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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/16990-0.txt b/16990-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a65e28 --- /dev/null +++ b/16990-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6438 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Troy, by Michael Clarke + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 + + +Title: The Story of Troy + +Author: Michael Clarke + +Release Date: February 8, 2006 [EBook #16990] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF TROY *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + +[Illustration: HEAD OF HOMER. + +_British Museum._] + + +ECLECTIC SCHOOL READINGS + + +THE STORY OF TROY + +BY + +M. CLARKE + + +NEW YORK--CINCINNATI--CHICAGO +AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY + +COPYRIGHT, 1897, BY +AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE +INTRODUCTION--HOMER, THE FATHER OF POETRY 7 + + THE GODS AND GODDESSES 11 + + + I. TROY BEFORE THE SIEGE 19 + + II. THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS 33 + + III. THE LEAGUE AGAINST TROY 46 + + IV. BEGINNING OF THE WAR 63 + + V. THE WRATH OF ACHILLES 76 + + VI. THE DREAM OF AGAMEMNON 92 + + VII. THE COMBAT BETWEEN MENELAUS AND PARIS 109 + + VIII. THE FIRST GREAT BATTLE 124 + + IX. THE SECOND BATTLE--EXPLOIT OF DIOMEDE AND ULYSSES 149 + + X. THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS--DEATH OF PATROCLUS 166 + + XI. END OF THE WRATH OF ACHILLES--DEATH OF HECTOR 193 + + XII. DEATH OF ACHILLES--FALL AND DESTRUCTION OF TROY 220 + + XIII. THE GREEK CHIEFS AFTER THE WAR 240 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +I. HOMER, THE FATHER OF POETRY. + +In this book we are to tell the story of Troy, and particularly of the +famous siege which ended in the total destruction of that renowned city. +It is a story of brave warriors and heroes of 3000 years ago, about +whose exploits the greatest poets and historians of ancient times have +written. Some of the wonderful events of the memorable siege are related +in a celebrated poem called the Ilʹi-ad, written in the Greek language. +The author of this poem was Hoʹmer, who was the author of another great +poem, the Odʹys-sey, which tells of the voyages and adventures of the +Greek hero, U-lysʹses, after the taking of Troy. + +Homer has been called the Father of Poetry, because he was the first and +greatest of poets. He lived so long ago that very little is known about +him. We do not even know for a certainty when or where he was born. It +is believed, however, that he lived in the ninth century before Christ, +and that his native place was Smyrʹna, in Asia Minor. But long after +his death several other cities claimed the honor of being his +birthplace. + + Seven Grecian cities vied for Homer dead, + Through which the living Homer begged his bread. + + LEONIDAS. + +It is perhaps not true that Homer was so poor as to be obliged to beg +for his bread; but it is probable that he earned his living by traveling +from city to city through many parts of Greece and Asia Minor, reciting +his poems in the palaces of princes, and at public assemblies. This was +one of the customs of ancient times, when the art of writing was either +not known, or very little practiced. The poets, or bards, of those days +committed their compositions to memory, and repeated them aloud at +gatherings of the people, particularly at festivals and athletic games, +of which the ancient Greeks were very fond. At those games prizes and +rewards were given to the bards as well as to the athletes. + +It is said that in the latter part of his life the great poet became +blind, and that this was why he received the name of Homer, which +signified a blind person. The name first given to him, we are told, was +Mel-e-sigʹe-nes, from the river Meʹles, a small stream on the banks of +which his native city of Smyrna was situated. + +So little being known of Homer's life, there has been much difference of +opinion about him among learned men. Many have believed that Homer never +existed. Others have thought that the Iliad and Odyssey were composed +not by one author, but by several. "Some," says the English poet, Walter +Savage Landor, "tell us that there were twenty Homers, some deny that +there was ever one." Those who believe that there were "twenty Homers" +think that different parts of the two great poems--the Iliad and +Odyssey--were composed by different persons, and that all the parts were +afterwards put together in the form in which they now appear. The +opinion of most scholars at present, however, is that Homer did really +exist, that he was a wandering bard, or minstrel, who sang or recited +verses or ballads composed by himself, about the great deeds of heroes +and warriors, and that those ballads, collected and arranged in after +years in two separate books, form the poems known as the Iliad and +Odyssey. + +Homer's poetry is what is called epic poetry, that is, it tells about +heroes and heroic actions. The Iliad and Odyssey are the first and +greatest of epic poems. In all ages since Homer's time, scholars have +agreed in declaring them to be the finest poetic productions of human +genius. No nation in the world has ever produced poems so beautiful or +so perfect. They have been read and admired by learned men for more than +2000 years. They have been translated into the languages of all +civilized countries. In this book we make many quotations from the fine +translation of the Iliad by our American poet, William Cullen Bryant. We +quote also from the well-known translation by the English poet, +Alexander Pope. + +The ancients had a very great admiration for the poetry of Homer. We are +told that every educated Greek could repeat from memory any passage in +the Iliad or Odyssey. Alexander the Great was so fond of Homer's poems +that he always had them under his pillow while he slept. He kept the +Iliad in a richly ornamented casket, saying that "the most perfect work +of human genius ought to be preserved in a box the most valuable and +precious in the world." + +So great was the veneration the Greeks had for Homer, that they erected +temples and altars to him, and worshiped him as a god. They held +festivals in his honor, and made medals bearing the figure of the poet +sitting on a throne and holding in his hands the Iliad and Odyssey. One +of the kings of Eʹgypt built in that country a magnificent temple, in +which was set up a statue of Homer, surrounded with a beautiful +representation of the seven cities that contended for the honor of being +the place of his birth. + + Great bard of Greece, whose ever-during verse + All ages venerate, all tongues rehearse; + Could blind idolatry be justly paid + To aught of mental power by man display'd, + To thee, thou sire of soul-exalting song, + That boundless worship might to thee belong. + + HAYLEY. + + +II. THE GODS AND GODDESSES. + +To understand the Story of Troy it is necessary to know something about +the gods and goddesses, who played so important a part in the events we +are to relate. We shall see that in the Troʹjan War nearly everything +was ordered or directed by a god or goddess. The gods, indeed, had much +to do in the causing of the war, and they took sides in the great +struggle, some of them helping the Greeks and some helping the Trojans. + +The ancient Greeks believed that there were a great many gods. According +to their religion all parts of the universe,--the heavens and the earth, +the sun and the moon, the ocean, seas, and rivers, the mountains and +forests, the winds and storms,--were ruled by different gods. The gods, +too, it was supposed, controlled all the affairs of human life. There +were a god of war and a god of peace, and gods of music, and poetry, and +dancing, and hunting, and of all the other arts or occupations in which +men engaged. + +The gods, it was believed, were in some respects like human beings. In +form they usually appeared as men and women. They were passionate and +vindictive, and often quarreled among themselves. They married and had +children, and needed food and drink and sleep. Sometimes they married +human beings, and the sons of such marriages were the heroes of +antiquity, men of giant strength who performed daring and wonderful +feats. The food of the gods was Am-broʹsia, which conferred immortality +and perpetual youth on those who partook of it; their drink was a +delicious wine called Necʹtar. + +The gods, then, were immortal beings. They never died; they never grew +old, and they possessed immense power. They could change themselves, or +human beings, into any form, and they could make themselves visible or +invisible at pleasure. They could travel through the skies, or over +earth or ocean, with the rapidity of lightning, often riding in gorgeous +golden chariots drawn by horses of immortal breed. They were greatly +feared by men, and when any disaster occurred,--if lives were lost by +earthquake, or shipwreck, or any other calamity,--it was attributed to +the anger of some god. + +Though immortal beings, however, the gods were subject to some of the +physical infirmities of humanity. They could not die, but they might be +wounded and suffer bodily pain the same as men. They often took part in +the quarrels and wars of people on earth, and they had weapons and armor +like human warriors. + +The usual place of residence of the principal gods was on the top of +Mount O-lymʹpus in Greece. Here they dwelt in golden palaces, and they +had a Council Chamber where they frequently feasted together at grand +banquets, celestial music being rendered by A-polʹlo, the god of +minstrelsy, and the Muses, who were the divinities of poetry and song. + +In all the chief cities grand temples were erected for the worship of +the gods. One of the most famous was the Parʹthe-non, at Athens. At the +shrines of the gods costly gifts in gold and silver were presented, and +on their altars, often built in the open air, beasts were killed and +burned as sacrifices, which were thought to be very pleasing to the +divine beings to whom they were offered. + +[Illustration: THE PARTHENON. + +_From model in Metropolitan Museum, New York._] + +The greatest and most powerful of the gods was Juʹpi-ter, also called +Jove or Zeus. To him all the rest were subject. He was the king of the +gods, the mighty Thunderer, at whose nod Olympus shook, and at whose +word the heavens trembled. From his great power in the regions of the +sky he was sometimes called the "cloud-compelling Jove." + + He, whose all-conscious eyes the world behold, + The eternal Thunderer sat, enthroned in gold. + High heaven the footstool of his feet he makes, + And wide beneath him all Olympus shakes. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book VIII. + +The wife of Jupiter, and the queen of heaven, was Juʹno, who, as we +shall see, was the great enemy of Troy and the Trojans. One of the +daughters of Jupiter, called Veʹnus, or Aph-ro-diʹte, was the goddess of +beauty and love. Nepʹtune was the god of the sea. He usually carried in +his hand a trident, or three-pronged scepter, the emblem of his +authority. + + His sumptuous palace-halls were built + Deep down in ocean, golden, glittering, proof + Against decay of time. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XIII. + +Mars was the god of war, and Pluʹto, also called Dis and Haʹdes, was god +of the regions of the dead. One of the most glorious and powerful of the +gods was Apollo, or Phœʹbus, or Sminʹtheus, for he had many names. He +was god of the sun, and of medicine, music, and poetry. He is +represented as holding in his hand a bow, and sometimes a lyre. Homer +calls him the "god of the silver bow," and the "far-darting Apollo," for +the ancients believed that with the dart of his arrow he sent down +plagues upon men whenever they offended him. + +The other principal deities mentioned by Homer are Mi-nerʹva, or +Palʹlas, the goddess of wisdom; Vulʹcan, the god of fire; and Merʹcu-ry, +or Herʹmes, the messenger of Jupiter. Vulcan was also the patron, or +god, of smiths. He had several forges; one was on Mount Olympus, and +another was supposed to be under Mount Ætʹna in Sicʹi-ly. Here, with his +giant workmen, the Cyʹclops, he made thunderbolts for Jupiter, and +sometimes armor and weapons of war for earthly heroes. + +The gods, it was believed, made their will known to men in various +ways,--sometimes by the flight of birds, frequently by dreams, and +sometimes by appearing on earth under different forms, and speaking +directly to kings and warriors. Very often men learned the will of the +gods by consulting seers and soothsayers, or augurs,--persons who were +supposed to have the power of foretelling events. There were temples +also where the gods gave answers through priests. Such answers were +called Orʹa-cles, and this name was also given to the priests. The most +celebrated oracle of ancient times was in the temple of Apollo at +Delʹphi, in Greece. To this place people came from all parts of the +world to consult the god, whose answers were given by a priestess called +Pythʹi-a. + +The ancients never engaged in war or any other important undertaking +without sacrificing to the gods or consulting their oracles or +soothsayers. Before going to battle they made sacrifices to the gods. If +they were defeated in battle they regarded it as a sign of the anger of +Jupiter, or Juno, or Minerva, or Apollo, or some of the other great +beings who dwelt on Olympus. When making leagues or treaties of peace, +they called the gods as witnesses, and prayed to Father Jupiter to send +terrible punishments on any who should take false oaths, or break their +promises. In the story of the Trojan War we shall find many examples of +such appeals to the gods by the chiefs on both sides. + + "O Father Jove, who rulest from the top + Of Ida, mightiest one and most august! + Whichever of these twain has done the wrong, + Grant that he pass to Pluto's dwelling, slain, + While friendship and a faithful league are ours. + + "O Jupiter most mighty and august! + Whoever first shall break these solemn oaths, + So may their brains flow down upon the earth,-- + Theirs and their children's." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +[Illustration: OFFERING TO MINERVA. + +_Painting by Gaudemaris._] + + + + +THE STORY OF TROY. + + + + +I. TROY BEFORE THE SIEGE. + + +[Illustration: _Design by Burne-Jones._] + +That part of Asia Minor which borders the narrow channel now known as +the Dar-da-nellesʹ, was in ancient times called Troʹas. Its capital was +the city of Troy, which stood about three miles from the shore of the +Æ-geʹan Sea, at the foot of Mount Ida, near the junction of two rivers, +the Simʹo-is, and the Sca-manʹder or Xanʹthus. The people of Troy and +Troas were called Trojans. + +Some of the first settlers in northwestern Asia Minor, before it was +called Troas, came from Thrace, a country lying to the north of Greece. +The king of these Thraʹcian colonists was Teuʹcer. During his reign a +prince named Darʹdanus arrived in the new settlement. He was a son of +Jupiter, and he came from Samʹo-thrace, one of the many islands of the +Ægean Sea. It is said that he escaped from a great flood which swept +over his native island, and that he was carried on a raft of wood to the +coast of the kingdom of Teucer. Soon afterwards he married Teucer's +daughter. He then built a city for himself amongst the hills of Mount +Ida, and called it Dar-daʹni-a; and on the death of Teucer he became +king of the whole country, to which he gave the same name, Dardania. + + Jove was the father, cloud-compelling Jove, + Of Dardanus, by whom Dardania first + Was peopled, ere our sacred Troy was built + On the great plain,--a populous town; for men + Dwelt still upon the roots of Ida fresh + With Qiany springs. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XX. + +Dardanus was the ancestor of the Trojan line of kings. He had a grandson +named Tros, and from him the city Troy, as well as the country Troas, +took its name. The successor of King Tros was his son Iʹlus. By him Troy +was built, and it was therefore also called Ilʹi-um or Ilʹi-on; hence +the title of Homer's great poem,--the Iliad. From the names Dardanus +and Teucer the city of Troy has also been sometimes called Dardania and +Teuʹcri-a, and the Trojans are often referred to as Dardanians and +Teucrians. Ilus was succeeded by his son La-omʹe-don, and Laomedon's son +Priʹam was king of Troy during the famous siege. + +The story of the founding of Troy is a very interesting one. Ilus went +forth from his father's city of Dardania, in search of adventures, as +was the custom of young princes and heroes in those days; and he +traveled on until he arrived at the court of the king of Phrygʹi-a, a +country lying east of Troas. Here he found the people engaged in +athletic games, at which the king gave valuable prizes for competition. +Ilus took part in a wrestling match, and he won fifty young men and +fifty maidens,--a strange sort of prize we may well think, but not at +all strange or unusual in ancient times, when there were many slaves +everywhere. During his stay in Phrygia the young Dardanian prince was +hospitably entertained at the royal palace. When he was about to depart, +the king gave him a spotted heifer, telling him to follow the animal, +and to build a city for himself at the place where she should first lie +down to rest. + +Ilus did as he was directed. With his fifty youths and fifty maidens he +set out to follow the heifer, leaving her free to go along at her +pleasure. She marched on for many miles, and at last lay down at the +foot of Mount Ida on a beautiful plain watered by two rivers, and here +Ilus encamped for the night. Before going to sleep he prayed to Jupiter +to send him a sign that that was the site meant for his city. In the +morning he found standing in front of his tent a wooden statue of the +goddess Minerva, also called Pallas. The figure was three cubits high. +In its right hand it held a spear, and in the left, a distaff and +spindle. + +This was the Pal-laʹdi-um of Troy, which afterwards became very famous. +The Trojans believed that it had been sent down from heaven, and that +the safety of their city depended upon its preservation. Hence it was +guarded with the greatest care in a temple specially built for the +purpose. + +Ilus, being satisfied that the statue was the sign for which he had +prayed, immediately set about building his city, and thus Troy was +founded. It soon became the capital of Troas and the richest and most +powerful city in that part of the world. During the reign of Laomedon, +son of Ilus, its mighty walls were erected, which in the next reign +withstood for ten years all the assaults of the Greeks. These walls were +the work of no human hands. They were built by the ocean god Neptune. +This god had conspired against Jupiter and attempted to dethrone him, +and, as a punishment, his kingdom of the sea was taken away from him for +one year, and he was ordered to spend that time in the service of the +king of Troy. + +In building the great walls, Neptune was assisted by Apollo, who had +also been driven from Olympus for an offense against Jupiter. Apollo had +a son named Æs-cu-laʹpi-us, who was so skilled a physician that he +could, and did, raise people from death to life. Jupiter was very angry +at this. He feared that men might forget him and worship Æsculapius. He +therefore hurled a thunderbolt at the great physician and killed him. +Enraged at the death of his son, Apollo threatened to destroy the +Cyclops, the giant workmen of Vulcan, who had forged the terrible +thunderbolt. Before he could carry out his threat, however, Jupiter +expelled him from heaven. He remained on earth for several years, after +which he was permitted to return to his place among the gods on the top +of Mount Olympus. + +[Illustration: NEPTUNE. + +_National Museum, Athens._] + +Though Neptune was bound to serve Laomedon for one year, there was an +agreement between them that the god should get a certain reward for +building the walls. But when the work was finished the Trojan king +refused to keep his part of the bargain. Apollo had assisted by his +powers of music. He played such tunes that he charmed even the huge +blocks of stone, so that they moved themselves into their proper places, +after Neptune had wrenched them from the mountain sides and had hewn +them into shape. Moreover, Apollo had taken care of Laomedon's numerous +flocks on Mount Ida. During the siege, Neptune, in a conversation with +Apollo before the walls of Troy, spoke of their labors in the service of +the Trojan king: + + "Hast thou forgot, how, at the monarch's prayer, + We shared the lengthen'd labors of a year? + Troy walls I raised (for such were Jove's commands), + And yon proud bulwarks grew beneath my hands: + Thy task it was to feed the bellowing droves + Along fair Ida's vales and pendant groves." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +Long before this, however, the two gods had punished Laomedon very +severely for breaking his promise. Apollo, after being restored to +heaven, sent a plague upon the city of Troy, and Neptune sent up from +the sea an enormous serpent which killed many of the people. + + A great serpent from the deep, + Lifting his horrible head above their homes, + Devoured the children. + + LEWIS MORRIS. + +In this terrible calamity the king asked an oracle in what way the anger +of the two gods might be appeased. The answer of the oracle was that a +Trojan maiden must each year be given to the monster to be devoured. +Every year, therefore, a young girl, chosen by lot, was taken down to +the seashore and chained to a rock to become the prey of the serpent. +And every year the monster came and swallowed up a Trojan maiden, and +then went away and troubled the city no more until the following year, +when he returned for another victim. At last the lot fell on He-siʹo-ne, +the daughter of the king. Deep was Laomedon's grief at the thought of +the awful fate to which his child was thus doomed. + +But help came at an unexpected moment. While, amid the lamentations of +her family and friends, preparations were being made to chain Hesione to +the rock, the great hero, Herʹcu-les, happened to visit Troy. He was on +his way home to Greece, after performing in a distant eastern country +one of those great exploits which made him famous in ancient story. The +hero undertook to destroy the serpent, and thus save the princess, on +condition that he should receive as a reward certain wonderful horses +which Laomedon just then had in his possession. These horses were given +to Laomedon's grandfather, Tros, on a very interesting occasion. Tros +had a son named Ganʹy-mede, a youth of wonderful beauty, and Jupiter +admired Ganymede so much that he had him carried up to heaven to be +cupbearer to the gods--to serve the divine nectar at the banquets on +Mount Olympus. + + Godlike Ganymede, most beautiful + Of men; the gods beheld and caught him up + To heaven, so beautiful was he, to pour + The wine to Jove, and ever dwell with them. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XX. + +To compensate Tros for the loss of his son, Jupiter gave him four +magnificent horses of immortal breed and marvelous fleetness. These were +the horses which Hercules asked as his reward for destroying the +serpent. As there was no other way of saving the life of his daughter, +Laomedon consented. Hercules then went down to the seashore, bearing in +his hand the huge club which he usually carried, and wearing his +lion-skin over his shoulders. This was the skin of a fierce lion he had +strangled to death in a forest in Greece, and he always wore it when +going to perform any of his heroic feats. + +When Hesione had been bound to the rock, the hero stood beside her and +awaited the coming of the serpent. In a short time its hideous form +emerged from beneath the waves, and darting forward it was about to +seize the princess, when Hercules rushed upon it, and with mighty +strokes of his club beat the monster to death. Thus was the king's +daughter saved and all Troy delivered from a terrible scourge. But when +the hero claimed the reward that had been agreed upon, and which he had +so well earned, Laomedon again proved himself to be a man who was +neither honest nor grateful. Disregarding his promise, and forgetful, +too, of what he and his people had already suffered as a result of his +breach of faith with the two gods, he refused to give Hercules the +horses. + +The hero at once went away from Troy, but not without resolving to +return at a convenient time and punish Laomedon. This he did, not long +afterwards, when he had completed the celebrated "twelve labors" at +which he had been set by a Grecian king, whom Jupiter commanded him to +serve for a period of years because of an offense he had committed. One +of these labors was the killing of the lion. Another was the destroying +of the Lerʹnæ-an hydra, a frightful serpent with many heads, which for a +long time had been devouring man and beast in the district of Lerʹna in +Greece. + +Having accomplished his twelve great labors and ended his term of +service, Hercules collected an army and a fleet, and sailed to the +shores of Troas. He then marched against the city, took it by surprise, +and slew Laomedon and all his sons, with the exception of Po-darʹces, +afterwards called Priam. This prince had tried to persuade his father to +fulfill the engagement with Hercules, for which reason his life was +spared. He was made a slave, however, as was done in ancient times with +prisoners taken in war. But Hesione ransomed her brother, giving her +gold-embroidered veil as the price of his freedom. From this time he was +called Priam, a word which in the Greek language means "purchased." +Hesione also prevailed upon Hercules to restore Priam to his right as +heir to his father's throne, and so he became king of Troy. Hesione +herself was carried off to Greece, where she was given in marriage to +Telʹa-mon, king of Salʹa-mis, a friend of Hercules. + +Priam reigned over his kingdom of Troas many years in peace and +prosperity. His wife and queen, the virtuous Hecʹu-ba, was a daughter of +a Thracian king. They had nineteen children, many of whom became famous +during the great siege. Their eldest son, Hecʹtor, was the bravest of +the Trojan heroes. Their son Parʹis it was, as we shall see, who brought +upon his country the disastrous war. Another son, Helʹe-nus, and his +sister Cas-sanʹdra, were celebrated soothsayers. + +Cassandra was a maiden of remarkable beauty. The god Apollo loved her so +much that he offered to grant her any request if she would accept him as +her husband. Cassandra consented and asked for the power of foretelling +events, but when she received it, she slighted the god and refused to +perform her promise. Apollo was enraged at her conduct, yet he could not +take back the gift he had bestowed. He decreed, however, that no one +should believe or pay any attention to her predictions, true though they +should be. And so when Cassandra foretold the evils that were to come +upon Troy, even her own people would not credit her words. They spoke of +her as the "mad prophetess." + + Cassandra cried, and cursed the unhappy hour; + Foretold our fate; but by the god's decree, + All heard, and none believed the prophecy. + + VERGIL. + +The first sorrow in the lives of King Priam and his good queen came a +short time before the birth of Paris, when Hecuba dreamed that her next +child would bring ruin upon his family and native city. This caused the +deepest distress to Priam and Hecuba, especially when the soothsayer +Æsʹa-cus declared that the dream would certainly be fulfilled. Then, +though they were tender and loving parents, they made up their minds to +sacrifice their own feelings rather than that such a calamity should +befall their country. When the child was born, the king, therefore, +ordered it to be given to Ar-che-laʹus, one of the shepherds of Mount +Ida, with instructions to expose it in a place where it might be +destroyed by wild beasts. The shepherd, though very unwilling to do so +cruel a thing, was obliged to obey, but on returning to the spot a few +days afterwards he found the infant boy alive and unhurt. Some say that +the child had been nursed and carefully tended by a she-bear. Archelaus +was so touched with pity at the sight of the innocent babe smiling in +his face, that he took the boy to his cottage, and, giving him the name +Paris, brought him up as one of his own family. + +With the herdsmen on Mount Ida, Paris spent his early years, not knowing +that he was King Priam's son. He was a brave youth, and of exceeding +beauty. + + "His sunny hair + Cluster'd about his temples like a god's." + + TENNYSON, _Œnone_. + +He was skilled, too, in all athletic exercises, he was a bold huntsman, +and so brave in defending the shepherds against the attacks of robbers +that they called him Alexander, a name which means a protector of men. +Thus the young prince became a favorite with the people who lived on +the hills. Very happy he was amongst them, and amongst the flocks which +his good friend and foster father, Archelaus, gave him to be his own. He +was still more happy in the company of the charming nymph Œ-noʹne, the +daughter of a river god; and he loved her and made her his wife. But +this happiness was destined not to be of long duration. The Fates[A] had +decreed it otherwise. Œnone the beautiful, whose sorrows have been the +theme of many poets, was to lose the love of the young shepherd prince, +and the dream of Hecuba was to have its fulfillment. + + The Fate + That rules the will of Jove had spun the days + Of Paris and Œnone. + + QUINTUS SMYRNÆUS. + +[Footnote A: The Fates were the three sisters, Cloʹtho, Lachʹe-sis, and +Atʹro-pos, powerful goddesses who controlled the birth and life of +mankind, Clotho, the youngest, presided over the moment of birth, and +held a distaff in her hand; Lachesis spun out the thread of human +existence (all the events and action's of man's life); and Atropos, with +a pair of shears which she always carried, cut this thread at the moment +of death.] + + + + +II. THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS. + + +It was through a quarrel among the three goddesses, Juno, Venus, and +Minerva, that Œnone, the fair nymph of Mount Ida, met her sad fate, and +that the destruction of Troy was brought about. The strife arose on the +occasion of the marriage of Peʹleus and Theʹtis. Peleus was a king of +Thesʹsa-ly, in Greece, and one of the great heroes of those days. Thetis +was a daughter of the sea god Neʹre-us, who had fifty daughters, all +beautiful sea nymphs, called "Ne-reʹi-des," from the name of their +father. Their duty was to attend upon the greater sea gods, and +especially to obey the orders of Neptune. + +Thetis was so beautiful that Jupiter himself wished to marry her, but +the Fates told him she was destined to have a son who would be greater +than his father. The king of heaven having no desire that a son of his +should be greater than himself, gave up the idea of wedding the fair +nymph of the sea, and consented that she should be the wife of Peleus, +who had long loved and wooed her. But Thetis, being a goddess, was +unwilling to marry a mortal man. However, she at last consented, and +all the gods and goddesses, with one exception, were present at the +marriage feast. + + For in the elder time, when truth and worth + Were still revered and cherished here on earth, + The tenants of the skies would oft descend + To heroes' spotless homes, as friend to friend; + There meet them face to face, and freely share + In all that stirred the hearts of mortals there. + + CATULLUS (Martin's tr.). + +The one exception was Eʹris, or Dis-corʹdi-a, the goddess of discord. +This evil-minded deity had at one time been a resident of Olympus, but +she caused so much dissension and quarreling there that Jupiter banished +her forever from the heavenly mansions. The presence of such a being as +a guest on so happy an occasion was not very desirable, and therefore no +invitation was sent to her. + +Thus slighted, the goddess of discord resolved to have revenge by doing +all that she could to disturb the peace and harmony of the marriage +feast. With this evil purpose she suddenly appeared in the midst of the +company, and threw on the table a beautiful golden apple, on which were +inscribed the words, "Let it be given to the fairest." + + "This was cast upon the board, + When all the full-faced presence of the gods + Ranged in the halls of Peleus; whereupon + Rose feud, with question unto whom 'twere due." + + TENNYSON, _Œnone_. + +At once all the goddesses began to claim the glittering prize of beauty. +Each contended that she was the "fairest," and therefore should have the + + "fruit of pure Hesperian gold + That smelt ambrosially." + +But soon the only competitors were Juno, Venus, and Minerva, the other +goddesses having withdrawn their claims. The contest then became more +bitter, and at last Jupiter was called upon to act as judge in the +dispute. This delicate task the king of heaven declined to undertake. He +knew that whatever way he might decide, he would be sure to offend two +of the three goddesses, and thereby destroy the peace of his own +household. It was necessary, however, that an umpire should be chosen to +put an end to the strife, and doubtless it was the decree of the Fates +that the lot should fall on the handsome young shepherd of Mount Ida. +His wisdom and prudence were well known to the gods, and all seemed to +agree that he was a fit person to decide so great a contest. + +Paris was therefore appointed umpire. By Jupiter's command the golden +apple was sent to him, to be given to that one of the three goddesses +whom he should judge to be the most beautiful. The goddesses themselves +were directed to appear before him on Mount Ida, so that, beholding +their charms, he might be able to give a just decision. The English +poet, Tennyson, in his poem "Œnone," gives a fine description of the +three contending deities standing in the presence of the Trojan prince, +each in her turn trying, by promise of great reward, to persuade him to +declare in her favor. Juno spoke first, and she offered to bestow kingly +power and immense wealth upon Paris, if he would award the prize to her. + + "She to Paris made + Proffer of royal power, ample rule + Unquestion'd. . . . . . . . + 'Honor,' she said, 'and homage, tax and toll, + From many an inland town and haven large.'" + +Minerva next addressed the judge, and she promised him great wisdom and +knowledge, as well as success in war, if he would give the apple to her. + +Then Venus approached the young prince, who all the while held the +golden prize in his hand. She had but few words to say, for she was +confident in the power of her beauty and the tempting bribe she was +about to offer. + + "She with a subtle smile in her mild eyes, + The herald of her triumph, drawing nigh + Half-whisper'd in his ear, 'I promise thee + The fairest and most loving wife in Greece.' + She spoke and laugh'd." + +The subtle smile and the whispered promise won the heart of Paris. +Forgetful of Œnone, and disregarding the promises of the other +goddesses, he awarded the prize to Venus. + + He consign'd + To her soft hand the fruit of burnished rind; + And foam-born Venus grasp'd the graceful meed, + Of war, of evil war, the quickening seed. + + COLUTHUS (Elton's tr.). + +Such was the famous judgment of Paris. It was perhaps a just decision, +for it may be supposed that Venus, being the goddess of beauty, was +really the most beautiful of the three. But the story does not give us a +very high idea of the character of Paris, who now no longer took +pleasure in the company of Œnone. All his thoughts and affections were +turned away from her by the promise of Venus. He had grown weary, too, +of his simple and innocent life among his flocks and herds on the +mountain. He therefore wished much for some adventure that would take +him away from scenes which had become distasteful to him. + +[Illustration: PARIS. + +_Vatican, Rome._] + +The opportunity soon came. A member of King Priam's family having died, +it was announced that the funeral would be celebrated by athletic +games, as was the custom in ancient times. Paris resolved to go down to +the city and take part in these games. Prizes were to be offered for +competition, and one of the prizes was to be the finest bull that could +be picked from the herds on Mount Ida. Now it happened that the bull +selected belonged to Paris himself, but it could not be taken without +his consent. He was willing, however, to give it for the games on +condition that he should be permitted to enter the list of competitors. + +The condition was agreed to, and so the shepherd prince parted from +Œnone and went to the funeral games at Troy. He intended, perhaps, to +return sometime, but it was many years before he saw the fair nymph of +Mount Ida again,--not until he was about to die of a wound received from +one of the Greeks in the Trojan War. Œnone knew what was to happen, for +Apollo had conferred upon her the gift of prophecy, and she warned Paris +that if he should go away from her he would bring ruin on himself and +his country, telling him also that he would seek for her help when it +would be too late to save him. These predictions, as we shall see, were +fulfilled. Œnone's grief and despair in her loneliness after the +departure of Paris are touchingly described in Tennyson's poem: + + "O happy Heaven, how canst thou see my face? + O happy earth, how canst thou bear my weight? + O death, death, death, thou ever-floating cloud, + There are enough unhappy on this earth, + Pass by the happy souls, that love to live: + I pray thee, pass before my light of life, + And shadow all my soul, that I may die. + Thou weighest heavy on the heart within, + Weigh heavy on my eyelids: let me die." + +At the athletic games in Troy everybody admired the noble appearance of +Paris, but nobody knew who he was. In the competitions he won all the +first prizes, for Venus had given him godlike strength and swiftness. He +defeated even Hector, who was the greatest athlete of Troy. Hector, +angry at finding himself and all the highborn young men of the city +beaten by an unknown stranger, resolved to put him to death, and Paris +would probably have been killed, had he not fled for safety into the +temple of Jupiter. Cassandra, who happened to be in the temple at the +time, noticed Paris closely, and observing that he bore a strong +resemblance to her brothers, she asked him about his birth and age. From +his answers she was satisfied that he was her brother, and she at once +introduced him to the king. Further inquiries were then made. The old +shepherd, Archelaus, to whom Paris had been delivered in his infancy to +be exposed on Mount Ida, was still living, and he came and told his +story. Then King Priam and Queen Hecuba joyfully embraced and welcomed +their son, never thinking of the terrible dream or of the prophecy of +Æsacus. Hector, no longer angry or jealous, was glad to see his brother, +and proud of his victories in the games. Everybody rejoiced except +Cassandra. She knew the evil which was to come to Troy through Paris, +but nobody would give credit to what the "mad prophetess" said. + +Thus restored to his high position as a prince of the royal house of +Troy, Paris now resided in his father's palace, apparently contented and +happy. But the promise made to him on Mount Ida, which he carefully +concealed from his family, was always in his mind. His thoughts were +ever turned toward Greece, where dwelt the fairest woman of those times. +This was Helen, wife of Men-e-laʹus, king of Sparʹta, celebrated +throughout the ancient world for her matchless beauty. Paris had been +promised the fairest woman for his wife, and he felt sure that it could +be no other than the far-famed Helen. To Greece therefore he resolved to +go, as soon as there should be an excuse for undertaking what was then a +long and dangerous voyage of many weeks, though in our day it is no more +than a few hours' sail. + +The occasion was found when King Priam resolved to send ambassadors to +the island of Salamis to demand the restoration of his sister Hesione, +whom Hercules had carried off many years before. Her husband, Telamon, +was now dead, but his son Aʹjax still held her as a prisoner at his +court. Priam had never forgotten his sister's love for himself, for she +it was, as will be remembered, who redeemed him from slavery and placed +him on his father's throne. He now determined that she should be brought +back to her native country, and Paris earnestly begged permission to +take charge of the expedition which was to be sent to Salamis for that +purpose. Priam consented, and a fleet worthy to convey the son of the +king of Troy and his retinue to Greece was built by Pherʹe-clus, a +skillful Trojan craftsman, whom the goddess Minerva (Pallas) had +instructed in all kinds of workmanship. + + For loved by Pallas, Pallas did impart + To him the shipwright's and the builder's art. + Beneath his hand the fleet of Paris rose, + The fatal cause of all his country's woes. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Before the departure of the fleet, Cassandra raised her voice of +warning, but as usual her words were not heeded, and so Paris set sail. +He reached the shores of Greece in safety; but instead of proceeding to +Salamis to demand Hesione from King Ajax, he steered his vessels to the +coast of Sparta. This he did under the guidance and direction of Venus, +who was now about to fulfill the promise by which she had won the golden +prize on Mount Ida. + +Landing in Sparta, Paris hastened to the court of Menelaus, where he was +hospitably received. The king gave banquets in his honor and invited him +to prolong his stay in Sparta, and the beautiful Queen Helen joined in +her husband's kind attentions to their guest. + +Soon after the arrival of Paris, the king of Sparta received an +invitation to take part in a hunting expedition in the island of Crete. +Having no suspicion of the evil design of Paris, he accepted the +invitation. He departed for Crete, leaving to his queen the duty of +entertaining the Trojan prince until his return. Then Paris, taking +advantage of the absence of Menelaus, induced Helen to desert her +husband and her home, and go with him to Troy. He told her of the +promise of Venus, and assured her that she would be received with great +honor in his father's palace, and protected against the anger of +Menelaus. + + From her husband's stranger-sheltering home + He tempted Helen o'er the ocean foam. + + COLUTHUS (Elton's tr.). + +[Illustration: ABDUCTION OF HELEN. + +_Painting by Deutsch._] + +Helen having consented, Paris carried her off in his fleet. At the same +time he carried away a vast quantity of treasure in gold and other +costly things which belonged to King Menelaus. On the voyage homeward +the ships were driven by a storm to the shores of the island of +Cranʹa-e, where Paris and Helen remained for some time. When at last +they reached the Trojan capital they were cordially welcomed by King +Priam and Queen Hecuba, and in a short time they were married, and the +event was celebrated with great rejoicing. + +But all the people of Troy did not take part in this rejoicing. Hector, +the son of Priam, and others of his wisest counselors, strongly censured +the conduct of Paris, and they advised the king to send Helen back to +Sparta. But Priam would not listen to their prudent advice, and so she +remained in Troy. + +The great beauty of Helen has been celebrated by poets in ancient and +modern times. Tennyson, in his "Dream of Fair Women," introduces her as +one of the forms of the vision he describes: + + "I saw a lady within call, + Stiller than chisell'd marble, standing there; + A daughter of the gods, divinely tall, + And most divinely fair." + + + + +III. THE LEAGUE AGAINST TROY. + + +The carrying off of Helen was the cause of the Trojan War. Menelaus, +upon hearing what Paris had done, immediately returned to Sparta, and +began to make preparations to avenge the wrong. He called upon the other +kings and princes of Greece to join him with their armies and fleets in +a war against Troy. They were bound to do this by an oath they had taken +at the time of the marriage of Helen and Menelaus. + +Helen was the daughter of Tynʹda-rus, who was king of Sparta before +Menelaus. Some say that she was the daughter of Jupiter, and that +Tyndarus was her stepfather. But from her infancy she was brought up at +the royal palace of Sparta as the daughter of Tyndarus and his wife, +Leʹda. When she became old enough to marry, the fame of her great beauty +drew many of the young princes of Greece to Sparta, all competing for +her favor, and each hoping to win her for his wife. This placed Tyndarus +in a difficulty. He was alarmed at the sight of so many suitors for the +hand of his daughter, for he knew that he could not give her to one +without offending all the rest. He therefore resolved to adopt the +advice of Ulysses, the prince of Ithʹa-ca (an island on the west coast +of Greece). Ulysses, also named O-dysʹseus, was famed for great wisdom +as well as valor in war. + + Ulysses, man of many arts, + Son of Laertes, reared in Ithaca, + That rugged isle, and skilled in every form + Of shrewd device and action wisely planned. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Ulysses had himself been one of the suitors for Helen, but he saw that +among so many competitors he had little chance of success. Besides, he +had fallen in love with Pe-nelʹo-pe, the niece of Tyndarus. He therefore +withdrew from the contest, and he offered to suggest a plan for settling +the difficulty about Helen, if Tyndarus would give him Penelope to be +his wife. Tyndarus consented. Ulysses then advised that Helen should +choose for herself which of the princes she would have for her husband, +but that before she did so, all the suitors should pledge themselves by +oath to submit to her decision, and engage that if any one should take +her away from the husband of her choice, they would all join in +punishing the offender. + + If any dared to seize and bear her off, + All would unite in arms, and lay his town + Level with the ground. + + EURIPIDES (Potter's tr.). + +The Grecian princes consented to this proposal. They all, including +Ulysses himself, took the required oath. Helen then made choice of +Menelaus, to whom she was immediately married with great pomp and +popular rejoicing. On the death of Tyndarus, Menelaus became king of +Sparta, and he and his beautiful queen lived and reigned together in +prosperity and happiness until the ill-fated visit of Paris. + +Menelaus was the brother of Ag-a-memʹnon, king of My-ceʹnæ, one of the +most powerful and wealthy of the kings of Helʹlas, as Greece was +anciently called. Their father, Aʹtreus, was a son of the hero Peʹlops, +who conquered the greater part of the peninsula named from him the +Pel-oponneʹsus, and who was the grandson of Jupiter. Agamemnon, or +A-triʹdes (son of Atreus), as he is often called, was commander in chief +of all the Greek armies during the siege of Troy. From his high rank and +authority Homer calls him the "king of men" and the "king of kings." He +is sometimes also called "king of all Arʹgos," a powerful kingdom near +Mycenæ, and from this name the Greeks are sometimes called "Arʹgives." +The royal scepter which Agamemnon bore in his hands when addressing his +soldiers was made by Vulcan for Jupiter. + + The king of kings his awful figure raised; + High in his hand the golden sceptre blazed; + The golden sceptre, of celestial flame, + By Vulcan formed, from Jove to Hermes came: + To Pelops he the immortal gift resign'd; + The immortal gift great Pelops left behind. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +The kings and princes of Hellas, who met at the call of Menelaus, +decided, after some discussion of the matter, that before declaring war +against Troy it would be well to try to obtain satisfaction by peaceful +means. They therefore sent ambassadors to Troy to demand the restoration +of Helen and the treasures which Paris had carried off. Diʹo-mede, king +of Æ-toʹlia, and the wise Ulysses, were chosen for this mission. +Menelaus volunteered to accompany them, thinking that he might be able +to persuade his wife to return to her home. + +When the Greek ambassadors arrived in the Trojan capital they were +respectfully received by the king. During their stay in the city they +were entertained at the residence of An-teʹnor, one of Priam's ministers +of state, who had the wisdom to disapprove of the action of Paris, and +to advise that the Spartan queen should be given back to her husband. +Antenor much admired the appearance and eloquence of Ulysses, which are +thus described in the Iliad: + + "But when Ulysses rose, in thought profound, + His modest eyes he fixed upon the ground; + As one unskilled or dumb, he seem'd to stand, + Nor raised his head, nor stretch'd his sceptred hand; + But, when he speaks, what elocution flows! + Soft as the fleeces of descending snows, + The copious accents fall, with easy art; + Melting they fall, and sink into the heart!" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book III. + +But the eloquence of Ulysses was of no avail. King Priam, blinded by his +love for his son, saw not the threatened danger, and he refused the +demand of the ambassadors. Menelaus was not even permitted to see his +wife. Ulysses and his companions then returned to Greece, and at once +preparations for war with Troy were commenced. + +These preparations occupied a very long time. Ten years were spent in +getting together the vast force, which in more than a thousand ships was +carried across the Ægean Sea to the Trojan shores, from the port of +Auʹlis on the east coast-of Greece. Some of the Hel-lenʹic (Greek) +princes were very unwilling to join the expedition, as they knew that +the struggle would be a tedious and perilous one. Even Ulysses, who, as +we have seen, had first proposed the suitors' oath at Sparta, was at the +last moment unwilling to go. He had now become king of Ithaca, his +father, La-erʹtes, having retired from the cares of government, and he +would gladly have remained in his happy island home with his young wife, +Penelope, and his infant son, Te-lemʹa-chus, both of whom he tenderly +loved. + +But the man of many arts could not be spared from the Trojan War. He +paid no heed, however, to the messages sent to him asking him to join +the army at Aulis. Agamemnon resolved, therefore, to go himself to +Ithaca to persuade Ulysses to take part in the expedition. He was +accompanied by his brother Menelaus, and by a chief named Pal-a-meʹdes, +a very wise and learned man as well as a brave warrior. As soon as +Ulysses heard of their arrival in Ithaca, he pretended to be insane, and +he tried by a very amusing stratagem to make them believe that he was +really mad. Dressing himself in his best clothes, and going down to the +seashore, he began to plow the beach with a horse and an _ox_ yoked +together, and to scatter salt upon the sand instead of seed. + +[Illustration: ULYSSES FEIGNING MADNESS. + +_Heywood Hardy._] + +Palamedes, however, was more than a match in artifice for the Ithacan +king. Taking Telemachus from the arms of his nurse, he placed the +infant on the sand in front of the plowing team. Ulysses quickly turned +the animals aside to avoid injuring his child, thus proving that he was +not mad but in full possession of his senses. The king of Ithaca was +therefore obliged to join the expedition to Troy. With twelve ships well +manned he sailed from his rugged island, which he did not again see for +twenty years. Ten years he spent at the siege, and ten on his homeward +voyage, during which he met with the wonderful adventures that Homer +describes in the Odyssey. + +Ulysses had his revenge upon Palamedes in a manner very unworthy of a +brave man. In the camp before Troy, during the siege, he bribed one of +the servants of Palamedes to conceal a sum of money in his master's +tent. He then forged a letter, which he read before a council of the +Greek generals, saying that Palamedes had taken it from a Trojan +prisoner. This letter was written as if by King Priam to Palamedes, +thanking him for the information he had given regarding the plans of the +Greeks, and mentioning money as having been sent him in reward for his +services. The Greek generals at once ordered a search to be made in the +tent of Palamedes, and the money being found where it had been hidden by +direction of Ulysses, the unfortunate Palamedes was immediately put to +death as a traitor. + + Palamedes, not unknown to fame, + Who suffered from the malice of the times, + Accused and sentenced for pretended crimes. + + VERGIL. + +It is said that Palamedes was the inventor of weights and measures, and +of the games of chess and backgammon, and that it was he who first +placed sentinels round a camp and gave them a watchword. + +There was another of the Greek princes whose help in the Trojan War was +obtained only by an ingenious trick. This was the famous A-chilʹles. He +was the son of Peleus and Thetis, at whose marriage feast Eris threw the +apple of discord on the table. The prophecy that Thetis would have a son +greater than his father was fulfilled in Achilles, the bravest of the +Greeks at the Trojan War, and the principal hero of Homer's Iliad. + +Thetis educated her son with great care. She had him instructed in all +the accomplishments fitting for princes of those times. When he was an +infant she dipped him in the river Styx, which, it was believed, made it +impossible for any weapon wielded by mortal hands to wound him. But the +water did not touch the child's heel by which his mother held him when +she plunged him in the river, and it was in this part that he received +the wound of which he died. + +Notwithstanding his being dipped in the Styx, Thetis was afraid to let +Achilles go to the Trojan War, for Jupiter had told her that he would be +killed if he took part in it. For this reason, as soon as she heard that +the Grecian princes were gathering their forces, she secretly sent the +youth to the court of Lyc-o-meʹdes, king of the island of Scyʹros. Here +Achilles, dressed like a young girl, resided as a companion of the +king's daughters. But Calʹchas, the soothsayer of the Grecian army, told +the chiefs that without the help of Achilles Troy could not be taken. + + Calchas the wise, the Grecian priest and guide, + That sacred seer, whose comprehensive view, + The past, the present, and the future knew. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Calchas, however, could not tell where Achilles was to be found, and +when they applied to Peleus, he too was unable or unwilling to tell +them. In this difficulty the wily king of Ithaca did good service. After +much inquiry he discovered that Achilles was at Scyros with the king's +daughters. He soon made his way to the island, but here there was a new +difficulty. He had never seen the young prince, and how was he to know +him? But he devised a scheme which proved entirely successful. Equipping +himself as a peddler, he went to the royal palace, exhibiting jewelry +and other fancy articles to attract the attention of the ladies of the +family. He also had some beautiful weapons of war among his wares. + +[Illustration: ACHILLES AT THE COURT OF LYCOMEDES. + +_Painting by Battoni._] + +As soon as he appeared, the maidens gathered about him and began +examining the jewels. But one of the group eagerly seized a weapon, and +handled it with much skill and pleasure. Satisfied that this was the +young prince of whom he was in search, the pretended peddler announced +his name and told why he had come. Achilles, for it was he, gladly +agreed to take part with his countrymen in their great expedition, and +he immediately returned to Phthiʹa, the capital of his father's kingdom +of Thessaly. There he lost no time in making all necessary preparations. +Soon afterwards he sailed for Aulis with the brave Myrʹmi-dons, as his +soldiers were called, accompanied also by his devoted friend and +constant companion, Pa-troʹclus. + + Full fifty ships beneath Achilles' care, + The Achaians, Myrmidons, Hellenians bear; + Thessalians all, though various in their name; + The same their nation, and their chief the same. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the great host, sailed with a +hundred ships from his kingdom of Mycenæ, and his brother Menelaus, +eager for vengeance upon the Trojans, sailed with sixty ships and a +strong force of brave Spartans. + + Great Agamemnon rules the numerous band, + A hundred vessels in long order stand, + And crowded nations wait his dread command. + High on the deck the king of men appears, + And his refulgent arms in triumph wears; + Proud of his host, unrivall'd in his reign, + In silent pomp he moves along the main. + His brother follows, and to vengeance warms, + The hardy Spartans, exercised in arms: + . . . . . . + These, o'er the bending ocean, Helen's cause, + In sixty ships with Menelaus draws. + + POPE, _Iliad_ Book II. + +Among the other great warriors of Hellas who joined the expedition was +Nesʹtor, the venerable king of Pyʹlos, distinguished for his eloquence, +wisdom, and prudence. + + In ninety sail, from Pylos' sandy coast, + Nestor the sage conducts his chosen host. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +The ancients believed that Nestor outlived three generations of men, +which some suppose to have been three hundred years. From this it was a +custom of the ancient Greeks and Romans, when wishing a long and happy +life to their friends, to wish them to live as long as Nestor. + + Experienced Nestor, in persuasion skill'd; + Words, sweet as honey, from his lips distill'd; + Two generations now had pass'd away, + Wise by his rules, and happy by his sway; + Two ages o'er his native realm he reign'd, + And now the example of the third remain'd. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book I. + +The two Ajaxes were also renowned warriors of the Grecian army,--Ajax +Telamon and Ajax O-iʹleus, so called from the names of their fathers. +Telamon was the king of Salamis, to whom, as has been told, Hercules +gave Laomedon's daughter, Hesione. His son Ajax, a man of huge stature +and giant strength, was, next to Achilles, the bravest of all the Greeks +who went to the Trojan War. + + With these appear the Salaminian bands, + Whom the gigantic Telamon commands; + In twelve black ships to Troy they steer their course, + And with the great Athenians join their force. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +Ajax Oileus, king of Loʹcris, was less in stature than his namesake, but +few excelled him in the use of the spear or in swiftness of foot. He +commanded forty ships in the great expedition. + + Fierce Ajax led the Locrian squadrons on, + Ajax the less, Oileus' valiant son; + Skill'd to direct the flying dart aright; + Swift in pursuit, and active in the fight. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II + +Two other valiant warriors, who led eighty ships each to the great +muster, were Diomede, king of Argos, and I-domʹe-neus, king of +Crete,--the "spear-renowned Idomeneus." + + Crete's hundred cities pour forth all her sons. + These march'd, Idomeneus, beneath thy care. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +When at length all the kings and princes were assembled at Aulis, the +vast fleet numbered 1185 ships, according to the account given by Homer. +The total number of men which the ships carried is not known, but it is +probable that it was not less than 100,000, as the largest of the +vessels contained about 120, and the smallest 50 men each. + +Such was the mighty host that Hellas marshaled to punish Troy for the +crime committed by Paris. Before setting out on so important an +expedition the Greek chiefs deemed it proper, according to the custom of +the ancients, to offer sacrifices to the gods, that their undertaking +might have the favor of heaven. Altars were therefore erected, and the +sacred services were carried out in due order. On these occasions +animals--very frequently oxen--were killed, and portions of their flesh +consumed by fire, such sacrifices being supposed to be very pleasing to +the gods. + +While the Grecian chiefs were engaged in their religious ceremonies, the +greater part of the army having already gone aboard the ships, they were +startled at beholding a serpent dart out from beneath one of the altars, +and, gliding along the ground, ascend a plane tree which grew close by. +At the top of the tree was a nest containing eight young birds. The +serpent devoured them, and immediately afterwards seized and devoured +the mother bird, which had been fluttering around the nest. Then +suddenly, before the eyes of the astonished Greeks, the reptile turned +into stone. Amazed at this occurrence, and believing it to have some +connection with their expedition, the assembled chiefs asked the +soothsayer Calchas to explain what it meant. The seer replied, telling +them that it was a sign that the war upon which they were about to enter +would last ten years. + +"For us, indeed," said he, "Jupiter has shown a great sign. As this +serpent has devoured the young of the sparrow, eight in number, and +herself, the mother of the brood, was the ninth, so must we for as many +years wage war, but in the tenth year we shall take the city." + +This story was eloquently told by Ulysses in the Greek camp before Troy, +when in the tenth year of the siege, many of the troops, having grown +weary of the war, desired to return to their homes. + +[Illustration] + + + + +IV. BEGINNING OF THE WAR. + + +The Greek chiefs, nothing daunted by the words of Calchas, now set sail +with their immense fleet. Though the war was to be a long one, they were +encouraged by the prophecy that they were to be the conquerors. + +Their first experience was not very fortunate. They safely crossed the +Ægean Sea, but instead of steering for Troy, the pilots, through either +ignorance or mistake, brought the vessels to the shore on the coast of +Teu-thra'ni-a, a district in the kingdom of Mys'i-a, lying southeast of +Troas. Here the Greeks landed, but they were at once attacked by +Tel'e-phus, the king of that country, who came down upon them with a +strong force, and drove them back to their ships after a battle in which +many of them were killed. They would probably have fared much worse had +it not been for the friendly aid of Bacʹchus, the god of wine. While +Telephus was fighting at the head of his men he tripped and fell over a +vine, which the god had caused to spring up suddenly from the earth at +his feet. As he lay flat on the ground Achilles rushed forward and +severely wounded him with a thrust of his spear. + +The Greeks, however, were obliged to take to the sea, and soon afterward +a great storm arose, which destroyed many of their vessels. Owing to +this misfortune they had to return to Aulis, where they set about +repairing their damaged ships and getting ready to start again. While +the Greeks were thus engaged, they were surprised by the appearance of +King Telephus, who came to their camp to beg Achilles to cure his wound, +an oracle he had consulted having told him that he could be cured only +by the person who had wounded him. + +Achilles was at first unwilling to comply with the request of Telephus, +but Ulysses advised him to do so. Telephus was one of the sons of +Hercules, and it had been decreed that without the help of a son of that +hero Troy could not be taken. Moreover, he was a son-in-law of Priam, +and his country lay close to where the war was to be carried on. For +these reasons Ulysses wished to make him friendly to the Greeks, and so +he persuaded Achilles to cure the Teuthranian king. Achilles did this by +dropping into the wound portions of the rust from the point of his +spear. Telephus was so grateful that he joined the expedition against +Troy, and undertook to pilot the Grecian fleet to the Trojan coast. + +But another difficulty now stood in the way of the Greeks. Their fleet +was once more ready for departure, but the winds were unfavorable. In +ancient times they could not make a sea voyage when the winds were +against them. Their ships were very small, and were moved only by oars +and sails. Homer gives us a good idea of the ancient system of +navigation, where he tells, in the Odyssey, about young Telemachus +setting out on a voyage in search of his father, Ulysses: + + Telemachus went up + The vessel's side, but Pallas first embarked, + And at the stern sat down, while next to her + Telemachus was seated. Then the crew + Cast loose the fastenings and went all on board, + And took their places on the rowers' seats, + While blue-eyed Pallas sent a favoring breeze, + A fresh wind from the west, that murmuring swept + The dark-blue main. Telemachus gave forth + The word to wield the tackle; they obeyed, + And raised the fir-tree mast, and, fitting it + Into its socket, bound it fast with cords, + And drew and spread with firmly twisted ropes + The shining sails on high. The steady wind + Swelled out the canvas in the midst; the ship + Moved on, the dark sea roaring round her keel, + As swiftly through the waves she cleft her way. + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book II. + +For many days the Greek chiefs at Aulis waited for favoring breezes, but +none came. + + "The troops + Collected and embodied, here we sit + Inactive, and from Aulis wish to sail + In vain." + + EURIPIDES (Potter's tr.). + +At last the soothsayer Calchas told them that the easterly winds which +prevented them from sailing were caused by the anger of Di-anʹa. Diana +was the goddess of hunting, and there was one of her sacred groves in +the neighborhood of Aulis. In this grove King Agamemnon went hunting +during the time the ships were being repaired after the storm, and he +killed one of Diana's favorite deer. He even boasted that he was a +greater hunter than Diana herself. This enraged the goddess, and Calchas +said that her anger could be appeased only by the offering up of +Agamemnon's daughter, Iph-i-ge-niʹa, as a sacrifice. + +[Illustration: DIANA HUNTING. + +_Painting by Makart._ (_Fragment_.)] + +The feelings of the father may be easily imagined. He heard the +announcement of the soothsayer with the utmost horror, and he declared +that he would withdraw from the expedition rather than permit his child +to be put to death. But Ulysses and the other princes begged him to +remember that the honor of their country was at stake. They said that if +he should withdraw, the great cause for which they had labored for ten +years would be lost, and the Trojan insult to his own family and to all +Greece would remain unpunished. + +At last Agamemnon consented, and messengers were sent to Mycenæ to bring +Iphigenia to Aulis. The king was even persuaded to deceive his wife, +Clyt-em-nesʹtra. Knowing that she would not allow her daughter to be +taken away for such a purpose, he wrote a letter to the queen, saying +that Iphigenia had been chosen to be the wife of Achilles, and that he +wished the marriage ceremony to be performed before the departure of the +young prince for Troy. + + "I wrote, I seal'd + A letter to my wife, that she should send + Her daughter to Achilles as a bride + Affianc'd." + + EURIPIDES (Potter's tr.). + +Clytemnestra agreed to the proposal, happy at the thought of her +daughter being married to so great a prince as Achilles. Iphigenia +accordingly accompanied the messengers to the Greek camp at Aulis. When +she learned of the terrible fate to which she had been doomed, she threw +herself at her father's feet and piteously implored his protection. But +her tears and entreaties were in vain. The agonized father had now no +power to save her, for the whole army demanded that the will of the +goddess should be obeyed. Preparations for the awful sacrifice were +therefore made, and when everything was ready, the beautiful young +princess was led to the altar. Tennyson, in his "Dream of Fair Women," +has these lines about Iphigenia at Aulis: + + "I was cut off from hope in that sad place, + Which men called Aulis in those iron years: + My father held his hand upon his face; + I, blinded with my tears, + + Still strove to speak: my voice was thick with sighs + As in a dream. Dimly I could descry + The stern, black-bearded kings with wolfish eyes, + Waiting to see me die." + +But Iphigenia was not sacrificed after all. Her innocence excited the +pity even of Diana, and at the last moment the goddess snatched the +weeping maiden away in a cloud, and left in her place a beautiful deer +to be offered up as a sacrifice. She carried the princess off to +Tauʹri-ca, a country bordering the Black Sea, and there Iphigenia +remained for many years, serving as a priestess in Diana's temple. + +The anger of Diana being appeased, favorable winds now began to blow, +and the Greeks again set sail. This time they had a more fortunate +voyage. Piloted by Telephus, the fleet crossed the Ægean Sea, and safely +reached the coast of Troas. But here Calchas made another discouraging +prophecy. He declared that the first Greek who stepped on Trojan soil +would be killed in the first fight with the enemy. This the oracle at +Delphi had also foretold. There was some hesitation, therefore, about +landing, for the army of King Priam was ranged along the beach prepared +for battle with the invaders. + +This was the occasion of an heroic act by Pro-tes-i-laʹus, king of +Phylʹa-ce in Thessaly, who boldly leaped ashore as soon as the vessels +touched the land. The prediction of Calchas was soon fulfilled. +Protesilaus was struck dead in the first fight by a spear launched by +the hands of the Trojan leader, Hector. The bravery of the Thessalian +king, and the grief of his queen, La-od-a-miʹa, when she heard of his +death, have been much celebrated in song and story. + + Protesilaus the brave, + Who now lay silent in the gloomy grave: + The first who boldly touch'd the Trojan shore, + And dyed a Phrygian lance with Grecian gore; + There lies, far distant from his native plain; + And his sad consort beats her breast in vain. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +Laodamia in her sorrow prayed to the gods that she might see her husband +again on earth. Jupiter heard her prayer, and he ordered Mercury to +conduct Protesilaus from Hades, the land of the dead, to Thessaly, to +remain with Laodamia for the space of three hours. + +Laodamia was happy for the brief time allowed her to enjoy again the +companionship of her beloved Protesilaus, and she listened with pride to +the story of his brave deed on the Trojan shore. + + "Thou know'st, the Delphic oracle foretold + That the first Greek who touched the Trojan strand + Should die; but me the threat could not withhold: + A generous cause a victim did demand; + And forth I leapt upon the sanely plain; + A self-devoted chief--by Hector slain." + + WORDSWORTH, _Laodamia_. + +But the happy moments flew swiftly by, and when the three hours had +passed, Mercury returned to take the hero back to the world of shades. +The parting was too much for the fond Laodamia. She died of grief as her +husband disappeared from her sight. + +Protesilaus was buried on the Trojan shore, and around his grave, it is +said, there grew very wonderful trees. These trees withered away as +soon as their tops reached high enough to be seen from the city of Troy. +Then fresh trees sprang up from their roots, and withered in like manner +when they reached the same height, and so this marvelous growth and +decay continued for ages. + + Upon the side + Of Hellespont (such faith was entertained) + A knot of spiry trees for ages grew + From out the tomb of him for whom she died; + And ever, when such stature they had gained + That Ilium's walls were subject to their view, + The trees' tall summits withered at the sight; + A constant interchange of growth and blight! + + WORDSWORTH, _Laodamia_. + +The heroic act of Protesilaus was the beginning of the great war. Before +he fell himself he slew many of the enemy, and hosts of his countrymen, +encouraged by his example, poured from their ships and encountered the +Trojans in fierce conflict. In this first battle the Greeks were +victorious. Though Hector and his brave troops fought valiantly they +were driven back from the shore, and compelled to take refuge within the +strong walls of the city. + +The Trojans were well prepared for the war. King Priam had not been idle +while the Greek leaders were mustering their forces. From all parts of +his kingdom he had gathered immense supplies of provisions, and the +princes and chiefs of Troas came with large armies to defend their king +and country. The most celebrated of these chiefs was the hero Æ-neʹas, +son of An-chiʹses and the goddess Venus. He commanded the Dardanian +forces, and had as his lieutenants the two brave warriors, Acʹa-mas and +Ar-chilʹo-chus. + + Divine Æneas brings the Dardan race. + Archilochus and Acamas divide + The warrior's toils, and combat by his side. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +The Trojans had numerous and powerful allies. Troops were sent to them +from the neighboring countries of Phrygia, Mysia, Lycʹi-a and Caʹri-a. +The Lycian forces were led by Sar-peʹdon, a son of Jupiter, and a +renowned warrior. + + A chief, who led to Troy's beleaguer'd wall + A host of heroes, and outshined them all. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +But the greatest of the heroes who defended Troy, and, with the +exception of Achilles, the greatest and bravest of all who took part in +the Trojan War, was the famous Hector. + + The boast of nations, the defense of Troy! + To whom her safety and her fame she owed; + Her chief, her hero, and almost her god! + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +So long as Hector lived Troy was safe. When he died, his great rival, +Achilles, by whose hand he was slain, rejoiced with the Greeks as if +Troy had already fallen. + + "Ye sons of Greece, in triumph bring + The corpse of Hector, and your pæans sing. + Be this the song, slow-moving toward the shore, + 'Hector is dead, and Ilion is no more.'" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +But though led by the great Hector, the Trojans, after their first +defeat, were unable to keep up the fight in the open field against the +vast numbers of the Greeks. Seeing, therefore, that they must depend for +safety on the strong walls which Neptune had built, they drew all their +forces into the city, leaving the enemy in possession of the surrounding +country. + +Then the famous siege of ten years began. The Greeks hauled their ships +out of the water, and fixed them on the beach in an upright position +supported by props. Close to the vessels, on the land side, they erected +their tents, which extended in a long line, one wing, or end, of which +was guarded by Achilles, and the other by Ajax Telamon. Between this +encampment and the walls of Troy--a distance of three or four +miles--many a fierce conflict took place, and many a brave warrior fell +during the great contest. For the Trojans, headed by Hector or some +other of their chiefs, often came out from the city through the +principal gate, called the Scæʹan Gate, which faced the Grecian camp, +and fought the enemy in the open plain, on the bank of the celebrated +river Simois. + + And from the walls of strong-besieged Troy, + When their brave hope, bold Hector, march'd to field, + Stood many Trojan mothers, sharing joy + To see their youthful son's bright weapons wield; + And to their hope they such odd action yield, + That through their light joy seemed to appear, + Like bright things stain'd, a kind of heavy fear. + + And from the strond of Dardan, where they fought, + To Simois' reedy banks the red blood ran, + Whose waves to imitate the battle sought + With swelling ridges; and their ranks began + To break upon the galled shore, and then + Retire again, till, meeting greater ranks, + They join and shoot their foam at Simois' banks. + + SHAKESPEARE, _Lucrece_. + + + + +V. THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. + + +For over nine years the siege was carried on without one side or the +other gaining any important victory. The Trojans were protected by their +walls, which the Greeks were unable to break down, for the ancients had +no such powerful engines of war as those used in armies of the present +day. The strongest buildings may now be easily destroyed by cannon; but +in those days they had no cannon or gunpowder or dynamite. Success in +war in ancient times depended almost entirely on the bravery of the +soldiers or on strategy and artifice, in which, as we shall see, the +king of Ithaca was much skilled. + +The Greek and Trojan warriors fought with swords, axes, bows and arrows, +and javelins, or long spears tipped with sharp iron points. Sometimes +they used huge stones which the heroes hurled at the foe with the full +strength of their powerful arms. They had shields of circular or oval +shape, which they wore on the arm to ward off blows, and which could be +moved at pleasure so as to cover almost any part of the body. Their +chests were protected by corselets or breastplates made of metal, and +metal greaves, or boots, incased their legs from the knees to the feet. +On their heads they wore helmets, usually of brass. + +The chiefs fought in chariots, from which they darted their spears at +the enemy with such force and so true an aim as to wound or kill at a +considerable distance. The chariots were two-wheeled, open at the back, +and often drawn by three horses. They usually carried two warriors, both +standing, and the charioteer, or driver, was generally the companion or +friend, and not the servant, of the fighters who stood behind him. +Sometimes the warriors came down from their chariots and fought hand to +hand at close quarters with the enemy. The common soldiers always fought +on foot. There were no horse soldiers. + +But in the Trojan War success or defeat did not always depend on the +bravery of the soldiers or on the skill or strategy of the generals. +Very much depended on the gods. We have seen how those divine beings had +to do with the events that led to the war. We shall also see them taking +part in the battles, sometimes giving victory to one side and sometimes +to the other. The Trojan War was in fact as much a war of the gods as of +men, and in Homer's story we find Jupiter and Juno and Apollo and +Neptune and Venus and Minerva mentioned almost as frequently as the +Greek and Trojan heroes. In the beginning of the Iliad we find Apollo +sending a plague among the Greeks because of an insult offered to his +priest, Chryʹses; for the daughter of Chryses, a beautiful maiden named +Chry-seʹis, was carried off by Achilles after the taking of Theʹbe, a +town of Mysia. + +During the long siege the Grecian chiefs extended the war into the +surrounding districts. While part of their forces was left at the camp +to protect the ships and keep the Trojans cooped up within their walls, +expeditions were sent out against many of the towns of Troas, or of the +neighboring countries which were allies and supporters of Troy. When the +Greeks captured a town they carried off not only the provisions and +riches it contained, but also many of its inhabitants, whom they sold as +slaves, according to the custom of the time, or kept as slaves in their +own service. In one of these expeditions Priam's youngest son, +Troʹi-lus, the hero of Shakespeare's play of "Troilus and Cresʹsi-da," +was slain by Achilles. + +It was in the tenth year of the war that Thebe was taken, and the maiden +Chryseis was captured. About the same time the town of Lyr-nesʹsus was +seized by an expedition, also led by Achilles, and among the prisoners +was a beautiful woman named Bri-seʹis. In the division of the spoils +among the chiefs, Chryseis fell to the share of Agamemnon, and the +maiden Briseis was given to Achilles, who took her to his tent with the +intention of making her his wife. But the priest Chryses was deeply +grieved at the taking away of his daughter, and he came to the Grecian +camp to beg the chiefs to restore her to him. In his hand he bore a +golden scepter bound with fillets, or green branches, the emblems of his +priestly office, and he also carried with him valuable gifts for King +Agamemnon. Being admitted to the presence of the warrior chiefs +assembled in council, he begged them to release his child. + + He sued to all, but chief implored for grace + The brother-kings, of Atreus' royal race. + "Ye kings and warriors! may your vows be crown'd, + And Troy's proud walls lie level with the ground. + May Jove restore you when your toils are o'er + Safe to the pleasures of your native shore. + But, oh! relieve a wretched parent's pain, + And give Chryseis to these arms again." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Hearing the prayer of the venerable priest, many of the chiefs were +moved to pity, and they advised that his request should be granted, but +Agamemnon angrily refused. + +[Illustration: APOLLO. + +_Berlin Museum._] + + + He dismissed + The priest with scorn, and added threatening words:-- + "Old man, let me not find thee loitering here, + Beside the roomy ships, or coming back + Hereafter, lest the fillet thou dost bear + And scepter of thy god protect thee not. + This maiden I release not till old age + Shall overtake her in my Argive home, + Far from her native country." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Chryses then departed from the Grecian camp, and as he returned home in +sorrow, walking along the shores of the sea, he prayed to Apollo to +punish the insult thus offered to his priest. + + "O Smintheus! if I ever helped to deck + Thy glorious temple, if I ever burned + Upon thy altar the fat thighs of goats + And bullocks, grant my prayer, and let thy shafts + Avenge upon the Greeks the tears I shed." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Apollo heard the prayer of Chryses, and he sent a deadly plague upon the +Grecian army. With his silver bow, every clang of which was heard +throughout the camp, the archer god darted his terrible arrows among the +Greeks, smiting them down in great numbers. + + He came as comes the night, + And, seated from the ships aloof, sent forth + An arrow; terrible was heard the clang + Of that resplendent bow. At first he smote + The mules and the swift dogs, and then on man + He turned the deadly arrow. All around + Glared evermore the frequent funeral piles. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +For nine days the arrows of death were sent upon the Greek army, and the +funeral piles of the victims were continually burning, for it was the +custom in those times to burn the bodies of the dead. On the tenth day +of the plague Achilles called a council of the chiefs to consider how +the anger of the god might be appeased, and he spoke before them, +saying: + +"Let us consult some prophet or priest who will tell us why Phœbus +Apollo is so much enraged with us, and whether he may, when we shall +have offered sacrifices upon his altar, take away this pestilence which +is destroying our people." + +Then Calchas, the soothsayer, arose and said: + +"O Achilles, I can tell why the god is wroth against us, and willing I +am to tell it, but perhaps I may irritate the king who rules over all +the Argives, and in his anger he may do evil to me. Promise me, +therefore, your protection, and I will declare why this plague has come +upon the Greeks." + +"Fear nothing, O Calchas," answered Achilles. "While I am alive not one +of all the Greeks, not even Agamemnon himself, shall harm you." + + "Fear nothing, but speak boldly out whate'er + Thou knowest, and declare the will of heaven. + For by Apollo, dear to Jove, whom thou, + Calchas, dost pray to, when thou givest forth + The sacred oracles to men of Greece, + No man, while yet I live, and see the light + Of day, shall lay a violent hand on thee." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Thus encouraged, Calchas announced to the chiefs that Apollo was angry +because his priest had been dishonored and insulted by Agamemnon. This +was why the people were perishing, and the wrath of the god could be +appeased only by restoring Chryseis to her father, and sending a hundred +victims to be offered in sacrifice to the god. Upon hearing these words +Agamemnon was filled with anger against Calchas. + +"Prophet of evil," he exclaimed, "never have you spoken anything good +for me. And now you say I must give up the maiden. I shall do so, since +I wish not the destruction of the people, but another I must have, for +it is not fitting that I alone of all the Argives shall be without a +prize." + +To this Achilles answered that there was no prize just then that +Agamemnon could have. "How can we give you a prize," said he, "since +all the spoils have already been divided? We cannot ask the people to +return what has been given to them. Be satisfied then to let the maiden +go. When we have taken the strong city of Troy we will compensate you +fourfold." + +"Not so," replied Agamemnon. "If the Greeks give me a suitable prize, I +shall be content, but if not, I will seize yours or that of Ajax or +Ulysses. This matter, however, we will attend to afterwards. For the +present let the maid be sent back to her father, that the wrath of the +Far-darter may be appeased." + +At this Achilles was very angry, and he said: + +"Impudent and greedy man, how can the Greeks fight bravely under your +command? As for me, I did not come here to make war against the Trojans +because of any quarrel of my own. The Trojans have done no wrong to me. +It is to get satisfaction for your brother we have come here in our +ships, and we do most of the fighting while to you is given most of the +spoils. But now I will return home to Phthia. Perhaps you will then have +little treasure to share." + +Greatly enraged at this speech, Agamemnon replied in wrathful words: "Go +home, by all means, with your ships and your Myrmidons. Other chiefs +there are here who will honor me, and I care not for your anger." + + "Thus, in turn, + I threaten thee; since Phœbus takes away + Chryseis, I will send her in my ship + And with my friends, and, coming to thy tent, + Will bear away the fair-cheeked maid, thy prize, + Briseis, that thou learn how far I stand + Above thee, and that other chiefs may fear + To measure strength with me, and brave my power." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Furious at this threat, Achilles put his hand to his sword with the +intention of slaying Agamemnon, and he had half drawn the weapon from +its scabbard, but just at that moment the goddess Minerva stood behind +him and caught him by his yellow hair. She had been sent down from +heaven by Juno to pacify the hero, for Juno and Minerva were friendly to +the Greeks. Ever since the judgment on Mount Ida they hated Paris, and +the city and country to which he belonged, and therefore they wished +that there should be no strife amongst the Greek chiefs, which would +prevent them from taking and destroying the hated city. + +Achilles was astonished when he beheld the goddess, who appeared to him +alone, being invisible to all the rest. He instantly knew who she was, +and he said to her: "O goddess, have you come to witness the insolence +of the son of Atreus? You shall also witness the punishment I shall +inflict upon him for his haughtiness." + +But Minerva spoke soothing words to the hero: + + "I came from heaven to pacify thy wrath, + If thou wilt heed my counsel. I am sent + By Juno the white-armed, to whom ye both + Are dear, who ever watches o'er you both. + Refrain from violence; let not thy hand + Unsheath the sword, but utter with thy tongue + Reproaches, as occasion may arise, + For I declare what time shall bring to pass; + Threefold amends shall yet be offered thee, + In gifts of princely cost, for this day's wrong. + Now calm thy angry spirit, and obey." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Thus Minerva spoke, and Achilles, answering her, said: "Willingly, O +goddess, shall I observe your command, though in my soul much enraged, +for so it is better, since the gods are ever favorable to those who obey +them." + +So speaking he put his sword back into its scabbard, while the goddess +swiftly returned to Olympus. Then the hero again addressed Agamemnon in +bitter words, and he took a solemn oath on the scepter he held in his +hand, that he would refuse to help the Greeks when they next should seek +his aid for battle with the Trojans. + + "Tremendous oath! inviolate to kings; + By this I swear:--when bleeding Greece again + Shall call Achilles, she shall call in vain." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book I. + +The venerable Nestor then arose to speak, and he begged the two chiefs +to cease quarreling with each other, for the Trojans, he said, would +greatly rejoice to hear of strife between the bravest men of the Greeks. +He advised Achilles, though of a goddess-mother born, not to contend +against his superior in authority, and he entreated Agamemnon not to +dishonor Achilles, the bulwark of the Greeks, by taking away the prize +which had been allotted to him. + + "Forbid it, gods! Achilles should be lost, + The pride of Greece, and bulwark of our host." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book I. + +But the wise Nestor advised and entreated in vain. Agamemnon would not +yield from his purpose of taking away the prize of Achilles, and so the +council of the chiefs came to an end. + + Rising from that strife of words, the twain + Dissolved the assembly at the Grecian fleet. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +[Illustration: ACHILLES DEPRIVED OF BRISEIS. + +_Drawn by Hubbell._] + +Immediately afterwards, by order of the king, the maiden Chryseis was +conducted to her father's home, and sacrifices were offered to Apollo. +The anger of the god being thus appeased, the army was relieved from +the plague. Then Agamemnon proceeded to carry out his threat against +Achilles. Calling two of his officers, or heralds, Tal-thybʹi-us and +Eu-rybʹa-tes, he commanded them thus: + + "Go ye to where Achilles holds his tent, + And take the fair Briseis by the hand, + And bring her hither. If he yield her not, + I shall come forth to claim her with a band + Of warriors, and it shall be worse for him." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Achilles received the heralds respectfully. He had no blame for them, +since they were but messengers. Nor did he refuse to obey the command of +the king. He delivered Briseis to the heralds, and they conducted her to +the tent of Agamemnon. Thus was committed the deed which brought +countless woes upon the Greeks, for Achilles, in deep grief and anger, +vowed that he would no more lead his Myrmidons to battle for a king who +had so dishonored and insulted him. + +"Let these heralds," said he, "be the witnesses before gods and men of +the insult offered to me by this tyrant king, and when there shall be +need of me again to save the Greeks from destruction, appeal to me shall +be in vain." + +Such was the origin of the wrath of Achilles, which is the subject of +Homer's Iliad. The Iliad is not a complete story of the Trojan War, but +an account of the disasters which happened to the Greeks through the +anger of Achilles. The poem, indeed, relates the events of only +fifty-eight days, but they were events of the highest interest and they +were very numerous. It is remarked by Pope that the subject of the Iliad +is the shortest and most single ever chosen by any poet. Yet Homer has +supplied a vaster variety of incidents, a greater number of councils, +speeches, battles, and events of all kinds, than are to be found in any +other poem. + +The Iliad begins with the wrath of Achilles, which in the first line of +the first book is announced as the poet's theme: + + Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring + Of woes unnumber'd, heavenly goddess, sing! + That wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign + The souls of mighty chiefs untimely slain; + Whose limbs unburied on the naked shore, + Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore: + Since great Achilles and Atrides strove, + Such was the sovereign doom, and such the will of Jove! + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book I. + +The heavenly goddess here invoked was Calliʹope, the patroness of epic +song, and one of the nine Muses. These were sister deities, daughters of +Jupiter, who presided over poetry, science, music, and dancing. Apollo, +as god of music and the fine arts, was their leader. They held their +meetings on the top of Mount Par-nas'sus in Greece. On the slope of this +mount was the celebrated spring or fountain of Cas-taʹli-a, whose waters +were supposed to give the true poetic spirit to all who drank of them. + +The epic poets usually began their poems by invoking the aid of the +Muse. Homer does this in the very first line of the Iliad, the word for +word translation of which is: "O goddess, sing the wrath of Achilles, +the son of Peleus." + +So also the English poet, Milton, begins his great epic poem, "Paradise +Lost," which tells about the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden +of Eden: + + Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit + Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste + Brought death into the world, and all our woe, + With loss of Eden, till one greater Man + Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, + _Sing, heavenly Muse_, that, on the secret top + Of Oreb or of Sinai, didst inspire + That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed + In the beginning how the heavens and earth + Rose out of Chaos; or, if Sion hill + Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd + Fast by the oracle of God, _I thence_ + _Invoke thy aid_ to my advent'rous song. + + + + +VI. THE DREAM OF AGAMEMNON. + + +Very soon great evils came upon the Greeks because of the strife between +the chiefs. When Chryseis was restored to her father, Apollo stopped the +plague; but the wrong done to Achilles provoked the anger of another +deity. This was Thetis, who, having much power with Jupiter, was able to +persuade him to take up the cause of her injured son. + +For as soon as the heralds departed from his tent, leading away the +fair-cheeked Briseis, Achilles withdrew from his friends, retired to the +seashore, and sitting there alone he bitterly wept, and with +outstretched hands prayed to his mother, Thetis. The goddess heard his +voice, and ascending from the depths of the ocean, where she dwelt in +the palace of her aged father, Nereus, she sat down beside the hero, and +soothing him with her hand, she inquired the cause of his distress. "Why +do you weep, my son? What grief has come upon thy mind?" + +Then Achilles related to his mother what Agamemnon had done, and he +begged her to go to Mount Olympus and entreat Jupiter to punish the +insult that had been offered to her son. He spoke of the service she had +done for Jupiter long before, when Juno, Neptune, and Minerva had made a +plot to bind him, and cast him from the throne of heaven. They might +have succeeded in doing this if Thetis had not called Briʹa-reus up from +Pluto's kingdom to help Jupiter. Briareus was a mighty giant who had a +hundred hands, and his appearance in Olympus so terrified the +conspirators that they did not attempt to carry out their wicked plot. + +"Now," said Achilles to his mother, "remind Jupiter of this, and beg him +to aid the Trojans and give them victory in battle, so that Agamemnon +may feel the effects of his folly in dishonoring me." + + "Ascend to heaven and bring thy prayer to Jove, + If e'er by word or act thou gav'st him aid. + For I remember, in my father's halls + I often heard thee, glorying, tell how thou, + Alone of all the gods, didst interpose + To save the cloud-compeller, Saturn's son, + From shameful overthrow, when all the rest + Who dwell upon Olympus had conspired + To bind him,--Juno, Neptune, and with them + Pallas Athene. Thou didst come and loose + His bonds, and call up to the Olympian heights + The hundred-handed, whom the immortal gods + Have named Briareus." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Thetis readily consented to do as her son desired. + +"Not now, however!" said she, "for yesterday Jupiter went to +E-thi-oʹpi-a to a banquet, and all the gods went with him. But in twelve +days he will return. Then I will go to Olympus and tell your words to +thunder-delighting Jove, and I think I shall be able to persuade him to +grant your request." + + "Thou, meanwhile, abide + By thy swift ships, incensed against the Greeks, + And take no part in all their battles more." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Thetis did not forget her promise. On the twelfth day, at the dawn of +morning, she emerged from beneath the waves, and went up to Olympus. +There she threw herself at the feet of Jupiter, as he sat on the summit +of the mount apart from the other gods, and earnestly prayed him to +grant victory to the Trojans until the Greeks should make amends to her +son for the injury that had been done him. + +Now it may seem that it was not just to ask that the whole Greek army +should be punished for the act of their general. But the other chiefs +and their people were hardly less to blame than Agamemnon, for they did +not try to prevent him from doing the wrong. If they had opposed him +very much, he would not perhaps have dared to insult their greatest +warrior, the man without whose help they knew Troy could not be taken. +Therefore Thetis begged Jupiter to punish all the Greeks by giving +victory to the Trojans. + + "O Jupiter, my father, if among + The immortals I have ever given thee aid + By word or act, deny not my request. + Honor my son whose life is doomed to end + So soon; for Agamemnon, king of men, + Hath done him shameful wrong: he takes from him + And keeps the prize he won in war. But thou, + Olympian Jupiter, supremely wise, + Honor him thou, and give the Trojan host + The victory, until the humbled Greeks + Heap large increase of honors on my son." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +Jupiter hesitated for some time before consenting to grant the prayer of +Thetis. + +"This," said he, "is a serious matter, for by doing as you desire I may +give offense to Juno, who has already been blaming me among the gods, +saying that I aid the Trojans in battle. However, since you will have it +so, I shall grant your request." + + "And that thou + Mayst be assured, behold, I give the nod; + For this, with me, the immortals know, portends + The highest certainty; no word of mine + Which once my nod confirms can be revoked, + Or prove untrue, or fail to be fulfilled." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +The awful nod was then given, and mighty Olympus trembled. Thetis, +rejoicing at the success of her mission, departed from the heavenly +regions and plunged into the depths of the sea, while Jupiter went to +his golden palace where the other gods were sitting around the +banqueting table. As he entered all rose up to do him honor, and met him +as he advanced to his throne. But his talk with Thetis had not escaped +the notice of Juno, and suspecting what it was about, she addressed her +spouse in harsh words. + +"Thou art ever," said she, "plotting secret things apart from me, and +now I greatly fear that the silver-footed Thetis has persuaded thee to +do some evil to the Greeks." + + "Thou hast promised her, I cannot doubt, + To give Achilles honor and to cause + Myriads of Greeks to perish by their fleet." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book I. + +"You are always suspecting," answered Jupiter, "but now it will avail +you nothing. Even though I have done what you say, such is my sovereign +pleasure. Be silent, and sit down in peace, and take care not to provoke +my anger." + +[Illustration: JUNO. + +_National Museum, Naples._] + +At this point Vulcan interfered, entreating his mother, Juno, to submit +to the will of almighty Jove; "for," said he, "if the Thunderer wishes +to hurl us from our seats in heaven he can easily do it, since his power +is far greater than that of all the other gods." + +Vulcan then reminded her how she and he had both been punished on a +former occasion for an offense against Jupiter. When Hercules was +returning to Greece from Troy after capturing that city, Juno, who hated +the great hero, caused a storm to be raised in the Ægean Sea, which +drove his ships out of their course and almost destroyed them. That she +might do this without Jupiter knowing it, she contrived to cast him into +a deep sleep. When he awoke and found out what she had done, he was so +angry that he hung her from the heavens by a golden chain, and tied two +heavy iron anvils to her feet. Vulcan tried to loose the chains and set +his mother free, and for this offense Jupiter hurled him from the abode +of the gods. He fell on the island of Lem'nos in the Ægean Sea, but some +of the inhabitants, seeing him descend, caught him in their arms. +Nevertheless, he broke his leg by the fall and was ever afterwards lame. + + How he fell + From heaven they fabled, thrown by angry Jove + Sheer o'er the crystal battlements; from morn + To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve, + A summer's day; and with the setting sun + Dropped from the zenith, like a falling star, + On Lemnos, the Ægean isle. + + MILTON, _Paradise Lost_, Book I. + +After reminding Juno of these things, and restoring peace between her +and the king of heaven, Vulcan took upon himself the office of +cupbearer. He poured nectar into golden goblets and served it round to +the gods and goddesses, all of whom laughed at the sight of the lame god +bustling through the banqueting hall performing the work of Ganymede. +They feasted till sunset, Apollo giving them sweet music from his lyre, +while the goddesses of song accompanied him with their voices. + + Thus the blest gods the genial day prolong, + In feasts ambrosial, and celestial song. + Apollo tuned the lyre; the Muses round + With voice alternate aid the silver sound. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book I. + +When the banquet was over, the gods and goddesses retired to their +palaces,--golden palaces built by Vulcan,--and they sought repose in +sleep. But Jupiter did not sleep, for he was thinking how he might carry +out his promise to Thetis. After much thought he resolved to send a +message to Agamemnon by means of a dream, telling him to lead his +forces at once against Troy, as it was the will of the gods that the +city should now fall into the hands of the Greeks. And so this false +Dream or Lying Spirit was sent on its deceitful errand. It took the form +of the venerable Nestor, and, appearing to Agamemnon while he was +sleeping in his tent, delivered to him the command of Jupiter: + + "Monarch, awake! 'tis Jove's command I bear; + Thou and thy glory claim his heavenly care. + In just array draw forth the embattled train, + Lead all thy Grecians to the dusty plain; + E'en now, O king! 'tis given thee to destroy + The lofty towers of wide-extended Troy." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +As soon as Agamemnon awoke he hastily called a council of the chiefs to +meet at the ships of Nestor. There he told them of the command of Jove, +as sent to him in his dream. All agreed that the divine will should be +obeyed, but Agamemnon, like a prudent general, thought it would be well, +before going to battle, to find out whether the troops, after their +toils of nine years, were still willing to support him in carrying on +the war. With this object he resolved to try the plan of pretending to +them that he had made up his mind to stop the siege and return at once +to Greece. But he directed the chiefs to advise their followers not to +consent to the proposal, and to encourage them to make one more fight +for the honor of their country. Then the heralds summoned the whole army +to assemble, and the vast host gathered together on the plain before the +camp, to listen to the words of their commander. Homer's description of +the muster of the forces on this occasion is very beautiful: + + The sceptred rulers lead; the following host, + Pour'd forth by thousands, darkens all the coast. + As from some rocky cleft the shepherd sees + Clustering in heaps on heaps the driving bees, + Rolling and blackening, swarms succeeding swarms, + With deeper murmurs and more hoarse alarms; + Dusky they spread, a close embodied crowd, + And o'er the vale descends the living cloud. + So, from the tents and ships, a lengthen'd train + Spreads all the beach, and wide o'ershades the plain: + Along the region runs a deafening sound; + Beneath their footsteps groans the trembling ground. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +The whole Greek army being thus assembled, with the exception of the +wrathful Achilles and his Myrmidons, Agamemnon then addressed them, +leaning on his scepter. He told them he now believed that Troy could not +be taken, and that Jupiter, who before promised victory to the Greeks, +now commanded them to return to Argos. + +"Let us therefore," said he, "get ready our ships and hasten to set sail +for our dear native land, where our wives with our beloved children sit +within their dwellings expecting us." The proposal was received with a +loud shout of joy, and the moment the king finished speaking, the vast +multitude began at once to make preparations for launching the vessels +into the sea. + + So was the whole assembly swayed; they ran + With tumult to the ships; beneath their feet + Rose clouds of dust, and each exhorted each + To seize the ships and drag them to the deep. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book II. + +But Juno, from her seat on high Olympus, was watching these movements, +and she resolved that the war against the hated Trojans should not thus +come to an end. She therefore sent Minerva down with a message to +Ulysses. The azure-eyed goddess, as Minerva is often called by Homer, +hastened to the Grecian camp, and approached the Ithacan king, who was +standing near his ships, much grieved at seeing his countrymen preparing +to depart. Minerva addressed him in earnest words, begging him to use +his influence with the Greeks and persuade them not to go. + +"It cannot be," said she, "that you, brave chiefs, will leave to Priam +the glory of victory, and to the Trojans possession of Helen, on whose +account so many of your people have perished, far from their native +land." + +Ulysses knew the voice of the goddess, and promptly he complied with her +request. He went among the ships and talked to the leaders, reminding +them that it was not Agamemnon's wish that they should give up the war, +and entreating them to set an example of courage to their followers. + + "Warriors like you, with strength and wisdom bless'd, + By brave examples should confirm the rest." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +He also spoke to the soldiers, reproving them for their hasty flight, +and bidding them listen to the words of their leaders, who knew better +than they when and how to act. His efforts were successful. As speedily +as they had fled to their ships the Greeks now rushed back, and again +assembled to await the orders of their commander. + + Back to the assembly roll the thronging train, + Desert the ships, and pour upon the plain. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +But there was one evil-minded individual who tried to incite the others +to rebellion. This was Ther-siʹtes, a vulgar brawler, and the ugliest +man in the whole Greek army. + + Of the multitude + Who came to Ilium, none so base as he,-- + Squint-eyed, with one lame foot, and on his back + A lump, and shoulders curving towards the chest; + His head was sharp, and over it the hairs + Were thinly scattered. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book II. + +This ill-conditioned grumbler, as deformed in mind as in body, took much +pleasure in abusing the bravest warriors of the army, particularly +Achilles and Ulysses. But on the present occasion he raised his shrill +voice in words of insult against Agamemnon. "Your tents," cried he to +the king, "are full of money and prizes bestowed upon you by us. Do you +want still more gold, which we by our valor must win for you from the +enemy? If the Greeks were not women instead of men, they would return +home in their ships and leave you here to fight the Trojans. Little +honor and few prizes would you then have!" + + "O ye coward race! + Ye abject Greeklings, Greeks no longer, haste + Homeward with all the fleet, and let us leave + This man at Troy to win his trophies here." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book II. + +Thus did Thersites revile Agamemnon, but his insolent speech brought +speedy punishment upon him. Ulysses, who was close at hand, turned with +angry looks upon the offender and rebuked him in stern language. Then +with his scepter he smote Thersites on the back and shoulders, until he +wept with pain and crouched down upon his seat in fear and trembling. + + Trembling he sat, and shrunk in abject fears, + From his vile visage wiped the scalding tears. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book II. + +All the Greeks laughed heartily at the cowering wretch as he wiped his +face, and they loudly applauded the act of the Ithacan chief. "Surely," +said they, "Ulysses has performed many good deeds, but now he has done +the best thing of all in punishing this foul-mouthed reviler as he +deserved." + +Then Ulysses, taking in his hand the famous scepter of Agamemnon, made +an eloquent speech to the army, Minerva, the azure-eyed, in the +appearance of a herald, having commanded the people to be silent, that +they might hear the words of the wisest of their leaders. It was upon +this occasion that the Ithacan king told the story of the serpent +devouring the birds at Aulis, as already related. Many of the Greeks had +forgotten the marvelous occurrence, and the prediction of Calchas that +in the tenth year of the siege Troy would be taken. Being now reminded +of it, they were filled with fresh hope and courage, for the tenth year +had come, and the end of the contest was not far off, which was to be +for them a great victory, as the soothsayer had declared. "Therefore, +brave Greeks," said Ulysses, after telling the story, "since the +prophecy is so near its fulfillment, let us all remain here until we +have captured the city of Priam." + + He spake, and loud applause thereon ensued + From all the Greeks, and fearfully the ships + Rang with the clamorous voices uttering + The praises of Ulysses, and his words. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book II. + +The venerable Nestor and King Agamemnon then addressed the troops, after +which they all went to their tents and ships to prepare for battle. They +began by making the customary sacrifices to the gods, Agamemnon offered +up a fat ox five years old. Homer fully describes how this was done. +First the king and his chiefs stood around the ox, holding pounded +barley cakes in their upraised hands, and praying to Jupiter to grant +them victory in the approaching battle. After the prayer the ox was +killed, and the carcass cut into pieces. Portions of the flesh were then +burned on leafless billets, while other portions were roasted for the +banquet which followed. + +After the banquet the loud-voiced heralds summoned all the warriors and +their followers to assemble. Immediately they came from their ships and +tents, and then, on the advice of Nestor, there was a review of the +whole army. The azure-eyed Minerva moved amongst them, bearing in her +hand the ægis, or shield of Jupiter, from which hung a hundred golden +fringes, each "worth a hundred oxen in price." She went through the +hosts of the Greeks encouraging them to fight bravely, and so they were +now more eager for battle than to return to their native land. + +It is at this part of his story--the review of the forces--that Homer +gives the remarkable account known as the "Catalogue of the Ships." In +it he tells the names of all the Greek kings and princes and chiefs, the +Grecian states from which they came, and the number of ships which each +brought to the war. To do this was no easy task, and so the poet, before +undertaking it, again seeks the aid of the Muses: + + O Muses, goddesses who dwell on high, + Tell me,--for all things ye behold and know, + While we know nothing and may only hear + The random tales of rumor,--tell me who + Were chiefs and princes of the Greeks; for I + Should fail to number and to name them all,-- + Had I ten tongues, ten throats, a voice unapt + To weary, uttered from a heart of brass,-- + Unless the Muses aided me. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book II. + +The allies and leaders of the Trojans are also named and described in +the "Catalogue of the Ships," for they too were marshaling their forces +within the city. From their walls they had observed the movements of the +Greeks, and, moreover, Jupiter had sent down his swift-footed messenger, +Iʹris, to bid them get ready for battle. The goddess found Priam and +Hector and others of the chiefs of Troy sitting in council, and she told +them of the vast host of the Greeks that was just then marching towards +the city. + + "I have seen many battles, yet have ne'er + Beheld such armies, and so vast as these,-- + In number like the sands and summer leaves. + They march across the plain, prepared to give + Battle beneath the city walls. To thee, + O Hector, it belongs to heed my voice + And counsel. Many are the allies within + The walls of this great town of Priam, men + Of diverse race and speech. Let every chief + Of these array his countrymen for war, + And give them orders for the coming fight." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book II. + +Hector promptly obeyed the command of the goddess. Dismissing the +council, he and the other chiefs at once placed themselves at the head +of their troops and marched forth through the gates into the plain. + + + + +VII. THE COMBAT BETWEEN MENELAUS AND PARIS. + + +The two great armies, now in battle array on the plain before the city +walls, began to advance towards each other. The Trojans moved along with +great clatter, which Homer compares to the noise of flocks of cranes: + + The Trojan host moved on + With shouts and clang of arms, as when the cry + Of cranes is in the air, that, flying south + From winter and its mighty breadth of rain, + Wing their way over ocean. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +The Greeks, on the other hand, advanced in deep silence. + + But silently the Greeks + Went forward, breathing valor, mindful still + To aid each other in the coming fray. + As when the south wind shrouds a mountain-top + In vapors that awake the shepherd's fear,-- + A surer covert for the thief than night,-- + And round him one can only see as far + As one can hurl a stone,--such was the cloud + Of dust that from the warriors' trampling feet + Rose round their rapid march and filled the air. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +As soon as the armies approached each other, almost front to front, +Paris rushed forward from the Trojan lines, and challenged the Greeks to +send their bravest warrior to fight him in simple combat. In appearance +he was beautiful as a god. Over his shoulders he wore a panther's skin. +His weapons were a bow, a sword, and two spears tipped with brass, which +he brandished in his hands. The challenge was speedily answered by +Menelaus, who bounded from his chariot the moment he beheld Paris, +rejoicing that at last the time had come to have revenge on the man who +had so greatly wronged him. + + As a hungry lion who has made + A prey of some large beast--a horned stag + Or mountain goat--rejoices, and with speed + Devours it, though swift hounds and sturdy youths + Press on his flank, so Menelaus felt + Great joy when Paris, of the godlike form, + Appeared in sight, for now he thought to wreak + His vengence on the guilty one, and straight + Sprang from his car to earth with all his arms. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +But when Paris saw who it was that had come forth to fight him, he was +seized with a great fear, and he shrank back into the ranks of his +companions. + + As one who meets within a mountain glade + A serpent, starts aside with sudden fright, + And takes the backward way with trembling limbs. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Though Paris was really a brave man, his feeling of his own guilt and +the sight of Menelaus, whom he had injured, made him a coward for the +moment, and so he fled from before the face of the enraged king of +Sparta. The noble Hector was deeply vexed at seeing his brother's +flight, and in angry words upbraided him for his shameful conduct. + +"Better would it have been," said he, "if you had never been born than +thus to bring disgrace upon us all. Well may the Greeks laugh at finding +that you, whom they supposed to be a hero, possess neither spirit nor +courage. You have brought evil on your father, your city, and your +people, by carrying away a beautiful woman from her husband, yet you now +fear to meet that warrior in battle. The Trojans are but a weak-minded +race, else they would have long since given you the death you deserve." + +Paris admitted that his brother's rebuke was just, and he now declared +that he was willing to meet Menelaus in single combat, Helen and her +treasures to be the prize of the victor. + + "Cause the Trojans and the Greeks + To pause from battle, while, between the hosts, + I and the warlike Menelaus strive + In single fight for Helen and her wealth. + Whoever shall prevail and prove himself + The better warrior, let him take with him + The treasure and the woman, and depart; + While all the other Trojans, having made + A faithful league of amity? shall dwell + On Ilium's fertile plain, and all the Greeks + Return to Argos." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Hector rejoiced at his brother's words, and, immediately going forward +into the center of the open space between the two armies, he spoke in a +loud voice to the Greeks and Trojans, telling them of the proposal which +Paris had made. The brave Menelaus heard the challenge with delight, and +promptly accepted it. + + "Now hear me also,--me whose spirit feels + The wrong most keenly. I propose that now + The Greeks and Trojans separate reconciled, + For greatly have ye suffered for the sake + Of this my quarrel, and the original fault + Of Paris. Whomsoever fate ordains + To perish, let him die; but let the rest + Be from this moment reconciled, and part." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +The Greeks and Trojans were happy at the hope thus offered of a speedy +end to the war. Hector sent for King Priam, that he and Agamemnon and +the other leaders on both sides might declare their approval of the +proposed conditions, and pledge themselves in the presence of both +armies to abide by the result of the combat between the two heroes. Just +then the Trojan monarch was seated on one of the watchtowers of the +walls, looking down on the plain where the great hosts were assembled. +With him were several of his venerable chiefs, now too old to take part +in fighting. + +While they sat there the beautiful Helen came out from the palace to +witness the approaching conflict. She had been told of it by the +messenger Iris, who, descending from heaven, and taking the form of +La-odʹi-ce, one of Priam's daughters, appeared to Helen in her chamber. +There she was busy at her loom, making in golden tapestry a +representation of some of the great events of the war. In those days, as +we read in many parts of Homer, the noblest ladies, even queens and +their daughters, did not think it beneath them to work at spinning and +weaving and other useful occupations, and so Helen was employed when +Iris came to tell her that Paris and Menelaus were about to fight for +her and her treasure. + +[Illustration: HELEN OF TROY. + +_Painting by Lord Leighton._] + +From her spinning Helen rose up and went to the walls to view the +combat. As she came near the place where Priam sat, even the venerable +chiefs were compelled to admire her wondrous beauty. "Fair as the +immortal goddesses she is," said they; "yet much better would it be if +she would return to her own country, and not remain here to bring ruin +upon us and our children." But Priam called to her to sit by his side, +and said to her: + + "No crime of thine our present sufferings draws, + Not thou, but Heaven's disposing will, the cause + The gods these armies and this force employ, + The hostile gods conspire the fate of Troy." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Then King Priam asked Helen to name for him some of the Greek leaders +whom he saw before him, not far from the city walls. + +"Who is that tall and gallant hero," he asked, "who seems like unto a +king? Never have I beheld a man so graceful, nor so venerable." "Revered +and honored father," answered Helen, "would that death had taken me +before I left my husband and home to come with your son hither, but the +Fates did not will it so, therefore am I here. That hero whom you see is +the wide-ruling Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, both a good king and a +brave warrior, and once my brother-in-law." + + "My brother once, before my days of shame, + And oh! that still he bore a brother's name!" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book III. + +"O happy Agamemnon," exclaimed Priam, "fortunate in ruling over so +mighty a host! But who is this other chief, less in height than +Agamemnon, though broader in the shoulders? His arms lie on the ground, +while he himself moves from rank to rank like a thick-fleeced ram which +wanders through a great flock of sheep." + + "The stately ram thus measures o'er the ground, + And, master of the flock, surveys them round." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book III. + +"That," said Helen, "is the wise Ulysses, man of many arts. Though +nursed in a rugged island, yet is he skilled in all kinds of stratagem +and prudent counsel." Ajax and Idomeneus were next noticed by King +Priam,--Ajax the mighty, who overtopped the Argives by his head and +shoulders, and Idomeneus the valiant king of Crete. Helen knew them +well, for she had seen them at her Spartan home. + + "Ajax the great," the beauteous queen replied, + "Himself a host; the Grecian strength and pride. + See! bold Idomeneus superior towers + Amid yon circle of his Cretan powers, + Great as a god! I saw him once before, + With Menelaus on the Spartan shore. + The rest I know, and could in order name; + All valiant chiefs, and men of mighty fame." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book III. + +But at this point the heralds sent by Hector came to tell Priam that he +was wanted on the plain below to approve the terms of the challenge. +Immediately the king, descending from the ramparts, mounted his chariot, +accompanied by his wise counselor, Antenor. They drove through the Scæan +Gate into the space between both armies, and there, with the ceremonies +usual on such occasions, a solemn league was formed between the two +monarchs. First, they mixed in a bowl wine brought by both parties. This +was an emblem of reconciliation. Next, water was poured on the hands of +the kings, after which Agamemnon cut with his dagger hairs from the +heads of three lambs. These were divided among the chiefs on both sides, +so that all might be bound by the pledge about to be made. Then +Agamemnon, stretching forth his hands, prayed thus aloud: + +"O father Jupiter, most glorious, most mighty, and thou, O Sun, who +beholdest all things, and ye rivers, and thou earth, and ye in the +regions of the dead that punish those who swear false oaths, be ye +witnesses of this league. If, on the one hand, Paris slay Menelaus, let +him keep Helen and all her possessions, and let us return home in our +ships. But if, on the contrary, Menelaus slay Paris, let the Trojans +restore Helen and all her treasures, and pay a fine to the Argives such +as may be just." + +Then the lambs were sacrificed, and the kings drank of the mixed wine. +Some of it was also poured on the earth, while the Greeks and Trojans +joined in praying that terrible punishment might be sent upon any person +who should violate the league: + + "Hear, mighty Jove! and hear, ye gods on high! + And may their blood, who first the league confound, + Shed like this wine, disdain the thirsty ground." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Such was the league formed between the kings and chiefs of the two great +armies. Priam then went back to the city, for he could not bear to +witness a conflict in which his son might be slain. Lots were now drawn +to decide which of the warriors should cast his spear first. Paris won, +and immediately the champions, putting on their armor and taking up +their weapons, advanced into the middle of the ground that Hector and +Ulysses had measured out for the combat. + +Then the fight began. Paris hurled his javelin, but Menelaus warded off +the blow with his strong brazen shield. In his turn the Spartan king +poised his long spear for a throw at his enemy. At the same time he +prayed to Jupiter to give him strength and victory: + + "O Sovereign Jove! vouchsafe that I avenge + On guilty Paris wrongs which he was first + To offer; let him fall beneath my hand, + That men may dread hereafter to requite + The friendship of a host with injury." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Then Menelaus cast his spear. It pierced the shield and corselet of +Paris, and might have made a fatal wound had he not bent himself +sideways, and so escaped the full force of the weapon. Instantly +Menelaus rushed forward, sword in hand, and dealt a powerful blow at his +enemy's head. This time Paris was saved by the brazen helmet he wore, +for when Menelaus struck it, the blade of his sword broke in pieces. + +Angry at his ill luck, the Spartan warrior seized his foe by the +horsehair crest of his helmet, and began to drag him towards the Grecian +lines; but at this point Venus came to the aid of her favorite. Standing +unseen beside him, she broke the helmet strap under his chin, and thus +released him from the grasp of the wrathful Menelaus. Then she cast a +thick mist around the Trojan prince, and, carrying him off to the city, +set him down in his chamber, within his own palace. The goddess also +conducted Helen to the palace, from the watchtower in which, after her +conversation with Priam, she had remained to witness the combat on the +plain. As soon as Helen beheld Paris she spoke to him in harsh words: + + "Com'st thou from battle? Rather would that thou + Hadst perished by the mighty hand of him + Who was my husband. It was once, I know, + Thy boast that thou wert more than peer in strength + And power of hand, and practice with the spear, + To warlike Menelaus. Go then now, + Defy him to the combat once again. + And yet I counsel thee to stand aloof, + Nor rashly seek a combat, hand to hand, + With fair-haired Menelaus, lest perchance + He smite thee with his spear and thou be slain." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Meanwhile the Spartan king, furious as a lion, paced up and down the +field searching for Paris, but not even the Trojans could tell where he +was. If he were amongst them they would not have concealed him, for they +loved him not, knowing that he was the cause of all the sufferings which +the long war had brought upon them. + + None of all + The Trojans, or of their renowned allies, + Could point him out to Menelaus, loved + Of Mars; and had they known his lurking-place + They would not for his sake have kept him hid, + For like black death they hated him. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book III. + +Paris having disappeared from the field, the Greeks claimed the victory +for their champion, and Agamemnon called upon the Trojans to give up +Helen and her treasures, in accordance with the conditions of the +league. But the gods did not thus will it. The Fates had decreed the +destruction of Troy, and so the war could not have a peaceful ending. +Besides, the Greeks were doomed to suffer as Jupiter had promised +Thetis, because of the wrong that had been done to Achilles. Therefore, +after the matter had been discussed in a council of the gods in their +golden palace on Olympus, Minerva was sent down to urge the Trojans to +attack the Greeks, so that the league might be broken, and the war +renewed. According to the custom of heavenly messengers in such cases, +the goddess took the form of La-odʹo-cus, son of Antenor. Then, +approaching Panʹda-rus, a famous archer of the Trojan allies, she +persuaded him to aim an arrow at Menelaus. + +"Great honor," she said, "you will have from all the Trojans, if you +slay the son of Atreus, and from Paris you may expect splendid gifts." + +But Minerva, being friendly to the Greeks, did not really wish that +Menelaus should be killed; therefore, when Pandarus bent his bow and +with true aim let fly his arrow, she took care to turn the deadly weapon +aside. + + Pallas assists, and (weakened in its force) + Diverts the weapon from its destined course: + So from her babe, when slumber seals his eye, + The watchful mother wafts the envenom'd fly. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book IV. + +Nevertheless the arrow pierced the Spartan king's belt and made a slight +wound, but the skillful surgeon, Ma-chaʹon, son of the famous physician, +Æsculapius, stanched the blood and applied soothing balsams which his +father had taught him to use. + +The league being thus broken by the treacherous act of Pandarus, both +sides at once prepared for battle. Agamemnon went on foot through his +army, speaking words of praise to the chiefs, whom he found active in +marshaling and encouraging their men. "Father Jupiter," he said, "will +not help those Trojans who have so basely broken their solemn pledges. +When we have taken their city we shall carry away rich spoils in our +ships." Of all the leaders none arranged and directed his troops more +wisely than the venerable Nestor. + + The cavalry with steeds and cars he placed + In front. A vast and valiant multitude + Of infantry he stationed in the rear, + To be the bulwark of the war. Between + He made the faint of spirit take their place, + That, though unwillingly, they might be forced + To combat with the rest. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IV. + +Then he gave strict orders to the charioteers, warning them not to trust +too much to their valor, or rashly advance in front of their comrades. + + "Let no man, too vain of horsemanship, + And trusting in his valor, dare advance + Beyond the rest to attack the men of Troy, + Nor let him fall behind the rest, to make + Our ranks the weaker. Whoso from his car + Can reach an enemy's, let him stand and strike + With his long spear, for 'tis the shrewder way." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IV. + +[Illustration] + + + + +VIII. THE FIRST GREAT BATTLE. + + +[Illustration: _Design by Burne-Jones._] + +Nearly three books of the Iliad are occupied in telling about the battle +that now followed, though it lasted only one day. But it was a fierce +and mighty conflict in which many brave warriors fought and fell. + + For that day + Saw many a Trojan slain, and many a Greek, + Stretched side by side upon the bloody field. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IV. + +All the chiefs of both armies took part in this battle, except Achilles, +who still remained inactive at his ships, "indignant for the sake of the +fair-haired Briseis." The heroes of the day on the Trojan side were +Hector and Æneas. Of the Greeks (also sometimes called A-chaʹians) none +performed so many feats of valor as Diomede (or Diomed), also called +Ty-diʹdes, from the name of his father, Tyʹdeus. He was the particular +favorite of Minerva, who caused a bright light to shine from his shield +and helmet, which made him a striking figure in the field, and very +terrible to the enemy. + + Pallas to Tydides Diomed + Gave strength and courage, that he might appear + Among the Achaians greatly eminent, + And win a glorious name. Upon his head + And shield she caused a constant flame to play, + Like to the autumnal star that shines in heaven + Most brightly when new-bathed in ocean tides. + Such light she caused to beam upon his crest + And shoulders, as she sent the warrior forth + Into the thick and tumult of the fight. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Diomede slew many brave warriors, and often, breaking through the close +ranks of the Trojans, drove them back towards their walls, before he +himself was smitten with an arrow sent flying at him by the archer +Pandarus. The weapon pierced his shoulder right through, and the blood +came streaming down his armor. Then Pandarus shouted to his comrades to +advance, boasting that now the bravest of the Greeks was fatally +wounded. But Diomede prayed to Minerva for aid, and his prayer was +heard. Immediately the goddess appeared and stood beside him, and in an +instant healed his wound. Then she encouraged him, saying: "Henceforth +fight with confidence, O Diomede. I have given you great strength. I +have also removed from your eyes the mortal mists which heretofore were +upon them, so that now you may know gods from men. Beware, however, of +using your weapons against any god, unless Venus should come into the +battle. Her I desire and command you to wound." + +[Illustration: MINERVA. + +_Vatican, Rome._] + +With fresh courage and increased fury Diomede again rushed into the +conflict, striking down a Trojan with every blow of his huge sword. +Æneas, noticing his exploits, hastily sought out Pandarus and begged him +to aim an arrow at the man who was thus destroying their ranks. + +"That man," said Pandarus, "very much resembles the warlike son of +Tydeus, and if it be he, some god is surely at his side to protect him, +for only a little ago I smote him in the shoulder, and I thought I had +sent him to Pluto's kingdom. Of small use it seems is this bow of mine. +Already I have aimed at two chiefs, Menelaus and Diomede, and wounded +both, but I have only roused them the more to heroic deeds." + + "In an evil hour + I took my bow and quiver from the wall + And came to lead the Trojans for the sake + Of Hector. But if ever I return + To see my native country and my wife + And my tall spacious mansion, may some foe + Strike off my head if with these hands I fail + To break my bow in pieces, casting it + Into the flames, a useless weapon now." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book V. + +But Æneas made the great archer try his skill once more. Taking Pandarus +with him in his own chariot, he drove rapidly to where Diomede was +dealing death amongst the Trojans with his terrible sword. Sthenʹe-lus, +the companion and charioteer of Diomede, saw them coming, and he advised +his friend to retreat, and not risk his life in a contest with two such +heroes as Æneas and Pandarus, one the son of a goddess, and the other +excelling all men in the use of the bow. But Diomede sternly refused to +retire from the conflict. Nor would he even consent to mount his chariot +as Sthenelus urged him to do. + +"As I am," said he, "I shall advance against them, for Minerva has made +me fearless. And if it be my fortune to slay both, do you, Sthenelus, +seize the horses of Æneas and drive them into the ranks of the Greeks. +Valuable prizes they will be, for they are of that heavenly breed which +Jupiter gave to King Tros as the price of his son Ganymede." + +But now the chariot of Æneas was close at hand. This time Pandarus used +his spear, which he launched with great force. It struck the shield of +Diomede and, piercing it through, fixed itself in his breastplate. With +a shout of joy Pandarus exclaimed, "Now, I think, I have given you your +death wound." + +"Not so," replied the son of Tydeus, "thou hast missed thy aim, but one +of you, at least, shall die." As he spoke he hurled his lance. Directed +by Minerva, the weapon flew right into the face of the unfortunate +Pandarus, striking him lifeless to the earth. + + Headlong he falls, his helmet knocks the ground; + Earth groans beneath him, and his arms resound. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Instantly Æneas leaped down from his chariot, with his shield and spear, +to defend the body of his heroic comrade against being despoiled by the +Greeks. This was one of the customs of war in those times. When a hero +was slain in battle the enemy carried off his arms and armor as trophies +of victory. But Æneas did his best to protect the corpse of his fallen +friend from being thus dishonored. + + Watchful he wheels, protects it every way, + As the grim lion stalks around his prey. + O'er the fall'n trunk his ample shield displayed, + He hides the hero with his mighty shade, + And threats aloud! the Greeks with longing eyes + Behold at distance, but forbear the prize. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +But Diomede, braver than the rest, took up a great stone and hurled it +at Æneas. + + Not two strong men the enormous weight could raise, + Such men as live in these degenerate days. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book. V. + +It struck the Trojan hero on the hip, tearing the flesh and crushing the +joint. He sank upon his knees, a dark mist covering his eyes. And now +Æneas would have perished by the sword of the furious Diomede had not +his mother, Venus, come quickly to his aid. With her shining robe the +goddess shielded his body, and spreading her arms about him she bore him +away from the battle. Then Sthenelus, not forgetting the bidding of his +friend, rushed forward, and, seizing the fleet steeds of the Dardan +prince, drove them off to the Grecian camp. + +But Diomede went in pursuit of Venus. He had seen and recognized her as +she descended on the field, Minerva having given him power of sight to +know gods from men. The goddess also, as we have seen, commanded him to +wound Venus should she come into the field. Diomede, therefore, when he +had overtaken Venus, as she was bearing away the Trojan hero, thrust at +her with his lance, and pierced the skin of her tender hand. From the +wound out gushed the Iʹchor, as the blood of the gods was called. + + The ichor,--such + As from the blessed gods may flow; for they + Eat not the wheaten loaf, nor drink dark wine; + And therefore they are bloodless, and are called + Immortal. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Crying aloud with pain, the goddess dropped her son from her arms, but +Apollo enveloped him in a thick cloud, thus saving him from the wrath of +the furious Greeks. Meanwhile the swift-footed Iris hastened down from +heaven to the aid of Venus, whom she conducted to where Mars sat on the +left of the battlefield, watching the conflict. At the entreaty of his +wounded sister. + + Mars resigned to her his steeds + With trappings of bright gold. She climbed the car, + Still grieving, and, beside her, Iris took + Her seat, and caught the reins and plied the lash. + On flew the coursers, on, with willing speed, + And soon were at the mansion of the gods + On high Olympus. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book V. + +There the goddess was affectionately received by her mother, Di-oʹne, +who begged her to be patient, reminding her that in times past others of +the gods had suffered by the hands of men. Mars, she said, was chained +in a brazen cell for fifteen months by the giants Oʹtus and +Eph-i-alʹtes, and he would perhaps have perished there but that Mercury +set him free by stealing into the cell, and slipping the chains out of +the rings to which they were fastened. Juno herself, and Pluto, the god +of Hades, were wounded by Hercules. "As for this son of Tydeus," said +Dione, "who has dared to war upon an immortal, he shall be punished for +his crime." + + "The fool! + He knew not that, the man who dares to meet + The gods in combat lives not long. No child + Shall prattling call him father when he comes + Returning from the dreadful tasks of war." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Dione then wiped the ichor from the hand of Venus, and at her touch the +wound healed and the pain ceased. + +Meanwhile, on the plain before Troy Diomede still eagerly pursued Æneas, +though knowing that the hero was under divine protection. Thrice did he +rush on, and thrice did Apollo drive him back, but when he made the +fourth attempt, + + The archer of the skies, Apollo, thus + With menacing words rebuked him: "Diomed, + Beware; desist, nor think to make thyself + The equal of a god. The deathless race + Of gods is not as those who walk the earth." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Diomede shrank back, fearing the wrath of the Far-darter, and Apollo +bore Æneas away, and set him down in his own temple in sacred +Perʹga-mus, the citadel of Troy. There Diana and La-toʹna, the mother of +Apollo, healed his wound and restored his health and strength. Then +Apollo begged Mars to assist the Trojans in the battle, and particularly +to drive from the field the impious son of Tydeus, who had dared to +attack the immortals with his spear, and would now fight even with +Jupiter himself. The god of war consented, and assuming the form of +Acʹa-mas, a Thracian leader, he went through the Trojan ranks +encouraging the chiefs to fight bravely. + + "O sons of Priam, him who claims descent + From Jupiter! how long will ye submit + To see your people slaughtered by the Greeks? + Is it until the battle-storm shall reach + Your city's stately portals?" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +The hero Sarpedon also appealed to Hector, and then the Trojan commander +in chief, leaping from his chariot, and brandishing his javelins, +rushed among his troops exhorting them to battle. + + Terrible + The conflict that ensued. The men of Troy + Made head against the Greeks: the Greeks stood firm, + Nor ever thought of flight. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Soon, however, the Greeks were forced to fall back. Their great chiefs, +Agamemnon and Menelaus, and the two Ajaxes and Ulysses, performed +wondrous deeds of courage, slaying many Trojan warriors. But Minerva had +left the field, and Mars was fighting on the Trojan side. Æneas, too, +had returned to the battle with renewed strength and courage, and Hector +and Sarpedon were in the front, dealing death among the enemy. The +fierce god of war and mighty Hector fought side by side, and they slew +numbers of Argive warriors. + +Such destruction of her beloved Greeks was not pleasing to Juno, who was +watching the conflict from her place on high Olympus, and she begged of +Jupiter to permit her to drive Mars from the battle. Jupiter consented, +but he advised her to intrust that work to Minerva, who had often before +"brought grievous troubles on the god of war." Juno obeyed. Then the two +goddesses, who had already mounted the queen of heaven's own grand +chariot, glittering with gold and silver and brass, set out for the +Grecian camp. + + Eight brazen spokes in radiant order flame; + The circles gold, of uncorrupted frame, + Such as the heavens produce: and round the gold + Two brazen rings of work divine were roll'd. + The bossy naves of solid silver shone; + Braces of gold suspend the moving throne; + The car, behind, an arching figure bore; + The bending concave form'd an arch before. + Silver the beam, the extended yoke was gold, + And golden reins the immortal coursers hold. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Riding in this magnificent chariot, driven by Juno herself, "midway +between the earth and the starry heaven," the goddesses descended upon +the plain of Troy, near where the Simois and the Scamander united their +streams. There they alighted, and cast a dense mist around the chariot +and the steeds to hide them from mortal view. Then they hastened to +where the bravest of the Greek chiefs were standing around the warrior +Diomede, Juno likening herself to the herald Stenʹtor, who had a voice +louder than the shout of fifty men. + + Stentor the strong, endued with brazen lungs, + Whose throat surpass'd the force of fifty tongues. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +Appearing before the Greek chiefs in the form of the loud-voiced +herald, the queen of heaven cried out in words of reproof: + +"Shame upon you, Argives! You are heroes only in name. While the divine +Achilles was with you, fighting at the front, the Trojans dared not +advance beyond their gates, for they dreaded his mighty spear; but now +they are almost at your ships." + +Minerva, too, severely censured Diomede for holding back from the +battle, but the warrior answered that it was by her command that he had +refrained from attacking Mars. "You did not permit me," said he, "to +fight with any of the gods except Venus." + +"Fear not this Mars at all," answered Minerva, "nor any of the +immortals. Come now and direct your steeds against the war god, and I +will be with you." So saying, and putting on her head the helmet of +Pluto, which made any person who wore it invisible, she mounted the +chariot beside the brave Diomede, and, seizing the reins, drove rapidly +to where the fierce Mars was slaying Greek warriors. + +As soon as Mars beheld Diomede approaching, he rushed against him, and +hurled his brazen spear; but Minerva grasped the weapon and turned it +aside from the chariot. Diomede now thrust forward his lance, Minerva +directing it, and adding her strength to give force to the blow. It +pierced the loin of the war god, making a deep wound. + + Mars bellows with the pain: + Loud as the roar encountering armies yield, + When shouting millions shake the thundering field. + Both armies start, and trembling gaze around; + And earth and heaven rebellow to the sound. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book V. + +The wounded god disappeared in a dark cloud, and, quickly ascending to +Olympus, made bitter complaint to Jupiter against Minerva. But the king +of heaven sternly reproved him, saying that he had brought his +sufferings upon himself, for discord and wars were always his delight. +Nevertheless he ordered Pæʹon, the physician of the gods, to heal the +wound, which was immediately done. + +Meanwhile Juno and Minerva returned to Olympus, Mars being removed from +the battlefield. And now the fortune of war began to favor the Greeks. +The Trojans, no longer aided by a god fighting on their side, were +driven back to their walls, and it seemed as if they were about to be +totally defeated. In this perilous situation Helenus, the prophet and +soothsayer, advised his brother Hector to go quickly into the city, and +request their mother, the queen, to call together the matrons of Troy, +and with them to offer up sacrifices and prayers in the temple of +Minerva, begging the help and protection of that goddess. The advice +seemed good to Hector. Leaping from his chariot, he went through the +army bidding the warriors to fight bravely during his absence. Then he +hastened to the city. At the Scæan Gate he was met by crowds of anxious +wives and mothers and daughters, who eagerly inquired for their +husbands, sons, and brothers. + + He admonished all + Duly to importune the gods in prayer, + For woe, he said, was near to many a one. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +Arriving at the royal palace Hector was met by his mother, who offered +him wine to refresh himself with. But the hero would not taste the +liquor. "Do not ask me to drink wine, dear mother," he said, "for it +would enfeeble me, and deprive me of my strength and valor." + + "Inflaming wine, pernicious to mankind, + Unnerves the limbs, and dulls the noble mind." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +Then Hector told his mother why he had come from the field of battle. +She gladly consented to do as her son requested, and so Queen Hecuba and +the matrons of Troy went to the temple of Minerva, and prayed and +offered sacrifices. But the goddess refused to hear their prayers, for +she still hated the Trojans because of the never-forgotten judgment on +Mount Ida. + +Meantime the hero went to the palace of Paris, whom he found in his +chamber, handling and preparing his armor, while Helen sat near him with +her maids, directing their various tasks. Angry at seeing his brother +thus engaged, instead of being in the front of the fight, Hector +reproached him in sharp and bitter words. + +"The people," said he, "are perishing, the conflict rages round the +walls, and all on your account. Arise, then, and act, lest our city soon +be in flames." Paris answered mildly, saying that he deserved his +brother's censure, and promising that he would immediately repair to the +field of battle. + +Hector next proceeded to his own home to visit his dear wife, +An-dromʹa-che, and his infant son; "for I know not," said he, "whether I +shall ever return to them again." Arriving at the palace, he learned +from Andromache's maids that their mistress had just gone towards the +city walls. + + "To the lofty tower of Troy she went + When it was told her that the Trojan troops + Lost heart, and that the valor of the Greeks + Prevailed. She now is hurrying toward the walls. + Like one distracted, with her son and nurse." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +Leaving the palace, Hector hastened through the city, and, arriving at +the Scæan Gate, he there met Andromache and her nurse, the latter +bearing in her arms the infant Sca-man'dri-us. His father had given the +child this name, from the name of the river, but the people called him +As-tyʹa-nax, meaning "city-king." The lines in which Homer describes the +interview which here took place between the noble Hector and his loving +wife, are among the most beautiful of the whole Iliad. Andromache was a +daughter of E-ëʹti-on, king of Thebe, the town from which the maiden +Chryseis was carried away. Eëtion and all his family had been slain, +with the exception of Andromache, who therefore had now neither parents +nor brothers nor sisters. Of this she spoke in touching words, while +entreating Hector to remain within the city and not again risk his life +in battle. + + "Too brave! thy valor yet will cause thy death: + Thou hast no pity on thy tender child, + Nor me, unhappy one, who soon must be + Thy widow. All the Greeks will rush on thee + To take thy life. A happier lot were mine, + If I must lose thee, to go down to earth, + For I shall have no hope when thou art gone,-- + Nothing but sorrow. Father I have none, + And no dear mother. Great Achilles slew + My father when he sacked the populous town + Of the Cilicians,--Thebe with high gates. + Hector, thou + Art father and dear mother now to me, + And brother and my youthful spouse besides. + In pity keep within the fortress here, + Nor make thy child an orphan nor thy wife + A widow." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +Hector was deeply moved by these words, but he could not think of +deserting his brave companions. + + "All this + I bear in mind, dear wife; but I should stand + Ashamed before the men and long-robed dames + Of Troy, were I to keep aloof and shun + The conflict, cowardlike. Not thus my heart + Prompts me, for greatly have I learned to dare + And strike among the foremost sons of Troy, + Upholding my great father's fame and mine; + Yet well in my undoubting mind I know + The day shall come in which our sacred Troy, + And Priam, and the people over whom + Spear-bearing Priam rules, shall perish all." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +But it was not the dark prospect of his country's ruin that grieved the +loving husband so much as the thought that his wife might some day be +carried off as a slave by the conquering Greeks. + + "But not the sorrows of the Trojan race, + Nor those of Hecuba herself, nor those + Of royal Priam, nor the woes that wait + My brothers many and brave,--who all at last, + Slain by the pitiless foe, shall lie in dust,-- + Grieve me so much as thine, when some mailed Greek + Shall lead thee weeping hence, and take from thee + Thy day of freedom. . . . . + O let the earth + Be heaped above my head in death before + I hear thy cries as thou art borne away!" + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +[Illustration: HECTOR PARTING FROM ANDROMACHE. + +_Painting by Maignan._] + +Then Hector stretched out his hands to embrace his son, but the little +fellow shrank back and screamed in fright at the nodding crest on his +father's helmet. Both parents gently smiled, and Hector, taking off his +helmet, and placing it on the ground, kissed his boy, and fondled him in +his arms, praying to the gods that he might become a brave warrior, and +the defender of his country. + + "O Jupiter and all ye deities, + Vouchsafe that this my son may yet become + Among the Trojans eminent like me, + And nobly rule in Ilium. May they say, + 'This man is greater than his father was.'" + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +The parting between the hero and his sorrowing wife was very affecting. +Andromache received the infant from his father's arms, mingling tears +with her smiles as she looked into the face of her child. + + The chief + Beheld, and, moved with tender pity, smoothed + Her forehead gently with his hand and said:-- + "Sorrow not thus, beloved one, for me. + No living man can send me to the shades + Before my time; no man of woman born, + Coward or brave, can shun his destiny. + But go thou home, and tend thy labors there,-- + The web, the distaff,--and command thy maids + To speed the work. The cares of war pertain + To all men born in Troy, and most to me." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VI. + +Then Hector took his helmet from the ground, and Andromache departed for +her home, "oft looking back, and shedding many tears." + +As the hero went out at the Scæan Gate, after taking leave of his wife, +he met Paris, arrayed in his shining armor, and eager to join the +battle. Together they rushed into the plain, and slew many of the enemy. +The goddess Minerva, observing that the battle was going against the +Greeks, quickly descended from the top of Olympus. Apollo, seeing her +from the Trojan citadel, hastened to meet her, and he proposed that they +should now bring the conflict to an end for the day. With this object, +Minerva having consented, they both agreed to cause Hector to challenge +one of the Greek warriors to engage with him in single combat. Helenus, +being a soothsayer, knew the purpose of the gods, and he told his +brother. "But," said he, "you shall not fall in the fight, for it is not +thy fate yet to perish. Thus have the immortal gods spoken, and I have +heard their voice." + +Hector rejoiced at his brother's words, and immediately advancing to the +front of the army he commanded the Trojans to cease fighting. + + He bore his spear, + Holding it in the middle, and pressed back + The ranks of Trojans, and they all sat down. + And Agamemnon caused the well-armed Greeks + To sit down also. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII. + +Then the Trojan chief, standing between the two hosts, spoke in a loud +voice, and challenged the bravest of the Greeks to engage with him in +mortal combat. For a few moments there was silence in the ranks of the +Argives. Even the boldest of them hesitated at the thought of fighting +such a warrior as Hector. At length Menelaus, rising from his seat, +declared that he was ready to accept the challenge, and so he put on his +armor. But Agamemnon held him back, warning him against rashly venturing +into a conflict with a man who was much stronger and braver than he, and +whom every other chief, even Achilles himself, regarded with fear. + +Nestor then arose, and in severe words upbraided his countrymen for +their want of courage. "Would that my frame were unworn with years," he +exclaimed, "then Hector should soon find a foe to meet him; but now +among the bravest of the Achaians there is no one to meet the Trojan +leader in arms." + +The venerable Nestor had no sooner ceased speaking than nine warriors +started to their feet, every one eager for the honor of being permitted +to accept the challenge of Hector. Among them were Agamemnon, the two +Ajaxes, Diomede, and Ulysses. Nestor then proposed that one should be +chosen by lot. This was agreed to, and lots being cast, the honor fell +to Ajax Telamon, the mightiest and most valiant of the Greeks except +Achilles. The hero greatly rejoiced, believing that he would conquer +Hector, and so he quickly put on his armor, and went forward to the +ground marked out for the combat. + + His massy javelin quivering in his hand, + He stood, the bulwark of the Grecian band. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book VII. + +Hector having also taken his place on the ground, the combat began. +First the Trojan chief, brandishing his long spear, hurled it at his +foe. Ajax received it on his shield, which was made of seven folds of +oxhides and an eighth fold of solid brass. Through six of the hides the +weapon of Hector pierced, but it stuck fast in the seventh. + +Then the Grecian champion sent forth his javelin. It passed right +through Hector's shield and corselet, and might have proved fatal, had +the hero not quickly bent aside his body. Again both champions launched +spears, one after the other. This time Hector was slightly wounded in +the neck. Nothing daunted, however, he seized a huge stone which lay at +his feet, and hurled it at Ajax. It struck the hero's shield and the +brass resounded with the blow. Quickly the Argive warrior took up a much +larger stone, and flung it at his antagonist with tremendous force. The +stone crashed through Hector's shield, and, striking him on the knee, +stretched him flat on the ground. But Apollo instantly raised him up, +renewing his strength, and then with their swords the two heroes fell +upon each other, fighting hand to hand. At this point, night having come +on, two heralds, one from the Trojan army, the other from the Greek, +approached the champions, and ordered them to cease fighting, I-daeʹus, +the Trojan herald, giving the command in a loud voice: + + "Cease to contend, dear sons, in deadly fray; + Ye both are loved by cloud-compelling Jove, + And both are great in war, as all men know. + The night is come; be then the night obeyed." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII. + +Ajax answered that as it was Hector who gave the challenge, it was for +him first to speak of truce. Hector replied, speaking words of praise +and admiration for his antagonist, and saying that they should now cease +from battle for the day. + + "Since, then, the night extends her gloomy shade, + And heaven enjoins it, be the night obey'd. + Return, brave Ajax, to thy Grecian friends, + And joy the nations whom thy arm defends; + But let us, on this memorable day, + Exchange some gift: that Greece and Troy may say + 'Not hate, but glory, made these chiefs contend; + And each brave foe was in his soul a friend.'" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book VII. + +Then Hector gave Ajax a silver-studded sword with scabbard, and Ajax +presented to Hector a belt of rich purple. Thus ended the terrible +conflict which had raged throughout the day, and the two heroes retired, +each joyfully welcomed by his comrades and friends. + + Then they both departed,--one + To join the Grecian host, and one to meet + The Trojan people, who rejoiced to see + Hector alive, unwounded, and now safe + From the great might and irresistible arm + Of Ajax. Straightway to the town they led + Him for whose life they scarce had dared to hope. + And Ajax also by the well-armed Greeks, + Exulting in his feats of arms, was brought + To noble Agamemnon. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII. + + + + +IX. THE SECOND BATTLE--EXPLOIT OF DIOMEDE AND ULYSSES. + + +Before the Greek leaders retired to rest for the night, they held a +council in the tent of Agamemnon, at which they resolved to perform +funeral rites, early in the morning, in honor of their comrades who had +been slain in the battle. They also resolved, on the advice of Nestor, +to build a strong wall and dig a deep trench in front of their camp, +that their ships might be secure against the attacks of the enemy. + +The Trojan chiefs, too, held a council. They were discouraged by their +losses in the battle, and many of them thought that they could not now +succeed in the war, because of the treacherous act of Pandarus in +breaking the league. The wise Antenor was of this opinion, and in his +speech at the council he advised that Helen and her treasures should be +given up to the Greeks. + + "Send we the Argive Helen back with all + Her treasures; let the sons of Atreus lead + The dame away; for now we wage the war + After our faith is broken, and I deem + We cannot prosper till we make amends." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII. + +But Paris would not agree to this. He was willing to give up Helen's +treasures, and to give treasure of his own as compensation to the +Greeks, but he would not consent to restore Helen herself. King Priam +weakly gave way to his son, and ordered that a herald should be sent to +the Greek leaders to tell them of the offer of Paris, and to request +that fighting should not be resumed until the dead should be taken from +the battlefield, and funeral services performed. + +Accordingly the Trojan herald Idæus went next morning to the tent of +Agamemnon. There he found the Argive chiefs assembled. Upon hearing his +message, they scornfully rejected the terms proposed by Paris, but they +agreed to a truce for the funeral ceremonies. Idæus returned to the +city, and told the Trojan leaders of the answer he had received. Both +Greeks and Trojans then began collecting their dead from the field and +building great piles of wood, or pyres, to burn the bodies upon. + + All wailing, silently they bore away + Their slaughtered friends, and heaped them on the pyre + With aching hearts, and, when they had consumed + The dead with fire, returned to hallowed Troy. + The nobly-armed Achaians also heaped + Their slaughtered warriors on the funeral pile + With aching hearts; and when they had consumed + Their dead with fire they sought their hollow ships. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII. + +Before dawn next morning the Greeks set about building a wall and +digging a trench on the side of their camp facing Troy, as Nestor had +advised. They finished the work in one day, and a mighty work it was. +The wall was strengthened with lofty towers, and the gates were so large +that chariots could pass through. The trench was broad and deep, and on +the outer edge it was defended by strong, sharp stakes. The gods, +looking down from Olympus, admired these labors, but Neptune, much +displeased, made bitter complaint to Jupiter: + + "Now will the fame + Of this their work go forth wherever shines + The light of day, and men will quite forget + The wall which once we built with toiling hands-- + Phœbus Apollo and myself--around + The city of renowned Laomedon." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII. + +But Jupiter relieved the anxiety of the ocean god by telling him that +when the war was over, and the Greeks had departed from Troy, he might +overthrow the great wall with his waves, and cover the shore with sand. +Thus the Grecian bulwark would vanish from the plain. + +After their great labors on the wall and trench the Greeks feasted in +their tents, and next day, the truce being now ended, both armies +prepared for battle. Meanwhile Jupiter, held a council on high Olympus, +at which he gave strict command that none of the gods should take part +on either side in the fight before Troy; and he declared that if any of +them should disobey this order, he would hurl the offender down into the +dark pit of Tarʹta-rus, in the gloomy kingdom of Pluto. + + Deep, deep in the great gulf below the earth, + With iron gates and threshold forged of brass. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII. + +But Minerva begged that she might be permitted to assist the Greeks by +her advice. To this the king of heaven assented. Then mounting his +chariot, to which were yoked his brazen-footed, swift-flying steeds, +adorned with golden manes, he sped through the skies between the earth +and starry heaven to the summit of Mount Ida. There in a sacred +inclosure in which was an altar erected to him, the father of the gods +sat looking down upon the towers of Ilium and the ships of the Greeks. +The two hosts, led by their great chiefs, were now engaged in fierce +battle. + +[Illustration: JUPITER ON MOUNT IDA. + +_Drawn by Hubbell._] + + The sounding darts in iron tempests flew; + Victors and vanquish'd join promiscuous cries, + Triumphant shouts and dying groans arise; + With streaming blood the slippery fields are dyed, + And slaughtered heroes swell the dreadful tide. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book VIII. + +Thus the terrible conflict went on until midday, when Jupiter, taking in +his hand the golden scales of fate, weighed the fortunes of the Trojans +and Greeks. + + By the midst + He held the balance, and, behold, the fate + Of Greece in that day's fight sank down until + It touched the nourishing earth, while that of Troy + Rose and flew upward toward the spacious heaven. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII. + +Then the mighty god thundered from Mount Ida, and sent his lightnings +burning and flashing down against the army of the Greeks. In amazement +and terror the Argive chiefs fled from the field. Nestor alone remained, +though not willingly, for he too was seeking safety in flight when one +of the horses of his chariot was killed by an arrow from the bow of +Paris. The venerable king himself might have perished at the hands of +Hector, had not Diomede hastened up and taken him into his own chariot. + +Both warriors then advanced against the Trojan chief, and Diomede hurled +his javelin. The weapon missed Hector, but killed his charioteer. Still +rushing on, the brave son of Tydeus was about to cast another spear, +when a terrific bolt of lightning flashed from the heavens and tore up +the earth in front of his steeds. Looking upon this as a sign of the +anger of Jupiter, the two heroes hastily retreated towards their camp. +Hector pursued them, and the Trojans, encouraged by his example, now +pressed forward until the Greeks were driven in behind their trench and +wall. Then Agamemnon, in deep despair, prayed to almighty Jove that he +would at least permit him and his people to get away in safety with +their ships. + + "Now be at least one wish of mine fulfilled,-- + That we may yet escape and get us hence; + Nor let the Trojans thus destroy the Greeks." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII. + +Jupiter heard the prayer of the king, and in pity for his distress sent +a favorable omen. This was an eagle bearing in its talons a fawn, which +it dropped down by the side of the altar where the Greek chiefs were +just then offering sacrifice. Believing that the bird had come from +Jove, the Greeks took courage, and rushing out through their gates, with +Diomede and Agamemnon and Menelaus and Ajax at their head, they +furiously attacked the Trojans and slew many of them. Teucer, the +brother of Ajax Telamon, did great destruction with his bow and arrows, +in the use of which he was as skillful even as Pandarus. After killing +several of the enemy, he aimed twice at Hector, missing him, however, +each time, but at the second shot he slew the Trojan leader's +charioteer. Hector then jumped to the ground, and, seizing a great +stone, hurled it with mighty force, striking the unfortunate Teucer on +the neck, and felling him to the earth. And now the Trojans, rushing +once more upon the Greeks, again drove them back to their camp. + + They drave + The Achaians backward to the yawning trench. + Then Hector came, with fury in his eyes, + Among the foremost warriors. As a hound, + Sure of his own swift feet, attacks behind + The lion or wild boar, and tears his flank, + Yet warily observes him as he turns, + So Hector followed close the long-haired Greeks, + And ever slew the hindmost as they fled. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII. + +But night now put an end to the battle. This was a most welcome relief +to the Greek leaders, thoroughly disheartened as they were at the sight +of the enemy almost at their ships. On the other hand the warriors of +Troy "most unwillingly beheld the sunset," for it prevented them from +following up their victory. But Hector was confident that on the next +day he would be able to destroy the Achaian host and fleet, and so end +the war. He therefore addressed his troops, commanding them to remain on +the field for the night, that they might be ready to fall upon the +Greeks, should they attempt to go aboard their vessels, and "escape +across the mighty deep." + + So high in hope, they sat the whole night through + In warlike lines, and many watch fires blazed. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII. + +Meanwhile the Grecian leaders held a council of war, and Agamemnon +advised that they should take to their ships, and set sail for Greece, +as it now seemed to be the will of Jupiter that they should never +capture Troy. Upon hearing this the chiefs sat for a time in gloomy +silence. At length Diomede spoke out, censuring the king for his +cowardly counsel. + +"The gods," said he, "have given you, O son of Atreus, high rank and +great power, but not much of courage. Return home if you are so +inclined, but the other Greeks will remain until they have overthrown +Troy, for it was by the direction of the immortals that we came here." + +These words were loudly applauded by the assembled leaders. Then guards +were placed to watch the wall and trench, after which Agamemnon gave +the chiefs a banquet in his tent. When all had partaken of the good +things set before them, the wise Nestor advised that an effort be made +to appease the anger of Achilles. This proposal even Agamemnon warmly +approved, for he now admitted that he had done a great wrong in taking +away Briseis, and he declared that he would restore the maiden at once +to Achilles, and send him rich gifts besides. + + "I erred, and I deny it not. + That man indeed is equal to a host, + Whom Jupiter doth love and honor thus, + Humbling the Achaian people for his sake. + And now, since, yielding to my wayward mood + I erred, let me appease him, if I may, + With gifts of priceless worth." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX. + +Agamemnon then promised that he would send to Achilles a large sum in +gold, with twenty shining caldrons, and twelve steeds which had won many +prizes by their fleetness. Moreover, when they should return to Greece +after having conquered the Trojans, he would give him one of his +daughters to be his wife, and with her, as a marriage portion, seven +rich cities of Argos. + +The Greek chiefs were very glad to hear these proposals, and they +resolved to appoint ambassadors to send to Achilles to beg him to +accept these gifts and make peace with Agamemnon. On the advice of +Nestor they chose for this important mission the prudent Ulysses, an +aged chief named Phœʹnix, and the valiant warrior Ajax. Phœnix had been +the instructor of Achilles in his youth, and had been sent by King +Peleus with the expedition to Troy to be his son's friend and counselor. +The three ambassadors, with two heralds, accordingly set out for the +camp of the Myrmidonian chief. They found him sitting in his tent with +his friend Patroclus. + + Amused at ease, the godlike man they found, + Pleased with the solemn harp's harmonious sound. + (The well wrought harp from conquered Thebæ came; + Of polish'd silver was its costly frame). + With this he soothes his angry soul, and sings + The immortal deeds of heroes and of kings. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book IX. + +The ambassadors were received with great respect. Achilles rose from his +seat and welcomed them as warriors and friends. Then food and drink were +placed before them, and after they had refreshed themselves, Ulysses +stated the object of their visit. He described the danger of the Grecian +army, threatened with destruction by the terrible Hector and his +victorious hosts. He next told of the many gifts which Agamemnon had +offered, and then in earnest words he begged Achilles to lay aside his +anger, and come to the relief of his countrymen in their great peril. + +But the wrath of the son of Peleus was not thus to be appeased. He +replied to Ulysses in a long speech, recounting his services during the +war, and bitterly complaining of the ingratitude and selfishness of +Agamemnon. + + "Twelve cities have I with my fleet laid waste, + And with my Myrmidons have I o'erthrown + Eleven upon this fertile Trojan coast. + Full many a precious spoil from these I bore, + And to Atrides Agamemnon gave. + He, loitering in his fleet, received them all; + Few he distributed, and many kept." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX. + +As for the apologies which Agamemnon now made, the wrathful hero +declared that he could have no confidence in a man who had deceived him, +nor would he accept the offered gifts. + + "Let him ne'er again, + Though shameless, dare to look me in the face. + I will not join in council nor in act + With him: he has deceived and wronged me once, + And now he cannot wheedle me with words. + Let once suffice. I leave him to himself, + To perish. All-providing Jupiter + Hath made him mad. I hate his gifts; I hold + In utter scorn the giver." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX. + +In vain also were the entreaties of Phœnix and Ajax. They too tried to +persuade the hero to dismiss from his mind the thought of his wrongs, +and lead his brave Myrmidons once more into the field for the honor of +his country. But Achilles persisted in his refusal to take further part +in the war, and so there was nothing left for the ambassadors but to +return to the tent of Agamemnon and report the failure of their mission. + +In deep disappointment and distress the chiefs heard the story. Then +again they held counsel together to consider what was best to +do,--whether to prepare for another battle, or to betake themselves at +once to their ships and set sail for Greece. Nestor proposed that some +brave and prudent chief should venture into the Trojan camp, and, if +possible, find out what were the plans of Hector. + + "Is there (said he) a chief so greatly brave, + His life to hazard, and his country save? + Lives there a man, who singly dares to go + To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe? + Or favor'd by the night approach so near, + Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book X. + +Diomede offered himself for this service, and being permitted to select +a companion, he made choice of Ulysses. The two warriors at once put on +their armor, and took up their weapons. Then they went out into the +plain, each praying to Minerva to grant them success. Cautiously they +moved forward towards the camp of the enemy. + + With dreadful thoughts they trace the dreary way, + Through the black horrors of the ensanguined plain, + Through dust, through blood, o'er arms, and hills of slain. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book X. + +Now it happened that about the same time Hector had sent a young Trojan +chief, Doʹlon by name, on a similar errand,--to make his way into the +Grecian camp, and find out the designs of the Argive leaders. Dolon +offered to undertake the dangerous task on condition that he should have +as his reward the chariot and horses of Achilles, when the Greeks should +be conquered. Hector agreed to the condition, and the Trojan spy, arming +himself, set forth for the Greek camp. He had not gone far when Ulysses +and Diomede saw him advancing, whereupon they lay down among the dead +bodies and allowed him to go forward a considerable distance. Then they +rose up and followed him. + +At first Dolon supposed that they were Trojans sent by Hector to call +him back, but, soon seeing that they were enemies, he fled with great +speed in the direction of the ships. The two Greeks hastened in +pursuit, and Diomede hurled a spear after the fugitive. He purposely +missed him, however, for their object was to take the Trojan alive, that +they might get from him the information they desired. The weapon passed +over the shoulder of Dolon, and sank into the ground in front of him. +Instantly he stood still, trembling with fear, and the Greek warriors, +hurrying up, seized him by the hands. The frightened Trojan flung +himself on his knees, and begged them to spare his life, promising that +his father, who was rich, would pay a high ransom. Ulysses commanded him +to tell what his errand was to the Grecian camp, and also to tell them +all about the Trojan army, and of the plans of Hector. + + "Tell me,--and tell the truth,--where hast thou left + Hector, the leader of the host, and where + Are laid his warlike arms; where stand his steeds; + Where are the sentinels, and where the tents + Of other chiefs? On what do they consult? + Will they remain beside our galleys here, + Or do they meditate, since, as they say, + The Greeks are beaten, a return to Troy?" + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book X. + +The terrified Dolon, hoping to move the Greeks to mercy, told even more +than he was asked to tell. There was a Thracian king, he said, who had +that very day arrived with a troop of soldiers to help the Trojans. +Rheʹsus was his name. He had steeds beautiful to behold, and fleet as +the wind, his chariot shone with gold and silver, and the armor he wore +was all of gold. + +"Even now," said Dolon, "Rhesus and his followers are in a camp by +themselves separated from the others, and it will be easy to take them +by surprise as they lie asleep, and carry off the rich things they +possess." + +This news was joyfully received by the Greek heroes. They had heard of +an oracle which declared that Troy could never be captured if these same +horses of Rhesus should once drink of the water of Xanthus or feed on +the grass of the Trojan plain. They therefore resolved to rob Rhesus of +his magnificent steeds. But first they killed the unhappy Dolon, paying +no heed to his prayers for mercy. Then they hurried on to the Thracian +camp, where they found the warriors sunk in deep repose, after the +fatigues of the day's journey. + + There slept the warriors, overpowered with toil; + Their glittering arms were near them, fairly ranged + In triple rows, and by each suit of arms + Two coursers. Rhesus slumbered in the midst. + Near him were his fleet horses, which were made + Fast to the chariot's border by the reins. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book X. + +Diomede slew Rhesus and twrelve of his companions, while Ulysses untied +the king's steeds, and led them forth into the field. Then, hastening +across the plain with their rich prize, they soon reached the Grecian +camp, where Nestor and the other chiefs joyfully welcomed them. + + Their friends, rejoicing, flocked + Around them, greeting them with grasp of hands + And with glad words. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book X. + +[Illustration] + + + + +X. THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS--DEATH OF PATROCLUS. + + +At dawn the Achaian leaders resolved to try again the fortunes of war. +They were encouraged by the exploit of Ulysses and Diomede, and Jupiter +sent down Eris, the goddess of strife, to incite them to ardor for +battle. The goddess stood on the ship of Ulysses, which was in the +center of the fleet, and shouted so loud that she was heard all over the +Greek camp. + + Loud was the voice, and terrible, in which + She shouted from her station to the Greeks, + And into every heart it carried strength, + And the resolve to combat manfully, + And never yield. The battle now to them + Seemed more to be desired than the return + To their dear country in their roomy ships. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. + +Then began the greatest battle of the siege. So numerous were the +exploits of heroes in this mighty conflict that the account of it +occupies nearly eight books of the Iliad. + +Agamemnon led the Grecian warriors during the earlier part of the day. +He was arrayed in brilliant armor, his breastplate being of gold and +bronze and tin. + + Ten were its bars of tawny bronze, and twelve + Were gold, and twenty tin; and on each side + Were three bronze serpents stretching toward the neck. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. + +His sword, glittering with golden studs, hung from his shoulder in a +silver sheath, and in his hands he bore two great spears, brass-tipped +and sharp. As he went forth to meet the foe, Juno and Minerva made a +sound as of thunder in the sky, "honoring the king of Mycenæ, rich in +gold." Thus did the Argive chief enter the field at the head of his +warriors. + +The Trojans were already on the ground, their great leader, Hector, clad +in shining brazen armor, giving his commands, now in the front and now +in the rear. Like wolves rushing to combat the two hosts sprang against +each other, and soon the battle raged furiously, the heroes on both +sides fighting with equal valor. + + They of Troy + And they of Argos smote each other down, + And neither thought of ignominious flight. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. + +But about midday the Greeks prevailed against the Trojans, and drove +them back to the city gates. Agamemnon slew with his sword two of King +Priam's sons, Iʹsus and Anʹti-phus, and with his spear he struck down +many of the Trojan heroes. + +[Illustration: IRIS. + +_Painting by Watts._] + +Hector had not yet taken part in the battle; Jupiter having sent him an +order by the messenger Iris not to begin fighting until Agamemnon should +retire wounded from the field. This soon happened. The king was wounded +in the arm by the Trojan chief Coʹon, whose brother, I-phidʹa-mas, +Agamemnon had slain. These two chiefs were sons of the venerable +Antenor. But Agamemnon, before withdrawing, rushed upon Coön and slew +him also. Then, leaping into his chariot, he ordered his charioteer to +drive him quickly to his ships, for he was suffering much from the pain +of his wound. + +Hector, seeing the flight of the Greek leader, called loudly to the +Trojans to advance upon their foes, at the same time setting them the +example. + + Himself, inspired + With fiery valor, rushed among the foes + In the mid-battle foremost, like a storm + That swoops from heaven, and on the dark-blue sea + Falls suddenly, and stirs it to its depths. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. + +The fortune of battle now turned in favor of the men of Troy. Nine +warrior princes of the Greeks were struck down, one after another, by +the sword of Hector. The brave Diomede, wounded by an arrow from the bow +of Paris, was obliged to retire to his tent. A spear hurled by the +Trojan chief, Soʹcus, pierced the corselet of Ulysses, and wounded him +in the side. But the Trojan did not long survive this exploit, for as he +turned to flee, Ulysses sent a javelin through his body, felling him +lifeless to the earth. A serious misfortune had almost happened to the +Greeks at the hand of Paris, who shot a triple barbed arrow at the hero +and physician, Machaon, wounding him in the shoulder. The life of the +great son of Æsculapius being worth many men, Idomeneus cried to Nestor +to come and take him away in his chariot. + + "Haste, mount thy chariot; let Machaon take + A place beside thee; urge thy firm-paced steeds + Rapidly toward the fleet; a leech like him, + Who cuts the arrow from the wound and soothes + The pain with balms, is worth a host to us." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XI. + +Many of their leaders being now disabled, the Greeks were driven from +the field and forced to take refuge behind their fortifications. At the +trench a terrible conflict took place. The Trojan warriors made efforts +to pass it in their chariots, while the Greeks fought with desperate +fury to force the invaders back. Many heroes on both sides were wounded +and many slain. + + The towers and battlements were steeped in blood + Of heroes,--Greeks and Trojans. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XII. + +At last Hector took up a large stone and hurled it with tremendous force +against one of the gates. It tore off the strong hinges, and shattered +the massive beams, so mighty was the blow. Then through the wide opening +the Trojan leader sprang into the Grecian camp, brandishing two spears +in his hands, and calling on his men to follow. Promptly they obeyed. +Some rushed in by the gateway, and some over the wall, while the +terrified Greeks fled in disorder and dismay to their ships. + +So far none of the gods had taken part in the battle. But Neptune now +resolved to come to the rescue of the Greeks, having observed that +Jupiter, though still seated in his sacred inclosure on Mount Ida, was +no longer watching the conflict. + + On Troy no more + He turned those glorious eyes, for now he deemed + That none of all the gods would seek to aid + Either the Greeks or Trojans in the strife. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XIII. + +The ocean god, however, resolved to make the attempt. From the wooded +height of Samothrace he had been viewing the fight, and had seen that +the Achaian army and fleet were threatened with destruction. Quickly, +therefore, descending to the sea, he plunged down to his golden mansion +beneath the waves, and there put on his armor and mounted his chariot. + + He yoked his swift and brazen-footed steeds, + With manes of flowing gold, to draw his car, + And put on golden mail, and took his scourge, + Wrought of fine gold, and climbed the chariot-seat, + And rode upon the waves. The whales came forth + From their deep haunts, and frolicked round his way: + They knew their king. The waves rejoicing smoothed + A path, and rapidly the coursers flew; + Nor was the brazen axle wet below. + And thus they brought him to the Greecian fleet. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XIII. + +Arrived at the fleet, Neptune assumed the shape and voice of the +soothsayer Calchas, and, going amongst the Grecian leaders, urged them +to battle. With his scepter he touched the two Ajaxes, thereby giving +more than mortal strength to their limbs, and filling their breasts with +valor. Thus encouraged the Greek heroes turned fiercely upon the +Trojans, and again great feats of war were performed by the chiefs on +both sides. Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphʹo-bus, and Æneas fought in +front of the Trojan lines, while Menelaus, Idomeneus, Teucer, the two +Ajaxes, and An-tilʹo-chus, the son of Nestor, bravely led the conflict +at the head of the Greeks. + + All along the line + The murderous conflict bristled with long spears. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XIII. + +Juno rejoiced exceedingly at seeing the monarch of the ocean aiding the +Greeks, but she much feared that Jupiter might notice him, and order him +off the field. This he would be sure to do, if he should again turn his +eyes on the battle. Juno therefore went to the island of Lesʹbos, where +Somʹnus, the god of sleep, resided, and she entreated that deity to +hasten to Mount Ida, and cause her royal spouse to fall into a deep +slumber. Somnus consented, and having done as Juno desired, he hurried +down to the Grecian fleet with a message to Neptune. + + "Now, Neptune, give the Greeks thy earnest aid, + And though it be but for a little space, + While Jupiter yet slumbers, let them win + The glory of the day; for I have wrapt + His senses in a gentle lethargy." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XIV. + +Hearing these words, Neptune rushed to the front of the Greek lines and +again urged the leaders to stand bravely against the enemy. Then, +grasping in his hand a sword "of fearful length and flashing blade like +lightning," he led them on to battle. + +And now the warriors of both sides were once more in deadly conflict. +Hector cast a spear at Ajax, but the weapon struck where two belts +crossed upon the hero's breast, overlapping each other, and he escaped +unhurt. Then the son of Telamon struck at the Trojan leader. His weapon +was a heavy stone, one of many that lay around, which were used as props +for the ships. The missile, hurled with giant force and true aim, smote +the Trojan on the breast and felled him like a tree struck by lightning. + + As when beneath + The stroke of Father Jupiter an oak + Falls broken at the root, . . . . . . + So dropped the valiant Hector to the earth + Amid the dust; his hand let fall the spear; + His shield and helm fell with him, and his mail + Of shining brass clashed round him. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XIV. + +With shouts of triumph the Greeks rushed forward, hoping to slay the +fallen warrior, and despoil him of his armor. But his comrades, Æneas +and A-geʹnor and Sarpedon and many others, crowded around him, and +protected him with their shields. He was then carried to the bank of the +Xanthus and bathed in its waters, which revived him a little. + +When the Greeks saw Hector borne away as if dead, they fought with +increased valor, and soon drove the Trojans back across the trench, +slaying many of their chiefs. + +Meanwhile Jupiter, awaking from his slumber, and looking down upon the +battlefield, beheld the men of Troy put to flight, and Neptune at the +head of the pursuing Greeks. Turning angrily upon Juno, who was at his +side, he rebuked her in severe words, for he now saw the trick that had +been played upon him. He reminded her of how he had punished her on a +former occasion for her ill treatment of his son Hercules. + + "Dost thou forget + When thou didst swing suspended, and I tied + Two anvils to thy feet, and bound a chain + Of gold that none could break around thy wrists? + Then didst thou hang in air amid the clouds, + And all the gods of high Olympus saw + With pity. They stood near, but none of them + Were able to release thee." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XV. + +Juno pleaded that it was not at her request that Neptune had gone to the +aid of the Greeks. He had done that without consulting her. She indeed, +she said, would rather advise Neptune to obey the command of the king of +heaven and submit to his will. + +The anger of the father of the gods was appeased by Juno's mild words. +Then he bade her hasten to Olympus and send the messenger Iris down to +order Neptune to leave the battle. He bade her also to direct Apollo to +restore Hector's strength and prepare him for the fight. But he +explained to Juno why he wished that for the present the Trojans should +be victorious. It was because he had promised Thetis that the Greeks +should be punished for the wrong Agamemnon had done to her son. Yet the +time would come, he said, when the great Hector would be slain by the +hand of Achilles, and when by Minerva's aid the lofty towers of Troy +would be overthrown. Juno was therefore glad to obey the command of her +royal spouse. + + As the thought of man + Flies rapidly, when, having traveled far, + He thinks, "Here would I be, I would be there," + And flits from place to place, so swiftly flew + Imperial Juno to the Olympian mount. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XV. + +There she informed Iris and Apollo of the will of Father Jove. Forthwith +the two gods hastened to Mount Ida to receive their orders from Jupiter +himself. The orders were quickly given. Then with the speed of the winds +the messenger of heaven and the god of the silver bow darted down from +Ida's top to the plain of Troy. + +Neptune, on hearing of the command of Jupiter, was at first unwilling to +obey. Jupiter, he said, had no authority over him. + + "We are three brothers, + The sons of Saturn,--Jupiter and I, + And Pluto, regent of the realm below. + Three parts were made of all existing things, + And each of us received his heritage. + The lots were shaken; and to me it fell + To dwell forever in the hoary deep, + And Pluto took the gloomy realm of night, + And lastly, Jupiter the ample heaven + And air and clouds. Yet doth the earth remain, + With high Olympus, common to us all. + Therefore I yield me not to do his will, + Great as he is; and let him be content + With his third part." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XV. + +But Iris advised Neptune to obey, reminding him that Jupiter had power +of punishing those who offended him. At last Neptune yielded, and, +quitting the Grecian army, took his way to the sea, and plunged beneath +the waves to his palace in the ocean depths. + +Meanwhile Apollo hastened to the side of the Trojan prince, who was +still weak from the blow of Ajax. Quickly the god restored the hero's +strength and breathed fresh courage into his breast. Then he commanded +Hector to hasten forward and lead his warriors against the enemy. In an +instant the Trojan prince was on his feet, hurrying to the front. When +the Greek chiefs saw him they were astonished as well as terrified, for +they had thought him dead, and now they believed he had been rescued +from death by some god. They resolved, however, to fight bravely, and so +they stood firmly together. Hector meanwhile advanced, Apollo moving +before him with the shield of Jupiter, the terrible aegis, which Jupiter +had given him to shake before the Greeks and fill their hearts with +fear. + + "Hector led + The van in rapid march. Before him walked + Phœbus, the terrible aggis in his hands, + Dazzlingly bright within its shaggy fringe, + By Vulcan forged, the great artificer, + And given to Jupiter, with which to rout + Armies of men. With this in hand he led + The assailants on." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XV. + +Against an attack so led the bravery of the Greeks was of little avail. +Numbers of their warriors were slain, and the rest fled back to their +camp, pursued by Hector and his triumphant hosts. This time the Trojans +were not hindered by the trench or the wall, for Apollo with his mighty +feet trampled down the earth banks, and overthrew the great wall as +easily as a child at play on the beach overthrows a tiny mound of sand. + +Then a fierce struggle took place, the Greeks fighting with desperate +fury to defend their ships, which the Trojans, with lighted torches in +their hands, tried to set on fire. At one of the galleys there was a +terrific conflict. Hector, having grasped the vessel by the stern, +called to his men to bring on their flaming brands, while the mighty +Ajax stood on the rowers' bench, ready with his long spear to strike the +assailants back. + + On the blade of that long spear + The hero took them as they came, and slew + In close encounter twelve before the fleet. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XV. + +But at last the brave son of Telamon was forced to give way, Hector +having cut his spear shaft in two by a stroke of his huge sword. Then +the Trojans hurled forward their blazing torches, and the ship was soon +wrapped in flames. The Greeks were now in the greatest peril. No hope +seemed left to them to save their fleet from destruction. But help came +from an unexpected quarter. Patroclus, the friend and companion of +Achilles, had been watching the terrible conflict at the ships. As soon +as he saw the vessel on fire he hurried to the tent of the Myrmidonian +chief, and with tears in his eyes implored him to have pity on his +perishing countrymen. + +"The Greeks," said he, "are sorely pressed. Their bravest leaders are +wounded, while you sit here, giving way to your wrath. If you will not +yourself go to their rescue, at least permit me to lead the Myrmidons to +battle, and let me wear your armor. The Trojans at the sight of it may +think I am Achilles, and be so terrified that our people may have a +little breathing time." + +To this proposal Achilles assented, but he warned Patroclus not to +pursue the Trojans too far, lest he might meet his death at the hands of +one of the gods. "Rescue our good ships," said he, "but when you have +driven the enemy from the fleet, return hither." + +With joy and eager haste Patroclus put on the armor of Achilles. Then +the great chief himself marshaled his Myrmidons in battle array, after +which he addressed them, bidding them fight valiantly. The occasion, he +said, had now come which they had so long desired, for they had often +blamed him because he had kept them from joining their countrymen in the +field. Fierce and fearless these Myrmidons were, and over two thousand +strong. + + Achilles, dear to Jupiter, had led + Fifty swift barks to Ilium, and in each + Were fifty men, companions at the oar. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +Patroclus now mounted the chariot of Achilles, with the brave +Au-tomʹe-don as charioteer, a hero next in valor to the renowned son of +Peleus himself. There were three horses in the team, Xanthus and +Baʹli-us, both of immortal breed, and fleet as the wind, and Pedʹa-sus, +which, though of mortal stock, was a match for the others in speed. + + Like in strength, in swiftness and in grace, + A mortal courser match'd the immortal race. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +Great was the terror of the Trojans when they beheld the Myrmidons march +forth to battle. + + Every heart grew faint + With fear; the close ranks wavered; for they thought + That the swift son of Peleus at the fleet + Had laid aside his wrath, and was again + The friend of Agamemnon. Eagerly + They looked around for an escape from death. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +[Illustration: AUTOMEDON AND THE HORSES OF ACHILLES. + +_Painting by Regnault._] + +The Greek fleet was soon out of danger, for Patroclus and his Myrmidons, +having furiously attacked the Trojans, quickly drove them away from the +burning vessel and put out the fire. Having thus saved the ships, the +Myrmidonian warriors, aided by the other Greeks, then drove the Trojans +with great slaughter from the camp into the plain, and on towards the +walls of the city. + + In that scattered conflict of the chiefs + Each Argive slew a warrior. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +Even the mighty Hector was not able to stop the flight of the +panic-stricken Trojans, who seemed for the moment to have lost all their +courage, so great was their fear at the name of Achilles. The hero +Sarpedon at the head of his brave Lycians attempted to turn back the +onset of the Myrmidons, and he sought out their leader to engage him in +single combat. Both warriors sprang from their chariots at the same +moment, and rushed at each other, hurling their spears. Twice Sarpedon +missed his foe, but one of the weapons killed Pedasus, the horse of +"mortal stock." The leader of the Myrmidons cast his javelin with truer +aim, for it pierced the Lycian chief right in the breast, and the hero +fell like a tall pine tree falling in the forest at the last blow of the +woodman's ax. + +Then a fierce conflict took place over the body, the Greeks seeking to +obtain possession of the warrior's armor, which they did after many on +both sides had been slain in the struggle. The body itself was sent by +Apollo, at Jupiter's command, to Lycia, that the hero's kinsmen there +might perform funeral rites in his honor. + + In robes of heaven + He clothed him, giving him to Sleep and Death, + Twin brothers, and swift bearers of the dead, + And they, with speed conveying it, laid down + The corpse in Lycia's broad and opulent realm. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +Jupiter thus honored Sarpedon because the hero was his own son. He would +have saved him from the spear of Patroclus, but the Fates had decreed +that Sarpedon should die in the battle, and the decrees of the Fates +were not to be set aside even by Jove himself. + +Patroclus, too, was doomed to fall in the conflict of the day, and the +moment was now at hand. Forgetting the warning Achilles had given him, +he pursued the Trojans up to the very gates of the city. Then he +attempted to scale the wall, but he was driven back by Apollo, who spoke +to him in threatening voice, saying that not by him should Troy be +taken, nor by his chief, though mightier far than he. Hastily Patroclus +withdrew from the walls, fearing the wrath of the archer god, but he +continued to deal death among the Trojans as they came within reach of +his weapons. + +At last Hector, urged by Apollo, rushed forward in his chariot to +encounter Patroclus. The Myrmidon leader lifted a large stone, and flung +it with all his force at the Trojan chief as he approached. It missed +Hector, but killed Ce-briʹo-nes, his charioteer, and while they fought +over the body, each helped by brave comrades, many more on both sides +were laid in the dust. Again the archer god interfered, this time coming +unseen behind Patroclus, and striking him with his open palm between the +shoulders. The hero staggered under the blow, his huge spear was +shattered in his hands, and his shield dropped to the ground. Then +Eu-phorʹbus, a Dardanian chief, hurried forward, and with his lance +wounded him in the back. Thus disarmed and almost overpowered, Patroclus +turned to seek refuge in the ranks of his friends. As he was retreating, +Hector rushed upon him, and thrusting a spear deep into his body, gave +the brave warrior his death wound. + + The hero fell + With clashing mail, and all the Greeks beheld + His fall with grief. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +Then there was a long and terrific fight around the corpse of the fallen +champion. The description of it occupies a whole book of the Iliad. The +armor Patroclus wore was, as we have seen, the rich armor of Achilles, +and the Trojans were eager to get possession of it. They wished also to +get possession of the hero's body, that his friends might not have the +satisfaction of performing the usual funeral rites in his honor. +Menelaus was the first to stand guard over the body, and Euphorbus was +the first to fall in the fight. Hector had gone in pursuit of the +charioteer, Automedon, thinking to slay him, and capture the immortal +horses of Achilles. But Apollo warned him against the attempt. + + "Hector, thou art pursuing what thy feet + Will never overtake, the steeds which draw + The chariot of Achilles. Hard it were + For mortal man to tame them or to guide, + Save for Achilles, goddess-born. Meanwhile + Hath warlike Menelaus, Atreus' son, + Guarding the slain Patroclus, overthrown + Euphorbus, bravest of the Trojan host." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVII. + +Hearing these words Hector hastened back to where the corpse of the +Greek hero was lying. When Menelaus saw him approaching, he withdrew, +and hurried off to seek help, for he feared to encounter the terrible +Trojan leader. Then Hector stripped Patroclus of the splendid armor of +Achilles, and he was about dragging away the body, but just at that +moment Ajax rushed up. Hector now retreated, leaping into his chariot +and giving the glittering armor to his friends to be carried away to +Troy. + +For thus fleeing from the fight the Trojan chief was severely rebuked by +Glauʹcus, a Lycian warrior, who had been the comrade of the brave +Sarpedon. Glaucus wished to get the body of Patroclus so that with it he +might ransom Sarpedon's armor from the Greeks. Hector answered Glaucus, +saying that he feared not the battle's fury, as he would presently show. +Then he put on the armor of Achilles and he called to the Trojans to +follow him, promising a rich reward to the warrior who should carry off +the body for which they were going to fight. + + "To him who from the field will drag and bring + The slain Patroclus to the Trojan knights, + Compelling Ajax to give way,--to him + I yield up half the spoil; the other half + I keep, and let his glory equal mine." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVII. + +With Hector at their head the Trojans now rushed forward. Ajax, seeing +them advance, bade Menelaus summon the other Greek warriors to help in +defending the body of their countryman. Quickly they were called and +quickly they came. Then hand to hand and sword to sword both armies +fought, and the battle raged furiously round the corpse of Patroclus. + + They of Ilium strove + To drag it to the city, they of Greece, + To bear it to the fleet. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVII. + +At last Menelaus and a brother warrior lifted up the body and bore it +away towards the trench. The Trojans followed, but the two Ajaxes turned +around and, facing the pursuers, fought with heroic bravery to hold them +back. + + Thus, in hot pursuit + And close array, the Trojans following strook + With swords and two-edged spears; but when the twain + Turned and stood firm to meet them, every cheek + Grew pale, and not a single Trojan dared + Draw near the Greeks to combat for the corse. + Thus rapidly they bore away the dead + Toward their good galleys from the battlefield. + Onward with them the furious battle swept. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVII. + +Meanwhile Antilochus, the son of Nestor, was sent from the field to +carry to Achilles the sad news of the death of Patroclus. The chief was +just then sitting near his ships thinking over the event which he feared +had already happened, for the shouts of the Greeks as they fled from the +plain pursued by the Trojans, had reached his ears. Upon learning the +tidings brought by Antilochus, the hero burst into a fit of grief, +tearing his hair, throwing himself on the earth, and uttering loud +lamentations. His goddess mother, Thetis, in her father's palace beneath +the waves, heard his cries. She hastened up, attended by a number of sea +nymphs, and, embracing her son, inquired the cause of his grief. +Achilles told her of the death of his dear friend, and then said: + + "No wish + Have I to live or to concern myself + In men's affairs, save this: that Hector first, + Pierced by my spear, shall yield his life, and pay + The debt of vengeance for Patroclus slain." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVIII. + +The weeping mother, wishing to save her son, told him of the fate which +had decreed that his own death should soon follow that of Hector. + + "Ah then, I see thee dying, see thee dead! + When Hector falls, thou diest." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XVIII. + +But the warning of Thetis was in vain. "Let my death come," said he, +"when the gods will it. I shall have revenge on Hector, by whose hand my +friend has been slain." + +Seeing that she could not induce him to alter his purpose, his mother +reminded him that his bright armor had been seized by the Trojans. She +bade him therefore not go to battle until she should bring him new armor +made by Vulcan, which she promised to do early next morning. Then she +commanded the other nymphs to return to their ocean home, and she +herself ascended to Olympus, to ask the god of smiths to forge +glittering armor for her son. + +Meantime the fight over the body of Patroclus still continued. The +Greeks were now driven to their ships, and in danger of being totally +defeated. Three times Hector seized the body by the feet, to drag it +away, and three times the mighty Ajaxes forced him back. Still again he +seized it, and this time he would have borne it away, had not Juno sent +Iris down to Achilles to bid him hasten to the relief of his friends. + +"But how," he asked, "can I go forth to the battle, since the enemy have +my arms?" Iris answered: + + "Go thou to the trench, and show thyself + To them of Troy, that, haply smit with fear, + They may desist from battle." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVIII. + +Then the goddess Minerva spread a golden cloud around the head of +Achilles, and she kindled in it a bright flame that streamed upward to +the sky. And the hero went out beyond the wall, and stood beside the +trench, and he shouted in a voice loud as a trumpet sound,--a shout that +carried dismay into the ranks of the Trojans. + + The hearts of all who heard that brazen voice + Were troubled, and their steeds with flowing manes + Turned backward with the chariots,--such the dread + Of coming slaughter. + . . . . . . . . + Thrice o'er the trench Achilles shouted; thrice + The men of Troy and their renowned allies + Fell into wild disorder. Then there died, + Entangled midst the chariots, and transfixed + By their own spears, twelve of their bravest chiefs. + The Greeks bore off Patroclus from the field + With eager haste, and placed him on a bier, + And there the friends that loved him gathered round + Lamenting. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVIII + +So ended the long and terrible battle of the day, for Juno now commanded +the sun to set. In obedience to the queen of heaven the god of light +descended into the ocean streams, though unwillingly he did so, as it +was earlier than the proper time for sunset. + +The Trojan leaders, meanwhile, assembled in council on the plain to +consider what preparations should be made for the battle of the morrow, +in which, they knew, the terrible Achilles would take part. +Po-lydʹa-mas, a prudent chief, proposed that they should withdraw into +the city. There they might defend themselves from their ramparts, for +even Achilles, with all his valor, would not be able to force his way +through their strong walls. But Hector rejected this wise advice. He +resolved to risk the chance of war in the open field, and let the god of +battles decide who should win. + + "Soon as the morn the purple orient warms, + Fierce on yon navy will we pour our arms. + If great Achilles rise in all his might, + His be the danger: I shall stand the fight. + Honor, ye gods! or let me gain or give; + And live he glorious, whosoe'er shall live!" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XVIII. + +[Illustration] + + + + +XI. END OF THE WRATH OF ACHILLES--DEATH OF HECTOR. + + +[Illustration: _Design by Burne-Jones._] + +Thetis faithfully performed her promise to Achilles. Having ascended to +the top of Olympus, she found the god of smiths busy in his forge, a +workshop so magnificent that it was a wonder to the gods themselves. + + Silver-footed Thetis came + Meanwhile to Vulcan's halls, eternal, gemmed + With stars, a wonder to the immortals, wrought + Of brass by the lame god. She found him there + Sweating and toiling, and with busy hand + Plying the bellows. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVIII. + +Vulcan willingly consented to make the armor as Thetis requested, for +she had been his friend and had protected him in his infancy, when his +mother Juno threw him out of heaven into the sea. Juno did this because +Vulcan was not a good-looking child. He was, in fact, so ugly that his +mother could not bear the sight of him, and so she cast him out of +Olympus. But Thetis and her sister Eu-ryn'o-me received him in their +arms as he fell, and for nine years they nursed and took care of him in +their father's palace beneath the waves. Gladly, therefore, Vulcan set +to work at the request of his old friend. In his workshop were immense +furnaces, and he had plenty of precious material in store. + + Upon the fire + He laid impenetrable brass, and tin, + And precious gold and silver; on its block + Placed the huge anvil, took the ponderous sledge, + And held the pincers in the other hand. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVIII. + +[Illustration: THETIS BRINGING ARMOR TO ACHILLES. + +_Painting by Gerard._] + +And first he made a shield, large and massive, upon which he wrought +figures of the earth and the sky, the sun, moon, and stars, with many +other beautiful designs. He wrought upon it numerous scenes of human +life,--representations of war and peace, of battles and sieges, of +reapers in the harvest fields, of shepherds tending their flocks, of +vintagers gathering their grapes; and scenes of festivity with music, +song, and dancing. Homer gives a long and splendid description of this +wonderful shield. When Vulcan had finished it, he forged a corselet +brighter than fire, and greaves of tin, and a helmet with crest of gold. +Then he laid the magnificent armor at the feet of Thetis, and the +goddess bore it away and carried it down to the Grecian camp in the +early morning to present it to her son. + + Like a falcon in her flight, + Down plunging from Olympus capped with snow, + She bore the shining armor Vulcan gave. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVIII. + +Great was the delight of Achilles on seeing the beautiful armor and the +marvelous workmanship of its various parts. And now he hastened to +prepare for battle. First he went along the beach from tent to tent, +calling with a mighty shout on his brother chiefs to assemble. When all +were together he spoke friendly words to Agamemnon, expressing sorrow +that strife had come between them, and declaring that his wrath was now +ended. + + "Here then my anger ends; let war succeed, + And even as Greece has bled, let Ilion bleed. + Now call the hosts, and try if in our sight + Troy yet shall dare to camp a second night!" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XIX. + +Agamemnon, too, spoke words of peace and friendship, and all the chiefs +rejoiced that the anger of Achilles, which had brought so many woes +upon the Greeks, was at length appeased. Then the troops took their +morning meal, and when they had refreshed themselves with food and +drink, they marched forth to the field. Achilles, having put on his +bright armor, mounted his chariot, to which were yoked the two immortal +and swift-footed steeds, Xanthus and Balius. + +And here a wonderful thing occurred. When the hero spoke to the animals, +charging them in loud and terrible voice to bring him back safely from +the battle, and not leave him dead on the plain, as they had left +Patroclus, Xanthus, to whom Juno had, for the moment, given the power of +speech, replied to the words of his master, saying that it was not +through any fault of himself and his comrade that Patroclus had been +slain, but by the interference of Apollo. He also warned Achilles that +the hour of his own death was near at hand. + + "Not through our crime, or slowness in the course, + Fell thy Patroclus, but by heavenly force; + The bright far-shooting god who gilds the day + (Confess'd we saw him) tore his arms away. + No--could our swiftness o'er the winds prevail, + Or beat the pinions of the western gale, + All were in vain--the Fates thy death demand, + Due to a mortal and immortal hand." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XIX. + +But Achilles already knew his fate, and he was prepared to meet it with +courage. + + "I know my fate: to die, to see no more + My much-loved parents, and my native shore-- + Enough--when heaven ordains, I sink in night: + Now perish Troy!" He said, and rush'd to fight. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XIX, + +In the battle which now began many of the gods took active part, +Jupiter, at a council on Mount Olympus, having given them permission to +do so. Down to the plain before Troy they sped with haste, Juno, +Minerva, Neptune, Mercury, and Vulcan taking the side of the Greeks, and +Mars, Apollo, Venus, Diana, Latona, and the river god, Xanthus, going to +the assistance of the Trojans. + +Meantime Achilles, having rushed forth to the field, plunged into the +thick of the fight, eagerly seeking for Hector. But first he met Æneas, +whom Apollo had urged to encounter him. Achilles warned the Trojan hero +to withdraw from the battle. + +"Once already," said he, "I forced you to flee before my spear, running +fast down Ida's slopes. I counsel you now to retire, lest evil happen to +you." + +Æneas answered that he was not to be thus frightened, as if he were a +beardless boy. "I am the son of the goddess Venus," said he, "and my +father, Anchises, was descended from Jove himself. We are not here, +however, to talk, but to fight, and words will not turn me from my +purpose." + +So saying, Æneas hurled his spear. It struck the shield of Achilles with +a ringing sound, and passed through two of its folds. + + Vulcan's skill + Fenced with five folds the disk,--the outer two + Of brass, the inner two of tin; between + Was one of gold, and there the brazen spear + Was stayed. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XX. + +Achilles now cast his heavy javelin. Through the shield of Æneas it +crashed, but, as the hero stooped to avoid it, the spear passed over his +shoulder, and plunged deep into the earth. Then with sword in hand, the +Myrmidonian chief rushed furiously upon Æneas. He would probably have +slain him, had not Neptune interfered. But the ocean god spread a mist +over the eyes of the Greek warrior, and carried Æneas away in safety to +the rear of the battlefield. The Trojan prince was thus preserved +because the Dardan race, to which he belonged, was beloved by Jupiter. +Moreover it was decreed by the Fates that the son of Anchises should, in +later times, rule over a Trojan people, and that his sons' sons should +rule after him. + +Having placed Æneas out of danger, Neptune removed the mist from the +eyes of Achilles. The hero, on looking about him, was amazed at not +seeing the foe with whom, only an instant before, he had been in fierce +conflict. But he did not wait to think over this strange occurrence. +Rushing into the midst of the Trojans, he smote down warrior after +warrior, as they came within reach of his spear. Amongst them was +Pol-y-doʹrus, the youngest son of Priam. His father had forbidden him to +go into the battle, because he loved him most of all his sons. But +Polydorus was a brave youth, and he wished to show his swiftness, for in +speed of foot he excelled all the young men of Troy. + + He ranged the field, until he lost his life. + Him with a javelin the swift-footed son + Of Peleus smote as he was hurrying by. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XX. + +Now Hector had been warned by Apollo to avoid meeting Achilles, but when +he saw his young brother slain, he could no longer stand aloof. He +therefore sprang forward to attack the son of Thetis. As soon as +Achilles saw the Trojan chief, he bounded towards him, crying out: + + "Draw nearer that thou mayst the sooner die." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XX. + +Hector replied in words of defiance, and then brandished and hurled +forth his spear. But Minerva turned it aside, and it missed its aim. +Then Achilles, with a wild shout, rushed against his enemy. Apollo now +came to the rescue, covering the Trojan hero in a veil of clouds, and +taking him away from the conflict. The enraged Achilles struck into the +dense mist with his sword again and again, and in loud voice reproached +Hector for what seemed to be his cowardly flight. + + "Hound as thou art, thou hast once more escaped + Thy death; for it was near. Again the hand + Of Phœbus rescues thee. I shall meet thee yet + And end thee utterly, if any god + Favor me also. I will now pursue + And strike the other Trojan warriors down." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XX. + +The enraged hero then attacked the Trojans so furiously that they fled +before him in dismay. Some rushed towards the gates of the city, others +to the Xanthus, into which they leaped in such numbers that the river +was soon filled with a crowd of steeds and men. + + So, plunged in Xanthus by Achilles' force, + Roars the resounding surge with men and horse. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +But now the terrible Myrmidonian chief descended from his chariot, and +with sword in hand pursued the Trojans into the water. There he slew so +many that the stream became blocked with the bodies of the dead. The +river god, roused to anger, called to Achilles in a loud voice from the +depths of the Xanthus, saying that if he meant to destroy the whole +Trojan race, he must do it on the plain, and not stop the waters in +their course to the sea. + + "For now my pleasant waters, in their flow, + Are choked with heaps of dead, and I no more + Can pour them into the great deep, so thick + The corpses clog my bed, while thou dost slay + And sparest not." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +Achilles answered that he would not cease to slay the treaty-breaking +Trojans until they were punished as they deserved. At this the river god +was so enraged that he sent his waters with tremendous force against the +hero. The waves now surged around Achilles, beating upon his shield, and +buffeting him so violently that he was in danger of being overwhelmed. +He saved himself only by grasping the bough of an elm tree which grew on +the river's edge, and so gaining the bank. Then the angry god, rising in +greater fury, swept his mighty billows out upon the plain. The Greek +hero bravely attempted to fight this new enemy, but his valor and his +weapons were powerless against such an attack. + + As often as the noble son + Of Peleus made a stand in hope to know + Whether the deathless gods of the great heaven + Conspired to make him flee, so often came + A mighty billow of the Jove-born stream + And drenched his shoulders. Then again he sprang + Away; the rapid torrent made his knees + To tremble, while it swept, where'er he trod, + The earth from underneath his feet. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +Achilles now prayed to the gods for help, and Neptune and Minerva came +and encouraged him, saying that he was not to be thus conquered. Still +as Xanthus called upon his brother river, Simois, to join him in defense +of King Priam's noble city, it might have fared badly with the Greeks, +had not Vulcan come to their help. At the request of Juno the god of +fire sent down a vast quantity of flames, which scorched and dried up +the plain, and burned the trees and reeds on the banks of the rivers. +Vulcan began to dry up even the rivers themselves. Then Xanthus became +terrified and begged for mercy, promising that he would not again +interfere in the fight on either side. + + "Oh Vulcan! oh! what power resists thy might? + I faint, I sink, unequal to the fight-- + I yield--Let Ilion fall; if fate decree-- + Ah--bend no more thy fiery arms on me!" + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +It was not, however, until Juno entreated him to do so, that Vulcan +withdrew his flames, and the rivers were permitted to flow on again in +peace and safety. Achilles now renewed his attack on the Trojans. The +gods also rushed into the conflict. Mars launched his brazen spear at +Minerva, but, with the terrible ægis, the goddess warded off the blow. +Then Minerva lifted up a great rough stone and hurled it at Mars, +striking him on the neck, and stretching him senseless on the ground. + + He fell + With nerveless limbs, and covered, as he lay, + Seven acres of the field. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +[Illustration: VENUS. + +_Canova._] + +Venus hastened to the relief of the wounded god, and, taking him by the +hand, led him away groaning with pain. Juno, who had been a spectator of +the fight, now approached Minerva, and urged her to attack Venus. She +gladly consented to do as the queen of heaven desired. Following up the +goddess of beauty, Minerva gave her a mighty blow on the breast, +throwing her prostrate on the earth. At the same time Neptune +challenged Apollo to fight. He reminded him, too, of King Laomedon's +conduct toward both of them, many years before, and reproached him for +being now on the side of the descendants of that faithless king. But +Apollo refused to fight with the ocean god. + + "Thou wouldst not deem me wise, should I contend + With thee, O Neptune, for the sake of men, + Who flourish like the forest leaves awhile, + And feed upon the fruits of earth and then + Decay and perish." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +But though Apollo would not fight with Neptune, he continued to help the +Trojans. Achilles had driven them in terror up under their walls, and +King Priam had ordered the gates to be thrown open to admit the flying +hosts. Multitudes of them rushed in, while the furious son of Thetis +pressed on behind. It was a moment of danger for Troy, and the Greeks +might soon have taken the city, if Apollo had not encouraged young +Agenor, the son of Antenor, to attack Achilles. The brave youth +advanced, and cast his spear, striking the hero at the knee. But it +could not pierce the armor Vulcan had made. Then the Greek chief aimed +at Agenor, and again Apollo came to the rescue, concealing the Trojan +youth in a veil of darkness, and carrying him safely away. But in an +instant the god returned, and, taking upon himself Agenor's shape and +appearance, stood for a moment in front of Achilles. Then he turned and +fled along the plain, followed fast by the enraged Greek. Thus Apollo +gave the Trojans time to get within the city and shut their gates. + + Achilles chased the god + Ever before him, yet still near, across + The fruitful fields, to the deep-eddied stream + Of Xanthus; for Apollo artfully + Made it to seem that he should soon o'ertake + His flying foe, and thus beguiled him on. + Meanwhile the routed Trojans gladly thronged + Into the city, filled the streets, and closed + The portals. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXI. + +Hector alone of all the Trojans remained outside the walls, standing in +front of the Scæan Gate. Achilles still pursued Apollo, thinking that he +was Agenor, but at last the god made himself known to his pursuer. The +hero reproached him angrily for his deception, and then with the utmost +speed he hastened across the plain towards the city. From the ramparts +the aged King Priam beheld him coming, and in piteous words he cried out +to Hector, imploring him to take refuge within the walls. Queen Hecuba, +too, with tears in her eyes, begged her son to withdraw, and not be so +mad as to encounter the terrible Greek chief alone. But Hector would +not yield to the entreaties of his weeping parents. He had refused to +take the advice of Polydamas to withdraw into the city on the previous +night, and if he should pass within the walls now, after Achilles had +slain so many of the Trojans, Polydamas would be the first to reproach +him. Thus the hero reasoned with himself and so he resolved to stand and +face his foe. + + "No--if I e'er return, return I must + Glorious, my country's terror laid in dust: + Or if I perish, let her see me fall + In field at least, and fighting for her wall." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +Achilles now approached. Terrible he was in appearance. His great +javelin quivered fearfully on his shoulder, and a light as of blazing +fire, or of the rising sun, shone from his heavenly armor. Hector +trembled with fear when he looked upon the Grecian leader. So great was +his terror that he did not dare to wait, but fled away round the city +wall. Achilles quickly pursued him, as a hawk pursues a dove. They ran +till they came to two springs where the stream of the Xanthus rose. From +one of these springs a hot vapor ascended, like smoke from fire, and +from the other a current cold as ice issued even in summer. Past these +the warriors swept on. + + One fled, and one pursued,-- + A brave man fled, a braver followed close, + And swiftly both. Not for a common prize, + A victim from the herd, a bullock's hide, + Such as reward the fleet of foot, they ran,-- + The race was for the knightly Hector's life. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +Three times they ran round the walls, in sight of the Greeks and +Trojans. The gods of heaven, too, were looking on from the top of Mount +Olympus, and Jupiter, taking pity on Hector, thought that they should +save him from death. But Minerva protested. His doom, she said, had been +fixed by the Fates, and even Jupiter could not alter it--at least not +with the approval of the other gods. The cloud-compelling king was +obliged to give way, and so the Trojan chief was left to his fate. Then +Minerva rushed down to the field, and still Hector fled and Achilles +pursued. As often as they passed around, Hector attempted to approach +the gates, hoping for help from his friends. But each time Achilles got +before him and turned him away towards the plain; and he made a sign to +the Greeks that none of them should cast a spear, for he wished that he +alone should have all the glory of slaying the greatest of the Trojan +heroes. + +Now Apollo had been helping Hector, giving him strength and speed, but +when, for the fourth time, the heroes reached the Xanthus springs, +Jupiter raised high the golden balance of fate. There were two lots in +the scales, one for the son of Peleus, the other for the Trojan chief. +By the middle the king of heaven held the balance, and the lot of Hector +sank down. Immediately Apollo departed from the field, for he could no +longer go against the Fates. Then Minerva came close to Hector's side, +and, taking the form and voice of his brother Deiphobus, she urged him +to stand and fight Achilles. + + "Hard pressed I find thee, brother, by the swift + Achilles, who, with feet that never rest, + Pursues thee round the walls of Priam's town. + But let us make a stand and beat him back." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +Thus encouraged, as he thought by his brother, whom he was surprised to +see at his side, for he believed him to be in the city, the Trojan hero +turned around, and was soon face to face with his great foe. Knowing +that the hour had now come when one of them must die, Hector proposed to +Achilles that they should make a covenant, or agreement, between them +that the victor in the fight should give the other's body to his +friends, so that funeral rites might be performed. But the wrathful +Achilles refused. He would have no covenant with his enemy. + + "Accursed Hector, never talk to me + Of covenants. Men and lions plight no faith, + Nor wolves agree with lambs, but each must plan + Evil against the other. So between + Thyself and me no compact can exist, + Or understood intent. First, one of us + Must fall and yield his life blood to the god + Of battles." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +Then the fight began, Achilles first cast his spear. It was a weapon +heavy, huge, and strong, that no mortal arm but his own could wield. Its +shaft was made of a tree which the famous Chiʹron, instructor of heroes +in the art of war, had cut on Mount Peʹli-on and given to the father of +Achilles. + + His strength + Alone sufficed to wield it. 'Twas an ash + Which Chiron felled in Pelion's top, and gave + To Peleus, that it yet might be the death + Of heroes. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XVI. + +The Trojan chief stooped to avoid the blow, and the spear, passing over +him, sunk in the earth. Minerva, unseen by Hector, plucked it out and +gave it back to Achilles. Hector now launched his weapon. With true aim +he hurled it, for it struck the center of his antagonist's shield, but +the workmanship of Vulcan was not to be pierced, and so the javelin of +the Trojan hero bounded from the brazen armor and fell to the ground. He +called loudly to Deiphobus for another spear. There was no answer, and +then looking around him he discovered that he had been deceived. + + All comfortless he stands; then, with a sigh: + "'Tis so--Heaven wills it, and my hour is nigh. + I deem'd Deiphobus had heard my call, + But he secure lies guarded in the wall. + A god deceived me; Pallas, 'twas thy deed, + Death and black fate approach! 'tis I must bleed." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +Nevertheless, Hector resolved to fight bravely to the end, and so he +drew his sword and rushed upon Achilles. The Greek warrior, watching his +foe closely as he approached, noticed an opening in his armor, where the +collar of the corselet joined the shoulder. At that spot he furiously +thrust his speat, and pierced the Trojan hero through the neck. Hector +fell to the ground, mortally wounded. In his dying moments he begged +Achilles to send his body to his parents, telling him that they would +give large ransom in gold. But his entreaties were in vain. Neither by +prayers nor by promise of gold could the conqueror be moved. The last +words of Hector were words warning Achilles of his own doom: + + "A day will come when fate's decree + And angry gods shall wreak this wrong on thee; + Phœbus and Paris shall avenge my fate, + And stretch thee here before the Scæan Gate." + He ceased. The Fates suppress'd his laboring breath, + And his eyes stiffen'd at the hand of death. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +So died the great champion of the Trojans. The Greeks crowded around the +dead hero, admiring his stature and beautiful figure, and remarking one +to another that Hector was far less dangerous to touch now than when he +was setting fire to their fleet. + +But the anger of Achilles was not appeased even by the death of his foe. +Eager for still more vengeance, he bound the feet of the dead hero with +leather thongs to the back of his chariot, leaving the head to trail +along the ground, and thus he drove to the ships, dragging the noble +Hector in the dust. + +The Trojans, beholding this dreadful spectacle from the walls of the +city, broke out into loud lamentations, and King Priam and Queen Hecuba +were almost distracted with grief. Andromache had not been a witness of +the combat. She was at home with her maids, making preparations for +Hector's return from the battle, and was therefore unaware of the +terrible events which had taken place. But the sound of the wailing on +the ramparts having reached her ears, she rushed forth from the palace, +fearful that some evil had happened to her husband. Hastening through +the streets to the Scæan Gate, she ascended the tower, and looking out +on the plain, saw the body of her beloved Hector dragged behind the +wheels of the chariot of Achilles. Overpowered with grief at the sight, +the unhappy woman sank fainting into the arms of her attendants. + + A sudden darkness shades her swimming eyes: + She faints, she falls; her breath, her color flies. + Her hair's fair ornaments, the braids that bound, + The net that held them, and the wreath that crown'd, + The veil and diadem flew far away + (The gift of Venus on her bridal day). + Around a train of weeping sisters stands + To raise her sinking with assistant hands. + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXII. + +While the Trojans thus mourned the loss of their chief, his body was +dragged into the Grecian camp and flung on the beach beside the ships. +Preparations were then made for funeral services in honor of Patroclus. +The ceremonies occupied three days. A vast quantity of wood was cut down +on Mount Ida, and carried to the plain, where the logs were heaped +together in an immense pile, a hundred feet square. Upon this they +placed the corpse. They next put upon the pile the fat of several oxen, +that it might the more easily burn, and they slew and laid upon it the +dead man's horses. Achilles cut off a lock of his own hair and put it in +the dead hero's hand, and each of the other warriors placed a lock of +his hair on the body. + +Torches were now applied, and they prayed to the wind gods, Boʹre-as and +Zephʹy-rus, to send strong breezes to fan the flames. All through the +night the pile blazed with a mighty roar, and in the morning, when it +was consumed, the embers were quenched with wine, and the bones of +Patroclus were gathered up and inclosed in a golden urn. On the spot +where the pyre had stood they raised a mound of earth as a monument to +the hero. + +Then there were funeral games at which valuable prizes, given by +Achilles, were competed for,--prizes of gold and silver, and shining +weapons, and vases, and steeds, and oxen. Diomede won the prize in the +chariot race, for he ran with the immortal horses he had taken in battle +from Æneas. In the wrestling match Ulysses and Ajax Telamon were the +rival champions. Both displayed such strength and skill that it could +not be decided which was the victor, and so a prize of equal value was +given to each. Ajax Telamon also competed with Diomede in a combat with +swords, and both were declared equal and received each a prize. + +In the contest with bow and arrows, Teuʹcer and Me-riʹo-nes were the +competitors, and a dove tied to the top of a mast fixed in the ground, +was the object aimed at. Teucer missed the bird, but he struck and cut +the cord that fastened her to the pole, and she flew up into the +heavens. Then Meriones shot at her with his arrow. The weapon pierced +the dove beneath the wing and she fell to the earth. This feat was +greatly admired by the spectators, and Meriones received as his prize +ten double-bladed battle-axes. To Teucer, whose performance was also +much applauded, a prize of ten single-bladed axes was given. + +Thus did Achilles honor his dead friend by funeral rites and funeral +games. But his wrath against Hector still continued, even when he had +dragged the hero's body at his chariot wheels three times round the tomb +of Patroclus. This cruel insult he repeated at dawn for several days. +But Apollo watched the body. + + Apollo, moved + With pity for the hero, kept him free + From soil or stain, though dead, and o'er him held + The golden ægis, lest, when roughly dragged + Along the ground, the body might be torn. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +[Illustration: MERIONES' WONDERFUL SHOT. + +_Drawn by Hubbell._] + +But at last the gods, with the exception of Juno, were moved to pity, +and on the twelfth day from the death of the Trojan hero, Jupiter +summoned Thetis to Olympus, and bade her command Achilles to restore +Hector's body to his parents. He also sent Iris with a message to King +Priam, telling him to go to the Greek fleet, bearing with him a suitable +ransom for his son. Thetis promptly carried out the order of Jupiter. +She told her son of the command of the king of heaven, and Achilles +answered that since it was the will of Jove he was ready to obey. + + "Let him who brings the ransom come and take + The body, if it be the will of Jove." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +Joyfully the aged Priam received the message of Iris, and he made haste +to set out for the Grecian camp. He took with him costly things as +ransom,--ten talents of gold, and precious vases and goblets, and many +beautiful robes of state. These were carried in a wagon drawn by four +mules, which were driven by the herald Idæus. The king rode in his own +chariot and he himself was the charioteer. As they crossed the plain +they were met by the god Mercury, whom Jupiter had sent to conduct them +safely to the tent of the Greek warrior. + + "Haste, guide King Priam to the Grecian fleet, + Yet so that none may see him, and no Greek + Know of his coming, till he stand before + Pelides." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +Mercury mounted the chariot of Priam, and taking in his hands the reins, +he drove rapidly towards the ships. When they came to the trenches the +god cast the guards into a deep slumber, and so the Trojan king and his +companion reached the tent of the chief of the Myrmidons, unseen by any +of the Greeks. Then Mercury departed, and ascended to Olympus. + +Achilles received his visitors respectfully, and the aged king, kissing +the hero's hand, knelt down before him and begged him have pity on a +father mourning for his son. + + "For his sake I come + To the Greek fleet, and to redeem his corse + I bring uncounted ransom. O, revere + The gods, Achilles, and be merciful, + Calling to mind thy father! happier he + Than I; for I have borne what no man else + That dwells on earth could bear,--have laid my lips + Upon the hand of him who slew my son." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +The Greek chief, moved by this appeal, replied in kind words and +accepted the ransom, after which he caused Priam and Idæus to sit down +and refresh themselves with food and drink, and invited them to remain +with him for the night. He also granted a truce of twelve days for +funeral rites in honor of Hector. + +Early in the morning the Trojan king and his herald arose, and Mercury +again descended from Olympus to conduct them safely from the Grecian +camp. Quickly they yoked their steeds, and mournfully they drove across +the plain to the city. Cassandra, who stood watching on the citadel of +Pergamus, saw them coming, and she cried out in a loud voice to the +people, bidding them go and meet their dead hero. + + "If e'er ye rush'd in crowds, with vast delight, + To hail your hero glorious from the fight, + Now meet him dead, and let your sorrows flow; + Your common triumph, and your common woe." + + POPE, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +Amid the lamentations of the people the corpse was borne through the +streets to the royal palace, where it was placed on a magnificent couch. +Then Andromache and Queen Hecuba approached the body and wept aloud, +each in turn uttering words of grief. Helen, too, came to mourn over +Hector, and she spoke of his constant kindness and tenderness to her. + + "O Hector, who wert dearest to my heart + Of all my husband's brothers,--for the wife + Am I of godlike Paris, him whose fleet + Brought me to Troy,--would I had sooner died! + And now the twentieth year is past since first + I came a stranger from my native shore, + Yet have I never heard from thee a word + Of anger or reproach. And when the sons + Of Priam, and his daughters, and the wives + Of Priam's sons, in all their fair array, + Taunted me grievously, or Hecuba + Herself,--for Priam ever was to me + A gracious father,--thou didst take my part + With kindly admonitions, and restrain + Their tongues with soft address and gentle words. + Therefore my heart is grieved, and I bewail + Thee and myself at once,--unhappy me! + For now I have no friend in all wide Troy,-- + None to be kind to me: they hate me all." + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +With the funeral of Hector the Iliad of Homer ends. The poet's subject, +as has been said, was the Wrath of Achilles, and the poem properly +closes when the results of the hero's wrath have been related. The +concluding lines of the twenty-fourth, and last, book of the Iliad +describe the funeral ceremonies of Hector, which were the same as those +performed by the Greeks in honor of Patroclus. + + Nine days they toiled + To bring the trunks of trees, and when the tenth + Arose to light the abodes of men, they brought + The corse of valiant Hector from the town + With many tears, and laid it on the wood + High up, and flung the fire to light the pile. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +The fire burned all night, and next day they gathered the bones of +Hector and placed them in a golden urn. Then they buried the urn and +erected a tomb over the grave. + + In haste they reared the tomb, with sentries set + On every side, lest all too soon the Greeks + Should come in armor to renew the war. + When now the tomb was built, the multitude + Returned, and in the halls where Priam dwelt, + Nursling of Jove, were feasted royally. + Such was the mighty Hector's burial rite. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book XXIV. + +[Illustration: FEASTING-CUP.] + + + + +XII. DEATH OF ACHILLES--FALL AND DESTRUCTION OF TROY. + + +After the funeral of Hector the war was renewed. For a time the Trojans +remained within the walls of their city, which were strong enough to +resist all the assaults of the enemy. But some allies having come to +their assistance, they were encouraged to sally forth again and fight +the Greeks in the open plain. The famous and beautiful Queen +Pen-the-si-leʹa came with an army of her Amʹa-zons, a nation of female +warriors who dwelt on the shores of the Black Sea. + + Penthesilea there with haughty grace, + Leads to the wars an Amazonian race; + In their right hands a pointed dart they wield; + The left for ward, sustains the lunar shield. + + VERGIL. + +Brave as she was beautiful, the queen of the Amazons scorned to remain +behind the shelter of walls, and so, leading her valiant band of women +out through the gates, she made a fierce attack on the Greeks. A +terrific battle then began, and many warriors on both sides were laid +in the dust. Penthesilea herself was slain by Achilles. The hero was +unwilling to fight with a woman, and he tried to avoid meeting the +queen, but she attacked him so furiously, first hurling her spear, and +then rushing upon him sword in hand, that he was obliged to strike in +self-defense. With a thrust of his lance he gave her a mortal wound, and +the brave heroine fell, begging Achilles to permit her body to be taken +away by her own people. + +[Illustration: COMBAT OF THE AMAZONS. + +_Painting by Michelena._] + +Filled with pity for the unfortunate queen, and with admiration for her +courage and beauty, the hero granted the request. He even proposed that +the Greeks should perform funeral rites and build a tomb in her honor. +The foul-mouthed Thersites (mentioned in a previous chapter as having +been chastised by Ulysses) scoffed at this proposal, and ridiculed +Achilles, saying that he was not so soft-hearted in his treatment of +Hector. Enraged at his insulting words, the chief of the Myrmidons +struck him dead with a mighty blow of his fist. + +Now Diomede was a relative of the unfortunate Thersites, and he demanded +that Achilles should pay to the family of the dead man the fine required +by Greek law for such offenses. Achilles refused, and he was about to +retire again in anger from the war, and even to return home. But +Ulysses persuaded Diomede to withdraw his claim, and so made peace +between the two chiefs. + +Another ally, and a very powerful one, now came to help the Trojans. +This was Memʹnon, king of Ethiopia, and nephew of Priam, being the son +of Priam's brother Ti-thoʹnus, and Au-roʹra, goddess of the dawn. With +an army of ten thousand men he arrived at Troy, and immediately entered +the field to do battle with the Greeks. Again there was great slaughter +of heroes on both sides. Memnon killed Antilochus, the son of Nestor, +and Nestor challenged Memnon to single combat. But on account of the +great age of the venerable Greek, the Ethiopian warrior declined to +fight him. Achilles then challenged Memnon, and the two heroes fought in +presence of both armies. The conflict was long and furious, for Memnon, +too, had a suit of armor made for him by Vulcan, at the request of his +goddess mother Aurora, and in strength and courage he was almost equal +to Achilles. Once more, however, fortune favored the chief of the +Myrmidons. The brave Memnon was slain, and Aurora bore away his body +that funeral rites might be performed. + +But the time was now at hand when the great warrior who so far had +conquered in every fight was to meet his own doom. We have seen that +Hector, as he lay dying in front of the Scæan Gate, warned Achilles +that he himself should fall by the hand of Paris. This prophecy was +fulfilled. + +By the death of Memnon the Trojans were much discouraged. Their powerful +allies had been defeated, and they were no longer able to hold the field +against the enemy. Soon after the death of Memnon there was a great +battle, in which the Greeks, headed by Achilles, drove them back to the +city walls. Through the Scæan Gate, which lay open, the Trojans rushed +in terror and confusion, the Greeks pressing on close behind. Achilles +reached the gate, and was about to enter, when Paris aimed at him with +an arrow. Guided by Apollo, the weapon struck the hero in the heel, the +only part in which he could be fatally wounded. + +The warrior fell to the ground, whereupon the Trojan prince hastened up +and slew him with his sword. A terrific struggle took place over the +body of the dead chief, but by mighty efforts Ajax Telamon and Ulysses +succeeded in gaining possession of it, and carrying it to the Grecian +camp. Deep was the grief of the Greeks at the death of their great +champion. Magnificent funeral rites and games were celebrated in his +honor, his goddess mother, Thetis, presiding over the ceremonies. After +the body had been burned in the customary manner, the bones were placed +in a vase of gold, made by Vulcan, and a vast mound was raised on the +shore as a monument to the hero. + + The sacred army of the warlike Greeks + Built up a tomb magnificently vast + Upon a cape of the broad Hellespont, + There to be seen, far off upon the deep, + By those who now are born, or shall be born + In future years. + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book XXIV. + +The armor of Achilles was offered as a reward for the warrior who had +fought most bravely in rescuing the body, and who had done most harm to +the Trojans. To decide the question which of the Greek chiefs deserved +this honor, it was resolved to take the votes of the Trojan prisoners +then in the Greek camp, who had witnessed the struggle at the Scæan +Gate. The majority of votes were in favor of Ulysses, and to him, +therefore, the splendid shield and corselet and helmet and greaves, made +by Vulcan for the son of Thetis, were given. Ajax was so disappointed +and grieved at not having obtained the coveted prize that he became +insane, and in his frenzy he slew himself with his own sword. + +The Greeks had now lost their two most powerful warriors, and they began +to think that it was impossible for them to take Troy by force, and +that they must try other methods. So the wise Ulysses then set his +brain to work to devise some stratagem by which the city might be taken. +The first thing he did was to capture the Trojan prince and soothsayer, +Helenus, who had gone out from the city to offer sacrifices in the +temple of Apollo on Mount Ida. Calchas, the Greek soothsayer, had said +that Helenus was the only mortal who knew by what means Troy could be +conquered, and so Ulysses made him prisoner and threatened him with +death if he did not tell. + +Then Helenus told the Ithacan chief that before Troy could be taken +three things must be done. First, he said, the Greeks must get the +arrows of Hercules; next, they must carry away the sacred Palladium, for +as long as it remained within the walls the city was safe; and, lastly, +they must have the help of the son of Achilles. + +Now the arrows of Hercules could be obtained only from Phil-oc-teʹtes, a +Greek chief who received them from Hercules himself. These arrows had +been dipped in the blood of the hydra, a monster Hercules had slain. +This made them poisonous, so that wounds inflicted by them were fatal. +Philoctetes was with his countrymen at Aulis when they set sail for +Troy, but he was bitten on the foot by a serpent, and the smell of the +injured part being so offensive that his comrades could not endure it, +he had been left behind, on the advice of Ulysses. + + Far in an island, suffering grievous pangs,-- + The hallowed isle of Lemnos. There the Greeks + Left him, in torture from a venomed wound + Made by a serpent's fangs. He lay and pined. + + BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book II. + +Ulysses now resolved to get Philoctetes to come to Troy, if he were +still alive, and so, taking Diomede with him, he set out for Lemnos. +They found him at the cave where they had left him ten years before. The +wound was not yet healed, and he had suffered much, having had no means +of existence except game which he had to procure himself. + + Exposed to the inclement skies, + Deserted and forlorn he lies; + No friend or fellow-mourner there, + To soothe his sorrows and divide his care. + + SOPHOCLES (Francklin's tr.) + +Still enraged at their former ill-treatment of him, Philoctetes at first +refused the request of the two chiefs. Their mission would have failed +had not Hercules appeared to him in a dream and advised him to go to +Troy, telling him that his wound would be healed by the famous Machaon. +He then gladly went with Ulysses and Diomede. On his arrival at the +Grecian camp the great physician cured him by casting him into a deep +sleep and cutting away the diseased flesh from the injured foot. He +awoke in perfect health and strength, and at once joined his countrymen +in the war, resolved to make good use of his fatal arrows. + +An opportunity soon offered, for the Trojans now began again to venture +out in the open plain, thinking that the Greeks were not so dangerous +since the terrible Achilles was no longer at their head. Their new +general in chief was Paris, and Philoctetes, happening to encounter him +in battle, aimed at him with one of his poisoned arrows and pierced him +through the shoulder. Paris was immediately carried back to the city, +suffering intense pain, for the poison quickly began to take effect. +Then at last the thoughts of Paris turned to the fair Œnone, whom, +twenty years before, he had left in sorrow and loneliness on Mount Ida. +He remembered her words, that he would one day have recourse to her for +help. Hoping, therefore, that she might take pity on him, and perhaps +cure him of his wound, for she had been instructed in medicine by +Apollo, he ordered his attendants to carry him to where she still dwelt +on the slopes of Ida. Œnone had not forgotten his cruel desertion of +her, and so she refused to use her skill in his behalf. But when she +heard that he was dead, she came down to Troy, and in her grief threw +herself on his funeral pyre, and perished by his side. + + She rose, and slowly down, + By the long torrent's ever-deepen'd roar, + Paced, following, as in trance, the silent cry. + . . . . . . . + Then moving quickly forward till the heat + Smote on her brow, she lifted up a voice + Of shrill command, "Who burns upon the pyre?" + Whereon their oldest and their boldest said, + "He whom thou wouldst not heal!" and all at once + The morning light of happy marriage broke + Thro' all the clouded years of widowhood, + And muffling up her comely head, and crying + "Husband!" she leapt upon the funeral pile, + And mixt herself with him and past in fire. + + TENNYSON, _Death of Œnone_. + +Meanwhile the Ithacan king, not forgetting the other conditions +mentioned by Helenus, set sail for the island of Scyros, where the son +of Achilles resided. His name was Pyrʹrhus, or Ne-op-tolʹ-mus, and, as +he was a brave youth, he rejoiced at having an opportunity of fighting +the Trojans, by whom his father had been killed. Ulysses gave him his +father's armor, and by many heroic deeds in the war he proved that he +was worthy to wear it. + +The Palladium was now to be carried off from Troy, and this was a task +by no means easy to perform. But the man of many arts succeeded in +accomplishing it. Putting on the garments of a beggar, and scourging his +body so as to leave marks, he went to the Scæan Gate, and entreated the +guards to admit him. He told them that he was a Greek slave, and that he +wished to escape from his master who had cruelly ill-used him. The +guards, believing his story, permitted him to enter the city. + + "He had given himself + Unseemly stripes, and o'er his shoulders flung + Vile garments like a slave's, and entered thus + The enemy's town, and walked its spacious streets. + Another man he seemed in that disguise.-- + A beggar, though when at the Achaian fleet + So different was the semblance that he wore. + He entered Ilium thus transformed, and none + Knew who it was that passed." + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book IV. + +But Helen, happening to pass by at a place near the king's palace, where +the pretended beggar sat down to rest, immediately recognized him. He +made a sign to her to keep silent, thinking that Paris being now dead, +Helen perhaps was friendly to the Greeks, and wished them to take Troy, +so that she might return to her own country. In this Ulysses was right, +as very soon appeared, and as Helen declared years afterwards, when +telling to his own son, Telemachus, the story of the Ithacan king's +adventure within the walls of Troy. + + "For I already longed + For my old home, and deeply I deplored + The evil fate that Venus brought on me, + Who led me thither from my own dear land." + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book IV. + +Helen passed on without uttering a word, but in the evening she sent one +of her maids to bring Ulysses secretly to her apartment in the palace. +There she expressed her joy at meeting her countryman, and after +hospitably entertaining him, she listened with pleasure to his plans. +She then told him of the plans of the Trojans, and where and how the +Palladium was to be got. Having thus obtained the information he +desired, Ulysses contrived to make his way back unobserved to the Greek +camp. In a few days he returned, accompanied by Diomede. They got into +the city by scaling the walls, and Diomede, climbing on the shoulders of +Ulysses, entered the citadel. Here, by following the directions given by +Helen, he found the famous statue, and he and his companion carried it +off to their friends at the ships, who rejoiced at the success of the +undertaking. + +Troy was now no longer under the protection of Pallas Minerva. Though +that goddess helped the Greeks in their battles, she was obliged to +save the city itself while it contained her sacred statue. But the +Palladium being no longer within the walls, she was now at liberty to +help the Greeks to capture and destroy the city. She therefore put into +the mind of Ulysses the idea of the wooden horse, and she instructed the +Greek chief E-peʹus how to make it. This horse was of vast size, large +enough to contain about a hundred men, for it was hollow within. + + By Minerva's aid, a fabric reared, + Which like a steed of monstrous height appeared; + The sides were flanked with pine. + + VERGIL. + +When it was finished, provisions were put into it. Then Ulysses, and +Pyrrhus, and Menelaus, and Epeus, and a number of other Greek warriors, +mounted into it by means of a ladder, after which the opening was +fastened by strong bolts. + + In the hollow side, + Selected numbers of their soldiers hide; + With inward arms the dire machine they load; + And iron bowels stuff the dark abode. + + VERGIL. + +Meanwhile the other Greeks broke up their camp, and all going aboard +their ships, they set sail, as if they had given up the siege, and were +about to return to Greece. But they went no farther than the island of +Tenʹe-dos, about three miles from the shore. + + In sight of Troy lies Tenedos, an isle + (While Fortune did on Priam's empire smile) + Renowned for wealth; but since, a faithless bay, + Where ships exposed to wind and weather lay. + There was their fleet concealed. + + VERGIL. + +As soon as the Trojans saw from their walls that the tents of the enemy +were removed, and that their fleet had departed, they were filled with +surprise and delight. They believed that the Greeks had given up the +war, and so, throwing open their gates, they rushed out in multitudes +upon the plain, King Priam riding in his chariot at their head. + + The Trojans, cooped within their walls so long, + Unbar their gates, and issue in a throng + Like swarming bees, and with delight survey + The camp deserted, where the Grecians lay. + + VERGIL. + +But soon their attention was attracted by the huge wooden horse, and +they gathered about it, astonished at its great size, and wondering what +it meant. Some thought that it meant evil to Troy, and advised that it +should be burned; others proposed that it should be hauled into the city +and placed within the citadel. La-ocʹo-on, one of Priam's sons, who was +also a priest of Apollo, cried out in a loud voice, warning the king +and people against doing this. "Are you so foolish," he exclaimed, "as +to suppose that the enemy are gone? Put no faith in this horse. Whatever +it is, I fear the Greeks even when offering gifts." + + "This hollow fabric either must enclose + Within its blind recess, our secret foes; + Or 'tis an engine raised above the town + To overlook the walls, and then to batter down. + Somewhat is sure designed by fraud or force: + Trust not their presents, nor admit the horse." + + VERGIL. + +Thus saying, Laocoon hurled his spear against the side of the horse, and +it sent forth a hollow sound like a deep groan. But at this moment a +stranger, having the appearance of a Greek, was brought before the king. +Some Trojan shepherds, finding him loitering on the river bank, had made +him prisoner. Being asked who he was and why he was there, he told an +artful story. His name, he said, was Si'non, and he was a Greek. His +countrymen, having decided to give up the war, resolved to offer one of +themselves as a sacrifice to the gods, that they might get fair winds to +return home, and they selected him to be the victim. To escape that +terrible fate he concealed himself among the reeds by the side of the +Scamander until the fleet departed. This was Sinon's account of +himself. The Trojans believed it, and the prisoner was set free. But the +king asked him to tell them about the wooden horse,--why it had been +made, and left there upon the plain. + +Then Sinon told another false story. He said that the horse was a peace +offering to Minerva, who had been angry because the Palladium was taken +from Troy. For that insult to her, the goddess commanded the Greeks to +return to their own country, and Calchas ordered them to build the horse +as an atonement for their crime. He also told them to make it so large +that the Trojans might not be able to drag it within their gates; for if +it were brought into the city, it would be a protection to Troy, but if +any harm were done to it, ruin would come on the kingdom of Priam. + + "We raised and dedicate this wondrous frame, + So lofty, lest through your forbidden gates + It pass, and intercept our better fates; + For, once admitted there, our hopes are lost; + And Troy may then a new Palladium boast + For so religion and the gods ordain, + That, if you violate with hands profane + Minerva's gift, your town in flames shall burn; + (Which omen, O ye gods, on Græcia turn!) + But if it climb, with your assisting hands, + The Trojan walls, and in the city stands; + Then Troy shall Argos and Mycenæ burn, + And the reverse of fate on us return." + + VERGIL. + +King Priam and the Trojans believed this story too, and a terrible thing +which just then happened made them believe it all the more. After +Laocoon had hurled his spear at the wooden horse, he and his two sons +went to offer sacrifice to the gods at an altar erected on the beach. +While they were thus engaged, two enormous serpents, darting out from +the sea, glided up to the altar, seized the priest and his sons, and +crushed all three to death in their tremendous coils. + + First around the tender boys they wind, + Then with their sharpened fangs their limbs and bodies grind. + The wretched father, running to their aid + With pious haste, but vain, they next invade: + Twice round his waist their winding volumes rolled; + And twice about his gasping throat they fold. + The priest thus doubly choked--their crests divide, + And towering o'er his head in triumph ride. + + VERGIL. + +The terrified Trojans regarded this awful event as a punishment sent by +the gods upon Laocoon for insulting Minerva by casting his spear at her +gift, which they now believed the horse to be. They therefore resolved +to take the huge figure into the city in spite of the advice of +Cassandra, who also warned them that it would bring ruin upon Troy. And +so they made a great breach in the walls, for none of their gates were +large enough to admit the vast image, and fastening strong ropes to its +feet they dragged it into the citadel. Then they decorated the temples +with garlands of green boughs, and spent the remainder of the day in +festivity and rejoicing. + +But in the dead of the night, when they were all sunk in deep repose, +the treacherous Sinon drew the bolts from the trapdoor in the side of +the wooden horse, and out came the Greek warriors, rejoicing at the +success of their stratagem. + +Sinon next hurried down to the beach, and there kindled a fire as a +signal to his countrymen on the ships. They knew what it meant, for it +was part of the plan that had been agreed on. Quickly plying their oars, +they soon reached the shore, and, marching across the plain, the Greeks +poured in thousands into the streets, through the breach that had been +made in the walls. + +The Trojans, startled from their sleep by the noise, understood at once +what had happened. Hastily they rushed to arms, and, led and encouraged +by Æneas and other chiefs, they fought valiantly to drive out the enemy, +but all their valor was in vain. Troy was at last taken. The victorious +Greeks swept through the city, dealing death and destruction around +them. King Priam was slain by Pyrrhus, at the foot of the altar in one +of the temples, to which he fled for safety. His son Deiphobus, who had +married Helen after the death of Paris, was slain by Menelaus. The +Spartan king, believing that what his wife had done had been decreed by +the Fates and the will of the gods, pardoned her and took her with him +to his ships. The women of the Trojan royal family were carried off as +slaves. + +Æneas, with his father Anchises and his son I-uʹlus, escaped from the +city, and sailed from Troas with a fleet and a number of warlike +followers. After many adventures by sea and land, which the Roman poet, +Verʹgil, tells about in his poem called the Æ-neʹid, he reached Italy. +There he established a settlement, and his descendants, it is said, were +the founders of Rome. + +Having completed their work of destruction and carried off to their +ships all the riches of Troy, the Greeks set fire to the city, and in a +few hours nothing remained but a mass of smouldering ruins. So ended the +famous Trojan War. The prophecy of the soothsayer, Æsacus, at the birth +of Paris, was fulfilled. Paris had brought destruction upon his family +and country. + +[Illustration: CAPTIVE ANDROMACHE. + +_Painting by Lord Leighton._] + + + + +XIII. THE GREEK CHIEFS AFTER THE WAR. + + +Great was the rejoicing of the Greeks at having at last brought the long +and terrible war to a successful end. They had lost heavily in men and +treasure, but they had defeated and destroyed the enemy, and taken +possession of all the wealth of the rich city of Troy. They now looked +forward with pleasure to the prospect of a safe return to their homes +and families, which they had not seen for ten years. But for some of +them, as we shall see, this happy hope was never realized. + +The most unfortunate of them all was Agamemnon. He reached his kingdom +and city of Mycenæ in safety, but he was there cruelly murdered by +Æ-gisʹthus, a relative of his, whom his wife, Clytemnestra, had married +during his absence. + + Ægisthus planned a snare. + He chose among the people twenty men, + The bravest, whom he stationed out of sight, + And gave command that others should prepare + A banquet. Then with chariots and with steeds, + And with a deadly purpose in his heart, + He went, and, meeting Agamemnon, bade + The shepherd of the people to the feast, + And slew him at the board. + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book IV. + +The Trojan princess, Cassandra, who accompanied Agamemnon to Mycenæ, had +warned him of his doom, but as usual her words were disregarded, and she +herself was slain at the same time as the ill-fated king. Agamemnon had +a son named O-resʹtes, who was then but a boy, and Ægisthus intended to +kill him also, but the youth's sister, E-lecʹtra, contrived to have him +sent secretly to the court of his uncle, Stroʹphi-us, king of Phoʹcis. +Here he was affectionately received and tenderly cared for. His constant +companion was his cousin, Pylʹa-des, the son of Strophius, and so strong +was their friendship for each other that it became famous in song and +story. + +When Orestes reached the years of manhood, he resolved to punish the +murderers of his father. With this object he went to Mycenæ, taking with +him his friend and companion, Pylades; and having obtained admission to +the royal palace, he slew Ægisthus. + + Seven years in rich Mycenæ he bore rule, + And on the eighth, to his destruction, came + The nobly-born Orestes, just returned + From Athens, and cut off that man of blood, + The crafty wretch Ægisthus, by whose hand + Fell his illustrious father. + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book III. + +As Clytemnestra had taken part in the murder of Agamemnon, Orestes slew +her also. This killing of his own mother provoked the anger of the gods, +and Orestes was commanded to go to the oracle of Apollo, at Delphi, to +learn there what punishment he should suffer for his crime. He obeyed, +and the oracle told him that he must bring to Greece a statue of Diana +which was then in the temple of that goddess in Taurica. + +This was a dangerous enterprise, for the king of Taurica had a practice +of sacrificing in that very temple any foreigners found in his country. +Nevertheless Orestes undertook the task. He went to Taurica, +accompanied, as usual, by his ever faithful friend Pylades. No sooner +had they arrived than they were seized and carried before the king, and +condemned to be sacrificed. But Orestes discovered, to his surprise and +delight, that the priestess of the temple was his own sister, Iphigenia, +who, as will be remembered, had been carried away many years before by +Diana herself, when about to be sacrificed by the Greeks at Aulis. By +the help of Iphigenia, the two friends not only escaped from Taurica, +but carried off the statue, and Iphigenia returned with them to Greece. +Orestes succeeded to the throne of his father, and as king of Mycenæ he +lived and reigned many years in prosperity and happiness. + +Menelaus returned to his kingdom of Sparta with his wife, Helen, but he +had many wanderings and adventures. He was detained by unfavorable winds +for some time on an island near the coast of Egypt, and he might never +have reached home but for the advice he received from Proʹteus, one of +the sea gods. It was no easy matter to get advice from Proteus. It was +very difficult to find him, and still more difficult to get him to +answer questions, for he had a habit of changing himself rapidly into +many different forms, and so escaping from those who came to consult +him. But Menelaus had the good fortune of meeting a water nymph named +I-doʹthe-a, a daughter of Proteus, and she directed him what to do. +There was a certain cave near the seaside, to which the Old Man of the +Sea, as Proteus was sometimes called, came every day at noon to sleep. +Idothea told Menelaus he would find the old man there, and that he must +seize him quickly in his arms, and hold him fast in spite of all his +changes, until he took the shape in which he had first appeared. Then he +would answer any question put to him. + + "As soon + As ye behold him stretched at length, exert + Your utmost strength to hold him there, although + He strive and struggle to escape your hands; + For he will try all stratagems, and take + The form of every reptile on the earth, + And turn to water and to raging flame,-- + Yet hold him firmly still, and all the more + Make fast the bands. When he again shall take + The form in which thou sawest him asleep, + Desist from force, and loose the bands that held + The ancient prophet. Ask of him what god + Afflicts thee thus, and by what means to cross + The fishy deep and find thy home again." + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book IV. + +Menelaus followed these directions, taking with him three of his bravest +warriors, as Idothea also advised. They found Proteus, and rushing upon +him, they seized and held him firmly in their grip, though he tried hard +to escape. + + First he took the shape + Of a maned lion, of a serpent next, + Then of a panther, then of a huge boar, + Then turned to flowing water, then became + A tall tree full of leaves. With resolute hearts + We held him fast, until the aged seer + Was weaned out, in spite of all his wiles. + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book IV, + +The Old Man of the Sea then told Menelaus that he must go to Egypt, to +the river there, and offer sacrifices to the gods, and that they would +send him forth upon his voyage home, which would be speedy and safe. The +Greek chief did as Proteus directed, and the prophecy was fulfilled. He +soon reached his Spartan home, where, with his famous queen, Helen, he +spent the remainder of his life in happiness. + +Idomeneus, the warrior king of Crete, reached his island kingdom in +safety. + + Idomeneus brought also back to Crete + All his companions who survived the war; + The sea took none of them. + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book III. + +But a sad event occurred on his arrival in the island. During his voyage +home there was a terrible storm, and Idomeneus much feared that his +fleet might be destroyed. He then made a vow that if his ships escaped, +he would sacrifice to Neptune the first living creature he met on +landing. Unfortunately this happened to be his own son, who came down to +the shore to receive and welcome his father. Idomeneus, though +overwhelmed with grief, nevertheless fulfilled his promise to the god, +but the Creʹtans were so incensed at the inhuman act that they banished +him from the island. + + A flying rumor had been spread + That fierce Idomeneus from Crete was fled, + Expelled and exiled. + + VERGIL. + +Thus driven from his own country Idomeneus sailed westward until he came +to the southern coast of Italy, where he founded the city and colony of +Sal-lenʹtia, and lived to an extreme old age. + +The fate of Ajax Oileus, king of Locris, was almost as terrible as that +of Agamemnon. On the night of the destruction of Troy he had cruelly +ill-treated the princess Cassandra, whom he dragged from the altar of +the temple of Minerva, to which she had fled for refuge. Even the Greeks +themselves were shocked at the crime, and they threatened to punish him +for it. He was, however, allowed to set sail for Greece. But Minerva +borrowed from Jupiter his flaming thunderbolts, and, obtaining +permission from Neptune, she raised a furious tempest, which destroyed +the Locrian king's ship. He himself swam to a rock, and as he sat there +he defiantly cried out that he was safe in spite of all the gods. This +insult to the immortals brought upon him the wrath of Neptune, who, +smiting the rock with his awful trident, hurled the impious Ajax into +the depths of the sea. + + He had said + That he, in spite of all the gods, would come + Safe from those mountain waves. When Neptune heard + The boaster's challenge, instantly he laid + His strong hand on the trident, smote the rock + And cleft it to the base. Part stood erect, + Part fell into the deep. There Ajax sat, + And felt the shock, and with the falling mass + Was carried headlong to the billowy depths + Below, and drank the brine and perished there. + + BRYANT, _Odyssey_, Book IV. + +The venerable Nestor reached his home without misfortune or accident He +ended his days in peace in his kingdom of Pylos, though he had to mourn +the loss of his brave son Antilochus, whom Memnon had slain. + +Diomede also reached his kingdom of Ætolia, but he found that in his +absence his home had been seized by a stranger. This was a punishment +sent upon him by Venus, whom, as we have seen, he had wounded in the +hand at the siege of Troy. + + "Mad as I was, when I, with mortal arms, + Presumed against immortal powers to move, + And violate with wounds the queen of love." + + VERGIL. + +Quitting his kingdom and country, the warrior wandered to other lands. +He finally settled in the south of Italy, where he built a city, which +he called Ar-gyrʹi-pa, and married the daughter of Dauʹnus, the king of +the country. + + Great Diomede has compassed round with walls + The city, which Argyripa he calls, + From his own Argos named. + + VERGIL. + +Neoptolemus, or Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, returned to Phthia, where +his grandfather, Peleus, still lived and reigned. He took with him +Andromache and Helenus, the only one of Priam's sons who lived after the +destruction of Troy. Pyrrhus, died a few years after his return, and +Andromache became the wife of Helenus. The Trojan prince soon gained the +friendship of Peleus, who gave him a kingdom in E-piʹrus to rule over, +and here he and Andromache spent the remainder of their lives together. + +But no one of all the warrior chiefs of Greece who fought at Troy met +with so many dangers in returning to his native land as the famous +Ulysses. Ten year elapsed after the end of the great war before he +reached his Ithacan home. There he was welcomed by his devoted wife, +Penelope, and his affectionate son, Telemachus, who had passed all those +years in loving remembrance of him and anxious hope of his coming. His +wonderful adventures during his many wanderings are described in Homer's +Odyssey. An account of them would fill another book like this Story of +Troy. + + + + +PERSONS AND PLACES MENTIONED. + + +Acʹ a mas +A c̵haʹians (yans) +A c̵hil'lēs̝ +Æ ġēʹan +Æ ġisʹthus +Æ nēʹas +Æ nēʹid +Æsʹ a cus +Æs c̵ū lāʹ pi us +Ætʹna +Æ toʹ li a +Ag a memʹ non +A ġēʹnor +Aʹjax +Amʹa zons +An dromʹac̵he +An tēʹ nor +An tilʹo c̵hus +Anʹti phus +Aph ro dīʹ te +A polʹ lo +Ar c̵he laʹ us +Ar c̵hilʹo c̵hus +Arʹġīves +Arʹgos +Ar ġyrʹ i pa +As tyʹa nax +Aʹtreus (trūs) +A trīʹ dēs +Atʹ ro pos +Auʹ lis +Au roʹra +Au tomʹ e don +Bac̵ʹc̵hus +Baʹ li us +Boʹ re as +Briʹa reus (rūs) +Bri seʹ is +C̵alʹc̵has +C̵al līʹo pe +C̵aʹri a +C̵as sanʹdra +C̵as tāʹ li a +Ce lūʹo nēs̝ +C̵hīʹ ron +C̵hry seʹ is +C̵hryʹsēs̝ +C̵loʹ tho +C̵lyt em nesʹ tra +C̵oʹon +C̵ranʹa ë +C̵resʹsi da +C̵reʹtans +Cyʹclǒps +Dar da nellesʹ +Dar dāʹ ni a +Darʹ da nus +Dauʹ nus +De iphʹ o bus +Dělʹ phī +Dī ănʹ a +Dīʹ o mede +Dīʹ o ne +Dis corʹ di a +Doʹ lon +E ëʹ ti on +Eʹġypt +E lěcʹ tra +E pēʹ us +Eph i ălʹ tēs̝ +E pīʹ rus +Eʹ ris +E thi oʹ pi a +Eū phorʹ bus +Eū ry̆lʹ a tēs̝ +Eū ry̆nʹ o me +Ganʹ y mede +Glauʹ c̵us +Hāʹ dēs̝ +Hecʹ tor +Hecʹ ū ba +Helʹ e nus +Helʹ las +Hẽrʹ c̵ū lēs̝ +Hẽrʹ mēs +He sīʹ o ne +Hōʹ mer +I dæʹ us +I dŏmʹ e neus (nūs) +I dōʹ the a +Ilʹ i on +Ilʹ i um +Iʹ lus +I phidʹ a mas +Iph i ġe nīʹ a +Iʹ ris +Iʹ sus +Ithʹ a c̵a +I ūʹ lus +Juʹ no +Juʹ pi ter +Lac̵hʹ e sis +La ẽrʹ tēs̝ +La oc̵ʹ o ön +La od a miʹ a +La odʹ i çe +La odʹ o cus +La omʹ e don +La toʹ na +Lēʹ da +Lemʹ nos +Lẽrʹ na +Lesʹ bos +Lōʹ cris +Lycʹ i a +Lyc̵ o meʹ dēs̝ +Lyr nesʹ sus +Ma c̵haʹ on +Mēʹ lēs̝ +Mel e siġʹ e nēs̝ +Memʹ non +Men e lāʹ us +Mẽrʹ c̵ū ry +Me rīʹ o nēs̝ +Mĭ nẽrʹ va +My çēʹ næ +Myrʹ mi dons +Mysʹ i a +Ne op tolʹ e mus +Nepʹ tūne +Ne reʹ i dēs̝ +Neʹ re us +Nesʹ tor +O dy̆sʹ seus (sūs) +Œ nōʹ ne +O iʹ leus (lūs) +O lymʹ pus +O resʹ tēs̝ +Oʹ tus +Pæʹ on +Pal a mēʹ dēs̝ +Pal lāʹ di um +Pal' las +Panʹ da rus +Par năsʹ sus +Parʹ is +Parʹ the non +Pa trōʹ c̵lus +Pědʹ a sus +Pē leus (lūs) +Pēʹ li on +Pel o pon nēʹ sus +Pēʹ lops +Pe nelʹ o pe +Pen the si lēʹ a +Pẽrʹ ga mus +Pherʹ e c̵lus +Phil oc̵ tēʹ tēs̝ +Phōʹ çis +Phœʹ bus +Phœʹ nix +Phry̆ġʹ i a +Phthiʹ a +Phylʹ a c̵e +Pluʹ to +Po darʹ c̵ēs̝ +Po ly̆dʹ a mas +Pol y dōʹ rus +Prīʹ am +Pro tes i lāʹ us +Prōʹ teus (tūs) +Pylʹ a dēs̝ +Pȳʹ los +Py̆rʹ rhus +Py̆thʹ i a +Rhēʹ sus +Sălʹ a mis +Sal lenʹ tia +Sămʹ o thrac̵e +Sar pēʹ don +Sc̵a mănʹ der +Sc̵a mănʹ dri us +Sçȳʹ ros +Siçʹ i ly +Simʹ o is +Sīʹ non +Sminʹ theus (thūs) +Smyrʹ na +Sōʹc̵us +Somʹ nus +Sparʹ ta +Stenʹ tor +Sthĕnʹ e lus +Strōʹ phi us +Tal thy̆bʹ i us +Tarʹ ta rus +Tauʹ ri c̵a +Tĕlʹ a mon +Te lĕmʹ ac̵hus +Tĕlʹ e phus +Tĕnʹ e dŏs +Teuʹ c̵er +Teuʹ c̵ri a +Teu thrāʹ ni a +Thēʹ be +Thẽr sīʹ tēs̝ +Thĕsʹ sa ly̆ +Thēʹ tis +Ti thōʹ nus +Trōʹ as +Trōʹ ilus +Tȳʹ deus (dūs) +Ty dī̄ʹ dēs̝ +Ty̆nʹ da rus +U ly̆sʹ sēs̝ +Vēʹ nus +Vērʹ ġil +Vŭlʹ c̵an +Xănʹ thus +Zĕphʹ y rus + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Troy, by Michael Clarke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF TROY *** + +***** This file should be named 16990-0.txt or 16990-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/9/9/16990/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions 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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Clarke. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + ul {list-style-type: none;} + + body {margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 1%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: left; + color: gray; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i12 {display: block; margin-left: 12em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.iname {display: block; margin-left: 12em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Troy, by Michael Clarke + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 + + +Title: The Story of Troy + +Author: Michael Clarke + +Release Date: February 8, 2006 [EBook #16990] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF TROY *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/01.jpg" + alt="Head of Homer." + title="Head of Homer." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Head of Homer.</span><br /><i>British Museum.</i></span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h4>ECLECTIC SCHOOL READINGS</h4> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>THE STORY OF TROY</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>M. CLARKE</h2> + + +<h4>NEW YORK—CINCINNATI—CHICAGO<br /> +AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY</h4> + + +<h5> +COPYRIGHT, 1897, BY<br /> +AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY</h5> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr> + <td align='left'></td> + <td align='left'></td> + <td align='left'>PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='left'>INTRODUCTION—</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Homer, the Father of Poetry</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_7'>7</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='left'></td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Gods and Goddesses</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='left'></td> + <td align='left'></td> + <td align='left'></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>I. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Troy before the Siege</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>II. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Judgment of Paris</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_33'>33</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>III. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The League against Troy</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_46'>46</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>IV. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Beginning of the War</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_63'>63</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>V. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Wrath of Achilles</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>VI. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Dream of Agamemnon</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>VII. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Combat between Menelaus and Paris</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>VIII. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The First Great Battle</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>IX. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Second Battle—Exploit of Diomede and Ulysses</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_149'>149</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>X. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Battle at the Ships—Death of Patroclus</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_166'>166</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>XI. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">End of the Wrath of Achilles—Death of Hector</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_193'>193</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>XII. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Death of Achilles—Fall and Destruction of Troy</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_220'>220</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td align='right'>XIII. </td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Greek Chiefs after the War</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href='#Page_240'>240</a></td> +</tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<h4>I. HOMER, THE FATHER OF POETRY.</h4> + +<p>In this book we are to tell the story of Troy, and particularly of the +famous siege which ended in the total destruction of that renowned city. +It is a story of brave warriors and heroes of 3000 years ago, about +whose exploits the greatest poets and historians of ancient times have +written. Some of the wonderful events of the memorable siege are related +in a celebrated poem called the Ilʹi-ad, written in the Greek language. +The author of this poem was Hoʹmer, who was the author of another great +poem, the Odʹys-sey, which tells of the voyages and adventures of the +Greek hero, U-lysʹses, after the taking of Troy.</p> + +<p>Homer has been called the Father of Poetry, because he was the first and +greatest of poets. He lived so long ago that very little is known about +him. We do not even know for a certainty when or where he was born. It +is believed, however, that he lived in the ninth century before Christ, +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> that his native place was Smyrʹna, in Asia Minor. But long after +his death several other cities claimed the honor of being his +birthplace.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Seven Grecian cities vied for Homer dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through which the living Homer begged his bread.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Leonidas.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is perhaps not true that Homer was so poor as to be obliged to beg +for his bread; but it is probable that he earned his living by traveling +from city to city through many parts of Greece and Asia Minor, reciting +his poems in the palaces of princes, and at public assemblies. This was +one of the customs of ancient times, when the art of writing was either +not known, or very little practiced. The poets, or bards, of those days +committed their compositions to memory, and repeated them aloud at +gatherings of the people, particularly at festivals and athletic games, +of which the ancient Greeks were very fond. At those games prizes and +rewards were given to the bards as well as to the athletes.</p> + +<p>It is said that in the latter part of his life the great poet became +blind, and that this was why he received the name of Homer, which +signified a blind person. The name first given to him, we are told, was +Mel-e-sigʹe-nes, from the river Meʹles, a small stream on the banks of +which his native city of Smyrna was situated.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>So little being known of Homer's life, there has been much difference of +opinion about him among learned men. Many have believed that Homer never +existed. Others have thought that the Iliad and Odyssey were composed +not by one author, but by several. "Some," says the English poet, Walter +Savage Landor, "tell us that there were twenty Homers, some deny that +there was ever one." Those who believe that there were "twenty Homers" +think that different parts of the two great poems—the Iliad and +Odyssey—were composed by different persons, and that all the parts were +afterwards put together in the form in which they now appear. The +opinion of most scholars at present, however, is that Homer did really +exist, that he was a wandering bard, or minstrel, who sang or recited +verses or ballads composed by himself, about the great deeds of heroes +and warriors, and that those ballads, collected and arranged in after +years in two separate books, form the poems known as the Iliad and +Odyssey.</p> + +<p>Homer's poetry is what is called epic poetry, that is, it tells about +heroes and heroic actions. The Iliad and Odyssey are the first and +greatest of epic poems. In all ages since Homer's time, scholars have +agreed in declaring them to be the finest poetic productions of human +genius. No nation in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> the world has ever produced poems so beautiful or +so perfect. They have been read and admired by learned men for more than +2000 years. They have been translated into the languages of all +civilized countries. In this book we make many quotations from the fine +translation of the Iliad by our American poet, William Cullen Bryant. We +quote also from the well-known translation by the English poet, +Alexander Pope.</p> + +<p>The ancients had a very great admiration for the poetry of Homer. We are +told that every educated Greek could repeat from memory any passage in +the Iliad or Odyssey. Alexander the Great was so fond of Homer's poems +that he always had them under his pillow while he slept. He kept the +Iliad in a richly ornamented casket, saying that "the most perfect work +of human genius ought to be preserved in a box the most valuable and +precious in the world."</p> + +<p>So great was the veneration the Greeks had for Homer, that they erected +temples and altars to him, and worshiped him as a god. They held +festivals in his honor, and made medals bearing the figure of the poet +sitting on a throne and holding in his hands the Iliad and Odyssey. One +of the kings of Eʹgypt built in that country a magnificent temple, in +which was set up a statue of Homer, surrounded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> with a beautiful +representation of the seven cities that contended for the honor of being +the place of his birth.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Great bard of Greece, whose ever-during verse<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All ages venerate, all tongues rehearse;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Could blind idolatry be justly paid<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To aught of mental power by man display'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To thee, thou sire of soul-exalting song,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That boundless worship might to thee belong.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Hayley.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<h4>II. THE GODS AND GODDESSES.</h4> + +<p>To understand the Story of Troy it is necessary to know something about +the gods and goddesses, who played so important a part in the events we +are to relate. We shall see that in the Troʹjan War nearly everything +was ordered or directed by a god or goddess. The gods, indeed, had much +to do in the causing of the war, and they took sides in the great +struggle, some of them helping the Greeks and some helping the Trojans.</p> + +<p>The ancient Greeks believed that there were a great many gods. According +to their religion all parts of the universe,—the heavens and the earth, +the sun and the moon, the ocean, seas, and rivers, the mountains and +forests, the winds and storms,—were ruled by different gods. The gods, +too, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> was supposed, controlled all the affairs of human life. There +were a god of war and a god of peace, and gods of music, and poetry, and +dancing, and hunting, and of all the other arts or occupations in which +men engaged.</p> + +<p>The gods, it was believed, were in some respects like human beings. In +form they usually appeared as men and women. They were passionate and +vindictive, and often quarreled among themselves. They married and had +children, and needed food and drink and sleep. Sometimes they married +human beings, and the sons of such marriages were the heroes of +antiquity, men of giant strength who performed daring and wonderful +feats. The food of the gods was Am-broʹsia, which conferred immortality +and perpetual youth on those who partook of it; their drink was a +delicious wine called Necʹtar.</p> + +<p>The gods, then, were immortal beings. They never died; they never grew +old, and they possessed immense power. They could change themselves, or +human beings, into any form, and they could make themselves visible or +invisible at pleasure. They could travel through the skies, or over +earth or ocean, with the rapidity of lightning, often riding in gorgeous +golden chariots drawn by horses of immortal breed. They were greatly +feared by men, and when any disaster occurred,—if lives were lost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> by +earthquake, or shipwreck, or any other calamity,—it was attributed to +the anger of some god.</p> + +<p>Though immortal beings, however, the gods were subject to some of the +physical infirmities of humanity. They could not die, but they might be +wounded and suffer bodily pain the same as men. They often took part in +the quarrels and wars of people on earth, and they had weapons and armor +like human warriors.</p> + +<p>The usual place of residence of the principal gods was on the top of +Mount O-lymʹpus in Greece. Here they dwelt in golden palaces, and they +had a Council Chamber where they frequently feasted together at grand +banquets, celestial music being rendered by A-polʹlo, the god of +minstrelsy, and the Muses, who were the divinities of poetry and song.</p> + +<p>In all the chief cities grand temples were erected for the worship of +the gods. One of the most famous was the Parʹthe-non, at Athens. At the +shrines of the gods costly gifts in gold and silver were presented, and +on their altars, often built in the open air, beasts were killed and +burned as sacrifices, which were thought to be very pleasing to the +divine beings to whom they were offered.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/02.jpg" + alt="The Parthenon." + title="The Parthenon." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Parthenon.</span><br /><i>From model in Metropolitan Museum, New York.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>The greatest and most powerful of the gods was Juʹpi-ter, also called +Jove or Zeus. To him all the rest were subject. He was the king of the +gods,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> the mighty Thunderer, at whose nod Olympus shook, and at whose +word the heavens trembled. From his great power in the regions of the +sky he was sometimes called the "cloud-compelling Jove."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He, whose all-conscious eyes the world behold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The eternal Thunderer sat, enthroned in gold.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">High heaven the footstool of his feet he makes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And wide beneath him all Olympus shakes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The wife of Jupiter, and the queen of heaven, was Juʹno, who, as we +shall see, was the great enemy of Troy and the Trojans. One of the +daughters of Jupiter, called Veʹnus, or Aph-ro-diʹte, was the goddess of +beauty and love. Nepʹtune was the god of the sea. He usually carried in +his hand a trident, or three-pronged scepter, the emblem of his +authority.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">His sumptuous palace-halls were built<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Deep down in ocean, golden, glittering, proof<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Against decay of time.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Mars was the god of war, and Pluʹto, also called Dis and Haʹdes, was god +of the regions of the dead. One of the most glorious and powerful of the +gods was Apollo, or Phœʹbus, or Sminʹtheus, for he had many names. He +was god of the sun, and of medicine, music, and poetry. He is +repre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>sented as holding in his hand a bow, and sometimes a lyre. Homer +calls him the "god of the silver bow," and the "far-darting Apollo," for +the ancients believed that with the dart of his arrow he sent down +plagues upon men whenever they offended him.</p> + +<p>The other principal deities mentioned by Homer are Mi-nerʹva, or +Palʹlas, the goddess of wisdom; Vulʹcan, the god of fire; and Merʹcu-ry, +or Herʹmes, the messenger of Jupiter. Vulcan was also the patron, or +god, of smiths. He had several forges; one was on Mount Olympus, and +another was supposed to be under Mount Ætʹna in Sicʹi-ly. Here, with his +giant workmen, the Cyʹclops, he made thunderbolts for Jupiter, and +sometimes armor and weapons of war for earthly heroes.</p> + +<p>The gods, it was believed, made their will known to men in various +ways,—sometimes by the flight of birds, frequently by dreams, and +sometimes by appearing on earth under different forms, and speaking +directly to kings and warriors. Very often men learned the will of the +gods by consulting seers and soothsayers, or augurs,—persons who were +supposed to have the power of foretelling events. There were temples +also where the gods gave answers through priests. Such answers were +called Orʹa-cles, and this name was also given to the priests. The most +celebrated oracle of ancient<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> times was in the temple of Apollo at +Delʹphi, in Greece. To this place people came from all parts of the +world to consult the god, whose answers were given by a priestess called +Pythʹi-a.</p> + +<p>The ancients never engaged in war or any other important undertaking +without sacrificing to the gods or consulting their oracles or +soothsayers. Before going to battle they made sacrifices to the gods. If +they were defeated in battle they regarded it as a sign of the anger of +Jupiter, or Juno, or Minerva, or Apollo, or some of the other great +beings who dwelt on Olympus. When making leagues or treaties of peace, +they called the gods as witnesses, and prayed to Father Jupiter to send +terrible punishments on any who should take false oaths, or break their +promises. In the story of the Trojan War we shall find many examples of +such appeals to the gods by the chiefs on both sides.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O Father Jove, who rulest from the top<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Ida, mightiest one and most august!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whichever of these twain has done the wrong,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Grant that he pass to Pluto's dwelling, slain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While friendship and a faithful league are ours.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O Jupiter most mighty and august!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whoever first shall break these solemn oaths,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So may their brains flow down upon the earth,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Theirs and their children's."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/03.jpg" + alt="Offering to Minerva." + title="Offering to Minerva." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Offering to Minerva.</span><br /><i>Painting by Gaudemaris.</i></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE STORY OF TROY.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>I. TROY BEFORE THE SIEGE.</h2> + + +<div class="figright"> + <img src="images/04.jpg" + alt="Decorative" + title="Decorative" /><br /> + <span class="caption"><i>Design by Burne-Jones.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>That part of Asia Minor which borders the narrow channel now known as +the Dar-da-nellesʹ, was in ancient times called Troʹas. Its capital was +the city of Troy, which stood about three miles from the shore of the +Æ-geʹan Sea, at the foot of Mount Ida, near the junction of two rivers, +the Simʹo-is, and the Sca-manʹder or Xanʹthus. The people of Troy and +Troas were called Trojans.</p> + +<p>Some of the first settlers in northwestern Asia Minor, before it was +called Troas,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> came from Thrace, a country lying to the north of Greece. +The king of these Thraʹcian colonists was Teuʹcer. During his reign a +prince named Darʹdanus arrived in the new settlement. He was a son of +Jupiter, and he came from Samʹo-thrace, one of the many islands of the +Ægean Sea. It is said that he escaped from a great flood which swept +over his native island, and that he was carried on a raft of wood to the +coast of the kingdom of Teucer. Soon afterwards he married Teucer's +daughter. He then built a city for himself amongst the hills of Mount +Ida, and called it Dar-daʹni-a; and on the death of Teucer he became +king of the whole country, to which he gave the same name, Dardania.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jove was the father, cloud-compelling Jove,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Dardanus, by whom Dardania first<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was peopled, ere our sacred Troy was built<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On the great plain,—a populous town; for men<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dwelt still upon the roots of Ida fresh<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With Qiany springs.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Dardanus was the ancestor of the Trojan line of kings. He had a grandson +named Tros, and from him the city Troy, as well as the country Troas, +took its name. The successor of King Tros was his son Iʹlus. By him Troy +was built, and it was therefore also called Ilʹi-um or Ilʹi-on; hence +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> title of Homer's great poem,—the Iliad. From the names Dardanus +and Teucer the city of Troy has also been sometimes called Dardania and +Teuʹcri-a, and the Trojans are often referred to as Dardanians and +Teucrians. Ilus was succeeded by his son La-omʹe-don, and Laomedon's son +Priʹam was king of Troy during the famous siege.</p> + +<p>The story of the founding of Troy is a very interesting one. Ilus went +forth from his father's city of Dardania, in search of adventures, as +was the custom of young princes and heroes in those days; and he +traveled on until he arrived at the court of the king of Phrygʹi-a, a +country lying east of Troas. Here he found the people engaged in +athletic games, at which the king gave valuable prizes for competition. +Ilus took part in a wrestling match, and he won fifty young men and +fifty maidens,—a strange sort of prize we may well think, but not at +all strange or unusual in ancient times, when there were many slaves +everywhere. During his stay in Phrygia the young Dardanian prince was +hospitably entertained at the royal palace. When he was about to depart, +the king gave him a spotted heifer, telling him to follow the animal, +and to build a city for himself at the place where she should first lie +down to rest.</p> + +<p>Ilus did as he was directed. With his fifty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> youths and fifty maidens he +set out to follow the heifer, leaving her free to go along at her +pleasure. She marched on for many miles, and at last lay down at the +foot of Mount Ida on a beautiful plain watered by two rivers, and here +Ilus encamped for the night. Before going to sleep he prayed to Jupiter +to send him a sign that that was the site meant for his city. In the +morning he found standing in front of his tent a wooden statue of the +goddess Minerva, also called Pallas. The figure was three cubits high. +In its right hand it held a spear, and in the left, a distaff and +spindle.</p> + +<p>This was the Pal-laʹdi-um of Troy, which afterwards became very famous. +The Trojans believed that it had been sent down from heaven, and that +the safety of their city depended upon its preservation. Hence it was +guarded with the greatest care in a temple specially built for the +purpose.</p> + +<p>Ilus, being satisfied that the statue was the sign for which he had +prayed, immediately set about building his city, and thus Troy was +founded. It soon became the capital of Troas and the richest and most +powerful city in that part of the world. During the reign of Laomedon, +son of Ilus, its mighty walls were erected, which in the next reign +withstood for ten years all the assaults of the Greeks. These walls were +the work of no human<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> hands. They were built by the ocean god Neptune. +This god had conspired against Jupiter and attempted to dethrone him, +and, as a punishment, his kingdom of the sea was taken away from him for +one year, and he was ordered to spend that time in the service of the +king of Troy.</p> + +<p>In building the great walls, Neptune was assisted by Apollo, who had +also been driven from Olympus for an offense against Jupiter. Apollo had +a son named Æs-cu-laʹpi-us, who was so skilled a physician that he +could, and did, raise people from death to life. Jupiter was very angry +at this. He feared that men might forget him and worship Æsculapius. He +therefore hurled a thunderbolt at the great physician and killed him. +Enraged at the death of his son, Apollo threatened to destroy the +Cyclops, the giant workmen of Vulcan, who had forged the terrible +thunderbolt. Before he could carry out his threat, however, Jupiter +expelled him from heaven. He remained on earth for several years, after +which he was permitted to return to his place among the gods on the top +of Mount Olympus.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/05.jpg" + alt="Neptune." + title="Neptune." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Neptune.</span><br /><i>National Museum, Athens.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Though Neptune was bound to serve Laomedon for one year, there was an +agreement between them that the god should get a certain reward for +building the walls. But when the work was finished the Trojan king +refused to keep his part of the bar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>gain. Apollo had assisted by his +powers of music. He played such tunes that he charmed even the huge +blocks of stone, so that they moved themselves into their proper places, +after Neptune had wrenched them from the mountain sides and had hewn +them into shape. Moreover, Apollo had taken care of Laomedon's numerous +flocks on Mount Ida. During the siege, Neptune, in a conversation with +Apollo before the walls of Troy, spoke of their labors in the service of +the Trojan king:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hast thou forgot, how, at the monarch's prayer,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We shared the lengthen'd labors of a year?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Troy walls I raised (for such were Jove's commands),<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And yon proud bulwarks grew beneath my hands:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy task it was to feed the bellowing droves<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Along fair Ida's vales and pendant groves."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Long before this, however, the two gods had punished Laomedon very +severely for breaking his promise. Apollo, after being restored to +heaven, sent a plague upon the city of Troy, and Neptune sent up from +the sea an enormous serpent which killed many of the people.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">A great serpent from the deep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lifting his horrible head above their homes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devoured the children.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Lewis Morris.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>In this terrible calamity the king asked an oracle in what way the anger +of the two gods might be appeased. The answer of the oracle was that a +Trojan maiden must each year be given to the monster to be devoured. +Every year, therefore, a young girl, chosen by lot, was taken down to +the seashore and chained to a rock to become the prey of the serpent. +And every year the monster came and swallowed up a Trojan maiden, and +then went away and troubled the city no more until the following year, +when he returned for another victim. At last the lot fell on He-siʹo-ne, +the daughter of the king. Deep was Laomedon's grief at the thought of +the awful fate to which his child was thus doomed.</p> + +<p>But help came at an unexpected moment. While, amid the lamentations of +her family and friends, preparations were being made to chain Hesione to +the rock, the great hero, Herʹcu-les, happened to visit Troy. He was on +his way home to Greece, after performing in a distant eastern country +one of those great exploits which made him famous in ancient story. The +hero undertook to destroy the serpent, and thus save the princess, on +condition that he should receive as a reward certain wonderful horses +which Laomedon just then had in his possession. These horses were given +to Laome<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>don's grandfather, Tros, on a very interesting occasion. Tros +had a son named Ganʹy-mede, a youth of wonderful beauty, and Jupiter +admired Ganymede so much that he had him carried up to heaven to be +cupbearer to the gods—to serve the divine nectar at the banquets on +Mount Olympus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">Godlike Ganymede, most beautiful<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of men; the gods beheld and caught him up<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To heaven, so beautiful was he, to pour<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The wine to Jove, and ever dwell with them.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>To compensate Tros for the loss of his son, Jupiter gave him four +magnificent horses of immortal breed and marvelous fleetness. These were +the horses which Hercules asked as his reward for destroying the +serpent. As there was no other way of saving the life of his daughter, +Laomedon consented. Hercules then went down to the seashore, bearing in +his hand the huge club which he usually carried, and wearing his +lion-skin over his shoulders. This was the skin of a fierce lion he had +strangled to death in a forest in Greece, and he always wore it when +going to perform any of his heroic feats.</p> + +<p>When Hesione had been bound to the rock, the hero stood beside her and +awaited the coming of the serpent. In a short time its hideous form +emerged from beneath the waves, and darting for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>ward it was about to +seize the princess, when Hercules rushed upon it, and with mighty +strokes of his club beat the monster to death. Thus was the king's +daughter saved and all Troy delivered from a terrible scourge. But when +the hero claimed the reward that had been agreed upon, and which he had +so well earned, Laomedon again proved himself to be a man who was +neither honest nor grateful. Disregarding his promise, and forgetful, +too, of what he and his people had already suffered as a result of his +breach of faith with the two gods, he refused to give Hercules the +horses.</p> + +<p>The hero at once went away from Troy, but not without resolving to +return at a convenient time and punish Laomedon. This he did, not long +afterwards, when he had completed the celebrated "twelve labors" at +which he had been set by a Grecian king, whom Jupiter commanded him to +serve for a period of years because of an offense he had committed. One +of these labors was the killing of the lion. Another was the destroying +of the Lerʹnæ-an hydra, a frightful serpent with many heads, which for a +long time had been devouring man and beast in the district of Lerʹna in +Greece.</p> + +<p>Having accomplished his twelve great labors and ended his term of +service, Hercules collected an army and a fleet, and sailed to the +shores of Troas.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> He then marched against the city, took it by surprise, +and slew Laomedon and all his sons, with the exception of Po-darʹces, +afterwards called Priam. This prince had tried to persuade his father to +fulfill the engagement with Hercules, for which reason his life was +spared. He was made a slave, however, as was done in ancient times with +prisoners taken in war. But Hesione ransomed her brother, giving her +gold-embroidered veil as the price of his freedom. From this time he was +called Priam, a word which in the Greek language means "purchased." +Hesione also prevailed upon Hercules to restore Priam to his right as +heir to his father's throne, and so he became king of Troy. Hesione +herself was carried off to Greece, where she was given in marriage to +Telʹa-mon, king of Salʹa-mis, a friend of Hercules.</p> + +<p>Priam reigned over his kingdom of Troas many years in peace and +prosperity. His wife and queen, the virtuous Hecʹu-ba, was a daughter of +a Thracian king. They had nineteen children, many of whom became famous +during the great siege. Their eldest son, Hecʹtor, was the bravest of +the Trojan heroes. Their son Parʹis it was, as we shall see, who brought +upon his country the disastrous war. Another son, Helʹe-nus, and his +sister Cas-sanʹdra, were celebrated soothsayers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + +<p>Cassandra was a maiden of remarkable beauty. The god Apollo loved her so +much that he offered to grant her any request if she would accept him as +her husband. Cassandra consented and asked for the power of foretelling +events, but when she received it, she slighted the god and refused to +perform her promise. Apollo was enraged at her conduct, yet he could not +take back the gift he had bestowed. He decreed, however, that no one +should believe or pay any attention to her predictions, true though they +should be. And so when Cassandra foretold the evils that were to come +upon Troy, even her own people would not credit her words. They spoke of +her as the "mad prophetess."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Cassandra cried, and cursed the unhappy hour;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Foretold our fate; but by the god's decree,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All heard, and none believed the prophecy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The first sorrow in the lives of King Priam and his good queen came a +short time before the birth of Paris, when Hecuba dreamed that her next +child would bring ruin upon his family and native city. This caused the +deepest distress to Priam and Hecuba, especially when the soothsayer +Æsʹa-cus declared that the dream would certainly be fulfilled. Then, +though they were tender and loving parents, they made up their minds to +sacrifice their own feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>ings rather than that such a calamity should +befall their country. When the child was born, the king, therefore, +ordered it to be given to Ar-che-laʹus, one of the shepherds of Mount +Ida, with instructions to expose it in a place where it might be +destroyed by wild beasts. The shepherd, though very unwilling to do so +cruel a thing, was obliged to obey, but on returning to the spot a few +days afterwards he found the infant boy alive and unhurt. Some say that +the child had been nursed and carefully tended by a she-bear. Archelaus +was so touched with pity at the sight of the innocent babe smiling in +his face, that he took the boy to his cottage, and, giving him the name +Paris, brought him up as one of his own family.</p> + +<p>With the herdsmen on Mount Ida, Paris spent his early years, not knowing +that he was King Priam's son. He was a brave youth, and of exceeding +beauty.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"His sunny hair<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cluster'd about his temples like a god's."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Tennyson</span>, <i>Œnone</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>He was skilled, too, in all athletic exercises, he was a bold huntsman, +and so brave in defending the shepherds against the attacks of robbers +that they called him Alexander, a name which means a protector of men. +Thus the young prince became<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> a favorite with the people who lived on +the hills. Very happy he was amongst them, and amongst the flocks which +his good friend and foster father, Archelaus, gave him to be his own. He +was still more happy in the company of the charming nymph Œ-noʹne, the +daughter of a river god; and he loved her and made her his wife. But +this happiness was destined not to be of long duration. The Fates<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> had +decreed it otherwise. Œnone the beautiful, whose sorrows have been the +theme of many poets, was to lose the love of the young shepherd prince, +and the dream of Hecuba was to have its fulfillment.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">The Fate<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That rules the will of Jove had spun the days<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Paris and Œnone.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Quintus Smyrnæus.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Fates were the three sisters, Cloʹtho, Lachʹe-sis, and +Atʹro-pos, powerful goddesses who controlled the birth and life of +mankind, Clotho, the youngest, presided over the moment of birth, and +held a distaff in her hand; Lachesis spun out the thread of human +existence (all the events and action's of man's life); and Atropos, with +a pair of shears which she always carried, cut this thread at the moment +of death.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> +<h2>II. THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS.</h2> + + +<p>It was through a quarrel among the three goddesses, Juno, Venus, and +Minerva, that Œnone, the fair nymph of Mount Ida, met her sad fate, and +that the destruction of Troy was brought about. The strife arose on the +occasion of the marriage of Peʹleus and Theʹtis. Peleus was a king of +Thesʹsa-ly, in Greece, and one of the great heroes of those days. Thetis +was a daughter of the sea god Neʹre-us, who had fifty daughters, all +beautiful sea nymphs, called "Ne-reʹi-des," from the name of their +father. Their duty was to attend upon the greater sea gods, and +especially to obey the orders of Neptune.</p> + +<p>Thetis was so beautiful that Jupiter himself wished to marry her, but +the Fates told him she was destined to have a son who would be greater +than his father. The king of heaven having no desire that a son of his +should be greater than himself, gave up the idea of wedding the fair +nymph of the sea, and consented that she should be the wife of Peleus, +who had long loved and wooed her. But Thetis, being a goddess, was +unwilling to marry a mortal man. However, she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> at last consented, and +all the gods and goddesses, with one exception, were present at the +marriage feast.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For in the elder time, when truth and worth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were still revered and cherished here on earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The tenants of the skies would oft descend<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To heroes' spotless homes, as friend to friend;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There meet them face to face, and freely share<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In all that stirred the hearts of mortals there.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Catullus</span> (Martin's tr.).<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The one exception was Eʹris, or Dis-corʹdi-a, the goddess of discord. +This evil-minded deity had at one time been a resident of Olympus, but +she caused so much dissension and quarreling there that Jupiter banished +her forever from the heavenly mansions. The presence of such a being as +a guest on so happy an occasion was not very desirable, and therefore no +invitation was sent to her.</p> + +<p>Thus slighted, the goddess of discord resolved to have revenge by doing +all that she could to disturb the peace and harmony of the marriage +feast. With this evil purpose she suddenly appeared in the midst of the +company, and threw on the table a beautiful golden apple, on which were +inscribed the words, "Let it be given to the fairest."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"This was cast upon the board,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When all the full-faced presence of the gods<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ranged in the halls of Peleus; whereupon<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rose feud, with question unto whom 'twere due."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Tennyson</span>, <i>Œnone</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>At once all the goddesses began to claim the glittering prize of beauty. +Each contended that she was the "fairest," and therefore should have the</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"fruit of pure Hesperian gold<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That smelt ambrosially."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But soon the only competitors were Juno, Venus, and Minerva, the other +goddesses having withdrawn their claims. The contest then became more +bitter, and at last Jupiter was called upon to act as judge in the +dispute. This delicate task the king of heaven declined to undertake. He +knew that whatever way he might decide, he would be sure to offend two +of the three goddesses, and thereby destroy the peace of his own +household. It was necessary, however, that an umpire should be chosen to +put an end to the strife, and doubtless it was the decree of the Fates +that the lot should fall on the handsome young shepherd of Mount Ida. +His wisdom and prudence were well known to the gods, and all seemed to +agree that he was a fit person to decide so great a contest.</p> + +<p>Paris was therefore appointed umpire. By Jupiter's command the golden +apple was sent to him, to be given to that one of the three goddesses +whom he should judge to be the most beautiful. The goddesses themselves +were directed to appear before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> him on Mount Ida, so that, beholding +their charms, he might be able to give a just decision. The English +poet, Tennyson, in his poem "Œnone," gives a fine description of the +three contending deities standing in the presence of the Trojan prince, +each in her turn trying, by promise of great reward, to persuade him to +declare in her favor. Juno spoke first, and she offered to bestow kingly +power and immense wealth upon Paris, if he would award the prize to her.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"She to Paris made<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Proffer of royal power, ample rule<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unquestion'd. . . . . . . .<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Honor,' she said, 'and homage, tax and toll,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From many an inland town and haven large.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Minerva next addressed the judge, and she promised him great wisdom and +knowledge, as well as success in war, if he would give the apple to her.</p> + +<p>Then Venus approached the young prince, who all the while held the +golden prize in his hand. She had but few words to say, for she was +confident in the power of her beauty and the tempting bribe she was +about to offer.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"She with a subtle smile in her mild eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The herald of her triumph, drawing nigh<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Half-whisper'd in his ear, 'I promise thee<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span><span class="i0">The fairest and most loving wife in Greece.'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She spoke and laugh'd."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The subtle smile and the whispered promise won the heart of Paris. +Forgetful of Œnone, and disregarding the promises of the other +goddesses, he awarded the prize to Venus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">He consign'd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To her soft hand the fruit of burnished rind;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And foam-born Venus grasp'd the graceful meed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of war, of evil war, the quickening seed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Coluthus</span> (Elton's tr.).<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Such was the famous judgment of Paris. It was perhaps a just decision, +for it may be supposed that Venus, being the goddess of beauty, was +really the most beautiful of the three. But the story does not give us a +very high idea of the character of Paris, who now no longer took +pleasure in the company of Œnone. All his thoughts and affections were +turned away from her by the promise of Venus. He had grown weary, too, +of his simple and innocent life among his flocks and herds on the +mountain. He therefore wished much for some adventure that would take +him away from scenes which had become distasteful to him.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/06.jpg" + alt="Paris." + title="Paris." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Paris.</span><br /><i>Vatican, Rome.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>The opportunity soon came. A member of King Priam's family having died, +it was announced that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> the funeral would be celebrated by athletic +games, as was the custom in ancient times. Paris resolved to go down to +the city and take part in these games. Prizes were to be offered for +competition, and one of the prizes was to be the finest bull that could +be picked from the herds on Mount Ida. Now it happened that the bull +selected belonged to Paris himself, but it could not be taken without +his consent. He was willing, however, to give it for the games on +condition that he should be permitted to enter the list of competitors.</p> + +<p>The condition was agreed to, and so the shepherd prince parted from +Œnone and went to the funeral games at Troy. He intended, perhaps, to +return sometime, but it was many years before he saw the fair nymph of +Mount Ida again,—not until he was about to die of a wound received from +one of the Greeks in the Trojan War. Œnone knew what was to happen, for +Apollo had conferred upon her the gift of prophecy, and she warned Paris +that if he should go away from her he would bring ruin on himself and +his country, telling him also that he would seek for her help when it +would be too late to save him. These predictions, as we shall see, were +fulfilled. Œnone's grief and despair in her loneliness after the +departure of Paris are touchingly described in Tennyson's poem:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O happy Heaven, how canst thou see my face?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O happy earth, how canst thou bear my weight?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O death, death, death, thou ever-floating cloud,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There are enough unhappy on this earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pass by the happy souls, that love to live:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I pray thee, pass before my light of life,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And shadow all my soul, that I may die.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou weighest heavy on the heart within,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Weigh heavy on my eyelids: let me die."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At the athletic games in Troy everybody admired the noble appearance of +Paris, but nobody knew who he was. In the competitions he won all the +first prizes, for Venus had given him godlike strength and swiftness. He +defeated even Hector, who was the greatest athlete of Troy. Hector, +angry at finding himself and all the highborn young men of the city +beaten by an unknown stranger, resolved to put him to death, and Paris +would probably have been killed, had he not fled for safety into the +temple of Jupiter. Cassandra, who happened to be in the temple at the +time, noticed Paris closely, and observing that he bore a strong +resemblance to her brothers, she asked him about his birth and age. From +his answers she was satisfied that he was her brother, and she at once +introduced him to the king. Further inquiries were then made. The old +shepherd, Archelaus, to whom Paris had been delivered in his infancy to +be ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>posed on Mount Ida, was still living, and he came and told his +story. Then King Priam and Queen Hecuba joyfully embraced and welcomed +their son, never thinking of the terrible dream or of the prophecy of +Æsacus. Hector, no longer angry or jealous, was glad to see his brother, +and proud of his victories in the games. Everybody rejoiced except +Cassandra. She knew the evil which was to come to Troy through Paris, +but nobody would give credit to what the "mad prophetess" said.</p> + +<p>Thus restored to his high position as a prince of the royal house of +Troy, Paris now resided in his father's palace, apparently contented and +happy. But the promise made to him on Mount Ida, which he carefully +concealed from his family, was always in his mind. His thoughts were +ever turned toward Greece, where dwelt the fairest woman of those times. +This was Helen, wife of Men-e-laʹus, king of Sparʹta, celebrated +throughout the ancient world for her matchless beauty. Paris had been +promised the fairest woman for his wife, and he felt sure that it could +be no other than the far-famed Helen. To Greece therefore he resolved to +go, as soon as there should be an excuse for undertaking what was then a +long and dangerous voyage of many weeks, though in our day it is no more +than a few hours' sail.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<p>The occasion was found when King Priam resolved to send ambassadors to +the island of Salamis to demand the restoration of his sister Hesione, +whom Hercules had carried off many years before. Her husband, Telamon, +was now dead, but his son Aʹjax still held her as a prisoner at his +court. Priam had never forgotten his sister's love for himself, for she +it was, as will be remembered, who redeemed him from slavery and placed +him on his father's throne. He now determined that she should be brought +back to her native country, and Paris earnestly begged permission to +take charge of the expedition which was to be sent to Salamis for that +purpose. Priam consented, and a fleet worthy to convey the son of the +king of Troy and his retinue to Greece was built by Pherʹe-clus, a +skillful Trojan craftsman, whom the goddess Minerva (Pallas) had +instructed in all kinds of workmanship.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For loved by Pallas, Pallas did impart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To him the shipwright's and the builder's art.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beneath his hand the fleet of Paris rose,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The fatal cause of all his country's woes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Before the departure of the fleet, Cassandra raised her voice of +warning, but as usual her words were not heeded, and so Paris set sail. +He reached the shores of Greece in safety; but instead<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> of proceeding to +Salamis to demand Hesione from King Ajax, he steered his vessels to the +coast of Sparta. This he did under the guidance and direction of Venus, +who was now about to fulfill the promise by which she had won the golden +prize on Mount Ida.</p> + +<p>Landing in Sparta, Paris hastened to the court of Menelaus, where he was +hospitably received. The king gave banquets in his honor and invited him +to prolong his stay in Sparta, and the beautiful Queen Helen joined in +her husband's kind attentions to their guest.</p> + +<p>Soon after the arrival of Paris, the king of Sparta received an +invitation to take part in a hunting expedition in the island of Crete. +Having no suspicion of the evil design of Paris, he accepted the +invitation. He departed for Crete, leaving to his queen the duty of +entertaining the Trojan prince until his return. Then Paris, taking +advantage of the absence of Menelaus, induced Helen to desert her +husband and her home, and go with him to Troy. He told her of the +promise of Venus, and assured her that she would be received with great +honor in his father's palace, and protected against the anger of +Menelaus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">From her husband's stranger-sheltering home<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He tempted Helen o'er the ocean foam.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Coluthus</span> (Elton's tr.).<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/07.jpg" + alt="Abduction of Helen." + title="Abduction of Helen." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Abduction of Helen.</span><br /><i>Painting by Deutsch.</i></span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>Helen having consented, Paris carried her off in his fleet. At the same +time he carried away a vast quantity of treasure in gold and other +costly things which belonged to King Menelaus. On the voyage homeward +the ships were driven by a storm to the shores of the island of +Cranʹa-e, where Paris and Helen remained for some time. When at last +they reached the Trojan capital they were cordially welcomed by King +Priam and Queen Hecuba, and in a short time they were married, and the +event was celebrated with great rejoicing.</p> + +<p>But all the people of Troy did not take part in this rejoicing. Hector, +the son of Priam, and others of his wisest counselors, strongly censured +the conduct of Paris, and they advised the king to send Helen back to +Sparta. But Priam would not listen to their prudent advice, and so she +remained in Troy.</p> + +<p>The great beauty of Helen has been celebrated by poets in ancient and +modern times. Tennyson, in his "Dream of Fair Women," introduces her as +one of the forms of the vision he describes:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"I saw a lady within call,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Stiller than chisell'd marble, standing there;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A daughter of the gods, divinely tall,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And most divinely fair."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> +<h2>III. THE LEAGUE AGAINST TROY.</h2> + + +<p>The carrying off of Helen was the cause of the Trojan War. Menelaus, +upon hearing what Paris had done, immediately returned to Sparta, and +began to make preparations to avenge the wrong. He called upon the other +kings and princes of Greece to join him with their armies and fleets in +a war against Troy. They were bound to do this by an oath they had taken +at the time of the marriage of Helen and Menelaus.</p> + +<p>Helen was the daughter of Tynʹda-rus, who was king of Sparta before +Menelaus. Some say that she was the daughter of Jupiter, and that +Tyndarus was her stepfather. But from her infancy she was brought up at +the royal palace of Sparta as the daughter of Tyndarus and his wife, +Leʹda. When she became old enough to marry, the fame of her great beauty +drew many of the young princes of Greece to Sparta, all competing for +her favor, and each hoping to win her for his wife. This placed Tyndarus +in a difficulty. He was alarmed at the sight of so many suitors for the +hand of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> daughter, for he knew that he could not give her to one +without offending all the rest. He therefore resolved to adopt the +advice of Ulysses, the prince of Ithʹa-ca (an island on the west coast +of Greece). Ulysses, also named O-dysʹseus, was famed for great wisdom +as well as valor in war.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">Ulysses, man of many arts,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Son of Laertes, reared in Ithaca,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That rugged isle, and skilled in every form<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of shrewd device and action wisely planned.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Ulysses had himself been one of the suitors for Helen, but he saw that +among so many competitors he had little chance of success. Besides, he +had fallen in love with Pe-nelʹo-pe, the niece of Tyndarus. He therefore +withdrew from the contest, and he offered to suggest a plan for settling +the difficulty about Helen, if Tyndarus would give him Penelope to be +his wife. Tyndarus consented. Ulysses then advised that Helen should +choose for herself which of the princes she would have for her husband, +but that before she did so, all the suitors should pledge themselves by +oath to submit to her decision, and engage that if any one should take +her away from the husband of her choice, they would all join in +punishing the offender.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If any dared to seize and bear her off,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All would unite in arms, and lay his town<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Level with the ground.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Euripides</span> (Potter's tr.).<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Grecian princes consented to this proposal. They all, including +Ulysses himself, took the required oath. Helen then made choice of +Menelaus, to whom she was immediately married with great pomp and +popular rejoicing. On the death of Tyndarus, Menelaus became king of +Sparta, and he and his beautiful queen lived and reigned together in +prosperity and happiness until the ill-fated visit of Paris.</p> + +<p>Menelaus was the brother of Ag-a-memʹnon, king of My-ceʹnæ, one of the +most powerful and wealthy of the kings of Helʹlas, as Greece was +anciently called. Their father, Aʹtreus, was a son of the hero Peʹlops, +who conquered the greater part of the peninsula named from him the +Pel-oponneʹsus, and who was the grandson of Jupiter. Agamemnon, or +A-triʹdes (son of Atreus), as he is often called, was commander in chief +of all the Greek armies during the siege of Troy. From his high rank and +authority Homer calls him the "king of men" and the "king of kings." He +is sometimes also called "king of all Arʹgos," a powerful kingdom near +Mycenæ, and from this name the Greeks are sometimes called "Arʹgives.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>" +The royal scepter which Agamemnon bore in his hands when addressing his +soldiers was made by Vulcan for Jupiter.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The king of kings his awful figure raised;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">High in his hand the golden sceptre blazed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The golden sceptre, of celestial flame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By Vulcan formed, from Jove to Hermes came:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Pelops he the immortal gift resign'd;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The immortal gift great Pelops left behind.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The kings and princes of Hellas, who met at the call of Menelaus, +decided, after some discussion of the matter, that before declaring war +against Troy it would be well to try to obtain satisfaction by peaceful +means. They therefore sent ambassadors to Troy to demand the restoration +of Helen and the treasures which Paris had carried off. Diʹo-mede, king +of Æ-toʹlia, and the wise Ulysses, were chosen for this mission. +Menelaus volunteered to accompany them, thinking that he might be able +to persuade his wife to return to her home.</p> + +<p>When the Greek ambassadors arrived in the Trojan capital they were +respectfully received by the king. During their stay in the city they +were entertained at the residence of An-teʹnor, one of Priam's ministers +of state, who had the wisdom to disapprove of the action of Paris, and +to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> advise that the Spartan queen should be given back to her husband. +Antenor much admired the appearance and eloquence of Ulysses, which are +thus described in the Iliad:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But when Ulysses rose, in thought profound,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His modest eyes he fixed upon the ground;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As one unskilled or dumb, he seem'd to stand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor raised his head, nor stretch'd his sceptred hand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But, when he speaks, what elocution flows!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Soft as the fleeces of descending snows,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The copious accents fall, with easy art;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Melting they fall, and sink into the heart!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But the eloquence of Ulysses was of no avail. King Priam, blinded by his +love for his son, saw not the threatened danger, and he refused the +demand of the ambassadors. Menelaus was not even permitted to see his +wife. Ulysses and his companions then returned to Greece, and at once +preparations for war with Troy were commenced.</p> + +<p>These preparations occupied a very long time. Ten years were spent in +getting together the vast force, which in more than a thousand ships was +carried across the Ægean Sea to the Trojan shores, from the port of +Auʹlis on the east coast-of Greece. Some of the Hel-lenʹic (Greek) +princes were very unwilling to join the expedition, as they knew that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +the struggle would be a tedious and perilous one. Even Ulysses, who, as +we have seen, had first proposed the suitors' oath at Sparta, was at the +last moment unwilling to go. He had now become king of Ithaca, his +father, La-erʹtes, having retired from the cares of government, and he +would gladly have remained in his happy island home with his young wife, +Penelope, and his infant son, Te-lemʹa-chus, both of whom he tenderly +loved.</p> + +<p>But the man of many arts could not be spared from the Trojan War. He +paid no heed, however, to the messages sent to him asking him to join +the army at Aulis. Agamemnon resolved, therefore, to go himself to +Ithaca to persuade Ulysses to take part in the expedition. He was +accompanied by his brother Menelaus, and by a chief named Pal-a-meʹdes, +a very wise and learned man as well as a brave warrior. As soon as +Ulysses heard of their arrival in Ithaca, he pretended to be insane, and +he tried by a very amusing stratagem to make them believe that he was +really mad. Dressing himself in his best clothes, and going down to the +seashore, he began to plow the beach with a horse and an <i>ox</i> yoked +together, and to scatter salt upon the sand instead of seed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/08.jpg" + alt="Ulysses feigning Madness." + title="Ulysses feigning Madness." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Ulysses feigning Madness.</span><br /><i>Heywood Hardy.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Palamedes, however, was more than a match in artifice for the Ithacan +king. Taking Telemachus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> from the arms of his nurse, he placed the +infant on the sand in front of the plowing team. Ulysses quickly turned +the animals aside to avoid injuring his child, thus proving that he was +not mad but in full possession of his senses. The king of Ithaca was +therefore obliged to join the expedition to Troy. With twelve ships well +manned he sailed from his rugged island, which he did not again see for +twenty years. Ten years he spent at the siege, and ten on his homeward +voyage, during which he met with the wonderful adventures that Homer +describes in the Odyssey.</p> + +<p>Ulysses had his revenge upon Palamedes in a manner very unworthy of a +brave man. In the camp before Troy, during the siege, he bribed one of +the servants of Palamedes to conceal a sum of money in his master's +tent. He then forged a letter, which he read before a council of the +Greek generals, saying that Palamedes had taken it from a Trojan +prisoner. This letter was written as if by King Priam to Palamedes, +thanking him for the information he had given regarding the plans of the +Greeks, and mentioning money as having been sent him in reward for his +services. The Greek generals at once ordered a search to be made in the +tent of Palamedes, and the money being found where it had been hidden by +direction of Ulysses,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> the unfortunate Palamedes was immediately put to +death as a traitor.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Palamedes, not unknown to fame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who suffered from the malice of the times,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Accused and sentenced for pretended crimes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is said that Palamedes was the inventor of weights and measures, and +of the games of chess and backgammon, and that it was he who first +placed sentinels round a camp and gave them a watchword.</p> + +<p>There was another of the Greek princes whose help in the Trojan War was +obtained only by an ingenious trick. This was the famous A-chilʹles. He +was the son of Peleus and Thetis, at whose marriage feast Eris threw the +apple of discord on the table. The prophecy that Thetis would have a son +greater than his father was fulfilled in Achilles, the bravest of the +Greeks at the Trojan War, and the principal hero of Homer's Iliad.</p> + +<p>Thetis educated her son with great care. She had him instructed in all +the accomplishments fitting for princes of those times. When he was an +infant she dipped him in the river Styx, which, it was believed, made it +impossible for any weapon wielded by mortal hands to wound him. But the +water did not touch the child's heel by which his mother held<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> him when +she plunged him in the river, and it was in this part that he received +the wound of which he died.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding his being dipped in the Styx, Thetis was afraid to let +Achilles go to the Trojan War, for Jupiter had told her that he would be +killed if he took part in it. For this reason, as soon as she heard that +the Grecian princes were gathering their forces, she secretly sent the +youth to the court of Lyc-o-meʹdes, king of the island of Scyʹros. Here +Achilles, dressed like a young girl, resided as a companion of the +king's daughters. But Calʹchas, the soothsayer of the Grecian army, told +the chiefs that without the help of Achilles Troy could not be taken.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Calchas the wise, the Grecian priest and guide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That sacred seer, whose comprehensive view,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The past, the present, and the future knew.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Calchas, however, could not tell where Achilles was to be found, and +when they applied to Peleus, he too was unable or unwilling to tell +them. In this difficulty the wily king of Ithaca did good service. After +much inquiry he discovered that Achilles was at Scyros with the king's +daughters. He soon made his way to the island, but here there was a new +difficulty. He had never seen the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> young prince, and how was he to know +him? But he devised a scheme which proved entirely successful. Equipping +himself as a peddler, he went to the royal palace, exhibiting jewelry +and other fancy articles to attract the attention of the ladies of the +family. He also had some beautiful weapons of war among his wares.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/09.jpg" + alt="Achilles at the Court of Lycomedes." + title="Achilles at the Court of Lycomedes." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Achilles at the Court of Lycomedes.</span><br /><i>Painting by Battoni.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>As soon as he appeared, the maidens gathered about him and began +examining the jewels. But one of the group eagerly seized a weapon, and +handled it with much skill and pleasure. Satisfied that this was the +young prince of whom he was in search, the pretended peddler announced +his name and told why he had come. Achilles, for it was he, gladly +agreed to take part with his countrymen in their great expedition, and +he immediately returned to Phthiʹa, the capital of his father's kingdom +of Thessaly. There he lost no time in making all necessary preparations. +Soon afterwards he sailed for Aulis with the brave Myrʹmi-dons, as his +soldiers were called, accompanied also by his devoted friend and +constant companion, Pa-troʹclus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Full fifty ships beneath Achilles' care,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Achaians, Myrmidons, Hellenians bear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thessalians all, though various in their name;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The same their nation, and their chief the same.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>Agamemnon, the commander in chief of the great host, sailed with a +hundred ships from his kingdom of Mycenæ, and his brother Menelaus, +eager for vengeance upon the Trojans, sailed with sixty ships and a +strong force of brave Spartans.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Great Agamemnon rules the numerous band,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A hundred vessels in long order stand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And crowded nations wait his dread command.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">High on the deck the king of men appears,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And his refulgent arms in triumph wears;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Proud of his host, unrivall'd in his reign,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In silent pomp he moves along the main.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His brother follows, and to vengeance warms,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The hardy Spartans, exercised in arms:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">. . . . . .<br /></span> +<span class="i0">These, o'er the bending ocean, Helen's cause,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In sixty ships with Menelaus draws.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i> Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Among the other great warriors of Hellas who joined the expedition was +Nesʹtor, the venerable king of Pyʹlos, distinguished for his eloquence, +wisdom, and prudence.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In ninety sail, from Pylos' sandy coast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nestor the sage conducts his chosen host.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The ancients believed that Nestor outlived three generations of men, +which some suppose to have been three hundred years. From this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> it was a +custom of the ancient Greeks and Romans, when wishing a long and happy +life to their friends, to wish them to live as long as Nestor.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Experienced Nestor, in persuasion skill'd;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Words, sweet as honey, from his lips distill'd;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two generations now had pass'd away,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wise by his rules, and happy by his sway;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two ages o'er his native realm he reign'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And now the example of the third remain'd.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The two Ajaxes were also renowned warriors of the Grecian army,—Ajax +Telamon and Ajax O-iʹleus, so called from the names of their fathers. +Telamon was the king of Salamis, to whom, as has been told, Hercules +gave Laomedon's daughter, Hesione. His son Ajax, a man of huge stature +and giant strength, was, next to Achilles, the bravest of all the Greeks +who went to the Trojan War.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">With these appear the Salaminian bands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whom the gigantic Telamon commands;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In twelve black ships to Troy they steer their course,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And with the great Athenians join their force.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Ajax Oileus, king of Loʹcris, was less in stature than his namesake, but +few excelled him in the use<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> of the spear or in swiftness of foot. He +commanded forty ships in the great expedition.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Fierce Ajax led the Locrian squadrons on,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ajax the less, Oileus' valiant son;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Skill'd to direct the flying dart aright;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Swift in pursuit, and active in the fight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Two other valiant warriors, who led eighty ships each to the great +muster, were Diomede, king of Argos, and I-domʹe-neus, king of +Crete,—the "spear-renowned Idomeneus."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Crete's hundred cities pour forth all her sons.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">These march'd, Idomeneus, beneath thy care.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When at length all the kings and princes were assembled at Aulis, the +vast fleet numbered 1185 ships, according to the account given by Homer. +The total number of men which the ships carried is not known, but it is +probable that it was not less than 100,000, as the largest of the +vessels contained about 120, and the smallest 50 men each.</p> + +<p>Such was the mighty host that Hellas marshaled to punish Troy for the +crime committed by Paris. Before setting out on so important an +expedition the Greek chiefs deemed it proper, according to the custom of +the ancients, to offer sacrifices to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> gods, that their undertaking +might have the favor of heaven. Altars were therefore erected, and the +sacred services were carried out in due order. On these occasions +animals—very frequently oxen—were killed, and portions of their flesh +consumed by fire, such sacrifices being supposed to be very pleasing to +the gods.</p> + +<p>While the Grecian chiefs were engaged in their religious ceremonies, the +greater part of the army having already gone aboard the ships, they were +startled at beholding a serpent dart out from beneath one of the altars, +and, gliding along the ground, ascend a plane tree which grew close by. +At the top of the tree was a nest containing eight young birds. The +serpent devoured them, and immediately afterwards seized and devoured +the mother bird, which had been fluttering around the nest. Then +suddenly, before the eyes of the astonished Greeks, the reptile turned +into stone. Amazed at this occurrence, and believing it to have some +connection with their expedition, the assembled chiefs asked the +soothsayer Calchas to explain what it meant. The seer replied, telling +them that it was a sign that the war upon which they were about to enter +would last ten years.</p> + +<p>"For us, indeed," said he, "Jupiter has shown a great sign. As this +serpent has devoured the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> young of the sparrow, eight in number, and +herself, the mother of the brood, was the ninth, so must we for as many +years wage war, but in the tenth year we shall take the city."</p> + +<p>This story was eloquently told by Ulysses in the Greek camp before Troy, +when in the tenth year of the siege, many of the troops, having grown +weary of the war, desired to return to their homes.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/10.jpg" + alt="Decorative" + title="Decorative" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> +<h2>IV. BEGINNING OF THE WAR.</h2> + + +<p>The Greek chiefs, nothing daunted by the words of Calchas, now set sail +with their immense fleet. Though the war was to be a long one, they were +encouraged by the prophecy that they were to be the conquerors.</p> + +<p>Their first experience was not very fortunate. They safely crossed the +Ægean Sea, but instead of steering for Troy, the pilots, through either +ignorance or mistake, brought the vessels to the shore on the coast of +Teu-thra'ni-a, a district in the kingdom of Mys'i-a, lying southeast of +Troas. Here the Greeks landed, but they were at once attacked by +Tel'e-phus, the king of that country, who came down upon them with a +strong force, and drove them back to their ships after a battle in which +many of them were killed. They would probably have fared much worse had +it not been for the friendly aid of Bacʹchus, the god of wine. While +Telephus was fighting at the head of his men he tripped and fell over a +vine, which the god had caused to spring up suddenly from the earth at +his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> feet. As he lay flat on the ground Achilles rushed forward and +severely wounded him with a thrust of his spear.</p> + +<p>The Greeks, however, were obliged to take to the sea, and soon afterward +a great storm arose, which destroyed many of their vessels. Owing to +this misfortune they had to return to Aulis, where they set about +repairing their damaged ships and getting ready to start again. While +the Greeks were thus engaged, they were surprised by the appearance of +King Telephus, who came to their camp to beg Achilles to cure his wound, +an oracle he had consulted having told him that he could be cured only +by the person who had wounded him.</p> + +<p>Achilles was at first unwilling to comply with the request of Telephus, +but Ulysses advised him to do so. Telephus was one of the sons of +Hercules, and it had been decreed that without the help of a son of that +hero Troy could not be taken. Moreover, he was a son-in-law of Priam, +and his country lay close to where the war was to be carried on. For +these reasons Ulysses wished to make him friendly to the Greeks, and so +he persuaded Achilles to cure the Teuthranian king. Achilles did this by +dropping into the wound portions of the rust from the point of his +spear.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> Telephus was so grateful that he joined the expedition against +Troy, and undertook to pilot the Grecian fleet to the Trojan coast.</p> + +<p>But another difficulty now stood in the way of the Greeks. Their fleet +was once more ready for departure, but the winds were unfavorable. In +ancient times they could not make a sea voyage when the winds were +against them. Their ships were very small, and were moved only by oars +and sails. Homer gives us a good idea of the ancient system of +navigation, where he tells, in the Odyssey, about young Telemachus +setting out on a voyage in search of his father, Ulysses:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Telemachus went up<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The vessel's side, but Pallas first embarked,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And at the stern sat down, while next to her<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Telemachus was seated. Then the crew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cast loose the fastenings and went all on board,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And took their places on the rowers' seats,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While blue-eyed Pallas sent a favoring breeze,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A fresh wind from the west, that murmuring swept<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dark-blue main. Telemachus gave forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The word to wield the tackle; they obeyed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And raised the fir-tree mast, and, fitting it<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Into its socket, bound it fast with cords,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And drew and spread with firmly twisted ropes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The shining sails on high. The steady wind<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Swelled out the canvas in the midst; the ship<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span><span class="i0">Moved on, the dark sea roaring round her keel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As swiftly through the waves she cleft her way.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>For many days the Greek chiefs at Aulis waited for favoring breezes, but +none came.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"The troops<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Collected and embodied, here we sit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Inactive, and from Aulis wish to sail<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In vain."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Euripides</span> (Potter's tr.).<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At last the soothsayer Calchas told them that the easterly winds which +prevented them from sailing were caused by the anger of Di-anʹa. Diana +was the goddess of hunting, and there was one of her sacred groves in +the neighborhood of Aulis. In this grove King Agamemnon went hunting +during the time the ships were being repaired after the storm, and he +killed one of Diana's favorite deer. He even boasted that he was a +greater hunter than Diana herself. This enraged the goddess, and Calchas +said that her anger could be appeased only by the offering up of +Agamemnon's daughter, Iph-i-ge-niʹa, as a sacrifice.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/11.jpg" + alt="Diana hunting." + title="Diana hunting." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Diana hunting.</span><br /><i>Painting by Makart.</i> (<i>Fragment</i>.)</span> +</div> + +<p>The feelings of the father may be easily imagined. He heard the +announcement of the soothsayer with the utmost horror, and he declared +that he would withdraw from the expedition rather than permit his child +to be put to death. But Ulysses and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> other princes begged him to +remember that the honor of their country was at stake. They said that if +he should withdraw, the great cause for which they had labored for ten +years would be lost, and the Trojan insult to his own family and to all +Greece would remain unpunished.</p> + +<p>At last Agamemnon consented, and messengers were sent to Mycenæ to bring +Iphigenia to Aulis. The king was even persuaded to deceive his wife, +Clyt-em-nesʹtra. Knowing that she would not allow her daughter to be +taken away for such a purpose, he wrote a letter to the queen, saying +that Iphigenia had been chosen to be the wife of Achilles, and that he +wished the marriage ceremony to be performed before the departure of the +young prince for Troy.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"I wrote, I seal'd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A letter to my wife, that she should send<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her daughter to Achilles as a bride<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Affianc'd."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Euripides</span> (Potter's tr.).<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Clytemnestra agreed to the proposal, happy at the thought of her +daughter being married to so great a prince as Achilles. Iphigenia +accordingly accompanied the messengers to the Greek camp at Aulis. When +she learned of the terrible fate to which she had been doomed, she threw +herself at her father's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> feet and piteously implored his protection. But +her tears and entreaties were in vain. The agonized father had now no +power to save her, for the whole army demanded that the will of the +goddess should be obeyed. Preparations for the awful sacrifice were +therefore made, and when everything was ready, the beautiful young +princess was led to the altar. Tennyson, in his "Dream of Fair Women," +has these lines about Iphigenia at Aulis:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I was cut off from hope in that sad place,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which men called Aulis in those iron years:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My father held his hand upon his face;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I, blinded with my tears,<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Still strove to speak: my voice was thick with sighs<br /></span> +<span class="i2">As in a dream. Dimly I could descry<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The stern, black-bearded kings with wolfish eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Waiting to see me die."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Iphigenia was not sacrificed after all. Her innocence excited the +pity even of Diana, and at the last moment the goddess snatched the +weeping maiden away in a cloud, and left in her place a beautiful deer +to be offered up as a sacrifice. She carried the princess off to +Tauʹri-ca, a country bordering the Black Sea, and there Iphigenia +remained for many years, serving as a priestess in Diana's temple.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<p>The anger of Diana being appeased, favorable winds now began to blow, +and the Greeks again set sail. This time they had a more fortunate +voyage. Piloted by Telephus, the fleet crossed the Ægean Sea, and safely +reached the coast of Troas. But here Calchas made another discouraging +prophecy. He declared that the first Greek who stepped on Trojan soil +would be killed in the first fight with the enemy. This the oracle at +Delphi had also foretold. There was some hesitation, therefore, about +landing, for the army of King Priam was ranged along the beach prepared +for battle with the invaders.</p> + +<p>This was the occasion of an heroic act by Pro-tes-i-laʹus, king of +Phylʹa-ce in Thessaly, who boldly leaped ashore as soon as the vessels +touched the land. The prediction of Calchas was soon fulfilled. +Protesilaus was struck dead in the first fight by a spear launched by +the hands of the Trojan leader, Hector. The bravery of the Thessalian +king, and the grief of his queen, La-od-a-miʹa, when she heard of his +death, have been much celebrated in song and story.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Protesilaus the brave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who now lay silent in the gloomy grave:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The first who boldly touch'd the Trojan shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And dyed a Phrygian lance with Grecian gore;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">There lies, far distant from his native plain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And his sad consort beats her breast in vain.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Laodamia in her sorrow prayed to the gods that she might see her husband +again on earth. Jupiter heard her prayer, and he ordered Mercury to +conduct Protesilaus from Hades, the land of the dead, to Thessaly, to +remain with Laodamia for the space of three hours.</p> + +<p>Laodamia was happy for the brief time allowed her to enjoy again the +companionship of her beloved Protesilaus, and she listened with pride to +the story of his brave deed on the Trojan shore.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Thou know'st, the Delphic oracle foretold<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That the first Greek who touched the Trojan strand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Should die; but me the threat could not withhold:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A generous cause a victim did demand;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And forth I leapt upon the sanely plain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A self-devoted chief—by Hector slain."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Wordsworth</span>, <i>Laodamia</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But the happy moments flew swiftly by, and when the three hours had +passed, Mercury returned to take the hero back to the world of shades. +The parting was too much for the fond Laodamia. She died of grief as her +husband disappeared from her sight.</p> + +<p>Protesilaus was buried on the Trojan shore, and around his grave, it is +said, there grew very wonder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>ful trees. These trees withered away as +soon as their tops reached high enough to be seen from the city of Troy. +Then fresh trees sprang up from their roots, and withered in like manner +when they reached the same height, and so this marvelous growth and +decay continued for ages.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Upon the side<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Hellespont (such faith was entertained)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A knot of spiry trees for ages grew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From out the tomb of him for whom she died;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And ever, when such stature they had gained<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That Ilium's walls were subject to their view,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The trees' tall summits withered at the sight;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A constant interchange of growth and blight!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Wordsworth</span>, <i>Laodamia</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The heroic act of Protesilaus was the beginning of the great war. Before +he fell himself he slew many of the enemy, and hosts of his countrymen, +encouraged by his example, poured from their ships and encountered the +Trojans in fierce conflict. In this first battle the Greeks were +victorious. Though Hector and his brave troops fought valiantly they +were driven back from the shore, and compelled to take refuge within the +strong walls of the city.</p> + +<p>The Trojans were well prepared for the war. King Priam had not been idle +while the Greek leaders were mustering their forces. From all parts of +his kingdom he had gathered immense supplies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> of provisions, and the +princes and chiefs of Troas came with large armies to defend their king +and country. The most celebrated of these chiefs was the hero Æ-neʹas, +son of An-chiʹses and the goddess Venus. He commanded the Dardanian +forces, and had as his lieutenants the two brave warriors, Acʹa-mas and +Ar-chilʹo-chus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Divine Æneas brings the Dardan race.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Archilochus and Acamas divide<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The warrior's toils, and combat by his side.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Trojans had numerous and powerful allies. Troops were sent to them +from the neighboring countries of Phrygia, Mysia, Lycʹi-a and Caʹri-a. +The Lycian forces were led by Sar-peʹdon, a son of Jupiter, and a +renowned warrior.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A chief, who led to Troy's beleaguer'd wall<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A host of heroes, and outshined them all.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But the greatest of the heroes who defended Troy, and, with the +exception of Achilles, the greatest and bravest of all who took part in +the Trojan War, was the famous Hector.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The boast of nations, the defense of Troy!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To whom her safety and her fame she owed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her chief, her hero, and almost her god!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>So long as Hector lived Troy was safe. When he died, his great rival, +Achilles, by whose hand he was slain, rejoiced with the Greeks as if +Troy had already fallen.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Ye sons of Greece, in triumph bring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The corpse of Hector, and your pæans sing.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be this the song, slow-moving toward the shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Hector is dead, and Ilion is no more.'"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But though led by the great Hector, the Trojans, after their first +defeat, were unable to keep up the fight in the open field against the +vast numbers of the Greeks. Seeing, therefore, that they must depend for +safety on the strong walls which Neptune had built, they drew all their +forces into the city, leaving the enemy in possession of the surrounding +country.</p> + +<p>Then the famous siege of ten years began. The Greeks hauled their ships +out of the water, and fixed them on the beach in an upright position +supported by props. Close to the vessels, on the land side, they erected +their tents, which extended in a long line, one wing, or end, of which +was guarded by Achilles, and the other by Ajax Telamon. Between this +encampment and the walls of Troy—a distance of three or four +miles—many a fierce conflict took place, and many a brave warrior fell +during the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> great contest. For the Trojans, headed by Hector or some +other of their chiefs, often came out from the city through the +principal gate, called the Scæʹan Gate, which faced the Grecian camp, +and fought the enemy in the open plain, on the bank of the celebrated +river Simois.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And from the walls of strong-besieged Troy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When their brave hope, bold Hector, march'd to field,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stood many Trojan mothers, sharing joy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To see their youthful son's bright weapons wield;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And to their hope they such odd action yield,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That through their light joy seemed to appear,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Like bright things stain'd, a kind of heavy fear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And from the strond of Dardan, where they fought,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Simois' reedy banks the red blood ran,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose waves to imitate the battle sought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With swelling ridges; and their ranks began<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To break upon the galled shore, and then<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Retire again, till, meeting greater ranks,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">They join and shoot their foam at Simois' banks.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare</span>, <i>Lucrece</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> +<h2>V. THE WRATH OF ACHILLES.</h2> + + +<p>For over nine years the siege was carried on without one side or the +other gaining any important victory. The Trojans were protected by their +walls, which the Greeks were unable to break down, for the ancients had +no such powerful engines of war as those used in armies of the present +day. The strongest buildings may now be easily destroyed by cannon; but +in those days they had no cannon or gunpowder or dynamite. Success in +war in ancient times depended almost entirely on the bravery of the +soldiers or on strategy and artifice, in which, as we shall see, the +king of Ithaca was much skilled.</p> + +<p>The Greek and Trojan warriors fought with swords, axes, bows and arrows, +and javelins, or long spears tipped with sharp iron points. Sometimes +they used huge stones which the heroes hurled at the foe with the full +strength of their powerful arms. They had shields of circular or oval +shape, which they wore on the arm to ward off blows, and which could be +moved at pleasure so as to cover almost any part of the body. Their +chests were protected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> by corselets or breastplates made of metal, and +metal greaves, or boots, incased their legs from the knees to the feet. +On their heads they wore helmets, usually of brass.</p> + +<p>The chiefs fought in chariots, from which they darted their spears at +the enemy with such force and so true an aim as to wound or kill at a +considerable distance. The chariots were two-wheeled, open at the back, +and often drawn by three horses. They usually carried two warriors, both +standing, and the charioteer, or driver, was generally the companion or +friend, and not the servant, of the fighters who stood behind him. +Sometimes the warriors came down from their chariots and fought hand to +hand at close quarters with the enemy. The common soldiers always fought +on foot. There were no horse soldiers.</p> + +<p>But in the Trojan War success or defeat did not always depend on the +bravery of the soldiers or on the skill or strategy of the generals. +Very much depended on the gods. We have seen how those divine beings had +to do with the events that led to the war. We shall also see them taking +part in the battles, sometimes giving victory to one side and sometimes +to the other. The Trojan War was in fact as much a war of the gods as of +men, and in Homer's story we find Jupiter and Juno and Apollo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> and +Neptune and Venus and Minerva mentioned almost as frequently as the +Greek and Trojan heroes. In the beginning of the Iliad we find Apollo +sending a plague among the Greeks because of an insult offered to his +priest, Chryʹses; for the daughter of Chryses, a beautiful maiden named +Chry-seʹis, was carried off by Achilles after the taking of Theʹbe, a +town of Mysia.</p> + +<p>During the long siege the Grecian chiefs extended the war into the +surrounding districts. While part of their forces was left at the camp +to protect the ships and keep the Trojans cooped up within their walls, +expeditions were sent out against many of the towns of Troas, or of the +neighboring countries which were allies and supporters of Troy. When the +Greeks captured a town they carried off not only the provisions and +riches it contained, but also many of its inhabitants, whom they sold as +slaves, according to the custom of the time, or kept as slaves in their +own service. In one of these expeditions Priam's youngest son, +Troʹi-lus, the hero of Shakespeare's play of "Troilus and Cresʹsi-da," +was slain by Achilles.</p> + +<p>It was in the tenth year of the war that Thebe was taken, and the maiden +Chryseis was captured. About the same time the town of Lyr-nesʹsus was +seized by an expedition, also led by Achilles, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> among the prisoners +was a beautiful woman named Bri-seʹis. In the division of the spoils +among the chiefs, Chryseis fell to the share of Agamemnon, and the +maiden Briseis was given to Achilles, who took her to his tent with the +intention of making her his wife. But the priest Chryses was deeply +grieved at the taking away of his daughter, and he came to the Grecian +camp to beg the chiefs to restore her to him. In his hand he bore a +golden scepter bound with fillets, or green branches, the emblems of his +priestly office, and he also carried with him valuable gifts for King +Agamemnon. Being admitted to the presence of the warrior chiefs +assembled in council, he begged them to release his child.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He sued to all, but chief implored for grace<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The brother-kings, of Atreus' royal race.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Ye kings and warriors! may your vows be crown'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Troy's proud walls lie level with the ground.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May Jove restore you when your toils are o'er<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Safe to the pleasures of your native shore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But, oh! relieve a wretched parent's pain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And give Chryseis to these arms again."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hearing the prayer of the venerable priest, many of the chiefs were +moved to pity, and they advised that his request should be granted, but +Agamemnon angrily refused.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/12.jpg" + alt="Apollo." + title="Apollo." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Apollo.</span><br /><i>Berlin Museum.</i></span> +</div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span><span class="i12">He dismissed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The priest with scorn, and added threatening words:—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Old man, let me not find thee loitering here,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beside the roomy ships, or coming back<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hereafter, lest the fillet thou dost bear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And scepter of thy god protect thee not.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This maiden I release not till old age<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shall overtake her in my Argive home,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Far from her native country."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Chryses then departed from the Grecian camp, and as he returned home in +sorrow, walking along the shores of the sea, he prayed to Apollo to +punish the insult thus offered to his priest.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O Smintheus! if I ever helped to deck<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy glorious temple, if I ever burned<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon thy altar the fat thighs of goats<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And bullocks, grant my prayer, and let thy shafts<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Avenge upon the Greeks the tears I shed."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Apollo heard the prayer of Chryses, and he sent a deadly plague upon the +Grecian army. With his silver bow, every clang of which was heard +throughout the camp, the archer god darted his terrible arrows among the +Greeks, smiting them down in great numbers.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">He came as comes the night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, seated from the ships aloof, sent forth<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span><span class="i0">An arrow; terrible was heard the clang<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of that resplendent bow. At first he smote<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The mules and the swift dogs, and then on man<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He turned the deadly arrow. All around<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Glared evermore the frequent funeral piles.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>For nine days the arrows of death were sent upon the Greek army, and the +funeral piles of the victims were continually burning, for it was the +custom in those times to burn the bodies of the dead. On the tenth day +of the plague Achilles called a council of the chiefs to consider how +the anger of the god might be appeased, and he spoke before them, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Let us consult some prophet or priest who will tell us why Phœbus +Apollo is so much enraged with us, and whether he may, when we shall +have offered sacrifices upon his altar, take away this pestilence which +is destroying our people."</p> + +<p>Then Calchas, the soothsayer, arose and said:</p> + +<p>"O Achilles, I can tell why the god is wroth against us, and willing I +am to tell it, but perhaps I may irritate the king who rules over all +the Argives, and in his anger he may do evil to me. Promise me, +therefore, your protection, and I will declare why this plague has come +upon the Greeks."</p> + +<p>"Fear nothing, O Calchas," answered Achilles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> "While I am alive not one +of all the Greeks, not even Agamemnon himself, shall harm you."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Fear nothing, but speak boldly out whate'er<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou knowest, and declare the will of heaven.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For by Apollo, dear to Jove, whom thou,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Calchas, dost pray to, when thou givest forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The sacred oracles to men of Greece,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No man, while yet I live, and see the light<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of day, shall lay a violent hand on thee."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus encouraged, Calchas announced to the chiefs that Apollo was angry +because his priest had been dishonored and insulted by Agamemnon. This +was why the people were perishing, and the wrath of the god could be +appeased only by restoring Chryseis to her father, and sending a hundred +victims to be offered in sacrifice to the god. Upon hearing these words +Agamemnon was filled with anger against Calchas.</p> + +<p>"Prophet of evil," he exclaimed, "never have you spoken anything good +for me. And now you say I must give up the maiden. I shall do so, since +I wish not the destruction of the people, but another I must have, for +it is not fitting that I alone of all the Argives shall be without a +prize."</p> + +<p>To this Achilles answered that there was no prize just then that +Agamemnon could have. "How can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> we give you a prize," said he, "since +all the spoils have already been divided? We cannot ask the people to +return what has been given to them. Be satisfied then to let the maiden +go. When we have taken the strong city of Troy we will compensate you +fourfold."</p> + +<p>"Not so," replied Agamemnon. "If the Greeks give me a suitable prize, I +shall be content, but if not, I will seize yours or that of Ajax or +Ulysses. This matter, however, we will attend to afterwards. For the +present let the maid be sent back to her father, that the wrath of the +Far-darter may be appeased."</p> + +<p>At this Achilles was very angry, and he said:</p> + +<p>"Impudent and greedy man, how can the Greeks fight bravely under your +command? As for me, I did not come here to make war against the Trojans +because of any quarrel of my own. The Trojans have done no wrong to me. +It is to get satisfaction for your brother we have come here in our +ships, and we do most of the fighting while to you is given most of the +spoils. But now I will return home to Phthia. Perhaps you will then have +little treasure to share."</p> + +<p>Greatly enraged at this speech, Agamemnon replied in wrathful words: "Go +home, by all means, with your ships and your Myrmidons. Other chiefs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> +there are here who will honor me, and I care not for your anger."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">"Thus, in turn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I threaten thee; since Phœbus takes away<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Chryseis, I will send her in my ship<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And with my friends, and, coming to thy tent,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Will bear away the fair-cheeked maid, thy prize,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Briseis, that thou learn how far I stand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Above thee, and that other chiefs may fear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To measure strength with me, and brave my power."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Furious at this threat, Achilles put his hand to his sword with the +intention of slaying Agamemnon, and he had half drawn the weapon from +its scabbard, but just at that moment the goddess Minerva stood behind +him and caught him by his yellow hair. She had been sent down from +heaven by Juno to pacify the hero, for Juno and Minerva were friendly to +the Greeks. Ever since the judgment on Mount Ida they hated Paris, and +the city and country to which he belonged, and therefore they wished +that there should be no strife amongst the Greek chiefs, which would +prevent them from taking and destroying the hated city.</p> + +<p>Achilles was astonished when he beheld the goddess, who appeared to him +alone, being invisible to all the rest. He instantly knew who she was, +and he said to her: "O goddess, have you come to wit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>ness the insolence +of the son of Atreus? You shall also witness the punishment I shall +inflict upon him for his haughtiness."</p> + +<p>But Minerva spoke soothing words to the hero:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I came from heaven to pacify thy wrath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If thou wilt heed my counsel. I am sent<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By Juno the white-armed, to whom ye both<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are dear, who ever watches o'er you both.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Refrain from violence; let not thy hand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unsheath the sword, but utter with thy tongue<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Reproaches, as occasion may arise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For I declare what time shall bring to pass;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Threefold amends shall yet be offered thee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In gifts of princely cost, for this day's wrong.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now calm thy angry spirit, and obey."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus Minerva spoke, and Achilles, answering her, said: "Willingly, O +goddess, shall I observe your command, though in my soul much enraged, +for so it is better, since the gods are ever favorable to those who obey +them."</p> + +<p>So speaking he put his sword back into its scabbard, while the goddess +swiftly returned to Olympus. Then the hero again addressed Agamemnon in +bitter words, and he took a solemn oath on the scepter he held in his +hand, that he would refuse to help the Greeks when they next should seek +his aid for battle with the Trojans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Tremendous oath! inviolate to kings;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By this I swear:—when bleeding Greece again<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shall call Achilles, she shall call in vain."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The venerable Nestor then arose to speak, and he begged the two chiefs +to cease quarreling with each other, for the Trojans, he said, would +greatly rejoice to hear of strife between the bravest men of the Greeks. +He advised Achilles, though of a goddess-mother born, not to contend +against his superior in authority, and he entreated Agamemnon not to +dishonor Achilles, the bulwark of the Greeks, by taking away the prize +which had been allotted to him.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Forbid it, gods! Achilles should be lost,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The pride of Greece, and bulwark of our host."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But the wise Nestor advised and entreated in vain. Agamemnon would not +yield from his purpose of taking away the prize of Achilles, and so the +council of the chiefs came to an end.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Rising from that strife of words, the twain<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dissolved the assembly at the Grecian fleet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/13.jpg" + alt="Achilles deprived of Briseis." + title="Achilles deprived of Briseis." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Achilles deprived of Briseis.</span><br /><i>Drawn by Hubbell.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Immediately afterwards, by order of the king, the maiden Chryseis was +conducted to her father's home, and sacrifices were offered to Apollo. +The anger of the god being thus appeased, the army<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> was relieved from +the plague. Then Agamemnon proceeded to carry out his threat against +Achilles. Calling two of his officers, or heralds, Tal-thybʹi-us and +Eu-rybʹa-tes, he commanded them thus:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Go ye to where Achilles holds his tent,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And take the fair Briseis by the hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And bring her hither. If he yield her not,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I shall come forth to claim her with a band<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of warriors, and it shall be worse for him."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Achilles received the heralds respectfully. He had no blame for them, +since they were but messengers. Nor did he refuse to obey the command of +the king. He delivered Briseis to the heralds, and they conducted her to +the tent of Agamemnon. Thus was committed the deed which brought +countless woes upon the Greeks, for Achilles, in deep grief and anger, +vowed that he would no more lead his Myrmidons to battle for a king who +had so dishonored and insulted him.</p> + +<p>"Let these heralds," said he, "be the witnesses before gods and men of +the insult offered to me by this tyrant king, and when there shall be +need of me again to save the Greeks from destruction, appeal to me shall +be in vain."</p> + +<p>Such was the origin of the wrath of Achilles, which is the subject of +Homer's Iliad. The Iliad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> is not a complete story of the Trojan War, but +an account of the disasters which happened to the Greeks through the +anger of Achilles. The poem, indeed, relates the events of only +fifty-eight days, but they were events of the highest interest and they +were very numerous. It is remarked by Pope that the subject of the Iliad +is the shortest and most single ever chosen by any poet. Yet Homer has +supplied a vaster variety of incidents, a greater number of councils, +speeches, battles, and events of all kinds, than are to be found in any +other poem.</p> + +<p>The Iliad begins with the wrath of Achilles, which in the first line of +the first book is announced as the poet's theme:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of woes unnumber'd, heavenly goddess, sing!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The souls of mighty chiefs untimely slain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose limbs unburied on the naked shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Since great Achilles and Atrides strove,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such was the sovereign doom, and such the will of Jove!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The heavenly goddess here invoked was Calliʹope, the patroness of epic +song, and one of the nine Muses. These were sister deities, daughters of +Jupiter, who presided over poetry, science, music,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> and dancing. Apollo, +as god of music and the fine arts, was their leader. They held their +meetings on the top of Mount Par-nas'sus in Greece. On the slope of this +mount was the celebrated spring or fountain of Cas-taʹli-a, whose waters +were supposed to give the true poetic spirit to all who drank of them.</p> + +<p>The epic poets usually began their poems by invoking the aid of the +Muse. Homer does this in the very first line of the Iliad, the word for +word translation of which is: "O goddess, sing the wrath of Achilles, +the son of Peleus."</p> + +<p>So also the English poet, Milton, begins his great epic poem, "Paradise +Lost," which tells about the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden +of Eden:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Brought death into the world, and all our woe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With loss of Eden, till one greater Man<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Restore us, and regain the blissful seat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Sing, heavenly Muse</i>, that, on the secret top<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Oreb or of Sinai, didst inspire<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In the beginning how the heavens and earth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rose out of Chaos; or, if Sion hill<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fast by the oracle of God, <i>I thence</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Invoke thy aid</i> to my advent'rous song.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> +<h2>VI. THE DREAM OF AGAMEMNON.</h2> + + +<p>Very soon great evils came upon the Greeks because of the strife between +the chiefs. When Chryseis was restored to her father, Apollo stopped the +plague; but the wrong done to Achilles provoked the anger of another +deity. This was Thetis, who, having much power with Jupiter, was able to +persuade him to take up the cause of her injured son.</p> + +<p>For as soon as the heralds departed from his tent, leading away the +fair-cheeked Briseis, Achilles withdrew from his friends, retired to the +seashore, and sitting there alone he bitterly wept, and with +outstretched hands prayed to his mother, Thetis. The goddess heard his +voice, and ascending from the depths of the ocean, where she dwelt in +the palace of her aged father, Nereus, she sat down beside the hero, and +soothing him with her hand, she inquired the cause of his distress. "Why +do you weep, my son? What grief has come upon thy mind?"</p> + +<p>Then Achilles related to his mother what Agamemnon had done, and he +begged her to go to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> Mount Olympus and entreat Jupiter to punish the +insult that had been offered to her son. He spoke of the service she had +done for Jupiter long before, when Juno, Neptune, and Minerva had made a +plot to bind him, and cast him from the throne of heaven. They might +have succeeded in doing this if Thetis had not called Briʹa-reus up from +Pluto's kingdom to help Jupiter. Briareus was a mighty giant who had a +hundred hands, and his appearance in Olympus so terrified the +conspirators that they did not attempt to carry out their wicked plot.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Achilles to his mother, "remind Jupiter of this, and beg him +to aid the Trojans and give them victory in battle, so that Agamemnon +may feel the effects of his folly in dishonoring me."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ascend to heaven and bring thy prayer to Jove,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If e'er by word or act thou gav'st him aid.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For I remember, in my father's halls<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I often heard thee, glorying, tell how thou,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Alone of all the gods, didst interpose<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To save the cloud-compeller, Saturn's son,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From shameful overthrow, when all the rest<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who dwell upon Olympus had conspired<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To bind him,—Juno, Neptune, and with them<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pallas Athene. Thou didst come and loose<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His bonds, and call up to the Olympian heights<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The hundred-handed, whom the immortal gods<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Have named Briareus."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>Thetis readily consented to do as her son desired.</p> + +<p>"Not now, however!" said she, "for yesterday Jupiter went to +E-thi-oʹpi-a to a banquet, and all the gods went with him. But in twelve +days he will return. Then I will go to Olympus and tell your words to +thunder-delighting Jove, and I think I shall be able to persuade him to +grant your request."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"Thou, meanwhile, abide<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By thy swift ships, incensed against the Greeks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And take no part in all their battles more."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thetis did not forget her promise. On the twelfth day, at the dawn of +morning, she emerged from beneath the waves, and went up to Olympus. +There she threw herself at the feet of Jupiter, as he sat on the summit +of the mount apart from the other gods, and earnestly prayed him to +grant victory to the Trojans until the Greeks should make amends to her +son for the injury that had been done him.</p> + +<p>Now it may seem that it was not just to ask that the whole Greek army +should be punished for the act of their general. But the other chiefs +and their people were hardly less to blame than Agamemnon, for they did +not try to prevent him from doing the wrong. If they had opposed him +very much, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> would not perhaps have dared to insult their greatest +warrior, the man without whose help they knew Troy could not be taken. +Therefore Thetis begged Jupiter to punish all the Greeks by giving +victory to the Trojans.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"O Jupiter, my father, if among<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The immortals I have ever given thee aid<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By word or act, deny not my request.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Honor my son whose life is doomed to end<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So soon; for Agamemnon, king of men,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hath done him shameful wrong: he takes from him<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And keeps the prize he won in war. But thou,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Olympian Jupiter, supremely wise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Honor him thou, and give the Trojan host<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The victory, until the humbled Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Heap large increase of honors on my son."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Jupiter hesitated for some time before consenting to grant the prayer of +Thetis.</p> + +<p>"This," said he, "is a serious matter, for by doing as you desire I may +give offense to Juno, who has already been blaming me among the gods, +saying that I aid the Trojans in battle. However, since you will have it +so, I shall grant your request."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"And that thou<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mayst be assured, behold, I give the nod;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For this, with me, the immortals know, portends<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The highest certainty; no word of mine<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span><span class="i0">Which once my nod confirms can be revoked,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or prove untrue, or fail to be fulfilled."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The awful nod was then given, and mighty Olympus trembled. Thetis, +rejoicing at the success of her mission, departed from the heavenly +regions and plunged into the depths of the sea, while Jupiter went to +his golden palace where the other gods were sitting around the +banqueting table. As he entered all rose up to do him honor, and met him +as he advanced to his throne. But his talk with Thetis had not escaped +the notice of Juno, and suspecting what it was about, she addressed her +spouse in harsh words.</p> + +<p>"Thou art ever," said she, "plotting secret things apart from me, and +now I greatly fear that the silver-footed Thetis has persuaded thee to +do some evil to the Greeks."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Thou hast promised her, I cannot doubt,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To give Achilles honor and to cause<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Myriads of Greeks to perish by their fleet."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"You are always suspecting," answered Jupiter, "but now it will avail +you nothing. Even though I have done what you say, such is my sovereign +pleasure. Be silent, and sit down in peace, and take care not to provoke +my anger."</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/14.jpg" + alt="Juno." + title="Juno." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Juno.</span><br /><i>National Museum, Naples.</i></span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>At this point Vulcan interfered, entreating his mother, Juno, to submit +to the will of almighty Jove; "for," said he, "if the Thunderer wishes +to hurl us from our seats in heaven he can easily do it, since his power +is far greater than that of all the other gods."</p> + +<p>Vulcan then reminded her how she and he had both been punished on a +former occasion for an offense against Jupiter. When Hercules was +returning to Greece from Troy after capturing that city, Juno, who hated +the great hero, caused a storm to be raised in the Ægean Sea, which +drove his ships out of their course and almost destroyed them. That she +might do this without Jupiter knowing it, she contrived to cast him into +a deep sleep. When he awoke and found out what she had done, he was so +angry that he hung her from the heavens by a golden chain, and tied two +heavy iron anvils to her feet. Vulcan tried to loose the chains and set +his mother free, and for this offense Jupiter hurled him from the abode +of the gods. He fell on the island of Lem'nos in the Ægean Sea, but some +of the inhabitants, seeing him descend, caught him in their arms. +Nevertheless, he broke his leg by the fall and was ever afterwards lame.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">How he fell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From heaven they fabled, thrown by angry Jove<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span><span class="i0">Sheer o'er the crystal battlements; from morn<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A summer's day; and with the setting sun<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dropped from the zenith, like a falling star,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On Lemnos, the Ægean isle.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Milton</span>, <i>Paradise Lost</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>After reminding Juno of these things, and restoring peace between her +and the king of heaven, Vulcan took upon himself the office of +cupbearer. He poured nectar into golden goblets and served it round to +the gods and goddesses, all of whom laughed at the sight of the lame god +bustling through the banqueting hall performing the work of Ganymede. +They feasted till sunset, Apollo giving them sweet music from his lyre, +while the goddesses of song accompanied him with their voices.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Thus the blest gods the genial day prolong,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In feasts ambrosial, and celestial song.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Apollo tuned the lyre; the Muses round<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With voice alternate aid the silver sound.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book I.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When the banquet was over, the gods and goddesses retired to their +palaces,—golden palaces built by Vulcan,—and they sought repose in +sleep. But Jupiter did not sleep, for he was thinking how he might carry +out his promise to Thetis. After much thought he resolved to send a +message to Agamem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>non by means of a dream, telling him to lead his +forces at once against Troy, as it was the will of the gods that the +city should now fall into the hands of the Greeks. And so this false +Dream or Lying Spirit was sent on its deceitful errand. It took the form +of the venerable Nestor, and, appearing to Agamemnon while he was +sleeping in his tent, delivered to him the command of Jupiter:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Monarch, awake! 'tis Jove's command I bear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou and thy glory claim his heavenly care.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In just array draw forth the embattled train,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lead all thy Grecians to the dusty plain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">E'en now, O king! 'tis given thee to destroy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The lofty towers of wide-extended Troy."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As soon as Agamemnon awoke he hastily called a council of the chiefs to +meet at the ships of Nestor. There he told them of the command of Jove, +as sent to him in his dream. All agreed that the divine will should be +obeyed, but Agamemnon, like a prudent general, thought it would be well, +before going to battle, to find out whether the troops, after their +toils of nine years, were still willing to support him in carrying on +the war. With this object he resolved to try the plan of pretending to +them that he had made up his mind to stop the siege and return at once +to Greece. But he directed the chiefs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> to advise their followers not to +consent to the proposal, and to encourage them to make one more fight +for the honor of their country. Then the heralds summoned the whole army +to assemble, and the vast host gathered together on the plain before the +camp, to listen to the words of their commander. Homer's description of +the muster of the forces on this occasion is very beautiful:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The sceptred rulers lead; the following host,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pour'd forth by thousands, darkens all the coast.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As from some rocky cleft the shepherd sees<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Clustering in heaps on heaps the driving bees,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rolling and blackening, swarms succeeding swarms,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With deeper murmurs and more hoarse alarms;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dusky they spread, a close embodied crowd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And o'er the vale descends the living cloud.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So, from the tents and ships, a lengthen'd train<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Spreads all the beach, and wide o'ershades the plain:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Along the region runs a deafening sound;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beneath their footsteps groans the trembling ground.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The whole Greek army being thus assembled, with the exception of the +wrathful Achilles and his Myrmidons, Agamemnon then addressed them, +leaning on his scepter. He told them he now believed that Troy could not +be taken, and that Jupiter, who before promised victory to the Greeks, +now commanded them to return to Argos.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let us therefore," said he, "get ready our ships and hasten to set sail +for our dear native land, where our wives with our beloved children sit +within their dwellings expecting us." The proposal was received with a +loud shout of joy, and the moment the king finished speaking, the vast +multitude began at once to make preparations for launching the vessels +into the sea.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So was the whole assembly swayed; they ran<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With tumult to the ships; beneath their feet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rose clouds of dust, and each exhorted each<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To seize the ships and drag them to the deep.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Juno, from her seat on high Olympus, was watching these movements, +and she resolved that the war against the hated Trojans should not thus +come to an end. She therefore sent Minerva down with a message to +Ulysses. The azure-eyed goddess, as Minerva is often called by Homer, +hastened to the Grecian camp, and approached the Ithacan king, who was +standing near his ships, much grieved at seeing his countrymen preparing +to depart. Minerva addressed him in earnest words, begging him to use +his influence with the Greeks and persuade them not to go.</p> + +<p>"It cannot be," said she, "that you, brave chiefs, will leave to Priam +the glory of victory, and to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> Trojans possession of Helen, on whose +account so many of your people have perished, far from their native +land."</p> + +<p>Ulysses knew the voice of the goddess, and promptly he complied with her +request. He went among the ships and talked to the leaders, reminding +them that it was not Agamemnon's wish that they should give up the war, +and entreating them to set an example of courage to their followers.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Warriors like you, with strength and wisdom bless'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By brave examples should confirm the rest."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>He also spoke to the soldiers, reproving them for their hasty flight, +and bidding them listen to the words of their leaders, who knew better +than they when and how to act. His efforts were successful. As speedily +as they had fled to their ships the Greeks now rushed back, and again +assembled to await the orders of their commander.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Back to the assembly roll the thronging train,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Desert the ships, and pour upon the plain.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But there was one evil-minded individual who tried to incite the others +to rebellion. This was Ther-siʹtes, a vulgar brawler, and the ugliest +man in the whole Greek army.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Of the multitude<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who came to Ilium, none so base as he,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Squint-eyed, with one lame foot, and on his back<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A lump, and shoulders curving towards the chest;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His head was sharp, and over it the hairs<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were thinly scattered.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>This ill-conditioned grumbler, as deformed in mind as in body, took much +pleasure in abusing the bravest warriors of the army, particularly +Achilles and Ulysses. But on the present occasion he raised his shrill +voice in words of insult against Agamemnon. "Your tents," cried he to +the king, "are full of money and prizes bestowed upon you by us. Do you +want still more gold, which we by our valor must win for you from the +enemy? If the Greeks were not women instead of men, they would return +home in their ships and leave you here to fight the Trojans. Little +honor and few prizes would you then have!"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"O ye coward race!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ye abject Greeklings, Greeks no longer, haste<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Homeward with all the fleet, and let us leave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This man at Troy to win his trophies here."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus did Thersites revile Agamemnon, but his insolent speech brought +speedy punishment upon him. Ulysses, who was close at hand, turned with +angry looks upon the offender and rebuked him in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> stern language. Then +with his scepter he smote Thersites on the back and shoulders, until he +wept with pain and crouched down upon his seat in fear and trembling.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Trembling he sat, and shrunk in abject fears,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From his vile visage wiped the scalding tears.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>All the Greeks laughed heartily at the cowering wretch as he wiped his +face, and they loudly applauded the act of the Ithacan chief. "Surely," +said they, "Ulysses has performed many good deeds, but now he has done +the best thing of all in punishing this foul-mouthed reviler as he +deserved."</p> + +<p>Then Ulysses, taking in his hand the famous scepter of Agamemnon, made +an eloquent speech to the army, Minerva, the azure-eyed, in the +appearance of a herald, having commanded the people to be silent, that +they might hear the words of the wisest of their leaders. It was upon +this occasion that the Ithacan king told the story of the serpent +devouring the birds at Aulis, as already related. Many of the Greeks had +forgotten the marvelous occurrence, and the prediction of Calchas that +in the tenth year of the siege Troy would be taken. Being now reminded +of it, they were filled with fresh hope and courage, for the tenth year +had come, and the end of the contest was not far off, which was to be +for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> them a great victory, as the soothsayer had declared. "Therefore, +brave Greeks," said Ulysses, after telling the story, "since the +prophecy is so near its fulfillment, let us all remain here until we +have captured the city of Priam."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">He spake, and loud applause thereon ensued<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From all the Greeks, and fearfully the ships<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rang with the clamorous voices uttering<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The praises of Ulysses, and his words.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The venerable Nestor and King Agamemnon then addressed the troops, after +which they all went to their tents and ships to prepare for battle. They +began by making the customary sacrifices to the gods, Agamemnon offered +up a fat ox five years old. Homer fully describes how this was done. +First the king and his chiefs stood around the ox, holding pounded +barley cakes in their upraised hands, and praying to Jupiter to grant +them victory in the approaching battle. After the prayer the ox was +killed, and the carcass cut into pieces. Portions of the flesh were then +burned on leafless billets, while other portions were roasted for the +banquet which followed.</p> + +<p>After the banquet the loud-voiced heralds summoned all the warriors and +their followers to assemble. Immediately they came from their ships and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +tents, and then, on the advice of Nestor, there was a review of the +whole army. The azure-eyed Minerva moved amongst them, bearing in her +hand the ægis, or shield of Jupiter, from which hung a hundred golden +fringes, each "worth a hundred oxen in price." She went through the +hosts of the Greeks encouraging them to fight bravely, and so they were +now more eager for battle than to return to their native land.</p> + +<p>It is at this part of his story—the review of the forces—that Homer +gives the remarkable account known as the "Catalogue of the Ships." In +it he tells the names of all the Greek kings and princes and chiefs, the +Grecian states from which they came, and the number of ships which each +brought to the war. To do this was no easy task, and so the poet, before +undertaking it, again seeks the aid of the Muses:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">O Muses, goddesses who dwell on high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tell me,—for all things ye behold and know,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While we know nothing and may only hear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The random tales of rumor,—tell me who<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were chiefs and princes of the Greeks; for I<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Should fail to number and to name them all,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had I ten tongues, ten throats, a voice unapt<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To weary, uttered from a heart of brass,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unless the Muses aided me.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>The allies and leaders of the Trojans are also named and described in +the "Catalogue of the Ships," for they too were marshaling their forces +within the city. From their walls they had observed the movements of the +Greeks, and, moreover, Jupiter had sent down his swift-footed messenger, +Iʹris, to bid them get ready for battle. The goddess found Priam and +Hector and others of the chiefs of Troy sitting in council, and she told +them of the vast host of the Greeks that was just then marching towards +the city.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I have seen many battles, yet have ne'er<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beheld such armies, and so vast as these,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In number like the sands and summer leaves.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They march across the plain, prepared to give<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Battle beneath the city walls. To thee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O Hector, it belongs to heed my voice<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And counsel. Many are the allies within<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The walls of this great town of Priam, men<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of diverse race and speech. Let every chief<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of these array his countrymen for war,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And give them orders for the coming fight."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hector promptly obeyed the command of the goddess. Dismissing the +council, he and the other chiefs at once placed themselves at the head +of their troops and marched forth through the gates into the plain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> +<h2>VII. THE COMBAT BETWEEN MENELAUS AND PARIS.</h2> + + +<p>The two great armies, now in battle array on the plain before the city +walls, began to advance towards each other. The Trojans moved along with +great clatter, which Homer compares to the noise of flocks of cranes:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">The Trojan host moved on<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With shouts and clang of arms, as when the cry<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of cranes is in the air, that, flying south<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From winter and its mighty breadth of rain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wing their way over ocean.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Greeks, on the other hand, advanced in deep silence.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">But silently the Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Went forward, breathing valor, mindful still<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To aid each other in the coming fray.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">As when the south wind shrouds a mountain-top<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In vapors that awake the shepherd's fear,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A surer covert for the thief than night,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And round him one can only see as far<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As one can hurl a stone,—such was the cloud<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span><span class="i0">Of dust that from the warriors' trampling feet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rose round their rapid march and filled the air.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As soon as the armies approached each other, almost front to front, +Paris rushed forward from the Trojan lines, and challenged the Greeks to +send their bravest warrior to fight him in simple combat. In appearance +he was beautiful as a god. Over his shoulders he wore a panther's skin. +His weapons were a bow, a sword, and two spears tipped with brass, which +he brandished in his hands. The challenge was speedily answered by +Menelaus, who bounded from his chariot the moment he beheld Paris, +rejoicing that at last the time had come to have revenge on the man who +had so greatly wronged him.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">As a hungry lion who has made<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A prey of some large beast—a horned stag<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or mountain goat—rejoices, and with speed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devours it, though swift hounds and sturdy youths<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Press on his flank, so Menelaus felt<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great joy when Paris, of the godlike form,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Appeared in sight, for now he thought to wreak<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His vengence on the guilty one, and straight<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sprang from his car to earth with all his arms.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But when Paris saw who it was that had come forth to fight him, he was +seized with a great fear,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> and he shrank back into the ranks of his +companions.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As one who meets within a mountain glade<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A serpent, starts aside with sudden fright,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And takes the backward way with trembling limbs.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Though Paris was really a brave man, his feeling of his own guilt and +the sight of Menelaus, whom he had injured, made him a coward for the +moment, and so he fled from before the face of the enraged king of +Sparta. The noble Hector was deeply vexed at seeing his brother's +flight, and in angry words upbraided him for his shameful conduct.</p> + +<p>"Better would it have been," said he, "if you had never been born than +thus to bring disgrace upon us all. Well may the Greeks laugh at finding +that you, whom they supposed to be a hero, possess neither spirit nor +courage. You have brought evil on your father, your city, and your +people, by carrying away a beautiful woman from her husband, yet you now +fear to meet that warrior in battle. The Trojans are but a weak-minded +race, else they would have long since given you the death you deserve."</p> + +<p>Paris admitted that his brother's rebuke was just, and he now declared +that he was willing to meet Menelaus in single combat, Helen and her +treasures to be the prize of the victor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Cause the Trojans and the Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To pause from battle, while, between the hosts,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I and the warlike Menelaus strive<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In single fight for Helen and her wealth.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whoever shall prevail and prove himself<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The better warrior, let him take with him<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The treasure and the woman, and depart;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While all the other Trojans, having made<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A faithful league of amity? shall dwell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On Ilium's fertile plain, and all the Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Return to Argos."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hector rejoiced at his brother's words, and, immediately going forward +into the center of the open space between the two armies, he spoke in a +loud voice to the Greeks and Trojans, telling them of the proposal which +Paris had made. The brave Menelaus heard the challenge with delight, and +promptly accepted it.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Now hear me also,—me whose spirit feels<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The wrong most keenly. I propose that now<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Greeks and Trojans separate reconciled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For greatly have ye suffered for the sake<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of this my quarrel, and the original fault<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Paris. Whomsoever fate ordains<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To perish, let him die; but let the rest<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be from this moment reconciled, and part."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Greeks and Trojans were happy at the hope<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> thus offered of a speedy +end to the war. Hector sent for King Priam, that he and Agamemnon and +the other leaders on both sides might declare their approval of the +proposed conditions, and pledge themselves in the presence of both +armies to abide by the result of the combat between the two heroes. Just +then the Trojan monarch was seated on one of the watchtowers of the +walls, looking down on the plain where the great hosts were assembled. +With him were several of his venerable chiefs, now too old to take part +in fighting.</p> + +<p>While they sat there the beautiful Helen came out from the palace to +witness the approaching conflict. She had been told of it by the +messenger Iris, who, descending from heaven, and taking the form of +La-odʹi-ce, one of Priam's daughters, appeared to Helen in her chamber. +There she was busy at her loom, making in golden tapestry a +representation of some of the great events of the war. In those days, as +we read in many parts of Homer, the noblest ladies, even queens and +their daughters, did not think it beneath them to work at spinning and +weaving and other useful occupations, and so Helen was employed when +Iris came to tell her that Paris and Menelaus were about to fight for +her and her treasure.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/15.jpg" + alt="Helen of Troy." + title="Helen of Troy." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Helen of Troy.</span><br /><i>Painting by Lord Leighton.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>From her spinning Helen rose up and went to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> walls to view the +combat. As she came near the place where Priam sat, even the venerable +chiefs were compelled to admire her wondrous beauty. "Fair as the +immortal goddesses she is," said they; "yet much better would it be if +she would return to her own country, and not remain here to bring ruin +upon us and our children." But Priam called to her to sit by his side, +and said to her:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"No crime of thine our present sufferings draws,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Not thou, but Heaven's disposing will, the cause<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The gods these armies and this force employ,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The hostile gods conspire the fate of Troy."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then King Priam asked Helen to name for him some of the Greek leaders +whom he saw before him, not far from the city walls.</p> + +<p>"Who is that tall and gallant hero," he asked, "who seems like unto a +king? Never have I beheld a man so graceful, nor so venerable." "Revered +and honored father," answered Helen, "would that death had taken me +before I left my husband and home to come with your son hither, but the +Fates did not will it so, therefore am I here. That hero whom you see is +the wide-ruling Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, both a good king and a +brave warrior, and once my brother-in-law."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"My brother once, before my days of shame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And oh! that still he bore a brother's name!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"O happy Agamemnon," exclaimed Priam, "fortunate in ruling over so +mighty a host! But who is this other chief, less in height than +Agamemnon, though broader in the shoulders? His arms lie on the ground, +while he himself moves from rank to rank like a thick-fleeced ram which +wanders through a great flock of sheep."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The stately ram thus measures o'er the ground,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, master of the flock, surveys them round."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"That," said Helen, "is the wise Ulysses, man of many arts. Though +nursed in a rugged island, yet is he skilled in all kinds of stratagem +and prudent counsel." Ajax and Idomeneus were next noticed by King +Priam,—Ajax the mighty, who overtopped the Argives by his head and +shoulders, and Idomeneus the valiant king of Crete. Helen knew them +well, for she had seen them at her Spartan home.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ajax the great," the beauteous queen replied,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Himself a host; the Grecian strength and pride.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">See! bold Idomeneus superior towers<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Amid yon circle of his Cretan powers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great as a god! I saw him once before,<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span><span class="i0">With Menelaus on the Spartan shore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The rest I know, and could in order name;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All valiant chiefs, and men of mighty fame."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But at this point the heralds sent by Hector came to tell Priam that he +was wanted on the plain below to approve the terms of the challenge. +Immediately the king, descending from the ramparts, mounted his chariot, +accompanied by his wise counselor, Antenor. They drove through the Scæan +Gate into the space between both armies, and there, with the ceremonies +usual on such occasions, a solemn league was formed between the two +monarchs. First, they mixed in a bowl wine brought by both parties. This +was an emblem of reconciliation. Next, water was poured on the hands of +the kings, after which Agamemnon cut with his dagger hairs from the +heads of three lambs. These were divided among the chiefs on both sides, +so that all might be bound by the pledge about to be made. Then +Agamemnon, stretching forth his hands, prayed thus aloud:</p> + +<p>"O father Jupiter, most glorious, most mighty, and thou, O Sun, who +beholdest all things, and ye rivers, and thou earth, and ye in the +regions of the dead that punish those who swear false oaths, be ye +witnesses of this league. If, on the one hand, Paris slay Menelaus, let +him keep Helen and all her pos<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>sessions, and let us return home in our +ships. But if, on the contrary, Menelaus slay Paris, let the Trojans +restore Helen and all her treasures, and pay a fine to the Argives such +as may be just."</p> + +<p>Then the lambs were sacrificed, and the kings drank of the mixed wine. +Some of it was also poured on the earth, while the Greeks and Trojans +joined in praying that terrible punishment might be sent upon any person +who should violate the league:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hear, mighty Jove! and hear, ye gods on high!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And may their blood, who first the league confound,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shed like this wine, disdain the thirsty ground."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Such was the league formed between the kings and chiefs of the two great +armies. Priam then went back to the city, for he could not bear to +witness a conflict in which his son might be slain. Lots were now drawn +to decide which of the warriors should cast his spear first. Paris won, +and immediately the champions, putting on their armor and taking up +their weapons, advanced into the middle of the ground that Hector and +Ulysses had measured out for the combat.</p> + +<p>Then the fight began. Paris hurled his javelin, but Menelaus warded off +the blow with his strong brazen shield. In his turn the Spartan king +poised his long spear for a throw at his enemy. At the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> same time he +prayed to Jupiter to give him strength and victory:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"O Sovereign Jove! vouchsafe that I avenge<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On guilty Paris wrongs which he was first<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To offer; let him fall beneath my hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That men may dread hereafter to requite<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The friendship of a host with injury."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then Menelaus cast his spear. It pierced the shield and corselet of +Paris, and might have made a fatal wound had he not bent himself +sideways, and so escaped the full force of the weapon. Instantly +Menelaus rushed forward, sword in hand, and dealt a powerful blow at his +enemy's head. This time Paris was saved by the brazen helmet he wore, +for when Menelaus struck it, the blade of his sword broke in pieces.</p> + +<p>Angry at his ill luck, the Spartan warrior seized his foe by the +horsehair crest of his helmet, and began to drag him towards the Grecian +lines; but at this point Venus came to the aid of her favorite. Standing +unseen beside him, she broke the helmet strap under his chin, and thus +released him from the grasp of the wrathful Menelaus. Then she cast a +thick mist around the Trojan prince, and, carrying him off to the city, +set him down in his chamber, within his own palace. The goddess also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +conducted Helen to the palace, from the watchtower in which, after her +conversation with Priam, she had remained to witness the combat on the +plain. As soon as Helen beheld Paris she spoke to him in harsh words:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Com'st thou from battle? Rather would that thou<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hadst perished by the mighty hand of him<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who was my husband. It was once, I know,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy boast that thou wert more than peer in strength<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And power of hand, and practice with the spear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To warlike Menelaus. Go then now,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Defy him to the combat once again.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And yet I counsel thee to stand aloof,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor rashly seek a combat, hand to hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With fair-haired Menelaus, lest perchance<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He smite thee with his spear and thou be slain."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meanwhile the Spartan king, furious as a lion, paced up and down the +field searching for Paris, but not even the Trojans could tell where he +was. If he were amongst them they would not have concealed him, for they +loved him not, knowing that he was the cause of all the sufferings which +the long war had brought upon them.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">None of all<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Trojans, or of their renowned allies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Could point him out to Menelaus, loved<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Mars; and had they known his lurking-place<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span><span class="i0">They would not for his sake have kept him hid,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For like black death they hated him.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Paris having disappeared from the field, the Greeks claimed the victory +for their champion, and Agamemnon called upon the Trojans to give up +Helen and her treasures, in accordance with the conditions of the +league. But the gods did not thus will it. The Fates had decreed the +destruction of Troy, and so the war could not have a peaceful ending. +Besides, the Greeks were doomed to suffer as Jupiter had promised +Thetis, because of the wrong that had been done to Achilles. Therefore, +after the matter had been discussed in a council of the gods in their +golden palace on Olympus, Minerva was sent down to urge the Trojans to +attack the Greeks, so that the league might be broken, and the war +renewed. According to the custom of heavenly messengers in such cases, +the goddess took the form of La-odʹo-cus, son of Antenor. Then, +approaching Panʹda-rus, a famous archer of the Trojan allies, she +persuaded him to aim an arrow at Menelaus.</p> + +<p>"Great honor," she said, "you will have from all the Trojans, if you +slay the son of Atreus, and from Paris you may expect splendid gifts."</p> + +<p>But Minerva, being friendly to the Greeks, did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> not really wish that +Menelaus should be killed; therefore, when Pandarus bent his bow and +with true aim let fly his arrow, she took care to turn the deadly weapon +aside.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pallas assists, and (weakened in its force)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Diverts the weapon from its destined course:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So from her babe, when slumber seals his eye,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The watchful mother wafts the envenom'd fly.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Nevertheless the arrow pierced the Spartan king's belt and made a slight +wound, but the skillful surgeon, Ma-chaʹon, son of the famous physician, +Æsculapius, stanched the blood and applied soothing balsams which his +father had taught him to use.</p> + +<p>The league being thus broken by the treacherous act of Pandarus, both +sides at once prepared for battle. Agamemnon went on foot through his +army, speaking words of praise to the chiefs, whom he found active in +marshaling and encouraging their men. "Father Jupiter," he said, "will +not help those Trojans who have so basely broken their solemn pledges. +When we have taken their city we shall carry away rich spoils in our +ships." Of all the leaders none arranged and directed his troops more +wisely than the venerable Nestor.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The cavalry with steeds and cars he placed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In front. A vast and valiant multitude<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span><span class="i0">Of infantry he stationed in the rear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To be the bulwark of the war. Between<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He made the faint of spirit take their place,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That, though unwillingly, they might be forced<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To combat with the rest.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then he gave strict orders to the charioteers, warning them not to trust +too much to their valor, or rashly advance in front of their comrades.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Let no man, too vain of horsemanship,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And trusting in his valor, dare advance<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beyond the rest to attack the men of Troy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor let him fall behind the rest, to make<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our ranks the weaker. Whoso from his car<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Can reach an enemy's, let him stand and strike<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With his long spear, for 'tis the shrewder way."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/16.jpg" + alt="Decorative Warrior" + title="Decorative Warrior" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> +<h2>VIII. THE FIRST GREAT BATTLE.</h2> + + +<div class="figright"> + <img src="images/17.jpg" + alt="Decorative" + title="Decorative" /><br /> + <span class="caption"><i>Design by Burne-Jones.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Nearly three books of the Iliad are occupied in telling about the battle +that now followed, though it lasted only one day. But it was a fierce +and mighty conflict in which many brave warriors fought and fell.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">For that day<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Saw many a Trojan slain, and many a Greek,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stretched side by side upon the bloody field.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>All the chiefs of both armies took part in this battle, except Achilles, +who still remained inactive at his ships, "indignant for the sake of the +fair-haired Briseis." The heroes of the day on the Trojan side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> were +Hector and Æneas. Of the Greeks (also sometimes called A-chaʹians) none +performed so many feats of valor as Diomede (or Diomed), also called +Ty-diʹdes, from the name of his father, Tyʹdeus. He was the particular +favorite of Minerva, who caused a bright light to shine from his shield +and helmet, which made him a striking figure in the field, and very +terrible to the enemy.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Pallas to Tydides Diomed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gave strength and courage, that he might appear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among the Achaians greatly eminent,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And win a glorious name. Upon his head<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And shield she caused a constant flame to play,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like to the autumnal star that shines in heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Most brightly when new-bathed in ocean tides.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such light she caused to beam upon his crest<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And shoulders, as she sent the warrior forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Into the thick and tumult of the fight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Diomede slew many brave warriors, and often, breaking through the close +ranks of the Trojans, drove them back towards their walls, before he +himself was smitten with an arrow sent flying at him by the archer +Pandarus. The weapon pierced his shoulder right through, and the blood +came streaming down his armor. Then Pandarus shouted to his comrades to +advance, boasting that now the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> bravest of the Greeks was fatally +wounded. But Diomede prayed to Minerva for aid, and his prayer was +heard. Immediately the goddess appeared and stood beside him, and in an +instant healed his wound. Then she encouraged him, saying: "Henceforth +fight with confidence, O Diomede. I have given you great strength. I +have also removed from your eyes the mortal mists which heretofore were +upon them, so that now you may know gods from men. Beware, however, of +using your weapons against any god, unless Venus should come into the +battle. Her I desire and command you to wound."</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/18.jpg" + alt="Minerva." + title="Minerva." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Minerva.</span><br /><i>Vatican, Rome.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>With fresh courage and increased fury Diomede again rushed into the +conflict, striking down a Trojan with every blow of his huge sword. +Æneas, noticing his exploits, hastily sought out Pandarus and begged him +to aim an arrow at the man who was thus destroying their ranks.</p> + +<p>"That man," said Pandarus, "very much resembles the warlike son of +Tydeus, and if it be he, some god is surely at his side to protect him, +for only a little ago I smote him in the shoulder, and I thought I had +sent him to Pluto's kingdom. Of small use it seems is this bow of mine. +Already I have aimed at two chiefs, Menelaus and Diomede, and wounded +both, but I have only roused them the more to heroic deeds."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"In an evil hour<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I took my bow and quiver from the wall<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And came to lead the Trojans for the sake<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Hector. But if ever I return<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To see my native country and my wife<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And my tall spacious mansion, may some foe<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Strike off my head if with these hands I fail<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To break my bow in pieces, casting it<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Into the flames, a useless weapon now."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Æneas made the great archer try his skill once more. Taking Pandarus +with him in his own chariot, he drove rapidly to where Diomede was +dealing death amongst the Trojans with his terrible sword. Sthenʹe-lus, +the companion and charioteer of Diomede, saw them coming, and he advised +his friend to retreat, and not risk his life in a contest with two such +heroes as Æneas and Pandarus, one the son of a goddess, and the other +excelling all men in the use of the bow. But Diomede sternly refused to +retire from the conflict. Nor would he even consent to mount his chariot +as Sthenelus urged him to do.</p> + +<p>"As I am," said he, "I shall advance against them, for Minerva has made +me fearless. And if it be my fortune to slay both, do you, Sthenelus, +seize the horses of Æneas and drive them into the ranks of the Greeks. +Valuable prizes they will be, for they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> are of that heavenly breed which +Jupiter gave to King Tros as the price of his son Ganymede."</p> + +<p>But now the chariot of Æneas was close at hand. This time Pandarus used +his spear, which he launched with great force. It struck the shield of +Diomede and, piercing it through, fixed itself in his breastplate. With +a shout of joy Pandarus exclaimed, "Now, I think, I have given you your +death wound."</p> + +<p>"Not so," replied the son of Tydeus, "thou hast missed thy aim, but one +of you, at least, shall die." As he spoke he hurled his lance. Directed +by Minerva, the weapon flew right into the face of the unfortunate +Pandarus, striking him lifeless to the earth.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Headlong he falls, his helmet knocks the ground;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Earth groans beneath him, and his arms resound.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Instantly Æneas leaped down from his chariot, with his shield and spear, +to defend the body of his heroic comrade against being despoiled by the +Greeks. This was one of the customs of war in those times. When a hero +was slain in battle the enemy carried off his arms and armor as trophies +of victory. But Æneas did his best to protect the corpse of his fallen +friend from being thus dishonored.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Watchful he wheels, protects it every way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As the grim lion stalks around his prey.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O'er the fall'n trunk his ample shield displayed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He hides the hero with his mighty shade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And threats aloud! the Greeks with longing eyes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Behold at distance, but forbear the prize.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Diomede, braver than the rest, took up a great stone and hurled it +at Æneas.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Not two strong men the enormous weight could raise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such men as live in these degenerate days.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book. V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It struck the Trojan hero on the hip, tearing the flesh and crushing the +joint. He sank upon his knees, a dark mist covering his eyes. And now +Æneas would have perished by the sword of the furious Diomede had not +his mother, Venus, come quickly to his aid. With her shining robe the +goddess shielded his body, and spreading her arms about him she bore him +away from the battle. Then Sthenelus, not forgetting the bidding of his +friend, rushed forward, and, seizing the fleet steeds of the Dardan +prince, drove them off to the Grecian camp.</p> + +<p>But Diomede went in pursuit of Venus. He had seen and recognized her as +she descended on the field, Minerva having given him power of sight to +know gods from men. The goddess also, as we have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> seen, commanded him to +wound Venus should she come into the field. Diomede, therefore, when he +had overtaken Venus, as she was bearing away the Trojan hero, thrust at +her with his lance, and pierced the skin of her tender hand. From the +wound out gushed the Iʹchor, as the blood of the gods was called.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">The ichor,—such<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As from the blessed gods may flow; for they<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eat not the wheaten loaf, nor drink dark wine;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And therefore they are bloodless, and are called<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Immortal.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Crying aloud with pain, the goddess dropped her son from her arms, but +Apollo enveloped him in a thick cloud, thus saving him from the wrath of +the furious Greeks. Meanwhile the swift-footed Iris hastened down from +heaven to the aid of Venus, whom she conducted to where Mars sat on the +left of the battlefield, watching the conflict. At the entreaty of his +wounded sister.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Mars resigned to her his steeds<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With trappings of bright gold. She climbed the car,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Still grieving, and, beside her, Iris took<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her seat, and caught the reins and plied the lash.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On flew the coursers, on, with willing speed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And soon were at the mansion of the gods<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On high Olympus.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>There the goddess was affectionately received by her mother, Di-oʹne, +who begged her to be patient, reminding her that in times past others of +the gods had suffered by the hands of men. Mars, she said, was chained +in a brazen cell for fifteen months by the giants Oʹtus and +Eph-i-alʹtes, and he would perhaps have perished there but that Mercury +set him free by stealing into the cell, and slipping the chains out of +the rings to which they were fastened. Juno herself, and Pluto, the god +of Hades, were wounded by Hercules. "As for this son of Tydeus," said +Dione, "who has dared to war upon an immortal, he shall be punished for +his crime."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">"The fool!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He knew not that, the man who dares to meet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The gods in combat lives not long. No child<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shall prattling call him father when he comes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Returning from the dreadful tasks of war."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Dione then wiped the ichor from the hand of Venus, and at her touch the +wound healed and the pain ceased.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, on the plain before Troy Diomede still eagerly pursued Æneas, +though knowing that the hero was under divine protection. Thrice did he +rush on, and thrice did Apollo drive him back, but when he made the +fourth attempt,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The archer of the skies, Apollo, thus<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With menacing words rebuked him: "Diomed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beware; desist, nor think to make thyself<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The equal of a god. The deathless race<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of gods is not as those who walk the earth."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Diomede shrank back, fearing the wrath of the Far-darter, and Apollo +bore Æneas away, and set him down in his own temple in sacred +Perʹga-mus, the citadel of Troy. There Diana and La-toʹna, the mother of +Apollo, healed his wound and restored his health and strength. Then +Apollo begged Mars to assist the Trojans in the battle, and particularly +to drive from the field the impious son of Tydeus, who had dared to +attack the immortals with his spear, and would now fight even with +Jupiter himself. The god of war consented, and assuming the form of +Acʹa-mas, a Thracian leader, he went through the Trojan ranks +encouraging the chiefs to fight bravely.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"O sons of Priam, him who claims descent<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From Jupiter! how long will ye submit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To see your people slaughtered by the Greeks?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is it until the battle-storm shall reach<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your city's stately portals?"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The hero Sarpedon also appealed to Hector, and then the Trojan commander +in chief, leaping from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> his chariot, and brandishing his javelins, +rushed among his troops exhorting them to battle.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">Terrible<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The conflict that ensued. The men of Troy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Made head against the Greeks: the Greeks stood firm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor ever thought of flight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Soon, however, the Greeks were forced to fall back. Their great chiefs, +Agamemnon and Menelaus, and the two Ajaxes and Ulysses, performed +wondrous deeds of courage, slaying many Trojan warriors. But Minerva had +left the field, and Mars was fighting on the Trojan side. Æneas, too, +had returned to the battle with renewed strength and courage, and Hector +and Sarpedon were in the front, dealing death among the enemy. The +fierce god of war and mighty Hector fought side by side, and they slew +numbers of Argive warriors.</p> + +<p>Such destruction of her beloved Greeks was not pleasing to Juno, who was +watching the conflict from her place on high Olympus, and she begged of +Jupiter to permit her to drive Mars from the battle. Jupiter consented, +but he advised her to intrust that work to Minerva, who had often before +"brought grievous troubles on the god of war." Juno obeyed. Then the two +goddesses, who had already mounted the queen of heaven's own grand +chariot, glittering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> with gold and silver and brass, set out for the +Grecian camp.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Eight brazen spokes in radiant order flame;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The circles gold, of uncorrupted frame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such as the heavens produce: and round the gold<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two brazen rings of work divine were roll'd.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bossy naves of solid silver shone;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Braces of gold suspend the moving throne;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The car, behind, an arching figure bore;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bending concave form'd an arch before.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Silver the beam, the extended yoke was gold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And golden reins the immortal coursers hold.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Riding in this magnificent chariot, driven by Juno herself, "midway +between the earth and the starry heaven," the goddesses descended upon +the plain of Troy, near where the Simois and the Scamander united their +streams. There they alighted, and cast a dense mist around the chariot +and the steeds to hide them from mortal view. Then they hastened to +where the bravest of the Greek chiefs were standing around the warrior +Diomede, Juno likening herself to the herald Stenʹtor, who had a voice +louder than the shout of fifty men.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Stentor the strong, endued with brazen lungs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose throat surpass'd the force of fifty tongues.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Appearing before the Greek chiefs in the form of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> the loud-voiced +herald, the queen of heaven cried out in words of reproof:</p> + +<p>"Shame upon you, Argives! You are heroes only in name. While the divine +Achilles was with you, fighting at the front, the Trojans dared not +advance beyond their gates, for they dreaded his mighty spear; but now +they are almost at your ships."</p> + +<p>Minerva, too, severely censured Diomede for holding back from the +battle, but the warrior answered that it was by her command that he had +refrained from attacking Mars. "You did not permit me," said he, "to +fight with any of the gods except Venus."</p> + +<p>"Fear not this Mars at all," answered Minerva, "nor any of the +immortals. Come now and direct your steeds against the war god, and I +will be with you." So saying, and putting on her head the helmet of +Pluto, which made any person who wore it invisible, she mounted the +chariot beside the brave Diomede, and, seizing the reins, drove rapidly +to where the fierce Mars was slaying Greek warriors.</p> + +<p>As soon as Mars beheld Diomede approaching, he rushed against him, and +hurled his brazen spear; but Minerva grasped the weapon and turned it +aside from the chariot. Diomede now thrust forward his lance, Minerva +directing it, and adding her strength to give force to the blow. It +pierced the loin of the war god, making a deep wound.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Mars bellows with the pain:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Loud as the roar encountering armies yield,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When shouting millions shake the thundering field.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Both armies start, and trembling gaze around;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And earth and heaven rebellow to the sound.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book V.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The wounded god disappeared in a dark cloud, and, quickly ascending to +Olympus, made bitter complaint to Jupiter against Minerva. But the king +of heaven sternly reproved him, saying that he had brought his +sufferings upon himself, for discord and wars were always his delight. +Nevertheless he ordered Pæʹon, the physician of the gods, to heal the +wound, which was immediately done.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Juno and Minerva returned to Olympus, Mars being removed from +the battlefield. And now the fortune of war began to favor the Greeks. +The Trojans, no longer aided by a god fighting on their side, were +driven back to their walls, and it seemed as if they were about to be +totally defeated. In this perilous situation Helenus, the prophet and +soothsayer, advised his brother Hector to go quickly into the city, and +request their mother, the queen, to call together the matrons of Troy, +and with them to offer up sacrifices and prayers in the temple of +Minerva, begging the help and protection of that goddess. The advice +seemed good to Hector. Leaping from his chariot, he went through the +army bidding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> the warriors to fight bravely during his absence. Then he +hastened to the city. At the Scæan Gate he was met by crowds of anxious +wives and mothers and daughters, who eagerly inquired for their +husbands, sons, and brothers.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">He admonished all<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Duly to importune the gods in prayer,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For woe, he said, was near to many a one.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Arriving at the royal palace Hector was met by his mother, who offered +him wine to refresh himself with. But the hero would not taste the +liquor. "Do not ask me to drink wine, dear mother," he said, "for it +would enfeeble me, and deprive me of my strength and valor."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Inflaming wine, pernicious to mankind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unnerves the limbs, and dulls the noble mind."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then Hector told his mother why he had come from the field of battle. +She gladly consented to do as her son requested, and so Queen Hecuba and +the matrons of Troy went to the temple of Minerva, and prayed and +offered sacrifices. But the goddess refused to hear their prayers, for +she still hated the Trojans because of the never-forgotten judgment on +Mount Ida.</p> + +<p>Meantime the hero went to the palace of Paris,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> whom he found in his +chamber, handling and preparing his armor, while Helen sat near him with +her maids, directing their various tasks. Angry at seeing his brother +thus engaged, instead of being in the front of the fight, Hector +reproached him in sharp and bitter words.</p> + +<p>"The people," said he, "are perishing, the conflict rages round the +walls, and all on your account. Arise, then, and act, lest our city soon +be in flames." Paris answered mildly, saying that he deserved his +brother's censure, and promising that he would immediately repair to the +field of battle.</p> + +<p>Hector next proceeded to his own home to visit his dear wife, +An-dromʹa-che, and his infant son; "for I know not," said he, "whether I +shall ever return to them again." Arriving at the palace, he learned +from Andromache's maids that their mistress had just gone towards the +city walls.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"To the lofty tower of Troy she went<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When it was told her that the Trojan troops<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lost heart, and that the valor of the Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Prevailed. She now is hurrying toward the walls.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like one distracted, with her son and nurse."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Leaving the palace, Hector hastened through the city, and, arriving at +the Scæan Gate, he there met Andromache and her nurse, the latter +bearing in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> her arms the infant Sca-man'dri-us. His father had given the +child this name, from the name of the river, but the people called him +As-tyʹa-nax, meaning "city-king." The lines in which Homer describes the +interview which here took place between the noble Hector and his loving +wife, are among the most beautiful of the whole Iliad. Andromache was a +daughter of E-ëʹti-on, king of Thebe, the town from which the maiden +Chryseis was carried away. Eëtion and all his family had been slain, +with the exception of Andromache, who therefore had now neither parents +nor brothers nor sisters. Of this she spoke in touching words, while +entreating Hector to remain within the city and not again risk his life +in battle.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Too brave! thy valor yet will cause thy death:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thou hast no pity on thy tender child,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor me, unhappy one, who soon must be<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy widow. All the Greeks will rush on thee<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To take thy life. A happier lot were mine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If I must lose thee, to go down to earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For I shall have no hope when thou art gone,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nothing but sorrow. Father I have none,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And no dear mother. Great Achilles slew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My father when he sacked the populous town<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of the Cilicians,—Thebe with high gates.<br /></span> +<span class="i12">Hector, thou<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Art father and dear mother now to me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And brother and my youthful spouse besides.<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span><span class="i0">In pity keep within the fortress here,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor make thy child an orphan nor thy wife<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A widow."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hector was deeply moved by these words, but he could not think of +deserting his brave companions.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">"All this<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I bear in mind, dear wife; but I should stand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ashamed before the men and long-robed dames<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Troy, were I to keep aloof and shun<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The conflict, cowardlike. Not thus my heart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Prompts me, for greatly have I learned to dare<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And strike among the foremost sons of Troy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upholding my great father's fame and mine;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet well in my undoubting mind I know<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The day shall come in which our sacred Troy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Priam, and the people over whom<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Spear-bearing Priam rules, shall perish all."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But it was not the dark prospect of his country's ruin that grieved the +loving husband so much as the thought that his wife might some day be +carried off as a slave by the conquering Greeks.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But not the sorrows of the Trojan race,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor those of Hecuba herself, nor those<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of royal Priam, nor the woes that wait<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My brothers many and brave,—who all at last,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Slain by the pitiless foe, shall lie in dust,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Grieve me so much as thine, when some mailed Greek<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span><span class="i0">Shall lead thee weeping hence, and take from thee<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy day of freedom. . . . .<br /></span> +<span class="i12">O let the earth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be heaped above my head in death before<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hear thy cries as thou art borne away!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/19.jpg" + alt="Hector parting from Andromache." + title="Hector parting from Andromache." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Hector parting from Andromache.</span><br /><i>Painting by Maignan.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Then Hector stretched out his hands to embrace his son, but the little +fellow shrank back and screamed in fright at the nodding crest on his +father's helmet. Both parents gently smiled, and Hector, taking off his +helmet, and placing it on the ground, kissed his boy, and fondled him in +his arms, praying to the gods that he might become a brave warrior, and +the defender of his country.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"O Jupiter and all ye deities,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vouchsafe that this my son may yet become<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among the Trojans eminent like me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And nobly rule in Ilium. May they say,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'This man is greater than his father was.'"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The parting between the hero and his sorrowing wife was very affecting. +Andromache received the infant from his father's arms, mingling tears +with her smiles as she looked into the face of her child.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">The chief<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beheld, and, moved with tender pity, smoothed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her forehead gently with his hand and said:—<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span><span class="i0">"Sorrow not thus, beloved one, for me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No living man can send me to the shades<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Before my time; no man of woman born,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Coward or brave, can shun his destiny.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But go thou home, and tend thy labors there,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The web, the distaff,—and command thy maids<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To speed the work. The cares of war pertain<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To all men born in Troy, and most to me."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then Hector took his helmet from the ground, and Andromache departed for +her home, "oft looking back, and shedding many tears."</p> + +<p>As the hero went out at the Scæan Gate, after taking leave of his wife, +he met Paris, arrayed in his shining armor, and eager to join the +battle. Together they rushed into the plain, and slew many of the enemy. +The goddess Minerva, observing that the battle was going against the +Greeks, quickly descended from the top of Olympus. Apollo, seeing her +from the Trojan citadel, hastened to meet her, and he proposed that they +should now bring the conflict to an end for the day. With this object, +Minerva having consented, they both agreed to cause Hector to challenge +one of the Greek warriors to engage with him in single combat. Helenus, +being a soothsayer, knew the purpose of the gods, and he told his +brother. "But," said he, "you shall not fall in the fight, for it is not +thy fate yet to perish.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> Thus have the immortal gods spoken, and I have +heard their voice."</p> + +<p>Hector rejoiced at his brother's words, and immediately advancing to the +front of the army he commanded the Trojans to cease fighting.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">He bore his spear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Holding it in the middle, and pressed back<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The ranks of Trojans, and they all sat down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Agamemnon caused the well-armed Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To sit down also.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then the Trojan chief, standing between the two hosts, spoke in a loud +voice, and challenged the bravest of the Greeks to engage with him in +mortal combat. For a few moments there was silence in the ranks of the +Argives. Even the boldest of them hesitated at the thought of fighting +such a warrior as Hector. At length Menelaus, rising from his seat, +declared that he was ready to accept the challenge, and so he put on his +armor. But Agamemnon held him back, warning him against rashly venturing +into a conflict with a man who was much stronger and braver than he, and +whom every other chief, even Achilles himself, regarded with fear.</p> + +<p>Nestor then arose, and in severe words upbraided his countrymen for +their want of courage. "Would that my frame were unworn with years," he +ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>claimed, "then Hector should soon find a foe to meet him; but now +among the bravest of the Achaians there is no one to meet the Trojan +leader in arms."</p> + +<p>The venerable Nestor had no sooner ceased speaking than nine warriors +started to their feet, every one eager for the honor of being permitted +to accept the challenge of Hector. Among them were Agamemnon, the two +Ajaxes, Diomede, and Ulysses. Nestor then proposed that one should be +chosen by lot. This was agreed to, and lots being cast, the honor fell +to Ajax Telamon, the mightiest and most valiant of the Greeks except +Achilles. The hero greatly rejoiced, believing that he would conquer +Hector, and so he quickly put on his armor, and went forward to the +ground marked out for the combat.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">His massy javelin quivering in his hand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He stood, the bulwark of the Grecian band.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hector having also taken his place on the ground, the combat began. +First the Trojan chief, brandishing his long spear, hurled it at his +foe. Ajax received it on his shield, which was made of seven folds of +oxhides and an eighth fold of solid brass. Through six of the hides the +weapon of Hector pierced, but it stuck fast in the seventh.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then the Grecian champion sent forth his javelin. It passed right +through Hector's shield and corselet, and might have proved fatal, had +the hero not quickly bent aside his body. Again both champions launched +spears, one after the other. This time Hector was slightly wounded in +the neck. Nothing daunted, however, he seized a huge stone which lay at +his feet, and hurled it at Ajax. It struck the hero's shield and the +brass resounded with the blow. Quickly the Argive warrior took up a much +larger stone, and flung it at his antagonist with tremendous force. The +stone crashed through Hector's shield, and, striking him on the knee, +stretched him flat on the ground. But Apollo instantly raised him up, +renewing his strength, and then with their swords the two heroes fell +upon each other, fighting hand to hand. At this point, night having come +on, two heralds, one from the Trojan army, the other from the Greek, +approached the champions, and ordered them to cease fighting, I-daeʹus, +the Trojan herald, giving the command in a loud voice:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Cease to contend, dear sons, in deadly fray;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ye both are loved by cloud-compelling Jove,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And both are great in war, as all men know.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The night is come; be then the night obeyed."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Ajax answered that as it was Hector who gave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> the challenge, it was for +him first to speak of truce. Hector replied, speaking words of praise +and admiration for his antagonist, and saying that they should now cease +from battle for the day.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Since, then, the night extends her gloomy shade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And heaven enjoins it, be the night obey'd.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Return, brave Ajax, to thy Grecian friends,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And joy the nations whom thy arm defends;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But let us, on this memorable day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Exchange some gift: that Greece and Troy may say<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Not hate, but glory, made these chiefs contend;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And each brave foe was in his soul a friend.'"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then Hector gave Ajax a silver-studded sword with scabbard, and Ajax +presented to Hector a belt of rich purple. Thus ended the terrible +conflict which had raged throughout the day, and the two heroes retired, +each joyfully welcomed by his comrades and friends.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Then they both departed,—one<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To join the Grecian host, and one to meet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Trojan people, who rejoiced to see<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hector alive, unwounded, and now safe<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From the great might and irresistible arm<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Ajax. Straightway to the town they led<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Him for whose life they scarce had dared to hope.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Ajax also by the well-armed Greeks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Exulting in his feats of arms, was brought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To noble Agamemnon.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> +<h2>IX. THE SECOND BATTLE—EXPLOIT OF DIOMEDE AND ULYSSES.</h2> + + +<p>Before the Greek leaders retired to rest for the night, they held a +council in the tent of Agamemnon, at which they resolved to perform +funeral rites, early in the morning, in honor of their comrades who had +been slain in the battle. They also resolved, on the advice of Nestor, +to build a strong wall and dig a deep trench in front of their camp, +that their ships might be secure against the attacks of the enemy.</p> + +<p>The Trojan chiefs, too, held a council. They were discouraged by their +losses in the battle, and many of them thought that they could not now +succeed in the war, because of the treacherous act of Pandarus in +breaking the league. The wise Antenor was of this opinion, and in his +speech at the council he advised that Helen and her treasures should be +given up to the Greeks.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Send we the Argive Helen back with all<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her treasures; let the sons of Atreus lead<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dame away; for now we wage the war<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span><span class="i0">After our faith is broken, and I deem<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We cannot prosper till we make amends."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Paris would not agree to this. He was willing to give up Helen's +treasures, and to give treasure of his own as compensation to the +Greeks, but he would not consent to restore Helen herself. King Priam +weakly gave way to his son, and ordered that a herald should be sent to +the Greek leaders to tell them of the offer of Paris, and to request +that fighting should not be resumed until the dead should be taken from +the battlefield, and funeral services performed.</p> + +<p>Accordingly the Trojan herald Idæus went next morning to the tent of +Agamemnon. There he found the Argive chiefs assembled. Upon hearing his +message, they scornfully rejected the terms proposed by Paris, but they +agreed to a truce for the funeral ceremonies. Idæus returned to the +city, and told the Trojan leaders of the answer he had received. Both +Greeks and Trojans then began collecting their dead from the field and +building great piles of wood, or pyres, to burn the bodies upon.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">All wailing, silently they bore away<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their slaughtered friends, and heaped them on the pyre<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With aching hearts, and, when they had consumed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dead with fire, returned to hallowed Troy.<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span><span class="i0">The nobly-armed Achaians also heaped<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their slaughtered warriors on the funeral pile<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With aching hearts; and when they had consumed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their dead with fire they sought their hollow ships.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Before dawn next morning the Greeks set about building a wall and +digging a trench on the side of their camp facing Troy, as Nestor had +advised. They finished the work in one day, and a mighty work it was. +The wall was strengthened with lofty towers, and the gates were so large +that chariots could pass through. The trench was broad and deep, and on +the outer edge it was defended by strong, sharp stakes. The gods, +looking down from Olympus, admired these labors, but Neptune, much +displeased, made bitter complaint to Jupiter:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"Now will the fame<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of this their work go forth wherever shines<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The light of day, and men will quite forget<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The wall which once we built with toiling hands—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Phœbus Apollo and myself—around<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The city of renowned Laomedon."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Jupiter relieved the anxiety of the ocean god by telling him that +when the war was over, and the Greeks had departed from Troy, he might +overthrow the great wall with his waves, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> cover the shore with sand. +Thus the Grecian bulwark would vanish from the plain.</p> + +<p>After their great labors on the wall and trench the Greeks feasted in +their tents, and next day, the truce being now ended, both armies +prepared for battle. Meanwhile Jupiter, held a council on high Olympus, +at which he gave strict command that none of the gods should take part +on either side in the fight before Troy; and he declared that if any of +them should disobey this order, he would hurl the offender down into the +dark pit of Tarʹta-rus, in the gloomy kingdom of Pluto.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Deep, deep in the great gulf below the earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With iron gates and threshold forged of brass.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Minerva begged that she might be permitted to assist the Greeks by +her advice. To this the king of heaven assented. Then mounting his +chariot, to which were yoked his brazen-footed, swift-flying steeds, +adorned with golden manes, he sped through the skies between the earth +and starry heaven to the summit of Mount Ida. There in a sacred +inclosure in which was an altar erected to him, the father of the gods +sat looking down upon the towers of Ilium and the ships of the Greeks. +The two hosts, led by their great chiefs, were now engaged in fierce +battle.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/20.jpg" + alt="Jupiter on Mount Ida." + title="Jupiter on Mount Ida." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Jupiter on Mount Ida.</span><br /><i>Drawn by Hubbell.</i></span> +</div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span><span class="i0">The sounding darts in iron tempests flew;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Victors and vanquish'd join promiscuous cries,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Triumphant shouts and dying groans arise;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With streaming blood the slippery fields are dyed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And slaughtered heroes swell the dreadful tide.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus the terrible conflict went on until midday, when Jupiter, taking in +his hand the golden scales of fate, weighed the fortunes of the Trojans +and Greeks.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">By the midst<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He held the balance, and, behold, the fate<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Greece in that day's fight sank down until<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It touched the nourishing earth, while that of Troy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rose and flew upward toward the spacious heaven.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then the mighty god thundered from Mount Ida, and sent his lightnings +burning and flashing down against the army of the Greeks. In amazement +and terror the Argive chiefs fled from the field. Nestor alone remained, +though not willingly, for he too was seeking safety in flight when one +of the horses of his chariot was killed by an arrow from the bow of +Paris. The venerable king himself might have perished at the hands of +Hector, had not Diomede hastened up and taken him into his own chariot.</p> + +<p>Both warriors then advanced against the Trojan chief, and Diomede hurled +his javelin. The weapon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> missed Hector, but killed his charioteer. Still +rushing on, the brave son of Tydeus was about to cast another spear, +when a terrific bolt of lightning flashed from the heavens and tore up +the earth in front of his steeds. Looking upon this as a sign of the +anger of Jupiter, the two heroes hastily retreated towards their camp. +Hector pursued them, and the Trojans, encouraged by his example, now +pressed forward until the Greeks were driven in behind their trench and +wall. Then Agamemnon, in deep despair, prayed to almighty Jove that he +would at least permit him and his people to get away in safety with +their ships.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Now be at least one wish of mine fulfilled,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That we may yet escape and get us hence;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor let the Trojans thus destroy the Greeks."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Jupiter heard the prayer of the king, and in pity for his distress sent +a favorable omen. This was an eagle bearing in its talons a fawn, which +it dropped down by the side of the altar where the Greek chiefs were +just then offering sacrifice. Believing that the bird had come from +Jove, the Greeks took courage, and rushing out through their gates, with +Diomede and Agamemnon and Menelaus and Ajax at their head, they +furiously attacked the Trojans and slew many of them. Teucer, the +brother of Ajax Tela<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>mon, did great destruction with his bow and arrows, +in the use of which he was as skillful even as Pandarus. After killing +several of the enemy, he aimed twice at Hector, missing him, however, +each time, but at the second shot he slew the Trojan leader's +charioteer. Hector then jumped to the ground, and, seizing a great +stone, hurled it with mighty force, striking the unfortunate Teucer on +the neck, and felling him to the earth. And now the Trojans, rushing +once more upon the Greeks, again drove them back to their camp.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">They drave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Achaians backward to the yawning trench.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then Hector came, with fury in his eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Among the foremost warriors. As a hound,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sure of his own swift feet, attacks behind<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The lion or wild boar, and tears his flank,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet warily observes him as he turns,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So Hector followed close the long-haired Greeks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And ever slew the hindmost as they fled.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But night now put an end to the battle. This was a most welcome relief +to the Greek leaders, thoroughly disheartened as they were at the sight +of the enemy almost at their ships. On the other hand the warriors of +Troy "most unwillingly beheld the sunset," for it prevented them from +following up their victory. But Hector was confident that on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> the next +day he would be able to destroy the Achaian host and fleet, and so end +the war. He therefore addressed his troops, commanding them to remain on +the field for the night, that they might be ready to fall upon the +Greeks, should they attempt to go aboard their vessels, and "escape +across the mighty deep."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">So high in hope, they sat the whole night through<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In warlike lines, and many watch fires blazed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book VIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meanwhile the Grecian leaders held a council of war, and Agamemnon +advised that they should take to their ships, and set sail for Greece, +as it now seemed to be the will of Jupiter that they should never +capture Troy. Upon hearing this the chiefs sat for a time in gloomy +silence. At length Diomede spoke out, censuring the king for his +cowardly counsel.</p> + +<p>"The gods," said he, "have given you, O son of Atreus, high rank and +great power, but not much of courage. Return home if you are so +inclined, but the other Greeks will remain until they have overthrown +Troy, for it was by the direction of the immortals that we came here."</p> + +<p>These words were loudly applauded by the assembled leaders. Then guards +were placed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> watch the wall and trench, after which Agamemnon gave +the chiefs a banquet in his tent. When all had partaken of the good +things set before them, the wise Nestor advised that an effort be made +to appease the anger of Achilles. This proposal even Agamemnon warmly +approved, for he now admitted that he had done a great wrong in taking +away Briseis, and he declared that he would restore the maiden at once +to Achilles, and send him rich gifts besides.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"I erred, and I deny it not.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That man indeed is equal to a host,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whom Jupiter doth love and honor thus,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Humbling the Achaian people for his sake.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And now, since, yielding to my wayward mood<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I erred, let me appease him, if I may,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With gifts of priceless worth."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Agamemnon then promised that he would send to Achilles a large sum in +gold, with twenty shining caldrons, and twelve steeds which had won many +prizes by their fleetness. Moreover, when they should return to Greece +after having conquered the Trojans, he would give him one of his +daughters to be his wife, and with her, as a marriage portion, seven +rich cities of Argos.</p> + +<p>The Greek chiefs were very glad to hear these proposals, and they +resolved to appoint ambassadors<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> to send to Achilles to beg him to +accept these gifts and make peace with Agamemnon. On the advice of +Nestor they chose for this important mission the prudent Ulysses, an +aged chief named Phœʹnix, and the valiant warrior Ajax. Phœnix had been +the instructor of Achilles in his youth, and had been sent by King +Peleus with the expedition to Troy to be his son's friend and counselor. +The three ambassadors, with two heralds, accordingly set out for the +camp of the Myrmidonian chief. They found him sitting in his tent with +his friend Patroclus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Amused at ease, the godlike man they found,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pleased with the solemn harp's harmonious sound.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(The well wrought harp from conquered Thebæ came;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of polish'd silver was its costly frame).<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With this he soothes his angry soul, and sings<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The immortal deeds of heroes and of kings.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The ambassadors were received with great respect. Achilles rose from his +seat and welcomed them as warriors and friends. Then food and drink were +placed before them, and after they had refreshed themselves, Ulysses +stated the object of their visit. He described the danger of the Grecian +army, threatened with destruction by the terrible Hector and his +victorious hosts. He next told of the many gifts which Agamemnon had +offered, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> then in earnest words he begged Achilles to lay aside his +anger, and come to the relief of his countrymen in their great peril.</p> + +<p>But the wrath of the son of Peleus was not thus to be appeased. He +replied to Ulysses in a long speech, recounting his services during the +war, and bitterly complaining of the ingratitude and selfishness of +Agamemnon.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Twelve cities have I with my fleet laid waste,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And with my Myrmidons have I o'erthrown<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eleven upon this fertile Trojan coast.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Full many a precious spoil from these I bore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And to Atrides Agamemnon gave.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He, loitering in his fleet, received them all;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Few he distributed, and many kept."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As for the apologies which Agamemnon now made, the wrathful hero +declared that he could have no confidence in a man who had deceived him, +nor would he accept the offered gifts.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"Let him ne'er again,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Though shameless, dare to look me in the face.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I will not join in council nor in act<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With him: he has deceived and wronged me once,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And now he cannot wheedle me with words.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let once suffice. I leave him to himself,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To perish. All-providing Jupiter<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span><span class="i0">Hath made him mad. I hate his gifts; I hold<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In utter scorn the giver."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book IX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In vain also were the entreaties of Phœnix and Ajax. They too tried to +persuade the hero to dismiss from his mind the thought of his wrongs, +and lead his brave Myrmidons once more into the field for the honor of +his country. But Achilles persisted in his refusal to take further part +in the war, and so there was nothing left for the ambassadors but to +return to the tent of Agamemnon and report the failure of their mission.</p> + +<p>In deep disappointment and distress the chiefs heard the story. Then +again they held counsel together to consider what was best to +do,—whether to prepare for another battle, or to betake themselves at +once to their ships and set sail for Greece. Nestor proposed that some +brave and prudent chief should venture into the Trojan camp, and, if +possible, find out what were the plans of Hector.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Is there (said he) a chief so greatly brave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His life to hazard, and his country save?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lives there a man, who singly dares to go<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or favor'd by the night approach so near,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book X.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Diomede offered himself for this service, and being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> permitted to select +a companion, he made choice of Ulysses. The two warriors at once put on +their armor, and took up their weapons. Then they went out into the +plain, each praying to Minerva to grant them success. Cautiously they +moved forward towards the camp of the enemy.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">With dreadful thoughts they trace the dreary way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through the black horrors of the ensanguined plain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Through dust, through blood, o'er arms, and hills of slain.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book X.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Now it happened that about the same time Hector had sent a young Trojan +chief, Doʹlon by name, on a similar errand,—to make his way into the +Grecian camp, and find out the designs of the Argive leaders. Dolon +offered to undertake the dangerous task on condition that he should have +as his reward the chariot and horses of Achilles, when the Greeks should +be conquered. Hector agreed to the condition, and the Trojan spy, arming +himself, set forth for the Greek camp. He had not gone far when Ulysses +and Diomede saw him advancing, whereupon they lay down among the dead +bodies and allowed him to go forward a considerable distance. Then they +rose up and followed him.</p> + +<p>At first Dolon supposed that they were Trojans sent by Hector to call +him back, but, soon seeing that they were enemies, he fled with great +speed in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> the direction of the ships. The two Greeks hastened in +pursuit, and Diomede hurled a spear after the fugitive. He purposely +missed him, however, for their object was to take the Trojan alive, that +they might get from him the information they desired. The weapon passed +over the shoulder of Dolon, and sank into the ground in front of him. +Instantly he stood still, trembling with fear, and the Greek warriors, +hurrying up, seized him by the hands. The frightened Trojan flung +himself on his knees, and begged them to spare his life, promising that +his father, who was rich, would pay a high ransom. Ulysses commanded him +to tell what his errand was to the Grecian camp, and also to tell them +all about the Trojan army, and of the plans of Hector.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Tell me,—and tell the truth,—where hast thou left<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hector, the leader of the host, and where<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are laid his warlike arms; where stand his steeds;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where are the sentinels, and where the tents<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of other chiefs? On what do they consult?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Will they remain beside our galleys here,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or do they meditate, since, as they say,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Greeks are beaten, a return to Troy?"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book X.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The terrified Dolon, hoping to move the Greeks to mercy, told even more +than he was asked to tell. There was a Thracian king, he said, who had +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> very day arrived with a troop of soldiers to help the Trojans. +Rheʹsus was his name. He had steeds beautiful to behold, and fleet as +the wind, his chariot shone with gold and silver, and the armor he wore +was all of gold.</p> + +<p>"Even now," said Dolon, "Rhesus and his followers are in a camp by +themselves separated from the others, and it will be easy to take them +by surprise as they lie asleep, and carry off the rich things they +possess."</p> + +<p>This news was joyfully received by the Greek heroes. They had heard of +an oracle which declared that Troy could never be captured if these same +horses of Rhesus should once drink of the water of Xanthus or feed on +the grass of the Trojan plain. They therefore resolved to rob Rhesus of +his magnificent steeds. But first they killed the unhappy Dolon, paying +no heed to his prayers for mercy. Then they hurried on to the Thracian +camp, where they found the warriors sunk in deep repose, after the +fatigues of the day's journey.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">There slept the warriors, overpowered with toil;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their glittering arms were near them, fairly ranged<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In triple rows, and by each suit of arms<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two coursers. Rhesus slumbered in the midst.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Near him were his fleet horses, which were made<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fast to the chariot's border by the reins.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book X.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>Diomede slew Rhesus and twrelve of his companions, while Ulysses untied +the king's steeds, and led them forth into the field. Then, hastening +across the plain with their rich prize, they soon reached the Grecian +camp, where Nestor and the other chiefs joyfully welcomed them.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Their friends, rejoicing, flocked<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Around them, greeting them with grasp of hands<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And with glad words.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book X.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/21.jpg" + alt="Decorative Mural" + title="Decorative Mural" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> +<h2>X. THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS—DEATH OF PATROCLUS.</h2> + + +<p>At dawn the Achaian leaders resolved to try again the fortunes of war. +They were encouraged by the exploit of Ulysses and Diomede, and Jupiter +sent down Eris, the goddess of strife, to incite them to ardor for +battle. The goddess stood on the ship of Ulysses, which was in the +center of the fleet, and shouted so loud that she was heard all over the +Greek camp.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Loud was the voice, and terrible, in which<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She shouted from her station to the Greeks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And into every heart it carried strength,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the resolve to combat manfully,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And never yield. The battle now to them<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Seemed more to be desired than the return<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To their dear country in their roomy ships.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then began the greatest battle of the siege. So numerous were the +exploits of heroes in this mighty conflict that the account of it +occupies nearly eight books of the Iliad.</p> + +<p>Agamemnon led the Grecian warriors during the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> earlier part of the day. +He was arrayed in brilliant armor, his breastplate being of gold and +bronze and tin.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ten were its bars of tawny bronze, and twelve<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were gold, and twenty tin; and on each side<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were three bronze serpents stretching toward the neck.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>His sword, glittering with golden studs, hung from his shoulder in a +silver sheath, and in his hands he bore two great spears, brass-tipped +and sharp. As he went forth to meet the foe, Juno and Minerva made a +sound as of thunder in the sky, "honoring the king of Mycenæ, rich in +gold." Thus did the Argive chief enter the field at the head of his +warriors.</p> + +<p>The Trojans were already on the ground, their great leader, Hector, clad +in shining brazen armor, giving his commands, now in the front and now +in the rear. Like wolves rushing to combat the two hosts sprang against +each other, and soon the battle raged furiously, the heroes on both +sides fighting with equal valor.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">They of Troy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And they of Argos smote each other down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And neither thought of ignominious flight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But about midday the Greeks prevailed against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> the Trojans, and drove +them back to the city gates. Agamemnon slew with his sword two of King +Priam's sons, Iʹsus and Anʹti-phus, and with his spear he struck down +many of the Trojan heroes.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/22.jpg" + alt="Iris." + title="Iris." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Iris.</span><br /><i>Painting by Watts.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Hector had not yet taken part in the battle; Jupiter having sent him an +order by the messenger Iris not to begin fighting until Agamemnon should +retire wounded from the field. This soon happened. The king was wounded +in the arm by the Trojan chief Coʹon, whose brother, I-phidʹa-mas, +Agamemnon had slain. These two chiefs were sons of the venerable +Antenor. But Agamemnon, before withdrawing, rushed upon Coön and slew +him also. Then, leaping into his chariot, he ordered his charioteer to +drive him quickly to his ships, for he was suffering much from the pain +of his wound.</p> + +<p>Hector, seeing the flight of the Greek leader, called loudly to the +Trojans to advance upon their foes, at the same time setting them the +example.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Himself, inspired<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With fiery valor, rushed among the foes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In the mid-battle foremost, like a storm<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That swoops from heaven, and on the dark-blue sea<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Falls suddenly, and stirs it to its depths.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The fortune of battle now turned in favor of the men of Troy. Nine +warrior princes of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> Greeks were struck down, one after another, by +the sword of Hector. The brave Diomede, wounded by an arrow from the bow +of Paris, was obliged to retire to his tent. A spear hurled by the +Trojan chief, Soʹcus, pierced the corselet of Ulysses, and wounded him +in the side. But the Trojan did not long survive this exploit, for as he +turned to flee, Ulysses sent a javelin through his body, felling him +lifeless to the earth. A serious misfortune had almost happened to the +Greeks at the hand of Paris, who shot a triple barbed arrow at the hero +and physician, Machaon, wounding him in the shoulder. The life of the +great son of Æsculapius being worth many men, Idomeneus cried to Nestor +to come and take him away in his chariot.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Haste, mount thy chariot; let Machaon take<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A place beside thee; urge thy firm-paced steeds<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rapidly toward the fleet; a leech like him,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who cuts the arrow from the wound and soothes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The pain with balms, is worth a host to us."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Many of their leaders being now disabled, the Greeks were driven from +the field and forced to take refuge behind their fortifications. At the +trench a terrible conflict took place. The Trojan warriors made efforts +to pass it in their chariots, while the Greeks fought with desperate +fury to force the in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>vaders back. Many heroes on both sides were wounded +and many slain.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The towers and battlements were steeped in blood<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of heroes,—Greeks and Trojans.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At last Hector took up a large stone and hurled it with tremendous force +against one of the gates. It tore off the strong hinges, and shattered +the massive beams, so mighty was the blow. Then through the wide opening +the Trojan leader sprang into the Grecian camp, brandishing two spears +in his hands, and calling on his men to follow. Promptly they obeyed. +Some rushed in by the gateway, and some over the wall, while the +terrified Greeks fled in disorder and dismay to their ships.</p> + +<p>So far none of the gods had taken part in the battle. But Neptune now +resolved to come to the rescue of the Greeks, having observed that +Jupiter, though still seated in his sacred inclosure on Mount Ida, was +no longer watching the conflict.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">On Troy no more<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He turned those glorious eyes, for now he deemed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That none of all the gods would seek to aid<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Either the Greeks or Trojans in the strife.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The ocean god, however, resolved to make the attempt. From the wooded +height of Samothrace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> he had been viewing the fight, and had seen that +the Achaian army and fleet were threatened with destruction. Quickly, +therefore, descending to the sea, he plunged down to his golden mansion +beneath the waves, and there put on his armor and mounted his chariot.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He yoked his swift and brazen-footed steeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With manes of flowing gold, to draw his car,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And put on golden mail, and took his scourge,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wrought of fine gold, and climbed the chariot-seat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And rode upon the waves. The whales came forth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From their deep haunts, and frolicked round his way:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They knew their king. The waves rejoicing smoothed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A path, and rapidly the coursers flew;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor was the brazen axle wet below.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And thus they brought him to the Greecian fleet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Arrived at the fleet, Neptune assumed the shape and voice of the +soothsayer Calchas, and, going amongst the Grecian leaders, urged them +to battle. With his scepter he touched the two Ajaxes, thereby giving +more than mortal strength to their limbs, and filling their breasts with +valor. Thus encouraged the Greek heroes turned fiercely upon the +Trojans, and again great feats of war were performed by the chiefs on +both sides. Hector, Paris, Helenus, Deiphʹo-bus, and Æneas fought in +front of the Trojan lines, while Menelaus, Idomeneus, Teucer, the two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +Ajaxes, and An-tilʹo-chus, the son of Nestor, bravely led the conflict +at the head of the Greeks.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">All along the line<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The murderous conflict bristled with long spears.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Juno rejoiced exceedingly at seeing the monarch of the ocean aiding the +Greeks, but she much feared that Jupiter might notice him, and order him +off the field. This he would be sure to do, if he should again turn his +eyes on the battle. Juno therefore went to the island of Lesʹbos, where +Somʹnus, the god of sleep, resided, and she entreated that deity to +hasten to Mount Ida, and cause her royal spouse to fall into a deep +slumber. Somnus consented, and having done as Juno desired, he hurried +down to the Grecian fleet with a message to Neptune.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Now, Neptune, give the Greeks thy earnest aid,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And though it be but for a little space,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While Jupiter yet slumbers, let them win<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The glory of the day; for I have wrapt<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His senses in a gentle lethargy."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hearing these words, Neptune rushed to the front of the Greek lines and +again urged the leaders to stand bravely against the enemy. Then, +grasping in his hand a sword "of fearful length and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> flashing blade like +lightning," he led them on to battle.</p> + +<p>And now the warriors of both sides were once more in deadly conflict. +Hector cast a spear at Ajax, but the weapon struck where two belts +crossed upon the hero's breast, overlapping each other, and he escaped +unhurt. Then the son of Telamon struck at the Trojan leader. His weapon +was a heavy stone, one of many that lay around, which were used as props +for the ships. The missile, hurled with giant force and true aim, smote +the Trojan on the breast and felled him like a tree struck by lightning.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">As when beneath<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The stroke of Father Jupiter an oak<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Falls broken at the root, . . . . . .<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So dropped the valiant Hector to the earth<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Amid the dust; his hand let fall the spear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His shield and helm fell with him, and his mail<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of shining brass clashed round him.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>With shouts of triumph the Greeks rushed forward, hoping to slay the +fallen warrior, and despoil him of his armor. But his comrades, Æneas +and A-geʹnor and Sarpedon and many others, crowded around him, and +protected him with their shields. He was then carried to the bank of the +Xanthus and bathed in its waters, which revived him a little.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the Greeks saw Hector borne away as if dead, they fought with +increased valor, and soon drove the Trojans back across the trench, +slaying many of their chiefs.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Jupiter, awaking from his slumber, and looking down upon the +battlefield, beheld the men of Troy put to flight, and Neptune at the +head of the pursuing Greeks. Turning angrily upon Juno, who was at his +side, he rebuked her in severe words, for he now saw the trick that had +been played upon him. He reminded her of how he had punished her on a +former occasion for her ill treatment of his son Hercules.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"Dost thou forget<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When thou didst swing suspended, and I tied<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two anvils to thy feet, and bound a chain<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of gold that none could break around thy wrists?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then didst thou hang in air amid the clouds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And all the gods of high Olympus saw<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With pity. They stood near, but none of them<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were able to release thee."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Juno pleaded that it was not at her request that Neptune had gone to the +aid of the Greeks. He had done that without consulting her. She indeed, +she said, would rather advise Neptune to obey the command of the king of +heaven and submit to his will.</p> + +<p>The anger of the father of the gods was appeased<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> by Juno's mild words. +Then he bade her hasten to Olympus and send the messenger Iris down to +order Neptune to leave the battle. He bade her also to direct Apollo to +restore Hector's strength and prepare him for the fight. But he +explained to Juno why he wished that for the present the Trojans should +be victorious. It was because he had promised Thetis that the Greeks +should be punished for the wrong Agamemnon had done to her son. Yet the +time would come, he said, when the great Hector would be slain by the +hand of Achilles, and when by Minerva's aid the lofty towers of Troy +would be overthrown. Juno was therefore glad to obey the command of her +royal spouse.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">As the thought of man<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Flies rapidly, when, having traveled far,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He thinks, "Here would I be, I would be there,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And flits from place to place, so swiftly flew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Imperial Juno to the Olympian mount.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>There she informed Iris and Apollo of the will of Father Jove. Forthwith +the two gods hastened to Mount Ida to receive their orders from Jupiter +himself. The orders were quickly given. Then with the speed of the winds +the messenger of heaven and the god of the silver bow darted down from +Ida's top to the plain of Troy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<p>Neptune, on hearing of the command of Jupiter, was at first unwilling to +obey. Jupiter, he said, had no authority over him.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"We are three brothers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The sons of Saturn,—Jupiter and I,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Pluto, regent of the realm below.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three parts were made of all existing things,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And each of us received his heritage.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The lots were shaken; and to me it fell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To dwell forever in the hoary deep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Pluto took the gloomy realm of night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And lastly, Jupiter the ample heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And air and clouds. Yet doth the earth remain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With high Olympus, common to us all.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Therefore I yield me not to do his will,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Great as he is; and let him be content<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With his third part."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Iris advised Neptune to obey, reminding him that Jupiter had power +of punishing those who offended him. At last Neptune yielded, and, +quitting the Grecian army, took his way to the sea, and plunged beneath +the waves to his palace in the ocean depths.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Apollo hastened to the side of the Trojan prince, who was +still weak from the blow of Ajax. Quickly the god restored the hero's +strength and breathed fresh courage into his breast. Then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> he commanded +Hector to hasten forward and lead his warriors against the enemy. In an +instant the Trojan prince was on his feet, hurrying to the front. When +the Greek chiefs saw him they were astonished as well as terrified, for +they had thought him dead, and now they believed he had been rescued +from death by some god. They resolved, however, to fight bravely, and so +they stood firmly together. Hector meanwhile advanced, Apollo moving +before him with the shield of Jupiter, the terrible aegis, which Jupiter +had given him to shake before the Greeks and fill their hearts with +fear.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">"Hector led<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The van in rapid march. Before him walked<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Phœbus, the terrible aggis in his hands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dazzlingly bright within its shaggy fringe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By Vulcan forged, the great artificer,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And given to Jupiter, with which to rout<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Armies of men. With this in hand he led<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The assailants on."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Against an attack so led the bravery of the Greeks was of little avail. +Numbers of their warriors were slain, and the rest fled back to their +camp, pursued by Hector and his triumphant hosts. This time the Trojans +were not hindered by the trench or the wall, for Apollo with his mighty +feet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> trampled down the earth banks, and overthrew the great wall as +easily as a child at play on the beach overthrows a tiny mound of sand.</p> + +<p>Then a fierce struggle took place, the Greeks fighting with desperate +fury to defend their ships, which the Trojans, with lighted torches in +their hands, tried to set on fire. At one of the galleys there was a +terrific conflict. Hector, having grasped the vessel by the stern, +called to his men to bring on their flaming brands, while the mighty +Ajax stood on the rowers' bench, ready with his long spear to strike the +assailants back.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">On the blade of that long spear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The hero took them as they came, and slew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In close encounter twelve before the fleet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But at last the brave son of Telamon was forced to give way, Hector +having cut his spear shaft in two by a stroke of his huge sword. Then +the Trojans hurled forward their blazing torches, and the ship was soon +wrapped in flames. The Greeks were now in the greatest peril. No hope +seemed left to them to save their fleet from destruction. But help came +from an unexpected quarter. Patroclus, the friend and companion of +Achilles, had been watching the terrible conflict at the ships. As<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> soon +as he saw the vessel on fire he hurried to the tent of the Myrmidonian +chief, and with tears in his eyes implored him to have pity on his +perishing countrymen.</p> + +<p>"The Greeks," said he, "are sorely pressed. Their bravest leaders are +wounded, while you sit here, giving way to your wrath. If you will not +yourself go to their rescue, at least permit me to lead the Myrmidons to +battle, and let me wear your armor. The Trojans at the sight of it may +think I am Achilles, and be so terrified that our people may have a +little breathing time."</p> + +<p>To this proposal Achilles assented, but he warned Patroclus not to +pursue the Trojans too far, lest he might meet his death at the hands of +one of the gods. "Rescue our good ships," said he, "but when you have +driven the enemy from the fleet, return hither."</p> + +<p>With joy and eager haste Patroclus put on the armor of Achilles. Then +the great chief himself marshaled his Myrmidons in battle array, after +which he addressed them, bidding them fight valiantly. The occasion, he +said, had now come which they had so long desired, for they had often +blamed him because he had kept them from joining their countrymen in the +field. Fierce and fearless these Myrmidons were, and over two thousand +strong.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">Achilles, dear to Jupiter, had led<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fifty swift barks to Ilium, and in each<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were fifty men, companions at the oar.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Patroclus now mounted the chariot of Achilles, with the brave +Au-tomʹe-don as charioteer, a hero next in valor to the renowned son of +Peleus himself. There were three horses in the team, Xanthus and +Baʹli-us, both of immortal breed, and fleet as the wind, and Pedʹa-sus, +which, though of mortal stock, was a match for the others in speed.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Like in strength, in swiftness and in grace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A mortal courser match'd the immortal race.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Great was the terror of the Trojans when they beheld the Myrmidons march +forth to battle.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Every heart grew faint<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With fear; the close ranks wavered; for they thought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That the swift son of Peleus at the fleet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had laid aside his wrath, and was again<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The friend of Agamemnon. Eagerly<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They looked around for an escape from death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/23.jpg" + alt="Automedon and the Horses of Achilles." + title="Automedon and the Horses of Achilles." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Automedon and the Horses of Achilles.</span><br /><i>Painting by Regnault.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>The Greek fleet was soon out of danger, for Patroclus and his Myrmidons, +having furiously attacked the Trojans, quickly drove them away from the +burning vessel and put out the fire. Having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> thus saved the ships, the +Myrmidonian warriors, aided by the other Greeks, then drove the Trojans +with great slaughter from the camp into the plain, and on towards the +walls of the city.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">In that scattered conflict of the chiefs<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Each Argive slew a warrior.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Even the mighty Hector was not able to stop the flight of the +panic-stricken Trojans, who seemed for the moment to have lost all their +courage, so great was their fear at the name of Achilles. The hero +Sarpedon at the head of his brave Lycians attempted to turn back the +onset of the Myrmidons, and he sought out their leader to engage him in +single combat. Both warriors sprang from their chariots at the same +moment, and rushed at each other, hurling their spears. Twice Sarpedon +missed his foe, but one of the weapons killed Pedasus, the horse of +"mortal stock." The leader of the Myrmidons cast his javelin with truer +aim, for it pierced the Lycian chief right in the breast, and the hero +fell like a tall pine tree falling in the forest at the last blow of the +woodman's ax.</p> + +<p>Then a fierce conflict took place over the body, the Greeks seeking to +obtain possession of the warrior's armor, which they did after many on +both sides had been slain in the struggle. The body<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> itself was sent by +Apollo, at Jupiter's command, to Lycia, that the hero's kinsmen there +might perform funeral rites in his honor.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">In robes of heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He clothed him, giving him to Sleep and Death,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Twin brothers, and swift bearers of the dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And they, with speed conveying it, laid down<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The corpse in Lycia's broad and opulent realm.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Jupiter thus honored Sarpedon because the hero was his own son. He would +have saved him from the spear of Patroclus, but the Fates had decreed +that Sarpedon should die in the battle, and the decrees of the Fates +were not to be set aside even by Jove himself.</p> + +<p>Patroclus, too, was doomed to fall in the conflict of the day, and the +moment was now at hand. Forgetting the warning Achilles had given him, +he pursued the Trojans up to the very gates of the city. Then he +attempted to scale the wall, but he was driven back by Apollo, who spoke +to him in threatening voice, saying that not by him should Troy be +taken, nor by his chief, though mightier far than he. Hastily Patroclus +withdrew from the walls, fearing the wrath of the archer god, but he +continued to deal death among the Trojans as they came within reach of +his weapons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last Hector, urged by Apollo, rushed forward in his chariot to +encounter Patroclus. The Myrmidon leader lifted a large stone, and flung +it with all his force at the Trojan chief as he approached. It missed +Hector, but killed Ce-briʹo-nes, his charioteer, and while they fought +over the body, each helped by brave comrades, many more on both sides +were laid in the dust. Again the archer god interfered, this time coming +unseen behind Patroclus, and striking him with his open palm between the +shoulders. The hero staggered under the blow, his huge spear was +shattered in his hands, and his shield dropped to the ground. Then +Eu-phorʹbus, a Dardanian chief, hurried forward, and with his lance +wounded him in the back. Thus disarmed and almost overpowered, Patroclus +turned to seek refuge in the ranks of his friends. As he was retreating, +Hector rushed upon him, and thrusting a spear deep into his body, gave +the brave warrior his death wound.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">The hero fell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With clashing mail, and all the Greeks beheld<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His fall with grief.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then there was a long and terrific fight around the corpse of the fallen +champion. The description of it occupies a whole book of the Iliad. The +armor Patroclus wore was, as we have seen, the rich armor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> of Achilles, +and the Trojans were eager to get possession of it. They wished also to +get possession of the hero's body, that his friends might not have the +satisfaction of performing the usual funeral rites in his honor. +Menelaus was the first to stand guard over the body, and Euphorbus was +the first to fall in the fight. Hector had gone in pursuit of the +charioteer, Automedon, thinking to slay him, and capture the immortal +horses of Achilles. But Apollo warned him against the attempt.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hector, thou art pursuing what thy feet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Will never overtake, the steeds which draw<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The chariot of Achilles. Hard it were<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For mortal man to tame them or to guide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Save for Achilles, goddess-born. Meanwhile<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hath warlike Menelaus, Atreus' son,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Guarding the slain Patroclus, overthrown<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Euphorbus, bravest of the Trojan host."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hearing these words Hector hastened back to where the corpse of the +Greek hero was lying. When Menelaus saw him approaching, he withdrew, +and hurried off to seek help, for he feared to encounter the terrible +Trojan leader. Then Hector stripped Patroclus of the splendid armor of +Achilles, and he was about dragging away the body, but just at that +moment Ajax rushed up. Hector now retreated, leaping into his chariot +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> giving the glittering armor to his friends to be carried away to +Troy.</p> + +<p>For thus fleeing from the fight the Trojan chief was severely rebuked by +Glauʹcus, a Lycian warrior, who had been the comrade of the brave +Sarpedon. Glaucus wished to get the body of Patroclus so that with it he +might ransom Sarpedon's armor from the Greeks. Hector answered Glaucus, +saying that he feared not the battle's fury, as he would presently show. +Then he put on the armor of Achilles and he called to the Trojans to +follow him, promising a rich reward to the warrior who should carry off +the body for which they were going to fight.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"To him who from the field will drag and bring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The slain Patroclus to the Trojan knights,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Compelling Ajax to give way,—to him<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I yield up half the spoil; the other half<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I keep, and let his glory equal mine."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>With Hector at their head the Trojans now rushed forward. Ajax, seeing +them advance, bade Menelaus summon the other Greek warriors to help in +defending the body of their countryman. Quickly they were called and +quickly they came. Then hand to hand and sword to sword both armies +fought, and the battle raged furiously round the corpse of Patroclus.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">They of Ilium strove<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To drag it to the city, they of Greece,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To bear it to the fleet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At last Menelaus and a brother warrior lifted up the body and bore it +away towards the trench. The Trojans followed, but the two Ajaxes turned +around and, facing the pursuers, fought with heroic bravery to hold them +back.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Thus, in hot pursuit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And close array, the Trojans following strook<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With swords and two-edged spears; but when the twain<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Turned and stood firm to meet them, every cheek<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Grew pale, and not a single Trojan dared<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Draw near the Greeks to combat for the corse.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Thus rapidly they bore away the dead<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Toward their good galleys from the battlefield.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Onward with them the furious battle swept.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meanwhile Antilochus, the son of Nestor, was sent from the field to +carry to Achilles the sad news of the death of Patroclus. The chief was +just then sitting near his ships thinking over the event which he feared +had already happened, for the shouts of the Greeks as they fled from the +plain pursued by the Trojans, had reached his ears. Upon learning the +tidings brought by Antilochus, the hero burst into a fit of grief, +tearing his hair, throwing himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> on the earth, and uttering loud +lamentations. His goddess mother, Thetis, in her father's palace beneath +the waves, heard his cries. She hastened up, attended by a number of sea +nymphs, and, embracing her son, inquired the cause of his grief. +Achilles told her of the death of his dear friend, and then said:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"No wish<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Have I to live or to concern myself<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In men's affairs, save this: that Hector first,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pierced by my spear, shall yield his life, and pay<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The debt of vengeance for Patroclus slain."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The weeping mother, wishing to save her son, told him of the fate which +had decreed that his own death should soon follow that of Hector.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ah then, I see thee dying, see thee dead!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When Hector falls, thou diest."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But the warning of Thetis was in vain. "Let my death come," said he, +"when the gods will it. I shall have revenge on Hector, by whose hand my +friend has been slain."</p> + +<p>Seeing that she could not induce him to alter his purpose, his mother +reminded him that his bright armor had been seized by the Trojans. She +bade him therefore not go to battle until she should bring him new armor +made by Vulcan, which she prom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>ised to do early next morning. Then she +commanded the other nymphs to return to their ocean home, and she +herself ascended to Olympus, to ask the god of smiths to forge +glittering armor for her son.</p> + +<p>Meantime the fight over the body of Patroclus still continued. The +Greeks were now driven to their ships, and in danger of being totally +defeated. Three times Hector seized the body by the feet, to drag it +away, and three times the mighty Ajaxes forced him back. Still again he +seized it, and this time he would have borne it away, had not Juno sent +Iris down to Achilles to bid him hasten to the relief of his friends.</p> + +<p>"But how," he asked, "can I go forth to the battle, since the enemy have +my arms?" Iris answered:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Go thou to the trench, and show thyself<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To them of Troy, that, haply smit with fear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They may desist from battle."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then the goddess Minerva spread a golden cloud around the head of +Achilles, and she kindled in it a bright flame that streamed upward to +the sky. And the hero went out beyond the wall, and stood beside the +trench, and he shouted in a voice loud as a trumpet sound,—a shout that +carried dismay into the ranks of the Trojans.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The hearts of all who heard that brazen voice<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Were troubled, and their steeds with flowing manes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Turned backward with the chariots,—such the dread<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of coming slaughter.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">. . . . . . . .<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thrice o'er the trench Achilles shouted; thrice<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The men of Troy and their renowned allies<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fell into wild disorder. Then there died,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Entangled midst the chariots, and transfixed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By their own spears, twelve of their bravest chiefs.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Greeks bore off Patroclus from the field<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With eager haste, and placed him on a bier,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And there the friends that loved him gathered round<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lamenting.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>So ended the long and terrible battle of the day, for Juno now commanded +the sun to set. In obedience to the queen of heaven the god of light +descended into the ocean streams, though unwillingly he did so, as it +was earlier than the proper time for sunset.</p> + +<p>The Trojan leaders, meanwhile, assembled in council on the plain to +consider what preparations should be made for the battle of the morrow, +in which, they knew, the terrible Achilles would take part. +Po-lydʹa-mas, a prudent chief, proposed that they should withdraw into +the city. There they might defend themselves from their ramparts, for +even Achilles, with all his valor, would not be able to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> force his way +through their strong walls. But Hector rejected this wise advice. He +resolved to risk the chance of war in the open field, and let the god of +battles decide who should win.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Soon as the morn the purple orient warms,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fierce on yon navy will we pour our arms.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If great Achilles rise in all his might,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His be the danger: I shall stand the fight.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Honor, ye gods! or let me gain or give;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And live he glorious, whosoe'er shall live!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/24.jpg" + alt="Decorative" + title="Decorative" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> +<h2>XI. END OF THE WRATH OF ACHILLES—DEATH OF HECTOR.</h2> + + +<div class="figright"> + <img src="images/25.jpg" + alt="Decorative" + title="Decorative" /><br /> + <span class="caption"><i>Design by Burne-Jones.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Thetis faithfully performed her promise to Achilles. Having ascended to +the top of Olympus, she found the god of smiths busy in his forge, a +workshop so magnificent that it was a wonder to the gods themselves.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Silver-footed Thetis came<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Meanwhile to Vulcan's halls, eternal, gemmed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With stars, a wonder to the immortals, wrought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of brass by the lame god. She found him there<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sweating and toiling, and with busy hand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Plying the bellows.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Vulcan willingly consented to make the armor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> as Thetis requested, for +she had been his friend and had protected him in his infancy, when his +mother Juno threw him out of heaven into the sea. Juno did this because +Vulcan was not a good-looking child. He was, in fact, so ugly that his +mother could not bear the sight of him, and so she cast him out of +Olympus. But Thetis and her sister Eu-ryn'o-me received him in their +arms as he fell, and for nine years they nursed and took care of him in +their father's palace beneath the waves. Gladly, therefore, Vulcan set +to work at the request of his old friend. In his workshop were immense +furnaces, and he had plenty of precious material in store.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Upon the fire<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He laid impenetrable brass, and tin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And precious gold and silver; on its block<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Placed the huge anvil, took the ponderous sledge,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And held the pincers in the other hand.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/26.jpg" + alt="Thetis bringing Armor to Achilles." + title="Thetis bringing Armor to Achilles." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Thetis bringing Armor to Achilles.</span><br /><i>Painting by Gerard.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>And first he made a shield, large and massive, upon which he wrought +figures of the earth and the sky, the sun, moon, and stars, with many +other beautiful designs. He wrought upon it numerous scenes of human +life,—representations of war and peace, of battles and sieges, of +reapers in the harvest fields, of shepherds tending their flocks, of +vintagers gathering their grapes; and scenes of festivity with music,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +song, and dancing. Homer gives a long and splendid description of this +wonderful shield. When Vulcan had finished it, he forged a corselet +brighter than fire, and greaves of tin, and a helmet with crest of gold. +Then he laid the magnificent armor at the feet of Thetis, and the +goddess bore it away and carried it down to the Grecian camp in the +early morning to present it to her son.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Like a falcon in her flight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down plunging from Olympus capped with snow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She bore the shining armor Vulcan gave.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVIII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Great was the delight of Achilles on seeing the beautiful armor and the +marvelous workmanship of its various parts. And now he hastened to +prepare for battle. First he went along the beach from tent to tent, +calling with a mighty shout on his brother chiefs to assemble. When all +were together he spoke friendly words to Agamemnon, expressing sorrow +that strife had come between them, and declaring that his wrath was now +ended.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here then my anger ends; let war succeed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And even as Greece has bled, let Ilion bleed.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now call the hosts, and try if in our sight<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Troy yet shall dare to camp a second night!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Agamemnon, too, spoke words of peace and friendship, and all the chiefs +rejoiced that the anger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> of Achilles, which had brought so many woes +upon the Greeks, was at length appeased. Then the troops took their +morning meal, and when they had refreshed themselves with food and +drink, they marched forth to the field. Achilles, having put on his +bright armor, mounted his chariot, to which were yoked the two immortal +and swift-footed steeds, Xanthus and Balius.</p> + +<p>And here a wonderful thing occurred. When the hero spoke to the animals, +charging them in loud and terrible voice to bring him back safely from +the battle, and not leave him dead on the plain, as they had left +Patroclus, Xanthus, to whom Juno had, for the moment, given the power of +speech, replied to the words of his master, saying that it was not +through any fault of himself and his comrade that Patroclus had been +slain, but by the interference of Apollo. He also warned Achilles that +the hour of his own death was near at hand.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Not through our crime, or slowness in the course,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fell thy Patroclus, but by heavenly force;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bright far-shooting god who gilds the day<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Confess'd we saw him) tore his arms away.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No—could our swiftness o'er the winds prevail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or beat the pinions of the western gale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All were in vain—the Fates thy death demand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Due to a mortal and immortal hand."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>But Achilles already knew his fate, and he was prepared to meet it with +courage.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I know my fate: to die, to see no more<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My much-loved parents, and my native shore—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Enough—when heaven ordains, I sink in night:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now perish Troy!" He said, and rush'd to fight.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XIX,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In the battle which now began many of the gods took active part, +Jupiter, at a council on Mount Olympus, having given them permission to +do so. Down to the plain before Troy they sped with haste, Juno, +Minerva, Neptune, Mercury, and Vulcan taking the side of the Greeks, and +Mars, Apollo, Venus, Diana, Latona, and the river god, Xanthus, going to +the assistance of the Trojans.</p> + +<p>Meantime Achilles, having rushed forth to the field, plunged into the +thick of the fight, eagerly seeking for Hector. But first he met Æneas, +whom Apollo had urged to encounter him. Achilles warned the Trojan hero +to withdraw from the battle.</p> + +<p>"Once already," said he, "I forced you to flee before my spear, running +fast down Ida's slopes. I counsel you now to retire, lest evil happen to +you."</p> + +<p>Æneas answered that he was not to be thus frightened, as if he were a +beardless boy. "I am the son of the goddess Venus," said he, "and my +father, Anchises, was descended from Jove himself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> We are not here, +however, to talk, but to fight, and words will not turn me from my +purpose."</p> + +<p>So saying, Æneas hurled his spear. It struck the shield of Achilles with +a ringing sound, and passed through two of its folds.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">Vulcan's skill<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fenced with five folds the disk,—the outer two<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of brass, the inner two of tin; between<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was one of gold, and there the brazen spear<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was stayed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Achilles now cast his heavy javelin. Through the shield of Æneas it +crashed, but, as the hero stooped to avoid it, the spear passed over his +shoulder, and plunged deep into the earth. Then with sword in hand, the +Myrmidonian chief rushed furiously upon Æneas. He would probably have +slain him, had not Neptune interfered. But the ocean god spread a mist +over the eyes of the Greek warrior, and carried Æneas away in safety to +the rear of the battlefield. The Trojan prince was thus preserved +because the Dardan race, to which he belonged, was beloved by Jupiter. +Moreover it was decreed by the Fates that the son of Anchises should, in +later times, rule over a Trojan people, and that his sons' sons should +rule after him.</p> + +<p>Having placed Æneas out of danger, Neptune<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> removed the mist from the +eyes of Achilles. The hero, on looking about him, was amazed at not +seeing the foe with whom, only an instant before, he had been in fierce +conflict. But he did not wait to think over this strange occurrence. +Rushing into the midst of the Trojans, he smote down warrior after +warrior, as they came within reach of his spear. Amongst them was +Pol-y-doʹrus, the youngest son of Priam. His father had forbidden him to +go into the battle, because he loved him most of all his sons. But +Polydorus was a brave youth, and he wished to show his swiftness, for in +speed of foot he excelled all the young men of Troy.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He ranged the field, until he lost his life.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Him with a javelin the swift-footed son<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Peleus smote as he was hurrying by.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Now Hector had been warned by Apollo to avoid meeting Achilles, but when +he saw his young brother slain, he could no longer stand aloof. He +therefore sprang forward to attack the son of Thetis. As soon as +Achilles saw the Trojan chief, he bounded towards him, crying out:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Draw nearer that thou mayst the sooner die."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hector replied in words of defiance, and then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> brandished and hurled +forth his spear. But Minerva turned it aside, and it missed its aim. +Then Achilles, with a wild shout, rushed against his enemy. Apollo now +came to the rescue, covering the Trojan hero in a veil of clouds, and +taking him away from the conflict. The enraged Achilles struck into the +dense mist with his sword again and again, and in loud voice reproached +Hector for what seemed to be his cowardly flight.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Hound as thou art, thou hast once more escaped<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy death; for it was near. Again the hand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Phœbus rescues thee. I shall meet thee yet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And end thee utterly, if any god<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Favor me also. I will now pursue<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And strike the other Trojan warriors down."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XX.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The enraged hero then attacked the Trojans so furiously that they fled +before him in dismay. Some rushed towards the gates of the city, others +to the Xanthus, into which they leaped in such numbers that the river +was soon filled with a crowd of steeds and men.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So, plunged in Xanthus by Achilles' force,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Roars the resounding surge with men and horse.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But now the terrible Myrmidonian chief descended<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> from his chariot, and +with sword in hand pursued the Trojans into the water. There he slew so +many that the stream became blocked with the bodies of the dead. The +river god, roused to anger, called to Achilles in a loud voice from the +depths of the Xanthus, saying that if he meant to destroy the whole +Trojan race, he must do it on the plain, and not stop the waters in +their course to the sea.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"For now my pleasant waters, in their flow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Are choked with heaps of dead, and I no more<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Can pour them into the great deep, so thick<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The corpses clog my bed, while thou dost slay<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And sparest not."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Achilles answered that he would not cease to slay the treaty-breaking +Trojans until they were punished as they deserved. At this the river god +was so enraged that he sent his waters with tremendous force against the +hero. The waves now surged around Achilles, beating upon his shield, and +buffeting him so violently that he was in danger of being overwhelmed. +He saved himself only by grasping the bough of an elm tree which grew on +the river's edge, and so gaining the bank. Then the angry god, rising in +greater fury, swept his mighty billows out upon the plain. The Greek<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +hero bravely attempted to fight this new enemy, but his valor and his +weapons were powerless against such an attack.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">As often as the noble son<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Peleus made a stand in hope to know<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whether the deathless gods of the great heaven<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Conspired to make him flee, so often came<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A mighty billow of the Jove-born stream<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And drenched his shoulders. Then again he sprang<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Away; the rapid torrent made his knees<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To tremble, while it swept, where'er he trod,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The earth from underneath his feet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Achilles now prayed to the gods for help, and Neptune and Minerva came +and encouraged him, saying that he was not to be thus conquered. Still +as Xanthus called upon his brother river, Simois, to join him in defense +of King Priam's noble city, it might have fared badly with the Greeks, +had not Vulcan come to their help. At the request of Juno the god of +fire sent down a vast quantity of flames, which scorched and dried up +the plain, and burned the trees and reeds on the banks of the rivers. +Vulcan began to dry up even the rivers themselves. Then Xanthus became +terrified and begged for mercy, promising that he would not again +interfere in the fight on either side.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span><span class="i0">"Oh Vulcan! oh! what power resists thy might?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I faint, I sink, unequal to the fight—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I yield—Let Ilion fall; if fate decree—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah—bend no more thy fiery arms on me!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It was not, however, until Juno entreated him to do so, that Vulcan +withdrew his flames, and the rivers were permitted to flow on again in +peace and safety. Achilles now renewed his attack on the Trojans. The +gods also rushed into the conflict. Mars launched his brazen spear at +Minerva, but, with the terrible ægis, the goddess warded off the blow. +Then Minerva lifted up a great rough stone and hurled it at Mars, +striking him on the neck, and stretching him senseless on the ground.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">He fell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With nerveless limbs, and covered, as he lay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Seven acres of the field.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/27.jpg" + alt="Venus." + title="Venus." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Venus.</span><br /><i>Canova.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Venus hastened to the relief of the wounded god, and, taking him by the +hand, led him away groaning with pain. Juno, who had been a spectator of +the fight, now approached Minerva, and urged her to attack Venus. She +gladly consented to do as the queen of heaven desired. Following up the +goddess of beauty, Minerva gave her a mighty blow on the breast, +throwing her prostrate on the earth. At the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> same time Neptune +challenged Apollo to fight. He reminded him, too, of King Laomedon's +conduct toward both of them, many years before, and reproached him for +being now on the side of the descendants of that faithless king. But +Apollo refused to fight with the ocean god.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Thou wouldst not deem me wise, should I contend<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With thee, O Neptune, for the sake of men,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who flourish like the forest leaves awhile,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And feed upon the fruits of earth and then<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Decay and perish."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But though Apollo would not fight with Neptune, he continued to help the +Trojans. Achilles had driven them in terror up under their walls, and +King Priam had ordered the gates to be thrown open to admit the flying +hosts. Multitudes of them rushed in, while the furious son of Thetis +pressed on behind. It was a moment of danger for Troy, and the Greeks +might soon have taken the city, if Apollo had not encouraged young +Agenor, the son of Antenor, to attack Achilles. The brave youth +advanced, and cast his spear, striking the hero at the knee. But it +could not pierce the armor Vulcan had made. Then the Greek chief aimed +at Agenor, and again Apollo came to the rescue, concealing the Trojan +youth in a veil of darkness, and carrying him safely away. But in an +instant the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> god returned, and, taking upon himself Agenor's shape and +appearance, stood for a moment in front of Achilles. Then he turned and +fled along the plain, followed fast by the enraged Greek. Thus Apollo +gave the Trojans time to get within the city and shut their gates.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Achilles chased the god<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ever before him, yet still near, across<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The fruitful fields, to the deep-eddied stream<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Xanthus; for Apollo artfully<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Made it to seem that he should soon o'ertake<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His flying foe, and thus beguiled him on.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Meanwhile the routed Trojans gladly thronged<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Into the city, filled the streets, and closed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The portals.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Hector alone of all the Trojans remained outside the walls, standing in +front of the Scæan Gate. Achilles still pursued Apollo, thinking that he +was Agenor, but at last the god made himself known to his pursuer. The +hero reproached him angrily for his deception, and then with the utmost +speed he hastened across the plain towards the city. From the ramparts +the aged King Priam beheld him coming, and in piteous words he cried out +to Hector, imploring him to take refuge within the walls. Queen Hecuba, +too, with tears in her eyes, begged her son to withdraw, and not be so +mad as to en<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>counter the terrible Greek chief alone. But Hector would +not yield to the entreaties of his weeping parents. He had refused to +take the advice of Polydamas to withdraw into the city on the previous +night, and if he should pass within the walls now, after Achilles had +slain so many of the Trojans, Polydamas would be the first to reproach +him. Thus the hero reasoned with himself and so he resolved to stand and +face his foe.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"No—if I e'er return, return I must<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Glorious, my country's terror laid in dust:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or if I perish, let her see me fall<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In field at least, and fighting for her wall."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Achilles now approached. Terrible he was in appearance. His great +javelin quivered fearfully on his shoulder, and a light as of blazing +fire, or of the rising sun, shone from his heavenly armor. Hector +trembled with fear when he looked upon the Grecian leader. So great was +his terror that he did not dare to wait, but fled away round the city +wall. Achilles quickly pursued him, as a hawk pursues a dove. They ran +till they came to two springs where the stream of the Xanthus rose. From +one of these springs a hot vapor ascended, like smoke from fire, and +from the other a current cold as ice issued even in summer. Past these +the warriors swept on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">One fled, and one pursued,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A brave man fled, a braver followed close,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And swiftly both. Not for a common prize,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A victim from the herd, a bullock's hide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such as reward the fleet of foot, they ran,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The race was for the knightly Hector's life.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Three times they ran round the walls, in sight of the Greeks and +Trojans. The gods of heaven, too, were looking on from the top of Mount +Olympus, and Jupiter, taking pity on Hector, thought that they should +save him from death. But Minerva protested. His doom, she said, had been +fixed by the Fates, and even Jupiter could not alter it—at least not +with the approval of the other gods. The cloud-compelling king was +obliged to give way, and so the Trojan chief was left to his fate. Then +Minerva rushed down to the field, and still Hector fled and Achilles +pursued. As often as they passed around, Hector attempted to approach +the gates, hoping for help from his friends. But each time Achilles got +before him and turned him away towards the plain; and he made a sign to +the Greeks that none of them should cast a spear, for he wished that he +alone should have all the glory of slaying the greatest of the Trojan +heroes.</p> + +<p>Now Apollo had been helping Hector, giving him strength and speed, but +when, for the fourth time,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> the heroes reached the Xanthus springs, +Jupiter raised high the golden balance of fate. There were two lots in +the scales, one for the son of Peleus, the other for the Trojan chief. +By the middle the king of heaven held the balance, and the lot of Hector +sank down. Immediately Apollo departed from the field, for he could no +longer go against the Fates. Then Minerva came close to Hector's side, +and, taking the form and voice of his brother Deiphobus, she urged him +to stand and fight Achilles.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"Hard pressed I find thee, brother, by the swift<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Achilles, who, with feet that never rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pursues thee round the walls of Priam's town.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But let us make a stand and beat him back."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus encouraged, as he thought by his brother, whom he was surprised to +see at his side, for he believed him to be in the city, the Trojan hero +turned around, and was soon face to face with his great foe. Knowing +that the hour had now come when one of them must die, Hector proposed to +Achilles that they should make a covenant, or agreement, between them +that the victor in the fight should give the other's body to his +friends, so that funeral rites might be performed. But the wrathful +Achilles refused. He would have no covenant with his enemy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Accursed Hector, never talk to me<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of covenants. Men and lions plight no faith,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor wolves agree with lambs, but each must plan<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Evil against the other. So between<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thyself and me no compact can exist,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or understood intent. First, one of us<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Must fall and yield his life blood to the god<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of battles."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then the fight began, Achilles first cast his spear. It was a weapon +heavy, huge, and strong, that no mortal arm but his own could wield. Its +shaft was made of a tree which the famous Chiʹron, instructor of heroes +in the art of war, had cut on Mount Peʹli-on and given to the father of +Achilles.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">His strength<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Alone sufficed to wield it. 'Twas an ash<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which Chiron felled in Pelion's top, and gave<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Peleus, that it yet might be the death<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of heroes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XVI.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Trojan chief stooped to avoid the blow, and the spear, passing over +him, sunk in the earth. Minerva, unseen by Hector, plucked it out and +gave it back to Achilles. Hector now launched his weapon. With true aim +he hurled it, for it struck the center of his antagonist's shield, but +the workmanship of Vulcan was not to be pierced, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> so the javelin of +the Trojan hero bounded from the brazen armor and fell to the ground. He +called loudly to Deiphobus for another spear. There was no answer, and +then looking around him he discovered that he had been deceived.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">All comfortless he stands; then, with a sigh:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"'Tis so—Heaven wills it, and my hour is nigh.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I deem'd Deiphobus had heard my call,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he secure lies guarded in the wall.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A god deceived me; Pallas, 'twas thy deed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Death and black fate approach! 'tis I must bleed."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Nevertheless, Hector resolved to fight bravely to the end, and so he +drew his sword and rushed upon Achilles. The Greek warrior, watching his +foe closely as he approached, noticed an opening in his armor, where the +collar of the corselet joined the shoulder. At that spot he furiously +thrust his speat, and pierced the Trojan hero through the neck. Hector +fell to the ground, mortally wounded. In his dying moments he begged +Achilles to send his body to his parents, telling him that they would +give large ransom in gold. But his entreaties were in vain. Neither by +prayers nor by promise of gold could the conqueror be moved. The last +words of Hector were words warning Achilles of his own doom:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span><span class="i0">"A day will come when fate's decree<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And angry gods shall wreak this wrong on thee;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Phœbus and Paris shall avenge my fate,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And stretch thee here before the Scæan Gate."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He ceased. The Fates suppress'd his laboring breath,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And his eyes stiffen'd at the hand of death.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>So died the great champion of the Trojans. The Greeks crowded around the +dead hero, admiring his stature and beautiful figure, and remarking one +to another that Hector was far less dangerous to touch now than when he +was setting fire to their fleet.</p> + +<p>But the anger of Achilles was not appeased even by the death of his foe. +Eager for still more vengeance, he bound the feet of the dead hero with +leather thongs to the back of his chariot, leaving the head to trail +along the ground, and thus he drove to the ships, dragging the noble +Hector in the dust.</p> + +<p>The Trojans, beholding this dreadful spectacle from the walls of the +city, broke out into loud lamentations, and King Priam and Queen Hecuba +were almost distracted with grief. Andromache had not been a witness of +the combat. She was at home with her maids, making preparations for +Hector's return from the battle, and was therefore unaware of the +terrible events which had taken place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> But the sound of the wailing on +the ramparts having reached her ears, she rushed forth from the palace, +fearful that some evil had happened to her husband. Hastening through +the streets to the Scæan Gate, she ascended the tower, and looking out +on the plain, saw the body of her beloved Hector dragged behind the +wheels of the chariot of Achilles. Overpowered with grief at the sight, +the unhappy woman sank fainting into the arms of her attendants.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A sudden darkness shades her swimming eyes:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She faints, she falls; her breath, her color flies.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her hair's fair ornaments, the braids that bound,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The net that held them, and the wreath that crown'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The veil and diadem flew far away<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(The gift of Venus on her bridal day).<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Around a train of weeping sisters stands<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To raise her sinking with assistant hands.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXII.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>While the Trojans thus mourned the loss of their chief, his body was +dragged into the Grecian camp and flung on the beach beside the ships. +Preparations were then made for funeral services in honor of Patroclus. +The ceremonies occupied three days. A vast quantity of wood was cut down +on Mount Ida, and carried to the plain, where the logs were heaped +together in an immense pile, a hundred feet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> square. Upon this they +placed the corpse. They next put upon the pile the fat of several oxen, +that it might the more easily burn, and they slew and laid upon it the +dead man's horses. Achilles cut off a lock of his own hair and put it in +the dead hero's hand, and each of the other warriors placed a lock of +his hair on the body.</p> + +<p>Torches were now applied, and they prayed to the wind gods, Boʹre-as and +Zephʹy-rus, to send strong breezes to fan the flames. All through the +night the pile blazed with a mighty roar, and in the morning, when it +was consumed, the embers were quenched with wine, and the bones of +Patroclus were gathered up and inclosed in a golden urn. On the spot +where the pyre had stood they raised a mound of earth as a monument to +the hero.</p> + +<p>Then there were funeral games at which valuable prizes, given by +Achilles, were competed for,—prizes of gold and silver, and shining +weapons, and vases, and steeds, and oxen. Diomede won the prize in the +chariot race, for he ran with the immortal horses he had taken in battle +from Æneas. In the wrestling match Ulysses and Ajax Telamon were the +rival champions. Both displayed such strength and skill that it could +not be decided which was the victor, and so a prize of equal value was +given to each. Ajax Telamon also competed with Diomede<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> in a combat with +swords, and both were declared equal and received each a prize.</p> + +<p>In the contest with bow and arrows, Teuʹcer and Me-riʹo-nes were the +competitors, and a dove tied to the top of a mast fixed in the ground, +was the object aimed at. Teucer missed the bird, but he struck and cut +the cord that fastened her to the pole, and she flew up into the +heavens. Then Meriones shot at her with his arrow. The weapon pierced +the dove beneath the wing and she fell to the earth. This feat was +greatly admired by the spectators, and Meriones received as his prize +ten double-bladed battle-axes. To Teucer, whose performance was also +much applauded, a prize of ten single-bladed axes was given.</p> + +<p>Thus did Achilles honor his dead friend by funeral rites and funeral +games. But his wrath against Hector still continued, even when he had +dragged the hero's body at his chariot wheels three times round the tomb +of Patroclus. This cruel insult he repeated at dawn for several days. +But Apollo watched the body.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Apollo, moved<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With pity for the hero, kept him free<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From soil or stain, though dead, and o'er him held<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The golden ægis, lest, when roughly dragged<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Along the ground, the body might be torn.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/28.jpg" + alt="Meriones' Wonderful Shot." + title="Meriones' Wonderful Shot." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Meriones' Wonderful Shot.</span><br /><i>Drawn by Hubbell.</i></span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>But at last the gods, with the exception of Juno, were moved to pity, +and on the twelfth day from the death of the Trojan hero, Jupiter +summoned Thetis to Olympus, and bade her command Achilles to restore +Hector's body to his parents. He also sent Iris with a message to King +Priam, telling him to go to the Greek fleet, bearing with him a suitable +ransom for his son. Thetis promptly carried out the order of Jupiter. +She told her son of the command of the king of heaven, and Achilles +answered that since it was the will of Jove he was ready to obey.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Let him who brings the ransom come and take<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The body, if it be the will of Jove."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Joyfully the aged Priam received the message of Iris, and he made haste +to set out for the Grecian camp. He took with him costly things as +ransom,—ten talents of gold, and precious vases and goblets, and many +beautiful robes of state. These were carried in a wagon drawn by four +mules, which were driven by the herald Idæus. The king rode in his own +chariot and he himself was the charioteer. As they crossed the plain +they were met by the god Mercury, whom Jupiter had sent to conduct them +safely to the tent of the Greek warrior.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span><span class="i0">"Haste, guide King Priam to the Grecian fleet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet so that none may see him, and no Greek<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Know of his coming, till he stand before<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pelides."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Mercury mounted the chariot of Priam, and taking in his hands the reins, +he drove rapidly towards the ships. When they came to the trenches the +god cast the guards into a deep slumber, and so the Trojan king and his +companion reached the tent of the chief of the Myrmidons, unseen by any +of the Greeks. Then Mercury departed, and ascended to Olympus.</p> + +<p>Achilles received his visitors respectfully, and the aged king, kissing +the hero's hand, knelt down before him and begged him have pity on a +father mourning for his son.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">"For his sake I come<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To the Greek fleet, and to redeem his corse<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I bring uncounted ransom. O, revere<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The gods, Achilles, and be merciful,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Calling to mind thy father! happier he<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Than I; for I have borne what no man else<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That dwells on earth could bear,—have laid my lips<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon the hand of him who slew my son."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Greek chief, moved by this appeal, replied in kind words and +accepted the ransom, after which he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> caused Priam and Idæus to sit down +and refresh themselves with food and drink, and invited them to remain +with him for the night. He also granted a truce of twelve days for +funeral rites in honor of Hector.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning the Trojan king and his herald arose, and Mercury +again descended from Olympus to conduct them safely from the Grecian +camp. Quickly they yoked their steeds, and mournfully they drove across +the plain to the city. Cassandra, who stood watching on the citadel of +Pergamus, saw them coming, and she cried out in a loud voice to the +people, bidding them go and meet their dead hero.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"If e'er ye rush'd in crowds, with vast delight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To hail your hero glorious from the fight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now meet him dead, and let your sorrows flow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your common triumph, and your common woe."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Pope</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Amid the lamentations of the people the corpse was borne through the +streets to the royal palace, where it was placed on a magnificent couch. +Then Andromache and Queen Hecuba approached the body and wept aloud, +each in turn uttering words of grief. Helen, too, came to mourn over +Hector, and she spoke of his constant kindness and tenderness to her.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span><span class="i0">"O Hector, who wert dearest to my heart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of all my husband's brothers,—for the wife<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Am I of godlike Paris, him whose fleet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Brought me to Troy,—would I had sooner died!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And now the twentieth year is past since first<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I came a stranger from my native shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet have I never heard from thee a word<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of anger or reproach. And when the sons<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Priam, and his daughters, and the wives<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Priam's sons, in all their fair array,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Taunted me grievously, or Hecuba<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Herself,—for Priam ever was to me<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A gracious father,—thou didst take my part<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With kindly admonitions, and restrain<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Their tongues with soft address and gentle words.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Therefore my heart is grieved, and I bewail<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thee and myself at once,—unhappy me!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For now I have no friend in all wide Troy,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">None to be kind to me: they hate me all."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>With the funeral of Hector the Iliad of Homer ends. The poet's subject, +as has been said, was the Wrath of Achilles, and the poem properly +closes when the results of the hero's wrath have been related. The +concluding lines of the twenty-fourth, and last, book of the Iliad +describe the funeral ceremonies of Hector, which were the same as those +performed by the Greeks in honor of Patroclus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Nine days they toiled<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To bring the trunks of trees, and when the tenth<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span><span class="i0">Arose to light the abodes of men, they brought<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The corse of valiant Hector from the town<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With many tears, and laid it on the wood<br /></span> +<span class="i0">High up, and flung the fire to light the pile.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The fire burned all night, and next day they gathered the bones of +Hector and placed them in a golden urn. Then they buried the urn and +erected a tomb over the grave.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In haste they reared the tomb, with sentries set<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On every side, lest all too soon the Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Should come in armor to renew the war.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When now the tomb was built, the multitude<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Returned, and in the halls where Priam dwelt,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nursling of Jove, were feasted royally.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Such was the mighty Hector's burial rite.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/29.jpg" + alt="Feasting-cup." + title="Feasting-cup." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Feasting-cup.</span></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> +<h2>XII. DEATH OF ACHILLES—FALL AND DESTRUCTION OF TROY.</h2> + + +<p>After the funeral of Hector the war was renewed. For a time the Trojans +remained within the walls of their city, which were strong enough to +resist all the assaults of the enemy. But some allies having come to +their assistance, they were encouraged to sally forth again and fight +the Greeks in the open plain. The famous and beautiful Queen +Pen-the-si-leʹa came with an army of her Amʹa-zons, a nation of female +warriors who dwelt on the shores of the Black Sea.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Penthesilea there with haughty grace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Leads to the wars an Amazonian race;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In their right hands a pointed dart they wield;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The left for ward, sustains the lunar shield.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Brave as she was beautiful, the queen of the Amazons scorned to remain +behind the shelter of walls, and so, leading her valiant band of women +out through the gates, she made a fierce attack on the Greeks. A +terrific battle then began, and many warriors on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> both sides were laid +in the dust. Penthesilea herself was slain by Achilles. The hero was +unwilling to fight with a woman, and he tried to avoid meeting the +queen, but she attacked him so furiously, first hurling her spear, and +then rushing upon him sword in hand, that he was obliged to strike in +self-defense. With a thrust of his lance he gave her a mortal wound, and +the brave heroine fell, begging Achilles to permit her body to be taken +away by her own people.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/30.jpg" + alt="Combat of the Amazons." + title="Combat of the Amazons." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Combat of the Amazons.</span><br /><i>Painting by Michelena.</i></span> +</div> + +<p>Filled with pity for the unfortunate queen, and with admiration for her +courage and beauty, the hero granted the request. He even proposed that +the Greeks should perform funeral rites and build a tomb in her honor. +The foul-mouthed Thersites (mentioned in a previous chapter as having +been chastised by Ulysses) scoffed at this proposal, and ridiculed +Achilles, saying that he was not so soft-hearted in his treatment of +Hector. Enraged at his insulting words, the chief of the Myrmidons +struck him dead with a mighty blow of his fist.</p> + +<p>Now Diomede was a relative of the unfortunate Thersites, and he demanded +that Achilles should pay to the family of the dead man the fine required +by Greek law for such offenses. Achilles refused, and he was about to +retire again in anger from the war, and even to return home. But +Ulysses<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> persuaded Diomede to withdraw his claim, and so made peace +between the two chiefs.</p> + +<p>Another ally, and a very powerful one, now came to help the Trojans. +This was Memʹnon, king of Ethiopia, and nephew of Priam, being the son +of Priam's brother Ti-thoʹnus, and Au-roʹra, goddess of the dawn. With +an army of ten thousand men he arrived at Troy, and immediately entered +the field to do battle with the Greeks. Again there was great slaughter +of heroes on both sides. Memnon killed Antilochus, the son of Nestor, +and Nestor challenged Memnon to single combat. But on account of the +great age of the venerable Greek, the Ethiopian warrior declined to +fight him. Achilles then challenged Memnon, and the two heroes fought in +presence of both armies. The conflict was long and furious, for Memnon, +too, had a suit of armor made for him by Vulcan, at the request of his +goddess mother Aurora, and in strength and courage he was almost equal +to Achilles. Once more, however, fortune favored the chief of the +Myrmidons. The brave Memnon was slain, and Aurora bore away his body +that funeral rites might be performed.</p> + +<p>But the time was now at hand when the great warrior who so far had +conquered in every fight was to meet his own doom. We have seen that +Hector, as he lay dying in front of the Scæan Gate, warned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> Achilles +that he himself should fall by the hand of Paris. This prophecy was +fulfilled.</p> + +<p>By the death of Memnon the Trojans were much discouraged. Their powerful +allies had been defeated, and they were no longer able to hold the field +against the enemy. Soon after the death of Memnon there was a great +battle, in which the Greeks, headed by Achilles, drove them back to the +city walls. Through the Scæan Gate, which lay open, the Trojans rushed +in terror and confusion, the Greeks pressing on close behind. Achilles +reached the gate, and was about to enter, when Paris aimed at him with +an arrow. Guided by Apollo, the weapon struck the hero in the heel, the +only part in which he could be fatally wounded.</p> + +<p>The warrior fell to the ground, whereupon the Trojan prince hastened up +and slew him with his sword. A terrific struggle took place over the +body of the dead chief, but by mighty efforts Ajax Telamon and Ulysses +succeeded in gaining possession of it, and carrying it to the Grecian +camp. Deep was the grief of the Greeks at the death of their great +champion. Magnificent funeral rites and games were celebrated in his +honor, his goddess mother, Thetis, presiding over the ceremonies. After +the body had been burned in the customary manner, the bones were placed +in a vase of gold, made by Vul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>can, and a vast mound was raised on the +shore as a monument to the hero.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The sacred army of the warlike Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Built up a tomb magnificently vast<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon a cape of the broad Hellespont,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There to be seen, far off upon the deep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By those who now are born, or shall be born<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In future years.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book XXIV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The armor of Achilles was offered as a reward for the warrior who had +fought most bravely in rescuing the body, and who had done most harm to +the Trojans. To decide the question which of the Greek chiefs deserved +this honor, it was resolved to take the votes of the Trojan prisoners +then in the Greek camp, who had witnessed the struggle at the Scæan +Gate. The majority of votes were in favor of Ulysses, and to him, +therefore, the splendid shield and corselet and helmet and greaves, made +by Vulcan for the son of Thetis, were given. Ajax was so disappointed +and grieved at not having obtained the coveted prize that he became +insane, and in his frenzy he slew himself with his own sword.</p> + +<p>The Greeks had now lost their two most powerful warriors, and they began +to think that it was impossible for them to take Troy by force, and +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> they must try other methods. So the wise Ulysses then set his +brain to work to devise some stratagem by which the city might be taken. +The first thing he did was to capture the Trojan prince and soothsayer, +Helenus, who had gone out from the city to offer sacrifices in the +temple of Apollo on Mount Ida. Calchas, the Greek soothsayer, had said +that Helenus was the only mortal who knew by what means Troy could be +conquered, and so Ulysses made him prisoner and threatened him with +death if he did not tell.</p> + +<p>Then Helenus told the Ithacan chief that before Troy could be taken +three things must be done. First, he said, the Greeks must get the +arrows of Hercules; next, they must carry away the sacred Palladium, for +as long as it remained within the walls the city was safe; and, lastly, +they must have the help of the son of Achilles.</p> + +<p>Now the arrows of Hercules could be obtained only from Phil-oc-teʹtes, a +Greek chief who received them from Hercules himself. These arrows had +been dipped in the blood of the hydra, a monster Hercules had slain. +This made them poisonous, so that wounds inflicted by them were fatal. +Philoctetes was with his countrymen at Aulis when they set sail for +Troy, but he was bitten on the foot by a serpent, and the smell of the +injured part<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> being so offensive that his comrades could not endure it, +he had been left behind, on the advice of Ulysses.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Far in an island, suffering grievous pangs,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The hallowed isle of Lemnos. There the Greeks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Left him, in torture from a venomed wound<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Made by a serpent's fangs. He lay and pined.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Iliad</i>, Book II.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Ulysses now resolved to get Philoctetes to come to Troy, if he were +still alive, and so, taking Diomede with him, he set out for Lemnos. +They found him at the cave where they had left him ten years before. The +wound was not yet healed, and he had suffered much, having had no means +of existence except game which he had to procure himself.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Exposed to the inclement skies,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Deserted and forlorn he lies;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No friend or fellow-mourner there,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To soothe his sorrows and divide his care.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Sophocles</span> (Francklin's tr.)<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Still enraged at their former ill-treatment of him, Philoctetes at first +refused the request of the two chiefs. Their mission would have failed +had not Hercules appeared to him in a dream and advised him to go to +Troy, telling him that his wound would be healed by the famous Machaon. +He then gladly went with Ulysses and Diomede. On his arrival at the +Grecian camp the great physician<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> cured him by casting him into a deep +sleep and cutting away the diseased flesh from the injured foot. He +awoke in perfect health and strength, and at once joined his countrymen +in the war, resolved to make good use of his fatal arrows.</p> + +<p>An opportunity soon offered, for the Trojans now began again to venture +out in the open plain, thinking that the Greeks were not so dangerous +since the terrible Achilles was no longer at their head. Their new +general in chief was Paris, and Philoctetes, happening to encounter him +in battle, aimed at him with one of his poisoned arrows and pierced him +through the shoulder. Paris was immediately carried back to the city, +suffering intense pain, for the poison quickly began to take effect. +Then at last the thoughts of Paris turned to the fair Œnone, whom, +twenty years before, he had left in sorrow and loneliness on Mount Ida. +He remembered her words, that he would one day have recourse to her for +help. Hoping, therefore, that she might take pity on him, and perhaps +cure him of his wound, for she had been instructed in medicine by +Apollo, he ordered his attendants to carry him to where she still dwelt +on the slopes of Ida. Œnone had not forgotten his cruel desertion of +her, and so she refused to use her skill in his behalf. But when she +heard that he was dead, she came down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> to Troy, and in her grief threw +herself on his funeral pyre, and perished by his side.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">She rose, and slowly down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By the long torrent's ever-deepen'd roar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Paced, following, as in trance, the silent cry.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">. . . . . . .<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then moving quickly forward till the heat<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Smote on her brow, she lifted up a voice<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of shrill command, "Who burns upon the pyre?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whereon their oldest and their boldest said,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"He whom thou wouldst not heal!" and all at once<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The morning light of happy marriage broke<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thro' all the clouded years of widowhood,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And muffling up her comely head, and crying<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Husband!" she leapt upon the funeral pile,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And mixt herself with him and past in fire.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Tennyson</span>, <i>Death of Œnone</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meanwhile the Ithacan king, not forgetting the other conditions +mentioned by Helenus, set sail for the island of Scyros, where the son +of Achilles resided. His name was Pyrʹrhus, or Ne-op-tolʹ-mus, and, as +he was a brave youth, he rejoiced at having an opportunity of fighting +the Trojans, by whom his father had been killed. Ulysses gave him his +father's armor, and by many heroic deeds in the war he proved that he +was worthy to wear it.</p> + +<p>The Palladium was now to be carried off from Troy, and this was a task +by no means easy to per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>form. But the man of many arts succeeded in +accomplishing it. Putting on the garments of a beggar, and scourging his +body so as to leave marks, he went to the Scæan Gate, and entreated the +guards to admit him. He told them that he was a Greek slave, and that he +wished to escape from his master who had cruelly ill-used him. The +guards, believing his story, permitted him to enter the city.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"He had given himself<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unseemly stripes, and o'er his shoulders flung<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vile garments like a slave's, and entered thus<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The enemy's town, and walked its spacious streets.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Another man he seemed in that disguise.—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A beggar, though when at the Achaian fleet<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So different was the semblance that he wore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He entered Ilium thus transformed, and none<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Knew who it was that passed."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But Helen, happening to pass by at a place near the king's palace, where +the pretended beggar sat down to rest, immediately recognized him. He +made a sign to her to keep silent, thinking that Paris being now dead, +Helen perhaps was friendly to the Greeks, and wished them to take Troy, +so that she might return to her own country. In this Ulysses was right, +as very soon appeared, and as Helen declared years afterwards, when +telling to his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> own son, Telemachus, the story of the Ithacan king's +adventure within the walls of Troy.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"For I already longed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For my old home, and deeply I deplored<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The evil fate that Venus brought on me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who led me thither from my own dear land."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Helen passed on without uttering a word, but in the evening she sent one +of her maids to bring Ulysses secretly to her apartment in the palace. +There she expressed her joy at meeting her countryman, and after +hospitably entertaining him, she listened with pleasure to his plans. +She then told him of the plans of the Trojans, and where and how the +Palladium was to be got. Having thus obtained the information he +desired, Ulysses contrived to make his way back unobserved to the Greek +camp. In a few days he returned, accompanied by Diomede. They got into +the city by scaling the walls, and Diomede, climbing on the shoulders of +Ulysses, entered the citadel. Here, by following the directions given by +Helen, he found the famous statue, and he and his companion carried it +off to their friends at the ships, who rejoiced at the success of the +undertaking.</p> + +<p>Troy was now no longer under the protection of Pallas Minerva. Though +that goddess helped the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> Greeks in their battles, she was obliged to +save the city itself while it contained her sacred statue. But the +Palladium being no longer within the walls, she was now at liberty to +help the Greeks to capture and destroy the city. She therefore put into +the mind of Ulysses the idea of the wooden horse, and she instructed the +Greek chief E-peʹus how to make it. This horse was of vast size, large +enough to contain about a hundred men, for it was hollow within.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">By Minerva's aid, a fabric reared,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which like a steed of monstrous height appeared;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The sides were flanked with pine.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When it was finished, provisions were put into it. Then Ulysses, and +Pyrrhus, and Menelaus, and Epeus, and a number of other Greek warriors, +mounted into it by means of a ladder, after which the opening was +fastened by strong bolts.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">In the hollow side,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Selected numbers of their soldiers hide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With inward arms the dire machine they load;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And iron bowels stuff the dark abode.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Meanwhile the other Greeks broke up their camp, and all going aboard +their ships, they set sail, as if they had given up the siege, and were +about to return to Greece. But they went no farther than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> the island of +Tenʹe-dos, about three miles from the shore.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In sight of Troy lies Tenedos, an isle<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(While Fortune did on Priam's empire smile)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Renowned for wealth; but since, a faithless bay,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Where ships exposed to wind and weather lay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There was their fleet concealed.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As soon as the Trojans saw from their walls that the tents of the enemy +were removed, and that their fleet had departed, they were filled with +surprise and delight. They believed that the Greeks had given up the +war, and so, throwing open their gates, they rushed out in multitudes +upon the plain, King Priam riding in his chariot at their head.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The Trojans, cooped within their walls so long,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Unbar their gates, and issue in a throng<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like swarming bees, and with delight survey<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The camp deserted, where the Grecians lay.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But soon their attention was attracted by the huge wooden horse, and +they gathered about it, astonished at its great size, and wondering what +it meant. Some thought that it meant evil to Troy, and advised that it +should be burned; others proposed that it should be hauled into the city +and placed within the citadel. La-ocʹo-on, one of Priam's sons, who was +also a priest of Apollo, cried out in a loud voice,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> warning the king +and people against doing this. "Are you so foolish," he exclaimed, "as +to suppose that the enemy are gone? Put no faith in this horse. Whatever +it is, I fear the Greeks even when offering gifts."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"This hollow fabric either must enclose<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Within its blind recess, our secret foes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or 'tis an engine raised above the town<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To overlook the walls, and then to batter down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Somewhat is sure designed by fraud or force:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Trust not their presents, nor admit the horse."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus saying, Laocoon hurled his spear against the side of the horse, and +it sent forth a hollow sound like a deep groan. But at this moment a +stranger, having the appearance of a Greek, was brought before the king. +Some Trojan shepherds, finding him loitering on the river bank, had made +him prisoner. Being asked who he was and why he was there, he told an +artful story. His name, he said, was Si'non, and he was a Greek. His +countrymen, having decided to give up the war, resolved to offer one of +themselves as a sacrifice to the gods, that they might get fair winds to +return home, and they selected him to be the victim. To escape that +terrible fate he concealed himself among the reeds by the side of the +Scamander until the fleet de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>parted. This was Sinon's account of +himself. The Trojans believed it, and the prisoner was set free. But the +king asked him to tell them about the wooden horse,—why it had been +made, and left there upon the plain.</p> + +<p>Then Sinon told another false story. He said that the horse was a peace +offering to Minerva, who had been angry because the Palladium was taken +from Troy. For that insult to her, the goddess commanded the Greeks to +return to their own country, and Calchas ordered them to build the horse +as an atonement for their crime. He also told them to make it so large +that the Trojans might not be able to drag it within their gates; for if +it were brought into the city, it would be a protection to Troy, but if +any harm were done to it, ruin would come on the kingdom of Priam.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"We raised and dedicate this wondrous frame,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So lofty, lest through your forbidden gates<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It pass, and intercept our better fates;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For, once admitted there, our hopes are lost;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Troy may then a new Palladium boast<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For so religion and the gods ordain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That, if you violate with hands profane<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Minerva's gift, your town in flames shall burn;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Which omen, O ye gods, on Græcia turn!)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But if it climb, with your assisting hands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The Trojan walls, and in the city stands;<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span><span class="i0">Then Troy shall Argos and Mycenæ burn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the reverse of fate on us return."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>King Priam and the Trojans believed this story too, and a terrible thing +which just then happened made them believe it all the more. After +Laocoon had hurled his spear at the wooden horse, he and his two sons +went to offer sacrifice to the gods at an altar erected on the beach. +While they were thus engaged, two enormous serpents, darting out from +the sea, glided up to the altar, seized the priest and his sons, and +crushed all three to death in their tremendous coils.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">First around the tender boys they wind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then with their sharpened fangs their limbs and bodies grind.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The wretched father, running to their aid<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With pious haste, but vain, they next invade:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Twice round his waist their winding volumes rolled;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And twice about his gasping throat they fold.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The priest thus doubly choked—their crests divide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And towering o'er his head in triumph ride.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The terrified Trojans regarded this awful event as a punishment sent by +the gods upon Laocoon for insulting Minerva by casting his spear at her +gift, which they now believed the horse to be. They therefore resolved +to take the huge figure into the city in spite of the advice of +Cassandra, who also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> warned them that it would bring ruin upon Troy. And +so they made a great breach in the walls, for none of their gates were +large enough to admit the vast image, and fastening strong ropes to its +feet they dragged it into the citadel. Then they decorated the temples +with garlands of green boughs, and spent the remainder of the day in +festivity and rejoicing.</p> + +<p>But in the dead of the night, when they were all sunk in deep repose, +the treacherous Sinon drew the bolts from the trapdoor in the side of +the wooden horse, and out came the Greek warriors, rejoicing at the +success of their stratagem.</p> + +<p>Sinon next hurried down to the beach, and there kindled a fire as a +signal to his countrymen on the ships. They knew what it meant, for it +was part of the plan that had been agreed on. Quickly plying their oars, +they soon reached the shore, and, marching across the plain, the Greeks +poured in thousands into the streets, through the breach that had been +made in the walls.</p> + +<p>The Trojans, startled from their sleep by the noise, understood at once +what had happened. Hastily they rushed to arms, and, led and encouraged +by Æneas and other chiefs, they fought valiantly to drive out the enemy, +but all their valor was in vain. Troy was at last taken. The victorious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +Greeks swept through the city, dealing death and destruction around +them. King Priam was slain by Pyrrhus, at the foot of the altar in one +of the temples, to which he fled for safety. His son Deiphobus, who had +married Helen after the death of Paris, was slain by Menelaus. The +Spartan king, believing that what his wife had done had been decreed by +the Fates and the will of the gods, pardoned her and took her with him +to his ships. The women of the Trojan royal family were carried off as +slaves.</p> + +<p>Æneas, with his father Anchises and his son I-uʹlus, escaped from the +city, and sailed from Troas with a fleet and a number of warlike +followers. After many adventures by sea and land, which the Roman poet, +Verʹgil, tells about in his poem called the Æ-neʹid, he reached Italy. +There he established a settlement, and his descendants, it is said, were +the founders of Rome.</p> + +<p>Having completed their work of destruction and carried off to their +ships all the riches of Troy, the Greeks set fire to the city, and in a +few hours nothing remained but a mass of smouldering ruins. So ended the +famous Trojan War. The prophecy of the soothsayer, Æsacus, at the birth +of Paris, was fulfilled. Paris had brought destruction upon his family +and country.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/31.jpg" + alt="Captive Andromache." + title="Captive Andromache." /><br /> + <span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Captive Andromache.</span><br /><i>Painting by Lord Leighton.</i></span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> +<h2>XIII. THE GREEK CHIEFS AFTER THE WAR.</h2> + + +<p>Great was the rejoicing of the Greeks at having at last brought the long +and terrible war to a successful end. They had lost heavily in men and +treasure, but they had defeated and destroyed the enemy, and taken +possession of all the wealth of the rich city of Troy. They now looked +forward with pleasure to the prospect of a safe return to their homes +and families, which they had not seen for ten years. But for some of +them, as we shall see, this happy hope was never realized.</p> + +<p>The most unfortunate of them all was Agamemnon. He reached his kingdom +and city of Mycenæ in safety, but he was there cruelly murdered by +Æ-gisʹthus, a relative of his, whom his wife, Clytemnestra, had married +during his absence.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Ægisthus planned a snare.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He chose among the people twenty men,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bravest, whom he stationed out of sight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And gave command that others should prepare<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A banquet. Then with chariots and with steeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And with a deadly purpose in his heart,<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span><span class="i0">He went, and, meeting Agamemnon, bade<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The shepherd of the people to the feast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And slew him at the board.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Trojan princess, Cassandra, who accompanied Agamemnon to Mycenæ, had +warned him of his doom, but as usual her words were disregarded, and she +herself was slain at the same time as the ill-fated king. Agamemnon had +a son named O-resʹtes, who was then but a boy, and Ægisthus intended to +kill him also, but the youth's sister, E-lecʹtra, contrived to have him +sent secretly to the court of his uncle, Stroʹphi-us, king of Phoʹcis. +Here he was affectionately received and tenderly cared for. His constant +companion was his cousin, Pylʹa-des, the son of Strophius, and so strong +was their friendship for each other that it became famous in song and +story.</p> + +<p>When Orestes reached the years of manhood, he resolved to punish the +murderers of his father. With this object he went to Mycenæ, taking with +him his friend and companion, Pylades; and having obtained admission to +the royal palace, he slew Ægisthus.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Seven years in rich Mycenæ he bore rule,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And on the eighth, to his destruction, came<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The nobly-born Orestes, just returned<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From Athens, and cut off that man of blood,<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span><span class="i0">The crafty wretch Ægisthus, by whose hand<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fell his illustrious father.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As Clytemnestra had taken part in the murder of Agamemnon, Orestes slew +her also. This killing of his own mother provoked the anger of the gods, +and Orestes was commanded to go to the oracle of Apollo, at Delphi, to +learn there what punishment he should suffer for his crime. He obeyed, +and the oracle told him that he must bring to Greece a statue of Diana +which was then in the temple of that goddess in Taurica.</p> + +<p>This was a dangerous enterprise, for the king of Taurica had a practice +of sacrificing in that very temple any foreigners found in his country. +Nevertheless Orestes undertook the task. He went to Taurica, +accompanied, as usual, by his ever faithful friend Pylades. No sooner +had they arrived than they were seized and carried before the king, and +condemned to be sacrificed. But Orestes discovered, to his surprise and +delight, that the priestess of the temple was his own sister, Iphigenia, +who, as will be remembered, had been carried away many years before by +Diana herself, when about to be sacrificed by the Greeks at Aulis. By +the help of Iphigenia, the two friends not only escaped from Taurica, +but carried off the statue, and Iphigenia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> returned with them to Greece. +Orestes succeeded to the throne of his father, and as king of Mycenæ he +lived and reigned many years in prosperity and happiness.</p> + +<p>Menelaus returned to his kingdom of Sparta with his wife, Helen, but he +had many wanderings and adventures. He was detained by unfavorable winds +for some time on an island near the coast of Egypt, and he might never +have reached home but for the advice he received from Proʹteus, one of +the sea gods. It was no easy matter to get advice from Proteus. It was +very difficult to find him, and still more difficult to get him to +answer questions, for he had a habit of changing himself rapidly into +many different forms, and so escaping from those who came to consult +him. But Menelaus had the good fortune of meeting a water nymph named +I-doʹthe-a, a daughter of Proteus, and she directed him what to do. +There was a certain cave near the seaside, to which the Old Man of the +Sea, as Proteus was sometimes called, came every day at noon to sleep. +Idothea told Menelaus he would find the old man there, and that he must +seize him quickly in his arms, and hold him fast in spite of all his +changes, until he took the shape in which he had first appeared. Then he +would answer any question put to him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">"As soon<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As ye behold him stretched at length, exert<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Your utmost strength to hold him there, although<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He strive and struggle to escape your hands;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For he will try all stratagems, and take<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The form of every reptile on the earth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And turn to water and to raging flame,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet hold him firmly still, and all the more<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Make fast the bands. When he again shall take<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The form in which thou sawest him asleep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Desist from force, and loose the bands that held<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The ancient prophet. Ask of him what god<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Afflicts thee thus, and by what means to cross<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The fishy deep and find thy home again."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Menelaus followed these directions, taking with him three of his bravest +warriors, as Idothea also advised. They found Proteus, and rushing upon +him, they seized and held him firmly in their grip, though he tried hard +to escape.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">First he took the shape<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of a maned lion, of a serpent next,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then of a panther, then of a huge boar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then turned to flowing water, then became<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A tall tree full of leaves. With resolute hearts<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We held him fast, until the aged seer<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was weaned out, in spite of all his wiles.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book IV,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Old Man of the Sea then told Menelaus that he must go to Egypt, to +the river there, and offer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> sacrifices to the gods, and that they would +send him forth upon his voyage home, which would be speedy and safe. The +Greek chief did as Proteus directed, and the prophecy was fulfilled. He +soon reached his Spartan home, where, with his famous queen, Helen, he +spent the remainder of his life in happiness.</p> + +<p>Idomeneus, the warrior king of Crete, reached his island kingdom in +safety.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Idomeneus brought also back to Crete<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All his companions who survived the war;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The sea took none of them.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book III.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>But a sad event occurred on his arrival in the island. During his voyage +home there was a terrible storm, and Idomeneus much feared that his +fleet might be destroyed. He then made a vow that if his ships escaped, +he would sacrifice to Neptune the first living creature he met on +landing. Unfortunately this happened to be his own son, who came down to +the shore to receive and welcome his father. Idomeneus, though +overwhelmed with grief, nevertheless fulfilled his promise to the god, +but the Creʹtans were so incensed at the inhuman act that they banished +him from the island.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">A flying rumor had been spread<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That fierce Idomeneus from Crete was fled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Expelled and exiled.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>Thus driven from his own country Idomeneus sailed westward until he came +to the southern coast of Italy, where he founded the city and colony of +Sal-lenʹtia, and lived to an extreme old age.</p> + +<p>The fate of Ajax Oileus, king of Locris, was almost as terrible as that +of Agamemnon. On the night of the destruction of Troy he had cruelly +ill-treated the princess Cassandra, whom he dragged from the altar of +the temple of Minerva, to which she had fled for refuge. Even the Greeks +themselves were shocked at the crime, and they threatened to punish him +for it. He was, however, allowed to set sail for Greece. But Minerva +borrowed from Jupiter his flaming thunderbolts, and, obtaining +permission from Neptune, she raised a furious tempest, which destroyed +the Locrian king's ship. He himself swam to a rock, and as he sat there +he defiantly cried out that he was safe in spite of all the gods. This +insult to the immortals brought upon him the wrath of Neptune, who, +smiting the rock with his awful trident, hurled the impious Ajax into +the depths of the sea.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">He had said<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That he, in spite of all the gods, would come<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Safe from those mountain waves. When Neptune heard<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The boaster's challenge, instantly he laid<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His strong hand on the trident, smote the rock<br /></span> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span><span class="i0">And cleft it to the base. Part stood erect,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Part fell into the deep. There Ajax sat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And felt the shock, and with the falling mass<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Was carried headlong to the billowy depths<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Below, and drank the brine and perished there.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Bryant</span>, <i>Odyssey</i>, Book IV.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The venerable Nestor reached his home without misfortune or accident He +ended his days in peace in his kingdom of Pylos, though he had to mourn +the loss of his brave son Antilochus, whom Memnon had slain.</p> + +<p>Diomede also reached his kingdom of Ætolia, but he found that in his +absence his home had been seized by a stranger. This was a punishment +sent upon him by Venus, whom, as we have seen, he had wounded in the +hand at the siege of Troy.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Mad as I was, when I, with mortal arms,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Presumed against immortal powers to move,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And violate with wounds the queen of love."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Quitting his kingdom and country, the warrior wandered to other lands. +He finally settled in the south of Italy, where he built a city, which +he called Ar-gyrʹi-pa, and married the daughter of Dauʹnus, the king of +the country.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Great Diomede has compassed round with walls<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The city, which Argyripa he calls,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From his own Argos named.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="iname"><span class="smcap">Vergil.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>Neoptolemus, or Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, returned to Phthia, where +his grandfather, Peleus, still lived and reigned. He took with him +Andromache and Helenus, the only one of Priam's sons who lived after the +destruction of Troy. Pyrrhus, died a few years after his return, and +Andromache became the wife of Helenus. The Trojan prince soon gained the +friendship of Peleus, who gave him a kingdom in E-piʹrus to rule over, +and here he and Andromache spent the remainder of their lives together.</p> + +<p>But no one of all the warrior chiefs of Greece who fought at Troy met +with so many dangers in returning to his native land as the famous +Ulysses. Ten year elapsed after the end of the great war before he +reached his Ithacan home. There he was welcomed by his devoted wife, +Penelope, and his affectionate son, Telemachus, who had passed all those +years in loving remembrance of him and anxious hope of his coming. His +wonderful adventures during his many wanderings are described in Homer's +Odyssey. An account of them would fill another book like this Story of +Troy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> +<h2>PERSONS AND PLACES MENTIONED.</h2> + + +<ul> +<li>Acʹ a mas</li> +<li>A c̵haʹians (yans)</li> +<li>A c̵hil'lēs̝</li> +<li>Æ ġēʹan</li> +<li>Æ ġisʹthus</li> +<li>Æ nēʹas</li> +<li>Æ nēʹid</li> +<li>Æsʹ a cus</li> +<li>Æs c̵ū lāʹ pi us</li> +<li>Ætʹna</li> +<li>Æ toʹ li a</li> +<li>Ag a memʹ non</li> +<li>A ġēʹnor</li> +<li>Aʹjax</li> +<li>Amʹa zons</li> +<li>An dromʹac̵he</li> +<li>An tēʹ nor</li> +<li>An tilʹo c̵hus</li> +<li>Anʹti phus</li> +<li>Aph ro dīʹ te</li> +<li>A polʹ lo</li> +<li>Ar c̵he laʹ us</li> +<li>Ar c̵hilʹo c̵hus</li> +<li>Arʹġīves</li> +<li>Arʹgos</li> +<li>Ar ġyrʹ i pa</li> +<li>As tyʹa nax</li> +<li>Aʹtreus (trūs)</li> +<li>A trīʹ dēs</li> +<li>Atʹ ro pos</li> +<li>Auʹ lis</li> +<li>Au roʹra</li> +<li>Au tomʹ e don</li> +<li>Bac̵ʹc̵hus</li> +<li>Baʹ li us</li> +<li>Boʹ re as</li> +<li>Briʹa reus (rūs)</li> +<li>Bri seʹ is</li> +<li>C̵alʹc̵has</li> +<li>C̵al līʹo pe</li> +<li>C̵aʹri a</li> +<li>C̵as sanʹdra</li> +<li>C̵as tāʹ li a</li> +<li>Ce lūʹo nēs̝</li> +<li>C̵hīʹ ron</li> +<li>C̵hry seʹ is</li> +<li>C̵hryʹsēs̝</li> +<li>C̵loʹ tho</li> +<li>C̵lyt em nesʹ tra</li> +<li>C̵oʹon</li> +<li>C̵ranʹa ë</li> +<li>C̵resʹsi da</li> +<li>C̵reʹtans</li> +<li>Cyʹclǒps</li> +<li>Dar da nellesʹ</li> +<li>Dar dāʹ ni a</li> +<li>Darʹ da nus</li> +<li>Dauʹ nus</li> +<li>De iphʹ o bus</li> +<li>Dělʹ phī</li> +<li>Dī ănʹ a</li> +<li>Dīʹ o mede</li> +<li>Dīʹ o ne</li> +<li>Dis corʹ di a</li> +<li>Doʹ lon</li> +<li>E ëʹ ti on</li> +<li>Eʹġypt</li> +<li>E lěcʹ tra</li> +<li>E pēʹ us</li> +<li>Eph i ălʹ tēs̝</li> +<li>E pīʹ rus</li> +<li>Eʹ ris</li> +<li>E thi oʹ pi a</li> +<li>Eū phorʹ bus</li> +<li>Eū ry̆lʹ a tēs̝</li> +<li>Eū ry̆nʹ o me</li> +<li>Ganʹ y mede</li> +<li>Glauʹ c̵us</li> +<li>Hāʹ dēs̝</li> +<li>Hecʹ tor</li> +<li>Hecʹ ū ba</li> +<li>Helʹ e nus</li> +<li>Helʹ las</li> +<li>Hẽrʹ c̵ū lēs̝</li> +<li>Hẽrʹ mēs</li> +<li>He sīʹ o ne</li> +<li>Hōʹ mer</li> +<li>I dæʹ us</li> +<li>I dŏmʹ e neus (nūs)</li> +<li>I dōʹ the a</li> +<li>Ilʹ i on</li> +<li>Ilʹ i um</li> +<li>Iʹ lus</li> +<li>I phidʹ a mas</li> +<li>Iph i ġe nīʹ a</li> +<li>Iʹ ris</li> +<li>Iʹ sus</li> +<li>Ithʹ a c̵a</li> +<li>I ūʹ lus</li> +<li>Juʹ no</li> +<li>Juʹ pi ter</li> +<li>Lac̵hʹ e sis</li> +<li>La ẽrʹ tēs̝</li> +<li>La oc̵ʹ o ön</li> +<li>La od a miʹ a</li> +<li>La odʹ i çe</li> +<li>La odʹ o cus</li> +<li>La omʹ e don</li> +<li>La toʹ na</li> +<li>Lēʹ da</li> +<li>Lemʹ nos</li> +<li>Lẽrʹ na</li> +<li>Lesʹ bos</li> +<li>Lōʹ cris</li> +<li>Lycʹ i a</li> +<li>Lyc̵ o meʹ dēs̝</li> +<li>Lyr nesʹ sus</li> +<li>Ma c̵haʹ on</li> +<li>Mēʹ lēs̝</li> +<li>Mel e siġʹ e nēs̝</li> +<li>Memʹ non</li> +<li>Men e lāʹ us</li> +<li>Mẽrʹ c̵ū ry</li> +<li>Me rīʹ o nēs̝</li> +<li>Mĭ nẽrʹ va</li> +<li>My çēʹ næ</li> +<li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>Myrʹ mi dons</li> +<li>Mysʹ i a</li> +<li>Ne op tolʹ e mus</li> +<li>Nepʹ tūne</li> +<li>Ne reʹ i dēs̝</li> +<li>Neʹ re us</li> +<li>Nesʹ tor</li> +<li>O dy̆sʹ seus (sūs)</li> +<li>Œ nōʹ ne</li> +<li>O iʹ leus (lūs)</li> +<li>O lymʹ pus</li> +<li>O resʹ tēs̝</li> +<li>Oʹ tus</li> +<li>Pæʹ on</li> +<li>Pal a mēʹ dēs̝</li> +<li>Pal lāʹ di um</li> +<li>Pal' las</li> +<li>Panʹ da rus</li> +<li>Par năsʹ sus</li> +<li>Parʹ is</li> +<li>Parʹ the non</li> +<li>Pa trōʹ c̵lus</li> +<li>Pědʹ a sus</li> +<li>Pē leus (lūs)</li> +<li>Pēʹ li on</li> +<li>Pel o pon nēʹ sus</li> +<li>Pēʹ lops</li> +<li>Pe nelʹ o pe</li> +<li>Pen the si lēʹ a</li> +<li>Pẽrʹ ga mus</li> +<li>Pherʹ e c̵lus</li> +<li>Phil oc̵ tēʹ tēs̝</li> +<li>Phōʹ çis</li> +<li>Phœʹ bus</li> +<li>Phœʹ nix</li> +<li>Phry̆ġʹ i a</li> +<li>Phthiʹ a</li> +<li>Phylʹ a c̵e</li> +<li>Pluʹ to</li> +<li>Po darʹ c̵ēs̝</li> +<li>Po ly̆dʹ a mas</li> +<li>Pol y dōʹ rus</li> +<li>Prīʹ am</li> +<li>Pro tes i lāʹ us</li> +<li>Prōʹ teus (tūs)</li> +<li>Pylʹ a dēs̝</li> +<li>Pȳʹ los</li> +<li>Py̆rʹ rhus</li> +<li>Py̆thʹ i a</li> +<li>Rhēʹ sus</li> +<li>Sălʹ a mis</li> +<li>Sal lenʹ tia</li> +<li>Sămʹ o thrac̵e</li> +<li>Sar pēʹ don</li> +<li>Sc̵a mănʹ der</li> +<li>Sc̵a mănʹ dri us</li> +<li>Sçȳʹ ros</li> +<li>Siçʹ i ly</li> +<li>Simʹ o is</li> +<li>Sīʹ non</li> +<li>Sminʹ theus (thūs)</li> +<li>Smyrʹ na</li> +<li>Sōʹc̵us</li> +<li>Somʹ nus</li> +<li>Sparʹ ta</li> +<li>Stenʹ tor</li> +<li>Sthĕnʹ e lus</li> +<li>Strōʹ phi us</li> +<li>Tal thy̆bʹ i us</li> +<li>Tarʹ ta rus</li> +<li>Tauʹ ri c̵a</li> +<li>Tĕlʹ a mon</li> +<li>Te lĕmʹ ac̵hus</li> +<li>Tĕlʹ e phus</li> +<li>Tĕnʹ e dŏs</li> +<li>Teuʹ c̵er</li> +<li>Teuʹ c̵ri a</li> +<li>Teu thrāʹ ni a</li> +<li>Thēʹ be</li> +<li>Thẽr sīʹ tēs̝</li> +<li>Thĕsʹ sa ly̆</li> +<li>Thēʹ tis</li> +<li>Ti thōʹ nus</li> +<li>Trōʹ as</li> +<li>Trōʹ ilus</li> +<li>Tȳʹ deus (dūs)</li> +<li>Ty dī̄ʹ dēs̝</li> +<li>Ty̆nʹ da rus</li> +<li>U ly̆sʹ sēs̝</li> +<li>Vēʹ nus</li> +<li>Vērʹ ġil</li> +<li>Vŭlʹ c̵an</li> +<li>Xănʹ thus</li> +<li>Zĕphʹ y rus</li> +</ul> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Troy, by Michael Clarke + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF TROY *** + +***** This file should be named 16990-h.htm or 16990-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/9/9/16990/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Taavi Kalju and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions 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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