BOOK XIV
Nor might the winecup longer hide
the nearer din from Nestor,
1
Who unto Asclepiades
did winged accents utter:
"Godlike Machaon! turn thy thought,
how these affairs may issue.
Louder along the galleys comes
the shout of sturdy callants.
Do thou then, sitting here, abide,
the sparkling wine enjoying,
5
Until the bath for thee be warm'd
by bright-hair'd Hecamede:
So shall thy skin right pleasantly
from gore and filth be cleansed.
I forth to glance around must go,
and shortly thee revisit."
He spake, and seiz'd the sturdy shield
of skilful Thrasymedes
His courser-taming son; which lay
brilliant with brass beside him
10
Within the tent: but Thrasymed
his father's buckler carried.
Then Nestor grasp'd a valiantspear,
pointed with brass well temper'd,
And sallied from the tent; and straight
he saw a work unseemly, —
His gallant comrades driven hard,
and the high-hearted Troians
Routing them from behind; and down
was cast the Achaian rampart.
15
As when the mighty deep amid
dumb surges is betossed,
Eying, across the helpless calm,
the distant-gliding courses
Of shrilly whistling winds;-in vain:
for neither way it rolleth,
Till some decisive wafting breeze
from Jupiter descendeth :
So heav'n the aged hero's soul,
distraught by double purpose,
20
Whether among the crowd to go
of charioteering Argives,
Or to Odin Atrides Agamemnon,
shepherd of the people.
After such pondering of thought,
he deemed, it were wiser
To seek Atrides: they, meanwhile,
did one the other slaughter
In adverse fight: and round their skin
crackled the brass unyielding,
25
As foemen foemen stabb'd with swords
and with two-handed lances.
Then the Jove-nurtur'd royal chiefs,
who in the war were wounded,
King Agamemnon Atreus' son,
Ulysses, and Tydides,
Returning from beside the ships
met the advance of Nestor.
For at far distance from the fight
upon the strand their galleys
30
Were from the hoary wave retir'd;
for these they hauled foremost
On to the plain; and built in front
close to their poop, the rampart.
Nor might the margin of the beach,
albeit it was ample,
Hold all the Achaian galleys;
but the folk were closely straiten'd.
Wherefore, with hulls alternate plac'd,
poop before poop, they drew them,
35
And fill'd the mighty depth of shore
betwixt the outrunning headlands.
But now the princes, fain to see
the onset and the battle,
Collected; and their bosom,
resting upon their lances came
Heaving with grief, felt new dismay
at sight of aged Nestor.
40
To him with earnest utterance
spake royal Agamemnon:
"O Nestor, Neleus' progeny!
great glory of the Achaians!
Why hither com'st, abandoning
the hero-wasting battle?
I tremble lest dire Hector crown
that saying with fulfilment,
Which he in full harangue to Troy
against us whilom threaten'd,
45
That back to Ilium would he
no earlier betake him,
Than he our galleys wrap in flame
and slay ourselves beside them.
So then haranguing threaten'd he;
which all is now approaching.
Ye spirits! do then others too
of dapper-greav'd Achaians
Foster against me in their heart
fierce choler; as Achilles;
50
Nor choose against the galley-poop
to play their best in battle?"
To him in turn the charioteer
Gerenian Nestor answer'd :
"Ay, verily, these things do near
o'erhang; nor other issues
May loudly rumbling Jupiter
himself devise anent us.
For prostrate in the dust is laid
the wall, whereon we trusted
55
Unto our galleys and ourselves
to be a breachless bulwark.
And now beside their very hulls
the foeman's quenchless riot
Blazeth abroad; nor might thy gaze,
albeit closely prying,
Know, from which side the Achaian rout
this way and that way flounders:
So are they slaughter'd in melay;
and din to heaven reacheth.
60
Our part it is to ponder, how
may these affairs be turned,
If haply wisdom aught effect:
but nowise would I counsel
Your-selves to enter war; for vain
the battle of the wounded."
Then Agamemnon, prince of men,
to him in turn responded :
"O Nestor, sith the Troïan fray
our galleys' poop invadeth,
65
Nor hath the moat availed us,
nor the high-builded rampart,
For which the Danaï amain
did toil, and fondly fancied
It to our galleys and ourselves
to be a breachless bulwark;
So seemeth it the will to be
of Jupiter o'ermatching,
That far from Argos, shorn of fame,
the Achaians here should perish.
70
For well I knew, when zealously
the Danaï he favour'd:
So now again know I, that he
the Troian host exalteth
As peers of blessed gods, but ties
the hands and might of Argos.
But come! as I the word shall speak,
let all compliant follow.
Down to the briny flood divine
over the margin drag we
75
And launch the galleys, whichsoe'er
unto the sea are nearest,
And moor them to the mooringstones aloft,
till Night immortal
Arrive; if haply in her gloom
the Troïans from battle
May stay them: instantly would we
then launch the inmost galleys,
And flee with all: for shame is none,
even by night to save us :
80
For better 'tis, by flight to scape,
than be by mischief hended."
To him with frowning glance replied
Ulysses much devising :
"Betwixt the outwork of thy teeth
what word hath slipt, Atrides?
Infatuate! oh that thou wert
lord to some other army
Of sorry wretches! not to us,
for whom hath Jove, methinketh,
85
Destin'd, from manhood's early dawn,
even to eld, to ravel
Distressful wars beside thee, till
we every one shall perish.
Art thou thus eager then to leave
the ample-streeted city
Of Troy, in sake of which we here
much misery have suffer'd?
Hush thee, O prince! lest other folk
among the Achaians hear it, -
90
A word, with which no man at all
within his lips would dally,
Who knoweth counsel suitable
from out his heart to utter,
And is a sceptre-holding King
to whom so many peoples
Loyal submission yield, as thou
amid the Argives reignest.
Now utterly disparage I
thy judgment, how thou speakest :
95
Who, when encompassed we are
with war and din of battle,
Biddest, the galleys tightly-deck'd
to launch; whereby the Troians,
Fluster'd already with success,
shall gain their wishes double,
But upon us shall ruin fall
headlong: for when the galleys
Seaward ye drag, the Achaian host
will not withstand the combat,
100
But starting backward, gaze around,
for glee of battle palsied.
So will thy counsel baleful be,
O chieftain of the peoples."
But Agamemnon, prince of men,
then spake to him responsive:
"Ulysses! troth! thy bitter word
lasheth my heart; but never
Meant I, against their will to bid
the children of Achaia
105
Into the briny flood to launch
their tightly-decked galleys.
Now, may the man be found, to speak
some other counsel better!
Whether he young or old might be,
to me it were a pleasure."
Then Diomedes, good at need,
spake forth his word among them :
"Near is the man, not far to seek,
if ye to hear be willing,
110
Nor grudge and wonder, for-that I
am youngest-born among you.
I too a noble pedigree
do vaunt, and noble father,
Tydeus; whom in Cadmeian Thebes
a heaped barrow hideth.
For unto Portheus were of yore
three spotless sons begotten,
115
Who dwelt o'er high Ætolia,
in Calydon and Pleuron;
Melas and Agrius, but third
was charioteering Oeneus,
Sire of my sire, who mid them all
most signal was of valour.
He in his native land abode;
but roaming thence, my father
Rested in Argos;-so, I ween,
did Jove and other powers
120
Decide. In wedlock there he held
a daughter of Adrastus.
So dwelt he in a wealthy home,
and plentiful his acres
Teeming with wheat; and many were
his rows of planted orchards,
Many his flocks of sheep: but how
he with the spear was foremost
In all Achaia, this, I trow,
from none of you is hidden.
125
Wherefore, ye may not call my breed
ignoble and unmanly,
Or scorn upon the counsel cast,
which prudently I utter.
Come! enter we the war! perforce;
albeit we are wounded:
Let us, beyond the reach of darts,
therein from fray of foemen
Ourselves abstain, lest haply one
by wound on wound be stricken.
130
But yet, new courage may we breathe
in others; who, indulging
A languid spirit, stand aloof
nor stir themselves for valour."
He spake; and they all willingly
did listen and obey him:
Forward they hied, and in their front
mov'd royal Agamemnon.
Nor was a fruitless outlook kept
by the renown'd Landshaker.
135
In semblance of an aged man
he follow'd in their footstep,
And, by the right hand grasping tight
Atrides Agamemnon,
With an address of courtesy
did winged accents utter:
"O son of Atreus! now, I ween,
Achilles' bosom swelleth
With deadly gladness, whilst he views
Achaian flight and carnage;
140
Sith of right judgment, in his heart,
no shred at all abideth.
Now perish may he, as he is,
and righteous Heaven maim him!
Yet against thee the blessed gods
not yet are wrathful wholly;
But troth! the Troian leaders still
and governours shall scuffle
Over the dusty breadth of plain :
and thou thyself shalt see them
145
Fleeing to reach their city-wall,
far from the tents and galleys."
So saying, mightily he yell'd,
over the plain advancing.
For,-loud as thousands nine or ten
of men who shout for battle,
Closing in Ares' strife, -such voice
did the Landshaking ruler
150
Out of his breast send forth; and shed
in each Achaian bosom
Vigour immense, unceasingly
to toil in war and combat.
Then, standing on Olympus' brink,
did golden-throned Juno
Gazing descry amid the throng
of man-ennobling combat
155
Jove's brother and her own employ'd;
and in her soul was joyful:
But Jove upon the highest top
of rill-bestreamed Ida
Seated beheld she, and the sight
was to her heart distasteful.
Then doubtful plannings stirr'd the mind
of large-ey'd queenly Juno,
How might she best delusion frame
for Jove the ægis-holder.
160
Then to her meditative thought
this counsel wisest seemed :-
Into her fairest guise bedeck'd,
to show herself on Ida;
If, kindled by her brilliancy,
his heart might haply covet
Love's nearer pressure; then would she
with warm and gentle slumber
His eyelids overcloud, and dim
the keenness of his prudence.
165
So to her chamber hurried she,
which her beloved offspring
Vulcan had fashion'd, closing fast
the panels to the doorposts
With lock mysterious, the which
no god but she might open.
There entering, the shining doors
she clos'd; then first with waters
Ambrosial, her lovely skin
she cleans'd from all defilement,
170
Ointed with oil ambrosial,
which for herself was mingled
With daintiness of fragrance rich,
and, on the brazen pavement
Of Jove set free, cast wide its scent
to earth and ends of heaven.
Herewith her fair skin ointed she,
and comb'd and featly braided,
175
Streaming from that immortal head,
the bright ambrosial tresses.
Then, wrapt in gauze ambrosial,
which for the queen of heaven
Athene as a sampler wrought
with broideries uncounted,
With golden brooches fasten'd she
the vestment of her bosom,
180
And in a girdle girded her
with hundred fringes fitted.
Next, through her ears' well-pierced flaps
she pass'd the curious jewels,
Three-ey'd and piec'd of many a stone;
from which much beauty glisten'd.
Above, divine of goddesses, -
with head-attire resplendent
New-fashion'd, she accoutred her:
like to a sun its glory.
185
Lastly, beneath her glossy feet
she bound the dainty sandals.
When thus around her tender skin
she all her gear had fitted,
Forth from the bower hasted she,
and, calling Aphrodite
Apart from other gods, to her
a winning word she utter'd:
"Wouldest thou, dearest child, comply,
if I some favour ask thee?
190
Or scornful wilt thou haply be,
this in thy mind resenting,
For-that I aid the Danaï
and thou the Troians aidest?"
To her in words responsive spake
Jove's daughter Aphrodite:
"O Juno, venerable queen,
daughter of mighty Saturn,
Speak forth thy meaning: me my heart
to complishment exhorteth,
195
If complish it I can, and if
such purpose complish'd have been."
Then guileful-heartedly to her
spake venerable Juno:
"Give now that loveliness to me
and charms, whereby thou swayest
Over all mortal men, and eke
over the gods immortal.
For I, on visit to the ends
of Earth the many-feeder,
200
Wend unto Ocean, source of gods,
and unto mother Tethys,
Who in their own halls nurtur'd me,
receiving me from Rhea,
Kindly; what time widesighted Jove
set low the abode of Saturn
Beneath the Earth's expanse,
beneath the cropless Ocean's bottom.
To these on visit go I now,
to end their hopeless quarrel.
205
For they long time withholden are
from fondness and embraces,
Each sundered from other; sith
rage on their soul hath fallen.
If I by words and blandishment
might oversway their temper,
And join them in the rightful bed
of ancient endearments,
Alway should I by them be held
at once belov'd and awful."
210
Then Aphrodite, queen of smiles,
accosted her responsive :
"Thy counsel to reject, I find
nor possible nor seemly;
For in Jove's bosom restest thou,
who noblest is and greatest."
Thus saying, from around her breast
the broider'd belt she loosen'd,
All-curious; inwrought for her
with manifold bewitchment.
215
In it was fondness, in it charm,
and in it gentle whisper,
Right winsome; which hath stolen oft
the wisdom e'en of sages.
This into Juno's hand she gave,
and spake, her name pronouncing:
"Here! in thy bosom place the belt complex:
and troth! I reckon
220
Within it all thy wish is wrought,
nor vain shall be thy errand."
So answer'd she, and drew a smile
from large-ey'd queenly Juno,
Who smiling took from her the belt
and in her bosom plac'd it.
Straightway unto her chamber went
Jove's daughter Aphrodite;
But Juno, hasting on her path,
Olympus' margin quitted.
225
Over Emathia's lovely land
along Pieria wending,
She to the snowy mountains sped
of Thrake's horseman people,
1
Above the summits; nor was Earth
imprinted with her footstep.
From Athos' height descended she
amid the swelling billows,
And lighted upon Lemnos' isle,
estate of godlike Thoas.
230
Here, in his proper dwelling-place,
Death's brother, Slumber, met she,
And closely did she press his hand,
and spake, his name pronouncing :
"O Slumber, lord of all the gods!
lord of the race of mortals!
If ever didst thou heretofore
to my entreaty hearken,
Now too obey me: and to thee
all days will I be grateful.
235
Beneath the brows of Jupiter
close thou the beaming eyen,
So soon as by his side I lie
in dalliance of fondness.
Then I a throne to thee will give,
for ever undecaying,
Golden and fair; which my own son,
the doubly-dextrous Vulcan,
By art shall fabricate, and eke
a footstool place beneath it,
240
Which to thy dainty feet shall yield
delightsome rest in banquet."
Then Slumber, kindled with delight,
accosted her responsive :
"O Juno, venerable queen,
daughter of mighty Saturn,
Other of gods eternal-born
full lightly might I fetter;
245
Yea, even river Ocean's flow,
who Source is held of all things.
But I to Jove Saturnius
never might nearer venture,
Nor lull him into slumber, save
when he himself might bid me.
Ay! for thy urgency of yore
a sager lesson taught me;
From Ilium, and left behind
the Troian city ravag'd.
250
Then did I overcloud the mind
of Jove the ægis-holder,
What time that haughty-hearted son
of Jupiter was sailing
Shed balmy round him: thou meanwhile
his son in mischief caughtest,
Arousing o'er the widespread main
the noisome blore of tempests :
So thou to thickly-peopled Cos
diddest the hero carry,
255
Afar from all his friends. But Jove
awaking was indignant,
And in disorder tost the gods
along his hall: but chiefly
Me sought he, and from heaven high
had hrel me lost in ocean;
But Night, who tameth gods and men,
to whom I fled for rescue,
Receiv'd me: then his hand he stay'd,
(albeit sore his anger,)
260
In honour to swift-rushing Night,
and shunning to displease her.
And now this other featless toil
thou urgest me to complish."
To him thereat reciprocal
spake large-ey'd queenly Juno:
"O Slumber! why within thy breast
so sad remembrance ponder?
Deemest, widesighted Jupiter
such succour unto Troians
265
Giveth, as he for Héracles,
his proper son, was anger'd?
But hearken further! I to thee
one of the younger Graces
Behight for wedlock's joyances,
and to be call'd thy partner,
Pasithea, for whom thy heart
thro' many a year doth hanker."
Then Slumber, kindled with delight,
accosted her responsive :
270
Come then, and swear to me by Styx,
inviolable water!
And of thy hands lay thou the one
on Earth the many-feeder,
The other on the sparkling sea';
that all the deathless powers,
Who sit with Saturn under Earth,
betwixt us twain be witness;
To me thou verily shalt give
one of the younger Graces,
275
Pasithea, for whom my heart
thro' many a year doth hanker."
He spake, nor uncompliant found
the white-arm'd goddess Juno;
But as he bade, she sware the oath,
and every god rehearsed
Under the deep of Tartarus,
who hold the name of Titans.
After she had perform'd to swear
and all the oath was ended,
280
Then, leaving Lemnos' peopled seat
and Imbros, on they darted,
With mist as garment wrapping them,
a speedy course achieving.
So unto Ida rill-bestreamed,
parent of game, arriv'd they,
At Lectus; where they quitted first
the sea, and after journey'd
Over the dry, and neath their feet
the topmost forest bended.
285
Here Slumber pausing tarried, ere
Jove's eyen might descry him ;
Therefore he mounted on a fir
high-soaring, which on Ida
Thro' the low air grew tapering,
and unto heaven pierced.
Snug in the branches of the fir
a seat of shelter found he,
In form not other than the bird,
which skirling on the mountains
290
Is Chalkis by the immortals call'd,
but men the nighthawk call it.
But Juno unto Gargarus,
the top of lofty Ida,
Swiftly advanc'd; and Jupiter
the cloud-collector saw her.
Nor sooner on her gaz'd, than love
his closest bosom enter'd
In-pouring, even as when he
his first embrace of fondness
295
Adventur'd, in the stolen bed,
from their dear parents hidden.
So there confronting her he stood,
and spake, her name pronouncing :
"Juno! with what so urgent thought
down from Olympus hastest,
Nor here stand ready for thy feet
thy chariot and horses?"
2
Then guileful-heartedly to him
spake venerable Juno;
300
"I now, on visit to the ends
of Earth the many-feeder,
Wend unto Ocean, source of gods,
and unto mother Tethys,
Who in their own halls welcom'd me
with kindly cares and nurture.
To these on visit go I now,
to end their hopeless quarrel.
For they long time withholden are
from fondness and embraces,
305
Each sundered from other; sith
rage on their soul hath fallen.
But on an outmost under-knoll
of rill-bestreamed Ida
Tarry my coursers, which career
o'er foodful lea or water.
But thy approval to ensure,
down from Olympus haste I,
Lest-that hereafter thou with me
be wrathful, if in silence
310
I journey to the ample halls
of deeply-flowing ocean."
To her reciprocal
spake Jove the cloud-collector:
"O Juno, thither mayest thou
as well hereafter journey:
But come, in dear companionship
upon the couch repose we.
For never yet did love so much
of goddess or of woman,
315
Flooding my very soul within,
around and thro', subdue me :
Not even when Ixion's spouse
my wiser senses ravish'd,
Who bare to me Peirithoüs,
a peer to gods in counsel;
Or when the taper-ankled wench,
Argive Acrisione,
Who royal Perseus bare to me,
among all heroes signal;
320
Or when Europa, maiden-imp
of far-renown'd Phoenix,
Who Rhadamanthys, match for gods,
to me brought forth, and Minos;
Or when, in Thebe, Semele
and sage Alcmena held me :-
The latter gave me Héracles,
a doughty-hearted offspring,
The former Dionysus bare,
a joy to weary mortals.
325
Nor did the dainti-braided queen,
Persephoneia's mother,
Nor glorious Latona's form,
nor thy own self, bewitch me,
As now I am on fire for thee,
and sweetly captive taken."
Then guileful-heartedly to him
spake venerable Juno:
"O son of Saturn, grim and dire,
what saying hast thou blurted?
330
3
4
5
If now in dear companionship
thou hanker to entrance us
Upon the tops of Ida, where
all things are wide and open,
Say, what if haply some among
the gods of birth eternal
Espy us twain asleep, and haste
to bruit the rumour widely
Unto all gods? never would I
back to thy palace trust me,
335
Uprising from that bed: in sooth,
the argument were scandal.
But if thy will be thus, and if
such longings draw thy fancy,
Thou hast a chamber of thy own,
which thy beloved offspring
Vulcan hath fashion'd, closing fast
the panels to the doorposts.
Thither go we to lie, sith now
the bed to thee is pleasing."
340
Then cloud-collecting Jupiter
accosted her responsive:
"O Juno, fear not thou at all,
lest god or man behold us.
In such a golden cloud will I
thickly around enwrap thee,
Thro' it no ray of sun shall pierce,
whose eye of all is sharpest."
345
So speaking, Jove with both his arms
enclasp'd his proper consort.
Beneath their forms creative Earth
new tender herbage sprouted,-
The lotus, fraught with juicy dew, -
crocus and hyacinthus, -
In masses thick and soft, which them
afar from hard earth parted.
Hereon repos'd the twain: above,
a cloud of gold was woven,
350
All-glorious; and from it dews
dript glittering upón them.
So then on highest Gargarus
the Father rested tranquil,
By sleep and tenderness beguil'd;
and clasp'd in arms his partner.
Then quickly balmy Slumber hied,
to reach the Achaian galleys,
Sent upon errand to the god
landshaking Earth-encircling;
355
And standing close in front of him
did winged accents utter:
"Now Neptune! to the Danaï
right zealous succour bear thou.
While Jove on Ida sleepeth yet,
on them bestow a glory,
Short though it be; for soft and deep
have I on him descended;
For by endearments Juno hath
to guileful bed enchain'd him."
360
So spake he, and departing sought
the noble tribes of mortals.
But Neptune more than ever burn'd
the Danaï to succour,
And mid the foremost ranks straightway
forth leaping, loud exhorted:
"O Argives, do we yield anew
to Hector, son of Priam,
Power, the galleys to destroy
and earn excelling glory ?
365
And verily so speaketh he
and vaunteth, sith Achilles
Beside the smoothly hollow ships,
enrag'd at heart, abideth.
Yet no too keen regret of him
shall be, if we the others
Do each to mutual support
duly bestir his fellows.
But come! as I the word shall speak,
let all compliant follow.
370
Whatever bucklers in the host
are sturdiest and biggest,
These let the strongest heroes take;
then, with resplendent helmets
Screening their heads, and in their hands
the longest weapons grasping,
Onward! but I myself will lead :
nor Hector, son of Priam,
I deem shall longer hold his ground,
albeit fierce his purpose.
375
Also, whoe'er is stout to fight,
but wieldeth on his shoulder
Puny equipment, he forthwith
should to a weaker yield it."
He spake; and they all willingly
did listen and obey him.
Then quickly did the kings themselves,
albeit wounded, marshal, —
Tydides and Ulysses and
Atrides Agamemnon;
380
Who, passing in review thro' all,
exchang'd their martial armour.
Good warriours good arms put on,
and worse to worser yielded.
So when their skin in dazzling brass
accoutred was, thereafter
They hied to speed them: at their head
stood tower-quaking Neptune,
Wielding within his breadth of grasp
a long-edg'd direful weapon,
385
Which, like to lightning, flash'd abroad;
nor yet in gramsome quarrel
May it commingle for assault;
but fear withholdeth mortals.
The Troians, them on other side
did gallant Hector marshal.
Hector and Neptune purple-haired
battle's grim tangle lengthen'd,
390
To either army bearing aid, -
to Troians or to Argives.
The surging billows rose aloft
unto the tents and galleys
Of Argos: then with vast uproar
did both the hosts encounter.
Nor on the pebbly beach so much
the wave of ocean roareth,
When Boreas with savage breath
out of the deep doth drive it;
395
Nor hooteth fiery-blazing flame
within a mountain's hollows,
So loudly, when it riseth fierce
the forest to enkindle;
Nor wind, which in its hour of wrath
is mightiest of bluster,
Unto the lofty leaf-hair'd oaks
such altercation screameth;
Such, as was then the voice abroad
from Troians and Achaians,
400
When each upon the other rush'd
with terrible alarum.
Then gallant Hector derted first
with shining spear at Ajax,
Who straight before him fronting stood;
nor failed he to hit him,
Just where the double breadth of strap
was cross'd around his bosom;
(From this the shield was hung,
from that the silverstudded sabre;)
405
Which did his tender skin defend,
together: then was Hector
Enrag'd, that fruitless from his hand
the weapon sharp had issued,
And back he to his comrade troop
retreated, Fate avoiding.
But, as he yielded, after him
great Telamonian Ajax
Seeing the weighty stones which roll'd
beside the feet of fighters,
410
Many, to moor the galleys sharp;
with one of these, uplifted,
Smote on his bosom, near the neck,
above his buckler's margin;
And as a top is whirl'd around,
so forcibly he whirl'd it.
As by the stroke of father Jove
an oak may topple headlong
Uprooted, and intense from it
the stench of brimstone riseth;
415
So frightful is his thunderbolt; -
whoso beholdeth, quaileth :
Thus then fell sudden in the dust
the sturdy might of Hector.
Out of his hand he dropt the spear;
on it the buckler follow'd
And helmet; and around him clang'd
his brass-belayed armour.
420
Thereat with mighty skirling rush'd
Achaia's children forward,
Hoping to drag his body off;
and thick their bolts they darted,
In showers; yet not one of them
might reach the people's shepherd,
Nor closely stab him; for in front
the bravest sooner crowded,
Æneias and Polydamas,
and the divine Agenor,
425
Sarpedon, prince of Lycians,
and eke unblemish'd Glaucus.
Nay, nor did any of the rest
neglect him; but before him
They held their shields orbicular:
meanwhile his dear companions
With hands uplifting bare him out
from moil; until they reached
His speedy coursers, which in rear,
beyond the throng of battle,
430
Stood, with the much-wrought chariot
and charioteer behind them:
These to the city carried him,
outworn and deeply groaning.
But when unto the ford they reach'd
of the fair streaming river,
Xanthus much-eddying, to whom
immortal Jove was father,
There from the chariot on earth
they rested him, and o'er him
435
Pour'd water: then he breath'd anew
and gaz'd abroad, and rising
On to his knees, from out his mouth
much dusky gore he spouted.
But soon again back on to earth
he sank, and dark night cover'd
His wilder'd eyen; for the bolt
did still subdue his vigour.
Meanwhile the Argives, when they saw
that Hector was departed,
440
Leapt braver on the Troïans
and hero-glee remember'd.
Then Ajax swift, Oïleus' son,
in-springing far the foremost,
With pointed spear at Satnius
the son of Enops, pierc'd him;
Whom erst to Enops tending kine
a blameless Naïd damsel
445
Bare on the banks of Satnious.
Him then Oïleus' offspring
Spearfamous, close approaching, fell'd,
stabbing his side: and round him
Both Troïans and Danaï
commingled hardy struggle.
But unto him Polydamas,
spear-brandishing avenger,
The son of Panthoüs, advanc'd;
and wounded Prothoënor,
450
Son of Areilycus :-the spear
pass'd thro' his better shoulder :-
So in the dust he fell, the earth
with gripe convulsive clutching.
Then loudly cried Polydamas
with marvellous rejoicing:
"In truth not fruitlessly in turn
from sturdy hand, I reckon,
Hath Panthoüs' highhearted son
his derting weapon guided;
455
But it some Argive welcometh
deep in his skin, and resting
Upon such staff, doth better walk
down to the house of Pluto."
When thus he vauntingly exclaim'd,
it sorely griev'd the Argives;
And chiefly did the soul bestir
of skilful-hearted Ajax,
The son of Telamon; for he
stood nighest by the fallen,
460
And, at the foe retreating, quick
his shining weapon derted.
Then thro' Polydamas himself
the gloomy fate avoided,
Hurrying sideway, yet its force
fell on Antenor's offspring,
Archelochus, sith as for him
the gods had ruin plotted.
Just where the head and neck are join'd,
and where the spine is ended,
465
There enter'd it, and keenly shear'd
thro' both the adverse tendons.
So down the hero dropt; but ere
his knees and shanks had fail'd him,
On to the earth much sooner shot
his head and mouth and nostrils.
Then to discreet Polydamas
in turn exulted Ajax:
"Poise well the scales, Polydamas,
and speak thy answer truly.
470
Have ye not paid a costly life
as price for Prothoënor?
To me not worthless seemeth he,
nor born of worthless parents.
Mayhap as brother or as son
Antenor courser-taming
Beknoweth him; for sooth his form
to him near likeness beareth."
He spake, but knew him well: and grief
possess'd the Troian bosom.
475
Then with his long spear Acamas,
around his brother striding,
Thrust thro' Bœotian Promachus,
who by the feet would drag him.
Thereat loud shouted Acamas
with marvellous rejoicing :
"O Argives, frenzied of upróar,
insatiate of menace,
Not verily to us alone
is turmoil and affliction
480
Allotted; but at times, -as here, -
must also ye be slaughter'd.
Ponder ye well, how Promachus
in tranquil sleep reposeth,
Tam'd by my spear; nor long, I ween,
the forfeit for my brother
Unpaid abideth: therefore eke
exulteth every hero
To leave a kinsman in his halls,
avenger of his troubles."
485
When thus he vauntingly exclaim'd,
it sorely griev'd the Argives,
And chiefly to Peneleos
bestirr'd the prudent bosom,
Who fierce advanc'd on Acamas:
nor waited he the sally
Of prince Peneleos, whereby
Ilioneus was wounded,
Offspring of Phorbas rich in flocks,
who of the Troian people
490
Was chiefly lov'd by Hermeas,
and with possessions favour'd.
To him Ilioneus was born,
his mother's only offspring.
But now, beneath his eyebrow thrust,
the spear drove out the pupil
And issued thro' his head behind.
But he, with arms expanded,
495
Sank sitting to the ground; until
the foe, his sharp sword drawing,
Smote him in middle of the neck,
and dash'd both head and helmet
Off to the ground, albeit still
the heavy spear was planted
Thro' the eye's socket. He the head,
like to a poppy, lifting,
Unto the Troians made address
and spake a word of boasting.
500
"Troians! send word for me,
and bid the sire and tender mother
Of lordly-soul'd Ilioneus
to wail within their chambers.
Ay, for the spouse of Promachus
and father Alegenor
Never again may joy to see
their warriour's arrival,
When we, Achaian youths, return
from Troas with our galleys."
505
He spake; and all the Troïans
by terror pale were master'd,
And each did singly look around
to scape headlóng destruction.
Utter for me, ye Muses, now,
who dwell in high Olympus,
Who first among Achaian men
then earn'd him gory trophies,
When the Landshaker glorious
the tide of battle turned.
510
First Ajax, son of Telamon,
smote Hyrtius, the leader
Of hardy-hearted Mysians;
-Gyrtius was his father.
Antilochus did Mermerus
and Phalkes hend for plunder;
By Merion, Hippotion
and Morys eke was slaughter'd,
But Periphetes low was laid,
and Prothoön, by Teucer.
515
Next Menelaüs, hand to hand,
deep wounded Hyperenor,
The people's shepherd, in the flank;
and drain'd with wasting weapon
His vitals; but the hero's soul
into the vast air hurried
Through the wide-yawning gash:
so there did darkness veil his eyen.
But most of all, Oïleus' son,
swift Ajax, overhended;
520
For of Achaians none to him
was peer, on foot to follow
When Jove did counsel flight to men,
and hearts were smit with panic."
Juno and Jupiter. Detail from “Loves of the Gods,” fresco by Annibale Carracci (1560–1609). Annibale Carracci [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carracci_-_Jupiter_et_Junon.jpeg.