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720 all of them good archers; but Philoctetes was lying in great pain in the Island of Lemnos , where the sons of the Achaeans left him, for he had been bitten by a poisonous water snake. There he lay sick and in grief [ akhos],

725 and full soon did the Argives come to miss him. But his people, though they felt his loss were not leaderless, for Medon, the bastard son of Oileus by Rhene, set them in array. Those, again, of Tricca and the stony region of Ithome ,

730 and they that held Oechalia , the city of Oechalian Eurytos, these were commanded by the two sons of Asklepios, skilled in the art of healing, Podaleirios and Machaon. And with them there came thirty ships. The men, moreover, of Ormenios, and by the fountain of Hypereia,

735 with those that held Asterios, and the white crests of Titanus, these were led by Eurypylos, the son of Euaemon, and with them there came forty ships. Those that held Argissa and Gyrtone, Orthe, Elone, and the white city of Oloosson,

740 of these brave Polypoites was leader. He was son of Peirithoos, who was son of Zeus himself, for Hippodameia bore him to Peirithoos on the day when he took his revenge on the shaggy mountain savages and drove them from Mount Pelion to the Aithikes.

745 But Polypoites was not sole in command, for with him was Leonteus, of the race of Ares, who was son of Koronos, the son of Kaineus. And with these there came forty ships. Guneus brought two and twenty ships from Cyphus, and he was followed by the Enienes and the valiant Peraebi,

750 who dwelt about wintry Dodona , and held the lands round the lovely river Titaresios, which sends its waters into the Peneus. They do not mingle with the silver eddies of the Peneus, but flow on the top of them like oil;

755 for the Titaresios is a branch of dread Orcus and of the river Styx. Of the Magnetes, Prothoos son of Tenthredon was commander. They were they that dwelt about the river Peneus and Mount Pelion. Prothoos, fleet of foot, was their leader, and with him there came forty ships.

Iliad. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1898.

Current edition Perseus

Iliad (English) (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.)

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.) — 2.734 focus

οἳ δʼ ἔχον Ὀρμένιον, οἵ τε κρήνην Ὑπέρειαν,

οἵ τʼ ἔχον Ἀστέριον Τιτάνοιό τε λευκὰ κάρηνα,

735

τῶν ἦρχʼ Εὐρύπυλος Εὐαίμονος ἀγλαὸς υἱός·

τῷ δʼ ἅμα τεσσαράκοντα μέλαιναι νῆες ἕποντο.

οἳ δʼ Ἄργισσαν ἔχον καὶ Γυρτώνην ἐνέμοντο,

Ὄρθην Ἠλώνην τε πόλιν τʼ Ὀλοοσσόνα λευκήν,

τῶν αὖθʼ ἡγεμόνευε μενεπτόλεμος Πολυποίτης

740

υἱὸς Πειριθόοιο τὸν ἀθάνατος τέκετο Ζεύς·

τόν ῥʼ ὑπὸ Πειριθόῳ τέκετο κλυτὸς Ἱπποδάμεια

ἤματι τῷ ὅτε Φῆρας ἐτίσατο λαχνήεντας,

τοὺς δʼ ἐκ Πηλίου ὦσε καὶ Αἰθίκεσσι πέλασσεν·

οὐκ οἶος, ἅμα τῷ γε Λεοντεὺς ὄζος Ἄρηος

745

υἱὸς ὑπερθύμοιο Κορώνου Καινεΐδαο·

τοῖς δʼ ἅμα τεσσαράκοντα μέλαιναι νῆες ἕποντο.

Γουνεὺς δʼ ἐκ Κύφου ἦγε δύω καὶ εἴκοσι νῆας·

τῷ δʼ Ἐνιῆνες ἕποντο μενεπτόλεμοί τε Περαιβοὶ

οἳ περὶ Δωδώνην δυσχείμερον οἰκίʼ ἔθεντο,

750

οἵ τʼ ἀμφʼ ἱμερτὸν Τιταρησσὸν ἔργα νέμοντο

ὅς ῥʼ ἐς Πηνειὸν προΐει καλλίρροον ὕδωρ,

οὐδʼ ὅ γε Πηνειῷ συμμίσγεται ἀργυροδίνῃ,

ἀλλά τέ μιν καθύπερθεν ἐπιρρέει ἠΰτʼ ἔλαιον·

ὅρκου γὰρ δεινοῦ Στυγὸς ὕδατός ἐστιν ἀπορρώξ.

755

Μαγνήτων δʼ ἦρχε Πρόθοος Τενθρηδόνος υἱός,

οἳ περὶ Πηνειὸν καὶ Πήλιον εἰνοσίφυλλον

ναίεσκον· τῶν μὲν Πρόθοος θοὸς ἡγεμόνευε,

τῷ δʼ ἅμα τεσσαράκοντα μέλαιναι νῆες ἕποντο.

οὗτοι ἄρʼ ἡγεμόνες Δαναῶν καὶ κοίρανοι ἦσαν·

760

τίς τὰρ τῶν ὄχʼ ἄριστος ἔην σύ μοι ἔννεπε Μοῦσα

αὐτῶν ἠδʼ ἵππων, οἳ ἅμʼ Ἀτρεΐδῃσιν ἕποντο.

ἵπποι μὲν μέγʼ ἄρισται ἔσαν Φηρητιάδαο,

τὰς Εὔμηλος ἔλαυνε ποδώκεας ὄρνιθας ὣς

ὄτριχας οἰέτεας σταφύλῇ ἐπὶ νῶτον ἐΐσας·

765

τὰς ἐν Πηρείῃ θρέψʼ ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων

ἄμφω θηλείας, φόβον Ἄρηος φορεούσας.

ἀνδρῶν αὖ μέγʼ ἄριστος ἔην Τελαμώνιος Αἴας

ὄφρʼ Ἀχιλεὺς μήνιεν· ὃ γὰρ πολὺ φέρτατος ἦεν,

ἵπποι θʼ οἳ φορέεσκον ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα.

770

ἀλλʼ ὃ μὲν ἐν νήεσσι κορωνίσι ποντοπόροισι

κεῖτʼ ἀπομηνίσας Ἀγαμέμνονι ποιμένι λαῶν

Ἀτρεΐδῃ· λαοὶ δὲ παρὰ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης

δίσκοισιν τέρποντο καὶ αἰγανέῃσιν ἱέντες

τόξοισίν θʼ· ἵπποι δὲ παρʼ ἅρμασιν οἷσιν ἕκαστος

775

λωτὸν ἐρεπτόμενοι ἐλεόθρεπτόν τε σέλινον

ἕστασαν· ἅρματα δʼ εὖ πεπυκασμένα κεῖτο ἀνάκτων

ἐν κλισίῃς· οἳ δʼ ἀρχὸν ἀρηΐφιλον ποθέοντες

φοίτων ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα κατὰ στρατὸν οὐδὲ μάχοντο.

Translations (8)

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924-1925.) — 2.734 focus

And they that held Ormenius and the fountain Hypereia, 735 and that held Asterium and the white crests of Titanus, these were led by Eurypylus, the glorious son of Euaemon. And with him there followed forty black ships. And they that held Argissa, and dwelt in Gyrtone, Orthe, and Elone, and the white city of Oloösson, 740 these again had as leader Polypoetes, staunch in fight, son of Peirithous, whom immortal Zeus begat— even him whom glorious Hippodameia conceived to Peirithous on the day when he got him vengeance on the shaggy centaurs, and thrust them forth from Pelium, and drave them to the Aethices. 745 Not alone was he, but with him was Leonteus, scion of Ares, the son of Caenus' son, Coronus, high of heart. And with them there followed forty black ships. And Gouneus led from Cyphus two and twenty ships, and with him followed the Enienes and the Peraebi, staunch in fight, 750 that had set their dwellings about wintry Dodona, and dwelt in the ploughland about lovely Titaressus, that poureth his fair-flowing streams into Peneius; yet doth he not mingle with the silver eddies of Peneius, but floweth on over his waters like unto olive oil; 755 for that he is a branch of the water of Styx, the dread river of oath. And the Magnetes had as captain Prothous, son of Tenthredon. These were they that dwelt about Peneius and Pelion, covered with waving forests. Of these was swift Prothous captain; and with him there followed forty black ships. 760 These were the leaders of the Danaans and their lords. But who was far the best among them do thou tell me, Muse—best of the warriors and of the horses that followed with the sons of Atreus. Of horses best by far were the mares of the son of Pheres, those that Eumelas drave, swift as birds, 765 like of coat, like of age, their backs as even as a levelling line could make. These had Apollo of the silver bow reared in Pereia, both of them mares, bearing with them the panic of war. And of warriors far best was Telamonian Aias, while yet Achilles cherished his wrath; for Achilles was far the mightiest, 770 he and the horses that bare the peerless son of Peleus. Howbeit he abode amid his beaked, seafaring ships in utter wrath against Agamemnon, Atreus' son, shepherd of the host; and his people along the sea-shore took their joy in casting the discus and the javelin, and in archery; 775 and their horses each beside his own car, eating lotus and parsley of the marsh, stood idle, while the chariots were set, well covered up, in the huts of their masters. But the men, longing for their captain, dear to Ares, roared hither and thither through the camp, and fought not.

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 2.734 focus

The men, moreover, of Ormenios, and by the fountain of Hypereia, [735] with those that held Asterios, and the white crests of Titanos, these were led by Eurypylos, the shining son of Euaimon, and with them there came forty ships.

Those that held Argissa and Gyrtone, Orthe, Elone, and the white city of Oloösson, [740] of these brave Polypoites, stubborn in battle, was leader. He was son of Perithoös, who was son of Zeus himself, for Hippodameia bore him to Perithoös on the day when he took his revenge on the shaggy mountain savages and drove them from Mount Pelion to the Aithikes. [745] But Polypoites was not sole in command, for with him was Leonteus, of the lineage of Arēs, who was son of high-hearted Koronos, the son of Kaineus. And with these there came forty ships.

Gouneus brought two and twenty ships from Kyphos, and he was followed by the Enienes and the valiant Perrhaiboi, [750] who dwelt about wintry Dodona, and held the lands round the lovely river Titaresios, which sends its waters into the Peneus. They do not mingle with the silver eddies of the Peneus, but flow on the top of them like oil; [755] for the Titaresios is a branch of dread Orkos and of the river Styx, the fearful oath-river.

Of the Magnetes, Prothoös son of Tenthredon was commander. They were they that dwelt about the river Peneus and Mount Pelion. Prothoös, fleet of foot, was their leader, and with him there came forty ships.

[760] So now, these were the leaders of the Danaans and their lords. 761 Who, then, was by far the best [ aristos] —tell me, Muse! —of men or horses, among those that followed after the sons of Atreus?

Of the horses, those of the son of Pheres were by far the finest. They were driven by Eumelos, and were as fleet as birds. [765] They were of the same age and color, and perfectly matched in height. Apollo, of the silver bow, had bred them in Perea—both of them mares, and terrifying as Arēs in battle. Of the men, Ajax, son of Telamon, 769 so long as Achilles was angry; for he was by far the best [ phertatos], for Achilles the blameless son of Peleus excelled him greatly [770] and he had also better horses; but Achilles was now holding aloof at his ships by reason of his quarrel with Agamemnon, shepherd of the people, and his people passed their time upon the sea shore, throwing discs or aiming with spears at a mark, [775] and in archery. Their horses stood each by his own chariot, champing lotus and wild celery. The chariots were housed under cover, but their owners, for lack of leadership, wandered here and there about the army of warriors and went not forth to fight.

[780]

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 2.734 focus

The dwellers of Ormenium, they whose homes

910

Were by the Hyperian fount, and they

Who held Asterium and the snowy peaks

Of Titanus, obeyed Eurypylus,

Evæmon's son, and far renowned. A fleet

Of forty dark-ribbed vessels followed him.

915

Those who possessed Argissa, those who held

Gyrtoné, Orthé, and Heloné, those

Who dwelt in Oloösson with white walls,

The sturdy warrior Polypætes led,

Son of Pirithoüs, who derived his birth

920

From deathless Jove. Hippodameia bore

The warrior to Pirithoüs on the day

When he took vengeance on the shaggy brood

Of Centaurs, and from Pelion drove them forth

To Ethicæ. Yet not alone in rule

925

Was Polypætes, for Leonteus, sprung

From the large-souled Coronus, Cæneus' son,

Shared with him the command. With them a fleet

Of forty dark-hulled vessels came to Troy.

Then Guneus came, with two and twenty ships

930

From Cythus. Under his command he held

The Enienes, and that sturdy race,

The Peribœan warriors, and the men

Who built on cold Dodona, or who tilled

The fields where pleasant Titaresius flows

935

And into Peneus pours his gentle stream,

Yet with its silver eddies mingles not,

But floats upon the current's face like oil, -

A Stygian stream by which the immortals swear.

With Prothoüs, Tenthredon's son, there came

940

The warriors of Magnesia, who abode

By Peneus, and by Pelion hung with woods;

Swift-footed Prothoüs led these. They came

With forty dark-hulled galleys to the war.

These were the chiefs and princes of the Greeks.

945

Say, Muse, who most excelled among the kings,

And which the noblest steeds, of all that came

With the two sons of Atreus to the war?

The noblest steeds were those in Pheræ bred,

That, guided by Eumelus, flew like birds, -

950

Alike in hue and age; the plummet showed

Their height the same, and both were mares, and, reared

By Phœbus of the silver bow among

The meadows of Pieria, they became

The terror of the bloody battle-field.

955

The mightiest of the chiefs, while yet in wrath

Achilles kept aloof, was Ajax, son

Of Telamon; yet was Pelides far

The greater warrior, and the steeds which bore

That perfect hero were of noblest breed.

960

In his beaked galleys, swift to cut the sea,

Achilles lay, meanwhile, and nursed the wrath

He bore to Agamemnon, Atreus' son,

The shepherd of the people. On the beach

His warriors took their sport with javelins

965

And quoits and bows, while near the chariots tied

The horses, standing, browsed on lotus-leaves

And parsley from the marshes. But beneath

The tents the closely covered chariots stood,

While idly through the camp the charioteers,

970

Hither and thither sauntering, missed the sight

Of their brave lord and went not to the field.

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 2.734 focus

The bold Ormenian and Asterian bands

In forty barks Eurypylus commands,

Where Titan hides his hoary head in snow,

And where Hyperia's silver fountains flow.

895

Thy troops, Argissa, Polypoetes leads,

And Eleon, shelter'd by Olympus' shades,

Gyrtonè's warriors; and where Orthè lies,

And Oloösson's chalky cliffs arise.

Sprung from Pirithoüs of immortal race,

900

The fruit of fair Hippodamè's embrace,

(That day, when, hurl'd from Pelion's cloudy head,

To distant dens the shaggy Centaurs fled,)

With Polypoetes join'd in equal sway,

Leonteus leads, and forty ships obey.

905

In twenty sail the bold Perrhæbians came

From Cyphus, Guneus was their leader's name.

With these the Enians join'd, and those who freeze

Where cold Dodona lifts her holy trees;

Or where the pleasing Titaresius glides,

910

And into Peneus rolls his easy tides;

Yet o'er the silver surface pure they flow,

The sacred stream unmix'd with streams below,

Sacred and awful! From the dark abodes

Styx pours them forth, the dreadful oath of gods!

915

Last under Prothous the Magnesians stood,

Prothous the swift, of old Tenthredon's blood;

Who dwell where Pelion, crown'd with piny boughs,

Obscures the glade, and nods his shaggy brows:

Or where through flowery Tempè Peneus stray'd,

920

(The region stretch'd beneath his mighty shade:)

In forty sable barks they stemm'd the main;

Such were the chiefs, and such the Grecian train.

Say next, O Muse! of all Achaïa breeds,

Who bravest fought, or rein'd the noblest steeds?

925

Eumelus' mares were foremost in the chase,

As eagles fleet, and of Pheretian race;

Bred where Pieria's fruitful fountains flow,

And train'd by him who bears the silver bow.

Fierce in the fight, their nostrils breath'd a flame,

930

Their height, their colour, and their age, the same;

O'er fields of death they whirl the rapid car,

And break the ranks, and thunder through the war.

Ajax in arms the first renown acquir'd,

While stern Achilles in his wrath retir'd;

935

(His was the strength that mortal might exceeds,

And his th' unrivall'd race of heavenly steeds:)

But Thetis' son now shines in arms no more;

His troops, neglected on the sandy shore,

In empty air their sportive javelins throw,

940

Or whirl the disk, or bend an idle bow:

Unstain'd with blood his cover'd chariots stand;

Th' immortal coursers graze along the strand;

But the brave chiefs th' inglorious life deplor'd,

And, wandering o'er the camp, requir'd their lord,

945

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 2.734 focus

From chalky Titanus Hyperia, and

Astirius, and from Ormenius,

Eurypilus did forty ships command.

660

And from the towns Argissa and Gyrtone,

From Oloosson, Orthe on the Hill,

With those that sent were from the town Elone,

So many went as forty ships did fill.

And had two leaders. Polypœtes one,

665

Son of Perithous the son of Jove,

And gotten by him was the day whereon

He and the Lapiths 'gainst the Centaurs strove,

And drave them from the mountain Pelion.

The other leader was Leontius,

670

Whose father was Capaneus, who the son

Was of the valiant Lapith Cœneus.

The Ænians and Perrhibœans bold

Did two-and-twenty good black ships set out,

From hollow Cyphus, and Dodona cold,

675

And other habitations about

The pleasant river Titaretius,

That into Peneus runs, but doth not mix,

But glides like oil at top of Peneus,

For Titaretius is a branch of Styx.

680

These Gonneus led. Then the Magnesians sent

From towns upon the banks of Peneus,

And sides of Pelion mountain eminent,

Forty good ships under swift Prothous.

These were the leaders of the Achaean forces.

685

O Goddess, tell me now who was the best

In battle of the leaders, and whose horses

In swiftness and in force excell'd the rest.

Eumelus, his two horses did surpass

(Though they were females) all the rest for speed;

690

Their colour, age, and stature equal was,

Sprung in Pieria from Apollo's breed,

That terror drew about as swift as wind.

'Monast Greeks the greater Ajax had no peer.

For now Achilles had the war declin d,

695

Whom none in prowess equall'd or came near,

Nor other horses could with his compare.

But at his ships he discontented stayed,

And full of spite which he th' Atrides bare,

Whilst on the beach idle his soldiers play'd

700

At who could furthest throw a dart or stone.

The horses loosely wander'd here and there

Amongst the people, and had riders none,

Or upon lote and cinquefoil feeding were.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 2.734 focus

Who near Hyperia's fountain dwelt, and in Ormenius,

The snowy tops of Titanus, and in Asterius,

650

Evemon's son, Eurypylus, did lead into the field;

Whose towns did forty black-sail'd ships to that encounter yield.

Who Gyrton, and Argissa, held, Orthen, and Elon's seat,

And chalky Oloössone, were led by Polypœte,

The issue of Pirithous, the son of Jupiter.

655

Him the Athenian Theseus' friend Hippodamy did bear,

When he the bristled savages did give Ramnusia,

And drove them out of Pelius, as far as Aethica.

He came not single, but with him Leonteus, Coron's son,

An arm of Mars, and Coron's life Ceneus' seed begun.

660

Twice twenty ships attended these. Guneus next did bring

From Cyphus twenty sail and two; the Enians following;

And fierce Peræbi, that about Dodone's frozen mould

Did plant their houses; and the men that did the meadows hold

Which Titaresius decks with flowers, and his sweet current leads

665

Into the bright Peneïus, that hath the silver heads,

Yet with his admirable stream doth not his waves commix,

But glides aloft on it like oil; for 'tis the flood of Styx,

By which th' immortal Gods do swear. Teuthredon's honour'd birth,

Prothous, led the Magnets forth, who near the shady earth

670

Of Pelius, and Peneïon, dwelt; forty revengeful sail

Did follow him. These were the dukes and princes of avail

That came from Greece. But now the man, that overshin'd them all,

Sing, Muse, and their most famous steeds to my recital call,

That both th' Atrides followed. Fair Pheretiades

675

The bravest mares did bring by much; Eumelius manag'd these,

Swift of their feet as birds of wings, both of one hair did shine,

Both of an age, both of a height, as measur'd by a line,

Whom silver-bow'd Apollo bred in the Pierian mead,

Both slick and dainty, yet were both in war of wondrous dread.

680

Great Ajax Telamon for strength pass'd all the peers of war,

While vex'd Achilles was away; but he surpass'd him far.

The horse that bore that faultless man were likewise past compare;

Yet lay he at the crook'd-stern'd ships, and fury was his fare,

For Atreus' son's ungracious deed; his men yet pleas'd their hearts

685

With throwing of the holed stone, with hurling of their darts,

¹²³

And shooting fairly on the shore; their horse at chariots fed

On greatest parsley, and on sedge that in the fens is bred.

His princes' tents their chariots held, that richly cover'd were.

His princes, amorous of their chief, walk'd storming here and there

690

About the host, and scorn'd to fight; their breaths as they did pass

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 2.734 focus

The men of Ormenus, and from beside

900

The fountain Hypereia, from the tops

Of chalky Titan, and Asteria's band;

Them ruled Eurypylus, Evæmon's son

Illustrious, whom twice twenty ships obeyed.

Orthe, Gyrtone, Oloösson white,

905

Argissa and Helone; they their youth

Gave to control of Polypetes, son

Undaunted of Pirithoüs, son of Jove.

Him, to Pirithoüs, (on the self-same day,

When he the Centaurs punish'd and pursued

910

Sheer to Æthicæ driven from Pelion's heights

The shaggy race) Hippodamia bore.

Nor he alone them led. With him was join'd

Leonteus dauntless warrior, from the bold

Coronus sprung, who Cæneus call'd his sire.

915

Twice twenty ships awaited their command.

Guneus from Cyphus twenty and two ships

Led forth; the Enienes him obey'd,

And the robust Perœbi, warriors bold,

And dwellers on Dodona's wintry brow.

920

To these were join'd who till the pleasant fields

Where Titaresius winds; the gentle flood

Pours into Peneus all his limpid stores,

But with the silver-eddied Peneus flows

Unmixt as oil; for Stygian is his stream,

925

And Styx is the inviolable oath.

Last with his forty ships, Tenthredon's son,

The active Prothoüs came. From the green banks

Of Peneus his Magnesians far and near

He gather'd, and from Pelion forest-crown'd.

930

These were the princes and the Chiefs of Greece.

Say, Muse, who most in personal desert

Excell'd, and whose were the most warlike steeds

And of the noblest strain. Their hue, their age,

Their height the same, swift as the winds of heaven

935

And passing far all others, were the mares

Which drew Eumelus; on Pierian hills

The heavenly Archer of the silver bow,

Apollo, bred them. But of men, the chief

Was Telamonian Ajax, while wrath-bound

940

Achilles lay; for he was worthier far,

And more illustrious were the steeds which bore

The noble son of Peleus; but revenge

On Agamemnon leader of the host

Was all his thought, while in his gallant ships

945

Sharp-keel'd to cut the foaming flood, he lay.

Meantime, along the margin of the deep

His soldiers hurled the disk, or bent the bow,

Or to its mark dispatch'd the quivering lance.

Beside the chariots stood the unharness'd steeds

950

Cropping the lotus, or at leisure browzed

On celery wild, from watery freshes gleaned.

Beneath the shadow of the sheltering tent

The chariot stood, while they, the charioteers

Roam'd here and there the camp, their warlike lord

955

Regretting sad, and idle for his sake.

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 2 focus

BOOK II

Now all beside, both gods above, and men with crests of horsetail,

All night were resting: only Jove delicious slumber held not.

But he in fluctuating heart did ponder, how to honour

Achilles, and a carnage make along the Achaian galleys.

To his deliberating mind this counsel wisest seemed,

On Agamemnon, Atreus' son, to send a ghastly Vision;

So duly he accosting him did winged accents utter:

"Thou ghastly Vision, up! and seek the sharp Achaian galleys.

Hie to the tent of Atreus' son, the hero Agamemnon,

And every thing to him declare exact, as I enjoin thee.

Bid him the rout promiscuous of streaming-hair'd Achaians

Well to array: for now would he Troy's ample-streeted city

O'ermaster: for the immortal gods, who hold Olympian dwellings,

No longer doublyminded are: for supplicating Juno

Hath bent them to her will; and griefs are fasten'd on the Troians."

He spake; and off the Vision fled, soon as he heard the bidding;

And gliding rapidly attain'd the sharp Achaian galleys:

Then hied he straight to Agamemnon, Atreus' son, and found him

Reposing in his tent; and round was pour'd ambrosial slumber.

There right above his head stood he, like to the son of Neleus,

Nestor; whom most of aged men did Agamemnon value.

In such similitude, to him spake the celestial Vision:

"O son of Atreus skilful-hearted courser-taming, -sleepest?

Not all the night behoveth it a Counsellor to slumber,

To whom, with such a weight of care, - the peoples are entrusted.

Now speedily discern my word: from Jove I bring a message,

Who, far asunder, yet for thee great care and pity feeleth.

He biddeth thee the rout entire of streaming-hair'd Achaians

Well to array: for now wilt thou Troy's ample-streeted city

O'ermaster: for the immortal gods, who hold Olympian dwellings,

No longer doubly minded are: for supplicating Juno

Hath bent them to her will, and griefs are fasten'd on the Troians

From Jupiter. But thou, when left by heart-consoling slumber,

Hold this within thy mind, nor let forgetfulness invade thee."

With such address departed he, and where he found him, left him,

Things in his heart imagining, for no fulfilment destin'd.

For, simpleton! in that same day to capture Priam's city

Confided he; nor knew the deeds which Jove in truth was plotting;

Who held the purpose, to inflict, by dint of stubborn struggles,

On Troians and on Danaï new miseries and groanings.

He woke from sleep; and round him stream'd the utterance of heaven.

Upright he rais'd him, and put on a new and dainty tunic

Goodly of texture: over it he cast an ample garment,

And underneath his supple feet he bound the comely sandals.

About his shoulders next he slung the sword with silver studded;

Last, his paternal sceptre took, for ever undecaying,

And with it went along the ships of brazen-cloak'd Achaians.

So soon as Morning's heav'nly Queen was climbing long Olympus,

Announcing light to Jupiter and other gods immortal;

Did Agamemnon quickly bid the clear-intoning heralds

To summon into public mote the streaming-hair'd Achaians.

These gave the word of summoning: right quickly those assembled.

But first a Council took its seat, of lofty-minded elders,

Close to the galley of the king, the Pylos-nurtur'd Nestor.

When these together he had call'd, a canny word disclos'd he:

"Listen, my friends! In guise of dream came a celestial vision

To me, amid the ambrosial night and most, of godlike Nestor,

In form, in feature and in size, had narrowly the semblance.

There, right above my head, he stood, and spake to me his errand:--

"O son of Atreus skilful-hearted courser-taming, -sleepest?

Not all the night behoveth it a Counsellor to slumber,

To whom, with such a weight of care, the peoples are entrusted.

Now speedily discern my word: from Jove I bring a message,

Who, far asunder, yet for thee great care and pity feeleth.

He biddeth thee the rout entire of streaming-hair'd Achaians

Well to array: for now wilt thou Troy's ample-streeted city

O'ermaster: for the immortal gods, who hold Olympian dwellings,

No longer doubly minded are: for supplicating Juno

Hath bent them to her will; and griefs are fasten'd on the Troians

From Jupiter: but hold thou this in heart.-He, thus commanding,

Flew off and vanished; and from me sweet slumber then departed.

But come, if we may cleverly Achaia's sons accoutre:

And I their temper first will try with words, as is permitted,

And with their galleys many-bench'd homeward to flee will counsel.

But ye must, each in different part, by skilful words detain them,"

So much he spake, and down he sat; but next arose before them

Gerenian Nestor, Neleus' son, the prince of sandy Pylos;

Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd and spake his word among them:

"O friends, who to the Argive folk are governours and leaders,

If, of the Achaians, other man had told us of this Vision,

We might pronounce it falsity, and rather shun the speaker:

Now he hath seen, who mid the host claimeth to be supremest.

But come, if we may cleverly Achaia's sons accoutre."

With such address, he led the way, and parted from the council.

Then all the sceptre-bearing kings, unto the people's Shepherd

Obedient, dispers'd around, where rush'd the people streaming.

In fashion as the nations move of honey-bees incessant,

Which from a smooth and hollow rock come fresh and fresh for ever,

And settle thickly clustering upon the vernal flowers;

Here hover some, some flutter there, tumultuous and boiling:

So then of these the many tribes from out the tents and galleys

Duly in squadron were arrang'd along the ample bosom

Of sandy beach, for public mote; and Rumour blaz'd among them,

Jove's messenger, exhorting all to haste; nor did they loiter.

The assembly all in bristle was; the ground itself with clatter

Groan'd, as the peoples took their seat. Them heralds nine in number

With clear command were marshalling, to check the general tumult,

And gain attention to the voice of the Jove-nurtur'd princes.

Right earnestly the people took their sittings, each restricted

To several space, and ceas'd from noise. Then royal Agamemnon

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Arising, held the sceptre forth, which toilsome Vulcan fashion'd.

Vulcan to Jupiter the prince, the son of Saturn, gave it;

Jove gave it to his minister, the slaughterer of Argus;

Prince Hermeas bestow'd it next on courser-smiting Pelops.

Pelops again with it adorn'd Atreus, the people's shepherd,

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But to Thyestes, rich in rams, Atreus bequeath'd it dying:

Thyestes yielded it in turn to Agamemnon's honour,

For lordship over many an isle, and o'er the whole of Argos.

So resting him on this, he spake these words among the Argives:

"Friends, heroes of the Danaï and ministers of Ares!

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Saturnius hath mightily in dire annoy enchain'd me;

Cruel; who formerly to me with word and nod assented,

To storm wellfenced Ilium and bear away the booty.

But now an evil artifice hath plotted, and doth urge me

Argos to seek, ignoble; sith I many lives have wasted.

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So seemeth it the will to be of Jupiter o'ermatching,

Who hath the lofty pinnacles of many a city lower'd,

And yet will lower; for his sway is mightiest to mortals.

But this is eke to future age an ignominious rumour,

That, after effort impotent, a people of Achaians,

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So choice and multitudinous, was foil'd in war and combat

Against a town of fewer men: nor see we end in prospect.

For if, by joint agreement, we, both Troians and Achaians,

A faithful treaty chose to strike, and each to count their numbers;

If Troians severally cull'd the hearthmen of the city,

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And we, the Achaians, into troops of half a score were marshall'd,

And every troop a man of Troy to bear the wine selected;

Full many a demi-score, I ween, would lack the cup-presenter.

So much superiour, I say, Achaia's sons in number

Are than the city-dwelling throng of Troians: but, to aid them,

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From many a friendly city, men spear-brandishing are present,

Who mightily distract my hands, nor suffer me, though eager,

¹²³

To storm and pillage Ilium, that thickly-peopled fortress.

Nine circling times of lofty Jove already are accomplish'd;

Sapp'd are the timbers of our ships, and rotted is the tackle.

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Meanwhile, I trow, our consorts dear, and eke our childish offspring,

Sit in the halls expecting us; but, as ye see, the purpose

For us is unfulfill'd, for which we made the voyage hither.

But come! as I the word shall speak, let all compliant follow:

Unto our native land belov'd upon the galleys hie we;

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For ample-streeted Ilium no longer shall we capture."

Thus speaking, agitated he, the soul within their bosom

To all among the multitude, who had not heard the Council.

Upon the assembly movements vast fell, as on long sea-billows

Amid the depths of Icarus; which East and South together

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Tumultuate, from out the clouds of Jove the Father darting.

And as, when on a cornfield deep the West wind rushing sudden

Bestirreth it with squally plunge, and every ear depresseth;

So agitated was the mote entire; and they with clatter

Stream'd to the galleys: everywhere beneath their feet ascended

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Dust as a cloud; and each to each made mutual exhorting

To cleanse the channels of the ships; to lend the hand, and drag them

Down to the briny flood divine: their shouting reach'd the heaven,

As home they hurried. Forth they pull'd the props beneath the galleys.-

Then unpredestin'd homeward flight had Argive fates defeated,

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But that the danger Juno saw, and thus address'd Athene:

"Ah me! unweariable child of Jove the ægis-holder!

Say! to their native land belov'd, shall Argives thus betake them,

Over the sea's broad-swelling backs in homeward voyage fleeing?

Then would they for a glory leave to Priam and the Troians

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The Argive Helen; whom to win, Achaia's sons so many,

Far from their native land belov'd, on Troian soil have perish'd.

But now proceed amid the host of brazen-cloak'd Achaians,

And by thy gentle arguments each warriour arrest thou,

Nor let them launch upon the brine the easy-steering galleys."

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She spake, nor uncompliant found Athene, grey-ey'd goddess.

Down from Olympus' summits she with sudden rush descended,

And gliding rapidly attain'd the sharp Achaian galleys:

Ulysses there she met, to Jove an equipoise in counsel,

Standing; nor forward did he stretch to the dark well-deck'd galley

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His hand; sith as a pang of grief his heart and soul had enter'd.

And him Athene grey-ey'd goddess, standing near, accosted:

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

Say! shall ye thus, intent on home and native land beloved,

Rushing, take flight disorderly on galleys many-benched?

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Then would ye for a glory leave to Priam and the Troians

The Argive Helen; whom to win, Achaia's sons so many

Far from their native land belov'd, on Troian soil have perish'd.

But now amid the Achaian host proceed, and from them start not,

And by thy gentle arguments each warriour arrest thou,

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Nor let them launch upon the brine the easy-steering galleys."

So counsell'd she; and hediscern'd the goddess' voice which call'd him.

To run preparing, off his cloak he cast; but it the herald

Eurybates of Ithaca, attending him, recover'd.

Himself, appearing straight before Atrides Agamemnon,

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Receiv'd from him his father's sceptre, ever undecaying,

And with it went along the ships of brazen-cloak'd Achaians.

Whatever leading warriour or monarch he encounter'd,

Him he with gesture of respect and gentle words arrested:

"O elf-possess'd! for thee to quail as coward, not beseemeth:

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But tranquil sit thyself, and cause the people to be tranquil.

For not yet clearly knowest thou what was Atrides' meaning:

Achaia's sons now tempteth he, but soon perchance will punish:

Nor did we all in council hear, the deeds which he projected.

Beware, lest on Achaia's sons his anger work some evil.

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And troth! of such Jove-nurtur'd king exalted is the spirit:

From Jove his honour is; and Jove, the Counsellor, befriends him."

But whomsoe'er of common folk he active found and shouting,

Him with the sceptre he chastis'd, and word of menace added:

"O elf-possessed wight! be still, and hear the word of others, 200,

200

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Who are thy betters far; but thou unwarlike art and feeble,

Who no esteem canst arrogate in battle nor in council.

'Tis not for all Achaians here, I trow, to play the monarch.

Not good is many-headed rule: let one alone be ruler,

Let one be king, to whom the child of crooked-witted Saturn

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Sceptre and ordinances gives, for royal sway among them."

Thus hewith princely governance went marshalling the army;

But they, from galleys and from tents, again to mote were rushing,

With murmurings; as when a wave of the tumultuous ocean

Screecheth upon the mightystrand, and all the floods rebellow.

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Then did the others take their seats, confin'd to rightful places;

But still, incontinent of word, chatter'd alone Thersites,

Who with disorderly discourse and cleverness illomen'd,

Disdainful of decorum, knew against the kings to wrangle.

Whatever might the Argives stir to laughter, that he utter'd;

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And of the host which came to Troy none was as he so ugly.

One of his eyes was fix'd awry; one foot of his was crippled;

His shoulders round and bunching were, toward his breast contracted:

Sharp was his head; and downy hair, but scanty, budded o'er it,

With Achileus he chiefly was in feud, and with Ulysses;

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For chiefly them revil'd he: now at godlike Agamemnon

He keen invectives screech'd aloud. Against him were the Achaians

Smitten with indignation and marvellously wrathful.

But he with brawling insolence then rail'd at Agamemnon:

"What farther, son of Atreus, now complainest thou, or lackest?

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Of copper, lo! thy tents are full; and women pick'd for beauty

Within thy curtains numerous are found, whom we the Achaians

On thee preeminent bestow, when we some fortress capture.

Or gold dost need beside, which some of courser-taming Troians

May haply bear from Ilium, as ransom for his offspring,

230

Whom I in bonds may lead away, or other of the Achaians?

Or youthful damsel needest thou for dalliance of fondness,

Whom thou detainest at thy will, unjustly?-yet, a chieftain

Nowise beseemeth it, in ill to plunge Achaia's children.

O gentle hearts! Achaia's shame! no longer men, but women!

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Home with our galleys let us go; leave this man, here remaining,

O'er his prerogatives to brood, in Troy: till he discover,

Whether in aught his mightiness from us derives protection;

Who now dishonour casts upon a man, than him far better,一

Achilles: for his prize he holds himself is the despoiler.

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Not bitter-hearted is in truth Achilles, but indulgent;

Else, verily, Atrides! this were now thy final outrage."

Thersites thus with mockery revil'd the people's shepherd,

Atrides; but beside him quick stood the divine Ulysses,

Who with indignant utterance and scowling glance reproach'd him:

245

"O thou promiscuous in talk! although a fluent speaker,

Refrain, Thersites! nor desire alone with kings to wrangle.

For of the army which in Troy with Atreus' children landed,

I well believe, is found, than thee, no other mortal viler.

'Tis safer therefore, not with Kings within thy teeth to chatter,

250

And spit reproachful words on them, and watch the homeward voyage.

Nor yet distinctly know we all, how these affairs are ending,

And whether we, Achaia's sons, return for good or evil.

Against Atrides Agamemnon, shepherd of the people,

Reproach thou therefore utterest, because the Argive heroes,

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Many good gifts on him bestow; and thou with chiding railest.

But roundly will I say, and this shall be a fact accomplish'd:

If e'er again I light on thee as now, the dotard playing,

May then the head no longer stay on shoulders of Ulysses,

Nor of Telemachus may I be longer call'd the father,

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But I on thee will seize, and strip the pleasant garments off thee,

The cloak and tunic, and whate'er hideth thy shame from daylight;

And from the assembly driving thee with ignominious lashes,

Send thee to champ thy grief beside the swift-careering galleys."

Thus spake he, and with sceptre stout across his back and shoulders

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Smote him: Thersites writh'd; and quick fell from his eyes a teardrop.

The crush'd and lacerated flesh beneath the golden sceptre

Rose on his back with stains of blood: and down he sat, and trembled.

⁵⁶

Tortur'd with pain, he wip'd the tear, with blank and silly visage.

The rest, though grieving, pleasantly in laughter turn'd against him.

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And thus spake one, with eye that glanc'd upon some other near him:

"Kind Spirits! troth! unending is Ulysses' noble service,

Who doth in canny counsel lead, and brazen War arrayeth.

And now hath he this best of deeds achiev'd among the Argives,

To hinder from his jabberings this ribald-blurting rascal.

275

His haughty spirit will not soon again, I trow, impel him

Against the kings his spite to vent in insolent invective."

Thus spake the crowd: but rising up, Ulysses city-rieving

The sceptre held; and at his side Athene, grey-ey'd goddess,

Unto a herald like in form, the people call'd to silence,

280

That all Achaia's sons who stood the nearest or the farthest

Might hear at once the speaker's voice, and ponder on his counsel;

Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd, and spake his word among them:

"Atrides! now to all the race of voice-dividing mortals

Most ignominious, O prince! the Achaians seek to make thee;

285

Nor longer care they to fulfil the vow, which erst they promis'd

When hitherward on voyage bent from courser-feeding Argos, -

To storm well-fenced Ilium and bear away the booty.

For now, in guise as children weak, or like to widow women,

With soft remembrances of home they whimper each to other.

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And homeward, verily! the toil might drive us in vexation.

For one, who but a single Moon from his own wife is parted,

Upon his galley many-bench'd, which yon tempestuous water

And stormy whirlwinds drive about, — hath plentiful annoyance:

But nine times over, now to us the Sun's revolving circle,

295

While here we stay, is passing; hence I blame not, that the Achaians

Beside their crested galleys feel annoyance; still, disgraceful

Is it, in all case, long to stay, and homeward hurry empty.

Endure, my friends, and wait awhile; until we know with surety,

Whether in truth the word divine, or falsely, Calchas telleth.

300

For this in all our minds is fix'd- and all of you may witness,

Who stand from fates of death exempt, which rushing carried others

On yester-eve or days before:- that, when the Achaian galleys

Gather'd at Aulis, bearing woe to Priam and the Troians,

And we, beneath a planetree fair, beside the sacred altar,

305

With gift of perfect hecatombs did worship the immortals,

Around, upon a fountain-brink, whence rippled brilliant water;

There did a mighty sign appear: a serpent, streak'd with purple,

Terrific, whom the Olympian himself sent forth to daylight,

Shot from the altar's under-side, and on the planetree darted.

310

But thereupon were little ones, the nestlings of a sparrow,

Crouching to hide beneath the leaves toward the branchy summit;

Eight was their number; ninth was she, the parent of the younglings:

There he devour'd them one by one, while piteous their twitter.

The mother flitted round and round, her darling ones bewailing;

315

But by the wing, with rapid coil, he caught the orphan mourner.

When thus the sparrow and her young he finally had swallow'd,

The god, who sent him forth to light, made him a signal token;

For crooked-witted Saturn's child in stony form enchain'd him:

And we in wonderment stood by, to see the deeds which follow'd,

320

When thus dire monsters of the gods our hecatombs invaded.

But Calchas instantly harangu'd, the oracles expounding:-

Why dumb in silence are ye held, O streaming-hair'd Achaians?

To us hath Jove the Counsellor display'd this mighty portent,

Late seen, and in fulfilment late, whose glory ne'er shall perish.

325

As did the snake the sparrow's self devour with all her offspring,

In number eight, but ninth was she, the parent of the children;

So here, by like account, shall we years just so many combat,

But in the tenth shall we o'erpow'r the ample-streeted city.-

So Calchas then interpreted; which all is now accomplish'd.

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But come ye! patiently abide, O dapper-greav'd Achaians!

Here on the spot; until we storm the ample walls of Priam."

The Argives, when he thus harangu'd, skirl'd loudly; and the galleys

Responded with terrific crash, beneath the Achaians shouting,

That exhortation to applaud of the divine Ulysses.

335

Also with them the charioteer Gerenian Nestor pleaded:

"O gods and spirits! verily at random do ye prattle

Like silly children, ignorant of deeds of warlike prowess,

⁷

Whither are gone the oaths for us? and whither are the treaties?

In fire should our advice be cast, and prudent men's decisions,

340

The pure libations, and the pledg'd right hands in which we trusted?

For vainly wrangle we with words incessant, nor are able

An equal remedy to find, tho' long time here abiding.

But still, as erst, Atrides! thou, holding unshaken counsel,

Over the Argives play the chief amid their stubborn warfare!

345

And if some one or two consult apart from thy Achaians,

To Argos earlier to go, before they may discover

Whether the word be true or false of Jove the ægis-holder, -

Leave these to pine and vanish; sith to them is no fulfilment.

For Saturn's child o'ermastering, I say, approval nodded,

350

High on the right hand lightening, tokens of favour showing,

Upon the day, when Argives erst their swift-careering galleys

Ascended, carnage and despair unto the Troians bearing.

Therefore, let none be willing here in homeward course to hurry,

Before that every one have seiz'd some Troian wife as booty,

355

On sake of Helen to avenge our scurry and disasters.

Or if among you one for home be marvellously eager,

Let him his hand put out to touch his welldeck'd dusky galley,

That he before the others may slaughter and fate encounter.

But prince! wise counsel take thyself, and hear another wisely:

360

The word, which I will speak to thee, shall not deserve rejection.

By tribes and brotherhoods thy men distinguish, Agamemnon!

Let brotherhood from brotherhood, and tribe from tribe, have succour.

If such be thy command, and if the Achaians show compliance,

The coward then shalt thou discern, - of chieftains or of people, -

365

And also who is brave; for each will fight his proper battle:

And whether by unearthly will a city scape thy pillage,

Or by the people's cowardice and ignorance of combat."

To him in words reciprocal spake royal Agamemnon:

"Troth! still thou in debate, old friend! Achaia's sons surpassest.

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Would that I had, - O father Jove, Athene and Apollo!

Ten counsellors who might with thee compete, among the Achaians:

⁸

Then quickly should king Priam's city bow the head before me,

Captur'd and pillag'd mightily beneath the hands of Argives.

But griefs on me are come from Jove, Saturnian, ægis-holder,

375

Who into strife entangleth me and quarrel unaccomplish'd.

Sith for a damsel's sake have I with Achileus contended

By altercation opposite; and I in rage was foremost.

But if in counsel we again ever be join'd, no longer

Shall Troy postponement earn of woe, for e'en a scanty moment.

380

But now to banquet come, that next we may the battle summon.

Let each man sharpen well his spear, and each adjust his buckler,

Each to his nimble-footed steeds duly supply the fodder,

Each keenly eye his chariot, and well prepare for battle,

That all of us the livelong day with Ares stern may bargain.

385

For no cessation will we give, for e'en a scanty moment,

Till haply intervening Night men's controversy sunder.

Now over many a breast the strap of the man-hiding buckler

Shall sweat, and clinging to the spear shall many a hand be weary;

And many a courser too shall sweat, the polish'd chariot trailing.

390

But whomsoe'er my eye shall see wishing to shun the battle,

And loiter by the crested ships, for him it were not easy

Against the dogs and ravining birds to find a safe protection."

At this harangue the Argive host skirl'd loudly, as a billow,

When by the rushing South impell'd, upon the lofty margin

395

Of a sea-jutting craggy rock which never waves abandon,

Tho' veer the winds to every side, hither or thither blowing.

Then rising mov'd they rapidly, along the galleys scatter'd,

And rais'd a smoke from every tent, and set themselves to dinner.

To diverse gods of birth eternal they their worship offer'd,

400

With vows imploring to escape death and turmoil of Ares.

But a fat bull, five years in age, the princely Agamemnon

To Saturn's overswaying son in sacrifice devoted,

And Pan-Achaia's elder chiefs he to the banquet summon'd;

Nestor, of all the first: but prince Idomeneus was second;

405

The two Ajaces next were call'd, and then the son of Tydeus;

⁹

Ulysses was the sixth, to Jove an equipoise in counsel.

But Menelaus, good at need, came of his proper motion;

For well he knew his brother's soul, by many cares distracted.

Around the bull these stationed them, and barley-cakes uplifted;

410

Then amid all, the general vow spake royal Agamemnon:

"O Jove, most glorious and great! cloud-wrapt! in heaven dwelling!

Let not the sun go sooner down and yield the world to darkness,

Before that Priam's royal hall I headlong cast to ruin

Buried in ashes, and consume with foeman's fire the pillars;

415

And round the breast of Hector's self the tunic soft be mangled

By griding brass; and many a man among his trusty comrades

Into the dust thrown headlong, seize the earth with bite convulsive."

So spake he; nor did Saturn's child as yet the vow accomplish:

The sacrifice accepted he, but toil ungrudging added.

420

Then after pray'r was made, and they the barley-cakes threw forward,

The victims' necks they backward drew, and slaughter'd them and skinn'd

And parted out the thighs; but these in double fold they cover'd them,

With fragrant fat, and over them arrang'd the choicer pieces.

And these they roasted with the flame from leafless faggots kindled,

425

But pierc'd the vitals, and above the might of Vulcan held them.

Now when the joints were roasted well, and they the vitals tasted,

The rest they slash'd in smaller bits, and spitted every morsel,

And broil'd them all right cleverly, and drew them off perfected.

After the toil had found its end, and all the feast was ready,

430

They banqueted, nor did their soul lack well-proportion'd banquet.

But when desire importunate of food and drink were ended,

To them the Pylian charioteer, Nestor, began advices:

"O Agamemnon, prince of men, most glorious Atrides!

No more debate admit we here, nor longer by postponement

435

Lose we the action, which the God within our hands entrusteth.

But come ye! to the general throng of brazen-cloak'd Achaians

Now let the heralds notify a levy at the galleys:

And for ourselves, patrol we through Achaia's ample army

Thus in a troop, that quicker we may waken eager Ares."

440

¹⁰

He spake; nor found the prince of men reluctant to obey him:

But Agamemnon quickly bade the clear-intoning heralds

To summon to the ranks of war the streaming-hair'd Achaians.

These gave the word of summoning: right quickly those assembled.

Thereafter, those Jove-nurtur'd kings around the son of Atreus

445

Arrang'd and pick'd the people: them grey-ey'd Athene aided,

With costly ægis on her arm, immortal, undecaying.

A hundred fringes, all of gold, around it were suspended;

All were of dainty broidery, each worth a hundred bullocks.

With this she glancing flash'd, and pass'd through all Achaia's people,

450

Exciting them to tramp of war; and every heart among them

She fill'd with vigour, ceaselessly to toil in war and combat.

And sweeter suddenly became the battle, than the voyage

Unto their native land belov'd on smoothly-hollow galleys.

As balefully a fire may blaze amid a countless forest,

455

Along the ridgy mountain-tops, and cast afar its splendour;

So then, as march'd the companies, from off their brazen smoothness

Irradiance unearthly shot, and reach'd the lofty heaven.

In fashion as of feather'd birds the motley-crowding nations, -

Of geese, or cranes, or long-neck'd swans, within the Asian meadow,

460

Whereon Cäyster standeth wide with over-brimming water, -

Hither and thither flit about exulting in their pennons,

Or with loud screams alight in front, and all the mead is noisy;

So then of these the many tribes from out the tents and galleys

Into Scamander's ample plain were pouring; but beneath them

465

From feet of horses and of men the earth terrific rumbled.

Thus stood they on the meadow-banks of flowery Scamander

By tens of thousands, as in spring bud forth the leaves and blossoms.

Like as the many races are of buzzing flies incessant,

Which rambling dart about, where'er the cattle are in station,

470

Within the vernal period, when pails with milk are wetted;

So many then upon the plain the streaming-hair'd Achaians

¹¹

Stood forth the Troians to confront, all eagerness to crush them.

And as, amid vast herds of goats, right easily the herdsmen

Distinguish each his proper flock, when mix'd are they in pasture;

475

So these the leaders, parting well, hither and thither marshall'd

For mell of war; and mid them mov'd the royal Agamemnon,

Wearing of thunder-loving Jove, in eyes and head, the semblance,

Of Neptune at his shoulder-breadth, of Ares at his girdle.

In fashion as amid the herd stands out by far the foremost

480

The bull, pre-eminent of rank among the kine collected;

So on that day pre-eminent did Jove exalt Atrides,

Chosen above the common throng and amid heroes chiefest.

Utter for me, ye Muses, now, who dwell in high Olympus, -

For ye in truth are goddesses, all-present, and all-knowing,

485

But we a rumour only hear, nor know we aught for certain;-

Who mid the host of Danaï were governours and leaders.

But for the multitude, not I might tell their tale, or name them,

Not, if I had a tenfold mouth and tenfold tongue within it,

And tho' my chest were made of brass, and naught my voice could shatter,

490

Unless the Olympian Muses, who of Jove the ægis-holder

Are daughters, those commemorate who under Troy were warring.

Now will I all the ships rehearse, and all their chiefs, in order.

Of the Boeotian galleys was Peneleos commander,

Arkesilas and Clonius, Leitus and Prothöenor.

495

All who in Hyria had lot, all who in rocky Aulis,

In Eteonus many-slop'd, in Scoenus or in Scolus,

On Mycalessus' ample floor, in Thespia and Graia;

All who Erythrae occupied, Eilesius, or Harma,

And all who dwelt at Eleon, at Peteon or Hyla,

500

At Ocale and Medeon, a nobly builded fortress;

In Thisbe, land of turtle-doves, in Copae or Eutresis;

All who in Coroneia dwelt and grassy Haliartus,

And all who Glisan occupied, and all Plataea's people,

And all who Hypothebe held, a nobly builded fortress;

505

¹²

Or who in bright Onchestus dwelt, domain to Neptune sacred,

And all who held Mideia's soil and grape-abounding Arne;

All who in heav'nly Nisa dwelt and in remote Anthedon;-

By these were fifty galleys mann'd; and youths, six score in number,

Of the Boeotians embark'd on board of every galley.

510

Aspledon, and Orchomenus, the Minyeian city,

Were by two sons of Ares rul'd, whom in the house of Actor

Astyoche, a maid august, into her chamber mounting,

To Ares fierce produc'd; but he her secret bed had enter'd.

One son was nam'd Ascalaphus, Ialmenus the other;

515

And thirty smoothly-hollow ships contain'd their train of people.

Epistrophus and Schedius of Phocis were commanders,

Sprung from the son of Naubolus, the lofty-soul'd Ipheitus.

All who in Kyparissus dwelt and in the rocky Pytho,

In Daulis and in Panopeus and in the heav'nly Crisa,

520

All who around Hyampolis or round Anemoreia

Inhabited, or who beside divine Kephisus' river,

Or who Lilaia occupied close to Kephisus' sources:

From these a company was made of forty dusky galleys.

Their leaders moving busily the Phocians were ranging,

525

Who close to the Boeotians were on the left accoutred.

But over Locris Ajax swift, Oïleus' son, was leader,

In bulk and stature not so large as Telamonian Ajax,

But greatly smaller: slight was he, and girt with linen corslet,

But with the spear excell'd mid all Hellenes and Achaians.

530

In Opus and Calliarus and Kynus dwelt his people,

In Bessa and in Scarphe and in beautiful Augeia,

By waters of Boagrius at Thronius and Tarphe.

Of Locrians, who dwell against Euboea's sacred island

On adverse coast, with him in train came forty dusky galleys.

535

As for Euboea's proper folk, the Abantes breathing courage,

In Chalkis or Eretria and vineclad Histiaea;

Who dwelt at Dium's fortress steep and maritime Kerinthus,

Or who Carystus tenanted or held their lot at Styra,

These Elephenor, branch of Ares, rul'd beneath his sceptre,

540

Calchodon's offspring, leader o'er the lofty-soul'd Abantes.

And in his train the Abantes mov'd, with long hair backward streaming,

Spear-wielding rapid warriours, with ashen shafts extended

Eager to burst the corslet through upon the foeman's bosom.

With him there came a company of forty dusky galleys.

545

Them who Athene's city held, a nobly builded fortress,

Land of the mighty-hearted king Erechtheus, whom Athene,

Jove's daughter, nurtur'd(tho' to him life-giving Earth was mother),

But she in Athens planted him within her own rich temple,

Where, as the circling years are full, by gift of rams and bullocks

550

The youths of the Athenians do pleasure to the goddess;-

O'er these the son of Peteos, Menestheus, was commander.

To him not yet upon the earth a man had risen equal

To marshal chariots in rank and buckler-wielding heroes:

Nestor alone his rival was, and Nestor was his elder.

555

With him there came a company of fifty dusky galleys.

Ajax, the prince from Salamis, was of twelve galleys leader,

And where the bands of Athens stood, thither he plac'd his comrades.

But them who Argos tenanted and wall-encircled Tiryns,

Hermione and Asine in inward gulf retreating,

560

And Troezen and Eïones and vineclad Epidaurus;

And all Achaia's youth who dwelt in Mases or Aegina;

These Diomedes, good at need, beneath his sceptre marshall'd,

And Sthenelus, the darling son of Capaneus the famous.

As third with these, Euryalus, a godlike man, proceeded,

565

Whose sire the prince Mekisteus was, and Taläus his grandsire.

But Diomedes, good at need, the bands collective guided:

Of these there came a company of eighty dusky galleys.

But those who in Mycenae dwelt, a nobly builded fortress,

Or in Cleonae's goodly walls or in the wealthy Corinth,

570

In lovely Araethurea or in Orneiae dwelling,

And Sikyon, where formerly Adrastus held the kingdom;

All who in Hyperesia and lofty Gonoessa

Or in Pellene dwelt, or held round Aegium possessions

¹³

Or widely-spreading Helike, and up the whole sea-margin;

575

From these a hundred ships were led by royal Agamemnon,

Atrides: peoples in his train most numerous and noblest

Follow'd; and mid them shone himself with dazzling brass invested,

In matchless glory triumphing, preeminent of heroes,

Because-that mightiest was he and led the greatest peoples.

580

Those who the mountain-hollows held of clifted Lacedaemon,

Messa, the land of turtle-doves, or Sparta and Bryseia;

And all who Pharis occupied and beautiful Augeia;

Who had their lots round Oetylus and Laas, or were planted

At Helus, fortress maritime, and Amyclæ;-their peoples

585

Did Menelaus, good at need, his brother, lead behind him

In sixty galleys; but his bands had separate equipment.

Among them mov'd he actively, by his own zeal excited,

Urging to battle; and his heart was vehemently eager,

On sake of Helen to avenge his scurry and disasters.

590

But those who Pylos tenanted and beautiful Arene,

Thryum, a ford of Alpheus, and Aepy's goodly buildings;

Who dwelt at Kyparissëeis and round Amphigeneia,

Pteleion, Helus, Dorium;- where formerly the Muses

Met Thamyris the Thracian and stopt him from his warblings,

595

When from Oechalian Eurytus out of Oechalia wending:

For boastfully he undertook to conquer, if the Muses,

Daughters of ægis-holding Jove, themselves his song would rival;

But they in anger marr'd his eyes to sightlessness, and ravish'd

His song celestial, and made his hand forget its harping. -

600

The bands of these the charioteer Gerenian Nestor guided,

And ninetysmoothly-hollow ships were rang'd beneath his order.

But all who held Arcadia, beneath Kyllene's mountain

Lofty and steep, beside the tomb Aepytus; where heroes,

Hand to hand combating, are found; and all who dwelt at Ripe,

605

Pheneion, or Orchomenus with flocks of sheep abounding;-

All who at Tegea had lot or lovely Mantineia,

Windy Enispe, Stratie, Parrhasia, Stymphalus;

O'er these Anchaius' son bare rule, the royal Agapenor,

In sixty galleys: and on board of every galley mounted

610

Men of Arcadia numerous, with feats of war acquainted.

For Agamemnon, prince of men, himself, the son of Atreus,

The welldeck'd galleys gave to them, across the purple waters

To voyage; since Arcadians marine employment know not.

But those who o'er Buprasium were spread, and sacred Elis,

615

Contained within Aleisium and limit of Hyrmine,

From the tall rock of Olenus to Myrsinus remotest;

Also to these were chieftains four; and every chief was follow'd

By ten swift ships, on board of which many Epeians mounted.

Over two parts Amphimachus and Thalpius were leaders;

620

To this man Cteatus, to that was Eurytus the father:

The third did strong Diores lead, the son of Amarynkeus:

Over the fourth, command was held by godlike Polyxeinus,

Whose father was Agasthenes, his grandsire prince Augeias.

But those who from Dulichium, and from the sacred islands

625

The Echinæ, come, across the sea, which lie oppos'd to Elis;

Meges the captain was of these, an equipoise to Ares,

Son of a chief by Jove belov'd, the charioteering Phyleus,

Who to Dulichium withdrew, embitter'd with his father.

With Meges came a company of forty dusky galleys.

630

The high-soul'd Kephallenians were by Ulysses marshall'd;

Who at leaf-shaking Neritus or Ithaca were planted,

All who in Crokyleia dwelt or Aegilips the rugged,

And who round Samos held their lot, or dwelt upon Zakynthus,

And tenants of the continent, the adverse coast possessing;

635

All these Ulysses led, to Jove an equipoise in prudence.

With him there went in company twelve scarlet-sided galleys.

Thoas, Andraemon's offspring, o'er the Aetolians was leader,

Who held their lot at Olenus, and Pleuron and Pylene,

And Chalkis, hard upon the sea, and Calydon the rocky.

640

For neither did the sons survive of mighty-hearted Oeneus,

Nor Oeneus'self; but death had seiz'd on auburn Meleager.

To Thoas then was princely rule o'er all Aetolia granted,

And with him came a company of forty dusky galleys.

By spear-renown'd Idomeneus the Cretans were commanded.

645

Whoever Gnossus tenanted or wall-encircled Gortyn,-

Who Lyctus and Miletus held and chalky-soil'd Lycastus, -

Dwellers of Rhytium or Phaestus, thickly-peopled cities;

And who in hundred-citied Crete elsewheremaintain'd their dwellings;

These spear-renown'd Idomeneus beneath his sceptre guided,

650

And Merion, an equipoise for hero-slaying Ares.

With them there came a company of eighty dusky galleys.

Tlepolemus, of Heracles the tall and goodly offspring,

Led of the haughty Rhodians from Rhodes nine dusky galleys.

These over Rhodes possessionsheld, into three States divided,

655

Of Lindus and Ielysus and chalky-soil'd Cameirus.

Their armies by Tlepolemus the spear-renown'd were guided,

To whom, by mighty Heracles, Astyoche was mother,

Whom out of Ephyra he brought, from the Sellëis river,

When of Jove-nurtur'd warriours he many a town had ravag'd.

660

But in the palace tightly built Tlepolemus to manhood

Scarcely was nurtur'd, when he slew his sire's maternal uncle,

A branch of Ares, now decay'd, Likymnius beloved.

Then galleys instantly he built, and, many folk collecting,

Went o'er the deep a fugitive: for deadly threats were utter'd

665

By other sons, and sons of sons, of Heracles the mighty.

Drifting at random, fill'd with pangs, on Rhodes at length he landed:

There, tribe by tribe, three-fold they dwelt, and greatly were they favour'd

By Jupiter, who over gods and over mortals reigneth;

And upon them Saturnius unearthly riches shower'd.

670

Nireus again from Syme led three even-balanc'd galleys,

Nireus, of Charopus the prince, and of Aglaia, offspring:

Nireus, of all the Danaï that under Troy were warring,

The man of fairest form, except the spotless son of Peleus.

But easy of despoil was he, and scant his train of people.

675

But all who at Nisurus dwelt and Crapathus and Casus,

And Cos, Eurypylus' abode, and the Calydna islands,

Over their bands Pheidippus was, with Antiphus, the leader,

¹⁴

Two sons of Thessalus, a son of Heracles the princely:

And thirty smoothly-hollow ships were rang'd beneath their guidance.

680

Now, as for those who habited in the Pelasgian Argos,

In Alus or in Alope, or had their lot in Trachis;

And all who Phthia occupied, and Hellas, fair with women,

Who were entitled Myrmidons, Hellenes and Achaians;

Of fifty galleys mann'd from these was Achileus the leader.

685

But them, of harshly yelling war no memory excited,

For none stood forward in their ranks, to marshal and command them:

For at his galleys lay, divine Achilles foot-reliant,

Swelling at heart to lose the maid, the comely-hair'd Briseis,

Whom, by much toil, select he won, as booty from Lyrnessus,

690

When of Lyrnessus spoil he made, and storm'd the walls of Thebe,

And cast to earth those spearmen keen Epistrophus and Mynes,

Whose sire Euenus was, and prince Selepius their grandsire.

So, grieving for the maid, he lay; but soon to rise was destin'd.

But those who dwelt at Phylake and that domain of Ceres,

695

The flower-spangled Pyrasus, —Ito, of flocks the parent,

And Antron, hard upon the sea, and grassy-couch'd Pteleion;

Of these again commander was the brave Protesilaüs,

While living; but already then the earth's dark bosom held him.

His spouse with mangled cheeks remain'd in Phylake deserted,

700

Within his half-completed house: but him a Dardan hero

Slew, when from off his ship he leapt, far foremost of the Achaians.

Nor yet, e'en so, unled were they, - though for their leader pining, -

But them in ranks of war array'd Podarkes, branch of Ares,

Whose father Iphiclus was son of sheep-abounding Phylax.

705

Unto the mighty-hearted slain own-brother was Podarkes,

But of more tender age; but he was loftier and braver,

Protesilaüs, martial chief: nor did, in sooth, the people

Suffer from lack of governance; yet long'd they for their hero.

With him there came a company of forty dusky galleys.

710

But those who Pheræ occupied, beside the marsh of Boebe,

And Boebe's self and Glaphyræ, and nobly-built Iolcus

¹⁵

These did Admetus' darling son lead in eleven galleys,

Eumelus; whom Alkestis bare,- fairest of all her sisters,

Divine of women, Pelias' child, - to steed-renown'd Admetus.

715

But those who in Thaumakia held lots, and in Methone,

And Meliboea occupied and rugged-soil'd Olisdon,

All these did Philoctetes lead, in archery accomplish'd.

O'er seven galleys bare he rule, and each with fifty rowers

Was well equipp'd, in archery for stalwart fight distinguish'd.

720

But he upon an island lay, enduring stubborn anguish,

Upon the heav'nly Lemnos, where Achaia's children left him,

Tormented by the evil sore of that malignant hydra.

There lay he anguish-struck; but soon the Argives by their galleys

Were doom'd remembrance to regain of princely Philoctetes.

725

Nor yet, e'en so, unled were they, though for their leader pining,

But Medon did their ranks array, Oïleus' bastard offspring,

Whom for his city-rieving sire Rhene his mother nurtur'd.

All who in Tricca dwelt, and in Oechalia, the city

Of Eurytus the Oechalian, and many-knoll'd Ithome;-

730

Two sons of Aesculapius, Podaleiris and Machaon,

Excelling in the healing art, were over these the leaders:

And thirty smoothly-hollow ships were rang'd beneath their guidance.

But those who held Ormenius and Hypereia's fountain,

And who Asterium possess'd and Titan's whity summits;

735

Of these Eurypylus was chief, Euaemon's brilliant offspring;

And with him came a company of forty dusky galleys.

But those who at Gyrtone dwelt or occupied Argissa,

And Olöosson, city white, and Ortha and Elona,

'These Polypoetes, firm in war, beneath his sceptre guided,

740

Son of Peirithoüs, to whom immortal Jove was father:-

(This offspring to Peirithoüs renown'd Hippodameia

Bare on the day, on which the Beasts with downy hides he punish'd,

Which he thrust out from Pelium and to the Aethîkes drove them:)-

Not singlehanded; but, with him Leonteus, branch of Ares;

745

The offspring he of Caeneus' son, the haughty-soul'd Coronus.

¹⁶

Of these there came a company of forty dusky galleys.

But two and twenty galleys swift did Guneus lead from Kyphus:

Him the Peraebi, firm in war, and Enienes follow'd,

Who fix'd their dwellings round about the winter-land Dodone,

750

Or joyful tillage tended near delightful Titaresus,

Who poureth in Peneius' lap his dainty-streaming water,

Nor with the silver-eddying Peneius ever mingleth,

But, alway sundered, as oil along the surface floateth;

For-that it streameth from the Styx, which gods invoking shudder.

755

Of the Magnetes Prothoüs Tenthredon's son was leader,

An eager hero: these were spread along Peneius' currents,

Or held their homes where Pelion his head leaf-shaking reareth.

With Prothoüs in company came forty dusky galleys.

These of the Danaï were nam'd the governours and leaders.

760

But Muse! do thou declare for me who among all were noblest,

Both men and steeds, which companied in train of the Atridæ.

Preeminent of coursers shone the famous breed of Pheres,

Which drew Eumelus' chariot, and vied with birds in fleetness:

Like were their manes, and like their age; their height of equal measure.

765

These erst were in Pieria rear'd by silver-bow'd Apollo,

Both of the gentler sex; yet they spread fear and flight before them.

But of the men preeminent was Telamonian Ajax,

While-as Achilles stood away: for no one with Achilles

Might vie, nor with the steeds that drew the spotless child of Peleus.

770

But he, enraged at Agamemnon, shepherd of the people,

By his sea-coursing crested ships lay indolently listless;

And all his people, straying loose along the rough sea-margin,

Took their amusement at the quoit or darting with the jav'lin

And arrows; while by every car unharness'd stood the horses,

775

Munching their grassy lotus-food and marsh-engender'd parsley,

¹⁷¹⁸¹⁹

Tranquil: and in the princes' tents the chariots well-cover'd

Idly repos'd; and they themselves, their warlike leader missing,

Stroll'd and patroll'd along the camp, nor join'd the moving army.

But it, as fire along the fields invading, hurried onward.

780

Rumbled the ground beneath their tread, as when around Typhôeus

The thunder-loving Jupiter the earth in anger scourgeth

Mid Arim hills, where (rumour saith) Typhôeus lies extended:

So then beneath the feet of these rumbled the earth deep-thrilling,

As on they went; and speedily the breadth of plain travérs'd they.

785

But Iris swift with feet of wind on message to the Troians

From ægis-holding Jupiter came down with painful tiding.

And they in general mote were met before the doors of Priam,

The younger and the elder men, in full assembly gather'd.

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

790

In voice she did the semblance take of Priam's son Polites,

Who, to his fleetness trusting, sat as watcher for the Troians

On summit of the barrow-hill of ancient Aesyetes,

To espy, if e'er the Achaian host rush'd forth to leave their galleys.

In such resemblance Iris swift her message spake to Priam.

795

"Oh father, undecisive talk to thee is alway grateful,

As formerly in peace; but war inevitable riseth.

For verily I oft have gone through many a fight of heroes,

But never people yet saw I so many and so mighty.

For troth! like to the forest-leaves or to the sands in number,

800

Now move they through the plain, to fight, and make the prize our city.

Thee, Hector! chiefly would I charge, whom so to act behoveth:

For Priam's ample city is by many allies defended,

But men from diverse race deriv'd to diverse language listen.

Let every chieftain give the word to those who know his guidance,

805

And each his proper citizens in several order marshal."

Thus spake she; nor did Hector doubt the goddess' voice which call'd him;

But quickly he the mote dismiss'd, and to their arms they hurried.

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.

810

In front a steep and lofty knoll before the city riseth,

Standing apart amid the plain, by chariot roads encircled;

Which truly is by earthly men entitled Batiaea,

But by the gods, the monument of nimble-limb'd Myrine:

There were the Troians and allies in several order marshall'd.

815

Hector with helm of motley work was to the Troians leader,

Offspring of Priam; tribes of men most numerous and noblest

Were after him array'd for war, with ashen lances eager.

Next stood Anchises' bonny child as captain of the Dardans,-

Æneias, whom on Ida's slopes immortal Aphrodite

820

Bare to Anchises, -goddess bright unto a mortal wedded.

Nor lonely stood he; with him stood Antenor's double offspring,

Archelochus and Acamas, well skill'd in various battle.

But those who in Zeleia dwelt beneath the foot of Ida,

Troians of wealthy race, who drank Aisepus' darkling water;

825

O'er those Lycaon's brilliant son, young Pandarus, was leader,

On whom Apollo's self of yore bestow'd his archer weapons.

But those who Adrasteia held and country of Apaesus,

Or who in Pityeia dwelt and Tere's lofty mountain,

These did two sons of Merops lead, Adrastus, and Ampheius

830

With linen corslet. Verily their sire, Percotan Merops, -

Who above all men divinations knew, forbad his children

To hero-wasting war to march: but they his word obey'd not;

For why? the Fates to gloomy death the youths unknowing hurried.

But those who occupied their lots round Practis and Percota,

835

And Sestus and Abydus held and glorious Arisba;

Over their armies Asius, a chief of men, was leader;

Asius, son of Hyrtacus, whom coursers from Arisba,

Flame-hued and stately, bare along, from the Selleïs river.

²⁰²¹

As for the tribes of warriours, Pelasgians spear-frenzied,

840

Who dwelt upon the massy clods of loamy-soil'd Larissa

These did Hippothoüs conduct, and Pylas, branch of Ares,

Whose sire Pelasgian Lethus was, and Teutamus their grandsire.

Next Acamas and Peiröos, the Thracians conducted,

All whom within its noble stream the Hellespont embraceth.

845

But of the warrior Kicones Euphemus was commander,

Whose sire Troezenus, rear'd by Jove, claim'd Keas for his father.

The bending-bow'd Pæonians were by Pyraechmes guided

From widely-flowing Axius and Amydon's recesses,

From Axius, whose stream is shed the daintiest to mortals.

850

Pylæmenes of shaggy heart the Paphlagonians marshall'd,

Where a wild breed of mules among the Eneti is nurtur'd;

Men who in Sesamus had lot, and tenants of Kytorus,

Or who on banks of Parthenus maintain'd illustrious dwellings,

And Cromna and Ægialus and lofty Erythini.

855

But Hodius and Epistrophus the Halizones guided

From distant Alybe, wherein a fount of silver lieth.

The Mysi Chromis own'd as chief, and Ennomus the augur;

Nor he by arts of augury black destiny averted.

But him Pelides, fleet of foot with hand relentless slaughter'd

860

Within the river, where his might to many more was deadly.

The Phryges next, with Phorcys and Ascanius the godlike,

Came from Ascania's distant land, all eager for the combat.

But Antiphus and Mesthles o'er the Mæones were leaders,

Twain offspring to Talaemenes bestow'd by lake Gygaea,

865

Who marshall'd the Mæonians born at the foot of Tmolus.

The Carians with barbarous voice by Nastes were commanded,

Who at Miletus dwelt, and held the leafy mount of Phthiræ,

And Mycale with lofty tops and currents of Mæander.

Over their bands Amphimachus and Nastes were commanders,

870

²²

Both Nastes and Amphimachus, Nomion's brilliant children;

Nastes, who enter'd war, with gold bedizen'd like a damsel,

O simpleton! nor this at all sad destiny averted:

But him amid the river's flood Aeacides swift-footed

Subdued; and skilful Achileus bare off the golden booty.

875

Sarpedon and unblemish'd Glaucus led the Lycian heroes,

Who came afar, from Lycia, from banks of whirling Xanthus.

²³²⁴

New Alexandria Commentaries

Douglas Frame

analysis of Makhaon and Podaleirios as twins and comparison with Nestor (and Periklymenos)

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analysis of the location of Oichalia (and connections to Makhaon and Podaleirios)

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analysis of the location of the Ainianes and the Perrhaiboi in the Iliad and the Hom. Hymn to Apollo

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comparison of Strabo and Homer on the waters of Peneios and Titaresios not mixing

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Gregory Nagy

The narrative of Rhapsody 2 now follows up on the dire consequences of the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon as narrated in Rhapsody 1. Achilles has already withdrawn from the war because of his anger. So, now that this greatest hero of the Achaeans is out of the picture, what will happen next? How will the absence of Achilles affect the story of the Trojan War? Many new doubts and fears set in, and the resolve of the Achaeans is harshly tested. There is negative talk, and there are omens. Thus the story of the Trojan War, as told and retold countless times in the distant past, must now be retold yet again, and Rhapsody 2 will set the terms for the retelling still to come. For setting the terms, Rhapsody 2 will need a new Catalogue of Ships, now happening in the tenth year of the war, as a replacement for any old Catalogue that would have logically happened already in the first year. This new Catalogue is of course not really new: rather, it is the oldest possible Catalogue that is now being renewed for the newest possible retelling of the Trojan War, reconsidered in the glaring light of the grim consequences facing the Achaeans now that Achilles has withdrawn from the war. With these consequences in view, the Catalogue will reassess all the Achaean heroes involved in the Trojan War. Of special interest will be the role of Protesilaos, who had been the first Achaean to die in the war, as a model for Achilles. As the Master Narrator notes most ruefully, Protesilaos is now terribly missed by his fellow warriors. So too will Achilles be missed.

draft js image error On the reverse side of the coin: Inscription: ΘΗΒΑΙΩΝ. Pictured: the Greek hero Protesilaos, the first Achaean to step on Trojan soil and, according to the myth, the first to die in the Trojan War. The myth is retold in Iliad 2.695–709.

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See anchor comment at I.12.188.

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Homer Iliad 2.720

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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