BOOK XVI
So far'd the hardy struggle there,
around the welldeck'd galley.
1
Meanwhile Patroclus stood beside
Achilles, people's shepherd,
Pouring adown his cheek warm tears,
as some dark source of waters,
Which down a stormcapt precipice
poureth a murky torrent.
At sight of him divine Achilles
footreliant marvell'd;
5
So he with pitiful address
did winged accents utter:
"Patroclus! wherefore weepest thou,
like to a tender infant,
Who, tripping at her mother's side
and clinging to her garment,
Imploreth to be lifted up
and hindereth her hurry,
And, to be lifted in her arms,
with many a tear uplooketh :
10
Like unto her, Patroclus, thou
the tender teardrop sheddest.
Hast haply for the Myrmidons
or for myself a message?
Or is to thee alone some news
arriv'd from distant Phthia?
Still, as they say, Menoetius,
the son of Actor, liveth,
And still among the Myrmidons
liveth my father Peleus;
15
Either of whom, by fate's decree
remov'd, would sorely grieve us.
Or for the Argives sorrowest,
how now their bands are wasted,
Beside the smoothly hollow ships,
to scourge their proper trespass?
Lock not thy breast, but speak it out;
and so, we both shall know it."
To him with heavy groans didst thou,
horseman Patroclus! answer:
20
"O son of Peleus! Achileus!
far noblest of the Achaians!
Take no offence: so fierce distress
upon the Achaians presseth.
For all who formerly bare lead,
as bravest of our army,
Lie prostrate at the galley-side
by thrust or flying arrow.
Lances have Agamemnon pierc'd
and spear-renown'd Ulysses,
25
Arrows have reach'd Eurypylus
and stalwart Diomedes.
About them the chirurgeons
with many a drug are busied,
Healing their wounds; but thou
art made unhealable, Achilles!
Me never may such anger seize,
as that which
thou dost foster!
30
Woe on thy valour! why should
men of future ages bless thee,
If thou from Argos willest not
to ward unseemly ruin ?
O cruel! never sire to thee
was charioteering Peleus,
Nor Thetis was thy mother: nay,
but grey sea-billows bare thee
And foot-betraying rocks;
so wild, so rugged is thy bosom.
35
But if, with heart foreboding, thou
some heav'nly danger shunnest,
Which, from the lips of Jupiter,
thy queenly mother taught thee,
Yet me send forward quick, and lend
thy other folk behind me
Of Myrmidons; so may I bring
some ray of light to Argos.
And on my shoulders grant to me
to bear thy proper armour,
40
If-that perchance the Troïans,
deluded by thy semblance,
Stand off from battle, and hereby
Achaia's warlike children
Gain respite of their toil;-and short
the respite is of warfare.
'Twere light for us unwearièd,
from off the tents and galleys,
Unto the city back to drive
men wearièd in combat."
45
So supplicating spake he then,
great simpleton! for truly
He for himself did supplicate
a direful doom of ruin.
To him Achilles, fleet of foot,
indignantly responded:
"What utterance was that? alas,
Patroclus Jove-descended!
Naught from the lips of Jupiter
my queenly mother teacheth,
50
Nor know I heav'nly oracle
to fill with awe my bosom.
Only, my heart and soul are here
by anguish grimly wounded,
When one, who is in sway and force
superiour, delighteth
His equal to bereave of right,
and back his prize to ravish.
Grim anguish deem I this; sith I
in heart have sorrow suffer'd.
55
The damsel whom Achaia's sons
for me as prize selected,
Whom by my spear I purchased,
a walled city storming,
Her from my hands did Atreus' son,
wide-ruling Agamemnon,
Snatch from me back again, as tho'
from some degraded outcast.
But leave we these things, past and gone;
and any-gait uncomely
60
Was it, with obstinate resolve
for ever to be anger'd.
Troth! thought I, never would I stay
the fury of my passion,
Till the loud onset of the war
might reach my proper galley.
Yet thou, my own illustrious arms
upon thy shoulders placing,
Lead the warloving Myrmidons
to join the hardy struggle;
65
Sith, like a cloud of dusky blue,
the Troians now, it seemeth,
Circle the fleet, o'ermastering;
but on the rough sea-margin
The Argives lean, hemm'd every way,
and hold but scanty portion
Of land remaining; while on them
comes all the Troian city,
Cheery: for they no longer view
the frontlet of my helmet
70
Within our ranks near glittering:
else would they fill the gulleys
By speedy flight with carcases,
if royal Agamemnon
To me were kindly minded: now,
around the camp they combat.
Nor longer in the skilful grasp
of Diomed Tydides
Rageth the spear, which once would save
the Danaï from ruin.
75
Nor rumour reacheth me as yet,
that Atreus' son high shouteth
From hated mouth: nay, but the voice
of hero-slaying Hector
Cheering his Troians, echoeth
rebounding: they, with uproar
The plain preoccupy, in fray
outmatching these Achaians.
Yet, even so, Patroclus! thou,
to save the fleet from ruin,
80
Fall in with overswaying might,
lest they the galleys kindle
With blazing firebrand: só would
they of sweet return despoil us.
But thou, as in thy mind I set
a charge complete, obey me;
(So thou from all the Danaï
shalt mighty honour earn me
And glory; who with public train
unto my tents shall convoy
85
The damsel bright and beautiful,
and splendid gifts beside her.)-
When from the fleet the foe is scar'd,
return thou! or, if haply
Juno's loud-rumbling spouse on thee
bestow some meed of glory,
Without my presence hanker not
to dally in the battle
With the warloving Troïans:
and cheaper wilt thou make me:
90
Nor, O my friend, in foeman's play
and hero-glee exulting,
And rieving lives of Troïans,
to Ilium pursue them;
Lest of the gods eternal-born
one meet thee from Olympus :-
And them Apollo Far-averter
tenderly doth cherish.
But turn thee backward, soon as thou
some ray of light hast open'd
95
Unto the fleet, and leave the hosts
upon the plain to bargain.
Would it might be, - O father Jove,
Athene and Apollo!
That of all Troïans who live,
and eke of all the Argives,
Not one from slaughter might escape,
and only we survive them:
Then would we twain, of Ilium
o'erthrow the sacred turrets."
100
So they reciprocally held
betwixt themselves discourses.
But Ajax might no longer wait;
for sore the darts distress'd him.
The mind of Jove o'ermaster'd him,
and lordly-hearted Troians
With bolts unweary pelting thick.
Pelted, around his temples,
The shining helm a rattle kept:
and pelted was he alway
105
Over his tight accoutrements.
All-weary was his shoulder,-
The left, which stedfast ever held
his vast and motley buckler:
Yet they, with darts hard pressing round,
to dash him off avail'd not.
A noisome gasping cramp'd his breast,
and down him sweat abundant
Flow'd from his limbs on every side,
nor might he breath recover
110
And respite gain; but every where
was evil heap'd on evil.
Utter for me, ye Muses, now,
who dwell in high Olympus,
How first the deadly fire was cast
upon the Achaian galleys.
Hector with Ajax battle join'd.-
Hector with mighty sabre
Above its head of metal smote
his foeman's ashen weapon,
115
And lopt the metal sheer away :
so Telamonian Ajax
Brandish'd in vain the crippled shaft:
whose brazen point far falling
Rang on the ground re-echoing.
Then Ajax knew the omen,
And shudder'd in his blameless soul
to see the gods' achievements,
How Jove high-rumbling utterly
did shear away the counsels
120
Of Argive battle, bent to yield
high puissance to the Troians.
He from the darts withdrew;
but they on the sharp galley scatter'd
Unweary fire, whose quenchless flame
was sudden pour'd across it.
The busy fire curl round the poop,
aspiring: but Achilles
Smote on his thighs with double palm,
and thus address'd Patroclus:
125
"Ho! quick arouse thee, Jove-deriv'd
Patroclus courser-guiding!
The spurting of the foeman's fire
behold I by the galleys,
And if the galleys captur'd be,
no more escape remaineth.
But don thy armour speedily,
and I the folk may gather."
When thus he urg'd, Patroclus
quick in dazzling brass encas'd him.
130
First on his shins the dapper greaves,
with silver anklets clever,
He fasten'd; next, to guard his chest,
he took the crafty corslet
Borne by Pelides fleet of foot,
all various and starry.
About his shoulders next he slung
the sword with silver studded,
135
Brazen of edge; and after it
his buckler great and stubborn:
And on his gallant head he put
the wellwrought leathern helmet
Bushy with horsetail: dreadfully
the crest above it nodded.
Lastly, he pick'd two valiant spears,
unto his grasp adapted.
Alone, of all the equipments borne
by Peleus' spotless offspring,
140
The lance he took not, -weighty, huge;
which no Achaian chieftain
Beside might brandish: none but he,
Achilles, knew to wield it;
(An ash of Pelion the shaft,
which, from the mountain's summit,
For his dear father Cheiron gat,
to be the death of heroes.)
The steeds, right speedily he bade
Automedon to harness,
145
Than whom he only honour'd more
Achilles hero-crushing;
Who eke most faithful was to him
in fight, to bide upbraidment.
For him Automedon did haste
to yoke the nimble coursers,
Chesnut and Spotted, both of whom
flew swiftly as the breezes;
Whom, as along a lea she graz'd
beside the stream of Ocean,
150
Spry-footed Harpy bare of yore
unto the breezy Zephyr.
But blameless Pedasus beside
in the flank-traces slung he,
Whom from Eëtion's domain
Achilles took for booty;
Who, mortal as he was, kept pace
with those immortal coursers.
But, visiting the Myrmidons
meanwhile, Achilles arm'd them
155
All in their tents with panoply
of helmet, shield, and corslet.
And they, as rawdevouring wolves,
who hardihood unfathom'd
Hold in their heart, and on the fells
a mighty stag with antlers
Have caught and mangled; bloody-red
their chaps are all distained;
And they in company advance,
from some dark source of waters
160
With slender-lolling tongues to lap
the dusky-tinted water
From off the surface: forth they belch death-gore,
and in their bosoms
Intrepid doth their heart abide,
tho' pinched is their belly :
Such then did all the Myrmidons
with governours and leaders,
Obeying swift Æacides,
around his brave companion
165
Fierce circle: and in midst of them
stood warriour Achilles
Urging the shielded men to war
and eke the fiery horses.
Fifty the galleys sharp of prow
were counted, which Achilles,
Belov'd of Jupiter, to Troy
had led; and fifty heroes,
His comrades, came with every one,
upon the benches seated:
170
Five governours he made, to whom
he trusted, to command them
Under his guidance: but himself
supreme of sway was leader.
1
One of the bands Menesthius
with motley corslet guided,
Who claim'd Spercheius as his sire,
a never-resting river,
Streaming from Jove. Him Peleus' child,
the beauteous Polydora,
175
Bare to Spercheius,-woman weak
to an immortal wedded;
Yet Borus was his sire esteem'd,
the son of Perieres,
Who boundless dower paid for her,
and led her into bridal.
Commander of the second band
was warriour Eudorus,
A hero maiden-born: but him
fair-dancing Polymela,
180
Daughter of Phylas, gave to life,
whom the brave Argus-killer
Beheld, and lov'd her, as she danc'd
amid the virgin-comrades
Of golden-shafted Artemis,
the ever-whooping huntress.
Forthwith, good-fellow Hermeas,
into her chamber mounting,
Lay at her side by stealth; and she
a brilliant offspring gave him,
185
Eudorus, swift of foot to run,
and terrible in combat.
But when at length the goddess, who
on painful childbirth waiteth,
Woke him to light of day, and he
beheld this sunny splendour;
Then Echecles of stalwart might,
the son of Actor, paying
Uncounted dower, led away
the mother to his chambers;
190
But aged Phylas took the child
and nurtur'd him discreetly,
Fondly embracing him with love,
as tho' his proper offspring.
Over the third battalion stood
the warriour Peisander,
The son of Maemalus; but he
to wield the spear was signal
Beyond all other Myrmidons,
except Pelides' comrade.
195
Over the fourth battalion went
old charioteering Phoenix;
Over the fifth Alkimedon,
Läerkes' spotless offspring.
But when Achilles, picking well,
had station'd them in order
Beside their leaders, then to all
he stern monition added:
"O Myrmidons, let none, I pray,
forget the words of menace,
200
Which at the Troïans did ye
at the sharp galleys threaten,
During my day of anger, when
ye every one rebuk'd me :-
O cruel son of Peleus! troth,
on gall thy mother fed thee;
Heartless! who keepest by the ships
thy comrades sore unwilling.
Right homeward let us wend our way
with sea-careering galleys,
205
Returning; sith so evil rage
upon thy soul hath fallen.'
To me, assembled, thus ye spake
ofttime: and now appeareth
2
The mighty work of battle-cry,
for which ye erst did hanker;
Here then to fight with Troïans
let each have valiant spirit."
He, by such words, in every breast
spirit and strength excited;
210
And when their monarch's voice they heard,
more close the ranks did pack them.
As when with wellcompacted stones
a man may featly fashion
For some highroofed house a wall,
to screen the force of tempests;
So fitted then were bossy shields
and horsetail-crested helmets.
For helmet was by helmet screen'd,
and buckler propt by buckler,
215
And warriour by warriour:
the horsetail-helmets waving
With ridges bright each other touch'd:
so thick they stood together.
And in the front of all, two men
stood forth complete in armour,
Patroclus and Automedon,
possest of single spirit,
To head the Myrmidons in fight.
Meanwhile, Achilles hied him
220
Into his tent: there open'd he
the lid, that clos'd a coffer,
Dainty and varied; which to him
the silverfooted Thetis
Had plac'd for convoy on the ship,
well-fill'd with under-raiment
And cloaks, a shelter from the blast,
and curly-haired carpets.
Therein besides a goblet lay,
well-carved; nor from out it
225
Did other man than Achileus
drink ever wine resplendent,
Nor he to other god would pour,
save unto Jove the Father.
Out of the coffer this he took
and cleansed it with brimstone
First; afterward besprinkled it
with denty streams of water.
Himself besprinkled eke his hands,
and fill'd with wine the goblet.
230
Then standing midmost in his court,
he pray'd, and made libation,
With eyes to heaven rais'd;
and Jove the thunderloving knew it:
"Lord Jupiter, enthron'd afar,
Pelasgo-Dodonæan!
Thou who Dodona's winter-land
o'erswayest! and around thee
Dwell with unwashen feet thy seers
the ground-encouched Selli.
235
In former time to my request
already hast thou listen'd;
Didst honour me, and mightily
hast harm'd the Achaian people :
Now, once again implor'd, do thou
this wish for me accomplish.
Myself by galley-side shall stay,
in theatre of battle,
But with the trooping Myrmidons
my comrade send I forward
240
To combat: now, widesighted Jove!
on him bestow successes.
With mighty courage strengthen thou
his heart; whereby shall Hector
3
4
Learn, whether our companion dear
even without my presence
Knoweth to combat, or his hands
untractable are frantic
Then only, when I hie with him
mid the turmoil of Ares.
245
But after from the galleys he
the din of fight have chased,
May he to me forthwith return
and reach the galleys scatheless,
With comrades, round his side who fight,
and all my curious armour."
Such was his word of prayer;
and Jove the Counsellor attended.
To one petition listen'd he;
the other he rejected.
250
Far from the ships to drive away
the battle's present danger,
He granted; but the safe return
from battle, this he gave not.
The prince,-libation now complete,
and pray'r to Jove the Father, -
Returning to his tent, replac'd
the goblet in the coffer;
Then forth proceeded from the tent,
and still in soul did hanker
255
To watch the deadly battle-cry
of Troians and Achaians.
But they, accoutred and arrang'd
with mighty-soul'd Patroclus,
March'd steadily, till on they rush'd
with ardour at the foeman.
In sally swarmed they forthwith,
like wasps, who hold their houses
By the roadside; whom children weak
are wont in sport to harry,
Tormenting alway; bringing eke
a common woe on many.
For if some traveller perchance
unwilling now bestir them,
With valiant bosom forth they fly,
to combat for their children.
265
Such heart and spirit cherishing,
the Myrmidon battalions
Then from the galleys sallied out;
and clamour rose incessant.
Patroclus too his comrades charg'd,
with voice voice uplifted shouting:
"O Myrmidons, who comrades are
of Peleus' son, Achilles!
Be men, my friends, nor negligent
of furious encounter;
270
So shall we honour Peleus' son,
who bravest is of Argives
Beside the galleys, and the squires
who fight around his buckler.
So shall we teach to Atreus' son,
wide-ruling Agamemnon,
His folly, who perversely scorn'd
the noblest of the Achaians.”
He spake; and in every breast
spirit and strength excited.
275
Quick on the Troïans they fell,
collected; and the galleys
Responded with terrific crash,
beneath the Achaians shouting.
But when the Troians saw the chief,
Menoetius' brave offspring,
Himself and eke his charioteer,
in all their armour sparkling,
The heart of all held grim debate,
and their battalions trembled;
280
Deeming that by the galley-side
the lordly-soul'd Pelides
At length his anger had renounc'd,
and chose the bonds of friendship.
So each did singly look around,
to scape headlong destruction.
Patroclus first with shining spear
into the middle darted,
285
Where most were justled, near the poop
of great Protesilaüs.
Over the plum'd Paeonians
Pyraechmes there was leader,
Who brought them from far Amydon
and Axius wide-flowing.
On the right shoulder him it hit;
so, groaning fell he prostrate
Down in the dust, and round his corpse
his dear companions trembled,
290
His own Paeonians: sith all
Patroclus fill'd with terror,
Slaying their champion, who held
the primacy of valour.
Thus from the beach he dravethem off,
and quench'd the fire that sparkled ;
And there the half-burnt ship was left.
With an unearthly clamour
The Troian army took to flight:
the Danaï pursued them
295
Forthwith, and unremitting din
arose along the galleys.
As when from off the summit high
of some cloudcompass'd mountain
May lightning-wreathing Jupiter
withdraw the veil of dimness;
And every lofty peak is shown,
and headland edge and forest,
And from behind the cloven dun
unfathom'd heaven gleameth;
300
So, for awhile, the Danaï,
repelling from the galleys
The foeman's fire, did breath regain:
yet was no pause of battle.
For not yet did the Troïans
to flight straightforward scuffle,
Scar'd from the dusky ships, beneath
the villains dear to Ares,
But still they party-wise withstood
and but perforce withdrew them.
305
Thereon each hero slew his man,
when scatter'd was the struggle,
Among the leaders. First of them,
Menoetius' brave offspring,
While-as Areilycus was turn'd,
pierc'd thro' his thigh entirely
With pointed spear, and crush'd the bone:
he to the earth fell headlong.
But Menelas to Ares dear
struck Thoas in the bosom
Beside the buckler open left,
and there unstrung his sinews.
And Phyleus' son, in ambush hid,
caught Amphiclus in sally,
Piercing the pillar of his leg,
where thew of man is thickest:
315
The weapon's point his sinews rent,
and darkness veil'd his eyen.
Of Nestor's sons, Antilochus
with piercing sidestab wounded
Atymnius, who dropt in front;
then for his brother, Maris,
Rush'd angry, and before the dead stood firm:
but Thrasymedes,
320
Ere Maris might a wound implant,
did instant fix his weapon
5
6
Into the shoulder, brake the bone,
and stript the limb of sinew:
So, with a loud crash down he fell,
and darkness veil'd his eyen.
325
Thus by two brethren brethren twain,
Sarpedon's brave companions,
Skilful in darting, overmatch'd,
to Erebus descended:
Whose sire the dread Chimæra rear'd,
a pest to many mortals.
Ajax, Oïleus' son, rush'd in,
and captur'd Cleobulus
330
Alive, entangled in the rout;
but quick with hilted weapon
Smote on his neck, and warm'd the sword
with ruddy-reeking slaughter.
There crimson Death his eyen press'd,
and Destiny resistless.
Then Lycon met Peneleos.
With spears they miss'd each other,
335
Darting in vain; thereat with swords
together ran: and Lycon,
Smiting the horsehair helmet's crest,
snapt at the hilt his sabre.
But deep the foeman's griding sword
within his neck descended:
His head by skin alone hung on,
and there his limbs lay helpless.
340
But Merion, with active feet
quick overhending, wounded
In the right shoulder Acamas,
when he would mount his horses:
So fell he from the car, and mist
lay heavy on his eyelids.
But prince Idomeneus drave on
the ruthless brazen weapon
345
Right through the mouth of Erymas:
beneath the brain it enter'd,
The white bones splintering: and out
the teeth were dash'd: his eyen
Were filled both with blood: but it
out of his mouth and nostrils
He spurted gasping: so did Death
with dusky cloud enshroud him.
350
Such leaders of the Danaï
slew every man his fellow.
As noisome wolves on lambs or kids
dart, from the flock selecting,
Which by the keeper's witlessness
along the fells is scatter'd;
The beasts, beholding, sudden snatch
the feeble-hearted quarry:
355
Thus upon Troians Danaï
did pounce; but those, surrender'd
To shrieking flight, forgetful were
of valorous resistance.
But mighty Ajax alway long'd
at brazenhelmed Hector
To hurl his weapon: he in turn,
in fierce encounter skilful,
With breadth of shoulder alway screen'd
beneath his shield of bullhide,
360
Had shelter from the noisy darts
and hurtle of the arrows.
In sooth, the foe's recruited strength
he saw, and tide of fortune;
Yet stood he, even so, awhile,
and sav'd his dear companions.
But as when, after sky serene,
from summit of Olympus
7
Cometh a cloud o'er heaven's face,
if Jove a squall deviseth;
365
So shriek and terror, scowl and squall,
o'erspread the Troian army,
Repell'd in not decorous flight.
Then by his nimble horses
Hector with heavy armour scap'd,
and left his host of people,
All whom the deep-entrenched moat
behind him kept unwilling.
And chariot-trailing nimble steeds,
within the moat entangled.
370
The pole short snapping, many left
their lords' equipment crippled.
Meanwhile Patroclus urgently
pursued, the Argives cheering,
Fierce-minded to the Troïans.
But they with scream and panic
Fill'd all the paths, once that their
bands were scatter'd: and to heaven
High rose a dust-tornado, whilst
the single-hoofed horses
375
Back from the galleys and the tents
did spank toward the city.
But where Patroclus saw the folk
in worst annoy bewilder'd,
Thither with cheering hurried he:
and men beneath the axles
Fell headlong from the chariots:
and cars were rattled over.
Then, onward hasting in career,
the nimble-footed horses,
380
Immortal, which, as brilliant gifts
the gods bestow'd on Peleus,
Outright did overleap the moat:
for he on Hector cheer'd them,
To overhend him bent; but him
the speedy coursers rescued.
And as beneath a tempest's weight
all the dark earth is loaded
Upon a day of autumn, when
Jove poureth down his greatest glut of water
385
Jove poureth down, if he with men
be wrathfully indignant,
Who in assembly of the folk
by force give crooked verdict,
And Justice rudely drive away,
the gods' observance slighting:
Then all the flowing hollow brooks
from the high clouds are filled,
And many a steep outstanding cliff
is rent by gush of waters,
390
Which streaming to the purple sea
right headlong from the mountains
Resound with mighty moan, the while
the works of men they ruin :
So mightily the Troian mares
in fleet careering moaned.
Patroclus, when his course had cut
the foremost bands asunder,
Back to the galleys hemm'd them in,
reversing; so he thwarted
395
Their aim, the city-walls to reach :
but twixt the ships and river
And lofty rampart slaughter'd them,
and forfeit took for many.
There Pronoüs with shining spear
he wounded in the bosom
Beside his buckler open left,
and straight unstrung his sinews;
400
So, with a loud crash down he dropt.
Next Thestor, son of Enops,
By second sally. Close he sat,
in chariot well polish'd
Coop'd up, in panic, frenzy-struck.
From out his hands the bridles
Dropt to the ground. But close at hand,
thro' his right cheek the foeman
Urg'd-on the spear, betwixt his teeth;
then o'er the car's rim drew him
405
Haul'd by the weapon; as a man,
who sits on rock outjutting,
With line and dazzling brass may draw
a sacred fish from ocean :
So from the seat with shining spear
he drew his gasping captive,
And cast him full upon his fàce:
so there his spirit left him.
Thereafter, with a stone he struck
the rushing Erylaüs
410
Upon the head direct, and clave
in twain the weighty helmet.
Headlong to earth he fell, and him
soul-crushing Death enshrouded.
Then Erymas, Amphoterus,
Tlepolemus, Epaltes,
Ipheus, Euippus, Echius,
Pyris and Polymelus;
All these successive cast he down
on Earth the manyfeeder.
415
But when Sarpedon, son of Jove,
saw his ungirdled comrades
Beneath the Myrmidonian chief
subdued in strife of Ares,
He to the godlike Lycians
with harsh invective shouted :
"Shame! whither flee ye, Lycians ?
in sooth, ye now are nimble.
But I myself will meet this man;
so shall I well inform me,
420
Who is the chief, that swayeth wide
with noyance to the Troians,
And who of many a gallant soul
hath cast the body helpless."
He spake, and from his chariot
leapt to the ground in armour.
Patroclus on the other side
leapt also, when he saw it,
Out of the chariot: and they,
as two hook-beaked vultures,
425
Crook-talon'd, on a lofty rock
with mighty screams may combat;
So these with terrible upróar
each upon other sallied.
With pity seeing them, the child
of crooked-witted Saturn,
Did to his sister and his wife,
Juno, address his sorrow:
"Alas for me! that Destiny
by cruel sentence doometh
430
Sarpedon, dearest of mankind,
to perish by Patroclus.
My heart by double thoughts is torn,
and faltereth my purpose,
Whether to snatch him still alive
from out the tearful battle,
And plant him safe on Lycia,
in his fat soil of plenty,
8
Or unto death resign him, slain
by prowess of Patroclus."
435
To him with word reciprocal
spake large-ey'd queenly Juno:
"O son of Saturn, grim and dire,
what saying hast thou blurted?
A man, who mortal is of birth,
long syne by doom predestin'd,
Him from sadwailing Aïdes
dost ponder to deliver?
Do it: but we, the other gods,
not all shall praise thy doing.
440
This also will I say, and thou
within thy bosom cast it:
If to his own abode and home
alive thou send Sarpedon,
Think, may not other eke of gods
desire his own dear offspring
Safe to deliver and alive,
from out the hardy struggle?
For many are embattled now
round Priam's mighty city,
445
Born from immortal gods; in whom
thou direful wrath wilt nourish.
But if thy son is dear, and if
thy heart with pity waileth;
His body now resign to death,
slain in the hardy struggle,
And glory to Patroclus give,
Menoetius' brave offspring.
But, when his time of life is gone
and breath hath left his body;
450
Then balmy Slumber send and Death,
as convoy to escort him,
Till in widespreading Lycia
they reach his proper country.
His brothers and his kinsfolk there
meet burial shall yield him,
With flames, with pillar and with mound;
which are the dead man's honour."
She spake, nor uncompliant found
the sire of gods and mortals.
455
He shed from heaven gory drops
his loved son to honour,
460
Who far from home, in loamy Troy,
must perish by Patroclus.
When they to shorter distance came,
advancing each on other,
Patroclus struck in lowest lap
the famous Thrasymelus,
The prince Sarpedon's bonny squire,
and there unstrung his sinews.
465
Sarpedon, second aiming, miss'd
his foeman's self, but wounded
The mortal courser Pedasus, -
on his right shoulder lighting
With shining spear. He groan'd, and fell,
and gasp'd, and breath'd no longer.
The others swerv'd apart: the yoke creak'd loudly,
and the bridles
470
Were tangled, sith the outer horse
in dust and death was prostrate.
But spear-renown'd Automedon
the troublous danger ended :
For, drawing from his brawny thigh
his long-edg'd hanging cutlass,
In sallied he, and slash'd away the out-horse,
nor was foiled.
The living steeds came clear and straight,
and duly stretch'd the traces,
475
But the two heroes met once more
for soul-devouring quarrel.
Again Sarpedon vainly threw
the long farshining weapon;
For harmlessly the noyance past
over Patroclus' shoulder,
Missing him on the left: then he
not vainly flung his weapon,
480
But hit, where round the ceaseless heart
the membranes weave a curtain.
Then toppled he, as may an oak
or some white poplar topple,
Or pine upon the mountain-side
tall-shooting, which for timber
Ship-carpenters have inly chopt
with newly-whetted axes :
So he, before his chariot
and coursers, lay extended,
485
Gnashing his teeth, the gory dust
with hand convulsive clutching.
And as a lion, mid the herd
of clumsy-footed oxen,
Picking hath slain a flame-hued bull,
high-fronted, mighty-hearted,
And he beneath the lion's jaws
with many a bellow dieth;
So slain beneath Patroclus then
with many a moan Sarpedon,
490
Lord of the shielded Lycians,
call'd on his dear companion :
"Glaucus, my friend! thou warriour mid heroes!
now, if ever,
A thorough spearman prove thyself,
and warriour intrepid.
Now, if thy heart be keen and true,
let evil war delight thee.
First, visit all the Lycians,
throughout their wide battalions,
495
And rouse their chiefest men to fight
around Sarpedon's body.
Next eke thyself, my friend! for me
well quit thyself in battle.
For I in after-days to thee
a contumely and scandal
shall be, if yon Achaians
At every time continuous
Strip me, who fall before the fleet
in view of either army.
500
But hold to battle sturdily,
and urge my host of people."
Thus when he spake, all-ending Death
his eyes and nostrils cover'd.
The victor, tramping on his breast,
drew out the spear, and with it
Follow'd the membrane of his heart
and all his breathing spirit.
505
Meanwhile the crew of Myrmidons
his puffing steeds arrested,
Eager to flee, sithence the car
was by their lords abandon'd.
But anguish grim on Glaucus came,
to hear his friend adjure him.
His heart was earnestly bestirr'd,
in helplessness of vengeance.
Grasping he pinch'd his arm, thereat,
where Teucer's arrow gall'd him,
510
Shot from the lofty wall, to ward
disaster from his comrades.
Then supplicating, he implor'd
Apollo the far-darting:
"Hear me, O prince! who haply art
in Lycia's fat country
Now, or in Troas. Everywhere
thou able art to listen,
515
When man in trouble is, as now
am I by trouble harried.
Me troubleth this sore-galling wound.
My hand with piercing anguish
Is wrung, nor may the blood be stanch'd;
which doth my shoulder burden.
Nor firmly can I hold my spear,
nor fight against the foeman.
520
Fallen, behold! a hero-chief,
the son of Jove, Sarpedon,
Whose Father standeth off, nor would
his proper offspring rescue.
But thou, O prince! heal thou my wound,
and lull the fretting sorrow,
And grant me puissance to exhort
my Lycians to combat,
525
While I, to save our chieftain's corpse,
do manfully acquit me."
So he his prayer uttered,
and bright Apollo heard him.
Forthwith the fretting pangs he quell'd,
and round the gash so troublous
He stanch'd the dusky gore, and
breath'd high prowess in his bosom.
But Glaucus inwardly discern'd;
and in his heart was joyful,
530
That speedily the mighty god
had to his prayer listen'd.
First, visiting the Lycians,
throughout their wide battalions,
He rous'd their chiefest men to fight
around Sarpedon's body.
But after, to the Troïans
with mighty strides he hied him,
To Panthûs' son Polydamas
and to divine Agenor;
535
Also Æneias sought he out,
and brazen-helmed Hector,
And standing close in front of them
harangu'd in winged accents:
"Now, Hector! thou of thy allies
art utterly forgetful,
Who far from friends and land of birth
our very souls do lavish
In sake of thee: but thou, methinks,
not eager art to aid us.
540
The lord of shielded Lycia,
who erst, by rightful verdicts
And prowess, Lycia upheld,
-Sarpedon, prostrate lieth.
Him brazen Ares vanquish'd hath
beneath Patroclus' weapon.
But friends! stand nobly at his side,
and be in hearts indignant,
Lest-that the crew of Myrmidons
his armour strip, and outrage
545
The person of the dead, enrag'd
for loss of many comrades,
The Danaï, whom we beside
their galleys sharp have slaughter'd."
When thus he spake, the Troians all
from head to foot were seized
By sorrow irrepressible,
unyielding; sith their city
Held him a bulwark, tho' of soil
foreign; for many peoples
550
Came with him: in them he himself
held primacy of valour.
So straight against the Danaï
they fiercely rush'd: for Hector
Headed them, by Sarpedon's fall
embitter'd. But the Achaians,
Them did Patroclus' shaggy heart
encourage: first he turn'd him,
- The two Ajaces to exhort,
themselves already eager :
555
"Ajaces! take ye pleasure now,
reciprocal to combat,
Such as mid heroes heretofore
ye were, or even braver.
Prostrate the chieftain lies, who first
did scale the Achaian rampart, -
Sarpedon. Oh! if now we might
for outrage seize his body,
- And from his shoulders strip his arms,
and eke of his companions
560
With ruthless weapon some lay low,
who fight their lord to rescue."
So charged he: but they themselves
for battle-strife were eager.
After-that they on either side
had strengthen'd the battalions,
Then Lycians and Myrmidons
and Troians and Achaians
Around the carcase of the slain
in shock of adverse combat
565
Hurried together, yelling fierce;
and direful clang'd their armour.
And Jove a deadly darkness spread
over the bitter struggle
For strife of deathful hardiment
around his son beloved.
Then first the Troïans repell'd
the curling-ey'd Achaians,
When of the Myrmidons was slain
a hero not the weakest,
570
Offspring of godlike Agacles,
the mighty-soul'd Epeigeus,
Who as a prince had oversway'd
Budeium thickly peopled
In former day; but having slain
a kinsman bold, he hied him
As suppliant to Peleus' hearth
and silverfooted Thetis :
Who with their hero-crushing son
in train of battle sent him
575
To courser-famous Ilium
for combat with the Troians.
Him gallant Hector with a stone
hit, as he touch'd the carcase,
Upon the head direct, and clave
in twain the weighty helmet.
Prone on the corpse he fell, and him
soul-crushing Death enshrouded.
580
But anguish on Patroclus came,
to see his comrade fallen.
Straight thro' the foremost ranks he dash'd,
like to a gliding falcon,
Swift-sousing, fraught with sore dismay
to noisy daws and starlings :
So thou upon the Lycians,
Patroclus courser-girding!
And on the Troians, diddest plunge,
enrag'd for thy companion.
585
With a huge stone the hero hit
the neck of Sthenelaüs
Ithaemenes' beloved son,
and tare away the tendons.
Back then the foremost ranks withdrew,
and gallant Hector with them.
Far as a lengthy javelin
a man may fling on trial
590
In public game, or e'en in war
against heartcrushing foemen,
So far withdrew the Troïans;
so far the Achaians drave them.
But Glaucus, rallying anew
first of the Troian army,
Leading the shielded Lycians,
slew Bathycles highhearted,
Whose loving father Chalcon was;
a man who dwelt in Hellas,
595
Signal among the Myrmidons
for affluence of plenty.
Him Glaucus wounded with the spear
in middle of the bosom,
Turning upon him sudden, when
in fleet pursuit he caught him.
So with a loud crash down he fell.
Deep sorrow seiz'd the Achaians,
Sith fallen was a noble man;
but much rejoic'd the Troians.
600
So then, assembled round the corpse
stood they: nor yet the Achaians
Prowess forgat, but on the foe
onslaught straightforward carried.
By Merion, Laogonus
was hent, a full-arm'd Troian,
Onetor's hardy son; whose sire
to Jupiter Idæus
A priest was made, and by the folk
e'en as a god was honour'd.
605
Him honest betwixt the ear
and jaw did strike, and quickly
Out of his members life was flown,
and hateful darkness hent him.
Æneias next at Merion
his brazen weapon derted,
Hoping to hit him, as he march'd
beneath his buckler's covert.
He, seeing it, by scanty space
the flying point avoided,
610
Stooping him forward: far away,
the lengthy spear behind him
In earth alighted; where its force
made the shaft's end to quiver,
Until rude-hurtling Ares gave
remission of his fury.
[Thus, far behind him in the earth
Aeneias' spear was planted.
Strong quivering; and fruitlessly
his sturdy arm impell'd it.]
615
Then anger seiz'd Æneias' heart,
and at his foeman scoff'd he:
"Meriones, thou dancest well;
yet haply to thy dancing
My spear a thorough end had brought,
had I attain'd to hit thee."
Then spear-renown'd Meriones
accosted him responsive :
"Æneias, valiant tho thou art,
'tis hard for thee to cripple
620
The might of every man, whoe'er
in battle may confront thee.
Mortal are thou alsó: but if
I might in turn be lucky
With a full hit, then thou, so bold
and trusting in thy prowess,
To me shalt glory yield, and life
to charioteering Pluto."
625
He spake; but brave Patroclus then
rebuk'd him with rejoinder :
"O Merion! we know thee brave:
yet why such words haranguest?
Not for reproachful words, my friend!
the Troïans will yield them
From carcase of the slain; but first
must earth hold many a hero.
Issue of battle is from might;
of wordy war, from counsel.
630
Therefore no weight of words we need,
but hardihood of combat."
He spake, and led the way; behind,
the godlike hero follow'd.
As when the woodman's steady axe
in thickets of a mountain
From many a hand drops ponderous,
and far is heard its echo;
So from the broad expanse of land
their noise resounding echoed,
635
While sabres and twohanded pikes
clash'd against brass and bullhide.
Hard was it for a thoughtful man
to know divine Sarpedon,
So was he wrapt from head to foot
in dust and gore and weapons.
640
And alway throng'd they round the dead,
as flies round milkful buckets
Swarm noisy thro' the stalls in spring,
when pails with milk are wetted;
Thus (say I) round the dead they throng'd.
Nor from the hardy struggle
Did Jove a moment turn away
his ever-beaming eyen,
645
- But alway gaz'd unceasingly
to watch it, and bethought him
On slaughter of Patroclus;
much pondering with doubtful heart
Whether already, there and then,
amid the hardy struggle
Should gallant Hector him alsó
over divine Sarpedon
Waste with the weapon, and despoil
the armour from his shoulders ;
650
Or first to other combatants
should the bluff toil be doubled.
After such ponderings of thought
he deemed it were wiser,
Still further should the bonny squire
of Peleus' son Achilles
Harry the Troian arms away
with brazenhelmed Hector,
And hem them to the city-wall
and doom more lives to carnage.
655
So into Hector first of all
he breath'd unwarlike panic;
Who knew the sacred scales of Jove,
and, on his car upleaping,
To flight betook him, calling loud
that all should flee beside him.
Then not the valiant Lycians
stood firm, but all were scatter'd
In terror, sith their king they saw
with deadly wound heartstricken,
660
Prone in assembly of the dead :
for many fell around him,
When o'er his body Saturn's child
outstretch'd the hardy combat.
Then from his shoulders stript the foe
the armour of Sarpedon,
Brazen and all-resplendent:
this, Menoetius' brave offspring
To his companions gave, to bear
unto the hollow galleys.
665
Then cloud-collecting Jupiter
address'd him to Apollo :
9
"Go now, dear Shining one! draw forth
Sarpedon from the weapons:
Cleanse off the cloudy gore, apart;
in living waters bathe him;
Anoint him with ambrosia,
and wrap ambrosial raiment
670
Around his sacred form; and send,
as convoy to escort him,
Slumber and Death, twin-bretheren;
that speedily they place him
Upon wide-spreading Lycia,
within his own fat country.
His brothers and his kinsfolk there
meet burial shall yield him,
With flames, with pillar and with mound,
which are the dead man's honour."
675
So, spake he: nor Apollo then
did disobey his father,
And down from Ida's tops he went
to the grim cry of battle.
Straightway, uplifting, forth he drew
Sarpedon from the weapons;
Cleans'd off the cloudy gore, apart;
in living waters bath'd him;
Ointed him with ambrosia,
and wrapt ambrosial raiment
680
Around his sacred form; and sent,
as convoy to escort him,
Slumber and Death, twin-bretheren:
who speedily replac'd him
Upon wide-spreading Lycia,
within his own fat country.
Patroclus follow'd, cheering
On Troïans and Lycians
His coursers and Automedon;
and direful was his folly,
685
Infatuate! for had he kept
the bidding of Pelides,
From evil doom of murky death
he verily had scaped.
But alway than the wit of man
the wit of Jove is higher :
Who doth the valorous affright,
and victory despoileth
Right easily; but otherwhile
himself to battle stirreth;
690
Who then into his bosom breath'd
this surplusage of valour.
Then who was first and who was last
a sport of death and plunder,
Patroclus! when the heav'nly fates
invited thee to ruin?
Adrastus and Autonoüs,
Epistor, Melanippus,
Elas, Echeclus, Perimus,
Mulius and Pylartes :
695
All these he slaughter'd; but the rest
did each of flight bethink them.
Then had Achaia's children storm'd
Troy's lofty-gated city
Beneath Patroclus' hands :-for dire
the fury of his weapon :-
But bright Apollo stood aloft
upon the well-built tower
700
Bearing against him deadly wrath,
and kindly to the Troians.
For thrice upon the parapet
which from the rampart jutted
Patroclus climb'd on high; and thrice
Apollo dash'd him backward,
Repressing with immortal hands
his all-resplendent buckler.
But when the fourth time on he sped,
like to a mighty Spirit,
705
Then did Apollo Far-averter
speak with direful menace:
"Beware, Patroclus! and retire;
nor deem that fate alloweth
The walls of haughty Troïans
by thy assault to totter:
Not even by Achilles' self,
a man than thee far stronger."
Aw'd by the immortal voice, the chief
an ample space retir'd him,
710
And yielded; shunning to enrage
Apollo the far-darting.
But Hector in the Skæans kept
his singlehoofed horses;
Debating, whether back to drive
and fight amid the tumult,
Or all his scatter'd folk exhort
to coop them in the city.
While thus he ponder'd, lo!
advanc'd beside him bright Apollo,
715
Like to his kinsman Asius,
a warriour intrepid ;-
Own brother he to Hecuba,
who mother was to Hector,
Yet youthful was he still for war:
but Dymas was his father,
Who on the banks of Sangarus
in Phrygia did habit ;-
Like unto him, the son of Jove
Apollo spake to Hector:
720
"Hector, why pausest thou from fight?
such pausing, thee misseemeth.
Oh that, as weaker I than thee,
by so much I were stronger!
Not to thy joy then wouldest thou, mayhap,
thus start from battle.
But come! against Patroclus urge
the flinty-footed horses.
Him mayest thou o'ermaster, if
Apollo give thee glory."
725
This said, again the god was mix'd
amid the toil of heroes.
To skilful-soul'd Kebriones
thereat did gallant Hector
Give order, mid the war to lash his coursers.
But Apollo
Hied him to enter mid the throng,
and breathing in the Argives
Evil confusion, glory gave
to Hector and the Troians.
730
All other Danaï the chief
pass'd by, nor car'd to slay them;
But straight against Patroclus urg'd
the flinty-footed horses :
Patroclus, he too on the earth
from off the car alighted.
His left hand held the spear; his right,
around a boulder curling,
735
Which rugged sparkled, heav'd it high;
nor long aloof withheld him,
But hurl'd it fiercely: not in vain;
but struck the squire of Hector,
Kebriones, a meaner son
to high-renowned Priam,
Full in the forehead: both the brows were crush'd;
the skull withstood not.
Out of his face his eyes were torn:
so plung'd he, like a diver,
740
Down from the wellwrought car;
and there did life forsake his body.
Then thou, Patroclus charioteer!
diddest with scoff address him:
"Ye Spirits! what a nimble man!
how easily he tumbleth!
745
If somewhere on the fishful sea
to dive for oysters lik'd him,
He many a mouth might glut, from
high in crabbed weather plunging:
As now upon the plain so light
he tumbleth from the horses.
So eke the Troïans, I ween,
have many a clever tumbler."
750
After such utterance, he hied
against the fallen hero,
With rush like to a lion's rush,
who, ravaging the stables,
Hath on the bosom felt a wound,
and his own valour slays him ;-
So eager on Kebriones
didst thou, Patroclus, cast thee:
But Hector, e't too on the earth
from off the car alighted.
755
The twain around Kebriones
made contest, like two lions,
Which, both with empty craving maw,
and both with lordly spirits,
Around a slaughter'd doe may fight
upon a mountain-summit;
So then around Kebriones
twain counsellors of onset,
Patroclus son of Actor's son
and motley-helmed Hector,
760
Hanker'd with ruthless brass to gash
the body, each of other.
But Hector, when he once had seiz'd the head,
no more would yield it;
Patroclus firmly grasp'd in turn
the foot: meanwhile the others,
Both Troïans and Danaï,
commingled hardy struggle.
As blowing from the East and South
within a mountain's hollows
765
The winds hold controversy sore
a close-grown copse to shatter,
Of diverse timber, -beech and ash,
and lanky-leafed corneil;
Which, each upon the other, grind
their long-outreaching branches
With rustling scratch; and when they snap,
unearthly is the crackle :
So Troians and Achaians then,
each upon other springing,
770
Made havoc, nor did either side
disastrous fear remember.
And round Kebriones were fix'd
sharp-pointed lances many,
And many winged arrow-shafts
off leaping from the bowstring;
And many a sturdy boulderstone
dash'd heavy on the bucklers,
As round his corpse they fought:
but he, amid a dust-tornado,
775
Forgetful of his horsemanships,
lay mightily and mighty.
Now when the lofty-climbing Sun
had touch'd his noon of heaven,
Thenceforth from either side the darts
did fly, and people perish.
But from what time the Sun declin'd,
freeing from toil the oxen;
Then, overriding doom's decree,
Achaian might was higher.
780
Out of the mall of darts they dragg'd
Kebriones the hero,
And from the itian din; and stripp'd
the armour from his shoulders;
And at the foes, with bitter soul,
again Patroclus sallied.
Upon them thrice he rush'd, in weight
a match for eager Ares,
With dreadful yell of battle: thrice,
nine heroes fell beneath him.
785
But when the fourth time on he sped,
like to a mighty Spirit,
Then unto thee the fates unveil'd
thy end of life, Patroclus!
For now the direful Shining one,
advancing thro' the tumult
Unseen, confronted thy career,
amid the hardy struggle.
Behind the hero stood the god,
enwrapt in mist abundant,
790
Who then with palm descending smote
his back and breadth of shoulders.
Dazzled and giddy were his eyes:
the casque forsook his temples.
The crested vizor rolling far
beneath the feet of horses
Rattled aloud: with dust and gore
was the fair plume distained.
795
(Not heretofore might dust distain
that horsetail-crested helmet :
But of a godlike man it screen'd
Achilles' brows: but Jupiter
To wear it round his proper head
and nearer bring destruction.)
800
Next, in Patroclus' hand was snapt
the spear with lengthy shadow,
Huge, weighty, stout, with iron point well-capt;
and from his shoulders
Down with its belt on earth was cast
the anklereaching buckler.
Lastly, the princely son of Jove,
Apollo, loos'd his corslet.
Stupor his heart possest:
unstrung was every gallant sinew.
805
So stood he all aghast. Behind,
a Dardan chief approaching,
Betwixt his shoulders fix'd the spear,
- Euphorbus, son of Panthûs,
Who, in swift feet and horsemanship and spear,
outwent his fellows :
(There, in his rudiments of war,
full twenty chiefs he slaughter'd,
810
Struck from their chariots;
when he first of his car made trial :)
Who first at thee, O charioteer Patroclus!
cast his weapon,
Nor did subdue thee. Back he ran,
and mingled in the tumult,
But from the wounded shoulder first
the ashen weapon plucked,
Listing not well in foemen's gripe
to meet unarm'd Patroclus.
815
But he, beneath the god's assault
and by the spear o'ermaster'd,
Unto his dear companion-troop
retreated, Fate avoiding.
But Hector, when from far he saw
the mighty-soul'd Patroclus
Retiring wounded, thro' the ranks
dash'd quick to overhend him,
And stabb'd him in the lowest lap,
and draye, right thro', the weapon.
820
So dropt he with a crash,
and sore the Achaian host afflicted.
As when in fight a wiry boar
is master'd by a lion,
If on the mountain's top the twain
with haughty spirit wrangle
About a petty well, where each
would slake his thirst of water;
825
At length the panting hog is taught
how terrible the lion:
So, when Menoetius' brave son
had many lives bereaved,
In turn did Hector with the spear
in close encounter slay him.
Then, vaunting o'er the fallen foe
he winged accents utter'd:
"Patroclus! haply 'twas thy thought
our goodly town to ravage,
830
And in thy galleys lead away
to thy dear native country
A train of Troian women, reft
from home and day of freedom;
O simpleton! but, them to save,
do Hector's nimble horses
Spank forth in garniture of war :
and with the spear am signal
Mid the warloving Troïans,
myself. Lo! thus repel I
835
That forceful misery: but thou,
meanwhile, art food of vultures.
Ha! wretched man! naught Achileus,
albeit brave, avail'd thee;
Who, when to war thou camest, laid
such charge as this upon thee :-
'Unto the smoothly hollow ships,
Patroclus courser-guiding!
Hither come not to me again,
until about the bosom
840
The gory harness thou hast rent
of heroslaying Hector.'
So (deem I) then he spake, and troth!
thy foolish heart persuaded."
To him, with puny vigour, thou,
horseman Patroclus! speakest:
"Now, Hector! greatly vauntest thou:
for unto thee Apollo
And Jove, the child of Saturn, give
high glory. They subdued me
845
Full easily; for from my breast
themselves stript off my armour.
If twenty heroes like to thee
I met in equal battle,
They all should perish on the spot,
beneath my spear o'ermaster'd.
But me hath deadly Fate o'ermatch'd,
and bright Latona's offspring,
And, among men, Euphorbus:
thou but third to slay me camest.
850
This also will I say; and thou
within thy bosom cast it :-
Eke not for thee abideth life
long time: for lo! already
Standeth beside thee forceful Doom and Death,
to overthrow thee
By prowess of Æacides,
the spotless son of Peleus."
While thus he spake, the end of death
his mouth and voice foreclosed.
855
Out of his members flew his soul,
and reach'd the house of Pluto,
Mourning its own sad destiny,
from youth and manhood parting.
Then gallant Hector to the corpse
a word did further utter :
"Why now, Patroclus! upon me
bluff o'erthrow forebodest?
Who knoweth, whether Achileus,
tho' child of brighthair'd Thetis,
860
May earlier, perchance, of life
beneath my spear be rieved?"
With such address, he from the gash
drew forth the brazen weapon,
Tramping upon the dead man's breast,
who lay supine beneath him.
Forthwith against Automedon
a new assault design'd he,-
Automedon, the godlike squire
of courser-proud Achilles ;-
865
And much to hit him long'd:
but him the nimble horses rescued,
Immortal, which, as brilliant gifts,
the gods bestow'd on Peleus.
10
A chariot driver and a chariot fighter in a biga (two-horses chariot). Terracotta, Late Helladic IIIA–IIIB (ca. 1400–1200 BCE). Louvre Museum, CA 2959. Credit line: Purchase, 1934. 