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xaniversits of Ttoronto Xibrars
Xlbe late /IDaurice li^utton,
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W0U\928
Digitized by the Internet Archive in
2010 with funding from University of Toronto
http://www.archive.org/details/iliadodyssey02home
.5
THE
ILIAD
AND ODYSSEY
HOMER, TRANSLATED
WILLIAM SOTHEBY;
ILLUSTRATED BY THE DESIGNS OF FLAXMAN. VOL.
.
LONDON: G.
AND W. NICOL, PALL-MALL
;
J.
MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET.
MDCCCXXXIII.
.
NICOI.,
SHAKSPEAllE PRESS, CLEVELAND ROW.
THE THIRTEENTH BOOK OF
THE
VOL.
II.
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT.
—
Hector defeats the Grecians. Neptune in the similitude of Calchas reanimates them. Idomeneus highly distinguish'd. The battle rages
—
with mutual slaughter.
—
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK When
Jove had led
Where
'Mid the
And For
fierce Hector's
Hellas' routed
The Thunderer dire
XIII.
conquering host
army throng'd the
left their
woes and
coast.
unassisted might
toil
of ceaseless fight.
turn'd the lustre of his eye,
where Thrace
battle rear'd her steeds' unrivall'd race.
Or, in close war, where Mysia's sons excel. Or, where in peace the Hippemolgians dwell.
Who, fed on milk, their blissful life prolong. And cleave to right a guilty world among :
Nor
On
deign'd to cast a backward glance again
Priam's city, and Troy's woeful plain
For none
None
:
— Jove deem'd—no god would dare descend.
aid a Trojan,
But not
in vain,
Keen Neptune
none a Greek defend.
on Samothracia's height.
watch'd, and wonder'd at the fight
THE
4
Thence,
all
view'd,
[rook xiu.
the region that encompass'd Ide,
Troy, and the
He
ILIAD.
fleet of
Greece, the god descried.
and pitying Hellas,
fill'd
with
ire,
Rush'd down the steep, nor reck'd the Olympian
The mountains
stagger'd,
and the
forests
sire.
bow'd
Beneath the foot of the descending god.
monarch downward
Thrice, with swift step, the
The
fourth
Where,
now
in its
rests
on JEgses,
dome
There Neptune yoked the
Waved Then
far abode.
bay profound, the billows
O'er his imperishable
o'er their
strode.
roll'd
of gold. steeds,
whose golden mane
brazen hoofs, and swept the plain
:
mail'd in golden panoply of war,
Grasp'd his bright scourge, and onward urged his car.
That smoothly
From
glided, while along the waves,
the deep darkness of unfathom'd caves.
Huge whales on
every
side,
with gamboling bound
Leapt, conscious of their king, his steeds around.
The
sea, with
joy dividing, smooth'd the way
Where, 'mid the
glassy main, his passage lay
:
There, as they flew, his steeds no brine upcast.
Nor ocean bathed
his axle as
Where, nigh the
A
fleet,
it
pass'd.
beneath the ocean bed,
cave 'mid Tenedos and Imbrus spread.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
There Neptune loosed Ambrosia stored
ILIAD.
his steeds,
5
and heap'd
their food.
for heaven's ethereal brood.
Then, to await him, round
their fetlocks roll'd
Indissoluble fetters framed of gold.
Now
Neptune
Or whirlwind
join'd the Greeks, while fierce as fire.
blast, resistless in its ire,
Troy's furious sons, and
Rush'd with Rush'd
—
mad shouts, where Hector led their course
for they
Would 'mid
their leagued force
all
deem'd that
all
their captur'd fleet
the Grecians slain
heap Phrygia's
But from the deep the god who rocks the
And round
plain.
globe.
the world winds his circumfluent robe.
In Calchas' voice and form the Greeks inspired.
And *
with fresh rage each raging Ajax fired
Brave warriors
now unnerved by
!
'
Guardians of Greece
'
Elsewhere,
'
Pour
'
There
'
A mightier
*
Lo
!
Hark
o'er
I
wall,
our host
your former fame revere.
and dare us hand resist
:
like a
—how he vaunts
to
hand
but chiefly here
danger wakes a warrior's
Hector rages !
flight or fear,
dread not Troy, tho' band on band
yon
will
!
:
flame of
fear.
fire
his birth, his
:
heavenly
sire.
:
THE
6 that
'
'
* *
ILIAD.
some god would
aid,
would
[book steel
xiii.
your breast
To stand yourselves, and animate the rest Then from your fleet would Hector fly, tho' Jove Held
He
brow the Mg\^ from
o'er his
spake
and
:
above.'
striking ^^^th his sceptre, fiU'd
Their Hmbs with strength, and godlike power
instill'd.
Their hands, their feet were lighten'd of their load.
And
each
limb confess'd the god
elastic
Then, as a hawk, on wings outstretch'd
for flight.
Sweeps from a promontory's topmost height.
Wins through
And
the void of air his
sudden death a flying
strikes with
Thus Neptune Oilian
And
thus to Ajax cried,
Who
'
'
'
No
'
But
first
the form celestial knew.
mortal
A
'
bade to guard the
Twas not
bird.
sped, and, as he pass'd from view.
The '
way unheard.
present god,
fleet,
before us trod.
the Seer, not Calchas
man
in
—
I
pursued
man's similitude,
^dsibly, at his departure,
'
The
'
How
'
That burns
'
These hands, these
*
And
traced
glory that the god divinely graced.
doubt his influence
each
for battle,
elastic
?
—
feel I
not the glow
and provokes the
foe
?
feet are lighten'd of their load,
limb proclaims the god.'
BOOK '
THE
XIII.]
great Ajax cried,
I, too,'
'
More
*
I
'
I, sole,
Such
air,
thrill
the flame,
I feel
its
:
aim.
with keen desire,
blood the Hectorean
in
their bold speech
fire.'
so Neptune's strong controul
with joy each battle-breathing soul.
to the fleet the
Caird forth the
The war-worn Yet tenfold
And when And
and
quench
to
fiU'd
Then
'
7
firm I grasp the lance, and poise
tread on
Had
ILIAD.
Sea-God onward
chiefs,
chiefs,
press'd,
and roused from needful
whose
rest
sufferings claim'd repose.
suffer'd in their nation's
woes
they heard from far the turrets
fall.
view'd the Trojans pouring o'er the wall.
They, tears of deep despair
And deem'd
themselves
in secret shed.
now number'd with
the dead
—
But Neptune intervened, and arm'd again Phalanx on phalanx for the
Bold Teucer
first,
and
battle-plain.
Le'itus inspired,
Peneleus, Thoas, and Deipyrus fired.
Breathed in Meriones the warrior's flame.
And urged
Antilochus once more to fame
:
'Mid these, the Ocean Lord, exhorting, spoke.
And '
*
in
each breast war's kindhng glow awoke
Shame
!
youthful chiefs
Deem'd our
fleet safe,
!
on you
my
:
soul relied,
and Troy's whole force
defied.
THE
8
—
ILIAD.
you now recede,
[book xm.
*
Shame
'
Beholds you
*
Heavens
'
Such
'
View raging 'mid our
*
Who
*
And
'
Nor born
'
Such once the Trojans, who before our
*
Fled ere our near approach, nor paused on
'
Now, by our
'
Far from
*
The
'
Yield,
*
'
'
!
if
slain,
do
!
as in
and Troy's proud victory won.
I live,
dream
and
and view a wonder wrought,
ne'er floated
fled like fawns,
to
yon sun
ere set
my
on
thought,
ships the Trojan race,
whom
wolves and lynxes chase,
fro in wildering terrour stray,
for battle, dare withstand the fray.
sight
leader's fault, or our delay,
their
Troy they rush on our
array,
while our warriors, with their king at '
mid
flight,
their ships, their
undefended
strife,
life.
What tho' the host his insolence proclaim, And on his rash misdeed hurl righteous blame, What tho' his pride dared great Pelides shght,
'
Must we,
'
Forgive
'
Rush on the Trojans,
'
Go
'
Most famed
'
The
*
Rage
*
Reflect
'
Must more and more from your delay
in
like dastards, turn,
and
fly
the fight
—forgiveness best becomes the brave
your glory
base will
may
fly
:
consume
:
speed, your navy save
—you, of Hellas
in arms,
?
your fame
but oh
my
!
—
if
'
in
train
arms sustain
you
retire,
heart with quenchless
what doom hangs
o'er us
:
fire.
woe on woe o'erflow.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
9
'
Let shame, revenge, to each fresh force supply,
'
Like
*
Lo
'
Sweeps, thundering, thro' the gates, and bursts the
men go
forth,
mid our
' !
and dare hke men to
die.
Hector pours the war,
fleet, 'tis
bar.'
Thus roused, the Grecian
warriors, undismay'd,
Throng'd round each Ajax, and their strength array'd
A
chosen host
Nor
Pallas,
They
stood
:
Mars such had
when
in arms, the
'gainst
:
ne'er reproved.
goddess moved.
Troy and Hector kept the
Condensing lance on lance, and shield on shield
Ranks closed on ranks, on phalanx phalanx
Man
clash'd
on man, shield
shield,
and
field. :
press'd,
crest
on
crest
And from their casques' high cones, that brightly beam'd. O'er the dense mass the horse-hair darkly stream'd.
And
as they forward
That quiver'd
And
lo
!
moved, each radiant spear
in their grasp
the Trojans
;
bade Troy draw near.
— Hector,
First in fierce onset rush'd,
at their head.
by victory
led.
Swift as a rock that on a mountain lower'd.
Riven by swoln Bursts
all
floods,
obstructions,
and
in their rush o'erpower'd.
bounds from steep
Strows the crush'd wood, that thunders to
And, onward, Till the
ceaselessly,
smooth plain
its
and onward
to steep, its
sweep.
rolls.
less'ning speed controuls
THE
10
Thus Hector
The navy Then
—
ILIAD.
captured, and the Grecians slain.
staid
—vain
Each sword was
With
striving
—where athwart
brandish' d,
his
way
their dense array.
and each pointed spear
at his breast repell'd his fierce career
:
forced foot, staggering back, the chief retired.
While thus
'
xiii.
flew, thus rush'd to reach the main.
Phalanx on phalanx lock'd
Aim'd
[book
Ye
his voice, far heard, the Trojans fired
Trojans, Lycians, Dardans, band on band,
my
'
Be
'
Tho' serried every rank, each phalanx closed,
*
They
'
This lance shall turn their host, and chase their
^
If
firm
not long shall Greece
:
shall
not long
Hector moves
His voice
resist,
by
me
force withstand
opposed, flight,
in Jove's o'ershadowing might.'
in all fresh fortitude inspired.
But chief of all a son of Priam
fired,
Deiphobus, swift issuing to the
field.
Hid by the huge circumference of his
shield.
Against him, moving on in bold advance,
Meriones hurl'd forth
And smote
his shield's
his well-aim'd lance.
huge orb, but ere the stroke
Pierced the bull-hide, the shaft in shivers broke.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
But Priam's
ILIAD.
son, in terrour of his foe
Stretch'd out the shield, and warded oiTthe blow.
Then,
in stern rage,
'mid Hellas' sheltering host.
Bereft of victory, and his
Back
A
weapon
lost.
to his tent, Meriones withdrew,
firmer lance to wield, and war renew
The
while fierce battle raged, foes rush'd on foes.
And
loud and louder war's wild roar uprose.
Then Teucer
first
stretch'd breathless
on the ground
Brave Imbrius, Mentor's son, for steeds renown'd.
He, ere
to Ilion sail'd the flower of Greece,
In rich Pedaeus dwelt, and reign'd in peace.
With Medescasta
To
blest, his
beauteous bride.
Priam's race, by lawless love allied
But when
Troy her numbers Hellas
to
sent.
For Troy's defence the wilhng hero went. In Priam's palace dwelt, by
all
approved.
Lived with his sons, and as a son beloved
Him,
in the van, the
Telamonian spear
Smote, and with deadliest wound transfix'd his
As a young Fell'd
ash, that tower'd afar
on
sight,
by the axe upon the mountain height.
Lies with
its
vernal leaves, thus swept away.
All beautiful in death
young Imbrius
lay
:
ear.
THE
12
Loud rang
arms
his
Then, Hector's rage
But on
its flight
:
ILIAD.
to spoil him,
[book
xiii.
Teucer flew
his lance preventive
threw
the chief the shaft descried
And, scarcely death eluding, turn'd aside It
glanced, and pierced Antimachus' breast.
And The And
laid the warrior in death's dreamless rest.
son of Cteatus, from Actor sprung. as
he
fell,
Then Hector
To
afar his
armour rung.
rush'd from his defenceless head
pluck the polish'd helm, and spoil the dead.
But Ajax, on the
victor's swift
advance.
Against him hurl'd the burden of his lance.
But
fail'd
The
to pierce, so closely mail'd around.
chief, all brass, defied
the deadly
But on the boss of the Hectorean Such
its
shield
vast weight, that back the warrior reel'd,
Reel'd back, and scared by Left,
wound
its terrific
force
where they lay on earth, each unspoil'd
But Mnestheus,
Stichius,
who
corse.
the Athenians led.
Slow dragg'd Antimachus from forth the dead While, as two lions rend a goat away
From sharp-tooth'd dogs, that round them vainly And thro' dark thickets, and the pathless wood. High bear
it
in their jaws, distilling blood,
Thus the Ajaces Imbrius'
And
corse upbore.
fi'om his limbs in rage his
armour tore
bay.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
13
And in stern vengeance for their comrade dead. From the fair neck the O'ilian smote his head. And, hke a
ball, in scornful fury whirl'd.
In dust before the feet of Hector hurl'd.
Then,
Sped
as,
deep wi'athful for his grandson
to their fleet the
slain.
monarch of the main.
In Hellas' host fresh courage to inspire.
And pour on
Troy's proud sons celestial
The Cretan king
ire
to battle boldly trod.
And met on his advance the Ocean God. He came, where, lately from the conflict led. His wounded friend lay bleeding But, ere he
The
skilful
left
in his bed.
the tent, the monarch gave
leach strict charge to tend the brave
Then, breathing war, as on the hero
The Ocean Lord Idomeneus His voice,
Who
like
press'd.
address'd
Thoas, famed Andraemon's son.
ruled the state of rock-built Calydon,
O'er Pleuron's wide extent just sway maintain'd.
And,
'
'
like a god, o'er all the
^Etohans reign'd
Where, Cretan king, where now the threat'ning boast
That burst from Greece on Troy's invaded coast?'
THE
14 '
Oh, Thoas, none,'
ILIAD.
[book
— Idomeneus
replied,
*
Not man the
*
All bravely fight
'
Nor
sloth enchains us,
'
'Tis
Jove who dooms
*
To
'
But thou,
*
That roused the
*
Cease not thyself: and in each heart inspire
*
A
cause,
none turn from war
—no heart-debasing
'
on
die inglorious still
when our
us, this
xiii.
aside
fear,
foes appear.
from our native land, Phrygian strand.
mindful of thy former fame, rest to
emulate thy name,
kindling spark of thy heroic
Ne'er,' cried the
Sea-God,
*
fire.'
ne'er return again,
*
That Grecian warrior from Troy's
*
Feast on his limbs, fierce dogs, and rend his corse,
*
Who
'
But, speed
*
If our united
powers may yet
'
'Tis strength,
when
*
And we,
He Back
wilfully this
day remits
his force
—thy armour brace—yon
each singly
spake
hostile plain,
:
!
foes assail,
avail.
two, tho' singly weak, unite, oft,
have quell'd the brave in fight.'
and hurried where the
battle burn'd.
to his tent the Cretan king return'd
:
Braced his bright armour on, and proudly waved
Two
radiant spears, and Troy's fierce onset braved.
And,
as the lightning,
from rent heaven above
Flashes in red vibrations, lanch'd by Jove,
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
When
to earth's guilty sons the
Makes
visible his
15
Olympian
wrath in flames of
Sire
fire
Thus, as the king to battle onward press'd, Flash'd the refulgent brass that mail'd his breast.
But
as the
monarch, from
his tent withdrew,
Meriones, approaching, met his view.
Why, Molus
*
'
son,
most
*
Why
'
Art thou too wounded
*
Whose barbed
*
Or comest
'
I
turns thy dauntless foot from
speed
*
:
to
me on
!
I seek,'
If yet thy tent for
'
My
'
Broke
'
*
war
aside
me
in
?
cried,
?
thou yet the lance,
— Not
?
in vain
peace remain.'
Meriones replied, a spear provide
:
lance, that smote Deiphobus's shield,
Not
off in shivers ere I left the field.'
one, but twenty, there at will obtain
So shine '
mission
nor longer here
Monarch
Feel'st
?
monarch
point forbids thy bold advance
'
'
loved,' the
Tis not
my walls with spears from Trojans slain. my wont when host meets host, afar
*
To
'
Hence, many a hauberk mine, and bossy
*
Spears, and high towering helms, that daunt the
fight, as half resolved,
and pause on war. shield, field.'
THE
16 '
ILIAD.
Mine, too/ the chief replied,
*
Each trophy witness of my
*
These
*
And
*
Nor am
*
Lurk
*
But
'
Rush, and encounter
'
If others
*
And
*
'
'
'
*
*
*
'
my
in
tent repose
the keen conflict I
wont
battle toils.
far off the
now
xiii.
Troy's glorious spoils,
—
\vjth feeble
in the rear,
*
[book
way
forbids delay
arm
to smite,
and hesitate on
fight
—from the vanward, with preventive blow be,
know me not
:
the foremost foe.
thou, king, attest
what thou hast seen, by thee
Why this
Oft have
first
I
to
me ?'
confess'd.'
—the Cretan monarch
said
seen thy fortitude display'd
—
And where it now our charge, from Hellas' host To choose a chief, most brave, determin'd most, To join the ambush, where distinct appear The
hero's courage,
and the dastard's
fear,
Where coward cheeks no constant hue retain, Where the pulse wavers in the coward's vein, momentary
*
Where cowards
'
Cower, with bow'd knees, and back-reverted
'
Sigh feebly forth their palpitating breath,
'
And mark, by
'
But where the brave
their colour keep, nor dread,
'
Once
on their ambush'd bed
shift their
seat, feet,
chattering teeth, the approach of death
fix'd in station
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
'
But keen on watch await the
'
Dash on the
*
There, none dare blame,
'
*
Thy And
foe,
—
sign to rise,
their dying cries
far rather, all
:
proclaim
dauntless soul, and deeds that challenge fame.
wert thou wounded, or far
'
Or by the arrowy
*
Not
'
and drink
17
in thy
flight,
or near,
or close hurl'd spear,
neck the dart would basely
— But 'mid the van of
battle, in
*
But cease we now vain
*
The shock
'
Speed
'
Take from
!
off,
parley.
rest,
thy breast.
— Speed, away
!
of clashing hosts forbids delay.
lest
some
my
chief indignantly reprove
tent a lance.
—
I
:
onward move.'
He spake Meriones like Mavors flew. And swiftly from the tent a war-spear drew. :
Then ardent
And
for the battle
onward sped.
traced the path where Crete's brave
As when the god of war, Goes
forth in arms,
monarch
in fiery rage.
and maddens to engage.
His son, grim Terror, wields the gory spear.
That
quails the bravest heart,
What
with fear.
fills
time they issue from the wilds of Thrace.
'Mid the
fierce
Ephyri, or the Phlegyan race,
And, by both hosts invoked,
To each VOL.
and
II.
at pleasure yield
in turn, the glory of the field
c
:
led.
THE
18
Thus the bold Rush'd
'
Son of Deucalion
'
Where
'
At
'
Lo '
chiefs to battle
shall
the
Our
left
'
we join our
labours
chiefs,'
xiii.
undismay'd
his brave follower said,
!
host,
where
chiefly aid
?
mid array ?
either flank, or in their !
[book
in radiant mail array'd.
and flamed
forth,
ILIAD.
speed we there our way.'
:
the King rephed,
'
most bold, most
brave, '
The
'
Each Ajax
'
Teucer, 'mid Hellas'
'
To vdng
'
Where,
'
These can
'
And
quench, in
'
Not
light the
'
Such
'
Unless, in lightning hurl'd, Jove's flaming hand
*
Lanch on our
*
Great Ajax yields to none
'
From mortal men, and
'
None whom
'
When
centre guard, their force our fleet can save. there,
and on that
the arrowy
in close
battle
chiefs, chief flight,
ground
most renown'd,
or dare the
field,
combat, shield encounters
utmost force engage,
fierce Hector's all its
strength, his fiery rage.
Hectorean
chiefs to quell,
shield.
and
toil,
set
tho'
our
dread his
fleet
on
ire,
fire,
ships the exterminating brand.
who draw
their birth
taste the finits of earth
the sword can pierce, or feel the wound,
rocky fragments hurl them to the ground
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
—
ILIAD.
'
Nor
'
E'en to Pelides, in the close fought
'
Now join
'
Or from her heroes
tho' less fleet,
Then,
Where The
the
left
swift as
the
19
would deign the glory
yield,
field.
or fame to Ilion give,
:
slain fresh
fame
receive.'
Mars, the chief his monarch led
left labour'd,
and the carnage spread
Trojans, as they \iew'd, where, fierce as flame.
In radiant mail the king and chieftain came.
With hideous uproar msh'd, nor
The As
strength of Hellas at her station'd
raised
When
A
by storms,
in
meet
fleet.
summer's sultry day.
suffocating dust hides
dense cloud stands aloft
The
fear'd to
;
all
the way,
thus densely rose
darkness from the shock of clashing foes.
One aim ahke
in
one
all,
mad
desire.
In death to quench the vengeance of their
The
battle burn'd,
ire.
and raging more and more.
Bristled with spears that drank each other's gore.
Shield blazed on shield, and wide the brazen hght Flash'd o'er the
field,
and dimm'd the o'erdazzled sight
On radiant helmets radiant helmets gleam'd. And bright on beaming hauberks hauberks beam'd And hard
Had
his heart,
seen that
who,
strife,
gladly,
unamazed.
nor shudder'd as he gazed.
THE
20
Two Each
ILIAD.
[book
xiii.
sons of Saturn diversely inclined.
woes
to the adverse host dire
design'd.
Jove, for Pelides' fame, bade Hellas yield
To Hector and
his host that well-fought field.
Yet would not Greece destroy, but
At Thetis prayer '
left,
unseen, the wave.
To Hellas' sons fresh strength and And grieved at Troy's success, and fearlessly withstand the
Both of one
alone
to glorify her son.
But Ocean's god, who
Dared
will'd
race, yet
born in
courage gave fiU'd
with
Olympian
:
ire.
sire.
earlier day,
Jove, by high knowledge, gain'd superior sway.
Hence Neptune came unseen, and
unreveal'd
In man's similitude the god conceal'd.
Thus,
Drew
o'er
the dire net of war, and ruthless fate,
Link'd to
And
Now
fell
death the indissoluble chain.
widely spread o'er
many
Grecia's host,
slain.
and curb'd the Trojan rage
slew Othryoneus, who, fired by fame.
Late, leagued with Priam,
Came And
a warrior
brave Idomeneus, untamed by age.
Roused
And
each host, the gods, in mutual hate.
in fond
hope
fi:-om
Cabesus came
to gain Cassandra's charms.
clasp, undower'd, the virgin in his arms.
:
BOOK
He
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
21
woo'd, and vow'd, the king's assent to gain.
His host should chase the Greeks from Phrygia's plain.
On Priam's gain'd assent the youth rehed. And bravely led his host, and Greece defied. Him,
proud advance,
in the van, elate, in
Idomeneus
transfix'd with radiant lance.
Thro' his brass hauberk pierced his groin, and hurl'd
The
chief untimely to the viewless world.
Loud
And '
o'er his fall his
loud the
arms resounding rung.
and taunting tongue
victor's boast,
Othryoneus
I
:
laud thee o'er mankind,
'
So thou consummate
*
And
'
Atrides fairest child shall bless thy arms,
*
From Argos
*
With
'
But, come, brave wooer
'
Prove there what grateful
that fired thy mind,
all
gain the Dardan maid
—Yet Grecian charms,
'
He
brought,
if
thou, for her, destroy,
Hellas' sons, the sacred walls of Troy. !
follow to our fleet, sires
thy proffers
greet.'
spake, and from the slaughter widely spread,
Dragg'd by the feet the corse to spoil the dead.
Prompt
On
to avenge,
and bold
to thwart his aim.
foot, before the king, fierce Asius
came.
THE
22
While
ILIAD.
his brave guide, in all their
[book
xiii.
foaming speed,
Rein'd, panting on his neck, each fiery steed.
While Asius aim'd the blow, the monarch smote
With
swifter
weapon, and transfix'd his throat.
As by the new-edged
steel's decisive stroke.
on the mountain heights a far-spread oak.
Falls
Poplar, or pine, of bulk to form a mast.
Before his steeds thus Asius breathed his
last.
Fierce ground his teeth, and with convulsive
hand
Grasp'd, streaming with his blood, the furrow'd land.
His charioteer, o'ercome with wild
Nor dared But
as
he
resist,
affright.
nor wheel'd his car for
flight
linger'd thus in senseless trance,
Antilochus against him poised his lance.
And
pierced his bowels
The brazen hauberk Prone from
Drove
his car
:
nor him ought
avail'd
that the warrior mail'd
he
fell
:
and Nestor's son
to the fleet his steeds in battle won.
For Asius
slain,
Dei'phobus, enraged.
Against Idomeneus fierce conflict waged.
And
lanch'd his forceful spear
The Cretan monarch mark'd
And underneath With
his shield,
;
it
but,
keen of view.
as
flew.
it
whose massive round.
brass refulgent, and tough bull-hides bound.
Spread, doubly-handled, wholly hid from sight.
Heard the
shaft
whiz along
its
airy flight.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
23
And, glancing on the brazen border, yield
A
thrilling tinkle
The
where
it
touch'd the shield.
dart, that glanced aside, not idly flew.
But, born of Hippasus, Hypsenor slew
Pierced thro' the
Loosed
The
all his
liver,
instantaneous death
and closed
limbs,
chief, o'erjoy'd, in scornful
'
Not unavenged, not
*
His
'
And
at
once his breath.
triumph
cried,
vainly, Asius died
spirit shall rejoice
:
I
gave the blow,
sent the guide to herald
him
below.'
Shock'd at his loud-tongued vaunt,
all
Hellas' host.
But, chief, Antilochus deep
felt his
Yet
but o'er him spread
left
not there the
slain,
The o'ershadowing targe, and Till
boast.
wheel'd around the dead
from the tumult of the battle plain
His friends lamenting drew their comrade Till Echius'
slain.
son and brave Alastor bore
His corse to Hellas' tents and guarded shore.
Yet not Idomeneus relax'd
his might.
But, raging more and more, provok'd the fight.
Firm
fix'd
While
o'er
some
chief to slay, or, stern in death.
him rung
his
armour, close his breath.
That time Alcathous, iEsyeta's
son.
Against the Cretan king rush'd dauntless on
:
THE
24
ILIAD.
[book
xiii.
Heroic youth, to whose connubial arms Anchises gave Hippodamia's charms.
His elder born, and loved beyond the
And,
rest.
far o'er all, in sense, skill, beauty, blest.
Hence, worthy of the bride, a bridegroom found,
A
chief, o'er all in spacious
Him,
Crete's brave
Troy renown'd.
monarch, by the Sea-God's aid
Untimely hurl'd to Hades' gloomy shade.
With
To
with eyes deprived of sight.
fetter'd feet,
fly
unable, impotent to fight.
Like a stone
A towering tree, the The Cretan
spear,
wood
or amid a
pillar,
chieftain stilly stood.
whose unresisted stroke
Transfix'd his breast, and brazen corselet broke.
Rang,
jarring, as
Whose And in
he
fell
deep-fix'd point
had ceased
The king loud vaunted
Lo
'
But
!
for
—
if
strife.
then, wild with joy.
:
o'er the host of
What deems Deiphobus ? why
*
in his heart.
shaft that throbb'd with quivering
Till its last pulse
'
was centred
each death-pang's palpitating
Shook the long
'
beneath the dart.
Troy
boast again
one Greek three Trojan warriors thou
What thou
wilt, rash fool
avail'st 'gainst
!
?
slain.
advance, and prove
me, the son of Jove.
life.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
'
From Jove
*
From Minos sprung
*
His son
'
Crete,
*
Arm'd by
*
I,
am,
I,
lord,
Deucalion, Crete-adored
whose wide-sceptred sway,
and her many-peopled towns obey
:
their power, I sail'd to Phrygia's coast,
spake
Back
25
Minos came, the Cretan
great
death to thee, thy
He Or
I
ILIAD.
:
in
to retreat,
sire,
and
Ilion's host.'
doubt the Trojan warrior
and seek another's
staid.
aid.
there, alone, insensible to fear.
Confront the Cretan boaster, spear 'gainst spear.
He
sought another
Mneas
chief,
and found,
afar,
lingering in the rear of war.
Enraged, that Priam had not duly paid
High honour
'
to his deeds,
Leader of Troy
!'
and powerful
him thus the
aid.
chief address'd,
*
Now
'
If ere
'
Now
*
And
*
His hearth that rear'd thee in thy infant day.
*
Haste
*
He
be thy known pre-eminence confess'd.
thou let
felt
the touch of kindred love,
Alcathous thy compassion move,
to thy sister's honour'd lord repay
!
save from spoil his corse
;
on Phrygia's
plain,
bleeds, by Crete's fierce king untimely slain.'
THE
26
ILIAD.
That speech ^neas roused
The
to engage.
childish dread the king withdrew.
As onward
in fell
But firmly
stood.
A boar,
xiii.
in fiercest rage.
monarch
chief rush'd forth the
But not with
:
[book
wrath the Trojan flew.
As on
his
rocky bed
'mid deserts wild and mountains bred.
Hears the near hunters' shout, awaits the attack.
And
bristles into
Whets
war
his rattling back.
his sharp tusks, with fiery eye-ball glares.
And hounds and huntsmen Thus stood the monarch,
On On
to the conflict dares,
yet, not unappall'd.
brave Ascalaphus, De'ipyrus fierce
Meriones, Aphareus' might.
And young
Antilochus, a god in fight
my
'
Advance,
'
Leave
'
I
*
JEneas rushing on
'
Not
'
Of manhood
'
Such
'
I
me
view
He
dauntless friends,
my summons
hear,
not lone with this unaided spear.
—nor
feign to hide
slack his
hand gifts
his
my just
dismay,
murderous way.
to slay
—and
fresh the flower
him with surpassing power
as our courage,
now
call'd,
were our years the same,
should give or gain immortal fame.'
spake
—and
Stood near, and
all,
one soul in every mind.
o'er their
brows their shields
inclined.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
On Troy
JEneas
call'd
ILIAD.
her chiefs of fame,
:
De'iphobus, Agenor, Paris
On
throng'd their hosts
When And
ram
the
27
came
:
as sheep to sheep succeed.
:
them from the pastured mead.
leads
seeks the fresh springs, while the guardian swain
Exultant views them whitening
Thus
joy'd
^neas,
all
the plain
:
as the chieftain view'd
Warriors on warriors that his step pursued.
Each host around Alcathous, hand
to hand,
Clash'd their long spears, and bathed in blood the land
Their batter'd corselets rung, and harsh the sound. As, breast to breast, they gave and
But two brave
felt
the wound.
chiefs, surpassing all the rest,
Tower'd, and against each other fiercely press'd.
and the Cretan king, enraged.
JEneeLS
War and ^neas
exterminating conflict waged.
hurl'd his lance,
it
whizz'd,
Nor smote the king observant But
—
fix'd in earth,
Stood where
it fell,
:
his forceful stroke
hollow of ^Enomaus broke.
corselet's
And
pierced his entrails
The king
To win
its cast.
and, quivering, shook the ground.
The
fell
pass'd.
unconscious of a wound.
Not thus Idomeneus
Prone
of
it
:
reft at
once of breath.
the chief, and clench'd the dust in death. pluck'd forth his lance, but strove in vain
his burnish'd arms,
and
spoil the slain
THE
28
So dense the shower of In time-worn
How now How,
hmbs
ILIAD.
the power that once prevail'd.
elude the spears, by others thrown.
as of yore in youth, regain his
Nor by As
xiii.
darts, so sadly fail'd
Sole hope, front fix'd on front, his
Now
[book
own
life
?
to save.
vain speed attempt to fly the grave.
stern Deiphobus, by vengeance fired,
step
by step
Crete's
war-worn chief retired.
Against him hurl'd his lance
But brave Ascalaphus, Mars
;
'
it
vainly flew
:
offspring, slew.
His shoulder smote, and pierced with deadly wound.
Prone
fell
the chief, and grasp'd in death the ground.
Mars knew All, barr'd
Where
it
not
:
amid the powers above.
from battle by behest of Jove,
high Olympus the immortals shrouds.
He sat, o'er-canopied with War raged below where, :
golden clouds. fiercely
hand
to hand.
Strove round Ascalaphus each hostile band
There, as Deiphobus swift pluck'd away
The helmet where
the corse before
him
lay,
Meriones, observing, onward sprung.
His vengeful javelin on the spoiler flung. Pierced his right arm, and from his slacken'd hand
Struck the brass helm, that rung against the land
Again the conqueror,
like a vulture flew,
Pluck'd back the dart, and to his host withdrew
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
While
thee,
Deiphobus
ILTAD.
29
a brother's hand
!
Pohtes bore from forth the hostile band.
And
led,
Stood
where, station'd in the rear of war.
and guide, and shining
his swift steeds,
car.
To Troy they drew^ him, faint and worn with pain, And groaning as the life-blood bathed the plain. Fierce warr'd the rest, and loud the thunder rose
Of batter'd annour, and
On
rush'd
^neas, and,
conflicting foes. swift lanching, smote.
As the Greek towards him
With
And
shield
Thoon
cut off
all
off the
turn'd around.
dealt the mortal
wound.
the vein, whose course ascends
Along the back, and whole
Prone Thoon to
On
his
his soul vanish'd 'mid the shades below.
Not unobservant,
Cut
Aphareus' throat:
and helm o'erpower'd, down dropt
Antilochus, as
And
turn'd,
:
to the
neck extends
thus, on earth's gory
his friends his
:
bed
arms outspread.
sprung Antilochus, to spoil the
slain.
On, the dense mass of Trojans rush'd amain. Struck his broad buckler
Razed
;
but no hostile dart
his soft flesh, or bruised a vital part.
So Neptune watch'd, and ever turn'd aside War's iron storm, and man's vain rage defied.
But keen Antilochus, the press among. Swift and
more
swift his spear reposeless
swung.
brow.
THE
30
ILIAD.
[book
xiii.
Alike prepared, from far to hurl the dart.
Or
in close
combat pierce the opposed
heart.
'Gainst
him thus pondering, Adamas advanced.
And on
his buckler's boss his javelin lanced.
But Ocean's Lord, not
reckless of his charge.
Blunted the spear-point as
And
the shaft broke, half
pierced the targe.
it
upon the
fell
field.
Half, as a fire-scorch'd stake, within the shield
Stood firmly
fix'd
:
in terror at the view.
Back, death avoiding, Adamas withdrew.
Meriones pursued the flying
And
dealt the
The wound,
wound
that laid the Trojan low.
that chiefly pangs man's wretched frame.
The wound between
the navel and the shame.
There, deeply pierced, the Roll'd
chief,
:
as
by
forceful swains
Bound, and dragg'd down, a
Thus panted Adamas,
bull, sore panting, strains.
ere long to rest.
the chief pluck'd the javelin from his breast.
Then Helenus, with
To
'mid pangs of death,
on the lance, with interrupted breath,
Roll'd, palpitating
When
foe.
Thracia's ponderous glaive
bold Deipyrus the death-wound gave.
His temple struck, unhelmeted his brow.
And
the casque roll'd along the dust below,
Roll'd at
While
its
some Grecian's
foot,
who
seized the spoil.
lord bit in death the blood-bathed
soil.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
31
Grief seized on Menelaiis, grief and rage
Bade him with Helenus
fell
battle
wage
;
Fierce vibrating his lance, Atrides flew.
And Helenus
bow
his
Thus, front to front,
That wing the First, the
As
this
glow'd to lanch the dart.
shaft to Menelaus' heart.
wing'd arrow on the hauberk rung.
Then from
From
drew.
elastic
the pohsh'd brass innocuous spnmg.
the broad van, athwart the spacious floor.
dark beans and vetches soar.
light in air
Swept here and there before the driving
Or by
blast.
the unwearied winnower upward cast.
Thus, glancing from the breast-plate,
From Menelaus But Menelaus
far apart
flew the bitter dart.
thro' the
The
polish'd
The
chief shrunk back,
bow
hand that held
his brazen lance impell'd
;
and 'mid the Trojan throng
Trail'd with loose languid
hand the
Agenor drew
it
softly
With wreath
of fine-spun wool, the bleeding
Such
forth,
as his servant brought,
•Wool of the fine-spun
Then
and
shaft along.
bound.
wound
and gave the king,
fleece that forms the sling.
as harsh fate to death Pisander drew.
The unconscious
chief against Atrides flew.
Ere long to bathe with blood the Phrygian sand.
And doom'd
to
fall,
Atrides
!
by thy hand.
:
THE
32
Now,
ILIAD.
[book
xiii.
front to front, his spear Atrides lanced.
In vain
:
—
weapon glanced
aside the innocuous
Vain too Pisander's spear
That struck the
The breadth
:
the feeble blow
ler, fail'd to
I
:
of shield forbade
:
wound
his foe
;
the spear-shaft broke.
While the chief deem'd that conquest crown'd the
stroke.
Atrides then his bright-starr'd falchion drew.
And, wild with
While 'neath
With length
on Pisander
fury,
his shield the chief a
:
Pisander's cleaving blow
Smote from the helm the full
Above
The
crest in dust
below
:
against his front, Atrides' blade
his nostrils death's dire entrance
made
:
crush'd bones crack'd, and starting from the
His eye-balls
at his feet distain'd the
He bowed, he The Greek,
*
war-axe caught.
of olive handle, smoothly wrought.
At once they struck
But
flew.
fell
;
and standing on
wound,
ground. his breast.
despoiling, thus his vaunt express'd
Insatiate of stern war, thus
back
retreat,
from Hellas'
'
Thus, perjured Trojans,
'
Fly dogs, accurst, by every crime debased,
'
Hence by
'
Ye, whom, nor shame, nor righteous terrors move,
'
No, nor the wrath of hospitable Jove
my
fly
fleet:
wrongs eternally disgraced,
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
33
*
Jove, whose grasp'd thunder but awaits the hour
'
To
lanch
its
*
Ye,
who
fair
*
*
View on
'
But
'
Helen's kindness da^'^d betray,
And stole, unwrong'd, my bride ana wealth away And now would burn our fleet, and 'mid the fire
'
'
flame on Priam's prostrate tower.
—
its
wreck the slaughter'd Greeks expire
ye, ere long, your rashness shall refrain,
And vengeance chase you from the battle-plain. Thy wisdom, Jove 'tis rumour'd, all exceeds !
*
Thine then the
'
If Troy's perfidious sons
*
Ne'er shall the embolden'd race from guilt abstain,
*
Ne'er cease from war, or curb the
*
To quench
'
Continued pleasures cease the soul to move,
'
Sleep's soothing languor,
'
The melting melody,
'
All that far
'
The
'
Unsated, drinks the warrior's dying groan.'
He
in
thy favour gain,
:
mad
blood their unappeased
ire.
the graceful choir,
more than war awake
and
desire
and the charms of love,
o'ersatiate spirit cloy
spake
permitted deeds.
guilt, thine these
;
desire,
but Troy, alone
spoil'd the dead,
and bade
his host
Bear the bright trophy to the tented coast
Then, rush'd amid the van-ward
Of King Pylaemen, VOL.
II.
:
there the son
rash Harpalion,
D
THE
^34
Who
with his
sire in
But doom'd no more
ILIAD.
[book
arms sought Phrygia's
xiii.
phiin.
to hail his realm again,
Hurl'd on the chief a lance, whose feeble blow
Smote the
boss'd shield, but
Then, death avoiding, Cast, fearful of a
In vain
:
fail'd
to
wound
his foe
he back withdrew.
as
wound, around
his view,
while yet he fled, keen Merion's dart
Thro' his right buttock pierced a
vital part.
And, by the bladder, underneath the bone, Pass'd on, and drank Harpalion's dying groan
The
chief sank gradual
down, and doom'd
to death.
Faint in his followers' arms breathed out his breath.
And, bathed
Lay
like a
in blood, dark-welling
worm extended on
The Paphlagonians
from the wound.
the ground.
bore him to his car.
And
led to Ilion from the field of
And
with them, weeping, went his childless
Doom'd, unavenged, to see
But
he,
whose
feasts
Sad Paris mourn'd And,
war sire,
his son expire.
had
oft
his guest,
regaled his train.
Harpalion
slain.
fired with wi*ath, against the insulting foe
Wing'd the keen arrow from There was a
his vengeful
chief, for wealth, for valour,
bow. famed,
AVhose dome in Corinth tower'd, Euchenor named.
Son
of the Seer Polydes
Of future
fate,
him there
:
not untaught his
navy brought.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
Oft had his aged
sire's
ILIAD.
31
prophetic breath
Conscious of woe to come, foretold his death.
Below
his roof,
by
dire disease, or slain
Far from his peaceful home on Phrygia's
plain.
He came so shunn'd the Achaeans' harsh reproof, And death's slow pangs, beneath his native roof :
Beneath the jaw and ear the arrowy wound Freed his wing'd
soul,
and plunged
in night profound.
Like flames they fought, ere yet the rumour'd word
Had
pass'd from host to host,
That on the
of battle
left
by Hector heard.
many
slain
Beneath the Greeks had strown with death the
That victory
Urged on
still
at their head.
him swept.
his fierce inroad first the wall o'erleapt his ships along the strand.
chiefs,
such steeds
lofty, fail'd the
sufficed, tho' there the wall
Trojans to appal.
There the Boeotian, Locrian, Phthian
And
led.
bold Protesilaus ranged his band.
Such Less
and thunder'd
the foe before
There Ajax drew
And
them hung, while Neptune
their ranks
But Hector
Where
o'er
plain.
Ion's race,
birth.
whose vesture swept the
earth.
Strove, but in vain, to stem fierce Hector's force.
That, flame-like, to the
fleet
urged on
his course.
THE
36
The chosen
ILIAD.
[book
xiii.
there of Athens, at whose head
Menestheus, Peteus son, the van-ward led '
Brave Phidas there, there
Amphion
there the
Stichius, Bias join
Epean ranks combined,
Meges, and Dracius
;
and with Phthia's brood.
Confederate chiefs, Podarces,
Medon
Medon the brave, by spurious birth To the Oihan Ajax, Grecia's pride.
stood.
alHed
Yet he, whose hapless hand had swept from
The much
and, forced to roam.
in battle join'd
the brave Phthians, rank with rank combined.
Ranged nigh
And
fled,
found in Phylace a distant home.
With him Ephiclus' son
Led
life
loved brother of Oileus' wife.
His step-dame's vengeance
Had
d
Baeotia's force the foe withstood.
for their fleet resolved to
But Ajax, Stirr'd
swift of foot, the
shed their blood.
Oihan son
not a step from Ajax Telamon
:
But, as two sable bullocks, side by side.
Draw
the deep plough-share, and the glebe divide.
When
round
their rooted horns profusely shed
Large struggling sweat-drops bathe each fuming head.
While the same yoke combines Furrowing the fallow to
Not
its
their equal strength.
utmost length
:
otherwise, the Ajaces, side by side.
Moved
step
by
step,
and Troy's arm'd
force defied.
BOOK
Yet
A
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
—where great Telamon the
numerous
Went, and
host, to death
in turn
When worn
upbore
37
battle led,
and danger bred. his
ponderous
with war he rested on the
Not thus the Locrian host
They drew not
shield.
field.
their chief sustain'd.
near, in war's close charge untrain'd.
O'er their unhelmed
brow no horse-hair
play'd.
Lance, nor orb'd buckler, gave their warriors
But the
And
far whirling of the twisted sling.
fleetness of the arrow's feathery
Arm'd but with Broke
And And
aid.
these, they bent to
their close phalanx,
as the Ajaces
wing
Troy
their way.
and war's ranged
on before them
array.
press'd.
rush'd on Hector with confronting breast.
They, from behind, unseen,
their
weapons
flung.
And Ihon trembled as the tempest rung. Then had in Troy the Trojans sought retreat. And fled inglorious from the threaten'd fleet. Had not Polydamas their chief address'd. And thus unloosed the burden of his breast
'
Hector
!
thy mind reluctantly receives
*
The warning
'
What
*
Must then with thee surpassing wisdom
—
if
counsel that another gives.
Jove grant that thou in war excel, dwell
?
THE
38 '
'
'
Thou
canst not
all
ILIAD.
combine.
[book
xiii.
Impartial heaven
To some pre-eminence in war has given Some lighter lead the dance to some belong :
:
'
The
*
Great Jove has planted in another's mind
*
The
'
Wills, that
'
And
'
Thence,
*
Now
*
Where they who
*
Already some in arms have
'
Some, 'mid the
'
With
*
Recede awhile
*
And by
*
Whether
'
To
'
Or back
'
The shame and
*
And arm
'
Waits but to rush
lyre's soft touch,
seeds of
wisdom
and melody of song
that improve
mankind
on him a nation's weal depend,
conscious merit on his path attend. will I freely
round us
speak
circles a
—
war's quenchless ire
consuming
fire.
forced the wall, that dauntless host left
the coast
ships, diversely, here
and there,
countless foes unequal combat dare. :
the chiefs to council
their gather'd
wisdom govern
to charge the fleet,
if
call, all,
gracious heaven
Troy's brave sons have fame and victory given,
He
Greece repay
retreat, unhurt, lest
the
spake
:
slaughter of the former day,
man who now, resistless
in stern repose,
on
and Troy's great
Leapt on the ground, and
his foes.'
leader, mail'd for war.
left his battle car,
?
THE
BOOK
XIII.]
And
thus replied
:
'
Thou
ILIAD.
39
here the chiefs detain,
confront yon host, and Greece restrain,
*
I will
*
Then backward
*
And war Then,
speed,
when Troy my
voice has heard,
rekindling flames at Hector's word.'
like
a snow-capp'd mount, with radiant crest,
'Mid Troy and her
While the arm'd
allies,
fierce-shouting, press'd.
Hector gave command,
chiefs, as
Throng'd round Polydamas, and
fix'd their stand.
But Hector, rushing 'mid the van-ward, sought
Where
yet Deiphobus unwearied fought.
Where Adamas, where Helenus engaged.
And
brave Hyrtacides fierce battle waged.
He found the chiefs, but none without a wound. And some expiring, stretch'd along the ground, Some
at the navy's stern, along the bay.
Beneath the Argive conquerors breathless lay
:
Some, pierced by arrows, on the rampart bled. Some,
in close
combat, swell'd the countless dead.
Yet Hector found, where most the Fair Helen's lord
upon the
left
battle raged.
engaged
Fiercely he fought, and bravely urged the
When '
'
Hector thus indignantly address'd
Fair,
wanton, wily,
ill-starr'd
Where now Deiphobus,
rest,.
:
boy, declare,
brave Asius, where
?
1
THE
40
ILIAD.
[book
'
Where Adamas, Othroneus'
'
And
'
All
'
Haste where death waits thee, there thy
'
xiii.
vengeful spear,
the dread strength of Dion's royal seer
?
Troy prone rushes from her base o'erthrown
Why,' Paris
said,
injurious to
'
my
guilt atone.'
fame,
—why the blameless blame
'
Reproach thy brother
*
Not now
'
She who gave
*
E'en from that hour thou badest
'
Here have we
'
But
*
Lie in their glory on the battle plain,
'
All,
*
Yet now they war
'
Lead thou where'er thy courage may
*
There Paris and
'
Urge
*
But forced beyond
—
if
once
—of those
—
I
shun the
battle's roar
birth to Hector, Paris bore. assail
the
fleet,
ceaseless warr d, nor deign'd retreat. chiefs
thou
saveDeiphobus, and
all
?
seek'st, all
nobly slain
Ilion's seer,
not, gored
by Hellas'
spear.
incline,
his host shall rival thine.
our strength,
if
strength can yet avail,
their power, the bravest
fail.'
Such words assuaged him, on the heroes sped.
Where
the press thicken'd, and the slaughter spread.
Where
brave Polydamas and Phalces raged,
Orthraeus and Cebriones engaged.
Where
And
Polyphsetes, Palmys, Greece defied.
the fierce brothers battled side by side.
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
41
Ascanius, Morys, of Hippotion born.
Who
from Ascania's glebe, but yester morn.
Came, rendering back Came, by
The
to
Troy her
aid of yore.
stern Jove impell'd, to Phrygia's shore.
chiefs, fierce
rushing to the conflict, pass'd
Swift as the fury of the whirlwind blast.
That, charged with thunder and the wrath of Jove, Bursts from the broken firmament above.
Wide Lifts
wastes the earth, and with immingling sweep
up the waters of the mighty deep.
And, 'mid the tempest, waves propelling waves. Rides on their ridgy crests, and widely raves
Thus, rank on rank, bright mail'd
Arm'd Troy pursued
in
:
war array,
their chiefs' advancing way.
Like blood-bathed Mars 'mid
battle's fiery storm.
Before the van-ward stalk'd the Hectorean form.
The brazen burden
of his taurine shield
Flash'd the wide splendour that illumed the field
High waved the casque that helmeted
And round Behind
his head.
his temples radiant terrour spread.
his targe, the chief, in blaze of light,
Rush'd here and there to force their ranks to
But vain
his radiant
helm, his blazing shield
flight :
The
warrior heart of Greece disdain'd to yield
And
Ajax, striding on, by rage enflamed.
Provoked the combat, and aloud exclaim'd
:
:
THE
42 '
Advance
—
shall
ILIAD.
[book
dread of thee our phalanx quell
*
We
*
'Twas not thy arm, 'twas
'
That
'
Hence thy mad hope
'
Death now before thee
'
Ere flames an Argive bark, Troy's sacred
'
And
'
The time
'
Shall weary every god in yonder skies,
'
And
'
His steeds
too, war-skill'd, such boasters
back
to fire our ships
repel.
Greek
lifts
retire.
—advance
the avenging lance. wall,
Priam's plunder'd towers shall prostrate
come, when Hector, as he
fall.
flies,
pray that, fleeter than the falcon's wing,
may back
to
While yet he spoke,
Troy Troy's champion
o'er
Hector on the
bird of Jove wing'd his auspicious flight
And
all his
host, embolden'd at the sign.
Gazed up, and shouting,
Dull, bulky babbler
'
hail'd the will divine.
— Hector then
replied
*
Such boastful threats but mock and mar thy
*
So were
I
'
By Juno
gender'd in the realms above
'
So were
'
As
'
As now,
'
O'er
I
bring.'
right.
The
*
?
Jove's malignant ire,
forced, ere-while, the astounded
is
xiii.
pride,
born of ^Egis-bearing Jove, :
honour'd in heaven's high abode,
mail'd Minerva, and the archer god,
all
this day, shall death's
o'ershadowing wing
the Argive host destruction fling
:
BOOK
THE
XIII.]
ILIAD.
'
And
'
Its barb, shall pierce thee,
'
And
*
Dogs, and
here this lance,
if
43
yet thou dare withstand
wing'd by Hector's hand,
thy flesh'd bulk shall satiate on our shore fierce birds that
bathe their beak in gore.'
He spake and onward rush'd, with maddening rage. On rush'd his host fierce shouting to engage :
Nor
less resolved,
Troy's bravest chiefs before.
Stood Hellas' ranks, imminghng roar with roar
The
outcry of each army rang afar.
Smote heaven's high
vault,
and rent the
air
with war.
THE FOURTEENTH BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. Agamemnon by
exhorting the chiefs to take refuge in their ships
Ulysses.•
The
—Neptune
reanimates the Greeks.
battle continued with
mutual slaughter.
—Juno
is
rebuked
seduces Jove.
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK Bent
The
o'er the bowl,
XIV.
roused Nestor heard afar
shout and clangour of conflicting war.
Divine Machaon And thus exclaim'd What bodes this outcry that assails my :
'
hear,
!
'
ear
?
'
Hark
*
Bursts from the fleet far louder than of yore.
*
Thou in the tent at peaceful rest rechne, And gather up thy strength refresh'd with wine, While bright-hair'd Hecamede warms the wave,
'
*
!
from our combatants the battle roar
*
And
*
I
'
Views the
serves the bath thy limbs from blood to lave
onward
He
haste,
spake
far
:
where yon commanding height
champaign, and o'erlooks the
and grasp'd
his son's refulgent shield.
Who
with his
Then
seized his keen-edged spear,
From
the
still
sire's
fight.'
that day
had faced the
field
:
and lonely went
shelter of his peaceful tent.
:
THE
48
What Troy
ILIAD.
[book xiv
scene of horrour open'd on his sight in pursuit,
A wreck
and Hellas' host on
their wall
—
as
Smooth, Avithout wave,
And, motionless,
when
?
flight,
the glassy deep.
in silence
seems to
sleep.
to neither side inclined.
Waits, prescient of the storm, the driving wind.
Thus, Nestor, long
in poise of doubtful thought.
Stood, by distracting passions deeply wrought.
Or
Hellas' ranks to join, or
Where
wend
his
way.
in his tent the son of Atreus lay.
There Nestor
pass'd, while slaughter fiU'd the field.
And, falchion
clash'd
Now Had
on
falchion, shield
on
each brave leader, whose enfeebling
shield.
wound
claim'd repose, while battle raged around,
Ulysses, Diomed, and Grecia's chief.
Met Nestor
speeding to their prompt
They came from
relief.
forth their ships, that,
drawn on shore.
Stood ranged at distance from the battle roar.
The foremost ranks upon the plain reposed. Where a strong wall their guarded sterns enclosed. But not
its
breadth, tho' broad that spacious coast.
Held the vast numbers of
Rank beyond rank
their naval host
thro' all the o'ercrowded bay.
Far as the headlands spread, the galUes
lay.
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
Prompt on
their grief, but deeper
At Nestor's
'
and
fierce
sight,
forth to view
fiercer
on each
unwonted misery
Nestor,' Atrides spake,
49
came
their spears, the chiefs
The war, whose tumult Deep was
ILIAD.
grew breast.
press'd.
why, Grecia's pride
'
^
Why
*
I
*
His daring threat 'mid Troy's exultant host,
'
That
'
Till,
'
Now—all consummated— on
'
The vengeance
'
All, like Achilles,
'
Nor ward our
from the combat turns thy step aside
dread
'
lest
Hector now achieve
?
?
his boast,
ne'er his voice should Ihon hail again
'mid our
on
fleet
fire,
we
swell the slain
me,
my brow
of a nation shall o'erflow,
me
lanch on
their ire,
from Hector's arm of
fleet
Yes,' Nestor answer'd,
'
'tis
as Nestor spoke
'
Jove can no more our destiny revoke
'
The
wall,
'
Our
host's,
*
Now
*
Troy on our navy
*
Nor
'
Which way
'
So foes immix with
'
Wide
where Hellas our
fleet's
fix'd
fire.'
her anchor'd trust,
proud bulwark, prone
in dust.
in the rage of her resistless course
bursts with
all
her force,
canst thou, gazing on the Greeks, discern
VOL.
their troubled ranks confusedly turn,
spreads, II.
foes, while
and war's
fell
death around
shouts to heaven resound.
THE
50
—now
'
Yet
'
To war '
I
consult,
ILIAD.
counsel
if
urge you not
may
[book xiv. avail
;
—how, wounded, there
Since at our fleet they war
'
—Atrides
prevail
V
said
*
Nor
'
Where
'
Our navy
*
'
'
Here
*
I
*
Exultant victory beam'd from Hellas' blade,
*
Now
too
*
And
Troy's raised glory high as heaven sustains.
*
Yet
'
The
*
There, on their strength firm-anchor'd, Troy withstand,
'
Till night o'er
'
Then,
'
Launch
'
Better to
*
Than captured by
wall,
nor fosse their inroad has delay'd,
long
we
toil'd,
stationed,
and
in their
guard enclosed
and our host reposed,
Tis Jove's stern purport that the Argive host inglorious on a foreign coast.
fall
knew
that once beneath Saturnius' aid
I
know,
'tis
—hear my voice ships,
if
draw down, and launch again
whose ranks
Troy all
:
Jove our arm enchains,
heaven and earth her
veil
expand
yield to night, beneath her veil
the
fly
close range along the main,
fleet,
nor leave on land a
sail.
the shade of night beneath, the foe in bondage breathe.'
Ulysses sternly eyed him, and exclaim'd *
Why has
'
Thou
*
Not leagued such
thy word thyself and Hellas shamed
should'st have led to chiefs as
?
Troy a timorous band,
now
before thee stand.
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
*
From youth
'
All battles brave,
'
Thou
to age,
ILIAD.
51
Jove bade us greatly dare,
and
die the death of war.
counsell'st flight
:
—
from the uncaptured
flight
wall, *
Whose
towers have shouted o'er our warriors'
*
Silence
:
*
Be by some
*
That word, which none who
'
Or
sense of honour, dared aloud proclaim,
*
No
scepter'd chieftain,
*
Such countless
*
Cursed be the counsel that would
*
When
*
To draw
*
Her vows
*
Destruction must o'erwhelm us
lest
haply that disgraceful word
scornful
There,
*
If
Greek
heard
at distance e'er felt
dread of shame,
whose acknowledged sway
hosts, as thou command'st, obey.
battle burns,
and
foes the
fain persuade,
camp
invade,
our navy down, so yield to Troy, to
consummate, and Greece destroy.
Greece fronts the *
all
foe,
:
ne'er again
our navy 'mid the main
would backward gaze, there hide
Greece her monarch's baleful counsel
—
their fear,
hear.'
Each
reproachflil word,
*
Which wounds my inmost
soul, thy king has
*
Yet
*
To launch our
'
But now, who, old or young, can weal impart,
'
Him
Atrides answer'd
—not
fall.
if
*
Greece object, not
his king
heard
my command
navy, and desert the land.
honours with no thankless
heart.'
THE
52 *
That man'
— Tydides
ILIAD. cried
—
[book xiv.
behold him near,
^
and deign a younger hear
'
So ye
*
I,
*
Tho'
*
In rocky Calydon and Pleuron bred,
'
Three sons
'
Ag-rius,
'
My
'
There Oeneus dwelt
'
So Jove and
'
There, with Adrastus' beauteous daughter
'
The
*
His
*
'
incline,
my
son of Tydeus, glory in o'er
birth
him Thebes has heap'd her sacred
illustrious
sprung from Portheus' bed,
and Melas, Oeneus third and
sire's
famed
all
sire,
whose glory :
my
sire to
last
all surpass'd.
Argos
stray'd,
the gods his purpose sway'd
chief in peace his stately fields
earth.
dome
bless'd,
possess'd
;
with harvests, groves with fruitage crown'd,
And flocks innumerous ranged his meads around. No arm hke his could aim the death-fraught spear speak the word of truth
—hear,
warriors, hear
*
I
'
None may my
birth, as
'
None
word of truth
'
By
*
Join
'
There, at due distance from the darts, remain,
'
Lest,
'
So
'
And
the free
:
weak and worthless born, I
utter scorn.
stern necessity's strong fetter bound,
we
the
field,
tho'
weak with many a wound,
wound on wound, we
shall our
and swell the
glowing words the ranks excite,
urge to war the host
All joyful heard,
The son
fall,
who
and proudly
fly
the
fight.'
at their
of Atreus the bold warriors led.
head
slain
:
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
ILIAD.
Then, on keen watch, hke one
The Lord
of
53
Ocean met them on
their
Agamemnon's hand, and thus
Clasp'd
grown gray.
in years
way,
address'd
'
Now, savage joy
'
The
infatuate chief
*
Our
battle thinn'd
'
So
*
O'erwhelm the baleful race from Peleus born
*
Yet not
*
Exhaust on thee
'
Thou
'
And
fall
He
The
now
'
breast
views with stern delight
by death, and turn'd
that maniac
!
— deep disgrace and scorn
alike all gods, alhed with Jove,
their
vengeance from above
trace their flight in dust along the plain.'
spoke
:
and shouted
dire shout ten
as he cross'd the field
thousand warriors
yield.
host 'gainst host confronted, send afar
fierce defiance, preluding the war.
Such the earth-shaker's voice that Hellas Steel'd every heart,
Roused '
to flight.
yet shalt view yon host retreat again,
Such the
When
dilates Achilles
and war's stern
at the shout. Heaven's
fired,
lust inspired.
Queen, who sate alone,
Mid high Olympus, on her golden
throne,
Look'd down, and where to battle Neptune trod. Rejoiced to see a brother in the god.
Then, glancing round, with
The Thunderer
hatefiil
eye descried
seated on the brow of Ide
:
THE
54
Long mused how
To
[book xiv.
best a specious wile to weave
lure his senses
How—in
ILIAD.
and the god deceive
gay pomp and graceful robes
The queen
will greet
her lord, on Ida
By winning beauty charm, and
softly
array'd.
laid.
move
His glowing heart, and reunite in love
Then each charm'd
sense subdued, profoundly steep
His languid eyelids
in oblivious sleep.
Thus
the mount, and lonely sought
The
she
fix'd,
left
palace of her rest, by Vulcan wrought.
Where on
No god
its
massive posts the gates repose.
can ope, nor key save her*s unclose.
There Juno entering,
The
in
her
polish'd portal with that
Then, with divine ambrosia,
Laved her
And
fair
dome immured key secured o'er
and
o'er
hmbs, and perfumed every pore.
smooth'd with
oil,
that from the seat of Jove
Diffused o'er earth the fragrance breathed above
Dew'd with
And
its
liquid sweets, the goddess glow'd.
bathed the tresses that profusely flow'd
Round her The golden
fair front,
and
artfully
enwreathed
braids that richest odours breathed.
Then robed her charms, and round her snowy
breast
Gather'd, with golden clasps, the ambrosial vest.
Where,
exquisitely
The wonders
wrought with changeful
of a Pallas graced each part.
art.
THE
BOOK XIV.] Next,
Her
wave, an hundred tassels shone
in bright
:
earrings clasp'd, that, round her, lustre ray'd.
As gemm'd with Next,
her
light their triple
pendants play'd
her shaded charms, half hid from sight,
o'er
new
Pass'd a
On
55
her bosom with the embroider'd zone.
girt
Whence,
ILIAD.
veil,
fair feet
that beam'd hke solar light.
resplendent sandals laced
And with new charms each native beauty graced. Then forth the goddess stepp'd, and, drawn apart. Thus Aphrodite woo'd with winning
'
Hear, lovely Venus
*
Nor, when
*
Refuse
*
While by thy power
'
I
me
warmly
my
vsdth
sue,
my
prayer comply,
suit
deny
not, tho' Greece confess
— Venus
Deign
!
art
'
my
;
aid,
their foes the fleet invade.'
spake
'
great
Queen
reveal thy
will *
My
power,
if
powerful, shall thy wish
Then Juno, weaving
me
fulfil.'
guileful treachery, said,
thy charms, whose power can
*
Give
'
Can bend
'
And
*
I
*
Oceanus, the god who gave us birth.
at will the
visit at
persuade,
omnipotence of Jove,
chain alike both gods and
haste to
all
men
in love.
the bounds of earth
THE
56
ILIAD.
[book xiv.
whose dome
'
And Tethys, our
*
I
*
When
'
Hurl'd Satm-n underneath the earth and main.
'
Long have
'
Long
'
Might yet
*
And
'
Bring back lost bhss, and heart to heart restore,
fomid, by
great mother, in
Rhea
led,
a nurtming home,
Jove, usm'ping the Olympian reign,
the gods from nuptial bliss abstain'd,
in their hearts dissevering
my
words that
link in love souls
bitter hate assuage,
still
estranged by rage,
would those grateful gods
*
'
111 it
beseems
'
That thou
'
When
*
The empress
'
anger reign'd.
my
power adore
—the Queen of Love
should'st sue,
Juno deigns
and hear thy
to ask,
who
of high heaven,
!
replied, suit
denied
dares reprove
and spouse of Jove.'
Then from her breast unclasp'd the embroider'd zone. Where each embellishment di\inely shone :
There dwell the allurements, There
all
that love inspire.
soft seduction, there intense desire.
There witchery of words, whose
flatteries
weave
Wiles that the wisdom of the wise deceive.
Then, Venus,
With
all its
laid
on Juno's snowy hand
charms the fascinating band
:
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
ILIAD.
'
This on thy bosom place,
*
And
this confide,
ne'er shalt thou return, thy wish denied.'
She spake
On
m
57
her
fair
and Juno smiled, and smiling
:
laid
breast the zone's embroider'd braid.
Glad Venus sought high heaven
:
but,
prompt on
flight.
Impatient Juno, from the Olympian height.
Now
swept Pieria,
now Emathia
The Thracian mountains, and Nor
o'er.
their ice-ribb'd shore.
ever deign'd her length of flight to rest.
Nor her
light foot-print
Till, o'er
on the earth impress'd.
the deep, from Atho, in descent
To Lemnos, Thoas'
isle,
the goddess went.
There meeting Sleep, twin-brother born with death.
Hung on '
his
Tamer
hand, and soothed with flattering breath.
of gods and
—
men
!
Sleep
kindly hear
!
—
'
And
*
Yield to
'
Ne'er shall the glow of gratitude depart.
*
Seal in oblivious sleep the lids of Jove,
*
Soon
'
'
'
'
deign
my
if e'er
thou deign'dst
prayer
as again
:
incline thine ear.
so ne'er from Juno's heart
we meet
in nuptial love.
And take my gifts, most beauteous to behold, By Vulcan graced, a throne and stool of gold, Where thy fair feet may rest in soft repose, While lingering banquets indolently
close.'
THE
58 '
ILIAD.
Great Goddess/ Sleep replied,
[book xiv.
'
revered above,
'
Daughter of Saturn, and throned wife of Jove,
'
Bid
'
Far other gods, than Jove,
^
Far rather bid
'
And
*
But ne'er, unbidden by Jove's high behest,
'
I
'
Once,
at thy suit,
'
From
plunder'd Troy the Herculean strength away,
'
\,
*
While thou wert weaving
'
Thine was the storm that cross'd Alcides' way,
*
And
'
Jove woke, and with dark rage intensely fraught,
'
Me, tempesting
'
And Had
'
me
eye-Hds gently
o'er other
me
steal,
slumber
in
the stormy deep,
still
lay our sire, Oceanus, to sleep
;
dare approach, and close his eye in
softly flowing
when
sail'd,
round, his eye-lid closed,
Twas
all
wiles, as
heaven,
for Night,
hurl'd
me
rest.
that fatal day,
forced him fi-iendless on the
—but
seal.
me
Jove reposed
Coan
bay.
chiefly sought,
who tames both man and god,
seaward from
Night's soft influence,
his bright abode.
by
my
prayer implored,
'
'
'
That soothed the anger of the Olympian lord
*
And Jove
'
Should Night offend, and
'
Must
I
restrain'd his rage, lest deeds unblest
violate her rest.
again such outrage dare
The Goddess
answer'd,
'
?'
'
No
more,'
dwell on deeds of yore.
*
Deem'st thou that Troy can touch the heart of Jove,
'
Like wrong'd Alcides, offspring of his love
?
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
ILIAD.
59
and Pasithea, the young Grace
'
Yield
*
So long beloved by thee,
:
She spake
:
exultant
shall
now be
divine, thine.'
Somnus answer gave
*
Swear thou by Styx, the
*
Here
*
And on
'
Invoking
'
All that
'
That the young Grace, Pasithea the
*
So long beloved of me,
to earth's fruitful
inviolable wave,
bed thy arm expand,
the marble main there lay thy hand, all
the deities below,
round Saturn dwell,
shall
to hear thy
now be
vow,
divine,
mine.'
He spake, and Juno, at his urged request. To all the infernal gods her oath address'd All
who beneath
the abyss of Tartarus dwell,
Titanian powers, the giant brood of Hell.
Her oath thus
solemnised, they wing'd their
From Imbrus'
turrets
way
and the Lemnian bay.
And, robed vnth darkness, swept where cloud-capp'd Ide
From
her pure founts perpetual streams supplied
Then, from the deep withdrawn, to Lectos And, foremost, there on earth
The wood's high Waved,
their
shadow
pass'd. cast.
tops, beneath each present god.
as the o'erpassing foot above
them
:
trod.
THE
60
ILIAD.
[book xiv
There, from his course ahghting, Somnus
staid.
Ere Jove's observant eye the god survey 'd. And, resting on the Couch'd 'mid Like the
its
loftiest
flight,
branches in o'ershadowing night.
Cymindis
shrill bird,
But Chalcis by the gods on
Then Juno,
pine his
call'd
below.
Ida's brow.
soaring in her
upward
flight,
Reach'd Gargarus' highest brow on Ida's height
The Thunderer saw As soon Such, as
her,
and
resistless love.
as seen, inflamed the heart of Jove
when
first
:
in all their glowing charms,
Clasp'd in stol'n joy, they bless'd each other's arms.
Jove rose at her approach, and thus address'd '^
Say,
why Olympus
*
Not here thy
'
Nor She
leave for Ida's crest
?
steeds their sovereign duly wait,
Juno's chariot marks her heavenly
guileful answer'd
:
'
state.'
At the bounds of earth
seek the god, the author of our birth,
*
I
'
And
*
I
*
So may
'
And
'
At
'
That wing
Tethys, our great mother, in whose
dome
Rhea brought, a nurturing home
found, by
my
words
their bitterness assuage,
link in love hearts long estranged
by
rage.
Ida's fount-fed roots the coursers stand,
my
:
chariot o'er the sea
and
land.
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
ILIAD.
61
'
Now
thy consent to gain, for that alone
'
I left
for Ida's crest the
'
Lest thou shouldst rage,
'
I
Olympian throne, if e'er
hereafter heard,
sought the gods unsanction'd by thy word.'
'
There,' Jove replied,
speed there another day,
'
'
Now
'
For never goddess could such passion move
'
Nor
away
glide these hours in bridal bliss
earthly fair so bathe each sense in love
*
No, not Ixion's consort, from whose birth
'
Arose Pirithous, wise
'
Not Danae,
*
Came
o'er all
finely limb'd,
on earth
;
;
from whose embrace
Perseus, chief of the heroic race
;
Europa's charms, whence, heirs of fame,
*
Nor
fair
'
Just
Rhadamanthus and firm Minos came
'
No, nor Alcmena, by whose beauty won,
'
Thebes
hail'd
me
father of the Herculean son
'
Nor Semele, from whom
'
The joy
*
Nor
*
No, nor Latona,
'
No, nor
'
Thrills thro' each vein,
;
great Bacchus sprung,
of earth, the gay, the
fair,
the young
;
Ceres, glorying in her golden hair fairest of the fair
thyself, as
The goddess '
:
now
intense desire
and
guileful said,
Has Juno from thy hp,
fills
'
my
What
heart with
ill-weigh'd
Saturnius, heard
?
fire.'
word
THE
62 thy
ILIAD.
by mutual love
[book xiv.
possess'd,
*
If 'tis
'
Heart beat on heart,
*
Some god might view
*
To
*
How
*
Nor
feel
*
But
if resistless
'
Now
'
Which, framed by Vulcan, massive gates enclose,
*
There, in thy consort's arms, unblamed, repose.'
'
will,
—not us,
here, on Ida's crest,
and
to all disclose,
every god, the scene of our repose then, uprising, could
my brow
home
I
:
return,
with shame intensely burn
glow
?
love's hallow'd fire,
to the palace of thy rest retire,
Ne'er shall love's blissful spot,' Saturnius cried,
'
Be by a mortal
'
I
*
Shall canopy our couch with
*
A
'
The beam
seen, or
god descried,
pour the cloud, that now divinely
roll'd
woven gold
:
cloud impervious to the subtlest sight,
He
that issues from the orb of
spake, and clasp'd his bride, the joyous earth
Burst into bloom of odoriferous birth
There the blue hyacinth, gold crocus
And
light.'
the moist lotus oped
its
;
rose.
cup of snows.
These, underneath them, their soft broidery spread, Swell'd gently
And
up and form'd
their fragrant
bed
:
as the gods there lay dissolved in love.
Resplendent dew-drops gemm'd their gold alcove.
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
While,
lull'd in
ILiAD.
()3
Juno's arms, with sleep o*erpower'cl,
Jove lay on Gargarus' fragrant brow embower'd. Forth Somnus flew, the Grecian navy sought.
And *
the swift
word that
fired the sea-god
brought
Speed, while yet time, the o'erwearied Grecians aid,
*
Lead them
'
My
'
And Juno
to glory, in thy strength array'd.
power has charm'd
He
seal'd
spake
:
to sleep the lids of Jove,
them by
and spread
deceitful love.'
his
wings for further
flight.
O'er other realms to pour the balm of night.
While Neptune, flaming with redoubled
rage.
Burst on the van, and urged them to engage.
'
*
*
Greeks
!
shall
once more yon Hector glory gain,
And vaunt our fleet in flames, our warriors slain Whence his vain boast ? that still in sullen rage, wage
?
'
Pelides lowers, nor deigns the battle
*
Why
*
Trust to her strength, and each the other
'
My
*
Bear up the burden, and redeem the
*
Brace on your front your brightest helms, and poise
'
The
wait that chief
word obey
;
?
let
?
Hellas, unchsmay'd, aid.
charged with war's broadest shield,
spear whose length far
off"
field,
the foe destroys.
THE
64 *
Come,
'
Where from your
'
Now
'
Move
He '
onset Hector shall recede,
the light targe to feebler hands resign, on, an iron
Mid them
:
mass
in serried hue.'
the warriors listen'd, and obey'd
the
wounded kings the host
Agamemnon, Tydeus'
Ulysses,
To
[book xiv.
lead you on, to victory lead,
I will
spake
Bade,
ILIAD.
fitly
:
array'd,
heir.
arm'd, each warrior boldly dare
;
the faint heart and hand the target gave.
And
with the buckler's burden charged the brave.
They march'd, by Neptune
led,
whose arm of
strength,
Brandish'd aloft a glaive's enormous length.
That
And
fiash'd fierce lightning
fear
Now
and
flight
where the sea-god
around him widely
his Hellas aid.
with unwonted fury battle raged.
When The
cast.
Priam's dauntless son his host array'd.
While dark-hair'd Neptune gave
And
pass'd.
front to front the
god and man engaged.
sea surge swept the camp, and rock'd the shore.
Rebellowing back the
battle's
rush and roar.
Less loud the breakers of the billowy deep, Lash'd by the raging north's tempestuous sweep.
Less loud the flames that on the mountain's brow.
From woods
wide-blazing, light the world below.
:
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
:
ILIAD.
65
Less loud the crash when from the whirlwind's stroke. Fall in the
Than
howhng
forest,
oak on oak.
burst the clangour, host to host opposed.
When
Greece and Troy in mail'd encounter closed.
Illustrious
Hector
first in fierce
advance.
Direct on Ajax hurl'd his ponderous lance.
And smote him where the belt that held his blade. The belt that braced his battle-shield, o'erlaid The dart there staid then, wild with wrath and woe. The chief, indignant at the fruitless blow,
—
Stepp'd back, and 'mid Troy's sheltering ranks withdrew.
Lest instant death his vain attempt pursue.
But Ajax, where a
rock's
huge fragment
Heaved up from earth the stone that
And
cross'd his way.
whirling like a wheel the mass around
That once had moor'd a Hurl'd
The
lay.
it
o'er Hector's
hero's breast,
galley
on that ground,
orbed shield, and smote
and struck
his tender throat.
As when, beneath the Thunderer's flame-wing'd Falls in its branching pride the uprooted oak.
When And
prone on earth
its
shatter'd glory Hes,
sulphurous vapours from
None,
at that sight,
Can view the wrath VOL.
II.
its
wreck
arise
;
no wanderer passing near. of Jove without a fear F
stroke.
;
THE
66
Thus Hector
fell,
and
ILIAD.
[book xiv.
he smote the
as
and
Fell his grasp'd spear, his helm,
And, wildly shouting, to
:
field.
rattling shield.
his armour's bray,
Greece rush'd to drag him from the press away, Rush'd 'mid the javelins' storm
None,
far or near, to
For Ihon's bravest
And
:
but,
none had power.
speed his fated hour
chiefs repell'd the
wound.
closed their strength the lord of war around.
There brave Polydamas, Agenor there, Sarpedon, Glaucus, and Anchises'
Nor
other warriors
fail'd,
heir.
but more and more
Rush'd on, and closed their shields the chief before.
They bore him from
And
coursers stood behind the ranks of war.
Then back
The
the battle where his car
to Ilion drove,
where cross
their
way
ford of swiftly eddying Xanthus lay
There, on
Bathed
its
margin
laid the expiring chief.
his cold brow,
and gave awhile
relief.
From the fresh wave, tho' life new breath resumed. And day once more his opening lid relumed. as
Still,
he knelt on earth, the gurgling blood
Gush'd from
Then
The
in
his throat,
and
stain'd the crystal flood,
deep swoon, exhausted on the ground.
warrior sank beneath the Ajacean wound.
The Greeks, what
time the chieftain turn'd away,
Rush'd with redoubled rage to close the
frav,
;
BOOK
But
THE
XIV.]
first
;
; ;
:
:
ILIAD.
67
the swift Oilian Ajax flew.
And, springing forward, youthful Satnius slew,
Whom
nymph
the enamour'd
As the swain
to
Enops bore.
fed his herds on Satnios shore
But Oiliades advancing near.
Deep buried
in his flank his deadly spear
Supine young Satnius
fell,
The Greeks and Trojans
and round
his corse.
madd'ning
clash'd with
force.
O'er him Panthoides revengeful stood.
And
hurl'd his spear that drank Prothenor's blood
The ponderous javehn through
And prone on
And
his shoulder pass'd.
earth the hapless warrior cast.
while his grasp convulsive tore the ground.
Thus the loud vaunter No, not
'
Which from
*
No
*
Will find his way to
in vain I
gloried o'er the
this vigorous
arm the
hell's
flew,
warrior slew.
doubt some Grecian leaning on
He
wound
deem'd that weapon
*
its
aid
profoundest shade.'
spake, the insult grieved the Argive host.
But Ajax' arm alone repaid the boast
Near him the corse had
fall'n
;
the avenger cast
His death lance, as the victor onward pass'd
But keen Panthoides
its flight
descried,
And, backward springing, turn'd from death
aside.
;
:
THE
68
ILIAD.
But brave Archilochus, so heaven
[book xiv.
ordain'd.
The
force
The
lance each tendon sever'd, and disjoin'd
and fury of that dart
The juncture
He
sank
;
that the head
his nostrils
and
and neck combined
his
Ere the knee bow'd, prone
sustain'd.
:
helmed brow, beneath the blow
fell
There, as he hfeless lay, with taunting sound.
Thus Ajax loudly
*
gloried o'er the
wound
:
and truly say
Reflect Polydamas,
'
Will not this death Pro then or's death repay
*
Not worthless he, nor
*
A
He
his
:
in
him
I
?
trace
son or brother of Antenor's race.'
Deep
conscious, spake.
grief the Trojans stung.
At the loud boasting of the Ajacean tongue.
Then Acamas, who round Stalk'd,
and
repell'd
from
his brother's corse spoil the hostile force.
Fierce Promachus, Boeotia's leader slew.
While
Then
fi'om the press of
cried aloud,
'
war the dead he drew
Vile Argives, vaunting host,
'
Insatiate threateners, tongTies of idle boast,
*
Not unto us alone
*
Ye, doom'd
*
Lo
'
Not
!
how
in
the
toil
and woe,
alike, shall death's
slumber
long, a brother
deep anguish know.
seal'd this warrior lies,
unavenged
dies.
;
BOOK
THE
XIV.]
'
Thus
'
A
let
—
;
ILIAD.
69
each Trojan boast with farewell breath,
brother watches to avenge
The Grecians mourn'd, but Peneleus' soul
ill
my
death.'
chief of
all
their host
brook'd the insulter's boast:
On rush'd the chief, but Acamas And the fell shaft IHoneiis slew. The son
:
of Phorbas, who, by
withdrew.
Hermes
bless'd.
Stores of vast wealth, and countless flocks possess'd.
Him
his fair mother, erst
Gave
The
to the light of
day her only son
spear, that clave his eye-ball, through the
Drove out the
pierced his skull
The
warrior
While
sat,
:
Swift, as
he smote
The *
arms
in vain
with relentless blade.
death-wound made.
and nodding helmet
While yet the weapon like a
his
his neck, the
earth the head
These
then cowering on the plain.
and spread
fierce Peneleus,
flung.
in the socket hung.
poppy, from the ensanguined
victor raised,
Speed, Trojan
and gloried
!
soil.
o'er the spoil
speed, the woeful tale repeat,
home IHoneus
greet,
'
Ne'er shall his
'
Ne'er shall his parents hail their son's return,
'
But bend
in
wound
on the ground.
pupil, quivering
And
On
by Hermes won.
anguish o'er his funeral urn.
—
7
THE
:
ILIAD.
[book xiv.
*
Say,
— Ne'er
'
Her
lord's
'
When
'
Hails mid triumphant shouts his native shore.'
Promachus'
shall
fair wife
retrace
loved form, and hang on his embrace,
Hellas' fleet, with Ilion's plunder'd store,
'
Fear
To
fly
fell
on
on one
all,
sole
aim intent
the foe, and instant death prevent.
Say Muses
!
ye,
on yon Olympian height.
Ye, whose raised harps immortal deeds recite
What Greek
When
Ocean's
First,
Who
first
gain'd the spoils with blood imbued.
God
Troy's flying host pursued
?
Telamonian Ajax Hyrtius slew.
Mysia's dauntless host to battle di'ew.
Antilochus brave Phalces' corse despoil'd.
And Mermerus'
limbs with gory dust defiled.
Beneath Meriones Hyppotion bled.
And Morys perish'd with the mighty dead. And Periphetes fell, by Teucer slain. And Prothoon bathed with blood the battle
plain.
In Hyperenor's flank the forceful dart
Lanch'd by Atrides, pierced a mortal part. His entrails tore, and, where they strow'd the ground.
The
vital spirit issued
through the wound.
BooKxiv.]
Death
veil'd his
THE eyes
;
ILIAD.
but chief the O'iKan sped,
While, at each blow, a warrior 'neath him bled;
Whene'er stern Jove a
None
flying host subdued.
with such winged foot their flight pursued.
71
THE FIFTEENTH BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. Jupiter awaking, and beholding the rout of the Trojans, menaces Juno
commands
;
Neptune to withdraw from the Grecians. Apollo, by the behest of Jove, armed with his ^gis, leads Hector and the Trojans to victory. The flying Grecians pursued to
sends
Iris
to bear his
to
—
—
their fleet, defended
by Ajax.
:
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK Now
:
XV.
when, amid the dying and the dead.
O'er the deep trench and stakes the Trojans fled,
And
while yet Hngering, desperate in their fear.
Staid where their chariots ranged along the rear.
Then from
On
Ida's
The god
fair
Juno's arms
—where guiled by Love,
summit lay Saturnian Jove, uprose, and on the plain below
View'd the Greeks chase their unresisting
foe.
And the mail'd Sea-God, 'mid the Argive band, And Hector lying on his native land. Who, with each gasp of breath, pour'd forth his While mourning
blood.
o'er their lord, his warriors stood
Jove, pitying, view'd, and with fierce rage inflamed,
On Juno '
*
sternly gazing, thus exclaim'd
Framer of ill
Thy
fraud
!
dissembler
!
made Hector and
thy deceit, his host retreat.
THE
76
ILIAD.
[book xv.
'
But thou,
*
And
'
Hast thou forgot, when from the Olyinpian
'
'
'
'
at thy success, shalt foremost grieve,
guilt's just
chastisement from Jove receive. seat,
What time I hung two anvils at thy feet, And round thy hands a golden chain entwined, Thou swung'st in clouds that waved with every wind ?
When
mourn'd the gods, but mourn'd
o'er thee
in
vain, *
For none could loose the indissoluble chain.
'
Him,
whom
I seized,
from heaven's high threshold
hurl'd '
I cast, scarce breathing,
'
But not so much
*
'
When When
my
down
to
yonder world.
soul with passion raged,
wrong'd Alcides
all
my
cares engaged,
lured by thee, stem Boreas' ceaseless blast
'
O'er the wide deep his storm-toss'd vessel cast,
'
While thou,
artificer of
'
Turn'dst, to
throng'd
ill,
perforce
Cos, the wanderer from his
course.
him thence, and
*
I freed
*
Led him
'
This on thy
*
Nor
'
Thus
*
That drew thee from the gods
all his
labours o'er,
victorious to his native shore.
practice
learn
memory
grave, so cease thy wiles,
on thy lord delusive
how
smiles,
vain the simulated love to
fawn on Jove.'
—
;
THE
BOOK XV.]
Thus
I call
'
On
'
The
'
Whose
'
^
shuddering thus her silence broke
:
on earth beneath, on heaven above,
the dark flood of subterranean Jove,
Stygian lake, the inviolable
test,
oath strikes terrour in each heavenly breast,
Thy hallowed brow, our bridal couch Whose virgin sanctity I yet adore,
*
That
'
The Trojans
*
His will there urged him,
'
The
'
But
'
Warn'd by
Sea-God
ne'er I sought the
of yore,
to persuade
and Hellas
to defeat,
aid.
when the god beheld
o'erwearied Grecians to their fleet repell'd. if
thou deign'st
my
direct, whate'er the
voice, the
god
That soothing speech her '
77
awfully severe the Thunderer spoke.
And Juno '
ILIAD.
:
were we thus,
'
shall
Jove obey.'
lord's fierce rage allay'd
Saturnius smiling said,
'
Were Jove and Juno mutually
*
Thus on
'
Then should
*
Turn where we
'
If true
'
Here speed wing'd
'
Let
'
And
their thrones united,
inclined
mind with mind,
the god, howe'er averse his
and our behest
guide,
thy word, away
Iris to
way,
Iris,
!
fulfil.
from heaven's abode
and the Archer God
the Achaeans wing her way,
bid the Sea-God
will,
my command
obey
— THE
78
ILIAD.
[book xv.
'
Bid him from battle cease, return again,
'
And on
*
Bid Phoebus join yon host, and brace again
*
Brave Hector, Grecia's battle to sustain,
*
And, the keen sense of pain
*
To
all its
'
So
shall his strength,
'
Turn back the Grecians,
'
Till the scared warriors, close
*
Fall
*
Then, arm'd by him, Patroclus
*
Foredoom'd
'
At
'
And
*
Then
'
On
'
From
*
Troy's trembling host shall ceaselessly retreat,
'
Till,
*
Raze
'
Till that
*
Nor
*
Ere, by the Sea-Nymph's late entreaties won,
'
I
*
Pledged by
*
To
his
ocean throne in peace remain
once more
forgot,
former power each limb restore
round the
;
by heavenly aid renew'd,
fleet that
to their tents pursued
and
closer press'd,
guards Pelides' shall
to bleed beneath the
:
rest.
advance
Hectorean lance,
Ihon's portal pour his latest breath, close his conquest with Sarpedon's death. shall Achilles glare, with stern disdain,
Hector dying
for Patroclus slain.
that ill-fated hour, from Grecia's fleet
by Minerva's Ilion's
art,
the sons of Greece
towers, and war's long labours cease.
dread hour inflexible
shall a
god
for
my
rage,
Greece the battle wage,
consummate the prayer of Peleus' this
brow, that sanctions
glorify Achilles
more and more.'
son, all I
swore,
— ;
THE
BOOK XV.]
He From
spake
'
ILIAD.
in
79
her upward
flight
summit, reach'd the Olympian height
Ida's
And, as a
and Juno,
:
:
traveller delights to trace
Realms long
and many a
pass'd o'er,
Sweeps here and
there,
distant place.
by space nor time confined.
Swift as the thought that traverses his
Thus Juno
and
flew,
Found the gods
in the realms
mind
above
feasting, in the court of
Jove
:
All rose at her approach, and soon as seen.
With
proffer'd goblets hail'd the advancing
But from
fair
queen
;
Themis' hand, the Nectar bowl
Alone seem'd grateful to her wounded
soul,
For Themis, foremost greeting her return.
Flew from her
'
'
sov'reign's lip the truth to learn.
Why^thus alarm'd
'
— she
Has thy harsh consort
*
Thou
know'st,'
quire
fill'd
—the
cried,
'
why
hither fled
thy soul with dread
goddess answer'd,
'
why
and harshness of the Olympian
The
'
Resume thy
'
And
'
Soon
'
The
*
That word, whose threats not man alone appal,
*
But darken with dismay heaven's
o'er the
shall
dire
in-
?
'
pride
?
?
sire.
throne, heaven's festive pleasures guide,
banquet of the gods preside,
by
thee,
and
all
the gods, be heard
denouncing of Jove's wrathful word,
festive hall.'
THE
80
She spake
Deep
A
ILIAD.
but ere her speech had reach'd
:
indignation 'mid the gods arose
smile pass'd o'er her
lip,
Fools
!
why
this
;
passion's fiery
murmur, why
glow
Will such the tyrant's cruelty assuage
*
Lone
*
No power
'
We,
*
He, god alone, omnipotent
'
Then bear
'
Such
*
Whose
*
Mars, thou shalt view Ascalaphus no more.'
in his terrour lowers the
unbending Jove,
most weak, most worthless in
She spake
as ye must, the mflicted blow,
Mars with woe,
most loved, now welters
while Mars, with
;
;
his sight,
in might.
as shall cleave the heart of
son,
?
?
can force him, no persuasion move
it,
;
this senseless rage
'
all,
its close.
but dark her brow.
While her words flamed with
'
[book xv.
in his gore
woe and rage
:
inflamed.
Struck with both hands his thighs, and thus exclaim'd
*
Blame me not gods, the battle, where
'
I join
*
Though Jove
*
And
He
if
now, by vengeance
my
there strike
:
me
with his lightning flame,
my
blasted firame.'
and, mail'd in panoply of war.
Bade Fear and Horrour yoke
fired,
son expired,
crush in dust and blood
spake
:
his fiery car.
;
THE
BOOK XV.]
Then
Had Had
fiercer war,
:
ILIAD.
and ever-during
81
ire.
arm'd the immortals 'gainst the Olympian
Sire,
not Minerva, springing from her throne.
Through heaven's wide
portal to the
War-God
flown.
Seized the bright casque, that helmeted his head. Seized the broad shield athwart his shoulder spread.
Forced from
And
'
his grasp his lance, apart
removed.
with keen taunt contemptuous thus reproved
Rash, senseless maniac
!
to the future blind,
'
Why
*
Hast thou
'
The
'
Must thou
'
And
'
Not on thy brow alone
'
The tempest
'
Thenceforth, nor Greece, nor Troy, shall trouble Jove,
*
Nor aught but vengeance wasting
'
Guiltless or guilty, all shall feed his fire,
'
His vengeance
'
Then
'
Full
many
'
Has
ere his death expired,
*
And man must
rush on ruin with infuriate mind
dire
forgot, but
now from Juno
?
heard,
denouncement of the Almighty word
?
Jove's vengeance by experience learn,
back, disgraced, perforce to heaven return
VOL.
shall ruin fall,
of his wrath shall burst o'er
feel,
all
all
above,
but not exhaust his
ire.
rage not for thy son, superior far
II.
a mighty hero, famed in war,
perish,
?
and
shall expire,
though a god G
his sire.'
:
THE
82
The god
Summoned And
Now *
obey'd
;
Apollo from the festive scene.
Jove's high
word
Jove bids you
God and man. fulfilling,
forth,
thus began
:
speed on, without delay,
'
To
'
There, in his presence, Jove's
*
And
Ida's
[book xv.
then heaven's imperial Queen
messenger of
Iris,
ILIAD.
summit wing your viewless way,
strictly perfect his
She spake
:
command
Almighty
fulfil,
will.'
the gods to Ida's summit sped.
Whose streams refresh'd the herds her coverts bred. Then pass'd where Jove on Gargarus round him wreathed
A
canopy of clouds, that fragrance breathed.
There stood before
his throne
Beheld them, waiting
Then
his
well pleased the
:
'
Hence, speed thy
my command
'
To
'
Bid him withdraw, forsake the battle
'
To heaven
'
Should Neptune hnger, nor
'
Bid him the
'
Tell him, tho' girt with strength, that strength
'
The Thunderer
Ocean's lord, and
god
almighty nod.
to Iris spoke
first
;
flight
recite plain,
ascend, or dive beneath the main.
my word
doom impending
obey,
deeply weigh,
in his fury to sustain.
how vain
;
THE
BOOK XV.]
— ::;
:;
ILIAD.
83
'
Tell him, by right of birth, I reign alone
'
Tell
'
Bid him, tho' loath to
'
And
him superior power upholds my throne
whom
dread the god
Jove spake, and
Iris,
arm
yield, this all
revere,
the immortals
fear.'
at the god's behest.
To Ilion flew, from Ida's lofty crest. And as the fleecy snow, or storm of hail. Bursts from the clouds before the northern gale.
Thus
And '
swift
her airy way the goddess won.
the stern dictate brought of Saturn's son
Lord of the Main, descending from above,
me
*
Behold
*
The god commands
*
To heaven
'
But
*
Jove comes himself, the thunder
'
He
'
But warns thee
'
Dare not with him contend,
'
And
if
in
the messenger of Jove,
thee quit the battle plain,
ascend, or dive beneath the main
thou scorn, and dare his
will withstand,
in his
hand,
comes, the elder born, the Almighty power, to avoid that fatal
dread the god
Thus
Iris
spake,
The Monarch
whom
all
his will revere,
the immortals
when wrathfuUy
of the
hour
inflamed.
Ocean thus exclaim'd
fear.'
;
;
THE
84
ILIAD.
[book xv.
my will,
Tho' great the god, why force
*
—why scorn
'
A
*
Three sons of Saturn, sprung from Rhea's bed,
'
Jove, Neptune, and the god
*
His parted empire gave each separate heir
brother god, to equal glory born
who
:
?
rules the dead,
A separate realm, and undisputed share. My lot— to rule perpetual o'er the main
'
'
O'er hell's dark region, Pluto spreads his reign
*
;
*
The
*
To
'
I
'
Be the
*
But not
*
Let Jove stretch forth the terrour of
'
Let him, as
*
On
*
His sons, perforce, must Jove's harsh menace hear,
'
And
sovereignty of Jove, the extent of heaven
the earth and wide
all,
given.
breathe not at Jove's nod, in peace at rest
o'er
me,
who
his sole rule possess'd
as powerless to withstand,
suits his call
mood, exhaust
his
hand
his ire
the Olympian god their
sire.
dire his threatenings in a daughter's ear.*
Iris
answer'd
Shall
'
Subdue thy rage
'
Nor rouse
I
Iris,'
:
*
Lord of Ocean,
to Jove these scornful
'
*
by
vast heaven
those
Him
'
Olympus
:
;
say,
words convey
?
the prudent timely yield,
the furies that the first-born shield.'
the Sea-God answer'd,
Pure flows such counsel
'
Nymph
divine,
ft'om a lip like thine.
:;
:
THE
BOOK XV.]
ILIAD.
85
*
Not
*
Comes from
'
But deep
'
That racks
*
When
'
Insults a god, to equal
'
Yet
'
Witness the threat
*
If scorning mine, Minerva's, Juno's will,
'
Hermes and
'
Proud
*
Nor with
when
light the profit,
the message brought
a messenger with wisdom fraught.
I feel
my
the insufferable blow,
and
heart,
fills
my
soul with woe,
Jove's harsh anger and opprobrious scorn
honour born.
submit, tho' loath, but witness thou,
I
daringly
I
avow
Vulcan's, Jove his
Ilion spare,
own
fulfil,
nor raze her prostrate towers,
great victory crown the Argive powers
'
Eternal wars shall waste the realms above,
'
Nor
shall a
He
—
God be
spake, and
:
reconciled to Jove.'
tho' loath, the battle plain,
left,
Left Hellas' host, and dived beneath the main.
The Grecians mourn'd Jove bade the Archer
'
To Hector
speed
:
;
but, gladdening at the sight,
God the
restore the fight
monarch of the main,
'
Who
girts
the globe, to ocean hastes again,
'
Flies
from
my
'
Had
heard our war, in Saturn's dark abode.
*
Far best for him, for Jove,
'
Than
wrath, else each infernal god
conflict with the
his just alarms,
Thunderer
in
arms
; :;
THE
86
ILIAD.
—
: :
[book xv.
Had we once clash'd, each god-inflicted blow Had heaven unfix'd, and wreck'd the world below.
*
'
my Mgis
arm
'
But thou,
*
Spread
*
But Hector watch,
*
Guard from
*
Gift with celestial aid,
*
Fly to their sheltering ships and crowd the coast
*
Then
'
Relax their
yon Greeks dismay and dread alarm
o'er
shall
grasp, with outstretch'd
his
brow alone defend,
all perils, all
my
his paths attend,
till
Hellas's host
wisdom, provident
toils,
and bid destruction
Apollo heard, with instantaneous
Wing'd
his swift
for Greece,
way from
Ida's
cease.'
flight,
topmost height.
Fleet as a hawk, that darting from above. Fleetest of birds, swoops, pouncing on a dove
Thus
swift Apollo flew,
and Hector found.
Girt by his friends, and seated on the ground
There, while the chief new gather'd up his might.
His
faithful warriors
met
his gladden'd sight
Jove thought on Hector, and at once the chief
Found, from the influence of that thought,
relief
Ceased the hot sweat, that burst from every pore.
And '
'
pain, that
heaved
for breath, return'd
no more.
Say, Hector,' Phoebus thus the chief address'd,
Why, from
thy host
afar,
here idly rest
?
:
THE
BOOK XV.] '
Why
*
Or
ILIAD.
87
in the rear, as destitute of force,
turn'd
Who
'
:
by
grief
from thy heroic course
V
art thou, glorious god?' the chief replied,
why Hector
'
Seek'st thou
'
Hast thou not heard, when onward to their coast
*
I
'
By
*
How
'
I fell,
and saw, methought,
'
Hell's
beckoning spectres at the gates of death.'
from war aside
the vast weight of mighty Ajax thrown,
Go
on ray breast was hurl'd the enormous stone
in
as fail'd
my
1
breath,
thy strength,' the Archer-God replied,
Cast from thy soul
all fears
of war aside
;
*
Great Saturn's son, from Ida's topmost throne,
'
Has
''
?
chased the flying Greeks, and slew their host,
'
'
turn'd
sent a god to shield thy
The golden-sworded
brow alone
:
god, whose guardian power
*
Drove back the war from thee, and IHon's tower.
*
Now summon
'
Full on the fleet drive their resistless course
'
I will
*
Break Hellas' ranks, and
all
thy horse, urge
precede, and smoothing fill
all
all their force,
the way,
with dire dismay.'
Thus Phoebus spake, each word new strength inspired.
And
Hector's soul with war's whole ardour fired
;
;
THE
88
As when, Snaps
ILIAD.
:
[book xv.
high-fed with grain, a stall-bound steed
his strong cord
and
flies,
from bondage freed.
Strikes with resounding hoof the earth,
Where
:
and
flies
the wide champaign spread before him
Seeks the remember'd haunts, on
fire
lies.
to lave
His glowing limbs, and dash amid the wave.
High
rears his crest,
Wide
o'er his shoulders spreads his
And,
and tossing
in disdain
stream of mane.
fierce in beauty, graceful in his speed.
Flies 'mid the steeds that
Thus Hector, kindling Sprung
light as air,
As when an
wanton
o'er the
mead
at the voice divine.
and led the embattled
line.
antler'd stag, or tusked boar.
By hounds and huntsmen chased
the mountains o'er.
Stands on a towering rock, in vain pursued.
Or
seeks the covert of the impervious
While, by the
At once
wood
yell aroused, athirst for prey.
a lion bursts before the
Huntsmen and hounds,
way
in instantaneous flight.
Lose, in the sense of fear, their former might
The
Grecians, thus,
With sword and Soon
who thronging band on band,
lance,
had bathed
in
blood the land.
as they view'd swift Hector's lightning spear
Flash in the van of war,
staid, fix'd
bv
fear.
; ;
;
THE
BOOK XV.]
:
ILIAD.
89
This Thoas view'd, renown'd Andraemon's son.
Who,
first
m
valour, led the iEtolians on.
Potent alike to wing the dart from
Or
front to front turn
Nor
Ye gods
!
chief
*
'
who
thus aloud exclaim'd
what wonder
Reviving Hector
'
back the array of war
eloquence than courage famed
less for
Such the brave
'
far.
rises
He comes, whom late By Telamonian Ajax'
!
Lo
from the
in
arms again
slain
our shouting warriors view'd strength subdued:
whose
hand
'
Again the
*
Slew Hellas' sons, and strew'd with death the land,
'
Yet more
'
Fierce Hector conquers by the
'
But now, by
'
Bid to the
'
Whilst we, who boast ourselves most brave
'
With
'
Thus ranged,
-
infuriate chief,
ruthless
shall slay, thus strengthen'd
me
forewarn'd,
my
arm
from above,
of Jove.
voice obey,
our force direct their way,
fleet
in fight,
outstretch'd spears, front Hector in his might.
that chief, tho' fierce, shall curb his
course, '
Nor madly rush on our embattled
They heard
:
force.'
and forward, Meges, Teucer, came.
Then each brave
chief that boasts the Ajacean
name.
;
THE
90
Then
fierce
ILIAD.
These summon forth the as they gave
And
;
[book xv.
Meriones, and, far renown'd.
The mighty king by Cretan And,
;
:
warriors crown'd
chiefs, the chiefs obey'd.
command,
fronting Hector stood
Pass'd to their sheltering
Foremost the Trojans
their ranks array 'd.
meanwhile
;
and lined the
fleet,
rush'd,
their host
and
at their
coast.
head
Hector, with haughty steps, his army led.
While, compass'd round with night, his guardian god Before his steps advancing proudly strode.
And shook aloft, o'ershadowing all the field. The blazing horrour of the Mgis shield. Which Vulcan forged, and gave to Jove of yore. Gave, mail'd for war, to flame his breast before.
And And
turn whole hosts to flight
thus Phoebus led.
fi'om the uplifted shield wide terrour spread.
The Greeks
The
;
collected stood,
and
far
and wide
clash of armies burst on either side
From
the twang'd cords, the arrowy tempest flew.
And clouds of javelins darken'd on the view Some slew from far, some longing for the wound. Fallen in
Long
The
mid
as the
space, stood quivering on the ground.
God
the unshaken iEgis held.
darts immingled,
and the slaughter
But when Apollo vibrated the Full on their front, and
fill'd
swell'd
shield
with shouts the
field.
;
:
THE
BOOK XV.]
ILIAD.
91
Their hearts dissolved, and, reckless of its might.
The
arm unnerved
warrior's
As when two wolves, 'neath
No
refused the fight.
midnight's starless shade.
shepherd nigh, at once the fold invade
Thus
;
fled the Grecians, while Apollo spread
Glory round Hector, and round Hellas dread.
Man
man
rush'd on
;
the dart that Hector threw
Arcesilaus and brave Stichius slew.
This the brass-mail'd Boeotian's battle guide. That, to Menestheus, heart with heart alhed
Then
lasus and Medon's fatal
;
wound
Dealt by iEneas, bathed with blood the ground
Medon, the famed
And bound
to
lolcus' spurious brood.
Ajax by fraternal blood
But when the chief had
slain, in
The much loved brother
mortal
of Oileus
'
strife.
wife.
Fair Eriopis, from his native land
He
fled to Phylaces' far distant strand
But
lasus,
who
Was deemed
;
led the Athenians on.
Boukolidaons, Spheleus' son.
Beneath Polydamas, Mecisteus bled, Polites, in the van, struck
Echion dead
;
Agenor, Clonius slew, and Paris sped
The
shaft that pierced Deicous as
he
fled
Beneath the shoulder blade the weapon
And
;
pass'd.
the prone corse before the vanguard cast.
;
THE
92
They
slew,
and
ILIAD.
spoil'd the slain
:
[book xv. the Greeks the while
Through the deep dyke and many a
bristling pile.
Fled here and there confused, and wild with fright
Rush'd
o'er the barrier wall,
*
seize the fleet
By heaven
!
and leave unspoil'd the
who
—
Him will I seize, No brother's hand
*
'
flight.
shouting, urged his host amain
As Hector,
To
nor ceased from
'
Of a loved
*
But famish'd dogs
'
And
sister
lingers
this
from the
arm
slain
:
fleet apart,
shall reach his heart
no tear
shall raise his pyre,
bathe the untimely bier, shall for his flesh contend,
at the gates of
Troy
his carcase rend.'
He spake, and as he lash'd each foaming steed. And bade the chiefs their forces onward lead. with the ardour of his soul endued.
All,
With one tremendous
On
shout, his course pursued.
Phoebus march'd, and the advancing
The rampart Fill'd
with
its
crush'd beneath
as
he trod,
wreck the trench, and firmly closed
The yawning gulph
And
him
God
that long their course opposed
bridged a solid pass, of breadth and length
A javelin's
cast lanch'd
by an arm of strength.
Phalanx on phalanx then confusedly
The god
before
them towering on
flew.
their view.
:
;
THE
BOOK XV.]
Who, The
93
vibrating the JEgis as he pass'd.
wall with
all its
Swift as a child
A
ILIAD.
who
bulwarks prostrate cast builds along the
main
house of sand, and swift destroys again.
Thus, as
At once
it
in dust the toil of armies trod.
The Grecians There
staid,
fled,
But
all
and
and rested
Each on the other And,
dread archer-god.
pass'd, thy foot,
to their all
navy driven.
their
hopes on heaven
the gods invoking, loudly pray'd
chiefly Nestor, gazing
:
on the sky.
Great Jove invoked, and raised his arms on high
'
Jove, in
fair
:
Argos, in thy stately fane,
'
If o'er the victims,
'
A
'
And thou
*
Now
*
Nor
on thy
altar slain,
prayer for our return a Greek preferr'd, disdain'dst not the imploring word,
to thy
mind
that promise, Jove, recall,
Ilion raise o'er Hellas' destined
Thus the aged Nestor '
;
called in turn for aid.
Mid
And
pray'd,
fall.'
and awful Jove,
peals of thunder, answered from above. as the Trojans heard the voice divine.
Their chiefs more fiercely urged the embattled
As a huge
line.
billow of the boundless deep
Rolls o'er the deck that reels beneath
its
sweep.
:
THE
94
When
ILIAD.
the wind rages, and the
[book xv. blast
fitful
Drives the toss'd sea-surge o'er the shiver'd mast
Thus Troy's throng'd host, when tower and bulwark fell, Rush'd
o'er the wall,
and swept with hideous
yell,
Lash'd their fierce coursers, hand to hand engaged.
And
'mid the Grecian
These lanch'd
Those
from every
car.
firom their decks aloft sustain'd the war.
stain'd their
clash'd
Patroclus,
poles the assault withstood.
brazen beaks with Trojan blood.
While from the
And
the battle waged.
their twice-edged spears
With ponderous naval
And
fleet
fleet
the battle raged afar.
beyond the wall the shock of war,
where the wounded warrior
lay,
Cheer'd his lone hours, and whiled the time away.
Spread the Still'd
soft
balm, that, closing up the vein,
the keen throb, and sooth'd
all
But when he view'd o'erpower'd the
sense of pain
;
barrier height.
And heard the roar that hung on Grecia's flight. He groan'd, he clasp'd his hands, he smote his breast. And thus the anguish of his soul express'd :
'
Tho'
still
thou want
my
aid,
with thee no more
*
I rest regardless of the battle roar
'
Let others tend,
'
To
me
;
sterner duties claim,
rouse in Peleus' son war's slumbering flame.
:
THE
BOOK XV.]
my
ILIAD.
may
'
Jove grant,
'
Persuasion dwells upon the
Then
council
he
forth
;
95
persuasive prove lip
we
!
love.'
The Greeks meantime
rush'd.
remain'd.
And
the fierce onset of their foe sustain'd
Firmly they stood, yet powerless to defeat Troy's scantier bands, and force
them from the
fleet.
Nor
could the Trojans their firm phalanx break.
And
'mid their ships and tents
As when a hue the
skilful
full
inroad make.
shipwright guides,
Marks the smooth plank, and equally
divides.
Thus
prevail'd.
One
fate
With
where neither foe
in that fight,
hung
o'er the assailant
for
Could
one ship
fire
:
but not
battle all
waged
The Hectorean
flight.
force could turn aside
strength, the advancing
But Ajax' lance
:
Hector's might
the bark, or force the chief to
Nor Ajax' utmost
Who,
assail'd.
different vessels, different chiefs engaged.
Alone 'gainst Ajax, Hector
Each
and the
god
his guide.
transfix'd Caletor's breast.
with his flaming torch, had onward press'd
Thundering he
fell,
and from
his
unnerved hand
Dropp'd on the blood-stain'd corse the flaring brand
But Hector, when he
The son
view'd, where, bathed in gore.
of Clytius lay the ship before.
;
;
'
THE
96
Thus loud exclaim'd
'
:
ILIAD.
Ye
[book xv.
Trojans, Lycia's band,
'
Close-fighting Dardans
'
Not from
'
On, Heroes
*
Let not the son of Clytius here remain,
*
Nor
the
He
!
hear your chief's
this press of conflict
fell
!
now
command
recede,
on, for warrior warrior bleed.
hand that slew despoil the
slain.'
spake, and whirl'd the lance that errant flew.
And, aim'd
Him the To Ajax
at Ajax, Mastor's offspring slew.
Cytherian, who, by blood distain'd. fled,
There, as in
and long with him remain'd.
life, still
found at Ajax'
side,
Pierced through the brain his loved associate died Fallen from the deck, he lay in dust below.
And *
'
'
*
Ajax, shuddering, thus pour'd forth his
Lo
Who
!
woe
;
Teucer, well beloved, our comrade dead,
to our dwelling
from Cytherae
fled,
He who, beneath our social roof endear'd, We, as a parent, honoured and revered Him Hector slew. Where now Apollo's bow, ;
'
'
Gift of the god,
and arrows barb'd with woe
Young Teucer heard
—and onward
His bow already bent, and quivered
;
?
swiftly bore
store.
THE
BOOK XV.]
Showered on the foe
And
—
:
:
:
;
ILIAD.
his shafts
97
—the arrow
flew.
great Pisenor's son, brave Clytus, slew
Loved of Polydamas, Reach'd him,
—the
fierce lashing
His hand had grasp'd the
Where
shaft
on
from
far
his steeds to
reins, the chariot
war sped
the press darkened and the slaughter spread
Hector and Troy rejoiced, but none had power
To guard Deep
their
champion
neck
in his
in that fatal hour.
transfix'd,
beneath the wound
Fell the prone corse, extended on the
ground
Scared at the clang, his steeds, that backward
Dragg'd the void
Polydamas
first
car,
fled,
loud rattling o'er the dead.
heard the rush and roar,
And onward flew, and stood the steeds before. And to Astynous gave, Protiaon's son. And charged, whene'er the battle bore him on, '
*
Nigh him
He
spake
But
:
to keep the coursers strict in sight
then mingled in the foremost
as the brass-mail'd
Keen Teucer
And
—had
it
:'
fight.
Hector onward flew.
forth a chosen an'ow
drew
reach'd him, there, untimely slain,
'Mid Grecia's shouting
fleet
had Hector
lain.
But Jove, observant, deign'd the hero save.
Nor
to keen Teucer's shaft that glory gave
But, while in act to loose
Snapp'd on that VOL.
II.
bow
it,
snapp'd the cord,
that ne'er
had
;
fail'd its lord.
— :;
THE
98
Wide
ILIAD.
[book xv
stray'd the brass-barb'd shaft,
down dropp'd
the
bow.
And Teucer '
*
'
'
Some
thus to Ajax breathed his
god,
who joys our
my hand
Struck from
woe
:
counsels to confound,
the bow, in act to wound,
And snapp'd the close-twined cord, I newly strung To scatter death on death yon host among.' '
Ah
friend
! '
—the dauntless Telamon
replied
*
Leave that
'
Since heaven the archer's
'
Struck down the bow, and snapp'd the cord in twain,
*
Grasp the long
false
bow, and cast thy shafts aside
lance,
skill
firm
has render'd vain,
brace the ponderous
shield, '
Rush
'
Let not
'
But
on, excite the rest, regain the light conquest Troy's
their best blood
Then Teucer
And on
gush
field,
proud warriors greet,
forth, ere flames the fleet.'
in his tent the
bow
replaced.
his breast the four-fold buckler braced,
Clasp'd the bright helm, that round his crested head
From
the wide-waving horse-hair terrour spread
And, with Stood
his brass-edged spear, at
in his
armed
strength,
Ajax' side
and Troy
defied.
:
THE
BOOK XV.]
Hector observed
And, shouting
'
!
ILIAD.
99
his arrow's faithless flight.
to his host, led
on the
fight
Brave sons of Troy, close-battling Dardans hear
'
Speed
'
I, I
'
Scatter'd the arrows of our bravest foe.
'
All
'
Those
'
And
*
Greece
*
On, therefore,
*
Arrest in sudden death your brave career,
'
So
'
Leave to your home the heritage of fame.
'
Wives, children, friends
*
When
to their fleet, rush on,
how Jove on
beheld
your fame revere
earth below
must discern the omnipotence of Jove,
whom
he
those his
die
falls
gifts
arm
with glory from above,
casts
down, as now,
this
hour
beneath his Troy's exalted power. all
—and
—your country
if
the shaft, or spear,
shall adore
your name
back to Greece the
flying
:
Shame, Argives
!
;
shall clasp a hero's urn,
Greeks
He spake and pour'd his fire in every And Ajax thus in turn his host address'd '
—
:
shame
!
now
return.'
breast.
gloriously expire,
save your lives, and shield your ships from
'
Or
*
What
'
That
!
—deem you,
to your
if
fierce
Hector seize our
fire.
fleet,
Greece you back on foot retreat
?
;:
THE
100
:
ILIAD.
[book xv.
—
'
Hear you not Hector's shouts
*
Now
*
Not
*
What
*
Mix hand with hand
*
Gain we
*
Not 'mid the
'
And, unrevenged, from dastards meet our doom.'
waves
aloft the
to the dance, to
then
is
?
behold
!
hand
his
exterminating brand.
war those shouts excite
Ajax' counsel :
?
—Mortal
fight
on breast
clash breast
:
:
so die
at once, or death, or victory, fleet
our
fruitless strength
consume,
At each embold'ning word that Ajax spoke. Reviving courage in each heart awoke.
Then
slain
by Hector,
as the warrior led
The ranged Phocensian Then
host, brave Schedius bled.
bold Laodamas, by Ajax
slain.
Chief of the foot, embathed with blood the plain
While stern Polydamas young Otus
Who
the
Meges
Epean ranks
to battle
rush'd vengeful on, but
;
slew.
drew
:
fail'd his foe,
Polydamas, back-starting, scaped the blow
For not Apollo
will'd, that
there the blood
Of Panthus' son should shed
On
its vital
flood
flew the lance, that, piercing Craesmus ' breast.
Rung on
Him
his hauberk, as
he sank to
rest.
as the conqueror spoil'd, fierce Dolops flew.
Whose hand
with dext'rous force the war-lance threw.
:
:
THE
BOOK XV.]
Of far-famed Lampus
The
corselet
;
ILIAD.
101
born, himself the son
And warlike heir of old Laomedon He flew, and rushing on before the Smote on the
—
;
field.
central boss that graced his shield
saved him, whose mail'd strength of
yore
Phyleus from Ephyre and
Selleis bore.
The King Euphetes'
that grateful guest
Gave
it
Once
his,
guard
to
gift
:
war the
in
hero's breast.
now Meges' guard
but fiercely thrown.
:
Bold Meges' lance struck Dolops' topmost cone.
Smote
The
off the crest,
and cast
in dust
below
horse-hair flaming with purpureal glow.
While thus they
To Meges'
strove, each preluding his fame.
aid the
Son of Atreus came.
on unseen, and, side-way, standing near.
Stole
Thro' Dolops' back and breast
transfix'd the spear.
Still
passing on, while prone the warrior lay.
And
the chiefs rush'd to rend his arms
Hector each kinsman First,
Menahppus
call'd,
and, deeply moved.
to Ilion led.
In peace his cattle at Percote
when
And from
:
wrathfully reproved
He, ere yet war had Greece
But,
away
the fleet there
fed.
sail'd,
to
Troy
retired.
her sons surpassing fame acquired.
;
:
THE
102
Nigh Priam dwelt, and,
Him '
ILIAD.
:
[book xv.
as his son, beloved.
Hector thus indignantly reproved
Relax we thus our
efforts
?
—takes thy heart
*
In that loved kinsman's death no kindred part
'
Lo
'
But
*
Come
*
Or Troy's brave race
how they
!
labour to despoil the slain
—follow where :
I
combat hand
lead, not here
to
hand
:
?
:
remain
:
yon host o'erpower
shall bleed
on
Ilion's prostrate
tower.'
He spake on rush'd the chief, by Hector And Ajax thus his soul in all inspired :
fired
:
'
Be
firm
now
!
feel the warrior's
noble shame,
'
Let mutual reverence each bold heart inflame,
'
Then, more than
*
Press on the dastard's rear, and close in shame his
die, survive, while
scorn and death
breath.*
He With
spake
:
and they themselves to war
firmer resolution braced their mind.
Girt with brass wall the
fleet,
There, chiefly, 'gainst their
Then Menelaus *
inclined.
while favouring Jove
foe, his
Trojans drove.
Nestor's son address'd,
Thou, graced with youth, speed, strength, above the rest.
:
THE
BOOK XV.] '
Now,
*
And mark what
He
in the glory of
spake
:
;
:
ILIAD.
103
thy might, advance,
chief shall bleed beneath thy lance.'
and back withdrew, but Nestor's son
Before the vanward rush'd embolden'd on.
Poised his bright spear, and as he gazed around. Swift shrank the Trojans from the whizzing wound.
But not
The
On
arm an
erring
weapon
spear thro' Menalippus'
as
And
his
he stepp'd to
his
arms
fight
;
cast.
bosom
that step
pass'd.
was death
;
rattled o'er his lessening breath.
Antilochus rush'd on, as springs a hound
To
seize a
fawn that bleeds beneath the wound.
Pierced by the hunter's shaft, as unaware
Leapt the roused slumberer from her ferny Thus, where thy corse,
The
Menahppus
victor darted to despoil the
!
lair
bled.
dead
By Hector not unseen, who fiercely sprung. And forward dash'd the ranks of war among. The Greek Shrunk
The
perceived him, and tho' brave and bold.
like a wolf,
who
slays before the fold
shepherd, or his dog, then
flies
Ere yet the gathering hinds pursue
away. their prey
—
:
THE
104
Thus
fled the
ILIAD.
[book xv.
Greek, while shouting, as he
fled.
Behind a storm of spears Troy's warriors sped.
—Nestor's
Yet
Reach'd
Then,
The
his
son, thus ardently pursued,
own
ranks, and turn'd back unsubdued.
'gainst the fleet, like ravenous lions, drove
Trojans, perfecting the will of Jove.
Jove melted Hellas' heart, her strength abased.
And more and more
high honouring the Hectorean fame.
Jove
will'd,
That
his brave
'Twas
the exalted Trojans graced.
arm should wrap the
his resolve,
fleet in flame.
each deed divinely done.
And ratified the vow that Thetis won. To view the accomplishment, and feast On a consuming vessel's blaze of light Then
drive back Troy, her
his sight
gleam of glory
And Greece
to her pre-eminence restore.
Hence Jove
'gainst Hellas' ships fierce
And
o'er.
Hector
fired.
his bold heart with bolder rage inspired.
As when Mars
hurls his lance, or fiercely spread
Flames 'mid thick woods that
Thus while
crest the mountain's head.
his lip breathed foam,
and red with
His eye-balls widely glared with living
ire
fire.
Fierce Hector raged, and round him, as he pass'd.
The
quivering of his helmet Hghtning cast.
Down to his aid, descending from above. Came in his might the majesty of Jove,
::
THE
BOOK XV.]
And
;
:
ILIAD.
;;
105
'mid the press of war, him, him alone.
Raised to high fame, and glory
all his
own
Him soon to die for death now hover'd near. And flash'd on Pallas' sight Pelides' spear. :
Then Hector
Where But
strove to break the ranged array.
brightliest mail'd the densest
all his efforts fail'd,
The Greeks As a
its
so firmly closed.
in four-fold squares his strength opposed.
vast rock,
Casts
whose high
o'erbeetling head.
dark shade on ocean's billowy bed.
Withstands the winds' tempestuous
The
squadrons lay
blasts,
and braves
sea storm tempesting the world of waves
Thus stood the Greeks, while Swift, with
impetuous bound,
bright as radiant flame. fierce
Hector came
Dash'd on the throng, as when the storm-toss'd deep Bursts on the vessel with o'erwhelming sweep. Veils
it
in foam, while the
tremendous blast
Roars in the shivering shrouds, and bows the mast
The seamen
dread, in doubt their lives to save,
As yawns on every Thus Hellas As a gaunt
fear'd
side their :
watery grave
but Hector onward sprung.
lion darts the bulls
among,
Innumerous herds that indolently feed '
Mid
the wide pastures of a marshy mead.
:
THE
106
ILIAD.
[book xv.
Whom, all unskill'd to guard, a youthful hind Now forward rashly speeds, now pants behind. While
in the midst, fierce springing
The
lion,
The
rest all fly
;
—thus
fled, divinely driven.
the Lord of heaven.
But Hector none, save Periphetes, his distinguish'd race
Copreus,
his prey,
piecemeal, rends his limbs away.
The Greeks from Hector and
Who
on
who
On message
oft,
from Copreus drew,
by stern Eurystheus
to the strength
Such was the
sire
slew.
:
sent.
Herculean went.
the son superior far
In virtue, wisdom, speed, and force in war
His death crown'd Hector's glory
As
:
bent on
flight.
turn'd the chief from Hector's matchless might.
His footstep struck the border of the
Whose huge
He
fell
Rang
shield.
circumference grazed the battle-field.
supine
:
and harsh beneath the blow
the brass helm around his batter'd brow.
This Hector heard, and fiercer onward press'd.
Stood near, and plunged
his war-lance in his breast.
Amid
none dared
But
all
Back
By
his friends
he
fell
:
to aid,
withdrew at Hector's might dismay'd
:
to their fleet they pass'd, then stood their ground.
the
first
rank of
On rush'd their foes
ships, ;
encompass'd round.
while,
more and more
constrain'd,
Greece sought her camp, and gathering there, remain'd.
:
THE
BOOK XV.]
Nor
to their tents fled diverse
:
But Nestor,
chief, the
*
*
107
shame and
exhortation staid their
'
:
ILIAD.
And mutual To
:
fright.
flight.
Grecians' guard and guide.
each, in turn, his suppliant speech applied
O, friends
Ye whom !
!
Let each revere the
be firm.
a son has loved, a wife has blest,
by your heritage, your
*
Whether they
'
By them,
'
Stand
in
rest,
live,
father's
name,
by fame,
or rest entomb'd
your aid implore,
tho' absent, I
your prowess, and the day
restore.'
He spake and each embolden'd warrior heard. And felt new force from his exhorting word. :
Then from
their sight
Minerva
The heaven-spread darkness
And
away
that around
them
The camp,
the ships, and
all
the field of fight.
Troy's blood-stain'd chief, and
all his
In furious onset pouring
down
Those who, o'erwearied,
linger'd in the rear.
And
those
lay
once shone forth in clearest hght,
all at
They saw
clear'd
who forward
But Ajax' dauntless
the coast.
dash'd in fierce career.
fortitude disdain'd
To stay where others staid, by fear detain'd He on from deck to deck high-stalking stepp'd. And to and fro keen guard unwearied kept,
host.
:
THE
108
And
A
ILIAD.
[book xv.
wielded as he went, with giant strength,
pole, steel-ring'd, of twenty cubits' length.
As one
from many a gallant steed.
well-skill'd,
Has
four selected of excelling breed.
And
towards the
city,
'mid the admiring throng.
Lashing their speed the public way along. Firm, without
fall,
alternating at will.
Swift vaults from horse to horse with easy
Thus on from deck While with
his
to deck fierce
skill
Ajax sprung.
maddening cry heaven's concave rung
And terrible his shout that urged his host. The navy to defend, and guard the coast. Then Hector 'mid his ranks no longer staid, Rush'd on, and slaked his vengeance unallay'd.
As a dark
eagle, 'mid the
marshy
plains.
Assails the long-neck'd swans, the geese, or cranes.
Thus Hector,
darting thro' each adverse foe.
Seized a strong galley's sable-painted prow, Jove's
And
arm
impell'd him,
with their leader
Then
onward urged
all his
as the conflict at the
his course.
gather'd force.
navy raged.
And hand to hand the immingled foes engaged. Thou wouldst have said, that with fresh force endued. The untameable hosts eternal war pursued. They
:;
warr'd, diversely minded, these, lest death
There, far from Greece, that day would close their breath
:
THE
BOOK XV.]
But
:
ILIAD.
109
in each Trojan's breast high ardour beat.
Each deem'd the Grecians Thus host met host
:
slain,
and
fired their fleet.
then Hector's daring hand.
First grasp'd a gallant ship, high
moor'd on land.
The
ship that there Protesilaus bore.
But
to his native earth
brought back no more.
Fierce Hector grasp'd the stern, there close around
The
battle bled,
None
felt
But hand
and strew'd with death the giOund
:
the arrow's flight, the javelin's throw. to
hand commingled blow with blow
The
bill,
And
the large sword and twice-edged lance ran blood.
Here,
the axe, deep drank the ensanguined flood.
many
a glaive, huge-hafted, strow'd the ground,
Fall'n from the o'erwearied
hand that
dealt the
woimd.
There, with the shoulder smoothly sheer'd away.
Where
earth ran blood,
But Hector's grasp
The
'
still
full
many
a falchion lay.
unrelaxing held
stern, while thus the chief his host impell'd
Bring fire
:
the war-shout raise
:
here force your way,
'
Jove to his Trojans gives the unrivall'd day.
*
Now
seize the fleet that with destruction fraught,
*
Year
after year
'
While trembling elders curb'd
'
Here, 'mid the ships, to war, here, feed the
such woes have widely wrought,
my
keen
desire, fire
:
::
:
THE
no
—
'
But
*
Himself
He
if
ILIAD.
[book xv
the god then marr'd our mind, lo
now
spake
:
guides,
!
Jove
and bids us onward move.*
and Troy's
fierce host, with fiercer rage,
Rush'd on the Greeks, and madden'd to engage
And
Ajax, as their iron tempest shower'd,
Deem'd death now nigh, and backward stepp'd
o'er-
power d Stepp'd from the deck, but on the seat below.
Poised his long lance, and keenly watch'd the foe
Back drove who dared advance with torch on
And
'
thundering out thus loosed his vengeful
Friends
heroes
!
sons of Mars
!
recall
fire.
ire
once more
'
Your matchless
*
Deem you
'
A
'
No
'
May, while we
'
But, from our realm, on Phrygia's hostile plain,
'
Far
*
What hope
*
Our own brave hands must
wall
deeds, and fortitude of yore.
another host will guard your
flight,
more firm than yon embattled height
we
lie,
rest,
grave.'
pour forth auxihar powers,
dissever'd
for life
?
compass'd round with towers,
city nigh, that,
off
:
?
by the main.
War, war alone can save shield
:
us from
the
THE
BOOK XV.]
Then, whosoe'er
And
o'er the galley
Him Ajax
slew
:
waved
his torch
and breathless his
arm
Ill
summons came.
at Hector's
Twelve warriors by fleet.
ILIAD.
on flame.
at his feet.
lay stretch'd before the
THE SIXTEENTH BOOK OF
THE
VOL.
II.
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. Patroclus, in the
armour of Achilles,
drives the Trojans
from the
pursues their rout to Ilion, and, after his victory over Sarpedon,
by Hector.
is
fleet,
slain
?
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK War From
XVI.
raged around the ship, when, bow'd with his stern lord Patroclus
sought
grief.
relief,
Sought, steep'd in tears, as from the mountain brow
Dark waters gush
in ceaseless
stream below.
Achilles view'd, soft pity touch'd his breast.
As thus
'
his soothing voice his friend address'd
Why weeps
Patroclus
?
:
whence such sorrows flow
*
Why,
'
Like a weak
*
Clings to her mother's side, her hands uprears,
*
Hangs on her
'
Detains her step,
*
Like hers thy tears
*
If mine, disclose
like
an
infant's, girl's,
thy unmanly woe,
who,
all
dissolved in tears,
robe, and gazing in her face, till
it
;
lock'd in her embrace
1
—what misery wrings thy heart if
my
host's, impart.
?
—
:!:
THE
116 *
'
ILIAD.
Trusts Phthia then her woe to thee alone Mencfitius
—yet—
rumour'd
'tis
*
Peleus yet Hves, yet reigns
'
Would justify
*
Or
*
Expiates her wrong, and
'
Speak
'
Thou, bulwark of our
*
[book xvi.
;
—
—sways
?
his throne
their death
—
if
dead
the tears their offspring shed.
dost thou mourn, that Greece, her ships in flame,
:
give
— Restrain
me
'tis
all
time
thy
—
my
dishonour'd
grief.'
— The
name
?
chief replied
dire passion's sullen
mood
Nor, when a nation bleeds, on vengeance brood.
'
Our
*
Pierced by the distant shaft, or fronting spear,
*
Rest in their ships.
*
Eurypylus, and bold Tydides bleed
*
The king
*
Pierced by the lance, no more the combat dare
*
The
*
Thou, thou alone,
*
Ne'er on
*
As
'
Whom
*
If,
'
bravest,
from
Beneath the death-wing'd reed :
physician toils to heal their
my
:
wound
Pelides, ruthless found.
heart feed that consuming
ire,
thee, vainly brave, with quenchless fire shall
thy arm, what future mortal save,
unavenged, these
—
battle's fierce career,
of monarchs, and Laertes' heir,
skill'd
fills
all,
:
battle, Grecia's pride,
*
'
;
No not to thee, No mother thine,
fill
the untimely grave
?
existence Peleus gave, a goddess of the wave,
'
The
deep, that hears no prayer, the unfeeling stone,
'
Man
void of pity, claim thee for their own.
!
BOOK
THE
XVI.]
some prophecy,
—
ILIAD.
:
117
'
But
'
Brought down from Jove, by Thetis' warning word,
'
A
if
in secret heard,
now speed me forth to fight, Give me thy host to beam on Grecia light,
'
fear suggests,
Give
'
me
thy armour, that, Hke thee array'd,
Thy semblance chase the foe, by fear betray'd, And Greece, fore-done with battle, breathe again, And the fierce onset with new strength sustain,
'
'
'
'
While our
'
Force back to Troy her host worn down with war.
fresh warriors,
Fond youth
!
from their
fleet afar,
that rash desire but speeds thy
doom
;
That prayer, the prelude of the impatient tomb.
'
What word
*
— Pehdes
cried,
with
deep-drawn
groan, '
What from
'
I
*
Brought down from Jove, by Thetis' warning word
'
But
'
thy
lip,
Patroclus, rashly flown
dread no prophecy, nought adverse heard,
my blood boils, when with insulting scorn Man dares dishonour man, his equal born,
'
And, through pre-eminence of rank, despoil
'
A
'
Hence
'
At such
warrior of the prize that crown'd his
my
blood
fell
boils,
outrage,
and unavenged
fills
my
soul with
toil.
ire, fire.
:
THE
118
ILIAD.
:
[book xvi.
whom this arm made mine, her town o'erthrown, Her, whom Greece chose, and gave to me alone,
Her,
*
*
*
Her, from these arms, that prize the nation gave,
'
Atrides forced, and spurn'd
*
But not past wrongs
'
I
*
But that
*
The
*
Go
'
Lead
*
In yon dense cloud fierce hosts our ships surround
*
Greece
*
All Troy, in hardihood of present power,
'
Streams out to
'
Troy views no more
'
Flash on her fear, and put her host to flight
*
Else had her routed battle, as
'
Fill'd
shall
me
as a slave.
now my mind
engage,
breathed no vow that claims eternal rage, it
ne'er should pause,
battle rage,
'
mid
and suppliant Greece
then, Patroclus
my
till
!
in
my
my
retreat.
arms array'd
war-breathing band, and Hellas
flies
fleet
aid.
close pent in ocean's strait'ning bound.
seize, ere fled, this
my
crest's
favouring hour.
advancing light
it
fled,
every stream, and chok'd each trench with dead,
—now yon host
'
Had
'
Circles our
'
No more
the lance Tydides wont to wield
'
Maddens
for vengeance,
'
No more
from their detested throats
'
The war-cry
Atreus' son assuaged
me
:
camp, and crowds with war the
and redeems the
of the Atridae catch
my
I
field.
hear
ear.
coast.
—
;;
BOOK
THE
XVI.]
ILIAD.
But Hector's shout, the
'
Shatters the
'
Calls, as
'
With clamour
'
Go
'
Rush 'mid the navy, and
*
Lest, every ship consumed,
*
And none
'
Now, mark my words,
'
From
*
*
calls his
Trojans on,
they rush, and pouring o'er the
then, in
all
and
119
slaughterer's, his alone
'
air,
all
'
slain,
of fierce conquest shake the plain.
thy strength, Patroclus, go, drive back the foe,
no hope remain,
return to greet their hearth again.
—so
shall transcendent
fame
the host exalt Achilles' name,
And Greece to me that lovehest maid restore, And gifts on gifts high heap my throne before. once freed, haste back, nor onward move,
*
The
'
Tho' wing'd by glory, and the spouse of Jove.
*
Urge
'
Nor
'
Nor, glorying in thy might, the Trojans
*
Nor
'
Lest, stern in wrath, a guardian
*
Apollo's self his Trojans to defend.
*
Speed back, the Greeks once freed
*
Let hosts with hosts exhaust their mutual rage.
'
Thou
'
Let not a son of Troy escape the spear
*
No
'
Crush
fleet
not, without this arm, thy rash career,
of
its
first
fame defraud Achilles' spear
to Ilion's portal lead the
slay,
way
god descend,
:
no more engage,
Jove, thou Phoebus, thou Minerva hear,
—nor a son of Greece in our pride,
:
that
we
!
alone
and tower on Troy o'erthrown
!
;
THE
120
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
While thus they spake, the strength of Ajax
fail'd.
By Jove's stern will, and Troy's dense darts assail'd The iron storm, which round his temples broke. Bruised his bright helm, that rung beneath the stroke.
While
his
arm, whose strength had long time
left
wheel'd
The brazen burden
of his seven-fold shield.
Sank gradual down
:
Troy
him from the
fail'd
to force
yet, thus close girt around,
battle ground,
Tho each o'erlabour'd limb intensely glow'd. And the thick sweat-drops on thick sweat-drops '
As with slow breath deep-drawn, without
The war-worn
chief encounter'd
Olympian Muses
On
Grecia's
say,
!
how
flow'd.
repose.
woes on woes.
first,
whose hand
navy hurl'd the flaming brand.
Impetuous Hector,
first
advancing near.
Smote with huge blade the Telamonian Severing the point—
^in
that dire
spear.
woe extreme.
In vain the hero whirl'd the broken beam.
While the brass Sent, where
spear-point, quivering
it fell
afar,
a tinkling sound.
Then, Ajax shuddering knew, that
Had
o'er fall'n
on the ground.
partial
heaven
Greece to Ilion victory given
:
THE
BOOK
XVI.]
And,
forced, withdrew
Troy
in the ship
as
:
:
:
ILIAD.
121
back the hero
pass'd,
her flaring torches cast
Swift spread the flames, and quenchless in
its ire
Stream'd from the burning deck a flood of
fire.
The
He '
blazing stern before Pehdes flamed.
view'd,
and smote
his thighs,
Rise, brave Patroclus, lo
'
The
'
Speed,
'
Arm, arm, while
He The
arm'd
all its
no wreck remain
lest
:
sight
might
—none
fly
the coast
the impatient host.'
I call forth
and round
my
before
!
conflagration bursts in
and thus exclaim'd
his legs first firmly braced
radiant greaves, vsdth clasps of silver graced.
Next
fix'd
Wont on Then
And
:
the hauberk, whose star-spangled frame
^acides' mail'd bosom flame.
slung, emboss'd with silver studs, the sword.
the huge buckler of the battle's lord
:
Placed the bright helm on his heroic brow.
Whose
Two
crest far-seen
forceful lances gi'asp'd
Achilles' spear,
None but
And
waved
fear :
but
whose weight,
Achilles'
on
left
it
below.
alone
strength, vastness, none.
arm had power
proudly vibrate as
all
to wield.
turn'd the
field.
That Pehan ash which Chiron Peleus gave.
The
battle to confound,
and
slay the brave.
;;
THE
122
Then bade
Whom Him,
the chieftain,
next Pelides
in
'
and
Xanthus and Bahus,
The
erst the
swift
With
the host.
all
he honour'd most. fear awoke.
his coursers yoke.
to the chariot join
fleeter
d
than the wind.
Harpy, on the ocean-shore.
Podarge to young Zephyr bore
these
Automedon, a courser
That Peleus' son from
The
[book xvi.
whose heart no war-shout
chief obey'd,
Whom
him of
self
The brave Automedon
The
ILIAD.
spoil'd
rein'd.
Eetion gain'd.
far-famed Pedasus, the brood of Earth,
The mortal
immortal
rivalling
birth.
Meanwhile, Achilles, breathing slaughter, went. Mailing the Myrmidons, from tent to tent.
As ravenous wolves
that gorge their antler'd prey.
Drain his hot gore, and rend his limbs away.
Then
rushing
Lap with
And from
down
in troops, their
jaws
all
blood.
thin tongues the surface of the flood. their paunch, that labours with its load.
Belch the black gore, and undigested food
Thus the
fierce leaders of
each gathering band
Rush'd round Patroclus, at their chief's In midst, Pehdes tower'd, their fury
And In
The
his
own
spirit in
fifty ships,
command
fired.
each breast inspired.
brave Peleus' godfike son.
Jove-beloved, to Troy steer'd boldly on.
:
— BOOK
THE
XVI.]
In each sate
True
youths
:
and
o'er
123 each band.
to their trust, five chiefs held high
Himself
To
fifty
ILIAD.
o'er all
supreme
—the
first
command.
array
moved beneath Menestheus sway.
battle
'
Son of Sperchius, stream
that flow'd from Jove,
A River-God, allured by earthly love. Whom Polydora, Peleus' daughter, won. And Yet
gave to his embrace that warrior son
—Borus'
heir esteem'd,
:
whose golden dower
Had gain'd her hand to grace his nuptial bower. The next Eudorus ruled, clandestine born Famed Phylas daughter hail'd his natal morn :
'
:
The beauteous Polymela,
The
skill'd
to lead
graceful dance along the sportive mead.
Her, as 'mid Dian's choir
tlie
virgin
moved.
Enraptured Mercury beheld, and loved. Stole to her couch, and with unhallow'd
Reft the
fair flow'ret
of her virgin charms.
Thus sprung Eudorus, famed As bold
to lead the
arms
alike for speed.
van where heroes bleed.
But when her labour-pangs had died away.
And on
her infant beam'd the light of day.
Her, Actor's offspring, fond Echecleus, led.
Lured by
And, to
As
his
rich presents, to his nuptial
his
own
home and
bed
:
heart alike endear'd.
son, her sire that infant rear'd.
— — ;
THE
124
The
third
Bold
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
moved onward by Pisander
chief,
by Maimalus
led.
to battle bred,
Hurl'd from vhose arm his lance the foe repell'd,
And, save Achilles'
Aged Phoenix
friend, all chiefs excell'd.
led the fom'th
the
;
fifth,
the son
Of famed Laerceus, bold Alcimedon. Achilles
Then
'
'
self their chiefs
and ranks
array'd.
to the impatient host the hero said
Forget not. Myrmidons
!
:
the threatening word,
^
That hm-l'd on Dion's sons
'
When, by my
'
Ye on
'
Obdurate son of Peleus
!
*
Why
unwilhng host enthral
'
Back with the navy bid us home
'
Since wrath relentless thus consumes thy heart.
'
Such, day by day your murmurs,
'
Your
I
daily heard,
rage detain'd, each heart on flame,
Achilles heap'd reproachful
in these ships the
soul's
warm
wish.
shame
nursed with
—War
:
gall, ?
depart,
—now, enjoy
points your
way
to
Troy. '
Ye, in whose bosom glows a hero's heart,
*
Speed to your glorious
toil,
to war's great
depart.'
He And
spake
:
and
fired their souls at every
word.
the ranks thicken'd as their king they heard
work
!
THE
BOOK XVI.]
As when, stone
A
:
ILIAD.
125
join'd to stone, the builder forms
stately palace that defies the storms.
Thus buckler closed on
On
shield,
buckler, crest on crest.
helm, warrior, shield, helm, warrior press'd.
O'er their bright helms the horse-hair, braid on braid.
Dense stream'd, and waved a mass of floating shade. But, one in heart, two chiefs before the rest,
Automedon and
fierce Patroclus, press'd.
Meanwhile Achilles
to his tent withdrew.
His chest unclosed, and spread
That
bright, that beauteous chest,
When With
And
its
first
wealth to view
:
which Thetis gave.
her offspring cross'd in arms the wave
radiant mantles, and rich tapestry fraught.
robes with gay embroidery finely wrought.
There lay the cup, whose bold embossed round His
Nor
lip
alone had touch'd, his wine had crown'd.
e'er to
heavenly power
Save when Achilles First,
The
its
hail'd the
offering flow'd.
Olympian god.
fumed with sulphur, next, Pelides gave
goblet to the fresh and flowing wave.
Then
cleansed his hands, and, issuing forth to pray,
Crown'd
it
with wine beneath the light of day.
Stood in his court, and, as he gazed above, Pour'd the libation to all-conscious Jove
'
*
Jove, Dodonajan God, Pelasgian
Thou,
whom
Dodona's frozen
cliffs
!
:
hear
revere.
—
THE
126 *
*
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
Where the Prophetic Selli dwell around, And lie with unwash'd feet along the ground.
my
*
If once, ere-while, fulfilling
*
Thou, honouring me, on Grecia pour'dst thine
*
Now
'
But
'
Thunderer
*
A
'
That Hector's
*
How
*
Not
*
Than when with mine he dared
*
Grant,
*
Has made
'
That the brave leader and
*
With
my prayer arm my friend and grant
:
!
desire,
here idly
repose,
I
host, to front our foes.
with glory crown him, and impart
hero's spirit to the warrior's heart, self shall feel,
capable his
And
when
to
and
own
fully
war alone
:
hand, the host withstand.
the victor from the rescued fleet
the conflict cease, and
all their
his
Troy
conquering
arms unscathed, return
chief
:
retreat, train,
again.'
Jove, half-consenting, heard.
half-denied his votary's suppliant word.
Granted
But
arm
less invincible his single
Thus pray'd the
—
—
to force the assailants
ne'er
from war
The prayer now
from the
fleet.
alive Pelides greet
breathed, the due hbation closed,
Achilles in his chest the cup reposed.
Then
To
ire,
stood before his tent, in grim delight
feast
on clashing hosts
his wistful sight.
!
THE
BOOK XVI.]
Now, by
ILIAD.
127
Patroclus led, his dense array.
Fired by keen ardour to redeem the day,
Rush'd on,
wasps who on the pubhc road
like
Hive, where rash boys their guarded nation goad.
And
rouse the swarms in wantonness of play.
One common There,
if
ill
to all
who
pass that way.
a traveller, ignorant of harm.
Chance with unwary
step the hive alarm.
defend their young, a race on wing
All, to
Bursts forth, and barbs with death each poison'd sting.
Thus the
fierce
Myrmidons, inflamed with rage,
Rush'd from their
Loud
and madden'd to engage.
tents,
rose their battle roar, when, heard
Burst on his shouting ranks, Patroclus'
'
by
all.
call.
Hear, Myrmidons, Pelides' comrades, hear
'
Gird on your strength
*
So from
*
Your
'
And
*
That saw disgraced
He
:
your fame
in
f
arms revere
his servants, his close-fighting train,
glorious chief shall added glory gain,
the proud son of Atreus curse the hour,
spake
;
and
Pelides' godlike power.'
fired
each heart, and
all
the shore
Shook, when the mailed mass, with madd'ning roar. Burst as one
man on
Troy.
Then deep dismay.
Reft from each son of Troy his heart away.
:
THE
128
As
their scared
Him and Radiant
Saw,
ILIAD.
in
armour.
self,
best,
[book xvi.
Then
the eye of fear
drew near,
who, reconciled once more
by instant
Patroclus,
first,
Where flamed
flight,
before fro
escape the blow.
Troy's thickest press among,
the galley's stern his javelin flung.
There smote Pyrsechmes, who the Poeons
From Amydon, and Axius Smote
The
his right shoulder.
warrior
fell,
'
led.
breadth of bed
—Prone, beneath the wound.
and groaning,
bit
Then
all his
From
the fierce onset of Patroclus
He
the ground
host, their bravest leader dead. fled.
quench'd the flame, and, following up the blow.
Left, half-consumed, the ship without a foe.
The
Trojans, clamorous, fled, and fi'om their fleet
The
Grecians, shouting, press'd on their retreat.
As when the Thunderer, from the mountain's brow. Drives the dense cloud that hung like night below. Cliff,
And
:
his charioteer fierce rushing on,
To Atreus' son, fierce stalk'd his host And all in deep despair looked to and
How
:
phalanx view'd Menoetius' son.
in Patroclus, as the chief
Pehdes'
:
headland, wood, at once
all
blaze in light.
heaven's rent expanse boundless bursts on sight
;
THE
BOOK XVI.]
Thus from the
ILIAD.
brief, brief
Yet paused not war
:
And
Troy
retired.
time respired
for not in wild'ring dread
Far from the navy Troy confusedly
But yielded
129
extiiiguish'd flame as
Reviving Greece a
;
:
fled.
to necessity alone,
firm withstood their foemen rushing on.
Now
as the battle fierce
and
Chief against chief in mortal
Then
first,
fiercer raged.
engaged.
strife
as Areilucus withdrew,
Menoetius' son the flying Trojan slew.
Right thro' his thigh's crush'd bone the javelin pass'd.
And prone on
earth the breathless warrior cast.
Then Menelaus
And
pierced the unshielded breast.
hurl'd brave
Thoas
to eternal rest.
Phylides view'd Amphiclus rushing near.
And
stay'd his onset with preventive spear,
Transfix'd his leg where
Cut
all its
most the muscles
nerves, and seal'd in death his eyes.
Then brave Antilochus Atymnius As
rise.
slew.
thro' his flank the brazen javelin flew.
But Maris,
as his brother's spirit fled,
Rush'd on the Greek, and stood before the dead
Yet
—
ere he lanch'd his spear, in swift advance
Stern Thrasymede's anticipating lance
His shoulder pierced, each muscle stripp'd around,
Crush'd VOL.
all
II.
the bone, and stretch'd
him on the ground
;
THE
130
[book xv)
brazen arms, and dark and deep
Shrill
rung
Came
o'er his closing
his
ILIAD.
eye eternal sleep.
Thus the two brothers by two brothers
slain,
Sarpedon's gallant comrades bit the plain,
Amisodarus' sons, who whilom nursed
The
fiend, the fell Chimaera, earth-accursed.
But Cleobulus, grasp'd by Ajax hand, '
Grasp'd, yet alive, 'mid Troy's entangling band.
Sank
as the heavy-hafted falchion smote
The
warrior's neck,
And
all
As
life
the blade
and pierced
warm
glow'd,
his tender throat
and reek'd with blood,
gush'd issuing with the empurpled flood.
At once brave Lycon and Peneleus And, hurl'd
Then
flew.
at once, their erring javelins threw.
as their swords in close encounter press'd.
The Trojan
glaive, that
Snapp'd at the
Beneath
hilt,
smote Peneleus'
crest,
the while Peneleus' blade.
his ear the hideous
death-wound made.
There, wholly sunk, and dangling down, the head
Hung by
the skin as Lycon's
spirit fled.
Meriones, with foot of lightning speed. Seized Acamas,
now mounting on
his steed.
:
THE
BOOK XVI.]
;
ILIAD.
131
Pierced his right shoulder, from his chariot cast.
Where
death's chill darkness o'er his eyelids pass'd.
The brazen
Thro' Erymas' gash'd mouth
And
as
it
monarch threw.
lance that Crete's stern
resistless flew.
whizz'd the scatter'd brain beneath,
Broke the white bones, and crush'd the ivory teeth His eye-balls roU'd in gore, and
hfe's
Gush'd from his gaping mouth, and
dark flood nostrils breathing
blood.
Thus
And
Grecia's chieftains, each his victim slew.
like voracious
Who
wolves infuriate flew.
gorge on lambs and kids, at random
slain.
Left on the mountains by the heedless swain
At
vnll
The
they slaughter, and in pieces rend.
timid flock too feeble to contend.
Thus
rush'd the Greeks, while
Fled,
all forgetful
Then Telamonian Still at
Troy
in wild affright
of her former might.
Ajax, pressing near.
mail'd Hector aim'd his ponderous spear.
But, versed in
all
the science of the
field.
Great Hector hid beneath his bovine shield,
Watch'd 'mid the
The
He
battle storm, with
spear's bright clash
felt
wary
sight.
and arrow's whizzing
the victory changed
;
flight.
yet, undismay'd.
Stood in his strength, his warriors' guard and
aid.
:
THE
132
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
As, after calm, dense clouds on aether swarm.
When
from Olympus Jove
Thus from
As
Troy
the ships
collects the storm.
flew,
and wild
their shout.
slaughter thinn'd, and fear confused their rout.
But Hector's
coursers, that, like lightning flew.
Forth from the clashing throng the warrior drew.
While the deep trench
close pent in narrowest
bound
His host, sore labouring to ascend the mound.
There the freed coursers, as the chariots broke, Snapp'd short the pole, and burst in twain their yoke. Patroclus, following, deepen'd Troy's dismay.
And And
cheer'd with victory shouts his fierce array
wild the outcry burst, where flight and fear
Choked
all
the ways, confusing Troy's career.
And
darkness
The
steeds, that
veil'd
the heavens, as backward flew
from the
fleet to
Then, as Patroclus, shouting
Troy withdrew.
o'er the dead,
Dash'd were the thickest throng around him bled. Chiefs plunged on chiefs beneath their axles slain.
And
car
on car harsh-crashing strow'd the
O'er the wide fosse, in
The immortal
steeds,
all
plain.
their fury driven,
by gods
to Peleus given.
Sprung, stretching onwards, as Patroclus sped. In act to hurl the lance where Hector
As when
fled.
o'er-canopied with night of clouds.
The autumnal storm
the face of nature shrouds.
;
BOOK
THE
XVI.]
When
:
:
:
:
ILIAD.
133
vengeful Jove in fury unconfined
Pours down the weight of waters on mankind.
Who And
right
and wrong confound,
'gainst
heaven
rebel,
injured justice from their courts expel
Then, swoln with
Then Roar
And
flood, the rivers all o'erflow.
cataracts shatter
many
a mountain brow.
as they rush, hurl'd headlong
from the steep.
'neath the empurpled main man's wasted labours
sweep
Thus
roar'd Troy's coursers as Patroclus'
might
phalanxes, and turn'd their
flight.
Staid the
first
In wild confusion backward to the
fleet
Drove, and to Ilion barr'd their wish'd retreat '
Mid
the high wall, the navy, and the flood.
Slew them, and Greece avenged vdth Trojan blood. First
His
Pronous smote, and thro' the unguarded breast.
spirit hurl'd to death's eternal rest
His arms around him rung
:
Patroclus next slew Thestor,
While cowering Loosed from
On
his right
Drove thro'
En op's
son
:
in his car, the wretch distraught
his grasp the reins,
nor
fled,
nor fought.
cheek him stern Patroclus smote. his teeth the lance,
Then plucking back the
Drew
then, rushing on,
and pierced
his throat.
javelin drench'd with gore.
forth the v^'etch the car's bright border o'er
;
THE
134
:
:
ILIAD.
:
;
[book xvi.
As when an angler on the o'erhanging steep
Hooks some huge
and
fish,
hfts
him from the deep
On his spear-point thus forth Patroclus drew And prone on earth the chief sore-gasping threw He fell, he died. Then an enormous stone. By the strong whirling of Patroclus thrown. Smote Eryalus, smash'd
And
his inmost brain.
clove within his casque his scull in twain
Prone on the earth he
Drank with
insatiate
fell,
jaw
Then Echius, Erymas,
and
o'er
him death
his parting breath.
Epaltes, bled,
Evippus, Polymelus, swell'd the dead
Amphoterus, Ipheus, Pyres,
slain
on
slain.
Each on the other bathed with blood the
But brave Sarpedon,
plain.
as the hero view'd
His beltless phalanx by the Greek subdued.
Thus
stern rebuked
:
'
*
Be mine
*
Him
will I prove,
*
Has
thinn'd our host,
Where fly
?
thus swift in flight
to front that victor in his might.
and know whose dreaded force and prostrates corse on
Then sprung all arm'd on earth,
—thus
wild outcries on the mountain peak.
Talons on talons grasp d, beak hook'd
corse.'
mail'd for fight,
Patroclus sprung before Sarpedon's sight
As with
?
in beak.
:
THE
!; :
:
135
ILIAD.
BOOK
XVI.]
Two
vultures war, thus as they
onward
press'd
breast on breast. Fierce roar'd the chiefs, confronting
Jove view'd, and, while his soul to grief inclined.
Thus
to his wife
and
Woe woe my
'
!
!
sister
spake his mind
on earth most dear,
son, of all
Sarpedon destined to Patroclus' spear!
'
How How
'
*
shall I act
?
My
mind
or by Patroclus' might
To
'
Here view him bleed beneath
Lycia bear
What,
;
betrays thy wavering
What word unmeet
'
Wouldst thou reanimate, and
'
A mortal man long
'
Do
^
with breath, ?
;
restore, to his realm his son alive
'
That other gods, by
'
gift
deed but none, no god will laud the my counsel heed Yet, deign the word I speak, Phrygia's shore Let' Jove reflect, that if from it
He
'
?'
mind ?
since decreed to death
'
<
his father's sight
rejoin'd, direst god!' his queen, enraged,
*
'
twain
bear him living from the battle plain
!
'
^
reft in
is
his
example
led,
war's blood-stain'd bed Will bear their offspring from chiefs contend, For now, round Ihon, chiefs with
Sprung from some god,
whom
thou wilt thus offend.
:
THE
136
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
regardful of thy son, ordain
*
But,
'
That he may perish by Patrockis
*
Then, when
'
Send him
*
There
'
The tomb and
if
his soul departs,
to Lycia borne
by
slain
:
pillar raise
nor her the
But shower'd on earth Honouring
his son,
:
And
his breath,
and death
sleep
:
head
the glory of the dead.'
sire
of heaven withstood.
in anguish drops of blood.
now
destined to be slain
Far from his native earth on Phrygia's
chiefs
:
and cold
shall his kindred o'er the hero's
She spake
The
;
drew near
:
Patroclus'
plain.
weapon
flew.
the brave hero Thrasymelus slew,
Sarpedon's charioteer
That pierced
the fatal
wound
his entrails stretch'd
Sarpedon lanch'd
But Pedasus
;
his dart,
it
him on the ground.
miss'd his foe.
transfix'd with deadly
blow
In his right shoulder pierced, with deep-drawn breath Reel'd in the dust the steed, and roar'd in death.
The
coursers started from their partner slain.
And the yoke creak'd, and rein entangled rein. Then bold Automedon, in haste to aid. Drew swiftly from his thigh his sharp-edged blade
;
THE
: :
:
ILIAD.
BOOK
XVI.]
The
slaughter'd courser fi'om the chariot freed.
And, disentanghng,
On
137
each heavenly steed.
rein'd
rush'd the chiefs.
:
The
lance Sarpedon threw
O'er the right shoulder of Patroclus flew.
But
to
fail'd
wound
:
Not him the weapon It pierced the heart.
As
falls
Or
lofty pine, that
Hewn Thus
of Patroclus
fail'd
At once, beneath the
stroke.
a poplar, or majestic oak.
on the mountain brow.
for a mast, the fell
Ground
then, in his turn assail'd.
woodman
levels
low
the chief, and, stretch'd his steeds before.
his gnash'd teeth,
drank
and grasp'd the dust that
his gore.
As 'mid the herd a hon, wild
for food.
Springs on a stately bull, and quaffs his blood
The
beast beneath the fangs that foam with gore
Groans as he writhes, and
The Lycian
And '
call'd
dies with dreadful roar
chieftain thus indignant lay.
on Glaucus as
life
pass'd
away
Thou, who with bravest warriors darest engage,
'
Now
*
Brace to
'
Nor pause upon
prove thy valour, its
now pour
forth thy rage,
utmost thy embolden'd power, the peril of the hour.
:
THE
138
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
'mid the Lycian host each chief excite,
*
First,
'
Say
'
Then, watch thou
'
Lest day and night thy horrour
'
And
'
In prospect of the
'
But thou bare bravely onward, lead the
'
And pour
'tis
their king, Sarpedon, claims the fight o'er
my corse,
spot thy soul with shame,
He
:
fleet,
I if
despoil
in all the spirit of
there flame thy spear,
appear, hostile force,
my
corse. rest,
thy breast.'
spake, and while he spake o'ershadowing death
Sat on his faihng eye, and closed his breath.
Then
on
stern Patroclus, standing
his breast,
Wrench'd back the lance deep planted
The
vitals, clinging to
in his chest.
the spear he drew,
Gush'd from the wound as forth his
spirit flew.
Meanwhile the Greeks detain'd each foaming
Now
stretch'd for flight,
But anguish heaved
and from the chariot freed
his heart as
word
grasp'd his arm, sore tortured with the
Of Teucer's
When
shaft, that pierced
Teucer shielded Greece
:
Glaucus heard.
All powerless to defend, Sarpedon's
He
steed.
wound
him on the mound. ;
then loud his prayer
Breathed to the archer god his deep despair.
'
'
Hear, king
Nor
less in
!
whom
Lycia's peopled realms revere,
Troy adored,
—Apollo, hear
;:
BOOK
THE
XVI.]
:
139
ILIAD.
me, canst yield
'
For thou to
*
Like
'
Deep
'
Still
'
My
'
Nor
firmly 'gainst the foe stretch out the lance.
'
Our
bravest chief, Sarpedon, son of Jove,
'
Dies undefended by a father's love.
^
Vouchsafe, king, heal this wound, bid torture cease,
'
Restore
'
*
all,
like
me bow'd down is this
wound,
in bitterness
my
arm
Him
sinks down, I can
me
to
grief.
sore rack'd with pain,
no more advance,
my strength to combat Greece, my host, give Glaucus force shameful spoil Sarpedon's
corse.'
Phoebus heard, and soothed each sense of pain.
The oozing blood-drops
Then with
First
of"
blood-drops trickle from the unstaunch'd vein.
And as I lead To guard from
And
hand
relief,
felt in
fi'esh
staunch'd,
courage
fired,
and closed the
vein.
the hero glow'd.
every limb the present god
bade the Lycians with redoubled rage
Around Sarpedon
Then 'mid
ruthless battle
wage
the Trojans sternly striding on.
Met brave Agenor, and famed Panthus'
son.
Divine ^neas. Hector brazen-mail'd.
And *
'
with reproachful words their chief
Now, Hector,
assail'd
reckless of the associate bands,
Who from their home, their friends,
their native lands.
;;
THE
140
ILIAD.
down
:
[book xvi.
*
Far
*
Thou
'
First to defend
'
The
*
What,
*
Advance
'
Haste, lest the Myrmidons, on vengeance sped,
'
Despoil his armour, and disgrace the dead
'
Fired by
'
Who,
off,
for thee alone lay
leavest
them
their
life,
struggling in the unaided
by arms, by speech
advise,
shielded Lycian's chief, Sarpedon, tho' :
Mars slew him by
strife.
lies
Patroclus' lance,
indignant for his death, advance.
fell
rage their slaughter to repay,
breathless 'mid the fleet, beneath us lay.'
Straight, at his word, unconquerable grief
Fell
on each heart that mourn'd the Lycian
Him, who a
stranger,
and of
chief.
alien blood.
Like Troy's own son, to bulwark Ilion stood,
Who
Lycia leagued, and 'mid her countless band
Tower'd,
first alike
in courage, as
command.
Fierce on they swept, and furious at their head
Rush'd Hector, raging for Sarpedon dead. Patroclus roused the Greeks, and thus address'd.
With
'
*
fiercer flames
Brave as of
erst,
fill'd
each Ajacean breast
or braver than of yore,
Now, joy each Ajax,
steep your spears in gore.
;
BOOK
THE
XVI.]
'
He
'
Sarpedon dies
dies
*
Bear
'
And
whose daring ;
in his fall.
armour rend away,
dare defend him, boldly
Thus spake Menoetius' son
And
141
o'erleapt our wall,
now triumph
who
those,
ILIAD.
first
off his corse, his
their souls flamed to
Troy and the Lycians
:
;
slay.'
the chieftains heard.
consummate
his word.
their dense legions closed,
Greece and the Myrmidons as dense opposed
Host against
host, to gain Sarpedon, dash'd.
Shouts mix'd with shouts, on armour armour
Jove
And
o'er their conflict baleful darkness spread.
swell'd the toil of
Greece
Amid
first
the Myrmidons,
who
O'er throng'd
Budeum
A
chief,
not least renown'd
the wound,
happier day
held majestic sway
fled, his
kinsman
slain.
suppliant sued the goddess of the main.
They heard
And
to glorify the dead.
first felt
erst, in
Yet thence to Peleus
'
war
gave way.
Agacles' son,
And
clash'd.
:
and sent him Ihon
to destroy.
with Achilles crush the host of Troy.
Gainst him, fierce Hector, as he grasp'd the dead,
Whirl'd a vast stone that smote his helmed head.
And
inly clave his skull,
Prone on the corse he
—down,
fell,
reft of breath.
and pass'd
to death.
;
THE
142
:
ILIAD.
[book xvr.
Patroclus, furious for his comrade gone.
At once before the vanguard rush'd alone Rush'd Uke a hawk, that pouncing on '
Mid daws and
Thus thou, Drovest
On
scatter'd starhngs wheels his way.
Patroclus, for Epigeus slain,
on Troy and Lycia's shielded
full
train.
Sthenelaus' neck thy hurled stone
The tendons Far as
Or
his prey,
crush'd,
in peaceful
hurl'd in fury
Thus
and
games the
The Greeks bore
on,
by
throw.
javelin's
on the advancing
Hector and
far, as
stretch'd the warrior prone.
foe.
his
van
fell
Patroclus fired.
retired.
First Glaucus, Lycia's chief, while
Troy withdrew,
Turn'd back, and Calchon's son, Bathycles slew Hellas his dwelling, where, surpassing
all.
Shone, bright with affluence, his ancestral
Now,
The
Lycian, turning back, transfix'd his breast fell,
and
as
hail'd his fall, while
Round him
their gather'd
Nor Greece,
he shook the ground,
Grecia
felt
the wound.
bands the Trojans closed.
forgetful of her strength, reposed.
Then, by Meriones, Laogonus Onetor's son with blood
He
hall.
while on Glaucus' flight Bathycles press'd.
Thundering he
Troy
:
erst, in Ilion, as
a
slain,
embued
God
the plain
:
adored.
Served where Idaean Jove's high temple
soar'd.
— BOOK
; :
THE
XVI.]
ILIAD.
143
His jaw and ear between the javelin pass'd.
And
his eye closed with death's
Then,
as the
Greek beneath
With nimble
step, his spear
But the keen
foe
Deep
down
his shield
swiftly glancing, quiver'd to
Enraged, JEneas cried
Had *
it
'
Thou
can'st not,
*
Thou
too art mortal, and
'
Should
'
Bold as thou
'
Thy
*
strike,
and slow.
replied
lance,
still'd
—
'
thy dance.'
thy might,
thou alone, quench Grecia's light if
now
this dart
thus whirl'd, thy vulnerable heart,
art,
and trusting
death would give
Why,
fro.
My forceful
'
—Meriones
'
him rung.
and
but touched thee, soon had
Tho' strong
;
stoop'd, and, forceful flung
Till ceased its last vibration, soft
'
advanced
^Eneas lanced
the spear behind
fix'd in earth
There
dark cloud o'ercast
friend,'
me
in
thy force,
fame, and hell thy corse.'
Menoetius' son, rebuking, said,
'
Brave as thou
'
No
'
Resigns the corse,
'
In war thy hand, in council use thy word
*
Now
art,
with taunts the foe invade
?
son of Troy for words of scornful breath
—they
yield not but to death. :
be thy deeds beheld, not threat'nings heard.'
;
:
THE
144
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
He spake, and where he pass'd the Cretan sped And the press thicken'd, and the uproar spread As from the mountain
When woodmen Not
glades far bursts the sound
strow with crashing oaks the ground.
less the clash, the
When
thunder of the
field.
sword, dart, lance, smote hauberk, helm, and shield.
None
then, divine Sarpedon none
As 'mid the
From head
had known.
conflict lay the corse o'erthrown
;
to foot with lances bristled o'er,
Darken'd with clouds of dust, and grim with gore.
Hosts throng'd around him,
When
buzzing
flies
O'er the full pails
Nor
e'er
;
And deep
:
conflict
while wavering doubts distress'd.
:
if
there that day-
Hector should the chieftain
on Sarpedon's
corse,
and
death, and fresh destruction
fill
That the brave comrade of
Pelides'
slay,
spoil the slain.
the plain.
At length 'twas deem'd of Jove more
glorious far.
war
Should chase to Dion Hector and his host.
And
hurl to Tartarus
Then Hector, Sprung
:
Jove withdrew
deliberation filFd his breast.
Illustrious
Or
swarm
thus dense the numbers grew
Pondering Patroclus' death
Stretch'd
winged storm.
in stalls at springtide
from that close
His piercing sight
like the
many
a Trojan ghost.
conscious of unwonted dread.
in his chariot
and
to Ilion fled.
—
:
THE
BOOK XVI.]
And waved
ILIAD.
his battle back, not undiscern'd
That Jove 'gamst Troy the
Nor then
The
145
scales of
war had
turn'd.
the Lycian ranks, unaided, staid,
and
leaders
their host all fled dismay'd
Fled, for they saw, on that disastrous plain,
Their king mid slaughter'd heaps untimely '
slain
:
Stretch'd on his bleeding breast lay corse on corse.
While Jove enflamed the war's destructive Then, where Sarpedon's breathless body
force.
lay,
Greece, unresisted, pluck'd his arms away.
And,
at Patroclus' call, to Phrygia's shore.
His glorying train the brazen splendour bore.
Then Jove
to Phcebus
'
Son, at
my
request,
^
Speed, cleanse the blood-drops ft'om Sarpedon's breast,
'
Far from the mound of lances bear, and lave
'
His corse in freshness of the living wave,
*
O'er his fair limbs the ambrosial unguent shed,
*
In heaven's immortal raiments robe the dead,
'
'
And And
bid the tvdns, fleet Death and Sleep repair, swift to Lycia's
realm his body bear,
*
There kindred hands
*
The tomb and
He
spake
:
shall o'er the hero's
pillar raise,
and Phoebus
head
the glory of the dead.'
swift
from Ida's height,
Gain'd, at the voice of Jove, the field of fight. VOL.
II.
L
:
THE
146
::
ILIAD.
[book xvi.
Bore from the mound of spears, and deign'd to lave His body in the freshness of the wave. O'er the fair limbs the ambrosial miguent shed. In heaven's immortal raiment robed the dead
And gave to Death and Sleep, who swiftly To the last honours on his native shore. Then, shouting to Patroclus, in the
his coursers
madness of
their guide,
his pride.
Fond man, the host pursued, nor
The
and
bore
reck'd the word.
kind counsel from Pelides heard
last
Else had he 'scaped from death.
But Jove's high mind
Sways, and o'errules the purpose of mankind
who
Jove,
Where
the brave
man nod
victory at his
quails, first
and turns the car
swept the war.
Thus, 'mid the tumult of the battle driven, Menoetius' son but served the will of heaven.
Who When
first,
who
last,
then breathed their latest breath.
thee the gods, Patroclus, call'd to death
First fell Adrestus, next
Autonous and Epistor
Echechlus
slain,
bit the plain,
Fierce MenaHppus, and Pylartes bled.
And Nor
Perimus, and Mulius, swell'd the dead, Elasus escaped
Fled,
all
:
:
the rest dismay'd
none, none to face Patroclus
staid.
?
;
THE
BOOK XVI.]
Such then Patroclus' That Greece had
Had
ILIAD.
147
rage, so dread his power.
seized,
beneath him, Priam's tower.
not Apollo, on his death intent,
Stood, guard of Troy, on Dion's battlement.
Thrice the fierce
chief, the o'er-beetling buttress scaled.
Thrice, by the god repell'd, his effort
An arm
immortal on
his radiant shield
Struck, and back drove
And when, The
'
him staggering on the
him Phoebus' voice subdued.
— Patroclus hence—not thine the
'
To
*
Nor
his
*
The
lord of battle, Peleus' son divine.'
fate
level in the dust Troy's heaven-built gate,
The The
field.
scarce less than god, the chief renew'd
fourth assault,
Retire
fail'd.
whose prowess
far surpasses thine,
chief withdrew, nor longer dared withstand
terrour of the god's far-darting hand.
The
while, within the Scaean gate detain'd.
Hector
his coursers' fierce impatience rein'd.
In doubt to rush on battle, or recall
Troy's gather'd host, and guard her sacred wall
Thus
as
he wavering stood, Apollo came
Conceal'd in youthful Asius vigorous frame. '
:
THE
148
Brother of Hecuba, of
Lord of the
reahii
ILIAD.
Dymas
— —
:
[book xvi.
bred.
by Phrygian Sangar
fed.
Why Hngers'—thus the god the chief address'd Why pauses Hector in disgraceful rest ? '
'
Were but my strength as far surpassing thine, As far less strong, thou daredst not war decline.
'
*
'
On,
'gainst Patroclus lash thy steeds
'
And
—
He
if
Apollo aid
spake
—nor
—the
—away
slayer slay.'
linger'd there
—but once again
Labour'd 'mid mortals on the battle-plain.
Then Hector bade Cebriones once more Lash
his fierce steeds,
and
Ilion's strength restore.
And Phoebus, mingling with the conflict, gave To Troy and Hector fame, and fiU'd with dread brave.
Hector the
rest disdain'd,
But furious on Patroclus
The hero While
nor paused to
lash'd his
view'd, and, leaping
his left
hand
slay,
way
from
his car.
outstretch'd the spear afar,
Grasp'd in his right a rough and radiant stone.
And It
straining all his muscles, lanch'd
it
on
struck not Hector, yet not vainly whirVd,
On
brave Cebriones
its
vengeance
hurl'd.
the
—
THE
BOOK XVI.]
On
ILIAD.
!
149
Priam's lawless son, the Hectorean guide.
The brother
of his battle, side by side
And, while Cebriones yet grasp'd the
The
:
rein.
rock, that struck his forehead, crush'd his brain,
Shiver'd the skull, the brows together sraash'd.
And
each eye-ball dash'd.
at his feet in dust
Like a
skill'd diver,
plunging head-long prone,
Down fell the warrior, from his chariot And thou, Patroclus, as his spirit fled. Thus with
*
'
insulting taunt deridest the dead.
—how
Heavens
!
were
path 'mid shoals that swell the seas,
*
How
'
And
*
So
'
No
his
this
from the deck the e'en
Trojan dives with
man would
agile ease
lightly leap,
'mid tempests countless oysters heap.
swift the plunger
from
sprung
his chariot
doubt that divers mix Troy's host among.'
He
spake
—and, nishing on the
Flew with a
Who And
thrown.
lion's rage,
wastes the
stalls,
a
hero's corse.
lion's force.
and
while
fierce,
his breast bleeds, springs resolute
Patroclus
Down
!
such thy spring
Hector
leapt,
They, for Cebriones,
Who,
o'er a stag,
:
—nor
and hand
to
less
fails his
breath.
on death. enraged,
hand engaged.
like lions fought.
amid the mountains caught.
;
THE
150
War, famish'd both, both
ILIAD. fearless
:
[book xvi.
—thus rush'd on
Heroic Hector, and Mencetius' son.
With mutual Deep
fury, each in
mad
in the other's heart to
Here, Hector seized the
career.
plunge the spear.
chieftain's
gory head.
There, by his feet Patroclus grasp'd the dead.
While, in the
shock, on either side
conflict's
Hosts clash'd on slaughtering hosts, and death
As when
in
defied.
woods, that clothe the mountain vales.
Cross in their strength the north and western gales.
When The
sway'd with
all
their growth, the forests bend.
ash, the beech, the corneil rive
and rend.
Their vast limbs intertwist, and prostrate
cast.
Swell with their crash the whirlwind's roaring blast
The uproar such
When
that fierce and fiercer grew.
the dense hosts, immix'd, each other slew
There earth with lances
bristled, there the flight
Of ceaseless arrows spread o'ershadowing
And rocky Fell
round the
While he
Lay
fragments, battering chief,
down
night.
the shield.
and strow'd with wrecks the
field
in clouds of dust, along the plain
largely in his length, nor grasp'd the reins again.
While rose the sun,
Each
ere yet his zenith gain'd.
battle with like slaughter earth distain'd.
—
BOOK
THE
XVI.]
But when
:
ILIAD.
his orb sloped westering,
And Troy shrunk backward While the proud
::
151
Greece
prevail'd.
fatally assail'd.
from the battle-plain
victors
Withdrew Cebriones, and
spoil'd the slain
Like Mars, Patroclus raged, thrice onward flew.
And,
fiercely shouting, thrice nine
Trojans slew
But when once more the conqueror onward sprung. Death
o'er
thy brow, divine Patroclus
Stern Phoebus met thee
Thou
view'dst
Mid
hung.
but amid the fray
no heavenly power that
cross'd thy
way.
gloom the avenging god,
Deep-veil'd in midnight '
:
!
the dense press unseen, behind thee strode.
Smote with strong arm thy neck, and That whirl'd thy
dealt the
and
starting eyeballs to
blow
fro
Struck off the helm, that, rolling on the ground.
Sent up beneath the steeds a ringing sound.
And smear'd Where dust,
with dust and blood that towering crest. till
then, nor blood
had dared
to rest.
But, guardian of the battle, proudly spread
A
glory round Pelides' godhke head.
Then Jove bade Hector
that bright
helm uprear.
To glorify his brow ere death drew near. The o'ershadowing lance, beneath Apollo's Huge, heavy, brazen-barb'd,
The
shield that fenced
With
its
in shivers
stroke.
broke
from head to foot the wound.
broad baldrick, lay along the ground.
;
THE
152
ILIAD.
;
[book xvi.
Phoebus his hauberk loosed, with faihng breath, Stunn'd brain, and limbs relaxing into death.
While
A
reel'd Menoetius' son, in
Dardan thro
Euphorbus,
To
'
near advance
back transfix'd
his
skill'd o'er all
his lance,
of equal year
run, to rule the steed, and lanch the spear
'Twas Panthus'
Had He,
son, who,
now
first train'd
twenty chiefs unhorsed beneath his first,
Thou
Patroclus
fell'st
!
pierced thee
—but
to war.
car.
in vain
not there, beneath that Dardan
:
slain.
He from the wound the ashen lance withdrew. And with the throng immingling, backward flew.
—a heavenly hand
Nor
faced thee e'en unarm'd
And
spear back forced thee to thy native band.
But Hector, who beheld Patroclus
And
bleed.
with faint footstep to his host recede,
Rush'd from his ranks, and, with impetuous haste.
Thrust thro' and thro' the lance that pierced his waist
Thundering he Thro'
all
fell,
and as he shook the ground.
her battle Grecia
felt
the wound.
As
parch'd with thirst, a scanty streamlet
A
combats with a mountain boar.
lion
At
last
the mighty monarch of the
o'er,
wood
O'ei-powers the stubborn strength that long withstood,
Thus
Ilion's
mightier chief at length subdued
Menoetius' son, with Troy's best blood embrued
:
———
:
BOOK
THE
XVI.]
Then
o'er
him
Ilion to waste,
'
Drag Troy's
*
'
and
*
153
Thine the boast
her prostrate host
o'er
free daughters to thy native plain,
To consummate thy will in servile chain Fond man but Hector's coursers in their !
—
speed
'
Rush'd on before them, and from slavery
*
I,
*
While our gaunt vultures
'
To
'
Nor, when he sent thee forth, his word prevail'd
'
Go, brave Patroclus
*
Till thro' his corselet the
'
Gush on thy
'
And *
and
this
lance
thy carcass rend.
Achilles' glory
!
Vain boaster
'
:
Hectorean gore Peleus' son enjoin'd
this,
—thus the expiring
'
Why
'
'Twas Jove
'
The gods o'ercame me, and
'
If
'
Death by
'
Me
'
Euphorbus pierced me
*
Now
'
Not long the
*
Now
'
Lo! Hector bleeds beneath
thus exult, insulter
!
in
!
consign'd.'
chief replied
thy pride
?
that conquer'd, 'twas Latona's child
twenty Hectors had
my
my
lance had
mind vital
my
the gods despoil'd.
power opposed,
all
and Phoebus slew
in thy
fail'd,
but return no more,
!
—
shall
to sure death, thee, credulous fool
o'er
freed.
matchless spear, Troy's race defend,
shield thee, wretch
fate
:
ILIAD.
cried exulting,
'
:
their daring closed
—why boast my
— Hector
last
of
fall ?
all.
boding words retain
:
blood shall swell thy vein.
thy brow stern fate and death draw near, Pelides' spear.'
:
THE
154
He His
spake
spirit
Mourn'd Cut
off
ILIAD.
—death closed
his lip
:
[book xvi.
—and sad and slow
passing to the shades below, o'er his strength,
by death
Then Hector
and youth,
in all their
power
in that untimely hour.
thus the insensate corse address'd
'
Why
'
Yet, haply,
'
The vengeance
grave thy boding presage on first,
my
breast
?
famed Peleus' son beneath
of this lance shall cease to breathe.'
Then, standing on the
corse,
from forth the wound
Pluck'd the barb'd spear, and dash'd him on the ground
Then with
that weapon, in fresh slaughter died,
Rush'd on Automedon, Achilles' guide. In act to wound, but him the immortal breed
That heaven
to Peleus gave,
from battle
freed.
THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. Fierce conflict for the body of Patroclus.
—Hector mailed
in the
—Euphorbus slain by Menelaus.
arms of Achilles
resists the Grecians.
—Antilo-
— Menelaus
and Mc-
chus informs Achilles of the death of Patroclus. riones, defended by the Ajaces, bear off the body.
::
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK No
—not
By
forgetful,
:
XVII.
Menelaus view'd
Hector's host Menoetius' son subdued
But, brightly mail'd, in van-ward of the
field
Rush'd on, and round the corse unwearied wheel'd
As wheels a First-born,
heifer, querulous,
and
fi-esh
round her young
from pangs of labour sprung.
Thus Menelaus watch'd
and
:
o'er the
dead
Stretch'd his long lance, and orbed shield outspread.
Prompt with preventive arm the
Who
dared advance to drag the corse away.
Nor Panthus' son Death
forgot,
where lowly
And
laid.
o'er Patroclus cast his chilhng shade.
—
But
chief to slay.
boldly, nigh approaching,
thus, defying, Atreus
*
onward
son address'd
press'd.
—
:
THE
158
:
[book xvii.
Yield, Menelaus, leader, loved of Jove,
'
*
ILIAD.
—
Hence
from these blood-stain'd arms, thus warn'd,
!
remove. *
None
*
Dared, ere
'
'
of Troy's sons, or Troy's confederate band,
Retire —
^let
Away
'
I pierced,
Troy
to
Mencetius' son withstand.
me
due glory give
avoid this spear, or cease to
:
Jove, hear'st thou this
?'
—the
:
live.'
indignant chief
re-
plied
vain boaster, such o'erweening pride
'
111 suits,
'
Not
'
Such untamed haughtiness of soul impress'd,
'
Not
*
Foams
*
As
'
Not long illumined Hyperenor's brow,
'
When
'
And deem'd me weakest
'
But he, methinks,
*
Rejoiced his beauteous bride and
'
Thus
'
Haste,
fly for
'
Hence
:
*
E'en
in the panther's, in the lion's breast,
in the boar,
whose strength inflames and maddens
for the fight,
swells in Panthus' sons
—
his rage,
to engage,
yet, youth's
warm glow
the insulting chieftain dared withstand,
—
if
ne'er hastening from the slain,
thou dare
—
resist
—thou
sire again.
livest
not long
refuge 'mid Troy's countless throng.
lest dire
fools,
of the warlike band.
ill
ensue
—avoid the blow
by suffering taught,
their folly know.'
——
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
—
:
'
ILIAD.
159
—but moved him not— Euphorbus stood thy Expiate —he —my blood He spake
'
cried
'
'
brother's
guilt
'
Thou
'
His parents' anguish, of their son bereft;
'
Yet
*
And
turn the current of parental
'
If
to Panthus and fair Phrontis bore
'
Thy
'
Not long the
'
What
vaunt' st his blooming bride a
—
I,
He
I
widow
might yield that widow'd bride
left,
relief,
grief,
ghastly head, and armour grimed with gore. contest waits
:
not long untried
terrour can avail, or force decide.'
spake
:
and smote
—the brass unbroke,
his shield
Turn'd back the spear-point's ineffectual stroke.
The Greek, then Jove As back Euphorbus Press'd on the blow,
Drove through
address'd,
and
forceful smote.
stepp'd, his fronted throat,
and with fresh strength endued.
his tender
neck the barb with blood
embrued
He fell On his Where With As a
:
harsh bray'd his arms
:
and blood-drops glow'd
bright hair, that like the Graces' flow'd
gold and
silver's
:
intertwining braid.
artful elegance his locks array'd. fair olive, set in kindliest earth.
Fed by the
fresh springs, branches into birth.
Where each
soft
wind, with undulating play.
Breathes on the flow'rets silvermg o'er the spray
—
:
THE
160
ILIAD.
[book
But by
fierce blasts, uprooted, whirl'd
Lies in
its
Thus
the
xvii.
around.
bloom, extended on the ground beauty young Euphorbus
in his
When
: :
fell
conqueror
lay,
arms away.
reft his
As 'mid the herd, where bullocks graze around,
A
mountain
bound
lion with resistless
Springs, grasps their lord, his neck asunder breaks.
His entrails gorges, and deep-draining, slakes In floods of gore his thirst
while far
:
away
The
shepherd's clamour, and their mastiffs bay.
Nor
dare, dismay'd,
draw near
:
not less dismay'd
Troy, where Atrides raged, her battle staid
Then had
the spoiler born in scornful pride
The arms away, but Apollo's
self,
en\ious heaven denied
disguised in mortal frame.
Like Mentes, leader of Ciconia, came.
And Hector
thus excited
:
'
Vain thy speed
'
Pursues the coursers of
'
None can
*
None, save Achilles of immortal
*
Yet
*
From
Ilion's
'
And,
circling
'
With Panthus bleeding on the
their
fmy
—while thou
celestial
rein,
breed
no son of
earth,
birth.
idly labourest, Atreus
'
son
bravest chief has glory won,
round Patroclus,
swell'd the slain battle-plain.'
Thus spake Apollo, and the impatient god.
Where
mortals mix'd in conflict sternly strode.
!
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
:
ILIAD.
!
:
161
Fierce Hector flamed, gazed round, and straightway
knew
who from
The
chief
And
the pale corse that lay along the gromid.
the dead the arms withdrew.
While the fresh blood reek'd welling from the wound Then,
like
a torrent of Vulcanian
Rush'd thro' the van
That rush, that
Who
'
fire,
fierce roaring in his ire.
yosly, thrill'd
Menelaus' breast,
inly thus his secret heart address'd
If I these
arms abandon, leave
my
'
And
'
Thee, brave Patroclus
'
How,
*
But
^
Thus shamed,
I fight,
*
Yet
—why
doubt
'
Led by a god, a
'
Let then no Greek reproach,
'
To Hector and
'
But
*
We
*
Nor dread
'
Bear to Achilles' arms Patroclus'
him,
who
slaughter'd for
at his insult,
—
if
!
this
—might
I
?
prize,
glory
lies,
should some Greek discern,
would
'gainst Hector,
my
:
my
spirit
burn
and Troy's gather'd band,
how,
sole,
a host withstand
—Who dares a
chief oppose
god's wing'd vengeance knows.
his
if
now
god the unequal
I yield field.
hear the Ajacean voice, once more
dare the danger, and the fight restore
VOL.
II.
to front a god,
if
thus our force corse.'
'
;
THE
162
in order'd ranks,
Back Menelaus Then,
and
stepp'd,
by Hector
left
xvii.
led.
the slain.
fierce returning, faced his foes again.
Thus, when arm'd shepherds and
A
[book
communed, onward sped
Wliile thus he inly
Arm'd Troy
ILIAD.
lion,
fierce
backward forced, forsakes the
dogs appal,
stall.
Reluctantly retreating, oft returns
While
Thus went the Firm
and
his rage bristles,
his spirit burns
chief, and, in unyielding
in his strength
:
mood.
'mid Grecia's warriors stood
:
There, searching round, beheld the Ajacean might. Fierce, in the battle's
left,
confront the fight.
And urge his followers, in whose awe-struck The Archer-God unwonted fear impress'd. Swift Menelaus flew
:
'
Speed, urge thy force,
'
Shield we,' the chief exclaim'd,
'
And
*
Fierce Hector glory in the arms he wore.'
He
to Achilles bear,
breast
—
tho'
*
Patroclus' corse,
grim with gore
spake, and Ajax flamed with added rage
And both
the chiefs rush'd on the war to wage.
Hector, the while, dragg'd off the unarm'd dead.
From
And
the bared
feast his
hmbs
to stiike the sever'd head.
dogs with flesh
Sped Ajax, bearing
like
:
when
o'er the field
a tower his shield.
;
:
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK
XVII.]
Him
Hector view'd, and, as the Avenger
Sprung
The
his host to
Ihon bear the
glorious trophy of his battle
Then Ajax,
o'er the corse, as
The huge circumference And,
163 flew.
and 'mid Troy's ranks withdrew.
in his car,
And bade
:
spoil.
toil.
Hector
fled.
of his shield outspread
in his sternness, like a lion stood,
by hunters 'mid the wood,
Cross'd, unawares, Cross'd, leading
on
his whelps, in strength
untamed.
His eye-balls whirling round with rage enflamed.
Guard of his young, the beast wide spreads Knits his stern brows, and
Glaring in darkness
:
down
his jaws.
their terrour
draws
thus, in all his force,
Great Ajax stalk'd around the hero's corse.
While Menelaus,
at his side, apart.
In speechless agony consumed his heart.
Then, Lycia's
leader, Glaucus,
onward
press'd.
And, sternly eyeing. Hector thus address'd
'
Hector
!
most
fair in
form, yet base in fight,
'
Vain
*
Think how thy
'
Troy's race alone can guard her threaten'd towers
'
Here never more be son of Lycia found
'
Guardian of
is
thy glory vanishing in
flight.
single arm, thy native powers,
Ilion
when yon
foes surround.
;
THE
164 *
Thanks
*
Our
*
*
—none—no
gifts
ILIAD.
:
[book xvii.
of gratitude await
warriors bleeding for a foreign state.
Whom Whom
of inferior rank shalt thou defend ?
—when
thy household
?
guest,
thy bosom
friend,
Greece a prey
*
Sarpedon,
lies
*
On whose
brave arm,
*
Thou and thy
'
Thou
*
Might Lycia's sons obey me, home they speed
'
On Troy
'
But
*
Of blood
*
Who
'
Would drag
*
Might our bold
*
That body
'
Greece would Sarpedon's beauteous arms restore,
'
And Troy
'
Know, when
'
Friend of the hero, Grecia's matchless pride
unhelp'd
:
to
when bloom'd
Ilion leant
;
his vital day,
but, spent his breath,
guard'st not from the dogs that prey
if
destruction
falls
;
:
on death.
her doom's decreed.
a Trojan heart one drop retain that
fills
with
fire
for his country fights,
'mid
free,
his
the warrior's vein
now, now our
force,
Ilion's walls Patroclus' corse.
from the Argive power
efforts
and bear
to Ihon's tower,
ransom'd corse behold once more.
Patroclus
*
But
*
The dread encounter
'
Nor eye on eye
'
Nor
in thy fear
thou
fell,
fledst,
the comrade died, ;
nor daredst withstand
of the Ajacean
hand
sustain his hostile glance,
face to face front his o'erpowering lance.'
:
BOOK '
THE
XVII.]
What!'
—
ILIAD.
165
sternly gazing. Hector thus rephed,
*
Whence
*
Thee, for thy wisdom, Glaucus,
'
Thee once the
'
Now
*
That says
'
The
'
When
'
These move not
*
The
*
Who quails the brave, and snaps the conqueror's spear,
*
Tho' the god
'
Come, nigh me
'
If,
*
Or what brave
*
And
I
this rash utterance of insulting pride I esteem'd,
wisest of thy Lycians deem'd
rebuke thee, and the word disdain I
dare not Ajax' shock sustain.
clash of arms, the roar of thundering steeds,
crush'd beneath their car the battle bleeds,
irresistible
my
firm soul,
He
me
chiefly
move
decrees of Jove,
first
had urged
stand,
war
his
career.
and view, throughout the day,
as thou say'st, I basely
shun the
my
chief shall from
fray,
lance recede,
leave yon corse, or on Patroclus bleed.'
spake, and shouting, cried,
*
Bold Trojan band
'
Lycians and Dardans fighting hand to hand,
*
Now,
warriors, mindful of your former fame,
*
Urge
all
*
While a
*
And
He
?
your strength, and feed the heroic flame, brief
moment
I
from war abstain,
brace Patroclus' arms, by
me
in battle slain.*
spake, and swiftly from the combat flew.
And caught
the warriors as they slow withdrew.
;
THE
166
Who
::
:
;
!
ILIAD.
[book xvii.
on to sacred Troy exultant bore
Pelides' arms, stain'd with Patroclus' gore
Tliere stood ft'om
war
apart, his mail unbraced.
And gloried in Pelides armour graced Then bade his followers back to Ilion bear The mail that Hector once rejoiced to wear. '
Now
round him blazed the panoply of heaven.
The immortal arms by gods
Which Gave
to Peleus given.
now grown old 'mid war alarms. son who ne'er grew old beneath those
Peleus,
to his
Him,
as the cloud-compelling
God
arms.
survey'd
In great Pelides' radiant arms array'd, Jove, grieving, spake
:
*
Ah
!
*
Thou
*
But fondly
'
His the mail'd terrour of the
'
Whose
inauspicious deed
reck'st not of thy death, joy'st his
heavenly arms to brace,
human
most loved thou
friend
now, now, decreed
race
slew'st, the brave, the
mild '
Thy
*
Yet Jove
*
And compensate
'
For
*
Nor from thy
insult
shamed him, and thy hand
shall
now thy brow
despoil'd.
with conquest crown,
thy fate by high renown
:
ne'er thy wife shall thee returning hail,
breast unbrace Pelides' mail.'
Jove gave the nod, and, to exalt his fame. Fitted the
armour
to the
Hectorean frame.
——
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK
XVII.]
Mars
rush'd within his soul, his spirit fired.
In every
The
Hmb
:;
fresh strength
167
and rage inspired
host his war-shout heard, and Troy's array
Deem'd that Pehdes waved
From rank
in
arms
their way.
Hector rushing on.
to rank fierce
Urged Mesthles, Glaucus, Medon, one by one His voice Thersilochus, Deisenor heard, Asteropaeus, Chromius, caught the word,
Phorcys, Hippothous, advanced to aid,
Nor Ennomus,
'
the augur, disobey'd.
Hear, throng'd aUies
!
ye that round Ilion dwell,
*
Not with vain pomp the show of war
*
Not
'
I
*
But that your arms should
*
Troy's wives and children from the victor's chain.
*
Hence
'
Your
gifts to multiply,
'
Now
dash right forward on,
'
The work
'
But who
*
He, to whose arm the might of Ajax
'
Him,
'
And
to
to swell,
encumber with a countless band,
urged you forth, each from
for
your luxuries
of war
shall
is
I
his native
free,
on Phrygia's
my kingdom
your
land plain,
drain,
feasts sustain. all
dangers brave,
victory or the grave.
drag Patroclus from the
half the spoils,
my
gift, shall
field,
yield,
greatly crown,
such as Hector's glory, his renown.'
:
THE
168
He
spake
ILIAD.
[book
and Troy, close-serrying
:
:
all
:
xvii.
her rows.
Raised their high spears, and dash'd against their foes
Hope and
To
high fame embolden'd every breast
seize Patroclus,
Fools
on
!
his corse, ere closed in blood the day,
Trojan on Trojan
As
and from Ajax wrest.
slain
by Ajax
the bold chief the advancing host descried,
*
Friend,' he exclaim'd,
*
We,
'
Escape the slaughter of
*
Yet, not so
*
*
*
*
lay.
'
'mid
perils bravely tried,
Jove-loved Menelaus, ne'er again
much
I
this battle-plain.
dread Patroclus'
fate,
Whose limbs shall llion's dogs and vultures sate, As now our doom so Hector rolls the clouds, The war-storm that each host in darkness shrouds, And hurls them on our brow yet, ere we fall, :
;
*
Speed,
call
thy
He
spake
:
the bravest Greeks
—
if
Greece yet hear
call.'
nor him Atrides disobey'd.
But, loudly shouting, bade the Grecians aid
*
Friends, leaders, chiefs of Greece
!
each honour'd
guest, *
Who
'
Ye,
*
Draw down high honours from
at our
who
banquets share the Atrides' feast
the host
command, and, graced by Jove, the gods above.
:
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
*
Hear
'
So
'
Speed
'
Feed on Patroclus'
all
around the flames of battle burn.
fierce
Trojan hounds
wistful forth, nor let the
—
He spake And foremost Then
169
vain each singly to discern,
'tis
!
ILIAD.
flesh,
and Hck
at will his wounds.'
that call the OiHan Ajax heard.
sprung to battle
at the
word
Crete's fierce king, and, like the
The guide and guardian
Host fronted Dash'd on her
As where a
redeeming
press'd,
host,
of
War,
of his battle-car.
But who the countless throng can
That forward
God
when
first
singly
all
their
name. fame
?
Troy's dense array
Hector led the way.
foes, as
torrent, with
tremendous sweep.
Bursts on the force and fulness of the deep, '
Gainst the fresh flood a wave gigantic roars.
Spouts the
salt surge,
and rocks the thundering shores
Such Troy's dread shout
:
Greece heard unmoved the
sound.
Spread shield In
all
Night
For
one
While
spirit,
o'er the
ne'er
o'er shield,
and
girt
the corse around.
while Saturnius shed
splendour of each helmed head.
would Jove, wliose heart no hatred moved
lived Patroclus,
:
by Pehdes loved.
—
THE
170
To
—
:
ILIAD.
;
[book xvii.
Troy's gaunt dogs his limbs unburied yield.
But roused
Troy
his friends,
her foes repell'd
first
But not a Grecian
Then Troy
call
stature,
Save where
Now
left
the dead.
—
in vain
of Ajax turn'd again.
whose achievements,
all
outslione.
o'er all, Achilles tower'd, alone.
glaring eyes
like
a mountain boar.
and tusks that
thirst for gore.
turn'd from flight, wide scatter thro* the glade
Hunters and hounds that dared
Thus Troy confusedly
Moved They
for the field.
perish'd as they fled.
Ajax rush'd onward,
Whose
— Greece
Patroclus backward drew
Greece at the
Whose
and braced them
in his
fled
fled, as
his strength invade
rushing on
might huge Ajax Telamon
who
strove in Priam's walls to bear
Patroclus' corse, and Hector's honours share.
That time, Hippothoiis, who,
as Ihon fled.
To glad the Trojans had drawn back the And by his ancle, with a buckler's thong That
dead.
clasp'd the tendons, slowly dragg'd along,
Rush'd on his
fate, tho'
many
a wistful friend.
Who
fain
Him,
in swift onset, as the chief
had guarded, shudder'd
to defend.
withdrew.
Fierce Ajax, springing thro' the numbers, slew
—— —
;
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
Split his brass
The burden The
ILIAD.
171
helm, too powerless to withstand
of that lance and strength of
brain, fast-flowing
hand
from the ghastly wound.
Hung, mix'd with blood, the
lance's shaft
around
His strength relax'd, and as his
spirit pass'd.
The hand
the body cast.
that dragg'd
Prone on the corse he
it,
down
fell,
and closed
Far from Larissa's meads yet loved
He
:
his breath
death
in
ne'er shall tend his parents, ne'er repay
Their love that watch'd the morning of his day.
Beneath the Ajacean spear, too soon to close In the dark shadow of death's deep repose
But Hector poised
He
his lance, at
saw, and shunn'd
its flight,
Not thus bold Schedius, who,
Ajax cast that whizzing pass'd.
to Phrygia's plain.
Himself the bravest, led the Phocean
train.
The son of Iphitus, whose sceptre sway'd Where Panopeus his just rule obey'd.
Him
Hector's javelin smote
Beneath the
The
Then Ajax
And
clavicle its passage broke.
shoulder's
Burst as he
—the ponderous stroke
summit pierced
fell,
—the brazen clang
and wide around him rang.
lanch'd his spear, the
weapon
flew.
the bold son of Ph^enops, Phorcys, slew.
Guard of Hippothoiis' corse
:
the ponderous stroke
Pierced his mid waist, his brazen hauberk broke.
— : :
THE
172
And
ILIAD.
thro' his entrails pass'd
:
—
:
[book
xvii.
with arms outspread
Prone Phorcys grasp'd the earth, and join'd the dead.
Troy and her Greece with
Then had
chief retreated from the plain
fierce
:
shout drew forth, and spoil'd the
slain.
the Trojans, urged by base dismay.
Sped, by the Argives chased, to Troy their way.
And, by her force and In
JoA^e's despite,
But Phoebus
to'
fortitude sustain'd.
Greece deathless glory gain'd
^Eneas onward came,
Likest Epytis' son in outward frame.
The
herald Periphas,
who
oft of
yore
To loved Anchises kindliest counsels bore And with that lord so loved, now waxing old. By kindliest counsel still his son controul'd :
^neas how,' he cried, with gods contend ? How, heaven averse, the towers of Troy defend ? '
*
*
!
have seen, who, trusting
'
Hosts
*
And dauntless
*
But ye
*
Fly in your terrour, and the war decline.'
He
I
—
tho'
spake
hearts,
have dared
Jove to Troy the
—the
in their poAver fate's bitterest
field resign,
chief the present
god
confess'd.
And, loudly shouting, Hector thus address'd
hour
—
BOOK '
THE
XVII.]
Hector
ye brave
!
—
*
Seek not
'
A
'
Lord of the
'
On
'
And
eternal
!
:
ILIAD.
allies
shame
!
!
173
ye Trojans
—yon
!
hear
walls, thro' fear.
present god proclaims that highest Jove, battle, bids us
onward move
then, lest unresisted Greece retreat,
bear at will Patroclus to the
fleet.'
He
spake
Troy
turn'd
Then
'gainst Arisbas' son, iEneas flew.
:
and
vanguard stood
far before the
and faced the Greeks
in fearless
mood.
And Lycomedes' friend, transfixing slew. The brave Leocritus there closed his breath
—
But Lycomedes' spear avenged Nigh
his fall'n
:
his death.
comrade, Lycomedes press'd.
Pierced thro' the liver Apisaon's breast.
The son
of Hippasus,
who arm'd his band
For combat from Pseonia's
And
Who
all his
fertile land.
host surpass'd, save one alone,
mourn'd the brother of his
battle gone.
The famed
Asteropaeus
The famed
Asteropaeus mourn'd the
And
forward rush'd
:
:
yet, in vain slain.
shields ranged o'er shields with-
stood.
And
horrent o'er the corse uprose an iron wood.
Onward from man Bade none desert
to
man
there Ajax sped.
his ground,
none leave the dead,
:
THE
174
None war beyond Watch round
The
field
ILIAD.
;
[book xvii.
the rest, but firmly stand.
the corse, and combat
hand
to hand.
with blood was deluged, host on host
Each on the other heap'd with
slain the coast
Troy, her arm'd league, and Grecia mix'd their gore. Fell
where they fought, Patroclus' body
Yet
less the
Man
Argive
loss,
o'er;
such mutual aid
gave to man, obeying and obey'd.
Like
Had
fire
the conflict burn'd
:
nor day nor night
view'd the solar beam, or lunar light.
So hung the cloud, with darkness deeply
fi*aught.
O'er the famed chiefs that for Patroclus fought.
But, other part, beneath the fight of day,
Trojans and Grecians ranged their mail'd array.
There blazed the sun, nor intervening cloud
Or
o'er the
They
mead
or mountain cast a shroud.
fought, they paused,
Shunn'd
as
it
and standing
far apart,
cross'd the light each glancing dart
But, in the midst, the o'ershadowing gloom beneath.
Scarce could the chiefs, with war o'erwearied, breathe.
The
while,
two
leaders, Nestor's sons, alone
Ne'er had the fate of
But where the
Deem'd
fall'n
Patroclus known.
conflict, in its fury raged,
that Menoetius' son there battle waged.
::
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
Not unobservant,
Of
in that doubtful
Grecia's carnage,
They fought
175
day
and her deep dismay.
apart, so Nestor gave
And bade them But
ILIAD.
leave the fleet and
command. war on
land.
ne'er throughout that day the conflict ceased.
No momentary pause the Down each tired limb
toil
released
on sweat-drops sweat-drops
flow'd.
With each
fresh slaughter fresh resistance glow'd.
Each knee,
Around
leg, foot,
hand, eyeball, o'er and
Patroclus' corse, defiled with gore.
As when a man
to
many
a labourer's
toil
Gives the bull-hide deep soaked in unctuous
They round
And
strain,
it
ranged
The new
in circling
and stretch
Till all its juice
it
oil.
order stand.
with unyielding hand,
exude, and more and more
infusion penetrate each pore
Thus here and Each host
there, in that close space confined.
to gain the corse
These, with Patroclus
And
o'er.
slain,
its
strength combined.
proud Troy to greet.
those to bear the dead to Grecia's
fleet.
O'er the slain hero uproar wild arose.
And
the fierce madness of conflicting foes.
Such
Nor
as with grim deHght
had Mavors moved.
mail'd Minerva in her rage reproved.
— THE
176 Thus,
—
:
ILIAD.
[book
:
xvii.
that day, at stern behest of Jove,
all
In ceaseless battle horse and horseman strove.
Yet
—while the war
Ne'er had Achilles
far
raged nigh
known
Ilion's wall.
Patroclus'
fall
Ne'er deem'd him dead, but watch'd the expected hour
To
greet him, living, back from Ihon's tower.
He knew
that ne'er Patroclus might destroy
With, or without his
Such was the
From
secret
aid, beleaguer'd
doom
Troy.
Achilles heard
Thetis, bearer of Saturnius' word.
Yet Thetis spared
his soul,
nor
e'er reveal'd.
That loved Mencetius' son should
fall
on Phrygia's
field.
Thus round the
And mutual
slaughter piled on high the dead.
The Achaean '
Not thus by
'
First
'
At once
'
Than
*
And fame
voice
was heard
flight disgraceful
yawn the
earth
!
:
—
'
Not thus
seek our fleet
more envied
far
our
retreat
!
doom
to sink forgotten in the tomb,
let
proud Troy bear
off Patroclus slain,
eternal by such victory gain.'
The Trojan '
corse the iron tempest sped.
voice was heard
:
'
If thus decreed,
Die on the corse, none from the fight recede.'
;
:
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
Thus flamed
ILIAD.
their souls,
177
—war raged
:
and more and
more. Burst on heaven's vault, the
That time,
apart,
battle's iron roar.
and from the tumult
freed,
Achilles' coursers, of ethereal breed.
Wept,
knew
as they
Dead prone
in dust
their
wonted charioteer
beneath the Hectorean spear
In vain the brave Diores' warlike son.
Guide of
their chariot,
Lash'd them with
Urged v^th
famed Automedon,
many
a blow, and oft in vain
fierce threat, or
soothed with flattering strain
Yet, nor to war they bent their willing feet.
To
Hellespont's broad flood, or Grecia's
But, like a column
o'^er
fleet.
the dead below.
Stood motionless in agony of woe.
Thus motionless
the steeds, in grief profound.
Stood, and low bow'd their foreheads to the ground.
And shed warm tears and, as they deeply By death untimely of their lord bereaved. :
The wide That
grieved.
profusion of their floating mane.
circling
swept the dust, imbibed
its stain.
Saturnius view'd their woe, his brow inclined.
And *
*
inly
communed
Ill-fated
To
mortal
VOL.
II.
!
with his mighty mind
wherefore ye to Peleus given,
man
the immortal breed of heaven
?
:
:
:
THE
178
ILIAD.
[book xvii.
'
Why
'
Should
'
Most
*
Most wretched
far the son of
'
But
Hector to that beauteous
*
Bow
'
Enough
'
And
'
Jove shall your strength, your courage re-excite
*
To
*
While by
'
Till
?
that ye too with mortals born to grieve, like the race
— of
all
serve, like grief receive
kinds that breathe, or
ne'er shall
your proud
—
you
crests,
move on
human
?
earth,
birth. car,
and break the ranks of war
that Priam's son has spoil'd the slain,
glorying in his armour boasts in vain
bear Automedon fi'om further
my
aid
proud Troy
fight,
shall
Greece defeat,
darkness close the slaughter 'mid the
Jove spake, and
fired
:
the steeds
:
fleet.'
their stream of
mane
From each '
Mid
raised crest shower'd
While the
fierce guide that
Swept hke a vulture
No
slain.
thro' the feather'd train.
ease thro' Troy's dense bands the coursers flew. that round
them drew
in the whirlwind of his fleet career.
Trojan blood-drop stain'd the hero's spear
For,
To
field:
mourn'd Patroclus
With ease dispersed the host But
the dust again.
either host the chariot swiftly wheel'd,
Untroubled by the tumult of the
With
down
all
unaided, vain his single might
guide the steeds, and poise the lance aright.
;
—
:
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
At length behind the car
And
ILIAD.
179
comrade
his
press'd.
thus Alcimedon the chief address'd
:
What god, Automedon, this ill design'd, And thus obscures the clearness of thy mind ? '
'
dense van contend alone,
*
Wherefore
'
Thy
'
While glorying
'
Mail'd like Pelides, Hector quails our host.'
in Troy's
friend, the brother of
thy battle gone
?
with far-heard boast,
in his spoil,
Who, brave
The
chief replied
*
Who,
like thyself,
*
What other
'
Or
'
Save,
when
'
Borne
off
'
Take thou the scourge, the immortal coursers
*
I
'
:
renown'd Alcimedon,
Argive might assuage the
rule the heaven-born steeds alive,
Patroclus
spake
:
'
fire,
now, no more,
Guardian of Troy
lo
swiftly press'd.
and thus address'd
son,
!
seat.
foot the foe to meet.
Hector view'd, and onward '
rein
plain.'
and gave Alcimedon the
Stood nigh Anchises
'
ethereal
and combat on the
And downward sprung on
Them
?
'
ire,
by death to Hades' sunless shore.
quit the car,
He
Laerceus' son,
!
where the battle bleeds,
Guides, weak in combat, drive Pelides' steeds.
:
:
:
THE
180
ILIAD.
*
This arm shall seize them,
*
None can our
He Each
spake
:
onset stand
[book xvii.
^neas aid when both invade/ if
iEneas heard, and, side by
And
side.
trusting in the other, death defied,
Rush'd onward, and beneath the bovine
With
:
shield.
brass thick plated, shook the o'ershadow'd field
Chromius, and Aretus' godlike form,
Pursued
their path,
and dared war's iron storm.
Fired with keen hope the charioteers to slay.
And
the high-crested coursers bear away.
Fools
Not
!
who
thus rashly, lured by hope, advance.
bloodless ye escape the Grecian lance.
Then brave Automedon, imploring Fill'd
Jove,
with fresh force descending from above.
Thus charged Alcimedon
my
*
Pour on
*
For ne'er
'
Till his
*
Till o'er
'
Or
'
:
Not
far retire,
neck the courser's breath of
will
fire
Hector from the battle bend,
proud foot Achilles' car ascend, our corse he chase the war array,
in our
van close
life's
Thus spake Automedon
On Menelaus and
heroic day.'
:
then unappall'd,
the Ajaces call'd
——
'
BOOK '
THE
XVII.]
Hear
either
!
; :
!
Ajax
!
:
ILIAD.
181
Menelaus hear
'
Bid our chief warriors guard with circling spear
'
Patroclus' corse, and turn the Trojan power;
'
Ye, from the
*
Lo
' '
'
ward death's ruthless hour.
Troy's high leaders
!
Tis Hector,
'
tis
^neas
all
their force unite,
swells the fight
— the gods the consummation given hurl the lance —the Mine —thus But
*
living,
to
rest, thine,
to
of heaven
Then
vibrating his spear, with
Hurl'd 'gainst Aretus' shield It
king
!
its
all his
strength
massive length
:
broke the brazen orb, the baldric rent.
Nor As,
till it
pierced his groin,
when with keen-edged
its
vigour spent.
axe, youth's forceful blow
Strikes a fierce bull behind his broad-horn'd brow.
Cuts every tendon, and divides the spine.
The
beast in death springs up, then
Thus
And
falls
supine
spiTing Aretus, thus supinely lay.
his limbs loosen'd as
he died away
Then forward bending, with
preventive view
From
Hector's lance
Deep
fixed in earth, the spear behind
Automedon withdrew
Shook, and the shaft with
Ere ceased
its
The
had
chiefs
strength
him
flung.
shrill vibrations
rung.
—now, with unsheathed brand
clash'd in conflict,
hand
to hand.
;
:
THE
182
But the Ajaces,
ILIAD.
[book
xvii.
to tlieir comrade's aid
Rush'd thro' the press between each parted blade
And
Troy's famed leaders, shuddering at the view,
^Eneas, Chromius, Hector's self withdrew.
And
left
Aretus, where swift darted on.
Like Mars in battle, bold Automedon,
Firm grasp'd the
The
'
'
corse,
and
as
spoil'd the slain.
boaster vented thus his deep disdain
Wretch
I
!
have soothed,
Thus, for Patroclus' death,
He The
he
spake
:
inferior as
my
His hands, and
art,
vengeful heart.'
and placed, proud leaping
spoils, yet fresh
thou
with death, yet
feet with slaughter
in his car.
warm
purpled
with war. o'er.
Like a gorged lion drunk with bovine gore.
Now
the stern conflict, with redoubled force,
Deepen'd the slaughter round Patroclus' corse. Pallas, descendent
from the realms above,
Swell'd the fierce tumult by behest of Jove,
Sent Greece to
aid, for
Jove to Greece inclined.
There turn'd the current of the Almighty mind.
As when the god athwart
vast heaven displays
His bow bright beaming with purpureal rays.
—
:
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
Bodement
! :
:
!
ILIAD.
183
of war, or winter's fatal cold.
That
stays all
human
Thus
veil'd in
purple cloud Minerva came,
and wastes the
toil,
fold
Pass'd thro' the ranks, and fired the heroic flame.
In voice, in form, like Phoenix stood confess'd.
And
dauntless Menelaus thus address'd
:
Thine shame, thine deep dishonour, thus to yield
'
'
Him, who with Peleus' son
*
To
*
Resist
oft turn'd
gorge the dogs of Troy, at :
and bold
Phoenix,' the chief replied,
'
Ilion's wall
embolden
thyself,
'
the
field, :
all.'
time-honour'd
my
'
Would
'
New
*
There would
'
And, rescuing from the
'
Him, whose
'
But now, by Jove
'
Fierce Hector rages with the force of flame.'
gracious Pallas grant
sire
deep desire
strength vouchsafe, and turn the iron storm, I
and
stand,
dire fate
foe, to
my
girt
shield Patroclus' form,
Greece restore
soul shall long deplore
with surpassing fame,
Pleased Pallas heard that, resting on her aid.
To
her alone the chief had foremost pray'd
Then gave
The
his limbs
new
strength,
unyielding boldness of the
and
in his breast
fly impress'd.
:
THE
184
That
ILIAD.
:
[book
xvii.
oft repulsed, returns, attacks again.
And
fond of
Not
less resolved, the
And
o'er Patroclus' corse his javelin cast.
There dwelt
human
in
blood, fresh
wounds the
vein
:
hero onward pass'd.
Troy, of worth and wealth possess'd,
Eetion's son, great Hector's friend and guest.
Him,
turn'd to flight, fierce Menelaus' stroke
Pierced, where the
He
fell, shrill
The
victor
Then,
weapon
rang his arms
drew him
veil'd like
broke
thro' the baldric
—from
forth the slain
to his shouting train.
Phoenops, Asius' son, whose sway
Ruled where Abydos drinks the briny spray.
Of
Hector's foreign guests, guest most beloved,
Apollo came, and Hector thus reproved
*
Hector, what Greek henceforth thy arm shall dread ?
*
Thou, who from yonder chief hast
'
Yon Menelaus, who,
*
Now
*
Bears from Troy's van, unaided and alone,
'
Podes, thy valued friend, Eetion's son.'
vilely fled,
infirm of yore,
bears a warrior, weltering in his gore,
Grief clouded Hector's mind, yet undismay'd
The
chief rush'd on, in radiant arms array'd.
— :
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
Jove grasp'd
ILIAD.
his dense-fringed
185
Mgis, and outspread
Night, that o'ershadow'd Ida's viewless head
Loud thunders
roll'd, fires flash'd,
As the god gave
to Ilion's host the field.
Peneleus foremost
That
fled,
yet slight the
flesh'd his shoulder as
When
the mountain reel'd.
wound
he turn'd around.
keen Polydamas, approaching near,
Lanch'd, grazing on the bone, the barbed spear.
Then, as Alectryon's offspring dared withstand, Boeotian Le'itus, fierce Hector's hand.
Pierced in his wrist, the warrior oft in flight
Glanced round, yet paused not to regain Forlorn of hope, that
e'er his
his might.
arm again
'Gainst Ilion's battle should a lance sustain.
Then bold Idomeneus,
On
Le'itus fast-flying,
as
Hector press'd
smote his breast.
But the mail'd hauberk turn'd the blunted
And
Ilion
Then
stroke.
shouted as the spear-shaft broke.
in his car, as Crete's
proud monarch stood.
Fierce Hector lanch'd the dart that sought his blood It err'd, yet struck, scarce failing of its aim.
Him, who
to
Troy from
Brave Coeranus, who
Had
in his chariot
well-built
oft at
Lyctus came.
Merion's side
stemm'd the
battle's tide.
—
THE
186
The Cretan
Had And
king,
when
:
ILIAD.
first
he
left
— ;
:
[book the
xvii.
fleet.
forward dash'd on foot the foe to meet. there
had
and heighten'd Ihon's fame.
fall'n,
But Coeranus, preventing, onward came, Lash'd the smft steeds, the monarch's hfe to save. But, slain by Hector, met the untimely grave. Hurl'd by his forceful arm, the Hectorean spear
Gave the death wound between the cheek and
And
as
crash'd his teeth,
it
Loosed, as he
fell,
and sheer'd
the reins that
ear.
his tongue.
downward hung
These, Merion, stooping, gather'd where they lay.
And from
Lash to the
'
'
the conflict warn'd the king
fleet
What thou must
Then
Crete's
Drove to the
And
Ajax'
self,
the steeds, nor there diso^\Ti
feel,
awed
fleet
away
our hope of conquest gone.'
king, appaU'd, with urgent speed
each fiery-footed steed
and Menelaus knew
That Jove, that time, bade Hector Greece subdue
'
Yea,' Ajax cried,
'
know
a fool might surely
'
That harsh Satumius
'
So Jove
'
Firm, or infirm of arm, a Grecian strike
glorifies
directs their darts,
our foe
all, all alike,
;
!
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
'
While from our warriors
*
Their weapons
'
But
'
And by
*
Who
'
Nor longer dare
'
But deem, we
'
But perish 'mid our
'
—now
fall
consult,
:
ILIAD. hurl'd, without a
—
:
:
187
wound
unheeded on the ground.
how
best to save the slain,
our presence glad our friends again,
with despairing eyes this day discern, to look for our return,
ne'er shall Hector's rage elude, ships,
by Troy subdued.
might some tried associate now appear
'
To
'
For not as yet that chief has haply heard
'
Of slain Patroclus the
'
None such
'
That spreads o'er all our host the impervious shroud.
'
Hear me, high Jove
'
Let eye be
'
And
'
Slay us
bear the tidings to Pelides' ear
—
if
I
soul-piercing word.
view, so dense, so dark the cloud
fix'd
!
now
on eye
in
drive the night away,
open day
our slaughter yield thee, Jove, delight,
—but slay us combating
in light.'
Jove, pitying, heard, and at the hero's prayer Scatter'd at once the clouds,
The sun shone Burst
all
and
in the
clear'd the air
golden ray
the battle, spread in bright display.
Then, as the
Thus
forth,
and
light o'er either
to the son of Atreus
army broke.
Ajax spoke
—
THE
188 '
Now
ILIAD.
[book xvii.
search throughout the host,
if
yet ahve,
Antilochus our loss survive.
'
If yet
*
Urge him
'
Patroclus'
and
to rouse Achilles, fall,
and unavenged
Then Menelaus,
relate
fate.'
at the warrior's call.
Reluctant as a lion leaves the
Who
::
:
tired, conflicting
stall.
long with hinds and hounds.
That watch'd throughout the night
their
guarded
bounds.
Nor
To
e'er relax'd,
nor gave the insatiate beast
flesh his fang,
Onward he
And
springs
in vain
:
till,
:
lion, lingering,
loth, at
wends
Thus Menelaus slowly
And
at will the feast
the blazing brands.
clouds of javelins lanch'd from hardiest hands.
His onset check,
The
and gorge
left
dawn
of day.
afar his way.
the dead.
sore his spirit grieved, with fear o'erspread.
Lest Greece should dastardly resign the
field.
And to exultant Troy Patroclus yield Much he enjoin'd, and o'er and o'er again. Adjured the chieftains with exhorting
'
'
Leaders of Greece'
And
thou, Meriones,
—he
cried
my word
'
strain
each Ajax, hear!
revere.
:
BOOK
THE
XVII.]
:
!
ILIAD.
;
!
189
friends, forget not, while I loth depart,
*
'
The tender kindness
'
How
mild to
all
each word when
friends, forget not
'
of Patroclus
him, tho'
'
heart
warm by
girt
with breath
fate
and
death.'
Thus Menelaus went, and glanced around. Keen
The
as the bird for vision
most renown'd.
eagle that discerns from highest
air,
Couch'd neath her leafy form the lurking hare. '
Straight
downward
Grasps, ere
darts, and,
and wings
it stirs,
pouncing on its life
away.
Thus, eagle-eyed, the swiftness of thy
Keen Menelaus,
sight.
traversing the fight.
Sought Nestor's son, and soon the chief Embold'ning
On
all
where most the
war's left wing
:
Stood at th^ hero's
*
Hear
!
his prey.
battle burn'd.
— There Menelaus
press'd,
and thus address'd
side,
Nestor's son
discern'd,
!
loved of Saturnius
!
hear
*
Would that the word might ne'er have
*
Thou know'st
*
That Troy should conquer, and dooin'd Grecia
*
Low
*
Grief and regret, to us, to
lies
—
for
thou hast seen
our bravest
reach'd thy ear
—by Jove decreed,
chief, Patroclus slain all,
remain
:
:
bleed.
;
:
THE
190 '
Speed to the
*
Patroclus
'
So may
'
Tho' Hector glory
'
fleet, to
fall,
his
ILIAD.
to
fate
:
Greece the corse restore,
in the
arms he wore.'
Fix'd, horrour-struck, the son of
The anguish
xvii.
Peleus' son relate
and unavenged
power
[book
:
Nestor heard.
of his spirit chain'd his word,
Gush'd the large tear-drops down the warrior's breast.
Yet the brave youth obey'd
And
his chief's behest.
gave the hero who, 'mid war's alarms,
Wheel'd
his wing'd car, the
Then onward Bearer of
Nor
burden of
his
arms
sped, while burst the unsolaced tear.
evil to Achilles' ear.
at that
hour to yield the Pylians
aid.
Thee, Menelaus, could thy mind persuade,
Tho' wearied out with war, they, lonely
left.
Grieved, of the guidance of their chief bereft.
Thou While
And
badest bold Thrasymede their strength sustain. to the corse thou turn'dst thy step again.
'mid the tumult where the Ajaces fought,
Spakest the wing'd word with deep
'
'
Prompt
Bearer of
at
my
call
affliction
fraught
the warrior lately went,
evil to Achilles' tent
;
;
.]
THE
191
Hector vengeance
Yet
'
Can
'
Now,
our's to weigh,
how
'
Ward
off our danger,
and escape the
'
fire his brain,
Peleus' son, unarm'd, the fight sustain
Chief,'
:
ILIAD.
'
tho' 'gainst
:
?
best the corse to save,
Telamonian Ajax thus
grave.'
replied,
'
Wise are thy words, we seek no
'
Thou, and Meriones, be your's the care
'
The
'
While
'
Stay Troy's mail'd host, and Hector's murderous hand,
'
One
'
Ajax with Ajax
surer guide
:
corse to raise, and from the conflict bear I
and Teucer
will the
shock withstand,
heart in both, unwonted yet to yield
They,
oft
has turn'd the
at his voice,
from
field.'
ensanguined bed,
earth's
Grasp'd ni their arms, and high upheld the dead
Loud
On
burst the roar, as
Troy with horrour gazed
the bold chieftains that the corse upraised
All rush'd, like
hounds the hunter's path before.
That
woodlands drive a wounded boar.
thro' the
Dash on
awhile,
and pant upon
Ere yet the savage, turning,
And
stands in strength
their prey.
fronts their way.
—then
dispersed, retire.
all,
Fly here and there, nor face his eye of
The Trojans
thus press'd on
Smote with the twice-edged
:
band
spear,
fire.
after
band
and sworded hand
:
—
THE
192
But ever
The
ILIAD.
as the Ajaces turn'd,
cheek's pale
and
[book
dint of
hue the coward heart
War
display'd.
sustain.
arms the body to regain.
Meantime, the Grecian Thee,
xvii.
staid.
None dared advance, nor dared a hope
By
:
slain Patroclus
ceased not
:
!
chiefs
to their
from
battle bore
guarded shore.
dire the tumult, dread the yell.
Like flames mid populous towns that roar and swell. '
Whole
streets
consume, and,
flaring in the wind.
Leave, where they widely raged, one waste behind.
Not
less
the rush and roar, and battle bray.
Horse, horsemen, chariots, thundering on their way.
But they,
like
mules,
who
o'er a
Drag some huge beam, or mast's Groan, tired with
toil, yet,
rocky road gigantic load.
labouring more and more.
Strain, while large sweat-drops burst
So these bore on the
corse, while,
from every pore
prompt
Behind, each Ajax Troy's fierce onset
Like a vast mound, that, thickly
girt
to aid.
staid.
with wood.
Turns, stretch'd athwart the plain, a raging flood,
Tho' the vast waters gather'd
far
and wide.
Roll on the deluge in one confluent tide.
The mound, unmoved,
Foam from
its
base,
views
all
and flood the
Thus, as Troy's rushing host the
The Ajacean
the waves expand. level land
conflict swell'd.
spears the vain assault repell'd.
;
.]
THE
Yet^ not the
The might As
less,
of Hector, and Anchises' son.
The daws and The
193
two leaders urged them on.
in wing'd clouds, swift
When
ILIAD.
starlings
they behold,
outstretch'd
wheeling here and there.
rend with screams the
now
gaining on their
air.
flight.
pennons of the o'ershadowing
kite
:
Thus, chased by Hector's and lEneas' rage.
The Greeks loud In,
shriek'd,
and wide round the
nor dared the battle wage
fosse their
armour
lay.
Yet the war knew no pause, nor death forgot
VOL.
II.
his prey.
THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. Thetis soothes Achilles, lamenting the death
on Vulcan
to forge
armour
for her son.
Patroclus.— She prevails
—Description of the armour.
;
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK While
XVIII.
yet the battle burnt with force of flame.
The Son
of Nestor to Achilles came.
Came, where the mom'ner stood the
And
view'd, in dark forebodement, o'er
The deed
The *
fleet before.
and
o'er.
already done, and thus express'd
secret fear that agonized his breast
Whence this tumultuous rout ?
—what misery, mine
*
Why
*
Harve then the gods that deed of horrour done,
*
Foretold by Thetis to her hapless son,
'
That, while
'
Should, slain by Trojans, perish on their coast
'
Yes
*
Menoetius* son
throng the Greeks their ships,
—by
I lived,
the bravest of
why war
my
host
his rashness to destruction led,
now slumbers
decline
with the dead.
?
? ?
THE
198
ILIAD.
[book
'
Yet him, the flames once quench'd,
'
Nor dare
in
I
Ah, woe
*
is
me
The word
'
Dead
*
The
'
While Hector wears
Fell
I
:
Pehdes, thou must hear
!
*
lies
near.
message told with many a tear
his sad
retreat,
combat Hector's prowess meet.'
As thus he mused, Antilochus drew
And
bade
xviir.
would might
Patroclus,
—
have reach'd thine
ne'er
o'er his
ear.
naked corse
battle rages with redoubled force,
on Pelides
:
his arms.'
—A cloud of
grief
prone on earth the chief
Grasp'd up the ashes scatter'd on the strand.
And on
his forehead
shower'd with either hand.
Grimed
his fair face,
and
The
soil
that on
its
o'er his
raiment flung
splendour darkly hung.
His large limbs, prone in dust, at large outspread.
And
pluck'd the hair from his dishonour'd head.
While
Or
all
the maidens,
whom
his
arm had won.
gain'd in battle with Menoetius' son,
Rush'd from the shelter of their peaceful
And round
tent.
Pelides mingled their lament.
Raised their clasp'd hands, and beat their breasts of snow.
And
swooning, sank on earth, o'ercome with woe
:
—
BOOK
THE
XVIII.]
While Nestor's son
And
ILIAD.
in silent horrour stood.
grasp'd his arm, half raised to shed his blood.
Deep groan'd the desperate man Groans that
Where
in
twas death to hear
Thetis deep beneath the ocean's tide
She heard, she
Came
' ;
ocean pierced his mother's ear.
Dwelt a sea-goddess, by her
father's side
shriek'd, while gathering swift around.
every Nereid, from her cave profound,
Cymodoce, Thalia, Glauca
And
199
there.
bright-eyed Halia, and Nisaea
fair,
Cymothoe, Spio, Limnorea join'd.
Nor Thoa, nor Actsea Amphithoe, Melita, Agave, Doto
staid
behind
:
laera rose.
listen'd to
Dynamene and Proto
her woes,
left their
caves,
Pherusa, Panope repell'd the waves, Callianeira her lament bewail'd.
Nor
her,
Doris,
Dexamene, nor Masra
Amphinome, the
Callianassa
left
fail'd,
billows rode,
her deep abode.
Her
grot Apseudes, and Nemertes sought.
Her
shriek the far-famed Galatea caught,
Janassa there, and there Janeira went.
There, o'er the mourner, Orithya bent.
There Clymene, and Amathea there,
The
sea-drops glittering
down her wave
of hair.
——
: :
THE
200
There every Nereid,
Who They
ILIAD.
!
[book
xviii.
the sister train.
all
dwell beneath the unfathomable main fill'd
the silver cave, and sore distress'd
Grieved at her
and smote
grief,
their
snowy
'
Hear
'
Learn what the anguish of a mother's tear
*
Ah, hapless mother
'
Most
*
A
*
Bloom'd
*
Him,
'
To
*
Him,
*
Shall the Peleian
'
His
'
Nor can the mother
'
Yet
'
What
!
'
Thetis thus began,
!
most of
who beneath my I sent,
my
life,
on earth
dome behold
and
fair
at Troy,
fatal plain,
again.
consumed by
grief,
yield her son relief:
him
Thus Thetis spake
:
far
and
from war's
left
career.'
the ocean cave.
her, weeping, as they cut the wave.
The Nereids
went, then issuing from the flood.
Each on Troy's
fertile plain in
:
beauteous boy,
renown
from Troy's
free
and from the mourner hear
grief afflicts
And, with
all
my
brave,
while yet he lives,
will I go,
hear
prosperous care
lead his fleet, and gain ne'er returning
!
glorious birth
gay branching
like a plant
whom
ye, Nereids
—him —my
virtuous, valiant
hero,
'
breast.
order stood.
Where
fix'd
Round
Peleus' son his station'd navy lay.
on land, encompassing the bay.
— BOOK
THE
XVIII.]
The mother heard clasping arms
his groan,
'
:
Why
and
swiftly flew.
threw
his temples
my
streams,
son, thy tear
Give
'
Has not thy prayer found favour from above,
'
Thy
'
Chased
'
Greece throngs her
'
every wish consummated by Jove in vile flight
?
by Hector's murderous blade, ships,
and seeks
Achilles' aid.'
Jove,' deeply groaning, Peleus' son replied,
my
utmost prayers denied
Jove has not there
*
But what delight can these
'
Soul of
'
Loved beyond
*
?
thy misery to a mother's ear.
*
'
!
201
'
all
—
ILIAD.
And, loudly shrieking, round
Her
:
my
to
me
soul, the friend that life,
Patroclus
is
impart
fill'd
my
?
heart,
no more,
And he, the slayer, wears the arms he wore Arms wond'rous to behold, the gift of heaven, by the immortals given,
'
Of yore
'
Gift
'
When
'
Would thou
'
While Peleus' arms had
'
Then
'
A
'
Expect not
'
I
to Peleus
worthy of a god that day to grace the sea-goddess
ne'er
met a man's embrace.
hadst dwelt with thine, beneath the
had
clasp'd a mortal bride
bitterest anguish
bow'd thy head,
mother's for her son, untimely dead
will
not
my
live,
return.
'
Tis fix'd
my
mind,
nor mingle with mankind.
tide,
:
THE
202
:
ILIAD.
[book
'
If Hector's life-blood,
shed by
me
'
Should
murder
to atone.'
'
*
*
'
fail
Patroclus'
What,' Thetis tearful cried,
What has Thou thy
thy word,
my
'
alone,
by rage
Die now Pelides
—
I
who
?
—when Hector
Thee, nithless fate at once to Hades
'
betray'd,
son, too rashly said
death hast doom'd
basely
fail'd
When
'
Far from his native land the hero
*
And on
'
I ne'er shall
'
Patroclus found not from this
*
I,
*
Nor saved my host from Hector s murderous
'
I,
*
Lay
*
I,
^
While Wisdom counsels from another's word.
'
*
falls,
calls.'
'
death Menoetius' fiiendless son
when
xviii.
assail'd.
fell,
Achilles call'd with vain farewell.
home
return
Patroclus died,
—not
my grief
this
arm
relief.
to aid,
I fail'd
blade,
a dead burden on earth's wearied breast, in the lap of ignominious rest
bravest of the brave
who draw
the sword,
From gods and men, be discord wholly driven, And rage, infecting Wisdom with its leaven, more sweet than honey,
'
That,
first,
*
Then
swells like smoke,
'
Such the
'
That
fell spirit
fill'd
yields a sweet,
and flames with inward heat.
of the o'erpowering ire
'gainst Atreus' son
my
heart with
fire.
:
.]
BOOK
THE
—be the past forgot
:
:
—
:
ILIAD.
203
my
'
But
'
Submits to stern Necessity's controul
'
Now
forth I speed to seize that fiend of Troy,
'
That
slayer of Patroclus to destroy.
*
The deed
'
Whene'er the gods and Jove demand
'
No
'
Could from
tho' grieved,
:
soul
of vengeance done, then welcome death
—not the Herculean
my
breath.
strength, the loved of Jove,
neck the yoke of fate remove
his
—such my doom
'
Death and stern Juno smote him
'
I
too
'
I
seek not length of days
'
Survives in immortality of fame.
'
Now
*
That dews thy tender cheek, and bathes the
'
Ilion shall
'
Nor, Thetis, thou dissuade
'
—when
fate ordains
it
:
—
fill
:
;
the tomb.
Achilles'
name
groan, thou Dardan dame, nor wipe the tear
Just
is
know,
long-lost, I
thy word'
bier
war again
me
—cease—
'tis vain.*
—the sea-nymph answering
'
Let Peleus' son his wearied warriors
'
But
'
The Trojan
'
Fond man, who
'
How
'
Yet now a few
'
Till
said,
aid.
—the bright arms, that round thee blazed, adorn battle,
by proud Hector borne.
thinks not, glorying in their pride,
soon that glory fleet
shall in
death subside
hours from war abstain,
on thy mother, here, thou look again
—
;
:
THE
204 '
Till thee, at sun-rise,
'
And with
ILIAD.
once again
I
[book
xviii.
meet,
heaven's beauteous arms, the
gift
of Vulcan,
greet.'
She spake
:
nor linger'd more with fond delay.
But backward to the Nereids sped her way.
*
—the goddess
Dive to the ocean's depth'
'
Seek our paternal cave, beneath the
'
There greet our aged
sire,
'
While
I
'
That by
'
With arms
to
yon heaven
my
She spake
prayer the
that
:
cried,
tide
my woe recite, wing my upper flight, skilful
Vulcan won,
mark the god, adorn
my
son.'
the Nereids plunged beneath the main
While from the god
celestial
arms to gain
The sea-nymph heavenward flew.
—Meantime, subdued.
And with fell roar, by Hector's rage pursued. Where the broad Hellespont before them spread. Back
to their fleet the Grecian
army
fled
Troy's thundering host, steeds, chariots, press'd behind.
And
Hector, fierce as flame before the wind.
Thrice Priam's son, in act to drag the
Had But
slain.
grasp'd Patroclus' foot, and cheer'd his train. either Ajax, with redoubled force.
Thrice curb'd his onset, and redeemed the corse
:
—
:
!
BOOK
THE
XVIII.]
ILIAD.
Yet, stem in strength, the chief
205
now forward
flew.
And, loudly shouting, ne'er again withdrew As, on their night-watch, vain the herdsmen
To
toil
drive the famish'd lion from his spoil.
Thus on
their guard, the Ajaces strove in vain
To force back Hector hanging o'er the slain And now the son of Priam, unrestrain'd. Had seized the corse, and fame immortal gain'd. Had not wing'd Iris from Olympus flown. :
Unseen of Jove, and
By Juno
sent,
to the gods
unknown.
bade Peleus' son once more
Prepare for battle, and the day restore.
'
Chief, fiercest of the flerce, Achilles rise
*
Go
'
Where most
'
Floats with fresh blood the invaded fleet around
*
These prompt
*
*
*
'mid the conflict where Patroclus the battle burns, and
all
lies,
the ground
to guard the body, those to gain,
And to their Ilion bear in proud disdain, By Hector fired, whose arm now grasps the dead, On Troy's proud gate to rear the impaled head. Sleep no more
Let shame thy soul enforce
*
Rise
*
From
*
Indelible disgrace, eternal
*
Thine,
!
!
Troy's gaunt dogs to shield Patroclus' corse.
if
shame
dishonour thy dead friend defame.'
;
THE
206 *
*
Thou, goddess,
*
*
Say,' spake the chief,
'
came, from Juno
I
By
greet'st
Jove, and
How
all
ILIAD. *
[book
'
xviii.
by whose divme command
me
sent,
here on Phrygia's strand
?
by her alone,
the gods, unseen, unknown.'
plunge,' the chief rephed,
'
my
'mid war's alarms
'
The
*
How
*
Ere here
'
Fraught with the arms
'
With strength
celestial shall
*
None
fit
*
Save Telamonian Ajax' sevenfold shield:
'
And
'
Strews earth with slaughter for Patroclus dead.'
slayer of Patroclus boasts
?
arms.
shght the word that bade from war refrain I hail
else
can
my
mother once again, that,
Pehdes
wrought
my hmbs
Iris
answer'd
:
Not
*
inspire
?
for the field,
that brave chief, now, now,
Him
in Vulcan's fire,
to us
by vengeance
led,
unknown
'
That Troy now boasts thy glorious arms her own.
'
But
in thy terrour mail'd, advancing near,
*
Tower
*
Troy
'
And
o'er the trench,
shall retreat, the in that transient
be seen, and Troy shall fear
war-worn Greeks
pause revive their
respire, fire.'
Then, as she waved her wing, and pass'd above, Uprose Pelides, the beloved of Jove.
;:
BOOK
THE
XVIII.]
:
;
ILIAD.
;
207
Swift on his breadth of shoulders Pallas spread
The Mgis
fringed with death's o'ershadowing dread,
Enwreathed a cloud of gold
And
his
with wide dazzling flames
brow around.
its circle
bound.
As when the smoke's dark columns heaven ascend
From some far isle where hosts with hosts contend. And through the city gates, in mail'd array. The
and war the
natives pour,
But where,
day
live-long
at sun-set, thro' each nightly hour.
The
watch-fires blaze,
And
to the neighbour isles the sign repeat.
The beacon beckoning Thus from
Pelides
Flow'd forth, and
The hero Tower'd
'
and
crest with flame the tower.
some
to
friendly fleet
brow a stream of
far
illumed the ethereal height.
pass'd the wall, and, seen
o'er the fosse,
from
far,
but mixed not with the war
Forewarn'd of Thetis, there Achilles
There shouted
light
staid.
—and a sound, that Troy dismay'd.
Burst, as Minerva's shout his outcry swell'd.
And
with unearthly fear the host
repell'd.
Clear as the trumpet's voice, whose signal sound
Forewarns, ere gathering hosts the town surround
Thus
clear Pehdes' voice
:
from
man
to
man
Swift thro' the ranks appalling horrour ran.
Started each war-steed, and, with wild
Foreboding slaughter, wheel'd the car
afli'ight.
for fliglit
;
THE
208
Cower d every
guide,
:
ILIAD.
who
:
:
:
:
[book
xviii.
o'er that crest illumed
Saw
blazing forth in brightness
The
flames by Pallas fed.
unconsumed
As thus
his
brow
Flash'd o'er the tumult in the fosse below.
Thrice burst his shout, and thrice, as doom'd to
On
Troy, and Troy's aUies, fear
Then
fell
on
fall.
all.
twelve, the noblest Trojans, bit the plain.
By their own darts and cars confusedly slain And joyfully the Greeks withdrew the dead. And laid Patroclus on a peaceful bed. His warriors round him pour'd their loud lament.
Behind the mournful
While
o'er his
Gush'd
Whom,
train Achilles
death-wounds gush'd
o'er his friend,
went his scalding tear,
extended on the
bier.
sent by him, to war, his coursers bore.
But Peleus' son received him thence no more.
Then Juno bade down
The unwearied sun
And
the sun
set,
The Grecians They
heaven's descending steep
reluctant seek the deep
and from the press of
rested in the peace of night
too, the sons of Troy,
And from
fight,
from battle ceased,
their yokes the o'erwearied steeds released
Yet, ere they shared the feast, the chiefs appall'd Stood, where their fear a sudden council call'd
None dared The
chief,
repose
;
for
on the Phrygian plain
long lost to war, had look'd again.
::
THE
BooKxviii.]
Then Pan thus'
The
—
;
:
ILIAD.
209
whom
son, the wise, to
alone
past was present, and the future known.
Beloved of Hector, born the self-same hour. This famed for wisdom, that for martial power,
Polydamas, thus spake
'
:
My
bid you back retm'n ere
counsel weigh
dawn
of day.
'
I
'
Prolong not here your stay 'mid Grecia's
*
Troy's distant turrets warn you back
*
While Peleus' son
*
Less perilous the war with Grecia waged.
'
Then 'mid
*
And dreams
*
Now
*
His out-stretch'd fury, and his soul of
'
He
*
So
*
Troy and her sons
'
And
Troy's pale
*
Now
back to
*
The son
'
Haste, lest the chief, in arms, at
'
Scatter our battle, and pursue
'
Who
'
And
gladly rest his flight in Ilion's tower.
'
But
ne'er be
their ships
oft
I
gladly
I
fleet
retreat
:
Agamemnon
of conquest had
dreadfully
will
'gainst
:
raged,
had reposed,
my
eye-lid closed.
fear Achilles' ire, fire
not linger long, where Phrygia's plain
has seen each host like loss sustain shall
view the avenger near,
women know
Pelides' spear.
Ilion speed, while yet in night
of Peleus rests, nor joins the fight
its
dawn way.
dares sustain the assault, shall
mine
of day
know
his
to hear, on Phrygia's plain
*^What countless dogs and vultures gorge our VOL. n.
power,
slain.
:
:
THE
210
ILIAD.
[book
xviii.
thus warn'd, you deign, tho' grieved, retire,
*
Yet
'
This nightly council shall
'
Troy
*
Huge
'
Ranged on
*
Shall free from battle rest from
if,
lifts
fresli
force inspire.
her towers on high, and strongly barr'd
gates of massive strength her entrance guard their height at
dawn, our host
in
war alarms
arms
;
*
While Peleus' son,
'
May
*
Thence seek
*
His steeds beneath proud Ilion bow their
'
Ne'er shall he burst a gate, ne'er raze a tower
'
No, Troy's gaunt dogs
*
;
if
such vain visions
fire,
round our bulwarks rage, and waste
Thy
his fleet
when with
his ire,
fatigue o'erpress'd, crest.
shall first his flesh devour.'
words,' stern Hector answer'd,
harsh appear,
'
'
Offence and discord to a warrior's ear.
'
How
*
Must
'
Time was,
'
Her
'
Gone now the wealth
*
The vacant dome
*
Jove, in his wrath, bade Troy her riches yield
'
For Phrygia's produce, and Masonia's
'
But when Jove bids
*
'Mid Grecia's
!
yet unsated with our long repose, Ilion's walls
again a host enclose
?
the world with Troy's possessions rung,
brass, her gold, the boast of every tongue.
that once lier treasury stored,
forgets
fleet,
its
me now
former hoard.
field
high glory gain
and force them on the main,
;
:
BOOK
THE
XVIII.]
211
none obey,
Bruit not such counsel
'
No, not a son of Troy,
*
But
'
Free from the
*
Feast troop by troop,
'
Each, in his
^
But
*
Let him his wealth to feed the public give
*
'
my
words toil
::
ILIAD.
*
let
—
fool
:
!
let
Hector sway.
if
observance find
in all
of war unyoke your mind,
station,
—
yet, resolute to guard,
keep due watch and ward.
for his riches if a
Trojan grieve,
To all more grateful that Than Grecian plunderers
a son of Tioy
should the spoil enjoy.
*
But we
*
Will pour amid their
'
There,
'
His arm no easy conflict shall sustain.
'
I shall
'
Give deathless fame, or deathless fame acquire
'
Mars
*
And
at day-spring,
if
arm'd in fleet,
Achilles rise to
not
fly,
but dare his utmost
mid triumph
fight
ire, ;
oft the slayer slays.'
to the future blind.
Pallas cast a shade across your
All lauded Hector's
But scorn'd the
Then
and wage the
either host in equal balance weighs, in
!
our might,
war again,
Troy heard and shouted, Fools
all
mind
:
word that ruin brought.
seer's,
with prescient safety fraught.
while Troy feasted, far-resounding woes
Throughout
tliat
night o'er slain Patroclus rose
THE
212
ILIAD.
woe
Pelides, midst his host with
[book
xviii.
o'erpress'd,
Clasp'd with blood-wonted arms Patroclus' breast.
And, weeping, deeply groan'd
A
lion rages, of his
Whom, when The hunter
whelps
:
Thus, lonely
bereft.
the savage prowl'd in search of food.
wood
ravish'd from the covert
Too
late return'd to his deserted den.
The
lion scours the
The
traces of his foot-step to explore.
And rend him
limb from limb, and drink his gore. their
mighty chief
Pour'd forth his soul in bitterness of
loud exclaim'd
*
:
How
'
Which from my
'
That day when 'neath
*
Back
'
And
*
Charged with
'
Jove
*
To redden
'
Ne'er shall aged Peleus
*
Clasp
*
Nor Thetis
*
But here
*
But now, Patroclus
*
Ah
!
to his
:
wood, each glade and glen.
Thus 'mid the Myrmidons
And
left,
grief.
vain each soothing
word
boastful lip Mencetius heard, his
dome
arms Patroclus
I
rashly swore,
to restore,
that Opoeis' hearth should greet his son,
will'd it
me
rich spoils fi-om ravish'd Ilion
not
:
won.
stern fates to both ordain,
with our blood this Phrygian plain. in
my natal
beneath the roof that
earth
hail'd
my
birth,
there again her son behold,
my
dust shall !
mix with Trojan mould.
since
impending death,
after thine too lute, shall close
my
breath.
:
THE
BooKxvm.]
ILIAD.
213
not raise thy tomb, ere Hector's head,
'
I will
'
And
'
I,
'
Twelve youths of Troy's high race before thy pyre.
'
Till
'
Mourn'd day and
'
Mourn'd by
*
When
Hector's arms hang o'er thy funeral bed
too, will immolate, to glut
my ire,
then where Trojan dames and Dardans weep,
He
amid
fair captives,
my
navy
spake
:
and bade the fire
cities lay.'
train that served his state.
a tripod's ponderous weight,
swiftly cleanse
The blood
sleep,
led by us away,
prone beneath our spear their
Place on the
And
night,
from laved Patroclus' wound
that mix'd with dust
had
clotted round.
His train the laver placed, there pour'd the flood.
Brought the dry
The
logs,
and burnt the crackling wood.
flames quick curling round the cavddron came.
And warm'd Soon
as they
the water with continuous flame,
saw the bubbling water
boil.
They wash'd the corse, and cleansed with limpid oil, O'er every wound the nine-year'd unguent spread.
And
laid the
O'er
it
And And
with a snowy mantle hid from view.
body on
its
funeral bed.
a veil of finest Hnen drew.
all
that night, around their groaning chief
They mourn'd
Patroclus, and encreased his grief.
:
THE
214
Thus they on
earth
;
Thus Juno heard the
Celestial
'
Queen
!
:
ILIAD.
[book
while in the realm above. scornful taunt of Jove
thy deed at last
is
done
:
*
Lo
'
No
*
Bom
*
What word has pass'd thy lip ? the goddess Why, ruthless son of Saturn, thus upbraid ? Shall man for man accomplish his intent,
thou hast roused from slumber Peleus' son.
!
doubt the Achaians, these, so famed on earth, of majestic Juno, boast their birth.'
'
'
'
'
Skill'd
'
'
xviii.
said,
but in part, nor guide of the event,
And I, the goddess-queen, who rightly claim, By birth and bridal rank, the highest name, wife of Jove, sole sovereign of the skies,
'
I,
*
Fail,
unrevenged, nor wrong'd, Troy's race chastise V
Thus they
:
the while the silver-footed dame.
Fair Thetis, to the fire-god's palace came.
The
imperishable, brazen, starr'd abode.
Rear d by himself, and worthy of the god. She found him labouring
at his furnace-stand.
While the swoln bellows heaved beneath '
Mid twenty
tripods placed around the wall.
Each duly ranged Under
his hand,
in his majestic hall
their base, all
wondrous
to behold.
His art had fashion'd wheels that flamed in gold.
:
THE
ILIAD.
215
BOOK
XVIII.]
Self
moved
And
back, self moving, rest in Vulcan's hall.
Now
where gods
to pass,
to council call.
while the god the rivets wrought, to join
The
handles, perfecting his bright design.
And
toil'd in act to
The
silver-footed
The
bright-veil'd Charis, Vulcan's lovely bride.
The advancing
Hung on
shape their beauteous frame.
nymph
to
Vulcan came.
goddess, as she came, descried,
her hand, and
'
Why,' kind-greeting
'
Fair Thetis now, this gracious
*
Here seldom seen
*
Where
With
*
?
we meet,
graced
rarest artifice the goddess placed.
a soft foot-stool gave her feet to rest. call'd,
and thus her lord address'd
Come, Thetis here
Come, nor
'
made
yet come, since thus
silver throne, divinely
And Vulcan '
:
visit
said,
the glad banquet shall thy presence greet.'
Then on a
On
!
Here'
awaits thee,
refuse whate'er that
— Mulciber
whom
'
Her,
'
My
'
When my
'
From her lame
*
And
replied,
so long I
'
god of fire,
nymph's
desire.'
that goddess here
honour and revere
!
kind preserver! from Olympus' steep
fain
harsh mother hurl'd
me
on the deep,
offspring turn'd with wild affright,
had hid her
birth
from every
sight.
;
THE
216
[book xvm.
ILIAt).
*
Then had
'
The daughters
of the god
'
Eurynome and
Thetis, kindly press'd
*
The
*
Then
*
My
*
Clasps, and gay rings,
but the pitying train,
I sufFer'd,
who
rules the main,
outcast of a mother to their breast.
nine whole years within their vaulted cave,
trinkets deck'd each goddess of the wave,
and chains that braid the brow,
Wind round the arm, and wreathe the neck of snow, The while the ocean roar with ceaseless sound
*
*
'
Rush'd as the billows foam'd that grot around,
'
Where
*
Save Thetis and Eurynome alone.
'
And bends
'
My
'
Pile the rich feast, while I
'
And
hid
to all the gods
I lay,
my dome
the goddess to
gifts, all, all,
to receive
the
my
life
boon
guest,
unknown,
her way
shall repay.
my tools repose, my labours close.'
Then, where he long had bow'd the anvil
While
his
weak
legs their
toil-drench'd monster limpingly uprose.
The
bellows
And
in a chest of silver placed apart.
Each
and gave the flame repose.
tool that shaped the
Sponged
his
o'er.
burden scarcely bore.
The
still'd,
?
wonders of
huge shoulders, and
his art
his hairy breast.
And from his hands and face the sweat express'd. The tunic clasp'd, and, halting as he went.
On
his
huge
staff to
prop his foot-step leant.
:
THE
BOOKXviii.]
Two
:
ILIAD.
217
beauteous maids bore up his bulky arms.
Breathed in bright gold, and glow'd
in
Hving charms.
Gifted with sense, voice, strength, and fully fraught
With every Each
art
by gods divinely taught.
at his side
With slow
went
step, halting, gain'd his bright abode.
Nigh the sea nymph
Hung on '
his throne refulgent press'd.
her hand, and courteously address'd
Fair Thetis, loved, revered,
'
And, rarely
'
Speak what thy wish
'
But,
'
:
from
Vulcan,' the sea
why
me
nymph, bathed
in tears, replied,
*
Is there a goddess
*
Condemned, by Jove, her
*
What
'
Yoked
'
The spouse
'
Sinks in the sad decrepitude of age.
'
Mine other
'
That
*
Him whom
^
Grew
Olympus' realm doom'd
like
reside,
me
soul in
to weep,
woe
to steep
other nymph, save me, by Jove's
miseries
son, that hero
rear d,
:
life's
?
command,
wedlock to a mortal hand
of Peleus, who, in
I
in vain
attain.'
Of all who
in loathed
?
thou shalt not wish
'
in
thy home,
left
dome
seek Vulcan's
visitant,
attainable,
if
god
aiding, but the
?
last stage,
—that Jove-gifted
birth,
most renown'd on earth,
and who beneath
my
like a plant, fair flourishing in hght.
sight
THE
218 '
Him^
whom
I
ILIAD.
[book
sent in glory o'er the main,
To combat Troy on Phrygia's hostile plain Him I no more shall greet returning home
'
*
xviii.
;
*
With conquest crown'd
'
Yet, while he
*
Nor can the mother
'
The
'
Atrides ravish'd from his longing arms.
^
Grief rack'd his heart, the while, by Troy constraint,
*
Greece, hid from battle, in her
*
Her
'
Held
*
Prayers,
*
He
'
But sent
'
To
'
Before the Scasan gate the battle burn'd,
'
And Troy
'
But
^
Raged, and high glory
'
The avenging god
'
And Hector
'
Therefore
'
Thus, lowly, god of
'
Give to
^
Give the bright
fair,
he
lives,
dome.
lives alone for gi'ief,
minister
that Grecia gave in
chiefs
relief.
her charms,
all
fleet remain'd.
commissioned came, Pelides prayed,
forth rich gifts,
left
in the Peleian
gifts, avail'd
them
and suppliant sued not
:
his aid
:
prey of rage and woe,
to their fate, nor quell'd the foe,
Patroclus, in his arms array'd,
lead his warrior's forth, and
that day
had
Troy invade.
fall'n, in
dust o'erturn'd,
stern Apollo, as Mencetius' son
my
van-ward won,
himself the hero slew,
gain'd the
I clasp
in the
fame to Phcebus due.
thy knees, and at thy feet fire,
son's brief
thy aid entreat.
day to quell the
gi'eaves, the
field,
hauberk, helm, and shield.
:
.]
THE
:
ILIAD.
*
Troy from Patroclus' breast
'
My
now groans on
son
:
his
219
armour rent
earth,
by
misery
bitterest
bent.'
*
Take courage, nymph
revered,' the
'
Far from thy bosom cast these cares
'
Would
'
*
*
god repHed,
aside,
that were mine, the uncontroulable power,
To ward thy son from death's impending hour, As now such armour shall his limbs enfold, As, without wonder, none shall e'er behold.'
He spake, and turn'd his bellows tow'rds the And bade them toil, and compass his desire. And twice ten pair at once his call obey'd. And the flames sparkled as the bellows play'd.
Now
forcibly they roar'd,
As Vulcan
Now
will'd
it,
now
fire.
softly blew.
and the labour grew
to the forge the
god the metals bore.
Tin, brass, the costly gold, and silver ore, Fix'd the
And
huge anvil on
its
massy stand.
subtly turn'd the tongs, or work'd the
hammering
hand.
He There
first
all
a vast and massive buckler made.
the wonders of his work display 'd
;
THE
220
With
[book
ILIAD. and
silver belt adorn'd,
triply
:
xviii.
wound
Orb within orb the border beaming round. Five plates composed the shield
Charged with There
his skilful
earth, there
:
there Vulcan's art
mind each
varied part.
heaven appear'd, there ocean
flow'd,
There the orb'd moon, and sun unwearied glow'd. There eveiy Pleiads,
The
gems the brow of
night,
and Hyads, and Orion's might.
Bear, that, watchful in his ceaseless roll
Around the Still
star that
star
whose
light illumes the Pole,
eyes Orion, nor ere stoops to lave
His beams unconscious of the ocean wave.
There, by the god's creative power reveal'd.
Two Here
stately cities
nuptials,
fill'd
solemn
with
life
feasts,
the shield.
and pomps that led
Brides from their chambers to the nuptial bed.
Bright blazed the torches as they swept along
Thro' streets that rung with hymeneal song
And
:
while gay youths, swift circling round and round.
Danced
to the pipe
The women Stood
in
and harp's harmonious sound.
throng'd, and, wondering as they view'd.
each portal, and the
Next, on the
Two men
shield, a
pomp
pursued.
forum met the view
contending, there a concourse drew
::
BOOK
A '
.]
citizen
was
THE slain
ILIAD.
keen rose the
:
Twas compensation
;
221
strife
claim'd for loss of
This swore the mulct for blood was
:
life.
strictly
paid
This, that the fine long due was yet delay'd
Both claim'd the award, and bade the laws decide. While
And
partial
numbers stood
loudly clamouring for decision
Till the fear'd heralds seat
There the hoar
On
at either side.
and
call.
silence
all.
elders, in their sacred place.
seats of polish'd stone the circle gi'ace
;
Rise with a herald's sceptre, weigh the cause.
And
speak in turn the sentence of the laws
While
in the midst
two golden
Him, who best judged the
The
Two
hosts that girt
it,
in bright mail array'd.
:
those to seize, and
The town
And
contest, to repay.
other city on the shield display'd
Diverse their counsel
And
talents lay.
their
these, to burn, decide. all its
summons
secretly for
wealth divide.
scorn'd, resistance dared.
ambush arms prepared.
Wife, grandsire, child, one soul alike in
all.
Stand on the battlements, and guard the Mars, Pallas led their host
A
:
wall.
gold either god,
golden radiance from their armour fiow'd
:
THE
222
Celestial beauty graced,
A god-like station
and
[book
fit
pass'd,
for
till,
xviii.
o'er the rest
grandeur crown'd their towering
Onward they
A A
ILIAD.
where a
river
crest.
wound,
ambush mark'd the ground,
watering place for beasts of every kind.
And there they couch'd beneath their arms reclined. Two spies, at distance from their comrades, lay. And watch'd the cattle on their wonted way. They come
Two
;
—unconscious of the ambuscade.
shepherds, following, on their reed-pipes play'd,
Warn'd by
their spies, the warriors seize the prey.
Drive the horn'd beasts and snowy flocks away.
And
slay the swains.
Of bellowing oxen, and
The
chiefs
Mount,
As loud the tumult conflicting blows.
from council dart
;
with fiery speed
lash their coursers, pour
upon the mead.
And, warring on the margin of the
The
rose
flood.
spear-arm'd foemen shed each other's blood.
'Mid these Contention rush'd, wild Tumult raged.
And
ruthless Fate unsparing battle waged,
Grasp'd one new-wounded, one without a wound.
And drew
another slain along the ground
:
While the dank garments that the warriors wore
human
Clung to
their shoulders, thick with
Like
life
the conflict clash'd, the battle bled.
And
host immix'd with host dragg'd forth by turn the
dead.
gore.
;;
BOOK
THE
XVIII.]
223
that celestial shield
broad, a triple plough'd, and fertile field
There many ploughmen, bending Turn'd to and
And,
fro their yokes,
goblet
fill'd
Then, each
soil
back again,
to every hind
with luscious wine assign'd
his furrow labouring, clave the
strove to reach the glebe's extremest
the
tilth
Tho' golden
darken'd hke a
all
all
:
Rose on the view, and reapers
Heap
after
toil'd,
heap
new
ground.
bound
turn'd clod,
mark'd the matchless god.
Now, laden deep with
The
and clave the
to breathe ere turning
The master met them, and
And And
o'er their toil,
as they reach'd the confine of the plain.
And paused
A
;:
ILIAD.
The god then wrought on
A
;
corn, a heavy field
bristled o'er the shield.
the sickles in their hand.
fell
thick along the land
Three labourers grasp them, and
in sheaves
upbind
;
Boys, gathering up their handfuls, went behind. Proffering their load
Mute, leaning on
' :
mid
these, in
his staff, the
gladsome mood.
master stood.
Apart, the heralds, in an oaken glade.
Slew a huge bullock, and the banquet made.
While women, busy with the wheaten
Kneaded the meal
grain.
to feast at eve the swain.
:
THE
224
Now, bow'd with
A
purple light along
On
:
;
:
ILIAD.
[book xvm.
grapes, in gold a vineyard glow'd, its
clusters flow'd
poles of silver train'd the vines reposed.
Dark the deep trench, and
One path
pales of tin enclosed.
alone there led, along whose
Ceased not the gatherers
Youths and
fair girls,
way
thro' the live-long
who, gladdening
day
:
in the toil.
In woven panniers bore the nectar spoil
In midst a boy,
who
o'er the silver wire
Breathed the sweet sounds that
While the gay chorus,
as they
trill'd
along the lyre
danced along.
Together struck the ground, and swell'd the song.
Now
a large herd, high-horn'd, part
Rose from the buckler of These from
Where
celestial
tin,
mould
part gold.
:
their stalls rush'd bellowing to the meads.
flow'd a river 'midst o'ershadowing reeds
Four herdsmen
follow'd, all in gold design'd.
And
nine fleet-footed dogs
Two
famish'd lions, prowling for their prey.
Sprung on the
And
came on behind.
bull that foremost led the way.
vdld with pain their bellowing victim drew.
While on
their tract the dogs
and herdsmen flew
Thro' the rent hide their food the lions tore.
The fuming
entrails gorged,
and drain'd
his gore.
:
;
:
THE
BOOKxviii.]
ILIAD.
225
In vain the herdsmen speedy, and urge in vain
The dogs
the hons' conflict to sustain
Too weak
wound, they Hnger'd,
to
Yet stood, too bold
Now
to fly,
and
;
half-disniay'd.
fiercely bay'd.
the god's changeful artifice display'd
Fair flocks at pasture in a lovely glade
And
folds,
And
shepherd huts diversified the scene.
Now
For
stalls
peep'd up between.
on the shield a choir appear'd to move.
Whose Such
and sheltering
flying feet the tuneful labyrinth
wove
;
famed Daedalus, on Gnossus' shore.
as
bright-hair'd Ariadne form'd of yore.
Youths and
fair girls,
there
hand
in
hand advanced.
Timed
to the song their step,
Round
every maid light robes of linen flow'd.
Round
every youth a glossy tunic glow'd
Those wreathed with
and
gaily danced.
flowers, while
from their partners
hung Swords that
all
gold from belts of silver swung.
Train'd by nice art each flexile limb to wind.
Their twinkling feet the measured maze entwined. Fleet as the wheel
When
twirl'd
VOL. H.
whose use the potter
beneath his hand Q
its
axle
tries flies,
;:
;
THE
226
Now
all at
ILIAD.
[book
xviii.
once their graceful ranks combine.
Each ranged
against the other, line with line.
The crowd flock'd round,
and, wond'ring as they view'd.
Thro' every change the varying dance pursued
The
while two tumblers, as they led the song,
Turn'd
in the midst,
There,
last,
And pour d The
its
and
roll'd
themselves along.
the god the force of ocean bound.
waves the buckler's orb around.
shield's vast
bulk thus wrought, the Fire-God
framed
A
breastplate that in brightness fire outflamed
Then, a huge helm with various
And
towering on
its
art impress'd.
strength a golden crest
Last, greaves of ductile
The Fire-God
:
tin.
These,
all
complete,
brought, and laid at Thetis feet '
She, like a falcon, from Olympus' height.
Flew with the arms that blazed around her
flight.
THE NINETEENTH BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
•
ARGUMENT. Thetis brings the armour to her son.
and Achilles.
—
Brise'is'
—The reconciliation of Agamemnon —
lamentation over the body of Patroclus.
Achilles arms for battle, and leads forth his Myrmidons.
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK Morn,
saffron-robed, ft'om Ocean's flowing stream.
O'er gods and
When
XIX.
men brought back
Thetis, with the
in
deep anguish
dawning beam.
armour of the god.
Came down where, nigh his fleet, And found him, 'mid his warriors Bow'd
day's
her son abode
:
woe-oppress'd,
o'er Patrochis' breast.
Close at his side the goddess took her stand.
And, thus addressing, fondly
'
My
clasp'd his
hand
:
son, tho' grieved, here leave Patroclus' corse,
by the
will of
heaven, and heavenly force.
'
Slain
'
Take thou these beauteous arms, by Vulcan made,
'
Such as
in
She spake
war no warrior
;
and
laid,
The arms whose loud
e'er array'd.'
before him, on the ground
vibration rung around.
:
THE
230 Fear
on
fell
all
Dared on the
But when
:
ILIAD.
[book xix.
none, none, tho' bold in
fight.
gift celestial fix his sight.
Achilles
saw them,
fiercer ire
Flash'd from his eyelids like consuming
fire
:
Firmly he grasp'd them, and with grim delight. Felt, as
he grasp'd, unconquerable might.
Then
thus exclaim'd
:
'
These arms, by Vulcan given,
'
These are no work of man, but worthy heaven.
^
Now
'
While loved Menoetius' son
'
Lest thro' the wounds, the
*
Pierce,
'
The
'
Coniiption quickly
'
*
will I
brace them on
yet sore I fear,
:
lies
flies'
breathless here,
innumerous race
and engendering worms the corse disgrace
spirit, life
Here be
of life, for ever fled, taints,
at peace,' the
Cast from thy mind,
when
my
and wastes the
sea-nymph
dead.'
swift replied,
son, such cares aside
;
the swarms on wing here seek their prey,
*
I,
'
Will drive these feasters on the
*
While here the body
'
Fresh
'
But thou
'
And
'
In heaven's bright armour then confront the
'
And
it
:
rests,
slain
away.
twelve months pass'd
o'er,
remains, yea, fresher than before. to council all the heroes bring,
there renounce thy rage against the king
gird thee in the glory of thy might.'
fight,
:
:
THE
BOOK XIX.]
Each word the goddess
And more Then
:
ILIAD.
231
spoke, the hero fired.
than mortal fortitude inspired
in Patroclus' nostrils Thetis pour'd
Drops, whose ambrosial scent from taint the dead secured.
Pelides, shouting, pass'd along the strand.
And
roused the chiefs that flock'd at his command.
who once wont
All,
All at the
And
A
all
to tarry
helm who held
who
minister'd,
'
mid the
fleet.
their steadfast seat.
and doled the food,
countless throng around the council stood
For Peleus' son, so long estranged from
:
fight,
Mail'd in bright arms had pass'd before their sight.
Two
glorious chiefs, tho' lame, before the rest,
Ulysses and Tydides, onward press'd
Propp'd on their spears they foremost reach'd the ground.
And
half forgot,
when danger
press'd, the
Pierced by the brazen spear, by
Coon
wound
:
lanced.
Last to the councils Atreus son advanced '
And now when
all
were met, and
Achilles rising spake the chiefs
'
*
among
Better for us, Atrides, better
Had we
still
each tongue, :
far,
thus met, than in contentious war.
:
THE
232
ILIAD.
[book xix.
'
When
'
For the contested
'
Better,
'
I
'
Than
'
When
^
To Hector
'
Remembrance
'
The
'
Be anger by
'
I
'
Perpetual
'
Thou, as
'
But rouse thy forces mail'd
'
Where
'
Will prove
'
Yet
'
Escapes the lance hurl'd by Pelides' might.'
thou and
our hearts consumed with girl lanch'd
when
in dust
vengeance bade
:
Lyrnessus lay,
past
glory
:
strife
wrath
Tho' grieved,
:
ill
suits Achilles' soul,
now no more
I myself, before if
will that
Then, on
in
delay,
war array
:
the Trojan host,
sweet their slumber on our coast.
knee most gladly
and every heart
rest,
lost
whose
flight
joy renew'd
his rage
his seat, not rising
At once with
in either breast
and rage without controul.
befits thee,
:
not soon shall cease.
necessity suppress'd.
ire,
spake
abstain.
but to suffering Greece,
of our
is o'er.
my
me from just war
That Peleus' son had thus
'
fire
that such heroes should have bit the plain,
curb
'
words of
ire,
had Dian pierced her breast that day
chose her,
He
I,
subdued
;
'mid the ring.
swift reply thus spake the king
:
Friends, heroes, ministers of Mavors, hear
Whoe'er to speak
arises, claims
your ear
:
:
BOOK
THE
XIX.]
—
ILIAD.
233
'
Him
interrupt not
'
Tho'
skill'd
'
'Mid the dense crowd, how hear? how speak?
difficult, at large,
the man, that office to discharge.
The
tongue, *
*
'
Tho' powerful,
the multitude among.
fails
To Peleus' son I And to the word
turn
:
ye,
all,
attend,
speak observance lend.
I
*
Oft time has Grecia dared her king upbraid,
'
Oft on
'
Yet
*
And
my brow unjust reproaches laid am not I the cause, but Jove, but Fate, dark Erinnys unrelenting hate '
my
:
'
These, with their fury, swell'd
*
When
rash
*
What
could
'
How
'
She, whose soft foot ne'er deigns descend on earth,
'
But passes
'
She^
*
'
'
I I
soul that day,
forced Achilles' prize away.
do
?
how
heaven's decree remove
Ate's awful power, stern child of Jove
who
o'er
distils
each head of her
venom
human
birth
?
?
:
in the mind,
And weaves the treacherous net that chains mankind, She, who once injured Jove, whose sovereign sway The gods in heaven and men on earth obey.
'
Yet him, shrewd Juno, versed
*
The female goddess could
'
When,
'
Toil'd, as the
in
in Ate's wile,
the god beguile
proud Thel^es, Alcmena's labour Herculean burden long'd for
:
strife life.
:
THE
234
!
:
ILIAD.
—
[book xix.
*
Then Jove
*
Ye
'
Hear what
*
Shall Ilithya view a hero born
'
Who, o'er all realms aromid, shall rule the race, All who their lineage boast from Jove's embrace.*
*
'
all,
exultant spake
:
bow
each god and goddess
my
Then Juno
spirit
prompts
fraudiul spake
Celestials
to
:
:
!
hear
the ear
me
this
'
We
all
have heard,
But
'
Yet
'
Swear that the realms around to him
*
Him, who
*
His heavenly origin from Jove's embrace.'
'
—by thy
redeem
his boastful
oath, the terrour
this
day
shall,
Then, reckless of her
morn
:
'
ne'er shall Jove
!
word,
on thy brow, shall
bow,
born of woman, trace
guile, the
Olympian swore,
'
And
'
Then Juno
'
Swift in Achaian Argos stay'd her flight
'
She knew that Sthenelus'
'
To Jove born
'
There pregnant dwelt
*
Brought, ere the time, a seven-month'd babe to light
'
And
'
that tremendous oath but wrong'd
stay'd
Then
him more.
darting from Olympus' height,
illustrious bride,
Perseus close in blood :
allied,
and there her heavenly might
Lucina from Alcmena's throes
:
heralding the birth to heaven uprose.'
::
THE
BOOK XIX.] '
Sire, lord of
ILIAD.
235
man this morn, Argos now is born
thunder, hear
:
a
'
He who
'
Eurystheus, son of Sthenelus, thy race
'
From
'
shall rule o'er
Perseus sprung
:
:
that king shall Argos grace.'
She spake then deeply grieved, with arm outspread, :
'
Jove grasp'd the baleful Ate's bright-hair'd head
'
And
'
That
'
Ne'er the curst fiend,
'
Should, back returning, haunt his starr'd domain.'
'
stung with fury, by his terrour swore,
Olympus more,
ne'er her foot should tread
He
spake
:
who
injured
all,
again
and hurl'd her from the star-paved sky,
'
To
'
There ever loathed her, when the Herculean
'
His son, beneath Eurystheus slaved on earth.
'
Not otherwise
'
Our bleeding host by Hector here pursued.
'
I
'
Jove quench'd the
'
Yet would
'
And
'
Guardian of Greece
!
'
Go
and rouse the
dwell eternal 'mid mortality.
I felt,
when
birth,
late I view'd
wrong'd thee, I forget not, rashly blind
I fain
light of reason in
thy enmity
with unnumber'd
in thy strength,
gifts
my
mind.
allay,
that
wrong repay.
again, 'mid
war alarms, rest in arms.
:
THE
236
ILIAD.
[book xix.
'
All that Ulysses promised yesternight,
'
So thou consent,
'
Yet
'
Curb,
if
thou
'
Stay,
till
my
'
Lay the
'
—
glow the war to wage,
tho' thy spirit
rich
thy consent requite.
shall
will,
:
awhile thy noble rage
train, returning
from the
recompense before thy
King, far renown'd,' he cried,
feet.'
' '
fleet,
tis
wholly thine
'
To
'
Waste not
'
Yet unconsummated the mighty deed.
'
Greece must behold Achilles' lance once more
'
'
'
Each,
'
And, as ye mark
grant, or to refuse
Mid
'
:
war, vengeance, mine
:
words the hours that action need,
in
Troy's prone phalanxes reek bathed in gore at
Thou
my
advance
call,
my
—no more
deeds, so trace
delay,
my
way.'
god-like hero,' wise Ulysses cried,
'
Brave as thou
'
Not
'
To
^
Not
brief the
^
And
a god breathes in each embattled
'
Bid
'
And
art,
not thus the battle guide
:
unrefresh'd, not thus worn-out with fight,
lUon's walls invading Greece excite.
war when
in their tents
hostile armies join, line.
our host at feast remain,
their lost strength with food
and wine regain.
:
THE
BOOK XIX.]
•
:
ILIAD.
237
'
None, from the dawn
'
Can without food endure
*
Tho' bold
'
Yet more and more the limbs enfeebled
'
Fell thirst
'
And
'
But saturate with
'
None
'
Nor with
'
E'er feel fatigue
'
Now,
*
And
*
The king himself before
*
Shall spread his gifts, and yield thy soul delight
'
The king
'
His arms had never clasp'd the captive
'
So be thou soothed.
*
Thee
'
At the
*
And
to day's decreasing light,
the unceasing fight
his heart, tho' not a fear assail,
and famine, sore
fail.
distress create,
the knees sink beneath their wonted weight.
shall
and cheer'd by wine,
food,
from morn
till
eve the war decline
firm limbs untired, and fearless heart, till all
his foes depart.
free the host, bid all their food prepare,
revelling in peace the
himself,
banquet share.
the public sight
amid the Argives, swear fair.
— Then, graced with
festive rite,
to his tent Atrides shall invite,
rich banquet friendship's
vow renew,
honour honour's utmost due.
give to
Thou too, More just to
king
'
Nor deem
base for monarchs to assuage
*
The man they
'
'
:
it
!
by
others,
this
example taught,
moderate thy thought,
injured by intemperate rage.'
:
THE
238
:
ILIAD.
—
[book xix.
Me much thy words,' the king replied, delight Guide of my course, thou lead'st my steps aright. My oath shall witness that I all approve, *
'
*
'
Nor
*
Here
'
Here wait our gather'd
'
Wait
'
And
*
But thou, Ulysses
'
The
*
Then every
'
All that I promised, to Pelides bear
'
'
e'er will falsify
words pledged to Jove.
till
my
inclined,
host, awhile resign'd,
presents glad the public view,
oaths, that bind the soul, our faith renew. !
choose,
noblest youths of
all
—
this
charge be thine
Achaia's line
and every blooming
gift,
And from the camp a boar, An offering to the sun, and '
war
wait, Achilles, tho' to
Not now, king
:
fair,
Talthybius, bring,
heaven's supernal king.'
far-renown'd'
—Achilles
said,
'
At
*
When
'
And
*
There, there they
'
Their blood for vengeance cries fi'om yonder plain.
'
You
'
Yet hungry, yet unfed,
'
Fain would
'
Spread the wide
fitter
season to the feast persuade,
pause from fight permits a happier hour,
my
hate and fury less lie,
soul o'erpower.
by Jove-arm'd Hector
slain,
urge them to the banquet, better far
I
I
urge to war.
bid them, at the set of sun, feast,
the
work of slaughter done.
— —— ;
THE
BOOK XIX.]
ILIAD.
239
nor drink, nor food shall yield delight
'
Till then,
'
While loved Patroclus
'
Lies in
'
His feet ere burial, tow'rds the portal turn'd
*
Lies,
*
Groans, and the
tent, spear-gored,
wept by
all
by
my
sight,
all discern'd,
—my banquet, blood and death, rattle of life's latest breath.'
— Ulysses Thou bravest of the brave — our '
*
my
before
lies
Achilles, Peleus' son'
cried
battle guide
*
Far beyond mine, thy lance deals death around,
*
Yet
'
Age and experience
'
Then be
'
Satiate with war, soon sinks the
*
When
'
And
'
When
'
Let not sore famine
'
Day
'
'
in
my
words maturer wisdom found
Pelides
cull the fruits of thought,
by Ulysses taught.
arm
to earth,
the sword strows hke straw the
human
scant the harvest, and the gleaner
birth,
fails,
Jove, that guides the battle, turns the scales.
after
day they
o'er the lifeless fall
—
Who
*
With food and drink
*
That every limb,
*
May
:
a countless heap.
What pause from grief ? And calmly drop the tear
'
weep
ours, to
inhume the dead,
that's daily shed.
'scape the slaughter, theirs the after-care
in
their vigour to repair,
brazen mail array'd,
firmer strive, and battle undismay'd.
— THE
240
ILIAD.
no Grecian here now
[cook xix.
'
But
*
None, back receding, wait a fresh command,
'
'Tis death to him,
'
Arm
He
let
all,
and high
spake
:
who
idly stand,
lingers in the fleet.
in heart, Troy's fiercest battle meet.'
and choosing Nestor's
either son,
Meges, and Thoas, and bold Merion,
And Lycomede, and Menalippus, went To bring• the presents from Atrides' tent. They went, nor long
delay' d
—the
chieftains bore
All that the king had promised o'er and o'er
:
Seven tripods, twice ten cauldrons, twelve proud steeds.
Whose
race in strength and speed the rest exceeds.
Seven maids, whose talents with their beauty
The
eighth, Briseis, in her blooming pride.
Ulysses brought ten golden talents weigh'd, Achaia's youths the other gifts display 'd.
In order placed before the admiring throng.
Where Agamemnon
And famed The
rose the chiefs among.
Talthybius, leading on the boar.
hallow'd victim, stood the king before
The king
the dagger drew, that lightly play'd
By the broad scabbard of his battle-blade. The bristly forelock cut, devote to Jove,
And
raised, in act to pray, his
arms above.
vied.
—
BOOK XIX.]
While
all,
as
Their king,
*
God
fit^
in
THE
ILIAD.
solemn
silence heard
241
who heavenward gazed, and spake
of the gods, o'er
all,
thou
first,
the word
thou best,
'
Hear, while
*
Earth, and thou sun, and ye this world below,
'
Furies, avengers of the faithless vow,
'
Witness, that ne'er, by pride or love betray'd,
*
This hand, with touch vnihallow'd, wrong'd the maid
*
Safe in the shelter of my tent, unstain'd,
'
In chaste security the
'
If false
'
Pour each
He
my
spake
Then,
I
thus thy deity attest,
fair
dire curse,
and
and
:
remain'd.
oath, on this devoted
:
: :
head
strike the perjurer dead.'
in his throat
deep pierced the boar
as the victim welter'd in his gore,
Talthybius whirl'd him to the azure flood.
And
to the scaly myriads cast for food.
Then
—thus
Achilles
;
'
Jove
!
thou, thou the cause,
'
Thy
*
Else ne'er had Atreus' son
'
Nor from
*
Jove, 'twas thy will that Greece on Phrygia's plain
*
Should mourn
will
VOL.
II.
on man's doom'd race destruction draws,
my rage
defied,
these arms reluctant forced
o'er
many
my
bride
a chief, untimely
R
slain.
— — :: :
THE
242
—now
'
Ye
*
Where back The
Each
banquet to battle
council rose
to the
While
—
[book xix.
then, recruited, speed
;
I
the warjiors lead.'
all at his
enjoyment of
bidding went
his separate tent,^
his brave warriors, that the presents bore^
Ranged
in Achilles' tents the
Beneath
And
to
ILIAD.
his roof the
guarded
store.
beauteous captives led.
drove the coursers where his cattle fed
But when
Briseis, lovely as the light,.
Like golden Venus, beaming on the
sight.
Saw
with death-wounds Patroclus deeply gored.
She
clasp'd his corse,
Tore her
And '
and loud and long deplored.
smooth neck, and snowy
fair face,
breast.
steep'd in tears, thus tenderly addressed
Dear to
'
When
*
I left
my
from
soul, Patroclus
!
my
return,
'
woe on woe
'
The youth my
'
The
*
I
'
Beneath the bulwarks, breathing
'
Three brethren,
'
Fell in
!
thee
discern
lifeless I
parents destined for these arms,.
plighted wooer of Briseis
saw him, where
one
!
by force removed^
thi& tent I pass'd,
thee living, but at
most beloved
my
'
charms,
brave defender lay
whom my
life
away
tender mother bore,
fatal day, to rise
no more.
THE
BOOK XIX.] '
'
'
'
*
*
Yet
—when
Achilles
—
::
:
ILIAD.
243
had that wooer
slain,
And Myne's towers lay prostrate on the plain, Thou wouldst not that I wept thy soothing soul Would with Achilles love my woe controul Thou wouldst thyself Pelides navy guide, And me to Phthia lead his virgin bride, ;
'
'
*
There 'mid
*
Therefore, mild, gentle friend,
She spake
his chiefs the nuptial
:
the
Seem'd to lament
women
I
banquet spread
weep thee
dead.'
answering groan with groan,
his fate, but
mourn'd
their
own.
The
while the chiefs in vain their prayer renew'd.
And
to the son of Peleus profFer'd food.
'
If yet,'
he
cried,
'
Vex not with such
'
Deep misery
'
No
'
a friend Pelides hear,
vain prayers
drinks
my
blood
food shall tempt, no drink
Forth, at his word, then
Yet
still
my till
:
my
many
wearied ear close of
thirst allay.'
a chieftain went.
the Atridae linger'd in his tent.
There Nestor, Crete's brave king, there Phoenix
And
;
day
sage Ulysses long his step delay'd
All strove to soothe the tempest in his breast.
But no kind soothing
still'd
the storm to rest
staid.
THE
244
; :
:
:
ILIAD.
:
:
[book xix.
Fierce war alone could yield his soul repose.
And
'
fond remembrance lingering o'er his woes
Time was that
thou, most loved, most hapless friend,
on
me
*
Wouldst
'
Thy
'
When
'
Now,
'
Vain now the
'
Deprived of thee
'
Than
'
Not
'
Whom,
*
Wastes, fondly weeping, while from Phthia
*
That son
'
Not
'
If yet in Scyros rear d, that
'
*
Ah On
in the tent thyself
hand would press on
proffering
feast,
—
it
yields
if I
no more
—how —with what ?
thus to view thee, can
my
hostile blood.
now,
for hateful
I
sight
delight,
bitterer
woe,
my
?
sire,
for such a son, intense desire
heard
once
my
heart o'erflow
heard that death had seized
my
far
Helen wages war
boy had ceased
to live,
son survive.
fed the hope, that
I
alone
Phrygia's fated plain, 'mid hosts o'erthrown,
Should perish
'
But that thy
'
And thou from
'
Wouldst lead
'
the food,
there thou hest, thus pierced, before
'
'
me
Greece prepared to drain Troy's
if I
!
attend
And And
all
my
far
from Argos' loved domain
foot should Phthia's realm regain
Scyros sailing proudly home,
my
my ancestral dome, display, my slaves, my store,
son to
wealth
the proud palace of his sires of yore.
— THE
BOOK XIX.]
now
:
ILIAD.
245
*
For
*
Or, bow'd with weight of years, weeps hfe away,
*
His son's dire
*
And
Peleiis
has
fate
left
the Hght of day,
expecting to deplore,
hear the word, Achilles
He
weeping spake
Thought on
:
is
no
nriore.'
they too, each weeping
their distant
home, and groan'd
chief,
in grief.
Jove saw their woe, and to the blue-eyed Maid,
Compassioning their sorrow, kindly
'
said,
Turn'st thou for ever from that virtuous chief,
'
Finds Peleus' son in Pallas no relief?
*
Lo
*
Hark how
those heart-felt groans his friend deplore.
'
For other
chiefs
*
But Peleus' son
*
Speed, in his breast heaven's nectar-dews
'
Lest Famine war's dire labour ne'er
where the mourner
!
lies
the fleet before
behold the banquet spread, still
fasting, still
unfed instil,
fiilfil.'
Each word Jove spake inflamed Minerva's mind.
By
previous zeal to Grecia's aid inclined
Like a
shrill
The goddess Greece stood
With
harpy, stretch'd on wing for
flight.
darted thro' the ethereal light. in
arms,
when
willing zeal her sire's
Jove's celestial
command
maid
obey'd.
— —— ;
:
THE
246 And,
lest their chief
should
ILIAD.
[book xix.
beneath the
iail
Pour'd in his breast the nectar, stored with
Then
life
to Jove's starry realm return'd again.
While from the
As
strife,
flakes
When
on
fleet
Greece gather'd on the
plain.
flakes, thick falling, nature veil.
the clear north-wind arms with ice the gale.
Thus dense, dazzling the helms, the hauberks Boss'd shields, and lances to the sun upraised
The
flash
And
all
blazed, :
beam'd up to heaven's illumined height.
the earth resplendent laugh'd in light.
And. the \vide plain Avith march of myriads reel'd.
While stern Pelides arm'd him
for the field
His teeth loud gnash'd, and thro' intense desire Stream'd from his eyes, like flame, the living Grief gnaw'd his soul, that
While on
First
With
round
he
for
clasp'd the
vengeance glow'd.
armour of the god.
his legs the greaves Achilles braced.
radiant clasps of silver ore enchased
Then on
And
his limbs
mad
fire,
his
his breadth of breast the
huge sword athwart
hauberk hung.
his shoulders
swung
:
Last, seized the bulk and burden of his shield.
That
like the full-orb'd
moon
illumed the
As when along the ocean streams
field
a light,
Fed by lone shepherds on the mountain
height.
Beheld of those, who cleave, where tempests sweep, Far from their
friends, unwillingly the
deep
:
THE
BOOK XIX.]
Thus from
ILIAD.
that beauteous shield's celestial iVanie,
Shot up to heaven's high vault
Then,
On
up
raising
his brave
its
its
dazzling flame.
weight, Achilles placed
brow the casque by Vulcan graced.
The bushy helmet
like a
beauteous star
Shone, and a light around
That from the
Waved,
217
it
stream'd afar.
fulness of the golden hair
floating o'er the crest,
and
fired the air.
Then
Peleus' glorying son his arms essay'd.
If
and
fit,
free for battle-action
made
:
And as he tried them, moving in his might. They lifted up his limbs, like wings on flight. Then from the case, where long it slept from view. The chief his sire's tremendous war-spear drew. Vast, weighty, strong, which, never warrior, none
Could
vibrate, save the Achillean
The Pehan
From
arm alone
;
lance, the ash that Chiron gave.
Pelion's
summit hewn
to slay the brave.
Automedon, and Alcimus prepared
To yoke
the coursers, and the labour shared.
Bitted their champing mouths, and aptly join'd
To
the firm seat the reins that stretch'd behind.
Automedon,
swift springing in the car.
Seized the bright scourge that lash'd their s])eed
While, near him, in the armour of the God, Bright as the noontide sun, Achilles rode,
in \var.
: :
THE
248
And with fierce To his paternal
ILIAD.
:
:
:
[book xix.
shout, stern-bending o'er the yoke. steeds thus harshly spoke.
Xanthus and Balius, famed Podarge's breed,
*
When tired with slaughter I from war recede, Bear me in safety to my host again, Nor leave me there, leave like Patroclus, slain.'
'
'
*
Then, graced by Juno with
Thus Xanthus answering
articulate breath.
spake, the yoke beneath.
While, as he downward hung, his stream of mane. In
luxuriance floating, swept the plain
full
'
Stern Son of Peleus, here thy steeds again
'
Shall bear thee safely from the battle-plain
*
But
*
Heaven
*
Not through our
*
The
*
But him the god, who from Latona came,
'
Slew in the van to crown the Hectorean fame.
*
'
*
*
We, And
o'er thee wills
death impends it,
and harsh sloth,
:
the guilt not ours
fate, that all o'erpowers.
when
slain Patroclus lay,
exulting Trojans bore his arms
in the race could
away
match the viewless wind,
leave the fleetest, Zephyrus, far behind.
But thou Slain
to fate
must
yield
by a god and man
I
:
thy doom's decreed
see thee bleed.'
THE
BOOK XIX.]
The
And *
*
ILIAD.
249
Furies then his voice prophetic staid.
thus in scornful wrath Achilles said
111 it
— Here
—why decreed —
beseems thee
my
death
?
shall close Pelides' breath,
'tis
'
From my
loved
*
Yet Troy
shall, ere I die,
Then
predict
:
sire,
from Thetis, absent
far,
be gorged with war
fiercely shouting to the
armed
:'
train,
Dash'd thro' the van, and gain'd the battle-plain.
THE TWENTIETH BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. The gods, opposed
to
each
Achilles and ^Eneas.
otlier,
descend to
battle.
—The
combat of
—Achilles slaughters the Trojans.
;
:
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK Round
XX.
Peleiis' son, insatiable in fight.
Thus, at the
fleet,
Troy arm'd her
Greece stood
strength,
might
in mailed
and ranging band by band,
Fix'd on the vantage height her battle stand
:
Then Jove bade Themis summon every god
To solemn
council in his high abode.
O'er the wide world the unwearied goddess flew.
And
to Jove's starry
None
dome
—save Oceanus—no
Or nymph
the synod drew river-god.
that on the grassy
Or made her haunt beneath Or
meadow
trod.
the embowering shade.
ceaseless fed the fresh springs, disobeyed.
All met,
and each upon
Sat, forged
With
Came
by Vulcan's
these the at
her
his pillar'd throne
art for
Jove alone.
Ocean-Monarch from the main
call,
and join'd the heavenly
train.
—
THE
254
And
thus inquired,
'
ILIAD.
Why,
'
[book xx.
thunder-wielding Jove,
'
This council summon'd in the realms above
'
Thee doth the doom
*
While now the gathering flames of battle burn
'
Not unto
thee,'
of
?
Troy or Greece concern,
Jove answer'd,
'
not
unknown
my
throne.
'
Why
*
Tho' doom'd to perish, yet these mortals move
'
The
*
I,
*
Will, gazing
*
Ye
'
Aid either host, and
*
If singly
*
None could
*
What
*
Has
'
Now,
'
Troy crush'd beneath him, would untimely
in
thus the gods in council gird
care and deep solicitude of Jove.
Olympus, on
my
throne reclined,
on the scene, indulge
—join the armies—each, as
He
?
—
arm'd 'gainst
if
fill'd
all his
now
their
fired to
spake
:
fLilfil
power withstand,
that hero's distant sight
war array with wild
affright,
madness by Patroclus'
and
:
leagued band,
Pelides' matchless
ere
mind
suits his will,
wish
Ilion's
my
swell'd the
war
fall, fall.'
—with madden'd mind
Forth sped the immortals, diversely inclined. Juno, Minerva, and the god whose reign
Sways, compassing the world, the boundless main.
And Hermes, glorious for inventive thought And useful arts, the Grecian navy sought.
.]
THE
With them, Slow
ILIAD.
his eyes fierce lOlHng,
halting, while his
255 Vulcan went.
lame limbs feebly bent.
Mars, whose bright helmet's crest high tower'd in
And
Phoebus, waving wide his unshorn hair,
Latona, Xanthus, and Love's laughing dame.
With
quiver'd Dian, to the Trojans came.
Ere yet the gods
And
alighted, high the boast
daring ardour of Achaia's host.
Fired by Pelides, who, long strange to fight. All radiant tower'd in
arms before
their sight.
But dreadful the foreboding that impress'd
Unwonted
terrour on each Trojan breast.
While now they view'd
in arms, that blazed afar,
Achilles towering like the
God
of
War.
But when the gods, descended 'mid mankind. Discord, whose step
And, now,
is
death, the battle join'd.
as Pallas stood
beyond the wall
On the deep fosse, her spirit-stirring call Was heard afar, and, now, the embolden'd Heard her
in
host
thunder on the wave-lash'd coast.
And, now, a shouting,
like
a whirlwind swept.
As Mars on Troy's high tower
his station kept.
And now nigh distant Simo'is, when the god On the green brow of fair Colone trod. Thus, opposite, the gods with gods enraged, Rush'd, as the encountering armies battle waged.
air.
—
:
THE
256
ILIAD.
[book xx.
Jove hurl'd dense thunders down, with shattering blow
Grim Neptune rock'd the boundless earth below
The mountains
bow'd, and
Troy, and the Grecian
The
infernal
Loud
fleet, reel'd far
and sprung
cried,
the roots of Ide,
all
monarch, 'mid
in terrour
of war
—
unknown.
from
his throne.
men and
gods
dark and drear abodes.
hell's
Of gods themselves abhoiVd
The shock
and vade.
his realms
Lest Neptune, cleaving earth, to
Should spread to view
:
—
when gods
so dreadful rose
the gods oppose.
Against the Ocean-King, Apollo stood.
Bearing his fleet-wing'd arrows, barb'd for blood
Mars
'gainst Minerva,
:
and 'gainst Juno's might
Gold-shafted Dian dared withstand the
Hermes, inventor of each useful
fight.
art.
Against Latona took a wamor's part
And
the vast river,
whom
gods Xanthus name.
But men Scamander, met the lord of flame.
Thus gods the gods '
—but Peleus' son
\\dthstood
Gainst Hector, breathing death, rush'd grimly on,
'Gainst
him
Madden'd
his spirit yearn'd,
to sate fell
Mavors with
But Phoebus, breathing
A
force, that with
His voice,
his gore.
in JEne&s' breast
Pehdes dared contest.
like Priam's son,
While thus
and more and more
Lycaon, framed.
to Troy's brave chief the
god exclaim'd
:
—— :
THE
BOOK XX.]
Where now thy
'
ILIAD.
257 banquet boastings
threats, thy
flown,
That thou Pehdes' wrath daredst front alone
'
Why thus,' iEneas Me loth to meet that
answer'd,
'
*
'
me command,
hero's matchless
hand ?
—once
'
Not now
'
Chased by
'
When
'
Sack'd Pedasus, and rich Lyrnessus razed
*
At that dread moment the
*
Bade
*
Else
I
*
And
Pallas, guardian of his war-career,
'
Who
'
Bade him the Leleges and Trojans
'
In vain against Achilles
'
While evermore a present god defends
*
Straight from his
'
Flies,
'
Yet would a god now poise war's equal
'
Not,
*
'
his spear,
light limbs vdth
had sunk beneath
led
him
on,
and
I fled,
Ida's pasturing bed,
Hero
!
till
heavenly fleetness move, Achilles' spear,
man
up
his
way,
slay.
contends,
the inevitable dart
centred in the heart
in brass, his force o'er
scales,
mine
prevails.*
with fervent prayer,' Apollo spoke,
to thy aid heaven's guardian
.
:
preserver, Jove,
lighting
arm
nor ere rests
—panoplied
VOL.
from
:
the invader, where our cattle grazed,
my
Now
him
I first shall front
?'
s
power invoke.
— THE
258
ILIAD.
[book xx.
thy birth from Venus trace
'
Thou
'
He, from a goddess of infenor
'
Thy mother sprung from
*
His, from the age-bow'd dweller of the flood.
*
Right onward bear thy javelin
*
Nor
canst,
'tis said,
let fierce
race.
Jove's celestial blood,
:
cast off fear
thro' the
:
words, or threats curb thy career.'
Each word with dauntless courage As
:
fired his breast.
van the bright-mail'd hero press'd
But Juno, when she view'd Anchises'
;
son.
Against Pelides rushing furious on,
Summon'd
the gods
:
'
Ye, both,'
—the goddess
said,
*
Thou, Ocean's Lord, and thou, Jove's martial Maid
'
Weigh
'
'
well the event
:
!
in burnish'd brass array'd
Yon chief Pelides fronts, by Phoebus' aid. Come force him back — or some celestial power
—
:
'
Aid Peleus' son
'
Stand at his
'
And
'
That chief
'
The
'
Know
*
With
'
Hence we descended from
'
And
at this decisive hour,
unearthly strength impart,
side,
breathe our shall
spirit in
know,
to
the hero's heart.
him the glory
given,
guardianship of gods most fear d in heaven, that the powers, feeble force,
who once could Troy
compared with
defend,
ours, contend.
the Olympian height,
deign immingie in the press of
fight.
— — '
THE
BOOK XX.]
ILIAD.
259
'
That Troy
*
Tho' doom'd to suffer in an
'
When, what
*
On
*
Haste
—
'
If fail
our voice embold'ning his career
'
For,
'
Shall
*
day
this
shall ne'er that chief o'erpower, after hour,
the Fates of future misery spun
his life-web,
must
fall
lest Pelides ' self
on Thetis' son. should feel a fear,
when a god and man meet hand
man
Juno
:
to hand,
the unveil'd Omnipotence withstand
?
—thus spake the Monarch of the Main
'
'
The
^
Strong tho' our arm, to theirs superior
'
Yet would
*
Let us on yon
far height in
'
While mortals
clash,
*
But there
'
Or check the
'
We, where
*
Will swell the tumult, and their pride confound
'
Soon
*
And, forced by
rage that
if
'
refrain. far,
peace remain,
and strow with death the
Mars or Phoebus
appear,
first
slaughter of Pelides
plain.
'
spear,
the battle burns those gods around,
first,
Where an
beseems thee, queen,
not commit the gods in war.
shall those
Then,
Alcides
I
ill
mighty combatants
retreat,
us, seek heaven's protecting seat.'
the
way
the dark-hair'd sea-god led
earth -rampart rear'd aloft
mound,
:
to
him
in hasty
its
head,
hour
Raised by the Trojans and Minerva's power.
——
:
THE
260
ILIAD.
[book xx.
His refuge, when the monster of the main.
Chased from the
There Neptune and the gods
And
in
The
other gods on
in
peace reposed.
Colon e's height.
fair
There they consulting
lay in night
sat, their battle staid.
tho ' Jove urged to war, the war delay'd
But the whole
:
plain with multitudes o'ei-flow'd.
men and
Earth with the blaze of
And,
plain.
dense clouds their viewless forms inclosed.
Round Mayors and Apollo
And
him on the
strand, pursued
as they rush'd, a roar
from
coursers glow'd. all
the ground,
Crush'd by the march of myriads, burst around.
Then, 'mid each van, two
The
bravest,
onward
iEneas and Achilles
to :
chiefs, before the rest.
fell
—
to
combat
and
press'd,
ft'o
Sway'd the huge helmet on ^Eneas' brow
;
His shield illumed his breast, and high upraised His fiercely-brandish'd spear around him blazed. But, on the other part, famed Peleus son '
Like a
fell
Like a
fell lion,
The
lion rush'd
impetuous on.
when, on watch to
slay.
hamlet's gather'd dwellers front his way.
He, with defying scorn, the foremost views. Stalks on, and leisurely his course pursues
But
And
if
some swain
rashly
in pride of
:
youth advance.
wound him with audacious
lance.
—
—
THE
BOOK XX.]
He
writhes
The
He
—wide opes
—— :
ILIAD.
his jaws,
261
whence
thickly hangs
reeking foam that froths around his fangs,
roars revenge, nor ceases to assail
His flanks, loud-lash'd beneath his sweep of
Then,
fired to onset, while intensely
His eyes' whirl'd
balls,
tail
glow
and glare upon the
foe.
Springs onward in exuberance of ire
To
glut his rage in slaughter, or expire
:
Thus, as Pelides Troy's mail'd chief discern'd. In his swoln heart insatiate fury burn'd.
Now, on
their near approach,
The haughty menace
'
-^neas
!
MuesLS heard
of Achilles' word:
why, yon army
me
left
behind,
*
Thou
*
Hopest thou that Troy, beneath thy sceptred sway,
*
Will, hke another Priam, thee obey,
*
That Priam,
*
Enthrone thee sov'reign with supreme command
*
Not mutable
*
Sons
'
Hopest thou that Troy to thee large lands
*
Thine her gold
*
If
'
My
stand'st defying
fit
if I fall
his
with dauntless mind
?
beneath thy hand,
mind,
—
to
?
him remain
their father's glory to sustain.
plains, her purple vineyards thine,
—yet—not lance — methinks — once gave
thou o'erpower
speed,
assign,
me ?
light the
thee
deed wond'rous
—
:
THE
262
:
ILIAD.
[book xx.
'
Or, hast thou quite forgot that luckless day
*
When
*
Chased thee
*
When
from the herds
thy
fast
drove thee lone away,
I
flymg from the Idsean height,
fleet
foot
ne'er
on
paused, or turn'd
flight, '
Ere
'
Walls
'
And from
*
While the gods guarded thy dishonoured head.
'
None
*
Swift to thy host,
*
Hence
*
By
'
far
Lyrnessus' walls thy race delay'd,
I
o'erthrew by Jove's and Pallas' aid, its
spoils the
beauteous captives led,
—vain thy hope— —ere death
I
will
warn
strike
now from death
defend
backward bend.
thee,
—
in flight thy safety lies
sufferings taught, e'en fools are wond'rous wise.'
Hope not by words,
Pelides
!
in thy pride,
'
Me
'
I too,
'
Could hurl keen taunts, and words of deep disdain
'
To both
*
Proclaim'd by other voices than our
*
But
I ne'er
'
Nor
e'er
'
Thou, from famed Peleus
like
a child to
on thee,
quail,'
in like
the chief replied,
contemptuous
strain ;
our birth, our parents known,
alike
own
view'd the founders of thy line,
hast thou, Achilles, look'd on mine. boast'st,
—
'tis
blood, *
:
Thy mother,
Thetis, goddess of the flood
:
said
—thy
:
THE
BOOK XX.]
mother, Venus, Jove's
celestial race.
'
My
'
263
lineage trace,
From
great Anchises
— Of these
'tis
I
destined
—
ILIAD.
my
'
:
— one,
day
this fatal
away
*
Mourns her loved son untimely
'
For, from this spot,
'
Ne'er shall our war in boyish railing cease.
'
But
'
The
'
The Thunderer,
'
Gave
*
For ere throng'd lUon
'
At
'
Then
*
All
'
His mares, three thousand,
'
While
'
A
'
And,
'
They, duly pregnant from the heavenly seed,
*
Gave
'
These, when they bounded o'er the golden grain,
*
Bow'd not the ear that
'
Nor when they raced
'
Brush'd the light foam that floated on the deep
'
From
*
Whose
—wouldst thou glory of
my
we
reft
ne'er shall part in peace,
learn
—
race, long
known
sole lord of
first,
proclaim
I willingly
to fame.
heaven and earth,
to the founder of Dardania birth
:
rose, our early race
Ida's foot had, fix'd their native place.
Ericthonius,
human their
who
kind, the
gay
in
wealth excell'd
Dardan sceptre
foals in
o'er the
wanton
held.
marshes stray 'd,
circles play'd
god, of those enamour'd, changed his frame, like
a dark-man ed courser, Boreas came.
to the light twelve foals of matchless speed.
bristled
up the
plain,
o'er ocean's glassy
sweep,
Ericthonius, Tros the sceptre sway'd, rightful rule the sons of
Troy
obey'd.
——
THE
264
From
*
ILIAD.
[book xx.
Tros, Assaracus, and Ilus sprung,
And fairest far, earth's fairest sons among, Young Ganymede whom erst the gods above
'
*
!
*
Bore, for his charms, to crown the cup of Jove.
*
Laomedon
*
From good Laomedon
'
Tithonus, Clytius, Priam
'
Lampus, and Hicetaon
'
From brave
*
Anchises thence,
'
From Priam, Hector
*
From
*
But Jove, who
'
Grants valour, or withholds from
*
But why,
like boys,
*
Hold we,
in war's
*
We
at will, with taunts
*
That might a
'
Most voluble the tongue, and here and there
*
Words meet,
*
Such
*
As we ourselves the wordy
*
But why thus wrangle
*
For
*
Who
'
Bolt words, or true, or
arose from Ilus' bed,
as
we
known
afar,
fear'd in war.
Assaracus, throned Capys came,
my
renown'd of fame
sire,
—such, from race
son the hne
sire to
may,
brothers bred,
five
I
:
heaven and earth,
human
birth.
battle claims our force,
mid van, such vain discourse
ship,
yet
when
to race,
boldly trace
all o'er-rules in
:
each other goad,
an hundred-oar'd, o'erload.
fill
speak,
?
not
we
altercation, like
all
the field of
air.
hear, and give and take battle
—why our
make prattling tongue
weak women, strung ?
fiercely railing, in the streets engage, false, as wills their
rage
?
—— :
:
THE
BOOK XX.] *
*
'
*
But
thy spear
till
my
ILIAD.
2G5
dauntless course delay,
Weak all thy words to turn Eneas' way No more. Against each other now advance
—
And
prove whose arm most strongly hurls the lance.'
Then
hurl'd his lance on that horrific shield
That with But
—with
its
loud vibrations
stretch'd
arm
fill'd
field.
Pelides forward held.
Not unalarm'd the orb that death Half fearful
the
lest the spear's
repell'd
o'erpowering weight,
Hurl'd by ^neas, should transfix the plate.
Vain fear
—
forgetful that the gift of
heaven
Yields not, nor breaks by force of mortal riven.
Not then ^Eneas' lance the buckler broke.
The
gold, the gift of god, repell'd the stroke.
Thro' two dense folds the lance
But
fell
entrance gain'd.
three, to guard Achilles, yet remain'd.
The god
five folds
Two, forged
The
had
o'er
each other
of brass, of tin two inly
laid.
made
:
centre gold, there, wrought by heavenly art.
Stood
in the
golden mail the unmoving dart.
Achilles then his lance long-shadowing threw.
On
the shield's utmost rim the
weapon
flew.
Where, thinnest spread, the brass the buckler bound.
And
the bull's hide
its
thinnest circle
wound
:
THE
266
ILIAD.
Thro' these the Pelian ash
And shrill the Down shrunk
[book xx.
resistless pass'd.
buckler rang beneath JEneas, yet
—
tho'
its cast.
bow'd with
Stretch'd forth the shield, while o'er
fear,
him glanced the
spear
That
either circle of the buckler broke,
Then
stood in earth deep loosen'd by the stroke.
Dense horrour on
At
his quivering eye-lid stood.
sight of that near lance
Then, as Achilles,
And
which sought
his blood.
fiercely shouting, flew.
the broad terrour of his blade outdrew,
iEneas
Such
—where a
rock's
huge fragment
lay.
as not two, in our degenerate day.
Could
raise
—
uplifting easily alone,
Grasp'd with firm hand the burden of the stone.
And now had Or the
crush'd Pelides towering crest. '
orb'd shield that barr'd from death his breast
Thou
too, Pelides
Hadst
at thy foot
!
with resistless blade,
JEneas breathless
laid.
But, swift preventive of each death-fi-aught stroke.
Thus the Sea Monarch
*
*
'
*
Gods
!
o'er
:
to the Immortals spoke
yon scene with
grief of heart I bend,
Lest great JEneas to the grave descend,
Who, urged by Phoebus, fatally obey'd The counsel of a god who fails to aid.
THE
BOOK XX.]
—wherefore on
ILIAD.
267
'
But
'
Woe
'
His
'
His sacred feasts have gratified each god.
'
Ours to preserve him,
'
View him beneath
'
He must
'
All that once claim'd of
*
The
*
Of women
'
Long
'
Has
'
Troy now
*
And
this hero's blameless head,
due to others thus unjustly shed have never ceased
gifts
whom
lest,
in heaven's
Jove, swoln with
now
ire,
expire.
swept off from earth,
Dardanus
Jove of
abode
all his
their birth,
heavenly race
born, once deign'd supremely grace.
since the
Olympian
sire
with hateful sccrn
upon the race of Priam born.
look'd
shall
son's
his
Pelides
not perish,
king,
lest
:
?
view ^Eneas throned in power, sons there reign
till
time's
remotest
hour.'
'
Thou, that canst rock the globe'
—
stern
Juno
cried,
thy mind deliberate, and decide,
'
Thou,
'
Whether from Peleus' son thy wish
'
That virtuous
*
We — I and
*
The solemn oaths
'
Oft have
'
From
in
chief, or leave
Pallas
—
oft the
that
we sworn we
him
to save
to the grave.
gods have heard
bound our plighted word. ne'er
would turn away
Troy's devoted race the evil day.
:
:
THE
268
Not
*
if
ILIAD.
[book xx.
should Troy's whole strength
fierce flames
consume,
And
*
Grecia's torch
wave
o'er the nation's tomb.'
This Neptune heard, and pass'd on stretch of flight
Where
And
the spears hurtled 'mid the shock of fight.
ere Achilles
and JEneas
closed.
With heaven's preventive presence Pour'd the dense cloud that
From
And
interposed
veil'd Pelides' view.
the pierced shield his brass-barb'd lance withdrew.
at Pelides' foot the
weapon
laid.
Then
thro' the air the
Dark
lay beneath him, on that flight divine.
Trojan prince convey'd.
Cars, coursers, warriors, ranging line by line
;
Ere yet he reach'd the army's utmost stand.
Where
the brave Caucons arm'd their dauntless band.
There the earth-shaker nigh ^neas stood.
And *
thus the rashness of his mind subdued
Incautious chief! at whose divine
command
*
Darest thou Pelides matchless power withstand
'
Him, whose
*
O'er
*
Back when thou meet'st him,
*
Thou
'
whom
resistless
the gods
?
arms o'er-masters thine,
more graciously lest,
incline,
untimely
slain,
pass from earth to Hades' dark domain.
:
THE
BOOK XX.] *
When
'
None, save
He
low he
2G9
their arm'd array,
iEneas
slay.'
warn'd him, and departed, and dispell'd
The cloud Then
ILIAD.
lies, assail
Pelides, can
:
that «Pelens
'
son in darkness held
as the scene before
him shone
display'd.
Thus, groaning, to his soul Achilles said
'
What wonder
strikes
my
my
sight
?
— Before my eyes
*
Lo
'
But
*
And
'
Loved was ^neas by heaven's guardian
*
And
'
Fly where he will
'
This arm, but wings from death his
*
No
'
View we what son of Troy
on the ground
!
—where the chief hurl'd
it,
'gainst
whom
I
lies
aim'd the dart,
death-fraught, at his inmost heart
yet I deem'd his
more.
lance extended
word an
host,
idle boast.
—he dares no more essay J03drul
way.
—Now, urging on the Grecian bands, my
force withstands.'
Then, springing 'mid the ranks, exclaim'd '
Stand ye no more from
'
Man
'
Harsh
'
I
'
Or
battle,
afar
meet the war,
grapple man, dash onward, grasp the fight, is
?
the
toil
e'en for Pelides' might,
cannot chase or rout so dense a throng, battle lone such multitudes
among.
:
—
:
THE
270
ILIAD.
[book xx.
'
Not Mars, the immortal, not
'
Could chase such numbers as our host invade.
'
But
*
In nought shall Peleus' son be found to
'
Right on
*
'Neath
He
if
my
arm,
my
my
strength avail,
o'ershadowing lance shall taste of joy.'
this
spake, embold'ning, nor less boldly heard.
Thus menacing
Achilles, Hector's
word
not, brave sons of Troy, Pelides' rage,
'
Dread
*
I
'
Not with
'
If part prevail, part shall in air
'
He
'
fail.
where none, no son of Troy,
rush,
I
foot,
Jove's blue-eyed Maid,
too with heaven could wordy battle wage,
my
—were Yes — were
his his
Roused by
One was '
lance.
arm
arm
Achilles'
all fire,
my
all fire, his
haughty boast, be
lost.
force shall feel,
heart
all steel.'
his word, his host their spears upbore.
their onset,
Hector'
—
one the battle roar.
—Apollo thus the
chief address'd
*
Not
'
But with the host Pelides' power invade,
'
Lest by his lance thou bleed, or murderous blade.'
He
in the
spake
van advanced before the
:
rest,
the chief the voice celestial knew.
And, awe-struck, mid the ranks of Troy withdrew. '
:
THE
BOOK XX.]
But Peleus'
—
ILTAD.
271
son, his heart with fierceness strung.
On, madly shouting, 'mid
their battle
sprung
First steep'd his lance in brave Iphition's gore.
Whom
the
nymph Neis
to Otrynteus bore.
In the rich plains where Hyda's towers arose,
'Neath Tmolus cover'd with eternal snows.
On, as the warrior rush'd
in
mid
career.
Full on his front Pelides drove his spear,
Sever'd his skull, and, with contemptuous sound. Cried, as his
*
fall
resounding shook the ground,
Fiercest of mortals
here thou hest in death,
!
'
Tho' the Gygagan lake
first
*
Where Hyllus thy
lands ancestral laves,
'
And Hermus
Death closed
The
whirling his swift-eddied waves.'
his eyes, while,
chariot wheels his
Then
The
fair
caught thy breath,
fierce Pelides
plunged in gushing gore.
mangled body
tore.
slew Antenor's son.
war-defender, bold Demoleon,
Hurl'd on his front, the spear's resistless blow Pierced thro' the brass that helmeted his brow.
And
broke the bone
Gush'd
;
and
all
the blood-stain'd brain
o'er the warrior breathless
on the
plain.
THE
272
ILIAD.
[book xx.
Then, as Hippodamas with wild'ring dread
Sprung from
and before him
his chariot,
Achilles pierced his spine
Groan'd
like
;
he
fell,
he gasp'd,
a bull by forceful seizure grasp'd,
Dragg'd on to shed his blood 'mid
And
fled,
rites divine.
gladden Neptune's Heliconian shrine.
Thus
as he grimly groan'd his
Pelides singled from the
life
away,
war array
Fair Polydorus, Priam's youngest born. Still
kept from battle
till
Most loved of all who
And whose
fleet foot
that fatal morn.
in his
household grew.
beyond the
fleetest flew.
Thus, in the rash display of youthful pride.
He dash'd amid the van, there fell, and Him as he darted by, and onward run. The
fleeter-footed conqueror, Peleus' son.
Smote where the golden
And
died.
clasps the baldric closed.
the breast-plate a double guard opposed.
Thro' these the brazen point
And at the navel He shriek'd he
—
resistless flew.
issued forth to view.
—with
reel'd
bow'd knee press'd the
ground, Crouch'd, and back thrust his bowels gushing round.
But Hector, who
his brother prostrate view'd
Thus gathering up
his entrails
blood-embrued.
:
BOOK XX.]
THE
With
no more
grief o'ercast,
ILIAD.
From war and vengeance But brandishing
273
at rest remain'dj
in the rear detain'd,
and mad with
his lance,
Rush'd 'gainst Pehdes hke a flame of Achilles view'd, sprung up,
The grim
'
He
comes,
The
'
No
'
We, 'mid
who most
slayer comes,
longer
who
now where
fire.
and thus express'd
has rack'd
my
laid Patroclus
soul with woe,
low
hosts with hosts engage,
the conflict, shun each other's rage.'
Then loud
exclaim'd
fate
Come
ire,
delight that swell'd his glorying breast
*
'
:
:
'
Come
near
:
approach thy
:
near,
where death's close bounds thy step
await.'
'
Hope not
to scare me,' dauntless
Hector
'
Like a weak infant by loud words dismay'd.
*
I
'
Keen
'
I
*
Yet we but perfect what the gods design
*
*
said,
too can bolt, hurl'd back on thee again, cutting jibes, or words of stern disdain.
know thy
might, mine feebler far than thine, :
And I, tho feebler, with heaven-guided blow, May hurl no pointless spear, and lay thee low.' '
VOL.
II.
:
THE
274
He
spake
Blew
it
and hurl'd the lance
:
aside,
The Hectorean
Then
To
[book xx. Minerva's breath
:
and turn'd the dart from death
was her breath,
Soft
ILIAD.
yet,
by that breath convey'd.
lance at Hector's foot was laid.
Peleus' son, fierce shouting, onward press'd.
plunge his vengeful lance in Hector's breast.
But him, the god with ease from death withdrew, by Apollo
Veil'd
in dense clouds
Thrice rush'd the
chief,
and
from view.
thrice in
mad
Smote on the darkness of the impassive Then,
And '
like a god,
lanch'd the
Dog
!
despair.
air.
once more infuriate sprung.
menace thundering from
his
thou again hast from destruction
'
Again Apollo snatch'd thee from the dead
'
He
'
My
*
If yet a favouring
'
hears thy prayer ere battle
:
fled, :
yet, ere long
foot shall crush thee, 'mid the routed throng,
Now,
He
—
tongue
god Pelides aid
;
other sons of Troy shall curse
spake
:
in gore.
neck Pelides' foot before.
Next, thro' his knee
transfix'd,
from onset stay'd
the planted lance delay'd.
Then, smiting with
The mighty
blade.'
and Dryops struck, who, steep'd
Fell with pierced
Demuchus by
my
his sword,
untimely hurl'd
warrior to the viewless world
:
THE
BOOK XX.]
Then^ from
ILIAD.
275
their chariots prostrating
who drew from
Assail'd the sons
on
earth,
Bias birth,
Transfix'd Laogonus, and breathless laid
The bulk Next
And And
of Dardanus beneath his blade
seiz'd
on Tros, Alastor's son, who knelt.
clasp'd his knees in
hope
his heart to melt.
pray'd for mercy by his equal years
Vain, hapless
Not
man
!
:
thy youth, thy prayers, thy tears
mild, not kind that chief; his heart a stone
And,
fired
life
Pelides in his liver plunged his sword
and
Forth
fell
Fill'd,
as he died, his
the
Then Mulius
Whose
liver,
felt
its
implored,
:
gush of blood
bosom with the
flood.
the vengeance of the spear.
brazen point pass'd on from ear to ear.
Next on Echeclus
swift Achilles rush'd.
with his sword's huge haft his forehead crush'd. the whole blade that reek'd with recent gore
Glow'd, as death seal'd his
lids to
ope no more.
Next, where the tendons that the elbow string.
And
:
with rage, that blood can sate alone.
E'en while he clasp'd his knees, and
And And
:
to
its
flexure give the elastic spring.
His dart Deucalion struck
:
beneath the blow
His arm unnerved hung down before his foe
There stood the
;
chief, his certain fate foresaw,
Yet deign'd not, waiting death, a step withdraw.
:
:
THE
276
ILIAD. onward sped.
Swift at the sight Achilles
And
with
its
helm smote
[book xx.
off Deucalion's
head
:
Forth from the sever'd spine the marrow flow'd.
While the corse
lay, stretch'd out, a lifeless load.
Achilles, next, assail'd Pireiis' son.
Who
from rich Thracia's
fields his
The spear pierced Rhigmus As from the
car,
'
way had won
flank, there fix'd its strength.
hmTd down,
lay his
unmoving
length.
Then, mid the shoulder blades, Achilles' spear
Smote Areithous,
And
hurl'd
his charioteer.
him from
his car, while, turn'd for flight.
His starting coursers foam'd with wild
As, Fills
'
mid the
aff*right.
arid mounts, a sea of fire
the deep glens and roars in spread of
And where
ire.
the sweeping of the tempest sways.
Vast woods around, one confiagration, blaze
:
Thus raged
Achilles, thus the host pursued,
Warr'd
a god, and earth with blood embrued.
like
As, on his level area,
when
the swain
Drives the yoked steers that trample out the grain.
With
ease they stamp
Onward,
o'er corse
Where'er Pelides
on
it,
thus, throughout the field.
corse, o'er shield
on
shield.
in his fury rush'd.
His steeds beneath their hoofs the battle crush'd.
THE
BOOK XX.]
Below, the car
its
ILIAD.
axle wheel'd in gore.
Above, the seat with blood was dabbled
in thick drops
Thus while
Down
again
from blood of warriors
slain.
Pelides, fired
by glory, glow'd,
his invincible arms, dust, sweat, flow'd.
o'er,
down
Whirl'd from the hoofs and wheels, then
Shower'd
277
and slaughter
THE TWENTY-FIRST BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT.
— His combat with the River-god Scamandei'. —The battle of the gods. —The Trojans for refuge to Troy.
Achilles pursues the Trojans.
fly
:
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK
XXI.
But when they came where Jove-born Xanthus spread His waters whirhng down their spacious bed, Pehdes, following their divided force.
Chased half the host that urged tow'rds Troy their course
Along the
Had
plain,
where
quell'd the Grecians
There on they pour'd
Dense clouds that
The
late the
:
staid
Hectorean might
and pursued
their flight
but Juno round them drew
them, and confused their view.
other half, in horrour's desperate mood.
Plunged, with loud clamour, 'mid the whirling flood.
The
lofty banks,
Fill'd
and far-resounding shore,
with their outcry, swell'd afar the roar.
While
to
and
fro,
where'er the eddies drove.
They, shrieking, with the torrent vainly
strove.
:
THE
282
:
ILIAD.
[book xxi.
As, by swift flames pursued, the o'ershadowing pest.
The
living cloud of locusts fears to rest.
But seeks some
river,
where
at
once the
fire
Glares as the locusts in the flood expire
Thus, from Pelides, with Troy's floating load. Horse, horsemen, chariots, Xanthus far-o'erflow'd.
But
'gainst a tamarisk that o'erhung the shore.
The hero Plunged
leant his lance, that reek'd with gore.
in the flood, and, like a god, alone
Arm'd with
his
sword prefigured deaths undone
Smote here and
there, while burst
from side to side
Dire death-groans from the blood-empurpled
As where the enormous dolphin '
Mid
cleaves the flood
the creeks, thus Troy's dense numbers fled.
hid in Xanthus' wave-worn caves their head.
Now,
To
tide.
the deep winding bay, the scaly brood
Fill all
And
;
tired with death, twelve youths Pelides chose
soothe Patroclus
'
spirit to
repose
:
Dragg'd from the flood, like fawns, he wreathed them
round
With
twisted belts that
Then
sent
them
Where'er a foe
There
first
had
their tunics
to the fleet,
bound
and onward flew
his foot to slaughter drew.
he met Lycaon, Priam's son.
Who, struggHng from
the flood pass'd faintly on.
:
THE
BOOK XXI.]
ILIAD.
The youth, whom once beneath
He
in his father's field
From
!
283
the nightly shade.
had captive made.
the wild fig-tree while he cut away.
To form Him,
the chariot rings the pliant spray.
seizing unawares, Achilles bore
In his proud fleet to Lemnos' peopled shore.
And
sold to Jason's son
:
there, Jason's guest,
Imbrius, the ransom'd youth's harsh fate redress'd.
And
to Arisba sent
:
Once more
at
But on the
twelfth, a
thence, fled away.
Troy he
feasted day by day.
god
his fate decreed.
Beneath Achilles fury doom'd to bleed.
Him,
Saw For
as the hero in his swift career
all
unarm'd, no helm, no shield, no spear.
in his flight
from Xanthus bed profound, '
All he
had
While
his knees faulter'd,
Thus the
'
How
cast, o'erwearied,
on the ground,
and while
stern conqueror inly
!
faint his breath.
doom'd
his
death
—what strange wonder
floats before
whom
late I slew,
'
Shall Ilion's vahant sons,
'
From
'
This
'
No, not the might of the circumfluous main,
'
That
darkness chief, in
rise, as
Lemnos
now, sold,
in youthful
bloom,
once 'scaped his
oft the unwilling holds,
my view
doom ?
could him detain.
—
!
THE
284
—
—
;
ILIAD.
[book xxi.
*
Now
*
Taught by
*
If earth,
*
Will for his sake the gates of death unclose.'
he taste
shall
its
and
this spear,
point, the truth
I
I
discern,
long to learn,
wherein the brave, perforce, repose,
Pelides pondering stood, while, stunn'd with fear,
The youth
to clasp his knee,
came crouching
near.
Fain had Lycaon 'scaped the impending doom,
Nor sunk
forgotten in the untimely
Achilles raised the spear, in act to
tomb
wound
The youth
rush'd in, and prostrate on the ground.
Embraced
his knee, while, longing for his blood.
The
spear, that o'er
him flamed
in earth
upstood
Seized with one hand, his knee Lycaon clasp'd.
With one the murderous
Then breathed
lance
his prayer
'
more
firmly grasp'd.
Hear, Jove-born
!
while I
kneel *
Deign, for the suppliant's
*
Revere
*
First at thy board,
*
When,
*
Me, from
*
*
my
claim
in the
my
!
—
fate, Pelides feel.
forget not that I fed
and shared
in
peace thy bread,
garden seized, to Lemnos' shore sire,
my
friends,
thy vessel bore.
An hundred beeves that day my ransom told, Now be my life for thrice that number sold,
*
This but the twelfth
'
I,
suffering
fleet
day-spring since once
much, regain'd
my
native shore,
more
—
:
BOOK
THE
XXI.]
—more
ILIAD.
285
*
Yet
'
Thus
'
Me, doom'd not long
'
Me, ancient
'
Alta,
*
And
'
Her, Priam woo'd, and to his royal bed,
'
With many a
'
Her's were two sons
bids
to suffer, since Jove's stern decree
Lycaon
whose
clasp Pelides' knee to breathe the vital air,
Laothoe bare,
Alta's child,
rule the Leleges obey,
holds o'er Pedasus, nigh Satnio, sway.
rival fair, to Ilion led
thou both alike wilt slay
;
my
*
Thy
*
Brave Polydorus, when,
'
He
'
Now, here
*
Who
*
Yet
'
Nor unadvisedly Lycaon
'
My
*
'Twas Hector slew thy
lance has reft
fell
I
perish
in
:
away,
fight,
thus the gods ordain,
:
let this
slay
Had immaturely
'
I
'
Now
:
Laothoe gave
:
but the suppliant heard
no consenting word.
Dwell not on ransom, fool
'
again.
friend, the mild, the brave.'
suppliant
stern Achilles
me
plea thy wrath allay,
birth, not Hector, but
pity
life
van of
thus to thee have yielded
Thus pray'd the
'
brother's
:
on foot beneath thy matchless might.
—hear me
From
:
!
—time was,
ere death
closed Patroclus' breath,
knew, and by her sway controU'd, spared the Trojans,
now
the captives sold.
— —— — — !
THE
286 '
Now—not
*
Heaven
'
None
'
And
'
Then
*
Lo
*
'
'
ILIAD.
[book xxi.
a Trojan, who, at Ilion's wall,
unsparing hands to
wills in these
shall,
a living man, escape
me
die,
—none
son
least of all that host a Priam's
—thou too
fall,
my friend—^why weep ?
'
vain
tis
— Patroclus —beauty—mine View'st thou not me — what —how famed—my mother—how My Yet—mine —harsh —yet me death impends, !
far surpassing thee
slain.
stature
?
divine
sire
fate
o'er
when eve
'
At dawn,
'
Whene'er, foredoomed, the slayer shall advance,
'
Wing
He
at noon-tide, or
the far shaft, or
spake
— Lycaon's
!
wound with
descends,
fronting lance.'
heart, dissolved with fear.
His knee sank loose, his grasp forgot the spear.
—
He sat with outspread hands nor farther said. When Peleus' son drew forth the avenging blade. And where the collar bones the neck surround. Plunged to the haft the sword within the wound
Prone on the earth he
And
the
soil
fell
:
forth gush'd the blood.
redden'd with the purple flood
Achilles seized, and 'mid the river cast
His floating corse, and taunted as
'
'
There
—with the
fishes lie
:
it
pass'd.
—who, gathering round,
Shall lick at will without a fear the
wound.
— — ;
BOOK
THE
XXI.]
::
ILIAD.
287
'
Ne'er shall thy mother o'er thy death-bed weep,
'
But
'
There
'
Shall from Lycaon's fatness gorge their food.
'
So perish
'
So
*
Not you your broadly-flowing stream
'
All the fierce whirling of
'
Tho'
'
And plunged
'
Such ruthless
'
Patroclus' death,
'
Her heroes 'mid
*
While
Scamander whirl thee 'mid the deep
swift
thro' the rippling
behind deal wound on wound.
I
Scamander
avails,
fails,
him you pour'd the bovine blood,
oft to
I,
scaly brood
ground
Ilion strow the
all, till
while
flee,
wave the
:
the living steeds beneath his flood fate
on
all, till all
atone
and Grecia's host o'erthrown, their
in wrathful
navy breathless
mood, refused
laid,
to aid.'
Fired at the word, the god devised what force
Might
Who
and curb Pelides' course.
Ilion shield,
rushing with his spear's far-shadowing length.
Against Asteropseus match'd his strength.
The son
of Pelagon, divinely bred.
From Axius' 'Gainst
him
flood,
Whom in
Periboea's
Achilles rush'd
Arm'd with two
By Xanthus
and
:
bed
he boldly stood,
spears, the guardian of the flood.
fired,
incensed the host to view.
his flood the
unsparing conqueror slew
— :
:
THE
288
And now, when The son
Who Woe to '
'
'
Why
'
Why
'
I
'
'
'
'
*
ILIAD.
first
art thou, thus
his foe address'd
'
me who
gainst
the sires whose sons
ask,' the chief
my
rephed,
Hft'st
thy hand
far off
my
'
whence sprung
native earth
?
from rich Paeonia's land.
And lead with length of spears a well-arm'd band Ten days from this since I to Ilion came, I who from Axius' stream my birth proclaim, Axius, who pours o'er earth the fairest flood, Whose vahant offspring oft the brave withstood,
'
Illustrious Pelagon,
'
Now—war
my
He, threatening, spake
But raised the Pelian
Two
far-famed
we, glorious chief!
sire
—no more
inquire.'
—the chief made no
ash,
and poised on high
reply, :
spears at once Asteropseus threw.
From either hand alike each weapon flew One struck the buckler, but not onward pass'd. Gift of a
god the gold
?
force withstand.'
?
seeks Achilles, what
come
[book xxi.
nigh encountering, breast to breast.
of Peleus
birth
—
;
repell'd the cast
my
— — :
THE
BOOK XXI.]
The
other, as
it
ILIAD.
glanced the elbow
'289
o'er.
Just grazed the flesh, and tinged the point
Then, onward
And But
wiili gore,
gliding, fix'd in earth upstood.
vainly long'd to drain the hero's blood
—wont
Yet It
:
to slay, his lance the avenger hurl'd,
faiVd to
wound,
tho'
by Pelides whirl'd
struck the bank that tower'd above the stream,
And deep Then
And
in earth
implanted half
beam.
Peleus' son his flaming sword outdrew.
one blow to close the combat flew.
at
While with strong grasp
The
its
his rival vainly strove
earth to loosen, and the lance remove
Thrice shook
it,
and
thrice
fail'd,
and now again
Tried, as he bent the beam, to break in twain.
But ere
his strength's last effort yet prevail'd,
Achilles
'
ruthless sv>Ord the chief assail'd.
His navel smote, and thro' the ghastly wound, Pour'd forth his reeking entrails on the ground
Death
And
o'er his closing
hds deep darkness
one feeble gasp
in
'
'
off"
his arms,
Lie there
War VOL.
:
cast,
his spirit pass'd.
Pehdes rush'd, and standing on Pluck'd
:
his breast
and vauntingly address'd
not easily the stream-god's race
with the sons that spring from Jove's embrace.
.
l/'
— —
THE
290
ILIAD.
[book xxi.
'
Thou
'
Mine from great Jove,
'
From
*
Who
*
Far, as o'er
'
So
*
Near
'
Dares he with Jove contend, and front in
'
Not him the sovereign Acheloiis
'
Not him Oceanus with
'
Whence
'
All fountains,
'
Yet he too dreads the lightnings lanch'd by Jove,
'
And him who
saidst a
gave thee birth
rivers
sole lord of
heaven and earth
Peleus' loins, the Myrmidonian king,
sprmig from Jove-born iEacus,
far his
all
the rivers,
all
and
all
—what recks
Flow'd with
fight
?
braves,
the mighty main, :
speaks in thunder from above.'
the bank he pluck'd the lance away.
many
soft lapse his
lifeless lay,
a
murmuring wave
bleeding limbs to lave.
eels glided o'er his slimy bed.
And gnawing
fishes fatten'd as
they fed
stern Peleus' son, wide-slaughtering, sped
Along the bank, where the Posonians
fled.
Fled, as they view'd their battle's bravest lord Fell'd
might
waves,
all his all
his
wells their waters gain
Left in the sand, where
Onward,
:
the warrior where he
While the
spring.
the streams, the power of Jove,
thee, a mighty flood
left
I
progeny their race above.
Then from
And
god of
by Achilles arm and ruthless sword. '
?
:
:
THE
BooKxxi]
Mydon
Thersilochus and
:
:
ILIAD.
291
bit the plain,
Astypylus, Mnesus, Thrasius swell'd the slain,
yEnius and Ophelestes
felt
the wound.
And more had fall'n, and bathed with blood Had not the god, in human form array 'd. Thus, speaking from
his gulfs, his rage delay'd
thou, whose force and fierceness
'
'
On
*
If
'
Drive them from
'
My
'
Downward
'
Corse presses corse,
'
Cease
all
transcend,
thee, where'er thy way, the gods attend
thou
doom'd
art
all Ilion's
me
sons to slay,
at distance far away.
my
streams are choked with dead,
:
wind
to
my
!
I
death to death succeeds;
view thy dreadful deeds.'
fed by Jove,' the chief rejoin'd,
'
Be
*
But
'
Ne'er from their slaughter shall
*
Till in close conflict I
'
I fall,
all,
He
till
efforts vain
current to the main.
still
horror-struck
Scamander
*
the ground.
hereafter, such as suits thy
mind
cursed Troy her perjured sons inclose,
:
and
like
sword repose,
and Hector meet,
or Hector bathe in blood
spake
my my
feet.'
a god rush'd furious on,
While thus the flood address'd Latona's son
:
::
THE
292
ILIAD.
[book xxi.
God of the silver bow, thou scorn'st the word By thee so lately from Saturnius heard 'Twas Jove who bade thee yield the Trojans aid, '
'
;
'
*
Till the late eve the fi'uitful earth o'ershade.'
Meanwhile, Achilles from the o'erhanging height
Plmiged 'mid the stream, and rush'd a god
But Xanthus, bursting from '
in
might
his billowy bed,
Gainst him his congregated waters spread.
And on Roll'd
And
before him, with resistless sweep,
the floating corses, heap on heap.
all
bellowing like a bull, with dreadful roar.
Heaved the whole burden on the encumber'd
And
in his caves,
Saved
A
vast
and wave-worn banks profound.
that yet alive
all
shore.
had
fled the
wound.
wave curling round Achilles stood.
And on
his buckler pour'd the
His foot-strength
fail'd
incumbent flood
:
him, while his outstretch'd hand,
Grasp'd a huge elm that far o'erspread the strand But, with
its
roots pluck'd out,
All the wide bank,
Damm'd
it
:
downward bore
and spread the torrent
o'er,
with dense boughs the streams, and onward east.
Bridged a firm way that to the margin pass'd.
Up
from the whirling gulf Pelides
And, awe-struck,
o'er the plain's
leapt.
smooth
level
swept
—
:
THE
BOOK XXI.]
Ceased not the god, but
On
293
ILIAD.
fiercer to
oppose
a swoln billow's darkening summit rose.
At once
And But
sweep him to the shades below.
to
turn from
Troy unutterable woe.
—with a bound,
far as a javelin flung.
Back from the flood the son of Peleus sprung.
And
with an eagle's swoop, whose wing on flight
Swiftest
and strongest cleaves the
Thus sprung the
chief, while
aerial height.
with tremendous sound
His corselet clanged, and rung his breast around
And
god rush'd roaring on behind.
as the
Obliquely wheeling from his course declined.
As
thro' his vineyard,
When
from the mountain brow.
the swain guides the water where to flow,
Cleaves with his spade the channel, while Rolls
the stones, that ring beneath
all
its
its
force
course,
Down the smooth slope the murmuring currents And onward dash, preventive of the guide
glide.
;
Thus So
the god follow' d, gaining on his flight,
fail'd
the mortal, match'd with heavenly might.
Oft as the chief to front the torrent strove.
Resolved to
know
Thus forced him
if all
the gods above
into flight, so oft the flood
In gather'd strength above his shoulders stood, Still
as
it
rose,
Still fierce
and
on high Pelides fiercer
leapt.
on the torrent sweptj
: :
THE
294
Unnerved
When,
'
his knee, the
ILIAD.
:
[book xxi.
sand beneath him bared.
venting thus his rage, the chief despair'd
Jove
will
!
no god now snatch
me
from the wave
Hereafter
*
No
'
Who,
'
She
*
Apollo's shaft should glory o'er
'
Would
'
The brave had
'
Now
to inglorious death Achilles doom'd,
'
Here
in the
'
Like a mean swineherd,
*
Swept from the
god, but Thetis
me
her son deceived,
trusting to her blandishments, believed—
said, that slain
'neath
Ilion's
sacred wall
my
that beneath great Hector slain the brave,
fall.
had bled
I
and
stripp'd
!
him dead.
whelming of a wave entomb'd,
ford,
in a
showery day,
and whirl'd from Hfe away.'
as they heard, in
The Ocean-god, and
human form
Jove's celestial
array'd
Maid
Came near, and clasp'd his hand, and thus address'd. And soothed the agony that rack'd his breast
*
'
?
—be what may my destined grave.
*
Him
:
—be no more dismay'd gods— come down
Grieve not, Pelides
We —no
inferiour
:
to aid
:
THE
BOOK XXI.]
ILIAD.
:
2^5
*
Thou
'
This Stream-god, thou beholdest, shall
'
And,
'
Ne'er shall thy slaughtering sword from vengeance
doom'd thus
art not
if
vilely to expire, retire
thou heed the counsel we suggest,
rest,
thou
'
Till
'
And
'
Then
*
The
in
Troy
inclose the flying foe,
Hector's blood beneath thy footsteps flow, to thy fleet return,
gift
we
and proudly claim
give, eternity of fame,'
Then back to heaven the immortals wing'd their flight But
fired
by them with more than mortal might,
The emboldened son
Where 'Twas
of Peleus onward sped
late the battle in its fury bled. all
inundated
:
o'er all the plain
Floated the dead and armour of the
Upsprung the
And stemm'd
slain.
chief, collecting all his force,
the flood that cross'd in vain his course.
Such more than mortal strength Minerva gave. While more and more Scamander
And
fiercer pour'd the inundating tide.
Raised
'
'
swell'd his wave.
it aloft,
Aid me,
May
to Simois cried
and loud
my
brother
!
aid
!
:
our force combined
curb this man, most powerful of mankind.
—
:
THE
296
ILIAD.
:
[book xxi.
'
Else Troy
*
Shall cross his path,
*
Quick linger not
*
Call back each river rolling to the main,
*
Swell one huge billow, whose resistless shock,
'
Charged with whirl'd trees, and many a fractured rock,
*
Shall crush this chief,
'
Wars
'
But
'
Surpassing prowess, nor resplendent arms,
*
Shall
*
All shall forgotten
lie,
'
Sand
cast
shall hide
*
Clad
in
'
None
^
Such and so deep on him the
'
There
*
Pelides' sepulchre, Scamander's wave,'
prone, else ne'er a Trojan spear
like a god,
—
—
and question
all, all
his career.
thy fountains drain,
who Troy
of strength bereaves,
and deeds divine achieves
proclaim, that not his matchless charms,
I
him
avail
:
in
on sand
my
rests the
raised
o'erwhelming bed
with slime o'erspread
a miry shroud,
shall collect his
Then With
lies
tlie
him, heap on heap,
chief shall sleep
bones
:
:
:
his
tomb unknown
soil
o'erthrown
:
hero in the oblivious grave,
on high the thundering torrent rush'd.
bodies, blood, and
The empurpled
foam against him gush'd.
billow stood the hero round,
Flash'd cross his course, and whirl'd
ground
him from the
—
BOOK
THE
XXI.]
But Juno
shriek'd,
to
297
and with o'erpowering dread
Vulcan spake
:
*
My
its
torrent bed.
son, arise
!
*
Go, where with thee in force Scamander
'
Speed
*
I haste,
'
'
—
: !
ILIAD.
Lest the flood sweep him down
Aloud
—
;
—broad
swiftly speed
!
where winds
shall roar at
vies,
flakes of flame
expand
my command,
The west and north shall join, while on I sweep The tempest, gather'd from the boundless deep,
'
To
'
In
'
Burn
'
Then,
'
Let not his threats, or blandishments
'
Nor turn
'
Till
*
And
spread the conflagration, and destroy all their
panoply the host of Troy.
all his
banks,
and shrub, and grove,
'gainst the god, thy flames concentring,
my
move
allay,
the desolation of thy way,
loud voice restrain thy forward course,
bid thee intermit awhile thy force,'
Then Vulcan
On
fire plant,
lanch'd his blazing
tires,
and
first
the wide champaign in his fury burst.
And
burnt the countless host, along the plain.
That
lay in blood,
by
fierce Pelides slain
And the whole plain dried up, nor onward The less'ning flood along its burning road
flow'd
:
As when the
The
north, at autumn, after rain.
fresh-show er'd garden dries, and glads the swain.
::
THE
298
Thus
When The
ILIAD.
the plain was dried, burnt
all
Vulcan
all his fires 'gainst
Xanthus spread
eel,
his
banks to
feed.
the fish that wanton'd in his stream.
shot the gulfs, writhed in the burning
And
thus the
skill'd artificer
What power with
Cease, cease
'
Now,
:
'
No more
!
I
address'd
thine, great Vulcan, can
to front thy flame
let Pelides all
from
no more
compare
I
?
dare
llion chase
war, or strive to shield her race.'
Thus Xanthus, burning, spake Hiss'd as a cauldron
Urged by
beam
himself the searching flame confess'd.
'
It
the dead.
green rushes, and each bending reed
The god
'
all
the lotus, and the cypress turn'd.
That Xanthus loved along
Or
[book xxi.
elms, the sallows, and the tamarisks burn'd.
To dust And the The
: :
fill'd
fierce flames,
—
his beauteous stream
with scalding steam.
when heated
o'er
and
melts to lard a firmly-fatted boar.
Boiling and bubbling, fed by logs below.
Thus the
flood boil'd, thus bubbled to and fro.
No more
the current
down
But a dense vapour on
its
his
channel flow'd.
surface glow'd.
o'er
—
—
:
THE
BOOK XXI.]
ILIAD.
Raised by Vulcanian power
To
heaven's
thus burnt
*
Should thus thy son's relentless wrath
'
Less than the rest '
Gainst thee
—
my
my
Yet
'
So
*
Hear thou
'
Shall turn from
'
Not when consumed
'
And
let
thou
wilt, at
thy son
my
desist,
oath
fault, far less display'd
thy
command
and part
in
I
Ilion aid
cease
:
peace
—henceforth, no more my power Dion's glory
all
wave
o'er
fall,
her blazinsr 't?
wall.'
white-arm'd Juno heard, nor scorn'd his prayer.
But, pitying, bade her son the suppliant spare
'
'
Cease, glorious son,
No more
And The
?
Troy the exterminating hour,
Grecia's torch
Him
rest,
infest
power than those who
*
if
staid.
:
Great Juno, wherefore me, above the
*
'
—thus
queen the supphant Stream-god
stern
pray'd
:
299
for mortals
—enough
to
:
wrath bestow'd,
vex the immortal god.'
the flame ceased, and swiftly plunged below.
flood along
And, when For Juno,
its
its
bed resumed
force sank
its
flow
down, the contest closed.
tho' incensed, the strife
composed.
—— — ::
THE
300
But 'mid the other gods
As
different aims their
They
ILIAD.
all
[book xxi.
dire discord grew.
powers diversely drew.
clash'd with dreadful din
Roar'd, and
:
wide earth around
;
heaven harsh-thunder'd back the sound.
Jove heard, and throned on high Olympus' head Laugh'd, inly joyful, as the tumult spread,
Laugh'd to behold the gods with gods engage.
And
each against the other battle wage.
Mars foremost
Rung on
*
grasp'd his lance, but ere
its
Minerva's breast, thus scornful spoke
Why,
pest audacious, thus by fury swell'd,
*
Has thy mad
*
Hast thou forgot the horrour of that day
'
When
'
Thy arm
'
Now,
pride the gods to war impell'd
thou to wound
me
ledst Tydides
impell'd the lance that drank
'
?
way ?
my
gore
expiate, fiend abhorr'd, thy guilt of yore.'
Then
The
stroke
the fringed yEgis struck, of power to stand
lightning lanch'd by Jove's almighty hand.
His huge lance smote
it
—she —
unfelt the
shock
Stepp'd back, and grasp'd a fragment of a rock.
That
in the field, black,
And mark'd
rough, enormous, lay.
in times of yore the
boundary way
——
:
THE
BOOK XXI.]
ILIAD.
This on his neck she hurl'd Reel'd,
and outstretch'd seven
His hair
Round
:
in dust defiled,
prostrate
Mars
301
beneath the load acres, fell the god.
and dreadful rang
his armour's
brazen clang
The
goddess, grimly smiling, o'er
And
thus, exultant, spake in scornful
Know'st thou not
him
thou fool
stood.
mood
my
force
?
*
With one surpassing thee thy power compare
?
'
Thee, wretch
*
Who,
*
:
yet,
!
— why
dare
!
a mother's vengeful furies rend,
foe to Greece, darest perjured
She spake
:
Troy
and turn'd her radiant eyes away.
While Venus, where the god half senseless
And
half-fainting, thro' the
The queen
*
*
lay.
deeply groaning, panted loud and long,
Led him,
To
defend.'
!
And
Maid the rage
that fired her breast
once again, from war, beneath our view,
Yon wretch 'Twas
;
of heaven observed, and thus express'd
Jove's mail'd
Lo
armed throng
said
bears off that baleful Mars
—'twas done—on,
—
pursue.'
Pallas gladly press'd.
struck the goddess on her snowy breast.
—
THE
302 She
reel'd
[book xxi.
—she —her heart dissolved away. fell
And prone on Then
ILIAD.
Mars and Venus
earth there
Pallas glorying spake,
'
Such,
all
lay.
be found,
*
Who
'
So bold, so
'
Her Mars
to succour,
'
Then had
the gods long since from battle staid,
'
And prone
Greece oppose, and guard from Troy the wound, patient,
The god whose
Why
stand
such as Venus came
and
proud
in dust
Fair Juno smiled
*
:
:
my
resist
aim
Ilion's turrets laid.*
—then thus
to Phoebus spake
raging waves the earth-globe shake
we
when
thus apart,
'
The warring gods each
*
Disgrace to both,
*
And
*
Begin, thou younger-born
'
For me, more
'
Fool
'
The wrongs we bore
*
We,
'
From
'
And
'
Served, for
other's
if fearfully
the rest,
all
power contest ?
we
yield,
reach Olympus from an unfought
!
old,
dull in soul
more
we
:
—
less
wise, to rush !
for
field
seemly far
—how —hast thou
sole of all the gods,
Jove,
:
on war. all
forgot
Troy, remember'd not
?
?
—when downward sent
both, like menial hirelings, went,
while twelve lingering fix'd price,
moons wheel'd slowly on
the proud
Laomedon.
—
BOOK '
'
He To
THE
XXI,]
order'd
303
ILIAD.
—we obey'd—my
sole
employ
raise aloft the stately-structm*ed
Troy,
'
Girt with a broad and beauteous wall around,
*
Such
'
*
as
might
—
impregnable be found
still
Thy tendance, Phoebus! 'mid embow'ring To feed his herds on Ida's fertile glades
shades
;
'
But when the
'
And
'
The proud Laomedon our due
'
With scorn
*
His menace, thee sore-bound in
'
To sell in some far land athwart the main, And amputate our ears we wrong'd return'd, And raged, defrauded of the payment earn'd.
'
*
grateful hours brought
on the day,
the year labourers claim'd their yearly pay,
dismiss'd us,
refused,
and with threats abused servile chain
:
—'twas withheld—
*
'Twas promised
*
That thee
*
Join thou with us
*
Their wives, their race, their nation sweep from
'
Thou
A If,
'
That feed and
'
*
:
cause
?
uproot Troy's perjured birth,
too wouldst
*
for
this the
to favour Ilion strangely draws
'
god not
is
deem
earth.'
me,' Phcebus thus rejoin'd,
gifted with a godlike mind,
mere mortals, man fatten
s
most wretched
on the
fruits
birth,
of earth,
Who flourish now like leaves that robe the bower, Now sapless fall beneath the autumnal shower.
:
THE
304 *
With thee
'
Let men,
I
warrd
TLIAD.
man
with
:
[book xxr.
— cease we such war
at pleasure,
—
:
man
to
wage
engage.'
—
—
He said and turn'd away nor dared withstand. And 'gainst his father's brother raise his hand Him Dian view'd, and with fierce anger moved. ;
His shameful
'
'
flight indignantly
unshamed
Flies the far-darter thus,
To
god the glory of the
ocean's
'
Why
*
'
Mid
He
reproA^d
that vain
bow
—thou
field
fool,
to yield
?
no longer dare,
heaven's high host, thy force with his compare.'
answer'd not,
when thus
in scornful
mood
Juno reproach'd the huntress of the wood
*
Insolent wretch
!
Hft'st
Tho' with thy arrows arm'd, thou,
*
Thou
'
Gave thee
*
'
Go To
lioness 'mid
!
far,
—
'
How
if
thou wilt
Juno
—by proof of
more tremendous
Thus
Jove, at
thy hand
withstand
?
will, kill.
along the mountain height
slay a hind, than with a
But
me
that feeble race to vex and
—easier
'
Her
women
me
thou 'gainst
'
far,
trial
know
than thine,
saying, with her left hand,
wrists, and. with
fight.
her right the
my
blow.'
Juno grasp'd
bow
unclasp'd,
1
—— ;
THE
BOOK XXI.]
And
with
—
;
:
ILIAD.
:
305
struck her, and in proud disdain
it
Smiled, as the goddess turn'd, and strove in vain
While ever
Her
rattling shafts leap'd out,
Then Dian weeping Chased by the
fled
And
There
left
thus
flies
the dove.
some rocky cove.
die, lost
fled,
and bathed
peace resumes.
in
many
a tear.
her bow, forgotten in her fear
Then, as JLatona to the
The
and strew'd the ground
hollow smooths her ruffled plumes.
in that
Thus Dian
:
falcon, to
There, destined not to
'
and turn'd around.
as she strove
conflict press'd.
Argicide the goddess thus address'd
With thee
I
war not
—
'gainst the wives of
move
*
Dire the rash hardihood in arms to
'
Speed
'
That thou hast conquer'd, be Latona's
He The
—wing thy
spoke
flight,
Jove
and 'mid the heavenly host, boast.*
—Latona, gathering from the ground
shafts that in the dust lay scattered round,
FoUow'd her daughter to the realms above.
Who
there sat weeping on the knees of Jove
Her heaving bosom waved her purple
When VOL.
vest.
Jove, sweet smiling, clasp'd her to his breast ir.
X
—
THE
306
'
As thou hadst been
'
Thy
'
'
ILIAD.
What god/ he cried, on
'
Gods
wife,'
Diana
against gods are
'
by
now
flight to
Deep the
Troy,
its
On
?
caught
whom
all
heaven,
held, Apollo bent
ruin to prevent
:
god's dread, lest Ilion's sacred wall
Should ere the fated hour untimely
The
[book xxi.
to battle driven.'
While thus they conference His
—
thee this deed has wrought,
in flagrant evil
said,
':
other gods, these
ireful,
those elate.
around Saturnius sate
their high thrones
Meanwhile
fall.
Pelides, 'mid Troy's wild dismay.
O'er slaughter'd steeds
As when the offended
and warriors urged
gods, in righteous
his
way.
ire.
On a throng'd city lanch the avenging fire. When clouds of smoke roll in dense columns driven. And flames on flames empurple half the heaven. While many
Such
toil,
grieve, all strive with toil severe,
such
That time, Pelides'
grief,
as
Priam from Troy's turret view'd
form gigantic, blood-embrued,
View'd at his onset
Back
pursued Achilles' dire career.
unresisting
all his
fly,
host dismay'd
and none
to aid.
—
:
THE
BOOK XXI.]
He To
groan'd,
::
ILIAD.
307
and downward sped, and thus,
appall'd.
the brave guardians of Troy's portals call'd
—
'
Now,
'
Lo
'
Dire woe impends
'
Breathe in the walls, nor dread the battle-roar,
*
Bar
'
The avenger
!
to our flying host the gates
there Achilles waves his gory brand
—but when our troops once more
close each gate, lest, like a
god
in power,
burst thro' IHon's shatter'd tower,'
The wardens The
expand
gates, sole
at his
word the bars withdrew
hope of refuge, open flew
Forth rush'd the Archer-God, in haste to save Troy's wi'etched remnants from the untimely grave.
Half dead with
Onward they
thirst
flew,
and dust, right
o'er the plain.
once more their Troy to gain
Behind, Pehdes stretch'd his lance of flame. Infuriate with revenge,
Then Troy had
and
perish'd
;
lust of fame.
but the god, alarm'd,
Antenor's son, divine Agenor, arm'd.
With more than
earthly force his limbs inspired.
The
warrior's heart to daring
And
at the beech-tree, veil'd in nightly
combat
fired.
gloom.
Stood near to ward him from impending doom.
But when he saw the
chief in
all his
Near and more near rush madd'ning
rage. to engage,
:
—
: :
THE
308
ILIAD.
He staid, and groaning, mused where others
:
:
—
in their fear
[book xxt.
How
'
have
!
—
if
from dread
*
I fly
*
Soon would
'
O'ertdke
my
*
But,
suffer those to fly or fall,
'
And wing my
'
O'er the wide champaign, and at distance breathe,
*
Where
Ida's groves their leafy labyrinths wreathe,
'
Bathed
in cool streams,
'
I
'
But why thus
*
His keen-eyed glance
'
And
his wing'd foot o'ertake
*
Will
flight or force
*
Such
'
His vulnerable limbs
'
But one
*
Tho' Jove
if I
may,
He
his foot in fleetness of his speed flight,
and
step far
refresh'd,
Measured
now
:
off"
:
ignobly bleed
from
when
dim shades descend,
eve's
to Ilion bend. if I
retreat,
will catch
my
flying feet,
my
?
me
—then, no more dream
life's fleet
— But, may
if I
feel
like ours his
gift
Ilion's wall
— Now
fluctuate
his life
I
my way
his fell power.
spake
fled,
him with
and faced the
restore,
front him, here,
my
spear
mortal frame,
eternal fame.*
chief,
and prompt
for fight.
'gainst Peleus' son his daring might.
As a couch'd panther, from
the covert shade.
Springs on the hunter in the woodland glade.
Doubts not, withdraws not, nor Tho' the
fierce blood-hound's
e'er feels
bay
assail
a fear,
her ear
;
:
THE
BOOK XXI.] But,
Or
if
:
:
309
ILIAD.
the distant shaft her
way
:
arrest.
the sharp spear-point inly pierce her breast.
Still strives,
To
slay, or die at
Thus
ne'er
But braced
bound
resolved with one last desperate
once beneath the wound
Agenor turn'd his strength,
:
to flight his course.
and dared Achilles'
force,
Before him firmly held his wide-orb'd shield.
Poised his strong lance, and thus his soul reveal'd
Thou
'
deem'st, illustrious chief! thy
arm
*
Shall prone in dust Troy's sacred city lay
*
Deeds of stern labour,
fool
!
must
first
this
day
be wrought
*
Ere thou accomplish thy audacious thought
*
Troy numbers brave defenders, men, whose
'
Stand between death, their children,
sires
and wives,
'
Guardians of
where thou soon
shalt
fall,
*
Fierce as thou art, and far surpassing
Then
Ilion,
lanch'd his weapon, that right
Struck 'neath his knee the greave, nor
And In
sharp the new-forged
tin,
dart's
all.'
onward came. fail'd its
aim
with dreadful sound
shrill vibrations ringing, clang'd
But the
lives
around.
brazen point, tho' strongly driven,
Recoil'd, nor pierced the armour, gift of heaven.
Then But
'gainst his foe, Achilles sprung amain.
fail'd
that glory from the
god
to gain
;
THE
310
The god
And
ILIAD.
[book xxi.
in gathering clouds the chief conceal'd.
cahnly bore the warrior from the
Then, as the conqueror flew the host
Shaped
like
field
:
to slay.
Agenor, cross'd his slaughtering way
:
Before him stood, and, as he onward rush'd,
Turn'd where the eddies of Scamander gush'd Scarcely preventing him, the
A step, before While now
Crowds urging on
None But
Rush'd
—Meantime the
rest.
thro' Troy's throng'd portals press'd
to aid, none dared without remain,
staid to ask
all,
god
his step close following, trod.
in act to seize.
None paused
guileftil
;
who
'scaped, or
who
the slain.
whoe'er had strength, in fearful joy like
a flood, once more to breathe in Troy.
THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. Hector
at
Hecuba and
the Scaean gate resolves to withstand Achilles vainly implore
him
to enter the city.-^He is slain
dragg-'d behind his chariot in the sight of
of Priam, Hecuba, and Andromache^
:
Priam and by Achilles,
Troy.^^The lamentations
:
THE ILIAD BOOK While
And
xxii.
these, like flying fawns, their
Troy
regain'd.
with fresh food and drink their strength sustain'd,
Wash'd
down
off the dust, and, soothing
their mind.
Against their stately battlements reclined.
The Grecian Beneath
host, prefiguring Ilion's
their shields approach'd the
fall.
Trojan wall
Where Hector,
fetter'd
Stood guard of
Ilion, at the Scasan gate.
Then Phoebus spake
by the chain of
—
'
Why
with unwearied feet
my
'
Does Peleus' son thus press on
*
Why^
mortal urge the immortals
'
Why,
of the
*
Thou
reck'st
*
And
god unconscious,
fate.
?
me
retreat
Fired with rage,
engage
no more the host that lately
safe in Ilion half forget their
?
dread
;
?
fled,
—
:
THE
314 *
ILIAD.
While here thou wander' st
[book xxii.
—hence—nor
dream
in
vain *
Of glorious conquest
'
Thou
'
Me
*
Else
'
Ere
'
'
'
*
o'er
Apollo
slain.'
balefullest of gods,' the chief replied,
thou hast wrong'd,
many
me
lured from
Troy
aside,
a Trojan chief had bit the ground,
in Troy's walls her host
had
refrige found.
Thy guile has robb'd me of surpassing fame, And saved with ease that race from lasting shame Thou dread'st no vengeance from the future hour, Or thou
Then
should'st feel Pelides' vengeful power.'
rush'd to
Thus rushes with
Troy
in fury of his speed
his car a
:
conquering steed.
Who, at full stretch, as conscious of the To the near goal along the level flies
prize.
:
Thus
Him
flew PeUdes
—him the king perceived.
flashing on, first saw,
Saw him
and sorely grieved
resplendent, hke Orion's star.
Whose beams at autumn, radiant from afar, Mid heaven's innumerous host, at dead of night. '
Pales
all their lustre
Terrific sign
!
with surpassing hght
whose unremitted blaze
Pours in the fever'd blood
its fiery
rays
:
;
—
BOOK
:
THE
XXII.]
ILIAD.
315
Thus, as the avenger rush'd, a dazzhng
light
Flash'd from Pelides' arms on Priam's sight.
He groan'd, and struck with high-raised hand his brow. And cried aloud in agony of woe. And his dear son implored, who firmly stood To meet Achilles' might, and shed for Troy his blood. '
My
son
!
'
—the
man
old
and
cried,
stretch'd his
hand, '
Not
'
Alone
'
*
there, that chief awaiting, fix thy stand,
—apart—
^lest
By him whose Would heaven
soon
I see
thee
fall
matchless strength surpasses like
Priam loved him
!
then, this hour,
*
Dogs and
*
That
*
The young,
'
His fury slew them, or his avarice sold
'
Slaves to far islands, bartering
*
Two now
*
Gone both
*
Both of Laothoe born
*
If captives in the
'
My
'
Of brass and gold
*
But
'
What
fierce vultures
would soothe
sight
should his corse devour.
my
if
heart
—son
after son,
the brave, the beautiful are gone,
life
for gold.
within these walls I see no
more
— Lycaon, and brave Polydore :
camp
ah
!
no more
:
if
they
:
live,
of Greece survive,
gold shall ransom them.
—
all.
Not scant the
that Altes' daughter bore if,
store :
of our sons bereft,
but deep anguish to their parents
left ?
!
THE
316
ILIAD.
mourn,
— :
; :
[book xxii.
*
But
*
Nor here
*
Pass then,
*
Troy's sons and daughters from the untimely grave.
*
Enough
*
Oh,
*
Oh, pity me,
'
The
*
Oh, pity me, whose age demands the tomb,
'
And,
'
My
'
The
*
My helpless
'
And matron hands
'
E'en the fond dogs within
bred,
'
Whom
I fed,
'
The guardians
'
'
less shall Ilion
let
fall
if
thou remain,
breathless by Pelides slain.
my
son
within these walls,
!
the fulness of Pelides' fame
not Hector's death exalt his
my
sense and
suffering
son
memory much,
from
my
my
brain
retain
:
doom
brethren dead,
marriage bed,
upon the ground,
in slavish fetters
table
of
woe
all their
infants dash'd
my
name
foresees yet bitterer
daughters ravish'd, desolation of
of a
:
my
while yet
!
—so save
bound
my palace with my hand
hearth, shall madly feed
On their old master, doom'd in death to bleed, And with his flesh full-gorged, and drunk with gore,
my
'
Lie on his corse
*
Not indecorous slumbers on the
'
The
youth, whose bosom bled beneath the spear
*
Fair
falls
*
And
funeral honours soothe his soul to rest
*
But when
'
The hoary
vestibule before. bier
the tear that streams upon his breast,
fierce
dogs pollute in frantic rage
beard, and silver brow of age.
—
BOOK
THE
XXII.]
!
ILIAD.
317
*
This, this, the extremity of earthly woe,
*
The
direst
wretchedness of
Then from
his
all
head pluck'd
But Hector heard unmoved
-
below.'
off the silver hair
;
his father's prayer.
Next, the unhappy mother loosed her vest.
And '
steep'd in tears, bared her maternal breast.
Hector,
my
son,'
—she
*
The
*
If e'er, in infancy,
my
'
This bosom
thee,
*
Now
*
Come
'
Stand not
*
Falls
breast of her
lull'd
said
who bore
'
thy mother hear
thee, son, revere
much-loved child
!
!
and thy moan beguiled,
not forgotten.
— Soothe my woe
be
it
—
in these walls resist Troy's deadliest foe.
his strength
on the plant
'
Nor
'
The Argive
o'er thee
Thus
—
so slain,
<
shall feast
to their child each
:
:
no mother's tear
I rear'd in blissful
weeps thy wife
year
;
but far apart
on Hector's
heart.'
weeping parent prayed
:
No tear could move him, and no prayer persuade — Confiding in his strength, their dauntless son Survey'd the mighty man, and staid his coming on.
As
•
in his cavern, nigh the wanderer's
way.
Gorged with rank herbs, a dragon waits
his prey.
—
——
THE
318
And
rolling in his
Eyes when to Thus,
ILIAD.
[book xxii.
wrath the den around.
and watches where
strike,
with inextinguishable
fill'd
;
to
wound
fire.
Brave Hector stood, disdaining to
retire
:
Against a buttress his bright shield reclined.
And
How
'
communed
inly
retreating hence, I pass the wall,
if,
!
with his noble mind
'
On me
*
He, when Achilles reappear'd
'
'
'
Polydamas' reproaches
fall.
in fight,
my host that fatal night. I disobey'd, and to my pride resign'd, Slew my brave host by my unyielding mind. Bade me lead back
now
'
Would
'
The
'
When
'
Lists, while a chief, less brave, shall
'
And
'
That Hector's rashness doom'd
'
No
'
Or
*
'
'
'
had
I
ne'er refused
!
sore I dread
curse that must alight on Hector's head, all alike,
fill
—be
each man, and long-robed dame,
Hector blame,
the public ear with clamorous breath,
it
mine Achilles
slain for
his host to death
to subdue,
Troy, die nobly in her view.
—
if my helm and buckler I resign, What And 'gainst the battlement my lance recline, And seek that chief, and promise to restore !
All that to
Troy the
fleet of Paris bore.
———
BOOK
THE
XXII.]
ILIAD.
319
'
Fair Helen and her wealth, the fatal cause
'
That now on
'
These to the Atridag
*
The untold
'
And
'
But, shared in equal portions,
'
Vain
'
His rage
'
bid
!
—
Ilion dire destruction :
and to
all
draws
:
the host
stores our secret treasuries boast
Troy swear no wealth
shall lurk conceal'd, all
reveal'd
Pity, reverence ne'er his soul allay will
Hector
like
*
With him
'
Like a fond youth and
*
A
'
Now
*
Whose arm
to parley
youth and
woman slay 'tis not now the hour
a
— Slay me unarm'd. — But
:
from a cave or bower, girl
girl at leisure
clash our spears, thus
Then
:
as uncontroul'd
:
parley hold
by
:
swift trial prove
shall gain the victory,
graced by Jove.'
firm remain'd, while, towering on his view.
Nigh, grim like Mars in war, Achilles drew.
And The
o'er his shoulder vibrated
on high
Pelian lance that flash'd on Hector's eye.
Bright beam'd his armour hke the lightning's blaze.
The
fire-flame, or the sun's ascending rays.
As Hector saw, he shook, nor dared remain. Fled from the wall, nor strove the gate to gain.
On
rush'd Achilles, trusting to his speed,
Rush'd
like the swiftest
of the swift- wing'd breed.
—
; :
THE
320
The mountain hawk
ILIAD.
While
Thus
;
[book xxii.
that cleaves the clouds above.
And downward pounces on She wheels aslant
:
the tremblmg dove
!
scream the aether rends.
his
o'er her, stretch'd to strike, his
rush'd the Greek right on
:
beak impends.
and more and more
Troy's Hector fled the Trojan wall before.
Beyond the watch-tower, and the
They on
Now
fig-tree's
shade.
the public road fresh efforts made.
gain'd the
The double
rills,
whence, by fresh currents nursed.
fountains of
Scamander burst
This the hot spring, o'er which, as fed by flame. In smoke the steaming exhalations came
The
other spring, in
Cold as the
summer
ice, or hail,
or new-fall'n snows.
There the broad-structured
Where,
in the happier
season, flows
cisterns,
hours of
bliss
framed of stone. foregone,
Troy's wives and beauteous daughters laved in peace
Their costly robes, nor fear'd the
By
fleet
of Greece.
these the brave man, panting on the wind.
Flew, but more swift the braver press'd behind
For not
A
their contest
unimportant gain,
votive beast, or hide of victim slain.
Such
Was As
as rewards the swift, glory,
their toil, their strife
and the prize great Hector's
oft to victory
When
—
life.
wont, steed urges steed.
flames around the goal their foamy speed.
— BOOK
THE
XXII.]
—
:
'
ILIAD.
321
While the great prize that crowns the funeral
A
maid, or tripod,
Thus with
all their
excites
fast-flying feet the warriors
Their circhng course thrice
And
power
I behold,
!
and sorrow
'
Round
'
Hector, beloved of Jove.
*
The
'
Or on
'
Or where my
*
Now
'
Chased round her
'
Consult we
'
Or
his will express'd
at the sight,
ignominious
Ilion's wall, in
fat
flight,
Ne'er yet has ceased
and fragrance of his votive
feast,
the height where Ida's fountains flow, altar flames
Ilion's
brow.
Troy her Hector views
Peleus' son, while
now
on
wall, the fugitive pursues.
—gods,
shall
shall Pelides glory o'er his
Him
around.
the gods from their celestial rest
all
Ah
wound
Ilion's walls
Look'd down, when thus their Sire
*
Pallas answer'd
'
:
we Hector grave
save X
V
thunder heard,
Sire, in
'
God, cloud-compeller, what thy hasty word
'
How —long
*
No
I
replied
:
'
Tritonia
!
—
II.
!
child beloved
spake no harsh behest, by anger moved VOL.
?
foredoom'd, from death a mortal freed
other god, save Jove, will laud the deed
Thus Jove '
rites,
!
?
:
— THE
322 *
*
ILIAD.
[book xxii.
—
On thee Jove looks benign. Attain thy will, And what thy wish, at once that wish fulfil.'
—
word
Jove's
Down The
still
more inflamed her
:
swift
on
flight
flew the goddess from Olympus' height.
while Achilles, with fresh force endued,
Turn'd Hector's course, and ceaselessly pursued
As a keen hound along the mountain's Roused from her
lair,
height.
pursues a fawn on
flight,
'Mid vales and woods, or where she couchant Tracks
thro' the shrubs,
Thus Priam's
nor stops,
till
lay.
found his prey
son, where'er the warrior flew,
'Scaped not the keenness of Pelides' view. Oft as he darted where a Dardan gate
Might arm the wardens
to avert his fate.
Or where
the Trojans from their lofty tower
Might on
his foe the iron tempest shower.
The Greek,
preventing, turn'd
Wheel'd near the
As
in a
Nor
to the plain,
and made each
effort vain.
dream, pursuing and pursued.
this
can
seize,
Thus Peleus' son
Nor
wall,
him
nor that the
ne'er grasp'd
flight elude.
him
closely chased.
Hector's flight Pelides' speed out-raced.
Yet Hector there had died
The Archer-God
:
but,
:
prompt
his last, last succour
to .save.
gave
:
—
BOOK
His strength,
And
THE
XXII.]
now
fading
——
:
ILIAD.
323
once more renew'd.
fast,
each light limb with swifter speed endued.
Achilles' sign forbade, as swift
he pass'd
His host to dare a dart on Hector
cast.
Lest some rash chief defraud him of his fame.
And
Peleus' son but boast a second name.
But when once more they
gain'd the fountain stream,
Jove the gold balance raised, and poised the beam. Laid in each level scale a fate of death. This charged with Hector's, that Achilles breath '
Jove weigh'd, the Hectorean Apollo view'd
Then
it,
Pallas near approach'd,
Her heavenly counsel on
*
We
to our
navy
Hades' shade,
lot touch'd
and withdrew
his aid
and thus impress'd
Pelides' breast
shall return again,
'
And
*
He
'
Prone Phoebus vainly
*
But thou, here stand, and breathe, while
'
The
glorify our host, o'er
Hector
slain
:
'scapes us not, tho' at the foot of Jove
chief to
He
strive the
god to move I
persuade
meet thy onset undismay'd.'
glad obey'd, and with exultant mind.
Against his lance, brass-pointed, stood reclined.
Him
;
Pallas left,
and nigh great Hector came,
Likest Deiphobus in voice and frame
:
:
:
THE
324
And
thus address'd,
*
Thee, that
*
Round
'
Our arms
has chased
Now
*
And, when the
all
*
now
remain. again.'
more loved by me of yore,
whom Hecuba
Than
*
but
:
him back from Troy
shall force
'
[book xxii.
by ruthless fury moved,
fell chief,
Ilion's wall
:
Thee, brother, well-beloved,
*
Brother,' he said,
*
ILIAD.
:
Priam bore,
to
tenfold honour'd, thou, rest remain,
who
me
darest descend,
here defend.'
Brother,' the goddess thus her speech renew'd,
'
'
Me, much my
*
And
*
Me
*
But by the anguish of my
*
I
*
Now
'
Prove what our weapons, what the Hectorean power,
'
Prove
*
Charged with our
clasp'd
sire,
my
and reverend mother sued,
knees, and friends, by fear distraught,
to remain with prayers
come
and
spirit
to share thy fate, thou
tears besought
moved,
most beloved
firmly stand, now, at this trial hour,
if
Pelides hail his fleet again,
Thus, lured by
spoils, or
Pallas,
bleed beneath thee
Hector onward
slain.'
press'd.
And, foremost, stern Pelides thus address'd
*
*
No more
Round
I fly
thee
:
thrice, distraught
Priam's spacious walls thy force
I
by dread, fled
:
BOOK
THE
XXII.]
;
:
ILIAD.
'
Now
'
Fix'd,
'
Now
'
Their power the guard and witness of the word
'
I will
'
To
'
But, spoil'd of thy resplendent armour, send
'
Thy body
thy onset
here
I stand,
—or
to slay thee, or
I sustain,
by thee be
slain.
bind our souls, and by yon gods be heard,
not vilely shame thee,
glory o'er thy
back,
Achilles eyed *
:
fall,
—
to
if,
by heaven,
Hector given
so thou the like intend.'
him with supreme
disdain
Oath-bound with thee, cursed wretch
?
:
—such oaths are
vain. '
Such concord
'
Such
'
Each from the other by
fix'd
'
Such love
son to Hector bind
*
A
'
And
'
'
as with mortals lions keep,
as associates with the wolf the sheep,
shall Peleus'
compact
!
not
his blood
Now Now
till
thy courage,
Thou
*
This lance
'
Thou
'
And
canst not
now
now
thy
!
skill,
fulfil.
escape me, or withstand,
drinks thy blood by Pallas' hand.
shalt, at once,
lo
all
the warrior's varied charge
'
—
shall cease to breathe,
gush the other's blade beneath.
call forth all all
one
hate disjoin'd,
thy injuries
all
atone
the fate of those thou slewst, thy own.'
;
THE
326
He
spake
and
:
But Hector eyed
And
ILIAD.
o'er
him
[book xxii.
hurl'd, fierce-vibrating, his lance. it
on
its
wing'd advance.
lowly couch'd beneath
That
:
:
flew,
and
shadowing length
its
fix'd in
earth
its
strength
:
Minerva, thence, the Pelian ash withdrew.
And back restored it to the arm that threw. By Hector unobserved, who thus express'd To Peleus' son the joy that fired his breast
*
Yes
—thou hast
fail'd,
my
and, tho' to thee unknown,
'
Hast dared predict
'
Artificer of
'
As
'
Thy
*
But
'
So Jove befriend thee.
'
Now
'
Slight then the battle, great Achilles dead,
'
The tower
if
fate, as if
words of fraudful
foreshown,
art,
such dread unmann'd a Hector's heart. lance shall ne'er arrest
in
my bosom
be
bury
me
all its
Now
turn'd for flight,
might, avoid
my
dart
wholly buried in thy heart
it
of Greece, and Ihon's curse
Thus Hector
and
spake, and as he fiercely whirl'd
Full on Pelides' shield
its
vengeance hurl'd.
And smote
its
As from
brazen orb the javehn sprung.
its
dread.'
central boss that shrilly rung,
:
BOOK
THE
XXII.]
Enraged that thus
:
:
:
ILIAD.
his lance
had sped
327 in vain.
Stood Hector gazing downward on the plain
No On
other lance was nigh.
— The
chief, appall'd.
arm'd Deiphobus loud clamouring
call'd
:
Implored the succour of his battle-spear
Loud
but no Deiphobus drew near.
call'd,
Then Hector knew
his fate,
and
inly said,
'
The gods
'
Troy holds Deiphobus
'
I perish
*
O'er me, not long deferr d, dark death impends,
'
No
'
My fate
'
Jove, and the Archer-God, the son of Jove.
'
They
'
The guards
'
But not ingloriously
'
My
thus
will, I fall
by Minerva's
:
of
him bereaved,
guile deceived.
arm
refuge, no kind
by heaven betray'd
its
aid extends,
long destin'd by the gods above,
too, once
wont from death
of Hector, ope for shall
Ufe's last act shall
Then, where
their votary save,
him the
Hector die
grave.
:
reach eternity.'
his glaive's
broad blade down heavy
hung. Forth drew
And
An
it
as the clanging scabbard rung.
fiercely turn'd
;
as
from the ethereal height
eagle cleaves the clouds on stretch of flight.
And, darting
thro' the darkness of the air.
Grasps in
instant
its
swoop a lamb or hare
:
THE
328
Thus Hector
The son
rush'd,
and
ILIAD.
as he
[book xxii.
onward
of Peleus gloried at the view
flew.
:
Before his breast, with outstretched arm upraised
The
shield that brightly in his heart boil'd
And, while Rush'd
On
its
hon'our blazed
with o'erflowing
like the fierceness of
consuming
:
ire,
fire.
as the avenger in his terrour trod
His casque, four coned, the wonder of the god. In restless motion round about him
The
roll'd
fullness of its hairs that blazed with gold.
As Hesper's
star,
the brightest of the bright.
Outshines heaven's radiant host at dead of night
Thus, vibrated Shot from
its
aloft,
the Pehan lance
sharpen'd point the lightning glance.
While stern Achilles keenly eyed
And paused upon The
his foe.
the meditated blow.
splendid arms that once Patroclus graced.
From head
to foot great Hector's limbs embraced.
All but the clavicle,
where keen-eyed death
Wins
and exhausts the breath.
easiest access,
There the Struck,
Yet
till
fail'd
fierce chief in wrath's infuriate
the spear-point issued bathed in blood.
to cut the wind-pipe, which, unbroke.
Breathed the
As prone he
The
mood
last fell,
sounds responsive Hector spoke. and, o'er his death-groan, heard
scornful triumph of Pelides'
word
:
:
THE
BOOK XXII.] '
Thou
deeni'dst,
Thine, length of days, nor
'
Fool,
'
I,
*
Yet
'
When
'
Thou whom
far
—yet
awhile,
till
me
the Avenger
who from war
more powerful,
in
!
329
— Patroclus dead, of arms
the Avenger,
:
ILIAD.
*
I,
—
!
my
bereft,
left
abstain'd,
fleet remain'd,
this the destined day,
thou, thus slain, shall Grecia's wrongs repay,
dogs shall tear, and vultures
fierce
rend, '
While pomp and hallow'd
rites
his
soothed shade
attend.'
'
Thee, by thy
soul,'
— expiring Hector
said,
'
Thee, by thy knees, thy parent's hallow'd head,
'
Now, with my
'
Not 'mid thy
'
But,
*
All that
my
*
So thou
restore
'
Fall,
many
a
life's
last breath, I
fleet let gift,
thee implore,
blood-hounds lap
much
brass
and gold
gore
:
receive,
parents will for Hector give,
me, and a nation's tear
where Troy's sons and daughters
'Cease!'
my
—the
stern chief replied
—
raise
''tis
my
bier.'
vain thy
prayer '
Name
'
I
'
not
my
soul,
my
parent's hallow'd hair.
would, thou dog accurst
!
such, such thy deed
That frenzy drove me on thy
flesh to feed
:
THE
330
ILIAD.
[book xxii.
'
None ransoms
'
Here pour'd profusely
'
Not
'
Ne'er be by
'
Ne'er shall thy mother on the bier deplore
'
The much-loved son
'
But dogs and
'
Shall rend thee, piece-meal, limb
if
not store on store
:
and promised more
forth,
:
Dardanian Priam weigh with gold,
Well
'
thee from dogs
—
I
me
thy barter'd carcase sold
her childbirth-anguish bore
vultures,
foreknew
:
on their destined prey,
my doom
'
—
by limb away.'
faint
Hector said
'
None can
*
Thou,
too, beware, the destined
*
When
heaven, revenging me, will seal thy doom,
'
The
Scaean gate shall hear Apollo's bow,
'
And
Paris lay the great Achilles low.'
that heart of steel,
Scarce had he spake,
when
no prayer persuade, day
will
come,
swift-descending death
Closed in that prescient threat the hero's breath.
Forth from his hmbs the soul, with deep lament O'er youth and vigour gone, to Hades went.
'
'
Die thou'
When
—
Achilles answer'd
Jove, and
Then drew
And
—
all
'
Death be mine,
the gods, the day assign.'
his war-lance forth,
and
laid aside.
spoil'd his arms, with reeking life-blood dyed.
—
BOOK
The
THE
XXII.]
his grandeur,
And none who gazed While thus
'
ILIAD.
How
and heroic
mild, forsooth,
triumph ran around
how
command
his
Princes,
and
:
tangible his frame
who wrapt our
Achilles spoil'd him, and,
Spake
size.
but gave the unseemly wound.
their scornful
This Hector, this
'
331
host throng'd round, and with admiring eyes
Gazed on
'
'
fleet in
flame
!
?
when mute each tongue.
the gather'd host among.
leaders, since,
by favouring heaven,
*
To
*
This mighty man, whose force surpassing
'
Long
'
Come, with our
'
So learn the purpose of
'
If they
abandon Troy,
'
Or the
great Hector perish'd, dare remain
'
But why thus commune
*
Unwept, ungraced with solemn obsequies.
'
Ne'er, while
I
'
Ne'er, while
remembrance mine, remember'd
'
E'en in the dark oblivion of the grave,
'
My
us o'er such a foe this victory given, all,
injured Greece, and guarded Ilion's wall,
soul
battle gird in
arms
their towers,
their hostile powers,
its
?
guardian
still
slain,
Patroclus
breathe, he sleeps by
me
lies
forgot,
with thine, sweet friend, shall
have.
?
not.
commune
; ;
:
THE
332
Now, youths
*
ILIAD.
your Paeans
!
;
[book xxu.
now
raise,
swell
the
song, '
Lead
'
Great
*
Whom
to the navy, lead the corse along. is
our glory
Hector breathes no more,
:
Ilion hail'd,
and wont
as
god
adore.'
Then, with unmanly gash, dishonouring gored
The
feet of Hector,
With
And
and
their tendons
bored
leathern thongs behind his chariot bound.
the head to
left
Sprung
trail
in his seat, the
along the ground
arms
in order placed.
And lash'd the willing steeds that swiftly raced From the dragg'd corse the dust in clouds upflew. The clay thick grimed his locks of sable hue And that once beauteous head, half hid in earth. :
:
Tore, as
it trail'd,
So Jove, who
oft
the
soil
which gave him
had
o'er
him
birth.
stretch'd his hand,
Dishonour'd Hector in his native land.
Thus, as they dragg'd him on, the dusty cloud Cast
o'er
his
brow the o'ershadowing
beauteous
shroud.
But
she, the mother,
who
that
shame
descried,
Groan'd, tore her hair, and cast her veil aside
Deep groan'd
his father
:
and intense lament
As with one woe the heart
of Ilion rent
:
BOOK It
THE
XXII.]
seem'd as
Lay a
The
if all Ilion,
::
:
ILIAD.
wrapt in
:
333
fire.
wreck beneath the flaming pyre.
vast
hapless
sire,
indignant at his fate,
Rush'd, wild with woe, to pass the Dardan gate
But Troy forbade,
And
'
tho' roll'd in dust
each one singly naming, strove to melt.
Let me, thus grieved, thus lonely,
'
Pass forth, and speed to Grecia's
*
My
'
'
'
*
fleet
my
way.
may soothe the Avenger's He, too, may pity, may revere my age Such as I am, his sire, who rear'd the chief, The pestilence of Troy, the public grief, To all destruction, me, far, far o'er all,
Who
'
Tho' grieved, yet
'
For thee,
*
friends, I pray,
suppliant voice
'
*
he knelt.
Thy Oh !
oft
have seen such sons, so blooming,
my
less for all I grieve,
Hector, thee,
loss, shall close ere
my
long in
fall.
than one,
my son grief my breath
son,
that these hands had held thee clasp'd in death,
'
Then we had wept
'
I,
till
tears could stream
and the mother, who thee. Hector,
The mourners,
And
rage,
no more,
bore.'
groaning, round their father bent.
thus the matrons heard his wife's lament
;
THE
334
ILIAD.
!
*
Thou wast
*
My
*
By
'
Loved
*
Troy yet had greater been, had Hector breath
*
What now,
in Ilium,
more ?
thou both day and night,
my supreme delight where'er my Hector trod,
greatest glory, all
ahke,
as their guardian, honour'd as their
art thou,
my
Of Hector s
fate the
god
son, the prey of death
Thus mourn'd the mother,
No
'
[book xxii.
My child why breathe I yet, thou, thou no Why live thy loss, my Hector, to deplore ? *
*
;:
:
ere his wife
whisper of a word
!
had heard
:
sure intelligence her hearth had gain'd
That She
there, without the walls, her lord remain'd.
sat retired,
and 'neath her palace roof
Wrought, with embroider'd
And bade
flowers, a double woof.
the maids that own'd her gentle sway
On
the heap'd
To
serve the baths, when, wearied from the fight.
Her
fire
lord should
Fond
wife
!
an ample tripod
home
return,
lay.
and cheer her
unconscious, from thy bath afar.
Thou knowest
not that thy lord had
Fall'n, stretch'd in
fall'n in
all
war,
blood on his paternal plain.
By ruthless Pallas and Achilles slain. Loud from the turret burst a shriek and Her hmbs
sight.
trembled, and her shuttle
yell, fell
:
BOOK '
*
*
THE
XXII.]
Ye two/
Why
she cried,
*
'tis
yells the
Hecuba
my heart— iced — some
Wild
*
My
'
For Priam's
'
Heaven
'
And back
*
Has chased him
*
The
'
For Hector
*
Bat rush'd before the
— :
335
your mistress' path attend,
the voice of
'
:
ILIAD.
from yon tower those
— Hark
:
palpitates
welkin rend
?
distress'd
'twill
my
burst
breast
baleful horrour near
limbs are
son's dread destiny I fear.
shield to
me
!
— Peleus' son has interposed,
Troy the way on Hector o'er the
closed,
champaign, and suppress'd
light of valour in the hero's breast
Then,
like
ne'er withdrew, of death afraid, rest,
the rest to
aid.'
a maniac, swifter than the wind.
Flew, and her maidens
But when she
folio w'd close behind.
rush'd, in that ill-fated hour.
Thro' the dense throng, and stood on
Ilion's
tower.
And view'd her Hector dragg'd the walls before. Where the lash'd steeds his bleeding body bore. Dark night her
eye-lid seal'd, she swoon'd away,
Fell back, breathed out her soul,
Far
The
fell
the band that late her
and breathless lay
brow had crown'd.
braid and net that wreathed her hair around,
And the bright veil that floated round the bride. Which golden Venus gave her blush to hide.
!
THE
336
When And
:
ILIAD.
!
:
[book xxii.
Hector led her from Eetion's bower.
for her
beauty gave
his countless
dower.
O'er her, yet scarce alive, her sisters bent
And
closely held her,
on self-death
intent.
But when once more she breathed,
Thus Hector's widow her
*
Hector
!
lost lord deplored
ill-doom'd ahke our natal
*
Thou,
*
I,
*
Where crown'd Eetion
*
Both, miserable both, the
'
'
'
'
'
*
'
*
morn
:
in thy Troy, in Priam's palace born,
in far
!
to sense restored.
that
Thebes, 'mid Hypoplacian bowers,
no
light
rear'd
had on
sire
my
my
youthful hours.
and child
birth-day smiled
To darkness, and to death, thou, thou And I, thy widow, left to weep alone.
art gone,
A boy, sole relic of our union, left, A helpless infant of his sire bereft. Thou
canst not guard his weakness, thou, in death,
And vain alike to thee his vital breath. What if our child escape the battle strife,
—
and
dire woe, his lot in after
'
Toil,
'
The
*
His former play-mates shun the orphan's way.
'
His front cast down to earth with bitter woe,
*
Down
life.
intruder plucks his boundary marks
his pale
away
cheek the tears unpitied flow.
;: :
BOOK
THE
XXII.]
;
ILIAD.
'
Bow*d with
'
The supphant orphan unregarded
*
Here
:
337
sore want, before his father's friends,
clasps
some
rich
bends,
man's cloak, or prostrate
there, '
Breathes o'er another's robe the unanswer'd prayer
'
Where one
'
A
'
Or some proud youth, with
*
Drives from the feast the uninvited guest,
*
*
less
harsh
drop to dew his
—
Nay Thy
lip,
may
yield his helpless age,
not thirst assuage
strikes the child,
and
either parent bless'd,
cries
father feasts not, wretch
!
with loud reproof,
beneath our roof.
*
'Tis thus Astyanax seeks Hector's
*
And weeps
'
Who
'
The
*
And when
'
While slumber
*
In softest bed, upon his nurse's breast
'
Slept, saturate with joy, his heart at rest
*
Reft of his
'
He,
whom
*
For
thine, alone, thine. Hector, once the
'
'
*
on
dome,
within his mother's widow'd home,
his father's
richest
knee scarce deign'd to eat
marrow, and the choicest meat
at last fatigued with length of play,
sire,
stole
him from
thus poor,
his toys
afflicted,
away,
shamed,
Astyanax the Trojans named
power
To guard each Trojan gate, and lofty tower. Now, from thy parents far, in yonder fleet,
When VOL.
the gorged dog shall from thy corse retreat,
II.
THE
338
ILIAD.
[book xxii.
'
The worm
'
While beauteous vestures grace thy vacant room,
*
And
*
Lie useless
*
These
'
For not
*
Before
'
And honouring
shall all
robes,
whose all in
thy naked bones consume,
lightness female touch attests,
thy unopen'd chests
will I burn,
an undistinguish'd heap,
in these wilt thou,
all
:
my
Hector, sleep
:
Troy, what once adorn'd thee burn, thee
all
thine to ashes turn.'
Thus wept Andromache, nor wept
alone.
But Troy's sad matrons answer'd groan with giOan.
THE TWENTY-THIRD BOOK OF
THE
ILIAD.
ARGUMENT. The Burial
of Patroclus.
—The Funeral Gaines.
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK Thus
all
Back
to the Hellespont,
was
Sought each
grief in
his tent
Troy
:
XXIII. but Grecia's host.
and naval
coast.
save where the assembled band,
:
Achilles' guard, thus heard their chief's *
Not now, loved
'
Nor from the yoke
*
Here
all
'
Here
to Patroclus
'
Then be
'
And
!
brave Myrmidons
!
recede,
loose yet awhile the steed.
remain, where
all
one grief unites,
pay the funeral
rites
:
the coursers from the yoke released,
sorrow
ye, with
All mourn'd.
While
friends
command:
thrice
satiate, share
— Their
the
feast.'
chief the sad procession led.
they wheel'd their chariots round the
dead.
And
with them Thetis mourn'd
:
and, shed by
Tears down their armour for the hero's
fall
all.
— THE
342 Bathed
With
all
their way.
[book
—Then, while Pehdes
xxiii.
press'd.
blood-stain'd hands his loved Patroclus' breast,
!
'
ILIAD.
Hail, friend
'
—the
Mourner
cried
'
dead,
tho'
rejoice,
achieve
my
promise
'
I will
'
Dragg'd to thy feet
'
'
'
fierce
:
hear
my
voice
Hector here
:
shall bleed,
On his raw flesh gaunt dogs insatiate feed, And twelve famed youths of Troy, before thy This hand shall
Then
The
—deed
disgracefiil
—
fierce
thee
my
ire.'
Pehdes drew
corse in dust, and near Patroclus threw
Prone stretch'd
And
slay, so glut for
pyre,
:
the while his host their arms unbraced.
in their stalls the
Then
at the banquet,
unyoked coursers placed from
Ranged near
his ship,
Beneath the
steel there
all
cares released.
each shared the funeral
many
feast.
a bullock bled.
And
sheep and goats the tables largely spread.
And
flourishing in fat the white-tusk'd boar
Melted away the blazing
And, pour'd
as
Reek'd with
warm
And now At
last
:
fires before.
from vast goblets,
all
the ground
blood, that gush'd the dead around.
the chiefs conducted Peleus' son.
with long persuasion scarcely won.
:
BOOK
To
THE
XXIII.]
greet their king
:
On
at the
the heap'd
So might
From
And
ILIAD.
343
for Patroclus dead.
approach before Atrides' tent,
their
Prompt
:
such grief his fury fed.
So vengeance rankled
On
;
monarch's word his heralds went. fire
an ample tripod
laid.
their king the unwilling guest persuade,
his red
hands the spots of blood to
lave.
bathe his body in the fresh'ning wave.
But no persuasion could Achilles move '
'
'
No !—by the king of gods, all-mighty Jove, No bath shall cleanse me, till I raise the pyre, And round Patroclus light the funeral fire, him heap'd
*
Till o'er
'
My
*
No
*
Ne'er shall such anguish rack
'
I raise his
mound, and strow
votive hair to soothe his shade below
while these veins one drop of life retain,
!
my
heart again.
Now— the hateful banquet — ;
to
^but, at
glimmer of the day new-born,
'
King
'
Bid hew the wood, on burden, burden
'
With highest honours grace
'
So
'
And
at the
!
shall his corse
consume
Where
all
laid,
Patroclus' shade
in quicker fire,
sooner to their charge the host
They
morn,
retire.'
obey'd, nor long delay'd the feast.
equal portions graced each honour'd guest.
THE
344
ILIAD.
[book
xxiii.
and hunger soothed, the warriors went,
Their
thirst
Each
to the peace
Save Peleus' son,
and shelter of
who on
his tent.
the sea-beat coast
Lay, deeply groaning, 'mid his gather'd host. Lay, where the billows sweeping round the shore
Had
cleansed the margin from polluting gore.
There gentle sleep that soothes the soul of grief.
him
Soft o'er
As with
flow'd,
and seem'd
with the long pursuit
Then
rose Patroclus' spirit
Such
his
Such the
When
'
'
'
wanior
sore toil fatigued the
Worn
known
:
to yield rehef. lay.
when Hector
fled
away.
such, the same.
voice, bright eyes,
and
stately frame.
free flowing of his graceful vest.
hovering o'er him thus the shade address'd
Sleeps Peleus' son
—whom thou Haste — quick
He
inter
me
My
'
The shades
'
Far from the flood
'
Whene'er, with fond
*
Round
'
But
*
I,
—
of
I
remember'd not?
living lovedst, in death forgot
^
spirit ne'er
—and —
:
else, 'tis
doom'd by
?
fate,
can pass thro' Orcus' gate.
men
departed drive by force
my
interdicted course,
desire, I vainly
roam
the wide portals of the infernal dome.
let
me
clasp thy
hand
—from yonder shore
once entomb'd, return to thee no more.
— :
:
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
*
We
*
Hold with each other
'
A
'
Such
as once
'
Thee
too,
'
And
'
Yet
'
My bones
'
In death united, as in
*
'
ne'er, as
once in
ruthless fate
ILIAD. from
life,
all
345 apart,
council, heart with heart.
now marks me
as her prey,
me on my
doom'd
;
thou godlike
!
fate
natal day.
has doom'd to
fall,
perish, slain beneath Troy's sacred wall.
—
I
exhort thee
—deign my voice obey
entomb'd with thine, Achilles, life
:
lay,
endear'd,
When we at once were in thy palace rear'd When yet a child, a homicide, I fled,
'
To
*
When
'
The
'
Then Peleus
*
Loved, named
*
So
'
Hold
*
thee from Opoeis, by Mencetius led, in anger, chanced, with dice at play,
child of brave
let
Is
I,
and
like
another son,
thine,
and
father'd both as one,
rear'd,
me
to slay
the golden urn, that Thetis gave,
us,
it
Amphidamas
by death
for this
'
disjoin'd not, in
one grave.'
—the son of Peleus
said
most beloved, hast
'
That thou,
friend
'
I will fulfil
the whole,
'
But nearer, nearer come, breast join'd
'
That, thus embraced, this interchange of grief
*
May
yield, tear
all
left
the dead
thy request
answering
tear, yet
to breast,
—yet
relief.'
?
—
;
THE
346
Then bent
The
spirit
to clasp
him
ILIAD. but, while yet
;
sank into the earth
Sank querulous
:
—
Achilles
like
[book xxiri.
he spoke.
smoke.
awed uprose,
Clash'd his raised hands, and thus renew'd his woes
—there are and semblances below, But— shadows —an unsubstantial show. '
'
'
'
'
*
Yes
souls
!
all
Thus,
thro' the night, thy soul, Patroclus, stood,
And o'er me wail'd, in miserable mood, And much enjoin'd. I saw his image there
—
:
V
Like, wondrous like, in voice, in form, in air
Fresh rose their sorrow that deplored the dead.
When
rosy-finger'd
Now,
to collect the
The mules and
And
the day-spring shed.
wood, Atrides sent
drivers forth
from every tent
brave Meriones throughout the day
Watch'd
o'er the toil,
Onward they went,
And
morn
charged with
and led
their labouring
way
:
their axes in their hand.
many
a coil of twisted band.
First pass'd the mules, with patient footsteps slow.
Right on, aslant,
Now, 'mid They
o'er
the glades of many-fomitain'd Ide,
strew'd the oaks, that branching in their pride
Fell with loud crash
On
rough, smooth, high and low.
:
then, splitting on the ground.
the charged mules the heavy burdens bound
:
:
;
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
—— — :
ILIAD.
347
They, stamping, bore the ponderous weight along.
And
champaign rush'd the brakes among.
to the
Large logs the woodmen bore, thus gave command
The Cretan
chief, that ruled the
Each on the shore
Where
his load in order placed,
Peleus' son the pile's foundation based,
That mound enormous,
He and
in
piled,
where lay along the ground
attendant train, the mighty mass around,
Pelides bade his host their
And
whose ample breast
Patroclus urn'd should peaceful rest.
The wood now
The
menial band
armour brace.
each beneath the yoke his coursers place.
They
heard, and braced the panoply of war.
And
the prompt drivers
The
chariots led the way, then
The
foot slow rolling, like a gather'd cloud
'Mid
these, selected chiefs Patroclus bore.
Hid by
mounted each
his car
crowd on crowd
their hairs, thick-strew'd the
body
o'er.
Behind, Achilles held the hero's head.
And
groan'd amid the
pomp
The mourners, where he
And urged Then
bade, deposed the bier.
enormous
Peleus' son, alone, from
Mused on
And
their toil the
that graced the dead
the solemn
vow
all
pile to rear.
apart.
that swell'd his heart.
severing from his head the golden hair.
That, to Sperchius vow'd, flow'd
full
and
fair.
—— :
THE
348
ILIAD.
;
:
[book
xxiii.
Deep-groaning on the world of waters gazed.
And '
thus his voice of lamentation raised
Peleus to thee, Sperchius, vow'd in vain his son return'd again,
'
This offering,
'
This consecrated
'
*
'
And And And
with this
if
hair,
gift his
rams that
fifty
in thy sacred
when
my
hail'd
votive hecatomb,
at thy fomit should bleed,
wood
the altar feed
*
Thus Peleus pray'd
'
Not
'
Ne'er shall the son of Peleus greet his
'
And
but thou hast scorn'd his prayer
:
thine, Sperchius, this devoted hair.
this
shorn lock
falls
:
All grieved
'
:
!
pyre.'
corse embraced. placed.
and thus the daylight had declined.
not Achilles then reveal'd his mind
Atrides
sire,
on Patroclus'
He spake and bowing down, the And in Patroclus' hands the offering Had
home,
thee
all willingly
season
obey
now send
:
;
these
away
'
Grief has
'
Dismiss them from the pyre, the feast prepare,
'
Rites yet unpaid be
*
I,
'
Yet
and
my
let
its
:
my
appropriate care.
host, the last sad charge sustain,
with us the leaders here remain.'
!
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
:
;
ILIAD.
Atrides heard, and utter'd his
349
command.
And
to their ships dispersed each separate band.
The
assistants there remain'd
:
the pile prepared.
And paced on every side the structm-e An hundred feet then, on his funeral :
On
!
squared bed.
that high summit, weeping, placed the dead.
There many a sheep and bullock slew and And, heap'd before the pyre, each carcass
The
fat
Spread
Then
fiOm
piled their
Four
oil
and wholly hid from view
hmbs, and hung, with many a
and honey round the
:
tear.
bier.
Peleus' son cast quickly on the pyre. steeds, proud-crested,
And from
foaming in their
ire
nine household dogs, his hand had fed.
Cast two, that on the
Then
laid
alike Achilles drew.
o'er the corse,
Jars of rich
Then
all
flay'd.
pile, fresh-slaughter'd,
bled
:
twelve brave youths of Troy, in sternest mood.
Slew with revengeful blade that drain'd their blood. Last, on the structure hurl'd the force of flame.
And
*
deeply groaning,
Patroclus
!
hail
vow'd
!
named
Patroclus
hear, tho' dead,
All that
*
Twelve high-born sons of Troy,
*
The
fire at
once
is
perfected.
name
my
:
voice
—Rejoice
*
I
'
in
youthful bloom,
shall with thy corse
consume.
:
THE
350 '
But
'
Shall,
ne'er shall fire
ILIAD.
on Hector
[book
feed, the
xxiii.
hound
fattenmg on his carcass, search each wound.'
He,threat'ning spoke but by high heaven o'erpower'd. :
No
ravenous hound the Hectorean corse devour'd.
By
Jove's fair child,
by Venus, driven away.
Who
watch'd the corse, and guarded night and day
With
roseate
oil
ambrosial bathed him
That smooth'd, when
o'er.
dragg'd, each lacerated pore.
And a dense cloud from heaven Apollo drew. And where the corse reposed deep darkness threw. That not the
fierceness of the solar ray.
Should bare the nerves, and dry the
flesh
away.
But, as Patroclus' pyre not yet had flamed.
The son
of Peleus other counsel framed.
Lone, from the
pile apart, Achilles pray'd.
And vows to Boreas and swift Zephyrus made. From his gold goblet rich libations cast. And sought the succour of each powerful blast. That
their
Wrap
all
Fleet
Iris
keen breath might
the
wood
in flame,
swiftly rouse the fire.
and burn the pyre.
heard, and, floating on the
air.
Brought to the winds Pehdes' suppliant prayer. While, in keen Zephyrus' dome, the heavenly powers^ In festive joy prolong'd the passing hours.
—
: ;
THE
BooKxxiii.]
ILIAD.
As on the stony threshold
They
And
Iris
351
stood.
call'd Iris
I rest
her to himself, his chosen guest. thus refused their kind request
not here
—
far as the billows flow,
*
Where
*
There votive hecatombs the immortals
*
And
'
But
*
With promise
*
'
:
saw, they rose, and each his suit renew'd.
While
'
:
dwell the Ethiopians, hence I go
the feast spread that
— Peleus'
son,
who
Iris shall
either
hail,
regale
power adores,
of large gifts your aid implores,
To wrap the wood in flame, and spread the fire, Where Greece waits weeping round Patroclus' pyre.' Swift at the word, the winds with mighty roar
Flew, and far drove the gather'd clouds before,
Rush'd
o'er the sea, while far
and wide the deep
With
all its
Then
Ilion reach'd, there bursting
Heard
The
billows swelVd beneath their
sweep
on the pyre.
at their blast loud roar the blaze of fire.
pyre, in every part, throughout the night.
Spread, as they shrilly blew, large flakes of light
And,
all
that night, Pelides the divine.
Held with pure hand a bowl of votive wine.
And
fill'd it
Then
from a beaker framed of gold.
pour'd the offering on the hallow'd mould,
—
THE
352
And
ever as he pour'd
With solemn As when a
it
ILIAD.
Thus
child,
whose untimely death
un solaced woe
his closing breath
:
as Achilles burnt Patroclus' bones.
Thus
pile,
pass'd the night
Rose the
fair
;
morn-star, harbinger of day,
Sank on the wasted
Home
groans burst on groans.
but when with dawning ray
saffron-robed Aurora
onward came.
pile the
dying flame
rush'd the winds, and with returning blast
Swell'd
up the Thracian
Then worn Pehdes from
And
xxiii.
father, lone, with grief half-wild.
Slow pacing nigh the
And
[book
voice invoked Patroclus' soul.
A youth just plighted, to
:
from the bowl.
Consumes the bones of his beloved
Dooms
: !
billows, as they pass'd
the pile withdrew.
sleep her soothing mantle o'er
But when the
host, a
still
Tumultuous, to Achilles
:
him threw.
increasing throng.
flock'd along.
Their din aroused him from refreshing rest
He
'
rose,
and thus assembled Greece address'd
Atrides
!
and ye
chiefs,
my
voice attend
your footsteps bend,
*
First, to Patroclus' pile
*
And
*
With copious wine the yet half-smouldering
there extinguish, far as spread the
fire,
pyre.
—
;
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
:
;
—
:
ILIAD.
353
us gather up each hallow'd bone
*
Next,
*
Of Menoetiades,
'
In the mid pyre he lay
'
Far off the steeds and
'
In a gold vase, with double cauls inclosed,
'
Place
we
*
I will
not
let
distinctly
his bones,
now
;
known
but,
men
till
:
round
his bed,
confusedly spread.
mine are there deposed
a mighty
mound
upraise
'
Yours be that hallow'd charge
'
Ye, the survivors of our hapless
*
There the large mound extend, and
in after
doom
;
days :
pile
a
loftier
tomb.'
He
spake
:
the host Pelides word obey'd, '
Pour'd the dark wine, and
Far as the
And
fire
had spread
all its
the flame allay 'd.
strength around.
the heap'd ashes sank, and strow'd the ground
Then
tearful gathering up, the
;
bones reposed
In the gold vase, with double cauls inclosed
Bore to the O'er
all
Then,
And
tent,
and hiding from the view.
a veil of finest linen drew.
circling
round the place, mark'd out the mound,
there the broad foundation firmly bound.
Earth heap'd on earth, to
And back
raise the structure, laid.
return'd, that last sad duty paid.
Achilles then the multitude detain'd
And
all
VOL.
spectators of the sports remain'd. II.
.
A A
::
THE
354
—
:
ILIAD.
:
[book
xxiii.
Forth from his ships, along the crowded shore, His train the great rewards of contest bore
:
Caldrons and tripods, and the proud-neck'd steed.
Mules, and large bodies of the bovine breed.
And And
lovely girls, that richest vesture bore
the bright splendour of his iron ore.
First, for the chariot race, a
Whose
And an
skilful
maid the
prize.
labour with her beauty vies
ear'd tripod,
whose capacious mould
Could two and twice-ten measures amply hold.
The
next, a mare, six-year'd, of
Ere long
The
untamed might.
to bring her foal, a mule, to light
third, a caldron, that four
measures shared.
Whose unused brightness fire had ne'er impair'd The fourth, two golden talents fifth, and last,
:
:
A
twice-ear'd bowl^ o'er which no fiame
Achilles rose,
and
all in silence
Both kings and people,
'
Atrides,
and ye
his
There wait the
*
Ah
'
Mine were the foremost
*
Ye know
'
How
!
chariots,
commanding word
and
rewards
their rival lords.
had another chief these honours
far
—
I
my
pass'd.
heard.
chiefs, the great
*
had
claim'd,
prize, I victor
named.
need not on their glory dwell steeds in swiftness
all
excel.
;
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
:
ILIAD.
—
355
*
Steeds, erst to Peleus, by the Sea-god given,
'
By him
*
I
*
They
'
For him, who fondly laved their flowing mane,
*
Then
*
Those manes now sweep the ground, while bending
to
my
and
me, the immortal breed of heaven. coursers
now remain
at rest,
for their loved Patroclus, woe-oppress'd,
cleansed with purest
oil
from every
stain
low *
Their crests hang downward, motionless with woe
'
But now, come
*
Dares on
forth,
his coursers
'-
whoe'er in generous pride
and
his car confide.'
Well-skill'd the car to guide, the chiefs
among,
Admetus' son, Eumelus, foremost sprung:
Then Diomedes yoked each far-famed The
fiery coursers of
Dardanian breed.
Reft from ^neas, in the battle
When
Phoebus
o'er
Then Menelaus
steed.
him
field.
flung the o'ershadowing shield
deign'd Podargus guide.
With Agamemnon's ^the,
side
by
side
Her, Echepolus to Atrides sent.
To
free
him from the Grecian armament.
In peace to revel in his proud domain.
And
riches heap'd
from Sicyon's ample
Shower'd down by Jove
And
;
plain,
thus iEthe onward came.
long'd for contest, fired
by
lust of fame.
:
;
THE
356
ILIAD.
::
[book
:
xxiii.
Last, as the son of Pylos' time-graced king
His Pylian coursers drove amid the ring.
Nigh brave Antilochus
And
*
his father press'd.
cautious thus the prudent youth address'd
Thee, Jove and Neptune, thee, in youth beloved,
'
Have taught
*
I
*
Nor
*
Yet are thy steeds most slow, and much
*
The dangers
*
More
*
Which might
'
Yet
'
So gain from each competitor the
'
By By By
'
*
:
all arts
by charioteers approved
need not teach what
skill
may
best controul,
need'st thou learn to wheel around the goal
that
impend
swift their coursers
to
—thou, my skill,
skill skill,
o'er :
I
fear
thy career.
yet less
skill'd their art
added swiftness power impart
son,
all arts, all skill
devise,
prize.
not force, the woodman's craft prevails, the pilot steers thro' stormy gales,
when
chariots urge their close career,
'
The
'
But, in his car and steeds,
*
Errs in his rashness, wheel'd from side to side
*
His coursers widely
*
Nor can
*
But he, whose
*
Looks on the
charioteer excels the charioteer.
its
utmost skill
in the
limits
who
dares confide,
stadium stray,
bound
their way.
can steeds inferiour guide,
goal, just grazes, closely eyed.
—
;
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
:
:
ILIAD.
*
And
'
Keen watches him, who foremost
'
Now
'
That thou forget
357
holding with firm hand the obedient rein,
mark the
will I
it
leads the plain,
shown
goal, so clearly
not, once fully
known.
'
An
'
'
*
Two
*
There, scant the course, but level
'
Whether
'
Or once
'
There Peleus' son has mark'd the appointed place,
'
The
'
Close to that
*
Thyself a
'
Then
'
But
*
So that the nave, which
'
May seem
'
That, cautiously avoid, nor touch the stone,
*
Lest the crush'd car
'
And
'
Turn from
'
But
'
Dread not the rush and roar of those behind,
'
Tho' breathe upon thy back, with fury driven,
'
Adrastus' steed, Arion, sprung from heaven.
yon
height, a dry trunk crowns
ell in
Tis oak, or
fir,
whose strength
plain,
defies the rain,
stones, both white, alike each limit bound,
that trunk a
tomb
all
around.
of one no more,
a station'd goal in days of yore
goal and limit of the rival race.
mark thy
little
car
and coursers wind,
to the left inclined
lash thy right-hand steed, his rein extend,
to the goal thy left-hand courser bend,
to strike
swift
and
upon the goal
fall
swifter runs, it
shuns
on the steeds o'erthrown,
thou, the laughter of the rival race,
if
their scorn,
and groan
o'er
thy disgrace.
around the goal thou foremost wind,
;
THE
358
;
—
ILIAD.
:
;;
[book
xxiii.
*
Or by Laomedon's
'
Steeds in Troy's plenteous pastures born and bred.'
Thus Nestor
rich nurture fed,
to his son his
mind
disclosed.
And, back
retreating,
The
fifth,
Meriones, firm held the reins.
And
curb'd the steeds that
All First,
mounted
:
on
his seat reposed.
—then the
waved
lots
their flowing
manes.
PeHdes cast
from the helm thine, son of Nestor, pass'd
Eumelus next, next Menelaus flew
The
fourth, Meriones, his station
The
fifth,
and
To Tydeus' The
last, its
drew
rank and order gave
son, the bravest of the brave.
chariots ranged, Pelides mark'd afar
In the smooth plain the goal that guides the car
There Phoenix placed, the
The armour Keen
The
whose strength of yore
of his sire in battle bore.
to observe,
fate
chief,
and
faithful to retrace
and fortune of the chanceful •o^
race.
All, o'er the steeds, at once, their lashes rear'd.
Scourged with their
reins,
and with loud clamours
cheer'd,
And,
The
all
at once, as forth their coursers flew.
less'ning
navy from
their flight withdrew.
;
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
The
;
ILTAD.
359
dust beneath their breast, that upward sprung,
Like a tempestuous cloud above them hung.
While
freely floating
on the void of
air,
Stream'd from their outstretch'd necks the spread of hair.
Now, low on Now,
earth, the viewless chariots swept.
rising up, their course aerial kept.
Poised o'er their coursers' necks the rivals hung.
High throbb'd each
heart,
by
thirst of glory
While loud and louder as they cheer'd
The
their speed.
thick dust darken'd o'er the viewless steed.
But when the
At
stung
chariots, speeding
their last course beheld the
Each
all his skill
back again.
boundary main.
put forth, while
all
the
way
Before their coursers in bright prospect lay.
Then,
in their
The mares
speed out-racing
that bore
But Troy's proud
all
the rest.
Eumelus forward
press'd.
stallions, following close
behind,
Gain'd on their fleetness, and his chariot join'd.
And
seem'd to mount his
car,
and bathed
all o'er
His back with foam, from each expanded pore
While
o'er
him, as the steeds their necks outspread.
Their nostrils breathed fresh flame around his head.
And now they had outstripp'd And doubtful left the triumph
his
utmost pace.
of the race.
— ;
::
THE
360
Had not Apollo reft in From Tydeus' son the
ILIAD.
:
:
—
[book
:
xxiii.
vengeful ire
scourge that swell'd their
fire.
His tear indignant burst, as onward flew
Eumelus' mares
While
his relax'd,
nor held their wonted course,
Unfelt the lash that gave
But Phoebus'
view
far stretch'd before his
them added
force.
guile 'scaped not the blue-eyed Maid,
Swift flew the goddess to her hero's aid.
Restored the scourge, and by her power inspired.
Each
willing steed to fresh exertion fired,
Then
reach'd Admetus' son, and smote and broke.
Swift as she struck
The
it,
his equestrian
yoke
steeds asunder darted from the way.
And on
the earth the pole in shivers lay.
While, downward
cast,
Eumelus
His mouth, front, elbows,
Gush'd irom
bit the
ground,
nostrils felt the
his eyes large tear-drops,
wound
and
his
tongue
In awful horrour to his palate clung
While
far
beyond the
rest,
Tydides flew.
Gathering the glory to Minerva due Atrides next
Thus
'
'
I
:
last, as
they slowlier moved.
Nestor's son his lagging steeds reproved
On
—on—relax not—
all
your muscles
urge you not to rash exertions vain
:
strain
—
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
ILIAD.
I
'
Whom
'
But catch the Atrides
'
Lest JEthe,
lest
'
Why loiter
thus
'
Win
'
His sword shall
'
If
*
On
'
That
Pallas guides,
by your
—
trust
sloth
my
!
—dread the
Where
was a
?
—no
menace mine
idle
in
resign
your blood be deeply
some :
stain'd
prize inferiour gain'd.
and
yon narrow way
in
prosper, and your trust repay.'
they, fearful of his menace, flew. swifter speed the chariot drew.
that narrow'd on his swift advance. fracture,
where the wintry rain
broke the pass, and deeply delved the plain
There Menelaus drove, intent
to
;
shun
clash of wheels that 'gainst each other run.
Then
Nestor's son, with cool
Beyond the
Then
and cautious mind
Atrides' track, his car inclined.
tow'rds
Him, Atreus'
'
shame
the chief noticed with preventive glance
The way
The
eternal
a mare, the victory claim.
skill
skill shall
:
Had
and deigns with glory grace,
—or henceforth kind Nestor's care
He spake And on with
'
361
bid you not those steeds, that chief out-race,
'
It
—
:
:
him wheel'd, while fearful son, thus
Antilochus
!
—thy
steeds
Most narrow here the pass
as
he onward press'd
loud address'd
why
rashly strain
—draw back the
?
rein
—
THE
362
— !
ILIAD.
[book
There broad the course
'
Lest crashmg chariot against chariot crash.'
fiercer yet
The prudent
xxiii.
—beware—avoid the clash
'
But
:
he drove, as
:
unheard
if
counsel of Atrides word. '
Far as a discus hurl'd extends
in length.
Cast by a youth,
who
So
advanced, while backward
far his steeds
tries his
youthful strength. rein'd,
Atrides willingly his car restrain'd.
Lest in that narrow pass, wheel clash on wheel.
And
rushing courser against courser
Break
their bright cars,
and they
reel.
^vith rival force
Close, grovelling in the dust, their hapless course.
Him
Atreus' son reproved
'
Thou most
'
Henceforth,
'
Nor deem,
Then
'
Of all on
earth
pernicious far of mortal birth let
none esteem thee
that, unabjured,
truly wise
thou gain the
to his steeds loud call'd,
'
Why,
slothful, slow,
'
Stand you as rooted to the earth by woe
*
Ere
*
And
thine, their fleetness
The
o'er their feebler
steeds his
prize.*
and their force
shall
fail,
age your youth prevail.
menace
fear'd,
and hotly
strain'd
Their utmost strength, and on the chariot gain'd.
::
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
Meantime the Argives,
The
steeds, that
:
ILIAD.
363
in the circus, view'd
grimed with dust their course pursued.
But, at far distance,
first
the Cretan king
Discern'd
them from
He knew He knew
the well-known voice, loud heard afar. the well-known horse that wing'd the car.
The chestnut
A
steed, all chestnut, save alone
on
silver circle
Round
as the
With eager
*
a height, without the ring.
shone
his forehead
moon
:
then, thus the chiefs
among.
voice address'd the listening throng
Princes, *and chiefs
!
say,
if
to
me
alone,
'
Or
*
Far other now the foremost steeds appear,
'
Far other now, than
'
The mares, who
'
Now,
haply, injured, on the field remain.
*
Who
first
'
Them and
'
Yet
'
All the whole plain of
'
His reins are
'
He
*
Or, from his seat hurl'd down, his chariot broke,
'
The
all alike
still,
to each spectator
erst,
known
?
the charioteer
lately led the challenged plain,
around the goal their car
where'er
lost,
their chariot roU'd,
no longer
I look,
I
before
Troy
behold,
my
eyes
distinctly lies.
or vainly round the goal
turn'd his steeds, unable to controul
infuriate steeds
have darted from the yoke.
:
THE
364
— —yourselves
'
But
*
All that I fain
'
But
'
The son
rise
—
if I
[book xxiii.
distinctly all discern,
would know, but
err not,
to learn.
fail
an ^tolian leads,
of Tydeus,
Him, the
ILIAD.
Diomed
precedes.'
Oilian Ajax thus reproved
'
Why
*
The mares,
'
Beat with high hoofs the plain and head the race.
'
Thou
'
Nor
'
Yet prompt to prate thou ever
'
When
'
Those are the mares, those that Eumelus bore,
'
And he *
ever thus to prattle strangely
art
men
But
'
A tripod,
first in
still
all,'
let each,
victor, as before.'
the king replied,
such insolence to close,
or bright caldron,
let Atrides
learn, the
spoke
:
thy word,
rudeness and contentious pride.
—come—
He
bolt'st
than thou should be preferr d.
that guides,
'
And
not here the youngest of the young,
wiser
Tho'
'
tho' yet remote, in matchless pace
Inferiour, thou, to
And And
?
thine the sharpest sight, tho' quick thy tongue,
'
'
moved
judge
now
depose,
who won, who
mares are winners,
lost,
at thy cost.*
the Oilian rose in vengeful
his lip swell'd with
ire.
words of answering
fire.
— ;
:
THE
ILIAD.
BOOK
XXIII.]
And Had
rage on rage had fierce and fiercer flamed.
'
:
365
not Pelides thus to both exclaim'd
Ajax, Idomeneus, restrain your rage,
war of words engage.
'
Not
'
Ye would
'
Should, thus intemperate, on your sports intrude.
'
Rest peaceful
'
And mark
*
There each discern, discriminate the
*
And
thus, brave chiefs, in
He And
resent
;
others, rashly rude,
in the ring the race pursue,
the close
who
learn
spake
:
now opening on your view steeds,
lingers last, or foremost leads.'
and
lo
!
Tydides rush'd on view.
lash'd his foaming coursers as they flew.
They with
fresh speed
Swift as the wind
And
if
ever,
and
still
increasing force
—consummated
where they sped,
still
their course.
more and more
Their charioteer with dust grimed o'er and o'er
While
thro' the cloud, all radiant to behold,
Gleam'd the bright
Where
car,
gay
scarce the felly in
trick'd with tin
its
Left on the level of the sand
and gold.
rapid race its
trace.
Now, 'mid
the ring, from either courser's crest
The sweat
stream'd ceaseless
down
their
foaming chest.
As from
his burnish'd seat the victor sprung.
And on
the yoke his lash exulting hung.
—
;
THE
366
Then Sthenelus quick
The
[book
Lord
glory to his
Then loosed himself the yoke, and bade Bear the bright maid and tripod to the
Next Nestor's
Had
son,
whose car by
skill,
pass'd Atrides, claim'd the second
Near him Atrides
press'd
:
—
his host
coast.
not speed.
meed.
as distant far
As from the wheel the horse that draws the
When And
round the goal the rapid axle
car.
flies.
steed 'gainst steed contends the envied prize.
While on the
felly,
Sweeps from the So
xxiii.
seized the great reward.
new
prize that gave
ILIAD.
:
streaming thro' the
utmost length of
tail its
far alone his chariot
was
quoit's
extremest
Now
his car
had
—
yet, a
moment
The mare had
cast.
gain'd.
As ^the more and more her vigour That
hair.
o'erpass'd,
Tho' distant once a
on Antilochus
air.
strain'd,
—yet— another space
gain'd the
honour of the
race.
Next, came the Cretan in Atrides rear. '
Far as the casting of the battle spear.
Most slow
his steeds,
and
less his skill to rein
The
coursers striving on the challenged plain.
The
last,
Drove
Him,
his slow steeds,
as
he
And mid '
Eumelus, 'mid the wondering throng.
toil'd,
and dragg'd
his car along.
Pelides pitying view'd.
the Argives thus his speech renew'd
:
BOOK
Lo
'
THE
XXIII.]
'
Be
'
The
!
the most
367
skill'd, tho' last his
first
coursers' speed,
And justly
Not
If thus
All praised the word.
Tydides holds.'
son the prize conferr'd
But brave Antilochus
*
ILIAD.
to that skill the second prize decreed
And on Admetus'
'
: :
his claim denied.
thus to Peleus
son replied
'
:
thou inflamest a warrior's
slightly
thou consummate thy rash
ire,
desire.
'^
Why
'
His steeds has injured and his chariot riven
*
Tho' great his
*
Not thus that
chief
*
Moves he thy
pity
'
In brass, gold, sheep,
*
From
*
Or
'
But
*
None, without
his,
my
prize
because indignant heaven
?
skill, if
heaven had heard
had all
?
linger'd last of
?
his call,
all.
thy tent exceeds
fair
maids, and matchless steeds
these, henceforth or
now,
his glory raise,
greater give, and Greece thy gift shall praise I to none, the prize trial
of
by victory mine,
my
strength, resign.'
Achilles, glorying in the warrior's pride.
Thus
to his friend benignantly replied
'
Brave warrior,
I
*
Take thou thy
prize
:
obey thy just behest :
my
tent supplies the rest.
:
;
:
THE
368
ILIAD.
*
His be the corselet gain'd by
*
That once
*
With
*
A
in
[book
of yore,
war Asteropasus wore.
gift, far
Achilles spake
And from
envied, far renown'd.'
Automedon
:
obey'd.
his tent that high-prized spoil convey'd,
Achilles placed
it
in
Eumelus' hand.
graced him gloiying mid the Argive band. '
Then Menelaus
rose, his heart
on
fire.
And
pour'd on Nestor's son his vengeful ire
The
herald placed the sceptre in his hand.
And
silenced all to hear the king's
'
*
'
*
xxiii.
burnish'd tin the brazen corselet bound,
glorious
And
me
:
Why,' Menelaus
said,
'
:
command.
why, Nestor's son,
By thee, once wise, such deed so rashly done ? Thou hast disgraced my glory, wrong'd my steeds, Whose fleetness thine, that won by fraud, exceeds. judge both between,
*
But come, ye Argive
'
Judge, nor to either side unjustly lean
*
That none hereafter
'
Atrides took from Nestor's son the prize,
*
And, resting on
*
Bore
chiefs,
say,
by fraudful
his strength
lies,
and royal sway,
for his tardier steeds the
meed away
;
.]
THE
ILIAD.
I myself will judge,
and none
:
:
369
'
But
'
For ne'er
'
Here, Jove-nursed youth,
'
Before thy chariot and each conscious steed,
'
Hold up thy scourge, and thus devoutly
*
And touch
'
So swear by him, whose voice the waves obey,
'
No
injustice shall
my
shall blame,
word defame.
now
solemnly proceed
stand,
the horses with adjuring hand
wilful treachery turn'd
The prudent youth
my
replied
car away.'
'
:
With
me
patience hear,
'
Nor, tho' thy junior, turn from
'
For not thy years more reverend
'
Than
*
Thou know'st the
'
In will
*
Bear with me, and the
*
So thou vouchsafe accept
*
And
*
Whate'er the
'
Rather than day by day from thee be driven,
'
And
He Led
far
if
thy ear
far
than mine,
above me, rank and station thine.
how
faults of youth,
changeful,
how
in
prize, it,
how rash
wisdom blind
deem'd mine alone, be thine own,
ought more thou deign from gift, I fully,
their mind,
me
receive,
freely give,
cursed as impious by the powers of heaven.'
spake
to his
VOL.
II.
:
and
at
its
close great Nestor's son
hand the mare so
lately
won
;
THE
370
On
ILIAD.
—
Twas
'
grateful to his heart
— ;:
;
;
[book xxiii.
as falls the
dew
the gold ear that bristling floats in view
So Menelaus
joy'd,
and thus express'd
In gentler sounds the peace that soothed his breast
'
Yes
—
I will
calm
my
rage
:
—
for ne'er
thy mind
'
Was weak
'
It
*
Nor thy
'
None
'
Save thou alone, thy monarch's righteous rage,
*
For ye have nobly
'
Much
or wandering, or to fraud inclined
was thy youth deceived thee
yet refrain,
superiours circumvent again.
other of the host could thus assuage,
my
for
*
Therefore
'
And
'
That
'
Can curb the
sufFer'd,
nobly done
sake, thy sire,
and
either son
give thee, justly mine, that matchless mare, all
may know
that Menelaus
pride of power,
to his friend the
mare
'
soul
and rage
controul.'
of Nestor's son.
his fraud
had won
But
for himself, his glory to record.
The
radiant caldron took, his just award.
Then
Two The As
;
thy respectful prayer,
I yield to
Then bade Noemon, loved Lead
:
the fourth prize of that contested day.
golden talents Merion bore away. fifth
—the splendid vase that yet remain'd
gift to
:
Nestor, Peleus' son retain'd
:
BOOK
And
THE
XXIII.]
:
::
ILIAD.
371
bearing through the circus, kindly placed
In Nestor's hand, and thus the veteran graced
'
Take
this
:
—and may my
gift
honours to the
man
'
Of these
'
Thou
'
And this free gift solicits no Thou canst not wrestle, nor
^
last
a record prove I
love
ne'er again Patroclus shalt discern,
'
Dart the
'
Age bows thee down.
far spear, or gain
return.
the cestus wield,
on foot the
Take
this.'
field
—And Nestor's soul
Again knew gladness as he took the bowl.
'
My
son'
—the veteran spake—
'
Thy words
*
Faint are
'
Spring to the test of
'
Would
'
That
'
What
'
The solemn
*
Then
'
And
'
I
'
In wrestling
are truth,
my
limbs
and
—my
all
feet,
trial as
by
son well beloved,
'
me
my
approved
hands no more
of yore.
my youth, my strength revived again, crown'd my conquest on Buprasium's plain, that
time his sons, that ruled the Epeans, paid rites to
Amarynceus' shade;
of the Epean, of the
Pyhan band,
brave ^Etolians none could
me
withstand,
with the cestus Lycomedes slew, I
on earth Ancaeus threw.
;:
THE
372
ILIAD.
[book
xxiii.
Iphiclus outrun, and mine the cast
*
I
'
That Polydor's and Phyleus' spear
*
Alone famed Actor's sons force join'd to
'
Outstripp'd
my
'
While both
at once, each envious of
'
On
'
Twin
'
To
'
Such once
*
Such be your deeds
'
Now
'
But then
*
Now
*
All that can soothe
'
Gladly
'
And joy
'
And, honouring me, as thou
'
:
o'erpass'd.
axle in the chariot course,
my
brothers they
one
:
skill'd
the steeds to guide,
guide the steeds, the lash the other plied. I
was
:
ye too of younger birth, as spread
my name
forced at length to age alone I
foremost led the heroic
o'er earth.
I yield field.
urge the games, and on thy friend bestow
take the
I
him
gift
in the
shades below.
thou deign'st impart
that Nestor lives within thy heart
Achilles
left
exalt'st
my
fame, !'
the ring, thus fully heard
voice of grateful praise from Nestor's
Then brought
And
fame,
gain the greatest honour came.
fire to
So may the gods immortalize thy name
The
force,
a mule, the pugilists' reward.
in the circus
bound with tethering
Untamed, scarce tameable, whose Grew, while
word
six years
had
o'er
cord.
rising force
her wheel'd their course.
—
BOOK
:
THE
XXIII.]
This the proud
The second
:
— ;
ILIAD.
victor's prize
373
a massive bowl
:
prize the vanquish'd shall console.
'
Come
'
Train'd with raised hands to strike and ward the wound,
*
Arm'd with the
'
And
'
His be the mule, the triumph of the day
*
The
forth/ Pelides cried,
Phoebus
cestus.
'
ye most renown'd,
— Then, whom
vanquish'd bear this massive bowl away.*
Epeius, famed for
many
his
And
man
'
Let that
'
Who
'
Lo
'
Enough
'
None
in all deeds
'
But
forewarn
this
I
'
Here
'
To
let
—the mule
I ne'er resign
unconquer'd cestus makes her mine.
—
'Tisdone
victorious laid.
confront me,' proudly said,
wants the bowl
—
size,
a cestus prize.
hand
He, on the mule
in
—
war
boast no matchless fame
I
can equal glory claim.
my
foe
his limbs are
:
nor warn alone
:
smash'd,and crush'd each bone.
the bearers of the dead remain,
bear him off by
He
approve,
with glory from above,
gifts
Rose, at the word, a boaster, huge of
*
all
spake
—and
Till at the last
all
me
untimely
were mute
Euryalus arose.
slain.'
— None dared oppose.
; ;;:
THE
374
Son of Mecisteus, of
Who,
When
all,
at
Thebes withstood.
(Edipus, their monarch, breathless lay.
Tydides'
self,
graced his burial day.
emboldening his might.
And, wishing him the
Gave him the
victory, arm'd for fight.
belt that girt his loins around.
the bull-thongs, whose strength the cestus bound.
At once, thus At once
girt,
the combatants appear'd.
their threat'ning
And each
And
[book xxiii.
Talaion's blood.
the Cadmeans,
And solemn honours
And
ILIAD.
arms sublimely
against the other
their crush'd
rear'd.
onward sprung.
jaws beneath the cestus rung
Stroke echo'd stroke, while sweat from every pore
Burst with each blow, and bathed their limbs
And now
Epeius, with o'erpowering wound.
Smote on the cheek
He
reel'd
his rival, gazing
Wash'd by the wave, he
The
;
fell
is
seen to leap.
flounces on the sea-weed,
Thus,
round
—he —As when from out the deep
Curl'd by the north, a fish
And
all o'er.
fall'n,
victor,
again
darts beneath the
he bounded up,
and
till
till
kindly
main
came
sustain'd his drooping frame.
His grieved associates swiftly gathering round.
Drew him,
with faltering
Dark gore disgorging
:
His head, hung down,
feet,
along the ground
stunn'd beneath the blow. roll'd restless to
and
fro
:
:
BOOK
While on
Nor
THE
XXIII.]
375
ILIAD.
wretch unconscious
his seat the
:
lay.
reck'd his prize, borne by his fiiends away.
Pelides then, before the admiring eyes
Of the throng'd Greeks,
display'd the wrestlers' prize.
There, framed to stand the flame, a tripod lay. Scarce twelve choice beeves
The
its
value could repay
vanquish'd claims a maid, as
skill'd,
as
fair.
Scarce four choice beeves could with her worth compare.
Then, Peleus' son '
And
dare
make
:
trial
—
'
Ye who contend
of your strength,
Then Telamonian Ajax onward
the prize,
arise.'
press'd.
And keen
Ulysses, wise
Both
girt,
they came, and 'mid the encircling band.
Each
grasp'd the other with unyielding hand.
beyond the
rest.
Like two vast beams that to each other join'd. Sustain
some
lofty
dome
that bars the wind
Creak'd their strain'd backs, that in the struggle glow'd.
As down
their shoulders sweat profusely flow'd.
Swift-swelling on the sight,
and black with blood.
Thick whelks, where'er they griped, upstarting stood
Yet more and more the
The
lust for victory
grew.
envied tripod beaming on the view.
Nor could Ulysses Nor was
cast great
Ajax down.
Laertes' son by Ajax thrown
:
——
:
THE
376
But when the
ILIAD.
Or
*
Or
—
lift
me
Then
up'
thee
I lift
raised
Jove at
let
him up
cried
will decide.'
—the wary chief the while.
of his wonted guile.
Behind him struck
Back Ajax
fell,
A
wonder
And
xxiii.
strength,
fi-uitless
—the Telamonian
—
Not unregardful
voice of
[book
ring, o'erwearied out at length.
Scarce deign'd to look upon their *
;
his
ham, and strongly press'd.
Ulysses on his breast thro' the circle run.
loud the shouting round Laertes' son.
Ulysses then to raise great Ajax strove.
But
fail'd
to
Yet lock'd
lift
the weight he scarce could move.
knee in
his
his
;
both
fell,
both lay
Prostrate in dust, nor either gain'd the day
But when once more the Pelides spoke,
'
No more
chiefs the strife renew'd,
to peace
subdued
:
contend, nor work each other wrong
'
To
*
Now— other
both alike the same rewards belong.
And, wiping
Achilles
A
and thus
:
silver
games.'
— They
listen'd,
and obey'd.
off the dust, themselves array'd.
now
the racers' prize display'd,
bowl elaborately made
;
Whose deep capacity six measures held. And far in beauty all on earth excell'd.
:
THE
BooKxxiii.]
Sidonian
And
A
skill its
ILIAD.
work had
subtly wrought.
o'er the deep, Phoenician
Thoas.
gift to
Whom,
— This,
377
merchants brought
for Priam's son.
seized in battle, once Patroclus
won.
Brave lasonides, Eunetis gave Lycaon's ransom from the untimely grave. This, the great prize, Achilles gave to grace
The
funeral of his friend, and crown the race.
The
next, a fatted ox, of stately size.
And, a
*
half-talent, gold, the inferiour prize.
Racers
Uprose the
And
!
come O'ilian,
forth
'
—he
cried
—In
act to run
and Laertes' son.
swift Antilochus
:
all,
high in heart
Stood, in due order ranged, and prompt to part. Achilles mark'd the goal
The
course in
First the
all its
:
before their
way
length extended lay.
Oihan shot before the
rest.
Next, on his step, Ulysses nearly press'd. Close, as a
The
maid who from the
thread, the distaff to her
Thus near Ulysses
press'd
:
flax entwines
bosom joins.
pace urging pace.
Ere yet the faUing dust obscured
its
And on
flew,
his shoulders, ever as
he
trace
Steam'd a hot vapour with each breath he drew.
:
THE
378
Thus keen
From
all
for victory, as
; :
:
ILIAD.
[book
xxiii.
he onward sprung.
one shout of admiration rung.
Now, near
the close, to win Minerva's aid,
Ulysses to the goddess inly pray'd
'
'
Deign, Pallas
!
aid.
— Now hear,
if
ever heard,
Breathed from the heart thy supphant's fervent word.'
Minerva heard, and, gracious to Breathed
in
each limb the buoyancy of
And now just
Had And
will'd
:
fell
in all his force.
and where the bullocks
at the funeral
slain.
bathed with blood the plain.
the dark dung and scatter'd offals lay.
There Ajax
And
air
grasp'd the prize, and closed the course.
Swift Ajax, shding,
So Pallas
his prayer.
fell
on that
with the dung and
Roll'd,
and
his
deceitful
way
offals cover'd o'er,
mouth and
nostrils
grimed with gore.
Ulysses foremost came, and bore away
The
radiant bowl, the glory of the day.
On the horn'd bull his hand then Ajax And sputtering out the ordure, sternly '
'
Pallas,
who
o'er
laid.
said
him holds maternal guard,
Has wrong'd and robb'd me
of
my
due reward.'
:;
THE
BOOKxxiii.J
ILIAD.
Thus, as he sternly spake,
And
gaily smiled.
laugh'd to see the hero thus defiled
Then
The
'
all
379
Nestor's son with sweet
and smiling look.
third, last prize, the gold half-talent, took.
Ye
know,' he said,
'
the
gods who look on
earth,
honour men of elder birth
*
Still chiefly
'
Few
'
Ulysses' youth grew
*
Yet green
his age,
*
None can
his speed out-race, save Peleus' son.'
years, out-numbering mine, has
up with
Ajax
told,
chiefs of old,
and of the Achaians, none,
Sweet was that tribute to Pelides' breast.
And '
*
thus the king, well pleased, the chief address'd
Not unrewarded,
Take
He And
:
praise
from Ups
like thine
:
—
this half talent to the other join.'
spake
:
and
in his
hand the present placed.
the chief gloried, by Achilles graced.
And now
before the host's admiring eyes
Achilles placed the single combat's prize.
The
length of spear, the helm, and burnish'd shield.
Won
by Patroclus from Sai^pedon's
field.
:
——— ;
THE
380 '
Advance
'
Our
*
Ye,
*
'
'
'
—
[book xxm.
Pelides loudly spake
bravest chiefs
who
ILIAD.
!
—
let
—
advance
'
lance encounter lance
before us, in the army's sight,
Make trial of your force in single fight. Who, in the contest, first inflicts the wound, Where the blood flows, the opening flesh around,
*
His be the prize,
'
The sword
'
The
'
And my
my
spoil, bright silver'd o'er,
that once Asteropasus wore,
spear, the shield, the
first
uprose.
strength Tydides fear'd not to oppose.
The champions now withdrew, and arm'd Then met,
Now
!
share,
rich banquet shall your strength repair.'
Then Telamonian Ajax
Whose
helm each warrior
apart.
stern valour flaming in each heart.
as their spears the rushing chieftains raised.
The Greeks,
all
awe-struck, on the onset gazed
Against each other thrice the rivals sprung.
And
Now
thrice their
armour
in the conflict rung.
thro' the shield fierce
But the mail'd breastplate
Ajax drove
baffled its
his lance.
advance
And now, as o'er the shield Tydides aim'd. And on his rival's neck the spear-point flamed. All Greece in terrour for her Ajax'
Bade each the
prizes share,
life.
and cease the
strife
— ——
BOOK
THE
XXIII.]
Yet Peleus' son
The
381
to brave Tydides gave
and sheath, and
belt,
ILIAD.
silver-hafted glaive.
Achilles, then, within the circle brought
A ponderous
mass of iron-ore unwrought.
Whose burden once
strong-arm'd Eetion threw.
Ere Peleus son the valiant
chieftain slew
'
Then
to his fleet, with
The conqueror '
Ye
!
who
many
a glorious spoil.
bore, proud trophy of his
this trial dare,
:
bold chiefs,
toil.
arise,
'
Behold the great reward, the conqueror's prize
*
Whate'er his lands, tho' distant
*
This for
'
Ne'er need his ploughman, or his labouring swain
*
From
five years shall
cities seek,
Achilles spake
:
field
from
ample substance
but hence his iron
and Ajax
field,
yield,
gain.'
at the close,
Epeus, Leonteus, Polypoetes rose.
Arranged they stood
But laughter
:
its
follow'd as
Leonteus next
burden Epeus
he vainly hurl'd
—then Ajax
And, where he
fix'd
it,
whirl'd.
forceful cast.
far the rest o'er})ass'd
Last, the huge burden Polypoetes took.
And,
far off, as
a neat-herd swings his crook.
:
THE
382
*Mid
ILIAD.
[book
his stray herds, thus Polypcetes' force
Wing'd
ponderous course.
far o'er all the iron's
The
circus shouted,
The
glorious trophy to his naval store.
—
Next
^for
On
his
comrades bore
the archer's prize, Pelides brought
Ten double axes As many
and
exquisitely wi'ought.
singly edged
:
then
the far sands a mast of stateliest height.
And on
its
A dove,
and wreathed a cord
'
fix'd in sight
airy
At that
brow securely bound
far dove,
its
foot around.
and cord, the archer aims,
*
Who
'
And, who, the bird unwounded, cuts the cord,
'
The
He
wounds the dove, the double axes
claims,
axes, singly-edged, his due reward.'
spake
:
and Teucer
rose,
and mid the ring '
Stood the brave comrade of the Cretan king. In the brass helm their lots the chieftains threw.
And the first lot exultant Teucer drew. And loosed the shaft, forgetful of the vow To feast the god, who bends heaven's silver bow Hence
And
miss'd the dove, but cut the cord in twain.
freed the bird that sought the ethereal plain.
xxiii.
—
BOOK
—
THE
xxiii.]
Down
fell
The shout The
ILIAD.
on earth the cord of
;
383
and loud and long
:
wonder burst from
the throng.
all
chief then seized from Teucer's
hand the bow
To loose the shaft that long had aim'd the blow. And vow'd, to Phoebus, ere he wing'd its way. His choicest lambs, a hecatomb, to
Under a cloud
He
slay.
aloft in airy ring
saw, and pierced the dove beneath her wing
The
shaft pass'd through, then swiftly
Fell at the archer's foot,
:
back again
and pierced the
plain.
And the poor dove return'd from whence she flew. And perch'd upon the mast before his view. Hung her loose neck, her languid pinion closed. and soon
Fell far remote, All,
wondering, view'd
A lance
—that
skill
the glory gain'd
edged
obtain'd.
amid the ring
display'd
Teucer the axes
Pelides then
in death reposed.
single
that cast afar
its
length of shade.
And a bright caldron, with rich flowers enchased. Whose burnish'd frame no fire had ere debased. Worth
a bull's price
—
at once,
amid the
ring.
Here, sprung Meriones, there Grecia's king. Achilles spake '
All
know,
'
King
!
thy surpassing art
far, far o'er all, to
hurl the dart.
—
:
THE
384 *
And
'
The
He The
—
if
thy mil, Atrides
ILIAD. !
[book
—such mine —the caldron is
lance be that brave chief's
spake
:
thine.'
and Atreus' son, with joyful mind.
lance to brave Meriones resign'd
And bade
Talthybius to his tent convey
The beauteous
xxiii.
caldron, to record the day.
THE TWENTY-FOURTH BOOK OF
THE
VOL.
II.
ILIAD.
C C
ARGUMENT.
—
Hector dragged by Achilles round the Tomb of Patroclus. Thetis persuades Achilles to restore the ransomed body. Mercury, by the command of Jupiter, guides Priam, bearing the ransom, to the tent of
—
—
-Priam, at the feet of Achilles, moves him to pity, obtains the body of Hector, and returns with it to Troy. The lamentation of Andromache, Hecuba, and Helen. The burial of Hector. Achilles.
—
—
—
THE
And
:
ILIAD.
BOOK The games now
;
XXIV.
closed, the Grecians sought their tent.
to their feast, or soothing
slumber went
But not the power of all-subduing
sleep
Could close Pelides' eye, that woke He, inconsolable, untimely
to weep.
left.
Of all
his heart
Knew
not repose, but, wearied out with woe,
most loved by death
Toss'd, ever-rolling, restless, to
And more and more
and
bereft.
fro
:
Patroclus' loss to mourn,
Recall'd their various toils together borne,
What glorious battles fought, what victories gain'd. And on the deep what dangers both sustain'd. Still
recollecting these, he watch'd, he wept.
While
Now Now
his
on
worn limbs no peaceful posture kept
his side,
and now supine, now prone.
starting up, the
wanderer stray 'd alone.
:
THE
388
ILIAD.
—
:
[book xxiv.
Along the beach of the resounding shore^
Unheard the ocean's melancholy roar
:
But not unmindful when the dawn of day Stretch'd o'er the sea and shore
its
rising ray.
He back return'd, and yoked his steeds of war. And bound the Hero's limbs behind his car Thrice dragg'd the corse Patroclus' tomb around.
Then sought
his tent,
Stretch'd in the dust
The Archer God O'er
all his
hmbs
and
cast
him on the ground,
—but there by
still
pity led.
watch'd o'er Hector dead.
outstretch'd heaven's golden shield.
And brought them back
unblemish'd from that
While on the corse Pelides pour'd
The gods
field.
his ire.
indignant view'd his heart of
fire.
And bade the Argicide by stealth convey The body ft'om the dust unseen away. Ill brook'd that counsel him who ocean sway'd. And
Jove's stern consort,
Still
to their souls, as hateful as before,
Troy and her king,
Who
and the blue-eyed Maid.
for Paris
'
wrongs of yore.
spurn'd each goddess to his hut that came.
Save her who bound
his life to lustful
shame
But when the twelfth new morn from darkness sprung,
The Olympian gods
thus heard Apollo's tongue
— THE
BOOK XXIV.] '
Has
:
;
;
:
ILIAD.
not, relentless gods
!
'mid
389 rites diAine,
'
With rams and bullocks Hector heap'd your
'
Whom
'
Nor
'
Nor, that his boy, his mother, and his
'
And And
Troy's whole race should raise his finieral pyre.
'
Nor
nature's laws, nor sense of right controul,
'
But, stern in strength, a lion unsubdued,
'
Foams
'
Who, no compassion knows, no
'
That guides the soul
'
When
'
The
*
Exhaust with
*
And
'
Hence, the kind Fates,
in pity to
^
Gave them
gifts,
'
But
this fierce chief that slew, pollutes the dead,
*
And
drags around Patroclus' ftmeral bed
'
Vile deed,
'
That well might doom him by our wrath
'
Great tho' his fame, heaven strikes the
'
That wounds the dead, and wrongs the insensate
'
'
'
If
?
dead, you injure, nor his corse restore,
more
give his wife to \iew her lord once
aid
you Peleus' son? whose
for
new
mortals
filial
sire,
ruthless soul,
slaughter and fresh feasts of blood
sense of
shame
to good, or goads to blame.
mourn
their best-belo^ed dead,
bosom, or fraternal head, grief, at
length they leave the bier,
satiate with affliction,
Be,'
shrine
that best of
and worse than
Juno answer'd,
'
all
dry the tear.
mankind
a patient mind
profitless
thou
—a deed
utter'st
honour'd like Pelides, Priam's son
to bleed,
man
unjust
done,
dust.*
;
THE
390
——
:
ILIAD.
:
:
[book xxiv.
'
Hector, a mortal, milk'd a mortal's breast,
*
Achilles' lip a goddess'
'
I
'
To
*
When his rich banquet graced heaven's gladden'd choir,
'
And
*
and
I rear'd her,
nursed,
bosom
press'd.
in spousal join'd
Peleus, dear to each celestial
mind
thou, perfidious god, there swep'st the
Peace, Juno
'
—Jove thus
spake,
'
lyre.'
thy rage restrain
'
Ne'er shall those heroes like distinction gain,
'
Yet Hector was most loved of every god,
'
Loved beyond
'
Ne'er were
*
His feasts with fragrance
'
Choice lambs and bulls were
'
And
heaven's whole due by Hector largely paid
'
But
steal
'
'Tis vain
*
Speed,
'
The word
'
That Priam's
*
And ransom'd Hector
my
who
Troy abode.
e'er in
rites delay'd
:
he honour'd Jove
my courts above. on my altar laid,
fill'd
not furtively the corse away,
—
Iris
Wing'd
all
so Thetis watches night !
speed
of
:
wisdom gifts
Iris, fleet
and day
bid Thetis here attend shall
may
her
spirit
bend
soothe Pelides'
ire,
gain the funeral pyre.'
as air, at once withdrew.
And now tmxt Samos and rough Imbrus '
flew
:
— THE
BOOK XXIV.]
roll'd
She sank
as,
;
391 inly leapt
arm'd with horn, the plunging lead.
Then found amid each
The
; :
back, then murmuring o'er her swept.
Death to the raw-gorged
The goddess
:
ILIAD.
There plunged, and where the goddess
The waves
—
:
:
fishes, strikes their
sister of
bed
the wave
seated in her crystal cave.
while she wept her son's predestined death
Far from the much-loved land that gave him breath.
— the — Why — Thetis answer'd '
•
Rise'
Iris said
'
eternal '
'
'
Amid
*
To
'
Yet not
'
Still
Then
The
me
woe-bow'd head
Jove's voice of
word
wisdom
heard.'
a dark veil the goddess o'er her drew.
darkest
Wing'd
my
Iris
hide her tears from view.
veil, to
led the
way
:
as
up they sprung.
On either side the parted billows hung And now they reach'd the shore, now heaven, and Throned Jove by
And
as the
all
the gods encompass'd round
sea-nymph bent to
hail her sire,
Pallas disdain'd not from her seat retire.
And
?
dread
bliss, I
to Thetis vain the almighty
be by
hear.'
wherefore there appear
the immortals bathed in
proffer to their scorn
wisdom
in her
Her golden
hand majestic Juno placed cup, and with kind welcome graced
found
:
THE
392
The sea-nymph
And Jove and
[book xxiv.
tasted, then return'd the bowl.
communed,
Thetis
Thou comest
'
ILIAD.
::
before
my
soul with soul.
throne in grief of heart,
'
That
'
I
'
Why
'
Nine days the heavenly powers
'
For Peleus' son contend, and Hector's corse
*
Some, Mercury bade by
'
But
'
So
'
Nor thou
'
Speed, warn thy son of heaven's resentful
'
Warn how
Jove's wrath
*
Condemns
that rage which
'
Nor back
'
So
'
While
'
'
ne'er will lightly
know
it.
—Yet from me the motive hear,
Jove thus bids thee at his throne appear.
'tis
my
will
shall I best
shall
stealth bear off the slain
:
my
zeal for Thetis prove,
doubt the heart of Jove.
condemns
ire,
his heart of fire,
maddens
o'er the slain,
to Ilion yields the corse again.
he
spake
free the dead,
Priam's
I to
Flew the
in adverse force
thy son shall glory gain
in future
By costliest And soothe
He
from thy mind depart
dome
nor Jove offend wing'd
Iris
:
send,
presents to redeem his son, Pelides,
—
swift
by large ransom won.*
at once, with instantaneous flight.
sea-nymph from the Olympian height.
Came to his tent, and there the mourner found. And heard afar his heart-felt groans resound.
—
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
Round him The sheep
ILIAD.
his chiefs their
393
wonted meal prepared. and the banquet shared.
fresh slaughter'd,
while her hand in his the mother press'd.
The And,
*
;
softly soothing, thus
my
Wherefore
son,
her son address'd
why
thus,
by
grief subdued,
'
Consume thy
'
Why
'
Nor, lured by beauty, solace thy repose
'
Most
'
Death, and the darkness of o'ershadowing
'
soul,
:
and scorn the untasted food
sleep forbid thy wearied lids to close,
fleet
?
thy dream of hfe, and round thee wait
Yet—
^hear
!
—
I
fate.
warn thee of the wrath above,
'
And
*
That thou the
*
All
*
Son, at a mother's prayer, thy wrath give
'
Receive the presents, and the dead restore.'
'
?
chiefly of the
ransom
avenging
slayer,
scorn'st,
Approach
'
—he
ire
of Jove,
maddening
nor
yield'st
cried
o'er the slain,
the corse again.
whoe'er
'
—
o'er,
since will'd
Jove, '
And from my
tent the ransom'd corse remove.'
While Thetis and her son thus bow'd with In mutual conference sought and found '
*
Go To
forth,'
Saturnius cried,
sacred Rion,
Iris,
'
my
relief
word obey,
wing thy way.
grief.
by
— — — :
:
THE
394
ILIAD.
^
[book xxiv.
'
Bid Priam seek yon ships, redeem his son,
*
And
'
On
'
Nor
'
Alone, an ancient herald at his side
'
The mules
soothe Pehdes, by large presents won,
to the Grecian navy, lonely bend, let a
son of Troy his path attend.
shall govern,
and
his chariot guide
'
And back
'
The
'
Let not the dread of death his course delay,
'
No
*
The
'
Till to Achilles' tent the
to sacred
Troy convey again
breathless hero by Pelides slain.
him from
terrour turn
his destined
way
;
Argicide shall guide, shall onward lead,
him
There
'
That hero
'
For Peleus' son not
^
But prompt to
let
king proceed
will
not wound, but guard his head
Where woe and
senseless, rash, unjust,
raise the suppliant
Jove spake, wing'd
Iris flew,
from the
lamentation groan'd around sire
with ceaseless tears their sad
beneath his sordid
He,
in the midst,
Lay
in the dust that strew'd his
ever, as
dust.'
and Priam found.
His children in the courts sat nigh their
And bathed
;
enter, nor Pelides dread,
'
Which
;
he
roll'd
attire
:
—
vest.
head and
breast.
along the ground.
His hand had grasp'd, and thickly shower'd around
;
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
;
;
ILIAD.
395
And many a daughter in his palace mourn'd. And many a matron, those who ne'er return'd. The brave, the good, who lay, by Grecians slain. In blood miburied on their native plain.
Twas thus
'
And, with
'
Be
'
Not
'
I
:
when
Iris
drew the monarch near.
soft greeting, strove to
soothe his fear
:
of good courage. King, thy heart resume
to embitter,
—
to assuage thy
come from him, who, throned
doom,
in
heaven above,
On thee looks down with pity, gracious Jove. He bids thee seek yon ships, redeem thy son, And soothe Pelides, by thy presents won,
*
'
'
'
Bids thee,
*
And
*
Alone, one ancient herald at thy side
'
The mules
all
lonely, to the Grecians bend,
that no son of
Troy thy path attend
to govern,
and the chariot guide
;
'
And back
'
The
*
Let not the dread of death thy course delay,
*
No
*
The
'
Till to Achilles'
'
There boldly enter, nor Pelides dread,
'
That hero
'
For Peleus' son, not
'
But prompt
to sacred
Troy convey again
breathless hero, by Pelides slain.
terrour turn thee from thy destined
way
Argicide shall guide, shall onward lead,
will
presence thou proceed,
not wound, but guard thy head. senseless, rash, unjust,
to raise the
suppHant from the
dust.*
—— :
THE
396 She spake
ILIAD.
and Priam,
:
[book xxiv.
as she fled in air.
Swift bade his sons the mule-drawn car prepare,
And on it bind a chest Where his high-cedar'd Guard of
And
his treasures
roof rich fragrance cast. there his consort
;
!
— From Jove on mission sent
'
A
*
There soothe
'
Large
'
But now,
'
Art thou, as
'
Me much my
*
Beyond the Grecian camp
*
goddess, bade
gifts,
I
I
and
to
redeem the dead,
'
How
depart, declare thy mind,
am, thus spirit
far
The wisdom
'
seek Pelides' tent,
his soul,
ere
Where,
me
before him. Hector's ransom, spread
'
*
call'd.
thus with each dread word her soul appall'd
Hear, thou beloved
'
then swiftly pass'd.
:
alike inclined
?
prompts, without delay, to press
and near renown'd
that once
'
my
way.'
—she sad replied—
wont thy actions
gaiide
?
with what confidence, thus lonely go,
And dare the presence of thy direst foe, By whom, thy sons, the brave, have oft-time Thou, seen by him,
thy heart.
bled
Steel'd
*
Grasp'd by that ruthless fiend, thy days are
'
Nor reverence nor compassion move him more
*
Stay
*
Him,
is
—
let
o'er
us
mourn
whose
apart,
birth
fell
art
o'er,
and w^eep that son, fate
?
dead
'
such misery spun.
:
—
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
When
'
ILIAD.
397
brought him forth, 'twas doom'd that
I
first
—
hour,
dogs should him devour,
'
That
'
That murderer's dogs, whose
'
Fain would
*
Fain with tremendous deeds that deed repay,
'
Which
*
Who,
'
Nor thought
'
far
from us
fierce
I feast on,
robb'd
my
'
and daughters, death withstood,
of flight,
when Ihon
— Priam answer'd,
'
all
claim'd his blood.'
remonstrance, vain,
Nor me, impatient
'
Let not beneath
'
Like the drear shriek of an ill-omen'd bird.
*
Had any
'
Priest, prophet, augur, this to
'
I
'
Had
'
But
'
Since visibly the goddess deign'd appear,
'
Jove's
*
I will
'
There
'
While
—
to depart, detain
my
mortal this
had deem'd
e'er
vein,
his life-blood drain.
'
sure
its
glory of the light of day,
for Troy's sons
Cease
and
heart, while burst
:
roof thy voice be heard,
command
it false,
convey'd,
Priam
said,
nor so deceived
such palpable deceit believed.
since the voice celestial
word
shall stand
:
and
smote
there,
if
my
ear,
doom'd
to bleed>
myself accelerate the deed, let Achilles close
my
last tear
death.'
my
shall
willing breath, fall
on Hector loved
in
— '
THE
398
ILIAD.
:
:
[book xxiv.
He spake, and oped the coverts of his chests. And forth selected twelve resplendent vests. Twelve
single cloaks, twelve mantles finely
wrought.
Twelve robes, twelve carpets with embroidery fraught Forth two bright tripods and four caldrons bore.
Ten
and
talents weigh'd,
of golden ore,
all
A cup of wondrous beauty, gift of Thrace, A glorious gift his embassy to grace ;
He
spared
The Father once Then,
'
again might clasp his son
by quick impatience moved.
issuing-forth,
Drove from
by such present won.
not, so,
it
his
porch the throng, and thus reproved
Hence, worthless race your home
Must ye thus vex
'
Soothes
it
'
Soothes
it,
*
Ye
'
The Grecian sword
*
But
*
May
sorrow-sacred
dome
your woe, that Jove has bow'd
not grief
?
my
that Priam weeps his Hector dead
too shall feel his loss. shall
—Now, mow
Jove, in mercy, Priam
?
your ranks in war.
first
his sceptre drove
head
easier far,
ere I view the sack of plunder'd Troy,
Then with
And
—How—haunts
?
my
*
!
destroy
away the
:
!
rest.
with reproachful taunt his sons address'd,-
!
THE
BOOK XXIV.] Paris,
:
— '
ILIAD.
399
and Helenus, and Pammon's might,
Antiphonus, Polites, bold in
fight,
Deiphobus, Dius, Agathon renown'd.
And *
brave Hippothoiis heard his wrathful sound
Inglorious race
!
\vould that in Hector's stead,
*
Ye
all
'
Ah
wretch
'
Of these not one
'
Famed Mestor,
Troilus once
skill'd to
*
The
battle car,
and turn the
foe aside,
'
And
matchless Hector, who, 'mid mortals trod
*
Like an immortal, and a son of
*
Those
'
Whose mincing measures
'
*
'
*
had
in
yon ships together bled
of
fell in
:
all
my
noblest sons bereft
in spacious Ilion left.
war.
— The
refuse
guide
God now remain, :
lead the wanton train,
Whose lambs and kids the plunder'd hinds deplore, And banquets smoke from Ilion's ravish'd store Will you not haste, and now without delay Place on the car these
Awed by Led
and speed
my way ?
his wrathful taunts, the sons obey'd.
forth the
Bound on
gifts,
mule-drawn
car, bright,
the chest, and from
its
newly made.
station brought
The boxen yoke with
rings elaborate wrought.
And
trace nine cubits long
with the yoke
its
Fix'd to the pole's far end with fast'ning thong.
:
THE
400
Then
And
thro' the
ILIAD.
—
:
;
:
[book xxiv.
yoke the brace securely bound.
wi'eathed each side with triple cords around
First, singly
drawn, then thrust their ends unseen
Thro' the void space the yoke and pole between.
Next
And
in the car the various gifts convey'd
Hector's ransom in due order laid
Then yoked
:
the firm-hoof'd mules, which Mysia's race
Gave, glorious
gift,
proud
Ilion's
king to grace
His sons then forth the steeds of Priam
Whom
in their stalls the
led.
king oft fondly fed
:
These, in the spacious court, with cautious mind.
The king and
herald to the chariot join'd
There Hecuba, bow'd down with misery, brought
A
golden bowl, with wine high-flavour'd fraught.
Their way by due libations to prepare.
Then stood
'
*
*
Take
before the steeds and breathed her prayer
this
—pour
forth to Jove's paternal power,
To guide and guard thee in this desperate hour, And safe restore, since thus thou wilt depart,
*
Nor
reck'st the fear of this foreboding heart.
*
But
chiefly supplicate the Idsean Jove,
*
Who
*
So may he send, responsive to thy word,
*
A messenger
spreads o'er Ihon his protecting love
to thee, his favourite bird.
— —— —
: :
THE
BOOK XXIV.] '
Supreme
*
May
'
If
'
Go '
in strength
:
ILIAD.
and thou
401
—that bh'd
in sight
gain the hostile ships beneath his flight.
Jove refuse, howe'er thy heart
—
not
Loved
if
incline,
yet avail a prayer like mine.'
wife'
—the aged monarch thus
me
*
Ne'er be by
*
'
*
So haply may our prayer
replied
thy kind request denied
Tis right to raise the suppliant hands to Jove, his pity move.'
He spake, and to her servant gave command To pour pure water on his suppliant hand maid drew near, and
Tlie
The ewer and His hands
to the
monarch gave
the cup his hands to lave.
now
cleansed, he took the golden bowl,
Stood 'mid the court, and breathed in prayer his soul.
And And '
pouring forth the wine, to heaven up-gazed. thus his voice of supplication raised
Hear, Sire of heaven, hear
!
Ida's sov'reign lord
*
God
of the gods, most glorious, most adored,
*
Give
me
*
To
'
Send thy
'
Thy
beneath thy
aid, protecting
Jove,
gain Achilles' grace, and pity move. fleet
messenger, of matchless might,
favourite bird, auspicious,
VOL. H.
D D
on
my
right,
!
:
THE
402 '
That
'
May
He
I,
ILIAD.
—
[book xxiv.
beholding him, securely led,
gain yon
fleet,
nor
fiorce Pelides dread.'
spake, and Jove consenting to his prayer.
Sent forth his eagle thro' the yielding
air.
The
bird, for surest auguries, highly
The
chaser, dark of plumage, Percnos
Whose
stretch of
famed.
pennons spreads on either
Far as a palace portal, vast and wide Thus, on their Sail'd his
The Drove
named.
:
right, before up-gazing
dark wings, and
side.
Troy,
each heart with joy.
fiU'd
king, swift-mounting his resplendent seat. thro' the
porch his steeds' resounding
feet.
First, to the four-wheel'd litter, firmly join'd
The
mules, to
Next
skill'd
Idaeus
thro' the city, urging
'
care consign'd
on
their speed.
Impatient Priam lash'd each foaming steed
His sons him follow'd,
As on
to death they
all
;
:
with woe o'ercast.
deem'd their father pass'd
But when he Troy had
left,
and reach'd the
plain.
All back disconsolate return'd again.
Then, as the king
his forward
way pursued,
Jove, from the height of heaven, the mourner view'd.
And, '
pitying, spake to
Still links its
Hermes
:
—
'
Son, whose mind
sympathy with human-kind.
::
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
ILIAD.
and help
*
Still
prompt
'
And
to the Grecian fleet the
'
So
'
The monarch
to hear
lead, that
none
discern,
go,
wing thy speed,
monarch
lead,
no Greek prevent
;
but quickly bound
ambrosial wings of gold, his feet around.
Wings
And
:
40:
passing to Pelides' tent.'
Nor Hermes disobeyed
The
—
:
that out-race the fleetness of the wind.
in their flight leave earth
Then took
The eye
his rod, of
power
in sleep, or raise
and sea behind
to soothe
and close
from deep repose
Then, to the Hellespont and
Ilion
came
In guise a royal youth in face and frame,
A
youth in
O'er the
all life's
loveliness array 'd.
warm cheek when
steals the
downy
shade.
But when the king had reach'd the flood that flows
Beyond the tomb, whose height
They stayed
o'er Ilus rose.
their beasts to drink, while fading
Sank gradual
into twihght-shade
away
:
Then, as now near them Hermes onward
The
'
day
press'd.
cautious herald thus the king address'd
Reflect
'
We
'
Haste
'
Or
shall
—
—our
lives at risk
not long survive
let
:
—
I
see the foe,
death waits the blow
us to our steeds entrust our
clasp his knees,
and deprecate
flight,
his might.'
:
—
THE
404
—
ILIAD.
[book xxiv.
Mute, motionless, distraught with doubt and dread.
The grey
The
'
*
'
why such
—
!
troublous vigils keep,
thou not the Greeks, in hostile
fear'st
?
mood
near thee camp, and watch to shed thy blood
Of these,
'
View thee with
'
Thou
if
one,
Ye cannot
*
I will
'
I
all
not
in the day's decline,
thy wealth, what refuge, thine
harm
thee, but,
my
s'.re's
if
thy silver
'
!
tis
true
'
god-like
True
'
But sure a god's kind hand has deign'd
*
Who
'
Mature
'
And
such a wanderer here has
wisdom, yet
bless'd thyself,
Thine too
'
— the
replied
safer guide,
:
in
—
from
god
so
now
fair,
blissful
to aid,
conveyed,
so young,
parents sprung.'
rejoin'd
'
most true thy
word, All that
I
:
hair.'
*
all
?
others dare,
—the king thy words —age needs some
son
?
turn the aggressor's blow aside.
guard, for like
My
now
no longer young, nor young thy guide
art
'
'
:
urge thy steeds while others sweetly sleep
'
'
hand
near, and softly press'd his
Say, father,
Why How Who
'
his head.
veteran stood, when, with mild accent bland.
The god drew
'
upward bristhng on
hairs
now from
thee have clearly heard.
— THE
BOOK XXIV.]
—hence
But say
'
Secure from
'
Or have the sons
'
Already fled from
Ilion's
'
Since he, thy son,
is slain,
'
Nor than
'
'
Who
thou
of Troy,
405
for far chiefs to
who
fear her
sacred wall
art
thou
?
'
— Priam
said
fall,
?
dwell'st
And
'
Oft have
^
The hero towering
^
And when
'
The conqueror mid our fleet
'
We
ask'st of I
Who
gave thee
on Hector's
'
—
the
death.'
god rejoin'd
Hector with suspicious mind.
seen thy Hector's stately form, in the battle
storm
:
array'd in blood, and girt with flame, '
stood,
'
?
Thou pro vest me, reverend sire
and wonder'd
:
wide-slaughtering
for Pelides' rage
'Gainst Atreus' son, forbade the war to wage.
His servant,
I
:
here in one ship
A Myrmidon my
sire,
well
we came,
known
to fame,
Polyctor, such as thine his hoary head
Six sons, beside me, bless'd his nuptial bed lots
?
the boldest Greek less bold in war.'
Thou, who thus kindly
The
keep
their bravest far,
'
'
;
thy treasure's hoarded heap
spoil,
breath
'
—
:
ILIAD.
'
bear'st
;
:
we
Now, from
cast,
me, mine to
the ships
my
steps
battle sent I
onward bent,
came
— THE
406
;
ILiAD.
[book xxiv
dawn
'
For, in their strength, our hosts, at
*
'
*
Tired of repose, inaction they disdain,
*
Nor longer dare the
of day,
Gainst Ihon's turrets plant their war-array
The
chiefs their rage restrain.'
god-like king rejoin'd
*
:
Since thou,
my
'
Servest in Achilles tent, a Myrmidon,
*
Lies Hector in the
*
Or, limb by limb, gaunt dogs his body tear
Nor him
'
fleet,
—the god
the truth declare,
replied
^
?
fierce birds of prey,
*
Nor him gorged dogs rend limb by limb away.
'
His corse yet
'
Where none watch
'
This, the twelfth day.
*
son,
'
'
'
;
'
within Achilles' tent,
lies
o'er
him, none his loss lament.
—No
taints his
body
stain,
No worm there gnaws that banquets on the slain. What tho' each morn Achilles drag the dead
'
Around
'
He
'
His corse, firm, bloodless, fresh in fragrant dew
*
No
*
Tho' gored by numbers when he lay exposed.
*
Thus the
*
And whom
lies
his loved Patroclus' funeral bed,
unblemish'd.
scar,
no
taint,
bless'd
— Thou would'
but every
gods
they loved
o'er
wound
him
when
st
wondering view
all
closed,
their care extend,
living,
dead defend.'
:
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
'
ILIAD.
spake
:
said,
paid.
gifts
'tis
!
407
—the time-graced king exultant — right— duly Be to the gods He
—
'
Ne'er, thro' his veins while flowed the vital tide,
*
My
'
Hence, ne'er the gods, when pass'd
son due honours to the gods denied his
transient
breath, *
Forget
*
But
'
Guide
'
my
—take me
Hector this
in the
house of death.
beauteous cup
—and—heaven consent
securely to Achilles' tent.'
Thou, elder-born
'
—the god
replied again
'
Thou
tempt'st me, younger far, yet tempt'st in vain.
*
Thou
would'st,
'
*
unknown
to gi^at Achilles, give
What I, unknown to him, will ne'er receive. Him greatly I revere, nor dare despoil,
my brow
the deed unjust recoil.
'
Lest on
'
Yet
*
O'er sea and land, and force repel by force.'
e'en to
Argos would
I guide
thy course
He spake and in the chariot took his stand. And seized the scourge with an impatient hand. And in the mules and coursers deign'd inspire :
Strength not their own, and force of heavenly
Then
Now
at the fosse
fire.
and towers the guardians found.
at their evening
meal assembled round.
THE
408
ILIAD.
[book xxiv.
By Hermes still'd, while all in sleep reposed. The god drew back the bars, the gates unclosed
;
And guiding on the monarch, inly brought The car with Hector's ransom richly fraught. Then to the tent of great Achilles came. Whose wider amplitude, and loftier frame. To grace their king his Myrmidons had made. With trunks of pine on pine And, from the marshes,
Mowed many
for the sheltering roof.
a reed, and firmly reared aloof.
And compassing Girt
it
One
bar, a pine,
From
in order laid.
the court's wide spreading bound.
with fence of thickest stakes around.
immense
in size
free intrusion fenced the
Three Greeks alone, with Could draw
it
and weight.
guarded gate.
all their
strength amain.
back, or forward force again
Achilles singly heaved
Gave Priam entrance There the rich
it.
:
— There the god
to the chief's abode
gifts to free
;
the corse conveyed,
Leap'd fi'om the car, and thus to Priam said
'
'
I,
Hoar
king, to guide
:
and guard thee, kindly given,
Hermes, come, by Jove sent down from heaven
'
Thence, back returning, wing from earth
'
Nor stand
my
confess'd before Achilles' sight.
:
flight,
—
:
THE
BOOK XXIV.] *
It fits
'
Such
*
Go
'
A
*
And
ILIAD.
not that a god of heavenly birth,
on
zeal should manifest for those
— clasp
his
knees
by each warm
:
father's reverence,
fondness for his
The god
and a mother's child.'
Then,
earth.
feeling
move
love, swift in flight.
ascending, gain'd the Olympian height.
Then Priam downward The mules and
leapt,
His comrades
and trusted there
coursers to Idaeus' care.
And with unswerving step Where sat the Jove-loved
A
409
all
apart.
right
onward went.
chief within his tent.
Two
there alone,
hero famed in war, Automedon,
And Alcimus to serve the table stood. Where Peleus' son but now had ceased from They saw not Priam
And
as he enter'd lone.
prostrate at the feet of Peleus' son
His knees embraced, and to his pale
lip press'd
Those blood-stain'd hands that pierced
his children's
breast.
As when a murderer,
Who,
for his crime pursued.
with a native's recent blood embrued,
'Mid a
far region gains a stately roof.
All at his entrance gaze,
On
food.
and stand aloof
Priam's entrance thus Achilles gazed.
And
all,
each other eyeing, stood amazed.
: !
THE
410 '
Think on thy
am
ILIAD.
he
sire/
said,
Such as
'
He, haply,
'
Looks round
'
But that thou yet
survivest,
'
He,
hope forgets
'
'
I
his hfe's sad close,
:
[book xxiv.
hke mine.
too, while neighbouring foes infest,
on
in vain, nor finds
in the light of
And ever, day by day, To clasp his son upon
if
whom
to rest.
Peleus hear, all fear,
expects once more his native shore.
many
*
But
*
Most brave
'
Full
'
Made
'
Nineteen from one chaste nuptial bed, the rest
'
From many
*
Of these,
'
Lie in their blood upon their native plain.
*
But
*
Him
*
Hector
'
And
*
But thou, respect the gods
*
!
I,
most wretched,
fifty
'
chief divine
*
'
!
I,
of
a son,
Troy, of these behold not one.
in
sons, ere here the Grecians came,
glad
my bosom a
fair,
with a father'?
my
name
:
fond embraces blest
the greater part, in battle slain,
he, that one, Troy's guardian, lately dead,
thou hast
slain,
—For whom
lay these
call to
While
*
Now
*
Have borne
'
And
I,
I
for his country bled,
now approach thy
gifts, his
mind thy
*
who
ransom, at thy
sire,
—
Achilles
and
me
feet.
hear
revere
:
most wretched of man's wretched
at thy feet thus prostrated
to
!
fleet,
to
birth,
on earth,
do what mortal ne'er has done,
my lip upraised that hand which
slew
my son
!
:
:
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
That woe, that form,
ILIAD.
allay'd
Rememb'ring Hector, gave
Now Now
for his sire
wept
in
warm
sire.
beloved.
in hopeless
woe,
his tears to flow.
tears Pelides shed,
change of woe Patroclus dead.
Groan echo'd groan
but when o'erwearied
:
In pause of satiate misery found
He
ire.
him gently moved
Priam's hand, and from
That aged man, who, bow'd
411
Pehdes'
And to his heart recall'd his helpless And awed by reverence for his head Took
rose, clasp'd Priam's hand,
and kindly
!
'
!
That thou hast dared, mid
'
Front him by
'
Steel'd
'
'
*
'
'
:
—
'
*
rear'd.
him thus the chief address'd, Ah hapless man What hast thou borne ? what anguish rack'd thy breast ? '
'
grief.
relief.
In pity of his age, and snow-white beard
'
—
'
is
whom
thy heart.
Grecia's fleet, alone
they bled, son after son
—Yet—here by me repose
;
And let us cease, tho' grieved, to weep our woes. Ah nought avails interminable grief The groan that heaves the heart yields no relief. !
Such the
Woe Two
dire lot
by gods
walks the world,
to mortals given
bliss
dwells alone in heaven.
urns stand ever at the throne of Jove,
This showers down good, that
evil,
from above.
— — :
THE
412
whom
ILIAD.
:
[book xxiv.
Jove their mixture has decreed,
'
He, to
'
Sees good and
*
On whom
'
Incessant misery drives the wretch o'er earth,
'
To
*
By gods
'
'
Jove
evil,
turn by turn succeed
evil rains,
he rues
:
his birth,
a stranger unendear'd,
all alike
ne'er honour'd, nor
by
man
revered,
To Peleus thus the gods great gifts assign'd, And from his birth enrich'd beyond mankind Myrmidons
wide command,
'
Stretch'd o'er the
*
And
'
Yet heaven ordain'd that none from Peleus' bed
*
Should wield
*
One
only son was his
'
And
long to soothe his age, but long in vain
*
Here, from
*
*
human join'd
to his
a heavenly hand.
his sceptre,
my
:
his
when he join'd
here
I
the dead.
remain, :
native land I linger far,
And pour on thee, and Thou too 'twas said
—
thine, the
—
in
woes of war.
wealth wert highly
blest,
*
Beyond what Lesbus, Macar's
*
Beyond the
'
Or
*
O'er these, long time, thou held'st the highest place
*
For countless
*
But
'
Wars and
*
Yet
'
To
all
seat, possess'd,
treasures that rich Phrygia bore,
on Hellespont's wide-spreading shore
since
riches,
and a numerous
on thee, the gods
this evil
bound,
perpetual death gird Troy around
—bear —nor thus hopelessly
grief
race.
it
and
;
bitter
resign'd
misery yield thy mind
:
—
:
THE
BOOK XXIV.] *
These
'
Ere then
'
profit not
:
:
ILIAD.
413
they cannot raise the dead
—another woe
Not now'
—
bow thy
shall
— the Monarch
said,
'
head.'
not here
my
*
While Hector hes unburied 'mid your
*
Quick, quick release him
'
Give
*
These, his rich ransom take, and long enjoy,
'
Long
'
Since thou hast thus endured
*
And
'
me
upon
my
my
to
seat,
fleet.
arms restore
son once more.
thy native realm return'd from Troy,
in
still
Why'
to look
:
:
me
in
permittest to behold the
—
thy sight,
light.'
sternly eyeing, Peleus' son rejoin'd
'
Why
*
Urge me no more importunately
'
I
*
Sprung from an ancient sea-god, to
*
Thus Thetis warn'd me, by Saturnius
*
I
*
Or
'
For not
*
Dared mortal thus within our camp appear,
'
Or could have scaped the watch,
*
Of the enormous bar
thus impatient, irritate
my mind :
cease
:
too incline the body to release
know
my
tent,
sent.
that, 'mid our fleet, thy guide a god,
ne'er within in
my
tent thy foot
had
trod.
hardihood of youthful year
'
that guards
or heaved the weight
my
gate.
— ;
THE
414
ILIAD.
'
But calm thy mind, nor by such
'
Rouse
'
Lest from
'
And
my
keen woe, too keenly
my
:
[book xxiv.
once more
grief
before
felt
tent I send thee back again,
scorn the suppliant, and Jove's word disdain.'
Thus spake the
chief,
and by
his speech dismay'd.
In trembling silence Ilion's king obey'd
Then,
:
like
:
a lion, swiftly from his tent
Pehdes rush'd, and with their sovereign went
Automedon, and Alcimus, alone
By him most They from
honour'd,
now
Patroclus gone.
the yoke the steeds and mules unloosed.
And And
kindly seating, from the
The
gifts
Priam's clear-voiced herald introduced.
But
left
To
veil,
litter
brought
with Hector's ransom richly fraught
two mantles and a well-wrought vest
when borne
to Troy, the hero's breast.
Their chief then bade his maids anoint and lave
The
corse of Hector with the cleansing wave.
Apart from Priam,
lest, if
Should
no longer curb
in his grief
So rouse
To
Achilles' rage,
seen, the sire.
and force
his ire his
slay him, reckless of Jove's high
Now laved, O'er
hand
command.
anointed now, and finish'd
him they drew the
vest
all.
and decent
pall.
—
;
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
Achilles on the bier the
By
And '
ILIAD.
body
415
laid.
Peleus' son his loved Patroclus named.
thus with heartfelt groan aloud exclaim'd
Tho' mid the dead, Patroclus, not in
'
Hear
'
No
'
Share these, and
trivial gifts his
Back
And
ire
that I yield great Hector to his sire
Then
'
;
his attendants to the car convey'd.
Then
'
—
:
:
ransom'd corse redeem
all
my
treasures thine esteem.'
Peleus' son, returning to his tent.
to his seat,
opposed to Priam's, went.
thus the king address'd
:
'
Time-honour'd
sire,
Now is thy son released at thy desire He lies upon his bier at dawn of day
:
:
'
Thyself shall view him, and to Troy convey.
*
Now
feast
'
The
bright-hair'd
'
O'er twelve slain children gush'd the mother's tear,
'
Six sons, six daughters in youth's blooming year
'
These
*
And
'
Enraged that Niobe had rashly dared,
'
And
'
Said
'
Hence by the immortal twins twelve mortals
felt
we
—not
in grief's severest
mood
Niobe forgot her food
the vengeance of Apollo's bow,
Dian's arrows laid the daughters low,
to Latona's self herself
— Two had
compared
:
bless'd Latona's, twelve
her bed bled.
:
:
THE
41G
ILIAD.
[book xxiv.
untomb'd, alone,
*
Nine days they lay
*
For Jove that nation had transform'd
*
On
'
And
Niobe, woe-wearied, food resumed.
*
Now
'mid the rocks
'
in blood,
:
to stone
the tenth day the gods the dead entomb'd,
Where
— haunt
'tis
in Sipylus' desert
said
—the
mounts,
nymphs who
fill
the
founts, '
And dance round
*
She feeds on woe, and weeps her children gone.
*
Then
'
Our
cares awhile
'
And
thou,
*
That son, so loved, thy ceaseless sorrows
He The
Achelous, there, tho' stone,
let us, like that
mourner, king of Troy,
on needful food employ
when homeward
borne, weep Hector dead,
spake, and slew a sheep of
attendants flay'd, and scored
With
spits transfix'd,
snowy it
fleece.
piece
and roasting every
by
From beauteous
piece.
part.
Nicely withdrew, and served vdth graceful
Automedon the
shed.'
art.
table duly fed
baskets amply stored with bread
Achilles carved the flesh
:
they shared the feast
And now when satiate thirst and hunger ceased. The Dardan king admired Pelides' height, Grace, grandeur, beauty, like a god in sight.
And Peleus' son with admiration hung On Priam's awful mien and polish'd tongue
;
;
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
But when
their
That
'
Ne'er yet, since Hector
*
My
eyes have
'
But
still I
*
And
'mid
'
Now
'
But none
The For
now
once more in sleep
'
I
ILIAD.
417
thus was foremost heard
Jove-loved, permit us I
my
fell
:
to seek repose,
eyelids close
beneath thy power, slumber's soothing hour
known sweet
groan, and feed with grief
my
court in dust and ashes
my
soul,
roll.
have shared thy food, and drank thy wine, till
now, since Hector
perish'd, mine.'
chief then bade his females duly spread
either guest beneath his porch a bed.
There
cast bright purple rugs,
and
o'er
it
strow
Tapestry, and woollen mantles white as snow.
Forth went the maids, the torches in their hand.
And
spread the couches at their lord's
command
Then
Peleus' son, with simulated dread.
Thus
to the time-gi'aced
'
monarch kindly
Lie thou without the tent,
my
said
guest beloved,
'
Lest here some chief, on consultation moved,
'
May,
'
And VOL.
as oft custom'd,
seek II.
my
:
:
mutual wonder paused, the word
Of godhke Priam
*
::
make
to
me
appeal,
counsel for the public weal
— :
THE
418 If
'
Swift would the
'
And
'
What
'
That
*
And
days thy Hector's fimeral I
so long from battle
'
Troy
'
And
'
Nine days
sire,
rites require
?
abstain,
rites absolve,
Ilion's
the king rejoin'd,
most grateful to
round
girds us
I,'
:
far off
my
mind
;
each wooded height,
sons sore dread the invader's might.
at
home we mourn,
the tenth inhume,
And with the public banquet grace the tomb, On high the Hectorean mound the eleventh rear The twelfth if war must rage spear clash on spear.*
—
'
'
may
me,
tell
the fierce ardour of the host restrain.'
Those
'
Atrides' ear,
But
Hector's corse be staid.
'
*
rumour reach
Since thou consent'st that
'
[book xxiv.
haply such at night espy thee here,
'
'
ILIAD.
Be
this,'
Pelides said,
Twelve days
He
—
I
calm the
'
at
thy desire,
host's invading
spake, and clasp'd his hand,
lest,
ire.'
sore dismay'd.
Perplexing fear his timorous age invade.
Then
in the
porch where either couch was spread.
The king and
herald laid in peace their head.
But
in his tent's recess the chief, at rest.
The
fair Briseis in his
arms
caress'd.
;
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
Now
all
But not the
still
friend of
The anxious god
Mused how
*
to
o'er his
Thou
Now, by
*
Much
*
Thee
*
Thy
*
Or
ILIAD.
419
man, kind Hermes,
slept,
Troy the king unseen convey. brow, and thus was heard to say
Achilles
thou
slumber's soft delight
perpetual vigils kept
reck'st not
'
:
the gods and chiefs throughout the night
Enjoy'd in peace
Hung
;
for
'
life,
will,
while thus amid thy foes
thou darest repose
:
Hector gavest, yet threefold more,
to their arms, thee living, to restore,
sons must give, should
his fierce host
Agamemnon
learn,
thy presence here discern.'
Thus Hermes spake
:
and Priam
at the close
Roused, terrour-struck, the herald from repose.
The god
the chariots yoked, and
Swift drove
them
forth, the ships
all
unseen
and tents between.
But when they reach'd the ford where Xanthus, bred
From
When The
highest Jove, whirl'd
saffron-mantled
down
his
eddying bed.
morn wide spread her
light.
god, up-soaring, gain'd the Olympian height.
To Troy
they drove the steeds with loud lament.
While the mules, charged with Hector's body, went.
:
;
THE
420
But of Troy's Mark'd
ILIAD.
[book xxiv.
and zone-robed daughters, none
sons,
their approach, save Priam's child alone,
Cassandra, beauteous as Love's golden queen.
Who, on
the turret, from far distance seen.
Her
father standing in his chariot view'd.
And
with keen gaze Idaeus' car pursued
And,
as she
saw the body on the
bier.
Flew, shrieking, thro' the streets, and
fill'd
all
Troy
with fear
'
Ye
sons of Troy
ye daughters, hither come,
!
*
Look on your Hector
'
If e'er,
*
Hail'd
home,
from war return'd, one shout of joy
him
She spake
alive,
:
the guardian god of Troy.'
nor
man
All left the town, for
None
carried to his
all
nor
woman
there remain'd.
one woe sustain'd
;
linger'd there, but thro' the o'ercrowded gate
Rush'd forth to meet and mourn their hapless First his loved wife
and reverend mother
Rush'd to the car that
lifeless
fate.
flew,
Hector drew,
Pluck'd off their hair, and scattering on the dead,
Bow'd
o'er the
body
as they clasp'd his head.
All wept, and thro' the day,
till
twilight close.
Before the portal ne'er had ceased their woes.
!
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
Had '
ILIAD.
not the king exclaim'd,
Hence
*
421
Fall back
!
Give way
Let the mules the body home convey
!
;
*
There, when beneath his roof
'
Satiate with tears each grief o'erburden'd breast.'
He
spake
:
But backward
Now
it lies
—
at rest,
none dared the monarch disobey. yielding, gave the litter way.
borne beneath his
roof,
they placed elate
The
corse of Hector on a bed of state.
And
near him ranged the bards, whose tuneful breath
Chaunted the dirge that mourn'd
They mournful
The
his hapless death.
sung, and echoed back again
wailing of the
women
swell'd the strain.
'Mid these Andromache began the woe, Clasp'd Hector's head, and gave her grief to flow.
*
My
husband
me
Thou
!
in
prime of life art gone,
'
And
left
'
And
our sad love's sole
'
Whom
'
Ah
*
Shall lay in dust the towers of Ilion low,
*
For thou
*
Troy, her chaste wives, and children from the grave
*
These soon, borne hence athwart the boundless deep,
*
And
!
here to
ne'er his
mourn thy
mother
loss alone,
fruit, in infant
shall to
year,
manhood
rear.
ere that hour, the vengeance of her foe
I
art gone,
with them,
whose arm alone could save
shall,
doom'd
to slavery,
weep
:
;
:
THE
422
my
ILIAD.
me
:
[book xxiv.
'
Thou
'
Shall serve a tyrant
*
Or some harsh Greek
'
Thy
'
Whirl thee to death,
in
*
Sire, son, or brother,
who by Hector
'
For many a Grecian
'
And, pierced by Hector,
*
For not
*
Hence spreads
*
Hector
*
Mine, woe without a name, without controul
*
Thou
didst not press
*
Thou
didst not say farewell with falt'ring breath,
*
Words
*
And
too,
child, with
shameful
on a stranger
toil
soil
shall grasp, in wrathful hour,
tender hand, and from the topmost tower
in
!
vengeance of the dead,
felt his fatal
bit in
bled.
wound,
death the ground.
war thy father check'd the blow o'er
Troy one
universal woe.
thy death has pierced thy parent's soul,
my hand
to thine in death,
that thy wife would day and night recall,
soothe the bitter tears they cause to
She, weeping, spake
When Hecuba *
in
Hector
!
:
the maidens groan'd around.
thus pour'd her woe profound
son most beloved
whom
!
more
I
hapless bore.
*
Than
all
*
Son
dear to every god while
*
And
*
My
*
And
!
fall.'
thy brethren
life
:
loved, far
was
thine,
dear in death to every power divine. other sons Achilles spared, and sold, bartered
whom
he captured,
life
for gold
:
more
— — :
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
:
ILIAD.
423
*
To Samos
'
Or doom'd 'mid Lemnos' barren rocks
*
But when
'
He
'
Yet him revived not
'
Thou
hest, fresh, fragrant, beautiful in death,
'
Thou
liest like
*
Has
some, to Imbrus
to weep.
keen point thy blood had shed,
his spear's
dragg'd thee oft around Patroclus dead,
touch'd,
him,
and
:
but, tho' ceased thy breath,
whom
still'd in
She, weeping, spake.
Phoebus' gentle dart peaceful death his heart.'
Grief
Then Helen thus breathed
'
o'er the deep,
fell
on
all
around
forth her plaintive
Hector, to Helen's soul more loved than
sound
all
'
Whom
*
Since Paris here to Troy his consort led,
'
Who
'
'Tis now, since here I came, the twentieth year,
'
Since
'
But never from that hour has Helen heard
*
From
thee a harsh reproach, or painful word
'
But
thy kindred blamed me,
*
The queen
e'er
glanced at Helen's fickle mind,
'
For Priam,
still
benevolently mild,
*
Look'd on
'
*
I in
Dion's walls dare brother
in the grave
if
left
my
me
call,
had found a happier bed.
land,
and
all I
once held dear
if
j
unkind
as a father views his child,
Thy gentle speech, thy gentleness of soul Would by thine own their harsher minds controuL
:
:
THE
424
ILIAD.
[book xxiv.
'
Hence, with a heart by torturing misery rent,
*
Thee and
'
For no kind eye
'
But who beholds me shudders and
my
hapless self in
I
thus lament,
Troy on Helen
rests,
detests.'
She, weeping, spake. Groans burst from every breast
When
Priam thus Troy's sorrowing sons address'd
Haste, Trojans, to yon woods
*
—heap load on
Nor dread
*
Pelides' self, at
my
*
Till the twelfth
morn no Greek should Troy
They yoked
Met
departure, said,
the steers and mules, and
at the gates,
and ranged
Nine days they gathered
And when
load,
ambush on your road
*
the Greeks in
:
many
a wain
their ready train.
in the
the tenth bright
invade.'
immense supply.
morn illumed
the sky
Brought, weeping, forth, and on the topmost pyre
Raised Hector's corse, and compass'd round with
At dawn
of day Troy's congi^gated race
Swell'd the slow
All
met
:
fire.
and
pomp
first
their Hector's rites to grace.
they quench'd with wine the pyre.
Far as the range of the consuming
fire
;
:
:
THE
BOOK XXIV.]
ILIAD•!
425
His brethren then, and friends, with heart-felt groans
And
ceaseless tears, amass'd his
Then
safely placed
Round which
them
in
snowy bones
;
an urn of gold.
soft purple-tinctured
In a deep fosse deposed, and, o'er
mantles it
roll'd
strown,
Heap'd the huge mound, high-heaving stone on stone
Yet quickly
raised, while guards
Lest unawares the Greeks their
The mound thus heaped,
kept watch around. rites
confound.
the host, from
toil released.
In Priam's palace shared the burial feast.
Such were the
When
valiant
rites,
Hector
and thus
in the
their labour closed.
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