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diff --git a/43993.txt b/43993.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1d8cbc0..0000000 --- a/43993.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7433 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Stories from the Iliad, by H. L. Havell - -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: Stories from the Iliad - -Author: H. L. Havell - -Release Date: October 22, 2013 [EBook #43993] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES FROM THE ILIAD *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines - - - - - - - - - -[Frontispiece: "Athene shot down from Olympus like a falling star" -(Patten Wilson)] - - - - -STORIES - -FROM THE ILIAD - - -RETOLD BY - -H. L. HAVELL B.A. - - AUTHOR OF "STORIES FROM HERODOTUS" "STORIES FROM GREEK TRAGEDY" - "STORIES FROM THE AENEID" "STORIES FROM THE ODYSSEY" - "STORIES FROM DON QUIXOTE" "STORIES FROM - THUCYDIDES" "STORIES FROM XENOPHON" - - -"_A nation without fancy, without some romance, never did never can, -never will, hold a great place under the sun.... What enchanted us in -our childhood, and is captivating a million of young fancies now, has, -at the same blessed time of life, enchanted vast hosts of men and women -who have done their long day's work and laid their grey heads down to -rest._" - -CHARLES DICKENS - - - - - GEORGE G. HARRAP & CO. LTD. - LONDON BOMBAY SYDNEY - - - - - First published February 1908 - by GEORGE G. HARRAP & COMPANY - 39-41 Parker Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.2 - - Reprinted: August 1908; February 1909; May 1910; July 1913; - July 1916; July 1917; August 1919; April 1922; April 1924; - March 1926; April 1928; November 1929 - - - - Printed in Great Britain by The Riverside Press Limited - Edinburgh - - - - -CONTENTS - - -Introduction-- - - I. The Story - II. The Divine Characters - III. The Human Characters - IV. The Similes - -The Quarrel - -The Dream: The Muster of Greeks - -Greeks and Trojans Face to Face: The Duel - -The Breaking of the Truce - -The Exploits of Diomede - -The Battle continued: Hector and Andromache - -Second Battle: Repulse of the Greeks - -The Embassy to Achilles - -The Night Raid on the Trojan Camp - -The Brave Deeds of Agamemnon: Reverses of the Greeks - -The Attack on the Grecian Camp - -Poseidon aids the Greeks - -Zeus is Beguiled by Hera - -The Last Battle by the Ships - -Achilles sends Patroclus to Battle - -The Fight for the Body of Patroclus - -The News is brought to Achilles - -The Shield of Achilles - -The Reconciliation - -Achilles in the Battlefield - -The Death of Hector - -The Funeral Games of Patroclus - -Priam Ransoms the Body of Hector - -Pronouncing List of Names - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - -"Athene shot down from Olympus - like a falling star" (_Patten Wilson_) _Frontispiece_ - -The Leaders of the Greeks (_Christian G. Heyne_) - -Paris (_Vatican, Rome_) - -Helen on the Walls of Troy (_Lord Leighton_) - -Hector's Farewell (_Friedrich Preller, Jr._) - -Menelaus (_Vatican, Rome_) - -Homer Hymning the Fall of Troy (_Baron H. de Triqueti_) - -Captive Andromache (_Lord Leighton_) - - - - -INTRODUCTION - -I. THE STORY - -In order to understand the structure of the _Iliad_, we must keep fast -hold of the guiding clue which is supplied by the author in the first -line of his poem. The subject, he tells us, is the _Wrath of -Achilles_. The motive of the greatest of epics is _wrath_--blind, -unreasoning fury, which knows no law, and acknowledges no right. -Keeping this in view, we are able to explain what seems at first sight -to be a strange anomaly in the conduct of the story--the absence of the -hero from the scene of action during three-fourths of the narrative. -For Achilles is not less the hero of the _Iliad_ than Odysseus is the -hero of the _Odyssey_, and in both cases the character of the man -determines the structure of the poem. Odysseus is a man of middle age, -in the maturity of his splendid powers, with his judgment refined by -experience, and his passions cooled by time. From the moment when he -sets sail from Troy he remains faithful to the fixed desire of his -heart. All the malice of Poseidon, all the spells of Circe, all the -loveliness of Calypso, cannot shake him from his resolve to return to -his home in Ithaca, and live out his life in calm domestic happiness -and peace. Yet he is entirely free from the narrowness which commonly -belongs to a fixed idea. He knows the uncertainty which attaches to -all human hopes, and is as ready to enjoy the passing hour as the -youngest sailor of his crew. He has the hungry intellect, which would -fain take all knowledge into its compass, and the spirit of soaring -enterprise, which delights in discovery and daring adventure. But -above all he has the patient, constant human heart, faithful through -all turns of fortune to one sober ideal. It is this steadfastness of -purpose and sweet reasonableness in the hero which gives to the -narrative of the _Odyssey_ its smooth and pellucid flow, and makes it -the most delightful of all story-books. - -Achilles, on the other hand, is the incarnation of the spirit of youth, -with its passionate pride, its acute sensibility, and its absorption in -self. He is like one of the great forces of nature--unreasoning, -elemental, mighty to create or destroy. His inaction is as tremendous -as his action. He is offended, and the Greeks, deprived of his aid, -are brought to the brink of ruin--his friend is slain by Hector, and -the current of his fury, thus directed into a new channel, sweeps the -whole Trojan army before it in havoc and rout. - -This, then, is the plan of the _Iliad_--to describe the effects of -Achilles' anger, first on the Greeks, then on the Trojans. A brief -review of the story will show how the plan is worked out. In the ninth -year of the war, the Greeks have taken a small town in the -neighbourhood of Troy, and Agamemnon has received a maiden named -Chryseis as his share of the spoil. Chryses, the maiden's father, -comes to the Grecian camp to ransom his child, but he is rudely -repulsed by Agamemnon, and invokes the vengeance of Apollo, whose -priest he is, on the Greeks. Apollo sends a pestilence on the camp, -and Agamemnon is compelled in consequence to restore Chryseis, but he -recompenses himself by seizing another maiden, named Briseis, awarded -to Achilles as a prize at the capture of the same city. Achilles vows -vengeance on the whole Greek army for this outrage, and Thetis, his -mother, obtains a promise from Zeus, the supreme god of Olympus, that -her son's vow shall be fulfilled to the letter. Accordingly Zeus sends -a false dream to Agamemnon, bidding him lead the whole army against -Troy, with the assurance of a decisive victory. Agamemnon obeys the -summons in all good faith, and the two armies meet on the plain before -the city. But just as the general encounter is about to begin, Paris -offers to meet Menelaus in single combat, and a truce is made in order -that the duel may take place. They fight, and Menelaus is victorious, -but Paris is saved from death or capture by the intervention of -Aphrodite. - -Menelaus now claims the fulfilment of the conditions of the truce--the -restoration of Helen with all her wealth. But before the point can be -debated, Pandarus, a Trojan, at the instigation of Athene, aims an -arrow at Menelaus, and wounds him in the side. This treacherous act -leads to an immediate renewal of hostilities, and in the battle which -follows the Trojans are reduced to such straits by the powers of -Diomede that Hector goes on a mission to the city, to institute a -solemn supplication in the temple of Athene, in the vain hope of -diverting her anger from the Trojans. Having accomplished his errand, -he returns to the field, bringing with him Paris, who, since his defeat -by Menelaus, has been dallying in Helen's bower; and then follows a -duel between Hector and Ajax, in which the Greek champion has the -advantage. At the suggestion of Nestor, the Greeks fortify their camp -with a moat and rampart; and this brings us to the end of the seventh -book. - -Hitherto the Greeks have had a decided advantage in battle with the -Trojans, and nothing has been done to carry out the promise which Zeus -made to Thetis. But now the father of gods and men begins to take -decisive measures to fulfil his pledge; the gods are forbidden to -interfere between the rival armies, and in the next day's battle the -Greeks are driven back in panic to their camp, while the Trojans, -contrary to their custom, keep the field all night, intending to attack -the Greek stronghold in full force next day. So despondent are the -Greeks that an embassy is sent with an offer of magnificent gifts to -Achilles, if he will lay aside his anger and come to the help of his -distressed countrymen. Achilles refuses all compromise, and the rest -of the night is occupied by the bold raid undertaken by Diomede and -Odysseus on the Thracian camp. - -At the opening of the eleventh book our attention is concentrated on -the valorous exploits of Agamemnon, who is at length compelled to -retire by a severe wound in the arm; Diomede is pierced through the -foot by an arrow from the bow of Paris, and Odysseus, Machaon, and -Eurypylus are also disabled. Patroclus is sent by Achilles to inquire -of Nestor concerning the fortunes of the Greeks, and Nestor then makes -the suggestion which marks the turning-point in the first act of the -great epic drama: if, he says, Achilles will not go to the field -himself, at least let him send Patroclus to lead the Myrmidons[1] -against the Trojans. Nothing comes of the proposal for the present, -but it is to bear fatal fruit both for Patroclus and Achilles in the -near future. The Greeks are again driven behind their defences, and a -furious struggle ensues, at the end of which the gates of the camp are -demolished, and the Trojans, led by Hector, are on the point of setting -fire to the ships. - - -[1] The followers of Achilles - - -At this moment the attention of Zeus is withdrawn from the battle, and -Poseidon seizes the opportunity to interfere in favour of the Greeks. -By his influence the scale is turned again, Hector receives fearful -injuries from a huge stone hurled by Ajax, and the Trojans are driven -headlong across the plain. Zeus is lulled to sleep by the contrivance -of Hera, and when he awakens it is to find his whole scheme of -vengeance on the point of being frustrated. In great anger he sends a -peremptory message to Poseidon to withdraw from the battle, and lays -his commands on Apollo, who brings back Hector, healed and whole, to -the field, and leads the Trojans once more to the assault of the camp. -In spite of the desperate valour of Ajax, the Greeks are driven back to -their ships, and the Trojans bring torches, with the intention of -burning the whole fleet. - -Then at last Achilles, yielding to the earnest entreaty of Patroclus, -sends him to the aid of the Greeks, equipped in his own armour, and -leading the whole force of the Myrmidons. Patroclus easily drives the -Trojans back from the camp, and slays Sarpedon, one of the bravest -warriors among the allies of Troy; but he himself falls by Hector's -hand, and the armour of Achilles passes into the possession of his -slayer. A tremendous struggle ensues over the body of Patroclus, which -is only ended by the appearance of Achilles himself, who comes, -attended by strange prodigies, to the wall, and, by the mere terror of -his presence, scares the Trojans from the field, and saves his friend's -body from outrage. - -The rest of the story may be briefly told. By the intercession of -Thetis, Hephaestus, the divine smith, makes a splendid suit of armour -for Achilles, and, after a solemn scene of reconciliation with -Agamemnon, Achilles leads the Greeks to battle. The whole torrent of -his fury is now turned upon the Trojans, and, after a wholesale -massacre of lesser victims, he meets Hector in single combat, slays -him, and drags his body behind his chariot to the camp. The funeral -obsequies of Patroclus are celebrated with great pomp, and then -Achilles, who is possessed by a demon of rage and grief, continues for -a space of twelve days to wreak his vengeance on the lifeless body of -Hector, which he drags repeatedly behind his car round the tomb of -Patroclus. The gods interpose to make an end of this senseless fury, -and Hector's body, which has been miraculously preserved from harm, is -restored to Priam, who comes in the night, under the conduct of Hermes, -and redeems the corpse with a heavy ransom. With the burial of Hector -the poem reaches its conclusion. - -Such, in the briefest and baldest outline, is the story of the _Iliad_. -Space does not allow us to discuss the various objections which have -been raised against some of the details of the narrative, still less to -enumerate the reconstructions and mutilations to which the great epic -has been subjected in the dissecting-room of criticism. Where opinion -is still so much divided, we may be allowed to state our conviction -that the _Iliad_, though wanting the structural perfection of the -_Odyssey_, is one poem, and the work of one master mind. - - -II. THE DIVINE CHARACTERS - -The gods in the _Iliad_ play a very active and human part, and indeed -they may be said in a sense to be more human than the men themselves. -They are passionate, sensual, vindictive; they have no sense of fair -play, but are always ready to help their favourites by all means, fair -or foul. When Patroclus is to die, he is stripped of his armour and -beaten half senseless by Apollo, and delivered over in this helpless -state to Euphorbus and Hector; and Hector, in his turn, is cheated and -beguiled to his death by Athene. In the chariot race which is -described in the twenty-third book Athene wrecks the car of Eumelus to -secure the victory for Diomede; and the same goddess interferes in the -foot race on behalf of Odysseus, whom she loves like a mother. We have -already remarked, in the Introduction to the _Odyssey_, that the only -humorous scenes in the _Iliad_ are those in which the gods play the -chief or sole part. And, in fact, the want of dignity and decorum -which we find in these mighty beings is simply astonishing. The battle -of the gods, which is introduced with such pomp and parade, ends in the -broadest farce. In the fifth book, Ares roars and bellows like a beast -when he is wounded by the spear of Diomede, and Aphrodite, whose hand -has been scratched, goes whimpering and whining to her mother for -comfort. Only in a few passages do we find a great and worthy -conception of the divine nature--as in the famous lines in the first -book, when Zeus nods his immortal head confirming his oath to Thetis, -and in the sublime description of Poseidon at the beginning of the -thirteenth book. - -At the head of the Olympian hierarchy stands Zeus the lord of the sky, -who divides with his brothers, Hades and Poseidon, the empire of the -universe. He is the highest in power and authority, and with him rests -the final decision in all the disputes of Olympus. But this genial and -patriarchal deity is not without his troubles: he rules over a -disorderly household, and his purposes are constantly thwarted by the -lesser powers who reign under him. In his heart of hearts he favours -Priam and the Trojans, but he is a fond and indulgent father and -husband, and Hera, his wife, and Athene, his daughter, cherish an -implacable hatred against Troy and all things Trojan. The reason for -this bitter animosity does not appear: for the judgment of Paris, which -is the cause assigned by later legends, is only mentioned in one -passage, of doubtful authenticity. Hera is described as a lady of -shrewish and vixenish temper; she will never be satisfied, says Zeus, -until she has gone down into Troy and eaten Priam and all his people -raw! Her human counterpart is Hecuba, who would like, she says, to -tear out the heart of Achilles, and devour it. On the side of the -Trojans are Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, the river-god Scamander, and -Leto. - -Such are the gods of Homer, and such the national divinities of Greece. -For the poems of Homer and Hesiod, as Herodotus informs us, are the -chief sources of the popular theology. Small wonder, then, that the -more earnest minds of a later age were much occupied by the endeavour -to raise and purify the accepted mythology, or that Plato excludes -Homer, "the great magician," from his scheme of reformed education. - - -III. THE HUMAN CHARACTERS - -Of Achilles and Odysseus we have already spoken at some length, so that -we have only to notice briefly the other chief characters. At the head -of the Greek army stands Agamemnon, whose authority rests on his -personal prowess, his vast wealth, and the extent of his dominions. In -the absence of Achilles he shares with Ajax and Diomede the highest -place among the warriors of Greece. A certain strain of weakness runs -through his character. He is jealous of his authority, and somewhat -covetous, and at moments of crisis and peril he is always foremost in -the counsels of despair. Next to him in rank comes Menelaus, his -brother, an amiable but somewhat feeble prince, to whom the poet shows -a certain playful tenderness, such as is felt by chivalrous natures -towards a woman or a child. - -The most knightly figure on the Greek side is the young Diomede, whose -wonderful exploits fill so large a space in the earlier part of the -poem. His gallant and buoyant spirit shines brightest when the -fortunes of the Greeks are at their lowest ebb; and the beautiful -episode of his meeting with Glaucus on the battlefield is a rare -exception to the savage ferocity of Homeric warfare. - -After Achilles, the mightiest champion of Greece is the great -Telamonian Ajax. He is a giant in stature and strength, and is the -chief bulwark of the Greeks against the impetuous valour of Hector. In -character, he is modest and unassuming; he lacks the brilliant -qualities of Achilles, though equal to him in sheer physical force. He -is the type of the rugged soldier, such as we find among the Spartans -of a later date, loyal to his prince, a faithful comrade, ever at the -post of danger, ever prompt to help where the need is sorest. His -plain, frank nature views with contempt the fantastic pride of -Achilles, whose frightful egoism, and indifference to the sufferings of -his countrymen, revolt and disgust him. - -[Illustration: The Leaders of the Greeks (Christian G. Heyne)] - -This list may fitly be closed with the name of Nestor, "the -clear-voiced orator, from whose lips flowed eloquence sweeter than -honey." As becomes his age, he assumes the office of peacemaker -between Agamemnon and Achilles; in spite of his eighty years, he still -takes the field and fights in the van, though his arm is now of less -value than his head. With regard to his eloquence, it can hardly be -said, judging by the specimen preserved, that he is quite worthy of his -reputation. He is, in fact, garrulous, rambling, and tedious--though -in these qualities he is even surpassed by the aged Ph[oe]nix, who has -played the part of male nurse to Achilles, and excels in a style of -oratory dear to the professional guardians of childhood. - -The great champion of the Trojans is Hector, the son of Priam and -Hecuba. His character is, in every respect, a contrast to that of -Achilles. With him the claims of king and country ever come first, -though he is not indifferent to personal distinction. He falls very -far short of the ideal knight--without fear and without reproach. In -these qualities he seems to be eclipsed by Glaucus and Sarpedon, the -princes of Lycia, whose beautiful friendship finds its most illustrious -record in the immortal lines of the twelfth book,[2] the finest -exposition in the world of the principle involved in the words -_noblesse oblige_. Hector, on the other hand, is full of weakness: at -one time he is faint-hearted, and has to be recalled to the duties of -his great position by the reproaches of those who serve under him; at -another time he is overbold, and his rashness brings upon the Trojans -overwhelming disaster. Yet with all this, his character is full of -interest. In his greater moments he rises to sublime heights of -heroism. He does not shrink from the consequences of his actions, but -goes to certain death with the spirit of a patriot and martyr. He is -the mirror of knightly courtesy, kind and gentle even to the guilty and -the fallen; and his last meeting with Andromache is hardly to be -matched for beauty and pathos in all literature. - - -[2] See p. 107. - - -A bare mention must suffice for Priam, the white-haired King, and the -most tragic figure in the poem; Paris, the curled darling of Aphrodite, -a mere beautiful animal, without soul or conscience, and the lovely -passion-stricken Helen, whose strange story seems to have a closer -affinity with mediaeval romance than with classical antiquity. - - -IV. THE SIMILES - -One word must be added on the frequent comparisons, or similes, which -form one of the most characteristic features of the poem. At least -half the _Iliad_ is occupied with descriptions of battle, and Homeric -warfare is exceedingly simple and uniform, consisting almost entirely -of single combats between individual chieftains, or wholesale slaughter -wrought by some puissant arm on the promiscuous herd of soldiers. To -render so unpromising a theme interesting and attractive must have -taxed the skill and invention of the poet to their utmost limit; and -his principal resources for attaining this end is in the lavish use of -the simile. In those parts of the poem where much is to be told in -little space this ornament occurs rarely, or not at all. In the first -book, which is crowded with incidents, not a single simile is used. -But where the action is to be delayed or elaborated, and especially in -the battle pieces, the similes are flung broadcast, shining like stars -among the racing clouds of a stormy sky. Every corner of nature, and -every province of human life, are ransacked to furnish illustrations of -the eternal drama of "battle, and murder, and sudden death." In a -moment we are rapt by the magic of the poet from the steam and squalor -of slaughter to some busy scene of human industry, or some living -picture, grand, lovely, or terrible, drawn from the great panorama of -nature. Nothing is too great, nothing too little, to furnish material -for this splendid treasury of poetry. It would be easy to discourse -for pages on this fascinating subject; but we must content ourselves -with the above brief hint, and will conclude our remarks by declaring -our full agreement with those who regard the similes in the _Iliad_ as -the chief glory and beauty in the first and greatest of epic poems. - - - - -STORIES FROM THE ILIAD - - - - -The Quarrel - -I - -The scene of our story is laid in the north-western corner of Asia -Minor, where the blue waters of the Hellespont mingle with the waves of -the AEgaean. The whole coast is lined with a multitude of war galleys, -drawn up, row behind row, for a space of several miles; and behind them -are thousands and thousands of wooden huts, affording shelter to a -whole nation of warriors, with their slaves and followers. For nine -years the Greeks have lain here encamped, striving in vain to sack the -ancient city of Troy, whose towers and battlements, some five miles -distant, can be seen from the elevated parts of the camp. The whole -surrounding country has been laid waste, and town after town has been -visited by all the horrors of war; but the walls of Troy still stand -firm against all assault, and the end seems as far off as ever. - -The chiefs are assembled in council, and in their midst sits Agamemnon, -the mightiest prince in Greece, whose nod a hundred thousand warriors -obey. Suddenly, a voice is heard on the outskirts of the crowd which -surrounds the circle of elders, and an aged man, clad in the long -flowing robes of a priest, is led into the royal presence. In his hand -he carries a rod, adorned with studs of gold, and wreathed with olive -leaves. "A boon, great king, a boon!" he cries, lifting the rod on -high. "Speak," answers Agamemnon. "What wouldst thou have of me?" -"Give me back my child, my daughter Chryseis," answers the priest. -"Thou hast sacked my city, thou hast burnt my home; restore unto me my -child, and leave me not altogether desolate in mine old age." - -Dark was the brow of Agamemnon when he heard these words, and short and -stern was his answer. "Let me not find thee," he said, "lingering here -in the camp, and come not hither again on such an errand. Thy daughter -thou shall not see again; she is mine, the captive of my bow and of my -spear, and shall be my slave until the day of her death." In vain the -old man urged him with entreaty, and offered a rich ransom to redeem -his child from bondage. "Talk not to me of ransom," answered -Agamemnon: "not all the gold of thy temple shall purchase liberty for -the maiden, for she hath found favour in my sight. Get thee gone at -once, and provoke me no further." - -Then the priest, whose name was Chryses, feared for his own life, and -fled from the angry face of the King. Down to the margin of the sea he -went, and gazing with tear-dimmed eyes over the heaving waters, thus he -prayed to Apollo, his protector and lord: "Hear me, god of the silver -bow, whose altar steams day and night with offerings from the choicest -of the flock. Remember my faithful service, and let thine arrows -avenge my tears on the Greeks." - -So he prayed, and Apollo heard him, and down from the peaks of Olympus -he sped. In his hand he bare his mighty bow, and the arrows in his -quiver made an angry rattling as he swooped down on the Grecian camp, -swift and sudden as the southern night. He took his stand on a hill, -and loosed an arrow from the string; and dire was the twang of the -silver bow. First, he sent his shafts among the dogs and mules; then -he changed his aim, and rained destruction among the men; and the whole -place was filled with the smoke of funeral pyres. - -For nine days the deadly shower fell without ceasing; but on the tenth, -Achilles summoned a general gathering of the host, to inquire into the -causes of the calamity which had fallen on his countrymen. The chiefs -met in full conclave, and about them were gathered the meaner sort in -their tens of thousands. When the clamorous cries of the multitude -were stilled, Achilles rose in his place, and addressing himself -directly to Agamemnon said: "Son of Atreus, how long wilt thou suffer -thy people to perish? Is it not enough that our blood is poured forth -every day in battle with thy foes, but must pestilence also make havoc -among our ranks? This is Apollo's work, and it is time to ask some -priest or soothsayer how we have offended the god, that we may appease -his anger with the fat of goats and lambs, and save ourselves from -further harm." - -Among the elders sat Calchas, the chief seer of the Greeks; who knew -all things--what was, and had been, and was to come--and was the chosen -leader of the army in matters of religion. Seeing all eyes turned upon -him he stood up and answered the challenge of Achilles, though with -manifest reluctance and constraint. - -"Illustrious chieftain," he said, "thou hast asked the cause of -Apollo's anger, and I know that thou lookest to me for an answer. But -swear unto me first that thou wilt defend me in word and in deed; for I -fear that, by revealing the counsels of the god whom I serve, I shall -offend one who is the greatest and mightiest among us." - -"Tell us what thou knowest, and fear nothing," answered Achilles; -"while I live no one shall lift his hand against thee, no, not -Agamemnon himself." - -Thus encouraged, Calchas spoke out, and declared that the only means of -staying the pestilence was by sending back Chryseis to her father, -without price or ransom, and offering a costly sacrifice of atonement -to Apollo in his temple at Chrysa. It was not without reason that the -prudent seer had appealed to Achilles for protection; for no sooner had -his words been uttered than Agamemnon sprang from his seat, with fury -in his looks, and overwhelmed the prophet with a torrent of reproaches. -"Ill fare thy prophecies, thou prophet of ill!" he cried. "Not one -good word have I ever heard from thy lips; but this is the worst that -ever thou hast spoken. Hard and bitter is the charge which thou hast -laid upon me, bidding me restore this maiden, fairer and dearer to me -than Clytaemnestra, my wedded wife. Nevertheless I will send her back, -if I cannot save my people otherwise; but look ye to it, princes and -councillors of Greece, that I find fit recompense for my loss; for she -was a choice prize of war, set apart for me as a gift of privilege and -honour." - -"And thinkest thou," said Achilles, roused at once to opposition by -this unwarrantable claim, "that it befits thine honour as a king to be -covetous of thy people's goods? Be generous; let thy prize go, and -when next we divide the spoil of a captured town we will repay thee -threefold and fourfold for thy loss." - -"Payment I will have, and that right speedily," answered Agamemnon, -with darkening brow. "See that ye find means to fill the place of this -maiden, or one of you shall yield up his prize to me, whether it be -Ajax, or Odysseus, or thou Achilles, who art so bold of speech, that -thou mayest learn that I am king indeed. But concerning this we can -speak again hereafter; our present task is to restore Chryseis to her -father, and appease the god with sacrifice." - -Agamemnon thought perhaps by his last words to avert the anger of the -fiery young prince, whose eyes flashed fire when he heard the King's -threat. But if such was his purpose it failed altogether. No sooner -had he ended than the full tempest of Achilles' wrath fell upon his -head. "Thou soul of avarice!" he cried, "clad in shamelessness as with -a garment, was it for thee that we crossed all those weary leagues of -water to make war on the men of Troy? I have no quarrel with the -Trojans; they have not lifted my cattle, or driven off my horses, for -my home is far beyond their reach, divided from Asia by shadowy -mountains and sounding seas. For thee, thou dog, and for thy brother -have I toiled, and in the division of the spoil 'tis but little that I -win as the price of my sweat and my blood; and thou seekest to rob me -of that little, to add to thine own monstrous hoard. I will go back -forthwith to my native land of Phthia, for I have no mind to abide here -in dishonour and heap up treasure for thee." - -"Go when thou wilt," answered Agamemnon, in scornful tones. "Heaven -forbid that I should hinder thee! Most hateful to me art thou of all -the chivalry of Greece, for thou hast a heart full of hatred and -malice. Go and lord it over thine own tribe; I am the master here, and -as sure as I am a crowned and anointed king I will take thy prize, even -the maiden Briseis, and lead her to my tent, that thou mayest learn to -curb thy saucy tongue in the presence of thy lord." - -Thus publicly insulted and defied, Achilles sat speechless with rage, -fighting against the passion which shook his mighty frame. At last it -seemed that he had resolved to let his fury have full scope; slowly he -drew his sword from its scabbard, his mouth was opened for the battle -cry, and in another moment the haughty King would have lain weltering -in his blood; but in the very act of springing on his foe he felt -himself restrained from behind, and turning to confront this new -assailant he stood face to face with the goddess Athene. Unseen and -unheard by the rest, the grey-eyed goddess spoke, bidding him to desist -from his murderous purpose. "Put up thy sword," she said; "speak -daggers to him, if thou wilt, but use none. Thine honour is safe in -the hands of Zeus, and the day of reckoning shall come, when that proud -head shall be humbled to the very dust before thee." - -To those who were looking on it seemed that Achilles had fallen into a -sudden trance of thought, from which he started abruptly, and, -thrusting back his sword into its sheath, resumed the war of words with -Agamemnon. "Thou drunkard," he cried, "with eye of dog and heart of -deer, foremost in the revel and last in the fray! Thou of the itching -palm, who lovest the chink of stolen gold, but turnest pale at the -clash of steel! False shepherd, that devourest thy flock! Cowardly -master of cowardly sheep! Now by this sceptre I swear, by this symbol -of justice which the elders hold in their hands when they give judgment -before the people, the day is not far distant when all this host shall -be filled with longing for me, to save them from Hector's destroying -arm, when their bravest and their strongest are falling beneath his -spear. Then shalt thou learn thy folly too late, and drink to the -dregs the bitter cup which thou hast filled for me." - -With that he flung the sceptre at Agamemnon's feet, and sat down again -in his place. Then arose Nestor, the clear-voiced orator of Pylos, -from whose lips flowed eloquence sweeter than honey. Two generations -of men had lived and died since his birth, and he still dwelt in kingly -honour among the third. And thus he spake, striving to make peace -between the two angry chieftains: "Alas! what sorrow has come upon the -sons of Greece!--sorrow to us, but joy unto Priam and the sons of -Priam, when they hear of the feud which hath arisen between ye twain. -Be guided by me; I am older than ye, and before ye were born I moved as -an equal among heroes mightier than ye, and was second to none in -council and in fight. Hearken therefore to me, even as they did. Seek -not, Agamemnon, to take from Achilles his prize of honour; and thou, -Achilles, provoke not the King to anger by thy bitter words, for as -thou art our bulwark in war, so he sits higher than thou in sceptred -majesty." - -"Thou sayest well," answered Agamemnon, "but this man's insolence is -not to be borne. Because he is a stout spearman he thinks that he can -lord it over us all. But there are some here who will not brook his -tyranny." - -"There is one here," retorted Achilles, "who refuses to be thy slave. -But enough of this--I will waste no more words on thee. Come and take -away my prize, if those who stand here suffer thee to do this wrong; -but touch not aught else of my possessions, or thy blood shall pay the -price." - -With these words the stormy debate, so fruitful in disaster to the -Greeks, came to an end. - - -II - -Agamemnon's first task, when he returned to his tent, was to send back -Chryseis, under the charge of Odysseus, to her father. This done, he -at once took steps to secure possession of Briseis, the captive maiden -who had been bestowed on Achilles as his prize of honour. Talthybius -and Eurybates, the royal heralds, were sent to the quarters of Achilles -to demand the surrender of Briseis. "And if he will not give her up to -you," added the King, "I will come myself and take her by force." So -they went with slow and reluctant steps on their thankless errand; and -they found Achilles sitting alone by his ship, where it was drawn up on -the beach. Awestruck and silent they stood in the presence of that -great chief, unable to utter a sound; but he knew full well why they -had come, and greeted them with courtesy and kindness. "Draw near," he -said, "and fear nothing from me. I respect your office, and impute not -to you your master's guilt. Patroclus my comrade shall deliver unto -you the maiden, and be ye my witnesses in this matter, when it is asked -why I threw down my sword and refused to fight any longer in -Agamemnon's cause." - -So saying he summoned Patroclus, and bade him bring forth Briseis from -the tent; and Patroclus went, and presently returned, leading the -weeping maiden by the hand, and gave her in charge of the heralds. -When they were gone, Achilles wandered away by the margin of the sea, -nursing his wounded spirit, and full of angry and bitter thoughts. -Presently he came to a stand, and, stretching out his hands towards the -sea, cried like a child in pain to Thetis, his mother: "Short is the -term of years which Fate has vouchsafed to me, and therefore thou hast -promised me honour from the hands of Zeus. But now is mine honour -turned to infamy, and I am become a very scorn of men, and an outcast -among the people." His words were broken by sobs and tears, for he was -but a boy in years, and was smarting with an agony of wounded pride. -And his mother heard him where she sat in her crystal cave in the -depths of the sea; for she was a goddess, and daughter of the sea-god, -Nereus. Swiftly she rose, "like an exhalation," to the surface of the -sea, and came and stood by her young hero's side. "Why weepest thou, -my child?" she asked, with a tender caress. "Tell thy mother all thy -pain, that she may bear the burden with thee." - -"Thou knowest full well," replied Achilles, with a groan; "what boots -it to repeat to thee the story of my shame?" Nevertheless he went on -to pour out all the tale of injury and outrage; for sorrow grows -lighter in the telling. "Thou alone," he added, when he had finished -the recital, "canst heal this deadly hurt to mine honour. I have often -heard thee boast of an old service rendered to Zeus, when the other -Olympians rose up in revolt against him, and he was in sore straits. -Go, therefore, to Olympus, and remind him of the debt which he owes -unto thee, and ask him in requital to lend aid to the Trojans, that the -Greeks may be hurled back in rout upon their ships, and Agamemnon may -learn what it means to deal despitefully with the best warrior in his -camp." - -"It shall be done as thou sayest," answered Thetis; "Leave everything -in my hands, and thou shalt have atonement in full measure. Until -twelve days are passed I can do nothing, for Zeus has gone on a far -journey, to partake of a banquet in the land of the Ethiopians. When -he returns I will lay thy case before him; and meanwhile sit thou idle -here, and go not into battle, but leave me to champion thy cause." -With this promise she left him, and he sat down to digest his anger, -and wait for the day of redress. - - -III - -On the dawn of the twelfth day Thetis rose again from her cavern into -mid-air, and was borne by the breezes unto Olympus. She found the lord -of heaven sitting apart on the topmost peak of the mountain, and -kneeling before him she preferred her request. When Zeus heard what -she desired he fell into a muse, and answered not a word; but Thetis -remained kneeling at his feet, and, clinging to him with both hands, -repeated her prayer. Being urged thus with importunity, at last the -sire opened his mouth, and answered in heavy tones: "Thou wilt put -enmity between me and Hera, my wife; already she upbraids me for -showing favour to the Trojans, and thou askest me to take sides openly -with them against the Greeks. But go to, what care I for the wrath of -Hera? Nevertheless, get thee gone speedily, lest she find us together. -Howbeit, thou shalt have thy wish; behold, I swear it, and confirm it -with my nod, and whatsoever I have thus confirmed cannot be annulled or -unfulfilled." - -Thereupon the monarch of the sky bowed his immortal head, with all its -dark and waving locks, and shook the mountain to its base. - -Having thus attained her purpose, Thetis departed, and as soon as she -was gone Zeus joined the assembly of the gods in the high palace of -Olympus. All the gods rose from their seats to pay him homage as he -entered and took his place on the royal throne. But the sharp eyes of -Hera had spied out his conference with Thetis, and forthwith she -assailed her indulgent lord in mocking tones: "What plot hast thou been -hatching now, thou god of craft? I know that thou art keeping some -mischief from me, thy lawful wife." - -"Daughter of Cronos," answered Zeus, avoiding her piercing glance, -"thou canst not expect that I should share all my counsels with thee. -Whatever it is meet for thee to know thou shall learn; but I have some -secrets which are not for thy ear." - -"Thou must keep thy secrets more carefully," said Hera, with a bitter -smile, "if thou wouldst deceive me. Listen, ye gods, while I tell you -this fine secret! Zeus has promised Thetis that the Greeks shall -suffer defeat, to avenge the insult put upon her son." - -"And if such be my will, who shall say me nay?" replied Zeus, with a -stern look. "I warn thee not to thwart my purpose, or all the gods who -sit here shall not save thee from chastisement." - -Then fear fell upon Hera, and she sat biting her lips, venturing no -reply. And all the gods sat silent, glancing anxiously at one another, -when they heard the angry tones of the Olympian sire. - -At last Hephaestus, the lame god of fire, came to his mother's relief. -Rising from his seat, he took a goblet of nectar from the hands of -Hebe, who was serving drink to the gods, and went hobbling to the place -where Hera sat. "Mother mine," said, he, as he offered her the cup, "I -counsel thee to give way, and not provoke our father to anger. Shall -we, the sons and daughters of heaven, brawl over our cups for the sake -of miserable mortals? Let Zeus have his way--for what can we do -against him? Hast thou forgotten how he served me when I presumed to -stand between thee and his ire?--how he caught me by the foot, and -flung me forth from the open portals of Olympus, as a boy slings a -stone? From morn till eve I fell, and at the setting of the sun I -struck on Lemnos, the AEgaean isle." - -Hera smiled at her ungainly son; and when she had drunk of the nectar -he took the cup, and went limping round the circle of the gods, -offering them to drink. And all the immortals laughed loud and long, -to see the huge, hairy god engaged in the office of the lovely Hebe. -Then music and song came to crown the banquet, as Apollo led the choir -of the Muses on his golden harp. - - - - -The Dream: The Muster of Greeks - -I - -Agamemnon lay sleeping in his tent, and in a dream he saw Nestor, the -son of Neleus, who addressed him in these words: "Sleepest thou, son of -Atreus? It is not meet that thou, on whom lies the weight of a mighty -monarchy, shouldst slumber all night long. Hearken now to my words: I -am the bearer of a message from Zeus, who bids thee summon the whole -host of Greeks, and lead them against Troy. Her hour is come at last, -and the gods with one consent have decided that she shall fall." - -Agamemnon awoke, and behold it was a dream. But the words had sunk -deep into his heart, and he deemed that the vision had spoken truth. -In that vain belief he arose from his couch, clothed himself in a fair -linen tunic and a woollen robe, and, taking his sceptre in his hand, -went to rouse Nestor and tell him his dream. Then the whole body of -the chiefs met in council, and the heralds were sent round to proclaim -a general assembly of the army. The people came flocking at the -summons, numberless as bees which hover round the flowers in spring; -and nine heralds went about among the multitude, marshalling the -clamorous commons in their places, and commanding silence, that the -counsel of the King might be heard. - -As this was a great occasion, it had been resolved, in the private -meeting of the elders, to try the temper of the people before -disclosing to them the real purpose of their leaders. Accordingly, -when silence had been obtained, Agamemnon rose up in his place, holding -in his hand his ancestral sceptre, the symbol of his great office, -which had descended from father to son since the days of Pelops, the -founder of the royal house of Argos. Planting the sceptre firmly -before him, and leaning upon it, thus spake the King, to prove the -heart of his people. - -"Friends and comrades in war, I have heavy news to tell you. Zeus -brought us hither under a solemn promise that in the end we should take -the sacred city of Priam. But now he hath revoked his promise, and -bids us sail back to Greece, for all our toil is vain. Shame and -dishonour must be our portion, now and hereafter, when our sons' sons -shall hear how we, the embattled host of Greece, outnumbering the -citizens of Troy by ten to one, fought against them for nine long -years, and then departed, as beaten and broken men. But such is the -will of Zeus, and none can gainsay it. Therefore I bid you hoist sail -and away, for we are not destined to take the town of Troy." - -At these words of the King there arose a wild commotion among his -hearers, and the vast multitude swayed to and fro like the waves of the -AEgaean driven this way and that by shifting gusts of wind. Then, as a -wide field of corn bends down before the strong breath of the west, the -whole host turned seaward, and with a mighty shout they rushed downward -to the shore, and began to launch their ships. - -Agamemnon, and those who were in his confidence, were thunderstruck by -the tremendous effect of his speech, and stood helpless and amazed in -the midst of this scene of tumult. The first to recover himself was -Odysseus, the wisest and the firmest spirit among all the chieftains. -Flinging off his mantle he went to Agamemnon, and took from his hand -the royal sceptre. Armed with this symbol of authority he hurried -hither and thither among the excited throng, urging each man by threats -or entreaties to return to the place of assembly, and wait there for -further instructions from the recognised leaders of the host. - -To those of rank and character he spoke courteously, urging them to use -their influence among their followers, and check the general flight; -while with the baser sort he used rougher means of persuasion, striking -them with the sceptre and rebuking them fiercely. Others among the -chiefs followed his example, and at length the tumult was stayed, and -the fickle mob swept back into the camp with a roar like the billows -breaking on a long line of rocky shore. - -[Illustration: Paris. Vatican, Rome. Photo Anderson] - -At length that vast audience was seated, and waiting attentively to -hear the counsels of the King. But one unruly knave remained standing, -and poured out a torrent of abuse against Agamemnon and the other -chiefs. This fellow's name was Thersites, and of all the Greeks who -came up against Troy he was the foulest, both in aspect and in speech. -His huge misshapen head, sparsely covered with thin, downy hair, sat -awry on his stooping shoulders. He was bandy-legged, and lame of one -foot. And he was the sworn enemy of the valiant, the noble, and the -wise. This low-born railer now began to shriek out insults in a -hideous voice against Agamemnon, his sovereign lord. "Son of Atreus," -he bawled, "what lackest thou yet? Thy tents are full of gold, and -crowded with slaves, which we have won for thee with our swords and our -spears. Lustest thou yet after more gold, the ransom of Trojan -captives? Or dost thou want more Trojan dames to be thy handmaids? -Up, sirs, let us be gone, lest we be called women, and not men, if we -remain here to heap up riches for this greedy tyrant. Have we not seen -him put public dishonour on our bravest warrior, taking from him his -lawful prize? Surely Achilles lacks gall to make oppression bitter, -seeing that he has suffered this bitter wrong to go unavenged. Were he -of like mind with me, the ruffian king would not have survived to -commit further outrages." - -A stern voice here broke in upon the seditious harangue, and Thersites -perceived with alarm that Odysseus was standing by him, staff in hand. -"Peace, saucy knave!" said the Prince of Ithaca, in threatening tones. -"How darest thou, the very scum and refuse of the army, to hold such -language against our exalted leader? If I find thee uttering thy mad -folly again, may my head be smitten from my shoulders, and may I never -more be called the father of Telemachus, if I do not strip thee naked -and drive thee forth from among the people with blows like this." And -suiting the action to the word he laid the heavy staff with no gentle -hand across the deformed shoulders of Thersites. The wretch shrank -beneath the blow with a cry of pain, and the golden staff left its -print in a crimson weal on his back. So he sat huddled together, with -distorted face, wiping away his tears, and spoke not another word. - -Having thus silenced that loose tongue, Odysseus mounted a platform, -whence he could be seen and heard of all the host, and lifting up his -mighty voice he began to rebuke the people for their weakness and want -of faith. "Must I speak to you," he said, "as to homesick women and -children, or as to veteran warriors bound by an oath to follow their -great captain for weal or for woe? Not that I blame you overmuch, for -indeed your service has been both long and hard. For nine long years -we have toiled in vain, and the cordage of our ships is rotten, and -their timbers are warped. Nevertheless, endure yet a little while, -until we have learnt whether the son of Cronos is a true prophet or no. -Ye cannot have forgotten the day when our ships were assembled at -Aulis, or the portents vouchsafed us there at a solemn sacrifice to the -gods. The altar was raised in the shadow of a goodly plane-tree, near -a running water; and in the tree was a nest of sparrows, a mother with -eight young, cheeping and cowering beneath the leaves. Just as we were -kindling the altar fire, a great serpent, with blood-red back, darted -up from the altar into the tree and pounced upon the sparrows' nest. -The mother-bird fluttered anxiously around, uttering piteous cries to -see the monster devouring her young; and the serpent, when he had -swallowed up the nestlings, caught their mother by the wing as she -hovered near, and swallowed her also. Then we beheld a wonder: for the -serpent, when he came down from the tree, was turned into a stone. And -while we stood amazed Calchas declared unto us the meaning of that -omen: "Why stand ye thus amazed, ye warriors of Greece? That which ye -have seen is a sign from Zeus, and this is the interpretation thereof: -the nine birds are the nine years, during which we shall lay siege to -Troy, and the serpent is the tenth year, in which Troy shall fall! -Therefore abide steadfast, my comrades, for the nine years are passed, -and we are nearing the end of our labours." - -Odysseus ended, and a great roar of acclamation went up from a hundred -thousand throats, and rolled like thunder along the hollow shore. The -next speaker was Nestor, who addressed Agamemnon, and bade him command -an immediate muster of the whole army, and lead a general attack upon -the Trojans. "Let the people," said he, "be ordered according to their -several tribes and clans, that thou mayest distinguish the -faint-hearted from the loyal and valiant. Thus shall thou learn, if -disaster befalleth thee, to whom it is due--whether to adverse heaven, -or to the cowardice and weakness of thine allies." - -"Thou speakest ever to the purpose," answered Agamemnon; "and would -that I had ten such counsellers as thee! Then would Priam's royal city -soon bow her head, sunk in the dust beneath our victorious hands. But -the son of Cronos hath sown division among us, and put enmity between -me and my bravest champion. But to our task: let the people now get -their morning meal, and then prepare for battle. Let every man whet -his spear, and look to the fastenings of his shield; let every steed be -fed, and every chariot set in order, that we may fight all day till the -going down of the sun. There shall be no rest or respite till darkness -puts an end to the fray. Many a shield strap shall drip with sweat, -and many a hand ache with holding the spear, and the steeds shall droop -with weariness, ere the day be done. And if I find any man skulking -among the ships, I will give his flesh to feed the dogs and vultures." - -Then the people arose and scattered among their tents, and soon the -smoke of a thousand fires went eddying up into the still morning air. -And every warrior lifted up his heart in prayer to heaven, that he -might return safe and sound from the great perils which lay before him. - -Agamemnon slaughtered an ox five years old, and summoned the noblest of -the chiefs, among whom were Nestor, Idomeneus, the two princes named -Ajax, Diomede, and Odysseus, to take their meal with him. In those -days every meal was a sacrifice, and this was the manner in which it -was performed: the company stood round the ox, holding in their hands a -portion of barleymeal. Then the giver of the feast addressed a prayer -to Zeus, the meal was sprinkled between the horns of the victim, and -after that the beast was slaughtered and flayed. Portions of the meat -were then cut off from the carcass, wrapped in a double layer of fat, -and burnt as an offering to the gods. When all religious rites had -been duly paid, the choicer parts of the meat were broiled in thin -slices over the fire, and eaten with wheat or barley bread. The flesh -of beeves and swine, or less commonly of sheep and goats, with bread -and wine, formed almost the sole diet of the Homeric heroes. - -When they had finished a copious repast, Nestor, who, despite his -eighty years, was as keen and alert as the youngest soldier, sprang -from his seat, and cried: "To arms, comrades, to arms! Agamemnon, bid -the heralds summon the host to the field." - -The King gave the order required, and forthwith the heralds, who were -chosen for the power and reach of their voices, went about in the camp, -and called the people to arms. Then every captain called his company -together, and led them to the place appointed for the general array. -And by degrees a strange fire spread from rank to rank, kindling in -every breast a fierce longing for battle. All softer emotions, all -homesick longings, were forgotten; for a mysterious influence was at -work, due to the unseen presence of Athene, who was there with her -wondrous, immortal shield, with its fringe of golden tassels. None -beheld her, but all felt her power, and the boldest grew bolder, and -the weakest were inspired with a valour not their own. - -Like a fire blazing among the thickets high up on a mountainside, so -blazed the sunlight on shield and helmet, as those countless thousands -poured forth into the plain of Scamander, and the earth shook beneath -the tramp of steeds and men. On and still on streamed the tide of -warriors, unnumbered as the leaves in spring, or as flies that buzz -round the milkpails on a sunny day, when the goats are milked by a -hundred hands. - -And as the shepherd numbers his sheep, for he knoweth them every one, -so moved the captains with mastery, each among his own people, and -marshalled them in their ranks. Conspicuous among all was seen the -majestic form of Agamemnon, to whom it seemed that every god had on -that day bestowed some peculiar grace, to make him the observed of all -observers, and give the world assurance of a king. - -But what tongue can count the myriads brought together by the word of -power on Scamander's plain, or what memory can hold the names of the -nations assembled there? All the chivalry of Greece had obeyed the -summons of the monarch, sent forth nine years before, and they had come -flocking in their thousands from the broad plains of Thessaly; from the -mountain dells of Locris and of Phocis; from the fat fields of -B[oe]otia; from Attica, with her thin soil and bright, pellucid air; -from Salamis, the mother of heroes; from storied Argos and renowned -Sparta; from the western islands, and from Creta, the cradle of gods. -It would be a weary task to tell over all the heroic titles in that -muster-roll of fame, but a few must be mentioned, as being the prime in -valour and in worth. - -From Locris came the lesser Ajax, son of Oileus. He was small of -stature, but swift of foot, and the most skilful spearsman among all -the Greeks. His greater namesake, Ajax, son of Telamon, and cousin to -Achilles, came from Salamis; he was a giant in stature and in strength, -and, next to Achilles, the greatest warrior in all the host. - -The ancient city of Tiryns in Argos, with its massy walls, built by a -mighty race in the very dawn of time, sent forth a goodly company in -eighty ships; and these were commanded by Diomede, son of Tydeus, a -gallant and youthful prince, whose deeds fill many a page in the tale -of Troy divine. And from the neighbouring city of Mycenae, the royal -seat of the line of Pelops, came Agamemnon himself, at whose imperial -nod whole nations flew to arms. His brother, Menelaus, the husband of -Helen, on whose account the war had arisen, brought sixty ships, manned -by the warriors of Sparta, of which city he was king. He was a mild -and gentle prince, and a zealous leader, though in valour and prowess -not of the first rank. - -Ninety ships formed the contingent led by Nestor, the aged King of -Pylos, the most venerable figure, and the wisest head, among all those -who fought in the cause of Helen. - -Of those who came from the islands the most famous were Odysseus, King -of Ithaca, the hero of another famous story, mighty in word and in -deed, and, after Nestor, the sagest counsellor in the Grecian camp; and -Idomeneus of Crete, a grey-haired veteran who had proved his valour on -many a hard-fought field. - -Among others singled out for special mention are Nireus, renowned for -his wonderful beauty, but otherwise a weakling; Philoctetes, now living -in lonely exile on the island of Lemnos, where he had been left by the -Greeks on account of a dreadful wound, which rendered his presence in -the camp unbearable, and Protesilaus, who had been the first to leap on -to the Trojan shore, and had been struck down by a Trojan in the very -act. - -These two were missing in the grand review of the forces which was now -held in anticipation of a victorious march upon Troy, and their places -were supplied by others. But there was one whose place none could -fill, and whose absence was soon to make itself felt in dire and deadly -fashion. Achilles sat idle in his tent, brooding over the insult which -he had received two weeks before. His ponderous spear, which none but -he could wield, was resting from slaughter, and his squires were -polishing the armour which he was not to wear that day. He started -when he heard the great shout of the Greeks, as the word was given to -march, and his heart burned with longing for battle; but remembering -his wrongs, he sank back in his seat, frowning darkly, and muttered the -single word "Revenge!" - - - - -Greeks and Trojans face to face: The Duel - -I - -Priam was sitting in council with all his elders before the doors of -his palace, when a messenger rushed breathless up with the tidings that -the Greeks were marching in full force against the city. Instantly the -meeting broke up, and the Trojan leaders, with Hector at their head, -set out with the whole body of native warriors and their allies to bar -the way of the invader. - -Halting before a solitary mound, the tomb of the Amazon Myrine, within -sight of the walls of Troy, they drew up their forces in order of -battle. The native Trojans, who fought under Hector, son of Priam, -formed the flower of the army; but in numbers they were far exceeded by -the troops which had assembled, at the call of Priam, from the adjacent -provinces and coastlands of western Asia--from Lydia, Mysia, -Paphlagonia, and far-off Lycia--from Sestos and Abydos and Thrace. -After Hector, the most famous leaders were AEneas, son of Anchises and -Aphrodite; Pandarus, unrivalled for his skill in archery; Paris, whose -crime had brought all these woes on his country, and above all the two -captains of the Lycians--Sarpedon, the son of Zeus, and Glaucus, the -most knightly figure among all the heroes of Greece and Troy. - -When the various members of that motley host had taken their appointed -stations, the defenders of Troy advanced with clamour and with tumult, -like flocks of cranes winging their way to the shores of the ocean -stream to make war on the Pygmies. Presently the van of the Greeks -came in sight, moving on in silence, like men with one mind and one -heart. - -Foremost among the Trojan champions was seen the gay and beautiful -Paris. He was clad in a panther's skin, over which hung his bow and -arrows, and besides these weapons, in the use of which he excelled, he -was armed with two long spears and a sword. Menelaus marked him as he -came on with long strides, and rejoiced in spirit, like a hungry lion -when he catches sight of his prey; and leaping down from his car he -advanced with uplifted spear to take vengeance on his treacherous foe. -But when Paris saw him coming his guilty heart quailed within him, and -he shrank back among the ranks of his comrades, like one who has -trodden on a snake while walking in a mountain glen. - -"Now curse on thy fair, false face!" cried Hector to his cowardly -brother, "thou carpet-knight, thou foul deceiver! Better for thee to -have died childless and unwed than thus to bring shame on thy father -and all thy kinsfolk and people. Thou art a fit foe for women, whom -thou beguilest with witchcraft of thy wit, and wicked gifts; but all -thy gifts--thy curling locks, thy smooth, white brow, thy sweet voice, -and cunning minstrelsy--avail thee naught when thou lookest upon the -face of a man. Verily the Trojans are as dastardly as thyself, or long -ere this thou wouldst have put on a doublet of stone[1] for all the -ills that thou hast wrought." - - -[1] That is, "Wouldst have been stoned to death." - - -"I have deserved thy rebuke," answered Paris. "Keen as the blade of an -axe, which bites deep into the heart of an oak, when wielded by a -sinewy arm, so is the keenness of thy spirit, and thou knowest not -fear. Nevertheless, mock me not for the lovely gifts of Aphrodite, for -the gifts of heaven are not to be despised. And if thou desirest me to -take up this quarrel with Menelaus thou hast thy wish. I will fight -against him hand to hand, and he who is victor shall be lord of Helen -and all her possessions. So shall the long strife have an end, and -peace shall dwell again within our borders." - -When Hector heard his brother's bold words he was glad, and gave the -word to make the Trojans sit down in their ranks. At first the Greeks -did not understand what was happening, and pressed onward to the attack -with a shower of stones and arrows; but Agamemnon soon perceived that -Hector had something to propose, and gave the signal for a general halt. - -Then Hector, standing midway between the two armies, made known the -offer of Paris, and asked for an armistice, that the two champions -might try the issue between them. All eyes were now turned on -Menelaus, who responded boldly to the challenge. "I am well content," -said he, "that this quarrel should be decided by the hands of us twain; -for it grieves my heart that so many should suffer for the sake of my -private wrong. Let two lambs be brought--a white ram as an offering to -the sun, and a black ram as an offering to the earth; and go some of -you to fetch Priam, that he may preside at the treaty. His sons we may -not trust, for they are hot-blooded and faithless; but an old man's -head is cool, and his eye looks before and after." - -Right pleased were both Greeks and Trojans when the order was sent -round to dismount from their cars and pile their arms; for they thought -that the end of their bitter feud was near. Two heralds were -despatched to bring down Priam from the city, and Agamemnon sent -another for a victim to be sacrificed on behalf of the Greeks. - - -II - -Helen was sitting in her chamber, weaving a fair tapestry, on which -were wrought the famous deeds done in her cause by Greek and Trojan -heroes, when her task was interrupted by the sudden entrance of her -kinswoman, Laodice, a daughter of Priam. "Make haste, dear sister," -said the lady, "come with me, and see the wonderful thing which has -been brought to pass. Greeks and Trojans are sitting down in amity -together, and Paris and Menelaus are to fight with long spears for the -mastery; and he that prevaileth shall call thee his wife." - -When she heard that, a great longing came into the heart of Helen for -her Spartan home and her former lord. With one tearful glance at the -speaker she rose from her seat, veiled her face, and made her way to -the high tower above the gate where Priam was sitting with the elders -of Troy. The shrill, piping voices[2] of the old men struck upon her -ears as she stepped out upon the turret; and when they saw her they put -their heads together, and whispered their admiration of her wondrous -loveliness. "How fair, how very fair she is!" murmured one -white-bearded veteran. "Is she not worthy to be the arbitress of life -and death to a whole generation of heroes! Nevertheless let her -depart, and breed no further mischief to us and our children." - - -[2] Compared by Homer to grasshoppers. - - -Then Priam called to her, and beckoned her with a courteous gesture to -take her place by his side. "Come hither, dear daughter," he said, -"where thou canst see thy former husband, and thy kinsfolk and friends. -I blame thee not at all because of this war which the gods have brought -upon me in mine old age. Now tell me," he continued, pointing with his -finger towards the Greek army, which lay in full view upon the plain, -"who is that stately man to whom all the other chieftains seem to pay -homage? Ne'er saw I one of so kingly a mien." - -"I dread thy presence, father," answered Helen, glancing in the -direction indicated, and then casting down her eyes. "I tremble before -thee, kind as thou art, for I feel all the wrong which I have done unto -thee and thine. And as touching him of whom thou askest, that is -Agamemnon, son of Atreus, lord of a wide empire, a righteous king, and -a valiant warrior. Once I called him brother," she added, with a sigh. - -"'Tis then as I thought," rejoined Priam, "for there is sovereignty in -his look. And who is he who stands next to Agamemnon, in stature less -than he, but broader of shoulder and deeper of chest? Methinks he is -like a stately ram, who stalks majestic before the flock as they go to -pasture." - -"That is Odysseus, son of Laertes," answered Helen, "bred in the rugged -isle of Ithaca. All Greece cannot show his equal in wisdom and -eloquence." - -"Lady," said Antenor, an elder of high rank. "herein thou hast spoken -the very truth. I entertained him of whom thou speakest as my guest -when he came hither on an embassy with Menelaus, and I heard them both -speaking before the assembly of the Trojans. When they stood up -together Menelaus was by far the taller; but when they were seated -there was greater dignity in Odysseus. Then as to eloquence, Odysseus -bore away the palm from all--though Menelaus spoke both fluently and to -the purpose. At first, when Odysseus rose to speak, we wondered to see -how ungracefully he stood, leaning heavily on his sceptre, with eyes -fixed upon the ground. He seemed a very churl, unskilled in all -courtesy and the arts of civil life. But when he lifted up his mighty -voice, and his words floated about us like the snowflakes of winter, we -knew that we were listening to a divinely gifted man." - -At Priam's request Helen named the other chieftains of the Greeks, Ajax -and Idomeneus, and the rest; and when the recital was ended she -remained gazing wistfully at the dense masses of fighting men who sat -waiting on the plain. "I cannot see them," she murmured sadly: "they -are not there." "Of whom speakest thou?" asked Priam. "Of Castor and -Polydeuces," she answered, "the bold rider, and the stout boxer, my own -brothers, born of the same mother with me. Perchance they sailed not -in the fleet to Troy, or perchance they have remained behind in the -camp, in sorrow for their sister's shame." - -[Illustration: Helen on the Walls of Troy. Lord Leighton. By -permission of Henry Graves & Co., Ltd.] - -Ah! Helen, thy brothers are lying where shame and sorrow can reach -them no more, sleeping in their quiet graves, in Lacedaemon, their -native land. - - -III - -While Priam was still conversing with Helen, a herald entered with the -startling news that his presence was required in the field, to settle -the conditions of the single combat between Paris and Menelaus. Some -natural pangs he felt, when he heard of the danger which threatened his -son. Nevertheless he set out at once, taking with him the victims -required for the sacrifice. When he came to the open space between the -two armies he found all things ready for the solemn rite. The chiefs -stood waiting in a circle, and in their midst was Agamemnon, who acted -as priest. The heralds mingled two portions of pure[3] wine in a bowl, -and poured water over the hands of the chieftains. Then Agamemnon drew -a sharp knife, which hung at his girdle by his ponderous sword, and -cutting off a few hairs from the foreheads of the victims gave them to -the heralds to distribute among the princes. When this was done, -amidst a general hush he uttered this solemn prayer: "Father Zeus, Lord -of Ida, most glorious, most mighty, ye rivers, and thou earth, and ye -dread powers beneath, who take vengeance after death on all those who -swear a false oath, be ye all the witnesses and guardians of our -treaty. If Paris slays Menelaus he shall keep Helen for his wife, with -all her goods; but should Paris fall Helen shall go back to Menelaus, -her lawful lord. Let the war be decided by the issue of this combat, -and Heaven defend the right!" Therewith he cut the throats of the -victims, and laid their quivering bodies on the ground. Then the -drink-offering was poured, with this awful imprecation on those who -should break the treaty: "If any man violate our sworn oath, may his -brains be poured out, even as this wine, and may his wife and children -be sold into bondage." - - -[3] In sacrifices pure wine was used; wine for drinking was always -mixed with water. - - -Priam now took his departure from the field, for he could not bear to -see his son in deadly combat with Menelaus. When he was gone, Hector -and Odysseus measured out the ground for the duel, and shook the lots -in a helmet, to see who should be the first to cast his spear; and the -lot fell on Paris. Meanwhile Paris was putting on his armour; for he -had come lightly equipped as an archer into the field. - -The two rivals took their stand on either side, clad in their brazen -harness, and armed with sword and spear. And first Paris cast his -spear, which struck upon the shield of Menelaus, and did him no harm. -Then Menelaus lifted up his spear, and murmured a prayer to Zeus: -"Grant me, O King, to take vengeance on him who brought dishonour on my -home, where he dwelt as my honoured guest." As he spoke, he flung his -good ashen spear, which clove its way through the shield of Paris, and -tore his tunic close to his side; but Paris swerved aside and escaped a -wound. Before he could recover himself Menelaus was upon him, sword in -hand, and struck him with all his force upon the helmet; but once more -fortune favoured the Trojan, for the blade was shivered on the ridge of -the helmet, and Menelaus grasped a useless hilt. "Curse on thee, -treacherous steel!" cried he, and, seizing Paris by the helmet, began -to drag him towards the ranks of the Greeks. This time he would have -succeeded, and taken his enemy captive, had not the strap which held -the helmet given way under the strain, so that the brazen headpiece -came away empty in his hand. - -Menelaus flung the helmet towards his friends, and picking up his spear -turned again upon his cowardly foe, with purpose to slay him. But -Paris was nowhere to be seen: an invisible hand had caught him up, and -carried him away from the righteous hand of the avenger. For -Aphrodite, the soft goddess of love, had been hovering near to protect -her favourite. She it was who had caused the helmet strap to break, -and now she saved him a second time, and bore him swiftly to his house -in Troy. There he was presently visited by the lovely Helen, who, -though she scorned him in her heart, was drawn thither by a fatal spell -which she could not resist; and in the sunshine of her smiles he soon -forgot dishonour and defeat. - -All this time Menelaus was raging about the field, like a tiger robbed -of his prey, and calling upon the Trojans to surrender the recreant to -his vengeance; and they would gladly have done so, if they had known -where to find him, for they hated him worse than death. And Agamemnon, -amid general applause, demanded the surrender of Helen, according to -the terms of the treaty. - - - - -The Breaking of the Truce - -I - -The gods were met in full assembly in their golden palace, pledging one -another in full cups of nectar, and looking down upon the great drama -which was being enacted on the plains of Troy. Then Zeus began to -speak, casting a sly glance at his fair consort, Hera: "Menelaus has -two stout backers among the gods, Hera, Queen of Argos, and Athene, -strong to defend. But they seem to have renounced his cause, for they -have suffered Aphrodite to steal away Paris when death stared him in -the face. 'Tis well, then, Menelaus has the victory, and naught -remains but to give back Helen, and put an end to the war." - -At this most unwelcome proposal Athene frowned angrily at her father, -but said nothing; Hera, however, could not contain her wrath, and -raised her voice in indignant protest: "Out upon thee, son of Cronos, -what a word hast thou spoken! Is this to be the end of all my toil and -my sweat, when I travelled without ceasing, until my steeds were -well-nigh foundered, to gather this host against Troy? Do as thou -wilt; but know this, that, if thou doest this thing, not one of us -shall praise thee, no, not one." - -"What strange passion possesses thee?" answered Zeus, in tones of -displeasure, "Why harbourest thou this deadly rancour against Priam and -the sons of Priam? Methinks thou couldst find it in thy heart to go -down into the city, and feast on the raw flesh of the men of Troy, -until thou hadst devoured them all. Howbeit, let there be peace among -us; I give thee leave to work thy will upon this king and his people; -only remember that I have yielded to thee in this, and when I am minded -to destroy some city which is dear to thee stand not thou in my way. -For I love the towers of holy Ilios, and they that dwell therein, for -they have paid me faithful worship, with meat-offering and with -drink-offering, with reverence and with prayer." - -"Take Argos," replied the impetuous Hera. "Take Sparta or Mycenae, the -three choicest jewels in my crown; burn, waste, and destroy them, if -such be thy pleasure. Only grant me this boon, and let me wreak my -fury upon Troy. If thou consentest to this, lay thy command upon thy -daughter, Athene, that she may go down among the Greeks and Trojans, -and make an end of this detested truce." - -Zeus nodded in token of approval, and Athene, who was only waiting for -the signal, shot down from Olympus like a falling star, and alighted in -the space between the two armies. Arrived there, she put on the form -of Laodocus, a noble Trojan youth, and went in search of Pandarus, a -famous bowman, and a favourite of the archer-god Apollo. And when she -had found him, she spake unto him in this wise: "Bold son of Lycaon, -art thou man enough to do a great deed, and win praise and reward from -all the Trojans, but especially from Paris? If thou art, take thine -arrows and thy bow, and aim a shaft at Menelaus, having first vowed a -vow to Apollo that when thou returnest to thy home among the rich -pastures of Ida, thou wilt offer him a sacrifice of lambs, the -firstlings of the flock." - -So spake Athene, tempting him; and he hearkened unto her in his folly, -and began to take the cover from his bow. It was a powerful weapon, -formed from the horns of a great ibex, which he himself had brought -down by a skilful shot long ago. The horns, each sixteen palms in -length, were set firmly in a solid bridge, and tipped at each end with -gold. Resting the lower end of the bow against his foot, he leaned -upon it, and strung it, and laying it down took off the lid of his -quiver, and selected an arrow. Then he took up the bow again, and set -the arrow on the string. His companions, who had been covering him -with their shields while he was making his preparations, now stepped -aside, and he, having made his vow to Apollo, lifted up his bow, drew -the arrow to his ear, and shot. The bow twanged loud and clear, and -the arrow leapt hissing towards the Grecian ranks. - -Then ill had it fared with thee, Menelaus, had not Athene been standing -at thy side, to guard thee from fatal hurt. And as a mother brushes a -fly from the face of her babe, lying in sweet slumber on her lap, so -Athene suffered not the arrow to reach any vital part, but guided it to -the place where the plates of his corslet met at his side. Through the -girdle pierced the shaft, through the brazen corslet, and through the -taslet which covered his loins; the point just grazed the surface of -his flesh, and the red blood began to flow, staining his thighs, and -trickling down to his ankles. - -When Agamemnon saw his brother wounded and bleeding, he ran to his -side, and taking him by the hand began to deplore the evil issue of -their treaty. "Must thy life pay the forfeit for the perjured men of -Troy, who have trampled our covenant underfoot? I know indeed that -vengeance will overtake them in the end from the hands of Zeus, whose -name they have taken in vain; yea, well I know that the day shall come -when holy Ilios shall fall, involved with all her people in one common -doom. But what will that avail, if I lose thee, my brother? My army -will desert me, for they cannot fight without a cause, and thou art the -cause which brought them hither. Troy's doom will be wrought by other -hands, and I shall go back to Argos, a beaten man, leaving thy bones to -rot in a foreign grave." - -"Speak not so loud," said Menelaus, when Agamemnon paused at last; -"thou wilt cause a panic in the army. There is no ground for alarm; -the wound is not deep. Send for Machaon, the skilled leech, that he -may draw out the arrow, and stanch the flow of blood." - -Then Agamemnon was comforted, and sent Talthybius the herald to bring -the leech, who was a son of Asclepius, the most famous physician of -those times. After some delay, Machaon came to the place where -Menelaus was standing, leaning on his brother's arm, and surrounded by -an anxious group of his friends. With firm but gentle hand the leech -drew out the arrow, and, removing the prince's armour, exposed the -wound to view. Then he applied healing herbs, and bade the patient be -of good cheer, for his hurt was but slight. - - -II - -The truce having been broken by the treacherous act of Pandarus, both -sides prepared for an immediate assault. Agamemnon, as soon as he was -assured that his brother was in no danger, summoned his chariot, and, -bidding the driver keep within call, went on foot up and down the ranks -of the Greeks, encouraging those whom he saw pressing forward to the -attack with promises of favour and reward, and upbraiding those who -hung back with taunts and rebukes. His heart rejoiced when he saw the -towering form of Ajax, who was hurrying to battle, followed close by a -stout troop of spearsmen, with shield pressing on shield, and bristling -spears. Near him was Idomeneus, the grizzled captain of the Cretans, -with his comrade, Meriones, at the head of a numerous and -well-appointed troop. And after these he came to the men of Nestor, -who were receiving instructions from their veteran leader how to bear -themselves in the battle. "Keep your ranks," he was saying, "and fight -shoulder to shoulder, the horsemen in the van, and the infantry ready -to support them behind. And let no one be carried away by his zeal to -engage singlehanded with the enemy, for union is strength, and weakness -comes of division." - -These were the foremost, but there were others, and among them some of -the most valiant leaders in the army, whose station was more remote, -and who had not yet heard of the breaking of the truce. One of these -was Diomede, and when Agamemnon found him standing inactive, he rebuked -him harshly, reminding him of his father's prowess, and calling him an -unworthy son. The young chieftain deigned no answer to the unmerited -reproach, but at once put his men in motion to join the encounter. - -The whole army was now advancing, rank pressing on rank, and column on -column, like the waves rushing landward along a wide-watered shore. -The Greeks came on in silence, broken only by the short, sharp words of -command; but the Trojans, whose army was made up of a motley throng of -many nations, rushed to the onset with multitudinous cries, like ewes -at milking-time in the folds of a wealthy sheep master, when they hear -the voices of their lambs. On the Trojan side was Ares, and on the -side of the Greeks stern-eyed Athene, with whom were seen Panic and -Flight, and insatiable Strife, who is small of stature at the beginning -of a fray, but grows and grows as the feud proceeds, until her head -presses against the sky as she stalks along the earth. - -Then the air was rent with a deafening crash, as the two armies met, -and shield was dashed against shield, and brazen armour was dinted by -spear and axe and sword. Shouts of triumph arose, and cries of -anguish, as the wild _melee_ swayed to and fro, and the ground ran with -blood. As two torrents descending from copious springs high up in the -mountains, and swollen high by winter rains, mingle their waters with a -roar at a place where two glens meet--such was the roar which went up -to heaven, at the conflict of those mailed hosts. - -Among the many victims of that bloody day, some are singled out for -especial mention. One of these was Simocisius, a tall and comely -youth, so named because he was born on the banks of the Simocis, when -his mother went to visit her parents on their farm. Ajax marked him as -he came on, and smote him in the breast with his spear; and down he -fell, like a tall poplar, which rears its stately height in a meadow by -the riverside, until it is hewn down by a wheelwright to make a felly -for a chariot; and there it lies seasoning on the banks of the stream. -So lay the young Simocisius, and Ajax stripped him of his armour. -While he was thus engaged, Antiphus, a son of Priam, flung a javelin at -him, but, missing him, struck down Leucus, a comrade of Odysseus, who -had laid hold of the corpse to hale it away. Odysseus was exceeding -wroth at the fall of his comrade, and stepping forward he flung his -spear, and smote Democoon, a natural son of Priam, in the temple. The -Trojan champions fell back before him, and the Greeks rushed forward -and gained possession of the dead. Apollo, who sat watching the battle -from the citadel of Troy, was indignant when he saw the Trojans give -ground, and shouted to them in a loud voice, crying: "Up, ye horsemen -of Troy, and fly not from these Greeks, for their flesh is not of stone -or of iron, to resist the thrust of your spears. Now is your time, -while Achilles is absent, chewing the cud of his ire among the ships." - -The Trojans rallied at the cry of the god, and the battle was resumed -with fresh fury on both sides. It was no child's play, no holiday -tilting, which was seen that morning on the Trojan plain, but the dire -and dreadful game of war, with Ares and Athene for players, and the -blood of heroes for the stakes. - - - - -The Exploits of Diomede - -I - -Agamemnon's taunts had sunk deep into the heart of Diomede, and he went -into battle with a stern resolve to vindicate his manhood in the eyes -of all Greece. A fierce light blazed from his helm and shield as he -rushed, like a living engine of destruction, into the thickest of the -fight. The first to feel the weight of his arm was a young Trojan -named Phegeus, son of Dares, a priest of Hephaestus. Mounted on the -same car with his brother Idaeus, he drove furiously at Diomede, who was -fighting on foot, and aimed a blow at him with his spear; but the -weapon went wide of the mark, and the next moment he rolled from his -car, pierced through the breast by the spear of Diomede. Idaeus sprang -to the ground and fled, leaving car and horses as a spoil to his -brother's slayer. - -While Diomede was disposing of his booty, the Greeks pursued their -advantage, and there was not a chieftain of name among them who failed -to slay his man. Then fell Scamandrius, a famous Trojan hunter, and -the favourite of Artemis, pierced in the back by the spear of Menelaus, -and Phericlus, whose father, Tecton, had built the fatal ships which -bore Paris and his retinue to Greece, and many more, of whose names -there is no record. - -Back to the field came Diomede, sweeping all before him like a river in -flood, which breaks down dyke and dam, and covers the smiling fields -with ruin. So impetuous were his movements as he darted to and fro in -pursuit of the flying Trojans, that it was hard to see on which side he -fought; but, wherever he passed, his path was strewn with Trojan dead. - -At last he received a check from Pandarus, the archer whose treacherous -hand had broken the truce an hour or two before. Watching him from a -safe distance, Pandarus shot an arrow, which pierced clean through -Diomede's right shoulder, staining his corslet with blood. Loud was -the joy of Pandarus when he saw the success of his archery: "Turn -again," he shouted, "ye horsemen of Troy! Back to the fray, every one! -The bravest of the Greeks is wounded unto death." - -The boast of Pandarus was premature, for the wound was not severe, -though sufficient to disable the hero's arm for the moment. Diomede -drew back out of the press, and with the assistance of Sthenelus, his -charioteer, drew out the arrow which was galling his shoulder. Then he -stood apart and prayed to Athene, the patron goddess of his mighty -father, Tydeus. And she heard him, and came and stood before him in -all her divine majesty, and said: "Take heart, son of Tydeus, for I am -ever near thee, and I have put into thy heart all the valour of thy -sire. And I have taken from thine eyes the darkness which before lay -upon them, that thou mayest look upon the gods and know them, face to -face.[1] If thou seest any of the other gods, avoid them, and presume -not to fight against the children of heaven; but if Aphrodite, Jove's -froward daughter, comes into the battle, have at her, and strike, and -fear nothing." - - -[1] Compare "Stories from the AEneid," p. 18. - - -Athene vanished as she spoke, but Diomede felt her influence working -powerfully within him, and in an instant the flow of his blood was -stanched, and he felt no more pain from his wound. Then like a lion -who has been grazed by the shepherd's spear as he leaps into a lonely -sheepfold, and is but provoked to new rage by that slight wound, so -that he falls upon the helpless flock, and gluts himself with carnage, -while the shepherd cowers away in terror--so Diomede returned with new -fury to the slaughter, and drove the Trojans in rout before him. Like -hammer on anvil, so rained his strokes among the ranks of the foe. -With one blow he sent his spear through the breast of a tall Trojan; -with the next his keen falchion shore oft the arm and shoulder of -another. Leaving these where they lay, he went in pursuit of Abas and -Polyidus, the sons of Eurydamas, a famous seer and interpreter of -dreams. Often had they listened to their father's lore, and brought -their dreams to him to expound unto them. But the worst dream they -ever had now came upon them; and when they awoke they were on the banks -of the Styx. Yet another Trojan father had cause to mourn that -day--Phaenops, a man of wealth, who sent two sons, the children of his -old age, to the war. But never again did his aged eyes brighten to -behold the face of his children, and all his wealth was divided among -strangers. - -When AEneas observed the havoc which was wrought by the arm of Diomede -he went to Pandarus, and said to him: "Where is thy boasted skill in -archery, that thou sufferest this man to hew down our ranks, and never -liftest thy bow against him? Come, shoot me an arrow at the breast of -Diomede, and first utter a prayer to Zeus, that we may know if the gods -are indeed against us." - -"If that be Diomede," answered Pandarus, "there is something divine in -this frenzy of his; methinks he is some god, who has put on the -likeness of Diomede. But now, I aimed an arrow at him, and struck him -fairly in the right shoulder. I thought that he was already a -passenger to Hades, but, lo! he comes forth stronger and more terrible -than before. In an evil hour I took my bow from the wall, when I came -to fight on the side of Priam; and I hearkened not to my father's words -when he bade me fight like the rest with chariot and with horses, -whereof he had goodly store. Twice have I drawn my bow this day -against the noblest of the Greeks, Menelaus, and Diomede, and struck -them fair, and made their blood to flow; but it hath naught availed. -If ever I get safely home again, I will offer my head to be severed -from my shoulders by the meanest churl, if I do not break this accursed -bow of mine in pieces, and burn it with fire." - -"This is idle talk," answered AEneas. "We must meet this man face to -face and hand to hand if we would stay his fury. Come, mount my car -with me, that thou mayest see of what mettle are these steeds of mine, -unrivalled in flight or in pursuit. If thou wilt, take the reins, and -I will stand by thy side to wield the spear; or if thou preferrest it, -I will drive and thou shalt fight." - -"Drive thou," replied Pandarus, mounting by the side of AEneas, "so that -if there be need of hasty flight, the steeds may not fail us, knowing -their master's hand." "Thou sayest well," said AEneas, and, lashing the -horses to a gallop, drove rapidly towards the place where Diomede was -fighting. - -"Back, Diomede!" shouted Sthenelus, in alarm, when he saw them -approaching. "I see two mighty men coming against us--Pandarus, son of -Lycaon, and AEneas, whose mother is the goddess Aphrodite. Mount the -car, and let us retreat." - -"How darest thou name retreat to me," answered Diomede sternly, "I -scorn thy counsels, and will go to meet these champions even as I am, -on foot; both of them shall not return alive. And now mark my words, -and do as I shall bid thee: if these twain fall beneath my spear, leave -thou the horses which thou art driving, and, having mounted the car of -AEneas, drive with all speed to the rear. For these steeds are of blood -divine, descended from those which Zeus gave unto Tros as a recompense -for the loss of Ganymede his son. If we can capture them it will be a -splendid prize." - -So saying, he turned to meet the Trojan chieftains, who were now close -at hand. Pandarus held his weapon ready poised, and when he came -within throwing distance he cast his lance, crying: "Take that, bold -son of Tydeus! Perchance I shall have better luck with the spear." -The weighty spear, thrown by no feeble hand, pierced through the shield -of Diomede, and struck against his breastplate, but there stopped -short, without inflicting a wound. "Thou hast no luck to-day, Sir -Pandarus," said Diomede, smiling grimly. "Now see how thou likest the -taste of Grecian steel," and as he spoke he hurled with all his force, -right in the face of Pandarus. The keen point struck him just beneath -the eye, and passing downwards clove through his tongue at the root, -and came out under his chin; and the false Trojan fell with a crash on -the plain, and died as he fell. - -AEneas had now but one thought--to save his comrade's body from outrage -at the hands of the Greeks; for it was the cruel custom of those days -to mutilate the bodies of slaughtered enemies. Valiantly he took his -stand, bestriding the fallen Pandarus, holding his shield before him, -and armed with two spears. But Diomede picked up a huge stone, and -flung it at AEneas; and the jagged missile struck him on the hip, just -at the socket of the thigh, bruising the sinews and lacerating the -flesh. AEneas sank down on one knee, sick and giddy with the pain of -that dreadful blow; and that would have been his last hour had not his -goddess mother perceived his evil plight, and come to her son's relief. -Swiftly she flew to the place where he lay, and, throwing her white -arms about him, bore him from the field, covered by the folds of her -robe. - -Sthenelus had not forgotten his friend's command, and as soon as he saw -the car of AEneas deserted he made fast the reins of his own steeds to -the chariot rim, and mounting the Trojan car drove at a gallop towards -the rear. Meeting a comrade he gave the captured chariot into his -charge, and returned with all speed to the support of Diomede, who was -in hot pursuit of the tender goddess and her wounded son. Presently he -caught her in the midst of the press, and, thrusting with his spear, -wounded her on the hand, in the thick part of the thumb. The ichor[2] -flowed forth in a purple stream, and stained her immortal vestments, -wrought for her by the Graces; and with a loud shriek she let fall her -son, who was picked up and borne to a place of safety by Apollo. - - -[2] The blood of the gods was so called. - - -"Hast thou had enough of war, daughter of Zeus?" shouted Diomede as she -fled; "go and make war on cowardly women--they are thy proper prey." - - -II - -The beautiful, tender goddess of love, who was a stranger to wounds and -pain, was found by Iris wandering about the battlefield in a distracted -state, with livid face and shaking limbs. Iris took her by the hand, -and brought her to the place where Ares was sitting, outside the roar -and tumult of battle. When she saw her brother, Aphrodite fell on her -knees before him, and begged him to lend her his car, and Ares having -readily consented, she mounted the golden chariot with Iris, and was -driven through the air till she came to Olympus. There she sought her -mother Dione, who received her with sweet words of comfort, and asked -who had handled her so roughly? "It was that unmannerly Greek, the son -of Tydeus," answered Aphrodite pettishly, "for the Greeks have left off -butchering the Trojans, and are making war on the gods." - -"Take heart, my child," said Dione, "and be not overmuch dismayed, for -many of us, the children of heaven, have suffered at the hands of -mortals, for whose sake we afflict one another. Ares was bound and -held captive by the giant sons of Aloeus, and would have perished in -his bonds, had not Hermes stolen him away. Hera was wounded in the -breast with an arrow by Hercules; and Hades came groaning to Olympus, -hurt in the shoulder by the same presumptuous hand. And thou hast -suffered through the spite of Athene, who set on the son of Tydeus to -assail thee. Rash fool! He knows not that he who fights with gods is -doomed to an early grave. Let him take heed lest the young wife whom -he left at home in Argos be made a widow untimely, and rouse her -household at dead of night, weeping and wailing for her fallen lord." - -Then she laid a healing finger on her daughter's wound, and the hand -was made whole, and the bitter pangs were stilled. Athene had been -watching the scene, and now she said mockingly to her father: "Be not -wroth, dread sire, at what I shall say! Surely Aphrodite hath been -seeking to beguile some Grecian dame on behalf of her darling Trojans, -and amidst her soft caresses has scratched her slender hand on the pin -of the lady's brooch." - -Zeus smiled at his daughter's words, and calling Aphrodite to him he -took her in his fatherly arms and said: "Not for thee, my child, are -wars and fightings; leave these to Ares and Athene, and keep to thine -own province of love and marriage." - - -III - -When Diomede saw his prey snatched from him a second time he was very -wroth, and followed close on Apollo, who was bearing AEneas towards the -city. Three times he sprang upon the god, and three times Apollo -hurled him back; and he was preparing to make a fourth assault, when -Apollo rebuked him sternly, and bade him stand off. Remembering the -words of Athene, who had warned him not to meddle with any other god -save Aphrodite, Diomede drew back, and AEneas was carried in safety to -the shelter of the citadel. - -Apollo was highly incensed at the presumption of Diomede, and leaving -AEneas in good hands he hastened back to the battlefield, and roused -Ares to take up the cause of insulted heaven, and chastise the impious -man who twice that day had pointed his weapon against the person of a -god. Ares readily took up the challenge, and putting on the likeness -of a Trojan he flung himself in the path of the panic-stricken -fugitives, shouting: "Where are the sons of Priam, and why suffer they -the people to be slaughtered like sheep?" - -"Hearest thou what he saith?" cried Sarpedon, the giant leader of the -Lycians, to Hector, who had been dismayed, like the rest, by the -prowess of Diomede. "What art thou doing, thou and thy brethren, that -ye leave the brunt of battle to be borne by your allies? Have we not -left home and country, our wives and our little ones, to pour out our -blood in defence of thy city?--and wilt thou not play thy part, when -honour and duty call thee--when the very stones of thy streets cry -aloud to thee to be the first in the onset, the last to retreat?" - -Stung by Sarpedon's reproaches, Hector leapt from his car, and exerted -all his authority to rally the flying Trojans. By his efforts the -flight was checked, and the Trojans wheeled their chariots and returned -to the charge. The ranks of the Greeks grew white from the clouds of -dust thrown up by their chariot wheels as they came on like a -whirlwind, with Ares in their van. Presently, to the equal delight and -amazement of the Trojans, the princely form of AEneas was seen -glittering among the foremost champions; and his step was as light, and -his arm as firm, as when the fight began. They would have learnt, if -they had asked, that this was the work of Apollo; but they had no time -to question him, for by this time the storm of battle was raging with -redoubled fury. - -Like clouds which lie heavy on the mountain-tops, when all the winds -are sleeping, so steadfast stood the Greeks to abide the shock of that -charge. And Agamemnon strode up and down the armed files, crying as he -passed: "Stand firm, and play the man! Before you lies the path of -honour, but behind is shame and defeat." - -Long the contest swayed to and fro with doubtful issue, and many a -Greek, and many a Trojan, named or unnamed, received the wages of the -sword. At last Diomede, whose vision had been purged by Athene, -recognised Ares under his disguise; then even he began to lose heart, -and cried out to the Greeks: "We must retreat! Ares is fighting -against us. Fall back upon the ships, keeping your faces to the foe." -And slowly, step by step, disputing every inch of ground, the Greeks -began to retire. - -Hitherto Hera and Athene had remained inactive spectators of the -struggle: but when they saw that the tide of battle had turned they -resolved to make a vigorous stand against the victorious career of -Ares. With her own hand Hera harnessed the steeds to her royal car, -which was the work of no mortal artist, with its brazen wheels and axle -of iron. The body of the car was cunningly wrought with bands of gold -and silver; the pole was a solid bar of silver, and the yoke was of -gold. Meanwhile Athene was arming herself for the conflict. First she -put on a coat of mail, not to be pierced by any mortal weapon; on her -head she placed a helmet, glittering with symbols of war and death; -then she grasped her shield, the immortal aegis, of "ethereal temper, -massy, large, and round," on which were pictured Panic and Strife, -Defence and Pursuit, and all the dread powers whose realm is the -battlefield; and in the midst glared the Gorgon's head, with its awful -eyes, which freeze the blood and paralyse the limbs. - -Having asked and obtained permission of Zeus, they mounted the car, -Hera guiding the fiery coursers of heaven, and Athene standing, spear -in hand, at her side. In another moment they drew up before the cloudy -portals of Olympus, which are given in charge of the mystic Daughters -of Time, to open and to shut. Wide flew the gates, with muttered roar, -at the summons of the queen of heaven; and forth they leapt into the -void and cavernous vault of air. Far as a man can see into the dim -distance, when he stands on some skyey peak and gazes across the purple -sea--so wide is the space traversed by the heavenly steeds at a single -stride. - -When they came to the place where Simoeis and Scamander mingle their -waters in one stream, they drew up their car, and dismounted, leaving -the steeds in charge of the river-god Simoeis, whose banks put forth -ambrosial herbs for them to feed upon. Then, walking delicately, like -a pair of doves,[3] but with no tender thoughts in their breasts, they -went and joined the ranks of the Greeks, where they stood at bay round -Diomede, like boars or lions hard pressed by the hunters. Standing in -their midst, Hera took the form and the voice of Stentor, whose shout -was as the shout of fifty men. "Shame on you, ye Greeks!" she -thundered. "As long as Achilles fought among you, the Trojans never -ventured beyond their gates; but now they are fighting at the very -confines of your camp." - - -[3] I have preserved the language of the original, which seems to have -a touch of irony. - - -Diomede had drawn back from the fighting-line, for his arm was lamed by -the wound which he had received from Pandarus, which now began to -stiffen and grow painful. In this state he was found by Athene, just -as he was lifting up his shield strap to wipe away the blood from his -shoulder. Laying her hand on the yoke of his car she said: "The son of -Tydeus is most unlike his sire, who was little of stature, but mighty -of heart. With him I needed the curb to restrain his fiery spirit, -which prompted him to fight against any odds. But thy sluggish nature -ever wants the goad. Say, art thou weary, or art thou afraid?" - -"It is not fear that has made me shrink," answered Diomede. "I am but -obeying thy behest, when thou forbadest me to resist any god, save only -Aphrodite. And thou seest Ares is lending aid to the Greeks." - -"Fear neither Ares, nor any other god," replied Athene. "Mount thou -thy car with me, and thou shalt see whether this turncoat, this fickle, -furious, bloodthirsty god of war, will brook thy onset when I am by thy -side. - -Thereupon she thrust down Sthenelus from the chariot, and taking his -place beckoned to Diomede to mount with her. Diomede obeyed, and the -beechen axle groaned beneath the weight of the hero and the goddess. -Athene plied the lash, and drove straight at Ares, who was stooping to -strip off the armour of a Greek champion whom he had just slain with -his own hand. The goddess had put on the helmet of Hades, which made -her invisible to the eyes of Ares; and he, when he saw Diomede coming -against him, left off stripping the corpse, and charged with levelled -spear. But Athene caught the weapon by the shaft, and turned the point -aside. Then Diomede thrust at Ares with his spear, Athene aiding him, -and wounded him in the side. And as the roar of ten thousand men in -the full fury of battle, so was the roar of Ares when he felt that -wound. - -Like a heavy thundercloud, which hangs black and threatening when -heaven is overcast, and a storm is brewing on a sultry day, such -appeared the giant form of Ares as he fled darkling across the sky to -Olympus; and when he reached the seat of the gods he sat down near -Zeus, his father, and showed him the immortal blood flowing from his -wound. "What thinkest thou," he said, speaking in a pitiful voice, "of -these deeds of violence? Thou art the author of this wound; for it is -thy weak indulgence which makes thy daughter, Athene, so violent and -unruly. Nothing but the speed of my feet saved me from worse outrage." - -But the injured Ares found scant sympathy from his father. "Come not -to me," he said sternly, "with thy whining complaints. Blame thy -mother for what thou hast suffered; for to her thou owest the froward -temper which makes thee the most hateful to me of all my children. -Nevertheless I will not leave thee in pain, for thou art my son, the -child of my wedded love. Were it not so, I would have found thee a -place in the dungeons where the Titans groan." Then he laid his -commands upon Paean, the god of healing, who sprinkled powerful remedies -on the wound, which gave instant relief. Swift as is the action of the -fig-juice when it falls with eager droppings[4] into milk, and turns it -to curd, so quickly closed the wound under the skilful hands of Paean. -And when he had bathed, Ares sat down, hale and whole, by his father's -side. - - -[4] Used as rennet. "Eager droppings" is from Hamlet. - - - - -The Battle Continued: Hector and Andromache - -I - -Having driven Ares from the field, Hera and Athene returned to Olympus, -leaving the battle to be decided by human strength and valour. Soon -the numbers and prowess of the Greeks began to prevail, and the Trojans -were gradually forced back towards their walls. At this critical -moment Hector, who hitherto had played but a secondary part in the -battle, was suddenly inspired with almost superhuman courage and -energy, and by his example the Trojans were saved from a general rout. -Having allayed the panic, he left the other leaders to make head -against the enemy, and went himself into the city, with the purpose of -ordering a general sacrifice and supplication, to avert the anger of -Athene. - -Both armies were growing weary of the long struggle, and during -Hector's absence the work of slaughter ceased for a time by mutual -consent. Diomede alone kept the field, and stalked about in the space -between the two armies, eyeing the ranks of the Trojans, and seeking -for a foeman worthy of his steel. Glaucus, the Lycian captain, marked -his defiant attitude, and strode forward undaunted to the encounter. -When they were met in the middle of the plain, Diomede accosted him -with haughty mien, and said: "Who art thou, bold sir, that hast dared -to match thyself with me? Unhappy are the parents whose sons affront -my might.[1] If thou be a god, I will not meddle with thee, for I fear -to lift my hand again to fight with the sons of heaven. But if thou -art of the race of men, that live by bread, come on, and I will give -thee to thy doom. But first tell me thy name and thy race." - - -[1] "And with their darkness durst _affront_ his light."--Milton, -_P.L._ i. - - -"Valiant son of Tydeus," answered Glaucus, "why askest thou my race? -As the leaves which clothe the woods in spring, to be scattered by -autumn winds, such are the generations of men: one riseth up, and -another is passing away. Nevertheless, if thou desirest to know my -race, know that I am sprung from the line of Sisyphus, through my -grandsire Bellerophon, who came as an exile to Lycia, banished from his -native Corinth by a woman's spite. For, while he was dwelling as a -guest in the house of Pr[oe]tus, King of Corinth, the Queen Anteia -poisoned her husband's ears against him, because he had refused to be -her partner in crime, and Pr[oe]tus believed her lying tale, and sought -opportunity to destroy Bellerophon. So he sent him on an embassy to -the King of Lycia, the father of Anteia, and gave him a sealed packet -to take with him. Bellerophon set sail, and after a fair voyage he -landed in Lycia, and went up to the palace of the King. Then for nine -days the King made good cheer, and invited the highest in the land to -meet his noble guest; and on the tenth day he asked concerning the -business which had brought him to Lycia. Bellerophon gave him the -packet, and he opened it privately, and found within it a folded -tablet, whereon were written these words: _Bellerophon is a traitor, -and hath sought to bring dishonour on our house: he must die_. - -"When he had read the message from his son-in-law the King was wroth, -and devised means to compass Bellerophon's death. First, he bade him -slay the Chimaera, a dreadful monster, with the head of a lion, the body -of a goat, and a long coiling tail like a vast serpent. The gods -helped Bellerophon to slay this monster, and the King then sent him to -fight against the Solymi, a fierce and warlike tribe. But neither they -nor the Amazons, with whom also the King bade him fight, could work any -mischief on that valiant champion. Yet a fourth time the King tried to -take his life, and sent an ambush of picked men to slay him by -treachery on his way back to Lycia; and Bellerophon killed them all. - -"Being now assured that his guest was the favourite of heaven, the King -retained him in his house as an honoured guest, and gave him his -daughter to wife; and he received a fair appanage of cornland and -vineyard, and three children were born to him, one of whom, -Hippolochus, is my father. Thus have I told thee my lineage and my -race." - -Diomede had listened with deep attention to the Lycian chieftain's -story, and when he had heard him to the end he came forward with -outstretched hands and cordial words of greeting: "Thou art a friend," -he said, "of my father's house, for [OE]neus, my grandsire, long ago -welcomed Bellerophon as his guest, and entertained him for many days. -I have still among my treasures a golden cup which Bellerophon gave to -his host as a parting gift. Therefore let us remember the ancient tie -which connects our families, and avoid each other's spears when we meet -in the press of battle. And let us now change armour, that all these -may know that we are friends, both we and our fathers." - -So for a while that knightly pair stood with hand clasped in hand, and -gazed into each other's faces with eyes of kindness, joined for a few -brief moments by an ancient tie of amity, but soon to be parted by -national feud. Then Glaucus took off his golden armour, and gave it to -Diomede, without grudging, though he received in exchange armour of -brass. - - -II - -We must now follow Hector on his errand of piety to the town. As he -entered the gates, an anxious crowd of Trojan women pressed round him, -with eager questions about brothers, husbands, or sons. He put them -gently aside, bidding them pray to the gods, and made his way through -the streets until he came to the vast pile of the royal palace, where -dwelt Priam and his fifty sons and twelve daughters, with their wives -and husbands. Hecuba, his mother, saw him coming, and hastened to meet -him, taking with her Laodice, the fairest of her daughters. "What has -brought thee hither, my son?" said she, holding his hand, "is it that -the Trojans are hard pressed by the Greeks, and thy spirit moved thee -to go up to Jove's holy temple and pray? Wait awhile, till I bring -thee a cup of wine, that thou mayest pour a drink-offering and then -take a comfortable draught, to refresh thee after thy sore toils." - -"I will drink no wine, mother," answered Hector, "lest I dull my -spirit, and unnerve mine arm. Neither may I pour a drink-offering with -hands defiled by blood and the soil of battle. But go thou to the -temple of Athene, thou and the venerable mothers of Troy, and take with -thee a robe, the largest and the most precious which thou hast, that -thou mayest lay it on the knees of the goddess, as an offering meet for -her. Do this, and vow a sacrifice of twelve yearling heifers that have -never felt the goad, if so be that she will take pity on us and our -wives and little ones, and save us from the fury of Diomede. As for -me, I go to find Paris, and rouse him to play a man's part among the -defenders of Troy." - -Having despatched his mother on that bootless errand, Hector went to -visit Paris in his luxurious home, which was built on the same hill -where stood the palace of Priam. Clad in all his brazen mail, and -carrying in his hand a spear eleven cubits long, he crossed the -threshold, and passed on to Helen's bower, where Paris was sitting, -with his armour strewn around him, fitting new feathers to his arrows. -The great warrior stood awhile, gazing in silence at his unworthy -brother; then smiling bitterly he said: "I perceive that thou art wroth -with thy poor countrymen seeing that thou leavest them to perish, while -thou art dallying here. Rouse thee, Paris," he added, changing his -tone; "the flames of war, which thou hast kindled, are blazing round -our walls. Shake off this unmanly sloth, and play the man for once." - -"Hector, I feel the justice of thy reproaches," answered Paris. "But -it was sorrow, not anger, that kept me in my chamber. But away with -regrets! My turn will come, and I am resolved to go back to the -battle, urged thereto both by Helen's entreaties and by thy biting -words. Wait while I don my armour--or go thou first, and I will -overtake thee." - -Hector turned to go, without answering a word; but Helen, who was -present with her handmaids, laid her hand upon his arm, and said: -"Leave me not thus, dear brother! Kill me not by thine accusing -silence! Unhappy that I am, the sport and victim of evil powers, given -over to perdition from my birth! And if I needs must sin, could I not -at least have sinned for a man, and not have wrecked my life for a -caitiff like this, without conscience, without heart? But sit thee -down, Hector, and rest awhile, for on thee lies heaviest the burden -which has been laid upon thy city for my sake, and for the sake of -Paris, an ill-starred pair, whose evil fate shall be a theme of song in -days to come." - -"Seek not to detain me, Helen," answered Hector gently; "my duty calls -me hence, and I must join my faithful comrades, whom I left in the toil -and heat of the fray. Thither am I bound, when I have taken one -look--it may be for the very last time--at my house, and my wife, and -my little child. Look thou that Paris keeps his word, and joins me -before I quit the town." - -With hasty step Hector left the house, and went to his own home, which -was close by. Learning there from a handmaid that Andromache had gone -with her child and his nurse to watch the battle from the tower of the -citadel, he went back to look for her there. As he ascended the steep -path which led to the tower, the quick ear of Andromache recognised his -footstep, and she ran to meet him, followed by the nurse, who carried -the little Astyanax, a lovely boy, fair as the morning star, the sweet -pledge of their wedded love. She clasped her husband's hand, and said, -with a look of fond reproach in her tearful eyes: "Rash man, it will be -thine undoing, this hardy spirit of thine! At thee every spear is -pointed, when thou goest into battle, and soon, very soon, the Greeks -will take thy life. Then who shall be my defender, and who shall guard -thy child, when thou art gone? I shall be left alone in the world, for -all my kith and kin have perished. My father, Eetion, was slain by -Achilles, when he sacked my native city, the stately town of Thebes; -and his tomb lies in the shadow of a fair grove of elms, planted there -by the nymphs to do him honour. Seven brothers I had, who grew up with -me in my home; and they were slain by Achilles in a cattle raid, and -one grave received them all. My mother Achilles released for gold, and -she went back to her father's house; but she also is no more, slain by -the gentle shafts of Artemis. - -[Illustration: Hector's Farewell. Friedrich Preller, Jr. By -permission of F. Bruckmann, Munich] - -"Hector, thou art my father, my mother, my brother, my husband, my -life, my all! Leave me not to perish in lonely widowhood with a -fatherless child. Call the people within the walls, and fight no more -in the open plain. Why wilt thou hazard thy life against such fearful -odds?" - -"Dear love, it cannot be," answered Hector sadly; "what would my -brethren say, if I bade them skulk like cowards behind their walls? -No; I must go where honour calls me, though I know that Troy is doomed -with all her sons. Yea, the day shall dawn when temple and tower shall -go down, and these streets shall run with Trojan blood. Then many a -noble dame shall be led away captive, and among them--bitter, bitter -thought!--thou shalt go, to eat the hard bread of bondage, and do -menial service under a haughty mistress. Methinks I see thee, stooping -under thy burden, as thou bearest water from some Grecian spring, while -men point the finger at thee, and cry in scorn: 'Hail, Andromache, wife -of Hector, Troy's bravest champion!' May death overtake me, and hide -me deep in darkness and the grave, before ever I see thee dragged into -slavery by ruffian hands." - -A long silence followed, broken only by the sobs of Andromache, who was -overpowered by the dreadful picture conjured up by her husband's words. -At last Hector beckoned to the nurse, who had been standing a little -apart, to bring him the child, and stretched out his arms to receive -him; but the little one clung crying to his nurse's breast, affrighted -by the brazen helmet and its nodding plume. His father and mother -exchanged a loving smile, and Hector removed his helmet, and, laying it -on the ground, took the boy in his arms, kissed him, and fondled him, -and then put up this prayer to heaven: "Father Zeus, and all ye gods, -grant that this, my child, may be strong and valiant in fight, even as -I am, and win him honour among the Trojans; and may his mother's heart -be glad when he comes back from the war laden with the spoils of the -foe." - -Then he gave the child to his mother, who pressed him to her bosom with -a tearful smile. "Now I must leave thee," he said, with a tender -gesture: "and mourn not overmuch for me. I shall not die before my -day: every man has his appointed time, be he noble or base. Thou hast -thy tasks, I mine; let us both play our part bravely, and leave the -rest to heaven." - -With many a pause and many a backward glance Andromache left him, and -went back to her house, with her heart full of sad foreboding. When -she was gone, Hector remained standing for awhile, lost in sorrowful -thought. He was about to turn away when he heard the clatter of -hurrying feet, and Paris came running up, glittering in his -new-burnished armour, and tossing his plume, like some wanton, -stall-fed steed. For he was a stout fellow, though a coward at heart, -and was full of vigour and animal spirits after his long rest. "Who is -the laggard now?" cried the gay holiday soldier, with a loud laugh. -"Art thou ready to go, or shall I wait for thee awhile?" - -"Forget my harsh words," answered Hector mildly. "I was vexed on thy -account, when I saw thee hanging back, and heard the Trojans speak evil -of thee. Let us forget our quarrels, and fight side by side for hearth -and home; perhaps we may yet live to see happier days." - - - - -Second Battle: Repulse of the Greeks - -I - -The result of the first day's fighting had been all in favour of the -Greeks, but, as many had fallen on both sides, a truce was made by -mutual consent for the next day, to enable both armies to bury their -dead. By the advice of Nestor the Greeks dug a trench and threw up a -rampart for the defence of their camp, and by the zealous labour of -that vast multitude the work was finished on the same night. - -Zeus had not forgotten his promise to Thetis, and on the morning of the -third day he summoned all the gods to council, and thus declared his -will: "Hear me, all ye gods and goddesses, and let none dare to cross -my purpose. I forbid any among you to take part in the battle to-day, -and if any disobey me I will take him and fling him into Tartarus, the -black and gloomy pit, as far beneath Hades as heaven is above the -earth. Then shall ye learn how much mightier am I than ye all -together." - -Without waiting for question or reply, the lord of Olympus mounted his -car, and swept along his airy road until he came to the mountain-range -of Ida, overlooking the Trojan plain. There he halted and took his -station on Mount Gargarus, the highest peak of Ida, from which he had a -complete view of Troy and the Grecian camp. - -Forth sallied the rival hosts, and soon the clash of arms rang through -the cool morning air, as Greek grappled with Trojan in deadly conflict. -All through the long hours, until noon, the issue remained doubtful; -but when the sun stood at the zenith Zeus lifted a pair of golden -scales, and weighed the fates of Greeks and Trojans; and the scale -which held the fate of the Greeks sank down, heavy with defeat and -disaster. Then Zeus thundered with a mighty peal from Ida, and hurled -his bolt among the thronging ranks of the Greeks; and they were sore -amazed, and pale Fear gat hold of them. Not one among them dared to -stand his ground, neither Ajax, nor Idomeneus, nor Agamemnon himself. -Only Nestor lagged behind, for he was hindered by the fall of one of -his horses, which had been pierced through the brain by Paris with an -arrow. Nestor sprang down, and began cutting through the traces with -his sword; and while he was thus engaged, Hector came thundering past -in hot pursuit of the Greeks, and seeing Nestor's plight turned aside -to slay him. Diomede saw the old man's danger, and lashing his horses -to a gallop drove instantly to his aid. "Mount, mount," he cried, -"with me, and leave to my squires these sorry steeds of thine. Take -thou the reins, and we will see if we can check the onset of the -Trojans, and arrest Hector's destroying arm." - -Nestor was not slow to obey the summons, and mounting by the side of -Diomede he drove straight at Hector. Then Diomede flung his spear, and -struck down Hector's charioteer, and, pursuing his advantage, he fell -fiercely on the broken columns of the Trojans, scattered in wild -pursuit of the enemy. Already the Greeks were beginning to rally, when -Zeus hurled a second bolt, which crashed down before the feet of the -horses of Diomede. "We must fly," said Nestor; "heaven is against us," -and wheeling the affrighted steeds he followed the main body of the -Greeks, who were now in full retreat towards the ships. That was a -bitter moment for the gallant Diomede, when he heard the exulting voice -of Hector, calling him coward, minion, woman. But peal after peal came -from the frowning peak of Ida, now wrapped in black clouds; and that -proud spirit was forced to bow to a higher power. - -"On, Trojans, on!" shouted Hector, pushing on at full speed to head the -pursuit. "Zeus favours our cause, and the Greeks are doomed. Neither -walls, nor moat, nor all their sorry devices, shall stay our fury, but -we will burn their ships and cut them off to a man." So on they sped, -driving the Greeks before them across the plain, even to the very gates -of the camp. Here the leaders turned at bay, and Agamemnon succeeded -by desperate efforts in restoring some order in the panic-stricken -host. Foremost among the defenders of the camp were Ajax, the greater -and the less, Idomeneus and his comrade, Meriones, Diomede, and Teucer -the half-brother of the greater Ajax. Teucer especially, who was a -famous archer, did splendid service to the Greeks in that dreadful -strait. Crouched behind the vast orb of his mighty kinsman's shield he -watched his opportunity, and shot down man after man as the Trojans -came rushing to the assault. - -"Well done, brave bowman!" cried Agamemnon, who was standing near, as -the eighth victim to Teucer's skill bit the dust. "Now aim an arrow at -yonder mad dog"; and he pointed at Hector, who was leading the attack. -Again the bow twanged, but this time he missed his mark, and instead of -Hector struck another son of Priam, who was fighting by his brother's -side. And as droops the poppyflower in a fair garden plot, heavy with -its seed-pod, and drenched with the summer rains, so drooped that -comely head, oppressed by the weight of its helmet. - -"Nine have I slain," cried Teucer, in triumph. "Now let me see if my -tenth arrow will bring down this noble quarry"; and once more he -pointed a shaft at Hector's breast. But a second time the arrow went -amiss, and pierced through the heart of Hector's charioteer. -Cebriones, Hector's brother, succeeded to this dangerous office, thus -twice left vacant on one day; while Hector himself sprang to the -ground, and picking up a stone hurled it at Teucer, who was just -fitting another arrow to his bowstring. The stone struck Teucer on the -collar-bone, breaking the bowstring, and paralysing his arm. Ajax -sprang forward to cover his injured brother, who was carried, groaning -with pain, to the shelter of the ships. - -The fall of Teucer struck fresh dismay into the Greeks, who now shrank -back behind their defences, Hector following them close, and cutting -down the stragglers, like a hound hanging on the flanks of a wild boar. -When the last man had passed the barriers the gates were shut, and -Hector was left outside, glaring with baffled rage. - - -II - -Deep was the wrath of Hera when she saw her darling Greeks driven like -sheep before the exultant Trojans, and huddled in wild disorder behind -their ramparts. As the voice of Hector rang out above the din, like a -trumpet sounding the charge, she rocked herself with fury in her seat, -and at last, being able to contain herself no longer, she cried to -Athene: "I will not endure it! Come what may, I will save my Greeks -from perishing by the hands of that mad Trojan." - -"It is the hand of Zeus," answered Athene, "that hath brought these -foul deeds to pass, in fulfilment of the promise which he made to -Thetis, when she clasped his knees, and besought him to honour her son. -Graceless, thankless god! Did I not serve him day and night, when I -watched like a mother over Heracles, his favourite son, and saved him -from a thousand perils? And this is my reward, to be crossed in all my -designs, and robbed of my just revenge, by him, my false father, who -fools me with his caresses, and calls me his dear, grey-eyed maid! But -go thou and harness our steeds, while I put on my armour, and we will -try whether Hector will blench or not when he sees my spear flashing -among the dykes of war,[1] and the Trojans falling thick and fast, to -glut the dogs and vultures with their fat and their flesh." - - -[1] The armed columns, which keep back the _flood_ of battle. - - -Not a minute elapsed before the rebellious goddesses were equipped for -battle, and ready to swoop like eagles on the heads of the hated -Trojans. But Zeus had been watching their movements, and summoning -Iris he sent her with a stern, imperious message to his mutinous wife -and child. Prompt at his command, Iris sped on her rainbow wings to -Olympus, and met the angry pair as they were issuing from the gates. -"Are ye mad?" she said, confronting them with warning looks. "Listen -to my message, and get ye back the way ye came. Thus saith the son of -Cronos, and his words shall surely come to pass: he will maim the swift -steeds which draw your car, and blast you with his lightnings, and -shatter your chariot wheels, and for ten long years ye shall not be -healed of the wounds from those corrosive fires. Then shall thou -learn, thou grey-eyed maid, what it means to fight with thy sire." - -Both Hera and Athene knew full well how far they might presume on the -indulgence of Zeus, and without another word they turned back to -Olympus, unyoked their steeds, and with quaking hearts joined the -company of the gods. Soon after, the monarch of Olympus entered, and -took his seat on his exalted throne; for he had returned from Ida when -his business for the day was ended. Not a word, not a look, did he -receive in greeting from his wife and daughter; but he knew their -thoughts, and said: "Why sit ye thus dismayed, Hera and Athene? It -cannot be that ye are wearied from doing battle with the Trojans, -against whom ye have so dire a grudge, for ye were seized with -trembling before ever ye had looked into the face of war. And well for -you that it was so!--or your warring should have had a fearful end." - -Athene remained cowed and silent, but the shrewish Hera, though she too -was scared by her husband's anger, could not hold her peace, but -muttered a few words of complaint and remonstrance, of which only the -words "faithful Greeks" and "unmerited disaster" were audible. But -Zeus was in no mood for contradiction, and he cut her short with this -peremptory announcement of his purpose: "To-morrow, if thou wilt, thou -shalt see thy 'faithful Greeks' plunged yet deeper in 'unmerited -disaster.' They shall have no respite from slaughter and defeat until -the swift-footed son of Peleus shall once more be roused to arms. Go -then, and fill heaven and earth with thy rage and thy fury--go down to -Tartarus, if thou choosest, and tell thy wrongs to the demons who dwell -in that sunless den." - - -III - -Night fell at last, bringing relief to the sore-stricken Greeks, and -compelling the reluctant Trojans to suspend their attack on the camp. -Hector drew off his forces, and pitched his camp by the riverside. -This was a sign of great confidence on the part of the Trojans, who -hitherto had rarely ventured outside their walls, and had always -returned to the city at nightfall. But now the besiegers had become -the besieged, and active preparations were made for a campaign in the -open field. Orders were sent to the city for supplies of corn and wine -and cattle to victual the camp, and the elders of Troy were warned to -keep a vigilant watch during the night, to guard against surprise. - -When these measures of prudence were completed, Hector, who had been -the leading spirit through all this eventful day, summoned the Trojan -chieftains to a council of war. High and proud was his glance, as he -stood leaning on his tall spear, with its point of tempered bronze and -its socket of gold; for he dreamt of nothing less than the total rout -and discomfiture of the Greeks. And he found ready hearers in the -leaders of the Trojans and their allies, who read in his looks an -augury of triumph and victory. "This day," he said, "I thought to have -destroyed the Grecian fleet and army, and to have offered thanks to the -gods of our country in the Trojan citadel. For this time night has -saved them from utter ruin; but the blow is only delayed, not averted, -and to-morrow we will set the finish to this glorious work. Let every -man now get to his supper with good heart and hope, and look ye to it -that numerous fires be lighted in the camp, sufficient to illuminate -all the country round, as far as to the fleet. For I fear that these -hounds will try to escape under cover of night, and I would not that -they should leave us without some token of our loving-kindness--some -deep mark in their flesh from Trojan arrow or spear to remember us by -when they reach their homes in Greece. If they abide here till -to-morrow, the better for us, and the worse for them! Then shall -Diomede, the mighty son of Tydeus, pay the price of the lives which he -has taken, and to-morrow's sun shall behold him lying stiff and stark, -with all his comrades heaped in slaughter around him." - -Having listened to the words of their great captain, the leaders -dispersed to their several quarters to carry out his orders. And the -swift southern night came down, wrapping sea and land in shadow. But -soon the realm of darkness was invaded by the flame of a thousand -fires. Thick as are the stars which cluster round the moon on a -windless summer night, gladdening the shepherd's heart as he keeps his -lonely vigil among the hills, so thick shone the fires of the Trojans -in the space between the river and the ships. By every fire sat fifty -men, and their horses stood near at hand, tethered to the cars, -cropping their barley and waiting for the dawn. - - - - -The Embassy to Achilles - -I - -So the Trojans held their bivouac, and whiled away the time with -drinking, and music, and song. Far other were the feelings of the -cowed and beaten Greeks. Many a warrior lay sleepless on his uneasy -couch, tossed on a troubled sea of anxiety and dread. Among the -leaders there was no thought of rest, and they soon received a hasty -summons to attend a council in Agamemnon's quarters. Small comfort had -they to receive from the lips of their king, who was utterly broken and -cast down, and had nothing to advise but instant flight. A long -silence followed his despairing words, and the first to speak was -Diomede, whose young and elastic spirit made him a bright exception -amid the general despondency of his comrades. Indignantly rejecting -the cowardly counsels of Agamemnon, he avowed his intention of -remaining and carrying on the war with his single troop, if all the -rest of the Greeks deserted their posts. His bold words rekindled the -courage of the rest, and they all joined their voices in a fixed -resolution to remain and fight out their quarrel to the last. - -"'Tis well," said Nestor, who was the next to speak. "Thou art a -proper youth, young son of Tydeus, worthy to take the lead in council -and in fight. But now listen to an old man's advice. The Trojans are -holding their leaguer within sight of our gates, and may make an onfall -at any moment; therefore let a watch be set by the moat outside the -camp, and let this charge be given to the young men. We, the elders, -have a graver matter to consider--how we may end the lamentable feud -which has brought division among us, and made us an easy prey to our -enemies." - -The matter thus obscurely hinted at by Nestor was, of course, the -quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon; and as soon as the watch was -set, and left under the charge of Antilochus, Nestor's eldest son, the -old King of Pylos reopened the debate with these words: "To thee, -mighty son of Atreus, I will address myself, for thou art the -vicegerent of Zeus, and holdest the sceptre of righteousness which thou -hast received from his hands. Great is thy place, and high the trust -imposed in thee--even the lives and fortunes of all this people. -Therefore will I speak roundly with thee, concealing nothing which is -in my heart. Thou hast erred, great sovereign, thou hast erred -grievously, in putting public dishonour on the bravest and most -illustrious champion in all thy host. It is thine act which hath -brought us to this pass; and it is for thee to make restitution, that -he may cease from his sore anger, and incline his heart unto us again." - -Far from showing any resentment at Nestor's plain speaking, Agamemnon -freely confessed his fault. "I have sinned," he said, "yea, I have -sinned grievously, in the great blindness of my heart. But, thanks be -to heaven! I am both able and willing to atone for the wrong which I -have done. Attend, while I declare unto you the ransom which I will -pay unto Achilles to wipe out the stain upon his honour. Vessels of -silver will I give him, and vessels of bronze, ten talents of gold, and -twelve steeds, all prizewinners, which have won me much wealth by the -speed of their feet. Also I will give him seven women, my -bondservants, skilled in all manner of needlework, whom I won at the -sack of Lesbos; and with them shall go Briseis, who, since I took her -from him, has lived in all honour with the ladies of my retinue. And -if ever the gods grant us to capture the city of Priam he shall have a -shipload of treasure, and twenty Trojan ladies, the noblest and the -fairest, as his share of the spoil. Moreover, when we return home from -the war, he shall be as a son of my house, and I will give him one of -my daughters in marriage, without money and without price,[1] and will -add a rich dower besides. And he shall be a prince of my land, and -lord of seven fair cities, honoured and obeyed as a god by those that -dwell therein. Surely, if he hath a human heart, he cannot turn away -from me, his monarch, and his elder, when I come to him with full -hands, beseeching him to forgive." - - -[1] In Homeric times wives were bought by their husbands. - - -The King's magnificent offer drew warm words of praise from the chiefs, -and nothing now remained but to choose those who were to be entrusted -with this important embassy. At the suggestion of Nestor it was -decided to send Ph[oe]nix, an aged noble, who was connected with -Achilles by close ties of early affection, Odysseus, and the greater -Ajax. After a few words of warning and counsel from Nestor, they were -despatched forthwith to the tent of Achilles, and with them went two -heralds, to give greater solemnity to their mission. - - -II - -So together they passed along the level sand, with many a prayer to -Poseidon, lord of the sea, that they might easily persuade the mighty -heart of AEacides.[2] And when they came to the tents and ships of the -Myrmidons, they found Achilles sitting at the door of his tent, and -soothing his troubled spirit with song, and the clear music of a harp, -which he had taken among the spoil of Eetion's city. Opposite to him -sat Patroclus, the most beloved of his comrades, waiting until Achilles -should have finished his lay, whose theme was the deeds of famous men. -And they came and stood before him, with Odysseus at their head. When -Achilles saw them he gave a cry of surprise, and sprang from his seat, -harp in hand; and Patroclus rose up with him. Then, greeting them with -a courteous gesture, he said: "Welcome, dear friends! Most welcome are -ye of all the Greeks, even in this hour of my displeasure. Be seated. -I know why ye have come hither--sore indeed is the need." So saying, -he led the way into the tent, and as soon as they were seated he called -to Patroclus, saying: "Set forth the largest bowl, and open the oldest -cask of wine, to do honour to the dear guests who have come under my -roof." - - -[2] Grandson of AEacus, the father of Peleus. - - -Therewith he placed a table, in the light of the fire, and on it he -laid the loin of a sheep and another of a fat goat, and the chine of a -hog. Automedon, his squire, held the meat, and Achilles with his own -hands cut it into slices, spitted it, and roasted it over the glowing -embers. When all was ready, they feasted sumptuously, and drank of the -rich wine which Achilles poured out without stint. The banquet being -ended, Ajax made a sign to Ph[oe]nix; but Odysseus took the word from -him, and, rising with a full cup in his hand, pledged Achilles, and -said: "I drink to thee, son of Peleus, and thank thee for thy good -cheer. Never have I tasted choicer fare, not even in the tent of -Agamemnon himself. But, alas! my noble host, we have little heart for -feasting and making merry, for we stand on the very brink of ruin, and -thou alone canst save us. The Trojans have pitched their camp before -our very gates, and it will not be long before they sweep us into the -sea. Zeus hath openly taken sides with our foes, and affrights us with -thunders and with lightnings; and Hector, full of mad presumption, is -breathing out threatenings and slaughter against us. I fear--yea, I -fear exceedingly--that the god will accomplish his threats, and that we -are indeed doomed to perish in the land of Troy, far from our native -Argos. Up, then, and gird thee to the fight, if thou art minded to -save the sons of Greece, even in the eleventh hour. If thou wait -longer the mischief will be done, and thou wilt repent of thy -stubbornness too late. Remember the words of thy father, Peleus, when -he sent thee to the war: 'My son, thou art very strong, but this good -gift thou owest to heaven. Do thou curb thy haughty spirit, and turn -thee to thoughts of kindness, if thou wouldst be honoured of old and -young.' Thou hast forgotten the good words of thy father, and given -place to malice and uncharitableness. Quit this froward mood, and mark -while I tell thee the brave gifts which Agamemnon offers as the price -of thy good will." - -Accordingly Odysseus went on to recite the whole tale of the royal -bounty, and when the list was complete he wound up his speech by -appealing at once to the humanity, the pride, and the ambition of -Achilles. "If thou despisest Agamemnon and his gifts, take pity on thy -poor countrymen, who will honour thee as a god, and glorify thee as -their preserver. And now thou mayest slay Hector, for assuredly he -will not refrain from thee in the frenzy which possesseth him, boasting -that there is none to match him among all the Greeks who sailed to -Troy." - -Odysseus resumed his seat, and amidst a breathless silence Achilles -rose up and began to speak, calmly at first, but rising in passion as -he proceeded. "Most noble son of Laertes, I will answer thee bluntly -and to the purpose, that ye may know my mind, and may not come hither -on this errand again. For hateful to me, even as the gates of death, -is the man who hides one thing in his heart, and speaks another. Hear, -then, what I have to say. Neither Agamemnon, nor all the Greeks -together, shall turn me from my purpose. I have fought--thou knowest -how I have fought--against the common foe; and what my reward hath been -thou knowest also. Like a mother bird, who flies to and fro, never -weary, never resting, carrying morsels to her nestlings, while she -remains empty herself, so have I passed my days in war and bloodshed, -and my nights in sleepless watchings, putting my life in jeopardy, for -the sake of another man's wife. Twelve cities have I sacked, sailing -the sea in my ships, and eleven on land, within the realm of Troy. -First the toil, which was mine, and after that the spoil, which was -his. I brought it all, and laid it at his feet, and he kept the -greater part by far, giving me back a little--a very little--for all my -pains. And that little he hath taken away. Let him keep it, and joy -go with it! I loved the maid Briseis, yea, dearly I loved her! -Thinketh he that he alone and his brother love their wives? She was my -prize, my bride: he hath torn her from mine arms, and that foul deed I -will never forgive. - -"And as to the gifts which he offers, let him know that I came here to -fight for honour, not for pelf. He hath denied mine honour, and now he -would bribe me to erase that dark record with a purse of gold. But I -will not be bribed. Away with his gifts! I value them not a straw. -Not though he offered me ten times and twenty times as much--all the -wealth that he hath, or ever shall have--not for all the riches of -Egyptian Thebes, which sends forth ten thousand warriors, with -chariots, and with horses, from its hundred gates--no, not for -treasures unnumbered as the sands and dust of the earth--could he buy -pardon of me, until he hath suffered the full penalty of the outrage -which devours my heart. - -"Long ago my mother gave me the choice of two diverse fates--short life -with honour, or long life without a name. Mine honour is -lost--therefore I will cling to my life, and live it out to the end. -Thy miser king holds that men's lives are to be bought and sold, as the -lives of sheep and oxen; but herein he is mistaken again. Wealth may -be won, and lost, and won back again, seized by the strong hand, or -heaped up slowly by plodding industry; but the breath of our life -cannot be called back again, when once it hath passed the door of our -lips. Therefore I am determined to end my days in peace and quietness -among my own people, and quit these brawls, which concern not me. And -I counsel all the rest to do the same, for it is clear that Troy's -overthrow is not to be wrought by you. - -"Ye have heard my answer; go tell it to the chiefs, and bid them be -assured that they have naught to hope from me." - -Deep was the disappointment of the three envoys, as they followed the -wild eloquence of that fierce and implacable man. For a long time not -a word was spoken, for it seemed vain to argue against such passion and -pride. At last the venerable Ph[oe]nix rose feebly from his place, and -in a voice broken with sobs and tears began a discourse of immense -length, full of tender personal reminiscence and old-world legend. -This old man had a curious history. Born to wealth and power, he -became an exile in his youth, having been cursed by his father, whom he -had bitterly provoked in the course of a family feud. In consequence -of the curse he remained a childless man, and, finding a new home in -the land of Peleus, he lavished more than a father's tenderness on -Achilles, Peleus' infant son. - -These incidents from his own life, which he dwelt on with the fond -garrulity of an old nurse, furnished a copious theme to Ph[oe]nix in -the first part of his harangue. "I little thought," he said, "when I -set thee on my knee, a little, helpless babe, and fed thee with choice -morsels of meat, and held the cup to thy lips, and thou wouldst spill -the wine over my gown in thy childish weakness--I little thought to see -thee grow up to be so pitiless and inflexible, more hard to move than -the gods themselves, whom we approach with prayer and sacrifice, and -with bended knees. Beware of the vengeance which waits upon a stubborn -and unforgiving heart. Swift and strong is the dread goddess Ate, who -prompts man to give and take offence; but Penitence is an old and -wrinkled goddess, who goes halting behind her, to heal the mischief; -and if he who is wronged will not listen to her voice he himself -becomes the offender, and the whole guilt of the quarrel rests on his -head. Hearken thou, therefore, to her gentle pleading, and receive the -bountiful gifts of Agamemnon, or the day will come when thou wilt take -thy sword perforce, and fight the battles of the Greeks without reward." - -Achilles listened with manifest impatience to the rambling appeals of -Ph[oe]nix; and when at length the old man had finished, he replied -briefly: "I seek no reward but the favour of Zeus, which I have, and -shall not cease to have as long as the breath of life is in me. Vex me -no more with thy vain repinings; my purpose is fixed, and it is for -thee to choose whether thou wilt be friends with Agamemnon or with me. -If thou art on my side remain here for the night, and to-morrow we will -consider whether we will go or stay." - -The conference was brought to a close by a few words from Ajax, whose -frank and soldierly heart was hot with indignation at the vindictive -temper of Achilles. Turning to Odysseus, he said: "Noble son of -Laertes, let us be going. Words are wasted on this fierce and froward -man. Surely he has a heart of stone, which no kindly thought, no -gentle memory of ancient comradeship, can soften. All the homage of -his countrymen, all the loving-kindness of his friends, are as dirt -beneath his feet. Many a man hath accepted a price for the blood of a -son or brother slain, and suffered the slayer to remain unharmed in the -land; but thou, Achilles, hast scorned the most princely offers for the -sake of one captive maid. O yet at last be moved! Bring not scorn -upon us, thy guests, thy friends, but give us a gentle answer to take -back to our countrymen in their dire need." - -These manly and moving words had some effect on Achilles, half maddened -as he was by wounded pride. Yet still he would not yield, though his -answer showed that he had not been in earnest when he spoke of -abandoning the war. "Thou hast spoken well, Ajax," he said, "and there -is much reason in what thou sayest. But my heart boils with rage when -I think of the contumely which was heaped upon me before the eyes of -all Greece, as though I were some beggared and nameless outcast; and I -will not put on mine armour again, until I see the smoke arising from -the Grecian ships, and Hector drawing near to my galleys with sword and -fire. Then, methinks, his career of victory will end." - -After this final declaration of his purpose by Achilles, Ajax and -Odysseus took their leave, and returned to the assembled chieftains, -who still sat anxiously awaiting the result of the mission. Ph[oe]nix -remained behind, having resolved to cast in his lot with Achilles. - - - - -The Night Raid on the Trojan Camp - -I - -Uneasy lay the head of Agamemnon the King that night, and, thick as -lightnings which herald the storm, thronging cares shot through his -brain, forbidding all repose. As often as he opened his eyes he saw -the red gleam of the Trojan watchfires; and the hum of the armed -multitude, mingled with the strains of flute and pipe, filled his ears. -After an hour of weary tossing he left his couch, and wandered out into -the camp, until he came to the quarters of Menelaus, and, finding him -also afoot, he sent him to call up Ajax and Idomeneus, and went himself -to summon Nestor, intending to hold a midnight council, and devise some -plan of relief in this hour of general depression and dismay. - -On the way he was joined by Diomede and Odysseus, and when they all met -it was resolved to pay a visit to the sentinels and see if they were -faithful to their trust. When they came to the place where the pickets -were stationed, outside the barriers, they found the whole troop -keeping watch and ward with sleepless vigilance, like dogs in charge of -a sheep-fold when they hear a lion prowling without. Every man was on -the alert, with his face towards the Trojan leaguer, as if expecting an -instant attack. Nestor's long experience of war now enabled him to -make a suggestion which led to one of the most famous adventures in the -whole course of the war. "Is there one among you bold enough," he -said, "to go and spy out the movements of the Trojans in their camp, -and bring back a report of what they design against us? 'Twould be a -noble enterprise, and would bring both fame and profit to him who -should accomplish it." - -There was a short pause, and then Diomede declared himself willing to -undertake this perilous adventure, "But will not one of you go with -me?" he asked. "Two heads are better than one, and I may find myself -in a strait in which I should need a comrade's help and advice." - -Six of the leaders at once offered to accompany Diomede, and among -these were Menelaus, Odysseus, and Antilochus, the captain of the -outpost, who was especially eager to go. "Choose him whom thou -thinkest best fitted for the task, without respect to rank or birth," -said Agamemnon, in fear lest he should name Menelaus for his companion. -"Well, then," answered Diomede, "I choose Odysseus, the hardiest and -the shrewdest spirit among us all, and the darling of Athene. With him -at my side I will go through fire and water without scathe." - -"A truce to thy praises," said Odysseus, "and let us away, for the -night is far spent, and the day is at hand." - - -II - -Lightly armed and equipped, the stout-hearted pair passed out of the -light of the watchfires, and set their faces towards the Trojan camp. -Just as they were starting they heard the cry of a heron flying on the -right, and Odysseus was glad, for he knew it was a sign sent by Athene, -promising success to their journey. Murmuring a prayer, they stepped -forward boldly, like two lions bound on a midnight foray, and crossed -the battlefield of yesterday, over corpses and broken armour and pools -of blood. Suddenly Odysseus came to a halt, and laying his hand on -Diomede's arm whispered: "I hear a footstep as of one coming this way, -whether to spy out our camp, or to plunder the dead, I know not. Let -us allow him to go by us, and then spring upon him as he passes." - -Crouching down among the heaps of slain, they waited until the man had -passed in the direction of the ships, and then leapt from their ambush -and gave chase. When he heard them he hesitated a moment, doubting -whether they were friends or foes; then, recognising them as Greeks, he -bounded away at full speed, Odysseus and Diomede following hard behind, -like two hounds on the track of a doe or hare. But the fellow was a -fleet runner, and would have been fairly driven into the hands of the -Greek sentinels, if Diomede had not raised his spear, and sent it -whizzing close to the ear of the fugitive, crying as he did so: "Halt! -whoever thou art, or my next cast shall bring thee down." - -Then the wretch was afraid, and stood still, in obedience to the -summons, with knees knocking together and chattering teeth; and the two -Greeks ran up, panting for breath, and seized him by the arms. Weeping -with terror he began to beg for his life. "Make me your prisoner," he -faltered, "and I will pay you a heavy ransom, for my father's house is -full of silver and gold, and vessels of iron,[1] choicely wrought, and -he will pay you a heavy price when he hears that I am alive." - - -[1] Iron was scarce and highly prized among the Homeric Greeks. - - -"Have no fears for thy life," said Odysseus; "only answer me truly, and -thou art safe. Why art thou wandering here in the dead of night? Art -thou on an adventure of thine own, or did Hector send thee to spy out -the Grecian camp?" - -"It was Hector who beguiled me to commit this folly," answered the -captive, whose name was Dolon; "for he bribed me with a great bribe, -promising to give me the steeds of Peleus' haughty son, if I would go -down to the fleet, and bring back information whether you were -preparing to fly from our shores in the night." - -"Thou art ambitious, I see," replied Odysseus, smiling. "Bold must be -thy heart, and firm thy hand, if thou wouldst drive the steeds of -AEacides, which are of no mortal breed. But tell me now, and answer me -truly, where is Hector stationed in the Trojan camp, and in what order -have the others pitched their tents?" - -"Hector and the chiefs," answered Dolon, still shaking with mortal -dread, "have their quarters by the tomb of Ilus, and round them lie the -native Trojans, keeping good watch. The allies are encamped about -them, in no fixed order, and they are all asleep. On the very -outskirts of the camp lie the Thracians, and Rhesus their king; and if -ye are minded to make an onfall on their leaguer ye may do it in -safety, and win a rare prize. For Rhesus hath a pair of milk-white -coursers, unmatched in strength and speed, and a car richly adorned -with silver and gold. Likewise he hath a suit of golden armour, fit -for the gods to wear. And all this ye may win without a blow. Now -leave me in the custody of your comrades, or bind me fast here, that ye -may know when ye return whether I have spoken the truth." - -But that night was to afford a second instance of broken faith, hardly -less infamous than the first. Having tempted this poor caitiff to -betray his comrades by promising him his life, they now gave him the -traitor's wage. "Thou must die, Dolon," said Diomede coldly, "for all -thy good news. Thou art a foe, delivered into our hands, and thou -shalt never spy upon us or fight with us again." Dolon clung to him -with cries of anguished entreaty, pleading for his life; but Diomede, -with one downward stroke of his sword, swept off his head, which -rolled, with lips still moving, in the dust. Then stripping off his -armour, he hung it in a tamarisk tree, and, having marked the place, -went forward with Odysseus in the direction of the Thracian camp. - -When they came to the quarters of Rhesus, they found him lying in the -midst of his men, with his famous steeds standing near, tethered to -their car. All the troop was sleeping heavily, for they were newly -arrived at Troy, and had travelled far and fast the day before. "There -he is," whispered Odysseus, "and these are his steeds, a glorious pair! -Now to work! Slay me a score of these sluggards while I loose the -steeds." - -Thereupon Diomede drew his sword, and struck right and left like a -headsman, until he had slain some dozen of the sleeping Thracians; and, -as he proceeded, Odysseus dragged the slaughtered men out of the way, -to make a path for the horses, which were young, and unused to such -sights. Diomede's last victim was the giant Rhesus, who was breathing -heavily, and dreaming of his home; but a Grecian blade cut short his -dreams, and his fleet coursers now found a new master. While Diomede -was thus busy, Odysseus untethered the steeds, and coupling them -together by their harness drove them out of the camp, striking them -with a bow which he carried; for he had forgotten to take up the whip. -Diomede still lingered, meditating some final act of daring, to crown -the night's adventure. Beneath him lay the corpse of Rhesus, and his -golden armour, and he was hesitating whether to take these, or slay a -few more Thracians, when Odysseus gave a low whistle, warning him that -it was time to be going. The next moment he heard the sound of -hurrying footsteps, and, perceiving that the alarm had been given, he -joined Odysseus, and mounting one of the horses seized the other by the -bridle, and rode at a rapid trot towards the sea. Odysseus ran by his -side, holding on by the harness, for he was no rider,[2] but a swift -and enduring runner. - - -[2] Riding was little practised among the Homeric heroes. - - -They had no sooner departed than a wild commotion arose behind them in -the awakened Thracian camp, but increasing their pace they soon reached -the spot where they had left the unhappy Dolon, and, having paused for -a moment to take up his armour, they hurried forward, and before long -they were within hail of the Grecian outposts, where the whole company -of the leaders was still assembled, anxiously awaiting their return. - -Nestor was the first to hear the sound of the horses' feet, and -thinking that the Trojans were attacking he ran to raise the alarm. -But he was soon reassured when he heard the voice of Diomede, followed -a moment later by the arrival of the hardy adventurers with their -splendid booty. Joyful were the greetings on both sides, and when the -story of that great exploit had been briefly told they all dispersed to -their quarters, to snatch a few hours of sleep before the toils of the -coming day. - - - - -The Brave Deeds of Agamemnon: Reverses of the Greeks - -In the still hours of the dawn the Greeks were startled from their -slumbers by a loud and fearful cry, which came from no mortal lips, but -from Eris, the dread goddess of strife, who had been sent down by Zeus -to give the signal for battle. The first to obey that awful summons -was Agamemnon; for this was to be his great day, and his heart was -aflame with the lust of slaughter. Springing from his couch he began -to don his armour. First he put on his greaves, which were made of -pliant white metal, with ankle pieces of silver. Then he took up his -corslet, with a glance of pride, for it was of choice and costly -workmanship, cunningly fashioned of thin strips or courses of metal. -Ten courses were of blue steel, and ten of gold, and twenty of tin; and -round about the corslet wound three serpents, wrought in divers -colours, like the rainbow, with their heads meeting where the corslet -narrowed at the neck. His sword glittered with golden ornaments, and -the scabbard was of silver, and the baldric of gold. On his shield, -which had ten circles of brass, were twenty bosses of white tin, and in -the centre a boss of blue steel; and it bore an image of the Gorgon's -head and the dreadful faces of Rout and Panic. Attached to it was a -silver strap, bearing the device of a serpent with three heads. - -Glittering in this gorgeous panoply, brandishing two spears, and -raising his battle cry, Agamemnon rushed to the gates of the camp, and -placed himself at the head of his bravest champions, who were mustering -there with the flower of the Greek army, prepared for the expected -attack. They had not long to wait; hardly had they set their ranks in -order, when the Trojans appeared on the summit of the slope which ran -down to the shore. And like a star which appears and disappears on a -stormy night, when the sky is covered with scudding clouds, so -glittered the mailed form of Hector, as he ranged in and out among the -advancing columns, marshalling his men to the fight. - -Then like two lines of reapers working together on opposite sides of a -deep field of wheat or barley, so met Greeks and Trojans on the plain -before the camp, and war's dread harvest began. None of the gods were -present, save only Eris, whose savage heart was glad when she smelt the -smell of blood. And Zeus sat apart on a lonely peak, looking down upon -Troy and the Grecian fleet and the two warring nations in the space -between. - -The Brave Deeds of Agamemnon: Reverses of the Greeks - -I - -In the still hours of the dawn the Greeks were startled from their -slumbers by a loud and fearful cry, which came from no mortal lips, but -from Eris, the dread goddess of strife, who had been sent down by Zeus -to give the signal for battle. The first to obey that awful summons -was Agamemnon; for this was to be his great day, and his heart was -aflame with the lust of slaughter. Springing from his couch he began -to don his armour. First he put on his greaves, which were made of -pliant white metal, with ankle pieces of silver. Then he took up his -corslet, with a glance of pride, for it was of choice and costly -workmanship, cunningly fashioned of thin strips or courses of metal. -Ten courses were of blue steel, and ten of gold, and twenty of tin; and -round about the corslet wound three serpents, wrought in divers -colours, like the rainbow, with their heads meeting where the corslet -narrowed at the neck. His sword glittered with golden ornaments, and -the scabbard was of silver, and the baldric of gold. On his shield, -which had ten circles of brass, were twenty bosses of white tin, and in -the centre a boss of blue steel; and it bore an image of the Gorgon's -head and the dreadful faces of Rout and Panic. Attached to it was a -silver strap, bearing the device of a serpent with three heads. - -Glittering in this gorgeous panoply, brandishing two spears, and -raising his battle cry, Agamemnon rushed to the gates of the camp, and -placed himself at the head of his bravest champions, who were mustering -there with the flower of the Greek army, prepared for the expected -attack. They had not long to wait; hardly had they set their ranks in -order, when the Trojans appeared on the summit of the slope which ran -down to the shore. And like a star which appears and disappears on a -stormy night, when the sky is covered with scudding clouds, so -glittered the mailed form of Hector, as he ranged in and out among the -advancing columns, marshalling his men to the fight. - -Then like two lines of reapers working together on opposite sides of a -deep field of wheat or barley, so met Greeks and Trojans on the plain -before the camp, and war's dread harvest began. None of the gods were -present, save only Eris, whose savage heart was glad when she smelt the -smell of blood. And Zeus sat apart on a lonely peak, looking down upon -Troy and the Grecian fleet and the two warring nations in the space -between. - -Until the hour of noon the battle was waged with equal fortune on both -sides. But just at the time when a woodman in some mountain glen -breaks off his labour to prepare his midday meal, having wearied his -hands with holding the axe, the Greeks made a vigorous charge, and -broke through the Trojan line. Agamemnon fought in advance of all the -rest, and recognising among the enemy two sons of Priam, who had -formerly been taken captive by Achilles and let go for a ransom, he -slew them both, and stripped off their armour. And as a lion slays two -hapless fawns, while their dam, who is feeding near, flies sweating -with terror from the onslaught of the mighty beast, so the Trojans saw -their young princes slain, but were helpless to aid them, being -themselves hard pressed by the victorious Greeks. - -Like a famished lion who has broken into a sheep-fold, and ravages the -flock, so fell Agamemnon on the huddled masses of the Trojans, striking -about him with sword and spear. Presently he had an opportunity of -gratifying his private revenge; for right before him, impeded by the -press, he saw the two sons of Antimachus, a Trojan who was bribed with -gold by Paris to oppose the restoration of Helen. There they stood -helpless, both together in one car, holding out their hands in -supplication, and begging him to spare their lives. "There is no mercy -for such as you," cried Agamemnon fiercely. "Did not your father, in -the hearing of all the people, advise the murder of my brother, -Menelaus, when he came on an embassy to Troy? Die, and pay for your -father's treachery." With that he thrust down one of them with his -spear, and the other, who turned to fly, he slew with his sword, -lopping off head and arms, and spurning the trunk with his foot, so -that it rolled like a log along the ground. Then, raising his battle -cry, he plunged into the thick of the fight, where the main body of the -Trojans were flying before the Greeks, horse and foot mingled together -in headlong rout. And as a fire sweeps through the dry brushwood, -borne onward by the wind, and leaving a black waste behind, so thick -and fast fell the Trojans before Agamemnon; and many an empty car went -rattling over the field, borne hither and thither by its affrighted -steeds, whose master was lying where he fell, until the vultures -assembled to the banquet at eventide. - -Across the plain they sped, past the tomb of Ilus and the wild -fig-tree, making straight for the city, and as they came to the gates -they turned at bay, and waited for those who were still flying before -Agamemnon and the Greeks. - -"Now haste thee, swift Iris!" said Zeus to the maiden messenger of -heaven, "and bear this message to Hector. As long as he sees Agamemnon -foremost in the slaughter, let him hold back, and leave the others to -stem the tide of war; but when Agamemnon receives a wound, as he shall -do soon, then let Hector take the lead again, and drive the Greeks back -upon their ships." - -Hector duly received the message, as he was rallying his men to defend -their gates; and in obedience to the command of Zeus he retired from -the front, and waited for the promised relief. He had not long to -wait. Presently Agamemnon was assailed by Iphidamas, a son of Antenor, -one of the chief men of Troy, who charged at him, spear in hand, and -thrusting with all his force struck him full on the breastplate. But -the spear point was turned on the tempered metal, and Agamemnon, -seizing the shaft, dragged the weapon from his hands, and smote down -the tall champion with a blow of his sword. But as he was stooping to -strip the armour from the corpse, Cooen, the brother of Iphidamas, crept -up to his side, and drove his spear clean through Agamemnon's forearm. - -Though grievously hurt Agamemnon turned on his assailant, and cut him -down; and having thus avenged himself he still fought on, dealing havoc -among the Trojans with his spear and his sword, and with heavy stones. -But presently his blood ceased to flow, and his arm grew stiff, as the -wound began to close. Being now in dreadful pain, he could fight no -longer, and summoning his chariot he left the field, and drove at full -speed back to the camp. - - -II - -"Forward, men of Troy!" shouted Hector, rushing to the front. -"Agamemnon is sorely wounded, and Zeus has promised us the victory." -And as a hunter cheers on his hounds against a lion or wild boar, so -Hector encouraged his Trojans, by word and by action, to assail the -Greeks; and like a black squall which leaps suddenly on the AEgaean, he -himself led the assault, strong in the support of Zeus, and confident -of victory. - -Diomede marked him as he moved his way through the Grecian ranks, and -stood to oppose him, poising his spear. The weapon flew, and struck -him on the helmet, but rebounded from the massive brazen ridge, and -dropped on the ground. Hector, though unwounded, was hurled back by -that ponderous stroke, and sank, half-stunned, on one knee, leaning on -his hand. Following up his advantage, Diomede rushed forward to regain -his spear; but meanwhile Hector had recovered from his faintness, and -escaped in his chariot to the rear. "Again thou hast avoided death at -my hands, thou dog!" shouted Diomede after him. "But I will slay thee -yet." And he stooped to take the armour from a Trojan whom he had -killed. - -Leaning against a stone pillar, the monument of Ilus, an ancient King -of Troy, stood the gay archer Paris; and when he saw Diomede kneeling -by the fallen Trojan he took steady aim, and launched an arrow, which -pierced through Diomede's right foot, and pinned him to the ground. -"Thou art hit," he cried, springing from his ambush with a loud laugh. -"Would that my shaft had cloven thy very heart! So should I have given -a breathing space to the Trojans, who cower before thee like bleating -goats before a lion." - -"Out on thee, cowardly bowman!" answered Diomede, with scorn. "Thou -fightest thy battles from a safe distance, and shunnest the push of -sword or spear. And now thou art boasting aloud over this pinprick, -which harms me not at all. There is no force in the blow from a -coward's arm. But the touch of my weapon means death, and they who -feel it need no second stroke. Their last bed is the bare, cold -ground, and vultures perform their obsequies." - -Notwithstanding these bold words, the wound was severe, and as soon as -Odysseus, who ran to aid his friend, had drawn out the shaft, Diomede -was obliged to retire from the battlefield. - -As Odysseus was about to join the ranks of the retreating Greeks he -found himself hemmed in by a party of Trojan spearsmen, who surrounded -him with a circle of bristling points. Then as a wild boar issues from -his shady lair, foaming and champing his teeth, and charges down upon -the hounds and hunters who have beset the covert, so sprang Odysseus on -his assailants, and in a moment four of them lay writhing at his feet. -The last of these, a young noble named Charops, found an avenger in -Socus, his brother, who thrust so vigorously at Odysseus with his spear -that the point clave through shield and corslet, and made a long ragged -wound in his side. Socus, in his turn, who fled as soon as the blow -was struck, was gored in the back, between the shoulders, by the spear -of Odysseus. But that sage and valiant warrior was now in deadly -peril; for when the Trojans saw his blood flowing, as he drew out the -lance from his corslet and shield, they fell upon him like one man, -with wild cries of triumph. Slowly he gave back before them, shouting -aloud to his friends to come to his rescue. Three times he cried, and -his voice reached the ears of Menelaus, who hurried to his relief, -bringing with him the mighty Ajax, son of Telamon. - -They came not a moment too soon, for Odysseus was hard beset by his -clamorous foes, who crowded round him, like jackals round a tall -antlered stag which has been wounded with an arrow, and has fled to the -shelter of the woods: but while the jackals are yelping about him, up -comes a great bearded lion, and scatters the jackals, and makes the -stag his prey. So when the towering form of Ajax appeared, as he -advanced with his huge orbed shield, the Trojans abandoned their -intended victim, and fled in dismay. Menelaus took the wounded man by -the hand, and led him to the place where his chariot was waiting, -leaving Ajax occupied with a fresh column of Trojans, who came pouring -to the attack when they saw their friends routed. Then mightily raged -the sword of Ajax, falling like a flail on the heads of his foes, and -man and horse went down before him. - -All this time Hector had been fighting in another part of the field, at -the extreme left of the line of battle, where the Greeks were led by -Nestor and Idomeneus. A lucky shot from the bow of Paris disabled -Machaon, who, besides being a stout fighter, was the most skilful leech -in the Greek army. "We must save him at any cost," said Idomeneus to -Nestor. "A skilful physician is worth a whole troop of spearsmen. -Mount thou thy car, and carry him with all speed to the camp." Nestor -did as he was advised, and Idomeneus was thus left to bear the brunt -alone. - -Just at this moment Cebriones, Hector's charioteer, came galloping up -with the news that the main body of the Trojans was suffering severely -from the attack led by Ajax. As the departure of Nestor and Machaon -had left him little to do in this part of the field, Hector at once -mounted his chariot, and directed his course towards the spot where -Ajax was fighting. Right between the warring lines he drove, trampling -over corpses, helmets, and shields; and steeds and car were spattered -with blood. Soon he was joined by a strong troop of Trojan warriors, -and Ajax found himself assailed by a storm of missiles. Then even that -mighty man felt a touch of fear, and throwing his shield behind him he -began slowly to retire, halting at every step, and striking down some -too daring assailant. Like a lion who has been driven off from a -herdsman's steading with javelins, and with stones, and with burning -brands, yet will not leave the place, but prowls near all night, -lusting after the flesh of the fat beeves--so Ajax, though hard beset, -drew back reluctantly, inch by inch, before the clamour and fury of his -foes. Dogged he was, and hard to stir from his place, like some big -greedy ass who has found his way into a deep field of corn, and will -not budge till he has filled his belly, though assailed by a laughing -crowd of children, who rain blows on his back and ribs,--even so the -blows rained upon Ajax, who was encumbered by the weight of the spears -which had pierced his shield. At last, the Greeks advanced to his -succour in close array, and joining their ranks he wheeled once more -and faced the thronging Trojans. - - -III - -The tide of battle had thus turned again, and the Greeks were being -driven steadily back upon their camp. The roar of the conflict reached -the ears of Achilles, who was standing near his ship, peering out -eagerly over the Trojan plain; and at the same moment he saw Nestor -driving past in his chariot, bringing with him the wounded Machaon. -Then he called to Patroclus, and bade him go and inquire who the -injured man was. "I think," he added, "that it was Machaon; but the -car passed me in a flash, and I saw not his face. Methinks the hour of -my revenge is near, for the Greeks are in a sore strait." Ah! son of -Peleus, thy revenge is indeed near, but thou little dreamest how dearly -thou wilt pay for that bitter morsel. - -When Patroclus reached the tent of Nestor he found the venerable King -of Pylos sitting with Machaon, waiting while a handmaid prepared for -them a slight refection. The woman drew a table before them, and on it -she placed a brazen dish, with onions, and honeycomb, and barley cakes. -Then she took a massive cup, embossed with gold, resting on a double -base, and having four golden handles, each one of which was wrought in -the form of two doves, which seemed to be feeding from the cup. In -this vessel she prepared a posset, pouring in a rich red wine, into -which she sprinkled cheese of goats' milk and white barley meal. And -when the posset was ready she set it on the table, and bade them drink. - -The cup was very weighty, and a strong hand was needed to lift it to -the lips; but Nestor raised it easily, old as he was, and was about to -take a draught, when, looking up, he saw Patroclus standing at the door -of the tent. Replacing the goblet on the table, Nestor rose to greet -him, and taking him by the hand invited him to enter. But Patroclus -hesitated, wishing to return at once with the required information to -his friend, whose impatient and exacting mood he knew and feared. "I -was sent," he said, "to ask the name of the wounded man, and I see that -it is Machaon. Achilles waits for an answer, and I dare not keep him -waiting." Nevertheless, he lingered awhile, and listened to the long -harangue of that "old man eloquent," who soon wandered, according to -his wont, into a long story of his youthful prowess, when he lived as -the sole survivor of twelve sons in the house of his father Neleus. -"But why," he asked, when that theme was exhausted--"why should -Achilles inquire about one wounded Greek? He knows not the extent of -our mischances, nor how much cause we have to mourn. Diomede, the -valiant son of Tydeus, is stricken with an arrow, Agamemnon also is -wounded, and likewise Odysseus. Will Achilles now be satisfied, or is -he waiting until our ships are consumed with fire, and all of us put to -the sword? Would that this arm of mine were as of yore, when I was the -bulwark of my father's house, and of all my people. But Achilles puts -forth his might and his valour only for his own honour and glory, and -cares not though his country perish. Canst thou do nothing with him? -Remember the charge which Men[oe]tius, thy father, gave thee, when we -were sojourning, I and Odysseus, in the house of Peleus. We came -thither to summon thee and Achilles to the war, and ye were both fain -to go. And these were the parting words of Men[oe]tius to thee: "My -son, Achilles, is far mightier than thou, but thou art the elder, and -it is for thee to guide him, and counsel him for his good. Be wise, -and be kind, and he will obey thee." - -"Ah! take those words to heart, and reason with that wilful youth. If -he is obeying some oracle from Zeus, which forbids him to go into -battle, at least let him send thee to lead the Myrmidons in his stead, -and let him lend thee his armour, that the Trojans may be affrighted -when they see thee, thinking that Achilles has arisen. Thus, at least, -we shall get a little respite, and gain time to breathe." - -Pondering deeply on the last words of Nestor, which were to prove so -fatal to himself, Patroclus hastened back on the way to his own -quarters. But he was to be delayed a second time: for as he was -passing the tent of Odysseus he met Eurypylus, one of the bravest of -the Greeks, who came limping towards him, being wounded in the thigh by -an arrow. He was a pitiful sight, begrimed with dust and sweat, and -bleeding copiously from his wound. And Patroclus groaned in spirit -when he saw him, for he was cut to the heart to find so many of his -comrades disabled. "Woe is me!" he said, with a glance of pity, "to -see thee thus. But tell me, how goes the day?" - -"We can keep the field no longer," answered Eurypylus. "The Greeks -must retire behind their barriers. But thou seest how grievously I am -hurt; take me with thee to thy tent, and cut the arrow out of my thigh, -and when thou hast washed my wound with warm water, lay thereon some of -the powerful simples which Achilles received from the wise centaur, -Chiron. For of the two leeches of the army one, Machaon, is in need of -a physician himself, and Podalirius, the other, is fighting in the -front." - -"I am in haste," said Patroclus, "howbeit, I will not leave thee in -this state"; and, supporting the wounded man in his arms, he guided him -slowly to his tent, and seating him on a couch of bulls' hides played -the part of physician with such skill and success that the blood was -stanched, and the sharp pain allayed. - - - - -The Attack on the Grecian Camp - -The Greeks were now driven back upon their defences, and a furious -struggle ensued for the possession of the walls. The battle was no -longer a succession of duels, such as we have witnessed hitherto, but a -desperate contest for life and death, in which high and low, nobles and -commons, had to take their share. As before, Hector took the lead, and -tried to force his way across the moat, and up the steep slope on the -other side, which was topped by a wall of stone, and a stiff fence of -palisades. Again and again he rushed at the yawning moat in his car, -but each time his horses refused the leap, and stood neighing and -trembling, with their hoofs planted at the brink. - -At last, perceiving that he was wasting his strength to no purpose, he -changed his method of attack, and leaving his car in charge of a squire -prepared to lead the assault on foot. Some time was lost while he was -collecting a picked body of men to follow him, and instructing them how -to proceed; and while he was taking his measures, Asius, a captain of -the allies, made a bold attempt to carry the Greek position at a single -blow. Disregarding Hector's orders, he remained in his chariot, called -to his troop to keep close behind him, and drove rapidly round the line -of the wall, looking for a weak point where he might hope to force an -entrance. He succeeded beyond his hopes; for on the extreme left of -the camp he found a gate which was still open to admit any stragglers -who might have been left behind in the flight of the Greeks. With a -shout of triumph he drove straight at the open gateway, with all his -company following pell-mell. But just as he was about to cross the -portals he found himself confronted by a pair of gigantic brothers, who -stood like two mighty oaks deep-rooted on a mountain top, ready to -dispute the way. They were well supported by the defenders who lined -the walls, and a hail of stones and javelins rattled down on the -shields of Asius and his men, who were driven back with loss and -compelled to retire out of range. The gates were then closed and -barred, and for this time the camp was saved. - -Meanwhile the Trojans under Hector's command were still hesitating on -the brink of the moat. For a strange portent had occurred, which gave -them pause, just as they were rushing to the assault. On the left hand -of the army they saw an eagle soaring high in the air, holding a huge -serpent in his talons, which writhed and struggled to escape. And -indeed the eagle had met his match, for suddenly the serpent drew back -his head, and darting forward bit his captor in the breast. The eagle -gave a scream of pain, and dropping the serpent, which fell in the -midst of the Trojans, flew swiftly away. - -The Attack on the Grecian Camp - -The Greeks were now driven back upon their defences, and a furious -struggle ensued for the possession of the walls. The battle was no -longer a succession of duels, such as we have witnessed hitherto, but a -desperate contest for life and death, in which high and low, nobles and -commons, had to take their share. As before, Hector took the lead, and -tried to force his way across the moat, and up the steep slope on the -other side, which was topped by a wall of stone, and a stiff fence of -palisades. Again and again he rushed at the yawning moat in his car, -but each time his horses refused the leap, and stood neighing and -trembling, with their hoofs planted at the brink. - -At last, perceiving that he was wasting his strength to no purpose, he -changed his method of attack, and leaving his car in charge of a squire -prepared to lead the assault on foot. Some time was lost while he was -collecting a picked body of men to follow him, and instructing them how -to proceed; and while he was taking his measures, Asius, a captain of -the allies, made a bold attempt to carry the Greek position at a single -blow. Disregarding Hector's orders, he remained in his chariot, called -to his troop to keep close behind him, and drove rapidly round the line -of the wall, looking for a weak point where he might hope to force an -entrance. He succeeded beyond his hopes; for on the extreme left of -the camp he found a gate which was still open to admit any stragglers -who might have been left behind in the flight of the Greeks. With a -shout of triumph he drove straight at the open gateway, with all his -company following pell-mell. But just as he was about to cross the -portals he found himself confronted by a pair of gigantic brothers, who -stood like two mighty oaks deep-rooted on a mountain top, ready to -dispute the way. They were well supported by the defenders who lined -the walls, and a hail of stones and javelins rattled down on the -shields of Asius and his men, who were driven back with loss and -compelled to retire out of range. The gates were then closed and -barred, and for this time the camp was saved. - -Meanwhile the Trojans under Hector's command were still hesitating on -the brink of the moat. For a strange portent had occurred, which gave -them pause, just as they were rushing to the assault. On the left hand -of the army they saw an eagle soaring high in the air, holding a huge -serpent in his talons, which writhed and struggled to escape. And -indeed the eagle had met his match, for suddenly the serpent drew back -his head, and darting forward bit his captor in the breast. The eagle -gave a scream of pain, and dropping the serpent, which fell in the -midst of the Trojans, flew swiftly away. - -All stood amazed, and doubt and fear crept into their hearts when they -saw the monster writhing at their feet. At last Polydamas, a warrior -who was famed for his skill in augury, turned to Hector, and said: "My -prince, the sign is against us; and as the eagle was stricken, when he -strove to carry the dappled snake to his young, so shall we also be -stricken, if we persist in our assault on the Grecian stronghold. Let -us draw off our men, lest we be found fighting against the gods, and -bring upon ourselves rout and disaster." - -"Polydamas," answered Hector, with bended brows, "if thou hast no -better counsel than this thou hadst better hold thy peace, for the gods -have marred thy wit. Vain man! knowest thou not that we came hither -under a sure promise from Zeus? Are we to obey his voice, or shall we -be cowed by the flapping of a wing? What care I for any fowl that -flies east or west, while I stand under the favour of heaven's high -lord? To the patriot all omens are good, when his country summons him -to her defence. A truce to thine idle prate! Thou hast naught to -fear, whether we fight or fly, for thou art never seen on the perilous -edge of battle. But keep thy cold counsels for thine own coward heart, -or I will find means to lock thy lips for ever." - -Thereupon he sprang forward towards the wall, and all his men followed, -raising a deafening shout. And from the glens of Ida there came a -rushing mighty wind, which bore a blinding cloud of dust into the faces -of the Greeks, and hindered them in the work of defence. The Trojans -had now crossed the moat, and were striving with all their force to -break down the wall. Some tugged at the battlements, and tried to pull -them down, while others brought levers to overthrow the projecting -buttresses. On the other side the Greeks fought stubbornly, making a -fence with their shields along the line of the wall, and keeping up a -shower of javelins and stones. - -Foremost in the defence were the greater and lesser Ajax, who hurried -up and down the battlements, encouraging, rebuking, and threatening. -"Stand fast!" they cried. "This is no time for flinching. Let every -man do his part, whether he be weak or strong. Your lives are in your -own hands." - -As on a winter day, when Zeus has lulled the winds to sleep, and all -the air is thick with flying snowflakes, until mountain top and jutting -promontory, green field and black ploughland, level shore and rocky -bay, are all hidden under the same dazzling mantle, whose fringe -touches the cold, grey sea--so thick flew the missiles on either side, -rattling down uninterruptedly on battlement and helmet and shield. - -Conspicuous among the allies of the Trojans were Glaucus and Sarpedon, -the leaders of the Lycians. They were bosom friends, of one heart and -one mind; and the night before they had discoursed earnestly together -on the duties and privileges of their rank. The words of Sarpedon on -this occasion are ever memorable. "I need not tell thee, Glaucus," he -said, "why we twain are honoured above all the rest with the highest -seats, the costliest fare, and cups ever full, and why a fair domain of -corn-land and olive ground and vineyard was set apart for us on the -banks of Xanthus. As we have received freely, so freely must we give, -sparing not even our heart's blood in the service of those to whom we -owe all we have. Let us be no sluggard kings, first in the feast and -last in the fray, but, as we are foremost in privilege, so let us be -foremost in peril. Man walketh as a vain shadow, and all his steps are -encompassed by death; die he must, ere many days are passed--herein he -hath no choice--but, unless he hath the soul of a slave, he will choose -death with honour." - -Acting in the spirit of these noble words, Sarpedon, with Glaucus at -his side, and all the chivalry of Lycia at his back, now made a -determined attack on the part of the wall where Menestheus, the captain -of the Athenians, was directing the defence. Menestheus, feeling that -he was ill provided to sustain the onset of these two famous captains, -raised his voice to summon Ajax to his succour; but his cry was drowned -by the tremendous din of the battle which was raging around him, and -the thundering blows which the Trojans were now raining upon the gates. -So he sent an urgent message by a herald, begging Ajax to come to his -relief. Ajax responded promptly to the call, and joined the men under -Menestheus, bringing with him Teucer, his half-brother, who was now -sufficiently recovered from his wound to take part in the defence. - -On came the storming party, with Sarpedon at their head, and they were -already beginning to swarm up the battlements, when the arrival of -Teucer and Ajax gave them a check. Lifting up a ponderous stone, which -he found lying loose by the wall, Ajax dashed out the brains of a stout -Lycian, whose knee was already on the rampart, and down he toppled, -plunging headforemost, like a diver, into the moat; and at the same -moment a lucky shot from Teucer's bow struck Glaucus in the arm. -Incensed to see his comrade wounded, Sarpedon redoubled his efforts, -and grasping one of the battlements with both hands he wrenched it from -its place, and sent it crashing to the ground. But, being fiercely -attacked by Ajax and Teucer together, he was compelled to draw back a -little, and wait for support. "On, Lycians!" he shouted. "Why loiter -ye behind? I cannot win the wall alone." - -The Lycians rallied to the voice of their prince, and the battle was -renewed with fresh fury on both sides. Up the steep bank they swarmed -again, and strove with all their might to drive back the defenders from -their battlements. But the Greeks would not yield an inch, and -besiegers and besieged held their ground stubbornly in that grim -controversy, like two farmers who stand, with measuring-lines in their -hands, disputing hotly about a few inches of ground, on the boundaries -of their fields--or like an honest labouring woman, who holds the scale -in even balance, weighing the wool which she has spun to win a scanty -wage wherewith to buy her children bread.[1] So in even balance hung -the fray, and many were the wounds given and received in back or in -breast, until the battlements ran with blood. - - -[1] The yarn is weighed to show that none of the raw wool has been -stolen. - - -But the chief honour of the day was reserved for Hector, who was the -first to set foot within the fortress of the Greeks. While the battle -was still raging on the wall, he made his way to the main entrance of -the camp, which was defended by stout oaken gates, fast closed with -massy bolt and bar. In front of the gates lay a huge stone, such as -two men could hardly lift in these less heroic days. Lifting the -mighty boulder, he carried it, easily as a shepherd carries a fleece, -close up to the gates. Then, planting his feet firmly, he heaved that -ponderous mass above his head, and flung. Like a thunderbolt flew the -enormous missile, dashing through panel and bolt and bar. The gates, -torn from their hinges, fell inward, and over the ruins sprang Hector, -with brow black as night, and death in his glance. Terribly gleamed -his brazen armour as he leapt upon the foe, with a lance in each hand. -None save the gods could have dared to face him in that hour of triumph -and victory. The Trojans poured in behind him, or leapt down from the -wall, now deserted by the panic-stricken Greeks, who fled with one -accord to the shelter of their ships. - - - - -Poseidon aids the Greeks - -I - -The promise which Zeus had made to Thetis seemed now on the point of -being fulfilled, and accordingly Zeus, by whose direct interference -alone the Trojans had been able to work such havoc among the Greeks, -relaxed his attention, and left the rival armies to fight out the issue -between them, never dreaming that any of the gods would venture to act -against his express command. - -But Poseidon, his brother, and second only to Zeus himself in power, -was a staunch ally of the Greeks, and was bitterly indignant that they -should suffer defeat at the hands of the hated and despised Trojans. -As long as the eye of Zeus was on the battlefield he dared not -interfere; but as soon as he saw his great brother engaged elsewhere he -left his seat on the island of Samothrace, where he had been -overlooking the battle, and sped on his way to AEgae, his sacred city on -the shores of the Gulf of Corinth. The mountains bowed their heads, -and the trees vailed[1] their high tops, beneath the immortal feet of -Poseidon, the King. In three steps he reached his goal, and entered -his shining, golden palace, built in the cool depths of that glassy -bay. There he bade harness his brazen-footed steeds, and mounting the -car drove it across the waters. The charmed billows parted to make him -a path, and round him played the dolphins, and other huge children of -the deep, as his wheels passed unwetted over that heaving, liquid -floor. So on they bounded, until they reached the shores of Troy. - - -[1] "_Vailing_ [stooping] her high top lower than her -ribs."--Shakespeare: _Merchant of Venice_. - - -The Greeks were still flying before the victorious Trojans, who pressed -them hard, with furious uproar, when suddenly there appeared among them -one like unto Calchas, the prophet, in form and in voice. "Take heart, -comrades!" said he, addressing himself to Ajax, who, with his namesake, -was still heading the defence; "we shall beat them yet, if only we can -quench the fury of that madman, Hector, who bears himself like a son of -Zeus. Have at them, and thrust them back from the ships!" - -His words were common, but they were uttered by a god, and breathed a -mysterious influence, which was aided by a light touch from the staff -which he bore. Instantly a strange lightness and vigour entered into -their limbs, and when the pretended Calchas vanished as abruptly as he -came, they knew that the words which they had heard were spoken by no -mortal lips. - -Without pausing for a moment, Poseidon continued the work which he had -begun. From rank to rank, from leader to leader, he flew, inspiring, -encouraging, entreating; and wherever he passed a new fire was kindled -in every breast, so that they who but a moment before had given up all -for lost now thought with shame of their faintheartedness, and rallied -to the call of their leaders, resolved to conquer or die. - -Where Ajax and his namesake fought were mustered the choicest troops in -the Greek army. Shoulder to shoulder, and knee to knee, they stood, -making a firm fence with shield overlapping shield, and bristling with -a forest of spears. "Stand fast!" shouted Ajax, as Hector came on with -headlong rush, like some huge rock, which hangs threatening on a steep -mountain-side, until it is undermined by a winter torrent, and thunders -down the slope until it has spent its force and lies motionless on the -plain. So Hector hurled himself with fury against the solid phalanx of -the Greeks, but spent his fury in vain on that hedge of iron, and could -not break through it, for all his rage. - - -II - -Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans, had been absent some time from -the battle, attending to a wounded comrade, and when he left him he -went to his tent, to replace part of his armour, which had been damaged -in the fight. On reaching his quarters he was met by Meriones, his -second in command, who had gone to fetch a fresh spear, having broken -his own on a Trojan shield. "What doest thou here, Meriones?" he -asked. "Art thou wounded, or bringest thou some message to me?" - -"I came to fetch a spear," answered Meriones; "my own was broken in the -fight." "Spears there are in plenty in my tent," said Idomeneus, "and -helmets, and shields, and burnished corslets--the spoils of many a -vanquished Trojan." "And in mine too there is no lack of such," -replied Meriones. "But thy tent was nearer. Thou knowest best whether -I do my devoir on the field of honour or not." - -"I have seen thee prove thy manly worth," said Idomeneus. "Thou needst -not remind me. I have noted thy bearing in the long cold hours of the -night, when thou wast one of a picked company lying in ambush, and -waiting for the dawn. This is the sternest, sharpest test of valour -and endurance. Mark then the coward, how he flushes, and then pales, -shifting uneasily from one foot to another, as he cowers in his place, -with chattering teeth and wildly beating heart, and mark the hero, -crouched, like a good hound, motionless and silent, ready to spring at -his enemy's throat. None ever passed through that sharp ordeal with -more honour than thou. And in open battle thy face is ever to the foe, -and thy scars are all in front. But enough of this: here stand we -bragging of our prowess, while our comrades are encompassed by the -flames of war. Let us away, and show our manhood by deeds, not words." - -Like murderous Ares when he arms him for battle in the savage land of -Thrace, and by his side goes Terror, his son, whose fierce eyes appal -the stoutest heart, so rushed Idomeneus back to the field, with -Meriones, his trusty friend. "Let us make for the left of the fighting -line," cried Idomeneus. "On the right the Trojans are weaker, and in -the centre fights Telamonian Ajax, a pillar of strength, the equal of -Achilles in all save speed of foot. On the left the need is sorest, -with most room for a leader of note." - -As on a wild and gusty day, when two clouds of dust are whirled -together by conflicting winds, so met the Greek and Trojan columns, -with clash of shield and glitter of spear, when Idomeneus and his -comrade returned to the field. Not in vain had Idomeneus boasted of -his deeds of war. Many a Trojan went down that day before his spear; -and the first of them was Othryoneus, who was lately come to Troy, and -was a suitor for the hand of Cassandra, the fairest of Priam's -daughters. Great was the price which he had promised to pay for his -bride. "Give me thy daughter," he said, "and I will drive these Greeks -out of the land." But the lance of Idomeneus cut short his wooing, and -down he fell with a sounding crash. "Is it thou, gallant bridegroom?" -shouted Idomeneus, as his helmet fell off, exposing his face. "How -wilt thou keep thy bargain with Priam now? That wager is lost, but -come with me, and we will find thee a fair partner yet. Thou shalt -have the fairest of Agamemnon's daughters, if thou wilt aid us to sack -the stately city of Troy. How likest thou the terms?" - -Thus insulting his fallen foe, Idomeneus began to drag him away by the -foot, intending to spoil him of his armour. While thus employed, he -was confronted by Asius, who came on foot against him, his squire -following close with the chariot, so that he felt the hot breath of the -horses on his shoulders. But Idomeneus was too quick for him, and -pierced him, as he stood with weapon poised, in the throat, driving the -point clean through his neck. Like an oak, or poplar, or tall pine, -hewn down on a mountainside to make a ship's timber, so fell that proud -champion, and lay in his blood at his horse's feet, moaning and -clutching at the dust. The charioteer was dumfoundered by his master's -fall, and dropped the reins in his terror; and while he stood thus, -with staring eyes and gaping mouth, Antilochus thrust him through with -his spear, and leaping into the car drove off with his prize. - -Idomeneus was now fiercely assailed by a formidable antagonist, in the -person of Deiphobus, a brother of Hector, and one of the bravest of the -Trojans. Idomeneus crouched low as he saw him coming with brandished -spear; and the weapon passed over him, just grazing the rim of his -shield, but found a victim in another Greek, who was advancing to his -support, and received the point in his breast. Down he went, and -Deiphobus cried exultingly: "Not unavenged falls Asius, but I have -given him a companion on his journey to the shades." - -Thus saved from his peril, the stout old Cretan glared about him, -looking for another mark for his spear; and he found one in the young -Alcathous, who was married to a daughter of Anchises, and was thus -closely related to AEneas. The youthful prince, being new to the work -of war, was bewildered by the roar and tumult of the struggle which was -raging around him, and stood, overpowered by sudden panic, within close -range of the Cretan captain's lance. "Sleepest thou, pretty lad!" -shouted the grim veteran, "I will wake thee from thy slumber." And he -clove him through the breast with his spear, which stilled the last -beatings of his heart. - -"Three Trojans for one Greek!" shouted Idomeneus. "Art thou content, -Deiphobus? Come hither, and I will add a fourth. It will be glory -enough for thee to die by the hand of Idomeneus, whose grandsire was -Minos, the very son of Zeus." - -Deiphobus deemed it prudent to decline the challenge, and he went in -search of AEneas, to inform him of his kinsman's fall. AEneas was -loitering in the rear, for he had a grudge against Priam, which chilled -his ardour for the battle. But when he heard that Alcathous was slain -his heart burned to avenge him, and he hurried to the front, where he -was joined by Paris and a strong band of Trojans. Idomeneus, on his -part, was reinforced by the arrival of Meriones, Antilochus, and -Ascalaphus, a son of Ares, with their followers; and so the fight raged -on, and many a stout warrior went down to swell the muster-roll of -death. - -There fought Helenus, the prophetic son of Priam, armed with bow and -arrows, and wielding a mighty falchion, tempered in a Thracian forge. -With one blow of that trenchant blade he shattered the helmet of a -Greek warrior, a friend of Menelaus, and laid him at his feet, stunned -and bleeding. Menelaus sprang to his friend's relief, and flung his -spear at Helenus; and at the same moment Helenus shot an arrow, which -struck the prince on the breastplate, but rebounded as beans or pulse -rebound from the winnower's shovel, while the spear of Menelaus pierced -him through the left hand, pinning it to the bow. Helenus retired, -trailing the spear after him, until a comrade drew it out, and bound up -the wounded hand with a woollen sling, which he took from his squire. - -Menelaus was now attacked by another Trojan chieftain, who, after -making an abortive thrust with his spear, took in his hand an axe, -which hung inside his shield, and, swinging the weapon over his head by -its long shaft of olive-wood, leapt upon him with a fierce cry. But -before the blow could descend he received a fearful wound in the -forehead, from the sword of the Spartan king, and fell backwards in the -dust. "So may all the Trojans perish!" cried Menelaus, setting his -foot on the breast of his prostrate foe. "Ye have robbed me of my -wife; ye have plundered my treasure, after receiving generous welcome -under my roof. And now ye come hither to burn our fleet, and butcher -us in our camp. Great sire of heaven, men praise thy righteousness, -and call thee wise above all gods and men: how then canst thou lend thy -countenance to these bloodthirsty robbers, whose pastime is murder, -whose joy is to betray?" - -[Illustration: Menelaus. Vatican, Rome] - -Carried away by his eloquence, Menelaus failed to observe that he was -threatened by a new assailant. This was Harpalion, son of the King of -Paphlagonia, who charged at him, lance in hand. Menelaus was just in -time to receive the blow on his shield, and before Harpalion could -recover his weapon he was transfixed by the spear of Meriones, and lay -writhing like a worm on the ground, until he was borne, groaning, from -the field by his attendants, followed by his weeping father. - -Paris was wroth at the fall of the Paphlagonian prince, who was his -friend and guest, and he drew his bow at a venture, and slew Euchenor, -the son of a famous seer, who dwelt in Corinth. Often his father had -prophesied to him that he was destined to die either by a wasting -disease, or on the battlefield at Troy. He chose a warrior's death, -and found it on that day, by the hand of Paris. - - -III - -In the other part of the camp, near the main gate, where Hector had -first effected an entrance, the Greeks were still fighting with -indomitable spirit under Telamonian Ajax, and his namesake, the son of -Oileus. These two held together, and battled side by side, like two -stout oxen yoked to the same plough, and toiling from dawn till sunset, -while the sweat streams without ceasing from the roots of their horns: -so stood they side by side, and bore the brunt, all through that long -and bitter fray. And behind them were arrayed the bowmen and slingers -of Locris, whose captain was the lesser Ajax, and kept up such a shower -of arrows and leaden bullets that the Trojans at length began to waver, -and broke their ranks. - -When Polydamas, the wisest head among the Trojans, saw that the great -assault, which had begun so boldly, was beginning to flag, he called -Hector aside, and said to him: "Hector, thou art strong of hand, but -weak of head. Seest thou not that we are wasting our valour, by -fighting thus in scattered parties, with no settled plan of attack? -Now, hearken to me, and do as I shall say, if thou wouldst not have us -driven back in shameful rout upon the town. Gather all our parties -into one strong phalanx, and charge with them all at once on one point -in the Grecian line. Thus, and thus only, may we hope to prevail, -outnumbered as we are by two to one." - -Hector saw that the advice was good, and, leaving Polydamas to hold the -Greeks in check, he went in search of Asius, Deiphobus, and the rest, -who were fighting on the left. Sore were the gaps which now appeared -in that gallant company, and many a hero, whom he called by name, was -lying cold in death. Gathering such as remained, he formed them into -one body with those whom he had left in the charge of Deiphobus, and -with the powerful column thus formed made repeated charges, which were -sustained with undaunted firmness by Ajax and his men. - - - - -Zeus is beguiled by Hera - -I - -While the battle swayed to and fro, and the Greeks were enabled by -Poseidon's aid to hold their own against the Trojans, Zeus was sitting -on a lonely peak of Ida, wrapped in a high celestial reverie. Hera saw -the uxorious king from her place of outlook on Olympus, and, noting his -abstracted mood, she resolved to play him a trick. So she went to her -chamber, which her son Hephaestus had made for her, and opened the door -with a private key, which she always kept by her, so that none might -invade her apartment in her absence. Having locked herself in, she -began to make her toilet with peculiar care. First, she washed her -person with ambrosia, and anointed herself with a fragrant oil, so rich -and rare that, when she lifted the lid of the casket in which it was -stored, a divine perfume filled earth and heaven with sweetness. Then -she dressed her lustrous hair, and put on a wondrous robe, which -Athene's own hands had wrought for her, clasping it to her bosom with -golden brooches. A rich girdle confined her robe at the waist, and in -her ears she hung earrings of costly pearl; and when she had put on her -sandals, and thrown a glittering veil over her head, she went forth -smiling in triumphant beauty, like a bride adorned for her husband. - -Having thus prepared the whole battery of her charms, she went in -search of Aphrodite, and when she had found her she drew her apart from -the other gods, and said: "Wilt thou grant me a boon, dear child, or -wilt thou deny me in anger, because I favour thine enemies, the -Greeks?" "Name thy request, great queen of heaven," answered -Aphrodite, "and I will grant it, if I can." - -Concealing her real purpose, the cunning Hera replied: "I am bound on a -journey to the ends of the earth, to visit the ancient deity Oceanus, -and Tethys, his wife, who have long been parted by a bitter quarrel. -If I can bring them together in love and kindness I shall do a good -deed, and repay part of the great debt of gratitude which I owe them. -Therefore, lend me, I pray thee, the mighty talisman which thou hast, -whereof neither man nor god can resist the powerful spell." - -"It becomes me not," answered Aphrodite, "to deny thee in this, for -thou art the consort of high Jove." And therewith she took from her -bosom an amulet, in which there was a mysterious virtue, able to soften -the hardest heart, and turn it to thoughts of love and tenderness. -There dwelt persuasion and sweet endearment, the eloquence of silence -and the witchery of sighs. "Take it," she said, "and hide it in the -folds of thy robe. Armed with this, thou wilt accomplish all thy -desire." - -Hera smiled her thanks, and taking the amulet sped away on her errand, -which carried her, not, as she had pretended, to the distant dwelling -of Oceanus, but to Lemnos, the AEgaean isle, the home of sleep. Arrived -there, she sought out the drowsy god, and found him nodding in his -shadowy cave. "Monarch of men and gods," she began, "Immortal Sleep, -thou hast done me good service in the past, and I think thou wilt not -fail me now. I would have thee lock fast the eyes of Zeus in slumber -deep and long. Ask me not why, but do it, and I will give thee a -golden throne, wrought, with a footstool, by Hephaestus, my son, whereon -thou mayest sit in state like the Olympian king himself." - -"Ask me aught else," answered Sleep, lifting his heavy eyes with a look -of fear, "only ask me not to lay Zeus in slumber against his will. -Hast thou forgotten what wild work he made when, at thy entreaty, I -shed my power upon him, and lulled his wits in a deep trance, that thou -mightest wreak thy malice on his favourite, Heracles? Then didst thou -raise a storm, which drove Heracles far out of his course, when he was -on his voyage from Troy. But when thy lord awoke, and saw what thou -hadst done, he fell to buffeting all the gods in Olympus, who had -hidden me from his sight. And soon they must have delivered me to his -vengeance, and I should have been undone, but an ancient and venerable -deity, even Night herself, came to my aid, and besought him to pardon -me; and so he did, for he would not offend the august goddess, primeval -Night." - -"Go to," said Hera. "This is a far smaller thing than that of which -thou speakest. All I desire is an hour of respite for mine afflicted -Greeks. Come, do as I bid thee, and thou shalt have Pasiphae, one of -the Graces, for thy wife, and so fulfil the dearest of thy desires." - -Then Sleep was glad, and answering said: "Swear to me, by the -inviolable waters of Styx--placing one hand on the earth, and the other -on the sea, that all the nether gods may be our witnesses--swear that -thou wilt give me Pasiphae for my bride." - -Hera took the oath required, calling by name all the Titans that dwell -in Tartarus. Then together they flew across the sea to Troyland, and -paused not till they reached the wooded hills of Ida. Upwards then -they soared, over the forest-clad slopes, and there was the sound of a -going in the tree tops as they passed. And when they came to the peak -where Zeus was sitting, Sleep disguised himself in the form of a swift, -and hid himself in the branches of a tall fir-tree. But Hera went and -stood in the presence of her lord. - -As soon as the god saw her he was struck with wonder at her surpassing -beauty, and his heart overflowed with tenderness, as in the old days -when first he made her his bride. And the little swift shot down from -the tree, and come flitting round the monarch's head. "Dear lady of my -love," said he, "sit down by me awhile, and let us hold sweet converse -together." So down she sat by his side, and took his hand, and -beguiled him with her false blandishments. Like two simple lovers they -seemed, caught in sly Cupid's silver net--he the sovereign of earth and -heaven, and she, his imperious queen. And swiftly the subtle influence -of Sleep came over him, and down he sank overpowered, couched on a soft -bed of crocus and hyacinth and violet, which the earth put forth to -bear up his sacred person; and on him rested a canopy of golden cloud, -that he might slumber unobserved. - - -II - -Safe now from the observation of Zeus, Hera descended swiftly to bear -the news to Poseidon, and urge him to redouble his efforts on behalf of -the Greeks. Having brought her message, she returned to Ida, and -remained watching by the side of Zeus, ready to give warning when he -awoke. - -Poseidon was not slow to seize the occasion thus offered. Suddenly, as -the Greeks were preparing to receive a furious charge from the enemy, -there appeared in their van a gigantic warrior, clad from head to foot -in mail of proof, and wielding a sword which flashed and burned with an -awful light. "On, Greeks, on!" he shouted; and his voice was as the -sound of many waters. "Down with them, even unto the ground, that -Hector may know that there is more than one Achilles among us." And -the two armies met, with a crash which was echoed by all the caverns of -Ida, and recoiled again, each solid phalanx reeling from that -tremendous shock. - -Into the space thus left sprang Hector, and hurled his spear at Ajax, -who was stepping forth to meet him. The weapon struck him on the -breast, just at the point where the shield strap, heavily studded with -metal, was crossed by the baldric of his sword; and this double -barrier, backed by the corslet, proved an effectual defence. Hector -fell back, vexed at his ill-fortune, and, as he was retiring, Ajax -picked up one of the stones which were lying around, to serve as props -for the ships, and flinging it struck him on the back of the neck, just -above the rim of his shield. It was no maiden's hand which had aimed -that blow, and Hector was sent spinning like a top. And as an oak -reels and staggers when struck by the bolt of Zeus, and topples -headlong to earth, a blackened and shattered trunk, so fell the mighty -Hector, crushed under the weight of his shield, which was pressed down -upon him by the ponderous stone. - -When they saw him fall, the Greeks rushed forward, hoping to make him -their prisoner. But the bravest of the Trojans and their -allies--Sarpedon, AEneas, Glaucus, and Polydamas--interposed their -shields, giving time for the others to lift him up and carry him to the -place where his car and horses were waiting. Carefully they placed his -senseless body on the chariot, and drove him towards the city, until -they came to the ford of Scamander. There they halted, and, laying him -on the bank, dashed water in his face. Presently he looked up, and -leaning forward on his hands began to vomit blood. Then darkness came -over his eyes, and he fell back again in a swoon. - -Now that Hector was down, the Trojans had no course left to them but to -retreat. They still fought valiantly, and the Greeks had to pay dear -for their success. But slowly and surely they were being driven back -from the camp. - - - - -The Last Battle by the Ships - -Hera was watching the action with such eagerness that she had forgotten -her charge, and was startled by the angry voice of Zeus, who had -awakened suddenly, and was looking down upon her with lowering brows. -"This is thy work," he said sternly, pointing to the Trojan plain, -where Hector lay senseless, and his comrades were beginning to fly. -"Wilt thou never be schooled to obedience, or what harder lesson -lackest thou yet? Dost thou remember the time when I hung thee in -chains in the cold vault of ether, with two anvils at thy feet, and all -the gods together were powerless to relieve thee? This was thy reward -for thy evil devices against my son, Heracles; but that shall be mirth -and laughter compared with the rod which thou shall feel if thou cease -not from thy mutiny against my sovereign will." - -Then Hera was sore afraid, and she answered submissively: "I swear by -earth and heaven, and by the down-falling waters of Styx, the greatest -and most awful thing by which a god may swear--yea, by thy sacred head -I swear it, and by the holy bond which unites us--it was not by my -devices that Poseidon first began to aid the Greeks, but he was led -thereto by the thoughts of his own heart. And, by my advice, he will -give way to thee." - -Somewhat appeased by her humility, Zeus replied: "If that be so, and -thou art willing to heal the mischief thou hast done, go and send -hither Iris and Apollo, that they may receive my commands. And -understand me once for all--I will not cease from my rage and my fury -against the Greeks, nor suffer any of the gods to aid them, until the -vengeance of Pelides is accomplished, and the oath fulfilled which I -sware unto his mother, Thetis, when she touched my knees and besought -me to honour her son." - -Swift as is the glance of the mind when some great traveller revolves -all his wanderings in thought, and murmurs to himself: "Would that I -were in this place or that!" naming some distant scene which he hath -visited, so swiftly flew Hera with her lord's message. When she -reached Olympus she found all the gods seated together, drinking their -nectar from golden cups. Smiling with her lips, but bending her dark -brows in a gloomy frown, she said, as she eyed that festal gathering: -"Ye are making good cheer, I see! And ye will be cheered the more when -I tell you what Zeus intends. Ay, drink deep!" she continued, turning -to Ares, who was just draining a full cup, "thou hast need of comfort, -for thy son is slain." And she named a Greek, Ascalaphus, son of Ares, -who had been slain by Deiphobus in the battle. - -When he heard that, the god of war groaned with grief and anger, and -crying: "I will avenge him!" rushed to seize his arms. But Athene -hastened after him, and finding him already equipped for battle she -snatched the spear from his hand, and took the helmet from his head, -saying: "Madman, wilt thou undo us all? Go back to thy place, lest the -wrath of Zeus descend upon the whole company of the gods, and on thee -the first. Better men have fallen than this son of thine, and we must -look to our own safety, and leave mortals to their fate." - -While Athene was occupied in restraining the frenzy of Ares, Hera -despatched Iris and Apollo to receive the commands of Zeus. So they -went forthwith to Ida, and found Zeus sitting in the place where he had -slept, with the golden cloud still hanging above his head. Zeus was -well content that his wilful consort had been so prompt in his -business, and he commanded Iris to go down to the fleet, and warn -Poseidon to leave the battlefield. "And thus and thus shalt thou say -unto him," added Zeus, instructing her in the very words which she was -to use. - -Iris descended to earth, walking delicately along her rainbow bridge, -and, having found Poseidon among the warring Greeks, she said to him: -"Thus saith Zeus, our sovereign lord and king: 'Let Poseidon leave the -battlefield, and depart to Olympus, or to his own watery realm. And if -he will not obey me I will come myself, and fight against him, face to -face. Let him avoid my hands, for he knoweth that I am far mightier -than he, and higher in station and in dignity.'" - -"What!" answered Poseidon, swelling with injured pride. "Am I my -brother's slave, that he sends me this haughty summons? I am no -subject of his, but his peer, holding a third part in our divided -empire. For three sons were born unto Cronos--Zeus and Hades and -myself. And when Cronos ceased to reign we cast lots between us, and -Zeus obtained the throne of heaven, I of the sea, and Hades of the -underworld; but the earth, and wide Olympus, were left common to us -all. Therefore I bid him keep to his own domain, and not meddle with -me, for I will not live under his laws, nor bow to his rod, which he -may keep for his sons and daughters." - -"Is this, then, the answer which I must carry back to Zeus?" asked Iris -gravely. "Oh, reflect a little! Enter not into an unnatural feud with -thine elder brother." - -"'Tis wisely said," replied Poseidon. "Thou art a discreet messenger, -and knowest how to season thy words with courtesy. 'Twere ill, as thou -sayest, to stir up the demon of domestic strife among us. Therefore I -will depart, and leave him to work his will. But, since he has used -threats, let him hear this from me: if he seeks to avert the doom of -Troy, he will find a cold welcome when he joins the circle of the gods -in Olympus." - -It was not without relief that Zeus heard of Poseidon's submission; for -he had feared that he would be obliged to engage in a fearful struggle, -which would have confounded earth and heaven. This danger being -removed, he sent Apollo, armed with his own shield--the awful aegis, -clothed with attributes of terror--commanding him to heal Hector of his -hurt, and bring him back to battle. Like a falcon stooping on his -quarry, Apollo shot down from Ida's peak, and alighted at the ford of -Scamander, where Hector was still lying. By this time the stricken man -had recovered from his swoon, and was gazing in bewilderment around him. - -One touch from that potent hand, one word from those immortal lips, -sufficed to banish all the effects of the fearful blow which had left -Hector as weak as a child. Bounding to his feet, he cried: "Lead on, -mighty god! I fear no perils with thee at my side," and like a gallant -war horse, that smelleth the battle afar off, he ran at full speed to -rejoin the Trojans, who were now flying tumultuously from the camp. -And as when a troop of hunters with their hounds have started a royal -stag, and chased him with wild halloo to the thick covert of a tangled -wood; then suddenly they shrink back with cries of dismay, for they see -a lion standing in the path: so panic fell upon the Greeks in the midst -of their triumph, when they saw Hector returning to battle, full of -vigour and courage, though they had already counted him among the dead. - -On poured the Trojans, Hector and Apollo leading the van, and the -Greeks gave ground before them, scared by the dread aegis, which Apollo -shook in their faces, crying his terrible cry. At first they yielded -slowly, keeping their ranks, and attempting some defence; but soon the -retreat became a rout, and the moat was filled with a struggling -multitude, seeking the shelter of the wall and the ships. "Kill, -kill!" cried Hector fiercely. "Pause not to strip the dead, but slay -the men, and burn their ships. Let me but see anyone skulking behind -for plunder and he dies by my hand." - -With that he lashed his horses, and drove straight across the moat, the -Trojans following him in dense column. In front strode Apollo, -trampling down the sides of the moat as he went, and making a path -broad as the farthest cast of a spear. Then he hurled himself on the -wall, and overthrew it, as easily as a child destroys with his feet a -castle of sand which he has raised in sport on the margin of the sea. - -Like a towering billow, which topples down upon a ship, crushing her -bulwarks and flooding her with brine, so rushed the Trojans in a -torrent over the wall, and fell upon the hindmost row of ships; and the -Greeks on their side mounted the decks, and thrust at their assailants -with long boarding-pikes, which lay ready to hand. - -Foremost among the defenders was seen the giant form of Telamonian -Ajax; and by his side fought Teucer, whose bow had already done such -good service to the Greeks. But just as Teucer was aiming an arrow at -Hector his bowstring snapped, and the arrow dropped harmless to the -ground. "Fate is against us to-day," he cried; "it was a new string, -the stoutest and the best I had, which I fitted to my bow this very -morning." - -"Go quickly," answered Ajax. "And arm thyself with shield and spear; -there is no room here for thine archery to-day." And Teucer went and -armed himself, and returned with all speed to his mighty brother's side. - -Hector was overjoyed when he saw Teucer's mishap, which he hailed as -the direct act of Zeus himself. "On, Trojans!" he shouted; "on, ye men -of Lycia! Zeus is fighting on our side. Now is the great day of -vengeance, after all the weary years when we were penned within our -walls like sheep." - -"Why flinch ye?" cried Ajax, in his turn, to the Greeks. "Know ye not -that we must conquer or die to-day? Or will we reach home on foot, if -ye suffer your ships to be burned? Come, join the wild dance to which -Hector summons us. Fight, and we will drive out this rabble yet; but -if ye falter we shall surely perish." - -Again the Greeks rallied to the well-known voice of Ajax, and drew up -in close order before the ships, barring Hector's way. But the finger -of Apollo had touched him, filling his breast with a divine frenzy. -Foaming and glaring with rage, he flung himself on the solid phalanx, -and cut down a tall champion of Mycenae, making a gap in the line. -Before the Greeks could close their ranks the Trojans were among them, -hewing them down as a woodman hews a path through the forest. Forward -and still forward they pressed, driving the Greeks before them, and -compelling them to retire from the first line of ships. - -Then nothing but the tremendous valour of Ajax could have saved the -Greek army from total rout and ruin. Active as a panther, in spite of -his huge bulk, he sprang from deck to deck, wielding an enormous -boarding-pike and striking down the Trojans, as they advanced with -lighted torches to set fire to the ships. Like a practised rider, who -yokes together four horses, and drives them at a gallop along a level -highroad, leaping from one steed to another as he goes--so Ajax shifted -his ground from one ship to another, dashing down Trojan after Trojan, -and shouting to the Greeks to come to his support. - -It was a grim and desperate struggle. There was no shooting of arrows, -no casting of javelins now, but foot to foot, and hand to hand, they -fought, with axe, and sword, and spear. At last Hector forced his way -to a beautiful galley, which had brought Protesilaus[1] to Troy, and -laying his hand on the high, fanlike ornament of the stern he shouted: -"Bring a torch, that I may be the first to kindle the fire which shall -burn these accursed ships, which came here for our destruction, but -shall now serve as a pyre for their crews." - - -[1] P. 24. - - - - -Achilles sends Patroclus to Battle - -I - -Patroclus had been long detained by Eurypylus, whose wound was severe, -and demanded all his skill. But when the roar of battle drew nearer -and nearer, and he heard the voice of Hector calling for a torch, he -would delay no longer, but sprang up and ran in headlong haste to the -quarters of the Myrmidons. There he found Achilles still sitting -before his tent, and listening to the mingled cries of triumph and -dismay which came from the distant scene of conflict. When Patroclus -saw him, he came and stood by his side, and lifted up his voice, and -wept. - -"Why weepest thou, Patroclus," asked Achilles, "like a little maid, who -runs by her mother's side, plucking her by the gown, and looking into -her face with tearful eyes, begging to be carried? What means this -melting mood? Hast thou ill news of thy father, or of mine, or are -these tears for the Greeks, now perishing by their own transgression?" - -"Ah! son of Peleus," answered Patroclus, with a pitiful sigh, "take not -my words amiss, but I am sore afflicted for the sake of my countrymen. -Their best and noblest are grievously wounded, and the leeches are busy -about them; and those that remain can no longer make head against the -foe. Can nothing move thee? What avails all thy splendid manhood, if -thou wilt sit idle here, until thine arm is palsied with age? Oh! yet -at last relent, if thou art indeed the son of gentle Thetis, and not -some savage changeling, born of the rocks, and nourished by the sea! -If thou wilt not go to the field thyself, at least let me put on thine -armour, and lead the Myrmidons to aid our friends in their dreadful -strait." - -For some time Achilles answered nothing, and it was evident that a sore -struggle was passing in his breast. At last he looked up, and said -with an effort: "Thou hast prevailed, son of Men[oe]tius, though I -vowed that I would never cease from mine anger until the fire had -reached my own ships. When I think of the foul outrage---- But -enough! Down, down, rebellious pride!" He paused, frowning, and -grinding his teeth; for the fierce fit had come on him again. Then, -mastering himself, he continued: "Thou shalt have my armour, and lead -the Myrmidons to battle. But take heed to what I shall say, and let -not thine ardour carry thee too far, but when thou hast driven the -enemy out of the camp lead thy men back, and be not tempted to fight in -the open field, lest thou rob me of mine honour, and leave naught for -me to do. Remember this, and have a care for thyself, for they have a -mighty ally on their side, even Apollo." - -While they were thus conversing, Ajax was still keeping up an unequal -struggle against an overpowering force. The Trojans surrounded the -ship on which he was fighting, and plied him with a shower of missiles, -which rattled on his helmet, and threatened every moment to bring him -down. His left shoulder ached with holding his shield, which was -thrust back upon him by a dozen spears at once. Yet still he fought -on, with his breath coming in heavy gasps, and the sweat pouring from -every limb. Then Hector aimed a blow with his sword, and cut off the -head of the pike which Ajax was wielding. Thus left without a weapon, -Ajax was compelled at last to retreat, and the Trojans rushed forward, -and set fire to the ship. - -Achilles saw the smoke rising, and cried: "Arm thee, Patroclus. Make -haste! I will go and call up the Myrmidons." Patroclus hurried to the -tent, and put on the armour of Achilles--the greaves and starry -corslet, the helmet and vast orbed shield--and girded on his great -comrade's sword. Only the spear of Achilles he took not, for no arm in -all the host, save only the arm of Achilles, could wield that ponderous -beam of ash, toughened by many a storm on the windy slopes of Pelion, -where it grew. - -Meanwhile Automedon, Achilles' charioteer, was yoking to the car the -two immortal steeds--Xanthus and Balius--offspring of the West Wind, -and nourished on the meadows by the shores of Oceanus. And with them -went as a trace horse the mortal courser, Pedasus, which Achilles had -taken among the spoils when he sacked the city of Eetion. - -When the Myrmidons heard their leader's voice calling them to arms, -they rushed forth from their tents, like thirsty wolves which have -gorged themselves with the flesh of a tall stag, and now hasten, with -bloodstained chaps and lolling tongues, to slake their thirst in a deep -mountain pool. With like eagerness arose the hardy veterans, whose -warlike spirit had been fed high by their long repose; and proud was -the glance of Achilles, as he glanced down the armed files, marshalled -under five famous captains, five times five hundred men. When all were -standing silent at their posts he addressed them briefly, and said: -"Now is the time to make good the threats which ye uttered against the -Trojans, during all the long time of my wrath. Remember how ye -murmured against me because I suffered you not to go unto battle. -'Hard-hearted son of Peleus,' ye would say, 'surely thy mother -nourished thee with gall, and therefore art thou so ruthless to thy -loving comrades, keeping them here in inglorious ease.' See that your -deeds are as valiant as your words, and let the Trojans feel the weight -of your arm this day." - -Firm and close as blocks of stone, fitted together by a master-builder -to be the wall of some great house, so stood the warriors in that -invincible column, shield leaning on shield, and man on man; and in the -van were seen the tall figures of Patroclus and Automedon, two leaders -with one heart. Then Achilles went to his tent, and brought forth a -golden goblet, a gift from his mother, and sacred to the service of -Zeus. Having purified it with sulphur, and washed it with fresh water, -he cleansed his own hands, and filling the bowl with wine returned to -the open space before the tent. Then lifting up his eyes to heaven he -poured the drink-offering, and prayed thus to the king and lord of -Olympus: "O thou, whose ancient dwelling is in wintry Dodona, where thy -chosen priests serve thee day and night with fasting and prayer, as -thou hast lent thine ear to my former petition, and grievously -afflicted the Greeks for my sake, so grant me once more my heart's -desire. Let thine eyes rest with favour on my noble comrade, and give -him honour in the battle. And when he hath driven the Trojans from the -camp bring him back safe, with his armour, and all this company, to our -tents." - -So prayed he in his ignorance, having yet to learn that Zeus is a -jealous god, dispensing his gifts with unequal hand, two evil for one -good. - - -II - -Like a swarm of wasps which have their nest by the roadside, and being -ever provoked by wanton children wreak their vengeance on some harmless -wayfarer; so flew the Myrmidons to join the fray, and soon the Trojans -felt their sting. "For Achilles and for honour!" shouted Patroclus, as -he hurled his spear, and struck down Pyraechmes, the savage leader of a -wild mountain tribe from northern Greece. The rude clansmen fled when -they saw their leader fall, and soon the panic spread to the whole -Trojan army, and they too fled, leaving the burning ship, the flames of -which were soon quenched by a score of eager hands. Like a cloud which -lies heavy on a mountain top, and is then suddenly rent and dispersed, -revealing all the long range of countless hills, peak beyond peak, far -away to the distant sea, with green glades between, and above the -boundless chasm of sky, up to the dazzling zenith: so was dispersed -that cloud of Trojans which had hung about the ships, and the Greeks -saw the fair face of Hope again. - -But the end of that long and bloody day was still far off. Outside the -barriers the Trojans rallied again, and a fearful slaughter ensued. -There the sword of Patroclus bit deep, making dire havoc among the -ranks of the Lycians, until Sarpedon, their leader, incensed by the -slaughter of his men, sprang from his car, and threw himself in the -way, to arrest that destroying hand. - -Like two vultures, which tear each other with beak and claw, fighting -with loud screams on a lofty crag, so leapt the two champions, the -Lycian and the Greek, upon each other, uttering loud their battle-cry. - -When Zeus saw his son Sarpedon about to engage in deadly combat with -Patroclus he was filled with pity, for he knew that the Lycian -chieftain was going to his doom. "How sayest thou, Hera," he began, -"shall I save him, and waft him away in a cloud to his fair domain in -Lycia, or shall I leave him to his fate?" - -"That must not be," answered Hera. "His thread is spun, and his life -is forfeit; shouldst thou annul that decree it will be an evil example -to the other gods, who will forthwith all seek to avert the stroke of -fate from their sons, of whom many are fighting in the fields of Troy. -If thou wouldst do him honour, send Death and gentle Sleep to bear him -softly, after he has fallen, from the battlefield, and bring him to his -kinsfolk in Lycia, that they may pay him the rites which are due to the -mighty dead." - -"Thou hast persuaded me," answered Zeus, bowing his immortal head in -sorrow. And he caused a rain of blood to fall upon the earth, in sad -tribute to the heroic spirit which was about to pass away. - -While this debate was proceeding, the struggle had already begun. In -the first cast of their spears both warriors missed their aim. -Patroclus slew the comrade of Sarpedon, while Sarpedon's lance struck -Pedasus, the mortal steed, in the shoulder, and he fell dead. His -immortal companions plunged wildly, striving to break away from the -yoke when they saw their comrade slain. But Automedon cut the traces -by which the slaughtered steed was attached to the car; and, being rid -of their sad burden, Xanthus and Balius were once more obedient to the -rein. - -Again the heroes flung their spears, and the weapon of Sarpedon flew -over his antagonist's left shoulder. But the spear of Patroclus sank -deep into Sarpedon's breast, and he fell, writhing in his death agony, -and sending forth loud groans, like a bull when he feels the lion's -claws tearing his flanks. So raged Sarpedon in the pangs of death, and -rolling his eyes he sought the familiar face of his beloved Glaucus. -"Friend of my heart!" he cried, "valiant Glaucus, companion of all my -toils, now must thou prove thy manly worth. Rally round thee the -stoutest of the Lycians, and let not thy foot go back, or thy hand -cease from slaying, until thou hast saved my body from the Greeks. To -thee I shall be a reproach, and a hanging of the head, even unto thy -life's end, if thou leave me, a rifled and dishonoured corpse, in the -hands of the foe." - -Even as he spoke, death stopped his breath and darkened his eyes. And -Patroclus set his foot on the corpse, and drew forth his spear, while -the Myrmidons took possession of the empty car with its affrighted -steeds. - -Glaucus was in dire distress when he heard his dying comrade's voice. -But he was disabled by the wound which he had received in scaling the -wall. Nursing his injured arm, he prayed aloud to Apollo: "Hear me, O -King, whether thou art now in Lycia or in Troy; for thine ear is ever -open to the cry of need, however far away. My hand is maimed, and my -arm is burning with sharp pains, so that I cannot wield my spear, -though Sarpedon is fallen, and his father hath forsaken him. So -forsake thou not me, but heal my wound, and give me back my strength, -that I may save his body from outrage." - -Apollo heard, and granted his prayer, and straightway the flow of his -blood was stopped, and he felt in his body that he was healed of his -hurt. Then Glaucus was glad, and he made all haste to do his comrade's -bidding. First he called to the men of Lycia to do battle for their -slaughtered captain, and then he went to rouse the Trojan leaders to do -their duty by their great ally. Finding Hector engaged in another part -of the field, he reproached him for his neglect. "Hast thou -forgotten," he asked indignantly, "what thou owest to us, who have come -on a far journey to shed our blood for thee and thy country? Cold lies -Sarpedon, chief pillar of thine allies; come, friends, and help us to -save his corpse, or ye will be shamed for ever." - -This was bitter news for the Trojans, who reverenced Sarpedon as the -chief corner-stone of their defence; and they rushed with one accord to -avenge his death. Patroclus on his side summoned the bravest of the -Greeks to his aid, and the whole fury of the struggle was now centred -in the place where the dead Sarpedon lay. - -The first who fell in this new battle was a friend of Patroclus, who -years ago had found a new home in the house of Peleus, having been -banished from his own country for the murder of his cousin. He was now -struck down by a stone from the hand of Hector; and Patroclus, in his -anger at his comrade's death, made so furious an assault that the -Trojans gave way before him about the length of a spear's cast. Then -Glaucus advanced again, and slew Bathycles, a man of high note among -the Myrmidons; and Meriones on the other side killed Laogonus, the -priest of Idaean Zeus. AEneas, ever famed for his piety, hurled his -spear at Meriones, hoping to avenge the fall of that sacred head; but -Meriones stooped low, and the spear flew over his head, and sunk deep -in the ground, with quivering shaft, just behind him. "The Cretan can -dance, I see!" shouted AEneas; "he comes from a land of dancers." "Thou -shall dance to my piping, before thou hast done," answered Meriones -derisively. "Thinkest thou that we owe thee a life for every cast of -thy spear?" "Peace!" said Patroclus, rebuking him. "We must fight -with our swords, not with our tongues, if we would do aught worthy -here." - -Thick and fast rained the blows, on shield and helmet and mailed -breast, as the two armies closed again, and the sound was as of an army -of woodmen plying their axes together in a deep mountain glade. In the -midst lay the lifeless Sarpedon, covered from head to foot with -javelins, and blood, and dust, so that his dearest friend could not -have recognised his face. Like flies buzzing round a milk pail, so -thronged the Greeks and Trojans round the body. - -Zeus sat watching the battle, pondering in his heart what measure of -glory he should mete out to Patroclus before he laid him low by the arm -of Hector. At last, having taken his resolve, he caused a coward -spirit to enter into Hector's heart, and the Trojan captain wheeled his -car, and fled towards the city. The panic spread to the other Trojans, -and the Lycians, and they retreated, leaving the body of Sarpedon in -the hands of the Greeks, who despoiled it of its armour, and were about -to do it further dishonour when a higher power intervened. In the very -act of violating the dead, they saw their lifeless victim snatched from -them by an invisible hand; for Apollo had received the commands of -Zeus, and bore away the soiled and blackened body to the riverside, -where he washed it clean, anointed it with ambrosia, and gave it, robed -in immortal raiment, into the charge of Sleep and Death, for safe and -speedy conveyance to Lycia. - - -III - -High dreams of triumph arose in the heart of Patroclus when he saw the -enemy flying, and, forgetting the earnest injunction of Achilles, he -bade Automedon lay on the lash, and followed in hot pursuit. Even to -the very walls he drove; but then he found awaiting him one mightier -than Hector, even Apollo himself, who shook the aegis in his face, and -warned him back. Patroclus retired a little, and while he hesitated -Apollo went to the gates of the city, where Hector was lingering, in -doubt whether to continue the battle, or to withdraw behind the walls. - -"What doest thou here, son of Priam?" said the god; "come with me, and -I will show thee where the path of glory lies." When he heard Apollo's -voice, Hector's courage returned, and he commanded Cebriones, his -charioteer, to drive back to the battlefield. Avoiding the other -Greeks, Hector made straight for the place where Patroclus had been -left standing by Apollo. Patroclus came to meet him, holding his spear -in his left hand, while in his right he grasped a jagged stone. And as -the car approached, he flung the stone with all his force, and struck -Cebriones on the forehead, shattering the bones. The reins dropped -from his hands, and without a single cry he fell from the car, striking -the ground with his head. "How bravely the man tumbles!" cried -Patroclus. "He would make a rare diver, and earn a good wage by -bringing up oysters from the sea. I perceive that the Trojans can -dance, as well as the Cretans." - -Thereupon he leapt upon the prostrate charioteer, and Hector sprang -forward to defend his comrade's body. So there they met, like two -hungry lions fighting for the carcass of a stag; and the Greeks and -Trojans thronged on either side to their support, like two winds from -opposite quarters, which shatter the boughs of beech and ash in a -mountain forest. All the ground about the corpse was set thick with -javelins and arrows, and heaped with the stones which crashed upon -corslet and shield. And there lay the giant Trojan, while the battle -raged above him, mighty and mightily fallen, and all his horsemanship -forgot. - -Never had the arm of Patroclus dealt such havoc among the foemen's -ranks as then; for his doom was near, and Zeus gave him honour in this, -his latest hour. Thrice he made an onset, fierce as the god of war -himself, and thrice he slew nine men. But when for the fourth time he -sprang to the encounter, Ph[oe]bus made after him, and smote him on the -back with his open hand. Patroclus reeled and grew dizzy, like one who -has received a sunstroke. Then Apollo struck the helmet from his head, -and it rolled clattering among the horses' feet, that mighty brazen -helm, whose plumes, now soiled with dust and gore, had once waved above -the princely brow of Achilles. The spear was shivered to pieces in his -hand, and his shield slipped from his shoulder to the ground. And as -he stood thus, defenceless and amazed, a Trojan, whose name was -Euphorbus, wounded him between the shoulders with his spear. The blow -was not mortal, and Patroclus drew back, to mingle with the press; but -Hector followed after him, and drove his spear deep into his side. And -as a lion overpowers a wild boar, fighting with him in the lone -mountains for the possession of a little spring, and slays him by his -might, so slew Hector the valiant son of Men[oe]tius, and stayed the -ravage of the Trojan ranks. - -"Ah! Patroclus," said he, gazing in triumph on the dying hero, "thou -thoughtest this day to have taken our city by storm, and led captive -the women of Troy. But they have in me a defender who is too strong -for thee. Vain man! Achilles, I doubt not, bade thee bring back to -him the bloody spoils of Hector, and now thou liest slain by Hector's -hand." - -"Boast not," answered Patroclus faintly. "It is small glory for thee -to have slain the slain. I received my death blow from Apollo and -Euphorbus, not from thee. And thine own fate shall overtake thee soon, -when thou shalt die by the hands of AEacides." - -Even as he spake the shadow of death fell upon him, and his soul took -wing for the realm of Hades, bewailing her lot, leaving all that beauty -and manly bloom. - - - - -The Fight for the Body of Patroclus - -I - -Menelaus was the first to mark the fall of Patroclus, and he came with -a rush and stood over his body to defend it, like a young mother of the -herd when she stands lowing plaintively over her calf, the first that -she has borne. Shield on shoulder and spear in hand he stood, glaring -defiance at the foe; and Euphorbus, the Trojan who had dealt the first -blow at Patroclus, took up the challenge, addressing Menelaus with -these haughty words: "Make way, son of Atreus, and leave me to take my -lawful spoil. 'Twas I that wounded Patroclus first, and his armour -belongs by right to me. Back, or thou shalt die the death." - -"If big words could kill," answered Menelaus, with scorn, "then wert -thou and thy brethren the most dreaded warriors of all thy nation; for -there are no such windy braggarts in Priam's army. Away with thee, if -thou wouldst have breath left in thee to boast again." - -But Euphorbus, though a boaster, and a mere novice in war, was no -coward. He thrust manfully at Menelaus, who parried the blow with his -shield, and then, striking in his turn, and throwing all his weight -into the stroke, drove his spear into Euphorbus' throat, so that the -point came out at the back of his neck. Down he went, and his armour -clattered upon him, and his love locks, curiously adorned with gold and -silver, were dabbled with blood. As when a man tends carefully a green -olive-shoot, in some sheltered spot, near a gushing fountain-head; and -now it is a comely tree, just bursting into blossom, and lightly rocked -by all the airs of heaven: then comes a sudden tempest, and uproots it -from the soil, and all its promise is marred: so stricken and cut off -in the dawn of his manhood lay that gallant lad. And as a lion comes -down from the mountains, trusting in his might, and strikes down a -young heifer feeding in a meadow, the fairest of the herd, breaking her -neck with his mighty teeth, and then glutting himself with her blood -and her flesh; and the herdsmen with their hounds stand apart, making -great uproar, but not one dares to interrupt him in his meal: so dared -not one of the Trojans to stand against Menelaus face to face. - -Hector, who after slaying Patroclus had gone off in pursuit of the car -of Achilles, was recalled from that fruitless chase by the tidings of -Euphorbus' death. With a loud cry of rage he turned back, and hastened -to the place where the young Trojan lay, side by side with Patroclus. -Menelaus stayed not to abide his coming, but fell back upon the ranks -of his comrades, and there halted, and scanned the fighting line, -looking for the great Telamonian Ajax. Observing him at last on the -extreme left of the battle, he ran up to him, crying eagerly: "Make -haste, Ajax, and aid me to recover the body of Patroclus, that we may -carry it back, naked as it is, to Achilles; for the armour Hector has -taken already." - -So together they went, and stood side by side over the body of -Patroclus; and Hector in his turn shrank back, when he was confronted -by the towering form of Ajax, with his massive, sevenfold shield. But -he took with him the armour, and gave it to two of his men to carry to -the city. - -Glaucus was full of anger when he saw Hector quail before Ajax, and he -reproached him bitterly, calling him faint-hearted, and false to his -great office. "It is a thankless task," he said, "to fight under such -a leader. Henceforth let the Trojans make shift to defend their city -without our aid, for we of Lycia at least will fight their battles no -more. Basely hast thou dealt with us, after all our good service, -leaving our great captain Sarpedon in the hands of the Greeks. If ye -of Troy had the spirit of men, ye would aid us to capture the body of -Patroclus, that we might keep it to exchange for Sarpedon's corpse. -But thou art a prudent warrior, and fearest the face of Ajax, knowing -him to be a far better man than thou art." - -"O folly of the wise!" answered Hector scornfully. "'Tis Glaucus can -talk thus, who hath the rarest wit, as we are told, among all the men -of Lycia. Come and stand by me, and thou shall see if I fear the face -of Ajax, or any other Greek. But first I will put on the armour of -Achilles, which was given, men say, by the gods, as a wedding gift to -his father Peleus." And with that he ran and overtook the men who were -carrying the spoils of Patroclus towards the city, and taking off his -own armour began to put on that of Achilles. - -[Illustration: Homer hymning the Fall of Troy. (Baron H. de Triqueti)] - -When Zeus beheld him thus gaily equipping himself in the spoils of the -mighty, he shook his head, and spake thus to his own heart: "Ah! -wretch, thy triumph will be short lived, and the hand of doom is -stretched out already to take thee. But thou shall have thine hour, -and Andromache shall hear of thy deeds, though never more shall she -welcome thee returning from battle." - -He said it, and confirmed it with a nod, and forthwith the very demon -of war entered into the heart of Hector, and with a fierce cry he ran -back to the field, glittering in the armour of Pelides, which seemed to -have been wrought for himself, so well it fitted his limbs. - -Even the great Ajax felt a cold touch of fear as Hector bore down upon -him, with the most famous warriors of Troy and Lycia at his back. "We -are lost," he said to Menelaus, "unless we can get some other succour -to beat back this tempest of war." Then, raising his voice, he -shouted: "To the rescue, ye captains and princes of the Greeks! Let -not Patroclus become a prey to dogs in the streets of Troy." His cry -was heard, and soon he was joined by Idomeneus, and Meriones, and the -lesser Ajax. - -Like the roar of the advancing tide, when it meets the torrent waters -at the mouth of the mighty river, such was the shout of the Trojans as -they rushed to the onset. And the Greeks stood firm to meet them, -making a fence with their shields over the body of Patroclus. At the -first shock of that tremendous charge they were forced to give ground a -little, and one of the Trojans fastened a thong to the ankle of the -corpse, and began to drag it away. But he had not gone far when Ajax -sprang upon him, and with one blow of his sword shivered his helmet, -and clave him to the chin. This gave time for the Greeks to rally, and -the battle was renewed in that narrow space round the body of -Patroclus, where many a valiant deed was wrought, and many a hero bit -the dust, fighting for the possession of a helpless corpse. Over this -struggling mass of warriors in the centre of the field was spread a -thick curtain of darkness, for Zeus had ordered it so, while the rest -of the Greeks and Trojans were fighting in the broad sunlight. Far -away on the border of the fight were Antilochus, the son of Nestor, and -his brother, who had not yet heard that Patroclus had been slain. - -But in that dark kernel of the battle the ruthless tug of war went on. -There was no stay, no pause, while they hewed, and thrust, and strove, -till the blinding sweat poured down into their eyes, and their knees -shook with weariness. As when a master currier gives to his journeymen -a great bull's hide, well drenched with fat, to be stretched, and they -stand in a circle, and tug with all their might, straining it equally -on all sides, until all moisture departs from it, and the fat -penetrates to every pore; so they tugged the body between them, this -way and that, the Trojans haling it towards the city, and the Greeks -towards their camp. "Die, ye Greeks!" cried Ajax, who was fighting -like twenty men; "die, rather than give up the body to the Trojans." - - -II - -After the fall of Patroclus, Automedon had driven his car out of the -press of battle, flying from the fury of Hector. When Hector was -recalled from the pursuit, Automedon strove in vain to stir his horses -from the spot where he had halted. In vain he plied the lash, in vain -he coaxed and threatened; still as a monumental pillar on a tomb they -stood, with their heads drooping to the earth, and their glossy manes -streaming over their eyes, while the hot tears dropped fast in the -dust, as they wept for the gentle prince, whom they had borne so often -to battle. - -Zeus pitied them in their sorrow, and spake thus within himself: "Ah! -hapless pair, why did we give you to a mortal master, while ye know -neither age nor death? What part or lot have ye with human misery, or -with man, the most wretched thing that breathes and moves on earth? -But Hector shall never mount the car behind you, or put the bit in your -mouths--I will not suffer that. Be strong, and bear your driver safe, -until the battle be done." - -Therewith, he breathed new vigour into the steeds, and they shook the -dust from their manes, and galloped lightly with the car back to the -fighting lines. Singlehanded, Automedon could take no part in the -hand-to-hand battle with the Trojans, and for some time he contented -himself with making rapid charges with his chariot, swooping down here -and there, like an eagle pouncing on a flock of geese, and easily -avoiding every attack. At last he found a helper in a comrade named -Alcimedon, and handing the reins to him he dismounted himself to fight -on foot. - -When Hector saw the car of Achilles in charge of a strange driver he -called to AEneas, and said: "See, there are the steeds of AEacides, -ill-guided, and ill-defended; let us not miss the occasion to win so -glorious a prize." So together they went, AEneas and Hector, and two -other Trojans, in high hope to slay Automedon, and take the car. But -Automedon, uttering a prayer to Zeus, flung his spear, and slew Aretus, -one of his assailants; and before Hector, who missed his cast at -Automedon, could come to close quarters with his sword, Ajax -interposed, and drove him back. - -The arrival of Automedon had interrupted the struggle for the -possession of the body of Patroclus; but it was resumed with new fury -on both sides, and the Greeks now received a new ally in the person of -Athene, who obtained permission from Zeus to bring aid to her old -allies. Disguised in the form of the aged Ph[oe]nix, she went and -stood by the side of Menelaus, and said to him: "Courage, son of -Atreus! We shall win the battle yet, and save the noble comrade of -Achilles from the foeman's hands." - -"Ah! Ph[oe]nix," answered Menelaus, "I would that Athene would put -strength into my arm; then might I, as far as it is now possible, -retrieve the bitter loss which we have suffered this day." - -Athene was glad that he had named her before any other god, and she -filled him with an indomitable spirit, and gave him the stubborn -courage of a fly, which returns again and again to the attack, in its -fierce desire for blood. And, seeing a good mark for his spear in the -back of a flying Trojan, Menelaus flung, and pierced him in the waist. -The man whom he slew was Podes, a son of Eetion, and a friend and boon -companion of Hector. Provoked beyond measure by the death of his -comrade, Hector led such a determined charge against the Greek centre -that even the bravest began to flinch; and to affright them the more -there came a deafening peal of thunder from the heights of Ida, now -wrapped in a pitchy cloud. - -The first to fly was Peneleos, the bravest of the B[oe]otians, whose -shoulder had been cut to the bone by the spear of Polydamas. Then -Idomeneus, coming to succour a wounded Greek, broke his spear on -Hector's breastplate, and it would have gone hard with him had not -C[oe]ranus, a Cretan, driven up to the rescue in the car of Meriones; -for Idomeneus had come to the field on foot, leaving his own car in the -camp. The brave C[oe]ranus paid for this good service with his life, -sustaining a fearful thrust from Hector's spear, which struck him just -at the angle of the jaw, and severed his tongue at the root. He fell -from the car, and dropped the reins on the ground; but Meriones picked -them up, and gave them to Idomeneus, who drove off at full speed -towards the ships. - -Thus deprived of his bravest supporters, Ajax cast a glance of dismay -at Menelaus, who was still fighting at his side, and said: "Alas! even -a blind man might see that Zeus himself is aiding the Trojans. Every -weapon of theirs finds its mark, let it be hurled by ever so weak a -hand; but our spears fall idle to the ground, one and all. Yet, -abandoned though we are, let us take thought how we may save the body -of Patroclus, and ourselves return alive to gladden the eyes of our -faithful comrades, who methinks are in sore distress, thinking that the -might and the murderous hands of Hector shall no more be stayed until -they have hurled destruction on our fleet. Also I would fain despatch -a messenger to bear the bitter tidings to Pelides, who dreams not that -his beloved Patroclus has perished. But I cannot see anyone to whom I -might deliver this charge, for men and steeds alike are covered by -thick darkness. Dread sire of heaven, at least from darkness deliver -the sons of Greece! Bring back the day, and give us the sight of our -eyes. Slay us, if die we must--but slay us in the light!" - -Zeus had compassion on that brave man in his agony, and forthwith the -thick cloud of darkness was removed, and the sun shone out, and all the -field of battle was disclosed to view. "Now haste, Menelaus," said -Ajax. "Go thou, and find Antilochus, who is very dear to Achilles, and -bid him carry this message, which none other may dare to bring." - -Menelaus was very reluctant to leave his place among the defenders of -Patroclus. Slowly, and with many a backward glance, he turned to go, -like a lion who is driven off at dawn by a shower of javelins and -burning brands, after he has prowled all night round the stalls where -fat oxen are housed. "Ah! remember," he said earnestly, pausing once -more, "remember how dear, how gentle he was to us all, this poor -Patroclus, who now lies cold in death. Forsake him not, but stand by -him till I come back." - -After this fervent appeal he made all haste, and ran along the fighting -line, looking about him with a piercing glance, like an eagle soaring -high in the heaven, who spies out a hare as she crouches in the shadow -of a thicket. So did the keen eye of Menelaus soon discern where -Antilochus was fighting, on the extreme left of the field. "Dire is -the news I bring," said Menelaus, halting by his side: "Patroclus is -slain, Hector has his armour, and thou art chosen to tell Achilles of -his loss, that if it be possible he may yet save the body." - -With parted lips, and eyes staring with horror, Antilochus stood gazing -at the bringer of the message of woe. Then dashing the tears from his -eyes, and drawing a deep sobbing breath, he flung down his shield and -sped away on his mournful errand. - -"I have sent him," said Menelaus, when he had returned with all speed -to the defenders of the fallen Patroclus. "I know not what Achilles -will do--he cannot fight without armour. But to our task." "The -Trojans have drawn off a little," answered Ajax. "Now is the time: do -thou and Meriones take the corpse on your shoulders, while I and my -brother-in-arms hold the foe in play." - -Without a moment's delay Menelaus and Meriones hoisted the body on -their shoulders and began to carry it towards the camp: which when the -Trojans saw, they raised a great shout, and rushed after, like hounds -attacking a wounded wild boar; but as the hounds are scattered when the -great brute wheels to the charge, so fled the Trojans before the -determined stand of Ajax and his comrade. - -But only for a moment: on they came again, fierce as a mighty -conflagration, which sweeps through the streets of a town, driven -before the gale, while the houses melt away like wax in the flames: -with like furious uproar came horse and foot hard at their heels, as -they bore the body from the field. But stoutly and stubbornly they -plodded on with their burden, panting and sweating like a pair of mules -which drag a heavy beam down a rugged mountain path: and behind them -those two doughty champions opposed an impassable barrier to the -Trojans, like a long wooded mountain spur, which hurls back the fierce -assault of a swollen stream, and cannot be broken. - -Yet even now the issue seemed doubtful; for just as the bearers reached -the barriers of the camp Hector and AEneas led a vigorous charge, -scattering the Greeks as a hawk scatters a noisy mob of starlings or -daws. - - - - -The News is brought to Achilles - -I - -"Why tarries Patroclus so long?" asked Achilles of himself, as he sat -waiting by his tent. "Alas! I fear that he hath disobeyed me, and -lost his life by his rashness. Did not my mother tell me that the -noblest of the Greeks should fall in battle with the Trojans while I -lived?" His alarm increased when he saw straggling parties of the -Greeks entering the camp, with every sign of panic and defeat. -Presently the roar of the struggle drew nearer and nearer, and he had -just determined to rush to the ramparts, and learn the worst, when -Antilochus came running up, and in broken accents panted out his -dreadful message. - -As when a thunderbolt descends, laying low some giant of the forest, so -fell the mighty Pelides, laid prostrate beneath that stunning blow. -Then that proud head, which had never bowed to mortal man, was defiled -with dust, and those heroic limbs, the very mould of manly strength and -beauty, grovelled and writhed on the ground. He tore his hair, cast -ashes on his head, and moaned like a wounded beast in his agony. And -all the handmaids whom he had taken in war gathered round him, wailing -and beating their breasts; for sorrow was their portion, and their -tears were ever ready to flow. By his side knelt Antilochus, holding -his hands, in fear lest he should do violence to his life. - -Then Achilles shook off the grasp of Antilochus, and started to his -feet with a fearful cry, glaring wildly, like one about to do some -desperate act. But just at this moment a sound of female voices came -floating over the placid sea, and Thetis glided into his presence, with -all her band of Ocean nymphs attending. Achilles flung himself down -again when he saw her, with a fresh burst of grief; and kneeling by him -she embraced him tenderly, and weeping cried: "O child of my sorrow, -what new cause of mourning hath reached thee now? Hath not Zeus -fulfilled his promise, and avenged thine honour?" - -"What avails his promise, or the fulfilment thereof?" answered -Achilles, groaning bitterly. "What care I for honour, if I must pay -for it with the life of my best beloved? He lies in his blood, and -Hector, his slayer, has taken the glorious armour which the gods gave -to Peleus when they made thee his unwilling bride. 'Twas a woeful -match, for thee and for me, and soon thou shall reap the bitter fruit, -for Hector must die by my hand, to appease the ghost of Patroclus, and -thou hast told me that, when Hector falls, my own end is not far off." -A mournful silence followed, broken only by the sobs of Thetis, who -knew her son had pronounced his own doom. Then Achilles burst out -again, in louder and angrier tones: "But let me die, when that task is -done! What has life been to me?--a burden to myself, and a curse to -others! Here have I lain, like a useless trunk, encumbering the sod, -and left my comrades to perish, and given him, the very light of mine -eyes, to be a prey to the spoiler. Accursed, and thrice accursed, be -the spirit of strife, which trickles, sweeter than honey, into the -hearts of men, and rises up again, in words more bitter than -gall!--even as Agamemnon provoked me to fierce anger, which now comes -back upon me, with thrice envenomed sting. But past is past--we will -speak no more of that. My fate calls me to vengeance--and after that -the grave. Then away, soft visitings of love and gentle sorrow! And -thou, fond heart, become a stone! I will strew with havoc the path -which leads me to mine enemy, and the streets of Troy shall be filled -with lamentation, and women wailing for their dead." - -"I know that I cannot shake thy purpose," answered Thetis sadly, "and -it shall be as thou hast said. But unarmed thou canst not go into -battle. Remain here therefore until my return, and by to-morrow's dawn -I will bring thee such armour as never mortal wore." - - -II - -While these events were passing, the struggle over the slain Patroclus -raged fiercer than ever. Slowly the Greeks were driven back to the -very gates of their camp, and at the eleventh hour that pitiful prize -which had cost so much blood would have fallen into the hands of the -Trojans, had not Hera intervened and sent Iris to summon Achilles to -the rescue. - -"Rouse thee, son of Peleus!" said Iris, appearing at his side. "Hector -hath sworn to set the head of Patroclus on the battlements of Troy, and -he will accomplish his threat if thou sittest idle here." - -"How can I go unarmed to the field?" answered Achilles. "I know of -none whose armour I might wear, save only Ajax, and he is fighting at -the front." - -"No more words," replied Iris. "Do as thou art bidden, and heaven will -find a way." Then Achilles arose, and went to the ramparts; and Athene -drew near him, and threw her tasselled aegis over his shoulders, and on -his head she caused a golden cloud to descend, which shot forth rays of -angry light. As in a beleaguered city, where a thousand watch-fires -are lighted, and all day long the pillars of smoke ascend, but in the -darkness the red blaze is seen afar, a signal of distress to distant -allies--so shone that unearthly fire on the head of Achilles, as he -stood on the brink of the moat. Then he lifted up his voice, and -shouted; and the sound was as the sound of a trumpet summoning to arms. - -When they saw the dreadful light, and heard the brazen voice of -Pelides, the Trojans were astonished, and halted in the midst of their -wild assault; and while they wavered the Greeks fell upon them, and -drove them back in disorder. The tide had turned at last, and the long -day of battle, so full of strange revolutions of fortune, came to an -end. - -Slowly and reverently the body of Patroclus was laid upon a bier, and -carried to the tent of Achilles. But a few short hours before he had -gone forth, with horses and with chariots, to battle, in the pride of -youth and strength; and now he lay cold in death, gored with hideous -wounds by Trojan spears. And all night long Achilles and his comrades -mourned for their slaughtered hero, the gentlest and the best of all -their band. Like a lion who leaves his whelps in their dark forest -lair, and returns to find his bed empty, and his young ones gone; -roaring with rage and grief he tracks the footsteps of the robber along -many a mountain path, and all the forest is filled with the sound of -his wrath: such was Pelides in his sorrow, and such the voice of his -mourning. "Vain, alas! was the promise which I made to thy father -Men[oe]tius, that I would bring thee back safe to thy home in Locris, -loaded with the spoils of Troy. Thy blood is red on the Trojan sod, -where mine too shall flow before many days are passed. Now hear my -vow, Patroclus, and take comfort, even in death I will not pay the last -rites to thy corpse until I have brought Hector's body hither, with the -armour which he has taken, and slain twelve Trojan captives as a -sacrifice to thy shade. Till then thou shalt lie as thou art, and the -women of Troy, whom we won with the might of our hands, shall mourn -thee night and day." - -Then they washed the body, and anointed it with fragrant oil, and laid -it, wrapped in fine linen, on a bed to wait for burial. - - -III - -The Trojans still kept the field, though with far other feelings than -when they lit their camp-fires, only the night before. Before ever -they thought of supper the chiefs met in council, and stood about in -anxious groups, waiting until some recognised leader should advise them -in their present strait. Then Polydamas, who was esteemed the wisest -head among them, came forward and commanded silence; and all listened -attentive to hear what he should say. "Friends," he began, "ye had -best take heed what ye do; as for me, I have but one thing to -advise--back to the city, and let not to-morrow's dawn find us here! -We have all had our hopes, and I among the rest; but all those hopes -are fled now that Achilles has arisen again; and if we abide his coming -we shall learn too late what it means to face him in the open field. -Here, where we stand, dogs and vultures will hold their foul revel, and -batten on our flesh, at the going-down of the sun. Therefore, I say -again, back to the city, and put a stout bulwark of stone and oak -between yourselves and this terrible man. To-morrow we will man the -walls, and laugh at his fury if he seeks to assail us there. Yea, his -steeds shall weary with drawing his car, and he himself shall sicken of -the vain attempt, for he knows well that Troy is not destined to fall -by his hands." - -So ran the counsels of prudence; but another spirit was there also--the -spirit of rash confidence and unauthorised ambition--and it found -passionate utterance in the voice of Hector, who was the next to speak. -"I like not thy words, Polydamas," said he, with an angry look; "I like -not the cowardly counsel which bids us skulk behind our walls. Who is -not sick of our long confinement in that pinfold there? We have -drained our treasury, and scattered abroad the wealth for which Troy -was once famed throughout the world, wherever human speech is heard. -But now that we have been vouchsafed the glorious promise of carrying -the war into the enemy's camp, and driving these hounds of war out of -our land--now, I say, unlock no more the thoughts of thy base soul, to -damp our courage, and quench the bright flame of hope which has been -kindled in our breasts. Now hear what I advise: to-night we will hold -our camp here, and keep watch in turn; and to-morrow at first peep of -day we will put on our armour and march against the Grecian stronghold. -Achilles is arisen, sayest thou? The worse for him: I will not fly -before him, but will meet him face to face, and slay him, or be slain." - -The fiery eloquence of Hector carried his hearers with him, and they -resolved with one accord to remain where they were, and abide the issue. - - - - -The Shield of Achilles - -Mindful of her promise, Thetis, when she left Achilles, went -straightway to Olympus and entered the dwelling of Hephaestus. It was a -wondrous structure, all of brass, which the lame god had planned and -fashioned by his own skill and labour. She found him in his forge, -blowing up the fire with his bellows; for he was hard at work, setting -the finish to twenty brazen vessels, for use in his house. Each vessel -ran on golden wheels, and moved to and fro of its own accord, coming -and going at the master's bidding. With him sat Charis, his wife, -watching her husband at his toil; and when she saw Thetis enter she -came forward to greet her, and placed a chair, inlaid with silver, for -her to sit on. Then she called to Hephaestus, who was stooping over his -forge, and said: "Leave thy work, and come and welcome this honoured -guest." - -"Welcome indeed she is, and honoured too," said the hospitable god, -limping across the stithy with outstretched hands. "Did she not save -me from my shrewish mother, who was ashamed of her crippled son, and -sought to put me out of the way, when I was but a child? Then it would -have gone hard with me if Thetis had not received me into her home, the -deep cavern, round which Oceanus wraps his watery coils, foaming and -thundering everlastingly. There I dwelt in peace for nine long years, -and many a pretty jewel I wrought for my preservers--brooches, and -bracelets and necklaces. And none of the gods knew where I was, save -only kind Thetis and Eurynome, daughter of Oceanus. Therefore thrice -welcome, sweet lady of the sea! I owe thee my life, and shall be -rejoiced if I can pay part of the debt. Take her, dear Charis, to the -guest-chamber, while I put away the implements of my trade." - -Thetis left the forge with her hostess, and when they were gone -Hephaestus gathered up his tools, and turned the bellows away from the -fire. The tools he placed in a vast silver chest, and then taking a -sponge he cleansed his face and hands, his brawny neck, and hairy -chest. Then he put on a clean tunic, and went to join Charis and her -guest. His huge heavy frame was ill supported on a pair of thin, -crooked legs; but his own inventive genius had enabled him to supply -this defect, for on either side of him walked a wonderful creature, -wrought by himself in gold, with the form and face of a maiden, a human -voice, and human wit. Leaning on these strange supporters, he entered -the guest-chamber, and sat down by the side of Thetis. "What need," he -asked, "has brought thee to my poor house--an angel's visit, indeed, to -me, both rare and dear?" - -Encouraged by the cordial tone of the good-natured god, Thetis poured -out afresh all the tale of her woes, beginning from the time when, -sorely against her will, she became the bride of Peleus. He was now an -old man, broken and infirm, and she a goddess, radiant in her immortal -bloom, was still chained to the human wreck, and Achilles, her son, -still in the prime of his splendid manhood, was a perpetual source of -trouble and grief. "Few indeed," she went on, "and evil, are the days -of his life. First foully insulted by his sovereign, and now -broken-hearted at the loss of his dearest friend! Help me to do what I -can to comfort him in this bitter hour; lend me thy skill, and make him -a suit of armour such as never mortal man hath worn before." - -"If that be all," answered Hephaestus cheerfully, "thy prayer is granted -as soon as uttered. Arms he shall have, which shall make him the -wonder of the world when he goes forth to battle." - -Then leaving Thetis in charge of his wife he went back to his forge, -and having stripped to the waist addressed himself to his work. Round -the furnace in the centre of the stithy were twenty pairs of bellows, -each serving a separate smelting oven. These he now turned to the -fire, and commanded them to blow, for they were endowed with a -consciousness of their own, and obeyed the master's will, now sending -forth a tremendous blast, which made the fire roar with fury, and the -flames leap upward to the roof, now breathing low, like some huge -monster in his softer mood. Into the smelting ovens he cast bronze and -tin, silver and gold; and when his metal was ready he placed a -ponderous anvil on the anvil block, and took in one hand a mighty -hammer, while in the other he grasped the tongs. - -And first a shield he fashioned, vast and strong,[1] with threefold -rim, and baldric of silver. The shield was of five folds; and on it he -wrought many a pictured scene with wondrous skill. - - -[1] This line is from Cowper's version. - - -There were imaged earth and sea, the unwearied sun, and the moon in her -waxing and her waning, and the heavens with all their starry -crown--Pleiades, and Hyades, and Orion's might, and the Bear, whom men -likewise call the Wain, who turns on the same spot, and watches Orion, -and alone has no share in the baths of Ocean. - -And there was fashioned many a scene from human life, peace and war, -pastime and industry. The first was a city, and along the streets a -bridal procession was passing, with blazing torches, and the loud -hymeneal song, and the whirl of dancers, and the music of flute and -harp; and the women stood at their thresholds, admiring that gay -company. But in the market-place was heard the voice of loud dispute; -for the elders were met in their session, to decide a quarrel -concerning the blood-price of a murdered man. The slayer brought -witnesses to prove that he had paid the whole amount; but the plaintiff -denied that he had received a doit. Outside the circle stood the -clamorous mob, eager partisans of either side, and held in check by the -heralds with their rods of office, and in the midst sat the elders in -solemn conclave on their seats of polished stone, rising up in turn to -give sentence. And he whose judgment was held wisest was to receive a -reward of two talents of gold. - -A second city there was, hard beset by stress of war. For about it lay -two armies encamped, whose counsels were divided: in one the leaders -were for taking the city by storm, while in the other they would have -made a treaty, by which the citizens were to buy off the attack with -half their goods. But while the besiegers were disputing, the citizens -left their walls to be defended by the old men and the weaker sort, and -sallied out in full force to lay an ambush for a convoy which was on -its way to the enemy's camp. So forth they marched, with Ares and -Athene at their head, distinguished by their towering stature and -golden armour. And when they came to the chosen place of ambush, by -the riverside, where was a watering-place for flocks and herds, they -crouched down among the bushes, leaving two scouts to warn them of the -convoy's approach. Soon they heard the lowing of cattle, and the -bleating of sheep, and the sound of the herdsmen's pipes, as they came -on, dreaming of no harm; then forth rushed the armed troop, and cut -down the herdsmen, and began to drive off the beasts. - -The cries of the herdsmen, and the bellowing of the affrighted beasts, -reached the ears of the besiegers, as they sat in council, and seizing -their arms they mounted their horses, and hurried to the rescue. Then -began a furious struggle, in which all the demons of war--Strife, and -Confusion, and deadly Fate--held high carnival, and drank deep of human -blood.[2] - - -[2] It should be observed that the poet gives the whole succession of -incidents which are merely hinted at by the artist, who is confined to -one moment in the story. - - -Then followed diverse scenes of happy toil. The first was a fair -fallow land of rich tilth, where ploughmen were driving their teams to -and fro, drawing long furrows, straight and deep, and pausing now and -then to refresh themselves with a cup of wine, which was handed to them -by a man who stood ready at the end of the field. Dark rose the -curling furrow, as the ploughshare passed, and the sods seemed of rich -black soil, though wrought in gold; for therein was displayed the -artist's skill. - -The next was a harvest of yellow corn, and a row of busy reapers with -sharp sickles in their hands. Others stood ready to bind the sheaves, -and these again were supplied by a willing troop of boys, who gathered -up the swathe as fast as it fell, and handed the ripe bundles to the -binders. Near at hand stood the master, rejoicing in his wealth; and -under a tree at the border of the field the henchmen were slaughtering -an ox, to make savoury meat for him and his guests, while women were -preparing a mess of pottage for the reapers. - -Likewise he fashioned a vineyard, heavy with great clusters of grapes, -and along the rows moved a merry troop of boys and girls, with baskets -in their hands, gathering the luscious fruit; and when their baskets -were full they brought their burdens home with dancing steps, led by a -boy who played the harp and sang the sweet dirge of summer in his -shrill, childish voice. - -Then came a herd of oxen going to pasture, and lowing as they went -along the waving rushes, along the murmuring stream. Four herdsmen -followed, and with them were nine dogs. But lo! a noble bull, the -leader of the herd, falls suddenly in his tracks, struck down by the -claws of two ravening lions. They begin to drag him off, and the -herdsmen follow at a distance, cheering on their dogs, which leap and -bay wildly, but will not close with those terrible robbers. - -The last scene of all was a dance of youths and maidens, the youths -clad in close-fitting doublets, and wearing hangers at their sides, and -the maidens wearing light garments of linen, and circlets of gold on -their heads. Holding one another by the wrist, they first moved in a -giddy circle, swift and true as the wheel flies in the potter's hands, -and then they parted in two rows, and met again, weaving and unweaving -all the mazy figures of a Cretan dance, while two tumblers whirled -among them, and a singer gave the time with his voice. - -Framing this rich succession of pictures ran the broad stream of -Oceanus, rolling his waters round the outer rim of the shield. - -Corslet, and greaves, and helmet with crest of gold, were fashioned -next, and when the great work was done, Hephaestus brought it and laid -it at the feet of Thetis. After due thanks, she took leave of her -generous friends, and then sped on her way to the Grecian camp, bearing -the costly gift of Hephaestus to her son. - - - - -The Reconciliation - -I - -Dawn was beginning to redden the waters of the Hellespont when Thetis -reached the tent of Achilles. She found him sitting, lost in a gloomy -reverie, by the side of the bed on which the body of Patroclus lay. -"Come," said Thetis, touching him lightly on the shoulder, "let the -dead bury their dead, and behold the glorious armour which Hephaestus -has wrought for thee." - -With that she set down the dazzling panoply, fresh from the forge of -the god; the ethereal metal rang with a dreadful sound, and from the -burnished surface darted angry beams of light, blinding the eyes of the -Myrmidons who had drawn near to gaze, so that they fled in terror from -the sight. But the eyes of Achilles flashed with an answering fire, -and his heart burned with fierce joy, as he handled the work of the -immortal armourer. "Mother," he said, when he had scrutinised every -piece, "the work is worthy of the artist--I can say no more. And now -to battle! Yet one thing I fear--lest the body of my friend be marred -by decay before my vow is accomplished and I am free to bury him." - -"Let not that care disquiet thee," answered Thetis, "I will find a -means to keep off the destroying hordes of the air, that breathe -corruption in the limbs of fallen warriors. Though he lie unburied for -the space of a whole year, his flesh shall remain pure and clean, as -the flesh of a little child. Now go thou and summon the Greeks to the -place of assembly, that when thou hast renounced thy feud with -Agamemnon, thou mayest gird thee with might and go forth to battle." -Then she brought nectar and ambrosia, and embalmed therewith the body -of Patroclus, that his flesh might remain sound and whole. - -But Achilles strode rapidly along the strand, shouting as he went to -call the people to the assembly. And forthwith from every tent the -multitude came flocking, and not one remained behind, no, not even -those who pursued peaceful crafts, and were not wont to take part in -the councils of the armed host. For not one was willing to be absent -from that memorable meeting. - -As he passed on, he overtook Odysseus and Diomede, who were limping -painfully along, leaning on their spears; for they were still sore with -their wounds. After a few words of greeting, he left them to follow, -and went forward to the place where the chiefs were sitting round the -throne of Agamemnon, which was still vacant. It was a level spot, in -the centre of a natural hollow, whose sides rose gently, until they -were closed by a background of waving woods. And now all the slopes -were black with a swarming multitude, armed and unarmed, stout -spearmen, and noisy rabble. At last Agamemnon was seen approaching, -moving slowly and with pain. He took his seat on the royal throne, and -then a dead hush fell on all that vast company, as Achilles rose in his -place, and began to speak. - -"Great King," he said, "we are met to end the lamentable feud which -arose out of our quarrel for the sake of the maid Briseis. Would that -she had never been born, or had been stricken with sudden death by the -gentle shafts of Artemis, before ever she had put enmity between me and -thee! So would many a brave man have been alive and well who now lies -sleeping an iron sleep. Yes, for many a year to come the Greeks will -speak of the wrath of Achilles, and of him who was the cause. But here -it ends: my wrath is now aimed at another mark, and once more I am thy -faithful friend and ally. War, war without quarter or mercy--that is -all I ask for now. Let us see if the Trojans will hold their camp at -our gates when they stand beneath the shadow of my destroying spear." - -Right glad were the Greeks to learn that the tremendous passions of -Achilles were now enlisted on their side. But their joyful cries were -changed to murmurs of resentment when Agamemnon rose to answer; for -they saw in him the author of all their disasters. Signs of remorse -and confusion appeared in his face; and the first words of his speech -were heard with difficulty amidst the tumult. "Friends and comrades in -arms," he began, "I beseech you to hear me with patience, while I make -confession of my fault. I have sinned, I cannot deny it, through the -dread power of Ate,[1] who blinded my heart, and maimed my wits, on the -day when I took from Achilles his prize. Ah! she is a fearful goddess, -this Ate, a fiend to vex mankind. Soft is her tread, and her path lies -on the heads of men: unseen, unheard, she approaches, and enters into -the soul of him whom she has marked for ruin. Once she dwelt among the -gods in Olympus, but she dared to lay her foul spells on Zeus himself, -so that he fell into grievous error; and when he learnt how he had been -deceived, he swore a mighty oath that never again should that abhorred -witch set foot in the celestial abode. So he caught her by the hair, -and flung her down to earth, to plague the tribes of men. And she it -was who made me her victim, whereby all this mischief befell. But now -I am ready to make all good, and heal the wrong which I have wrought. -And all the gifts which I promised yesterday by the mouth of Odysseus -are thine, Achilles, without abatement of one jot. Wait awhile, before -thou goest into battle, and my squires shall bring them to thy tent." - - -[1] A personification of moral blindness. - - -"As for the gifts," replied Achilles, "they are thine to give or to -withhold as thou choosest. But of that hereafter; for the present, I -have work to do which admits of no delay. No more of talk, but let us -away to the field at once." - -But here the voice of prudence intervened, checking the fiery -impetuosity of Achilles. "Hear me a moment, valiant prince," said -Odysseus. "We must not lead the people fasting to battle, for an empty -man hath little heart for the fight, which methinks will be neither -short nor easy to-day. Let the people first eat their fill, for a man -cannot face the foe from dawn till eve without tasting meat. However -willing his spirit, his flesh is weak; his limbs are soon overtaken -with weariness, his mouth is parched with thirst, and his knees totter -as he goes. Therefore, I say, let us eat, and after that to battle. -And thou, Achilles, shalt receive the gifts of Agamemnon, and partake -of a banquet of honour with the other chieftains in his tent. The King -knows what is fitting, and he cannot do less." - -Agamemnon willingly assented, and was proceeding to give the order to -bring the gifts when Achilles started up again, in eager protest -against this delay. - -"Illustrious King," he said, "surely there will be time enough to speak -of these lesser matters when we have humbled the pride of the Trojans, -who are waiting for us on the plain. My friend lies slaughtered, -pierced by Hector's spear, and ye talk to me of meat and drink! By my -will the whole army should keep a solemn fast, until we have washed out -the stain on our honour in a sea of blood, and then, after the great -act of vengeance is complete, we will feast and make merry. I at least -will suffer no morsel or drop to pass my lips as long as my comrade -lies in my tent with his feet to the door, and the women mourning -round. No; far other thoughts fill my heart--blood and slaughter, and -the groans of dying men." - -But these desperate counsels found no favour with the veteran heads of -the army, and a deep hum of approval greeted the more sober eloquence -of Odysseus, who now rose again to reply. "Mighty son of Peleus," he -said, "thou art stronger far than I, and thy spear writes deadlier -record on the foemen's ranks; but I have lived longer than thou, and -seen more: bear with me, then, while I speak what reason and experience -hath taught me. Soon weary grows the hand which toils in war's barren -harvest, where the swathe is so thick, and the yield so scanty when the -day is done. We cannot keep a fast for every Greek that falls--where -would be the end? The warrior's dirge is short, and he is honoured -enough if he is mourned for a day. And those who are left must eat, -that they may have strength to fight on the morrow. To your tents, -then, every one! And when ye have eaten, come quickly, armed for the -fight, and await no second summons." - -For all his fierce impatience, Achilles was compelled to yield. With -great effort he controlled himself while the gifts were brought, and -the ceremonies performed, with no circumstance of solemnity omitted, to -ratify the covenant of forgiveness and reconciliation between him and -Agamemnon. And so the first act in the great drama of his wrath is -concluded. - - -II - -Seven youths of princely rank, attended by a long train of bearers, -were despatched to the tent of Achilles, loaded with the costly gifts -of atonement from the King. With them went Briseis, thus returned to -her former lord. When she saw Patroclus on the bed where he lay, she -beat her breast, and, embracing the cold body, burst into a passion of -weeping. "Friend of my sorrow!" she cried, "I left thee living, and I -find thee dead. Woe, and more woe, is all my portion. When I came -hither, an orphaned captive, bereaved of all, thou didst comfort me in -my great affliction, promising, when the war was over, to make me -Achilles' lawful wife. Thy gentleness and thy knightly courtesy shed -balm upon my wounded spirit, and now thou art gone, and my last comfort -is gone with thee." - -So mourned Briseis, and all the captive ladies wept afresh when they -heard her, having cause enough for tears, every one. The sound of -their lamentation reached the ears of Achilles where he sat, but he -remained unmoved by the tragedy of these lesser spirits, being absorbed -in the sense of his own great loss. The tide of his passion had ebbed -again, leaving his heart cold and desolate. His men brought him food -and drink, but he repulsed them sternly, and would touch nothing. He -thought of the happy past--when he and Patroclus had partaken together -of many a cheerful meal--and then of the bitter present, when the sight -of bread and meat filled him with loathing. He thought of his father -Peleus, growing old in his solitary home, waiting in sad expectation to -hear of his son's death, and of the young Neoptolemus, his own child, -growing up among strangers in the island of Scyros. "Lost, lost, all -lost!" he murmured; "I shall never see them again." - -But the gods had not forgotten their favourite. Zeus beheld him as he -sat thus stricken and forlorn, and sent Athene to inspire him with new -comfort and strength. Unseen, she alighted at his side, and fed him, -though he knew it not, with heavenly food, filling his heart with more -than mortal vigour and courage. Meanwhile the clash of arms rang -through the camp as the Greeks marched out, column after column, to -battle, thick as autumnal leaves, or hovering snowflakes in winter. -The air seemed on fire with the flash of myriads of spears, and the -earth shook beneath the thunder of their tread. - -Roused by the sound, Achilles sprang to his feet, and buckled on his -corslet, and clasped the greaves to his ankles. Then he flung the -sword over his shoulder, and thrust his arm through the strap of his -shield, which shone like the full-orbed moon, or a beaconlight blazing -afar over a stormy sea. Last of all, he lifted his mighty helmet, with -its nodding, golden plume, and set it on his head. And now, being -arrayed in his harness from head to foot, he raised himself to his -towering height, and stretched his fleet limbs, to prove the armour; -and it became unto him as wings, making him lighter and nimbler than -ever before. - -Grasping in his right hand his spear--the mighty Pelian ash, pointed -with death--he went forth before the tent, where Automedon stood -waiting with his car. "Now hear me, ye children of the wind!" he -cried, addressing his steeds, "see that ye play me not false to-day, as -when ye left Patroclus dead on the field, and came back with an empty -car." - -Then there befell a wondrous thing; for the good steed Xanthus, -drooping low his head, answered with a human voice, and spake thus unto -his master: "Yea, we will carry thee safe back, most dread Achilles, -when the fight is o'er. It was by no sloth or tardiness of ours that -thy brave comrade met his death; that deed was wrought by the hand of -Apollo, using Hector as his instrument--even as thou too shalt be cut -off by a human weapon, but by no human power." - -So spake the immortal courser, for the first and the last time; for -fate suffered it not again. And Achilles answered him, and said: -"Waste not thy prophecies on me, good steed! I know my fate--death on -the battlefield, far from my home: but ere that hour comes I will send -many a Trojan to herald my coming among the dead." - -Then, shouting his dread battle-cry, he sprang into his car, and drove -headlong to the front. - - - - -Achilles in the Battlefield - -I - -By high permission of all-ruling Jove the gods were now free to take -part in the war, and they all with one accord came down from Olympus to -mingle with the fray. Only Zeus remained behind, as supreme arbiter of -the final issue. All the rest took sides with the Greeks or Trojans, -and five rival pairs confronted each other in the field--Poseidon found -a match in Apollo, the great ally of the Trojans--Hera, who loved the -Greeks like a mother, was confronted by the archer-goddess -Artemis--against Athene stood Ares, whose fickle mind now inclined to -the Trojans--Hermes, who favoured the Greeks, was met on the other side -by Leto, the mother of Artemis and Apollo--and lastly Hephaestus and -Scamander, the opposing powers of fire and water, took the field, the -former for the Greeks, the latter for the Trojans. - -All nature was in uproar as these tremendous allies entered the scene -of conflict. Earth shook, and the mountains reeled to their -foundations, and the towers of Troy and the Grecian ships reeled as in -an earthquake. Then trembling came upon Hades, the monarch of the -dead, and leaping from his throne he cried aloud in fear, lest the -earth, rent by Poseidon's trident, should disclose to mortal and -immortal eyes the dank and dreary mansions of the dead, which even the -gods abhor. - -Far in front of the Grecian line was seen the glittering form of -Achilles, who scanned the Trojan ranks like a lion who seeks his prey, -having but one thought, but one aim--to meet Hector, and slay him. But -Hector's hour was not yet come, for Apollo stood near to shield him -from his great enemy, and delay the fatal stroke which sooner or later -must lay him low. And first the god put it into the heart of AEneas to -defy Achilles to battle, and gave him unwonted courage and strength, -that he might not flinch in that fearful encounter. Then AEneas heard a -voice which whispered within him, and seemed to say: "Art thou not the -son of Aphrodite, who is the daughter of supreme Jove? Why fearest -thou then this upstart child of Thetis, of far meaner lineage than -thine? Go face him, and let him learn that neither are the Trojans -forsaken of heaven." - -So between the advancing lines they met, both sons of gods, but far -different in their fate. At first Achilles had not observed his -approach, but stalked, heedless of all lesser foes, before the -embattled host of Troy, like a lion bent on ravage, against whom a -whole township is gathered, with purpose to slay him and at first he -goes on his way, disdaining the menaces of that rabble rout--but then, -being pricked by the point of a random spear, he gathers himself, -foaming and gnashing his teeth, for the spring, and his mighty spirit -groans within him, and he lashes his flanks on both sides with his -tail, goading himself to battle--then glaring and roaring he launches -his vast weight at the foe, resolved to kill or be killed--so sprang -Achilles against AEneas, in wrath at his presumption. - -"What wouldst thou of me, AEneas?" he cried, in disdainful mood. "Have -the Trojans promised thee a fair estate, if thou take my life? Or -hopest thou, perchance, to sit in the seat of Priam, if thou accomplish -this great deed? I thought thou hadst had enough of me and my spear. -Hast thou forgotten when I chased thee through the glades of Ida, -having caught thee alone among the grazing herds? Then didst thou -never turn thy head to look back, until thou hadst reached the shelter -of a fenced city. And I sacked the city, and led captive the women; -but thou didst escape me again, through the special mercy of Zeus. Go -back, vain man, and join the press of thy comrades or thou shalt not -escape me now. - -"Who art thou?" answered AEneas, undaunted, "that thinkest to affright -me with boastful words, as if I were a witless boy? Know, proud man, -that I am of higher descent than thine, for in my veins flows the royal -blood of Dardanus, mingled with the blood of gods. Go to, let us -wrangle no more like women in the market-place, but decide the quarrel -with our spears." - -As he spoke, he cast his spear, which struck with strong impact against -the shield of Achilles; and he, when he felt the shock, held the shield -away from his body, fearing that the point would pass through and reach -his flesh. But immortal armour is not easy to be pierced by mortal -weapons, and the spear dropped harmless to the earth. Then Achilles -flung in his turn, and the spear tore its way through the upper rim of -AEneas' shield: and he, stooping low, heard the rush of the mighty -lance, as it flew over his head, and buried itself in the ground behind -him. Having thus both missed their cast, they prepared to renew the -struggle hand to hand. Achilles drew his sword, and rushed to the -encounter with a fierce cry: while AEneas lifted a heavy stone, and -stood ready to hurl it as his antagonist drew near. - -But that combat, which must have ended fatally for the Trojan, was not -destined to be fought out to its end. "Behold," said Poseidon, who was -watching the unequal duel, to Hera, who sat near him, "my spirit is -troubled because of AEneas, whom his own rashness, and the evil counsels -of Apollo, are leading to his doom. But this must not be: he is -reserved for a better fate, which shall be accomplished after the -towers of Troy have been levelled with the dust. In him shall the line -of Dardanus be preserved, and from him shall be born a mighty race, to -found a new empire on the ruins of the old."[1] - - -[1] These lines contain the germ of the _AEneid_. - - -"Do as thou wilt," answered Hera. "As for me, I have sworn a great -oath that I will never save a Trojan from perishing, no, not in the -last fatal hour when Troy shall be consumed with fire." - -When Poseidon heard that, he went and stood between the fighting -champions; and on the eyes of Achilles he shed a thick darkness, that -he might not see what was done. Then he drew the spear from the shield -of AEneas, and threw it at Achilles' feet; and catching up the Trojan -prince in his hand he bore him aloft over the heads of the Greeks and -Trojans, until he reached the utmost verge of the battlefield. There -he set him down, and, becoming visible in all his divine majesty, -addressed him in these solemn words of warning: "AEneas, what put this -mad thought into thy heart, to fight against Achilles, who is both -stronger than thou and dearer to the gods? Tempt not thy fate again, -but when thou meetest him avoid his spear; and after he is slain, then -mayest thou boldly encounter the bravest of the Greeks, for no other -hath power to do thee hurt." - - -II - -When the darkness fell from the eyes of Achilles he looked round about -him, and saw his spear lying at his feet, but sought in vain for AEneas. -"What wonder is this?" he said to himself; "the spear is returned to -me, but mine enemy is vanished. Surely the gods love him also, though -I deemed that he boasted idly. Let him go! It will be long before he -desires to face me again." - -Then, shouting to the Greeks to support him, he fell upon the main body -of the Trojans, seeking everywhere for Hector; and finding him not (for -Apollo as yet withheld the Trojan patriot from his eyes) he began to -deal out indiscriminate slaughter wherever he went. A brave Lycian, -the son of a mountain nymph, who rushed to attack him, was his first -victim; with one blow of that tremendous spear his head was shattered -as with a battering-ram, and he fell beneath the feet of the horses, -and the wheels of the car passed over his body. - -Among the many who went to swell the list of the slain that day was -Polydorus, a favourite son of Priam, who loved him as his youngest -born, and who had forbidden him to go into battle. But he, trusting in -the speed of his feet, had come to the field the day before, and now -appeared in the van of the Trojans, a graceful and agile youth, lovely -and pleasant to behold. But as he pursued his gay career a javelin -from the hand of Achilles pierced his armour at the waist, and he fell, -torn in the midst by a hideous wound. - -Hector saw his brother fall, and full of rage and grief sprang forward -to avenge his death. When Achilles saw his great enemy at last within -his reach he leapt towards him with a loud and exultant cry: "Draw -near, and pay the price of my comrade, whom thou hast slain!" "Proud -man, I fear thee not," answered Hector, undismayed: "I know that thou -art far mightier than I, but nevertheless I defy thee, and trust that -heaven will lend keenness to my spear." - -But the end was not yet. Apollo intervened to save the gallant Trojan, -and bore him away wrapped in a cloud of darkness. Three times Achilles -struck, and three times his spear smote idly on the empty air. "Thou -dog!" he cried at last, finding his efforts unavailing, "Thou hast -avoided me now, but I will destroy thee yet, for I have friends among -the gods as well as thou. Till then, let my vengeance fall upon thy -countrymen." - -And as a fire rages in a forest on a mountainside, licking up the -underwood, and thrusting out its red fangs to devour the tall trees, so -raged Pelides in the fury of slaughter, and the earth ran red with -blood. And as two broad-browed steers move to and fro on a -threshing-floor, treading out the corn, so trampled the steeds of -Achilles on corpses and shields and broken armour, as he passed on, -raining wounds and death on every side. - - -III - -The Trojan army was now split into two divisions, one of which was -flying across the plain towards the city, while Achilles drove the -other before him towards the banks of Scamander. Into the stream they -flocked, without pausing in their flight, like a cloud of locusts -driven by a fire to seek refuge in the nearest water; and Scamander's -bed was choked by a huddled multitude of horses and men. - -Leaning his spear against a plane-tree, Achilles leapt into the river, -sword in hand, and struck right and left, until the waters were -crimsoned with blood. And as a shoal of fish flies before the onset of -a dolphin, seeking the shallow waters near the shore, so shrank the -Trojans from the sword of Achilles, and hid themselves under the -arching banks. Then he remembered his promise to Patroclus, and, -choosing twelve comely youths from that panic-stricken throng, he drove -them before him, and gave them, bound, to his men to be brought alive -to the ships. This done, he went back to continue the work of -slaughter; and as he reached the river's brink he saw a Trojan, who had -just left the water, and was preparing to fly towards the city. "Aha! -are we met again?" cried Achilles, recognising in the fugitive a -certain Lycaon, one of the numerous family of Priam, whom once before -he had taken prisoner, having caught him during a night foray, when the -luckless youth was busy cutting the young shoots of the olive, to make -a rim for a chariot. On that occasion he had spared his life, and sold -him into captivity to the King of Lemnos, from whom he had been -ransomed by a friend of Priam, and so found his way back to Troy. For -eleven days since his return from Lemnos he had taken his pleasure -among his friends, and on the twelfth his fate threw him into the hands -of Achilles for the second and last time. - -Lycaon had flung away shield and helmet and spear, that he might be -lightened in the race for his life. But Achilles was upon him before -he was aware, threatening him with uplifted spear. "So thou hast -returned from Lemnos?" he said mockingly. "We will now send thee on a -longer journey, and we will see if thou come back again this time." -The wretched youth flung himself down, and avoiding the spear-point -crawled on his knees to Achilles, and clinging to him said: "Have pity -on me, great warrior, and have respect for the sacred tie between host -and guest; for I was thy guest, illustrious chieftain, and have broken -bread under thy roof, on the day when thou madest me captive. Thou -hast no cause to hate me, for I was not born of the same mother as -Hector, who slew thy friend." - -But there was no sign of relenting in the stern face which was bent -over him, and he received a foretaste of the pangs of death as he heard -the answer of Achilles. "Talk not to me," said he, "of ransom or -redemption. As long as Patroclus was alive I was well pleased to make -prisoners and release them for a price, but now not one shall escape of -all those who fall into my hands, and least of all the sons of Priam. -Thou must die, my friend! Why seems it to thee so hard? Patroclus met -his fate with the rest, and he was a far better man than thou art. -Look upon me; am I not a tall and proper man? Yet the shadow of death -is creeping nearer and ever nearer to me, and soon the hour of my doom -shall strike, whether at morn, or at noon, or at eventide." - -At these words Lycaon's heart froze within him, and leaving hold of the -spear he sank down on his knees, stretching out both his hands in mute -entreaty. Then Achilles lifted up his sword, and clove him to the -waist, and seizing his body by the foot flung it into the river. "Lie -there among the fishes!" cried that ruthless man: "They will tend thy -wounds, until Scamander bears thee to the deep, where thou shalt find -fit burial in some sea monster's maw. Death, death to all your -accursed race! Naught shall avail you your silver-eddying stream, to -whose deity ye offer sacrifice of bulls and horses, but ye shall pay -threefold and fourfold the debt of blood which ye owe me for the lives -of the Greeks whom ye have slain." - -The river-god heard him, and, waxing exceeding wroth, began to consider -how he should stop the murderous career of Achilles. And while he was -still debating within himself Achilles was confronted by Asteropaeus, a -brave Thracian chieftain, and the son of the presiding deity of Axius, -a broad and noble stream. This man now barred the way of Achilles, -brandishing a spear in each hand. "Whence and what art thou?" cried -Achilles, amazed that anyone should dare to oppose him; for he knew not -that Scamander had steeled the heart of Asteropaeus to do this deed. -"Art thou weary of thy life?" he asked again, as the Thracian still -came on. "I will tell thee what I am," answered Asteropaeus boldly: "I -am the son of a deity, even as thou art, and my father was Axius, the -fairest river on earth. Now let us fight, great son of Thetis." - -With that he flung both spears at once, for he was equally skilled with -both hands; and one of the spears struck against the shield of -Achilles, but could not penetrate it, while the other grazed his right -arm, and drew blood. Then Achilles hurled his spear, which missed -Asteropaeus, and buried itself to half its length in the river bank. -Asteropaeus grasped the shaft, and strove with all his might to tear the -weapon from the ground. Failing in this, he next tried to break it in -the middle, to use as a club; but by this time Achilles was upon him, -and with one stroke of his sword clove him almost in twain. "Thou hast -found thy match, thou river's brood!" he cried, stripping off the -bloodstained armour. "Fool, that comparest thyself with me, whose -fathers sprang in a direct line from Jove! He, methinks, is mightier -than any river, yea, mightier than Oceanus, the great father of floods, -who trembles before the red lightning, and the voice of the thunder, -when it crashes through the skies." - -So saying he lightly plucked out the embedded spear, and went in -pursuit of the men of Asteropaeus, who were crouching in terror along -the river's banks. Seven of them he slew, and was about to continue -the work of carnage when he received a check. From the depths of the -stream a mysterious voice arose, in tones of protest and complaint: -"Achilles, thine arm is exceeding mighty, and thy prowess more than -mortal; for the gods are ever near to aid thee. If Zeus hath given -thee leave to slaughter all the Trojans, at least drive them away from -my bed and butcher them on the plain. My waters are choked with -corpses, and I cannot roll my current any longer towards the holy sea, -because my channel is straitened by the multitude of thy miserable -victims. Give place, great chieftain, and cumber me no more." - -"It shall be as thou sayest, thou god revered," answered Achilles. -"But suffer me yet a little while until my task is done." And without -further parley he sprang down again into the river bed. Then the god -was wroth, and prepared to expel that daring intruder from his domain. -He gathered all his waters, which rose up in surging billows, and -washed the corpses ashore; and to the living he gave shelter, hiding -them away in great hollow eddies. Then, collecting himself in one -towering wave, he rushed upon Achilles, buffeting his shield, and -eating away the ground under his feet. Achilles grasped an elm, a tall -and stately tree, and clung to it for support; but the torrent had -undermined its roots, and the next moment it fell, tearing a huge gap -in the bank, and damming back the waters with its leafy boughs. Then -he leaped from the yellow, swirling torrent, and darted across the -plain in head-long flight; for he was sore afraid. But Scamander -followed hard at his heels, roaring and arching his crest. In vain -Achilles ran and doubled, and doubled and ran; the river pursued him -everywhere, until his strength began to fail him; and if he stood still -for a moment the waves rose instantly as high as his shoulders, -threatening to swallow him up. Then he gave himself up for lost, and -with a groan he gazed upward to the broad heaven, and uttered this -despairing cry for help: "O all ye gods, is this then to be my end? Am -I to perish thus, drowned like some nameless churl, who is swept away -while crossing a ford in winter?" - -Some friendly power heard his wild appeal, and lent him new strength -and courage to continue the struggle. So on he panted across the -plain, which by this time was covered with floating corpses, helmets, -and shields. But Scamander raged the more furiously when he saw his -prey still eluding his clutch, and he called aloud to Simocis, his -brother stream, to join in the pursuit. And Simocis answered to his -call, and mustered all his waters from every fountainhead and every -tributary stream. Then the twin rivers roared together in unison, and -came down upon him, battering him with uprooted trees and rolling -rocks, which they swept along in their course, "We will quell thee," -they shouted, "thou godless man, for all thy beauty and thy strength, -and thou and thy gleaming panoply shall be wrapped in a thick shroud of -mud, at the bottom of our blackest and deepest pool. Thy dirge shall -be sung by our rolling waters, and thy monument none shall behold." - -Achilles was now in extremity, and would surely have ended as ignobly -as the river-god had said, if another power had not come to his aid. -"Where art thou, my son, Hephaestus?" cried Hera, seeing that Achilles -could hold out no longer. "Thou art he who should save our champion in -this strait, for thou and Scamander are natural enemies. Haste thee to -the rescue, armed with thy proper element; and I will summon the blasts -of the West and the South to fan thy flames. Let fire fight with -water, and spare not, nor cease thy fury until I give thee the signal -to desist." - -Hephaestus made haste to obey his mother, and forthwith he caused a -sheet of fire to sweep across the plain, burning the corpses, and -drying up the flood. Then he turned his flames upon the river himself, -and all the trees which fringed his banks--elms, and willows, and -plane-trees--were soon ablaze. Speedily the fire spread to the rushes -and water plants, and at last the very waters began to grow hot, so -that the fishes leapt into the air in their agony, and Scamander -himself was in dire distress. - -"It is enough," he cried, yielding to a superior power. "Torment me no -more, Hephaestus! Let Achilles destroy the whole nation of Trojans, if -he will--I will not seek to prevent him." - -By this time the waters were beginning to boil and bubble, and clouds -of steam rose into the air. Seeing that the river was thoroughly -quelled, Hera gave the signal, and Hephaestus drew off his forces, and -left Scamander in peace. - - -IV - -After his escape from the river, Achilles went in pursuit of the other -Trojans, who had fallen back towards the town. Then began a second -rout, and a second slaughter, and Priam, who was watching the field -from his citadel, soon beheld the whole remnant of the Trojan army -flying before Achilles towards the city. With a cry of alarm he -hastened down to the gates, and gave directions to the warders to draw -bolt and bar, and admit the flying multitude. "But stand ready," he -said, "to make all fast, as soon as the people are safe within, for -fear lest this terrible man should enter the town." - -The warders did as they were bidden, and held the gates ready; and -before long the first of the fugitives came panting in, their lips -parched with thirst, and their armour powdered with dust. - -Still unsated with slaughter, Achilles came on in hot pursuit, and -Priam's fears might have been realised if Agenor, a young Trojan noble, -had not been inspired by Apollo with sudden courage, which prompted him -to cross the destroyer's path. "I will face this man," he said, -halting from his flight. "He too is of mortal flesh, and has but one -life to lose. I will face him, though Zeus fight on his side." - -As a leopard comes forth from his thick covert to meet the hunter, when -he hears the baying of the hounds, and, even though sorely wounded, -fights on till he is slain, so stood Agenor to meet Achilles, with -shield on breast, and spear poised for the throw. "Thou thoughtest to -have taken Troy this day," he cried. "Thou fool! This deed is not for -thee; thou shall not read to the end the story of her woes, but here, -on this spot, I will end thy life of blood." - -With that he cast his spear, which struck him on the greave above the -knee, but rebounded from the tempered metal; but before Achilles could -return the attack Apollo removed Agenor from his reach, and putting on -the likeness of Agenor fled away towards the river, luring Achilles -after him. The Trojans were thus given time to make good their escape, -and the city was soon filled with a frightened and disordered host, -thankful to have escaped with bare life. All along the battlements -were seen groups of exhausted men, who wiped the sweat from their -brows, and drank deep draughts of wine to quench their burning thirst. -Only one was left outside: This was Hector, who remained of his own -free will, resolved to decide the issue in single combat with Achilles. - - - - -The Death of Hector - -I - -Having achieved his purpose, Apollo now resumed his own shape, and -halting before Achilles thus addressed him: "Knowest thou not me, -Achilles? See, the Trojans are safe from thy fury, gathered within -their gates. What wouldst thou have? Is it my life thou seekest? -Cease, presumptuous mortal, and remember what thou art!" - -"Thou hast foiled me, archer-god," answered Achilles, perceiving that -he had been tricked. "Thou hast robbed me of my prey, or many another -Trojan would have bitten the dust. I would make thee rue this wrong to -mine honour had I but the power." Then, like a fiery courser starting -in the race, he sped away towards the city, bent on high designs. Like -the red rays of that sultry star whose rising heralds in the fierce -heat of summer, the season of drought and fever, such was the bright -but fearful gleam which flashed from his armour as he ran. - -Priam was the first who saw that ill-omened ray, from the place where -he stood, on the wall above the gate. And when he marked the -destroyer's approach he groaned aloud, and beat his head, and then, -stretching out his hands over the battlements, thus spake unto Hector, -beseeching him earnestly, and with tears: "O Hector, my son, my son, -remain not there, thus deserted and alone, to abide the coming of that -fearful man, seeing that he is mightier far than thou. He hath robbed -me of many a noble son, whom he hath killed or sold into captivity in -distant isles. Spare me this last and bitterest blow! Fling not thy -life away, to bring glory on Pelides, and on us sorrow and loss -unspeakable. Alas! will it never cease, the storm of misery which -rains without pause on this white, distracted head! No, I see them -flocking, the spectres of worse evils yet to come, sorrow on sorrow, -and woe on woe--murdered sons and daughters dragged into bondage, a -violated home, and little children dashed to the ground in the fury of -battle. Last scene of all--an old man slaughtered on his own -hearthstone, and the dogs who fed at his table and guarded his door now -maddened by sights and sounds of horror, and lapping his blood!" - -The old man broke off, overpowered by the dark vision which his fancy -had conjured up; and the appeal was taken up by Hecuba, the venerable -Queen of Troy. "By this breast which nourished thee," she cried, "by -the sacred name of mother, I implore thee to abandon thy rash purpose. -Fly from this man, or he will slay thee, and dogs will devour thy flesh -in the Grecian camp." - -But all the anguished entreaties of his father and mother had no power -to shake the resolution of Hector. He could not go back now; he had -rejected with scorn the prudent advice which Polydamas had given the -night before, and had thereby caused the death of a legion of Trojans. -How could he face the taunts of the women whom his rashness had made -widows, and the mute reproaches of the children now orphaned by his -act? He had openly defied Achilles, and it was too late to recall the -challenge. A wild plan crossed his mind, only to be instantly -rejected: should he lay aside shield, and helmet, and spear, and go -unarmed to Achilles, offering to make an end of this lamentable war at -the cost of half the city's goods, and the free restitution of Helen -with all her wealth? "No," he said, convinced at once of the desperate -folly of such an enterprise: "I should then be guilty of self-murder: -he would butcher me without mercy, before I had time to utter a word. -This is no time for gentle parley, as between maid and youth sitting in -soft dalliance under rock or tree: I must meet him with sword and -spear, for victory or death." - -Achilles was now close at hand, with the mighty Pelian ash swaying on -his right shoulder, and his armour blazing like the light of the rising -sun. When Hector saw him advancing, like an incarnate spirit of -vengeance, all his heroic resolves forsook him, and seized with sudden -terror he turned and fled. And as a falcon swoops down on a hare, and -pounces, and pounces again, as his victim leaps and doubles, to escape -from the fatal clutch, so Achilles darted after Hector, following all -the turns and windings of his flight. Past a low hill they went, -whence the Trojan scout had espied the advance of the Greeks not many -days before, and past the wild fig-tree, following a beaten road, which -led to two fair springs, the double source of eddying Scamander. One -of the springs is of hot water, and a cloud of steam hangs over it, -like the smoke of a burning fire; but the other is cold as ice. Here -were broad washing-pits, lined with stone, in which the wives and -daughters were wont to tread the clothes, in the old peaceful days, -before ever the Greeks had landed on the shores of Troy. Leaving these -behind them, they sped on, and still on, pursuer and pursued. Noble -was the quarry, but the hunter was nobler far, and never before had he -run in so keen a chase. Like mettled steeds, which strive for the -mastery, where the prize is a vessel of gold or of silver, they flew; -but here they were running for a far higher stake, even the very life -of Troy's bravest son. - -Three times they compassed the whole circuit of the walls, and again -and again Hector tried to draw his pursuer within range of the spears -of the Trojans who lined the battlements; but each time his effort was -defeated by Achilles, who barred his way to the city, and drove him -back into the open plain. - -As one who pursues his enemy in a dream, and cannot catch him, though -he seems ever within reach, so was Achilles ever baffled, when he -strove to overtake Hector, and Hector, when he strove to escape. All -the Greeks stood near in their ranks, watching the chase--and many a -time a spear was levelled at Hector, to strike him down; but Achilles -beckoned with his hand, and forbade his comrades to come between him -and his victim. - -For the fourth time they came to the place of the washing-pits, and -here by mutual consent they paused to draw breath; for both were sore -spent with running, and could not go a step farther. As Achilles stood -panting, and leaning on his spear, Athene drew near to him, unseen of -all the rest, and said: "He cannot escape us now, though Apollo should -grovel in the dust at the feet of Zeus, begging for his life. Remain -awhile and recover thy strength, and I will go and persuade him to -fight thee face to face." - -About an arrow's flight distant, Hector had come to a standstill, and -drooped heavily, resting his hands on his knees, half strangled by his -efforts to breathe. Suddenly, to his amazement, he saw Deiphobus, his -brother, standing by his side, and heard the familiar tones of his -voice. "Dear brother," said Deiphobus, "thou art hard beset, and -driven to bay by this fierce son of Peleus. But lo! I am here to aid -thee, and I will not fail thee in this strait." - -"Deiphobus," answered Hector, "thou wert ever dearest to me of all the -sons whom Hecuba bore to Priam: but now thou art dear and honoured too, -since alone of all my nation thou hast dared to leave the shelter of -the walls." - -"Ay," answered the pretended Deiphobus, "my mother and my father, and -all my friends, strove to hold me back; but my heart yearned towards -thee in thy mortal need. But come with me, and together we will try -the fortune of war. Go thou first, and I will follow." - -Hector accordingly advanced to meet Achilles, who was already moving -towards him. "I will fly thee no more," he said, when they were within -a spear's cast of each other, "I will either slay thee, or be slain. -But let us first make a covenant, and call the gods to witness it: -swear thou that, if I fall, thou wilt restore my body and my armour to -the Trojans--and I will swear to do the like by thee." - -"Talk not to me of covenants, thou villain!" answered Achilles -fiercely. "As there is no treaty possible between lions and men, no -concord between wolves and lambs, but only fear and hatred, so is there -hate unending between me and thee, which naught but death may cancel or -abate. Summon up all thy manhood, and prepare to pay the price of my -comrades whom thou hast slain." - -This said he poised and flung his spear; but Hector stooped low, and -the spear flew over his head, and sank deep into the earth. Unobserved -by Hector, Athene drew it out, and gave it back to Achilles. "Take now -my spear!" shouted the Trojan, "take it to thy heart, thou braggart, -that thinkest to dismay me with boastful words!" The weapon flew -straight to its mark, and, striking the centre of Achilles' shield, -rebounded to a distance, and fell rattling on the ground. Then Hector -called anxiously to Deiphobus, bidding him bring another lance. But no -answer came, for the real Deiphobus was safe behind the walls, and he -who had appeared to Hector was a false Deiphobus, concealing the person -of Athene. - -"Alas! I have been deceived," said Hector. "My last bolt is shot, and -my fate summons me to death. Let me not die inglorious and without a -struggle, but in such wise that I shall be named with honour by -generations yet unborn." - -Then, drawing his sword, he rushed upon Achilles, who came on slowly, -towering above the rampart of his shield, nodding his golden plumes and -brandishing high his spear, whose point twinkled and flashed like the -light of the evening star. Scanning every joint in Hector's armour, at -last Achilles spied a point, between the shoulder-blade and the neck, -which was undefended; and at this mark he hurled his spear with all his -force and pierced him through the neck. But the passage of his voice -was left untouched, so that he was still able to speak. - -"Thou hast paid thy debt to Patroclus," said Achilles, standing over -his fallen enemy, "and now thou shalt pay the usury. Dogs and vultures -shall give thee burial, but he shall lie in an honoured tomb." - -"By thy life," answered Hector faintly, "by thy father's name, I -implore thee, give not my body to be devoured by dogs, but restore it -to my friends, who will pay thee a heavy ransom, that I may receive my -due in death." - -"Thou dog!" replied Achilles, with a furious look, "talk not of thy -dues, nor name my father to me! Would that I could find it in my heart -to carve and devour thy flesh, as surely as thou shalt not escape the -hounds and vultures, no, not if Priam were to offer thy weight in gold, -after what thou hast done unto me and mine." - -"I knew that I should not persuade thee," said Hector, with his dying -breath. "Thou hast a heart of iron. But vengeance shall reach thee in -the day when Apollo and Paris shall subdue thee at the gates of Troy." - -As he uttered this prophecy a shudder ran through his limbs, and the -gallant spirit fled to the land of shadows. - -"Die!" said Achilles, as Hector uttered his last sigh. "As for me, I -am prepared to meet my fate whensoever heaven wills its accomplishment." - -Then he drew out his spear, and laying it aside, began to strip off the -armour which Hector had taken from Patroclus. And the Greeks came -crowding round, to gaze on the beauty and stature of Hector, and stab -the helpless body with their spears. Far other had he seemed to them -when he came with fire and sword to burn their ships, and fill their -camp with slaughter! - -When Achilles had finished stripping the corpse, he stood up and spoke -thus to the assembled host: "Princes and counsellors of the Greeks, now -that the gods have granted us to slay this mighty champion, who hath -done us more harm than all the rest together, shall we not advance in -full force against the city, and end the war at one bold stroke? But -alas! what am I saying? We have another and a sadder duty to perform. -Patroclus lies among the ships, unburied, unwept, and shall I forget -him in this hour of triumph? No; not in the hour of death, not in the -grave itself, which brings, they say, oblivion to all, shall my love -for him grow cold. Therefore follow me, sirs, to the ships, and raise -the song of victory. We have gained great glory, we have slain Troy's -chief defender, to whom all the Trojans prayed as to a god." - -Then, in fulfilment of his horrible menaces, he prepared to take -hideous vengeance on his slaughtered enemy. Stooping down he pierced -the dead man's feet from heel to ankle, and passed a leathern thong -through the holes; then he made fast the thong behind the chariot, and, -taking up the armour, he sprang into the driver's place, and lashed his -horses to a gallop. So amid a swirling cloud of dust the fallen hero -was dragged along, with his dark locks streaming, and that comely head -marred and defiled; and Zeus delivered him to injury and outrage at the -hands of his enemies in his own native land. - - -II - -But what were the feelings of the Trojans watching on the walls when -they saw their great champion fall, and with what eyes did the aged -king and the fond mother behold their Hector, their joy and pride, and -chief defence, butchered, mutilated, and dragged through the dust! -Through all the city arose a great cry of lamentation, and such horror -was written on every face as if the Greeks had carried Troy by storm, -and were filling her streets with fire and slaughter. Priam was hardly -restrained from going forth at once, with the purpose of entering the -Grecian camp, and throwing himself at the feet of Achilles. - -But there was another, bound by an even nearer and dearer tie to the -slain, who was the last to learn the fearful news. This was -Andromache, Hector's wife, who was sitting at her loom in the -retirement of her chamber, weaving a piece of flowered tapestry. -Presently she left her task, and calling her handmaids bade them -prepare the bath for their master against his return from battle. Her -face was cheerful and serene, and she smiled as she thought of the -happy meeting which seemed so near. But in the midst of these pleasant -household cares a dreadful sound reached her ears--a shrill note, as of -women shrieking, mingled with the deeper groans of men. "Hark!" she -said, turning deadly pale, and dropping the shuttle, which she had been -holding in her hand: "What mean these cries?" Then, as she paused -again to listen, she heard the voice of Hecuba, raised in loud anguish -above the rest. With a woman's quick instinct she divined that the -worst had befallen her, and shrieking: "Hector, my Hector, is slain!" -she hastened, with ashy cheeks, and tottering knees, to the walls. The -crowd fell back at her approach, and every voice was hushed when they -saw her bending over the battlements, and gazing with wild eyes across -the plain. Then she saw Achilles in full career towards the ships, -dragging her husband's body behind his car. At that sight she gave one -gasping cry, and reeling back fell swooning into the arms of her -kinswomen who were standing ready to aid. Thus for awhile she lay, -motionless and lifeless, with her long hair, escaped from its bands, -streaming about her. At last she drew a deep, sobbing breath, and -opening her eyes looked into the anxious faces bent over her. Then the -full consciousness of her loss rushed back upon her in a bitter flood, -and breaking from the gentle hands which held her she made as if she -would fling herself down from the battlements. She was prevented by -kindly force, and led away, moaning and weeping, to her widowed home. - -[Illustration: Captive Andromache. Lord Leighton. By permission of -the B.P.C., London] - - - - -The Funeral Games of Patroclus - -I - -When Achilles reached the camp, he commanded his men to remain under -arms, and led the whole company, with horses and with chariots, in -solemn procession, three times round the couch on which the dead -Patroclus lay. When the strange rite was ended, the couch, which had -been brought out for this purpose, was carried back with its burden to -the tent, and they unyoked their horses, and prepared to take their -supper. Hector's body was flung into a corner, where it lay exposed to -the burning sun, and the cold dews of night. Achilles feasted his men -bountifully, and then went, attended by a special guard of honour, to -partake of a banquet in the royal tent. Being invited to refresh -himself with a bath, he stubbornly refused, and swore a great oath that -he would never wash the stains of battle from his person until -Patroclus had been buried with all the pomp of woe. At the banquet he -seemed ill at ease, and as soon as it was ended he prayed his kingly -host to have him excused, and went back to the quarters of the -Myrmidons. - -Night came down, and silence fell on the sleeping camp. Achilles had -not sought his bed, but had laid himself down on the sand, in a clear -space, where the billows broke at his feet. There sleep soon overtook -him, stilling the dull ache of sorrow; for his limbs were very weary, -after that tremendous fight, and still more tremendous race. And as he -slept the ghost of Patroclus came and stood by his side, like to the -living man in stature and in face and in voice, and in the very -garments he had on; and thus spake the spectre, in hollow and mournful -tones: "Ah! fickle heart, oblivious of the dead, canst thou sleep, -Achilles? Has death broken the bond which united us in life? Bury me -with all speed, and let me wander no more, a homeless ghost, at the -gates of Hades, disowned and rejected by the other spirits who have -crossed the dark river. Give me thy hand, sweet friend, I entreat -thee! For never again shall I return to earth, when ye have given my -body to the flames--never more shall we sit retired from our comrades, -as once in life, and take sweet counsel together. My fate hath seized -me, and cast me down into the pit which was prepared for me when I was -born; and for thee too the bolt is prepared, which shall lay thee low -beneath the walls of Troy. And one more charge have I to lay upon -thee: let not our bones lie apart, Achilles, but let us be joined in -death, even as we were united in life. One home, one love, we shared, -and thy father was to me as mine own, from the day when I slew my -playmate in a childish brawl, and was brought by Men[oe]tius to the -house of Peleus. Therefore, when thy fate hath reached thee, let our -ashes be mingled in one urn." - -"Wherefore, beloved," answered Achilles in his sleep, "hast thou come -hither to remind me of my duty, and seemest to doubt my love? Come -nearer, that I may embrace thee! Yet a little while let my heart beat -against thine, and ease its heavy burden of sorrow." - -With these words he stretched out his eager arms to clasp Patroclus to -his breast; but the ghost eluded his grasp, and with one piercing wail -melted away like smoke into the darkness. "Alas!" cried Achilles, -springing up in amaze, and summoning his comrades, "I perceive that, -even in the house of Hades, there is a spirit and a phantom of the -dead--but understanding none at all--for all night long the ghost of -the hapless Patroclus stood by my side moaning and lamenting, and -straitly charging me concerning all that I must do. And the phantom -was in aspect as the living man himself." - - -II - -At earliest dawn a long train of mules was seen ascending the lower -slopes of Ida, attended by a numerous company of men, all carrying axes -and ropes of withes. The whole troop was under the command of -Meriones, the squire of Idomeneus, on whom the task had been laid of -providing fuel for the funeral pyre of Patroclus. A large grove of -pines was felled, the trunks were divided into logs, and these were -bound into bundles and laid on the backs of the mules. Then down the -slope they were driven at a quick trot, the men running beside them; -and when they reached the camp the mules were unloaded and the logs -piled up in an open space pointed out by Achilles. A thousand willing -hands aided in the work, and soon a huge stack of pinewood towered in -the midst of the ships and tents. - -When the pyre was raised, Achilles gave the order to the Myrmidons to -gird on their armour and harness the steeds to their cars. The whole -army stood waiting, drawn up in silence on either side of the way by -which the funeral train was to pass; and presently the procession was -seen approaching. First came the chariots, each carrying two men--the -driver, and the man-at-arms; behind these followed a numerous troop of -infantry, marching slowly in dense array; and in the space between the -corpse was borne, covered with locks of hair which the Myrmidons had -cut off as a last tribute to the dead. - -Achilles walked behind the bier, supporting the head of Patroclus in -his hands, and moving heavily, as one that mourns for a brother; and so -they passed on, through the long lane of mailed warriors, until they -came to the place where the pyre was built. - -Then Achilles took a sharp knife, and cut off from his forehead a long -lock of hair, and, placing the lock in the dead man's hand, turned -round and gazed wistfully across the dark gulf of waters which divided -him from his home. "Alas for the hopes of men!" he said, in a voice of -distress. "My father Peleus designed this lock for another purpose, as -an offering to thee, Spercheus, my native stream, if ever I returned -safe from the war. But now thine altar, which stands in thy grove near -thy sacred source, shall never smoke for me again. A foreign grave -awaits me, far from my home and kindred, and Peleus is absolved from -his vow. Therefore to thee, Patroclus, I dedicate this lock." - -The Greeks now dispersed to their quarters leaving those who were -nearest to the dead, by birth or by station, to perform the last rites. -The chief mourners approached the bier, and lifting it with the corpse -placed it on the top of the pyre. Many sheep and oxen were slaughtered -and flayed, and the body of Patroclus was wrapped from head to foot in -the fat taken from the carcasses. Then the carcasses of the victims -were heaped up round the bier, with jars of honey and olive-oil. Four -horses were next slaughtered, and two favourite hounds of Patroclus, -and their bodies added to the rest. Last of all the twelve Trojan -captives whom he had taken in battle the day before were led in chains -to the spot, butchered by Achilles with his own hands, and flung upon -the pyre. - -"It is done!" cried Achilles, when this last savage tribute was paid to -his friend, "I have accomplished my vow, and the fire may now do its -work--but for thee, Hector, no fire shall be lighted, but dogs shall -devour thee." - -That cruel threat at least was not to be fulfilled. Unseen hands were -busy about the fallen Trojan hero, guarding him day and night from the -prowling dogs of the camp. Aphrodite embalmed his body with a heavenly -essence, which closed all his wounds, and kept his flesh pure and -unharmed; and Apollo covered all the place where he lay with a dark -cloud, to shield him from the scorching rays of the sun. - -Meanwhile torches had been brought to kindle the pyre. But the huge -mass smouldered sullenly, and the victims remained unconsumed. Then -Achilles took a golden bowl, and pouring a libation to Boreas and -Zephyrus, the twin gods of the winds, prayed them to lend their blasts -and blow the fire to a blaze. Iris heard his prayer, and went swiftly -to call the winds to his aid. She found them seated at table with all -their brethren in the house of Zephyrus; and thus spake Iris to that -boisterous company: "Why sit ye here feasting and making merry, when -there is work for you to do? Hear ye not the prayers of Achilles, who -needs your help, that the pyre of Patroclus may burn freely, and -consume him to ashes, with all that lies about him." - -Prompt at the summons, the winds arose, with clamour and uproarious -din, and rushed down the mountainside, chasing the clouds before them. -Over the complaining sea they swept, and flew whistling onward till -they reached the shores of Troy. There they fell upon the smouldering -pyre, and the flames leaped and bellowed in response to the roaring -blast. So all night long they lashed the fire to fury, and all night -long Achilles paced to and fro before the pyre, pouring libations from -a golden bowl on the ground, and calling aloud to the ghost of his -ill-starred friend. As mourns a father when he burns the bones of his -son, a young bridegroom cut off by death on his wedding-day, so mourned -Achilles as the fire devoured his comrade's body--so pitiful were his -cries, so faltering his gait. - -Towards dawn the fire began to die out, and nothing was left but a vast -heap of glowing ashes. Then the winds went back to their home, and -earth and ocean sank to rest, beneath the gentle light of the morning -star. Soothed by the calm influence of the hour, Achilles fell into a -fitful slumber, but was soon aroused by the sound of footsteps and the -murmur of voices. Starting up, he saw a goodly company of nobles -approaching, with Agamemnon at their head; and with their assistance -the ritual ceremonies due to the dead were completed. First, they -poured wine on the glowing mass of embers, till the last spark was -extinguished; then they collected the ashes of Patroclus, which lay by -themselves, surrounded by the charred remains of beasts and men. A -costly urn of gold received the few handfuls of dust which were all -that remained of him whom they had so cherished and honoured; and the -urn was buried in a low mound of earth, which was one day to be raised -to a commanding height, as a monument to the great Achilles. - - -III - -When the last tribute of sorrow had been paid, the rest of the day was -devoted to sport and festivity. In heroic times funeral games were an -important part of the honours assigned to a fallen warrior; and those -of Patroclus were celebrated on a scale of unrivalled magnificence. - -The great event of the day was to be the chariot race, and splendid -prizes were offered by Achilles, who was the sole patron and prize -giver, for the winners. When the gifts were set in order, Achilles -rose and invited all who prided themselves in their horsemanship to -take part in the friendly contest. "If," he said, "we were keeping -this festival in honour of any other Greek, I myself must needs carry -off the first prize; for no steeds in all the army can vie with mine, -the immortal coursers which were a gift from Poseidon to my father. -But this is a day of mourning both to me and to them; for they have -lost their gentle charioteer, and now stand, sorrow-stricken, with -manes drooping to the ground, in their stalls, deprived of his loving -care. Therefore take your places, all ye who would prove the mettle of -your horses, and your own mastery of this gallant game." - -Four chieftains brought their cars to try their fortune in the race: -Eumelus, a prince of Thessaly, a land renowned for its breed of horses; -Diomede, who drove the horses which he had taken from AEneas; Menelaus, -with a mare of Agamemnon's, named Arthe, and his own horse Podargus; -and Antilochus, whose car was drawn by a pair from his father's -stables. Nestor, who knew their quality, which was indeed but poor, -accompanied his son to the starting-point, and as they were the first -to arrive he improved the occasion by proffering a world of good -advice, reinforced by many a pithy saw, showing Antilochus how the want -of speed may be remedied by cunning and skill. "Art," he said, "is far -greater than force. Art drives the axe, though aimed by a weaker arm, -deep into the heart of the oak; art controls the motions of tall ships, -by means of a very small helm; and art may save thee from reaching the -goal last in this race." - -In the ancient chariot races the starting-point and the winning-post -were always the same, as it was the custom to run a certain distance, -and then wheel round a certain point, and return on the homeward track, -which was parallel to the other. The turning-point was marked by a -pillar, or some other conspicuous object, and here a desperate struggle -often took place between the rival cars for the inside place, taxing -the skill and courage of the drivers to the utmost. Nestor had been -over the course, and gave his son minute directions as to the -appearance and position of the turning-post, which was far off on the -plain, and invisible from the starting-point. "You will see," he said, -"a withered stump of oak or fir, rising to about a fathom above the -earth, with a white stone leaning against it on either side. There you -must turn; and see that you lose no ground in wheeling round to the -homeward track. Give your right horse the reins, and urge him to full -speed with voice and lash, but rein in the other, and hold him back; -and let the nave of your left wheel just seem to graze the stump. If -you can pass another car in turning, there is no fear that he will -catch you again. Thou hast my counsel: go, and prosper--be wary, and -be wise." - -At the last moment a fifth chariot appeared on the scene, driven by -Meriones. Lots were cast for the stations, and Antilochus was so -fortunate as to obtain the inside place. The cars drew up in a line, -Achilles gave the word, and away they went in a cloud of dust, the -horses' manes streaming, the drivers shouting, and the cars gliding -smoothly, or leaping and plunging at the uneven places. - -Soon the cars began to separate by wider and wider intervals, and a -keen struggle ensued between the Thracian horses, driven by Eumelus, -and the Trojans, driven by Diomede. Eumelus took the lead, but Diomede -followed him so close that he felt the hot breath of the pursuing -horses on his back. So they ran for about a bowshot; then Diomede -dropped his whip, and his horses, wanting the lash, began to fall back. -This accident befell him by the malice of Apollo, who owed him a grudge -for the havoc which he had wrought among the Trojans. But Athene had -not forgotten her favourite, and she contrived that he should recover -his whip, and put fresh mettle into his steeds. Nor did she stop -there, but, overtaking the car of Eumelus, she broke the yoke which -coupled his horses, so that they reared violently in opposite -directions, and the pole of the car was dashed to the ground. Thus -suddenly arrested at the height of his speed, Eumelus rolled headlong -from the car, and sustained woeful damage. The skin was torn from his -elbows and nose and mouth, his forehead was severely bruised, and he -lay for a while senseless where he fell. This mishap secured an easy -victory for Diomede. Avoiding the wreck, he pressed onwards, leaving -the whole field far behind, turned the goal successfully, and drove at -an easy gallop along the homeward track. - -He was followed at a long distance by Menelaus, now second in the race; -and the third place was held by Antilochus, whose ambition had been -fired by the unlooked-for good fortune of Diomede, so that he hoped by -some similar accident to obtain at least the second prize. Cheering on -his horses, he went hard in pursuit of Menelaus, who was just then -approaching a difficult piece of ground, where the course had been -hollowed out by the winter rains. The place was too narrow to allow -two cars to pass, and Antilochus determined to secure the lead before -Menelaus had time to reach the broad course on the other side of the -ravine. Accordingly he plied the lash unsparingly, and overtook -Menelaus at the moment when he was about to enter the neck of the dry -watercourse. "Keep back!" shouted Menelaus in alarm. "Do not try to -pass me here, or you will wreck both our cars." - -Antilochus pretended not to hear, and drove on harder than ever, so -that Menelaus, who was a timid driver, was compelled to rein in his -horses and let him go by. - -While the race was being thus run, with varying turns of fortune, the -chieftains assembled round Achilles were sitting in their places, -waiting for the return of the cars, and discussing the chances of the -drivers. Presently Idomeneus, who sat somewhat apart from the rest, in -a position which gave him a long view over the course, cried out -excitedly: "Diomede is leading! I can see the white mark on the face -of one of the horses, which shows that he is one of the Trojan -stallions--the red chestnut, with a mark like a half-moon on his -forehead. Look out, some of you who have younger eyes than mine, and -see if I am right." - -"Hold thy peace, old prater!" said Ajax, son of Oileus, roughly. "We -can see nothing yet--neither canst thou. Eumelus was leading when we -saw him last, and doubtless he is leading still." - -"Thou mannerless fellow!" answered Idomeneus hotly. "Foremost in a -brawl, and in all else the least of the Greeks! Come, let us lay a -wager, and Agamemnon shall hold the stakes; or art thou afraid to back -thy saucy tongue?" - -Ajax started up in a rage, hurling abuse at the Cretan veteran, and -words would have soon led to blows, had not Achilles interposed his -authority to put an end to the quarrel. "For shame!" he said, rising -from his seat, "I wonder to hear you, two men of name and high station, -wrangling like boors. What avails this idle contention? Wait but a -moment, and the winner will be here to answer for himself." - -Even as he spoke, a loud huzza was heard, and a moment after, the -Trojan car, driven by Diomede, turned the last corner, and came racing -lightly down the last straight stretch of the course, until it was -pulled up before the chair of Achilles. Sthenelus was standing ready -to welcome his comrade, and the first prize--a female slave, and a huge -cauldron for heating water for the bath--was forthwith delivered to the -victor. - -After a long interval Antilochus came in, driving at a heavy gallop, -and hotly pursued by Menelaus, who was gaining at every stride, and had -by this time reduced the wide gap which had separated them to a mere -hand's-breadth. His horses were displaying splendid mettle, especially -the mare Arthe, who had been given to Agamemnon by a wealthy noble of -Sicyon, as the price of his exemption from serving in the war; and if -the course had been a bowshot longer he would have passed Antilochus, -and taken the second prize. As it was, he came in third, but those who -stood near as he was dismounting could see that he was red with -indignation, and big with some grievance, real or supposed. - -The fourth was Meriones, who was a poor driver, and whose steeds were -the weakest; and last of all came Eumelus, with face sorely disfigured, -dragging his wrecked car behind him, and driving before him his horses. -"The last man is the best!" cried Achilles, moved to pity by his -ill-fortune. "How say you, sirs? Shall we not give him the second -prize?" The proposal found general approval, excepting, of course, -with Antilochus, who loudly protested against such an award. "Thou art -no friend of mine, Achilles," he said angrily, "if thou deprive me of -the gift which I have fairly earned. Prizes are given to reward the -winners, not to console the unlucky. If you wish to be generous, you -can make Eumelus happy by bestowing on him some other gift, of equal or -greater value, out of the rich store which is laid up in your tent. -But this prize is mine, and I will not give her up no, not if I have to -fight for her." - -So saying, he seized the halter of the mare, who was tethered near, -with her foal, to be given to him who won the second place. - -The great Achilles smiled indulgently at the defiant attitude of -Antilochus, who was very dear to him. "It shall be as you say," he -replied. "The prize is yours, and to Eumelus I will give the corslet -of Asteropaeus, which I won in the battle yesterday." Automedon brought -the corslet--a curious piece of work, finely fashioned in brass, with a -casting of white metal--and Eumelus' eyes glistened with pleasure as he -received it. - -But the storm which had been lowering in the face of Menelaus ever -since Antilochus had passed him now burst. Having caused the herald to -proclaim silence he took the staff from his hands, as a sign that he -had an important statement to make, and standing up before the whole -assembly proclaimed his wrongs to the ears of all. "I am astonished," -he said, "at the conduct of Antilochus. He has beaten me in the race -by a trick, though his horses are far inferior to mine in any fair -trial of speed. I appeal to all those present to say whether it is not -so. If he denies it, let him take his whip in his hand, and holding -his horses by the rein swear a solemn oath, in the name of Poseidon, -the god of horsemanship, that he did not hinder me by fraud in the -race." - -Menelaus was clearly in the wrong, indeed, his whole plea was absurd; -for nothing but his own faint-heartedness had lost him the second -prize. But out of respect to his high rank and amiable character -Antilochus was willing to appease him. Accordingly he brought the mare -with her foal to Menelaus, and placing the bridle in his hand said -respectfully: "Spare me thy reproaches, gentle prince! I yield to thee -the prize, and would sacrifice much more than this, rather than lose -thy favour and incur the anger of heaven." - -As falls the refreshing dew on the bristling ears of barley, when the -crops are ripening, so fell the soft answer of Antilochus on the -Spartan prince's heart, and the sharp stings of resentment pricked him -no more. "Thou shalt have the prize," he said mildly, "though it is -mine by right. Thou art not wont to be so heedless of what is due to -others: but this time thy young blood didst get the mastery of thy -better sense. Take heed that thou art not so reckless again. I have -yielded to thee in this for thy father's sake, and for thine also; for -ye have both suffered many things in my cause." And so the dispute, -which threatened to disturb the harmony of the meeting, was happily -ended. - -Five prizes had been offered for the race, and as Eumelus had received -a special gift, the fifth prize, a drinking goblet, still remained -unclaimed. Observing this, Achilles seized the occasion of showing his -esteem for the venerable King of Pylos. So he took the cup, and going -to the place where Nestor was sitting put it in his hands. "Take this, -father," he said, "as a memorial of our lost Patroclus, in whose honour -we are met to-day. Thou art full of years and honours, and deservest -the highest prize of all, though thou canst not strive with young men -in boxing, or in wrestling, or in speed of foot." - -"Thou sayest truly, my son," answered the old man, "my feet are heavy -with age, and my arms dart not nimbly from the shoulder, as they did of -yore. Yet the day has been when none could vie with me in feats of -strength and skill. Well do I remember the funeral games of a noble -prince of Elis, where I won the prize in every contest, except only in -the chariot race, and then I was overmatched by numbers, for the -winning car had two drivers, one plying the lash, and the other -managing the reins. Alas for my youth! Alas for my vanished strength! -Now I must be content to see others excel, though once I was mighty -among the mightiest. Let then the games proceed, and receive an old -man's blessing for thy kindly gift." - - -IV - -"Now let the boxers try their skill and hardihood," said Achilles, when -he had returned to his seat. "Here is a stout mule of six years old -for the winner, and for the loser there is a silver cup." - -In answer to the challenge a huge champion named Epeus strode into the -ring, and, laying his hand on the mule, cried boastfully: "Come on, -whoever wishes to win the cup! The mule is surely mine, for there is -no boxer here who can match me. If there be anyone who would dispute -the prize with me, let him stand up, when he has made all ready for his -funeral--for I will pound his flesh, and batter his bones, until he is -fit only for burial." - -Epeus, with his massive frame and brawny arms, seemed quite capable of -performing his threats, and it was some time before anyone was found -willing to face him. At last Euryalus, an Argive, whose father had -been a famous boxer, was encouraged by his friend Diomede to try his -chances in this painful and dangerous sport; and having stripped to the -waist, and bound their hands with tough leathern thongs, the two -combatants confronted each other in the centre of the ring. The -struggle was very short, for after they had fenced a little with their -fists Euryalus received a crushing blow on the side of his jaw, and -dropped in a heap where he stood, like a great fish flung by the waves -on the beach. Spitting out blood, and rolling his head from side to -side, he was led away by his friends, and Epeus carried off the mule in -triumph. - -Then followed a hard-contested match between Odysseus and Telamonian -Ajax, for the championship in wrestling. Stripped, like the boxers, to -the waist, they clutched each other in a fierce embrace, and remained -thus locked together, their strong arms crossed like the rafters in a -roof, and their sides growing black under the iron pressure. They -seemed rooted to the ground, and neither could stir the other an inch. -Then Ajax, suddenly exerting his enormous strength, lifted Odysseus -bodily into the air; but Odysseus struck him with his heel behind the -knee, and they fell together, Odysseus above, and Ajax below. Rising -again to their feet they wrestled a second bout, and this time -Odysseus, though foiled in his attempt to lift the huge bulk of his -antagonist, succeeded in tripping him by a crook of the knee, and they -came down again, and lay side by side. Once more they would have -renewed the struggle, but Achilles put an end to the contest, and -awarded them an equal prize. - -A beautiful silver bowl, the work of Sidonian artists, which Achilles -had once received as the ransom of the unhappy Lycaon, was now offered -as the first prize for the foot race. The second prize was a fat ox, -and the third one half of a talent of gold. There were three -competitors: the lesser Ajax, who was famed for his speed of foot, -Odysseus, and Antilochus. The distance was about a furlong, and Ajax -took the lead from the start, though Odysseus pressed him so hard that -he seemed glued to him; and so they ran, without changing their -positions, over half the course, the Greeks shouting to encourage -Odysseus, who was a popular favourite. Still Ajax held the lead, and -seemed about to win, when he slipped in a miry place, where the ground -was wet with the blood of the oxen slaughtered by Achilles at the -funeral of Patroclus, and pitched head foremost in the horrid mire, -which filled his mouth and nostrils. But he was on his feet again in a -moment, and though he could not overtake Odysseus he succeeded in -obtaining the second prize. "It is an old story," he said, holding the -ox by the horn, and spitting out the slime which filled his mouth; -"Odysseus was helped by Athene, who watches over him as a mother over -her child." - -The Greeks laughed at his discomfiture, and found fresh matter for -mirth in the humorous excuses of Antilochus, who had been left far -behind in the race. "You know," he said, "that the gods are always on -the side of the elder men; Ajax is a little older than I, and Odysseus -belongs to another generation. But he is in a green old age, and none -can vie with him in speed, except only Achilles." - -"Thy praise shall not be spoken for nothing," said Achilles, smiling, -and he gave him one half of a talent of gold as a reward for his good -words. - -Contests in archery and throwing the weight succeeded, and an encounter -with sword and spear took place between Ajax and Diomede. Then -Achilles offered two prizes for throwing the javelin, and Agamemnon, in -recognition of his high rank and known skill in this exercise, was -allowed to take the first prize without a trial. With this incident -the games came to an end. - - - - -Priam ransoms the Body of Hector - -I - -The busy day was over, and night sank down on the Grecian camp, -bringing to all, save one tormented spirit, the blessed gift of sleep. -With silence and solitude the pangs of sorrow awakened with new -keenness in the heart of Achilles, and he lay tossing and turning on -his uneasy pillow, seeking rest, and finding none. A thousand memories -of his friendship with Patroclus--gallant adventures, hairbreadth -escapes, moving accidents by flood and field--coursed through his mind, -bringing home to him the immensity of his loss. After some hours of -sleepless misery he sprang to his feet, and throwing on his clothes -went down to the sea, and roamed distracted along the sand. With the -first glimmer of daylight he yoked his horses to the car, and drove -round and round the tomb of Patroclus, dragging after him the body of -Hector. Having made the circuit of the tomb three times, he unyoked -his horses, and retired once more to his tent, leaving his lifeless -victim face downwards in the dust. - -Twelve days passed; and every day the same outrage was repeated. All -the gods, except Poseidon, Hera, and Athene, whose hatred of all things -Trojan was inveterate, were indignant at his senseless barbarity, and -they began to urge Hermes to steal Hector's body, and restore it to his -friends. But nothing was done until, on the twelfth day, Apollo rose -up and reproached the gods, who were met in full assembly, for their -cruel indifference. "Is there no pity," he said, "is there no justice, -left in heaven, that ye suffer this inhuman son of Peleus to wreak his -brutal fury on the body of a man of stainless life, constant all his -days in sacrifice and prayer? All your favour is lavished on Achilles, -who has the heart of a ravening lion, nourished in havoc and carnage. -Death lies about the paths of mortals, taking their nearest and their -dearest; yet sorrow must sleep at last, for patience is the best gift -which the gods have given to men. But this man is more cruel in his -love than in his hate, and because he has lost a friend his rancour -burns on like an unquenchable fire." - -"Thou forgettest," answered Hera, "that Achilles is the son of a -goddess, and shares the privileges of divine descent. His father also -was a favourite of heaven, and thou thyself, Ph[oe]bus, didst lend the -music of thy harp to grace his nuptials; but now, it seemeth, thou -takest delight in baser company." - -"Fair consort," said Zeus, "be not thus implacable. Granted that -Achilles stands higher in honour, yet Hector hath also his claim on our -regard, for none was ever more pious than he. Therefore, that we may -end this miserable coil at once, let Iris go and summon hither his -mother Thetis, that we may contrive some way of restoring Hector to his -people." - -Iris hastened to obey the command, and, stooping from Olympus to the -surface of the sea, dropped like a leaden plummet into the purple -depths, until she reached the grotto where Thetis dwelt. She found her -sitting among the Nereids, mourning the lot of her matchless son, whose -death was near at hand. "What wants the monarch of heaven from me?" -she asked, when she heard the summons from Zeus. "I am ill prepared to -attend the happy session of the gods, for grief has clouded my mind and -marred my face." Nevertheless she rose to go, and putting on a veil of -funereal blackness followed Iris, who brought her speedily to the -assembly of the gods. - -"We thank thee, Thetis," said Zeus, beckoning her to a seat next to his -throne, "that thou hast answered so promptly to our call. We know thy -sorrows, and have respect for thee and thy son; and for this cause have -we sent for thee. For nine days there has been strife among us, -concerning the body of Hector, which Achilles still keeps in his -possession. Some there were who would have had Hermes steal it away, -but this I would not suffer, out of regard to thy son's honour. But go -thou to the camp, and tell him that we are sore displeased with him, -because in his madness he keeps the corpse of his enemy and will not -ransom it. And I will send Iris with a charge to Priam, that he may go -with acceptable gifts to the tent of Achilles, and redeem the body for -burial." - - -II - -Still nursing his wound, still torn by the demons of rage and grief, -Achilles sat moodily in his tent, while his comrades were busy about -him, preparing the morning meal. Suddenly he felt a gentle touch on -his shoulder, and looking up he saw his mother's face bent over him, -with looks of sympathy and love. "My son," she said, in a low sweet -voice, "how long wilt thou devour thy heart in bootless anguish, -refusing meat and drink, and spurning the tender offices of human -affection? O darken not the little remnant that remains to thee of -life, but take what good thou canst, and at least live as a man. I -have come with a message to thee from Zeus, who bids thee to give up -Hector's body, and receive the ransom which his friends will offer -thee." - -"Be it so," answered Achilles. "Let them bring the price, and I will -give back the body." Overjoyed by his ready consent, Thetis bade him -farewell, and returned to her ocean home. - -Meanwhile the ever-active Iris was gone on another errand, carrying the -commands of Zeus to Priam. Swiftly she passed through the streets of -Troy, and entered the house of woe, where the voice of sorrow had never -ceased since the day when Hector had fallen by the hands of Achilles. -Priam himself was lying prostrate on the ground in the courtyard, with -his white locks defied with dust and ashes. Round him were gathered -his sons, trying in vain to rouse him from his stupor; and at the -windows were seen from time to time the white faces of women, when any -of his daughters paused in their household tasks to glance at the -sorrow-stricken group outside. - -Lying thus, mute and motionless, Priam was startled to hear a still, -small voice, which seemed to be speaking at a great distance, -addressing him in these words: "Take comfort, son of Dardanus, and be -not dismayed! I who speak have not come to foretell thee harm, but -only good. Thy cries and thy groanings have gone up to the ear of -Zeus, and he hath sent me to comfort and advise thee. Hearken now, and -do as I shall tell thee: let them prepare thee a wain, loaded with -precious gifts, and go thou in thy car to the tent of Achilles, and let -only a herald go with thee, a man stricken in years like thyself, to -guide the mules. Fear nothing, for heaven is near thee, and the gods -have put it into the heart of Achilles to hear thy prayer." - -To the amazement of those who stood near, and who knew nothing of the -cause, new life and energy were seen to enter the palsied limbs of -Priam, and starting to his feet he ordered his sons to prepare the mule -car, and make fast to it the great wicker basket which was used for the -carriage of goods. Then, without staying for question or reply, he -hastened into the house, and calling to Hecuba made known to her his -purpose. When she heard what he intended, Hecuba lifted up her hands, -and answered in tones of astonishment and terror. "Is it Priam who -speaks--the monarch revered for his wisdom even in distant lands--or is -it some madman who has taken upon him Priam's likeness? What, wilt -thou go into the presence of that butcher, whose savage hands have made -thee all but childless? Faithless and ruthless as he is, thinkest thou -that he will reverence thy grey hairs? No, he will slaughter thee -without pity, and give us new cause for tears. Hector hath received -the portion appointed to him at his birth, and dogs shall eat his flesh -where he lies in the tent of that man of blood. May the curse of -heaven light on his slayer! Would that I could tear his heart with my -teeth, and devour it! Then would my noble son be avenged, who died -bravely before the face of all his people, with no thought of flight or -escape." - -But Priam was not to be shaken in his resolve. "Seek not to hinder -me," he answered, "and vex me not with thy evil forebodings. I go not -at the bidding of any earthly prophet, but with direct assurance of the -aid and countenance of heaven. If I have been deceived, I am prepared -to die, so that the stroke but find me holding my son in my arms, and -clinging to him in a last embrace." - -With that he went to his treasure-chamber, and opening the chests of -cedarwood took from them rich robes, choice tapestries, and costly -raiment. To these he added ten talents of gold and a bowl of silver, -which he had received as a gift of honour when he went on an embassy to -Thrace. And having set the gifts in order he went forth again into the -courtyard, to hasten the preparations for his journey. Finding there a -crowd of Trojans, whom some rumour had drawn to the palace, he drove -them all out, beating them with his staff, and crying: "What make ye -here, idle caitiffs? Have ye not sorrow enough at home that ye come -hither to chatter and pry into my grief? Ye will soon learn what ye -have lost in my Hector, when ye fly like sheep without a shepherd -before the wolves of Greece." The Trojans fled before the old man's -anger, and he looked about him, seeking his sons. "Where are ye," he -cried, "children of my shame? Would that ye had all perished, and -Hector alone were left! Alas! the best are ever taken first, and in -those that remain there is neither comfort nor strength, but only -dishonour and reproach. Liars, dancers, devourers of the people--these -are my children now." - -Roused by the loud rebukes of their father, the young princes made -haste to bring forth the mule car and harness the mules. Then they -loaded the car with the gifts to Achilles, and yoked to the chariot the -horses which Priam himself was to drive. - -When all was ready, Hecuba came and stood by the chariot, bearing a -golden cup filled with wine. "Take this," she said to Priam, "and pour -a drink-offering to Zeus, if so be that he will vouchsafe thee a sign, -and show thee whether it be by his will or not that thou goest on this -journey." - -"Thou sayest well," answered Priam. "It is a good thing to hold up our -hands to heaven in prayer." Thereupon he washed his hands in water, -which was brought by a handmaid, took the cup from his wife, and -standing by the altar in the middle of the courtyard lifted up his -voice and prayed: "Lord of Ida, most glorious, most great, grant that -the heart of Achilles may incline in pity towards me, and send thy -messenger, the swift eagle whom thou lovest best of all fowls, that -having seen him we may go with good heart and courage to the Grecian -camp." - -Even as he spoke, a mighty eagle was seen soaring over the city on the -right hand, with his vast wings outspread, like the folding doors of a -rich man's house. Rejoicing in the omen, Priam mounted his chariot, -and drove through the echoing porch, preceded by the herald Idaeus, who -drove the mule car. Along the streets they passed, making what speed -they could, through the multitudes who had flocked out to see them -depart, and who mourned them as already dead. - -Night had fallen, and all the sky was thick set with stars, as they -left the city gates, and turned their faces towards the sea. When they -reached the ford of the river they paused to let the animals drink: and -while they halted Idaeus suddenly cried out in tones of terror: "My -lord, we are undone! I see a man approaching, and I fear he means us -no good." Priam peered out into the darkness, following with his eyes -the pointing finger of Idaeus, and saw a tall figure moving with rapid -steps towards them. - -"What doest thou here?" said the stranger, who was a graceful and -comely youth, and whose voice sounded like the chiming of a silver -bell. "Why art thou here unguarded, at the very gates of the foe? But -be of good cheer--I will not harm thee, nor suffer others to do so. I -see in thee a likeness to my dear father." - -"Fair youth," answered Priam, whose alarm had vanished before the -gentle mien and kind words of the young Greek, "surely some god has -sent thee in my way, in pity for my helpless state. Tell me, who art -thou, and who is the father who is blest with such a son?" - -"I am a follower of Achilles," was the startling reply, "and came -hither in the same ship. My father is Polyctor, a wealthy man, and of -like age with thee. I am the youngest of seven sons, and the lot fell -upon me to follow the host to Troy. And this night I came out to spy -upon the movements of the Trojans." - -"If thou art a comrade of Achilles," said Priam, "thou canst tell me -concerning my son Hector. Lies his body still by the ships, or has -Achilles given it already to his dogs to devour?" - -"Neither dog," answered the other, "nor unclean fowl hath approached -him, nor hath the worm had power over his flesh. Unmarred by violence, -untouched by decay, he lieth, without soil or stain, and all his wounds -are closed. This miracle the gods have wrought, in the great love -which they bear him." - -"Glad news thou tellest me," said Priam, "and now I know that piety -hath its reward, even in death." Then he took out a silver cup from -the mule car, and offering it to the stranger said: "Take this for -thyself, and conduct me safe to the ships of Achilles, that I may see -the face of my son." - -"Tempt me not, old man," replied the Greek. "This cup belongs to -Achilles, and if I should steal it from him what thinkest thou that he -would do unto me? But come, give me the reins, and I will guide thee -to thy goal--yea, though it were in distant Argos, thou shouldst reach -it safe and sound, and none should molest thee." - -So saying, he sprang to the side of Priam, and took the reins. Under -his guidance the horses seemed to be endued with wings, and in a very -short time they reached the main entrance of the camp. The gates flew -open, as if by magic, and all the sentries were sleeping at their -posts. On to the extreme verge of the camp they went, still -unchallenged, and drew up at length before a high stockade, within -which were the quarters of Achilles. Once more the gates opened at a -touch, and they entered. Here the mysterious stranger dismounted from -the car, and turning on Priam a countenance which shone with a -celestial radiance he said: "I have brought thee to the place where -thou wouldst go, and now I will leave thee, for the task is finished -which Zeus my father gave me to do. For know that I am Hermes, the -herald of the gods, and the strong helper of those that are in need." - - -III - -The dwelling of Achilles, which, for want of a better word, we have -called a tent, was in reality a roomy building, constructed of solid -pine trunks, and thatched with moss and rushes. On this memorable -evening Achilles was sitting in the main apartment of the dwelling, and -two of his squires were removing the vessels used at the evening meal. -The light of the fire gleamed fitfully on his face, and he seemed in a -gentler and more placid mood than had been usual with him for many -days. He had partaken freely of food and wine, and conversed -cheerfully with his attendants. He was now silent, and sat musing -quietly by himself, when suddenly, to his amazement, an old man of tall -stature and regal port entered the room, and throwing himself on the -ground before him clasped his knees and kissed his hands--those -terrible murderous hands!--bathing them with his tears. Like a man who -has slain a fellow-countryman, and enters the house of some wealthy -noble, where a great company is gathered, to implore shelter and -protection--for the avenger of blood is at his heels--so seemed that -aged man to Achilles and those that were with him, so trembling, -helpless, and forlorn. And as they gazed in deep wonder, murmuring to -each other the name of Priam, he began, in a voice broken with weeping, -to urge his petition: "Pity me, Achilles, for thy father's sake, an old -man like me, standing on the brink of the grave. Maybe he is in sole -straits, oppressed by those that dwell about him, for want of thy -succouring arm. Yet still he has hope, as long as thou livest, and -looks forward to the joyful day of thy return. But what hope have I, -what solace, what refuge from the blows which fate aims without ceasing -at mine afflicted head? Fifty sons I had, when the sons of Greece -first came to these shores, and of these the greater part have paid -their last tribute to the stern god of war. And he, the bravest and -the best, the bulwark of my city, fell by thy hand not many days since. -Him have I come to ransom at a great price. In the name of thy father, -in the name of the gods whom we both adore, have mercy on me, -Achilles--on me, who have found it in my heart to do what mortal never -did before, to lift to my lips the hand that slew my son!" - -Then at last that iron-hearted man was melted into compassion when he -saw the renowned King of Asia prostrate at his feet, humbled to the -dust for the sake of one poor boon--permission to give his son's body -to the grave. And the sight of all that misery awakened anew the -thought of his own sad lot, his recent loss, his brief and troubled -life, soon to be ended by a coward's hand, the desolation of his home, -and his father pining in solitary old age. Surely he also had cause -enough for tears! - -So the two great enemies were united for the time by the common bond of -human sorrow. Then Achilles rose, and, taking the old man by the hand, -led him to a seat, and placing himself by his side said to him: "O -marked by sorrow's seal before all the children of men, what a heart -must thou have, to meet me face to face, who have given to death so -many of thy valiant sons! But thou knowest that it is the common lot: -only the gods know neither care nor grief, but mortal life is -encompassed with ills. Two caskets there are which stand by the throne -of Zeus, one filled with good gifts, and the other with evil gifts. -And for the more part Zeus mingles the gifts, and tempers much evil -with a little good; but now and then some wretch receives naught but -evil, and wanders from land to land as misery's thrall, branded by the -malice of fate. To Peleus, my father, good things were given at -first--wealth, power, and prosperity, and a goddess for his bride. But -now he is receiving his portion of ill. And thou too, Priam, wast in -old times renowned for the number of thy blessings, and men called thee -great king, happy father, and envied thine abundance. But in thy -latter years thou hast seen naught but wars and fightings, losses and -deaths. So shifts the tide, so turns the scale, now up, now down, and -naught that we can do will avail to raise or diminish by one tittle the -sum of our fate." - -Up to this point Priam had prospered in his mission beyond his hopes. -But now he obtained a glimpse of the fearful passions which were -smouldering in the breast of Achilles, and ready at any moment to leap -up in devouring flames. Being invited by Achilles to stay and rest -awhile before resuming his journey, he would have refused, alleging -that he could not rest until he had the body of Hector safe in his -keeping. But that fierce and imperious nature brooked not the -slightest hint of opposition. "Provoke me no further, old man," said -the terrible chieftain, with a dark glance at his guest. "Hector's -body thou shalt have--but there must be no unseemly haste. My heart is -exceeding sore; touch not thou the galled spot, lest I should do thee -mischief, and break the ordinances of heaven." - -Then, leaving Priam where he sat, Achilles went out with Automedon and -another of his squires, and, bidding Idaeus attend his master, they -unyoked the mules, and brought in the ransom. "Now, haste thee, -Automedon," said Achilles, in a low tone, "go with the handmaids to the -place where Hector's body lies, and when they have washed and anointed -it return with it hither. Be silent, and be wary; for if Priam sees -what ye are doing--if he catches sight of Hector's body, where now it -lies--I fear that he will break out into anger against me, and becoming -outrageous provoke me to slay him." - -Having carried out their orders with all due caution, they brought the -body, wrapped in fine linen, and Achilles with his own hands placed it -in the mule car. But he groaned in spirit when he thought of his -promise to Patroclus, and cried aloud, invoking his ghost: "Take it not -amiss, my Patroclus, when the news reaches thee in the house of the -dead, that I have restored the body of thy slayer. His father hath -paid me no mean ransom, whereof thou shalt have thy share." - -The laws of hospitality required that Priam should not leave Achilles' -roof without breaking bread. Accordingly, on his return to the house, -Achilles urged his guest to take some food. "Remember," he said, "that -Niobe herself, so constant in her sorrow that even now, though turned -to a stone, she weeps and weeps for ever--even she tasted food when the -first anguish of her grief was passed. Thou knowest her sad story--how -she boasted that she had borne twelve fair children, six stalwart sons -and six lovely daughters--and taunted Leto that she had only borne two. -But those two were Apollo and Artemis, a god and a goddess, and they -slew all the children of Niobe, to avenge the insult to their mother. -Apollo slew the sons with his silver bow, and Artemis, the -archer-goddess, slew the daughters. For nine days they lay in their -blood, with none to give them burial; but on the tenth day the gods -buried them with their own hands. And if she, that stricken mother, -could sit down to meat, so do thou also, Priam; after that, thou shall -take some sleep, and at dawn I will send thee back in safety to Troy." - -The meal was prepared, and they sat down face to face at the same -table, joined as host and guest, after all that had passed between -them. But Priam's eyes were exceeding heavy, for he had hardly closed -them in slumber since the awful day when he saw Hector stricken to -death before his sight; and after tasting a morsel he begged Achilles -to show him the place where he was to rest. - - -IV - -Priam's bed was laid under the portico which ran round the outside of -the dwelling, for fear lest any chance visitor to Achilles should see -him if he lay within. Overcome by weariness, he soon fell into a deep -sleep. But in the dead of night he was roused by the voice of Hermes, -whose watchful eye had never left him, and who now came to warn him of -the perils by which he was surrounded. What if Agamemnon should hear -that the King of Troy was lying asleep in the midst of the Grecian -camp! All the wealth of Troy would hardly suffice to ransom such a -prisoner. - -Priam rose in haste, now fully alive to his danger, and found the -horses ready harnessed, and Idaeus waiting with the mule car. The same -powerful hand which had brought them to the dwelling of Achilles now -smoothed the way for their return, and day was just breaking as they -crossed the ford of the river. - -The first to observe their coming was Cassandra, a daughter of Priam, -who was watching from the highest tower of the citadel; and the report -soon spread throughout the city that Priam was returning, bringing with -him the body of Hector. Then not a man nor a woman was left in the -city, but all with one accord streamed out through the gates to meet -the strange procession. There was seen Hecuba, the mother of the -slain, leaning on the shoulder of Andromache, his faithful wife; and -following them at a distance, with downcast eyes, avoiding the looks of -hate which were cast at her, went the fatal Helen. During all the -years that she had lived as an unwelcome guest in the house of Priam, -Hector had never reminded her by a look or a word of the miseries which -she had brought on his country. He was all gentleness, all goodness, -even to her, who had sinned so grievously against him and his people; -and when hard words were aimed at her by any of his kinsfolk his -patience and charity had ever been her shield. - -By the authority of Achilles a truce of eleven days was granted to the -Trojans to celebrate the obsequies of Hector. For nine days he lay in -the chamber prepared for him in the palace, and all the city was given -up to mourning. On the tenth day they buried him, and on the eleventh -they raised his monument. - -And so, after long delay, that knightly spirit passed into its rest. - - - - - PRONOUNCING LIST OF NAMES - - - Abydos (ab[=i]'dos) - Abas ([)a]'-bas) - Achilles (akil'les) - AEneas (eenee'as) - AEacides (ee[)a]'cidees) - AEgae (ee'gee) - AEthe (ee'thee) - Agamemnon (agamem'non - Agenor (agee'nor) - Ajax (a'jax) - Al[oe]us (al[=o]'y[=u]s) - Alcathous (alc[)a]'th[)o]-[)u]s) - Alcimedon (alk[)i]'m[)i]don) - Anchises (ank[=i]'sees) - Antenor (antee'nor) - Antiphus (an't[)i]f[)u]s) - Antea (antee'[)a]) - Andromache (andr[)o]'m[)a]kee) - Antilochus (antil'[)o]k[)u]s) - Antimachus (anti'm[)a]k[)u]s) - Aphrodite ([)a]fr[)o]d[=i]'tee) - Ares ([=a]'rees) - Artemis (ar't[)e]m[)i]s) - Asclepius (asklee'p[)i][)u]s) - Astyanax (asti'[)a]nax) - Asius ([=a]'sius) - Ascalaphus (asc[)a]l'[)a]f[)u]s) - Asteropaeus (aster[)o]pee'[)u]s) - Athene (athee'nee) - Atreus ([=a]'tr[=u]s) - Ate ([=a]'tee) - Aulis (au'lis) - Automedon (aut[)o]'m[)e]don) - Axius (ax'[)i][)u]s) - - - Balius (b[)a]l'[)i][)u]s) - Bathycles (b[)a]th[)i]-clees) - B[oe]otia (bee[=o]'t[)i][)a]) - Bellerophon (bell[)e]'r[)o]f[)o]n) - Boreas (b[)o]r'[)e][=a]s) - - - Calchas (cal'kas) - Castor (cas't[=o]r) - Cebriones (k[)e]b'r[)i][)o]nees) - Charops (k[=a]'rops) - Chiron (k[=i]'ron) - Chrysa (kr[=i]'s[)a]) - Chryseis (kr[=i]'see'is) - Chryses (kr[=i]'sees) - Chimaera (k[)i]mee'r[)a]) - Clytaemnestra (cl[=i]teemnes'tr[)a]) - C[oe]ranus (kee'r[)a]n[)u]s) - Cronos (cr[)o]n'[)o]s) - - - Dares (d[)a]'rees) - Deiphobus (dee[)i]f'[)o]b[)u]s) - Democoon (deem[)o]k'[)o][=o]n) - Diomede (d[=i]'[)o]meed) - Dione (dio'nee) - Dolon (d[)o]l'[=o]n) - Dodona (d[=o]d[=o]'n[)a]) - - - Eetion (ee-[)e]t'[)i][=o]n) - Epeus ([)e]pee'[)u]s) - Eris ([)e]'ris) - Euchenor ([=u]kee'n[=o]r) - Eumelus ([=u]mee'l[)u]s) - Euphorbus ([=u]for'bus) - Euryalus (ur[=i]'[)a]l[)u]s) - Eurybates ([=u]r[)i]'b[)a]tees) - Eurydamas ([=u]r[)i]'d[)a]mas) - Eurypylus ([=u]r[)i]'p[)i]l[)u]s) - Eurynome ([=u]r[)i]'n[)o]mee) - - - Ganymede (g[)a]n[)i]meed) - Gargarus (gar'g[)a]'r[)u]s) - Glaucus (glau'cus) - - - Hades (H[=a]'dees) - Harpalion (harp[)a]l'[)i][=o]n) - Hecuba (h[)e]c'[)u]b[)a]) - Hebe (heebee) - Helenus (h[=e]l'[=e]n[=u]s) - Hephaestus (heefees't[=u]s) - Hera (hee'r[=a]) - Hermes (her'mees) - Heracles (her'[=a]clees) - Hippolochus (hipp[=o]l'[=o]-kus) - - - Idaeus ([=i]dee'[)u]s) - Idomeneus ([=i]d[)o]m'eny[)u]s) - Ilios ([=i]'l[)i][)o]s) - Iphidamas ([=i]f[)i]'d[)a]m[=a]s) - Iris ([=i]'ris) - Ithaca ([)i]'th[)a]c[)a]) - - - Laertes (l[=a][)e]r'tees) - Laodice (la[)o]'d[)i]kee) - Laodocus (l[=a][)o]'d[)o]k[)u]s) - Laogonus (l[=a][)o]'g[)o]nt[)i]s) - Lemnos (lem'nos) - Leucus (loo'k[)u]s) - Locris (l[)o]'cris) - Lycaon (l[=i]c[=a]'[=o]n) - - - Machaon (m[)a]k[=a]'[=o]n) - Men[oe]tius (m[)e]nee't[)i][)u]s) - Menelaus (m[)e]n[)e]l[=a]'[)u]s) - Menestheus (m[)e]n[)e]s'thy[)u]s) - Meriones (mee'r[)i][)u]nees) - Mycenae (m[=i]see'nee) - Myrine (m[)i]r[=i]'nee) - - - Neoptolemus (n[)e]-[)o]pt[)o]l'[)e]m[)u]s) - Nereus (nee'r[=u]s) - Nestor (nes't[=o]r) - Nireus (n[=i]'r[=u]s) - - - Oceanus ([=o]see'[)a]n[)u]s) - Odysseus (odis'sy[)u]s) - [OE]neus (ee'ny[)u]s) - Oileus ([)o][=i]'ly[)u]s) - Othryoneus ([)o]th'r[)i][)o]ny[)u]s) - - - Paean (pee'an) - Pandarus (pan'd[)a]r[)u]s) - Paphlagonia (p[)a]fl[)a]g[)o]n[)i]a) - Patroclus (p[)a]tr[)o]'cl[)u]s) - Pedasus (pee'd[)a]s[)u]s) - Pelops (p[)e]l'ops) - Peneleos (peen[)e]l'[)e][=o]s) - Phaenops (fee'nops) - Phegeus (fee'gy[=u]s) - Phereclus (f[)e]r[)e]'cl[)u]s) - Philoctetes (f[)i]loctee'tees) - Phocis (f[=o]'kis) - Phthia (fth[=i]'[)a]) - Podalirius (p[)o]d[)a]l[=i]'r[)i][)u]s) - Podargus (p[)o]dar'g[)u]s) - Podes (p[)o]'dees) - Polydeuces (p[)o]l[)i]dy[=u]'kees) - Polydamas (p[)o]l[)i]'d[)a]mas) - Polyctor (p[)o]lic'tor) - Polydorus (p[)o]l[)i]d[=o]r'[)u]s) - Polyidus (p[)o]l[)i][=i]'d[)u]s) - Poseidon (p[)u]s[=i]'d[=o]n) - Priam (pr[=i]'am) - Protesilaus (pr[=o]t[)e]s[)i]l[=a]'[)u]s) - Pr[oe]tus (pree't[)u]s) - Pylos (p[=i]'los) - Pyraechmes (p[)i]reek'mees) - - - Samothrace (s[)a]m[)o]thr[=a]'kee) - Sarpedon (sarpee'd[=o]n) - Scamander (sc[)a]man'd[)e]r) - Scamandrius (sc[)a]man'dr[)i]us) - Scyros (sk[=i]'ros) - Sicyon (s[)i]k'[)i][)o]n) - Simoeis (s[)i]m'[)o]eis) - Sim[oe]isius (s[)i]m[)o]ei's[)i][)u]s) - Sisyphus (s[)i]'s[)i]f[)u]s) - Solymi (s[)o]l'[)i]m[)i]) - Socus (s[=o]'c[)u]s) - Spercheus (sperkee'[)u]s) - Stentor (sten't[=o]r) - Sthenelus (sth[)e]n'[)e]l[)u]s) - - - Talthybius (talth[)i]b'[)i][)u]s) - Telamon (t[)e]l'[)a]m[=o]n) - Telemachus (t[=e]l[)e]'m[)a]k[)u]s) - Tethys (tee'th[)i]s) - Teucer (ty[=u]'ser) - Thetis (th[=e]'t[)i]s) - Thersites (thers[=i]'tees) - Tiryns (t[=i]'rins) - Tydeus (t[=i]'dy[=u]s) - - - Zephyrus (z[)e]f'[)i]r[)u]s) - Zeus (zy[)u]s) - - - - - [Transcriber's note: in the list above, the sequence "[=" indicates - the macron version of the vowel following, e.g. "[=a]" represents - a-macron. Similarly, "[)" indicates breve, e.g. "[)a]" represents - a-breve.] - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Stories from the Iliad, by H. L. Havell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES FROM THE ILIAD *** - -***** This file should be named 43993.txt or 43993.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/9/9/43993/ - -Produced by Al Haines - -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. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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