BOOK V
MAIDEN Athene thereupon
on Diomed Tydides
1
Courage bestow'd and enterprize,
that he, mid all the Argives,
Might in preeminence be seen,
and earn excelling glory.
About his helmet and his shield
unweary fire she kindled,
In fashion of autumnal star,
which, when in Ocean washed,
5
Blazeth abroad irradiant,
beyond the host of heaven:
Such fire around his head she then
and down his shoulders kindled,
And urg'd him to the midmost ranks,
where'er the rout was thickest.
Among the Troians liv'd a man,
spotless of fame and wealthy, —
Dares, who priest of Vulcan was,
and had a double offspring:
10
Phegeus, Idæus, were they call'd;
wellskill'd in diverse battle.
These came, as counter-champions,
apart, against Tydides,
They from the lofty car to fight,
but he on foot assail'd them.
When they to shorter distance came,
advancing each on other,
First Phegeus, poising, forward threw
the spear with lengthy shadow;
15
But harmlessly the noyance pass'd
over Tydides' shoulder,
Missing him on the left: then he
not vainly flung his weapon,
But thro' the bosom pierc'd the foe,
and dash'd him from the horses.
Down, from the car so beautiful,
Idæus wildly bounded,
20
Nor dar'd to overstride the limbs
of his now lifeless brother.
Nor e'en, I trow, had he himself
from gloomy fate escaped,
But Vulcan saw and rescued him,
and shrouded him in darkness,
Lest that his aged worshipper
with double grief be smitten. —
Then mighty-hearted Tydeus' son
seiz'd on the car and horses,
25
And to the hollow galleys bade
his comrades to conduct them.
But when the Troians lofty-soul'd
beheld the sons of Dares,
One skulking from the foe, and one
beside his horses slaughtered,
The soul of all held grim debate.
Meanwhile, grey-ey'd Athene,
Seiz'd by the hand and thus with words
address'd impetuous Ares:
30
"O Ares! Ares, pest to man!
bloodsprinkled! towerscaling!
Were it not well for us to leave
the Troians and Achaians
To prove the will of Jupiter
and snatch the battle's glory,
While we, to shun the Father's wrath,
retire us from the conflict?"
Thus speaking, from the battlefield
she drew impetuous Ares,
35
And on the high banks seated him
which edge Scamander's valley.
Then sank the heart and might of Troy:
the Danaï exulted,
And every leader hent his man.
First, royal Agamemnon
Cast stately Hodius from his car,
prince of the Halizones,
Turning to flight; but he the spear
between his shoulders planted
40
Right in the back, and thrust it thro'
and reach'd into his bosom:
So, with a loud crash, down he dropt,
and o'er him clang'd his armour.
Idomeneus next Phæstus slew,
son of Mæonian Borus,
From loamy Tarne come: but him,
Idomeneus spear-famous
45
Reach'd on right shoulder with the pike,
when he would mount his horses.
From the car's edge sheer down he fell,
and hateful darkness held him:
The squires around Idomeneus
stript off the dead man's armour.
But Meneläus, Atreus' son,
a pointed spear directed
At Strophides Scamandrius,
a man in hunting skilful,
50
Practis'd in various archery;
whom Artemis instructed
Herself to hit all venison,
which mountain-forest reareth.
But not the arrow-pouring queen
destruction then averted,
Nor all the archeries, whereby
of yore he was distinguish'd.
For, as he fled in front of him,
Atrides Meneläus
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Spear-famous, aiming justly, fix'd the spear
between his shoulders
Right in the back, and thrust it thro'
and reach'd into his bosom.
So, headlong dropping, down he came,
and o'er him clang'd his armour.
But Merion slew Phereclus,
son of a crafty joiner
Harmonides; whose hands were skill'd
all canny work to fashion
60
Right daintily; for, him the maid
Athene lov'd supremely.
He too for Alexander fram'd
the even-balanc'd galleys,
Source of annoy; which carried home
evil to all the Troians
And to himself; so knew he not
the oracles of heaven.
Him, in the right haunch, Merion,
when by pursuit he caught him,
65
Had wounded; and the brazen point
came thro' beyond the bladder:
So, groaning, on his knees he dropt,
and death his soul enshrouded.
By Meges was Pedaeus slain,
Antenor's son, a bastard,
Whom bright Theano tenderly,
as her own children nurtur'd,
70
Her lord to please: but Phyleus' son
spear-famous, near approaching,
Pierc'd thro' his head from back to front,
and tongue from teeth divided.
Down in the dust he dropt: his teeth
champ'd the cold brass convulsive.
Euaemon's son, Eurypylus,
pursued divine Hypsenor,
75
Son of high-soul'd Dolopion,
a man, who to Scamander
A priest was made, and by the folk,
e'en as a god, was honor'd.
Him, as he fled, Eurypylus,
Euaemon's brilliant offspring,
O'ertook with sabre-cut, and off
sever'd the heavy shoulder.
80
Into the dust the gory limb
dropt from the swooning hero;
There crimson Death his eyen press'd,
and Destiny resistless.
So they of either army toil'd
amid the hardy struggle.
But Tydeus' son might puzzle thee,
in which array he counted:
85
Not in the Troian ranks fought hé,
nor yet among the Achaians.
For o'er the breadth of plain he rag'd,
as when a stream is flooded,
A storm-begotten brook, whose gush
hath torn away the bridges;
The dams and causeys hold it not,
nor walls of fruitful orchards,
90
When suddenly it rusheth down,
if rains from Jove be heavy;
And by its fury wasted lie
many fair works of peasants:
So by the swoop of Tydeus' son
the bands were maul'd and justled
Of Troians; nor, though numerous,
might venture to await him.
But when Lycaon's brilliant son
perceiv'd the son of Tydeus
95
Sweeping in rage across the plain,
the bands before him routing,
Quickly he drew his bending bow,
at the right shoulder aiming,
And hit the corslet's cavity.
In flew the stinging arrow,
Piercing the hero's flesh;
and blood was on the corslet sprinkled.
100
Then did Lycaon's brilliant son
shout vehemently joyful:
"Up, courser-spurring Troïans!
onward, ye lofty-hearted!
The bravest of Achaian chiefs
is wounded; nor, I reckon,
Will long endure my stubborn shaft,
if truly prince Apollo,
The son of Jove, from Lycia
did hither speed my journey."
105
So spake he boastingly;
but him the pointed shaft subdued not.
Withdrawn unto the rear,
before his chariot and horses
He stood, and call'd on Sthenelus,
the Capaneian hero:
"Thou gentle son of Capaneus,
haste! from the car dismount thee;
Thou from my shoulder now must aid
to draw a stinging arrow."
110
He spake, and Sthenelus straightway
down from the horses bounded,
Stood by his side, and pull'd outright
the arrow from his shoulder: —
Then thro' the tunic's twisted work
the blood in gushes spurted.
But Diomedes, good at need,
lifted his supplication:
"Offspring of ægis-holding Jove!
unweariable! hear me.
115
If ever at my father's side
with friendly thought thou stoodest
In foeman's war, to me too now
thy favour show, Athene!
Grant unto me spear-reach of him,
who hath from ambush hit me,
And glorieth that I not long
shall see this sunny splendour."
120
So utter'd he the word of prayer,
and maid Athene heard him.
His limbs, both feet and hands above,
— nimble she made and buxom,
Stood by his side, and whispering,
did winged accents utter:
"O Diomedes, cheer thee now
with Troïans to combat!
For in thy bosom, lo! I breathe
thy sire's intrepid spirit,
125
The ancient heart of buckler-wielding
charioteering Tydeus.
The mist, which heretofore hath veil'd
thy eyes, — I now withdraw it,
That duly thou mayst recognize
both deities and mortals.
Therefore, if any god appear
within the throng to tempt thee,
Against the other gods immortal
come not thou to battle
130
Direct; but if, in mell of men,
Jove's daughter Aphrodite
Herself adventure, her do thou
with savage weapon mangle."
Thus did grey-ey'd Athene speak
and, with the word, departed.
But Tydeus' son again went forth
and with the foremost mingled;
And, eager tho' before he was
with Troïans to combat,
135
Then threefold rage upon him came,
as on a wounded lion,
Who, to devour the woolly flock,
over the fence hath bounded
In the broad field: — the shepherd's dart
grazeth and doth not tame him,
But wakeneth his might the man
no more may dare resistance,
But plungeth mid the stalls of sheep,
and they, abandon'd, tremble;
140
Huddled together, so stand they,
in consternation aidless,
Till from the deep yard leapeth he,
by eager impulse bidden:
So eagerly with Troians clos'd
the stalwart Diomedes.
Then did he hend Astynoüs
and, shepherd of the people,
Hypeinor; one with brazen point
he hit above the bosom,
145
To one with mighty sword he smote
the neck beside the shoulder
On collarbone; so the whole limb
from back and neck he sever'd.
Leaving them there, he straight pursued
Abas and Polyeidus,
Children of old Eurydamas,
a skilful dream-expounder:
Yet never to their sire came they,
to hear their dreams expounded,
150
But slaughter'd there they lay and stript
by stalwart Diomedes.
Xanthus and Thoön next he chas'd,
two sons of wealthy Phaenops,
Beloved children both; but he
in grievous age was wasting,
And rear'd no other child beside,
his riches to inherit.
There did the hero lay them low
and riev'd the tender spirit
155
Of both; and to their father left
wailing and mournful sorrows:
Sith, never did he welcome them
back from the fight returning
Alive, but heirs of orphanhood
his wide estates divided.
Echemon next and Chromius,
two sons of Dardan Priam,
Both riding in one chariot
were doom'd to his encounter.
160
As, when a horned cattleherd
within a thicket grazeth,
A lion, pouncing sudden, breaks
the neck of cow or bulkin;
So both of them did Tydeus' son
dash from the horses headlong,
Sorely unwilling; then at ease
he stript their splendid armour,
But to his comrades gave the steeds,
to drive them to the galleys.
165
But when Æneias saw the chief
the ranks of heroes routing,
He sped him o'er the battlefield,
amid the darts and tumult,
Seeking for godlike Pandarus,
if here or there he find him:
And soon he found the warriour,
Lycaon's spotless offspring,
And there in face of him stood forth,
and spake his word before him:
170
"Whither is gone, O Pandarus!
thy bow and winged arrows,
And glorious report, wherein
none here with thee contendeth,
Nor any, e'en in Lycia,
may claim to be thy better?
But raise to Jupiter thy hand,
and come! address an arrow
To this strange man, who swayeth
wide with noyance to the Troians,
175
And who of many a gallant soul
hath cast the body helpless:
Unless some god it haply be
against the Troians anger'd
On sake of holy sacrifice:
and wrath divine is dreadful."
To him in words responsive spake
Lycaon's brilliant offspring:
"Anchises' son! high-counsellor
of brazen-coated Troians,
180
All his outside to me is like
the skilful son of Tydeus,
Whom by the shield I recognize
and triple-crested vizor,
And by his steeds: yet be he man or god,
I know not surely.
But, should he be the man I deem,
the skilful son of Tydeus,
Not without aid divine, I trow,
so rageth he; but alway
185
Standeth by him some deathless one,
with shoulders wrapt in darkness,
Who turn'd my pointed shaft aside,
which duly reach'd and hit him.
For I already aim'd at him;
and in his better shoulder
My arrow lighted, piercing through
the hollow of his corslet.
Troth! thought I, he was headlong flung
to be a guest of Pluto,
190
But, ne'ertheless, I tam'd him not:
some god embitter'd is he!
Nor now stand ready for my feet
a chariot and horses.
Yet in Lycaon's halls, I weet,
are chariots eleven,
Newmade, fresh-panel'd, beautiful,
with curtains clos'd; and coursers,
195
Twain for each car, stand duly train'd,
rye and white barley munching.
Truly Lycaon, spearman old,
to me gave many charges
Within his palace featly built,
when I for Troy would leave him.
He bade me mount a chariot,
and bring with me the horses,
And play the chief to Troïans
amid their hardy struggles:
200
But I his counsel follow'd not,
(which verily was better),
In mercy to my gallant steeds,
lest, hemm'd within the city,
They find but scanty nutriment
and miss their wonted plenty.
So left I him, and came on foot
to Ilium, reliant
On archery; but fate, it seems,
meant not my shafts to aid me.
205
For I already arrows twain
at chieftains twain have aimed,
Yea, and my shot hath reached them both,
Tydides and Atrides,
And drawn true blood from out their veins,
yet only rous'd their courage.
Therefore with evil destiny
my bending bow I plucked
Down from the peg, upon that day,
when I my Troian levies
210
Led up to lovely Ilium,
a joy to godlike Hector.
But if I haply scape the war,
and, back alive returning,
See with my eyes my sire and wife
and lofty-roofed palace,
May instantly some foreign wight
my head from off me sever,
If with my hands I do not snap
this bow and arrows piecemeal,
215
And cast them in the shining fire:
for vainly do I bear them."
To him in turn spake opposite
Æneias, Troian leader:
"Hold not discourses thus. And yet,
no change of things may happen,
Ere we, against this hero match'd
with chariot and horses,
Confronting him with adverse might,
make trial of his weapons.
220
But come, this car of mine ascend,
and see my steeds' careering,
What virtue hath the breed of Tros,
with all the plain acquainted,
Hither and thither fleet to scour
and chase or flee alternate.
These to the city us will save,
if Jupiter o'ermatching
Haply anew may glory give
to Diomed Tydides.
225
Come, take the scourge and glossy reins,
and I will mount to brandish
The spear: else thou the spear shalt hold,
and I will tend the horses."
To him again in turn replied
Lycaon's brilliant offspring:
"Æneias! hold the reins thyself,
and guide thy proper horses.
230
Liefer will they the rounded car
beneath their wonted driver
Draw, if mayhap we afterward
flee from the son of Tydeus.
Lest, missing thy familiar voice
and terrified by tumult,
They swerve awry impatient,
nor bear us from the battle,
And mighty-hearted Tydeus' son,
by fleetness overhending,
235
Slay both of us and drive away
the single-hoofed horses.
But thou thyself thy proper car
and proper horses manage,
And him, if he invade us, I
with pointed spear will welcome."
Into the car so curious
(this converse past) they mounted,
And straight against Tydides held
the horses fleet and eager.
240
But Sthenelus, the brilliant son
of Capaneus, beheld them,
And to Tydides instantly
did winged accents utter:
"O Diomedes, Tydeus' son,
to my regards most pleasing,
Two stalwart warriours I see,
for thy encounter eager.
1
No measure may their sinew tell:
one is a skilful archer,
245
Young Pandarus, who glorieth
as offspring of Lycaon:
But great Æneias arrogates
a parentage more splendid;
Anchises is his spotless sire;
his mother, Aphrodite.
But come, withdraw we now and mount
the chariot, nor madly
Rush in the van, and waste a life
so precious to thy Argives."
250
To him with frowning glance replied
the stalwart Diomedes:
"Counsel not fear to me: for I
deem not thou canst persuade me.
Nor truly in my breed is it
to fight a skulking battle,
Or crouch to rearward: hitherto
unharm'd my force abideth.
I loathe upon the car to mount:
thus, as I am, I face them,
255
On foot: Athene, heay'nly maid,
forbiddeth me to tremble.
Not both of them, by our attack
unscath'd, shall hence be carried
By the swift horses off the field,
if even one escape us.
This also will I say; and thou
within thy mind revolve it:
If-that the much-designing maid
vouchsafe to me the glory
260
To slay both one and other, then
do thou thy bridles tighten,
Upon thy chariot-rim, and here
arrest thy steeds' careering.
But, well remembering, rush on
against Æneias' coursers,
And from the Troians drive unto
the dapper-greav'd Achaians.
For know! they are a progeny
of those, which Jove wide-sighted
265
Paid unto Tros as ransom-price
of auburn Ganymedes:
Wherefore beneath the Dawn and Sun
no coursers these may equal.
From those, Anchises prince of men
deriv'd a stolen offspring,
(Unknown to king Laomedon,)
by his own mares conceived.
Six of this race were foal'd to him
within his princely stables:
270
The four, he kept at home himself,
and fondled at the manger;
But these he to Æneias gave,
twin counsellors of terror.
If these we capture, verily
we earn excelling glory."
Thus they reciprocally held
betwixt themselves discourses:
But nearer now the twain were come,
driving the nimble coursers;
275
And first Lycaon's brilliant son
address'd him to Tydides:
"Thou stubborn-hearted skilful man,
offspring of lordly Tydeus,
My pointed shaft subdued thee not,
though stinging was the arrow;
'Tis well; but with the spear I now
will try, if I can hit thee."
He spake, and poising, forward threw
the spear with lengthy shadow,
280
And hit the shield of Tydeus' son:
and thro' the stubborn leather
The brazen point flew forcibly,
and reach'd into the corslet.
Then did Lycaon's brilliant son
shout vehemently joyful:
"Right thro' the body hath my spear
transfixed thee; nor deem I,
Long wilt thou last: so thou to me
a mighty boast hast given."
285
But, naught dismay'd, to him replied
the stalwart Diomedes:
"It was a miss, and not a hit:
but heroes! ye, I reckon,
No pause of eagerness will make,
till one or other falling
Glut with his gore the warriour-
unweariable Ares."
Thus, saying, forth he threw the dart;
and it, above the nostril
290
Athene planted, near the eye;
past the white teeth it glided;
Thro' the tongue's root it cut, until
beneath the chin it issued.
So dropt he from the chariot,
and o'ed him clang'd his armour,
Motley and all-irradiant.
The nimblefooted coursers
295
Swerv'd in alarm: but he by life
and force was there abandon'd.
But quick with shield and lengthy lance
Æneias leapt above him,
In tremor, lest the Achaïans
might drag away the carcase.
He, like a lion, round it strode,
relying in his prowess,
And forward held his spear, and shield,
which equal was on all sides,
300
Full resolute to slay the man,
who onward might adventure:
And horribly he yell'd. But next
did Diomedes brandish
A rock, a vast creation,
which not two men might carry,
(Men such as now are seen,)
but he alone with ease did swing it.
With this he struck Æneias' hip,
just where, as on a pivot,
305
The thigh within the hip is hing'd;
and men the socket call it:
The rugged stone the socket crush'd,
and wrench'd away the tendons,
Tearing the hero's hide: but he,
on his broad hand supported,
Sank to his knees; and o'er his eyes
a swoon of darkness hover'd.
310
Now would Æneias, prince of men,
in such encounter perish,
But for his gentle mother's care,
Jove's daughter Aphrodite,
Who, to Anchises tending kine,
On slopes of Ida bare him.
Around her bonny child she spread
Her two white arms, and o'er him
Folds of her brilliant veil stretch'd out,
a screen to bristling battle, lest
315
2
From the charioteering foe
some fatal weapon pierce him.
While thus she rescued stealthily
her own beloved offspring,
Well did the son of Capaneus
that argument remember,
3
Which Diomedes, good at need,
had straitly charg'd upon him.
320
Apart from tumult, in the rear,
he held his proper horses,
Upon the car's rim tightening
their bridles; then, invading
Æneias' empty chariot,
he drave the long-man'd coursers
From out the Troian ranks, unto
the dapper-greav'd Achaians,
And gave them to Deïpylus
his comrade (whom he honor'd
325
Beyond his other friends of youth,
for-that their hearts were suited),
Unto the smoothly-hollow ships
to drive them: then the hero
Mounting upon his proper car
drew up the glossy bridles,
And instantly with ardour press'd
the flintyfooted horses
After Tydides. Gone was he,
with ruthless brass pursuing
330
The queen of Cyprus. Well he knew,
she was no armed power,
Nor counted with those goddesses
who manly battle marshal:
Troth! nor Athene is she, nor
Bellona city-rieving.
But when he had her overhent,
thro' troops of footmen chasing,
The mighty-hearted Tydeus' son
his brazen point extended.
335
So, leaping from the ground aloft,
with a slight scratch he wounded
Her hand, at bottom of the palm;
nor might her flesh resist it.
Thro' her ambrosial veil it pass'd,
work of the sister-Graces,
And drew immortal blood; such juice,
as floweth from the blessed.
340
For they no earthly viands eat,
nor drink they wine resplendent;
And therefore bloodless are they all,
and deathless are reputed.
But She then, shrieking fearfully,
dropt from her hands their burden;
But bright Apollo caught him up,
and with blue mist encircled,
345
Lest from the charioteering foe
some fatal weapon pierce him.
Then Diomedes, good at need,
in mighty voice address'd her:
"From war and bargaining of foes,
daughter of Jove! retire thee.
Seemeth it little to cajole
the unwarlike race of women?
If thou with battle's grim array
wilt deal, in sooth I fancy
350
Hereafter e'en the talk of war
shall make thy body shiver."
He spake; and she, with sore annoy
delirious, departed.
Her, Iris swift as wind receiv'd,
and drew her from the tumult,
Fretted with throbbing pains; and all
her beauteous flesh was darken'd.
Soon, to the left of toilsome fight,
she found impetuous Ares
355
Sitting; and on a cloud his spear
and nimble horses rested.
Then, sinking on her knees, did she,
from her beloved brother,
With many a supplication ask
his golden-trapped horses.
"Carry me off, O brother dear!
and grant to me thy horses,
That to Olympus I may go,
abode of the immortals.
360
Sorely I suffer from a stab,
implanted by a mortal,
Tydides, who with father Jove
would presently do battle."
She spake: and Ares gave to her
the golden-trapped horses.
Into the car she mounted, still
distraught with keen resentment.
And Iris mounted by her side,
and gathered the bridles,
365
And flogg'd the coursers, nothing loth
in flying race to gallop.
Quickly unto the gods' abode,
Olympus steep, arriv'd they;
Where Iris, swift with feet of wind,
the steeds' career arrested,
And loos'd them from the yoke, and cast
ambrosial fodder near them.
But heavenly Aphrodite fell
into Dione's bosom, —
370
Her mother: she within her arms
embrac'd her proper daughter,
And soothing her with hand and voice,
she spake, her name pronouncing:
"Beloved child! what heav'nly hand
such ill hath wrought upon thee,
All wantonly, as tho' thou wert
in flagrant guilt arrested?"
But Aphrodite, queen of Smiles,
to her thereat responded:
375
"The son of Tydeus me hath stabb'd,
highminded Diomedes,
Because-that I would stealthily
my own beloved rescue,
My child Æneias, who to me
far dearest is of all men.
The deadly warcry now is not
of Troians and Achaians;
But even with immortals now
the Danaï do battle."
380
Forthwith, divine of goddesses,
Dione, spake responsive:
"Bear up, my daughter! and endure,
however sharp thy sorrow.
For, many a woe from mortals we,
who hold Olympian dwellings,
Have suffer'd, either race on each
fierce miseries imposing.
Once Ares learnt to suffer, when
Otus and sturdy Ephialtes,
385
The children of Alõeus,
hardily enchain'd him;
So he for thirteen moons was kept,
in brass and brick encased.
And there would Ares perish now,
insatiate of battle,
But that their father's dainty bride,
Eëriboia, learnt it,
And notice gave to Hermeas;
who slily rescued Ares,
390
Outworn already: for the chain
did cruelly subdue him.
And Juno tasted suffering,
when with a threebarb'd arrow
She by the stalwart offspring of
Amphitryon was wounded
In the right bosom: whence she knew
immedicable anguish.
Nor less, stupendous Aïdes
by a swift arrow suffer'd,
395
What time the selfsame man, the son
of Jove the ægisholder,
Before the portal of the dead
with impious weapon stung him.
But he to Jupiter's abode
and long Olympus mounted,
Fretted in heart and pierc'd all thro'
with torture: for the arrow
Was in his sturdy shoulder fix'd,
and rous'd his moody passion.
400
But soon did Pæon, Heaven's leech,
spread pain-destroying unguents
And heal his wound; for not, in sooth,
of mortal fabric was he. —
Worker of guilt and hard of soul,
of impious dealing reckless,
Is he, who grieveth by his darts
the gods who hold Olympus.
And now this son of Tydeus, whom
Athene, greyey'd goddess,
405
Hath urg'd against thee, knoweth not,
O simpleton! to ponder,
That he not long endureth, who
against immortals fighteth:
Nor, when he cometh from the war
and grim embrace of foemen,
Shall children, climbing on his knees,
blandly salute him Father.
Wherefore let Tydeus' son, tho' now
so stalwart is his valour,
410
Beware, lest one more valorous
than thee, his might encounter.
Lest haply sage Aigiale,
the noble-hearted consort
Of courser-taming Diomed,
and daughter of Adrastus,
Awake from sleep, and, shrieking loud,
arouse her dear domestics,
Missing her lord of early love,
the bravest of the Achaians."
415
She spake, and from the wounded wrist
wip'd off the pure effusion
With both her hands: the wrist was heal'd,
and grievous pains were ended.
But Juno and Athene watch'd
these deeds afar; and shortly
By words of cutting banter tried
Saturnius to challenge.
To them Athene, greyey'd goddess,
first began discourses:
420
"O father Jove, if aught I speak,
might it excite thy anger?
4
The queen of Cyprus (as I trow)
some Argive woman urging
To company with Troïans,
whom now she fondly favours,
While stroking with her slender hand
a longrob'd Argive woman,
Hath scratch'd her wrist so delicate
against a golden buckle."
425
She spake. The Sire of gods and men
smil'd at Athene's sally;
But then to golden Aphrodite
call'd, and thus address'd her:
"Not unto thee, my child, we give
the ministry of battle:
But thou shall rightfully pursue
the lovely cares of marriage,
And warlike deeds devolve upon
keen Ares and Athene."
430
Thus they reciprocal exchang'd
among themselves discourses.
But Diomedes, good at need,
against Æneias sallied,
Knowing it was Apollo's self
that held his hand above him.
Nor, even so, the mighty god
revered he; but alway
Burned to slay Anchises' son,
and strip his signal harness.
435
Thrice did he rush against the foe,
in eagerness of battle,
And thrice Apollo forcibly
dash'd back his shining buckler.
But when a fourth time he would rush,
like to a mighty Spirit,
Then did Apollo Far-averter
speak with direful menace:
"O Tydeus' son, beware! retire!
aspire not in thy fancies
440
A peer unto the gods to be:
for diverse is the nature
Of men that move upon the ground,
and of the gods immortal."
Thus spake the god: and Tydeus' son
a scanty space retir'd him,
And yielded; shunning to enrage
Apollo the fardarting.
But, from the crowd apart, the god
bare off and plac'd Æneias
445
Amid the sacred Pergamus;
wherein to prince Apollo
A fane was builded: there within
an ample crypt, Latona
And arrowpouring Artemis
rais'd him to health and splendour.
[But silverbow'd Apollo next
an empty form devised,
Unto Æneias similar
and like in all his armour:
450
And round this form the Troïans
and the divine Achaians,
Around their hardy bosoms
each of the others, ravaged
The oxhide shields orbicular,
and shaggy-winged targets.]
Then thus did bright Apollo speak
unto impetuous Ares:
"O Ares! Ares! pest to man!
bloodsprinkled! tower-scaling!
455
Wilt thou not chase across the field
and drag away this hero,
Tydides, who with father Jove
would presently do battle?
The queen of Cyprus, on the wrist,
first with his weapon stabb'd he,
And then upon myself he rush'd,
like to a mighty Spirit."
This said, on topmost Pergamus
he took his tranquil station.
460
But, mid them moving, ghastly Ares
stirr'd the ranks of Troians,
5
In form like unto Acamas,
keen leader of the Thrakes.
To Priam's sons, Jove-nurtured,
chiefly he turn'd his parley:
"Sons of a sire Jove-nurtured!
children of royal Priam!
How long abandon ye the folk
for slaughter to the Achaians?
465
Till haply round the wellmade gates
the battle rage, await ye?
A hero prostrate lieth, whom,
as peer of godlike Hector,
We honoured, — Æneias, son
of loftysoul'd Anchises.
But come ye! let us from the brawl
our noble comrade rescue."
He, by such words, in every breast
spirit and strength excited.
470
Sarpedon next a sharp rebuke
address'd to godlike Hector:
"Whither is gone the spirit, which,
O Hector! once possess'd thee?
Thy boast it was that thou alone,
without allies and peoples,
By brethren and by marriage-kin,
wouldest maintain the city:
But none of these I here, or there,
distinguish or discover;
475
But stealthily they crouch behind,
as dogs around a lion,
And all the fight on us doth fall,
who for allies are counted.
For I myself am thy ally,
and I from far have journey'd:
For far from hence is Lycia,
upon the whirling Xanthus,
Where I my dearest consort left,
and eke my tender infant,
480
Yea, and my plentiful estate,
which every poor man envies.
Yet, even so, my Lycians
I hearten, and am eager
Myself to fight with warriours,
though nothing here possess I,
Which men of Argos ravaging
could drive away or carry.
But thou dost indolently wait,
nor on the other people
485
Urgest, immovably to stand,
and for their wives do battle.
Beware, lest thou, and Priam's self,
entangled in the meshes,
To men of adverse spirit be
a sport and lucky booty:
Then will they pillage greedily
your thickly-peopled city.
Thee it behooveth, night and day,
on these affairs to ponder,
490
And to the princes of the allies
far-summon'd, make entreaty
For constancy; and from yourselves
ward off our keen reproaches."
So spake Sarpedon; and his word
deep stung the heart of Hector,
Who from his chariot straightway
leapt to the ground in armour.
Two pointed jav'lins brandishing,
thro' all the army went he,
495
Enheartening his men, and rous'd
the deadly cry of battle.
Then did they gather to a ball,
and stood against the Achaians:
But eke the Achaians clos'd their ranks,
and kept their ground intrepid.
As on the sacred threshing-floors
chaff by the wind is carried,
Where peasant men are winnowing
beneath the active breezes,
500
When auburn Ceres by her sieve
the crop and chaff doth sunder;
And all the ground of winnowing
is whiten'd; — so the Achaians
Were then above with tides of dust
all white, which feet of horses
Stamp'd unto heaven's brassy vault,
betwixt the men's careering
Onward and back: for round and round
the charioteers did turn them.
505
But straight ahead, and hand to hand,
the battle rush'd; and round it
Impetuous Ares darkness wrapt,
in favour to the Troians,
The ranks in all parts visiting:
thus of the Golden-belted
Accomplish'd he the injunctions:
for bright Apollo charg'd him
To rouse the Troian heart, sithence
he saw the maid Athene
510
Departed: for the Danaï
found none like Her to aid them.
But from the temple's wealthycrypt
himself brought out Æneias,
And breathed intrepid vehemence
into the people's shepherd.
Æneias mid his comrades stood
anew; and joyful were they,
When they beheld him thus, alive
and safe and sound advancing,
515
And full of noble vigour: yet
no question did they ask him;
For other toil forbade, — rous'd
by silverbow'd Apollo,
By Ares, pest of man, and strife
immeasurably eager.
There also, by Ajaces twain,
Ulysses and Tydides,
The Danaï to war were urg'd;
but they, by proper courage,
520
Nor at the force of Troïans
nor at the turmoil trembled.
But firm abode they, like to clouds,
which, on the peaked summits
Of mountains, Saturn's child hath plac'd,
amid the hush of breezes
Immovable, while as the might
of Boreas may slumber,
And other winds tempestuous,
whose shrill and squally blaring
525
Scareth apart the shady clouds
in eddying disorder:
so, mid the war, the Danaï
were motionless and tranquil.
But thro' the crowd Atrides mov'd,
with many an exhortation:
“O friends, be men! and gallantly
a cheerful courage keep ye,
And each to other bashful be
amid your hardy struggles:
530
Of bashful-hearted men, the most
are safe, and few are slaughtered;
But runaways no glory win,
nor runneth safety with them."
He spake and keenly hurl'd his spear,
and hit a chieftain hero,
Deicöon, who comrade was
of mighty-soul'd Æneias,
And son of Pergasus: but him,
as peer to Priam's children
535
The Troians held; for keen was he
to fight among the foremost.
Upon his shield came down the spear
of royal Agamemnon;
Nor might the hide resist it; but
thro' all the folds it hurried,
And underneath the girdle's breadth
deep in the vitals pierc'd him.
So with a loud crash down he dropt,
and o'er him clang'd his armour.
540
Then of the Danaï in turn
two children of Diocles;
Orsilochus and Crethon,
chief heroes, by Æneias fell;
Whose father held a wide domain
in Phere nobly-builded,
Wealthy of substance; and his birth
he boasted from the river
Alpheius, who with waters broad
the land of Pylos parteth.
545
Who erst Orsilochus begat,
a prince to many people:
Orsilochus begat in turn
the lofty-soul'd Diocles:
But for Diocles' heritage
twin children were begotten,
Orsilochus and Crethon, skill'd
in every form of battle.
When these at man's estate arriv'd,
they on the dusky galleys
550
To charioteering Ilium
accompanied the Argives,
To earn renown for Atreus' sons:
and there did Death enshroud them.
But they, like to two lion-cubs,
which, deep within the covert
Of forests o'er a mountain-ridge,
under their dam grow mighty;
555
And thro' the stables ruin spread,
plump sheep and oxen stealing,
Till, by the hands of men, themselves
with the sharp brass are slaughter'd:
Such did these princes fall, subdued
beneath Æneias' puissance.
Lofty they fell, and prostrate lay,
in guise of lofty larches.
560
But Meneläus, good at need,
pitied the fallen heroes,
And thro' the foremost ranks advanc'd,
arm'd with the flashing metal,
And brandishing his spear. In sooth,
'twas Ares stirr'd his spirit,
With this intent, that he, beneath
Æneias' hands, might perish.
But him Antilochus, the son
of loftyminded Nestor,
565
Beheld, and thro' the van advanc'd:
sith for the people's shepherd
Vastly he fear'd, lest aught befall,
and mar their mighty labours.
The twain already adverse held
their hands and pointed weapons,
Meeting for foeman's argument,
with eagerness of battle:
But quickly stood Antilochus
beside the people's shepherd.
570
Then, tho' an ardent warriour,
Æneias shrank before them,
When side by side two braves he saw
awaiting his encounter.
So did the twain draw up the dead
amid the Achaian army,
And plac'd the miserable pair
in hands of their companions;
Then turning back themselves, engag'd
in battle of the foremost.
575
Forthwith, Pylæmenes was slain,
an equipoise to Ares,
Prince of the Paphlagonians,
shieldbearers, mightyhearted;
On whom the dart of Atreus' son,
spearfamous Menelaüs,
Lighting, beside his collar-bone,
there, as he stood, subdued him.
Meanwhile Antilochus laid low
Mydon, Atymnus' offspring, —
580
A charioteer and gallant squire, —
just as he wheel'd his horses,
With massy stone his elbow hitting;
then, in dust of battle,
The bridles white with ivory
dropt from his helpless fingers.
Thereat the victor, rushing on,
smote with the sword his temple.
Out of the wellwrought car he fell,
headlong with plunge convulsive,
585
And lighting wherethe sand was deep,
stood long on crown and shoulders,
Till the two horses, moving on,
into the dust o'threw him:
Them, with a thong, Antilochus
drave to the Achaian army.
When Hector mid the ranks descried
the twain, he rush'd against them
With piercing cry; and after him
the bands of Troians follow'd,
590
Stubborn; for now, to lead them, march'd
Ares and queen Bellona:
With Her was brawl of ruthless fray,
with Him was might of weapons.
Stalking he mov'd alternately
before and after Hector.
595
But Diomedes, good at need,
at sight of Ares, shudder'd.
As when some clownish simpleton,
a mighty plain travérsing,
Lighteth upon a river's brink
that swift to Ocean rusheth,
Bemazed at its gurgling foam,
he starteth sudden backward:
So then did Tydeus' son recoil,
and spake unto the people:
600
"Not without cause, O friends, do we
at godlike Hector marvel,
What sort of spearman he is prov'd,
and warriour intrepid.
But alway standeth near to him
some god, who wardeth ruin;
And now yon Ares at his side,
in mortal figure stalketh.
But with your faces onward turn'd,
to front the Troians alway,
605
Retire ye, nor against the gods
be covetous of battle."
He spake: meanwhile the Troïans
approach'd for nearer contest.
There Hector slew two warriours,
to hero-glee well-trained,
Menesthes and Anchialus:
a single car contained them.
Great Telamonian Ajax saw,
and sorrow'd at their slaughter.
610
At distance short he took his stand,
and hurl'd his shining weapon,
And struck the son of Selagus,
Ampheius, who in Pæsus
Dwelt, rich in cattle, rich in corn;
but Destiny constrain'd him
For service of ally to march
to Priam and his children.
Him Telamonian Ajax struck
beneath his breadth of girdle,
615
And fix'd within his tender lap
the spear with lengthy shadow.
So with a loud crash down he dropt:
and up ran gallant Ajax
To strip his armour; but their darts
the Troians thickly shower'd,
Pointed and all-irradiant;
which in his buckler bristled.
But he with heel advancing trod,
and pluck'd his brazen weapon
620
Out of the corpse; yet might not he
tear off the beauteous armour
From shoulders of the dead; for sore
the javelins distress'd him:
And of the haughty Troians he
the stalwart concourse dreaded,
Who scar'd and drave him to retreat,
tho' gallant, tall, and lordly.
625
So they of either army toil'd
amid the hardy struggle.
Then overmatching Fate drave on
against divine Sarpedon
Tlepolemus, Herácles' son,
a man both tall and goodly.
When they to shorter distance came,
the son against the grandson
630
Of cloud-collecting Jupiter,
advancing each on other;
Tlepolemus convérse began,
and haughtily address'd him:
"Sarpedon! to the Lycians
high Counsellor! in battle
Wholly unskill'd! who forceth thee
to come and skulk in Troas?
False is their tale, who trace thy birth
to Jove the ægis-holder;
635
For twixt those warriours and thee
no parity perceive I,
Who were, in days of former men,
by Jupiter begotten:
Such as of yore the ancient folk
my proper sire remember,
The mightiness of Héracles,
audacious, lion-hearted.
Who, when, with galleys only six,
and shorter train of peoples,
640
Unto these shores had drawn him, —
the coursers of Laomedon
Widow'd the streets of Ilium
and sack'd her countless riches:
But cowardly thy temper is,
and wasted are thy peoples;
Nor now, arriv'd from Lycia,
a rampart to the Troians
Deem I that thou at all wilt be,
whatever be thy prowess,
645
But thro' the gates of Aïdes,
subdued by me, shalt travel."
Hereon the chief from Lycia,
Sarpedon, spake responsive:
"By him the sacred Ilium,
Tlepolemus! was captur'd,
Because her stately prince became
infatuate and wrongful:
Who benefits from him had reap'd,
but answer'd with reproaches.
650
Nor paid the coursers as his meed,
for which from far he journey'd.
But upon thee, I promise, here
shall gloomy fate and carnage
From me alight; and thou, subdued
beneath my spear, shalt furnish
To me a glory, and a life
to charioteering Pluto."
Sarpedon spake: Tlepolemus
from other side uplifted
655
The ashen shaft: of both the chiefs
at once the lengthy lances
Sped from their hands: Sarpedon's point
upon the neck alighted
Right in the middle: thro' and thro',
the anguish-bearing weapon
Issued behind: straightway his eyes
were veil'd in gloomy darkness.
Meanwhile, his foeman's worser thigh
Tlepolemus had pierced
660
With his long spear: with fury fill'd,
the brazen point flew onward,
Deep cutting to the bone; but still,
death by his Sire was warded.
Around Sarpedon, match for gods,
his comrades strove, to bear him
Out of the battlefield: but him
the lengthy weapon trailing
Sorely distress'd; but none took thought,
nor minded, in their hurry,
665
The ashen shaft from out his thigh
to pull, and aid his climbing
Into the car aloft: for care
too much their minds distracted.
Meanwhile the Achaians dapper-greav'd
out of the battle carried
Tlepolemus, and drew regards
from the divine Ulysses;
Hardy resolve possess'd his heart;
his inmost bosom panted.
670
He thereupon with mind and soul
held conferences, whether
The son of deeply-rumbling Jove
to chase with keener battle,
Or from the troop of Lycians
to doom more lives to slaughter.
Nor troth! did destiny assign
to lofty-soul'd Ulysses
By the sharp brass to send below
a Jove-begotten hero:
675
Wherefore against the Lycians
Athene turn'd his anger.
Then Cœranus was slain by him
and Chromis and Alastor,
And Prytanis and Halius,
Nöemon and Alcander.
And by divine Ulysses' hand
yet more of them had fallen,
But that it quickly drew the eye
of motley-helmed Hector.
680
He thro' the foremost ranks advanc'd,
arm'd with the flashing metal,
Terror into the Danaï
inspiring; but Sarpedon,
Jove's son, at his approach rejoic'd,
and piteously call'd him:
"O son of Priam, leave me not
unto the foes a booty
Here prostrate, but avenge my fall:
and then, let life desert me
685
Within your sacred Ilium;
sith destiny forbids me,
Returning to my proper home,
and my dear native country,
Delight to my dear wife to give
and to my infant offspring."
He spake: but no reply came back
from motley-helmed Hector:
Past him he rush'd, all eagerness
to rout and slay the Argives.
690
But round Sarpedon, match for gods,
his comrades strove, and plac'd him
Beneath a fair and mighty beech
of Jove the ægis-holder.
Thereat, the valiant Pelagon,
who was his dear companion,
Drew from the wound the ashen shaft,
which in his thigh was planted.
695
His life was gone in swoon, and mist
lay heavy on his eyelids:
But soon his breath came back again;
and softly-playing breezes,
From Boreas, preserv'd alive
his sadly-gasping spirit.
The Argives, press'd by Ares and
by brazen-helmed Hector,
Neither their faces ever turn'd
toward the dusky galleys
700
Nor yet straight-wise encounter'd them
in fight; but alway backward
Receded, when the rumour spread,
"Ares the Troians aideth."
Then who was first, and who was last,
a sport of death and plunder
To Hector, son of Priamus,
and brazen-coated Ares?
First, godlike Teuthras; after him,
Orestes courser-smiting;
705
And after him, Trechus,
Ætolian spearman, and Enomaüs,
Helenus, son of Enops, and
Oresbius of Hyla,
Mark'd by his baldric's motley hues;
a man to wealth devoted,
Who close to lake Kephisis held
his dwelling; and around him
Dwelt his compeer Bœotians
in their fat soil of plenty.
710
But when, from heaven looking down,
the whitearm'd goddess Juno
Saw them, her Argives ravaging
amid the hardy struggle,
She to Athene instantly
did winged accents utter:
"Ah me! unweariable child
of Jove the ægis-holder!
Then verily in vain we pledg'd
our word to Menelaüs,
715
To storm well-fenced Ilium
and bear away the booty,
If ghastly Ares we permit
to riot thus in madness.
But come, let us too bend a thought
to furious encounter."
She spake; nor uncompliant found
Athene, grey-ey'd goddess.
Then Juno, venerable queen,
daughter of mighty Saturn,
720
Mov'd busily, and furbish'd out
the golden-trapped horses.
And Hebe quickly to the car
put on the wheeled circles; —
All were of brass, each had eight spokes; —
around the iron axle.
Their felly incorruptible
was golden; but above it,
The fitted tires were all of brass,
a spectacle for marvel.
725
The boxes which on either side
ran round, were both of silver.
On golden and on silver straps
the seat was swung: around it
Two rims half-circular were stretch'd:
its pole was form'd of silver.
Upon its end she bound the yoke,
golden and fair; and thro' it
730
Pass'd the fair golden traces; then
beneath the yoke did Juno
The nimblefooted steeds conduct,
for strife and onset eager.
Meanwhile Athene, maiden-imp
of Jove the ægis-holder,
Shower'd her robe of brilliancy
down on her father's pavement,
Whose tissue she herself had wrought
and with her hands embroider'd;
735
Then, in a martial tunic clad,
address'd her in the armour
Of cloud-collecting Jupiter,
to meet the tearful battle.
So on her shoulders' breadth she slung
the ægis with its fringes,
Dreadful; which, on the rim around,
hath Terror for a garland,
And in it Strife, and in it Might,
in it benumbing Turmoil,
740
In it the frightful sever'd head
of the gigantic Gorgon,
Frightful and grisly: prodigy
of Jove the ægis-holder.
And on her head a four-plum'd casque
with double ridge she settled,
All golden; measur'd to contain
a hundred cities' footmen.
Into the flaming chariot
then with her feet she mounted,
745
And grasp'd her spear, — vast, weighty, stout;
wherewith the ranks she wasteth
Of heroes, whom for wrath she dooms,
child of a direful Father.
But Juno keenly with the scourge
the coursers touch'd. Before them,
The gates of Heaven boom'd aloud,
self-moving; so commanded
The Hours, who hold beneath their trust
great Heaven and Olympus,
750
Alike to raise or overspread
the closely-shutting darkness.
Betwixt these gates they guided clear
the spur-excited horses,
And found, apart from other gods,
the child of Saturn seated
Upon the topmost pinnacle
of many-ridg'd Olympus.
There Juno whitearm'd goddess stay'd
the ardour of her horses,
755
And to supreme Saturnian Jove
address'd salute and question:
"Dost thou, O father Jove, approve
these hardy deeds of Ares,
How many and how noble men
he from the Achaian army
Hath slain at random, ruthlessly?
to me a grief! but Cypris,
Tranquil and sly, is overjoy'd,
with silverbow'd Apollo:
760
These have set on this frantic one,
of right and custom reckless.
O father, wouldest thou with me
be angry, should I haply
Chase Ares from the battle-field,
with moanful anguish stricken?"
Then cloud-collecting Jupiter,
addressing her, responded:
"Go to; against him rather rouse
Athene booty-driving,
765
Who beyond others aye is wont
in bitter pains to catch him."
He spake; nor uncompliant found
the whitearm'd goddess Juno.
She flogg'd the coursers, nothing loth
in flying race to speed them
In the mid regions, over Earth,
and under starry Heaven.
Far as across to outmost haze
the peasant's eye traverseth,
770
Who, seated on a pinnacle,
gazeth o'er seas of purple,
So far the gods' high-neighing steeds
at every bound were carried.
But when in Troas they arriv'd
and at the streaming rivers,
Where Simoïs his waters blends
with waters of Scamander,
There Juno, whitearm'd goddess, stay'd
the ardour of her horses,
775
And loos'd them from the car, and spread
around them mist abundant:
And for their pasture, Simoïs
shot up immortal herbage.
But they, the goddesses, with track
like unto trembler pigeons,
Darted across in eager speed
to aid the men of Argos.
But when they were arriv'd, where men
most numerous and noble,
780
Standing around the mightiness
of Argive Diomedes,
Were closely held at bay, in guise
of raw-devouring lions,
Or like to sturdy forest-boars,
no easy prey to spoilers;
There Juno, whitearm'd goddess, paus'd;
and stood, and loudly shouted,
Assimilate to Stentor's form;
who, brazen-voic'd, high-hearted,
785
Shouted in tones that pierc'd as far
as other fifty heroes:
"Argives, in beauty marvellous!
O shame! O base reproaches!
While-as the godlike Achileus
went to and fro in battle,
Never beyond the Dardan gates
did then the steps of Troians
Adventure; ay! for verily
his weighty spear they dreaded.
790
But now, far from their walls they fight,
hard by the hollow galleys."
She, by such words, in every breast
spirit and strength excited;
But straight to Diomedes sped
Athene, greyey'd goddess,
And in the midst she found the prince
beside his car and horses,
Cooling the wound, which Pandarus
with arrow-shot implanted.
795
The breadth of strap, whereon was hung
his rounded shield, annoy'd him,
Where heat and sweat and gore were mix'd;
and all his arm was weary:
But he the clouded blood beneath
would wipe, the strap upraising.
Then holding by the horses' yoke,
the goddess thus address'd him.
"How little like to Tydeus' self
I see the child of Tydeus!
800
Tydeus was short of stature; yet,
a doughty fighter wás he;
Even when I his ardour check'd,
nor suffer'd him in battle
Or sport of martial sallies; when
he came without Achaians,
Single ambassador to Thebes,
to meet Cadmeians many.
Him I commanded in the halls
to take the banquet tranquil;
805
But he, with that stout heart of his,
such as of old he carried,
Challeng'd the youths of Cadmus' fort,
and won in every contest,
Right easily: such force to him
my present aid imparted.
Also with thee, behold! I stand
close to thy side, and guard thee;
And thee I zealously exhort
to battle with the Troians.
810
Either, much-sallying, thy limbs
by weariness are conquer'd,
Or heartless fear possesseth thee;
then never could I hold thee
The offspring true of Oeneus' son
the skilful-hearted Tydeus."
To her thereon responsive spake
the stalwart Diomedes:
"Well do I know thee, maiden-imp
of Jove the ægis-holder:
815
To thee then promptly will I speak
my word, nor will conceal it.
Not heartless fear possesseth me,
nor any base reluctance:
But what thyself did charge on me,
that charge I still remember; —
Against the other gods immortal,
not to join in battle
Direct; but if, in mell of men,
Jove's daughter Aphrodite
820
Herself adventur'd, her should I
with savage weapon mangle. —
Therefore do I myself retire,
and eke to other Argives
Much sophistication have I made,
their forces here to rally:
For Ares' self I recognize
wide-marshalling the battle."
To him responded thereupon
Athene greyey'd goddess:
825
"O Diomedes, Tydeus' son,
to my regards most pleasing,
Neither do thou that Ares fear,
nor other of the immortals,
In fight direct: such force to thee
my present aid imparteth.
But come, and guide on Ares first
the single-hoofed horses,
And strike him hand to hand, nor feel
respect for this mad creature,
830
Impetuous Ares. Troth! is he
a made-up trimming rascal:
Who in discourse, short space ago,
to me and Juno promis'd
To fight against the Troïans
and to support the Argives;
But now with Troians joineth he,
and hath his pledge forgotten."
She spake, and grasping Sthenelus,
withdrew him from the horses
835
Down to the ground; but Diomed,
quick as the word, ascended.
Into the selfsame car, beside
the godlike Diomedes,
Eager she mounted: with the load,
deep groan'd the beechen axle;
For dreadful was the god it bare,
and mightiest the hero.
Then maid Athene, instantly
the scourge and bridles seizing,
840
Guided on Ares' self direct
the single-hoofed horses.
Just had he slain a man, of all
Ætolians the bravest, —
Bright offspring of Ochesius,
gigantic Periphantes;
Him gore-polluted Ares slew
for booty; but Athene
Put on the casque of Aïdes,
lest direful Ares see her.
845
When Ares, pest of mortals, saw
the godlike Diomedes,
He turn'd himself away, and left
gigantic Periphantes
In the same spot, whereon he fell,
to lie; and, fill'd with fury,
On courser-taming Diomed
a new attack directed.
When they to shorter distance came,
advancing each on other,
850
First Ares stretch'd beyond the yoke,
and o'er the horses' bridles,
With brazen spear, in eagerness
to win the meed of battle:
But from the chariot, Athene,
greyey'd goddess, caught it
Within her hand, and thrust it off
to spend its fury vainly.
But Diomedes, good at need,
did next to fight apply him
855
With brazen spear; and maid Athene
mightily impress'd it,
To strike the foe in lowest lap,
where he his baldric girded:
There did it hit; and thro' and thro'
his comely flesh it mangled,
But back she drew the spear again.
Then brazen-coated Ares
Groan'd loud as thousands nine or ten
of men who shout in battle,
860
Closing in struggle. Trembling seiz'd
both Troians and Achaians,
From fear: so loud did Ares groan,
insatiate of combat.
Such as a mist of Tartarus
from out the clouds ariseth,
When by an evil-breathing wind
almighty heat is gender'd;
865
Such and so huge to Tydeus' son
did brazen-coated Ares
Appear, ascending on the clouds
into the vasty heaven.
Swiftly unto the gods' abode,
Olympus steep, arriv'd he,
And there beside Saturnius
sat pining in resentment,
And pointed to the heav'nly blood,
which from the gash was streaming,
870
And thus in melancholy tones
did winged accents utter:
"Dost thou, O father Jove, approve,
to see these hardy doings?
Alway we deities endure
things piteous and cruel,
Which, to the joy of mortal men,
each upon other plotteth.
But thee we all attack; for thou
a cursed maid hast gotten,
875
Insensate, who for ever is
to impious deeds devoted.
For all the other deities,
who dwell upon Olympus,
Yield unto thee obedience,
and each of us is subject:
But upon her, by word or act,
no fetter thou imposes,
But givest rein; sith from thyself
this baleful child was gender'd.
880
Who now hath Tydeus' son impell'd, —
outrageous Diomedes, —
Against the immortal deities
with frenzied heart to riot.
The queen of Cyprus, on the wrist,
first with his weapon stabb'd he;
And then upon myself he rush'd,
like to a mighty Spirit.
But me my speedy feet bare off;
else, direly might I suffer
885
There on the spot, for length of time,
among grim heaps of corpses;
Or, tho' alive, be powerless,
from stubborn blows of weapons."
But cloud-collecting Jupiter
with frowning glance responded:
"Thou trimming fellow! sit not here
beside me thus to whimper.
Of gods, who hold Olympus, none,
as thou, to me is hateful;
890
For alway feud to thee is dear,
and violence and combat.
In thee thy mother's spirit lives, —
unbearable, unyielding, —
Thy mother Juno, whom by words
I alway hardly manage.
And by her promptings, troth! I count
this hath upón thee fallen.
But still, much longer cannot I
endure thee bearing anguish;
895
For-that of me a birth thou art,
— to me thy mother bare thee.
But if, from other of the gods,
thus baleful, thou wert gotten,
Long since had I degraded thee
below the ranks of heaven."
He spake, and unto Heaven's leech
commandment gave to heal him.
Thereat did Pæon, Heaven's leech,
spread pain-destroying unguents,
900
To heal his wound; for not, in sooth,
of mortal fabric was he.
As the white milk by curdling juice
into commotion riseth;
At first 'tis liquid: speedily
it thickens, as one mixes;
So swiftly did the heav'nly skill
then heal impetuous Ares.
Him Hebe tended at the bath,
andcloth'd in pleasant garments:
905
So he beside Saturnius
sat glorying in grandeur.
When thus the goddesses had stopt
Ares, the pest of mortals,
From hero-slaughter, to the house
of mighty Jove return'd they,
Athene, war-repelling maid,
and Juno queen of Argos."
“Aeneas and Diomedes.” Wenceslaus Hollar (Bohemian, 1607–1677). 