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As ravening wolves seize on kids or lambs, fastening on them when they are alone on the hillsides and have strayed from the main flock through the carelessness of the shepherd—and when the wolves see this [355] they pounce upon them at once because they cannot defend themselves—even so did the Danaans now fall on the Trojans, who fled with ill-omened cries in their panic and had no more fight left in them.

Meanwhile great Ajax kept on trying to drive a spear into bronze-helmeted Hector, but Hector was so skillful [360] that he held his broad shoulders well under cover of his ox-hide shield, ever on the look-out for the whizzing of the arrows and the heavy thud of the spears. He well knew that the fortunes of the day had changed, but still stood his ground and tried to protect his comrades.

364 Just as when, down from Mount Olympus, a cloud [ nephos] comes upon the sky [ ouranos], [365] following an earlier moment of bright [ diē] air [ aithēr], and when Zeus stretches [over the sky] a violent rainstorm [ lailaps], 366 so also was there a clamorous routing of them [= the Trojans], driven away from the ships [of the Achaeans]. Hector’s fleet horses bore him and his armor out of the fight, and he left the Trojan army penned in by the deep trench against their will. [370] Many a yoke of horses snapped the pole of their chariots in the trench and left their master’s car behind them. Patroklos gave chase, calling impetuously on the Danaans and full of fury against the Trojans, who, being now no longer in a body, filled all the ways with their cries of panic and rout; the air was darkened [375] with the clouds of dust they raised, and the horses strained every nerve in their flight from the tents and ships towards the city.

Patroklos kept on heading his horses wherever he saw most men fleeing in confusion, cheering on his men the while. Chariots were being smashed in all directions, and many a man came tumbling down from his own car to fall beneath the wheels of that of Patroklos, [380] whose immortal steeds, given by the gods to Peleus, sprang over the trench at a bound as they sped onward. He was intent on trying to get near Hector, for he had set his heart on spearing him, but Hector’s horses were now hurrying him away. 384 Just as when, under the mass of a violent rainstorm, the dark earth in its entirety is weighed down [385] on that day in autumn when water is poured down most furiously 386 by Zeus, at a time when he feels anger [ kotos] toward men and takes out his anger on them, 387 on the kinds of men who do violence [to justice] in the public assembly as they make crooked judgments about what is right and wrong [ themistes], 388 thus driving out justice [ dikē], since they do not care at all about the watchful eye of the gods, 389 and their rivers are now all filled to overflowing, [390] and many of their terraced fields are being torn away by torrential rains 391 and swept down toward the seething sea with a mighty groan, 392 flowing straight down from the steep heights above, and now all the labor of farming is going to waste, 393 —so also did the horses of the Trojans let out a groan.

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.) — 16.351 focus

οὗτοι ἄρʼ ἡγεμόνες Δαναῶν ἕλον ἄνδρα ἕκαστος.

ὡς δὲ λύκοι ἄρνεσσιν ἐπέχραον ἢ ἐρίφοισι

σίνται ὑπʼ ἐκ μήλων αἱρεύμενοι, αἵ τʼ ἐν ὄρεσσι

ποιμένος ἀφραδίῃσι διέτμαγεν· οἳ δὲ ἰδόντες

αἶψα διαρπάζουσιν ἀνάλκιδα θυμὸν ἐχούσας·

355

ὣς Δαναοὶ Τρώεσσιν ἐπέχραον· οἳ δὲ φόβοιο

δυσκελάδου μνήσαντο, λάθοντο δὲ θούριδος ἀλκῆς.

Αἴας δʼ ὃ μέγας αἰὲν ἐφʼ Ἕκτορι χαλκοκορυστῇ

ἵετʼ ἀκοντίσσαι· ὃ δὲ ἰδρείῃ πολέμοιο

ἀσπίδι ταυρείῃ κεκαλυμμένος εὐρέας ὤμους

360

σκέπτετʼ ὀϊστῶν τε ῥοῖζον καὶ δοῦπον ἀκόντων.

ἦ μὲν δὴ γίγνωσκε μάχης ἑτεραλκέα νίκην·

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἀνέμιμνε, σάω δʼ ἐρίηρας ἑταίρους.

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἀπʼ Οὐλύμπου νέφος ἔρχεται οὐρανὸν εἴσω

αἰθέρος ἐκ δίης, ὅτε τε Ζεὺς λαίλαπα τείνῃ,

365

ὣς τῶν ἐκ νηῶν γένετο ἰαχή τε φόβος τε,

οὐδὲ κατὰ μοῖραν πέραον πάλιν. Ἕκτορα δʼ ἵπποι

ἔκφερον ὠκύποδες σὺν τεύχεσι, λεῖπε δὲ λαὸν

Τρωϊκόν, οὓς ἀέκοντας ὀρυκτὴ τάφρος ἔρυκε.

πολλοὶ δʼ ἐν τάφρῳ ἐρυσάρματες ὠκέες ἵπποι

370

ἄξαντʼ ἐν πρώτῳ ῥυμῷ λίπον ἅρματʼ ἀνάκτων,

Πάτροκλος δʼ ἕπετο σφεδανὸν Δαναοῖσι κελεύων

Τρωσὶ κακὰ φρονέων· οἳ δὲ ἰαχῇ τε φόβῳ τε

πάσας πλῆσαν ὁδούς, ἐπεὶ ἂρ τμάγεν· ὕψι δʼ ἀέλλη

σκίδναθʼ ὑπὸ νεφέων, τανύοντο δὲ μώνυχες ἵπποι

375

ἄψορρον προτὶ ἄστυ νεῶν ἄπο καὶ κλισιάων.

Πάτροκλος δʼ ᾗ πλεῖστον ὀρινόμενον ἴδε λαόν,

τῇ ῥʼ ἔχʼ ὁμοκλήσας· ὑπὸ δʼ ἄξοσι φῶτες ἔπιπτον

πρηνέες ἐξ ὀχέων, δίφροι δʼ ἀνακυμβαλίαζον.

ἀντικρὺ δʼ ἄρα τάφρον ὑπέρθορον ὠκέες ἵπποι

380

ἄμβροτοι, οὓς Πηλῆϊ θεοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα,

πρόσσω ἱέμενοι, ἐπὶ δʼ Ἕκτορι κέκλετο θυμός·

ἵετο γὰρ βαλέειν· τὸν δʼ ἔκφερον ὠκέες ἵπποι.

ὡς δʼ ὑπὸ λαίλαπι πᾶσα κελαινὴ βέβριθε χθὼν

ἤματʼ ὀπωρινῷ, ὅτε λαβρότατον χέει ὕδωρ

385

Ζεύς, ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἄνδρεσσι κοτεσσάμενος χαλεπήνῃ,

οἳ βίῃ εἰν ἀγορῇ σκολιὰς κρίνωσι θέμιστας,

ἐκ δὲ δίκην ἐλάσωσι θεῶν ὄπιν οὐκ ἀλέγοντες·

τῶν δέ τε πάντες μὲν ποταμοὶ πλήθουσι ῥέοντες,

πολλὰς δὲ κλιτῦς τότʼ ἀποτμήγουσι χαράδραι,

390

ἐς δʼ ἅλα πορφυρέην μεγάλα στενάχουσι ῥέουσαι

ἐξ ὀρέων ἐπικάρ, μινύθει δέ τε ἔργʼ ἀνθρώπων·

ὣς ἵπποι Τρῳαὶ μεγάλα στενάχοντο θέουσαι.

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.) — 16.351 focus

These, then, leaders of the Damans, slew each his man. And as murderous wolves fall upon lambs or kids, choosing them from out the flocks, when through the witlessness of the shepherd they are scattered among the mountains, and the wolves seeing it, 355 forthwith harry the young whose hearts know naught of valour; even so the Damans fell upon the Trojans, and they bethougnt them of ill-sounding flight, and forgat their furious valour. And the great Aias was ever fain to cast his spear at Hector, harnessed in bronze, but he in his cunning of war, his broad shoulders 360 covered with shield of bull's-hide, ever watched the whirring of arrows and the hurtling of spears. In sooth he knew the tide of victory was turning, but even so he abode, and sought to save his trustv comrades. And as when from Olympus a cloud fareth toward heaven 365 out of the bright air, when Zeus spreadeth forth the tempest, even so from the ships came the shouting and the rout of these; nor was it in good order that they crossed the trench again. Hector verily did his swift-footed horses bear forth with his battle-gear, and he left tbe hosts of Troy, whom the digged trench held back against their will. 370 And in the trench many pairs of swift horses, drawers of chariots, brake the pole at the end, and left the chariots of their lords. But Patroclus followed after, calling fiercely to the Danaans, with purpose of evil toward the Trojans, while they with shouting and in flight filled all the ways, now that their ranks were broken; 375 and on high a cloud of dust was spread up beneath the clouds, and the single-hoofed horses strained back toward the city from the ships and the huts. And Patroclus, wheresoever he saw the greatest throng huddled in rout, thither would with shouting; and beneath his axle-trees men kept falling headlong from their cars, and the chariots were overturned. 380 And straight over the trench leapt the swift horses—the immortal horses that the gods gave as glorious gifts to Peleus—in their onward flight, and against Hector did the heart of Patroclus urge him on, for he was fain to smite him; but his swift horses ever bare Hector forth. And even as beneath a tempest the whole black earth is oppressed, 385 on a day in harvest-time, when Zeus poureth forth rain most violently, whenso in anger he waxeth wroth against men that by violence give crooked judgments in the place of gathering, and drive justice out, recking not of the vengeance of the gods; and all their rivers flow in flood, 390 and many a hillside do the torrents furrow deeply, and down to the dark sea they rush headlong from the mountains with a mighty roar, and the tilled fields of men are wasted; even so¹ mighty was the roar of the mares of Troy as they sped on.

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.) — 16.335 focus

335 Peneleos and Lykon now met in close fight, for they had missed each other with their spears. They had both thrown without effect, so now they drew their swords. Lykon struck the plumed crest of Peneleos' helmet but his sword broke at the hilt, while Peneleos smote Lykon on the neck under the ear. The blade sank so deep that the head was held on by nothing but the skin, and there was no more life left in him. Meriones gave chase to Akamas on foot and caught him up just as he was about to mount his chariot; he drove a spear through his right shoulder so that he fell headlong from the car, and his eyes were closed in darkness. Idomeneus speared Erymas in the mouth; the bronze point of the spear went clean through it beneath the brain, crashing in among the white bones and smashing them up. His teeth were all of them knocked out and the blood came gushing in a stream from both his eyes; it also came gurgling up from his mouth and nostrils, and the darkness of death enfolded him round about.

351 Thus did these chieftains of the Danaans each of them kill his man. As ravening wolves seize on kids or lambs, fastening on them when they are alone on the hillsides and have strayed from the main flock through the carelessness of the shepherd - and when the wolves see this they pounce upon them at once because they cannot defend themselves- even so did the Danaans now fall on the Trojans, who fled with ill-omened cries in their panic and had no more fight left in them.

358 Meanwhile great Ajax kept on trying to drive a spear into Hektor, but Hektor was so skillful that he held his broad shoulders well under cover of his ox-hide shield, ever on the look-out for the whizzing of the arrows and the heavy thud of the spears. He well knew that the fortunes of the day had changed, but still stood his ground and tried to protect his comrades.

364 As when a cloud goes up into heaven from Olympus , rising out of a clear sky when Zeus is brewing a gale - even with such panic stricken rout did the Trojans now flee, and there was no order in their going. Hektor's fleet horses bore him and his armor out of the fight, and he left the Trojan host penned in by the deep trench against their will. Many a yoke of horses snapped the pole of their chariots in the trench and left their master's car behind them. Patroklos gave chase, calling impetuously on the Danaans and full of fury against the Trojans, who, being now no longer in a body, filled all the ways with their cries of panic and rout; the air was darkened with the clouds of dust they raised, and the horses strained every nerve in their flight from the tents and ships towards the city.

377 Patroklos kept on heading his horses wherever he saw most men fleeing in confusion, cheering on his men the while. Chariots were being smashed in all directions, and many a man came tumbling down from his own car to fall beneath the wheels of that of Patroklos, whose immortal steeds, given by the gods to Peleus, sprang over the trench at a bound as they sped onward. He was intent on trying to get near Hektor, for he had set his heart on spearing him, but Hektor's horses were now hurrying him away. As the whole dark earth bows before some tempest on an autumn day when Zeus rains his hardest to punish men for judging [ krinô] crookedly in their courts, and arriving justice there from without heed to the decrees [ themistes] of heaven - all the rivers run full and the torrents tear many a new channel as they roar headlong from the mountains to the dark sea, and it fares ill with the works of men - even such was the stress and strain of the Trojan horses in their flight.

394 Patroklos now cut off the battalions that were nearest to him and drove them back to the ships. They were doing their best to reach the city, but he would not let them, and bore down on them between the river and the ships and wall. Many a fallen comrade did he then avenge. First he hit Pronoos with a spear on the chest where it was exposed near the rim of his shield, and he fell heavily to the ground. Next he sprang on Thestor son of Enops, who was sitting all huddled up in his chariot, for he had lost his head and the reins had been torn out of his hands. Patroklos went up to him and drove a spear into his right jaw; he thus hooked him by the teeth and the spear pulled him over the rim of his car, as one who sits at the end of some jutting rock and draws a strong fish out of the sea [ pontos] with a hook and a line - even so with his spear did he pull Thestor all gaping from his chariot; he then threw him down on his face and he died while falling. On this, as Erylaos was on to attack him, he struck him full on the head with a stone, and his brains were all battered inside his helmet, whereon he fell headlong to the ground and the pangs of death took hold upon him. Then he laid low, one after the other, Erymas, Amphoteros, Epaltes, Tlepolemos, Echios son of Damastor, Pyris, Ipheus, Euippos and Polymelos son of Argeas.

419 Now when Sarpedon saw his comrades, men who wore unbelted tunics, being overcome by Patroklos son of Menoitios, he rebuked the Lycians saying. "Shame [ aidôs] on you, where are you fleeing to? Show your mettle; I will myself meet this man in fight and learn who it is that is so masterful; he has done us much hurt, and has stretched many a brave man upon the ground."

426 He sprang from his chariot as he spoke, and Patroklos, when he saw this, leaped on to the ground also. The two then rushed at one another with loud cries like eagle-beaked crook-taloned vultures that scream and tear at one another in some high mountain fastness.

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 16.351 focus

Thus every Grecian leader slew his man.

As ravening wolves that spring on lambs and kids,

440

And seize them, wandering wide among the hills

Beyond the keeper's care, and bear them off,

And rend with cruel fangs their helpless prey,

So fiercely did the Achaians fling themselves

Upon the men of Troy, who only thought

445

Of flight from that tumultuous strife, and quite

Forgot their wonted valor. All the while

The greater Ajax sought to hurl his spear

At Hector, clad in brazen mail, who yet,

Expert in battle, kept his ample chest

450

Hid by his bull's-hide shield, and, though he heard

The hiss of darts and clash of spears, and saw

The fortune of the field deserting him,

Lingered to rescue his beloved friends.

As from the summit of Olympus spreads

455

A cloud into the sky that late was clear,

When Jove brings on the tempest, with such speed

In clamorous flight the Trojans left the fleet,

Yet passed they not the trench in seemly plight.

The rapid steeds of Hector bore him safe

460

Across with all his arms, while, left between

The high banks of the trench, the Trojan host

Struggled despairingly. The fiery steeds,

Harnessed to many a chariot, left it there

With broken pole. Patroclus followed close,

465

With mighty voice encouraging the Greeks,

And meditating vengeance on the foe,

That noisily ran on, and right and left

Were scattered, filling all the ways. The dust

Rose thick and high, and spread, and reached the clouds,

470

As with swift feet the Trojan coursers held

Their way to Ilium from the tents and ships.

Patroclus where he saw the wildest rout

Drave thither, shouting threats. Full many a chief

Fell under his own axle from his car,

475

And chariots with a crash were overthrown.

The swift, immortal horses which the gods

Bestowed on Peleus leaped the trench at once,

Eager to reach the plain. As eagerly

Patroclus longed to overtake and smite

480

Hector, whose steeds were hurrying him away.

As when, in autumn time, the dark-brown earth

Is whelmed with water from the stormy clouds,

When Jupiter pours down his heaviest rains,

Offended at men's crimes who override

485

The laws by violence, and drive justice forth

From the tribunals, heedless of the gods

And their displeasure, - all the running streams

Are swelled to floods, - the furious torrents tear

The mountain slopes, and, plunging from the heights

490

With mighty roar, lay waste the works of men,

And fling themselves into the dark-blue sea, —

Thus with loud tumult fled the Trojan horse.

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 16.351 focus

As when the flocks neglected by the swain

420

(Or kids, or lambs) lie scatter'd o'er the plain,

A troop of wolves th' unguarded charge survey,

And rend the trembling, unresisting prey:

Thus on the foe the Greeks impetuous came:

Troy fled, unmindful of her former fame.

425

But still at Hector godlike Ajax aim'd,

Still, pointed at his breast, his javelin flam'd:

The Trojan chief, experienc'd in the field,

O'er his broad shoulders spread the massy shield,

Observ'd the storm of darts the Grecians pour,

430

And on his buckler caught the ringing shower.

He sees for Greece the scale of conquest rise,

Yet stops, and turns, and saves his lov'd allies.

As when the hand of Jove a tempest forms,

And rolls the clouds to blacken heaven with storms,

435

Dark o'er the fields th' ascending vapour flies,

And shades the sun, and blots the golden skies:

So from the ships, along the dusky plain,

Dire Fright and Terror drove the Trojan train.

E'en Hector fled; through heaps of disarray

440

The fiery coursers forc'd their lord away:

While far behind his Trojans fall confus'd,

Wedg'd in the trench, in one vast carnage bruis'd.

Chariots on chariots roll; the clashing spokes

Shock; while the maddening steeds break short their yokes.

445

In vain they labour up the steepy mound;

Their charioteers lie foaming on the ground.

Fierce on the rear, with shouts, Patroclus flies;

Tumultuous clamour fills the fields and skies;

Thick drifts of dust involve their rapid flight;

450

Clouds rise on clouds, and heaven is snatch'd from sight.

Th' affrighted steeds, their dying lords cast down,

Scour o'er the fields, and stretch to reach the town.

Loud o'er the rout was heard the victor's cry,

Where the war bleeds, and where the thickest die;

455

Where horse, and arms, and chariots, lie o'erthrown,

And bleeding heroes under axles groan.

No stop, no check, the steeds of Peleus knew;

From bank to bank th' immortal coursers flew,

High-bounding o'er the fosse: the whirling car

460

Smokes through the ranks, o'ertakes the flying war,

And thunders after Hector; Hector flies,

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 16.351 focus

Thus the Greek lords each one his man destroyed :

And then as bloody wolves invade the lambs

355

Or kids, that by the shepherd's negligence

Are wander'd on the mountains from their dams,

And kill; for nature gives them no defence;

So fiercely on the Trojans fell the Greeks,

But they no more trust to their hands, but feet.

360

Ajax to throw his spear at Hector seeks,

But with him Hector has no mind to meet,

But by th' advantage of his skill in war,

Knowing of arrows and of spears the sound,

To keep aloof from Ajax still took care,

365

And cover'd with his shield, oft shifted ground.

And though he knew the honour of the day

Would fall unto th* Achaeans in the end,

Yet from the field he went not straight away,

But staid and sought his people to defend.

370

And then as clouds rise from Olympus high,

And through the air to heaven tend upright

Before tempestuous winds; so rose the cry

At th' Argive ships. Then Hector left the fight,

And after him the Trojans take their heels,

375

But in the trench greatly encumbered were,

And many char'ot-poles they brake and wheels.

And when they of the trench were gotten clear,

Fill'd with affright was ev'ry path and way;

Thus at the ships the storm of war gave o'er.

380

The horses that were loose ran back to Troy;

And to the ships the Trojans came no more.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 16.351 focus

Thus had death from every Grecian chief

A chief of Troy. For, as to kids or lambs their cruell'st thief,

330

The wolf, steals in, and, when he sees that by the shepherd's sloth

The dams are sperst about the hills, then serves his ravenous tooth

With ease, because his prey is weak; so serv'd the Greeks their foes,

Discerning well how shrieking flight did all their spirits dispose,

Their biding virtues quite forgot. And now the natural spleen

335

That Ajax bore to Hector still by all means would have been

Within his bosom with a dart, but he that knew the war,

Well cover'd in a well-lin'd shield, did well perceive how far

The arrows and the javelins reach'd by being within their sounds

And ominous singings, and observ'd the there-inclining bounds

340

Of Conquest in her aid of him, and so obey'd her change,

Took safest course for him and his, and stood to her as strange.

And as, when Jove intends a storm, he lets out of the stars,

From steep Olympus, a black cloud that all heaven's splendour bars

From men on earth; so from the hearts of all the Trojan host

345

All comfort lately found from Jove in flight and cries was lost.

Nor made they any fair retreat. Hector's unruly horse

Would needs retire him, and he left engag'd his Trojan force,

Forc'd by the steepness of the dike, that in ill place they took,

And kept them that would fain have gone. Their horses quite forsook

350

A number of the Trojan kings, and left them in the dike;

Their chariots in their foreteams broke.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 16.351 focus

Thus slew these Greecian leaders, each, a foe.

¹²

Sudden as hungry wolves the kids purloin

Or lambs, which haply some unheeding swain

Hath left to roam at large the mountains wild;

425

They, seeing, snatch them from beside the dams,

And rend incontinent the feeble prey,

So swift the Danaï the host assail'd

Of Ilium; they, into tumultuous flight

Together driven, all hope, all courage lost.

430

Huge Ajax ceaseless sought his spear to cast

At Hector brazen-mail'd, who, not untaught

The warrior's art, with bull-hide buckler stood

Sheltering his ample shoulders, while he mark'd

The hiss of flying shafts and crash of spears.

435

Full sure he saw the shifting course of war

Now turn'd, but scorning flight, bent all his thoughts

To rescue yet the remnant of his friends.

As when the Thunderer spreads a sable storm

O'er ether, late serene, the cloud that wrapp'd

440

Olympus' head escapes into the skies,

So fled the Trojans from the fleet of Greece

Clamouring in their flight, nor pass'd the trench

In fair array; the coursers fleet indeed

Of Hector, Him bore safe with all his arms

445

Right through, but in the foss entangled foul

He left his host, and struggling to escape.

Then many a chariot-whirling steed, the pole

Broken at its extremity, forsook

His driver, while Patroclus with the shout

450

Of battle calling his Achaians on,

Destruction purposed to the powers of Troy.

They, once dispersed, with clamour and with flight

Fill'd all the ways, the dust beneath the clouds

Hung like a tempest, and the steeds firm-hoof'd

455

Whirl'd off at stretch the chariots to the town.

He, wheresoe'er most troubled he perceived

The routed host, loud-threatening thither drove,

While under his own axle many a Chief

Fell prone, and the o'ertumbled chariots rang.

460

Right o'er the hollow foss the coursers leap'd

Immortal, by the Gods to Peleus given,

Impatient for the plain, nor less desire

Felt he who drove to smite the Trojan Chief,

But him his fiery steeds caught swift away.

465

As when a tempest from autumnal skies

Floats all the fields, what time Jove heaviest pours

Impetuous rain, token of wrath divine

Against perverters of the laws by force,

Who drive forth justice, reckless of the Gods;

470

The rivers and the torrents, where they dwell,

Sweep many a green declivity away,

And plunge at length, groaning, into the Deep

From the hills headlong, leaving where they pass'd

No traces of the pleasant works of man,

475

So, in their flight, loud groan'd the steeds of Troy.

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."

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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

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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,

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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

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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:

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"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.

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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:

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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,

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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,

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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;

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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.

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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,

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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;

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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,

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 16.351

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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