BOOK XXI
But when unto the ford they reach'd
of the fairstreaming river,
1
Xanthus much-eddying, to whom
immortal Jove was father,
Then were the Troians split in twain:
and some toward the city
Fled in disorder, scatter'd o'er the plain,
whereat the Achaians
Were on the yester scar'd to flight,
when gallant Hector raged:
5
And in their faces Juno pour'd
thick mist, to stay their hurry.
Others the silver-eddying,
deepflowing river thwarted.
Then in, with mighty dash, they plung'd;
& the dread streams resounded;
The banks beside it echoed high;
and they, with countless hurly,
10
Hither and thither swam about,
borne by the whirling water.
As when, the force of flame to shun,
the locusts, high in heaven
Flitting, toward a river speed,
if fire unweary blazeth
Uprisen suddenly; and they,
fall fended on the water:
So then, beneath Achilles' force,
with mingled men and horses
15
The noisy stream deep-eddying
of Xanthus was confounded.
The Joveborn hero then his spear
beside the bank abandon'd,
On tamarisks supported: he,
like to a mighty Spirit,
Leapt in, with sword alone in hand,
and dire achievement plotted,
Slashing them right and left: but they,
struck by the sword, responded
20
With groan distressful: all around,
with blood the stream was redden'd.
As other fishes flee away
before some grampus-dolphin,
And round a harbour's mooring-ground
fill all the snug recesses,
In terror; for he verily,
whome'er he catcheth, eateth:
So on the dreadful river's flood
beneath the banks o'erhanging
25
The Troians shelter'd them. But he,
when weariness of carnage
Seiz'd him, from out the river pick'd
twelve living sons of Troians,
A forfeit for Patroclus dead
unto Patroclus' father.
These from the water led he forth,
aghast and panic-stricken
Like fawns, and with the wellcut thongs,
which they themselves did carry
30
Upon their twisted vests, with these
he bound their hands behind them
And bade his comrades them conduct
unto the hollow galleys.
Then to the river back he sped,
in frantic rage of slaughter.
And there did he Lycaon meet,
son of Dardanid Priam,
From out the river fleeing; whom
once from his father's orchard
35
Himself by nightly ambuscade
had captur'd sore unwilling:
Who from a figtree wild would hew
with the sharp axe new branches
For chariot-rim; but on him came
a mischief all-unlooked-for,
Divine Achilles; who thereon
at wellbuilt Lemnos sold him
40
Carried on shipboard; but the son
of Jason made the purchase.
Thence by a vast redemption-price
Eëtion of Imbros,
A stranger, ransom'd him, and sent
unto divine Arisba;
Whence he by stealthy journeys came
and reach'd his father's mansion.
There for eleven days alone
he with his proper kinsmen
45
Rejoic'd, from Lemnos safe return'd;
but on the twelfth did Fortune
Cast him within Achilles' reach
again; who now was destin'd
To send him on unwilling feet
dark Aïdes to visit.
Nor helm nor buckler guarded him:
he on the ground had cast them,
50
As eke his spear: for-that the toil
to struggle from the river
Distress'd him, and his knees subdued.
Thereat divine Achilles
Saw him, and sore indignant spake
to his own haughty spirit:
"Ye Spirits! now these eyen see
in truth a mighty marvel.
The mighty-hearted Troïans,
methinketh, whom I slaughter'd,
55
Will surely rise again to life
from under murky darkness
As this man now return'd I see,
his cruel day escaping,
Whom I at heav'nly Lemnos sold;
nor that which many holdeth
Unwilling, him avail'd to keep,—
the breadth of hoary ocean.
Come! of our spear then shall he taste
the point: whereby my bosom
60
May learn, if back he still will come
even from thence; or whether
Lifegiving Earth, who holdeth fast
the stalwart, safe shall keep him."
So, as he waited, boil'd his heart;
but nearer drew Lycaon,
Aghast, and shuddering to meet
black fate and sad destruction.
65
So when divine Achilles rais'd
the lengthy spear to pierce him,
He stoop'd and eager ran beneath,
and clasp'd his knees imploring.
Over his back the spear was fix'd,
athirst for glut of carnage.
70
Then he with one hand caught the
spear, and held it; with the other
Touching his knees as suppliant,
did winged accents utter:
"Achilles! lo! thy knees I touch:
show reverence and pity:
In rank of sacred suppliant
am I with thee, Jove-nurtur'd!
75
For I beside thee, days agone,
the flour of Ceres tasted,
When, in the wellwall'd orchard caught,
apart from friends and father,
And unto heav'nly Lemnos sent, —
a hundred beeves I fetch'd thee.
Three times as much my ransom cost;
and now twelve times the morning
Hath dawn'd, sithence to Ilium
I came, from much disaster.
But to thy hands hath deadly Doom
restor'd me: Jove the Father,
I ween, must hate me: soon to die,
alas! my mother bare me.
My mother is Laothoë,
daughter of aged Altes;
85
Altes, who, o'er the Leleges
warloving, holdeth lordship,
Dwelling in lofty Pedasus,
on Satniois fairstreaming.
His daughter, her did Priam wed,
as also many others
From her we twain were born;
and thou wilt both her children slaughter.
Among the foremost infantry
hast thou but lately vanquish'd
90
The godlike Polydorus, whom
with pointed spear thou slewest.
On me now cometh woe likewise;
for scarcely may I reckon
Again to scape thy hands, to which
some heav'nly Fate hath brought me.
But one thing will I say; and thou
within thy bosom cast it:
Spare me, sith as I was not born
of the same womb as Hector,
95
The man who slew thy comrade dear,
so gentle and so stalwart."
So then did Priam's gallant son
address divine Achilles
With words of rueful suppliance:
but ruthlessly he answer'd:
"No ransom now to me set forth,
thou simpleton! nor argue.
For once, — ere that his day of doom
Patroclus overhended, —
100
So long, my heart more pleasure had
to spare the lives of Troians,
Nor lov'd their carnage: many then
I took alive, and sold them.
But now in front of Ilium
whome'er the god entrusteth
Into my hands, no longer one
would I except from slaughter
Of all the Troians; most of all,
not one of Priam's children.
105
But come, my friend! die also thou.
Why thus to wailing yieldest?
Dead also is Patroclus, who
than thee was greatly better.
Behold me, what a man am I,
how comely and majestic!
Me did a noble sire beget;
a goddess mother bare me.
Yet even upon me will Death
and Destiny resistless
110
Come in midday or afternoon
or haply in the morning,
When some one shall from mé alsó
in battle rieve my spirit,
Whether the spearthrow strike me down,
or arrow from the bowstring."
By such address Lycaon's knees
and tender heart were palsied.
Loosing the spear, he sat him down,
and both his hands expanded:
115
Achilles, opposite, drew forth
his two-edg'd sword, and plung'd it
Deep in the bottom of the neck:
there the whole weapon enter'd:
So headlong dropt he, stretch'd on
earth, which stream'd with gory dark-
Him by the foot Achilles seiz'd,
and toss'd him to the current, [ness.
And vaunting o'er him in harangue,
did winged accents utter:
120
"Thither amid the fishes lie:
they shall from out thy gashes
Lick unconcern'd the blood: but
ne'er thy mother shall compose thee
Upon the pallet, wailing thee;
but eddying Scamander
Shall bear thee on his waters tost
to ocean's vasty bosom.
125
The whiteness of Lycaon's fat
some fish shall seize as fodder,
Who, fretted by the bristling gloom,
amid the billow springeth.
Perish ye all, till, — ye in flight,
and I behind you routing,—
We reach to sacred Ilium:
nor shall your flood avail you,
130
Fairstreaming, silver-eddying;
tho' many bulls ye yield him,
Victims, and in his current drown
live single-hoofed horses.
Deal as ye may, you evil fate
awaiteth, till ye throughly
Pay forfeit for Patroclus dead
and for Achaian carnage,
Which, in my absence, late ye made,
beside our outmost galleys."
135
When thus he spake, the River-god
was more in heart embitter'd,
And ponder'd in his boiling soul,
how might he quell from effort
Divine Achilles, and from bale
the Troïans deliver.
Meanwhile Pelides, holding forth
his spear with lengthy shadow,
Frantic for carnage, onward leapt
against Asteropæus;
140
(Whose father Pélegon was son
of that broadstreaming river,
Deep-whirling Axius; — to him
had Periboia borne him,
Whose sire was Akesámenus,
and she his eldest daughter.)
On him Achilles rush'd; but he
confronting mid the river
Stood forth, with double spear in
hand; for, Xanthus in his bosom
145
Put courage; sith he wrathful was
for callants slain in combat,
Whom Achileus unpitying
amid the stream did mangle.
When they to nearer distance came,
advancing each on other,
Divine Achilles, fleet of foot,
was earlier to greet him:
1
"Who art thou, whence, — of mortals?
thou, who darest to confront me?
150
And troth! unhappy are the sires,
whose sons my force encounter."
The gallant son of Pelegon
to him then spake an answer:
"Why askest thou my origin,
high-hearted son of Peleus?
From loamy-soil'd Pæonia
I come, a distant country,—
Leading long-spear'd Pæonians;
and now the eleventh morning
155
Hath dawn'd, sithence to Ilium
we have the march completed.
Myself, I claim my origin
from Axius broad-flowing;
From Axius, whose stream of all
is daintiest to mortals.
For, spear-renowned Pelegon,
his son, they call my father.
So much of this: but now in turn,
gallant Achilles! Fight we."
160
So spake he threatening: thereat
great Achileus uplifted
The ashen shaft of Pelion;
but both his spears the hero
Asteropæus flung at once;
for doubly was he dextrous.
So with the one he frontwise hit
the buckler of Achilles,
Nor thro' might pierce it: for, the gold,
gift of the god, repell'd him:
165
By the right elbow, grazing pass'd
the other: dark blood spouted
Out of the wound: but it in earth
was fix'd, athirst for carnage.
Next, his straightflying ashen shaft
Achilles, keen for slaughter,
Against his foeman hurl'd, but miss'd:
the lofty bank receiv'd it:
170
Full half its length imbedded was.
Then with the sword Achilles
Leapt eager on him: he meanwhile
with might of sinew struggled
From the o'erhanging bank to tug
Achilles' ashen weapon.
175
Thrice did he hurtle it in vain;
the fourth time, sought to break it:
Too late: for first Achilles' sword
had stabb'd him in the navel.
He gasp'd in carnage hideous,
and darkness veil'd his eyen.
180
The foe then, tramping on his breast,
with vaunting speech address'd him:
"Lie as thou art. 'Tis hard for thee
to strive against the children
Of overmatching Saturn's son,
tho' offspring of a River.
185
Thou boastest, that thy origin
is from a stream broad-flowing;
I boast, from mighty Jupiter
to trace my first beginning.
A man, who o'er the Myrmidons
hold wide rule, begat me,
Peleus; whose father Æacus
by Jupiter was gotten.
Rivers, that trickle to the sea,
than Jupiter are weaker;
190
So, than the progeny of Jove,
weaker a River's offspring.
Yea, if he aught avail'd to help,
behold! a mighty River
Beside thee here: but none can fight
with Jove, the child of Saturn.
Not royal Acheloïus
with him may play the equal,
Nor e'en the ample-bosom'd strength
of deeply-flowing Ocean;
195
Tho' from his fulness every Sea
and every River welleth,
And all the everbubbling springs,
and eke their vasty sources.
Yet at the lightning-bolt of Jove
doth even Ocean shudder,
And at the direful thunder-clap,
when from the sky it crasheth."
He spake, and from the bank upright
pluck'd forth the brazen weapon,
200
And left the vanquish'd on the sands,
by the dark water wetted;
There eels and fishes busy were,
his kidney-fat to nibble.
The horsetail-crested Pæones,
amid the whirling current,
205
His comrades, shudder'd to behold,
in shock of hardy struggle,
By hands and sword of Peleus' son
their leader stoutly slaughter'd.
These next Achilles chas'd, and slew
Thersilochus and Mydon,
Astypylus and Thrasius,
Mnesus and Ophelestes,
210
And Ænius. Then more besides
of Pæones had fallen
By swift Achilles; but in wrath
the deeply-whirling River,
Like to a man, with human voice
call'd out from his abysses:
"Achilles! signal is thy force,
and horrible thy dealing,
As man to men: for aye to thee
the gods themselves are helpers.
215
If Saturn's child hath granted thee
all Troïans to slaughter,
Out of my channels on the plain
achieve thy work illomen'd.
For lo! with carcases are chok'd
my lovely streams already,
Nor able am I, by their mass
fill'd up, to pour my current
Into the briny flood divine:
too reckless is thy fury.
220
Enough! in sooth aghast am I,
O captain of the peoples."
But him Achilles, fleet of foot,
address'd with words responsive:
"Scamander! O Jove-nurtur'd! all
shall be, as eke thou biddest.
Only, I may not cease to slay
these overweening Troians,
Ere that I hem them in their walls,
and force to force with Hector
225
Try, whether of us twain shall be
in deadly feud the stronger."
He spake, and on the Troians rush'd,
like to a mighty Spirit.
Thereat to prince Apollo spake
the deeply-whirling River:
"Ye Spirits! oh thou child of Jove,
lord of the silver arrows!
Little hast thou the counsel kept
of Saturn's son, who urgent
230
Charg'd thee the Troïans to aid
and rescue, till the evening,
Late spreading in the Western sky,
the loamy Earth o'ershadow."
He spake: but, rushing from the brink,
the spear-renown'd Achilles
Leapt in the midst: and after him
Xanthus with billow raving
Pursued, and all his streams bestirr'd,
and toss'd aside the corpses,
235
Which in thick numbers round about
lay, by Achilles slaughter'd;
These cast he forth, hoarse bellowing,
and in his dainty currents
Rescued the living, hiding them
within his vast abysses.
Then round Achilles dreadfully
uprose the curling billow,
240
And, dashing on his shield, the stream
assail'd him; nor avail'd he
His feet to steady. He thereon
an elm wellgrown and lofty
Grasp'd, and upwrench'd it, stem and root,
and all the bank around it.
Across with branches thick it fell,
and bridg'd the dainty waters.
245
Then from the depth the hero rush'd,
with nimble feet upspringing
Over the plain to fly, in fear.
Nor did the River's onset
Yet cease; but rose with darkling
crests against divine Achilles,
To quell his effort, and from bale
the Troïans to rescue.
250
But he a spearthrow onward shot,
like to the dusky eagle,
That hunter, who of feather'd wights
is doughtiest and fleetest:
With such a rush Pelides sped,
and horrid was the rattle
Of brass upon his bosom. He,
the billow's force evading,
255
Fled; but the water-god behind
pursued with mighty riot.
As when a channel-delving man
from some dark source of waters
Doth with his spade a rill conduct
amid the plants and gardens,
Clearing the gutter of the clods;
and, as it onward floweth,
260
The pebbles noisily are dash'd;
but it with rapid ripple
Trickleth adown the slope, and e'en
outstrippeth its conductor:
So did the surges of the stream
alway o'erhend Achilles,
Albeit swift was he: but gods
are mightier than mortals.
Oft as, reliant on his feet,
he turn'd for onset, trying
265
If all immortals be his foes,
who habit ample heaven;
So oft above his shoulders dash'd
the Jove-descended river
With mighty billow. Vainly he,
distraught in bosom, bounded
With flying feet aloft; for still
the river, greedy sweeping,
270
Out-tir'd his knees, and from his feet
lick'd up the dust beneath him.
Then, gazing to the vasty sky,
the son of Peleus groaned:
"Oh father Jove! of all the gods
doth none in pity save me
From river-outrage? afterward,
let aught, that may, befal me.
Of the celestials none else
so much to me is guilty,
275
Save my beloved mother, who
with falsehood aye bewitch'd me,
Saying (forsooth) before the wall
of tight-accoutred Troians
I should beneath the gliding shafts
of prince Apollo perish.
Might Hector slay me, who of all
is here the bravest nurtur'd!
Then valorous the victor were,
and valorous the vanquish'd.
280
But now by gramsome overthrow
doth Destiny o'erhend me,
Caught by the river's might, as tho'
some stripling of a swineherd,
Whom, crossing in the winter-rain,
a brook may sweep to ruin."
He spake: then quickly at his side
stood Neptune and Athene
285
In mortal semblance: hand to hand
enclasp'd, their truth they plighted.
And Neptune, shaker of the Earth,
did first begin discourses:
"Pelides! be not sore dismay'd,
nor yield too much to terror.
Lo! what reserves of war we twain,
both I and maid Athene,
Come from Olympus to thy side,
by Jupiter's approval.
290
Nor, to be vanquish'd by a Stream,
for thee was ever fated:
But quickly will his power cease,
and thou thyself shalt know it.
And if to us thou listen, we
will canny counsel give thee,
Not earlier to stay thy hands
from all-destroying battle,
Till thou the Troian people coop,
— whoe'er of them escape thee, —
295
To Ilium's renowned walls:
then must thou vanquish Hector
And to the ships return: ourselves,
to earn this glory, grant thee."
After such word, departed they
to join the gods immortal.
But he, (for so the charge divine
was urgent,) straight betook him
On to the plain: and all of it
was fill'd with outspread waters.
300
Along it many beauteous arms
of callants slain in battle
And corpses floated. High in air
his knees against the current
Leapt rushing straightwise: nor avail'd
the broadly-flowing river
To stay him: for Athene's self
with mighty vigour fill'd him.
But eke Scamander ceas'd not yet
from effort; but, with anger
305
Against Pelides fiercer rous'd,
his flowing surges crested,
Aloft uprising, and aloud
to Simoïs he shouted:
"Let us at least by joint attack
restrain this mortal's fury,
Dear brother! else o'erthrow will he
lord Priam's mighty city
Full soon; nor will the Troïans
abide him in the tumult.
310
But hie with succour speedily,
and from thy springs of water
Fill well thy streams, and stir for aid
thy tributary currents,
And lift a mighty billow high,
and summon plenteous riot
Of floating trunks and rocks upwrench'd,
to stay this savage hero,
Who swayeth now pre-eminent,
and rageth high as heaven.
315
But neither mighty force, I trow,
nor beauty shall avail him,
Nor yet his splendid armour: it,
with swash of mud encrusted,
Full deep within our pools shall lie:
himself, with heaps of rubbish,
Countless, will I enwrap in sand,
and wilder the Achaians
320
His bones to gather: such a slush
will I encurdle round him.
I will myself his barrow-mound
achieve within my waters,
Nor for Achaian burial
shall hand of man be needed."
So spake he, and with raging might
arose against Achilles,
Curling his waves aloft, with foam
and blood and corpses gurgling.
325
But Juno trembled to behold
the Jove-descended river
With purple billow eddying
to sweep away the hero;
And straight with shout of terror call'd
her own dear offspring, Vulcan:
"Up, Limper! dearest child! for, thee
we deem to be in combat
A match for swirling Xanthus: haste,
full girt with flame, in succour.
I to the briny deep will go,
a testy squall to summon
335
Of the West wind and sprightly South,
whose deadly blasts shall instant
Consume the Troians, — men and arms:
but by the banks of Xanthus
Burn thou the trees, and wrap in fire
himself; nor let him stay thee
By words of gentle blandishment,
nor e'en by curse ill-omen'd.
Nor sooner lay thy force aside,
save when by skirl of notice
340
I give the signal; then do thou
withhold the fire unweary."
When thus she charg'd him, Vulcan aim'd
the fire's unearthly fury.
First in the plain he kindled it,
and quick consum'd the corpses,
Which in thick numbers round about
lay, by Achilles slaughter'd:
So parched he the plain entire,
and stay'd the brilliant water.
345
As by autumnal Boreas
a newly-water'd orchard
Quickly is drièd up; and he,
who tendeth it, is gladden'd;
So drièd then was all the plain,
and burn'd were all the corpses.
Then he his all-resplendent flame
against the river turned.
The withies, elms, and tamarisks,
the lotus, reed, and bulrush,
350
Which by the river's dainty streams
grew plenteous, were burned.
The eels and fishes were bestraught,
and div'd within the abysses,
Hither and thither, from the blast
of much-devising Vulcan.
355
The River felt his might burnt up,
and spake, on Vulcan calling:
"O Vulcan! none of all the gods
to thee may play the equal;
Nor I against thy flaming fire
can venture me in battle.
Desist from quarrel: from their walls
forthwith let great Achilles
Drive out the Troians: what am I
for contest or alliance?"
360
So spake he, parching in the flame,
and his gay currents bubbled.
And as, by fire abundant urg'd,
a cauldron inly boileth,
When under it dry faggots lie,
but in it fat of bacon
From tender-nurtur'd pig doth seethe,
with bubbles swift uprising:
So then his dainty streams with fire
were parch'd; his water boiled,
365
And halted, nor would onward flow:
for sore the blast distress'd it
From crafty-hearted Vulcan's force.
The River then to Juno
With many a supplication spake
and winged accents utter'd:
"O Juno, wherefore hath thy son
my stream with bale invaded
Beyond the rest? not unto me
so much the blame belongeth,
370
As to all other gods, by whom
the Troïans are holpen.
But I will verily desist,
if so thy will commandeth,
And eke let him withhold: and I
by oath alsó will bind me,
That never will I ward away
the day of woe for Troians,
Not even when in wasting fire
all Ilium shall smoulder,
375
If e'er Achaia's warlike sons
the torch of ruin kindle."
When Juno, white-arm'd goddess, heard
these pleadings of the River
Again she instantly address'd
her own dear offspring Vulcan:
"O Vulcan, child most glorious!
withhold thee: nor beseems it
In sake of mortals, with distress
to crush a god immortal."
380
She spake; and quickly did he quench
the fire divinely burning,
And back returning rush'd the waves
adown their noble channel.
So both the combatants were stay'd;
for Juno, tho' indignant,
Set limit on her wrath, so soon
as Xanthus' might was tamed.
But on the other heav'nly gods
fell vehemence of quarrel,
385
Noisome; and diverse ways the heart
was in their bosom tossed.
With mighty turmoil on they came:
broad Earth beneath them crackled
And vasty Heaven trumpeted
aloft: Jove in Olympus
Sitting perceiv'd them; and within,
his heart was fill'd with laughter,
Rejoicing, when the gods he saw
in shock of battle meeting.
390
Thereat, no length of time stood they
aloof; for Ares led them,
Hide-piercer; he his onset first
against Athene guided,
Holding his brazen lance; and spake
an overture of insult:
"Wherefore Fly-vixen! now again
the gods to quarrel drivest,
Fill'd with portentous confidence?
proud insolence impels thee.
395
Or haply dost forget the day
when thou to wound me sentest
Tydides Diomed, and didst
in gaze of heaven brandish
His spear outright against me:
so my tender flesh was mangled.
Now then I think to pay thee back
for all thy deeds of evil."
After such words, he stabb'd against
her many-fringed ægis,
400
Direful; which not the thunderbolt
of Jupiter may vanquish:
On this, with lengthy thrust of spear,
did blood-stain'd Ares goad her.
But she, retiring on the plain,
in her broad hand uplifted
A rock, which there behind her lay,
mighty and black and rugged,
Which for a stone of boundary
by former men was destin'd.
405
Herewith she struck upon the neck
and cast impetuous Ares
Helpless: o'er seven roods of land
he fell; his arms resounded,
And dust defil'd his hair.
Thereat maiden Athene laughed,
And taunting o'er the fallen god
did winged accents utter:
"O simpleton! not even yet
hast ponder'd, how much greater
410
I claim to be than thee, whene'er
my prowess thou confrontest?
By such atonement mayest thou
requite thy mother's Furies,
Who angry planneth ill to thee,
for-that thou hast the Achaians
Abandon'd, and dost glorify
the overweening Troians."
After such utterance, away
she turn'd her beaming eyen.
415
But him, as thick and deep he sobb'd,
Jove's daughter Aphrodite
Led by the hand away, and scarce
his spirit did recover.
She, as she hurried, drew regards
from Juno, white-arm'd goddess,
Who to Athene instantly
did winged accents utter:
"Ye gods! unweariable child
of Jove the ægisholder!
420
Lo! the Flyvixen in the mell
doth Ares, pest of mortals,
From out of foeman's battle lead: —
but instantly pursue her!"
She spake: then off Athene rush'd,
and in her heart was joyful.
Assailing with her brawny hand,
she smote her on the bosom,
And from her body beat the breath:
so fell she there, aswooning.
425
Thus on the many-feeding Earth
the twain were laid together;
And she, with vaunting over them,
harangu'd in winged accents:
"So may all others lie, whoe'er
to Troïans are helpers,
Often as they to battle march
on tight-accoutred Argives;
O valorous and hardy! such,
as Aphrodite ventur'd,
430
Coming my onset to confront,
auxiliar to Ares!
We, in that gait, had long ago
from tearful war withheld us,
Sated by sack of Ilium,
that nobly builded fortress."
Athene spake, and drew a smile
from Juno, whitearm'd goddess;
Meanwhile the great Earthshaking king
address'd him to Apollo:
435
"Why, Shining one! stand off we twain
aloof? nor is it seemly,
When others have begun the war.
Still worse were the dishonour,
If without battle we return
to brazen-floor'd Olympus,
Palace of Jove. But feud to me
belongs not: thou art younger:
Begin: for I am elder-born,
and wider is my knowledge.
440
O simpleton, how thoughtless heart
is thine! nor in remembrance
Holdest at all, how much of yore
we twain endur'd of sorrow
From haughty-soul'd Laomedon;
when, sent by Jove from heaven,
Alone of gods, a year complete
we serv'd, for wage behighted,
We, to his beck obedient;
and he, as lord directing.
445
Then round the Troian city I
in sooth a rampart builded
Broad and right noble; so their town
is made a breachless castle.
And thou, upon the woody slopes
of dell-abounding Ida,
Bright god! didst tend the clumsyfooted
crumplehorned cattle.
But when the much-rejoicing Hours
brought round the end of labour
450
Behighted, proud Laomedon
with hardy threat dismiss'd us,
Of our complete hardearned wage
by violence defrauded.
Troth! threaten'd he with wellcut thongs
both hand and foot to bind us,
And ship us for the mart of slaves
in some far-distant island;
And vow'd, the ears of both of us
to crop with brazen weapon.
455
So we, returning, on our path
with soul indignant wended,
Enraged for the hire, which he
had gag'd, but complish'd never.
Dost thou for this achievement bear
much favour to his peoples,
Nor on our side contendest, how
the overweening Troians
With children and with decent wives
may headlong perish vilely?"
460
To him the Far-averting prince
Apollo spake responsive:
"Earthshaker! rightly mightest thou
unsound of heart pronounce me,
If against thee I enter war
for miserable mortals;
Who like to leaves do onewhile bud,
and thrive with fiery vigour,
465
Earth's bounty eating; otherwhile,
they pine, bereft of spirit.
But leave their quarrel to themselves;
and us, from fight withdraw we."
After such speech, away he turn'd;
for with his father's brother
Much it abash'd him, hand to hand,
to mingle in encounter.
At him his sister Artemis,
who in the fields disporteth,
470
Queen of all venison, did scoff,
and spake a word reproachful:
"O Far-averter, fleest thus?
hast thou to Neptune yielded
Full victory, and empty vaunt
thereby to him permittest?
O simpleton, why uselessly
that bow and arrows holdest?
Thy voice no longer let me hear
within thy father's chambers
475
Boasting, as heretofore thy boast
in presence of the immortals,
That thou in battle wouldest stand
with Neptune's might confronted."
She spake; but no reply came back
from the bright prince Apollo.
Then at her haughtiness enrag'd,
did Jove's majestic consort
With words of contumely revile
the arrowpouring goddess.
480
"But wherefore art thou eager now,
bold vixen! to withstand me?
Hard is to thee my adverse force,
albeit sheaves of arrows
Thou bearest; and tho' Jupiter
a lion unto women
Hath made thee, and hath granted
might to slay, whomso thou willest.
Better in sooth it is, to kill
wild beasts upon the mountains,
485
And rustic does, than valiantly
do battle with the stronger.
But if thou willest war to learn;
then come, and let me teach thee,
How greatly I surpass thee, when
thou wilt my might encounter."
She spake; and both the goddess' wrists
with her left hand engrasping,
She with the right hand stripp'd away
the quiver from her shoulder,
490
Laughing; and with it o'er the ears
slapt her, as off she turned.
Out of the quiver fell the shafts:
the goddess, tear-beflooded,
Fled the encounter, as a dove,
which, chased by a falcon,
Into the cavern of a rock
hath flown, and there is rescued.
495
So fled she tearful from the war,
and left her darts behind her. —
2
Jove's minister, the Argicide,
then turn'd him to Latona:
"With thee, Latona! fight I not:
'tis noisome, with the consorts
Of cloudcollecting Jupiter
by cuff of hand to bargain.
But, pri'thee, with a forward zeal
among the gods immortal
500
Vaunt, that by might and main thou hast
my prowess overmaster'd."
So spake he: she from off the ground
the bending bow and arrows
Collected, fallen here and there
amid the dust-tornado;
And, soon as she recover'd had
her daughter's shafts, departed.
That daughter hasted on her path
to brazen-floor'd Olympus,
505
Palace of Jove; there at the knees
of her own father seated,
She wept, and her ambrosial veil
trembled around. Her father
Drew her to him, and, laughing sweet,
he spake, and made inquiry:
"Beloved child! what heav'nly hand
such ill hath wrought upon thee,
All wantonly, as tho' thou wert
in flagrant guilt arrested?"
510
To him replied the chapleted,
the everwhooping huntress:
"Thy consort, Sire! hath huffled
me, the whitearm'd goddess Juno,
Who on immortals fasteneth
the jar of evil quarrel."
Thus they reciprocally held
betwixt themselves discourses
But into sacred Ilium
did bright Apollo enter;
515
For, the wellbuilded city's wall
he cherish'd, lest the Argives
Upon that day, despite of fate,
haply avail to storm it.
The other everliving gods
unto Olympus wended:
One part embitter'd by the fray,
others with glory haughty,
Nigh to blackclouded Jupiter
were seated. But Achilles
520
Did ravage men of Troy alike
and single-hoofed horses.
And as when high-aspiring smoke
to vasty heaven reacheth
From out a burning city; it
the wrath of gods hath kindled,
And toil on many hath it laid
and sorrow sent to many:
So on the Troians Achileus
laid many a toil and sorrow.
525
But aged Priam stood aloft
upon a sacred tower,
And thence descried Achilles' form
majestic. Where he turn'd him,
At once the Troians in alarm
were routed, nor of courage
Aught they retain'd. Then groaning he
descended from the tower,
And, passing by the wall, bestirr'd
the illustrious gate-keepers:
530
"Hold in your hands the leaved gates
wide-open, till the peoples
Reach to the city, scar'd in flight:
for verily Achilles
Here hieth routing them and hence,
I ween, will come disaster.
But when they respite again at length,
coop'd up within the fortress,
Quickly behind them shut again
the panels tightly fitted.
535
I tremble, lest this ghastly man
into our rampart force him."
So spake he: they the bolts push'd back,
and spread abroad the panels,
Which, open, to the fugitives
gave comfort. But Apollo
Leapt out in front, from baleful doom
the Troïans to rescue.
Straight for the town and lofty wall,
parch'd up with thirst and dusty,
540
Out of the plain they fled: but he
keen with the spear pursued them.
Dire fury did his soul possess,
all hankering for glory.
Then had Achaia's children storm'd
Troy's lofty-gated city;
But bright Apollo to emprize
bestirr'd divine Agenor,
545
Antenor's spotless stalwart son;
and in his heart put courage.
Leaning himself upon a beech,
in copious mist enshrouded
He stood by him, to ward away
the noisome stroke of Carnage.
Agenor, when he near descried
Achilles city-rieving,
550
Stood still; and much his heart within,
as there he waited, curdled.
Then he with indignation spake
to his own haughty spirit:
"Woe to my fortunes! if I flee
from valorous Achilles,
Whither the rest are scar'd in rout,
he even so will catch me,
555
And butcher me all helpless: but,
if these I leave behind me
Routed by him, and on my feet
make for the plain of Ilus,
Until to Ida's slopes I reach
and in the bushes hide me,
But in the evening afterward
I bathe me in the river,
560
And, cool'd from sweat, to Ilium
I take my backward journey: —
But, O fond heart! why holdest thou
within me such discourses?
For if, as to the plain I swerve,
he notice me, and chasing
With rapid foot outstrip my speed;
from Death and Fate no longer
565
Escape remaineth; for his force
all mortals far surpasseth.
What if before the city-wall
I valorously front him?
For troth! the body eke of him
may by sharp brass be pierced;
One life is in him, and they say
that he alsó is mortal,
Tho' Jupiter Saturnius
escorteth him with glory."
570
He spake, and gathering his
force, stood to await Achilles,
With valiant spirit inwardly
for war and battle eager.
As from a thicket deep may come
for combat with the hunter
A panther, undismay'd in soul,
tho' bark of dogs re-echo;
575
For e'en if earlier a stab
or shot of dart may wound him,
Not, tho' the weapon pierce him
thro', doth he his valour lessen,
But that he grapple with the foe,
or in the effort perish:
So then divine Agenor, son
of lordly-soul'd Antenor,
To flee approv'd not, ere he try
the prowess of Achilles.
580
Forthwith, he held in front his shield,
which equal was on all sides,
And with the spear took aim at him,
and shouting loud, accosted:
"Gallant Achilles! lofty hopes,
I ween, thy bosom holdeth,
That thou, forsooth, this day wilt storm
the town of haughty Troians.
O simpleton! for many a woe
must still be borne beside it.
585
For in its fortress, warriours
many and valiant dwell we,
Who in the sake of parents dear,
of consorts and of children,
Do rescue Ilium: but thou
shalt here thy fate encounter,
Be thou however marvellous
and valorous a hero."
He spake, and from his heavy hand
sent forth the pointed weapon,
590
Nor miss'd but struck him on the shank:
beneath it horrid crackled
The greave of newlyforged tin,
the workmanship of heaven,
Gift of the god; which turn'd aside
the rushing brass, nor yielded.
Then second, sallied Peleus' son
against divine Agenor;
595
But bright Apollo foil'd his hope,
and cheated him of glory,
Shrouding the foe in copious mist,
and snatching him from battle;
Him sent he, quiet to return,
from toil and danger rescued.
Then he by guile asunder drew
Pelides from the people.
For, wholly to Agenor like,
himself the Far-averter
600
Stood forth before Achilles' feet
and to pursuit entic'd him.
While o'er the wheatful plain he
chas'd, and wound beside Scamander,
River deepwhirling, and the god
but little did outstrip him,
Bewitching him with guileful hope,
that soon his feet shall conquer;
605
Meanwhile the other Troïans,
in troops affrayed rushing,
Gladly had refuge in the walls
and fill'd with crowds the city.
Nor longer ventur'd they to wait
outside the town and rampart
One for another, and to learn, —
who fell, and who surviveth:
610
But all, whom feet and knees bare
off, pour'd gladly to the city.
Copperplate etching (1795) by Tommaso Piroli, after a drawing (1793) by John Flaxman.
_Flaxman_Ilias_1793,_gestochen_1795,_185_x_275.jpg){kind=link}