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OPINIONS OF THE PRESS ON VOLUME I. 
 
 SA TURD A y RE VIE W. 
 
 A translation of the Iliad into English verse remains, like the Quest of the Grail or the Fleece of 
 
 Gold, an adventure hardly to be achieved Now, Mr. Way in very many passages does 
 
 offer us a version at once close, spirited, swift in movement, and simple. We have read much of 
 
 his translation with great pleasure If Mr. Way could keep his whole translation on 
 
 this level, so rapid, distinct, close to Homer, and unaffected, we might look no fur' her, but declare 
 that the Quest was ended, and the Fleece of Gold brought home. . . . The merits are such 
 
 as to place Mr. Way's performance in the front rank ot Homeric translations Mr. 
 
 Way's version is never bald, frigid, or pompous. In the point of metrical form it has advanced on 
 all its predecessors : his metre comes very near, in length, volume, and movement, to being a 
 genuine English equivalent for the Greek Hexameter. 
 
 ATHEN^UM. 
 
 Mr. Way takes a far more important place. He approaches the question as a creator. His 
 translation of the Odyssey, which was first published, with needless modesty, under the name of 
 " Avia," introduced a new metre — a rhyming anapaestic hexameter — as the English equivalent of 
 of the Homeric line. And this was a contribution of capital importance, which cannot for the 
 future be left out of consideration. For the anapaestic line has the undeniable advantage that it is 
 
 of native growth, and is adapted to the needs of the language It is a mistake to 
 
 suppose that an anapaestic line must of necessity be undignified and sing-song. That depends 
 solely on the writer. We appeal with confidence to Mr. Way's translation : — 
 " Then shouted the Argives aloud, with a sound as of breakers that roar 
 When the south wind hurleth the waves on the cliffs of an iron-bound shore. 
 When the crags of the headland are lashed evermore by the surge mad-leaping 
 'Neath the scourge of the winds, as from this side and that side their wings come sweeping.'' 
 He is a trustworthy scholar ; he has fire and speed enough and to spare. He holds our attention ; 
 we read him for his own sake. If he will but remember that dignity may be lost by excess of 
 vigour — that the most impressive sign of strength is self-control — we shall hope to say some day of 
 
 the remainder of his Iliad that it is the best translation in the English language We 
 
 hope he will regard us not as mere critics, but as helpers in his enterprise A work 
 
 which we heartily admire. 
 
 OXFORD MAGAZINE. 
 
 Mr. Way has accomplished a remarkable feat. A line-for-line translation of the first half of the 
 Iliad, rendered with absolute conscientiousness, with scholarlike accuracy, and with unflagging 
 vigour, is a success of which the author may well be proud. 
 
 PALL MALL GAZETTE. 
 
 Really a great success There is a sonorous roll in it, and a variety of pause, a flexibility, 
 
 a richness, and a dignity about it, that make it approach nearer to the splendid music of the Greek 
 than anything else that has been produced in the same line. The diction, too, of the translation is 
 Homeric, while Pope has smoothed and polished away all character out of his original, and its 
 fidelity is really remarkable. 
 
 WESTMINSTER REVIEW. 
 
 It is a pleasure to turn from the consideration of works which, for the most part, are suited only 
 for private circulation, to literary composition of a very high order. In his translation of the 
 
 Odyssey, Mr. Way attained success As an accurate presentment of the original in a 
 
 poetical form, which retains not a little of the roll and lilt of the Greek Hexameters, Mr. Way's 
 
 new translation more than holds its own We feel confident that this spirited and 
 
 powerful translation will grow in popularity and favour. Turn wherever we may, we read Mr. 
 Way's versus with a different kind of pleasure from that which is derived from the ordinary 
 run of translators. 
 
MORNING POST. 
 
 Will quite enable those unacquainted with the native Greek to enter into the spirit of the 
 Homeric original. Mr. Way has strictly adhered to the forms of expression made use of by the great 
 old poet. At the same time his English is powerful and melodious, and the archaic terms that he 
 has introduced when modern words failed have been employed with judgment, and will be easily 
 understood by all who read books of this description. It would be unjust to praise one book of 
 this translation more than another An even level of excellence is maintained throughout So 
 accurate and forcible is this brilliant version of Homer's poem, that it will not only recommend 
 itself to cultured readers, but it should also tend to popularise the study of the grand Greek poet's 
 entire work. 
 
 BRITISH QUARTERLY REVIEW. 
 
 A faithful line-for-line rendering of Homer A swing and energy which leave most 
 
 translators far behind. A very high level is maintained from first to last in the Iliad, as if the 
 grandeur of the theme, the sense of noble action, had constrained him. 
 
 ACADEMY. 
 Where the poetry of simple action reaches sublimity, this suits Mr. Way. 
 
 PUBLIC OPINION. 
 
 The former translations which Mr. Arthur S. Way issued some time since met with overwhelming 
 cordiality, and this, his latest contribution to literature, is by far the best. So much feeling 
 and earnest passion is thrown into the work that his skill deserves the thanks of every true student. 
 Undoubtedly the efforts of the translator will be highly appreciated, not only for the love he 
 displays for the verses of Homer, but for the soul he throws into his intellectual undertaking. 
 
 ATLANTIC MONTHLY. 
 
 Thevvork is well worth attention, if for nothing else, for the spirit with which the translator has 
 kppt his pace. He swings along as if he enjoyed it, and carries the reader by the force of his swift 
 moven.ent 
 
 HARPER'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
 
 The general admiration with which Mr. Way's "Odyssey of Homer done into English Verse" 
 was received will certainly be revived by the present work. If the work be calculated to give 
 students of Homer the greatest pleasure, it also deserves, by its original and brilliant qualities, to 
 be esteemed as a great boon by all lovers of fine poetry. 
 
 LITERARY WORLD. 
 
 Perhaps the nearest equivalent we can hope for to the strong- winged music of Homer. No 
 merely skilful versifier could produce a work of this kind : it is marked by true poetic gifts. 
 Readers anxious to become acquainted with the greatest of Epics and the poetry of the time when 
 the world was young, will not find themselves deterred by the faults which usually beset trans- 
 lations, and, having taken up this Volume, they will not lightly lay it down. 
 
 SCOTSMAN. 
 
 An extremely able and scholarly rendering of Homer, and one which preserves a large measure 
 
 both of the sound and fire of the original It is not very long since we noticed Mr. 
 
 Way's scholarly and excellent line-for-line translation of the first six books of the Iliad. .... 
 We were able to ascribe to this translation a high degree of merit, and the remarks we made then 
 will naturally apply equally well to the portion (vii.— xii.) now before us. 
 
BOOKSELLER. 
 
 Mr. Way loses neither fire nor force as he proceeds with the immortal poem. There are the 
 same grand rollmg sentences, in that peculiar metre he so skilfully and effectively employs, the 
 same appreciation of the spirit of the original, and the same closeness to the text, occasionally to the 
 very forms of expression made use of by Homer. Mr. Way, however, neither loses melody by 
 accuracy, nor does he sacrifice accuracy to rhythm. As a poem, his translation is full of simpHcity 
 and strength ; as a translation, it is one of the most scholarly renderings of the Iliad that have 
 appeared m the English tongue. 
 
 NOTES AND QUERLES. 
 
 To those who are not pre-occupied with theories on the subject, we willingly commend this new 
 and attractive setting of the Homeric story. 
 
 PUBLISHERS' CIRCULAR. 
 
 Far above any modern translations which have appeared. As a sustained performance the trans- 
 lation is admirably equal. Throughout the work the stanzas lose none of the Homeric fire which 
 comes to us so clearly in the rare power of the pure Saxon tongue. It is beyond doubt that the latest 
 instalment of Mr. Way's work will be received with applause quite as sincere, as generous, and as 
 well deserved as that which greeted the appearance of previous volumes. 
 
 LONDON QUARTERLY REVIEW. 
 
 He is unquestionably the most Homeric of English translators since Chapman. With admirable 
 good sense he has selected as his vehicle a long swinging verse of six accents, probably the nearest 
 equivalent to the swiftly-moving various hexameter of Homer which the genius of English versifi- 
 cation permits Spirited and faithful. 
 
 GUARDIAN 
 
 It seems a far cry from Chapman to Mr. Way, and yet we doubt whether the interval offers any 
 
 version of Homer which is not, by comparison with these, formal and mechanical This 
 
 fascinating volume Abounds in instances of the combination of freedom of expression 
 
 with essential fidelity to the meaning .... has made a distinct contribution to the resources 
 
 of Homeric translation He has adopted a metre in which it would, we think, be 
 
 impossible to maintain a high level of poetry without a poetic gift of his own : Mr. Way's adven- 
 ture admits of no mean between failure and success We believe that he has chosen the measure 
 which is best fitted to represent Homer to English readers ; but we feel at the same time that it is 
 a veritable bow of Ulysses, which only a master's hand will be able to bend. 
 
 SPECTATOR. 
 
 Is already known to fame by an excellent verse translation of the Odyssey. His version of the 
 Iliad — a harder task unquestionably — is quite as worthy of all commendation. Literal to a degree 
 which no English verse translation, except Professor Newman's, even remotely approaches, it is 
 
 not less spirited than it is literal It does challenge comparison with Chapman's famous 
 
 translation, and if the result of that comparison should prove to be in its favour, to praise it or 
 
 recommend it would be clearly a work of supererogation We believe that a full and 
 
 fair comparison of the two versions would convince even Lamb and Keats, whose names present 
 themselves inevitably here, that in Mr. Way the delightful old fellow who " spake out loud and 
 bold," has found more than his match. 
 
 ST. JAMES'S GAZETTE. 
 
 If we are right in ranking him, as we are inclined to do, as the best of this trio — Chapman, 
 Professor Newman, and Mr. Worsley — there are few lovers of Homer who will not be eager to 
 read him. And Mr. Way deserves to be read. His translation is instinct with that " forcible live- 
 liness," which Mr. H. N. Coleridge notes as the leading characteristic of Homer's poetry. Its 
 terseness, too, and literalness are really wonderful, combined as they are with such unflagging "go," 
 if we may use that word, and such melodious vivacity. America has sent us a translation of Dante 
 that will bear comparison with the best that we can boast. We are heartily glad to welcome from 
 Australia a translation of Homer of which the same may be said. 
 
JOHN BULL. 
 
 The necessity for obeying Mr. Matthew Arnold's canon that true poetry in one language is only 
 to be rendered by true poetry in another, has won by degrees a yet more hearty recognition in 
 critical circles, and, despite the great and well-merited success of the prose versions of the Iliad 
 and of the Odyssey supplied by Mr. Walter Lang and his colleagues, we may yet turn with a more 
 
 cordial appreciation to such a rendering as that now under notice Complaint has been 
 
 made in some quarters of what is charged against Mr. Way as an overfondness for compound- 
 words ; but to our mind these compounds add very much to the effect of the translation, and are as 
 
 a rule thoroughly in harmony with the Greek original Many an English student will 
 
 realise from this version what the gifted young poet felt when he saw the new planet swim into his 
 ken. The radiance of that planet is yet better represented to the English reader by Mr. Way than 
 it was by Chapman, and this, which is the highest tribute of praise that can be accorded to 
 the translator of Homer, is, we cordially and sincerely believe, not too high praise for the translator 
 
 whose work is before us The reader may surrender himself to the full enjoyment of 
 
 the sonorous verse without that uneasy feeling which so often suggests itself in dealing with a trans- 
 lation which breathes the true spirit of poetry, that the poetical effect of the English has 
 
 been attained by a sacrifice of fidelity to the original We hope that we have 
 
 said enough to induce all lovers of Homer to search out for themselves the wonderful merits of his 
 latest translator. 
 
THE ILIAD OF HOMER 
 
THE ILIAD OF HOMER 
 
 DONE INTO ENGLISH VERSE 
 
 ARTHUR S. WAY, M.A. 
 
 HEADMASTER OF WESLEY COLLEGE, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA 
 Author of the Odyssey of Homer done into English Verse 
 
 VOL. II 
 BOOKS XIII— XXIV 
 
 LONDO N 
 SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE & RIVINGTON LIMITED 
 
 ST. DUNSTAN'S BUILDINGS, FETTER LANE 
 1888 
 
TAUNTON 
 
 BARNICOTT AND SON 
 
 PRINTERS 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 * of the 
 BOOK XV page 68 line 268 for had read hath. 
 
 „ XVII „ 141 „ 416 „ yearn „ yawn • ••• I 
 
 „ „ „ 146 „ 547 „ outstretched read outstretcheth. 
 
 Troians 
 
 ■■■ 35 
 
 Book XV. — How Zeus turned backward the battle, and fire was cast on 
 
 the galleys ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 57 
 
 Book XVI. — How Patroclus amidst of his glory was slain of a God and 
 
 a Hero 88 
 
 Book XVH. — How Achaians and Trojans in darkness fought o'er the 
 
 corpse of Patroclus ... ... ••. ... ... ... ... 124 
 
 Book XVlII.-^Of the Armour the Fire-god fashioned at Thetis' prayer 
 
 for Achilles ... ... -•- ... ... ••• ... ... 155 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Book XIII. — Hoiv stoutly the Danaans rallied with secret help of the 
 
 Sea-god ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... j 
 
 Book XIV. — How Zeus was beguiled of Here and Sleep, and the Troians 
 
 were smitten ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 55 
 
 Book XV. — Hotv Zeus turned backward the battle, and fire was cast on 
 
 the galleys ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 57 
 
 Book XVI. — How Patroclus amidst of his glory was slain of a God and 
 
 a Hero... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 88 
 
 Book XVII. — How Achaians and Trojans in darkness fought o'er the 
 
 corpse of Patroclus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 24 
 
 Book ~!^\\\.^-0f the Armour the Fire-god fashioned at Thetis' prayer 
 
 for Achilles ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 155 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Book XIX. — Achilles the godlike renomiceth his wrath, and upriseth to 
 
 battle ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 8 1 
 
 Book XX. — 0/ the strife of the Gods, and the battle backward rolled by 
 
 Achilles ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 199 
 
 Book XXI. — Of the River that ran with blood, and the strife of a God 
 
 with a mortal ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 220 
 
 Book XXII. — Of the blood of Patrocliis avenged, and Hector slain by 
 
 Achilles ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 245 
 
 Book XXIII. — Of the athlete-strife at the funeral-feast of the dead 
 
 Patroclus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 266 
 
 Book XXIV. — Of the ransom of Hector, a?id how they wailed der the 
 
 Tamer of Horses ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 303 
 
THE ILIAD OF HOMER. 
 
 BOOK XIII. 
 How stoutly the Danaans rallied with secret help of the Sea-god. 
 
 OW when Zeus to the galleys had brought the Trojans and Hector so, 
 
 He left them to bear their burden of travail, their portion of woe, 
 
 Without respite : howbeit he turned his sunbright eyes from their war, 
 
 On the folk of the Thracians, the land of the battle-steed, gazing afar, 
 
 On the Mysians that close in the fight, and the proud milk-nurtured ones, 5 
 
 Hippomolgians, and Abian men, most righteous of all earth's sons. 
 
 But nowise thereafter his sunbright eyes upon Troy did he bend ; 
 
 For it came not into his heart that any Immortal would wend 
 
 To the battle, for help unto Troy, or the Danaans' need to befriend. 
 
 Yet no blind watch was kept of the dark earth-shaking lord ; 10 
 
 For he sat and he marvelled the while, as the grappling nations warred. 
 
 Sat on the height of Samos' forest-crowned head, 
 
 The Thrace-ward isle, whence Ida before him lay outspread, 
 
 And the city of Priam, the galleys Achaian, gleamed in sight, — 
 
 There sat, from the waters uprisen, and pitied Achaia's plight 1 5 
 
 Vol. II. li 
 
2 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 By Troy overborne, and his wrath against Zeus burned grim in his breast. 
 
 Straightway he hied him adown from the mountain's craggy crest, 
 
 Swift-speeding his feet, and the far-stretching ridges quaked, and the wood, 
 
 Beneath his immortal feet, as onward Poseidon strode. 
 
 Three strides he made, and the fourth, and lo, to his goal he was come, 20 
 
 Unto Aigae, where stands in the sea-mere's depths his glorious home, 
 
 Fashioned unperishing ever, with bright gold splendour-roofed. 
 
 There did he yoke to his chariot his horses brazen-hoofed. 
 
 Swift-flying, with necks overstreamed with stormy golden mane. [ta'en, 
 
 And he clad him with gold on his flesh, and the scourge in his hand hath he 
 
 Fair-fashioned of gold, and on to the floor of his chariot he stept. 
 
 And over the surges he drave; and before him sporting leapt 
 
 Sea-beasts that uprose all round from the depths, for their king they knew. 
 
 And for rapture the sea was disparted, and onward the car-steeds flew 
 
 Full swiftly, nor wet was the axle of brass with so much as the spray. 30 
 
 Light-bounding they bare him to where the galleys Achaian lay. 
 
 In the fathomless depths of the mere is a cavern, a sea-hall wide, 
 In the midst 'twixt Tenedos' isle and Imbros' rugged side : 
 Even there Poseidon the Shaker of Earth his chariot stayed ; 
 The steeds he unyoked, and ambrosial fodder before them he laid 35 
 
 For their eating, and fetters of gold about their feet he cast, [fast 
 
 Which might not be broken nor loosed, to the end they should bide tethered 
 Till their lord should return : and away to the host of Achaia he passed. 
 
 On-thronging as billows of flame, on-bursting as blasts of the storm. 
 After Hector the Priamid furious-fain did the Trojans swarm 40 
 
BOOK XIII. 3 
 
 With yelling and thunder of shouting: they deemed they should take for a prey 
 
 The galleys, and slaughter beside them the best of Achaia's array. 
 
 But Poseidon the Shaker of Earth rose up from the depths of the brine, 
 
 And the Girder of Lands 'gan rally the Argive battle-line ; 
 
 For with Kalchas' unwearying voice he spake, and his likeness he bore : 45 
 
 To the two Aiantes he cried, which were battle-eager before : 
 
 " Aiantes, 'tis ye shall deliver the men of Achaia's array. 
 If ye think of your prowess, and not of palsy-numbed dismay. 
 Otherwhere the resistless hands of the Trojans I fear not at all, 
 Albeit their battle-throng hath scaled our mighty wall ; 50 
 
 For the goodly-harnessed Achaians the shock of them all shall abide : 
 But in one place sorely I fear lest haply mischief betide. 
 Even there where the murder-frenzied as ravening flame leadeth on. 
 Even Hector, who vaunteth him Zeus the Mighty Father's son. 
 But for you — may one of the Deathless fill your spirit with might 55 
 
 Stoutly to bide the brunt, and to cheer the rest to the fight. 
 Then in mid fury of onset, I trow, should ye bar his path 
 To the swift ships, though the Olympian himself be enkindling his wrath." 
 
 He spake, and the Earth-enfolder, the Shaker of the Land, 
 Smote into them mighty strength at the touch of his sceptre-wand, 60 
 
 And lightsome he made their feet, and their toil-heavy hands grew light : 
 But himself as a hawk sudden-darting away in swift-winged flight — 
 Which down from a crag unfooted, a measureless-high rock, stooping, 
 Rusheth across the plain, on the weak-winged quarry swooping, — 
 So darting from these was the Shaker of Earth Poseidon gone. 65 
 
4 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Then first to Olleus' son, swift Aias, the godhead was known ; 
 And he spake forthright unto Aias the giant, Telamon's son : 
 
 " Aias, 'tis one of the Gods which abide on Olympus' height 
 That in shape of the prophet commandeth that here by the galleys we fight. 
 Of a truth no Kalchas is this, no bird-seer taught by a God, 70 
 
 For I followed the gleam of his ankles, the flash of his feet as they trod 
 When he turned him away : — the signs of a God no man may mistake. 
 Yea, and within this breast of mine is my spirit awake. 
 And it yearneth for fight, and battleward straineth yet more than before. 
 In my feet is the fury of onset, mine hands are afire for the war." 75 
 
 Then Aias made answer to him, and the son of Telamon spake : 
 "Yea, likewise around my spear with the fever of battle shake 
 My resistless hands, and my might is uproused : I am hurried on 
 By the spirit that stirs in my feet : I am fain, even I alone, 
 To face the onset-fury of Hector, Priam's son." 80 
 
 In such wise each unto other spake those heroes, filled 
 With the rapture of battle, wherewith the God their hearts hath thrilled ; 
 The while Earth-girder to rearward was kindling Achaia's array 
 Who amidst of their sea-swift ships drew breath from the toil of the fray. 
 Outworn were their fainting sinews with battle's grievous stress, 85 
 
 And with anguish their spirits were darkened whenso they looked on the press 
 Of the Trojans, as stormed their battle-throng over the mighty wall : 
 And for rage and for grief, as they gazed, from their eyes the tears 'gan fall. 
 For they deemed they should never escape from destruction : passed Earth-shaker 
 Through the strong battalions, and lightly he rallied the Argive men. [then 
 
BOOK XIII. 5 
 
 Unto Teucer and LeYtuscame he, and roused them to turn on their foes ; 
 
 To Deipyrus, Thoas, he came, and to hero P^neleds : 
 
 And Mdriones and Antilochus, kindlers of onset, he stirred. 
 
 Cheering them on to the battle he loosed the swift-winged word : 
 
 " Shame, Argives, ye strong young princes! — what, have I trusted in vain 95 
 That battling ye should deliver these our galleys from bane ? 
 If backward ye shrink from the bitter war, I foretell to you now 
 That the day hath arisen when 'neath the hands of your foes ye shall bow. 
 Ha, 'tis a marvel of marvels that here with mine eyes I behold, 
 'Tis a horror whereof I had thought the fulfilment should never be told, 100 
 That the Trojans should come to our galleys, — they that in days overpast 
 Were even as stags through the ways of the woodland fleeing fast 
 Till they fall terror-blinded to jackals and panthers and wolves a prey. 
 As helpless and strengthless they wander, and have no heart for the fray ; 
 Even so in the days of old dared never the Trojans stand, 105 
 
 No, not for an instant, before Achaia's mighty hand ; 
 But now by the hollow galleys they fight from the city afar. 
 Through a chieftain's folly of soul, through a people's slackness in war, 
 A folk that by reason of feud with their lord will nowise abide 
 To defend the ships, but endure to be slaughtered therebeside ! no 
 
 Nay, what though the man that is guilty hereof be in very deed 
 Agamemnon the wide-dominioned, Atreus' hero-seed. 
 Forasmuch as to Peleus' fleetfoot son he hath done despite ? 
 , For this shall we shrink from the battle, for this be craven in fight ? 
 Nay, haste we rather to heal — there is balm for the hearts of the bold. 115 
 
6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Not for your honour is this, that your onset-fire is acold, 
 
 And ye the mightiest ones of our host ! — it is not I 
 
 Would upbraid what man soever aback from the battle should fly, 
 
 So the wight were a weakling : but ye — from my very soul am I wroth. 
 
 O cravens, full soon shall an evil yet sorer be wrought by your sloth ! 120 
 
 Nay then, let shame have birth in the spirit of every one. 
 
 And indignation, for surely a mighty strife is begun. 
 
 Lo, Hector the stalwart, the battle-helper, hath rolled the war 
 
 To the ships, and hath rifted asunder the gates and the giant bar!" 
 
 So cheered them the Earth-enfolder, and kindled the battle-mood ; 125 
 
 And around the Aiantes twain strong-massed the battalions stood. 
 Not Ares' self, had he passed thereby, had contemned them then, 
 Nor Athene the Battle-aid, for their chosen, their mightiest men, 
 Stood firm against Hector the godlike, and bode the Trojans' charge, 
 With the hedge of their spears dense-bristling, with serried targe by targe. 130 
 Shield pressed upon shield, and helmet on helmet, and man on man. 
 And the morion-ridges touched as the wavering lightning ran 
 From helm unto nodding helm, so densely thronged stood they. 
 And the spears that in strong hands quivered were crossed in a tangled array; 
 And their spirits were fain of the onset, their hearts were afire for the fray. 
 
 But forward the Trojans hurled in a dense throng : Hector led 
 Storming afront, from the brow of a cliff as a boulder is sped. 
 Which the thrust of a wintertide torrent adown from the crest hath rolled 
 When the measureless rains have rifted the monstrous crag's earth-hold : 
 Bounding on high it is flying, and crasheth before that stone 140 
 
BOOK XIII. 7 
 
 The copsewood, as ever resistless it ruslieth, until it hath won 
 
 To the plain, but its fury thereafter no whit may roll it on : 
 
 Even so threatened Hector awhile full lightly to cleave his way 
 
 To the sea, and to win to the tents and the ships of Achaia's array. 
 
 Slaying : but when those close-embattled ranks he met 14S 
 
 He was stayed : and Achaia's sons against him steadfast-set. 
 
 With battle-brands swinging and spears two-headed thrusting fierce. 
 
 Bare him aback, and he staggered and reeled from the hedge of the spears ; 
 
 And he cried, and the shout of him high o'er the roar of the battle rose : 
 
 " Trojans and Lycians and Dardans in grapple of onset who close, 150 
 
 Abide ye ! — not long the Achaians before my fury shall stand. 
 
 Not though like a tower they have set in array their warrior-band ! 
 
 They shall flinch from my spear, if in truth I am spurred on victory-ward 
 
 By the chief of the Gods, by Here's mighty-thundering Lord !" 
 
 He spake, and he kindled their spirit, the soul of each man glowed ; 155 
 And amidst them Delphobus onward with heart uplifted strode, 
 A Priamid, warily holding his shapely shield before. 
 
 Light-speeding his feet, with his limbs by the fence of the targe covered o'er. 
 Then aimed at him Meriones his javelin glittering bright, [160 
 
 And he hurled, and he missed not, but fair on the shapely shield did it light ; 
 Yet it cleft not the bull's hide buckler, but long ere that might be 
 At the socket the long shaft snapped, and D^Kphobus heedfully 
 Outstretched from his body the bull's hide shield, for his soul was adread 
 Of the spear of the war-wise Meriones : but the hero hath sped 
 Back into the throng of his war-fellows, chafing in wrathful pain 165 
 
8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Alike for the victory lost and the good spear shivered in twain. 
 
 And away to the tents and the galleys Achaian in haste he went 
 
 To get him a lance long-shafted, the which he had left in his tent. 
 
 But ever the rest fought on, and arose the unquenchable yell. 
 
 By the hand of Teucer Telamon's son the first foe fell, 170 
 
 Imbrius, son unto Mentor, a lord steed-wealthy was he : 
 
 In Pedaion he dwelt ere the sons of Achaia came oversea ; 
 
 And Medisekast^, Priam's bastard child, was his bride : 
 
 But when came the Danaan's wave-rocked galleys over the tide, 
 
 He returned unto Troy, and was great mid the Trojan mighty ones, 175 
 
 And with Priam abode, and the old king honoured him like to his sons. 
 
 But the lance at his neck 'neath the ear did the son of Telamon dash. 
 
 And plucked the long shaft back : then fell he, as falleth an ash. 
 
 Whose trunk on the crest of a hill far-seen o'er the lealand around 
 
 Hath been hewn by the axe till it boweth its tender leaves to the ground ; 180 
 
 So fell he, and crashed around him his war-gear brass-bed ight. 
 
 Then rushed on him Teucer, eager to strip his harness of fight ; 
 
 And Hector hurled at him, even as he rushed, with his glittering lance, 
 
 But he swerved from its lightning leap, for he marked it with wary glance. 
 
 Scantly he 'scaped ; but the lance to Amphimachus' heart hath gone, 185 
 
 As battleward turned him the scion of Kteatus, Aktor's son : 
 
 And he fell with a crash, and clanged above him his battle-gear. 
 
 Then Hector rushed on Amphimachus mighty-hearted, to tear 
 
 From the head of the slain the helm close-lapping his temples about : 
 
 But Aias, as Hector rushed, with his glittering spear thrust out, 190 
 
BOOK XIII. 9 
 
 Yet he touched not his flesh, for that sheathed in terrible brass he was 
 
 From head to foot ; howbeit he drave at his buckler's boss, [slain : 
 
 And with giant strength did he thrust him, that backward he reeled from the 
 
 And the sons of Achaia drew from the midst those corpses twain. 
 
 Menestheus the godlike and Stichius, captains of Athens' array, 195 
 
 Haled to the host of Achaia Amphimachus' body away, 
 
 And on Imbrius seized the Aiantes, afire with the wrath of the fray. 
 
 And as when from the sharp-fanged hounds two lions have snatched the prey, 
 
 A goat, and through tangled thickets bearing the quarry they bound, 
 
 In their strong jaws holding it high uplifted above the ground ; 200 
 
 So him high lifted the warriors twain, the Aiantes, bore, 
 
 And spoiled of his battle-gear, and the son of O'lleus shore 
 
 His head from his tender neck, in his wrath for Amphimachus dead. 
 
 And he tossed it, that ball-wise rolling athwart the rout it was sped, 
 
 And in front of the feet of Hector fell in the dust that head. 205 
 
 Ha, then was Poseidon's wrath enkindled, his heart was aglow 
 For his son's son's sake, in the midst of the terrible fight laid low. 
 On to the tents and the galleys Achaian his way hath he ta'en. 
 Rousing the Danaan fury, working the Trojans' bane. 
 
 And there on Idomeneus spear-renowned did the Sea-god light 210 
 
 From his comrade returning, the friend who but now had come forth of the fight 
 Hurt with the keen-whetted brass in the knee, and in evil plight, 
 of his friends was he borne, and the king to the leeches had given his best, 
 And now to his tent would he fare, for his heart still battleward pressed. 
 Then stood before him the Lord of the Sea, and the Earth-shaker spake, 2 \ 5 
 
10 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And the voice of Andraimon's son, of Thoas the swift, did he take, 
 The man that through all wide Pleuron and Kalydon's steeps bare sway 
 O'er Aetolia's folk, and was reverenced like to a God alway : 
 
 " Idomeneus, counsel-chief of the Cretans, where be now 
 Thy threats against Troy, and where the Achaians' vengeance-vow ?" 220 
 
 And the Lord of the Cretans replied, and answer Idomeneus made : 
 "There is no man, Thoas, on whom the blame of this shall be laid, 
 That I wot of; for all we have in the battle warrior-skill, 
 Nor hath craven fear laid hold upon any ; for slackness of will 
 Not a man draweth back from the bitter battle : nay, but I wis 225 
 
 The pleasure of him that excelleth in strength, of Kronion, is this. 
 That nameless and fameless from Argos afar the Achaians should die. 
 But, Thoas, a battle-bider art thou from the days gone by, 
 And thou heartenest whomso thou seest from war-toil shrinking away ; 
 Wherefore forbear not now, but cheer on all to the fray." 230 
 
 Then Earth-shaker answered, and grim was the voice of Poseidon and stern: 
 " Idomeneus, never may that man look on his home-return 
 From Troy, but to dogs let him here be a ravin-joy and a prey. 
 Whosoe'er shall be wilful-craven, to shrink from the fight this day. 
 Now get thee thy weapons and come, spare not to array thee with speed ; 235 
 If haply, albeit but twain, we may help the Achaians' need. 
 When the valiant be with him, the veriest weakling will play his part ; 
 But we — we have learned to grapple with heroes dauntless of heart." 
 
 So answered the God, and back to the war-toil of heroes he went. 
 And so soon as Idomeneus came to his goodly-fashioned tent, 240 
 
BOOK XIII. II 
 
 His beautiful harness he donned, in his grip two lances shone, 
 
 And he went, and he seemed as the lightning-flash which Kronos' son 
 
 Hath grasped in his hand, and hath shaken from shining Olympus afar 
 
 For a sign unto mortals, and world-beholden the beams of it are ; 
 
 So flashed as he ran the brass that encompassed his breast about. 245 
 
 Now meeteth him M^riones, his henchman valiant and stout, 
 
 While yet he was nigh to his tent, as in haste that warrior hied 
 
 For a brazen spear, and to him the might of Idomeneus cried : 
 
 " O Meriones, fleet scion of Molus, best-loved friend. 
 Why hast thou left the war and the battle, and hither dost wend ? 250 
 
 Art thou dart-stricken, friend, that the point of the shaft maketh faint thy might? 
 Or for me art thou come with a message ? — it needs not : little delight. 
 Good sooth, have I in my tent to be sitting : I long for the fight." 
 
 Spake Meriones unto him, and answer the wise-heart made : 
 " Idomeneus, counsellor-chief of the Cretans brass-arrayed, 255 
 
 For a spear, if perchance there be found with thee any, I fare from the field ; 
 For behold, I have shivered the shaft that aforetime I wont to wield, 
 On D&phobus' buckler I dashed it, the haughty warrior's shield." 
 
 But Idomeneus lord of the Cretans answered, and thus spake he : 
 " Spears shalt thou find, an thou wilt : there is one, ay, twenty there be 260 
 Against my pavilion's sunlit sides all standing arow : 
 Trojan they be, the which I have torn from their slain, for I trow 
 I use not to stand in the day of the battle afar from the foe. 
 Wherefore I lack not lances, and bucklers boss-bedight. 
 Helmets withal, and store of corslets flashing bright." 265 
 
12 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Spake Meriones unto him, and the wise-heart made reply : 
 " Yea also beside my tent and my dark-hulled galley have I 
 Spoils of the Trojan men, but none be at hand for my need. 
 For, I tell thee, I also forget not the spirit of fight and the deed, 
 But aye in the forefront of glory-wafting battle I stand, 270 
 
 Whensoever uproused is the war, when the flame of its fury is fanned. 
 Nay, haply other Achaians brazen-arrayed have seen 
 Naught of my prowess, but thou needest not to be told, I ween." 
 
 And Idomeneus answered, and spake the lord of the Cretan host : 
 " I know what valour is thine : what boots it thus to boast ? 275 
 
 For if now by the ships they were choosing our mightiest, our men of renown. 
 For an ambush, wherein most chiefly the valour of heroes is known. 
 Where the craven cannot be hid, and the dauntless heart is shown, — 
 For the hue of the face of the dastard is changing and changing aye, 
 And his spirit may nowise be curbed in his breast unquaking to stay, 280 
 
 But ever he shifteth his knees, and he resteth on both of his feet. 
 And ever against his ribs full loud doth the heart of him beat. 
 Foreboding his doom, and a chattering sound of his teeth is heard : 
 But the brave man's hue is unchanged ; he is nowise panic-stirred 
 When once he hath crouched in the ambush of heroes to wait for his foes, 285 
 But he prayeth in battle bitter and stern with speed to close : — [mistrust. 
 
 There none should make light of thine hands, and thy might no man should 
 For though in the battle-toil thou wert smitten with dart or with thrust, 
 That shaft should not leap to thy neck or thy back from behind as in flight. 
 Nay, fairly and full on thy breast or the belly of thee should it light 290 
 
BOOK XIII. 13 
 
 As onward thou rushedst to where the ranks of the forefighters clash : — 
 Come, talk we in this wise no longer, as children babbling rash. 
 Neither loiter, lest haply a man should have great indignation to hear : 
 But get thee unto my tent, and take thee a mighty spear." 
 
 Then M^riones the peer of the fleetfoot God of War 295 
 
 Hasted, and forth of the tent a brazen spear he bore ; 
 And full of the lust of the fight he followed Idomeneus then. 
 And as entereth into the battle Ar^s destroyer of men, 
 And behind him his dear son Panic, the stalwart, the aweless-bold, 
 Goeth, who daunteth the hero, though never so steadfast-souled, — 300 
 
 From Thrace in their harness they fare to the Ephyran war-array. 
 Or the Phlegyans mighty of heart ; yet nowise hearken they 
 Unto both, but to these or to those, as they list, give victory-fame ; 
 So Meriones and Idomeneu.s, captains of warfolk, came 
 
 Faring to battle arrayed in brass that flamelike burned. 305 
 
 Then first spake Meriones, as unto the king he turned : 
 
 " Where wilt thou, Deukalion's son, that we enter the press of the fight ? 
 Shall it be at the midst of the host ? — shall it be on the uttermost right ? 
 Or say, shall it be on the left .'—for I deem no otherwhere 
 Is the battle so sore on the men of Achaia with long-flowing hair." 310 
 
 And Idomeneus answered, the lord of the Cretans spake to his friend : 
 " Others beside us there be the midmost ships to defend, 
 The Aiantes twain, and Teucer the best of Achaia-land 
 With the bow, yea, good at need where men in the close fight stand. 
 With buffets enow shall they greet him, shall quench the battle-glee 315 
 
14 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Of Hector the son of Priam, how stalwart soever he be. 
 
 Hard task shall it be for him there, though he lust for the fight full sore, 
 
 To overcome their might, and the hands resistless in war. 
 
 And to fire the galleys, except Kronion's own right hand 
 
 Hurl on the sea-swift ships a blazing levin-brand. 320 
 
 But for man — Telamonian Aias would flinch for no man born. 
 
 No man that was mortal, and ate of the gifts of the Lady of Corn, 
 
 And whose flesh might be cleft with the brass and with massy rock-shards torn. 
 
 Nay, not rank-rifting Achilles himself would Aias fear 
 
 In the standing fight : but in fleetness Achilles hath no peer. 325 
 
 Now guide thou us thither to left of the host, that with speed we may know 
 
 If renown shall be given by a foeman to us, or by us to a foe." 
 
 So spake he, and M^riones swift Ares' battle-peer led 
 On, till they came Iw the war-host, even as the king had said. 
 On Idomeneus looked they, and saw a man all flame draw near, 330 
 
 Even him and his henchman, arrayed in their rich-wrought battle-gear ; 
 Roared through the press their cheers, and they charged on him all as one. 
 And a grimmer and deadlier strife by the sterns of the ships was begun. 
 As when driven by whistling winds the blasts wild-eddying race 
 On a day when the dust is exceeding deep on the summer ways, 335 
 
 And the air is a whirling confusion and dim as the sea-born haze. 
 Even so was their closing in battle, and fain in their spirits were they 
 With the keen-whetted brass in the war-press to smite each other and slay : 
 And bristled the battle, devourer of men, with the lances keen, 
 Long-shafted cleavers of flesh, which they grasped, and the blinding sheen 340 
 
BOOK XIII. 15 
 
 Of the brass ever dazzled their eyes, from the flaming helms as it streamed, 
 As from corslets freshly-burnished and flashing bucklers it gleamed. 
 As the ranks of them hurled together. Full hardy of heart should he be 
 Who would joy to behold that labour of battle, nor shudder to see ! 
 
 So there with purpose contending Kronos' two strong sons 345 
 
 Were fashioning grievous woes for the earth-born mighty ones. 
 For the Trojans and Hector was Zeus devising the victory still. 
 Giving glory to fleetfoot Achilles : howbeit it was not his will 
 That wholly the nation Achaian should perish before Troy-town ; 
 But for honour of Thetis he wrought for her strong-souled son's renown. 350 
 And amidst of the Argives Poseidon passed, and their might he awoke, 
 From the grey sea risen unseen, for he chafed to behold the folk 
 Overborne by the Trojans : at Zeus was his indignation aflame. 
 Sooth, one was the lineage of both, and their fatherland-home the same ; 
 But Zeus was the elder-born, and the mightier in wisdom's might. 355 
 
 Wherefore Poseidon shrank, that he rendered not help in his sight ; 
 But in secret guise as a man did he hearten their fainting array : 
 And the cords of the giant strife and the level-balanced fray, 
 'Twixt God and God strained hard, high over the war-hosts hung ; 
 Snap them might none, neither loose them, and many a knee they unstrung. 360 
 
 Then, silvery-grey though his hair, on-cheering the Danaan folk 
 Mid the Trojans Idomeneus leapt, and with panic their ranks he broke. 
 For Othryoneus of Kabesus, who sojourned in Ilium-town, 
 He slew : — but of late had he come for the winning of war-renown ; 
 And Kassandra, of Priam's daughters the fairest to see, would he wed, 365 
 
i6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Neither proffered a bride-price, but promised a mighty deed in its stead, 
 
 To drive the sons of Achaia from Troy in their own despite. 
 
 Wherefore the old man Priam consented with covenant-plight 
 
 To give her, and putting his trust in the pledge to the war he came. 
 
 But against him Idomeneus pointed the javelin's gleaming flame, 370 
 
 And he hurled, and he smote him as proudly he strode, and his corslet of brass 
 
 Availed not, but on through the midst of his bowels did the spear-head pass. 
 
 Down-crashing he fell : then vaunted the hero above him and cried : 
 
 " Othryoneus, I praise thee above all mortals beside. 
 If thou shalt accomplish all thy promise in very deed 375 
 
 Unto Priam Dardanus' son, who pledged thee his child for thy meed ! 
 Sooth, we would promise as much, and fulfil the same unto thee, 
 And would give of the daughters of Atreus' son the fairest to see, [fight, 
 
 And from Argos would bring her to wed thee, if thou in our quarrel wouldst 
 And wouldst rase yon city of Priam, the fortress stately-pight. 380 
 
 Nay, follow, that so by the sea-swift ships we may plight with thee 
 The marriage-troth ; — not greedy of bride-price gifts are we !" 
 
 Then hero Idomeneus seized him, and haled through the mighty fray 
 By the foot — lo, Asius cometh to rend from the spoiler the prey. 
 In front of his horses he stood, and these did his henchman rein, 385 
 
 That still on his shoulders they breathed, and his soul was exceeding fain 
 To hurl to Idomeneus' heart : but the lance of the hero first 
 Leapt to his throat 'neath the chin, and clear through the neck it burst. 
 Down fell he, as when some oak or poplar down doth fall. 
 Or as when mid the mountains the craftsmen have hewn a pine-tree tall 390 
 
BOOK XIII. \y 
 
 With axes newly whetted, to build them a galley withal ; 
 
 So stretched in front of his steeds and his car lay Asius low 
 
 Groaning, and clutching the bloody dust in his agony-throe. 
 
 And aghast was his charioteer, and failed him utterly 
 
 The cunning of old, and he dared not wheel his horses to flee 395 
 
 From the hands of the foe. Then battle-bider Antilochus cast 
 
 Through the midst of his body his spear: through the corslet of brass it passed. 
 
 For naught it availed, but amidst of his belly the spear-head stood ; 
 
 And gasping to earth from the car fair-fashioned he fell in his blood. 
 
 And Antilochus, scion of great-heart Nestor, drave the car 400 
 
 From the Trojans forth to the fair-greaved Danaan host of war. 
 
 Unto Idomeneus then Deiphobus drew full near 
 
 Chafing for Asius slain, and he hurled with his gleaming spear. 
 
 But its onrush Idomeneus shunned with wary forward glance. 
 
 For he hid him behind his shapely-rounded shield from the lance, 405 
 
 The targe that he bare, with the ox-hide covered in fold on fold. 
 
 And with flamelike brass, with its arm-rods twain for the warrior's hold. 
 
 Thereunder he crouched all-hidden : the lance flew onward above : 
 
 Sharp rang the shield as the javelin glanced from the face thereof 
 
 Yet D^'fphobus' brawny hand sped it not on a bootless flight, 410 
 
 But on Hippasus' son, Hypsenor, a shepherd of folk, did it light, 
 
 In his liver the midriff" beneath, and it palsied his knees forthright. 
 
 Then Deiphobus vaunted with terrible cry ringing far through the fight : 
 
 " Ha, verily not unavenged lieth Asius ; nay, but I say 
 That albeit to Hades the strong Gate-warder he wendeth to-day, 415 
 
1 8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 He shall joy in his heart : — I have sent him an escort now for the way!" 
 
 So spake he, and anguish came on the Argives because of his vaunt, 
 And war-wise Antilochus' spirit was kindled the most by his taunt. 
 Yet not for his anguish of soul forgat he his friend laid low, [420 
 
 But he ran and bestrode him, and o'er him the fence of his shield did he throw. 
 And trusty comrades twain uplifted the stricken one. 
 For Alastor the godlike came, and Mekisteus, Echius' son, 
 And unto the hollow galleys they bare him, sighing sore. 
 But Idomeneus reined not his mighty strength, but was fain evermore 
 Or to shroud some Trojan yet in the death-night's blackness of gloom, 425 
 Or himself to fall in defending the men of Achaia from doom. 
 Now Aisu^tes the princely had there a beloved son, 
 Alkathoiis the hero — Anchises' child for his bride had he won, 
 Hippodameia ; the eldest-born of his daughters was she. 
 And her sire and the lady her mother loved her exceedingly 430 
 
 In their halls, for that still, she outshone all maids her companions in pride 
 Of beauty, and loomwork, and wisdom of spirit : wherefore the bride 
 She became of the noblest man in all Troy's compass wide. 
 But Poseidon delivered him into the hand of Idomeneus there. 
 For he dazed his flashing eyes, and his glorious limbs did he snare ; 435 
 
 For he could not swerve from his path, and he could not turn him and flee ; 
 But, even as standeth a pillar or lofty leaf-crowned tree, 
 Unstirring he stood, till the spear of the hero Idomeneus smote 
 Full in the midst of his breast, and cleft his brazen coat. 
 The corslet that shielded his breast from destruction theretofore ; 440 
 
BOOK XIII. 19 
 
 Then harshly it rang as the shattering spear through the midst of it tore. 
 
 Down-crashing he fell, and the spear stood planted deep in his heart, 
 
 While shook with its shuddering throbs the long shaft's hinder part : 
 
 A.nd there was its fury spent by the stormy Lord of War. 
 
 And Idomeneus vaunted with terrible voice through the fight ringing far : 445 
 
 " D^iphobus, what, shall we deem that worthy requital is paid 
 In that two for thy one we have slain ? — What now of the boast thou hast made, 
 Fair sir ? — Come also thou, and stand thou against me, and so 
 What manner of child of Zeus is hitherward come shalt thou know : 
 For first he begat the warder of Crete, even Minos the King ; 450 
 
 And from Minos' loins did a son, Deukalion the princely, spring ; 
 And me did Deukalion beget over nations to stretch my sway 
 In wide Crete : now in the ships have I tracked the printless way 
 For a bane to thy sire and to thee, and to all the Trojan array !" 
 
 He spake, and the mind of De'iphobus wavered to and fro 45 5 
 
 Or backward to turn, and to find for his help against the foe 
 Some great-heart Trojan, or even to try the battle alone. 
 And thus, in the thoughts of his heart, him seemed it were best to be done. 
 For Aeneas to go : and behold, he found him loitering 
 
 On the skirts of the battle, for aye was he wroth with Priam the King, 460 
 For that brave though he was among men he gave him not honour due. 
 So he came to his side, from his eager lips as the winged words flew : 
 
 " Aeneas, counsellor-chief of the Trojans, 'twere meet and right 
 That thou rescue thy sister's lord, if thou carest at all for his plight. 
 Nay, come for Alkathous' helping, who fostered in days gone by 465 
 
20 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 For thy sister's sake in his halls thine helpless infancy : 
 
 Lo, slain by the hand of Idomeneus spear-renowned doth he lie." 
 
 He spake, and Aeneas was kindled in spirit to hear that word, 
 And to meet Idomeneus fared with the battle-mood mightily stirred. 
 But not as a tender boy was Idomeneus seized with affright : 470 
 
 He abode them like to a boar on the mountains in pride of his might. 
 Which abideth the throng of the hunters when many a man draweth nigh, 
 In a lonely place, and the ridge of his bristles he setteth high, 
 And the eyes of him glitter with fire, and he whetteth his tusks for the fray 
 Mad-eager to hold the throng of the hounds and the hunters at bay : 475 
 
 So bode Idomeneus spear-renowned, and he shrank not aside 
 As Aeneas came on to the rescue, but loud to his comrades he cried. 
 To Askalaphus, Aphareus, looked he, D^Ipyrus too, through the rout, 
 And to Meriones and Antilochus, wakers of onset-shout ; 
 And he roused to the rescue the heroes with swift-winged words, and he said : 
 
 " Ho, come to mine help, friends ! — I am alone, and sorely I dread 
 The onrush of fleetfoot Aeneas, who cometh against me now : 
 He is passing strong for the slaughter of heroes in battle, I trow ; 
 And the mightiest vantage of all, the flower of manhood, hath he. 
 But if holpen of youth like his this spirit of mine might be, 485 
 
 Soon would I try if the triumph should fall unto him or to me !" 
 
 So spake he, and all they bearing within their hearts one mood 
 Drew nigh unto him, and with bucklers aslope on their shoulders they stood. 
 And Aeneas beheld, and he cried to his friends through the battle-throng ; 
 To Dliphobus, Paris, he looked, and Ag^nor the godlike-strong, 490 
 
BOOK XIII. 21 
 
 Which were chiefs of the host with himself; and their warrior-company 
 
 Followed after their lords, as when the sheep from the pasture-lea 
 
 Follow the ram to the water, and glad is the shepherd to see : 
 
 Even so that day rejoiced the heart in Aeneas' breast 
 
 When he saw how the host of the heroes to battle behind him pressed. 495 
 
 So around Alkathoiis these to the grapple of close fight dashed 
 
 With the spears long-shafted : about the breasts of them terribly clashed 
 
 The brass, as they hurled at each other the darts mid the battle-rout. 
 
 And chiefly above the rest "two heroes valiant and stout, 
 
 Aeneas, Idomeueus, they, the War-god's battle-peers, 500 
 
 Were striving to cleave each other's flesh with the ruthless spears. 
 
 Then first did Aeneas against Idomeneus hurl his lance, 
 
 But he shunned that brazen spear with wary forward glance ; 
 
 And the lance of Aeneas quivering into the earth plunged deep. 
 
 Forasmuch as on bootless flight from his brawny hand did it leap. 505 
 
 Then Idomeneus' spear to the midst of Oinomaiis' belly flew. 
 
 And it shivered his corslet's hollow : his bowels the brass forth drew. 
 
 Down falling in dust the earth in his agony-clutch hath he ta'en. 
 
 And the lance long-shafted Idomeneus plucked from the flesh of the slain. 
 
 Yet he might not prevail to strip the fair war-gear of the dead 510 
 
 From his shoulders, for now with the darts thick-hailed was he sorely bestead. 
 
 For no more were his feet firm-knit in the onrush of battle to go. 
 
 Or to follow the leap of his lance, or to swerve from the dart of a foe : 
 
 Wherefore in standing fight he withstood the pitiless day. 
 
 But his feet not swiftly would bear him to flee from the midst of the fray. 515 
 
22 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And, as slowly the king gave ground, D6iphobus hurled at him 
 
 With his bright spear, nursing against him a wrath abiding and grim. 
 
 Howbeit he missed then too, but the lance to Askalaphus sped, 
 
 The War-god's scion, and burst through his shoulder the fierce spear-head ; 
 
 And he fell in the dust, and the earth in his agony-clutch he caught. 520 
 
 Howbeit not yet wild Ar^s the thunder-voiced knew aught 
 
 Of his dear son, how he was fallen amidst of the desperate fight. 
 
 But pavilioned in golden cloud on Olympus' topmost height 
 
 He sat, by the counsels of Zeus restrained, even there where the rest 
 
 Of the deathless Gods were pent, that not to the battle they pressed. 525 
 
 So around Askalaphus these rushed on to the grapple of fight ; 
 And D^iphobus tore from Askalaphus' head his morion bright : 
 Then leapt on him Meriones, swift Ar^s' battle-peer. 
 And amidst of the arm he smote him, and fell at the thrill of the spear 
 From his hand that visored helmet clanging adown on the plain. 530 
 
 With a leap like a vulture's swoop rushed Meriones again 
 And out of the arm by the shoulder that terrible spear he tare. 
 And drew back to the throng of his friends : forthright was Polites there. 
 His brother, and round Deitphobus' waist his arm hath he cast, 
 And led from the fight wild-yelling, until they were come at the last 535 
 
 Unto where his steeds, to the rearward of all the fight and the war. 
 Stood with their charioteer and the cunningly-fashioned car. 
 And their wounded lord to the city full heavily groaning they bore. 
 Fainting, and down from his arm fresh-woUnded was streaming the gore. 
 But the rest of them fought on ever, the war-cry quenchless rang. 540 
 
BOOK Xtll. 23 
 
 Then upon Aphareus son of Kal^tor Aeneas sprang : 
 
 On his throat, as a moment it faced him, his keen-whetted spear hath he dashed : 
 
 Then sidewards drooped his head, and above him his buckler clashed 
 
 And his helmet ; and over him death the devourer of souls was shed. 
 
 But Antilochus keen-watched Thoon, and even as he turned his head 545 
 
 Leapt on him, and stabbed, and all that long-upwelling vein, 
 
 From the back to the neck that goeth, the lance-head shore in twain. 
 
 Utterly cleft it in twain : on his back in the dust he fell, 
 
 In his agony stretching his hands to the friends that loved him well. 
 
 And Antilochus rushed, and his harness of fight from his shoulders he won, 5 50 
 
 Swift-glancing around, for the Trojans on this side and that pressed on. 
 
 And they thrust at his broad shield flashing bright, but they might not prevail 
 
 To gash with the pitiless brass his flesh through the fence of the mail 
 
 Of Antilochus, seeing Earth-shaker Poseidon's encompassing power 
 
 Saved Nestor's son, how thick soever the javelin-shower. 555 
 
 Good sooth, foes had he enow, but ever he faced them at bay : 
 
 Never his lance unquivering rested, but ever and aye 
 
 Flickered its leaping lightning : his purpose was still with the spear 
 
 To smite some foe with a cast from afar, or a thrust from anear. 
 
 But Adamas, Asius' son, through the war-press marked him wield 560 
 
 That lance, and he drave with the keen-whetted brass at the midst of his shield, 
 With a rush as he reached him : howbeit Poseidon the raven-haired 
 Made vain the spear of the smiter, for still for his life he cared. 
 And the half of the shaft abode, like the stock of a tree charred round. 
 In Antilochus' shield, while lay the half thereof on the ground. 565 
 
24 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Then aback to the throng of his war-fellows shrinking from doom he drew ; 
 
 But M^riones followed after his flight, and his javelin flew ; 
 
 'Twixt the groin and the navel it lighted, the spot where chiefly of all 
 
 Upon wretched mortals the War-god's strokes most bitterly fall. 
 
 There stood in his body the spear, and falling impaled yet alive 570 
 
 Writhed he as struggleth an ox on the hills, which the herdmen drive 
 
 Exceeding loth by force, having bound it with many a thong. 
 
 So smitten he writhed for a little season, but nowise long, 
 
 Till the hero M^riones drew nigh, and the shaft of doom 
 
 Plucked from his flesh: then veiled were his eyes with death's deep gloom. 575 
 
 With DSipyrus Helenus closed, and with mighty Tracian glaive 
 Smote on his temple, and clear from his head his morion clave. 
 Dashed from his brows to the earth it fell, and, even as it rolled 
 'Twixt the feet of the fighters, a warrior Achaian thereon laid hold ; 
 And the eyes of him there did the shroud of the blackness of night enfold. 580 
 Came anguish on Menelaus the battle-helper then ; 
 And he fared to defy the hero Helenus, king among men, 
 Shaking his spear ; but the midst of his bow the foe 'gan strain. 
 At the selfsame moment the one with the lance keen-whetted was fain 
 To hurl, and the other was drawing the shaft on the string to the head. 585 
 Then Priam's son to his corslet's hollow the winged dart sped, 
 But glancing afar from his breast the bitter arrow fled. 
 And as when from the broad-faced shovel on some great floor swift leap 
 The dark-skinned beans or the rattling pulse from the minishing heap, 
 Before the rush of the whistling wind and the fan's long sweep ; 590 
 
BOOK XIII. 25 
 
 Even so from the breastplate of lord Menelaus the glorious in war 
 
 With a great leap glancing away the bitter shaft flew far. 
 
 Then battle-helper Atreides, the lord Menelaus, cast 
 
 At the hand that was grasping the polished bow, and the spear-point passed 
 
 Into the centre-piece of the bow, cutting clear through the hand. 595 
 
 Then shrinking from doom fled Helenus back to his comrade-band, 
 
 Drooping his hand ; for the ashen spear-shaft trailed on the ground. 
 
 But Agenor the great-heart drew the spear-head forth, and he bound 
 
 That stricken hand with wool, with the deftly-twisted cord 
 
 Of a sling, which a henchman bore for the shepherd of folk, his lord. 600 
 
 Against war-renowned Menelaus straight onward Peisander is gone. 
 For the evil doom of death to his ending draweth him on 
 By thine hand, O Menelaus, in terrible strife to die. 
 
 So when, as they charged on each other, by this they were drawn full nigh. 
 Then hurled Atreides, and missed, for aside did his javelin glance : 605 
 
 But Peisander at war-renowned Menelaus' shield with his lance 
 Thrust out, but he might not prevail to drive the brass therethrough. 
 For the broad targe held it aback, but the lance was shivered in two 
 At the socket : yet glad was his heart, and he hoped for the victory. 
 But Atreides hath snatched his white-starred brand from beside his thigh, 610 
 And he leapt on his foe : but Peisander from under his buckler hath ta'en 
 A fair bright brazen axe : of the olive's cloudy grain 
 
 Was the long smooth-polished helve, and they closed in the fight, they twain. 
 Down on the cone of the dark-maned helmet the battleaxe crashed [615 
 
 On the ridge close under the crest: but the sword to his forehead hath flashed 
 
26 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 At the root of the nose, and the skull-bones cracked, and his eyeballs, thrust 
 From the sockets streaming with blood dropped down to his feet in the dust. 
 So he bowed and he fell : and his heel on his breast did the conqueror plant. 
 And he stripped from his shoulders his harness, and cried with a bitter taunt : 
 
 " Thus, thus from the .ships of the fleet-horsed Danaan host shall ye wend, 
 O arrogant Trojans, whose lust for the dread fight knoweth no end ! [620 
 
 Not void of despite, neither crownless of shame, shall ye hence depart — 
 Such despite as ye did unto me, foul dogs, when never your heart 
 Was afraid of the heavy wrath of Zeus who thunders in might, 
 The Guest-ward, who yet shall destroy one day your town high-pight, 625 
 O ye that have stolen my true-wed wife, and my treasure-store. 
 And lawlessly fled, when she welcomed you kindly on that far shore ! 
 And now are ye furious-eager to cast the devouring flame 
 On our sea-swift ships, and the heroes Achaian to slay by the same, — 
 But I ween, be ye never so wild for the battle, ye yet shall be tame ! 630 
 
 Zeus, Father, in sooth they say that thy wisdom excelleth all. 
 Both menfolk and Gods : yet from thine hand all these evils befall. 
 Lo now, what pleasure thou hast in the scorners despiteful-willed, 
 These Trojans, whose might is iniquitous ever, they cannot be filled 
 With strife, and their lust for the swaying battle may never be stilled. 635 
 There cometh of all things fulness, of sleep, and of amorous play ; 
 And the winsome song and the graceful dance charm not alway : 
 Yet surely a mortal would rather desire to be drunk with delight 
 Of these, than of war : but the Trojans may never have surfeit of fight !" 
 
 So did he speak, and the blood-stained arms from the body he tare, 64a 
 
BOOK XIII. 2; 
 
 And these Menelaus the princely gave to his comrades to bear, 
 
 Then into the throng of the forefighters back did the hero fare. 
 
 Leapt on him there the son of Pylaimenes the king, 
 
 Harpalion ; to Troy had he come in the war-host's gathering 
 
 With his father beloved, but returned to his fatherland-home never more. 
 
 Then smote he the midst of the shield that the son of Atreus bore 
 
 With his spear from anigh, but he could not drive the brass therethrough. 
 
 And again to the throng of his war-fellows shrinking from death he withdrew. 
 
 Fearfully glancing around, lest any his flesh might smite. 
 
 Then followed him Meriones with a brass-tipped arrow's flight ; 650 
 
 And it smote on his rightward haunch, and the point of the brass held on 
 
 Till clear to the bladder it pierced, forth-passing beneath the bone. 
 
 Then sank he down, in the arms of his friends as they closed around 
 
 Forth gasping his spirit, even as lieth outstretched on the ground [655 
 
 A worm ; and the dark blood gushed from his wound, till the earth was wet. 
 
 And the great-heart Paphlagonians wrought for his help, and they set 
 
 Their lord on a chariot, and bearing him thence unto Ilium they sped. 
 
 In sorrow amidst of them faring his father the hot tears shed ; 
 
 Howbeit requital none could he win for the son that was dead. 
 
 Sore wroth for the sake of the slain was the spirit of Paris then, 660 
 
 For his bond-friend he was mid the host of the Paphlagonian men ; 
 And vengeance-athirst for his sake a shaft brass-headed he shot. 
 Now a certain EuchSnor there was, whom the seer Polyidus begot, 
 A wealthy man and a valiant : in Corinth was' found his home. 
 Full well foreknowing his fate unto Troy in his ship had he come, 665 
 
28 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 For that often his good grey sire Polyidus had told him his doom, 
 
 That either by sore disease he must waste unto death in his hall, 
 
 Or amidst of the galleys Achaian by hands of the Trojans fall. 
 
 So he shrank from the war-fine stern that Achaia's host bade pay. 
 
 And the loathly disease, that in torment his spirit might pass not away. 670 
 
 'Neath the jaw and the ear was he smitten, and swiftly fleeted his soul 
 
 From his limbs, and thereat did a horror of darkness over him roll. 
 
 So there with the fury of blazing fire their battle they fought : 
 But Hector the Zeus-beloved knew not, he had heard not aught 
 How that his folk to the left of the galleys were stricken down 675 
 
 By the hands of the Argives : and soon the Achaians had won them renown, 
 So mightily ever the Earth-enfolder, the Girder of Lands, 
 Was cheering them on — yea, helped them withal with his own strong hands. 
 But there was he still where he leapt through the gates and the wall at the first, 
 What time through the serried ranks of the Danaan spearmen he burst ; 680 
 For there the galleys of Aias and Protesilaus were, 
 Down on the beach of the hoary-foaming sea, and there 
 Lowest the rampart was builded : in that place hottest of all 
 Was the strife of the heroes and horses beneath that rifted wall. 
 The Boeotians there, and in trailing tunics Ionia's sons, 685 
 
 And, with Lokrians and Phthians, Epeians, battle-glorious ones. 
 As he rushed on the ships, scarce stayed him, and could not work their desire 
 Wholly to beat back Hector the godlike, the fierce as fire. 
 And there were the chosen of Athens' sons, and their battle-lord 
 Led them, Menestheus, Pete6s' son, and beside him warred 690 
 
BOOK XIII. 29 
 
 Stichius, Pheidas, and Bias the strong : the Epeian array 
 
 With the Phyle'fd Meges, Amphion, and Drakius, stood in the fray. 
 
 Battle-bider Podarkes and Medon led the Phthians on : — 
 
 Of Ofleus the godlike was Medon begotten, a handmaid's son. 
 
 So the hero was brother to Aias, but far from his fatherland 695 
 
 In Phylak^ dwelt he, because that a man had been slain by his hand 
 
 Which was kinsman to Queen Eriopis, his sire Olleus' bride. 
 
 'Twas Podarkes the Phylakid Iphiklus' scion that warred by his side. 
 
 And these all armed in the van of the Phthians, the mighty of heart, 
 
 With Boeotians guarding the ships in the battle played their part. 700 
 
 And all this while swift Aias the son of Oileus shrank 
 
 No whit from the side of Telamon's son in the foremost rank : 
 
 But as when in a fallow field two oxen tawny of hue 
 
 With equal spirit are drawing the plough, and the plenteous dew 
 
 Of their toil at the roots of their horns upwelleth the while they strain, 705 
 
 And naught but the polished yoke is keeping asunder the twain, 
 
 As adown the furrow they press till they stay at the tilthland's end. 
 
 So shoulder to shoulder the twain stood, friend by hero-friend. 
 
 But in sooth there were henchmen many that followed Telamon's seed, 
 
 All valiant men, who received the shield of their lord at his need, 710 
 
 Whensoever his limbs were spent with sweat, and with toil fordone : 
 
 But never a Lokrian followed Olleus' great-heart son. 
 
 For they bare no steadfast spirit to bide the standing fight : 
 
 No brazen helmets they had with the horse-mane darkly dight, 
 
 Nor bucklers shapely-rounded nor ashen spears had these, 715 
 
30 HOMER'S -ILIAD. 
 
 But trusting in bows and ip slings of the deftly-twisted fleece 
 
 Unto Ilium they came with their lord, and with these the ranks they rent 
 
 Of Troy with the hail of the stones and the rain of the arrows they sent. 
 
 So the heroes twain in the forefront in armour cunningly wrought 
 
 Against the Trojans and. brazen-harnessed Hector fought. 720 
 
 But they to the rearward shot unseen, till the foe no more 
 
 Remembered the battle's delight, for the arrows galled them sore. 
 
 Then from the tents and the galleys in sorriest plight hurled back 
 Unto Ilium the windy the Trojans had fled from the battle-wrack, 
 But Polydamas came unto Hector the valiant, and thus spake he : 725 
 
 " Headstrong art thou, O Hector, when men would counsel thee. 
 Forasmuch as in deeds of war God made thee ever the best. 
 Therefore in counsel thou fain wouldst be wiser than all the rest. 
 Howbeit thou canst not take on thee all things thus at thy will, 
 For in war God maketh one man to have the pre-eminence still, 730 
 
 And another in dancing, another in harp and song hath skill. 
 But far-seeing Zeus unto one the excellent wisdom hath given. 
 To bless full many a man by the peerless gift of heaven. 
 And many to save, — but the blessing's fulness he knoweth alone. 
 Lo now as I deem shall be best will I unto thee make known : 735 
 
 On all sides round as a crown upblazeth the flame of the fight. 
 And now that the great-heart Trojans have scaled the rampart's height, 
 Some stand in their war-gear aloof, and they that the battle abide 
 Are a few against many, along the galleys scattered wide. 
 But go thou back, call hitherward all our mightiest men, 740 
 
BOOK XIII. 31 
 
 And so in the fulness of counsel shall we resolve us then 
 
 Whether on yon long galleys to charge triumphant down, 
 
 If God peradventure shall will to vouchsafe to us victory's crown, 
 
 Or in any wise back from the ships to return without bane ; for to-day, 
 
 I fear me, the sons of Achaia their yesterday's debt may repay ; 745 
 
 For beside the galleys abideth a battle-insatiate foe, 
 
 A man who will never refrain him wholly from strife, I trow." 
 
 Then good in Hector's sight was Polydamas' wary rede ; 
 Forthright from his chariot he sprang to the ground in battle-weed, 
 And he lifted his voice unto him, and he sped the winged word-flight : 750 
 
 " Polydamas, stay thou in this place all our chiefest of might, 
 But yonder will I betake me, and plunge mid the surges of fight, 
 And with speed will return, when my hest unto those hath been tittered aright." 
 
 Then gleaming huge as a snow -clad mountain in haste he departed 
 With a shout, and through ranks of Troy and her warrior-aid hath he darted. 
 And they to Polydamas Panthoiis' son the courteous-hearted 
 All hasted, so soon as they hearkened Hector's rallying cry. 
 Through the forefighters seeking Ddlphobus then did the hero hie ; 
 And for princely Helenus' might, and for Akamas Asius' seed. 
 And for Asius Hyrtakus' son there searched he with diligent heed. 760 
 
 Yet he found not the heroes wholly unscathed, neither all unslain ; 
 But beside the sterns of the galleys Achaian did some remain 
 Where the hands of the Argive men had spilled their life in the dust. 
 And some at the rampart, smitten by cast of the spear or by thrust. 
 One found he far on the left of the tear-drenched battle that warred, 765 
 
32 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 The prince Alexander the godlike, the fair-tressed Helen's lord, 
 Heartening stoutly his comrades, and cheering them on to the fray : 
 But Hector strode to his side, and with bitter words 'gan say : 
 
 " False Paris the comely, seducer, woman-distraught ! — say thou 
 Where is the might of Defphobus, where King Helenus now ? 770 
 
 And Adamas Asius' scion, and Asius Hyrtakus' son ? 
 Say, where is Othryoneus ? — Now steep-reared Troy is undone 
 Wholly in ruin's precipice-plunge that none may shun !" 
 
 But from Alexander the godlike the answer straightway came : 
 " Hector, the thought of thine heart is to blame the guiltless of blame. 775 
 Some other season perchance am I like to flinch from the war ; 
 Not now : — not wholly a dastard was he that my mother bore. 
 For since at the first thou didst kindle thy men to the fight with the foes 
 Still with the Danaan host in the grapple of fight do we close 
 Ceaselessly. Dead are the comrades whereof thou art questioning. 780 
 
 Only Dgjtphobus' might and Helenus the king 
 
 Are gone, for with spears long-shafted stricken were both in the strife 
 In the hand, yet still from destruction Kronion redeemed their life. 
 Now lead on whithersoever thy spirit moveth thee, 
 
 And battle-eager will we follow after : I tell thee that we 785 
 
 In prowess will nowise fail thee, so far as our strength may attain : 
 But beyond his strength none warreth, nay, be he never so fain.'' 
 
 So did he speak, and the wrath of his brother was turned away ; 
 And they plunged mid the tangle of battle, the heart and the heat of the fray, 
 Yea, where round Kebriones and Polydamas' princely form, ,790 
 
BOOK XIII. 33 
 
 Round Phalkus, Orthaius, and stout Polyphoites, raged that storm, 
 
 And around Askanius, Palmys, and Morys, warriors wight, 
 
 Hippotion's sons : from Askanid the fruitful with yesterday's light 
 
 Had they come in their course to the war, and now Zeus stirred them to fight. 
 
 Onward they charged as onward rusheth the fierce winds' blast 795 
 
 Which fleeth before All father's thunder landward fast, 
 
 As with turmoil unearthly they blend with the brine, and beneath them leap 
 The mountain-swelling waves of the manifold-roaring deep, 
 High-arched, foam-crested, as vanward and rearward their surge-hosts sweep ; 
 Even so the Trojans, to vanward these, and to rearward those, 800 
 
 Flashing with brass followed after their captains to clash with their foes. 
 And Hector like unto Earth-curse Ares was leading the charge, 
 And the Priamid held before him the shapely-rounded targe 
 Close-welded of hides, with a brass plate massy-forged thereon. 
 And around his temples his tossing helmet wavering shone. 805 
 
 Forth striding he tried their battalions to right and to left o'er the field. 
 If perchance they would flinch from his onset as onward he came under shield. 
 But the souls in the breasts Achaian he troubled not thereby ; 
 And Aias with long strides came, and rang his challenge-cry : [810 
 
 " What ho, good fellow, draw nearer ! — why seek'st thou in vain to affright 
 The Argives ? I tell thee, not so skilless we are of fight ; 
 But the baleful scourge of Zeus hath availed the Achaians to tame. 
 Ha, what, and hopeth thy spirit to waste our galleys with flame ? 
 Ha, soon shalt thou find we also have hands to defend the same ! 
 Verily, sooner far shall your stately-builded town ^'S 
 
34 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 By the might of our hands be taken and low in the dust brought down ! 
 
 But for thee— unto thee thyself, I tell thee, the hour is nigh 
 
 When, fleeing, to Zeus and the rest of the Deathless in prayer thou shalt cry 
 
 That fleeter than falcons may be thy steeds of the beautiful mane 
 
 Which shall bear thee cityward storming in dust across the plain." 820 
 
 Even as he spake that word, a bird to the rightward flew, 
 A soaring eagle, and shouted the host of Achaia thereto, 
 Cheered by the omen : but Hector the glorious made reply : 
 
 " Aias, thou raving lubbard, what is the word of thy lie ? 
 Would I were son so surely of Zeus for evermore, 825 
 
 A child whom Here the Queen to the Lord of the Aegis bore. 
 And were honoured even as Ath^n^, or like to Apollo the King, 
 As surely as this day shall unto all the Argives bring — 
 
 Yea, all of them — mischief: and thou with the rest shalt be slain in that hour^ 
 If thou hast the heart to abide my spear, which shall surely devour 830 
 
 Thy lily-hued skin : thou shalt fall by the galleys Achaian, and cloy 
 With thy fat and the shreds of thy flesh the vultures and hounds of Troy !" 
 
 So spake he, and onward he led, and a yell unearthly broke 
 From the heroes that followed, and cheering behind him charged the folk. 
 And the Argives shouted against them : was none that forgat his might : 835 
 'Gainst the charge of the oncoming champions of Troy were their ranks ready- 
 And the roar of them rose to the welkin and Zeus's fields of light. [dight 
 
BOOK XIV. 
 
 How Zeus was beguiled of Hire and Sleep, and the Trojans were smitten. 
 
 OR of Nestor unmarked was the shouting, albeit he sat at the wine, 
 But he uttered the winged word-flight to the child of Asklepius' line 
 
 " Bethink thee, Machaon the godlike, whereunto this will grow : 
 Ever louder waxeth the shouting of strong foe grappling with foe. 
 But thou now sit in thy place, and drink of the wine flame-gleaming, 5 
 
 Till such time as by beautiful-tressed Hekamede the bath hot-steaming 
 Be prepared, and she cleanse thy wound of the gouts of the clotted gore : 
 But hasten will I unto where I may gaze all round on the war." 
 
 He spake, and a targe in the tent that lay hath he ta'en for his need. 
 The shield of his son Thrasymedes, the tamer of the steed, 10 
 
 Far-flashing with brass : but the shield of the father was borne by the son : 
 And his massy spear hath he grasped, whose point with the keen brass shone. 
 And he strode from his tent and he stood, and he looked on a shameful sight. 
 The Achaians in rout hurled backward, and they that stormed on their flight, 
 The haughty Trojans ; and down was the rampart's frowning height. 15 
 
36 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And as when dark heaveth the mighty sea with soundless swell, 
 
 Boding the path of the tempest, the blasts' mad-shrieking yell, — 
 
 No more — neither forward its surges roll, nor athwart do they sweep. 
 
 Till the wind that is chosen of Zeus shall adown on the face of it leap ; 
 
 So wavered the ancient, and pondered divided in mind, or to speed 20 
 
 To the battle-throng of the Danaans, lords of the fleetfoot steed. 
 
 Or to go to the shepherd of folk, Agamemnon Atreus' son : 
 
 And thus, in his soul as he mused, him seemed it were best to be done : 
 
 To go to Atreides. But still the fighting hosts slew on, 
 
 And ever about their flesh the brass clanged tireless-fierce, 25 
 
 Clanged under the lashing blades and the long two-headed spears. 
 
 Then, up from the ships as they went, did the kings Zeus-fostered light 
 On Nestor, even the men that with brass had been wounded in fight ; 
 Tydeides, Odysseus, and Atreus' son Agamemnon were they. 
 For the galleys Achaian were drawn up far aloof from the fray 30 
 
 On the strand of the hoary sea ; for the first had they haled up high 
 Till their sterns stood fringing the plain, and the rampart they reared hard by. 
 For, wide albeit the sea-beach was, scant space was there 
 For all the galleys to lie, and straitened the war-folk were. [35 
 
 So rank behind rank did they range them, and filled with their mighty array 
 The long strand's mouth, even all 'twixt headland and headland that lay. 
 Therefore to gaze on the battle, to hearken the onset-roar, [sore 
 
 Came thronging the kings as they leaned on their spears, and their hearts were 
 In their breasts. Then met them the ancient, and Nestor was there in the way 
 And the souls in the breasts of the princes Achaian he thrilled with dismay. 40 
 
BOOK XIV. 37 
 
 Then also the lord Agamemnon uplifted his voice, and he cried : 
 
 " O Nestor, Neleus' son, Achaia's crown of pride, 
 What hast thou to do the hero-devouring strife to forsake ? 
 I fear me lest furious Hector fulfil the word that he spake, 
 Which he cried in the midst of the Trojans, and threatened Achaia's bane, 45 
 How that never to Ilium back from the ships would he turn him again. 
 Till with fire he should burn the galleys, and us in the midst should slay. 
 Even so did he speak, and behold, the fulfilment is on us this day. 
 Ah me, of a surety the other Achaians greave-bedight 
 
 Are wroth with me, even as Achilles, to whom I did despite : 50 
 
 Therefore they have no will by the rearward galleys to fight." 
 
 And Gerenia's chariot-champion Nestor made reply : 
 " Yea, the fulfilment is hard by the door, and he that on high 
 Thundereth, Zeus himself, might bring naught else to pass. 
 For fallen the rampart is, whereof we had said, time was, S S 
 
 That a bulwark for ship and for man it should be that none might rend. 
 But lo, by the sea-swift galleys the storm of a strife without end 
 Aye waxeth. Thou couldst not tell, how keen soever thy ken. 
 From what side tosseth the surge of the rout of the Argive men. 
 For the tangled confusion of slaughter : the yell to the heaven doth go ! 60 
 But let us bethink us now whereunto this shall grow. 
 If aught man's wit may avail : — howbeit I would not say 
 Let us enter the battle ; for not for the wounded men is the fray." 
 
 Then spake Agamemnon the King of Men with faltering lips : 
 " Nestor, seeing that now they fight by the rearmost ships, 65 
 
38 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And seeing the rampart hath nothing availed, and the trench is naught 
 
 At the which the Danaans toiled sore-travailing — yea, and they thought 
 
 That for galley and man a bulwark that none should rend it had been, — 
 
 The pleasure of Zeus that excelleth in strength is this, I ween, 
 
 That nameless and fameless from Argos afar the Achaians be lost. 70 
 
 I have known when gracious-willed he defended the Danaan host, 
 
 And I know how standeth it now, when with glory our foes he hath crowned 
 
 As the glory of Gods ever-blest, and our might and our hands hath he bound. 
 
 But come now, as I shall say, even so let us hearken and do : — 
 
 The foremost galleys, the rank that nighest the sea we drew, 75 
 
 Hale we adown : on the mighty sea let us launch them all. 
 
 And by sleepers moor them out in the deep, till the shadows fall 
 
 Of the night divine, if haply the foemen then will refrain 
 
 From the battle ; thereafter the rest might we launch, even all which remain. 
 
 I account it not shame to flee, yea, even by night, from bane. 80 
 
 It is better with him that outrunneth destruction than him that is ta'en." 
 
 But Odysseus the manifold-counselled with stern glance answered and said : 
 " Atreides, what saying is this through the fence of thy teeth which hath fled ! 
 O fraught with mischief! — would God thou wert chief of another array, 
 Some caitiff" host, not lord over us, unto whom alway 85 
 
 From youth unto age Zeus giveth to knit up skein upon skein 
 Of troublous war, till one after one we be all of us slain ! 
 So shameless-eager the Trojans' broad-wayed town to forsake 
 Art thou, after all the afflictions that we have endured for her sake ? 
 Keep silence, lest on another Achaian's ears it should fall, 90 
 
BOOK XIV. 39 
 
 This word, which none would suffer to 'scape through his lips at all 
 
 Who had wisdom of heart to utter the thing that was right, and who swayed 
 
 A sceptre of kings, and to whom so many people obeyed 
 
 As these over whom mid the Argives thou art captain and head. 
 
 Lo, now do I wholly contemn thy wit for the word thou hast said, 95 
 
 Who bid'st, when the battle is joined, when the war-cry rings through the air, 
 
 Seaward to drag the ships, that the Trojans' uttermost prayer 
 
 May more be accomplished than now, though this be their triumphing day. 
 
 And that sudden destruction may fall upon us : for Achaia's array 
 
 Will bide not the battle, beholding the ships dragged down to the sea, 100 
 
 But will flinch from the fight, the while they glance round fearfully. 
 
 Then, chieftain of folk, shall destruction be born of thy counsel and thee." 
 
 Spake Agamemnon the King of Men to Laertes' son : 
 " Odysseus, thy bitter reproof deep into mine heart hath gone. 
 Yet deem not that I to the sons of Achaia give such command 105 
 
 As to launch in their hearts' despite the fair-benched ships from the strand. 
 Now would there were one who would speak to us counsel better than this, 
 Be he young, be he old : right welcome it were unto me, I wis." 
 
 Then Diomedes the battle-helper uttered his rede : 
 " Not afar is the man, neither long shall we seek, if your will be indeed no 
 To hearken and do, and ye chafe not each with indignant scorn 
 Because that here in your midst I am even the youngest-born. 
 Nathless my birth do I boast of a sire of high renown, 
 Tydeus, — the earth-mound shroudeth him now in Th^b^-town : — 
 For sons were gotten of Pentheus three, a princely band, i 1 5 
 
40 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And in Pleuron they wont to dwell, and in Kalydon's craggy land, 
 
 Agrius, Melas, and car-borne Oineus — youngest was he. 
 
 My father's sire, but in manhood-might was he chiefest of three. 
 
 In the land he abode, but my father to Argos wandering went, 
 
 And dwelt there, by purpose of Zeus, I ween, and the God's intent. 120 
 
 And he wedded a child of Adrastus, and dwelt in a palace there 
 
 Wealthy in substance, and his was abundance of tilth-land fair 
 
 Golden with wheat, and orchards he had full many an one. 
 
 And sheepflocks many were his, and the Argives all he outshone 
 
 In the craft of the spear — ye shall surely have heard, if I speak not a lie. 125 
 
 Therefore ye shall not say that a base-born weakling am I, 
 
 To despise, when I speak good counsel, the word that proceedeth from me. 
 
 Let us hence to the fight, for we may not choose, though wounded we be. 
 
 Then, beyond reach of the darts, from the heart of the battle-strain 
 
 Will we hold us aloof, lest wound upon wound peradventure we gain. 130 
 
 But the rest will we kindle and speed to the battle, which heretofore 
 
 Gave ear to their wrath, and in malice have played not their part in the war." 
 
 He spake, and with right good will they hearkened and did as he said ; 
 And they hied them to go, and the King of Men Agamemnon led. 
 
 But the glorious Shaker of Earth kept no blind watch that day ; 135 
 
 But in guise of an ancient man he met the kings in the way. 
 By the right hand Atreus' son, Agamemnon the King, did he take, 
 And he lifted his voice unto him, and the light-winged words he spake : 
 
 " Atreides, haply Achilles' baleful heart of spite 
 Rejoiceth within his breast as he seeth the slaughter and flight 140 
 
BOOK XIV. 41 
 
 Of Achaians, seeing he hath no wisdom, no, not a jot. 
 
 But in like wise so may he perish, and God so bring him to naught ! 
 
 But the wrath of the blessed Gods is against thee nowise hot ; 
 
 But yet shall the captains and lords of the Trojan folk, I wot. 
 
 In dust speed over the wide-spread plain, and thyself shalt see 145 
 
 When aback to the city from galley and tent afar they flee." 
 
 So spake he, and over the plain he rushed with a mighty shout 
 Loud as the cry of thousands nine or ten ringeth out, 
 When the heroes meet in the strife, when the War-god's flame is fanned. 
 So mighty a cry from his breast did the Shaker of the Land 150 
 
 Send forth, and with giant strength filled every Achaian heart. 
 That each man unfainting should war, and in battle play his part. 
 
 Now Here the Golden-throned beheld with her eyes that sight 
 As she stood on the peak of Olympus and gazed, and she knew forthright 
 Him who was toiling so in the glory- wafting fight, 155 
 
 Her brother, her lord's withal, and filled was her soul with delight. 
 And Zeus upon fountain-flashing Ida's topmost crest 
 Sitting she saw, and the hatred against him surged in her breast. 
 Then did the Lovely-eyed, the Lady Here, muse 
 
 How she might cozen the spirit of Aegis-wielder Zeus. 160 
 
 And this in the thoughts of her heart she accounted the best device, 
 Unto Ida to go, having decked her beauty in winsome wise, 
 If haply her lord would desire by her body to lay him down 
 In love's embrace, that in slumber soft and sweet she might drown 
 His eyes and his piercing wit in the net of forgetfulness caught. 165 
 
42 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And she passed to her chamber, the bower by Hephaistus her dear son wrought, 
 Who fastened the massy doors to the pillars cunningly 
 With a secret bolt : no God could unlock it, but only she. 
 So entered she in, and she shut the shining doors thereof. 
 With ambrosia first from her body, the very snare of love, 170 
 
 She cleansed all stain, and with oil of the olive anointed her o'er 
 Ambrosial and soft, wherefrom did a savour of sweetness pour. 
 On the brazen floor of Zeus were a drop from the casket spilled, 
 With the breath of the odour thereof were the earth and the heaven filled. 
 Therewithal she anointed her lovely body, she combed her hair, 175 
 
 And deftly her fingers braided the tresses unearthly-fair 
 That streamed from the deathless head in ambrosia-breathing sheen. 
 And she folded about her the robe which Ath^n^ had wrought for the Queen 
 With her uttermost cunning, and traced it with broidery-marvels untold ; 
 And she clasped it about her breast with the brooches of fashioned gold ; 180 
 And she girded her waist with a girdle with tassels a hundred bedight. 
 And she set in her dimpled ears the earrings glistering bright. 
 Triple-dropped, from whose wavering burnish there lightened abundant grace. 
 Then over her head a veil did the glorious Goddess place, 
 New-woven and fair; as the sunlight streamed its splendour around : 185 
 
 And under her radiant feet her beautiful sandals she bound. 
 So when she had decked her body in all her adornment's pride. 
 Forth of her chamber she passed, and she called Aphrodite aside 
 Apart from the rest of the Gods, and her speech unto her she addressed : 
 " Wilt thou hearken and do, dear child, according to this my request ? 190 
 
BOOK XIV. 43 
 
 Or wilt thou refuse me, because thou art angered for this in thine heart 
 That I am the Danaans' helper, and thou dost take Troy's part ? " 
 
 Spake thereupon Aphrodite, and Zeus' child made reply : 
 " O Here daughter of Kronos, Lady of Majesty, 
 
 Utter thy thought, for mine heart doth bid me perform thy will, 195 
 
 If perform it I may, if the deed be a deed that hands may fulfil." 
 
 And with guileful intent unto her did the Lady Herd say : 
 " Now give to me Love and Desire, wherewithal thou dost bend to thy sway 
 All the Immortals, and all the children of mortal birth. 
 
 For I fare to the uttermost bounds of the all-sustaining earth, 200 
 
 Unto Ocean the Gods' begetter, and Tethys which bare us of old : 
 In their halls did they foster my childhood, in nursing arms did they fold, 
 Which received me from Rheia, when Kronos of far-seeing Zeus was hurled 
 Down, to abide 'neath the harvestless sea and the roots of the world. 
 These fare I to see, and their truceless feud would I reconcile ; 205 
 
 For now have they held them apart from each other a weary while. 
 And the bed of love, for that pierced are their spirits with anger's dart. 
 Now if with my words I could bend them, and melt the wrath-chilled heart, 
 And cause the estranged to be joined in the bed of love as of yore, 
 Dear should they call me and worship-worthy for evermore." 210 
 
 Then unto her Aphrodite the laughter-winsome replied : 
 "It may nowise be, nor is meet, that this thy request be denied, 
 For thou sleepest in Zeus's arms when the Mightiest claspeth his bride." 
 
 She spake, and the cestus-band from her bosom the Goddess unbound 
 Curious-wrought, wherein were all her enchantments found : 215 
 
44 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 There Love is, and there is Desire, and the Whisper of Wooing is there, 
 
 Whose subtlety stealeth the wit of the wise, Iiow prudent soe'er. 
 
 Even this did she lay in her hands, and she spake the word, and she said : 
 
 " Lo there, let this my girdle within thy bosom be laid. 
 Cunningly broidered, wherein all spells be fashioned : I wot 220 
 
 Thou wilt not return in vain, with thine heart's desire unwrought." 
 
 So spake she, and smiled the Lady Her^ the Lovely-eyed, 
 And smiling the girdle within her bosom's fold did she hide. 
 Then to her bower the daughter of Zeus Aphrodite passed ; 
 But H^r6 away from the peak of Olympus darted fast ; 225 
 
 On Pieria a moment, and lovely Emathia-land, did she tread, 
 And over the snow-clad hills of the horsemen of Thrace she fled. 
 Yea, over their crests, and she grazed not the ground with her feet as she sped. 
 And from Athos over the sea ever tossing his waves is she gone, 
 Till at last unto Lemnos, the city of Thoas the godlike, she won. 230 
 
 There met she Sleep, even him that is brother unto Death, 
 And she clasped his hand in her own, and she spake with eager breath : 
 
 " Sleep, king over all the Gods and all the children of men, 
 Thou hast hearkened my prayer in the days overpast, O hearken again ; 
 And thou shalt have my thanks so long as endure thy days. 235 
 
 Lull me the eyes whose lightning beneath Zeus' brows doth blaze. 
 So soon as I lay me down by his side in love's embrace. 
 And gifts will I give thee for this— a throne of unperishing gold 
 Most fair, which Hephaistus my son the Twin-right-armed shall mould 
 With his uttermost cunning, a footstool beneath for thy feet therewithal : 240 
 
BOOK XIV. 45 
 
 Thereon shalt thou rest thy glistering feet in the feastful hall." 
 
 Forthright to the Goddess he spake, and sweet Sleep made reply : 
 " Great Kronos' child, O Here Lady of Majesty, 
 Were it any other than this of the Gods that endure for ever, 
 Lightly to sleep would I lull him— yea, the streams of the River 245 
 
 Of Ocean the first begetter of all that hath life— but no, 
 Anigh unto Zeus the Kronos-begotteii I dare not go, 
 Neither lull him to slumber, except himself commanded it so. 
 For once ere now was I lessoned of such a behest of thine, 
 On the day when he, Zeus' child high-hearted, over the brine 250 
 
 Went sailing from Troy, having wasted the Trojans' battle-keep : 
 Ah then did I lull the soul of the Aegis-wielder to sleep. 
 Shed in my sweetness about him : and mischief was plotted of thee 
 Who didst waken the blasts of the winds rough-blustering over the sea. 
 And didst sweep him away unto fair-built Kos on a stormy path 255 
 
 Afar from his every friend. And Zeus awoke in his wrath, 
 And he hurled through his mansion the Gods, and me did he seek above all. 
 And had flung me adown from the sky to the sea in ruinous fall, 
 But the Night was my saviour, the overcomer of Gods and of men, 
 For I fled unto her, and for all his wrath he refrained him then ; 260 
 
 For he dreaded to do displeasure to Night of the dark swift wing. 
 And now dost thou bid me again do this, an impossible thing." 
 
 Made answer to him Queen Her^ the Lovely-eyed, and she said : 
 " O Sle;ep, what visions be these for the which thy soul is adread ? 
 What, deemest thou Zeus for the helping of Trojans hath such desire 265 
 
46 - HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 As when for his own son H^rakles' sake his wrath was afire ? 
 
 Nay, go thou, and one of the Graces younger-born unto thee 
 
 Will I give to wed, to be called thy bride, even Pasithe^, 
 
 Yea, her for whom evermore through all thy days thou hast yearned." [270 
 
 So spake she, and answered Sleep, as for gladness the heart in him burned : 
 " Come then, by Styx' inviolate water swear to me now. 
 And the one of thine hands on the all-sustaining earth lay thou, 
 And the one on the shining sea, that the witnesses 'twixt us twain 
 May be all the Underworld Gods that with Kronos in darkness remain, 
 That thou surely wilt give of the Graces younger-born unto me 275 
 
 Her that through all my days I desire, even Pasithee." 
 
 So spake he, and H^r^ the white-armed Goddess denied not his prayer. 
 But she spake as he bade, and naming the Awful Names she sware. 
 And in dungeons in nethermost Tartarus all the Titans heard. 
 And so, when the oath was accomplished, and spoken was every word, 280 
 From Lemnos they passed, and the burg of Imbros, and on fared they 
 Shrouded about with mist, and swiftly they sped on their way. 
 And to Ida the fountain-flashing, the mother of beasts, they won. 
 Unto Lekton : there left they the sea, and over the land are they gone, 
 While tossed 'neath their feet the crests of the forest's billows of green. 285 
 There tarried Sleep, or ever by eyes of Zeus he was seen ; 
 For he lighted down on a tall pine-tree, the highest that grew 
 Upon Ida, and towered through her mist-veil up to the stainless blue ; 
 There sat he, and round him the screen of its branches the pine-tree drew. 
 And the likeness he took of the shrill-voiced bird, the mountain-birth, 290 
 
BOOK XIV. 47 
 
 Which Chalkis Immortals call, and Kymindis the children of earth. 
 
 And to Gargarus, crown of lofty Ida, did H6r6 fare 
 
 Swiftly, and Cloudrack-gatherer Zeus beheld her there : 
 
 And so soon as he saw, did desire his inmost heart enfold, 
 
 As when at the first they were joined in love in the days of old, 295 
 
 When couchward they wended, and they that had borne them beheld not nor 
 
 And he stood before her and spake, and he uttered forth the word : [heard. 
 
 " Here, with what intent from Olympus hast hitherward hied, [ride ? " 
 
 And thine horses are not with thee, nor thy chariot, whereon thou shouldst 
 
 Spake Here the Queen, and her words were the web of a guileful snare : 300 
 
 " To the uttermost parts of the all-sustaining earth I fare, 
 Unto Ocean the Gods' begetter, and T^thys which bare us of old ; 
 In their halls did they foster my childhood, in nursing arms did they fold. 
 These fare I to see, and their truceless feud would I reconcile. 
 For now have they held them apart from each other a weary while, 305 
 
 From the bed of love, for that anger hath pierced the hearts of them deep. 
 And my steeds at the foot of Ida's fountain-flashing steep 
 Stand, which shall bear me over the land and the tossing foam. 
 But for thy sake down from Olympus hitherward speeding I come 
 Lest thou haply hereafter be angered with me, if in silence I go 310 
 
 Away unto Ocean's halls, and the deep stream's endless flow." 
 
 Then unto her made answer Zeus the Cloudrack-lord : 
 " Her^, hereafter shall serve for thy journeying thitherward ; 
 But now let us couch us for love's delight, even I and thou ; 
 For never did love of Goddess or woman so strangely bow 315 
 
48 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 My spirit, nor flooded the soul in my breast so much as now. 
 
 Not when the wife of Ixion seemed to mine heart so dear, 
 
 Which brought forth PeirithoUs, the high Gods' counsel-peer ; 
 
 Nor by Danae, slim-footed child of Akrisius, so was I bound. 
 
 Which brought forth Perseus, amidst all menfolk high-renowned ; 320 
 
 Nor yet when the daughter of Phoinix the far-famed held me in thrall. 
 
 Which bare to me Minos and Rhadamanthus the godlike withal, 
 
 Nor when Semele's love, nor Alkm^ne's couch in Theb6 I won, 
 
 Which brought forth Herakles her mighty-hearted son ; — 
 
 But Semele bare Dionysus who gladdeneth men with the vine ; — 325 
 
 Neither when Queen Demeter the beautiful-tressed was mine, 
 
 Or far-famed Leto ; nor yet when for thee mine heart was afire : 
 
 It was not with the love of to-day, with the rapture of this my desire." 
 
 But with cunning intent unto him the Lady Her^ said : 
 " What hast thou to do saying this, O Kronos' son most dread ? 330 
 
 If now in the bed of love thou art fain to lay thee down 
 Where all things be seen from afar, even Ida's topmost crown. 
 How would it be if one of the Gods everlasting should spy 
 Us twain as we slept, and to all the rest of the Gods should hie 
 And tell it ? — I could not uprise from the couch, and again to thine hall 335 
 Return ; there were indignation and scorn in the eyes of all. 
 But and if thou art fain of this, and thine heart is set thereon, 
 A chamber thou hast, which was wrought of thy well-beloved son 
 Hephaistus, yea, and he knit strong doors to the pillars thereof: 
 Thither go we to lie, since fair in thy sight is the couch of love." 340 
 
BOOK XIV. 49 
 
 But spake to her Zeus, and the Cloudrack-gatherer answered her then : 
 " O H^re, fear not thou lest any of Gods or of men 
 Should espy, with a cloud so thick will I veil us, a cloud all gold. 
 Nay, not even the Sun should pierce its compassing fold 
 To discern us, albeit his eye be the keenest of all to behold." 345 
 
 He spake, and the Son of Kronos hath caught in his arms his Queen ; 
 And beneath them the earth divine shot up the sward's fresh green ; 
 And the dew-sprent lotus and crocus and hyacinth blossomed around 
 Thick-growing and soft, that the flower-couch bare them up from the ground. 
 Thereon did they lie, and were clothed about with a golden cloud 350 
 
 Most fair, and the glistering dews sliimmered down from its shining shroud. 
 
 So slumbered in utter quiet Allfather on Gargarus' breast. 
 By Sleep and by love overborne, yet clasping his bride to his breast. 
 But sweet Sleep ran where the galleys Achaian fringed the sands 
 With tidings thereof to the Shaker of Earth, the Girder of Lands. 355 
 
 And he came and he stood by his side, and he uttered the winged word-flight : 
 
 " Help thou the Danaans now, Poseidon, with heart and with might. 
 And vouchsafe them renown, though it be but a moment, while still doth sleep 
 Zeus : I have folded him round with slumber soft and deep. 
 For that Here hath brought him by guile in the bed of love to lie." 360 
 
 He spake, and was gone far over the tribes of men to fly ; 
 But he kindled the God for the help of the Danaan men yet more. 
 Far leapt he forthright to the forefront, and cried through the battle-roar : 
 
 " Ye Argives, what, yet again shall we lay the victory down 
 At the feet of Hector, to take the ships and to win him renown ? 365 
 
so HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 O ay, such his thought is and boast, since Achilles abideth apart 
 
 By his hollow galleys, and broodeth still on the wrath of his heart ! 
 
 Yet our grief for his loss shall be nowise so sore, if but we that remain 
 
 Be yet of good courage to help our fellows in battle-strain. 
 
 But come now, as I shall counsel, so let us all obey : , 370 
 
 What shields soever be best and greatest in all our array 
 
 Take we on our arms, and let flame-flashing helmets our temples clasp, 
 
 And the longest spears that be found in the host in our hands let us grasp. 
 
 And so let us on : even I will be leader : no more, I ween. 
 
 Will Hector the Priamid stand, be he never so eager-keen. 375 
 
 And whoso is battle-steadfast, and hath but a little shield. 
 
 Let him give to a worser man, and a broader targe let him wield." 
 
 He spake, and with right good will they hearkened his rede and obeyed : 
 And the Kings themselves in their wounds' despite their battle arrayed, 
 Tydeides, Odysseus, and King Agamemnon, Atreus' son. 380 
 
 And they passed through the host, and to others they gave their armour to don. 
 So the strong had harness strong, and he gave to the weaker wight 
 The weaker : and when they had clad their flesh in the brass flame-bright. 
 Onward they bore, and their onset Poseidon the Earth-shaker led, 
 In his brawny hand high-tossing a keen- edged falchion dread 385 
 
 Like to the lightning, wherewith to grapple in bitter fight 
 No man may dare, but afar therefrom men shrink in affright. 
 
 But Hector the glorious against them marshalled the Trojan, array. 
 Then strained betwixt these twain was a passing-fearful fray, 
 Poseidon the raven-haired and Hector the glorious lord, 390 
 
BOOK XIV. SI 
 
 As the one gave help to the Trojans, and one for the Danaans warred. 
 
 Then surged up the sea to the galleys, the whirling foam-flakes fell 
 
 On the Argive tents, and the war-hosts clashed with a mighty yell. 
 
 Not with such clamour the sea-surf shouteth against the land 
 
 By the blast of the bitter North from the outsea hurled to the strand ; 395 
 
 Neither so loud is the roar of the blazing fire, in the hour 
 
 When through glens of the mountain it raveth, the trees of the wood to devour ; 
 
 Neither shrieketh so madly the wind through the oak-trees lofty-tressed. 
 
 Albeit the roar of its rage is of all things mightiest, 
 
 As the sound of the cry of Achaian and Trojan warriors rang 400 
 
 As they terribly shouted, and foeman to grapple with foeman sprang. 
 
 First against Aias did Hector the glorious his javelin throw, 
 Full front as the hero faced him : yea, and he missed not his foe. 
 But smote where his breast with the baldrics twain was crosswise barred, 
 The one of his shield, and the one of his falchion silver-starred ; 405 
 
 And these were a fence for his flesh : and Hector chafed in wrath 
 Because that the swift shaft fled from his hand on a bootless path : 
 And aback to the throng of his war-fellows shunning the doom he withdrew. 
 But, as backward he shrank, Telamonian Aias the mighty threw 
 A great stone — such were there many for props to the sea-swift ship — 410 
 As it rolled mid the fighters' feet : this Aias upheaved in his grip. 
 And dashed on his breast by the neck clear over the rim of the shield : 
 With the shock like a whirlwind he twisted him, this way and that way he reeled. 
 And as when Allfather's lightning hath felled by the roots an oak. 
 And fearfully reeketh the brimstone-fume from the levin-stroke : 415 
 
52 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 — No spirit is left in the man who beholdeth the terrible thing, 
 
 Who was hard by the path of the lightning of Zeus the Aegis-king ; — 
 
 So suddenly earthward in dust was the might of Hector dashed. 
 
 Whirled from his hand was the spear, but upon him his shield down clashed, 
 
 And his helm and his brass-dight arms clanged round that fallen man. 420 
 
 And upon him mightily shouting the sons of Achaia ran. 
 
 Hoping to drag him away, and their lances thick and fast 
 
 They hurled : but they could not wound by thrust or by javelin-cast 
 
 The shepherd of folk : ere then did the champions compass him round, 
 
 Polydamas, godlike Agenor, Aeneas, and there was found 425 
 
 Sarpedon the chief of the Lycians, Glaukus the princely withal. 
 
 Was none that was heedless of him, but they held for a battle-wall 
 
 Before him their shapely shields ; and his comrades uplifted and bare 
 
 In their hands that hero forth of the toil, till they came unto where 
 
 His swift steeds far to rearward of all that battle and war 430 
 
 Abode with the charioteer and the cunningly fashioned car. 
 
 Then citywards groaning and groaning again they sped their lord. 
 
 But when they were come to the fair-flowing river, the flashing ford 
 
 Of swirling Xanthus, the child of Zeus that abideth for aye. 
 
 To the earth from the car did they lift him, and over his face poured they 435 
 
 Water : then breathed he again, and he opened his eyes once more. 
 
 And he rose to his knees, and he vomited forth the dark-hued gore. 
 
 Then backward again to the earth he sank, and his eyes grew dim 
 
 With black night's veil, for the stroke yet mastered the spirit of him. 
 
 Now so soon as the Argives beheld how Hector was fleeing away, 440 
 
BOOK XIV. S3 
 
 On the Troyfolk yet more fiercely they rushed, and were fain of the fray. 
 
 And before all other did Aias, Oileus' fleetfoot seed, 
 
 The thrust of the keen-whetted lance at the son of Enops speed, 
 
 Even Satnius, born of a Naiad, a peerless nymph divine. 
 
 Unto Enops, the while by Satnioeis he tended the kine. 445 
 
 Now nigh to him came Oileus' scion, the spear-renowned, 
 
 And stabbed at his flank, and backward reeling he fell to the ground ; 
 
 And around him the strife of the Trojan and Danaan men waxed fierce. 
 
 Came Polydamas Panthoiis' son for his helping, the shaker of spears, 
 
 And his lance unto prince Prothoenor's rightward shoulder he sped, 450 
 
 The son of Arellykus, and the javelin's thunderbolt head 
 
 Cleft through, and in dust down falling he clutched with his palm at the earth. 
 
 And with shout far-pealing Polydamas vaunted in terrible mirth : 
 
 " Ha ha ! from the brawny hand of Panthoiis' son high-hearted 
 Once more not vainly, I ween, hath the javelin's lightning darted, 455 
 
 But an Argive hath welcomed it home to his flesh ! — 'tis a staflf, I trow, 
 Leaning whereon to the mansion of Hades down shall he go." 
 
 So spake he, and anguish came on the Argives to hear that vaunt, 
 And chiefly the spirit of Aias the war-wise was stung by the taunt, 
 Even Telamon's son, for to him did the slain man fall most near, 460 
 
 And as turned hijn the smiter, he suddenly hurled with his glittering spear. 
 But Polydamas' self from the black doom swerved with a sidelong bound, 
 But Archelochus, son of Antenor, that terrible gift hath found. 
 Forasmuch as the Gods devised his destruction : the lance-point came [465 
 'Twixt his head and his neck, and it smote on the meeting-place of the same 
 
54 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 At the nethermost bone of the skull, and it severed the tendons twain : 
 And his head and his mouth and his nostrils smote on the dust of the plain 
 Or ever his legs and his knees, as he fell, to the earth were bowed. 
 And Aias in turn unto prince Polydamas shouted aloud : 
 
 " Bethink thee, Polydamas, tell me, nor utter lying breath — 470 
 
 Is not the slaughter of this man for Protho6nor's death 
 Fair quittance ? — no weakling I deem him, nor gotten of weaklings' seed ; 
 But the brother he is of Antenor the tamer of the steed, 
 Or a son : — for to him doth he seem of his lineage nearest born." 
 
 Well-knowing he spake, and the souls of the Trojans were anguish-torn. 475 
 Then Akamas stood o'er his brother, and stabbed Boeotip-'s son 
 Promachus, even as he haled by the foot that slaughtered one. 
 And Akamas vaunted with terrible cry ringing far through the host : 
 
 " Ye Argive bowman-churls, insatiate of threatening boast, 
 Not unto us alone, good sooth, shall be labour and pain ; 480 
 
 Nay, but I ween ye too in the selfsame wise shall be slain ! 
 Mark ye how hushed into sleep by my spear before your eyes 
 Promachus lieth, that so my brother's atonement-price 
 May not long be unpaid. For such kinsman as this might one well pray 
 To leave in his halls to avenge him in battle's evil day ! " 485 
 
 So spake he, and anguish came on the Argives that heard that vaunt ; 
 And war-wise Peneleos most chiefly was stung by the taunt. 
 And on Akamas rushed he : howbeit the onset he dared not abide 
 Of Boeotia's king, so that Ilioneus by his spear-thrust died, 
 Child of the sheep-lord Phorbas, whom Hermes wont to hold 490 
 
BOOK XIV. 55 
 
 Dearest of all the Trojans, and gave to him wealth untold. 
 
 And the selfsame Ilioneus was his mother's only son. 
 
 'Neath the eyebrow down to the roots of the eye hath the spear-head gone, 
 
 And it thrust the eyeball forth, and the shaft through the socket sped, [495 
 
 And out through the nape of his neck : and with both hands wide outspread 
 
 Down sank he, and Peneleos from the scabbard his keen brand drew. 
 
 And lashed at the midst of his neck, and down on the earth he threw 
 
 The head yet sheathed in the helmet, and still was the mighty spear 
 
 In the eye, and the head like the head of a poppy on high did he rear 
 
 And showed to the Trojan men, and the word of his vaunt rang loud : 500 
 
 " Ho Trojans, tell to the father of Ilioneus the proud. 
 And his mother, I pray you, to make their lament in a desolate house, 
 As neither the young Alegenorid's wife, even Promachus' spouse. 
 Shall rejoice for the coming again of her dear-loved lord, in the day 
 When the sons of Achaia from Troyland sail the homeward way." 505 
 
 He spake, and the limbs of them all were palsied with sickness of fear. 
 And each glanced round for escape from destruction sudden-sheer. 
 
 Tell me, ye Muses now, in Olympus' halls that abide, 
 Who first of Achaians uplifted a foeman's spoils blood-dyed 
 When the glorious Shaker of Earth turned backward the battle-tide. 5 10 
 
 Telamonian Aias the first stabbed Hyrtius, Gyrtias' son, 
 Who battleward led the dauntless-hearted Mysians on : 
 Phalkes' and Mermerus' harness of fight hath Antilochus ta'en ; 
 Hippotion withal and Morys of M^riones were slain : 
 And Teucer dealt Periphetes and Prothoon a swift death-stroke ; 515 
 
56 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And thereafter Atreides stabbed Hyperenor a shepherd of folk 
 
 On the flank, and the bowels of the wretch followed after the gleaming brass, 
 
 And out through the portal of that grim gash did the soul of him pass 
 
 Swift-rushing, and over his eyes did the veil of darkness fall. 
 
 But Aias, Olleus' fleetfoot son, slew more than all ; 520 
 
 For like unto him was there none to follow the foemen's flight 
 
 With avenging feet, when Zeus had thrilled them with panic-affright. 
 
BOOK XV. 
 
 How Zetis turned backward the battle, and fire was cast on the galleys. 
 
 ^SjUT when through the palisade-fence and the trench the Trojans had fled, 
 
 ^^ And stricken of Danaan hands full many an one lay dead, 
 
 Then stayed them beside their cars that panic-palsied folk, 
 
 Then halted they, pale with their fear. And Zeus from his sleep awoke 
 
 By the side of H6r^ the golden-throned upon Ida's crown. 5 
 
 And he leapt to his feet, and on them of Achaia and Troy looked down ; 
 
 Saw fleers, a huddled rout, saw them that stormed on their track, 
 
 Argives, and King Poseidon amidst of the battle-wrack, 
 
 Saw Hector lie on the plain, and his comrades to right and to left 
 
 Sat, as he gasped hard-fetching his breath all sense-bereft, 10 
 
 Vomiting blood — no weakling Achaian had dealt that blow ! 
 
 And the Father of Gods and Men had compassion, beholding him so, 
 
 And to Herd he spake, and his eyes with a terrible fire were aglow : 
 
 " By thy mischievous guile of a truth, O Herd the stubborn-willed, [15 
 
 Hath Hector been stayed from the fight, have his people been panic-thrilled! 
 
 I 
 
58 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Of a surety I know not but thou shalt thyself first taste the meed 
 
 Of thy pestilent weaving of ill, when I scourge thee with thongs for thy deed ! 
 
 What, mindest thou not how on high thou wast hung, and anvils twain 
 
 I swung from thy feet, and about thy wrists did I cast a chain 
 
 Golden, that none might break ? In the welkin thou hung'st amid cloud ; 20 
 
 And through wide Olympus the Gods beheld it angry-browed : 
 
 Yet none might draw nigh for thy loosing; but whomso I marked that essayed, 
 
 I would grasp him, and hurl from the threshold of heaven, till low he was laid 
 
 On the earth all faint : yet not even so might my wrath be assuaged, 
 
 My quenchless fury for heaven-born H^rakles' sake that raged, 25 
 
 When thou with the North-wind didst league thee, suborning the blasts to thy 
 
 And didst drive him over the harvestless sea in thy purpose of ill, [will. 
 
 And thereafter didst cast him away upon Kos' fair-peopled shore. 
 
 Howbeit from thence did I save him, and brought him home once more 
 
 Unto Argos the horse-fed, albeit through many afiflictions and toils. 30 
 
 Thereof yet again must I put thee in mind : thou shalt cease from thy wiles : 
 
 And so shalt thou see if the dalliance of love shall profit thee 
 
 Wherein thou didst join, when thou cam'st from the Gods and beguiledst me." 
 
 So spake he, and shuddered the Lady H^re the lovely-eyed, 
 And she uttered the winged word-flight, and unto her lord she cried : 35 
 
 " Be witness now this earth, and the heaven above spread wide, 
 And the down-rushing water of Styx — and this is the mightiest. 
 Yea, and the awfuUest oath on the lips of the Gods ever blest : — 
 Be witness thy sacred head, and the couch that hath borne us twain, 
 The bridal bed, the name that I cannot take in vain, 40 
 
BOOK XV. 59 
 
 That not of my prompting Poseidon the Shaker of Earth this day 
 
 Vexeth the Trojans and Hector, and helpeth Achaia's array : 
 
 But his own soul moved him, I ween, and constrained him pity-led, 
 
 Beholding Achaia's sons by the galleys sorely bestead. 
 
 Notwithstanding even with him, an thou wilt, full fain would I plead 45 
 
 To walk in the way as thou, O Cloudrack-shrouded, shalt lead." 
 
 So spake she, and smiled the Father of Gods and Men as he heard, 
 And he answered and spake unto her, and he loosed the light-winged word : 
 
 " If thou, O Lady Here the lovely-eyed, indeed 
 With thine heart even as mine wouldst sit mid the deathless seed, 50 
 
 Full soon should Poseidon, how wilful-wayward soever he be, ■)••'• 
 Turn backward his purpose to follow the hearts of thee and me ! 
 But now, if unfeigned is thy speech, if in truth thou hast spoken all, 
 Depart thou hence to the tribes of the Gods, and hitherward call 
 Iris to come unto me, and Apollo renowned with the bow, 55 
 
 That the one to the brazen-corsleted host of Achaians may go, 
 And may speak to Poseidon the King, and may tell mine hest to the God 
 To refrain from the war and to get him thence to his own albode, ■ \^ •■ 
 And that Phoebus Apollo may rouse up Hector to battle again, ' 
 And may breathe might into his soul, and make him forget his pain, 60 
 
 The pangs outwearing his spirit, and turn the triumphant array 
 Of Achaia aback, and may thrill them with panic and craven dismay, 
 Till fleeing they fall midst the many-benched galleys of Peleus' son 
 Achilles ; then to the fight shall he speed his comrade on, 
 P^troclifs, ancl he by the spear Qf If ^.ctor the glorious shall f^U 6j 
 
6o HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Before Ilium ; yet full many a warrior stalwart and tall — 
 
 Yea, godlike Sarpedon my son with the rest — shall he slaughter in fight. 
 
 And wroth for his sake shall godlike Achilles Hector smite. 
 
 But from that time forth will I turn the Trojans in panic of flight 
 
 From the ships evermore without respite, till steep-built Ilium's day 70 
 
 Shall come, and Athene's counsel shall give the Achaians the prey. 
 
 But till that hour come I refrain not my wrath, and I suffer not 
 
 That of any Immortal beside to the Danaans succour be brought 
 
 Or ever Peleides' prayer be fulfilled, the thing that I said 
 
 When I gave unto him for the seal of my promise the nod of mine head, 75 
 
 In the day when the Goddess Thetis low at my knees bowed down, 
 
 And besought me to honour Achilles the waster of tower and town." 
 
 Then H^rg the Goddess, the white-armed, hearkened his bidding to do. 
 Down plunging from Ida's ridges to high Olympus she flew. 
 And as darteth the thought of a man who hath journeyed by many a shore,8o 
 And museth at home in the midst of his wisdom's garnered store, 
 " Now would I were here or were there!"— wide range the desires of his heart ; 
 So swiftly with eager speed did the Lady Yitxt dart. 
 And she came to the steeps of Olympus, to Zeus's palace-dome, 
 And the throng of the deathless Gods ; and they, beholding her come, 85 
 
 Leapt all to their feet, outstretching their cups to the Queen of Heaven. 
 But she passeth the others by, and she taketh the chalice given 
 Of Themis the beautiful-cheeked, for that foremost to meet her she sped. 
 And she lifted her voice, and forth of her lips the winged words fled : 
 
 " Q Here, why art thow coqie ?— thou seemest ^§ on? distraught! 90 
 
BOOK XV. 6 1 
 
 Is it so, that the Son of Kronos, thy lord, thy dismaying hath wrought?" 
 
 Answered and spake to her Her^ the Goddess with arms of snow : 
 " Ask me not this, O Goddess Themis : thyself dost know 
 What manner of spirit is his, overweening and ruthless-stern ! 
 But lead thou the rest of the Gods, that again to the feast they may turn. 95 
 And so amidst all the Immortals thine ears shall hear the tale 
 Of the evil things that be uttered of Zeus, and his purpose of bale. 
 I tell thee, not all shall rejoice together such tidings to hear, 
 Nor mortals nor Gods, if still any banquet blithe of cheer." 
 
 Then Here the Lady sat her adown, as thus she spake ; 100 
 
 And the Gods through the mansion of Zeus were heavy of heart ; and there 
 The laugh from her lips, but the brows overglooming her scowling eyes [brake 
 Laughed not, and amidst of them all she cried in indignant wise : 
 
 " Fools, we that in witlessness be angered with Zeus ! — who still. 
 Good sooth, be fain to draw nigh, and to let him from working his will 105 
 By word or by force ! — but nothing he heedeth : he sitteth apart 
 Uncaring: — 'Amidst of the Deathless Ones,' he saith in his heart, 
 ' I have the pre-eminence : chiefest am I in my power and my might.' 
 Therefore content you each one with the gifts of his mischief and spite ! 
 For already, I fear me, with Ar^s the tale of our woes hath begun ; no 
 
 For his child in the battle hath perished, his best-beloved one, 
 Askalaphus, he whom Ares calleth his very son." 
 
 So spake she, and Ares smote upon either brawny thigh 
 With the palms of his hands, and he cried an exceeding bitter cry : 
 
 " J»Iovi^ bf not indignant, O ye in Olympus' h^lls tha( abide, 1 1 5 
 
62 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 That I fare to Achaia's ships to avenge my son which hath died, 
 
 Yea, though I be doomed by the lightning of Zeus to be smitten, and thrust 
 
 Down, amid corpses to lie in the midst of blood and dust." 
 
 So spake he, and shouted his best to his servants. Dismay and Affright, 
 To harness his steeds, and he clad him in armour as lightning bright. 120 
 
 And then had a fury of Zeus flamed out more hot than before, 
 And his wrath had abode on the Deathless, a burden exceeding sore ; 
 But Athene for all the high Gods' sake was stricken with dread, [she sped ; 
 And she sprang from the seat on the which she had sat : through the porchway 
 And she caught from his shoulders the buckler, the helm from his head she 
 And the brazen spear set by that his brawny hand had grasped : [unclasped, 
 And she chode with furious Ares with words indignant-hot : 
 
 "Mad, sense-forlorn, thou art all undone ! — what, wholly for naught 
 Hast thou ears to hear, and thy wit and thine awe, be they utterly dead ? 
 Hast thou not heard what H^re the white-armed Goddess hath said, 130 
 
 Who from presence of Zeus the Lord of Olympus is come but now ? 
 What, wouldst thou fill up a measure of manifold ills, even thou, 
 And return sore loth in thine own despite to Olympus, and sow 
 For all the rest of the Gods the seed of a mighty woe ? 
 
 For Troy's proud sons and Achaia's host will he straightway forsake, 13S 
 
 And will come upon us, and the heaven with the storm of his coming shall shake. 
 And on one after other, on guilty and guiltless, his hands will he lay. 
 Then thy wrath for thy stalwart son put thou at my bidding away. 
 For many an one that in might of his hands is stronger than he 
 |;Iath be^n slain, or in da^-s to gom? shall be sl^in : hard task shc^ll it be I40 
 
BOOK XV. 6i 
 
 The race and the seed of all mankind from their doom to free." 
 
 So spake she, and caused fierce Ares to sit on his throne once more. 
 But Here hath called Apollo without the feast-hall door, 
 And Iris, the messenger speeding the deathless Gods between : 
 And she uttered the winged word-flight, and spake the Olympian Queen : 145 
 
 " Zeus biddeth that ye unto Ida shall fare with your uttermost speed ; 
 And when ye shall come, and shall look on the face of Kronos' seed. 
 Whatsoever he biddeth you, do, and give to his hest good heed." 
 
 So spake she, the Lady Her6, and backward turned her again, 
 And she sat on her throne : but downward darting ilew those twain. 150 
 
 And to Ida the fountain-flashing, the mother of beasts of the wold. 
 Came they, and seated on Gargarus' crest did their eyes behold 
 Kronion, and round him the wreath of a fragrant cloud was rolled. 
 So they came to the presence of Zeus the Cloudrack-herder, and stood : 
 And he beholding them there was nowise wrathful of mood 155 
 
 That so swiftly they hearkened the hest that was borne by the wife of their lord. 
 And to Iris he turned him first, and he uttered the swift-winged word : 
 
 "Speed thee away, swift Iris, and unto Poseidon the King 
 Bear all this message from me : thou shalt hide not anything. 
 Thou bid that he cease from the war, and let the battle be, 160 
 
 And depart to the tribes of the Gods, or into the sacred sea. 
 But and if he will disobey my word, and will none of mine hest. 
 Then let him bethink him, and weigh this well in the thoughts of his breast. 
 Lest, be he never so strong, he endure not my coming to war. 
 Forasmuch as in might I declare of a truth I am stronger far, 165 
 
64 HOMER'S ILTAD. 
 
 And the elder-born. But his reckless heart giveth place unto pride, 
 To account himself my peer, who am dreaded of all beside." 
 
 So spake he, and wind-footed Iris the swift disobeyed him not. 
 But down from the mountains of Ida to Ilium the holy she shot. 
 And even as when from the clouds cometh flying the snow or the hail, 170 
 Chill-drifting by upon welkin-begotten Boreas' gale, 
 So Swiftly Iris the fleet, the eager-hurrying, sped ; 
 And she came to the side of the glorious Shaker of Earth, and she said : 
 
 "With a certain message to thee, O Girder of Earth dark-haired, 
 Hitherward from the presence of Zeus the Aegis-lord have I fared. 175 
 
 He biddeth thee cease from the war, and let the battle be. 
 And depart to the tribes of the Gods, or into the sacred sea. 
 But and if thou wilt none of his best, if his word thou wilt disobey. 
 Himself, he doth threaten, to match his might against thine in the fray. 
 Will hitherward come : — but he biddeth thee shrink from the trial of war 180 
 With his hands, forasmuch as he saith that in strength he is mightier far, 
 And the elder-born. But thy reckless heart giveth place unto pride. 
 To account thyself his peer, who is dreaded of all beside." 
 
 And the glorious Shaker of Earth spake indignation-stirred : 
 "Out on it! — strong though he be, overweening was this his word, 185 
 
 If by force he will curb in mine own despite his peer, .even me ! 
 Three brethren begotten of Kronos, of Rhea born, were we : 
 Even Zeus, and niyself, and Hades the Netherworld King, she bare. 
 And divided were all things in three, and for each was an honour-share. 
 And my lot, as we shook the urn, was for aye in the kingdom to dwell 190 
 
BOOK XV. 6s 
 
 Of the hoary sea ; and the murky gloom unto Hades fell ; 
 And Zeus amid welkin and cloud bare sway in the broad-arched heaven : 
 But for common possession to all was the earth and Olympus given. 
 Wherefore I nowise will walk by the mind of Zeus, but in peace, 
 Strong though he be, let him bide in his own third portion of these, 195 
 
 Neither look to affright me, like to a craven wretch, with his hands. 
 Better it were that he uttered with terrible threats his commands 
 Unto his daughters and sons, even them that be born of his seed : 
 For they will give ear to his best, and obey him of sorest need." 
 
 But Iris the swift yet tarried, the Wind-foot spake the word : 200 
 
 " Is it even so, O Earth-en folder, O dark-haired lord ? 
 Must I bear this back unto Zeus — this speech unyielding and stern ? 
 Or yet wilt thou turn and repent ? — the hearts of the good can turn. 
 Thou knowest how still the Erinnyes wait on the elder in birth." 
 
 Then answered Poseidon, and spake yet again the Shaker of Earth : 205 
 " Iris, a word in season is this thou hast spoken to me. 
 Of a truth it is good when a messenger dealeth prudently. 
 But a terrible pang is this that mine heart and my spirit hath stung. 
 Whensoever he taketh upon him to chide with angry tongue 
 His equal in lot, whose fate in the selfsame balance is hung. 210 
 
 Yet, how indignant soe'er, will I bow to his best this day. 
 But hearken to this my threat, to the word that in wrath I say : 
 If he, in despite of me and Athene the Giver of Prey, 
 In despite of Her^ and Hermes, and King Hephaistus withal 
 Shall spare steep Ilium-town, and shall not consent that she fall 215 
 
66 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 In destruction, and not to the Argives the mighty triumph shall yield, 
 This let him know, that the anger between us shall never be healed." 
 
 So spake he, the Shaker of Earth, and he left the Achaian host; ■ 
 And he plunged in the sea : sore lacked the heroes their champion lost. 
 Then spake to Apollo Zeus, and the Cloudrack-gatherer said : 220 
 
 " Go now, dear Phoebus, to Hector the brazen-helmeted : 
 For now is the Earth-enfolder, the Shaker of the Land, 
 Gone back to the sacred sea, forasmuch as he dared not, stand 
 My swift wrath : — surely the others had heard the sound of our war. 
 The Gods of the Underworld, in the dungeon of Kronos that are. 225 
 
 But better by far was this for me and for him, I wot. 
 That he shrank ere then, albeit his indignation was hot, 
 
 From mine hands, for that not without sweat of our toil had the issue been 
 But for thee, my tasselled aegis thou in thine hands shalt take : [wrought- 
 
 This over the heroes Achaian, to daunt them withal, shalt thou shake. 230 
 But let Hector the glorious, O Smiter from Far, be tended of thee. 
 Rouse in him mighty strength, till the Argives, fast as they flee. 
 Shall come unto Hellespont's stream, and the galleys fringing the sea.; 
 No longer — myself will by deed and by word take counsel then 
 How the Achaians may breathe from their battle-toil again." 235 
 
 He spake, and Apollo hearkened his father's bidding to do. 
 And adown from the ridges of Ida in shape of a falcon he flew. 
 The swift one, the slayer of doves, which is fleetest of all winged kind. 
 And Hector the godlike, the offspring of Priam the wise, did he find. 
 Sitting — no more was he lying, but only rewaking as yet 240 
 
BOOK XV. 67 
 
 Was his spirit : his comrades he knew ; but the gasping and agony-sweat 
 Was stayed ; for the purpose revived him of Zeus the Aegis-lord. 
 Then stood by his side Far-smiter Apollo, and spake the word : 
 
 " Hector thou child of Priam, now wherefore aloof from the rest 
 All faint dost thou sit ? — is it so, that thy spirit is trouble-oppressed ? " 245 
 
 Spake Hector faintly and feebly, the prince of the tossing crest : 
 " And thou, O mightiest of Gods, who dost question me, who art thou ? 
 Hast thou heard not how by the rearward galleys Achaian but now, 
 As I slaughtered his comrades, Aias the mighty in battle-aid 
 With a great stone hurled at my breast, that my fury of onset was stayed? 250 
 Yea, and I thought that adown to the dead I should fare this day. 
 And the mansion of Hades, when I had gasped my life away." 
 
 Then unto him did the King, Far-smiter Apollo, say : 
 " Now be of good cheer, so mighty a champion Kronion doth send 
 From Ida to stand by thy side in the midst of the strife, and defend, 255 
 
 Even Phoebus Apollo with Sword of Gold, who in days gone by 
 Have warded thy life and thy city builded steep and high. 
 Now cheer thou onward the host of thy car-borne warriors to speed 
 Down on the hollow galleys the fleetfoot chariot-steed. 
 
 And before thee will I pass on : I will make smooth all the way 260 
 
 For the steeds, back turning the heroes Achaian in disarray." 
 
 Then into the shepherd of folk did he breathe great might for the fray. 
 As a stallion manger-fed that hath snapped his halter in twain. 
 And speedeth with thunder of galloping feet far over the plain 
 To plunge, as so oft he hath plunged, in the river lovely-gleaming 265 
 
68 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Exulting ; and proudly he beareth his head, and his mane outstreaming 
 
 Floateth his shoulders around, as in pride of his goodlihead 
 
 By swift knees borne to the pastures and herds of the mares he had sped ; 
 
 So Hector with lightsome feet and with lithe knees swiftly trod, 
 
 On-cheering the horsemen, so soon as he hearkened the voice of the God. 270 
 
 And even as country-folk follow fast with the deep-voiced pack 
 
 Of their hounds on the flight of an antlered stag or a wild goat's track, 
 
 Till the crags of the rocks unfooted, the brakes of the forest-gloom, 
 
 Have delivered the prey, because not yet was the day of its doom ; 
 
 Then at their outcry appeareth a lion of stormy mane 275 
 
 In the way, back turning them all, though never so eager-fain : 
 
 Even so for a season the dense-thronged Danaan men followed fierce 
 
 With swinging blades and with vengeful thrust of the two-headed spears : 
 
 But so soon as they looked upon Hector ranging from rank unto rank, 
 
 They quaked, and the hearts of them all to their very feet down sank. 280 
 
 Then Thoas the son of Andraimon spake to the rest his rede, 
 Chiefest of all the Aetolians, cunning the javelin to speed. 
 And good in the standing fight, and in speech-craft few of the sons 
 Of Achaia o'ermatched him, when strove in the council their mighty ones ; 
 And thus, of his will for their welfare, amidst of them all spake he : 285 
 
 " Lo now, 'tis a marvel of marvels, the thing with mine eyes that I see, 
 In what wise he hath risen again, yon Hector, escaping his fate ! 
 Of a truth was the expectation of each man's heart full great 
 That our foe by the hands of Aias Telamon's son had died. 
 Yet again some God hath delivered him, turning the doom aside 290 
 
BOOK XV. 69 
 
 From Hector, from him who hath loosed many Danaan knees ere now, 
 
 As again it shall be, I fear me, for not without sanction, I trow. 
 
 Of Thunderer Zeus in the forefront of battle thus doth he storm ! 
 
 But come now, as I shall counsel, so hearken we all to perform : — 
 
 Bid we the common throng turn back to the galleys again ; 295 
 
 But for us, even all in the host who boast us of noblest strain, 
 
 Stand we, if haply we first, as we face him, may thrust him aback 
 
 Outstretching our spears : — grim terror, I trow, shall yet make slack 
 
 The heart fierce-straining to plunge mid the Danaan battle-wrack !" 
 
 So did he say, and they heard and obeyed him with eager mood. 300 
 
 Round Aias they closed, and with King Idomeneus stoutly they stood. 
 And with Teucer and Mdriones and with Meges the War-god's peer. 
 And they marshalled the fight, and rang to the champions Achaian their cheer 
 As they fronted the Trojans and Hector, the while to rearward afar 
 Streamed back to Achaia's galleys their multitude from the war. 305 
 
 Onward the Trojans hurled in a dense throng : Hector led 
 With long swift strides, and before him Phoebus Apollo sped 
 With cloud-veiled shoulders : the stormily-rushing Aegis he bore, 
 Dread, shaggily tassel-begirt, far- gleaming, fashioned of yore 
 By the God -smith Hephaistus for Zeus, to thrill men's hearts with dismay: 310 
 High lifting the same in his hands he led the folk to the fray. 
 And the Argives abode them, a serried battalion, and loud 'gan ring 
 From host unto host the yells wild-shrilling : sprang from the string 
 The arrows, and many a lance from the dauntless hands 'gan leap : 
 Some into the flesh of warriors battle-swift plunged deep, 315 
 
70 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And into the earth sank many, or ever their flight might attain 
 
 The goal of their flesh ; and they quivered athirst for the blood of the slain. 
 
 While yet in Apollo's hands that Aegis moveless hung, 
 Fast fell the folk as the shafts from host unto host were flung. 
 But when on the fleet-horsed Danaans face to face he gazed, 320 
 
 And shook it, and mightily shouted withal, their souls were amazed 
 Within their breasts, that they wholly forgat their onset-might. 
 And as when from two fierce beasts in the dead of the black dark night 
 A herd of kine, or the sheep of a great flock, huddling fly. 
 As suddenly come the spoilers when warder is none thereby ; 325 
 
 So spiritless fled the Achaians, for Phoebus shot dismay 
 
 Through their hearts, and vouchsafed renown unto Hector and Troy that day. 
 Then man slew man when rent was the battle's serried array. 
 Stichius and Arkesilaiis withal did Hector slay. 
 
 This leading Boeotians brazen-corsleted battleward hied, 330 
 
 That, mighty-hearted Menestheus' comrade true and tried. 
 From lasus and Medon Aeneas the spoils blood-crimsoned won. 
 Of Oileus the godlike was Medon begotten, a handmaid's son, 
 And was brother to Aias, but far from his fatherland-home had he gone 
 In.Phylake-land to abide, because he had spilled the life 335 
 
 Of the kinsman of Queen Eriopis, his sire Oi'leus' wife. 
 And the children of Athens on to the war did lasus lead : 
 Men called him the scion of Sphdlus, Boukolus' princely seed. 
 Polydamas smiteth Mekistes, Polites hath Echius slain 
 In the forefront of fight, and Agenor the godlike is Klonius' bane. 340 
 
BOOK XV. 71 
 
 And at Deiochus' back 'neath the shoulders his javelin Paris threw, 
 
 As he turned mid the forefighters flightward, and drave the brass clear through. 
 
 Now it was so, that while they spoiled these slain of their battle-gear, 
 Dashed through the deep-delved trench and the palisade-stakes in their fear, 
 Scattered this way and that, the Achaians, swept by the rout through the wall ; 
 Then with a mighty shout on the Trojans did Hector call : [345 
 
 " On ! charge ye down on the ships ! — let be the spoils blood-dyed ! 
 Whomsoever I mark from the galleys aloof on the farther side, 
 I will surely devise his death : not him shall his kinsmen lay, 
 Nor, his kinswomen, high on the pyre, nor the honour of flame shall they pay. 
 But before our town shall he lie, and the dogs shall devour the prey !" [350 
 He spake, and his car-steeds' shoulders with scourge fierce-stinging he lashed. 
 Shouting adown the ranks of the Trojans. Behind him they dashed 
 With one wild cheer, on-driving the steed and the thundering car 
 With yelling unearthly, and Phoebus Apollo afront of their war 355 
 
 Spurned down with his feet full lightly the banks of the deep-delved fosse ; 
 To the midst thereof did he cast them, and bridged a pathway across 
 Full broad and long : it was wide as the space that a lance's flight 
 May attain, when the hurler thereof maketh uttermost proof of his might. 
 Therethrough in their squadrons they poured : with the Aegis far-renowned 360 
 Apollo went ever before. Full lightly he dashed to the ground 
 The rampart Achaian, as when some child at his sport on the strand 
 Upbuildeth him after his childish wit his castles of sand. 
 And scattereth anon and confoundeth with wanton foot and hand ; 
 So, Archer Phoebus, the toil and the travail didst thou confound 365 
 
72 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Of the Argive men, and their hearts with a panic of fear didst astound. 
 
 So by the galleys they stayed them, so turned they there to bay, 
 
 Each cheering his fellow on, and to all the Gods 'gan pray ; 
 
 Each with uplifting of hands full earnestly made his request ; 
 
 And Gerenian Nestor, Achaia's warder, above the rest 370 
 
 Prayed, as on high to the star-studded heaven he stretched his hand : 
 
 " Zeus, Father, if ever in Argos the corn-abounding land 
 We prayed, as the fat of the steer or the sheep rose upward in flame 
 To return, and thou promisedst, bending thy brows for a pledge of the same, 
 Remember, Olympian, and oh from the pitiless day shield us ! 375 
 
 Beneath their Trojan foes bow not the Achaians thus!" 
 
 So spake he in prayer : loud thundered the Counsel-king from on high, 
 Giving ear to the pleading of Neleus' son, to the ancient's cry. 
 But when heard was the crash of the Aegis-lord by the warriors of Troy, 
 More fiercely they rushed on the Argives, afire with the battle-joy. 380 
 
 And as over a galley's bulwarks out on the great wide sea 
 Bursteth a mountain wave, when the huddling surges flee 
 From the stress of the wind which uplifteth the waves most mightily ; 
 So down on the rampart the Trojans burst with a great war-cry : [thereby 385 
 Their chariots they drave through the breach to the sterns, and they battled 
 Stabbing with two-headed spears, high-borne on their chariots these, 
 But those to the decks of their dark-hulled galleys have sprung, and they seize 
 The pikes long-shafted that lie on the planks thereof ready-dight 
 In massy length upon length, brass-headed, for sea-tossed fight. 
 
 Now Patroclus, so long as the battle-surge of the Trojans beat 390 
 
BOOK XV. 73 
 
 On Achaia's rampart, but won not yet to the ships of the fleet, 
 
 In the tent of Eurypylus courteous-souled so long did he stay. 
 
 And cheered him with speech of his lips, and healing balms did he lay 
 
 On his grievous wound, to charm the anguish thereof away. 
 
 But when he was ware how the Trojans stormed o'er the rampart's height, 395 
 
 And a shriek from the Danaans rose and a panic of sore affright. 
 
 Then loud did he wail in his grief, and he smote upon either thigh 
 
 With the palms of his hands, and he spake with a lamentable cry : 
 
 " Eurypylus, here no longer, how sore soever thy need. 
 May I stay, for a mighty strife hath arisen in very deed. 400 
 
 But thee let thine henchman comfort, but as for me, I will go 
 To Achilles in haste, to enkindle the hero to face the foe. 
 Who can tell but he haply will hearken, but God will cause him to heed 
 My pleading ? — a blessing there is when the lips of the loving plead !" 
 
 So spake he, and hasted his feet. Not a man of Achaia quailed 405 
 
 From the onset of Troy the while : howbeit they nowise prevailed 
 From the galleys to thrust their foes, albeit the fewer they were ; 
 And never the Trojans might rend their battalions asunder, and bear 
 The Danaans back where the lines of the tents and the ships were arrayed : 
 But as when to the planks of a galley the measuring-line is laid 410 
 
 In the hands of a cunning craftsman, whose spirit Athene doth fill 
 By the might of her inspiration with wisdom and manifold skill. 
 So level-strained was the battle, and swerved not to left nor to right 
 While round this galley and that roared ever the storm of the fight. 
 Then Hector at Aias the battle-renowned rushed onward amain ; 415 
 
74 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And about one ship had they toil of the strife, but they might not attain — 
 
 Hector, to drive back Aias, and wrap the galleys in flame. 
 
 Nor Aias to thrust back Hector, since spurred by a God he came. 
 
 Then Aias the glorious hurled at Kaletor, Klytius' son, 
 
 As he bare to a galley his torch, and the lance to the breast of him won ; 420 
 
 Down-crashing he fell, and out of his hand was the firebrand whirled. 
 
 And when Hector beheld with his eyes his cousin earthward hurled. 
 
 And afront of the black ship lying in dust bereft of life. 
 
 To the Trojans and Lycians he cried with a great voice cleaving the strife : 
 
 " Trojans and Lycians and Dardans that close in the grapple of fight, 425 
 Not yet give back from the battle in this our desperate plight, 
 But rescue the scion of Klytius ; let not his harness be spoiled 
 By Achaians, who fell mid the host of the ships as in battle he toiled ! " 
 
 So did he cry, and at Aias his glittering javelin he threw ; 
 Yet he missed him, but onward at Lykophron Mastor's son it flew — 430 
 
 A Kytheran, the henchman of Aias, who dwelt in the island-home 
 Of the prince : from Kythera the hallowed he fled from the manslayer's doom ; — 
 To his head did the keen brass leap, and above the ear it passed 
 As by Aias he stood : to the earth from the stern of the ship was he cast. 
 That in dust on his back, with his strong limbs palsy-stricken, he lay : 43S 
 Then Aias shuddered, and cried on his brother, and thus did he say : 
 
 " Teucer, beloved one, slain is our comrade, the true and the tried, 
 Mastor's son, from Kythera who came in our halls to abide, 
 And like unto them that had borne us had worship and love of our hearts. 
 Him Hector the mighty-hearted hath slain ! — where now be thy darts, 440 
 
BOOK XV. 75 
 
 Winged speeders of death, and the gift of Phoebus Apollo, thy bow ? " 
 He spake, and his brother gave heed, and ran, and he faced the foe 
 At his side, with the back-springing bow and the quiver arrow-fraught 
 Grasped in his hand : right swiftly his shafts at the Trojans he shot. 
 And at Kleitus the glorious son of Peis^nor a shaft did he speed, — 44S 
 
 Comrade was he of Polydamas Panthoiis' haughty seed — 
 As he swayed in his hands the reins, as onward his horses he lashed, 
 As he hurled them where thickest the meeting battalions in battle-shock clashed, 
 For a grace to the Trojans and Hector — but suddenly came his bane : 
 There was none of them all might deliver him, yea, were they never so fain, 450 
 When the arrow of anguish into the back of his neck plunged deep. 
 From his chariot he fell, and aside did the frighted car-steeds leap ; 
 And the masterless chariot was reeling : — but prince Polydamas spied 
 Swiftly, and foremost of all afront of the steeds did he stride. 
 These did he give to Astynoiis' hand, Protiaion's son, 455 
 
 And straitly he charged him to rein them hard by his side, and look on. 
 But into the forefront of battle the hero himself is gone. 
 Then Teucer at Hector the brass-mailed aimed yet again the flight 
 Of an arrow ; and now by Achaia's ships had he quelled the fight, 
 Had he smitten and reft his life amidst his triumphant toil. 460 
 
 But he 'scaped not the all-wise spirit of Zeus, who warded the while 
 Hector, and robbed of renown Telamonian Teucer's hand ; 
 For he suddenly snapped the deftly-twisted cord that spanned 
 That flawless bow, as he drew it : aside did the foiled shaft slip. 
 Even the brass-heavy arrow, and dropped the bow from his grip. 465 
 
^(> HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And Teucer shuddered, and cried to his brother, and thus spake he : 
 
 " Out on it ! — surely a God is ruining utterly 
 Our counsels of war, forasmuch as my bow from mine hand he hath cast. 
 And hath snapped the cord new-twisted, the which myself made fast 
 This morn, that its strength should the storm of the swift-thronging arrows 
 
 Unto him did Aias the mighty, Telamon's son, reply : [outlast." 470 
 
 " O brother, yet leave thou the bow and the host of thine arrows to lie, 
 Which a God hath in jealousy marred, to confound the Achaians thereby. 
 But thy long spear grasp in thine hand, and cast on thy shoulders the targe, 
 And fight with the foe, and the rest of the folk cheer on to the charge. 475 
 Sore toil shall they have, though a moment they triumph, to win for a prey 
 The fair-benched ships ! — now let us rewaken the joy of the fray." 
 
 He spake, and that other laid aside in his tent the bow, 
 And about his shoulders the fence of the fourfold shield did he throw, 
 And a fair-wrought helmet he drew down over his gallant head ; 480 
 
 Terribly nodded the crest with the dark mane overshed. 
 And a mighty spear, with the brass keen-pointed, he grasped in his hand. 
 And he hied him and ran, and with speed by Aias' side did he stand. 
 
 Now when Hector was ware of the foiling of Teucer's shafts of war. 
 To the Trojans and Lycians he cried with a great voice pealing afar : 485 
 
 " Trojans and Lycians and Dardans that close in the grapple of fight, 
 Quit you like men, my friends, and reinember the storm of your might 
 Here by the hollow ships, for now have mine eyes beheld 
 How a champion's shafts by the touch of the hand of Zeus have been quelled. 
 Full easily Zeus's help to the children of men shall be known, 490 
 
BOOK XV. 7; 
 
 Whether to them upon whom he bestoweth triumph-renown, 
 
 Or whomso he minisheth, bringing them low, and will nowise defend ; 
 
 As now he doth minish the Argives' might, and us doth befriend. 
 
 Fight on ! — close up to the ships ! — fight on ! — whosoe'er of you all, 
 
 Smit by a dart or stabbed, on his death and his doom shall fall, . 495 
 
 E'en let him die ! No shadow of shame toucheth him who shall die 
 
 Defending his land, but his wife, but his babes shall be saved thereby, 
 
 And his home and his acres unharried shall bide, if Achaia's array 
 
 To their own dear fatherland-shore in the galleys shall flee away." 
 
 So spake he, and kindled their courage, and each man's heart beat high.500 
 But overagainst them did Aias the while to his war-fellows cry : 
 
 " Shame, Argives ! — now is it fixed and sure : ye must either be slain. 
 Or be saved alive by thrusting aback from your galleys their bane. 
 What, hope ye, if Hector the stormy-crested shall win that spoil, 
 That walking the waves ye shall fare each man to your fatherland-soil ? 505 
 What, hear ye him not on-cheering the host in his fierce desire, 
 Yon Hector, as madly he yearneth to burn the galleys with fire } 
 It is not to the dance, but the fight, that he biddeth them thus, I wis ! 
 But for us, no thought shall be better, no counsel more goodly than this, 
 Hand against hand and might against might to close in the strife : 510 
 
 Better that all in a moment we perish or win us our life, 
 Than long to be straitened sore in the terrible battle-strain 
 Here at the hands of men that be viler, and all in vain." 
 
 So speaking he kindled the heart and the courage of every one. 
 Then Hector laid low Schedius, lord Perim^des' son, 5 1 5 
 
}8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Chief of the Phocians ; and Aias smote Laodamas down, 
 
 A captain of footmen, Antenor's scion, a man of renown. 
 
 And Polydamas smote a lord of Kyll^n^, Otus, dead, 
 
 Phyleides' corripanion, the mighty-hearted Epeians who led. 
 
 But Meges beheld it, and rushed on him. Crouching the death to shun, 520 
 
 Polydamas 'scaped, that he missed ; for Apollo forbade that the son 
 
 Of Panthoiis there should be stricken and slain in the forefront of fight. 
 
 But full on the midst of Kroismus' breast did the lance-head light. 
 
 Down crashed he : but even as the victor was stripping the battle-gear [spear, — 
 
 From his shoulders, there sprang on him Dolops full cunning in craft of the 
 
 Which was born to the son of Laomedon, Lampus, a prince among men,^ 
 
 Right cunning in craft of the furious fight : on rushed he then, 
 
 And he closed with Phyleus' son, and amidst of his buckler he smote 
 
 With his lance, but the thrust was foiled by his strong-wrought brazen coat, 
 
 Whose welded plates ensheathed him, the corslet brought of old 530 
 
 By Phyleus from Ephyre-land, where the river Sell^is rolled. 
 
 At the hands of his bond-friend, Euphetes the king, that gift had he ta'en. 
 
 To bear it to war, a defence from his foes in the battle-strain ; 
 
 And the flesh of his son in the perilous hour it warded from bane. 
 
 At his helmet of brass, as it lightened beneath the cloudy mane, 535 
 
 Even at the top of the crest, with his keen lance Meges thrust. 
 
 Shearing the horse-hair plume from the socket : to earth amid dust 
 
 Fell all that splendour of fresh-dyed purple, a crimson flame. 
 
 But while yet he withstood him, and battled, and hoped for the victory-fame, 
 
 Even then to the help of his foe Menelaus the champion came 540 
 
BOOK XV. 79 
 
 Unmarked : on his flank he stood ; at his shoulder he hurled from the rear, 
 
 And clean through the breast of him darted the point of the furious spear 
 
 On-speeding, and forward reeling fell on his face the slain ; 
 
 And to strip from his shoulders his brazen harness rushed those twain. 
 
 But to all his brethren Hector the rescue-challenge cried : 545 
 
 Hiketaon's son, Melanippus the stalwart, first did he chide — 
 
 Now the man had been wont to pasture the herds of his trailfoot kine 
 
 In Perkdte, while tarried the foemen yet far over the brine : 
 
 But so soon as the wave-rocked Danaan ships on the coast swooped down, 
 
 Unto Ilium he went, and was great mid the Trojans, a man of renown, 550 
 
 And with Priam abode, and was honoured even as a son of the king : 
 
 Upon his name Hector cried, and loud did his chiding ring : 
 
 " Ho thus, Melanippus, shall we wax slack ? — is the heart of thee now 
 Moved not for thy kin, nor regardeth that low in the dust he should bow ? 
 Seest thou not how from Dolops they rend his harness of war ? 555 
 
 On then, let us close with the foe — we may fight no more from afar — 
 Till we smite yon Argives and slay, or in ruin strown on the plain 
 Be Ilmm's crest of towers, and the folk of our city be slain." 
 
 He spake, and the onset he led ; fast followed the godlike wight. 
 But the Argives by great Telamonian Aias were cheered to the fight : 560 
 
 " Friends, quit you like men, and for shame let not your hearts wax cold ! 
 Think scorn in the fight to be craven, for friends that your deeds behold ! 
 For of such as think scorn to flee more live than be slain in the strife ; 
 But the fleer is fameless, yea, and he shall not deliver his life." 
 
 So spake he, but they unbidden were fain to withstand tb?ir foes, 565 
 
8o HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Yet they laid up his words in their hearts, and before the ships did they close 
 In a brazen battle-hedge. Zeus kindled the Trojan men. 
 To Antilochus cried Menelaus the battle-helper then : 
 
 "Antilochus, younger than thou there is none the Achaians among, 
 Neither any so swift of his feet, neither any in battle so strong. 570 
 
 Leap forth from the press, and smite some man mid the Trojan throng." 
 
 He spake, and was gone, but his word had enkindled Antilochus' heart. 
 From the forefighters forward he leapt, and his glittering spear did he dart, 
 Warily glancing around : back shrank the Trojans adread 
 From the cast of the hero's lance, neither vainly its lightning was sped ; 575 
 But it smote Melanippus the haughty-souled, Hiketaon's son ; 
 For, as fightward he turned, to his breast by the nipple the swift death won. 
 Down crashed he, and over his eyeballs death's black veil was drawn. 
 But Antilochus leapt on the slain, as a hound on a stricken fawn 
 Darteth, a fawn which even as it sprang from its couch fern-hung, 580 
 
 A hunter hath shot with his shaft, that the strength of its limbs is unstrung ; 
 So leapt, Melanippus, on thee battle-bider Antilochus then 
 Of thine harness to spoil thee, but 'scaped not godlike Hector's ken. 
 For running to meet him athwart the turmoil of war did he pass. 
 But Antilochus bode not his onset, warrior swift though he was ; 585 
 
 But he shrank, as a beast of the wold, which hath wrought some deed of bane, 
 By the which some hound, or a herdman in warding his kine hath been slain, 
 Fleeth, or ever the throng of avengers be gathered anigh ; 
 So the Nestorid shrank, and behind him Hector with them of Troy, 
 Hurling with yellings unearthly the bitter shafts, swept on, 590 
 
BOOK XV. 8 1 
 
 But he turned him to bay, and he stood, to the throng of his friends when he 
 But the Trojans like unto ravening lions onward pressed [won. 
 
 Storming the galleys, the while they accomplished Zeus's behest. 
 For he roused great might in them ever, the Argives' spirit he stilled 
 With a spell, and he stole their renown, and their foes with fury he filled. 595 
 For he purposed to give unto Hector the Priamid victory-fame 
 Until on the beaked galleys the tireless-blazing flame 
 He should hurl, and his wildfire should Thetis' presumptuous prayer fulfil 
 To the utmost : for this was the Counsel-father tarrying still, 
 Even to behold with his eyes the glare of a galley ablaze : 600 
 
 But from that time forth would he turn the Trojans in backward chase 
 From the ships, and vouchsafe to the Danaan champions glory's meed. 
 With suchlike intent he enkindled Hector Priam's seed 
 By the hollow ships, who himself was keen theretofore for the deed. 
 Mad raged he as Ar6s the Shaker of Spears, or as mad flames leap 605 
 
 Wild-wasting from hill unto hill in the folds of a forest deep. 
 And the foam-froth fringed his lips, and from under his eyebrows grim 
 Flashed forth his blazing eyes, and around the temples of him 
 The lightnings that leapt from his dancing helmet fearfully played, 
 For that Zeus himself from the heaven bent down for Hector's aid, 610 
 
 And he crowned him with honour and glory, him only, and none beside 
 Of the thousands there, for doomed were the hours of his life to abide 
 But a short span yet, for that Pallas Athene was hastening on 
 The day of his death and his doom by the hand of Peleus' son. 
 
 Fain was he to rend asunder their ranks, and he made assay 615 
 
 M 
 
82 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Where glittered the goodliest harness, the throng stood densest at bay ; 
 
 Yet not even so, how eager soe'er, might he cleave their array. 
 
 Firm-massed as a fortress-tower they abode, or a cliff steep-browed, 
 
 A giant crag, by the which the grey sea murmureth loud. 
 
 Which abideth the whirlwind-ridden paths of the blasts wild-yelling, 620 
 
 And the onward-storming roar of the rollers mountain-swelling; 
 
 Even so shrank none of the Danaan men, but firm did they stand. 
 
 But flashing with flame through the throng rushed Hector on every hand, 
 
 And he burst on them like as a wave swift-rushing beneath black clouds, [625 
 
 Heaved huge by the winds, bursts down on a ship, and the wild foam shrouds 
 
 From the stem to the stern her hull, and the storm-blast's terrible breath 
 
 Roars in the sail, and the heart of the shipmen shuddereth 
 
 In fear, for that scantly upborne are they now from the clutches of death ; 
 
 Even so were the hearts in the bosoms Achaian anguish-rent. 
 
 But the hero, as cometh on kine a lion with fell intent, 630 
 
 As they graze, when the low-lying land of a wide-spread marsh is filled 
 
 With their thousands, and mid them the herdman goeth, as yet unskilled 
 
 To battle with ravening beasts for the blood of his kine athirst ; 
 
 But now with the rearward kine is he lagging, and now with the first 
 
 Presseth onward, the while that lion hath leapt on the midst of the herd 635 
 
 And devoureth a heifer, while all else flee ; so panic-stirred 
 
 Full strangely by Hector and Father Zeus the Achaian array 
 
 All fled, but Mycene's son Periphdtes alone did he slay, 
 
 Even Kopreus' dear-loved child, who was wont, time was, to fare 
 
 From Eurystheus the king, unto Herakles' might his bidding to bear, 640 
 
BOOK XV. 83 
 
 Far meaner was Kopreus the sire, but the son had goodlier might 
 
 In all manner of prowess, in fleetness of foot, and in cunning of fight. 
 
 And in wisdom of counsel was even as the chief of Myc^n^'s men ; 
 
 Even he unto Hector yielded the glory of mastery then. 
 
 For, even as he turned him aback, on his shield-rim stumbling he reeled, 645 
 
 For his targe to his feet reached down, his life from the darts to shield : 
 
 Thereby was he foiled, that he fell on his back, and terribly clashed 
 
 The helmet his temples ensheathing, as down on the earth he was dashed. 
 
 And Hector with keen glance marked him, and ran and stood by his side. 
 
 And plunged through his breast his lance, that in sight of his comrades he died. 
 
 Anguished were they for their friend, yet they might not avail for his aid, [650 
 
 Forasmuch as themselves of Hector the godlike were sore afraid. 
 
 And now were they overagainst the galleys ; on each side rose 
 The sterns of the uppermost line : still on like a flood came their foes. 
 Then from the foremost ships drew back in their own despite 655 
 
 The Argives, howbeit beside the tents they abode the fight [and fear 
 
 Close-thronged, neither broke they to flee through the camp, for that shame 
 Withheld them, and each unto each cried ever a word of cheer. 
 And Nestor, Achaia's warder, most for their rallying wrought, [660 
 
 And by them that had borne him adjured each man, and with prayers besought : 
 
 " Friends, quit you like men ! — take shame to your souls because of the eyes 
 Of others beholding! — in each man's heart let remembrance arise 
 Of children and wives and possessions and them that gave him birth, 
 Whether yet your beloved live, or have perished by this from the earth. 
 For their sake now I beseech you, by them that are not in your sight, 665 
 
84 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 That ye dauntlessly stand, that ye turn not backward in craven flight !" 
 So speaking he kindled their courage, their hearts to the onset leapt ; 
 And the wondrous cloud of mist from their eyes Athene swept ; 
 And exceeding clear upon either hand shone forth the light 
 Here, on the galleys, and there on the swaying surges of fight. 670 
 
 And Hector they saw, and the host that battle-helper brought ; 
 Yea, marked whosoever to rearward loitered, and nowise fought, 
 And whoso beside the galleys in toil of the battle wrought. 
 Nor now to the spirit of great-heart Aias did this seem good 
 To stand where backward driven the sons of Achaia stood ;. 675 
 
 But with long swift strides on the decks of the ships to and fro did he spring. 
 And a great sea-battle pike in his death-dealing hands did he swing 
 Of cubits twenty and two, firm-clamped with many a ring. 
 And even as when some man that on horses is cunning to ride 
 Hath ta'en four steeds from the herd, and hath harnessed them side by side. 
 And darting away from the plain to a great town fast doth he race [680 
 
 Thundering down the highway, and many behold with amaze, 
 Both menfolk and women ; and swiftly and sure evermore at his will 
 Changing from horse unto horse doth he bound, and they fly on still ; 
 So Aias from deck unto deck of many a swift ship sprang 685 
 
 With long swift strides to and fro, and his voice to the heavens rang ; 
 And with great and terrible shout to the Danaans ever he cried 
 To fight for the tents and the ships. Yea, neither did Hector abide 
 In the midst of the strong-mailed Trojans, to shrink from the onset-shock ; 
 But as swoopeth a tawny eagle adown on a feathered flock 690 
 
BOOK XV. 85 
 
 Of the fowl of the air, where floweth a river through some green mead, 
 
 Swoopeth on geese, or on cranes, or the long-necked swans as they feed ; 
 
 So Hector full on a galley whose prow rose dark from the strand 
 
 Darted unswerving : behind, with exceeding mighty hand 
 
 Zeus thrust him on, and the battle-fire of his comrades he fanned. 695 
 
 So by the galleys again awoke that battle grim. 
 
 Thou hadst said that with toil unspent, and all unwasted of limb, 
 
 They closed in the grapple of war, so fiercely they rushed to the fray. 
 
 And thus were their thoughts in the battle — the men of Achaia's array 
 
 Deemed they should never escape, but should fall by the hands of the foe. 700 
 
 But the heart in the breast of every Trojan with hope was aglow 
 
 Of burning the ships, and of spilling Achaian heroes' life : 
 
 Even such was their mood as each against other they stood in the strife. 
 
 Then on the stern of a sea-borne ship laid Hector his hand, 
 
 A fair swift cleaver of brine, which had borne to the Trojan land 705 
 
 Protesilaiis, but ne'er to his fatherland brought him again : 
 
 Even around his ship the Achaian and Trojan men 
 
 Closed hand to hand in the grapple, and slew. None held him apart 
 
 To abide afar from the leap of the arrow, the rush of the dart : [710 
 
 Nay, man against man did they range them, and one was their dauntless mood. 
 
 And ever with keen-edged bills and with huge war-axes they hewed, 
 
 And with great swords lashed they and lunged, and with spears two-headed 
 
 And black-sheathed hilted falchions many an one to the dust [they thrust. 
 
 Fell, some from their hands, and some, while battled man against maUj 
 
 With the arms from the shoulders hewn, and with blood the dark earth ran. 715 
 
86 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 But when Hector had gript that stern, from its ensign he loosed not his hold, 
 And over the Trojan ranks his voice's thunder rolled : 
 
 " Bring fire, and with one voice now send up your shout to the heaven ! 
 This day, this crown of our days, lo, Zeus unto us hath given 
 To win yon ships, which came in the Gods' despite, and here 720 
 
 Wreaked on us manifold scathe, through the graybeards' craven fear : 
 For they, when to fight by the sterns of the galleys my spirit was fain. 
 Ever withheld me therefrom, and the folk did they still restrain. 
 Ha, but if far-seeing Zeus in that day blinded our eyes, 
 Himself now speedeth us on, and he biddeth us take the prize !" 725 
 
 Then rushed they against the Argives with fury more fierce than before. 
 But Aias was sorely bestead by the darts, that he bode them no more, 
 But backward a little he drew, foreboding death in his heart. 
 From the deck of the shapely ship to a seven-foot rowers' thwart ; 
 There stood he with eyes keen-watching, and aye as the Trojans came, 730 
 Beat back whosoe'er to the galleys was bearing the tireless flame ; 
 And aye to the Danaan men rang forth his terrible shout : 
 
 " O friends, O Danaan heroes, the War-god's henchmen stout, 
 Quit you like men, my friends, and remember your stormy might ! 
 What, do ye deem there be helpers to rearward yet of the fight, 735 
 
 Or a stronger-builded wall, that our doom should be hurled back thence ? 
 Now nay, no city is nigh girt round with its tower-fence 
 To defend us, and turn with the host of her people the battle's scale. 
 But since in the plain of the Trojans, the warriors sheathed in mail. 
 With our backs to the sea we be set from our fatherland-soil afar, 740 
 
BOOK XV. 87 
 
 In our hands is the light of salvation, and nowise in slackness in war !" 
 
 He spake, and with eager fury he charged with the keen-whetted spear. 
 And whatso warrior of Troy to the hollow ships drew near 
 With devouring fire, for a kindness to Hector the kindler of fight. 
 Him Aias met with the pike long-shafted, and stabbed forthright : 745 
 
 So in front of the ships twelve foes did his hands death-dealing smite. 
 
BOOK XVI. 
 
 How Patroclus amidst of his glory was slain of a God and a Hero. 
 
 O round that fair-benched galley the surges of battle broke. 
 But Patroclus came and stood by Achilles the shepherd of folk, 
 Fast-shedding the hot-gushing tears, as adown from a rugged steep 
 Forth of a sunless well-spring the dusky waters leap. 
 
 And fleetfoot Achilles the godlike beheld him pity-stirred ; 5 
 
 And he lifted his voice unto him, and he uttered the light-winged word : 
 
 " Why art thou weeping, Patroclus, as weepeth a fond little maid 
 By her mother that runneth, and prayeth the while in her arms to be laid, 
 And she stayeth her hurrying feet with the fingers that cling to her gown, [lo 
 And with tear-swimming eyes looketh up till the cradling arms reach down ? 
 Thou art shedding, Patroclus, the weakling's tear-drops even as she. 
 Dost thou bring any tale to the Myrmidon folk, any word unto me ? 
 ■ Or what, hast thou heard any tidings from Phthia-land, thou alone ? 
 Still of the living, they say, is Menoitius, Aktor's son : 
 Still mid the Myrmidon folk Uveth Peleus, Aiakus' seed, ij 
 
BOOK XVI. 89 
 
 For these, if they haply had died, should we grieve in very deed. 
 
 Or what, dost thou mourn for the Argive men, beholding them slain 
 
 By the hollow ships, whose transgression alone hath wrought their bane ? 
 
 Speak out, hide it not in thine heart, that thy grief may be known of twain." 
 
 Then heavily groaning thou spakest, Patroclus lord of the car : 20 
 
 " O scion of Peleus, Achilles, Achaia's mightiest far. 
 Be not indignant : by pain so sore is Achaia oppressed. 
 For all her champions, they that in days overpast were her best. 
 Lie mid the ships spear-stricken or smitten by arrow-flight. 
 Shaft-stricken is Tydeus' son, Diomedes the stalwart in fight : 25 
 
 Spear-stabbed is Odysseus, and King Agamemnon the spear-renowned. 
 Yea, there is Eurypylus laid, for an arrow his thigh hath found. 
 And the leeches cunning in salves for their helping play their part, 
 Healing their hurts : but, Achilles, as adamant hard is thine heart. 
 Ah, never be such wrath mine as thou dost nurse in thy breast, 30 
 
 O balefully brave ! — what man of the days unborn shall be blest 
 In thee, if thou stay not the ruin and shame in the Argives' need ? 
 Ah ruthless ! no father of thine was Peleus lord of the steed. 
 Neither Thetis thy mother ! — the grey sea cast thee forth from her brine, 
 And the crags untrodden begat thee : a pitiless heart is thine ! 35 
 
 But and if 'tis a prophecy haunteth thy soul with a vision of fear, 
 If thy mother have told some fateful warning of Zeus in thine ear, 
 Yet in any wise speed me forth, and thy Myrmidons send to the war 
 With me, if I haply may rise on the host a deliverance-star. 
 And grant me to harness my shoulders with that thy battle-gear, 40 
 
90 HOMER'S lUAD. 
 
 Peradventure the Trojans will think I am thou, and will shrink in their fear, 
 
 And the warrior sons of Achaia shall win, when sore distressed, 
 
 A breathing space, though scant be the battle's respite or rest. 
 
 And we the unwearied shall drive the foe with the war-toil spent 
 
 Lightly aback to the city afar from galley and tent." 45 
 
 So spake he in folly exceeding his prayer, for he asked therein 
 Death for himself, and his weird was an evil doom to win. 
 But answered him fleetfoot Achilles with sore disquiet stirred : 
 
 " Ah me, Zeus-born Patroclus, what ailed thee to say this word ?. 
 I heed not, if any I know, any oracle uttered of old, 50 
 
 Nor yet hath my mother from Zeus unto me such warning told. 
 But herein is mine heart's grim anguish, the pang of my spirit is here. 
 That a man taketh on him to rob of his right his very peer. 
 And to take back his guerdon, the token of might overpassing his own ; 
 Yea, this is mine heart's grim anguish, the pang that my spirit hath known. 55 
 The maid that Achaia's sons for my guerdon of war-renown 
 Chose out, whom I won with my spear when I smote a fair-walled town, 
 Even she from mine hands by Atreus' son Agamemnon is torn. 
 As though I were naught but an alien wretch, a thing of scorn 1 
 But now will we suffer the past to be past : one may not for aye 60 
 
 Nurse in his spirit a rancour undying : in sooth did I say 
 That I would not refrain mine anger until at the last drew nigh 
 Even to these my galleys the war and the battle-cry. 
 But thou in my glorious harness of fight thy shoulders array, 
 And lead my battle-revelling Myrmidons on to the fray, 65 
 
BOOK XVI. 91 
 
 If indeed the darkling cloud of the Trojans mightily 
 
 Hath encompassed the ships, the while, with their backs to the shore of the sea 
 
 The Argives reel, yet holding a scanty space of the land, 
 
 And against them the town of the Trojans is come in one great band 
 
 All fearless : for now they behold not my helmet's brow-plate gleam 70 
 
 Anigh them. Full soon in their flight should they choke each trenched stream 
 
 With their corpses, if only the soul of the lord Agamemnon would bow 
 
 To show kindness to me : but their battle hath compassed his army now. 
 
 For no more in the hands of Tydeus' son Diomedes the spear 
 
 Rageth to rescue the Danaan men from the doom drawn near ; 75 
 
 Nor yet have I heard the cry of Atreus' son ring out 
 
 From his hated head ; but only Hector the manslayer's shout. 
 
 On-cheering the Troyfolk, bursteth around, and with yell on yell 
 
 Throng they the plain, and in battle the sons of Achaia they quell. 
 
 Notwithstanding, Patroclus, to save yon galleys from ruin fell, 80 
 
 Charge mightily down, lest they burn the galleys with blazing fire. 
 
 And take our return away, and the day of our desire. 
 
 But obey thou, even as now I shall give in charge unto thee, 
 
 And so shalt thou win great honour and high renown for me 
 
 In the eyes of the Danaan host, and the maiden passing fair 85 
 
 Shall they take from the robber, and splendid gifts therewithal shall they bear. 
 
 When back from the ships thou hast hurled them, return: but if Herd's Lord, 
 
 If the Thunderer still with glory thy battle-prowess reward, 
 
 Not far from my side be thou furious-eager to fight with the foe, 
 
 With the war-fain heroes of Troy : thou shalt minish my glory so. 90 
 
92 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Neither in rapture of battle and revel of fight, while fall 
 
 The Trojans before thee, lead thou on unto Ilium's wall. 
 
 Lest one of the Gods everlasting should stoop from Olympus' height 
 
 To meet thee — precious are they in Archer Apollo's sight: — 
 
 But return, when amidst of the ships thou hast set the light of life, 95 
 
 And leave unto these through the plain to toil and to bleed in the strife. 
 
 Ah Zeus Allfather, Athene, Apollo, that this might be, 
 
 That never a man of the thousands of Troy from the death might flee, 
 
 Nor yet of the Argives any, but only I and thou. 
 
 That alone we might rend Troy's hallowed battlement-veil from her brow!" 100 
 
 In such wise each unto other the eager words they said. 
 But Aias no longer abode, for with darts was he sorely bestead. 
 Overborne by the purpose of Zeus and the haughty Trojan's rout ; 
 And with terrible clanging the glittering helmet his temples about 
 Clashed 'neath the hail of the javelins ; and battered he was evermore 105 
 On the cheek-plates goodly-wrought ; and his left arm wearied sore 
 With stoutly upbearing his glancing shield : yet they might not prevail 
 To dash it aside from his breast with the storm of their javelin-hail. 
 And ever he panted with labouring lungs : streamed every limb [no 
 
 With the sweat of his travail : no respite to breathe was there left unto him ; 
 And on all sides evil was heaped upon evil ghastly and grim. 
 
 Tell to me. Muses, now, which abide in Olympus' hall, 
 In what wise first did the flame on the galleys Achaian fall. 
 It was Hector to Aias that strode, and the shaft of his ashen pike, 
 Hard by the head thereof, with his mighty sword did he strike. 115 
 
BOOK XVL 93 
 
 Clear through it he shore, and lo, Telamonian Aias swung 
 
 All vainly a pointless spear in his hand, and afar from him flung 
 
 Clanged to the earth as it fell that massy brazen head. 
 
 And Aias knew in his noble heart — and he shuddered in dread — 
 
 The deeds of the Gods, how Zeus high-thundering utterly broke 120 
 
 His counsel of battle, and victory willed to the Trojan folk. 
 
 Then aback from the darts he drew, and the tireless fire they hurled 
 
 On the fleet ship : swiftly around her the fierce flames tossed and whirled. 
 
 So fire wreathed round that stern : then smote upon either thigh 
 
 Achilles, and thus to Patroclus with eager words did he cry : 125 
 
 " Up, Zeus-begotten Patroclus, lord of the war-steed, rise ! 
 The blast of the flame of the foe on the galleys I see with mine eyes. 
 Now lest they win the ships, and the home-return be lost. 
 Speedily don thine harness, and I will assemble the host." 
 
 He spake, and Patroclus in flame-bright brass his body arrayed. 130 
 
 Unto his ankles first the greaves fair-fashioned he laid 
 Whereon the ankle-clasps of the burnished silver shone. 
 Then for a fence of his breast the corslet of proof did he don, 
 Cunningly wrought, star-gleaming, of Aiakus' fleetfoot son. 
 And the brazen falchion silver-bestarred o'er his shoulders he flung, 135 
 
 And the baldric withal, wherefrom the huge strong buckler hung. 
 And a fair-wrought helmet he drew down over his gallant head : 
 Terribly nodded the crest with the dark mane overshed. 
 And he took to him lances twain well poised to his hand for his need ; 
 Only he took not the spear of Aiakus' fleetfoot seed, 140 
 
94 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 The stark spear, massy and huge: mid Achaia's host there was none 
 
 Might swing it, but strength for the wielding thereof had Achilles alone. 
 
 The shaft that Cheiron had brought to his father, the ashen beam 
 
 From the crest of Pelion hewn, o'er the slaughter of heroes to gleam. 
 
 Automedon then he commanded to harness the steeds to the yoke : 145 
 
 Him, next rank-rifting Achilles, he honoured above all folk ; 
 
 And trustiest was he to him, his summons in battle to heed. 
 
 So the swift steeds unto the car for his lord did Automedon lead, 
 
 Xanthus and Balius ; swiftly they flew as the racing breeze. 
 
 It was even the Harpy Podarge that bare to the West-wind these,' 150 
 
 What time by the flow of the Ocean-stream she fed in a mead. 
 
 In the traces beside them he harnessed Pedasus, peerless steed. 
 
 Forth of Eetion's town that horse did Achilles lead. 
 
 And his earth-born feet kept pace with immortal coursers' speed. 
 
 Bidding the Myrmidons arm them for fight did Achilles fare 155 
 
 Through the tents mid the glitter of battle-gear ; and as wolves they were. 
 Raw-ravening beasts, in whose spirits unspeakable strength doth abide. 
 Which have rent a mighty-antlered stag on a dark hill-side. 
 And devour him, that all their jaws are bedabbled with blood of the slaughter, 
 And thereafter the horde of them goeth to lap the dusky water 160 
 
 From the face of a sunless spring with their red tongues flickering thin, 
 While drip from their jaws the gouts of gore, and their breasts within 
 Is a heart unquailing, and gorged is their belly gaunt and lean : 
 So seemed they, the captains and chiefs of the Myrmidon battle-throng. 
 As around the fleetfoot Aiakid's henchman valiant and strong 165 
 
BOOK XVI. 95 
 
 They mustered ; amidst them Achilles the warrior-champion stood, 
 As he marshalled the chariots and kindled the spearmen's battle-mood. 
 
 Swift barks fifty there were, wherein that Zeus-loved lord, 
 Achilles, had led the host of his war-folk Ilium-ward. 
 
 On their thwarts were his hero companions, in each two score and ten ; 170 
 And he chose whom chiefly he trusted for captains of these, five men : 
 And himself was king over all in the greatness of his might. 
 One squadron Menesthius led, of the corslet gleaming bright, 
 Son of the river Spercheius that falleth from heaven's height. 
 Polydor6 the lovely bare him, a daughter of Peleus' race, 17S 
 
 To Spercheius the tireless, a woman that couched in a God's embrace ; 
 But in name unto Borus she bare him, to Perieres' son. 
 Who in men's sight had her to wife, with a countless bride-price won. 
 And the second Eud6rus the valiant forth to the battle led. 
 Whom the fair to behold in the dance, Polymele, a maid unwed, 180 
 
 Bare, Phylas' daughter was she, whom the Argus-slayer strong 
 Loved, when his eyes had beheld her as rang from her lips the song 
 Unto Artemis golden-shafted, the clear-voiced Huntress-queen. 
 Forthright to her bower he clomb, and he couched by her side unseen, 
 Hermes, averter of ills, and he gave her a goodly son, - 185 
 
 Euddrus, unmatched in the race, and in battle a mighty one. 
 But after that Eileithuia the Lady of Travail had given 
 That babe to behold the beams of the sun and the light of heaven. 
 Her did the scion of Aktor, Echekles the stalwart and bold. 
 Lead to his palace, the bride that he won with gifts untold, 190 
 
96 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 But Phylas the old man nurtured and cherished the babe left lone, 
 
 Folding him round with his love, as though he were son of his own. 
 
 And the third band unto the fray with Peisander the valiant pressed, 
 
 Maimalus' son, who of all the Myrmidon men was the best, 
 
 Save only the comrade of Peleus' son, in the javelin-cast. 195 
 
 And with Phoinix the grey car- lord the fourth to the battle passed. 
 
 With the fifth did Alkimedon, princely son of Laerkes, stand. 
 
 So then when Achilles had ranged all, parting them band by band. 
 
 With their captains, he uttered his best, and he spake a vehement word : 
 
 "Myrmidons, see ye that no man forget those threats which I heard, 200 
 Those threats which ye hurled at the Trojans amidst of the ships as ye lay, 
 Through all the time of my wrath, and upbraiding me each man would say : 
 
 ' Beshrew thee, Peleides ! — thy mother's breasts gave gall to thy lips ! 
 O ruthless, who boldest thy men in their own despite by the ships 1 
 Lo now, in the sea-tracking galleys again let us homeward depart, 205 
 
 Forasmuch as baleful wrath hath fallen thus on thine heart !' 
 
 So ofttimes ye spake as ye thronged me : but now hath dawned the day 
 Of the mighty strife for the which ye were wont aforetime to pray. 
 Now, whoso hath valiant heart, let him battle with Troy's array." 
 
 So speaking he kindled their courage, and each man's heart beat high ; 210 
 And closer the ranks closed up at their captain's challenge-cry. 
 And as when one buildeth a wall with the stones in close-set rows 
 For a stately house, for a screen when the blast of the wild wind blows. 
 Even so did the helms and the boss-starred shields dense-thronging close. 
 Targe pressed upon targe, and helmet on helmet, and man on man ; 215 
 
BOOK XVI. 97 
 
 And from morion to nodding morion the leaping lightning ran 
 
 As the helm-crests swayed ; so densely shoulder to shoulder they stood. 
 
 And in front of them all towered harnessed for fight two warriors good, 
 
 Patroclus, Automedon, they : in their hearts one purpose glowed, 
 
 To fight in the Myrmidon van. But hero Achilles strode 220 
 
 Into his tent, and uplifted the lid of a chest fair-wrought. 
 
 Curious- carven, which Thetis the silver-sandalled brought 
 
 To his galley, to bear oversea, and with tunics she stored it full, 
 
 And with mantles for screens from the blast, and with rugs thick-woven of wool. 
 
 And therein was a fashioned chalice, and no lips ever quaffed, 225 
 
 No lips of man, from its burnished splendour the flame-flushed draught ; 
 
 And to none of the Gods save Father Zeus did he pour from the same. 
 
 This took he forth of the chest, and he cleansed it with brimstone flame. 
 
 Thereafter with fair-flowing streams of water he washed that cup, 
 
 And his hands he washed, and with wine fire-gleaming he filled it up. 230 
 
 Then stood he amidst of the court, and he prayed, and the wine he poured, 
 
 Looking up to the sky, and was seen of Zeus the Thunder-lord. 
 
 " Zeus, King of Dodona, Pelasgian, thou that abidest afar. 
 Who art Lord of Dodona the stormy, and round thee the dwellings are [235 
 Of thy prophets the Selli, with feet unwashen, whose couch is the ground : — 
 Of a truth, when aforetime I prayed to thee, grace in thy sight have I found. 
 And thou honouredst me, and thou scourgedst the folk of Achaia sore : 
 Now also, I pray thee, vouchsafe unto me this one boon more : 
 Lo I, even I, mid the throng of the gathered galleys abide, 
 But my comrade I send, with many a Myrmidon hero beside. 240. 
 
98 HOMER'S ILTAD. 
 
 O Zeus, O Far- beholder, let glory attending him go! 
 
 Make valiant the heart in his breast, to the end that Hector may know 
 
 Whether mine henchman hath cunning in battle alone to contend, 
 
 Or in that hour only rage the invincible hands of my friend 
 
 When I myself go forth to the toil of the Lord of War. 245 
 
 But when from the ships he hath driven the strife and the onset-roar, 
 
 Then all unscathed to the swift ships back may he fare again 
 
 With his harness of war and his men of the grapple of close fight fain." 
 
 Then Zeus the Counsel-father heard him in prayer as he cried, 
 And half his petition he granted the half thereof he denied. 250 
 
 He vouchsafed him to hurl the war and the strife from the galleys aback; 
 He denied him again to return alive from the battle-wrack. 
 
 So when he had poured unto Father Zeus, and had made his request. 
 He returned to his tent, and he laid that chalice-again in the chest. 
 Then came he and stood in front of his tent, and his heart yearned yet 255 
 To behold the terrible strife when Achaian and Trojan met. 
 
 Then marshalled with mighty-hearted Patroclus forth did they go 
 With measured tramp, till with spirits exulting they burst on the foe. 
 And suddenly like unto wasps of the wayside forth they broke — 
 As the wasps that children in children's fashion be wont to provoke ; 260 
 
 For their wont is ever to vex those dwellers beside the way 
 With thoughtless hearts, and many for that their mischief must pay. 
 Then if haply thereafter a wayfaring man, as he wendeth thereby, 
 Shall unwittingly rouse them, forth with a heart unquailing they fly 
 All in a swarm, and they fight for their little ones dauntlessly : 265 
 
BOOK XVI. 99 
 
 Bearing the heart and the spirit of such from the ships poured out 
 
 The Myrmidon host, and rose the quenchless onset-shout. 
 
 And the cry of Patroclus rang through the roar of the battle-rout : 
 
 " Myrmidons, comrades all of Achilles Peleus' child. 
 Quit you like men, and remember your prowess furious-wild, 270 
 
 That so we may honour Peleides, the man that is chiefest in might 
 Qy the ships of the Argives, he and his henchmen that close in the fight, 
 And that Atreus' son may know, Agamemnon of far-stretching rule. 
 How he scorned Achaia's best with the mad blind spite of the fool !" 
 
 So speaking he kindled their courage, and each man's heart beat high ; 275 
 And all in a throng on the Trojans they poured, and rang to their cry 
 With a terrible echo the ships, as the cheering host swept on. 
 But the Trojans, so soon as they looked on Menoitius' stalwart son. 
 Even him and his henchman, as lightened their harness across the field. 
 Shaken in every man was his soul : the battalions reeled. 280 
 
 For it seemed them that Peleus' fleetfoot son mid the ships had cast 
 Wrath out of his heart, and had chosen him lovingkindness at last ; 
 And to 'scape from the sudden destruction each glanced round him aghast. 
 
 Then from the hand of Patroclus the gleaming javelin flashed 
 Full in the midst, where thickest the fighters in battle-shock clashed, 285 
 
 By the stern of the galley of Protesilaus the mighty of heart. 
 And Pyraichmes the lord of Paionia's chariots he smote with the dart, — 
 Who had led them from Amydon-town by broad-flowing Axius' stream, — 
 Smote on his rightward shoulder, and backward with agony-scream 
 Down fell he in dust, and his comrade Paionians were panic-thrilled 290 
 
100 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 All round, for the souls of them all Patroclus with terror had filled 
 
 When the life of their captain, their mightiest in prowess of battle, he spilled. 
 
 From the galleys he drave them, he quenched the fire as fiercely it burned, 
 
 And half burnt there was the galley left ; and flightward turned 
 
 The Trojans with clamour unearthly, and forth the Danaans poured 295 
 
 Through the line of the ships, and a din unceasing heavenward roared. 
 
 And as when from the soaring crest of a mighty mountain is rolled 
 
 By Lightning-gatherer Zeus a cloud clinging fold over fold. 
 
 And out of the dimness the heights and the mountain forelands start. 
 
 And the glens, and the heaven's blue depths unfathomed are rifted apart; 300 
 
 So the Danaans, when from the ships they had beaten the flames back, won 
 
 A scanty breathing-space, but respite from war was there none ; 
 
 For the Trojans not yet by the Ar^s-belov^d Achaians' might 
 
 Were chased in confusion of rout from the dark-hulled ships outright. 
 
 But yet they withstood them, and gave from the ships in their own despite. 305 
 
 So the ranks were broken, and chieftain by chieftain's hand 'gan fall ; 
 And Patroclus the stalwart son of Menoitius first of them all. 
 As Areilykus turned backward to flee, with the keen-whetted brass 
 Suddenly hurled, and clear through his thigh did the point of it pass ; 
 And the lance-head shattered the bone, and he fell on his face in the dust. 310 
 Menelaus the valiant the while at the breast of Thoas thrust. 
 Where bared by the shield-rim it showed, and unstrung was his every limb. 
 And as An^phiklus charged, Phyleides with keen glance watching him 
 Stabbed at the top of his leg, where thickest the muscle's brawn 
 Upswelleth, and shearing the sinews asunder onward hath gone 3 1 S 
 
BOOK XVI. loi 
 
 The spear-head, and over his eyes was the veil of darkness drawn. 
 And Nestor's sons — Antilochus stabbed with his keen^whetted spear, 
 And on through Atymnius' flank he drave the lance-head clear ; 
 And he fell on his face : then on with his spear rushed Maris amain 
 To close with Antilochus, vengeance-athirst for his brother slain. 320 
 
 And in front of the corpse he stood : but or ever he dealt a blow 
 Thrasymddes the godlike was swifter, and thrust, and he missed not his foe, 
 Sudden-smiting his shoulder : the point of the lance from the muscles shore 
 His arm at the root, and clean through the shattered bone it tore ; 
 Down-crashing he fell, and over his eyes did the death-mist pour. 325 
 
 So these twain slain by the hands,of brethren twain lay dead, 
 Sarpedon's valiant companions down unto Erebus sped, 
 Amis6darus' javelin-hurling sons, of whose father was nursed 
 The resistless Chimaira, a bane unto many, a horror accurst. 
 And Aias Ofleus' seed upon Kleobulus hath sprung, 330 
 
 He hath caught him alive mid the rout, and his falchion on high hath he swung, 
 Down through his neck hath it flashed, and the strength of his limbs is unstrung; 
 And with blood was the whole blade warmed, and darkened his eyes neath the 
 Of the raven wings of death and the overmastering doom. [gloom 
 
 Then rushed on each other Lykon and Peneleds, for the twain 335 
 
 Had missed with the lance, and the lightning had leapt from their hands in vain: 
 So they closed with the swords. At the crown of the crested helm of his foe 
 With his battle brand Lykon lashed : but shivered to shards with the blow 
 Was the brand at the hilt : then deep in his neck was buried the blade 
 Of Peneleds 'neath his ear, till the hilt by the skin was stayed. 340 
 
102 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Drooped sideward his head, and his fainting limbs to the earth were cast. 
 And Mdriones upon Akamas came with feet flying fast, 
 And his rightward shoulder he smote, when fain in his car he had fled, 
 And he fell from his chariot, and over his eyes was the death-mist shed. 
 And Idomeneus stabbed at Erymas' mouth with the pitiless brass, 345 
 
 And clear through his head did the brazen point of the lance-head pass 
 Under the brain, and the white skull-bones did it cleave and crush, [rush 
 
 And the teeth from their sockets were dashed, and his eyes with a swift blood- 
 Were drowned, and up through his mouth and his nostrils the gore did he spout 
 Wide-gaping, and death's black cloud enfolded him round about. 350 
 
 So slew these chiefs of the Danaans each his man that day. 
 And as ravening wolves seize lambs or kidlings, snatching the prey 
 Out of the midst of a flock that is scattered wide on the wold 
 Through a shepherd's heedless folly, and this do the spoilers behold ; 
 And they rend for their banquet the helpless-innocent ones forthright ; 355 
 So on the Trojans the Danaans fell, and yelling affright 
 Was in all their thoughts, and they wholly forgat their stormy might. 
 
 And Aias the mighty at Hector the brazen-helmed evermore 
 Was aiming his lance : but he in his cunning of battle-lore 
 With his shield of the tough bull-hide his shoulders broad would screen, 360 
 And his eyes for the hiss of the arrows, the hurtling of darts, were keen. 
 Good sooth, but he marked full well how turned was the battle's tide, 
 Yet to save his trusty companions the brunt of the fight did he bide. 
 
 And as when from Olympus a cloud o'er the heaven's deep blue rusheth fast 
 Out of the welkin, when Zeus on-speedeth the hurricane blast, 365 
 
BOOK XVI. 103 
 
 So suddenly rose from the ships their cry and their panic-dread, 
 
 And in wild disarray o'er the trench did they flee ; and his fleet steeds sped 
 
 Back bearing Hector in war-gear, and there he forsook in his flight 
 
 His folk, whom the deep-delved trench held back in their own despite. 
 
 And many a swift car-speeding team wild-straining to cross 370 
 
 Snapped short the pole, and left the car of their lord in the foss. 
 
 And Patroclus pursued on-speeding his men with cheer on cheer 
 
 With purpose of bane to his foes, and the Trojans with shrieking and fear 
 
 Thronged all the ways as they scattered : the blast dust-laden on high 
 
 Rolled broad 'neath the clouds, and strained the thunderfoot horses to fly, 375 
 
 As aback to the city from tent and from galley the chariots they whirled. 
 
 But Patroclus, where densest the rout in its huddled confusion was hurled, 
 
 Thither with shouting he pressed, and his foes 'neath his axles were dashed 
 
 Flung headlong as staggering cars overtoppled and earthward crashed. 
 
 Clear over the trench did the fleetfoot immortal car-steeds spring — 380 
 
 Glorious gifts which the high Gods gave unto Peleus the king — 
 
 On-storming : on Hector's track was his spirit driving him aye 
 
 Longing to smite him, but fast did his fleet steeds bear him away. 
 
 And as when 'neath the scourge of the tempest lashed is the whole dark land 
 In the latter summer, when wildest the rain-floods pour from the hand 385 
 Of Zeus, when against the children of men his anger doth burn 
 Who with violence amidst the assembly the statutes thwartwise turn. 
 When justice they drive from their midst, nor the vengeance of Gods they heed ; 
 And all their rivers in flood overbrimming onward speed 
 And many a hill-side deep by the rushing torrents is ploughed, 390 
 
I04 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 As on to the dark-blue sea they roll with groaning loud 
 
 In headlong plunge from the hills, and they ruin the labours of man ; 
 
 So did the steeds of the Trojans groan aloud as they ran. 
 
 But so soon as Patroclus had rifted the foremost ranks of the foe, 
 Back to the galleys he turned them, and suffered them not to go 395 
 
 In their mad haste up to the city, but there in the space that lay 
 Betwixt the river, the ships, and the high-built wall (did he slay 
 Swift-swooping, and wreaked for many a comrade the vengeance due. 
 Yea, Pronoiis there with his flame-bright javelin first he slew, 
 Piercing his breast by the shield-rim bared, that his limbs were unstrung : 400 
 
 A 
 
 Down-crashing he fell : and now upon Enops' child hath he sprung. 
 
 Even on Thestor, — and he on the goodly-burnished car 
 
 Sat crouching, for terror-distraught were his wits ; from his hands afar 
 
 Had the reins been whirled : — to the side of the wretch Patroclus rushed 
 
 And his right jaw stabbed with the spear : through the midst of his teeth it 
 
 O'er the car-rail dragged he the man by the spear, as a fisher-wight, [crushed. 
 
 On a rock-shelf sitting, with line and with hook of the brass flame-bright 
 
 Draggeth up from the sea to the shore a huge fish silver-scaled. 
 
 So him from the chariot agape on the glittering spear hath he haled. 
 
 On his face did he fling him, and even as he fell the life of him passed. 41O 
 
 Then rushed Erylaiis on him, but a mighty stone he cast 
 
 At the midst of his brow, and utterly cleft in twain was his head 
 
 In the massy helmet, and he on his face to the earth fell dead. 
 
 And around him the darkness of death the devourer of spirits was shed. 
 
 By his hand did Amphoterus then, Epaltes, and Erymas fall, 415 
 
BOOK XVI. 105 
 
 And Tlepolemus son of Damastor, and Echius, Pyris withal ; 
 
 Iphis, Euippus, he slew, Polym^lus Argeas' son ; 
 
 On the all-sustaining earth did he stretch them one after one. 
 
 Now soon as Sarpedon was ware of the havoc Patroclus made, 
 How his men of the tunics ungirt by his hands on the earth were laid, 420 
 Then did the hero the godlike Lycian men upbraid : 
 
 " Shame, Lycians, whitherward flee ye ? Now charge keen on the foe ! 
 Lo, I, even I, will meet this champion, and so shall I know 
 What hero is this that prevaileth, and manifold mischief hath wrought 
 To the Trojans, and many a brave man's knees to the earth hath brought." 425 
 
 As he spake, to the ground from his chariot he leapt, and his armour rang ; 
 And against him Patroclus beholding it down from his war-car sprang. 
 And even as bow-beaked vultures crooked of talon fight 
 With wild screams ringing afar on a great crag's rugged height, 
 So with a wild shout these on each other rushed. At the sight 430 
 
 Was the son of Kronos the Lord of Unsearchable Counsels stirred 
 With ruth, and to H^r^ his sister and wife he spake the word : 
 
 " Ah me, that Sarpedon my child, my well-beloved one 
 Is doomed to be slain by the hands of Patroclus Menoitius' son ! 
 Now the thoughts of mine heart be divided in twain as I muse this day: — 435 
 Shall I send him away alive from the midst of the dolorous fray, 
 And set him down where the fruitful acres of Lycia lie. 
 Or now by the hands of Menoitius' son shall I leave him to die?" 
 
 Answered him Her6 the Queen^ the Lovely-eyed, and she said : 
 "What hast thou to do saying this, O Kronos' son most dread ? 440 
 
io6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 A man that is mortal-born, long since foredoomed by fate, 
 
 Art thou minded backward to pluck from death's dread-echoing gate ? 
 
 Do after thy will — but the rest of the Gods shall praise thee not. 
 
 This too will I tell thee, and thou in thine heart for this take thought : — 
 
 If homeward thou send Sarpedon alive from the fight, take heed 445 
 
 Lest haply another God beside shall be minded to speed 
 
 A son that himself hath begotten forth from the fury of war : 
 
 For fighting for yon great city of Priam many there are 
 
 Of the sons of the Deathless, and these shalt thou fill with wrath most grim. 
 
 But and if he be dear unto thee, if the soul of thee mourneth for him, 45O 
 
 Yet let him be, that he perish aniidst of the mighty strife, 
 
 That the hands of Patroclus Menoitius' son may spill his life. 
 
 But so soon as his soul and his life shall have fled as he lieth there. 
 
 Then send thou Death and gentle Sleep his body to bear 
 
 Far hence, until they be come unto Lycia-land the wide, 455 
 
 And there 'neath a grave-mound his brethren and kinsfolk his ashes shall hide, 
 
 With a pillar thereon, for the honour is this of the dead which have died." 
 
 She spake, and the Father of Gods and of men consented thereto ; 
 Yet down on the earth did he shed blood-drops in a crimson dew 
 To honour his dear-loved son, whom Patroclus was doomed to slay 460 
 
 On the fruitful Troyland soil, from his fatherland far away. 
 
 So when they were now drawn nigh, as against each other they came, 
 Then hurled Patroclus, and smote Thrasym^lus, a man. of fame, 
 For the valiant chariot-henchman of King Sarpedon he was : 
 In the nether belly he smote him, and palsied his limbs with the brass. 465 
 
BOOK XVI. 107 
 
 Then leapt on his foe Sarpedon, and thrust with his lance flame-bright ; 
 But he missed him, yet did the spear on the car-steed Pedasus light - 
 On the rightward shoulder : outgasping his life with a piercing cry 
 He fell in the dust, and moaned, and forth did the life of him fly. 
 Then his yokefellows started asunder, the yoke groaned, rein with rein 470 
 Was tangled, so soon as lay in the dust that trace-horse slain. 
 But Automedon spear-renowned for their strait found help at need, 
 For he snatched from beside his thigh his long-edged sword with speed. 
 And he rushed and he cut the trace-horse loose, neither lingered in vain ; 
 So were the steeds set right, in the harness again did they strain ; 475 
 
 And for heart-consuming strife once more did they close, they twain. 
 Then hurled Sarpedon his glittering lance, but in vain was it sped, 
 For over Patroclus' shoulder to leftward the spear-point fled. 
 Nor smote him : Patroclus thereafter his javelin swung on high, 
 And nowise in vain from his hand did the murder-lightning fly ; 480 
 
 But there where the midriff fenceth the restless heart did he smite. 
 Down fell he, as falleth an oak or a poplar's stately height. 
 Or as when mid the mountains the craftsmen have hewn a pine-tree tall 
 With axes newly whetted, to build them a galley withal. 
 So there in front of the steeds and the car outstretched did he lie 485 
 
 Groaning and clutching the bloody dust in his agony. 
 And as when mid a herd of the trailfoot kine a lion doth creep 
 And seizeth a tawny bull great-hearted with sudden leap. 
 And under the jaws of the lion he groaneth his life away. 
 So under Patroclus the captain of Lycia's spear-array 490 
 
io8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Raged, smitten to death ; and he cried on his comrade, and thus did he say : 
 
 " Dear Glaukus, thou champion mid heroes, sore is the need that thou 
 Shouldest show thee a valiant spearman, a dauntless warrior now. 
 Be grim strife now thy desire, if indeed thou art keen for the fray. 
 First go thou on every hand to the Lycian war-array, 495 
 
 And enkindle their hero-chiefs to fight for Sarpedon slain. 
 And thereafter to battle for me come thou thyself again. 
 For confusion of face shall my name be to thee, and a bitter mock 
 Through all thy days evermore, if to-day the Achaian folk 
 Shall spoil of his harness of fight thy friend mid the ships laid low. 500 
 
 Now manfully bear thee, and kindle my people to face the foe." 
 
 So spake he, and straightway thereafter the veil of death was spread 
 O'er his eyes and his nostrils. Then on his breast did Patroclus tread. 
 And he plucked from the flesh the spear, and the midriff came with the brass. 
 Yea, out of the selfsame gash did his soul and the spear-head pass. 505 
 
 And the Myrmidons stayed the snorting chariot-steeds thereby. 
 For the car of their lords was forsaken, and eager they were to fly. 
 But on Glaukus came sore pain, that cry of his friend when he heard ; 
 And, seeing he could not defend him, his heart was anguish-stirred 
 And straitly his arm with his hand did he grasp, for that faint with pain S'O 
 Was he yet from the wound which Teucer's shaft, as he rushed amain 
 On the high-built rampart, had dealt to defend the Achaians from bane. 
 And then to Apollo the Smiter from Far he uttered his prayer : 
 
 " Hearken, O King, who art somewhere in Lycia the fruitful-fair. 
 Or haply in Troyland thou art — but everywhere heard by thee 5 • 5 
 
BOOK XVI 109 
 
 Is the man in his trouble that crieth, such trouble as compasseth me. 
 
 For a grievous wound have I gotten ; the pangs sharp-stabbing thrill 
 
 From mine arm even down to mine hand, and welleth the red blood still, 
 
 It cannot be stanched, and thereby is my shoulder burdened sore : 
 
 And my sp'ear may I not grip firmly, I cannot go forth any more 520 
 
 To battle with foes : and low is a champion of champions laid, 
 
 Sarpedon the child of Zeus — yet his son doth he nowise aid. 
 
 Yet, I beseech thee, heal my grievous wound, O King, 
 
 And assuage thou the anguish, and give to me might, that my voice may ring 
 
 Through the Lycian ranks of war as I kindle their battle-might, 525 
 
 And that I myself to defend the corpse of the slain may fight." 
 
 So did he cry, and Phoebus Apollo heard as he prayed. 
 Forthright he assuaged his pangs, and the dark blood's flow he stayed 
 From the grievous wound, and his spirit with sudden might he thrilled. 
 And Glaukus was ware thereof, and his soul with joy was filled, 530 
 
 Because that so swiftly the mighty God had heard him pray. 
 Then first he enkindled the chiefs of the Lycian war-array. 
 Passing this way and that through the host, to fight for Sarpedon dead. 
 Unto the Trojans thereafter with long swift strides he sped. 
 On Polydamas Panthoiis' son and Ag^nor the godlike he cried : 535 
 
 To Aeneas he came, and to brazen-helmeted Hector's side ; 
 And he uttered the winged word-flight, and with eager lips 'gan say : 
 
 " Hast thou wholly forgotten, O Hector, thine outland aid this day. 
 The men that for thy sake far from fatherland and friend 
 Are losing their lives, and these hast thou no will to defend 540 
 
no HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Low lieth Sarpedon, the chief of the Lycian spearman-band, 
 
 Who in Lycia maintained the right, and her shield was the strength of his hand 
 
 Him brazen Ares hath laid 'neath the spear of Patroclus low ! 
 
 Friends, stand by his side ! — let your hearts be indignation-aglow 
 
 Lest the Myrmidons spoil his mail, lest his corpse they foully entreat, 545 
 
 That their wrath for the Danaans slain may taste a revenge most sweet, 
 
 For all that we slew with the spears by the sea-swift ships of the fleet." 
 
 Then the inmost hearts of the Trojans with unendurable grief. 
 Heart-crushing, were filled ; for, albeit he was but an outland chief, 
 The bulwark he was of their town, and with him had come from afar 5 50 
 
 A countless host, and himself was a mighty man of war. 
 And in fury they charged on the Danaans : Hector led them on. 
 Being wroth for the sake of Sarpedon, the while Menoitius' son, 
 Patroclus the lion-heart, cheered on the Achaians. First 
 On the two Aiantes he cried, which before were battle-athirst : 555 
 
 " Aiantes, now let your hearts take joy to withstand the foe, 
 Valiant as ever, yea, braver yet, if it may be so ! 
 Low lieth the man who foremost scaled the rampart's height, 
 Sarpedon ; — and shall we not take him, and do to his corse despite, 
 And strip from his body his armour, and whatso comrade shall come 560 
 
 For his rescuing, him with the pitiless brass let us speed to his doom 1" 
 
 So spake he, but they unbidden were eager and fain of the fray. 
 So when upon either side they had massed their battle-array, 
 Trojans and Lycian warriors, Achaians and Myrmidon men, 
 To fight for the corpse of the slain they clashed in the onset then 565 
 
BOOK XVI. Ill 
 
 With a terrible shout : loud clanged the heroes' smitten mail. 
 And with baleful night did Zeus that mighty grapple veil 
 To make for his son sore labour of battle and deadly bale. 
 
 First backward the Trojans bare the Achaians flashing-eyed, 
 For a man of the Myrmidons, nowise their meanest, was smitten and died, 570 
 Epeigeus the godlike, the son of Agakles the mighty-souled, 
 Which was king in Budeion aforetime, the stately battle-hold ; 
 But when that his kinsman, a goodly man, by his hand had bled, 
 Unto Peleus a suppliant, and Thetis the silver-sandalled, he fled ; 
 And these to Achilles the battle-rifter joined him, to fare 575 
 
 Unto Ilium the war-steed land, to fight with the Trojans there. 
 And when now he was seizing the dead man, Hector the glorious threw 
 A huge rock-shard, and his head was utterly cleft in two 
 In the massy helmet : he fell on his face to the earth on the dead. 
 And around him the darkness of death the devourer of spirits was shed. 580 
 Then for his comrade slain was Patroclus anguished at heart. 
 Straight on through the forefighters like to a fleet-winged hawk did he dart, 
 Which scattereth starlings and daws in affright with his sudden swoop ; 
 So, lord of the steed, Patroclus, full on the Lycian troop 
 
 Didst thou rush, and on Trojans, wrathful at heart for thy friend laid low. 585 
 At Ithaimenes' dear-loved son Sthenelaiis a stone did he throw. 
 At his neck, and beneath its rush did the rifted sinews crack. 
 Back darted -the foremost : Hector the glorious faltered back. 
 And far as attaineth a slender-shafted javelin's flight 
 When a man in the athlete-strife maketh uttermost proof of his might, 590 
 
112 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Or when foemen be pressing upon him athirst for his life in the fray, 
 
 So far did the Trojans recoil, and the Danaans thrust them away. 
 
 But Glaukus the first, the captain of Lycia's spear-array, 
 
 Turned him about, and Bathykles the mighty-souled did he slay, 
 
 Chalkon's beloved son, whose dwelling in Hellas was found, 595 
 
 Who for wealth and the bliss of his days mid the Danaan folk was renowned ; 
 
 Him Glaukus stabbed with the keen spear full in the midst of his breast. 
 
 Suddenly turning upon him, as hard on his flight he pressed. 
 
 And he fell with a crash, and o'er the Achaians sore grief came 
 
 For a brave man's fall, and greatly the Trojans rejoiced for the same. 600 
 
 Then thronged they around him : yet the Achaians forgat not there 
 
 Their prowess, but full on the Trojans the fury of battle they bare. 
 
 And M^riones slew a Trojan arrayed in harness fair, 
 
 Laogonus, valiant son of Onetor the priest of the shrine 
 
 Of Idaean Zeus, — ^as a god men rendered him honour divine : — 605 
 
 For he smote 'neath his jaw and his ear ; and swiftly fleeted his soul 
 
 From his limbs, and over his eyes did a horrible darkness roll. 
 
 Then Aeneas at Meriones his brazen javelin threw. 
 
 For he trusted to smite him as fenced by his buckler anigh him he drew. 
 
 But with keen glance looking before him he shunned the brazen spear, 610 
 
 For forward he bowed, and the lance long-shafted far to the rear 
 
 Plunged into the earth, and above it the spear-butt quivered in air 
 
 Till Ares the stormy-hearted had spent its fury there. 
 
 So the spear of Aeneas shivering into the earth sank deep. 
 
 Forasmuch as on bootless flight from his brawny hand did it leap. 615 
 
BOOK XVI. 113 
 
 And the heart of Aeneas was wroth for this, and aloud cried he : 
 
 " M^riones, how nimble soever a dancer thou be, 
 My lance, if I had but touched thee, had stilled thy dancing for aye !" 
 
 Spake M^riones, and to him did the spear-renown^d say : 
 " Aeneas, what though thou be strong, thou shalt find it all too hard 620 
 
 To quell the prowess of all men, whenso thy path shall be barred 
 By them that against thee shall come : thou art mortal of mould, I ween. 
 And if I peradventure shall smite thee through with my javelin keen. 
 Soon, strong though thou be, though thou trust in thine hands, shalt thou yield 
 Unto me, when thy soul unto Hades of glorious steeds goeth down." [thy renown 
 
 So spake he, but chiding him cried Menoitius' stalwart seed : 
 " Why talkest thou, Meriones, O thou who art strong for the deed ? 
 O friend, it is nowise for scoffing words that our Trojan foes 
 Will flinch from the corpse, ere then over many the earth shall close. 
 In our hands is the issue of war, but for speech is the council dight, 630 
 
 Therefore it nowise needeth to multiply words, but to fight." 
 
 So spake he, and led, and pressed beside him the godlike wight. 
 And from them — as the din goeth up when the woodmen the broad axe swing 
 Mid the glens of a mountain, and far away doth the noise of it ring, — 
 From them went clashing and clanging up from the earth-ways wide, 635 
 
 From the brass, from the goodly-fashioned shields of the tough bull-hide. 
 From the swinging blades and the spears two-headed thrusting there. 
 But Sarpedon the godlike had no man discerned, how keen soe'er. 
 For that heaped with darts, and rolled in blood and in dust that day 
 Even from the grown of his head to the sol^s of his feet, he lay. 640 
 
114 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And ever around the corse were they thronging, as when flies cofne 
 
 At a farmstead down on the vessels of milk with ceaseless hum 
 
 In the spring, when the white foam-beads to the brim of the milk-pails rise; 
 
 So swarmed they around the corpse, and never his shining eyes 
 
 Turned Zeus from the mighty fray as to this side and that side it rolled, 645 
 
 But he gazed evermore on the heroes, and pondered doubtful-souled 
 
 With many a thought for the death of Patroclus, and mused alway 
 
 Whether in that same hour in the midst of the mighty fray 
 
 Hector the glorious there with the brass should smite him and slay 
 
 Over Sarpedon the godlike, and strip from his shoulders his mail, 650 
 
 Or the hero should multiply yet unto many toil and bale. 
 
 And thus, as he mused in his heart, him seemed it were best to be done, 
 
 Even this, that the henchman brave of Achilles Peleus' son 
 
 Should drive the Trojans and Hector the brass-mailed back again 
 
 Unto the city, and spoil of their lives full many men. 655 
 
 Therefore with faintness of spirit he first thrilled Hector's breast [rest 
 
 That he sprang to his chariot, and flightward he turned him, and cried on the 
 
 To flee, for the sinking down of the scales of Zeus he discerned. 
 
 Nor the stalwart Lycians abode any longer, but all they turned 
 
 And fled, when they saw their king with his heart by the death-stab stung 660 
 
 Lying amidst of a heap of corpses, for many were flung 
 
 Upon him, when Zeus wrought high the battle's toil and strain. 
 
 So the Danaans stripped from the shoulders of King Sarpedon slain 
 
 His glittering harness of brass, and Menoitius' strong son gave 
 
 These to his comrades to bear to the hollow ships by the wave, 665 
 
BOOK XVI. 115 
 
 Then to Apollo did Zeus the Cloudrack-gatherer say : 
 " Go now, dear Phoebus, I pray thee, and snatch from the darts away 
 Sarpedon, and cleanse from the blood dark-clotted, and bearing him go 
 Far off from the battle, and bathe thou him in the river's flow ; 
 With ambrosia anoint him, and clothe him with raiment immortal-fair. 670 
 Thereafter to fleet- winged wafters give thou his corse to bear. 
 Unto Sleep and Death, the Twins, who on soundless-speeding wing 
 To the fair fat land of Lycia the wide my child shall bring. 
 And there 'neath a grave-mound his brethren and kinsmen his ashes shall hide, 
 With a pillar thereon: for the honour is this of the dead which have died." 675 
 
 He spake, nor the hest of his sire did Apollo disobey ; 
 But down from the ridges of Ida he sped to the terrible fray. 
 Straight from mid darts he uplifted Sarpedon the godlike, and thence 
 Bare far to the river's streams, and his body there did he cleanse, 
 With ambrosia anointed, and clothed him with raiment immortal-fair, 680 
 
 And thereafter to fleet-winged wafters gave he his corse to bear, 
 Unto Sleep and Death, the Twins, who on soundless-speeding wing 
 To the fair fat land of Lycia the wide did the hero bring. 
 
 On-cheering his steeds and Automedon pressed Patroclus hard 
 On the Trojans and Lycian men : — ah fool, but his wisdom was marred 685 
 And folly-distraught : had he heeded the hest of Peleus' seed. 
 From the evil doom and the blackness of death had he surely been freed. 
 But the purpose of Zeus doth the counsel of man evermore overbear : 
 He dismayeth the valiant, the victory out of his hand doth he tear 
 Lightly : anon to the battle himself will uprouse him again. 690 
 
ii6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Even he in the breast of Patroclus enkindled a fury then. 
 
 Who then was the first that thou slewest, the last, what man was he, 
 
 What time, O Patroclus, the Gods to thy death were beckoning thee ? 
 
 First did Adr^stus, and Autonoiis, and Echeklus fall, 
 
 Perimus Meges' son, Melanippus, Epistor withal : 695 
 
 Mulius, Elasus smote he thereafter, Pylartes he sped, 
 
 Even these, but their fellows in haste from thestorm of his fury fled. 
 
 Then by the hands of Patroclus the sons of Achaia had won 
 High-gated Troy, for his spear lightened round him, and aye stormed on. 
 But for this, that Phoebus Apollo stood on a fair-built tower 700 
 
 With purpose of bane for the hero, but shielding Troy with his power. 
 Thrice on the high wall's corner Patroclus leapt amain, 
 Thrice backward Apollo's buffet hurled him reeling again 
 As 'neath his immortal hands the flashing buckler rang. 
 
 But when for the fourth time on like a God in his fury he sprang, 705 
 
 The winged words pealed with a terrible shout from the lips divine : 
 
 " Back, Zeus-begotten Patroclus ! Not yet 'neath spear of thine 
 Is it doomed that the town of the lordly Trojan men shall bow. 
 Nor yet 'neath Achilles' hand, who is mightier far than thou." 
 
 So did he say, and Patroclus a long space backward recoiled, 710 
 
 For by dread of the wrath of Apollo the S miter from Far was he foiled. 
 
 By the Skaian gateway did Hector his thunderfoot horses stay, 
 Wavering whether to plunge yet again mid the roar of the fray. 
 Or to shout to the people to gather within Troy's walls to hide. 
 And thus as he pondered, Phoebus Apollo stood by his side 71 S 
 
BOOK XVI. 117 
 
 Clothed in the shape of a man full stalwart and goodly to see, 
 
 Asius, uncle of Hector the queller of steeds, was he. 
 
 Blood-brother of Hekabe, offspring of Dymas, who had his abode 
 
 In Phrygia, and hard by his dwelling the streams of Sangarius flowed. 
 
 Clad in his semblance Apollo the Zeus-begotten cried : 720 
 
 "Hector, thou oughtest not thus: — from the battle why dost thou hide? 
 Ah to be so much the stronger, as now I am weaker far; 
 Then shouldst thou rue it full soon, to shrink like a craven from war! 
 Nay come, with the strong-hoofed steeds charge thou on Patroclus down, 
 If thou haply mayst smite him and slay, and Apollo may give thee renown." 
 
 So spake the God, and returned to the battle-toil of men ; [725 
 
 And to war-wise Kebriones spake Hector the glorious then 
 To lash the steeds into battle, the while Apollo went 
 On through the heart of the fight, and baneful panic he sent 
 On the Argives, but glory did he on the Trojans and Hector bestow. 730 
 
 But Hector passed all Danaans by, and he laid none low, 
 But down on Patroclus alone with his strong-hoofed horses he swept ; 
 And Patroclus overagainst him to earth from his chariot leapt, 
 In his left hand holding his spear, but the other a flint-shard found, 
 A glittering jagged stone, and the grasp of him compassed it round. 735 
 
 And he gathered his strength and he hurled: not wide of the mark did it light, 
 Neither vainly he sped it, but Hector's charioteer did he smite — 
 Even Kebriones, far-famous Priam's bastard son, 
 
 As he grasped the reins of the car — on the forehead with that sharp stone. 
 And it crushed in both his brows : by the bone was it nowise stopped, 740 
 
Ii8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And dashed from their sockets to earth in the dust the eyes of him dropped 
 In front of his feet, and he, as a diver that springs from a height, [flight. 
 
 Plunged down from the fair-fashioned car, 'and the life from his. bones took 
 And with scoffs thou shoutedst above him, Patroclus chariot-knight : 
 
 " Lo, lo, how nimble a wight ! — how deft in the diver's leap ! 745 
 
 Ah if he were but somewhere now on the fish-fraught deep. 
 With oysters enow should he fill full many a hungry soul. 
 From a ship down-plunging, yea, though the sea should stormily roll ; 
 So lightly he diveth headlong on dry land how from the car ! 
 Good sooth, but amidst our Trojans cunning divers are!" 750 
 
 So spake he, and rushed upon Kebrion^s the hero-souled 
 With a leap as the leap of a lion, which, even as he wasteth the fold. 
 Hath been struck on the breast with a dart, that his prowess hath wrought his 
 So didst thou rush, Patroclus, on Kebriones full fain. [bane ; 
 
 But Hector overagainst him hath leapt from his car to the plain. 755. 
 
 And there over Kebriones they strove like lions twain. 
 Which over a slaughtered stag amidst of the mountain-cfests 
 In famished fury are grappling and rending with dauntless breasts. 
 So there over Kebriones those battle-kindlers warred, 
 
 Patroclus Menoitius' son, and Hector the glorious lord, 760 
 
 Each eager to cleave with the ruthless brass the flesh of his foe. 
 By the head did Hector seize that corse, and he let not go ; 
 And Patroclus grasped by his foot, and the others to left and to right, 
 Trojans and Danaans, clashed in the desperate grapple of fight. 
 
 And as when the East-wind and South-wind in stormy contention strive 765 
 
BOOK XVI. 119 
 
 In the glens of a mountain, a deep dark forest to rend and rive, 
 
 Scourging the smooth-stemmed cornel-tree, and the beech and the ash. 
 
 While against each other their far-spreading branches swing and dash 
 
 With unearthly din, and ever the shattering limbs of them crash ; - 
 
 So did Achaians and Trojans contending stab and slash 770 
 
 On-rushing : they dreamed not of ruinous flight, nor those nor these ; 
 
 And many a keen-whetted spear plunged deep round Kebriones ; 
 
 Deep plunged they, the feathered arrows from strings hard-straining that sprang. 
 
 And by many a huge stone battered the dinted targes rang, 
 
 As they fought o'er him. Mighty he lay mid the whirlwind of dust of war, 775 
 
 As the mighty should lie, forgetting the joy of the battle-car. 
 
 So all through the morning-tide, and still while the day waxed hot, 
 Fast fell the' folk, as the shafts from host unto host were shot. 
 But so soon as the sun 'gan slope to the hour for unloosing the yoke. 
 Then even beyond their fate prevailed the Achaian folk. 780 
 
 And forth from the darts the hero Kebriones did they hale, 
 From the onset-cry of the Trojans, and stripped from his shoulders his mail. 
 And Patroclus burst on the Trojan array with purpose of bane ; 
 Thrice, battle-peer of the fleetfoot War-god, charged he amain. 
 Raising his terrible shout, and thrice laid nine men low. 785 
 
 But when for the fourth time, dread as a God, he rushed on the foe, 
 Then unto thee, Patroclus, appeared the end of life. 
 For Phoebus came to meet thee amidst of the mighty strife. 
 Dreadful. He marked not the God as he passed through the battle rout. 
 For he came to meet him with shoulders in dense cloud compassed about, 790 
 
120 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And behind him he stood, and his back and the shoulders broad of him 
 
 Smote with his palm : with the shock did his starting eyeballs swim. 
 
 Yea, far from his head the helmet Phoebus Apollo dashed, 
 
 And rolling away 'neath the feet of the car-steeds clanged and clashed [795 
 
 That visored casque; and with blood and with dust were the hairs of the plume 
 
 Polluted. But ere that hour was it nowise the high Gods' doom 
 
 That with dust that horsemane-crested helmet should ever be marred, 
 
 But the head of a godlike man and his comely brow did it guard, 
 
 Even Achilles, but Zeus unto Hector gave it now 
 
 To bear on his head — it was even the shadow of death on his brow. 800 
 
 And shivered was all the lance long-shafted within his hand, 
 
 The stark spear massy and huge; from his shoulders the baldric-band, 
 
 With the shield that from shoulder to ankle reached, was hurled to the plain, 
 
 And Apollo the Zeus-born snapped his corslet-clasps in twain. 
 
 And wilderment seized his spirit ; his glorious limbs were unstrung, 805 
 
 And he stood all dazed. From behind him a Dardan warrior flung 
 
 At his back his shoulders between, from anigh, a keen-whetted spear : 
 
 It was Panthous' son Euphorbus, who had mid the youths no peer 
 
 In the craft of the lance and the car, and in speed of his feet flying fast : 
 
 Yea, twenty men by then from their cars to the earth had he cast, 810 
 
 Who but newly was come in his chariot to learn the lesson of war. 
 
 He first with the javelin smote thee, Patroclus lord of the car. 
 
 But slew not. He plucked from the flesh the ashen spear away, 
 
 Then backward he fled, and he plunged mid the throng, for he dared not stay 
 
 Patroclus' onset, though fenceless he was, in the midst of the fray. 815 
 
BOOK XVJ. 121 
 
 And Patroclus, by stroke of the God and by thrust of the lance overcome, 
 
 Backward drew to the host of his comrades shrinking from doom. 
 
 But so soon as Hector beheld Patroclus the mighty of heart 
 
 Back from the forefront recoiling, smit by the keen-whetted dart, [brass 820 
 
 He rushed through the ranks till he came full nigh, and he stabbed with the 
 
 At his nether flank, and clear therethrough did the spear-head pass. 
 
 Down-crashing he fell, and it troubled the folk of Achaia sore. 
 
 And as when in battle a lion hath vanquished a tameless boar, 
 
 As high on a mountain-ridge with dauntless courage they fought 
 
 For a scanty spring, and by thirst was their fury the higher wrought; 825 
 
 And he panteth hard, by the might of the lion at last laid low ; 
 
 So, when Menoitius' son had slain full many a foe. 
 
 Did the spear-thrust of Hector the Priamid rend his life away : 
 
 And vaunting above him with swift-winged words did the victor say : 
 
 " Ha, thou didst threaten, Patroclus, to waste the town high-pight 830 
 
 Of Priam, and take from the Trojan women freedom's light, 
 And to bear them away in thy ships to thy fatherland far overseas ! 
 Fool ! — but the fleetfoot horses of Hector defending these 
 Speed with their feet to the battle, and I with the spear am renowned 
 Mid the war-loving Trojans, because that in me is a shield for them found 835 
 From the day of bondage : but thee shall the vultures here devour. 
 Wretch, naught hath Achilles availed thee, for all his might and his power, 
 Who, I ween, as thou wen test, charged thee with many an earnest word : 
 
 ' I beseech thee, return not again, Patroclus chariot-lord. 
 Unto the hollow ships, till the tunic blood-defiled 840 
 
122 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Thou hast cleft on the breast of Hector the manslayer, Priam's child.' 
 So did he charge thee, I ween, and thy witless soul he beguiled !" 
 
 Then feebly and faintly thou spakest, Patroclus lord of the steed : 
 " Ay, boast on, Hector, now: Zeus giveth thee victory's meed. 
 Even Kronos' son, and Apollo, who lightly have overborne 845 
 
 Patroclus — 'tis they from my shoulders mine harness of battle have torn. 
 But if twenty such heroes as thou had endured mine onset to bide, 
 Here by my spear overmastered had every man of them died. 
 But baneful Fate and the Offspring of Leto have slain me now. 
 And of men, Euphorbus; and naught but the third in my murder art thou. 850 
 Yea, this will I tell thee moreover, and deep in thine heart let it stay — 
 Of a surety thyself not long shalt continue, but even this day 
 Hard after thee Death and the overmastering Doom press on. 
 Thou shalt fall by the hands of Achilles, Aiakus' noble son." 
 
 And the end of death enshrouded him soon as the word was said, 855 
 
 And the soul flitting forth from the limbs to the mansion of Hades had fled, 
 Wailing her doom, and forsaking her manhood and lustihead. 
 But to him, yea, dead though he Heth, Hector the glorious saith : 
 
 " Patroclus, what hast thou to do to forebode unto me swift death ? 
 Who knoweth but bright-haired Thetis' offspring Achilles perchance 860 
 
 Shall, or ever I fall, be smitten, and yield up his life to my lance?" 
 
 So spake he, and setting his heel on the corpse he tore from the wound 
 The brazen lance, and he thrust him aback from the spear to the ground. 
 And to spill Automedon's life he rushed forthright with his spear, 
 The fleetfoot Aiakid's godlike henchman -charioteer, 865 
 
BOOK XVI. 123 
 
 Fain was he to smite him : but far was he borne by the car-steeds swift, 
 Immortal, on Peleus bestowed for the high Gods' glorious gift. 
 
BOOK XVII. 
 
 How Achaians and Trojans in darkness fought o'er the corpse of Patroclus. 
 
 |UT Ar^s-beloved Menelaus, Atreus' son, marked well 
 
 How amidst of the fight overthrown by the Trojans Patroclus fell. 
 And harnessed in flame-bright brass through the forefront of battle he hied. 
 And as softly-lowing the mother-cow will her calf bestride — 
 She hath ne'er known travail before, and her firstling lieth there — S 
 
 So over Patroclus strode Menelaus of golden hair. 
 
 And before him he stretched his spear and the round of his shapely targe, 
 With purpose to slay what man soever against him should charge. 
 
 Nor unheedful the while was Panthous' son of the ashen spear 
 Of princely Patroclus fallen, for now did he stand full near. lO 
 
 Forthright unto prince Menelaus the Ar^s-beloved he spoke : 
 
 "Zeus-nurtured Atreus' son, Menelaus captain of folk, 
 Draw backward, and leave yon corpse : let be the spoils blood-dyed. 
 For no man of Troy or her helpers battle-renowned beside 
 First smote with the spear Patroclus amidst of the mighty fray. 1 5 
 
BOOK XVIl. 125 
 
 Thou therefore leave me to win high fame mid the Trojan array, 
 Lest haply I smite thee, and take thine honey-sweet Hfe away." 
 
 But the prince of the golden hair hurled back the braggart's taunt : 
 " Zeus Father, how vile a thing is the overweening vaunt ! 
 Good sooth, but a panther's or lion's spirit is not so grim, 20 
 
 Nor yet of a wild-boar baleful-souled, when the fury of him 
 Stormeth in strength most fierce of the forest's mighty ones, 
 As the pride-uplifted spirit of Panthoiis' spearman sons ! 
 
 Ha, but of httle avail unto Hyperenor's might [fight, 25 
 
 Was the steed-queller's youth, when he scorned me, and bode mine onset in 
 And the vilest warrior was I mid the Danaans — so did he say. 
 But I say, never the feet of him trod the homeward way 
 To gladden his well-loved wife and the parents that held him dear. 
 Even so will I surely bring thy strength unto naught, if here 
 Thou stand against me ! — but back to thy rabble I bid thee begone, 30 
 
 Neither stand against me, ere yet thy bane for thy meed thou hast won. 
 Sooth, even the fool may know the end when the deed is done." 
 
 So spake he, yet turned not his purpose aside, but he answered and spake : 
 " Now, nurtured of Zeus, Menelaus, in truth for my brother's sake 
 Shalt thou give me revenge, whom thou slewest, and vauntest the blood thou 
 And a widow hast made his wife in the bride-bower newly-built, [hast spilt, 35 
 And on them that bare him hast sent lamentation and mourning and woe. 
 Yet I for the hapless shall be an assuager of mourning, I trow, 
 If I bear away thine head and all that harness of thine. 
 And in hands of Panthous lay them and Phrontis the lady divine, 40 
 
126 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 But verily not long now shall our battle-toil be untried, 
 
 Nor unstriven our strife, whether triumph or terror of death shall betide." 
 
 At the round of his shapely shield a furious thrust he sped. 
 But prevailed not to pierce it, and turned was the point of the brazen head 
 In the mighty buckler. Then with the lance swung high rushed on, 45 
 
 With a prayer unto Father Zeus, Menelaus Atreus' son. 
 And he stabbed the nether throat of Euphorbus as backward he drew. 
 And with all the weight of his hand Menelaus thrust it through. 
 On through the smooth white neck the brazen point cleft sheer ; 
 Down-crashing he fell, and clanged above him his battle-gear. 50 
 
 And blood-besprent were his tresses, bright as the Graces' hair, 
 And the love-locks looped with the gold and the silver blended fair. 
 And as when one reareth a shoot of a fruitful olive-tree 
 In a lonely spot where the water upwelleth abundantly, 
 
 And in lovely wise doth it bourgeon, and sway it to and fro 55 
 
 The breezes of many a wind, and it blossometh white as the snow ; 
 But there cometh the sudden flaw of a mighty tempest's blast. 
 And out of its trench is it torn, and low on the earth is it cast : 
 Even so Euphorbus Panthoiis' son of the ashen spear 
 
 Menelaus the Atre'id slew, and was spoiling his battle-gear. 60 
 
 And as when in the pride of his strength a lion mountain-reared 
 Hath snatched from the pasturing kine a heifer, the best of the herd, 
 And, gripping her neck with his strong teeth, bone from bone hath he snapped. 
 And he rendeth her inwards and gorgeth her blood by his red tongue lapped ; 
 And around him gather the dogs and the shepherd folk, and still 65 
 
BOOK XVII. 127 
 
 Cry long and loud from afar : howbeit they have no will 
 
 To face him in fight, for that pale dismay doth the hearts of them fill : 
 
 Even so in the breast of none of the Trojans was spirit found 
 
 To step forth then and to face Menelaus the war-renowned. 
 
 Then lightly had Atreus' seed that glorious harness won 70 
 
 Of Euphorbus, but Phoebus Apollo with jealousy looked thereon, 
 
 Who in semblance of Mentes, the chief of Kikonian men, drew near 
 
 To speed against him Hector, the fleetfoot War-god's peer. 
 
 And he lifted his voice unto him, and the light-winged words he spake : 
 
 " Now, Hector, in vain art thou chasing that which thou canst not o'ertake, 75 
 The horses of Aiakus' war-wise son : full hard they are 
 For men that be mortal to quell, and to drive in the battle-car. 
 Save only Achilles, the man whom a Goddess-mother bare. 
 And Atreus' warrior-son Menelaus the while otherwhere 
 
 Defending Patroclus hath slain the best of the Trojans in fight, 80 
 
 Euphorbus Panthoiis' son, and hath hushed the storm of his might." 
 
 So spake he, and back to the toil of men did the God depart : 
 But with terrible anguish o'ershadowed was Hector's inmost heart ; [straightway 
 And with swift keen glance he glared through the ranks, and he marked 
 How the one was stripping the glorious arms, and the other lay 85 
 
 On the earth, and the blood was welling yet from the wound deep-gashed. 
 Through the forefighters strode he, arrayed in brass that as lightning flashed. 
 Shouting a far-ringing cry ; he was like to the Fire-god's flame 
 Quenchless : the wild-shrilling yell to the ears of Atreides came ; 
 And sorely disquieted unto his high-souled spirit he spake ; 90 
 
128 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 " Ah me, if now this goodly harness of fight I forsake, 
 And Patroclus, who all for mine honour's avenging is here laid low. 
 What Danaan warrior shall not be indignant, whoso shall know? 
 But and if against Hector and all Troy's host I shall battle alone 
 For shame, they shall hem me round, who are many, and I but one. 95 
 
 And hitherward Hector is leading all the Trojan rout — 
 But wherefore communeth my spirit within me thus in doubt ? 
 When a man in a God's despite is minded to fight with a foe 
 Whom a God doth honour, full soon is he whelmed 'neath a surge of woe. 
 Wherefore no Danaan man shall be wroth to behold this sight 100 
 
 How backward from Hector I draw, for with help of the Gods doth he fight. 
 But if Aias the battle-helper now might I haply see. 
 We twain, as together we fared, would remember the battle-glee, 
 Yea, even against a God, if the corse from the foe we might wrest 
 For Achilles Peleus' son, for of all ills this were the best." 105 
 
 As pondering thus in the thoughts and intents of his spirit he said, 
 Near drew the ranks of the Trojans ; their onset Hector led. 
 Then back Menelaus drew, and he left the corpse of the slain. 
 Ever turning him round as he went, as a lion of shaggy mane 
 Which the dogs and the men are essaying to drive away from the fold 1 10 
 With spears and with shouts, and the heart in his breast that was late so bold 
 Groweth chill, and exceeding loth from the garth doth he backward fare ; 
 Even so from Patroclus went Menelaus of golden hair. 
 
 But he turned him about and he stood, to the throng of his friends when he won 
 Keen-glancing around for Aias the mighty, Telamon's son, nj 
 
BOOK XVII. 129 
 
 Full quickly he marked him to left of the battle far away, 
 As he heartened his warrior comrades, and cheered them on to the fray ; 
 For with strange fear Phoebus Apollo had made their spirits quake. 
 And the hero ran, and with speed he stood by his side, and he spake : 
 
 " Hither, O Aias my brother, for dead Patroclus' sake 120 
 
 Let us speed, to bear to Achilles his body in any wise. 
 Though naked it be, for his arms are bright-helmed Hector's prize." 
 
 Stirred was the war-wise spirit of Aias to hear that thing. 
 Through the forefront he strode, Menelaus beside him, the bright-haired king. 
 Now Hector had stripped from Patroclus his glorious harness of fight, 125 
 
 •And was dragging him thence, from his shoulders his head with the brass to 
 And to hale the corse, and to cast it to dogs of Troy to devour. [smite, 
 
 Then Aias drew nigh unto him, on-bearing the shield like a tower. 
 Back into the throng of his men forthright did Hector recoil ; 
 And he sprang to the floor of his car, and he gave that goodly spoil 130 
 
 To the Trojans to bear to the town, for a mighty glory to him. 
 But Aias covered Menoitius' son with his broad shield's rim, 
 And there he stood as standeth a lion defending his young, 
 On who n, as he leadeth his whelps through the forest, there cometh a throng 
 Of huntsman-folk ; but within him the storm of his might doth rise, 135 
 
 And the down-drawn skin of his brows overgloometh the fire of his eyes; 
 Even so stood Aias defending the hero Patroclus slain ; 
 And Atreides beside him stood, Menelaus the battle-fain, 
 And heavy and heavier grew his heart with its bitter pain. 
 
 But Glaukus the son of Hippolochus, captain of Lycia's array, 140 
 
130 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Frowned darkly on Hector the while, and with words of rebuke 'gan say : 
 
 " Hector, O goodly to see, in the fight art thou worthless found ! 
 Of a surety in thee is a dastard with goodly glory crowned ! 
 Bethink thee, how wilt thou save thy city left forlorn, 
 
 Thou only with those thy folk, the people in Ilium born ? 145 
 
 For in any wise none of the Lycians shall fare to the fight after this 
 Against Danaan men for thy city : — nor thank nor requital there is 
 For grappling with foes evermore in the battle unrestingly ! 
 How shall a meaner man in his peril be rescued of thee, 
 
 O wretch, since even Sarpedon, thine helper in battle-toil 150 
 
 And thy guest, thou hast left to be made the Argives' prey and spoil ? 
 Of him ye had manifold comfort and aid, thy city and thou, 
 While he lived, but thou hast not cared from the dogs to defend him now. 
 Wherefore if any man of the Lycians will hearken to me 
 To return home, swift and sure shall Troy's destruction be. 155 
 
 For if now in the Trojans there were but a valiant spirit awake, 
 Unblenching, such spirit as entereth men that for fatherland's sake 
 Have arrayed against foemen the toil of the strife, that they shall not quail, 
 Full quickly within Troy's walls Patroclus' corse should we hale. 
 Now if we should drag yon dead man out of the battle, and bring 160 
 
 Into the mighty city of Priam the ancient king, 
 Full soon would the Argives yield us Sarpedon's fair war-gear ; 
 Yea, and his body aback unto Ilium's walls should we bear. 
 For slain is the friend of the hero who far excelleth in might 
 All Argive men by the ships, with his henchmen that dose in the fight. 165 
 
BOOK XVII. 131 
 
 But thou — against great-heart Aias thou hast not endured to stand, 
 
 When thine eyes mid the foemen beheld him, then was our champion unmanned, 
 
 And thou darest not face him in fight, for that mightier than thine is his hand." 
 
 But Hector the stormy-crested made answer with frowning brow : 
 " Glaukus, why speakest thou arrogant words — such a hero as thou ? 170 
 
 Lo now, I had deemed that in wit thou excelledst all beside 
 Which dwelt in the fruitful acres of Lycia-land the wide ! 
 But now do I wholly contemn thy wit for the word thou hast cried. 
 In that thou sayest that Aias the giant I dare not abide. 
 Not I at the battle shudder, nor crash of the thundering car : 175 
 
 But the purpose of Zeus the Aegis-lord is mightier far, 
 Who dismayeth even the valiant, and lightly taketh away 
 His triumph, anon himself doth enkindle him on to the fray. 
 Friend, hither to me, stand by me, behold my deeds this day. 
 Whether all day long I shall play the dastard, as thou dost say, 180 
 
 Or if haply some Danaan's might, be he never so furious-fain, 
 I shall quench, that he fight no more defending Patroclus slain." 
 
 Then high o'er the roar of the battle his shout to the Trojans rose : 
 "Trojans and Lycians and Dardans in grapple of conflict who close, 
 Quit you like men, my friends, and remember your stormy might, 185 
 
 Till I don the mail of Achilles the princely, the harness bright 
 Which I stripped from the slain when I slew Patroclus the warrior wight." 
 
 So did he speak, and Hector the stormy-crested passed 
 Forth of devouring war, and with swift feet following fast 
 His comrades full soon overtook, for by this not afar had they gone 190 
 
132 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Citywards bearing the glorious armour of Peleus' son. 
 
 And aloof from the dolorous fight did he change his warrior-gear. 
 
 His own gave he to the battle-revelling Trojans to bear 
 
 Unto Ilium the holy, but he put on that mail god-wrought 
 
 Of Achilles Peleus' son, which the Heaven-abiders had brought 19S 
 
 Unto Peleus his sire, and in hoar age gave he the same to his son. 
 
 But the son in his father's armour to hoar hairs never won. 
 
 Now when Zeus the Cloudrack-gatherer marked that hero from far 
 Arraying himself in godlike Peleides' harness of war, 
 Sadly he shaketh his head, and unto his heart he saith : 200 
 
 " Ah wretch, but in all thy thoughts there is no foreboding of death 
 Which is nigh thee, even at the door, but thou donnest the heavenly mail 
 Of a man most mighty, before whose face all others quail. 
 His comrade gentle and stalwart dead on the earth thou hast laid. 
 And his shoulders and head of his armour hast vilely disarrayed. 205 
 
 Yet now will I give great might unto thee, and so shall be paid 
 Thy requital for this, that thou shalt not return when the battle is done 
 Nor Andromache take at thine hands the armour of Peleus' son." 
 
 And Kronion's dark brows bent, and he sealed that promise fast. 
 And the harness fitted itself unto Hector, and into him passed 210 
 
 Ares the terrible War-god : his limbs within were filled 
 With prowess and strength : and he came, and his mighty war-cry thrilled 
 His battle-renowned allies ; and he seemed to them all to behold. 
 As he flashed in the harness, very Peleides the mighty-souled. [215 
 
 And he came unto man after man, and he kindled their hearts with his word. 
 
BOOK XVII. 133 
 
 Till Mesthles, Thersilochus, Medon, and Glaukus took fire as they heard, 
 And Hippothoiis, Asteropaius, Deisenor withal, were stirred. 
 And Phorkys, and Chromius, and Ennomus seer of the augury-bird : 
 These roused he to battle, as fast on their ears his winged words fell : 
 
 " Hearken, ye tribes untold of the nations around us that dwell 1 220 
 
 It is nowise for longing or lack of a mighty war-array 
 That hither from tower and town I have called you from far away. 
 But that ye may deliver the Trojans' wives and their little ones. 
 Fighting with willing hands, from Achaia's war-fain sons. 
 With suchlike intent for your gifts and your meat I consume the store 225 
 Of my folk, and make mighty the hearts of you all with the gifts I outpour. 
 Wherefore let each man turn him about, or to perish forthright. 
 Or be saved alive, for this is the winsome dalliance of fight ! 
 And whoso shall hale Patroclus, dead though he lie on the field, 
 To the horse-quelling Trojans, and cause yon Aias the prey to yield, 230 
 
 The half of the spoils unto him will I render, and half of the same 
 Shall be mine, and great as mine own shall be that man's honour and fame.'' 
 
 So spake he, and full on the Danaans charged they with might and main 
 Uplifting their spears, and their hearts with the hope were exceeding fain 
 Of tearing the corpse of the dead from Aias Telamon's son. 235 
 
 Fools ! — many a man of his life bereft did he cast thereon. 
 But to prince Menelaus the battle-helper did Aias say : 
 
 " O brother, O nurtured of Zeus, Menelaus, I dare not to-day 
 Have hope that forth of the war we shall yet return, we twain. 
 Yet not so much fear I for the corpse of Patroclus slain, 240 
 
134 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Which haply shall yet glut vultures and dogs on the Trojan plain, 
 
 A-s sorely I fear for my very life, lest this be my bane. 
 
 And for thine, for the compassing cloud of war is darkening near, 
 
 Even Hector, and dawneth upon us destruction sudden and sheer. 
 
 But call thou the Danaan chieftains, if haply any may hear." 245 
 
 He spake, Menelaus the battle-helper hearkened to do. 
 And he cried to the chiefs with a voice that pierced the war-din through : 
 
 " O friends, ye lords of the Argives, chiefs of their mighty ones. 
 Who beside Menelaus and King Agamemnon, Atreus' sons. 
 Drink of the wine of the King, and in battle give command 250 
 
 To your folk, and with worship and honour are crowned from Zeus's hand — 
 Hard is it for me each several man of the chiefs to discern. 
 So mighty a fury of battle-strife doth around us burn ; 
 But unbidden let each man come, and indignation-stung 
 That Patroclus to dogs of the Trojans should be for their banqueting flung." 255 
 
 Then q.uickly did Aias hear him, Olleus' fleetfoot seed. 
 And foremost he ran through the strife, and came to meet him with speed. 
 Idomeneus next, and Idomeneus' henchman-charioteer, 
 M^riones, the manslaying V/ar-god's battle-peer. 
 
 But of all the rest, what man of his wit could name each name 260 
 
 Of the host of Achaians that followed and kindled the battle-flame ? 
 
 Onward the Trojans hurled in a dense throng, Hector led. 
 And as when at the mouth of a river by rains from heaven fed 
 Roareth the tide against the stream, and on either hand 
 Echo the cliffs as bursteth the sea-surge down on the strand ; 265. 
 
BOOK XVII. 13s 
 
 So loud was the yell of the charging Trojans : but steadfastly stood 
 
 The Achaians around Menoitius' son with one stern mood 
 
 By the brazen bucklers hedged. And around them and overhead 
 
 On the glittering helms dense mist did the son of Kronos shed. 
 
 For neither aforetime Menoitius' child in his sight was abhorred, 270 
 
 While yet he lived, and was henchman to Aiakus' son, his lord ; 
 
 So now, that the dogs of the Trojans should rend him limb from limb 
 
 He endured not, wherefore he roused up his comrades to battle for him. 
 
 Now the Trojans first thrust back the Achaians flashing-eyed, 
 
 And forsaking the corpse they recoiled, howbeit not one of them died 275 
 
 On the spears of the haughty Trojans, though fain of the slaughter were they ; 
 
 Yet fell they to haling the corpse. But aloof the Achaians would stay 
 
 Naught but a moment's space, for that rallied they were full soon 
 
 By Aias, the man that in deeds and in goodlihead outshone 
 
 All men of the Danaan host, save Peleus' peerless child. 280 
 
 Through the forefighters rushed he like to a fierce boar tameless-wild, 
 
 By whom mid the mountains the hounds and the young men stalwart and stout 
 
 Lightly be scattered, through forest-glades as he wheeleth about ; 
 
 So glorious Aias, lordly Telamon's son, that day 
 
 Turned on his foes, and lightly scattered the Trojan array, 285 
 
 As around Patroclus they swarmed, sore longing their hearts within 
 
 To hale him away to their city, and high renown to win. 
 
 Now Hippothoiis, scion of Lethus, of famous Pelasgian strain, 
 Forth of the desperate fray by the foot was haling the slain ; 
 By his ankle Eiround the sinews his baldrig-beU had h? bound 290 
 
136 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 For a kindness to Hector and Troytown's folk. But swiftly he found 
 
 His doom, there was none to save, were they never so eager-hearted. 
 
 For Aias Telamon's son through the midst of the war-press darted 
 
 And stabbed through his morion brazen-checked with a thrust from anear. 
 
 And the helmet heavily-maned crashed round the point of the spear 295 
 
 At the shock of the mighty lance by his brawny hand on-sped. 
 
 And the brain through the crest-socket rushed from the wound all bloody- red. 
 
 Forthright was his strength unstrung, and he dropped from his nerveless hold, 
 
 To fall to the ground, the foot of Patroclus the mighty-souled. 
 
 And he fell down hard thereby : on his face on the corpse was he laid, 300 
 
 Far off from Larissa the fruitful : the nursing-debt never he paid 
 
 To the parents that loved him so well, but short was the span of his life 
 
 By the spear of Aias the mighty of heart overthrown in the strife. 
 
 Then Hector at Aias hurled with his javelin glittering bright ; [flight 305 
 
 But with swift keen glance looking forward he swerved from the path of its 
 
 But a little; yet great-heart Iphitus' son did the lance dash down, • 
 
 Schedius, bravest of Phocians : in Panopeus' far-famed town 
 
 Were his stately halls, and he ruled over people not a few. 
 
 To the midst of his collar-bone leapt that lance ; clear-cleaving through 
 
 'Neath his shoulder the brazen point of the spear shot forth into view. 310 
 
 And he fell with a crash, and clanged above him his battle-gear. 
 
 And Phorkys the war-wise, Phainops' son, by Aias' spear 
 
 Was stabbed through the midst of the belly, bestriding Hippothoiis dead ; 
 
 And his corslet's hollow was rent, by the brass were the bowels outshed ; 
 
 And he fell in the dust fierce-clutching the earth in his agony-throe. 315 
 
BOOK XVII. 137 
 
 Back faltered the foremost, yea, Hector the glorious shrank from the foe. 
 Loud shouted the Argives, and forth of the press those slain did they hale, 
 Hippothoiis and Phorkys, and stripped from their shoulders the gory mail. 
 
 Then by the Ar^s-beloved Achaians the Trojan men 
 Had been driven in craven flight through Ilium's gates again, 320 
 
 And even beyond Zeus' doom had the Argives won them fame 
 By their might and their strength : but Apollo himself to Aeneas came. 
 For he fashioned himself as a man, and Periphas' form he bore, 
 
 A 
 
 The herald Epytus' son : with his father the ancient-hoar 
 
 Grey grew he in herald-service, in love and in loyal faith. 325 
 
 His semblance Apollo the child of Zeus hath ta'en, and he saith : 
 
 " Aeneas, how should ye save in despite of a God's decree 
 Steep Ilium ? — sooth ere now hath it happed to me heroes to see [essayed, 
 Which in trust in their manhood and prowess and strength such deed have 
 And with help of a mighty war-host, a people unafraid ; 330 
 
 But we — 'tis to us Zeus willeth the victory more by far 
 Than our foes : 'tis yourselves are exceeding afraid, and ye shrink from the war." 
 
 But Aeneas gazed in his face, and Archer Apollo he knew ; 
 And he sent unto Hector a shout that cleft the war-din through : 
 
 " Hector, and all ye captains of Troy and her warrior-aid, 335 
 
 Foul shame should it be, if thus in craven rout disarrayed 
 From the Ar^s-beloved Achaians through Ilium's gates we should flee ! 
 Nay, thus saith one of the Gods — yea, a God hath stood by me — 
 That Zeus the Counsel-king is our helper in battle to-day. 
 On, charge on the Danaans then ! — shall no man say them nay 340 
 
 T 
 
138 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 That they bear not the dead Patroclus unto their galleys away?" 
 
 He ^pake, and he sprang from the ranks, and alone stood far afront. 
 Forthright the Trojans rallied, and faced the battle's brunt. 
 Then with his lance Aeneas thrust Leiokritus through, 
 
 Arisbas' son, Lykomedes' henchman trusty and true. 345 
 
 And Ar6s-beloved Lykomedes had pity of him laid low. 
 And he strode full nigh, and he hurled With his flame-bright lance at the foe, 
 And Hippasus' son Apisaon he smote, a shepherd of folk. 
 In the liver the midriff beneath, and the strength of his knees he broke : 
 Forth to the war had he fared from Paionia's fruitful lea, 350 
 
 And next unto Asterbpaius their mightiest in battle was he. 
 And Asteropaius the valiant had pity of him in his plight, 
 And full on the Danaans charged he with heart and with soul to fight. 
 Yet naught he availed, for the Argives compassed Patroclus about 
 With a shield-wall fenced, wherefrom the levelled spears stood out. 355 
 
 For Aias to this man and that man turned him on every side — 
 
 " Let none from the corpse draw back, let no man flinch !" he cried — 
 " And afront of the other Achaians for battle let no man stand, 
 But close ye around the corpse, and grapple hand to hand." 
 
 So Aias the giant commanded, and drenched was the earth the while 360 
 With purple blood ; and still as they fell grew that grim pile 
 Of the mingled corpses of Trojans and them of their warrior-aid ; 
 Yea, and of Danaans — not without blood was resistance made : — 
 Yet fewer by far of them died, for that heedful they were alway 
 To shield from the down-rushing doom their fellows in that wild fray. 365 
 
BOOK XVII. 139 
 
 So fought they with rage as of ravening flame : — thou hadst verily said 
 That the sun froni the heaven had faded, the moon was utterly dead : 
 For a mist brooded over the battle, and wrapped each mightiest one 
 That stood in the warrior-ring round dead Menoitius' son. 
 But the rest of the Trojans and goodly-greaved Achaians at ease 370 
 
 In the clear air fought, and the sun's keen radiance far over these 
 Was spread : over all the earth and the mountain heights was there seen 
 No cloud : and aye as they fought they rested therebetween, 
 Each flinching from shafts of the foemen, and standing far apart. 
 But with gloom and with war-toil they that were deep in the battle's heart 375 
 Were enduring affliction ; their mightiest all were aweary and worn 
 With the weight of their harness. Howbeit not yet had the tidings been borne 
 Unto warriors twain, that dead was Patroclus the princely, but naught 
 Thrasymedes knew, nor Antilochus : nay, but still they thought 
 "That alive in front of the war-press against the Trojans he fought. 380 
 
 So with keen watch still to deliver from death and from rout their array 
 Aloof were they warring ; for so in his best did Nestor say 
 When forth from the dark-hulled ships he sped his sons to the fray. 
 
 So all day long the fury of that great strife waxed grim. 
 And for weariness-pain with the sweat of their labour every limb 385 
 
 Streamed without respite : from knees and from legs and from feet did it flow 
 And from hands, and bedimmed were their eyes, as the fight swayed to and fro 
 O'er the valiant henchman of fleetfoot Aiakus' son laid low. 
 And as when to his craftsmen a currier giveth the fat-drenched hide 
 Of a mighty bull, to the end they may stretch it on every side, 390 
 
I40 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And they take it, and stretch, as around it they stand in a ring ranged wide : 
 
 Forth oozeth the moisture thereof, the fat fast entereth in 
 
 'Neath the strain of the many hands, and stretched throughout is the skin : 
 
 So hitherward, thitherward, haled they the corpse with tug and strain 
 
 In a scanty space, and with hope were their hearts exceeding fain — 395 
 
 The Trojans, to hale him to Ilium's walls, but Achaia's host. 
 
 To the hollow ships, and around him the surges of battle tossed 
 
 Wildly : — though Ar6s the Kindler of War, though Athene had seen. 
 
 She had not made light of their strife, though her fury were never so keen. 
 
 Such grievous toil o'er Patroclus of steeds and of grappling men 400 
 
 Did Zeus strain hard that day. Howbeit naught by then 
 Was known to Achilles the godlike concerning Patroclus' fall. 
 For that far aloof from the galleys beneath the Trojans' wall 
 Were they fighting, wherefore he never deemed in his heart that his friend 
 Was dead ; but he thought that alive, when the gates he had touched, he would 
 Backward again, for his heart nursed never the idle trust [wend 405 
 
 That without him, or with him, Patroclus should lay those towers in the dust. 
 For this thing oft of his mother he heard, when sat they alone. 
 When the purpose of Zeus most high unto him her lips made known. 
 But in that hour never a word of so heavy a woe was said 41° 
 
 By his mother, how that his friend, his best-beloved, lay dead. 
 But the others around the corse with the keen-whetted spears that they bore 
 Clashed evermore in the onset, and slew and slew evermore. 
 And thus did Achaian to brazen-harnessed Achaian cry : 
 
 " O friends, foul shame of a truth should it be if aback we should fly 41 S 
 
BOOK XVII. 141 
 
 To the hollow ships ! — let the dark earth rather yearn for us all 
 Even here — it were better for us by far if this should befall, 
 If now we shall suffer the horse-quelling warriors of Troy to their town 
 From the battle to hale this hero, and win for them triumph-renown ! " 
 
 But each to his fellow the while the great-heart Trojans said : 420 
 
 " O friends, what though we be doomed by the side of Patroclus dead 
 As one man all to be slain, yet let none flinch from the fight I" 
 
 So this one and that one shouted and kindled his fellow's might. 
 Even so were they battling on : the iron din of them roared 
 Through the barren welkin till up to the brazen heaven it soared. 425 
 
 But the horses of Aiakus' son stood aloof from where men warred. 
 Aye weeping, even from the time when they knew that their charioteer 
 Was fallen in dust stricken down by manslaying Hector's spear. 
 Good sooth, but Automedon, stalwart son of Didres, refrained 
 Nowise his hand, but many a blow from the swift scourge rained, 430 
 
 And with many a soft word pleading, and many a curse, he cried : 
 But neither aback to the galleys by broad-flowing Hellespont's side 
 Would they go, nor to where the Achaians in strife still held their ground : 
 But as bideth a pillar unshaken, that high on the sepulchre-mound 
 Of a man or a woman doth stand, for a sign of the dead laid there, 435 
 
 So steadfastly still they abode with the chariot passing-fair, 
 Low-drooping their heads to the earth, and ran from their eyes evermore 
 The hot tears down to the ground as they mourned exceeding sore 
 In grief for their charioteer, and in dust defiled was the pride 
 Of their mane from the collar that streamed by the yoke upon either side. 440 
 
142 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And the son of Kronos beheld as they mourned, and was pity-stirred, 
 And in sorrow shaking his head he spake to his heart the word : 
 
 " Ah hapless, why did we give you to Peleus the king, to be 
 A mortal's possession, while ageless and deathless for ever are ye ? 
 Was it for this, that with wretched men ye should share their woe ? 445 
 
 For nothing there is more misery-burdened than man, I trow, 
 Of all things that breathe and that crawl on the face of the earth to and fro. 
 Yet not of a surety on you and the chariot cunningly wrought , 
 Shall Hector the son of Priam ride : I will suffer it not. 
 
 SufiSceth it not that the armour he hath, that he vaunteth in vain ? 45Q 
 
 But with might will I thrill your knees, and your spirits my breath shall sustain, 
 To the end ye may bring Automedon safe from the midst of the foe 
 To the hollow galleys : for glory on Troy will I still bestow, 
 To slay and to slay, until by the fair-benched ships they stand, 
 And the sun go down, and the sacred dark sweep over the land." 455 
 
 So spake he, and mettlesome might breathed through those car-steeds twain, 
 And they lifted their heads, and to earth each shook the dust from his mane. 
 And amidst of Achaians and Trojans the fleet car swiftly they sped. 
 And behind them Automedon fought heart-anguished for him that was dead ; 
 And as swoopeth a vulture on geese, with his steeds did he charge through the 
 For lightly now would he flee from the turmoil of Troy's array, [fray, 460 
 Now lightly he swooped on them, chasing the fleers through tangle of fight, 
 Howbeit he slew of them none, whensoever he followed their flight ; 
 For he might not in any wise borne alone on the sacred car 
 Fall on with the spear, and rein swift steeds mid the tumult of war. 465 
 
BOOK XVII. 143 
 
 But at last a comrade beheld with his eyes, and was ware of his plight, 
 The son of Laerkes the scion of Haimon, Alkimedon hight : 
 And behind the chariot he stood, and thus to the prince 'gan say : 
 
 " Automedon, which of the Gods hath set in thy breast this day 
 Profitless counsel, and stolen thy wisdom of heart away, 470 
 
 That thus in the forefront of battle thou fightest with Trojans alone ? 
 And thy friend, thy companion, is slain, and Hector his harness hath won. 
 And triumpheth, sheathing his shoulders in armour of Aiakus' son." 
 
 Unto him Automedon spake, and the son of Didres replied : 
 " Alkimedon, who shall be like him ? — what man of Achaia beside 475 
 
 Can deal with the deathless horses, can tame their spirit and guide 
 Like to Patroclus, in counsel of battle the high Gods' peer, [here. 
 
 While he lived? — but to-day have the death and the doom overshadowed him 
 But the whip and the glittering reins receive thou into thine hand, 
 And I from the chariot will leap, in fight against foemen to stand." 480 
 
 He spake, and Alkimedon sprang on the chariot rescue-swift. 
 And the reins hath he grasped in haste, and the scourge doth his hand uplift. 
 But Automedon leapt to the earth. Then Hector the glorious espied ; 
 And straightway he spake to Aeneas, there as he fought by his side : 
 
 " Aeneas, to brass-mailed Trojans a counsellor good at need, 485 
 
 Yonder the horses I see of Aiakus' fleetfoot seed 
 Break in on the battle, and weakling charioteers have they. 
 Now therefore, if thou in thy spirit consent, I would hope that the prey 
 Shall be burs, for they will not endure with might encountering might 
 To abide thine onset and mine, and to grapple with us in the fight." 490 
 
144 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 He spake, and the stalwart son of Anchises hearkened thereto. 
 Straight onward they pressed, and over their shoulders their bucklers they 
 Of the tough bull-hide and dry, overlaid with the massy brass ; [threw 
 
 And beside them did twain, Ar^tus the godlike and Chromius, pass 
 To the strife ; and their hearts beat high with hope, for they looked to slay 495 
 Those charioteers, and to drive the strong-necked horses away. 
 Ah fools ! — -but it was not their weird without shedding of blood to fare 
 From Automedon back. Unto Zeus AUfather he uttered his prayer, 
 And with valour and strength Zeus thrilled his inmost spirit through. 
 To Alkimedon straightway he spake, to his war-fellow trusty and true : 500 
 
 " Alkimedon, far from mine helping the car-steeds stay thou not, 
 But breathing hard on my back do thou rein them, for well I wot 
 That Hector the son of Priam will cease not his mighty deeds 
 Until he have slain us twain, and behind these fair-maned steeds 
 He ride on the car of Achilles to war, and the ranks he appal 505 
 
 Of the Argive men, or himself mid the foremost fighters fall." 
 
 On the two Aiantes and lord Menelaus then did he call : 
 " What ho, Menelaus ! — ho, chiefs of the Argives, Aiantes twain ! 
 Unto our mightiest men commit ye the corpse of the slain, 
 To rally around it, and face the ranks of Troy's array : 510 
 
 But us which yet be alive shield ye from the pitiless day. 
 For hitherward heavily charging come through the dolorous war 
 Aeneas and Hector — the mightiest men of the Trojans they are. 
 Yet verily all these things on the knees of the high Gods lie : 
 Let Zeus take thought for the issue, but hurl at the foe will I." 515 
 
BOOK XVI L 145 
 
 He swung up the lance long-shadowed, he hurled it across the field, 
 And it smote on the midst of Aretus' shapely-rounded shield ; 
 And the buckler withstood not the lance, but clear through burst the brass, 
 And into the nether belly cleaving the belt did it pass. 
 
 As a stalwart man in his grip a keen-edged axe upheaveth 520 
 
 And smiteth behind the horns of an ox of the steading, and cleaveth 
 Clear through the sinew, and forward it springeth, and falleth dead, 
 So forward he sprang, and he fell on his back, and the keen spear-head 
 Quivered within his bowels, that the strength of his limbs was unstrung. 
 Then at Automedon Hector his flame-bright javelin flung ; 525 
 
 But with keen glance looking before him he shunned that brazen spear. 
 For forward he bowed, and the lance long-shafted far to the rear 
 Plunged into the earth, and above it the spear-butt quivered in air 
 Till Ar^s the stormy-hearted had spent its fury there. [530 
 
 Then drawing the sword on rushed they, and reddened the blades had been, 
 But or ever they closed in their fury came the Aiantes between ; 
 For the cry of their comrade they heard, and they burst through the rout, and 
 And before those heroes' faces backward shrinking in fear [drew near : 
 
 Hector, Aeneas withal, and Chromius the godlike withdrew ; 
 And there did they leave Ar^tu^ forlorn, with his heart pierced through, 535 
 Outstretched on the ground, and Automedon, battle-swift Ares' peer, 
 Tore from the dead his harness, and shouted the triumph-jeer : 
 " Ha, surely a little now have I eased mine heart of its pain 
 For dead Menoitius' son, though a viler than he have I slain ! " 
 So spake he, and lifted on high the blood-stained spoils of the dead, 540 
 
146 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And cast on his chariot and mounted, with feet and with hands all red 
 
 With gore : as a lion he seemed on a slaughtered bull which hath fed. 
 
 Then over Patroclus again was the strain of the mighty fight, 
 
 Grievous and anguish-fraught: and adown from the heaven's height 
 
 Came Athene to waken its fury : of far-seeing Zeus was she sent 545 
 
 To enkindle the Danaan men, for that now did his spirit repent. 
 
 As when from the heavens Zeus outstretched a bright-hued bow 
 
 In the sight of mortal men, to be for a sign, and to show 
 
 The on-coming of war or the wintry storm, which stayeth folk 
 
 On the face of the earth from their toil and afiflicteth the sheep of the flock ; 
 
 Even so in a bright-hued cloud did Athene veil her from sight 
 
 As she entered the host of Achaia and roused each warrior wight. 
 
 And first unto Atreus' son with enkindling words did she cry — . 
 
 Unto strong Menelaus, for now had she marked that hero anigh — 
 
 With Phoinix' tireless voice, and as Phoinix she seemed to the eye : 555 
 
 " Upon thee, Menelaus, confusion of face and reproach shall fall, 
 If the trusty comrade of lordly Achilles beneath the wall 
 Of the Trojans be torn hy the teeth of the swift hounds mangling the prey.. 
 Up, bear thee stoutly, and kindle the whole host on to the fray." 
 
 Unto her did the lord Menelaus, the battle-helper, say : 560 
 
 " Grey father Phoinix the ancient of days, of this were I fain [rain. 
 
 That Ath6n6 would grant to me strength, and would shield from the javelin- 
 Full blithely then for Patroclus' help would I stand by his side, 
 For mine heart with anguish exceeding was stricken in that he died. 
 But the terrible fury of fire hath Hector : he doth not stay 565 
 
BOOK XVn. 147 
 
 The sword's devourings : for Zeus unto him giveth glory this day." 
 
 So spake he : then did Athene the grey-eyed Goddess rejoice 
 In that first unto her of the Gods he uplifted in prayer his voice ; 
 And the hero's arms and his knees with sudden strength she thrilled, 
 And his breast with the aweless daring of that fierce fly she filled, 570 
 
 Which, how often soe'er from its feast on the flesh of a man it be chased, 
 Presseth onward to bite, for it deemeth a man's blood sweet to the taste : 
 With suchlike daring the darkling chambers she filled of his heart, 
 And Patroclus' corpse he bestrode, and he hurled with his gleaming dart. 
 Now a man there was of the Trojans, Podes, Eetion's son, 575 
 
 Wealthy and brave, and dearer to Hector's soul was there none 
 Mid the folk, for in field and in feastful hall his companion he was. 
 On his belt Menelaus the bright-haired smote with the leaping brass. 
 As flightward he darted, and drave the head of the lance clear through : 
 Down-crashing he fell ; and Atreus' son Menelaus drew 580 
 
 From the foe to the host of his friends the body of him that he slew. 
 
 But Apollo to Hector's side to enkindle his might drew near 
 In the likeness of Phainops Asius' son, whom he held most dear 
 Of all bond-friends ; and his halls in Abydos stood by the sea ; 
 So seemed Far-smiter Apollo to Hector, and thus spake he : 585 
 
 " Hector, what other Achaian hereafter shall tremble at thee ? 
 What, man, hast thou feared Menelaus ? — we knew him in days bygone 
 A spearman unhardy : but now hath he 'scaped thee, hath haled alone 
 From the midst of the Trojans a corpse, hath slain Eetion's seed 
 Thy trusty companion Podes, in battle-brunt good at need." ^90 
 
148 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Then dark grew Hector's soul overgloomed with the cloud of his grief; 
 And in bright brass sheathed through the forefront of battle strode that chief. 
 Then grasped Kronion his tasselled Aegis gleaming bright, 
 And he rolled dark clouds all down Mount Ida's misty height, 
 And mid lightning and crashing of thunder he shook that Aegis abroad 595 
 For the triumph of Troy, and his terror the host of Achaia hath awed. 
 
 First P6nele6s the Boeotian made beginning of flight, 
 For, aye as he faced the foe, did a lance on his shoulder light. 
 And grazed it, and glanced therefrom : yet scored was the bone by the spear 
 Which Polydamas hurled, for, or ever he cast it, he drew full near. 600 
 
 Then Lei'tus' wrist with a thrust of his lance did Hector smite — 
 Great-hearted Alektryon's son, — and he quenched his battle-delight. 
 And he knew in his heart, as around him he looked with quick scared glance, 
 That in battle against the Trojans no more could he wield the lance. 
 Then on rushed Hector to slay him : but forward Idomeneus pressed 605 
 
 And hurled at his corslet, and hard by the nipple smote on his breast. 
 But the long spear snapped at the socket, and shouted the Trojan men. 
 And Hector hurled at Idomeneus son of Deukalion then. 
 As he stood on his battle-car : yet a little erred that spear : 
 But Koiranus, henchman of Mdriones, and his charioteer, 610 
 
 Who had followed his lord to the war from his fair-built Lyktian home — 
 For afoot at the first from the wave-rocked ships had Idomeneus come, 
 And unto the Argives a mighty triumph now had he given, 
 But Koiranus unto his aid the fleet steeds swiftly hath driven ; 
 For a light of deliverance he came, for his shield from the pitiless day ; 615 
 
BOOK XVI I. 149 
 
 But for this was his own life yielded for manslaying Hector's prey : — 
 Him smote he : the head of the lance, as it crashed beneath jawbone and ear, 
 Dashed from their sockets the teeth, and the midst of his tongue cleft sheer ; 
 And he fell from the car, and the reins streamed earthward as water is shed. 
 Then Meriones stooped swiftly, and caught from the grasp of the dead 620 
 The reins in his hands from the plain, and thus to Idomeneus said : 
 
 " Now scourge thou the horses, until to the sea-swift ships thou hast won. 
 Thou knowest thyself that Achaia's day of triumph is done." 
 He spake, and Idomeneus lashed the fair-maned steeds, that they sped 
 To the hollow ships, for there fell on his soul overmastering dread. 625 
 
 Then Aias the mighty-hearted and prince Menelaus discerned 
 How Zeus to the children of Troy the tide of victory turned. 
 And great Telamonian Aias cried to his war-fellows there : 
 
 " Lo, now might any man know, how witless soever he were, 
 That Father Zeus himself is helping the Trojans' need. 630 
 
 For the shafts of them all strike home to the mark, whosoever doth speed, 
 Be he hero or weakling : Zeus guideth aright the flight of them all. 
 But for us, all vainly to earth doth the shaft of each man fall. 
 Nay, come then, devise we ourselves what counsel best shall avail 
 Whereby we shall rescue the corpse, and ourselves from the battle's bale 635 
 Alive shall return, for a joy to the comrades that hold us dear, 
 Which be hitherward gazing in anguish of heart, and they say in their fear 
 That Hector the manslayer's might and resistless hands shall droop 
 Never, nor faint, till down on the black-hulled galleys he swoop. 
 Now would there were one of our comrades with uttermost speed to bear 640 
 
ISO HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Tidings to Peleus' son, for I ween he is nowise ware 
 
 Of the woeful tale, that his dear-loved friend is dead this day. 
 
 Howbeit such man can I nowise discern mid Achaia's array : 
 
 For in gloom are they shrouded around, even they and their steeds withal. 
 
 Zeus, Father, yet save thou Achaia's sons from beneath its pall, 64S 
 
 And make clear day, and vouchsafe unto us with our eyes to see ! 
 
 So it be but in light, destroy us ! — since this is well-pleasing to thee." 
 
 He spake, and Allfather was moved with compassion for him as he wept ; 
 And he straightway scattered the gloom, and the mist aside hath he swept. 
 And the sun shone down, and revealed was the battle far and wide. 650 
 
 Then Aias to prince Menelaus the battle-helper cried : • 
 
 " Gaze forth, Menelaus, O fostered of Zeus, if thou yet mayst behold 
 Antilochus living, the son of Nestor the mighty-souled ; 
 And speed him to hasten away to Achilles the battle-fain 
 To tell unto him that his friend, his best-beloved, is slain." 655 
 
 He spake, Menelaus the battle-helper said him not nay, 
 But he hied him, as when from a steading a lion turneth away 
 Which is wearied with vexing the herdmen that shout, and the hounds that bay. 
 As they watch through the livelong night, neither suffer the forest-king 
 To seize on the choice of the herd, but for flesh mad-hungering 660 
 
 Ever on them he rusheth, yet naught he prevaileth, so thick and fast 
 Leap in his face the darts by the hands undaunted cast, 
 And the blazing brands that he dreadeth, how furious-fain soe'er, 
 Till at dawn sore chafing and grudging in spirit aback must he fare.: 
 Even so Menelaus the battle-helper turned to depart -665 
 
BOOK XVII. IS I 
 
 From Patroclus exceeding loth, for that sorely he feared in his heart 
 Lest in ruinous rout the Achaians should leave him the foemen's prey. 
 And he charged the Aiantes twain, and to M^riones did he say : 
 
 " Aiantes, ye chiefs of the Argives, and M^riones hear thou : 
 Remember Patroclus the hapless, forget not his kindliness now ; 670 
 
 For to all was he courteous-hearted, to all was he gracious-willed 
 While he lived: but his doom hath o'ertaken him now, and death hath stilled." 
 
 So spake Menelaus the golden-haired, and he hied him away, 
 On all sides glancing as glanceth the eagle, the which, men say. 
 Is keenest of sight of all winged things through the welkin that fly : 675 
 
 For, aloft though he soar, yet a fleet-footed hare can escape not his eye, 
 Though she crouch 'neath a bush embowering: with swoop unerring descendeth 
 The eagle, and seizeth, and swiftly the life from the quarry he rendeth : 
 So theji, O fostered of Zeus, Menelaus, thy bright eyes scanned 
 The countless host of thy. friends, far ranging on every hand : 680 
 
 For the child of Nestor, if haply he lived, ever keenly they sought. 
 And he suddenly spied where afar on the left of the battle he fought. 
 And kindled his fellows' courage, and cheered them on to the fray. 
 Then drew Menelaus nigh, and the bright-haired prince 'gan say : 
 
 " Hither, Antilochus fostered of Zeus, to the end thou mayst hear — 685 
 Would God it had never befallen ! — tidings woeful-drear. 
 Even now art thou ware, I ween, for thine own eyes surely behold. 
 How God on the Danaan men a tide of trouble hath rolled, 
 And for Troy there is triumph : — but slain is the best of Achaia's host, 
 Patroclus, and sore is the Danaans' grief for their champion lost. 690 
 
152 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Thou, haste to Achilles, run to the galleys Achaian, and there 
 Tell it, if haply the corpse he will save to his galley to bear 
 All naked : his armour doth Hector the stormy-crested wear." 
 
 He spake, and Antilochus shuddered to hear that word of woe : 
 Long time did speechlessness hold him, with tears did his eyes overflow, 695 
 And choked was his voice, for his throat in the grip of anguish was caught. 
 Yet not even so did he set Menclaus' behest at naught ; 
 But he turned him to run, and he gave to a comrade his corslet and shield, 
 To Laodokus, hard by his side as his thunderfoot horses he wheeled. 
 So weeping forth of the battle with hurrying feet is he gone yoo 
 
 To bear that evil tale to Achilles Peleus' son. 
 
 Yet, O Menelaus, thou fostered of Zeus, it was not in thine heart 
 To champion the Pylians sorely bestead when they saw him depart, 
 Antilochus : yea, and with grief for his loss were the hearts of them rent. 
 Yet a man for their help, ThrasymSdes the godlike, Atreides sent. 705 
 
 But himself hath hasted back unto hero Patroclus' side ; 
 To the two Aiantes he ran, and with eager haste he cried : 
 
 " Lo, yonder man have I sped to the sea-swift galleys to go. 
 Unto fleetfoot Achilles : howbeit not now will he come, I trow. 
 How fiercely soe'er against Hector the fire of his wrath may glow, 710 
 
 For that fenceless he may not in any wise fight with the Trojan foe. 
 But let us bethink us now what counsel best shall avail. 
 Whereby we shall rescue the corpse, and deliver our souls from bale. 
 From the death that rideth the storm of the yell of the Trojan men." 
 
 And great Telamonian Aias answering spake to him then ; 715 
 
BOOK XVII. I S3 
 
 " Menelaus the far-renowned, well spoken is this thy rede. 
 
 Thou therefore and M^riones bow down your shoulders with speed, 
 
 And uplift ye the dead, and bear from the strife, and behind you aye 
 
 Yon Trojans and Hector the godlike will we twain hold in play. 
 
 One name, one spirit have we : yea, oft in the days overpast 720 
 
 Shoulder to shoulder against grim battle have we stood fast.'' 
 
 He spake, and they clasped in their arms the dead, and uplifted on high 
 From the earth with a mighty heave, and behind them a wild fierce cry 
 Burst from the Trojans which saw the Achaians uplifting the slain. 
 Down charged they upon them, as hounds that are darting furious-fain 725 
 In front of the hunter youths on a javelin-stricken boar ; 
 For now fierce-eager to rend him rush they on before, 
 But anon, when he turneth upon them in pride of his aweless might. 
 Backward they shrink, and to this side and that side they scatter in flight : 
 Even so for a season the Trojans pursued them in serried array, 730 
 
 With swinging blades, and with spears two-headed thrusting aye ; 
 But when the Aiantes twain turned on them and stood at bay, 
 Then faded the blood from their faces, was none but was sorely adread 
 Afront of his fellows to leap, and. to battle to win the dead. 
 
 Even so from the heart of the war to the hollow ships these twain 735 
 
 Stern -striving bare the corpse, and against them the battle's strain 
 Waxed ever fierce, as a fire which hath swooped on a peopled town, 
 And with sudden upleaping blazeth : the dwellings are crumbling down 
 Mid the mighty glare, and roareth upon it the wind's wild blast ; 
 So ceaseless the din of the steeds and the spearmen following fast 740 
 
154 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Maddened around them, as on through the whirlwind of war they passed. 
 
 But the heroes, as mules that bend to the labour their sinewy might, 
 
 As adown a rugged track they hale from the mountain's height 
 
 A beam or a huge ship-timber, and spent are their spirits the while, 
 
 As onward they press, with the sweat of their labour, the strain of their toil: 745 
 
 So these bare onward the corpse stern-striving : behind them still 
 
 The Aiantes stayed the foe, as the ridge of a forest-clad hill 
 
 Stayeth the waters, a rampart across the plain stretched far ; 
 
 Yea, even the mighty rivers' ruinous floods doth it bar, 
 
 And over the plain wide-wandering turneth the course of them all, 750 
 
 Nor availeth the might of their onrush to breach that Titan wall : 
 
 So on the Aiantes still Troy's surges of battle burst, [first 
 
 And were hurled back ever : yet onward they pressed ; and amidst them the 
 
 Were Aeneas Anchises' son, and Hector the glory-crowned. 
 
 And even as cometh a cloud of starlings or daws with the sound 755 
 
 Of a ghastly shriek, what time looking forward afar they are ware 
 
 Of a hawk, the bearer of death to the lesser fowl of the air ; 
 
 Even so from Aeneas and Hector the sons of Achaia in flight 
 
 Went yelling a ghastly yell, and forgat the battle's delight. 
 
 And much fair armour on this side the trench and on that side was strown 760 
 
 As from Danaans fleeing it fell ; and respite from war was there none. 
 
BOOK XVIII. 
 
 Of the armour the Fire-god fashioned at Thetis' prayer for Achilles. 
 
 O fought they on with the ravening fury of blazing flame ; 
 But Antilochus unto Achilles, a fleetfoot messenger, came. 
 And he found him, and lo, in front of the tall-horned galleys he was. 
 Foreboding within his soul even that which had come to pass ; 
 For sorely disquieted unto his high-souled spirit he spoke : S 
 
 " Ah me ! now wherefore again do Achaia's long-haired folk 
 Stream back to the galleys in panic and huddled confusion of rout ? 
 Dark broodeth a fear on my soul — have the Gods now brought it about 
 As my mother revealed in the days overpast ? — for she told me then 
 That, while I yet was alive, the best of the Myrmidon men lo 
 
 By the hands of the Trojans down from the light of the sun should be sped. 
 Surely, ah surely, Menoitius' stalwart son is dead ! 
 
 Ah headstrong ! — I bade him, when back he had thrust the fire of our foes. 
 To return to the galleys, and nowise in battle with Hector to close." 
 
 Even as thus in his heart and his spirit he pondered thereon, 1 5 
 
156 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Came to the hero's presence lordly Nestor's son, 
 
 And the tidings of anguish he told, fast shedding the scalding tear : 
 
 " Ah me, thou scion of Peleus the war-wise, a tale must thou hear 
 Most woeful : would God it had never befallen, this bitter bane ! 
 Low lieth Patroclus, and now are they battling around the slain 20 
 
 For the naked corse ; for his armour hath Hector the bright-helmed ta'en." 
 
 Then a black cloud sorrow-fraught enshrouded Achilles round, 
 And with both his hands upcaught he the hearth-grimed dust from the ground; 
 And he showered it adown on his head, that his goodly visage was marred. 
 And his nectar-breathing tunic was flecked with the ash black-charred : 25 
 And the mighty grovelled in dust, as a Titan were stretched out there. 
 Yea, and himself with his own hands rent and marred his hair. 
 And the handmaids, the thralls that Achilles erewhile and Patroclus had won. 
 Shrieked loudly in anguish of spirit, and forth of the tent did they run, [30 
 And they flocked round war-wise Achilles, and smote with her hands each one 
 On her breast, and beneath her the limbs of each one fainted and failed. 
 And overagainst them with shedding of tears Antilochus wailed, 
 Grasping Achilles' hands, for his noble heart in its pain 
 So groaned, that he feared lest with steel he should shear his throat in twain. 
 And he cried with an awful cry, and his mother the Sea-queen heard 35 
 
 As she sat by the Ancient her sire in the sea-depths : anguish-stirred 
 Shrieked she thereat, and gathered around her the nymphs divine. 
 Even all the daughters of Nereus that dwelt in abysses of brine. 
 Came Glaukd, Thaleia, and hasted Kymodok^ therebeside ; 
 Nesaia, and Speio, and Thoe, and Hali$ lovely-eyed, 40 
 
BOOK XVI If. 1 57 
 
 Aktaia, Kymotho6, Limndreia the maid of the mere, 
 
 laira, and Melite, Amphitho^, and Agave were there : 
 
 Doto, Pherusa, and Proto, Dynamen^ came at her call ; 
 
 Dexamene, Amphinome, and Kallianeira withal : 
 
 And with Doris and Panope came Galateia the song-renowned ; 45 
 
 And there were Nemertes, Apseudes, and Kallianassa found : 
 
 laneira, and Oreithyia, and Klymenfi thitherward pressed ; 
 
 lanassa, and Maira withal, Amatheia the lovely-tressed, 
 
 And other the daughters of Nereus in depths of the brine that abide. 
 
 Thronged was the shimmering cavern, and echoed from side to side 50 
 
 As they smote on their bosoms ; and Thetis began the lamenting, and cried : 
 
 " List, Nereid sisters mine, to the end that ye all may know, 
 When ye hear of the sorrows that fill mine heart, and the burden of woe. 
 Ah me ! ah hapless me, who bare to my sorrow the best. 
 Who brought forth a son so noble, and nursed the strong at my breast, 55 
 
 The peerless mid heroes, whose stature up like' a sapling shot. 
 And I nurtured him even as a plant in a fruitful garden-plot. 
 Till in beaked galleys I sent him forth to the Ilian shore 
 To fight with the Trojans : but him shall I welcome home never more 
 In Peleus' palace-halls, when the home-return is won. 60 
 
 Nay, yet while he liveth before me, and seeth the light of the sun. 
 He hath sorrow, and naught may I help, what though for his aid I draw near. 
 Yet will I go to behold my beloved son, and to hear 
 
 What grief hath o'ertaken him, though from the battle aloof he abide." [65 
 So spake she, and forth of the cavern she went, and the nymphs at her side 
 
158 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Went weeping, and round them was cloven asunder the surge of the sea. 
 
 So when they were come unto Troy, the land of the fruitful lea. 
 
 One after one stepped forth on the beach, where the thronged array 
 
 Of the Myrmidon galleys to right and to left of Achilles lay. 
 
 And, as deeply he groaned, the Lady his mother stood by his side, 70 
 
 And clasping her brave son's head with a shriek far-ringing she cried : 
 
 And she mourned over him, and lamented, and spake the winged word : 
 
 " Son, why dost thou weep ? — with what manner of grief is thy spirit stirred? 
 Speak, hide it not from me : — in sooth, one thing is accomplished to-day 
 Of Zeus, even all thy desire, when with lifting of hands thou didst pray 75 
 That all Achaia's sons by the sterns of the ships should be pent 
 For lack of thine help, and with anguish and shame to the earth should be bent." 
 
 Then heavily groaned fleet-footed Achilles, and answered he : 
 '' My mother, this the Olympian King hath accomplished for me. 
 But wherein is my comfort thereof, since dead is the friend of my love, 80 
 
 Even Patroclus, the man that I honoured all others above. 
 Yea, as myself I have lost him. 'Twas Hector that slew him, and tare 
 From his body mine armour, a marvel to look on, unearthly-fair. 
 The mail that the Gods upon Peleus bestowed, a gift of pride, 
 On the day whereon they constrained thes_to_couch by a mortal's side. 85 
 
 Would God that then with the deathless Nymphs of the Sea thou hadst stayed 
 Far off, and that Peleus had taken to wife a mortal maid ! 
 But now was it done, that on thy soul also measureless pain 
 Should fall for thy perished child, whom thou never shalt welcome again 
 As home I return ; for my spirit commandeth in vengeance-thirst 90 
 
BOOK XVIII. 159 
 
 That I live not, nor tarry midst men, except this Hector first. 
 Stricken to death by my spear, his soul amid blood outshed, 
 And requite me for blood of Menoitius' son, for Patroclus dead."" 
 
 Then Thetis with tears fast-flowing answered her son, and she said : 
 " Ah, swift shall thy doom be, my son, by this that thou sayest to me, 95 
 
 For that straightway after Hector is death ready-dight for thee." 
 
 Then sorely disquieted fleetfoot Achilles made reply : 
 " May I die straightway, forasmuch as it was not to be that I 
 Should defend at his slaying my friend : far, far from his fatherland-home 
 He perished, and me he lacked to shield his life from doom ! 100 
 
 But now — for I shall not return to the dear home-land again, 
 And was not to Patroclus a light of life, nor to those true men. 
 My comrades, the multitudes slain by Hector like to a God, 
 But I sit by the galleys a load on the earth, a cumbering clod. 
 Though like unto me is there none the brass-clad Achaians among 105 
 
 In battle, albeit in council be others more cunning of tongue : — 
 O that contention might perish from men and the Dwellers in Heaven, 
 And anger, whereby into fury even the wise is driven. 
 Which, sweeter by far than the trickling gold from the honeycomb shed. 
 In the breasts of men like smoke doth subtly gather and spread, 1 10 
 
 As the wrath that the King of Men, Agamemnon, hath kindled in me. 
 Yet the past will I leave to be past, how anguished soever I be. 
 Curbing the soul in my breast by the might of Necessity : — 
 Bufi now will I go, that on him who destroyed my beloved I may light. 
 Hector, and death will I welcome, whenso it seemeth right 1 1 5 
 
i6o HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Unto Zeus and the rest of the deathless Gods that mine hour shall come. 
 
 For I ween not even the might of Herakles 'scaped his doom, 
 
 Albeit the dearest of all men to Zeus Kronion he was ; 
 
 But his weird and the malice of H^r6 brought his destruction to pass. 
 
 Thus also shall I, if a weird is ordained for me like unto his, 120 
 
 Lie low, when I perish. But glorious fame let me win ere this, 
 
 And on some deep-bosomed daughter of Troy and of Dardanus lay 
 
 A burden of ceaseless lamenting, to moan and to wipe away 
 
 With both her trembling hands from her dainty cheeks the tear. 
 
 And cause her to know that from war o'erlong have I tarried here. 125 
 
 Then hinder me not of thy love from the fight, for I may not obey." 
 
 Unto him did the Goddess Thetis the Silver-footed say : 
 " Yea, sooth is the word thou hast said, my child, it were no ill deed 
 To shield from swift destruction thy friends in the hour of their need. 
 Yet amidst of the Trojans lieth thy fair-wrought battle-gear; 130 
 
 Thy flashing armour of brass doth Hector rejoicing wear 
 On his shoulders — Hector the stormy-crested : but this say I, 
 Not long shall he vaunt him therein, for his death is now hard by. 
 But thou from the toil of the War-god yet for a little refrain 
 Until with thine eyes thou behold me hitherward faring again. 135 
 
 For at dawn will I come, yea, even as riseth the sun o'er the land 
 With fair-fashioned harness of fight from Hephaistus the King in mine hand." 
 
 So spake she, and backward she turned from her son, the valiant and stout ; 
 And she spake to her sisters, the Maids of the Sea, as she turned her about : 
 
 " Into the sea's broad-heaving bosom now plunge ye, 140 
 
BOOK XVIII. i6i 
 
 To behold the halls of your father, the Ancient of the Sea, 
 
 And to tell to him all these things : but to high Olympus I fare, 
 
 To Hephaistus the craft-renowned, if perchance he will grant my prayer 
 
 To give to my son war-harness, a glory of flashing light." 
 
 She spake, and beneath the surge of the sea did they plunge forthright. 145 
 But the Goddess Thetis of silver feet to Olympus is gone 
 With purpose to bear that glorious mail to her dear-loved son. 
 
 So her to Olympus her feet bare on. But Achaia's rout 
 From Hector the manslayer's face with yell and unearthly shout 
 Fleeing, were come to the galleys and Hellespont's rushing wave. 150 
 
 Yea, the Achaians goodly-greaved had availed not to save 
 From the javelins Achilles' henchman, the corpse of Patroclus slain, 
 For the host of the foe and the charging steeds overtook him again, 
 And Hector the son of Priam, in prowess as blazing fire. 
 
 Thrice Hector the glorious grasped his feet, in his fierce desire 155 
 
 To hale him away, and with great voice cried to the Trojan folk : 
 And thrice the Aiantes twain, with fierce might clad as a cloak. 
 Dashed him aback from the corpse, but in pride of his strength pressing on 
 Now through the battle-turmoil upon them he leapt, and anon 
 Stood firm, nor shrank one whit, while rang his mighty yell. 160 
 
 And as wold-abiders can drive not a lion of tawny fell 
 
 From his quarry, a slaughtered sheep, when he hungereth sore for the prey ; 
 Even so these warriors twain, the Aiantes, could scare not away 
 Hector, nor cause to flee from the body Priam's son-. 
 And now had he haled it thence, and renown beyond words had he won, 165 
 
i62 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Except unto Peleus' child there had come from Olympus' height 
 
 Swift Iris the wind-foot messenger rushing to rouse him to fight, 
 
 Unwares unto Zeus and the rest of the Gods, but of Here sped. 
 
 And she came to his side, and she uttered the winged word-flight, and she said : 
 
 " Up, scion of Peleus, thou of the sons of men most dread ! 170 
 
 Up for Patroclus' defending, for whose sake terrible strife 
 Is afoot by the galleys, and foeman is spilling foeman's life. 
 These, round the corpse of the slain man ranged for a battle-fence. 
 And those, the children of Troy on-storming to drag him thence 
 Unto Ilium the windy : and Hector the glorious more than they all 175 
 
 Lusteth to hale him : his spirit hath bidden him set on the wall. 
 On the stakes thereof, that head by his sword from the smooth neck shorn. 
 Up then ! lie still no more : let thy soul think shame and scorn 
 That Patroclus to hounds of Troy should be made a ravin-delight. 
 And to thee a reproach, if his corse shall suffer foul despite." 1 80 
 
 But fleetfoot Achilles the godlike answered her doubtfully : 
 " O Goddess Iris, now which of the Gods hath sent thee to me ? " 
 
 Then unto him spake Iris the swift, and the Wind-foot replied : 
 " It was H^r^ that sped my flight, even Zeus's glorious bride : 
 And Kronos' son high- throned naught knoweth, nor any beside 185 
 
 Of the Deathless that high on Olympus the snow-overmantled abide." 
 
 Then unto her did Achilles the fleetfoot answering say : 
 " But how shall I enter the fight ? — my battle-gear have they ; 
 And my mother hath given command that I go not forth to the fray 
 Until such time as mine eyes shall behold her again stand here. 190 
 
BOOK XVI II. 163 
 
 For she pledged her to bring from Hephaistus beautiful battle-gear. 
 
 And I know not any beside whose glorious arms I could don, 
 
 Except it were haply the buckler of Aias Telamon's son. 
 
 Howbeit himself, I ween, in the forefront of battle is found, 
 
 And for dead Patroclus' sake doth his spear deal death around." 195 
 
 But wind-foot Iris the swift made answer, and thus spake she : 
 " Well know we too that thy glorious arms be withheld from thee. 
 Yet go as thou art to the trench, and appear in the Trojans' sight. 
 If perchance they will quail before thee, and backward shrink from the fight ; 
 And the warrior sons of Achaia shall gain, when sore distressed, 200 
 
 A breathing-space, though scant be the battle's respite or rest." 
 
 So answered him fleetfoot Iris, and out of his sight she passed. 
 But Achilles the Zeus- beloved sprang up, and Athene cast 
 About his mighty shoulders her aegis tassel-hung, 
 
 And around his head that Goddess divine a cloud-wreath flung 205 
 
 Golden, and kindled a flame therefrom far-flashing its light. 
 And as when from a city a smoke goeth up to the welkin's height 
 From afar, from an island, when round it the leaguer of battle doth close, 
 And her folk all day in the terrible strife contend with their foes 
 From the wall of their city, until at the last with the sun's down-going 210 
 Blaze forth the beacons arow ; uprusheth the glare red-glowing. 
 High-soaring over the dark, that the dwellers around may espy, 
 If they haply will sail in their galleys to save them from doom drawn nigh : 
 Even so from the head of Achilles the glare went up to the sky. 
 And he strode from the wall to the trench, and he stood, yet not to the rest 2 1 5 
 
i64 HOMER'S ILTAD. 
 
 Of the host of Achaia he joined him, but heeded his mother's behest. 
 There stood he and shouted, and Pallas Ath6n6 from far away- 
 Uttered her voice, and she thrilled the Trojans with sore dismay. 
 And even as pealeth the clear-ringing cry, when the war-horns sound 
 Of the life-devouring foes that beleaguer a city round, 220 
 
 Even so did the voice of Aiakus' son peal loud and clear ; 
 And the brazen voice of Aiakus' son did the foemen hear. 
 And shaken was each man's soul : and the horses of beautiful mane 
 Backward swerved with the cars, for their spirit boded bane. 
 And scared were the charioteers that tireless flame to behold 225 
 
 That dread blaze over the head of Peleides the mighty-souled 
 Glaring ; for kindled it was of Athene the flashing-eyed. 
 Thrice mightily over the trench Achilles the godlike cried, 
 And the Trojans thrice, and their war-aid, reeled in disarray. 
 Then in that hour twelve mightiest men did the terror slay, 230 
 
 By their own cars crushed, by their own spears pierced. But exceeding fain 
 From beneath the darts the Achaians drew Patroclus slain. 
 On a litter they laid him, and round him his loving comrades pressed 
 Mourning, and fleetfoot Achilles followed the dead with the rest. 
 Shedding the hot-gushing tears, beholding his comrade true, 235 
 
 As there on the bier he lay, with the keen-whetted brass pierced through. 
 Ah surely forth had he sent him with steeds and battle-car, 
 But he welcomed him never again returning aback from the war. 
 
 And the tireless sun did the Lady H^re the lovely-eyed 
 Send to return full loth to the Ocean-stream's swift tide. 240 
 
BOOK XVIII. i6s 
 
 So the sun went down to his rest, and the godlike Achaians refrained 
 
 From the mighty labour of strife and the battle equal-strained. 
 
 And overagainst them the children of Troy from the mighty fray 
 
 Drew back, and the fleetfoot steeds from the chariot-yoke loosed they. 
 
 And in council they met, ere any his meat of the even prepared. 245 
 
 And behold, all stood on their feet in the council, was none that dared 
 
 Sit down, for that trembling gat hold on them all for that dread sight 
 
 Of Achilles' appearing, when long he had ceased from the bitter fight. 
 
 And Polydamas, Panthoiis' wise-heart son, first uttered his rede. 
 
 Who alone to the deed overpast and the deed unborn gave heed. 250 
 
 Companion of Hector he was, and was born in the selfsame night. 
 
 But better in speechcraft was this, and that in the spearman's might ; 
 
 And with kindly intent he harangued them, and thus to their host 'gan cry: 
 
 " Bethink ye of both ways well, O friends : — thus counsel I, 
 That back to the city we wend, neither tarry the dawn of day 255 
 
 In the plain by the galleys : behold, the wall is far away. 
 So long as against Agamemnon the anger of this man glowed. 
 More lightly the onset then of Achaia's host we abode : 
 For I too then through the night with joy by the galleys lay 
 Flushed with the hope of winning the sea-swayed ships for a prey. 260 
 
 But at fleetfoot Achilles now do I tremble exceedingly. 
 So dauntless, so fierce is the spirit of him : he will deign not, he. 
 To abide in the plain where Achaian and Trojan heretofore 
 Foeman with foe in the midspace shared the fury of war : 
 Nay, but to win our town and our wives will Achilles contend. 265 
 
i66 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 But hearken to me : go we to the city ; for thus shall it end : — 
 
 Now naught save the night hath held back Peleus' fleetfoot son, 
 
 The balmy night : but if here he shall find us lingering on, 
 
 When tomorn in his armour he rusheth forth, I ween there be some 
 
 Shall know him full well ; for with joy unto Ilium the holy shall come 270 
 
 Whosoe'er shall escape ; and many a Trojan shall vultures devour 
 
 And dogs — ah, far from mine ear be the tale of such terrible hour ! 
 
 But and if ye will hearken and heed my words, howsoever we chafe, [be safe : 
 
 Through the night in assembly our strength shall we keep, and our town shall 
 
 By her towers and her high-built gates with the massy planks overlaid, 275 
 
 Long, polished, and morticed close, shall triumphant resistance be made. 
 
 And tomorn, in the twilight of dawn, sheathed all in our war-array 
 
 Will we stand on the towers : he shall fare full ill, if he then shall essay 
 
 From the galleys to come, yon fenced keep from our hands to wrest. 
 
 To the galleys aback shall he flee, when his steeds of the stately crest 280 
 
 Shall be weary of charging in vain 'neath her ramparts everywhere. 
 
 But his fierceness of fury shall nowise win him an entrance there : 
 
 He shall never destroy it : ere then even him shall the swift hounds tear." 
 
 But Hector the stormy-crested answered with lowering brow : 
 " Polydamas, hateful to me is this thy counsel now, 285 
 
 Who biddest us fare to the city again, therein to be penned. 
 What, man, hath our hunger for prisoning walls of towers no end .' 
 Time was when the children of men of the city of Priam told, 
 Of the store of her hoarded brass, of the wealth of her garnered gold : 
 But now all lost from our homes those goodly treasures are ; 290 
 
BOOK XVIII. 167 
 
 For many to Phrygia and fair Maeonia-land afar 
 
 Have been sold ; they are gone : for great Zeus hated us then, I trow. 
 
 But the Son of the Lord of Unsearchable Counsels hath granted me now 
 
 To win me renown at the ships, and to pen our foes on the shore ; 
 
 Then, fool, speak thou thine imaginings forth mid the people no more, 295 
 
 For thee no Trojan shall heed ; I will suffer not this to befall. 
 
 But come now, as I shall speak, even so be it done of us all : 
 
 Your supper throughout the host, as ranged be the ranks, shall ye take. 
 
 And set ye the watch of the night, and let each take heed that he wake. 
 
 And if any Trojan is troubled lest haply his wealth should be lost, 300 
 
 Let him gather and part mid the people, and set forth a feast for the host. 
 
 It were better to gladden these than to glut the Achaians' greed. 
 
 And to-morrow, when breaketh the dawn, sheathed all in battle-weed 
 
 By the hollow ships will we rouse up Ar^s to slaughter to speed. 
 
 But and if by the galleys Achilles the godlike is risen indeed, 305 
 
 With him shall it go full hard, if he will : I will flee not, I, 
 
 Before him from war death-echoing: stoutly and steadfastly 
 
 Will I face him : or he or I shall bear thence high renown. 
 
 The War-god favoureth not, but he smiteth the slayer down." 
 
 So Hector harangued them, and shouted thereto the Trojan array 310 
 
 In their folly, for Pallas Athene had stolen their wits away, 
 That they praised the counsel of Hector, the giver of evil advice, 
 But Polydamas no man praised, albeit his rede was wise. 
 Then took they their supper throughout the host. But with groan on groan 
 All night for Patroclus dead did Achaia's sons make moan. 3 1 5 
 
i68 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And Peleus' child in their midst the vehement wail upraised, 
 
 The while on his comrade's breast his manslaying hands he placed, 
 
 Uttering many a groan, as a lion of shaggy mane 
 
 Whose whelps some hunter of stags hath snatched from his lair, and hath ta'en 
 
 From the deep thick wood, and the lion in grief o'erlate cometh back, 320 
 
 And through many a mountain-glen doth he prowl on the spoiler's track. 
 
 If he haply may find him ; for fury hath seized him exceeding grim : 
 
 So he mid the Myrmidons groaned for his comrade, and cried upon him : 
 
 " Ah me, 'twas a vain, vain word that my lips that day let fall, 
 When I cheered the ancient hero Menoitius' heart in his hall. 325 
 
 I said that with glory to Opus again I would bring his son 
 From the smiting of Troy, with a goodly share of the rich prey won. 
 But Zeus fulfilleth not every thought that in man hath birth : 
 For fated it was that we both should redden the selfsame earth 
 In Troyland here ; for Peleus the chariot-champion hoar 330 
 
 Shall welcome me to his halls returning home no more. 
 Neither Thetis my mother, but here shall the earth close over me. 
 But seeing, Patroclus, now I must pass to the grave after thee, 
 I will bury thee not, or ever I hitherward bring the head 
 
 And the armour of Hector, the proud-souled man that hath laid thee dead. 335 
 Yea, and in front of thy pyre the throats will I sever in twain 
 Of twelve fair children of Troy, in my wrath for my comrade slain. 
 Till then even thus, as thou art shalt thou lie by the beaked ships here. 
 And deep-girt daughters of Troy and of Dardanus round thy bier 
 Through the nights and the days shall weep with shedding of many a tear, 340 
 
BOOK XVIII. 169 
 
 Even they which ourselves with the long spear won, and by warrior-toil, 
 When we smote rich cities of earth-born men, and gathered the spoil." 
 
 So spake Achilles the godlike, and gave to his comrades command 
 To set a mighty tripod over the fire to stand, 
 
 That with speed they should cleanse from Patroclus the clotted gore away. 345 
 And the tripod of washing above the devouring fire set they : 
 And they poured the water therein, and they kindled the billets below, 
 And the flame coiled round it, the water grew warm in the fervent glow. 
 So when in the glittering brass the water for heat 'gan boil. 
 Then did they wash the corpse, and anointed it over with oil ; 350 
 
 And the wounds of the dead did they fill with ointment fresh and sweet. 
 And laid on a bier, and swathed him in linen soft, to the feet 
 Even from the head, and thereover a fair white pall have they thrown. 
 Then all night long round fleetfoot Achilles with groan on groan 
 Over Patroclus the mourning Myrmidon men made moan. 355 
 
 Then Zeus unto Here spake, which was sister to him and bride : 
 
 " Lo, now hast thou wrought thy will. Queen Here the lovely-eyed. 
 In uprousing Achilles the swift of foot : sooth, true must it be 
 That the long-haired Achaians were born of the very body of thee !" 
 
 But to him Queen H^re the lovely-eyed made answer and said : 360 
 
 " What hast thou to do saying this, O Kronos' son most dread ? 
 Even a mortal may help his fellow at need, I trow, 
 
 A man that is born but to die, nor the wealth of our wisdom doth know. 
 How then should I, who boast me chief of the daughters of Heaven, — 
 Chief, by my birthright, and chief, because that to me it is given 365 
 
170 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 To be called thy Queen, who art King over all the Deathless Ones, — 
 How should I not in my wrath work woe unto Troytown's sons ? " 
 
 So each unto other spake these twain in the heavenly home. 
 But Thetis Silverfoot to Hephaistus' mansion was come, 
 
 Unperishing, star-overroofed, a peerless immortal abode, 370 
 
 All-brazen, the which himself had fashioned, the haltfoot God. 
 At his bellows with sweat of labour toiling was he that she sought, 
 Speeding the work : for in fashioning tripods twenty he wrought. 
 In his stately hall to stand ranged round about the wall, 
 And wheels of gold had he set beneath the bases of all, 375 
 
 That so of themselves to the high Gods' gathering-place they should pass, 
 And return to his dwelling : a marvel to see the device of them was. 
 And so far were they wrought, that not yet were the handles of curious mould 
 Set on them ; but these was he fitting, and forging him rivets of gold. 
 Even while thus in the spirit of wisdom laboured the God, 380 
 
 Drew nigh unto him the Goddess Thetis the silver-shod. 
 And the Goddess's coming Charis the gleaming-veiled espied. 
 The fair Nymph won by the glorious Twin-right-armed for his bride. 
 Then clasped she her hand in her own, and she spake, and thus did she say : 
 
 "Why, Thetis the royally-robed, art thou come to our halls this day, 385 
 O worship-worthy and dear ? — not oft hast thou come hitherto. 
 Nay, follow, that so I may set before thee the guest-fare due." 
 
 So when she had spoken thus, that Goddess divine led on. 
 And thereafter she caused her to sit on a silver-studded throne, 
 Fair, cunningly wrought, and beneath for her feet was a footstool laid. 390 
 
BOOK XVIII. 171 
 
 And she cried to her lord Hephaistus the craft-renowned, and she said : 
 " Come hither, Hephaistus, for Thetis hath somewhat to ask of thee." 
 Then answered the glorious Twin-right-armed, and thus spake he : 
 
 " Dread Goddess and worship-worthy is this within mine hall. 
 Who saved me when anguish o'ertook me from that my measureless fall, 395 
 Through the spite of my shameless mother, who longed for my lameness' sake 
 To hide me from sight. Ah, then had I suffered with sore heart-ache. 
 But Eurynomd raised me, and Thetis, in sheltering arms to enfold, 
 Eurynome, daughter of Ocean, the stream ever backward rolled. 
 Nine years did I forge much curious work their beauty to deck, 400 
 
 Brooches, and arm-bands serpent-coiled, bowls, chains for the neck, 
 In their hollow cave ; and around me the River of Ocean aye 
 Murmured with foam in his infinite flow ; and none save they 
 Knew ; neither to Gods in Heaven nor mortal men was it known, 
 But Thetis was ware, and Eurynome, they which had saved me, alone. 405 
 Even she to our mansion is come this day : — how shall I forbear 
 To render the price of my life unto Thetis of beautiful hair ? 
 But thou before this guest spread now of thy choicest cheer. 
 Till I set my bellows aside, and all my forging gear." 
 
 He spake, and he rose from the anvil, a monster ungainly and grim, 410 
 Halting; yet swiftly bestirred them the slender legs of him. 
 And the bellows aloof from the furnace he set, and the tools wherewith 
 He wrought, in a coffer of silver he laid them, the wizard smith. 
 And from brow and from hands with a sponge did he wipe the sweat of his toil, 
 And his neck and his shaggy breast he cleansed from the stithy's soil ; 415 
 
1/2 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And his tunic he donned, and he grasped his massy sceptre, and hied 
 
 Forth halting thence ; and handmaids upbarehim on either side. 
 
 Golden, like unto living damsels fair and young : 
 
 Yea, in their hearts there is wit, and they fashion speech with the tongue ; 
 
 They have strength, and the works of the deathless Gods can they skill to do. 
 
 Upbearing their king they hasted, and nigh Hephaistus drew [420 
 
 Unto Thetis, and sat him adown on a bright throne's glittering pride. 
 
 And he clasped her hand in his own, and he uttered the word, and he cried : , 
 
 " Why, Thetis royally-robed, hast thou fared unto this our abode, 
 O worship-worthy and dear ? 'Tis a way thou hast seldom trod. 425 
 
 Utter thy thought, for my spirit doth bid me perform the same, 
 If perform it I may, if the deed be a deed that hands can frame." 
 
 Answered him Thetis, the while the tears of her sorrow fell : 
 " Is there ever a Goddess, Hephaistus, of all in Olympus that dwell. 
 Which hath borne such manifold troubles and bitter within her breast 430 
 As Zeus Kronion hath given to me above all the rest ? 
 Me only of all the Queens of the Sea to a man did he wed. 
 Unto Peleus, Aiakus' son, and I stooped to a mortal's bed 
 Albeit exceeding loth. With pitiful eld bowed low 
 
 In his halls he lieth outworn ; but for me is there yet more woe. 435 
 
 A son did he give me to bear and to rear : he was peerless, I trow, 
 Amid heroes, and like to a sapling his stature upward shot. 
 And I nurtured him even as a plant in a fruitful garden-plot ; 
 And in beaked galleys I sent him forth to the Ilian shore 
 To fight with the Trojans ; but him shall I welcome back nevermore 440 
 
BOOK XVIII. 173 
 
 In Peleus' palace-halls, when the home-return is won. 
 
 Yea, while he liveth before me, and seeth the light of the sun. 
 
 He hath anguish, and nothing availeth mine help, if I come to his aid. 
 
 The sons of Aehaia chose for his guerdon a captive maid : 
 
 Yet she from his hands was torn by King Agamemnon again. 445 
 
 And with anguish for her was his spirit distraught : but the Trojan men 
 
 Pent in by the sterns of the ships the Achaians, and suffered them not 
 
 To break forth thence ; and the Argive elders his help besought. 
 
 And of glorious gifts they spake, exceeding many and brave. 
 
 Then he refused that day that his own right arm should save ; 450 
 
 Yet in his own war-gear he arrayed Patroclus his friend. 
 
 And battleward sped him ; a mighty host therewithal did he send. 
 
 And all through the livelong day they fought by the Skaian gate. 
 
 That day had they sacked the town, but when havoc exceeding great 
 
 Had been wrought of Menoitius' son, Apollo smote him down, 455 
 
 And slew him in forefront of fight, and on Hector bestowed the renown. 
 
 But now, if thou haply wilt hear, at thy knees beseeching I fall 
 
 That thou give to my swift-doomed child a shield and a helmet withal. 
 
 And beautiful greaves with the ankle-rings fitted deftly thereto. 
 
 And a corslet ; for lost was his own when slain was his comrade true 460 
 
 By the foe. On the earth is he lying with anguish stricken through." 
 
 Made answer the Twin-right-armed, the Lord of Craft-renown : 
 " Fear not, let trouble for this not bow thy spirit down. 
 O that from death dread-sounding my cunning could hide him away 
 In the hour when his terrible doom draweth nigh to lay hold on the prey, 465 
 
174 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 As lightly as beautiful arms shall be his, which in days to be 
 Full many a man shall behold with amaze, whosoever shall see." 
 
 So spake he, and left her there, and passed to his bellows again. 
 And he turned them unto the fire, and he bade them toil amain. 
 And they mid the melting-pots blew all with mouths a score ; 470 
 
 All manner of breath, full deftly breathing, forth did they pour. 
 With their furious blast now kept they pace with his eager speed. 
 And anon in such wise as Hephaistus willed, and the work had need. 
 And into the furnace he casteth the stubborn brass and the tin. 
 And the precious gold and the silver : and now shall the forging begin ; 475 
 For he layeth the anvil huge on the block, and his right hand sought 
 The mighty forging-sledge, and the tongs in his left hath he caught. 
 
 And first he fashioned the shield most huge and massy of mould, 
 With cunning work all o'er, and the bright rim's compassing fold 
 With its glittering circles three, and the silver baldric-band. 480 
 
 Of the buckler's self five folds there were, and therein was there wrought 
 Full many a cunning device of the God-smith's wondrous thought. 
 
 Therein did he fashion the Earth, and the Heaven therein, and the Sea, 
 And the tireless Sun, and the Moon in her full-orbed majesty ; 
 And therein was the host of the Stars wherewithal the heaven is crowned, 485 
 And the Pleiads and Hyads therein, and the might of Orion were found, 
 And the Bear — men wont to call it moreover the Wain and the Team, — 
 And it turneth at bay, ever watching Orion's falchion-gleam. 
 And alone it hath no share in the baths of the Ocean-stream. 
 
 And therein two beautiful cities of earth-born men he made. 490 
 
BOOK XVIII. i/S 
 
 In the one were espousals, therein withal was the banquet arrayed, [their way 
 
 And the brides from their bowers by the shining of torches they brought on 
 
 Through the city, and rose the multitudinous marriage-lay. 
 
 And boys in the dance went whirling round, and the sweet loud cry 
 
 Of the flutes and the harps went up from the midst, and wonderingly 495 
 
 The women each from her porch looked forth as the train swept by. 
 
 And yonder the people in folkmote were gathered, and lo, there was strife : 
 For there two men were contending concerning the price of the life 
 Of a slain man : this set forth to the people his cause, and sware [500 
 
 "I have paid all :'' that one denied, saying, "Naught have I had of the slayer." 
 And each by the witness's mouth would fain make proof of his cause. 
 And the multitude cheered on both, for divided their favour was. 
 And the heralds were stilling the people the while ; and hearkening 
 The elders sat on the polished stones in the hallowed ring. 
 And the wands of the clear-voiced heralds into their hands did they take, 505 
 As they sprang to their feet, and to these in turn for his right each spake. 
 And the blood -price lay in the midst, two talents of gold : and the same 
 Should be given to him that in pleading by righteousness overcame. 
 
 And around that other town two armies in leaguer lay, 
 Flashing in harness of war, but in council divided were they, 510 
 
 Or to sack it mid riot and wrack, or to part full orderly all 
 What treasure soever the fair town warded within her wall. 
 But her folk not yet would yield, but for ambush their arms did they don. 
 And their dear-loved wives kept watch on the rampart, ranged thereon, 
 Yea, and their little children and old men hoary -grey. 5 1 5 
 
176 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Forth marched they, and Ares and Pallas AthSn^ led on to the fray, 
 
 Both fashioned of gold, and golden withal was the vesture they bare. 
 
 And even as Gods in their harness stately they were and fair. 
 
 And they towered o'er the throng, for lesser of stature the war-folk were. 
 
 So when they were come to the place where the ambush seemed them good, 520 
 
 In the bed of the river, wherein all cattle drank of the flood. 
 
 There crouched they, sheathed in the brass flame-flashing, to wait for the prey. 
 
 And for these two scouts of the war-host sat down far away. 
 
 And keenly for sight of the sheep and the wreath-horned kine watched they. 
 
 And these full speedily came : two shepherds behind them the while 525 
 
 Went merrily playing the pipe, and they had no thought of the guile. 
 
 Then spied them the Hers in wait, and they rushed, and with swift sword-sweep 
 
 Slew they to right and to left the kine, and the goodly sheep 
 
 Of the fair flock silver-white, and they slaughtered the shepherds withal. 
 
 But now did the noise of the tumult amidst of the cattle fall 530 
 
 On the ears of the foe, as in council they sat, and in haste they bestrode 
 
 Their battle-steeds high-prancing, and fast to the rescue they rode. 
 
 And there by the banks of the river they set in array the fight. 
 
 And against each other they sped the brazen lances' flight. 
 
 And with these men mingling Strife and Confusion and fell Death met, 535 
 
 One man fresh-wounded and living she grasped, one woundless yet. 
 
 Through the midst of the fray by the feet was she haling a third wretch dead. 
 
 And a garment she bare on her shoulders with men's blood crimson-red. 
 
 And as living men those images charged, and they fought amain, 
 
 And foemari was dragging away the corpse of foeman slain, 540 
 
BOOK XVI II. 177 
 
 And therein did he fashion a thrice-eared field, fat glebe and fair, 
 Smooth-levelled and broad, and ploughers therein full many there were 
 Driving the yokes of oxen, and to and fro they wheeled. 
 And whenso they won at the turning the boundary -dyke of the field, 
 Lo, there was waiting a man, and a cup to their hands he gave 54S 
 
 Of honey-sweet wine: then turned they, and fast through the furrows they clave, 
 Full eager again at the boundary -dyke of the field to stand. 
 And darkened the mould behind them : yea, it was like ploughed land. 
 Albeit of gold ; and herein was the marvel wrought by his hand. 
 
 And he set in the shield a demesne deep-loamed, and the hinds therein 550 
 Were reaping, and each man held in his hand a sickle keen. 
 And here by the furrows the handfuls were falling in rows to the ground, 
 And others the binders of sheaves with the twisted straw-bands bound ; 
 Sheaf-binders three on the reapers waited : behind them still 
 Did boys, as they gathered the handfuls up, their bosoms fill, 555 
 
 And unceasingly bear to the binders : in silence amidst of them stood 
 By a furrow their lord with his staff in his hand, full blithe of mood. 
 And under the shade of an oak-tree the henchmen a feast for them spread. 
 For a mighty ox had they slain, and the dressing merrily sped ; 
 And much white barley the handmaids mixed for the reapers' bread. 560 
 
 And a great wide vineyard with clusters teeming he fashioned there. 
 Beautiful, all of gold ; yet black the grapes of it were. 
 And propped upon silver poles were the vines in ordered rows. 
 And on either hand was a cyanus-trench : and the vineyard-close 
 With a fence of tin was encompassed ; and one path led to the same 565 
 
178 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Whereby, when they gathered the fruit of the vine, the vintagers canie. 
 
 There maidens and striplings were gathered, and mirthful-innocent 
 
 In plaited baskets bearing the honied fruit they went. 
 
 And a boy on a harp high-ringing was playing amidst of the throng 
 
 Sweet music, and sang thereto the beautiful Linus-song 570 
 
 With silvery voice, and his fellows, all as they toiled, to the chime 
 
 Of the strings of the harp and the chant with bounding feet kept time. 
 
 And a herd of tall-horned kine that craftsman wrought thereon, 
 And fashioned of gold and of tin those stately oxen shone. 
 And with lowing forth from the byre to the pasture-lea did they speed 575 
 Beside the murmuring river, beside the waving reed. 
 And shepherds golden-moulded were pacing beside the kine, 
 Four men, and behind their masters were following fleet hounds nine. 
 But lo, two terrible lions in front of the herd laid hold 
 
 On a bull loud-roaring : his bellowings' thunder-echoes rolled 580 
 
 Afar, as they dragged him ; and hounds and men to the rescue went. 
 But the hide of the stately beast by this had the lions rent, [fain 
 
 And were gorging the inwards and dark-hued blood : but the herdmen were 
 On the spoilers to speed the fleetfoot hounds with chiding vain. 
 For they shrank from gripping the lion with desperate-daring fang, 585 
 
 But they stood full nigh, and they bayed, and anon aside they sprang. 
 
 And the glorious Twin-right-armed there wrought in a lovely glen 
 A pasture thronged with the white-fleeced sheep : roofed huts of men 
 Were there, and the cattle-steadings, and many a folding pen. 
 
 And the glorious Twin-right-armed there fashioned a, dancing floor : 590 
 
BOOK XVIII. 179 
 
 It was like unto that which in Knossus the wide on the Cretan shore 
 
 For beautiful-haired Ariadn6 Daidalus fashioned of yore. 
 
 There youths and maidens of costly bride-price in dance arrayed 
 
 Their fingers each on the other's wrist all lightly laid. 
 
 And clothed were the maidens in vesture of linen white and clean, 595 
 
 And the boys in tunics woven fair with an oil-gleam sheen. 
 
 And a beautiful wreath each damsel bare, each stripling a brand 
 
 In a golden sheath that hung by a silver baldric-band. 
 
 And now with feet all cunningly gliding around whirled they 
 
 Full lightly, as when some potter sitteth and maketh assay 600 
 
 Of the wheel to his hands well-fitted, to know if it runneth true. 
 
 And in ranks swift-speeding anon to meet each other they flew. 
 
 And around that lovely dance a great throng stood in a ring 
 
 Drinking delight : in their midst did a godlike minstrel sing 
 
 Harping ; and tumblers twain were whirling in time to the sound, 605 
 
 For still as uprose the strain did the lithe limbs lightly bound. 
 
 And therein did he set the mighty strength of the Ocean-stream, 
 Round the uttermost rim of the curious-carven shield did it gleam. 
 
 So when he had fashioned the buckler's strong-wrought massy frame. 
 He made him a corslet then more bright than the shining of flame. 610 
 
 And he fashioned a helmet strong that should lap his temples close, 
 Fair, curious-wrought, and above it a crest all-golden rose. 
 And he made for him greaves of the tin that lightly doth clasp and bend. 
 So the glorious Twin-right-armed wrought all, and the work had end. 
 And he raised them, and unto Achilles' mother the arms did he bring. 615 
 
i8o HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Then darted she down from Olympus' snows, as a hawk on the wing, 
 Bearing the gift of Hephaistus, the arms fair-glittering. 
 
BOOK XIX. 
 
 Achilles the godlike renounceth his wrath, and upriseth to battle. 
 
 OW Dawn the saffron-mantled up from the Ocean-streams 
 
 Arose, to Immortals and mortals to bring the new day's beams ; 
 And, bearing the gift of the God, to the galleys had Thetis won. 
 There lying and clasping Patroclus she found her beloved son ; 
 And his wail rang wild and high ; and his comrades, a warrior band, 5 
 
 Mourned round : but now did the Goddess divine in the midst of them stand, 
 And she spake and she uttered the word, as her fingers enfolded his hand : 
 
 " My child, this man will we leave, for all our heart-sick pain. 
 To lie here, seeing that he by the will of the Gods hath been slain. 
 But thou, the gift of Hephaistus, the glorious arms, take thou, 10 
 
 Most fair, whose like no man on" his shoulders hath borne ere now," 
 
 So spake the Goddess, and cast with the word that battle-gear 
 At Achilles' feet, and the rich-wrought work rang loud and clear. 
 On the Myrmidons trembling came ; none dared for very awe 
 Thither to turn his face, for they quailed. But Achilles saw, 15 
 
1 82 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And still as he gazed the battle-wrath filled him the more, and his eyes 
 
 From beneath his brows as the lightning gleamed in terrible wise. 
 
 And he joyed to hold in his hands the God's gift glorious-fair 
 
 Till his spirit was filled with delight of beholding the marvels there. 
 
 Then straightway he spake to his mother, and sped the winged word-flight: 20 
 
 " My mother, the god-given armour is such as is meet and right 
 That the work of the Deathless should be : no mortal the labour had sped. 
 But now will I don mine harness of fight : yet sorely I dread 
 I.,est into Menoitius' stalwart scion the while there should pass 
 Flies, entering into the wounds that were stricken deep with the brass, 25 
 
 And should breed their worms, and his corpse be entreated shamefully, — 
 For his life hath been slain out of him, — and his flesh be corrupted thereby." 
 
 Unto him did Thetis the Goddess, the silver-footed, reply : 
 " My child, let trouble for this on thy spirit in no wise lie. 
 Lo, I for his sake will essay to drive those fierce tribes far, 30 
 
 The flies, which be wont to devour the warriors slain in war. 
 For though he should still lie here for a whole year's space, evermore 
 Untainted his flesh shall abide, yea, sounder than heretofore. 
 But thou to the council summon Achaia's lords of fight, [35 
 
 And thy wrath against king Agamemnon their captain renounce in their sight, 
 Thereafter full swiftly array thee for battle, and clothe thee with might." 
 
 So spake she, and thrilled him with prowess and valour above all dread ; 
 But ambrosia into Patroclus and nectar rosy- red 
 She poured through his nostrils, to keep untainted the flesh of the dead. 
 
 But forth by the shore of the sea Achilles the godlike hied 40 
 
BOOK XIX. 183 
 
 With a terrible shout, and the heroes Achaian upsprang as he cried. 
 
 And they mid the gathered galleys that wont theretofore to abide, 
 
 And they that were helmsmen, and steered the ships o'er the salt sea-flood, 
 
 And they which were stewards beside the galleys, dispensers of food. 
 
 Even these came unto the folkmote now, for Achilles at last 45 
 
 Had appeared : he had lingered from stern fight long in the days overpast. 
 
 And the War-god's henchmen twain came halting thitherward, 
 
 Tydeides the battle-bider, Odysseus the godlike lord ; 
 
 And they leaned on their spears, for their grievous hurts were upon them yet. 
 
 And they sat them down where foremost the folk in assembly were set. 50 
 
 And last of them all Agamemnon the King of Men drew near. 
 
 With his wound on him yet, the stab of the brazen-pointed spear, 
 
 When Koon the son of Antenor in stern fight dealt the stroke. 
 
 So when all the Achaians were met, and thronged were the gathered folk, 
 
 Arose fleet-footed Achilles amidst of them all, and he spoke : 55 
 
 " Atreides, better by far had this thing been for twain, 
 Even for thee and for me, when, stricken at heart with pain. 
 We raged for the sake of a girl in soul-devouring strife, — 
 O would that Artemis' shaft mid the galleys had reft her life 
 In the day when I won her, when down to destruction Lyrnessus I thrust ! 60 
 Then not so many Achaians had gnashed their teeth in the dust 
 Under the hands of their foes, when the fire of my wrath was aglow. 
 For the Trojans and Hector better it was : but Achaia, I trow. 
 Long time shall remember our feud, the contention of thee and me. 
 But now will we suffer the past to be past, though a sorrow it be, 65 
 
1 84 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Down-crushing the spirit our breasts within 'neath necessity's feet; 
 
 Yea, now will I still mine anger : I count it nowise meet 
 
 To be wroth evermore without surcease : but with all speed now 
 
 The long-haired sons of Achaia to battle enkindle thou, 
 
 To the end I may meet yon Trojans again, and make trial, and know 70 
 
 Whether haply they long by the galleys to sleep. There be some, I trow. 
 
 Full gladly for resting shall bend their knees, what fleer soe'er 
 
 Shall escape from devouring war, shall outrun my chasing spear." 
 
 He spake, and rejoiced the Achaians, the goodly-greaved array, 
 That Peleides the mighty-hearted renounced his wrath that day. 75 
 
 Then in their hearing the King of Men Agamemnon spoke. 
 Even there from his seat, for he rose not up in the midst of the folk : 
 
 " O friends and Danaan heroes, the War-god's henchman throng, 
 Meet is it to hear who upriseth : beseems not with clamourous tongue 
 To break in : even the wise were hardly bestead, I doubt. 80 
 
 Yea, how should any man hear in the midst of babble and shout. 
 Or speak ? — for that even the voice clear-ringing were drowned mid the rout. 
 Unto Peleus' son will I now declare my counsel ; but ye 
 Argives, give heed, and ponder the word that proceedeth from me. 
 Full oft the Achaians spake unto me for the selfsame cause, , 85 
 
 Yea, and reproached me for this : yet not blame-worthy I was ; 
 But herein Zeus, Fate, and Erinnyes that walketh in gloom had part, 
 Who amidst the assembly with furious blindness smote mine heart. 
 In the day when I took from Achilles myself his honour-meed : 
 But what could I do ? — 'tis a God accomplisheth each such deed, 90 
 
BOOK XIX. 185 
 
 Eldest of Zeus's daughters is At6, who blindeth all, 
 
 The fell one : soft are her feet, for not on the earth do they fall ; 
 
 But she setteth her silent steps on the very heads of men 
 
 To their hurting : and many an one was fettered of her ere then ; 
 
 Yea, Zeus she blinded of yore, albeit they name him the best 95 
 
 Of the children of earth and of heaven ; yet even the mightiest 
 
 Was by crafty wiles of Here, a God by a Goddess, beguiled, 
 
 In the day when Alkm^ne's time was fulfilled to bear a child. 
 
 Even Herakles' might, in the city of Thebe the beautiful-crowned. 
 
 Yea, then unto all the Gods Zeus spake that boast renowned : 100 
 
 ' Give ear, ye Gods, unto me, ye Goddesses, hearken my speech, [teach. 
 
 That the thing which my heart in my breast hath commanded my lips may 
 This day shall Eileithuia, the Queen of Travail, bring 
 A man to the light, who o'er all the dwellers around shall be king, 
 Even them whose blood is mine, and of Zeus their high descent.' 105 
 
 Then unto him spake H^re the Queen with subtle intent : 
 ' Thou wilt yet play false, neither bring to fulfilment this thy word ! 
 Now swear unto me a mighty oath, Olympian Lord, 
 That o'er all the dwellers around that child shall indeed bear sway 
 Which between the feet of a travaiUng woman shall fall this day, r lo 
 
 A child of the race of the men which by lineage come of thy blood.' 
 
 She spake, but her crafty guile Zeus nowise understood ; 
 But he swore that mighty oath : then blinded sore was his heart. 
 Swift from the peak of Olympus adown did H^re dart ; 
 And with speed to Achaian Argos she came, wherein she had knovvn 115 
 
i86 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Was abiding the stately wife of Sthenelus, Perseus' son ; 
 
 And the woman was great with child, but there lacked of her nine months two; 
 
 Yet she brought him forth to the light before the season due. 
 
 But she stayed Alkm^n^ from bearing : the Travail-queens from her need 
 
 She withheld ; and herself with the tidings hasted to Kronos' seed : 120 
 
 ' Zeus, Lightning-father, a word have I brought for thy pondering. 
 This day is a hero born o'er the Argive folk to be king, 
 The offspring of Sthenelus child of Perseus, Eurystheus hight. 
 Of thy lineage he is : that he govern the Argives is meet and right.' 
 
 So spake she, and deep through his soul did the piercing anguish smite. 125 
 Forthright he laid hold upon Ate's head of the shining hair, 
 Wroth in the spirit of him, and a mighty oath he sware, 
 That ne'er to Olympus again and the star-bestudded heaven 
 Should At^ return, by whom all men into madness are driven. 
 So spake he, and hurled her from heaven, the star-paved home of the Gods, 130 
 Whirling her round ; and swift she descended to menfolk's abodes. 
 Yet he groaned for her deed evermore when he saw his beloved child 
 As in labour unseemly and sore at the hest of Eurystheus he toiled. 
 So also I, when Hector the mighty of stormy plume 
 
 By the sterns of the galleys was hurling the Argive men to their doom, 13S 
 Could never forget that blindness which erst had led me astray. 
 But since I was blinded, and Zeus had stolen my wit away, 
 Fain am I to make amends, and a countless requital to pay. 
 But thou to the battle arouse thee, and kindle the folk to the fray. 
 Here am I to render thee all, even whatso gifts yestreen 140 
 
BOOK XIX. 187 
 
 Odysseus the godlike promised to thee thy tents within. 
 
 Yet tarry a space, if thou wilt, how eager for battle soe'er. 
 
 And the gifts mine henchmen shall take from beside my galley, and bear. 
 
 And so, if my givings content thee, shalt thou be certified." 
 
 Then unto him made answer Achilles the fleetfoot, and cried : 145 
 
 " Agamemnon, King of Men, far-famous Atreus' son. 
 The gifts give thou, if thou wilt, as seemeth thee best to be done. 
 Or withhold them : it lieth with thee. But now let us think of the fight 
 With speed : for to chaffer here it is nowise meet and right. 
 Neither to tarry ; for yet unwrought is a deed of might, 150 
 
 That again mid the forefighters men may behold Achilles go 
 With his spear brass-headed laying the Trojan war-ranks low. 
 Bethink you of this, all ye, as ye fight each man with his foe." 
 
 But Odysseus the full of devices uprose, and his counsel he gave : 
 " Now nay, O Achilles the godlike, not thus, be thou never so brave, 155 
 
 The sons of Achaia fasting Ilium-ward speed thou 
 With the Trojans to fight ; for not for a little space, I trow, 
 Shall the strife continue, when mingled once the battalions are 
 In the battle, if God shall breathe into both the fury of war. 
 Nay, bid the Achaians to taste by the sea-swift galleys of food 160 
 
 And of wine, for herein is their strength and their battle-hardihood. 
 For to fight through the livelong day till the sun from the heavens fail. 
 All unsustained of food, may no man's strength avail : 
 For how eager soever for battle the soul of him be at the first, 
 Nathless his limbs unawares wax heavy, and hunger and thirst 165 
 
1 88 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Beset him ; his knees are Tiindered what time he essayeth to go. 
 
 But whoso hath taken his fill of the wine and the meat, and so 
 
 Setteth himself to war through the livelong day with the foe, 
 
 Ever stout is the heart in his breast, and his limbs unwearying strain, 
 
 Neither faint, tintil all the host at the last from the battle refrain. 170 
 
 Go to now, suffer the host to disperse, and bid them prepare 
 
 Their meat, and the gifts let the King of Men Agamemnon bear 
 
 To the midst of the folkmote-stead that all the Achaians may see 
 
 With their eyes, and thou in thy spirit gladdened thereby shalt be. 
 
 And, uprising amidst of the Argives, an oath unto thee let him swear 175 
 
 That he never ascended her couch, nor in love embraced her there. 
 
 As the wont is of man, O King, that coucheth by woman's side ; 
 
 And so shall the spirit within thy breast be pacified. 
 
 And thereafter to do thee a pleasure be goodly banquet arrayed 
 
 In his tent, to the end that naught of thy due may be left unpaid. 180 
 
 And hereafter, Atreides, to others withal shall thy dealings be made 
 
 More just, forasmuch as, I ween, a king is in no wise shamed 
 
 When he maketh amends to a man, if first into anger he flamed." 
 
 Then spake unto him in turn Agamemnon the nations' lord : 
 " Glad am I, Laertes' son, who hearken to this thy word : 185 
 
 For meetly all hast thou uttered, and said it in season due. 
 This oath I consent to take, and my spirit doth move me thereto. 
 Neither falsely in presence of God will I swear. Yet a little to stay 
 Here let Achilles incline, howsoever he yearn for the fray : 
 And all ye others abide in assembly, until in your sight 190 
 
BOOK XtX. 189 
 
 The gifts from my tent shall come, and we seal the sure osith-plight. 
 
 And to thee thyself mine instruction is this, and this my command, 
 
 That thou choose to thee noble Achaian youths, a princely band. 
 
 Who shall bear from my galley the gifts, even all that yestreen the King 
 
 To Achilles pledged him to give, and the women withal shall ye bring. 195 
 
 And let Talthybius speed, and a boar let the herald provide, 
 
 That to Zeus and the Sun we may sacrifice mid the war-host wide." 
 
 But Achilles the fleet of foot made answer and spake to him then : 
 " Atreides the high-renowned, Agamemnon King of Men, 
 Of a surety another season for these your doings were best, 200 
 
 Whensoever there cometh from stress of the battle respite and rest. 
 And my fury shall burn no longer so fiercely within my breast. 
 But pierced are they lying and mangled now, those friends stricken down 
 By Hector the son of Priam, when Zeus vouchsafed him renown : 
 And behold, ye are bidding us hence to the feast ! — now verily nay. 205 
 
 For me, I would bid the sons of Achaia to naught but the fray. 
 Ay, fasting and hungry : and then, at the going down of the sun, 
 Be goodly supper arrayed, when revenge for the shame hath been won. 
 Ere then down this my throat shall there pass not in any wise bread. 
 Neither in any wise drink, while lieth my comrade dead, 210 
 
 Lieth within my tent, by the keen brass stabbed and torn, 
 With his feet to the door thereof, and ever around him mourn 
 My companions : wherefore in these things pleasure my soul hath none. 
 But in slaughter and blood of men, and the hard-heaved dying groan." 
 
 But Odysseus spake unto him, and the manifold-counselled replied : 215 
 
190 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 " O Peleus' scion Achilles, Achaia's crown of pride, 
 
 Thou art stronger than I, not a little thy might overpasseth mine 
 
 With the spear, yet haply Odysseus' wisdom excelleth thine. 
 
 I am elder-born, and more do I know that the years can teach : 
 
 Then let thine heart for a little incline to hearken my speech. 220 
 
 Full soon is the hunger of men for the battle satisfied : 
 
 And when heaviest falleth the swath of the keen brass sweeping wide, 
 
 Full short is the reaping-time, when bowed are the scales of doom 
 
 By Zeus, of whose hand war's dispensation to man doth come. 
 
 But with fasting it may not be that Achaians their dead should mourn : 225 
 
 For day after day full many in heaps upon heaps are borne 
 
 Earthward — when should we win any respite from trouble at all ? 
 
 Nay, rather behoveth it even to bury him, whoso shall fall, 
 
 Casting out ruth from our hearts, and weeping the dead but a day. 
 
 But whoso be left alive from the hateful war, even they 230 
 
 Must needs bethink them of meat and of drink, that more than before 
 
 We may battle against the foe unflinching evermore 
 
 With our flesh clothed on with the stubborn brass, and let no man abide 
 
 To tarry and wait for any battle-summons beside, 
 
 For an evil thing this summons shall be unto whoso shall stay 235 
 
 By the ships of the Argives ; but, charging forth in serried array. 
 
 With the horse-quelling warriors of Troy will we waken the eager fray." 
 
 He spake, and the sons of renowned Nestor he took, and with these 
 Took he Meges the son of Phyleus, and Thoas and M^riones : 
 And with Melanippus he called Lykomedes Kreon's son, 240 
 
BOOK XIX. 191 
 
 And these to the tent of Atreus' son Agamemnon are gone. 
 
 In the selfsame hour was the word and the deed's accomplishing. 
 
 Seven tripods they bare from the tent, the promised gift of the King, 
 
 And flame-bright caldrons a score : twelve horses forth did they lead : 
 
 And the women in loomwork wise did they bring from the tent with speed, 245 
 
 Seven, ^nd the eighth was the lovely-cheeked Bris^fs the maid. 
 
 Thereafter the gold, ten talents in all, Odysseus weighed ; 
 
 And he led, and behind him the princes Achaian the rich gifts bare. 
 
 And they set them amidst the assembly ; and rose Agamemnon there. 
 
 Then stood by the shepherd of folk Talthybius, mighty of voice 250 
 
 As a God, with his hands on the head of the boar of sacrifice. 
 
 And the son of Atreus drew his dagger forth with his hand. 
 
 Which hung evermore by the sheath of his mighty battle-brand. 
 
 And he severed the hairs, unto Zeus uplifting his hands on high ; 
 
 And he prayed, and in silence the while the Argives all sat by, 255 
 
 As was meet, giving ear to the King, to his solemn sacrifice-cry. 
 
 And he uttered his voice, and he prayed, looking up to the broad-arched sky : 
 
 " Be witness now Zeus first, most highest and best of the Gods, 
 And Earth, and the Sun, and Erinnyes that hear from the nether abodes 
 Men that have falsely sworn, and avenge the oath betrayed, 260 
 
 That never I laid mine hands upon Bris^is the maid. 
 Neither with purpose of love's embrace, nor for aught beside : 
 But ever within my tents unsullied did she abide. 
 
 And if aught of mine oath is false, may the Gods give me pain upon pain. 
 Even all that they render to him that taketh their name in vain." 265 
 
192 ■ HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 He spake, and with pitiless brass through the neck of the beast he shore. 
 And the body Talthybius hurled amid gulfs of the sea-surf hoar, 
 Whirling it round, for the fish to devour : but Achilles then 
 Arose, and spake mid the battle-revelling Argive men : 
 
 " Zeus Father, with blindness exceeding great thou visitest 270 
 
 Men's spirits ! For never had Atreus' son uproused in my breast 
 The anger that thrilled it deep, nor with stubborn will had he ta'en 
 That maid in mine own despite ; but Zeus, I ween, was fain 
 That death should befall full many a man of Achaia's array. 
 Now get ye unto your meat, to the end we may clash in the fray." 275 
 
 So did he speak, and dispersed- the gathered host straightway. 
 So scattered the folk, and each to his several ship fared they. 
 And the gifts were taken in charge of the Myrmidons mighty-hearted, 
 And bearing the same unto godlike Achilles' ship they departed. 
 In the tents they laid them, a place therein to the women they gave ; 280 
 
 And the horses into the herd the lordly henchmen drave. 
 And Brisei's thereafter, like unto Aphrodite the Golden, 
 So soon as Patroclus, stabbed with the brass, of her eyes was beholden. 
 Fell on him, and clasped with a wild-ringing cry : with her hands she tare 
 Her bosom and tender neck, and her face exceeding fair. 285 
 
 And the woman goddess-like spake weeping bitterly : 
 
 " Patroclus, dearest of all to the hapless heart of me. 
 Alive did I leave thee here, when forth of the tent I was led, 
 But now, O chieftain of men, I return but to find thee dead ! 
 Ay, so evermore from evil to evil still am I driven. 290 
 
BOOK XIX. 193 
 
 My husband, to whom of my sire and my mother the Queen I was given, 
 
 In front of my city pierced with the keen-whetted brass did I see ; 
 
 And those whom the selfsame mother had borne, my brethren three — 
 
 Ah near and dear, yet the day of destruction must all they meet ! 
 
 But yet, oh yet, thou didst suffer me not, when Achilles the fleet 295 
 
 Smote godlike Mynes' town, and my lord by his hand had died. 
 
 To weep, but thou saidst thou wouldst make me godlike Achilles' bride, 
 
 His true-wedded wife, and wouldst bear me in ships far over the tide 
 
 To a marriage-feast mid the Myrmidon folk on the Phthian shore. 
 
 O bitterly therefore I weep for thee dead, who wert kind evermore." 300 
 
 So spake she, weeping the while, and the women echoed her moan. 
 For Patroclus in outward seeming, but each for woes of her own. 
 But the elders Achaian came round the hero on every side. 
 And besought him to take some meat, but these with a groan he denied : 
 
 " I beseech you, if any friend of his love will but heed my cry, 305 
 
 That ye cease to. require that with meat and with drink I should satisfy 
 Mine heart, for that terrible grief hath beset me for this my friend : 
 But still, till the sun goeth down, will I stay and endure to the end." 
 
 He spake ; at his word the princes departed otherwhere : 
 But Atreus' sons and Odysseus the godlike tarried there ; 310 
 
 And with Nestor Idomeneus tarried, and Phoinix the car-lord old. 
 Being fain to console him with grief deep-stricken : but nowise consoled 
 Would his heart be, or ever he plunged mid the jaws of bloody war. 
 And calling to mind his beloved he spake, and he sighed full sore : 
 
 "Ah verily once, O dearest companion, O hapless dead, 315 
 
194 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Thyself for me in the tent a dainty feast didst spread 
 
 With despatchful haste, when the men of Achaia were hastening 
 
 Against the horse-queUing Trojans the tear-fraught battle to bring. 
 
 But mangled now art thou lying, and oh, the heart of me 
 
 Will none of the meat and the drink within my pavilion that be, 320 
 
 Through yearning for thee : no sorer affliction than this can betide ; 
 
 Nay, not though the tidings should come unto me that my father had died, — 
 
 Who in Phthia-land now, I ween, is shedding the comfortless tear. 
 
 For a son sore longing ; but he in the land of the alien here 
 
 For Helen's sake, the abhorred, with the Trojans still must war, — 325 
 
 Yea, or that dead was my son, who is fostered in Skyros afar, 
 
 If perchance Neoptolemus yet is alive, the godlike child. 
 
 Ah once the star of a hope through my spirit's darkness smiled. 
 
 That alone I should perish from Argos afar, the war-steed land. 
 
 In Troyland here, but that thou shouldst return to the Phthian strand, 330 
 
 And that thou in the dark swift galley that my child shouldst bring 
 
 Homeward from Skyros' isle, and shouldst show to him everything. 
 
 Show him my substance and thralls, and my palace's stately height : — 
 
 For Peleus my father by this, I ween, shall be dead outright ; 
 
 Or haply in feeble life and in sorrow he lingereth on, 335 
 
 And in hateful eld, and ever he waiteth to hear of his son. 
 
 Till the woeful tidings come, and he know that my days are done." 
 
 So weeping he spake, and the elders answered him groan for groan : 
 Dear ones had they left in their halls, and each remembered his own. 
 And the Kronos-begotten beholdingthem weeping was pity-stirred, 340 
 
BOOK XIX. 195 
 
 And straightway he cried to Ath^n^, and spake the swift-winged word : 
 
 " My child, of a truth yon hero wholly forsakest thou ! 
 What, hath Achilles no more any part in the love of thee now ? 
 Sooth, he in any wise sitteth in front of the ships tall-prowed 
 Aye wailing his dear-loved friend ; but all that warrior-crowd 345 
 
 Are gone to their meat, but fasting he is, and all unfed. 
 Thou then go thither, and nectar into his bosom shed 
 And ambrosia sweet, that he be not of hunger sore bestead." 
 
 Enkindled the more by his word was Athen^ the eager-hearted : 
 Away, like a wide-winged falcon of scream keen-thrilling she darted, 350 
 
 And from heaven through the welkin she hurled her. And now the Achaian 
 Swiftly were arming throughout the host. But the Goddess then [men 
 
 Through the breast of Achilles the nectar and sweet ambrosia shed, [sped. 
 Lest the faintness of hunger should come on his knees, through the war as they 
 And herself to her mighty father's palace stately-soaring 355 
 
 Was gone : but forth of the sea-swift ships that host went pouring. 
 And as when thick-thronging the flakes of the snow from Zeus flutter forth 
 Chill-driven before the welkin-begotten blast of the north. 
 So then thick-thronging the helmets flashing their glorious sheen 
 Went streaming forth from the ships, and the bossy shields between, 360 
 
 And the corslets massy-plated, and spear by ashen spear ; 
 And the splendour went up to the sky, and the earth laughed far and near 
 With the lightning of brass, and the thunder pealed from the myriad tramp 
 Of men : and Achilles the godlike armed him amidst of the camp. 
 Then was a gnashing heard of his teeth, from his eyes 'gan dart 365 
 
196 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Flames like the blazing of fire, and there entered into his heart 
 
 Unendurable anguish of wrath, and his fury for fight rose higher 
 
 In the gifts of the God as he clad him, the work of the Lord of Fire. 
 
 First unto his legs did he lay the greaves fair-glittering, 
 
 Beautiful, clasped around with the silver ankle-ring. 370 
 
 Thereafter the sheathing corslet about his breast he laid. 
 
 And he slung from his shoulders his silver-studded battle-blade. 
 
 All-brazen ; thereafter he took his buckler stark and vast. 
 
 Whose glorious shining afar like the light of the moon was cast. 
 
 And as when there appeareth to seafarers over the sea the light 375 
 
 Of a blazing fire, and burneth its flame on a mountain-height 
 
 In a lonely steading, — but them as they gaze do the wild winds sweep 
 
 Afar from the friends that they love o'er the face of the fish-fraught deep ; — 
 
 So from the shield of Achilles the sheen went up to the sky, 
 
 From the beautiful rich-wrought targe. And he lifted the strong helm high, 380 
 
 And he set it upon his brow : as a star that morion gleamed 
 
 Horse-hair plumed, and golden'threads all round it streamed 
 
 Wherewith of Hephaistus' hand full thickly the crest was bedight. 
 
 Then godlike Achilles made proof of himself in his harness of fight, 
 
 To wot if they fitted, if ran untrammeled each glorious limb ; 385 
 
 And the shepherd of folk they uplifted, as wings they became unto him. 
 
 And the lance of his sire from the spear-stand took that mightier son, 
 
 The stark spear massy and huge : mid Achaia's host there was none 
 
 Might swing it, but strength for the wielding thereof had Achilles alone, 
 
 The shaft that Cheiron had brought to his father, the ashen beam '390 
 
BOOK XIX. 197 
 
 From the crest of Pelion hewn, o'er the slaughter of heroes to gleam. 
 
 And Automedon holpen of Alkimus hasted the steeds to array, 
 
 And they yoked them : the beautiful bands they buckled, the bits thrust they 
 
 Into the mouths of the horses ; the reins to the car strong-wrought 
 
 Backward they drew ; and the glittering scourge hath Automedon caught 395 
 
 In the hands that knew it well : to the chariot-floor hath he leapt ; 
 
 And arrayed in his battle-gear behind him Achilles stept, 
 
 While bright as the Sun-god flashed his armour on every side. 
 
 Therewithal to the steeds of his father with terrible voice he cried ; 
 
 " Xanthus and Balius, far-famed brood of Podarg6's strain, 400 
 
 Take heed that in other sort to the Danaan host again 
 Ye bring your chariot-lord, when ourselves from the battle refrain, 
 And not, as ye left Patroclus, leave us yonder slain." 
 
 From beneath the yoke unto him the fleetfoot car-steed spoke, 
 Xanthus, drooping his head straightway, and beside the yoke 405 
 
 Streamed all his mane from the collar till low in the dust it lay. 
 And Herfi the white-armed Goddess gave him a voice that day : 
 
 " Yea, mighty Achilles, safe this day will we bear back thee : 
 Yet nigh is the day of thy doom. Not guilty thereof be we. 
 But a mighty God and the overmastering Doom shall be cause. 410 
 
 For not by our slowness of foot neither slackness of will it was 
 That the Trojans availed from Patroclus' shoulders thine armour to tear ; 
 Nay, but a God most mighty, whom fair-tressed L^to bare. 
 Slew him in forefront of fight, giving Hector the glory-meed. 
 But for us, we twain as the blast of the West-wind fleetly could speed, 415 
 
198 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Which they name for the lightest-winged of the winds : but for thee withal, 
 Even thee, is it doomed that by might of a God and a man thou shalt fall," 
 
 So spake he : then the Erinnyes hushed his voice for aye. 
 But to him did fleetfoot Achilles sorely disquieted say : 
 
 " Xanthus, why bodest thou death unto me ? — thou needest not so. 420 
 
 Myself well know my weird, in death to be here laid low, 
 Far off from my dear-loved sire, from the mother that bare me afar. 
 Yet cease will I not till I give to the Trojans surfeit of war.'' 
 
 He spake, and with shouts sped onward the thunderfoot steeds of his car. 
 
BOOK XX. 
 
 Of the strife of the Gods, and the battle backward rolled by Achilles. 
 
 BO there by the beaked galleys in harness of battle were dight 
 The Achatans around thee, Peleus' son, insatiate of fight ; 
 And the Trojans overagainst them were ranged on the plain's mid height. 
 And Zeus bade Themis summon the Gods to the council-stead 
 On the crest of ribbed Olympus ; and everywhither she sped S 
 
 Bidding them hie them up unto Zeus's palace-hall. 
 There was never a River, save Ocean alone, but heeded the call ; 
 There was none of the Nymphs, the haunters of copses lovely and lone, 
 And of fountains of rivers, and water-meadows grass- overgrown. 
 So up to the palace of Zeus the Herder of Clouds are they gone. lo 
 
 And they sat them down where stretched colonnade upon bright colonnade 
 Which Hephaistus with cunning heart for Zeus Allfather had made. 
 So thronged they the mansion of Zeus : and the Earthshaker, Lord of the Seas, 
 Disobeyed not the Goddess, but came from his halls of brine unto these ; 
 And he sat in the midst, and he asked of the purpose of Zeus, and he said : i S 
 
200 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 " Why, Lightning-lord, hast thou summoned the Gods to the council-stead ? 
 Concerning Achaians and Trojans in any wise ponderest thou ? 
 For exceeding nigh is the flame of their war and their battle now." 
 
 And Zeus the Cloudrack-gatherer answer to him addressed : 
 " Thou knowest, O Shaker of Earth, what purpose is in my breast, 20 
 
 For whose sake I have summoned you : even in death are they dear in my sight. 
 Yet verily I will abide on a fold of Olympus' height 
 Sitting : therefrom will I gaze, and my soul will I gladden ; but ye 
 Go forth till ye reach the Achaians and Troy's war-company, 
 And to these and to those give help, as to each of you seemeth right. 25 
 
 For if now A.chilles alone against yon Trojans shall fight, 
 To stay Peleides the swift shall they never so little avail : 
 Yea, when they saw him aforetime, ever they wont to quail : 
 But now, when his wrath for his friend is exceedmg grim and great, 
 I fear lest he storm the wall, yea, even o'erleaping his fate." 30 
 
 So spake he, the Son of Kronos, and truceless strife was born ; 
 And the Gods went forth to the war, and heart from heart was torn. 
 To the host of the galleys H^r6 and Pallas Athene pressed, 
 And Poseidon the Girder of Earth, and the Helper of men distressed, 
 Hermes, of piercing wit, of the subtlety far-renowned ; 35 
 
 And with these Hephaistus exulting in pride of his strength was found, 
 Halting, yet swiftly beneath him moved each slender limb. 
 To the Trojans went Ares the stormy-crested, and ranged with him 
 Artemis arrow-triumphant, and Phoebus the unshorn-haired, 
 And Xanthus, and Leto, and Laughter-queen Aphrodite fared. 40 
 
BOOK XX. 201 
 
 While yet from the children of men the high Gods tarried afar, 
 Triumphed Achaia's sons, for Achilles at last unto war 
 Had appeared, though long had he lingered aloof from the bitter fray : 
 But the knees of every Trojan were bowed with sore dismay ; 
 For they looked on the son of Peleus with hearts that failed them for fear, 45 
 As he flamed in his harness of battle. Destroyer Ar6s' peer. 
 But when the Olympian Gods came down mid the warrior-rout, 
 Rose Strife the enkindler of hosts, and Ath^nfi uttered her shout, 
 Standing now by the deep-delved trench without the wall, 
 And anon far over the hoarse-resounding beach did she call. 50 
 
 And Ares against her, black as the night of the tempest, cried. 
 Now yelling from topmost Troy to the Trojans far and wide, 
 Now rushing o'er Kallikol6ne by swirling Simols' side. 
 
 So did the blessed Immortals uprousing these and those 
 Join battle, and so into dread strife burst the Gods made foes. 55 
 
 And the Father of Gods and Men with soul-appalling sound 
 Thundered on high, and beneath Poseidon shook the ground, 
 Even the boundless earth, and the soaring crests of the hills. 
 Shook all the spurs of Ida, the ridge of the thousand rills, 
 And her peaks, and the Trojans' town, and Achaia's ships wave-swayed. 60 
 And Hades quaked from beneath, the King of the nethermost shade ; 
 And he sprang from his throne, and he cried aloud in the dread of his heart 
 Lest o'er him Earth-shaker Poseidon should cleave the ground apart. 
 And revealed to Immortals and mortals should stand those awful abodes. 
 Those mansions ghastly and grim, abhorred of the very Gods. 65 
 
202 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 So great was the thunder-crash as the Gods in battle met. 
 
 And face to face against Poseidon the King was set 
 
 Phoebus Apollo, straining his feathered arrows keen ; 
 
 And against Enyalius Pallas Ath^n^, the grey-eyed Queen ; 
 
 Against H^r^ the Maid of the Golden Shaft, of the shout ringing far, 70 
 
 Far-smiter's sister the Arrow-triumphant, uprose unto war ; 
 
 And Hermes the mighty Helper ranged against Ldto stood ; 
 
 And against Hephaistus the River, the great deep-swirling flood 
 
 Of the Gods named Xanthus, Skamander of them of earth-born blood. 
 
 So Gods against Gods went forth to the war : but Achilles aye 75 
 
 Yearned chiefly to meet the son of Priam amidst of the fray. 
 Hector ; for fiercely his heart bade glut with the life-blood of him 
 Ar^s the stubborn-shielded, the warrior murder-grim. 
 But Apollo the battle-kindler spurred Aeneas to fight 
 
 With Peleus' son, and straightway filled him with valorous might : 80 
 
 And the voice of Lykaon, the child of Priam the King, did he take ; 
 In the likeness of him Apollo the Zeus-begotten spake : 
 
 " O Trojan counsellor-chief, where now those threats of thine. 
 And thy pledge to the princes of Troy, when ye tarried long at the wine. 
 That facing Achilles Peleus' son thou wouldst stand in the fray?" 85 
 
 Then Unto him made answer Aeneas, and thus did he say : 
 " What meanest thou, O thou child of Priam, thus to command 
 That I, when I would not, against Peleides the haughty should stand ? 
 Not now for the first should I look Achilles the fleet in the face. 
 Nay, me in the days overpast with the spear did he hold in chase 90 
 
BOOK XX. 203 
 
 From Ida, what time he had come to drive our cattle away, 
 
 And Lyrnessus and Pedasus smote ; but Zeus redeemed that day 
 
 My life, for with strength he enkindled me, lightsome my knees he made, 
 
 Else low by Achilles' hands and Athene had I been laid : 
 
 For a light of deliverance before him she set, and commanded him still 95 
 
 With his brazen lance the Lelegan lives and Trojan to spill. 
 
 Wherefore can no man strive with Achilles in battle-strain. 
 
 For that ever beside him there goeth a God to defend him from bane. 
 
 Yea, and his lance without this flieth straight, and it doth not refrain 
 
 Till it plunge through the flesh of a man. But and if some God by his power 
 
 Would strain the issue of war but level, not me in that hour [100 
 
 Should he lightly o'ercome, though fashioned wholly of brass he should be." 
 
 Answered Apollo the King Zeus-born, and thus spake he : 
 " Nay, hero, but unto the Gods everlasting do thou too pray, 
 Thou also of Aphrodite the Daughter of Zeus, men say, 105 
 
 Wert born, but he of a Goddess in majesty lesser than she 
 Who is Daughter of Zeus, but she of the Ancient of the Sea. 
 Have at him with stubborn brass, and in no wise let the blast 
 Of the breath of his terrible words and his threats back turn thee aghast." 
 
 Then into the shepherd of folk the God breathed valorous might, 1 10 
 
 And he rushed to the forefront of battle arrayed in brass flame-bright. 
 But the son of Anchises escaped not white-armed Here's ken 
 As to meet the son of Peleus he fared through the press of men ; 
 But she gathered the Gods together, and stayed them, and uttered her rede : 
 "Bethink you, Poseidon now, and Ath^nfi, and give ye heed 115 
 
204 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 In your hearts touching this, in what fashion the issue hereof shall speed. 
 
 Yonder Aeneas arrayed in flame-bright brass is gone 
 
 Against Peleus' son, and Phoebus Apollo hath spurred him on. 
 
 But come, even thence let us turn him aback, that he waste not his life : 
 
 Or let one of us go at the least and stand by Achilles in strife, 120 
 
 And give to him strength exceeding great ; let the heart in his breast 
 
 Not in any wise faint or fail, to the end he may know that the best 
 
 Of the Deathless love him, and vain as the wind is the help of those 
 
 Which have shielded in battle and strife ere this his Trojan foes. 
 
 All we from Olympus have come to bear our part in the fray, 12S 
 
 To the end he may get no hurt mid the Trojan men this day ; 
 
 But hereafter all those things shall he suffer which erst were spun 
 
 By the Fates with the threads of his birth when his mother bare a son. 
 
 But if this from the voice of the Gods Achilles shall not hear, 
 
 Then, when to meet him in battle a God shall come, he shall fear. 130 
 
 Hard is it for Gods to be looked on of men, what time they appear." 
 
 But answer to her did Poseidon the Shaker of Earth return : 
 "Nay, Her6, no need that thine anger beyond thy wisdom should burn. 
 I would not, I, that the Gods should clash in contention and jar, 
 Even we that are not as they — sooth, we be the mightier far. 135 
 
 Now nay, but turn we aside from the way to a height, and there 
 Let us sit us down, and for war let earth-born mortals care. 
 But if ArSs or Phoebus Apollo shall make beginning of fight. 
 Or shall stay Achilles' hand and palsy his battle-might. 
 Straightway for us too then shall the fire of contention glow 140 
 
BOOK XX. 205 
 
 Beside them : full quickly shall these give back from our onset, I trow ! 
 To Olympus, where gather the rest of the Gods, shall they get them again 
 Overborne by the might of our hands, and by strong Necessity's strain." 
 
 So did he speak, and the Raven-haired led on before 
 To the mound of the rampart for godlike H^rakles builded of yore, 145 
 
 High-reared, which the Trojans and Pallas Athene wrought to heap. 
 That thereto he might flee for a covert from that huge beast of the deep, 
 Whensoe'er from the strand to the plain the monster against him should dart. 
 Thereon with Poseidon the rest of the Gods sat down apart ; [be rent. 150 
 And they compassed their shoulders with cloud, with a veil that might nowise 
 And to seat them on Kallikoldn^'s brow Troy's helpers went 
 Round Archer Phoebus and Ar^s the waster of tower and town. 
 So sundered in heart and in counsel the rest of the Gods sat down ; 
 But from making beginning of war that in anguish layeth low 
 Shrank both, though Zeus enthroned on high had commanded so. 155 
 
 But with warriors thronged was the plain, and lightened with brass all round 
 From the men and the horses, and under their feet rang loud the ground, 
 As they rushed to the onset ; and twain, most mighty above the rest, 
 Eager to grapple in fight forth into the midspace pressed, 
 Aeneas, Anchises' son, and Achilles like to a God. 160 
 
 And Aeneas the foremost with threat and defiance forward strode. 
 While nodded his massy helmet : the shield of his fury he flung 
 In front of his breast, and his quivering lance on high he swung, 
 And overagainst him Peleides onward rushed to the strife. 
 As a ravening lion when men be furious-fain for his life, 165 
 
2o6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 As they gather, a whole tribe : he at the first recking naught of them all 
 On-paceth, until with a lance some young man stalwart and tall 
 Smite him : he croucheth with grinning jaws, and the foam-flakes start 
 Round his fangs, and within his breast fierce groaneth his mighty heart, 
 And the tail of him scourgeth his ribs and his flanks to left and to right, 170 
 And he lasheth himself into frenzy, and spurreth him on to the fight. 
 And glaring he rusheth in fury full on his foes, till he slay 
 A man, or shall perish himself in the clash of the forest-fray : 
 So Achilles was spurred of his fury and spirit dauntless-bold 
 To rush to the grapple of fight with Aeneas the mighty-souled. 175 
 
 . But when, as they charged on each other, by this they were drawn full nigh. 
 Then first to his foe did godlike Achilles the fleetfoot cry : 
 
 " Aeneas, now wherefore afront of the rout so far dost thou press ? 
 What, hath thy spirit constrained thee to meet me in battle-stress 
 With the hope to be lord of the honour of Priam, the sceptred sway 180 
 
 Over the horse-quelling Trojans ? — but though thou shouldst slay me to-day 
 Yet Priam shall give to thine hand for this no guerdon-crown : 
 Sons hath he, nor yet overworn is his wit, nor his strength bowed down. 
 Or what, have the Trojans carved thee a passing-fair domain 
 For thy tilling, lovely with orchard and fields of golden grain 185 
 
 If thou slay me ? — I trow the deed shall be all too hard for thee. 
 What, man, I tell thee, ere now by my spear have I caused thee to flee ! 
 And hast thou forgotten the day when I found thee alone, and chased 
 From the kine down the ridges of Ida, when swiftly the feet of thee raced [190 
 For thy life ? — In that hour didst thou nowise turn thee, behind thee to look. 
 
BOOK XX. 207 
 
 Thence to Lyrnessus thou fleddest ; but that thy fortress I took, 
 
 For with help of Athene and Father Zeus did I storm it and smite, 
 
 And captive the women I led, bereft of freedom's light. 
 
 But thy life from destruction did Zeus and the rest of the Gods redeem : 
 
 Yet they shall not deliver thee now, I trow, as thine heart doth dream. 195 
 
 Nay, but while yet thou mayest, I bid thee give back, and go 
 
 Into the throng of thy friends, neither stand against me for a foe. 
 
 Ere thou light upon mischief: — the deed done even the fool may know." 
 
 But undismayed Aeneas made answer to him, and spake : 
 " Peleides, look not thou with thy words to cause me to quake, 200 
 
 As though I were naught but a babe. Good sooth, but myself could vaunt 
 With mocking lips, an I would, and babble the malapert taunt. 
 We know of each other's lineage and them that gave us birth ; 
 We have heard the tale of renown, and the praise of the children of earth : 
 But on mine with thine eyes hast thou looked never yet, neither I upon thine. 
 They name thee begotten of Peleus, a hero of princely line ; [205 
 
 And thy mother was bright-haired Thetis, the Lady of the Sea : 
 But Anchises the mighty-hearted was he that fathered me ; 
 And I of the womb of Aphrodite the Goddess was born. 
 Now verily these or those for a dear-loved son shall mourn 210 
 
 This day ; for I tell thee, not with the babbling words and vain 
 Of children, so shall we part, and return from the fight, we twain. 
 But and if thou wouldst hear this too, to the end thou mayst know it well. 
 My lineage — sooth, full many a man thereof could tell : — 
 Dardanus first did Zeus the Herder of Clouds beget, 215 
 
2o8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And he built him Dardania, seeing that Ilium the holy as yet 
 
 In the plain was all unpeopled, a city of earth-born men, 
 
 But on slopes of Ida the fountain-flashing dwelt they then. 
 
 And there sprang from Dardanus' loins Erichthonius the king, and the same 
 
 Of all men mortal-born most mighty in wealth became. 220 
 
 Three thousand steeds in the watered meadow were pastured for him, 
 
 Mares, and beside them ran young foals of dainty limb. 
 
 Yea, the North-wind saw as they pastured, his soul was stricken afire, 
 
 And he fashioned him like to a dark-maned stallion to work his desire. 
 
 And the mares thereafter conceived, and fillies twelve bare they : 225 
 
 And whenso they skipped o'er the corn-giving earth in their frolic play. 
 
 They brake not the tops of the ears of the corn as thereover they tripped : 
 
 But whenso over the sea's broad-heaving ridges they skipped. 
 
 Lightly they skimmed the crests of the hoary brine foam-tipped. 
 
 Erichthonius begat king Tros, who ruled in great Troy-town ; 230 
 
 And of Tros were begotten three, which were princes, men of renown, 
 
 Assarakus, Ilus withal, Ganym^des like to a God, 
 
 For the goodliest man was he of all on the earth that trod : 
 
 And because of his goodlihead did the high Gods snatch him away 
 
 To pour unto Zeus the wine, and to dwell with Immortals for aye. 235 
 
 And Ilus begat a son, Laomedon stately and tall ; 
 
 And Tithonus sprang from Laomedon's loins, and Priam withal. 
 
 And Lampus, and Klytius, and Ar^s' child Hiketaon the grim. 
 
 Of Assarakus Kapys sprang, and Anchises was born unto him. 
 
 And I of Anchises, but Hector the godlike of Priam came. " 240 
 
BOOK XX. ZO^ 
 
 Lo, this is my lineage and blood, and the boast of a glorious name. 
 
 But for valour, 'tis Zeus that maketh it wax upon men and wane, 
 
 Even as seemeth him good, for in might over all doth he reign. 
 
 Go to, let us talk not thus any more, as babbleth a child. 
 
 Standing at gaze, while around us the tempest of war bloweth wild : 245 
 
 For to utter revilings for thee and for me full easy it were : 
 
 Yea, not a ship of a hundred thwarts might the load of them bear. 
 
 For glib is the tongue of man, it hath many and manifold words ; 
 
 This way and that way they range, as the aimless-pasturing herds ; 
 
 And whatso manner of word thou hast spoken, the same shalt thou hear. 250 
 
 But wherefore should thou and I with the bitter ilout and the jeer 
 
 Rail in each other's faces, as women be wont to do 
 
 When in heart-consuming contention their fury hath thrilled them through, 
 
 And they go forth straightway and rail on each other amidst of the street 
 
 With false and true words many, as biddeth their passion's heat. 255 
 
 But with words shalt thou nowise turn me away in my fury from fight 
 
 Till man against man we have fought with the brass. Come then, forthright 
 
 With the brazen-headed spears let us taste each other's might." 
 
 He spake, and his brazen spear at the terrible buckler sprang. 
 At the awful targe ; and the shield round the lance-point loudly rang. 260 
 Then afar from his body Peleides outstretched his buckler in fear 
 With his brawny hand ; for he deemed in his heart that the long-shadowed spear 
 Of Aeneas the mighty-hearted therethrough might lightly win. 
 Ah fool, for he thought not on this his soul and his spirit within, 
 That not unto perishing men is it anywise lightly given 265 
 
210 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Backward to bear or to vanquish the glorious gifts of heaven. 
 
 Nor then did the furious lance of Aeneas the warrior-souled 
 
 Burst through the shield : it was stayed by the God's gift, even the gold. 
 
 Howbeit it pierced two plates, but there yet remained the three. 
 
 Forasmuch as five had been forged by the Lame God's mastery, 270 
 
 Whereof there were two of brass, and the inmost two of tin. 
 
 And the ashen spear was stayed by the gold that lay between. 
 
 Then hurled Achilles his lance long-shafted across the field, 
 
 And it smote on the shapely-moulded round of Aeneas' shield 
 
 Within the edge of the rim, where thinnest the compassing brass 275 
 
 Ran round, and thinnest the bull-hide lay : clear through did it pass, 
 
 That Pelian ash, and clanged the buckler beneath the blow. 
 
 Low crouched Aeneas, and up from his body his shield did he throw 
 
 In fear, and over his back down into the earth plunged deep 
 
 The thirsty spear : through both of the rounded plates did it leap 280 
 
 Of the warrior-warding shield : unscathed by the lance he stood, 
 
 But over the eyes of him measureless horror poured as a flood, 
 
 Aghast that the javelin had smitten so near : but with furious hand 
 
 Achilles unsheathed, as he rushed on the Trojan, his keen-whetted brand 
 
 With a terrible shout ; but a crag hath the hand of Aeneas found, 285 
 
 A huge rock-shard, which not two men should upheave from the ground, 
 
 Such men as be now ; yet lightly he swung it on high alone. 
 
 Then had Aeneas in mid rush smitten his foe with the stone 
 
 On helmet or shield, which warded Achilles from bitter death, [290 
 
 And Peleides had closed with him then, and his sword had bereft him of breath ; 
 
BOOK- XX. 211 
 
 But with swift keen glance Poseidon espied it, the Earth-shaking Lord ; 
 And straightway he spake in the midst of the deathless Gods the word : 
 
 " Lo now, for Aeneas the mighty-souled have I anguish of heart. 
 Who with speed overcome by Achilles shall down unto Hades depart, 
 For he heeded the Smiter from Far, and hearkened Apollo's rede, — 295 
 
 Ah fool ! from destruction he shall not redeem him in bitter need ! 
 Yet wherefore should he who is guiltless to-day be afflicted sore 
 Without cause, that the guilty may suffer not woes, though his gifts evermore 
 Were welcome and sweet to the Gods in the broad-arched heaven which abide? 
 Nay come, let us, even us, his head from destruction hide, 300 
 
 Lest the wrath of Kronion be kindled, if this man haply should fall 
 Slain by Achilles. His weird is safely to win through all. 
 Lest haply a royal seed perish, and leave on the earth no trace 
 Of Dardanus, dearest to Kronos' Son of the earth-born race, 
 Both men and women, that sprang from the loins of the Thunder-lord. 305 
 For now hath the House of Priam of Kronos' Son been abhorred ; 
 But a sceptre over the Trojans the might of Aeneas shall sway. 
 Yea, and his children's children, the men of an unborn day." 
 
 Made answer to him Queen Here the Lovely-eyed, and she spake : 
 " Take thought in thine own soul, Shaker of Earth, for Aeneas' sake, 310 
 
 Whether to rescue from death, or to leave him there alone 
 To be slain, how valiant soe'er, by Achilles Peleus' son. 
 For verily oaths we twain have sworn, yea, many an one, 
 Ath^n^ and I, before all the Gods that endure for aye, 
 That we never will shield any child of Troy from the evil day, 315 
 
212 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 No, not when all Troy burnetii consumed in the ravening flame, 
 And the warrior sons of Achaia are they that kindle the same." 
 
 When Poseidon the Shaker of Earth heard this that she spake in his ears, 
 He hied him away through the fight and the clash of the meeting spears. 
 And he came where Aeneas stood, and Achilles the glorious lord. 320 
 
 Eftsoons o'er the eyes of Achilles Peleus' son he poured 
 A mist and a sudden darkness : the ashen shaft brass-shod 
 From the shield of the mighty-hearted Aeneas drew the God. 
 And in front of the feet of Achilles the lance on the earth did he lay ; 
 But he lifted Aeneas on high from the earth, and he bore him away. 325 
 
 Over many a rank of heroes, o'er many a battle-car, 
 Soared in the hand of the God Aeneas bounding afar. 
 Until at the uttermost part of the rushing battle he stayed, 
 At the place wherein the Kaukonian men for the war were arrayed. 
 And lo, the Shaker of Earth Poseidon stood by his side ; 330 
 
 And he lifted his voice unto him, and with light-winged words he cried : 
 
 " What God's command, Aeneas, hath made thee senseless bold 
 Man against man to fight with Peleides the dauntless-souled. 
 Who is mightier than thou, and dearer withal to the Gods, I wis ? 
 But get thee back, whensoever thou lightest on him after this, 335 
 
 Lest even beyond thy weird thou pass unto Hades' hall. 
 But whensoever the death and the doom on Achilles shall fall. 
 Then take thou courage and fight in the foremost ranks of the fray. 
 For thee none other of all the Achaian host shall slay." 
 
 So spake he, and left him there, when all the warning was said : 340 
 
BOOK XX. 213 
 
 And straightway the magic mist o'er the eyes of Achilles shed 
 He scattered apart : and lo, the hero with wide eyes gazed, 
 And he spake to his mighty-hearted spirit sore amazed : 
 
 " Ha, but a marvel of marvels is this that I see with mine eyes ! 
 Here lieth my lance on the earth, but I see not in any wise 345 
 
 The man upon whom with intent to slay him I hurled that spear. 
 Of a surety Aeneas too to the deathless Gods is dear ; 
 Yet I deemed that his boast thereof was idle vaunt and vain ! 
 Away with him then ! Small heart shall he have to prove me again. 
 Seeing that even to-day he hath 'scaped from the death full fain. 350 
 
 But the battle-revelling Danaan men will I cheer to the fight. 
 And the rest of my Trojan foes will I meet, and make proof of their might." 
 
 Then cried he to every man, swift-leaping the ranks before : 
 " Now shrink ye aback from the Trojans, O godlike Achaians, no more. 
 But man against man go forth, and keen for the battle be ye. 355 
 
 What though I be never so stalwart, hard were the task for me 
 To fall on so countless a host, and to battle with every one. 
 Not of deathless Ards' self, nor Athene, might this be done. 
 To plunge mid the jaws of so mighty a strife, and to toil therein. 
 But for me, unto whatsoever by hands and by feet I may win, 360 
 
 And by strength, shall no slackness in me, be it never so little, be seen. 
 But clear through their ranks will I burst : no man of the Trojans, I ween. 
 Shall rejoice, who shall draw near me, who shall try if my spear be keen." 
 
 So spake he, cheering them on : but Hector the glorious cried 
 With shouts on the Trojan men, and Achilles' self he defied : 365 
 
214 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 " High-hearted Trojans, from Peleus' son do ye nowise quail ! 
 I too with the very Immortals would fight, if but words might avail. 
 But hard were the task with the spear, for our might do they far exceed. 
 Nay, not even Achilles shall bring each word to the deed, 
 But in part shall accomplish his vaunt, and in part cut short his desire. 370 
 Lo, I will go forth to meet him, yea, though his hands be as fire. 
 Yea, though as fire be his hands, though as steel be the edge of his ire." 
 
 So cried he, cheering them on, and the Trojans against their foes 
 Uplifted their spears, and their fury was mingled, the battle-cry rose. 
 But to Hector's side came Phoebus Apollo, and thus did he say : 375 
 
 " Hector, beware that thou challenge Achilles not to the fray ; 
 But thou mid the throng, and begirt by the tumult, his onslaught stand. 
 Lest he smite thee with cast of the spear, or with sweep of the battle-brand." 
 
 He spake ; back into the press of the fighters Hectsr strode. 
 Awe-struck when fell on his ears the sound of the voice of a God. 380 
 
 Mid the Trojans Achilles leapt, his heart clad in might as a cloak. 
 With a terrible shout. To Iphition dealt he the first death-stroke. 
 The goodly son of Otryntes, a captain of many folk. 
 Whom the Maid of the Spring to Otryntes the city-waster bare 
 'Neath Tmolus the snowy, in Hyde the fertile land and fair. 385 
 
 But, as onward he charged, him godlike Achilles smote with the spear 
 In the midst of the head, and all in twain was it cloven sheer. 
 Loud-crashing he fell, and Achilles shouted the triumph-jeer : 
 
 " Low liest thou, son of Otryntes, doughtiest of all men on earth ! 
 Ha, here is thy death, but afar by Gygaie the mere was thy birth, 390 
 
BOOK XX. 215 
 
 Even there where thy father's possessions cover the fat land o'er 
 By Hyllus the fish-abounding and swirling Hermus' shore." 
 
 So vaunting he spake, and darkness swept o'er the eyes of the slain. 
 And the horses Achaian cut with the tires that wretch in twain 
 In the forefront of fight : then down on his body Demoleon he flung, 395 
 
 A battle-helper stout, of the loins of Antenor sprung ; 
 For his temples, clean through the morion brazen-cheeked, did he pierce. 
 Neither stayed by the helmet of brass was the spear, but eager-fierce 
 Therethrough did the point burst, cleaving the bone, and all his brain 
 Was scattered within : so he slew him though never so battle-fain. 400 
 
 Thereafter Hippodamas, even as he sprang from his chariot in fear. 
 Fleeing before -him, amidst of the back he smote with his spear. 
 And he gasped his spirit forth, and like to the bull he roared 
 That is dragged with bellowing loud to the altar of Helik^'s Lord, 
 As the young men drag — for in such doth the Earth-shaker take delight, — 405 
 Even so did he roar as the haughty soul from his bones took flight. 
 Then with his spear he pursued Polydorus, a godlike wight, 
 Offspring of Priam. The old king wholly forbade him the fight. 
 Forasmuch as amidst his brethren youngest of all was the lad. 
 And was dearest to him, and in fleetness of foot no peer he had. 410 
 
 Even then in his folly he rushed through the foremost ranks of the host, 
 Making display of his speed, till the precious life he lost. 
 Him fleetfoot Achilles the godlike smote with a dart mid-waist 
 In the back, as the lad rushed past, where the golden buckles braced 
 The baldric-band, and the corslet-plates overlapping lay. 415 
 
2i6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Forth by the navel the point of the javelin flashed to the day, 
 
 And he fell on his knees with a shriek, and veiled him a black dark cloud. 
 
 And his bowels he clasped unto him with his hands as earthward he bowed. 
 
 But when Hector beheld Polydorus his brother cast on the field, 
 
 Holding his bowels in his hands as down to the earth he reeled, 420 
 
 His eyes in the mist of his horror swam, he endured no more 
 
 To range the battle aloof, but down on Achilles he bore 
 
 Shaking his keen lance, flamelike. Exultation-stirred 
 
 Leapt, as he saw it, Achilles, and cried the triumphant word : 
 
 " Ha, nigh me at last is the man who deepest hath stricken mine heart, 425 
 Who hath slain mine honoured companion ! No more shall we cower apart, 
 Nor through highways of battle as dastards aback from each other shall start!" 
 
 Then spake he to Hector the godlike, and grim did the eyes of him glare : 
 " Draw nigh, that the sooner thy feet to the goal of destruction may fare !" 
 
 But Hector the stormy-crested answered him undismayed : 430 
 
 " Peleides, look not thou with thy words to make me afraid. 
 As though I were naught but a child : good sooth, but myself could vaunt 
 With mocking lips, an I would, and babble the malapert taunt. 
 I know that mighty thou art : far weaker than thou am I. 
 Yet verily all these things on the knees of the high Gods lie. 43S 
 
 Peradventure, how weaker soe'er, I shall take thy life, even thine. 
 With a spear-cast ; for keen heretofore hath been this lance of mine." 
 
 He spake, and he swung up on high and he hurled that spear; but the breath 
 Of Athend turned backward from glorious Achilles the lightning of death. 
 Full lightly she blew, yet aback unto Hector the godlike it came, 440 
 
BOOK XX. 2i; 
 
 And afront of his feet it fell. Then rushed with spirit aflame 
 
 Achilles full on his foe, mad eager to smite him and slay, 
 
 Shouting his terrible shout : but Apollo snatched him away 
 
 With the effortless strength of a God, and in deep mist shrouded him round. 
 
 Thrice did Achilles the godlike, the fleetfoot, onward bound 445 
 
 With his brazen spear, and thrice but the thickness of mist did he pierce. 
 
 But when for the fourth time he rushed like a God in his anger fierce. 
 
 Terribly shouting then with winged words did he cry : 
 
 "Ha, thou hast 'scaped from the death, thou dog! — but thy bane came nigh, 
 
 Full nigh thee ! 'Tis Phoebus Apollo again hath saved thee, I trow. 450 
 
 Of a surety thou prayest him ere to the hurtling of lances thou go ! 
 
 I will yet make an end of thee ! — yea, we shall meet, and our strife shall be 
 
 If with me too haply a helper be found of the Dwellers in Heaven. [striven. 
 
 Now will I set oii the rest, whosoe'er to mine hands shall be given." 
 
 He spake, and at Dryops amidst of the neck with his javelin he thrust : 455 
 
 Down fell he in front of his feet ; but he left him to lie in the dust. 
 
 And Demuchus, son of Philetor, a warrior tall and brave. 
 
 He stayed, with a spear-cast piercing his knee ; and with mighty glaive 
 
 Thereafter he thrust hifn through, and his life from his limbs hath he torn. 
 
 On Laogonus then, and on Dardanus, sons unto Bias born, 460 
 
 Rushed he, and both from the chariot down to the earth he dashed ; 
 
 One smote he with cast of the spear, and one with his sword he slashed. 
 
 Then Tros the son of Alastor — the wretch at his knees grovelled low. 
 
 Clasping them round, if he haply would spare, and alive let him go. 
 
 Neither slay him, but have compassion on youth like his own, and forbear. 465 
 
 f 
 
2i8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Ah fool ! — for he knew not this, that no more would he hearken to prayer ; 
 
 For a man was he nowise sweet of spirit nor kindly-souled, 
 
 But exceeding fierce. Yet around his knees his hands did he fold 
 
 All eager to make supplication, — down plunged through his liver the sword. 
 
 Forth slid from his body his liver : the dark blood down from it poured 470 
 
 Flooding his bosom, and over his eyes the death-mist flowed, 
 
 As fainted his spirit. Then with his spear unto Mulius he strode. 
 
 And stabbed 'neath the ear ; and straightway the brazen point passed on 
 
 Through its fellow ear. Then smote he Echeklus, Agenor's son, 
 
 On the midst of his head with the sword, that the hilt stood forth alone ; 475 
 
 And the blade's whole length grew warm in the blood, and the lurid gloom 
 
 Of death rushed over his eyes, and the overmastering doom. 
 
 Deukalion next did he smite ; for where at the elbow-joint 
 
 The sinews meet, he drave with his lance's brazen point 
 
 Clear through his arm. There stood he with heavy-drooping hand 480 
 
 With death in his sight. So Achilles lashed at his neck with the brand : 
 
 Far hurled he the head with the helmet : upshot through the backbone of him 
 
 The marrow, and stretched on the earth lay headless trunk and limb. 
 
 Then Peireus' princely son the destroyer held in chase, 
 
 Rhigmus : the warrior had come from the fruitful land of Thrace. 485 
 
 In the midst with his javelin he smote him : the brass in his lung stood deep, ^ 
 
 And he fell from his car : on his henchman Arelthous did he leap, 
 
 As flightward he wheeled the steeds ; then thrust he the keen-whetted spear 
 
 Through his back, and he dashed him to earth, and the steeds plunged mad with 
 
 As rageth an awful fire on a mountain parched with drought, [fear" 
 
BOOK XX. 219 
 
 Through its hollow glens, when the flames in the heart of the wood burst out, 
 
 And the wild winds buffet the blaze, and roll it far and wide ; 
 
 With the spear like an angry God so rushed he on every side. 
 
 Pursuing and slaying the while ; and with blood did the dark earth stream. 
 
 And as when one yoketh together his bulls, a broad-browed team, 495 
 
 In a fair-built threshing-floor to trample the barley white, 
 
 And fast from beneath the loud-lowers' feet the chaff leapeth light ; 
 
 So before great-heart Achilles the thunderfoot steeds of his car 
 
 Trampled the corpses and shields ; and with blood was the axle-bar 
 
 All dashed from beneath, and blood on the rails of the chariot rained 500 
 
 Upsplashed from the crimson pools as ^he thundering hoofs on-strained. 
 
 Whirled wide from the madding tires. On, fierce for renown, he sped, 
 
 Peleides, and stained his invincible hands with the blood of the dead. 
 
BOOK XXI. 
 Of the River that ran with blood, and the strife of a God with a mortal. 
 
 |UT when they were come to the ford of the beautiful-flowing river, 
 Of swirling Xanthus, the child of Zeus that abideth for ever, 
 There cleft he the fleers asunder : some of them plainward he chased 
 To the town, on the path whereby the Achaians in panic-struck haste 
 But yesterday fled from glorious Hector's battle-wrath. 5 
 
 There they went pouring in horror of rout, and before their path 
 A thick mist Here spread, and the half of them, onward hurling. 
 Into the river were huddled, the deep-channelled, silver-swirling. 
 With a mighty plashing and roar of the cataract torrent they fell : 
 On this side and that loud echoed the banks, and with shout and yell lo 
 
 Here battled and there with the rush of the eddies the drowning crowd. 
 And as when from the fire-blast fleeth a hovering locust-crowd 
 To a river, while hard behind them the tireless flames come leaping 
 Swiftly, and down to the flood the cowering swarm goes sweeping ; 
 Even so in the flight from Achilles were Xanthus' deep swirls then 15 
 
BOOK XXI. 221 
 
 Filled with confusion and din of chariots and horses and men. 
 
 But the Zeus-born left his spear propped up by a tamarisk-tree 
 On the bank, and into the stream like an angry God leapt he [grim ; 
 
 .With naught save his sword, but the deeds that he purposed were bitter and 
 And on this side and that side he smote, and the groan and the ghastly scream 
 Arose from the falchion-hewn, and the water was crimsoned with blood. [20 
 And even as the fish from a dolphin, the monster-beast of the flood. 
 Flee, till the throng of them filleth the creeks of a sheltered bay, 
 In their dread, for the spoiler devoureth whatso he maketh his prey ; 
 So the Trojans adown that terrible river's rushing water 25 
 
 Under the steep banks cowered. When his hands grew weary of slaughter, 
 Twelve high-born youths from the river he dragged alive, to atone 
 With their blood ere long for the death of Patroclus, Menoitius' son. 
 Dragged them ashore terror-palsied, like fawns that the hunters have found. 
 And their hands behind them with shapely-fashioned thongs he bound, 30 
 Even the thongs that they wore on their pleated tunics gay. 
 To his comrades he gave them, to lead to the hollow galleys away ; 
 And he rushed on the fleers again unglutted, and mad to slay. 
 There on a child of Priam Dardanus' son did he light. 
 
 Fleeing forth from the river, Lykaon :— himself erewhile in the night 35 
 
 Anigh to the city had drawn, and had seized him and dragged him away. 
 For the lad in his father's vineyard stood in the dawning grey, 
 Cutting him wild-fig shoots, to fashion a chariot-rail : 
 And or ever he knew was Achilles the godlike there for his bale. 
 With his galleys he sent him to Lemnos, the city of stately wall, 40 
 
222 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And he sold him : the son of leson paid the price of the thrall. 
 
 But a bond-friend redeemed him, laying a mighty ransom down, 
 
 Eetion of Imbros, and sent him to hallowed Arisbe-town. 
 
 Thence fled he in secret, and came to his father's house again. 
 
 For eleven days' space with his friends had he gladdened his heart full fain 45 
 
 From Lemnos returned ; on the twelfth once more by a God was he cast 
 
 Into the hands of Achilles ; and now shall the hero at last 
 
 Speed him to Hades, loth upon that drear journey to fare. 
 
 And so soon as swift-footed Achilles the godlike beheld him there 
 
 Fenceless of helmet and shield, — no spear in his hands he bore ; 50 
 
 All had he cast on the earth, for the toil-sweat galled him sore 
 
 From the river essaying to flee, and faint were his knees and weak; — 
 
 Then in wrathful amaze to his mighty heart did the hero speak : 
 
 " Ha ! and what marvel is this that now with mine eyes I see ! 
 Surely the very Trojans, the heroes slain by me, 55 
 
 Shall again rise up from the dead, and return from the shadowland home. 
 Seeing this man hath 'scaped from the pitiless day, and is hitherward come ! 
 Into bondage in Lemnos the hallowed I sold him : — he stayed not, he, 
 For the fetters that bind full many, the arms of the hoary sea ! 
 Go to — this time shall he taste of the point of my spear, and so 60 
 
 Mine heart shall be certified, and I shall surely know 
 If in like manner thence he shall win his way, or shall lie full long 
 In the arms of the life-giver Earth, the warder of the strong." 
 
 So mused he, and tarried : the wretch terror-palsied crept to his feet. 
 Full -fain to have clasped his knees, and it seemed to his soul most sweet 65 
 
BOOK XXI. 223 
 
 To escape from the bitter death and the black doom drawing near. 
 High had Achilles the godlike uplifted the long-shadowed spear 
 Eager to stab — but he rushed and he clasped his knees around, 
 Low-crouching, and over his back flew the javelin, and fast in the ground 
 Stood, thrilling with lust to be filled with the flesh and the blood of the foe. 70 
 But he with the one hand clung, and besought, at his knees bowed low ; 
 With the other he clutched the lance, and he would not let it go ; 
 And with quivering lips he gasped forth terror-winged words of prayer : 
 
 " I bow at thy knees, O Achilles, have mercy upon me and spare ! 
 Zeus-nurtured, I stand unto thee in the sacred suppliant's stead, 75 
 
 For at thy board first did I taste Demeter's gift of bread, 
 In the day when thou tookest me captive in that fair garth of the vine. 
 And didst send me away from my sire and my friends far over the brine 
 Unto Lemnos the hallowed : a hecatomb's price for thee I won. 
 And for thrice so much was I ransomed. It was but the twelfth day's sun 80 
 That arose this morn since I came again to the Troyland shore 
 After manifold sufferings : now am I given to thine hands once more 
 By a baneful doom : ah, surely Zeus Allfather must hate 
 The man that again he hath cast unto thee ! To a short-lived fate 
 Laothoe bare me, the daughter of Altes ; yet doth he reign, 85 
 
 An old king, over the Lelegan folk, the battle-fain, 
 Where Pedasus looks from her mountain eyry on Satnioi's. 
 His child took Priam, — yea, many a princess beside, I wis ; — 
 With me was there born one brother, and lo, thou wilt kill us twain ! 
 Him in the forefront of battle hast thou overmastered and slain, 90 
 
224 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Polydorus the godlike : the sharp lance sped from thine hand, and he fell. 
 And for me shall this hour be the hour of my bane, for I know full well 
 I shall 'scape not thine hand, whom a God hath driven to cross thy path. 
 Yet this will I tell thee, — O lay it to heart for a curb to thy wrath ! — 
 Ah, slay me not, for not in the selfsame womb had I part 95 
 
 As Hector, who slew thy friend of the strong hand, merciful heart." 
 
 So spake that son of Priam, with passionate-pleading word 
 Asking his life ; but a pitiless voice and a stern he heard : 
 
 " Fool, babble not ransom to me, neither multiply words for naught ! 
 Or ever Patroclus the lost to the day of his doom was brought, 100 
 
 So long were the lives of the captives of Troy more dear unto me 
 Than their death ; and I took full many alive, and sold oversea. 
 But now is there none shall escape from death, whosoever shall fall 
 Into mine hands by the wrath of a God before Ilium's wall. 
 Not a Trojan, and least of them all shall any Priam's son. 105 
 
 Nay, die thou too, my friend : what boots it to make this moan ? 
 Far nobler than thou was Patroclus- — he could not choose but die. 
 Seest thou not how goodly and fair and tall am I ? 
 A princely father begat me, a Goddess mother bore : 
 
 Yet my death and the overmastering doom are hard by the door. no 
 
 It shall hap in the dawn or the eventide, or the noon of the day. 
 That some one shall take my life, even mine, in the midst of the fray : 
 With the cast of a spear, or a shaft fleeing far from the string, shall he slay." 
 
 So spake he, and there were his knees and his very heart unstrung. 
 He unhanded the spear ; he sank back with arms wide open flung. 115 
 
BOOK XXI. 22S 
 
 Out of the scabbard Achilles had snatched his battle-brand keen ; 
 
 Down on the collar-bone hard by the neck hath the double-edged sheen 
 
 Plunged out of sight. And there on his face outstretched on the ground 
 
 He lay, and the dark blood welled and drenched the earth around. 
 
 By the foot did Achilles seize him, and into the river he flung, 120 
 
 And the mock triumphant rang as the winged words leapt from his tongue : 
 
 " Now lie thou there mid the fishes : with careless care shall they lick 
 
 Thy blood from the wound. Ha, never that mother of thine, heart-sick, 
 
 On a bier shall outstretch thee and wail, but Skamander, thy restless grave. 
 
 Swirling shall bear thee adown to the sea's broad-heaving wave. 125 
 
 Darting from under a shiver of darkling ripple shall spring 
 
 The fish, to devour Lykaon's fat white-glistening. 
 
 So perish ye all, till we win Troy's sacred citadel's height. 
 
 Perish, the while ye flee, and with havoc I follow your flight ! 
 
 Of the fair-flowing, silver-swirling Stream shall ye win no aid, 1 30 
 
 Unto whom long time with slaughter of many a bull ye have prayed. 
 
 And alive in his eddies have whelmed the horses for sacrifice ; 
 
 But a bitter death shall ye die, till ye all shall have paid the price 
 
 Of Patroclus' death, and the bane of Achaia's hosts of war 
 
 Whom ye slew by the fleet-winged galleys while yet was their champion afar." 
 
 Then at his taunt was the heart of the River stirred with ire ; [135 
 
 And he mused in his spirit how he should quench the battle-fire 
 
 Of Achilles the godlike, and save the Trojans from bane drawn near. 
 
 And it was so, that Peleus' son, high-lifting the long-shadowed spear, 
 
 With a purpose of death in his heart upon Asteropaius was leaping, — 140 
 
 g 
 
226 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Pelegon's son, and his sire of the Axius' flood broad-sweeping 
 
 Was born, and of Periboia : the eldest she was of the daughters 
 
 Of Akessamenus, and the bride of the Stream's deep-swirhng waters : — 
 
 Upon him did Achilles rush ; but forth from the river he pressed 
 
 With lances twain to face him ; and Xanthus filled his breast 145 
 
 With courage, for wroth for the strong men slain in the battle was he, 
 
 Whom Achilles was slaughtering down his stream unpityingly. 
 
 Now when they were drawn anigh, as against each other they strode, 
 
 First spake unto him swift-footed Achilles like to a God : 
 
 " Who art thou, and whence among men, who hast dared to cross my path ? 
 The sons of wretched parents be they that brave my wrath." [150 
 
 But Pelegon's glorious son made answer dauntlessly : 
 " Peleides the mighty-hearted, what is my birth unto thee ? 
 I come from the fair fat land of Paionia far away 
 
 Leading her long-speared warriors : now the eleventh day 1 55 
 
 Hath dawned from the time when first on the Troyland shore I stood. 
 And as touching my birth, I am sprung of the broad-flowing Axius' flood — 
 Axius, fairest of waters on all the earth that be found, — 
 Of him was begotten the hero Pelegon spear-renowned : 
 His son do they call me. Now fight we, Achilles glory-crowned." 160 
 
 So rang his defiance forth. But Achilles on high hath swung 
 The Pelian ash. Now the hero Asteropaius flung 
 Two lances together, for either hand was battle-skilled. 
 And the one spear smote on the targe, yet not clean through the shield 
 Did it burst, for 'twas stayed by the gold, a God's gift adamant-hard. 165 
 
BOOK XXI. 22; 
 
 By the other 'twixt elbow and wrist was the hero's right arm scarred. 
 
 Forth spouted the dark-hued blood ; but the spear flew over amain, 
 
 And it plunged in the earth, fierce-longing to feast on the flesh of the slain. 
 
 Then, then with his lance true-flying did hero Achilles throw 
 
 At Asteropaius, eager in death to lay him low. " 170 
 
 But lo, he hath missed, and the spear hath struck the high-ridged bank : 
 
 Half-length deep in the earth the ashen javelin sank. 
 
 But Peleides hath snatched from his thigh his keen-edged battle-brand. 
 
 And in fury he sprang on the foe, while he tugged with his brawny hand 
 
 To wrench from the bank the lance of Achilles — but all in vain. 175 
 
 Thrice did he tug, while it quivered beneath that desperate strain : 
 
 Thrice must his sinews forbear ; but the fourth, his soul was fain 
 
 To have bended and snapped the shaft of Aiakus' son ia twain : 
 
 Too late — for Achilles was on him, and smote out his life with the sword ; 
 
 For hard by the navel he stabbed him, and forth of the grim gash poured iSo 
 
 All his bowels to the ground, and a mist and a darkness swept 
 
 Over his eyes as he gasped. On his breast hath Achilles leapt, 
 
 And he stripped his battle-gear, and shouted in triumph-scorn : 
 
 " Lie there ! Hard is it for thee to battle with heroes born 
 Of Kronion the mighty, although thou be sprung of a River-god's line. 185 
 Ha, and thou vauntest the race of a broad-flowing river for thine ! 
 But for me, of Zeus most high do I boast my descent to be ; 
 And the king of the Myrmidon thousands was he that fathered me, 
 Peleus Aiakus' son ; and of Zeus did Aiakus spring. 
 Stronger is Zeus than the Rivers seaward-murmuring. 190 
 
228 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Stronger withal are the children of Zeus than a River's seed, 
 
 Lo there a great River beside thee to help, if he can, in thy need ! 
 
 Nay, there is none that in battle with Zeus Kronion may stand : 
 
 Not Lord Achelous himself against him dare lift his hand ; 
 
 No, nor the mighty strength of Ocean's fathomless flow, 195 
 
 Forth out of whom all rivers and all the sea-waves go. 
 
 And all deep-slumbering wells and fountains sunlight-plashing : 
 
 Yet he too standeth in awe of the lightning of Zeus far-flashing. 
 
 And his terrible thunder, when all the shuddering heavens are crashing.'' 
 
 So spake he, and forth of the bank the brazen lance he tare, 200 
 
 And he left the man whose heart he had plucked out lying there 
 On the sands ; and the dusky water lapped him the while he lay. 
 And the coiling eels and the fishes were swarming around the prey. 
 Rending the fat of the reins with ravenous teeth away. 
 
 But Achilles was gone : by the side of the eddying river he sped, 205 
 
 Where the rout of the tossing crests of Paionia's warriors fled. 
 When they saw how their champion was fallen amidst of the desperate strife. 
 How the might of the hands and the sword of Achilles had reft his life. 
 Thersilochus, Mydon, and Astypylus hath he stretched on the plain ; 
 Mnesus, and Thrasius, and Ainius, and Ophelestes are slain : 210 
 
 And many Paionians more by Jhe hand of Achilles had died, 
 But the Stream deep-swirling spake, in his wrath that he turned not aside : 
 In the shape of a man he uprose from the depth of an eddy, and cried : 
 
 " Mighty art thou, Achilles, and lawless the deeds of thine hand 
 Above all men, for aye do the Gods by thy side in the battle stand. 215 
 
BOOK XXI. 229 
 
 If so be that Kronion hath given thee all the Trojans to kill, 
 
 First drive them from me to the plain : there work thy fiendish will. 
 
 For my lovely streams are filled with the folk that in battle have died ; 
 
 No more can I pour my waters adown to the great sea-tide : 
 
 They be choked with the corpses; and still art thou slaying: 'tis ghastly to see. 
 
 O refrain thee, captain of war-folk : horror hath seized upon me." [220 
 
 Answered Achilles the fleetfoot, and undismayed cried he : 
 "As thou biddest, Skamander the heaven-fed, so in the end shall it be : 
 Not yet, — for I will not refrain me from slaughtering this proud foe, 
 Till I chase them to Troy, and be face to face with Hector, and know 225 
 Whether he shall be conqueror then, or I shall lay him low." 
 
 Then like an avenging God' on the Trojans he rushed as they fled ; 
 And thereat the Stream deep-swirling cried to Apollo, and said : 
 
 " Fie on thee, Silverbow, Kronion's son ! Why then [230 
 
 Hast thou kept not the counsel of Zeus, who commanded thee once and again 
 To abide by the Trojan folk, and defend them from bane, till the coming 
 Of the eventide, when the fields wax shadowy -dim in the gloaming ?" 
 
 He spake ; but Achilles the spear-renowned from the bank had leapt 
 To the stream, but with cataract surge the River against him swept. 
 Tossing a turmoil of torrents, and hurling the host of the slain 235 
 
 Onward, till squadrons of dead on the slayer were charging again. 
 And he roared as a bull, and he cast forth on to the land those dead ; 
 And he wrought to deliver the living that down his fair streams fled. 
 Casting about them the screen of his eddies deep and wide. 
 Round the hero the terrible surge towered seething on every side : 240 
 
230 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And a cataract dashed and crashed on his shield : all vainly he sought 
 
 Firm ground for his feet : with his hands at a mighty elm he caught, 
 
 A wide-spreading tree ; but bowing aslant from its loosened roots 
 
 It breached the bank to the water's edge, and with myriad shoots 
 
 Lashed the beautiful waters, and forward flung full length 245 
 
 Bridged over the river. He sprang from the swirl with his uttermost strength, 
 
 And with feet terror-winged rushed thence to fly across the plain. 
 
 But the strong God ceased not now, but he leapt upon him again 
 
 Black-crested, that godlike Achilles might evermore refrain 
 
 Thereafter from battle-toil, and the Trojans be shielded from bane. 250 
 
 Bounded Peleides as far as a battle-flung javelin may fly, 
 
 And his leap was the swoop of the eagle, the black-winged scourge of the sky, 
 
 Which is strongest of sinew and fleetest of pinion of all winged things ; 
 
 So seemed he in darting : — lo, on his breast how the battle-gear rings 
 
 Terribly clashing ! With swift swerve suddenly turning aside 255 
 
 He fled, but the roar followed fast and the rush of the cataract tide. 
 
 And even as a husbandman leadeth adown from a spring dark-flowing 
 
 A runnel amidst of his plants and his gardens sultry-glowing, 
 
 While, mattock in hand, he is clearing the clods from the channel still. 
 
 And the gleaming pebbles are rolled along by the gushing rill, 260 
 
 And swiftly it poureth adown with laughter and tinkling song 
 
 By the fall of the land, outrunning the man as he guides it along : 
 
 Even so was Achilles outstripped evermore by the river-surge then, 
 
 Swift as he was, for the Gods be stronger far than men. 
 
 And as often as fleetfoot Achilles the godlike turned on his foe 265 
 
BOOK XXI. 231 
 
 And gathered his strength to face his fury of onset, and know 
 
 If all were against him that dwell in the broad-arched heaven for ever, 
 
 So often the mighty surge of the heaven-descended River 
 
 Dash«d down from above on his shoulders. High with his feet did he leap 
 
 Chafing in anguish : the river with furious under-sweep 270 
 
 Overmastered his knees, and dragged from his feet the sand ever-shifting. 
 
 And Peleides groaned, to the broad-arched heaven his eyes uplifting : 
 
 " Allfather, will none of the Gods come down in my pitiful strait 
 From the river to save me ? — Thereafter I care not what be my fate ! 
 None of the Heaven-abiders is guilty of this in mine eyes 275 
 
 So much as my mother : 'twas she that beguiled me with promise of lies. 
 For she said that beneath the brazen-corsleted Trojans' wall 
 By the swift-flying shafts of Apollo amidst of the fray I should fall. 
 O had Hector but killed me, the mightiest one of the sons of the land ! 
 Then had a hero slain me, a hero had died by his hand. 280 
 
 But now am I doomed by a pitiful death to be spoiled of renown. 
 Trapped by a swollen river, even as a swineherd clown, 
 A boy that is drowned in a gully when winter floods come down !" 
 
 So spake he, and all in a moment Poseidon and Pallas were there 
 Hard by his side, and the forms of the children of men they bare ; 285 
 
 And they spake to him comforting words with hand troth-clasped in hand. 
 And first did Poseidon cheer him, the Shaker of the Land : 
 
 " Quake not exceedingly, Peleus' son, nor be sore afraid : 
 For behold what manner of helpers be here on thy side arrayed, — 
 And Zeus sayeth yea thereunto, — even Pallas Ath^n6 and \. 290 
 
232 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 It is not thy weird by the wrath of such as a River to die. 
 
 He shall weary full soon, and forbear ; thou shalt see it in very deed. 
 
 And we counsel thee straitly thus, if thou wilt hearken our rede — 
 
 See thou refrain not thine hands from the strife of the wavering fray 
 
 Till in Ilium's walls thou hast penned the Trojans' war-array, 295 
 
 Even all yon fleers : and take thou Hector's life away 
 
 Ere thou come to the galleys again. Lo, we give thee renown this day." [word : 
 
 To the place of the Deathless they gat them, when thus they had spoken the 
 But he went — for his heart by the hest of the Gods was mightily stirred — 
 On to the plain. But all with the floods outpoured was filled, 300 
 
 And much fair harness and corpses of strong men battle-killed 
 Were swept to and fro. But his knees leapt high victoriously : 
 Right onward against the torrent he plunged : he stayed not, he. 
 For the broad-rushing River : AthenS mightily strengthened him. 
 Yet Skamander forebore not his fury ; his wrath waxed yet more grim 305 
 Against Peleus' son ; and with surge like a helmet-crest tossed high 
 He uplifted himself, and to Simols called with a mighty cry : 
 
 " Dear brother, let thou and I in any wise stay this foe ; 
 Else soon shall he lay the mighty city of Priam low, 
 
 And the host of the Trojan folk no more shall abide in the fight. 310 
 
 Come to mine help with speed : fill thou my streams to the height 
 With floods from thy springs ; bid all thy mountain-torrents leap : 
 Uplift thou a mighty surge, and charge with a thunderous sweep 
 Of trunks and of stones, to the end we may cause this savage to stay 
 Who is triumphing now, and is fain to defy the Gods this day. 3 1 5 
 
BOOK XXI. 233 
 
 For I say that his strength shall avail him not, nor his goodlihead, 
 
 Nor his splendid battle-gear, which shall lie all slime-overspread 
 
 Far down in the depths of the mere, and himself shall be shrouded o'er 
 
 With sand, and shingle around him, a measureless heap, will I pour. 
 
 Never the sons of Achaia on this man's bones shall light 320 
 
 To gather them up ; such a mountain of silt shall veil him from sight. 
 
 Yea, there shall his barrow be heaped ; no need shall they have, not they, 
 
 To uppile him a sepulchre-mound when Achaians his death-rites pay." 
 
 So spake he, and rushed on Achilles the stormy-seething flood 
 High-tossing, and roaring with foam and with dead men's bodies and blood. 
 And thundercloud-black the surge of the heaven-fallen River towered 
 Ever higher, and Peleus' son had he now well-nigh overpowered. 
 But HSre shouted aloud, — for her heart was sore adread 
 Lest the swirling river should drag Achilles down to the dead, — 
 And straightway she cried on Hephaistus her well-loved son, and she said: 330 
 
 " Haltfoot, arise, my son ! — we have found thee a battle-peer ! 
 
 Lo, Xanthus the swirling River arrayed against thee here ! 
 
 Haste thee, stand up for mine help : fling forth thy flame-banner wide ! 
 
 And I will away, and call fierce blasts from the wild sea-tide, 
 
 The blast of the West, and the South that sweepeth the heaven cloud-clear, 335 
 
 Which shall burn up the heads of his Trojan slain, and their battle-gear, 
 
 Rolling onward the ravening flame. And thou by Xanthus' shore 
 
 Burn up the trees, flash fire to his depths, and forbear nevermore 
 
 For soft words praying, neither for curses a whit shalt thou care. 
 
 But slack not the might of thy godhead, till I shall command thee to spare 340 
 
 h 
 
234 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 With a mighty shout: stay thou thy tameless fireblast there." 
 Then at her hest Hephaistus the flame god-kindled arrayed. 
 First over the plain the fireblast swept : on the corpses it preyed ; 
 For heaps upon heaps they lay where Achilles had wrought that slaughter. 
 Parched was the plain all over, and shrank the shining water. 345 
 
 And as when in the latter summer the north-wind drieth again 
 A watered garden with speedj that the tiller thereof is fain, 
 Even so was the plain all parched, and the corpses he utterly burned ; 
 And against the River thereafter his flame far-flashing he turned. 
 And lo, they were blazing — the elms and the willows, the tamarisk-bushes; 350 
 And the lotos leapt into flame, and the galingale and the rushes 
 By the beautiful streams of the river thickly fringing the shore. 
 And the eels and the fishes through all his swirls were tormented sore ; 
 And writhing they plunged through the lovely waters here and there : 
 By the blast of Hephaistus the Craft-king sore tormented they were. 355 
 
 Yea, the Might of the River is burning, and lo, he gaspeth a prayer : 
 
 " Hephaistus, none of the Gods may stand before thine ire ! 
 No spirit is in me to battle against thy flaming fire. 
 O refrain thee from strife ! — an thou wilt, let Achilles utterly drive 
 Troy's folk from their city : — what do I in battle-aid to strive ? " 360 
 
 All burning he spake, while bubbled his streams in the fervent glow. 
 And as boileth a caldron within, when a great fire blazeth below, 
 And the spurne spurts forth all round, as the fat of a sleek-fed boar 
 Is seething therein, and below dry billets be spread good store ; 
 So wrapped in flame were his streams, and the water boiled evermore : 365 
 
BOOK XXI. 235 
 
 No spirit was in him to flow, but he stayed, tormented sore 
 
 By the breath of the Might of Hephaistus the Craft-king. In anguished despair 
 
 Cried he at last unto H^r^ with wild-winged words of prayer : 
 
 " O Her6, why hath thy son upon my streams fallen, alone 
 Of all others, to vex me ? Herein not I am the guiltiest one, 370 
 
 But all the rest of the Gods on the side of the Trojans that stand. 
 Lo now I refrain from the battle, if this be thy command. 
 O let him also refrain ! I will swear this oath withal. 
 Never to shield Troy's folk when their evil day shall befall ; 
 No, not when with ravening fire all Troy shall be burnt to the ground 375 
 Flame-wrapped, and the sons of Achaia shall burn it, the war-renowned." 
 
 When the Goddess, the white-armed Here, heard that suppliant moan, 
 Straightway she spake to Hephaistus, her well-beloved son : 
 
 " Refrain thee, Hephaistus, my glorious child, for ill were it done 
 If still for a mortal's sake we should buffet a deathless one." 380 
 
 So did she speak, and Hephaistus quenched that flame divine. 
 And again down the beautiful streams did the hurrying ripples shine. 
 
 Now so soon as the might of Xanthus was overmastered, these 
 Had rest, for in spite of her wrath did H^re grant him peace. 
 
 But amidst of the rest of the Gods was a bolt of contention dashed ; 385 
 And the winds of their passionate hearts in stormy battle clashed. 
 Loud was the crash of their onset : the earth roared underground. 
 And with thunder-clarion pealing the boundless heaven rang round. 
 And Zeus on Olympus enthroned heard all, and his heart within 
 -Laughed he for glee, beholding the strife of the Gods begin. 390 
 
236 HOMERS ILIAD. 
 
 Short time from the onset they shrank ; but rose the battle-clang 
 When Ar^s the buckler-cleaver first on Athene sprang 
 Grasping his brazen spear, and loud his defiance rang : 
 
 " Wherefore again, thou wasp, art thou stinging the Gods to the fight, 
 Thou tempest of recklessness, driven to mischief by measureless spite? 395 
 Hast thou forgotten who moved Diomedes, Tydeus' son, 
 To stab me, who caught at his spear, and unswervingly guided it on 
 Full against me, that it wounded my flesh in the sight of the sun ? 
 Now therefore, I ween, shalt thou pay me the price of the deeds thou hast done." 
 
 As he spake it, he smote on her Aegis, the terrible tasselled shield, — 400 
 Not to the lightning of Zeus doth the adamant face of it yield, — 
 Even there did Ares the blood-stained smite with his long-shadowed spear. 
 But she drew back a step, and her strong hand caught up a stone lying near 
 On the plain ; 'twas a rugged rock, a black and a mighty one. 
 Set for a boundary-mark by the men of the days long gone. 405 
 
 Therewithal did she smite fierce Ares' neck, and his knees she unstrung. 
 Over seven roods' length he fell, and his hair in the dust was flung : 
 Clashed round him his armour : and Pallas Athene laughed at tne sight. 
 And there in triumphant scorn she sped the winged word-flight : 
 
 " Fool ! — and not yet hast thou learnt the measure of this my might, 410 
 How far above thine is my strength, that thou darest me on to the fight ? 
 This shall for thee be the fruit of the curses thy mother spake. 
 Of her wrath and her purpose of evil to thee, who hast dared to forsake 
 The Achaians, and make thee the arrogant Trojans' battle-stay.'' 
 
 So spake she, and turned she her proud scorn-lightening eyes away. 415 
 
BOOK XXL 237 
 
 But the daughter of Zeus, Aphrodite, led him thence by the hand, 
 Groaning and groaning again, scarce rallying life to stand. 
 And when Her^ the white-armed Goddess that hero-warder espied. 
 Forthright unto Pallas Athene with words swift-winged she cried : 
 
 " Ha ! child of the Aegis-bearer Zeus, O tireless of might, 420 
 
 Lo how again from the wasting war, through the clash of the fight. 
 Yon carrion-fly is leading the murderer ! — Follow their flight ! " 
 
 So spake she, and after them darted Athene in triumph-glee, 
 And on Aphrodite's breast with her brawny hand smote she : 
 And there were her knees unstrung, and the strength of her heart was fled, 425 
 And there they twain on the breast of the boon earth lay as dead. 
 And there in triumphant scorn the winged words Pallas sped : 
 
 " Even so be all that would lend unto Troy's folk battle-aid, 
 What time soever they fight with the Argives corslet-arrayed ! 
 So valiant be they and so steadfast as she this day hath been, 430 
 
 Who hath braved my might, this champion of Ares, the Dalliance-queen. 
 Ha ! were it thus, long ago had we gotten us rest from toil. 
 And Ilium's fair-walled city had been our battle-spoil." 
 
 So spake she, and Here the Goddess, the White-armed, smiled as she heard, 
 The while to Apollo the Lord Earth-shaker spake the word : 435 
 
 " Phoebus, why stand we apart .' It is nowise meet and right, 
 Since the rest have begun : foul shame will it be, if we shall not fight 
 Ere back to Olympus, the brass-paved palace of Zeus, we fare. 
 Begin thou ; for thou art the younger, and not for mine honour it were, 
 Seeing I am the elder-born, and in wisdom greater than thou. 440 
 
238 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 O fool and witless of heart ! — hast thou clean forgotten now 
 
 All the affliction we suffered beside yon Ilian wall, 
 
 We only of all the Gods, when we came from Zeus's hall, 
 
 And were hirelings a whole year's space unto haughty Laomedon 
 
 For a promised wage, and he was our taskmaster, speeding us on ; 445 
 
 And I for the Trojans builded a wall about their town. 
 
 Wide and exceeding fair ; no foe might break it down. 
 
 O Phoebus, and thou didst pasture their trailfpot wreath-horned herd 
 
 Mid the folds of Ida the forest-shadowed, the many- spurred. 
 
 But at last, when the seasons brought the time of our glad desire, 450 
 
 The day of our toil-wage, then did he wrest from us all our hire, 
 
 And with threats that terrible king Laomedon sent us away : 
 
 Thine hands did he threaten to bind, thy feet in the fetters to lay, 
 
 And to send thee away into thraldom to isles far over the brine ; 
 
 Yea, swore he would shear with the brass our ears, even thine and mine. 455 
 
 So we turned us aback and we went, and with rage were our hearts afire, 
 
 Wroth for the promised guerdon, the broken troth of the liar. 
 
 To his folk now art thou showing thy kindness ! — not on our side 
 
 Dost thou toil that the Trojans may perish, the lawless children of pride. 
 
 In utterest wrack, yea, every child and shamefast bride." 460 
 
 Then unto him Far-smiter Apollo the King replied : 
 " Earth-shaker, thou wouldst not say that my wisdom abode with me 
 If I for the wretched deathlings' sake should war with thee, — 
 Creatures that like to the leaves of the forest flourish to-day. 
 And the life in them gloweth as flame, and the fruit of the earth eat they ; 465 
 
BOOK XXI. 239 
 
 And to-morrow, behold, they be fading and perishing. Nay, but with speed 
 Refrain we from strife : let themselves in their own cause battle and bleed." 
 
 So spake he, and turned him away, for that shame withheld his hand 
 From smiting his father's brother, the Shaker of the Land. 
 But his sister chode with him hotly, the chaser of forest-prey, 470 
 
 Artemis, Greenwood-queen, and with mocking speech 'gan say : 
 
 "Thou art recreant, O Far-smiter, and all the triumph dost yield 
 To Poseidon, and giv'st him the victory-vaunt of an unfought field ! 
 O fool, and what hast thou to do to bear the bow in vain ? 
 Ha, in the halls of our sire let me hear thee never again 475 
 
 Making thy boast as of old mid the Gods that abide for aye. 
 How that thou with Poseidon wilt match thee face to face in the fray ! " 
 
 So railed she : no word unto her Far-smiter Apollo spoke : 
 But the wrath of the Wife of Zeus, of the Lady of Worship, awoke ; 
 And with words of upbraiding she cried to the Arrow-triumphant there : 480 
 
 " And thou, O shameless-bold, how is it that now thou dost dare 
 Against me to array thee ? I ween I am all too strong for thee. 
 What though thou bearest the bow, seeing Zeus hath ordained thee to be 
 Unto women a lion, hath given thee to slay them as seemeth thee good. 
 Ha, better it is on the mountains to slaughter the beasts of the wood 485 
 
 And the flying stags, than in conflict to strive with a mightier foe ! 
 Nay then, an thou wilt, make trial of war, and so shalt thou know 
 How mighty is she against whom thou art fain into battle to go." 
 
 So spake she, and Artemis' either hand by the wrist she gripped [stripped ; 
 With her left ; with her right from her shoulders the bow and the quiver she 
 
240 HOMERS ILIAD. 
 
 And with these did she buffet the ears of the Huntress, smiling ever, 
 
 While Artemis twisted and writhed, and the swift shafts poured from the quiver. 
 
 And weeping and cowed did she flee, as darteth a culver adread, 
 
 Which in flight from the swoop of a hawk to her haven of safety hath sped, 
 
 To a cleft of the rock, being doomed not yet for the spoiler's prey ; 495 
 
 So weeping she fled, and she left the bow on the ground where it lay. 
 
 Then unto Leto the Guide-god, Slayer of Argus, said : 
 
 " Leto, I fight not with thee : good sooth, he were hard bestead 
 Who would buffet the brides of Zeus, the arrayer of hosts of cloud. 
 Nay, nay, but amidst of the Deathless with lightsome heart and proud 500 
 Boast thou that in stress of battle before thy might I bowed." 
 
 But silently L6to upgathered the bow and the arrows that lay 
 Hither and thither strewn in the dust of the whirl of the fray. 
 Then bearing the quiver and bow she followed her daughter's flight : 
 She was gone unto Zeus's brass^paved hall on Olympus' height ; 505 
 
 And weeping she sat on her father's knees in sorrowful plight. 
 While the vesture celestial shook with her sobs. But he gathered his child 
 Close in his arms, and Kronion asked her, and kind he smiled : 
 
 " Now which of the Heaven-folk, darling, this unto thee hath done 
 Roughly and rudely, as though thou hadst sinned in the sight of the sun ?" 510 
 
 Spake she of the garlanded hair, of the forest-ringing shout : 
 " Father, thy wife, even Here, hath dealt to me buffet and flout : 
 Still mid the Deathless her brands of dissention she flingeth about." 
 
 So spake they each unto other, of deeds of outrage done. 
 But Phoebus Apollo the while into Ilium the holy was gone ; 515 
 
BOOK XXI. 241 
 
 For his heart yearned over the wall of the beautiful-builded town, 
 
 Lest the Danaans ere its hour should in that day break it down. 
 
 But the rest of the ever-abiding Gods to Olympus hied, 
 
 These wrathful at heart, and those in glory of triumph-pride. 
 
 With Zeus the Cloudrack-clad sat these : but still in the plain 520 
 
 By Achilles' hands were the heroes of Troy and her battle-steeds slain. 
 
 And as when storm-billows of smoke toss up to the broad-arched skies 
 
 From a burning town, when the wrath of the Gods hath bidden them rise, 
 
 And for this must all folk toil, and many a heart shall break ; 
 
 So Achilles brought on the Trojans travail and sore heart-ache. 525 
 
 From the height of a mighty tower the ancient King gazed out 
 At Achilles the terrible : ever before him the huddled rout 
 Of the panic-struck Trojans fled, nor was any deliverance found. 
 And the King with a bitter cry came down from the tower to the ground ; 
 And straight to the stalwart guards of the gates his behest he spoke : 530 
 
 " Hold ye the gates flung wide in your hands, till the rout of the folk 
 Shall all have escaped to the city ; for now is Achilles drawn near 
 Driving them : ruin and wrack shall befall us, sorely I fear. 
 And when they again draw breath, safe-gathered within the wall. 
 Together again let the massy close-lapped gate-leaves fall, 535 
 
 Lest the swoop of yonder destroyer should dart through, ruining all." 
 
 So he spake, and they thrust back the bolts, and wide the gates they flung. 
 So a light of safety shone through the pass. And forth hath sprung 
 Apollo, to meet Achilles, and shield the Trojans from bane. 
 On, on to the city, on to the high-built wall amain, 540 
 
242 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 With throats thirst-harrowed, dust-besprent from the weary plain, 
 
 Fled they, and he with the spear followed fiercely, and madness was burning 
 
 Evermore in his heart, and for battle-fame's crown was the soul of him yearning. 
 
 Then, then high-gated Troy had the sons of Achaia won, 
 
 Had not Apollo enkindled Ant6nor's godlike son 545 
 
 Ag^nor, a princely hero, and mighty and valiant of mood. 
 
 Into his heart did he breathe battle-might : by his side he stood 
 
 In his godhead, to ward death's overmastering doom from his head. 
 
 Leaning against an oak, but with thick mist round him shed. 
 
 When the hero espied Achilles the city-smiter fell, 550 
 
 He stayed, and with surging thoughts did his heart full darkly swell, 
 
 The while to his valiant spirit disquieted sore spake he : 
 
 " Ah me I — if now from the face of Achilles the mighty I flee 
 By the selfsame way whereby my fellows in panic fly. 
 
 Even so shall he overtake me, the dastard's death shall I die. 555 
 
 But and if I shall leave yon fleers to huddle in clamorous rout 
 From Achilles Peleus' son, and shall turn my feet about 
 Fleeing far from the wall to the Ilian plain, till at last I shall win 
 Unto Ida's spurs, and shall enter her sheltering brakes within, 
 Then in the river's flow might I bathe me at evenfall, 560 
 
 And return cool-cleansed from the battle-sweat unto Ilium's wall : — 
 Nay, wherefore communeth mine heart within me thus in vain .■' 
 I doubt he will mark me as outward I swerve from the town to the plain. 
 After me straight will he dart, and o'ertake with his flying feet. [565 
 
 No hope for me then : but the death and the blackness of doom must I meet ; 
 
BOOK XXI. 243 
 
 For beyond all menfolk stalwart he is and passing fleet. 
 
 Ha ! — what if in front of the city I meet him — brave him here !— 
 
 Yea, surely his flesh is but flesh, to be pierced by the point of the spear ! 
 
 There is in him but one life only, and mortal he is, men say ; 
 
 And the son of Kronos giveth him this renown in the fray." 57° 
 
 Then he gathered his strength, and awaited Achilles : his heart of might 
 Swelled high with the battle-spirit to meet his foe and to fight. 
 As Cometh a leopardess forth of her twilight lair in the brake 
 To meet the hunter, and nowise within her her heart doth quake. 
 Nor in any wise quail, when she heareth the bay of the hounds drawn near ; 575 
 For though, ere she leap, ye shall stab her, or smite with the cast of a spear, 
 Yet even when spiked on the shaft she will not refrain her from fight, 
 Mad-struggling, or ever she grapple her foe, or be slain outright ; 
 So princely Antenor's son, Agenor the godlike, stood, 
 
 To make proof of the might of Achilles, and fled not, dauntless of mood. 580 
 But in front of his breast the fence of his shapely shield did he hold : 
 At the hero he aimed his lance, and his voice rang loud and bold : 
 
 " Ha ! didst thou hope in thine heart, O Achilles, king of renown, 
 This day to bring down to the dust the lordly Trojans' town ? 
 Ah fool ! pains many and sore shall be suffered for her ere then, 585 
 
 For heroes therein there be many, and battle-valiant men. 
 For our fathers' and mothers' sake, for our wives and our babes, will we save 
 Fair Ilium : thou, even thou, shalt win thee here but a grave. 
 For all thy terrible prowess, O warrior stalwart and brave !" 
 
 Then from his brawny hand the dart keen-pointed he shot, 590 
 
244 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And it smote Achilles beneath the knee, and missed him not. 
 
 And around his ankle the greave of the tin fresh-smithied rang 
 
 Terribly : backward the spear from the smitten armour sprang ; 
 
 For the god-given war-gear stayed the point, that it won not through. 
 
 Thereafter Peleus' son on Ag^nor the godlike flew ; 595 
 
 But Apollo suffered him not with glory to crown that fight. 
 
 For he snatched Agenor away, and in thick mist veiled him from sight ; 
 
 And he sent him in peace safe home, plucked forth of the peril of war. 
 
 And by guile drew Peleus' son from the hunted people afar. 
 
 For there in the shape of Agenor before Achilles' face 600 
 
 Far-smiter stood, and the hero with swift feet rushed in chase. 
 
 Over the plain wheat-waving the God fled fast from the man ; 
 
 By Xanthus the silver-eddying swerving aside they ran ; 
 
 And scantly outrunning him ever Apollo beguiled him on, 
 
 That aye he might hope by the speed of his feet that prey to have won ; 605 
 
 The while the rest of the Trojan rout with exceeding joy 
 
 Pressed into the city in panic, and thronged were the streets of Troy. 
 
 Ha, but they had no will without the wall to abide, 
 
 And to tarry their fellows' coming, and know who among them had died, 
 
 And who had escaped from the war, but glad, O glad they poured 610 
 
 Into the town, whosoever was saved by his feet from the sword. 
 
BOOK XXII. 
 
 Of the blood of Ratroclus avenged, and Hector slain by Achilles. 
 
 O these up and down through the city, as fawns in panic quaking, 
 Were cooling the sweat on their brows, and the fire of their thirst were they 
 On the fair-built battlements leaning : but on the Achaians pressed [slaking, 
 Ever nigher the wall, and their shields on their shoulders the while did they rest. 
 But there were the feet of Hector fettered by baleful fate 5 
 
 In front of Ilium to tarry before the Skaian gate. 
 But Phoebus Apollo spake to Achilles Peleus' seed : 
 
 " Wherefore with swift feet, Peleus' son, after me dost thou speed, 
 Who art mortal, and I an Immortal } — Ha, nowise thou knewest ere now 
 How that I am a God, but with tireless feet on stormest thou ! 10 
 
 What, carest thou naught for the Trojans' toil, whom thou puttest in fear ? 
 Lo, now in the town are they gathered : thou turnest aside and art here ! 
 Me shalt thou never slay ; not subject to death am I." 
 
 Then sorely disquieted fleetfoot Achilles made reply : 
 "Thou hast thwarted me, Smiter from Far, above all Gods worker of ill, {5 
 
246 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 From the wall who hast hitherward turned me, else many another still 
 Had gnashed his teeth in the dust ere they won unto Ilium again ! 
 Thou hast reft great glory from me, and my foes hast delivered from bane 
 With a light heart : — vengeance to come was there none to cause thee to quail. 
 I would surely avenge me on thee, if my strength for the deed might avail 1" 20 
 
 He spake, and with heart uplifted he turned him aback to the town, 
 Rushing on as a horse in a chariot, a winner of guerdon-renown, 
 When he runneth full lightly, and straineth away and away o'er the plain ; 
 So lithe were his feet and his knees, as Achilles plied them amain. 
 
 And him did the old man Priam the first with his eyes espy, 25 
 
 O'er the plain as he rushed far-flashing, as gleameth the star from the sky, 
 The star of the latter summer, whose beams exceeding bright 
 Appear mid the host of heaven in the hush of the dead of night. 
 Which men have surnamed with a name, and the Hound of Orion they call : 
 Brightest it is, but a sign and a token of evil withal, 30 
 
 For a bearer it is of fever to many a hapless man : 
 Even so did the brass on the breast of Achilles flash as he ran. 
 And the old man wailed, and he smote on his head, uplifting on high 
 His hands, and he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, 
 Beseeching his dear-loved son : but in front of the gate he stood 35 
 
 Eager to fight with Achilles, and all unshaken of mood. 
 And the old man stretching his hands unto him made pitiful moan : 
 
 " O Hector, my son, my beloved, abide this man not alone 
 With none other to help thee, lest on a sudden doom thou light 
 Overborne by Peleides, for greater by far than thine is his might, — 40 
 
BOOK XXIL 247 
 
 That ruthless man ! — oh would that as dear to the Gods he were 
 
 As to me ! —his body full soon should the hounds and the vultures tear 
 
 As he lay : then forth of mine heart should its terrible anguish flee ! — 
 
 The man who of sons full many and brave hath bereaved me, 
 
 Slaying and selling to thraldom in isles far over the sea. 45 
 
 Yea, now two sons, Lykaon and Polydorus withal, 
 
 I cannot discern mid the Trojans that throng within Ilium's wall : 
 
 Laothoe bare them to me : among women a princess she is. 
 
 But if yet mid the host of the foemen they live, ah then, T wis, 
 
 Redeem them will we with the brass and the gold in mine halls that is found, 50 
 
 For that much to his daughter was given of Altes the ancient renowned. 
 
 But and if by this they be dead, and have passed unto Hades' hall. 
 
 Upon me and the mother who bare them shall trouble and anguish fall ; 
 
 But lighter shall lie on the rest of the people their burden of woe 
 
 If thou too perish not by Achilles' hands laid low. 55 
 
 Nay, pass thou within the wall, dear child, and save thereby 
 
 The Trojans and daughters of Troy, and glory great and high 
 
 Give not to Peleides, nor thou of the precious life be bereft. 
 
 And compassionate wretched me, who yet have feeling left. 
 
 The hapless, whom Father Kronion shall slay on the threshold of eld 60 
 
 By an evil fate, when mine eyes full many an ill have beheld. 
 
 Have beheld sons butchered, and daughters dragged unto shame and thrall, 
 
 And my chambers havoc-wasted, and helpless babes withal 
 
 Uplifted and dashed to the ground in the ghastly sport of the fray. 
 
 And the wives of my sons by Achaian ravishers haled away. 65 
 
.248 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And me, even me, at the entering in of my doors at the last 
 
 Raw-ravening dogs shall rend — when a foeman with javelin-cast 
 
 Or with stab of the keen-whetted brass my life from my limbs shall have sped, — 
 
 Those trencher-hounds, door-warders that I in mine own halls fed ; 
 
 Drunk with my blood, yea, maddened therewith, in the porch of my gate 70 
 
 Shall they lay them down. For the young man seemly is every fate, 
 
 Battle-stricken, with keen brass mangled and torn, to lie : — 
 
 Whatsoever befall, there is honour, for so do the heroes die. 
 
 But ah, when the hoary head and the white beard's reverend hair 
 
 And the shame of the old man slaughtered the dogs defile and tear, 75 
 
 Most piteous is this of all that wretched mortals bear." 
 
 The old man spake, and his hoary hair he plucked and rent 
 From his head with his hands, yet would not Hector's purpose be bent. 
 And his mother wept the while and lamented sore distressed, 
 And she loosened the folds of her vesture, she bared the mother's breast, 80 
 And with shedding of tears the swift-winged words to her son she addressed : 
 
 " O Hector, my child, have respect unto this, and have mercy on me, 
 Even me ; if ever I gave consolation of this unto thee, 
 Remember it, O my son, my darling, and fight yon foe 
 
 From within the wall, nor without for a champion stand thou so ! 85 
 
 He is ruthless ; for if he shall slay thee, I never shall lay on a bed 
 The blossom that sprang from my womb, nor lament my beloved dead, 
 Nor thy wife of the rich bride-price : but from us O far away 
 By the ships of the Argives the fleetfoot dogs shall devour the prey." 
 
 So to their dear-loved son with weeping and wailing they cried, 96 
 
BOOK XXII. 249 
 
 And with earnest beseeching ; yet turned not Hector's purpose aside. 
 
 But he waited Achilles the mighty as nearer and nearer he sped, 
 
 As a mountain-snake by his den abideth the wayfarer's tread, 
 
 Which hath eaten of deadly herbs ; dread fury hath passed into him, 
 
 And coiled round the pit of his den he is glaring exceeding grim : 95 
 
 So Hector with quenchless fury filled would in no wise yield ; 
 
 And against a tower forth-jutting he leaned his glittering shield. 
 
 But in sore disquiet he spake to his spirit gallant-souled : 
 
 " Ah me, if I enter the gates and the walls of the fenced hold, 
 First will Polydamas be to heap reproach on me then, 100 
 
 Who bade me backward to lead to the city the Trojan men 
 When fell that ruinous night when Achilles uprose to the war. 
 But I would not hearken nor heed ; — ay, this had been better far ! 
 But now, forasmuch as my folly hath ruined the host, I fear 
 Troy's sons and her scornful daughters royally-robed, and the jeer, 105 
 
 Lest haply a worser than I shall say with mocking sneer : 
 ' Hector by trust in his own might brought the people to bane !' 
 So shall they say : but for me, it were more, far more for my gain 
 To face Achilles, and turn not again till I smite him down. 
 Or in front of the town by his hand with honour to die and renown. 1 10 
 
 — But what if my buckler boss-bestarred I should lay down here. 
 And my massy helmet, and lean against yon wall my spear, 
 And myself should go and stand the princely Achilles before. 
 And should promise to him that Helen and all that treasure-store. 
 What things soe'er Alexander in hollow ships oversea 115 
 
2SO HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Brought unto Troy, wherefrom this strife began to be, 
 
 I would render to Atreus' sons to bear away, and beside 
 
 Would give the Achaians the half of the wealth this city doth hide, 
 
 And would take an oath of the Trojans, and cause the elders to swear 
 
 To hide back nothing thereof, but to make division fair 120 
 
 Of all the warded wealth in the city glorious ? 
 
 — Tush ! wherefore now is mine heart within me communing thus ? 
 
 I go to meet him ! — Achilles will nowise pity nor spare ; 
 
 He will have not any respect, but will slay me fenceless there : 
 
 Like a woman shall I be slain, of my war-gear disarrayed. 125 
 
 No time is it now from beneath a rock or an oak-tree's shade 
 
 To speak soft words unto him, as of maiden and youth it is done 
 
 When maiden and youth together softly murmur alone. 
 
 Better to clash in the strife. Let us speedily see and know 
 
 Upon whether of us the Olympian glory's meed will bestow." 130 
 
 So mused he, and tarried : but nearer Achilles and nearer pressed, 
 Like the Warrior-god Enyalius, Lord of the tossing crest. 
 Brandishing over his rightward shoulder the Pelian ash. 
 Terrible : round him the brazen armour gleamed, as the flash 
 Of fire when its flame rusheth up, or the sun springing up from the sea. 135 
 And trembling on Hector gat hold when he saw : no more dared he 
 There to abide, but the gates he forsook, and he fled in his fear, 
 And Peleides in pride of his fleetness of foot rushed after the fleer. 
 Even as a hawk on the mountains, the swiftest of all winged things, 
 On a trembling hare cometh swooping adown with effortless wings, 140 
 
BOOK XXII. 251 
 
 And she fleeth before him, but he with a wild scream following still 
 
 Darteth to seize her, and darteth again with eager will : 
 
 So in his fury he flew right onward, and Hector fled 
 
 'Neath the wall of the Trojans, and strained strong knees that lightly sped. 
 
 On, by the watch-height — on, by the wild- fig tossed with the wind, — 145 
 
 By the wain-track they darted, leaving the wall ever farther behind. 
 
 And they came to the beautiful-flowing springs where the ripples gleam 
 
 As the fountains twain well up of Skamander's swirling stream. 
 
 For with warm flood floweth the one, and around it upgoeth a smoke 
 
 Therefrom, as though it were blazing fire from the earth that broke. 1 50 
 
 And the other in summer's heat as cold hail gusheth forth. 
 
 Or as snow, or as ice of the water begotten by winds of the north. 
 
 And beside them cisterns broad fair-fashioned of stone are there. 
 
 Full nigh, whither wives of the Trojan men and their daughters fair 
 
 Were wont to bring their glistering raiment and cleanse the same 155 
 
 In the olden days of peace, ere the sons of Achaia came. 
 
 Thereby those twain, this fleeing, and that pursuing, raced : 
 
 'Twas a brave man fled before, but a mightier far who chased 
 
 Swiftly ; for not for an ox they contended, no hide was the meed, — 
 
 Such things as be set for guerdons when men in the footrace speed,— 160 
 
 But they raced for the life of Hector the queller of the steed. 
 
 And as thunderfoot horses, the winners of guerdons, with feet fast-flying 
 
 Dash round the turning-post, and there is the great prize lying, 
 
 A tripod or woman-thrall, when dead is a mighty man ; 
 
 So compassing thrice the city of Priam the heroes ran 165 
 
252 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 With hurrying feet : and all the Gods looked on from the sky. 
 
 And now did the Father of Gods and of men in the midst of them cry : 
 
 " Out on it ! — dear unto me is the man that I see with mine eyes 
 Hunted around yon wall, and ruth in mine heart doth arise 
 For Hector, who burnt to me sacrifice-thighs, ay, many an one, 170 
 
 Now on the crests of Ida of many a fold, and anon 
 On the citadel's height : even him Achilles the godlike at last 
 Is hunting around the city of Priam with feet flying fast. 
 But come now, bethink you, ye Gods, take counsel together for this : 
 Or shall we redeem his life from destruction, or, brave as he is, 175 
 
 In death shall we bow him beneath Achilles Peleus' seed ?" 
 
 Unto him made answer Ath^n6, the Grey-eyed uttered her rede : 
 " O Father of gleaming levin and dark cloud, what sayest thou ? 
 A man that is mortal, whose weird hath been spoken long ere now, 
 For him wouldst thou loose the bands of death dread-echoing ? 180 
 
 Ay, work thy will — but the Gods shall nowise praise this thing!" 
 
 But answer to her did Zeus the Cloudrack-gatherer make : 
 " Fear not, O Trito-begotten, beloved child : I spake 
 Nowise with purpose of heart, but of grace unto thee am I fain. 
 As thy spirit hath moved thee, so shalt thou do, a!nd thou shalt not refrain." 185 
 
 Enkindled the more by his word was Athene the eager-hearted : 
 She flashed from the crests of Olympus, and down to the earth she darted. 
 
 Swift-chasing Hector amain Achilles followed his flight ; 
 As a hound which hath roused from its covert a fawn on a mountain-height 
 Chaseth the child of the stag through many a glade and glen ; 190 
 
BOOK XXII. 253 
 
 And though it should cower 'neath a bush, and a moment escape his ken, 
 
 Yet unresting he runneth, and scenteth it out, till he light thereon : 
 
 So never might Hector baffle Peleus' fleetfoot son ; 
 
 But oft as over against the gates Dardanian 
 
 He would suddenly swerve to dart 'neath the stately towers as he ran, 195 
 
 If haply his friends from above with their darts would succour his plight, 
 
 So often Achilles would head him, and backward turn him in flight 
 
 To the plain, for himself on the cityward side flew on evermore. 
 
 And as one in a dream can ne'er overtake him who fleeth before, 
 
 As this one can never escape, neither that draw nigh to the fleer, 200 
 
 So never could this with his feet overtake, neither that win clear. 
 
 And how had Hector escaped so long from death's grim doom. 
 
 Except for the last and the uttermost titne Apollo had come 
 
 To his side, and enkindled his might, making lightsome his knees as they sped ? 
 
 But unto his war-folk ever Achilles shook his head, 205 
 
 And forbade them to hurl their bitter darts, lest another should win 
 
 The glory of Hector's death, and himself be but second therein. 
 
 But when for the fourth time these to the fountains twain drew nigh. 
 
 Then hung Allfather his golden Balances forth from the sky : 
 
 Two fates of Death the outstretcher in sleep thereinto he flung, 210 
 
 Whereon the lives of Achilles and Hector the horse-queller hung. 
 
 By the midst did he grasp them and raise — sank Hector's doom-fraught day 
 
 Down, down unto Hades, and Phoebus passed from his side away. 
 
 Then came to.Peleides the Goddess Athene the flashing-eyed ; 
 
 Beside him she stood, and she loosed the winged word-flight, and she cried : 2 1 $ 
 
254 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 " O glorious Achilles the Zeus-beloved, we twain this day 
 To the galleys shall bear, I trust, high fame for Achaia's array 
 By laying yon Hector low, be he never so hungry for fight. 
 No more unto him is it given to escape from our hands by flight, 
 Not though in an agony Phoebus the Smiter from Far should entreat, 220 
 Though he grovelled at Father Zeus the Aegis-bearer's feet. 
 But thou stand still and awhile draw breath, and for me, I will go 
 And persuade yon craven man against man to abide his foe." 
 
 So spake Athen^, and hearkened Achilles, and blithe of mood 
 He halted, and leaned on his brazen -pointed spear as he stood. 225 
 
 And the Goddess left him there, and to Hector the godlike she came ; 
 But it seemed D^i'phobus' shape, and the mighty voice was the same. 
 And lo, at his side she stood, and the light-winged word spake she : 
 
 " Dear brother, Achilles the swift of a truth doeth violence to thee. 
 Hunting thee round the city of Priam with fast-flying feet. 230 
 
 Nay then, let us stand, and his onset abide, and in battle meet." 
 
 Answered her Hector, and spake the lord of the stormy crest : 
 " D6i[phobus, ever in days overpast I loved thee best 
 Of all my brethren, the children whom Priam and Hekab^ bore : 
 But now in my soul, I ween, shall I honour thee even more, 235 
 
 Thee, who hast dared for my sake, when thou saw'st with thine eyes, to my side 
 To come forth of the wall, the while all else safe-sheltered abide." 
 
 Unto him made answer Athen^, and spake the Flashing-eyed : 
 " Dear brother, low at my knees did my father and mother fall. 
 And one after other besought me, yea, and my comrades withal, 240 
 
BOOK XXII. 255 
 
 Here to abide, so greatly before Achilles they quake. 
 
 But mine heart within me was sore with a grievous pain for thy sake. 
 
 Now let us have at him, now let us battle : no sparing of spears 
 
 Let there be, to the end we may know whether haply Achilles the fierce 
 
 Shall slay us twain, and shall bear our blood-stained battle-gear 245 
 
 Unto his hollow ships, or shall fall smitten down by thy spear." 
 
 So spake AthSn6, and deathward she drew him by subtlety. 
 So when, as against each other they strode, they were drawn full nigh, 
 Then first to his foe great Hector the stormy-crested said : 
 
 "No longer, O Peleus' son, will I flee thee, as erst I fled 250 
 
 Round the mighty city of Priam thrice, nor endured against thee 
 To stand as thou camest, but now hath my spirit enkindled me 
 To abide thee, man against man, to be slain or haply to slay. 
 Yet come, let us swear by the Gods, for none more righteous than they 
 Shall be found for our witnesses and our warders of covenant : 255 
 
 For to thee will I do no foul despite, if Zeus shall grant 
 That my strength outlast thy strength, and I take thy life away. 
 But when I have stripped from thy shoulders, Achilles, thy war-array. 
 Thy corse will I yield to the men of Achaia. And so do thou." 
 
 But Achilles the fleetfoot cried unto him with lowering brow : 260 
 
 " Hector, thou madman, prate not to me of a covenant-troth ! 
 As between fierce lions and men there is found no assurance of oath. 
 And as wolves and lambs a spirit of harmony never shall find, 
 But evil against each other for aye are the thoughts of their mind, 
 So friendship is nowise for thee and for me, nor betwixt us twain 265 
 
2S6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Shall be plighting of oaths, or ever the one or the other slain 
 
 Glut Ar6s the Warrior, the stubborn-shielded, with life-blood enow. 
 
 Bethink thee of all thy prowess ! — bitter need hast thou 
 
 To prove thee a cunning spearman, a warrior unblenching in fight. 
 
 Escape is there none for thee now, but Pallas Athene forthright 270 
 
 Shall subdue thee beneath my spear, and the whole debt now shalt thou pay 
 
 Of the woes of my friends, whom thou with thy raging lance didst slay." 
 
 He spake, and he swung up on high, and he hurled it, the long-shadowed lance. 
 Yet Hector avoided its leap, looking forward with keen swift glance : 
 For he crouched low, watching : — the brazen spear o'er the head of him flew, 275 
 And it plunged in the earth ; but Pallas Athene the shaft forth drew 
 And gave to Achilles, unmarked of Hector the shepherd of folk. 
 
 Then to the princely child of Peleus Hector spoke : 
 " Thou hast missed me ! — so then not yet did Achilles the godlike know 
 From Zeus the doom of Hector ! Ha, but thy thought was so ! 280 
 
 Nay, a deceiver in speech is here, and a glib-tongued wight. 
 To cause me to quail at thy face, and forget my fury and might. 
 Ha, not as I flee shalt thou thrust through the midst of my back the dart, 
 But as onward I charge do thou drive it clear through my breast and my heart, 
 If God hath vouchsafed to thee this. Now then shun thou the brass 285 
 
 Of my spear: — and oh that its whole length into thy flesh might pass ! 
 More light for the Trojans then were the burden of war, I trow. 
 If thou wert cut off from the earth, for the heaviest curse art thou." [shot, 
 
 He spake, and the long-shadowed lance high-swung from his hand hath he 
 And it smote in the midst of Peleides' shield, and it missed him not. 290 
 
BOOK XXII. 2S; 
 
 But the spear glanced far from the buckler, and Hector chafed in wrath 
 To see how his keen lance fled from his hand on a bootless path. 
 Confounded he stood, for he had no ashen spear beside. 
 Then to Delphobus, prince of the white shield, loud he cried : 
 
 " Ho, give me a long spear yet !" — but lo, he was nowhere nigh. 295 
 
 Then Hector's soul knew all, and he spake full bitterly : 
 
 "Ah me, of a truth the Gods have summoned me deathward to fare! 
 I weened that the hero De'fphobus stood beside me there : 
 But he is within the wall ; 'twas Athen6 that mocked my despair ! 
 Now, nigh to me now is an evil death, nor afar it is : 300 
 
 Escape there is none, — ah, sure from of old the pleasure was this 
 Of Zeus and the Zeus-born Smiter from Far, who in days overpast 
 Of their good will saved me ; but doom hath lighted upon me at last. 
 Yet let me not tamely perish, nor die in renownless shame 
 Till a deed shall be wrought whereof the unborn shall hear the fame." 305 
 
 Swift, as he spake, from the scabbard his keen-whetted sword flashed out. 
 
 Which hung below his side, his falchion massy and stout ; 
 
 And he gathered his might, and like to a soaring eagle he swooped, 
 
 Which adown from the clouds dark-lowering unto the plain hath stooped 
 
 With purpose to pounce on a tender lamb, or a cowering hare ; 310 
 
 So Hector swooped as he brandished on high his sword made bare. 
 
 But onward with fierce rage filling his soul did Achilles charge, 
 
 And he cast in front of his breast the fence of his goodly targe 
 
 Curious-wrought, and a wild light danced on his helm bright-gleaming 
 
 With its fourfold crest, and around were the golden hairs wide-streaming, 315 
 
 / 
 
258 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Fair threads, which Hephaistus had shed full thickly about the plume. 
 
 As amidst of the stars forth goeth a star in the night's deep gloom, 
 
 Hesperus, loveliest star that paceth the floor of the sky. 
 
 So glittered the point of his keen-whetted spear, which Achilles on high 
 
 In his right hand shook, upon Hector the godlike to wreak his wrath, 320 
 
 Keen-watching for glimpse of his flesh, where the lance might find a path. 
 
 But his body in brazen harness of proof was sheathed all o'er. 
 
 Fair mail, which himself from the body of slain Patroclus tore. 
 
 Yet a moment appeared the throat, where the sundering collar-bones lie 
 
 'Twixt shoulder and neck : there is swiftest doom for the life thereby, 325 
 
 Even there in his mid-rush godlike Achilles smote with -his spear. 
 
 And on through the smooth of his neck the point of the lance cleft sheer. 
 
 Yet was not the windpipe pierced by the ashwood heavy with brass, 
 
 That yet he might speak, and the answering word through his lips might pass, 
 
 Down fell he in dust, and Achilles the godlike taunting cried : 330 
 
 " Hector, and didst thou think, in the hour when Patroclus died. 
 To be safe ? — and thou gavest no thought unto me who was not by his side ! 
 Thou fool !-;-aloof the while was a mightier far than he. 
 Even I : by the hollow ships his avenger remained for thee. 
 Who have palsied thy knees : now dogs and vultures shall shamefully rend 335 
 Thee, but Achaia's host shall with glory entomb my friend." 
 
 Then faintly and feebly Hector the stormy-crested spake : 
 " By thy life and thy knees I entreat thee, I pray for thy parents' sake. 
 Cast me not forth by the ships for Achaian dogs to devour. 
 But accept thou the brass and the gold, the abundant ransom-shower 340 
 
BOOK XXIL 259 
 
 Of the gifts that my sire and my mother the Queen at thy feet shall cast, 
 And yield thou my corse to be homeward borne, that so at the last 
 Trojans and daughters of Troy may pay me the dues of the pyre." 
 
 But Achilles the fleetfoot spake, and his eyes were a lurid fire : 
 " Knee me no knees, thou dog, neither prate of my parents to me ! 345 
 
 Would God my spirit within me would leave my fury free 
 To carve the flesh of thee raw, and devour, for the deeds thou hast done ! 
 There is none shall deliver thine head from the teeth of the dogs, there is none, 
 Not though they brought hither and told the ransom ten times o'er. 
 Yea, though it were twenty-fold, and though they should promise yet more, 350 
 Though Priam Dardanus' son against thy corse bade weigh 
 Gold in the balance — not then should the lady thy mother lay 
 Her dead on the bier, and make lamentation for him that she bare ; 
 Nay, but the vultures and dogs thine every limb shall tear." 
 
 And Hector the stormy-crested dying answer made : 355 
 
 " Yea, as thou art I behold thee : I was not like to persuade 
 Such as thee, for, surely of steel the heart in thy breast is wrought. 
 — Take heed lest I rise up against thee, the God's wrath kindled hot. 
 In the day wherein Paris and Phoebus Apollo with death shall smite 
 At the entering in of the Skaian gate even thee in thy might." 360 
 
 As fainted the word on his lips was death's veil over him spread, 
 And the soul from the limbs forth fleeting adown unto Hades had fled, 
 Moaning her ruin, forsaking her youth and her goodlihead. 
 But to him, yea, dead as he lay, Achilles the godlike said : 
 
 " Die thou : — but my doom will I then receive, when the pleasure it is 365 
 
26d HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Of Zeus and the rest of the deathless Gods to accomplish this." 
 
 So spake he, and forth of the corpse he drew the brazen spear, 
 And he set it aside, and he stripped from his shoulders the battle-gear 
 Blood-stained : and running around did the other Achaians press, 
 And with wonder they gazed on the stature and marvellous comeliness 370 
 Of Hector : was none but dealt him a stab as he stood thereby ; 
 And thus, as he glanced at his neighbour, did this man and that man cry : 
 
 " Ha ha, sooth, softer is Hector now to be touched with the hand 
 Then when on the ships he was hurling the red consuming brand !" 
 
 So cried they, and this one and that drew nigh, and they stabbed the slain. 375 
 But when fleetfoot Achilles the godlike the mail from his body had ta'en, 
 Amidst the Achaians standing he spake the swift-winged words : 
 
 " O friends, ye chiefs of the Argive men, and battle-lords, 
 Seeing the Gods have vouchsafed me to bring this man unto naught 
 Who hath done much evil, above what all the rest have wrought, 380 
 
 Come, make we assay in our harness, and compass the city around, 
 To know of the mind of the Trojans, the purpose their hearts have found, 
 Whether now they will leave their stronghold, since he to the dust is brought, 
 Or be stedfastly minded to tarry, albeit Hector is not. 
 
 Yet wherefore now is my spirit communing within me so ? 385 
 
 Beside the galleys unburied and unbewailed lieth low 
 Patroclus : but him will I never forget from mine heart, so long 
 As amidst of the living I fare, and my limbs for my need be strong. 
 Yea, and if even the dwellers in Hades their dead forget. 
 Even there my friend, my beloved, will I remember yet. 390 
 
BOOK XXII. 261 
 
 But now, O sons of Achaia, the victory-hymn let us sing, 
 And return to the hollow ships, and this corse thitherward bring. 
 We have won high glory, have stricken Hector the godlike down, 
 Unto whom, as a God, the Troyfolk prayed throughout their town !" 
 
 He spake, and a shameful handling devised he for Hector slain ; 395 
 
 For behind each foot did he sunder therefrom the sinews twain 
 From the ankle-joint to the heel : hide-bands through the gashes he thrust ; 
 To his chariot he bound them, and left the head to trail in the dust. 
 He hath mounted his car, and the glorious armour thereon hath he cast. 
 And he lashed the horses, and they with eager speed flew fast. 400 
 
 And a dust from the haling of Hector arose, and tossed wide-spread 
 His dark locks : wholly in dust his head lay low — that head 
 Once comely : ah then was the hero delivered over of Zeus 
 In his very fatherland for his foes to despitefully use. 
 
 So dust-besprent was his head ; but his mother was rending her hair 405 
 The while, and she flung therefrom her head-veil glistering-fair 
 Afar, and with wild loud shriek as she looked on her son she cried ; 
 And in piteous wise did his father wail, and on every side 
 Through the city the folk brake forth into shriek and wail at the sight. 
 It was like unto this above all things, as though, from her topmost height 410 
 To the ground, all beetling Troy in flame and in smoke were rolled. 
 And scarce could the folk in his frenzy the ancient King withhold 
 From rushing forth the Dardanian gates in his wild desire : 
 And he prayed unto all, the while he rolled himself in the mire. 
 Naming them all by their names, and calling on every one : 415 
 
262 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 " Forbear, my friends, and for all your anguish leave me alone 
 Forth of the city to fare to the ships of Achaia's array. 
 Unto him, yon fiend, yon worker of violent deeds, let me pray. 
 In the sight of his fellows perchance he will blush, with compassion will see 
 Grey hairs — he too hath a father, an old man like unto me, 420 
 
 Even Peleus, the sire that begat him, and reared him up for a bane 
 Unto Troy : but on me above all hath he laid the bitterest pain. 
 So many my sons in manhood's bloom hath his hand laid low. 
 Yet not so much for the rest do I grieve, for all my woe. 
 As for one for whom sharp anguish shall bow unto Hades mine head, 425 
 Even Hector — would God from between mine arms he had passed to the dead ! 
 Then had we taken our fill of the moan and the keening cry. 
 His mother, the hapless woman who bare him to this, and I." 
 
 So spake he weeping ; the people echoed him groan for groan. 
 Then Hekab^ raised to the daughters of Troy her frenzied moan : 430 
 
 " My child, what is life unto me with horrors stricken sore 
 Now thou art dead ? — Unto me both night and day evermore 
 A boasting thou wast in the city, a blessing to all that abode 
 In the burg, where the sons and the daughters of Troy hailed thee as a God ; 
 For surely a glory exceeding great to thy people wast thou 435 
 
 While yet thou livest ; but death and doom have o'ertaken thee now." 
 
 So weeping she spake : howbeit not yet had his wife heard aught 
 Of Hector ; for tidings to her had no sure messenger brought 
 How that her husband was tarrying yet without the wall : 
 But a web she wove in an inner room of her stately hall, 440 
 
BOOK XXII. 263 
 
 Twofold, of crimson, and broidery-flowers thereover she laid. 
 
 And she called to her fair-tressed maidens throughout the palace, and bade 
 
 To set on the fire a mighty tripod, that so should be dight 
 
 For Hector the steaming bath what time he returned from the fight. 
 
 Ah fool ! for she knew not that very far from the bath he had died 445 
 
 'Neath Achilles' hands by the might of Athene the flashing-eyed. 
 
 Then heard she a shriek from a tower, a wild and woeful sound ; 
 
 Then reeled her limbs, and the shuttle fell from her hands to the ground. 
 
 Then turned she again to her handmaids beautiful-tressed, and she cried : 
 
 " Hitherward, follow me twain : let me see what deeds betide. 450 
 
 The voice of mine husband's reverend mother I hear, and in me 
 The heart in my breast is leaping up to my lips : each knee 
 Is numbed. Unto Priam's children some evil is surely near ! — 
 Ah far from mine ears be the word ! — but sorely, sorely I fear 
 Lest haply Achilles the godlike have cut off Hector alone 455 
 
 From the city, and now to the plain is chasing that valiant one, 
 Yea, and hath made him to cease from the desperate hardihood 
 Which possessed him : for never mid press of the warriors shrinking he stood. 
 But he charged before all, for he yielded to none in his valorous mood," 
 
 So spake she, and forth of the chamber as one distraught she fled, 460 
 
 With heart fast beating the while ; and her handmaids beside her sped. 
 But when to the tower she came and the gathered throng of men. 
 Wild-staring she stood on the wall : and then — she espied him then 
 Dragged onward in front of the city : the swift steeds' pitiless feet 
 Were haling him on to the hollow ships of Achaia's fleet. 465 
 
264 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Then blackness of darkness veiled from her swimming eyes the day ; 
 
 Backward reeling she fell, and she gasped her spirit away. 
 
 And tossed afar from her head did the glistering bands of it fall, 
 
 The frontlet thereof, and the net, and the plaited coronal. 
 
 And the veil that Aphrodite the Golden gave in the hour 470 
 
 When Hector the stormy-crested led his bride from her bower 
 
 In Eetion's halls, when he gave bride-gifts, a countless store. 
 
 And her husband's sisters and brothers' wives thronged round, and bore 
 
 Up in their arms that hapless one distraught unto death. 
 
 Till her spirit came back to her breast, and shivered again her breath. 475 
 
 Then wailing with broken sobs mid the daughters of Troy did she cry : 
 
 " O Hector, woe is me I — unto one fate thou and I 
 Were born ; in the palace of Priam thou, in wide Troy-town, 
 And in Thebe I, 'neath the shadow of Plakos' forest-crown. 
 In Eetion's home, who fostered his babe to a fearful lot — 480 
 
 Ill-fated sire I — would God that sire had begotten me not 1 
 And thou unto Hades' homes 'neath earth's dark places must go. 
 And me in thy palace-halls art thou leaving in bitter woe, 
 A widow : and still but a child, yea, a very babe, is thy son, 
 Which of thee and of me, the hapless, was born : to thy little one 485 
 
 Thou shalt ne'er be a joy, O Hector, nor he unto thee : thou art gone ! 
 For though from the dolorous war of Achaia scatheless he flee. 
 Evermore shall his portion be labour and sorrow in days to be. 
 For the lands of his heritage shall strangers take away ; 
 And mateless and lonely a child is made by the orphaning day. 490 
 
BOOK XXII. 26s 
 
 Utterly droopeth his head, and with tears do his cheeks aye flow. 
 
 And the child to his father's companions in hunger and want shall go, 
 
 Plucking at one by his tunic, and one by his mantle's fold ; 
 
 And in pity the man to his lips the cup but a moment shall hold, 
 
 That it wetteth his lips, but the roof of his mouth is unmoistened and dry. 495 
 
 And a lad unorphaned shall thrust him aback from the feast, and cry, 
 
 With smiting of cruel hands and with stab of the pitiless jeer: 
 
 ' Begone ! no father of thine sitteth feasting amidst of us here !' 
 
 And weeping the child shall return to his mother, to widowed me — 
 
 Astyanax, who once, enthroned on his father's knee, 5°° 
 
 On naught save the marrow and fatness of sheep was wont to feast : 
 
 And when slumber enfolded him round, and from childish play he ceased, 
 
 On a bed was he wont to sleep, in the arms of his nurse soft -stilled 
 
 On an easeful couch, when with royal dainties his heart was filled. 
 
 But now, of his father bereft, full many an ill shall he have — S^S 
 
 My Astyanax — that name unto him 'twas the Trojans gave ; 
 
 For their gates and their far-stretching walls thou only wast wont to save. 
 
 But now by the hollow ships, from thy parents far away, 
 
 Shall the coiling worms devour, when filled are the dogs with the prey, 
 
 A naked corse — ah yet in thine halls lieth raiment of thine, 510 
 
 Fair-fashioned of women's fingers, daintily woven fine. 
 
 But verily all these things will I burn with devouring fire : — 
 
 O yea, no profit to thee — they shall not swathe thee on the pyre ; 
 
 But to be for thine honour in Troytown's sons' and daughters' eyes." 
 
 So wailed she and wept she, while moaned the women's answering cries. 
 
 m 
 
BOOK XXIII. 
 
 Of the athlete-strife at the funeral-feast of the dead Patroclus. 
 
 O made they moan through the city, the while Achaia's host 
 Back to the galleys streamed and the Hellespontine coast. 
 Then scattered their thousands, and each to his galley wended his way. 
 But Achilles suffered the Myrmidons not to break their array ; 
 But his voice o'er the ranks of his battle-revelling comrades rolled : 5 
 
 " Swift-horsed Myrmidon men, my comrades staunch and bold, 
 Not yet from the chariot-yoke let our thunderfoot steeds be led, 
 But, warrior, horses, and car, let us all draw nigh to the dead, 
 And wail for Patroclus : the honour is this of the dead which have died. 
 But so soon as with sore lamentation our souls shall be satisfied, 10 
 
 Let us all unyoke, and prepare us the meat of the eventide." 
 
 Then, of Achilles begun, did the wail from the multitude rise. 
 And around that body the fair-maned horses drave they thrice 
 Mourning, and Thetis thrilled them with longing for weeping and wail. 
 And wet were the sands at their feet, and wet was the warriors' mail 15 
 
BOOK XXIII. 267 
 
 With tears ; so sorely they yearned for the panic-wafting chief. 
 And Peleides upraised the keen, and the vehement voice of grief, 
 The while on Patroclus' breast his manslaying hands he laid : 
 
 " I hail thee, Patroclus, albeit in Hades' halls of shade ! 
 Whatso I promised to thee, in nothing thereof have I failed. 20 
 
 For the dogs' red-ravening feast is Hector hitherward haled ; 
 And twelve of the goodliest children of Troy, in mine hot desire 
 Of revenge for the slaying of thee, will I slaughter before thy pyre." 
 
 He spake, and he thought foul shame that to Hector yet should be done. 
 On his face he hurled him in front of the bier of Menoitius' son 25 
 
 In the dust. And his men disarrayed them of all their battle-weeds. 
 Brazen and glittering bright, and unyoked their high-neighing steeds. 
 By the galleys of Aiakus' fleetfoot son in their thousands then 
 Sat they ; and he spread an abundant funeral-feast for his men. 
 There many a goodly ox on the earth was stretched which they slew 30 
 
 With the red steel, many a sheep, and bleating goats not a few. 
 And many a white-tushed boar of the fat-sheathed swine huge-fed 
 Was spitted to singe o'er the flames which the Fire-god's breath fanned red ; 
 And all around the corse was the blood as from bowls outshed. 
 Then, leading the fleetfoot chieftain, the Peleus-begotten, went 35 
 
 The princes Achaian to godlike Agamemnon's tent. 
 
 Scarce winning him thither, whose soul with wrath for his friend was aflame. 
 But when unto Agamemnon's pavilion faring they came. 
 Then spake the King to the heralds of far-ringing voice, and he bade 
 Set a tripod huge on the fire, if now they might haply persuade 40 
 
268 HOMERS ILIAD. 
 
 The scion of Peleus to cleanse from his body the dark-clotted gore. 
 But he steadfastly said them nay, and an oath thereto he swore : 
 
 " Nay, surely by Zeus, of the Gods most holy and most high. 
 It may nowise be that the baths unto this mine head draw nigh. 
 Ere I compass Patroclus with flame, and uppile him the earth for a tomb, 45 
 And shear mine hair, for never a second time shall there come 
 Such anguish as this on mine heart, while yet mid the living I fare. 
 But now consent we to taste of the banquet, how loathed soe'er ; 
 And command thou, King of Men Agamemnon, with morning light 
 That they bring the wood for the pyre, and provide us whatso is right 50 
 
 That the dead should have who must pass to the Land of the Shadow of Night, 
 To the end that the tireless flame may kindle upon him, and burn 
 Our dead from our eyes, and the folk each man to his labour may turn." 
 
 He spake, and with right good will they hearkened his word, and obeyed. 
 Full hastily then was the feast of the eventide arrayed ; 55 
 
 And they portioned, and rightful share of the feast lacked no man's soul, 
 So when they had quenched in their hearts the desire of the meat and the bowl, 
 Then passed they each to his tent, and they laid them down to sleep. 
 But Peleides lay on the shore of the thunderous-plunging deep, 
 Heavily groaning the while, mid the host of the Myrmidon folk, 60 
 
 In a spot left clear of the ships, where the waves on the sea-beach broke. 
 When slumber laid hold on him, loosing the bands of his spirit's care, 
 Shed sweetly around, — for that spent the glorious limbs of him were 
 In the hunting of Hector as swiftly by Ilium the windy they sped, — 
 Then came unto him the spirit of hapless Patroclus dead, 65 
 
BOOK XXIII. _ 269 
 
 In all things like him : his stature, his beautiful eyes it had, 
 And his voice, and in unforgotten raiment the shape was clad. 
 And over his head it stood, and it moaned and murmured the word : [stirred. 
 " Thou art sleeping, Achilles ; thine heart with remembrance of me is un- 
 Not in my life, but my death, thou takest for me no care. 70 
 
 Bury me speedily : onward through Hades' gates let me fare. 
 The spirits drive me afar, the phantoms of men outworn. 
 And they suffer me not to greet them beyond the River's bourne ; 
 But through Hades' house wide-gated I wander still forlorn. 
 And give me thine hand, I beseech thee. For me is there no returning 75 
 From Hades, when once ye have rendered to me the dues of the burning. 
 Nevermore from our comrades aloof shall we sit, as of old we sate, 
 Taking counsel together ; but me the jaws of a loathly fate 
 Have swallowed, the doom whereuntp in the hour of my birth I was given. 
 And thy weird too, O Achilles like to the Dwellers in Heaven, 80 
 
 Is spoken, even to die 'neath the high-born Trojans' wall. 
 This too, if thou haply wilt heed my request, will I tell thee withal : 
 Lay not my bones, O Achilles, to rest afar from thine own. 
 But together, as fostered we were in your halls in days bygone. 
 When from Opus Menoitius brought me, though naught but a child I was, 85 
 To sojourn within your home, for dark bloodguiltiness' cause. 
 In the day whereon mine hand the son of Amphidamas slew. 
 Not of my will, but in childish wrath, as the dice we threw. 
 Then in his palace Peleus the car-lord welcomed me. 
 And fostered in kindly wise, and named me henchman to thee. 90 
 
270 HOMER'S iLIAD. 
 
 So would I that one urn also should hide our bones in the grave, 
 That golden urn twin-eared which the Lady thy mother gave." 
 
 Then unto him fleet-footed Achilles answered and said : 
 " Wherefore to me art thou hitherward come, beloved head, 
 And layest this charge upon me ? — O yea, I will heed thy behest, 95 
 
 And perform it every whit, according to this thy request. 
 But draw thou nigher to me : let us but for a little space 
 With woeful lamenting be comforted, clasped in each other's embrace." 
 
 He spake, and he stretched out his arms ; but naught in the grasp of him lay ; 
 But the spirit beneath the earth, as a vapour that passeth away, lOO 
 
 Was gone with a shriek : upsprang Achilles amazedly, 
 And he smote together his hands, and he cried with a bitter cry : 
 
 " O strange ! then even in Hades' homes — and I knew not this — 
 They have spirit and shape, albeit in these no life there is. 
 For all through the livelong night by my side hath the spirit stayed 105 
 
 Of Patroclus the hapless, and mourning and lamentation he made 
 With many a prayer ; and wondrous like to the man was the shade." 
 
 He spake, and in each man's spirit a passion of mourning awoke. 
 And over them, still as they wailed, the dawn rose-fingered broke 
 As they stood by the piteous corse. But now Agamemnon the King 1 10 
 
 'Gan speed the mules and the men the wood of the burning to bring. 
 From all the tents were they called, and were led by a hero bold, 
 The henchman M^riones of Idomeneus courteous-souled. 
 So they went, and the timber-cleaving axes in hand they bore, 
 And the ropes full deftly twined : and the mules fared on before ; 1 15 
 
BOOK XXIII. 271 
 
 And upward and downward and thwartward and slantward they tramped 
 
 But when on the spurs of Ida the fountain-flashing they stood, [evermore. 
 
 Straightway the oaks high-crested with might and main they hewed 
 
 With the long-edged brass ; and they fell with a crash far-echoing round. 
 
 And these the Achaians cleft, and the billets thereof they bound 120 
 
 On the backs of the mules ; and their hurrying feet tore up the ground 
 
 As plainward straining they burst through the tangled brakes of the wold. 
 
 And the woodcutters all bare logs on their shoulders, for so were they told 
 
 Of the henchman M^riones of Idomeneus courteous-souled. 
 
 Then heaps upon heaps they cast all down on the shore, in the place 125 
 
 Where Achilles was minded Patroclus' mound and his own to upraise. 
 
 But when they had strown that measureless wood upon every hand, 
 
 There sat they and waited in throngs : straightway did Achilles command 
 
 The battle-revelling men of the Myrmidon host of war 
 
 To gird them with harness of brass, and to yoke, each man to his car, 130 
 
 His steeds, and they hasted and clad them all in their battle-gear. 
 
 Then on the chariots mounted warrior and charioteer. 
 
 In front were the horses, behind did the cloud of the footmen pour, 
 
 Countless : amidst them his comrades the corpse of Patroclus bore. 
 
 And they heaped the dead with the locks from their heads that for mourning 
 
 And cast : and behind was Achilles the godlike clasping the head [they shore 
 
 In grief; for now unto Hades his noble companion he sped. 
 
 So when they were come to the place appointed of Peleus' child. 
 
 There set they the corse, and the stintless wood in a heap they piled. 
 
 Then a new thought came into fleetfoot godlike Achilles' heart, 140 
 
272 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 For his golden locks he shore as he stood by the pyre apart, 
 
 The hair whose wealth till then for Spercheius the river had grown ; 
 
 And over the dark sea gazing with burdened heart did he moan : 
 
 " Spercheius, my father Peleus vowed unto thee in vain 
 That, when I should win to mine own dear fatherland again, 145 
 
 Unto thee would he shear mine hair, and would offer a hecatomb. 
 Yea, and with fifty rams for sacrifice would he come 
 To thy fountains, thine holy place, and thine altar's incense-cloud. 
 So spake the ancient, — thou gavest not that for the which he vowed. 
 But now, since I shall not return to my fatherland-home, mine hair 150 
 
 Will I give to Patroclus the hero down unto Hades to bear." 
 
 Then laid he the tresses between the hands of his friend dear-loved 
 And a passion of mourning awoke, for that all men's hearts were moved. 
 And the light of the sun had gone down while yet they lamented and wept, 
 But Achilles spake ; for to King Agamemnon's side he stept : 155 
 
 " Atreides, — for chiefly the host of Achaia doth heed thy behest, — 
 Even of mourning at last the soul desireth rest : 
 
 Now then from the pyre disperse thou the people, and bid them prepare 
 Their meat : and to this will we look, unto whom the kinsmen's care 
 Of the corse appertaineth : but stay thou the chieftains our labour to share." 160 
 
 So when Agamemnon the King of Men heard this that he spoke, 
 Straightway to the shapely ships he bade disperse the folk. 
 But the kinsmen abode there yet, and the wood in order arrayed. 
 A hundred feet in length and in breadth that pyre they made. 
 On the topmost height of the pyre heart-stricken the corpse they laid ; 16.5 
 
BOOK XXIII. 273 
 
 And in front of the pyre full many a fatling sheep they flayed, 
 
 And dressed them, with trailfoot kine wreath-horned ; and the fat of them all 
 
 Achilles took, and the corpse he covered therewith as a pall 
 
 From the head to the feet, and the carcases piled he on either hand ; 
 
 And therebetween set vases of honey and ointment to stand 170 
 
 Leaning against the bier : and steeds high-crested four 
 
 He cast on the funeral pyre right hastily, groaning sore. 
 
 Nine hounds there were that fed at the feastful board of the king, 
 
 And of twain he severed the throats, and these on the pyre did he fling ; 
 
 Yea, twelve fair children withal of the great -heart Trojan men, 175 
 
 Whom he slew with the brass ; for his heart with a purpose grim burned then. 
 
 And the flame's iron strength did he set thereto, to devour the same. 
 
 Then wailed he aloud, and he called on his dear companion's name : 
 
 " All hail, Patroclus, albeit in Hades' halls thou be ! 
 For now do I bring to fulfilment whatso I promised to thee. 180 
 
 Twelve goodly sons of the great-heart Trojans the flames consume 
 With thee : but Hector the son of Priam nowise I doom 
 To the fire to devour ; but the ravening dogs shall find him a tomb." 
 
 So spake he his threat : but of Hector the dogs had not their will. 
 But from dogs did the Daughter of Zeus Aphrodite defend him still 185 
 
 By day and by night, and with oil ambrosial, rosy of scent, 
 She anointed him o'er, that his flesh might nowise in dragging be rent. 
 And Phoebus Apollo drew thereover a thick dark cloud 
 From the height of the heaven to the plain, and all that place did he shroud 
 Whereon the dead man lay, that the light of the sun, made dim 190 
 
2;4 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Till the end came, might not shrivel the flesh upon sinew and limb. 
 But the pyre of the dead Patroclus had not yet burst into flame. 
 Then a thought to the heart of fleetfoot Achilles the godlike came ; 
 For aback from the pyre he drew, and he cried to the Winds in prayer, 
 Even twain, to the North-wind and West-wind, and promised them offerings fair, 
 And besought them, the while from a golden chalice the wine he shed, [195 
 To come, that with speed the fire might be kindled upon the dead, 
 And the wood might hasten to blaze : then Iris heard as he cried, 
 And swiftly away to the Winds with the tidings thereof she hied. 
 There, thronged in the West-wind's palace, the hall of the Tempest-king, 200 
 The Winds at the banquet feasted ; and Iris hastening 
 Stood on the threshold of stone : and so soon as their eyes espied, 
 All leapt to their feet, and each one beckoned her unto his side. 
 But the Goddess refused to sit, and she spake, even there as she stood : 
 
 " For me no seat ; for aback must I fare unto Ocean's flood, 205 
 
 To the Aethiops' land, for now are they slaying the hecatombs there 
 To the Deathless : thither must I, the sacrifice-feast to share. 
 But Achilles is calling the North and the West winds' roaring wings 
 To come to his help, and he promiseth goodly offerings, 
 
 To the end ye may hasten to kindle the funeral pyre whereon 210 
 
 Patroclus is laid, for whom the Achaians all make moan." 
 
 So spake she, and hasted away ; and with noise unearthly loud 
 Upsprang they, driving before them huddled cloud on cloud. 
 And they suddenly swooped on the sea, and they breathed, and the surges leapt 
 'Neath the wild-shrilling blast : o'er the fruitful land of Troy they swept; 215 
 
BOOK XXIII. 275 
 
 And they fell on the pyre, and unearthly loud 'gan roar the fire. 
 
 All night were they rolling and hurling together the flames of the pyre, 
 
 Wild blowing and high : and fleetfoot Achilles the long night through. 
 
 With a double-chalice in hand, from a golden bowl ever drew 
 
 The wine, and he poured it on earth, that the ground was wet withal : 220 
 
 And ever upon the hapless Patroclus' soul did he call. 
 
 And as mourneth a sire for his son, as he burneth the bones of the dead, 
 
 Whose dying hath anguished his hapless parents, a son new-wed, 
 
 Even so did Achilles mourn for his comrade, burning his bones. 
 
 Slow moving around the pyre, with heavy and vehement moans. 225 
 
 In the hour when the Morning-star goeth forth. Earth's herald to be 
 Of light, ere spreadeth the saffron-mantled Dawn o'er the sea. 
 Then sank the blaze of the pyre, and the flame no longer burned. 
 And the Winds went back again, and unto their mansion returned 
 Over the Thracian Sea, and with maddening surges he sighed. 230 
 
 But Peleides turned from the place where the red glow darkened and died. 
 And he lay down wearied, and rushed on the hero slumber sweet. 
 And now did the gathering kings round the son of Atreus meet ; 
 And the sound of the tramp of their coming the bands of his slumber brake ; 
 And he raised himself, and he sat, and the word to the princes he spake : 235 
 
 " Atreides, and ye the chiefs of Achaia's host of war, 
 First quench ye the fiery glow with the flame-flushed wine all o'er. 
 Unto whatsoever part the fury of flame hath won : 
 
 Then let us gather the bones of Patroclus Menoitius' son. [240 
 
 From the rest shall ye sunder them well, full lightly shall these be discerned; 
 
2;6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 For they lay in the midst of the pyre, but apart were the others burned 
 
 On the uttermost edges thereof confusedly, horses and men. 
 
 In a golden urn mid the folded fat let us lay them then. 
 
 Till the hour when I myself shall be hidden in Hades the dim. 
 
 But no mound passing great do I bid you to pile over him, 245 
 
 But such as is seemly : thereafter also that mightier one 
 
 Both broad and high the Achaians shall build, that, when I am gone. 
 
 Shall be left alive where the lines of the many-benched ships are arrayed." 
 
 He spake, and the hest of Peleus' fleetfoot son they obeyed. 
 First with the flame-flushed wine did they quench that glowing heap 250 
 
 Whereso the flame had won, and the crumbled ash lay deep. 
 And the white bones gathered they then of their comrade courteous-souled 
 With weeping, and laid them mid folded fat in an urn of gold. 
 In the tent did they set it, a pall of the linen spread they above. 
 Then traced they the barrow's compass, and laid the foundations thereof 255 
 About the pyre, and the mounded earth heaped they to a hill. 
 So piled they the barrow, and backward they turned : but Achilles still 
 There stayed the folk, and he bade sit down in a mighty ring ; 
 And prizes, caldrons and tripods, forth of the ships did he bring ; 
 And horses and mules and oxen of stately heads he brought, ,260 
 
 And women lovely-girded, and hoary steel unwrought. 
 
 First did he set for the swift car-steeds a glorious prize, 
 A woman to lead away, in peerless loomwork wise, 
 And a twin-eared tripod ; measures twenty and two it held : 
 Even these for the first : for the second a mare by the yoke unquelled 265 
 
BOOK XXIII. 277 
 
 Of six years old, in foal with a mule undropt as yet. 
 
 For the third a beautiful caldron unsullied of flame hath he set 
 
 Yet bright from the craftsman's hands, and measures four did it hold. 
 
 For the fourth of the chariots he set in the midst two talents of gold ; 
 
 For the fifth an urn twin-eared, unstained of the flame-born smoke. 270 
 
 And he rose full height, and amidst of the Argive men he spoke : 
 
 " Atreides, and all ye men of Achaia greave-bedight, 
 The prizes that wait for the charioteers lie here in your sight. 
 If the chieftains but strove at another's funeral-feast this day, 
 Myself should the first prize win, and bear to my tent away ; 275 
 
 For ye know how far mine horses in swiftness excel and in fire, 
 , For immortal they are, and Poseidon gave them unto my sire, ^ 
 
 Unto Peleus, and he on his son bestowed that gift of heaven. 
 But for me and my thunderfoot steeds this contest abideth unstriven : 
 They have lost the glory and grace of so noble a chariot-lord, 280 
 
 So gentle, who oftentimes the oil clear-flowing hath poured 
 On the manes that his hands had cleansed with the fountain's crystal flow. 
 For him be they standing and grieving, and earthward drooping low 
 Are their manes, the while they stand with hearts deep-stricken with woe. 
 But make you ready the rest, whosoe'er the Achaians among 285 
 
 Putteth his trust in his steeds and his chariot fashioned strong." 
 
 So spake Peleides, and rose the chiefs, swift lords of the car. 
 'Twas Eumelus, a king of men, that arose up first by far, 
 The belovM child of Admetus, the car-renowned one : 
 And after him rose Diomedes the stalwart, Tydeus' son ; 290 
 
278' HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And the horses of Tros to his chariot he yoked, which he won in the strife 
 
 From Aeneas, howbeit Apollo saved that hero's life. 
 
 Next him rose golden-haired Menelaus, Atreus' seed, 
 
 The Zeus-begotten, and horses swift to the yoke did he lead, 
 
 Podargus his own, and Aith^ the mare of his brother the King : 295 
 
 That mare unto him did Anchises' child Echep61us bring 
 
 That he might not follow his spear unto Ilium the windy-towered,. 
 
 But abide mid the bliss of his home, since Zeus upon him had showered 
 
 Great substance, and Sikyon's wide-meadowed land was his dwelling-place : 
 
 Even her did he lead 'neath the yoke fierce-straining, afire for the race. 300 
 
 And his fair-maned steeds to the chariot the fourth did Antilochus bring, 
 
 The glorious child of Nestor, the noble-hearted king 
 
 Of Neleus begotten, and fleetfoot horses, a Pylian brood, 
 
 Must speed his chariot on : now nigh him his father stood, 
 
 And, wise though his son was aforetime, he spake good rede in his ear : 305 
 
 " Antilochus, young though thou art, thou wast held exceeding dear 
 Of Zeus and Apollo, and manifold chariot-lore hast thou 
 Which they taught to thee : little it needeth that I should lesson thee now. 
 Full well canst thou double the turning-post ; but thy steeds be slow 
 As matched with the rest, and this may be yet thy undoing, I trow. 310 
 
 Sooth, fleeter their car-steeds be, but the lords that speed them on 
 In wisdom and prudent counsel excel not thee, my son. 
 Come then, lay up in thine heart, my beloved, the lore of the wise, 
 And their manifold wisdom, lest haply thine hands let slip the prize. 
 By wisdom the woodman accompHsheth more than by bodily might, -315 
 
BOOK XXIII. 279 
 
 And by wisdom the helmsman moreover his swift ship guideth aright 
 
 Amidst of the wine-dark sea, when the wild winds buffet her sore ; 
 
 And by wisdom driver with driver striving availeth more. 
 
 But whoso, putting his trust in naught save chariot and horse. 
 
 With wide sweep recklessly wheeleth at either end of the course, 320 
 
 His steeds in the race run wild, and he holdeth them not in hand : 
 
 But whoso hath worser steeds, but is wise to understand, 
 
 Ever marking the goal doth he wheel close round, and he giveth good heed 
 
 How far at the first with the ox-hide reins to force the steed : 
 
 Safely he holdeth him, watching the leaders with glance full keen. 325 
 
 Now a mark will I show, and it shall not escape thee, a sign clear-seen : 
 
 There riseth a dry stock up, some fathom's height from the plain. 
 
 Of an oak-tree, or pine, and undecayed it is of the rain ; 
 
 And beside it upreared upon either hand two stones gleam white 
 
 Where two ways meet, and the course lieth level to left and to right. 330 
 
 It is haply the cairn of a man that died long heretofore, 
 
 Or haply a turning-post of the men of the days of yore, 
 
 For a goal is it now appointed of godlike Achilles the fleet. 
 
 Thereby shalt thou guide close-skimming thy car and thine horses' feet ; 
 
 And thyself in the chariot goodly-knit to the leftward bow 335 
 
 Lightly away from thy team, and the rightward horse scourge thou 
 
 With shouting, and give loose reins with eager hands unto him. 
 
 And as for thy leftward steed, the very goal let him skim 
 
 In such wise that the goal by the nave of the chariot-wheel well-wrought 
 
 Shall seem to be grazed : but give good heed that thou touch it not, > 340 
 
28o HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Lest haply thou maim thine horses and wreck thy chariot : — glee 
 
 Should come thereof to the rest, but shame and reproach unto thee. 
 
 Now, O my beloved, be wise, and heedful of this my behest ; 
 
 For if thou at the turning-post shalt pass in the race the rest, 
 
 There is none shall with swift rush overtake thee, nor pass thee by, 345 
 
 Not though in thy track with Areion the steed divine he should fly. 
 
 The fleetfoot pride of Adr^stus, the charger of heaven- born strain. 
 
 Or Laomedon's goodly steeds, which were bred on the Trojan plain." 
 
 So Nestor spake, and again in his place the N61eid king 
 Sat down, having told to his son the sum of everything. 350 
 
 And Mdriones hath harnessed his fair-maned car-steeds last. 
 So they stepped to the chariot floors, and the lots mid the helm they cast ; 
 And Achilles shook, and the lot of Antilochus, Nestor's son. 
 Leapt forth, and next him a place the lord Eum^lus won. 
 And the third was Atreus' seed, Menelaus the spear-renowned ; 355 
 
 Next Meriones must drive, and Tydeus' son hath found, 
 Albeit by far the best, the outermost place for his car. 
 Then stood they arow, and Achilles showed them the goal afar 
 In the level plain, and he set thereby a watcher keen, 
 
 Phoinix the godlike, — his father's henchman the ancient had been, — 360 
 
 Who should mark their running, and faithfully tell whatsoe'er he had seen. 
 
 Then all together above their steeds they uplifted on high 
 The scourge, and they smote with the lash, with sudden-storming cty 
 Cheering them on ; and with wild speed over the plain they darted 
 Swiftly away from the ships, and beneath their breasts upstarted 365 
 
BOOK XX III. 281 
 
 The dust, and like to a cloud or a tempest in air it hung ; 
 
 And the manes of them tossed and streamed on the blasts of the winds far-flung. 
 
 Now low were the chariots skimming the earth, the dispenser of good, 
 
 And in mid air bounded anon ; and the chariot-drivers stood 
 
 High on their chariot-floors, and with yearning for victory 370 
 
 Throbbed each man's heart, and from each man rang the challenge-cry 
 
 To his horses, and over the plain in a whirlwind of dust did they fly. 
 
 But now when the fleetfoot steeds o'er the last of the course 'gan speed 
 
 Back to the grey sea, then did the mettle of every steed 
 
 Show forth, and their uttermost swiftness was strained ; and suddenly burst 375 
 
 Twain forth from the rest, and the mares of Pheres' son were first. 
 
 But after them forth from the throng Diomedes' stallions leapt. 
 
 The horses of Tros, nor afar, but exceeding nigh him they kept ; 
 
 For ever they seemed as though they would mount the chariot-floor 
 
 Of Eumelus, and hot on his back did the breath of their nostrils pour, 380 
 
 And his shoulders broad, for their heads overhung him as onward they flew. 
 
 And now had he passed him, or doubtful had left it, for level he drew ; 
 
 But to Tydeus' son came Phoebus Apollo in wrathful spite. 
 
 And suddenly out of his hands the shining scourge did he smite. 
 
 Thereat the eyes of the hero with angry tears ran o'er, 385 
 
 For he marked how the mares sped on, yea, faster than theretofore, 
 
 And the speed of his own steeds slackened, for goadless ran they then. 
 
 But Apollo's guile against Tydeus' son hath escaped not the ken 
 
 Of Athene, and after the shepherd of folk she sped forthright ; [390 
 
 And she gave him the scourge, and she thrilled his horses with mettlesome might. . 
 
 
 
282 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Then after Adm^tus' son the Goddess rushed in her wrath, 
 
 And she snapped his chariot-yoke, and the horses aside from the path 
 
 Swerved as they ran, and earthward wrenched was the chariot-pole. 
 
 And hurled from the car to the earth by the wheel did Eumelus roll. [395 
 
 Flayed were the elbows and mouth and the nose of him dashed to the ground ; 
 
 Bruised o'er the brows was his forehead, his eyes with tears were drowned, 
 
 And the breath from his body was beaten, that choked was his voice ere he 
 
 But Tydeides turned from the wreck his thunderfoot horses aside, [cried. 
 
 Far leaping afront of the rest, for Ath^nd filled each steed 
 
 With mettlesome spirit, and crowned their lord with the glory-meed. 400 
 
 And next unto him Menelaus the golden-haired on pressed. 
 
 But Antilochus unto the steeds of his father shouted his hest : 
 
 "Press into the strife ye also 1 Strain ye your uttermost speed ! 
 Good sooth, but in no wise I bid you contend with them that lead, 
 The horses of Tydeus' war-wise son, whose every limb 405 
 
 Ath6n6 with swiftness hath thrilled, setting glory's crown upon him. 
 But the horses of Atreus' child, overtake ye them, flying fast, 
 And be not of these outstripped, lest reproach on your heads be cast 
 Of Aith^, who is but a mare 1 — Brave steeds, why lag ye behind ? 
 For this do I tell you, and surely my promise fulfilment shall find : 410 
 
 No loving care shall ye have of Nestor the shepherd of folk, 
 But with keen brass you shall he slay forthright with a vengeance-stroke, 
 If now of your heedlessness we shall win but the worser meed. 
 Nay, follow them hard, and hasten ye on at your uttermost speed. 
 And for this myself will contrive, and devise of my crafty thought 415 
 
BOOK XXIII. 283 
 
 In the narrow way to pass them : my wit shall fail me not." 
 
 So spake he, and terror-thrilled by the prince's threatening cry 
 Faster they ran for a little space ; and swiftly the eye 
 Of battle-bider Antilochus marked where the path grew strait. 
 A rift there was in the ground, where a pent-up winter spate 420 
 
 Had swept the earth from the track, and had hollowed the whole place deep. 
 Thither, lest wheels should jostle, his course did Atreides keep. 
 But Antilochus, sidewards turning his thunderfoot steeds in the race, 
 Aslant from the track, and a little swerving athwart, gave chase. 
 Then to Antilochus shouted Atreides in sudden fear : 425 
 
 " Antilochus, madly thou drivest ! Hold thine horses here ! 
 For strait is the way, — thou shalt pass full soon in the wider plain, — 
 Lest chariot with chariot haply thou jostle, and wreck us twain." 
 
 So spake he, but onward Antilochus drave in haste more hot. 
 Speeding his steeds with the goad as one that heard him not. 430 
 
 And far as a discus hurled from the shoulder speedeth its flight. 
 Whirled by a lusty man making uttermost proof of his might 
 So far did they dash to the front : but Atreides' steeds gave back. 
 For that now did himself of purpose the haste of his driving slack. 
 Lest haply the thunderfoot horses should clash in the midst of the way, 435 
 And should overturn the chariots goodly-knit, and they 
 Into the dust should be hurled in their lust for the victory. 
 But with him Menelaus the bright-haired chode, and loud cried he : 
 
 " Antilochus, no man on earth in rnalice o'erpasseth thee ! 
 On to thy ruin 1 — They lie, the Achaians who deem thee wise ! 440 
 
2 84 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Yet surely an oath shalt thou take even so ere thou win the prize." 
 
 So spake he, and cried on his horses the prince of the golden hair : 
 " On ! — slack not your running, nor stand ye still, how vex^d soe'er. 
 Sooner the feet and the knees of these shall be toil-fordone 
 Than yours, for by this from both the strength of their youth is gone." 445 
 
 So spake he, and terror-thrilled by their prince's threatening cry 
 Faster they ran, and now to the others drew swiftly anigh. 
 
 But watching the horses the while there sat that mighty crowd 
 Of the Argives, as over the plain they flew mid the wild dust-cloud. 
 And Idomeneus, chieftain of Crete, first marked as onward they drew, 450 
 For that highest he sat, and apart, in a place with a clear wide view. 
 Then heard he a shout from afar, and the voice of him that cried 
 He knew, and a horse clear-seen as he shot to the front he espied, 
 A horse that was otherwhere chesnut, but midst of his forehead gleamed 
 A white star forth, and round as the midnight moon it seemed. 455 
 
 And he rose to his feet, and amidst of the Argive men he spoke : 
 
 " O friends, ye chiefs of the Argives, lords of many folk, 
 Do I, I only, discern yon horses, or likewise ye ? 
 Lo, other the foremost car- steeds are, as it seemeth to me, 
 And other appeareth their driver: — Eum^lus' steeds, I doubt, 460 
 
 Which were first in the outward course, shall have been in the plain thrown out : 
 For surely I marked them foremost around the goal-post sweeping, 
 But now may I nowhere espy them, albeit mine eyes are keeping 
 Keen watch, o'er the Trojan plain as they glance upon every side. [46*5 
 
 Or the reins have slipped from the grasp of their lord, nor availed he to guide 
 
BOOK XXIII. 285 
 
 Their course round the goal-post aright, and in turning he cleared it not. 
 There was he hurled to the earth, and his chariot was shattered, I wot, 
 And the mares plunged wildly, when filled were their hearts with the rage of 
 But arise ye also and look : it may be I discern not aright ; [affright. 
 
 Yet seemeth to me yon hero afront of the chariot-throng 470 
 
 An Aetolian by birth, and a ruler the Argive nations among, 
 Scion of Tydeus the queller of steeds, Diomedes the strong." 
 
 But with foul upbraiding did Aias O'l'leus' swift son say : 
 " Idomeneus, why dost thou prate oversoon ? — lo, far away 
 Are the high-stepping horses that over the plain wide-stretching dart. 475 
 
 Neither so much the youngest amidst of the Argives thou art. 
 Nor yet do thine eyes, as they stare from thine head, the keenliest see. 
 Tush, man 1 — thou wilt ever be prating with words : it beseemeth not thee 
 To be naught but a prating babbler ; for here there be better than thou. 
 The selfsame horses that led heretofore be the foremost now, 480 
 
 The steeds of Eumelus, and still as he rideth their reins doth he hold." 
 
 Then answered and spake the lord of the Cretans wrathful-souled : 
 " Thou prince in contention and evil counsel ! — in all beside 
 Art thou least of the Argive men, O heart of discourteous pride ! 
 Come now, a tripod or caldron for issue hereof let us stake, 485 
 
 And Atreus' son Agamemnon our daysman herein let us make 
 Which horses be first : thou shalt buy understanding so with a price." 
 
 He spake ; straightway did Olleus' swift son Aias rise 
 In fury, with bitter words to render him answer again. 
 And now had the storm of strife raged higher between these twain, 490 
 
286 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 But Achilles' self is uprisen to hold them aback, and he saith : 
 
 " Nay, answer each other no more with words of bitter breath, 
 And with foul speech, Aias, Idomeneus : not for your honour it is. 
 Yourselves would have indignation if any beside did this. 
 But sit ye still in the throng, and behold with your eyes and see 495 
 
 Yon steeds : in a moment themselves, as they strain for the victory, 
 Shall have hitherward come ; thereafter shall none have doubt any more 
 Of the Argive steeds, who laggeth behind, who speedeth before." 
 So spake he, and lo, the scion of.Tydeus was drawn full nigh ; 
 And aye as he drave was he scourging their shoulders, as, bounding high, 500 
 Swiftly his horses were flying along the course, and beat 
 Evermore on the charioteer the spurts of the dust from their feet ; 
 And his chariot with gold bedight and with tin followed hard on the heels 
 Of the fleetfoot steeds : sooth, faint was the trace that the tires of the wheels 
 Were leaving behind them, the while twin furrows to rearward they drew 505 
 In the light-lying dust : — on, on, in fiery haste they flew, 
 Till he stood in the midst of the ring, the while from his car-steeds' crests 
 Down dropped the abundant sweat, and streamed to the earth from their chests. 
 Down from his chariot glittering bright to the earth he hath sprung. 
 And the whip on the yoke hath he laid ; nor loitering backward hung 510 
 Stout Sthenelus : swiftly he rose, and his hand on the prize he laid, 
 And he gave in charge to his haughty comrades the captive maid 
 And the twin-eared tripod : himself to the steeds' unyoking gave heed. 
 Now driving his chariot cometh Antilochus, Nestor's seed. 
 Who by cunning, and nowise by swiftness, had passed Menelaus by : 5^5 
 
BOOK XXIII. 287 
 
 Yet even so Menelaus' swift steeds pressed full nigh. 
 
 And far as a horse is afront of the wheel, whose swift feet strain 
 
 As he speedeth his lord high-borne on his chariot over the plain, 
 
 When the uttermost ends of the hairs of his tail light-wafted graze 
 
 The tire of the wheel, that it runneth fuU nigh, and scant is the space 520 
 
 That lieth between as he raceth over the plain wide-spread ; 
 
 So close Menelaus behind the princely Antilochus sped : 
 
 Howbeit at first had he lagged by the length of a discus-cast. 
 
 But swiftly he closed on him now, for the mettlesome fire waxed fast 
 
 Of the mare of the king Agamemnon, Aithe of beautiful mane. 525 
 
 Yea, had but a little been left of the course to be run by the twain, 
 
 Menelaus had surely outstripped him, nor left the issue in doubt. 
 
 But Meriones the while, Idomeneus' henchman stout. 
 
 Behind Menelaus the glorious lagged by the cast of a spear. 
 
 For that slowest of all were his fair-maned steeds, and their charioteer 530 
 
 Least of them all could skill to drive the car in the race. 
 
 But the son of Adm^tus followed them all in the hindmost place. 
 
 Dragging his fair-wrought chariot, and driving his steeds before. 
 
 And fleetfoot Achilles the godlike beheld it, and pitied him sore. 
 
 And he rose, and he uttered the swift-winged words mid the Argive host :53s 
 
 " Lo, driveth his fleetfoot horses the best man hindermost ! 
 Go to, let us give him a guerdon, as seemly it is to be done. 
 Even the second : the first be the meed of Tydeus' son." 
 
 He spake, and they shouted yea to his hest, even all that heard : 
 And now had he given the steed, — for the people had praised that word ;— 540 
 
288 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Howbeit Antilochus, child of Nestor the mighty-souled, ' 
 
 To plead with Peleides arose, and he spake out loud and bold : 
 
 " Achilles, if this thy word thou fulfil, sore wroth shall I be 
 With thee, for thou goest about to wrest my guerdon from me, 
 Bethinking thee thus, how that foiled his car and his swift steeds were, 545 
 And himself, good man though he be : — yet should he have cried in prayer 
 To the Deathless : then had he nowise been last in the race, I wis. 
 But and if thou hast pity of him, if dear to thy soul he is, 
 Good sooth, thou hast gold good store in thy tent, and brass hast thou, 
 And sheep, and handmaid-thralls, and thunderfoot horses enow. 550 
 
 Take of them, and give him hereafter even a goodlier meed, 
 Or now straightway, that the shout of the people may praise thy deed. 
 But the mare will I not yield up : — whosoever would wrest my right, 
 Let him make him ready with me in contention of hands to fight.'' 
 
 So spake he, and fleetfoot Achilles the godlike smiled to hear, 555 
 
 Having joy in Antilochus, seeing he held that friend full dear. 
 And answer he made unto him, and the light-winged words he spake : 
 
 " Antilochus, if thou wilt have it, that somewhat beside I take 
 Of my store to bestow on Eumelus, yea, even this shall be done. 
 I will give him a breastplate, the which from Asteropaius I won, 560 
 
 Brazen, a casting thereon of the tin all glittering bright 
 Is overlaid : a gift of price shall it be in his sight." 
 
 Then bade he his dearly-beloved friend Automedon bring 
 The corslet forth of the tent, and he hasted and bare to the king. 
 So he gave to Eumelus, and blithe he received that glorious thing. 565^ 
 
BOOK XXIII. 289 
 
 But lo, in their midst Menelaus with heart sore vexed doth stand, 
 With Antilochus grievously wroth, and the herald gave to his hand 
 The sceptre, and silence withal he proclaimed to the Argive folk. 
 Thereafter amidst of the people the godlike hero spoke : 
 
 " Antilochus, once thou wert wise : — what sayest thou now of thy deeds ? 570 
 Thou hast poured contempt on my prowess, and thwarted my chariot-steeds, 
 Thrusting before me thine own : — thou know'st they be worser far. 
 Come now, ye lords of the Argive men, and captains of war. 
 Judge ye betwixt us twain — yet accept not persons, I pray, 
 Lest one of the brazen-harnessed Achaians haply should say : 575 
 
 ' By lies did the lord Menelaus Antilochus overbear. 
 And hath taken the mare away, yet worser his own steeds were, 
 Howbeit in prowess and strength himself was the mightier one.' 
 Nay, but myself will be judge : of the Danaan host there is none, 
 I ween, shall upbraid me herein, for that upright my judgment shall be. 580 
 Antilochus, fostered of Zeus, draw nigh, as behoveth thee : 
 Stand thou in front of thine horses and car, in thine hands hold thou 
 The lithe whip, even the same wherewithal thou wert driving but now. 
 By the Earth-shaker, Girder of Lands, swear, laying thine hand the while 
 On the steeds, that thou didst not foul my chariot by wilful guile." 585 
 
 But to him Antilochus prudent of spirit made reply : 
 
 " Bear with me now : far younger, O King Menelaus, am I 
 Than thou, for in might and in majesty greater thou art, O King. 
 Thou knowest a young man's wit, and whence his offences spring ; 
 For hasty he is of his purpose, and light of his counsel is he. 590 
 
290 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Let therefore thine heart be patient : the mare, I will give her to thee, 
 
 The mare which I won : yea, though of the wealth in my tent thou shouldst 
 
 Some greater thing, I were fain straightway to give thee the same, [claim 
 
 Rather than, O thou fostered of Zeus, to be cast evermore 
 
 Out of thine heart, and to stand a transgressor the Gods before." 595 
 
 Then the scion of great-heart Nestor brought that mare with the word, 
 And gave her to Lord Menelaus' hands, and his spirit was stirred 
 With gladness, as when the dew droppeth down on the ripening ears 
 Of corn, when the fields unto harvest bristle with golden spears : 
 Even so, Menelaus, refreshed was thy spirit within thy breast. 600 
 
 And he lifted his voice, and the light-winged words to the prince he addressed : 
 
 " Antilochus, now from mine anger against thee myself will refrain. 
 For thou hast not aforetime been wanton-wild, nor in spirit vain : 
 Howbeit thy youth this once hath gotten the better of thee. 
 Yet beware that hereafter thou take not thy betters by subtlety : 60S 
 
 For scarce had another Achaian beside thee won me o'er. 
 But thou hast endured affliction and toil both great and sore. 
 Even thou and thy gallant sire, and thy brother withal, in my cause. 
 Therefore to this thy prayer will I bend : yea, mine though she was, 
 The mare will I give unto thee, that all these also may know 610 
 
 That ne'er high-minded am I, that mine heart unto wrath is slow." 
 
 Then unto Antilochus' comrade Noemon he gave the mare 
 To lead, but the caldron bright to his own pavilion they bare. 
 And the talents twain of gold bare M^riones away, 
 The fourth prize, even a§ he draye ; but unclaimed the fifth prize lay, 615 
 
BOOK XXIII. 291 
 
 The twin-eared urn : and this did Achilles to Nestor take ; 
 
 Through the throng of the Argives he bare it, and came to his side, and spake : 
 
 " Lo there, be this thine, father, to lie mid thy treasure-store, 
 A memorial to be of Patroclus' funeral-feast : never more 
 Mid the Argive men shalt thou see him : to thee this prize give I 620 
 
 Unwon : for with fists shalt thou win no fight ; no fall shalt thou try, 
 Nor the javelin-cast shalt essay ; nor thy feet may win thee renown ; 
 For the weight of the years is upon thee, a sore load boweth thee down," 
 
 So he laid that vase in his hands, and he took that gift, and rejoiced, 
 And he sped the winged word-flight, and spake unto him glad-voiced : 625 
 
 " Yea, fitly and well, my son, hast thou spoken everything. 
 No more are my limbs firm-knit, nor my feet, neither lightly swing 
 Mine arms from my shoulders on either side in the athlete-ring. 
 Ah for the strength that was mine, and the youth and the lustihead. 
 In the day the Epeians buried the lord Amarynkes dead 630 
 
 In Buprasion, and holden were funeral games for the king by his sons. 
 There none such as I, nor amidst the Epeian valiant ones, 
 Nor the Pylian men, nor Aetolians mighty-hearted, was found. 
 Klytom^des, Enops' son, with the fist smote I to the ground. 
 Ankaios of Pleuron in wrestling I threw, when against me he stood ; 63 J 
 
 And Iphiklus' feet I outran, yet the man was a runner good. 
 Polydorus and Phyleus I overcame with the javelin-cast. 
 In the chariot-race alone of Aktor's sons was I passed : 
 Two men against one did they thrust before me, for jealous they were. 
 Seeing the goodliest prize was like to be lost to them there. 640 
 
292 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Twins were they, and aye with the reins did the one the car-steeds guide ; 
 
 Ever he swayed the reins, and the lash by his fellow was plied. 
 
 Yea, so was I once : but the younger men press forward now 
 
 Unto suchlike deeds ; but for me, unto grievous eld must 1 bow. 
 
 But then, ah then mid the heroes was Nestor nowise the least. 645 
 
 Now pass thou on, and honour thy friend with the funeral-feast. 
 
 But for this, with joy I receive it, and gloweth mine heart in the thought 
 
 That ever thou bearest my friendship in mind : thou forgettest not 
 
 The honour wherewith it beseemeth that I mid the Argives be crowned. 
 
 And for this thy kindness to thee may the grace of the Gods abound." 650 
 
 He spake ; through the mighty Achaian throng did Peleides speed. 
 When now he had hearkened to all the praise of Neleus' seed. 
 For the terrible strife of the fists the prizes forth did he bring : 
 A toil-strong mule did he lead, and he bound her amidst of the ring. 
 Unbroken, of six years old, which is hardest to tame to the yoke : 655 
 
 And a double-chalice cup for the man that should bow 'neath the stroke. 
 And he rose full-height, and the word in the midst of the Argives he spoke : 
 
 " O son of Atreus, and all ye Achaians greave-bedight, 
 For these do we call upon twain, even such as be chiefest in might, 
 To uplift their hands, and to smite with the fist ; and to whoniso of these 660 
 Apollo shall victory give, and ye be the witnesses. 
 Back to his tent returning the toil-strong mule let him lead, 
 And the double-chalice cup shall the vanquished take for his meed." 
 
 He spake, and a man right stalwart and tall uprose thereupon, 
 Cunning in craft of the fist, Epeius Panopeus' son ; 665 
 
BOOK XXIII. 293 
 
 And he laid on the toil-strong mule his hand, and thus did he say : 
 " Let the man draw nigh who shall bear the double-chalice away. 
 But the mule no man of all the Argives beside shall win, 
 With the fist overcoming me, for I vaunt me the best herein. 
 Sufificeth it not that the battle-cunning I lack ? — who then 670 
 
 Hath perfect knowledge of all the crafts of the children of men ? 
 For thus do I say, and the thing shall be surely accomplished so — 
 I will utterly bruise the flesh, I will shatter the bones of my foe. 
 Abiding here in a throng let his kinsmen ready stand, [675 
 
 Who shall bear him hence when he falleth to earth stricken down by mine hand." 
 So spake he, and hushed were they all for a season, and answered him none : 
 And a godlike wight, Euryalus, rose against him alone, 
 The son of Talaon's scion, even Mekistes the king. 
 Who of old, when fallen was Oedipus, came to his burying 
 Unto Thebes, and all the children of Kadmus he vanquished there. 680 
 
 Him did Tydeides the spear-renowned for the strife prepare. 
 And he spake to him words of cheer, and he longed for his victory sore. 
 First cast he a girdle about him, thereafter the gauntlets he bore 
 And gave to him, well-cut thongs of a lealand ox's hide. 
 
 So when they had girded them, into the midst of the ring did they stride, 685 
 And uplifted their arms, and now with brawny hands they twain 
 Closed in the fight, and heavily fell the blows amain. 
 And a terrible clashing of teeth there was, and the sweat forth broke 
 All over their limbs, till godlike Epeius rose to the stroke 
 And smote, as he watched his time, on his cheek : short space he availed 690 
 
294 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 To stand, for his goodly limbs beneath him fainted and failed. 
 
 And as when on a kelp-strewn beach 'neath a shiver of Boreas' breath 
 
 Upleapeth a fish, then plungeth the darkling wave beneath. 
 
 So smitten he leapt : and Epeius the noble-souled from the ground 
 
 Upraised him, and set on his feet : then gathered his comrades around, 695 
 
 And the stricken with helpless-trailing feet through the concourse they led, 
 
 Forth-spitting the clotted blood, while sidewards drooped his head. 
 
 And they caused him to sit in their midst all dazed and with swimming eyes ; 
 
 But themselves for the double-chalice went, and they bare him his prize. 
 
 Then in the Danaans' sight set forth Peleides again 700 
 
 Guerdons — the third were, these — for the wrestlers' bitter strain : 
 For him that should conquer, a mighty tripod, bestrider of flame, 
 And at oxen two and ten the Achaians priced the same. 
 For the vanquished, a woman-thrall in manifold labours wise 
 Did he set in the midst, and at oxen four they valued her price. 70S 
 
 And he rose full-height, and aloud to the Argive men did he call : 
 
 " Rise, ye which be fain to prove your prowess in this withal." 
 So spake he, and up rose Aias the giant, Telamon's son. 
 And Odysseus the perfect in wiliness, manifold-counselled one. 
 So they girded themselves, and forth in the midst of the ring did they stand ; 
 And they clasped each other about with grip of the brawny hand. [710 
 
 As gable-rafters they seemed, which a craftsman renowned hath pight 
 On the roof of a high-built house, to break the wild winds' might. 
 And the very backs of them creaked 'neath the strain of the giant grip [715 
 Stark-tugging, and down from their limbs like rain did the sweat of them drip ; 
 
BOOK XXIII. 295 
 
 And all along the shoulders and ribs of the heroes upstarted 
 
 Weal upon weal bright-crimson with blood, and eager-hearted 
 
 For the winning ever they strove of the tripod fashioned fair. 
 
 Neither Odysseus might trip his foe and earthward bear, 
 
 Neither Aias availed ; but Odysseus' stalwart strength held fast. 720 
 
 So when the Achaians greave-bedight 'gan chafe at the last, 
 
 Then to his foe Telamonian Aias the mighty cried : 
 
 " O Zeus' and Laertes' seed, Odysseus in wiles well-tried, 
 Thou lift me, or I lift thee, and the rest let Zeus decide." 
 
 Then he heaved up his foe ; yet forgat not his cunning the Craft-endowed, 725 
 But he struck him behind the knee, that the limbs of Aias bowed. 
 Down fell he backward, and fell on his breast Laertes' son 
 Odysseus ; and marvelled the folk with rapt gaze looking thereon. 
 Thereafter Odysseus the godlike, the toil-tried, essayed to lift 
 His foe, but prevailed not, and only a Tittle from earth did he shift ; 730 
 
 But he smote in his knee, and heavily down to the earth fell they 
 Locked side by side, and the dust defiled them there as they lay. 
 But they leapt to their feet, and the third time now had they wrestled again. 
 But Achilles himself arose, and he spake to bid them refrain : 
 
 " Contend ye no more, neither suffer affliction of labour and pain. 735 
 
 The victory lieth with both : let each take equal prize ; 
 And come ye, that other Achaians withal to the strife may arise." 
 
 He spake, and with right good will they hearkened his rede, and obeyed ; 
 And their bodies from dust-defilement they cleansed, and in tunics arrayed. 
 
 Then set Peleides forth ^ ma^er of silver mould, ^40 
 
296 HOMERS ILIAD. 
 
 The prize for fleetness of foot : six measures the same would hold ; 
 
 And for beauty there was not the like thereof in any land, 
 
 For that fashioned it was of Sidonian craftsmen cunning of hand, 
 
 And Phoenician shipmen bare it over the misty wave : 
 
 In the haven they set it, and unto Thoas the gift they gave. 745 
 
 And Euneus I^son's son to Patroclus the hero brought 
 
 That bowl, and the child of Priam Lykaon from thraldom it bought. 
 
 Even this at the burial-feast of his friend did Achilles ordain 
 
 For the man who by swiftness of feet in the race that guerdon should gain. 
 
 And a stately ox huge-fed did he set for the second therein, 750 
 
 And half a talent of gold should the last of the runners win. 
 
 And he rose full-height, and aloud to the Argive men did he call : 
 
 " Rise, ye which be fain to prove your prowess in this withal." 
 He spake, and Olleus' child, swift Aias, rose thereupon, 
 
 And Odysseus of manifold counsels, and up rose Nestor's son 755 
 
 Antilochus : peerless he was in the race mid the younger men. 
 Ranged ready they stood ; and Odysseus showed them the goal-post then. 
 Hard strained they away from the start, and suddenly darted ahead 
 Oifleus' son, but Odysseus the godlike behind him sped 
 
 Close on him, as when some fair-girt woman holdeth anigh 760 
 
 To her bosom the weaving-rod, which her fingers deftly ply 
 As she draweth along the warp the thread, ever bringing it close 
 To her bosom : so nigh was Odysseus running, and ere dust rose 
 From the footfall of Aias, fell in the print thereof his feet. 
 And the breath of Odysseus the godlike down on the head of him beat, "jt^ 
 
BOOK XXIII. 297 
 
 So swiftly ever he ran. Loud shouted Achaia's array 
 
 Beholding him victory-fain, and his eager speed cheered they. 
 
 But when now they were running the last of the course, Odysseus cried 
 
 In prayer his heart within to Athene the flashing-eyed : 
 
 " Hear, Goddess, come to my feet a helper good at need 1 " 770 
 
 So spake he in prayer, and Pallas Athene heard him plead. 
 And her might was as wings in his arms, in his feet thrilled lightsome speed. 
 But when they were even at point to dart on the prize as they ran, 
 There Aias slipped in the race — 'twas the Goddess foiled the man — 
 Even there where the iilth of the loud-lowing steers o'er the earth was shed, 
 The beasts that Achilles had slain for the pyre of Patroclus dead. [775 
 
 And his nostrils and mouth with the foulness were filled, as he wallowed therein. 
 So the bowl did Odysseus the godlike, the toil-tried hero, win, 
 Forasmuch as he came in first : but Aias the ox must cheer. 
 Then laid he his hand on the horn of the meadow-roving steer, 780 
 
 Forth spewing the filth ; and he spake to the people a rueful jeer : 
 
 " Out on it ! — foiled were my feet of a Goddess, which heretofore 
 As a mother hath stood by Odysseus, and helpeth him evermore." 
 
 So spake he, and all they laughed upon him in gleeful wise. 
 Now Cometh Antilochus in the last, and he taketh his prize 785 
 
 Smiling, and spake mid the folk with laughter-litten eyes : 
 
 " Known to you all is the thing that I say, O friends, that still 
 The Immortals favour the elders, their hands with honour they fill. 
 For Aias is but a little elder-born than I, 
 But Odysseus of earlier birth, of the men of a day gone by : 790 
 
298 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Yet his is a green old age, men say : hard task shall it be 
 For any, save only Achilles, to strive with such as he." 
 
 So spake he, and glory he gave unto fleetfoot Peleides thereby. 
 And with words of his mouth unto him Achilles made reply : 
 
 " Antilochus, not in vain shall thy praise be spoken : behold, 795 
 
 Unto that thy prize will I add yet half a talent of gold." 
 Then laid he the gift in his hands, and he took it joyful-souled. 
 
 Thereafter a long-shadowed spear did the son of Peleus bring. 
 And a shield and a helmet withal, and he laid them amidst of the ring, 
 Sarpedon's battle-gear, which Patroclus had torn from the dead. 800 
 
 And he stood in the midst, and the word to the Argive men he said : 
 
 " For these call we upon twain, our mightiest, forth to stand 
 Clad in their mail, and to grasp flesh-severing brass in hand, 
 And facing each other before this throng to prove their might. 
 And whichsoever of these the fair flesh first shall smite, 805 
 
 Shall touch through the fence of the armour the body, and draw dark blood. 
 This Thracian sword fair-gleaming with many a golden stud 
 Will I give him, the falchion I won from Asteropaius in fight : 
 And together the twain in possession shall share this harness bright ; 
 And for them shall a goodly banquet within my pavilion be dight." 810 
 
 Then stepped Telamonian Aias the giant forth of the throng ; 
 And to meet him the scion of Tydeus rose, Diomedes the strong. 
 And a little aloof from the press they donned their war-array. 
 Then into the midst of the ring they strode, full fain of the fray. 
 With eyes grim-glaring, and wonder on all the Achaians came. 815 
 
BOOK XX II I. 299 
 
 And when man against man drew nigh to play that perilous game, 
 
 Thrice to the onset they leapt, and thrice clashed they in the charge. 
 
 Then Aias thrust with his lance at the shapely-rounded targe 
 
 Of Tydeides, but reached not his flesh, for his corslet shielded him. 
 
 But his foe Diomedes over his mighty buckler's rim 820 
 
 Aye darted at Aias' neck the point of his glittering spear ; 
 
 Wherefore for Aias' sake the Achaians were stricken with fear. 
 
 And they bade them to cease, and together to share the warrior-gear. 
 
 But the hero gave to Tydeides the mighty battle-brand ; 
 
 With the scabbard he bare it to him, and the fair-cut baldric-brand. 825 
 
 Then rough from the smelting an iron bar did Peleides bring. 
 Which of old the mighty strength of Eetion wont to fling. 
 But him in the battle did fleetfoot Achilles the godlike slay, 
 And this with the rest of his wealth in his galleys he bare away. 
 And he rose full-height, and aloud to the Argive men did he call : 830 
 
 " Rise, ye which be fain to prove your prowess in this withal. 
 Though far from the city the victor's goodly acres lie, 
 This shall suffice for his need while five full years roll by : 
 For not to the city his ploughman for lack of iron shall fare. 
 Neither his shepherd : hereof shall he have enough and to spare." 835 
 
 Into the midst Polypoites the battle-bider strode. 
 And arose the brawny strength of Leonteus like to a God ; 
 Rose Aias Telamon's son and godlike Epeius with these. 
 
 Then stood they arow, and the bar did Epeius the godlike seize, [840 
 
 And he swung it and hurled : laughed all the Achaians for joy of his might. 
 
300 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Then did Leonteus scion of Ards speed its flight. 
 
 Thereafter the third great Aias, Telamon's offspring, hurled 
 
 From his brawny hand : far over the marks of the rest was it whirled. 
 
 But when Polypoites the battle-bider laid hold on the bar — 
 
 Even as a herdman is wont to fling his staff afar, 845 
 
 That whirling in air it flieth amidst of the kine to fall. 
 
 So far did his cast overleap the throng, and shouted they all. 
 
 Then did the comrades of Polypoites the stalwart arise. 
 
 And they bare to the hollow galleys away the prince's prize. 
 
 For the skill of the archers the hero appointed the dark iron then ; 850 
 
 And he laid ten twybills down for the guerdon, and axes ten. 
 And the mast of a galley dusky-prowed he reared up high 
 Far off" on the sands, and a trembling dove therefrom did he tie 
 By the foot with a slender cord, and he bade them speed the flight 
 Of the arrow thereat : — " And whoso the trembling dove shall smite, 855 
 
 Let him take the twybills, and bear to his tent in guerdon for this. 
 And whoso shall hit the cord, but the very mark shall miss, — 
 For I count him the worser marksman, — the axes ten shall be his." 
 
 So spake he, and forth the might of Teucer the princely stood, 
 And M^riones, Idomeneus' henchman, a warrior good. 860 
 
 And the lots they laid within a morion of brass, and they shook : 
 First leapt forth Teucer's lot, and straightway an arrow he took. 
 And he shot with his might : yet he vowed not in prayer to the Archer-king 
 Of the firstling lambs a hecatomb-sacrifice to bring ; 
 So the dove hath he missed, for Apollo begrudged it jealousy-stirred : 865 
 
BOOK XXIII. 301 
 
 Yet hard by the foot hath he smitten the cord that tethered the bird. 
 
 And the bitter-keen shaft leapt onward cleaving clear through the string. 
 
 Then skyward darted the dove, but earthward fluttering 
 
 Loose hung the cord : yet shouted the folk for the deed he had wrought. 
 
 But hastily Mdriones from the hand of Teucer hath caught 870 
 
 The bow ; but the shaft had he ready, yea, even as Teucer aimed. 
 
 Forthright to Apollo the Smiter from Far he vowed, and named 
 
 For the sacrifice of the firstling lambs a hecatomb fair. 
 
 And beneath the clouds he beheld the dove high-soaring in air. 
 
 'Twixt wing and wing he smote, as she swept wide-wheeling around, 875 
 
 And the arrow passed clear through : swift-plunging again to the ground 
 
 In front of the foot of Mdriones was. it fixed : but now 
 
 Lighted the dove on the mast of the ship of the dusky prow. 
 
 Then drooped her neck ; her wings thick-feathered loosely hung. 
 
 And the swift life fled from her limbs, and adown from the mast far flung 880 
 
 She fell ; and the people the while in amazement gazed thereon. 
 
 So M^riones the twybills ten for his guerdon hath won ; 
 
 And bearing the axes Teucer aback to the ships is gone. 
 
 Then laid Peleides amidst of the ring a long-shadowed spear, 
 And a caldron unsullied of flame, flower-starred, the worth of a steer. 885 
 
 Then rose the heroes up that were cunning the javelin to speed. 
 Rose Agamemnon the wide-dominioned, Atreus' seed ; 
 And rose Idomeneus' valiant henchman M^riones. 
 Howbeit fleetfoot Achilles the godlike spake unto these : 
 
 " O Atreus' son, well know we how far thou excellest the rest 890 
 
302 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 In bodily might, and withal in the javelin-cast thou art best. 
 Thou then this guerdon to bear to the hollow galleys receive, 
 And the spear unto M^riones the hero now let us give, 
 If thou in thine heart peradventure consent : for thus I pray." 
 
 He spake, and the King of Men Agamemnon said him not nay. 895 
 
 So the lance had M6riones : but the guerdon passing fair 
 The hero-king hath given Talthybius the herald to bear. 
 
BOOK XXIV. 
 Of the ransom of Hector, and how they wailed o'er the Tamer of Horses. 
 
 O was the throng dispersed, and the warfolk scattered wide 
 To their ships : there were some took thought for the meat of the eventide 
 And refreshing of slumber sweet : but aye did Achilles weep 
 As he thought on his dear- loved friend, nor did all-subduing sleep 
 Lay hold upon him, but ever to this side and that side he tossed 5 
 
 As he yearned for the manhood and gallant might of Patroclus the lost. 
 And the brave deeds wrought, the afflictions endured, as together they clave 
 The surges of battle, or breasted the troublous-tossing wave. 
 As he called all this to remembrance his tears fell down like rain. 
 As he lay one while on his side, and other while again lO 
 
 On his back, and anon on his face ; and then to his feet did he rise 
 And wandered distraught by the strand of the sea, nor unmarked of his eyes 
 Was the Dawn, as over the sea and his beaches she shone afar ; 
 But when now and again he had yoked his fleetfoot steeds to the car. 
 Then Hector behind the chariot-seat for the haling he bound, 1 5 
 
304 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And he dragged him thrice round dead Menoitiades' grave-mound, 
 
 And again in his tent would he rest : but for Hector, he hurled him to He 
 
 Outstretched on his face in the dust : but Apollo was ever thereby 
 
 From foul scathe shielding his flesh ; for he looked with compassionate eye 
 
 On the hero, dead though he was ; and with golden aegis he veiled 20 
 
 His corse all round, that Achilles might rend him not as he haled. 
 
 Even so in his fury to Hector the godlike he did despite. 
 But the bliss-throned Gods had pity of him, which beheld that sight ; 
 . And they cried on the Argus-slayer to steal him, the Watcher keen : 
 And the thing pleased all the rest, but never Here the Queen, 25 
 
 Neither the Maid of the Flashing Eyes, nor the Sea-depths' Lord ; 
 But they were as when Ilium the holy at first of their souls was abhorred, 
 And Priam and Priam's people, for Alexander's sin. 
 
 Who contemned the Goddesses twain when they stood his steading within. 
 And commended her which gave him his lust's desire to win. 30 
 
 But at last when the twelfth dawn after the slaying of Hector broke. 
 Then in the midst of the Deathless Phoebus Apollo spoke : 
 
 " Cruel ye are, O Gods, destroyers ! — did Hector ne'er 
 Burn you the thighs of oxen and goats most perfect-fair ? 
 Him now do ye nowise deign to deliver, a corpse though he be, 35 
 
 To the end that his wife and his mother and child their beloved may see. 
 And Priam his sire, and the people : his corse would they speedily lay 
 On the pyre for the flame to consume, and the death-rites due would they pay. 
 But Achilles the fell, ye Gods, are ye fain to help and defend. 
 Who hath neither a righteous heart nor a purpose framed to bend 40 
 
BOOK XXIV. 30s 
 
 In his breast : like a lion he is that on fierce wild thoughts doth brood, 
 
 When the spoiler, upstirred by his mighty strength and his aweless mood, 
 
 Goeth forth on the flocks of men to win him a banquet of blood. 
 
 Even so hath Achilles slain all pity : in him no shame 
 
 Is born — sooth, manifold blessing and bane have men of the same : — 45 
 
 Yea, I ween it shall hap to a man to lose yet a dearer one. 
 
 As a brother born of the selfsame mother, or even a son ; 
 
 Yet, when he hath poured out wailing and tears, he refraineth him then. 
 
 For a spirit strong to endure have the Fates bestowed upon men. 
 
 But he, though his vengeance the life of Hector the godlike hath ta'en, 50 
 
 To his chariot hath bound him, and round the tomb of his dear friend slain 
 
 He draggeth him : little profit or praise shall it win him, I wis ! 
 
 Let him fear, be he never so mighty, our indignation for this. 
 
 For behold, in his fury he doeth despite to the senseless clay." 
 
 But in wrath unto him did Her^ the ivory- wristed say : 55 
 
 " Yea, even this word of thine, O Silverbow, should be true. 
 If Achilles and Hector had equal honour, ye Gods, of you. 
 But for Hector, a mortal he is ; at a woman's breast did he lie : 
 But Achilles sprang from the womb of a Goddess whom I, even I, 
 Fostered and nursed, and gave her to be a mortal's bride, 60 
 
 Unto Peleus, the man most dear unto them that for ever abide. 
 Ye Gods all came to the bridal, and thou cam'st even as they 
 With thy lyre to the feast, thou companion of sinners, faithless aye ! " 
 
 Then Zeus the Cloudrack-gatherer answered to her, and spake : 
 " Htxt, against the Gods into anger thou shalt not break : • 65 
 
3o6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 For the twain shall not have honour alike : yet dearest of all 
 
 To the Gods was Hector, of them that dwelt within Ilium's wall, 
 
 Yea, also to me, for in gifts wherein my soul doth delight 
 
 Never he failed ; and aye on mine altar the banquet was dight 
 
 With libation and sacrifice-steam, for our honour is this and our right. 70 
 
 Yet will we none of the stealing of Hector the valiant away : 
 
 Unawares to Achilles it may not be compassed, for night and day 
 
 Goeth his mother beside her son continually. 
 
 But I would some God would summon hitherward Thetis to me, 
 
 For a word of weight would I speak unto her, that Achilles so 75 
 
 May from Priam receive due gifts, and for these let Hector go." 
 
 So spake he, and storm-footed Iris arose that message to bear, 
 And amidst of the space 'twixt Samos and Imbros' crags, even there 
 Into the dark sea leapt : sighed closing above her the mere. 
 Like a plummet of lead to abysses unfathomed she plunged down sheer, 80 
 Like the plummet that, riding the horn of an ox that hath roamed the lea, 
 Descendeth with death to the ravenous fosterlings of the sea. 
 And Thetis she found in a hollow grot, and on this side and that 
 Thronged were the Maids of the Sea, and herself in the midst of them sat 
 Wailing the doom of her peerless son, for she knew it full nigh, 85 
 
 That in fruitful Troy, far off from his fatherland-home, he should die. 
 Then to her side came Iris the Fleetfoot, and thus spake she : 
 " Rise, Thetis : the Lord of Unperishing Counsels calleth for thee." 
 
 And Thetis the Goddess, the Silver-footed, made reply : 
 " Why summoneth me that mighty God ? — ashamed am I 90 
 
BOOK XXIV. 307 
 
 With the Deathless to mingle, who bear in mine heart an unending pain. 
 I will go, for the word that proceedeth from him shall not be vain." 
 
 So did she speak, and a veil she took, that Goddess-queen, 
 Dark-hued, yea, vesture blacker than that no eye hath seen. 
 And she turned her to go, and before her windfoot Iris the fleet 95 
 
 Led on, and the surge of the sea was cloven before their feet. 
 So they went up the strand, and darting up to the heaven they soared ; 
 And Kronos' Son far-seeing they found, and around their lord 
 In a throng sat all the blessed Gods that for ever abide ; 
 
 And Athene gave her place, and she sat by Allfather's side. lOO 
 
 And Here gave to her hand a glorious golden cup 
 With words of cheer ; and Thetis tasted, and yielded it up. 
 And the Father of Gods and Men spake forth in their midst the word : 
 
 " Thou hast come to Olympus, O Thetis, albeit sorrow-stirred 
 With a grief that thou canst not forget in thine heart : I know it full well. 105 
 Notwithstanding, for what cause hither I called thee, now will I tell. 
 For nine days' space a strife of the Deathless hath clashed in mine halls 
 Touching Hector's corse, and Achilles the razer of fortress-walls. 
 And they bade the keen-eyed slayer of Argus to steal the dead. 
 But I will that the glory of this shall abide on Achilles' head, 1 10 
 
 Having respect to thy worship and friendship for days to be. 
 Now haste to the host, and speak to thy son this word from me : 
 Thou tell him, the Gods are angry, and I, above all the rest 
 Of the Deathless, am wroth, because that with fury-frenzied breast 
 By his beaked galleys he holdeth Hector, and will not release ; 115 
 
3o8- HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 If perchance he will fear me, and send the body thence in peace. 
 And Iris shall bear mine best unto Priam the great-heart king 
 To go to Achaia's ships for his dear son's ransoming, 
 And gifts to Achilles, such as shall gladden his heart, shall he bring." 
 
 Then Thetis the Goddess, the Silver-footed, obeyed his behest ; 120 
 
 And she turned her to go, and she darted adown from Olympus' crest, 
 And she came to the tent of her son, and there that hero she found 
 Groaning in vehement wise, and his loving comrades around 
 Busied them swiftly the while, making ready the meal of the morn : 
 In the tent lay a great sheep slain, of shaggy fleece unshorn. 125 
 
 Then sat the Lady his mother beside him, exceeding near, 
 And with kind love-lingering touch did she soothe him, and spake in his ear : 
 
 " My child, how long lamenting sore and grief-distraught 
 Wilt thou eat thine heart away, and of food wilt take no thought. 
 Nor yet of the couch? — It were good in the loving embrace to lie 130 
 
 Of woman : not long shall I see thee in life, but now full nigh 
 Beside thee is standing Death and the overmastering Doom. 
 Give heed unto me ; from Zeus unto thee with a message I come. 
 He saith that the Gods are angry, and he, above all the rest 
 Of the Deathless, is wroth, because that with fury-frenzied breast 135 
 
 By the beaked galleys thou keepest Hector, releasing him not. 
 Then yield thou up the corse when the ransom thereof shall be brought." 
 
 Then unto her made answer Achilles the fleetfoot, and said : 
 " So be it : who bringeth the ransom, let him bear hence the dead. 
 If indeed with purpose of heart this word the Olympian hath said." 140 
 
BOOK XXIV. 309 
 
 In such wise mother and son mid the gathered host of the ships 
 Communed together, and many a winged word leapt from their lips. 
 But Kronos' seed sped Iris to sacred Ilium-town : 
 
 " Haste, Iris the swift, from the home of Olympus darting adown, 
 Unto Ilium bear mine hest, unto Priam the great-heart king, 145 
 
 To go to Achaia's ships for his dear son's ransoming ; 
 And gifts to Achilles, such as shall gladden his heart, shall he bring ; 
 Alone, none other man of the Trojans may fare at his side. 
 Let there follow him only a herald stricken in years, which shall guide 
 The mules and the wain smooth-running, and bring moreover again 150 
 
 To the city the body of him whom Achilles the godlike hath slain. 
 And let not death overshadow his soul, neither any dismay ; 
 Such a guide, the slayer of Argus, to him will we give for the way 
 Who shall lead him, until to Achilles he set him nigh at hand. 
 And it shall be, that when in the hero's pavilion his feet shall stand, 155 
 
 Himself shall in no wise slay him, nor suffer another to smite. 
 For that senseless he is not, nor heedless, as some sin-hardened wight. 
 Nay, he will spare, and grace shall the suppliant find in his sight." 
 
 So spake he, and Iris the Wind-foot bearing the message is gone. 
 And she came unto Priam's palace, and found there crying and moan 160 
 
 In the court ; and around their father bedewing their raiment with tears 
 His sons sat : there in their midst was the old man stricken in years, 
 In his mantle closely shrouded about : on his head hoar-grey 
 And all adown his neck much litter of oxen lay. 
 Which his hands had gathered the while he grovelled low on the ground. 165 
 
3IO HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And with wail of his daughters and wives of his sons the halls rang round, 
 As they thought upon those, the; many and valiant, that low in the dust 
 Lay, whom the Argive hands through the gates of the grave had thrust. 
 Then stood by Priam the messenger sent from Zeus, and she spake 
 With voice low-murmuring : then did his limbs with trembling quake : 170 
 
 " Be of good cheer, O Dardanid Priam, and fear not thou ; 
 For not with foreboding of evil am I come unto thee now. 
 But with kindly intent : the messenger am I of Zeus unto thee, 
 Who careth for thee with exceeding compassion, afar though he be. 
 To ransom thine Hector the Lord of Olympus biddeth thee fare, 175 
 
 And gifts to Achilles, such as shall gladden his heart, shalt thou bear ; 
 Alone, none other man of the Trojans may fare at thy side : 
 Let there follow thee only a herald stricken in years, who shall guide 
 The mules and the wain smooth-running, and bring moreover again 
 To the city the body of him whom Achilles the godlike hath slain. 180 
 
 And let not death overshadow thy soul, neither any dismay ; 
 Such a guide, the Slayer of Argus, to thee will we give for the way. 
 Who shall lead thee until to Achilles he set thee nigh at hand. 
 And it shall be, that when in the hero's pavilion thy feet shall stand, 
 Himself shall in no wise slay thee, nor suffer another to smite, 185 
 
 For that sienseless he is not, nor heedless, as some sin-hardened wight ; 
 Nay, he will spare, and grace shall the suppliant find in his sight." 
 
 Even so spake fleetfoot Iris, and lo, she was no more there. 
 But the old man spake to his sons the light-running wain to prepare. 
 Mule-drawn, and to bind the basket of wicker-work thereon. 190 
 
BOOK XXIV. 311 
 
 But himself down into his chamber odorous-sweet hath gone, 
 High-raftered with cedar, wherein full many a jewel was stored ; 
 And he called his wife unto him, and to Hekab^ spake the word : 
 
 " Lady, from Zeus in Olympus to me hath a messenger sped 
 Bidding me go to the ships to ransom my dear son dead, 195 
 
 And to bear with me gifts which shall gladden the heart of Achilles the king. 
 Now tell me the thought of thine heart, how seemeth to thee this thing ? 
 For my mind and my spirit commandeth, and yearneth unsatisfied 
 Till I go to the galleys begirt by Achaia's war-host wide." 
 
 So did he speak ; but shrieked his wife, and she made reply : 200 
 
 "Ah me, whither fled is thy wisdom, wherein in the days gone by 
 Thy renown amid alien men and the folk that thou rulest was known ? 
 How canst thou desire to fare to the galleys Achaian alone 
 To the sight of a man who hath laid full many and valiant low. 
 All sons of thine ? — of iron thine heart must be fashioned, I trow. 205 
 
 For if with his hands he shall grasp thee, for if with his eyes he shall see. 
 That ravin-ruthless and faithless man, he will pity not thee. 
 Neither hold thee in any respect : — now nay, but aloof weep we 
 As we sit in our halls. Ay, this did the overmastering doom 
 Spin with the threads of his birth when I bare him the son of my womb, 210 
 To glut swift-footed hounds, from his parents far apart, 
 In the power of a violent man — would God that I had but his heart 
 To grip it and rend with my teeth : then haply might vengeance be won 
 For my child, since in no wise playing the dastard slain was my son. 
 But defending the sons and the deep-bosomed daughters of Troy he stood, 2 1 5 
 
312 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 No shadow of fear on his soul, no doubt in his blenchless mood." 
 
 Then unto her did the old man Priam the godlike say : 
 " Hold me not back, who am minded to go, nor become this day 
 In mine halls as a bird ill-boding : my purpose thou shalt not sway. 
 For if any of earth-born men had commanded me after this wise, 220 
 
 Whether of prophets, or priests that divine by sacrifice. 
 We had held us afar therefrom, and had deemed it a vision of lies. 
 But now — for myself have heard a Goddess, and seen with mine eyes — 
 I will go, neither vain shall her word be, and if my doom be said 
 To die by the ships of the Argives brazen-corsleted, 225 
 
 I consent : straightway let Achilles slay me, when once I have thrown 
 Round Hector mine arms, and assuaged mine hunger for mourning and moan." 
 
 He spake, and the fair-wrought lids of the coffers uplifted he : 
 Therefrom did he take twelve shawls exceeding fair to see. 
 Twelve cloaks of single fold, and carpets two and ten, 230 
 
 And goodly mantles as many, and twelve fair tunics of men. 
 And he weighed ten talents of gold, and he bare from his treasure-store. 
 Forth brought he flame-bright tripods twain, and caldrons four ; 
 And a chalice that Thracians had given, a great possession and fair. 
 When he went on an ambassage : not even this did the old man spare 235 
 In his halls as he stood, for he longed in his spirit exceeding sore 
 To ransom his dear-loved son : and he drave from his corridor 
 The Trojans ; and wild from his lips 'gan the flood of reviling to pour : 
 
 " Begone, ye pests, ye reproaches ! What, have ye nowise at home 
 Mourning enow of your own, that hither to vex me ye come ? 240 
 
BOOK XXIV. 313 
 
 Do ye count it as naught that Zeus hath heaped on me woe upon woe, 
 
 To lose that noblest child ? — but ye, ye also shall know. 
 
 For lighter, far lighter, the toil for the host of Achaia shall be. 
 
 Now that mine Hector is dead, to destroy you : but as for me. 
 
 Or ever the horror of havoc and wrack in Ilium-town 245 
 
 Be seen of mine eyes, may I pass to the mansion of Hades adown." 
 
 He spake, and he scattered the men with his staff, and in haste did they fly 
 From the face of that vehement sire : then loud to his sons did he cry. 
 Then did his chiding on Helenus, Paris, and Agathon fall. 
 On Antiphonus, Pammon, and battle-helper Polites withal. 250 
 
 On Delphobus then, and Hippothoiis, cried he, on Dius the proud. 
 Unto all these nine that ancient shouted his hest aloud : 
 
 " Hasten, I tell ye, base children, my shames ! — would God in the stead 
 Of Hector by yon swift ships ye had all been laid with the dead ! 
 Ah me all- wretched ! — in all wide Troy the goodliest sons 255 
 
 I begat : not one is there left to me now of my glorious ones 1 
 Mestor the godlike, and Troilus' chariot-chivalry. 
 And Hector — a god among men was my son, for he seemed not, he. 
 The child of a mortal man, but as one that of God's seed came. 
 These Ar6s destroyed : there abide with me naught but sons of shame, 260 
 Liars of light heels, champions they of the dancing-floor ; 
 Thieves, that for lambs and for kidlings grind the face of the poor ! 
 Will ye heed not your father, to harness the wain with speed, and to lay 
 All these things thereupon, to the end we may forth on our way ? " [265 
 
 So spake he, and shrinking adread from their father's chiding, they brought 
 
314 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Forth of its place the smooth-running wain of the mules, new- wrought, 
 
 Goodly to see, and the basket of wicker bound they above : 
 
 And the yoke of the mule-team took they adown from the peg thereof; 
 
 'Twas of boxwood, set with a boss, and with guiding-rings dight fair : 
 
 And forth with the yoke its band of cubits nine they bare, 270 
 
 And meetly they laid it down on the goodly-polished pole. 
 
 On the foot thereof, and the ring of it cast they over the thole ; 
 
 And to right and to left of the boss three times did they overcast 
 
 The band, and they lashed it down, and the tongue thereunder they passed. 
 
 Then forth of the chamber they bare and they laid on the polished wain 275 
 
 The ransom-price untold for the head of Hector slain. 
 
 Then under the yoke the strong-hoofed harness-mules did they bring. 
 
 Which the Mysians had given, a goodly gift, unto Priam the King. 
 
 And under the chariot-yoke for Priam the horses they led 
 
 Which the ancient himself at the crib with his own hands tended and fed. 280 
 
 Even so in the stately palace the herald and Priam his lord 
 Were putting their beasts to the yoke, with deep hearts wisdom-stored. 
 But now unto these drew nigh Queen Hekabe heavy-souled 
 In her right hand bearing the honey-sweet wine in a chalice of gold, 
 To the end they might pour a libation or ever they fared on their way. 285 
 And afront of the chariot she stood, and she spake, and thus did she say : 
 
 " Take, pour unto Father Zeus : pray thou from the midst of the foe 
 Home to return, forasmuch as thine heart doth constrain thee to go 
 Unto the ships, albeit I would not have it so. 
 Thou then to Kronion, who sitteth in gloom of the cloud-rack, cry, 290 
 
BOOK XXIV. 315 
 
 To the Dweller on Ida, beneath whose eyes all Troy doth lie. 
 
 Ask of him the eagle, the messenger swift, which he loveth best 
 
 Above all fowl of the air, and whose strength is the mightiest, 
 
 To appear on thy right, that thou thyself with thine eyes mayst behold. 
 
 And mayst go to the Danaan ships by faith therein made bold. 295 
 
 But if far-seeing Zeus will vouchsafe thee his messenger not for a sign. 
 
 It is not I that will speed thee by any bidding of mine 
 
 To the ships of the Argives to fare, what though thou be never so fain." 
 
 And the old man Priam the godlike to her made answer again : 
 " Lady, I will not set at naught thy counsel herein. 300 
 
 Good is it to lift up hands unto Zeus, his compassion to win." 
 
 Then did the ancient command the stewardess-handmaid to pour 
 Pure water over his hands ; and the maid drew nigh, and she bore 
 The pitcher within her hands, and the water bright from the spring. 
 So when he had washen, the cup from his wife received the King. 305 
 
 Then prayed he, standing amidst of the court, and the wine he shed. 
 Looking up to the heavens the while, and he uttered his voice, and he said : 
 
 " Zeus, Father, most glorious and mighty, who rulest from Ida's height, 
 Vouchsafe me to win compassion and grace in Achilles' sight. 
 And send thou the eagle, the messenger swift, which thou lovest best 310 
 
 Of all the fowl of the air, and whose strength is the mightiest. 
 To appear on my right, that I myself with mine eyes may behold. 
 And may go to the Danaan ships, by faith therein made bold." 
 
 So praying he spake, and the Lord of Counsel hearkened his prayer. 
 And he sent forth his eagle, most perfect of all the fowl of the air, 315 
 
3i6 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 The black-winged hunter ; the Dusky Erne men name it withal : 
 
 And even as wide as is fashioned the door of the high-built hall 
 
 Of a mighty man of wealth, with bolts full cunningly dight, 
 
 So wide was the spread of his shadowing wings, and lo, on their right 
 
 Over the city he darted ; and they beholding him come 320 
 
 Were glad, and the hearts of them all gat comfort and cheer therefrom. 
 
 Then hasted the ancient King, and he stepped to the chariot-floor. 
 And forth he drave from the porch and the echoing corridor. 
 In front of him fared the mule-team dragging the four-wheeled wain 
 Which Idaius the wise was driving : behind were the car-steeds twain 325 
 
 Which the old King hastily drave, as he plied the lash amain, [crowd, 
 
 Down the streets of the town, and his friends all followed, a grief-stricken 
 And as though to his death he were going they mourned him with wailing loud. 
 But when they had passed down Ilium's streets, and were come to the plain, 
 Then into the city his sons and his marriage-kin again 330 
 
 Went back : nor of far-seeing Zeus unmarked those lone ones fared 
 Forth to the plain, but he pitied the old man silver-haired ; 
 And straightway he looked on his dear son Hermes, and thus did he ^ay : 
 
 " Hermes — for unto thee right dear is the task alway 
 To companion a man, and thou hearest whomso thou wilt in his need, — 3^5 
 Hie thee, and unto the hollow Achaian ships so lead 
 Priam, that none of the Danaan men may behold him, and none 
 May be ware of him, ere that he come to the presence of Peleus' son." 
 
 Then Argus-slayer, the Guide-god, rendered obedience meet. 
 Straightway his beautiful sandals bound he beneath his feet, 340 
 
BOOK XXIV. 31; 
 
 Ambrosial, golden-gleaming, which wafted him over the main 
 
 Swift as the blasts of the wind, and o'er earth's limitless plain. 
 
 And the Wand of the Spells hath he ta'en, that lulleth to slumber deep 
 
 Whomsoever he will, and anon it breaketh the bands of sleep. 
 
 So the Argus-slayer, the strong, flew bearing the same in his hand, 345 
 
 And swiftly he came unto Troy and to broad-flowing Hellespont's strand : 
 
 And arrayed in the form of a youth of the princes he passed along. 
 
 Whose chin hath the first soft down, whose life is lovely and young. 
 
 Now when they had driven by Ilus' huge grave-mound, those twain. 
 On the bank of the river the mules and the chariot-team did they rein 350 
 To drink, for the gloom dropped now on the earth from the brooding sky. 
 Then was the herald ware of one that was drawing nigh, — 
 Hermes it was, — and he murmured to Priam fearfully: 
 
 " Bethink thee, O Dardanus' son ; — time is it for heedfulness now ; — 
 I behold a man ; full soon will he cut us in pieces, I trow. 355 
 
 Come then, let us flee away on the horses, or bow us in prayer 
 Clasping his knees, if perchance he will have compassion and spare." 
 
 But the old man's mind was confounded, and horror gat hold upon him, 
 And the hair of his flesh stood up upon every bending limb ; 
 And he stood all dazed. But the Helper-god himself drew near, 360 
 
 And he grasped the old man's hand, and he questioned with words of cheer : 
 
 " Whither, O father, thus the horses and mules dost thou guide 
 Through the hush of the balmy night, when slumber all beside ? 
 Of thy fury-breathing Achaian foes no fear hast thou. 
 The ruthless men and lawless that wait so nigh to thee now ? 365 
 
3i8 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Yet if one of these, as thou bearest the fleeting dark night through 
 
 Treasures so many, should mark — what then- art thou minded to do ? 
 
 Not of the youths art thou ; thy companion is stricken with eld : 
 
 If a man unchallenged shall set on you, how shall his fury be quelled ? 
 
 Nay then, no hurt will I do thee : myself will be shield unto thee 370 
 
 From all else : — like to mine own dear father thou seemest to me." 
 
 And the old man Priam the godlike to him spake answering : 
 " Yea, so in a manner it is, dear son, as thou sayest the thing. 
 Yet even o'er me some God hath outstretched his hand this day, 
 Who hath sent such a wayfarer forth to meet me here in the way, 375 
 
 Such a bringer of blessing, so wondrous stately and comely to see ; 
 And prudent of spirit thou art : sooth, happy thy parents mu.st be." 
 
 Then unto him the Slayer of Argus, the Guide-god, spake : 
 " Yea, answer meet and right, old sire, herein dost thou make. 
 But come now, tell to me this, and the truth unswerving declare : — 380 
 
 Art thou anywhither sending thy treasures many and fair 
 Unto alien men, that these at the least may remain unto thee ? 
 Or from Ilium the hallowed now at the last do all ye flee 
 Fear-stricken, so mighty a hero is dead, such a champion lost, 
 Thy son, for never he flinched from the fight with Achaia's host." 385 
 
 Then unto him did the old man Priam the godlike say : 
 " Now, mightiest, who art thou, and thy parents, who be they. 
 Who hast named me so truly and well the doom of mine hapless son ?" 
 
 Unto him made answer the Argus-slayer, the Guide spake on : 
 " Thou art proving me, ancient, and askest of Hector the godlike wight. 390 
 
BOOK XXIV. 319 
 
 Him many a time and oft in the glory-wafting fight 
 
 With mine eyes have I seen ; yea too, when the rout of Achaians he chased 
 
 To the ships, and with keen-whetted brass their war-ranks aye did he waste. 
 
 There stood we and marvelled the while, for Achilles suffered us not 
 
 To fight, forasmuch as his wrath against Atreus' son was hot. 395 
 
 For his henchman I am ; in the selfsame gallant ship we came. 
 
 One of the Myrmidons am I, Polyktor my father they name ; 
 
 Mighty in wealth, but an old man like unto thee is he. 
 
 Six sons he had, and a seventh therewithal he begat, even me : 
 
 And we cast the lots, and it fell to me hither to fare oversea. 400 
 
 And now am I come from the plain to the ships, for at dawn of the day 
 
 The Achaians around the city will set the fight in array. 
 
 For they chafe to be sitting deedless : the princes Achaian no more 
 
 Avail to refrain the war-host battleward yearning sore." 
 
 Made answer to him the old man Priam the godlike one : 405 
 
 " If thou art the henchman indeed of Achilles Peleus' son, 
 I pray thee, let all the truth be uttered to me of thy lips. 
 Say : is my dear son lying yet in the midst of the ships. 
 Or to dogs hath Achilles cast him, a corse hewn limb from limb ? " 
 
 Answered the slayer of Argus, the Guide-god spake unto him : 410 
 
 " Old man, not yet on his body the dogs or the vultures have fed, 
 But still by the ship of Achilles lieth unchanged thy dead 
 Amidst of the tents, and the twelfth dawn now hath beheld him laid 
 Lifeless on earth, and yet is the flesh of him undecayed. 
 Neither feast on him worms, the devourers of warriors battle-slain, 415 
 
320 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Good sooth, but Achilles ruthlessly haleth him once and again 
 Around his dead friend's barrow, whenso appeareth the light ; 
 Yet he marreth him not : thou wouldst marvel thyself, shouldst thou come on 
 How dewy-fresh he lieth, as washen from blood all around ; [the sight, 
 
 He hath nowhere any pollution, and closed is every wound 430 
 
 That was dealt unto him: there were many that stabbed his corse with the spear. 
 With care so watchful still do the bliss-throned Gods stand near 
 Though a corpse be thy son, for aye to their hearts was he passing dear." 
 
 So did he speak, and the ancient rejoiced, and he answered thereto : 
 " O son, it is verily good to render the gifts that be due 425 
 
 To the Deathless, for never my son, if he e'er was a living wight, 
 Forgat in his halls the Gods which dwell on Olympus' height. 
 Wherefore on him have they thought, though compassed he be with the bands 
 Of death. Now prithee receive this beautiful cup at mine hands, 
 And save me, and help me forth on my way, if the high Gods speed, 430 
 
 Until I shall come to the tent of Achilles Peleus' seed." 
 
 Unto him did the Argus-slayer, the Guide-god, answering say : [sway, 
 
 " Thou dost prove me, old man, who am younger than thou, but thou shalt not 
 Who biddest me take thy gifts, when Achilles thereof knoweth naught. 
 Nay, him do I fear : mine heart hath shame of the very thought 435 
 
 Of robbing my lord, lest mischief hereafter of this should grow. 
 But even to Argos the famous with thee as thy guide would I go. 
 Kindly companioning thee in the sea-swift ship, or by land : 
 And no man for scorn of thine escort should lift up against thee his hand." 
 
 Leapt on the chariot of horses the Helper-god as he spake, 440 
 
BOOK XXIV. 321 
 
 And swiftly the whip and the reins in his grasp of might did he take, 
 
 And into the horses and mule-team breathed he mettle stout. 
 
 So when they were come to the towers of the ships and the trench thereabout, 
 
 Even then were the watchmen preparing their meat of the eventide ; 
 
 But sleep on them all was shed of the Slayer of Argus, the Guide. 445 
 
 And straightway he opened the gates, and backward the bolts he shot. 
 
 And Priam and those fair gifts on the wain therethrough hath he brought. 
 
 But when to the dwelling of Peleus' son at the last they came, 
 
 High-builded — the Myrmidon men for their king had fashioned the same. 
 
 Hewing them beams of the pine, and they thatched it overhead, 450 
 
 For they mowed the downy rush wherewithal was the mead overspread ; 
 
 And around it they reared for their king the fence of a great court-yard 
 
 Of stakes close-set : with a single bolt was the gate of it barred, 
 
 A pine-beam : home was it thrust by the strength of Achaians three. 
 
 And to shoot that huge bolt back must three heave mightily 45 5 
 
 Of the rest : — in the giant grasp of Achilles alone would it slide. 
 
 At the touch of the Helper leading the old King back did it glide ; 
 
 And for Peleus' son those glorious gifts therewithin did he bring ; 
 
 And he lighted down from the chariot to earth, and he spake to the King : 
 
 " Old man, lo, I that have hitherward come am a deathless God, 460 
 
 Hermes : Allfather hath sent me to speed thee upon thy road. 
 But now will I hie me aback : to behold me shall nowise be given 
 To the eyes of Achilles ; for indignation should be in heaven. 
 If mortals should openly thus find grace with a Deathless One. 
 But thou, pass in, and clasp thou the knees of Peleus' son, 465 
 
322 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And beseech thou him by his father, his mother, the lovely-tressed. 
 And his child, that thou mayest prevail to stir the heart in his breast." 
 
 So when he had ended the word, to Olympus speeding afar 
 Hermes was gone, and Priam leapt to the earth from his car. 
 There left he Idaius reining the horses and mules to stay 470 
 
 Without ; but into the dwelling the old man passed straightway 
 Where Achilles the Zeus-loved wont to sit ; and the hero there 
 He found, but aloof were his comrades sitting : yet twain there were, 
 The hero Automedon, Alkimus, scion of Ares' blood, 
 
 Which waited on him : he had newly ceased from taking of food, 475 
 
 Of meat and of drink, and yet beside him the table stood. 
 And Priam had entered, and stood by the hero, or ever they wist. 
 And he clasped in his hands the knees of Achilles, the hands he kissed, 
 The terrible murderous hands which had slain him many a son. 
 And as cometh a heavy curse on a man of whom murder was done 480 
 
 In his own land, now in his flight to an alien folk hath he won, 
 To the house of a wealthy man, and all in amaze look on ; 
 So upon Priam the godlike Achilles stared amazed, 
 And amazed were the rest withal, as each on his fellow they gazed. 
 Then Priam made supplication to him, and his prayer he began : 485 
 
 "Remember thy father, Achilles, thou godlike- glorious man : 
 Old even as I, on the grievous threshold of eld doth he stand. 
 And is haply oppressed of his neighbours which dwell on every hand : 
 And when ruin and bane draweth nigh, he hath none to take his part. 
 Notwithstanding, whenso he heareth that yet alive thou art 490 
 
BOOK XXIV. 323 
 
 He rejoiceth his spirit within, and day by day doth he yearn 
 
 That yet he may see his beloved son from Troyland return. 
 
 But I, I am utterly hapless, for mine were the goodliest sons 
 
 In all wide Troy, and none have I left of my glorious ones. 
 
 Fifty had I when came the Achaians bringing their doom, 495 
 
 And of these nineteen were born unto me of the selfsame womb ; 
 
 And the others did concubines bear in mine halls ; and of many of these 
 
 The furious God of Battles hath palsy-stricken the knees. 
 
 But one was there left unto me, the shield of my city and folk, 
 
 And but now, as he fought for his land, didst thou deal him the swift death- 
 Even Hector : for his sake now to the galleys Achaian I fare [stroke, 
 To redeem him out of thine hand, and a ransom untold I bear. 
 O have thou respect to the Gods, Achilles, have pity on me. 
 And remember thy father : — but I am more piteous yet than he, 
 And have dared what none beside of earth-born mortals hath done, 505 
 To draw to my lips the hand of the man that hath slain my son." 
 
 Then yearning to weep for his sire in Achilles was stirred at his cry. 
 And he touched the old man's hand, and gently he put him by. 
 And these twain, calling to mind their beloved, wept aloud. 
 For Hector the manslayer one, at Achilles' feet as he bowed, 510 
 
 But Achilles wept for his own dear father the while, and anon 
 For Patroclus, and echoed and swelled through all the dwelling their moan. 
 But when with the feast of mourning Achilles the godlike was filled. 
 Arid .the yearning for tears that had shaken his breast and his limbs was stilled, 
 He leapt from his seat, and the ancient he raised by the hand straightway 515 
 
324- HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Compassionating his hoar-grey head, and his beard hoar-grey ; 
 
 And he lifted his voice unto him, and the Hght-winged words spake he : 
 
 "Ah hapless, manifold woe hast thou borne in the heart of thee ! 
 How didst thou dare to come to the galleys Achaian alone 
 To the eyes of a man who hath slain full many a valiant one, 520 
 
 All sons of thine ? — Of a surety an iron heart hast thou ! 
 But come, on the high-seat sit we down, and leave we now 
 Our griefs in our bosoms to slumber awhile, how anguished soe'er, 
 For in lamentation that chilleth the heart no profit is there. 
 For thus for unhappy mortals the Gods have their life-threads spun, 525 
 
 In affliction of spirit to live, but care themselves have none. ■ 
 
 For there stand two Urns of Doom on Zeus's palace-floor. 
 With his gifts : with the evil the one, the other with good runneth o'er. 
 For whomso the Thunder-triumphant hath mingled of these ere he give, 
 Now upon evil he lighteth, and good things now doth receive. 530 
 
 But to whomso he giveth of evil, him with a curse doth he brand, 
 And him fell famine houndeth over the sea and land 
 A vagabond, neither in honour with Gods nor with men doth he stand. 
 In such wise to Peleus the Gods gave, even from his very birth. 
 Glorious gifts, in that peerless he was above all men on earth 535 
 
 In the bliss of his days, and in wealth, and the Myrmidons bowed to his sway ; 
 And to him, though a mortal he was, a Goddess to wife gave they. 
 Yet God with the shadow of evil darkened even his lot 
 Herein, that issue of princely sons in his halls he had not. 
 Yet one he begat of untimely doom— ah, never mine hand 540 
 
BOOK XXIV. 325 
 
 Shall be prop to the eld-overborne, for afar from my fatherland 
 
 In Troyland I sit, and give to thy children and thee no rest. 
 
 Thou too, old man — we have heard that in days overpast thou wert blest. 
 
 Through the lands that Lesbos to northward, abode of Makar, doth bound, 
 
 And all 'twixt Phrygia to eastward and limitless Hellespont found, 545 
 
 Of all men wert thou peerless, they say, old sire, for thy wealth and thy sons. 
 
 But since this woe hath been brought upon thee by the Heavenly Ones, 
 
 Ever around thy city is battle and murder and blood. 
 
 Endure, nor with ceaseless lamenting over thy sorrows brood, 
 
 For nothing shalt thou avail by thine anguish for that thy son, 550 
 
 Nor shalt raise up thy dead, ere thyself to a darker goal shalt have won." 
 
 But to him the old man Priam the godlike made reply : 
 " Nay, seat me not yet on a throne, Zeus-fostered, while Hector must lie 
 Uncared for amidst of the tents, but release him with speed, that mine eyes 
 May look yet again on my son, and receive thou the ransom-price, 555 
 
 The treasures we bring thee : in these be thou blest, and of thee be there won 
 A return to thy fatherland for the merciful deed thou hast done, 
 To spare even me to live, and to look on the light of the sun." 
 But answered Achilles the fleetfoot with dark brows anger-bent : 
 " Provoke me no more, old man : it was even mine own intent 560 
 
 To release to thee Hector : from Zeus hath a messenger come unto me, 
 The mother that bare me, the child of the Ancient of the Sea. 
 Yea, and I know thee, Priam, it doth not escape my ken 
 That a God led thee to the sea-swift ships of Achaian men. 
 No mortal would dare to come, were he never so stalwart-young, 565 
 
326 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 To the host ; he should 'scape not the eyes of the guards ; nor is any so strong 
 
 As lightly to thrust from its place the massy bar of my door. 
 
 Wherefore enkindle thou my soul mid its grief no more, 
 
 Lest not even thee, old man, I spare my pavilion within, 
 
 Though a suppliant thou be, and against the commands of Zeus I sin." 570 
 
 So did he speak, and the old man feared, and he did as he said. 
 
 But Peleides forth of the house with the leap of a lion sped ; 
 
 Neither went he alone, but henchmen followed their lord, even twain ; 
 
 For with hero Automedon Alkimus fared : of his warrior-train 
 
 Chiefly Achilles honoured them next to Patroclus the dead. 575 
 
 Then from beneath the yoke the horses and mules they led ; 
 
 And they brought the herald within, the crier of that grey king. 
 
 And they caused him to sit on a seat : from the fair-polished wain did they bring 
 
 The priceless ransom for Hector's head that waited them there. 
 
 But two cloaks left they behind, and a tunic woven fair, 580 
 
 That in these he might shroud the dead ere he gave him, home to be borne. 
 
 And he summoned the handmaids to wash and anoint the life-forlorn. 
 
 When first they had borne it aloof, lest Priam should see his child. 
 
 And haply should rein not his wrath, when his heart grew anguish-wild 
 
 As he looked on his son, and his curse should enkindle Achilles' breast, 585 
 
 And the hero should strike him dead, and sin against Zeus's behest. 
 
 And so when the maids had anointed with oil that corse fresh-bathed, 
 
 In a fair-wrought mantle and tunic the body of Hector they swathed. 
 
 And Achilles himself uplifted and laid on the bier the slain, [590 
 
 And with him his companions upraised it, and laid on the fair-polished wain. 
 
BOOK XXIV. 327 
 
 Then wailed he, and called on the name of the comrade held so dear : 
 
 " Be thou not angered against me, Patroclus, if haply thou hear, 
 Hear from thy dwelling in Hades, that godlike Hector of me 
 Is released to his sire : no ransom unmeet for his dead gave he ; 
 And hereof thy portion due will I render, beloved, to thee." 595 
 
 So spake he, and back to his tent is Achilles the godlike gone ; 
 And he sat him down again on the cunningly carven throne 
 By the wall on the further side, and his speech to the King he addressed : 
 
 " Released is thy son to thee, ancient, according to that thy request. 
 On the bier is he lying : thyself shalt behold when the dawn springeth up, 600 
 And bear him away : but let us bethink us now to sup. 
 For Niob6 beautiful-tressed took thought for her food, even then 
 When perished within her halls her children two and ten : 
 Six daughters were hers, six sons withal in manhood's bloom. 
 To her sons did Apollo deal with his silver bow their doom 605 
 
 In his wrath : on her daughters Artemis arrow-triumphant wreaked 
 Vengeance, because she had matched her with Leto the beautiful-cheeked. 
 For she said, ' She hath borne but twain, and children full many have I.' 
 And for this by the hands of the twain must all that multitude die. 
 Nine days in their death they lay, and to bury the dead was there none, 610 
 Forasmuch as the people to stones had been turned of Kronos' son. 
 On the tenth by the Heaven-abiders, the Gods, to the grave were they borne. 
 Even she took thought for her food, when with weeping her strength was 
 And somewhere now amid crags of the desolate mountains afar, [outworn. 
 On Sipylus, where, men say, the Goddesses' couches are, 615 
 
328 HOMERS ILIAD. 
 
 The beds, of the Nymphs which dance around old Acheloiis' flood, 
 There on her god-sent afflictions, stone though she be, doth she brood. 
 Come then, and our spirits with food, O ancient of men, let us cheer : 
 Then, when thou hast brought into Ilium him that ye count so dear. 
 Weep as thou wilt, — yea, well may he cost thee many a tear." 620 
 
 Then Achilles leapt to his feet, and a white-fleeced sheep he slew. 
 And his comrades flayed it, and dealt with the carcase in order due, 
 And deftly they carved the flesh, and they ran the long spits through, 
 And heedfully roasted the meats, and the roast from the flames they withdrew. 
 And Automedon took the bread, and he laid it in beautiful maunds 625 
 
 On the board, but the flesh was dealt to his guests by Achilles' hands. 
 So they put forth their hands to eat of the meats on the board that lay. 
 But when they had put the desire of eating and drinking away, 
 Then gazed on Achilles the Dardanid Priam, and marvelled to see 
 How great and how goodly he was, for like to the Gods was he. 630 
 
 And Achilles marvelled the while at Priam Dardanus' seed, 
 As he gazed on his goodlihead, and hearkened his speech with heed. 
 But when they were filled with delight of gazing and wondering, 
 Then opened the first his lips the old man Priam the King : 
 
 "Zeus-fostered, grant me to lie down now, that the weary breast 635 
 
 In solace of pleasant slumber at last may be lulled to rest. 
 For these mine eyes have closed never yet mine eyelids beneath 
 Since the hour when beneath thine hands my son was bereft of breath. 
 But evermore was I groaning and brooding o'er sorrows untold. 
 As low in the very dung of the garth of the court I rolled, . 64Q 
 
BOOK XXIV. 329 
 
 But now have I tasted of food, and have poured the flame-flushed wine 
 Down my throat ; but nothing ere now hath passed these lips of mine. 
 
 He spake, and Achilles commanded his comrades and handmaids to bring 
 And to set 'neath the corridor couches, fair rugs on the same to fling 
 Of crimson grain, and with carpets thereover to strew each bed, 645 
 
 And, to cover themselves withal, thick mantles above to spread. 
 So forth of the hall with the torch in their hands the handmaids fared, 
 And swiftly they plied their task, and the couches twain they prepared. 
 Then something grim was his smile as Achilles the fleetfoot spoke : 
 
 " Without shalt thou lie, dear ancient, lest one of Achaia's folk 650 
 
 Come hither, some counsel-chieftain, which ever and anon 
 For counsel sit by my side, as meet it is to be done. 
 Now if any of these spied thee through the dark swift-fleeting night. 
 He would tell it to Agamemnon the shepherd of folk forthright, 
 And haply delay should befall of the rendering up of the dead. 65 5 
 
 But come now, tell to me this, and let truth unswerving be said : 
 Through how many days art thou minded the death-dues to Hector to pay, 
 That myself so long may abide, and withhold the host from the fray." 
 
 And the old man spake, and Priam the godlike answered thereto : 
 " If thou wilt that I render to Hector the godlike the death-rites due, 660 
 
 Great grace shouldst thou show me, Achilles, if thou wouldst do this thing. 
 Thou knowest that pent in the city we be : far it is to bring 
 From the mountain the wood, and with fear do the hearts of the people fail. 
 Nine days over him in our halls would we make lamentation and wail, 
 On the tenth would we burn our dead, and his funeral-feast would we keep, 665 
 
330 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 And on the eleventh the grave-mound over his bones would we heap : 
 On the twelfth, if it must be so, again shall the war awake." 
 
 Then unto him fleet-footed Achilles the godlike spake : 
 " This boon shall be thine too, Priam the ancient, as thou dost require. 
 So long will I stay the battle, according to this thy desire." 670 
 
 Then on the ancient king's right hand at the wrist he laid 
 His hand, that with no misgiving of heart he might now be afraid. 
 So there in the porch of the dwelling the herald and Priam his lord 
 Laid them down to their rest, with deep hearts wisdom-stored. 
 And Achilles the while in the stately pavilion's inmost place 675 
 
 Slept, and Brisels beside him, the maid of the lovely face. 
 Now the rest of the Gods and the car-borne heroes lay in sleep 
 Through the livelong night, overborne by slumber sweet and deep. 
 But not over Hermes the Helper of Men did slumber fling 
 Its spell, but his soul ever pondered in what wise Priam the King 680 
 
 Forth of the galleys, unmarked of the trusty guards, should be sped. 
 Then over his head he stood, and he spake the word, and he said : 
 
 " Old man, thou dost dream not of peril, so peacefully sleepest thou still 
 In the midst of thy foes, forasmuch as Achilles hath done thee no ill. 
 Now hast thou redeemed thee a dear dead son at a mighty price : 685 
 
 But to ransom a living father the same should be told down thrice 
 Of thy sons which be left behind, if thy coming to Atreus' son, 
 Agamemnon, be told, and of all the Achaians the thing should be known." 
 
 He spake, and the old man feared, and the herald in haste he awoke. 
 And for them did Hermes put the horses and mules to the yoke : 690 
 
BOOK XXIV. 331 
 
 And himself drave fast through the war-host, neither did any man know. 
 
 But when they were come to the ford where the lovely waters flow 
 
 Of swirling Xanthus, the child of Zeus that abideth for aye, 
 
 Then Hermes fleeting to high Olympus vanished away ; 
 
 And lo. Dawn saffron-mantled was spreading o'er all earth far. 695 
 
 Then on to the city with wailing and groaning they drave the car 
 
 Of the steeds, and the mules were drawing the corpse, and none was ware 
 
 Of their coming, neither of men, nor of women girded fair. 
 
 Till Kassandra, lovely as Aphrodite the Golden, clomb 
 
 Unto Pergamus' height, and beheld her beloved father come 700 
 
 As he stood on the car, and the herald, the city's crier, she knew ; 
 
 And him she beheld who lay on the bier that the mule-team drew. 
 
 Thereat with a shriek that rang down all the burg cried she : 
 
 " Haste, Trojans and daughters of Troy, and Hector so shall ye see, 
 If ever, as forth of the fight he returned, ye hailed him with joy ; 705 
 
 For a crown of rejoicing he was unto Troy and the people of Troy." 
 
 So spake she, and suddenly void was the town ; there was left in her none, 
 Nor man, neither woman, for grief unendurable smote each one. 
 And hard by the gateway they met him, as onward the corpse he was bringing. 
 And foremost the wife of the dead and his mother, wildly flinging 710 
 
 Their bodies adown on the smooth-running wain, 'gan rend their hair, 
 Clasping his head, and weeping the throng stood round them there. 
 And now through the livelong day till the light of the sun had failed. 
 In front of the gates for Hector with shedding of tears had they wailed. 
 But the ancient King to the folk from the seat of the chariot spake : 715 
 
332 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 " Make way for me now to pass with the mules : thereafter take 
 Your hearts' desire of lamenting, when home I have borne my son." 
 
 Back fell they to right and to left at his word, and the wain passed on. 
 So when they had brought their dead to the palace of far-famed pride, 
 They laid him adown on a fretted couch, and therebeside 7^0 
 
 Set chanters, upraisers of dirges : the song of sighing and groan 
 Ever they raised and anon, and the women echoed their moan. 
 And Andromache ivory-wristed began in their ears the keen. 
 Clasping Hector the manslayer's head her hands between : 
 
 " O husband, young from thy life hast thou perished, and left me lone 725 
 A widow within thine halls, and naught but a babe is thy son 
 Which was born to the hapless, to thee and to me ; and never, I trow, 
 Shall he come unto manhood : ere then this city her crest shall bow 
 Unto ruin ; for ho, thou hast perished, her watchman, who wont to guard 
 Her walls, and keptest her wives and her little ones safe in ward. 730 
 
 And lo, these soon shall be riding in hollow ships oversea. 
 And I shall be of them ; and thou, my baby, shalt follow with me 
 Unto where thou shalt drudge at unseemly tasks, at the best of a lord 
 Hard-hearted straining thy sinews : or one of Achaia's horde 
 By the hand shall grasp thee, and hurl from a tower — ah piteous death! — 735 
 In his fury, whose brother perchance mine Hector hath reft of breath, 
 Or his father or son, seeing many and many an one of the foe 
 'Neath the hands of mine Hector hath bitten the dust in his agony-throe, 
 For gentle thy father was not in the battle bitter and grim. 
 Wherefore the people through all the city be mourning for him ; 74° 
 
BOOK XXIV. 333 
 
 And unspeakable moan hast thou left to thy parents, and yearning pain, 
 
 O Hector ; and bitterest anguish to me above all shall remain ; 
 
 For never thou stretchedst thine hand from the bed of thy death unto me, 
 
 Neither spakest to me one solemn word, that ceaselessly 
 
 By night and by day with outpouring of tears I might think thereon." 745 
 
 So spake she, weeping the while, and the women echoed her moan. 
 
 Then thrilled them the mother's shriek, and Hekabe raised the keen : 
 " O Hector, dearest of all my sons to mine heart hast thou been ! 
 Verily dear to the Gods in the days of thy life wast thou. 
 And even in the doom of death have they nowise forgotten thee now. 750 
 
 For others Achilles sold into thraldom, sons of mine, 
 Whomso captive he took, far over the harvestless brine. 
 Unto Samos, and Imbros, and Lesbos becrested with underworld smoke. 
 But when he had reft thy life with the spear's keen-cleaving stroke. 
 Oft round the tomb of his friend and companion by thee laid low, 755 
 
 Of Patroclus, he dragged thee : — yet not from the dead might he raise him so ! 
 Yet dewy-fresh in mine halls art thou lying, as one new-slain. 
 Yea, like unto one that Apollo from life hath suddenly ta'en, 
 Whom the Lord of the Silver Bow hath with painless shaft overthrown." 
 So spake she, weeping the while, and kindled unending moan. 760 
 
 Then a third bowed over the dead, and the wail did Helen begin : 
 " Hector, most dear to mine heart of all my marriage-kin — 
 Of a truth Alexander the godlike is he that calleth me bride, 
 My lord, who brought me to Troy — would God ere then I had died ! 
 For the twentieth year is this that now passeth over mine head 765 
 
334 HOMER'S ILIAD. 
 
 Since the day I departed thence, since the land of my fathers I fled : 
 
 Yet never an evil word have I heard or despiteful from thee ; 
 
 But if haply another within these halls upbraided me 
 
 Of thy brothers, or sisters, or brothers' wives in their royal attire. 
 
 Or thy mother, — for kind as a father was evermore thy sire, — 770 
 
 Thy words, to appease and to hush them, prevailed my revilers among 
 
 By the spell of thy gentle spirit, the power of thy gentle tongue. 
 
 Wherefore heart-stricken I weep for mine hapless self with thee ; 
 
 For in all broad Troy none other is left to be kind unto me. 
 
 No friend : all shuddering turn from me, the accursed thing." 77s 
 
 So wailed she and wept, and the countless throng groaned answering. 
 
 Then spake in the midst of the people Priam the ancient King : 
 " Bring wood to the city, ye Trojans, now, and in no man's breast 
 Be there fear of a close-set ambush of Argives. Achilles' behest 
 Was this, when in peace from the dark-hulled galleys he sent me home, 780 
 That the foemen should vex us not, or ever the twelfth dawn come." 
 
 So did he speak, and the oxen unto the wains did they yoke. 
 And the mules, and swiftly in front of the city gathered the folk. 
 Nine days were they bringing the measureless wood from the mountain height : 
 But at last, when the tenth dawn rose, to the nations revealing her light, 785 
 Then bearing Hector the valiant forth with weeping they came. 
 And the corpse on the height of the pyre laid they, and they kindled the ilame. 
 
 When flushed from her birth-bed of mist Dawn's fingers rosy-hued. 
 Round glorious Hector's pyre assembled the multitude. 
 So when they were gathered together, and thronged was all the place, 790 
 
BOOK XXIV. 335 
 
 First with the wine flame-gleaming they quenched the pyre's red blaze 
 All o'er, even whithersoever the might of the fire had reached. 
 Thereafter his brethren and comrades gathered the bones flame-bleached 
 Mourning, and down their cheeks the flood of their hot tears rolled ; 
 And the bones of their hero they took, and laid in an urn of gold, 795 
 
 And with soft robes swathed it about in many a crimson fold. 
 Then swiftly they laid them to rest in a hollow grave, and thereon 
 Piled they a cairn close-set with many a mighty stone. 
 Then hastily heaped they the mound, while looked forth watchmen afar 
 All round, lest ere the time the Achaians should rush to the war. 800 
 
 So heaped they the mound, and they gat them aback : then gathered they 
 To the feast for the dead, and dight was the glorious banquet-array 
 In the halls of Priam, the great King fostered of Kronos' Seed. 
 So did they bury him. Hector the Tamer of the Steed. 
 
 THE END.