BOOK XV
But when across the palisade
fleeing, and up the moat they clamber'd
1
In panic, and full many fell
beneath the hands of Argives,
Then checking at the chariots
their wild career, they halted,
With terror pale and all-amaze.
But on the tops of Ida
Jove woke from slumber, at the side
of golden-throned Juno.
5
So stood he, starting up, and view'd
Achaiaïans and Troians,
The latter routed in the fray;
the Argives, close behind them,
Hotly pursuing, and their ranks
by princely Neptune headed:
But Hector lying on the plain
he saw, and, round him sitting,
His comrades: fainting he at heart,
dropt blood from mouth and nostrils,
10
And painfully did gasp; sith not
the puniest of Argos
Had smote him. Him with pity view'd
the sire of gods and mortals,
And with a direful scowling glance
address'd a word to Juno:
"Thy mischief-plotting artifice,
unmanageable Juno!
Hath godlike Hector stopt from war,
and terrified his people.
15
Nor know I, whether haply now
of this illwoven noyance
Thypelf shalt first the folly taste,
beneath my grievous scourging.
Or dost forget, how once aloft
thou hungest, when I fasten'd
A pair of anvils from thy feet,
and round thy hands a fetter,
Golden, which nought might break;
so thou in clouds and æther hungest.
20
Then indignation seiz'd the gods
who dwell on long Olympus;
Yet of their concourse was there none
to loose thee; but whomever
I caught, them clutching one by one
I toss'd from off the threshold,
Till swooning he the earth might reach.
Nor yet did this appease me,
Smarting with anguish for the fate
of Héracles the godlike,
25
Whom, with the wind of Boreas,
didst thou, the Squalls persuading,
Over the Ocean's cropless plain
escort by ill devices.
So thou to thickly peopled Cos
diddest the hero carry;
But thence my power rescued him,
and after many a labour
Restor'd him to his proper home
in courser-feeding Argos.
30
Now, that from trickeries thou cease,
-of this will I remind thee.
Hereby thou mayest trial make,
whether the bed of fondness,
For which thou camest from the gods
deceitfully, shall aid thee."
Thus when he spake, with terror quail'd
the large-ey'd queenly Juno ;
So meekly she accosting him
did winged accents utter:
35
"I call to witness now this earth
and highth of vasty Heaven
And dripping water of the Styx,
which to the heav'nly blessed
Greatest and direst is of oaths:
yea, by thy head so sacred,
And our own early bed, -by which
swear vainly would I never:
40
Not surely for the sake of me
doth the landshaker Neptune
Plague Hector and the Troïans,
or aid to Argos giveth.
I ween, his proper notion doth
imagine and enjoin it;
Sith at the galleys he beheld
and pitied their disasters.
But (let me say it) eke to him
would I my counsel tender,
45
Into that path to go, wherein,
Dark-clouded One! thou guidest."
The sire of mortals and of gods
with smiles her terror greeted,
And in responsive argument
did winged accents utter.
"If thou then verily henceforth,
O large-ey'd queenly Juno,
Sittest likeminded unto me
among the gods immortal,
50
Then shall prince Neptune (tho' perchance
full other be his purpose)
Sudden reverse his bent of soul,
thy heart and mine to follow.
But if sincerely from thy breast
in very truth thou speakest,
Hie thee among the tribes of gods
forthwith, and hither summon
Iris, my errand to perform,
and famous-bow'd Apollo;
55
That she amid the wide array
of brazen-clad Achaians
May speed her, and the earnest word
to princely Neptune carry, -
From battle to withdraw him straight
and seek his proper dwellings:
But bright Apollo, he meanwhile
shall Hector urge to battle,
And breathe in him new might, and give
forgetfulness of anguish,
60
Which now, deepseated, galleth sore
his vitals;-but the Achaians
Back from the battle shall he turn,
unmanly flight inspiring,
Till to the many-benched ships
of Peleus' son Achilles
In flight they hurry. He in turn
shall rouse his own companion
Patroclus, soon to fall in death
by spear of gallant Hector
65
Before the walls of Ilium,
when many a youth in Orcus
Calls him to vengeance; with the rest,
my godlike son Sarpedon.
But great Achilles, for his friend
enrag'd, shall Hector slaughter.
Thenceforward from the galleys I
continuous will give thee
A never-ceasing back-pursuit
of war, until the Achaians
70
Shall capture lofty Ilium
by counsels of Athene.
But earlier withdraw I not
my anger, nor permit I
Other immortals on the field
the Danaï to succour;
Ere-that I fully complish'd have
the longings of Pelides,
As first I undertook for him
and with my nod assented,
75
Upon the day, when by my knees
the goddess Thetis clasp'd me,
Imploring honour for her son
Achilles city-rieving."
He spake, nor uncompliant found
the white-arm'd goddess Juno,
But, from the mounts of Ida, up
went she to long Olympus.
As darteth forth the mind of man,
who over ample country
80
Distant hath journey'd; haply he
in sage remembrance thinketh,
"In such a place was I, and such,"-
and roveth wide at random;
So then, in eagerness, across
flew venerable Juno.
At steep Olympus she arriv'd,
and found the gods immortal
All gather'd in the hall of Jove.
They, seeing her arrival,
85
Upstarted from their seats at once,
and welcom'd her with goblets.
She of the rest took no account,
yet did accept the goblet
From Themis dainty-cheek'd; who first
come hurrying to meet her,
And with address of courtesy
such winged accents utter'd:
"Juno, why hither wendest thou,
and, like to frighten'd, seemest?
90
Troth! Saturn's son hath scared thee,
who is thy proper consort."
To her then spake reciprocal
the white-arm'd goddess Juno:
"Themis! dear goddess! ask not me
too much: thyself well knowest
His heart of royal haughtiness,
how stern and overfoaming.
Do thou, in chambers of the gods,
preside at rightful banquet,
95
But of these doings afterward
wilt hear, with all the immortals,
What ill achievements Jupiter
doth show us; nor, I reckon,
Will he to all alike give joy,
-on earth, nor yet in heaven,
Albeit at the heavenly board
each one now cheery feasteth."
Such words did queenly Juno speak,
and took her seat among them.
100
Then in the hall of Jove the gods
indignant were: but Juno
Forcing upon her lips a smile,
no gladness on her forehead
Display'd along her raven brow;
but angrily address'd them:
"Simple are we, infatuate,
who with intentness ponder
Whether we will some limit set
on Jove, by close encounter
105
Of word, or haply of constraint:
but he, apart abiding,
At our misliking fretteth not
nor heedeth; for he vaunteth,
That he, egregious of gods,
in strength and might is foremost.
Wherefore, whatever ill to each
he list to offer, take ye.
And now already, I opine,
for Ares woe is complish'd;
110
For in the battle fallen is
his son, of heroes dearest,
Ascalaphus, whom to himself
Ares as offspring claimeth."
She spake; but Ares instantly
with double palm descending
Smote on his lusty thighs,
and pour'd an utterance of wailing.
"Blame not my purpose, O ye gods,
who hold Olympian dwellings,
115
My slaughter'd offspring to avenge
beside the Achaian galleys;
Albeit eke for me be doom
to lie among the corpses
Struck by the thunderbolt of Jove,
in blood and dust confounded."
So spake he, and accordant bade
Terror and Flight to harness
His coursers, and himself would don
his allresplendent armour.
120
Then other turmoil had been wrought
more mighty and more noisome
By the fierce wrath of Jupiter
against the gods immortal;
But that Athene, smit with fear
for all the heav'nly dwellers,
Out o'er the threshold rush'd, and left
the throne whereon she rested,
And off his head the helmet drew
and buckler from his shoulders;
125
Then taking from his sturdy hand
the brazen spear, she fix'd it
Upright, and with reproachful words
did lash impetuous Ares:
"O doltish and bewilder'd soul,
besotted are thy senses:
1
Troth! vainly hast thou ears to hear;
thy shame and wits are perish'd
Or heardest not, what argument
spake white-arm'd goddess Juno,
130
Who now afresh, from Jupiter
the Olympian, arriveth?
Dost wish, thyself with many a woe
bestraught, by stern compulsion,
Despite thy anger, back to haste
retiring to Olympus,
And to the other blessed ones
great mischief to engender?
For shortly Jupiter will leave
the haughty-hearted Troians
135
And Argives; but on us will come
with riot to Olympus,
And indiscriminate will catch
the guilty and the harmless.
Thou therefore for thy bonny son
remit, I say, thy anger.
For one than him far mightier
in force and skill already
Slain either is, or shall be soon :
and troth, the task were toilsome
140
Of all the world the kith and kin
to rescue from disaster."
Thus speaking, she upon his throne
impetuous Ares seated:
Out of the chambers thereupon
did Juno call Apollo
And Iris, who is messenger
unto the gods immortal;
Then straitly she exporting them
harangu'd in winged accents:
145
"Jove biddeth both of you to come
with utmost speed to Ida;
But when arriv'd ye be, and raise
on Jupiter your eyen,
Then complish, whatsoe'er of tasks
his pleasure may enjoin you."
Such errand spoken, back again
hied venerable Juno
And sat upon her throne; but they,
the twain, flew darting forward.
150
Soon unto Ida rill-bestream'd,
parent of game, arriv'd they,
And found widesighted Saturn's child
upon the summit resting
At Gargarus, and round his form
was wreath'd a cloud of incense:
So entering, before the face
of Jove the cloud-collector
Stood they; nor when the twain he saw,
was he in heart displeased,
155
That to the bidding of his spouse
they quickly gave obeisance.
Then he to Iris earlier
his winged accents utter'd:
"Hie, hurry, speedy Iris! hence;
bear thou to princely Neptune
The rightful errand of my words,
nor be a false reporter.
Command him to withdraw himself
from contest and from battle,
160
Returning mid the tribes of gods
or the salt flood eternal.
But if he choose not to obey
my word, but disregardeth,
Let him thereafter_ponder well
within his heart and bosom,
Lest, stalwart tho' his hardiment,
in onset he be feeble
Me to withstand: for I than him
in force am greatly stronger,
165
And earlier of birth; and yet
his fancy fondly slighteth
To hold pretension as my peer,
at whom all others shudder."
He spake, nor uncompliant found
fleet stormy-footed Iris,
And as when hailstorm from the clouds
may fly, or sleety shower,
Chill'd by the gust of Boreas,
whom sky serene doth gender;
170
So swiftly in her eagerness
across flew speedy Iris,
But down to sacred Ilium
from Ida's mountains hied she.
And standing close in front, address'd
the glorious Landshaker:
"O Earth-encircler purple-hair'd!
to thee I hither hurry
From ægis-holding Jupiter
a canny errand bearing.
175
He biddeth to withdraw thyself
from contest and from battle,
Returning mid the tribes of gods
or the salt flood eternal.
But if thou choose not to obey
his word, but disregardeth,
Then doth he threaten thee in turn,
with adverse force to hie him
For battle hitherward: but thee
he urgeth, from encounter
180
With him to shrink; sith he than
thee in force is greatly stronger,
And earlier in birth; and yet
thy fancy fondly slighteth
To hold pretension as his peer,
at whom all others shudder."
To her indignantly replied
the glorious Landshaker:
"Ye Spirits! troth, tho' grand he be,
haughty the word he speaketh,
185
If me, who am in rank his peer,
he will constrain unwilling.
For we, three equal brethren are,
whom Rhea bare to Saturn,
First Jove, next me, then Aïdes,
who nether regions swayeth.
All things in threefold lot are cast:
each hath his share of honour.
To me the hoary brine for aye
as dwelling was apportion'd,
190
When lots we shook; to Aïdes
the sunless dusk was granted;
Jove had as his the ample sky
of clouds and empty æther:
But Earth to all is common yet,
as eke is long Olympus,
So will not I by Jove's decree
demean me: let him tranquil
Abide within his own third share,
albeit stalwart is he.
195
But truly let him not by force
alarm me, as a coward.
More seemly were it and more right
against his sons and daughters,
Whom he himself begat, to scold
with keen and lordly errand.
These, when he sendeth urgent word,
must e'en perforce obey him."
To him responded thereupon
fleet stormy-footed Iris :
200
"O Earth-encircler purple-hair'd!
alas! is this my errand?
This must I bear to Jupiter
from thee, so stern and hardy?
Or wilt thou somewhat bend and yield?
and noble hearts are yielding.
Thou knowest, how on elders-born
for ever wait the Furies."
Then Neptune, shaker of the earth,
accosted her responsive:
205
"Iris, dear goddess! troth! this word
discreetly hast thou spoken.
Good followeth the messenger,
who canny counsel knoweth.
Only my heart and soul are here
by anguish grimly wounded,
When Jupiter usurpeth right
with words of gall to wrangle
Against his peer in destiny,
to equal lot appointed.
210
But now, indignant though I am,
to this will I submit me.
Yet one thing will I farther say
and from my heart will threaten.
If he, against my will, -against
Athene booty-driving, -
Despite of princely Vulcan, -ay!
of Hermeas, and Juno,-
Shall rescue lofty Ilium,
nor suffer us to storm it
215
And to the Argive arms to give
the mastery of glory;
Know he: a feud betwixt us twain
unheal'd abideth ever.".
So speaking, the Landshaker left
the army of Achaia,
And plung'd beneath the deep:
and soon the Achaian heroes miss'd him.
But cloud-collecting Jupiter
thereat address'd Apollo:
220
"Go now, dear shining one! and seek
the brazen-helmed Hector.
The god who circleth quaking Earth
already is departed
Into his salt eternal flood,
eschewing our displeasure
Gramsome; for other gods also
did hear of yore our battle,
Who, nethermost of nature, dwell
around the home of Saturn.
225
But verily, alike to me
and to himself, more gainful
Was it, that he did earlier
indignantly submit him
Beneath my puissance: else, the toil
no common struggle boded.
But now within thy hands assume
my many-fringed ægis,
And in their faces flaunting it,
dismay the Achaian heroes.
230
But thou, Fardarter! must thyself
have care of gallant Hector,
And in him waken mighty force
so long, until the Achaians
Unto their galleys reach in flight
and to the flood of Helle.
But I thenceforward will myself
of word and work bethink me,
How-that the Achaians may again
find respite from disaster."
235
So spake he; nor Apollo then
did disobey his father,
And down from Ida's tops he went,
in semblance of a falcon
Fleet-winged, pigeon-murdering,
of feather'd wights the swiftest.
So found he godlike Hector, son
of skilful-hearted Priam,
Sitting, nor prostrate still; for he
anew had sense recover'd,
240
Knowing his comrades round about.
Gasping and sweat had ceased,
Sithence the mind of Jupiter,
the ægis-holder, rais'd him.
Then, near beside him standing, spake
Apollo Far-averter :
"O Hector, son of Priamus !
why thus apart from others
Sittest thou faint at heart? perchance
doth some disaster plague thee?"
245
To him, with puny vigour left
spake motley-helmed Hector:
"Who art thou, noblest of the gods!
that face to face dost ask me?
Hearest thou not, -in outmost fight
against the Achaian galleys,
How Ajax, good at need, did smite
with huge stone on my bosom,
While I his comrades slew; and quell'd
my furious encounter.
250
And verily I thought to see
the dead, and house of Pluto,
Upon this day: so near did I
gasp forth my tender spirit."
To him the Far-averting prince
Apollo spake responsive :
"Now cheer thee! such reserve of war
Saturnius from Ida
Hath forward to befriend thee sent
and rescue thee from danger,-
255
Me, golden-belted shining prince
Apollo, who do ever
Of yore deliver both thyself
and eke thy lofty fortress.
But to thy many charioteers,
come now, give earnest bidding
Unto the smoothly hollow ships
to drive the nimble horses :
And I myself, in front of them
advancing, for the horses
260
Will level all the chariot-roads
and scare the Achaian heroes."
So saying, mighty strength he
breath'd into the people's shepherd.
As when a charger, closely kept,
high-pamper'd at the manger,
Bursting his halter, o'er the plain
with prance and gambol trampleth,
Accustom'd in the flood to bathe
of some fair-streaming river,
265
Wild glorying; and holdeth high
his head, and off his shoulders
Rusheth the mane abroad; and he
in his brave beauty trusteth;
Lightly his knees then carry him
to horses' haunts and pastures :
So too with supple foot and knee
did Hector hurry onward,
Soon as he heard the voice divine,
his charioteers to order.
270
And as when dogs or rustic men
have chas'd upon the mountains
Whether an antler-bearing stag
or roebuck; -it, defended
By forest-boughs o'ershadowing
and rocks that cheat the footstep,
Escapeth them, nor is success
to all their efforts destin'd;
At length, beneath their shouting rous'd,
upon the path appeareth
275
A noble-bearded lion, who
doth sudden scare their courage:
So for awhile the Danaï
in troops did keenly follow,
With swords and with twohanded pikes
against the foeman stabbing;
But when they Hector saw amid
the ranks of heroes moving,
They trembled, and the soul of all
beside their feet lay prostrate.
280
Thoas hereat, Andræmon's son,
did with harangue accost them :
Of all Ætolia bravest he,
to dert the jav'lin skilful,
And good in standing fight: but few
might in debate surpass him,
When in full mote Achaian youths *
held rivalry of prudence;
Who then with kindly soul harangu'd
and spake his word among them:
285
"Ye spirits! now these eyen see
in truth a mighty marvel,
If Hector they behold again
arisen, Fate escaping.
Yet verily each heart of us
was trusting that this hero
Lately had perish'd by the hands
of Telamonian Ajax.
But now some heav'nly god anew
hath sav'd and rescued Hector,
290
Who had of many Danaï
unstrung the knees and sinews.
So now, as I forebode, again
will be for here he standeth
An ardent leader, not without
the will of Jove high-rumbling.
But come, as I the word shall speak,
let all compliant follow :
Back to the galleys bid we all
the multitude to hie them;
295
But for ourselves, who boast to be
amid the army bravest,
Confronting him with spears outstretch'd,
let us withstand his onset,
If we may haply stagger him:
and he, I ween, tho' eager,
Will shrink to meet the Danaï
and in their troop to mingle."
He spake; and they all willingly
did listen and obey him.
300
Crowding around the Ajaces twain
and Merion and Teucer,
Around the prince Idomeneus
and Meges peer to Ares,
The stubborn struggle marshall'd they,
their champions collecting
Fierce to withstand the Troïans
and Hector; but behind them
Back to the Achaian galleys hied
the multitude returning.
305
Forward in plump the Troians rush'd,
and at their head was Hector,
With lengthy strides; and in his front
hied bright Apollo onward,
Clad round his shoulders with a cloud;
the furious ægis bearing,
Dreadful, with shag of fringes rough,
preeminent; which Vulcan,
Worker of copper, gave to Jove
for men's dismay to carry:
310
This ægis holding in his hands,
Apollo led the peoples;
But eke the Argives clos'd their ranks
unmov'd; and deadly clamour
From either side arose: then leapt
the arrows from the bowstring,
And many a brazen javelin,
by sturdy sinews derted,
Partly were fix'd within the limbs
of callants keen in battle,
315
And others midway numerous,
for glut of carnage greedy,
Ere the fair skin they might attain,
harmless in earth were planted.
While bright Apollo held unmov'd
the manyfringed ægis,
So long from either side the darts
did fly, and people perish;
But when he flouted full in face
the charioteering Argives,
320
Shaking his arm, and eke himself
yell'd loudly; then their bosom
Was all bewitch'd with fear, and straight
forgat impetuous ardour.
And as, amid a herd of kine
or mighty flock of bleaters,
In gloominess of dusky night
do two wild beasts make havoc,
Which suddenly arrive, nor find
the keeper at his station :
325
So were the Achaians terrified,
unwarlike; for Apollo
Fill'd them with fear, and glory gave
to Hector and the Troians.
Thereon each hero slew his man,
when scatter'd was the struggle.
By Hector, slain was Stichius
first, and Arkesilaüs :
The latter to the brazen-clad
Boeotians was leader,
330
The former, trusty comrade was
to Mnestheus mighty-hearted.
Æneias next for death and spoil
hent Iasus and Medon.
Medon to Ajax brother was;
-their sire, divine Oïleus ;-
But Medon was of meaner birth,
and dwelt afar, as exile,
Long time in Phylake; for he
whilom had slain a hero,
335
A kinsman of his father's bride
his stepdame Eriopis.
But to Athene's skilful folk
was Iasus a leader,
And Sphelus was his father call'd,
but Bucolus his grandsire.
Mekisteus by Polydamas,
• Echius by Polites,
Clonius by divine Agenor,
fell in foremost struggle,
340
Paris hit Deiochus behind
at bottom of the shoulder,
As in the foremost ranks he fled;
and thrust the weapon thro' him.
2
While from the slain the victors stript
their arms, meanwhile the Achaians,
Within the deep-entrenched moat
and palisades entangled,
Rov'd hither, thither; and anew
perforce the rampart enter'd.
345
Then Hector rais'd his voice aloft
and charg'd the Troian army
To leave the gory panoplies
and rush upon the galleys:
"But whomsoever I descry
far from the galleys slinking,
There, on the spot, for him will I
plot ruin; nor shall ever
His kinsmen and kinswomen dear
in rightful flames enwrap him :
350
But him before our city's wall
the hungry dogs shall mangle."
Thus speaking, with the scourge
he lash'd his horses on the shoulder,
Cheering across the Troian ranks
aloud: and they, beside him,
With general alarum, held
the chariot-trailing horses.
Unearthly was their battle-din.
Before them bright Apollo
355
With his broad foot did easily
cast down into the middle
The scarp'd embankments of the trench,
and bridg'd an ample causey
Solid and broad; so far, as when
a man, to outmost distance,
Flingeth in air his javelin,
his martial vigour trying.
Over this road in ample squares
they pour'd; in front, Apollo
360
With costly ægis on his arm.
Right easily o'erthrew he
The Achaian rampart, e'en as when
a child lays low his sandheap;
Who, where the billow lately dash'd,
a playful wall hath built him
Of sand, and when his sport is done,
with foot or hand o'throws it :
So then by thee, bright Eïus,*
the plenteous toil and trouble
365
Of Argives vain was made, and eke
themselves with terror filled.
But, checking by the galleys' side
their wild career, they halted,
And each to other made appeal,
and to all gods in heaven
Did every one with lifted hands
loud supplication offer.
But chiefly there Gerenian Nestor,
watcher of the Achaians,
370
Made prayer to the gods, his hand
to starry heaven lifting:
"O father Jove, if ever yet
a man in wheatful Argos,
Burning to thee the costly limbs
of sheep or eke of bullock,
Besought thee for a safe return,
and thou didst nod approval;
Think of all this, Olympian !
and ward the ruthless moment,
375
Nor wholly by the Troïans
destroy the Achaian army."
So prayed Neleus' aged son;
thereat with mighty thunder
Did Jove the Counsellor reply,
his supplication hearing.
The Troians also, at the voice
of Jove the ægisholder,
Leapt braver on the Achaïans
and hero-glee remember'd.
380
As on the ample-breasted sea
when a huge billow plungeth,
Over the galley's wooden ribs
descending, if the hurtle
Of wind impress it; for 'tis this,
that chief the waves engrosseth :
So then with terrible upróar
the Troians scal'd the rampart.
And now, their coursers driving in,
at poop of galley fought they,
385
Mingled in battle, foe to foe,
with doublehanded weapons,
These mounted on the chariots;
but those from dusky galleys
With lengthy shipspears warded them,
which on the decks were stored,
Fasten'd with clamps for naval fight,
and tipt at end with copper.
But, for Patroclus, he meantime,
while Troians and Achaians
390
Outside, beyond the Argive fleet,
around the wall were fighting;
He in the tent was seated
with friendly-soul'd Eurypylus
So long, and sooth'd his heart with talk;
and as a balm of anguish,
Drugs o'er the painful wound he spread,
of medicinal virtue.
But, when he after was aware,
the Troians o'er the rampart
395
Had enter'd, while the Danaï
were fill'd with scream and tumult;
Then loudly groan'd he, and straightway
with double palm descending
Smote on his thighs, and pour'd
abroad an utterance of wailing:
"Eurypylus! albeit much
thou needest me, no longer
May I beside thee stay; for lo!
a mighty strife is risen.
400
But thee, let now thy squire amuse;
and I unto Achilles
Must quickly hie me, if perchance
I win him to the combat.
Who knoweth, if, with heaven's aid,
I haply by persuasion
May stir his spirit? useful is
a comrade's exhortation."
He, with such words, on speedy feet departed;
but the Achaians
405
Firmly the Troïan advance
awaited, nor were able,
Albeit fewer were the foes,
to ward them from the galleys.
Nor might the Troians yet break
thro' the Danaän battalions
And force a passage to the tents
and mingle with the galleys.
As by a cunning workman's hands,
in wisdom of Athene
410
Taught perfectly, the rule doth draw
a galley's timber even;
So even, of those combatants
was drawn the fight and combat.
And battle, diverse ships around,
by diverse men was waged,
But Hector made his chief attack
against illustrious Ajax.
415
Around one galley had the twain
fierce trouble, nor were able,
The Troian, out to drive his foe
and wrap in flames the galley,
Nor he, the assailant to repel,
sith heav'nly power brought him.
Then gallant Ajax with his spear
struck on the breast Caletor,
The active son of Clytius,
fire to the galley bearing;
420
So with a loud crash down he fell,
and dropt the brand beside him.
But Hector, when before his eyes
his cousin he discerned
Laid prostrate in the dust, in front,
beneath the dusky galley,
He shouted to the Troïans
and Lycians and Dardans :
"Dardans, who hand to hand contend,
and Lycians and Troians!
425
Not yet, in such a strait, my friends!
retire ye from the battle;
But save the son of Clytius,
nor let the Achaians strip him,
Fallen before the galley-poop,
in theatre of battle."
So spake he, and with shining spear
straightway at Ajax derted,
And miss'd him: but the weapon hit
Lycophron, son of Mastor,
430
Who, at divine Kythera born,
of yore had slain a hero :
Then quitted he his early home,
and dwelt, as squire, with Ajax.
To this man, as by Ajax's side
he stood, the spear of Hector
Enter'd his head above the ear;
so backward from the galley
Into the dust from off the poop
he fell, unstrung and helpless.
435
But Ajax shudder'd at the sight,
and straight address'd his brother :
"Dear Teucer! lo! before our eyes
is slain our trusty comrade,
The son of Mastor, whom we both
did in our chambers welcome
With honour like to parents dear,
arriving from Kythera.
But mighty-hearted Hector him
hath slain. Where now thy arrows
440
Death swiftly dealing, and the bow
which bright Apollo gave thee?"
He spake, and Teucer caught the word,
and ran, and stood beside him,
Holding within his hand the bow
back-bending, and the quiver
Fraught full with arrows: quick he shot
his bolts against the Troians.
By the first arrow Cleitus fell,
Peisenor's brilliant offspring,
445
The comrade of Polydamas
the lordly son of Panthûs,
Holding within his hands the reins.
He with the steeds was busied :
For there kept hé; -for kindly aid
to Hector and the Troians,-
3
4
Where thickest justled were the ranks:
but quickly came the mischief
On to himself; which none of all,
tho' eager, then averted.
450
For deep within his neck, behind,
the grievous arrow pierced :
So from the chariot he dropt;
and sudden swerv'd the horses,
Rattling the empty chariot.
But quickly did its master
Polydamas perceive, who first
in front the steeds arrested.
Them gave he to Astynoüs,
the son of Protiaon,
455
And on him many a charge he laid,
at hand to keep the horses,
Eying his master;-straight, himself
regain'd the foremost battle.
Then Teucer took a second shaft
for brazen-helmed Hector;
And would an end of war have made
against the Achaian galleys,
Had he the chieftain slain, in whom
was primacy of valour.
460
Nor this the canny mind escap'd
of Jupiter, who guarded
Hector, and glory's vaunt denied
to Telamonian Teucer.
For while as in the blameless bow
he drew the string well-twisted,
Jove sudden snapt it: thereupon
the brazen-weighted arrow
Stray'd other way, and from his hand
down fell his vain equipment.
465
Then Teucer shudder'd at the sight
and straight address'd his brother:
"Ye Spirits! troth! some power high
our plans of battle snappeth
All rudely, who from out my hands
hath cast the bow and arrow,
And burst the newly-twisted string,
which I this morning fasten'd,
That stoutly it might carry home
the thickly-springing arrows."
470
Then spake to him reciprocal
great Telamonian Ajax:
"Dear fellow, leave thy bow in peace
and all thy sheaves of arrows;
Sith, envying the Danaï,
some god hath these confounded.
But in thy hands take lengthy spear
and buckler on thy shoulder,
And fight against the Troïans
and rouse the other peoples.
475
Then, tho' the mastery they win,
not without effort shall they
The well-deck'd galleys take,
if we do battle-glee remember."
So spake he: Teucer then replac'd
within his tent the arrows,
But round his shoulders quickly slung
his shield with plates quadruple,
And on his gallant head he put
a well-wrought leathern helmet,
480
Bushy with horsetail: dreadfully
the crest above it nodded.
Lastly, he grasp'd a valiant spear,
pointed with brass well temper'd,
Hied on his path, and speedily
ran up, and stood by Ajax.
But Hector, when his eye descried
the bolts of Teucer crippled,
Loud shouted to the Troïans
and Lycians and Dardans :
485
"Dardans, who hand to hand contend,
and Lycians and Troians !
Be men, my friends! nor negligent
of furious encounter
Beside the smoothly hollow ships.
For lo! these eyes are witness,
How of a leading warriour
the bolts by Jove are crippled.
Right easily may man discern
the purposes of heaven,
490
Alike, to whomso Jupiter
high mastery vouchsafeth,
And eke whomso he lessen will,
nor chooseth to avenge them;
As now the Argives willeth he
to crush, but us to succour.
But fight ye at the galleys, all
in plump: and if for any
The doom of death allotted be,
by thrust or flying arrow,
495
Let death be welcome: seemly 'tis
in combat for one's country
To die, if need be; but his wife
and children safe behind him
And house and lot inviolate
abide, whene'er the Achaians
Back to their native land belov'd
depart upon their galleys."
He, by such words, in every breast
spirit and strength excited.
500
But Ajax, he on other side
did charge his own companions:
"O shame, ye Argives! now behold
your guarantee, -to perish
Or save our fortunes, beating back
this noyance from the galleys.
If motley-helmed Hector burn
the Achaian ships, then hope ye
Each man his native land to reach
on his own feet returning?
505
Hear ye not Hector eagerly
urge them, our fleet to kindle?
Not to a dance he summoneth,
I reckon, but to combat.
For us no counsel and intent,
better than this, abideth,
Foot against foot and hand to hand
to grapple, soul and body.
510
Better it is, now once for all
to live or else to perish,
Than pine in combat lingering
by grim embrace of foemen, -
Men who are noway peers to us, -
on the shore's edge, thus vainly."
He, by such words, in every breast
spirit and strength excited.
Then Hector, he slew Schedius,
a son of Perimedes,
515
And prince of Phocis: Ajax hent
Laodamas in slaughter,
A leader of the infantry,
Antenor's brilliant offspring.
Polydamas for death and spoil
took Otus of Kyllene,
Comrade of Phyleus' son, and prince
to the high-soul'd Epeians.
But Meges saw, and rush'd on him:
Polydamas evaded,
520
Flinching aside; so him the thrust
struck not: nor did Apollo
Allow the son of Panthoüs
to fall in front encounter.
But Croismus' bosom, in his stead,
to meet the spear was destin'd:
Crashing he fell, and Meges stript
the armour from his shoulders.
Meanwhile upon him Dolops rush'd,
to wield the spear right skilful,
525
(Dolops, the son of Lampus, or
Lampus, was chief of heroes :)
And to impetuous valour train'd;
son of Laomedon: his sire,
This man, approaching, with the spear
assail'd the son of Phyleus,
And pierc'd his midmost buckler thro';
but the close corslet sav'd him,
Which, at the hollows jointed well,
he wore: (his father Phyleus
530
Brought it of yore from Ephyra,
from the Selleïs river.
His host Euphetes, prince of men,
on him as gift bestow'd it,
To wear for battle's garniture,
a shelter from the foeman;
Which from the body of his son
did then avert destruction.)
But Meges on his helmet's top,
brazen, with horsetail shaggy,
535
Thrust heavy with his spear, and broke
the plumed crest, which sudden
Fell all dishonour'd in the dust,
of late with crimson shining.
While Dolops yet the fight maintain'd,
and still for conquest hoped,
Meanwhile as succour to the foe
came martial Menelaüs.
540
He on the flank approach'd unseen,
and flung behind the shoulder
His spear: its onward-hasting point,
possest by fury, issued
Right thro' the hapless Troian's breast,
who sideways there fell headlong.
Then rush'd the heroes twain to strip
the armour from his shoulders.
But to the kinsmen of the slain
Hector address'd him sternly,
545
And chief to Melanippus brave,
the son of Hiketaon :
Who, while the foemen were afar,
did pasture in Percotas
His crumple-horned kine; but when
their easy-steering galleys
Arriv'd, came back to Ilium,
and was among the Troians
550
Signal, and dwelt in Priam's court,
honour'd as Priam's children.
On him did Hector cast reproach,
and spake, his name pronouncing:
"O Melanippus, shall we thus
neglect? and is thy bosom
Not fill'd with self-reproaching shame,
to see thy kinsman fallen ?
Or doth it scape thee, how the foe
round Dolops' arms is busied?
555
But follow! for no longer choice
have we, aloof to combat
Against the Argives: choice is none,
but them to slay, or suffer
The fall of lofty Ilium
and bondage of her people."
He spake, and led the way: behind,
the godlike hero follow'd.
But Ajax, son of Telamon,
meanwhile bestirr'd the Argives:
560
"Oh friends, be men, and in your souls
a bashful honour cherish,
And each to other bashful be
amid your hardy struggles.
Of bashful-hearted men, the most
are safe, and few are slaughter'd :
But runaways no glory win,
nor runneth safety with them."
So spake he; and his comrades
eke themselves for fight were earnest.
565
They in their inmost bosom cast
his word, and fenc'd the galleys
With barrier of brass; but still
did Jove arouse the Troians.
Then Menelaüs, good at need,
Antilochus would challenge :
"Of Argive chieftains none than thee,
Antilochus, is younger,
Nor swifter is of foot; nor e'en,
as thou, is bold in battle,
570
If from the ranks thou wouldest leap,
and hit some foremost Troian."
He with such words departed,
sith he had the youth excited;
Who, leaping from the foremost ranks,
with shining weapon derted,
Turning on every side his gaze :
the Troians shrunk before him,
As from him flew the javelin :
nor did he aim it vainly,
575
But struck in middle of the breast
the son of Hiketaon,
Seeking for danger's foremost post,
high-hearted Melanippus :
So with a loud crash down he dropt,
and o'er him clang'd his armour.
Then forward sped Antilochus,
as hound on fawn that's wounded,
Which, as it springeth from its lair,
with deadly aim a hunter
580
Hitting, its sinews hath unstrung;
so then, O Melanippus,
On thee the war-abiding youth
sprang, to despoil thy armour.
But godlike Hector saw, and ran
to thwart him in encounter.
Then, tho' an ardent warriour,
Antilochus retreated,
585
Skulking away, like some wild beast,
that conscious is of mischief,
Which, having haply kill'd a dog
or herdsman round the cattle,
Hurries escaping, ere the crowd
of peasants be assembled:
So hurried Nestor's son. At him
the Troïans and Hector
With an unearthly clamour pour'd
their darts' distressful shower:
590
But quickly fac' Round, when first
he reach'd his troop of comrades.
Meanwhile the Troian army, like
to raw-devouring lions,
Against the galleys press'd apace
and Jove's command accomplish'd,
Who alway waken'd in their heart
high courage; and bewitching
The Danaï, of glory them
despoil'd, but those excited,
595
Holding the purpose, to extend
to Hector son of Priam
The meed of glory, till he cast
upon the crested galleys
The restless fire's unearthly blaze
and wholly win for Thetis
Her pray'r ill-omen'd: this was Jove
the Counsellor awaiting,
The blaze before his eyes to see
rise from a burning galley.
600
Thenceforward destin'd he to give
a back-pursuit unceasing,
Driving the Troians from the ships
with glory to the Argives.
Such purpose holding, he against
the smoothly hollow galleys
Rous'd Hector, son of Priamus,
himself already eager;
Who rag'd, as eke may Ares' self,
spear-poiser; or as rageth
605
Upon the mountains deadly fire
in thickets of a forest.
Foam circled from his gnashing teeth:
beneath his horrid eyebrow
Gleam'd his two eyen; but the helm
shook dreadful on his temples
Amid the battle: sith to him
a champion from heaven
610
Was Jove himself; who him alone
mid many heroes honour'd
And glorified awhile; not long:
for, troth! his hour of greatness
Soon to expire was destin'd: sith
already maid Athene,
Beneath Pelides' might, on him
the day of doom was bringing.
To force a passage, troth! he wish'd,
the ranks of men attempting,
615
Where thickest he the crowd beheld
and noblest was the armour.
Yet, tho' supreme his hankering,
not even so he forc'd them,
As stood they, fitted tower-wise,
like to some rock of ocean,
Foot-cheating, huge, which plungeth sheer
amid the hoary surges,
And firm abideth aye, despite
the speedy-gliding courses
620
Of whistling gales, and turbid waves
which forth are belch'd against it:
So mid the war the Danaï
were motionless and tranquil.
But he amid the scuffle leapt,
with blaze around him sheeny,
Plumping, as on a galley sharp
may plump a bouncing billow,
Whose bulk by cloud-born squalls is fed
and all by foam is cover'd.
625
The direful blast against the sail
doth roar; the trembling sailors
Shrink with alarm; for close they ride
to death beside them yawning.
So direfully the heart was rent
within the Achaian bosom.
Then as the kine, on whom may come
a deadly-hearted lion,
630
In the great pasture of a marsh,
where they in numbers countless
Graze; and a herdsman in their midst
doth stand, not yet well trained
With stalwart-hearted beasts to fight
for crumple-horned cattle;
Thus, as the cows move, moveth he:
but pouncing on the middle,
635
The beast a heifer hath devour'd,
and all with panic filleth:
So with divine alarm, beneath
Hector and Jove the Father,
The Achaians were affrighted all:
yet none he overhended,
Save only Periphetes, son
of Mycenæan Copreus,
Who to Eurystheus message bare
of great Herácles' labours.
640
From such a father worser far,
was born an offspring better
In every virtue,-hand or foot,-
to fight, to run, to counsel;
For he in knowledge might defy
the foremost of Mycene:
Who by his fall to Hector gave
the meed of higher glory.
For, backward turning him, he tript
against his buckler's margin,
645
Which, reaching to his heels, he bare,
from javelins a shelter.
By this entangled, down he fell,
right on his back: the helmet,
Bang'd on the hard ground suddenly,
rang horrid round his temples.
But Hector, quick espying it,
ran up and stood before him,
And in his bosom plung'd the spear,
and near his dear companions
650
Slew him: but these unable were,
tho' heartstruck for their comrade,
Rescue to bring him; for themselves
had awe of godlike Hector.
They in full gaze the galleys held;
the outmost hulls embrac'd them,
Which foremost on the strand were haul'd:
and onward stream'd the Troians.
Then from the foremost galley-poops
perforce withdrew the Argives,
655
Yet cluster'd densely round their tents,
nor in confusion straggled,
By shame and fear constrain'd,
while each to each spake threat and counsel.
But chiefly there Gerenian Nestor,
watcher of the Achaians,
Touching the knees of every man,
besought him by his parents :
"O friends, be men, and in your souls
a bashful honour cherish,
660
Fearing the blame of other men;
and every one remember
His children and his tender wife,
his lot of land, and parents,
Whether alive they still abide,
or whether death have ta'en them.
On sake of these dear absent ones
I by your knees beseech you
665
Firmly to hold against the foe
nor yield yourselves to terror."
He, by such words, in every breast
spirit and strength excited,
And maid Athene from their eyes
the cloud of mist dispersed
Unearthly: so from either side
full light was shed around them,
Alike, where stood their inmost ships,
and o'er the impartial battle:
670
So knew they Hector good at need,
and knew their own companions,
Who from the galleys stood aloof
and fear'd to join the combat,
And who beside the galleys sharp
stood hardily in battle.
No longer then it pleas'd the soul
of mighty-hearted Ajax
To stand, where congregated stood
the children of Achaia;
675
But he along the galleys' decks
with mighty strides invading,
Wielded within his hands a pike,
made long for naval combat ;-
Full two-and-twenty ells its length,
with brazen clamps compacted.
As on the horses' backs is seen
a man to riding trained,
Who, picking from a numerous herd,
four steeds together slingeth,
680
And, from the country driving them,
to a great city rideth
Along a people-trodden road;
and many men and women
Stand gazing at him: calmly he
and safely, springs alternate
From back to back, as listeth him;
and headlong, on they scurry:
So Ajax on to many decks
of swiftcareering galleys
685
Long striding, mov'd alternately,
and rais'd his voice to heaven;
And alway to the Danaï
with dreadful whoop he shouted,
Would, mid the crowd of Troïans
close-corsleted, await him;
To save the galleys and the tents.-
On other side, nor Hector
But he, in guise no other, than
as tawny eagle souseth
690
On to a flock of winged fowl
that feed beside a river,
Or geeese or cranes or longnecked swans;
so, rushing straight, did Hector
Against the blue-prow'd galley dash:
for Jupiter behind him
By his own mighty hand press'd on,
and with him urg'd the people.
695
Then once again beside the ships
arose a bitter combat.
Thou mightest deem that men in war
unwounded and unweary
Each upon other rush'd: so fierce
and eager was their meeting.
Nor yet the combatants alike
were minded; for the Achaians
Escape from overmatching fate
hop'd not, but there to perish:
700
But each man of the Troïans
was in his bosom hopeful,
With fire to kindle yonder fleet
and slay the Achaian heroes.
With such forebodings of the heart
stood both the hosts confronting.
At length did Hector touch the poop
of that seacoursing vessel,
Fine-shap'd, swift-rowing o'er the waves,
which bare Protesilaüs
705
To Troy,-nor brought him back again
to his dear native country.
Fighting about this ship, I say,
Achaïans and Troians
Did hand to hand each other waste;
nor stood apart, awaiting
The distant arrowshots and darts:
but, bent on close encounter,
710
As with a single heart possest,
with hatchets sharp were fighting,
With axes and with mighty swords
and long twohanded lances.
And many a beauteous-hilted sword,
rimm'd with black edge of iron,
5
6
Some fell from hands upon the ground,
and
others from the shoulders,
-Lost with the belts of combatants;
and dark earth flow'd with carnage.
715
But Hector, when he once had seiz'd
the poop, no more would yield it,
But grasp'd the adornments in his hand,
and loudly charg'd the Troians :
"Fire! bring ye fire! and eke yourselves,
collected, swell the onset.
Jove granteth now to us a day,
which payeth for all others,
Their ships to capture; which, despite
the gods, have hither ventur'd,
720
And laid much misery on us,
thro' folly of our elders:
Who, when I eager was to fight
against the nearest galleys,
Forbade my marching to the war
and stopt my train of people.
But if widesighted Jupiter
did then our counsels cripple,
Yet now himself impelleth us
and urgeth unto daring."
725
So spake he: they with greater zeal
against the Argives sallied.
No longer then did Ajax wait;
for sore the darts distress'd him:
Yet but withdrew him step by step,
altho' of life despairing,
And left the even galley's deck,
and planted him in ambush
Upon a bench of seven feet :
thence with his spear repell'd he
730
The Troians from the ship, whoe'er
the restless fire might carry.
And alway to the Danaï
he call'd with horrid outcry :
"Friends, heroes of the Danaï
and ministers of Ares !
Be men, my friends! nor negligent
of furious encounter.
Deem ye, that now reserves we keep
auxiliar behind us,
735
Or any martial rampart, which
may men from ruin rescue?
No city hold we near at hand,
with towers tightly fashion'd,
Wherein might beaten troops be hid
and garrison of peoples.
But, on the plain of Troïans
close-corsleted, we combat
Leaning against the depth of sea,
far from our native country.
740
Therefore on daring dawneth light
and not on gentle fighting."
Frenzied he spake, and on the word
with pointed weapon follow'd.
Then whosoe'er of Troïans
against the hollow galleys
Rush'd onward with the wasting fire,
obeying Hector's summons;
Him with long spear did Ajax thrust,
forth sallying from ambush.
750
So laid he prostrate hand to hand
twelve men before the galley.
7
Ajax defending the ships of the Greeks. After a drawing by John Flaxman. _Flaxman_Ilias_1795,_Zeichnung_1793,_194_x_338_mm.jpg){kind=link}