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Thus did they fight about the ship of Protesilaos. Then Patroklos drew near to Achilles with tears welling from his eyes, as from some spring whose crystal stream falls over the ledges of a high precipice. [5] When swift-footed radiant Achilles saw him thus weeping he was sorry for him and said, “Why, Patroklos, do you stand there weeping like some unaware [ nēpiē] little girl that comes running to her mother, and begs to be taken up and carried—she catches hold of her mother’s dress to stay her though she is in a hurry, [10] and looks tearfully up until her mother carries her—even such tears, Patroklos, are you now shedding. Have you anything to say to the Myrmidons or to myself, or have you had news from Phthia which you alone know? They tell me Menoitios, son of Aktor, is still alive, [15] as also Peleus son of Aiakos, among the Myrmidons—men whose loss we two should bitterly deplore; or are you grieving about the Argives and the way in which they are being killed at the ships, through their own high-handed doings? Do not hide in your mind [ noos] anything from me but tell me that both of us may know about it.”

[20] Then, O charioteer Patroklos, with a deep sigh you answered, “Achilles, son of Peleus, foremost champion of the Achaeans, 22 do not be angry, for such a grief [ akhos] has beset [= brought biē upon] the Achaeans. All those who have been their champions so far are lying at the ships, wounded by sword or spear. [25] Brave Diomedes son of Tydeus has been hit with a spear, while famed Odysseus and Agamemnon have received sword-wounds; Eurypylos again has been struck with an arrow in the thigh; skilled apothecaries are attending to these heroes, and healing them of their wounds; are you still, O Achilles, so inexorable? [30] May it never be my lot to nurse such a passion as you have done, to the damage of your own good name. Who in future story will speak well of you 32 if you do not ward off the disgraceful devastation [ loigos] from the Argives? You know no pity; charioteer Peleus was not your father nor Thetis your mother, but the gray sea bore you and the sheer cliffs begot you, [35] so cruel and remorseless are you in your thinking [ noos]. If however you are kept back through knowledge of some oracle, or if your mother Thetis has told you something from the mouth of Zeus, at least send me and the Myrmidons with me, if I may bring deliverance to the Danaans. [40] Let me moreover wear your armor; the Trojans may thus mistake me for you and quit the field, so that the hard-pressed sons of the Achaeans may have breathing time—which while they are fighting may hardly be. We who are fresh might soon drive tired men [45] back from our ships and tents to their own city.”

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.) — 16.1 focus

ὣς οἳ μὲν περὶ νηὸς ἐϋσσέλμοιο μάχοντο·

Πάτροκλος δʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ παρίστατο ποιμένι λαῶν

δάκρυα θερμὰ χέων ὥς τε κρήνη μελάνυδρος,

ἥ τε κατʼ αἰγίλιπος πέτρης δνοφερὸν χέει ὕδωρ.

τὸν δὲ ἰδὼν ᾤκτιρε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

τίπτε δεδάκρυσαι Πατρόκλεες, ἠΰτε κούρη

νηπίη, ἥ θʼ ἅμα μητρὶ θέουσʼ ἀνελέσθαι ἀνώγει

εἱανοῦ ἁπτομένη, καί τʼ ἐσσυμένην κατερύκει,

δακρυόεσσα δέ μιν ποτιδέρκεται, ὄφρʼ ἀνέληται·

τῇ ἴκελος Πάτροκλε τέρεν κατὰ δάκρυον εἴβεις.

ἠέ τι Μυρμιδόνεσσι πιφαύσκεαι, ἢ ἐμοὶ αὐτῷ,

ἦέ τινʼ ἀγγελίην Φθίης ἐξέκλυες οἶος;

ζώειν μὰν ἔτι φασὶ Μενοίτιον Ἄκτορος υἱόν,

ζώει δʼ Αἰακίδης Πηλεὺς μετὰ Μυρμιδόνεσσι;

τῶν κε μάλʼ ἀμφοτέρων ἀκαχοίμεθα τεθνηώτων.

ἦε σύ γʼ Ἀργείων ὀλοφύρεαι, ὡς ὀλέκονται

νηυσὶν ἔπι γλαφυρῇσιν ὑπερβασίης ἕνεκα σφῆς;

ἐξαύδα, μὴ κεῦθε νόῳ, ἵνα εἴδομεν ἄμφω.

τὸν δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων προσέφης Πατρόκλεες ἱππεῦ·

ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ Πηλῆος υἱὲ μέγα φέρτατʼ Ἀχαιῶν

μὴ νεμέσα· τοῖον γὰρ ἄχος βεβίηκεν Ἀχαιούς.

οἳ μὲν γὰρ δὴ πάντες, ὅσοι πάρος ἦσαν ἄριστοι,

ἐν νηυσὶν κέαται βεβλημένοι οὐτάμενοί τε.

βέβληται μὲν ὃ Τυδεΐδης κρατερὸς Διομήδης,

οὔτασται δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς δουρικλυτὸς ἠδʼ Ἀγαμέμνων,

βέβληται δὲ καὶ Εὐρύπυλος κατὰ μηρὸν ὀϊστῷ.

τοὺς μέν τʼ ἰητροὶ πολυφάρμακοι ἀμφιπένονται

ἕλκεʼ ἀκειόμενοι· σὺ δʼ ἀμήχανος ἔπλευ Ἀχιλλεῦ.

μὴ ἐμέ γʼ οὖν οὗτός γε λάβοι χόλος, ὃν σὺ φυλάσσεις

αἰναρέτη· τί σευ ἄλλος ὀνήσεται ὀψίγονός περ

αἴ κε μὴ Ἀργείοισιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀμύνῃς;

νηλεές, οὐκ ἄρα σοί γε πατὴρ ἦν ἱππότα Πηλεύς,

οὐδὲ Θέτις μήτηρ· γλαυκὴ δέ σε τίκτε θάλασσα

πέτραι τʼ ἠλίβατοι, ὅτι τοι νόος ἐστὶν ἀπηνής.

εἰ δέ τινα φρεσὶ σῇσι θεοπροπίην ἀλεείνεις

καί τινά τοι πὰρ Ζηνὸς ἐπέφραδε πότνια μήτηρ,

ἀλλʼ ἐμέ περ πρόες ὦχʼ, ἃμα δʼ ἄλλον λαὸν ὄπασσον

Μυρμιδόνων, ἤν πού τι φόως Δαναοῖσι γένωμαι.

δὸς δέ μοι ὤμοιιν τὰ σὰ τεύχεα θωρηχθῆναι,

αἴ κʼ ἐμὲ σοὶ ἴσκοντες ἀπόσχωνται πολέμοιο

Τρῶες, ἀναπνεύσωσι δʼ Ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

τειρόμενοι· ὀλίγη δέ τʼ ἀνάπνευσις πολέμοιο.

ῥεῖα δέ κʼ ἀκμῆτες κεκμηότας ἄνδρας ἀϋτῇ

ὤσαιμεν προτὶ ἄστυ νεῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων.

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.) — 16.1 focus

1 Thus then they were warring around the well-benched ship, but Patroclus drew nigh to Achilles, shepherd of the host, shedding hot tears, even as a fountain of dark water that down over the face of a beetling cliff poureth its dusky stream; 5 and swift-footed goodly Achilles had pity when he saw him, and spake and addressed him with winged words:

Why, Patroclus, art thou bathed in tears, like a girl, a mere babe, that runneth by her mother's side and biddeth her take her up, and clutcheth at her gown, and hindereth her in her going, 10 and tearfully looketh up at her, till the mother take her up? Even like her, Patroclus, dost thou let fall round tears. Hast thou haply somewhat to declare to the Myrmidons or to mine own self, or is it some tidings out of Phthia that thyself alone hast heard? Still lives Menoetius, men tell us, Actor's son, 15 and still lives Peleus. son of Aeacus, amid the Myrmidons, for which twain would we grieve right sore, were they dead. Or art thou sorrowing for the Argives, how they are being slain beside the hollow ships by reason of their own presumptuous act? Speak out; hide it not in thy mind;that we both may know.

20 Then with a heavy groan, didst thou make answer, O knight Patroclus:

O Achilles, son of Peleus, far the mightiest of the Achaeans, be not wroth; so great a sorrow hath overmastered the Achaeans. For verily all they that aforetime were bravest, lie among the ships smitten by darts or wounded with spear-thrusts. 25 Smitten is the son of Tydeus, mighty Diomedes, wounded with spear-thrust is Odysseus, famed for his spear, and Agamemnon, and smitten, too, is Eurypylus with an arrow in the thigh. About these the leeches, skilled in many simples, are busied, seeking to heal their wounds; but with thee may no man deal, Achilles. 30 Never upon me let such wrath lay hold, as that thou dost cherish, O thou whose valour is but a bane! Wherein shall any other even yet to be born have profit of thee, if thou ward not off shameful ruin from the Argives? Pitiless one, thy father, meseems, was not the knight Peleus, nor was Thetis thy mother, but the grey sea bare thee, 35 and the beetling cliffs, for that thy heart is unbending. But if in thy mind thou art shunning some oracle, and thy queenly mother hath declared to thee aught from Zeus, yet me at least send thou forth speedily, and with me let the rest of the host of the Myrmidons follow, if so be I may prove a light of deliverance to the Danaans. 40 And grant me to buckle upon my shoulders that armour of thine, in hope that the Trojans may take me for thee, and so desist from war, and the warlike sons of the Achaeans may take breath, wearied as they are; for scant is the breathing-space in battle. And lightly might we that are unwearied 45 drive men that are wearied with the battle back to the city from the ships and the huts.

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.) — 16.1 focus

1 Thus did they fight about the ship of Protesilaos. Then Patroklos drew near to Achilles with tears welling from his eyes, as from some spring whose crystal stream falls over the ledges of a high precipice. When Achilles saw him thus weeping he was sorry for him and said, "Why, Patroklos, do you stand there weeping like some silly child that comes running to her mother, and begs to be taken up and carried- she catches hold of her mother's dress to stay her though she is in a hurry, and looks tearfully up until her mother carries her - even such tears, Patroklos, are you now shedding. Have you anything to say to the Myrmidons or to myself? or have you had news from Phthia which you alone know? They tell me Menoitios son of Aktor is still alive, as also Peleus son of Aiakos, among the Myrmidons - men whose loss we two should bitterly deplore; or are you grieving about the Argives and the way in which they are being killed at the ships, through their own high-handed doings? Do not hide in your mind [ noos] anything from me but tell me that both of us may know about it."

20 Then, O horseman Patroklos, with a deep sigh you answered, "Achilles, son of Peleus, foremost champion of the Achaeans, do not be angry, but I feel grief [ akhos] for the disaster that has now befallen the Argives. All those who have been their champions so far are lying at the ships, wounded by sword or spear. Brave Diomedes son of Tydeus has been hit with a spear, while famed Odysseus and Agamemnon have received sword-wounds;

27 Eurypylos again has been struck with an arrow in the thigh; skilled apothecaries are attending to these heroes, and healing them of their wounds; are you still, O Achilles, so inexorable? May it never be my lot to nurse such a passion as you have done, to the baning of your own good name. Who in future story will speak well of you unless you now save the Argives from ruin? You know no pity; horseman Peleus was not your father nor Thetis your mother, but the gray sea bore you and the sheer cliffs begot you, so cruel and remorseless are you in your thinking [ noos]. If however you are kept back through knowledge of some oracle, or if your mother Thetis has told you something from the mouth of Zeus, at least send me and the Myrmidons with me, if I may bring deliverance to the Danaans. Let me moreover wear your armor; the Trojans may thus mistake me for you and quit the field, so that the hard-pressed sons of the Achaeans may have breathing time- which while they are fighting may hardly be. We who are fresh might soon drive tired men back from our ships and tents to their own city."

46 He knew not what he was asking, nor that he was suing for his own destruction. Achilles was deeply moved and answered, "What, noble Patroklos, are you saying? I know no prophesyings which I am heeding, nor has my mother told me anything from the mouth of Zeus, but I am cut to the very heart with grief [ akhos] that one of my own rank should dare to rob me because he is more powerful than I am. This grief [ akhos], after all that I have gone through, is more than I can endure. The girl whom the sons of the Achaeans chose for me, whom I won as the fruit of my spear on having sacked a city - her has King Agamemnon taken from me as though I were some common vagrant. Still, let bygones be bygones: no man may keep his anger for ever; I said I would not relent till battle and the cry of war had reached my own ships; nevertheless, now gird my armor about your shoulders, and lead the Myrmidons to battle, for the dark cloud of Trojans has burst furiously over our fleet;

67 the Argives are driven back on to the beach, cooped within a narrow space, and the whole people of Troy has taken heart to sally out against them, because they see not the visor of my helmet gleaming near them. Had they seen this, there would not have been a creek nor grip that had not been filled with their dead as they fled back again. And so it would have been, if only King Agamemnon had dealt fairly by me. As it is the Trojans have beset our host. Diomedes son of Tydeus no longer wields his spear to defend the Danaans, neither have I heard the voice of the son of Atreus coming from his hated [ ekhthrê] head, whereas that of murderous Hektor rings in my cars as he gives orders to the Trojans, who triumph over the Achaeans and fill the whole plain with their cry of battle. But even so, Patroklos, fall upon them and save the fleet, lest the Trojans fire it and deprive us of our safe homecoming [ nostos]. Bring to fulfillment [ telos] what I now order you to do, so that you may win me great honor [ timê] from all the Danaans, and that they may restore the girl to me again and give me rich gifts into the bargain. When you have driven the Trojans from the ships, come back again. Though Hera's thundering husband should put triumph within your reach, do not fight the Trojans further in my absence, or you will rob me of glory that should be mine. And do not for lust of battle go on killing the Trojans nor lead the Achaeans on to Ilion , lest one of the ever-living gods from Olympus attack you - for Phoebus Apollo loves them well: return when you have freed the ships from peril, and let others wage war upon the plain. Would, by father Zeus, Athena, and Apollo, that not a single man of all the Trojans might be left alive, nor yet of the Argives, but that we two might be alone left to tear aside the mantle that veils the brow of Troy ."

101 Thus did they converse. But Ajax could no longer hold his ground for the shower of darts that rained upon him; the will [ noos] of Zeus and the javelins of the Trojans were too much for him; the helmet that gleamed about his temples rang with the continuous clatter of the missiles that kept pouring on to it and on to the cheek-pieces that protected his face. Moreover his left shoulder was tired with having held his shield so long, yet for all this, let fly at him as they would, they could not make him give ground. He could hardly draw his breath, the sweat rained from every pore of his body, he had not a moment's respite, and on all sides he was beset by danger upon danger.

112 And now, tell me, O Muses that hold your mansions on Olympus , how fire was thrown upon the ships of the Achaeans. Hektor came close up and let drive with his great sword at the ashen spear of Ajax. He cut it clean in two just behind where the point was fastened on to the shaft of the spear. Ajax, therefore, had now nothing but a headless spear, while the bronze point flew some way off and came ringing down on to the ground. Ajax knew the hand of heaven in this, and was dismayed at seeing that Zeus had now left him utterly defenseless and was willing victory for the Trojans. Therefore he drew back, and the Trojans flung fire upon the ship which was at once wrapped in flame.

124 The fire was now flaring about the ship's stern, whereon Achilles smote his two thighs and said to Patroklos, "Up, noble horseman, for I see the glare of hostile fire at our fleet; up, lest they destroy our ships, and there be no way by which we may retreat. Gird on your armor at once while I call our people together."

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 16.1 focus

SUCH was the struggle for that gallant bark.

Meanwhile Patroclus stood beside his friend,

The shepherd of the people, Peleus' son,

And shed hot tears, as when a fountain sheds

Dark waters streaming down a precipice.

The great Achilles, swift of foot, beheld

And pitied him, and spake these wingèd words:

"Why weepest thou, Patroclus, like a girl, —

A little girl that by her mother's side

Runs, importuning to be taken up,

And plucks her by the robe, and stops her way,

And looks at her, and cries, until at last

She rests within her arms? Thou art like her,

Patroclus, with thy tears. Dost thou then bring

Sad tidings to the Myrmidons or me?

Or hast thou news from Phthia? It is said

That still Menœtius, son of Actor, lives,

And Peleus also, son of Eacus,

Among the Myrmidons. Full bitterly

Should we lament to hear that either died.

Or mournest thou because the Achaians fall

Through their own folly by the roomy ships?

Speak, and hide nothing, for I too would know."

And thou, O knight Patroclus, with a sigh

Deep-drawn, didst answer thus: "Be not displeased,

Achilles, son of Peleus, bravest far

Of all the Achaian army! for the Greeks

Endure a bitter lot. The chiefs who late

Were deemed their mightiest are within the ships,

Wounded or stricken down. There Diomed,

The gallant son of Tydeus, lies, and there

Ulysses, the great spearman, wounded both;

And Agamemnon; and Eurypylus,

Driven from the field, an arrow in his thigh.

Round them the healers, skilled in remedies,

Attend and dress their painful wounds, while thou,

Achilles, sittest here implacable.

O, never be such fierce resentments mine

As thou dost cherish, who art only brave

For mischief! Whom wilt thou hereafter aid,

If now thou rescue not the perishing Greeks?

O merciless! it cannot surely be

That Peleus was thy father, or the queen

Thetis thy mother; the green sea instead

And rugged precipices brought thee forth,

For savage is thy heart. But if thou heed

The warning of some god, if thou hast heard

Aught which thy goddess-mother has received

From Jove, send me at least into the war,

And let me lead thy Myrmidons, that thus

The Greeks may have some gleam of hope. And give

The armor from thy shoulders. I will wear

Thy mail, and then the Trojans, at the sight,

May think I am Achilles, and may pause

From fighting, and the warlike sons of Greece,

Tired as they are, may breathe once more, and gain

A respite from the conflict. Our fresh troops

May easily drive back upon their town

The weary Trojans from our tents and fleet."

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 16.1 focus

So warr'd both armies on th' ensanguin'd shore,

While the black vessels smok'd with human gore.

Meantime Patroclus to Achilles flies;

The streaming tears fall copious from his eyes;

Not faster, trickling to the plains below,

From the tall rock the sable waters flow.

Divine Pelides, with compassion mov'd,

Thus spoke, indulgent to his best belov'd:

'Patroclus, say, what grief thy bosom bears,

'That flows so fast in these unmanly tears?

'No girl, no infant whom the mother keeps

'From her lov'd breast, with fonder passion weeps;

'Not more the mother's soul that infant warms,

'Clung to her knees, and reaching at her arms,

'Than thou hast mine! Oh tell me to what end

'Thy melting sorrows thus pursue thy friend?

'Griev'st thou for me, or for my martial band?

'Or come sad tidings from our native land?

'Our fathers live (our first, most tender care,)

'Thy good Menoetius breathes the vital air,

'And hoary Peleus yet extends his days;

'Pleas'd in their age to hear their children's praise.

'Or may some meaner cause thy pity claim?

'Perhaps yon relics of the Grecian name,

'Doom'd in their ships to sink by fire and sword,

'And pay the forfeit of their haughty lord?

'Whate'er the cause, reveal thy secret care,

'And speak those sorrows which a friend would share.'

A sigh, that instant, from his bosom broke,

Another follow'd, and Patroclus spoke:

'Let Greece at length with pity touch thy breast,

'Thyself a Greek; and, once, of Greeks the best!

'Lo! every chief that might her fate prevent,

'Lies pierc'd with wounds, and bleeding in his tent:

'Eurypylus, Tydides, Atreus' son,

'And wise Ulysses, at the navy groan,

'More for their country's wounds, than for their own.

'Their pain soft arts of pharmacy can ease;

'Thy breast alone no lenitives appease.

'May never rage like thine my soul enslave,

'O great in vain! unprofitably brave!

'Thy country slighted in her last distress,

'What friend, what man, from thee shall hope redress?

'No: men unborn, and ages yet behind,

'Shall curse that fierce, that unforgiving mind.

'O man unpitying! if of man thy race;

'But sure thou spring'st not from a soft embrace,

'Nor ever amorous hero caus'd thy birth,

'Nor ever tender goddess brought thee forth.

'Some rugged rock's hard entrails gave thee form,

'And raging seas produc'd thee in a storm;

'A soul well-suiting that tempestuous kind,

'So rough thy manners, so untam'd thy mind.

'If some dire oracle thy breast alarm,

'If aught from Jove, or Thetis, stop thy arm,

'Some beam of comfort yet on Greece may shine,

'If I but lead the Myrmidonian line:

'Clad in thy dreadful arms if I appear,

'Proud Troy shall tremble and desert the war:

'Without thy person Greece shall win the day,

'And thy mere image chase her foes away.

'Press'd by fresh forces, her o'erlabour'd train

'Shall quit the ships, and Greece respire again.'

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 16.1 focus

THUS fiercely fought the Trojans and the Greeks.

And with Achilles was Patroclus now,

With tears abundance running down his cheeks,

Like springs that from a high rock streaming flow.

No sooner him Achilles weeping spied,

But pitied him. Why weep you so, said he,

Like a child running by his mother s side,

And holding by her coat, would carried be ?

Bring you some news that none but you can tell ?

Mencetius and Peleus still do live

At Phthia with the Myrmidons, and well.

If not, we both have cause enough to grieve.

Or is it that the Greeks are slaughtered so,

And fall before their ships ? 'Tis for their pride!

Speak, what's the matter, that we both may know ?

Patroclus, sobbing, to him then replied,

O son of Peleus, of all Greeks the best,

Forgive me if in this necessity

I freely speak. They that excel the rest

In prowess, at the ships all wounded lie.

Ulysses wounded is, and Diomed,

And Agamemnon, and Eurypylus,

And cur'd may be, but stand us in no stead;

Nor does your virtue any good to us.

O Gods, let never anger in me dwell

Like this of yours. If you cannot, who can

The Trojans from the Argive fleet repel,

And save so many lives ? O cruel man!

The noble Peleus sure was not your father;

Born of the Goddess Thetis you were not.

Sprung from the raging sea I think you rather,

And that by some hard rock you were begot.

But if you stand upon some prophecy,

Or Thetis have forbidden you to fight

From Jove, yet send some Myrmidons with me,

That I may to the Argives give some light.

But in your armour let me be array'd,

That when they see me they may think me you,

And back into the city run dismay'd,

And th' Argives wearied take breath anew.

For long the Trojans have endur'd the fight;

And if fresh enemies they coming see,

With little labour they'll be put to flight,

And leave the Argive tents and navy free.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 16.1 focus

THUS fighting for this well-built ship; Patroclus all that space

Stood by his friend, preparing words to win the Greeks his grace,

With pow'r of uncontained tears; and, like a fountain pour'd

In black streams from a lofty rock, the Greeks so plagued deplor'd.

Achilles, ruthful for his tears, said: "Wherefore weeps my friend

So like a girl, who, though she sees her mother cannot tend

Her childish humours, hangs on her, and would be taken up,

Still viewing her with tear-drown'd eyes, when she has made her stoop.

To nothing liker I can shape thy so unseemly tears.

What causeth them? Hath any ill solicited thine ears

Befall'n my Myrmidons? Or news from loved Phthia brought,

Told only thee, lest I should grieve, and therefore thus hath wrought

On thy kind spirit? Actor's son, the good Menœtius,

Thy father, lives, and Peleus, mine, great son of Aeacus,

Amongst his Myrmidons, whose deaths in duty we should mourn.

Or is it what the Greeks sustain that doth thy stomach turn,

On whom, for their injustice' sake, plagues are so justly laid?

Speak, man, let both know either's heart." Patroclus, sighing, said :

" O Peleus' son, thou strongest Greek by all degrees that lives,

Still be not angry, our sad state such cause of pity gives.

Our greatest Greeks lie at their ships sore wounded; Ithacus,

King Agamemnon, Diomed, and good Eurypylus;

But these much-med'cine-knowing men, physicians, can recure,

Thou yet unmed'cinable still, though thy wound all endure.

Heaven bless my bosom from such wrath as thou sooth'st as thy bliss,

Unprofitably virtuous. How shall our progenies,

Born in thine age, enjoy thine aid, when these friends, in thy flow'r,

Thou leav'st to such unworthy death? O idle, cruel, pow'r!

Great Peleus never did beget, nor Thetis bring forth thee,

Thou from the blue sea, and her rocks, deriv'st thy pedigree.

What so declines thee? If thy mind shuns any augury

Related by thy mother-queen from heaven's foreseeing eye,

And therefore thou forsak'st thy friends, let me go ease their moans

With those brave relics of our host, thy mighty Myrmidons,

That I may bring to field more light to conquest than hath been.

To which end grace me with thine arms, since, any shadow seen

Of thy resemblance, all the pow'r of perjur'd Troy will fly,

And our so-tired friends will breathe, our fresh-set-on supply

¹²

Will eas'ly drive their wearied off."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 16.1 focus

SUCH contest for that gallant bark they waged.

Meantime Patroclus, standing at the side

Of the illustrious Chief Achilles, wept

Fast as a crystal fountain from the height

Of some rude rock pours down its rapid stream.

Divine Achilles with compassion moved

Mark'd him, and in wing'd accents thus began.

Why weeps Patroclus like an infant girl

Who, running at her mother's side, entreats

To be uplifted in her arms? She grasps

Her mantle, checks her haste, and looking up

With tearful eyes, pleads earnest to be borne;

So fall, Patroclus! thy unceasing tears.

Bring'st thou to me or to my people aught

Afflictive? Hast thou mournful tidings learn'd

From Phthia, trusted to thine ear alone?

Menœtius, son of Actor, as they say,

Still lives; still lives his Myrmidons among

Peleus Æacides; whom, were they dead,

With cause sufficient we should both deplore.

Or weep'st thou the Achaians at the ships

Perishing, for their outrage done to me?

Speak. Name thy trouble. I would learn the cause.

To whom, deep-sorrowing, thou didst reply,

Patroclus! Oh Achilles, Peleus' son!

Noblest of all our host! bear with my grief,

Since such distress hath on the Greecians fallen.

The bravest of their ships disabled lie,

Some wounded from afar, some hand to hand.

Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds,

Gall'd by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief,

And Agamemnon suffer by the spear,

And brave Eurypylus an arrow-point

Bears in his thigh. These all, are now the care

Of healing hands. Oh thou art pity-proof,

Achilles! be my bosom ever free

From anger such as harbour finds in thine,

Scorning all limits! whom, of men unborn,

Hereafter wilt thou save, from whom avert

Disgrace, if not from the Achaians now?

Ah ruthless! neither Peleus thee begat,

Nor Thetis bore, but rugged rocks sublime,

And roaring billows blue gave birth to thee,

Who bear'st a mind that knows not to relent.

But, if some prophecy alarm thy fears,

If from thy Goddess-mother thou have aught

Received, and with authority of Jove,

Me send at least, me quickly, and with me

The Myrmidons. A dawn of cheerful hope

Shall thence, it may be, on the Greeks arise.

Grant me thine armour also, that the foe

Thyself supposing present, may abstain

From battle, and the weary Greeks enjoy

Short respite; it is all that war allows.

We, fresh and vigorous, by our shouts alone

May easily repulse an army spent

With labour from the camp, and from the fleet.

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 16 focus

BOOK XVI

So far'd the hardy struggle there, around the welldeck'd galley.

Meanwhile Patroclus stood beside Achilles, people's shepherd,

Pouring adown his cheek warm tears, as some dark source of waters,

Which down a stormcapt precipice poureth a murky torrent.

At sight of him divine Achilles footreliant marvell'd;

So he with pitiful address did winged accents utter:

"Patroclus! wherefore weepest thou, like to a tender infant,

Who, tripping at her mother's side and clinging to her garment,

Imploreth to be lifted up and hindereth her hurry,

And, to be lifted in her arms, with many a tear uplooketh :

Like unto her, Patroclus, thou the tender teardrop sheddest.

Hast haply for the Myrmidons or for myself a message?

Or is to thee alone some news arriv'd from distant Phthia?

Still, as they say, Menoetius, the son of Actor, liveth,

And still among the Myrmidons liveth my father Peleus;

Either of whom, by fate's decree remov'd, would sorely grieve us.

Or for the Argives sorrowest, how now their bands are wasted,

Beside the smoothly hollow ships, to scourge their proper trespass?

Lock not thy breast, but speak it out; and so, we both shall know it."

To him with heavy groans didst thou, horseman Patroclus! answer:

"O son of Peleus! Achileus! far noblest of the Achaians!

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

For all who formerly bare lead, as bravest of our army,

Lie prostrate at the galley-side by thrust or flying arrow.

Lances have Agamemnon pierc'd and spear-renown'd Ulysses,

Arrows have reach'd Eurypylus and stalwart Diomedes.

About them the chirurgeons with many a drug are busied,

Healing their wounds; but thou art made unhealable, Achilles!

Me never may such anger seize, as that which thou dost foster!

Woe on thy valour! why should men of future ages bless thee,

If thou from Argos willest not to ward unseemly ruin ?

O cruel! never sire to thee was charioteering Peleus,

Nor Thetis was thy mother: nay, but grey sea-billows bare thee

And foot-betraying rocks; so wild, so rugged is thy bosom.

But if, with heart foreboding, thou some heav'nly danger shunnest,

Which, from the lips of Jupiter, thy queenly mother taught thee,

Yet me send forward quick, and lend thy other folk behind me

Of Myrmidons; so may I bring some ray of light to Argos.

And on my shoulders grant to me to bear thy proper armour,

If-that perchance the Troïans, deluded by thy semblance,

Stand off from battle, and hereby Achaia's warlike children

Gain respite of their toil;-and short the respite is of warfare.

'Twere light for us unwearièd, from off the tents and galleys,

Unto the city back to drive men wearièd in combat."

So supplicating spake he then, great simpleton! for truly

He for himself did supplicate a direful doom of ruin.

To him Achilles, fleet of foot, indignantly responded:

"What utterance was that? alas, Patroclus Jove-descended!

Naught from the lips of Jupiter my queenly mother teacheth,

Nor know I heav'nly oracle to fill with awe my bosom.

Only, my heart and soul are here by anguish grimly wounded,

When one, who is in sway and force superiour, delighteth

His equal to bereave of right, and back his prize to ravish.

Grim anguish deem I this; sith I in heart have sorrow suffer'd.

The damsel whom Achaia's sons for me as prize selected,

Whom by my spear I purchased, a walled city storming,

Her from my hands did Atreus' son, wide-ruling Agamemnon,

Snatch from me back again, as tho' from some degraded outcast.

But leave we these things, past and gone; and any-gait uncomely

Was it, with obstinate resolve for ever to be anger'd.

Troth! thought I, never would I stay the fury of my passion,

Till the loud onset of the war might reach my proper galley.

Yet thou, my own illustrious arms upon thy shoulders placing,

Lead the warloving Myrmidons to join the hardy struggle;

Sith, like a cloud of dusky blue, the Troians now, it seemeth,

Circle the fleet, o'ermastering; but on the rough sea-margin

The Argives lean, hemm'd every way, and hold but scanty portion

Of land remaining; while on them comes all the Troian city,

Cheery: for they no longer view the frontlet of my helmet

Within our ranks near glittering: else would they fill the gulleys

By speedy flight with carcases, if royal Agamemnon

To me were kindly minded: now, around the camp they combat.

Nor longer in the skilful grasp of Diomed Tydides

Rageth the spear, which once would save the Danaï from ruin.

Nor rumour reacheth me as yet, that Atreus' son high shouteth

From hated mouth: nay, but the voice of hero-slaying Hector

Cheering his Troians, echoeth rebounding: they, with uproar

The plain preoccupy, in fray outmatching these Achaians.

Yet, even so, Patroclus! thou, to save the fleet from ruin,

Fall in with overswaying might, lest they the galleys kindle

With blazing firebrand: só would they of sweet return despoil us.

But thou, as in thy mind I set a charge complete, obey me;

(So thou from all the Danaï shalt mighty honour earn me

And glory; who with public train unto my tents shall convoy

The damsel bright and beautiful, and splendid gifts beside her.)-

When from the fleet the foe is scar'd, return thou! or, if haply

Juno's loud-rumbling spouse on thee bestow some meed of glory,

Without my presence hanker not to dally in the battle

With the warloving Troïans: and cheaper wilt thou make me:

Nor, O my friend, in foeman's play and hero-glee exulting,

And rieving lives of Troïans, to Ilium pursue them;

Lest of the gods eternal-born one meet thee from Olympus :-

And them Apollo Far-averter tenderly doth cherish.

But turn thee backward, soon as thou some ray of light hast open'd

Unto the fleet, and leave the hosts upon the plain to bargain.

Would it might be, - O father Jove, Athene and Apollo!

That of all Troïans who live, and eke of all the Argives,

Not one from slaughter might escape, and only we survive them:

Then would we twain, of Ilium o'erthrow the sacred turrets."

100

So they reciprocally held betwixt themselves discourses.

But Ajax might no longer wait; for sore the darts distress'd him.

The mind of Jove o'ermaster'd him, and lordly-hearted Troians

With bolts unweary pelting thick. Pelted, around his temples,

The shining helm a rattle kept: and pelted was he alway

105

Over his tight accoutrements. All-weary was his shoulder,-

The left, which stedfast ever held his vast and motley buckler:

Yet they, with darts hard pressing round, to dash him off avail'd not.

A noisome gasping cramp'd his breast, and down him sweat abundant

Flow'd from his limbs on every side, nor might he breath recover

110

And respite gain; but every where was evil heap'd on evil.

Utter for me, ye Muses, now, who dwell in high Olympus,

How first the deadly fire was cast upon the Achaian galleys.

Hector with Ajax battle join'd.- Hector with mighty sabre

Above its head of metal smote his foeman's ashen weapon,

115

And lopt the metal sheer away : so Telamonian Ajax

Brandish'd in vain the crippled shaft: whose brazen point far falling

Rang on the ground re-echoing. Then Ajax knew the omen,

And shudder'd in his blameless soul to see the gods' achievements,

How Jove high-rumbling utterly did shear away the counsels

120

Of Argive battle, bent to yield high puissance to the Troians.

He from the darts withdrew; but they on the sharp galley scatter'd

Unweary fire, whose quenchless flame was sudden pour'd across it.

The busy fire curl round the poop, aspiring: but Achilles

Smote on his thighs with double palm, and thus address'd Patroclus:

125

"Ho! quick arouse thee, Jove-deriv'd Patroclus courser-guiding!

The spurting of the foeman's fire behold I by the galleys,

And if the galleys captur'd be, no more escape remaineth.

But don thy armour speedily, and I the folk may gather."

When thus he urg'd, Patroclus quick in dazzling brass encas'd him.

130

First on his shins the dapper greaves, with silver anklets clever,

He fasten'd; next, to guard his chest, he took the crafty corslet

Borne by Pelides fleet of foot, all various and starry.

About his shoulders next he slung the sword with silver studded,

135

Brazen of edge; and after it his buckler great and stubborn:

And on his gallant head he put the wellwrought leathern helmet

Bushy with horsetail: dreadfully the crest above it nodded.

Lastly, he pick'd two valiant spears, unto his grasp adapted.

Alone, of all the equipments borne by Peleus' spotless offspring,

140

The lance he took not, -weighty, huge; which no Achaian chieftain

Beside might brandish: none but he, Achilles, knew to wield it;

(An ash of Pelion the shaft, which, from the mountain's summit,

For his dear father Cheiron gat, to be the death of heroes.)

The steeds, right speedily he bade Automedon to harness,

145

Than whom he only honour'd more Achilles hero-crushing;

Who eke most faithful was to him in fight, to bide upbraidment.

For him Automedon did haste to yoke the nimble coursers,

Chesnut and Spotted, both of whom flew swiftly as the breezes;

Whom, as along a lea she graz'd beside the stream of Ocean,

150

Spry-footed Harpy bare of yore unto the breezy Zephyr.

But blameless Pedasus beside in the flank-traces slung he,

Whom from Eëtion's domain Achilles took for booty;

Who, mortal as he was, kept pace with those immortal coursers.

But, visiting the Myrmidons meanwhile, Achilles arm'd them

155

All in their tents with panoply of helmet, shield, and corslet.

And they, as rawdevouring wolves, who hardihood unfathom'd

Hold in their heart, and on the fells a mighty stag with antlers

Have caught and mangled; bloody-red their chaps are all distained;

And they in company advance, from some dark source of waters

160

With slender-lolling tongues to lap the dusky-tinted water

From off the surface: forth they belch death-gore, and in their bosoms

Intrepid doth their heart abide, tho' pinched is their belly :

Such then did all the Myrmidons with governours and leaders,

Obeying swift Æacides, around his brave companion

165

Fierce circle: and in midst of them stood warriour Achilles

Urging the shielded men to war and eke the fiery horses.

Fifty the galleys sharp of prow were counted, which Achilles,

Belov'd of Jupiter, to Troy had led; and fifty heroes,

His comrades, came with every one, upon the benches seated:

170

Five governours he made, to whom he trusted, to command them

Under his guidance: but himself supreme of sway was leader.

One of the bands Menesthius with motley corslet guided,

Who claim'd Spercheius as his sire, a never-resting river,

Streaming from Jove. Him Peleus' child, the beauteous Polydora,

175

Bare to Spercheius,-woman weak to an immortal wedded;

Yet Borus was his sire esteem'd, the son of Perieres,

Who boundless dower paid for her, and led her into bridal.

Commander of the second band was warriour Eudorus,

A hero maiden-born: but him fair-dancing Polymela,

180

Daughter of Phylas, gave to life, whom the brave Argus-killer

Beheld, and lov'd her, as she danc'd amid the virgin-comrades

Of golden-shafted Artemis, the ever-whooping huntress.

Forthwith, good-fellow Hermeas, into her chamber mounting,

Lay at her side by stealth; and she a brilliant offspring gave him,

185

Eudorus, swift of foot to run, and terrible in combat.

But when at length the goddess, who on painful childbirth waiteth,

Woke him to light of day, and he beheld this sunny splendour;

Then Echecles of stalwart might, the son of Actor, paying

Uncounted dower, led away the mother to his chambers;

190

But aged Phylas took the child and nurtur'd him discreetly,

Fondly embracing him with love, as tho' his proper offspring.

Over the third battalion stood the warriour Peisander,

The son of Maemalus; but he to wield the spear was signal

Beyond all other Myrmidons, except Pelides' comrade.

195

Over the fourth battalion went old charioteering Phoenix;

Over the fifth Alkimedon, Läerkes' spotless offspring.

But when Achilles, picking well, had station'd them in order

Beside their leaders, then to all he stern monition added:

"O Myrmidons, let none, I pray, forget the words of menace,

200

Which at the Troïans did ye at the sharp galleys threaten,

During my day of anger, when ye every one rebuk'd me :-

O cruel son of Peleus! troth, on gall thy mother fed thee;

Heartless! who keepest by the ships thy comrades sore unwilling.

Right homeward let us wend our way with sea-careering galleys,

205

Returning; sith so evil rage upon thy soul hath fallen.'

To me, assembled, thus ye spake ofttime: and now appeareth

The mighty work of battle-cry, for which ye erst did hanker;

Here then to fight with Troïans let each have valiant spirit."

He, by such words, in every breast spirit and strength excited;

210

And when their monarch's voice they heard, more close the ranks did pack them.

As when with wellcompacted stones a man may featly fashion

For some highroofed house a wall, to screen the force of tempests;

So fitted then were bossy shields and horsetail-crested helmets.

For helmet was by helmet screen'd, and buckler propt by buckler,

215

And warriour by warriour: the horsetail-helmets waving

With ridges bright each other touch'd: so thick they stood together.

And in the front of all, two men stood forth complete in armour,

Patroclus and Automedon, possest of single spirit,

To head the Myrmidons in fight. Meanwhile, Achilles hied him

220

Into his tent: there open'd he the lid, that clos'd a coffer,

Dainty and varied; which to him the silverfooted Thetis

Had plac'd for convoy on the ship, well-fill'd with under-raiment

And cloaks, a shelter from the blast, and curly-haired carpets.

Therein besides a goblet lay, well-carved; nor from out it

225

Did other man than Achileus drink ever wine resplendent,

Nor he to other god would pour, save unto Jove the Father.

Out of the coffer this he took and cleansed it with brimstone

First; afterward besprinkled it with denty streams of water.

Himself besprinkled eke his hands, and fill'd with wine the goblet.

230

Then standing midmost in his court, he pray'd, and made libation,

With eyes to heaven rais'd; and Jove the thunderloving knew it:

"Lord Jupiter, enthron'd afar, Pelasgo-Dodonæan!

Thou who Dodona's winter-land o'erswayest! and around thee

Dwell with unwashen feet thy seers the ground-encouched Selli.

235

In former time to my request already hast thou listen'd;

Didst honour me, and mightily hast harm'd the Achaian people :

Now, once again implor'd, do thou this wish for me accomplish.

Myself by galley-side shall stay, in theatre of battle,

But with the trooping Myrmidons my comrade send I forward

240

To combat: now, widesighted Jove! on him bestow successes.

With mighty courage strengthen thou his heart; whereby shall Hector

³⁴

Learn, whether our companion dear even without my presence

Knoweth to combat, or his hands untractable are frantic

Then only, when I hie with him mid the turmoil of Ares.

245

But after from the galleys he the din of fight have chased,

May he to me forthwith return and reach the galleys scatheless,

With comrades, round his side who fight, and all my curious armour."

Such was his word of prayer; and Jove the Counsellor attended.

To one petition listen'd he; the other he rejected.

250

Far from the ships to drive away the battle's present danger,

He granted; but the safe return from battle, this he gave not.

The prince,-libation now complete, and pray'r to Jove the Father, -

Returning to his tent, replac'd the goblet in the coffer;

Then forth proceeded from the tent, and still in soul did hanker

255

To watch the deadly battle-cry of Troians and Achaians.

But they, accoutred and arrang'd with mighty-soul'd Patroclus,

March'd steadily, till on they rush'd with ardour at the foeman.

In sally swarmed they forthwith, like wasps, who hold their houses

By the roadside; whom children weak are wont in sport to harry,

Tormenting alway; bringing eke a common woe on many.

For if some traveller perchance unwilling now bestir them,

With valiant bosom forth they fly, to combat for their children.

265

Such heart and spirit cherishing, the Myrmidon battalions

Then from the galleys sallied out; and clamour rose incessant.

Patroclus too his comrades charg'd, with voice voice uplifted shouting:

"O Myrmidons, who comrades are of Peleus' son, Achilles!

Be men, my friends, nor negligent of furious encounter;

270

So shall we honour Peleus' son, who bravest is of Argives

Beside the galleys, and the squires who fight around his buckler.

So shall we teach to Atreus' son, wide-ruling Agamemnon,

His folly, who perversely scorn'd the noblest of the Achaians.”

He spake; and in every breast spirit and strength excited.

275

Quick on the Troïans they fell, collected; and the galleys

Responded with terrific crash, beneath the Achaians shouting.

But when the Troians saw the chief, Menoetius' brave offspring,

Himself and eke his charioteer, in all their armour sparkling,

The heart of all held grim debate, and their battalions trembled;

280

Deeming that by the galley-side the lordly-soul'd Pelides

At length his anger had renounc'd, and chose the bonds of friendship.

So each did singly look around, to scape headlong destruction.

Patroclus first with shining spear into the middle darted,

285

Where most were justled, near the poop of great Protesilaüs.

Over the plum'd Paeonians Pyraechmes there was leader,

Who brought them from far Amydon and Axius wide-flowing.

On the right shoulder him it hit; so, groaning fell he prostrate

Down in the dust, and round his corpse his dear companions trembled,

290

His own Paeonians: sith all Patroclus fill'd with terror,

Slaying their champion, who held the primacy of valour.

Thus from the beach he dravethem off, and quench'd the fire that sparkled ;

And there the half-burnt ship was left. With an unearthly clamour

The Troian army took to flight: the Danaï pursued them

295

Forthwith, and unremitting din arose along the galleys.

As when from off the summit high of some cloudcompass'd mountain

May lightning-wreathing Jupiter withdraw the veil of dimness;

And every lofty peak is shown, and headland edge and forest,

And from behind the cloven dun unfathom'd heaven gleameth;

300

So, for awhile, the Danaï, repelling from the galleys

The foeman's fire, did breath regain: yet was no pause of battle.

For not yet did the Troïans to flight straightforward scuffle,

Scar'd from the dusky ships, beneath the villains dear to Ares,

But still they party-wise withstood and but perforce withdrew them.

305

Thereon each hero slew his man, when scatter'd was the struggle,

Among the leaders. First of them, Menoetius' brave offspring,

While-as Areilycus was turn'd, pierc'd thro' his thigh entirely

With pointed spear, and crush'd the bone: he to the earth fell headlong.

But Menelas to Ares dear struck Thoas in the bosom

Beside the buckler open left, and there unstrung his sinews.

And Phyleus' son, in ambush hid, caught Amphiclus in sally,

Piercing the pillar of his leg, where thew of man is thickest:

315

The weapon's point his sinews rent, and darkness veil'd his eyen.

Of Nestor's sons, Antilochus with piercing sidestab wounded

Atymnius, who dropt in front; then for his brother, Maris,

Rush'd angry, and before the dead stood firm: but Thrasymedes,

320

Ere Maris might a wound implant, did instant fix his weapon

⁵⁶

Into the shoulder, brake the bone, and stript the limb of sinew:

So, with a loud crash down he fell, and darkness veil'd his eyen.

325

Thus by two brethren brethren twain, Sarpedon's brave companions,

Skilful in darting, overmatch'd, to Erebus descended:

Whose sire the dread Chimæra rear'd, a pest to many mortals.

Ajax, Oïleus' son, rush'd in, and captur'd Cleobulus

330

Alive, entangled in the rout; but quick with hilted weapon

Smote on his neck, and warm'd the sword with ruddy-reeking slaughter.

There crimson Death his eyen press'd, and Destiny resistless.

Then Lycon met Peneleos. With spears they miss'd each other,

335

Darting in vain; thereat with swords together ran: and Lycon,

Smiting the horsehair helmet's crest, snapt at the hilt his sabre.

But deep the foeman's griding sword within his neck descended:

His head by skin alone hung on, and there his limbs lay helpless.

340

But Merion, with active feet quick overhending, wounded

In the right shoulder Acamas, when he would mount his horses:

So fell he from the car, and mist lay heavy on his eyelids.

But prince Idomeneus drave on the ruthless brazen weapon

345

Right through the mouth of Erymas: beneath the brain it enter'd,

The white bones splintering: and out the teeth were dash'd: his eyen

Were filled both with blood: but it out of his mouth and nostrils

He spurted gasping: so did Death with dusky cloud enshroud him.

350

Such leaders of the Danaï slew every man his fellow.

As noisome wolves on lambs or kids dart, from the flock selecting,

Which by the keeper's witlessness along the fells is scatter'd;

The beasts, beholding, sudden snatch the feeble-hearted quarry:

355

Thus upon Troians Danaï did pounce; but those, surrender'd

To shrieking flight, forgetful were of valorous resistance.

But mighty Ajax alway long'd at brazenhelmed Hector

To hurl his weapon: he in turn, in fierce encounter skilful,

With breadth of shoulder alway screen'd beneath his shield of bullhide,

360

Had shelter from the noisy darts and hurtle of the arrows.

In sooth, the foe's recruited strength he saw, and tide of fortune;

Yet stood he, even so, awhile, and sav'd his dear companions.

But as when, after sky serene, from summit of Olympus

⁷

Cometh a cloud o'er heaven's face, if Jove a squall deviseth;

365

So shriek and terror, scowl and squall, o'erspread the Troian army,

Repell'd in not decorous flight. Then by his nimble horses

Hector with heavy armour scap'd, and left his host of people,

All whom the deep-entrenched moat behind him kept unwilling.

And chariot-trailing nimble steeds, within the moat entangled.

370

The pole short snapping, many left their lords' equipment crippled.

Meanwhile Patroclus urgently pursued, the Argives cheering,

Fierce-minded to the Troïans. But they with scream and panic

Fill'd all the paths, once that their bands were scatter'd: and to heaven

High rose a dust-tornado, whilst the single-hoofed horses

375

Back from the galleys and the tents did spank toward the city.

But where Patroclus saw the folk in worst annoy bewilder'd,

Thither with cheering hurried he: and men beneath the axles

Fell headlong from the chariots: and cars were rattled over.

Then, onward hasting in career, the nimble-footed horses,

380

Immortal, which, as brilliant gifts the gods bestow'd on Peleus,

Outright did overleap the moat: for he on Hector cheer'd them,

To overhend him bent; but him the speedy coursers rescued.

And as beneath a tempest's weight all the dark earth is loaded

Upon a day of autumn, when Jove poureth down his greatest glut of water

385

Jove poureth down, if he with men be wrathfully indignant,

Who in assembly of the folk by force give crooked verdict,

And Justice rudely drive away, the gods' observance slighting:

Then all the flowing hollow brooks from the high clouds are filled,

And many a steep outstanding cliff is rent by gush of waters,

390

Which streaming to the purple sea right headlong from the mountains

Resound with mighty moan, the while the works of men they ruin :

So mightily the Troian mares in fleet careering moaned.

Patroclus, when his course had cut the foremost bands asunder,

Back to the galleys hemm'd them in, reversing; so he thwarted

395

Their aim, the city-walls to reach : but twixt the ships and river

And lofty rampart slaughter'd them, and forfeit took for many.

There Pronoüs with shining spear he wounded in the bosom

Beside his buckler open left, and straight unstrung his sinews;

400

So, with a loud crash down he dropt. Next Thestor, son of Enops,

By second sally. Close he sat, in chariot well polish'd

Coop'd up, in panic, frenzy-struck. From out his hands the bridles

Dropt to the ground. But close at hand, thro' his right cheek the foeman

Urg'd-on the spear, betwixt his teeth; then o'er the car's rim drew him

405

Haul'd by the weapon; as a man, who sits on rock outjutting,

With line and dazzling brass may draw a sacred fish from ocean :

So from the seat with shining spear he drew his gasping captive,

And cast him full upon his fàce: so there his spirit left him.

Thereafter, with a stone he struck the rushing Erylaüs

410

Upon the head direct, and clave in twain the weighty helmet.

Headlong to earth he fell, and him soul-crushing Death enshrouded.

Then Erymas, Amphoterus, Tlepolemus, Epaltes,

Ipheus, Euippus, Echius, Pyris and Polymelus;

All these successive cast he down on Earth the manyfeeder.

415

But when Sarpedon, son of Jove, saw his ungirdled comrades

Beneath the Myrmidonian chief subdued in strife of Ares,

He to the godlike Lycians with harsh invective shouted :

"Shame! whither flee ye, Lycians ? in sooth, ye now are nimble.

But I myself will meet this man; so shall I well inform me,

420

Who is the chief, that swayeth wide with noyance to the Troians,

And who of many a gallant soul hath cast the body helpless."

He spake, and from his chariot leapt to the ground in armour.

Patroclus on the other side leapt also, when he saw it,

Out of the chariot: and they, as two hook-beaked vultures,

425

Crook-talon'd, on a lofty rock with mighty screams may combat;

So these with terrible upróar each upon other sallied.

With pity seeing them, the child of crooked-witted Saturn,

Did to his sister and his wife, Juno, address his sorrow:

"Alas for me! that Destiny by cruel sentence doometh

430

Sarpedon, dearest of mankind, to perish by Patroclus.

My heart by double thoughts is torn, and faltereth my purpose,

Whether to snatch him still alive from out the tearful battle,

And plant him safe on Lycia, in his fat soil of plenty,

⁸

Or unto death resign him, slain by prowess of Patroclus."

435

To him with word reciprocal spake large-ey'd queenly Juno:

"O son of Saturn, grim and dire, what saying hast thou blurted?

A man, who mortal is of birth, long syne by doom predestin'd,

Him from sadwailing Aïdes dost ponder to deliver?

Do it: but we, the other gods, not all shall praise thy doing.

440

This also will I say, and thou within thy bosom cast it:

If to his own abode and home alive thou send Sarpedon,

Think, may not other eke of gods desire his own dear offspring

Safe to deliver and alive, from out the hardy struggle?

For many are embattled now round Priam's mighty city,

445

Born from immortal gods; in whom thou direful wrath wilt nourish.

But if thy son is dear, and if thy heart with pity waileth;

His body now resign to death, slain in the hardy struggle,

And glory to Patroclus give, Menoetius' brave offspring.

But, when his time of life is gone and breath hath left his body;

450

Then balmy Slumber send and Death, as convoy to escort him,

Till in widespreading Lycia they reach his proper country.

His brothers and his kinsfolk there meet burial shall yield him,

With flames, with pillar and with mound; which are the dead man's honour."

She spake, nor uncompliant found the sire of gods and mortals.

455

He shed from heaven gory drops his loved son to honour,

460

Who far from home, in loamy Troy, must perish by Patroclus.

When they to shorter distance came, advancing each on other,

Patroclus struck in lowest lap the famous Thrasymelus,

The prince Sarpedon's bonny squire, and there unstrung his sinews.

465

Sarpedon, second aiming, miss'd his foeman's self, but wounded

The mortal courser Pedasus, - on his right shoulder lighting

With shining spear. He groan'd, and fell, and gasp'd, and breath'd no longer.

The others swerv'd apart: the yoke creak'd loudly, and the bridles

470

Were tangled, sith the outer horse in dust and death was prostrate.

But spear-renown'd Automedon the troublous danger ended :

For, drawing from his brawny thigh his long-edg'd hanging cutlass,

In sallied he, and slash'd away the out-horse, nor was foiled.

The living steeds came clear and straight, and duly stretch'd the traces,

475

But the two heroes met once more for soul-devouring quarrel.

Again Sarpedon vainly threw the long farshining weapon;

For harmlessly the noyance past over Patroclus' shoulder,

Missing him on the left: then he not vainly flung his weapon,

480

But hit, where round the ceaseless heart the membranes weave a curtain.

Then toppled he, as may an oak or some white poplar topple,

Or pine upon the mountain-side tall-shooting, which for timber

Ship-carpenters have inly chopt with newly-whetted axes :

So he, before his chariot and coursers, lay extended,

485

Gnashing his teeth, the gory dust with hand convulsive clutching.

And as a lion, mid the herd of clumsy-footed oxen,

Picking hath slain a flame-hued bull, high-fronted, mighty-hearted,

And he beneath the lion's jaws with many a bellow dieth;

So slain beneath Patroclus then with many a moan Sarpedon,

490

Lord of the shielded Lycians, call'd on his dear companion :

"Glaucus, my friend! thou warriour mid heroes! now, if ever,

A thorough spearman prove thyself, and warriour intrepid.

Now, if thy heart be keen and true, let evil war delight thee.

First, visit all the Lycians, throughout their wide battalions,

495

And rouse their chiefest men to fight around Sarpedon's body.

Next eke thyself, my friend! for me well quit thyself in battle.

For I in after-days to thee a contumely and scandal

shall be, if yon Achaians At every time continuous

Strip me, who fall before the fleet in view of either army.

500

But hold to battle sturdily, and urge my host of people."

Thus when he spake, all-ending Death his eyes and nostrils cover'd.

The victor, tramping on his breast, drew out the spear, and with it

Follow'd the membrane of his heart and all his breathing spirit.

505

Meanwhile the crew of Myrmidons his puffing steeds arrested,

Eager to flee, sithence the car was by their lords abandon'd.

But anguish grim on Glaucus came, to hear his friend adjure him.

His heart was earnestly bestirr'd, in helplessness of vengeance.

Grasping he pinch'd his arm, thereat, where Teucer's arrow gall'd him,

510

Shot from the lofty wall, to ward disaster from his comrades.

Then supplicating, he implor'd Apollo the far-darting:

"Hear me, O prince! who haply art in Lycia's fat country

Now, or in Troas. Everywhere thou able art to listen,

515

When man in trouble is, as now am I by trouble harried.

Me troubleth this sore-galling wound. My hand with piercing anguish

Is wrung, nor may the blood be stanch'd; which doth my shoulder burden.

Nor firmly can I hold my spear, nor fight against the foeman.

520

Fallen, behold! a hero-chief, the son of Jove, Sarpedon,

Whose Father standeth off, nor would his proper offspring rescue.

But thou, O prince! heal thou my wound, and lull the fretting sorrow,

And grant me puissance to exhort my Lycians to combat,

525

While I, to save our chieftain's corpse, do manfully acquit me."

So he his prayer uttered, and bright Apollo heard him.

Forthwith the fretting pangs he quell'd, and round the gash so troublous

He stanch'd the dusky gore, and breath'd high prowess in his bosom.

But Glaucus inwardly discern'd; and in his heart was joyful,

530

That speedily the mighty god had to his prayer listen'd.

First, visiting the Lycians, throughout their wide battalions,

He rous'd their chiefest men to fight around Sarpedon's body.

But after, to the Troïans with mighty strides he hied him,

To Panthûs' son Polydamas and to divine Agenor;

535

Also Æneias sought he out, and brazen-helmed Hector,

And standing close in front of them harangu'd in winged accents:

"Now, Hector! thou of thy allies art utterly forgetful,

Who far from friends and land of birth our very souls do lavish

In sake of thee: but thou, methinks, not eager art to aid us.

540

The lord of shielded Lycia, who erst, by rightful verdicts

And prowess, Lycia upheld, -Sarpedon, prostrate lieth.

Him brazen Ares vanquish'd hath beneath Patroclus' weapon.

But friends! stand nobly at his side, and be in hearts indignant,

Lest-that the crew of Myrmidons his armour strip, and outrage

545

The person of the dead, enrag'd for loss of many comrades,

The Danaï, whom we beside their galleys sharp have slaughter'd."

When thus he spake, the Troians all from head to foot were seized

By sorrow irrepressible, unyielding; sith their city

Held him a bulwark, tho' of soil foreign; for many peoples

550

Came with him: in them he himself held primacy of valour.

So straight against the Danaï they fiercely rush'd: for Hector

Headed them, by Sarpedon's fall embitter'd. But the Achaians,

Them did Patroclus' shaggy heart encourage: first he turn'd him,

- The two Ajaces to exhort, themselves already eager :

555

"Ajaces! take ye pleasure now, reciprocal to combat,

Such as mid heroes heretofore ye were, or even braver.

Prostrate the chieftain lies, who first did scale the Achaian rampart, -

Sarpedon. Oh! if now we might for outrage seize his body,

- And from his shoulders strip his arms, and eke of his companions

560

With ruthless weapon some lay low, who fight their lord to rescue."

So charged he: but they themselves for battle-strife were eager.

After-that they on either side had strengthen'd the battalions,

Then Lycians and Myrmidons and Troians and Achaians

Around the carcase of the slain in shock of adverse combat

565

Hurried together, yelling fierce; and direful clang'd their armour.

And Jove a deadly darkness spread over the bitter struggle

For strife of deathful hardiment around his son beloved.

Then first the Troïans repell'd the curling-ey'd Achaians,

When of the Myrmidons was slain a hero not the weakest,

570

Offspring of godlike Agacles, the mighty-soul'd Epeigeus,

Who as a prince had oversway'd Budeium thickly peopled

In former day; but having slain a kinsman bold, he hied him

As suppliant to Peleus' hearth and silverfooted Thetis :

Who with their hero-crushing son in train of battle sent him

575

To courser-famous Ilium for combat with the Troians.

Him gallant Hector with a stone hit, as he touch'd the carcase,

Upon the head direct, and clave in twain the weighty helmet.

Prone on the corpse he fell, and him soul-crushing Death enshrouded.

580

But anguish on Patroclus came, to see his comrade fallen.

Straight thro' the foremost ranks he dash'd, like to a gliding falcon,

Swift-sousing, fraught with sore dismay to noisy daws and starlings :

So thou upon the Lycians, Patroclus courser-girding!

And on the Troians, diddest plunge, enrag'd for thy companion.

585

With a huge stone the hero hit the neck of Sthenelaüs

Ithaemenes' beloved son, and tare away the tendons.

Back then the foremost ranks withdrew, and gallant Hector with them.

Far as a lengthy javelin a man may fling on trial

590

In public game, or e'en in war against heartcrushing foemen,

So far withdrew the Troïans; so far the Achaians drave them.

But Glaucus, rallying anew first of the Troian army,

Leading the shielded Lycians, slew Bathycles highhearted,

Whose loving father Chalcon was; a man who dwelt in Hellas,

595

Signal among the Myrmidons for affluence of plenty.

Him Glaucus wounded with the spear in middle of the bosom,

Turning upon him sudden, when in fleet pursuit he caught him.

So with a loud crash down he fell. Deep sorrow seiz'd the Achaians,

Sith fallen was a noble man; but much rejoic'd the Troians.

600

So then, assembled round the corpse stood they: nor yet the Achaians

Prowess forgat, but on the foe onslaught straightforward carried.

By Merion, Laogonus was hent, a full-arm'd Troian,

Onetor's hardy son; whose sire to Jupiter Idæus

A priest was made, and by the folk e'en as a god was honour'd.

605

Him honest betwixt the ear and jaw did strike, and quickly

Out of his members life was flown, and hateful darkness hent him.

Æneias next at Merion his brazen weapon derted,

Hoping to hit him, as he march'd beneath his buckler's covert.

He, seeing it, by scanty space the flying point avoided,

610

Stooping him forward: far away, the lengthy spear behind him

In earth alighted; where its force made the shaft's end to quiver,

Until rude-hurtling Ares gave remission of his fury.

[Thus, far behind him in the earth Aeneias' spear was planted.

Strong quivering; and fruitlessly his sturdy arm impell'd it.]

615

Then anger seiz'd Æneias' heart, and at his foeman scoff'd he:

"Meriones, thou dancest well; yet haply to thy dancing

My spear a thorough end had brought, had I attain'd to hit thee."

Then spear-renown'd Meriones accosted him responsive :

"Æneias, valiant tho thou art, 'tis hard for thee to cripple

620

The might of every man, whoe'er in battle may confront thee.

Mortal are thou alsó: but if I might in turn be lucky

With a full hit, then thou, so bold and trusting in thy prowess,

To me shalt glory yield, and life to charioteering Pluto."

625

He spake; but brave Patroclus then rebuk'd him with rejoinder :

"O Merion! we know thee brave: yet why such words haranguest?

Not for reproachful words, my friend! the Troïans will yield them

From carcase of the slain; but first must earth hold many a hero.

Issue of battle is from might; of wordy war, from counsel.

630

Therefore no weight of words we need, but hardihood of combat."

He spake, and led the way; behind, the godlike hero follow'd.

As when the woodman's steady axe in thickets of a mountain

From many a hand drops ponderous, and far is heard its echo;

So from the broad expanse of land their noise resounding echoed,

635

While sabres and twohanded pikes clash'd against brass and bullhide.

Hard was it for a thoughtful man to know divine Sarpedon,

So was he wrapt from head to foot in dust and gore and weapons.

640

And alway throng'd they round the dead, as flies round milkful buckets

Swarm noisy thro' the stalls in spring, when pails with milk are wetted;

Thus (say I) round the dead they throng'd. Nor from the hardy struggle

Did Jove a moment turn away his ever-beaming eyen,

645

- But alway gaz'd unceasingly to watch it, and bethought him

On slaughter of Patroclus; much pondering with doubtful heart

Whether already, there and then, amid the hardy struggle

Should gallant Hector him alsó over divine Sarpedon

Waste with the weapon, and despoil the armour from his shoulders ;

650

Or first to other combatants should the bluff toil be doubled.

After such ponderings of thought he deemed it were wiser,

Still further should the bonny squire of Peleus' son Achilles

Harry the Troian arms away with brazenhelmed Hector,

And hem them to the city-wall and doom more lives to carnage.

655

So into Hector first of all he breath'd unwarlike panic;

Who knew the sacred scales of Jove, and, on his car upleaping,

To flight betook him, calling loud that all should flee beside him.

Then not the valiant Lycians stood firm, but all were scatter'd

In terror, sith their king they saw with deadly wound heartstricken,

660

Prone in assembly of the dead : for many fell around him,

When o'er his body Saturn's child outstretch'd the hardy combat.

Then from his shoulders stript the foe the armour of Sarpedon,

Brazen and all-resplendent: this, Menoetius' brave offspring

To his companions gave, to bear unto the hollow galleys.

665

Then cloud-collecting Jupiter address'd him to Apollo :

⁹

"Go now, dear Shining one! draw forth Sarpedon from the weapons:

Cleanse off the cloudy gore, apart; in living waters bathe him;

Anoint him with ambrosia, and wrap ambrosial raiment

670

Around his sacred form; and send, as convoy to escort him,

Slumber and Death, twin-bretheren; that speedily they place him

Upon wide-spreading Lycia, within his own fat country.

His brothers and his kinsfolk there meet burial shall yield him,

With flames, with pillar and with mound, which are the dead man's honour."

675

So, spake he: nor Apollo then did disobey his father,

And down from Ida's tops he went to the grim cry of battle.

Straightway, uplifting, forth he drew Sarpedon from the weapons;

Cleans'd off the cloudy gore, apart; in living waters bath'd him;

Ointed him with ambrosia, and wrapt ambrosial raiment

680

Around his sacred form; and sent, as convoy to escort him,

Slumber and Death, twin-bretheren: who speedily replac'd him

Upon wide-spreading Lycia, within his own fat country.

Patroclus follow'd, cheering On Troïans and Lycians

His coursers and Automedon; and direful was his folly,

685

Infatuate! for had he kept the bidding of Pelides,

From evil doom of murky death he verily had scaped.

But alway than the wit of man the wit of Jove is higher :

Who doth the valorous affright, and victory despoileth

Right easily; but otherwhile himself to battle stirreth;

690

Who then into his bosom breath'd this surplusage of valour.

Then who was first and who was last a sport of death and plunder,

Patroclus! when the heav'nly fates invited thee to ruin?

Adrastus and Autonoüs, Epistor, Melanippus,

Elas, Echeclus, Perimus, Mulius and Pylartes :

695

All these he slaughter'd; but the rest did each of flight bethink them.

Then had Achaia's children storm'd Troy's lofty-gated city

Beneath Patroclus' hands :-for dire the fury of his weapon :-

But bright Apollo stood aloft upon the well-built tower

700

Bearing against him deadly wrath, and kindly to the Troians.

For thrice upon the parapet which from the rampart jutted

Patroclus climb'd on high; and thrice Apollo dash'd him backward,

Repressing with immortal hands his all-resplendent buckler.

But when the fourth time on he sped, like to a mighty Spirit,

705

Then did Apollo Far-averter speak with direful menace:

"Beware, Patroclus! and retire; nor deem that fate alloweth

The walls of haughty Troïans by thy assault to totter:

Not even by Achilles' self, a man than thee far stronger."

Aw'd by the immortal voice, the chief an ample space retir'd him,

710

And yielded; shunning to enrage Apollo the far-darting.

But Hector in the Skæans kept his singlehoofed horses;

Debating, whether back to drive and fight amid the tumult,

Or all his scatter'd folk exhort to coop them in the city.

While thus he ponder'd, lo! advanc'd beside him bright Apollo,

715

Like to his kinsman Asius, a warriour intrepid ;-

Own brother he to Hecuba, who mother was to Hector,

Yet youthful was he still for war: but Dymas was his father,

Who on the banks of Sangarus in Phrygia did habit ;-

Like unto him, the son of Jove Apollo spake to Hector:

720

"Hector, why pausest thou from fight? such pausing, thee misseemeth.

Oh that, as weaker I than thee, by so much I were stronger!

Not to thy joy then wouldest thou, mayhap, thus start from battle.

But come! against Patroclus urge the flinty-footed horses.

Him mayest thou o'ermaster, if Apollo give thee glory."

725

This said, again the god was mix'd amid the toil of heroes.

To skilful-soul'd Kebriones thereat did gallant Hector

Give order, mid the war to lash his coursers. But Apollo

Hied him to enter mid the throng, and breathing in the Argives

Evil confusion, glory gave to Hector and the Troians.

730

All other Danaï the chief pass'd by, nor car'd to slay them;

But straight against Patroclus urg'd the flinty-footed horses :

Patroclus, he too on the earth from off the car alighted.

His left hand held the spear; his right, around a boulder curling,

735

Which rugged sparkled, heav'd it high; nor long aloof withheld him,

But hurl'd it fiercely: not in vain; but struck the squire of Hector,

Kebriones, a meaner son to high-renowned Priam,

Full in the forehead: both the brows were crush'd; the skull withstood not.

Out of his face his eyes were torn: so plung'd he, like a diver,

740

Down from the wellwrought car; and there did life forsake his body.

Then thou, Patroclus charioteer! diddest with scoff address him:

"Ye Spirits! what a nimble man! how easily he tumbleth!

745

If somewhere on the fishful sea to dive for oysters lik'd him,

He many a mouth might glut, from high in crabbed weather plunging:

As now upon the plain so light he tumbleth from the horses.

So eke the Troïans, I ween, have many a clever tumbler."

750

After such utterance, he hied against the fallen hero,

With rush like to a lion's rush, who, ravaging the stables,

Hath on the bosom felt a wound, and his own valour slays him ;-

So eager on Kebriones didst thou, Patroclus, cast thee:

But Hector, e't too on the earth from off the car alighted.

755

The twain around Kebriones made contest, like two lions,

Which, both with empty craving maw, and both with lordly spirits,

Around a slaughter'd doe may fight upon a mountain-summit;

So then around Kebriones twain counsellors of onset,

Patroclus son of Actor's son and motley-helmed Hector,

760

Hanker'd with ruthless brass to gash the body, each of other.

But Hector, when he once had seiz'd the head, no more would yield it;

Patroclus firmly grasp'd in turn the foot: meanwhile the others,

Both Troïans and Danaï, commingled hardy struggle.

As blowing from the East and South within a mountain's hollows

765

The winds hold controversy sore a close-grown copse to shatter,

Of diverse timber, -beech and ash, and lanky-leafed corneil;

Which, each upon the other, grind their long-outreaching branches

With rustling scratch; and when they snap, unearthly is the crackle :

So Troians and Achaians then, each upon other springing,

770

Made havoc, nor did either side disastrous fear remember.

And round Kebriones were fix'd sharp-pointed lances many,

And many winged arrow-shafts off leaping from the bowstring;

And many a sturdy boulderstone dash'd heavy on the bucklers,

As round his corpse they fought: but he, amid a dust-tornado,

775

Forgetful of his horsemanships, lay mightily and mighty.

Now when the lofty-climbing Sun had touch'd his noon of heaven,

Thenceforth from either side the darts did fly, and people perish.

But from what time the Sun declin'd, freeing from toil the oxen;

Then, overriding doom's decree, Achaian might was higher.

780

Out of the mall of darts they dragg'd Kebriones the hero,

And from the itian din; and stripp'd the armour from his shoulders;

And at the foes, with bitter soul, again Patroclus sallied.

Upon them thrice he rush'd, in weight a match for eager Ares,

With dreadful yell of battle: thrice, nine heroes fell beneath him.

785

But when the fourth time on he sped, like to a mighty Spirit,

Then unto thee the fates unveil'd thy end of life, Patroclus!

For now the direful Shining one, advancing thro' the tumult

Unseen, confronted thy career, amid the hardy struggle.

Behind the hero stood the god, enwrapt in mist abundant,

790

Who then with palm descending smote his back and breadth of shoulders.

Dazzled and giddy were his eyes: the casque forsook his temples.

The crested vizor rolling far beneath the feet of horses

Rattled aloud: with dust and gore was the fair plume distained.

795

(Not heretofore might dust distain that horsetail-crested helmet :

But of a godlike man it screen'd Achilles' brows: but Jupiter

To wear it round his proper head and nearer bring destruction.)

800

Next, in Patroclus' hand was snapt the spear with lengthy shadow,

Huge, weighty, stout, with iron point well-capt; and from his shoulders

Down with its belt on earth was cast the anklereaching buckler.

Lastly, the princely son of Jove, Apollo, loos'd his corslet.

Stupor his heart possest: unstrung was every gallant sinew.

805

So stood he all aghast. Behind, a Dardan chief approaching,

Betwixt his shoulders fix'd the spear, - Euphorbus, son of Panthûs,

Who, in swift feet and horsemanship and spear, outwent his fellows :

(There, in his rudiments of war, full twenty chiefs he slaughter'd,

810

Struck from their chariots; when he first of his car made trial :)

Who first at thee, O charioteer Patroclus! cast his weapon,

Nor did subdue thee. Back he ran, and mingled in the tumult,

But from the wounded shoulder first the ashen weapon plucked,

Listing not well in foemen's gripe to meet unarm'd Patroclus.

815

But he, beneath the god's assault and by the spear o'ermaster'd,

Unto his dear companion-troop retreated, Fate avoiding.

But Hector, when from far he saw the mighty-soul'd Patroclus

Retiring wounded, thro' the ranks dash'd quick to overhend him,

And stabb'd him in the lowest lap, and draye, right thro', the weapon.

820

So dropt he with a crash, and sore the Achaian host afflicted.

As when in fight a wiry boar is master'd by a lion,

If on the mountain's top the twain with haughty spirit wrangle

About a petty well, where each would slake his thirst of water;

825

At length the panting hog is taught how terrible the lion:

So, when Menoetius' brave son had many lives bereaved,

In turn did Hector with the spear in close encounter slay him.

Then, vaunting o'er the fallen foe he winged accents utter'd:

"Patroclus! haply 'twas thy thought our goodly town to ravage,

830

And in thy galleys lead away to thy dear native country

A train of Troian women, reft from home and day of freedom;

O simpleton! but, them to save, do Hector's nimble horses

Spank forth in garniture of war : and with the spear am signal

Mid the warloving Troïans, myself. Lo! thus repel I

835

That forceful misery: but thou, meanwhile, art food of vultures.

Ha! wretched man! naught Achileus, albeit brave, avail'd thee;

Who, when to war thou camest, laid such charge as this upon thee :-

'Unto the smoothly hollow ships, Patroclus courser-guiding!

Hither come not to me again, until about the bosom

840

The gory harness thou hast rent of heroslaying Hector.'

So (deem I) then he spake, and troth! thy foolish heart persuaded."

To him, with puny vigour, thou, horseman Patroclus! speakest:

"Now, Hector! greatly vauntest thou: for unto thee Apollo

And Jove, the child of Saturn, give high glory. They subdued me

845

Full easily; for from my breast themselves stript off my armour.

If twenty heroes like to thee I met in equal battle,

They all should perish on the spot, beneath my spear o'ermaster'd.

But me hath deadly Fate o'ermatch'd, and bright Latona's offspring,

And, among men, Euphorbus: thou but third to slay me camest.

850

This also will I say; and thou within thy bosom cast it :-

Eke not for thee abideth life long time: for lo! already

Standeth beside thee forceful Doom and Death, to overthrow thee

By prowess of Æacides, the spotless son of Peleus."

While thus he spake, the end of death his mouth and voice foreclosed.

855

Out of his members flew his soul, and reach'd the house of Pluto,

Mourning its own sad destiny, from youth and manhood parting.

Then gallant Hector to the corpse a word did further utter :

"Why now, Patroclus! upon me bluff o'erthrow forebodest?

Who knoweth, whether Achileus, tho' child of brighthair'd Thetis,

860

May earlier, perchance, of life beneath my spear be rieved?"

With such address, he from the gash drew forth the brazen weapon,

Tramping upon the dead man's breast, who lay supine beneath him.

Forthwith against Automedon a new assault design'd he,-

Automedon, the godlike squire of courser-proud Achilles ;-

865

And much to hit him long'd: but him the nimble horses rescued,

Immortal, which, as brilliant gifts, the gods bestow'd on Peleus.

¹⁰

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

It seems at first as if everything is coming together here in Iliad 16. Achilles, best of the Achaeans, sends out his other self, Patroklos, to fight Hector and his Trojans, who are now on the verge of setting on fire and destroying all the beached ships of the Achaeans. Patroklos does in fact succeed in stopping the fire, which had been endangering not only the survival of the Achaeans but even the very existence of their notional descendants, imagined as the Greeks who are listening to the story of the Iliad in their own time. The conflagration that could have burned down the beached ships of the Achaeans is now literally ‘quenched’ by Patroklos, whose heroic action in putting out the fire of the Trojans is compared in a simile to a cosmic action taken by Zeus himself when this weather-god drenches and thus destroys in a violent rainstorm the farmlands of unjust men. Clearly, Zeus is now once again on the Achaean side of the Trojan War. But the success of Patroklos is not to last: soon after he kills Sarpedon, son of Zeus himself, in the course of a spectacular chariot fight, Patroklos now gets killed in the course of a second spectacular chariot fight. This time, Patroklos has gone too far, daring to attack not only Hector but also the divine protector of that hero, Apollo himself. Now everything is about to come apart again, and Achilles has yet to find out about the tragedy that awaits him.

draft js image error A chariot driver and a chariot fighter in a biga (two-horses chariot). Terracotta, Late Helladic IIIA–IIIB (ca. 1400–1200 BCE). Louvre Museum, CA 2959. Credit line: Purchase, 1934. Image Marie-Lan Nguyen (User:Jastrow), 2009-06-28 [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons.

source

Homer Iliad 16.1

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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