Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Book

← Previous Next →

Now the other princes of the Achaeans slept soundly the whole night through, but Agamemnon, son of Atreus, shepherd of the people, was troubled, so that he could get no rest. [5] As when lovely-haired Hera’s lord flashes his lightning in token of great rain or incessant hail or snow when the snow-flakes whiten the ground, or again as a sign that he will open the wide jaws of hungry war, even so did Agamemnon heave many a heavy sigh, [10] for his spirit trembled within him. When he looked upon the plain of Troy he marveled at the many watchfires burning in front of Ilion, and at the sound of pipes and reeds and of the hum of men, but when presently he turned towards the ships and armies of the Achaeans, [15] he tore his hair by handfuls before Zeus on high, and groaned aloud for the very restlessness of his spirit. In the end he thought it best to go at once to Nestor, son of Neleus, and see if between them they could find any way [20] of the Danaans from destruction. He therefore rose, slipped on his tunic, bound his fair sandals about his comely feet, flung the skin of a huge tawny lion over his shoulders—a skin that reached his feet—and took his spear in his hand.

[25] Neither could Menelaos sleep, for he, too, boded ill for the Argives who for his sake had sailed from far over the seas to fight the Trojans. He covered his broad back with the skin of a spotted panther, [30] put a helmet of bronze upon his head, and took his spear in his brawny hand. Then he went to rouse his brother, who was by far the most powerful of the Achaeans, 33 and he got honor tīmēfrom the population [ dēmos], like a god. He found him by the stern of his ship already putting his goodly array about his shoulders, [35] and right glad was he that his brother had come.

Menelaos spoke first. “Why,” said he, “my dear brother, are you thus arming? Are you going to send any of our comrades to exploit the Trojans? I greatly fear that no one will do you this service, [40] and spy upon the enemy alone in the dead of night. It will be a deed of great daring.”

Iliad. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1898.

Current edition Experimental

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ἰλιάς Perseus (Homer. Homeri Opera, Volumes 1-2. Monro, D. B. (David Binning), editor; Allen, Thomas W. (Thomas William), editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908-1920.) — 10.1 focus

ἄλλοι μὲν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν

εὗδον παννύχιοι μαλακῷ δεδμημένοι ὕπνῳ·

ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἀτρεΐδην Ἀγαμέμνονα ποιμένα λαῶν

ὕπνος ἔχε γλυκερὸς πολλὰ φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντα.

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἀστράπτῃ πόσις Ἥρης ἠϋκόμοιο

τεύχων ἢ πολὺν ὄμβρον ἀθέσφατον ἠὲ χάλαζαν

ἢ νιφετόν, ὅτε πέρ τε χιὼν ἐπάλυνεν ἀρούρας,

ἠέ ποθι πτολέμοιο μέγα στόμα πευκεδανοῖο,

ὣς πυκίνʼ ἐν στήθεσσιν ἀνεστενάχιζʼ Ἀγαμέμνων

νειόθεν ἐκ κραδίης, τρομέοντο δέ οἱ φρένες ἐντός.

ἤτοι ὅτʼ ἐς πεδίον τὸ Τρωϊκὸν ἀθρήσειε,

θαύμαζεν πυρὰ πολλὰ τὰ καίετο Ἰλιόθι πρὸ

αὐλῶν συρίγγων τʼ ἐνοπὴν ὅμαδόν τʼ ἀνθρώπων.

αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ ἐς νῆάς τε ἴδοι καὶ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν,

πολλὰς ἐκ κεφαλῆς προθελύμνους ἕλκετο χαίτας

ὑψόθʼ ἐόντι Διί, μέγα δʼ ἔστενε κυδάλιμον κῆρ.

ἥδε δέ οἱ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλὴ

Νέστορʼ ἔπι πρῶτον Νηλήϊον ἐλθέμεν ἀνδρῶν,

εἴ τινά οἱ σὺν μῆτιν ἀμύμονα τεκτήναιτο,

ἥ τις ἀλεξίκακος πᾶσιν Δαναοῖσι γένοιτο.

ὀρθωθεὶς δʼ ἔνδυνε περὶ στήθεσσι χιτῶνα,

ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,

ἀμφὶ δʼ ἔπειτα δαφοινὸν ἑέσσατο δέρμα λέοντος

αἴθωνος μεγάλοιο ποδηνεκές, εἵλετο δʼ ἔγχος.

ὣς δʼ αὔτως Μενέλαον ἔχε τρόμος· οὐδὲ γὰρ αὐτῷ

ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἐφίζανε· μή τι πάθοιεν

Ἀργεῖοι, τοὶ δὴ ἕθεν εἵνεκα πουλὺν ἐφʼ ὑγρὴν

ἤλυθον ἐς Τροίην πόλεμον θρασὺν ὁρμαίνοντες.

παρδαλέῃ μὲν πρῶτα μετάφρενον εὐρὺ κάλυψε

ποικίλῃ, αὐτὰρ ἐπὶ στεφάνην κεφαλῆφιν ἀείρας

θήκατο χαλκείην, δόρυ δʼ εἵλετο χειρὶ παχείῃ.

βῆ δʼ ἴμεν ἀνστήσων ὃν ἀδελφεόν, ὃς μέγα πάντων

Ἀργείων ἤνασσε, θεὸς δʼ ὣς τίετο δήμῳ.

τὸν δʼ εὗρʼ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισι τιθήμενον ἔντεα καλὰ

νηῒ πάρα πρύμνῃ· τῷ δʼ ἀσπάσιος γένετʼ ἐλθών.

τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος·

τίφθʼ οὕτως ἠθεῖε κορύσσεαι; ἦ τινʼ ἑταίρων

ὀτρυνέεις Τρώεσσιν ἐπίσκοπον; ἀλλὰ μάλʼ αἰνῶς

δείδω μὴ οὔ τίς τοι ὑπόσχηται τόδε ἔργον

ἄνδρας δυσμενέας σκοπιαζέμεν οἶος ἐπελθὼν

νύκτα διʼ ἀμβροσίην· μάλα τις θρασυκάρδιος ἔσται.

Translations (8)

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924-1925.) — 10.1 focus

1 Now beside their ships all the other chieftains of the host of the Achaeans were slumbering the whole night through, overcome of soft sleep, but Agamemnon, son of Atreus, shepherd of the host, was not holden of sweet sleep, so many things debated he in mind. 5 Even as when the lord of fair-haired Hera lighteneth, what time he maketh ready either a mighty rain unspeakable or hail or snow, when the snow-flakes sprinkle the fields, or haply the wide mouth of bitter war; even so often did Agamemnon groan from the deep of his breast, 10 and his heart trembled within him. So often as he gazed toward the Trojan plain, he marvelled at the many fires that burned before the face of Ilios, and at the sound of flutes and pipes, and the din of men; but whensoever he looked toward the ships and the host of the Achaeans, 15 then many were the hairs that he pulled from his head by the very roots in appeal to Zeus that is above, and in his noble heart he groaned mightily. And this plan seemed to his mind the best, to go first of all to Nestor, son of Neleus, if so be he might contrive with him some goodly device 20 that should be for the warding off of evil from the Danaan host. So he sate him up and did on his tunic about his breast, and beneath his shining feet bound his fair sandals, and thereafter clad him in the tawny skin of a lion, fiery and great, a skin that reached his feet; and he grasped his spear. 25 And even in like manner was Menelaus holden of trembling fear—for on his eyelids too sleep settled not down—lest aught should befall the Argives who for his sake had come to Troy over the wide waters of the sea, pondering in their hearts fierce war. With a leopard's skin first he covered his broad shoulders, a dappled fell, 30 and lifted up and set upon his head a helmet of bronze, and grasped a spear in his stout hand. Then he went his way to rouse his brother, that ruled mightily over all the Argives, and was honoured of the folk even as a god. Him he found putting about his shoulders his fair armour 35 by the stern of his ship, and welcome was he to him as he came. To him first spake Menelaus, good at the war-cry:

Wherefore, my brother, art thou thus arming? Wilt thou be rousing some man of thy comrades to spy upon the Trojans? Nay, sorely am I afraid lest none should undertake for thee this task, 40 to go forth alone and spy upon the foemen, through the immortal night; right hardy of heart must that man be.

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad of Homer, rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902, translator. London: Longmans, Green, and Co, 1898.) — 10.1 focus

1 Now the other princes of the Achaeans slept soundly the whole night through, but Agamemnon son of Atreus was troubled, so that he could get no rest. As when fair Hera's lord flashes his lightning in token of great rain or hail or snow when the snow-flakes whiten the ground, or again as a sign that he will open the wide jaws of hungry war, even so did Agamemnon heave many a heavy sigh, for his soul trembled within him. When he looked upon the plain of Troy he marveled at the many watchfires burning in front of Ilion , and at the sound of pipes and flutes and of the hum of men, but when presently he turned towards the ships and hosts of the Achaeans, he tore his hair by handfuls before Zeus on high, and groaned aloud for the very disquietness of his soul. In the end he deemed it best to go at once to Nestor son of Neleus, and see if between them they could find any way of the Achaeans from destruction. He therefore rose, put on his shirt, bound his sandals about his comely feet, flung the skin of a huge tawny lion over his shoulders - a skin that reached his feet- and took his spear in his hand.

25 Neither could Menelaos sleep, for he, too, boded ill for the Argives who for his sake had sailed from far over the seas to fight the Trojans. He covered his broad back with the skin of a spotted panther, put a casque of bronze upon his head, and took his spear in his brawny hand. Then he went to rouse his brother, who was by far the most powerful of the Achaeans, and was honored in his district [ dêmos] as though he were a god. He found him by the stern of his ship already putting his goodly array about his shoulders, and right glad was he that his brother had come.

34 Menelaos spoke first. "Why," said he, "my dear brother, are you thus arming? Are you going to send any of our comrades to exploit the Trojans? I greatly fear that no one will do you this service, and spy upon the enemy alone in the dead of night. It will be a deed of great daring."

42 And King Agamemnon answered, "Menelaos, we both of us need shrewd counsel to save the Argives and our ships, for Zeus has changed his mind, and inclines towards Hektor's sacrifices rather than ours. I never saw nor heard tell of any man as having wrought such ruin in one day as Hektor has now wrought against the sons of the Achaeans - and that too of his own unaided self, for he is son neither to god nor goddess. The Argives will rue it long and deeply. Run, therefore, with all speed by the line of the ships, and call Ajax and Idomeneus. Meanwhile I will go to Nestor, and bid him rise and go about among the companies of our sentinels to give them their instructions; they will listen to him sooner than to any man, for his own son, and Meriones brother in arms to Idomeneus, are leaders over them. It was to them more particularly that we gave this charge."

60 Menelaos replied, "How do I take your meaning? Am I to stay with them and wait your coming, or shall I return here as soon as I have given your orders?" "Wait," answered King Agamemnon, "for there are so many paths about the camp that we might miss one another. Call every man on your way, and bid him be stirring; name him by his lineage and by his father's name, give each all titular observance, and stand not too much upon your own dignity; we must take our full share of toil, for at our birth Zeus laid this heavy burden upon us."

72 With these instructions he sent his brother on his way, and went on to Nestor shepherd of his people. He found him sleeping in his tent hard by his own ship; his goodly armor lay beside him - his shield, his two spears and his helmet; beside him also lay the gleaming belt with which the old man girded himself when he armed to lead his people into battle - for his age stayed him not. He raised himself on his elbow and looked up at Agamemnon. "Who is it," said he, "that goes thus about the host and the ships alone and in the dead of night, when men are sleeping? Are you looking for one of your mules or for some comrade? Do not stand there and say nothing, but speak. What is your business?"

87 And Agamemnon answered, "Nestor, son of Neleus, honor to the Achaean name, it is I, Agamemnon son of Atreus, on whom Zeus has laid labor [ ponoi] and sorrow so long as there is breath in my body and my limbs carry me. I am thus abroad because sleep sits not upon my eyelids, but my heart is big with war and with the jeopardy of the Achaeans. I am in great fear for the Danaans. I am at sea, and without sure counsel; my heart beats as though it would leap out of my body, and my limbs fail me. If then you can do anything - for you too cannot sleep - let us go the round of the watch, and see whether they are drowsy with toil and sleeping to the neglect of their duty. The enemy is encamped hard and we know not but he may attack us by night."

102 Nestor replied, "Most noble son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, Zeus will not do all for Hektor that Hektor thinks he will; he will have troubles yet in plenty if Achilles will lay aside his anger. I will go with you, and we will rouse others, either the son of Tydeus, or Odysseus, or fleet Ajax and the valiant son of Phyleus. Some one had also better go and call Ajax and King Idomeneus, for their ships are not near at hand but the farthest of all. I cannot however refrain from blaming Menelaos, much as I love him and respect him -

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 10.1 focus

ALL the night long the captains of the Greeks

Slept at the ships, and pleasant was their sleep, —

All only Agamemnon, Atreus' son,

The shepherd of the people. Not to him -

Vexed with a thousand cares-came gentle sleep.

As when the husband of the light-haired queen

Of heaven sends forth his thunders, ushering in

Some wide-involving shower, -rain, hail, or snow

Whitening the fields, - or opening o'er some land

The ravenous jaws of unrelenting war, -

So frequent were the groans which from his heart

Atrides uttered; for within his breast

His heart was troubled. Looking toward the plain

Of Troy, he wondered at the many fires

Blazing before the city, and the sound

Of flutes and fifes, and tumult of the crowd.

But when he turned him toward the fleet and host

Of Greece, he tore his hair, and flung it up

To Jove, and vented his great heart in groans.

And now at length it seemed to him most wise

To seek Neleian Nestor, and with him

Devise some plan by which to turn aside

The threatened evil from the Greeks. He rose,

And drew his tunic o'er his breast, and laced

The graceful sandals to his well-shaped feet;

And o'er his shoulders threw the blood-stained hide

Of a huge tawny lion, that reached down

Even to the ground; and took in hand his spear.

Meantime with like uneasy thoughts oppressed

Was Menelaus, to whose eyes there came

No slumber, - dreading lest calamity

Should light upon the Greeks, who for his sake

Had crossed the sea to carry war to Troy.

And first he threw a leopard's spotted hide

O'er his broad back, and placed the brazen helm

Upon his breast, and took in his strong grasp

A spear, and went to bid his brother wake, —

His brother, the chief ruler over all

The men of Greece, and honored like a god.

He found him at his galley's prow in act

To sheath his shoulders in the shining mail,

And pleased to greet his coming. To the king

Thus Menelaus, great in battle, spake : -

"Why arm thyself, my brother? Wouldst thou send

A warrior to explore the Trojan camp?

None will accept the task, I fear, to creep

Alone at dead of night, a spy, within

The hostile lines; - a bold man must he be."

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 10.1 focus

ALL night the chiefs before their vessels lay,

And lost in sleep the labours of the day:

All but the king; with various thoughts oppress'd,

His country's cares lay rolling in his breast.

As when by lightnings Jove's ethereal power

Foretells the rattling hail, or weighty shower,

Or sends soft snows to whiten all the shore,

Or bids the brazen throat of war to roar;

By fits one flash succeeds as one expires,

And heaven flames thick with momentary fires:

So bursting frequent from Atrides' breast,

Sighs following sighs his inward fears confess'd.

Now, o'er the fields, dejected, he surveys

From thousand Trojan fires the mounting blaze;

Hears in the passing wind their music blow,

And marks distinct the voices of the foe.

Now, looking backwards to the fleet and coast,

Anxious he sorrows for th' endanger'd host.

He rends his hairs, in sacrifice to Jove,¹

And sues to him that ever lives above:

Inly he groans; while glory and despair

Divide his heart, and wage a doubtful war.

A thousand cares his labouring breast revolves;

To seek sage Nestor now the chief resolves,

With him, in wholesome counsels, to debate

What yet remains to save th' afflicted state.

He rose, and first he cast his mantle round,

Next on his feet the shining sandals bound;

A lion's yellow spoils his back conceal'd;

His warlike hand a pointed javelin held.

Meanwhile his brother, press'd with equal woes,

Alike denied the gift of soft repose,

Laments for Greece; that in his cause before

So much had suffer'd, and must suffer more.

A leopard's spotted hide his shoulders spread;

A brazen helmet glitter'd on his head:

Thus (with a javelin in his hand) he went

To wake Atrides in the royal tent.

Already wak'd, Atrides he descried

His armour buckling at his vessel's side.

Joyful they met: the Spartan thus begun:

'Why puts my brother this bright armour on?

'Sends he some spy, amidst these silent hours,

'To try yon camp, and watch the Trojan powers?

'But say, what hero shall sustain the task?

'Such bold exploits uncommon courage ask,

'Guideless, alone, through night's dark shade to go,

'And 'midst a hostile camp explore the foe.'

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 10.1 focus

ALL night the princes of the Argives slept,

Save Agamemnon, who could take no rest,

But with unquiet thoughts was waking kept,

And casting for his safety what was best.

And frequent as the lightning flashes are

When Jove is making rain or hail i' th' skies,

Or somewhere punishing the proud by war ;

So frequent then were Agamemnon's sighs.

And when the fires he saw upon the plain

Made by the foe, and th' acclamation

And shouts he heard, he wondered. But again

When he his ships and people look'd upon,

Then by the roots he pluck'd off from his head

Handfuls of hair, and sigh'd and groaned more;

And thought it best then to be counselled

By Nestor how he might himself restore.

And rising up, his coat he first puts on,

And to his smooth white feet his shoes he tied;

And then, above his coat, he cast upon

His back a great and tawny lion's hide.

And Menelaus, too, that waking lay

And trembling in his bed all night, for fear

The Greeks that for his sake were come to Troy

Should fall into some great disaster there,

Rose up and to his brother's tent went in.

A spear he had in's hand, and armed was,

Having upon his back a leopard's skin,

And on his head a helmet good of brass.

And said to Agamemnon, Brother, why

So early up ? Have you a mind to send

Into the army of the foe some spy ?

I fear you will not find so bold a friend

As thither dares to go i' th' night alone.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 10.1 focus

Preparing some exceeding rain, or hail the fruit of cold,

Or down-like snow that suddenly makes all the fields look old,

Or opes the gulfy mouth of war with his ensulphur'd hand,

In dazzling flashes pour'd from clouds, on any punish'd land;

So from Atrides' troubled heart, through his dark sorrows, flew

Redoubled sighs; his entrails shook, as often as his view

Admir'd the multitude of fires that gilt the Phrygian shade,

And heard the sounds of fifes, and shawms, and tumults soldiers made.

But when he saw his fleet and host kneel to his care and love,

He rent his hair up by the roots as sacrifice to Jove,

Burnt in his fiery sighs, still breath'd out of his royal heart,

And first thought good to Nestor's care his sorrows to impart,

To try if royal diligence, with his approv'd advice,

Might fashion counsels to prevent their threat'ned miseries.

So up he rose, attir'd himself, and to his strong feet tied

Rich shoes, and cast upon his back a ruddy lion's hide,

So ample it his ankles reach'd, then took his royal spear.

Like him was Menelaus pierc'd with an industrious fear,

Nor sat sweet slumber on his eyes, lest bitter fates should quite

The Greeks' high favours, that for him resolv'd such endless fight.

And first a freckled panther's hide hid his broad back athwart ;

His head his brazen helm did arm; his able hand his dart;

Then made he all his haste to raise his brother's head as rare,

That he who most excell'd in rule might help t' effect his care.

He found him, at his ship's crook'd stern, adorning him with arms,

Who joy'd to see his brother's spirits awak'd without alarms,

Well weighing th' importance of the time. And first the younger spake:

"Why, brother, are ye arming thus? Is it to undertake

The sending of some vent'rous Greek t' explore the foe's intent?

Alas! I greatly fear, not one will give that work consent,

Expos'd alone to all the fears that flow in gloomy night.

He that doth this must know death well, in which ends every fright."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 10.1 focus

ALL night, the leaders of the host of Greece

Lay sunk in soft repose, all, save the Chief,

The son of Atreus; him from thought to thought

Roving solicitous, no sleep relieved.

As when the spouse of beauteous Juno, darts

His frequent fires, designing heavy rain

Immense, or hail-storm, or field-whitening snow,

Or else wide-throated war calamitous,

So frequent were the groans by Atreus' son

Heaved from his inmost heart, trembling with dread.

For cast he but his eye toward the plain

Of Ilium, there, astonish'd, he beheld

The city fronted with bright fires, and heard

Pipes, and recorders, and the hum of war;

But when again the Greecian fleet he view'd,

And thought on his own people, then his hair

Uprooted elevating to the Gods,

He from his generous bosom groan'd again.

At length he thus resolved; of all the Greeks

To seek Neleian Nestor first, with whom

He might, perchance, some plan for the defence

Of the afflicted Danaï, devise.

Rising, he wrapp'd his tunic to his breast,

And to his royal feet unsullied bound

His sandals; o'er his shoulders, next, he threw

Of amplest size a lion's tawny skin

That swept his footsteps, dappled o'er with blood,

Then took his spear. Meantime not less appall'd

Was Menelaus, on whose eyelids sleep

Sat not, lest the Achaians for his sake

O'er many waters borne, and now intent

On glorious deeds, should perish all at Troy.

With a pard's spotted hide his shoulders broad

He mantled over; to his head he raised

His brazen helmet, and with vigorous hand

Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse

His brother, mighty sovereign of the host,

And by the Greecians like a God revered.

He found him at his galley's stern, his arms

Assuming radiant; welcome he arrived

To Agamemnon, whom he thus address'd.

Why arm'st thou, brother? Would'st thou urge abroad

Some trusty spy into the Trojan camp?

I fear lest none so hardy shall be found

As to adventure, in the dead still night,

So far, alone; valiant indeed were he!

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 10 focus

BOOK X

Now all the rest by galley-side, chieftains of Pan-Achaia,

Kept thro' the livelong night repose, by gentle sleep o'ermaster'd.

But not Atrides Agamemnon, shepherd of the people,

Might be in slumber sweet detain'd; but tides of thought did toss him.

And as when brighthair'd Juno's lord thro' heaven lightning sendeth,

Devising hail or piercing sleet (when snow the clods hath powder'd),

Or rainy flood ineffable, or bitter-yawning battle;

So thickly from his bosom sobb'd the royal Agamemnon,

Deep drawing from his heart the moan; and all his vitals trembled.

When o'er the Troian plain he gaz'd, the many flames admir'd he,

Which burnt in front of Ilium, - the sound of flutes and whistles,

And hum of men: but when he saw the Achaian folk and galleys,

Then many a hair with lowest roots from out his head uptare he

To Jupiter aloft; and deep his noble heart was shaken.

But to his mind this path appear'd the best; to go for Nestor,

The son of Neleus, first of men; if-that some blameless counsel

The twain might ponder, and from bale the Danaï deliver.

Upright he rais'd him, and put on around his breast the tunic,

And underneath his supple feet he bound the comely sandals.

But next, a fiery lion's hide he wrapt about his shoulders,

Vast, ruddy, reaching to the heel; and took his spear beside him.

So eke on Menelaüs came like trembling; nor did slumber

Sit on his eyelids; terror-struck, lest aught befal the Argives,

Who truly o'er the waters wide for vengeance of his quarrel

To Troas' land had voyaged, audacious combat planning.

First with a spotted panther-skin his shoulders' breadth he cover'd;

But next a brazen coronal upon his head adjusted,

And in his broad hand grasp'd a spear; and hied to rouse his brother,

Who mightily the Argives sway'd, and as a god was honour'd.

But him he found, around his frame the beauteous armour fitting,

At stern of galley; and to him brought joy by his arrival.

Then Menelaüs, good at need, his brother first accosted:

"My gracious sir, why armest thou? dost haply urge some comrade

To espy the Troian camp? but I do direly fear, that no one

This work will undertake, -alone amid the foes to venture,

Peering across ambrosial night. A sturdy heart is wanted."

To him in words reciprocal spake royal Agamemnon:

"Jove-nurtur'd Menelas! for thee and me is need of counsel,

Crafty to liberate and save the Argives and their galleys.

For Jove's intent is chang'd, who now on offerings of Hector

Rather hath set his mind: for I neither by sight nor story

Have known one man so rueful deeds within a day to compass,

As Hector, dear to Jove, hath wrought upon Achaia's children,

He a mere man, no sacred birth from god or goddess boasting.

Deeds hath he done, which, I aver, shall rouse concern in Argives

Lasting and long: such bale hath he against Achaia wreaked.

But hie thee hence, and summon now Idomeneus and Ajax,

Beside the galleys speeding thee; and I to godlike Nestor

Will go, and urge him to arise, if haply he be willing

Unto the sacred watcher-band to cross, and keenly stir them.

For none as he their ear might gain, sith as his son is leader

To marshal them; and eke with him Idomeneus' attendant,

Meriones. For upon these chief trust have we reposed."

Then Menelaüs, good at need, accosted him responsive:

"How willest thou that I perform this errand and injunction?

Am I beside the watch to stay, and wait until thou join us,

Or hie me after thee again, when duly I have charg'd them?"

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, reciprocal address'd him:

"Stay on the spot, lest we perchance miss each the other, passing,

Amid the gloom: for many are the paths along the army.

And where thou goest, speak aloud, and urge them to be wakeful,

And name the parentage of each, their line of sires recounting,

And lavish praise on all; nor err by haughtiness of spirit,

But let us both good service do in person. So, it seemeth,

Jove with the past events on us distressful moil imposes."

With such address and careful charge dispatched he his brother,

And hied himself in speed, to find Nestor, the people's shepherd.

But him he found within his tent, beside the dusky galley,

On a soft bed; and close to him was laid his curious armour,

His shield, two spears, and shining casque with triple crest above it.

Beside them lay his breadth of belt, all-motley; which around him

The old man girded, whensoe'er to hero-wasting battle,

Leading the folk, he hied; for he enfeebling Eld resisted.

Now on his elbow raising him, he, with the head uplifted,

Address'd his speech to Atreus' son, and summon'd him with question:

"Who lonely there beside the ships along the army paceth

In covert of the dusky night, when other mortals slumber?

Say, seekest thou some mule astray, or one of thy companions?

Speak out, nor silent come on me, but tell, what errand brings thee."

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, to him in turn responded:

"O Nestor, Neleus' progeny! great glory of the Achaians!

Canst Agamemnon recognize? whom in a sea of troubles

Beyond all mortals Jove hath plung'd, entirely and for ever,

While breath doth in my bosom dwell, and while my knees support me.

But thus I roam, sith on my eyes no gentle slumber sitteth;

For, my sad heart doth ruminate Achaian war and sorrows,

And grimly for the Danaï I fear: my thoughts within me

Steadfast no longer are, but faint, and waver: from my bosom

My heart outleapeth, and beneath, my gallant limbs are palsied.

But if thou aught of vigour hast, sith wakeful thou abidest,

Descend we to the sentinels, to visit them, lest haply,

Conquer'd by sleep and weariness, they yield themselves to slumber,

The watch forgetting: close at hand sitteth the foe; nor know we

100

Whether perchance in shades of night he eager be to combat."

To him thereat the charioteer Gerenian Nestor answer'd:

"O Agamemnon, prince of men, most glorious Atrides,

Truly not all the purposes which Hector now deviseth,

Will Jove the Counsellor perform; but he, I trow, will struggle

105

With troubles more and worser, if from his disastrous anger

Achilles change his noble heart. But thee I gladly follow;

And others eke will we arouse; -the spear-renown'd Tydides,

Ulysses and swift Ajax and the valiant son of Phyleus,

110

And greater Ajax, match for gods, if one were free to fetch him;

Withal, the prince Idomeneus; for farthest stand their galleys.

But Menelas, all-be-that I dear and august account him,

To thy displeasure will I chide, nor will I hide my censure,

115

Who sleepeth, and to thee alone such busy duty leaveth.

But now his task it were, to toil beyond all other chieftains,

With supplication; for distress unbearable hath reach'd us."

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, accosted him responsive:

"My aged friend, at other times I bid thee to rebuke him;

120

For oft in listlessness he waits and willeth not to labour,

Not from a coward slothful heart, nor aught perverse in temper,

But keeping still his eye on me, and my resolve awaiting.

Now woke he earlier than me, and stood above my pillow.

Him have I forward sent, to call the twain of whom thou askest.

125

But go we: them I trust to meet before the fenced portals

Among the sentinels; for there the trysting-place assign'd I."

To him thereat the charioteer Gerenian Nestor answer'd:

"'Tis well: for so, on future day, none will of all the Argives

Indignant be or disobey, when he shall charge and urge them."

130

This said, the aged man put on around his breast the tunic,

And underneath his supple feet he bound the comely sandals,

And at his shoulder button'd he a cloak of Punic purple,

Double, lowreaching, cover'd well with curly shag above it.

Then did he grasp a valiant spear, pointed with brass welltemper'd,

135

And hied to go along the ships of brazen-cloak'd Achaians.

Ulysses first he found, to Jove an equipoise in counsel,

And with loud call arous'd him: quick the voice his heart encircled,

And from the tent forthwith he came, and spake to them in answer:

140

"Why lonely thus beside the ships along the army roam ye

Mid the ambrosial night? wherein doth need so pressing urge you?"

To him thereat the charioteer Gerenian Nestor answer'd:

"O Jove-deriv'd, Laertes' son, Ulysses much-contriving,

Take no offence: so fierce distress upon the Achaians presseth.

145

But follow, while we others rouse, whom it befits to summon

On our high council, to decide either on flight or battle."

He spake: then, entering his tent, Ulysses much-devising

Amuchwrought buckler slung around his breast, and mov'd behind them.

Next went they after Diomedes, Tydeus son; and found him

150

Lying in arms outside his tent; and round, his comrades slumber'd.

Beneath their heads their bucklers lay; their spears upright were planted,

Fix'd in the earth by upper end: the brazen gleam, as lightning

Of father Jove, flash'd from afar: but he, their chief, was sleeping.

Beneath his body lay a hide, torn from a bull field-roaming,

155

But underneath his head was stretch'd a sheeny-broider'd carpet.

Then with his foot the charioteer Gerenian Nestor stirr'd him,

And waken'd and exhorted him, and with reproach confronted:

"Wake, son of Tydeus! why all night dost cull the prime of slumber?

Nor knowest that the Troïans are seated near the galleys

160

Along a swelling of the plain, and little space doth ward them?"

When thus accosted, from his sleep right quickly up he started,

And straightway speaking in reply, did winged accents utter:

"Severe art thou, my aged friend! from toil thou never restest.

Hath not Achaia younger sons than thee, to move patrolling

165

And wake the princes? aged sir! distressful is thy vigour."

To him in turn the charioteer Gerenian Nestor answer'd:

"Ay, verily, all this, my friend, discreetly hast thou spoken;

For, blameless children, troth! have I, and a long train of peoples,

170

Who might patrol and summon you: but heavy need oppresseth

The Achaians mightily: for now upon an edge of razor

Standeth their future, or to live, or fall in moanful ruin.

But come, swift Ajax rouse for us; withal, the son of Phyleus;

175

Sith pity for my age thou hast: for thou than me art younger."

Hereat, a fiery lion's hide, vast, reaching to the ankle,

Tydides round his shoulders wrapt, and took his spear beside him,

And started on his path: and them he rous'd and quickly gather'd.

But when amid the assembled watch at length they were arrived,

180

Not slumbering, I wis, they found the captains of the watchers,

But all with panoply complete in wakeful mood were seated.

As, penn'd upon a field, the dogs around the sheep are anxious,

Hearing some stalwart-hearted beast, who thro' the forest howleth,

Crossing the mountains; after him an endless riot gathers

185

Of dogs and shepherds; all the night, their hope of sleep hath perish'd:

So from their eyelids vanish'd then all hope of gentle slumber,

As thro' that evil night they watch'd: for to the plain they alway

Turn'd their regard, whene'er they deem'd the Troïans advancing.

At sight of them the aged man was joyous, and, to cheer them,

190

He spake a word enheartening, and winged accents utter'd:

"Dear children! watch ye, diligent, as now; and let not slumber

Any invade; lest we become a triumph to the foemen."

He spake, and crossing, pass'd the moat; and after him there follow'd

All who to council summon'd were, king-leaders of the Argives.

195

Along with them Meriones and Nestor's brilliant offspring

Proceeded; for the kings themselves their joint advice invited.

Then o'er the moat, which deep was dug, they cross'd, and took their station

On a clear space, where open ground was seen between the corpses,

Which fell, where Hector yester-eve set pause upon his fury,

200

Prostrate the Argives laying, when the shades of night inclos'd him.

Here duly seated, each to each did canny counsel open.

To them the Pylian charioteer, Nestor, began discourses :

"My friends! can no man then be found of Argos, who, confiding

In his own daring soul, among the mighty-hearted Troians

205

Would venture, if perchance he catch some foeman on the outskirt,

Or hear among the Troïans some rumour of their purpose,

Whether their bent be, here to stay, afar, anent the galleys,

Or to the city back to go, as victors of the Achaians.

210

Might he such questions duly sound, and safe return among us,

His glory would to heaven reach, and noble gifts await him.

For upon him shall every chief, who Argive galleys swayeth,

Bestow a black ewe, big with young, of woolly chattels peerless;

215

And alway shall he find a seat at public feast and banquet."

Such was his counsel: thereupon they all were dumb in silence,

Till Diomedes, good at need, utter'd his voice among them:

"Nestor, my heart and noble soul doth mightily bestir me

220

Into the Troian foeman-host, which near us lies, to enter.

But, with another join'd, it were more comforting and cheery.

When two together go, the one before the other seizeth,

How gain is won; but, when alone, if rightly he discern it,

225

Yet all his mind more sluggish is, and puny is his counsel."

He spake; then many wish'd to be escort to Diomedes,

Both the Ajaces wish'd for it, twin ministers of Ares, -

And Merion: but greatly did the son of Nestor wish it.

The son of Atreus wish'd for it, spear-famous Meneläus.

230

And much Ulysses wish'd, the crowd of Troïans to enter;

For alway he in daring soul some enterprize was plotting.

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, pronounc'd his word among them:

"O Diomedes, Tydeus' son, to my regards most pleasing,

Now mayest thou thyself select the comrade whom thou willest,

235

Who of the claimants bravest is; sith many here are eager.

But thou no reverence of heart indulge, to lose the braver,

Where choice is free; nor take the worse, by bashfulness persuaded,

Looking to birth; not even if one kinglier be offer'd."

So spake he, inwardly afraid for auburn Meneläus.

240

But Diomedes, good at need, again replied among them:

"If then in truth ye lay on me myself to choose a comrade,

Could I in such arbitrement, forget divine Ulysses,

In whom the heart and noble soul surpassingly is forward

For every feat of hardiment; and maid Athene loves him?

245

If he be my escórt, I ween we might return deliver'd

Safe even out of blazing fire: so sage are his devices."

To him the much-enduring man, divine Ulysses, answer'd:

"O son of Tydeus, praise me not too much, nor yet reproach me;

For, those who hear thee, Argives are, with me and thee acquainted.

250

But go we; for the night apace doth yield, and morn approacheth:

The stars are far upon their course, and of the nightly watches

More than two parts are gone; a third barely is left for action."

So spake they mutual; and both assum'd their dreadful armour.

A buckler upon Tydeus' son war-biding Thrasymedes

255

Bestow'd, and cutlass double-edg'd; for he beside the galleys

Had left his own: and round his head he plac'd a cap of bull-hide,

Ridgeless and crestless; such as guards the heads of blooming callants.

But to Ulysses Merion a bow and quiver offer'd,

260

And sword; and plac'd around his head a helmet wrought of leather,

With many a twisted strap within girt strongly; but without it

On either side in thick array a boar's white tusks were planted

Well and right cleverly; but felt was in the middle fitted.

265

From Eleon, where reign'd of yore Ormenides Amyntor,

Autolycus had stolen it, the closed chamber boring.

It at Scandeia he bestowed on a Kytheran hero,

Amphidamas; from whom it pass'd as hospitable token

To Molus: he to Merion, his proper son, bequeath'd it,

270

For use of war: now, settled close, Ulysses' head it shelter'd.

So then the twain, when both were busk'd complete in dreadful armour,

Hied them to go; and on the spot, behind them, all the bravest

They left; and maid Athene sent beside the road, to greet them,

A lucky heron: mid the gloom its cry they knew, tho' nothing

275

Saw they. Ulysses then rejoic'd, and thus besought Athene:

"Offspring of ægis-holding Jove, who alway dost beside me

In every feat of danger stand, and all my goings knowest,

Hearken to me, and chiefly now befriend me, O Athene!

280

Grant us returning to arrive with glory at the galleys,

After some deed of hardiment, which Troians long may ponder."

Next Diomedes, good at need, did second raise his prayer:

"Eke unto me, O child of Jove! unweariable! hearken.

Escort me, as of yore thou didst my father, godlike Tydeus,

285

Escort to Thebes, when forth he went ambassador for Argos,

And left upon Asopus' banks the brazen-cloak'd Achaians.

Thither a gentle word did he to the Cadmeians carry;

Yet he on his returning path a dire achievement plotted,

Goddess divine! by thy support, who stoodest by, to prompt him.

290

In the same fashion now, beside me willing stand, and guard me:

And I to thee will sacrifice a broad-fac'd yearling heifer

Untam'd; which no man hitherto beneath the yoke hath fasten'd.

Gold will I spread around its horns and yield it to thy honour."

So utter'd they the word of pray'r, and maid Athene heard them.

295

When to the imp of mighty Jove they thus had paid their worship,

They hied to go, as lions twain, amid the nightly darkness,

O'er carcases and dusky gore, thro' weapons and thro' carnage.

Eke Hector, neither yet did he permit the haughty Troians

To sleep; but into council thick he all the bravest summon'd,

300

As many as of Troians were governours and leaders.

When these together he had call'd, a canny word disclos'd he:

"Who for a mighty guerdon now would undertake and finish

The deed which in my mind I plan? nor should his meed be scanty.

For I will give the chariot and two high-crested coursers,

305

Which are of all preeminent at yon Achaian galleys,

On him, who hath the hardiment to earn him proper glory,

And near the swift-careering ships to go, and make inquiry,

Whether they guard them, as of old, or, by our hands o'ermaster'd,

310

Among themselves they meditate a homeward flight; and haply,

Outwearièd by direful toil, neglect the nightly watches."

So he harangu'd them: thereupon they all were dumb in silence. -

Among the Troians was a man, Dolon; whose sire Eumedes

A godlike herald was: the son was rich in gold and copper,

315

And had in form no comeliness, tho' excellent his swiftness:

Five were the daughters of his sire, but he their only brother.

Who then stood forth, and spake his word to Hector and the Troians:

"Hector! my heart and noble soul doth mightily bestir me

Near to the swift-careering ships to go, and make inquiry.

320

But come, thy sceptre forward reach, and swear an oath upon it,

That verily the chariot inwrought with brass, and coursers

On me thou wilt bestow, which bear the spotless son of Peleus.

But I a spy to thee will be nor vain nor short of promise:

For thro' and thro' the army I will pass, till I arrive at

325

The ship of Agamemnon, where (I deem) the bravest heroes

Join the high council, to decide either on flight or battle."

Then Hector held his sceptre forth, and sware an oath upon it:

"Bear witness Jupiter himself loud-rumbling lord of Juno;

No other man of Troïans shall on these coursers mount him,

330

But thou perpetual shalt reap delight from them and glory."

False was the oath which thus he sware, yet him it keenly stirred.

Quickly behind his back he slung his bending bow and quiver:

On outer part a hoary skin of wolf he wrapt around him,

With casque of weasel screen'd his head, and seiz'd a pointed jav'lin,

335

And from the army hied toward the ships. But backward journey

None was for him by Fate decreed, to bring report to Hector.

But when the crowd of steeds and men he left, and eager sallied,

Ulysses his approach perceiv'd, and spake to Diomedes :

340

"Some man, O Diomedes, -hark! comes hither from the army,

Whether the galleys to espy, or to despoil the corpses.

But let us suffer him to pass along the plain a little,

Then, rushing after, catch him quick: or if his feet outstrip us,

345

Yet shipward press him with the spear, from his own folk divided."

After such whisper and reply, they crouch'd amid the corpses

Beside the path; and swiftly he, O simpleton! ran past them.

350

When só far onward he was gone, as in a match of ploughing

The mules unto the oxen give: -for they by far are quicker

In new and sinking soil to drag the heavy-framed ploughshare ;-

Then, in pursuit, on ran the twain. He heard, and stood and listen'd ;

For o'er his mind this fancy rush'd, that, at command of Hector,

355

His comrades of the Troïans came after to recal him.

But when within a lance's length they reach'd, he knew the foemen,

And plied his supple knees to flee; and sharply did they chase him.

As when, with jagged rows of teeth, two hounds to hunting trained

360

Over a woody lawn pursue a fawn or hare with effort

Ever incessant; forward scuds with shriek the tender quarry:

So then the son of Tydeus, with Ulysses city-rieving,

From his own folk dividing him, pursued with speed relentless.

But when all bút he had achiev'd to mingle with the watchers,

365

In flight uuto the galleys, then Athene mighty vigour

Into Tydides breath'd, lest some of brazen-cloak'd Achaians

Boast earlier to fling the dart, and he but follow second.

Then, brandishing his weapon, cried the stalwart Diomedes:

"Stand still, or else my javelin shall reach thee: nor, I reckon,

370

Long time shalt thou beneath my hand escape headlong destruction."

He spake, and hurl'd his javelin, but miss'd the man on purpose.

The point of its well-polish'd shaft over his better shoulder

Glided, and fasten'd in the ground: then still he stood, and trembled,

All pale with fear; and in his mouth his teeth did champ and chatter.

375

Panting, the twain arriv'd and seiz'd his hands: then weeping spake he:

"Save me alive, O warriours, and take a worthy ransom.

For in our home is brass and gold and varied forms of iron.

From these my sire would speedily with boundless ransom please you,

Soon as he learns of me alive beside the Achaian galleys."

380

To him, thereat, responsive spake Ulysses much-devising:

"Be of good cheer, nor let thy mind by thoughts of death be troubled.

But come, explain thou this to me and faithfully declare it:

Why from the army lonely thus toward the galleys goest

385

In covert of the dusky night, when other mortals slumber?

Is it, the corpses to despoil? or art thou sent by Hector

As spy upon the hollow ships? or comest thou self-bidden?"

Dolon replied, and while he spake, his limbs beneath him trembled:

"By frenzied follies Hector me entic'd against my judgment,

390

Who gave assent to yield to me the single-hoofed horses

Of Peleus' lordly son, and eke the car with brass adorned;

And thro' the night's swift-rushing gloom he bade me to adventure,

And to the foeman's galley-side to go, and make inquiry,

395

Whether they guard them, as of old, or, by our hands o'ermaster'd,

Among themselves they meditate a homeward flight; and haply,

Outwearièd by direful toil, neglect the nightly watches."

To him with smiling glance replied Ulysses much-devising:

400

"To mighty guerdon verily aspir'd thy daring passion.

Hard are those steeds for mortal men to tame and guide in harness,

To all but skilful Achileus, born of a deathless mother.

But come, explain thou this to me, and faithfully declare it.

405

Where, hither coming, leftest thou Hector, the people's shepherd?

Where is his martial armour laid? and where repose his horses?

And of all other Troïans how lie the beds and watches?

What are their plans? and are they bent to stay anent the galleys,

410

Or to the city back to go, as victors of the Achaians?"

Dolon, Eumedes' son, thereat reciprocal address'd him :

"Right faithfully will I to thee declare the things thou askest.

With those who are high councillors Hector exchangeth counsels

415

Far from the din of war, beside the tomb of godlike Ilus.

As for the watches, none distinct do guard and save the army.

For where a fire is kindled, there are men awake to watch it :

Each guardeth other: but the allies, from many countries summon'd,

420

Slumber; for to the Troïans they trust the charge of watching.

Themselves in near vicinity nor children have nor women."

To him in turn responded then Ulysses much-devising:

"But how? promiscuous reclin'd with coursertaming Troians

Slumber they? or on ground apart? distinctly this inform me."

425

Dolon, Eumedes' son, thereat reciprocal address'd him :

"This also, which thou askest me, right faithfully I tell thee.

Toward the sea the Leleges and Cares and Caucônes,

And Pæones with bending bows, and the divine Pelasgi.

Thymbre-ward lie the Lycians and haughty-hearted Mysi,

430

And Mæones with horsehair-crests, and coursertaming Phryges.

But why thus carefully of me inquire ye where they slumber?

For if ye eager are, the crowd of Troïans to enter,

Here lie the Thracians apart, new-come, of all the outmost.

Rhesus, the son of Eioneus, their king, encamps among them,

435

Whose steeds I saw, of all on earth the handsomest and largest,

Whiter in hue than falling snow, and like the winds in fleetness.

With gold and silver beauteous his chariot is fashion'd.

With him he brings a spectacle right marvellous to gaze at,

Gigantic armour, all of gold, which for a man and mortal

440

Seemeth too glorious to wear; meet only for the deathless.

But now permit me to approach the swift-careering galleys,

Else bind me with a ruthless bond, and here behind you leave me,

Till ye have gone and trial made, whether I told you truly."

445

To him with scowling glance replied the stalwart Diomedes:

"Dolon! no fancy of escape within thy heart indulge thou,

Sithence our hands have grappled thee; albeit good thy tiding.

For, ransom'd or escaping now, mightest thou come tomorrow

Against the swift Achaian ships, as spy or open fighter.

450

But if, beneath my hands laid low, thou here from life shalt vanish,

Never wilt thou hereafter work annoy against the Argives."

Then Dolon reach'd his spreading hand, upon the beard to stroke him,

In guise of suppliant; but he, uprising with the cutlass,

455

Smote him in middle of the neck and adverse tendons sever'd;

And ere his lips as yet were still, his head with dust was mingled.

Then off they stript the weasel-cap, and double bow and quiver,

Wolfskin and spear; but these aloft divine Ulysses raising

460

Unto Athene booty-driving, spake his vow and worship:

"With these, O goddess, be thou pleas'd: for thee, of all immortals

First, in Olympus we invoke: but once again conduct us

Against the coursers and the beds of men arriv'd from Thrake."

This said, upon a tamarisk he rais'd aloft and plac'm them.

465

Then reeds collecting and the twigs of tamarisk fresh-sprouting,

He made a token, clear to sight in gloom of night swift-rushing.

This finish'd, onward went the twain, thro' dusky gore and weapons,

And sudden came upon the band of men arriv'd from Thrake.

470

And they, by toil outwearièd, did slumber; and beside them

Upon the ground in order fair by triple row their weapons

Brilliant were laid; and every man had coursers twain beside him.

But Rhesus in the middle slept; and his swift chargers near him,

From outmost rim of chariot with leathern straps were coupled.

475

Ulysses then, first seeing him, to Diomedes beckon'd:

"O Diomedes, lo! the man, and lo! the snow-white coursers,

Which Dolon, whom we slew but now, hath faithfully denoted.

But come, thy stalwart might put forth. Idle to stand, befits not

A harness'd warriour like thee: do thou untie the horses:

480

Or else, the men shalt thou assail, and I will tend the horses."

When thus he spake, the greyey'd maid breath'd might into Tydides.

From side to side he slaughter'd them; and horrible the groaning

Rose, as the smiting cutlass fell: red grew the earth with carnage.

And as a lion on a flock of cattle unprotected,

485

Or goats or sheep, doth sudden pounce with heart of desolation,

So did the son of Tydeus then pursue the men of Thrake,

Till twelve lay slain beneath him: but Ulysses much-devising,

Seiz'd by the foot and backward trail'd each slaughter'd man, with purpose,

For-that the glossy-coated steeds might find an easy passage,

490

Nor tremble, stepping on the dead: for new were they to slaughter.

But when unto the king at last the son of Tydeus reached,

From him, the thirteenth, ravish'd he the life, as honey pleasant,

495

Gasping already for, that night, by purpose of Athene,

Over his head a phantom dire stood forth, the son of Tydeus!

Daring Ulysses loos'd meanwhile the single-hoofed horses

Slung them together, drove them out, and whipp'd them with his bowstring;

(For from the curious car to take the shining scourge forgat he ;)

500

Then with a whistle notice gave to godlike Diomedes.

He on some new daredevilry, staying behind, did ponder;

Whether to seize the chariot, which held the curious armour,

And outward drag it by the pole, or mightily uphoist it,

505

Or from the troop of Thracians devote more lives to slaughter.

While all his soul with such debate did heave, meanwhile Athene

Close standing by his side, address'd the godlike Diomedes.

"Now meditate return, O son of mighty-hearted Tydeus,

Unto the smoothly-hollow ships; lest scar'd thou hurry thither,

510

If haply by some other god the Troians too be waken'd."

When thus she whisper'd, right he knew the goddess' voice which warn'd him.

Quickly they mounted on the steeds; and with his bow Ulysses

Smack'd them; and fleetly they approach'd the sharp Achaian galleys.

Meantime no idle watch was kept by silver-bow'd Apollo :

515

And soon as he with Tydeus' son beheld Athene dealing,

With her enrag'd, he rush'd amid the crowded throng of Troians,

And rous'd from sleep Hippocoön, high counsellor of Thrake,

Who Rhesus' noble kinsman was: then up from slumber starting,

When empty he beheld the place, wherestood the snow-white coursers,

520

And found the corpses heaving yet, with noisome carnage reeking,

He thereupon groan'fully, and call'd his dear companion.

Soon tumult and uncounted scream rose, as the tide of Troians

Promiscuous together rush'd, and gaz'd at deeds of horror,

Achiev'd by men unseen,—escap'd unto the hollow galleys.

525

But when they came returning, where they slew the spy of Hector,

There did Ulysses, dear to Jove, arrest the coursers' gallop.

His comrade, leaping to the ground, the gory spoils recover'd,

And plac'd them in Ulysses's hands, and on the steed remounted.

They flogg'd the coursers, nothing loth in flying race to speed them

530

Unto the smoothly-hollow ships, whither their wishes hasted.

And Nestor first the tramping heard, and urgently address'd them:

"O friends, who to the Argive folk are governours and leaders,

Falsely or truly, shall I say what yet my heart persuadeth?

My ears do quiver with the tramp of nimble-footed horses.

535

O heaven! may Ulysses thus and stalwart Diomedes

Drive sudden from the Troïans the single-hoofed horses.

Yet grimly in my heart I dread, lest-that the Argive bravest

In some disaster tangled be beneath the Troian riot."

Not all his word was utter'd yet, when lo! themselves arrived.

540

Quick to the ground dismounted they: the rest, in heart delighted,

With the right hand saluted them and eke with honey'd speeches.

First thereupon the charioteer Gerenian Nestor ask'd them:

"Come say, Ulysses, rich of lore, great glory of the Achaians,

Whence are these coursers? took ye them amid the throng of Troians?

545

Or did some god fall in with you, and give them as a present?

To the sun's awful brilliancy would I compare their whiteness.

Ever among the Troian ranks I mix; nor wont to tarry

Beside the galleys, troth, am I, albeit old for fighting:

Yet coursers, such as these, not yet with eye nor fancy saw I,

550

But rather ween I that some god hath met you and bestow'd them.

For cloud-collecting Jupiter to both of you hath favour,

And eke Athene, maiden-imp of Jove the ægisholder."

To him in turn responsive spake Ulysses much-devising:

"O Nestor, Neleus' progeny, great glory of the Achaians,

555

A god, who will'd it, easily might honour us with presents

Of coursers nobler far than these; for greatly are they higher.

Howbeit, aged friend, in sooth, the steeds, of which thou askest,

Are Thracian and newly come; and gallant Diomedes

Slaughter'd their lord, and by his side twelve comrades, all his bravest.

560

A thirteenth man, whose spoils are here, we captur'd near the galleys,

Whom, to espy our camp, and sound our strength and courage, Hector

And other lordly Troïans sent forward from their army."

This said, across the moat he urg'd the singlehoofed horses,

Highglorying; along with him the others went, delighted.

565

When at the tightly joined tent of Tydeus' son arriv'd they,

With wellcut thongs they fastened the horses to the manger,

Where, eating honey-pleasant wheat, stood Diomedes' horses.

And on the poop Ulysses hung the gory spoils of Dolon,

570

High on his ship, to furnish out a trophy for Athene.

Themselves, descending on the beach, into the waters waded,

From feet below, to neck above, the cleansing power courting.

But when the tossing wave had wash'd much sweat from off their members,

And had their hearts refresh'd, they stept into the baths wellpolish'd.

575

After their bodies thus were bath'd, and with fat oil anointed,

So sat they to the morning-meal, and to Athene's honour

Tilted the honey-pleasant wine, out of the full bowl teeming.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Casey Dué

τρομέοντο

Zenodotus, the first head of the library at Alexandria and a well-known Homer scholar, knew of the reading φοβέοντο here, according to the scholia that survive in our medieval manuscripts, but the reading is not attested elsewhere. (The verb τρομέω is likewise used in the middle voice at 10.492. See also Iliad 6.151.) Hainsworth (1993 ad loc.) notes that Aristarchus, a successor of Zenodotus as head of the library and rival editor of Homer, asserted that “φοβοῦμαι and its cognates signified flight,” whereas here φοβέοντο would have the Classical meaning ‘fear’. Hainsworth adds the qualification “but that [Aristarchus’] doctrine may not be binding on this Book.” Hainsworth’s comment reflects his understanding of Iliad 10 as likely a later composition than the rest of the Iliad (see “Interpreting Iliad 10”). We suggest instead that φοβέοντο’s lack of manuscript attestation indicates that it was not a particularly old or well-known version of the verse, but this is not necessarily indicative of the lateness of the entire book. A version with φοβέοντο may well have entered the formulaic performance language at a later phase in the Homeric tradition than τρομέοντο, eventually becoming part of the textual tradition known to Zenodotus several centuries later. The third-century CE Stoic philosopher Chrysippus (fragment 906 in the edition of von Arnim 1903) quotes this line with still another variation: περὶ γὰρ δίε νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν. This phrase is attested at Iliad 9.433 and 13.557 and is in no sense “un-Homeric,” though it, like φοβέοντο, is not attested here in the manuscript tradition. These variations highlight the dynamic nature of Homeric diction, which evolved through time and was in a constant state of flux in its early stages. For more on the Alexandrian editors of Homer see on 10.51–52 below.

source

Gregory Nagy

There is a pronounced shift in mood in Rhapsody 10. Unlike the narratives in the rest of the Iliad, this narrative focuses on how heroes behave at nighttime, as distinct from daytime. What dominates now is a poetics of ambush, which is a different kind of warfare. And a prime exponent of such poetics is the wolfish figure of Dolon. My comments here on Rhapsody 10 are mere supplements to the extensive commentary of Dué and Ebbott 2010.

draft js image error Dolon. Detail from an Attic red-figure lekythos (460 BCE). Image via Wikimedia Commons.

source

Commentary

Commentary (Casey Dué and Mary Ebbott, 2010) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Casey Dué and Mary Ebbott, 2010)) focus

10. mvp-comment-5-1 10.10 τρομέοντο Zenodotus, the first head of the library at Alexandria and a well-known Homer scholar, knew of the reading φοβέοντο here, according to the scholia that survive in our medieval manuscripts, but the reading is not attested elsewhere. (The verb τρομέω is likewise used in the middle voice at 10.492. See also Iliad 6.151.) Hainsworth (1993 ad loc.) notes that Aristarchus, a successor of Zenodotus as head of the library and rival editor of Homer, asserted that “ φοβοῦμαι and its cognates signified flight,” whereas here φοβέοντο would have the Classical meaning ‘fear’. Hainsworth adds the qualification “but that [Aristarchus’] doctrine may not be binding on this Book.” Hainsworth’s comment reflects his understanding of Iliad 10 as likely a later composition than the rest of the Iliad (see “Interpreting Iliad 10”). We suggest instead that φοβέοντο’s lack of manuscript attestation indicates that it was not a particularly old or well-known version of the verse, but this is not necessarily indicative of the lateness of the entire book. A version with φοβέοντο may well have entered the formulaic performance language at a later phase in the Homeric tradition than τρομέοντο, eventually becoming part of the textual tradition known to Zenodotus several centuries later. The third-century CE Stoic philosopher Chrysippus (fragment 906 in the edition of von Arnim 1903) quotes this line with still another variation: περὶ γὰρ δίε νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν. This phrase is attested at Iliad 9.433 and 13.557 and is in no sense “un-Homeric,” though it, like φοβέοντο, is not attested here in the manuscript tradition. These variations highlight the dynamic nature of Homeric diction, which evolved through time and was in a constant state of flux in its early stages. For more on the Alexandrian editors of Homer see on 10.51–52 below.

Homer Iliad 10.1

Samuel Butler (Translator)

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

BOOK X

New Alexandria Commentaries

Commentary

Stable identifiers