BOOK XI
The Queen of Morning from the bed
of glorious Tithonus
1
Uprose, to carry light to men
and eke to gods immortal.
But to the sharp Achaian ships
from Jove came Quarrel darting,
Noisome, who bare within her hands
battle's portentous ensign :
And on Ulysses' galley black
she stood; which midmost couched,
5
Huge like to some leviathan,
to shout both ways adapted,
Alike toward the tented camp
of Telamonian Ajax
And to Achilles' bands, which haul'd
their evenbalanc'd galleys
Last on the strand, on bravery
and stubborn strength reliant.
There did the goddess station her
and shouted sharp and dreadful
10
With voice highlifted, and infus'd
to each Achaian bosom
Vigour immense, unceasingly
to toil in war and combat.
And sweeter suddenly became
the battle, than the voyage
Unto their native land belov'd
on smoothly-hollow galleys.
The son of Atreus, shouting, bade
the Argive host to gird them
15
For battle: mid them he himself
in dazzling brass equipp'd him.
First on his shins the dapper greaves,
with silver anklets clever,
He fasten'd; next, to guard his chest,
enwrapt him in a corslet,
Which erst from Cinyras he gat
as hospitable token,
20
What time the mighty rumour reach'd
to Cyprus, that the Argives
Would shortly on their galleys sail
against the land of Troas.
Therefore on him bestow'd he it,
to gratify the monarch.
Ten stripes of blue and dusky steel
ran o'er its polish'd surface;
Its stripes of gold were six and six,
but those of tin were twenty.
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On either side toward the neck
three blue resplendent serpents
Did arch their throats; to rainbows like,
which on the cloudy heaven
Saturnius may plant, a sign
to voice-dividing mortals.
Then slung he round his neck the sword,
with golden studs all-brilliant,
And guarded in a silver sheath,
which hung on golden braces.
Above, he took his muchwrought shield,
man-hiding, fit for sally,
Round which ten brazen circles ran.
On the fair front in centre,
Mid twenty bosses of white tin,
one of blue steel protruded.
35
Upon it Gorgon horrid-ey'd
was carv'd along the border,
With dreadful glances; and around
sat Flight and Consternation.
The strap with silver was encas'd:
o'er it an azure serpent
Was twin'd with three out-gazing heads,
forth from one neck proceeding.
But on his head a four-plum'd casque
with double ridge he settled,
Bushy with horsetail: dreadfully
the crest above it nodded.
A pair of valiant spears he grasp'd,
with copper tipp'd and sharpen'd,
And from them shone the yellow gleam
afar into the heaven,
From Juno and Athene then
a thunder-clap forth rumbled,
45
In honor to the stately king
of gold-endow'd Mycenæ.
So to his proper charioteer
each chief gave urgent bidding,
There on the moat in order due
to bridle-in the horses:
But they themselves on foot, with arms
and panoply accoutred,
Stream'd wildly; and from early dawn
incessant rose the clamour.
50
Before the charioteers they reach'd
the moat, all fitly marshall'd.
Nor long the charioteers behind
were left: but Saturn's offspring
Amid them evil tumult rous'd,
and from the lofty heaven
Sent mistiness of gory dew;
sith that he now was minded,
Forward to fling to Aïdes
full many a gallant spirit.
55
Along a swelling of the plain,
on other side, the Troians
Stood round the mighty Hector and
Polydamas the spotless,
And round Æneias, whom the folk,
e'en as a god, did honour;
With these, Antenor's children three;
brave Polybus, Agenor,
And youthful Acamas, who bare
the form of an immortal.
60
But Hector held in front his shield,
which equal was on all sides.
And as a deadly star is seen,
from out the clouds emerging,
Allradiant, and then again
in cloudy darkness sinketh;
So at one moment Hector did
among the foremost show him,
Among the rearmost otherwhile,
to chide them; and as lightning
65
He flash'd with brass all over.
From Jove the ægisholding sire,
As when some wealthy husbandman
in months of wheat and barley
Placeth his reapers on the field,
one to another adverse;
There quickly many a row they cut,
and thick the swathes lie prostrate :
So Troians and Achaians then,
one on the other leaping,
70
Made havoc, nor did either side
take thought of deadly terror,
But raging darted on, like wolves,
and equal in the struggle
Both held their crests; and Quarrel dire
look'd down, and was delighted.
For She was with the combatants,
alone of the immortals:
No other gods were in the throng,
but all were sitting quiet
75
Each in his proper chambers, where
for every one were builded
Illustrious abodes, within
the valleys of Olympus.
On Saturn's gloomy-clouded child
they all did cast reproaches,
For-that upon the Troïans
he will'd to lavish glory.
Nor car'd the Father for their wrath;
but, with himself secluded,
80
Apart from all the other gods,
sat glorying in grandeur,
Gazing upon Achaia's ships,
and on the Troian city,
And on the flash of brazen arms,
the victors and the vanquish'd
While that the morning lasted still
and sacred day was waxing,
So long from either side the darts
did fly, and people perish :
85
But at what hour the woodman takes,
in thickets of a mountain,
His midday meal, when as his hands,
felling tall trees, are weary;
Glutted with toil, his soul by love
of pleasant food is captur'd:
At this same hour the Danaï
burst thro' the bands by valour,
90
Urging their comrades, rank by rank:
and foremost Agamemnon
Forth sallying, a hero slew,
Bianor; next, his comrade too,
Oileus from his chariot
Oïleus courser-smiting.
But he with pointed javelin
leapt down, and stood to meet him:
Nor might the helmet's rim resist,
smote straight upon his forehead;
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Mid bone and brain the weapon splash'd,
heavy with brass; but thro' it
But Agamemnon, prince of men,
and quell'd his eager hurry.
With naked breasts all glistening,
there both of them abandon'd,
100
But off he sped with deadly force
sith he had stript their armour.
Two sons of Priam, noble one,
at Antiphus and Isus,
Both in a single chariot :
one born of meaner mother,
But glorious Antiphus the spear
the charioteer was Isus;
Once at the foot of Ida caught
did wield: both these Achilles
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Bound them with tender withy-bands,
tending the sheep of Priam,
Then widely ruling Atreus' son,
but set them free for ransom.
Hit with his spear upon the chest
the hero Agamemnon,
But with his sword, beside the ear
the one, above the bosom;
Down from the car: then hurrying
smote Antiphus and cast him
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Knowing them; sith he saw them both
he stript their beauteous armour,
What time Achilles, fleet of foot,
beside the pointed galleys,
And as a lion, springing light
of yore from Ida brought them.
Of a swift hind, doth easily
upon the helpless children
Coming within their lair, and quick
betwixt his strong teeth crunch them,
115
And she, tho' near, no aid can give;
their tender spirit rieveth;
But at the stalwart beast's attack
for trembling dire doth seize her;
By frantic fear o'ermastered,
she rusheth panting, sweating,
So then of all the Troïans
thro' tangled brake and forest:
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From these; but eke the rest were
not one might ward destruction
Then royal Agamemnon met
scar'd nor dar'd to meet the Argives.
Sons of a skilfulhearted sire,
two war-abiding heroes,
Forbade to render Helen back
Antimachus; who chiefly
For brilliant gifts had he receiv'd,
to auburn Menelaüs;
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Peisander and Hippolochus,
of gold, from Alexander.
Both in a single chariot,
his sons, together driving,
A sudden tremor palsied them :
the mighty king encounter'd.
Out of their hands: but Atreus' son,
they dropp'd the glossy bridles
Rose opposite: then from the car
resistless as a lion,
130
"Save us alive, O Atreus' son!
they suppliantly pleaded:
For with Antimachus at home
and take a worthy ransom:
Many and costly; brass and gold
are large possessions treasur'd,
From these our sire would speedily
and varied forms of iron :
Soon as he learns of us alive
with boundless ransom please thee,
135
So did the Troian brothers twain
beside the Achaian galleys."
With words of rueful gentleness;
weeping accost the monarch
"In troth! if ye for father have
but ruthlessly he answer'd:
Who once, when Menelaüs came
Antimachus the crafty,
On ambassy, did straight advise
with the divine Ulysses
140
To kill them then and there, nor grant
in council of the Troians
Now shall ye suitably repay
a safe return to heralds;
He spake, and from the chariot
your sire's unseemly outrage."
Pierc'd in his bosom by the spear:
struck to the ground Peisander,
But from the car Hippolochus
so lay he, gazing upward.
145
Chopt off the hands he rais'd to pray,
leapt down: him too he slaughter'd,
And, like a pillar, sent his trunk
and gash'd his neck asunder,
These then he left; but he, where'er
to roll amid the tumult.
There sallied in, and eke the rest
the bands were thickest justled,
By footmen were the footmen slain,
of dapper-greav'd Achaians.
150
By charioteers the charioteers;
when these to flight were driven;
Thick rose the dust, which thundering
and from the plain beneath them
While fierce the foeman's blade was plied:
the feet of horses trampled,
Incessant slaying, press'd them close,
but royal Agamemnon,
As when a fire may baleful fall
still cheering-on the Argives.
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In massy flakes on every side
on a welltimber'd forest,
And, branch and root, down fall the
the curling wind doth bear it,
So fell in dust beneath the might
trees beneath its burning fury,
The heads of Troians fugitive;
of royal Agamemnon
Rattled their empty chariots
and many highneck'd coursers
160
Missing their spotless charioteers;
along the battle's causeys,
To vultures a far dearer sight,
who on the earth lay prostrate,
But Hector was by Jove withdrawn
than to their tender consorts.
From dust, from carnage and from gore,
and screen'd from battle's terror,
But Atreus' son right urgently
from hail of darts and turmoil.
165
Where standeth a wild fig tree, near
pursued, and cheer'd the Argives.
Offspring of Dardanus, the foe
the tomb of ancient Ilus,
Eager to reach the city-gate:
across the plain was streaming,
Chase; and his hands intractable
yet still did Agamemnon
But when the fleeing Troians reach'd
with carnage were bespatter'd.
170
There rallying they form'd a band,
the Skæan gates and beech tree,
Yet others still amid the plain,
and waited one for other.
If a whole herd be haply scar'd
like frighten'd kine, were scatter'd,
Who, in the dusk of night, on one
by presence of a lion,
By his huge weight and stalwart teeth
headlong destruction bringeth;
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He rends the victim, laps the blood,
its neck at once is broken;
So were they chas'd by Atreus' son,
and heart and bowels gorgeth:
Who alway slew the hindmost man,
wide-ruling Agamemnon,
And many from their chariots
and scar'd the rest before him.
By his attack: for direful was
on face or back lay prostrate
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But when at length his feet would soon
the fury of his weapon.
And lofty wall have borne him,
beneath the city's circuit
Descending from Olympus' highth
then the Sire of gods and mortals
Assum'd his royal seat, and held
to streamy Ida's summits
Then spake his summons and command
within his hands the lightning;
185
"Hie, hurry, speedy Iris! bear
to goldenwinged Iris:
While he amid the foremost foes
to Hector this injunction.-
The son of Atreus, raging fierce,
shall see the people's shepherd,
So long let him from fight withdraw,
the ranks of heroes wasting;
Against the foemen to contend
but bid the other people
190
But if a spear-thrust wound the king,
amid the hardy struggle.
And he upon his car shall leap;
or if an arrow reach him,
Vouchsafe, to slay the foe, until
then puissance I to Hector
When in the west the Sun shall sink
he reach the welldeck'd galleys,
He spake; nor disobedient
and yield to sacred darkness."
195
But down to sacred Ilium
was stormy-footed Iris,
There found she godlike Hector, son
she sped from highths of Ida.
Standing among the horses and
of skilfulhearted Priam,
Then Iris swift of foot drew near,
the chariots welljoined.
"O Hector, Priam's son, to Jove
and stood, and spake her message.
200
Sire Jupiter hath sent me forth,
an equipoise in counsel!
While thou amid the foremost foes
to thee this word to carry.
The son of Atreus, raging fierce,
shalt see the people's shepherd,
So long do thou from fight withdraw,
the ranks of heroes wasting,
Against the foemen to contend
but bid the other people
205
But if a spear-thrust wound the king,
amid the hardy struggle.
And he upon his car shall leap;
or if an arrow reach him,
Vouchsafe, to slay the foe, until
then Jove to thee doth puissance
When in the west the Sun shall sink,
thou reach the welldeck'd galleys,
So utter'd Iris swift of foot,
and yield to sacred darkness."
210
Then Hector from his chariot
and with the word departed.
Two pointed jav'lins brandishing,
leapt to the ground in armour.
Enheartening his men, and rous'd
thro' all the army went he,
Then did they gather to a ball,
the deadly cry of battle.
The Argives on the other side
and stood against the Achaians.
215
So in new fight confronted stood
strengthen'd their close battalions :
Was first to sally, bent to shine
the hosts: but Agamemnon
Utter for me, ye Muses, now,
as champion and leader.
Who of the adverse army first
who dwell in high Olympus,
Or of the illustrious allies,
confronted Agamemnon,
220
Iphidamas, Antenor's son,
or of themselves the Troians.
Who upon Thrake's loamy soil,
a man both tall and comely,
Kisseus, the Thracian prince, -the
parent of sheep, was nurtur'd.
His mother, in the palaces
sire of daintycheek'd Theano,
When with advancing years, he reach'd
did nurture him when little.
225
Still would the king detain him there,
the term of glorious manhood,
So from the bridal chamber he,
and tendered his daughter.
Arriv'd with crested galleys twelve,
at rumour of the Achaians,
But in Percota left he then
which sail'd beneath his guidance.
And came on foot to Ilium,
the even-balanc'd galleys,
230
This was the man, who foremost now
the city of his father.
When they to shorter distance came,
confronted Agamemnon.
The son of Atreus miss'd his mark,
advancing each on other,
On other side Iphidamas
the weapon sideway glancing:
Upon the girdle, rushing close,
beneath the corslet reach'd him,
235
Yet did the girdle's motley work
and thrust with weighty effort.
Like lead, was blunted in the shock,
resist him; for the weapon,
Wide-ruling Agamemnon then,
nor might traverse the silver.
The spear-shaft, tugg'd it to himself:
with lion-fury grasping
Then with the sword he smote his neck,
so from his hand he pluck'd it;
240
So, pitiable, fell he there,
and cast his body helpless.
For succour to his citizens ;
and slept a brazen slumber,
His first-belov'd, his beautiful,
far from his wedded consort,
For her a hundred kine he gave
scarce known, and dearly purchas'd.
Further, a thousand goats and sheep,
at once; and eke behote he
245
Then did Atrides, stooping low,
which countless cropp'd his pastures.
And to the Achaian troop retir'd,
despoil the lifeless body,
But when Antenor's eldest son,
bearing the beauteous armour.
Discern'd his brother's fall, his eyes
Coön, of heroes signal,
With sideway spearthrust came he on,
were veil'd with piercing sorrow.
Unseen, and smote him in the arm,
by godlike Agamemnon
Right thro' the flesh he pierc'd, until
beneath the bend of elbow :
The son of Atreus, shunning not
the point beyond it glitter'd.
Then Agamemnon, prince of men,
with sudden anguish shudder'd,
255
Yet, even so, desisted not
from fight and war, but sallied,
With spear-shaft nourish'd in the winds,
for close attack on Coön.
He by the foot was dragging off
Iphidamas his brother,
His father's son, right eagerly;
to all the bravest shouting:
But with the brazenheaded pike,
beneath his bossy buckler,
260
The monarch reach'd him, as he stoop'd,
and cast his body helpless,
And there beside Iphidamas
the brother's corpse beheaded.
So then Antenor's offspring twain
beneath the king Atrides
Fill'd up their destiny of life
and sank to Pluto's dwelling.
Now while his blood from out the gash
well'd fresh and warm, assail'd he,
265
With spear and sword and mighty stones
the ranks of other heroes.
But when the wound was dry and stiff,
and all the blood was clotted,
Then thro' the frame of Atreus's son
sank pangs of thrilling anguish.
As when the lancing throe assails
a woman in her travail,
Sharp darted from the goddesses
who wait on painful childbirth,
270
Daughters of Juno, anguish-fraught
to every mortal mother;
So thro' the frame of Atreus' son
sank pangs of thrilling anguish.
Into the car he sprang, and charg'd
the charioteer to speed him
Unto the smoothly-hollow ships:
for sore his heart was smitten.
But to the Danaï abroad
with piercing voice he shouted:
275
"Oh friends, who to the Argive folk
are governours and leaders!
To you I leave it, to defend,
the sea-careering galleys
From noisome battle-cry; for Jove,
the Counsellor, allows not
Me with the Troïans to wait
the livelong day in combat."
So spake he: but the driver lash'd
the glossy-coated horses
280
Unto the smoothly-hollow ships:
and nothing loth they gallop'd.
Their breasts with streaks of foam were white,
the dust their bellies spat-
While from the fight they bare away
the sorely-galled monarch.
But Hector, when afar he saw
the back of Agamemnon,
Loud shouted to the Troïans
and Lycians and Dardans :
285
"Dardans, who hand to hand contend,
and Lycians and Troians!
Be men, my friends! nor negligent
of furious encounter.
Gone is a hero-chief; and Jove
Saturnius hath given
To me high boast; but drive ye straight
the single-hoofed horses
1
Against the doughty Danaï,
to win a nobler glory."
290
He, by such words, in every breast
spirit and strength excited.
As when against a savage boar
or mountain-roaming lion
A huntsman by his voice doth fill
the whitetooth'd hounds with courage;
So Hector, Priam's son, a peer
to Ares, pest of mortals,
Against the Achaïans did whet
the mighty-hearted Troians.
295
Himself with thoughts of arrogance
stept on among the foremost,
And into thickest struggle dash'd,
like to a high tornado,
Which on a sea of violet
with stormy scuffle plungeth.
Then who was first, and who was last,
a sport of death and plunder
To Hector, son of Priamus,
when Jove to glory rais'd him?
300
First was Assaeus; after him
Autonoüs, Opites,
Opheltius, and Clytus' son
Dolops, and Agelaüs,
And Orus and Æsymnus and
Hipponoüs war-biding.
Such leaders of the Danaï
he slew; and next, the many.
As when with massy tempest-stroke
the driving Westwind scareth
305
Clouds by the brilliant Southwind brought,
and plump waves rolleth onward,
And by the wayward gale's assault
the crests of spray are shiver'd;
So the thick crests of Argive men
fell prostrate under Hector.
Then deeds beyond repair had been,
and carnage out of number,
310
And now the fleeing Argive host
would haply reach their galleys,
But that Ulysses cried aloud
to Diomed Tydides:
"Tydides! why this negligence
of furious encounter?
Come, gentle heart! and stand by me;
for troth! it were a scandal,
If that our galleys captur'd were
by motley-helmed Hector."
315
To him with words reciprocal
spake stalwart Diomedes:
"I verily will wait and dare:
but short will be our pleasure:
For Jove, cloud-gathering, to Troy
more than to us hath favour."
He spake, and from the horses hurl'd
to earth Thymbræus, smitten
Thro' the left bosom with the spear:
meanwhile in turn Ulysses
Laid prostrate of the selfsame prince
the godlike squire Molion.
Those then they left upon the ground,
for ever stay'd from battle.
Then plunging mid the crowd, the twain
made riot; as resistless,
Rush two wild boars with souls of pride
upon the hounds that chase them:
325
So, sallying from bay, did these
make havoc of the Troïans;
But gladly breath'd the Achaïans,
escaping godlike Hector.
The hero-pair o'ermaster'd next
a car, and two bold brethren
Chiefs of the people. Verily
their sire, Percotan Merops,
Who above all men divinations
knowest, forbade his children
330
To hero-wasting war to march:
but they his word obey'd not :
For why? the Fates to gloomy death
the youths unknowing hurried.
So from their bodies Tydeus' son,
spear-famous Diomedes,
Emptied the spirit and the life,
and stripp'd their beauteous armour.
Eke by Ulysses slaughter'd were
two champions of Troas,
335
Hippodamus the one was nam'd,
Hypeirochus the other.
Thereat, from Ida looking down,
Saturnius adjusted
The scale of carnage mutual.
The spear of Diomedes
Pierc'd in the hip Agastrophus,
a hero-son of Pæon:
Nor were his steeds at hand to flee;
and ruinous the folly.
340
But them his squire apart detain'd;
meanwhile, on foot, their master
Rag'd thro' the foremost braves, until
he lost his tender spirit.
But Hector mid the ranks descried
the twain, and rush'd against them
With piercing cry; and after him
the bands of Troians follow'd.
But Diomedes, good at need,
at sight of Hector, shudder'd,
345
Then to Ulysses, standing near,
a sudden word address'd he:
"On us now rolleth this annoy,
this overbearing Hector:
But let us stand and hold our ground,
and sturdily repel him."
He spake, and poising, forward threw
the spear with lengthy shadow,
And struck his mark unerringly,
the margin of the helmet.
350
But from the brass the brass did glance;
so his fair skin it reach'd not,
Warded by bright Apollo's gift,
the triple-plated vizor.
But Hector stagger'd back afar,
quick with his people mingling :
There to his knees the hero sank,
on his broad hand supported,
355
Low on the ground; and both his eyes
did swoon in dismal darkness.
But while the son of Tydeus went
his weapon to recover,
Afar, across the foremost ranks,
where on the earth it lighted,
Meantime did Hector breath regain,
and on the seat ascending
Back drave unto the multitude,
and gloomy Fate escaped.
360
Then chasing with the javelin,
spake stalwart Diomedes :
"Hound! thou again hast death escap'd:
yet verily the mischief
Came near to thee: but now anew
halt bright Apollo sav'd thee;
To whom, I ween, in din of darts
adventuring, thou prayest.
But when, next time, on thee I light,
I soothly will dispatch thee,
365
If, eke to me, among the gods
is found some able backer.
But now on others, whomsoe'er
I hend, shall be my onset."
He spake, and straight the armour stripp'd
of Pæon's son spear-famous.
Meanwhile, where by the mason's hand
a rocky tomb was sculptur'd
To Ilus, son of Dardanus,
an ancient of the people,
370
Thereat did Alexander crouch,
husband of brighthair'd Helen,
Behind a pillar hid, and aim'd
a shaft against Tydides,
The people's shepherd ; who, at ease,
would snatch the motley corslet
From breast of brave Agastrophus,
and buckler from his shoulders,
And sturdy helmet: but the foe,
his bow to circle straining,
375
Twang'd it: nor vainly did the bolt
speed from his hand, but lighted
On the right foot, amid the sole;
and thro' and thro', the arrow
Piercing, within the ground was fix'd.
Then gladly laugh'd the archer,
And from his ambush bounded forth,
and spake a boastful saying:
"It wounded thee: nor sped my shaft
in vain: might Heaven grant me
380
To hit thee in thy lowest lap,
and rieve thy noisome spirit!
So would at length the Troïans
have respite from thy mischief,
Who, shattering, avoid thee now,
as bleating goats the lion."
But, naught dismay'd, to him replied
the stalwart Diomedes:
"O archer, contumelious,
horn-brilliant, damsel-gazer!
385
Wouldest thou try, in arms complete,
to meet my close encounter,
No succour then thy bow should bring,
nor all thy sheaves of arrows.
Now, that my footsole thou hast graz'd,
thus fruitlessly thou boastest.
Nor more care I, than if thou wert
a silly boy or woman:
For of a pithless worthless man
unwarlike is the battle.
390
Far otherwise in sooth from me
rusheth the pointed weapon:
If that at all it hit the foe,
it quick doth lay him lifeless.
With mangled cheeks his wife is left,
in orphanhood his children,
And while on crimson'd earth he rots,
more birds than women watch him."
He spake; and close before him stood
the spear-renown'd Ulysses,
395
While Diomedes sat behind,
and tugg'd the stinging arrow
Out of his foot: but thro' his flesh
thrill'd pitiable anguish.
Into the car he sprang, and charg'd
the charioteer to speed him
Unto the smoothly-hollow ships;
for sore his heart was smitten.
400
2
Thereon Ulysses spear-renown'd
was lonely left; for no one
Of Argives by his side abode,
but fear had all o'ermaster'd.
Then he in indignation spake
to his own haughty spirit:
"Alas! what now for me is left?
to turn my back, were shameful,
Fearing the crowd; yet worse it were,
if lonely I be captur'd.
405
And all the other Danaï
Saturnius hath frighten'd.
But, O fond heart! why holdest thou
within me such discourses?
For well know I, that coward men
withdraw them from the battle;
But whoso playeth champion
in warfare, him behoveth
To stand his ground right sturdily,
and conquer or be conquer'd."
410
While all his bosom and his soul
with such debate did struggle,
Meanwhile the shielded Troïans
in close array were present,
And flankm round on every side,
the danger inmost thrusting.
As when on traces of a boar
the hounds and lusty callants
Right eagerly pursue; but he
from a dense thicket rusheth,
415
Whetting his tusk of ivory
amid his jaws loud-gnashing;
Yet round they stream, and on the spot
await his charge, tho' dreadful :
So then Ulysses, dear to Jove,
was by the Troians circled.
But, springing up, he first assail'd
the spotless Deiopithes,
420
High on the shoulder; after him
on Ennomus and Thoön
Fell deadly; then Chersidamas,
down from his horses hasting,
Beneath the bossy shield he reach'd,
and pierc'd him in the navel:
So in the dust he fell, the earth
with gripe convulsive clutching.
425
These then he left; but with the spear
Hippasides he wounded,
Charops, who proper brother was
to noblehearted Socus.
But to his succour Socus hied
a man, to gods a rival;
Who at short distance took his stand,
and spake unto Ulysses:
"Ulysses! rich of lore and wiles,
insatiate of labour!
430
Over two sons of Hippasus
shalt thou to-day have triumph,
That thou hast two such heroes slain,
and eke despoil'd their armour,
Or else beneath my spear laid low,
thyself of life be rieved."
He spake, and thrusting struck the shield,
which equal was on all sides.
Right thro' the shield's resplendency
hurtled the massy weapon,
435
And thro' the corslet's crafty work
with force uncheck'd was planted,
And from the ribs stript all the skin:
yet not did maid Athene
Permit its deadly course to reach
the vitals of the hero.
Full well Ulysses knew, himself,
not mortal was its errand,
And back his step withdrawing, gave
his answer unto Socus:
440
"Ha, wretched man! in sooth on thee
headlong destruction cometh :
Me truly thou hast stay'd awhile
from fight against the Troians;
But upon thee, I promise, here
shall gloomy fate and carnage
This day alight; and thou, low laid
beneath my spear, shalt furnish
To me a glory, and a life
to charioteering Pluto."
445
While thus he spake, the other turn'd,
and quick to flight betook him:
But ere he might escape, the spear
was fix'd between his shoulders
And pierc'd the helpless back right thro',
and reach'd into his bosom :
So dropt he with a crash: thereat
divine Ulysses vaunted:
"O Socus! son of Hippasus
wise-hearted, courser-taming!
450
Quickly hath death o'erhended thee,
nor mightest thou escape me.
Ha, wretched man! never for thee
shall sire and queenly mother
In sleep of death thy eyelids close;
but wrangling fowl shall pluck thee
With rawdevouring beak, and spread
their huddling wings around thee.
But me the Achaïans divine,
whene'er I die, shall bury."
455
He spake, and drew the massy spear
of skilfulhearted Socus
Out of his wounded flesh, and eke
from out the bossy buckler:
But after it his blood the more
gush'd out, and griev'd his spirit.
And when the Troians loftysoul'd
beheld Ulysses bleeding,
They all in scuffle rush'd on him
with mutual exhorting.
460
But he, a little, back withdrew,
and to his comrades shouted.
Thrice did he lift his voice, as high
as one man's throat may compass,
And thrice did warlike Menelas
receive the voice high-lifted;
Then suddenly his thought he spake
to Ajax, near him standing:
"Oh Joveborn governour of peoples,
Telamonian Ajax!
465
My ears are compass'd by the voice
of hardy-soul'd Ulysses,
In semblance like to that, as tho'
the Troïans had caught him
Alone, by force o'ermastering,
amid the hardy struggle.
But hurry we along the crowd;
far better 'tis to succour.
For our brave friend I fear, lest he,
cut off among the Troians,
470
Be harm'd, and to the Danaï
bequeath a mighty sorrow."
He spake, and led the way: behind,
the godlike hero follow'd.
Then soon Ulysses, dear to Jove,
they found; and Troians round him
Swarm'd, as a pack of red wild dogs
upon the mountains gather
475
Around a horned stag, whose side
a shaft hath pierc'd. Escaping,
He hurrieth, while warm his blood,
and while his knees support him,
Till the swift arrow conquers: then
the mountain-dogs raw-craving
Rend him within a shady brake:
but if the god bring thither
480
A baleful lion, quick the dogs
disperse, and yield the quarry,
So then the Troians, numerous
and gallant, throng'd Ulysses
Well-skill'd in various enterprize
and counsel: but the hero
Still with his weapon sallying
repell'd the rueful moment.
But Ajax nearer came, his shield
like to a tower bearing,
485
And stood beside him: quickly then
the foes dispers'd in panic,
And Menelas by Ares lov'd
out of the tumult led him,
Holding him by the hand, until
the squire drave close his horses.
But Ajax on the Troians sprang
and slew a son of Priam,
Doryclus, mean on mother's side;
then Pandocus he wounded
490
And Pyrasus in close attack,
Lysander and Pylartes.
As when an overflowing brook
down from the mountains cometh
On to the plain with tossing gush,
by storms from Jove escorted,
And many a dry and rotten oak,
and many a pine it beareth,
And slime and rubbish plentiful
into the salt wave casteth:
495
So then did gallant Ajax deal,
filling the plain with tumult,
Horses and heroes slaughtering.
Nor yet did Hector hear it;
For he beside Scamander's banks
far on the left was fighting,
Where chiefly heads of heroes fell
and clamour rose incessant,
500
Round warriour Idomeneus
and round the mighty Nestor.
With these did Hector company;
and ruthless deeds achiev'd he
By spear and charioteering skill,
the bands of young men wasting.
Nor the divine Achaians yet
before him had retreated,
Unless the lord of brighthair'd Helen,
royal Alexander,
505
Had stay'd Machaon, champion
and shepherd of the people,
In his right shoulder piercing him
with triple-barbed arrow.
For him the Achaians, breathing might,
were sore afraid, lest haply,
If that the battle change its course,
the foemen overhend him.
Then instantly Idomeneus
accosted godlike Nestor:
510
"Oh Nestor, Neleus' progeny,
great glory of the Achaians,
Haste, mount upon thy chariot:
beside thee take Machaon;
And quickly to the galleys hold
the singlehoofed horses.
Surely a sage chirurgeon,
skilful to cut out arrows
And overspread assuagements soft,
hath many fighters' value."
515
He spake: to him the charioteer
Gerenian Nestor hearken'd,
And straightway mounted on his car,
and took with him Machaon,
The son of Æsculapius,
chirurgeon unblemish'd;
And flogg'd the coursers, nothing loth
in flying race to speed them
Unto the smoothly-hollow ships,
whither their wishes hasted.
520
But from afar, Kebriones,
the charioteer of Hector,
Saw tumult in the Troian ranks,
and thus address'd his leader:
"O Hector, we, upon the skirts
of harshly-roaring battle,
Here company with Danaï;
but all the other Troïans,
They and their steeds promiscuous,
in dire confusion struggle.
525
Ajax, the son of Telamon,
doth rout them: well I know him;
For ample beareth he the shield,
around his shoulders hanging.
But thither eke let us direct
our chariot and horses,
Where signally both horse and foot,
propounding evil quarrel,
In carnage mutual are caught
and uncheck'd clamour riseth."
530
So spake Kebriones, and lash'd
the glossy-coated horses
With the shrillsounding scourge:
but they, to the sharp smack attentive,
Quick sped the chariot among
Achaïans and Troians,
Trampling on shields and carcases.
Beneath the car the axle,
And the broad rims orbicular,
with gore of men were pelted,
535
Splash'd from the tires and horses' hoofs.
But eager he to enter
And pierce the human mell, leapt in;
nor from the spear withdrew he
For long; but in the Danaï
awaken'd dire disorder.
With spear and sword and mighty stones
the ranks of other heroes
540
He visited; but shunn'd the fight
of Telamonian Ajax.
But Jove the lofty-benched sire
pour'd terror into Ajax.
Aghast he stood, and backward threw
his sevenhided buckler,
Turning him round, and gaz'd askance,
like some wild beast, receding
545
Step after step unwillingly,
dispirited and beaten.
And as when dogs and rustic men
have chas'd a tawny lion
From out a midmost oxen-yard,
and, thro' the long night watching,
Balk of the dainty food his maw;
forward and back he springeth,
550
Hungry and scar'd; for darts thick flung
from sturdy hands repel him,
And burning brands, which harry him,
howe'er his greed be whetted;
And in the morning, sorely griev'd
and empty, off he passeth:
So Ajax from the Troians then
withdrew, in heart reluctant,
555
Sorely distrest; for mightily
fear for the galleys mov'd him.
As a dull ass doth on the fields
resist the might of children,
Who on his hide break many a stick;
yet he the corn doth enter
And crop the juicy blade; in vain
their childish force assails him,
560
And hardly may they drive him out,
when he is fill'd with fodder:
So then the allies from distance call'd
and high-soul'd Troians, thrusting
On his mid shield with lengthy pikes,
drave Telamonian Ajax.
And Ajax one time bent his soul
to furious encounter,
565
Rallying firm, and check'd the bands
of coursertaming Troians;
At other time he turned to flee;
yet, even so, restrain'd he
The foeman's inroad on the fleet;
for still did he terrific
Twixt Troians and Achaians stand':
and spears with onward errand
570
Flung from bold hands, stood partly fix'd
within his mighty buckler,
And others midway numerous,
for glut of carnage greedy,
Ere the fair skin they might attain,
harmless in earth were planted.
When thereupon Eurypylus,
Euæmon's brilliant offspring,
Perceiv'd him by thick darts distrest,
he sudden stood beside him,
575
And hurl'd his shining spear, and struck
Phausides Apisaon,
The people's shepherd, neath the heart,
and straight unstrung his sinews;
Then onward rush'd he, and would strip
the armour from his shoulders.
Which godlike Alexander saw,
and forthwith drew an arrow
580
Against Eurypylus: the shaft
in his right thigh was planted:
There was it broken short, and sore
the wounded limb disabled:
And back he to his comrade-troop
retreated, fate avoiding.
Then to the Danaï abroad
with piercing voice he shouted:
585
"O friends, who to the Argive folk
are governours and leaders,
Rally, and ward the rueful day
from Ajax, who by weapons
Sorely is press'd, and scarce may scape
from harshly roaring battle.
But front, and meet your champion,
great Telamonian Ajax."
590
When thus the wounded hero cried,
they clos'd their ranks, and hurried,
With spears extended, shields aslant,
till Ajax came and met them:
And quickly fac'd he round, when first
he reach'd his troop of comrades.
While thus, in guise of blazing fire,
the combatants were raging,
595
The sweating mares from off the field
bare Nestor and Machaon.
Him, as he came, divine Achilles
foot-reliant notic'd;
For he upon his galley's poop,
which rose like some sea-monster,
Stood gazing on the toil severe
and all their tearful riot.
600
Then from the galley shouted he,
and call'd to him Patroclus,
His comrade: he, within the tent,
did hear; and forth he issued
A peer to Ares :-this to him
commencement was of evil.
Then gallant Menœtiades
did first discourses open :
"Achilles! wherefore callest me?
wherein my service needest?"
605
But him Achilles, fleet of foot,
address'd in words responsive :
"O godlike Menœtiades,
to my regards most pleasing,
Now deem I that the Achaïans
will fall in supplication
Around my knees : for need at length
unbearable hath reach'd them.
But now, Patroclus, dear to Jove!
hie thee, and ask of Nestor,
610
What wounded hero in his car
he carrieth from battle.
To me his hinder aspect seem'd
all like unto Machaon,
The son of Esculapius :
but his front view I saw not,
For-that the onward-hasting mares
shot speedily across me."
Thus answer'd he: Patroclus then
obey'd his dear companion,
615
And hied to speed him by the tents
and galleys of the Achaians.
When to the tent of Neleus' son
the chariot had borne them,
Upon the many-feeding Earth
the heroes twain alighted.
Thereat the squire Eurymedon
the old man's steeds unharness'd.
Themselves, upon the beach, would
dry the sweat from off their garments
620
In the sea-breeze; then entering
the tent, on couches rested.
For them a mingled drink was made
by brightlock'd Hecamede,
Daughter of brave Arsinoüs,
whom to the aged chieftain,
625
For-that in counsel he excell'd,
the Achaian choice awarded
From the fair isle of Tenedos,
what time Achilles riev'd it.
She first before them swiftly plac'd
a table, fair, well-polished,
With feet of dusky blue; and next,
on it a brazen flagon,
Pale honey, sacred barley-meal,
and drink-enticing onion;
630
Near these, a cup all-gorgeous,
with golden chasings studded,
Which the old man from home had
brought. Double its stem: on margin
Four ears stood out; aside of each
two golden doves were feeding.
To move it from the board, when full,
to others cost much effort,
635
Yet aged Nestor easily
did from the table lift it.
Then with Pramneian wine the dame,
in semblance as a goddess,
Mingled therein a drink for them,
and with a brazen scraper
First goats' cheese into it she par'd,
then barley-meal ensprinkled,
And bade them to indulge their hearts,
sith-that the drink was ready.
640
When therefore from much-parching thirst
the pleasant draught had freed them,
By friendly intercourse of talk
did each delight the other.
Meanwhile Patroclus, godlike man,
before the doors was present.
Thereat from off his shining seat
the aged chief arising,
Led him within with grasp of hand
and urg'd him to be seated;
645
Patroclus, he on other side
discreetly spake refusal :
"No seat for me, Jovenurtur'd aged
friend! nor may I be persuaded.
Majestic, quick to wrath, is he
who hither sent me forward,
To ask, what wounded hero thou
didst carry: but already
I know it; for I see Machaon,
shepherd of the people.
650
Now, to discharge my ambassy,
return I to Achilles.
Well thou, Jovenurtur'd aged friend!
the moody passion knowest
Of that dread man; who presently
mayhap would blame the blameless."
To him thereat the charioteer
Gerenian Nestor answer'd:
"But wherefore doth Achilles thus
beweep Achaia's children,
655
Be few or many wounded sore?
nor knoweth he how sorrow
Over the army wide is spread?
sith-that the Argive bravest
Lie prostrate at the galley-side,
by stab or flying weapon.
A lance hath Agamemnon pierc'd,
a lance hath pierc'd Ulysses,
660
Arrows have reach'd Eurypylus
and stalwart Diomedes ;
I a third arrow-wounded chief
have rescued: but Achilles,
Tho' valiant, for the Danaï
hath no concern nor pity.
Waits he, till, on the water's edge,
in spite of Argive effort,
665
The foe's invading fire shall warm
our sharply-pointed galleys,
And we ourselves, line after line,
be slain? for now no longer
Sinew have I, as once I had
within my buxom members.
O that I still were thus in youth
and unimpair'd my vigour,
As when of old a fray arose
twixt us and the Eleians,
670
What time, in strife for captur'd kine,
Itymoneus I slaughter'd,
Brave offspring of Hypeirochus,
who held his home in Elis.
3
Pledges of booty we would seize,
and he his kine would rescue;
But from my hand a dart was flung,
and mid the foremost struck him;
So down he fell; and round the corpse
his rustic people trembled.
675
But booty from the plain we drave
promiscuous in plenty :
For fifty were the herds of beeves,
the flocks of sheep were fifty,
Fifty the grazing troops of swine,
the goats' broad herds were fifty;
But three times fifty were the heads
of auburn steeds we captur'd,
All of the gentler sex; and foals
to many ran beside them.
680
These to the town by night we drave
within Neleian Pylos,
And glad was Neleus, that success
my early warfare greeted.
But when the Dawn her face had shown,
the heralds shrilly summon'd
All, whosoe'er on score of spoil
had claims on heav'nly Elis.
685
Thereat, from all the Pylians
the princely chiefs assembling
Distributed; for many a one
was by the Epeians plunder'd,
When, scant in numbers, we engag'd,
and worsted were in Pylos.
For-that, in former years, had come
unto our loss and sorrow
The mightiness of Heracles,
who slew our bravest heroes.
690
For, of male offspring, children twelve
were born to spotless Neleus,
But, sole survivor, I of these
was left; the others perish'd.
Therefore, contemptuous in pride,
the brazen-cloak'd Epeians
Did contumely upon us heap
and direful doings plotted.
So then my parent for himself
a herd of kine selected
695
And a vast flock of sheep; and pick'd
three hundred, with their keepers.
For, to him also, large redress
was due from heav'nly Elis.
For when, to join the race, he sent
a chariot and horses,-
Four steeds for prizes famous, -them
the prince of men Augeias
700
Kept; and sent off the charioteer,
in grief to lose his horses.
At such affairs, and deeds likewise,
my aged sire was wrathful,
And pick'd uncounted recompence:
the rest for distribution
Unto the people yielded he,
that none might miss his portion.
So we then severally dealt
the gear, and round the city
705
Unto the gods did sacrifice;
but they, together thronging,
On the third day came forth, themselves
and singlehoofed horses,
With general levy: mid their ranks
were arm'd the two Molíons,
Children in age, nor yet wellskill'd
in furious encounter.-
At distance from Alpheius' banks
the city Thryoëssa
710
Sitteth upon a lofty knoll,
farthest of sandy Pylos:
Round this their warriours did spread,
all eager to destroy it.
But when they cover'd all the plain,
and unto us Athene
Came from Olympus darting swift
with message to array us,
By night, in Pylos gather'd she
the people not reluctant,
715
But burning fierce with eagerness
of war: nor me did Neleus
Allow to busk me for the fight,
but hid away my horses;
For I, he said, not yet had skill
in deeds of warlike prowess.
Yet, even so, forth sallying
on foot, was I distinguish'd
Amid our charioteers: for so
the strife Athene guided.-
720
Near to Arene falls a stream
into the briny billow,
The river Minyeius, where
we with the steeds awaited
The heav'nly dawn; but forward
flow'd the Pylian troops of footmen.
In general levy thence we rush'd,
complete in arms accoutred,
And at the noon of day attain'd
Alpheius' sacred current.
725
Fair victims then we offered
to Jupiter o'erswaying;
A bull to Neptune did we slay,
a bull unto Alpheius,
Lastly, a heifer of the herd
unto greyey'd Athene.
Along the host, by rank and rank,
we took, each man his supper,
And by the river-banks we slept,
each in his proper armour.
730
Eager to storm our city, throng'd
the loftysoul'd Epeians,
But sudden now must they confront
a mighty work of Ares.
For when with shining beams the sun
above the earth was risen,
Our ranks upon them rush'd, with pray'r
to Jove and to Athene.
735
When contest thus arose betwixt
the Pylians and Epeians,
First I a hero slew, and won
his singlehoofed horses,
The spear-renowned Mulius;
a prince, who held in wedlock
Augeias' daughter eldest-born,
the auburn Agamede,
Skill'd in all medicínal drugs,
whatever broad Earth reareth.
740
Him with the brazen-pointed spear,
as he advanc'd, I pierced :
So down in dust he fell; but I,
into his chariot leaping,
Confronted all their champions:
but the highsoul'd Epeians
Shrunk this and that way, panic-struck
at fall of such a hero,
A leader of their chariots,
a champion excelling.
745
Then, thro' their ranks, in darted I,
like to a gloomy tempest,
And captur'd fifty chariots:
beneath my weapon vanquish'd,
Two men from every one did gripe
the earth with bite convulsive.
Now had I Actor's offspring quell'd,
the two Molion-children,
But that their widelyruling sire,
the great Land-shaking power,
750
Out of the battle rescued them
with copious mist enshrouded.
Then to the Pylians did Jove
vouchsafe surpassing puissance.
For we, across the widespread plain,
with eagerness did follow,
Slaying the men, and gathering
their arms and beauteous harness,
Until our steeds that land of wheat,
Buprasium, had enter'd,
755
Beside the rock of Olenus,
and, near the famous "Pillar,"
Aleisium. There, to return,
Athene warn'd the people.
There the last hero did I slay
and left him; but the Achaians
To Pylos from Buprasium
back their swift horses guided,
And all, to Jove of gods, gave praise,
but among men to Nestor.
760
Such was I, when in truth I was,
mid heroes; but Achilles]
Alone surviving will enjoy
his courage: much repentance
He surely, all too late, will know,
after the folk hath perish'd.
O gentle heart! thus verily
Menœtius did charge thee
Upon the day, when he from Phthia
sent thee to Atrides.
765
We two, then entering your home,
I and divine Ulysses,
Heard in the chambers everything,
how urgently he charg'd thee.
For we, the army gathering
o'er populous Achaia,
Came to the mansion noblyplac'd
of Peleus, prince of Phthia.
There found we in its ample walls
Menœtius the hero
770
And thee and Achileus; meanwhile
old charioteering Peleus
To thunderloving Jupiter
did burn fat thighs of oxen
Within the cloister of his yard;
and held a golden tankard
And pour'd from it the sparkling wine
upon the blazing victims.
So round the carcases you both
were busied: we before you
775
Stood in the threshold. Starting up
in quick surprize Achilles
Led us within with grasp of hand,
and urg'd us to be seated,
And tender'd kindly courtesy,
as is the due of strangers.
4
5
But when of eating and of drink
we had our pleasure taken,
Then foremost I our errand told,
and urg'd you, us to follow.
780
Willing were ye; and they, your sires,
in many words did charge you.
Then aged Peleus straitly charg'd
upon his child Achilles,
Alway to be preeminent,
and play the chief to others;
And Actor's son Menœtius
on thee in turn laid charges :
'Truly, my child, in princely rank
Achilles standeth higher;
785
Older of birth art thou; but he
in prowess far surpasseth:
But speak a prudent word to him
discreetly; make suggestion;
Guide with authority to good;
then shall he give compliance.'
So spake thy aged sire; but thou
forgettest; yet, be urgent
On skilful-hearted Achileus
e'en now, if-that he hear thee.
790
Who knoweth, if with heaven's aid
thou mayest by persuasion
Bestir his spirit? useful is
a comrade's exhortation.
But if, with heart foreboding, he
some heav'nly danger shunneth,
Which, from the lips of Jupiter,
his queenly mother taught him,
Yet let him thee permit, and send
the Myrmidons behind thee
795
(So haply to the Danaï
mayest thou be for comfort),
And for the fight entrust to thee
his own resplendent armour;
If-that perchance the Troïans,
deluded by thy semblance,
Abstain from battle, and hereby
Achaia's warlike children
Gain respite of their toil;-and short
the respite is of warfare.
800
'Twere light for you unwearied,
from off the tents and galleys,
Unto the city back to drive
men wearièd in combat."
He spake; and strongly did bestir
the hero's heart within him,
Who back unto Æacides
along the galleys hasten'd.
But when Patroclus near the ships
of the divine Ulysses
805
In his career arriv'd, whereat
were built the sacred altars,
Round which the Argives causes judg'd
with ordinances holy ;
Here met he, limping out of war,
Euaemon's Jove-born offspring,
Eurypylus, who in the thigh
was with an arrow wounded.
Down from his head and shoulders
flow'd the sweat; and dark blood gurgled
810
Out of the fretting wound; but yet
no swoon oppress'd his members.
Then valiant Menœtiades
did pitying behold him,
And, winged accents uttering,
sent forth a wail of sorrow:
"Ha, wretched! who to Danaï
are governours and leaders!
815
So then, your doom it was, afar
from friends and native country,
With whiteness of your_fat to gorge
the eager dogs in Troas!
But truly now, Eurypylus,
thou Jove-born hero, tell me ;-
Thinkest, the Achaians yet will stay
the huge o'erbearing Hector?
Or that, beneath his spear subdued,
they instantly will perish?"
820
Then prudent-soul'd Eurypylus
confronting him responded:
"No further bulwark will there be,
Patroclus Jove-descended!
But all the Achaïans will fall
beside their dusky galleys.
For all who formerly bare lead,
as bravest of the Argives,
Lie prostrate at the galley-side
by stab or flying arrow
825
Beneath the hands of Troïans,
whose strength is alway fiercer.
But me at least save thou, and lead
unto thy dusky galley,
And from my thigh the arrow cut,
and wash the gore's defilement
Out of the wound with water warm;
and o'er it spread assuagements
Salubrious and gentle; which
(they say) Achilles taught thee,
830
Who was himself by Cheiron taught,
the justest of the Centaurs.
For as to our chirurgeons,
Podaleiris and Machaon,
One in his tent doth wounded lie,
a blameless healer needing
Himself; the other on the plain
the Troian war awaiteth."
835
Then gallant Menœtiades
accosted him responsive :
"Hero Eurypylus! what course
remaineth? how to serve thee?
To skilful-hearted Achileus
I go, to carry tiding,
Returning from Gerenian Nestor,
watcher of the Achaians:
Yet even so, in sore distress,
I may not lightly leave thee."
840
He spake, and grasp'd beneath the breast
the shepherd of the people,
And led him to a tent. A squire
beholding, spread beneath him
Ox-hides, whereon he stretched him;
then cutting, he extracted
The pointed arrow anguish-fraught;
and wash'd the gore's defilement
With water warm; then with his hands
he rubb'd for quick infusion
845
A bitter pain-assuaging root,
whereby the pangs of sorrow
Were all arrested; thus the wound
was staunch'd, the blood was stopped.
6
Nestor and his sons sacrifice to Poseidon. Attic red-figure calyx-krater, ca. 400–380 BCE.
© Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons.