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These then with high hearts abode the whole night through along the dykes of war, and their fires burned in multitudes. 555 Even as in heaven about the gleaming moon the stars shine clear, when the air is windless, and forth to view appear all mountain peaks and high headlands and glades, and from heaven breaketh open the infinite air,¹ and all stars are seen, and the shepherd joyeth in his heart; 560 even in such multitudes between the ships and the streams of Xanthus shone the fires that the Trojans kindled before the face of Ilios. A thousand fires were burning in the plain and by each sat fifty men in the glow of the blazing fire. And their horses, eating of white barley and spelt, 565 stood beside the cars and waited for fair-throned Dawn.

Iliad. Homer. A. T. Murray (Translator). London. 1924-1925.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

Iliad (English) (Homer. The Iliad, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924-1925.)

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.) — 8.553 focus

οἳ δὲ μέγα φρονέοντες ἐπὶ πτολέμοιο γεφύρας

εἴατο παννύχιοι, πυρὰ δέ σφισι καίετο πολλά.

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἐν οὐρανῷ ἄστρα φαεινὴν ἀμφὶ σελήνην

555

φαίνετʼ ἀριπρεπέα, ὅτε τʼ ἔπλετο νήνεμος αἰθήρ·

ἔκ τʼ ἔφανεν πᾶσαι σκοπιαὶ καὶ πρώονες ἄκροι

καὶ νάπαι· οὐρανόθεν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπερράγη ἄσπετος αἰθήρ,

πάντα δὲ εἴδεται ἄστρα, γέγηθε δέ τε φρένα ποιμήν·

τόσσα μεσηγὺ νεῶν ἠδὲ Ξάνθοιο ῥοάων

560

Τρώων καιόντων πυρὰ φαίνετο Ἰλιόθι πρό.

χίλιʼ ἄρʼ ἐν πεδίῳ πυρὰ καίετο, πὰρ δὲ ἑκάστῳ

εἴατο πεντήκοντα σέλᾳ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο.

ἵπποι δὲ κρῖ λευκὸν ἐρεπτόμενοι καὶ ὀλύρας

ἑσταότες παρʼ ὄχεσφιν ἐΰθρονον Ἠῶ μίμνον.

565

Translations (8)

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.) — 8.542 focus

542 Thus spoke Hektor and the Trojans shouted approval. They took their sweating steeds from under the yoke, and made them fast each by his own chariot. They made haste to bring sheep and cattle from the city, they brought wine also and grain from their houses and gathered much wood.

549 They then offered unblemished hecatombs to the immortals, and the wind carried the sweet savor of sacrifice to heaven - but the blessed gods partook not thereof, for they bitterly hated Ilion with Priam and Priam's people. Thus high in hope they sat through the livelong night by the highways of war, and many a watchfire did they kindle. As when the stars shine clear, and the moon is bright- there is not a breath of air, not a peak nor glade nor jutting headland but it stands out in the ineffable radiance that breaks from the serene of heaven; the stars can all of them be told and the heart of the shepherd is glad - even thus shone the watchfires of the Trojans before Ilion midway between the ships and the river Xanthos . A thousand camp-fires gleamed upon the plain, and in the glow of each there sat fifty men, while the horses, champing oats and wheat beside their chariots, waited till dawn should come. 565

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 8.553 focus

Thus high in hope they sat through the livelong night by the highways of war, and many a watchfire did they kindle. [555] As when the stars shine clear, and the moon is bright—there is not a breath of air, not a peak nor glade nor jutting headland but it stands out in the ineffable radiance that breaks forth from the sky; the stars can all of them be told and the heart of the shepherd is glad— [560] even thus shone the watchfires of the Trojans before Ilion midway between the ships and the river Xanthos. A thousand camp-fires gleamed upon the plain, and in the glow of each there sat fifty men, while the horses, champing [565] oats and wheat beside their chariots, waited till dawn should come.

Rhapsody 9

[1]

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 8.553 focus

So, high in hope, they sat the whole night through

In warlike lines, and many watch-fires blazed.

As when in heaven the stars look brightly forth

Round the clear-shining moon, while not a breeze

Stirs in the depths of air, and all the stars

680

Are seen, and gladness fills the shepherd's heart,

So many fires in sight of Ilium blazed,

Lit by the sons of Troy, between the ships

And eddying Xanthus: on the plain there shone

A thousand; fifty warriors by each fire

685

Sat in its light. Their steeds beside the cars

Champing their oats and their white barley - stood,

And waited for the golden morn to rise.

BOOK IX.

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 8.553 focus

The troops exulting sat in order round,

685

And beaming fires illumin'd all the ground.

As when the moon, refulgent lamp of night,

O'er heaven's clear azure spreads her sacred light,

When not a breath disturbs the deep serene,

And not a cloud o'ercasts the solemn scene;

690

Around her throne the vivid planets roll,

And stars unnumber'd gild the glowing pole,

O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed,

And tip with silver every mountain's head;

Then shine the vales, the rocks in prospect rise,

695

A flood of glory bursts from all the skies:

The conscious swains, rejoicing in the sight,

Eye the blue vault, and bless the useful light.

So many flames before proud Ilion blaze,

And lighten glimmering Xanthus with their rays:

700

The long reflections of the distant fires

Gleam on the walls, and tremble on the spires.

A thousand piles the dusky horrors gild,

And shoot a shady lustre o'er the field.

Full fifty guards each flaming pile attend,

705

Whose umber'd arms, by fits, thick flashes send.

Loud neigh the coursers o'er their heaps of corn,

And ardent warriors wait the rising morn.

BOOK IX. THE ARGUMENT. THE EMBASSY TO ACHILLES.

Agamemnon, after the last day's defeat, proposes to the Greeks to quit the siege, and return to their country. Diomede opposes this, and Nestor seconds him, praising his wisdom and resolution. He orders the guard to be strengthened, and a council summoned to deliberate what measures

were to be followed in this emergency. Agamemnon pursues this advice, and Nestor farther prevails upon him to send ambassadors to Achilles, in order to move him to a reconciliation. Ulysses and Ajax are made choice of, who are accompanied by old Phoenix. They make, each of them, very moving and pressing speeches, but are rejected with roughness by Achilles, who notwithstanding retains Phoenix in his tent. The ambassadors return unsuccessfully to the camp, and the troops betake themselves to sleep.

This book, and the next following, take up the space of one night, which is the twenty-seventh from the beginning of the poem. The scene lies on the sea-shore, the station of the Grecian ships.

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 8.553 focus

The Trojans confident of victory

Sat cheerful at their arms throughout the host.

As many stars as in a heav'n serene

Together with the moon appear i' th' night,

When all the tops of hills and woods are seen,

495

And joyful are the shepherds at the sight:

So many seem'd the fires upon the plain.

A thousand fires, and at each fifty men,

That by their horses there all night remain

Expecting till Aurora rose again.

500

ILIAD.

LIB. IX.

The Greeks deliberate of going home, but are staid by Diomed and Nestor.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 8.553 focus

And spent all night in open field. Fires round about them shin'd.

As when about the silver moon, when air is free from wind,

And stars shine clear, to whose sweet beams, high prospects, and the brows

Of all steep hills and pinnacles, thrust up themselves for shows,

And even the lowly valleys joy to glitter in their sight,

490

When the unmeasur'd firmament bursts to disclose her light,

And all the signs in heaven are seen that glad the shepherd's heart;

So many fires disclos'd their beams, made by the Trojan part,

Before the face of Ilion, and her bright turrets show'd.

A thousand courts of guard kept fires, and every guard allow'd

495

Fifty stout men, by whom their horse ate oats and hard white corn,

And all did wilfully expect the silver-throned morn.

¹²

To Agamemnon, urging hopeless flight, Stand Diomed, and Nestor, opposite. By Nestor's counsel, legates are dismiss'd To Thetis' son; who still denies t' assist.

Iota sings the Ambassy, And great Achilles' stern reply.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 8.553 focus

Big with great purposes and proud, they sat,

640

Not disarray'd, but in fair form disposed

Of even ranks, and watch'd their numerous fires.

As when around the clear bright moon, the stars

Shine in full splendour, and the winds are hush'd,

The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland-heights

645

Stand all apparent, not a vapour streaks

The boundless blue, but ether open'd wide

All glitters, and the shepherd's heart is cheer'd;

So numerous seem'd those fires the bank between

Of Xanthus, blazing, and the fleet of Greece,

650

In prospect all of Troy; a thousand fires,

Each watch'd by fifty warriors seated near.

The steeds beside the chariots stood, their corn

Chewing, and waiting till the golden-throned

Aurora should restore the light of day.

655

ARGUMENT OF THE NINTH BOOK.

By advice of Nestor, Agamemnon sends Ulysses, Phenix, and

Ajax to the tent of Achilles with proposals of reconciliation.

They execute their commission, but without effect. Phœnix

remains with Achilles; Ulysses and Ajax return.

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 8 focus

BOOK VIII

Soon as the saffron-vested Dawn o'er all the earth was scatter'd,

Forthwith did thunderloving Jove the gods to council summon

Upon the topmost pinnacle of many-ridg'd Olympus.

Silent then listen'd all the gods, while he himself harangu'd them:

"Oh all ye gods and goddesses! to my announcement hearken,

That I the counsel may declare which in my bosom riseth.

Let none of heaven's habitants, of weaker sex or stronger,

Attempt my argument to thwart ; but all of you together

Give due assent, that speedily this business I finish.

Whomso of all the blessed gods I may discover wishful,

Hieing apart, to carry aid to Danaï or Troians,

Back to Olympus shall he haste in scuffle of disorder :

Or down to murky Tartarus quick will I catch and fling him,

Into far distance, where the pit beneath the earth is deepest,

Where brazen all the pavement is, and iron are the portals,

Lower so much than Aïdes, as Earth is under Heaven:

Then shall ye know, how far am I of all the gods the strongest.

Or come, adventure, all ye gods! so may ye surely learn it.

When I a golden chain have dropt from heaven's highth to dangle,

Lay hold, and throw your force on it, all gods, both male and female!

Yet never shall ye down to earth drag from the lofty heaven

Jove, the supreme deviser; not, e'en though ye toil your utmost.

But after this, should I in turn with hearty purpose pull it,

Aloft I draw the Earth itself, and Sea, and all within them.

Then might I bind the chain around a shoulder of Olympus,

And set the universal world to swing and wait my pleasure.

So great is my supremacy o'er gods alike and mortals."

Thus did he charge them: thereupon they all were dumb in silence,

Aghast at that high utterance: so sturdily he spake it.

After long pause, at length replied Athene, grey-ey'd goddess :

"O thou, supreme of governours, our father, son of Saturn!

Right well are we aware ourselves, unyielding is thy power.

Yet for the spearmen Danaï, we none the less have sorrow,

Who will accomplish destiny, I ween, and vilely perish.

Now from the war, in truth, will we hold off, as thou commandest;

But counsel to the Argives still may we suggest, for profit;

Lest speedily they perish all beneath thy sore displeasure."

Then cloud-collecting Jupiter with gracious smile address'd her :

"Cheer thee, beloved, Trito-born! not with a soul so earnest

Have I harangu'd; and fain would I to thee, my child, be gentle."

So spake he; then beneath the yoke he shot his heav'nly coursers,

Brazen of foot and swift to fly, with golden manes longstreaming.

He on his own immortal skin with gold was clad; and grasping

The golden lash's canny weight, on his own seat he mounted,

And flogg'd to drive them, nothing loth in flying race to gallop

In the mid regions, over Earth and under starry Heaven.

Soon unto Ida, rill-bestream'd, parent of game, arriv'd he,

At Gargarus, where his domain was fix'd, and fragrant altar.

There did the Sire of gods and mortals check his steeds' careering,

And loos'd them from the car, and spread around them mist abundant.

Himself upon the pinnacles sat glorying in grandeur,

Gazing upon Achaia's ships and on the Troian city.

But when the Achaians streaminghair'd their early meal had taken

Quickly amid their tents, from it they truss'd themselves for battle.

On other side the Troïans within the town equipp'd them,

Fewer in numbers; yet their heart, e'en so, was bent on struggle,

By dint of hard necessity, for children and for women.

Then open all the gates were flung, and out the folk came rushing,

The footmen and the horsemen both, and rous'd unmeasur'd riot.

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,

From victors or from vanquished; and reek'd the earth with carnage.

While that the morning lasted still and sacred day was waxing,

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

But when the lofty-climbing sun had touch'd his noon of heaven,

The general Father thereupon his golden balance poised,

And, charg'd with death slowlingering, two fates he cast within it,

For coursertaming Troïans and brazencloak'd Achaians.

He rais'd the scales; then tilting fell the auspicious hour of Argos.

Upon the many-feeding earth Achaia's fates were planted;

The fates of Troas mounted high into the vasty heaven.

Himself from Ida thunder'd loud, and mid the Achaian people

Sent forth a streaming brilliancy of flame: and they, beholding,

Aghast were smitten: over all pale terror held dominion.

Then neither dar'd Idomeneus to stay, nor Agamemnon.

Nor either Ajax firmly stood, twain ministers of Ares.

Alone abode Gerenian Nestor, watcher of the Achaians,

And he, unwilling: but his horse was with an arrow wounded,——

Which godlike Alexander shot, husband of bright-hair'd Helen,——

Upon the forehead's topmost point, whereat the horse's forelock

Takes its first growth from out the skull; and chiefly is it vital.

Into the brain the shaft had pierc'd: the steed, with anguish rearing,

And writhing round the pointed barbs, the other coursers troubled.

While the old man, with cutlass hasting, slash'd away the trappings,

Which, at the side, entangled him, meantime the steeds of Hector

In swift pursuit came terrible, bearing a hardy hero,

Hector, as charioteer: and now the aged man had perish'd;

But Diomedes, good at need, quickly perceiv'd the danger,

And, with a horror-striking cry, address'd him to Ulysses:

"Oh Jove-deriv'd, Laertes' son, Ulysses much-contriving,

Whither, as coward in a crowd, dost turn the back on battle?

Beware, lest, as thou fleest, one strike-in his spear behind thee:

But wait, till from the aged man we drive this savage hero."

He spake; nor did divine Ulysses, much-enduring, heed him,

But rushing onward, pass'd to reach Achaia's hollow galleys.

Then Tydeus' son, tho' left alone, plung'd in the foremost battle,

And stood before the chariot of Neleus' aged offspring;

100

Then, urgently accosting him, did winged accents utter:

"Oh aged friend! in very truth young warriours distress thee:

Thy force is languid; Eld to thee is but a weary escort.

Infirm (I wis) thy charioteer and sluggish are thy coursers.

But come, this car of mine ascend, and see my steeds' careering,

105

What virtue hath the breed of Tros, with all the plain acquainted,

Hither and thither fleet to scour, and chase or flee alternate;

Which from Æneias once I took, twain counsellors of terror.

To these then let our squires attend, but we will on the others

Straight at the Troians coursertaming hold our course; that Hector

110

May learn, if haply eke to me the wielded spear is frantic."

Thus when he spake, the charioteer Gerenian Nestor yielded.

Then friendly-soul'd Eurymedon and Sthenelus high-hearted,

Squires of the princes, took in charge the car and steeds of Nestor;

But on the car of Diomedes mounted both the princes.

115

Forthwith did Nestor in his hands the glossy bridles gather,

And flogg'd the coursers: speedily arriv'd they nigh to Hector.

Eager and straight he came; but quick flew Diomedes' weapon.

It miss'd the mark, and hit him not; but struck the squire beside him,

Eniopeus, whose father was the lofty-soul'd Thebæus;

120

Him, as the horses' reins he held, it thro' the bosom pierced.

So dropt he from the chariot : the nimble-footed coursers

Swerv'd with alarm: but he by life and force was there abandon'd.

Then sorrow for his charioteer grimly o'erclouded Hector,

Yet left he him, there as he was, to lie, tho' for his comrade

125

Inly distraught; but look'd to find some driver bold; nor truly

Long did the steeds a ruler lack; for speedily descried he

Bold Archeptolemus, the son of Iphitus: him Hector

Call'd up beside him, and the reins into his hands entrusted.

Then deeds beyond repair had been, and carnage out of number,

130

Yea, and the foe in Ilium, like unto lambs, been folded,

Had not the Sire of gods and mortals speedily perceiv'd it;

So with a dreadful thunderclap he threw a bolt of lightning,

All blazing on the ground, before the steeds of Diomedes;

And dreadfully the flame shot up out of the burning brimstone,

135

And both the coursers, terrified, fell cowering before it.

Straightway did Nestor from his hands let drop the glossy bridles,

And, with a soul by fear subdued, accosted Diomedes:

"Come, son of Tydeus, turn to flight the single-hoofed horses.

Discernest not, that Jupiter his aid to us refuseth?

140

For now, the king Saturnius on him bestoweth glory,

This day; but afterward again to us, if so he will it,

Shall he bestow: no human force may Jove's devices parry,

Be never man so valorous; for greatly is He stronger."

Then Diomedes, good at need, accosted him responsive :

145

"Ay, verily, all this, old friend! discreetly hast thou spoken;

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

For Hector in harangue will say hereafter to the Troians:

'The son of Tydeus fled from me in terror to the galleys.'

So will he boast hereafter: then, may the earth yawn to gulp me!"

150

To him in turn the charioteer Gerenian Nestor answer'd:

"Ah! word how simply utter'd!——son of skilful-hearted Tydeus!

If ever Hector thee shall call a coward and unwarlike,

Yet Troians and Dardanidæ will ne'er believe the saying;

Nor will the wives of buckler-wielding mightyhearted Troians,

155

Who know too well, that thou in dust hast laid their blooming consorts."

Upon the word, he turn'd to flight the single-hoofed horses

In swift careering: after them the Troïans and Hector,

With an unearthly clamour, pour'd their darts' distressful shower.

Then loudly shouted after him great motley-helmed Hector:

160

"O son of Tydeus, thee of yore the charioteering Argives

With seat, with dainties, and full cups, preeminent did honour:

But now will they dishonour thee, who art become a woman.

Begone, thou puny tender doll! for never on our towers

Shalt thou set foot and I give way; nor shalt thou bear our women

165

Upon the galleys: earlier, will I assign thy fortune."

When thus he vaunted, Tydeus' son with double purpose falter'd,

Longing to wheel his horses round and close in adverse battle.

Thrice did he hold with mind and soul a conference of passion,

And thrice did Jove the Counsellor from Ida's mountains thunder,

170

And to the Troians token gave of mastery in battle.

But Hector rais'd his voice aloft and charg'd the Troian army:

"Dardans, who hand to hand contend, and Lycians, and Troians!

Be men, my friends! nor negligent of furious encounter.

Well know I, that Saturnius to me decreeth conquest

175

And mighty glory zealously, but to the Argives ruin.

O simpletons! who now with toil these ramparts have erected,

Feeble and nothing worth: for ne'er will these repel my prowess;

And lightly will my steeds o'erleap the moat that deep is digged.

But at what time I reach beside the smoothly-hollow galleys,

180

Of fiery ravage thereupon let each have some remembrance,

That I with fire may kindle well their galleys, and may slaughter,

All scar'd and blinded by the smoke, the Argive crowds beside them."

After this word, he call'd aloud, to cheer and urge his horses:

"Now do ye two the nurture-price repay me, which my consort

185

Andromache, the daughter of Eëtion great-hearted,

With her own hands unsparingly upon your pleasure lavish'd.

For, the heartsoothing wheat to you she earlier presented,

And wine she mingled for your drink, whene'er the fancy seiz'd you,

Sooner than e'en to me, who vaunt to be her blooming consort.

190

But follow close, and overhend by speed, that we may capture

The Nestoreian shield; of which the rumour reacheth heaven,

How that the guides and shield itself are all of gold constructed.

Then too, the corslet curious, which toilsome Vulcan fashion'd,

Would we from off the shoulders strip of courser-proud Tydides.

195

Well might I hope, if both of these we captur'd, that the Achaians,

Before the night is gone, would mount upon their speedy galleys."

When thus he vaunted, shame and rage seiz'd venerable Juno:

Bestraught, she mov'd upon her throne, and long Olympus shudder'd.

Then Neptune's mighty godhead she with utterance confronted:

200

"Good Spirits! doth not even yet, wide-powerful land-shaker!

The soul within thy breast beweep the carnage of the Argives?

Yet gifts to thee they consecrate at Helike and Aegae

Many and pleasant: thou in turn for their success bestir thee.

For if we chose,——all we, by whom the Danaï are holpen,

205

To curb wide-sighted Jupiter and to repel the Troians,

Alone on Ida might he sit, and there digest his sorrow."

To her with indignation huge spake the land-shaking ruler:

"O Juno, fearless of discourse, what saying hast thou blurted?

Never would I, that we the rest with Jove the son of Saturn

210

Contend; not e'en by force combin'd: for greatly is He stronger."

Thus they reciprocally held betwixt themselves discourses.

Meanwhile the space from galley's poop to moat beside the rampart

Was fill'd with crowds of fugitives, ——horses and shielded heroes,——

Driven to strait; and Hector's self, the son of Priam, drave them,

215

An equipoise for Ares fierce, when Jove to glory rais'd him.

Now had he burnt with wasting fire the even-balanc'd galleys,

But that the queenly Juno mov'd the heart of gangamemnon,

Himself with zeal and diligence the Achaian bands to visit.

He hied and hurried, passing on beside the tents and galleys,

220

Bearing upon his brawny arm an ample robe of purple,

And on Ulysses' galley black he stood, which midmost couched,

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 even-balanc'd galleys

225

Last on the strand, on bravery and stubborn strength reliant.

Then to the Danaï abroad with piercing voice he shouted :

"Handsome of visage, base of fame, O shame, ye men of Argos!

Whither are gone the boasts, wherein we said that we were bravest?

O empty vaunters; ye who once in Lemnos made pretension!"

230

While banqueting on plenteous flesh of lofty-crested bullocks

And emptying the bowls, with wine o'erbrimming,——sooth! ye boasted,

That every one would stand in war, match for a hundred Troians

Or for two hundred: now are we not worth a single Hector,

Who shortly will with wasting fire the Argive galleys kindle.

235

O father Jove, didst e'er before with such disaster ruin

Any of overswaying kings, despoil'd of mighty glory?

Yet, hither roaming to my woe on many-benched galley,

No beauteous altar yet of thine I anywhere have slighted;

But upon all I dutiful burnt fat and thighs of oxen,

240

In eager hope of pillaging Troy's nobly-fenced city.

But Jupiter! this wish at least do thou for me accomplish:

Let but my people's lives and limbs be safe and scape destruction.

Nor thus beneath the Troïans crush thou the Achaian spirit."

When thus he spake, the Sire was griev'd to view him tear-beflooded :

245

Assent he nodded, that the host come scatheless from the danger,

Forthwith an eagle sent he forth, of feather'd wights most perfect,

Which held a swift hind's progeny, a fawn, within its talons;

And by a beauteous altar's side, whereat the Achaians honour'd

Jove, source of every mystic Voice, ——let drop the fawn before them.

250

But they, discerning that from Him had come the bird of omen,

Leapt braver on the Troïans, and hero-glee remember'd.

Thereat not one of Danaï, tho' many was their number,

Might boast, in front of Tydeus' son, and earlier, to rally,

And drive beyond the moat his steeds, and join in adverse combat:

255

But far the foremost, cast he down the Troian Agelaüs,

A full-arm'd hero, Phradmon's son; who turn'd to flight his horses ;

But as he turn'd, Tydides fix'd the spear between his shoulders

Right in his back, and thrust it thro', and reach'd into his bosom.

So from the chariot he dropt, and o'er him clang'd his armour.

260

After him Agamemnon came, and eke his princely brother,

And upon these the Ajaces twain, clad in impetuous courage,

And after these Idomeneus, and his belov'd attendant

Meriones, an equipoise to hero-slaying Ares;

And after these Eurypylus, Euæmon's brilliant offspring:

265

The ninth was Teucer, twanging oft his bow's redoubled arches,

Who shelter'd him beneath the screen of Telamonian Ajax.

Then Ajax slowly would his shield move onward; but the bowman

Peering around, if in the crowd he haply with an arrow

Hit one or other, left him there to gasp away his spirit;

270

But he returning, like a child unto his mother's bosom,

Crept alway into Ajax, who with shining buckler hid him.

Then who was first of Troïans o'erhent by spotless Teucer?

Orsilochus and Ormenus were first, and Ophelestes,

And Lycophontes, match for gods, Dætor and Melanippus,

275

And Chromius, and Amopáon, son of Polyæmon:

All these successive cast he down on Earth, the many-feeder.

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, was joyful to behold him

Wide-wasting from his stalwart bow the Troïan battalions,

And close beside him took his stand, and spake to him approval:

280

"Dear Teucer, son of Telamon and governour of peoples,

Shoot thus, and to the Danaï haply become a comfort,

And to thy father Telamon; who nurtur'd thee, when little,

And, meaner tho' thy birth, within his princely chambers rear'd thee:

Now, in far distance tho' he is, do thou on glory mount him.

285

But unto thee so much I say, ——which shall be fact accomplish'd:——

If ever ægis-holding Jove and maid Athene grant me

To storm and pillage Ilium, that nobly-builded fortress,

After myself, thy hand shall first receive a gift of honour,

A tripod, or a pair of steeds with chariot to match them,

290

Or a fair woman, suited well in common bed to meet thee."

Then words reciprocal to him did spotless Teucer utter:

"O Atreus' son, most glorious, why urgest me? for verily,

When I myself am eager, far as my force availeth,

Never stop I: but syne as first to Ilium we drave them,

295

Thenceforth in ambush with my bow I wait, and slay the foeman.

E'en now have issued from my string eight lengthy-barbed arrows,

And all within the limbs are fix'd of callants keen in battle.

Only to hit this raving dog as yet my art hath fail'd me."

So answer'd he, and from the string dispatch'd another arrow

300

In purpose straight at Hector aim'd; for much he long'd to hit him.

But of his mark he miss'd, and struck with arrow in the bosom

The spotless prince Gorgythion, the bonny son of Priam,

Whom erst a mother bare to light, from far Æsyme courted,

In form like to the goddesses, the bright Castianeira.

305

And as a poppy leans aside its head, which in a garden

Surcharg'd with its own fulness is and with the vernal moisture ;

So did he bend his head aside, o'erladen with the helmet.

But Teucer quickly from the string dispatch'd another arrow

In purpose straight at Hector aim'd; for much he long'd to hit him.

310

Yet once again he miss'd; for still Apollo foil'd his finger.

But upon Archeptolemus, brave charioteer of Hector,

Eager for battle, fell the shaft, and pierc'd him thro' the bosom :

So dropt he from the chariot : the nimblefooted coursers

Swerv'd with alarm; but he by life and force was there abandon'd.

315

Then sorrow for his charioteer grimly o'erclouded Hector,

Yet there he left him lying, tho' stung deeply for his comrade;

But chancing nigh at hand to see Kebriones his brother,

Bade him the coursers' reins to take: who heard, nor disobey'd him.

But from the allresplendent car himself to hard earth leaping,

320

Seiz'd with his hand a massy rock, and hurried straight at Teucer

With terror-striking yell; for fierce his soul was bent to crush him.

He from the quiver verily had pick'd a stinging arrow,

And on the string adjusted it: but motley-helmed Hector,

While as he drew it, struck his arm, high up beside the shoulder,

325

Where the key-bone most critical the neck and bosom parteth;

Here with the stony ruggedness he check'd the eager archer,

And snapt his bowstring: to the wrist his arm was numb'd: he stumbled

On to his knees, and from his hands forth fell the bow and arrow.

But Ajax, when his brother fell, no tender care neglected,

330

But ran and overstrode his limbs and spread the buckler round him.

Then, on their shoulders propping him, his two belov'd companions,

Mekisteus son of Echius and the divine Alastor,

Bare to the smoothly-hollow ships the deeply-groaning archer:

And soon again the Olympian breath'd might into the Troians.

335

Then straight toward the moat so deep did they thrust back the Achaians,

And Hector in the foremost mov'd, with grim delight of prowess.

In guise no other, than as hound on nimble feet reliant

Chaseth the buttocks and the hips of savage boar or lion,

And watcheth when he wheeleth round, and clingeth still behind him;

340

So Hector closely kept in chase the streaminghair'd Achaians,

And alway slew the hindmost man; and scar'd the rest before him.

But when across the palisade and up the moat they clamber'd

Fleeing, and many fell in death beneath the hands of Troians,

Then, checking by the galleys' side their wild career, they halted,

345

And each to other made appeal, and to all gods in heaven

Did every one with lifted hands his supplication offer.

And Hector hither, thither, wheel'd his glossy-coated horses,

His eyes like Ares, pest of man, or like the grisly Gorgon.

But Juno, whitearm'd goddess, them from heaven saw and pitied,

350

And to Athene instantly did winged accents utter:

"Offspring of ægisholding Jove, alas! shall we no longer

Care, if the Danaï do now sink into final ruin?

They will accomplish destiny, I ween, and vilely perish

By dint of one man's force: but he, Hector, the son of Priam,

355

His madness bridleth not, and lo! hath wrought full many mischiefs."

To her with word responsive spake Athene, greyey'd goddess :

"Ay, troth! would this man many a time be riev'd of life and spirit,

And perish on his father's soil beneath the hands of Argives,

But that, by evil mind possest, my own high Father rageth,

360

Untractable, a sinner old, my efforts alway foiling.

Nor doth he hold in memory, how oft and oft I rescued

His son, outwearièd beneath the taskings of Eurystheus.

For he to heaven mournfully would weep; then Jove would send me

In hurry from the lofty sky to aid him with my presence.

365

But if within my canny mind I had forecast the future,

When to the portals tightly-barr'd of Aïdes he ventur'd,

To bring from Erebus the dog of Aïdes the awsome,

Never had he the direful streams of river Styx escaped.

Now me doth Jupiter disdain, and hath fulfill'd the counsels

370

Of Thetis, who his knees embrac'd and strok'd his beard, imploring

That he to honour would exalt Achilles city-rieving.

Yet one day, troth! shall he again call me his greyey'd darling.

But for us twain now harness thou the single-hoofed horses,

That I meanwhile within the house of Jove the ægisholder

375

May busk in fit accoutrement for combat; to discover

Whether, when we together shine along the battle's causeys,

The sight will gladden Priam's son, great motley-helmed Hector;

Or whether some of Troians too, beside the Achaian galleys

Fallen in death, with flesh and fat shall glut the dogs and vultures."

380

She spake, nor uncompliant found the whitearm'd goddess Juno.

But Juno, venerable queen, daughter of mighty Saturn

Mov'd busily, and furbish'd out the golden-trapped horses.

Meanwhile Athene, maiden-imp of Jove the ægis-holder,

Down on the pavement of her sire shower'd her robe resplendent,

385

Whose tissue she herself had wrought and with her hands embroider'd :

Then, in a martial tunic clad, address'd her in the armour

Of cloud-collecting Jupiter to meet the tearful battle.

Into the flaming chariot then with her feet she mounted,

And grasp'd her spear,——vast, weighty, stout, wherewith the ranks she wasteth

390

Of heroes, whom for wrath she dooms, child of a direful Father.

But Juno keenly with the scourge the coursers touch'd. Before them

The gates of heaven boom'd aloud, selfmoving: so commanded

The Hours, who hold beneath their trust great Heaven and Olympus,

Alike to raise or overspread the closely-shutting darkness:

395

Betwixt these gates they guided clear the spur-excited horses.

But when from Ida father Jove beheld, in grim displeasure

He sent on urgent ambassy the goldenwinged Iris:

"Hie, hurry, speedy Iris!——back turn thou the twain! nor suffer

To thwart my purpose; for in sooth our conflict were unseemly.

400

For roundly will I say, and this shall soon be fact accomplish'd,——

That I beneath their chariot will lame the nimble horses,

Out of the seat will cast themselves, and piecemeal smash the carriage;

Nor when ten times the Sun hath clos'd the year's revolving circle,

Shall they of wounds beheal'd, wherewith my thunderbolt shall score them;

405

So may the greyey'd shun to fight against her proper Father.

But less with Juno I in truth am angry and indignant;

For she, whatever be my bent, is alway wont to cross it."

He spake; then on her errand sped the stormy-footed Iris,

And from the mounts of Ida, up went she to long Olympus.

410

Meeting them at the foremost gates of many-lapp'd Olympus,

There she detain'd them, and from Jove pronounc'd to them the message:

"Whither are urgent? why, ye twain, is heart in bosom frantic ?

Saturnius permitteth not to bring the Argives succour.

For Saturn's son hath threatened, if truly he accomplish,

415

That he beneath your chariot will lame the nimble horses,

Out of the seat will cast yourselves, and piecemeal smash the carriage;

Nor when ten times the Sun hath clos'd the year's revolving circle,

Shall ye of wounds be heal'd, wherewith his thunderbolt shall score you;

So mayst thou, Greyey'd! shun to fight against thy proper Father.

420

But less with Juno he in truth is angry and indignant,

For she, whatever be his bent, is alway wont to cross it.

But thou! bold vixen! termagant! if truly thou adventure

Against the might of Jupiter thy massy spear to brandish."

So utter'd Iris swift of foot, and with the word departed.

425

Then Juno hastily address'd a word unto Athene:

"Offspring of ægisbearing Jove! alas! but I no longer

Urge that we twain with Jupiter wage war in sake of mortals.

Of them, as chance may rule, let one live, and another perish:

But Jupiter, let him, whate'er his mind and soul may purpose

430

For Troians and for Danaï, determine, as is seemly."

With such avowal, back she turn'd the singlehoofed horses.

Then did the Hours unyoke for them the glossy-coated horses,

And free from harness fasten'd them at their ambrosial mangers,

And lean'd the chariot against the splendid-fronted building.

435

Meanwhile themselves, the goddesses, on golden chairs were seated

Promiscuous with other gods, but pierc'd with inward sorrow.

But father Jove from Ida drave his smoothly-rolling carriage

And coursers to Olympus, where the seats of gods receiv'd him.

Then the Landshaker glorious the steeds unharness'd, placing

440

The chariot on pedestals, and curtains spread above it.

But on a golden throne, himself, widesighted Jove, did rest him,

And as he press'd his feet beneath, he stagger'd great Olympus.

There, at the side of Jupiter sat Juno and Athene

Alone; but no salute they spake, and no inquiry made they.

445

But he in his own mind discern'd, and first the twain accosted :

"O Juno and Athene, why is thus your heart afflicted ?

No toil, I trow, hath wearied you in man-ennobling battle

The Troians to destroy, for whom grim bitterness ye nurture.

Surely, so far as heart and hands intractable avail me,

450

Not all the gods should turn me back, who dwell upon Olympus.

But you, your limbs illustrious were first by trembling seized,

Before ye came in sight of war and doubtful feats of battle.

For roundly will I speak it out,—— what would have been accomplish'd——

Never upon your proper car, once smitten by my lightning,

455

Back to Olympus had ye come, where dwell the gods immortal."

He spake; thereat they mutter'd deep, both Juno and Athene:

Close sat they, side by side, and woes against the Troians plotted.

Truly Athene dumb abode before her proper father,

Tho' wounded by his argument and seiz'd with fierce displeasure.

460

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?

Right well are we aware ourselves, unyielding is thy power.

Yet for the spearmen Danaï we none the less have sorrow,

Who will accomplish destiny, I ween, and vilely perish.

465

Now from the war in truth will we hold off, as thou commandest :

But counsel to the Argives still may we suggest, for profit;

Lest speedily they perish all, beneath thy sore displeasure."

Then cloud-collecting Jupiter accosted her, responsive :

"At morrow's dawn, if such thy will, O large-ey'd queenly Juno,

470

Thou more than ever shalt behold the over-matching fury

Of Saturn's offspring, wasting wide the spearman host of Argives.

For Hector's all-oppressing force no pause shall make of battle,

Till from his galley-side it wake the wrath of swift Pelides,

E'on on the day, when, face to face, at galley's poop, they combat

475

In grim inevitable strait around Patroclus fallen:

For so doth Heaven will. But I for thee and thy displeasure

Take no account, not even if the lowest seats thou visit,——

The ends of Earth and Ocean, where Iapetus and Saturn,

Sitting apart, have no delight from rays of sun o'ergliding

480

Nor from the breezes, but by depths of Tartarus are girded.

But thee and all thy moodiness I heed not, e'en if roaming

Thither thou venture; for than thee no worser vixen liveth."

When thus he spake, no answer came from whitearm'd queenly Juno.——

Then sank the brilliant light of day into the depths of Ocean,

485

Upon the Earth's life-giving soil the gloom of night entraining.

The Troian army lost the light unwilling; but the Achaians

With vows and longings, hopes and joy, the shroud of darkness welcom'd.

Then did illustrious Hector call the Troians to assembly,

At distance from the galleys meet, beside the river's eddies,

490

On a clear space where open ground was seen between the corpses.

Then they, dismounted from their cars, to that harangue did listen,

Which Jove-beloved Hector spake: but in his hand he wielded

A lengthy spear, which measur'd ells eleven ; and before him

Glitter'd its brazen head, whose neck a golden ring surmounted.

495

But resting then his arm on this, he spake among the Troians :

"Troians and Dardans and allies, unto my counsel hearken!

Now had I thought outright to quell the Achaians and their galleys,

And unto windy Ilium back to return in triumph :

Only, too soon did darkness come, which chiefly now hath rescued

500

The Argive army, ships and all, upon the rough sea-margin.

But verily, to dusky Night now let us yield compliance,

And furnish out our suppers; but unharness ye beneath the cars,

The glossy-coated horses and fodder cast beside them.

But send unto the city-gates, and thence stout sheep and oxen

505

Bring ye right speedily; and eke heart-soothing wine procure ye

And bread from out the public stores, and pick ye sticks in plenty,

That we, thro' livelong night, until the early birth of morning,

May kindle copious fire, whose blaze shall reach the vault of heaven;

Lest haply under screen of night the streaminghair'd Achaians

510

Over the sea's broad-swelling backs to hasty flight betake them.

Troth! would I not, that one of them at ease embark, unhurried,

But that each man may carry off a gash, at home to muse on,

Or by an arrow overhent, or by a lance-prick goaded,

While leaping up his galley-side; ——to make all others shudder,——

515

With tear-abounding war to vex the courser-taming Troians.

And let the heralds dear to Jove along the city publish

To gather boys of tender age and hoary-templed elders

On to the towers built by gods, throughout the city searching:

And let the women, weak of sex, each one within her chambers

520

Kindle a brilliant light; and let some constant guard be holden,

Lest in the absence of the folk an ambush force the city.

Thus be it done, as I harangue, O loftyhearted Troians;

Nor more of this be said, if this be sound and prudent counsel :

Again will I at dawn address the coursertaming Troians;

525

But, after pray'r to Jupiter and other gods immortal,

My trust it is, hence to drive out these deadly hounds outlandish,

Whom noisome fates have borne to us upon their dusky galleys.

And verily, this night, must we for our own selves be watchful;

But, with the morning's early dawn, complete in arms accoutred,

530

Must at the smoothly-hollow ships awaken eager Ares.

So shall I learn, if Diomed, the stalwart son of Tydeus,

Unto their wall will drive me back, or I with brazen weapon

Make havoc of his life, and bear a prize of gory trophies.

To-morrow shall to trial bring his valour, if he venture

535

To wait my spear's arrival; but, I trow, among the foremost

Shall he in death be prostrate laid, and many comrades round him,

What time to-morrow's Sun is high. For would that I so surely

Immortal might be, and my days exempt from Eld enfeebling,

And I such honour meet, as eke Athene and Apollo,

540

Surely as doth the coming day bear mischief to the Argives."

Thus Hector spake, and cheerily to him the Troians shouted.

Then every one his sweating steeds did from the yoke unharness,

And duly fasten'd them with thongs, each to his proper carriage,

And sent unto the city's gates, and thence stout sheep and oxen

545

Brought out right speedily, and eke heartsoothing wine procur'd they,

And bread from out the public stores; and sticks in plenty gather'd.

Then did they perfect hecatombs unto the immortals offer,

And from the plain the breezes bare the steam to highth of heaven,

Fragrant; yet blessed gods averse no pleasant savour tasted;

550

For sacred Ilium by them was held in deadly hatred,

And Priam's self and all the folk of ashen-speared Priam.

But they with overweening thoughts along the battle's causeys

Sat all the livelong night, and fires beside them kindled many.

And as around the shining Moon the little stars of heaven

555

Glister with radiance distinct, when all the sky is breathless,

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

And from behind the cloven blue uncounted heaven bursteth,

And all above thee seemeth Stars, and joyful is the shepherd :

So many fires, betwixt the streams of Xanthus and the galleys,

560

Shone then in front of Ilium, by hands of Troians kindled.

A thousand fires along the plain, I say, that night were burning,

And close to every glaring blaze sat fifty foes of Argos.

And by their chariots the steeds, rye and white barley munching,

Stood, waiting patiently the rise of gorgeous-throned Morning.

565

Notes on the current edition

Iliad

1. 379.1

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

In my comments here on Rhapsody 8, I sense I am not far from reaching a critical mass of details that shed light on the unity and integrity of the Homeric Iliad. With the upcoming comments on Rhapsody 9, this sense will I hope reach a definitive stage.

draft js image error “Hera, Athena, and Iris in the Trojan War,” Jacques Réattu (1760–1833). Image via Wikimedia Commons.

source

Homer Iliad 8.553

A. T. Murray (Translator)