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The old man next looked upon Odysseus; “Tell me,” he said, “who is that other, shorter by a head than Agamemnon, but broader across the chest and shoulders? [195] His armor is laid upon the ground, and he stalks in front of the ranks as it were some great woolly ram ordering his ewes.”

And Helen answered, [200] “He is resourceful Odysseus, a man of great craft, son of Laertes. He was born in the rugged locale [ dēmos] of Ithaca, and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning.”

Then Antenor said, “Madam, you have spoken truly. [205] Radiant Odysseus once came here as envoy about yourself, and warlike Menelaos with him. I received them in my own house, and therefore know both of them by sight and conversation. When they stood up in the presence of the assembled Trojans, [210] Menelaos was the broader shouldered, but when both were seated Odysseus had the more royal presence. After a time they delivered their message, and the speech of Menelaos ran smoothly on the tongue; he did not say much, for he was a man of few words, [215] but he spoke very clearly and to the point, though he was the younger man of the two; resourceful Odysseus, on the other hand, when he rose to speak, was at first silent and kept his eyes fixed upon the ground. There was no play nor graceful movement of his scepter; he kept it straight and stiff like a man unpracticed in oratory— [220] one might have taken him for a mere churl or simpleton; but when he raised his voice, and the words came driving from his deep chest like winter snow before the wind, then there was none to touch him, and no man thought further of what he looked like.”

[225]

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.) — 3.191 focus

δεύτερον αὖτʼ Ὀδυσῆα ἰδὼν ἐρέεινʼ ὁ γεραιός·

εἴπʼ ἄγε μοι καὶ τόνδε φίλον τέκος ὅς τις ὅδʼ ἐστί·

μείων μὲν κεφαλῇ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο,

εὐρύτερος δʼ ὤμοισιν ἰδὲ στέρνοισιν ἰδέσθαι.

τεύχεα μέν οἱ κεῖται ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ,

195

αὐτὸς δὲ κτίλος ὣς ἐπιπωλεῖται στίχας ἀνδρῶν·

ἀρνειῷ μιν ἔγωγε ἐΐσκω πηγεσιμάλλῳ,

ὅς τʼ οἰῶν μέγα πῶϋ διέρχεται ἀργεννάων.

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειθʼ Ἑλένη Διὸς ἐκγεγαυῖα·

οὗτος δʼ αὖ Λαερτιάδης πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς,

200

ὃς τράφη ἐν δήμῳ Ἰθάκης κραναῆς περ ἐούσης

εἰδὼς παντοίους τε δόλους καὶ μήδεα πυκνά.

τὴν δʼ αὖτʼ Ἀντήνωρ πεπνυμένος ἀντίον ηὔδα·

ὦ γύναι ἦ μάλα τοῦτο ἔπος νημερτὲς ἔειπες·

ἤδη γὰρ καὶ δεῦρό ποτʼ ἤλυθε δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

205

σεῦ ἕνεκʼ ἀγγελίης σὺν ἀρηϊφίλῳ Μενελάῳ·

τοὺς δʼ ἐγὼ ἐξείνισσα καὶ ἐν μεγάροισι φίλησα,

ἀμφοτέρων δὲ φυὴν ἐδάην καὶ μήδεα πυκνά.

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ Τρώεσσιν ἐν ἀγρομένοισιν ἔμιχθεν

στάντων μὲν Μενέλαος ὑπείρεχεν εὐρέας ὤμους,

210

ἄμφω δʼ ἑζομένω γεραρώτερος ἦεν Ὀδυσσεύς·

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ μύθους καὶ μήδεα πᾶσιν ὕφαινον

ἤτοι μὲν Μενέλαος ἐπιτροχάδην ἀγόρευε,

παῦρα μὲν ἀλλὰ μάλα λιγέως, ἐπεὶ οὐ πολύμυθος

οὐδʼ ἀφαμαρτοεπής· ἦ καὶ γένει ὕστερος ἦεν.

215

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ πολύμητις ἀναΐξειεν Ὀδυσσεὺς

στάσκεν, ὑπαὶ δὲ ἴδεσκε κατὰ χθονὸς ὄμματα πήξας,

σκῆπτρον δʼ οὔτʼ ὀπίσω οὔτε προπρηνὲς ἐνώμα,

ἀλλʼ ἀστεμφὲς ἔχεσκεν ἀΐδρεϊ φωτὶ ἐοικώς·

φαίης κε ζάκοτόν τέ τινʼ ἔμμεναι ἄφρονά τʼ αὔτως.

220

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ ὄπα τε μεγάλην ἐκ στήθεος εἵη

καὶ ἔπεα νιφάδεσσιν ἐοικότα χειμερίῃσιν,

οὐκ ἂν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆΐ γʼ ἐρίσσειε βροτὸς ἄλλος·

οὐ τότε γʼ ὧδʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἀγασσάμεθʼ εἶδος ἰδόντες.

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.) — 3.191 focus

And next the old man saw Odysseus, and asked:

Come now, tell me also of yonder man, dear child, who he is. Shorter is he by a head than Agamemnon, son of Atreus, but broader of shoulder and of chest to look upon. 195 His battle-gear lieth upon the bounteous earth, but himself he rangeth like the bell-wether of a herd through the ranks of warriors. Like a ram he seemeth to me, a ram of thick fleece, that paceth through a great flock of white ewes.

To him made answer Helen, sprung from Zeus: 200

This again is Laertes ' son, Odysseus of many wiles, that was reared in the land of Ithaca, rugged though it be, and he knoweth all manner of craft and cunning devices.

Then to her again made answer Antenor, the wise:

Lady, this verily is a true word that thou hast spoken, 205 for erstwhile on a time goodly Odysseus came hither also on an embassy concerning thee, together with Menelaus, dear to Ares; and it was I that gave them entertainment and welcomed them in my halls, and came to know the form and stature of them both and their cunning devices. Now when they mingled with the Trojans, as they were gathered together, 210 when they stood Menelaus overtopped him with his broad shoulders; howbeit when the twain were seated Odysseus was the more royal. But when they began to weave the web of speech and of counsel in the presence of all, Menelaus in truth spake fluently, with few words, but very clearly, seeing he was not a man of lengthy speech 215 nor of rambling, though verily in years he was the younger. But whenever Odysseus of many wiles arose, he would stand and look down with eyes fixed upon the ground, and his staff he would move neither backwards nor forwards, but would hold it stiff, in semblance like a man of no understanding; 220 thou wouldest have deemed him a churlish man and naught but a fool. But whenso he uttered his great voice from his chest, and words like snowflakes on a winter's day, then could no mortal man beside vie with Odysseus; then did we not so marvel to behold Odysseus' aspect.

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.) — 3.161 focus

161 But Priam bade her draw nigh. "My child," said he, "take your seat in front of me that you may see your former husband, your kinsmen and your friends. I lay no responsibility [ aitia] upon you, it is the gods, not you who are responsible [ aitioi]. It is they that have brought about this terrible war with the Achaeans. Tell me, then, who is yonder huge hero so great and goodly? I have seen men taller by a head, but none so comely and so royal. Surely he must be a king."

171 "Sir," answered Helen, "father of my husband, dear and reverend in my eyes, would that I had chosen death rather than to have come here with your son, far from my bridal chamber, my friends, my darling daughter, and all the companions of my girlhood. But it was not to be, and my lot is one of tears and sorrow. As for your question, the hero of whom you ask is Agamemnon, son of Atreus, a good king and a brave warrior, brother-in-law as surely as that he lives, to my abhorred and miserable self."

181 The old man marveled at him and said, "Happy son of Atreus, child of good fortune. I see that the Achaeans are subject to you in great multitudes. When I was in Phrygia I saw much horsemen, the people of Otreus and of Mygdon, who were camping upon the banks of the river Sangarios; I was their ally, and with them when the Amazons, peers of men, came up against them, but even they were not so many as the Achaeans."

191 The old man next looked upon Odysseus; "Tell me," he said, "who is that other, shorter by a head than Agamemnon, but broader across the chest and shoulders? His armor is laid upon the ground, and he stalks in front of the ranks as it were some great woolly ram ordering his ewes."

199 And Helen answered, "He is Odysseus, a man of great craft, son of Laertes . He was born in the district [ dêmos] of rugged Ithaca , and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning."

203 On this Antenor said, "my lady, you have spoken truly. Odysseus once came here as envoy about yourself, and Menelaos with him. I received them in my own house, and therefore know both of them by sight and conversation. When they stood up in presence of the assembled Trojans, Menelaos was the broader shouldered, but when both were seated Odysseus had the more royal presence. After a time they delivered their message, and the speech of Menelaos ran trippingly on the tongue; he did not say much, for he was a man of few words, but he spoke very clearly and to the point, though he was the younger man of the two; Odysseus, on the other hand, when he rose to speak, was at first silent and kept his eyes fixed upon the ground. There was no play nor graceful movement of his scepter; he kept it straight and stiff like a man unpracticed in oratory - one might have taken him for a mere churl or simpleton; but when he raised his voice, and the words came driving from his deep chest like winter snow before the wind, then there was none to touch him, and no man thought further of what he looked like."

225 Priam then caught sight of Ajax and asked, "Who is that great and goodly warrior whose head and broad shoulders tower above the rest of the Argives?"

228 "That," answered Helen, "is huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achaeans, and on the other side of him, among the Cretans, stands Idomeneus looking like a god, and with the leaders of the Cretans round him. Often did Menelaos receive him as a guest in our house when he came visiting us from Crete . I see, moreover, many other Achaeans whose names I could tell you, but there are two whom I can nowhere find, Castor, breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer; they are children of my mother, and own brothers to myself. Either they have not left Lacedaemon , or else, though they have brought their ships, they will not show themselves in battle for the shame and disgrace that I have brought upon them."

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 3.191 focus

Then Priam saw Ulysses, and inquired: -

"Dear daughter, tell me also who is that,

Less tall than Agamemnon, yet more broad

In chest and shoulders. On the teeming earth

245

His armor lies, but he, from place to place,

Walks round among the ranks of soldiery,

As when the thick-fleeced father of the flocks

Moves through the multitude of his white sheep."

And Jove-descended Helen answered thus:-

250

"That is Ulysses, man of many arts,

Son of Laertes, reared in Ithaca,

That rugged isle, and skilled in every form

Of shrewd device and action wisely planned."

Then spake the sage Antenor: "Thou hast said

255

The truth, O lady. This Ulysses once

Came on an embassy, concerning thee,

To Troy with Menelaus, great in war;

And I received them as my guests, and they

Were lodged within my palace, and I learned

260

The temper and the qualities of both.

When both were standing 'mid the men of Troy,

I marked that Menelaus's broad chest

Made him the more conspicuous, but when both

Were seated, greater was the dignity

265

Seen in Ulysses. When they both addressed

The council, Menelaus briefly spake

In pleasing tones, though with few words, -as one

Not given to loose and wandering speech, - although

The younger. When the wise Ulysses rose,

270

He stood with eyes cast down, and fixed on earth,

And neither swayed his sceptre to the right

Nor to the left, but held it motionless,

Like one unused to public speech. He seemed

An idiot out of humor. But when forth

275

He sent from his full lungs his mighty voice,

And words came like a fall of winter snow,

No mortal then would dare to strive with him

For mastery in speech. We less admired

The aspect of Ulysses than his words."

280

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 3.191 focus

This said, once more he view'd the warrior-train:

'What's he, whose arms lie scatter'd on the plain?

'Broad is his breast, his shoulders larger spread,

255

'Though great Atrides overtops his head.

'Nor yet appear his care and conduct small;

'From rank to rank he moves, and orders all.

'The stately ram thus measures o'er the ground,

'And, master of the flocks, surveys them round.'

260

Then Helen thus: 'Whom your discerning eyes

'Have singled out, is Ithacus the wise:

'A barren island boasts his glorious birth;

'His fame for wisdom fills the spacious earth.'

Antenor took the word, and thus began:

265

'Myself, O king! have seen that wondrous man;

When, trusting Jove and hospitable laws,

To Troy he came, to plead the Grecian cause;

(Great Menelaus urg'd the same request;)

'My house was honour'd with each royal guest:

270

'I knew their persons, and admir'd their parts,

'Both brave in arms, and both approv'd in arts.

'Erect, the Spartan most engag'd our view;¹

'Ulysses seated greater reverence drew.

'When Atreus' son harangu'd the list'ning train,

275

'Just was his sense, and his expression plain,

'His words succinct, yet full, without a fault;

'He spoke no more than just the thing he ought.

'But when Ulysses rose, in thought profound,

'His modest eyes he fix'd upon the ground;

280

'As one unskill'd or dumb, he seem'd to stand,

'Nor rais'd his head, nor stretch'd his sceptred hand;

'But when he speaks, what elocution flows!

'Soft as the fleeces of descending snows,

'The copious accents fall, with easy art;

285

'Melting they fall, and sink into the heart!

'Wondering we hear, and, fix'd in deep surprise,

'Our ears refute the censure of our eyes.'

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 3.191 focus

Again Ulysses coming in his sight,

185

Tell me, said he, sweet daughter, who is this ?

He wants the head of Agamemnon's height,

But at the breast and shoulders broader is.

His arms lie still upon the ground ; but he

In no one certain place himself can keep,

190

But through the ranks and files runs busily,

Just as a ram runs in a fold of sheep.

To this Jove's daughter, Helen, thus replies.

Ulysses 'tis, the old Laertes' son,

Of Ithaca; to counsel and devise,

195

In all the army like him there is none.

O Helen, said Antenor, you say right;

On your affair he once came into Troy

With Menelaus. I did them both invite

To sup with me; and in my house they lay.

200

I them compar'd. When at their audience

They both stood up, Atrides taller seem'd ;

Sitting Ulysses won most reverence,

And was amongst the people most esteem'd.

And when they were orations to make,

205

Atrides' words went easily and close,

For little he, but to the purpose spake,

Though th' younger man. But when Ulysses rose,

Upon the ground a while he fix'd his eyes,

Nor ever mov'd the sceptre in his hand;

210

You would have thought him sullen or unwise,

That did not yet his bus'ness understand.

But when his voice was raised to the height,

And like a snow upon a winter's day

His gentle words fell from him, no man might

215

With him compare; so much his words did weigh.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 3.191 focus

Then (seeing Ulysses next) he said: "Lov'd daughter, what is he

That, lower than great Atreus' son, seems by the head to me,

Yet, in his shoulders and big breast, presents a broader show?

215

His armour lies upon the earth; he up and down doth go,

To see his soldiers keep their ranks, and ready have their arms,

If, in this truce, they should be tried by any false alarms.

Much like a well-grown bell-wether, or feltred ram, he shows,

That walks before a wealthy flock of fair white-fleeced ewes."

220

High Jove and Leda's fairest seed to Priam thus replies :

"This is the old Laertes' son, Ulysses, call'd the wise;

Who, though unfruitful Ithaca was made his nursing seat,

Yet knows he every sort of sleight, and is in counsels great."

The wise Antenor answer'd her: "'Tis true, renowned dame,

225

For, some times past, wise Ithacus to Troy a legate came,

With Menelaus, for your cause; to whom I gave receipt

As guests, and welcom'd to my house, with all the love I might.

I learn'd the wisdoms of their souls, and humours of their blood ;

For when the Trojan council met, and these together stood,

230

By height of his broad shoulders had Atrides eminence,

Yet, set, Ulysses did exceed, and bred more reverence.

And when their counsels and their words they wove in one, the speech

Of Atreus' son was passing loud, small, fast, yet did not reach

To much, being naturally born Laconical, nor would

235

His humour lie for anything, or was, like th' other, old;

But when the prudent Ithacus did to his counsels rise,

He stood a little still, and fix'd upon the earth his eyes,

His sceptre moving neither way, but held it formally,

Like one that vainly doth affect. Of wrathful quality,

240

And frantic (rashly judging him) you would have said he was,

¹²

But when out of his ample breast he gave his great voice pass,

And words that flew about our ears like drifts of winter's snow,

Nonethenceforth might contend with him, though nought admir'd for show."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 3.191 focus

Ulysses, thus enquired. My child, declare

Him also. Shorter by the head he seems

Than Agamemnon, Atreus' mighty son,

But shoulder'd broader, and of ampler chest;

230

He hath disposed his armour on the plain,

But like a ram, himself the warrior ranks

Ranges majestic; like a ram full-fleeced

By numerous sheep encompass'd snowy-white.

To whom Jove's daughter Helen thus replied.

235

In him the son of old Laertes know,

Ulysses; born in Ithaca the rude,

But of a piercing wit, and deeply wise.

Then answer thus, Antenor sage return'd.

Princess thou hast described him: hither once

240

The noble Ithacan, on thy behalf

Embassador with Menelaus, came :

Beneath my roof, with hospitable fare

Friendly I entertained them. Seeing then

Occasion opportune, I closely mark'd

245

The genius and the talents of the Chiefs,

And this I noted well; that when they stood

Amid the assembled counsellors of Troy,

Then Menelaus his advantage show'd,

Who by the shoulders overtopp'd his friend.

250

But when both sat, Ulysses in his air

Had more of state and dignity than he.

In the delivery of a speech address'd

To the full senate, Menelaus used

Few words, but to the matter, fitly ranged,

255

And with much sweetness utter'd; for in loose

And idle play of ostentatious terms

He dealt not, though he were the younger man.

But when the wise Ulysses from his seat

Had once arisen, he would his downcast eyes

260

So rivet on the earth, and with a hand

That seem'd untutor'd in its use, so hold

His sceptre, swaying it to neither side,

That hadst thou seen him, thou hadst thought him, sure,

Some chafed and angry idiot, passion-fixt.

265

Yet, when at length, the clear and mellow base

Of his deep voice brake forth, and he let fall

His chosen words like flakes of feather'd snow,

None then might match Ulysses; leisure, then,

Found none to wonder at his noble form.

270

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 3 focus

BOOK III

When severally thus were they beneath their leaders marshall'd,

The Troian ranks, like flocks of fowl, mov'd on with noise and clatter;

As verily the scream of cranes across the sky is carried,

Who, scar'd by storm ineffable, and by the scowl of winter,

Soar on the pinion clamouring toward the streams of Ocean,

Unto the men of Pygmy breed murder and ruin bearing,

And at the early morning, set dire controversy forward.

But yon Achaians, breathing might, march'd all of them in silence,

Each for his comrade resolute some feat of arms to venture.

And as, along a mountain's tops, mist from the South wind gathers,

To shepherds hateful, but to thief than shades of night more friendly,

And so far as one casts a stone, may each man see before him;

¹²

Sothen the dustwave wreath'd in storm was rais'd beneath their tramping,

As on they went: and speedily the breadth of plain travers'd they.

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

Foremost among the ranks of Troy stood godlike Alexander,

With panther skin and bending bow slung loosely from his shoulder

And cutlass; but in double hand two brazen-pointed lances

He brandish'd, and loud challenge made to all the Argive bravest,

In battle's perilous debate with adverse force to combat.

When Menelas, by Ares lov'd, descried his foe advancing

With long and lofty stride, before the common crowd of Troians;

His joy was as a lion's joy, on some large game alighting,

Whether an antler-bearing stag or roebuck meet his clutches;

For he in hungry mood, I ween, doth greedily devour it,

Though hard upon his traces press swift hounds and lusty callants.

So Meneläus joy'd to meet the godlike Alexander

Beneath his eyes; for he, in sooth, thought to repay the guilty;

And straightway from his chariot leapt to the ground in armour.

But when the godlike Alexander him discover'd sudden

Appearing in the foremost ranks, his tender heart was smitten;

And back he to his comrade-troop, avoiding fate, retreated.

As when a startled man, within the thickets of a mountain,

Hath sudden met a serpent's eye, his limbs are seiz'd with tremor,

And helplessly recoileth he, and o'er his cheek is paleness;

So then, in fear of Atreus' son, did godlike Alexander

Shrink timorously back, within the crowd of haughty Troians.

But Hector saw, and bitterly with words of scorn address'd him:

"Ill omen'd Paris! fair of face! seducer! woman-frenzied!

Oh that thou never birth hadst known, or hadst unwedded perish'd!

For this would I prefer for thee, and far more gainful were it,

Than thus to be a contumely and mark of hate for others.

Troth! loud and scornfully do laugh the streaming-hair'd Achaians,

Who say, that with a face so fair thy prowess in the battle

Must needs excel: but thou in soul nor force nor vigour bearest.

Didst thou, with such a heart as that, belov'd companions gather,

And o'er the briny waters sail in the sea-coursing galleys,

And, mix'd with men of foreign soil, bear off a beauteous woman,

A bride of chieftain warriours, from out the land of Apis;

A mighty torment to thy sire, the town, and all the country;

A triumph to thy enemies but to thyself dishonour?

In sooth 'twas wiser, not to wait for warlike Menelaüs,

Or put the might of him to proof whose bloomingspouse thou holdest.

For not thy harp would succour thee, nor gifts of Aphrodite,

Nor tresses nor fair features, when thou wouldst in dust be mingled.

But very cravens are the folk; or thou, long since, in guerdon

For all the mischief thou hast wrought, wouldst wear a stony tunic."

But thus responsively to him spake godlike Alexander:

"With right, and not beyond the right, hast thou reproach'd me, Hector!

Ever thy heart unworn doth last, like edge of axe unblunted,

Which by the arm of him, whose skill a galley's timber shapeth,

Grides through a plank, and mightily the force of man increaseth:

So in thy bosom undismay'd abideth aye thy purpose.

Blame not in me the lovely gifts of golden Aphrodite;

For not to be rejected are the glorious gifts of heaven,

Which, at their pleasure, gods bestow, and none at will may seize them.

But now, if still thou wishest me to enter war and combat,

Cause all the rest to sit at ease, Achaïans and Troians,

But Menelas, by Ares lov'd, match thou with me together,

For Helen and for all her gear in feats of war to bargain.

And whichsoe'er may victor be and mightier in prowess,

Let him the woman have at home and all her gear around her.

And ye the rest, well reconcil'd in faithful oaths and friendship,

Dwell o'er the loamy fields of Troy; but yonder host may voyage

To courser-feeding Argos and Achaia, fair with women.

He spake: and great was Hector's joy, to hear his brother's errand.

Along the Troian front he mov'd, and check'd their close battalions,

Grasping his spear midway; but all stood motionless in order.

Then many an arrowshot at him the streaming-hair'd Achaians

Sent eagerly, and many a stone and javelin they darted:

But Agamemnon, prince of men, perceiv'd and shouted loudly:

"Hold, hold, Achaians! dart not, shoot not, warriours of Argos!

For Hector, of the motley helm, some word to speak engageth."

Thus when he spake, they paus'd from fight, and quick were hush'd in silence,

To listen: then mid both the hosts spake motleyhelmed Hector.

"Hear me, ye Troians! hear me too, ye dapper-greav'd Achaians;

In Alexander's name I speak, for whom this strife hath risen.

He biddeth that the rest of us, Achaïans and Troians,

Upon the many-feeding earth put off our beauteous armour;

But twixt the armies he himself and warlike Menelaüs,

For Helen and for all her gear, alone in fight will bargain:

And whichsoe'er may victor be and mightier in prowess,

Let him the woman have at home and duly take her dowry,

And us the rest be reconcil'd in faithful oaths and friendship."

He ended: and on either side they all were dumb in silence.

Then Menelaüs, good at need, thus spake his word among them.

"To me too listen, all of you! for sense of wrong and outrage

Me chiefly reacheth: now at length I trust to part the combat

Of Argive and of Troïan; sith many a woe hath pierc'd you

Out of my quarrel, and on score of Alexander's frenzy.

100

But of us two whichever be to fate and slaughter destin'd,

Die let him; so to you the rest be combat quickly parted.

Twin lambs of adverse sex bring ye- one white, the other dusky,

For Earth and heavenly Sun: but we for Jove will bring another.

And fetch ye noble Priam's self, to ratify the treaties

105

In person;-sith his children are outrageous and faithless;-

Lest Jove's high treaties damag'd be by aught of rash transgression.

For younger men's intentions float unstable and untrusty:

But if an old man interpose, forward at once and backward

Glanceth his thought, how either side may best arrange the future."

110

He spake; and gladden'd by his word both Troians and Achaians,

With hope that war's calamities their destin'd end were reaching.

So drew they up their steeds in line, and from their cars dismounted,

And from their sides the armour stript and on the earth reclin'd it,

Each army to the other near, with scanty space betwixt them.

115

Then to the city heralds twain right speedily did Hector

Forward dispatch, two lambs to fetch, and bear the call to Priam.

But royal Agamemnon sent Talthybius on errand

The smoothly-hollow ships to seek, and bring for the Achaians

One lamb; nor he unfaithful was to godlike Agamemnon.

120

Iris meanwhile as messenger arriv'd to white-arm'd Helen,

In form like to Laodice, whom royal Helicaon

Antenor's son, in marriage held, —old Priam's fairest daughter.

Helen within her hall she found; but she a mighty tissue

125

Was working,-purple, double web, - and many a toil embroider'd

Of courser-taming Troians and brazen-cloak'd Achaians,

Which for her sake they still endur'd beneath the hands of Ares.

Then Iris swift of foot drew near, and stood, and spake her message:

"Lady beloved, hither come, the wondrous deeds to witness

130

Of courser-taming Troians and brazen-cloak'd Achaians;

Who formerly, across the plain, with thirst of deadly contest,

Each upon other bare the rage of tear-abounding Ares:

But lo! in silence sit they now, and respite have from battle,

Leaning upon their shields; and near, are fix'd their lengthy lances.

135

But Meneläus, lov'd by Ares, he and Alexander

In single combat shall for thee with lengthy lances bargain.

And whoso winneth, him shalt thou as consort dear acknowledge."

Thus spake the goddess, and within the heart of Helen wafted

Sweet longings for her ancient lord, her city, and her parents.

140

And instantly with limbs enwrapt in folds of gauzy splendour,

Forth from the bower hurried she, a tender tear distilling,

But not alone: as retinue beside her, two companions

Attended,-large-ey'd Clymene and Aethre, Pittheus' daughter.

Quickly above the gates of Troy, —the Skæan gates-arriv'd they;

145

Where, at the royal Priam's side, Panthöus and Thymoetes

And Hiketaon, branch of Ares, Clytius and Lampus,

Antenor and Ucalegon, aged alike and prudent,

Over the Skæan gates of Troy, high aldermen, were sitting:

Who verily through age were slack for battle; but in council

150

Laborious, to crickets like, which, mid the dewy forest,

Perch'd on a bush, unceasingly their tiny treble quaver:

⁴

Such then upon the tower sat the leaders of the Troians.

And when they Helen now beheld on to the tower coming,

In winged accents softly one made whisper to another:

155

" For such a woman, none can blame, if dapper-greav'd Achaians

Against the Troians many a year choose bitter woe to suffer.

Unto the deathless goddesses her face hath awful likeness.

Still let her, e'en though such she is, hie homeward in her galleys,

Nor here be left a pestilence for us and for our children.

160

While thus they whisper'd, Priam spake, and call'd the name of Helen:

"Hither advance thee, dearest child, and take thy seat before me,

To see thy former lord amid his kinsman and his comrades:

Not upon thee the blame I cast: the gods it is, that grieve me,

Who from the Achaians visit me with tear-abounding battle.

165

But come; declare to me by name this man of bulk majestic,

Whoso among Achaian men thus comely is and stately.

For others verily there are of head and stature taller;

But nowhere yet so noble form my eyes have e'er encounter'd,

Nor so magnificent: in troth, a royal man he seemeth."

170

To him with words responsive spake Helen, divine of women:

"Dear marriage-father! thou to me art reverend and awful.

Would that I had contented been with evil death, when hither

Companion to thy son I came, abandoning my bower,

My kinsfolk and my darling girl, and lovely friends of childhood.

175

But such a fate befell me not; so now I pine with weeping.

But as for that thou askest me, that shortly will I tell thee:

This is the elder son of Atreus, princely Agamemnon,

At once a wisely-ruling king, and eke a doughty spearman.

To me the vixen-fac'd he once, methinks, was husband's brother."

180

As thus she spake, the aged man broke forth in words admiring:

"Oh blessed son of Atreus, born with favoring gods and fortune,

How many a bold Achaian youth bows humbly to thy sceptre!

Once into vine-clad Phrygia in distant days I enter'd,

Where men with motley steeds I saw, the many bands of Otreus

185

And Mygdon, who with gods might cope: such were the Phrygian levies,

Along the banks of Sangarus encamp'd in close battalions:

For I, to their alliance join'd, among their ranks was counted,

When Amazons, a match for men, invaded them with battle.

Nor yet were these so many, as the curling-ey'd Achaians."

190

Next, the old man Ulysses saw, and spake, anew inquiring:

"Come, dearest daughter; name to me, who is this second hero.

Shorter is he in stature, than Atrides Agamemnon,

But broader to the sight, across his mighty chest and shoulders.

Upon the many-feeding earth his armour lies; and boldly,

195

Amid the flashing rows of war, like some tame pet, he bustles.

Unto a ram with solid wool I verily compare him,

Who through a vast and dazzling flock backward and forward paceth."

Then Helen, born of Jupiter, to him alternate answer'd:

"This is the much-devising man, Laertes' son, Ulysses,

200

Who on the stony ruggedness of Ithaca was nurtur'd,

Well-skill'd in various enterprize and craftiness of counsel."

Then straight to her responsive spake the prudent-soul'd Antenor:

"Oh Lady! verily thy word unerringly was utter'd.

For long ago, on sake of thee, in public errand hither

205

With Meneläus lov'd by Ares came divine Ulysses.

Them did I entertain as guests and in my halls befriended,

And learn'd the features of them both, and heard their prudent counsels.

Now when amid the gather'd crowd of Troians they mingled,

While-as they stood, at shoulders' breadth was Meneläus taller,

210

But of the twain, when down they sat, Ulysses was the grander.

Whene'er, in full assembly, both did speech and counsels ravel,

Then Menelaus runningly with curt harangue proceeded.

Few were his words, but sweet and clear: no windy talker was he,

Nor rambling from his argument, though he in birth was younger.

215

But when Ulysses much-devising sudden rose before us,

He stood, and downward cast his eyes, with firm and vacant glances;

His sceptre he nor forward stretch'd, nor backward did he wield it,

But rested on it motionless, like to some empty fellow;

Some wild fanatic he might seem, or simpleton all witless.

220

But when at length from out his chest the mighty voice came gushing,

And words that hail'd incessantly, like wintry snows exhaustless,

No longer then might other mortal strive against Ulysses,

Nor longer did Ulysses' form with admiration fill us.

A third time then the aged man inquir'd, at sight of Ajax:

225

"What other of Achaian men is that, so grand and goodly,

With lofty head and shoulders broad preeminent of Argives?"

To him then Helen ample-rob'd, divine of women, answer'd:

"This is the huge majestic Ajax, bulwark of the Achaians;

And on one side Idomeneus is seen amid the Cretans,

230

Like to some god; and round him, lo! the Cretan leaders gather.

Him Menelaus lov'd by Ares oftentime did welcome

Within our hospitable home, whene'er from Crete he sallied.

Now all the rest distinguish I of curling-ey'd Achaians,

Whom rightly I could recognize and tell their names and titles.

235

Only my eye discerneth not twin marshals of the people,

The courser-taming Castor, and strong-fisted Polydeukes:

Own brothers both to me were they, both children of my mother.

Did they perchance not join the host from lovely Lacedæmon?

Or hither did they voyage take in the sea-coursing galleys,

240

But now in fight of warriours reluctant are to mingle,

Fearing the countless infamy and mockings cast upon me?"

So fancied she: but them already Earth life-teeming shelter'd

There, in their own beloved land, their native Lacedæmon.

But, for the treaties of the gods, heralds along the city

245

Carried the sacramental gear, twin lambs, and wine propitious,

Fruit of the earth, in skin of goat; while, chief of Troian heralds,

Idæus, a resplendent bowl and golden goblets carried,

And standing by the aged prince, thus urgently address'd him:

"Son of Laomedon, arise! thee now the chieftains summon

250

Of courser-taming Troians and brazen-cloak'd Achaians,

To join them on the plain below, and strike a faithful treaty.

But Meneläus, lov'd by Ares, shall with Alexander,

In single combat for their spouse, with lengthy lances bargain.

And whoso winneth, him the wife and all her gear shall follow.

255

Then too may we, well reconcil'd in faithful oaths and friendship,

Dwell o'er the loamy fields of Troy; and yonder host shall voyage

To courser-feeding Argos and Achaia fair with women."

So spake he: but the aged man shudder'd; and bade the attendants

His car to harness: busily the king's command obey'd they.

260

Then on the seat did Priam mount, and drew to him the bridles,

And on the car so beautiful Antenor sat beside him:

Thus thro' the Skæans to the plain held they the nimble coursers.

But when arriv'd they were, among Achaïans and Troians,

Upon the many-feeding earth they from the car descended,

265

And station'd them in midmost throng of Troians and Achaians.

But Agamemnon, prince of men, uprais'd him on the instant;

And up the wise Ulysses rose. Thereat, the stately heralds

Brought mutual the sacred gear; wine in the bowl they mingled,

And on the hands of adverse kings sprinkled the holy water.

270

But Atreus' son with ready hand his hunting-knife unfasten'd,

Which by his sword's great scabbard hung, companion never absent,

And shear'd from head of every lamb the forelocks: these the heralds

Parted and bare among the chiefs of Troians and Achaians.

For them Atrides loudly pray'd, with hands to heaven lifted:

275

"Oh father Jove, from Ida ruling, glorious and greatest,

And Sun, who overseest all, and hearkenest to all things,

And River gods, and mother Earth, and Ye Below, who punish

The men whose work is done,-whoe'er a perjur'd oath has utter'd!

Be all of you our witnesses, and guard our faithful treaties.

280

If Alexander win the fight and slaughter Meneläus,

Then let him keep his foreign wife and all her gear beside her;

And we the rest will homeward go in our sea-coursing galleys.

But if the auburn Meneläus slaughter Alexander,

Then let the Troians straight restore Helen and all her dowry,

285

And let them pay to us beside a forfeit that is seemly,

And which to folk as yet unborn may tarry in possession.

But if, tho' Alexander fall, Priam and Priam's children

Refuse the treaty to fulfil and pay to me the forfeit,

Then I, abiding here, will still, on score of that amercement,

290

In warfare persevere, until I reach the end of battle."

He spake, and thro' the victims'throats deep drove the keenedg'd weapon

Of brass unpitying; but they upon the ground lay gasping,

Relax'd and helpless; for the knife had all their vigour emptied:

The chiefs then dipping in the bowl took up the wine in goblets,

295

And to the gods of birth eternal pour'd with invocation.

And thus did one or other speak of Troians and Achaians:

"Jove greatest and most glorious! and all ye gods immortal!

Whichever side shall work annoy, and first transgress the treaties,

As thus the wine on earth is spilt, so may their brains be sprinkled,

300

Theirs and their children's; but their wives a booty be to others!"

So prayed they; but Saturn's child not yet the vow accomplish'd.

Then Priam, sprung from Dardanus, thus spake his word among them:

"Hear me, ye Troians; hear me too, ye dapper-greav'd Achaians!

Back now to windy Ilium must I return: for never

305

Could father's eyes endure to see his own beloved offspring

With Meneläus lov'd of Ares join in deadly battle.

Haply 'tis known to Jupiter and other gods immortal,

For which of these two combatants the end of death is destin'd."

So spake the godlike man; and plac'd upon his car the victims;

310

Then mounted he the seat himself, and drew to him the bridles,

And on the car so beautiful Antenor sat beside him:

Thus back to Ilium the twain did sorrowfully travel.

Then with divine Ulysses' aid Hector the son of Priam

First measur'd out the ground for fight; thereafter, each producing

315

A lot for either chief, within the brazen-plated helmet

Shuffled and shook to see which first should hurl the brazen weapon.

Then all the peoples made their pray'r, with hands to heaven lifted,

And thus did one or other speak of Troians and Achaians:

"Oh father Jove, from Ida ruling, glorious and greatest!

320

Whichever chieftain of the twain hath put this work betwixt us,

Grant that his life its refuge make within the house of Pluto,

And we the rest be reconcil'd in faithful oaths and friendship."

So spake they; but with eyes revers'd great motley-helmed Hector

Toss'd up the morion; and swift out leapt the lot of Paris.

325

Then all in either host did take their seat in comely order,

Where stood their nimblefooted steeds and lay their curious armour.

But round his shoulders thereupon the godlike Alexander,

Lord of the bright-hair'd Helen, plac'd his all-resplendent harness.

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

330

He fasten'd; but, to guard his chest, his brother dear, Lycaon,

Lent him a corslet of his own; but him it fitted bravely.

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

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

335

And on his gallant head he put a leathern helm well-plated,

Bushy with horsetail; dreadfully the crest above it nodded:

Last, pick'd he out a sturdy spear unto his grasp adapted.

So warlike Meneläus too equipp'd himself for battle.

When thus apart from either host the twain were well accoutred,

340

In measur'd step their posts they took mid Troians and Achaians,

With dreadful glances. Deep amazement held the hearts of gazers,

Both courser-taming Troians and dapper-greav'd Achaians.

There, at short distance, stood they both, upon the ground appointed,

Their adverse lances brandishing, indignant each at other.

345

First Alexander forward threw the spear with lengthy shadow

And hit the shield of Atreus' son which equal was on all sides;

Nor might the metal force its way, but first the point was broken,

By the bluff shield resisted. Next, Atrides Meneläus,

With pray'r to father Jupiter, prepar'd to hurl his weapon.

350

"Grant vengeance, royal Jove! to me, and neath my hands lay prostrate

The godlike Alexander, who in injury was foremost:

That e'en in late posterity, each may hereafter shudder,

Mischief to work against a host who op'd his doors in friendship."

He spake; and poising, forward threw the spear with lengthy shadow,

355

And hit the shield of Priam's son which equal was on all sides.

Right thro' the shield's resplendency hurtled the massy weapon,

And thro'the corslet's crafty work with rush uncheck'd was planted:

Close to his side from front to back it glided thro' the tunic,

Harmless; for quick the hero flinch'd and gloomy fate avoided.

360

Thereat, the son of Atreus drew his sword with silver studded,

And rising smote the helmet's ridge: but instantly the weapon

Out of his hand all aidless dropt, threefold and fourfold shiver'd.

Then gazing up to heaven high, the son of Atreus groaned:

"Oh father Jove, of all the gods none is, like thee, malignant.

365

For all his baseness, troth! I thought to punish Alexander:

But now within my hands the sword is broken; and the jav'lin

Was vainly darted from my arm, nor have I hit my foeman."

He spake, and wildly rushing, seiz'd the helmet thick with horsetail,

And twisting haul'd his foe toward the dapper-greav'd Achaians.

370

But him, around his tender neck, the embroider'd strap was choking,

Which to his triplecrested casque beneath his chin was fasten'd.

Then surely had he dragged him off and earn'd surpassing glory,

But that Jove's daughter Aphrodite speedily perceiv'd it,

And burst in twain the leathern thong of the bull stoutly slaughter'd,

375

And empty in his broad hand left the triplecrested helmet.

The hero thereupon, amid the dapper-greav'd Achaians,

Toss'd it with whirl indignant: but his comrades dear regain'd it.

Then back again with brazen lance against his helmless foeman

He rush'd, all eagerness to slay: but him did Aphrodite

380

Rescue, as gods do, easily, and wrapp'd in mist abundant,

And cradled him in fragrancy, within his perfum'd bower.

Again then sallied she herself, Helen to call: and found her

Upon a tower high; and round were Troian women many.

The goddess seizing with her hand the robe that breath'd of nectar,

385

Took Shook it, beneath the semblance hid of an eld-stricken woman,

Who, diligent of carding wool, in beauteous tasks was skilful,

And greatly Helen lov'd, when she dwelt yet in Lacedæmon.

In such similitude, to her spake heav'nly Aphrodite.

"Come hither! Alexander calls: at home he claims thy presence.

390

There in his bower tarries he, upon his turned sofa,

With garb and beauty glistening: and not from fight of heroes

Wouldst thou pronounce him fresh arriv'd, but to the dance proceeding,

Or, haply! in the dance fatigu'd, and resting from the labour."

Sne spake, and strongly did bestir the woman's heart within her.

395

Nor yet was Helen slow to mark the eyes divinely sparkling,

And eke the neck so glorious, and that immortal bosom:

She knew, and marvell'd at the sight, and spake, her name pronouncing:

"Oh elf-possessed being! why delightest to cajole me?

Dost haply, out at Phrygia or beautiful Mæonia,

400

Within some thickly-peopled town, desire to plant me further?

If, there too, thou some darling hast of voice-dividing mortals.

And now, because that Menelas to godlike Alexander

Hath prov'd in war superiour, and homeward fain would carry

Me, hateful wight; dost therefore now with cunning guile beset me?

405

Go then, and sit thee by his side; the path of gods forsake thou,

Nor let thy feet their courses bend hereafter to Olympus;

But toil for ever, him to serve; keep sentinel around him,

Until he take thee for his wife, or haply for his bondslave.

But I, not thither wend my way, - for troth! it were a scandal, -

410

Around his bed to minister; lest all the Troian women

Mock me hereafter: now, enough of woes uncounted bear I."

But her, celestial Aphrodite angrily accosted:

"Provoke me not, thou insolent! lest I in wrath forsake thee,

And such be then my enmity, as now my love is wondrous.

415

And lest against thee I devise, in both, a bitter hatred,-

Both Troians and Danaï: then vilely wouldst thou perish."

But Helen, born of Jupiter, hearing such answer, trembled.

Wrapt in a veil of dazzling white, proceeded she in silence,

By Troian women all unseen; for why? the goddess led her.

420

But when, in Alexander's house all gorgeous they enter'd,

Her two attendants actively to diverse work betook them,

But she, divine of women, sought her lofty-roofed chamber.

For her, the heavenly Queen of Smiles, immortal Aphrodite,

Carried and plac'd a double chair in front of Alexander.

425

Thereon did Helen, brilliant imp of Jove the ægis-holder,

Sit, with her two eyes turn'd away, and sharply chode her consort:

"Art come from battle? on the field 'twas thy desert to perish,

Slain by a mighty warriour, in olden time my husband.

Oft was in former days thy boast that thou, than Meneläus

430

By Ares lov'd, wast mightier with sword and spear and prowess.

But, front to front, do thou again a challenge send for combat

To Menelas, by Ares lov'd. But no! in sooth I counsel

To check thy haughty fancies, nor with auburn Menelaüs

In battle's perilous debate with equal weapons venture,

435

Imprudently; lest haply soon his javelin subdue thee."

To her with words reciprocal spake princely Alexander:

"Oh lady! wound not thou my soul with bitterness of insult.

⁵

Now, by Athene's aid, for once hath Meneläus conquer'd';

Again shall I o'er him prevail: for gods me also succour.

440

But come! in dear companionship upon the couch repose we.

For never yet so much did love my very soul encompass,-

Not even, when in early day from lovely Lacedæmon

I snatch'd thee as my prize, and sail'd in the sea-coursing galleys,

And on the isle of Cranäe in bed and fondness held thee, -

445

As now the sweet desire of thee hath ta'en my bosom captive."

Thus speaking, to the couch he led, and with him went his consort;

So mid the perforated frames the twain repos'd in secret.

But Atreus' son, amid the crowd, like some wild beast was stalking,

If here he might, or there, espy the godlike Alexander.

450

But no one of the Troians, nor of the allies so famous,

To Menelas, by Ares lov'd, might Paris then discover:

Tho' not from tenderness, I ween, had any spar'd to show him;

For, like to black destruction, abhorr'd was he by all men.

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, thus spake his word among them:

455

"Troians and Dardans and allies! unto my summons listen!

To Menelas, by Ares lov'd, the victory hath fallen.

Do ye then Argive Helen yield and all her gear around her,

Full speedily; and pay beside a forfeit that is seemly,

And which to folk as yet unborn may tarry in possession."

460

Atrides spake: and at his word the Achaian army shouted.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

The Master Narrator of the Homeric Iliad is looking here at Helen for the very first time—or, to say it more accurately, as if for the very first time. Just as Rhapsody 2 needed a new Catalogue of Ships—or, again to say it more accurately—a renewed Catalogue, so also Rhapsody 3 needs a new look at Helen. It seems as if the Trojan War is happening all over again, starting from the very beginning. The old grievances of Menelaos about the abduction of Helen by Paris can now be renewed and even relived, becoming fresh new grievances as the estranged husband and the new lover proceed to engage in mortal combat. But this one-on-one struggle over life and death will soon modulate into a renewal of all-out war between the Achaeans and the Trojans.

draft js image error Menelaos pulling Paris by the helmet. Detail of Roman sarcophagus of Aurelia Botania Demetria (2nd c. CE); Antalya Archaeological Museum. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

source

Homer Iliad 3.191

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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BOOK III

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