BOOK IV
Now by the side of Jove the gods
were in full session gather'd,
1
Over the golden pavement; and
among them, queenly Hebe
The nectar flagon bare around;
but they, in golden goblets,
Gave welcome each to each, toward
the Troian city gazing.
Then instantly did Saturn's child
with contumelious banter
5
Endeavour Juno to provoke
by keen harangue allusive.
"To Menelas, from heaven's band twain
goddesses are helpers, —
Athene, war-repelling maid,
and Juno queen of Argos.
Yet they afar from him do sit
and cast but glance upon him,
Detain'd in self-enjoyment; while
to Paris, Aphrodite,
10
The queen of Smiles, is sentinel,
and screeneth him from danger;
And now anew hath rescued him,
when desperate his fortune.
—To Menelaus, lov'd by Ares,
victory hath fallen:
Our part it is to ponder, how
may these affairs be ended.
Whether pernicious war to rouse
and the grim cry of battle,
15
Listeth, or amity betwixt
the combatants to order.
But if, to all of us aloft,
pleasant it be and canny,
Let folk still throng within the walls
of Priam's royal city,
And Argive Helen be again
the boast of Meneläus."
He spake: thereat they mutter'd deep,
both Juno and Athene:
20
Close sat they, side by side, and woes
against the Troians plotted.
Truly Athene dumb abode
before her proper father,
Though wounded by his argument
and seiz'd with fierce displeasure.
But Juno hid not in her breast
her wrath, but thus address'd him:
"O son of Saturn, grim and dire,
what saying hast thou blurted?
25
How meanest thou my work to make
empty and unrewarded,
And all my moil and all my sweat?
My very steeds are weary,
The people gathering, for woe
to Priam and his children.
Do so: but we, the other gods,
not all shall praise thy doing."
To her with indignation huge
spake Jove the cloud-collector:
30
"Oh elf-possessed wight! do then
Priam and Priam's children
So many mischiefs work on thee,
that eagerly thou longest
To storm and ravage Ilium,
that thickly-peopled fortress?
If through the gates thou mightest pass,
within the long defences,
And there, as cannibal, devour
Priam, and Priam's children,
35
And all the Troians, then mayhap
thy choler would be healed.
Work thou thy will against them, lest
in aftertime the quarrel
Into a mighty fray arise
of Jupiter with Juno.
This also will I say, and thou
within thy mind revolve it!
When I, in turn outrageous,
am bent some town to ravage,
40
A town, wherein are born and rear'd
the favourites of Juno;
Then seek not thou to dissipate
my rage, but yield it freedom:
For I too this to thee concede,
freely, with heart reluctant.
For verily, of all the towns
which men on earth inhabit,
Beneath the beams of yonder sun,
beneath the starry heaven,
45
Not one than sacred Ilium
to my regards is dearer,
And Priam's self, and all the folk
of ashen-speared Priam.
For never hath my altar wanted
well-proportioned banquet,
And fragrant fat, and streams of wine;
which are our proper honour."
To him responded thereupon
the large-ey'd queenly Juno:
50
"Three cities verily to me
in all the world are dearest, -
Achaian Argos, Sparta and
Mycenæ ample-streeted.
Destroy and ravage these, whene'er
they to thy soul are hateful:
These to defend I stand not forth
nor grudge thee thy indulgence.
For if thy angry will I thwart,
and seek to stay their ruin,
55
I by the struggle nothing win;
for greatly art thou stronger.
Yet some regard should I too meet,
lest fruitless be my labour:
For I am, e'en as thou, a god:-
from the same source our being;-
And eldest born I claim to be
of crooked-witted Saturn,
Eldest by birth, and rank also;
for that I hold the title
60
Thy wedded queen to be; and thou
mid all the immortals reignest.
And now, if mutually we
concession make alternate,
I unto thee, thou unto me;
the other gods immortal
Our primacy will own. But thou
quickly dispatch Athene
Into the deadly battle-cry
of Troians and Achaians,
65
To compass, that the Troians
may first against the treaties,
Begin with noyance to assail
the high-renown'd Achaians."
Nor did the Sire of men and gods
resist, when thus she pleaded;
But instantly with winged words
address'd him to Athene:
"Hie to the army speedily,
mid Troians and Achaians;
70
And compass, that the Troians
may first, against the treaties,
Begin with noyance to assail
the high-renown'd Achaians."
He by such charge Athene spurr'd,
herself already eager;
And, speedy darting, down she came
from summits of Olympus.
In such aspect, as when the son
of crooked-witted Saturn
75
Sendeth a shining meteor,
a prodigy to sailors
Or to some army's ample ranks;
and trails of light it flasheth;-
In such appearance, down to earth
maiden Athene darted,
Plumping amid them. Deep amazement
held the hearts of gazers,
Both courser-taming Troians
and dapper-greav'd Achaians.
80
And thus spake one, with eye that
glanc'd upon some other near him:
"Either again pernicious war
and the grim cry of battle
Shall visit us, or Jupiter,
the arbiter to mortals
Of war and peace, will amity
betwixt the armies order."
So then did one or other speak
of Troians and Achaians.
85
But she, in semblance as a man,
—like to a sturdy spearman,
Laodocus, Antenor's son, -
the crowd of Troians enter'd,
Searching for godlike Pandarus,
if here or there she find him.
And soon she found the warriour,
—Lycaon's spotless offspring,
Standing: and all around were pour'd
the shielded stout battalions
90
Of men, who from Aisepus' streams
beneath his guidance follow'd.
There, near before his face, she stood
and winged accents utter'd:
"Wilt thou, mayhap, my word receive,
Lycaon's skilful offspring?
Art brave enough, a speedy shaft
to send at Meneläus?
This would, with all the Troians,
favour and glory win thee,
95
And signally among them all
with royal Alexander.
From him thou earnest instantly
full many a brilliant present,
If he might Atreus' son behold,
the warlike Menelaüs,
Mounting upon the deadly pile,
a trophy to thy arrows.
But come! an arrow-shot address
to famous Menelaüs;
100
And to the archer-deity,
the Lycia-born Apollo,
Apollo is not god of the sun,
nor is connected with Delos.
1
Vow'd, an illustrious hecatomb
of firstling lambs to offer,
When safe unto his home restor'd,
Zeleia's sacred city:
Athene, thus addressing him,
his silly heart persuaded.
105
Quick he uncas'd the polish'd bow,
made from a bounding ibex,
Which as from out a rock it came,
himself in ambush waiting
Hit on the chest, and back it fell
upon the hard earth prostrate.
The horns that from its forehead grew
were sixteen palms in measure.
These the horn-bowyer duly scrap'd
and joined with cunning labour;
110
Then polishing, at either end
a golden ring he added.
Low resting this against the ground,
Lycaon's brilliant offspring
Strung it; and his companions brave
before him held their bucklers,
Lest, ere he reach the warlike lord,
Achaian Meneläus,
Haply Achaia's warlike sons
start sudden up to shield him.
115
But he the quiver's lid uprais'd,
and thence a shaft selected
Perfect in feather, never shot,
a germ of dismal anguish.
Quickly did he upon the string
adjust the stinging arrow,
And to the archer-deity,
the Lycia-born Apollo,
Vow, an illustrious hecatomb
of firstling lambs to offer,
120
When safe unto thy home restor'd,
Zeleia's sacred city."
Then seiz'd the arrow at the notch
and smoothly drew the oxgut,
And brought the string against his breast,
against the bow the iron.
But when the mighty bow was strain'd
to well-proportion'd circle,
The arch recoil'd, loud shriek'd the string,
and forth the arrow darted,
125
Whetted for murder, all a-rage
amid the crowd to hurtle.
Nor, Meneläus! of thy life
the blessed gods immortal
Forgetful were; and foremost came
Jove's booty-driving daughter,
Who, standing vigilant, repell'd
the shaft with anguish freighted.
She from the flesh the dart beat off
so far, as may a mother
130
Beat from her boy a fly, when he
in pleasant sleep reposeth.
Athene's self with guiding hand
upon the girdle brought it,
Where golden buckles join'd, and where
the corslet met it double:
There, on the girdle fitly set,
lighted the stinging arrow.
Right through the girdle's broidery
it cut an easy passage,
135
And thro' the corslet's crafty work
with force uncheck'd was planted:
2
The baldric, which, for fence of darts,
did clasp his tender body,
Warded the mischief bravely;
yet thro' even this it pierced.
Spent in its force, the arrow-shot
but skin-deep graz'd the hero,
And from the gash the blood straightwayin
cloudy streamlet trickled.
140
As when some dame of Maeonis
or Caria distaineth
With Punic dye the ivory
to be a horse's cheek-piece;
Within her chamber stor'd it is,
and vainly many a horseman
Prayeth to bear it; there it waits,
to grace a king's equipment,
Alike, a beauty to the steed,
and to the driver glory:
145
Such, Meneläus! was thy side,
from noble thigh and downward
Unto thy comely ankle, seen, -
with crimson all distained.
But Agamemnon, prince of men,
shudder'd thereat in terror,
When he from out the gash beheld
the dusky gore descending.
And Menelaüs too himself,
belov'd of Ares, shudder'd:
150
But when he saw the leathern strap
and barbs, outside remaining,
Into his bosom back again
his spirit he recover'd.
Then holding Meneläus' hand,
did royal Agamemnon
Speak with deep moan; and after him
moan'd also his companions.
"Dear brother! deadly to thy life,
alas! a treaty made I,
155
Against the Troians posting thee
sole champion for Argos:
So have the Troians wounded thee,
and trodden down the treaty.
But verily not vain are oaths
and streams of wine unmingled
And blood of lambs and right hands pledg'd,
wherein we had confided.
For even if the Olympian
have not at once fulfill'd them,
160
Yet will he, late of time, fulfil:
then men with great amercement,
By their own heads, and by their wives
and children, have repaid it.
For this, in heart and soul, full sure
I know:-a day is coming.
A day, when sacred Ilium
for overthrow is destin'd,
And Priam's self and all the folk
of ashen-spear'd Priam;
165
When lofty-bench'd Saturnius,
Jove, who in heaven dwelleth,
Wrathful at this deceit, himself
shall
flout
flaunt his gloomy ægis
Against them all. Not then, in sooth!
fruitless will be the curses;
But anguish gaim on me shall fall
for thee, O Menelaüs!
If thus thou die, accomplishing
thy life's predestin'd portion.
170
With vile reproaches back shall
I go to much-thirsted Argos:
For memory of their native land
straightway will move the Argives:
Then should we for a glory leave
to Priam and the Troians
The Argive Helen; while thy bones
within the loam shall moulder
Abandon'd here in Troy, -to us
a monument of failure.
175
And thus, I reckon, then shall speak
some overweening Troian,
Leaping along the barrow mound
of famous Meneläus:
Oh, would that Agamemnon might
on all so wreak his vengeance,
As hither fruitlessly he led
his army of Achaians!
And lo! he to his home is gone,
to his dear native country,
180
With empty galleys, -leaving here
the worthy Meneläus.-
So shall one say hereafter:-then,
may the earth yawn to gulp me."
But auburn Meneläus spake, his
brother's heart to strengthen:
"Be of good cheer! 'tis yet too soon
the Achaian host to frighten:
Not in a mortal part is fix'd
the pointed dart: my girdle
185
All-broider'd warded it in front,
and eke the sash and baldric,
My under-furbishing, which men,
who work in copper, labor'd."
To him with words reciprocal
spake royal Agamemnon:
"Oh that it so may really be,
beloved Meneläus!
But the chirurgeon shall probe
the noyance, and assuagements
190
Spread in, which haply may afford
reliefs of dismal anguish."
This said, unto Talthybius,
herald divine, he turn'd him:
"Talthybius! with utmost speed
Machaon hither summon,
The son of Esculapius,
chirurgeon unblemish'd.
Straight must he visit Atreus' son,
the warlike Meneläus,
195
At whom some skilful archer hand
hath aim'd an arrow truly,
—Glory to him, but woe to us,
— or Lycian or Troian."
He spake; nor disobedient
the herald heard his bidding,
But sped to go along the host
of dapper-greav'd Achaians,
Peering to see Machaon's form;
and soon espied the hero
200
Standing: and all around were pour'd
the shielded stout battalions
Of men, who with him companied
from courser-feeding Tricca.
There, near before his face, he stood,
and winged accents utter'd:
"Rise! son of Æsculapius!
king Agamemnon calleth.
Quick must thou visit Atreus' son,
the warlike Meneläus,
205
At whom some skilful archer-hand
hath aim'd an arrow truly,
—Glory to him, but woe to us,
or Lycian, or Troian."
He spake, and strongly did bestir
the hero's heart within him.
So they, returning, hied along
Achaia's ample army
Amid the crowd. But when they
came where auburn Menelaus
210
Was wounded, and in circle thick
around him all the noblest
Were gathered, and midst of them
the godlike man was standing;
First would Machaon pull the shaft
from the well-fitting girdle,
But that the pointed barbs were snapt
and tangled, as he drew it.
Then from his waist unfasten'd he
the girdle all-embroider'd,
215
The sash, and baldric underneath,
which smiths of copper labor'd.
But when he saw the wound, wherein
lighted the stinging arrow,
He suck'd from it the blood, and spread
within it mild assuagements,
Which friendly-hearted Cheiron once
unto his sire imparted.
While Menelaüs, good at need,
in such concerns detain'd them,
220
Meantime the shielded Troians
in close array were present;
The others too their armour donn'd,
and hero-glee remember'd.
Then not a-slumber hadst thou seen
the godlike Agamemnon,
Nor like a coward skulking low
and from the fight reluctant,
But all a-blaze with eagerness
for man-ennobling combat.
225
For he his car with brass inlaid
and harness'd steeds abandon'd:
Snorting and puffing, them his squire,
offspring of Ptolemaeus,
Eurymedon, Peiraeus' grandchild,
rein'd behind the tumult.
To him he many charges gave
at hand to have them alway,
When weariness might seize his limbs,
long marshalling the peoples;
230
But he himself, on foot proceeding,
view'd the ranks of heroes.
Whome'er he saw industrious
of charioteering Argives,
Beside them standing, thus he spake
to whet their proper courage:
"Argives! not yet remission make
of furious encounter!
Never will father Jupiter
of lies become a patron:
235
But they who wilfully have wrought
annoy, against the treaties,
The vultures on their tender flesh
shall surely make a banquet.
And in our galleys we, whene'er
their fortress we may capture,
Shall bear their darling wives away
and eke their infant offspring."
But whomsoe'er again he saw
relax'd from hateful warfare,
240
These did he vehemently chide
with argument embitter'd:
"Oh Argive braggarts! theme for scorn!
and doth no shame possess you?
Why thus aghast and stupified,
in guise of fawns, abide ye?
As these, when they, by lengthen'd race
over the plain, are weary, —
Stand still, nor in their empty hearts
is any courage gender'd;
245
So ye, like fawns, stand stupified,
nor make the battle ready.
What? wait ye, till the Troians
come nearer, where our galleys
With ample poops aloft are haul'd
above the hoary billow,
That so ye try, if Saturn's child
will stretch his hand to save you?"
Thus marshalling, proceeded he
beside the thick battalions.
250
Moving along the troop of men,
then came he to the Cretans,
Who, round the sage Idomeneus,
accoutrement were making.
Their chief was in the foremost ranks,
like to a boar in prowess,
While, to exhort the rearmost bands,
Meriones was active.
Then Agamemnon, prince of men,
at sight of them was joyous,
255
And instantly with honey'd words
Idomeneus accosted:
"Chiefly, Idomeneus! to thee
of charioteering Argives
Honour I give, alike in war,
and eke in diverse action,
And at the pleasant banquet, where
the noblest of the Argives
Mix in the bowl the sparkling wine
which age hath duly ripen'd.
260
For verily, whereas the rest
of streaming-hair'd Achaians
Drink by the portion, yet for thee,
as for myself, the goblet
Standeth beside me alway full,
to drink, when humour urgeth.
But such as formerly thy boast,
such rouse thee now to battle."
To him in turn Idomeneus,
the Cretan chief, responded:
265
"O son of Atreus, verily
will I thy lov'd companion
Be, even as in olden time
I promis'd and assented;
But others rather stir thou up
of streaming-hair'd Achaians,
That we incontinent may close
in battle; since the Troians
The oaths have voided; but on them
shall death and woes hereafter
270
Alight, who wilfully have wrought
annoy, against the treaties."
So answer'd he; and Atreus' son
pass'd on, in heart delighted.
Moving along the troop of men,
he came to the Ajaces:
Both were full-arm'd, and after them
a cloud of footmen follow'd.
As when a goatherd may a cloud
behold from some tall summit,
275
Moving across the deep, beneath
the blaring of the Westwind;
To him, as he apart doth stand,
dusky like pitch it seemeth,
O'ershadowing the waters drear,
and a thick squall it carries;
He sees and shudders, and his flock
beneath a cavern driveth:
Such the Jove-nurtur'd warriours
along with the Ajaces
280
Mov'd onward into foeman's war
in closely-wedg'd battalions,
In a broad shade of blue confus'd,
with shields and lances bristling.
But Agamemnon, prince of men,
at sight of him was joyous,
And duly he accosting them
did winged accents utter:
"Ajaces! who twain captains are
of brazen-coated Argives,
285
To you no charge (for need is none)
— make I to urge your peoples;
For ye yourselves do eagerly
to sturdy battle whet them.
Would that I found (O father Jove,
Athene and Apollo!)
In all my chiefs such enterprize
within the bosom planted!
Then quickly should king Priam's city
bow the head before me,
290
Captur'd and pillag'd mightily
beneath the hands of Argives."
So saying, them he left behind,
but after others hasted.
Next met he Nestor, clear of voice,
the Pylian haranguer,
Ranging his comrades carefully,
and stirring them to battle:
Amid them, mighty Pelagon,
and, shepherd of the people,
295
Bias, and Haemon wide of sway,
and Chromis and Alastor.
In front his charioteers he plac'd,
with chariots and horses,
But, for the rearguard, posted he
his footmen brave and many,
A bulwark of the war to be:
and set his worser people
Full in the midst, where each perforce,
despite his will, must combat.
300
First to the charioteers he gave
his charges: these, discreetly
Bade he to hold their steeds, nor dare
in mell of war to justle.
"Let none, on charioteering skill
or bravery reliant,
Hanker for solitary fight
in front, against the Troians:
Nor yet retire; for easier
will then be your despoilment.
305
If any seek another's car,
his proper horses leaving,
Let him with lengthy lance reach out:
this managery is better.
For thus the men of former days
did walls and cities capture,
Such prudence and such enterprize
within their bosom holding."
So did the aged man exhort,
of old in warfare skilful.
310
Then Agamemnon, prince of men,
at sight of them was joyous,
And duly then accosting him
did winged accents utter:
"Would that, O aged friend, as
now the heart in thy dear bosom,
So did thy knees bear company,
and so thy force were steady!
But on thee Eld all-levelling
leans hard. I would some other
315
Of men might barter it, and thou
hold lot among the younger."
But him thereat the charioteer
Gerenian Nestor answer'd:
"Atrides! glad in sooth were I
myself to feel the vigour,
Which godlike Ereuthalion
once fatally encounter'd.
But not to mortal men do gods
grant every thing together.
320
If then a stalwart youth I was,
and now doth Eld o'ertake me,
Yet with the charioteers do I
keep company, and charge them
With counsel and with argument;
which is the old man's duty.
In fight of spear the spear to wield,
to younger men is suited,
Who are than Nestor later-born,
and confident of puissance."
325
So answer'd he; and Atreus' son
pass'd on, in heart delighted.
He found the son of Peteos,
Menestheus courser-smiting,
Standing amid the Athenians,
sage counsellors of onset.
Hard by, Ulysses much-devising
stood, and round him rested
The ranks of Kephallenians,
no easy prey to spoilers;
330
For their battalions not yet
had heard the yell of onset;
For newly were the columns deep
of courser-taming Troians,
And of Achaians, stirr'd to war,
so they at ease were waiting
Inactive, until otherwhence
some tower of Achaians,
Rushing against the Troians,
initiate the hurly.
335
Them Agamemnon, prince of men,
reproachfully regarded,
And bitterly accosting them,
did winged accents utter:
Offspring of kingly Peteos!
son of a sire Jove-nurtur'd!
And thou, with fox's puny heart,
in evil wiles excelling!
Why stand ye crouching in the rear,
and wait the lead of others?
340
For you it seemly were to stand,
companions of the foremost,
Right in the van, and bluffly meet
the brunt of fiery battle.
For of a banquet both of you
from me have early notice,
When for the counsellors a feast
at Argive cost we furnish.
There to regale on roasted flesh,
as listeth you, and empty
345
Honey-sweet wine from out the cup,
is pleasanter than combat.
Now would ye willingly look on,
though ten embattled towers
Of Argives, far in front of you,
with ruthless brass were fighting."
To him with frowning glance replied
Ulysses much-devising:
"Betwixt the outwork of thy teeth
what word hath slipt, Atrides?
350
What negligence of war dost find
in us? whene'er the Achaians
Against the courser-taming Troians
waken eager Ares,
Then shalt thou, if thou wilt, behold,
and if such things concern thee,
Telemachus' beloved sire
with courser-taming Troians
Mix'd in their foremost ranks: but thou
dost wind and folly utter."
355
But royal Agamemnon then,
his wrathful mood perceiving,
Upon him smil'd, and instantly
again took up discourses:
"Oh Jove-deriv'd, Laertes' son,
Ulysses much-contriving,
Needless to thee my banter is,
and needless my addresses.
For surely do I know, the heart
within thy deepest bosom
360
Hath friendly ponderings for me;
for such thy aims, as mine are.
But come, if aught amiss hath now
been blurted, this hereafter
Will we adjust: and may the gods
make all my bodings empty!"
So saying, them he left behind,
but after others hasted.
The son of Tydeus next he found,
high-hearted Diomedes,
365
Standing amid the horses and
the chariots welljoined.
Beside him Sthenelus, the son
of Capaneus, was standing.
Then royal Agamemnon cast
reproachful glance upon him,
And bitterly accosting him
did winged accents utter:
"Alas! thou son of skilful-hearted
courser-taming Tydeus!
370
Why crouchest thou and peerest far
along the battle's causeys?
But not to Tydeus thus, I trow,
to skulk behind was pleasant,
But far in front, against the foe,
for comrades dear, to sally.
Such was their tale, who watch'd his work;
but as for me, I never
Met him nor saw him; but they say,
surpassing was his valour.
375
Once truly came he, not with war,
as stranger, to Mycenæ
With Polyneikes, match for gods,
an army to assemble,
Who in those days would march against
the sacred walls of Thebe;
And for choice helpers of the fray
they eagerly besought us.
Willing were we the men to grant,
and to their prayer hearken'd,
380
But Jupiter diverted us,
illomen'd signs displaying.
Now when they were set forth and
gone far onward in their journey,
Unto Asopus' banks they came,
all deep in grass and rushes:
Whence Tydeus by the league was
sent to speak their common message.
He on the ambassy went forth,
and found Cadmeians many,
385
Feasting within the palaces
of mighty Eteócles.
Then, tho' a stranger in their walls,
the courser-driving Tydeus
No terror knew, when lonely left
amid Cadmeians many.
But he to combats challeng'd them,
and won in every contest.
Right easily: such aid to him
maiden Athene granted.
390
But the Cadmeians courser-spurring,
hotly wroth against him,
To compass his returning steps,
planted in secret ambush
A band of fifty warriours;
and twain to them were leaders,
The offspring of Autophonus,
war-biding Lycophontes,
And Mæon, Hæmon's son, who bare
the form of an immortal.
395
Yet Tydeus even upon these
unseemly doom inflicted;
He slaughter'd all, and left but one
to bear the tiding homeward:-
Mæon he spared, obedient
to prodigies from heaven.
Such Tydeus, that Aetolian,
was once; but leaves an offspring
Worser than him in fight of men,
in council haply braver."
400
When thus he chided, no reply
gave stalwart Diomedes,
In reverence before the mouth
of the majestic monarch.
But quick to him replied the son
of Capaneus the famous:
"Atrides, speak not falsely, when
rightly to speak thou knowest.
For us, our boast it is to be
far better than our fathers:
405
Us, who have storm'd the fast abode
of seven-gated Thebe,
Leading beneath her fortress-wall
a scantier equipment,
Yet trusting to the aid of Jove
and prodigies from heaven.
But by its own impieties
that former host was ruin'd:
Then never place our sires with us
in the same rank of honour."
410
But stalwart Diomedes now
with frowning glance address'd him:
"Dear fellow, still and silent be,
to my request compliant.
No blame have I for Agamemnon,
shepherd of the people,
Who now to feats of war doth urge
the dapper-greav'd Achaians.
For to his throne will glory great
be added, if the Troians
415
Fall slain, and sacred Ilium
be storm'd by us Achaians:
On him too mighty grief will light,
if our array be routed.
But come, let us too bend a thought
to furious encounter."
He spake, and from his chariot
leapt to the ground in armour:
And dreadful was the clang of brass
upon the prince's bosom
420
As down he plung'd: e'en hardy souls
it might have fill'd with terror.
As when the surges of the sea,
beneath a Westwind's pressure,
Upon the muchresounding beach,
line after line, come rolling;
First, in the deep it heaveth high;
then, by the strand retarded,
With screech and roar it steepeneth,
till, hollow at the summit,
425
Sputtering the briny spray abroad,
the huge crest tumbles over:
So then the bands of Danaï,
closewedg'd, to war were moving,
Line after line, incessantly;
to his own troops each leader
His orders spake, but dumbly went
the rest, (nor wouldst thou fancy
So vast a train of people held
a voice within their bosom),
430
In silence their commanders fearing:
all the ranks well-marshall'd
Were clad in crafty panoply,
which glitter'd on their bodies.
Meantime, as sheep, within the yard
of some great cattle-master,
While the white milk is drain'd from them,
stand round in number countless
And, grieved by their lambs' complaint,
respond with bleat incessant;
435
So then along their ample host
arose the Troian hurly.
For not to all the language was
the same, nor like their accent,
But mingled was the tongue of men
from diverse places summon'd.
By Ares these were urged on,
those by grey-ey'd Athene,
By Fear, by Panic and by Strife
immeasurably eager,
440
The sister and companion
of hero-slaying Ares,
Who truly doth at first her crest
but humble rear; thereafter,
Planting upon the ground her feet,
her head in heaven fixeth.
She then, proceeding through the bands,
infus'd the love of quarrel,
A common curse; - and multiplied
the miseries of heroes.
445
When, to encounter hasting, they were
on one spot assembled,
Hides clash'd on hides, and spear on
spear, and might with might of heroes
In brazen armour corsleted:
the shields with sturdy bosses
Each upon each leant hard, and rous'd
tumultuous disorder.
Then rose there, all around, of men
a groaning and a boasting,
450
From victors or from vanquished:
and reek'd the earth with carnage.
As when the stormbegotten brooks,
down from the mountains streaming,
Mix in the bottom of a dell
the riot of their water,
Spouted from mighty fountainheads,
deep in a dingle's hollow,
And far along the cliffs their brawl
unto the goatherd soundeth:
455
So, when in conflict these were mix'd,
did scream arise and turmoil.
3
First, in the van, Antilochus
hent a full-armed Troian,
The offspring of Thalusius,
the gallant Echepolus.
The spear upon his helmet's ridge,
with horsetail bushy, lighted,
Reach'd to the forehead, pierc'd the
bone;-and darkness veil'd his eyen:
460
In the tough fight sheer down he fell,
as when a tower falleth.
Him, by the foot, Chalcodon's son,
the royal Elephenor,
Chief of the lofty-soul'd Abantes,
pull'd from out the weapons,
Eager his armour to despoil:
nor long his effort lasted.
For, watching as he dragg'd the corpse,
the lofty-soul'd Agenor
465
Reach'd with a brazen-headed pike
his side, which was uncover'd,
Beneath the buckler, as he stoop'd;
and cast his body helpless.
So fled his spirit. Over him,
'twixt Troians and Achaians
Rose noisome onset, as of wolves,
and man by man was slaughter'd.
Then did a blooming youth fall slain
by Telamonian Ajax.
470
His father was Anthemion;
his mother, with her parents
From Ida's slopes descending came
to watch the sheep, and bare him
Beside the banks of Simois,
and Simoensis call'd him.
Nor paid he to his parents dear
his nurture-price, but early
His life was ravish'd by the spear
of mighty-hearted Ajax.
475
On his right breast the brazen point
hit him, and through the shoulder
Pass'd cruelly; and in the dust,
there fell he, like a poplar,
Which in a marshy mead grows smooth,
but branchy at the summit;
A chariot-joiner cuts it down
with iron bright, to fashion
For some fair car a rounded wheel;
prostrate it lies and wither'd
480
Beside the river: so fell he
by Jove-descended Ajax.
Then Priam's offspring, Antiphus,
with motley corslet, darted
At Ajax, mid the throng;-and miss'd:
but hit Ulysses' comrade,
4
5
6
The gallant Leucus, in the groin,
while dragging off the carcase.
He dropt the dead man from his hands,
and fell as stone upon him.
485
His comrade's slaughter mightily
did move Ulysses' choler.
He thro' the foremost ranks advanc'd,
arm'd with the flashing metal;
There at short distance did he stand,
and turn'd his gaze on all sides,
Then darted: back before his rush
the Troians shrank; nor aim'd he
Vainly, but smote Democöon,
the bastard son of Priam,
490
Who from Abydus came to him,
from pasturing his coursers.
Thro' both his temples pierc'd the brass,
and darkness veil'd his eyen:
So with a loud crash down he dropt,
and o'er him clang'd his armour.
Their van, and Hector brave, retir'd.
With mighty whoop the Argives
Drew up the dead, and onward rush'd:
but bright Apollo, gazing
495
From Pergamus, indignant cried,
the Troians to encourage:
"Ye courser-taming Troians, rise!
yield not in glee of battle
To Argives: for in sooth their flesh
is neither stone nor iron,
To bear the gashing brass: nor now
the child of brighthair'd Thetis,
Achilles, fights; but at his ships
doth champ his spleenful rancour."
500
So from the citadel the god
spake dreadful: but the Achaians,
Them did the glorious imp of
Jove Tritogeneia hearten,
Passing along the ranks, where'er
she saw their spirit languid.
Then destiny Diores trapp'd
the son of Amarynkeus:
His ankle by a rugged stone
was maul'd: a chieftain hurl'd it,
505
Peiröus, son of Imbrasus,
arriv'd from Thracian Ænus.
With scrape and smash all merciless
the stone did either tendon
And bone assail: back in the dust
he fell, with anguish swooning,
Yet to his comrades stretch'd his hands.
But speedy came the victor,
And with the lance his navel pierc'd:
then darkness veil'd his eyen.
510
But at the Thracian in turn
Ætolian Thoas darted,
And in his chest the weapon fix'd;
then, close to him advancing,
Pluck'd out the spear, and took his life,
by swordstab in the bosom.
Yet might not he the armour strip;
for, round their leader, crowded
The lofty-tufted Thracians,
outstretching lengthy lances,
515
Who held at bay the Ætolian,
tho' gallant, tall and lordly.
7
8
The chief receded: and the twain,
there in the dust were lying,
As brethren, side by side; but this,
of brazencloak'd Epeians
Was leader; that, of Thracians:
and many fell around them.
Had any view'd those deeds at ease,
hither and thither wending,
520
Unwounded and invisible,
—not lightly would he taunt them,
If maid Athene seiz'd his hand,
and thro' the hurly led him,
Warding the darts and thrusts of spear:
for on that day full many
Were in the dust flung side by side,
of Troians and Achaians.
Image: The healer Makhaon attends to the wounded Menelaos. Engraving by Francesco Nenci for an edition of the Iliad published in 1838.