detriment, and far beyond<br /> +My own design, Hector trepann’d me forth,<br /> +Who promised me the steeds of Peleus’ son<br /> +Illustrious, and his brazen chariot bright.<br /> +He bade me, under night’s fast-flitting shades<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Approach our enemies, a spy, to learn<br /> +If still as heretofore, ye station guards<br /> +For safety of your fleet, or if subdued<br /> +Completely, ye intend immediate flight,<br /> +And worn with labor, have no will to watch.<span class="lnm">470</span></p> +<p> To whom Ulysses, smiling, thus replied.<br /> +Thou hadst, in truth, an appetite to gifts<br /> +Of no mean value, coveting the steeds<br /> +Of brave Æacides; but steeds are they<br /> +Of fiery sort, difficult to be ruled<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +By force of mortal man, Achilles’ self<br /> +Except, whom an immortal mother bore.<br /> +But tell me yet again; use no disguise;<br /> +Where left’st thou, at thy coming forth, your Chief,<br /> +The valiant Hector? where hath he disposed<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +His armor battle-worn, and where his steeds?<br /> +What other quar4ers of your host are watch’d?<br /> +Where lodge the guard, and what intend ye next?<br /> +Still to abide in prospect of the fleet?<br /> +Or well-content that ye have thus reduced<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Achaia’s host, will ye retire to Troy?</p> +<p> To whom this answer Dolon straight returned<br /> +Son of Eumedes. With unfeigning truth<br /> +Simply and plainly will I utter all.<br /> +Hector, with all the Senatorial Chiefs,<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Beside the tomb of sacred Ilius sits<br /> +Consulting, from the noisy camp remote.<br /> +But for the guards, Hero! concerning whom<br /> +Thou hast inquired, there is no certain watch<br /> +And regular appointed o’er the camp;<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +The native<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-17">[17]</a> Trojans (for <i>they</i> can no less)<br /> +Sit sleepless all, and each his next exhorts<br /> +To vigilance; but all our foreign aids,<br /> +Who neither wives nor children hazard here,<br /> +Trusting the Trojans for that service, sleep.<span class="lnm">500</span></p> +<p> To whom Ulysses, ever wise, replied.<br /> +How sleep the strangers and allies?—apart?<br /> +Or with the Trojans mingled?—I would learn.</p> +<p> So spake Ulysses; to whom Dolon thus,<br /> +Son of Eumedes. I will all unfold,<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +And all most truly. By the sea are lodged<br /> +The Carians, the Pæonians arm’d with bows,<br /> +The Leleges, with the Pelasgian band,<br /> +And the Caucones. On the skirts encamp<br /> +Of Thymbra, the Mæonians crested high,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +The Phrygian horsemen, with the Lycian host,<br /> +And the bold troop of Mysia’s haughty sons.<br /> +But wherefore these inquiries thus minu4e?<br /> +For if ye wish to penetrate the host,<br /> +These who possess the borders of the camp<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Farthest removed of all, are Thracian powers<br /> +Newly arrived; among them Rhesus sleeps,<br /> +Son of Eïoneus, their Chief and King.<br /> +His steeds I saw, the fairest by these eyes<br /> +Ever beheld, and loftiest; snow itself<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +They pass in whiteness, and in speed the winds,<br /> +With gold and silver all his chariot burns,<br /> +And he arrived in golden armor clad<br /> +Stupendous! little suited to the state<br /> +Of mortal man—fit for a God to wear!<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Now, either lead me to your gallant fleet,<br /> +Or where ye find me leave me straitly bound<br /> +Till ye return, and after trial made,<br /> +Shall know if I have spoken false or true.</p> +<p> + But him brave Diomede with aspect stern<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Answer’d. Since, Dolon! thou art caught, although<br /> +Thy tidings have been good, hope not to live;<br /> +For should we now release thee and dismiss,<br /> +Thou wilt revisit yet again the fleet<br /> +A spy or open foe; but smitten once<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +By this death-dealing arm, thou shall return<br /> +To render mischief to the Greeks no more.</p> +<p> He ceased, and Dolon would have stretch’d his hand<br /> +Toward his beard, and pleaded hard for life,<br /> +But with his falchion, rising to the blow,<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +On the mid-neck he smote him, cutting sheer<br /> +Both tendons with a stroke so swift, that ere<br /> +His tongue had ceased, his head was in the dust.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-18">[18]</a><br /> +They took his helmet clothed with ferret’s felt,<br /> +Stripp’d off his wolf-skin, seized his bow and spear,<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +And brave Ulysses lifting in his hand<br /> +The trophy to Minerva, pray’d and said:</p> +<p> Hail Goddess; these are thine! for thee of all<br /> +Who in Olympus dwell, we will invoke<br /> +First to our aid. Now also guide our steps,<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Propitious, to the Thracian tents and steeds.</p> +<p> He ceased, and at arm’s-length the lifted spoils<br /> +Hung on a tamarisk; but mark’d the spot,<br /> +Plucking away with handful grasp the reeds<br /> +And spreading boughs, lest they should seek the prize<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Themselves in vain, returning ere the night,<br /> +Swift traveller, should have fled before the dawn.<br /> +Thence, o’er the bloody champain strew’d with arms<br /> +Proceeding, to the Thracian lines they came.<br /> +They, wearied, slept profound; beside them lay,<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +In triple order regular arranged,<br /> +Their radiant armor, and their steeds in pairs.<br /> +Amid them Rhesus slept, and at his side<br /> +His coursers, to the outer chariot-ring<br /> +Fasten’d secure. Ulysses saw him first,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +And, seeing, mark’d him out to Diomede.</p> +<p> Behold the man, Tydides! Lo! the steeds<br /> +By Dolon specified whom we have slain.<br /> +Be quick. Exert thy force. Arm’d as thou art,<br /> +Sleep not. Loose thou the steeds, or slaughter thou<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +The Thracians, and the steeds shall be my care.</p> +<p> He ceased; then blue-eyed Pallas with fresh force<br /> +Invigor’d Diomede. From side to side<br /> +He slew; dread groans arose of dying men<br /> +Hewn with the sword, and the earth swam with blood.<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +As if he find a flock unguarded, sheep<br /> +Or goats, the lion rushes on his prey,<br /> +With such unsparing force Tydides smote<br /> +The men of Thrace, till he had slaughter’d twelve;<br /> +And whom Tydides with his falchion struck<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Laertes’ son dragg’d by his feet abroad,<br /> +Forecasting that the steeds might pass with ease,<br /> +Nor start, as yet uncustom’d to the dead.<br /> +But when the son of Tydeus found the King,<br /> +Him also panting forth his last, last, breath,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +He added to the twelve; for at his head<br /> +An evil dream that night had stood, the form<br /> +Of Diomede, by Pallas’ art devised.<br /> +Meantime, the bold Ulysses loosed the steeds,<br /> +Which, to each other rein’d, he drove abroad,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Smiting them with his bow (for of the scourge<br /> +He thought not in the chariot-seat secured)<br /> +And as he went, hiss’d, warning Diomede.<br /> +But he, projecting still some hardier deed,<br /> +Stood doubtful, whether by the pole to draw<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +The chariot thence, laden with gorgeous arms,<br /> +Or whether heaving it on high, to bear<br /> +The burthen off, or whether yet to take<br /> +More Thracian lives; when him with various thoughts<br /> +Perplex’d, Minerva, drawing near, bespake.<span class="lnm">600</span></p> +<p> Son of bold Tydeus! think on thy return<br /> +To yonder fleet, lest thou depart constrain’d.<br /> +Some other God may rouse the powers of Troy.</p> +<p> She ended, and he knew the voice divine.<br /> +At once he mounted. With his bow the steeds<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Ulysses plyed, and to the ships they flew.</p> +<p> Nor look’d the bender of the silver bow,<br /> +Apollo, forth in vain, but at the sight<br /> +Of Pallas following Diomede incensed,<br /> +Descended to the field where numerous most<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +He saw the Trojans, and the Thracian Chief<br /> +And counsellor, Hippocoön aroused,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-19">[19]</a><br /> +Kinsman of Rhesus, and renown’d in arms.<br /> +He, starting from his sleep, soon as he saw<br /> +The spot deserted where so lately lay<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Those fiery coursers, and his warrior friends<br /> +Gasping around him, sounded loud the name<br /> +Of his loved Rhesus. Instant, at the voice,<br /> +Wild stir arose and clamorous uproar<br /> +Of fast-assembling Trojans. Deeds they saw—<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Terrible deeds, and marvellous perform’d,<br /> +But not their authors—they had sought the ships.</p> +<p> Meantime arrived where they had slain the spy<br /> +Of Hector, there Ulysses, dear to Jove,<br /> +The coursers stay’d, and, leaping to the ground,<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +The son of Tydeus in Ulysses’ hands<br /> +The arms of Dolon placed foul with his blood,<br /> +Then vaulted light into his seat again.<br /> +He lash’d the steeds, they, not unwilling, flew<br /> +To the deep-bellied barks, as to their home.<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +First Nestor heard the sound, and thus he said.</p> +<p> Friends! Counsellors! and leaders of the Greeks!<br /> +False shall I speak, or true?—but speak I must.<br /> +The echoing sound of hoofs alarms my ear.<br /> +Oh, that Ulysses, and brave Diomede<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +This moment might arrive drawn into camp<br /> +By Trojan steeds! But, ah, the dread I feel!<br /> +Lest some disaster have for ever quell’d<br /> +In yon rude host those noblest of the Greeks.</p> +<p> He hath not ended, when themselves arrived,<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Both quick dismounted; joy at their return<br /> +Fill’d every bosom; each with kind salute<br /> +Cordial, and right-hand welcome greeted them,<br /> +And first Gerenian Nestor thus inquired.</p> +<p> Oh Chief by all extoll’d, glory of Greece,<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Ulysses! how have ye these steeds acquired?<br /> +In yonder host? or met ye as ye went<br /> +Some God who gave them to you? for they show<br /> +A lustre dazzling as the beams of day.<br /> +Old as I am, I mingle yet in fight<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +With Ilium’s sons—lurk never in the fleet—<br /> +Yet saw I at no time, or have remark’d<br /> +Steeds such as these; which therefore I believe<br /> +Perforce, that ye have gained by gift divine;<br /> +For cloud-assembler Jove, and azure-eyed<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Minerva, Jove’s own daughter, love you both.</p> +<p> To whom Ulysses, thus, discreet, replied.<br /> +Neleian Nestor, glory of the Greeks!<br /> +A God, so willing, could have given us steeds<br /> +Superior, for their bounty knows no bounds.<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +But, venerable Chief! these which thou seest<br /> +Are Thracians new-arrived. Their master lies<br /> +Slain by the valiant Diomede, with twelve<br /> +The noblest of his warriors at his side,<br /> +A thirteenth<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_10-20">[20]</a> also, at small distance hence<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +We slew, by Hector and the Chiefs of Troy<br /> +Sent to inspect the posture of our host.</p> +<p> He said; then, high in exultation, drove<br /> +The coursers o’er the trench, and with him pass’d<br /> +The glad Achaians; at the spacious tent<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Of Diomede arrived, with even thongs<br /> +They tied them at the cribs where stood the steeds<br /> +Of Tydeus’ son, with winnow’d wheat supplied.<br /> +Ulysses in his bark the gory spoils<br /> +Of Dolon placed, designing them a gift<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +To Pallas. Then, descending to the sea,<br /> +Neck, thighs, and legs from sweat profuse they cleansed,<br /> +And, so refresh’d and purified, their last<br /> +Ablution in bright tepid baths perform’d.<br /> +Each thus completely laved, and with smooth oil<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Anointed, at the well-spread board they sat,<br /> +And quaff’d, in honor of Minerva, wine<br /> +Delicious, from the brimming beaker drawn.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>The vividness of the scenes presented to us in this Book constitute its chief +beauty. The reader sees the most natural night-scene in the world. He is +led step by step with the adventurers, and made the companion of all their +expectations and uncertainties. We see the very color of the sky; know the +time to a minute; are impatient while the heroes are arming; our imagination +follows them, knows all their doubts, and even the secret wishes of their +hearts sent up to Minerva. We are alarmed at the approach of Dolon, hear +his very footsteps, assist the two chiefs in pursuing him, and stop just with +the spear that arrests him. We are perfectly acquainted with the situation +of all the forces, with the figure in which they lie, with the disposition of +Rhesus and the Thracians, with the posture of his chariot and horses. The +marshy spot of ground where Dolon is killed, the tamarisk, or aquatic plant +upon which they hung his spoils, and the reeds that are heaped together +to mark the place, are circumstances the most picturesque imaginable.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book11"></a>BOOK XI.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Agamemnon distinguishes himself. He is wounded, and retires. Diomede +is wounded by Paris; Ulysses by Socus. Ajax with Menelaus flies to +the relief of Ulysses, and Eurypylus, soon after, to the relief of Ajax. +While he is employed in assisting Ajax, he is shot in the thigh by Paris, +who also wounds Machaon. Nestor conveys Machaon from the field. +Achilles dispatches Patroclus to the tent of Nestor, and Nestor takes that +occasion to exhort Patroclus to engage in battle, clothed in the armor of +Achilles.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XI.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Aurora from Tithonus’ side arose<br /> +With light for heaven and earth, when Jove dispatch’d<br /> +Discord, the fiery signal in her hand<br /> +Of battle bearing, to the Grecian fleet.<br /> +High on Ulysses’ huge black ship she stood<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +The centre of the fleet, whence all might hear,<br /> +The tent of Telamon’s huge son between,<br /> +And of Achilles; for confiding they<br /> +In their heroic fortitude, their barks<br /> +Well-poised had station’d utmost of the line.<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +There standing, shrill she sent a cry abroad<br /> +Among the Achaians, such as thirst infused<br /> +Of battle ceaseless into every breast.<br /> +All deem’d, at once, war sweeter, than to seek<br /> +Their native country through the waves again.<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Then with loud voice Atrides bade the Greeks<br /> +Gird on their armor, and himself his arms<br /> +Took radiant. First around his legs he clasp’d<br /> +His shining greaves with silver studs secured,<br /> +Then bound his corselet to his bosom, gift<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Of Cynyras long since;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-1">[1]</a> for rumor loud<br /> +Had Cyprus reached of an Achaian host<br /> +Assembling, destined to the shores of Troy:<br /> +Wherefore, to gratify the King of men,<br /> +He made the splendid ornament his own.<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Ten rods of steel cœrulean all around<br /> +Embraced it, twelve of gold, twenty of tin;<br /> +Six<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-2">[2]</a> spiry serpents their uplifted heads<br /> +Cœrulean darted at the wearer’s throat,<br /> +Splendor diffusing as the various bow<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Fix’d by Saturnian Jove in showery clouds,<br /> +A sign to mortal men.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-3">[3]</a> He slung his sword<br /> +Athwart his shoulders; dazzling bright it shone<br /> +With gold emboss’d, and silver was the sheath<br /> +Suspended graceful in a belt of gold.<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +His massy shield o’ershadowing him whole,<br /> +High-wrought and beautiful, he next assumed.<br /> +Ten circles bright of brass around its field<br /> +Extensive, circle within circle, ran;<br /> +The central boss was black, but hemm’d about<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +With twice ten bosses of resplendent tin.<br /> +There, dreadful ornament! the visage dark<br /> +Of Gorgon scowl’d, border’d by Flight and Fear.<br /> +The loop was silver, and a serpent form<br /> +Cœrulean over all its surface twined,<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Three heads erecting on one neck, the heads<br /> +Together wreath’d into a stately crown.<br /> +His helmet quâtre-crested,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-4">[4]</a> and with studs<br /> +Fast riveted around he to his brows<br /> +Adjusted, whence tremendous waved his crest<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Of mounted hair on high. Two spears he seized<br /> +Ponderous, brass-pointed, and that flash’d to heaven.<br /> +Sounds<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-5">[5]</a> like clear thunder, by the spouse of Jove<br /> +And by Minerva raised to extol the King<br /> +Of opulent Mycenæ, roll’d around.<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +At once each bade his charioteer his steeds<br /> +Hold fast beside the margin of the trench<br /> +In orderly array; the foot all arm’d<br /> +Rush’d forward, and the clamor of the host<br /> +Rose infinite into the dawning skies.<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +First, at the trench, the embattled infantry<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-6">[6]</a><br /> +Stood ranged; the chariots follow’d close behind;<br /> +Dire was the tumult by Saturnian Jove<br /> +Excited, and from ether down he shed<br /> +Blood-tinctured dews among them, for he meant<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +That day to send full many a warrior bold<br /> +To Pluto’s dreary realm, slain premature.</p> +<p> Opposite, on the rising-ground, appear’d<br /> +The Trojans; them majestic Hector led,<br /> +Noble Polydamas, Æneas raised<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +To godlike honors in all Trojan hearts,<br /> +And Polybus, with whom Antenor’s sons<br /> +Agenor, and young Acamas advanced.<br /> +Hector the splendid orb of his broad shield<br /> +Bore in the van, and as a comet now<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Glares through the clouds portentous, and again,<br /> +Obscured by gloomy vapors, disappears,<br /> +So Hector, marshalling his host, in front<br /> +Now shone, now vanish’d in the distant rear.<br /> +All-cased he flamed in brass, and on the sight<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Flash’d as the lightnings of Jove Ægis-arm’d.<br /> +As reapers, toiling opposite,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-7">[7]</a> lay bare<br /> +Some rich man’s furrows, while the sever’d grain,<br /> +Barley or wheat, sinks as the sickle moves,<br /> +So Greeks and Trojans springing into fight<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Slew mutual; foul retreat alike they scorn’d,<br /> +Alike in fierce hostility their heads<br /> +Both bore aloft, and rush’d like wolves to war.<br /> +Discord, spectatress terrible, that sight<br /> +Beheld exulting; she, of all the Gods,<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Alone was present; not a Power beside<br /> +There interfered, but each his bright abode<br /> +Quiescent occupied wherever built<br /> +Among the windings of the Olympian heights;<br /> +Yet blamed they all the storm-assembler King<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +Saturnian, for his purposed aid to Troy.<br /> +The eternal father reck’d not; he, apart,<br /> +Seated in solitary pomp, enjoy’d<br /> +His glory, and from on high the towers survey’d<br /> +Of Ilium and the fleet of Greece, the flash<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Of gleaming arms, the slayer and the slain.</p> +<p> While morning lasted, and the light of day<br /> +Increased, so long the weapons on both sides<br /> +Flew in thick vollies, and the people fell.<br /> +But, what time his repast the woodman spreads<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +In some umbrageous vale, his sinewy arms<br /> +Wearied with hewing many a lofty tree,<br /> +And his wants satisfied, he feels at length<br /> +The pinch of appetite to pleasant food,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-8">[8]</a><br /> +Then was it, that encouraging aloud<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Each other, in their native virtue strong,<br /> +The Grecians through the phalanx burst of Troy.<br /> +Forth sprang the monarch first; he slew the Chief<br /> +Bianor, nor himself alone, but slew<br /> +Oïleus also driver of his steeds.<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Oïleus, with a leap alighting, rush’d<br /> +On Agamemnon; he his fierce assault<br /> +Encountering, with a spear met full his front.<br /> +Nor could his helmet’s ponderous brass sustain<br /> +That force, but both his helmet and his skull<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +It shatter’d, and his martial rage repress’d.<br /> +The King of men, stripping their corselets, bared<br /> +Their shining breasts, and left them. Isus, next,<br /> +And Antiphus he flew to slay, the sons<br /> +Of Priam both, and in one chariot borne,<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +This spurious, genuine that. The bastard drove,<br /> +And Antiphus, a warrior high-renown’d,<br /> +Fought from the chariot; them Achilles erst<br /> +Feeding their flocks on Ida had surprised<br /> +And bound with osiers, but for ransom loosed.<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Of these, imperial Agamemnon, first,<br /> +Above the pap pierced Isus; next, he smote<br /> +Antiphus with his sword beside the ear,<br /> +And from his chariot cast him to the ground.<br /> +Conscious of both, their glittering arms he stripp’d,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +For he had seen them when from Ida’s heights<br /> +Achilles led them to the Grecian fleet.<br /> +As with resistless fangs the lion breaks<br /> +The young in pieces of the nimble hind,<br /> +Entering her lair, and takes their feeble lives;<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +She, though at hand, can yield them no defence,<br /> +But through the thick wood, wing’d with terror, starts<br /> +Herself away, trembling at such a foe;<br /> +So them the Trojans had no power to save,<br /> +Themselves all driven before the host of Greece.<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Next, on Pisandrus, and of dauntless heart<br /> +Hippolochus he rush’d; they were the sons<br /> +Of brave Antimachus, who with rich gifts<br /> +By Paris bought, inflexible withheld<br /> +From Menelaus still his lovely bride.<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +His sons, the monarch, in one chariot borne<br /> +Encounter’d; they (for they had lost the reins)<br /> +With trepidation and united force<br /> +Essay’d to check the steeds; astonishment<br /> +Seized both; Atrides with a lion’s rage<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Came on, and from the chariot thus they sued.</p> +<p> Oh spare us! son of Atreus, and accept<br /> +Ransom immense. Antimachus our sire<br /> +Is rich in various treasure, gold and brass,<br /> +And temper’d steel, and, hearing the report<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +That in Achaia’s fleet his sons survive,<br /> +He will requite thee with a glorious price.</p> +<p> So they, with tears and gentle terms the King<br /> +Accosted, but no gentle answer heard.</p> +<p> Are ye indeed the offspring of the Chief<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Antimachus, who when my brother once<br /> +With godlike Laertiades your town<br /> +Enter’d ambassador, his death advised<br /> +In council, and to let him forth no more?<br /> +Now rue ye both the baseness of your sire.<span class="lnm">170</span></p> +<p> He said, and from his chariot to the plain<br /> +Thrust down Pisandrus, piercing with keen lance<br /> +His bosom, and supine he smote the field.<br /> +Down leap’d Hippolochus, whom on the ground<br /> +He slew, cut sheer his hands, and lopp’d his head,<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +And roll’d it like a mortar<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-9">[9]</a> through the ranks.<br /> +He left the slain, and where he saw the field<br /> +With thickest battle cover’d, thither flew<br /> +By all the Grecians follow’d bright in arms.<br /> +The scatter’d infantry constrained to fly,<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Fell by the infantry; the charioteers,<br /> +While with loud hoofs their steeds the dusty soil<br /> +Excited, o’er the charioteers their wheels<br /> +Drove brazen-fellied, and the King of men<br /> +Incessant slaughtering, called his Argives<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-10">[10]</a> on.<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +As when fierce flames some ancient forest seize,<br /> +From side to side in flakes the various wind<br /> +Rolls them, and to the roots devour’d, the trunks<br /> +Fall prostrate under fury of the fire,<br /> +So under Agamemnon fell the heads<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Of flying Trojans. Many a courser proud<br /> +The empty chariots through the paths of war<br /> +Whirl’d rattling, of their charioteers deprived;<br /> +They breathless press’d the plain, now fitter far<br /> +To feed the vultures than to cheer their wives.<span class="lnm">195</span></p> +<p> Conceal’d, meantime, by Jove, Hector escaped<br /> +The dust, darts, deaths, and tumult of the field;<br /> +And Agamemnon to the swift pursuit<br /> +Call’d loud the Grecians. Through the middle plain<br /> +Beside the sepulchre of Ilus, son<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Of Dardanus, and where the fig-tree stood,<br /> +The Trojans flew, panting to gain the town,<br /> +While Agamemnon pressing close the rear,<br /> +Shout after shout terrific sent abroad,<br /> +And his victorious hands reek’d, red with gore.<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +But at the beech-tree and the Scæan gate<br /> +Arrived, the Trojans halted, waiting there<br /> +The rearmost fugitives; they o’er the field<br /> +Came like a herd, which in the dead of night<br /> +A lion drives; all fly, but one is doom’d<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +To death inevitable; her with jaws<br /> +True to their hold he seizes, and her neck<br /> +Breaking, embowels her, and laps the blood;<br /> +So, Atreus’ royal son, the hindmost still<br /> +Slaying, and still pursuing, urged them on.<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Many supine, and many prone, the field<br /> +Press’d, by the son of Atreus in their flight<br /> +Dismounted; for no weapon raged as his.<br /> +But now, at last, when he should soon have reach’d<br /> +The lofty walls of Ilium, came the Sire<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +Of Gods and men descending from the skies,<br /> +And on the heights of Ida fountain-fed,<br /> +Sat arm’d with thunders. Calling to his foot<br /> +Swift Iris golden-pinion’d, thus he spake.</p> +<p> Iris! away. Thus speak in Hector’s ears.<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +While yet he shall the son of Atreus see<br /> +Fierce warring in the van, and mowing down<br /> +The Trojan ranks, so long let him abstain<br /> +From battle, leaving to his host the task<br /> +Of bloody contest furious with the Greeks.<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +But soon as Atreus’ son by spear or shaft<br /> +Wounded shall climb his chariot, with such force<br /> +I will endue Hector, that he shall slay<br /> +Till he have reach’d the ships, and till, the sun<br /> +Descending, sacred darkness cover all.<span class="lnm">235</span></p> +<p> He spake, nor rapid Iris disobey’d<br /> +Storm-wing’d ambassadress, but from the heights<br /> +Of Ida stoop’d to Ilium. There she found<br /> +The son of royal Priam by the throng<br /> +Of chariots and of steeds compass’d about<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +She, standing at his side, him thus bespake.</p> +<p> Oh, son of Priam! as the Gods discreet!<br /> +I bring thee counsel from the Sire of all.<br /> +While yet thou shalt the son of Atreus see<br /> +Fierce warring in the van, and mowing down<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +The warrior ranks, so long he bids thee pause<br /> +From battle, leaving to thy host the task<br /> +Of bloody contest furious with the Greeks.<br /> +But soon as Atreus’ son, by spear or shaft<br /> +Wounded, shall climb his chariot, Jove will then<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Endue thee with such force, that thou shalt slay<br /> +Till thou have reach’d the ships, and till, the sun<br /> +Descending, sacred darkness cover all.</p> +<p> So saying, swift-pinion’d Iris disappear’d.<br /> +Then Hector from his chariot at a leap<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Came down all arm’d, and, shaking his bright spears,<br /> +Ranged every quarter, animating loud<br /> +The legions, and rekindling horrid war.<br /> +Back roll’d the Trojan ranks, and faced the Greeks;<br /> +The Greeks their host to closer phalanx drew;<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +The battle was restored, van fronting van<br /> +They stood, and Agamemnon into fight<br /> +Sprang foremost, panting for superior fame.</p> +<p> Say now, ye Nine, who on Olympus dwell!<br /> +What Trojan first, or what ally of Troy<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Opposed the force of Agamemnon’s arm?<br /> +Iphidamas, Antenor’s valiant son,<br /> +Of loftiest stature, who in fertile Thrace<br /> +Mother of flocks was nourish’d, Cisseus him<br /> +His grandsire, father of Theano praised<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +For loveliest features, in his own abode<br /> +Rear’d yet a child, and when at length he reach’d<br /> +The measure of his glorious manhood firm<br /> +Dismiss’d him not, but, to engage him more,<br /> +Gave him his daughter. Wedded, he his bride<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +As soon deserted, and with galleys twelve<br /> +Following the rumor’d voyage of the Greeks,<br /> +The same course steer’d; but at Percope moor’d,<br /> +And marching thence, arrived on foot at Troy.<br /> +He first opposed Atrides. They approach’d.<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +The spear of Agamemnon wander’d wide;<br /> +But him Iphidamas on his broad belt<br /> +Beneath the corselet struck, and, bearing still<br /> +On his spear-beam, enforced it; but ere yet<br /> +He pierced the broider’d zone, his point, impress’d<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Against the silver, turn’d, obtuse as lead.<br /> +Then royal Agamemnon in his hand<br /> +The weapon grasping, with a lion’s rage<br /> +Home drew it to himself, and from his gripe<br /> +Wresting it, with his falchion keen his neck<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Smote full, and stretch’d him lifeless at his foot.<br /> +So slept Iphidamas among the slain;<br /> +Unhappy! from his virgin bride remote,<br /> +Associate with the men of Troy in arms<br /> +He fell, and left her beauties unenjoy’d.<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +He gave her much, gave her a hundred beeves,<br /> +And sheep and goats a thousand from his flocks<br /> +Promised, for numberless his meadows ranged;<br /> +But Agamemnon, son of Atreus, him<br /> +Slew and despoil’d, and through the Grecian host<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Proceeded, laden with his gorgeous arms.<br /> +Coön that sight beheld, illustrious Chief,<br /> +Antenor’s eldest born, but with dim eyes<br /> +Through anguish for his brother’s fall. Unseen<br /> +Of noble Agamemnon, at his side<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +He cautious stood, and with a spear his arm,<br /> +Where thickest flesh’d, below his elbow, pierced,<br /> +Till opposite the glittering point appear’d.<br /> +A thrilling horror seized the King of men<br /> +So wounded; yet though wounded so, from fight<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +He ceased not, but on Coön rush’d, his spear<br /> +Grasping, well-thriven growth<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-11">[11]</a> of many a wind.<br /> +He by the foot drew off Iphidamas,<br /> +His brother, son of his own sire, aloud<br /> +Calling the Trojan leaders to his aid;<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +When him so occupied with his keen point<br /> +Atrides pierced his bossy shield beneath.<br /> +Expiring on Iphidamas he fell<br /> +Prostrate, and Agamemnon lopp’d his head.<br /> +Thus, under royal Agamemnon’s hand,<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Antenor’s sons their destiny fulfill’d,<br /> +And to the house of Ades journey’d both.<br /> +Through other ranks of warriors then he pass’d,<br /> +Now with his spear, now with his falchion arm’d,<br /> +And now with missile force of massy stones,<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +While yet his warm blood sallied from the wound.<br /> +But when the wound grew dry, and the blood ceased,<br /> +Anguish intolerable undermined<br /> +Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son.<br /> +As when a laboring woman’s arrowy throes<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Seize her intense, by Juno’s daughters dread<br /> +The birth-presiding Ilithyæ deep<br /> +Infixt, dispensers of those pangs severe;<br /> +So, anguish insupportable subdued<br /> +Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son.<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Up-springing to his seat, instant he bade<br /> +His charioteer drive to the hollow barks,<br /> +Heart-sick himself with pain; yet, ere he went,<br /> +With voice loud-echoing hail’d the Danaï.</p> +<p> Friends! counsellors and leaders of the Greeks!<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Now drive, yourselves, the battle from your ships.<br /> +For me the Gods permit not to employ<br /> +In fight with Ilium’s host the day entire.</p> +<p> He ended, and the charioteer his steeds<br /> +Lash’d to the ships; they not unwilling flew,<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Bearing from battle the afflicted King<br /> +With foaming chests and bellies grey with dust.<br /> +Soon Hector, noting his retreat, aloud<br /> +Call’d on the Trojans and allies of Troy.</p> +<p> Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Of Dardanus! oh summon all your might;<br /> +Now, now be men! Their bravest is withdrawn!<br /> +Glory and honor from Saturnian Jove<br /> +On me attend; now full against the Greeks<br /> +Drive all your steeds, and win a deathless name.<span class="lnm">355</span></p> +<p> He spake—and all drew courage from his word.<br /> +As when his hounds bright-tooth’d some hunter cheers<br /> +Against the lion or the forest-boar,<br /> +So Priameïan Hector cheer’d his host<br /> +Magnanimous against the sons of Greece,<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Terrible as gore-tainted Mars. Among<br /> +The foremost warriors, with success elate<br /> +He strode, and flung himself into the fight<br /> +Black as a storm which sudden from on high<br /> +Descending, furrows deep the gloomy flood.<span class="lnm">365</span></p> +<p> Then whom slew Priameïan Hector first,<br /> +Whom last, by Jove, that day, with glory crown’d?<br /> +Assæus, Dolops, Orus, Agelaüs,<br /> +Autonoüs, Hipponoüs, Æsymnus,<br /> +Opheltius and Opites first he slew,<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +All leaders of the Greeks, and, after these,<br /> +The people. As when whirlwinds of the West<br /> +A storm encounter from the gloomy South,<br /> +The waves roll multitudinous, and the foam<br /> +Upswept by wandering gusts fills all the air,<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +So Hector swept the Grecians. Then defeat<br /> +Past remedy and havoc had ensued,<br /> +Then had the routed Grecians, flying, sought<br /> +Their ships again, but that Ulysses<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-12">[12]</a> thus<br /> +Summon’d the brave Tydides to his aid.<span class="lnm">380</span></p> +<p> Whence comes it, Diomede, that we forget<br /> +Our wonted courage? Hither, O my friend!<br /> +And, fighting at my side, ward off the shame<br /> +That must be ours, should Hector seize the fleet.</p> +<p> To whom the valiant Diomede replied.<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +I will be firm; trust me thou shalt not find<br /> +Me shrinking; yet small fruit of our attempts<br /> +Shall follow, for the Thunderer, not to us,<br /> +But to the Trojan, gives the glorious day.</p> +<p> The Hero spake, and from his chariot cast<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Thymbræus to the ground pierced through the pap,<br /> +While by Ulysses’ hand his charioteer<br /> +Godlike Molion, fell. The warfare thus<br /> +Of both for ever closed, them there they left,<br /> +And plunging deep into the warrior-throng<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Troubled the multitude. As when two boars<br /> +Turn desperate on the close-pursuing hounds,<br /> +So they, returning on the host of Troy,<br /> +Slew on all sides, and overtoil’d with flight<br /> +From Hector’s arm, the Greeks meantime respired.<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Two warriors, next, their chariot and themselves<br /> +They took, plebeians brave, sons of the seer<br /> +Percosian Merops in prophetic skill<br /> +Surpassing all; he both his sons forbad<br /> +The mortal field, but disobedient they<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Still sought it, for their destiny prevail’d.<br /> +Spear-practised Diomede of life deprived<br /> +Both these, and stripp’d them of their glorious arms,<br /> +While by Ulysses’ hand Hippodamus<br /> +Died and Hypeirochus. And now the son<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Of Saturn, looking down from Ida, poised<br /> +The doubtful war, and mutual deaths they dealt.<br /> +Tydides plunged his spear into the groin<br /> +Of the illustrious son of Pæon, bold<br /> +Agastrophus. No steeds at his command<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Had he, infatuate! but his charioteer<br /> +His steeds detain’d remote, while through the van<br /> +Himself on foot rush’d madly till he fell.<br /> +But Hector through the ranks darting his eye<br /> +Perceived, and with ear-piercing cries advanced<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Against them, follow’d by the host of Troy.<br /> +The son of Tydeus, shuddering, his approach<br /> +Discern’d, and instant to Ulysses spake.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-13">[13]</a></p> +<p> Now comes the storm! This way the mischief rolls!<br /> +Stand and repulse the Trojan. Now be firm.<span class="lnm">425</span></p> +<p> He said, and hurling his long-shadow’d beam<br /> +Smote Hector. At his helmet’s crown he aim’d,<br /> +Nor err’d, but brass encountering brass, the point<br /> +Glanced wide, for he had cased his youthful brows<br /> +In triple brass, Apollo’s glorious gift.<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Yet with rapidity at such a shock<br /> +Hector recoil’d into the multitude<br /> +Afar, where sinking to his knees, he lean’d<br /> +On his broad palm, and darkness veil’d his eyes.<br /> +But while Tydides follow’d through the van<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +His stormy spear, which in the distant soil<br /> +Implanted stood, Hector his scatter’d sense<br /> +Recovering, to his chariot sprang again,<br /> +And, diving deep into his host, escaped.<br /> +The noble son of Tydeus, spear in hand,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Rush’d after him, and as he went, exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Dog! thou hast now escaped; but, sure the stroke<br /> +Approach’d thee nigh, well-aim’d. Once more thy prayers<br /> +Which ever to Apollo thou prefer’st<br /> +Entering the clash of battle, have prevail’d,<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +And he hath rescued thee. But well beware<br /> +Our next encounter, for if also me<br /> +Some God befriend, thou diest. Now will I seek<br /> +Another mark, and smite whom next I may.</p> +<p> He spake, and of his armor stripp’d the son<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Spear-famed of Pæon. Meantime Paris, mate<br /> +Of beauteous Helen, drew his bow against<br /> +Tydides; by a pillar of the tomb<br /> +Of Ilus, ancient senator revered,<br /> +Conceal’d he stood, and while the Hero loosed<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +His corselet from the breast of Pæon’s son<br /> +Renown’d, and of his helmet and his targe<br /> +Despoil’d him; Paris, arching quick his bow,<br /> +No devious shaft dismiss’d, but his right foot<br /> +Pierced through the sole, and fix’d it to the ground.<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Transported from his ambush forth he leap’d<br /> +With a loud laugh, and, vaunting, thus exclaim’d:</p> +<p> Oh shaft well shot! it galls thee. Would to heaven<br /> +That it had pierced thy heart, and thou hadst died!<br /> +So had the Trojans respite from their toils<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Enjoy’d, who, now, shudder at sight of thee<br /> +Like she-goats when the lion is at hand.</p> +<p> To whom, undaunted, Diomede replied.<br /> +Archer shrew-tongued! spie-maiden! man of curls!<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-14">[14]</a><br /> +Shouldst thou in arms attempt me face to face,<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Thy bow and arrows should avail thee nought.<br /> +Vain boaster! thou hast scratch’d my foot—no more—<br /> +And I regard it as I might the stroke<br /> +Of a weak woman or a simple child.<br /> +The weapons of a dastard and a slave<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Are ever such. More terrible are mine,<br /> +And whom they pierce, though slightly pierced, he dies.<br /> +His wife her cheeks rends inconsolable,<br /> +His babes are fatherless, his blood the glebe<br /> +Incarnadines, and where he bleeds and rots<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +More birds of prey than women haunt the place.</p> +<p> He ended, and Ulysses, drawing nigh,<br /> +Shelter’d Tydides; he behind the Chief<br /> +Of Ithaca sat drawing forth the shaft,<br /> +But pierced with agonizing pangs the while.<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Then, climbing to his chariot-seat, he bade<br /> +Sthenelus hasten to the hollow ships,<br /> +Heart-sick with pain. And now alone was seen<br /> +Spear-famed Ulysses; not an Argive more<br /> +Remain’d, so universal was the rout,<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +And groaning, to his own great heart he said.</p> +<p> Alas! what now awaits me? If, appall’d<br /> +By multitudes, I fly, much detriment;<br /> +And if alone they intercept me here,<br /> +Still more; for Jove hath scatter’d all the host,<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Yet why these doubts! for know I not of old<br /> +That only dastards fly, and that the voice<br /> +Of honor bids the famed in battle stand,<br /> +Bleed they themselves, or cause their foes to bleed?</p> +<p> While busied in such thought he stood, the ranks<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Of Trojans fronted with broad shields, enclosed<br /> +The hero with a ring, hemming around<br /> +Their own destruction. As when dogs, and swains<br /> +In prime of manhood, from all quarters rush<br /> +Around a boar, he from his thicket bolts,<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +The bright tusk whetting in his crooked jaws:<br /> +They press him on all sides, and from beneath<br /> +Loud gnashings hear, yet firm, his threats defy;<br /> +Like them the Trojans on all sides assail’d<br /> +Ulysses dear to Jove. First with his spear<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +He sprang impetuous on a valiant chief,<br /> +Whose shoulder with a downright point he pierced,<br /> +Deïopites; Thoön next he slew,<br /> +And Ennomus, and from his coursers’ backs<br /> +Alighting quick, Chersidamas; beneath<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +His bossy shield the gliding weapon pass’d<br /> +Right through his navel; on the plain he fell<br /> +Expiring, and with both hands clench’d the dust.<br /> +Them slain he left, and Charops wounded next,<br /> +Brother of Socus, generous Chief, and son<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Of Hippasus; brave Socus to the aid<br /> +Of Charops flew, and, godlike, thus began.</p> +<p> Illustrious chief, Ulysses! strong to toil<br /> +And rich in artifice! Or boast to-day<br /> +Two sons of Hippasus, brave warriors both,<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Of armor and of life bereft by thee,<br /> +Or to my vengeful spear resign thy own!</p> +<p> So saying, Ulysses’ oval disk he smote.<br /> +Through his bright disk the stormy weapon flew,<br /> +Transpierced his twisted mail, and from his side<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Drove all the skin, but to his nobler parts<br /> +Found entrance none, by Pallas turn’d aslant.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-15">[15]</a><br /> +Ulysses, conscious of his life untouch’d,<br /> +Retired a step from Socus, and replied.</p> +<p> Ah hapless youth; thy fate is on the wing;<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Me thou hast forced indeed to cease a while<br /> +From battle with the Trojans, but I speak<br /> +Thy death at hand; for vanquish’d by my spear,<br /> +This self-same day thou shalt to me resign<br /> +Thy fame, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.<span class="lnm">540</span></p> +<p> He ceased; then Socus turn’d his back to fly,<br /> +But, as he turn’d, his shoulder-blades between<br /> +He pierced him, and the spear urged through his breast.<br /> +On his resounding arms he fell, and thus<br /> +Godlike Ulysses gloried in his fall.<span class="lnm">545</span></p> +<p> Ah, Socus, son of Hippasus, a chief<br /> +Of fame equestrian! swifter far than thou<br /> +Death follow’d thee, and thou hast not escaped.<br /> +Ill-fated youth! thy parents’ hands thine eyes<br /> +Shall never close, but birds of ravenous maw<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Shall tear thee, flapping thee with frequent wing,<br /> +While me the noble Grecians shall entomb!</p> +<p> So saying, the valiant Socus’ spear he drew<br /> +From his own flesh, and through his bossy shield.<br /> +The weapon drawn, forth sprang the blood, and left<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +His spirit faint. Then Ilium’s dauntless sons,<br /> +Seeing Ulysses’ blood, exhorted glad<br /> +Each other, and, with force united, all<br /> +Press’d on him. He, retiring, summon’d loud<br /> +His followers. Thrice, loud as mortal may,<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +He call’d, and valiant Menelaus thrice<br /> +Hearing the voice, to Ajax thus remark’d.</p> +<p> Illustrious son of Telamon! The voice<br /> +Of Laertiades comes o’er my ear<br /> +With such a sound, as if the hardy chief,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Abandon’d of his friends, were overpower’d<br /> +By numbers intercepting his retreat.<br /> +Haste! force we quick a passage through the ranks.<br /> +His worth demands our succor, for I fear<br /> +Lest sole conflicting with the host of Troy,<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Brave as he is, he perish, to the loss<br /> +Unspeakable and long regret of Greece.</p> +<p> So saying, he went, and Ajax, godlike Chief,<br /> +Follow’d him. At the voice arrived, they found<br /> +Ulysses Jove-beloved compass’d about<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +By Trojans, as the lynxes in the hills,<br /> +Adust for blood, compass an antler’d stag<br /> +Pierced by an archer; while his blood is warm<br /> +And his limbs pliable, from him he ’scapes;<br /> +But when the feather’d barb hath quell’d his force,<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +In some dark hollow of the mountain’s side,<br /> +The hungry troop devour him; chance, the while,<br /> +Conducts a lion thither, before whom<br /> +All vanish, and the lion feeds alone;<br /> +So swarm’d the Trojan powers, numerous and bold,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Around Ulysses, who with wary skill<br /> +Heroic combated his evil day.<br /> +But Ajax came, cover’d with his broad shield<br /> +That seem’d a tower, and at Ulysses’ side<br /> +Stood fast; then fled the Trojans wide-dispersed,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +And Menelaus led him by the hand<br /> +Till his own chariot to his aid approach’d.<br /> +But Ajax, springing on the Trojans, slew<br /> +Doryclus, from the loins of Priam sprung,<br /> +But spurious. Pandocus he wounded next,<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Then wounded Pyrasus, and after him<br /> +Pylartes and Lysander. As a flood<br /> +Runs headlong from the mountains to the plain<br /> +After long showers from Jove; many a dry oak<br /> +And many a pine the torrent sweeps along,<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +And, turbid, shoots much soil into the sea,<br /> +So, glorious Ajax troubled wide the field,<br /> +Horse and man slaughtering, whereof Hector yet<br /> +Heard not; for on the left of all the war<br /> +He fought beside Scamander, where around<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Huge Nestor, and Idomeneus the brave,<br /> +Most deaths were dealt, and loudest roar’d the fight.<br /> +There Hector toil’d, feats wonderful of spear<br /> +And horsemanship achieving, and the lines<br /> +Of many a phalanx desolating wide.<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Nor even then had the bold Greeks retired,<br /> +But that an arrow triple-barb’d, dispatch’d<br /> +By Paris, Helen’s mate, against the Chief<br /> +Machaon warring with distinguish’d force,<br /> +Pierced his right shoulder. For his sake alarm’d,<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +The valor-breathing Grecians fear’d, lest he<br /> +In that disast’rous field should also fall.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-16">[16]</a><br /> +At once, Idomeneus of Crete approach’d<br /> +The noble Nestor, and him thus bespake.</p> +<p> Arise, Neleian Nestor! Pride of Greece!<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Ascend thy chariot, and Machaon placed<br /> +Beside thee, bear him, instant to the fleet.<br /> +For one, so skill’d in medicine, and to free<br /> +The inherent barb, is worth a multitude.</p> +<p> He said, nor the Gerenian hero old<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Aught hesitated, but into his seat<br /> +Ascended, and Machaon, son renown’d<br /> +Of Æsculapius, mounted at his side.<br /> +He lash’d the steeds, they not unwilling sought<br /> +The hollow ships, long their familiar home.<span class="lnm">630</span></p> +<p> Cebriones, meantime, the charioteer<br /> +Of Hector, from his seat the Trojan ranks<br /> +Observing sore discomfited, began.</p> +<p> Here are we busied, Hector! on the skirts<br /> +Of roaring battle, and meantime I see<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Our host confused, their horses and themselves<br /> +All mingled. Telamonian Ajax there<br /> +Routs them; I know the hero by his shield.<br /> +Haste, drive we thither, for the carnage most<br /> +Of horse and foot conflicting furious, there<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Rages, and infinite the shouts arise.</p> +<p> He said, and with shrill-sounding scourge the steeds<br /> +Smote ample-maned; they, at the sudden stroke<br /> +Through both hosts whirl’d the chariot, shields and men<br /> +Trampling; with blood the axle underneath<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +All redden’d, and the chariot-rings with drops<br /> +From the horse-hoofs, and from the fellied wheels.<br /> +Full on the multitude he drove, on fire<br /> +To burst the phalanx, and confusion sent<br /> +Among the Greeks, for nought<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-17">[17]</a> he shunn’d the spear.<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +All quarters else with falchion or with lance,<br /> +Or with huge stones he ranged, but cautious shunn’d<br /> +The encounter of the Telamonian Chief.</p> +<p> But the eternal father throned on high<br /> +With fear fill’d Ajax; panic-fixt he stood,<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +His seven-fold shield behind his shoulder cast,<br /> +And hemm’d by numbers, with an eye askant,<br /> +Watchful retreated. As a beast of prey<br /> +Retiring, turns and looks, so he his face<br /> +Turn’d oft, retiring slow, and step by step.<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +As when the watch-dogs and assembled swains<br /> +Have driven a tawny lion from the stalls,<br /> +Then, interdicting him his wish’d repast,<br /> +Watch all the night, he, famish’d, yet again<br /> +Comes furious on, but speeds not, kept aloof<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +By frequent spears from daring hands, but more<br /> +By flash of torches, which, though fierce, he dreads,<br /> +Till, at the dawn, sullen he stalks away;<br /> +So from before the Trojans Ajax stalk’d<br /> +Sullen, and with reluctance slow retired.<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +His brave heart trembling for the fleet of Greece.<br /> +As when (the boys o’erpower’d) a sluggish ass,<br /> +On whose tough sides they have spent many a staff,<br /> +Enters the harvest, and the spiry ears<br /> +Crops persevering; with their rods the boys<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +Still ply him hard, but all their puny might<br /> +Scarce drives him forth when he hath browsed his fill,<br /> +So, there, the Trojans and their foreign aids<br /> +With glittering lances keen huge Ajax urged,<br /> +His broad shield’s centre smiting.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-18">[18]</a> He, by turns,<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +With desperate force the Trojan phalanx dense<br /> +Facing, repulsed them, and by turns he fled,<br /> +But still forbad all inroad on the fleet.<br /> +Trojans and Greeks between, alone, he stood<br /> +A bulwark. Spears from daring hands dismiss’d<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +Some, piercing his broad shield, there planted stood,<br /> +While others, in the midway falling, spent<br /> +Their disappointed rage deep in the ground.</p> +<p> + Eurypylus, Evæmon’s noble son,<br /> +Him seeing, thus, with weapons overwhelmed<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +Flew to his side, his glittering lance dismiss’d,<br /> +And Apisaon, son of Phausias, struck<br /> +Under the midriff; through his liver pass’d<br /> +The ruthless point, and, falling, he expired.<br /> +Forth sprang Eurypylus to seize the spoil;<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +Whom soon as godlike Alexander saw<br /> +Despoiling Apisaon of his arms,<br /> +Drawing incontinent his bow, he sent<br /> +A shaft to his right thigh; the brittle reed<br /> +Snapp’d, and the rankling barb stuck fast within.<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Terrified at the stroke, the wounded Chief<br /> +To his own band retired, but, as he went,<br /> +With echoing voice call’d on the Danaï—</p> +<p> Friends! Counsellors, and leaders of the Greeks!<br /> +Turn ye and stand, and from his dreadful lot<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +Save Ajax whelm’d with weapons; ’scape, I judge,<br /> +He cannot from the roaring fight, yet oh<br /> +Stand fast around him; if save ye may,<br /> +Your champion huge, the Telamonian Chief!</p> +<p> So spake the wounded warrior. They at once<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +With sloping bucklers, and with spears erect,<br /> +To his relief approach’d. Ajax with joy<br /> +The friendly phalanx join’d, then turn’d and stood.</p> +<p> Thus burn’d the embattled field as with the flames<br /> +Of a devouring fire. Meantime afar<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +From all that tumult the Neleian mares<br /> +Bore Nestor, foaming as they ran, with whom<br /> +Machaon also rode, leader revered.<br /> +Achilles mark’d him passing; for he stood<br /> +Exalted on his huge ship’s lofty stern,<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +Spectator of the toil severe, and flight<br /> +Deplorable of the defeated Greeks.<br /> +He call’d his friend Patroclus. He below<br /> +Within his tent the sudden summons heard<br /> +And sprang like Mars abroad, all unaware<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +That in that sound he heard the voice of fate.<br /> +Him first Menœtius’ gallant son address’d.</p> +<p> What would Achilles? Wherefore hath he call’d?<br /> +To whom Achilles swiftest of the swift:</p> +<p> Brave Menœtiades! my soul’s delight!<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +Soon will the Grecians now my knees surround<br /> +Suppliant, by dread extremity constrain’d.<br /> +But fly Patroclus, haste, oh dear to Jove!<br /> +Inquire of Nestor, whom he hath convey’d<br /> +From battle, wounded? Viewing him behind,<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +I most believed him Æsculapius’ son<br /> +Machaon, but the steeds so swiftly pass’d<br /> +My galley, that his face escaped my note.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-19">[19]</a></p> +<p> He said, and prompt to gratify his friend,<br /> +Forth ran Patroclus through the camp of Greece.<span class="lnm">740</span></p> +<p> Now when Neleian Nestor to his tent<br /> +Had brought Machaon, they alighted both,<br /> +And the old hero’s friend Eurymedon<br /> +Released the coursers. On the beach awhile<br /> +Their tunics sweat-imbued in the cool air<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +They ventilated, facing full the breeze,<br /> +Then on soft couches in the tent reposed.<br /> +Meantime, their beverage Hecamede mix’d,<br /> +The old King’s bright-hair’d captive, whom he brought<br /> +From Tenedos, what time Achilles sack’d<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +The city, daughter of the noble Chief<br /> +Arsinoüs, and selected from the rest<br /> +For Nestor, as the honorable meed<br /> +Of counsels always eminently wise.<br /> +She, first, before them placed a table bright,<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +With feet cœrulean; thirst-provoking sauce<br /> +She brought them also in a brazen tray,<br /> +Garlic<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-20">[20]</a> and honey new, and sacred meal.<br /> +Beside them, next, she placed a noble cup<br /> +Of labor exquisite, which from his home<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +The ancient King had brought with golden studs<br /> +Embellish’d; it presented to the grasp<br /> +Four ears; two golden turtles, perch’d on each,<br /> +Seem’d feeding, and two turtles<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-21">[21]</a> form’d the base.<br /> +That cup once fill’d, all others must have toil’d<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +To move it from the board, but it was light<br /> +In Nestor’s hand; he lifted it with ease.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-22">[22]</a><br /> +The graceful virgin in that cup a draught<br /> +Mix’d for them, Pramnian wine and savory cheese<br /> +Of goat’s milk, grated with a brazen rasp,<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +Then sprinkled all with meal. The draught prepared,<br /> +She gave it to their hand; they, drinking, slaked<br /> +Their fiery thirst, and with each other sat<br /> +Conversing friendly, when the godlike youth<br /> +By brave Achilles sent, stood at the door.<span class="lnm">775</span></p> +<p> Him seeing, Nestor from his splendid couch<br /> +Arose, and by the hand leading him in,<br /> +Entreated him to sit, but that request<br /> +Patroclus, on his part refusing, said,</p> +<p> Oh venerable King! no seat is here<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +For me, nor may thy courtesy prevail.<br /> +He is irascible, and to be fear’d<br /> +Who bade me ask what Chieftain thou hast brought<br /> +From battle, wounded; but untold I learn;<br /> +I see Machaon, and shall now report<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +As I have seen; oh ancient King revered!<br /> +Thou know’st Achilles fiery, and propense<br /> +Blame to impute even where blame is none.</p> +<p> + To whom the brave Gerenian thus replied.<br /> +Why feels Achilles for the wounded Greeks<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +Such deep concern? He little knows the height<br /> +To which our sorrows swell. Our noblest lie<br /> +By spear or arrow wounded in the fleet.<br /> +Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds,<br /> +Gall’d by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief,<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +And Agamemnon<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-23">[23]</a> suffer by the spear;<br /> +Eurypylus is shot into the thigh,<br /> +And here lies still another newly brought<br /> +By me from fight, pierced also by a shaft.<br /> +What then? How strong soe’er to give them aid,<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +Achilles feels no pity of the Greeks.<br /> +Waits he till every vessel on the shore<br /> +Fired, in despite of the whole Argive host,<br /> +Be sunk in its own ashes, and ourselves<br /> +All perish, heaps on heaps? For in my limbs<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +No longer lives the agility of my youth.<br /> +Oh, for the vigor of those days again,<br /> +When Elis, for her cattle which we took,<br /> +Strove with us and Itymoneus I slew,<br /> +Brave offspring of Hypirochus; he dwelt<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +In Elis, and while I the pledges drove,<br /> +Stood for his herd, but fell among the first<br /> +By a spear hurl’d from my victorious arm.<br /> +Then fled the rustic multitude, and we<br /> +Drove off abundant booty from the plain,<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +Herds fifty of fat beeves, large flocks of goats<br /> +As many, with as many sheep and swine,<br /> +And full thrice fifty mares of brightest hue,<br /> +All breeders, many with their foals beneath.<br /> +All these, by night returning safe, we drove<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +Into Neleian Pylus, and the heart<br /> +Rejoiced of Neleus, in a son so young<br /> +A warrior, yet enrich’d with such a prize.<br /> +At early dawn the heralds summon’d loud<br /> +The citizens, to prove their just demands<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +On fruitful Elis, and the assembled Chiefs<br /> +Division made (for numerous were the debts<br /> +Which the Epeans, in the weak estate<br /> +Of the unpeopled Pylus, had incurr’d;<br /> +For Hercules, few years before, had sack’d<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_11-24">[24]</a><span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +Our city, and our mightiest slain. Ourselves<br /> +The gallant sons of Neleus, were in all<br /> +Twelve youths, of whom myself alone survived;<br /> +The rest all perish’d; whence, presumptuous grown,<br /> +The brazen-mail’d Epeans wrong’d us oft).<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +A herd of beeves my father for himself<br /> +Selected, and a numerous flock beside,<br /> +Three hundred sheep, with shepherds for them all.<br /> +For he a claimant was of large arrears<br /> +From sacred Elis. Four unrivall’d steeds<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +With his own chariot to the games he sent,<br /> +That should contend for the appointed prize<br /> +A tripod; but Augeias, King of men,<br /> +Detain’d the steeds, and sent the charioteer<br /> +Defrauded home. My father, therefore, fired<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +At such foul outrage both of deeds and words,<br /> +Took much, and to the Pylians gave the rest<br /> +For satisfaction of the claims of all.<br /> +While thus we busied were in these concerns,<br /> +And in performance of religious rites<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +Throughout the city, came the Epeans arm’d,<br /> +Their whole vast multitude both horse and foot<br /> +On the third day; came also clad in brass<br /> +The two Molions, inexpert as yet<br /> +In feats of arms, and of a boyish age.<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +There is a city on a mountain’s head,<br /> +Fast by the banks of Alpheus, far remote,<br /> +The utmost town which sandy Pylus owns,<br /> +Named Thryoëssa, and, with ardor fired<br /> +To lay it waste, that city they besieged.<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +Now when their host had traversed all the plain,<br /> +Minerva from Olympus flew by night<br /> +And bade us arm; nor were the Pylians slow<br /> +To assemble, but impatient for the fight.<br /> +Me, then, my father suffer’d not to arm,<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +But hid my steeds, for he supposed me raw<br /> +As yet, and ignorant how war is waged.<br /> +Yet, even thus, unvantaged and on foot,<br /> +Superior honors I that day acquired<br /> +To theirs who rode, for Pallas led me on<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Herself to victory. There is a stream<br /> +Which at Arena falls into the sea,<br /> +Named Minuëius; on that river’s bank<br /> +The Pylian horsemen waited day’s approach,<br /> +And thither all our foot came pouring down.<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +The flood divine of Alpheus thence we reach’d<br /> +At noon, all arm’d complete; there, hallow’d rites<br /> +We held to Jove omnipotent, and slew<br /> +A bull to sacred Alpheus, with a bull<br /> +To Neptune, and a heifer of the herd<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +To Pallas; then, all marshall’d as they were,<br /> +From van to rear our legions took repast,<br /> +And at the river’s side slept on their arms.<br /> +Already the Epean host had round<br /> +Begirt the city, bent to lay it waste,<span class="lnm">885</span><br /> +A task which cost them, first, both blood and toil,<br /> +For when the radiant sun on the green earth<br /> +Had risen, with prayer to Pallas and to Jove,<br /> +We gave them battle. When the Pylian host<br /> +And the Epeans thus were close engaged,<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +I first a warrior slew, Mulius the brave,<br /> +And seized his coursers. He the eldest-born<br /> +Of King Augeias’ daughters had espoused<br /> +The golden Agamede; not an herb<br /> +The spacious earth yields but she knew its powers,<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +Him, rushing on me, with my brazen lance<br /> +I smote, and in the dust he fell; I leap’d<br /> +Into his seat, and drove into the van.<br /> +A panic seized the Epeans when they saw<br /> +The leader of their horse o’erthrown, a Chief<span class="lnm">900</span><br /> +Surpassing all in fight. Black as a cloud<br /> +With whirlwind fraught, I drove impetuous on,<br /> +Took fifty chariots, and at side of each<br /> +Lay two slain warriors, with their teeth the soil<br /> +Grinding, all vanquish’d by my single arm.<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +I had slain also the Molions, sons<br /> +Of Actor, but the Sovereign of the deep<br /> +Their own authentic Sire, in darkness dense<br /> +Involving both, convey’d them safe away.<br /> +Then Jove a victory of prime renown<span class="lnm">910</span><br /> +Gave to the Pylians; for we chased and slew<br /> +And gather’d spoil o’er all the champain spread<br /> +With scatter’d shields, till we our steeds had driven<br /> +To the Buprasian fields laden with corn,<br /> +To the Olenian rock, and to a town<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +In fair Colona situate, and named<br /> +Alesia. There it was that Pallas turn’d<br /> +Our people homeward; there I left the last<br /> +Of all the slain, and he was slain by me.<br /> +Then drove the Achaians from Buprasium home<span class="lnm">920</span><br /> +Their coursers fleet, and Jove, of Gods above,<br /> +Received most praise, Nestor of men below.</p> +<p> Such once was I. But brave Achilles shuts<br /> +His virtues close, an unimparted store;<br /> +Yet even he shall weep, when all the host,<span class="lnm">925</span><br /> +His fellow-warriors once, shall be destroy’d.<br /> +But recollect, young friend! the sage advice<br /> +Which when thou earnest from Phthia to the aid<br /> +Of Agamemnon, on that selfsame day<br /> +Menœtius gave thee. We were present there,<span class="lnm">930</span><br /> +Ulysses and myself, both in the house,<br /> +And heard it all; for to the house we came<br /> +Of Peleus in our journey through the land<br /> +Of fertile Greece, gathering her states to war.<br /> +We found thy noble sire Menœtius there,<span class="lnm">935</span><br /> +Thee and Achilles; ancient Peleus stood<br /> +To Jove the Thunderer offering in his court<br /> +Thighs of an ox, and on the blazing rites<br /> +Libation pouring from a cup of gold.<br /> +While ye on preparation of the feast<span class="lnm">940</span><br /> +Attended both, Ulysses and myself<br /> +Stood in the vestibule; Achilles flew<br /> +Toward us, introduced us by the hand,<br /> +And, seating us, such liberal portion gave<br /> +To each, as hospitality requires.<span class="lnm">945</span><br /> +Our thirst, at length, and hunger both sufficed,<br /> +I, foremost speaking, ask’d you to the wars,<br /> +And ye were eager both, but from your sires<br /> +Much admonition, ere ye went, received.<br /> +Old Peleus charged Achilles to aspire<span class="lnm">950</span><br /> +To highest praise, and always to excel.<br /> +But thee, thy sire Menœtius thus advised.<br /> +“My son! Achilles boasts the nobler birth,<br /> +But thou art elder; he in strength excels<br /> +Thee far; thou, therefore, with discretion rule<span class="lnm">955</span><br /> +His inexperience; thy advice impart<br /> +With gentleness; instruction wise suggest<br /> +Wisely, and thou shalt find him apt to learn.”<br /> +So thee thy father taught, but, as it seems,<br /> +In vain. Yet even now essay to move<span class="lnm">960</span><br /> +Warlike Achilles; if the Gods so please,<br /> +Who knows but that thy reasons may prevail<br /> +To rouse his valiant heart? men rarely scorn<br /> +The earnest intercession of a friend.<br /> +But if some prophecy alarm his fears,<span class="lnm">965</span><br /> +And from his Goddess mother he have aught<br /> +Received, who may have learnt the same from Jove,<br /> +Thee let him send at least, and order forth<br /> +With thee the Myrmidons; a dawn of hope<br /> +Shall thence, it may be, on our host arise.<span class="lnm">970</span><br /> +And let him send thee to the battle clad<br /> +In his own radiant armor; Troy, deceived<br /> +By such resemblance, shall abstain perchance<br /> +From conflict, and the weary Greeks enjoy<br /> +Short respite; it is all that war allows.<span class="lnm">975</span><br /> +Fresh as ye are, ye, by your shouts alone,<br /> +May easily repulse an army spent<br /> +With labor from the camp and from the fleet.</p> +<p> Thus Nestor, and his mind bent to his words.<br /> +Back to Æacides through all the camp<span class="lnm">980</span><br /> +He ran; and when, still running, he arrived<br /> +Among Ulysses’ barks, where they had fix’d<br /> +The forum, where they minister’d the laws,<br /> +And had erected altars to the Gods,<br /> +There him Eurypylus, Evæmon’s son,<span class="lnm">985</span><br /> +Illustrious met, deep-wounded in his thigh,<br /> +And halting-back from battle. From his head<br /> +The sweat, and from his shoulders ran profuse,<br /> +And from his perilous wound the sable blood<br /> +Continual stream’d; yet was his mind composed.<span class="lnm">990</span><br /> +Him seeing, Menœtiades the brave<br /> +Compassion felt, and mournful, thus began.</p> +<p> Ah hapless senators and Chiefs of Greece!<br /> +Left ye your native country that the dogs<br /> +Might fatten on your flesh at distant Troy?<span class="lnm">995</span><br /> +But tell me, Hero! say, Eurypylus!<br /> +Have the Achaians power still to withstand<br /> +The enormous force of Hector, or is this<br /> +The moment when his spear must pierce us all?</p> +<p> To whom Eurypylus, discreet, replied.<span class="lnm">1000</span><br /> +Patroclus, dear to Jove! there is no help,<br /> +No remedy. We perish at our ships.<br /> +The warriors, once most strenuous of the Greeks,<br /> +Lie wounded in the fleet by foes whose might<br /> +Increases ever. But thyself afford<span class="lnm">1005</span><br /> +To me some succor; lead me to my ship;<br /> +Cut forth the arrow from my thigh; the gore<br /> +With warm ablution cleanse, and on the wound<br /> +Smooth unguents spread, the same as by report<br /> +Achilles taught thee; taught, himself, their use<span class="lnm">1010</span><br /> +By Chiron, Centaur, justest of his kind<br /> +For Podalirius and Machaon both<br /> +Are occupied. Machaon, as I judge,<br /> +Lies wounded in his tent, needing like aid<br /> +Himself, and Podalirius in the field<span class="lnm">1015</span><br /> +Maintains sharp conflict with the sons of Troy.</p> +<p> To whom Menœtius’ gallant son replied.<br /> +Hero! Eurypylus! how shall we act<br /> +In this perplexity? what course pursue?<br /> +I seek the brave Achilles, to whose ear<span class="lnm">1020</span><br /> +I bear a message from the ancient chief<br /> +Gerenian Nestor, guardian of the Greeks.<br /> +Yet will I not, even for such a cause,<br /> +My friend! abandon thee in thy distress.</p> +<p> He ended, and his arms folding around<span class="lnm">1025</span><br /> +The warrior bore him thence into his tent.<br /> +His servant, on his entrance, spread the floor<br /> +With hides, on which Patroclus at his length<br /> +Extended him, and with his knife cut forth<br /> +The rankling point; with tepid lotion, next,<span class="lnm">1030</span><br /> +He cleansed the gore, and with a bitter root<br /> +Bruised small between his palms, sprinkled the wound.<br /> +At once, the anodyne his pain assuaged,<br /> +The wound was dried within, and the blood ceased.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>It will be well here to observe the position of the Greeks. All human aid +is cut off by the wounds of their heroes, and all assistance from the Gods +forbidden by Jupiter. On the contrary, the Trojans see their general at their +head, and Jupiter himself fights on their side. Upon this hinge turns the +whole poem. The distress of the Greeks occasions first the assistance of +Patroclus, and then the death of that hero brings back Achilles.</p> + +<p>The poet shows great skill in conducting these incidents. He gives +Achilles the pleasure of seeing that the Greeks could not carry on the war +without his assistance, and upon this depends the great catastrophe of the +poem.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book12"></a>BOOK XII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE TWELFTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="ctr">The Trojans assail the ramparts, and Hector forces the gates.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">So was Menœtius’ gallant son employ’d<br /> +Healing Eurypylus. The Greeks, meantime,<br /> +And Trojans with tumultuous fury fought.<br /> +Nor was the foss ordain’d long time to exclude<br /> +The host of Troy, nor yet the rampart built<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Beside it for protection of the fleet;<br /> +For hecatomb the Greeks had offer’d none,<br /> +Nor prayer to heaven, that it might keep secure<br /> +Their ships with all their spoils. The mighty work<br /> +As in defiance of the Immortal Powers<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Had risen, and could not therefore long endure.<br /> +While Hector lived, and while Achilles held<br /> +His wrathful purpose; while the city yet<br /> +Of royal Priam was unsack’d, so long<br /> +The massy structure stood; but when the best<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +And bravest of the Trojan host were slain,<br /> +And of the Grecian heroes, some had fallen<br /> +And some survived, when Priam’s towers had blazed<br /> +In the tenth year, and to their native shores<br /> +The Grecians with their ships, at length, return’d,<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Then Neptune, with Apollo leagued, devised<br /> +Its ruin; every river that descends<br /> +From the Idæan heights into the sea<br /> +They brought against it, gathering all their force.<br /> +Rhesus, Caresus, Rhodius, the wide-branch’d<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Heptaporus, Æsepus, Granicus,<br /> +Scamander’s sacred current, and thy stream<br /> +Simöis, whose banks with helmets and with shields<br /> +Were strew’d, and Chiefs of origin divine;<br /> +All these with refluent course Apollo drove<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Nine days against the rampart, and Jove rain’d<br /> +Incessant, that the Grecian wall wave-whelm’d<br /> +Through all its length might sudden disappear.<br /> +Neptune with his tridental mace, himself,<br /> +Led them, and beam and buttress to the flood<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Consigning, laid by the laborious Greeks,<br /> +Swept the foundation, and the level bank<br /> +Of the swift-rolling Hellespont restored.<br /> +The structure thus effaced, the spacious beach<br /> +He spread with sand as at the first; then bade<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Subside the streams, and in their channels wind<br /> +With limpid course, and pleasant as before,</p> +<p> Apollo thus and Neptune, from the first,<br /> +Design’d its fall; but now the battle raved<br /> +And clamors of the warriors all around<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +The strong-built turrets, whose assaulted planks<br /> +Rang, while the Grecians, by the scourge of Jove<br /> +Subdued, stood close within their fleet immured,<br /> +At Hector’s phalanx-scattering force appall’d.<br /> +He, as before, with whirlwind fury fought.<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +As when the boar or lion fiery-eyed<br /> +Turns short, the hunters and the hounds among,<br /> +The close-embattled troop him firm oppose,<br /> +And ply him fast with spears; he no dismay<br /> +Conceives or terror in his noble heart,<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +But by his courage falls; frequent he turns<br /> +Attempting bold the ranks, and where he points<br /> +Direct his onset, there the ranks retire;<br /> +So, through the concourse on his rolling wheels<br /> +Borne rapid, Hector animated loud<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +His fellow-warriors to surpass the trench.<br /> +But not his own swift-footed steeds would dare<br /> +That hazard; standing on the dangerous brink<br /> +They neigh’d aloud, for by its breadth the foss<br /> +Deterr’d them; neither was the effort slight<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +To leap that gulf, nor easy the attempt<br /> +To pass it through; steep were the banks profound<br /> +On both sides, and with massy piles acute<br /> +Thick-planted, interdicting all assault.<br /> +No courser to the rapid chariot braced<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Had enter’d there with ease; yet strong desires<br /> +Possess’d the infantry of that emprize,<br /> +And thus Polydamas the ear address’d<br /> +Of dauntless Hector, standing at his side.</p> +<p> Hector, and ye the leaders of our host,<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Both Trojans and allies! rash the attempt<br /> +I deem, and vain, to push our horses through,<br /> +So dangerous is the pass; rough is the trench<br /> +With pointed stakes, and the Achaian wall<br /> +Meets us beyond. No chariot may descend<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Or charioteer fight there; strait are the bounds,<br /> +And incommodious, and his death were sure.<br /> +If Jove, high-thundering Ruler of the skies,<br /> +Will succor Ilium, and nought less intend<br /> +Than utter devastation of the Greeks,<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +I am content; now perish all their host<br /> +Inglorious, from their country far remote.<br /> +But should they turn, and should ourselves be driven<br /> +Back from the fleet impeded and perplex’d<br /> +In this deep foss, I judge that not a man,<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +’Scaping the rallied Grecians, should survive<br /> +To bear the tidings of our fate to Troy.<br /> +Now, therefore, act we all as I advise.<br /> +Let every charioteer his coursers hold<br /> +Fast-rein’d beside the foss, while we on foot,<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +With order undisturb’d and arms in hand,<br /> +Shall follow Hector. If destruction borne<br /> +On wings of destiny this day approach<br /> +The Grecians, they will fly our first assault.</p> +<p> So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Pleased Hector; from his chariot to the ground<br /> +All arm’d he leap’d, nor would a Trojan there<br /> +(When once they saw the Hero on his feet)<br /> +Ride into battle, but unanimous<br /> +Descending with a leap, all trod the plain.<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Each gave command that at the trench his steeds<br /> +Should stand detain’d in orderly array;<br /> +Then, suddenly, the parted host became<br /> +Five bands, each following its appointed chief.<br /> +The bravest and most numerous, and whose hearts<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Wish’d most to burst the barrier and to wage<br /> +The battle at the ships, with Hector march’d<br /> +And with Polydamas, whom follow’d, third,<br /> +Cebriones; for Hector had his steeds<br /> +Consign’d and chariot to inferior care.<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Paris, Alcathoüs, and Agenor led<br /> +The second band, and, sons of Priam both,<br /> +Deïphobus and Helenus, the third;<br /> +With them was seen partner of their command;<br /> +The Hero Asius; from Arisba came<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Asius Hyrtacides, to battle drawn<br /> +From the Selleïs banks by martial steeds<br /> +Hair’d fiery-red and of the noblest size.<br /> +The fourth, Anchises’ mighty son controll’d,<br /> +Æneas; under him Antenor’s sons,<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Archilochus and Acamas, advanced,<br /> +Adept in all the practice of the field.<br /> +Last came the glorious powers in league with Troy<br /> +Led by Sarpedon; he with Glaucus shared<br /> +His high control, and with the warlike Chief<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Asteropæus; for of all his host<br /> +Them bravest he esteem’d, himself except<br /> +Superior in heroic might to all.<br /> +And now (their shields adjusted each to each)<br /> +With dauntless courage fired, right on they moved<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Against the Grecians; nor expected less<br /> +Than that beside their sable ships, the host<br /> +Should self-abandon’d fall an easy prey.</p> +<p> The Trojans, thus with their confederate powers,<br /> +The counsel of the accomplish’d Prince pursued,<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Polydamas, one Chief alone except,<br /> +Asius Hyrtacides. He scorn’d to leave<br /> +His charioteer and coursers at the trench,<br /> +And drove toward the fleet. Ah, madly brave!<br /> +His evil hour was come; he was ordain’d<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +With horse and chariot and triumphant shout<br /> +To enter wind-swept Ilium never more.<br /> +Deucalion’s offspring, first, into the shades<br /> +Dismiss’d him; by Idomeneus he died.<br /> +Leftward he drove furious, along the road<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +By which the steeds and chariots of the Greeks<br /> +Return’d from battle; in that track he flew,<br /> +Nor found the portals by the massy bar<br /> +Secured, but open for reception safe<br /> +Of fugitives, and to a guard consign’d.<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Thither he drove direct, and in his rear<br /> +His band shrill-shouting follow’d, for they judged<br /> +The Greeks no longer able to withstand<br /> +Their foes, but sure to perish in the camp.<br /> +Vain hope! for in the gate two Chiefs they found<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Lapithæ-born, courageous offspring each<br /> +Of dauntless father; Polypœtes, this,<br /> +Sprung from Pirithöus; that, the warrior bold<br /> +Leonteus, terrible as gore-tainted Mars.<br /> +These two, defenders of the lofty gates,<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Stood firm before them. As when two tall oaks<br /> +On the high mountains day by day endure<br /> +Rough wind and rain, by deep-descending roots<br /> +Of hugest growth fast-founded in the soil;<br /> +So they, sustain’d by conscious valor, saw,<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Unmoved, high towering Asius on his way,<br /> +Nor fear’d him aught, nor shrank from his approach<br /> +Right on toward the barrier, lifting high<br /> +Their season’d bucklers and with clamor loud<br /> +The band advanced, King Asius at their head,<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +With whom Iämenus, expert in arms,<br /> +Orestes, Thöon, Acamas the son<br /> +Of Asius, and Oenomäus, led them on.<br /> +Till now, the warlike pair, exhorting loud<br /> +The Grecians to defend the fleet, had stood<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Within the gates; but soon as they perceived<br /> +The Trojans swift advancing to the wall,<br /> +And heard a cry from all the flying Greeks,<br /> +Both sallying, before the gates they fought<br /> +Like forest-boars, which hearing in the hills<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +The crash of hounds and huntsmen nigh at hand,<br /> +With start oblique lay many a sapling flat<br /> +Short-broken by the root, nor cease to grind<br /> +Their sounding tusks, till by the spear they die;<br /> +So sounded on the breasts of those brave two<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +The smitten brass; for resolute they fought,<br /> +Embolden’d by their might who kept the wall,<br /> +And trusting in their own; they, in defence<br /> +Of camp and fleet and life, thick battery hurl’d<br /> +Of stones precipitated from the towers;<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Frequent as snows they fell, which stormy winds,<br /> +Driving the gloomy clouds, shake to the ground,<br /> +Till all the fertile earth lies cover’d deep.<br /> +Such volley pour’d the Greeks, and such return’d<br /> +The Trojans; casques of hide, arid and tough,<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +And bossy shields rattled, by such a storm<br /> +Assail’d of millstone masses from above.<br /> +Then Asius, son of Hyrtacus, a groan<br /> +Indignant utter’d; on both thighs he smote<br /> +With disappointment furious, and exclaim’d,<span class="lnm">205</span></p> +<p> Jupiter! even thou art false become,<br /> +And altogether such. Full sure I deem’d<br /> +That not a Grecian hero should abide<br /> +One moment force invincible as ours,<br /> +And lo! as wasps ring-streaked,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_12-1">[1]</a> or bees that build<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Their dwellings in the highway’s craggy side<br /> +Leave not their hollow home, but fearless wait<br /> +The hunter’s coming, in their brood’s defence,<br /> +So these, although two only, from the gates<br /> +Move not, nor will, till either seized or slain.<span class="lnm">215</span></p> +<p> So Asius spake, but speaking so, changed not<br /> +The mind of Jove on Hector’s glory bent.<br /> +Others, as obstinate, at other gates<br /> +Such deeds perform’d, that to enumerate all<br /> +Were difficult, unless to power divine.<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +For fierce the hail of stones from end to end<br /> +Smote on the barrier; anguish fill’d the Greeks.<br /> +Yet, by necessity constrain’d, their ships<br /> +They guarded still; nor less the Gods themselves,<br /> +Patrons of Greece, all sorrow’d at the sight.<span class="lnm">225</span></p> +<p> At once the valiant Lapithæ began<br /> +Terrible conflict, and Pirithous’ son<br /> +Brave Polypœtes through his helmet pierced<br /> +Damasus; his resplendent point the brass<br /> +Sufficed not to withstand; entering, it crush’d<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +The bone within, and mingling all his brain<br /> +With his own blood, his onset fierce repress’d.<br /> +Pylon and Ormenus he next subdued.<br /> +Meantime Leonteus, branch of Mars, his spear<br /> +Hurl’d at Hippomachus, whom through his belt<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +He pierced; then drawing forth his falchion keen,<br /> +Through all the multitude he flew to smite<br /> +Antiphates, and with a downright stroke<br /> +Fell’d him. Iämenus and Menon next<br /> +He slew, with brave Orestes, whom he heap’d,<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +All three together, on the fertile glebe.</p> +<p> While them the Lapithæ of their bright arms<br /> +Despoil’d, Polydamas and Hector stood<br /> +(With all the bravest youths and most resolved<br /> +To burst the barrier and to fire the fleet)<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Beside the foss, pondering the event.<br /> +For, while they press’d to pass, they spied a bird<br /> +Sublime in air, an eagle. Right between<br /> +Both hosts he soar’d (the Trojan on his left)<br /> +A serpent bearing in his pounces clutch’d<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Enormous, dripping blood, but lively still<br /> +And mindful of revenge; for from beneath<br /> +The eagle’s breast, updarting fierce his head,<br /> +Fast by the throat he struck him; anguish-sick<br /> +The eagle cast him down into the space<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Between the hosts, and, clanging loud his plumes<br /> +As the wind bore him, floated far away.<br /> +Shudder’d the Trojans viewing at their feet<br /> +The spotted serpent ominous, and thus<br /> +Polydamas to dauntless Hector spake.<span class="lnm">260</span></p> +<p> Ofttimes in council, Hector, thou art wont<br /> +To censure me, although advising well;<br /> +Nor ought the private citizen, I confess,<br /> +Either in council or in war to indulge<br /> +Loquacity, but ever to employ<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +All his exertions in support of thine.<br /> +Yet hear my best opinion once again.<br /> +Proceed we not in our attempt against<br /> +The Grecian fleet. For if in truth the sign<br /> +Respect the host of Troy ardent to pass,<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Then, as the eagle soar’d both hosts between,<br /> +With Ilium’s on his left, and clutch’d a snake<br /> +Enormous, dripping blood, but still alive,<br /> +Which yet he dropp’d suddenly, ere he reach’d<br /> +His eyry, or could give it to his young,<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +So we, although with mighty force we burst<br /> +Both gates and barrier, and although the Greeks<br /> +Should all retire, shall never yet the way<br /> +Tread honorably back by which we came.<br /> +No. Many a Trojan shall we leave behind<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Slain by the Grecians in their fleet’s defence.<br /> +An augur skill’d in omens would expound<br /> +This omen thus, and faith would win from all.</p> +<p> To whom, dark-louring, Hector thus replied.<br /> +Polydamas! I like not thy advice;<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Thou couldst have framed far better; but if this<br /> +Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods<br /> +Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth,<br /> +Who bidd’st me disregard the Thunderer’s<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_12-2">[2]</a> firm<br /> +Assurance to myself announced, and make<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +The wild inhabitants of air my guides,<br /> +Which I alike despise, speed they their course<br /> +With right-hand flight toward the ruddy East,<br /> +Or leftward down into the shades of eve.<br /> +Consider <i>we</i> the will of Jove alone,<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Sovereign of heaven and earth. Omens abound,<br /> +But the best omen is our country’s cause.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_12-3">[3]</a><br /> +Wherefore should fiery war <i>thy</i> soul alarm?<br /> +For were we slaughter’d, one and all, around<br /> +The fleet of Greece, <i>thou</i> need’st not fear to die,<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Whose courage never will thy flight retard.<br /> +But if thou shrink thyself, or by smooth speech<br /> +Seduce one other from a soldier’s part,<br /> +Pierced by this spear incontinent thou diest.</p> +<p> So saying he led them, who with deafening roar<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Follow’d him. Then, from the Idæan hills<br /> +Jove hurl’d a storm which wafted right the dust<br /> +Into the fleet; the spirits too he quell’d<br /> +Of the Achaians, and the glory gave<br /> +To Hector and his host; they, trusting firm<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +In signs from Jove, and in their proper force,<br /> +Assay’d the barrier; from the towers they tore<br /> +The galleries, cast the battlements to ground,<br /> +And the projecting buttresses adjoin’d<br /> +To strengthen the vast work, with bars upheaved.<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +All these, with expectation fierce to break<br /> +The rampart, down they drew; nor yet the Greeks<br /> +Gave back, but fencing close with shields the wall,<br /> +Smote from behind them many a foe beneath.<br /> +Meantime from tower to tower the Ajaces moved<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Exhorting all; with mildness some, and some<br /> +With harsh rebuke, whom they observed through fear<br /> +Declining base the labors of the fight,</p> +<p> Friends! Argives! warriors of whatever rank!<br /> +Ye who excel, and ye of humbler note!<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +And ye the last and least! (for such there are,<br /> +All have not magnanimity alike)<br /> +Now have we work for all, as all perceive.<br /> +Turn not, retreat not to your ships, appall’d<br /> +By sounding menaces, but press the foe;<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Exhort each other, and e’en now perchance<br /> +Olympian Jove, by whom the lightnings burn,<br /> +Shall grant us to repulse them, and to chase<br /> +The routed Trojans to their gates again.</p> +<p> So they vociferating to the Greeks,<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Stirr’d them to battle. As the feathery snows<br /> +Fall frequent, on some wintry day, when Jove<br /> +Hath risen to shed them on the race of man,<br /> +And show his arrowy stores; he lulls the winds,<br /> +Then shakes them down continual, covering thick<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Mountain tops, promontories, flowery meads,<br /> +And cultured valleys rich; the ports and shores<br /> +Receive it also of the hoary deep,<br /> +But there the waves bound it, while all beside<br /> +Lies whelm’d beneath Jove’s fast-descending shower,<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +So thick, from side to side, by Trojans hurl’d<br /> +Against the Greeks, and by the Greeks return’d<br /> +The stony vollies flew; resounding loud<br /> +Through all its length the battered rampart roar’d.<br /> +Nor yet had Hector and his host prevail’d<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +To burst the gates, and break the massy bar,<br /> +Had not all-seeing Jove Sarpedon moved<br /> +His son, against the Greeks, furious as falls<br /> +The lion on some horned herd of beeves.<br /> +At once his polish’d buckler he advanced<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +With leafy brass o’erlaid; for with smooth brass<br /> +The forger of that shield its oval disk<br /> +Had plated, and with thickest hides throughout<br /> +Had lined it, stitch’d with circling wires of gold.<br /> +That shield he bore before him; firmly grasp’d<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +He shook two spears, and with determined strides<br /> +March’d forward. As the lion mountain-bred,<br /> +After long fast, by impulse of his heart<br /> +Undaunted urged, seeks resolute the flock<br /> +Even in the shelter of their guarded home;<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +He finds, perchance, the shepherds arm’d with spears,<br /> +And all their dogs awake, yet can not leave<br /> +Untried the fence, but either leaps it light,<br /> +And entering tears the prey, or in the attempt<br /> +Pierced by some dexterous peasant, bleeds himself;<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +So high his courage to the assault impell’d<br /> +Godlike Sarpedon, and him fired with hope<br /> +To break the barrier; when to Glaucus thus,<br /> +Son of Hippolochus, his speech he turn’d.</p> +<p> Why, Glaucus, is the seat of honor ours,<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Why drink we brimming cups, and feast in state?<br /> +Why gaze they all on us as we were Gods<br /> +In Lycia, and why share we pleasant fields<br /> +And spacious vineyards, where the Xanthus winds?<br /> +Distinguished thus in Lycia, we are call’d<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +To firmness here, and to encounter bold<br /> +The burning battle, that our fair report<br /> +Among the Lycians may be blazon’d thus—<br /> +No dastards are the potentates who rule<br /> +The bright-arm’d Lycians; on the fatted flock<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +They banquet, and they drink the richest wines;<br /> +But they are also valiant, and the fight<br /> +Wage dauntless in the vanward of us all.<br /> +Oh Glaucus, if escaping safe the death<br /> +That threats us here, we also could escape<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Old age, and to ourselves secure a life<br /> +Immortal, I would neither in the van<br /> +Myself expose, nor would encourage thee<br /> +To tempt the perils of the glorious field.<br /> +But since a thousand messengers of fate<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Pursue us close, and man is born to die—<br /> +E’en let us on; the prize of glory yield,<br /> +If yield we must, or wrest it from the foe.</p> +<p> He said, nor cold refusal in return<br /> +Received from Glaucus, but toward the wall<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Their numerous Lycian host both led direct.<br /> +Menestheus, son of Peteos, saw appall’d<br /> +Their dread approach, for to his tower they bent;<br /> +Their threatening march. An eager look he cast,<br /> +On the embodied Greeks, seeking some Chief<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Whose aid might turn the battle from his van:<br /> +He saw, where never sated with exploits<br /> +Of war, each Ajax fought, near whom his eye<br /> +Kenn’d Teucer also, newly from his tent;<br /> +But vain his efforts were with loudest call<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +To reach their ears, such was the deafening din<br /> +Upsent to heaven, of shields and crested helms,<br /> +And of the batter’d gates; for at each gate<br /> +They thundering stood, and urged alike at each<br /> +Their fierce attempt by force to burst the bars.<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +To Ajax therefore he at once dispatch’d<br /> +A herald, and Thöotes thus enjoin’d.</p> +<p> My noble friend, Thöotes! with all speed<br /> +Call either Ajax; bid them hither both;<br /> +Far better so; for havoc is at hand.<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +The Lycian leaders, ever in assault<br /> +Tempestuous, bend their force against this tower<br /> +My station. But if also there they find<br /> +Laborious conflict pressing them severe,<br /> +At least let Telamonian Ajax come,<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +And Teucer with his death-dispensing bow.</p> +<p> He spake, nor was Thöotes slow to hear;<br /> +Beside the rampart of the mail-clad Greeks<br /> +Rapid he flew, and, at their side arrived,<br /> +To either Ajax, eager, thus began.<span class="lnm">430</span></p> +<p> Ye leaders of the well-appointed Greeks,<br /> +The son of noble Peteos calls; he begs<br /> +With instant suit, that ye would share his toils,<br /> +However short your stay; the aid of both<br /> +Will serve him best, for havoc threatens there<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +The Lycian leaders, ever in assault<br /> +Tempestuous, bend their force toward the tower<br /> +His station. But if also here ye find<br /> +Laborious conflict pressing you severe,<br /> +At least let Telamonian Ajax come,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +And Teucer with his death-dispensing bow.</p> +<p> He spake, nor his request the towering son<br /> +Of Telamon denied, but quick his speech<br /> +To Ajax Oïliades address’d.</p> +<p> Ajax! abiding here, exhort ye both<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +(Heroic Lycomedes and thyself)<br /> +The Greeks to battle. Thither I depart<br /> +To aid our friends, which service once perform’d<br /> +Duly, I will incontinent return.</p> +<p> So saying, the Telamonian Chief withdrew<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +With whom went Teucer, son of the same sire,<br /> +Pandion also, bearing Teucer’s bow.<br /> +Arriving at the turret given in charge<br /> +To the bold Chief Menestheus, and the wall<br /> +Entering, they found their friends all sharply tried.<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Black as a storm the senators renown’d<br /> +And leaders of the Lycian host assail’d<br /> +Buttress and tower, while opposite the Greeks<br /> +Withstood them, and the battle-shout began.<br /> +First, Ajax, son of Telamon, a friend<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +And fellow-warrior of Sarpedon slew,<br /> +Epicles. With a marble fragment huge<br /> +That crown’d the battlement’s interior side,<br /> +He smote him. No man of our puny race,<br /> +Although in prime of youth, had with both hands<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +That weight sustain’d; but he the cumberous mass<br /> +Uplifted high, and hurl’d it on his head.<br /> +It burst his helmet, and his batter’d skull<br /> +Dash’d from all form. He from the lofty tower<br /> +Dropp’d downright, with a diver’s plunge, and died.<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +But Teucer wounded Glaucus with a shaft<br /> +Son of Hippolochus; he, climbing, bared<br /> +His arm, which Teucer, marking, from the wall<br /> +Transfix’d it, and his onset fierce repress’d;<br /> +For with a backward leap Glaucus withdrew<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Sudden and silent, cautious lest the Greeks<br /> +Seeing him wounded should insult his pain.<br /> +Grief seized, at sight of his retiring friend,<br /> +Sarpedon, who forgat not yet the fight,<br /> +But piercing with his lance Alcmaon, son<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Of Thestor, suddenly reversed the beam,<br /> +Which following, Alcmaon to the earth<br /> +Fell prone, with clangor of his brazen arms.<br /> +Sarpedon, then, strenuous with both hands<br /> +Tugg’d, and down fell the battlement entire;<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +The wall, dismantled at the summit, stood<br /> +A ruin, and wide chasm was open’d through.<br /> +Then Ajax him and Teucer at one time<br /> +Struck both; an arrow struck from Teucer’s bow<br /> +The belt that cross’d his bosom, by which hung<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +His ample shield; yet lest his son should fall<br /> +Among the ships, Jove turn’d the death aside.<br /> +But Ajax, springing to his thrust, a spear<br /> +Drove through his shield. Sarpedon at the shock<br /> +With backward step short interval recoil’d,<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +But not retired, for in his bosom lived<br /> +The hope of glory still, and, looking back<br /> +On all his godlike Lycians, he exclaim’d,</p> +<p> Oh Lycians! where is your heroic might?<br /> +Brave as I boast myself, I feel the task<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Arduous, through the breach made by myself<br /> +To win a passage to the ships, alone.<br /> +Follow me all—Most laborers, most dispatch.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_12-4">[4]</a></p> +<p> So he; at whose sharp reprimand abash’d<br /> +The embattled host to closer conflict moved,<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Obedient to their counsellor and King.<br /> +On the other side the Greeks within the wall<br /> +Made firm the phalanx, seeing urgent need;<br /> +Nor could the valiant Lycians through the breach<br /> +Admittance to the Grecian fleet obtain,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Nor since they first approach’d it, had the Greeks<br /> +With all their efforts, thrust the Lycians back.<br /> +But as two claimants of one common field,<br /> +Each with his rod of measurement in hand,<br /> +Dispute the boundaries, litigating warm<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Their right in some small portion of the soil,<br /> +So they, divided by the barrier, struck<br /> +With hostile rage the bull-hide bucklers round,<br /> +And the light targets on each other’s breast.<br /> +Then many a wound the ruthless weapons made.<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Pierced through the unarm’d back, if any turn’d,<br /> +He died, and numerous even through the shield.<br /> +The battlements from end to end with blood<br /> +Of Grecians and of Trojans on both sides<br /> +Were sprinkled; yet no violence could move<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +The stubborn Greeks, or turn their powers to flight.<br /> +So hung the war in balance, as the scales<br /> +Held by some woman scrupulously just,<br /> +A spinner; wool and weight she poises nice,<br /> +Hard-earning slender pittance for her babes,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_12-5">[5]</a><span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Such was the poise in which the battle hung<br /> +Till Jove himself superior fame, at length,<br /> +To Priamëian Hector gave, who sprang<br /> +First through the wall. In lofty sounds that reach’d<br /> +Their utmost ranks, he call’d on all his host.<span class="lnm">535</span></p> +<p> Now press them, now ye Trojans steed-renown’d<br /> +Rush on! break through the Grecian rampart, hurl<br /> +At once devouring flames into the fleet.<br /> +Such was his exhortation; they his voice<br /> +All hearing, with close-order’d ranks direct<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Bore on the barrier, and up-swarming show’d<br /> +On the high battlement their glittering spears.<br /> +But Hector seized a stone; of ample base<br /> +But tapering to a point, before the gate<br /> +It stood. No two men, mightiest of a land<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +(Such men as now are mighty) could with ease<br /> +Have heaved it from the earth up to a wain;<br /> +He swung it easily alone; so light<br /> +The son of Saturn made it in his hand.<br /> +As in one hand with ease the shepherd bears<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +A ram’s fleece home, nor toils beneath the weight,<br /> +So Hector, right toward the planks of those<br /> +Majestic folding-gates, close-jointed, firm<br /> +And solid, bore the stone. Two bars within<br /> +Their corresponding force combined transvere<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +To guard them, and one bolt secured the bars.<br /> +He stood fast by them, parting wide his feet<br /> +For ’vantage sake, and smote them in the midst.<br /> +He burst both hinges; inward fell the rock<br /> +Ponderous, and the portals roar’d; the bars<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +Endured not, and the planks, riven by the force<br /> +Of that huge mass, flew scatter’d on all sides.<br /> +In leap’d the godlike Hero at the breach,<br /> +Gloomy as night in aspect, but in arms<br /> +All-dazzling, and he grasp’d two quivering spears.<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Him entering with a leap the gates, no force<br /> +Whate’er of opposition had repress’d,<br /> +Save of the Gods alone. Fire fill’d his eyes;<br /> +Turning, he bade the multitude without<br /> +Ascend the rampart; they his voice obey’d;<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Part climb’d the wall, part pour’d into the gate;<br /> +The Grecians to their hollow galleys flew<br /> +Scatter’d, and tumult infinite arose.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_12-6">[6]</a></p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book13"></a>BOOK XIII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE THIRTEENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Neptune engages on the part of the Grecians. The battle proceeds. Deiphobus +advances to combat, but is repulsed by Meriones, who losing his +spear, repairs to his tent for another. Teucer slays Imbrius, and Hector +Amphimachus. Neptune, under the similitude of Thoas, exhorts Idomeneus. +Idomeneus having armed himself in his tent, and going forth to +battle, meets Meriones. After discourse held with each other, Idomeneus +accommodates Meriones with a spear, and they proceed to battle. Idomeneus +slays Othryoneus, and Asius. Deiphobus assails Idomeneus, but, his +spear glancing over him, kills Hypsenor. Idomeneus slays Alcathoüs, +son-in-law of Anchises. Deiphobus and Idomeneus respectively summon +their friends to their assistance, and a contest ensues for the body +of Alcathoüs.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XIII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind"><a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-1">[1]</a>When Jove to Hector and his host had given<br /> +Such entrance to the fleet, to all the woes<br /> +And toils of unremitting battle there<br /> +He them abandon’d, and his glorious eyes<br /> +Averting, on the land look’d down remote<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Of the horse-breeding Thracians, of the bold<br /> +Close-fighting Mysian race, and where abide<br /> +On milk sustain’d, and blest with length of days,<br /> +The Hippemolgi,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-2">[2]</a> justest of mankind.<br /> +No longer now on Troy his eyes he turn’d,<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +For expectation none within his breast<br /> +Survived, that God or Goddess would the Greeks<br /> +Approach with succor, or the Trojans more.</p> +<p> Nor Neptune, sovereign of the boundless Deep,<br /> +Look’d forth in vain; he on the summit sat<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Of Samothracia forest-crown’d, the stir<br /> +Admiring thence and tempest of the field;<br /> +For thence appear’d all Ida, thence the towers<br /> +Of lofty Ilium, and the fleet of Greece.<br /> +There sitting from the deeps uprisen, he mourn’d<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +The vanquished Grecians, and resentment fierce<br /> +Conceived and wrath against all-ruling Jove.<br /> +Arising sudden, down the rugged steep<br /> +With rapid strides he came; the mountains huge<br /> +And forests under the immortal feet<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Trembled of Ocean’s Sovereign as he strode.<br /> +Three strides he made, the fourth convey’d him home<br /> +To Ægæ. At the bottom of the abyss,<br /> +There stands magnificent his golden fane,<br /> +A dazzling, incorruptible abode.<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Arrived, he to his chariot join’d his steeds<br /> +Swift, brazen-hoof’d, and maned with wavy gold;<br /> +Himself attiring next in gold, he seized<br /> +His golden scourge, and to his seat sublime<br /> +Ascending, o’er the billows drove; the whales<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Leaving their caverns, gambol’d on all sides<br /> +Around him, not unconscious of their King;<br /> +He swept the surge that tinged not as he pass’d<br /> +His axle, and the sea parted for joy.<br /> +His bounding coursers to the Grecian fleet<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Convey’d him swift. There is a spacious cave<br /> +Deep in the bottom of the flood, the rocks<br /> +Of Imbrus rude and Tenedos between;<br /> +There Neptune, Shaker of the Shores, his steeds<br /> +Station’d secure; he loosed them from the yoke,<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Gave them ambrosial food, and bound their feet<br /> +With golden tethers not to be untied<br /> +Or broken, that unwandering they might wait<br /> +Their Lord’s return, then sought the Grecian host.<br /> +The Trojans, tempest-like or like a flame,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Now, following Priameïan Hector, all<br /> +Came furious on and shouting to the skies.<br /> +Their hope was to possess the fleet, and leave<br /> +Not an Achaian of the host unslain.<br /> +But earth-encircler Neptune from the gulf<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Emerging, in the form and with the voice<br /> +Loud-toned of Calchas, roused the Argive ranks<br /> +To battle—and his exhortation first<br /> +To either Ajax turn’d, themselves prepared.</p> +<p> Ye heroes Ajax! your accustomed force<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Exert, oh! think not of disastrous flight,<br /> +And ye shall save the people. Nought I fear<br /> +Fatal elsewhere, although Troy’s haughty sons<br /> +Have pass’d the barrier with so fierce a throng<br /> +Tumultuous; for the Grecians brazen-greaved<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Will check them there. Here only I expect<br /> +And with much dread some dire event forebode,<br /> +Where Hector, terrible as fire, and loud<br /> +Vaunting his glorious origin from Jove,<br /> +Leads on the Trojans. Oh that from on high<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Some God would form the purpose in your hearts<br /> +To stand yourselves firmly, and to exhort<br /> +The rest to stand! so should ye chase him hence<br /> +All ardent as he is, and even although<br /> +Olympian Jove himself his rage inspire.<span class="lnm">75</span></p> +<p> So Neptune spake, compasser of the earth,<br /> +And, with his sceptre smiting both, their hearts<br /> +Fill’d with fresh fortitude; their limbs the touch<br /> +Made agile, wing’d their feet and nerved their arms.<br /> +Then, swift as stoops a falcon from the point<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Of some rude rock sublime, when he would chase<br /> +A fowl of other wing along the meads,<br /> +So started Neptune thence, and disappear’d.<br /> +Him, as he went, swift Oïliades<br /> +First recognized, and, instant, thus his speech<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +To Ajax, son of Telamon, address’d.</p> +<p> Since, Ajax, some inhabitant of heaven<br /> +Exhorts us, in the prophet’s form to fight<br /> +(For prophet none or augur we have seen;<br /> +This was not Calchas; as he went I mark’d<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +His steps and knew him; Gods are known with ease)<br /> +I feel my spirit in my bosom fired<br /> +Afresh for battle; lightness in my limbs,<br /> +In hands and feet a glow unfelt before.</p> +<p> To whom the son of Telamon replied.<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +I also with invigorated hands<br /> +More firmly grasp my spear; my courage mounts,<br /> +A buoyant animation in my feet<br /> +Bears me along, and I am all on fire<br /> +To cope with Priam’s furious son, alone.<span class="lnm">100</span></p> +<p> Thus they, with martial transport to their souls<br /> +Imparted by the God, conferr’d elate.<br /> +Meantime the King of Ocean roused the Greeks,<br /> +Who in the rear, beside their gallant barks<br /> +Some respite sought. They, spent with arduous toil,<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Felt not alone their weary limbs unapt<br /> +To battle, but their hearts with grief oppress’d,<br /> +Seeing the numerous multitude of Troy<br /> +Within the mighty barrier; sad they view’d<br /> +That sight, and bathed their cheeks with many a tear,<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Despairing of escape. But Ocean’s Lord<br /> +Entering among them, soon the spirit stirr’d<br /> +Of every valiant phalanx to the fight.<br /> +Teucer and Leïtus, and famed in arms<br /> +Peneleus, Thoas and Deipyrus,<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Meriones, and his compeer renown’d,<br /> +Antilochus; all these in accents wing’d<br /> +With fierce alacrity the God address’d.</p> +<p> Oh shame, ye Grecians! vigorous as ye are<br /> +And in life’s prime, to your exertions most<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +I trusted for the safety of our ships.<br /> +If <i>ye</i> renounce the labors of the field,<br /> +Then hath the day arisen of our defeat<br /> +And final ruin by the powers of Troy.<br /> +Oh! I behold a prodigy, a sight<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Tremendous, deem’d impossible by me,<br /> +The Trojans at our ships! the dastard race<br /> +Fled once like fleetest hinds the destined prey<br /> +Of lynxes, leopards, wolves; feeble and slight<br /> +And of a nature indisposed to war<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +They rove uncertain; so the Trojans erst<br /> +Stood not, nor to Achaian prowess dared<br /> +The hindrance of a moment’s strife oppose.<br /> +But now, Troy left afar, even at our ships<br /> +They give us battle, through our leader’s fault<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +And through the people’s negligence, who fill’d<br /> +With fierce displeasure against <i>him</i>, prefer<br /> +Death at their ships, to war in their defence.<br /> +But if the son of Atreus, our supreme,<br /> +If Agamemnon, have indeed transgress’d<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Past all excuse, dishonoring the swift<br /> +Achilles, ye at least the fight decline<br /> +Blame-worthy, and with no sufficient plea.<br /> +But heal we speedily the breach; brave minds<br /> +Easily coalesce. It is not well<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +That thus your fury slumbers, for the host<br /> +Hath none illustrious as yourselves in arms.<br /> +I can excuse the timid if he shrink,<br /> +But am incensed at <i>you</i>. My friends, beware!<br /> +Your tardiness will prove ere long the cause<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Of some worse evil. Let the dread of shame<br /> +Affect your hearts; oh tremble at the thought<br /> +Of infamy! Fierce conflict hath arisen;<br /> +Loud shouting Hector combats at the ships<br /> +Nobly, hath forced the gates and burst the bar.<span class="lnm">155</span></p> +<p> With such encouragement those Grecian chiefs<br /> +The King of Ocean roused. Then, circled soon<br /> +By many a phalanx either Ajax stood,<br /> +Whose order Mars himself arriving there<br /> +Had praised, or Pallas, patroness of arms.<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +For there the flower of all expected firm<br /> +Bold Hector and his host; spear crowded spear,<br /> +Shield, helmet, man, press’d helmet, man and shield;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-3">[3]</a><br /> +The hairy crests of their resplendent casques<br /> +Kiss’d close at every nod, so wedged they stood;<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +No spear was seen but in the manly grasp<br /> +It quiver’d, and their every wish was war.<br /> +The powers of Ilium gave the first assault<br /> +Embattled close; them Hector led himself<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-4">[4]</a><br /> +Right on, impetuous as a rolling rock<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Destructive; torn by torrent waters off<br /> +From its old lodgment on the mountain’s brow,<br /> +It bounds, it shoots away; the crashing wood<br /> +Falls under it; impediment or check<br /> +None stays its fury, till the level found,<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +There, settling by degrees, it rolls no more;<br /> +So after many a threat that he would pass<br /> +Easily through the Grecian camp and fleet<br /> +And slay to the sea-brink, when Hector once<br /> +Had fallen on those firm ranks, standing, he bore<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Vehement on them; but by many a spear<br /> +Urged and bright falchion, soon, reeling, retired,<br /> +And call’d vociferous on the host of Troy.</p> +<p> Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons<br /> +Of Dardanus, oh stand! not long the Greeks<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Will me confront, although embodied close<br /> +In solid phalanx; doubt it not; my spear<br /> +Shall chase and scatter them, if Jove, in truth,<br /> +High-thundering mate of Juno, bid me on.</p> +<p> So saying he roused the courage of them all<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Foremost of whom advanced, of Priam’s race<br /> +Deiphobus, ambitious of renown.<br /> +Tripping he came with shorten’d steps,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-5">[5]</a> his feet<br /> +Sheltering behind his buckler; but at him<br /> +Aiming, Meriones his splendid lance<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Dismiss’d, nor err’d; his bull-hide targe he struck<br /> +But ineffectual; where the hollow wood<br /> +Receives the inserted brass, the quivering beam<br /> +Snapp’d; then, Deiphobus his shield afar<br /> +Advanced before him, trembling at a spear<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Hurl’d by Meriones. He, moved alike<br /> +With indignation for the victory lost<br /> +And for his broken spear, into his band<br /> +At first retired, but soon set forth again<br /> +In prowess through the Achaian camp, to fetch<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Its fellow-spear within his tent reserved.</p> +<p> The rest all fought, and dread the shouts arose<br /> +On all sides. Telamonian Teucer, first,<br /> +Slew valiant Imbrius, son of Mentor, rich<br /> +In herds of sprightly steeds. He ere the Greeks<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Arrived at Ilium, in Pedæus dwelt,<br /> +And Priam’s spurious daughter had espoused<br /> +Medesicasta. But the barks well-oar’d<br /> +Of Greece arriving, he return’d to Troy,<br /> +Where he excell’d the noblest, and abode<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +With Priam, loved and honor’d as his own.<br /> +Him Teucer pierced beneath his ear, and pluck’d<br /> +His weapon home; he fell as falls an ash<br /> +Which on some mountain visible afar,<br /> +Hewn from its bottom by the woodman’s axe,<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +With all its tender foliage meets the ground<br /> +So Imbrius fell; loud rang his armor bright<br /> +With ornamental brass, and Teucer flew<br /> +To seize his arms, whom hasting to the spoil<br /> +Hector with his resplendent spear assail’d;<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +He, marking opposite its rapid flight,<br /> +Declined it narrowly and it pierced the breast,<br /> +As he advanced to battle, of the son<br /> +Of Cteatus of the Actorian race,<br /> +Amphimachus; he, sounding, smote the plain,<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +And all his batter’d armor rang aloud.<br /> +Then Hector swift approaching, would have torn<br /> +The well-forged helmet from the brows away<br /> +Of brave Amphimachus; but Ajax hurl’d<br /> +Right forth at Hector hasting to the spoil<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +His radiant spear; no wound the spear impress’d,<br /> +For he was arm’d complete in burnish’d brass<br /> +Terrific; but the solid boss it pierced<br /> +Of Hector’s shield, and with enormous force<br /> +So shock’d him, that retiring he resign’d<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Both bodies,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-6">[6]</a> which the Grecians dragg’d away.<br /> +Stichius and Menestheus, leaders both<br /> +Of the Athenians, to the host of Greece<br /> +Bore off Amphimachus, and, fierce in arms<br /> +The Ajaces, Imbrius. As two lions bear<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Through thick entanglement of boughs and brakes<br /> +A goat snatch’d newly from the peasants’ cogs,<br /> +Upholding high their prey above the ground,<br /> +So either Ajax terrible in fight,<br /> +Upholding Imbrius high, his brazen arms<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Tore off, and Oïliades his head<br /> +From his smooth neck dissevering in revenge<br /> +For slain Amphimachus, through all the host<br /> +Sent it with swift rotation like a globe,<br /> +Till in the dust at Hector’s feet it fell.<span class="lnm">255</span></p> +<p> Then anger fill’d the heart of Ocean’s King,<br /> +His grandson<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-7">[7]</a> slain in battle; forth he pass’d<br /> +Through the Achaian camp and fleet, the Greeks<br /> +Rousing, and meditating wo to Troy.<br /> +It chanced that brave Idomeneus return’d<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +That moment from a Cretan at the knee<br /> +Wounded, and newly borne into his tent;<br /> +His friends had borne him off, and when the Chief<br /> +Had given him into skilful hands, he sought<br /> +The field again, still coveting renown.<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Him therefore, meeting him on his return,<br /> +Neptune bespake, but with the borrow’d voice<br /> +Of Thoas, offspring of Andræmon, King<br /> +In Pleuro and in lofty Calydon,<br /> +And honor’d by the Ætolians as a God.<span class="lnm">270</span></p> +<p> Oh counsellor of Crete! our threats denounced<br /> +Against the towers of Troy, where are they now?</p> +<p> To whom the leader of the Cretans, thus,<br /> +Idomeneus. For aught that I perceive<br /> +Thoas! no Grecian is this day in fault!<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +For we are all intelligent in arms,<br /> +None yields by fear oppress’d, none lull’d by sloth<br /> +From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems<br /> +Of Jove himself, that we should perish here<br /> +Inglorious, from our country far remote<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm<br /> +In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse<br /> +Whom thou observ’st remiss) now also fight<br /> +As erst, and urge each leader of the host.</p> +<p> Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep.<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Return that Grecian never from the shores<br /> +Of Troy, Idomeneus! but may the dogs<br /> +Feast on him, who shall this day intermit<br /> +Through wilful negligence his force in fight!<br /> +But haste, take arms and come; we must exert<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +All diligence, that, being only two,<br /> +We yet may yield some service. Union much<br /> +Emboldens even the weakest, and our might<br /> +Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown.</p> +<p> So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +The toilsome field. Ere long, Idomeneus<br /> +Arriving in his spacious tent, put on<br /> +His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand,<br /> +Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove<br /> +From bright Olympus shakes into the air,<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes;<br /> +So beam’d the Hero’s armor as he ran.<br /> +But him not yet far distant from his tent<br /> +Meriones, his fellow-warrior met,<br /> +For he had left the fight, seeking a spear,<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +When thus the brave Idomeneus began.</p> +<p> Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear!<br /> +Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field<br /> +Abandon’d? Art thou wounded? Bring’st thou home<br /> +Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt?<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself<br /> +The still tent covet not, but feats of arms?</p> +<p> To whom Meriones discreet replied,<br /> +Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail’d<br /> +Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke<br /> +The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought,<br /> +Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus.</p> +<p> Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return’d,<br /> +Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need,<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Within my tent, leaning against the wall,<br /> +Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy,<br /> +Which from the slain I took; for distant fight<br /> +Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I<br /> +Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +And corselets bright that smile against the sun.</p> +<p> Him answer’d, then, Meriones discreet.<br /> +I also, at my tent and in my ship<br /> +Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence<br /> +Far distant. I not less myself than thou<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Am ever mindful of a warrior’s part,<br /> +And when the din of glorious arms is heard,<br /> +Fight in the van. If other Greeks my deeds<br /> +Know not, at least I judge them known to thee.</p> +<p> To whom the leader of the host of Crete<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Idomeneus. I know thy valor well,<br /> +Why speakest thus to me? Choose we this day<br /> +An ambush forth of all the bravest Greeks,<br /> +(For in the ambush is distinguish’d best<br /> +The courage; there the timorous and the bold<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Plainly appear; the dastard changes hue<br /> +And shifts from place to place, nor can he calm<br /> +The fears that shake his trembling limbs, but sits<br /> +Low-crouching on his hams, while in his breast<br /> +Quick palpitates his death-foreboding heart,<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +And his teeth chatter; but the valiant man<br /> +His posture shifts not; no excessive fears<br /> +Feels he, but seated once in ambush, deems<br /> +Time tedious till the bloody fight begin;)<br /> +Even there, thy courage should no blame incur.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-8">[8]</a><span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +For should’st thou, toiling in the fight, by spear<br /> +Or falchion bleed, not on thy neck behind<br /> +Would fall the weapon, or thy back annoy,<br /> +But it would meet thy bowels or thy chest<br /> +While thou didst rush into the clamorous van.<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +But haste—we may not longer loiter here<br /> +As children prating, lest some sharp rebuke<br /> +Reward us. Enter quick, and from within<br /> +My tent provide thee with a noble spear.</p> +<p> Then, swift as Mars, Meriones produced<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +A brazen spear of those within the tent<br /> +Reserved, and kindling with heroic fire<br /> +Follow’d Idomeneus. As gory Mars<br /> +By Terror follow’d, his own dauntless son<br /> +Who quells the boldest heart, to battle moves;<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +From Thrace against the Ephyri they arm,<br /> +Or hardy Phlegyans, and by both invoked,<br /> +Hear and grant victory to which they please;<br /> +Such, bright in arms Meriones, and such<br /> +Idomeneus advanced, when foremost thus<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Meriones his fellow-chief bespake.</p> +<p> Son of Deucalion! where inclinest thou most<br /> +To enter into battle? On the right<br /> +Of all the host? or through the central ranks?<br /> +Or on the left? for nowhere I account<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +The Greeks so destitute of force as there.</p> +<p> Then answer thus Idomeneus return’d<br /> +Chief of the Cretans. Others stand to guard<br /> +The middle fleet; there either Ajax wars,<br /> +And Teucer, noblest archer of the Greeks,<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Nor less in stationary fight approved.<br /> +Bent as he is on battle, they will task<br /> +And urge to proof sufficiently the force<br /> +Of Priameïan Hector; burn his rage<br /> +How fierce soever, he shall find it hard,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +With all his thirst of victory, to quell<br /> +Their firm resistance, and to fire the fleet,<br /> +Let not Saturnian Jove cast down from heaven<br /> +Himself a flaming brand into the ships.<br /> +High towering Telamonian Ajax yields<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +To no mere mortal by the common gift<br /> +Sustain’d of Ceres, and whose flesh the spear<br /> +Can penetrate, or rocky fragment bruise;<br /> +In standing fight Ajax would not retire<br /> +Even before that breaker of the ranks<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Achilles, although far less swift than he.<br /> +But turn we to the left, that we may learn<br /> +At once, if glorious death, or life be ours.</p> +<p> Then, rapid as the God of war, his course<br /> +Meriones toward the left began,<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +As he enjoin’d. Soon as the Trojans saw<br /> +Idomeneus advancing like a flame,<br /> +And his compeer Meriones in arms<br /> +All-radiant clad, encouraging aloud<br /> +From rank to rank each other, on they came<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +To the assault combined. Then soon arose<br /> +Sharp contest on the left of all the fleet.<br /> +As when shrill winds blow vehement, what time<br /> +Dust deepest spreads the ways, by warring blasts<br /> +Upborne a sable cloud stands in the air,<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Such was the sudden conflict; equal rage<br /> +To stain with gore the lance ruled every breast.<br /> +Horrent with quivering spears the fatal field<br /> +Frown’d on all sides; the brazen flashes dread<br /> +Of numerous helmets, corselets furbish’d bright,<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +And shields refulgent meeting, dull’d the eye,<br /> +And turn’d it dark away. Stranger indeed<br /> +Were he to fear, who could that strife have view’d<br /> +With heart elate, or spirit unperturb’d.</p> +<p> Two mighty sons of Saturn adverse parts<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Took in that contest, purposing alike<br /> +To many a valiant Chief sorrow and pain.<br /> +Jove, for the honor of Achilles, gave<br /> +Success to Hector and the host of Troy,<br /> +Not for complete destruction of the Greeks<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +At Ilium, but that glory might redound<br /> +To Thetis thence, and to her dauntless son.<br /> +On the other side, the King of Ocean risen<br /> +Secretly from the hoary Deep, the host<br /> +Of Greece encouraged, whom he grieved to see<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Vanquish’d by Trojans, and with anger fierce<br /> +Against the Thunderer burn’d on their behalf.<br /> +Alike from one great origin divine<br /> +Sprang they, but Jove was elder, and surpass’d<br /> +In various knowledge; therefore when he roused<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Their courage, Neptune traversed still the ranks<br /> +Clandestine, and in human form disguised.<br /> +Thus, these Immortal Two, straining the cord<br /> +Indissoluble of all-wasting war,<br /> +Alternate measured with it either host,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +And loosed the joints of many a warrior bold.<br /> +Then, loud exhorting (though himself with age<br /> +Half grey) the Achaians, into battle sprang<br /> +Idomeneus, and scatter’d, first, the foe,<br /> +Slaying Othryoneus, who, by the lure<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Of martial glory drawn, had left of late<br /> +Cabesus. He Priam’s fair daughter woo’d<br /> +Cassandra, but no nuptial gift vouchsafed<br /> +To offer, save a sounding promise proud<br /> +To chase, himself, however resolute<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +The Grecian host, and to deliver Troy.<br /> +To him assenting, Priam, ancient King,<br /> +Assured to him his wish, and in the faith<br /> +Of that assurance confident, he fought.<br /> +But brave Idomeneus his splendid lance<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Well-aim’d dismissing, struck the haughty Chief.<br /> +Pacing elate the field; his brazen mail<br /> +Endured not; through his bowels pierced, with clang<br /> +Of all his arms he fell, and thus with joy<br /> +Immense exulting, spake Idomeneus.<span class="lnm">460</span></p> +<p> I give thee praise, Othryoneus! beyond<br /> +All mortal men, if truly thou perform<br /> +Thy whole big promise to the Dardan king,<br /> +Who promised thee his daughter. Now, behold,<br /> +We also promise: doubt not the effect.<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +We give into thy arms the most admired<br /> +Of Agamemnon’s daughters, whom ourselves<br /> +Will hither bring from Argos, if thy force<br /> +With ours uniting, thou wilt rase the walls<br /> +Of populous Troy. Come—follow me; that here<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Among the ships we may adjust the terms<br /> +Of marriage, for we take not scanty dower.</p> +<p> So saying, the Hero dragg’d him by his heel<br /> +Through all the furious fight. His death to avenge<br /> +Asius on foot before his steeds advanced,<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +For them, where’er he moved, his charioteer<br /> +Kept breathing ever on his neck behind.<br /> +With fierce desire the heart of Asius burn’d<br /> +To smite Idomeneus, who with his lance<br /> +Him reaching first, pierced him beneath the chin<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Into his throat, and urged the weapon through.<br /> +He fell, as some green poplar falls, or oak,<br /> +Or lofty pine, by naval artists hewn<br /> +With new-edged axes on the mountain’s side.<br /> +So, his teeth grinding, and the bloody dust<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Clenching, before his chariot and his steeds<br /> +Extended, Asius lay. His charioteer<br /> +(All recollection lost) sat panic-stunn’d,<br /> +Nor dared for safety turn his steeds to flight.<br /> +Him bold Antilochus right through the waist<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Transpierced; his mail sufficed not, but the spear<br /> +Implanted in his midmost bowels stood.<br /> +Down from his seat magnificent he fell<br /> +Panting, and young Antilochus the steeds<br /> +Drove captive thence into the host of Greece.<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Then came Deiphobus by sorrow urged<br /> +For Asius, and, small interval between,<br /> +Hurl’d at Idomeneus his glittering lance;<br /> +But he, foreseeing its approach, the point<br /> +Eluded, cover’d whole by his round shield<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Of hides and brass by double belt sustain’d,<br /> +And it flew over him, but on his targe<br /> +Glancing, elicited a tinkling sound.<br /> +Yet left it not in vain his vigorous grasp,<br /> +But pierced the liver of Hypsenor, son<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Of Hippasus; he fell incontinent,<br /> +And measureless exulting in his fall<br /> +Deiphobus with mighty voice exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Not unavenged lies Asius; though he seek<br /> +Hell’s iron portals, yet shall he rejoice,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +For I have given him a conductor home.</p> +<p> So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard!<br /> +But of them all to anger most he roused<br /> +Antilochus, who yet his breathless friend<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-9">[9]</a><br /> +Left not, but hasting, fenced him with his shield,<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +And brave Alastor with Mecisteus son<br /> +Of Echius, bore him to the hollow ships<br /> +Deep-groaning both, for of their band was he.<br /> +Nor yet Idomeneus his warlike rage<br /> +Remitted aught, but persevering strove<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Either to plunge some Trojan in the shades,<br /> +Or fall himself, guarding the fleet of Greece.<br /> +Then slew he brave Alcathoüs the son<br /> +Of Æsyeta, and the son-in-law<br /> +Of old Anchises, who to him had given<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +The eldest-born of all his daughters fair,<br /> +Hippodamia; dearly loved was she<br /> +By both her parents in her virgin state,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-10">[10]</a><br /> +For that in beauty she surpass’d, in works<br /> +Ingenious, and in faculties of mind<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +All her coëvals; wherefore she was deem’d<br /> +Well worthy of the noblest prince of Troy.<br /> +Him in that moment, Neptune by the arm<br /> +Quell’d of Idomeneus, his radiant eyes<br /> +Dimming, and fettering his proportion’d limbs.<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +All power of flight or to elude the stroke<br /> +Forsook him, and while motionless he stood<br /> +As stands a pillar tall or towering oak,<br /> +The hero of the Cretans with a spear<br /> +Transfix’d his middle chest. He split the mail<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Erewhile his bosom’s faithful guard; shrill rang<br /> +The shiver’d brass; sounding he fell; the beam<br /> +Implanted in his palpitating heart<br /> +Shook to its topmost point, but, its force spent,<br /> +At last, quiescent, stood. Then loud exclaim’d<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Idomeneus, exulting in his fall.</p> +<p> What thinks Deiphobus? seems it to thee<br /> +Vain boaster, that, three warriors slain for one,<br /> +We yield thee just amends? else, stand thyself<br /> +Against me; learn the valor of a Chief<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +The progeny of Jove; Jove first begat<br /> +Crete’s guardian, Minos, from which Minos sprang<br /> +Deucalion, and from famed Deucalion, I;<br /> +I, sovereign of the numerous race of Crete’s<br /> +Extensive isle, and whom my galleys brought<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +To these your shores at last, that I might prove<br /> +Thy curse, thy father’s, and a curse to Troy.</p> +<p> He spake; Deiphobus uncertain stood<br /> +Whether, retreating, to engage the help<br /> +Of some heroic Trojan, or himself<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +To make the dread experiment alone.<br /> +At length, as his discreeter course, he chose<br /> +To seek Æneas; him he found afar<br /> +Station’d, remotest of the host of Troy,<br /> +For he resented evermore his worth<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +By Priam<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-11">[11]</a> recompensed with cold neglect.<br /> +Approaching him, in accents wing’d he said.</p> +<p> Æneas! Trojan Chief! If e’er thou lov’dst<br /> +Thy sister’s husband, duty calls thee now<br /> +To prove it. Haste—defend with me the dead<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Alcathoüs, guardian of thy tender years,<br /> +Slain by Idomeneus the spear-renown’d.</p> +<p> So saying, he roused his spirit, and on fire<br /> +To combat with the Cretan, forth he sprang.<br /> +But fear seized not Idomeneus as fear<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +May seize a nursling boy; resolved he stood<br /> +As in the mountains, conscious of his force,<br /> +The wild boar waits a coming multitude<br /> +Of boisterous hunters to his lone retreat;<br /> +Arching his bristly spine he stands, his eyes<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Beam fire, and whetting his bright tusks, he burns<br /> +To drive, not dogs alone, but men to flight;<br /> +So stood the royal Cretan, and fled not,<br /> +Expecting brave Æneas; yet his friends<br /> +He summon’d, on Ascalaphus his eyes<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Fastening, on Aphareus, Deipyrus,<br /> +Meriones, and Antilochus, all bold<br /> +In battle, and in accents wing’d exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Haste ye, my friends! to aid me, for I stand<br /> +Alone, nor undismay’d the coming wait<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Of swift Æneas, nor less brave than swift,<br /> +And who possesses fresh his flower of youth,<br /> +Man’s prime advantage; were we match’d in years<br /> +As in our spirits, either he should earn<br /> +At once the meed of deathless fame, or I.<span class="lnm">595</span></p> +<p> He said; they all unanimous approach’d,<br /> +Sloping their shields, and stood. On the other side<br /> +His aids Æneas call’d, with eyes toward<br /> +Paris, Deiphobus, Agenor, turn’d,<br /> +His fellow-warriors bold; them follow’d all<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Their people as the pastured flock the ram<br /> +To water, by the shepherd seen with joy;<br /> +Such joy Æneas felt, seeing, so soon,<br /> +That numerous host attendant at his call.<br /> +Then, for Alcathoüs, into contest close<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Arm’d with long spears they rush’d; on every breast<br /> +Dread rang the brazen corselet, each his foe<br /> +Assailing opposite; but two, the rest<br /> +Surpassing far, terrible both as Mars,<br /> +Æneas and Idomeneus, alike<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Panted to pierce each other with the spear.<br /> +Æneas, first, cast at Idomeneus,<br /> +But, warn’d, he shunn’d the weapon, and it pass’d.<br /> +Quivering in the soil Æneas’ lance<br /> +Stood, hurl’d in vain, though by a forceful arm.<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Not so the Cretan; at his waist he pierced<br /> +Oenomaüs, his hollow corselet clave,<br /> +And in his midmost bowels drench’d the spear;<br /> +Down fell the Chief, and dying, clench’d the dust.<br /> +Instant, his massy spear the King of Crete<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Pluck’d from the dead, but of his radiant arms<br /> +Despoil’d him not, by numerous weapons urged;<br /> +For now, time-worn, he could no longer make<br /> +Brisk sally, spring to follow his own spear,<br /> +Or shun another, or by swift retreat<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Vanish from battle, but the evil day<br /> +Warded in stationary fight alone.<br /> +At him retiring, therefore, step by step<br /> +Deiphobus, who had with bitterest hate<br /> +Long time pursued him, hurl’d his splendid lance,<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +But yet again erroneous, for he pierced<br /> +Ascalaphus instead, offspring of Mars;<br /> +Right through his shoulder flew the spear; he fell<br /> +Incontinent, and dying, clench’d the dust.<br /> +But tidings none the brazen-throated Mars<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Tempestuous yet received, that his own son<br /> +In bloody fight had fallen, for on the heights<br /> +Olympian over-arch’d with clouds of gold<br /> +He sat, where sat the other Powers divine,<br /> +Prisoners together of the will of Jove.<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Meantime, for slain Ascalaphus arose<br /> +Conflict severe; Deiphobus his casque<br /> +Resplendent seized, but swift as fiery Mars<br /> +Assailing him, Meriones his arm<br /> +Pierced with a spear, and from his idle hand<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Fallen, the casque sonorous struck the ground.<br /> +Again, as darts the vulture on his prey,<br /> +Meriones assailing him, the lance<br /> +Pluck’d from his arm, and to his band retired.<br /> +Then, casting his fraternal arms around<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Deiphobus, him young Polites led<br /> +From the hoarse battle to his rapid steeds<br /> +And his bright chariot in the distant rear,<br /> +Which bore him back to Troy, languid and loud-<br /> +Groaning, and bleeding from his recent wound.<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Still raged the war, and infinite arose<br /> +The clamor. Aphareus, Caletor’s son,<br /> +Turning to face Æneas, in his throat<br /> +Instant the hero’s pointed lance received.<br /> +With head reclined, and bearing to the ground<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Buckler and helmet with him, in dark shades<br /> +Of soul-divorcing death involved, he fell.<br /> +Antilochus, observing Thoön turn’d<br /> +To flight, that moment pierced him; from his back<br /> +He ripp’d the vein which through the trunk its course<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +Winds upward to the neck; that vein he ripp’d<br /> +All forth; supine he fell, and with both hands<br /> +Extended to his fellow-warriors, died.<br /> +Forth sprang Antilochus to strip his arms,<br /> +But watch’d, meantime, the Trojans, who in crowds<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Encircling him, his splendid buckler broad<br /> +Smote oft, but none with ruthless point prevail’d<br /> +Even to inscribe the skin of Nestor’s son,<br /> +Whom Neptune, shaker of the shores, amid<br /> +Innumerable darts kept still secure.<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +Yet never from his foes he shrank, but faced<br /> +From side to side, nor idle slept his spear,<br /> +But with rotation ceaseless turn’d and turn’d<br /> +To every part, now levell’d at a foe<br /> +Far-distant, at a foe, now, near at hand.<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Nor he, thus occupied, unseen escaped<br /> +By Asius’ offspring Adamas, who close<br /> +Advancing, struck the centre of his shield.<br /> +But Neptune azure-hair’d so dear a life<br /> +Denied to Adamas, and render’d vain<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +The weapon; part within his disk remain’d<br /> +Like a seer’d stake, and part fell at his feet.<br /> +Then Adamas, for his own life alarm’d,<br /> +Retired, but as he went, Meriones<br /> +Him reaching with his lance, the shame between<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +And navel pierced him, where the stroke of Mars<br /> +Proves painful most to miserable man.<br /> +There enter’d deep the weapon; down he fell,<br /> +And in the dust lay panting as an ox<br /> +Among the mountains pants by peasants held<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +In twisted bands, and dragg’d perforce along;<br /> +So panted dying Adamas, but soon<br /> +Ceased, for Meriones, approaching, pluck’d<br /> +The weapon forth, and darkness veil’d his eyes.<br /> +Helenus, with his heavy Thracian blade<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Smiting the temples of Deipyrus,<br /> +Dash’d off his helmet; from his brows remote<br /> +It fell, and wandering roll’d, till at his feet<br /> +Some warrior found it, and secured; meantime<br /> +The sightless shades of death him wrapp’d around.<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +Grief at that spectacle the bosom fill’d<br /> +Of valiant Menelaus; high he shook<br /> +His radiant spear, and threatening him, advanced<br /> +On royal Helenus, who ready stood<br /> +With his bow bent. They met; impatient, one,<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +To give his pointed lance its rapid course,<br /> +And one, to start his arrow from the nerve.<br /> +The arrow of the son of Priam struck<br /> +Atrides’ hollow corselet, but the reed<br /> +Glanced wide. As vetches or as swarthy beans<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +Leap from the van and fly athwart the floor,<br /> +By sharp winds driven, and by the winnower’s force,<br /> +So from the corselet of the glorious Greek<br /> +Wide-wandering flew the bitter shaft away.<br /> +But Menelaus the left-hand transpierced<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +Of Helenus, and with the lance’s point<br /> +Fasten’d it to his bow; shunning a stroke<br /> +More fatal, Helenus into his band<br /> +Retired, his arm dependent at his side,<br /> +And trailing, as he went, the ashen beam;<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +There, bold Agenor from his hand the lance<br /> +Drew forth, then folded it with softest wool<br /> +Around, sling-wool, and borrow’d from the sling<br /> +Which his attendant into battle bore.<br /> +Then sprang Pisander on the glorious Chief<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +The son of Atreus, but his evil fate<br /> +Beckon’d him to his death in conflict fierce,<br /> +Oh Menelaus, mighty Chief! with thee.<br /> +And now they met, small interval between.<br /> +Atrides hurl’d his weapon, and it err’d.<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +Pisander with his spear struck full the shield<br /> +Of glorious Menelaus, but his force<br /> +Resisted by the stubborn buckler broad<br /> +Fail’d to transpierce it, and the weapon fell<br /> +Snapp’d at the neck. Yet, when he struck, the heart<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +Rebounded of Pisander, full of hope.<br /> +But Menelaus, drawing his bright blade,<br /> +Sprang on him, while Pisander from behind<br /> +His buckler drew a brazen battle-axe<br /> +By its long haft of polish’d olive-wood,<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +And both Chiefs struck together. He the crest<br /> +That crown’d the shaggy casque of Atreus’ son<br /> +Hew’d from its base, but Menelaus him<br /> +In his swift onset smote full on the front<br /> +Above his nose; sounded the shatter’d bone,<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +And his eyes both fell bloody at his feet.<br /> +Convolved with pain he lay; then, on his breast<br /> +Atrides setting fast his heel, tore off<br /> +His armor, and exulting thus began.</p> +<p> So shall ye leave at length the Grecian fleet,<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +Traitors, and never satisfied with war!<br /> +Nor want ye other guilt, dogs and profane!<br /> +But me have injured also, and defied<br /> +The hot displeasure of high-thundering Jove<br /> +The hospitable, who shall waste in time,<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +And level with the dust your lofty Troy.<br /> +I wrong’d not you, yet bore ye far away<br /> +My youthful bride who welcomed you, and stole<br /> +My treasures also, and ye now are bent<br /> +To burn Achaia’s gallant fleet with fire<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +And slay her heroes; but your furious thirst<br /> +Of battle shall hereafter meet a check.<br /> +Oh, Father Jove! Thee wisest we account<br /> +In heaven or earth, yet from thyself proceed<br /> +All these calamities, who favor show’st<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +To this flagitious race the Trojans, strong<br /> +In wickedness alone, and whose delight<br /> +In war and bloodshed never can be cloy’d.<br /> +All pleasures breed satiety, sweet sleep,<br /> +Soft dalliance, music, and the graceful dance,<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +Though sought with keener appetite by most<br /> +Than bloody war; but Troy still covets blood.</p> +<p> So spake the royal Chief, and to his friends<br /> +Pisander’s gory spoils consigning, flew<br /> +To mingle in the foremost fight again.<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +Him, next, Harpalion, offspring of the King<br /> +Pylæmenes assail’d; to Troy he came<br /> +Following his sire, but never thence return’d.<br /> +He, from small distance, smote the central boss<br /> +Of Menelaus’ buckler with his lance,<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +But wanting power to pierce it, with an eye<br /> +Of cautious circumspection, lest perchance<br /> +Some spear should reach him, to his band retired.<br /> +But him retiring with a brazen shaft<br /> +Meriones pursued; swift flew the dart<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +To his right buttock, slipp’d beneath the bone,<br /> +His bladder grazed, and started through before.<br /> +There ended his retreat; sudden he sank<br /> +And like a worm lay on the ground, his life<br /> +Exhaling in his fellow-warrior’s arms,<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +And with his sable blood soaking the plain.<br /> +Around him flock’d his Paphlagonians bold,<br /> +And in his chariot placed drove him to Troy,<br /> +With whom his father went, mourning with tears<br /> +A son, whose death he never saw avenged.<span class="lnm">800</span></p> +<p> Him slain with indignation Paris view’d,<br /> +For he, with numerous Paphlagonians more<br /> +His guest had been; he, therefore, in the thirst<br /> +Of vengeance, sent a brazen arrow forth.<br /> +There was a certain Greek, Euchenor, son<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +Of Polyides the soothsayer, rich<br /> +And brave in fight, and who in Corinth dwelt<br /> +He, knowing well his fate, yet sail’d to Troy<br /> +For Polyides oft, his reverend sire,<br /> +Had prophecied that he should either die<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +By some dire malady at home, or, slain<br /> +By Trojan hands, amid the fleet of Greece.<br /> +He, therefore, shunning the reproach alike<br /> +Of the Achaians, and that dire disease,<br /> +Had join’d the Grecian host; him Paris pierced<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +The ear and jaw beneath; life at the stroke<br /> +Left him, and darkness overspread his eyes.</p> +<p> So raged the battle like devouring fire.<br /> +But Hector dear to Jove not yet had learn’d,<br /> +Nor aught surmised the havoc of his host<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +Made on the left, where victory crown’d well-nigh<br /> +The Grecians animated to the fight<br /> +By Neptune seconding himself their arms.<br /> +He, where he first had started through the gate<br /> +After dispersion of the shielded Greeks<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +Compact, still persevered. The galleys there<br /> +Of Ajax and Protesilaüs stood<br /> +Updrawn above the hoary Deep; the wall<br /> +Was there of humblest structure, and the steeds<br /> +And warriors there conflicted furious most.<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +The Epeans there and Iäonians<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-12">[12]</a> robed-<br /> +Prolix, the Phthians,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-13">[13]</a> Locrians, and the bold<br /> +Bœtians check’d the terrible assault<br /> +Of Hector, noble Chief, ardent as flame,<br /> +Yet not repulsed him. Chosen Athenians form’d<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +The van, by Peteos’ son, Menestheus, led,<br /> +Whose high command undaunted Bias shared,<br /> +Phidas and Stichius. The Epean host<br /> +Under Amphion, Dracius, Meges, fought.<br /> +Podarces brave in arms the Phthians ruled,<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +And Medon (Medon was by spurious birth<br /> +Brother of Ajax Oïliades,<br /> +And for his uncle’s death, whom he had slain,<br /> +The brother of Oïleus’ wife, abode<br /> +In Phylace; but from Iphiclus sprang<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +Podarces;) these, all station’d in the front<br /> +Of Phthias’ hardy sons, together strove<br /> +With the Bœotians for the fleet’s defence.<br /> +Ajax the swift swerved never from the side<br /> +Of Ajax son of Telamon a step,<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +But as in some deep fallow two black steers<br /> +Labor combined, dragging the ponderous plow,<br /> +The briny sweat around their rooted horns<br /> +Oozes profuse; they, parted as they toil<br /> +Along the furrow, by the yoke alone,<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +Cleave to its bottom sheer the stubborn glebe,<br /> +So, side by side, they, persevering fought.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-14">[14]</a><br /> +The son of Telamon a people led<br /> +Numerous and bold, who, when his bulky limbs<br /> +Fail’d overlabor’d, eased him of his shield.<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +Not so attended by his Locrians fought<br /> +Oïleus’ valiant son; pitch’d battle them<br /> +Suited not, unprovided with bright casques<br /> +Of hairy crest, with ashen spears, and shields<br /> +Of ample orb; for, trusting in the bow<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +And twisted sling alone, they came to Troy,<br /> +And broke with shafts and volley’d stones the ranks.<br /> +Thus occupying, clad in burnish’d arms,<br /> +The van, these two with Hector and his host<br /> +Conflicted, while the Locrians from behind<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Vex’d them with shafts, secure; nor could the men<br /> +Of Ilium stand, by such a shower confused.<br /> +Then, driven with dreadful havoc thence, the foe<br /> +To wind-swept Ilium had again retired.<br /> +Had not Polydamas, at Hector’s side<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Standing, the dauntless hero thus address’d.</p> +<p> Hector! Thou ne’er canst listen to advice;<br /> +But think’st thou, that if heaven in feats of arms<br /> +Give thee pre-eminence, thou must excel<br /> +Therefore in council also all mankind?<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +No. All-sufficiency is not for thee.<br /> +To one, superior force in arms is given,<br /> +Skill to another in the graceful dance,<br /> +Sweet song and powers of music to a third,<br /> +And to a fourth loud-thundering Jove imparts<span class="lnm">885</span><br /> +Wisdom, which profits many, and which saves<br /> +Whole cities oft, though reverenced but by few.<br /> +Yet hear; I speak as wisest seems to me.<br /> +War, like a fiery circle, all around<br /> +Environs thee; the Trojans, since they pass’d<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +The bulwark, either hold themselves aloof,<br /> +Or, wide-dispersed among the galleys, cope<br /> +With numbers far superior to their own.<br /> +Retiring, therefore, summon all our Chiefs<br /> +To consultation on the sum of all,<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +Whether (should heaven so prosper us) to rush<br /> +Impetuous on the gallant barks of Greece,<br /> +Or to retreat secure; for much I dread<br /> +Lest the Achaians punctually refund<br /> +All yesterday’s arrear, since yonder Chief<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-15">[15]</a><span class="lnm">900</span><br /> +Insatiable with battle still abides<br /> +Within the fleet, nor longer, as I judge,<br /> +Will rest a mere spectator of the field.</p> +<p> So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice<br /> +Pleased Hector; from his chariot down he leap’d<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +All arm’d, and in wing’d accents thus replied.</p> +<p> Polydamas! here gather all the Chiefs;<br /> +I haste into the fight, and my commands<br /> +Once issued there, incontinent return.</p> +<p> He ended, and conspicuous as the height<span class="lnm">910</span><br /> +Of some snow-crested mountain, shouting ranged<br /> +The Trojans and confederates of Troy.<br /> +They swift around Polydamas, brave son<br /> +Of Panthus, at the voice of Hector, ran.<br /> +Himself with hasty strides the front, meantime,<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +Of battle roam’d, seeking from rank to rank<br /> +Asius Hyrtacides, with Asius’ son<br /> +Adamas, and Deiphobus, and the might<br /> +Of Helenus, his royal brother bold.<br /> +Them neither altogether free from hurt<span class="lnm">920</span><br /> +He found, nor living all. Beneath the sterns<br /> +Of the Achaian ships some slaughter’d lay<br /> +By Grecian hands; some stricken by the spear<br /> +Within the rampart sat, some by the sword.<br /> +But leftward of the woful field he found,<span class="lnm">925</span><br /> +Ere long, bright Helen’s paramour his band<br /> +Exhorting to the fight. Hector approach’d,<br /> +And him, in fierce displeasure, thus bespake.</p> +<p> Curst Paris, specious, fraudulent and lewd!<br /> +Where is Deiphobus, and where the might<span class="lnm">930</span><br /> +Of royal Helenus? Where Adamas<br /> +Offspring of Asius, and where Asius, son<br /> +Of Hyrtacus, and where Othryoneus?<br /> +Now lofty Ilium from her topmost height<br /> +Falls headlong, now is thy own ruin sure!<span class="lnm">935</span></p> +<p> To whom the godlike Paris thus replied.<br /> +Since Hector! thou art pleased with no just cause<br /> +To censure me, I may decline, perchance,<br /> +Much more the battle on some future day,<br /> +For I profess some courage, even I.<span class="lnm">940</span><br /> +Witness our constant conflict with the Greeks<br /> +Here, on this spot, since first led on by thee<br /> +The host of Troy waged battle at the ships.<br /> +But those our friends of whom thou hast inquired<br /> +Are slain, Deiphobus alone except<span class="lnm">945</span><br /> +And royal Helenus, who in the hand<br /> +Bear each a wound inflicted by the spear,<br /> +And have retired; but Jove their life preserved.<br /> +Come now—conduct us whither most thine heart<br /> +Prompts thee, and thou shalt find us ardent all<span class="lnm">950</span><br /> +To face like danger; what we can, we will,<br /> +The best and most determined can no more.</p> +<p> So saying, the hero soothed his brother’s mind.<br /> +Then moved they both toward the hottest war<br /> +Together, where Polydamas the brave,<span class="lnm">955</span><br /> +Phalces, Cebriones, Orthæus fought,<br /> +Palmys and Polyphœtes, godlike Chief,<br /> +And Morys and Ascanius, gallant sons<br /> +Both of Hippotion. They at Troy arrived<br /> +From fair Ascania the preceding morn,<span class="lnm">960</span><br /> +In recompense for aid<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_13-16">[16]</a> by Priam lent<br /> +Erewhile to Phrygia, and, by Jove impell’d,<br /> +Now waged the furious battle side by side.<br /> +The march of these at once, was as the sound<br /> +Of mighty winds from deep-hung thunder-clouds<span class="lnm">965</span><br /> +Descending; clamorous the blast and wild<br /> +With ocean mingles; many a billow, then,<br /> +Upridged rides turbulent the sounding flood,<br /> +Foam-crested billow after billow driven,<br /> +So moved the host of Troy, rank after rank<span class="lnm">970</span><br /> +Behind their Chiefs, all dazzling bright in arms.<br /> +Before them Priameian Hector strode<br /> +Fierce as gore-tainted Mars, and his broad shield<br /> +Advancing came, heavy with hides, and thick-<br /> +Plated with brass; his helmet on his brows<span class="lnm">975</span><br /> +Refulgent shook, and in its turn he tried<br /> +The force of every phalanx, if perchance<br /> +Behind his broad shield pacing he might shake<br /> +Their steadfast order; but he bore not down<br /> +The spirit of the firm Achaian host.<span class="lnm">980</span><br /> +Then Ajax striding forth, him, first, defied.</p> +<p> Approach. Why temptest thou the Greeks to fear?<br /> +No babes are we in aught that appertains<br /> +To arms, though humbled by the scourge of Jove.<br /> +Thou cherishest the foolish hope to burn<span class="lnm">985</span><br /> +Our fleet with fire; but even we have hearts<br /> +Prepared to guard it, and your populous Troy,<br /> +By us dismantled and to pillage given,<br /> +Shall perish sooner far. Know this thyself<br /> +Also; the hour is nigh when thou shalt ask<span class="lnm">990</span><br /> +In prayer to Jove and all the Gods of heaven,<br /> +That speed more rapid than the falcon’s flight<br /> +May wing thy coursers, while, exciting dense<br /> +The dusty plain, they whirl thee back to Troy.</p> +<p> While thus he spake, sublime on the right-hand<span class="lnm">995</span><br /> +An eagle soar’d; confident in the sign<br /> +The whole Achaian host with loud acclaim<br /> +Hail’d it. Then glorious Hector thus replied.</p> +<p> Brainless and big, what means this boast of thine,<br /> +Earth-cumberer Ajax? Would I were the son<span class="lnm">1000</span><br /> +As sure, for ever, of almighty Jove<br /> +And Juno, and such honor might receive<br /> +Henceforth as Pallas and Apollo share,<br /> +As comes this day with universal wo<br /> +Fraught for the Grecians, among whom thyself<span class="lnm">1005</span><br /> +Shalt also perish if thou dare abide<br /> +My massy spear, which shall thy pamper’d flesh<br /> +Disfigure, and amid the barks of Greece<br /> +Falling, thou shalt the vultures with thy bulk<br /> +Enormous satiate, and the dogs of Troy.<span class="lnm">1010</span></p> +<p> He spake, and led his host; with clamor loud<br /> +They follow’d him, and all the distant rear<br /> +Came shouting on. On the other side the Greeks<br /> +Re-echoed shout for shout, all undismay’d,<br /> +And waiting firm the bravest of their foes.<span class="lnm">1015</span><br /> +Upwent the double roar into the heights<br /> +Ethereal, and among the beams of Jove.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book14"></a>BOOK XIV.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTEENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Agamemnon and the other wounded Chiefs taking Nestor with them, visit +the battle. Juno having borrowed the Cestus of Venus, first engages the +assistance of Sleep, then hastens to Ida to inveigle Jove. She prevails. +Jove sleeps; and Neptune takes that opportunity to succor the Grecians.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XIV.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Nor was that cry by Nestor unperceived<br /> +Though drinking, who in words wing’d with surprise<br /> +The son of Æsculapius thus address’d.</p> +<p> Divine Machaon! think what this may bode.<br /> +The cry of our young warriors at the ships<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Grows louder; sitting here, the sable wine<br /> +Quaff thou, while bright-hair’d Hecamede warms<br /> +A bath, to cleanse thy crimson stains away.<br /> +I from yon eminence will learn the cause.</p> +<p> So saying, he took a shield radiant with brass<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +There lying in the tent, the shield well-forged<br /> +Of valiant Thrasymedes, his own son<br /> +(For he had borne to fight his father’s shield)<br /> +And arming next his hand with a keen lance<br /> +Stood forth before the tent. Thence soon he saw<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Foul deeds and strange, the Grecian host confused,<br /> +Their broken ranks flying before the host<br /> +Of Ilium, and the rampart overthrown.<br /> +As when the wide sea, darken’d over all<br /> +Its silent flood, forebodes shrill winds to blow,<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +The doubtful waves roll yet to neither side,<br /> +Till swept at length by a decisive gale;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-1">[1]</a><br /> +So stood the senior, with distressful doubts<br /> +Conflicting anxious, whether first to seek<br /> +The Grecian host, or Agamemnon’s self<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +The sovereign, and at length that course preferr’d.<br /> +Meantime with mutual carnage they the field<br /> +Spread far and wide, and by spears double-edged<br /> +Smitten, and by the sword their corselets rang.</p> +<p> The royal Chiefs ascending from the fleet,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Ulysses, Diomede, and Atreus’ son<br /> +Imperial Agamemnon, who had each<br /> +Bled in the battle, met him on his way.<br /> +For from the war remote they had updrawn<br /> +Their galleys on the shore of the gray Deep,<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +The foremost to the plain, and at the sterns<br /> +Of that exterior line had built the wall.<br /> +For, spacious though it were, the shore alone<br /> +That fleet sufficed not, incommoding much<br /> +The people; wherefore they had ranged the ships<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Line above line gradual, and the bay<br /> +Between both promontories, all was fill’d.<br /> +They, therefore, curious to survey the fight,<br /> +Came forth together, leaning on the spear,<br /> +When Nestor met them; heavy were their hearts,<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +And at the sight of him still more alarm’d,<br /> +Whom royal Agamemnon thus bespake.</p> +<p> Neleian Nestor, glory of the Greeks!<br /> +What moved thee to forsake yon bloody field,<br /> +And urged thee hither? Cause I see of fear,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Lest furious Hector even now his threat<br /> +Among the Trojans publish’d, verify,<br /> +That he would never enter Ilium more<br /> +Till he had burn’d our fleet, and slain ourselves.<br /> +So threaten’d Hector, and shall now perform.<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Alas! alas! the Achaians brazen-greaved<br /> +All, like Achilles, have deserted me<br /> +Resentful, and decline their fleet’s defence.</p> +<p> To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied.<br /> +Those threats are verified; nor Jove himself<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +The Thunderer can disappoint them now;<br /> +For our chief strength in which we trusted most<br /> +That it should guard impregnably secure<br /> +Our navy and ourselves, the wall hath fallen.<br /> +Hence all this conflict by our host sustain’d<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Among the ships; nor could thy keenest sight<br /> +Inform thee where in the Achaian camp<br /> +Confusion most prevails, such deaths are dealt<br /> +Promiscuous, and the cry ascends to heaven.<br /> +But come—consult we on the sum of all,<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +If counsel yet may profit. As for you,<br /> +Ye shall have exhortation none from me<br /> +To seek the fight; the wounded have excuse.</p> +<p> Whom Agamemnon answer’d, King of men.<br /> +Ah Nestor! if beneath our very sterns<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +The battle rage, if neither trench nor wall<br /> +Constructed with such labor, and supposed<br /> +Of strength to guard impregnably secure<br /> +Our navy and ourselves, avail us aught,<br /> +It is because almighty Jove hath will’d<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +That the Achaian host should perish here<br /> +Inglorious, from their country far remote.<br /> +When he vouchsafed assistance to the Greeks,<br /> +I knew it well; and now, not less I know<br /> +That high as the immortal Gods he lifts<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Our foes to glory, and depresses us.<br /> +Haste therefore all, and act as I advise.<br /> +Our ships—all those that nearest skirt the Deep,<br /> +Launch we into the sacred flood, and moor<br /> +With anchors safely, till o’ershadowing night<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +(If night itself may save us) shall arrive.<br /> +Then may we launch the rest; for I no shame<br /> +Account it, even by ’vantage of the night<br /> +To fly destruction. Wiser him I deem<br /> +Who ’scapes his foe, than whom his foe enthralls.<span class="lnm">95</span></p> +<p> But him Ulysses, frowning stern, reproved.<br /> +What word, Atrides, now hath pass’d thy lips?<br /> +Counsellor of despair! thou should’st command<br /> +(And would to heaven thou didst) a different host,<br /> +Some dastard race, not ours; whom Jove ordains<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +From youth to hoary age to weave the web<br /> +Of toilsome warfare, till we perish all.<br /> +Wilt thou the spacious city thus renounce<br /> +For which such numerous woes we have endured?<br /> +Hush! lest some other hear; it is a word<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Which no man qualified by years mature<br /> +To speak discreetly, no man bearing rule<br /> +O’er such a people as confess thy sway,<br /> +Should suffer to contaminate his lips.<br /> +I from my soul condemn thee, and condemn<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Thy counsel, who persuad’st us in the heat<br /> +Of battle terrible as this, to launch<br /> +Our fleet into the waves, that we may give<br /> +Our too successful foes their full desire,<br /> +And that our own prepondering scale<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +May plunge us past all hope; for while they draw<br /> +Their galleys down, the Grecians shall but ill<br /> +Sustain the fight, seaward will cast their eyes<br /> +And shun the battle, bent on flight alone.<br /> +Then, shall they rue thy counsel, King of men!<span class="lnm">120</span></p> +<p> To whom the imperial leader of the Greeks.<br /> +Thy sharp reproof, Ulysses, hath my soul<br /> +Pierced deeply. Yet I gave no such command<br /> +That the Achaians should their galleys launch,<br /> +Would they, or would they not. No. I desire<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +That young or old, some other may advice<br /> +More prudent give, and he shall please me well.</p> +<p> Then thus the gallant Diomede replied.<br /> +That man is near, and may ye but be found<br /> +Tractable, our inquiry shall be short.<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Be patient each, nor chide me nor reproach<br /> +Because I am of greener years than ye,<br /> +For I am sprung from an illustrious Sire,<br /> +From Tydeus, who beneath his hill of earth<br /> +Lies now entomb’d at Thebes. Three noble sons<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Were born to Portheus, who in Pleuro dwelt,<br /> +And on the heights of Calydon; the first<br /> +Agrius; the second Melas; and the third<br /> +Brave Oeneus, father of my father, famed<br /> +For virtuous qualities above the rest.<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Oeneus still dwelt at home; but wandering thence<br /> +My father dwelt in Argos; so the will<br /> +Of Jove appointed, and of all the Gods.<br /> +There he espoused the daughter of the King<br /> +Adrastus, occupied a mansion rich<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +In all abundance; many a field possess’d<br /> +Of wheat, well-planted gardens, numerous flocks,<br /> +And was expert in spearmanship esteem’d<br /> +Past all the Grecians. I esteem’d it right<br /> +That ye should hear these things, for they are true.<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Ye will not, therefore, as I were obscure<br /> +And of ignoble origin, reject<br /> +What I shall well advise. Expedience bids<br /> +That, wounded as we are, we join the host.<br /> +We will preserve due distance from the range<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Of spears and arrows, lest already gall’d,<br /> +We suffer worse; but we will others urge<br /> +To combat, who have stood too long aloof,<br /> +Attentive only to their own repose.</p> +<p> He spake, whom all approved, and forth they went,<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Imperial Agamemnon at their head.</p> +<p> Nor watch’d the glorious Shaker of the shores<br /> +In vain, but like a man time-worn approach’d,<br /> +And, seizing Agamemnon’s better hand,<br /> +In accents wing’d the monarch thus address’d.<span class="lnm">165</span></p> +<p> Atrides! now exults the vengeful heart<br /> +Of fierce Achilles, viewing at his ease<br /> +The flight and slaughter of Achaia’s host;<br /> +For he is mad, and let him perish such,<br /> +And may his portion from the Gods be shame!<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +But as for thee, not yet the powers of heaven<br /> +Thee hate implacable; the Chiefs of Troy<br /> +Shall cover yet with cloudy dust the breadth<br /> +Of all the plain, and backward from the camp<br /> +To Ilium’s gates thyself shalt see them driven.<span class="lnm">175</span></p> +<p> He ceased, and shouting traversed swift the field.<br /> +Loud as nine thousand or ten thousand shout<br /> +In furious battle mingled, Neptune sent<br /> +His voice abroad, force irresistible<br /> +Infusing into every Grecian heart,<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +And thirst of battle not to be assuaged.</p> +<p> But Juno of the golden throne stood forth<br /> +On the Olympian summit, viewing thence<br /> +The field, where clear distinguishing the God<br /> +Of ocean, her own brother, sole engaged<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Amid the glorious battle, glad was she.<br /> +Seeing Jove also on the topmost point<br /> +Of spring-fed Ida seated, she conceived<br /> +Hatred against him, and thenceforth began<br /> +Deliberate how best she might deceive<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +The Thunderer, and thus at last resolved;<br /> +Attired with skill celestial to descend<br /> +On Ida, with a hope to allure him first<br /> +Won by her beauty to a fond embrace,<br /> +Then closing fast in balmy sleep profound<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +His eyes, to elude his vigilance, secure.<br /> +She sought her chamber; Vulcan her own son<br /> +That chamber built. He framed the solid doors,<br /> +And to the posts fast closed them with a key<br /> +Mysterious, which, herself except, in heaven<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +None understood. Entering she secured<br /> +The splendid portal. First, she laved all o’er<br /> +Her beauteous body with ambrosial lymph,<br /> +Then polish’d it with richest oil divine<br /> +Of boundless fragrance;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-2">[2]</a> oil that in the courts<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Eternal only shaken, through the skies<br /> +Breathed odors, and through all the distant earth.<br /> +Her whole fair body with those sweets bedew’d,<br /> +She passed the comb through her ambrosial hair,<br /> +And braided her bright locks streaming profuse<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +From her immortal brows; with golden studs<br /> +She made her gorgeous mantle fast before,<br /> +Ethereal texture, labor of the hands<br /> +Of Pallas beautified with various art,<br /> +And braced it with a zone fringed all around<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +A hundred fold; her pendants triple-gemm’d<br /> +Luminous, graceful, in her ears she hung,<br /> +And covering all her glories with a veil<br /> +Sun-bright, new-woven, bound to her fair feet<br /> +Her sandals elegant. Thus full attired,<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +In all her ornaments, she issued forth,<br /> +And beckoning Venus from the other powers<br /> +Of heaven apart, the Goddess thus bespake.</p> +<p> Daughter beloved! shall I obtain my suit,<br /> +Or wilt thou thwart me, angry that I aid<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +The Grecians, while thine aid is given to Troy?</p> +<p> To whom Jove’s daughter Venus thus replied.<br /> +What would majestic Juno, daughter dread<br /> +Of Saturn, sire of Jove? I feel a mind<br /> +Disposed to gratify thee, if thou ask<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Things possible, and possible to me.</p> +<p> Then thus with wiles veiling her deep design<br /> +Imperial Juno. Give me those desires,<br /> +That love-enkindling power by which thou sway’st<br /> +Immortal hearts and mortal, all alike;<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +For to the green earth’s utmost bounds I go,<br /> +To visit there the parent of the Gods,<br /> +Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused,<br /> +Mother of all. They kindly from the hands<br /> +Of Rhea took, and with parental care<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Sustain’d and cherish’d me, what time from heaven<br /> +The Thunderer hurled down Saturn, and beneath<br /> +The earth fast bound him and the barren Deep.<br /> +Them go I now to visit, and their feuds<br /> +Innumerable to compose; for long<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +They have from conjugal embrace abstain’d<br /> +Through mutual wrath, whom by persuasive speech<br /> +Might I restore into each other’s arms,<br /> +They would for ever love me and revere.</p> +<p> Her, foam-born Venus then, Goddess of smiles,<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Thus answer’d. Thy request, who in the arms<br /> +Of Jove reposest the omnipotent,<br /> +Nor just it were nor seemly to refuse.</p> +<p> So saying, the cincture from her breast she loosed<br /> +Embroider’d, various, her all-charming zone.<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +It was an ambush of sweet snares, replete<br /> +With love, desire, soft intercourse of hearts,<br /> +And music of resistless whisper’d sounds<br /> +That from the wisest steal their best resolves;<br /> +She placed it in her hands and thus she said.<span class="lnm">260</span></p> +<p> Take this—this girdle fraught with every charm.<br /> +Hide this within thy bosom, and return,<br /> +Whate’er thy purpose, mistress of it all.</p> +<p> She spake; imperial Juno smiled, and still<br /> +Smiling complacent, bosom’d safe the zone.<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Then Venus to her father’s court return’d,<br /> +And Juno, starting from the Olympian height,<br /> +O’erflew Pieria and the lovely plains<br /> +Of broad Emathia; soaring thence she swept<br /> +The snow-clad summits of the Thracian hills<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Steed-famed, nor printed, as she passed, the soil.<br /> +From Athos o’er the foaming billows borne<br /> +She came to Lemnos, city and abode<br /> +Of noble Thoas, and there meeting Sleep,<br /> +Brother of Death, she press’d his hand, and said,<span class="lnm">275</span></p> +<p> Sleep, over all, both Gods and men, supreme!<br /> +If ever thou hast heard, hear also now<br /> +My suit; I will be grateful evermore.<br /> +Seal for me fast the radiant eyes of Jove<br /> +In the instant of his gratified desire.<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Thy recompense shall be a throne of gold,<br /> +Bright, incorruptible; my limping son,<br /> +Vulcan, shall fashion it himself with art<br /> +Laborious, and, beneath, shall place a stool<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-3">[3]</a><br /> +For thy fair feet, at the convivial board.<span class="lnm">285</span></p> +<p> Then answer thus the tranquil Sleep returned<br /> +Great Saturn’s daughter, awe-inspiring Queen!<br /> +All other of the everlasting Gods<br /> +I could with ease make slumber, even the streams<br /> +Of Ocean, Sire of all.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-4">[4]</a> Not so the King<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +The son of Saturn: him, unless himself<br /> +Give me command, I dare not lull to rest,<br /> +Or even approach him, taught as I have been<br /> +Already in the school of thy commands<br /> +That wisdom. I forget not yet the day<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +When, Troy laid waste, that valiant son<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-5">[5]</a> of his<br /> +Sail’d homeward: then my influence I diffused<br /> +Soft o’er the sovereign intellect of Jove;<br /> +While thou, against the Hero plotting harm,<br /> +Didst rouse the billows with tempestuous blasts,<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +And separating him from all his friend,<br /> +Brought’st him to populous Cos. Then Jove awoke,<br /> +And, hurling in his wrath the Gods about,<br /> +Sought chiefly me, whom far below all ken<br /> +He had from heaven cast down into the Deep,<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +But Night, resistless vanquisher of all,<br /> +Both Gods and men, preserved me; for to her<br /> +I fled for refuge. So the Thunderer cool’d,<br /> +Though sore displeased, and spared me through a fear<br /> +To violate the peaceful sway of Night.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-6">[6]</a><span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +And thou wouldst now embroil me yet again!</p> +<p> To whom majestic Juno thus replied.<br /> +Ah, wherefore, Sleep! shouldst thou indulge a fear<br /> +So groundless? Chase it from thy mind afar.<br /> +Think’st thou the Thunderer as intent to serve<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +The Trojans, and as jealous in their cause<br /> +As erst for Hercules, his genuine son?<br /> +Come then, and I will bless thee with a bride;<br /> +One of the younger Graces shall be thine,<br /> +Pasithea, day by day still thy desire.<span class="lnm">320</span></p> +<p> She spake; Sleep heard delighted, and replied.<br /> +By the inviolable Stygian flood<br /> +Swear to me; lay thy right hand on the glebe<br /> +All-teeming, lay thy other on the face<br /> +Of the flat sea, that all the Immortal Powers<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Who compass Saturn in the nether realms<br /> +May witness, that thou givest me for a bride<br /> +The younger Grace whom thou hast named, divine<br /> +Pasithea, day by day still my desire.</p> +<p> He said, nor beauteous Juno not complied,<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +But sware, by name invoking all the powers<br /> +Titanian call’d who in the lowest gulf<br /> +Dwell under Tartarus, omitting none.<br /> +Her oath with solemn ceremonial sworn,<br /> +Together forth they went; Lemnos they left<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +And Imbrus, city of Thrace, and in dark clouds<br /> +Mantled, with gliding ease swam through the air<br /> +To Ida’s mount with rilling waters vein’d,<br /> +Parent of savage beasts; at Lectos<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-7">[7]</a> first<br /> +They quitted Ocean, overpassing high<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +The dry land, while beneath their feet the woods<br /> +Their spiry summits waved. There, unperceived<br /> +By Jove, Sleep mounted Ida’s loftiest pine<br /> +Of growth that pierced the sky, and hidden sat<br /> +Secure by its expanded boughs, the bird<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Shrill-voiced resembling in the mountains seen,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-8">[8]</a><br /> +Chalcis in heaven, on earth Cymindis named.</p> +<p> But Juno swift to Gargarus the top<br /> +Of Ida, soar’d, and there Jove saw his spouse.<br /> +—Saw her—and in his breast the same love felt<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Rekindled vehement, which had of old<br /> +Join’d them, when, by their parents unperceived,<br /> +They stole aside, and snatch’d their first embrace.<br /> +Soon he accosted her, and thus inquired.</p> +<p> + Juno! what region seeking hast thou left<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +The Olympian summit, and hast here arrived<br /> +With neither steed nor chariot in thy train?</p> +<p> To whom majestic Juno thus replied<br /> +Dissembling. To the green earth’s end I go,<br /> +To visit there the parent of the Gods<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused,<br /> +Mother of all. They kindly from the hands<br /> +Of Rhea took, and with parental care<br /> +Sustain’d and cherish’d me;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-9">[9]</a> to them I haste<br /> +Their feuds innumerable to compose,<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Who disunited by intestine strife<br /> +Long time, from conjugal embrace abstain.<br /> +My steeds, that lightly over dank and dry<br /> +Shall bear me, at the rooted base I left<br /> +Of Ida river-vein’d. But for thy sake<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +From the Olympian summit I arrive,<br /> +Lest journeying remote to the abode<br /> +Of Ocean, and with no consent of thine<br /> +Entreated first, I should, perchance, offend.</p> +<p> To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Juno! thy journey thither may be made<br /> +Hereafter. Let us turn to dalliance now.<br /> +For never Goddess pour’d, nor woman yet<br /> +So full a tide of love into my breast;<br /> +I never loved Ixion’s consort thus<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Who bore Pirithoüs, wise as we in heaven;<br /> +Nor sweet Acrisian Danäe, from whom<br /> +Sprang Perseus, noblest of the race of man;<br /> +Nor Phœnix’ daughter fair,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-10">[10]</a> of whom were born<br /> +Minos unmatch’d but by the powers above,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +And Rhadamanthus; nor yet Semele,<br /> +Nor yet Alcmena, who in Thebes produced<br /> +The valiant Hercules; and though my son<br /> +By Semele were Bacchus, joy of man;<br /> +Nor Ceres golden-hair’d, nor high-enthroned<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Latona in the skies, no—nor thyself<br /> +As now I love thee, and my soul perceive<br /> +O’erwhelm’d with sweetness of intense desire.</p> +<p> Then thus majestic Juno her reply<br /> +Framed artful. Oh unreasonable haste!<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +What speaks the Thunderer? If on Ida’s heights.<br /> +Where all is open and to view exposed<br /> +Thou wilt that we embrace, what must betide,<br /> +Should any of the everlasting Gods<br /> +Observe us, and declare it to the rest?<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Never could I, arising, seek again,<br /> +Thy mansion, so unseemly were the deed.<br /> +But if thy inclinations that way tend,<br /> +Thou hast a chamber; it is Vulcan’s work,<br /> +Our son’s; he framed and fitted to its posts<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +The solid portal; thither let us his,<br /> +And there repose, since such thy pleasure seems.</p> +<p> To whom the cloud-assembler Deity.<br /> +Fear thou not, Juno, lest the eye of man<br /> +Or of a God discern us; at my word<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +A golden cloud shall fold us so around,<br /> +That not the Sun himself shall through that veil<br /> +Discover aught, though keenest-eyed of all.</p> +<p> So spake the son of Saturn, and his spouse<br /> +Fast lock’d within his arms. Beneath them earth<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +With sudden herbage teem’d; at once upsprang<br /> +The crocus soft, the lotus bathed in dew,<br /> +And the crisp hyacinth with clustering bells;<br /> +Thick was their growth, and high above the ground<br /> +Upbore them. On that flowery couch they lay,<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Invested with a golden cloud that shed<br /> +Bright dew-drops all around.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_14-11">[11]</a> His heart at ease,<br /> +There lay the Sire of all, by Sleep and Love<br /> +Vanquish’d on lofty Gargarus, his spouse<br /> +Constraining still with amorous embrace.<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Then, gentle Sleep to the Achaian camp<br /> +Sped swift away, with tidings for the ear<br /> +Of earth-encircler Neptune charged; him soon<br /> +He found, and in wing’d accents thus began.</p> +<p> Now Neptune, yield the Greeks effectual aid,<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +And, while the moment lasts of Jove’s repose,<br /> +Make victory theirs; for him in slumbers soft<br /> +I have involved, while Juno by deceit<br /> +Prevailing, lured him with the bait of love.</p> +<p> He said, and swift departed to his task<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Among the nations; but his tidings urged<br /> +Neptune with still more ardor to assist<br /> +The Danaï; he leap’d into the van<br /> +Afar, and thus exhorted them aloud.</p> +<p> Oh Argives! yield we yet again the day<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +To Priameian Hector? Shall he seize<br /> +Our ships, and make the glory all his own?<br /> +Such is his expectation, so he vaunts,<br /> +For that Achilles leaves not yet his camp,<br /> +Resentful; but of him small need, I judge,<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Should here be felt, could once the rest be roused<br /> +To mutual aid. Act, then, as I advise.<br /> +The best and broadest bucklers of the host,<br /> +And brightest helmets put we on, and arm’d<br /> +With longest spears, advance; myself will lead;<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +And trust me, furious though he be, the son<br /> +Of Priam flies. Ye then who feel your hearts<br /> +Undaunted, but are arm’d with smaller shields,<br /> +Them give to those who fear, and in exchange<br /> +Their stronger shields and broader take yourselves.<span class="lnm">455</span></p> +<p> So he, whom, unreluctant, all obey’d.<br /> +Then, wounded as they were, themselves the Kings,<br /> +Tydides, Agamemnon and Ulysses<br /> +Marshall’d the warriors, and from rank to rank<br /> +Made just exchange of arms, giving the best<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +To the best warriors, to the worse, the worst.<br /> +And now in brazen armor all array’d<br /> +Refulgent on they moved, by Neptune led<br /> +With firm hand grasping his long-bladed sword<br /> +Keen as Jove’s bolt; with him may none contend<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +In dreadful fight; but fear chains every arm.</p> +<p> Opposite, Priameian Hector ranged<br /> +His Trojans; then they stretch’d the bloody cord<br /> +Of conflict tight, Neptune cœrulean-hair’d,<br /> +And Hector, pride of Ilium; one, the Greeks<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Supporting firm, and one, the powers of Troy;<br /> +A sea-flood dash’d the galleys, and the hosts<br /> +Join’d clamorous. Not so the billows roar<br /> +The shores among, when Boreas’ roughest blast<br /> +Sweeps landward from the main the towering surge;<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Not so, devouring fire among the trees<br /> +That clothe the mountain, when the sheeted flames<br /> +Ascending wrap the forest in a blaze;<br /> +Nor howl the winds through leafy boughs of oaks<br /> +Upgrown aloft (though loudest there they rave)<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +With sounds so awful as were heard of Greeks<br /> +And Trojans shouting when the clash began.</p> +<p> At Ajax, first (for face to face they stood)<br /> +Illustrious Hector threw a spear well-aim’d,<br /> +But smote him where the belts that bore his shield<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +And falchion cross’d each other on his breast.<br /> +The double guard preserved him unannoy’d.<br /> +Indignant that his spear had bootless flown,<br /> +Yet fearing death at hand, the Trojan Chief<br /> +Toward the phalanx of his friends retired.<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +But, as he went, huge Ajax with a stone<br /> +Of those which propp’d the ships (for numerous such<br /> +Lay rolling at the feet of those who fought)<br /> +Assail’d him. Twirling like a top it pass’d<br /> +The shield of Hector, near the neck his breast<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Struck full, then plough’d circuitous the dust.<br /> +As when Jove’s arm omnipotent an oak<br /> +Prostrates uprooted on the plain, a fume<br /> +Rises sulphureous from the riven trunk,<br /> +And if, perchance, some traveller nigh at hand<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +See it, he trembles at the bolt of Jove,<br /> +So fell the might of Hector, to the earth<br /> +Smitten at once. Down dropp’d his idle spear,<br /> +And with his helmet and his shield himself<br /> +Also; loud thunder’d all his gorgeous arms.<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Swift flew the Grecians shouting to the skies,<br /> +And showering darts, to drag his body thence,<br /> +But neither spear of theirs nor shaft could harm<br /> +The fallen leader, with such instant aid<br /> +His princely friends encircled him around,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Sarpedon, Lycian Chief, Glaucus the brave,<br /> +Polydamas, Æneas, and renown’d<br /> +Agenor; neither tardy were the rest,<br /> +But with round shields all shelter’d Hector fallen.<br /> +Him soon uplifted from the plain his friends<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Bore thence, till where his fiery coursers stood,<br /> +And splendid chariot in the rear, they came,<br /> +Then Troy-ward drove him groaning as he went.<br /> +Ere long arriving at the pleasant stream<br /> +Of eddied Xanthus, progeny of Jove,<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +They laid him on the bank, and on his face<br /> +Pour’d water; he, reviving, upward gazed,<br /> +And seated on his hams black blood disgorged<br /> +Coagulate, but soon relapsing, fell<br /> +Supine, his eyes with pitchy darkness veil’d,<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +And all his powers still torpid by the blow.</p> +<p> Then, seeing Hector borne away, the Greeks<br /> +Rush’d fiercer on, all mindful of the fight,<br /> +And far before the rest, Ajax the swift,<br /> +The Oïlean Chief, with pointed spear<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +On Satnius springing, pierced him. Him a nymph<br /> +A Naiad, bore to Enops, while his herd<br /> +Feeding, on Satnio’s grassy verge he stray’d.<br /> +But Oïliades the spear-renown’d<br /> +Approaching, pierced his flank; supine he fell,<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +And fiery contest for the dead arose.<br /> +In vengeance of his fall, spear-shaking Chief<br /> +The son of Panthus into fight advanced<br /> +Polydamas, who Prothöenor pierced<br /> +Offspring of Areïlocus, and urged<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Through his right shoulder sheer the stormy lance.<br /> +He, prostrate, clench’d the dust, and with loud voice<br /> +Polydamas exulted at his fall.</p> +<p> Yon spear, methinks, hurl’d from the warlike hand<br /> +Of Panthus’ noble son, flew not in vain,<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +But some Greek hath it, purposing, I judge,<br /> +To lean on it in his descent to hell.</p> +<p> So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard.<br /> +But most indignant, Ajax, offspring bold<br /> +Of Telamon, to whom he nearest fell.<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +He, quick, at the retiring conqueror cast<br /> +His radiant spear; Polydamas the stroke<br /> +Shunn’d, starting sideward; but Antenor’s son<br /> +Archilochus the mortal dint received,<br /> +Death-destined by the Gods; where neck and spine<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Unite, both tendons he dissever’d wide,<br /> +And, ere his knees, his nostrils met the ground.</p> +<p> Then Ajax in his turn vaunting aloud<br /> +Against renown’d Polydamas, exclaim’d.<br /> +Speak now the truth, Polydamas, and weigh<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +My question well. His life whom I have slain<br /> +Makes it not compensation for the loss<br /> +Of Prothöenor’s life! To me he seems<br /> +Nor base himself; nor yet of base descent,<br /> +But brother of Atenor steed-renown’d,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Or else perchance his son; for in my eyes<br /> +Antenor’s lineage he resembles most.</p> +<p> So he, well knowing him, and sorrow seized<br /> +Each Trojan heart. Then Acamas around<br /> +His brother stalking, wounded with his spear<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Bœotian Promachus, who by the feet<br /> +Dragg’d off the slain. Acamas in his fall<br /> +Aloud exulted with a boundless joy.</p> +<p> Vain-glorious Argives, archers inexpert!<br /> +War’s toil and trouble are not ours alone,<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +But ye shall perish also; mark the man—<br /> +How sound he sleeps tamed by my conquering arm,<br /> +Your fellow-warrior Promachus! the debt<br /> +Of vengeance on my brother’s dear behalf<br /> +Demanded quick discharge; well may the wish<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Of every dying warrior be to leave<br /> +A brother living to avenge his fall.</p> +<p> He ended, whom the Greeks indignant heard,<br /> +But chiefly brave Peneleus; swift he rush’d<br /> +On Acamas; but from before the force<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Of King Peneleus Acamas retired,<br /> +And, in his stead, Ilioneus he pierced,<br /> +Offspring of Phorbas, rich in flocks; and blest<br /> +By Mercury with such abundant wealth<br /> +As other Trojan none, nor child to him<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +His spouse had borne, Ilioneus except.<br /> +Him close beneath the brow to his eye-roots<br /> +Piercing, he push’d the pupil from its seat,<br /> +And through his eye and through his poll the spear<br /> +Urged furious. He down-sitting on the earth<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Both hands extended; but, his glittering blade<br /> +Forth-drawn, Peneleus through his middle neck<br /> +Enforced it; head and helmet to the ground<br /> +He lopp’d together, with the lance infixt<br /> +Still in his eye; then like a poppy’s head<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +The crimson trophy lifting, in the ears<br /> +He vaunted loud of Ilium’s host, and cried.</p> +<p> Go, Trojans! be my messengers! Inform<br /> +The parents of Ilioneus the brave<br /> +That they may mourn their son through all their house,<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +For so the wife of Alegenor’s son<br /> +Bœotian Promachus must him bewail,<br /> +Nor shall she welcome his return with smiles<br /> +Of joy affectionate, when from the shores<br /> +Of Troy the fleet shall bear us Grecians home.<span class="lnm">610</span></p> +<p> He said; fear whiten’d every Trojan cheek,<br /> +And every Trojan eye with earnest look<br /> +Inquired a refuge from impending fate.</p> +<p> Say now, ye Muses, blest inhabitants<br /> +Of the Olympian realms! what Grecian first<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Fill’d his victorious hand with armor stript<br /> +From slaughter’d Trojans, after Ocean’s God<br /> +Had, interposing, changed the battle’s course?</p> +<p> First, Telamonian Ajax Hyrtius slew,<br /> +Undaunted leader of the Mysian band.<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Phalces and Mermerus their arms resign’d<br /> +To young Antilochus; Hyppotion fell<br /> +And Morys by Meriones; the shafts<br /> +Right-aim’d of Teucer to the shades dismiss’d<br /> +Prothöus and Periphetes, and the prince<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Of Sparta, Menelaus, in his flank<br /> +Pierced Hyperenor; on his entrails prey’d<br /> +The hungry steel, and, through the gaping wound<br /> +Expell’d, his spirit flew; night veil’d his eyes.<br /> +But Ajax Oïliades the swift<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Slew most; him none could equal in pursuit<br /> +Of tremblers scatter’d by the frown of Jove.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book15"></a>BOOK XV.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTEENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Jove, awaking and seeing the Trojans routed, threatens Juno. He sends +Iris to admonish Neptune to relinquish the battle, and Apollo to restore +health to Hector. Apollo armed with the Ægis, puts to flight the Grecians; +they are pursued home to their fleet, and Telamonian Ajax slays +twelve Trojans bringing fire to burn it.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XV.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">But when the flying Trojans had o’erpass’d<br /> +Both stakes and trench, and numerous slaughtered lay<br /> +By Grecian hands, the remnant halted all<br /> +Beside their chariots, pale, discomfited.<br /> +Then was it that on Ida’s summit Jove<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +At Juno’s side awoke; starting, he stood<br /> +At once erect; Trojans and Greeks he saw,<br /> +These broken, those pursuing and led on<br /> +By Neptune; he beheld also remote<br /> +Encircled by his friends, and on the plain<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Extended, Hector; there he panting lay,<br /> +Senseless, ejecting blood, bruised by a blow<br /> +From not the feeblest of the sons of Greece.<br /> +Touch’d with compassion at that sight, the Sire<br /> +Of Gods and men, frowning terrific, fix’d<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +His eyes on Juno, and her thus bespake.</p> +<p> No place for doubt remains. Oh, versed in wiles,<br /> +Juno! thy mischief-teeming mind perverse<br /> +Hath plotted this; thou hast contrived the hurt<br /> +Of Hector, and hast driven his host to flight.<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +I know not but thyself mayst chance to reap<br /> +The first-fruits of thy cunning, scourged<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-1">[1]</a> by me.<br /> +Hast thou forgotten how I once aloft<br /> +Suspended thee, with anvils at thy feet,<br /> +And both thy wrists bound with a golden cord<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Indissoluble? In the clouds of heaven<br /> +I hung thee, while from the Olympian heights<br /> +The Gods look’d mournful on, but of them all<br /> +None could deliver thee, for whom I seized,<br /> +Hurl’d through the gates of heaven on earth he fell,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Half-breathless. Neither so did I resign<br /> +My hot resentment of the hero’s wrongs<br /> +Immortal Hercules, whom thou by storms<br /> +Call’d from the North, with mischievous intent<br /> +Hadst driven far distant o’er the barren Deep<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +To populous Cos. Thence I deliver’d him,<br /> +And after numerous woes severe, he reach’d<br /> +The shores of fruitful Argos, saved by me.<br /> +I thus remind thee now, that thou mayst cease<br /> +Henceforth from artifice, and mayst be taught<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +How little all the dalliance and the love<br /> +Which, stealing down from heaven, thou hast by fraud<br /> +Obtain’d from me, shall profit thee at last.</p> +<p> He ended, whom imperial Juno heard<br /> +Shuddering, and in wing’d accents thus replied.<span class="lnm">45</span></p> +<p> Be witness Earth, the boundless Heaven above,<br /> +And Styx beneath, whose stream the blessed Gods<br /> +Even tremble to adjure;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-2">[2]</a> be witness too<br /> +Thy sacred life, and our connubial bed,<br /> +Which by a false oath I will never wrong,<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +That by no art induced or plot of mine<br /> +Neptune, the Shaker of the shores, inflicts<br /> +These harms on Hector and the Trojan host<br /> +Aiding the Grecians, but impell’d alone<br /> +By his own heart with pity moved at sight<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Of the Achaians at the ships subdued.<br /> +But even him, oh Sovereign of the storms!<br /> +I am prepared to admonish that he quit<br /> +The battle, and retire where thou command’st.</p> +<p> So she; then smiled the Sire of Gods and men,<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +And in wing’d accents answer thus return’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-3">[3]</a></p> +<p> Juno! wouldst thou on thy celestial throne<br /> +Assist my counsels, howso’er in heart<br /> +He differ now, Neptune should soon his will<br /> +Submissive bend to thy desires and mine.<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +But if sincerity be in thy words<br /> +And truth, repairing to the blest abodes<br /> +Send Iris hither, with the archer God<br /> +Apollo; that she, visiting the host<br /> +Of Greece, may bid the Sovereign of the Deep<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Renounce the fight, and seek his proper home.<br /> +Apollo’s part shall be to rouse again<br /> +Hector to battle, to inspire his soul<br /> +Afresh with courage, and all memory thence<br /> +To banish of the pangs which now he feels.<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Apollo also shall again repulse<br /> +Achaia’s host, which with base panic fill’d,<br /> +Shall even to Achilles’ ships be driven.<br /> +Achilles shall his valiant friend exhort<br /> +Patroclus forth; him under Ilium’s walls<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Shall glorious Hector slay; but many a youth<br /> +Shall perish by Patroclus first, with whom,<br /> +My noble son Sarpedon. Peleus’ son,<br /> +Resentful of Patroclus’ death, shall slay<br /> +Hector, and I will urge ceaseless, myself,<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Thenceforth the routed Trojans back again,<br /> +Till by Minerva’s aid the Greeks shall take<br /> +Ilium’s proud city; till that day arrive<br /> +My wrath shall burn, nor will I one permit<br /> +Of all the Immortals to assist the Greeks,<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +But will perform Achilles’ whole desire.<br /> +Such was my promise to him at the first,<br /> +Ratified by a nod that self-same day<br /> +When Thetis clasp’d my knees, begging revenge<br /> +And glory for her city-spoiler son.<span class="lnm">95</span></p> +<p> He ended; nor his spouse white-arm’d refused<br /> +Obedience, but from the Idæan heights<br /> +Departing, to the Olympian summit soar’d.<br /> +Swift as the traveller’s thought,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-4">[4]</a> who, many a land<br /> +Traversed, deliberates on his future course<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Uncertain, and his mind sends every way,<br /> +So swift updarted Juno to the skies.<br /> +Arrived on the Olympian heights, she found<br /> +The Gods assembled; they, at once, their seats<br /> +At her approach forsaking, with full cups<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Her coming hail’d; heedless of all beside,<br /> +She took the cup from blooming Themis’ hand,<br /> +For she first flew to welcome her, and thus<br /> +In accents wing’d of her return inquired.</p> +<p> Say, Juno, why this sudden re-ascent?<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Thou seem’st dismay’d; hath Saturn’s son, thy spouse,<br /> +Driven thee affrighted to the skies again?</p> +<p> To whom the white-arm’d Goddess thus replied.<br /> +Themis divine, ask not. Full well thou know’st<br /> +How harshly temper’d is the mind of Jove,<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +And how untractable. Resume thy seat;<br /> +The banquet calls thee; at our board preside,<br /> +Thou shalt be told, and all in heaven shall hear<br /> +What ills he threatens; such as shall not leave<br /> +All minds at ease, I judge, here or on earth,<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +However tranquil some and joyous now.</p> +<p> So spake the awful spouse of Jove, and sat.<br /> +Then, all alike, the Gods displeasure felt<br /> +Throughout the courts of Jove, but she, her lips<br /> +Gracing with smiles from which her sable brows<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Dissented,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-5">[5]</a> thus indignant them address’d.</p> +<p> Alas! how vain against the Thunderer’s will<br /> +Our anger, and the hope to supersede<br /> +His purpose, by persuasion or by force!<br /> +He solitary sits, all unconcern’d<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +At our resentment, and himself proclaims<br /> +Mightiest and most to be revered in heaven.<br /> +Be patient, therefore, and let each endure<br /> +Such ills as Jove may send him. Mars, I ween,<br /> +Already hath his share; the warrior God<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Hath lost Ascalaphus, of all mankind<br /> +His most beloved, and whom he calls his own.</p> +<p> She spake, and with expanded palms his thighs<br /> +Smiling, thus, sorrowful, the God exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Inhabitants of the Olympian heights!<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Oh bear with me, if to avenge my son<br /> +I seek Achaia’s fleet, although my doom<br /> +Be thunder-bolts from Jove, and with the dead<br /> +Outstretch’d to lie in carnage and in dust.</p> +<p> He spake, and bidding Horror and Dismay<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Lead to the yoke his rapid steeds, put on<br /> +His all-refulgent armor. Then had wrath<br /> +More dreadful, some strange vengeance on the Gods<br /> +From Jove befallen, had not Minerva, touch’d<br /> +With timely fears for all, upstarting sprung<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +From where she sat, right through the vestibule.<br /> +She snatch’d the helmet from his brows, the shield<br /> +From his broad shoulder, and the brazen spear<br /> +Forced from his grasp into its place restored.<br /> +Then reprimanding Mars, she thus began.<span class="lnm">155</span></p> +<p> Frantic, delirious! thou art lost for ever!<br /> +Is it in vain that thou hast ears to hear,<br /> +And hast thou neither shame nor reason left?<br /> +How? hear’st thou not the Goddess? the report<br /> +Of white-arm’d Juno from Olympian Jove<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Return’d this moment? or perfer’st thou rather,<br /> +Plagued with a thousand woes, and under force<br /> +Of sad necessity to seek again<br /> +Olympus, and at thy return to prove<br /> +Author of countless miseries to us all?<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +For He at once Grecians and Trojans both<br /> +Abandoning, will hither haste prepared<br /> +To tempest<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-6">[6]</a> us in heaven, whom he will seize,<br /> +The guilty and the guiltless, all alike.<br /> +I bid thee, therefore, patient bear the death<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Of thy Ascalaphus; braver than he<br /> +And abler have, ere now, in battle fallen,<br /> +And shall hereafter; arduous were the task<br /> +To rescue from the stroke of fate the race<br /> +Of mortal men, with all their progeny.<span class="lnm">175</span></p> +<p> So saying, Minerva on his throne replaced<br /> +The fiery Mars. Then, summoning abroad<br /> +Apollo from within the hall of Jove,<br /> +With Iris, swift ambassadress of heaven,<br /> +Them in wing’d accents Juno thus bespake.<span class="lnm">180</span></p> +<p> Jove bids you hence with undelaying speed<br /> +To Ida; in his presence once arrived,<br /> +See that ye execute his whole command.</p> +<p> So saying, the awful Goddess to her throne<br /> +Return’d and sat. They, cleaving swift the air,<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Alighted soon on Ida fountain-fed,<br /> +Parent of savage kinds. High on the point<br /> +Seated of Gargarus, and wrapt around<br /> +With fragrant clouds, they found Saturnian Jove<br /> +The Thunderer, and in his presence stood.<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +He, nought displeased that they his high command<br /> +Had with such readiness obey’d, his speech<br /> +To Iris, first, in accents wing’d address’d</p> +<p> Swift Iris, haste—to royal Neptune bear<br /> +My charge entire; falsify not the word.<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Bid him, relinquishing the fight, withdraw<br /> +Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep.<br /> +But should he disobedient prove, and scorn<br /> +My message, let him, next, consider well<br /> +How he will bear, powerful as he is,<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +My coming. Me I boast superior far<br /> +In force, and elder-born; yet deems he slight<br /> +The danger of comparison with me,<br /> +Who am the terror of all heaven beside.</p> +<p> He spake, nor storm-wing’d Iris disobey’d,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +But down from the Idæan summit stoop’d<br /> +To sacred Ilium. As when snow or hail<br /> +Flies drifted by the cloud-dispelling North,<br /> +So swiftly, wing’d with readiness of will,<br /> +She shot the gulf between, and standing soon<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +At glorious Neptune’s side, him thus address’d.</p> +<p> To thee, O Neptune azure-hair’d! I come<br /> +With tidings charged from Ægis-bearing Jove.<br /> +He bids thee cease from battle, and retire<br /> +Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep.<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +But shouldst thou, disobedient, set at nought<br /> +His words, he threatens that himself will haste<br /> +To fight against thee; but he bids thee shun<br /> +That strife with one superior far to thee,<br /> +And elder-born; yet deem’st thou slight, he saith,<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +The danger of comparison with Him,<br /> +Although the terror of all heaven beside.</p> +<p> Her then the mighty Shaker of the shores<br /> +Answer’d indignant. Great as is his power,<br /> +Yet he hath spoken proudly, threatening me<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +With force, high-born and glorious as himself.<br /> +We are three brothers; Saturn is our sire,<br /> +And Rhea brought us forth; first, Jove she bore;<br /> +Me next; then, Pluto, Sovereign of the shades.<br /> +By distribution tripart we received<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Each his peculiar honors; me the lots<br /> +Made Ruler of the hoary floods, and there<br /> +I dwell for ever. Pluto, for his part,<br /> +The regions took of darkness; and the heavens,<br /> +The clouds, and boundless æther, fell to Jove.<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +The Earth and the Olympian heights alike<br /> +Are common to the three. My life and being<br /> +I hold not, therefore, at his will, whose best<br /> +And safest course, with all his boasted power,<br /> +Were to possess in peace his proper third.<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Let him not seek to terrify with force<br /> +Me like a dastard; let him rather chide<br /> +His own-begotten; with big-sounding words<br /> +His sons and daughters govern, who perforce<br /> +Obey his voice, and shrink at his commands.<span class="lnm">245</span></p> +<p> To whom thus Iris tempest-wing’d replied,<br /> +Cœrulean-tress’d Sovereign of the Deep!<br /> +Shall I report to Jove, harsh as it is,<br /> +Thy speech, or wilt thou soften it? The wise<br /> +Are flexible, and on the elder-born<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Erynnis, with her vengeful sisters, waits.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-7">[7]</a></p> +<p> Her answer’d then the Shaker of the shores.<br /> +Prudent is thy advice, Iris divine!<br /> +Discretion in a messenger is good<br /> +At all times. But the cause that fires me thus,<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +And with resentment my whole heart and mind<br /> +Possesses, is the license that he claims<br /> +To vex with provocation rude of speech<br /> +Me his compeer, and by decree of Fate<br /> +Illustrious as himself; yet, though incensed,<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +And with just cause, I will not now persist.<br /> +But hear—for it is treasured in my heart<br /> +The threat that my lips utter. If he still<br /> +Resolve to spare proud Ilium in despite<br /> +Of me, of Pallas, Goddess of the spoils,<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Of Juno, Mercury, and the King of fire,<br /> +And will not overturn her lofty towers,<br /> +Nor grant immortal glory to the Greeks,<br /> +Then tell him thus—hostility shall burn,<br /> +And wrath between us never to be quench’d.<span class="lnm">270</span></p> +<p> So saying, the Shaker of the shores forsook<br /> +The Grecian host, and plunged into the deep,<br /> +Miss’d by Achaia’s heroes. Then, the cloud-Assembler<br /> +God thus to Apollo spake.</p> +<p> Hence, my Apollo! to the Trojan Chief<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Hector; for earth-encircler Neptune, awed<br /> +By fear of my displeasure imminent,<br /> +Hath sought the sacred Deep. Else, all the Gods<br /> +Who compass Saturn in the nether realms,<br /> +Had even there our contest heard, I ween,<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +And heard it loudly. But that he retreats<br /> +Although at first incensed, shunning my wrath,<br /> +Is salutary both for him and me,<br /> +Whose difference else had not been healed with ease.<br /> +Take thou my shaggy Ægis, and with force<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Smiting it, terrify the Chiefs of Greece.<br /> +As for illustrious Hector, him I give<br /> +To thy peculiar care; fail not to rouse<br /> +His fiercest courage, till he push the Greeks<br /> +To Hellespont, and to their ships again;<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Thenceforth to yield to their afflicted host<br /> +Some pause from toil, shall be my own concern.</p> +<p> He ended, nor Apollo disobey’d<br /> +His father’s voice; from the Idæan heights,<br /> +Swift as the swiftest of the fowls of air,<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +The dove-destroyer falcon, down he flew.<br /> +The noble Hector, valiant Priam’s son<br /> +He found, not now extended on the plain,<br /> +But seated; newly, as from death, awaked,<br /> +And conscious of his friends; freely he breathed<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Nor sweated more, by Jove himself revived.<br /> +Apollo stood beside him, and began.</p> +<p> Say, Hector, Priam’s son! why sittest here<br /> +Feeble and spiritless, and from thy host<br /> +Apart? what new disaster hath befall’n?<span class="lnm">305</span></p> +<p> To whom with difficulty thus replied<br /> +The warlike Chief.—But tell me who art Thou,<br /> +Divine inquirer! best of powers above!<br /> +Know’st not that dauntless Ajax me his friends<br /> +Slaughtering at yonder ships, hath with a stone<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Surceased from fight, smiting me on the breast?<br /> +I thought to have beheld, this day, the dead<br /> +In Ades, every breath so seem’d my last.</p> +<p> Then answer thus the Archer-God return’d.<br /> +Courage this moment! such a helper Jove<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +From Ida sends thee at thy side to war<br /> +Continual, Phœbus of the golden sword,<br /> +Whose guardian aid both thee and lofty Troy<br /> +Hath succor’d many a time. Therefore arise!<br /> +Instant bid drive thy numerous charioteers<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Their rapid steeds full on the Grecian fleet;<br /> +I, marching at their head, will smooth, myself,<br /> +The way before them, and will turn again<br /> +To flight the heroes of the host of Greece.</p> +<p> He said and with new strength the Chief inspired.<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +As some stall’d horse high pamper’d, snapping short<br /> +His cord, beats under foot the sounding soil,<br /> +Accustom’d in smooth-sliding streams to lave<br /> +Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane<br /> +Wantons around his shoulders; pleased, he eyes<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees<br /> +Soon finds the haunts where all his fellows graze;<br /> +So bounded Hector, and his agile joints<br /> +Plied lightly, quicken’d by the voice divine,<br /> +And gather’d fast his charioteers to battle.<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +But as when hounds and hunters through the woods<br /> +Rush in pursuit of stag or of wild goat,<br /> +He, in some cave with tangled boughs o’erhung,<br /> +Lies safe conceal’d, no destined prey of theirs,<br /> +Till by their clamors roused, a lion grim<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Starts forth to meet them; then, the boldest fly;<br /> +Such hot pursuit the Danaï, with swords<br /> +And spears of double edge long time maintain’d.<br /> +But seeing Hector in his ranks again<br /> +Occupied, felt at once their courage fall’n.<span class="lnm">345</span></p> +<p> Then, Thoas them, Andræmon’s son, address’d,<br /> +Foremost of the Ætolians, at the spear<br /> +Skilful, in stationary combat bold,<br /> +And when the sons of Greece held in dispute<br /> +The prize of eloquence, excell’d by few.<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Prudent advising them, he thus began.</p> +<p> Ye Gods! what prodigy do I behold?<br /> +Hath Hector, ’scaping death, risen again?<br /> +For him, with confident persuasion all<br /> +Believed by Telamonian Ajax slain.<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +But some Divinity hath interposed<br /> +To rescue and save Hector, who the joints<br /> +Hath stiffen’d of full many a valiant Greek,<br /> +As surely now he shall; for, not without<br /> +The Thunderer’s aid, he flames in front again.<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +But take ye all my counsel. Send we back<br /> +The multitude into the fleet, and first<br /> +Let us, who boast ourselves bravest in fight,<br /> +Stand, that encountering him with lifted spears,<br /> +We may attempt to give his rage a check.<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +To thrust himself into a band like ours<br /> +Will, doubtless, even in Hector move a fear.</p> +<p> He ceased, with whose advice all, glad, complied.<br /> +Then Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete,<br /> +Teucer, Meriones, and Meges fierce<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +As Mars in battle, summoning aloud<br /> +The noblest Greeks, in opposition firm<br /> +To Hector and his host their bands prepared,<br /> +While others all into the fleet retired.<br /> +Troy’s crowded host<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-8">[8]</a> struck first. With awful strides<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Came Hector foremost; him Apollo led,<br /> +His shoulders wrapt in clouds, and, on his arm,<br /> +The Ægis shagg’d terrific all around,<br /> +Tempestuous, dazzling-bright; it was a gift<br /> +To Jove from Vulcan, and design’d to appall,<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +And drive to flight the armies of the earth.<br /> +Arm’d with that shield Apollo led them on.<br /> +Firm stood the embodied Greeks; from either host<br /> +Shrill cries arose; the arrows from the nerve<br /> +Leap’d, and, by vigorous arms dismiss’d, the spears<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Flew frequent; in the flesh some stood infixt<br /> +Of warlike youths, but many, ere they reach’d<br /> +The mark they coveted, unsated fell<br /> +Between the hosts, and rested in the soil.<br /> +Long as the God unagitated held<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +The dreadful disk, so long the vollied darts<br /> +Made mutual slaughter, and the people fell;<br /> +But when he look’d the Grecian charioteers<br /> +Full in the face and shook it, raising high<br /> +Himself the shout of battle, then he quell’d<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Their spirits, then he struck from every mind<br /> +At once all memory of their might in arms.<br /> +As when two lions in the still, dark night<br /> +A herd of beeves scatter or numerous flock<br /> +Suddenly, in the absence of the guard,<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +So fled the heartless Greeks, for Phœbus sent<br /> +Terrors among them, but renown conferr’d<br /> +And triumph proud on Hector and his host.<br /> +Then, in that foul disorder of the field,<br /> +Man singled man. Arcesilaüs died<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +By Hector’s arm, and Stichius; one, a Chief<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-9">[9]</a><br /> +Of the Bœotians brazen-mail’d, and one,<br /> +Menestheus’ faithful follower to the fight.<br /> +Æneas Medon and Iäsus slew.<br /> +Medon was spurious offspring of divine<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Oïleus Ajax’ father, and abode<br /> +In Phylace; for he had slain a Chief<br /> +Brother of Eriopis the espoused<br /> +Of brave Oïleus; but Iäsus led<br /> +A phalanx of Athenians, and the son<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Of Sphelus, son of Bucolus was deem’d.<br /> +Pierced by Polydamas Mecisteus fell,<br /> +Polites, in the van of battle, slew<br /> +Echion, and Agenor Clonius;<br /> +But Paris, while Deïochus to flight<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Turn’d with the routed van, pierced him beneath<br /> +His shoulder-blade, and urged the weapon through.</p> +<p> While them the Trojans spoil’d, meantime the Greeks,<br /> +Entangled in the piles of the deep foss,<br /> +Fled every way, and through necessity<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Repass’d the wall. Then Hector with a voice<br /> +Of loud command bade every Trojan cease<br /> +From spoil, and rush impetuous on the fleet.<br /> +<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-10">[10]</a>And whom I find far lingering from the ships<br /> +Wherever, there he dies; no funeral fires<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Brother on him, or sister, shall bestow,<br /> +But dogs shall rend him in the sight of Troy.</p> +<p> So saying, he lash’d the shoulders of his steeds,<br /> +And through the ranks vociferating, call’d<br /> +His Trojans on; they, clamorous as he,<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +All lash’d their steeds, and menacing, advanced.<br /> +Before them with his feet Apollo push’d<br /> +The banks into the foss, bridging the gulf<br /> +With pass commodious, both in length and breadth<br /> +A lance’s flight, for proof of vigor hurl’d.<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +There, phalanx after phalanx, they their host<br /> +Pour’d dense along, while Phœbus in the van<br /> +Display’d the awful ægis, and the wall<br /> +Levell’d with ease divine. As, on the shore<br /> +Some wanton boy with sand builds plaything walls,<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Then, sportive spreads them with his feet abroad,<br /> +So thou, shaft-arm’d Apollo! that huge work<br /> +Laborious of the Greeks didst turn with ease<br /> +To ruin, and themselves drovest all to flight.<br /> +They, thus enforced into the fleet, again<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Stood fast, with mutual exhortation each<br /> +His friend encouraging, and all the Gods<br /> +With lifted hands soliciting aloud.<br /> +But, more than all, Gerenian Nestor pray’d<br /> +Fervent, Achaia’s guardian, and with arms<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Outstretch’d toward the starry skies, exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Jove, Father! if in corn-clad Argos, one,<br /> +One Greek hath ever, burning at thy shrine<br /> +Fat thighs of sheep or oxen, ask’d from thee<br /> +A safe return, whom thou hast gracious heard,<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Olympian King! and promised what he sought,<br /> +Now, in remembrance of it, give us help<br /> +In this disastrous day, nor thus permit<br /> +Their Trojan foes to tread the Grecians down!</p> +<p> So Nestor pray’d, and Jove thunder’d aloud<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Responsive to the old Neleïan’s prayer.<br /> +But when that voice of Ægis-bearing Jove<br /> +The Trojans heard, more furious on the Greeks<br /> +They sprang, all mindful of the fight. As when<br /> +A turgid billow of some spacious sea,<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +While the wind blow that heaves its highest, borne<br /> +Sheer o’er the vessel’s side, rolls into her,<br /> +With such loud roar the Trojans pass’d the wall;<br /> +In rush’d the steeds, and at the ships they waged<br /> +Fierce battle hand to hand, from chariots, these,<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +With spears of double edge, those, from the decks<br /> +Of many a sable bark, with naval poles<br /> +Long, ponderous, shod with steel; for every ship<br /> +Had such, for conflict maritime prepared.</p> +<p> While yet the battle raged only without<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +The wall, and from the ships apart, so long<br /> +Patroclus quiet in the tent and calm<br /> +Sat of Eurypylus, his generous friend<br /> +Consoling with sweet converse, and his wound<br /> +Sprinkling with drugs assuasive of his pains.<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +But soon as through the broken rampart borne<br /> +He saw the Trojans, and the clamor heard<br /> +And tumult of the flying Greeks, a voice<br /> +Of loud lament uttering, with open palms<br /> +His thighs he smote, and, sorrowful, exclaim’d.<span class="lnm">490</span></p> +<p> Eurypylus! although thy need be great,<br /> +No longer may I now sit at thy side,<br /> +Such contest hath arisen; thy servant’s voice<br /> +Must soothe thee now, for I will to the tent<br /> +Haste of Achilles, and exhort him forth;<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Who knows? if such the pleasure of the Gods,<br /> +I may prevail; friends rarely plead in vain.</p> +<p> So saying, he went. Meantime the Greeks endured<br /> +The Trojan onset, firm, yet from the ships<br /> +Repulsed them not, though fewer than themselves,<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Nor could the host of Troy, breaking the ranks<br /> +Of Greece, mix either with the camp or fleet;<br /> +But as the line divides the plank aright,<br /> +Stretch’d by some naval architect, whose hand<br /> +Minerva hath accomplish’d in his art,<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +So stretch’d on them the cord of battle lay.<br /> +Others at other ships the conflict waged,<br /> +But Hector to the ship advanced direct<br /> +Of glorious Ajax; for one ship they strove;<br /> +Nor Hector, him dislodging thence, could fire<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +The fleet, nor Ajax from the fleet repulse<br /> +Hector, conducted thither by the Gods.<br /> +Then, noble Ajax with a spear the breast<br /> +Pierced of Caletor, son of Clytius, arm’d<br /> +With fire to burn his bark; sounding he fell,<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +And from his loosen’d grasp down dropp’d the brand.<br /> +But Hector seeing his own kinsman fallen<br /> +Beneath the sable bark, with mighty voice<br /> +Call’d on the hosts of Lycia and of Troy.</p> +<p> Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Of Dardanus, within this narrow pass<br /> +Stand firm, retreat not, but redeem the son<br /> +Of Clytius, lest the Grecians of his arms<br /> +Despoil him slain in battle at the ships.</p> +<p> + So saying, at Ajax his bright spear he cast<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Him pierced he not, but Lycophron the son<br /> +Of Mastor, a Cytherian, who had left<br /> +Cytheras, fugitive for blood, and dwelt<br /> +With Ajax. Him standing at Ajax’ side,<br /> +He pierced above his ear; down from the stern<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Supine he fell, and in the dust expired.<br /> +Then, shuddering, Ajax to his brother spake.</p> +<p> Alas, my Teucer! we have lost our friend;<br /> +Mastorides is slain, whom we received<br /> +An inmate from Cytheræ, and with love<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +And reverence even filia,, entertain’d;<br /> +B9 Hector pierced, he dies. Where are thy shafts<br /> +Death-wing’d, and bow, by gift from Phœbus thine?</p> +<p> He said, whom Teucer hearing, instant ran<br /> +With bow and well-stored quiver to his side,<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Whence soon his arrows sought the Trojan host.<br /> +He struck Pisenor’s son Clytus, the friend<br /> +And charioteer of brave Polydamas,<br /> +Offspring of Panthus, toiling with both hands<br /> +To rule his fiery steeds; for more to please<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +The Trojans and their Chief, where stormy most<br /> +He saw the battle, thither he had driven.<br /> +But sudden mischief, valiant as he was,<br /> +Found him, and such as none could waft aside,<br /> +For right into his neck the arrow plunged,<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +And down he fell; his startled coursers shook<br /> +Their trappings, and the empty chariot rang.<br /> +That sound alarm’d Polydamas; he turn’d,<br /> +And flying to their heads, consign’d them o’er<br /> +To Protiaön’s son, Astynoüs,<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Whom he enjoin’d to keep them in his view;<br /> +Then, turning, mingled with the van again.<br /> +But Teucer still another shaft produced<br /> +Design’d for valiant Hector, whose exploits<br /> +(Had that shaft reach’d him) at the ships of Greece<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +Had ceased for ever. But the eye of Jove,<br /> +Guardian of Hector’s life, slept not; he took<br /> +From Telamonian Te5cer that renown,<br /> +And while he stood straining the twisted nerve<br /> +Against the Trojan, snapp’d it. Devious flew<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +The steel-charged<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-11">[11]</a> arrow, and he dropp’d his bow.<br /> +Then shuddering, to his brother thus he spake.</p> +<p> Ah! it is evident. Some Power divine<br /> +Makes fruitless all our efforts, who hath struck<br /> +My bow out of my hand, and snapt the cord<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +With which I strung it new at dawn of day,<br /> +That it might bear the bound of many a shaft.</p> +<p> To whom the towering son of Telamon.<br /> +Leave then thy bow, and let thine arrows rest,<br /> +Which, envious of the Greeks, some God confounds,<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +That thou may’st fight with spear and buckler arm’d,<br /> +And animate the rest. Such be our deeds<br /> +That, should they conquer us, our foes may find<br /> +Our ships, at least a prize not lightly won.</p> +<p> So Ajax spake; then Teucer, in his tent<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +The bow replacing, slung his fourfold shield,<br /> +Settled on his illustrious brows his casque<br /> +With hair high-crested, waving, as he moved,<br /> +Terrible from above, took forth a spear<br /> +Tough-grain’d, acuminated sharp with brass,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +And stood, incontinent, at Ajax’ side.<br /> +Hector perceived the change, and of the cause<br /> +Conscious, with echoing voice call’d to his host.</p> +<p> Trojans and Lycians and close-fighting sons<br /> +Of Dardanus, oh now, my friends, be men;<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Now, wheresoever through the fleet dispersed,<br /> +Call into mind the fury of your might!<br /> +For I have seen, myself, Jove rendering vain<br /> +The arrows of their mightiest. Man may know<br /> +With ease the hand of interposing Jove,<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Both whom to glory he ordains, and whom<br /> +He weakens and aids not; so now he leaves<br /> +The Grecians, but propitious smiles on us.<br /> +Therefore stand fast, and whosoever gall’d<br /> +By arrow or by spear, dies—let him die;<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +It shall not shame him that he died to serve<br /> +His country,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-12">[12]</a> but his children, wife and home,<br /> +With all his heritage, shall be secure,<br /> +Drive but the Grecians from the shores of Troy.</p> +<p> So saying, he animated each. Meantime,<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Ajax his fellow-warriors thus address’d.</p> +<p> Shame on you all! Now, Grecians, either die,<br /> +Or save at once your galley and yourselves.<br /> +Hope ye, that should your ships become the prize<br /> +Of warlike Hector, ye shall yet return<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +On foot? Or hear ye not the Chief aloud<br /> +Summoning all his host, and publishing<br /> +His own heart’s wish to burn your fleet with fire?<br /> +Not to a dance, believe me, but to fight<br /> +He calls them; therefore wiser course for us<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Is none, than that we mingle hands with hands<br /> +In contest obstinate, and force with force.<br /> +Better at once to perish, or at once<br /> +To rescue life, than to consume the time<br /> +Hour after hour in lingering conflict vain<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Here at the ships, with an inferior foe.</p> +<p> He said, and by his words into all hearts<br /> +Fresh confidence infused. Then Hector smote<br /> +Schedius, a Chief of the Phocensian powers<br /> +And son of Perimedes; Ajax slew,<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Meantime, a Chief of Trojan infantry,<br /> +Laodamas, Antenor’s noble son<br /> +While by Polydamas, a leader bold<br /> +Of the Epeans, and Phylides’<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-13">[13]</a> friend,<br /> +Cyllenian Otus died. Meges that sight<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Viewing indignant on the conqueror sprang,<br /> +But, starting wide, Polydamas escaped,<br /> +Saved by Apollo, and his spear transpierced<br /> +The breast of Cræsmus; on his sounding shield<br /> +Prostrate he fell, and Meges stripp’d his arms.<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Him so employ’d Dolops assail’d, brave son<br /> +Of Lampus, best of men and bold in fight,<br /> +Offspring of King Laomedon; he stood<br /> +Full near, and through his middle buckler struck<br /> +The son of Phyleus, but his corselet thick<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +With plates of scaly brass his life secured.<br /> +That corselet Phyleus on a time brought home<br /> +From Ephyre, where the Selleïs winds,<br /> +And it was given him for his life’s defence<br /> +In furious battle by the King of men,<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Euphetes. Many a time had it preserved<br /> +Unharm’d the sire, and now it saved the son.<br /> +Then Meges, rising, with his pointed lance<br /> +The bushy crest of Dolops’ helmet drove<br /> +Sheer from its base; new-tinged with purple bright<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Entire it fell and mingled with the dust.<br /> +While thus they strove, each hoping victory,<br /> +Came martial Menelaus to the aid<br /> +Of Meges; spear in hand apart he stood<br /> +By Dolops unperceived, through his back drove<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +And through his breast the spear, and far beyond.<br /> +And down fell Dolops, forehead to the ground.<br /> +At once both flew to strip his radiant arms,<br /> +Then, Hector summoning his kindred, call’d<br /> +Each to his aid, and Melanippus first,<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Illustrious Hicetaon’s son, reproved.<br /> +Ere yet the enemies of Troy arrived<br /> +He in Percote fed his wandering beeves;<br /> +But when the Danaï with all their fleet<br /> +Came thither, then returning, he outshone<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +The noblest Trojans, and at Priam’s side<br /> +Dwelling, was honor’d by him as a son.<br /> +Him Hector reprimanding, stern began.</p> +<p> Are we thus slack? Can Melanippus view<br /> +Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +How busy there with Dolops and his arms?<br /> +Come on. It is no time for distant war,<br /> +But either our Achaian foes must bleed,<br /> +Or Ilium taken, from her topmost height<br /> +Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain.<span class="lnm">675</span></p> +<p> So saying he went, whose steps the godlike Chief<br /> +Attended; and the Telamonian, next,<br /> +Huge Ajax, animated thus the Greeks.</p> +<p> Oh friends, be men! Deep treasure in your hearts<br /> +An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Each to incur the censure of the rest.<br /> +Of men so minded more survive than die,<br /> +While dastards forfeit life and glory both.</p> +<p> So moved he them, themselves already bent<br /> +To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass<br /> +Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell’d the foe.<br /> +Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach’d<br /> +Antilochus, and thus his courage roused.</p> +<p> Antilochus! in all the host is none<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +Younger, or swifter, or of stronger limb<br /> +Than thou. Make trial, therefore, of thy might,<br /> +Spring forth and prove it on some Chief of Troy.</p> +<p> He ended and retired, but him his praise<br /> +Effectual animated; from the van<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +Starting, he cast a wistful eye around<br /> +And hurl’d his glittering spear; back fell the ranks<br /> +Of Troy appall’d; nor vain his weapon flew,<br /> +But Melanippus pierced heroic son<br /> +Of Hicetaon, coming forth to fight,<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound<br /> +Of all his batter’d armor down he fell.<br /> +Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound<br /> +Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair<br /> +The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead,<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +So thee, O Melanippus! to despoil<br /> +Of thy bright arms valiant Antilochus<br /> +Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye<br /> +Of noble Hector, who through all the war<br /> +Ran to encounter him; his dread approach<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +Antilochus, although expert in arms,<br /> +Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds,<br /> +Conscious of injury that he hath done,<br /> +Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog,<br /> +Escapes, ere yet the peasantry arise,<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +So fled the son of Nestor, after whom<br /> +The Trojans clamoring and Hector pour’d<br /> +Darts numberless; but at the front arrived<br /> +Of his own phalanx, there he turn’d and stood.<br /> +Then, eager as voracious lions, rush’d<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind<br /> +Of Jove accomplishing who them impell’d<br /> +Continual, calling all their courage forth,<br /> +While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took<br /> +Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium’s host.<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +For Jove’s unalter’d purpose was to give<br /> +Success to Priameian Hector’s arms,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-14">[14]</a><br /> +That he might cast into the fleet of Greece<br /> +Devouring flames, and that no part might fail<br /> +Of Thetis’ ruthless prayer; that sight alone<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +He watch’d to see, one galley in a blaze,<br /> +Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight<br /> +To Ilium’s host, but glory to the Greeks.<br /> +Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved<br /> +To that assault Hector, himself prepared<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +And ardent for the task; nor less he raged<br /> +Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize<br /> +Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam<br /> +Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front<br /> +His keen eyes glisten’d, and his helmet mark’d<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +The agitation wild with which he fought.<br /> +For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven<br /> +Assisted Hector, and, although alone<br /> +With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach<br /> +The heights of glory, for that now his life<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-15">[15]</a> his hour<br /> +To die by Peleus’ mighty son approach’d.<br /> +He then, wherever richest arms he saw<br /> +And thickest throng, the warrior-ranks essay’d<br /> +To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved,<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +In even square compact so firm they stood.<br /> +As some vast rock beside the hoary Deep<br /> +The stress endures of many a hollow wind,<br /> +And the huge billows tumbling at his base,<br /> +So stood the Danaï, nor fled nor fear’d.<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host<br /> +Assail’d on every side, and on the van<br /> +Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved<br /> +Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam<br /> +Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm,<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +And every seaman trembles at the view<br /> +Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes,<br /> +Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks.<br /> +But he, as leaps a famish’d lion fell<br /> +On beeves that graze some marshy meadow’s breadth,<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +A countless herd, tended by one unskill’d<br /> +To cope with savage beasts in their defence,<br /> +Beside the foremost kine or with the last<br /> +He paces heedless, but the lion, borne<br /> +Impetuous on the midmost, one devours<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +And scatters all the rest,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_15-16">[16]</a> so fled the Greeks,<br /> +Terrified from above, before the arm<br /> +Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove.<br /> +All fled, but of them all alone he slew<br /> +The Mycenæan Periphetes, son<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +Of Copreus custom’d messenger of King<br /> +Eurystheus to the might of Hercules.<br /> +From such a sire inglorious had arisen<br /> +A son far worthier, with all virtue graced,<br /> +Swift-footed, valiant, and by none excell’d<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +In wisdom of the Mycenæan name;<br /> +Yet all but served to ennoble Hector more.<br /> +For Periphetes, with a backward step<br /> +Retiring, on his buckler’s border trod,<br /> +Which swept his heels; so check’d, he fell supine,<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +And dreadful rang the helmet on his brows.<br /> +Him Hector quick noticing, to his side<br /> +Hasted, and, planting in his breast a spear,<br /> +Slew him before the phalanx of his friends.<br /> +But they, although their fellow-warrior’s fate<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +They mourn’d, no succor interposed, or could,<br /> +Themselves by noble Hector sore appall’d.</p> +<p> And now behind the ships (all that updrawn<br /> +Above the shore, stood foremost of the fleet)<br /> +The Greeks retired; in rush’d a flood of foes;<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +Then, through necessity, the ships in front<br /> +Abandoning, amid the tents they stood<br /> +Compact, not disarray’d, for shame and fear<br /> +Fast held them, and vociferating each<br /> +Aloud, call’d ceaseless on the rest to stand.<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +But earnest more than all, guardian of all,<br /> +Gerenian Nestor in their parents’ name<br /> +Implored them, falling at the knees of each.</p> +<p> Oh friends! be men. Now dearly prize your place<br /> +Each in the estimation of the rest.<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +Now call to memory your children, wives,<br /> +Possessions, parents; ye whose parents live,<br /> +And ye whose parents are not, all alike!<br /> +By them as if here present, I entreat<br /> +That ye stand fast—oh be not turn’d to flight!<span class="lnm">810</span></p> +<p> So saying he roused the courage of the Greeks;<br /> +Then, Pallas chased the cloud fall’n from above<br /> +On every eye; great light the plain illumed<br /> +On all sides, both toward the fleet, and where<br /> +The undiscriminating battle raged.<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +Then might be seen Hector and Hector’s host<br /> +Distinct, as well the rearmost who the fight<br /> +Shared not, as those who waged it at the ships.</p> +<p> To stand aloof where other Grecians stood<br /> +No longer now would satisfy the mind<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides<br /> +Enormous marching, to and fro he swung<br /> +With iron studs emboss’d a battle-pole<br /> +Unwieldy, twenty and two cubits long.<br /> +As one expert to spring from horse to horse,<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +From many steeds selecting four, toward<br /> +Some noble city drives them from the plain<br /> +Along the populous road; him many a youth<br /> +And many a maiden eyes, while still secure<br /> +From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly;<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +So Ajax o’er the decks of numerous ships<br /> +Stalk’d striding large, and sent his voice to heaven.<br /> +Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks<br /> +Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself<br /> +Hector, contented, now, the battle wage<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +Lost in the multitude of Trojans more,<br /> +But as the tawny eagle on full wing<br /> +Assails the feather’d nations, geese or cranes<br /> +Or swans lithe-neck’d grazing the river’s verge,<br /> +So Hector at a galley sable-prow’d<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on<br /> +With mighty hand, and his host after him.<br /> +And now again the battle at the ships<br /> +Grew furious; thou hadst deem’d them of a kind<br /> +By toil untameable, so fierce they strove,<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged<br /> +Hope vain, and the whole host’s destruction sure;<br /> +But nought expected every Trojan less<br /> +Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave<br /> +Achaia’s heroes lifeless on the field.<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +With such persuasions occupied, they fought.</p> +<p> Then Hector seized the stern of a brave bark<br /> +Well-built, sharp-keel’d, and of the swiftest sail,<br /> +Which had to Troy Protesiläus brought,<br /> +But bore him never thence. For that same ship<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +Contending, Greeks and Trojans hand to hand<br /> +Dealt slaughter mutual. Javelins now no more<br /> +Might serve them, or the arrow-starting bow,<br /> +But close conflicting and of one mind all<br /> +With bill and battle-axe, with ponderous swords,<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +And with long lances double-edged they fought.<br /> +Many a black-hilted falchion huge of haft<br /> +Fell to the ground, some from the grasp, and some<br /> +From shoulders of embattled warriors hewn,<br /> +And pools of blood soak’d all the sable glebe.<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +Hector that ship once grappled by the stern<br /> +Left not, but griping fast her upper edge<br /> +With both hands, to his Trojans call’d aloud.</p> +<p> Fire! Bring me fire! Stand fast and shout to heaven!<br /> +Jove gives us now a day worth all the past;<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +The ships are ours which, in the Gods’ despite<br /> +Steer’d hither, such calamities to us<br /> +Have caused, for which our seniors most I blame<br /> +Who me withheld from battle at the fleet<br /> +And check’d the people; but if then the hand<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Of Thunderer Jove our better judgment marr’d,<br /> +Himself now urges and commands us on.</p> +<p> He ceased; they still more violent assail’d<br /> +The Grecians. Even Ajax could endure,<br /> +Whelm’d under weapons numberless, that storm<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +No longer, but expecting death retired<br /> +Down from the decks to an inferior stand,<br /> +Where still he watch’d, and if a Trojan bore<br /> +Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear,<br /> +Roaring continual to the host of Greece.<span class="lnm">885</span></p> +<p> Friends! Grecian heroes! ministers of Mars!<br /> +Be men, my friends! now summon all your might!<br /> +Think we that we have thousands at our backs<br /> +To succor us, or yet some stronger wall<br /> +To guard our warriors from the battle’s force?<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +Not so. No tower’d city is at hand,<br /> +None that presents us with a safe retreat<br /> +While others occupy our station here,<br /> +But from the shores of Argos far remote<br /> +Our camp is, where the Trojans arm’d complete<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +Swarm on the plain, and Ocean shuts us in.<br /> +Our hands must therefore save us, not our heels</p> +<p> He said, and furious with his spear again<br /> +Press’d them, and whatsoever Trojan came,<br /> +Obsequious to the will of Hector, arm’d<span class="lnm">900</span><br /> +With fire to burn the fleet, on his spear’s point<br /> +Ajax receiving pierced him, till at length<br /> +Twelve in close fight fell by his single arm.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book16"></a>BOOK XVI.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Achilles, at the suit of Patroclus, grants him his own armor, and permission +to lead the Myrmidons to battle. They, sallying, repulse the Trojans. +Patroclus slays Sarpedon, and Hector, when Apollo had first stripped off +his armor and Euphorbus wounded him, slays Patroclus.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XVI.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Such contest for that gallant bark they waged.<br /> +Meantime Patroclus, standing at the side<br /> +Of the illustrious Chief Achilles, wept<br /> +Fast as a crystal fountain from the height<br /> +Of some rude rock pours down its rapid<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-1">[1]</a> stream.<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Divine Achilles with compassion moved<br /> +Mark’d him, and in wing’d accents thus began.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-2">[2]</a></p> +<p> Who weeps Patroclus like an infant girl<br /> +Who, running at her mother’s side, entreats<br /> +To be uplifted in her arms? She grasps<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Her mantle, checks her haste, and looking up<br /> +With tearful eyes, pleads earnest to be borne;<br /> +So fall, Patroclus! thy unceasing tears.<br /> +Bring’st thou to me or to my people aught<br /> +Afflictive? Hast thou mournful tidings learn’d<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Prom Phthia, trusted to thy ear alone?<br /> +Menœtius, son of Actor, as they say,<br /> +Still lives; still lives his Myrmidons among<br /> +Peleus Æacides; whom, were they dead,<br /> +With cause sufficient we should both deplore.<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Or weep’st thou the Achaians at the ships<br /> +Perishing, for their outrage done to me?<br /> +Speak. Name thy trouble. I would learn the cause</p> +<p> To whom, deep-sorrowing, thou didst reply,<br /> +Patroclus! Oh Achilles, Peleus’ son!<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Noblest of all our host! bear with my grief,<br /> +Since such distress hath on the Grecians fallen.<br /> +The bravest of their ships disabled lie,<br /> +Some wounded from afar, some hand to hand.<br /> +Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Gall’d by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief,<br /> +And Agamemnon suffer by the spear,<br /> +And brave Eurypylus an arrow-point<br /> +Bears in his thigh. These all, are now the care<br /> +Of healing hands. Oh thou art pity-proof,<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Achilles! be my bosom ever free<br /> +From anger such as harbor finds in thine,<br /> +Scorning all limits! whom, of men unborn,<br /> +Hereafter wilt thou save, from whom avert<br /> +Disgrace, if not from the Achaians now?<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Ah ruthless! neither Peleus thee begat,<br /> +Nor Thetis bore, but rugged rocks sublime,<br /> +And roaring billows blue gave birth to thee,<br /> +Who bear’st a mind that knows not to relent,<br /> +But, if some prophecy alarm thy fears,<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +If from thy Goddess-mother thou have aught<br /> +Received, and with authority of Jove,<br /> +Me send at least, me quickly, and with me<br /> +The Myrmidons. A dawn of cheerful hope<br /> +Shall thence, it may be, on the Greeks arise.<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Grant me thine armor also, that the foe<br /> +Thyself supposing present, may abstain<br /> +From battle, and the weary Greeks enjoy<br /> +Short respite; it is all that war allows.<br /> +We, fresh and vigorous, by our shouts alone<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +May easily repulse an army spent<br /> +With labor from the camp, and from the fleet,</p> +<p> Such suit he made, alas! all unforewarn’d<br /> +That his own death should be the bitter fruit,<br /> +And thus Achilles, sorrowful, replied.<span class="lnm">60</span></p> +<p> Patroclus, noble friend! what hast thou spoken?<br /> +Me neither prophesy that I have heard<br /> +Holds in suspense, nor aught that I have learn’d<br /> +From Thetis with authority of Jove!<br /> +Hence springs, and hence alone, my grief of heart;<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +If one, in nought superior to myself<br /> +Save in his office only, should by force<br /> +Amerce me of my well-earn’d recompense—<br /> +How then? There lies the grief that stings my soul.<br /> +The virgin chosen for me by the sons<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Of Greece, my just reward, by my own spear<br /> +Obtain’d when I Eëtion’s city took,<br /> +Her, Agamemnon, leader of the host<br /> +From my possession wrung, as I had been<br /> +Some alien wretch, unhonor’d and unknown.<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +But let it pass; anger is not a flame<br /> +To feed for ever; I affirm’d, indeed,<br /> +Mine inextinguishable till the shout<br /> +Of battle should invade my proper barks;<br /> +But thou put on my glorious arms, lead forth<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +My valiant Myrmidons, since such a cloud,<br /> +So dark, of dire hostility surrounds<br /> +The fleet, and the Achaians, by the waves<br /> +Hemm’d in, are prison’d now in narrow space.<br /> +Because the Trojans meet not in the field<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +My dazzling helmet, therefore bolder grown<br /> +All Ilium comes abroad; but had I found<br /> +Kindness at royal Agamemnon’s hands,<br /> +Soon had they fled, and with their bodies chok’d<br /> +The streams, from whom ourselves now suffer siege<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +For in the hands of Diomede his spear<br /> +No longer rages rescuing from death<br /> +The afflicted Danaï, nor hear I more<br /> +The voice of Agamemnon issuing harsh<br /> +From his detested throat, but all around<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +The burst<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-3">[3]</a> of homicidal Hector’s cries,<br /> +Calling his Trojans on; they loud insult<br /> +The vanquish’d Greeks, and claim the field their own.<br /> +Go therefore, my Patroclus; furious fall<br /> +On these assailants, even now preserve<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +From fire the only hope of our return.<br /> +But hear the sum of all; mark well my word;<br /> +So shalt thou glorify me in the eyes<br /> +Of all the Danaï, and they shall yield<br /> +Brisëis mine, with many a gift beside.<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +The Trojans from the fleet expell’d, return.<br /> +Should Juno’s awful spouse give thee to win<br /> +Victory, be content; seek not to press<br /> +The Trojans without me, for thou shalt add<br /> +Still more to the disgrace already mine.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-4">[4]</a><span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Much less, by martial ardor urged, conduct<br /> +Thy slaughtering legions to the walls of Troy,<br /> +Lest some immortal power on her behalf<br /> +Descend, for much the Archer of the skies<br /> +Loves Ilium. No—the fleet once saved, lead back<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Thy band, and leave the battle to themselves.<br /> +For oh, by all the powers of heaven I would<br /> +That not one Trojan might escape of all,<br /> +Nor yet a Grecian, but that we, from death<br /> +Ourselves escaping, might survive to spread<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Troy’s sacred bulwarks on the ground, alone.</p> +<p> Thus they conferr’d. <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-5">[5]</a>But Ajax overwhelm’d<br /> +Meantime with darts, no longer could endure,<br /> +Quell’d both by Jupiter and by the spears<br /> +Of many a noble Trojan; hideous rang<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +His batter’d helmet bright, stroke after stroke<br /> +Sustaining on all sides, and his left arm<br /> +That had so long shifted from side to side<br /> +His restless shield, now fail’d; yet could not all<br /> +Displace him with united force, or move.<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Quick pantings heaved his chest, copious the sweat<br /> +Trickled from all his limbs, nor found he time,<br /> +However short, to breathe again, so close<br /> +Evil on evil heap’d hemm’d him around.</p> +<p> Olympian Muses! now declare, how first<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +The fire was kindled in Achaia’s fleet?</p> +<p> Hector the ashen lance of Ajax smote<br /> +With his broad falchion, at the nether end,<br /> +And lopp’d it sheer. The Telamonian Chief<br /> +His mutilated beam brandish’d in vain,<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote.<br /> +Then Ajax in his noble mind perceived,<br /> +Shuddering with awe, the interposing power<br /> +Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms<br /> +Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain’d to mar<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks.<br /> +He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark;<br /> +Through all her length the conflagration ran<br /> +Incontinent, and wrapp’d her stern in flames.<br /> +Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said,<span class="lnm">150</span></p> +<p> Patroclus, noble charioteer, arise!<br /> +I see the rapid run of hostile fires<br /> +Already in the fleet—lest all be lost,<br /> +And our return impossible, arm, arm<br /> +This moment; I will call, myself, the band.<span class="lnm">155</span></p> +<p> Then put Patroclus on his radiant arms.<br /> +Around his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d,<br /> +With argent studs secured; the hauberk rich<br /> +Star-spangled to his breast he bound of swift<br /> +Æacides; he slung his brazen sword<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +With silver bright emboss’d, and his broad shield<br /> +Ponderous; on his noble head his casque<br /> +He settled elegant, whose lofty crest<br /> +Waved dreadful o’er his brows, and last he seized<br /> +Well fitted to his gripe two sturdy spears.<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Of all Achilles’ arms his spear alone<br /> +He took not; that huge beam, of bulk and length<br /> +Enormous, none, Æacides except,<br /> +In all Achaia’s host had power to wield.<br /> +It was that Pelian ash which from the top<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Of Pelion hewn that it might prove the death<br /> +Of heroes, Chiron had to Peleus given.<br /> +He bade Automedon his coursers bind<br /> +Speedily to the yoke, for him he loved<br /> +Next to Achilles most, as worthiest found<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Of trust, what time the battle loudest roar’d.<br /> +Then led Automedon the fiery steeds<br /> +Swift as wing’d tempests to the chariot-yoke,<br /> +Xanthus and Balius. Them the harpy bore<br /> +Podarge, while in meadows green she fed<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +On Ocean’s side, to Zephyrus the wind.<br /> +To these he added, at their side, a third,<br /> +The noble Pedasus; him Peleus’ son,<br /> +Eëtion’s city taken, thence had brought,<br /> +Though mortal, yet a match for steeds divine.<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Meantime from every tent Achilles call’d<br /> +And arm’d his Myrmidons. As wolves that gorge<br /> +The prey yet panting, terrible in force,<br /> +When on the mountains wild they have devour’d<br /> +An antler’d stag new-slain, with bloody jaws<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Troop all at once to some clear fountain, there<br /> +To lap with slender tongues the brimming wave;<br /> +No fears have they, but at their ease eject<br /> +From full maws flatulent the clotted gore;<br /> +Such seem’d the Myrmidon heroic Chiefs<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Assembling fast around the valiant friend<br /> +Of swift Æacides. Amid them stood<br /> +Warlike Achilles, the well-shielded ranks<br /> +Exhorting, and the steeds, to glorious war.</p> +<p> The galleys by Achilles dear to Jove<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Commanded, when to Ilium’s coast he steer’d,<br /> +Were fifty; fifty rowers sat in each,<br /> +And five, in whom he trusted, o’er the rest<br /> +He captains named, but ruled, himself, supreme.<br /> +One band Menestheus swift in battle led,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Offspring of Sperchius heaven-descended stream.<br /> +Him Polydora, Peleus’ daughter, bore<br /> +To ever-flowing Sperchius, compress’d,<br /> +Although a mortal woman, by a God.<br /> +But his reputed father was the son<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Of Perieres, Borus, who with dower<br /> +Enrich’d, and made her openly his bride.<br /> +Warlike Eudorus led the second band.<br /> +Him Polymela, graceful in the dance,<br /> +And daughter beautiful of Phylas, bore,<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +A mother unsuspected of a child.<br /> +Her worshiping the golden-shafted Queen<br /> +Diana, in full choir, with song and dance,<br /> +The valiant Argicide<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-6">[6]</a> beheld and loved.<br /> +Ascending with her to an upper room,<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +All-bounteous Mercury<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-7">[7]</a> clandestine there<br /> +Embraced her, who a noble son produced<br /> +Eudorus, swift to run, and bold in fight.<br /> +No sooner Ilithya, arbitress<br /> +Of pangs puerperal, had given him birth,<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +And he beheld the beaming sun, than her<br /> +Echechleus, Actor’s mighty son, enrich’d<br /> +With countless dower, and led her to his home;<br /> +While ancient Phylas, cherishing her boy<br /> +With fond affection, reared him as his own.<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +The third brave troop warlike Pisander led,<br /> +Offspring of Maimalus; he far excell’d<br /> +In spear-fight every Myrmidon, the friend<br /> +Of Peleus’ dauntless son alone except.<br /> +The hoary Phœnix of equestrian fame<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +The fourth band led to battle, and the fifth<br /> +Laërceus’ offspring, bold Alcimedon.<br /> +Thus, all his bands beneath their proper Chiefs<br /> +Marshall’d, Achilles gave them strict command—</p> +<p> Myrmidons! all that vengeance now inflict,<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Which in this fleet ye ceased not to denounce<br /> +Against the Trojans while my wrath endured.<br /> +Me censuring, ye have proclaim’d me oft<br /> +Obdurate. Oh Achilles! ye have said,<br /> +Thee not with milk thy mother but with bile<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Suckled, who hold’st thy people here in camp<br /> +Thus long imprison’d. Unrelenting Chief!<br /> +Even let us hence in our sea-skimming barks<br /> +To Phthia, since thou can’st not be appeased—<br /> +Thus in full council have ye spoken oft.<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Now, therefore, since a day of glorious toil<br /> +At last appears, such as ye have desired,<br /> +There lies the field—go—give your courage proof.</p> +<p> So them he roused, and they, their leader’s voice<br /> +Hearing elate, to closest order drew.<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +As when an architect some palace wall<br /> +With shapely stones upbuilds, cementing close<br /> +A barrier against all the winds of heaven,<br /> +So wedged, the helmets and boss’d bucklers stood;<br /> +Shield, helmet, man, press’d helmet, man, and shield,<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +And every bright-arm’d warrior’s bushy crest<br /> +Its fellow swept, so dense was their array.<br /> +In front of all, two Chiefs their station took,<br /> +Patroclus and Automedon; one mind<br /> +In both prevail’d, to combat in the van<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Of all the Myrmidons. Achilles, then,<br /> +Retiring to his tent, displaced the lid<br /> +Of a capacious chest magnificent<br /> +By silver-footed Thetis stow’d on board<br /> +His bark, and fill’d with tunics, mantles warm,<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +And gorgeous arras; there he also kept<br /> +Secure a goblet exquisitely wrought,<br /> +Which never lip touched save his own, and whence<br /> +He offer’d only to the Sire of all.<br /> +That cup producing from the chest, he first<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +With sulphur fumed it, then with water rinsed<br /> +Pellucid of the running stream, and, last<br /> +(His hands clean laved) he charged it high with wine.<br /> +And now, advancing to his middle court,<br /> +He pour’d libation, and with eyes to heaven<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Uplifted pray’d,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-8">[8]</a> of Jove not unobserved.</p> +<p> Pelasgian, Dodonæan Jove supreme,<br /> +Dwelling remote, who on Dodona’s heights<br /> +Snow-clad reign’st Sovereign, by thy seers around<br /> +Compass’d the Selli, prophets vow-constrain’d<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +To unwash’d feet and slumbers on the ground!<br /> +Plain I behold my former prayer perform’d,<br /> +Myself exalted, and the Greeks abased.<br /> +Now also grant me, Jove, this my desire!<br /> +Here, in my fleet, I shall myself abide,<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +But lo! with all these Myrmidons I send<br /> +My friend to battle. Thunder-rolling Jove,<br /> +Send glory with him, make his courage firm!<br /> +That even Hector may himself be taught,<br /> +If my companion have a valiant heart<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +When he goes forth alone, or only then<br /> +The noble frenzy feels that Mars inspires<br /> +When I rush also to the glorious field.<br /> +But when he shall have driven the battle-shout<br /> +Once from the fleet, grant him with all his arms,<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +None lost, himself unhurt, and my whole band<br /> +Of dauntless warriors with him, safe return!</p> +<p> Such prayer Achilles offer’d, and his suit<br /> +Jove hearing, part confirm’d, and part refused;<br /> +To chase the dreadful battle from the fleet<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +He gave him, but vouchsafed him no return.<br /> +Prayer and libation thus perform’d to Jove<br /> +The Sire of all, Achilles to his tent<br /> +Return’d, replaced the goblet in his chest,<br /> +And anxious still that conflict to behold<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Between the hosts, stood forth before his tent.</p> +<p> Then rush’d the bands by brave Patroclus led,<br /> +Full on the Trojan host. As wasps forsake<br /> +Their home by the way-side, provoked by boys<br /> +Disturbing inconsiderate their abode,<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +Not without nuisance sore to all who pass,<br /> +For if, thenceforth, some traveller unaware<br /> +Annoy them, issuing one and all they swarm<br /> +Around him, fearless in their broods’ defence,<br /> +So issued from their fleet the Myrmidons<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Undaunted; clamor infinite arose,<br /> +And thus Patroclus loud his host address’d.</p> +<p> Oh Myrmidons, attendants in the field<br /> +On Peleus’ son, now be ye men, my friends!<br /> +Call now to mind the fury of your might;<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +That we, close-fighting servants of the Chief<br /> +Most excellent in all the camp of Greece,<br /> +May glory gain for him, and that the wide-<br /> +Commanding Agamemnon, Atreus’ son,<br /> +May learn his fault, that he dishonor’d foul<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +The prince in whom Achaia glories most.</p> +<p> So saying he fired their hearts, and on the van<br /> +Of Troy at once they fell; loud shouted all<br /> +The joyful Grecians, and the navy rang.<br /> +Then, soon as Ilium’s host the valiant son<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Saw of Menœtius and his charioteer<br /> +In dazzling armor clad, all courage lost,<br /> +Their closest ranks gave way, believing sure<br /> +That, wrath renounced, and terms of friendship chosen,<br /> +Achilles’ self was there; thus thinking, each<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Look’d every way for refuge from his fate.</p> +<p> Patroclus first, where thickest throng he saw<br /> +Gather’d tumultuous around the bark<br /> +Of brave Protesilaüs, hurl’d direct<br /> +At the whole multitude his glittering spear.<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +He smote Pyræchmes; he his horsemen band<br /> +Pœonian led from Amydon, and from<br /> +Broad-flowing Axius. In his shoulder stood<br /> +The spear, and with loud groans supine he fell.<br /> +At once fled all his followers, on all sides<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +With consternation fill’d, seeing their Chief<br /> +And their best warrior, by Patroclus slain.<br /> +Forth from the fleet he drove them, quench’d the flames,<br /> +And rescued half the ship. Then scatter’d fled<br /> +With infinite uproar the host of Troy,<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +While from between their ships the Danaï<br /> +Pour’d after them, and hideous rout ensued.<br /> +As when the king of lightnings, Jove, dispels<br /> +From some huge eminence a gloomy cloud,<br /> +The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland heights<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Shine all, illumined from the boundless heaven,<br /> +So when the Danaï those hostile fires<br /> +Had from their fleet expell’d, awhile they breathed,<br /> +Yet found short respite, for the battle yet<br /> +Ceased not, nor fled the Trojans in all parts<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Alike, but still resisted, from the ships<br /> +Retiring through necessity alone.<br /> +Then, in that scatter’d warfare, every Chief<br /> +Slew one. While Areïlochus his back<br /> +Turn’d on Patroclus, sudden with a lance<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +His thigh he pierced, and urged the weapon through,<br /> +Shivering the bone; he headlong smote the ground.<br /> +The hero Menelaus, where he saw<br /> +The breast of Thoas by his slanting shield<br /> +Unguarded, struck and stretch’d him at his feet.<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Phylides,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-9">[9]</a> meeting with preventive spear<br /> +The furious onset of Amphiclus, gash’d<br /> +His leg below the knee, where brawny most<br /> +The muscles swell in man; disparted wide<br /> +The tendons shrank, and darkness veil’d his eyes.<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +The two Nestoridæ slew each a Chief.<br /> +Of these, Antilochus Atymnius pierced<br /> +Right through his flank, and at his feet he fell.<br /> +With fierce resentment fired Maris beheld<br /> +His brother’s fall, and guarding, spear in hand,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +The slain, impetuous on the conqueror flew;<br /> +But godlike Thrasymedes<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-10">[10]</a> wounded first<br /> +Maris, ere he Antilochus; he pierced<br /> +His upper arm, and with the lance’s point<br /> +Rent off and stript the muscles to the bone.<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Sounding he fell, and darkness veil’d his eyes.<br /> +They thus, two brothers by two brothers slain,<br /> +Went down to Erebus, associates both<br /> +Of brave Sarpedon, and spear-practised sons<br /> +Of Amisodarus; of him who fed<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Chimæra,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-11">[11]</a> monster, by whom many died.<br /> +Ajax the swift on Cleobulus sprang,<br /> +Whom while he toil’d entangled in the crowd,<br /> +He seized alive, but smote him where he stood<br /> +With his huge-hafted sword full on the neck;<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +The blood warm’d all his blade, and ruthless fate<br /> +Benighted dark the dying warrior’s eyes.<br /> +Peneleus into close contention rush’d<br /> +And Lycon. Each had hurl’d his glittering spear,<br /> +But each in vain, and now with swords they met.<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +He smote Peneleus on the crested casque,<br /> +But snapp’d his falchion; him Peneleus smote<br /> +Beneath his ear; the whole blade entering sank<br /> +Into his neck, and Lycon with his head<br /> +Depending by the skin alone, expired.<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Meriones o’ertaking Acamas<br /> +Ere yet he could ascend his chariot, thrust<br /> +A lance into his shoulder; down he fell<br /> +In dreary death’s eternal darkness whelm’d.<br /> +Idomeneus his ruthless spear enforced<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Into the mouth of Erymas. The point<br /> +Stay’d not, but gliding close beneath the brain,<br /> +Transpierced his spine,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-12">[12]</a> and started forth beyond.<br /> +It wrench’d his teeth, and fill’d his eyes with blood;<br /> +Blood also blowing through his open mouth<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +And nostrils, to the realms of death he pass’d.<br /> +Thus slew these Grecian leaders, each, a foe.</p> +<p> Sudden as hungry wolves the kids purloin<br /> +Or lambs, which haply some unheeding swain<br /> +Hath left to roam at large the mountains wild;<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +They, seeing, snatch them from beside the dams,<br /> +And rend incontinent the feeble prey,<br /> +So swift the Danaï the host assail’d<br /> +Of Ilium; they, into tumultuous flight<br /> +Together driven, all hope, all courage lost.<span class="lnm">430</span></p> +<p> Huge Ajax ceaseless sought his spear to cast<br /> +At Hector brazen-mail’d, who, not untaught<br /> +The warrior’s art, with bull-hide buckler stood<br /> +Sheltering his ample shoulders, while he mark’d<br /> +The hiss of flying shafts and crash of spears.<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Full sure he saw the shifting course of war<br /> +Now turn’d, but scorning flight, bent all his thoughts<br /> +To rescue yet the remnant of his friends.</p> +<p> As when the Thunderer spreads a sable storm<br /> +O’er ether, late serene, the cloud that wrapp’d<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Olympus’ head escapes into the skies,<br /> +So fled the Trojans from the fleet of Greece<br /> +Clamoring in their flight, nor pass’d the trench<br /> +In fair array; the coursers fleet indeed<br /> +Of Hector, him bore safe with all his arms<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Right through, but in the foss entangled foul<br /> +He left his host, and struggling to escape.<br /> +Then many a chariot-whirling steed, the pole<br /> +Broken at its extremity, forsook<br /> +His driver, while Patroclus with the shout<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Of battle calling his Achaians on,<br /> +Destruction purposed to the powers of Troy.<br /> +They, once dispersed, with clamor and with flight<br /> +Fill’d all the ways, the dust beneath the clouds<br /> +Hung like a tempest, and the steeds firm-hoof’d<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Whirl’d off at stretch the chariots to the town.<br /> +He, wheresoe’er most troubled he perceived<br /> +The routed host, loud-threatening thither drove,<br /> +While under his own axle many a Chief<br /> +Fell prone, and the o’ertumbled chariots rang.<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Right o’er the hollow foss the coursers leap’d<br /> +Immortal, by the Gods to Peleus given,<br /> +Impatient for the plain, nor less desire<br /> +Felt he who drove to smite the Trojan Chief,<br /> +But him his fiery steeds caught swift away.<span class="lnm">465</span></p> +<p> As when a tempest from autumnal skies<br /> +Floats all the fields, what time Jove heaviest pours<br /> +Impetuous rain, token of wrath divine<br /> +Against perverters of the laws by force,<br /> +Who drive forth justice, reckless of the Gods;<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +The rivers and the torrents, where they dwell,<br /> +Sweep many a green declivity away,<br /> +And plunge at length, groaning, into the Deep<br /> +From the hills headlong, leaving where they pass’d<br /> +No traces of the pleasant works of man,<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +So, in their flight, loud groan’d the steeds of Troy.<br /> +And now, their foremost intercepted all,<br /> +Patroclus back again toward the fleet<br /> +Drove them precipitate, nor the ascent<br /> +Permitted them to Troy for which they strove,<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +But in the midway space between the ships<br /> +The river and the lofty Trojan wall<br /> +Pursued them ardent, slaughtering whom he reached,<br /> +And vengeance took for many a Grecian slain.<br /> +First then, with glittering spear the breast he pierced<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Of Pronöus, undefended by his shield,<br /> +And stretch’d him dead; loud rang his batter’d arms.<br /> +The son of Enops, Thestor next he smote.<br /> +He on his chariot-seat magnificent<br /> +Low-cowering sat, a fear-distracted form,<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +And from his palsied grasp the reins had fallen.<br /> +Then came Patroclus nigh, and through his cheek<br /> +His teeth transpiercing, drew him by his lance<br /> +Sheer o’er the chariot front. As when a man<br /> +On some projecting rock seated, with line<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +And splendid hook draws forth a sea-fish huge,<br /> +So him wide-gaping from his seat he drew<br /> +At his spear-point, then shook him to the ground<br /> +Prone on his face, where gasping he expired.<br /> +At Eryalus, next, advancing swift<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +He hurl’d a rock; full on the middle front<br /> +He smote him, and within the ponderous casque<br /> +His whole head open’d into equal halves.<br /> +With deadliest night surrounded, prone he fell.<br /> +Epaltes, Erymas, Amphoterus,<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Echius, Tlepolemus Damastor’s son,<br /> +Evippus, Ipheus, Pyres, Polymelus,<br /> +All these he on the champain, corse on corse<br /> +Promiscuous flung. Sarpedon, when he saw<br /> +Such havoc made of his uncinctured<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-13">[13]</a> friends<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +By Menœtiades, with sharp rebuke<br /> +His band of godlike Lycians loud address’d.</p> +<p> Shame on you, Lycians! whither would ye fly?<br /> +Now are ye swift indeed! I will oppose<br /> +Myself this conqueror, that I may learn<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Who thus afflicts the Trojan host, of life<br /> +Bereaving numerous of their warriors bold.</p> +<p> He said, and with his arms leap’d to the ground.<br /> +On the other side, Patroclus at that sight<br /> +Sprang from his chariot. As two vultures clash<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Bow-beak’d, crook-talon’d, on some lofty rock<br /> +Clamoring both, so they together rush’d<br /> +With clamors loud; whom when the son observed<br /> +Of wily Saturn, with compassion moved<br /> +His sister and his spouse he thus bespake.<span class="lnm">525</span></p> +<p> Alas, he falls! my most beloved of men<br /> +Sarpedon, vanquished by Patroclus, falls!<br /> +So will the Fates. Yet, doubtful, much I muse<br /> +Whether to place him, snatch’d from furious fight<br /> +In Lycia’s wealthy realm, or to permit<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +His death by valiant Menœtiades.</p> +<p> To whom his awful spouse, displeased, replied.<br /> +How speaks the terrible Saturnian Jove!<br /> +Wouldst thou again from pangs of death exempt<br /> +A mortal man, destined long since to die?<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Do it. But small thy praise shall be in heaven,<br /> +Mark thou my words, and in thy inmost breast<br /> +Treasure them. If thou send Sarpedon safe<br /> +To his own home, how many Gods <i>their</i> sons<br /> +May also send from battle? Weigh it well.<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +For under yon great city fight no few<br /> +Sprung from Immortals whom thou shalt provoke.<br /> +But if thou love him, and thine heart his lot<br /> +Commiserate, leave him by the hands to fall<br /> +Of Menœtiades in conflict dire;<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +But give command to Death and gentle Sleep<br /> +That him of life bereft at once they bear<br /> +To Lycia’s ample realm,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-14">[14]</a> where, with due rites<br /> +Funereal, his next kindred and his friends<br /> +Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +(The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.</p> +<p> She said, from whom the Sire of Gods and men<br /> +Dissented not, but on the earth distill’d<br /> +A sanguine shower in honor of a son<br /> +Dear to him, whom Patroclus on the field<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Of fruitful Troy should slay, far from his home.</p> +<p> Opposite now, small interval between,<br /> +Those heroes stood. Patroclus at his waist<br /> +Pierced Thrasymelus the illustrious friend<br /> +Of King Sarpedon, and his charioteer.<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +Spear’d through the lower bowels, dead he fell.<br /> +Then hurl’d Sarpedon in his turn a lance,<br /> +But miss’d Patroclus and the shoulder pierced<br /> +Of Pedasus the horse; he groaning heaved<br /> +His spirit forth, and fallen on the field<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +In long loud moanings sorrowful expired.<br /> +Wide started the immortal pair; the yoke<br /> +Creak’d, and entanglement of reins ensued<br /> +To both, their fellow slaughter’d at their side.<br /> +That mischief soon Automedon redress’d.<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +He rose, and from beside his sturdy thigh<br /> +Drawing his falchion, with effectual stroke<br /> +Cut loose the side-horse; then the pair reduced<br /> +To order, in their traces stood composed,<br /> +And the two heroes fierce engaged again.<span class="lnm">575</span></p> +<p> Again his radiant spear Sarpedon hurl’d,<br /> +But miss’d Patroclus; the innocuous point,<br /> +O’erflying his left shoulder, pass’d beyond.<br /> +Then with bright lance Patroclus in his turn<br /> +Assail’d Sarpedon, nor with erring course<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +The weapon sped or vain, but pierced profound<br /> +His chest, enclosure of the guarded heart.<br /> +As falls an oak, poplar, or lofty pine<br /> +With new-edged axes on the mountains hewn<br /> +Right through, for structure of some gallant bark,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +So fell Sarpedon stretch’d his steeds before<br /> +And gnash’d his teeth and clutch’d the bloody dust,<br /> +And as a lion slays a tawny bull<br /> +Leader magnanimous of all the herd;<br /> +Beneath the lion’s jaws groaning he dies;<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +So, leader of the shielded Lycians groan’d<br /> +Indignant, by Patroclus slain, the bold<br /> +Sarpedon, and his friend thus, sad, bespake.</p> +<p> Glaucus, my friend, among these warring Chiefs<br /> +Thyself a Chief illustrious! thou hast need<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Of all thy valor now; now strenuous fight,<br /> +And, if thou bear within thee a brave mind,<br /> +Now make the war’s calamities thy joy.<br /> +First, marching through the host of Lycia, rouse<br /> +Our Chiefs to combat for Sarpedon slain,<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Then haste, thyself, to battle for thy friend.<br /> +For shame and foul dishonor which no time<br /> +Shall e’er obliterate, I must prove to thee,<br /> +Should the Achaians of my glorious arms<br /> +Despoil me in full prospect<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-15">[15]</a> of the fleet.<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Fight, therefore, thou, and others urge to fight.</p> +<p> He said, and cover’d by the night of death,<br /> +Nor look’d nor breath’d again; for on his chest<br /> +Implanting firm his heel, Patroclus drew<br /> +The spear enfolded with his vitals forth,<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Weapon and life at once. Meantime his steeds<br /> +Snorted, by Myrmidons detain’d, and, loosed<br /> +From their own master’s chariot, foam’d to fly.<br /> +Terrible was the grief by Glaucus felt,<br /> +Hearing that charge, and troubled was his heart<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +That all power fail’d him to protect the dead.<br /> +Compressing his own arm he stood, with pain<br /> +Extreme tormented which the shaft had caused<br /> +Of Teucer, who while Glaucus climb’d the wall,<br /> +Had pierced him from it, in the fleet’s defence.<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Then, thus, to Phœbus, King shaft-arm’d, he pray’d.</p> +<p> Hear now, O King! For whether in the land<br /> +Of wealthy Lycia dwelling, or in Troy,<br /> +Thou hear’st in every place alike the prayer<br /> +Of the afflicted heart, and such is mine;<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Behold my wound; it fills my useless hand<br /> +With anguish, neither can my blood be stay’d,<br /> +And all my shoulder suffers. I can grasp<br /> +A spear, or rush to conflict with the Greeks<br /> +No longer now; and we have also lost<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Our noblest Chief, Sarpedon, son of Jove,<br /> +Who guards not his own son. But thou, O King!<br /> +Heal me, assuage my anguish, give me strength,<br /> +That I may animate the Lycian host<br /> +To fight, and may, myself, defend the dead!<span class="lnm">635</span></p> +<p> Such prayer he offer’d, whom Apollo heard;<br /> +He eased at once his pain, the sable blood<br /> +Staunch’d, and his soul with vigor new inspired.<br /> +Then Glaucus in his heart that prayer perceived<br /> +Granted, and joyful for the sudden aid<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Vouchsafed to him by Phœbus, first the lines<br /> +Of Lycia ranged, summoning every Chief<br /> +To fight for slain Sarpedon; striding next<br /> +With eager haste into the ranks of Troy,<br /> +Renown’d Agenor and the son he call’d<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Of Panthus, brave Polydamas, with whom<br /> +Æneas also, and approaching last<br /> +To Hector brazen-mail’d him thus bespake.</p> +<p> Now, Hector! now, thou hast indeed resign’d<br /> +All care of thy allies, who, for thy sake,<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Lost both to friends and country, on these plains<br /> +Perish, unaided and unmiss’d by thee.<br /> +Sarpedon breathless lies, who led to fight<br /> +Our shielded bands, and from whose just control<br /> +And courage Lycia drew her chief defence.<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Him brazen Mars hath by the spear subdued<br /> +Of Menœtiades. But stand ye firm!<br /> +Let indignation fire you, O my friends!<br /> +Lest, stripping him of his resplendent arms,<br /> +The Myrmidons with foul dishonor shame<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +His body, through resentment of the deaths<br /> +Of numerous Grecians slain by spears of ours.</p> +<p> He ceased; then sorrow every Trojan heart<br /> +Seized insupportable and that disdain’d<br /> +All bounds, for that, although a stranger born,<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +Sarpedon ever had a bulwark proved<br /> +To Troy, the leader of a numerous host,<br /> +And of that host by none in fight excell’d.<br /> +Right on toward the Danaï they moved<br /> +Ardent for battle all, and at their head<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Enraged for slain Sarpedon, Hector came.<br /> +Meantime, stout-hearted<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-16">[16]</a> Chief, Patroclus roused<br /> +The Grecians, and exhorting first (themselves<br /> +Already prompt) the Ajaces, thus began.</p> +<p> Heroic pair! now make it all your joy<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +To chase the Trojan host, and such to prove<br /> +As erst, or even bolder, if ye may.<br /> +The Chief lies breathless who ascended first<br /> +Our wall, Sarpedon. Let us bear him hence,<br /> +Strip and dishonor him, and in the blood<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Of his protectors drench the ruthless spear.</p> +<p> So Menœtiades his warriors urged,<br /> +Themselves courageous. Then the Lycian host<br /> +And Trojan here, and there the Myrmidons<br /> +With all the host of Greece, closing the ranks<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +Rush’d into furious contest for the dead,<br /> +Shouting tremendous; clang’d their brazen arms,<br /> +And Jove with Night’s pernicious shades<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-17">[17]</a> o’erhung<br /> +The bloody field, so to enhance the more<br /> +Their toilsome strife for his own son. First then<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +The Trojans from their place and order shock’d<br /> +The bright-eyed Grecians, slaying not the least<br /> +Nor worst among the Myrmidons, the brave<br /> +Epigeus from renown’d Agacles sprung.<br /> +He, erst, in populous Budeum ruled,<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +But for a valiant kinsman of his own<br /> +Whom there he slew, had thence to Peleus fled<br /> +And to his silver-footed spouse divine,<br /> +Who with Achilles, phalanx-breaker Chief,<br /> +Sent him to fight beneath the walls of Troy.<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Him seizing fast the body, with a stone<br /> +Illustrious Hector smote full on the front,<br /> +And his whole skull within the ponderous casque<br /> +Split sheer; he prostrate on the body fell<br /> +In shades of soul-divorcing death involved.<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +Patroclus, grieving for his slaughter’d friend,<br /> +Rush’d through the foremost warriors. As the hawk<br /> +Swift-wing’d before him starlings drives or daws,<br /> +So thou, Patroclus, of equestrian fame!<br /> +Full on the Lycian ranks and Trojan drov’st,<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +Resentful of thy fellow-warrior’s fall.<br /> +At Sthenelaüs a huge stone he cast,<br /> +Son of Ithæmenes, whom on the neck<br /> +He smote and burst the tendons; then the van<br /> +Of Ilium’s host, with Hector, all retired.<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +Far as the slender javelin cuts the air<br /> +Hurl’d with collected force, or in the games,<br /> +Or even in battle at a desperate foe,<br /> +So far the Greeks repulsed the host of Troy.<br /> +Then Glaucus first, Chief of the shielded bands<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +Of Lycia, slew Bathycles, valiant son<br /> +Of Calchon; Hellas was his home, and far<br /> +He pass’d in riches all the Myrmidons.<br /> +Him chasing Glaucus whom he now attain’d,<br /> +The Lycian, turning sudden, with his lance<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +Pierced through the breast, and, sounding, down he fell<br /> +Grief fill’d Achaia’s sons for such a Chief<br /> +So slain, but joy the Trojans; thick they throng’d<br /> +The conqueror around, nor yet the Greeks<br /> +Forgat their force, but resolute advanced.<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +Then, by Meriones a Trojan died<br /> +Of noble rank, Laogonus, the son<br /> +Undaunted of Onetor great in Troy,<br /> +Priest of Idæan Jove. The ear and jaw<br /> +Between, he pierced him with a mortal force;<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +Swift flew the life, and darkness veil’d his eyes.<br /> +Æneas, in return, his brazen spear<br /> +Hurl’d at Meriones with ardent hope<br /> +To pierce him, while, with nimble<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-18">[18]</a> steps and short<br /> +Behind his buckler made, he paced the field;<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +But, warn’d of its approach, Meriones<br /> +Bow’d low his head, shunning it, and the spear<br /> +Behind him pierced the soil; there quivering stood<br /> +The weapon, vain, though from a vigorous arm,<br /> +Till spent by slow degrees its fury slept.<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> + * * * * *<br /> + * * * * *<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-19">[19]</a><br /> +Indignant then Æneas thus exclaim’d.</p> +<p> + Meriones! I sent thee such a spear<br /> +As reaching thee, should have for ever marr’d<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +Thy step, accomplish’d dancer as thou art.</p> +<p> To whom Meriones spear-famed replied.<br /> +Æneas! thou wilt find the labor hard<br /> +How great soe’er thy might, to quell the force<br /> +Of all opposers. Thou art also doom’d<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +Thyself to die; and may but spear of mine<br /> +Well-aim’d once strike thee full, what strength soe’er<br /> +Or magnanimity be thine to boast,<br /> +Thy glory in that moment thou resign’st<br /> +To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.<span class="lnm">760</span></p> +<p> He said, but him Patroclus sharp reproved.<br /> +Why speaks Meriones, although in fight<br /> +Approved, thus proudly? Nay, my gallant friend!<br /> +The Trojans will not for reproach of ours<br /> +Renounce the body. Blood must first be spilt.<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +Tongues in debate, but hands in war decide;<br /> +Deeds therefore now, not wordy vaunts, we need.</p> +<p> So saying he led the way, whom follow’d close<br /> +Godlike Meriones. As from the depth<br /> +Of some lone wood that clothes the mountain’s side<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +The fellers at their toil are heard remote,<br /> +So, from the face of Ilium’s ample plain<br /> +Reverberated, was the din of brass<br /> +And of tough targets heard by falchions huge<br /> +Hard-smitten, and by spears of double-edge.<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +None then, no, not the quickest to discern,<br /> +Had known divine Sarpedon, from his head<br /> +To his foot-sole with mingled blood and dust<br /> +Polluted, and o’erwhelm’d with weapons. They<br /> +Around the body swarm’d. As hovel-flies<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +In spring-time buzz around the brimming pails<br /> +With milk bedew’d, so they around the dead.<br /> +Nor Jove averted once his glorious eyes<br /> +From that dread contest, but with watchful note<br /> +Marked all, the future death in battle deep<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +Pondering of Patroclus, whether him<br /> +Hector should even now slay on divine<br /> +Sarpedon, and despoil him of his arms,<br /> +Or he should still that arduous strife prolong.<br /> +This counsel gain’d as eligible most<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +At length his preference: that the valiant friend<br /> +Of Peleus’ son should yet again compel<br /> +The Trojan host with Hector brazen-mail’d<br /> +To Ilium, slaughtering numerous by the way.<br /> +First then, with fears unmanly he possess’d<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +The heart of Hector; mounting to his seat<br /> +He turn’d to flight himself, and bade his host<br /> +Fly also; for he knew Jove’s purpose<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-20">[20]</a> changed.<br /> +Thenceforth, no longer even Lycia’s host<br /> +Endured, but all fled scatter’d, seeing pierced<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +Their sovereign through his heart, and heap’d with dead;<br /> +For numerous, while Saturnian Jove the fight<br /> +Held in suspense, had on his body fallen.<br /> +At once the Grecians of his dazzling arms<br /> +Despoil’d Sarpedon, which the Myrmidons<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +By order of Menœtius’ valiant son<br /> +Bore thence into the fleet. Meantime his will<br /> +The Thunderer to Apollo thus express’d.</p> +<p> Phœbus, my son, delay not; from beneath<br /> +Yon hill of weapons drawn cleanse from his blood<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +Sarpedon’s corse; then, bearing him remote,<br /> +Lave him in waters of the running stream,<br /> +With oils divine anoint, and in attire<br /> +Immortal clothe him. Last, to Death and Sleep,<br /> +Swift bearers both, twin-born, deliver him;<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +For hence to Lycia’s opulent abodes<br /> +They shall transport him quickly, where, with rites<br /> +Funereal, his next kindred and his friends<br /> +Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb<br /> +(The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.<span class="lnm">820</span></p> +<p> He ceased; nor was Apollo slow to hear<br /> +His father’s will, but, from the Idæan heights<br /> +Descending swift into the dreadful field,<br /> +Godlike Sarpedon’s body from beneath<br /> +The hill of weapons drew, which, borne remote,<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +He laved in waters of the running stream,<br /> +With oils ambrosial bathed, and clothed in robes<br /> +Immortal. Then to Death and gentle Sleep,<br /> +Swift-bearers both, twin-born, he gave the charge,<br /> +Who placed it soon in Lycia’s wealthy realm.<span class="lnm">830</span></p> +<p> Meantime Patroclus, calling to his steeds,<br /> +And to Automedon, the Trojans chased<br /> +And Lycians, on his own destruction bent<br /> +Infatuate; heedless of his charge received<br /> +From Peleus’ son, which, well perform’d, had saved<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +The hero from his miserable doom.<br /> +But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails<br /> +Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight<br /> +The bravest, and the victory takes with ease<br /> +E’en from the Chief whom he impels himself<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +To battle, as he now this Chief impell’d.<br /> +Who, then, Patroclus! first, who last by thee<br /> +Fell slain, what time thyself was call’d to die?<br /> +Adrastus first, then Perimus he slew,<br /> +Offspring of Megas, then Autonoüs,<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +Echechlus, Melanippus, and Epistor,<br /> +Pylartes, Mulius, Elasus. All these<br /> +He slew, and from the field chased all beside.<br /> +Then, doubtless, had Achaia’s sons prevail’d<br /> +To take proud-gated Troy, such havoc made<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +He with his spear, but that the son of Jove<br /> +Apollo, on a tower’s conspicuous height<br /> +Station’d, devoted him for Ilium’s sake.<br /> +Thrice on a buttress of the lofty wall<br /> +Patroclus mounted, and him thrice the God<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +With hands immortal his resplendent shield<br /> +Smiting, struck down again; but when he rush’d<br /> +A fourth time, demon-like, to the assault,<br /> +The King of radiant shafts him, stern, rebuked.</p> +<p> Patroclus, warrior of renown, retire!<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +The fates ordain not that imperial Troy<br /> +Stoop to thy spear, nor to the spear itself<br /> +Of Peleus’ son, though mightier far than thou.</p> +<p> He said, and Menœtiades the wrath<br /> +Of shaft-arm’d Phœbus shunning, far retired.<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +But in the Scæan gate Hector his steeds<br /> +Detain’d, uncertain whether thence to drive<br /> +Amid the warring multitude again,<br /> +Or, loud commandment issuing, to collect<br /> +His host within the walls. Him musing long<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Apollo, clad in semblance of a Chief<br /> +Youthful and valiant, join’d. Asius he seem’d<br /> +Equestrian Hector’s uncle, brother born<br /> +Of Hecuba the queen, and Dymas’ son,<br /> +Who on the Sangar’s banks in Phrygia dwelt.<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Apollo, so disguised, him thus bespake.</p> +<p> Why, Hector, hast thou left the fight? this sloth<br /> +Not well befits thee. Oh that I as far<br /> +Thee pass’d in force as thou transcendest me,<br /> +Then, not unpunish’d long, should’st thou retire;<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +But haste, and with thy coursers solid-hoof’d<br /> +Seek out Patroclus, him perchance to slay,<br /> +Should Phœbus have decreed that glory thine.</p> +<p> So saying, Apollo join’d the host again.<br /> +Then noble Hector bade his charioteer<span class="lnm">885</span><br /> +Valiant Cebriones his coursers lash<br /> +Back into battle, while the God himself<br /> +Entering the multitude confounded sore<br /> +The Argives, victory conferring proud<br /> +And glory on Hector and the host of Troy.<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +But Hector, leaving all beside unslain,<br /> +Furious impell’d his coursers solid-hoof’d<br /> +Against Patroclus; on the other side<br /> +Patroclus from his chariot to the ground<br /> +Leap’d ardent; in his left a spear he bore,<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +And in his right a marble fragment rough,<br /> +Large as his grasp. With full collected might<br /> +He hurl’d it; neither was the weapon slow<br /> +To whom he had mark’d, or sent in vain.<br /> +He smote the charioteer of Hector, bold<span class="lnm">900</span><br /> +Cebriones, King Priam’s spurious son,<br /> +Full on the forehead, while he sway’d the reins.<br /> +The bone that force withstood not, but the rock<br /> +With ragged points beset dash’d both his brows<br /> +In pieces, and his eyes fell at his feet.<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +He diver-like, from his exalted stand<br /> +Behind the steeds pitch’d headlong, and expired;<br /> +O’er whom, Patroclus of equestrian fame!<br /> +Thou didst exult with taunting speech severe.</p> +<p> Ye Gods, with what agility he dives!<span class="lnm">910</span><br /> +Ah! it were well if in the fishy deep<br /> +This man were occupied; he might no few<br /> +With oysters satisfy, although the waves<br /> +Were churlish, plunging headlong from his bark<br /> +As easily as from his chariot here.<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +So then—in Troy, it seems, are divers too!</p> +<p> So saying, on bold Cebriones he sprang<br /> +With all a lion’s force, who, while the folds<br /> +He ravages, is wounded in the breast,<br /> +And, victim of his own fierce courage, dies.<span class="lnm">920</span><br /> +So didst thou spring, Patroclus! to despoil<br /> +Cebriones, and Hector opposite<br /> +Leap’d also to the ground. Then contest such<br /> +For dead Cebriones those two between<br /> +Arose, as in the lofty mountain-tops<span class="lnm">925</span><br /> +Two lions wage, contending for a deer<br /> +New-slain, both hunger-pinch’d and haughty both.<br /> +So for Cebriones, alike in arms<br /> +Expert, brave Hector and Patroclus strove<br /> +To pierce each other with the ruthless spear.<span class="lnm">930</span><br /> +First, Hector seized his head, nor loosed his hold,<br /> +Patroclus, next, his feet, while all beside<br /> +Of either host in furious battle join’d.</p> +<p> As when the East wind and the South contend<br /> +To shake some deep wood on the mountain’s side,<span class="lnm">935</span><br /> +Or beech, or ash, or rugged cornel old.<br /> +With stormy violence the mingled boughs<br /> +Smite and snap short each other, crashing loud;<br /> +So, Trojans and Achaians, mingling, slew<br /> +Mutual, while neither felt a wish to fly.<span class="lnm">940</span><br /> +Around Cebriones stood many a spear,<br /> +And many a shaft sent smartly from the nerve<br /> +Implanted deep, and many a stone of grasp<br /> +Enormous sounded on their batter’d shields<br /> +Who fought to gain him. He, in eddies lost<span class="lnm">945</span><br /> +Of sable dust, with his huge trunk huge space<br /> +O’erspread, nor steeds nor chariots heeded more.</p> +<p> While yet the sun ascending climb’d the heavens,<br /> +Their darts flew equal, and the people fell;<br /> +But when he westward journey’d, by a change<span class="lnm">950</span><br /> +Surpassing hope the Grecians then prevail’d.<br /> +They drew Cebriones the hero forth<br /> +From all those weapons, and his armor stripp’d<br /> +At leisure, distant from the battle’s roar.<br /> +Then sprang Patroclus on the Trojan host;<span class="lnm">955</span><br /> +Thrice, like another Mars, he sprang with shouts<br /> +Tremendous, and nine warriors thrice he slew.<br /> +But when the fourth time, demon-like, he rush’d<br /> +Against them, then, oh then, too manifest<br /> +The consummation of thy days approach’d<span class="lnm">960</span><br /> +Patroclus! whom Apollo, terror-clad<br /> +Met then in battle. He the coming God<br /> +Through all that multitude knew not, such gloom<br /> +Impenetrable him involved around.<br /> +Behind him close he stood, and with his palms<span class="lnm">965</span><br /> +Expanded on the spine and shoulders broad<br /> +Smote him; his eyes swam dizzy at the stroke.<br /> +Then Phœbus from his head his helmet dash’d<br /> +To earth; sonorous at the feet it roll’d<br /> +Of many a prancing steed, and all the crest<span class="lnm">970</span><br /> +Defilement gather’d gross of dust and blood,<br /> +Then first; till then, impossible; for how<br /> +Should dust the tresses of that helmet shame<br /> +With which Achilles fighting fenced his head<br /> +Illustrious, and his graceful brows divine?<span class="lnm">975</span><br /> +But Jove now made it Hector’s; he awhile<br /> +Bore it, himself to swift perdition doom’d<br /> +His spear brass-mounted, ponderous, huge and long,<br /> +Fell shiver’d from his grasp. His shield that swept<br /> +His ancle, with its belt dropp’d from his arm,<span class="lnm">980</span><br /> +And Phœbus loosed the corselet from his breast.<br /> +Confusion seized his brain; his noble limbs<br /> +Quaked under him, and panic-stunn’d he stood.<br /> +Then came a Dardan Chief, who from behind<br /> +Enforced a pointed lance into his back<span class="lnm">985</span><br /> +Between the shoulders; Panthus’ son was he,<br /> +Euphorbus, famous for equestrian skill,<br /> +For spearmanship, and in the rapid race<br /> +Past all of equal age. He twenty men<br /> +(Although a learner yet of martial feats,<span class="lnm">990</span><br /> +And by his steeds then first to battle borne)<br /> +Dismounted. He, Patroclus, mighty Chief!<br /> +First threw a lance at thee, which yet life<br /> +Quell’d not; then snatching hasty from the wound<br /> +His ashen beam, he ran into the crowd,<span class="lnm">995</span><br /> +Nor dared confront in fight even the unarm’d<br /> +Patroclus. But Patroclus, by the lance,<br /> +And by the stroke of an immortal hand<br /> +Subdued, fell back toward his ranks again.<br /> +Then, soon as Hector the retreat perceived<span class="lnm">1000</span><br /> +Of brave Patroclus wounded, issuing forth<br /> +From his own phalanx, he approach’d and drove<br /> +A spear right through his body at the waist.<br /> +Sounding he fell. Loud groan’d Achaia’s host.<br /> +As when the lion and the sturdy boar<span class="lnm">1005</span><br /> +Contend in battle on the mountain-tops<br /> +For some scant rivulet, thirst-parch’d alike,<br /> +Ere long the lion quells the panting boar;<br /> +So Priameian Hector, spear in hand,<br /> +Slew Menœtiades the valiant slayer<span class="lnm">1010</span><br /> +Of multitudes, and thus in accents wing’d,<br /> +With fierce delight exulted in his fall.</p> +<p> + It was thy thought, Patroclus, to have laid<br /> +Our city waste, and to have wafted hence<br /> +Our wives and daughters to thy native land,<span class="lnm">1015</span><br /> +Their day of liberty for ever set.<br /> +Fool! for their sakes the feet of Hector’s steeds<br /> +Fly into battle, and myself excel,<br /> +For their sakes, all our bravest of the spear,<br /> +That I may turn from them that evil hour<span class="lnm">1020</span><br /> +Necessitous. But thou art vulture’s food,<br /> +Unhappy youth! all valiant as he is,<br /> +Achilles hath no succor given to thee,<br /> +Who when he sent the forth whither himself<br /> +Would not, thus doubtless gave thee oft in charge:<span class="lnm">1025</span><br /> +Ah, well beware, Patroclus, glorious Chief!<br /> +That thou revisit not these ships again,<br /> +Till first on hero-slaughterer Hector’s breast<br /> +Thou cleave his bloody corselet. So he spake,<br /> +And with vain words thee credulous beguiled.<span class="lnm">1030</span></p> +<p> To whom Patroclus, mighty Chief, with breath<br /> +Drawn faintly, and dying, thou didst thus reply.<br /> +Now, Hector, boast! now glory! for the son<br /> +Of Saturn and Apollo, me with ease<br /> +Vanquishing, whom they had themselves disarm’d,<span class="lnm">1035</span><br /> +Have made the victory thine; else, twenty such<br /> +As thou, had fallen by my victorious spear.<br /> +Me Phœbus and my ruthless fate combined<br /> +To slay; these foremost; but of mortal men<br /> +Euphorbus, and thy praise is only third.<span class="lnm">1040</span><br /> +I tell thee also, and within thy heart<br /> +Repose it deep—thou shalt not long survive;<br /> +But, even now, fate, and a violent death<br /> +Attend thee by Achilles’ hands ordain’d<br /> +To perish, by Æacides the brave.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_16-21">[21]</a><span class="lnm">1045</span></p> +<p> So saying, the shades of death him wrapp’d around.<br /> +Down into Ades from his limbs dismiss’d,<br /> +His spirit fled sorrowful, of youth’s prime<br /> +And vigorous manhood suddenly bereft<br /> +Then, him though dead, Hector again bespake.<span class="lnm">1050</span></p> +<p> Patroclus! these prophetic strains of death<br /> +At hand, and fate, why hast thou sung to me?<br /> +May not the son of Thetis azure-hair’d,<br /> +Achilles, perish first by spear of mine?</p> +<p> He said; then pressing with his heel the trunk<span class="lnm">1055</span><br /> +Supine, and backward thursting it, he drew<br /> +His glittering weapon from the wound, nor stay’d,<br /> +But lance in hand, the godlike charioteer<br /> +Pursued of swift Æacides, on fire<br /> +To smite Automedon; but him the steeds<span class="lnm">1060</span><br /> +Immortal, rapid, by the Gods conferr’d<br /> +(A glorious gift) on Peleus, snatch’d away.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book17"></a>BOOK XVII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Sharp contest ensues around the body of Patroclus. Hector puts on the +armor of Achilles. Menelaus, having dispatched Antilochus to Achilles +with news of the death of Patroclus, returns to the battle, and, together +with Meriones, bears Patroclus off the field, while the Ajaces cover their +retreat.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XVII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Nor Menelaus, Atreus’ valiant son,<br /> +Knew not how Menœtiades had fallen<br /> +By Trojan hands in battle; forth he rush’d<br /> +All bright in burnish’d armor through his van,<br /> +And as some heifer with maternal fears<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Now first acquainted, compasses around<br /> +Her young one murmuring, with tender moan,<br /> +So moved the hero of the amber locks<br /> +Around Patroclus, before whom his spear<br /> +Advancing and broad shield, he death denounced<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +On all opposers; neither stood the son<br /> +Spear-famed of Panthus inattentive long<br /> +To slain Patroclus, but approach’d the dead,<br /> +And warlike Menelaus thus bespake.</p> +<p> Prince! Menelaus! Atreus’ mighty son!<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Yield. Leave the body and these gory spoils;<br /> +For of the Trojans or allies of Troy<br /> +None sooner made Patroclus bleed than I.<br /> +Seek not to rob me, therefore, of my praise<br /> +Among the Trojans, lest my spear assail<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Thee also, and thou perish premature.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-1">[1]</a></p> +<p> To whom, indignant, Atreus’ son replied.<br /> +Self-praise, the Gods do know, is little worth.<br /> +But neither lion may in pride compare<br /> +Nor panther, nor the savage boar whose heart’s<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +High temper flashes in his eyes, with these<br /> +The spear accomplish’d youths of Panthus’ house.<br /> +Yet Hyperenor of equestrian fame<br /> +Lived not his lusty manhood to enjoy,<br /> +Who scoffingly defied my force in arms,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +And call’d me most contemptible in fight<br /> +Of all the Danaï. But him, I ween,<br /> +His feet bore never hence to cheer at home<br /> +His wife and parents with his glad return.<br /> +So also shall thy courage fierce be tamed,<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +If thou oppose me. I command thee, go—<br /> +Mix with the multitude; withstand not me,<br /> +Lest evil overtake thee! To be taught<br /> +By sufferings only, is the part of fools.</p> +<p> He said, but him sway’d not, who thus replied.<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Now, even now, Atrides! thou shalt rue<br /> +My brother’s blood which thou hast shed, and mak’st<br /> +His death thy boast. Thou hast his blooming bride<br /> +Widow’d, and thou hast fill’d his parents’ hearts<br /> +With anguish of unutterable wo;<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +But bearing hence thy armor and thy head<br /> +To Troy, and casting them at Panthus’ feet,<br /> +And at the feet of Phrontis, his espoused,<br /> +I shall console the miserable pair.<br /> +Nor will I leave that service unessay’d<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Longer, nor will I fail through want of force,<br /> +Of courage, or of terrible address.</p> +<p> He ceased, and smote his shield, nor pierced the disk,<br /> +But bent his point against the stubborn brass.<br /> +Then Menelaus, prayer preferring first<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +To Jove,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-2">[2]</a> assail’d Euphorbus in his turn,<br /> +Whom pacing backward in the throat he struck,<br /> +And both hands and his full force the spear<br /> +Impelled, urged it through his neck behind.<br /> +Sounding he fell; loud rang his batter’d arms.<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +His locks, which even the Graces might have own’d,<br /> +Blood-sullied, and his ringlets wound about<br /> +With twine of gold and silver, swept the dust.<br /> +As the luxuriant olive by a swain<br /> +Rear’d in some solitude where rills abound,<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Puts forth her buds, and fann’d by genial airs<br /> +On all sides, hangs her boughs with whitest flowers,<br /> +But by a sudden whirlwind from its trench<br /> +Uptorn, it lies extended on the field;<br /> +Such, Panthus’ warlike son Euphorbus seem’d,<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +By Menelaus, son of Atreus, slain<br /> +Suddenly, and of all his arms despoil’d.<br /> +But as the lion on the mountains bred,<br /> +Glorious in strength, when he hath seized the best<br /> +And fairest of the herd, with savage fangs<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +First breaks her neck, then laps the bloody paunch<br /> +Torn wide; meantime, around him, but remote,<br /> +Dogs stand and swains clamoring, yet by fear<br /> +Repress’d, annoy him not nor dare approach;<br /> +So there all wanted courage to oppose<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +The force of Menelaus, glorious Chief.<br /> +Then, easily had Menelaus borne<br /> +The armor of the son of Panthus thence,<br /> +But that Apollo the illustrious prize<br /> +Denied him, who in semblance of the Chief<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +Of the Ciconians, Mentes, prompted forth<br /> +Against him Hector terrible as Mars,<br /> +Whose spirit thus in accents wing’d he roused.</p> +<p> Hector! the chase is vain; here thou pursuest<br /> +The horses of Æacides the brave,<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Which thou shalt never win, for they are steeds<br /> +Of fiery nature, such as ill endure<br /> +To draw or carry mortal man, himself<br /> +Except, whom an immortal mother bore.<br /> +Meantime, bold Menelaus, in defence<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +Of dead Patroclus, hath a Trojan slain<br /> +Of highest note, Euphorbus, Panthus’ son,<br /> +And hath his might in arms for ever quell’d.</p> +<p> So spake the God and to the fight return’d.<br /> +But grief intolerable at that word<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Seized Hector; darting through the ranks his eye,<br /> +He knew at once who stripp’d Euphorbus’ arms,<br /> +And him knew also lying on the field,<br /> +And from his wide wound bleeding copious still.<br /> +Then dazzling bright in arms, through all the van<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +He flew, shrill-shouting, fierce as Vulcan’s fire<br /> +Unquenchable; nor were his shouts unheard<br /> +By Atreus’ son, who with his noble mind<br /> +Conferring sad, thus to himself began.</p> +<p> Alas! if I forsake these gorgeous spoils,<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +And leave Patroclus for my glory slain,<br /> +I fear lest the Achaians at that sight<br /> +Incensed, reproach me; and if, urged by shame,<br /> +I fight with Hector and his host, alone,<br /> +Lest, hemm’d around by multitudes, I fall;<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +For Hector, by his whole embattled force<br /> +Attended, comes. But whither tend my thoughts?<br /> +No man may combat with another fenced<br /> +By power divine and whom the Gods exalt,<br /> +But he must draw down wo on his own head.<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Me, therefore, none of all Achaia’s host<br /> +Will blame indignant, seeing my retreat<br /> +From Hector, whom themselves the Gods assist.<br /> +But might the battle-shout of Ajax once<br /> +Reach me, with force united we would strive,<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Even in opposition to a God,<br /> +To rescue for Achilles’ sake, his friend.<br /> +Task arduous! but less arduous than this.</p> +<p> While he thus meditated, swift advanced<br /> +The Trojan ranks, with Hector at their head.<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +He then, retiring slow, and turning oft,<br /> +Forsook the body. As by dogs and swains<br /> +With clamors loud and spears driven from the stalls<br /> +A bearded lion goes, his noble heart<br /> +Abhors retreat, and slow he quits the prey;<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +So Menelaus with slow steps forsook<br /> +Patroclus, and arrived in front, at length,<br /> +Of his own phalanx, stood, with sharpen’d eyes<br /> +Seeking vast Ajax, son of Telamon.<br /> +Him leftward, soon, of all the field he mark’d<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Encouraging aloud his band, whose hearts<br /> +With terrors irresistible himself<br /> +Phœbus had fill’d. He ran, and at his side<br /> +Standing, incontinent him thus bespake.</p> +<p> My gallant Ajax, haste—come quickly—strive<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +With me to rescue for Achilles’ sake<br /> +His friend, though bare, for Hector hath his arms.</p> +<p> He said, and by his words the noble mind<br /> +Of Ajax roused; issuing through the van<br /> +He went, and Menelaus at his side.<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Hector the body of Patroclus dragg’d,<br /> +Stript of his arms, with falchion keen erelong<br /> +Purposing to strike off his head, and cast<br /> +His trunk, drawn distant, to the dogs of Troy.<br /> +But Ajax, with broad shield tower-like, approach’d.<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Then Hector, to his bands retreating, sprang<br /> +Into his chariot, and to others gave<br /> +The splendid arms in charge, who into Troy<br /> +Should bear the destined trophy of his praise,<br /> +But Ajax with his broad shield guarding stood<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Slain Menœtiades, as for his whelps<br /> +The lion stands; him through some forest drear<br /> +Leading his little ones, the hunters meet;<br /> +Fire glimmers in his looks, and down he draws<br /> +His whole brow into frowns, covering his eyes;<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +So, guarding slain Patroclus, Ajax lour’d.<br /> +On the other side, with tender grief oppress’d<br /> +Unspeakable, brave Menelaus stood.<br /> +But Glaucus, leader of the Lycian band,<br /> +Son of Hippolochus, in bitter terms<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Indignant, reprimanded Hector thus,</p> +<p> Ah, Hector, Chieftain of excelling form,<br /> +But all unfurnish’d with a warrior’s heart!<br /> +Unwarranted I deem thy great renown<br /> +Who art to flight addicted. Think, henceforth,<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +How ye shall save city and citadel<br /> +Thou and thy people born in Troy, alone.<br /> +No Lycian shall, at least, in your defence<br /> +Fight with the Grecians, for our ceaseless toil<br /> +In arms, hath ever been a thankless task.<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Inglorious Chief! how wilt thou save a worse<br /> +From warring crowds, who hast Sarpedon left<br /> +Thy guest, thy friend, to be a spoil, a prey<br /> +To yonder Argives? While he lived he much<br /> +Thee and thy city profited, whom dead<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Thou fear’st to rescue even from the dogs.<br /> +Now, therefore, may but my advice prevail,<br /> +Back to your country, Lycians! so, at once,<br /> +Shall remediless ruin fall on Troy.<br /> +For had the Trojans now a daring heart<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Intrepid, such as in the breast resides<br /> +Of laborers in their country’s dear behalf,<br /> +We soon should drag Patroclus into Troy;<br /> +And were his body, from the battle drawn,<br /> +In Priam’s royal city once secured,<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +As soon, the Argives would in ransom give<br /> +Sarpedon’s body with his splendid arms<br /> +To be conducted safe into the town.<br /> +For when Patroclus fell, the friend was slain<br /> +Of such a Chief as is not in the fleet<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +For valor, and his bands are dauntless all.<br /> +But thou, at the first glimpse of Ajax’ eye<br /> +Confounded, hast not dared in arms to face<br /> +That warrior bold, superior far to thee.</p> +<p> To whom brave Hector, frowning stern, replied,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Why, Glaucus! should a Chief like thee his tongue<br /> +Presume to employ thus haughtily? My friend!<br /> +I thee accounted wisest, once, of all<br /> +Who dwell in fruitful Lycia, but thy speech<br /> +Now utter’d altogether merits blame,<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +In which thou tell’st me that I fear to stand<br /> +Against vast Ajax. Know that I from fight<br /> +Shrink not, nor yet from sound of prancing steeds;<br /> +But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails<br /> +Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +The bravest, and the victory takes with ease<br /> +Even from those whom once he favor’d most.<br /> +But hither, friend! stand with me; mark my deed;<br /> +Prove me, if I be found, as thou hast said,<br /> +An idler all the day, or if by force<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +I not compel some Grecian to renounce<br /> +Patroclus, even the boldest of them all.</p> +<p> He ceased, and to his host exclaim’d aloud.<br /> +Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons<br /> +Of Dardanus, oh be ye men, my friends!<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Now summon all your fortitude, while I<br /> +Put on the armor of Achilles, won<br /> +From the renown’d Patroclus slain by me.</p> +<p> So saying, illustrious Hector from the clash<br /> +Of spears withdrew, and with his swiftest pace<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Departing, overtook, not far remote,<br /> +The bearers of Achilles’ arms to Troy.<br /> +Apart from all the horrors of the field<br /> +Standing, he changed his armor; gave his own<br /> +To be by them to sacred Ilium borne,<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +And the immortal arms of Peleus’ son<br /> +Achilles, by the ever-living Gods<br /> +To Peleüs given, put on. Those arms the Sire,<br /> +Now old himself, had on his son conferr’d<br /> +But in those arms his son grew never old.<span class="lnm">240</span></p> +<p> Him, therefore, soon as cloud-assembler Jove<br /> +Saw glittering in divine Achilles’ arms,<br /> +Contemplative he shook his brows, and said,</p> +<p> Ah hapless Chief! thy death, although at hand,<br /> +Nought troubles thee. Thou wear’st his heavenly<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Who all excels, terror of Ilium’s host.<br /> +His friend, though bold yet gentle, thou hast slain<br /> +And hast the brows and bosom of the dead<br /> +Unseemly bared: yet, bright success awhile<br /> +I give thee; so compensating thy lot,<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +From whom Andromache shall ne’er receive<br /> +Those glorious arms, for thou shalt ne’er return.</p> +<p> So spake the Thunderer, and his sable brows<br /> +Shaking, confirm’d the word. But Hector found<br /> +The armor apt; the God of war his soul<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +With fury fill’d, he felt his limbs afresh<br /> +Invigorated, and with loudest shouts<br /> +Return’d to his illustrious allies.<br /> +To them he seem’d, clad in those radiant arms,<br /> +Himself Achilles; rank by rank he pass’d<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Through all the host, exhorting every Chief,<br /> +Asteropæus, Mesthles, Phorcys, Medon,<br /> +Thersilochus, Deisenor, augur Ennomus,<br /> +Chromius, Hippothoüs; all these he roused<br /> +To battle, and in accents wing’d began.<span class="lnm">265</span></p> +<p> Hear me, ye myriads, neighbors and allies!<br /> +For not through fond desire to fill the plain<br /> +With multitudes, have I convened you here<br /> +Each from his city, but that well-inclined<br /> +To Ilium, ye might help to guard our wives<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +And little ones against the host of Greece.<br /> +Therefore it is that forage large and gifts<br /> +Providing for you, I exhaust the stores<br /> +Of Troy, and drain our people for your sake.<br /> +Turn then direct against them, and his life<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Save each, or lose; it is the course of war.<br /> +Him who shall drag, though dead, Patroclus home<br /> +Into the host of Troy, and shall repulse<br /> +Ajax, I will reward with half the spoils<br /> +And half shall be my own; glory and praise<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Shall also be his meed, equal to mine.</p> +<p> He ended; they compact with lifted spears<br /> +Bore on the Danaï, conceiving each<br /> +Warm expectation in his heart to wrest<br /> +From Ajax son of Telamon, the dead.<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Vain hope! he many a lifeless Trojan heap’d<br /> +On slain Patroclus, but at length his speech<br /> +To warlike Menelaus thus address’d.</p> +<p> Ah, Menelaus, valiant friend! I hope<br /> +No longer, now, that even we shall ’scape<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Ourselves from fight; nor fear I so the loss<br /> +Of dead Patroclus, who shall soon the dogs<br /> +Of Ilium, and the fowls sate with his flesh,<br /> +As for my life I tremble and for thine,<br /> +That cloud of battle, Hector, such a gloom<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Sheds all around; death manifest impends.<br /> +Haste—call our best, if even they can hear.</p> +<p> He spake, nor Menelaus not complied,<br /> +But call’d aloud on all the Chiefs of Greece.</p> +<p> Friends, senators, and leaders of the powers<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Of Argos! who with Agamemnon drink<br /> +And Menelaus at the public feast,<br /> +Each bearing rule o’er many, by the will<br /> +Of Jove advanced to honor and renown!<br /> +The task were difficult to single out<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Chief after Chief by name amid the blaze<br /> +Of such contention; but oh, come yourselves<br /> +Indignant forth, nor let the dogs of Troy<br /> +Patroclus rend, and gambol with his bones!</p> +<p> He ceased, whom Oïliades the swift<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Hearing incontinent, of all the Chiefs<br /> +Ran foremost, after whom Idomeneus<br /> +Approach’d, and dread as homicidal Mars<br /> +Meriones. But never mind of man<br /> +Could even in silent recollection name<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +The whole vast multitude who, following these<br /> +Renew’d the battle on the part of Greece.<br /> +The Trojans first, with Hector at their head,<br /> +Wedged in close phalanx, rush’d to the assault</p> +<p> As when within some rapid river’s mouth<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +The billows and stream clash, on either shore<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-3">[3]</a><br /> +Loud sounds the roar<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-3">[3]</a> of waves ejected wide,<br /> +Such seem’d the clamors of the Trojan host.<br /> +But the Achaians, one in heart, around<br /> +Patroclus stood, bulwark’d with shields of brass<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +And over all their glittering helmets Jove<br /> +Darkness diffused, for he had loved Patroclus<br /> +While yet he lived friend of Æacides,<br /> +And now, abhorring that the dogs of Troy<br /> +Should eat him, urged the Greeks to his defence,<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +The host of Troy first shook the Grecian host;<br /> +The body left, they fled; yet of them all,<br /> +The Trojan powers, determined as they were,<br /> +Slew none, but dragg’d the body. Neither stood<br /> +The Greeks long time aloof, soon as repulsed<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Again led on by Ajax, who in form<br /> +And in exploits all others far excell’d.<br /> +Peerless Æacides alone except.<br /> +Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d,<br /> +In force resembling most some savage boar<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +That in the mountains bursting through the brakes,<br /> +The swains disperses and their hounds with ease;<br /> +Like him, illustrious Ajax, mighty son<br /> +Of Telamon, at his assault dispersed<br /> +With ease the close imbattled ranks who fought<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Around Patroclus’ body, strong in hope<br /> +To achieve it, and to make the glory theirs.<br /> +Hippothoüs, a youth of high renown,<br /> +Son of Pelasgian Lethus, by a noose<br /> +Around his ancle cast dragg’d through the fight<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Patroclus, so to gratify the host<br /> +Of Ilium and their Chief; but evil him<br /> +Reached suddenly, by none of all his friends<br /> +(Though numerous wish’d to save him) turn’d aside.<br /> +For swift advancing on him through the crowd<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +The son of Telamon pierced, spear in hand,<br /> +His helmet brazen-cheek’d; the crested casque,<br /> +So smitten, open’d wide, for huge the hand<br /> +And ponderous was the spear that gave the blow<br /> +And all around its neck, mingled with blood<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Gush’d forth the brain. There, lifeless, down he sank,<br /> +Let fall the hero’s foot, and fell himself<br /> +Prone on the dead, never to see again?<br /> +Deep-soil’d Larissa, never to require<br /> +Their kind solicitudes who gave him birth,<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +In bloom of life by dauntless Ajax slain.<br /> +Then Hector hurl’d at Ajax his bright spear,<br /> +But he, forewarn’d of its approach, escaped<br /> +Narrowly, and it pierced Schedius instead,<br /> +Brave son of Iphitus; he, noblest Chief<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Of the Phocensians, over many reign’d,<br /> +Dwelling in Panopeus the far-renown’d.<br /> +Entering beneath the clavicle<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-4">[4]</a> the point<br /> +Right through his shoulder’s summit pass’d behind,<br /> +And on his loud-resounding arms he fell.<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +But Ajax at his waist wounded the son<br /> +Of Phœnops, valiant Phorcys, while he stood<br /> +Guarding Hippothöus; through his hollow mail<br /> +Enforced the weapon drank his inmost life,<br /> +And in his palm, supine, he clench’d the dust.<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Then, Hector with the foremost Chiefs of Troy<br /> +Fell back; the Argives sent a shout to heaven,<br /> +And dragging Phorcys and Hippothöus thence<br /> +Stripp’d both. In that bright moment Ilium’s host<br /> +Fear-quell’d before Achaia’s warlike sons<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Had Troy re-enter’d, and the host of Greece<br /> +By matchless might and fortitude their own<br /> +Had snatch’d a victory from the grasp of fate,<br /> +But that, himself, the King of radiant shafts<br /> +Æneas roused; Epytis’ son he seem’d<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Periphas, ancient in the service grown<br /> +Of old Anchises whom he dearly loved;<br /> +His form assumed, Apollo thus began.</p> +<p> How could ye save, Æneas, were the Gods<br /> +Your enemies, the towers of lofty Troy?<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +As I have others seen, warriors who would,<br /> +Men fill’d with might and valor, firm themselves<br /> +And Chiefs of multitudes disdaining fear.<br /> +But Jove to us the victory far more<br /> +Than to the Grecians wills; therefore the fault<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Is yours, who tremble and refuse the fight.</p> +<p> He ended, whom Æneas marking, knew<br /> +At once the glorious Archer of the skies,<br /> +And thus to distant Hector call’d aloud.</p> +<p> Oh, Hector, and ye other Chiefs of Troy<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +And of her brave confederates! Shame it were<br /> +Should we re-enter Ilium, driven to flight<br /> +By dastard fear before the host of Greece.<br /> +A God assured me even now, that Jove,<br /> +Supreme in battle, gives his aid to Troy.<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Rush, therefore, on the Danaï direct,<br /> +Nor let them, safe at least and unannoy’d,<br /> +Bear hence Patroclus’ body to the fleet.</p> +<p> He spake, and starting far into the van<br /> +Stood foremost forth; they, wheeling, faced the Greeks.<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Then, spear in hand, Æneas smote the friend<br /> +Of Lycomedes, brave Leocritus,<br /> +Son of Arisbas. Lycomedes saw<br /> +Compassionate his death, and drawing nigh<br /> +First stood, then hurling his resplendent lance,<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Right through the liver Apisaon pierced<br /> +Offspring of Hippasus, his chest beneath,<br /> +And, lifeless, instant, on the field he fell.<br /> +He from Pæonia the deep soil’d to Troy<br /> +Came forth, Asteropæus sole except,<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Bravest of all Pæonia’s band in arms.<br /> +Asteropæus saw, and to the van<br /> +Sprang forth for furious combat well prepared,<br /> +But room for fight found none, so thick a fence<br /> +Of shields and ported spears fronted secure<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +The phalanx guarding Menœtiades.<br /> +For Ajax ranging all the ranks, aloud<br /> +Admonish’d them that no man yielding ground<br /> +Should leave Patroclus, or advance before<br /> +The rest, but all alike fight and stand fast.<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Such order gave huge Ajax; purple gore<br /> +Drench’d all the ground; in slaughter’d heaps they fell<br /> +Trojans and Trojan aids of dauntless hearts<br /> +And Grecians; for not even they the fight<br /> +Waged bloodless, though with far less cost of blood,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Each mindful to avert his fellow’s fate.</p> +<p> Thus burn’d the battle; neither hadst thou deem’d<br /> +The sun himself in heaven unquench’d, or moon,<br /> +Beneath a cope so dense of darkness strove<br /> +Unceasing all the most renown’d in arms<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +For Menœtiades. Meantime the war,<br /> +Wherever else, the bright-arm’d Grecians waged<br /> +And Trojans under skies serene. The sun<br /> +On them his radiance darted; not a cloud,<br /> +From mountain or from vale rising, allay’d<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +His fervor; there at distance due they fought<br /> +And paused by turns, and shunn’d the cruel dart.<br /> +But in the middle field not war alone<br /> +They suffer’d, but night also; ruthless raged<br /> +The iron storm, and all the mightiest bled.<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Two glorious Chiefs, the while, Antilochus<br /> +And Thrasymedes, had no tidings heard<br /> +Of brave Patroclus slain, but deem’d him still<br /> +Living, and troubling still the host of Troy;<br /> +For watchful<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-5">[5]</a> only to prevent the flight<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Or slaughter of their fellow-warriors, they<br /> +Maintain’d a distant station, so enjoin’d<br /> +By Nestor when he sent them to the field.<br /> +But fiery conflict arduous employ’d<br /> +The rest all day continual; knees and legs,<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Feet, hands, and eyes of those who fought to guard<br /> +The valiant friend of swift Æacides<br /> +Sweat gather’d foul and dust. As when a man<br /> +A huge ox-hide drunken with slippery lard<br /> +Gives to be stretch’d, his servants all around<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Disposed, just intervals between, the task<br /> +Ply strenuous, and while many straining hard<br /> +Extend it equal on all sides, it sweats<br /> +The moisture out, and drinks the unction in,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-6">[6]</a><br /> +So they, in narrow space struggling, the dead<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +Dragg’d every way, warm hope conceiving, these<br /> +To drag him thence to Troy, those, to the ships.<br /> +Wild tumult raged around him; neither Mars,<br /> +Gatherer of hosts to battle, nor herself<br /> +Pallas, however angry, had beheld<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +That conflict with disdain, Jove to such length<br /> +Protracted on that day the bloody toil<br /> +Of steeds and men for Menœtiades.<br /> +Nor knew divine Achilles or had aught<br /> +Heard of Patroclus slain, for from the ships<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Remote they fought, beneath the walls of Troy.<br /> +He, therefore, fear’d not for his death, but hope<br /> +Indulged much rather, that, the battle push’d<br /> +To Ilium’s gates, he should return alive.<br /> +For that his friend, unaided by himself<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Or ever aided, should prevail to lay<br /> +Troy waste, he nought supposed; by Thetis warn’d<br /> +In secret conference oft, he better knew<br /> +Jove’s purpose; yet not even she had borne<br /> +Those dreadful tidings to his ear, the loss<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Immeasurable of his dearest friend.</p> +<p> They all around the dead fought spear in hand<br /> +With mutual slaughter ceaseless, and amid<br /> +Achaia’s host thus spake a Chief mail-arm’d.</p> +<p> Shame were it, Grecians! should we seek by flight<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Our galleys now; yawn earth our feet beneath<br /> +And here ingulf us rather! Better far<br /> +Than to permit the steed-famed host of Troy<br /> +To drag Patroclus hence into the town,<br /> +And make the glory of this conflict theirs.<span class="lnm">505</span></p> +<p> Thus also of the dauntless Trojans spake<br /> +A certain warrior. Oh, my friends! although<br /> +The Fates ordain us, one and all, to die<br /> +Around this body, stand! quit not the field.</p> +<p> So spake the warrior prompting into act<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +The courage of his friends, and such they strove<br /> +On both sides; high into the vault of heaven<br /> +The iron din pass’d through the desart air.<br /> +Meantime the horses of Æacides<br /> +From fight withdrawn, soon as they understood<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Their charioteer fallen in the dust beneath<br /> +The arm of homicidal Hector, wept.<br /> +Them oft with hasty lash Diores’ son<br /> +Automedon impatient smote, full oft<br /> +He stroked them gently, and as oft he chode;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-7">[7]</a><span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Yet neither to the fleet ranged on the shore<br /> +Of spacious Hellespont would they return,<br /> +Nor with the Grecians seek the fight, but stood<br /> +As a sepulchral pillar stands, unmoved<br /> +Between their traces;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-8">[8]</a> to the earth they hung<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Their heads, with plenteous tears their driver mourn’d,<br /> +And mingled their dishevell’d manes with dust.<br /> +Jove saw their grief with pity, and his brows<br /> +Shaking, within himself thus, pensive, said.</p> +<p> Ah hapless pair! Wherefore by gift divine<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Were ye to Peleus given, a mortal king,<br /> +Yourselves immortal and from age exempt?<br /> +Was it that ye might share in human woes?<br /> +For, of all things that breathe or creep the earth,<br /> +No creature lives so mere a wretch as man.<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Yet shall not Priameian Hector ride<br /> +Triumphant, drawn by you. Myself forbid.<br /> +Suffice it that he boasts vain-gloriously<br /> +Those arms his own. Your spirit and your limbs<br /> +I will invigorate, that ye may bear<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Safe hence Automedon into the fleet.<br /> +For I ordain the Trojans still to spread<br /> +Carnage around victorious, till they reach<br /> +The gallant barks, and till the sun at length<br /> +Descending, sacred darkness cover all.<span class="lnm">545</span></p> +<p> He said, and with new might the steeds inspired.<br /> +They, shaking from their hair profuse the dust,<br /> +Between the van of either army whirl’d<br /> +The rapid chariot. Fighting as he pass’d,<br /> +Though fill’d with sorrow for his slaughter’d friend,<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Automedon high-mounted swept the field<br /> +Impetuous as a vulture scattering geese;<br /> +Now would he vanish, and now, turn’d again,<br /> +Chase through a multitude his trembling foe;<br /> +But whomsoe’er he follow’d, none he slew,<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Nor was the task possible to a Chief<br /> +Sole in the sacred chariot, both to aim<br /> +The spear aright and guide the fiery steeds.<br /> +At length Alcimedon, his friend in arms,<br /> +Son of Laerceus son of Æmon, him<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +Observing, from behind the chariot hail’d<br /> +The flying warrior, whom he thus bespake.</p> +<p> What power, Automedon! hath ta’en away<br /> +Thy better judgment, and thy breast inspired<br /> +With this vain purpose to assail alone<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +The Trojan van? Thy partner in the fight<br /> +Is slain, and Hector on his shoulders bears,<br /> +Elate, the armor of Æacides.</p> +<p> Then, answer thus Automedon return’d,<br /> +Son of Diores. Who of all our host<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Was ever skill’d, Alcimedon! as thou<br /> +To rule the fire of these immortal steeds,<br /> +Save only while he lived, peer of the Gods<br /> +In that great art, Patroclus, now no more?<br /> +Thou, therefore, the resplendent reins receive<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +And scourge, while I, dismounting, wage the fight.</p> +<p> He ceased; Alcimedon without delay<br /> +The battle-chariot mounting, seized at once<br /> +The lash and reins, and from his seat down leap’d<br /> +Automedon. Them noble Hector mark’d,<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +And to Æneas at his side began.</p> +<p> Illustrious Chief of Trojans brazen-mail’d<br /> +Æneas! I have noticed yonder steeds<br /> +Of swift Achilles rushing into fight<br /> +Conspicuous, but under sway of hands<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Unskilful; whence arises a fair hope<br /> +That we might seize them, wert thou so inclined;<br /> +For never would those two dare to oppose<br /> +In battle an assault dreadful as ours.</p> +<p> He ended, nor the valiant son refused<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Of old Anchises, but with targets firm<br /> +Of season’d hide brass-plated thrown athwart<br /> +Their shoulders, both advanced direct, with whom<br /> +Of godlike form Aretus also went<br /> +And Chromius. Ardent hope they all conceived<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +To slay those Chiefs, and from the field to drive<br /> +Achilles’ lofty steeds. Vain hope! for them<br /> +No bloodless strife awaited with the force<br /> +Of brave Automedon; he, prayer to Jove<br /> +First offering, felt his angry soul with might<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Heroic fill’d, and thus his faithful friend<br /> +Alcimedon, incontinent, address’d.</p> +<p> Alcimedon! hold not the steeds remote<br /> +But breathing on my back; for I expect<br /> +That never Priameïan Hector’s rage<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Shall limit know, or pause, till, slaying us,<br /> +He shall himself the coursers ample-maned<br /> +Mount of Achilles, and to flight compel<br /> +The Argive host, or perish in the van.</p> +<p> So saying, he call’d aloud on Menelaus<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +With either Ajax. Oh, illustrious Chiefs<br /> +Of Argos, Menelaus, and ye bold<br /> +Ajaces!<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-9">[9]</a> leaving all your best to cope<br /> +With Ilium’s powers and to protect the dead,<br /> +From friends still living ward the bitter day.<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +For hither borne, two Chiefs, bravest of all<br /> +The Trojans, Hector and Æneas rush<br /> +Right through the battle. The events of war<br /> +Heaven orders; therefore even I will give<br /> +My spear its flight, and Jove dispose the rest!<span class="lnm">620</span></p> +<p> He said, and brandishing his massy spear<br /> +Dismiss’d it at Aretus; full he smote<br /> +His ample shield, nor stay’d the pointed brass,<br /> +But penetrating sheer the disk, his belt<br /> +Pierced also, and stood planted in his waist.<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +As when some vigorous youth with sharpen’d axe<br /> +A pastured bullock smites behind the horns<br /> +And hews the muscle through; he, at the stroke<br /> +Springs forth and falls, so sprang Aretus forth,<br /> +Then fell supine, and in his bowels stood<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +The keen-edged lance still quivering till he died.<br /> +Then Hector, in return, his radiant spear<br /> +Hurl’d at Automedon, who of its flight<br /> +Forewarn’d his body bowing prone, the stroke<br /> +Eluded, and the spear piercing the soil<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Behind him, shook to its superior end,<br /> +Till, spent by slow degrees, its fury slept.<br /> +And now, with hand to hilt, for closer war<br /> +Both stood prepared, when through the multitude<br /> +Advancing at their fellow-warrior’s call,<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +The Ajaces suddenly their combat fierce<br /> +Prevented. Awed at once by their approach<br /> +Hector retired, with whom Æneas went<br /> +Also and godlike Chromius, leaving there<br /> +Aretus with his vitals torn, whose arms,<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Fierce as the God of war Automedon<br /> +Stripp’d off, and thus exulted o’er the slain.</p> +<p> My soul some portion of her grief resigns<br /> +Consoled, although by slaughter of a worse,<br /> +For loss of valiant Menœtiades.<span class="lnm">650</span></p> +<p> So saying, within his chariot he disposed<br /> +The gory spoils, then mounted it himself<br /> +With hands and feet purpled, as from a bull<br /> +His bloody prey, some lion newly-gorged.</p> +<p> And now around Patroclus raged again<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Dread strife deplorable! for from the skies<br /> +Descending at the Thunderer’s command<br /> +Whose purpose now was to assist the Greeks,<br /> +Pallas enhanced the fury of the fight.<br /> +As when from heaven, in view of mortals, Jove<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Exhibits bright his bow, a sign ordain’d<br /> +Of war, or numbing frost which all the works<br /> +Suspends of man and saddens all the flocks;<br /> +So she, all mantled with a radiant cloud<br /> +Entering Achaia’s host, fired every breast.<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +But meeting Menelaus first, brave son<br /> +Of Atreus, in the form and with the voice<br /> +Robust of Phœnix, him she thus bespake.</p> +<p> Shame, Menelaus, shall to thee redound<br /> +For ever, and reproach, should dogs devour<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +The faithful friend of Peleus’ noble son<br /> +Under Troy’s battlements; but stand, thyself,<br /> +Undaunted, and encourage all the host.</p> +<p> To whom the son of Atreus bold in arms.<br /> +Ah, Phœnix, friend revered, ancient and sage!<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +Would Pallas give me might and from the dint<br /> +Shield me of dart and spear, with willing mind<br /> +I would defend Patroclus, for his death<br /> +Hath touch’d me deep. But Hector with the rage<br /> +Burns of consuming fire, nor to his spear<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Gives pause, for him Jove leads to victory.</p> +<p> He ceased, whom Pallas, Goddess azure-eyed<br /> +Hearing, rejoiced that of the heavenly powers<br /> +He had invoked <i>her</i> foremost to his aid.<br /> +His shoulders with new might, and limbs she fill’d,<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +And persevering boldness to his breast<br /> +Imparted, such as prompts the fly, which oft<br /> +From flesh of man repulsed, her purpose yet<br /> +To bite holds fast, resolved on human blood.<br /> +His stormy bosom with such courage fill’d<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +By Pallas, to Patroclus he approach’d<br /> +And hurl’d, incontinent, his glittering spear.<br /> +There was a Trojan Chief, Podes by name,<br /> +Son of Eëtion, valorous and rich;<br /> +Of all Troy’s citizens him Hector most<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +Respected, in convivial pleasures sweet<br /> +His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight,<br /> +The hero of the golden locks his belt<br /> +Struck with full force and sent the weapon through.<br /> +Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Atrides dragg’d the body to his own.<br /> +Then drew Apollo near to Hector’s side,<br /> +And in the form of Phœnops, Asius’ son,<br /> +Of all the foreign guests at Hector’s board<br /> +His favorite most, the hero thus address’d.<span class="lnm">705</span></p> +<p> What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth<br /> +Fear Hector, who from Menelaus shrinks<br /> +Once deem’d effeminate, but dragging now<br /> +The body of thy valiant friend approved<br /> +Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eëtion’s son?<span class="lnm">710</span></p> +<p> He spake, and at his words grief like a cloud<br /> +Involved the mind of Hector dark around;<br /> +Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d<br /> +All clad in dazzling brass. Then, lifting high<br /> +His tassel’d Ægis radiant, Jove with storms<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +Enveloped Ida; flash’d his lightnings, roar’d<br /> +His thunders, and the mountain shook throughout.<br /> +Troy’s host he prosper’d, and the Greeks dispersed.</p> +<p> First fled Peneleus, the Bœotian Chief,<br /> +Whom facing firm the foe Polydamas<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +Struck on his shoulder’s summit with a lance<br /> +Hurl’d nigh at hand, which slight inscribed the bone.<br /> +<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-10">[10]</a>Leïtus also, son of the renown’d<br /> +Alectryon, pierced by Hector in the wrist,<br /> +Disabled left the fight; trembling he fled<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +And peering narrowly around, nor hoped<br /> +To lift a spear against the Trojans more.<br /> +Hector, pursuing Leïtus, the point<br /> +Encounter’d of the brave Idomeneus<br /> +Full on his chest; but in his mail the lance<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +Snapp’d, and the Trojans shouted to the skies.<br /> +He, in his turn, cast at Deucalion’s son<br /> +Idomeneus, who in that moment gain’d<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-11">[11]</a><br /> +A chariot-seat; but him the erring spear<br /> +Attain’d not, piercing Cœranus instead<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +The friend and follower of Meriones<br /> +From wealthy Lyctus, and his charioteer.<br /> +For when he left, that day, the gallant barks<br /> +Idomeneus had sought the field on foot,<br /> +And triumph proud, full sure, to Ilium’s host<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +Had yielded now, but that with rapid haste<br /> +Cœranus drove to his relief, from him<br /> +The fate averting which himself incurr’d<br /> +Victim of Hector’s homicidal arm.<br /> +Him Hector smiting between ear and jaw<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +Push’d from their sockets with the lance’s point<br /> +His firm-set teeth, and sever’d sheer his tongue.<br /> +Dismounted down he fell, and from his hand<br /> +Let slide the flowing reins, which, to the earth<br /> +Stooping, Meriones in haste resumed,<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +And briefly thus Idomeneus address’d.</p> +<p> Now drive, and cease not, to the fleet of Greece!<br /> +Thyself see’st victory no longer ours.</p> +<p> He said; Idomeneus whom, now, dismay<br /> +Seized also, with his lash plying severe<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +The coursers ample-maned, flew to the fleet.<br /> +Nor Ajax, dauntless hero, not perceived,<br /> +Nor Menelaus, by the sway of Jove<br /> +The victory inclining fast to Troy,<br /> +And thus the Telamonian Chief began.<span class="lnm">760</span></p> +<p> Ah! who can be so blind as not to see<br /> +The eternal Father, now, with his own hand<br /> +Awarding glory to the Trojan host,<br /> +Whose every spear flies, instant, to the mark<br /> +Sent forth by brave or base? Jove guides them all,<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +While, ineffectual, ours fall to the ground.<br /> +But haste, devise we of ourselves the means<br /> +How likeliest we may bear Patroclus hence,<br /> +And gladden, safe returning, all our friends,<br /> +Who, hither looking anxious, hope have none<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +That we shall longer check the unconquer’d force<br /> +Of hero-slaughtering Hector, but expect<br /> +<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-12">[12]</a>To see him soon amid the fleet of Greece.<br /> +Oh for some Grecian now to carry swift<br /> +The tidings to Achilles’ ear, untaught,<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +As I conjecture, yet the doleful news<br /> +Of his Patroclus slain! but no such Greek<br /> +May I discern, such universal gloom<br /> +Both men and steeds envelops all around.<br /> +Father of heaven and earth! deliver thou<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +Achaia’s host from darkness; clear the skies;<br /> +Give day; and (since thy sovereign will is such)<br /> +Destruction with it—but oh give us day!<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_17-13">[13]</a></p> +<p> He spake, whose tears Jove saw with pity moved,<br /> +And chased the untimely shades; bright beam’d the sun<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +And the whole battle was display’d. Then spake<br /> +The hero thus to Atreus’ mighty son.</p> +<p> Now noble Menelaus! looking forth,<br /> +See if Antilochus be yet alive,<br /> +Brave son of Nestor, whom exhort to fly<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +With tidings to Achilles, of the friend<br /> +Whom most he loved, of his Patroclus slain.</p> +<p> He ceased, nor Menelaus, dauntless Chief,<br /> +That task refused, but went; yet neither swift<br /> +Nor willing. As a lion leaves the stalls<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +Wearied himself with harassing the guard,<br /> +Who, interdicting him his purposed prey,<br /> +Watch all the night; he famish’d, yet again<br /> +Comes furious on, but speeds not, kept aloof<br /> +By spears from daring hands dismissed, but more<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +By flash of torches which, though fierce, he dreads,<br /> +Till at the dawn, sullen he stalks away;<br /> +So from Patroclus Menelaus went<br /> +Heroic Chief! reluctant; for he fear’d<br /> +Lest the Achaians should resign the dead,<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +Through consternation, to the host of Troy.<br /> +Departing, therefore, he admonish’d oft<br /> +Meriones and the Ajaces, thus.</p> +<p> Ye two brave leaders of the Argive host,<br /> +And thou, Meriones! now recollect<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +The gentle manners of Patroclus fallen<br /> +Hapless in battle, who by carriage mild<br /> +Well understood, while yet he lived, to engage<br /> +All hearts, through prisoner now of death and fate.</p> +<p> So saying, the hero amber-hair’d his steps<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +Turn’d thence, the field exploring with an eye<br /> +Sharp as the eagle’s, of all fowls beneath<br /> +The azure heavens for keenest sight renown’d,<br /> +Whom, though he soar sublime, the leveret<br /> +By broadest leaves conceal’d ’scapes not, but swift<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +Descending, even her he makes his prey;<br /> +So, noble Menelaus! were thine eyes<br /> +Turn’d into every quarter of the host<br /> +In search of Nestor’s son, if still he lived.<br /> +Him, soon, encouraging his band to fight,<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +He noticed on the left of all the field,<br /> +And sudden standing at his side, began.</p> +<p> Antilochus! oh hear me, noble friend!<br /> +And thou shalt learn tidings of such a deed<br /> +As best had never been. Thou know’st, I judge,<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +And hast already seen, how Jove exalts<br /> +To victory the Trojan host, and rolls<br /> +Distress on ours; but ah! Patroclus lies,<br /> +Our chief Achaian, slain, whose loss the Greeks<br /> +Fills with regret. Haste, therefore, to the fleet,<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +Inform Achilles; bid him haste to save,<br /> +If save he can, the body of his friend;<br /> +He can no more, for Hector hath his arms.</p> +<p> He ceased. Antilochus with horror heard<br /> +Those tidings; mute long time he stood, his eyes<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +Swam tearful, and his voice, sonorous erst,<br /> +Found utterance none. Yet even so distress’d,<br /> +He not the more neglected the command<br /> +Of Menelaus. Setting forth to run,<br /> +He gave his armor to his noble friend<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +Laodocus, who thither turn’d his steeds,<br /> +And weeping as he went, on rapid feet<br /> +Sped to Achilles with that tale of wo.</p> +<p> Nor could the noble Menelaus stay<br /> +To give the weary Pylian band, bereft<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +Of their beloved Antilochus, his aid,<br /> +But leaving them to Thrasymedes’ care,<br /> +He flew to Menœtiades again,<br /> +And the Ajaces, thus, instant bespake.</p> +<p> He goes. I have dispatch’d him to the fleet<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +To seek Achilles; but his coming naught<br /> +Expect I now, although with rage he burn<br /> +Against illustrious Hector; for what fight<br /> +Can he, unarm’d, against the Trojans wage?<br /> +Deliberating, therefore, frame we means<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +How best to save Patroclus, and to ’scape<br /> +Ourselves unslain from this disastrous field.</p> +<p> Whom answer’d the vast son of Telamon.<br /> +Most noble Menelaus! good is all<br /> +Which thou hast spoken. Lift ye from the earth<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +Thou and Meriones, at once, and bear<br /> +The dead Patroclus from the bloody field.<br /> +To cope meantime with Hector and his host<br /> +Shall be our task, who, one in name, nor less<br /> +In spirit one, already have the brunt<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Of much sharp conflict, side by side, sustain’d.</p> +<p> He ended; they enfolding in their arms<br /> +The dead, upbore him high above the ground<br /> +With force united; after whom the host<br /> +Of Troy, seeing the body borne away,<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Shouted, and with impetuous onset all<br /> +Follow’d them. As the hounds, urged from behind<br /> +By youthful hunters, on the wounded boar<br /> +Make fierce assault; awhile at utmost speed<br /> +They stretch toward him hungering, for the prey,<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +But oft as, turning sudden, the stout brawn<br /> +Faces them, scatter’d on all sides escape;<br /> +The Trojans so, thick thronging in the rear,<br /> +Ceaseless with falchions and spears double-edged<br /> +Annoy’d them sore, but oft as in retreat<span class="lnm">885</span><br /> +The dauntless heroes, the Ajaces turn’d<br /> +To face them, deadly wan grew every cheek,<br /> +And not a Trojan dared with onset rude<br /> +Molest them more in conflict for the dead.</p> +<p> Thus they, laborious, forth from battle bore<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +Patroclus to the fleet, tempestuous war<br /> +Their steps attending, rapid as the flames<br /> +Which, kindled suddenly, some city waste;<br /> +Consumed amid the blaze house after house<br /> +Sinks, and the wind, meantime, roars through the fire;<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +So them a deafening tumult as they went<br /> +Pursued, of horses and of men spear-arm’d.<br /> +And as two mules with strength for toil endued,<br /> +Draw through rough ways down from the distant hills<br /> +Huge timber, beam or mast; sweating they go,<span class="lnm">900</span><br /> +And overlabor’d to faint weariness;<br /> +So they the body bore, while, turning oft,<br /> +The Ajaces check’d the Trojans. As a mound<br /> +Planted with trees and stretch’d athwart the mead<br /> +Repels an overflow; the torrents loud<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +Baffling, it sends them far away to float<br /> +The level land, nor can they with the force<br /> +Of all their waters burst a passage through;<br /> +So the Ajaces, constant, in the rear<br /> +Repress’d the Trojans; but the Trojans them<span class="lnm">910</span><br /> +Attended still, of whom Æneas most<br /> +Troubled them, and the glorious Chief of Troy.<br /> +They as a cloud of starlings or of daws<br /> +Fly screaming shrill, warn’d timely of the kite<br /> +Or hawk, devourers of the smaller kinds,<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +So they shrill-clamoring toward the fleet,<br /> +Hasted before Æneas and the might<br /> +Of Hector, nor the battle heeded more.<br /> +Much radiant armor round about the foss<br /> +Fell of the flying Grecians, or within<span class="lnm">920</span><br /> +Lay scatter’d, and no pause of war they found.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book18"></a>BOOK XVIII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Achilles, by command of Juno, shows himself to the Trojans, who fly at his +appearance; Vulcan, at the insistence of Thetis, forges for him a suit of +armor.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XVIII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Thus burn’d the battle like devouring fire.<br /> +Meantime, Antilochus with rapid steps<br /> +Came to Achilles. Him he found before<br /> +His lofty barks, occupied, as he stood,<br /> +With boding fears of all that had befall’n.<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +He groan’d, and to his noble self he said.</p> +<p> Ah! wo is me—why falls Achaia’s host,<br /> +With such disorder foul, back on the fleet?<br /> +I tremble lest the Gods my anxious thoughts<br /> +Accomplish and my mother’s words, who erst<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Hath warn’d me, that the bravest and the best<br /> +Of all my Myrmidons, while yet I live,<br /> +Slain under Troy, must view the sun no more.<br /> +Brave Menœtiades is, doubtless, slain.<br /> +Unhappy friend! I bade thee oft, our barks<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Deliver’d once from hostile fires, not seek<br /> +To cope in arms with Hector, but return.</p> +<p> While musing thus he stood, the son approach’d<br /> +Of noble Nestor, and with tears his cheeks<br /> +Bedewing copious, his sad message told.<span class="lnm">20</span></p> +<p> Oh son of warlike Peleus! thou shalt hear<br /> +Tidings of deeds which best had never been.<br /> +Patroclus is no more. The Grecians fight<br /> +For his bare corse, and Hector hath his arms.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-1">[1]</a></p> +<p> + Then clouds of sorrow fell on Peleus’ son,<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +And, grasping with both hands the ashes, down<br /> +He pour’d them on his head, his graceful brows<br /> +Dishonoring, and thick the sooty shower<br /> +Descending settled on his fragrant vest.<br /> +Then, stretch’d in ashes, at the vast extent<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Of his whole length he lay, disordering wild<br /> +With his own hands, and rending off his hair.<br /> +The maidens, captived by himself in war<br /> +And by Patroclus, shrieking from the tent<br /> +Ran forth, and hemm’d the glorious Chief around.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-2">[2]</a><span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +All smote their bosoms, and all, fainting, fell.<br /> +On the other side, Antilochus the hands<br /> +Held of Achilles, mourning and deep groans<br /> +Uttering from his noble heart, through fear<br /> +Lest Peleus’ son should perish self-destroy’d.<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Loud groan’d the hero, whose loud groans within<br /> +The gulfs of ocean, where she sat beside<br /> +Her ancient sire, his Goddess-mother heard,<br /> +And hearing shriek’d; around her at the voice<br /> +Assembled all the Nereids of the deep<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Cymodoce, Thalia, Glauca came,<br /> +Nisæa, Spio, Thoa, and with eyes<br /> +Protuberant beauteous Halia; came with these<br /> +Cymothöe, and Actæa, and the nymph<br /> +Of marshes, Limnorea, nor delay’d<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Agave, nor Amphithöe the swift,<br /> +Iæra, Doto, Melita, nor thence<br /> +Was absent Proto or Dynamene,<br /> +Callianira, Doris, Panope,<br /> +Pherusa or Amphinome, or fair<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Dexamene, or Galatea praised<br /> +For matchless form divine; Nemertes pure<br /> +Came also, with Apseudes crystal-bright,<br /> +Callianassa, Mæra, Clymene,<br /> +Janeira and Janassa, sister pair,<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +And Orithya and with azure locks<br /> +Luxuriant, Amathea; nor alone<br /> +Came these, but every ocean-nymph beside,<br /> +The silver cave was fill’d; each smote her breast,<br /> +And Thetis, loud lamenting, thus began.<span class="lnm">65</span></p> +<p> Ye sister Nereids, hear! that ye may all<br /> +From my own lips my boundless sorrow learn.<br /> +Ah me forlorn! ah me, parent in vain<br /> +Of an illustrious birth! who, having borne<br /> +A noble son magnanimous, the chief<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Of heroes, saw him like a thriving plant<br /> +Shoot vigorous under my maternal care,<br /> +And sent him early in his gallant fleet<br /> +Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy.<br /> +But him from fight return’d I shall receive<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more;<br /> +And while he lives, and on the sun his eyes<br /> +Opens, he mourns, nor, going, can I aught<br /> +Assist him; yet I go, that I may see<br /> +My darling son, and from his lips be taught<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +What grief hath now befallen him, who close<br /> +Abiding in his tent shares not the war.<br /> +So saying she left the cave, whom all her nymphs<br /> +Attended weeping, and where’er they pass’d<br /> +The breaking billows open’d wide a way.<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +At fruitful Troy arrived, in order fair<br /> +They climb’d the beach, where by his numerous barks<br /> +Encompass’d, swift Achilles sighing lay.<br /> +Then, drawing nigh to her afflicted son,<br /> +The Goddess-mother press’d between her palms<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +His temples, and in accents wing’d inquired.</p> +<p> Why weeps my son? what sorrow wrings thy soul?<br /> +Speak, hide it not. Jove hath fulfill’d the prayer<br /> +Which erst with lifted hands thou didst prefer,<br /> +That all Achaia’s host, wanting thy aid,<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +Might be compell’d into the fleet, and foul<br /> +Disgrace incur, there prison’d for thy sake.</p> +<p> To whom Achilles, groaning deep, replied.<br /> +My mother! it is true; Olympian Jove<br /> +That prayer fulfils; but thence, what joy to me,<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Patroclus slain? the friend of all my friends<br /> +Whom most I loved, dear to me as my life—<br /> +Him I have lost. Slain and despoil’d he lies<br /> +By Hector of his glorious armor bright,<br /> +The wonder of all eyes, a matchless gift<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Given by the Gods to Peleus on that day<br /> +When thee they doom’d into a mortal’s arms.<br /> +Oh that with these thy deathless ocean-nymphs<br /> +Dwelling content, thou hadst my father left<br /> +To espouse a mortal bride, so hadst thou ’scaped<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Pangs numberless which thou must now endure<br /> +For thy son’s death, whom thou shalt never meet<br /> +From Troy return’d, in Peleus’ mansion more!<br /> +For life I covet not, nor longer wish<br /> +To mix with human kind, unless my spear<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +May find out Hector, and atonement take<br /> +By slaying him, for my Patroclus slain.</p> +<p> To whom, with streaming tears, Thetis replied.<br /> +Swift comes thy destiny as thou hast said,<br /> +For after Hector’s death thine next ensues.<span class="lnm">120</span></p> +<p> Then answer, thus, indignant he return’d.<br /> +Death, seize me now! since when my friend was slain,<br /> +My doom was, not to succor him. He died<br /> +From home remote, and wanting me to save him.<br /> +Now, therefore, since I neither visit more<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +My native land, nor, present here, have aught<br /> +Avail’d Patroclus or my many friends<br /> +Whom noble Hector hath in battle slain,<br /> +But here I sit unprofitable grown,<br /> +Earth’s burden, though of such heroic note,<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +If not in council foremost (for I yield<br /> +That prize to others) yet in feats of arms,<br /> +Such as none other in Achaia’s host,<br /> +May fierce contention from among the Gods<br /> +Perish, and from among the human race,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +With wrath, which sets the wisest hearts on fire;<br /> +Sweeter than dropping honey to the taste,<br /> +But in the bosom of mankind, a smoke!<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-3">[3]</a><br /> +Such was my wrath which Agamemnon roused,<br /> +The king of men. But since the past is fled<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Irrevocable, howsoe’er distress’d,<br /> +Renounce we now vain musings on the past,<br /> +Content through sad necessity. I go<br /> +In quest of noble Hector, who hath slain<br /> +My loved Patroclus, and such death will take<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +As Jove ordains me and the Powers of Heaven<br /> +At their own season, send it when they may.<br /> +For neither might the force of Hercules,<br /> +Although high-favored of Saturnian Jove,<br /> +From death escape, but Fate and the revenge<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Restless of Juno vanquish’d even Him.<br /> +I also, if a destiny like his<br /> +Await me, shall, like him, find rest in death;<br /> +But glory calls me now; now will I make<br /> +Some Trojan wife or Dardan with both hands<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Wipe her soft cheeks, and utter many a groan.<br /> +Long time have I been absent from the field,<br /> +And they shall know it. Love me as thou may’st,<br /> +Yet thwart me not, for I am fixt to go.</p> +<p> Whom Thetis answer’d, Goddess of the Deep.<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Thou hast well said, my son! it is no blame<br /> +To save from threaten’d death our suffering friends.<br /> +But thy magnificent and dazzling arms<br /> +Are now in Trojan hands; them Hector wears<br /> +Exulting, but ordain’d not long to exult,<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +So habited; his death is also nigh.<br /> +But thou with yonder warring multitudes<br /> +Mix not till thou behold me here again;<br /> +For with the rising sun I will return<br /> +To-morrow, and will bring thee glorious arms,<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +By Vulcan forged himself, the King of fire.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-4">[4]</a></p> +<p> She said, and turning from her son aside,<br /> +The sisterhood of Ocean thus address’d.</p> +<p> Plunge ye again into the briny Deep,<br /> +And to the hoary Sovereign of the floods<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Report as ye have heard. I to the heights<br /> +Olympian haste, that I may there obtain<br /> +From Vulcan, glorious artist of the skies,<br /> +Arms of excelling beauty for my son.</p> +<p> She said; they plunged into the waves again,<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +And silver-footed Thetis, to the heights<br /> +Olympian soaring swiftly to obtain<br /> +Arms for renown’d Achilles, disappear’d.</p> +<p> Meantime, with infinite uproar the Greeks<br /> +From Hector’s hero-slaying arm had fled<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Home to their galleys station’d on the banks<br /> +Of Hellespont. Nor yet Achaia’s sons<br /> +Had borne the body of Patroclus clear<br /> +From flight of darts away, but still again<br /> +The multitude of warriors and of steeds<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Came on, by Priameian Hector led<br /> +Rapid as fire. Thrice noble Hector seized<br /> +His ancles from behind, ardent to drag<br /> +Patroclus, calling to his host the while;<br /> +But thrice, the two Ajaces, clothed with might,<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Shock’d and repulsed him reeling. He with force<br /> +Fill’d indefatigable, through his ranks<br /> +Issuing, by turns assail’d them, and by turns<br /> +Stood clamoring, yet not a step retired;<br /> +But as the hinds deter not from his prey<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +A tawny lion by keen hunger urged,<br /> +So would not both Ajaces, warriors bold,<br /> +Intimidate and from the body drive<br /> +Hector; and he had dragg’d him thence and won<br /> +Immortal glory, but that Iris, sent<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Unseen by Jove and by the powers of heaven,<br /> +From Juno, to Achilles brought command<br /> +That he should show himself. Full near she drew,<br /> +And in wing’d accents thus the Chief address’d.</p> +<p> Hero! most terrible of men, arise!<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +protect Patroclus, for whose sake the war<br /> +Stands at the fleet of Greece. Mutual prevails<br /> +The slaughter, these the dead defending, those<br /> +Resolute hence to drag him to the gates<br /> +Of wind-swept Ilium. But beyond them all<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Illustrious Hector, obstinate is bent<br /> +To win him, purposing to lop his head,<br /> +And to exhibit it impaled on high.<br /> +Thou then arise, nor longer on the ground<br /> +Lie stretch’d inactive; let the thought with shame<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +Touch thee, of thy Patroclus made the sport<br /> +Of Trojan dogs, whose corse, if it return<br /> +Dishonored home, brings with it thy reproach.</p> +<p> To whom Achilles matchless in the race.<br /> +Iris divine! of all the Gods, who sent thee?<span class="lnm">225</span></p> +<p> Then, thus, the swift ambassadress of heaven.<br /> +By Juno sent I come, consort of Jove.<br /> +Nor knows Saturnian Jove high-throned, himself,<br /> +My flight, nor any of the Immortal Powers,<br /> +Tenants of the Olympian heights snow-crown’d.<span class="lnm">230</span></p> +<p> Her answer’d then Pelides, glorious Chief.<br /> +How shall I seek the fight? they have my arms.<br /> +My mother charged me also to abstain<br /> +From battle, till she bring me armor new<br /> +Which she hath promised me from Vulcan’s hand.<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Meantime, whose armor else might serve my need<br /> +I know not, save perhaps alone the shield<br /> +Of Telamonian Ajax, whom I deem<br /> +Himself now busied in the stormy van,<br /> +Slaying the Trojans in my friend’s defence.<span class="lnm">240</span></p> +<p> To whom the swift-wing’d messenger of heaven,<br /> +Full well we know thine armor Hector’s prize<br /> +Yet, issuing to the margin of the foss,<br /> +Show thyself only. Panic-seized, perchance,<br /> +The Trojans shall from fight desist, and yield<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +To the o’ertoil’d though dauntless sons of Greece<br /> +Short respite; it is all that war allows.</p> +<p> So saying, the storm-wing’d Iris disappear’d.<br /> +Then rose at once Achilles dear to Jove,<br /> +Athwart whose shoulders broad Minerva cast<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Her Ægis fringed terrific, and his brows<br /> +Encircled with a golden cloud that shot<br /> +Fires insupportable to sight abroad.<br /> +As when some island, situate afar<br /> +On the wide waves, invested all the day<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +By cruel foes from their own city pour’d,<br /> +Upsends a smoke to heaven, and torches shows<br /> +On all her turrets at the close of eve<br /> +Which flash against the clouds, kindled in hope<br /> +Of aid from neighbor maritime allies,<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +So from Achilles’ head light flash’d to heaven.<br /> +Issuing through the wall, beside the foss<br /> +He stood, but mix’d not with Achaia’s host,<br /> +Obedient to his mother’s wise command.<br /> +He stood and shouted; Pallas also raised<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +A dreadful shout and tumult infinite<br /> +Excited throughout all the host of Troy.<br /> +Clear as the trumpet’s note when it proclaims<br /> +A numerous host approaching to invest<br /> +Some city close around, so clear the voice<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Rang of Æacides, and tumult-toss’d<br /> +Was every soul that heard the brazen tone.<br /> +With swift recoil the long-maned coursers thrust<br /> +The chariots back, all boding wo at hand,<br /> +And every charioteer astonish’d saw<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Fires that fail’d not, illumining the brows<br /> +Of Peleus’ son, by Pallas kindled there.<br /> +Thrice o’er the trench Achilles sent his voice<br /> +Sonorous, and confusion at the sound<br /> +Thrice seized the Trojans, and their famed allies.<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Twelve in that moment of their noblest died<br /> +By their own spears and chariots, and with joy<br /> +The Grecians from beneath a hill of darts<br /> +Dragging Patroclus, placed him on his bier.<br /> +Around him throng’d his fellow-warriors bold,<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +All weeping, after whom Achilles went<br /> +Fast-weeping also at the doleful sight<br /> +Of his true friend on his funereal bed<br /> +Extended, gash’d with many a mortal wound,<br /> +Whom he had sent into the fight with steeds<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +And chariot, but received him thence no more.</p> +<p> And now majestic Juno sent the sun,<br /> +Unwearied minister of light, although<br /> +Reluctant, down into the Ocean stream.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-5">[5]</a><br /> +So the sun sank, and the Achaians ceased<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +From the all-wasting labors of the war.<br /> +On the other side, the Trojans, from the fight<br /> +Retiring, loosed their steeds, but ere they took<br /> +Thought of refreshment, in full council met.<br /> +It was a council at which no man sat,<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Or dared; all stood; such terror had on all<br /> +Fallen, for that Achilles had appear’d,<br /> +After long pause from battle’s arduous toil.<br /> +First rose Polydamas the prudent son<br /> +Of Panthus, above all the Trojans skill’d<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Both in futurity and in the past.<br /> +He was the friend of Hector, and one night<br /> +Gave birth to both. In council one excell’d<br /> +And one still more in feats of high renown.<br /> +Thus then, admonishing them, he began.<span class="lnm">310</span></p> +<p> My friends! weigh well the occasion. Back to Troy<br /> +By my advice, nor wait the sacred morn<br /> +Here, on the plain, from Ilium’s walls remote<br /> +So long as yet the anger of this Chief<br /> +’Gainst noble Agamemnon burn’d, so long<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +We found the Greeks less formidable foes,<br /> +And I rejoiced, myself, spending the night<br /> +Beside their oary barks, for that I hoped<br /> +To seize them; but I now tremble at thought<br /> +Of Peleus’ rapid son again in arms.<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +A spirit proud as his will scorn to fight<br /> +Here, on the plain, where Greeks and Trojans take<br /> +Their common share of danger and of toil,<br /> +And will at once strike at your citadel,<br /> +Impatient till he make your wives his prey.<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Haste—let us home—else thus shall it befall;<br /> +Night’s balmy influence in his tent detains<br /> +Achilles now, but rushing arm’d abroad<br /> +To-morrow, should he find us lingering here,<br /> +None shall mistake him then; happy the man<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Who soonest, then, shall ’scape to sacred Troy!<br /> +Then, dogs shall make and vultures on our flesh<br /> +Plenteous repast. Oh spare mine ears the tale!<br /> +But if, though troubled, ye can yet receive<br /> +My counsel, thus assembled we will keep<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Strict guard to-night; meantime, her gates and towers<br /> +With all their mass of solid timbers, smooth<br /> +And cramp’d with bolts of steel, will keep the town.<br /> +But early on the morrow we will stand<br /> +All arm’d on Ilium’s towers. Then, if he choose,<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +His galleys left, to compass Troy about,<br /> +He shall be task’d enough; his lofty steeds<br /> +Shall have their fill of coursing to and fro<br /> +Beneath, and gladly shall to camp return.<br /> +But waste the town he shall not, nor attempt<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +With all the utmost valor that he boasts<br /> +To force a pass; dogs shall devour him first.</p> +<p> To whom brave Hector louring, and in wrath.<br /> +Polydamas, I like not thy advice<br /> +Who bidd’st us in our city skulk, again<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Imprison’d there. Are ye not yet content?<br /> +Wish ye for durance still in your own towers?<br /> +Time was, when in all regions under heaven<br /> +Men praised the wealth of Priam’s city stored<br /> +With gold and brass; but all our houses now<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Stand emptied of their hidden treasures rare.<br /> +Jove in his wrath hath scatter’d them; our wealth<br /> +Is marketed, and Phrygia hath a part<br /> +Purchased, and part Mæonia’s lovely land.<br /> +But since the son of wily Saturn old<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Hath given me glory now, and to inclose<br /> +The Grecians in their fleet hemm’d by the sea,<br /> +Fool! taint not with such talk the public mind.<br /> +For not a Trojan here will thy advice<br /> +Follow, or shall; it hath not my consent.<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +But thus I counsel. Let us, band by band,<br /> +Throughout the host take supper, and let each,<br /> +Guarded against nocturnal danger, watch.<br /> +And if a Trojan here be rack’d in mind<br /> +Lest his possessions perish, let him cast<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +His golden heaps into the public maw,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-6">[6]</a><br /> +Far better so consumed than by the Greeks.<br /> +Then, with the morrow’s dawn, all fair array’d<br /> +In battle, we will give them at their fleet<br /> +Sharp onset, and if Peleus’ noble son<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Have risen indeed to conflict for the ships,<br /> +The worse for him. I shall not for his sake<br /> +Avoid the deep-toned battle, but will firm<br /> +Oppose his utmost. Either he shall gain<br /> +Or I, great glory. Mars his favors deals<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Impartial, and the slayer oft is slain.<br /> +So counsell’d Hector, whom with shouts of praise<br /> +The Trojans answer’d:—fools, and by the power<br /> +Of Pallas of all sober thought bereft!<br /> +For all applauded Hector, who had given<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Advice pernicious, and Polydamas,<br /> +Whose counsel was discreet and wholesome none.<br /> +So then they took repast. But all night long<br /> +The Grecians o’er Patroclus wept aloud,<br /> +While, standing in the midst, Pelides led<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +The lamentation, heaving many a groan,<br /> +And on the bosom of his breathless friend<br /> +Imposing, sad, his homicidal hands.<br /> +As the grim lion, from whose gloomy lair<br /> +Among thick trees the hunter hath his whelps<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Purloin’d, too late returning mourns his loss,<br /> +Then, up and down, the length of many a vale<br /> +Courses, exploring fierce the robber’s foot,<br /> +Incensed as he, and with a sigh deep-drawn<br /> +Thus to his Myrmidons Achilles spake.<span class="lnm">400</span></p> +<p> How vain, alas! my word spoken that day<br /> +At random, when to soothe the hero’s fears<br /> +Menœtius, then our guest, I promised him<br /> +His noble son at Opoeis again,<br /> +Living and laden with the spoils of Troy!<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +But Jove performs not all the thoughts of man,<br /> +For we were both destined to tinge the soil<br /> +Of Ilium with our blood, nor I shall see,<br /> +Myself, my father in his mansion more<br /> +Or Thetis, but must find my burial here.<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Yet, my Patroclus! since the earth expects<br /> +Me next, I will not thy funereal rites<br /> +Finish, till I shall bring both head and arms<br /> +Of that bold Chief who slew thee, to my tent.<br /> +I also will smite off, before thy pile,<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +The heads of twelve illustrious sons of Troy,<br /> +Resentful of thy death. Meantime, among<br /> +My lofty galleys thou shalt lie, with tears<br /> +Mourn’d day and night by Trojan captives fair<br /> +And Dardan compassing thy bier around,<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Whom we, at price of labor hard, ourselves<br /> +With massy spears toiling in battle took<br /> +From many an opulent city, now no more.</p> +<p> So saying, he bade his train surround with fire<br /> +A tripod huge, that they might quickly cleanse<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Patroclus from all stain of clotted gore.<br /> +They on the blazing hearth a tripod placed<br /> +Capacious, fill’d with water its wide womb,<br /> +And thrust dry wood beneath, till, fierce, the flames<br /> +Embraced it round, and warm’d the flood within.<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Soon as the water in the singing brass<br /> +Simmer’d, they bathed him, and with limpid oil<br /> +Anointed; filling, next, his ruddy wounds<br /> +With unguent mellow’d by nine circling years,<br /> +They stretch’d him on his bed, then cover’d him<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +From head to feet with linen texture light,<br /> +And with a wide unsullied mantle, last.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-7">[7]</a><br /> +All night the Myrmidons around the swift<br /> +Achilles stood, deploring loud his friend,<br /> +And Jove his spouse and sister thus bespake.<span class="lnm">440</span></p> +<p> So then, Imperial Juno! not in vain<br /> +Thou hast the swift Achilles sought to rouse<br /> +Again to battle; the Achaians, sure,<br /> +Are thy own children, thou hast borne them all.</p> +<p> To whom the awful Goddess ample-eyed.<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove, most severe?<br /> +A man, though mortal merely, and to me<br /> +Inferior in device, might have achieved<br /> +That labor easily. Can I who boast<br /> +Myself the chief of Goddesses, and such<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Not by birth only, but as thine espoused,<br /> +Who art thyself sovereign of all the Gods,<br /> +Can I with anger burn against the house<br /> +Of Priam, and want means of just revenge?</p> +<p> + Thus they in heaven their mutual conference<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Meantime, the silver-footed Thetis reach’d<br /> +The starr’d abode eternal, brazen wall’d<br /> +Of Vulcan, by the builder lame himself<br /> +Uprear’d, a wonder even in eyes divine.<br /> +She found him sweating, at his bellows huge<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Toiling industrious; tripods bright he form’d<br /> +Twenty at once, his palace-wall to grace<br /> +Ranged in harmonious order. Under each<br /> +Two golden wheels he set, on which (a sight<br /> +Marvellous!) into council they should roll<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Self-moved, and to his house, self-moved, return.<br /> +Thus far the work was finish’d, but not yet<br /> +Their ears of exquisite design affixt,<br /> +For them he stood fashioning, and prepared<br /> +The rivets. While he thus his matchless skill<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Employ’d laborious, to his palace-gate<br /> +The silver-footed Thetis now advanced,<br /> +Whom Charis, Vulcan’s well-attired spouse,<br /> +Beholding from the palace portal, flew<br /> +To seize the Goddess’ hand, and thus inquired.<span class="lnm">475</span></p> +<p> Why, Thetis! worthy of all reverence<br /> +And of all love, comest thou to our abode,<br /> +Unfrequent here? But enter, and accept<br /> +Such welcome as to such a guest is due.</p> +<p> So saying, she introduced and to a seat<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Led her with argent studs border’d around<br /> +And foot-stool’d sumptuously;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-8">[8]</a> then, calling forth<br /> +Her spouse, the glorious artist, thus she said.</p> +<p> Haste, Vulcan! Thetis wants thee; linger not.<br /> +To whom the artist of the skies replied.<span class="lnm">485</span></p> +<p> A Goddess then, whom with much cause I love<br /> +And venerate is here, who when I fell<br /> +Saved me, what time my shameless mother sought<br /> +To cast me, because lame, out of all sight;<br /> +Then had I been indeed forlorn, had not<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Eurynome the daughter of the Deep<br /> +And Thetis in their laps received me fallen.<br /> +Nine years with them residing, for their use<br /> +I form’d nice trinkets, clasps, rings, pipes, and chains,<br /> +While loud around our hollow cavern roar’d<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +The surge of the vast deep, nor God nor man,<br /> +Save Thetis and Eurynome, my life’s<br /> +Preservers, knew where I was kept conceal’d.<br /> +Since, therefore, she is come, I cannot less<br /> +Than recompense to Thetis amber-hair’d<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +With readiness the boon of life preserved.<br /> +Haste, then, and hospitably spread the board<br /> +For her regale, while with my best dispatch<br /> +I lay my bellows and my tools aside.</p> +<p> He spake, and vast in bulk and hot with toil<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Rose limping from beside his anvil-stock<br /> +Upborne, with pain on legs tortuous and weak.<br /> +First, from the forge dislodged he thrust apart<br /> +His bellows, and his tools collecting all<br /> +Bestow’d them, careful, in a silver chest,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Then all around with a wet sponge he wiped<br /> +His visage, and his arms and brawny neck<br /> +Purified, and his shaggy breast from smutch;<br /> +Last, putting on his vest, he took in hand<br /> +His sturdy staff, and shuffled through the door.<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Beside the King of fire two golden forms<br /> +Majestic moved, that served him in the place<br /> +Of handmaids; young they seem’d, and seem’d alive,<br /> +Nor want they intellect, or speech, or force,<br /> +Or prompt dexterity by the Gods inspired.<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +These his supporters were, and at his side<br /> +Attendant diligent, while he, with gait<br /> +Uncouth, approaching Thetis where she sat<br /> +On a bright throne, seized fast her hand and said,</p> +<p> Why, Thetis! worthy as thou art of love<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +And of all reverence, hast thou arrived,<br /> +Unfrequent here? Speak—tell me thy desire,<br /> +Nor doubt my services, if thou demand<br /> +Things possible, and possible to me.</p> +<p> Then Thetis, weeping plenteously, replied.<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Oh Vulcan! Is there on Olympius’ heights<br /> +A Goddess with such load of sorrow press’d<br /> +As, in peculiar, Jove assigns to me?<br /> +Me only, of all ocean-nymphs, he made<br /> +Spouse to a man, Peleus Æacides,<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Whose bed, although reluctant and perforce,<br /> +I yet endured to share. He now, the prey<br /> +Of cheerless age, decrepid lies, and Jove<br /> +Still other woes heaps on my wretched head.<br /> +He gave me to bring forth, gave me to rear<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +A son illustrious, valiant, and the chief<br /> +Of heroes; he, like a luxuriant plant<br /> +Upran<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-9">[9]</a> to manhood, while his lusty growth<br /> +I nourish’d as the husbandman his vine<br /> +Set in a fruitful field, and being grown<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +I sent him early in his gallant fleet<br /> +Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy;<br /> +But him from fight return’d I shall receive,<br /> +Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more,<br /> +And while he lives and on the sun his eyes<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Opens, affliction is his certain doom,<br /> +Nor aid resides or remedy in me.<br /> +The virgin, his own portion of the spoils,<br /> +Allotted to him by the Grecians—her<br /> +Atrides, King of men, resumed, and grief<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Devour’d Achilles’ spirit for her sake.<br /> +Meantime, the Trojans shutting close within<br /> +Their camp the Grecians, have forbidden them<br /> +All egress, and the senators of Greece<br /> +Have sought with splendid gifts to soothe my son.<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +He, indisposed to rescue them himself<br /> +From ruin, sent, instead, Patroclus forth,<br /> +Clad in his own resplendent armor, Chief<br /> +Of the whole host of Myrmidons. Before<br /> +The Scæan gate from morn to eve they fought,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +And on that self-same day had Ilium fallen,<br /> +But that Apollo, to advance the fame<br /> +Of Hector, slew Menœtius’ noble son<br /> +Full-flush’d with victory. Therefore at thy knees<br /> +Suppliant I fall, imploring from thine art<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +A shield and helmet, greaves of shapely form<br /> +With clasps secured, and corselet for my son.<br /> +For those, once his, his faithful friend hath lost,<br /> +Slain by the Trojans, and Achilles lies,<br /> +Himself, extended mournful on the ground.<span class="lnm">575</span></p> +<p> Her answer’d then the artist of the skies.<br /> +Courage! Perplex not with these cares thy soul.<br /> +I would that when his fatal hour shall come,<br /> +I could as sure secrete him from the stroke<br /> +Of destiny, as he shall soon have arms<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Illustrious, such as each particular man<br /> +Of thousands, seeing them, shall wish his own.</p> +<p> He said, and to his bellows quick repair’d,<br /> +Which turning to the fire he bade them heave.<br /> +Full twenty bellows working all at once<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Breathed on the furnace, blowing easy and free<br /> +The managed winds, now forcible, as best<br /> +Suited dispatch, now gentle, if the will<br /> +Of Vulcan and his labor so required.<br /> +Impenetrable brass, tin, silver, gold,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +He cast into the forge, then, settling firm<br /> +His ponderous anvil on the block, one hand<br /> +With his huge hammer fill’d, one with the tongs.</p> +<p> <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-10">[10]</a>He fashion’d first a shield massy and broad<br /> +Of labor exquisite, for which he form’d<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +A triple border beauteous, dazzling bright,<br /> +And loop’d it with a silver brace behind.<br /> +The shield itself with five strong folds he forged,<br /> +And with devices multiform the disk<br /> +Capacious charged, toiling with skill divine.<span class="lnm">600</span></p> +<p> There he described the earth, the heaven, the sea,<br /> +The sun that rests not, and the moon full-orb’d.<br /> +There also, all the stars which round about<br /> +As with a radiant frontlet bind the skies,<br /> +The Pleiads and the Hyads, and the might<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Of huge Orion, with him Ursa call’d,<br /> +Known also by his popular name, the Wain,<br /> +That spins around the pole looking toward<br /> +Orion, only star of these denied<br /> +To slake his beams in ocean’s briny baths.<span class="lnm">610</span></p> +<p> Two splendid cities also there he form’d<br /> +Such as men build. In one were to be seen<br /> +Rites matrimonial solemnized with pomp<br /> +Of sumptuous banquets; from their chambers forth<br /> +Leading the brides they usher’d them along<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +With torches through the streets, and sweet was heard<br /> +The voice around of Hymenæal song.<br /> +Here striplings danced in circles to the sound<br /> +Of pipe and harp, while in the portals stood<br /> +Women, admiring, all, the gallant show.<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Elsewhere was to be seen in council met<br /> +The close-throng’d multitude. There strife arose.<br /> +Two citizens contended for a mulct<br /> +The price of blood. This man affirm’d the fine<br /> +All paid,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-11">[11]</a> haranguing vehement the crowd,<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +That man denied that he had aught received,<br /> +And to the judges each made his appeal<br /> +Eager for their award. Meantime the people,<br /> +As favor sway’d them, clamor’d loud for each.<br /> +The heralds quell’d the tumult; reverend sat<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +On polish’d stones the elders in a ring,<br /> +Each with a herald’s sceptre in his hand,<br /> +Which holding they arose, and all in turn<br /> +Gave sentence. In the midst two talents lay<br /> +Of gold, his destined recompense whose voice<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Decisive should pronounce the best award.<br /> +The other city by two glittering hosts<br /> +Invested stood, and a dispute arose<br /> +Between the hosts, whether to burn the town<br /> +And lay all waste, or to divide the spoil.<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Meantime, the citizens, still undismay’d,<br /> +Surrender’d not the town, but taking arms<br /> +Secretly, set the ambush in array,<br /> +And on the walls their wives and children kept<br /> +Vigilant guard, with all the ancient men.<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +They sallied; at their head Pallas and Mars<br /> +Both golden and in golden vests attired<br /> +Advanced, proportion each showing divine,<br /> +Large, prominent, and such as Gods beseem’d.<br /> +Not such the people, but of humbler size.<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Arriving at the spot for ambush chosen,<br /> +A river’s side, where cattle of each kind<br /> +Drank, down they sat, all arm’d in dazzling brass.<br /> +Apart from all the rest sat also down<br /> +Two spies, both looking for the flocks and herds.<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Soon they appear’d, and at their side were seen<br /> +Two shepherd swains, each playing on his pipe<br /> +Careless, and of the danger nought apprized,<br /> +Swift ran the spies, perceiving their approach,<br /> +And intercepting suddenly the herds<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +And flocks of silver fleece, slew also those<br /> +Who fed them. The besiegers, at that time<br /> +In council, by the sound alarm’d, their steeds<br /> +Mounted, and hasted, instant, to the place;<br /> +Then, standing on the river’s brink they fought<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +And push’d each other with the brazen lance.<br /> +There Discord raged, there Tumult, and the force<br /> +Of ruthless Destiny; she now a Chief<br /> +Seized newly wounded, and now captive held<br /> +Another yet unhurt, and now a third<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Dragg’d breathless through the battle by his feet<br /> +And all her garb was dappled thick with blood<br /> +Like living men they traversed and they strove,<br /> +And dragg’d by turns the bodies of the slain.</p> +<p> He also graved on it a fallow field<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +Rich, spacious, and well-till’d. Plowers not few,<br /> +There driving to and fro their sturdy teams,<br /> +Labor’d the land; and oft as in their course<br /> +They came to the field’s bourn, so oft a man<br /> +Met them, who in their hands a goblet placed<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Charged with delicious wine. They, turning, wrought<br /> +Each his own furrow, and impatient seem’d<br /> +To reach the border of the tilth, which black<br /> +Appear’d behind them as a glebe new-turn’d,<br /> +Though golden. Sight to be admired by all!<span class="lnm">685</span></p> +<p> There too he form’d the likeness of a field<br /> +Crowded with corn, in which the reapers toil’d<br /> +Each with a sharp-tooth’d sickle in his hand.<br /> +Along the furrow here, the harvest fell<br /> +In frequent handfuls, there, they bound the sheaves.<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +Three binders of the sheaves their sultry task<br /> +All plied industrious, and behind them boys<br /> +Attended, filling with the corn their arms<br /> +And offering still their bundles to be bound.<br /> +Amid them, staff in hand, the master stood<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +Silent exulting, while beneath an oak<br /> +Apart, his heralds busily prepared<br /> +The banquet, dressing a well-thriven ox<br /> +New slain, and the attendant maidens mix’d<br /> +Large supper for the hinds of whitest flour.<span class="lnm">700</span></p> +<p> There also, laden with its fruit he form’d<br /> +A vineyard all of gold; purple he made<br /> +The clusters, and the vines supported stood<br /> +By poles of silver set in even rows.<br /> +The trench he color’d sable, and around<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +Fenced it with tin. One only path it show’d<br /> +By which the gatherers when they stripp’d the vines<br /> +Pass’d and repass’d. There, youths and maidens blithe<br /> +In frails of wicker bore the luscious fruit,<br /> +While, in the midst, a boy on his shrill harp<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +Harmonious play’d, still as he struck the chord<br /> +Carolling to it with a slender voice.<br /> +They smote the ground together, and with song<br /> +And sprightly reed came dancing on behind.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-12">[12]</a></p> +<p> There too a herd he fashion’d of tall beeves<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +Part gold, part tin. They, lowing, from the stalls<br /> +Rush’d forth to pasture by a river-side<br /> +Rapid, sonorous, fringed with whispering reeds.<br /> +Four golden herdsmen drove the kine a-field<br /> +By nine swift dogs attended. Dreadful sprang<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +Two lions forth, and of the foremost herd<br /> +Seized fast a bull. Him bellowing they dragg’d,<br /> +While dogs and peasants all flew to his aid.<br /> +The lions tore the hide of the huge prey<br /> +And lapp’d his entrails and his blood. Meantime<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +The herdsmen, troubling them in vain, their hounds<br /> +Encouraged; but no tooth for lions’ flesh<br /> +Found they, and therefore stood aside and bark’d.</p> +<p> There also, the illustrious smith divine<br /> +Amidst a pleasant grove a pasture form’d<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +Spacious, and sprinkled o’er with silver sheep<br /> +Numerous, and stalls and huts and shepherds’ tents.</p> +<p> To these the glorious artist added next,<br /> +With various skill delineated exact,<br /> +A labyrinth for the dance, such as of old<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +In Crete’s broad island Dædalus composed<br /> +For bright-hair’d Ariadne.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-13">[13]</a> There the youths<br /> +And youth-alluring maidens, hand in hand,<br /> +Danced jocund, every maiden neat-attired<br /> +In finest linen, and the youths in vests<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +Well-woven, glossy as the glaze of oil.<br /> +These all wore garlands, and bright falchions, those,<br /> +Of burnish’d gold in silver trappings hung:—<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-14">[14]</a><br /> +They with well-tutor’d step, now nimbly ran<br /> +The circle, swift, as when, before his wheel<span class="lnm">745</span><br /> +Seated, the potter twirls it with both hands<br /> +For trial of its speed,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_18-15">[15]</a> now, crossing quick<br /> +They pass’d at once into each other’s place.<br /> +On either side spectators numerous stood<br /> +Delighted, and two tumblers roll’d themselves<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +Between the dancers, singing as they roll’d.</p> +<p> Last, with the might of ocean’s boundless flood<br /> +He fill’d the border of the wondrous shield.</p> +<p> When thus the massy shield magnificent<br /> +He had accomplish’d, for the hero next<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +He forged, more ardent than the blaze of fire,<br /> +A corselet; then, a ponderous helmet bright<br /> +Well fitted to his brows, crested with gold,<br /> +And with laborious art divine adorn’d.<br /> +He also made him greaves of molten tin.<span class="lnm">760</span></p> +<p> The armor finish’d, bearing in his hand<br /> +The whole, he set it down at Thetis’ feet.<br /> +She, like a falcon from the snowy top<br /> +Stoop’d of Olympus, bearing to the earth<br /> +The dazzling wonder, fresh from Vulcan’s hand.<span class="lnm">765</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book19"></a>BOOK XIX.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3>ARGUMENT OF THE NINETEENTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="ctr">Achilles is reconciled to Agamemnon, and clothed in new armor forged by +Vulcan, leads out the Myrmidons to battle.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XIX.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Now rose the morn in saffron vest attired<br /> +From ocean, with new day for Gods and men,<br /> +When Thetis at the fleet of Greece arrived,<br /> +Bearing that gift divine. She found her son<br /> +All tears, and close enfolding in his arms<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Patroclus, while his Myrmidons around<br /> +Wept also;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-1">[1]</a> she amid them, graceful, stood,<br /> +And seizing fast his hand, him thus bespake.</p> +<p> Although our loss be great, yet, oh my son!<br /> +Leave we Patroclus lying on the bier<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +To which the Gods ordain’d him from the first.<br /> +Receive from Vulcan’s hands these glorious arms,<br /> +Such as no mortal shoulders ever bore.</p> +<p> So saying, she placed the armor on the ground<br /> +Before him, and the whole bright treasure rang.<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +A tremor shook the Myrmidons; none dared<br /> +Look on it, but all fled. Not so himself.<br /> +In him fresh vengeance kindled at the view,<br /> +And, while he gazed, a splendor as of fire<br /> +Flash’d from his eyes. Delighted, in his hand<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +He held the glorious bounty of the God,<br /> +And, wondering at those strokes of art divine,<br /> +His eager speech thus to his mother turn’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-2">[2]</a></p> +<p> The God, my mother! hath bestow’d in truth<br /> +Such armor on me as demanded skill<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Like his, surpassing far all power of man.<br /> +Now, therefore, I will arm. But anxious fears<br /> +Trouble me, lest intrusive flies, meantime,<br /> +Breed worms within the spear-inflicted wounds<br /> +Of Menœtiades, and fill with taint<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Of putrefaction his whole breathless form.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-3">[3]</a></p> +<p> But him the silver-footed Goddess fair<br /> +Thus answer’d. Oh, my son! chase from thy mind<br /> +All such concern. I will, myself, essay<br /> +To drive the noisome swarms which on the slain<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +In battle feed voracious. Should he lie<br /> +The year complete, his flesh shall yet be found<br /> +Untainted, and, it may be, fragrant too.<br /> +But thou the heroes of Achaia’s host<br /> +Convening, in their ears thy wrath renounce<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Against the King of men, then, instant, arm<br /> +For battle, and put on thy glorious might.</p> +<p> So saying, the Goddess raised his courage high.<br /> +Then, through the nostrils of the dead she pour’d<br /> +Ambrosia, and the ruddy juice divine<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Of nectar, antidotes against decay.</p> +<p> And now forth went Achilles by the side<br /> +Of ocean, calling with a dreadful shout<br /> +To council all the heroes of the host.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-4">[4]</a><br /> +Then, even they who in the fleet before<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Constant abode, helmsmen and those who held<br /> +In stewardship the food and public stores,<br /> +All flock’d to council, for that now at length<br /> +After long abstinence from dread exploits<br /> +Of war, Achilles had once more appear’d.<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Two went together, halting on the spear,<br /> +(For still they felt the anguish of their wounds)<br /> +Noble Ulysses and brave Diomede,<br /> +And took an early seat; whom follow’d last<br /> +The King of men, by Coön in the field<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Of furious battle wounded with a lance.<br /> +The Grecians all assembled, in the midst<br /> +Upstood the swift Achilles, and began.</p> +<p> Atrides! we had doubtless better sped<br /> +Both thou and I, thus doing, when at first<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +With cruel rage we burn’d, a girl the cause.<br /> +I would that Dian’s shaft had in the fleet<br /> +Slain her that self-same day when I destroy’d<br /> +Lyrnessus, and by conquest made her mine!<br /> +Then had not many a Grecian, lifeless now,<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Clench’d with his teeth the ground, victim, alas!<br /> +Of my revenge; whence triumph hath accrued<br /> +To Hector and his host, while ours have cause<br /> +For long remembrance of our mutual strife.<br /> +But evils past let pass, yielding perforce<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +To sad necessity. My wrath shall cease<br /> +Now; I resign it; it hath burn’d too long.<br /> +Thou therefore summon forth the host to fight,<br /> +That I may learn meeting them in the field,<br /> +If still the Trojans purpose at our fleet<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +To watch us this night also. But I judge<br /> +That driven by my spear to rapid flight,<br /> +They shall escape with weary limbs<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-5">[5]</a> at least.</p> +<p> He ended, and the Grecians brazen-greaved<br /> +Rejoiced that Peleus’ mighty son had cast<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +His wrath aside. Then not into the midst<br /> +Proceeding, but at his own seat, upstood<br /> +King Agamemnon, and them thus bespake.</p> +<p> + Friends! Grecian heroes! Ministers of Mars!<br /> +Arise who may to speak, he claims your ear;<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +All interruption wrongs him, and distracts,<br /> +Howe’er expert the speaker. Who can hear<br /> +Amid the roar of tumult, or who speak?<br /> +The clearest voice, best utterance, both are vain<br /> +I shall address Achilles. Hear my speech<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +Ye Argives, and with understanding mark.<br /> +I hear not now the voice of your reproach<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-6">[6]</a><br /> +First; ye have oft condemn’d me. Yet the blame<br /> +Rests not with me; Jove, Destiny, and she<br /> +Who roams the shades, Erynnis, caused the offence.<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +She fill’d my soul with fury on that day<br /> +In council, when I seized Achilles’ prize.<br /> +For what could I? All things obey the Gods.<br /> +Ate, pernicious Power, daughter of Jove,<br /> +By whom all suffer, challenges from all<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Reverence and fear. Delicate are her feet<br /> +Which scorn the ground, and over human heads<br /> +She glides, injurious to the race of man,<br /> +Of two who strive, at least entangling one.<br /> +She injured, on a day, dread Jove himself<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Most excellent of all in earth or heaven,<br /> +When Juno, although female, him deceived,<br /> +What time Alcmena should have brought to light<br /> +In bulwark’d Thebes the force of Hercules.<br /> +Then Jove, among the gods glorying, spake.<span class="lnm">115</span></p> +<p> Hear all! both Gods and Goddesses, attend!<br /> +That I may make my purpose known. This day<br /> +Birth-pang-dispensing Ilithya brings<br /> +An hero forth to light, who, sprung from those<br /> +That sprang from me, his empire shall extend<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +Over all kingdoms bordering on his own.</p> +<p> To whom, designing fraud, Juno replied.<br /> +Thou wilt be found false, and this word of thine<br /> +Shall want performance. But Olympian Jove!<br /> +Swear now the inviolable oath, that he<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Who shall, this day, fall from between the feet<br /> +Of woman, drawing his descent from thee,<br /> +Shall rule all kingdoms bordering on his own.</p> +<p> She said, and Jove, suspecting nought her wiles,<br /> +The great oath swore, to his own grief and wrong.<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +At once from the Olympian summit flew<br /> +Juno, and to Achaian Argos borne,<br /> +There sought the noble wife<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-7">[7]</a> of Sthenelus,<br /> +Offspring of Perseus. Pregnant with a son<br /> +Six months, she now the seventh saw at hand,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +But him the Goddess premature produced,<br /> +And check’d Alcmena’s pangs already due.<br /> +Then joyful to have so prevail’d, she bore<br /> +Herself the tidings to Saturnian Jove.</p> +<p> Lord of the candent lightnings! Sire of all!<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +I bring thee tidings. The great prince, ordain’d<br /> +To rule the Argive race, this day is born,<br /> +Eurystheus, son of Sthenelus, the son<br /> +Of Perseus; therefore he derives from thee,<br /> +Nor shall the throne of Argos shame his birth.<span class="lnm">145</span></p> +<p> She spake; then anguish stung the heart of Jove<br /> +Deeply, and seizing by her glossy locks<br /> +The Goddess Ate, in his wrath he swore<br /> +That never to the starry skies again<br /> +And the Olympian heights he would permit<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +The universal mischief to return.<br /> +Then, whirling her around, he cast her down<br /> +To earth. She, mingling with all works of men,<br /> +Caused many a pang to Jove, who saw his son<br /> +Laborious tasks servile, and of his birth<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Unworthy, at Eurystheus’ will enjoin’d.</p> +<p> So when the hero Hector at our ships<br /> +Slew us, I then regretted my offence<br /> +Which Ate first impell’d me to commit.<br /> +But since, infatuated by the Gods<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +I err’d, behold me ready to appease<br /> +With gifts of price immense whom I have wrong’d.<br /> +Thou, then, arise to battle, and the host<br /> +Rouse also. Not a promise yesternight<br /> +Was made thee by Ulysses in thy tent<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +On my behalf, but shall be well perform’d.<br /> +Or if it please thee, though impatient, wait<br /> +Short season, and my train shall bring the gifts<br /> +Even now; that thou may’st understand and know<br /> +That my peace-offerings are indeed sincere.<span class="lnm">170</span></p> +<p> To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.<br /> +Atrides! Agamemnon! passing all<br /> +In glory! King of men! recompense just<br /> +By gifts to make me, or to make me none,<br /> +That rests with thee. But let us to the fight<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Incontinent. It is no time to play<br /> +The game of rhetoric, and to waste the hours<br /> +In speeches. Much remains yet unperform’d.<br /> +Achilles must go forth. He must be seen<br /> +Once more in front of battle, wasting wide<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +With brazen spear, the crowded ranks of Troy.<br /> +Mark him—and as he fights, fight also ye.</p> +<p> To whom Ulysses ever-wise replied.<br /> +Nay—urge not, valiant as thou art thyself,<br /> +Achaia’s sons up to the battlements<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Of Ilium, by repast yet unrefresh’d,<br /> +Godlike Achilles!—For when phalanx once<br /> +Shall clash with phalanx, and the Gods with rage<br /> +Both hosts inspire, the contest shall not then<br /> +Prove short. Bid rather the Achaians take<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Both food and wine, for they are strength and might.<br /> +To stand all day till sunset to a foe<br /> +Opposed in battle, fasting, were a task<br /> +Might foil the best; for though his will be prompt<br /> +To combat, yet the power must by degrees<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Forsake him; thirst and hunger he must feel,<br /> +And his limbs failing him at every step.<br /> +But he who hath his vigor to the full<br /> +Fed with due nourishment, although he fight<br /> +All day, yet feels his courage unimpair’d,<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Nor weariness perceives till all retire.<br /> +Come then—dismiss the people with command<br /> +That each prepare replenishment. Meantime<br /> +Let Agamemnon, King of men, his gifts<br /> +In presence here of the assembled Greeks<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Produce, that all may view them, and that thou<br /> +May’st feel thine own heart gladden’d at the sight.<br /> +Let the King also, standing in the midst,<br /> +Swear to thee, that he renders back the maid<br /> +A virgin still, and strange to his embrace,<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +And let thy own composure prove, the while,<br /> +That thou art satisfied. Last, let him spread<br /> +A princely banquet for thee in his tent,<br /> +That thou may’st want no part of just amends.<br /> +Thou too, Atrides, shalt hereafter prove<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +More just to others; for himself, a King,<br /> +Stoops not too low, soothing whom he hath wrong’d.</p> +<p> Him Agamemnon answer’d, King of men.<br /> +Thou hast arranged wisely the whole concern,<br /> +O Läertiades, and I have heard<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +Thy speech, both words and method with delight.<br /> +Willing I am, yea more, I wish to swear<br /> +As thou hast said, for by the Gods I can<br /> +Most truly. Let Achilles, though of pause<br /> +Impatient, suffer yet a short delay<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +With all assembled here, till from my tent<br /> +The gifts arrive, and oaths of peace be sworn.<br /> +To thee I give it in peculiar charge<br /> +That choosing forth the most illustrious youths<br /> +Of all Achaia, thou produce the gifts<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +from my own ship, all those which yesternight<br /> +We promised, nor the women leave behind.<br /> +And let Talthybius throughout all the camp<br /> +Of the Achaians, instant, seek a boar<br /> +For sacrifice to Jove and to the Sun.<span class="lnm">235</span></p> +<p> Then thus Achilles matchless in the race.<br /> +Atrides! most illustrious! King of men!<br /> +Expedience bids us to these cares attend<br /> +Hereafter, when some pause, perchance, of fight<br /> +Shall happen, and the martial rage which fires<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +My bosom now, shall somewhat less be felt.<br /> +Our friends by Priameian Hector slain,<br /> +Now strew the field mangled, for him hath Jove<br /> +Exalted high, and given him great renown.<br /> +But haste, now take refreshment; though, in truth<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Might I direct, the host should by all means<br /> +Unfed to battle, and at set of sun<br /> +All sup together, this affront revenged.<br /> +But as for me, no drop shall pass my lips<br /> +Or morsel, whose companion lies with feet<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Turn’d to the vestibule, pierced by the spear,<br /> +And compass’d by my weeping train around.<br /> +No want of food feel I. My wishes call<br /> +For carnage, blood, and agonies and groans.</p> +<p> But him, excelling in all wisdom, thus<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Ulysses answer’d. Oh Achilles! son<br /> +Of Peleus! bravest far of all our host!<br /> +Me, in no scanty measure, thou excell’st<br /> +Wielding the spear, and thee in prudence, I<br /> +Not less. For I am elder, and have learn’d<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +What thou hast yet to learn. Bid then thine heart<br /> +Endure with patience to be taught by me.<br /> +Men, satiate soon with battle, loathe the field<br /> +On which the most abundant harvest falls,<br /> +Reap’d by the sword; and when the hand of Jove<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Dispenser of the great events of war,<br /> +Turns once the scale, then, farewell every hope<br /> +Of more than scanty gleanings. Shall the Greeks<br /> +Abstain from sustenance for all who die?<br /> +That were indeed severe, since day by day<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +No few expire, and respite could be none.<br /> +The dead, die whoso may, should be inhumed.<br /> +This, duty bids, but bids us also deem<br /> +One day sufficient for our sighs and tears.<br /> +Ourselves, all we who still survive the war,<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Have need of sustenance, that we may bear<br /> +The lengthen’d conflict with recruited might,<br /> +Case in enduring brass.—Ye all have heard<br /> +Your call to battle; let none lingering stand<br /> +In expectation of a farther call,<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Which if it sound, shall thunder prove to him<br /> +Who lurks among the ships. No. Rush we all<br /> +Together forth, for contest sharp prepared,<br /> +And persevering with the host of Troy.</p> +<p> So saying, the sons of Nestor, glorious Chief,<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +He chose, with Meges Phyleus’ noble son,<br /> +Thoas, Meriones, and Melanippus<br /> +And Lycomedes. These, together, sought<br /> +The tent of Agamemnon, King of men.<br /> +They ask’d, and they received. Soon they produced<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +The seven promised tripods from the tent,<br /> +Twice ten bright caldrons, twelve high-mettled steeds,<br /> +Seven lovely captives skill’d alike in arts<br /> +Domestic, of unblemish’d beauty rare,<br /> +And last, Brisëis with the blooming cheeks.<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Before them went Ulysses, bearing weigh’d<br /> +Ten golden talents, whom the chosen Greeks<br /> +Attended laden with the remnant gifts.<br /> +Full in the midst they placed them. Then arose<br /> +King Agamemnon, and Talthybius<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +The herald, clear in utterance as a God,<br /> +Beside him stood, holding the victim boar.<br /> +Atrides, drawing forth his dagger bright,<br /> +Appendant ever to his sword’s huge sheath,<br /> +Sever’d the bristly forelock of the boar,<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +A previous offering. Next, with lifted hands<br /> +To Jove he pray’d, while, all around, the Greeks<br /> +Sat listening silent to the Sovereign’s voice.<br /> +He look’d to the wide heaven, and thus he pray’d.</p> +<p> First, Jove be witness! of all Powers above<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Best and supreme; Earth next, and next the Sun!<br /> +And last, who under Earth the guilt avenge<br /> +Of oaths sworn falsely, let the Furies hear!<br /> +For no respect of amorous desire<br /> +Or other purpose, have I laid mine hand<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +On fair Brisëis, but within my tent<br /> +Untouch’d, immaculate she hath remain’d.<br /> +And if I falsely swear, then may the Gods<br /> +The many woes with which they mark the crime<br /> +Of men forsworn, pour also down on me!<span class="lnm">320</span></p> +<p> So saying, he pierced the victim in his throat<br /> +And, whirling him around, Talthybius, next,<br /> +Cast him into the ocean, fishes’ food.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-8">[8]</a><br /> +Then, in the centre of Achaia’s sons<br /> +Uprose Achilles, and thus spake again.<span class="lnm">325</span></p> +<p> Jove! Father! dire calamities, effects<br /> +Of thy appointment, fall on human-kind.<br /> +Never had Agamemnon in my breast<br /> +Such anger kindled, never had he seized,<br /> +Blinded by wrath, and torn my prize away,<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +But that the slaughter of our numerous friends<br /> +Which thence ensued, thou hadst, thyself, ordained.<br /> +Now go, ye Grecians, eat, and then to battle.</p> +<p> So saying, Achilles suddenly dissolved<br /> +The hasty council, and all flew dispersed<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +To their own ships. Then took the Myrmidons<br /> +Those splendid gifts which in the tent they lodged<br /> +Of swift Achilles, and the damsels led<br /> +Each to a seat, while others of his train<br /> +Drove forth the steeds to pasture with his herd.<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +But when Brisëis, bright as Venus, saw<br /> +Patroclus lying mangled by the spear,<br /> +Enfolding him around, she shriek’d and tore<br /> +Her bosom, her smooth neck and beauteous cheeks.<br /> +Then thus, divinely fair, with tears she said.<span class="lnm">345</span></p> +<p> Ah, my Patroclus! dearest friend of all<br /> +To hapless me, departing from this tent<br /> +I left thee living, and now, generous Chief!<br /> +Restored to it again, here find thee dead.<br /> +How rapid in succession are my woes!<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +I saw, myself, the valiant prince to whom<br /> +My parents had betroth’d me, slain before<br /> +Our city walls; and my three brothers, sons<br /> +Of my own mother, whom with long regret<br /> +I mourn, fell also in that dreadful field.<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +But when the swift Achilles slew the prince<br /> +Design’d my spouse, and the fair city sack’d<br /> +Of noble Mynes, thou by every art<br /> +Of tender friendship didst forbid my tears,<br /> +Promising oft that thou would’st make me bride<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Of Peleus’ godlike son, that thy own ship<br /> +Should waft me hence to Phthia, and that thyself<br /> +Would’st furnish forth among the Myrmidons<br /> +Our nuptial feast. Therefore thy death I mourn<br /> +Ceaseless, for thou wast ever kind to me.<span class="lnm">365</span></p> +<p> She spake, and all her fellow-captives heaved<br /> +Responsive sighs, deploring each, in show,<br /> +The dead Patroclus, but, in truth, herself.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-9">[9]</a><br /> +Then the Achaian Chiefs gather’d around<br /> +Achilles, wooing him to eat, but he<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Groan’d and still resolute, their suit refused—</p> +<p> If I have here a friend on whom by prayers<br /> +I may prevail, I pray that ye desist,<br /> +Nor longer press me, mourner as I am,<br /> +To eat or drink, for till the sun go down<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +I am inflexible, and <i>will</i> abstain.</p> +<p> So saying, the other princes he dismiss’d<br /> +Impatient, but the sons of Atreus both,<br /> +Ulysses, Nestor and Idomeneus,<br /> +With Phœnix, hoary warrior, in his tent<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Abiding still, with cheerful converse kind<br /> +Essay’d to soothe him, whose afflicted soul<br /> +All soothing scorn’d till he should once again<br /> +Rush on the ravening edge of bloody war.<br /> +Then, mindful of his friend, groaning he said<span class="lnm">385</span></p> +<p> Time was, unhappiest, dearest of my friends!<br /> +When even thou, with diligent dispatch,<br /> +Thyself, hast spread a table in my tent,<br /> +The hour of battle drawing nigh between<br /> +The Greeks and warlike Trojans. But there lies<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Thy body now, gored by the ruthless steel,<br /> +And for thy sake I neither eat nor drink,<br /> +Though dearth be none, conscious that other wo<br /> +Surpassing this I can have none to fear.<br /> +No, not if tidings of my father’s death<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Should reach me, who, this moment, weeps, perhaps,<br /> +In Phthia tears of tenderest regret<br /> +For such a son; while I, remote from home<br /> +Fight for detested Helen under Troy.<br /> +Nor even were <i>he</i> dead, whom, if he live,<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +I rear in Scyros, my own darling son,<br /> +My Neoptolemus of form divine.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-10">[10]</a><br /> +For still this hope I cherish’d in my breast<br /> +Till now, that, of us two, myself alone<br /> +Should fall at Ilium, and that thou, restored<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +To Phthia, should’st have wafted o’er the waves<br /> +My son from Scyros to his native home,<br /> +That thou might’st show him all his heritage,<br /> +My train of menials, and my fair abode.<br /> +For either dead already I account<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Peleus, or doubt not that his residue<br /> +Of miserable life shall soon be spent,<br /> +Through stress of age and expectation sad<br /> +That tidings of my death shall, next, arrive.</p> +<p> So spake Achilles weeping, around whom<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +The Chiefs all sigh’d, each with remembrance pain’d<br /> +Of some loved object left at home. Meantime<br /> +Jove, with compassion moved, their sorrow saw,<br /> +And in wing’d accents thus to Pallas spake.</p> +<p> + Daughter! thou hast abandon’d, as it seems,<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Yon virtuous Chief for ever; shall no care<br /> +Thy mind engage of brave Achilles more?<br /> +Before his gallant fleet mourning he sits<br /> +His friend, disconsolate; the other Greeks<br /> +Sat and are satisfied; he only fasts.<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Go then—instil nectar into his breast,<br /> +And sweets ambrosial, that he hunger not.</p> +<p> So saying, he urged Minerva prompt before.<br /> +In form a shrill-voiced Harpy of long wing<br /> +Through ether down she darted, while the Greeks<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +In all their camp for instant battle arm’d.<br /> +Ambrosial sweets and nectar she instill’d<br /> +Into his breast, lest he should suffer loss<br /> +Of strength through abstinence, then soar’d again<br /> +To her great Sire’s unperishing abode.<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +And now the Grecians from their gallant fleet<br /> +All pour’d themselves abroad. As when thick snow<br /> +From Jove descends, driven by impetuous gusts<br /> +Of the cloud-scattering North, so frequent shone<br /> +Issuing from the fleet the dazzling casques,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Boss’d bucklers, hauberks strong, and ashen spears.<br /> +Upwent the flash to heaven; wide all around<br /> +The champain laugh’d with beamy brass illumed,<br /> +And tramplings of the warriors on all sides<br /> +Resounded, amidst whom Achilles arm’d.<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +He gnash’d his teeth, fire glimmer’d in his eyes,<br /> +Anguish intolerable wrung his heart<br /> +And fury against Troy, while he put on<br /> +His glorious arms, the labor of a God.<br /> +First, to his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Studded with silver, then his corselet bright<br /> +Braced to his bosom, his huge sword of brass<br /> +Athwart his shoulder slung, and his broad shield<br /> +Uplifted last, luminous as the moon.<br /> +Such as to mariners a fire appears,<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Kindled by shepherds on the distant top<br /> +Of some lone hill; they, driven by stormy winds,<br /> +Reluctant roam far off the fishy deep,<br /> +Such from Achilles’ burning shield divine<br /> +A lustre struck the skies; his ponderous helm<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +He lifted to his brows; starlike it shone,<br /> +And shook its curling crest of bushy gold,<br /> +By Vulcan taught to wave profuse around.<br /> +So clad, godlike Achilles trial made<br /> +If his arms fitted him, and gave free scope<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +To his proportion’d limbs; buoyant they proved<br /> +As wings, and high upbore his airy tread.<br /> +He drew his father’s spear forth from his case,<br /> +Heavy and huge and long. That spear, of all<br /> +Achaia’s sons, none else had power to wield;<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Achilles only could the Pelian spear<br /> +Brandish, by Chiron for his father hewn<br /> +From Pelion’s top for slaughter of the brave.<br /> +His coursers, then, Automedon prepared<br /> +And Alcimus, adjusting diligent<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +The fair caparisons; they thrust the bits<br /> +Into their mouths, and to the chariot seat<br /> +Extended and made fast the reins behind.<br /> +The splendid scourge commodious to the grasp<br /> +Seizing, at once Automedon upsprang<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Into his place; behind him, arm’d complete<br /> +Achilles mounted, as the orient sun<br /> +All dazzling, and with awful tone his speech<br /> +Directed to the coursers of his Sire.</p> +<p> Xanthus, and Balius of Podarges’ blood<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Illustrious! see ye that, the battle done,<br /> +Ye bring whom now ye bear back to the host<br /> +Of the Achaians in far other sort,<br /> +Nor leave him, as ye left Patroclus, dead.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-11">[11]</a><br /> +Him then his steed unconquer’d in the race,<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Xanthus answer’d from beneath his yoke,<br /> +But, hanging low his head, and with his mane<br /> +Dishevell’d all, and streaming to the ground.<br /> +Him Juno vocal made, Goddess white-arm’d.</p> +<p> And doubtless so we will. This day at least<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +We bear thee safe from battle, stormy Chief!<br /> +But thee the hour of thy destruction swift<br /> +Approaches, hasten’d by no fault of ours,<br /> +But by the force of fate and power divine.<br /> +For not through sloth or tardiness on us<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +Aught chargeable, have Ilium’s sons thine arms<br /> +Stript from Patroclus’ shoulders, but a God<br /> +Matchless in battle, offspring of bright-hair’d<br /> +Latona, him contending in the van<br /> +Slew, for the glory of the Chief of Troy.<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +We, Zephyrus himself, though by report<br /> +Swiftest of all the winds of heaven, in speed<br /> +Could equal, but the Fates thee also doom<br /> +By human hands to fall, and hands divine.</p> +<p> The interposing Furies at that word<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Suppress’d his utterance,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_19-12">[12]</a> and indignant, thus,<br /> +Achilles, swiftest of the swift, replied.</p> +<p> Why, Xanthus, propheciest thou my death?<br /> +It ill beseems thee. I already know<br /> +That from my parents far remote my doom<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Appoints me here to die; yet not the more<br /> +Cease I from feats if arms, till Ilium’s host<br /> +Shall have received, at length, their fill of war.</p> +<p> He said, and with a shout drove forth to battle.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book20"></a>BOOK XX.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTIETH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">By permission of Jupiter the Gods descend into the battle, and range themselves +on either side respectively. Neptune rescues Æneas from death by +the hand of Achilles, from whom Apollo, soon after, rescues Hector. +Achilles slays many Trojans.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XX.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">The Grecians, thus, before their lofty ships<br /> +Stood arm’d around Achilles, glorious Chief<br /> +Insatiable with war, and opposite<br /> +The Trojans on the rising-ground appear’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-1">[1]</a><br /> +Meantime, Jove order’d Themis, from the head<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Of the deep-fork’d Olympian to convene<br /> +The Gods in council. She to every part<br /> +Proceeding, bade them to the courts of Jove.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-2">[2]</a><br /> +Nor of the Floods was any absent thence<br /> +Oceanus except, or of the Nymphs<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Who haunt the pleasant groves, or dwell beside<br /> +Stream-feeding fountains, or in meadows green.<br /> +Within the courts of cloud-assembler Jove<br /> +Arrived, on pillar’d thrones radiant they sat,<br /> +With ingenuity divine contrived<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +By Vulcan for the mighty Sire of all.<br /> +Thus they within the Thunderer’s palace sat<br /> +Assembled; nor was Neptune slow to hear<br /> +The voice of Themis, but (the billows left)<br /> +Came also; in the midst his seat he took,<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +And ask’d, incontinent, the mind of Jove.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-3">[3]</a></p> +<p> King of the lightnings! wherefore hast thou call’d<br /> +The Gods to council? Hast thou aught at heart<br /> +Important to the hosts of Greece and Troy?<br /> +For on the battle’s fiery edge they stand.<span class="lnm">25</span></p> +<p> To whom replied Jove, Sovereign of the storms,<br /> +Thou know’st my council, Shaker of the shores!<br /> +And wherefore ye are call’d. Although ordain’d<br /> +So soon to die, they interest me still.<br /> +Myself, here seated on Olympus’ top,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +With contemplation will my mind indulge<br /> +Of yon great spectacle; but ye, the rest,<br /> +Descend into the field, Trojan or Greek<br /> +Each to assist, as each shall most incline.<br /> +For should Achilles in the field no foe<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Find save the Trojans, quickly should they fly<br /> +Before the rapid force of Peleus’ son.<br /> +They trembled ever at his look, and since<br /> +Such fury for his friend hath fired his heart,<br /> +I fear lest he anticipate the will<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Of Fate, and Ilium perish premature.</p> +<p> So spake the son of Saturn kindling war<br /> +Inevitable, and the Gods to fight<br /> +’Gan move with minds discordant. Juno sought<br /> +And Pallas, with the earth-encircling Power<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Neptune, the Grecian fleet, with whom were join’d<br /> +Mercury, teacher of all useful arts,<br /> +And Vulcan, rolling on all sides his eyes<br /> +Tremendous, but on disproportion’d legs,<br /> +Not without labor hard, halting uncouth.<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Mars, warrior-God, on Ilium’s part appear’d<br /> +With Phœbus never-shorn, Dian shaft-arm’d,<br /> +Xanthus, Latona, and the Queen of smiles,<br /> +Venus. So long as the immortal Gods<br /> +Mixed not with either host, Achaia’s sons<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +Exulted, seeing, after tedious pause,<br /> +Achilles in the field, and terror shook<br /> +The knees of every Trojan, at the sight<br /> +Of swift Achilles like another Mars<br /> +Panting for blood, and bright in arms again.<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +But when the Olympian Powers had enter’d once<br /> +The multitude, then Discord, at whose voice<br /> +The million maddens, vehement arose;<br /> +Then, Pallas at the trench without the wall<br /> +By turns stood shouting, and by turns a shout<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Sent terrible along the sounding shore,<br /> +While, gloomy as a tempest, opposite,<br /> +Mars from the lofty citadel of Troy<br /> +Now yell’d aloud, now running o’er the hill<br /> +Callicolone, on the Simois’ side.<span class="lnm">70</span></p> +<p> Thus the Immortals, ever-blest, impell’d<br /> +Both hosts to battle, and dire inroad caused<br /> +Of strife among them. Sudden from on high<br /> +The Sire of Gods and men thunder’d; meantime,<br /> +Neptune the earth and the high mountains shook;<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Through all her base and to her topmost peak<br /> +Ida spring-fed the agitation felt<br /> +Reeling, all Ilium and the fleet of Greece.<br /> +Upstarted from his throne, appall’d, the King<br /> +Of Erebus, and with a cry his fears<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Through hell proclaim’d, lest Neptune, o’er his head<br /> +Shattering the vaulted earth, should wide disclose<br /> +To mortal and immortal eyes his realm<br /> +Terrible, squalid, to the Gods themselves<br /> +A dreaded spectacle; with such a sound<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +The Powers eternal into battle rush’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-4">[4]</a><br /> +Opposed to Neptune, King of the vast Deep,<br /> +Apollo stood with his wing’d arrows arm’d;<br /> +Pallas to Mars; Diana shaft-expert,<br /> +Sister of Phœbus, in her golden bow<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Rejoicing, with whose shouts the forests ring<br /> +To Juno; Mercury, for useful arts<br /> +Famed, to Latona; and to Vulcan’s force<br /> +The eddied River broad by mortal men<br /> +Scamander call’d, but Xanthus by the Gods.<span class="lnm">95</span></p> +<p> So Gods encounter’d Gods. But most desire<br /> +Achilles felt, breaking the ranks, to rush<br /> +On Priameian Hector, with whose blood<br /> +Chiefly his fury prompted him to sate<br /> +The indefatigable God of war.<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +But, the encourager of Ilium’s host<br /> +Apollo, urged Æneas to assail<br /> +The son of Peleus, with heroic might<br /> +Inspiring his bold heart. He feign’d the voice<br /> +Of Priam’s son Lycaon, and his form<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Assuming, thus the Trojan Chief address’d.</p> +<p> Æneas! Trojan leader! where are now<br /> +Thy vaunts, which, banqueting erewhile among<br /> +Our princes, o’er thy brimming cups thou mad’st,<br /> +That thou would’st fight, thyself, with Peleus’ son?<span class="lnm">110</span></p> +<p> To whom Æneas answer thus returned.<br /> +Offspring of Priam! why enjoin’st thou me<br /> +Not so inclined, that arduous task, to cope<br /> +With the unmatch’d Achilles? I have proved<br /> +His force already, when he chased me down<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +From Ida with his spear, what time he made<br /> +Seizure of all our cattle, and destroy’d<br /> +Pedasus and Lyrnessus; but I ’scaped<br /> +Unslain, by Jove himself empower’d to fly,<br /> +Else had I fallen by Achilles’ hand,<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +And by the hand of Pallas, who his steps<br /> +Conducted, and exhorted him to slay<br /> +Us and the Leleges.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-5">[5]</a> Vain, therefore, proves<br /> +All mortal force to Peleus’ son opposed;<br /> +For one, at least, of the Immortals stands<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Ever beside him, guardian of his life,<br /> +And, of himself, he hath an arm that sends<br /> +His rapid spear unerring to the mark.<br /> +Yet, would the Gods more equal sway the scales<br /> +Of battle, not with ease should he subdue<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Me, though he boast a panoply of brass.</p> +<p> Him, then, Apollo answer’d, son of Jove.<br /> +Hero! prefer to the immortal Gods<br /> +Thy Prayer, for thee men rumor Venus’ son<br /> +Daughter of Jove; and Peleus’ son his birth<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Drew from a Goddess of inferior note.<br /> +Thy mother is from Jove; the offspring, his,<br /> +Less noble of the hoary Ocean old.<br /> +Go, therefore, and thy conquering spear uplift<br /> +Against him, nor let aught his sounding words<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Appal thee, or his threats turn thee away.</p> +<p> So saying, with martial force the Chief he fill’d,<br /> +Who through the foremost combatants advanced<br /> +Radiant in arms. Nor pass’d Anchises’ son<br /> +Unseen of Juno, through the crowded ranks<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Seeking Achilles, but the Powers of heaven<br /> +Convened by her command, she thus address’d.</p> +<p> Neptune, and thou, Minerva! with mature<br /> +Deliberation, ponder the event.<br /> +Yon Chief, Æneas, dazzling bright in arms;<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Goes to withstand Achilles, and he goes<br /> +Sent by Apollo; in despite of whom<br /> +Be it our task to give him quick repulse,<br /> +Or, of ourselves, let some propitious Power<br /> +Strengthen Achilles with a mind exempt<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +From terror, and with force invincible.<br /> +So shall he know that of the Gods above<br /> +The mightiest are his friends, with whom compared<br /> +The favorers of Ilium in time past,<br /> +Who stood her guardians in the bloody strife,<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Are empty boasters all, and nothing worth.<br /> +For therefore came we down, that we may share<br /> +This fight, and that Achilles suffer nought<br /> +Fatal to-day, though suffer all he must<br /> +Hereafter, with his thread of life entwined<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +By Destiny, the day when he was born.<br /> +But should Achilles unapprized remain<br /> +Of such advantage by a voice divine,<br /> +When he shall meet some Deity in the field,<br /> +Fear then will seize him, for celestial forms<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Unveil’d are terrible to mortal eyes.</p> +<p> To whom replied the Shaker of the shores.<br /> +Juno! thy hot impatience needs control;<br /> +It ill befits thee. No desire I feel<br /> +To force into contention with ourselves<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Gods, our inferiors. No. Let us, retired<br /> +To yonder hill, distant from all resort,<br /> +There sit, while these the battle wage alone.<br /> +But if Apollo, or if Mars the fight<br /> +Entering, begin, themselves, to interfere<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Against Achilles, then will we at once<br /> +To battle also; and, I much misdeem,<br /> +Or glad they shall be soon to mix again<br /> +Among the Gods on the Olympian heights,<br /> +By strong coercion of our arms subdued.<span class="lnm">185</span></p> +<p> So saying, the God of Ocean azure-hair’d<br /> +Moved foremost to the lofty mound earth-built<br /> +Of noble Hercules, by Pallas raised<br /> +And by the Trojans for his safe escape,<br /> +What time the monster of the deep pursued<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +The hero from the sea-bank o’er the plain.<br /> +There Neptune sat, and his confederate Gods,<br /> +Their shoulders with impenetrable clouds<br /> +O’ermantled, while the city-spoiler Mars<br /> +Sat with Apollo opposite on the hill<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Callicolone, with their aids divine.<br /> +So, Gods to Gods in opposite aspect<br /> +Sat ruminating, and alike the work<br /> +All fearing to begin of arduous war,<br /> +While from his seat sublime Jove urged them on.<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +The champain all was fill’d, and with the blaze<br /> +Illumined wide of men and steeds brass-arm’d,<br /> +And the incumber’d earth jarr’d under foot<br /> +Of the encountering hosts. Then, two, the rest<br /> +Surpassing far, into the midst advanced<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Impatient for the fight, Anchises’ son<br /> +Æneas and Achilles, glorious Chief!<br /> +Æneas first, under his ponderous casque<br /> +Nodding and menacing, advanced; before<br /> +His breast he held the well-conducted orb<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Of his broad shield, and shook his brazen spear.<br /> +On the other side, Achilles to the fight<br /> +Flew like a ravening lion, on whose death<br /> +Resolved, the peasants from all quarters meet;<br /> +He, viewing with disdain the foremost, stalks<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Right on, but smitten by some dauntless youth<br /> +Writhes himself, and discloses his huge fangs<br /> +Hung with white foam; then, growling for revenge,<br /> +Lashes himself to battle with his tail,<br /> +Till with a burning eye and a bold heart<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +He springs to slaughter, or himself is slain;<br /> +So, by his valor and his noble mind<br /> +Impell’d, renown’d Achilles moved toward<br /> +Æneas, and, small interval between,<br /> +Thus spake the hero matchless in the race.<span class="lnm">225</span></p> +<p> Why stand’st thou here, Æneas! thy own band<br /> +Left at such distance? Is it that thine heart<br /> +Glows with ambition to contend with me<br /> +In hope of Priam’s honors, and to fill<br /> +His throne hereafter in Troy steed-renown’d?<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +But shouldst thou slay me, not for that exploit<br /> +Would Priam such large recompense bestow,<br /> +For he hath sons, and hath, beside, a mind<br /> +And disposition not so lightly changed.<br /> +Or have the Trojans of their richest soil<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +For vineyard apt or plow assign’d thee part<br /> +If thou shalt slay me? Difficult, I hope,<br /> +At least, thou shalt experience that emprize.<br /> +For, as I think, I have already chased<br /> +Thee with my spear. Forgettest thou the day<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +When, finding thee alone, I drove thee down<br /> +Headlong from Ida, and, thy cattle left<br /> +Afar, thou didst not dare in all thy flight<br /> +Turn once, till at Lyrnessus safe arrived,<br /> +Which city by Jove’s aid and by the aid<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Of Pallas I destroy’d, and captive led<br /> +Their women? Thee, indeed, the Gods preserved<br /> +But they shall not preserve thee, as thou dream’st<br /> +Now also. Back into thy host again;<br /> +Hence, I command thee, nor oppose in fight<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +My force, lest evil find thee. To be taught<br /> +By suffering only is the part of fools.</p> +<p> To whom Æneas answer thus return’d.<br /> +Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy,<br /> +With words to scare me. I have also taunts<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +At my command, and could be sharp as thou.<br /> +By such reports as from the lips of men<br /> +We oft have heard, each other’s birth we know<br /> +And parents; but my parents to behold<br /> +Was ne’er thy lot, nor have I thine beheld.<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Thee men proclaim from noble Peleus sprung<br /> +And Thetis, bright hair’d Goddess of the Deep;<br /> +I boast myself of lovely Venus born<br /> +To brave Anchises; and his son this day<br /> +In battle slain thy sire shall mourn, or mine;<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +For I expect not that we shall depart<br /> +Like children, satisfied with words alone.<br /> +But if it please thee more at large to learn<br /> +My lineage (thousands can attest it true)<br /> +Know this. Jove, Sovereign of the storms, begat<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Dardanus, and ere yet the sacred walls<br /> +Of Ilium rose, the glory of this plain,<br /> +He built Dardania; for at Ida’s foot<br /> +Dwelt our progenitors in ancient days.<br /> +Dardanus was the father of a son,<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +King Ericthonius, wealthiest of mankind.<br /> +Three thousand mares of his the marish grazed,<br /> +Each suckling with delight her tender foal.<br /> +Boreas, enamor’d of no few of these,<br /> +The pasture sought, and cover’d them in form<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Of a steed azure-maned. They, pregnant thence,<br /> +Twelve foals produced, and all so light of foot,<br /> +That when they wanton’d in the fruitful field<br /> +They swept, and snapp’d it not, the golden ear;<br /> +And when they wanton’d on the boundless deep,<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +They skimm’d the green wave’s frothy ridge, secure.<br /> +From Ericthonius sprang Tros, King of Troy,<br /> +And Tros was father of three famous sons,<br /> +Ilus, Assaracus, and Ganymede<br /> +Loveliest of human kind, whom for his charms<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +The Gods caught up to heaven, there to abide<br /> +With the immortals, cup-bearer of Jove.<br /> +Ilus begat Laomedon, and he<br /> +Five sons, Tithonus, Priam, Clytius,<br /> +Lampus, and Hicetaon, branch of Mars.<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Assaracus a son begat, by name<br /> +Capys, and Capys in due time his son<br /> +Warlike Anchises, and Anchises me.<br /> +But Priam is the noble Hector’s sire.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-6">[6]</a><br /> +Such is my lineage, and such blood I boast;<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +But valor is from Jove; he, as he wills,<br /> +Increases or reduces it in man,<br /> +For he is lord of all. Therefore enough—<br /> +Too long like children we have stood, the time<br /> +Consuming here, while battle roars around.<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Reproach is cheap. Easily might we cast<br /> +Gibes at each other, till a ship that asks<br /> +A hundred oars should sink beneath the load.<br /> +The tongue of man is voluble, hath words<br /> +For every theme, nor wants wide field and long,<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +And as he speaks so shall he hear again.<br /> +But we—why should we wrangle, and with taunts<br /> +Assail each other, as the practice is<br /> +Of women, who with heart-devouring strife<br /> +On fire, start forth into the public way<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +To mock each other, uttering, as may chance,<br /> +Much truth, much falsehood, as their anger bids?<br /> +The ardor of my courage will not slack<br /> +For all thy speeches; we must combat first;<br /> +Now, therefore, without more delay, begin,<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +That we may taste each other’s force in arms.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-7">[7]</a></p> +<p> So spake Æneas, and his brazen lance<br /> +Hurl’d with full force against the dreadful shield.<br /> +Loud roar’d its ample concave at the blow.<br /> +Not unalarm’d, Pelides his broad disk<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Thrust farther from him, deeming that the force<br /> +Of such an arm should pierce his guard with ease.<br /> +Vain fear! he recollected not that arms<br /> +Glorious as his, gifts of the immortal Gods,<br /> +Yield not so quickly to the force of man.<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +The stormy spear by brave Æneas sent,<br /> +No passage found; the golden plate divine<br /> +Repress’d its vehemence; two folds it pierced,<br /> +But three were still behind, for with five folds<br /> +Vulcan had fortified it; two were brass;<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +The two interior, tin; the midmost, gold;<br /> +And at the golden one the weapon stood.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-8">[8]</a><br /> +Achilles next, hurl’d his long shadow’d spear,<br /> +And struck Æneas on the utmost verge<br /> +Of his broad shield, where thinnest lay the brass,<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +And thinnest the ox-hide. The Pelian ash<br /> +Started right through the buckler, and it rang.<br /> +Æneas crouch’d terrified, and his shield<br /> +Thrust farther from him; but the rapid beam<br /> +Bursting both borders of the ample disk,<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Glanced o’er his back, and plunged into the soil.<br /> +He ’scaped it, and he stood; but, as he stood,<br /> +With horror infinite the weapon saw<br /> +Planted so near him. Then, Achilles drew<br /> +His falchion keen, and with a deafening shout<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Sprang on him; but Æneas seized a stone<br /> +Heavy and huge, a weight to overcharge<br /> +Two men (such men as are accounted strong<br /> +Now) but he wielded it with ease, alone.<br /> +Then had Æneas, as Achilles came<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Impetuous on, smitten, although in vain,<br /> +His helmet or his shield, and Peleus’ son<br /> +Had with his falchion him stretch’d at his feet,<br /> +But that the God of Ocean quick perceived<br /> +His peril, and the Immortals thus bespake.<span class="lnm">360</span></p> +<p> I pity brave Æneas, who shall soon,<br /> +Slain by Achilles, see the realms below,<br /> +By smooth suggestions of Apollo lured<br /> +To danger, such as he can ne’er avert.<br /> +But wherefore should the Chief, guiltless himself,<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Die for the fault of others? at no time<br /> +His gifts have fail’d, grateful to all in heaven.<br /> +Come, therefore, and let us from death ourselves<br /> +Rescue him, lest if by Achilles’ arm<br /> +This hero perish, Jove himself be wroth;<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +For he is destined to survive, lest all<br /> +The house of Dardanus (whom Jove beyond<br /> +All others loved, his sons of woman born)<br /> +Fail with Æneas, and be found no more.<br /> +Saturnian Jove hath hated now long time<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +The family of Priam, and henceforth<br /> +Æneas and his son, and his sons’ sons,<br /> +Shall sway the sceptre o’er the race of Troy.</p> +<p> To whom, majestic thus the spouse of Jove.<br /> +Neptune! deliberate thyself, and choose<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Whether to save Æneas, or to leave<br /> +The hero victim of Achilles’ ire.<br /> +For Pallas and myself ofttimes have sworn<br /> +In full assembly of the Gods, to aid<br /> +Troy never, never to avert the day<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Of her distress, not even when the flames<br /> +Kindled by the heroic sons of Greece,<br /> +Shall climb with fury to her topmost towers.</p> +<p> She spake; then Neptune, instant, through the throng<br /> +Of battle flying, and the clash of spears,<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Came where Achilles and Æneas fought.<br /> +At once with shadows dim he blurr’d the sight<br /> +Of Peleus’ son, and from the shield, himself,<br /> +Of brave Æneas the bright-pointed ash<br /> +Retracting, placed it at Achilles’ feet.<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Then, lifting high Æneas from the ground,<br /> +He heaved him far remote; o’er many a rank<br /> +Of heroes and of bounding steeds he flew,<br /> +Launch’d into air from the expanded palm<br /> +Of Neptune, and alighted in the rear<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Of all the battle where the Caucons stood.<br /> +Neptune approach’d him there, and at his side<br /> +Standing, in accents wing’d, him thus bespake.</p> +<p> What God, Æneas! tempted thee to cope<br /> +Thus inconsiderately with the son<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Of Peleus, both more excellent in fight<br /> +Than thou, and more the favorite of the skies?<br /> +From him retire hereafter, or expect<br /> +A premature descent into the shades.<br /> +But when Achilles shall have once fulfill’d<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +His destiny, in battle slain, then fight<br /> +Fearless, for thou canst fall by none beside.</p> +<p> So saying, he left the well-admonish’d Chief,<br /> +And from Achilles’ eyes scatter’d the gloom<br /> +Shed o’er them by himself. The hero saw<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +Clearly, and with his noble heart incensed<br /> +By disappointment, thus conferring, said.</p> +<p> Gods! I behold a prodigy. My spear<br /> +Lies at my foot, and he at whom I cast<br /> +The weapon with such deadly force, is gone!<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Æneas therefore, as it seems, himself<br /> +Interests the immortal Gods, although<br /> +I deem’d his boast of their protection vain.<br /> +I reck not. Let him go. So gladly ’scaped<br /> +From slaughter now, he shall not soon again<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Feel an ambition to contend with me.<br /> +Now will I rouse the Danaï, and prove<br /> +The force in fight of many a Trojan more.</p> +<p> He said, and sprang to battle with loud voice,<br /> +Calling the Grecians after him.—Ye sons<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Of the Achaians! stand not now aloof,<br /> +My noble friends! but foot to foot let each<br /> +Fall on courageous, and desire the fight.<br /> +The task were difficult for me alone,<br /> +Brave as I boast myself, to chase a foe<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +So numerous, and to combat with them all.<br /> +Not Mars himself, immortal though he be,<br /> +Nor Pallas, could with all the ranks contend<br /> +Of this vast multitude, and drive the whole.<br /> +With hands, with feet, with spirit and with might,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +All that I can I will; right through I go,<br /> +And not a Trojan who shall chance within<br /> +Spear’s reach of me, shall, as I judge, rejoice.</p> +<p> Thus he the Greeks exhorted. Opposite,<br /> +Meantime, illustrious Hector to his host<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Vociferated, his design to oppose<br /> +Achilles publishing in every ear.</p> +<p> Fear not, ye valiant men of Troy! fear not<br /> +The son of Peleus. In a war of words<br /> +I could, myself, cope even with the Gods;<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +But not with spears; there they excel us all.<br /> +Nor shall Achilles full performance give<br /> +To all his vaunts, but, if he some fulfil,<br /> +Shall others leave mutilate in the midst.<br /> +I will encounter him, though his hands be fire,<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Though fire his hands, and his heart hammer’d steel.</p> +<p> So spake he them exhorting. At his word<br /> +Uprose the Trojan spears, thick intermixt<br /> +The battle join’d, and clamor loud began.<br /> +Then thus, approaching Hector, Phœbus spake.<span class="lnm">460</span></p> +<p> Henceforth, advance not Hector! in the front<br /> +Seeking Achilles, but retired within<br /> +The stormy multitude his coming wait,<br /> +Lest his spear reach thee, or his glittering sword.</p> +<p> He said, and Hector far into his host<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Withdrew, admonish’d by the voice divine.<br /> +Then, shouting terrible, and clothed with might,<br /> +Achilles sprang to battle. First, he slew<br /> +The valiant Chief Iphition, whom a band<br /> +Numerous obey’d. Otrynteus was his sire.<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Him to Otrynteus, city-waster Chief,<br /> +A Naiad under snowy Tmolus bore<br /> +In fruitful Hyda.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-9">[9]</a> Right into his front<br /> +As he advanced, Achilles drove his spear,<br /> +And rived his skull; with thundering sound he fell,<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +And thus the conqueror gloried in his fall.</p> +<p> Ah Otryntides! thou art slain. Here lies<br /> +The terrible in arms, who born beside<br /> +The broad Gygæan lake, where Hyllus flows<br /> +And Hermus, call’d the fertile soil his own.<span class="lnm">480</span></p> +<p> Thus gloried he. Meantime the shades of death<br /> +Cover’d Iphition, and Achaian wheels<br /> +And horses ground his body in the van.<br /> +Demoleon next, Antenor’s son, a brave<br /> +Defender of the walls of Troy, he slew.<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Into his temples through his brazen casque<br /> +He thrust the Pelian ash, nor could the brass<br /> +Such force resist, but the huge weapon drove<br /> +The shatter’d bone into his inmost brain,<br /> +And his fierce onset at a stroke repress’d.<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Hippodamas his weapon next received<br /> +Within his spine, while with a leap he left<br /> +His steeds and fled. He, panting forth his life,<br /> +Moan’d like a bull, by consecrated youths<br /> +Dragg’d round the Heliconian King,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-10">[10]</a> who views<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +That victim with delight. So, with loud moans<br /> +The noble warrior sigh’d his soul away.<br /> +Then, spear in hand, against the godlike son<br /> +Of Priam, Polydorus, he advanced.<br /> +Not yet his father had to him indulged<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +A warrior’s place, for that of all his sons<br /> +He was the youngest-born, his hoary sire’s<br /> +Chief darling, and in speed surpass’d them all.<br /> +Then also, in the vanity of youth,<br /> +For show of nimbleness, he started oft<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Into the vanward, till at last he fell.<br /> +Him gliding swiftly by, swifter than he<br /> +Achilles with a javelin reach’d; he struck<br /> +His belt behind him, where the golden clasps<br /> +Met, and the double hauberk interposed.<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +The point transpierced his bowels, and sprang through<br /> +His navel; screaming, on his knees he fell,<br /> +Death-shadows dimm’d his eyes, and with both hands,<br /> +Stooping, he press’d his gather’d bowels back.<br /> +But noble Hector, soon as he beheld<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +His brother Polydorus to the earth<br /> +Inclined, and with his bowels in his hands,<br /> +Sightless well-nigh with anguish could endure<br /> +No longer to remain aloof; flame-like<br /> +He burst abroad,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_20-11">[11]</a> and shaking his sharp spear,<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Advanced to meet Achilles, whose approach<br /> +Seeing, Achilles bounded with delight,<br /> +And thus, exulting, to himself he said.</p> +<p> Ah! he approaches, who hath stung my soul<br /> +Deepest, the slayer of whom most I loved!<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Behold, we meet! Caution is at an end,<br /> +And timid skulking in the walks of war.</p> +<p> He ceased, and with a brow knit into frowns,<br /> +Call’d to illustrious Hector. Haste, approach,<br /> +That I may quick dispatch thee to the shades.<span class="lnm">530</span></p> +<p> Whom answer’d warlike Hector, nought appall’d.<br /> +Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy,<br /> +With words to scare me. I have also taunts<br /> +At my command, and can be sharp as thou.<br /> +I know thee valiant, and myself I know<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Inferior far; yet, whether thou shalt slay<br /> +Me, or, inferior as I am, be slain<br /> +By me, is at the pleasure of the Gods,<br /> +For I wield also not a pointless beam.</p> +<p> He said, and, brandishing it, hurl’d his spear,<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Which Pallas, breathing softly, wafted back<br /> +From the renown’d Achilles, and it fell<br /> +Successless at illustrious Hector’s feet.<br /> +Then, all on fire to slay him, with a shout<br /> +That rent the air Achilles rapid flew<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Toward him; but him wrapt in clouds opaque<br /> +Apollo caught with ease divine away.<br /> +Thrice, swift Achilles sprang to the assault<br /> +Impetuous, thrice the pitchy cloud he smote,<br /> +And at his fourth assault, godlike in act,<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +And terrible in utterance, thus exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Dog! thou art safe, and hast escaped again;<br /> +But narrowly, and by the aid once more<br /> +Of Phœbus, without previous suit to whom<br /> +Thou venturest never where the javelin sings.<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +But when we next encounter, then expect,<br /> +If one of all in heaven aid also me,<br /> +To close thy proud career. Meantime I seek<br /> +Some other, and assail e’en whom I may.</p> +<p> So saying, he pierced the neck of Dryops through,<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +And at his feet he fell. Him there he left,<br /> +And turning on a valiant warrior huge,<br /> +Philetor’s son, Demuchus, in the knee<br /> +Pierced, and detain’d him by the planted spear,<br /> +Till with his sword he smote him, and he died.<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Laogonus and Dardanus he next<br /> +Assaulted, sons of Bias; to the ground<br /> +Dismounting both, one with his spear he slew,<br /> +The other with his falchion at a blow.<br /> +Tros too, Alastor’s son—he suppliant clasp’d<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Achilles’ knees, and for his pity sued,<br /> +Pleading equality of years, in hope<br /> +That he would spare, and send him thence alive.<br /> +Ah dreamer! ignorant how much in vain<br /> +That suit he urged; for not of milky mind,<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +Or placable in temper was the Chief<br /> +To whom he sued, but fiery. With both hands<br /> +His knees he clasp’d importunate, and he<br /> +Fast by the liver gash’d him with his sword.<br /> +His liver falling forth, with sable blood<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +His bosom fill’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes.<br /> +Then, drawing close to Mulius, in his ear<br /> +He set the pointed brass, and at a thrust<br /> +Sent it, next moment, through his ear beyond.<br /> +Then, through the forehead of Agenor’s son<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Echechlus, his huge-hafted blade he drove,<br /> +And death and fate forever veil’d his eyes.<br /> +Next, where the tendons of the elbow meet,<br /> +Striking Deucalion, through his wrist he urged<br /> +The brazen point; he all defenceless stood,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Expecting death; down came Achilles’ blade<br /> +Full on his neck; away went head and casque<br /> +Together; from his spine the marrow sprang,<br /> +And at his length outstretch’d he press’d the plain.<br /> +From him to Rhigmus, Pireus’ noble son,<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +He flew, a warrior from the fields of Thrace.<br /> +Him through the loins he pierced, and with the beam<br /> +Fixt in his bowels, to the earth he fell;<br /> +Then piercing, as he turn’d to flight, the spine<br /> +Of Areithöus his charioteer,<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +He thrust him from his seat; wild with dismay<br /> +Back flew the fiery coursers at his fall.<br /> +As a devouring fire within the glens<br /> +Of some dry mountain ravages the trees,<br /> +While, blown around, the flames roll to all sides,<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +So, on all sides, terrible as a God,<br /> +Achilles drove the death-devoted host<br /> +Of Ilium, and the champain ran with blood.<br /> +As when the peasant his yoked steers employs<br /> +To tread his barley, the broad-fronted pair<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +With ponderous hoofs trample it out with ease,<br /> +So, by magnanimous Achilles driven,<br /> +His coursers solid-hoof’d stamp’d as they ran<br /> +The shields, at once, and bodies of the slain;<br /> +Blood spatter’d all his axle, and with blood<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +From the horse-hoofs and from the fellied wheels<br /> +His chariot redden’d, while himself, athirst<br /> +For glory, his unconquerable hands<br /> +Defiled with mingled carnage, sweat, and dust.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book21"></a>BOOK XXI.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Achilles having separated the Trojans, and driven one part of them to the +city and the other into the Scamander, takes twelve young men alive, his +intended victims to the manes of Patroclus. The river overflowing his +banks with purpose to overwhelm him, is opposed by Vulcan, and gladly +relinquishes the attempt. The battle of the gods ensues. Apollo, in the +form of Agenor, decoys Achilles from the town, which in the mean time +the Trojans enter and shut the gates against him.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XXI.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind"><a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-1">[1]</a>But when they came, at length, where Xanthus winds<br /> +His stream vortiginous from Jove derived,<br /> +There, separating Ilium’s host, he drove<br /> +Part o’er the plain to Troy in the same road<br /> +By which the Grecians had so lately fled<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +The fury of illustrious Hector’s arm.<br /> +That way they fled pouring themselves along<br /> +Flood-like, and Juno, to retard them, threw<br /> +Darkness as night before them. Other part,<br /> +Push’d down the sides of Xanthus, headlong plunged<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +With dashing sound into his dizzy stream,<br /> +And all his banks re-echoed loud the roar.<br /> +They, struggling, shriek’d in silver eddies whirl’d.<br /> +As when, by violence of fire expell’d,<br /> +Locusts uplifted on the wing escape<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +To some broad river, swift the sudden blaze<br /> +Pursues them, they, astonish’d, strew the flood,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-2">[2]</a><br /> +So, by Achilles driven, a mingled throng<br /> +Of horses and of warriors overspread<br /> +Xanthus, and glutted all his sounding course<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +He, chief of heroes, leaving on the bank<br /> +His spear against a tamarisk reclined,<br /> +Plunged like a God, with falchion arm’d alone<br /> +But fill’d with thoughts of havoc. On all sides<br /> +Down came his edge; groans follow’d dread to hear<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Of warriors smitten by the sword, and all<br /> +The waters as they ran redden’d with blood.<br /> +As smaller fishes, flying the pursuit<br /> +Of some huge dolphin, terrified, the creeks<br /> +And secret hollows of a haven fill,<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +For none of all that he can seize he spares,<br /> +So lurk’d the trembling Trojans in the caves<br /> +Of Xanthus’ awful flood. But he (his hands<br /> +Wearied at length with slaughter) from the rest<br /> +Twelve youths selected whom to death he doom’d,<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +In vengeance for his loved Patroclus slain.<br /> +Them stupified with dread like fawns he drove<br /> +Forth from the river, manacling their hands<br /> +Behind them fast with their own tunic-strings,<br /> +And gave them to his warrior train in charge.<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Then, ardent still for blood, rushing again<br /> +Toward the stream, Dardanian Priam’s son<br /> +He met, Lycaon, as he climb’d the bank.<br /> +Him erst by night, in his own father’s field<br /> +Finding him, he had led captive away.<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Lycaon was employ’d cutting green shoots<br /> +Of the wild-fig for chariot-rings, when lo!<br /> +Terrible, unforeseen, Achilles came.<br /> +He seized and sent him in a ship afar<br /> +To Lemnos; there the son of Jason paid<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +His price, and, at great cost, Eëtion<br /> +The guest of Jason, thence redeeming him,<br /> +Sent him to fair Arisba;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-3">[3]</a> but he ’scaped<br /> +Thence also and regain’d his father’s house.<br /> +Eleven days, at his return, he gave<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +To recreation joyous with his friends,<br /> +And on the twelfth his fate cast him again<br /> +Into Achilles’ hands, who to the shades<br /> +Now doom’d him, howsoever loth to go.<br /> +Soon as Achilles swiftest of the swift<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Him naked saw (for neither spear had he<br /> +Nor shield nor helmet, but, when he emerged,<br /> +Weary and faint had cast them all away)<br /> +Indignant to his mighty self he said.</p> +<p> Gods! I behold a miracle! Ere long<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +The valiant Trojans whom my self have slain<br /> +Shall rise from Erebus, for he is here,<br /> +The self-same warrior whom I lately sold<br /> +At Lemnos, free, and in the field again.<br /> +The hoary deep is prison strong enough<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +For most, but not for him. Now shall he taste<br /> +The point of this my spear, that I may learn<br /> +By sure experience, whether hell itself<br /> +That holds the strongest fast, can him detain,<br /> +Or whether he shall thence also escape.<span class="lnm">75</span></p> +<p> While musing thus he stood, stunn’d with dismay<br /> +The youth approach’d, eager to clasp his knees,<br /> +For vehement he felt the dread of death<br /> +Working within him; with his Pelian ash<br /> +Uplifted high noble Achilles stood<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Ardent to smite him; he with body bent<br /> +Ran under it, and to his knees adhered;<br /> +The weapon, missing him, implanted stood<br /> +Close at his back, when, seizing with one hand<br /> +Achilles’ knees, he with the other grasp’d<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +The dreadful beam, resolute through despair,<br /> +And in wing’d accents suppliant thus began.</p> +<p> Oh spare me! pity me! Behold I clasp<br /> +Thy knees, Achilles! Ah, illustrious Chief!<br /> +Reject not with disdain a suppliant’s prayer.<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +I am thy guest also, who at thy own board<br /> +Have eaten bread, and did partake the gift<br /> +Of Ceres with thee on the very day<br /> +When thou didst send me in yon field surprised<br /> +For sale to sacred Lemnos, far remote,<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +And for my price receiv’dst a hundred beeves.<br /> +Loose me, and I will yield thee now that sum<br /> +Thrice told. Alas! this morn is but the twelfth<br /> +Since, after numerous hardships, I arrived<br /> +Once more in Troy, and now my ruthless lot<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Hath given me into thy hands again.<br /> +Jove cannot less than hate me, who hath twice<br /> +Made me thy prisoner, and my doom was death,<br /> +Death in my prime, the day when I was born<br /> +Son of Laothöe from Alta sprung,<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +From Alta, whom the Leleges obey<br /> +On Satnio’s banks in lofty Pedasus.<br /> +His daughter to his other numerous wives<br /> +King Priam added, and two sons she bore<br /> +Only to be deprived by thee of both.<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +My brother hath already died, in front<br /> +Of Ilium’s infantry, by thy bright spear,<br /> +The godlike Polydorus; and like doom<br /> +Shall now be mine, for I despair to escape<br /> +Thine hands, to which the Gods yield me again.<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +But hear and mark me well. My birth was not<br /> +From the same womb as Hector’s, who hath slain<br /> +Thy valiant friend for clemency renown’d.</p> +<p> Such supplication the illustrious son<br /> +Of Priam made, but answer harsh received.<span class="lnm">120</span></p> +<p> Fool! speak’st of ransom? Name it not to me.<br /> +For till my friend his miserable fate<br /> +Accomplish’d, I was somewhat given to spare,<br /> +And numerous, whom I seized alive, I sold.<br /> +But now, of all the Trojans whom the Gods<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Deliver to me, none shall death escape,<br /> +’Specially of the house of Priam, none.<br /> +Die therefore, even thou, my friend! What mean<br /> +Thy tears unreasonably shed and vain?<br /> +Died not Patroclus. braver far than thou?<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +And look on me—see’st not to what a height<br /> +My stature towers, and what a bulk I boast?<br /> +A King begat me, and a Goddess bore.<br /> +What then! A death by violence awaits<br /> +Me also, and at morn, or eve, or noon,<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +I perish, whensoe’er the destined spear<br /> +Shall reach me, or the arrow from the nerve.</p> +<p> He ceased, and where the suppliant kneel’d, he died.<br /> +Quitting the spear, with both hands spread abroad<br /> +He sat, but swift Achilles with his sword<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +’Twixt neck and key-bone smote him, and his blade<br /> +Of double edge sank all into the wound.<br /> +He prone extended on the champain lay<br /> +Bedewing with his sable blood the glebe,<br /> +Till, by the foot, Achilles cast him far<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Into the stream, and, as he floated down,<br /> +Thus in wing’d accents, glorying, exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Lie there, and feed the fishes, which shall lick<br /> +Thy blood secure. Thy mother ne’er shall place<br /> +Thee on thy bier, nor on thy body weep,<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +But swift Scamander on his giddy tide<br /> +Shall bear thee to the bosom of the sea.<br /> +There, many a fish shall through the crystal flood<br /> +Ascending to the rippled surface, find<br /> +Lycaon’s pamper’d flesh delicious fare.<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Die Trojans! till we reach your city, you<br /> +Fleeing, and slaughtering, I. This pleasant stream<br /> +Of dimpling silver which ye worship oft<br /> +With victim bulls, and sate with living steeds<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-4">[4]</a><br /> +His rapid whirlpools, shall avail you nought,<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +But ye shall die, die terribly, till all<br /> +Shall have requited me with just amends<br /> +For my Patroclus, and for other Greeks<br /> +Slain at the ships while I declined the war.</p> +<p> He ended, at those words still more incensed<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Scamander means devised, thenceforth to check<br /> +Achilles, and avert the doom of Troy.<br /> +Meantime the son of Peleus, his huge spear<br /> +Grasping, assail’d Asteropæus son<br /> +Of Pelegon, on fire to take his life.<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Fair Peribœa, daughter eldest-born<br /> +Of Acessamenus, his father bore<br /> +To broad-stream’d Axius, who had clasp’d the nymph<br /> +In his embrace. On him Achilles sprang.<br /> +He newly risen from the river, stood<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Arm’d with two lances opposite, for him<br /> +Xanthus embolden’d, at the deaths incensed<br /> +Of many a youth, whom, mercy none vouchsafed,<br /> +Achilles had in all his current slain.<br /> +And now small distance interposed, they faced<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +Each other, when Achilles thus began.</p> +<p> Who art and whence, who dar’st encounter me?<br /> +Hapless the sires whose sons my force defy.</p> +<p> To whom the noble son of Pelegon.<br /> +Pelides, mighty Chief? Why hast thou ask’d<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +My derivation? From the land I come<br /> +Of mellow-soil’d Pœonia far remote,<br /> +Chief leader of Pœnia’s host spear-arm’d;<br /> +This day hath also the eleventh risen<br /> +Since I at Troy arrived. For my descent,<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +It is from Axius river wide-diffused,<br /> +From Axius, fairest stream that waters earth,<br /> +Sire of bold Pelegon whom men report<br /> +My sire. Let this suffice. Now fight, Achilles!</p> +<p> So spake he threatening, and Achilles raised<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Dauntless the Pelian ash. At once two spears<br /> +The hero bold, Asteropæus threw,<br /> +With both hands apt for battle. One his shield<br /> +Struck but pierced not, impeded by the gold,<br /> +Gift of a God; the other as it flew<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Grazed at his right elbow; sprang the sable blood;<br /> +But, overflying him, the spear in earth<br /> +Stood planted deep, still hungering for the prey.<br /> +Then, full at the Pœonian Peleus’ son<br /> +Hurl’d forth his weapon with unsparing force<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +But vain; he struck the sloping river bank,<br /> +And mid-length deep stood plunged the ashen beam.<br /> +Then, with his falchion drawn, Achilles flew<br /> +To smite him; he in vain, meantime, essay’d<br /> +To pluck the rooted spear forth from the bank;<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +Thrice with full force he shook the beam, and thrice,<br /> +Although reluctant, left it; at his fourth<br /> +Last effort, bending it he sought to break<br /> +The ashen spear-beam of Æacides,<br /> +But perish’d by his keen-edged falchion first;<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +For on the belly at his navel’s side<br /> +He smote him; to the ground effused fell all<br /> +His bowels, death’s dim shadows veil’d his eyes.<br /> +Achilles ardent on his bosom fix’d<br /> +His foot, despoil’d him, and exulting cried.<span class="lnm">220</span></p> +<p> Lie there; though River-sprung, thou find’st it hard<br /> +To cope with sons of Jove omnipotent.<br /> +Thou said’st, a mighty River is my sire—<br /> +But my descent from mightier Jove I boast;<br /> +My father, whom the Myrmidons obey,<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Is son of Æacus, and he of Jove.<br /> +As Jove all streams excels that seek the sea,<br /> +So, Jove’s descendants nobler are than theirs.<br /> +Behold a River at thy side—let him<br /> +Afford thee, if he can, some succor—No—<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +He may not fight against Saturnian Jove.<br /> +Therefore, not kingly Acheloïus,<br /> +Nor yet the strength of Ocean’s vast profound,<br /> +Although from him all rivers and all seas,<br /> +All fountains and all wells proceed, may boast<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Comparison with Jove, but even he<br /> +Astonish’d trembles at his fiery bolt,<br /> +And his dread thunders rattling in the sky.<br /> +He said, and drawing from the bank his spear<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-5">[5]</a><br /> +Asteropæus left stretch’d on the sands,<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Where, while the clear wave dash’d him, eels his flanks<br /> +And ravening fishes numerous nibbled bare.<br /> +The horsed Pœonians next he fierce assail’d,<br /> +Who seeing their brave Chief slain by the sword<br /> +And forceful arm of Peleus’ son, beside<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +The eddy-whirling stream fled all dispersed.<br /> +Thersilochus and Mydon then he slew,<br /> +Thrasius, Astypylus and Ophelestes,<br /> +Ænius and Mnesus; nor had these sufficed<br /> +Achilles, but Pœonians more had fallen,<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Had not the angry River from within<br /> +His circling gulfs in semblance, of a man<br /> +Call’d to him, interrupting thus his rage.</p> +<p> Oh both in courage and injurious deeds<br /> +Unmatch’d, Achilles! whom themselves the Gods<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Cease not to aid, if Saturn’s son have doom’d<br /> +All Ilium’s race to perish by thine arm,<br /> +Expel them, first, from me, ere thou achieve<br /> +That dread exploit; for, cumber’d as I am<br /> +With bodies, I can pour my pleasant stream<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +No longer down into the sacred deep;<br /> +All vanish where thou comest. But oh desist<br /> +Dread Chief! Amazement fills me at thy deeds.</p> +<p> To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.<br /> +River divine! hereafter be it so.<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +But not from slaughter of this faithless host<br /> +I cease, till I shall shut them fast in Troy<br /> +And trial make of Hector, if his arm<br /> +In single fight shall strongest prove, or mine</p> +<p> He said, and like a God, furious, again<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Assail’d the Trojans; then the circling flood<br /> +To Phœbus thus his loud complaint address’d.</p> +<p> Ah son of Jove, God of the silver bow!<br /> +The mandate of the son of Saturn ill<br /> +Hast thou perform’d, who, earnest, bade thee aid<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +The Trojans, till (the sun sunk in the West)<br /> +Night’s shadow dim should veil the fruitful field.</p> +<p> He ended, and Achilles spear-renown’d<br /> +Plunged from the bank into the middle stream.<br /> +Then, turbulent, the River all his tide<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Stirr’d from the bottom, landward heaving off<br /> +The numerous bodies that his current chok’d<br /> +Slain by Achilles; them, as with the roar<br /> +Of bulls, he cast aground, but deep within<br /> +His oozy gulfs the living safe conceal’d.<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +Terrible all around Achilles stood<br /> +The curling wave, then, falling on his shield<br /> +Dash’d him, nor found his footsteps where to rest.<br /> +An elm of massy trunk he seized and branch<br /> +Luxuriant, but it fell torn from the root<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +And drew the whole bank after it; immersed<br /> +It damm’d the current with its ample boughs,<br /> +And join’d as with a bridge the distant shores,<br /> +Upsprang Achilles from the gulf and turn’d<br /> +His feet, now wing’d for flight, into the plain<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Astonish’d; but the God, not so appeased,<br /> +Arose against him with a darker curl,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-6">[6]</a><br /> +That he might quell him and deliver Troy.<br /> +Back flew Achilles with a bound, the length<br /> +Of a spear’s cast, for such a spring he own’d<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +As bears the black-plumed eagle on her prey<br /> +Strongest and swiftest of the fowls of air.<br /> +Like her he sprang, and dreadful on his chest<br /> +Clang’d his bright armor. Then, with course oblique<br /> +He fled his fierce pursuer, but the flood,<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Fly where he might, came thundering in his rear.<br /> +As when the peasant with his spade a rill<br /> +Conducts from some pure fountain through his grove<br /> +Or garden, clearing the obstructed course,<br /> +The pebbles, as it runs, all ring beneath,<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +And, as the slope still deepens, swifter still<br /> +It runs, and, murmuring, outstrips the guide,<br /> +So him, though swift, the river always reach’d<br /> +Still swifter; who can cope with power divine?<br /> +Oft as the noble Chief, turning, essay’d<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +Resistance, and to learn if all the Gods<br /> +Alike rush’d after him, so oft the flood,<br /> +Jove’s offspring, laved his shoulders. Upward then<br /> +He sprang distress’d, but with a sidelong sweep<br /> +Assailing him, and from beneath his steps<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Wasting the soil, the Stream his force subdued.<br /> +Then looking to the skies, aloud he mourn’d.</p> +<p> Eternal Sire! forsaken by the Gods<br /> +I sink, none deigns to save me from the flood,<br /> +From which once saved, I would no death decline.<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Yet blame I none of all the Powers of heaven<br /> +As Thetis; she with falsehood sooth’d my soul,<br /> +She promised me a death by Phœbus’ shafts<br /> +Swift-wing’d, beneath the battlements of Troy.<br /> +I would that Hector, noblest of his race,<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Had slain me, I had then bravely expired<br /> +And a brave man had stripp’d me of my arms.<br /> +But fate now dooms me to a death abhorr’d<br /> +Whelm’d in deep waters, like a swine-herd’s boy<br /> +Drown’d in wet weather while he fords a brook.<span class="lnm">335</span></p> +<p> So spake Achilles; then, in human form,<br /> +Minerva stood and Neptune at his side;<br /> +Each seized his hand confirming him, and thus<br /> +The mighty Shaker of the shores began.</p> +<p> Achilles! moderate thy dismay, fear nought.<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +In us behold, in Pallas and in me,<br /> +Effectual aids, and with consent of Jove;<br /> +For to be vanquish’d by a River’s force<br /> +Is not thy doom. This foe shall soon be quell’d;<br /> +Thine eyes shall see it. Let our counsel rule<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Thy deed, and all is well. Cease not from war<br /> +Till fast within proud Ilium’s walls her host<br /> +Again be prison’d, all who shall escape;<br /> +Then (Hector slain) to the Achaian fleet<br /> +Return; we make the glorious victory thine.<span class="lnm">350</span></p> +<p> So they, and both departing sought the skies.<br /> +Then, animated by the voice divine,<br /> +He moved toward the plain now all o’erspread<br /> +By the vast flood on which the bodies swam<br /> +And shields of many a youth in battle slain.<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +He leap’d, he waded, and the current stemm’d<br /> +Right onward, by the flood in vain opposed,<br /> +With such might Pallas fill’d him. Nor his rage<br /> +Scamander aught repress’d, but still the more<br /> +Incensed against Achilles, curl’d aloft<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +His waters, and on Simoïs call’d aloud.</p> +<p> Brother! oh let us with united force<br /> +Check, if we may, this warrior; he shall else<br /> +Soon lay the lofty towers of Priam low,<br /> +Whose host appall’d, defend them now no more.<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Haste—succor me—thy channel fill with streams<br /> +From all thy fountains; call thy torrents down;<br /> +Lift high the waters; mingle trees and stones<br /> +With uproar wild, that we may quell the force<br /> +Of this dread Chief triumphant now, and fill’d<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +With projects that might more beseem a God.<br /> +But vain shall be his strength, his beauty nought<br /> +Shall profit him or his resplendent arms,<br /> +For I will bury them in slime and ooze,<br /> +And I will overwhelm himself with soil,<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Sands heaping o’er him and around him sands<br /> +Infinite, that no Greek shall find his bones<br /> +For ever, in my bottom deep immersed.<br /> +There shall his tomb be piled, nor other earth,<br /> +At his last rites, his friends shall need for him.<span class="lnm">380</span></p> +<p> He said, and lifting high his angry tide<br /> +Vortiginous, against Achilles hurl’d,<br /> +Roaring, the foam, the bodies, and the blood;<br /> +Then all his sable waves divine again<br /> +Accumulating, bore him swift along.<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +Shriek’d Juno at that sight, terrified lest<br /> +Achilles in the whirling deluge sunk<br /> +Should perish, and to Vulcan quick exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Vulcan, my son, arise; for we account<br /> +Xanthus well able to contend with thee.<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Give instant succor; show forth all thy fires.<br /> +Myself will haste to call the rapid South<br /> +And Zephyrus, that tempests from the sea<br /> +Blowing, thou may’st both arms and dead consume<br /> +With hideous conflagration. Burn along<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +The banks of Xanthus, fire his trees and him<br /> +Seize also. Let him by no specious guile<br /> +Of flattery soothe thee, or by threats appall,<br /> +Nor slack thy furious fires till with a shout<br /> +I give command, then bid them cease to blaze.<span class="lnm">400</span></p> +<p> She spake, and Vulcan at her word his fires<br /> +Shot dreadful forth; first, kindling on the field,<br /> +He burn’d the bodies strew’d numerous around<br /> +Slain by Achilles; arid grew the earth<br /> +And the flood ceased. As when a sprightly breeze<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Autumnal blowing from the North, at once<br /> +Dries the new-water’d garden,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-7">[7]</a> gladdening him<br /> +Who tills the soil, so was the champain dried;<br /> +The dead consumed, against the River, next,<br /> +He turn’d the fierceness of his glittering fires.<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Willows and tamarisks and elms he burn’d,<br /> +Burn’d lotus, rushes, reeds; all plants and herbs<br /> +That clothed profuse the margin of his flood.<br /> +His eels and fishes, whether wont to dwell<br /> +In gulfs beneath, or tumble in the stream,<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +All languish’d while the artist of the skies<br /> +Breath’d on them; even Xanthus lost, himself,<br /> +All force, and, suppliant, Vulcan thus address’d.</p> +<p> Oh Vulcan! none in heaven itself may cope<br /> +With thee. I yield to thy consuming fires.<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Cease, cease. I reck not if Achilles drive<br /> +Her citizens, this moment, forth from Troy,<br /> +For what are war and war’s concerns to me?</p> +<p> So spake he scorch’d, and all his waters boil’d.<br /> +As some huge caldron hisses urged by force<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Of circling fires and fill’d with melted lard,<br /> +The unctuous fluid overbubbling<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-8">[8]</a> streams<br /> +On all sides, while the dry wood flames beneath,<br /> +So Xanthus bubbled and his pleasant flood<br /> +Hiss’d in the fire, nor could he longer flow<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +But check’d his current, with hot steams annoy’d<br /> +By Vulcan raised. His supplication, then,<br /> +Importunate to Juno thus he turn’d.</p> +<p> Ah Juno! why assails thy son my streams,<br /> +Hostile to me alone? Of all who aid<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +The Trojans I am surely least to blame,<br /> +Yet even I desist if thou command;<br /> +And let thy son cease also; for I swear<br /> +That never will I from the Trojans turn<br /> +Their evil day, not even when the host<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Of Greece shall set all Ilium in a blaze.</p> +<p> He said, and by his oath pacified, thus<br /> +The white-arm’d Deity to Vulcan spake.</p> +<p> Peace, glorious son! we may not in behalf<br /> +Of mortal man thus longer vex a God.<span class="lnm">445</span></p> +<p> Then Vulcan his tremendous fires repress’d,<br /> +And down into his gulfy channel rush’d<br /> +The refluent flood; for when the force was once<br /> +Subdued of Xanthus, Juno interposed,<br /> +Although incensed, herself to quell the strife.<span class="lnm">450</span></p> +<p> But contest vehement the other Gods<br /> +Now waged, each breathing discord; loud they rush’d<br /> +And fierce to battle, while the boundless earth<br /> +Quaked under them, and, all around, the heavens<br /> +Sang them together with a trumpet’s voice.<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +Jove listening, on the Olympian summit sat<br /> +Well-pleased, and, in his heart laughing for joy,<br /> +Beheld the Powers of heaven in battle join’d.<br /> +Not long aloof they stood. Shield-piercer Mars,<br /> +His brazen spear grasp’d, and began the fight<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Rushing on Pallas, whom he thus reproach’d.</p> +<p> Wasp! front of impudence, and past all bounds<br /> +Audacious! Why impellest thou the Gods<br /> +To fight? Thy own proud spirit is the cause.<br /> +Remember’st not, how, urged by thee, the son<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Of Tydeus, Diomede, myself assail’d,<br /> +When thou, the radiant spear with thy own hand<br /> +Guiding, didst rend my body? Now, I ween,<br /> +The hour is come in which I shall exact<br /> +Vengeance for all thy malice shown to me.<span class="lnm">470</span></p> +<p> So saying, her shield he smote tassell’d around<br /> +Terrific, proof against the bolts of Jove;<br /> +That shield gore-tainted Mars with fury smote.<br /> +But she, retiring, with strong grasp upheaved<br /> +A rugged stone, black, ponderous, from the plain,<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +A land-mark fixt by men of ancient times,<br /> +Which hurling at the neck of stormy Mars<br /> +She smote him. Down he fell. Seven acres, stretch’d,<br /> +He overspread, his ringlets in the dust<br /> +Polluted lay, and dreadful rang his arms.<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +The Goddess laugh’d, and thus in accents wing’d<br /> +With exultation, as he lay, exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Fool! Art thou still to learn how far my force<br /> +Surpasses thine, and darest thou cope with me?<br /> +Now feel the furies of thy mother’s ire<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Who hates thee for thy treachery to the Greeks,<br /> +And for thy succor given to faithless Troy.</p> +<p> She said, and turn’d from Mars her glorious eyes.<br /> +But him deep-groaning and his torpid powers<br /> +Recovering slow, Venus conducted thence<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Daughter of Jove, whom soon as Juno mark’d,<br /> +In accents wing’d to Pallas thus she spake.</p> +<p> Daughter invincible of glorious Jove!<br /> +Haste—follow her—Ah shameless! how she leads<br /> +Gore-tainted Mars through all the host of heaven.<span class="lnm">495</span></p> +<p> + So she, whom Pallas with delight obey’d;<br /> +To Venus swift she flew, and on the breast<br /> +With such force smote her that of sense bereft<br /> +The fainting Goddess fell. There Venus lay<br /> +And Mars extended on the fruitful glebe,<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +And Pallas thus in accents wing’d exclaim’d.</p> +<p> I would that all who on the part of Troy<br /> +Oppose in fight Achaia’s valiant sons,<br /> +Were firm and bold as Venus in defence<br /> +Of Mars, for whom she dared my power defy!<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +So had dissension (Ilium overthrown<br /> +And desolated) ceased long since in heaven.</p> +<p> So Pallas, and approving Juno smiled.<br /> +Then the imperial Shaker of the shores<br /> +Thus to Apollo. Phœbus! wherefore stand<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +<i>We</i> thus aloof? Since others have begun,<br /> +Begin we also; shame it were to both<br /> +Should we, no combat waged, ascend again<br /> +Olympus and the brass-built hall of Jove.<br /> +Begin, for thou art younger; me, whose years<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Alike and knowledge thine surpass so far,<br /> +It suits not. Oh stupidity! how gross<br /> +Art thou and senseless! Are no traces left<br /> +In thy remembrance of our numerous wrongs<br /> +Sustain’d at Ilium, when, of all the Gods<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Ourselves alone, by Jove’s commandment, served<br /> +For stipulated hire, a year complete,<br /> +Our task-master the proud Laomedon?<br /> +Myself a bulwark’d town, spacious, secure<br /> +Against assault, and beautiful as strong<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Built for the Trojans, and thine office was<br /> +To feed for King Laomedon his herds<br /> +Among the groves of Ida many-valed.<br /> +But when the gladsome hours the season brought<br /> +Of payment, then the unjust King of Troy<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Dismiss’d us of our whole reward amerced<br /> +By violence, and added threats beside.<br /> +Thee into distant isles, bound hand and foot,<br /> +To sell he threatened, and to amputate<br /> +The ears of both; we, therefore, hasted thence<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Resenting deep our promised hire withheld.<br /> +Aid’st thou for this the Trojans? Canst thou less<br /> +Than seek, with us, to exterminate the whole<br /> +Perfidious race, wives, children, husbands, all?</p> +<p> To whom the King of radiant shafts Apollo.<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Me, Neptune, thou wouldst deem, thyself, unwise<br /> +Contending for the sake of mortal men<br /> +With thee; a wretched race, who like the leaves<br /> +Now flourish rank, by fruits of earth sustain’d,<br /> +Now sapless fall. Here, therefore, us between<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Let all strife cease, far better left to them.</p> +<p> He said, and turn’d away, fearing to lift<br /> +His hand against the brother of his sire.<br /> +But him Diana of the woods with sharp<br /> +Rebuke, his huntress sister, thus reproved.<span class="lnm">550</span></p> +<p> Fly’st thou, Apollo! and to Neptune yield’st<br /> +An unearn’d victory, the prize of fame<br /> +Resigning patient and with no dispute?<br /> +Fool! wherefore bearest thou the bow in vain?<br /> +Ah, let me never in my father’s courts<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Hear thee among the immortals vaunting more<br /> +That thou wouldst Neptune’s self confront in arms.</p> +<p> So she, to whom Apollo nought replied.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-9">[9]</a><br /> +But thus the consort of the Thunderer, fired<br /> +With wrath, reproved the Archeress of heaven.<span class="lnm">560</span></p> +<p> How hast thou dared, impudent, to oppose<br /> +My will? Bow-practised as thou art, the task<br /> +To match my force were difficult to thee.<br /> +Is it, because by ordinance of Jove<br /> +Thou art a lioness to womankind,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +Killing them at thy pleasure? Ah beware—<br /> +Far easier is it, on the mountain-heights<br /> +To slay wild beasts and chase the roving hind,<br /> +Than to conflict with mightier than ourselves.<br /> +But, if thou wish a lesson on that theme,<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +Approach—thou shalt be taught with good effect<br /> +How far my force in combat passes thine.</p> +<p> She said, and with her left hand seizing both<br /> +Diana’s wrists, snatch’d suddenly the bow<br /> +Suspended on her shoulder with the right,<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +And, smiling, smote her with it on the ears.<br /> +She, writhing oft and struggling, to the ground<br /> +Shook forth her rapid shafts, then, weeping, fled<br /> +As to her cavern in some hollow rock<br /> +The dove, not destined to his talons, flies<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +The hawk’s pursuit, and left her arms behind.</p> +<p> Then, messenger of heaven, the Argicide<br /> +Address’d Latona. Combat none with thee,<br /> +Latona, will I wage. Unsafe it were<br /> +To cope in battle with a spouse of Jove.<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Go, therefore, loudly as thou wilt, proclaim<br /> +To all the Gods that thou hast vanquish’d me.</p> +<p> Collecting, then, the bow and arrows fallen<br /> +In wild disorder on the dusty plain,<br /> +Latona with the sacred charge withdrew<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Following her daughter; she, in the abode<br /> +Brass-built arriving of Olympian Jove,<br /> +Sat on his knees, weeping till all her robe<br /> +Ambrosial shook. The mighty Father smiled,<br /> +And to his bosom straining her, inquired.<span class="lnm">595</span></p> +<p> Daughter beloved! who, which of all the Gods<br /> +Hath raised his hand, presumptuous, against thee,<br /> +As if convicted of some open wrong?</p> +<p> To whom the clear-voiced Huntress crescent-crown’d.<br /> +My Father! Juno, thy own consort fair<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +My sorrow caused, from whom dispute and strife<br /> +Perpetual, threaten the immortal Powers.</p> +<p> Thus they in heaven mutual conferr’d. Meantime<br /> +Apollo into sacred Troy return’d<br /> +Mindful to guard her bulwarks, lest the Greeks<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Too soon for Fate should desolate the town.<br /> +The other Gods, some angry, some elate<br /> +With victory, the Olympian heights regain’d,<br /> +And sat beside the Thunderer. But the son<br /> +Of Peleus—He both Trojans slew and steeds.<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +As when in volumes slow smoke climbs the skies<br /> +From some great city which the Gods have fired<br /> +Vindictive, sorrow thence to many ensues<br /> +With mischief, and to all labor severe,<br /> +So caused Achilles labor on that day,<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Severe, and mischief to the men of Troy.</p> +<p> But ancient Priam from a sacred tower<br /> +Stood looking forth, whence soon he noticed vast<br /> +Achilles, before whom the Trojans fled<br /> +All courage lost. Descending from the tower<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +With mournful cries and hasting to the wall<br /> +He thus enjoin’d the keepers of the gates.</p> +<p> Hold wide the portals till the flying host<br /> +Re-enter, for himself is nigh, himself<br /> +Achilles drives them home. Now, wo to Troy!<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +But soon as safe within the walls received<br /> +They breathe again, shut fast the ponderous gates<br /> +At once, lest that destroyer also pass.</p> +<p> He said; they, shooting back the bars, threw wide<br /> +The gates and saved the people, whom to aid<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Apollo also sprang into the field,<br /> +They, parch’d with drought and whiten’d all with dust,<br /> +Flew right toward the town, while, spear in hand,<br /> +Achilles press’d them, vengeance in his heart<br /> +And all on fire for glory. Then, full sure,<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +Ilium, the city of lofty gates, had fallen<br /> +Won by the Grecians, had not Phœbus roused<br /> +Antenor’s valiant son, the noble Chief<br /> +Agenor; him with dauntless might he fill’d,<br /> +And shielding him against the stroke of fate<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Beside him stood himself, by the broad beech<br /> +Cover’d and wrapt in clouds. Agenor then,<br /> +Seeing the city-waster hero nigh<br /> +Achilles, stood, but standing, felt his mind<br /> +Troubled with doubts; he groan’d, and thus he mused.<span class="lnm">645</span></p> +<p> <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_21-10">[10]</a>Alas! if following the tumultuous flight<br /> +Of these, I shun Achilles, swifter far<br /> +He soon will lop my ignominious head.<br /> +But if, these leaving to be thus dispersed<br /> +Before him, from the city-wall I fly<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +Across the plain of Troy into the groves<br /> +Of Ida, and in Ida’s thickets lurk,<br /> +I may, at evening, to the town return<br /> +Bathed and refresh’d. But whither tend my thoughts?<br /> +Should he my flight into the plain observe<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +And swift pursuing seize me, then, farewell<br /> +All hope to scape a miserable death,<br /> +For he hath strength passing the strength of man.<br /> +How then—shall I withstand him here before<br /> +The city? He hath also flesh to steel<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Pervious, within it but a single life,<br /> +And men report him mortal, howsoe’er<br /> +Saturnian Jove lift him to glory now.</p> +<p> So saying, he turn’d and stood, his dauntless heart<br /> +Beating for battle. As the pard springs forth<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +To meet the hunter from her gloomy lair,<br /> +Nor, hearing loud the hounds, fears or retires,<br /> +But whether from afar or nigh at hand<br /> +He pierce her first, although transfixt, the fight<br /> +Still tries, and combats desperate till she fall,<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +So, brave Antenor’s son fled not, or shrank,<br /> +Till he had proved Achilles, but his breast<br /> +O’ershadowing with his buckler and his spear<br /> +Aiming well-poised against him, loud exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Renown’d Achilles! Thou art high in hope<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +Doubtless, that thou shalt this day overthrow<br /> +The city of the glorious sons of Troy.<br /> +Fool! ye must labor yet ere she be won,<br /> +For numerous are her citizens and bold,<br /> +And we will guard her for our parents’ sake<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Our wives and little ones. But here thou diest<br /> +Terrible Chief and dauntless as thou art.</p> +<p> He said, and with full force hurling his lance<br /> +Smote, and err’d not, his greave beneath his knee<br /> +The glittering tin, forged newly, at the stroke<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +Tremendous rang, but quick recoil’d and vain<br /> +The weapon, weak against that guard divine.<br /> +Then sprang Achilles in his turn to assail<br /> +Godlike Agenor, but Apollo took<br /> +That glory from him, snatching wrapt in clouds<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +Agenor thence, whom calm he sent away.</p> +<p> Then Phœbus from pursuit of Ilium’s host<br /> +By art averted Peleus’ son; the form<br /> +Assuming of Agenor, swift he fled<br /> +Before him, and Achilles swift pursued.<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +While him Apollo thus lured to the chase<br /> +Wide o’er the fruitful plain, inclining still<br /> +Toward Scamander’s dizzy stream his course<br /> +Nor flying far before, but with false hope<br /> +Always beguiling him, the scatter’d host<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Meantime, in joyful throngs, regain’d the town.<br /> +They fill’d and shut it fast, nor dared to wait<br /> +Each other in the field, or to inquire<br /> +Who lived and who had fallen, but all, whom flight<br /> +Had rescued, like a flood pour’d into Troy.<span class="lnm">705</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>The Trojans being now within the city, excepting Hector, the field is +cleared for the most important and decisive action in the poem; that is, the +battle between Achilles and Hector, and the death of the latter. This part +of the story is managed with singular skill. It seems as if the poet, feeling +the importance of the catastrophe, wished to withdraw from view the personages +of less consequence, and to concentrate our attention upon those two +alone. The poetic action and description are narrowed in extent, but deepened +in interest. The fate of Troy is impending; the irreversible decree of +Jupiter is about to be executed; the heroes, whose bravery is to be the instrument +of bringing about this consummation, are left together on the plain.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book22"></a>BOOK XXII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="ctr">Achilles slays Hector.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XXII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Thus they, throughout all Troy, like hunted fawns<br /> +Dispersed, their trickling limbs at leisure cool’d,<br /> +And, drinking, slaked their fiery thirst, reclined<br /> +Against the battlements. Meantime, the Greeks<br /> +Sloping their shields, approach’d the walls of Troy,<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +And Hector, by his adverse fate ensnared,<br /> +Still stood exposed before the Scæan gate.<br /> +Then spake Apollo thus to Peleus’ son.</p> +<p> Wherefore, thyself mortal, pursuest thou me<br /> +Immortal? oh Achilles! blind with rage,<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Thou know’st not yet, that thou pursuest a God.<br /> +Unmindful of thy proper task, to press<br /> +The flying Trojans, thou hast hither turn’d<br /> +Devious, and they are all now safe in Troy;<br /> +Yet hope me not to slay; I cannot die.<span class="lnm">15</span></p> +<p> To whom Achilles swiftest of the swift,<br /> +Indignant. Oh, of all the Powers above<br /> +To me most adverse, Archer of the skies!<br /> +Thou hast beguiled me, leading me away<br /> +From Ilium far, whence intercepted, else,<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +No few had at this moment gnaw’d the glebe.<br /> +Thou hast defrauded me of great renown,<br /> +And, safe thyself, hast rescued <i>them</i> with ease.<br /> +Ah—had I power, I would requite thee well.</p> +<p> So saying, incensed he turned toward the town<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +His rapid course, like some victorious steed<br /> +That whirls, at stretch, a chariot to the goal.<br /> +Such seem’d Achilles, coursing light the field.</p> +<p> Him, first, the ancient King of Troy perceived<br /> +Scouring the plain, resplendent as the star<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +Autumnal, of all stars in dead of night<br /> +Conspicous most, and named Orion’s dog;<br /> +Brightest it shines, but ominous, and dire<br /> +Disease portends to miserable man;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-1">[1]</a><br /> +So beam’d Achilles’ armor as he flew.<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Loud wail’d the hoary King; with lifted hands<br /> +His head he smote, and, uttering doleful cries<br /> +Of supplication, sued to his own son.<br /> +He, fixt before the gate, desirous stood<br /> +Of combat with Achilles, when his sire<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +With arms outstretch’d toward him, thus began.</p> +<p> My Hector! wait not, oh my son! the approach<br /> +Of this dread Chief, alone, lest premature<br /> +Thou die, this moment by Achilles slain,<br /> +For he is strongest far. Oh that the Gods<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +Him loved as I! then, soon should vultures rend<br /> +And dogs his carcase, and my grief should cease.<br /> +He hath unchilded me of many a son,<br /> +All valiant youths, whom he hath slain or sold<br /> +To distant isles, and even now, I miss<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Two sons, whom since the shutting of the gates<br /> +I find not, Polydorus and Lycaon,<br /> +My children by Laothöe the fair.<br /> +If they survive prisoners in yonder camp,<br /> +I will redeem them with gold and brass<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +By noble Eltes to his daughter given,<br /> +Large store, and still reserved. But should they both,<br /> +Already slain, have journey’d to the shades,<br /> +We, then, from whom they sprang have cause to mourn<br /> +And mourn them long, but shorter shall the grief<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +Of Ilium prove, if thou escape and live.<br /> +Come then, my son! enter the city-gate<br /> +That thou may’st save us all, nor in thy bloom<br /> +Of life cut off, enhance Achilles’ fame.<br /> +Commiserate also thy unhappy sire<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +Ere yet distracted, whom Saturnian Jove<br /> +Ordains to a sad death, and ere I die<br /> +To woes innumerable; to behold<br /> +Sons slaughter’d, daughters ravish’d, torn and stripp’d<br /> +The matrimonial chamber, infants dash’d<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +Against the ground in dire hostility,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-2">[2]</a><br /> +And matrons dragg’d by ruthless Grecian hands.<br /> +Me, haply, last of all, dogs shall devour<br /> +In my own vestibule, when once the spear<br /> +Or falchion of some Greek hath laid me low.<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +The very dogs fed at my table-side,<br /> +My portal-guards, drinking their master’s blood<br /> +To drunkenness, shall wallow in my courts.<br /> +Fair falls the warlike youth in battle slain,<br /> +And when he lies torn by the pointed steel,<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +His death becomes him well; he is secure,<br /> +Though dead, from shame, whatever next befalls:<br /> +But when the silver locks and silver beard<br /> +Of an old man slain by the sword, from dogs<br /> +Receive dishonor, of all ills that wait<span class="lnm">85</span><br /> +On miserable man, that sure is worst.</p> +<p> So spake the ancient King, and his grey hairs<br /> +Pluck’d with both hands, but Hector firm endured.<br /> +On the other side all tears his mother stood,<br /> +And lamentation; with one hand she bared,<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +And with the other hand produced her breast,<br /> +Then in wing’d accents, weeping, him bespake.</p> +<p> My Hector! reverence this, and pity me<br /> +If ever, drawing forth this breast, thy griefs<br /> +Of infancy I soothed, oh now, my son!<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +Acknowledge it, and from within the walls<br /> +Repulse this enemy; stand not abroad<br /> +To cope with <i>him</i>, for he is savage-fierce,<br /> +And should he slay thee, neither shall myself<br /> +Who bore thee, nor thy noble spouse weep o’er<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Thy body, but, where we can never come,<br /> +Dogs shall devour it in the fleet of Greece.</p> +<p> So they with prayers importuned, and with tears<br /> +Their son, but him sway’d not; unmoved he stood,<br /> +Expecting vast Achilles now at hand.<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +As some fell serpent in his cave expects<br /> +The traveller’s approach, batten’d with herbs<br /> +Of baneful juice to fury,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-3">[3]</a> forth he looks<br /> +Hideous, and lies coil’d all around his den,<br /> +So Hector, fill’d with confidence untamed,<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Fled not, but placing his bright shield against<br /> +A buttress, with his noble heart conferr’d.</p> +<p> <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-4">[4]</a>Alas for me! should I repass the gate,<br /> +Polydamas would be the first to heap<br /> +Reproaches on me, for he bade me lead<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +The Trojans back this last calamitous night<br /> +In which Achilles rose to arms again.<br /> +But I refused, although to have complied,<br /> +Had proved more profitable far; since then<br /> +By rash resolves of mine I have destroy’d<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +The people, how can I escape the blame<br /> +Of all in Troy? The meanest there will say—<br /> +By his self-will he hath destroy’d us all.<br /> +So shall they speak, and then shall I regret<br /> +That I return’d ere I had slain in fight<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +Achilles, or that, by Achilles slain,<br /> +I died not nobly in defence of Troy.<br /> +But shall I thus? Lay down my bossy shield,<br /> +Put off my helmet, and my spear recline<br /> +Against the city wall, then go myself<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +To meet the brave Achilles, and at once<br /> +Promise him Helen, for whose sake we strive<br /> +With all the wealth that Paris in his fleet<br /> +Brought home, to be restored to Atreus’ sons,<br /> +And to distribute to the Greeks at large<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +All hidden treasures of the town, an oath<br /> +Taking beside from every senator,<br /> +That he will nought conceal, but will produce<br /> +And share in just equality what stores<br /> +Soever our fair city still includes?<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Ah airy speculations, questions vain!<br /> +I may not sue to him: compassion none<br /> +Will he vouchsafe me, or my suit respect.<br /> +But, seeing me unarm’d, will sate at once<br /> +His rage, and womanlike I shall be slain.<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +It is no time from oak or hollow rock<br /> +With him to parley, as a nymph and swain,<br /> +A nymph and swain<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-5">[5]</a> soft parley mutual hold,<br /> +But rather to engage in combat fierce<br /> +Incontinent; so shall we soonest learn<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Whom Jove will make victorious, him or me.</p> +<p> Thus pondering he stood; meantime approach’d<br /> +Achilles, terrible as fiery Mars,<br /> +Crest-tossing God, and brandish’d as he came<br /> +O’er his right shoulder high the Pelian spear.<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Like lightning, or like flame, or like the sun<br /> +Ascending, beam’d his armor. At that sight<br /> +Trembled the Trojan Chief, nor dared expect<br /> +His nearer step, but flying left the gates<br /> +Far distant, and Achilles swift pursued.<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +As in the mountains, fleetest fowl of air,<br /> +The hawk darts eager at the dove; she scuds<br /> +Aslant, he screaming, springs and springs again<br /> +To seize her, all impatient for the prey,<br /> +So flew Achilles constant to the track<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Of Hector, who with dreadful haste beneath<br /> +The Trojan bulwarks plied his agile limbs.<br /> +Passing the prospect-mount where high in air<br /> +The wild-fig waved,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-6">[6]</a> they rush’d along the road,<br /> +Declining never from the wall of Troy.<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +And now they reach’d the running rivulets clear,<br /> +Where from Scamander’s dizzy flood arise<br /> +Two fountains,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-7">[7]</a> tepid one, from which a smoke<br /> +Issues voluminous as from a fire,<br /> +The other, even in summer heats, like hail<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +For cold, or snow, or crystal-stream frost-bound.<br /> +Beside them may be seen the broad canals<br /> +Of marble scoop’d, in which the wives of Troy<br /> +And all her daughters fair were wont to lave<br /> +Their costly raiment,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-8">[8]</a> while the land had rest,<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +And ere the warlike sons of Greece arrived.<br /> +By these they ran, one fleeing, one in chase.<br /> +Valiant was he who fled, but valiant far<br /> +Beyond him he who urged the swift pursuit;<br /> +Nor ran they for a vulgar prize, a beast<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +For sacrifice, or for the hide of such,<br /> +The swift foot-racer’s customary meed,<br /> +But for the noble Hector’s life they ran.<br /> +As when two steeds, oft conquerors, trim the goal<br /> +For some illustrious prize, a tripod bright<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Or beauteous virgin, at a funeral game,<br /> +So they with nimble feet the city thrice<br /> +Of Priam compass’d. All the Gods look’d on,<br /> +And thus the Sire of Gods and men began.</p> +<p> Ah—I behold a warrior dear to me<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Around the walls of Ilium driven, and grieve<br /> +For Hector, who the thighs of fatted bulls<br /> +On yonder heights of Ida many-valed<br /> +Burn’d oft to me, and in the heights of Troy:<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-9">[9]</a><br /> +But him Achilles, glorious Chief, around<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +The city walls of Priam now pursues.<br /> +Consider this, ye Gods! weigh the event.<br /> +Shall we from death save Hector? or, at length,<br /> +Leave him, although in battle high renown’d,<br /> +To perish by the might of Peleus’ son?<span class="lnm">205</span></p> +<p> Whom answer’d thus Pallas cerulean-eyed.<br /> +Dread Sovereign of the storms! what hast thou said?<br /> +Wouldst thou deliver from the stroke of fate<br /> +A mortal man death-destined from of old?<br /> +Do it; but small thy praise shall be in heaven.<span class="lnm">210</span></p> +<p> Then answer thus, cloud-gatherer Jove return’d.<br /> +Fear not, Tritonia, daughter dear! that word<br /> +Spake not my purpose; me thou shalt perceive<br /> +Always to thee indulgent. What thou wilt<br /> +That execute, and use thou no delay.<span class="lnm">215</span></p> +<p> So roused he Pallas of herself prepared,<br /> +And from the heights Olympian down she flew.<br /> +With unremitting speed Achilles still<br /> +Urged Hector. As among the mountain-height<br /> +The hound pursues, roused newly from her lair<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +The flying fawn through many a vale and grove;<br /> +And though she trembling skulk the shrubs beneath,<br /> +Tracks her continual, till he find the prey,<br /> +So ’scaped not Hector Peleus’ rapid son.<br /> +Oft as toward the Dardan gates he sprang<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Direct, and to the bulwarks firm of Troy,<br /> +Hoping some aid by volleys from the wall,<br /> +So oft, outstripping him, Achilles thence<br /> +Enforced him to the field, who, as he might,<br /> +Still ever stretch’d toward the walls again.<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +As, in a dream,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-10">[10]</a> pursuit hesitates oft,<br /> +This hath no power to fly, that to pursue,<br /> +So these—one fled, and one pursued in vain.<br /> +How, then, had Hector his impending fate<br /> +Eluded, had not Phœbus, at his last,<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Last effort meeting him, his strength restored,<br /> +And wing’d for flight his agile limbs anew?<br /> +The son of Peleus, as he ran, his brows<br /> +Shaking, forbad the people to dismiss<br /> +A dart at Hector, lest a meaner hand<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +Piercing him, should usurp the foremost praise.<br /> +But when the fourth time to those rivulets.<br /> +They came, then lifting high his golden scales,<br /> +Two lots the everlasting Father placed<br /> +Within them, for Achilles one, and one<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +For Hector, balancing the doom of both.<br /> +Grasping it in the midst, he raised the beam.<br /> +Down went the fatal day of Hector, down<br /> +To Ades, and Apollo left his side.<br /> +Then blue-eyed Pallas hasting to the son<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Of Peleus, in wing’d accents him address’d.</p> +<p> Now, dear to Jove, Achilles famed in arms!<br /> +I hope that, fierce in combat though he be,<br /> +We shall, at last, slay Hector, and return<br /> +Crown’d with great glory to the fleet of Greece.<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +No fear of his deliverance now remains,<br /> +Not even should the King of radiant shafts,<br /> +Apollo, toil in supplication, roll’d<br /> +And roll’d again<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-11">[11]</a> before the Thunderer’s feet.<br /> +But stand, recover breath; myself, the while,<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Shall urge him to oppose thee face to face.</p> +<p> So Pallas spake, whom joyful he obey’d,<br /> +And on his spear brass-pointed lean’d. But she,<br /> +(Achilles left) to noble Hector pass’d,<br /> +And in the form, and with the voice loud-toned<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Approaching of Deiphobus, his ear<br /> +In accents, as of pity, thus address’d.</p> +<p> Ah brother! thou art overtask’d, around<br /> +The walls of Troy by swift Achilles driven;<br /> +But stand, that we may chase him in his turn.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-12">[12]</a><span class="lnm">270</span></p> +<p> To whom crest-tossing Hector huge replied.<br /> +Deiphobus! of all my father’s sons<br /> +Brought forth by Hecuba, I ever loved<br /> +Thee most, but more than ever love thee now,<br /> +Who hast not fear’d, seeing me, for my sake<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +To quit the town, where others rest content.</p> +<p> To whom the Goddess, thus, cerulean-eyed.<br /> +Brother! our parents with much earnest suit<br /> +Clasping my knees, and all my friends implored me<br /> +To stay in Troy, (such fear hath seized on all)<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +But grief for thee prey’d on my inmost soul.<br /> +Come—fight we bravely—spare we now our spears<br /> +No longer; now for proof if Peleus’ son<br /> +Slaying us both, shall bear into the fleet<br /> +Our arms gore-stain’d, or perish slain by thee.<span class="lnm">285</span></p> +<p> So saying, the wily Goddess led the way.<br /> +They soon, approaching each the other, stood<br /> +Opposite, and huge Hector thus began.</p> +<p> Pelides! I will fly thee now no more.<br /> +Thrice I have compass’d Priam’s spacious walls<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +A fugitive, and have not dared abide<br /> +Thy onset, but my heart now bids me stand<br /> +Dauntless, and I will slay, or will be slain.<br /> +But come. We will attest the Gods; for they<br /> +Are fittest both to witness and to guard<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +Our covenant. If Jove to me vouchsafe<br /> +The hard-earn’d victory, and to take thy life,<br /> +I will not with dishonor foul insult<br /> +Thy body, but, thine armor stripp’d, will give<br /> +Thee to thy friends, as thou shalt me to mine.<span class="lnm">300</span></p> +<p> To whom Achilles, lowering dark, replied.<br /> +Hector! my bitterest foe! speak not to me<br /> +Of covenants! as concord can be none<br /> +Lions and men between, nor wolves and lambs<br /> +Can be unanimous, but hate perforce<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Each other by a law not to be changed,<br /> +So cannot amity subsist between<br /> +Thee and myself; nor league make I with thee<br /> +Or compact, till thy blood in battle shed<br /> +Or mine, shall gratify the fiery Mars.<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +Rouse all thy virtue; thou hast utmost need<br /> +Of valor now, and of address in arms.<br /> +Escape me more thou canst not; Pallas’ hand<br /> +By mine subdues thee; now will I avenge<br /> +At once the agonies of every Greek<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +In thy unsparing fury slain by thee.</p> +<p> He said, and, brandishing the Pelian ash,<br /> +Dismiss’d it; but illustrious Hector warn’d,<br /> +Crouched low, and, overflying him, it pierced<br /> +The soil beyond, whence Pallas plucking it<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Unseen, restored it to Achilles’ hand,<br /> +And Hector to his godlike foe replied.</p> +<p> Godlike Achilles! thou hast err’d, nor know’st<br /> +At all my doom from Jove, as thou pretend’st,<br /> +But seek’st, by subtlety and wind of words,<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +All empty sounds, to rob me of my might.<br /> +Yet stand I firm. Think not to pierce my back.<br /> +Behold my bosom! if the Gods permit,<br /> +Meet me advancing, and transpierce me there.<br /> +Meantime avoid my glittering spear, but oh<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +May’st thou receive it all! since lighter far<br /> +To Ilium should the toils of battle prove,<br /> +Wert thou once slain, the fiercest of her foes.</p> +<p> He said, and hurling his long spear with aim<br /> +Unerring, smote the centre of the shield<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Of Peleus’ son, but his spear glanced away.<br /> +He, angry to have sent it forth in vain,<br /> +(For he had other none) with eyes downcast<br /> +Stood motionless awhile, then with loud voice<br /> +Sought from Deiphobus, white-shielded Chief,<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +A second; but Deiphobus was gone.<br /> +Then Hector understood his doom, and said.</p> +<p> Ah, it is plain; this is mine hour to die.<br /> +I thought Deiphobus at hand, but me<br /> +Pallas beguiled, and he is still in Troy.<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +A bitter death threatens me, it is nigh,<br /> +And there is no escape; Jove, and Jove’s son<br /> +Apollo, from the first, although awhile<br /> +My prompt deliverers, chose this lot for me,<br /> +And now it finds me. But I will not fall<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Inglorious; I will act some great exploit<br /> +That shall be celebrated ages hence.</p> +<p> So saying, his keen falchion from his side<br /> +He drew, well-temper’d, ponderous, and rush’d<br /> +At once to combat. As the eagle darts<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +Right downward through a sullen cloud to seize<br /> +Weak lamb or timorous hare, so brandishing<br /> +His splendid falchion, Hector rush’d to fight.<br /> +Achilles, opposite, with fellest ire<br /> +Full-fraught came on; his shield with various art<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +Celestial form’d, o’erspread his ample chest,<br /> +And on his radiant casque terrific waved<br /> +The bushy gold of his resplendent crest,<br /> +By Vulcan spun, and pour’d profuse around.<br /> +Bright as, among the stars, the star of all<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Most radiant, Hesperus, at midnight moves,<br /> +So, in the right hand of Achilles beam’d<br /> +His brandish’d spear, while, meditating wo<br /> +To Hector, he explored his noble form,<br /> +Seeking where he was vulnerable most.<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +But every part, his dazzling armor torn<br /> +From brave Patroclus’ body, well secured,<br /> +Save where the circling key-bone from the neck<br /> +Disjoins the shoulder; there his throat appear’d,<br /> +Whence injured life with swiftest flight escapes;<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +Achilles, plunging in that part his spear,<br /> +Impell’d it through the yielding flesh beyond.<br /> +The ashen beam his power of utterance left<br /> +Still unimpair’d, but in the dust he fell,<br /> +And the exulting conqueror exclaim’d.<span class="lnm">380</span></p> +<p> But Hector! thou hadst once far other hopes,<br /> +And, stripping slain Patroclus, thought’st thee safe,<br /> +Nor caredst for absent me. Fond dream and vain!<br /> +I was not distant far; in yonder fleet<br /> +He left one able to avenge his death,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +And he hath slain thee. Thee the dogs shall rend<br /> +Dishonorably, and the fowls of air,<br /> +But all Achaia’s host shall him entomb.</p> +<p> To whom the Trojan Chief languid replied.<br /> +By thy own life, by theirs who gave thee birth,<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +And by thy knees,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-13">[13]</a> oh let not Grecian dogs<br /> +Rend and devour me, but in gold accept<br /> +And brass a ransom at my father’s hands,<br /> +And at my mother’s an illustrious price;<br /> +Send home my body, grant me burial rites<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Among the daughters and the sons of Troy.</p> +<p> To whom with aspect stern Achilles thus.<br /> +Dog! neither knees nor parents name to me.<br /> +I would my fierceness of revenge were such,<br /> +That I could carve and eat thee, to whose arms<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +Such griefs I owe; so true it is and sure,<br /> +That none shall save thy carcase from the dogs.<br /> +No, trust me, would thy parents bring me weigh’d<br /> +Ten—twenty ransoms, and engage on oath<br /> +To add still more; would thy Dardanian Sire<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Priam, redeem thee with thy weight in gold,<br /> +Not even at that price would I consent<br /> +That she who bare should place thee on thy bier<br /> +With lamentation; dogs and ravening fowls<br /> +Shall rend thy body while a scrap remains.<span class="lnm">410</span></p> +<p> Then, dying, warlike Hector thus replied.<br /> +Full well I knew before, how suit of mine<br /> +Should speed preferr’d to thee. Thy heart is steel.<br /> +But oh, while yet thou livest, think, lest the Gods<br /> +Requite thee on that day, when pierced thyself<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +By Paris and Apollo, thou shalt fall,<br /> +Brave as thou art, before the Scæan gate.</p> +<p> He ceased, and death involved him dark around.<br /> +His spirit, from his limbs dismiss’d, the house<br /> +Of Ades sought, mourning in her descent<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Youth’s prime and vigor lost, disastrous doom!<br /> +But him though dead, Achilles thus bespake.</p> +<p> Die thou. My death shall find me at what hour<br /> +Jove gives commandment, and the Gods above.</p> +<p> He spake, and from the dead drawing away<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +His brazen spear, placed it apart, then stripp’d<br /> +His arms gore-stain’d. Meantime the other sons<br /> +Of the Achaians, gathering fast around,<br /> +The bulk admired, and the proportion just<br /> +Of Hector; neither stood a Grecian there<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Who pierced him not, and thus the soldier spake.</p> +<p> Ye Gods! how far more patient of the touch<br /> +Is Hector now, than when he fired the fleet!</p> +<p> Thus would they speak, then give him each a stab.<br /> +And now, the body stripp’d, their noble Chief<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +The swift Achilles standing in the midst,<br /> +The Grecians in wing’d accents thus address’d.</p> +<p> Friends, Chiefs and Senators of Argos’ host!<br /> +Since, by the will of heaven, this man is slain<br /> +Who harm’d us more than all our foes beside,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Essay we next the city, so to learn<br /> +The Trojan purpose, whether (Hector slain)<br /> +They will forsake the citadel, or still<br /> +Defend it, even though of him deprived.<br /> +But wherefore speak I thus? still undeplored,<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Unburied in my fleet Patroclus lies;<br /> +Him never, while alive myself, I mix<br /> +With living men and move, will I forget.<br /> +In Ades, haply, they forget the dead,<br /> +Yet will not I Patroclus, even there.<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +Now chanting pæans, ye Achaian youths!<br /> +Return we to the fleet with this our prize;<br /> +We have achieved great glory,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-14">[14]</a> we have slain<br /> +Illustrious Hector, him whom Ilium praised<br /> +In all her gates, and as a God revered.<span class="lnm">455</span></p> +<p> He said; then purposing dishonor foul<br /> +To noble Hector, both his feet he bored<br /> +From heel to ancle, and, inserting thongs,<br /> +Them tied behind his chariot, but his head<br /> +Left unsustain’d to trail along the ground.<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Ascending next, the armor at his side<br /> +He placed, then lash’d the steeds; they willing flew<br /> +Thick dust around the body dragg’d arose,<br /> +His sable locks all swept the plain, and all<br /> +His head, so graceful once, now track’d the dust,<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +For Jove had given it into hostile hands<br /> +That they might shame it in his native soil.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-15">[15]</a><br /> +Thus, whelm’d in dust, it went. The mother Queen<br /> +Her son beholding, pluck’d her hair away,<br /> +Cast far aside her lucid veil, and fill’d<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +With shrieks the air. His father wept aloud,<br /> +And, all around, long, long complaints were heard<br /> +And lamentations in the streets of Troy,<br /> +Not fewer or less piercing, than if flames<br /> +Had wrapt all Ilium to her topmost towers.<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +His people scarce detain’d the ancient King<br /> +Grief-stung, and resolute to issue forth<br /> +Through the Dardanian gates; to all he kneel’d<br /> +In turn, then roll’d himself in dust, and each<br /> +By name solicited to give him way.<span class="lnm">480</span></p> +<p> Stand off, my fellow mourners! I would pass<br /> +The gates, would seek, alone, the Grecian fleet.<br /> +I go to supplicate the bloody man,<br /> +Yon ravager; he may respect, perchance,<br /> +My years, may feel some pity of my age;<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +For, such as I am, his own father is,<br /> +Peleus, who rear’d him for a curse to Troy,<br /> +But chiefly rear’d him to myself a curse,<br /> +So numerous have my sons in prime of youth<br /> +Fall’n by his hand, all whom I less deplore<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +(Though mourning all) than one; my agonies<br /> +For Hector soon shall send me to the shades.<br /> +Oh had he but within these arms expired,<br /> +The hapless Queen who bore him, and myself<br /> +Had wept him, then, till sorrow could no more!<span class="lnm">495</span></p> +<p> So spake he weeping, and the citizens<br /> +All sigh’d around; next, Hecuba began<br /> +Amid the women, thus, her sad complaint.</p> +<p> Ah wherefore, oh my son! wretch that I am,<br /> +Breathe I forlorn of thee? Thou, night and day,<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +My glory wast in Ilium, thee her sons<br /> +And daughters, both, hail’d as their guardian God,<br /> +Conscious of benefits from thee received,<br /> +Whose life prolong’d should have advanced them all<br /> +To high renown. Vain boast! thou art no more.<span class="lnm">505</span></p> +<p> So mourn’d the Queen. But fair Andromache<br /> +Nought yet had heard, nor knew by sure report<br /> +Hector’s delay without the city gates.<br /> +She in a closet of her palace sat,<br /> +A twofold web weaving magnificent,<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +With sprinkled flowers inwrought of various hues,<br /> +And to her maidens had commandment given<br /> +Through all her house, that compassing with fire<br /> +An ample tripod, they should warm a bath<br /> +For noble Hector from the fight return’d.<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Tenderness ill-inform’d! she little knew<br /> +That in the field, from such refreshments far,<br /> +Pallas had slain him by Achilles’ hand.<br /> +She heard a cry of sorrow from the tower;<br /> +Her limbs shook under her, her shuttle fell,<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +And to her bright-hair’d train, alarm’d, she cried.</p> +<p> Attend me two of you, that I may learn<br /> +What hath befallen. I have heard the voice<br /> +Of the Queen-mother; my rebounding heart<br /> +Chokes me, and I seem fetter’d by a frost.<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Some mischief sure o’er Priam’s sons impends.<br /> +Far be such tidings from me! but I fear<br /> +Horribly, lest Achilles, cutting off<br /> +My dauntless Hector from the gates alone,<br /> +Enforce him to the field, and quell perhaps<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +The might, this moment, of that dreadful arm<br /> +His hinderance long; for Hector ne’er was wont<br /> +To seek his safety in the ranks, but flew<br /> +First into battle, yielding place to none.</p> +<p> So saying, she rush’d with palpitating heart<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +And frantic air abroad, by her two maids<br /> +Attended; soon arriving at the tower,<br /> +And at the throng of men, awhile she stood<br /> +Down-looking wistful from the city-wall,<br /> +And, seeing him in front of Ilium, dragg’d<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +So cruelly toward the fleet of Greece,<br /> +O’erwhelm’d with sudden darkness at the view<br /> +Fell backward, with a sigh heard all around.<br /> +Far distant flew dispersed her head-attire,<br /> +Twist, frontlet, diadem, and even the veil<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +By golden Venus given her on the day<br /> +When Hector led her from Eëtion’s house<br /> +Enrich’d with nuptial presents to his home.<br /> +Around her throng’d her sisters of the house<br /> +Of Priam, numerous, who within their arms<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Fast held her<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-16">[16]</a> loathing life; but she, her breath<br /> +At length and sense recovering, her complaint<br /> +Broken with sighs amid them thus began.</p> +<p> Hector! I am undone; we both were born<br /> +To misery, thou in Priam’s house in Troy,<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +And I in Hypoplacian Thebes wood-crown’d<br /> +Beneath Eëtion’s roof. He, doom’d himself<br /> +To sorrow, me more sorrowfully doom’d,<br /> +Sustain’d in helpless infancy, whom oh<br /> +That he had ne’er begotten! thou descend’st<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +To Pluto’s subterraneous dwelling drear,<br /> +Leaving myself destitute, and thy boy,<br /> +Fruit of our hapless loves, an infant yet,<br /> +Never to be hereafter thy delight,<br /> +Nor love of thine to share or kindness more.<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +For should he safe survive this cruel war,<br /> +With the Achaians penury and toil<br /> +Must be his lot, since strangers will remove<br /> +At will his landmarks, and possess his fields.<br /> +Thee lost, he loses all, of father, both,<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +And equal playmate in one day deprived,<br /> +To sad looks doom’d, and never-ceasing-tears.<br /> +He seeks, necessitous his father’s friends,<br /> +One by his mantle pulls, one by his vest,<br /> +Whose utmost pity yields to his parch’d lips<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +A thirst-provoking drop, and grudges more;<br /> +Some happier child, as yet untaught to mourn<br /> +A parent’s loss, shoves rudely from the board<br /> +My son, and, smiting him, reproachful cries—<br /> +Away—thy father is no guest of ours—<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Then, weeping, to his widow’d mother comes<br /> +Astyanax, who on his father’s lap<br /> +Ate marrow only, once, and fat of lambs,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-17">[17]</a><br /> +And when sleep took him, and his crying fit<br /> +Had ceased, slept ever on the softest bed,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Warm in his nurse’s arms, fed to his fill<br /> +With delicacies, and his heart at rest.<br /> +But now, Astyanax (so named in Troy<br /> +For thy sake, guardian of her gates and towers)<br /> +His father lost, must many a pang endure.<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +And as for thee, cast naked forth among<br /> +Yon galleys, where no parent’s eye of thine<br /> +Shall find thee, when the dogs have torn thee once<br /> +Till they are sated, worms shall eat thee next.<br /> +Meantime, thy graceful raiment rich, prepared<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +By our own maidens, in thy palace lies;<br /> +But I will burn it, burn it all, because<br /> +Useless to thee, who never, so adorn’d,<br /> +Shalt slumber more; yet every eye in Troy<br /> +Shall see, how glorious once was thy attire.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_22-18">[18]</a><span class="lnm">600</span></p> +<p> So, weeping, she; to whom the multitude<br /> +Of Trojan dames responsive sigh’d around.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book23"></a>BOOK XXIII.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="ctr">The body of Patroclus is burned, and the funeral games ensue.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XXIII.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">Such mourning was in Troy; meantime the Greeks<br /> +Their galleys and the shores of Hellespont<br /> +Regaining, each to his own ship retired.<br /> +But not the Myrmidons; Achilles them<br /> +Close rank’d in martial order still detain’d,<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +And thus his fellow-warriors brave address’d.</p> +<p> Ye swift-horsed Myrmidons, associates dear!<br /> +Release not from your chariots yet your steeds<br /> +Firm-hoof’d, but steeds and chariots driving near,<br /> +Bewail Patroclus, as the rites demand<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +Of burial; then, satiate with grief and tears,<br /> +We will release our steeds, and take repast.</p> +<p> He ended, and, himself leading the way,<br /> +His numerous band all mourn’d at once the dead.<br /> +Around the body thrice their glossy steeds,<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Mourning they drove, while Thetis in their hearts<br /> +The thirst of sorrow kindled; they with tears<br /> +The sands bedew’d, with tears their radiant arms,<br /> +Such deep regret of one so brave they felt.<br /> +Then, placing on the bosom of his friend<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +His homicidal hands, Achilles thus<br /> +The shade of his Patroclus, sad, bespake.</p> +<p> Hail, oh Patroclus, even in Ades hail!<br /> +For I will now accomplish to the full<br /> +My promise pledged to thee, that I would give<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Hector dragg’d hither to be torn by dogs<br /> +Piecemeal, and would before thy funeral pile<br /> +The necks dissever of twelve Trojan youths<br /> +Of noblest rank, resentful of thy death.</p> +<p> He said, and meditating foul disgrace<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +To noble Hector, stretch’d him prone in dust<br /> +Beside the bier of Menœtiades.<br /> +Then all the Myrmidons their radiant arms<br /> +Put off, and their shrill-neighing steeds released.<br /> +A numerous band beside the bark they sat<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Of swift Æacides, who furnish’d forth<br /> +Himself a feast funereal for them all.<br /> +Many a white ox under the ruthless steel<br /> +Lay bleeding, many a sheep and blatant goat,<br /> +With many a saginated boar bright-tusk’d,<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Amid fierce flames Vulcanian stretch’d to roast.<br /> +Copious the blood ran all around the dead.</p> +<p> And now the Kings of Greece conducted thence<br /> +To Agamemnon’s tent the royal son<br /> +Of Peleus, loth to go, and won at last<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +With difficulty, such his anger was<br /> +And deep resentment of his slaughter’d friend.<br /> +Soon then as Agamemnon’s tent they reach’d,<br /> +The sovereign bade his heralds kindle fire<br /> +Around an ample vase, with purpose kind<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +Moving Achilles from his limbs to cleanse<br /> +The stains of battle; but he firm refused<br /> +That suit, and bound refusal with an oath—</p> +<p> No; by the highest and the best of all,<br /> +By Jove I will not. Never may it be<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +That brazen bath approach this head of mine,<br /> +Till I shall first Patroclus’ body give<br /> +To his last fires, till I shall pile his tomb,<br /> +And sheer my locks in honor of my friend;<br /> +For, like to this, no second wo shall e’er<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +My heart invade, while vital breath I draw.<br /> +But, all unwelcome as it is, repast<br /> +Now calls us. Agamemnon, King of men!<br /> +Give thou command that at the dawn they bring<br /> +Wood hither, such large portion as beseems<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +The dead, descending to the shades, to share,<br /> +That hungry flames consuming out of sight<br /> +His body soon, the host may war again.</p> +<p> He spake; they, hearing, readily obey’d.<br /> +Then, each his food preparing with dispatch,<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +They ate, nor wanted any of the guests<br /> +Due portion, and their appetites sufficed<br /> +To food and wine, all to their tents repair’d<br /> +Seeking repose; but on the sands beside<br /> +The billowy deep Achilles groaning lay<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +Amidst his Myrmidons, where space he found<br /> +With blood unstain’d beside the dashing wave.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-1">[1]</a><br /> +There, soon as sleep, deliverer of the mind,<br /> +Wrapp’d him around (for much his noble limbs<br /> +With chase of Hector round the battlements<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +Of wind-swept Ilium wearied were and spent)<br /> +The soul came to him of his hapless friend,<br /> +In bulk resembling, in expressive eyes<br /> +And voice Patroclus, and so clad as he.<br /> +Him, hovering o’er his head, the form address’d.<span class="lnm">85</span></p> +<p> Sleep’st thou, Achilles! of thy friend become<br /> +Heedless? Him living thou didst not neglect<br /> +Whom thou neglectest dead. Give me a tomb<br /> +Instant, that I may pass the infernal gates.<br /> +For now, the shades and spirits of the dead<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Drive me afar, denying me my wish<br /> +To mingle with them on the farthest shore,<br /> +And in wide-portal’d Ades sole I roam.<br /> +Give me thine hand, I pray thee, for the earth<br /> +I visit never more, once burnt with fire;<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +We never shall again close council hold<br /> +As we were wont, for me my fate severe,<br /> +Mine even from my birth, hath deep absorb’d.<br /> +And oh Achilles, semblance of the Gods!<br /> +Thou too predestined art beneath the wall<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +To perish of the high-born Trojan race.<br /> +But hear my last injunction! ah, my friend!<br /> +My bones sepulchre not from thine apart,<br /> +But as, together we were nourish’d both<br /> +Beneath thy roof (what time from Opoëis<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +Menœtius led me to thy father’s house,<br /> +Although a child, yet fugitive for blood,<br /> +Which, in a quarrel at the dice, I spilt,<br /> +Killing my playmate by a casual blow,<br /> +The offspring of Amphidamas, when, like<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +A father, Peleus with all tenderness<br /> +Received and cherish’d me, and call’d me thine)<br /> +So, let one vase inclose, at last, our bones,<br /> +The golden vase, thy Goddess mother’s gift.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-2">[2]</a></p> +<p> To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.<span class="lnm">115</span><br /> +Ah, loved and honor’d! wherefore hast thou come!<br /> +Why thus enjoin’d me? I will all perform<br /> +With diligence that thou hast now desired.<br /> +But nearer stand, that we may mutual clasp<br /> +Each other, though but with a short embrace,<span class="lnm">120</span><br /> +And sad satiety of grief enjoy.</p> +<p> He said, and stretch’d his arms toward the shade,<br /> +But him seized not; shrill-clamoring and light<br /> +As smoke, the spirit pass’d into the earth.<br /> +Amazed, upsprang Achilles, clash’d aloud<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +His palms together, and thus, sad, exclaim’d.</p> +<p> Ah then, ye Gods! there doubtless are below<br /> +The soul and semblance both, but empty forms;<br /> +For all night long, mourning, disconsolate,<br /> +The soul of my Patroclus, hapless friend!<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Hath hover’d o’er me, giving me in charge<br /> +His last requests, just image of himself.</p> +<p> So saying, he call’d anew their sorrow forth,<br /> +And rosy-palm’d Aurora found them all<br /> +Mourning afresh the pitiable dead.<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Then royal Agamemnon call’d abroad<br /> +Mules and mule-drivers from the tents in haste<br /> +To gather wood. Uprose a valiant man,<br /> +Friend of the virtuous Chief Idomeneus,<br /> +Meriones, who led them to the task.<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +They, bearing each in hand his sharpen’d axe<br /> +And twisted cord, thence journey’d forth, the mules<br /> +Driving before them; much uneven space<br /> +They measured, hill and dale, right onward now,<br /> +And now circuitous; but at the groves<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Arrived at length, of Ida fountain-fed,<br /> +Their keen-edged axes to the towering oaks<br /> +Dispatchful they applied; down fell the trees<br /> +With crash sonorous. Splitting, next, the trunks,<br /> +They bound them on the mules; they, with firm hoofs<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +The hill-side stamping, through the thickets rush’d<br /> +Desirous of the plain. Each man his log<br /> +(For so the armor-bearer of the King<br /> +Of Crete, Meriones, had them enjoin’d)<br /> +Bore after them, and each his burthen cast<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Down on the beach regular, where a tomb<br /> +Of ample size Achilles for his friend<br /> +Patroclus had, and for himself, design’d.</p> +<p> Much fuel thrown together, side by side<br /> +There down they sat, and his command at once<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +Achilles issued to his warriors bold,<br /> +That all should gird their armor, and the steeds<br /> +Join to their chariots; undelaying each<br /> +Complied, and in bright arms stood soon array’d.<br /> +Then mounted combatants and charioteers.<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +First, moved the chariots, next, the infantry<br /> +Proceeded numerous, amid whom his friends,<br /> +Bearing the body of Patroclus, went.<br /> +They poll’d their heads, and cover’d him with hair<br /> +Shower’d over all his body, while behind<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Noble Achilles march’d, the hero’s head<br /> +Sustaining sorrowful, for to the realms<br /> +Of Ades a distinguish’d friend he sent.</p> +<p> And now, arriving on the ground erewhile<br /> +Mark’d by Achilles, setting down the dead,<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +They heap’d the fuel quick, a lofty pile.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-3">[3]</a><br /> +But Peleus’ son, on other thoughts intent,<br /> +Retiring from the funeral pile, shore off<br /> +His amber ringlets,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-4">[4]</a> whose exuberant growth<br /> +Sacred to Sperchius he had kept unshorn,<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +And looking o’er the gloomy deep, he said.</p> +<p> Sperchius! in vain Peleus my father vow’d<br /> +That, hence returning to my native land,<br /> +These ringlets shorn I should present to thee<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-5">[5]</a><br /> +With a whole hecatomb, and should, beside,<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Rams offer fifty at thy fountain head<br /> +In thy own field, at thy own fragrant shrine.<br /> +So vow’d the hoary Chief, whose wishes thou<br /> +Leavest unperform’d. Since, therefore, never more<br /> +I see my native home, the hero these<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +Patroclus takes down with him to the shades.</p> +<p> He said, and filling with his hair the hand<br /> +Of his dead friend, the sorrows of his train<br /> +Waken’d afresh. And now the lamp of day<br /> +Westering<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-6">[6]</a> apace, had left them still in tears,<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +Had not Achilles suddenly address’d<br /> +King Agamemnon, standing at his side.</p> +<p> Atrides! (for Achaia’s sons thy word<br /> +Will readiest execute) we may with grief<br /> +Satiate ourselves hereafter; but, the host<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Dispersing from the pile, now give command<br /> +That they prepare repast; ourselves,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-7">[7]</a> to whom<br /> +These labors in peculiar appertain<br /> +Will finish them; but bid the Chiefs abide.</p> +<p> Which when imperial Agamemnon heard,<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +He scatter’d instant to their several ships<br /> +The people; but the burial-dressers thence<br /> +Went not; they, still abiding, heap’d the pile.<br /> +A hundred feet of breadth from side to side<br /> +They gave to it, and on the summit placed<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +With sorrowing hearts the body of the dead.<br /> +Many a fat sheep, with many an ox full-horn’d<br /> +They flay’d before the pile, busy their task<br /> +Administering, and Peleus’ son the fat<br /> +Taking from every victim, overspread<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +Complete the body with it of his friend<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-8">[8]</a><br /> +Patroclus, and the flay’d beasts heap’d around.<br /> +Then, placing flagons on the pile, replete<br /> +With oil and honey, he inclined their mouths<br /> +Toward the bier, and slew and added next,<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +Deep-groaning and in haste, four martial steeds.<br /> +Nine dogs the hero at his table fed,<br /> +Of which beheading two, their carcases<br /> +He added also. Last, twelve gallant sons<br /> +Of noble Trojans slaying (for his heart<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Teem’d with great vengeance) he applied the force<br /> +Of hungry flames that should devour the whole,<br /> +Then, mourning loud, by name his friend invoked.</p> +<p> Rejoice, Patroclus! even in the shades,<br /> +Behold my promise to thee all fulfill’d!<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Twelve gallant sons of Trojans famed in arms,<br /> +Together with thyself, are all become<br /> +Food for these fires: but fire shall never feed<br /> +On Hector; him I destine to the dogs.</p> +<p> So threaten’d he; but him no dogs devour’d;<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Them, day and night, Jove’s daughter Venus chased<br /> +Afar, and smooth’d the hero o’er with oils<br /> +Of rosy scent ambrosial, lest his corse,<br /> +Behind Achilles’ chariot dragg’d along<br /> +So rudely, should be torn; and Phœbus hung<span class="lnm">240</span><br /> +A veil of sable clouds from heaven to earth,<br /> +O’ershadowing broad the space where Hector lay,<br /> +Lest parching suns intense should stiffen him.</p> +<p> But the pile kindled not. Then, Peleus’ son<br /> +Seeking a place apart, two Winds in prayer<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +Boreas invoked and Zephyrus, to each<br /> +Vowing large sacrifice. With earnest suit<br /> +(Libation pouring from a golden cup)<br /> +Their coming he implored, that so the flames<br /> +Kindling, incontinent might burn the dead.<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Iris, his supplications hearing, swift<br /> +Convey’d them to the Winds; they, in the hall<br /> +Banqueting of the heavy-blowing West<br /> +Sat frequent. Iris, sudden at the gate<br /> +Appear’d; they, at the sight upstarting all,<span class="lnm">255</span><br /> +Invited each the Goddess to himself.<br /> +But she refused a seat and thus she spake.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-9">[9]</a></p> +<p> I sit not here. Borne over Ocean’s stream<br /> +Again, to Æthiopia’s land I go<br /> +Where hecatombs are offer’d to the Gods,<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +Which, with the rest, I also wish to share.<br /> +But Peleus’ son, earnest, the aid implores<br /> +Of Boreas and of Zephyrus the loud,<br /> +Vowing large sacrifice if ye will fan<br /> +Briskly the pile on which Patroclus lies<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +By all Achaia’s warriors deep deplored.</p> +<p> She said, and went. Then suddenly arose<br /> +The Winds, and, roaring, swept the clouds along.<br /> +First, on the sea they blew; big rose the waves<br /> +Beneath the blast. At fruitful Troy arrived<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +Vehement on the pile they fell, and dread<br /> +On all sides soon a crackling blaze ensued.<br /> +All night, together blowing shrill, they drove<br /> +The sheeted flames wide from the funeral pile,<br /> +And all night long, a goblet in his hand<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +From golden beakers fill’d, Achilles stood<br /> +With large libations soaking deep the soil,<br /> +And calling on the spirit of his friend.<br /> +As some fond father mourns, burning the bones<br /> +Of his own son, who, dying on the eve<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +Of his glad nuptials, hath his parents left<br /> +O’erwhelm’d with inconsolable distress,<br /> +So mourn’d Achilles, his companion’s bones<br /> +Burning, and pacing to and fro the field<br /> +Beside the pile with many a sigh profound.<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +But when the star, day’s harbinger, arose,<br /> +Soon after whom, in saffron vest attired<br /> +The morn her beams diffuses o’er the sea,<br /> +The pile, then wasted, ceased to flame, and then<br /> +Back flew the Winds over the Thracian deep<span class="lnm">290</span><br /> +Rolling the flood before them as they pass’d.<br /> +And now Pelides lying down apart<br /> +From the funereal pile, slept, but not long,<br /> +Though weary; waken’d by the stir and din<br /> +Of Agamemnon’s train. He sat erect,<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +And thus the leaders of the host address’d.</p> +<p> Atrides, and ye potentates who rule<br /> +The whole Achaian host! first quench the pile<br /> +Throughout with generous wine, where’er the fire<br /> +Hath seized it. We will then the bones collect<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Of Menœtiades, which shall with ease<br /> +Be known, though many bones lie scatter’d near,<br /> +Since in the middle pile Patroclus lay,<br /> +But wide apart and on its verge we burn’d<br /> +The steeds and Trojans, a promiscuous heap.<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +Them so collected in a golden vase<br /> +We will dispose, lined with a double cawl,<br /> +Till I shall, also, to my home below.<br /> +I wish not now a tomb of amplest bounds,<br /> +But such as may suffice, which yet in height<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +The Grecians and in breadth shall much augment<br /> +Hereafter, who, survivors of my fate,<br /> +Shall still remain in the Achaian fleet.</p> +<p> So spake Pelides, and the Chiefs complied.<br /> +Where’er the pile had blazed, with generous wine<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +They quench’d it, and the hills of ashes sank.<br /> +Then, weeping, to a golden vase, with lard<br /> +Twice lined, they gave their gentle comrade’s bones<br /> +Fire-bleach’d, and lodging safely in his tent<br /> +The relics, overspread them with a veil.<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Designing, next, the compass of the tomb,<br /> +They mark’d its boundary with stones, then fill’d<br /> +The wide enclosure hastily with earth,<br /> +And, having heap’d it to its height, return’d.<br /> +But all the people, by Achilles still<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Detain’d, there sitting, form’d a spacious ring,<br /> +And he the destined prizes from his fleet<br /> +Produced, capacious caldrons, tripods bright,<br /> +Steeds, mules, tall oxen, women at the breast<br /> +Close-cinctured, elegant, and unwrought<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-10">[10]</a> iron.<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +First, to the chariot-drivers he proposed<br /> +A noble prize; a beauteous maiden versed<br /> +In arts domestic, with a tripod ear’d,<br /> +Of twenty and two measures. These he made<br /> +The conqueror’s meed. The second should a mare<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Obtain, unbroken yet, six years her age,<br /> +Pregnant, and bearing in her womb a mule.<br /> +A caldron of four measures, never smirch’d<br /> +By smoke or flame, but fresh as from the forge<br /> +The third awaited; to the fourth he gave<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Two golden talents, and, unsullied yet<br /> +By use, a twin-ear’d phial<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-11">[11]</a> to the fifth.<br /> +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.</p> +<p> + Atrides, and ye chiefs of all the host!<br /> +These prizes, in the circus placed, attend<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +The charioteers. Held we the present games<br /> +In honor of some other Grecian dead,<br /> +I would myself bear hence the foremost prize;<br /> +For ye are all witnesses well-inform’d<br /> +Of the superior virtue of my steeds.<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +They are immortal; Neptune on my sire<br /> +Peleus conferr’d them, and my sire on me.<br /> +But neither I this contest share myself,<br /> +Nor shall my steeds; for they would miss the force<br /> +And guidance of a charioteer so kind<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +As they have lost, who many a time hath cleansed<br /> +Their manes with water of the crystal brook,<br /> +And made them sleek, himself, with limpid oil.<br /> +Him, therefore, mourning, motionless they stand<br /> +With hair dishevell’d, streaming to the ground.<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +But ye, whoever of the host profess<br /> +Superior skill, and glory in your steeds<br /> +And well-built chariots, for the strife prepare!</p> +<p> So spake Pelides, and the charioteers,<br /> +For speed renown’d arose. Long ere the rest<span class="lnm">365</span><br /> +Eumelus, King of men, Admetus’ son<br /> +Arose, accomplish’d in equestrian arts.<br /> +Next, Tydeus’ son, brave Diomede, arose;<br /> +He yoked the Trojan coursers by himself<br /> +In battle from Æneas won, what time<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Apollo saved their master. Third, upstood<br /> +The son of Atreus with the golden locks,<br /> +Who to his chariot Agamemnon’s mare<br /> +Swift Æthe and his own Podargus join’d.<br /> +Her Echepolus from Anchises sprung<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +To Agamemnon gave; she was the price<br /> +At which he purchased leave to dwell at home<br /> +Excused attendance on the King at Troy;<br /> +For, by the gift of Jove, he had acquired<br /> +Great riches, and in wide-spread Sicyon dwelt.<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +Her wing’d with ardor, Menelaus yoked.<br /> +Antilochus, arising fourth, his steeds<br /> +Bright-maned prepared, son of the valiant King<br /> +Of Pylus, Nestor Neleïades.<br /> +Of Pylian breed were they, and thus his sire,<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +With kind intent approaching to his side,<br /> +Advised him, of himself not uninform’d.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-12">[12]</a></p> +<p> Antilochus! Thou art, I know, beloved<br /> +By Jove and Neptune both, from whom, though young<br /> +Thou hast received knowledge of every art<span class="lnm">390</span><br /> +Equestrian, and hast little need to learn.<br /> +Thou know’st already how to trim the goal<br /> +With nicest skill, yet wondrous slow of foot<br /> +Thy coursers are, whence evil may ensue.<br /> +But though their steeds be swifter, I account<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Thee wise, at least, as they. Now is the time<br /> +For counsel, furnish now thy mind with all<br /> +Precaution, that the prize escape thee not.<br /> +The feller of huge trees by skill prevails<br /> +More than by strength; by skill the pilot guides<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +His flying bark rock’d by tempestuous winds,<br /> +And more by skill than speed the race is won.<br /> +But he who in his chariot and his steeds<br /> +Trusts only, wanders here and wanders there<br /> +Unsteady, while his coursers loosely rein’d<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +Roam wide the field; not so the charioteer<br /> +Of sound intelligence; he though he drive<br /> +Inferior steeds, looks ever to the goal<br /> +Which close he clips, not ignorant to check<br /> +His coursers at the first but with tight rein<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Ruling his own, and watching those before.<br /> +Now mark; I will describe so plain the goal<br /> +That thou shalt know it surely. A dry stump<br /> +Extant above the ground an ell in height<br /> +Stands yonder; either oak it is, or pine<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +More likely, which the weather least impairs.<br /> +Two stones, both white, flank it on either hand.<br /> +The way is narrow there, but smooth the course<br /> +On both sides. It is either, as I think,<br /> +A monument of one long since deceased,<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Or was, perchance, in ancient days design’d,<br /> +As now by Peleus’ mighty son, a goal.<br /> +That mark in view, thy steeds and chariot push<br /> +Near to it as thou may’st; then, in thy seat<br /> +Inclining gently to the left, prick smart<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +Thy right-hand horse challenging him aloud,<br /> +And give him rein; but let thy left-hand horse<br /> +Bear on the goal so closely, that the nave<br /> +And felly<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-13">[13]</a> of thy wheel may seem to meet.<br /> +Yet fear to strike the stone, lest foul disgrace<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +Of broken chariot and of crippled steeds<br /> +Ensue, and thou become the public jest.<br /> +My boy beloved! use caution; for if once<br /> +Thou turn the goal at speed, no man thenceforth<br /> +Shall reach, or if he reach, shall pass thee by,<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +Although Arion in thy rear he drove<br /> +Adrastus’ rapid horse of race divine,<br /> +Or those, Troy’s boast, bred by Laomedon.</p> +<p> So Nestor spake, inculcating with care<br /> +On his son’s mind these lessons in the art,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +And to his place retiring, sat again.<br /> +Meriones his coursers glossy-maned<br /> +Made ready last. Then to his chariot-seat<br /> +Each mounted, and the lots were thrown; himself<br /> +Achilles shook them. First, forth leap’d the lot<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Of Nestor’s son Antilochus, after whom<br /> +The King Eumelus took his destined place.<br /> +The third was Menelaus spear-renown’d;<br /> +Meriones the fourth; and last of all,<br /> +Bravest of all, heroic Diomede<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +The son of Tydeus took his lot to drive.<br /> +So ranged they stood; Achilles show’d the goal<br /> +Far on the champain, nigh to which he placed<br /> +The godlike Phœnix servant of his sire,<br /> +To mark the race and make a true report.<span class="lnm">455</span></p> +<p> All raised the lash at once, and with the reins<br /> +At once all smote their steeds, urging them on<br /> +Vociferous; they, sudden, left the fleet<br /> +Far, far behind them, scouring swift the plain.<br /> +Dark, like a stormy cloud, uprose the dust<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Their chests beneath, and scatter’d in the wind<br /> +Their manes all floated; now the chariots swept<br /> +The low declivity unseen, and now<br /> +Emerging started into view; erect<br /> +The drivers stood; emulous, every heart<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Beat double; each encouraged loud his steeds;<br /> +They, flying, fill’d with dust the darken’d air.<br /> +But when returning to the hoary deep<br /> +They ran their last career, then each display’d<br /> +Brightest his charioteership, and the race<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +Lay stretch’d, at once, into its utmost speed.<br /> +Then, soon the mares of Pheretiades<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-14">[14]</a><br /> +Pass’d all, but Diomede behind him came,<br /> +Borne by his unemasculated steeds<br /> +Of Trojan pedigree; they not remote,<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +But close pursued him; and at every pace<br /> +Seem’d entering both; the chariot at their head,<br /> +For blowing warm into Eumelus’ neck<br /> +Behind, and on his shoulders broad, they went,<br /> +And their chins rested on him as they flew.<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Then had Tydides pass’d him, or had made<br /> +Decision dubious, but Apollo struck,<br /> +Resentful,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-15">[15]</a> from his hand the glittering scourge.<br /> +Fast roll’d the tears indignant down his cheeks,<br /> +For he beheld the mares with double speed,<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +Flying, and of the spur deprived, his own<br /> +Retarded steeds continual thrown behind.<br /> +But not unnoticed by Minerva pass’d<br /> +The art by Phœbus practised to impede<br /> +The son of Tydeus, whom with winged haste<span class="lnm">490</span><br /> +Following, she gave to him his scourge again,<br /> +And with new force his lagging steeds inspired.<br /> +Eumelus, next, the angry Goddess, swift<br /> +Pursuing, snapt his yoke; wide flew the mares<br /> +Asunder, and the pole fell to the ground.<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Himself, roll’d from his seat, fast by the wheel<br /> +With lacerated elbows, nostrils, mouth,<br /> +And batter’d brows lay prone; sorrow his eyes<br /> +Deluged, and disappointment chok’d his voice.<br /> +Then, far outstripping all, Tydides push’d<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +His steeds beyond, which Pallas fill’d with power<br /> +That she might make the glorious prize his own.<br /> +Him follow’d Menelaus amber-hair’d,<br /> +The son of Atreus, and his father’s steeds<br /> +Encouraging, thus spake Antilochus.<span class="lnm">505</span></p> +<p> Away—now stretch ye forward to the goal.<br /> +I bid you not to an unequal strife<br /> +With those of Diomede, for Pallas them<br /> +Quickens that he may conquer, and the Chief<br /> +So far advanced makes competition vain.<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +But reach the son of Atreus, fly to reach<br /> +His steeds, incontinent; ah, be not shamed<br /> +For ever, foil’d by Æthe, by a mare!<br /> +Why fall ye thus behind, my noblest steeds?<br /> +I tell you both, and ye shall prove me true,<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +No favor shall ye find at Nestor’s hands,<br /> +My valiant sire, but he will thrust his spear<br /> +Right through you, should we lose, for sloth of yours,<br /> +Or by your negligence, the nobler prize.<br /> +Haste then—pursue him—reach the royal Chief—<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +And how to pass him in yon narrow way<br /> +Shall be my care, and not my care in vain.</p> +<p> He ended; they, awhile, awed by his voice,<br /> +With more exertion ran, and Nestor’s son<br /> +Now saw the hollow strait mark’d by his sire.<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +It was a chasm abrupt, where winter-floods,<br /> +Wearing the soil, had gullied deep the way.<br /> +Thither Atrides, anxious to avoid<br /> +A clash of chariots drove, and thither drove<br /> +Also, but somewhat devious from his track,<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +Antilochus. Then Menelaus fear’d,<br /> +And with loud voice the son of Nestor hail’d.</p> +<p> Antilochus, at what a madman’s rate<br /> +Drivest thou! stop—check thy steeds—the way is here<br /> +Too strait, but widening soon, will give thee scope<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +To pass me by; beware, lest chariot close<br /> +To chariot driven, thou maim thyself and me.</p> +<p> He said; but still more rapid and the scourge<br /> +Plying continual, as he had not heard,<br /> +Antilochus came on. Far as the quoit<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +By some broad-shoulder’d youth for trial hurl’d<br /> +Of manhood flies, so far Antilochus<br /> +Shot forward; but the coursers fell behind<br /> +Of Atreus’ son, who now abated much<br /> +By choice his driving, lest the steeds of both<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Jostling, should overturn with sudden shock<br /> +Both chariots, and themselves in dust be roll’d,<br /> +Through hot ambition of the foremost prize.<br /> +Him then the hero golden-hair’d reproved.</p> +<p> Antilochus! the man lives not on earth<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Like thee for love of mischief. Go, extoll’d<br /> +For wisdom falsely by the sons of Greece.<br /> +Yet, trust me, not without an oath, the prize<br /> +Thus foully sought shall even now be thine.</p> +<p> He said, and to his coursers call’d aloud.<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Ah be not tardy; stand not sorrow-check’d;<br /> +Their feet will fail them sooner far than yours,<br /> +For years have pass’d since they had youth to boast.</p> +<p> So he; and springing at his voice, his steeds<br /> +Regain’d apace the vantage lost. Meantime<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +The Grecians, in full circus seated, mark’d<br /> +The steeds; they flying, fill’d with dust the air.<br /> +Then, ere the rest, Idomeneus discern’d<br /> +The foremost pair; for, on a rising ground<br /> +Exalted, he without the circus sat,<span class="lnm">565</span><br /> +And hearing, though remote, the driver’s voice<br /> +Chiding his steeds, knew it, and knew beside<br /> +The leader horse distinguish’d by his hue,<br /> +Chestnut throughout, save that his forehead bore<br /> +A splendid blazon white, round as the moon.<span class="lnm">570</span></p> +<p> He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.<br /> +Friends! Chiefs and senators of Argos’ host!<br /> +Discern I sole the steeds, or also ye?<br /> +The horses, foremost now, to me appear<br /> +Other than erst, and I descry at hand<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +A different charioteer; the mares of late<br /> +Victorious, somewhere distant in the race<br /> +Are hurt; I plainly saw them at the first<br /> +Turning the goal, but see them now no more;<br /> +And yet with eyes inquisitive I range<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +From side to side the whole broad plain of Troy.<br /> +Either the charioteer hath slipp’d the reins,<br /> +Or rounded not successfully the goal<br /> +Through want of guidance. Thrown, as it should seem,<br /> +Forth from his seat, he hath his chariot maim’d,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +And his ungovern’d steeds have roam’d away.<br /> +Arise and look ye forth yourselves, for I<br /> +With doubtful ken behold him; yet the man<br /> +Seems, in my view, Ætolian by descent,<br /> +A Chief of prime renown in Argos’ host,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +The hero Tydeus’ son, brave Diomede,</p> +<p> But Ajax Oïliades the swift<br /> +Him sharp reproved. Why art thou always given<br /> +To prate, Idomeneus? thou seest the mares,<br /> +Remote indeed, but posting to the goal.<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Thou art not youngest of the Argives here<br /> +So much, nor from beneath thy brows look forth<br /> +Quick-sighted more than ours, thine eyes abroad.<br /> +Yet still thou pratest, although silence more<br /> +Should suit thee, among wiser far than thou.<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +The mares which led, lead still, and he who drives<br /> +Eumelus is, the same who drove before.</p> +<p> To whom the Cretan Chief, angry, replied.<br /> +Ajax! whom none in wrangling can excel<br /> +Or rudeness, though in all beside thou fall<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +Below the Argives, being boorish-rough,<br /> +Come now—a tripod let us wager each,<br /> +Or caldron, and let Agamemnon judge<br /> +Whose horses lead, that, losing, thou may’st learn.</p> +<p> He said; then sudden from his seat upsprang<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +Swift Ajax Oïliades, prepared<br /> +For harsh retort, nor had the contest ceased<br /> +Between them, but had grown from ill to worse,<br /> +Had not himself, Achilles, interposed.</p> +<p> Ajax—Idomeneus—abstain ye both<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +From bitter speech offensive, and such terms<br /> +As ill become you. Ye would feel, yourselves,<br /> +Resentment, should another act as ye.<br /> +Survey the course, peaceable, from your seats;<br /> +The charioteers, by competition wing’d,<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +Will soon themselves arrive, then shall ye know<br /> +Distinctly, both who follows and who leads.</p> +<p> He scarce had said, when nigh at hand appear’d<br /> +Tydides, lashing, as he came, his steeds<br /> +Continual; they with hoofs uplifted high<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +Their yet remaining ground shorten’d apace,<br /> +Sprinkling with dusty drops at every stroke<br /> +Their charioteer, while close upon their heels<br /> +Radiant with tin and gold the chariot ran,<br /> +Scarce tracking light the dust, so swift they flew.<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +He stood in the mid-circus; there the sweat<br /> +Rain’d under them from neck and chest profuse,<br /> +And Diomede from his resplendent seat<br /> +Leaping, reclined his scourge against the yoke.<br /> +Nor was his friend brave Sthenelus remiss,<span class="lnm">635</span><br /> +But, seizing with alacrity the prize,<br /> +Consign’d the tripod and the virgin, first,<br /> +To his own band in charge; then, loosed the steeds.<br /> +Next came, by stratagem, not speed advanced<br /> +To that distinction, Nestor’s son, whom yet<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +The hero Menelaus close pursued<br /> +Near as the wheel runs to a courser’s heels,<br /> +Drawing his master at full speed; his tail<br /> +With its extremest hairs the felly sweeps<br /> +That close attends him o’er the spacious plain,<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +So near had Menelaus now approach’d<br /> +Antilochus; for though at first he fell<br /> +A full quoit’s cast behind, he soon retrieved<br /> +That loss, with such increasing speed the mare<br /> +Bright-maned of Agamemnon, Æthe, ran;<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +She, had the course few paces more to both<br /> +Afforded, should have clearly shot beyond<br /> +Antilochus, nor dubious left the prize.<br /> +But noble Menelaus threw behind<br /> +Meriones, companion in the field,<span class="lnm">655</span><br /> +Of King Idomeneus, a lance’s flight,<br /> +For slowest were his steeds, and he, to rule<br /> +The chariot in the race, least skill’d of all.<br /> +Last came Eumelus drawing to the goal,<br /> +Himself, his splendid chariot, and his mares<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Driving before him. Peleus’ rapid son<br /> +Beheld him with compassion, and, amid<br /> +The Argives, in wing’d accents thus he spake.</p> +<p> Here comes the most expert, driving his steeds<br /> +Before him. Just it were that he received<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +The second prize; Tydides claims the first.</p> +<p> He said, and all applauded the award.<br /> +Then had Achilles to Eumelus given<br /> +The mare (for such the pleasure seem’d of all)<br /> +Had not the son of mighty Nestor risen,<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Antilochus, who pleaded thus his right.</p> +<p> Achilles! acting as thou hast proposed,<br /> +Thou shalt offend me much, for thou shalt take<br /> +The prize from me, because the Gods, his steeds<br /> +And chariot-yoke disabling, render’d vain<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +His efforts, and no failure of his own.<br /> +It was his duty to have sought the Gods<br /> +In prayer, then had he not, following on foot<br /> +His coursers, hindmost of us all arrived.<br /> +But if thou pity him, and deem it good,<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Thou hast much gold, much brass, and many sheep<br /> +In thy pavilion; thou hast maidens fair,<br /> +And coursers also. Of thy proper stores<br /> +Hereafter give to him a richer prize<br /> +Than this, or give it now, so shall the Greeks<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +Applaud thee; but this mare yield I to none;<br /> +Stand forth the Grecian who desires to win<br /> +That recompense, and let him fight with me.</p> +<p> He ended, and Achilles, godlike Chief,<br /> +Smiled on him, gratulating his success,<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +Whom much he loved; then, ardent, thus replied.</p> +<p> Antilochus! if thou wouldst wish me give<br /> +Eumelus of my own, even so I will.<br /> +I will present to him my corslet bright<br /> +Won from Asteropæus, edged around<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +With glittering tin; a precious gift, and rare.</p> +<p> So saying, he bade Automedon his friend<br /> +Produce it from the tent; he at his word<br /> +Departing, to Achilles brought the spoil,<br /> +Which at his hands Eumelus glad received.<span class="lnm">700</span><br /> +Then, stung with grief, and with resentment fired<br /> +Immeasurable, Menelaus rose<br /> +To charge Antilochus. His herald gave<br /> +The sceptre to his hand, and (silence bidden<br /> +To all) the godlike hero thus began.<span class="lnm">705</span></p> +<p> Antilochus! oh heretofore discreet!<br /> +What hast thou done? Thou hast dishonor’d foul<br /> +My skill, and wrong’d my coursers, throwing thine,<br /> +Although inferior far, by fraud before them.<br /> +Ye Chiefs and Senators of Argos’ host!<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +Impartial judge between us, lest, of these,<br /> +Some say hereafter, Menelaus bore<br /> +Antilochus by falsehood down, and led<br /> +The mare away, because, although his steeds<br /> +Were worse, his arm was mightier, and prevail’d.<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +Yet hold—myself will judge, and will to all<br /> +Contentment give, for I will judge aright.<br /> +Hither, Antilochus, illustrious youth!<br /> +And, as the law prescribes, standing before<br /> +Thy steeds and chariot, holding too the scourge<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +With which thou drovest, lay hand on both thy steeds,<br /> +And swear by Neptune, circler of the earth,<br /> +That neither wilfully, nor yet by fraud<br /> +Thou didst impede my chariot in its course.</p> +<p> Then prudent, thus Antilochus replied.<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +Oh royal Menelaus! patient bear<br /> +The fault of one thy junior far, in years<br /> +Alike unequal and in worth to thee.<br /> +Thou know’st how rash is youth, and how propense<br /> +To pass the bounds by decency prescribed,<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +Quick, but not wise. Lay, then, thy wrath aside;<br /> +The mare now given me I will myself<br /> +Deliver to thee, and if thou require<br /> +A larger recompense, will rather yield<br /> +A larger much than from thy favor fall<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +Deservedly for ever, mighty Prince!<br /> +And sin so heinously against the Gods.</p> +<p> So saying, the son of valiant Nestor led<br /> +The mare, himself, to Menelaus’ hand,<br /> +Who with heart-freshening joy the prize received.<span class="lnm">740</span><br /> +As on the ears of growing corn the dews<br /> +Fall grateful, while the spiry grain erect<br /> +Bristles the fields, so, Menelaus, felt<br /> +Thy inmost soul a soothing pleasure sweet!<br /> +Then answer thus the hero quick return’d.<span class="lnm">745</span></p> +<p> Antilochus! exasperate though I were,<br /> +Now, such no longer, I relinquish glad<br /> +All strife with thee, for that at other times<br /> +Thou never inconsiderate wast or light,<br /> +Although by youthful heat misled to-day.<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +Yet safer is it not to over-reach<br /> +Superiors, for no other Grecian here<br /> +Had my extreme displeasure calm’d so soon;<br /> +But thou hast suffer’d much, and much hast toil’d,<br /> +As thy good father and thy brother have,<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +On my behalf; I, therefore, yield, subdued<br /> +By thy entreaties, and the mare, though mine,<br /> +Will also give thee, that these Grecians all<br /> +May know me neither proud nor hard to appease.</p> +<p> So saying, the mare he to Noëmon gave,<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +Friend of Antilochus, and, well-content,<br /> +The polish’d caldron for <i>his</i> prize received.<br /> +The fourth awarded lot (for he had fourth<br /> +Arrived) Meriones asserted next,<br /> +The golden talents; but the phial still<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +Left unappropriated Achilles bore<br /> +Across the circus in his hand, a gift<br /> +To ancient Nestor, whom he thus bespake.</p> +<p> Thou also, oh my father! this accept,<br /> +Which in remembrance of the funeral rites<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +Of my Patroclus, keep, for him thou seest<br /> +Among the Greeks no more. Receive a prize,<br /> +Thine by gratuity; for thou shalt wield<br /> +The cestus, wrestle, at the spear contend,<br /> +Or in the foot-race (fallen as thou art<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +Into the wane of life) never again.</p> +<p> He said, and placed it in his hands. He, glad,<br /> +Receiving it, in accents wing’d replied.</p> +<p> True, oh my son! is all which thou hast spoken.<br /> +These limbs, these hands, young friend! (their vigor lost)<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +No longer, darted from the shoulder, spring<br /> +At once to battle. Ah that I could grow<br /> +Young yet again, could feel again such force<br /> +Athletic, as when in Buprasium erst<br /> +The Epeans with sepulchral pomp entomb’d<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +King Amarynceus, where his sons ordain’d<br /> +Funereal games in honor of their sire!<br /> +Epean none or even Pylian there<br /> +Could cope with me, or yet Ætolian bold.<br /> +Boxing, I vanquish’d Clytomedes, son<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +Of Enops; wrestling, the Pleuronian Chief<br /> +Ancæus; in the foot-race Iphiclus,<br /> +Though a fleet runner; and I over-pitch’d<br /> +Phyleus and Polydorus at the spear.<br /> +The sons of Actor<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-16">[16]</a> in the chariot-race<span class="lnm">795</span><br /> +Alone surpass’d me, being two for one,<br /> +And jealous both lest I should also win<br /> +That prize, for to the victor charioteer<br /> +They had assign’d the noblest prize of all.<br /> +They were twin-brothers, and one ruled the steeds,<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +The steeds one ruled,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-17">[17]</a> the other lash’d them on.<br /> +Such once was I; but now, these sports I leave<br /> +To younger; me submission most befits<br /> +To withering age, who then outshone the best.<br /> +But go. The funeral of thy friend with games<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +Proceed to celebrate; I accept thy gift<br /> +With pleasure; and my heart is also glad<br /> +That thou art mindful evermore of one<br /> +Who loves thee, and such honor in the sight<br /> +Yield’st me of all the Greeks, as is my due.<span class="lnm">810</span><br /> +May the Gods bless thee for it more and more!</p> +<p> He spake, and Peleus’ son, when he had heard<br /> +At large his commendation from the lips<br /> +Of Nestor, through the assembled Greeks return’d.<br /> +He next proposed, not lightly to be won,<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +The boxer’s prize. He tether’d down a mule,<br /> +Untamed and hard to tame, but strong to toil,<br /> +And in her prime of vigor, in the midst;<br /> +A goblet to the vanquish’d he assign’d,<br /> +Then stood erect and to the Greeks exclaim’d.<span class="lnm">820</span></p> +<p> Atridæ! and ye Argives brazen-greaved!<br /> +I call for two bold combatants expert<br /> +To wage fierce strife for these, with lifted fists<br /> +Smiting each other. He, who by the aid<br /> +Of Phœbus shall o’ertome, and whom the Greeks<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +Shall all pronounce victorious, leads the mule<br /> +Hence to his tent; the vanquish’d takes the cup.</p> +<p> He spake, and at his word a Greek arose<br /> +Big, bold, and skillful in the boxer’s art,<br /> +Epeüs, son of Panopeus; his hand<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +He on the mule imposed, and thus he said.</p> +<p> Approach the man ambitious of the cup!<br /> +For no Achaian here shall with his fist<br /> +Me foiling, win the mule. I boast myself<br /> +To all superior. May it not suffice<span class="lnm">835</span><br /> +That I to no pre-eminence pretend<br /> +In battle? To attain to foremost praise<br /> +Alike in every art is not for one.<br /> +But this I promise, and will well perform—<br /> +My blows shall lay him open, split him, crush<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +His bones to splinters, and let all his friends,<br /> +Attendant on him, wait to bear him hence,<br /> +Vanquish’d by my superior force in fight.</p> +<p> He ended, and his speech found no reply.<br /> +One godlike Chief alone, Euryalus,<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +Son of the King Mecisteus, who, himself,<br /> +Sprang from Talaion, opposite arose.<br /> +He, on the death of Oedipus, at Thebes<br /> +Contending in the games held at his tomb,<br /> +Had overcome the whole Cadmean race.<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +Him Diomede spear-famed for fight prepared,<br /> +Giving him all encouragement, for much<br /> +He wish’d him victory. First then he threw<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-18">[18]</a><br /> +His cincture to him; next, he gave him thongs<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-19">[19]</a><br /> +Cut from the hide of a wild buffalo.<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +Both girt around, into the midst they moved.<br /> +Then, lifting high their brawny arms, and fists<br /> +Mingling with fists, to furious fight they fell;<br /> +Dire was the crash of jaws, and the sweat stream’d<br /> +From every limb. Epeüs fierce advanced,<span class="lnm">860</span><br /> +And while Euryalus with cautious eye<br /> +Watch’d his advantage, pash’d him on the cheek<br /> +He stood no longer, but, his shapely limbs,<br /> +Unequal to his weight, sinking, he fell.<br /> +As by the rising north-wind driven ashore<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +A huge fish flounces on the weedy beach,<br /> +Which soon the sable flood covers again,<br /> +So, beaten down, he bounded. But Epeüs,<br /> +Heroic chief, upraised him by his hand,<br /> +And his own comrades from the circus forth<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Led him, step dragging after step, the blood<br /> +Ejecting grumous, and at every pace<br /> +Rolling his head languid from side to side.<br /> +They placed him all unconscious on his seat<br /> +In his own band, then fetch’d his prize, the cup.<span class="lnm">875</span></p> +<p> Still other prizes, then, Achilles placed<br /> +In view of all, the sturdy wrestler’s meed.<br /> +A large hearth-tripod, valued by the Greeks<br /> +At twice six beeves, should pay the victor’s toil;<br /> +But for the vanquish’d, in the midst he set<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +A damsel in variety expert<br /> +Of arts domestic, valued at four beeves.<br /> +He rose erect, and to the Greeks he cried.</p> +<p> Arise ye, now, who shall this prize dispute.<br /> +So spake the son of Peleus; then arose<span class="lnm">885</span><br /> +Huge Telamonian Ajax, and upstood<br /> +Ulysses also, in all wiles adept.<br /> +Both girt around, into the midst they moved.<br /> +With vigorous gripe each lock’d the other fast,<br /> +Like rafters, standing, of some mansion built<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +By a prime artist proof against all winds.<br /> +Their backs, tugg’d vehemently, creak’d,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-20">[20]</a> the sweat<br /> +Trickled, and on their flanks and shoulders, red<br /> +The whelks arose; they bearing still in mind<br /> +The tripod, ceased not struggling for the prize.<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +Nor could Ulysses from his station move<br /> +And cast down Ajax, nor could Ajax him<br /> +Unsettle, fixt so firm Ulysses stood.<br /> +But when, long time expectant, all the Greeks<br /> +Grew weary, then, huge Ajax him bespake.<span class="lnm">900</span></p> +<p> Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!<br /> +Lift, or be lifted, and let Jove decide.</p> +<p> He said, and heaved Ulysses. Then, his wiles<br /> +Forgat not he, but on the ham behind<br /> +Chopp’d him; the limbs of Ajax at the stroke<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +Disabled sank; he fell supine, and bore<br /> +Ulysses close adhering to his chest<br /> +Down with him. Wonder riveted all eyes.<br /> +Then brave Ulysses from the ground awhile<br /> +Him lifted in his turn, but ere he stood,<span class="lnm">910</span><br /> +Inserting his own knee the knees between<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-21">[21]</a><br /> +Of Ajax, threw him. To the earth they fell<br /> +Both, and with dust defiled lay side by side.<br /> +And now, arising to a third essay,<br /> +They should have wrestled yet again, had not<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +Achilles, interfering, them restrain’d.</p> +<p> Strive not together more; cease to exhaust<br /> +Each other’s force; ye both have earn’d the prize<br /> +Depart alike requited, and give place<br /> +To other Grecians who shall next contend.<span class="lnm">920</span></p> +<p> He spake; they glad complied, and wiping off<br /> +The dust, put on their tunics. Then again<br /> +Achilles other prizes yet proposed,<br /> +The rapid runner’s meed. First, he produced<br /> +A silver goblet of six measures; earth<span class="lnm">925</span><br /> +Own’d not its like for elegance of form.<br /> +Skilful Sidonian artists had around<br /> +Embellish’d it,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-22">[22]</a> and o’er the sable deep<br /> +Phœnician merchants into Lemnos’ port<br /> +Had borne it, and the boon to Thoas<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-23">[23]</a> given;<span class="lnm">930</span><br /> +But Jason’s son, Euneüs, in exchange<br /> +For Priam’s son Lycaon, to the hand<br /> +Had pass’d it of Patroclus famed in arms.<br /> +Achilles this, in honor of his friend,<br /> +Set forth, the swiftest runner’s recompense.<span class="lnm">935</span><br /> +The second should a fatted ox receive<br /> +Of largest size, and he assign’d of gold<br /> +A just half-talent to the worst and last.<br /> +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.</p> +<p> Now stand ye forth who shall this prize dispute.<span class="lnm">940</span><br /> +He said, and at his word instant arose<br /> +Swift Ajax Oïliades; upsprang<br /> +The shrewd Ulysses next, and after him<br /> +Brave Nestor’s son Antilochus, with whom<br /> +None vied in speed of all the youths of Greece.<span class="lnm">945</span><br /> +They stood prepared. Achilles show’d the goal.<br /> +At once all started. Oïliades<br /> +Led swift the course, and closely at his heels<br /> +Ulysses ran. Near as some cinctured maid<br /> +Industrious holds the distaff to her breast,<span class="lnm">950</span><br /> +While to and fro with practised finger neat<br /> +She tends the flax drawing it to a thread,<br /> +So near Ulysses follow’d him, and press’d<br /> +His footsteps, ere the dust fill’d them again,<br /> +Pouring his breath into his neck behind,<span class="lnm">955</span><br /> +And never slackening pace. His ardent thirst<br /> +Of victory with universal shouts<br /> +All seconded, and, eager, bade him on.<br /> +And now the contest shortening to a close,<br /> +Ulysses his request silent and brief<span class="lnm">960</span><br /> +To azure-eyed Minerva thus preferr’d.</p> +<p> Oh Goddess hear, prosper me in the race!<br /> +Such was his prayer, with which Minerva pleased,<br /> +Freshen’d his limbs, and made him light to run.<br /> +And now, when in one moment they should both<span class="lnm">965</span><br /> +Have darted on the prize, then Ajax’ foot<br /> +Sliding, he fell; for where the dung of beeves<br /> +Slain by Achilles for his friend, had spread<br /> +The soil, there<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-24">[24]</a> Pallas tripp’d him. Ordure foul<br /> +His mouth, and ordure foul his nostrils fill’d.<span class="lnm">970</span><br /> +Then brave Ulysses, first arriving, seized<br /> +The cup, and Ajax took his prize, the ox.<br /> +He grasp’d his horn, and sputtering as he stood<br /> +The ordure forth, the Argives thus bespake.</p> +<p> Ah—Pallas tripp’d my footsteps; she attends<span class="lnm">975</span><br /> +Ulysses ever with a mother’s care.</p> +<p> Loud laugh’d the Grecians. Then, the remnant prize<br /> +Antilochus receiving, smiled and said.</p> +<p> Ye need not, fellow-warriors, to be taught<br /> +That now, as ever, the immortal Gods<span class="lnm">980</span><br /> +Honor on seniority bestow.<br /> +Ajax is elder, yet not much, than I.<br /> +But Laertiades was born in times<br /> +Long past, a chief coëval with our sires,<br /> +Not young, but vigorous; and of the Greeks,<span class="lnm">985</span><br /> +Achilles may alone with him contend.</p> +<p> So saying, the merit of superior speed<br /> +To Peleus’ son he gave, who thus replied.</p> +<p> Antilochus! thy praise of me shall prove<br /> +Nor vain nor unproductive to thyself,<span class="lnm">990</span><br /> +For the half-talent doubled shall be thine.</p> +<p> He spake, and, doubling it, the talent placed<br /> +Whole in his hand. He glad the gift received.<br /> +Achilles, then Sarpedon’s arms produced,<br /> +Stripp’d from him by Patroclus, his long spear,<span class="lnm">995</span><br /> +Helmet and shield, which in the midst he placed.<br /> +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.</p> +<p> I call for two brave warriors arm’d to prove<br /> +Each other’s skill with weapons keen, this prize<br /> +Disputing, next, in presence of us all.<span class="lnm">1000</span><br /> +Who first shall through his armor reach the skin<br /> +Of his antagonist, and shall draw his blood,<br /> +To him this silver-studded falchion bright<br /> +I give; the blade is Thracian, and of late<br /> +Asteropæus wore it, whom I slew.<span class="lnm">1005</span><br /> +These other arms shall be their common meed,<br /> +And I will banquet both within my tent.</p> +<p> He said, then Telamonian Ajax huge<br /> +Arose, and opposite the son arose<br /> +Of warlike Tydeus, Diomede the brave.<span class="lnm">1010</span><br /> +Apart from all the people each put on<br /> +His arms, then moved into the middle space,<br /> +Lowering terrific, and on fire to fight.<br /> +The host look’d on amazed. Approaching each<br /> +The other, thrice they sprang to the assault,<span class="lnm">1015</span><br /> +And thrice struck hand to hand. Ajax the shield<br /> +Pierced of his adversary, but the flesh<br /> +Attain’d not, baffled by his mail within.<br /> +Then Tydeus’ son, sheer o’er the ample disk<br /> +Of Ajax, thrust a lance home to his neck,<span class="lnm">1020</span><br /> +And the Achaians for the life appall’d<br /> +Of Ajax, bade them, ceasing, share the prize.<br /> +But the huge falchion with its sheath and belt—<br /> +Achilles them on Diomede bestow’d.</p> +<p> The hero, next, an iron clod produced<span class="lnm">1025</span><br /> +Rough from the forge, and wont to task the might<br /> +Of King Eëtion; but, when him he slew,<br /> +Pelides, glorious chief, with other spoils<br /> +From Thebes convey’d it in his fleet to Troy.<br /> +He stood erect, and to the Greeks he cried.<span class="lnm">1030</span></p> +<p> Come forth who also shall this prize dispute!<br /> +How far soe’er remote the winner’s fields,<br /> +This lump shall serve his wants five circling years;<br /> +His shepherd shall not, or his plower, need<br /> +In quest of iron seek the distant town,<span class="lnm">1035</span><br /> +But hence he shall himself their wants supply.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-25">[25]</a><br /> +Then Polypœtes brave in fight arose,<br /> +Arose Leonteus also, godlike chief,<br /> +With Ajax son of Telamon. Each took<br /> +His station, and Epeüs seized the clod.<span class="lnm">1040</span><br /> +He swung, he cast it, and the Grecians laugh’d.<br /> +Leonteus, branch of Mars, quoited it next.<br /> +Huge Telamonian Ajax with strong arm<br /> +Dismiss’d it third, and overpitch’d them both.<br /> +But when brave Polypœtes seized the mass<span class="lnm">1045</span><br /> +Far as the vigorous herdsman flings his staff<br /> +That twirling flies his numerous beeves between,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-26">[26]</a><br /> +So far his cast outmeasured all beside,<br /> +And the host shouted. Then the friends arose<br /> +Of Polypœtes valiant chief, and bore<span class="lnm">1050</span><br /> +His ponderous acquisition to the ships.</p> +<p> The archers’ prize Achilles next proposed,<br /> +Ten double and ten single axes, form’d<br /> +Of steel convertible to arrow-points.<br /> +He fix’d, far distant on the sands, the mast<span class="lnm">1055</span><br /> +Of a brave bark cerulean-prow’d, to which<br /> +With small cord fasten’d by the foot he tied<br /> +A timorous dove, their mark at which to aim.<br /> +<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-27">[27]</a>Who strikes the dove, he conquers, and shall bear<br /> +These double axes all into his tent.<span class="lnm">1060</span><br /> +But who the cord alone, missing the bird,<br /> +Successful less, he wins the single blades.</p> +<p> The might of royal Teucer then arose,<br /> +And, fellow-warrior of the King of Crete,<br /> +Valiant Meriones. A brazen casque<span class="lnm">1065</span><br /> +Received the lots; they shook them, and the lot<br /> +Fell first to Teucer. He, at once, a shaft<br /> +Sent smartly forth, but vow’d not to the King<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-28">[28]</a><br /> +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock.<br /> +He therefore (for Apollo greater praise<span class="lnm">1070</span><br /> +Denied him) miss’d the dove, but struck the cord<br /> +That tied her, at small distance from the knot,<br /> +And with his arrow sever’d it. Upsprang<br /> +The bird into the air, and to the ground<br /> +Depending fell the cord. Shouts rent the skies.<span class="lnm">1075</span><br /> +Then, all in haste, Meriones the bow<br /> +Caught from his hand holding a shaft the while<br /> +Already aim’d, and to Apollo vow’d<br /> +A hecatomb, all firstlings of the flock.<br /> +He eyed the dove aloft, under a cloud,<span class="lnm">1080</span><br /> +And, while she wheel’d around, struck her beneath<br /> +The pinion; through her and beyond her pass’d<br /> +The arrow, and, returning, pierced the soil<br /> +Fast by the foot of brave Meriones.<br /> +She, perching on the mast again, her head<span class="lnm">1085</span><br /> +Reclined, and hung her wide-unfolded wing,<br /> +But, soon expiring, dropp’d and fell remote.<br /> +Amazement seized the people. To his tent<br /> +Meriones the ten best axes bore,<br /> +And Teucer the inferior ten to his.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_23-29">[29]</a><span class="lnm">1090</span></p> +<p> Then, last, Achilles in the circus placed<br /> +A ponderous spear and caldron yet unfired,<br /> +Emboss’d with flowers around, its worth an ox.<br /> +Upstood the spear-expert; Atrides first,<br /> +Wide-ruling Agamemnon, King of men,<span class="lnm">1095</span><br /> +And next, brave fellow-warrior of the King<br /> +Of Crete, Meriones; when thus his speech<br /> +Achilles to the royal chief address’d.</p> +<p> Atrides! (for we know thy skill and force<br /> +Matchless! that none can hurl the spear as thou)<span class="lnm">1100</span><br /> +This prize is thine, order it to thy ship;<br /> +And if it please thee, as I would it might,<br /> +Let brave Meriones the spear receive.</p> +<p> He said; nor Agamemnon not complied,<br /> +But to Meriones the brazen spear<br /> +Presenting, to Talthybius gave in charge<br /> +The caldron, next, his own illustrious prize.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="large" /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="book24"></a>BOOK XXIV.</h2> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK.</h3> + +<p class="outd">Priam, by command of Jupiter, and under conduct of Mercury, seeks Achilles +in his tent, who admonished previously by Thetis, consents to accept +ransom for the body of Hector. Hector is mourned, and the manner of +his funeral, circumstantially described, concludes the poem.</p> + +<hr class="med" /> + +<h3 class="chap">BOOK XXIV.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<p class="noind">The games all closed, the people went dispersed<br /> +Each to his ship; they, mindful of repast,<br /> +And to enjoy repose; but other thoughts<br /> +Achilles’ mind employ’d: he still deplored<br /> +With tears his loved Patroclus, nor the force<span class="lnm">5</span><br /> +Felt of all-conquering sleep, but turn’d and turn’d<br /> +Restless from side to side, mourning the loss<br /> +Of such a friend, so manly, and so brave.<br /> +Their fellowship in toil; their hardships oft<br /> +Sustain’d in fight laborious, or o’ercome<span class="lnm">10</span><br /> +With difficulty on the perilous deep—<br /> +Remembrance busily retracing themes<br /> +Like these, drew down his cheeks continual tears.<br /> +Now on his side he lay, now lay supine,<br /> +Now prone, then starting from his couch he roam’d<span class="lnm">15</span><br /> +Forlorn the beach, nor did the rising morn<br /> +On seas and shores escape his watchful eye,<br /> +But joining to his chariot his swift steeds,<br /> +He fasten’d Hector to be dragg’d behind.<br /> +Around the tomb of Menœtiades<span class="lnm">20</span><br /> +Him thrice he dragg’d; then rested in his tent,<br /> +Leaving him at his length stretch’d in the dust.<br /> +Meantime Apollo with compassion touch’d<br /> +Even of the lifeless Hector, from all taint<br /> +Saved him, and with the golden ægis broad<span class="lnm">25</span><br /> +Covering, preserved him, although dragg’d, untorn.</p> +<p> + While he, indulging thus his wrath, disgraced<br /> +Brave Hector, the immortals at that sight<br /> +With pity moved, exhorted Mercury<br /> +The watchful Argicide, to steal him thence.<span class="lnm">30</span><br /> +That counsel pleased the rest, but neither pleased<br /> +Juno, nor Neptune, nor the blue-eyed maid.<br /> +They still, as at the first, held fast their hate<br /> +Of sacred Troy, detested Priam still,<br /> +And still his people, mindful of the crime<span class="lnm">35</span><br /> +Of Paris, who when to his rural hut<br /> +They came, those Goddesses affronting,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-1">[1]</a> praise<br /> +And admiration gave to her alone<br /> +Who with vile lusts his preference repaid.<br /> +But when the twelfth ensuing morn arose,<span class="lnm">40</span><br /> +Apollo, then, the immortals thus address’d.</p> +<p> Ye Gods, your dealings now injurious seem<br /> +And cruel. Was not Hector wont to burn<br /> +Thighs of fat goats and bullocks at your shrines?<br /> +Whom now, though dead, ye cannot yet endure<span class="lnm">45</span><br /> +To rescue, that Andromache once more<br /> +Might view him, his own mother, his own son,<br /> +His father and the people, who would soon<br /> +Yield him his just demand, a funeral fire.<br /> +But, oh ye Gods! your pleasure is alone<span class="lnm">50</span><br /> +To please Achilles, that pernicious chief,<br /> +Who neither right regards, nor owns a mind<br /> +That can relent, but as the lion, urged<br /> +By his own dauntless heart and savage force,<br /> +Invades without remorse the rights of man,<span class="lnm">55</span><br /> +That he may banquet on his herds and flocks,<br /> +So Peleus’ son all pity from his breast<br /> +Hath driven, and shame, man’s blessing or his curse.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-2">[2]</a><br /> +For whosoever hath a loss sustain’d<br /> +Still dearer, whether of his brother born<span class="lnm">60</span><br /> +From the same womb, or even of his son,<br /> +When he hath once bewail’d him, weeps no more,<br /> +For fate itself gives man a patient mind.<br /> +Yet Peleus’ son, not so contented, slays<br /> +Illustrious Hector first, then drags his corse<span class="lnm">65</span><br /> +In cruel triumph at his chariot-wheels<br /> +Around Patroclus’ tomb; but neither well<br /> +He acts, nor honorably to himself,<br /> +Who may, perchance, brave though he be, incur<br /> +Our anger, while to gratify revenge<span class="lnm">70</span><br /> +He pours dishonor thus on senseless clay.</p> +<p> To whom, incensed, Juno white-arm’d replied.<br /> +And be it so; stand fast this word of thine,<br /> +God of the silver bow! if ye account<br /> +Only such honor to Achilles due<span class="lnm">75</span><br /> +As Hector claims; but Hector was by birth<br /> +Mere man, and suckled at a woman’s breast.<br /> +Not such Achilles; him a Goddess bore,<br /> +Whom I myself nourish’d, and on my lap<br /> +Fondled, and in due time to Peleus gave<span class="lnm">80</span><br /> +In marriage, to a chief beloved in heaven<br /> +Peculiarly; ye were yourselves, ye Gods!<br /> +Partakers of the nuptial feast, and thou<br /> +Wast present also with thine harp in hand,<br /> +Thou comrade of the vile! thou faithless ever!<span class="lnm">85</span></p> +<p> Then answer thus cloud-gatherer Jove return’d.<br /> +Juno, forbear. Indulge not always wrath<br /> +Against the Gods. They shall not share alike,<br /> +And in the same proportion our regards.<br /> +Yet even Hector was the man in Troy<span class="lnm">90</span><br /> +Most favor’d by the Gods, and him no less<br /> +I also loved, for punctual were his gifts<br /> +To us; mine altar never miss’d from him<br /> +Libation, or the steam of sacrifice,<br /> +The meed allotted to us from of old.<span class="lnm">95</span><br /> +But steal him not, since by Achilles’ eye<br /> +Unseen ye cannot, who both day and night<br /> +Watches<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-3">[3]</a> him, as a mother tends her son.<br /> +But call ye Thetis hither, I would give<br /> +The Goddess counsel, that, at Priam’s hands<span class="lnm">100</span><br /> +Accepting gifts, Achilles loose the dead.</p> +<p> He ceased. Then Iris tempest-wing’d arose.<br /> +Samos between, and Imbrus rock-begirt,<br /> +She plunged into the gloomy flood; loud groan’d<br /> +The briny pool, while sudden down she rush’d,<span class="lnm">105</span><br /> +As sinks the bull’s<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-4">[4]</a> horn with its leaden weight,<br /> +Death bearing to the raveners of the deep.<br /> +Within her vaulted cave Thetis she found<br /> +By every nymph of Ocean round about<br /> +Encompass’d; she, amid them all, the fate<span class="lnm">110</span><br /> +Wept of her noble son ordain’d to death<br /> +At fertile Troy, from Phthia far remote.<br /> +Then, Iris, drawing near, her thus address’d.</p> +<p> Arise, O Thetis! Jove, the author dread<br /> +Of everlasting counsels, calls for thee.<span class="lnm">115</span></p> +<p> To whom the Goddess of the silver feet.<br /> +Why calls the mighty Thunderer me? I fear,<br /> +Oppress’d with countless sorrows as I am,<br /> +To mingle with the Gods. Yet I obey—<br /> +No word of his can prove an empty sound.<span class="lnm">120</span></p> +<p> So saying, the Goddess took her sable veil<br /> +(Eye ne’er beheld a darker) and began<br /> +Her progress, by the storm-wing’d Iris led.<br /> +On either hand the billows open’d wide<br /> +A pass before them; they, ascending soon<span class="lnm">125</span><br /> +The shore, updarted swift into the skies.<br /> +They found loud-voiced Saturnian Jove around<br /> +Environ’d by the ever-blessed Gods<br /> +Convened in full assembly; she beside<br /> +Her Father Jove (Pallas retiring) sat.<span class="lnm">130</span><br /> +Then, Juno, with consolatory speech,<br /> +Presented to her hand a golden cup,<br /> +Of which she drank, then gave it back again,<br /> +And thus the sire of Gods and men began.</p> +<p> Goddess of ocean, Thetis! thou hast sought<span class="lnm">135</span><br /> +Olympus, bearing in thy bosom grief<br /> +Never to be assuaged, as well I know.<br /> +Yet shalt thou learn, afflicted as thou art,<br /> +Why I have summon’d thee. Nine days the Gods,<br /> +Concerning Hector’s body and thy own<span class="lnm">140</span><br /> +Brave city-spoiler son, have held dispute,<br /> +And some have urged ofttimes the Argicide<br /> +Keen-sighted Mercury, to steal the dead.<br /> +But I forbade it for Achilles’ sake,<br /> +Whom I exalt, the better to insure<span class="lnm">145</span><br /> +Thy reverence and thy friendship evermore.<br /> +Haste, therefore, seek thy son, and tell him thus,<br /> +The Gods resent it, say (but most of all<br /> +Myself am angry) that he still detains<br /> +Amid his fleet, through fury of revenge,<span class="lnm">150</span><br /> +Unransom’d Hector; so shall he, at length,<br /> +Through fear of me, perchance, release the slain.<br /> +Myself to generous Priam will, the while,<br /> +Send Iris, who shall bid him to the fleet<br /> +Of Greece, such ransom bearing as may soothe<span class="lnm">155</span><br /> +Achilles, for redemption of his son.</p> +<p> So spake the God, nor Thetis not complied.<br /> +Descending swift from the Olympian heights<br /> +She reach’d Achilles’ tent. Him there she found<br /> +Groaning disconsolate, while others ran<span class="lnm">160</span><br /> +To and fro, occupied around a sheep<br /> +New-slaughter’d, large, and of exuberant fleece.<br /> +She, sitting close beside him, softly strok’d<br /> +His cheek, and thus, affectionate, began.</p> +<p> How long, my son! sorrowing and mourning here,<span class="lnm">165</span><br /> +Wilt thou consume thy soul, nor give one thought<br /> +Either to food or love? Yet love is good,<br /> +And woman grief’s best cure; for length of days<br /> +Is not thy doom, but, even now, thy death<br /> +And ruthless destiny are on the wing.<span class="lnm">170</span><br /> +Mark me,—I come a lieger sent from Jove.<br /> +The Gods, he saith, resent it, but himself<br /> +More deeply than the rest, that thou detain’st<br /> +Amid thy fleet, through fury of revenge,<br /> +Unransom’d Hector. Be advised, accept<span class="lnm">175</span><br /> +Ransom, and to his friends resign the dead.</p> +<p> To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.<br /> +Come then the ransomer, and take him hence;<br /> +If Jove himself command it,—be it so.</p> +<p> So they, among the ships, conferring sat<span class="lnm">180</span><br /> +On various themes, the Goddess and her son;<br /> +Meantime Saturnian Jove commanded down<br /> +His swift ambassadress to sacred Troy.</p> +<p> Hence, rapid Iris! leave the Olympian heights.<br /> +And, finding noble Priam, bid him haste<span class="lnm">185</span><br /> +Into Achaia’s fleet, bearing such gifts<br /> +As may assuage Achilles, and prevail<br /> +To liberate the body of his son.<br /> +Alone, he must; no Trojan of them all<br /> +May company the senior thither, save<span class="lnm">190</span><br /> +An ancient herald to direct his mules<br /> +And his wheel’d litter, and to bring the dead<br /> +Back into Ilium, whom Achilles slew.<br /> +Let neither fear of death nor other fear<br /> +Trouble him aught, so safe a guard and sure<span class="lnm">195</span><br /> +We give him; Mercury shall be his guide<br /> +Into Achilles’ presence in his tent.<br /> +Nor will himself Achilles slay him there,<br /> +Or even permit his death, but will forbid<br /> +All violence; for he is not unwise<span class="lnm">200</span><br /> +Nor heedless, no—nor wilful to offend,<br /> +But will his suppliant with much grace receive.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-5">[5]</a></p> +<p> + He ceased; then Iris tempest-wing’d arose,<br /> +Jove’s messenger, and, at the gates arrived<br /> +Of Priam, wo and wailing found within.<span class="lnm">205</span><br /> +Around their father, in the hall, his sons<br /> +Their robes with tears water’d, while them amidst<br /> +The hoary King sat mantled, muffled close,<br /> +And on his venerable head and neck<br /> +Much dust was spread, which, rolling on the earth,<span class="lnm">210</span><br /> +He had shower’d on them with unsparing hands.<br /> +The palace echoed to his daughters’ cries,<br /> +And to the cries of matrons calling fresh<br /> +Into remembrance many a valiant chief<br /> +Now stretch’d in dust, by Argive hands destroy’d.<span class="lnm">215</span><br /> +The messenger of Jove at Priam’s side<br /> +Standing, with whisper’d accents low his ear<br /> +Saluted, but he trembled at the sound.</p> +<p> Courage, Dardanian Priam! fear thou nought;<br /> +To thee no prophetess of ill, I come;<span class="lnm">220</span><br /> +But with kind purpose: Jove’s ambassadress<br /> +Am I, who though remote, yet entertains<br /> +Much pity, and much tender care for thee.<br /> +Olympian Jove commands thee to redeem<br /> +The noble Hector, with an offering large<span class="lnm">225</span><br /> +Of gifts that may Achilles’ wrath appease.<br /> +Alone, thou must; no Trojan of them all<br /> +Hath leave to attend thy journey thither, save<br /> +An ancient herald to direct thy mules<br /> +And thy wheel’d litter, and to bring the dead<span class="lnm">230</span><br /> +Back into Ilium, whom Achilles slew.<br /> +Let neither fear of death nor other fear<br /> +Trouble thee aught, so safe a guard and sure<br /> +He gives thee; Mercury shall be thy guide<br /> +Even to Achilles’ presence in his tent.<span class="lnm">235</span><br /> +Nor will himself Achilles slay thee there,<br /> +Or even permit thy death, but will forbid<br /> +All violence; for he is not unwise<br /> +Nor heedless, no—nor wilful to offend,<br /> +But will his suppliant with much grace receive.<span class="lnm">240</span></p> +<p> + So spake the swift ambassadress, and went.<br /> +Then, calling to his sons, he bade them bring<br /> +His litter forth, and bind the coffer on,<br /> +While to his fragrant chamber he repair’d<br /> +Himself, with cedar lined and lofty-roof’d,<span class="lnm">245</span><br /> +A treasury of wonders into which<br /> +The Queen he summon’d, whom he thus bespake.</p> +<p> Hecuba! the ambassadress of Jove<br /> +Hath come, who bids me to the Grecian fleet,<br /> +Bearing such presents thither as may soothe<span class="lnm">250</span><br /> +Achilles, for redemption of my son.<br /> +But say, what seems this enterprise to thee?<br /> +Myself am much inclined to it, I feel<br /> +My courage prompting me amain toward<br /> +The fleet, and into the Achaian camp.<span class="lnm">255</span></p> +<p> Then wept the Queen aloud, and thus replied.<br /> +Ah! whither is thy wisdom fled, for which<br /> +Both strangers once, and Trojans honor’d <i>thee</i>?<br /> +How canst thou wish to penetrate alone<br /> +The Grecian fleet, and to appear before<span class="lnm">260</span><br /> +His face, by whom so many valiant sons<br /> +Of thine have fallen? Thou hast an iron heart!<br /> +For should that savage man and faithless once<br /> +Seize and discover thee, no pity expect<br /> +Or reverence at his hands. Come—let us weep<span class="lnm">265</span><br /> +Together, here sequester’d; for the thread<br /> +Spun for him by his destiny severe<br /> +When he was born, ordain’d our son remote<br /> +From us his parents to be food for hounds<br /> +In that chief’s tent. Oh! clinging to his side,<span class="lnm">270</span><br /> +How I could tear him with my teeth! His deeds,<br /> +Disgraceful to my son, then should not want<br /> +Retaliation; for he slew not him<br /> +Skulking, but standing boldly for the wives,<br /> +The daughters fair, and citizens of Troy,<span class="lnm">275</span><br /> +Guiltless of flight,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-6">[6]</a> and of the wish to fly.</p> +<p> + Whom godlike Priam answer’d, ancient King.<br /> +Impede me not who willing am to go,<br /> +Nor be, thyself, a bird of ominous note<br /> +To terrify me under my own roof,<span class="lnm">280</span><br /> +For thou shalt not prevail. Had mortal man<br /> +Enjoin’d me this attempt, prophet, or priest,<br /> +Or soothsayer, I had pronounced him false<br /> +And fear’d it but the more. But, since I saw<br /> +The Goddess with these eyes, and heard, myself,<span class="lnm">285</span><br /> +The voice divine, I go; that word shall stand;<br /> +And, if my doom be in the fleet of Greece<br /> +To perish, be it so; Achilles’ arm<br /> +Shall give me speedy death, and I shall die<br /> +Folding my son, and satisfied with tears.<span class="lnm">290</span></p> +<p> So saying, he open’d wide the elegant lids<br /> +Of numerous chests, whence mantles twelve he took<br /> +Of texture beautiful; twelve single cloaks;<br /> +As many carpets, with as many robes,<br /> +To which he added vests, an equal store.<span class="lnm">295</span><br /> +He also took ten talents forth of gold,<br /> +All weigh’d, two splendid tripods, caldrons four,<br /> +And after these a cup of matchless worth<br /> +Given to him when ambassador in Thrace;<br /> +A noble gift, which yet the hoary King<span class="lnm">300</span><br /> +Spared not, such fervor of desire he felt<br /> +To loose his son. Then from his portico,<br /> +With angry taunts he drove the gather’d crowds.</p> +<p> Away! away! ye dregs of earth, away!<br /> +Ye shame of human kind! Have ye no griefs<span class="lnm">305</span><br /> +At home, that ye come hither troubling <i>me</i>?<br /> +Deem ye it little that Saturnian Jove<br /> +Afflicts me thus, and of my very best,<br /> +Best boy deprives me? Ah! ye shall be taught<br /> +Yourselves that loss, far easier to be slain<span class="lnm">310</span><br /> +By the Achaians now, since he is dead.<br /> +But I, ere yet the city I behold<br /> +Taken and pillaged, with these aged eyes,<br /> +Shall find safe hiding in the shades below.</p> +<p> + He said, and chased them with his staff; they left<span class="lnm">315</span><br /> +In haste the doors, by the old King expell’d.<br /> +Then, chiding them aloud, his sons he call’d,<br /> +Helenus, Paris, noble Agathon,<br /> +Pammon, Antiphonus, and bold in fight<br /> +Polites, Dios of illustrious fame,<span class="lnm">320</span><br /> +Hippothoüs and Deiphobus—all nine<br /> +He call’d, thus issuing, angry, his commands.</p> +<p> Quick! quick! ye slothful in your father’s cause,<br /> +Ye worthless brood! would that in Hector’s stead<br /> +Ye all had perish’d in the fleet of Greece!<span class="lnm">325</span><br /> +Oh altogether wretched! in all Troy<br /> +No man had sons to boast valiant as mine,<br /> +And I have lost them all. Mestor is gone<br /> +The godlike, Troilus the steed-renown’d,<br /> +And Hector, who with other men compared<span class="lnm">330</span><br /> +Seem’d a Divinity, whom none had deem’d<br /> +From mortal man derived, but from a God.<br /> +These Mars hath taken, and hath left me none<br /> +But scandals of my house, void of all truth,<br /> +Dancers, exact step-measurers,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-7">[7]</a> a band<span class="lnm">335</span><br /> +Of public robbers, thieves of kids and lambs.<br /> +Will ye not bring my litter to the gate<br /> +This moment, and with all this package quick<br /> +Charge it, that we may hence without delay?</p> +<p> He said, and by his chiding awed, his sons<span class="lnm">340</span><br /> +Drew forth the royal litter, neat, new-built,<br /> +And following swift the draught, on which they bound<br /> +The coffer; next, they lower’d from the wall<br /> +The sculptured boxen yoke with its two rings;<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-8">[8]</a><br /> +And with the yoke its furniture, in length<span class="lnm">345</span><br /> +Nine cubits; this to the extremest end<br /> +Adjusting of the pole, they cast the ring<br /> +Over the ring-bolt; then, thrice through the yoke<br /> +They drew the brace on both sides, made it fast<br /> +With even knots, and tuck’d<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-9">[9]</a> the dangling ends.<span class="lnm">350</span><br /> +Producing, next, the glorious ransom-price<br /> +Of Hector’s body, on the litter’s floor<br /> +They heap’d it all, then yoked the sturdy mules,<br /> +A gift illustrious by the Mysians erst<br /> +Conferr’d on Priam; to the chariot, last,<span class="lnm">355</span><br /> +They led forth Priam’s steeds, which the old King<br /> +(In person serving them) with freshest corn<br /> +Constant supplied; meantime, himself within<br /> +The palace, and his herald, were employ’d<br /> +Girding<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-10">[10]</a> themselves, to go; wise each and good.<span class="lnm">360</span><br /> +And now came mournful Hecuba, with wine<br /> +Delicious charged, which in a golden cup<br /> +She brought, that not without libation due<br /> +First made, they might depart. Before the steeds<br /> +Her steps she stay’d, and Priam thus address’d.<span class="lnm">365</span></p> +<p> Take this, and to the Sire of all perform<br /> +Libation, praying him a safe return<br /> +From hostile hands, since thou art urged to seek<br /> +The Grecian camp, though not by my desire.<br /> +Pray also to Idæan Jove cloud-girt,<span class="lnm">370</span><br /> +Who oversees all Ilium, that he send<br /> +His messenger or ere thou go, the bird<br /> +His favorite most, surpassing all in strength,<br /> +At thy right hand; him seeing, thou shalt tend<br /> +With better hope toward the fleet of Greece.<span class="lnm">375</span><br /> +But should loud-thundering Jove his lieger swift<br /> +Withhold, from me far be it to advise<br /> +This journey, howsoe’er thou wish to go.</p> +<p> To whom the godlike Priam thus replied.<br /> +This exhortation will I not refuse,<span class="lnm">380</span><br /> +O Queen! for, lifting to the Gods his hands<br /> +In prayer for their compassion, none can err.</p> +<p> So saying, he bade the maiden o’er the rest,<br /> +Chief in authority, pour on his hands<br /> +Pure water, for the maiden at his side<span class="lnm">385</span><br /> +With ewer charged and laver, stood prepared.<br /> +He laved his hands; then, taking from the Queen<br /> +The goblet, in his middle area stood<br /> +Pouring libation with his eyes upturn’d<br /> +Heaven-ward devout, and thus his prayer preferr’d.<span class="lnm">390</span></p> +<p> Jove, great and glorious above all, who rulest,<br /> +On Ida’s summit seated, all below!<br /> +Grant me arrived within Achilles’ tent<br /> +Kindness to meet and pity, and oh send<br /> +Thy messenger or ere I go, the bird<span class="lnm">395</span><br /> +Thy favorite most, surpassing all in strength,<br /> +At my right hand, which seeing, I shall tend<br /> +With better hope toward the fleet of Greece.</p> +<p> He ended, at whose prayer, incontinent,<br /> +Jove sent his eagle, surest of all signs,<span class="lnm">400</span><br /> +The black-plumed bird voracious, Morphnos<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-11">[11]</a> named,<br /> +And Percnos.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-11">[11]</a> Wide as the well-guarded door<br /> +Of some rich potentate his vans he spread<br /> +On either side; they saw him on the right,<br /> +Skimming the towers of Troy; glad they beheld<span class="lnm">405</span><br /> +That omen, and all felt their hearts consoled.</p> +<p> Delay’d not then the hoary King, but quick<br /> +Ascending to his seat, his coursers urged<br /> +Through vestibule and sounding porch abroad.<br /> +The four-wheel’d litter led, drawn by the mules<span class="lnm">410</span><br /> +Which sage Idæus managed, behind whom<br /> +Went Priam, plying with the scourge his steeds<br /> +Continual through the town, while all his friends,<br /> +Following their sovereign with dejected hearts,<br /> +Lamented him as going to his death.<span class="lnm">415</span><br /> +But when from Ilium’s gate into the plain<br /> +They had descended, then the sons-in-law<br /> +Of Priam, and his sons, to Troy return’d.<br /> +Nor they, now traversing the plain, the note<br /> +Escaped of Jove the Thunderer; he beheld<span class="lnm">420</span><br /> +Compassionate the venerable King,<br /> +And thus his own son Mercury bespake.</p> +<p> Mercury! (for above all others thou<br /> +Delightest to associate with mankind<br /> +Familiar, whom thou wilt winning with ease<span class="lnm">425</span><br /> +To converse free) go thou, and so conduct<br /> +Priam into the Grecian camp, that none<br /> +Of all the numerous Danaï may see<br /> +Or mark him, till he reach Achilles’ tent.</p> +<p> He spake, nor the ambassador of heaven<span class="lnm">430</span><br /> +The Argicide delay’d, but bound in haste<br /> +His undecaying sandals to his feet,<br /> +Golden, divine, which waft him o’er the floods<br /> +Swift as the wind, and o’er the boundless earth.<br /> +He took his rod with which he charms to sleep<span class="lnm">435</span><br /> +All eyes, and theirs who sleep opens again.<br /> +Arm’d with that rod, forth flew the Argicide.<br /> +At Ilium and the Hellespontic shores<br /> +Arriving sudden, a king’s son he seem’d,<br /> +Now clothing first his ruddy cheek with down,<span class="lnm">440</span><br /> +Which is youth’s loveliest season; so disguised,<br /> +His progress he began. They now (the tomb<br /> +Magnificent of Ilus past) beside<br /> +The river stay’d the mules and steeds to drink,<br /> +For twilight dimm’d the fields. Idæus first<span class="lnm">445</span><br /> +Perceived him near, and Priam thus bespake.</p> +<p> Think, son of Dardanus! for we have need<br /> +Of our best thought. I see a warrior. Now,<br /> +Now we shall die; I know it. Turn we quick<br /> +Our steeds to flight; or let us clasp his knees<span class="lnm">450</span><br /> +And his compassion suppliant essay.</p> +<p> Terror and consternation at that sound<br /> +The mind of Priam felt; erect the hair<br /> +Bristled his limbs, and with amaze he stood<br /> +Motionless. But the God, meantime, approach’d,<span class="lnm">455</span><br /> +And, seizing ancient Priam’s hand, inquired.</p> +<p> Whither, my father! in the dewy night<br /> +Drivest thou thy mules and steeds, while others sleep?<br /> +And fear’st thou not the fiery host of Greece,<br /> +Thy foes implacable, so nigh at hand?<span class="lnm">460</span><br /> +Of whom should any, through the shadow dun<br /> +Of flitting night, discern thee bearing forth<br /> +So rich a charge, then what wouldst thou expect?<br /> +Thou art not young thyself, nor with the aid<br /> +Of this thine ancient servant, strong enough<span class="lnm">465</span><br /> +Force to repulse, should any threaten force.<br /> +But injury fear none or harm from me;<br /> +I rather much from harm by other hands<br /> +Would save thee, thou resemblest so my sire.</p> +<p> Whom answer’d godlike Priam, hoar with age.<span class="lnm">470</span><br /> +My son! well spoken. Thou hast judged aright.<br /> +Yet even me some Deity protects<br /> +Thus far; to whom I owe it that I meet<br /> +So seasonably one like thee, in form<br /> +So admirable, and in mind discreet<span class="lnm">475</span><br /> +As thou art beautiful. Blest parents, thine!</p> +<p> To whom the messenger of heaven again,<br /> +The Argicide. Oh ancient and revered!<br /> +Thou hast well spoken all. Yet this declare,<br /> +And with sincerity; bear’st thou away<span class="lnm">480</span><br /> +Into some foreign country, for the sake<br /> +Of safer custody, this precious charge?<br /> +Or, urged by fear, forsake ye all alike<br /> +Troy’s sacred towers! since he whom thou hast lost,<br /> +Thy noble son, was of excelling worth<span class="lnm">485</span><br /> +In arms, and nought inferior to the Greeks.</p> +<p> Then thus the godlike Priam, hoary King.<br /> +But tell me first who <i>Thou</i> art, and from whom<br /> +Descended, loveliest youth! who hast the fate<br /> +So well of my unhappy son rehearsed?<span class="lnm">490</span></p> +<p> To whom the herald Mercury replied.<br /> +Thy questions, venerable sire! proposed<br /> +Concerning noble Hector, are design’d<br /> +To prove me. Him, not seldom, with these eyes<br /> +In man-ennobling fight I have beheld<span class="lnm">495</span><br /> +Most active; saw him when he thinn’d the Greeks<br /> +With his sharp spear, and drove them to the ships.<br /> +Amazed we stood to notice him; for us,<br /> +Incensed against the ruler of our host,<br /> +Achilles suffer’d not to share the fight.<span class="lnm">500</span><br /> +I serve Achilles; the same gallant bark<br /> +Brought us, and of the Myrmidons am I,<br /> +Son of Polyctor; wealthy is my sire,<br /> +And such in years as thou; six sons he hath,<br /> +Beside myself the seventh, and (the lots cast<span class="lnm">505</span><br /> +Among us all) mine sent me to the wars.<br /> +That I have left the ships, seeking the plain,<br /> +The cause is this; the Greeks, at break of day,<br /> +Will compass, arm’d, the city, for they loathe<br /> +To sit inactive, neither can the chiefs<span class="lnm">510</span><br /> +Restrain the hot impatience of the host.</p> +<p> Then godlike Priam answer thus return’d.<br /> +If of the band thou be of Peleus’ son,<br /> +Achilles, tell me undisguised the truth.<br /> +My son, subsists he still, or hath thy chief<span class="lnm">515</span><br /> +Limb after limb given him to his dogs?</p> +<p> Him answer’d then the herald of the skies.<br /> +Oh venerable sir! him neither dogs<br /> +Have eaten yet, nor fowls, but at the ships<br /> +His body, and within Achilles’ tent<span class="lnm">520</span><br /> +Neglected lies. Twelve days he so hath lain;<br /> +Yet neither worm which diets on the brave<br /> +In battle fallen, hath eaten him, or taint<br /> +Invaded. He around Patroclus’ tomb<br /> +Drags him indeed pitiless, oft as day<span class="lnm">525</span><br /> +Reddens the east, yet safe from blemish still<br /> +His corse remains. Thou wouldst, thyself, admire<br /> +Seeing how fresh the dew-drops, as he lies,<br /> +Rest on him, and his blood is cleansed away<br /> +That not a stain is left. Even his wounds<span class="lnm">530</span><br /> +(For many a wound they gave him) all are closed,<br /> +Such care the blessed Gods have of thy son,<br /> +Dead as he is, whom living much they loved.</p> +<p> So he; then, glad, the ancient King replied.<br /> +Good is it, oh my son! to yield the Gods<span class="lnm">535</span><br /> +Their just demands. My boy, while yet he lived,<br /> +Lived not unmindful of the worship due<br /> +To the Olympian powers, who, therefore, him<br /> +Remember, even in the bands of death.<br /> +Come then—this beauteous cup take at my hand—<span class="lnm">540</span><br /> +Be thou my guard, and, if the Gods permit,<br /> +My guide, till to Achilles’ tent I come.</p> +<p> Whom answer’d then the messenger of heaven.<br /> +Sir! thou perceivest me young, and art disposed<br /> +To try my virtue; but it shall not fail.<span class="lnm">545</span><br /> +Thou bidd’st me at thine hand a gift accept,<br /> +Whereof Achilles knows not; but I fear<br /> +Achilles, and on no account should dare<br /> +Defraud him, lest some evil find me next.<br /> +But thee I would with pleasure hence conduct<span class="lnm">550</span><br /> +Even to glorious Argos, over sea<br /> +Or over land, nor any, through contempt<br /> +Of such a guard, should dare to do thee wrong.</p> +<p> So Mercury, and to the chariot seat<br /> +Upspringing, seized at once the lash and reins,<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +And with fresh vigor mules and steeds inspired.<br /> +Arriving at the foss and towers, they found<br /> +The guard preparing now their evening cheer,<br /> +All whom the Argicide with sudden sleep<br /> +Oppress’d, then oped the gates, thrust back the bars,<span class="lnm">560</span><br /> +And introduced, with all his litter-load<br /> +Of costly gifts, the venerable King.<br /> +But when they reached the tent for Peleus’ son<br /> +Raised by the Myrmidons (with trunks of pine<br /> +They built it, lopping smooth the boughs away,<span class="lnm">555</span><br /> +Then spread with shaggy mowings of the mead<br /> +Its lofty roof, and with a spacious court<br /> +Surrounded it, all fenced with driven stakes;<br /> +One bar alone of pine secured the door,<br /> +Which ask’d three Grecians with united force<span class="lnm">570</span><br /> +To thrust it to its place, and three again<br /> +To thrust it back, although Achilles oft<br /> +Would heave it to the door himself alone;)<br /> +Then Hermes, benefactor of mankind,<br /> +That bar displacing for the King of Troy,<span class="lnm">575</span><br /> +Gave entrance to himself and to his gifts<br /> +For Peleus’ son design’d, and from the seat<br /> +Alighting, thus his speech to Priam turn’d.</p> +<p> Oh ancient Priam! an immortal God<br /> +Attends thee; I am Hermes, by command<span class="lnm">580</span><br /> +Of Jove my father thy appointed guide.<br /> +But I return. I will not, entering here,<br /> +Stand in Achilles’ sight; immortal Powers<br /> +May not so unreservedly indulge<br /> +Creatures of mortal kind. But enter thou,<span class="lnm">585</span><br /> +Embrace his knees, and by his father both<br /> +And by his Goddess mother sue to him,<br /> +And by his son, that his whole heart may melt.</p> +<p> So Hermes spake, and to the skies again<br /> +Ascended. Then leap’d Priam to the ground,<span class="lnm">590</span><br /> +Leaving Idæus; he, the mules and steeds<br /> +Watch’d, while the ancient King into the tent<br /> +Proceeded of Achilles dear to Jove.<br /> +Him there he found, and sitting found apart<br /> +His fellow-warriors, of whom two alone<span class="lnm">595</span><br /> +Served at his side, Alcimus, branch of Mars<br /> +And brave Automedon; he had himself<br /> +Supp’d newly, and the board stood unremoved.<br /> +Unseen of all huge Priam enter’d, stood<br /> +Near to Achilles, clasp’d his knees, and kiss’d<span class="lnm">600</span><br /> +Those terrible and homicidal hands<br /> +That had destroy’d so many of his sons.<br /> +As when a fugitive for blood the house<br /> +Of some chief enters in a foreign land,<br /> +All gaze, astonish’d at the sudden guest,<span class="lnm">605</span><br /> +So gazed Achilles seeing Priam there,<br /> +And so stood all astonish’d, each his eyes<br /> +In silence fastening on his fellow’s face.<br /> +But Priam kneel’d, and suppliant thus began.</p> +<p> Think, oh Achilles, semblance of the Gods!<span class="lnm">610</span><br /> +On thy own father full of days like me,<br /> +And trembling on the gloomy verge of life.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-12">[12]</a><br /> +Some neighbor chief, it may be, even now<br /> +Oppresses him, and there is none at hand,<br /> +No friend to suocor him in his distress.<span class="lnm">615</span><br /> +Yet, doubtless, hearing that Achilles lives,<br /> +He still rejoices, hoping, day by day,<br /> +That one day he shall see the face again<br /> +Of his own son from distant Troy return’d.<br /> +But me no comfort cheers, whose bravest sons,<span class="lnm">620</span><br /> +So late the flower of Ilium, all are slain.<br /> +When Greece came hither, I had fifty sons;<br /> +Nineteen were children of one bed, the rest<br /> +Born of my concubines. A numerous house!<br /> +But fiery Mars hath thinn’d it. One I had,<span class="lnm">625</span><br /> +One, more than all my sons the strength of Troy,<br /> +Whom standing for his country thou hast slain—<br /> +Hector—his body to redeem I come<br /> +Into Achaia’s fleet, bringing, myself,<br /> +Ransom inestimable to thy tent.<span class="lnm">630</span><br /> +Reverence the Gods, Achilles! recollect<br /> +Thy father; for his sake compassion show<br /> +To me more pitiable still, who draw<br /> +Home to my lips (humiliation yet<br /> +Unseen on earth) his hand who slew my son.<span class="lnm">635</span></p> +<p> So saying, he waken’d in his soul regret<br /> +Of his own sire; softly he placed his hand<br /> +On Priam’s hand, and push’d him gently away.<br /> +Remembrance melted both. Rolling before<br /> +Achilles’ feet, Priam his son deplored<span class="lnm">640</span><br /> +Wide-slaughtering Hector, and Achilles wept<br /> +By turns his father, and by turns his friend<br /> +Patroclus; sounds of sorrow fill’d the tent.<br /> +But when, at length satiate, Achilles felt<br /> +His heart from grief, and all his frame relieved,<span class="lnm">645</span><br /> +Upstarting from his seat, with pity moved<br /> +Of Priam’s silver locks and silver beard,<br /> +He raised the ancient father by his hand,<br /> +Whom in wing’d accents kind he thus bespake.</p> +<p> Wretched indeed! ah what must thou have felt!<span class="lnm">650</span><br /> +How hast thou dared to seek alone the fleet<br /> +Of the Achaians, and his face by whom<br /> +So many of thy valiant sons have fallen?<br /> +Thou hast a heart of iron, terror-proof.<br /> +Come—sit beside me—let us, if we may,<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +Great mourners both, bid sorrow sleep awhile.<br /> +There is no profit of our sighs and tears;<br /> +For thus, exempt from care themselves, the Gods<br /> +Ordain man’s miserable race to mourn.<br /> +Fast by the threshold of Jove’s courts are placed<span class="lnm">660</span><br /> +Two casks, one stored with evil, one with good,<br /> +From which the God dispenses as he wills.<br /> +For whom the glorious Thunderer mingles both,<br /> +He leads a life checker’d with good and ill<br /> +Alternate; but to whom he gives unmixt<span class="lnm">665</span><br /> +The bitter cup, he makes that man a curse,<br /> +His name becomes a by-word of reproach,<br /> +His strength is hunger-bitten, and he walks<br /> +The blessed earth, unblest, go where he may.<br /> +So was my father Peleus at his birth<span class="lnm">670</span><br /> +Nobly endow’d with plenty and with wealth<br /> +Distinguish’d by the Gods past all mankind,<br /> +Lord of the Myrmidons, and, though a man,<br /> +Yet match’d from heaven with an immortal bride.<br /> +But even him the Gods afflict, a son<span class="lnm">675</span><br /> +Refusing him, who might possess his throne<br /> +Hereafter; for myself, his only heir,<br /> +Pass as a dream, and while I live, instead<br /> +Of solacing his age, here sit, before<br /> +Your distant walls, the scourge of thee and thine.<span class="lnm">680</span><br /> +Thee also, ancient Priam, we have heard<br /> +Reported, once possessor of such wealth<br /> +As neither Lesbos, seat of Macar, owns,<br /> +Nor eastern Phrygia, nor yet all the ports<br /> +Of Hellespont, but thou didst pass them all<span class="lnm">685</span><br /> +In riches, and in number of thy sons.<br /> +But since the Powers of heaven brought on thy land<br /> +This fatal war, battle and deeds of death<br /> +Always surround the city where thou reign’st.<br /> +Cease, therefore, from unprofitable tears,<span class="lnm">690</span><br /> +Which, ere they raise thy son to life again<br /> +Shall, doubtless, find fresh cause for which to flow.</p> +<p> To whom the ancient King godlike replied.<br /> +Hero, forbear. No seat is here for me,<br /> +While Hector lies unburied in your camp.<span class="lnm">695</span><br /> +Loose him, and loose him now, that with these eyes<br /> +I may behold my son; accept a price<br /> +Magnificent, which may’st thou long enjoy,<br /> +And, since my life was precious in thy sight,<br /> +May’st thou revisit safe thy native shore!<span class="lnm">700</span></p> +<p> To whom Achilles, lowering, and in wrath.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-13">[13]</a><br /> +Urge me no longer, at a time like this,<br /> +With that harsh note; I am already inclin’d<br /> +To loose him. Thetis, my own mother came<br /> +Herself on that same errand, sent from Jove.<span class="lnm">705</span><br /> +Priam! I understand thee well. I know<br /> +That, by some God conducted, thou hast reach’d<br /> +Achaia’s fleet; for, without aid divine,<br /> +No mortal even in his prime of youth,<br /> +Had dared the attempt; guards vigilant as ours<span class="lnm">710</span><br /> +He should not easily elude, such gates,<br /> +So massy, should not easily unbar.<br /> +Thou, therefore, vex me not in my distress,<br /> +Lest I abhor to see thee in my tent,<br /> +And, borne beyond all limits, set at nought<span class="lnm">715</span><br /> +Thee, and thy prayer, and the command of Jove.</p> +<p> He said; the old King trembled, and obey’d.<br /> +Then sprang Pelides like a lion forth,<br /> +Not sole, but with his two attendant friends<br /> +Alcimus and Automedon the brave,<span class="lnm">720</span><br /> +For them (Patroclus slain) he honor’d most<br /> +Of all the Myrmidons. They from the yoke<br /> +Released both steeds and mules, then introduced<br /> +And placed the herald of the hoary King.<br /> +They lighten’d next the litter of its charge<span class="lnm">725</span><br /> +Inestimable, leaving yet behind<br /> +Two mantles and a vest, that, not unveil’d,<br /> +The body might be borne back into Troy.<br /> +Then, calling forth his women, them he bade<br /> +Lave and anoint the body, but apart,<span class="lnm">730</span><br /> +Lest haply Priam, noticing his son,<br /> +Through stress of grief should give resentment scope,<br /> +And irritate by some affront himself<br /> +To slay him, in despite of Jove’s commands.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-14">[14]</a><br /> +They, therefore, laving and anointing first<span class="lnm">735</span><br /> +The body, cover’d it with cloak and vest;<br /> +Then, Peleus’ son disposed it on the bier,<br /> +Lifting it from the ground, and his two friends<br /> +Together heaved it to the royal wain.<br /> +Achilles, last, groaning, his friend invoked.<span class="lnm">740</span></p> +<p> + Patroclus! should the tidings reach thine ear,<br /> +Although in Ades, that I have released<br /> +The noble Hector at his father’s suit,<br /> +Resent it not; no sordid gifts have paid<br /> +His ransom-price, which thou shalt also share.<span class="lnm">745</span></p> +<p> So saying, Achilles to his tent return’d,<br /> +And on the splendid couch whence he had risen<br /> +Again reclined, opposite to the seat<br /> +Of Priam, whom the hero thus bespake.</p> +<p> Priam! at thy request thy son is loosed,<span class="lnm">750</span><br /> +And lying on his bier; at dawn of day<br /> +Thou shalt both see him and convey him hence<br /> +Thyself to Troy. But take we now repast;<br /> +For even bright-hair’d Niobe her food<br /> +Forgat not, though of children twelve bereft,<span class="lnm">755</span><br /> +Of daughters six, and of six blooming sons.<br /> +Apollo these struck from his silver bow,<br /> +And those shaft-arm’d Diana, both incensed<br /> +That oft Latona’s children and her own<br /> +Numbering, she scorn’d the Goddess who had borne<span class="lnm">760</span><br /> +Two only, while herself had twelve to boast.<br /> +Vain boast! those two sufficed to slay them all.<br /> +Nine days they welter’d in their blood, no man<br /> +Was found to bury them, for Jove had changed<br /> +To stone the people; but themselves, at last,<span class="lnm">765</span><br /> +The Powers of heaven entomb’d them on the tenth.<br /> +Yet even she, once satisfied with tears,<br /> +Remember’d food; and now the rocks among<br /> +And pathless solitudes of Sipylus,<br /> +The rumor’d cradle of the nymphs who dance<span class="lnm">770</span><br /> +On Acheloüs’ banks, although to stone<br /> +Transform’d, she broods her heaven-inflicted woes.<br /> +Come, then, my venerable guest! take we<br /> +Refreshment also; once arrived in Troy<br /> +With thy dear son, thou shalt have time to weep<span class="lnm">775</span><br /> +Sufficient, nor without most weighty cause.</p> +<p> So spake Achilles, and, upstarting, slew<br /> +A sheep white-fleeced, which his attendants flay’d,<br /> +And busily and with much skill their task<br /> +Administ’ring, first scored the viands well,<span class="lnm">780</span><br /> +Then pierced them with the spits, and when the roast<br /> +Was finish’d, drew them from the spits again.<br /> +And now, Automedon dispensed around<br /> +The polish’d board bread in neat baskets piled,<br /> +Which done, Achilles portion’d out to each<span class="lnm">785</span><br /> +His share, and all assail’d the ready feast.<br /> +But when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt,<br /> +Dardanian Priam, wond’ring at his bulk<br /> +And beauty (for he seem’d some God from heaven)<br /> +Gazed on Achilles, while Achilles held<span class="lnm">790</span><br /> +Not less in admiration of his looks<br /> +Benign, and of his gentle converse wise,<br /> +Gazed on Dardanian Priam, and, at length<br /> +(The eyes of each gratified to the full)<br /> +The ancient King thus to Achilles spake.<span class="lnm">795</span></p> +<p> Hero! dismiss us now each to our bed,<br /> +That there at ease reclined, we may enjoy<br /> +Sweet sleep; for never have these eyelids closed<br /> +Since Hector fell and died, but without cease<br /> +I mourn, and nourishing unnumber’d woes,<span class="lnm">800</span><br /> +Have roll’d me in the ashes of my courts.<br /> +But I have now both tasted food, and given<br /> +Wine to my lips, untasted till with thee.</p> +<p> So he, and at his word Achilles bade<br /> +His train beneath his portico prepare<span class="lnm">805</span><br /> +With all dispatch two couches, purple rugs,<br /> +And arras, and warm mantles over all.<br /> +Forth went the women bearing lights, and spread<br /> +A couch for each, when feigning needful fear,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-15">[15]</a><br /> +Achilles thus his speech to Priam turn’d.<span class="lnm">810</span></p> +<p> My aged guest beloved; sleep thou without;<br /> +Lest some Achaian chief (for such are wont<br /> +Ofttimes, here sitting, to consult with me)<br /> +Hither repair; of whom should any chance<br /> +To spy thee through the gloom, he would at once<span class="lnm">815</span><br /> +Convey the tale to Agamemnon’s ear,<br /> +Whence hindrance might arise, and the release<br /> +Haply of Hector’s body be delay’d.<br /> +But answer me with truth. How many days<br /> +Wouldst thou assign to the funereal rites<span class="lnm">820</span><br /> +Of noble Hector, for so long I mean<br /> +Myself to rest, and keep the host at home?</p> +<p> Then thus the ancient King godlike replied.<br /> +If thou indeed be willing that we give<br /> +Burial to noble Hector, by an act<span class="lnm">825</span><br /> +So generous, O Achilles! me thou shalt<br /> +Much gratify; for we are shut, thou know’st,<br /> +In Ilium close, and fuel must procure<br /> +From Ida’s side remote; fear, too, hath seized<br /> +On all our people. Therefore thus I say.<span class="lnm">830</span><br /> +Nine days we wish to mourn him in the house;<br /> +To his interment we would give the tenth,<br /> +And to the public banquet; the eleventh<br /> +Shall see us build his tomb; and on the twelfth<br /> +(If war we must) we will to war again.<span class="lnm">835</span></p> +<p> To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.<br /> +So be it, ancient Priam! I will curb<br /> +Twelve days the rage of war, at thy desire.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-16">[16]</a></p> +<p> He spake, and at his wrist the right hand grasp’d<br /> +Of the old sovereign, to dispel his fear.<span class="lnm">840</span><br /> +Then in the vestibule the herald slept<br /> +And Priam, prudent both, but Peleus’ son<br /> +In the interior tent, and at his side<br /> +Brisëis, with transcendent beauty adorn’d.</p> +<p> + Now all, all night, by gentle sleep subdued,<span class="lnm">845</span><br /> +Both Gods and chariot-ruling warriors lay,<br /> +But not the benefactor of mankind,<br /> +Hermes; him sleep seized not, but deep he mused<br /> +How likeliest from amid the Grecian fleet<br /> +He might deliver by the guard unseen<span class="lnm">850</span><br /> +The King of Ilium; at his head he stood<br /> +In vision, and the senior thus bespake.</p> +<p> Ah heedless and secure! hast thou no dread<br /> +Of mischief, ancient King, that thus by foes<br /> +Thou sleep’st surrounded, lull’d by the consent<span class="lnm">855</span><br /> +And sufferance of Achilles? Thou hast given<br /> +Much for redemption of thy darling son,<br /> +But thrice that sum thy sons who still survive<br /> +Must give to Agamemnon and the Greeks<br /> +For <i>thy</i> redemption, should they know thee here.<span class="lnm">860</span></p> +<p> He ended; at the sound alarm’d upsprang<br /> +The King, and roused his herald. Hermes yoked<br /> +Himself both mules and steeds, and through the camp<br /> +Drove them incontinent, by all unseen.</p> +<p> Soon as the windings of the stream they reach’d,<span class="lnm">865</span><br /> +Deep-eddied Xanthus, progeny of Jove,<br /> +Mercury the Olympian summit sought,<br /> +And saffron-vested morn o’erspread the earth.<br /> +They, loud lamenting, to the city drove<br /> +Their steeds; the mules close follow’d with the dead.<span class="lnm">870</span><br /> +Nor warrior yet, nor cinctured matron knew<br /> +Of all in Ilium aught of their approach,<br /> +Cassandra sole except. She, beautiful<br /> +As golden Venus, mounted on the height<br /> +Of Pergamus, her father first discern’d,<span class="lnm">875</span><br /> +Borne on his chariot-seat erect, and knew:<br /> +The herald heard so oft in echoing Troy;<br /> +Him also on his bier outstretch’d she mark’d,<br /> +Whom the mules drew. Then, shrieking, through the streets<br /> +She ran of Troy, and loud proclaim’d the sight.<span class="lnm">880</span><br /> +Ye sons of Ilium and ye daughters, haste,<br /> +Haste all to look on Hector, if ye e’er<br /> +With joy beheld him, while he yet survived,<br /> +From fight returning; for all Ilium erst<br /> +In him, and all her citizens rejoiced.<span class="lnm">885</span></p> +<p> She spake. Then neither male nor female more<br /> +In Troy remain’d, such sorrow seized on all.<br /> +Issuing from the city-gate, they met<br /> +Priam conducting, sad, the body home,<br /> +And, foremost of them all, the mother flew<span class="lnm">890</span><br /> +And wife of Hector to the bier, on which<br /> +Their torn-off tresses with unsparing hands<br /> +They shower’d, while all the people wept around.<br /> +All day, and to the going down of day<br /> +They thus had mourn’d the dead before the gates,<span class="lnm">895</span><br /> +Had not their Sovereign from his chariot-seat<br /> +Thus spoken to the multitude around.</p> +<p> Fall back on either side, and let the mules<br /> +Pass on; the body in my palace once<br /> +Deposited, ye then may weep your fill.<span class="lnm">900</span></p> +<p> He said; they, opening, gave the litter way.<br /> +Arrived within the royal house, they stretch’d<br /> +The breathless Hector on a sumptuous bed,<br /> +And singers placed beside him, who should chant<br /> +The strain funereal; they with many a groan<span class="lnm">905</span><br /> +The dirge began, and still, at every close,<br /> +The female train with many a groan replied.<br /> +Then, in the midst, Andromache white-arm’d<br /> +Between her palms the dreadful Hector’s head<br /> +Pressing, her lamentation thus began.<span class="lnm">910</span></p> +<p> <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-17">[17]</a>My hero! thou hast fallen in prime of life,<br /> +Me leaving here desolate, and the fruit<br /> +Of our ill-fated loves, a helpless child,<br /> +Whom grown to manhood I despair to see.<br /> +For ere that day arrive, down from her height<span class="lnm">915</span><br /> +Precipitated shall this city fall,<br /> +Since thou hast perish’d once her sure defence,<br /> +Faithful protector of her spotless wives,<br /> +And all their little ones. Those wives shall soon<br /> +In Grecian barks capacious hence be borne,<span class="lnm">920</span><br /> +And I among the rest. But thee, my child!<br /> +Either thy fate shall with thy mother send<br /> +Captive into a land where thou shalt serve<br /> +In sordid drudgery some cruel lord,<br /> +Or haply some Achaian here, thy hand<span class="lnm">925</span><br /> +Seizing, shall hurl thee from a turret-top<br /> +To a sad death, avenging brother, son,<br /> +Or father by the hands of Hector slain;<br /> +For he made many a Grecian bite the ground.<br /> +Thy father, boy, bore never into fight<span class="lnm">930</span><br /> +A milky mind, and for that self-same cause<br /> +Is now bewail’d in every house of Troy.<br /> +Sorrow unutterable thou hast caused<br /> +Thy parents, Hector! but to me hast left<br /> +Largest bequest of misery, to whom,<span class="lnm">935</span><br /> +Dying, thou neither didst thy arms extend<br /> +Forth from thy bed, nor gavest me precious word<br /> +To be remember’d day and night with tears.</p> +<p> So spake she weeping, whom her maidens all<br /> +With sighs accompanied, and her complaint<span class="lnm">940</span><br /> +Mingled with sobs Hecuba next began.</p> +<p> Ah Hector! dearest to thy mother’s heart<br /> +Of all her sons, much must the Gods have loved<br /> +Thee living, whom, though dead, they thus preserve.<br /> +What son soever of our house beside<span class="lnm">945</span><br /> +Achilles took, over the barren deep<br /> +To Samos, Imbrus, or to Lemnos girt<br /> +With rocks inhospitable, him he sold;<br /> +But thee, by his dread spear of life deprived,<br /> +He dragg’d and dragg’d around Patroclus’ tomb,<span class="lnm">950</span><br /> +As if to raise again his friend to life<br /> +Whom thou hadst vanquish’d; yet he raised him not.<br /> +But as for thee, thou liest here with dew<br /> +Besprinkled, fresh as a young plant,<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-18">[18]</a> and more<br /> +Resemblest some fair youth by gentle shafts<span class="lnm">955</span><br /> +Of Phœbus pierced, than one in battle slain.</p> +<p> So spake the Queen, exciting in all hearts<br /> +Sorrow immeasurable, after whom<br /> +Thus Helen, third, her lamentation pour’d.</p> +<p> <a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-19">[19]</a>Ah dearer far than all my brothers else<span class="lnm">960</span><br /> +Of Priam’s house! for being Paris’ spouse,<br /> +Who brought me (would I had first died!) to Troy,<br /> +I call thy brothers mine; since forth I came<br /> +From Sparta, it is now the twentieth year,<br /> +Yet never heard I once hard speech from thee,<span class="lnm">965</span><br /> +Or taunt morose, but if it ever chanced,<br /> +That of thy father’s house female or male<br /> +Blamed me, and even if herself the Queen<br /> +(For in the King, whate’er befell, I found<br /> +Always a father) thou hast interposed<span class="lnm">970</span><br /> +Thy gentle temper and thy gentle speech<br /> +To soothe them; therefore, with the same sad drops<br /> +Thy fate, oh Hector! and my own I weep;<br /> +For other friend within the ample bounds<br /> +Of Ilium have I none, nor hope to hear<span class="lnm">975</span><br /> +Kind word again, with horror view’d by all.</p> +<p> So Helen spake weeping, to whom with groans<br /> +The countless multitude replied, and thus<br /> +Their ancient sovereign next his people charged.</p> +<p> Ye Trojans, now bring fuel home, nor fear<span class="lnm">980</span><br /> +Close ambush of the Greeks; Achilles’ self<br /> +Gave me, at my dismission from his fleet,<br /> +Assurance, that from hostile force secure<br /> +We shall remain, till the twelfth dawn arise.</p> +<p> All, then, their mules and oxen to the wains<span class="lnm">985</span><br /> +Join’d speedily, and under Ilium’s walls<br /> +Assembled numerous; nine whole days they toil’d,<br /> +Bringing much fuel home, and when the tenth<br /> +Bright morn, with light for human kind, arose,<br /> +Then bearing noble Hector forth, with tears<span class="lnm">990</span><br /> +Shed copious, on the summit of the pile<br /> +They placed him, and the fuel fired beneath.</p> +<p> But when Aurora, daughter of the Dawn,<br /> +Redden’d the east, then, thronging forth, all Troy<br /> +Encompass’d noble Hector’s pile around.<span class="lnm">995</span><br /> +The whole vast multitude convened, with wine<br /> +They quench’d the pile throughout, leaving no part<br /> +Unvisited, on which the fire had seized.<br /> +His brothers, next, collected, and his friends,<br /> +His white bones, mourning, and with tears profuse<span class="lnm">1000</span><br /> +Watering their cheeks; then in a golden urn<br /> +They placed them, which with mantles soft they veil’d<br /> +Mæonian-hued, and, delving, buried it,<br /> +And overspread with stones the spot adust.<br /> +Lastly, short time allowing to the task,<span class="lnm">1005</span><br /> +They heap’d his tomb, while, posted on all sides,<br /> +Suspicious of assault, spies watch’d the Greeks.<br /> +The tomb once heap’d, assembling all again<br /> +Within the palace, they a banquet shared<br /> +Magnificent, by godlike Priam given.<span class="lnm">1010</span><br /> +<br /> +Such burial the illustrious Hector found.<a class="ftnt" href="#Bk_24-20">[20]</a></p> +</div> + +<hr class="small" /> + +<p>[I cannot take my leave of this noble poem, without expressing how much +I am struck with this plain conclusion of it. It is like the exit of a great +man out of company whom he has entertained magnificently; neither pompous +nor familiar; not contemptuous, yet without much ceremony. I recollect +nothing, among the works of mere man, that exemplifies so strongly +the true style of great antiquity.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p> + +<hr /> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>FOOTNOTES</h2> + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_1-1" id="Bk_1-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book I:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">“Latona’s son and Jove’s,” was Apollo, the tutelary deity of the Dorians. +The Dorians had not, however, at this early age, become the predominant +race in Greece proper. They had spread along the eastern shores of +the Archipelago into the islands, especially Crete, and had every where signalized +themselves by the Temples of Apollo, of which there seems to have +been many in and about Troy. These temples were schools of art, and +prove the Dorians to have been both intellectual and powerful. Homer +was an Ionian, and therefore not deeply acquainted with the nature of the +Dorian god. But to a mind like his, the god of a people so cultivated, and +associated with what was most grand in art, must have been an imposing +being, and we find him so represented. Throughout the Iliad, he appears +and acts with splendor and effect, but always against the Greeks from mere +partiality to Hector. It would perhaps be too much to say, that in this +partiality to Hector, we detect the spirit of the Dorian worship, the only +Paganism of antiquity that tended to perfect the individual—Apollo being +the expression of the moral harmony of the universe, and the great spirit of +the Dorian culture being to make a perfect man, an incarnation of the +<span class="Greek" title="kosmos"> +κοσμος</span>. +This Homer could only have known intuitively.</p> + +<p>In making Apollo author of the plague, he was confounded with Helios, +which was frequent afterwards, but is not seen elsewhere in Homer. The +arrows of Apollo were “silent as light,” and their emblem the sun’s rays. +The analogies are multitudinous between the natural and intellectual sun; +but Helios and Apollo were two.—E.P.P.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-2" id="Bk_1-2"></a><p>There is something exceedingly venerable in this appearance of the +priest. He comes with the ensigns of the gods to whom he belongs, with +the laurel wreath, to show that he was a suppliant, and a golden sceptre, +which the ancients gave in particular to Apollo, as they did one of silver to +Diana.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-3" id="Bk_1-3"></a><p>The art of this speech is remarkable. Chryses considers the army of +Greeks, as made up of troops, partly from the kingdoms and partly from +democracies, and therefore begins with a distinction that includes all. +Then, as priest of Apollo, he prays that they may obtain the two blessings +they most desire—the conquest of Troy and a safe return. As he names +his petition, he offers an extraordinary ransom, and concludes with bidding +them fear the god if they refuse it; like one who from his office seems to +foretell their misery, and exhorts them to shun it. Thus he endeavors to +work by the art of a general application, by religion, by interest, and the +insinuation of danger.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-4" id="Bk_1-4"></a><p>Homer is frequently eloquent in his silence. Chryses says not a word +in answer to the insults of Agamemnon, but walks pensively along the +shore. The melancholy flowing of the verse admirably expresses the condition +of the mournful and deserted father.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-5" id="Bk_1-5"></a><p>[So called on account of his having saved the people of Troas from a +plague of mice, <i>sminthos</i> in their language meaning a mouse.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-6" id="Bk_1-6"></a><p>Apollo had temples at Chrysa, Tenedos, and Cilla, all of which lay +round the bay of Troas. Müller remarks, that “the temple actually stood +in the situation referred to, and that the appellation of Smintheus was still +preserved in the district. Thus far actual circumstances are embodied in +the mythus. On the other hand, the action of the deity as such, is purely +ideal, and can have no other foundation than the belief that Apollo sternly +resents ill usage of his priests, and that too in the way here represented, +viz., by sending plagues. This belief is in perfect harmony with the idea +generally entertained of the power and agency of Apollo; and it is manifest +that the idea placed in combination with certain events, gave birth to the +story so far as relates to the god. We have not yet the means of ascertaining +whether it is to be regarded as a historical tradition, or an invention, +and must therefore leave that question for the present undecided.”</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-7" id="Bk_1-7"></a><p>The poet is careful to leave no prayer unanswered that has justice on +its side. He who prays either kills his enemy, or has signs given him that +he has been heard.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-8" id="Bk_1-8"></a><p>[For this singular line the Translator begs to apologize, by pleading the +strong desire he felt to produce an English line, if possible, somewhat resembling +in its effect the famous original one.</p> + +<p class="ctr"><span class="Greek" title="Deinê de klangê genet argyreôio Bioio"> +Δεινη +δε +κλαγγη +γενετ +αργυρεοιο +βιοιο</span>.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-9" id="Bk_1-9"></a><p>The plague in the Grecian camp was occasioned perhaps by immoderate +heats and gross exhalations. Homer takes occasion from it, to open +the scene with a beautiful allegory. He supposes that such afflictions are +sent from Heaven for the punishment of evil actions; and because the sun +was the principal agent, he says it was sent to punish Agamemnon for +despising that god, and injuring his priest.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-10" id="Bk_1-10"></a><p>Hippocrates observes two things of plagues; that their cause is in the +air, and that different animals are differently affected by them, according to +their nature and nourishment. This philosophy is referred to the plagues +here mentioned. First, the cause is in the air by means of the darts or +beams of Apollo; second, the mules and dogs are said to die sooner than +the men, partly from their natural quickness of smell, and partly from their +feeding so near the earth whence the exhalations arise.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-11" id="Bk_1-11"></a><p>Juno, queen of Olympus, sides with the Grecians. Mr. Coleridge (in +his disquisition upon the Prometheus of Æschylus, published in his Remains) +shows very clearly by historical criticism, that Juno, in the Grecian +religion, expressed the spirit of conservatism. Without going over his +argument we assume it here, for Homer always attributes to Juno every +thing that may be predicated of this principle. She is persistent, obstinate, +acts from no idea, but often uses a superficial reasoning, and refers to Fate, +with which she upbraids Jupiter. Jupiter is the intellectual power or Free +Will, and by their union, or rather from their antagonism, the course of +things proceeds with perpetual vicissitude, but with a great deal of life.—E.P.P.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-12" id="Bk_1-12"></a><p>Observe this Grecian priest. He has no political power, and commands +little reverence. In Agamemnon’s treatment of him, as well as +Chryses, is seen the relation of the religion to the government. It was +neither master nor slave.—E.P.P.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-13" id="Bk_1-13"></a><p>A district of Thessaly forming a part of the larger district of Phthiotis. +Phthiotis, according to Strabo, included all the southern portion of that +country as far as Mount Œta and the Maliac Gulf. To the west it bordered +on Dolopia, and on the east reached the confines of Magnesia. Homer +comprised within this extent of territory the districts of Phthia and Hellas +properly so called, and, generally speaking, the dominions of Achilles, together +with those of Protesilaus and Eurypylus.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-14" id="Bk_1-14"></a><p><span class="Greek" title="Kynôpa"> +Κυνωπα</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-15" id="Bk_1-15"></a><p><span class="Greek" title="meganaides"> +μεγαναιδες</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-16" id="Bk_1-16"></a><p>Agamemnon’s anger is that of a lover, and Achilles’ that of a warrior. +Agamemnon speaks of Chrysëis as a beauty whom he values too much to +resign. Achilles treats Brisëis as a slave, whom he is anxious to preserve +in point of honor, and as a testimony of his glory. Hence he mentions +her only as “his spoil,” “the reward of war,” etc.; accordingly he relinquishes +her not in grief for a favorite whom he loses, but in sullenness for +the injury done him.—<span class="smcap">Dacier</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-17" id="Bk_1-17"></a><p>Jupiter, in the disguise of an ant, deceived Eurymedusa, the daughter +of Cleitos. Her son was for this reason called Myrmidon (from<span class="Greek" title="myrmêx"> +μυρμηξ</span>, +an ant), and was regarded as the ancestor of the Myrmidons in Thessaly.—<span class="smcap">Smith</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-18" id="Bk_1-18"></a><p>According to the belief of the ancients, the gods were supposed to have +a peculiar light in their eyes. That Homer was not ignorant of this opinion +appears from his use of it in other places.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-19" id="Bk_1-19"></a><p>Minerva is the goddess of the art of war rather than of war itself. And +this fable of her descent is an allegory of Achilles restraining his wrath +through his consideration of martial law and order. This law in that age, +prescribed that a subordinate should not draw his sword upon the commander +of all, but allowed a liberty of speech which appears to us moderns +rather out of order.—E.P.P.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-20" id="Bk_1-20"></a><p>[The shield of Jupiter, made by Vulcan, and so called from its covering, +which was the skin of the goat that suckled him.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-21" id="Bk_1-21"></a><p>Homer magnifies the ambush as the boldest enterprise of war. They +went upon those parties with a few only, and generally the most daring of +the army, and on occasions of the greatest hazard, when the exposure was +greater than in a regular battle. Idomeneus, in the 13th book, tells Meriones +that the greatest courage appears in this way of service, each man +being in a manner singled out to the proof of it.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-22" id="Bk_1-22"></a><p>In the earlier ages of the world, the sceptre of a king was nothing more +than his walking-staff, and thence had the name of sceptre. Ovid, in +speaking of Jupiter, describes him as resting on his sceptre.—<span class="smcap">Spence</span>.</p> + +<p>From the description here given, it would appear to have been a young +tree cut from the root and stripped of its branches. It was the custom of +Kings to swear by their sceptres.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-23" id="Bk_1-23"></a><p>For an account of the contest between the Centaurs and Lapiths here +referred to, see Grecian and Roman Mythology.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-24" id="Bk_1-24"></a><p>In <i>antiquity</i>, a sacrifice of a hundred oxen, or beasts of the same kind; +hence sometimes <i>indefinitely</i>, any sacrifice of a large number of victims.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-25" id="Bk_1-25"></a><p>[The original is here abrupt, and expresses the precipitancy of the +speaker by a most beautiful aposiopesis.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-26" id="Bk_1-26"></a><p>The Iliad, in its connection, is, we all know, a glorification of Achilles +by Zeus; for the Trojans only prevail because Zeus wishes to show that +the reposing hero who sits in solitude, can alone conquer them. But to +leave him this glorification entirely unmixed with sorrow, the Grecian +sense of moderation forbids. The deepest anguish must mingle with his +consciousness of fame, and punish his insolence. That glorification is the +will of Zeus; and in the spirit of the ancient mythus, a motive for it is assigned +in a divine legend. The sea-goddess Thetis, who was, according to +the Phthiotic mythus, wedded to the mortal Peleus, saved Zeus, by calling +up the giant Briareus or Ægæon to his rescue. Why it was Ægæon, is +explained by the fact that this was a great sea-demon, who formed the subject +of fables at Poseidonian Corinth, where even the sea-god himself was +called Ægæon; who, moreover, was worshipped at several places in Eubœa, +the seat of Poseidon Ægæus; and whom the Theogony calls the son-in-law +of Poseidon, and most of the genealogists, especially Eumelus in the +Titanomachy, brought into relation with the sea. There is therefore good +reason to be found in ancient belief, why Thetis called up Ægæon of all +others to Jove’s assistance. The whole of the story, however, is not detailed—it +is not much more than indicated—and therefore it would be difficult +even now to interpret it in a perfectly satisfactory manner. It bears +the same relation to the Iliad, that the northern fables of the gods, which +serve as a back-ground to the legend of Nibelungen, bear to our German +ballad, only that here the separation is much greater still—<span class="smcap">Muller</span>.</p> + +<p>Homer makes use of this fable, without reference to its meaning as an +allegory. Briareus seems to symbolize a navy, and the fable refers to some +event in remote history, when the reigning power was threatened in his +autocracy, and strengthened by means of his association with the people +against some intermediate class.—E.P.P.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-27" id="Bk_1-27"></a><p><span class="Greek" title="epaurôntai"> +επαυρωνται</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-28" id="Bk_1-28"></a><p>[A name by which we are frequently to understand the Nile in Homer.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-29" id="Bk_1-29"></a><p>Around the sources of the Nile, and thence south-west into the very +heart of Africa, stretching away indefinitely over its mountain plains, lies +the country which the ancients called Ethiopia, rumors of whose wonderful +people found their way early into Greece, and are scattered over the pages +of her poets and historians.</p> + +<p>Homer wrote at least eight hundred years before Christ, and his poems +are well ascertained to be a most faithful mirror of the manners of his times +and the knowledge of his age. * * * * * *</p> + +<p>Homer never wastes an epithet. He often alludes to the Ethiopians elsewhere, +and always in terms of admiration and praise, as being the most just +of men, and the favorites of the gods. The same allusions glimmer through +the Greek mythology, and appear in the verses of almost all the Greek poets, +ere yet the countries of Italy and Sicily were even discovered. The +Jewish Scriptures and Jewish literature abound in allusions to this distant +and mysterious people, the annals of the Egyptian priests are full of them, +and uniformly, the Ethiopians are there lauded as among the best, the most +religious, and most civilized of men.—<span class="smcap">Christian Examiner</span>.</p> + +<p>The Ethiopians, says Diodorus, are said to be the inventors of pomps, +sacrifices, solemn meetings, and other honors paid to the gods. From +hence arose their character of piety, which is here celebrated by Homer. +Among these there was an annual feast at Diospolis, which Eustathius mentions, +when they carried about the statues of Jupiter and other gods, for +twelve days, according to their number; to which, if we add the ancient +custom of setting meat before statues, it will appear to be a rite from which +this fable might easily have arisen.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-30" id="Bk_1-30"></a><p>[The original word (<span class="Greek" title="polybentheos"><!-- +-->πολυβενθεος</span>) +seems to express variety of soundings, +an idea probably not to be conveyed in an English epithet.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-31" id="Bk_1-31"></a><p>The following passage gives the most exact account of the ancient +sacrifices that we have left us. There is first, the purification by the washing +of hands; second, the offering up of prayers; third, the barley-cakes +thrown upon the victim; fourth, the manner of killing it, with the head +turned upwards; fifth, selecting the thighs and fat for their gods, as the +best of the sacrifice, and disposing about them pieces cut from every part +for a representation of the whole (hence the thighs are frequently spoken of +in Homer and the Greek poets as the whole victim); sixth, the libation of +wine; seventh, consuming the thighs in the fire of the altar; eighth, the +sacrificers dressing and feasting on the rest, with joy and hymns to the +gods.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-32" id="Bk_1-32"></a><p>The <i>Pæan</i> (originally sung in honor of Apollo) was a hymn to propitiate +the god, and also a song of thanksgiving, when freed from danger. +It was always of a joyous nature. Both tune and sound expressed hope +and confidence. It was sung by several persons, one of whom probably +led the others, and the singers either marched onward, or sat together at +table.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-33" id="Bk_1-33"></a><p>It was the custom to draw the ships entirely upon the shore, and to +secure them by long props.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span></p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-34" id="Bk_1-34"></a><p>Suppliants threw themselves at the feet of the person to whom the +supplication was addressed, and embraced his knees.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-35" id="Bk_1-35"></a><p>Ambrosia, the food of the gods, conferred upon them eternal youth and +immortality, and was brought to Jupiter by pigeons. It was also used by +the gods for anointing the body and hair. Hence the expression, ambrosial +locks.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-36" id="Bk_1-36"></a><p>The original says, “the ox-eyed goddess,” which furnishes Coleridge +with one of the hints on which he proceeds in historically identifying the +Argive Juno with Io and Isis, &c. There is real wit in Homer’s making +her say to Jupiter, “I never search thy thoughts,” &c. The principle of +conservatism asks nothing of the intellectual power, but blindly contends, +reposing upon the instinct of a common sense, which leads her always to +surmise that something is intended by the intellectual power that she shall +not like.—E.P.P.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-37" id="Bk_1-37"></a><p>This refers to an old fable of Jupiter’s hanging up Juno and whipping +her. Homer introduces it without reference to its meaning, which was +undoubtedly some physical truth connected with the ether and the atmosphere.—E.P.P.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-38" id="Bk_1-38"></a><p>[The reader, in order that he may partake with the gods in the drollery +of this scene, should observe that the crippled and distorted Vulcan had +thrust himself into an office at all other times administered either by Hebe +or Ganymede.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_1-39" id="Bk_1-39"></a><p>As Minerva or Wisdom was among the company, the poet’s making +Vulcan act the part of peace-maker, would appear to have been from choice, +knowing that a mirthful person may often stop a quarrel, by making himself +the subject of merriment.</p></li> +</ol></div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_2-1" id="Bk_2-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book II:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">The poem now becomes more exciting; the language more animated; +the descriptions more lively and figurative. Homer seems to kindle with +his subject, and to press all the phenomena of nature into his service for +the purpose of illustration and adornment. Jupiter prepares to keep his +promise of avenging Achilles, by drawing Agamemnon into a deceitful expectation +of taking the city. The forces are arranged for battle, which +gives occasion for the celebrated catalogue.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-2" id="Bk_2-2"></a><p>The whole action of the Dream is natural. It takes the figure of one +much beloved by Agamemnon, as the object that is most in our thoughts +when awake, is the one that oftenest appears to us in our dreams, and +just at the instant of its vanishing, leaves so strong an impression, that the +voice seems still sounding in his ear.</p> + +<p>The Dream also repeats the words of Jupiter without variation, which is +considered as a great propriety in delivering a message from the father of +gods and men.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-3" id="Bk_2-3"></a><p>King of Pylus, an ancient city of Elis.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-4" id="Bk_2-4"></a><p>[Agamemnon seems to entertain some doubts lest the army should so +resent his treatment of their favorite Achilles, as to be indisposed to serve +him.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-5" id="Bk_2-5"></a><p>[Mercury.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-6" id="Bk_2-6"></a><p>[Argus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-7" id="Bk_2-7"></a><p>Homer, in a happy and poetical manner, acquaints us with the high +descent of Agamemnon, and traces the origin of his power to the highest +source, by saying, that the sceptre had descended to him from the hand +of Jupiter.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-8" id="Bk_2-8"></a><p>The power of Agamemnon as a monarch refers to his being the leader +of an army. According to the form of royalty in the heroic age, a king had +only the power of a magistrate, except as he held the office of priest. Aristotle +defines a king as a Leader of war, a Judge of controversies, and President +of the ceremonies of the gods. That he had the principal care of religious +rites, appears from many passages in Homer. His power was nowhere +absolute but in war, for we find Agamemnon insulted in the council, +but in the army threatening deserters with death. Agamemnon is sometimes +styled king of kings, as the other princes had given him supreme +authority over them in the siege.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-9" id="Bk_2-9"></a><p>[The extremest provocation is implied in this expression, which Thersites +quotes exactly as he had heard it from the lips of Achilles.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-10" id="Bk_2-10"></a><p>The character of Thersites is admirably sketched. There is nothing +vague and indistinct, but all the traits are so lively, that he stands before us +like the image of some absurd being whom we have ourselves seen. It has +been justly remarked by critics, that the poet displays great skill in representing +the opponents of Agamemnon in the character of so base a personage, +since nothing could more effectually reconcile the Greeks to the continuance +of the war, than the ridiculous turbulence of Thersites.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-11" id="Bk_2-11"></a><p>[Some for<span class="Greek" title="ponos"> +πονος</span> +here read<span class="Greek" title="pothos"> +ποθος</span>; +which reading I have adopted for the +sake both of perspicuity and connection.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-12" id="Bk_2-12"></a><p>The principal signs by which the gods were thought to declare their +will, were things connected with the offering of sacrifices, the flight and +voice of birds, all kinds of natural phenomena, ordinary as well as extraordinary +dreams.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-13" id="Bk_2-13"></a><p>An epithet supposed to have been derived from Gerenia, a Messenian +town, where Nestor was educated.</p> + +<p>In the pictures which Homer draws of him, the most striking features are +his wisdom, bravery, and knowledge of war, his eloquence, and his old age.</p> + +<p>For some general remarks upon the heroes of the time, see Grecian and +Roman Mythology.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-14" id="Bk_2-14"></a><p>In allusion to the custom of pouring out a libation of pure wine, in the +ceremony of forming a league, and joining right hands, as a pledge of mutual +fidelity after the sacrifice.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-15" id="Bk_2-15"></a><p>[Nestor is supposed here to glance at Achilles.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-16" id="Bk_2-16"></a><p>Homer here exalts wisdom over valor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-17" id="Bk_2-17"></a><p>[Money stamped with the figure of an ox.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-18" id="Bk_2-18"></a><p>The encouragement of a divine power, seemed all that was requisite to +change the dispositions of the Grecians, and make them more ardent for +combat than they had previously been to return. This conquers their inclinations +in a manner at once poetical and in keeping with the moral which +is every where spread through Homer, that nothing is accomplished without +divine assistance.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-19" id="Bk_2-19"></a><p>Homer’s rich invention gives us five beautiful similes on the march of +the army. This profusion and variety can never be sufficiently admired.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-20" id="Bk_2-20"></a><p>The superior knowledge that the poet here attributes to the Muses as +divine beings, and then his occasional invocations to them, gives an air of +importance to his subject and has an imposing effect.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-21" id="Bk_2-21"></a><p>However fabulous the other parts of Homer’s poems may be, this account +of the princes, people, and countries, is by far the most valuable piece +of history and geography left us in regard to the state of Greece in that early +period. Greece was then divided into several dynasties, which Homer has +enumerated under their respective princes; and his division was considered +so correct, that many disputes respecting the boundaries of Grecian cities +were decided upon his authority. Eustathius has collected together the following +instances: The city of Calydon was adjudged to the Ætolians, notwithstanding +the pretensions of Æolia, because it was ranked by Homer as +belonging to the former. Sestos was given to those of Abydos, upon the +plea that he had said the Abydonians were possessors of Sestos, Abydos, +and Arisbe. When the Milesians and people of Priene disputed their claim +to Mycale, a verse of Homer gave it to the Milesians. The Athenians were +put in possession of Salamis by another which was cited by Solon, or (according +to some) interpolated by him for that purpose; and Porphyry says, +that the catalogue was so highly esteemed, that the youths of some nations +were required to commit it to memory.</p> + +<p>Professor Felton remarks, “The student is advised to give particular +attention to this important passage. He will find it the most interesting +fragment of geography extant; interesting for the poetical beauty of the +verse, the regular order which is followed, and the little characteristic touches +which denote the peculiarities of the several provinces. The more he examines +this catalogue with the subsidiary lights of geography, history and +travels, the more cause will he find of wonder, that a description so ancient +should combine so much accuracy, beauty, and interest. It is recommended +to the student, to trace the provinces and cities on some good +map of ancient Greece.”</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-22" id="Bk_2-22"></a><p>[Some say Thebes the less, others, the suburbs of Thebes the greater. +It is certain that Thebes itself sent none.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-23" id="Bk_2-23"></a><p>It was the custom of these people to shave the fore parts of their heads, +that their enemies might not seize them by the hair; on the hinder part +they allowed it to grow, as a valiant race that would never turn their backs. +Their manner of fighting was hand to hand, without quitting their javelins.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-24" id="Bk_2-24"></a><p>Menelaus is occasionally distinguished by his activity, which shows +his personal concern in the war.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-25" id="Bk_2-25"></a><p>The Arcadians, being an inland people, were unskilled in navigation, +for which reason Agamemnon furnished them with shipping.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-26" id="Bk_2-26"></a><p>Nireus is nowhere mentioned as a leader but in these lines. As rank +and beauty were his only qualifications, he is allowed to sink into oblivion.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-27" id="Bk_2-27"></a><p>The mud of the Peneus is of a light color, for which reason Homer +gives it the epithet of silvery. The Titaresius, and other small streams +which are rolled from Olympus and Ossa, are so extremely clear, that their +waters are distinguished from those of the Peneus for a considerable distance +from the point of their confluence.—<span class="smcap">Dodwell</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-28" id="Bk_2-28"></a><p>Dr. Clarke, in his travels, describes this tomb as a conical mound; and +says that it is the spot of all others for viewing the plain of Troy, as it is +visible in all parts of Troas. From its top may be traced the course of the +Scamander, the whole chain of Ida, stretching towards Lectum, the snowy +heights of Gargarus, and all the shores of Hellespont, near the mouth +of the river Sigæum and the other tumuli upon the coast.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-29" id="Bk_2-29"></a><p>A patronymic given to Achilles as descendant of Æacus, father of +Peleus.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-30" id="Bk_2-30"></a><p>A river of Troas in Asia Minor, the same as the Scamander.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_2-31" id="Bk_2-31"></a><p>This expression is construed by critics as denoting an unpolished dialect, +but not a foreign.</p></li> +</ol></div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_3-1" id="Bk_3-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book III:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">The scenes described in this book are exceedingly lifesome. The figures +are animating and beautiful, and the mind of the reader is borne along with +breathless interest over the sonorous verse.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-2" id="Bk_3-2"></a><p>This is a striking simile, from its exactness in two points—the noise +and the order. It has been supposed that the embattling of an army was +first learned by observing the close order of the flight of these birds. The +noise of the Trojans contrasts strongly with the silence of the Greeks. +Plutarch remarks upon this distinction as a credit to the military discipline +of the latter, and Homer would seem to have attached some importance to +it, as he again alludes to the same thing. Book iv. 510.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-3" id="Bk_3-3"></a><p>[Paris, frequently named Alexander in the original.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-4" id="Bk_3-4"></a><p>Not from cowardice, but from a sense of guilt towards Menelaus. At +the head of an army he challenges the boldest of the enemy; and Hector, +at the end of the Sixth Book, confesses that no man could reproach him as +a coward. Homer has a fine moral;—A brave mind, however blinded with +passion, is sensible of remorse whenever he meets the person whom he has +injured; and Paris is never made to appear cowardly, but when overcome +by the consciousness of his injustice.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-5" id="Bk_3-5"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Lainon esso chitôna"><!-- +-->Λαινον +εσσο +χιτωνα</span>]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-6" id="Bk_3-6"></a><p>In allusion to the Oriental custom of stoning to death for the crime of +adultery.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-7" id="Bk_3-7"></a><p>The sling was a very efficacious and important instrument in ancient +warfare. Stones were also thrown with the hand. The Libyans carried no +other arms than the spear and a bag of stones.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-8" id="Bk_3-8"></a><p>The Trojans were required to sacrifice two lambs; one male of a white +color to the Sun, as the father of light, and one female and black to the +Earth, the mother and nurse of men. That these were the powers to which +they sacrificed appears from their being attested by name in the oath. +III. 330.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-9" id="Bk_3-9"></a><p>Helen’s weaving the events of the Trojan war in a veil is an agreeable +fiction; and one might suppose that it was inherited by Homer, and explained +in his Iliad.—<span class="smcap">Dacier</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-10" id="Bk_3-10"></a><p>[Not the grasshopper, but an insect well known in hot countries, and +which in Italy is called Cicála. The grasshopper rests on the ground, but +the favorite abode of the Cicála is in the trees and hedges.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-11" id="Bk_3-11"></a><p>This episode is remarkable for its beauty. The effect of Helen’s appearance +upon the aged counsellors is striking and poetical. It must be +borne in mind, that Helen was of divine parentage and unfading beauty, +and this will explain the enthusiasm which her sight called forth from the +old men. The poet’s skill in taking this method of describing the Grecian +chieftains is obvious, and the sketches themselves are living and characteristic +to a high degree. The reminiscences of the aged Priam, as their +names are announced, and the penitential sorrow of the erring Helen, which +the sight of her countrymen, and the recollection of her home, her child, +her companions, excite in her bosom, are among the most skilful touches +of natural feeling.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-12" id="Bk_3-12"></a><p>The character of a benevolent old man is well preserved in Priam’s behavior +to Helen. Upon observing her confusion, he attributes the misfortunes +of the war to the gods alone. This sentiment is also natural to old +age. Those who have had the longest experience of life, are the most inclined +to ascribe the disposal of all things to the will of Heaven.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-13" id="Bk_3-13"></a><p>This view of the Grecian leaders from the walls of Troy, is admired as +an episode of great beauty, and considered a masterly manner of acquainting +the reader with the figure and qualifications of each hero.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-14" id="Bk_3-14"></a><p>Helen sees no where in the plain her two brothers Castor and Pollux. +Her inquiry is a natural one, and her self-reproach naturally suggests her +own disgrace as the cause of their not appearing among the other commanders. +The two lines in which the poet mentions their death are simple +and touching.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-15" id="Bk_3-15"></a><p>Homer here gives the whole ceremonial of the solemn oath, as it was +then observed by the nations of whom he writes.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-16" id="Bk_3-16"></a><p>It must be borne in mind that sacrificing was the most solemn act of +religion, and that kings were also chief-priests.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-17" id="Bk_3-17"></a><p>The armor of both Greeks and Trojans consisted of six portions, and +was always put on in the order here given. The greaves were for the defence +of the legs. They were made of some kind of metal, and probably +lined with cloth or felt. The cuirass or corselet for the body, was made of +horn cut in thin pieces and fastened upon linen cloth, one piece overlapping +another. The sword hung on the left side by means of a belt which passed +over the right shoulder. The large round shield, sometimes made of osiers +twisted together and covered with several ox-hides, and bound round the +edge with metal. In the Homeric times it was supported by a belt; subsequently +a band was placed across the inner side, in which the left arm was +inserted, and a strong leather strap fastened near the edge at certain distances, +which was grasped by the hand. The helmet, made of metal and +lined with felt. Lastly the spear, and in many cases two. The heavy-armed +soldiery were distinguished from the light. The covering of the latter +consisted of skins, and instead of the sword and lance, they fought with +darts, bows and arrows, or slings, and were generally attached in a subordinate +capacity to the heavy-armed soldiery.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-18" id="Bk_3-18"></a><p>Homer puts a prayer in the mouth of Menelaüs, but none in that of +Paris. Menelaüs is injured and innocent, and may therefore ask for justice; +but Paris, who is the criminal, remains silent.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_3-19" id="Bk_3-19"></a><p>[Because the hide of a beast that dies in health is tougher and fitter for +use than of another that dies diseased.]</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_4-1" id="Bk_4-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book IV:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">The goddess of youth is made an attendant at the banquets of the gods, +to show that they enjoyed a perpetual youth, and endless felicity.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-2" id="Bk_4-2"></a><p>[A town of that name in Bœotia, where Pallas was particularly worshipped.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-3" id="Bk_4-3"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Boôpis"><!-- +-->Βοωπις</span>, +constant description of Juno, but not susceptible of literal translation.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-4" id="Bk_4-4"></a><p>Homer does not make the gods use all persons indiscriminately as their +agents, but each according to his powers. When Minerva would persuade +the Greeks, she seeks Ulysses; when she would break the truce, for Pandarus; +and when she would conquer, for Diomede. The goddess went +not to the Trojans, because they hated Paris, and looks among the allies, +where she finds Pandarus, who was of a nation noted for perfidiousness, and +who, from his avarice, was capable of engaging in this treachery for the +hope of a reward from Paris.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-5" id="Bk_4-5"></a><p>A city of Asia Minor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-6" id="Bk_4-6"></a><p>This description, so full of circumstantial detail, is remarkably beautiful. +1. The history of the bow, giving in a few words the picture of a hunter, +lying in ambush and slaying his victim. 2. Then the process of making +the bow. 3. The anxious preparation for discharging the arrow with certainty, +which was destined to break off the truce and precipitate the battle. +4. The hurried prayer and vow to Apollo, after which the string is drawn, +the cord twangs, the arrow “leaps forth.” The whole is described with +such graphic truth, that we see, and hear, and wait in breathless suspense +to know the result.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-7" id="Bk_4-7"></a><p>This is one of those humble comparisons with which Homer sometimes +diversifies his subject, but a very exact one of its kind, and corresponding +in all its parts. The care of the goddess, the unsuspecting security of Menelaus, +the ease with which she diverts the danger, and the danger itself, +are all included in these few words. To which may be added, that if the +providence of heavenly powers to their creatures is expressed by the love of +a mother to her child, if men in regard to them are but as sleeping infants, +and the dangers that seem so great to us, as easily warded off as the simile +implies, the conception appears sublime, however insignificant the image +may at first seem in regard to a hero.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-8" id="Bk_4-8"></a><p>From this we learn that the Lydians and Carians were famous for their +skill in dying purple, and that their women excelled in works of ivory; and +also that there were certain ornaments that only kings and princes were +privileged to wear.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-9" id="Bk_4-9"></a><p>This speech of Agamemnon over his wounded brother, is full of noble +power and touching eloquence. The Trojans have violated a truce sanctioned +by a solemn sacrifice to the gods. The reflection that such perjury +cannot pass with impunity, but that Jove will, sooner or later, punish it, +occurs first to the mind of the warrior. In the excitement of the moment, +he predicts that the day will surely come when sacred Troy shall fall. From +this impetuous feeling his mind suddenly returns to the condition of his +brother, and imagines with much pathos, the consequences that will follow +from his death, and ends with the wish, that the earth may open before +him when that time shall come.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-10" id="Bk_4-10"></a><p>The poet here changes the narration, and apostrophises the reader. +Critics commend this figure, as the reader then becomes a spectator, and +his mind is kept fixed on the action.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-11" id="Bk_4-11"></a><p>In the following review of the army, we see the skill of an accomplished +general as well as the characters of the leaders whom Agamemnon addresses. +He begins with an address to the army in general, and then turns +to individuals. To the brave he urges their secure hopes of conquest, since +the gods must punish perjury; to the timid, their inevitable destruction +if the enemy should burn their ships. After this he flies from rank to rank, +skilfully addressing each ally, and presents a lively picture of a great mind +in the highest emotion.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-12" id="Bk_4-12"></a><p>The ancients usually in their feasts divided to the guests in equal portions, +except they took particular occasion to show distinction. It was +then considered the highest mark of honor to be allotted the best portion of +meat and wine, and to be allowed an exemption from the laws of the feast +in drinking wine unmingled and without measure. This custom was much +more ancient than the time of the Trojan war, and we find it practised in +the banquet given by Joseph to his brethren.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-13" id="Bk_4-13"></a><p>[Diverse interpretations are given of this passage. I have adopted that +which to me appeared most plausible. It seems to be a caution against the +mischiefs that might ensue, should the horses be put under the management +of a driver with whom they were unacquainted.—The scholium by Villoisson +much countenances this solution.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-14" id="Bk_4-14"></a><p>[Here Nestor only mentions the name of Ereuthalion, knowing the +present to be an improper time for story-telling; in the seventh book he +relates his fight and victory at length. This passage may serve to confute +those who charge Nestor with indiscriminate loquacity.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-15" id="Bk_4-15"></a><p>The first Theban war, previously alluded to, took place twenty-seven +years before the war of Troy. Sthenelus here speaks of the second, which +happened ten years after the first. For an account of these wars see Grecian +and Roman Mythology.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-16" id="Bk_4-16"></a><p>This is a most animated description. The onset, the clashing of spears, +the shield pressed to shield, the tumult of the battle, the shouts and groans +of the slayer and the dying—all are described in words, the very sound of +which conveys the terrible meaning. Then come the exploits performed +by individual heroes. The student must bear in mind, that the battles of +the heroic age depended in a great measure upon the prowess of single +chieftains. Hence the appropriateness of the following enumeration.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-17" id="Bk_4-17"></a><p>So called from the river Simoïs, near which he was born. It was an +eastern custom to name children from the most remarkable accident of their +birth. The Scriptures furnish many examples. In the Old Testament +princes were also compared to trees, and Simöisius is here resembled to a +poplar.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-18" id="Bk_4-18"></a><p>Homer occasionally puts his readers in mind of Achilles, and finds +occasion to celebrate his valor with the highest praise. Apollo here tells +the Trojans they have nothing to fear, since Achilles fights not.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_4-19" id="Bk_4-19"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Akrokomoi"><!-- +-->Ακροκομοι</span>. +They wore only a lock of hair on the crown of the head.]</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_5-1" id="Bk_5-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book V:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">In each battle there is one prominent person who may be called the hero +of the day. This arrangement preserves unity, and helps to fix the attention +of the reader. The gods sometimes favor one hero, and sometimes +another. In this book we have the exploits of Diomede. Assisted by +Minerva, he is eminent both for prudence and valor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-2" id="Bk_5-2"></a><p>Sirius. This comparison, among many others, shows how constantly +the poet’s attention was directed to the phenomena of nature.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-3" id="Bk_5-3"></a><p><span class="Greek" title="Êioenti"> +Ηιοεντι</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-4" id="Bk_5-4"></a><p>The chariots were probably very low. We frequently find in the Iliad +that a person standing in a chariot is killed (and sometimes by a stroke on +the head) by a foot soldier with a sword. This may farther appear from the +ease with which they mount or alight, to facilitate which, the chariots were +made open behind. That the wheels were small, may be supposed from +their custom of taking them off and putting them on. Hebe puts on the +wheels of Juno’s chariot, when he called for it in battle. It may be in allusion +to the same custom, that it is said in Ex., ch. xiv.: “The Lord took +off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them heavily.” That it was very +small and light, is evident from a passage in the tenth Il., where Diomede +debates whether he shall draw the chariot of Rhesus out of the way, or carry +it on his shoulders to a place of safety.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-5" id="Bk_5-5"></a><p>[Meges, son of Phyleus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-6" id="Bk_5-6"></a><p>This whole passage is considered by critics as very beautiful. It describes +the hero carried by an enthusiastic valor into the midst of his enemies, +and mingling in the ranks indiscriminately. The simile thoroughly illustrates +this fury, proceeding as it did from an extraordinary infusion of courage +from Heaven.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-7" id="Bk_5-7"></a><p>[Apollo.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-8" id="Bk_5-8"></a><p>The deities are often invoked because of the agency ascribed to them +and not from any particular religious usage. And just as often the heroes +are protected by the gods who are worshipped by their own tribes and families—<span class="smcap">Muller</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-9" id="Bk_5-9"></a><p>This fiction of Homer, says Dacier, is founded upon an important truth +of religion, not unknown to the Pagans: viz. that God only can open the +eyes of men, and enable them to see what they cannot otherwise discover. +The Old Testament furnishes examples. God opens the eyes of Hagar, that +she may see the fountain. “The Lord opened the eyes of Baalam, and he +saw the angel,” etc. This power of sight was given to Diomede only for +the present occasion. In the 6th Book, on meeting Glaucus, he is ignorant +whether he is a god, a hero, or a man.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-10" id="Bk_5-10"></a><p>[Or collar-bone.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-11" id="Bk_5-11"></a><p>The belief of those times, in regard to the peace and happiness of the +soul after death, made the protection of the body a matter of great importance. +For a full account of these rites, see the articles Charon and Pluto, +Gr. & Rom. Mythology.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-12" id="Bk_5-12"></a><p>The physician of the gods. Homer says nothing of his origin. He +seems to be considered as distinct from Apollo, though perhaps originally +identical with him.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-13" id="Bk_5-13"></a><p>From the fact that so few mystical myths are introduced in the Iliad, +Müller infers that the mystical element of religion could not have predominated +among the Grecian people for whom Homer sang. Otherwise, his poems +in which that element is but little regarded, would not have afforded universal +pleasure and satisfaction. He therefore takes but a passing notice +of Demeter. Müller also remarks, that in this we cannot but admire the +artistic skill of Homer, and the feeling for what is right and fitting that was +innate with the Greeks.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-14" id="Bk_5-14"></a><p>[Vide Samson to Harapha in the Agonistes. There the word is used in +the same sense.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-15" id="Bk_5-15"></a><p>[This is a construction of<span class="Greek" title="leuk elephanti"> +λευκ +ελεφαντι</span> +given by some of the best commentators, +and that seems the most probable.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-16" id="Bk_5-16"></a><p>This slow and orderly retreat of the Greeks, with their front constantly +turned to the enemy, is a fine encomium on their courage and discipline. +This manner of retreating was customary among the Lacedæmonians, as +were many other martial customs described by Homer. The practice arose +from the apprehension of being killed by a wound in the back, which was +not only punished with infamy, but a person bearing the mark was denied +the rites of burial.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-17" id="Bk_5-17"></a><p>[This, according to Porphyrius as quoted by Clarke, is the true meaning +of<span class="Greek" title="aiolomitrês"> +αιολομιτρης</span>.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-18" id="Bk_5-18"></a><p>The chariots of the gods were formed of various metals, and drawn +through the air, or upon the surface of the sea, by horses of celestial breed. +These chariots were used by the deities only on occasion of a long journey, +or when they wished to appear with state and magnificence. Ordinarily +they were transported from place to place by the aid of their golden sandals, +with the exception of the “silver-footed Thetis,” to whom they seem to +have been superfluous. When at home, the gods were barefoot, according +to the custom of the age, as we see from various representations of antique +art.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-19" id="Bk_5-19"></a><p>[These which I have called crescents, were a kind of hook of a semicircular +form, to which the reins were occasionally fastened.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-20" id="Bk_5-20"></a><p>The Greeks borrowed the vest and shield of Minerva from the Lybians, +only with this difference: the Lybian shield was fringed with thongs +of leather, and the Grecian with serpents.—<span class="smcap">Herodotus</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-21" id="Bk_5-21"></a><p>This expression (the gates of Heaven) is in the eastern manner, and +common in the Scriptures.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-22" id="Bk_5-22"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Area tonde"><!-- +-->Αρεα +τονδε</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_5-23" id="Bk_5-23"></a><p>Every thing that enters the dark empire of Hades disappears, and is +seen no more; hence the figurative expression, to put on Pluto’s helmet; +that is to become invisible.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_6-1" id="Bk_6-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book VI:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">The Simoïs and Xanthus were two rivers of the Troad, which form a +junction before they reached the Hellespont. The Simoïs rose in Mt. Ida, +and the Xanthus had its origin near Troy.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-2" id="Bk_6-2"></a><p>Ajax commences his exploits immediately on the departure of the gods +from the battle. It is observed of this hero, that he is never assisted by the +deities.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-3" id="Bk_6-3"></a><p>Axylus was distinguished for his hospitality. This trait was characteristic +of the Oriental nations, and is often alluded to by ancient writers. +The rite of hospitality often united families belonging to different and hostile +nations, and was even transmitted from father to son. This description +is a fine tribute to the generosity of Axylus.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span></p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-4" id="Bk_6-4"></a><p>[Euryalus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-5" id="Bk_6-5"></a><p>Agamemnon’s taking the life of the Trojan whom Menelaus had pardoned, +was according to the custom of the times. The historical books of +the Old Testament abound in instances of the like cruelty to conquered enemies.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-6" id="Bk_6-6"></a><p>This important maxim of war is very naturally introduced, upon Menelaus +being ready to spare an enemy for the sake of a ransom. According to +Dacier, it was for such lessons as these that Alexander so much esteemed +Homer and studied his poem.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-7" id="Bk_6-7"></a><p>The custom of making donations to the gods is found among the ancients, +from the earliest times of which we have any record down to the +introduction of Christianity; and even after that period it was observed +by the Christians during the middle ages. Its origin seems to have been +the same as that of sacrifices: viz. the belief that the gods were susceptible +of influence in their conduct towards men. These gifts were sometimes +very costly, but often nothing more than locks of hair cut from the head of +the votary.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-8" id="Bk_6-8"></a><p>Diomede had knowingly wounded and insulted the deities; he therefore +met Glaucus with a superstitious fear that he might be some deity in human +shape. This feeling brought to his mind the story of Lycurgus.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-9" id="Bk_6-9"></a><p>It is said that Lycurgus caused most of the vines of his country to be +rooted up, so that his subjects were obliged to mix their wine with water, as +it became less plentiful. Hence the fable that Thetis received Bacchus into +her bosom.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-10" id="Bk_6-10"></a><p>This style of language was according to the manners of the times. +Thus Goliath to David, “Approach, and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of +the air and the beasts of the field.” The Orientals still speak in the same +manner.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-11" id="Bk_6-11"></a><p>Though this comparison may be justly admired for its beauty in the +obvious application to the mortality and succession of human life, it seems +designed by the poet, in this place, as a proper emblem of the transitory +state of families which, by their misfortune or folly, have fallen and decayed, +and again appear, in a happier season, to revive and flourish in the fame and +virtues of their posterity. In this sense it is a direct answer to the question +of Diomede, as well as a proper preface to what Glaticus relates of his own +family, which, having become extinct in Corinth, recovers new life in Lycia.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-12" id="Bk_6-12"></a><p>The same as Corinth.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-13" id="Bk_6-13"></a><p>Some suppose that alphabetical writing was unknown in the Homeric +age, and consequently that these signs must have been hieroglyphical marks. +The question is a difficult one, and the most distinguished scholars are +divided in opinion. We can hardly imagine that a poem of the length and +general excellence of the Iliad, could be composed without the aid of writing; +and yet, we are told, there are well-authenticated examples of such +works being preserved and handed down by traditional memory. However +this may be, we know that the Oriental nations were in possession of the +art of alphabetical writing it a very early period, and before the Trojan war. +It cannot, then, seem very improbable, that the authors of the Iliad should +also have been acquainted with it.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-14" id="Bk_6-14"></a><p>The Solymi were an ancient nation inhabiting the mountainous parts +of Asia Minor, between Lycia and Pisidia. Pliny mentions them as having +become extinct in his time.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-15" id="Bk_6-15"></a><p>It was the custom in ancient times, upon the performance of any signal +service by kings or great men, for the public to grant them a tract of land +as a reward. When Sarpedon, in the 12th Book, exhorts Glaucus to behave +valiantly, he reminds him of these possessions granted by his countrymen.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-16" id="Bk_6-16"></a><p>The laws of hospitality were considered so sacred, that a friendship +contracted under their observance was preferred to the ties of consanguinity +and alliance, and regarded as obligatory even to the third and fourth +generation. Diomede and Glaucus here became friends, on the ground of +their grandfathers having been mutual guests. The presents made on these +occasions were preserved by families, as it was considered obligatory to +transmit them as memorials to their children.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-17" id="Bk_6-17"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Xeinoi patrôioi."><!-- +-->Ξεινοι +πατρωιοι</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-18" id="Bk_6-18"></a><p>The Scæan gate opened to the field of battle, and was the one through +which the Trojans made their excursions. Close to this stood the beech +tree sacred to Jupiter, and often mentioned in connection with it.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-19" id="Bk_6-19"></a><p>There is a mournfulness in the interview between the hero and his +mother which is deeply interesting. Her urging him to take wine and his +refusal were natural and simple incidents, which heighten the effect of the +scene.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-20" id="Bk_6-20"></a><p>The custom that prohibits persons polluted with blood from performing +any offices of divine worship before purification, is so ancient and universal, +that it may be considered a precept of natural religion, tending to inspire +a horror of bloodshed. In Euripides, Iphigenia argues the impossibility +of human sacrifices being acceptable to the gods, since they do not +permit any one defiled with blood, or even polluted with the touch of a dead +body, to come near their altars.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-21" id="Bk_6-21"></a><p>Paris surprised the King of Phœnecia by night, and carried off many +of his treasures and captives, among whom probably were these Sidonian +women. Tyre and Sidon were famous for works in gold, embroidery, etc., +and for whatever pertained to magnificence and luxury.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-22" id="Bk_6-22"></a><p>This gesture is the only one described by Homer as being used by the +ancients in their invocations of the gods.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-23" id="Bk_6-23"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="dia theaôn"><!-- +-->δια +θεαων</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-24" id="Bk_6-24"></a><p>The employment in which Hector finds Paris engaged, is extremely +characteristic.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-25" id="Bk_6-25"></a><p>This address of Helen is in fine keeping with her character.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-26" id="Bk_6-26"></a><p>[The bulk of his heroes is a circumstance of which Homer frequently +reminds us by the use of the word<span class="Greek" title="megas"> +μεγας</span>—and +which ought, therefore, by no +means to be suppressed.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-27" id="Bk_6-27"></a><p>Love of his country is a prominent characteristic of Hector, and is here +beautifully displayed in his discharging the duties that the public welfare +required, before seeking his wife and child. Then finding that she had gone +to the tower, he retraces his steps to “the Scæan gate, whence he must +seek the field.” Here his wife, on her return home, accidentally meets him.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-28" id="Bk_6-28"></a><p> [The name signifies, the <i>Chief of the city</i>.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-29" id="Bk_6-29"></a><p>It was the custom to plant about tombs only such trees as elms, alders, +etc., that bear no fruit, as being most appropriate to the dead.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-30" id="Bk_6-30"></a><p>In this recapitulation, Homer acquaints us with some of the great +achievements of Achilles, which preceded the opening of the poem—a happy +manner of exalting his hero, and exciting our expectation as to what he is +yet to accomplish. His greatest enemies never upbraid him, but confess +his glory. When Apollo encourages the Trojans to fight, it is by telling +them Achilles fights no more. When Juno animates the Greeks, she reminds +them how their enemies fear Achilles; and when Andromache trembles +for Hector, it is with the remembrance of his resistless force.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-31" id="Bk_6-31"></a><p>Drawing water was considered the most servile employment.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-32" id="Bk_6-32"></a><p>[The Scholiast in Villoisson calls it +<span class="Greek" title="physikon tina kai metrion gelôta"> +φυσικον +τινα +και +μετριον +γελωτα</span> +a natural and moderate laughter.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-33" id="Bk_6-33"></a><p>According to the ancient belief, the fatal period of life is appointed to +all men at the time of their birth, which no precaution can avoid and no +danger hasten.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_6-34" id="Bk_6-34"></a><p>This scene, for true and unaffected pathos, delicate touches of nature, +and a profound knowledge of the human heart, has rarely been equalled, and +never surpassed, among all the efforts of genius during the three thousand +years that have gone by since it was conceived and composed.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_7-1" id="Bk_7-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book VII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">Holding the spear in this manner was, in ancient warfare, understood +as a signal to discontinue the fight.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-2" id="Bk_7-2"></a><p>The challenge of Hector and the consternation of the Greeks, presents +much the same scene as the challenge of Goliath, 1 Samuel, ch. 17: “And +he stood and cried to the armies of Israel;—Choose you a man for you, +and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill +me, then will we be your servants.—When Saul and all Israel heard the +words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-3" id="Bk_7-3"></a><p>It was an ancient custom for warriors to dedicate trophies of this kind +to the temples of their tutelary deities.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-4" id="Bk_7-4"></a><p>[The club-bearer.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-5" id="Bk_7-5"></a><p>[It is a word used by Dryden.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-6" id="Bk_7-6"></a><p>Homer refers every thing, even the chance of the lots, to the disposition +of the gods.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-7" id="Bk_7-7"></a><p>[Agamemnon.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-8" id="Bk_7-8"></a><p>The lot was merely a piece of wood or shell, or any thing of the kind +that was at hand. Probably it had some private mark, and not the name, +as it was only recognized by the owner.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-9" id="Bk_7-9"></a><p>This reply is supposed to allude to some gesture made by Ajax in approaching +Hector.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-10" id="Bk_7-10"></a><p>The heralds were considered as sacred persons, the delegates of Mercury, +and inviolable by the laws of nations. Ancient history furnishes examples +of the severity exercised upon those who were guilty of any outrage +upon them. Their office was, to assist in the sacrifices and councils, to +proclaim war or peace, to command silence at ceremonies or single combats, +to part the combatants and declare the conqueror.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-11" id="Bk_7-11"></a><p>This word I have taken leave to coin. The Latins have both substantive +and adjective. <i>Purpura—Purpureus.</i> We make purple serve both +uses; but it seems a poverty to which we have no need to submit, at least +in poetry.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-12" id="Bk_7-12"></a><p>A particular mark of honor and respect, as this part of the victim belonged +to the king. In the simplicity of the times, the reward offered a victorious +warrior of the best portion of the sacrifice at supper, a more capacious +bowl, or an upper seat at table, was a recompense for the greatest actions. + +It is worthy of observation, that beef, mutton, or kid, was the food of the +heroes of Homer and the patriarchs and warriors of the Old Testament. +Fishing and fowling were then the arts of more luxurious nations.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_7-13" id="Bk_7-13"></a><p>[The word is here used in the Latin sense of it. Virgil, describing the +entertainment given by Evander to the Trojans, says that he regaled them</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p>Perpetui <i>tergo bovis et lustralibus extis.</i></p> +<p class="citation"><span class="smcap">Æn.</span> viii.</p> +</div> + +<p>It means, the whole.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_8-1" id="Bk_8-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book VIII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">An epithet of Aurora, supposed to designate an early hour.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-2" id="Bk_8-2"></a><p>Many have explained this as an allegorical expression for one of the +great laws of nature—gravity or the attraction of the sun. There is not the +slightest probability that any such meaning is intended.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-3" id="Bk_8-3"></a><p>A part of Mt. Ida. This place was celebrated, in subsequent times, for +the worship of Jupiter. Several years ago, Dr. E.D. Clarke deposited, in +the vestibule of the public library in Cambridge, England, a marble bust of +Juno, taken from the ruins of this temple of Jupiter, at the base of Mt. +Ida.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span></p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-4" id="Bk_8-4"></a><p>[In the repetition of this expression, the translator follows the original.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-5" id="Bk_8-5"></a><p>Sacred, because that part of the day was appropriate to sacrifice and +religious worship.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-6" id="Bk_8-6"></a><p>This figure is first used in the Scriptures. Job prays to be weighed in +an even balance, that God may know his integrity. Daniel says to Belshazzar, +“thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting,” etc.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-7" id="Bk_8-7"></a><p>Jupiter’s declaring against the Greeks by thunder and lightning, is +drawn (says Dacier) from truth itself. 1 Sam. ch. vii.: “And as Samuel +was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle +against Israel; but the Lord thundered on that day upon the Philistines +and discomfited them.”</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-8" id="Bk_8-8"></a><p>Nothing can be more spirited than the enthusiasm of Hector, who, in +the transport of his joy, breaks out in the following apostrophe to his +horses. He has, in imagination, already forced the Grecian entrenchments, +set the fleet in flames, and destroyed the whole army.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-9" id="Bk_8-9"></a><p>From this speech, it may be gathered that women were accustomed to +loosen the horses from the chariot, on their return from battle, and feed +them; and from line 214, unless it is spurious, it seems that the provender +was sometimes mixed with wine. It is most probable, however, that the +line is not genuine.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p> + +<p>Homer describes a princess so tender in her love to her husband, that she +meets him on his return from every battle, and, in the joy of seeing him +again, feeds his horses with bread and wine, as an acknowledgment to them +for bringing him back.—<span class="smcap">Dacier</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-10" id="Bk_8-10"></a><p>These were the arms that Diomede had received from Glaucus.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-11" id="Bk_8-11"></a><p>[None daring to keep the field, and all striving to enter the gates together, +they obstructed their own passage, and were, of course, compelled +into the narrow interval between the foss and rampart.</p> + +<p>But there are different opinions about the space intended. See Villoisson.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-12" id="Bk_8-12"></a><p>[To Jove, the source of all oracular information.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-13" id="Bk_8-13"></a><p>Jupiter, in answer to the prayer of Agamemnon, sends an omen to encourage +the Greeks. The application of it is obvious: The eagle signified +Hector, the fawn denoted the fear and flight of the Greeks, and being dropped +at the altar of Jupiter, indicated that they would be saved by the protection +of that god.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-14" id="Bk_8-14"></a><p>This simile is very beautiful, and exactly represents the manner of +Gorgythion’s death. There is so much truth in the comparison, that we +pity the fall of the youth and almost feel his wound.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-15" id="Bk_8-15"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Eniklan"><!-- +-->Ενικλαν</span>.—The +word is here metaphorical, and expresses, in its primary +use, the breaking of a spear against a shield.—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-16" id="Bk_8-16"></a><p>[The following lines, to the end of this paragraph, are a translation +of some which Barnes has here inserted from the second Alcibiades of Plato.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_8-17" id="Bk_8-17"></a><p>The simile is the most magnificent that can be conceived. The stars +come forth brightly, the whole heaven is cloudless and serene, the moon is +in the sky, the heights, and promontories, and forests stand forth distinctly +in the light, <i>and the shepherd rejoices in his heart</i>. This last simple and +natural circumstance is inexpressibly beautiful, and heightens the effect of +the visible scene, by associating it, in the most direct and poetical manner, +with the inward emotion that such a scene must produce.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_9-1" id="Bk_9-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book IX:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">[In the original the word is—<span class="Greek" title="melanydros"><!-- +-->μελανυδρος</span>—dark-watered; +and it is +rendered—<i>deep</i>—by the best interpreters, because deep waters have a blackish +appearance.<span class="Greek" title="Dnopheron ydôr"> +Δνοφερον +υδωρ</span> +is properly water that runs with rapidity; +water—<span class="Greek" title="meta donêseôs pheromenon"><!-- +-->μετα +δονησεως +φερομενον</span>—See +Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-2" id="Bk_9-2"></a><p>This is the language of a brave man, boldly to affirm that courage is +above crowns and sceptres. In former times they were not hereditary, but +the recompense of valor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-3" id="Bk_9-3"></a><p>[The observation seems made with a view to prevent such a reply from +Agamemnon to Diomede as might give birth to new dissensions, while it +reminds him indirectly of the mischiefs that had already attended his quarrel +with Achilles.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-4" id="Bk_9-4"></a><p>This speech of Nestor is happily conceived. It belonged to him as the +aged counsellor to begin the debate, by laying the subject before the assembly, +especially as it was necessary to impale the blame of the present unfortunate +condition of the army to Agamemnon. It would have been presumptuous +in any other, and it was a matter of difficulty and delicacy even for +Nestor.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-5" id="Bk_9-5"></a><p>In the heroic age, the bridegroom, before marriage, was obliged to make +two presents, one to his betrothed wife, and one to his father-in-law. This +was also an ancient custom of the Hebrews. Abraham’s servant gave presents +to Rebekah: Gen. xxiv. 22. Shechem promised a dowry and gift to +Jacob for his daughter: Gen. xxiv. 12. And in after times, Saul said he +desired no dowry for Michal: 1 Sam. xviii. 25.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-6" id="Bk_9-6"></a><p>One of the religious ceremonies previous to any important enterprise. +Then followed the order for silence and reverent attention; then the libation, +&c.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span></p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-7" id="Bk_9-7"></a><p> Achilles having retired from action in displeasure to Agamemnon, quieted +himself by singing to his lyre the achievements of demi-gods and heroes. +Nothing was better suited to the martial disposition of this hero, than +these heroic songs. Celebrating the actions of the valiant prepared him for +his own great exploits. Such was the music of the ancients, and to such +purposes was it applied. When the lyre of Paris was offered to Alexander, +he replied that he had little value for it, but much desired that of Achilles, +on which he sung the actions of heroes in former times.—<span class="smcap">Plutarch</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-8" id="Bk_9-8"></a><p>The manners of the Iliad are the manners of the patriarchal and early +ages of the East. The chief differences arise from a different religion and a +more maritime situation. Very far removed from the savage state on the +one hand, and equally distant from the artificial state of an extended commerce +and a manufacturing population on the other, the spirit and habitudes +of the two modes of society are almost identical. The hero and the Patriarch +are substantially coëval; but the first wanders in twilight, the last stands +in the eye of Heaven. When three men appeared to Abraham in the plains +of Mamre, he ran to meet them from the tent door, brought them in, directed +Sarah to make bread, fetched from the herd himself a calf tender and +good, dressed it, and set it before them. When Ajax, Ulysses, and Phœnix +stand before Achilles, he rushes forth to greet them, brings them into the +tent, directs Patroclus to mix the wine, cuts up the meat, dresses it, and +sets it before the ambassadors. * * * *</p> + +<p>Instances of this sort might be multiplied to any extent, but the student +will find it a pleasing and useful task to discover them for himself; and these +will amply suffice to demonstrate the existence of that correspondence of +spirit and manners between the Homeric and the early ages of the Bible +history, to which I have adverted. It is real and important; it affords a +standard of the feelings with which we ought to read the Iliad, if we mean +to read it as it deserves; and it explains and sets in the true point of view +numberless passages, which the ignorance or frivolity of after-times has +charged with obscurity, meanness or error. The Old Testament and the Iliad +reflect light mutually on each other; and both in respect of poetry and morals +(for the whole of Homer’s poetry is a praise of virtue, and every thing in +him tends to this point, except that which is merely superfluous and for +ornament) it may with great truth be said, that he who has the longest studied, +and the most deeply imbibed, the spirit of the Hebrew Bible, will the +best understand and the most lastingly appreciate the tale of Troy divine.—<span class="smcap">H.N. Coleridge</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-9" id="Bk_9-9"></a><p>[I have given this sense to the word +<span class="Greek" title="Zôroteron"> +Ζωροτερον</span>—on +the authority of the +Venetian Scholium, though some contend that it should be translated—<i>quickly</i>. +Achilles, who had reproached Agamemnon with intemperate drinking, +was, himself, more addicted to music than to wine.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-10" id="Bk_9-10"></a><p>[It is not without authority that I have thus rendered +<span class="Greek" title="kreion mega."> +κρειον +μεγα</span>. +Homer’s +banquets are never stewed or boiled; it cannot therefore signify a kettle. +It was probably a kitchen-table, dresser, or tray, on which the meat was prepared +for the spit. Accordingly we find that this very meat was spitted +afterward.—See Schaufelbergerus.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-11" id="Bk_9-11"></a><p>There are no speeches in the Iliad better placed, better timed, or that give +a greater idea of Homer’s genius than these of the ambassadors to Achilles. +They are not only demanded by the occasion, but skilfully arranged, and in +a manner that gives pleasure to the reader.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-12" id="Bk_9-12"></a><p>[Dacier observes, that he pluralizes the one wife of Menelaus, through +the impetuosity of his spirit.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-13" id="Bk_9-13"></a><p>According to some ancient writers, Achilles was but twelve years of age +when he went to the wars of Troy. And from what is here related of his +education under Phœnix, it may be inferred, that the fable of his having been +taught by Chiron is an invention of a later age and unknown to Homer.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-14" id="Bk_9-14"></a><p>The ancients gave the name of Jupiter not only to the God of heaven, +but also to the God of hell, as is seen here; and to the God of the sea, as +appears from Æschylus. They meant thereby to show that one sole deity +governed the world. To teach this truth, statues were made of Jupiter which +had three eyes. Priam had one in the court of his palace, which, in sharing +the booty of the war of Troy, fell to the lot of Sthenelus, who carried it to +Greece.—<span class="smcap">Dacier</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-15" id="Bk_9-15"></a><p>So called because Jove protects those who implore his aid.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-16" id="Bk_9-16"></a><p>[Wrinkled—because the countenance of a man driven to prayer by a +consciousness of guilt is sorrowful and dejected. Lame—because it is a +remedy to which men recur late, and with reluctance. And slant-eyed—either +because, in that state of humiliation they fear to lift their eyes to +heaven, or are employed in taking a retrospect of their past misconduct.</p> + +<p>The whole allegory, considering <i>when</i> and <i>where</i> it was composed, forms +a very striking passage.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-17" id="Bk_9-17"></a><p>[She had five brothers: Iphiclus, Polyphontes, Phanes, Eurypylus, +Plexippus.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-18" id="Bk_9-18"></a><p>It was the custom for the murderer to go into banishment for one year. +But if the relations of the murdered person were willing, the criminal, by +paying a certain fine, might buy off the exile and remain at home. Ajax +sums up this argument with great strength: We see, says he, a brother forgive +the murder of his brother, a father that of his son; but Achilles will +not forgive the injury offered him by taking away one captive woman.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_9-19" id="Bk_9-19"></a><p>The character of Achilles is well sustained in all his speeches. To +Ulysses he returns a flat denial, and threatens to leave the Trojan shore in +the morning. To Phœnix his answer is more gentle. After Ajax has spoken, +he seems determined not to depart, but yet refuses to bear arms, except +in defence of his own squadron.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_10-1" id="Bk_10-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book X:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">With slight alteration, Homer here repeats the verses that open the +2d Book, and ascribes to Agamemnon the same watchfulness over men that +Jupiter had over the gods.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-2" id="Bk_10-2"></a><p>Menelaus starts a design, which is afterwards proposed by Nestor in +council. The poet knew that the project would come with greater weight +from the age of the one than from the youth of the other, and that the valiant +would be ready to engage in the enterprise suggested by so venerable a +counsellor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-3" id="Bk_10-3"></a><p>Agamemnon is uniformly represented as an example of brotherly affection, +and at all times defends Menelaus.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-4" id="Bk_10-4"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Saurôtêr"><!-- +-->Σαυρωτηρ</span>—seems +to have been a hollow iron with a point, fitted to the +obtuse end of the spear, for the purpose of planting that end of it in the +ground. It might probably be taken off at pleasure.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-5" id="Bk_10-5"></a><p>The dogs represent the watch, the flocks the Greeks, the fold their camp, +and the wild beast that invades them, Hector. The place, position, and +circumstances are represented with the utmost life and nature.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-6" id="Bk_10-6"></a><p>[<i>Sable</i>, because the expedition was made by night, and <i>each with a lamb</i>, +as typical of the fruit of their labors.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-7" id="Bk_10-7"></a><p>It required some address in Diomede to make a choice without offending +the Grecian princes, each one of whom might consider it an indignity to +be refused such a place of honor. Diomede, therefore, chose Ulysses, not for +his valor, but for his wisdom. On this point, the other leaders all yielded +to him.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-8" id="Bk_10-8"></a><p>The heroes are well armed for their design. Ulysses has a bow and +arrows, that he may be able to wound the enemy at a distance, and Diomede +a two-edged sword. They both have leathern helmets, as the glittering +of the metal might betray them to the enemy.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-9" id="Bk_10-9"></a><p>[Autolycus was grandfather of Ulysses by the mother’s side.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-10" id="Bk_10-10"></a><p>Making these military presents to brave adventurers was an ancient +custom. “Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and +gave it to David; and his garments, even to his sword, and his bow, and +his girdle.” 1 Sam. xviii. v.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-11" id="Bk_10-11"></a><p>These lines show how careful the poet always was to be true to nature. +The little circumstance that they could not <i>see</i> the heron, but only heard +him, stamps the description with an air of verisimilitude which is at once +recognized.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-12" id="Bk_10-12"></a><p>This passage sufficiently justifies Diomede for his choice of Ulysses. +Diomede, who was most renowned for valor, might have given a wrong interpretation +to this omen, and have been discouraged from proceeding in +the attempt. For though it really signified that, as the bird was not seen, +but only heard, so they should not be discovered by the Trojans, but perform +actions of which all Troy should hear with sorrow; yet, on the other +hand, it might imply that, as they discovered the bird by the noise of its +wings, so the noise they should make would betray them to the Trojans. +Pallas does not send the bird sacred to herself, but the heron, because that +is a bird of prey, and denoted that they should spoil the Trojans.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-13" id="Bk_10-13"></a><p>Dolon seems to have been eminent for wealth, and Hector summons +him to the assembly as one of the chiefs of Troy. He was known to the +Greeks, perhaps, from his having passed between the two armies as a herald. +Ancient writers observe, that it was the office of Dolon that led him +to offer himself in this service. The sacredness attached to it gave him +hopes that they would not violate his person, should he chance to be taken; +and his riches he knew were sufficient to purchase his liberty. Besides +these advantages, he probably trusted to his swiftness to escape pursuit.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-14" id="Bk_10-14"></a><p>Eustathius remarks upon the different manner in which the Grecians +and Trojans conduct the same enterprise. In the council of the Greeks, a +wise old man proposes the adventure with an air of deference; in that of +the Trojans, a brave young man with an air of authority. The one promises +a small gift, but honorable and certain; the other a great one, but uncertain +and less honorable, because it is given as a reward. Diomede and +Ulysses are inspired with a love of glory; Dolon with the thirst of gain. +They proceed with caution and bravery; he with rashness and vanity. +They go in conjunction; he alone. They cross the fields out of the road, +he follows the common track. In all this there is an admirable contrast, +and a moral that strikes every reader at first sight.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-15" id="Bk_10-15"></a><p>[Commentators are extremely in the dark, and even Aristarchus seems +to have attempted an explanation in vain. The translator does not pretend +to have ascertained the distance intended, but only to have given a +distance suited to the occasion.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-16" id="Bk_10-16"></a><p>Ulysses makes no promise of life, but artfully bids Dolon, who is overpowered +by fear, not to think of death. He was so cautious as not to believe +a friend just before without an oath, but he trusts an enemy without even a +promise.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-17" id="Bk_10-17"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="'Ossai gar Trôôn pyros escharai"><!-- +-->'Οσσαι +γαρ +Τρωων +πυρος +εσχαραι</span>—As +many as are owners of hearths—that +is to say, all who are householders here, or natives of the city.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span></p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-18" id="Bk_10-18"></a><p>It seems barbarous in Diomede thus to have killed Dolon, but Eustathius +observes that it was necessary to their success, as his cries might have +put the Trojans on their guard.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-19" id="Bk_10-19"></a><p>An allegorical manner of saying that they were awakened by the morning +light.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_10-20" id="Bk_10-20"></a><p>[Homer did not here forget himself, though some have altered +<span class="Greek" title="tris io tetrakaidekaton"> +τρις +ιο +τετρακαιδεκατον</span>.—Rhesus +for distinction sake is not numbered with his +people—See Villoisson <i>in loco</i>.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_11-1" id="Bk_11-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XI:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">Cynyras was king of Cyprus, and this probably alludes to some historical +fact. Cyprus was famous for its minerals.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-2" id="Bk_11-2"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Treis hekaterth'"><!-- +-->Τρεις +εκατερθ'</span>—three +on a side, This is evidently the proper punctuation, +though it differs from that of all the editions that I have seen. I find +it no where but in the <i>Venetian Scholium</i>.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-3" id="Bk_11-3"></a><p>It is finely remarked by Trollope, that, of all the points of resemblance +which may be discovered between the sentiments, associations and expressions +of Homer, and those of the sacred writings, this similitude is perhaps +the most striking; and there can be little doubt that it exhibits a traditional +vestige of the patriarchal record of God’s covenant.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-4" id="Bk_11-4"></a><p>[Quâtre-crested. So I have rendered +<span class="Greek" title="tetraphalêron"> +τετραφαληρον</span> +which literally signifies +having four cones. The cone was a tube into which the crest was +inserted. The word quâtre-crested may need a precedent for its justification, +and seems to have a sufficient one in the cinque-spotted cowslip of +Shakspeare.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-5" id="Bk_11-5"></a><p>[This seems the proper import of +<span class="Greek" title="egdoupêsan"> +εγδουπησαν</span>. +Jupiter is called +<span class="Greek" title="erigdoutos"> +εριγδουτος</span>.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-6" id="Bk_11-6"></a><p>[The translator follows Clarke in this interpretation of a passage to us +not very intelligible.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-7" id="Bk_11-7"></a><p>The ancient manner of mowing and reaping was, for the laborers to +divide in two parties, and to begin at each end of the field, which was +equally divided, and proceed till they met in the middle of it.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-8" id="Bk_11-8"></a><p>Time was then measured by the progression of the sun, and the parts +of the day were distinguished by the various employments.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-9" id="Bk_11-9"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="olmos"><!-- +-->ολμος</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-10" id="Bk_11-10"></a><p>[The Grecians at large are indiscriminately called Danaï, Argives, and +Achaians, in the original. The Phthians in particular—Hellenes. They +were the troops of Achilles.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-11" id="Bk_11-11"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Anemotrephes"><!-- +-->Ανεμοτρεφες</span><!-- +-->—literally—wind-nourished.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-12" id="Bk_11-12"></a><p>In making Ulysses direct Diomede, Homer intends to show that valor +should be under the guidance of wisdom. In the 8th Book, when Diomede +could hardly be restrained by the thunder of Jupiter, his valor is checked +by the wisdom of Nestor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-13" id="Bk_11-13"></a><p>Diomede does not fear Hector, but Jupiter, who, he has previously said, +will give the Trojans the day.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-14" id="Bk_11-14"></a><p>[In the original—<span class="Greek" title="kera aglae"><!-- +-->κερα +αγλαε</span>.—All +that I pretend to know of this expression +is that it is ironical, and may relate either to the head-dress of +Paris, or to his archership. To translate it is impossible; to paraphrase it, +in a passage of so much emotion, would be absurd. I have endeavored +to supply its place by an appellation in point of contempt equal.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-15" id="Bk_11-15"></a><p>No moral is so evident throughout the Iliad, as the dependence of man +upon divine assistance and protection. Apollo saves Hector from the dart, +and Minerva Ulysses.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-16" id="Bk_11-16"></a><p>Homer here pays a marked distinction. The army had seen several +of their bravest heroes wounded, yet without expressing as much concern +as at the danger of Machaon, their physician and surgeon.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-17" id="Bk_11-17"></a><p>[This interpretation of—<span class="Greek" title="minyntha de chazeto douros"><!-- +-->μινυνθα +δε +χαζετο +δουρος</span>—is +taken from the +Scholium by Villoisson. It differs from those of Clarke, Eustathius, and +another Scholiast quoted by Clarke, but seems to suit the context much +better than either.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-18" id="Bk_11-18"></a><p>The address of Homer in bringing off Ajax is admirable. He makes +Hector afraid to approach him, and brings down Jupiter to terrify him. +Thus he retreats, not from a mortal, but from a God.</p> + +<p>The whole passage is inimitably just and beautiful. We see Ajax slowly +retreating between two armies, and even with a look repulse the one and +protect the other. Every line resembles Ajax. The character of a stubborn +and undaunted warrior is perfectly maintained. He compares him first to +the lion for his undaunted spirit in fighting, and then to the ass for his stubborn +slowness in retreating. In the latter comparison there are many points +of resemblance that enliven the image. The havoc he makes in the field is +represented by the tearing and trampling down the harvests; and we see the +bulk, strength, and obstinancy of the hero, when the Trojans, in respect to +him, are compared to the troops of boys that impotently endeavor to drive +him away.</p> + +<p>It must be borne in mind that among the people of the East, an ass was +a beast upon which kings and princes might ride with dignity.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-19" id="Bk_11-19"></a><p>Though the resentment of Achilles would not permit him to be an actor +in the field, yet his love of war inclines him to be a spectator. As the poet +did not intend to draw the character of a perfect man in Achilles, he makes +him delighted with the destruction of the Greeks, because it gratified his +revenge. That resentment which is the subject of the poem, still presides +over every other feeling, even the love of his country. He begins now to +pity his countrymen, yet he seems gratified by their distress, because it +will contribute to his glory.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-20" id="Bk_11-20"></a><p>This onion was very different from the root which now passes under +that name. It had a sweet flavor, and was used to impart an agreeable flavor +to wine. It is in high repute at the present day in Egypt.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-21" id="Bk_11-21"></a><p>[I have interpreted the very ambiguous words +<span class="Greek" title="houô d' hypo pythmenes êsan"> +ουω +δ' +υπο +πυθμενες +ησαν</span> +according to Athenæus as quoted by Clarke, and his interpretation of them +is confirmed by the Scholium in the Venetian edition of the Iliad, lately +published by Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-22" id="Bk_11-22"></a><p>Homer here reminds the reader, that Nestor belonged to a former generation +of men, who were stronger than the heroes of the war.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-23" id="Bk_11-23"></a><p>[It would have suited the dignity of Agamemnon’s rank to have mentioned +<i>his</i> wound first; but Nestor making this recital to the <i>friend of Achilles</i>, +names him slightly, and without any addition.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_11-24" id="Bk_11-24"></a><p>[It is said that the Thebans having war with the people of Orchomenos, +the Pylians assisted the latter, for which cause Hercules destroyed their +city.—See Scholium per Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_12-1" id="Bk_12-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">[The word is of scripture use; see Gen. ch. xxx. where it describes the +cattle of Jacob.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_12-2" id="Bk_12-2"></a><p>[Alluding to the message delivered to him from Jupiter by Iris.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_12-3" id="Bk_12-3"></a><p>The morality of the Iliad deserves particular attention. It is not <i>perfect</i>, +upon Christian principles. How should it be under the circumstances of +the composition of the poem? Yet, compared with that of all the rest of +the classical poetry, it is of a transcendently noble and generous character. +The answer of Hector to Polydamas, who would have dissuaded a further +prosecution of the Trojan success, has been repeated by many of the most +devoted patriots the world ever saw. <i>We</i>, who defy augury in these matters, +can yet add nothing to the nobleness of the sentiment.—<span class="smcap">H.N. Coleridge</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_12-4" id="Bk_12-4"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="pleonôn de toi ergon ameinon"><!-- +-->πλεονων +δε +τοι +εργον +αμεινον</span>.—This +is evidently proverbial, for which +reason I have given it that air in the translation.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_12-5" id="Bk_12-5"></a><p>There is something touching in this simile. Our attention is fixed, not +so much on the battle, as on the struggles of the laboring, true-hearted woman, +who toils for a hard-earned pittance for her children. The description +is not so much illustrated by the simile, as the simile by the description.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_12-6" id="Bk_12-6"></a><p>The description of this exploit of Hector is wonderfully imposing. It +seems to be the poet’s wish to magnify his deeds during the short period that +he has yet to live, both to do justice to the hero of Troy, and to give the +greater glory to Achilles his conquerer.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_13-1" id="Bk_13-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XIII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">We are hurried through this book by the warlike ardor of the poet. Battle +succeeds battle with animating rapidity. The speeches are in fine keeping +with the scenes, and the similes are drawn from the most imposing +natural phenomena. The descriptions possess a wonderful distinctness and +vigor, presenting the images to the mind by a few bold and grand lines, thus +shunning the confusion of intricate and minute detail.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-2" id="Bk_13-2"></a><p>So called from their simple diet, consisting principally of mare’s milk. +They were a people living on the north-east coast of the Euxine Sea. These +epithets are sometimes supposed to be the <i>gentile</i> denominations of the different +tribes; but they are all susceptible of interpretation as epithets applied +to the Hippemolgi.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-3" id="Bk_13-3"></a><p>[For this admirable line the translator is indebted to Mr. Fuseli.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-4" id="Bk_13-4"></a><p>The following simile is considered by critics as one of the finest in Homer.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-5" id="Bk_13-5"></a><p>[A fitter occasion to remark on this singular mode of approach in battle, +will present itself hereafter.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-6" id="Bk_13-6"></a><p>[The bodies of Imbrius and Amphimachus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-7" id="Bk_13-7"></a><p>[Amphimachus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-8" id="Bk_13-8"></a><p>This is a noble passage. The difference between the conduct of the +brave man and that of the coward is drawn with great vigor and beauty.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-9" id="Bk_13-9"></a><p>[Hypsenor.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-10" id="Bk_13-10"></a><p>[This seems to be he meaning of<span class="Greek" title="en megarô"><!-- +-->εν +μεγαρω</span> +an expression similar to +that of Demosthenes in a parallel case—<span class="Greek" title="eti endon ousan"><!-- +-->ετι +ενδον +ουσαν</span>.—See +Schaufelburgerus.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span></p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-11" id="Bk_13-11"></a><p>[He is said to have been jealous of him on account of his great popularity, +and to have discountenanced him, fearing a conspiracy in his favor to +the prejudice of his own family.—See Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-12" id="Bk_13-12"></a><p>[The Iäonianans were a distinct people from the Ionians, and according to +the Scholium, separated from them by a pillar bearing on opposite sides the +name of each.—See Barnes. See also Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-13" id="Bk_13-13"></a><p>[The people of Achilles were properly called the Phthiotæ, whereas the +Phthians belonged to Protesiläus and Philoctetes.—See Eustathius, as quoted +by Clarke.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-14" id="Bk_13-14"></a><p>This simile is derived from one of the most familiar sights among a +simple people. It is extremely natural, and its propriety will be peculiarly +striking to those who have had occasion to see a yoke of oxen plowing in +a hot day.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-15" id="Bk_13-15"></a><p>[Achilles.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_13-16" id="Bk_13-16"></a><p>[This, according to Eustathius, is the import of +<span class="Greek" title="amoiboi"> +αμοιβοι</span>.—See +Iliad III., +in which Priam relates an expedition of his into that country.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_14-1" id="Bk_14-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XIV:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">The beauty of this simile will be lost to those who have never been at +sea during a calm. The water is then not quite motionless, but swells gently +in smooth waves, which fluctuate in a balancing motion, until a rising wind +gives them a certain determination. Every circumstance of the comparison +is just, as well as beautiful.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-2" id="Bk_14-2"></a><p>Anointing the body with perfumed oil was a remarkable part of ancient +cosmetics. It was probably an eastern invention, agreeable to the luxury +of the Asiatics.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-3" id="Bk_14-3"></a><p>A footstool was considered a mark of honor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-4" id="Bk_14-4"></a><p>In accordance with the doctrine of Thales the Milesian, that all things +are generated from water, and nourished by the same element.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-5" id="Bk_14-5"></a><p>[Hercules.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-6" id="Bk_14-6"></a><p>Night was venerated, both for her antiquity and power.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-7" id="Bk_14-7"></a><p>[One of the heads of Ida.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-8" id="Bk_14-8"></a><p>A bird about the size of a hawk, and entirely black.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-9" id="Bk_14-9"></a><p>By Juno is understood the air, and it is allegorically said that she was +nourished by the vapors that rise from the ocean and the earth. Tethys +being the same as Rhea.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-10" id="Bk_14-10"></a><p>[Europa.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_14-11" id="Bk_14-11"></a><p>An evident allusion to the ether and the atmosphere.—E.P.P.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_15-1" id="Bk_15-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XV:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">[The translator seizes the opportunity afforded to him by this remarkable +passage, to assure his readers who are not readers of the original, that the +discipline which Juno is here said to have suffered from the hands of Jove, +is not his own invention. He found it in the original, and considering +fidelity as his indispensable duty, has not attempted to soften or to refine +away the matter. He begs that this observation may be adverted to as often +as any passage shall occur in which ancient practices or customs, not consonant +to our own, either in point of delicacy or humanity, may be either +expressed or alluded to.</p> + +<p>He makes this request the rather, because on these occasions Mr. Pope +has observed a different conduct, suppressing all such images as he had reason +to suppose might be offensive.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-2" id="Bk_15-2"></a><p>The earliest form of an oath seems to have been by the elements of nature, +or rather the deities who preside over them.—<span class="smcap">Trollope</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-3" id="Bk_15-3"></a><p>In the following speech, Jupiter discloses the future events of the war.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-4" id="Bk_15-4"></a><p>The illustration in the following lines is one of the most beautiful in +Homer. The rapid passage of Juno is compared to the speed of thought, +by which a traveller revisits in imagination the scenes over which he has +passed. No simile could more exalt the power of the Goddess.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-5" id="Bk_15-5"></a><p>The picture is strikingly true to nature. The smile upon the lip, and +frown upon the brow, express admirably the state of mind in which the +Goddess must be supposed to have been at this moment.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-6" id="Bk_15-6"></a><p>[<i>To tempest</i>—<span class="Greek" title="kydoimêsôn"><!-- +-->κυδοιμησων</span>—Milton +uses <i>tempest</i> as a verb. Speaking of +the fishes, he says</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p style="text-indent: 3em;">... part, huge of bulk<br /> +Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait,<br /> +<i>Tempest</i> the ocean.</p> +</div> +<p>]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-7" id="Bk_15-7"></a><p>The Furies are said to wait upon men in a double sense; either for evil; +as upon Orestes after he had killed his mother, or else for their good, as upon +elders when they are injured, to protect them and avenge their wrongs. +The ancients considered birth-right as a right divine.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-8" id="Bk_15-8"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Trôes de proutypsan aollees"><!-- +-->Τρωες +δε +προυτυψαν +αολλεες</span>. +The translation is literal, and affords one +of many instances in which the Greek and English idiom correspond exactly.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-9" id="Bk_15-9"></a><p>[Arcesilaüs.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-10" id="Bk_15-10"></a><p>[This abruptness of transition from the third person to the first, follows +the original.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-11" id="Bk_15-11"></a><p>[The translator hopes that his learned readers will pardon him, if sometimes, +to avoid an irksome cacophony, he turns brass into steel. In fact, +arrow had not a point of steel, but a brazen one.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-12" id="Bk_15-12"></a><p>This sentiment is noble and patriotic. It is in strict keeping with the +character of Hector, who always appears as his country’s champion, and +ready to die in her defence. Our sympathies go with him; we involuntarily +wish him success, and deplore his misfortune, though we admire the invincible +courage of his more fortunate antagonist. His actions and sentiments, +springing from the simplest feelings of our nature, will always command +applause, and, under all circumstances, and every form of political existence, +will be imitated by the defenders of their country.</p> + +<p>The speech of Ajax is animating and powerful. It is conceived in the +true spirit of a warrior rousing his followers to make a last effort to repel +the enemy.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-13" id="Bk_15-13"></a><p>[Meges.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-14" id="Bk_15-14"></a><p>Hector is here represented as an instrument in the hand of Jupiter, to +bring about the design the God had long ago projected. As his fatal hour +now approaches, Jove is willing to recompense his early death with this +short-lived glory.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-15" id="Bk_15-15"></a><p>It may be asked what Pallas has to do with the Fates, or what power +has she over them? Homer speaks thus, because Minerva has already +resolved to deceive Hector and exalt Achilles. Pallas, as the wisdom and +knowledge of Jove, may be considered as drawing all things to the termination +decreed by his councils.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_15-16" id="Bk_15-16"></a><p>[This termination of the period, so little consonant to the beginning of +it, follows the original, where it is esteemed by commentators a great beauty.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_16-1" id="Bk_16-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XVI:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">[This translation of +<span class="Greek" title="dnopheron"> +δνοφερον</span> +is warranted by the Scholiast, who paraphrases +it thus:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p><span class="Greek" title="meta donêseôs pheromenon"> +μετα +δονησεως +φερομενον</span>.</p> +<p class="citation"><i>Iliad per Vill.</i>]</p></div></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-2" id="Bk_16-2"></a><p>The friendship of Achilles and Patroclus was celebrated by all antiquity. +It is said in the life of Alexander the Great, that when that prince visited the +monuments of the heroes of Troy, and placed a crown upon the tomb of +Achilles, his friend Hephæstion placed another on that of Patroclus; an +intimation of his being to Alexander, what Patroclus was to Achilles. It is +also said, that Alexander remarked, “Achilles was happy indeed, in having +had such a friend to love him when living, and such a poet to celebrate him +when dead.”</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-3" id="Bk_16-3"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="periagnytai"><!-- +-->περιαγνυται</span>. +A word of incomparable force, and that defies translation.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-4" id="Bk_16-4"></a><p>This charge is in keeping with the ambitious character of Achilles. He +is unwilling that even his dearest friend should have the honor of conquering +Hector.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-5" id="Bk_16-5"></a><p>The picture of the situation of Ajax, exhausted by his efforts, pressed by +the arms of his assailants and the will of Jupiter, is drawn with much graphic +power.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-6" id="Bk_16-6"></a><p>Argus-slayer.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-7" id="Bk_16-7"></a><p>The mythi which we find in the Iliad respecting Mercury, represent him +as the god who blessed the land with fertility, which was his attribute in +the original worship. He is represented as loving the daughter of Phthiotian +Phylas, the possessor of many herds, and by her had Eudorus (or riches) +whom the aged Phylas fostered and brought up in his house—quite a significant +local mythus, which is here related, like others in the usual tone of +heroic mythology.—<span class="smcap">Muller</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-8" id="Bk_16-8"></a><p>This passage is an exact description and perfect ritual of the ceremonies +on these occasions. Achilles, urgent as the case was, would not suffer Patroclus +to enter the fight, till he had in the most solemn manner recommended +him to the protection of Jupiter.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-9" id="Bk_16-9"></a><p>[Meges.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-10" id="Bk_16-10"></a><p>[Brother of Antilochus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-11" id="Bk_16-11"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="amaimaketên"><!-- +-->αμαιμακετην</span>—is +a word which I can find nowhere satisfactorily derived. +Perhaps it is expressive of great length, and I am the more inclined to that +sense of it, because it is the epithet given to the mast on which Ulysses +floated to Charybdis. We must in that case derive it from +<span class="Greek" title="ama"> +αμα</span> +and<span class="Greek" title="mêkos"> +μηκος</span> +Doricè,<span class="Greek" title="makos"> +μακος</span>—longitudo.</p> + +<p>In this uncertainty I thought myself free to translate it as I have, by the +word—monster.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-12" id="Bk_16-12"></a><p>[Apollonius says that the +<span class="Greek" title="ostea leuka"> +οστεα +λευκα</span> +here means the<span class="Greek" title="opondylous"> +οπονδυλους</span>, +or vertebræ +of the neck.—See Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-13" id="Bk_16-13"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="'Amitrochitônas"><!-- +-->'Αμιτροχιτονας</span> +is a word, according to Clarke, descriptive of their peculiar +habit. Their corselet, and the mail worn under it, were of a piece, +and put on together. To them therefore the cincture or belt of the Greeks +was unnecessary.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-14" id="Bk_16-14"></a><p>According to the history or fable received in Homer’s time, Sarpedon +was interred in Lycia. This gave the poet the liberty of making him die at +Troy, provided that after his death he was carried into Lycia, to preserve the +fable. In those times, as at this day, princes and persons of rank who died +abroad, were carried to their own country to be laid in the tomb of their +fathers. Jacob, when dying in Egypt, desired his children to carry him to +the land of Canaan, where he wished to be buried.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-15" id="Bk_16-15"></a><p>[Sarpedon certainly was not slain <i>in the fleet</i>, neither can the Greek +expression<span class="Greek" title="neôn en agôni"> +νεων +εν +αγωνι</span> +be with propriety interpreted—<i>in certamine de +navibus</i>—as Clarke and Mme. Dacier are inclined to render it. <i>Juvenum +in certamine</i>, seems equally an improbable sense of it. Eustathius, indeed, +and Terrasson, supposing Sarpedon to assert that he dies in the middle of +the fleet (which was false in fact) are kind enough to vindicate Homer by +pleading in his favor, that Sarpedon, being in the article of death, was delirious, +and knew not, in reality, where he died. But Homer, however he +may have been charged with now and then a nap (a crime of which I am +persuaded he is never guilty) certainly does not slumber here, nor needs to +be so defended.<span class="Greek" title="'Agôn"> +'Αγων</span> +in the 23d Iliad, means the <i>whole extensive area</i> in +which the games were exhibited, and may therefore here, without any strain +of the expression, be understood to signify the <i>whole range of shore</i> on which +the ships were stationed. In which case Sarpedon represents the matter as +it was, saying that he dies—<span class="Greek" title="neôn en agôni"><!-- +-->νεων +εν +αγωνι</span>—that +is, in the neighborhood of +the ships, and in full prospect of them.</p> + +<p>The translator assumes not to himself the honor of this judicious remark. +It belongs to Mr. Fuseli.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-16" id="Bk_16-16"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="lasion kêr"><!-- +-->λασιν +κηρ</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-17" id="Bk_16-17"></a><p>The clouds of thick dust that rise from beneath the feet of the combatants, +which hinder them from knowing one another.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-18" id="Bk_16-18"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Hupaspidia probibôntos"><!-- +-->Υπασπιδια +προβιβωντος</span>. +A similar expression occurs in Book xiii., 158. +There we read<span class="Greek" title="hupaspidia propodizôn"> +υπασπιδια +προποδιζων</span>. +Which is explained by the Scholiast +in Villoisson to signify—advancing with quick, short steps, and at the same +time covering the feet with a shield. A practice which, unless they bore the +<span class="Greek" title="amphibrotên aspida"> +αμφιβροτην +ασπιδα</span>, +must necessarily leave the upper parts exposed.</p> + +<p>It is not improbable, though the translation is not accommodated to that +conjecture, that Æneas, in his following speech to Meriones, calls him, +<span class="Greek" title="orchêstên"> +ορχηστην</span>, +with a view to the agility with which he performed this particular +step in battle.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-19" id="Bk_16-19"></a><p>[Two lines occurring here in the original which contain only the same +matter as the two preceding, and which are found neither in the MSS. use +by Barnes nor in the Harleian, the translator has omitted them in his version +as interpolated and superfluous.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-20" id="Bk_16-20"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Ira talanta"><!-- +-->Ιρα +ταλαντα</span>—<i>Voluntatem +Jovis cui cedendum</i>—So it is interpreted is +the Scholium MSS. Lipsiensis.—Vide Schaufelbergerus.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_16-21" id="Bk_16-21"></a><p>It is an opinion of great antiquity, that when the soul is on the point +of leaving the body, its views become stronger and clearer, and the mind is +endowed with a spirit of true prediction.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_17-1" id="Bk_17-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XVII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">In the chase, the spoils of the prey, the hide and head of the animal, +belonged to the one who gave the first wound. So in war—the one who +first pierced an enemy slain in battle, was entitled to his armor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-2" id="Bk_17-2"></a><p>[The expediency and utility of prayer, Homer misses no opportunity of +enforcing. Cold and comfortless as the religious creed of the heathens was, +they were piously attentive to its dictates, and to a degree that may serve as +a reproof to many professed believers of revelation. The allegorical history +of prayer, given us in the 9th Book of the Iliad from the lips of Phœnix, the +speech of Antilochus in the 23d, in which he ascribes the ill success of Eumelus +in the chariot race to his neglect of prayer, and that of Pisistratus in +the 3d book of the Odyssey, where speaking of the newly-arrived Telemachus, +he says;</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<p style="text-indent: 4em;">For I deem<br /> + Him wont to pray; since all of every land<br /> + Need succor from the Gods;</p> +</div> + +<p>are so many proofs of the truth of this remark; to which a curious reader +might easily add a multitude.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-3" id="Bk_17-3"></a><p>[There is no word in our language expressive of loud sound at all comparable +in effect to the Greek <i>Bo-o-osin</i>. I have therefore endeavored by the +juxta-position of two words similar in sound, to palliate in some degree +defect which it was not in my power to cure.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-4" id="Bk_17-4"></a><p>[Or collar-bone.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-5" id="Bk_17-5"></a><p>[The proper meaning of +<span class="Greek" title="epioasomenô"> +επιοσαομενω</span>—is +not simply <i>looking on</i>, but <i>providing +against</i>. And thus their ignorance of the death of Patroclus is accounted +for. They were ordered by Nestor to a post in which they should +have little to do themselves, except to superintend others, and were consequently +too remote from Patroclus to see him fall, or even to hear that he +had fallen.—See Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-6" id="Bk_17-6"></a><p>This is one of the similes of Homer which illustrates the manners and +customs of his age. The mode of preparing hides for use is particularly +described. They were first softened with oil, and then were stretched +every direction by the hands of men, so that the moisture might be removed +and the oil might penetrate them. Considered in the single point of comparison +intended, it gives a lively picture of the struggle on all sides to get +possession of the body.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-7" id="Bk_17-7"></a><p>This is the proper imperfect of the verb <i>chide</i>, though modern usage has +substituted <i>chid</i>, a word of mean and awkward sound, in the place of it.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-8" id="Bk_17-8"></a><p>This alludes to the custom of placing columns upon tombs, on which were +frequently represented chariots with two or four horses. The horses standing +still to mourn for their master, could not be more finely represented +than by the dumb sorrow of images standing over a tomb. Perhaps the +very posture in which these horses are described, their heads bowed down, +and their manes falling in the dust, has an allusion to the attitude in which +those statues on monuments were usually represented; there are bas-reliefs +that favor this conjecture.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-9" id="Bk_17-9"></a><p>[The Latin plural of Ajax is sometimes necessary, because the English +plural—Ajaxes—would be insupportable.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-10" id="Bk_17-10"></a><p>[Leïtus was another chief of the Bœotians.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-11" id="Bk_17-11"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Diphrô ephestaotos"><!-- +-->Διφρω +εφεσταοτος</span>—Yet +we learn soon after that he fought on foot. But +the Scholiast explains the expression thus—<span class="Greek" title="neôsti tô diphôô epibantos"><!-- +-->νεωστι +τω +διφωω +επιβαντος</span>. +The +fact was that Idomeneus had left the camp on foot, and was on foot when +Hector prepared to throw at him. But Cœranus, charioteer of Meriones, +observing his danger, drove instantly to his aid. Idomeneus had just time +to mount, and the spear designed for him, struck Cœranus.—For a right +understanding of this very intricate and difficult passage, I am altogether +indebted to the Scholiast as quoted by Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-12" id="Bk_17-12"></a><p>[The translator here follows the interpretation preferred by the Scholiast. +The original expression is ambiguous, and may signify, either, that +<i>we shall perish in the fleet ourselves</i>, or that Hector will soon be in the midst +of it. Vide Villoisson <i>in loco</i>.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_17-13" id="Bk_17-13"></a><p>[A noble instance of the heroism of Ajax, who asks not deliverance +from the Trojans, or that he may escape alive, but light only, without which +be could not possibly distinguish himself. The tears of such a warrior, and +shed for such a reason, are singularly affecting.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_18-1" id="Bk_18-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XVIII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">This speech of Antilochus may serve as a model for its brevity.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-2" id="Bk_18-2"></a><p>This form of manifesting grief is frequently alluded to in the classical +writers, and sometimes in the Bible. The lamentation of Achilles is in the +spirit of the heroic times, and the poet describes it with much simplicity. +The captives join in the lamentation, perhaps in the recollection of his gentleness, +which has before been alluded to.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-3" id="Bk_18-3"></a><p>[Here it is that the drift of the whole poem is fulfilled. The evils consequent +on the quarrel between him and Agamemnon, at last teach Achilles +himself this wisdom—that wrath and strife are criminal and pernicious; +and the confession is extorted from his own lips, that the lesson may be the +more powerfully inculcated. To point the instruction to leaders of armies +only, is to narrow its operation unnecessarily. The moral is of universal +application, and the poet’s beneficent intentions are wronged by one so +partial.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-4" id="Bk_18-4"></a><p>The promise of Thetis to present her son with a suit of armor, was the +most artful method of hindering him from putting immediately in practice +his resolution of fighting, which, with his characteristic violence, he would +otherwise have done.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-5" id="Bk_18-5"></a><p>[The sun is said to set with reluctance, because his setting-time was not +yet come. Jupiter had promised Hector that he should prevail till the sun +should go down, and <i>sacred darkness cover all</i>. Juno therefore, impatient to +arrest the victor’s progress, and having no other means of doing it, shortens +the time allotted him.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-6" id="Bk_18-6"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Katadêmoborêsai"><!-- +-->καταδημοβορησαι</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-7" id="Bk_18-7"></a><p>This custom of washing the dead is continued among the Greeks to this +day, and is performed by the dearest friend or relative. The body is then +anointed with a perfume, and covered with linen, exactly in the manner here +related.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-8" id="Bk_18-8"></a><p>Among the Greeks, visitors of rank are still honored in the same manner, +by being set apart from the rest of the company, on a high seat, with a +footstool.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-9" id="Bk_18-9"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="'Anedrame"><!-- +-->'Ανεδραμε</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-10" id="Bk_18-10"></a><p>The description of the shield of Achilles is one of the noblest passages in +the Iliad. It is elaborated to the highest finish of poetry. The verse is +beautifully harmonious, and the language as nicely chosen and as descriptive +as can be conceived. But a still stronger interest belongs to this episode +when considered as an exact representation of life at a very early period of +the world, as it undoubtedly was designed by the poet.</p> + +<p>It is certainly a most remarkable passage for the amount of information it +conveys relative to the state of arts, and the general condition of life at that +period. From many intimations in the ancient authors, it may be gathered, +that shields were often adorned by deities of figures in bas-relief, similar to +those here described. In particular, see Æschylus in the Seven against Thebes. +A close examination of the whole passage will lead to many curious inductions +and inferences relative to the ancient world, and throw much light +upon points which are elsewhere left in great obscurity.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-11" id="Bk_18-11"></a><p>Murder was not always punished with death or even banishment. But +on the payment of a fine, the criminal was allowed to remain in the city.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-12" id="Bk_18-12"></a><p>Linus was the most ancient name in poetry, the first upon record as +inventor of verse and measure among the Grecians. There was a solemn +custom among the Greeks, of bewailing annually their first poet. +Pausanias informs us, that before the yearly sacrifice to the Muses on Mount +Helicon, the obsequies of Linus were performed, who had a statue and altar +erected to him in that place. In this passage Homer is supposed to allude +to that custom.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-13" id="Bk_18-13"></a><p>See article Theseus, Gr. and Rom. Mythology.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-14" id="Bk_18-14"></a><p>There were two kinds of dance—the Pyrrhic, and the common dance; +both are here introduced. The Pyrrhic, or military, is performed by Youths +wearing swords, the other by the virgins crowned with garlands. The +Grecian dance is still performed in this manner in the oriental nations. The +youths and maidens dance in a ring, beginning slowly; by degrees the music +plays in quicker time, till at last they dance with the utmost swiftness; +and towards the conclusion, they sing in a general chorus.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_18-15" id="Bk_18-15"></a><p>The point of comparison is this. When the potter first tries the wheel +to see “if it will run,” he moves it much faster than when at work. Thus +it illustrates the rapidity of the dance.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_19-1" id="Bk_19-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XIX:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">[Brave men are great weepers—was a proverbial saying in Greece. Accordingly +there are few of Homer’s heroes who do not weep plenteously on +occasion. True courage is doubtless compatible with the utmost sensibility. +See Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-2" id="Bk_19-2"></a><p>The fear with which the divine armor filled the Myrmidons, and the exaltation +of Achilles, the terrible gleam of his eye, and his increased desire +for revenge, are highly poetical.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-3" id="Bk_19-3"></a><p>The ancients had a great horror of putrefaction previous to interment.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-4" id="Bk_19-4"></a><p>[Achilles in the first book also summons a council himself, and not as +was customary, by a herald. It seems a stroke of character, and intended +by the poet to express the impetuosity of his spirit, too ardent for the observance +of common forms, and that could trust no one for the dispatch he +wanted.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-5" id="Bk_19-5"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="'Aspasiôs gony kampsein"><!-- +-->'Ασπασιως +γονυ +καμψειν</span>.—Shall +be glad to bend their knee, i.e. to sit +and repose themselves.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-6" id="Bk_19-6"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Touton mython"><!-- +-->Τουτον +μυθον</span>.—He +seems to intend the reproaches sounded in his ear +from all quarters, and which he had repeatedly heard before.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-7" id="Bk_19-7"></a><p>[By some call’d Antibia, by others, Nicippe.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-8" id="Bk_19-8"></a><p>It was unlawful to eat the flesh of victims that were sacrificed in confirmation +of oaths. Such were victims of malediction.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-9" id="Bk_19-9"></a><p>Nothing can be more natural than the representation of these unhappy +young women; who, weary of captivity, take occasion from every mournful +occurrence to weep afresh, though in reality little interested in the objects +that call forth these expressions of sorrow.—<span class="smcap">Dacier</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-10" id="Bk_19-10"></a><p>Son of Deidameia, daughter of Lycomedes, in whose house Achilles was +concealed at the time when he was led forth to the war.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-11" id="Bk_19-11"></a><p>[We are not warranted in accounting any practice unnatural or absurd, +merely because it does not obtain among ourselves. I know not that any +historian has recorded this custom of the Grecians, but that it was a custom +among them occasionally to harangue their horses, we may assure ourselves +on the authority of Homer, who would not have introduced such speeches, +if they could have appeared as strange to his countrymen as they do to +us.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_19-12" id="Bk_19-12"></a><p>Hence it seems, that too great an insight into futurity, or the revelation +of more than was expedient, was prevented by the Furies.—<span class="smcap">Trollope</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_20-1" id="Bk_20-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XX:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">[This rising ground was five stadia in circumference, and was between +the river Simois and a village named Ilicon, in which Paris is said to have +decided between the goddesses. It was called Callicolone, being the most +conspicuous ground in the neighborhood of the city.—Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-2" id="Bk_20-2"></a><p>[Iris is the messenger of the gods on ordinary occasions, Mercury on +those of importance. But Themis is now employed, because the affair in +question is a council, and to assemble and dissolve councils is her peculiar +Province. The return of Achilles is made as magnificent as possible. A +council in heaven precedes it, and a battle of the gods is the consequence.—Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-3" id="Bk_20-3"></a><p>[The readiness of Neptune to obey the summons is particularly noticed, +on account of the resentment he so lately expressed, when commanded by +Jupiter to quit the battle.—Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-4" id="Bk_20-4"></a><p>The description of the battle of the gods is strikingly grand. Jupiter +thunders in the heavens, Neptune shakes the boundless earth and the high +mountain-tops; Ida rocks on its base, and the city of the Trojans and the +ships of the Greeks tremble; and Pluto leaps from his throne in terror, lest +his loathsome dominions should be laid open to mortals and immortals.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-5" id="Bk_20-5"></a><p>[The Leleges were a colony of Thessalians, and the first inhabitants of +the shores of the Hellespont.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-6" id="Bk_20-6"></a><p>Hector was the son of Priam, who descended from Ilus, and Æneas the +son of Anchises, whose descent was from Assaracus, the brother of Ilus.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-7" id="Bk_20-7"></a><p>This dialogue between Achilles and Æneas, when on the point of battle, +as well as several others of a similar description, have been censured as improbable +and impossible. The true explanation is to be found in the peculiar +character of war in the heroic age. A similar passage has been the subject +of remark.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-8" id="Bk_20-8"></a><p>[Some commentators, supposing the golden plate the outermost as the +most ornamental, have perplexed themselves much with this passage, for +how, say they, could two folds be pierced and the spear be stopped by the +gold, if the gold lay on the surface? But to avoid the difficulty, we need +only suppose that the gold was inserted between the two plates of brass and +the two of tin; Vulcan, in this particular, having attended less to ornament +than to security.</p> + +<p>See the Scholiast in Villoisson, who argues at large in favor of this opinion.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-9" id="Bk_20-9"></a><p>Tmolus was a mountain of Lydia, and Hyda a city of the same country. +The Gygæan lake was also in Lydia.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-10" id="Bk_20-10"></a><p>[Neptune. So called, either because he was worshiped on Helicon, a +mountain of Bœotia, or from Helice, an island of Achaia, where he had a +temple.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>. + +If the bull bellowed as he was led to the altar, it was considered a favorable +omen. Hence the simile.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_20-11" id="Bk_20-11"></a><p>[It is an amiable trait in the character of Hector, that his pity in this +instance supercedes his caution, and that at the sight of his brother in circumstances +so affecting, he becomes at once inattentive to himself and the +command of Apollo.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_21-1" id="Bk_21-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XXI:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">The scene is now entirely changed, and the battle diversified with a vast +variety of imagery and description. It is worthy of notice, that though the +whole war of the Iliad was upon the banks of these rivers, yet Homer has +reserved the machinery of the river-gods to aggrandize his hero in this battle. +There is no book in the poem which exhibits greater force of imagination, +none in which the inexhaustible invention of the poet is more powerfully +exerted.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-2" id="Bk_21-2"></a><p>The swarms of locusts that sometimes invade whole countries in the +East, have often been described. It seems that the ancient mode of exterminating +them was, to kindle a fire, and thus drive them into a lake or river. +The simile illustrates in the most striking manner the panic caused by Achilles.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-3" id="Bk_21-3"></a><p>According to the Scholiast, Arisba was a city of Thrace, and near to the +Hellespont; but according to Eustathius, a city of Troas, inhabited by a colony +from Mitylene.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-4" id="Bk_21-4"></a><p>It was an ancient custom to cast living horses into rivers, to honor, as it +were, the rapidity of their streams.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-5" id="Bk_21-5"></a><p>This gives us an idea of the superior strength of Achilles. His spear +pierced so deep in the ground, that another hero of great strength could not +disengage it, but immediately after, Achilles draws it with the utmost ease.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-6" id="Bk_21-6"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="'Akrokelainioôn"><!-- +-->'Ακροκελαινιοων</span>.—The +beauty and force of this word are wonderful; I +have in vain endeavored to do it justice.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-7" id="Bk_21-7"></a><p>[The reason given in the Scholium is, that the surface being hardened by +the wind, the moisture remains unexhaled from beneath, and has time to +saturate the roots.—See Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-8" id="Bk_21-8"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Amboladên"><!-- +-->Αμβολαδην</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-9" id="Bk_21-9"></a><p>Homer represents Aphrodite as the protector of Æneas, and in the battle +of the Trojans, Ares appears in a disadvantageous light; the weakness of the +goddess, and the brutal confidence of the god are described with evident irony. +In like manner Diana and the river-god Scamander sometimes play a +very undignified part. Apollo alone uniformly maintains his dignity.—<span class="smcap">Muller</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_21-10" id="Bk_21-10"></a><p>This is a very beautiful soliloquy of Agenor, such as would naturally +arise in the soul of a brave man going upon a desperate enterprise. From +the conclusion it is evident, that the story of Achilles being invulnerable +except in the heel, is an invention of a later age.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_22-1" id="Bk_22-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XXII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">This simile is very striking. It not only describes the appearance of +Achilles, but is peculiarly appropriate because the star was supposed to be +of evil omen, and to bring with it disease and destruction. So Priam beholds +Achilles, splendid with the divine armor, and the destined slayer of +his son.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-2" id="Bk_22-2"></a><p>The usual cruelties practised in the sacking of towns. Isaiah foretells +to Babylon, that her children shall be dashed in pieces by the Medes. David +says to the same city, “Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little +ones against the stones.”—Ps. c22vii. 9.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-3" id="Bk_22-3"></a><p>It was supposed that venomous serpents were accustomed to eat poisonous +roots and plants before attacking their victims.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-4" id="Bk_22-4"></a><p>This speech of Hector shows the fluctuation of his mind, with much +discernment on the part of the poet. He breaks out, after having apparently +meditated a return to the city. But the imagined reproaches of Polydamas, +and the anticipated scorn of the Trojans forbid it. He soliloquizes upon the +possibility of coming to terms with Achilles, and offering him large concessions; +but the character of Achilles precludes all hope of reconciliation. It +is a fearful crisis with him, and his mind wavers, as if presentient of his +approaching doom.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-5" id="Bk_22-5"></a><p>[The repetition follows the original, and the Scholiast is of opinion that +Homer uses it here that he may express more emphatically the length to +which such conferences are apt to +proceed.—<span class="Greek" title="Dia tên polylogian tê analêpse echrêsato"><!-- +-->Δια +την +πολυλογιαν +τη +αναληψε +εχρησατο</span>.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-6" id="Bk_22-6"></a><p>[It grew near to the tomb of Ilus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-7" id="Bk_22-7"></a><p>The Scamander ran down the eastern side of Ida, and at the distance of +three stadia from Troy, making a subterraneous dip, it passed under the walls +and rose again in the form of the two fountains here described—from which +fountains these rivulets are said to have proceeded.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-8" id="Bk_22-8"></a><p>It was the custom of that age to have cisterns by the side of rivers and +fountains, to which the women, including the wives and daughters of kings +and princes, resorted to wash their garments.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-9" id="Bk_22-9"></a><p>Sacrifices were offered to the gods upon the hills and mountains, or, in +the language of scripture, upon the <i>high places</i>, for the people believed that +the gods inhabited such eminences.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-10" id="Bk_22-10"></a><p>[The numbers in the original are so constructed as to express the painful +struggle that characterizes such a dream.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-11" id="Bk_22-11"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="proprokylindomenos"><!-- +-->προπροκυλινδομενος</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-12" id="Bk_22-12"></a><p>The whole circumference of ancient Troy is said to have measured sixty +stadia. A stadium measured one hundred and twenty-five paces.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-13" id="Bk_22-13"></a><p>[The knees of the conqueror were a kind of sanctuary to which the vanquished +fled for refuge.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-14" id="Bk_22-14"></a><p>[The lines of which these three are a translation, are supposed by some +to have been designed for the<span class="Greek" title="Epinikion"> +Επινικιον</span>, +or song of victory sung by the whole +army.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-15" id="Bk_22-15"></a><p>[It was a custom in Thessaly to drag the slayer around the tomb of the +slain; which custom was first begun by Simon, whose brother being killed +by Eurydamas, he thus treated the body of the murderer. Achilles therefore, +being a Thessalian, when he thus dishonors Hector, does it merely in compliance +with the common practice of his country.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-16" id="Bk_22-16"></a><p>[It is an observation of the Scholiast, that two more affecting spectacles +cannot be imagined, than Priam struggling to escape into the field, and Andromache +to cast herself from the wall; for so he understands +<span class="Greek" title="atyzomenên apolesthai"> +ατυζομενην +απολεσθαι</span>.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-17" id="Bk_22-17"></a><p>A figurative expression. In the style of the orientals, marrow and fatness +are taken for whatever is best, most tender, and most delicious.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_22-18" id="Bk_22-18"></a><p>Homer is in nothing more excellent than in the distinction of characters, +which he maintains throughout the poem. What Andromache here says, +cannot be said with propriety by any one but Andromache.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_23-1" id="Bk_23-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XXIII:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">According to the oriental custom. David mourns in the same manner, +refusing to wash or take any repast, and lies upon the earth.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-2" id="Bk_23-2"></a><p>[Bacchus having hospitably entertained Vulcan in the island of Naxos, +one of the Cyclades, received from him a cup as a present; but being driven +afterward by Lycurgus into the sea, and kindly protected by Thetis, he presented +her with this work of Vulcan, which she gave to Achilles for a receptacle +of his bones after death.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-3" id="Bk_23-3"></a><p>[The funeral pile was a square of a hundred feet on each side.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-4" id="Bk_23-4"></a><p>The ceremony of cutting off the hair in honor of the dead, was practised +not only among the Greeks, but among other nations. Ezekiel describing +a great lamentation, says, “They shall make themselves utterly bald for thee.” +ch. xxvii. 31. If it was the general custom of any country to wear long hair, +then the cutting it off was a token of sorrow; but if the custom was to wear +it short, then letting it grow, in neglect, was a sign of mourning.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-5" id="Bk_23-5"></a><p>It was the custom of the ancients not only to offer their own hair to the +river-gods of their country, but also the hair of their children. In Egypt +hair was consecrated to the Nile.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-6" id="Bk_23-6"></a><p>[Westering wheel.—<span class="smcap">Milton</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-7" id="Bk_23-7"></a><p>[Himself and the Myrmidons.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-8" id="Bk_23-8"></a><p>[That the body might be the more speedily consumed. The same end +was promoted by the flagons of oil and honey.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-9" id="Bk_23-9"></a><p>Homer here introduces the gods of the winds in person, and as Iris, or +the rainbow, is a sign of winds, they are made to come at her bidding.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-10" id="Bk_23-10"></a><p>[Such it appears to have been in the sequel.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-11" id="Bk_23-11"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Phialê"><!-- +-->Φιαλη</span>—a +vessel, as Athenæus describes it, made for the purpose of +warming water. It was formed of brass, and expanded somewhat in the +shape of a broad leaf.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-12" id="Bk_23-12"></a><p>The poet omits no opportunity of paying honor to Nestor. His age has +disabled him from taking an active part in the games, yet, Antilochus wins, +not by the speed of his horses, but by the wisdom of Nestor.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-13" id="Bk_23-13"></a><p>[This could not happen unless the felly of the wheel were nearly horizontal +to the eye of the spectator, in which case the chariot must be infallibly +overturned.—There is an obscurity in the passage which none of the commentators +explain. The Scholiast, as quoted by Clarke, attempts an explanation, +but, I think, not successfully.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-14" id="Bk_23-14"></a><p>[Eumelus.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-15" id="Bk_23-15"></a><p>[Resentful of the attack made on him by Diomede in the fifth Book.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-16" id="Bk_23-16"></a><p>[The twin monster or double man called the Molions. They were sons +of Actor and Molione, and are said to have had two heads with four hands +and four feet, and being so formed were invincible both in battle and in athletic +exercises. Even Hercules could only slay them by stratagem, which +he did when he desolated Elis. See Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-17" id="Bk_23-17"></a><p>[The repetition follows the original.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-18" id="Bk_23-18"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="parakabbale"><!-- +-->παρακαββαλε</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-19" id="Bk_23-19"></a><p> [With which they bound on the cestus.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-20" id="Bk_23-20"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="tetrigei"><!-- +-->τετριγει</span>—It +is a circumstance on which the Scholiast observes that it +denotes in a wrestler the greatest possible bodily strength and firmness of +position.—See Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-21" id="Bk_23-21"></a><p>[I have given what seems to me the most probable interpretation, and +such a one as to any person who has ever witnessed a wrestling-match, will, +I presume, appear intelligible.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-22" id="Bk_23-22"></a><p>[The Sidonians were celebrated not only as the most ingenious artists +but as great adepts in science, especially in astronomy and arithmetical calculation.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-23" id="Bk_23-23"></a><p>[King of Lemnos.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-24" id="Bk_23-24"></a><p>[That is to say, Ulysses; who, from the first intending it, had run close +behind him.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-25" id="Bk_23-25"></a><p>The prodigious weight and size of the quoit is described with the simplicity +of the orientals, and in the manner of the heroic ages. The poet does +not specify the quantity of this enormous piece of iron, but the use it will be +to the winner. We see from hence that the ancients in the prizes they proposed, +had in view not only the honorable but the useful; a captive for work, +a bull for tillage, a quoit for the provision of iron, which in those days was +scarce.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-26" id="Bk_23-26"></a><p>[The use of this staff was to separate the cattle. It had a string attached +to the lower part of it, which the herdsman wound about his hand, and by +the help of it whirled the staff to a prodigious distance.—Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-27" id="Bk_23-27"></a><p>[The transition from narrative to dramatic follows the original.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-28" id="Bk_23-28"></a><p>[Apollo; frequently by Homer called the King without any addition.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_23-29" id="Bk_23-29"></a><p>Teucer is eminent for his archery, yet he is excelled by Meriones, who +had not neglected to invoke Apollo the god of archery.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + + +<div class="ftnt"> +<a name="Bk_24-1" id="Bk_24-1"></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0;">Footnotes for Book XXIV:</p> +<ol> +<li><p style="margin-top: 0;">This is the first allusion in the Iliad to the <i>Judgment of Paris</i>, which +gave mortal offence to Minerva and Juno. On this account it has been +supposed by some that these lines are spurious, on the ground that Homer +could not have known the fable, or he would have mentioned it earlier in the +poem.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-2" id="Bk_24-2"></a><p>[His blessing, if he is properly influenced by it; his curse in its consequences +if he is deaf to its dictates.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-3" id="Bk_24-3"></a><p>[This is the sense preferred by the Scholiast, for it is not true that Thetis +was always present with Achilles, as is proved by the passage immediately +ensuing.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-4" id="Bk_24-4"></a><p>[The angler’s custom was, in those days, to guard his line above the hook +from the fishes’ bite, by passing it through a pipe of horn.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-5" id="Bk_24-5"></a><p>[Jupiter justifies him against Apollo’s charge, affirming him to be free +from those mental defects which chiefly betray men into sin, folly, improvidence, +and perverseness.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-6" id="Bk_24-6"></a><p>[But, at first, he did fly. It is therefore spoken, as the Scholiast observes, +<span class="Greek" title="philostorgôs"> +φιλοστοργως</span>, +and must be understood as the language of strong maternal +affection.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-7" id="Bk_24-7"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="koroitypiêsin aristoi"><!-- +-->κοροιτυπιησιν +αριστοι</span>.]</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-8" id="Bk_24-8"></a><p>[Through which the reins were passed.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-9" id="Bk_24-9"></a><p>[The yoke being flat at the bottom, and the pole round, there would of +course be a small aperture between the band and the pole on both sides, +through which, according to the Scholium in Villoisson, they thrust the ends +of the tackle lest they should dangle.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-10" id="Bk_24-10"></a><p>[The text here is extremely intricate; as it stands now, the sons are, first, +said to yoke the horses, then Priam and Idæus are said to do it, and in the +palace too. I have therefore adopted an alteration suggested by Clarke, who +with very little violence to the copy, proposes instead of<span class="Greek" title="zeugnysthên"> +ζευγνυσθην</span> +to read—<span class="Greek" title="zônnysthên"><!-- +-->ζωννυσθην</span>.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-11" id="Bk_24-11"></a><p>[The words both signify—sable.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-12" id="Bk_24-12"></a><p>Priam begins not with a display of the treasures he has brought for the +redemption of Hector’s body, but with a pathetic address to the feelings of +Achilles. Homer well knew that neither gold nor silver would influence the +heart of a young and generous warrior, but that persuasion would. The old +king therefore, with a judicious abruptness, avails himself of his most powerful +plea at once, and seizes the sympathy of the hero, before he has time to +recollect who it is that addresses him.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-13" id="Bk_24-13"></a><p>[Mortified to see his generosity, after so much kindness shown to Priam, +still distrusted, and that the impatience of the old king threatened to deprive +him of all opportunity to do gracefully what he could not be expected to do +willingly.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-14" id="Bk_24-14"></a><p>[To control anger argues a great mind—and to avoid occasions that may +betray one into it, argues a still greater. An observation that should suggest +itself to us with no little force, when Achilles, not remarkable either for patience +or meekness, exhorts Priam to beware of provoking him; and when +having cleansed the body of Hector and covered it, he places it himself in +the litter, lest his father, seeing how indecently he had treated it, should be +exasperated at the sight, and by some passionate reproach exasperate himself +also. For that a person so singularly irascible and of a temper harsh as +his, should not only be aware of his infirmity, but even guard against it with +so much precaution, evidences a prudence truly wonderful.—Plutarch.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-15" id="Bk_24-15"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="'Epikertomeôn"><!-- +-->'Επικερτομεων</span>. +Clarke renders the word in this place, <i>falso metû, ludens,</i> +and Eustathius says that Achilles suggested such cause of fear to Priam, to +excuse his lodging him in an exterior part of the tent. The general import +of the Greek word is sarcastic, but here it signifies rather—to intimidate. +See also Dacier.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-16" id="Bk_24-16"></a><p>The poet here shows the importance of Achilles in the army. Agamemnon +is the general, yet all the chief commanders appeal to him for advice, +and on his own authority he promises Priam a cessation of arms. +Giving his hand to confirm the promise, agrees with the custom of the +present day.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-17" id="Bk_24-17"></a><p>This lament of Andromache may be compared to her pathetic address +to Hector in the scene at the Scæan gate. It forms indeed, a most beautiful +and eloquent pendant to that.—<span class="smcap">Felton</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-18" id="Bk_24-18"></a><p>[This, according to the Scholiast, is a probable sense of<span class="Greek" title="prosphatos"> +προσφατος</span>.—He +derives it<span class="Greek" title="apo tôn neôsti pephasmenôn ek gês phytôn"> +απο +των +νεωστι +πεφασμενων +εκ +γης +φυτων</span>.—See +Villoisson.]—<span class="smcap">Tr</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-19" id="Bk_24-19"></a><p>Helen is throughout the Iliad a genuine lady, graceful in motion and +speech, noble in her associations, full of remorse for a fault for which higher +powers seem responsible, yet grateful and affectionate towards those with +whom that fault had connected her. I have always thought the following +speech in which Helen laments Hector and hints at her own invidious and +unprotected situation in Troy, as almost the sweetest passage in the poem.—<span class="smcap">H.N. Coleridge</span>.</p></li> + +<li><a name="Bk_24-20" id="Bk_24-20"></a><p>[<span class="Greek" title="Hôs hoi g'amphiepon taphon Hektoros hippodamoio"><!-- +-->Ως +οι +γ'αμφιεπον +ταφον +Εκτορος +ιπποδαμοιο</span>.]</p></li> +</ol> +</div> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ILIAD ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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