Juno! what region seeking hast thou left355

The Olympian summit, and hast here arrived

With neither steed nor chariot in thy train?

To whom majestic Juno thus replied

Dissembling. To the green earth’s end I go,

To visit there the parent of the Gods360

Oceanus, and Tethys his espoused,

Mother of all. They kindly from the hands

Of Rhea took, and with parental care

Sustain’d and cherish’d me;[9] to them I haste

Their feuds innumerable to compose,365

Who disunited by intestine strife

Long time, from conjugal embrace abstain.

My steeds, that lightly over dank and dry

Shall bear me, at the rooted base I left

Of Ida river-vein’d. But for thy sake370

From the Olympian summit I arrive,

Lest journeying remote to the abode

Of Ocean, and with no consent of thine

Entreated first, I should, perchance, offend.

To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.375

Juno! thy journey thither may be made

Hereafter. Let us turn to dalliance now.

For never Goddess pour’d, nor woman yet

So full a tide of love into my breast;

I never loved Ixion’s consort thus380

Who bore Pirithoüs, wise as we in heaven;

Nor sweet Acrisian Danäe, from whom

Sprang Perseus, noblest of the race of man;

Nor Phœnix’ daughter fair,[10] of whom were born

Minos unmatch’d but by the powers above,385

And Rhadamanthus; nor yet Semele,

Nor yet Alcmena, who in Thebes produced

The valiant Hercules; and though my son

By Semele were Bacchus, joy of man;

Nor Ceres golden-hair’d, nor high-enthroned390

Latona in the skies, no—nor thyself

As now I love thee, and my soul perceive

O’erwhelm’d with sweetness of intense desire.

Then thus majestic Juno her reply

Framed artful. Oh unreasonable haste!395

What speaks the Thunderer? If on Ida’s heights.

Where all is open and to view exposed

Thou wilt that we embrace, what must betide,

Should any of the everlasting Gods

Observe us, and declare it to the rest?400

Never could I, arising, seek again,

Thy mansion, so unseemly were the deed.

But if thy inclinations that way tend,

Thou hast a chamber; it is Vulcan’s work,

Our son’s; he framed and fitted to its posts405

The solid portal; thither let us his,

And there repose, since such thy pleasure seems.

To whom the cloud-assembler Deity.

Fear thou not, Juno, lest the eye of man

Or of a God discern us; at my word410

A golden cloud shall fold us so around,

That not the Sun himself shall through that veil

Discover aught, though keenest-eyed of all.

So spake the son of Saturn, and his spouse

Fast lock’d within his arms. Beneath them earth415

With sudden herbage teem’d; at once upsprang

The crocus soft, the lotus bathed in dew,

And the crisp hyacinth with clustering bells;

Thick was their growth, and high above the ground

Upbore them. On that flowery couch they lay,420

Invested with a golden cloud that shed

Bright dew-drops all around.[11] His heart at ease,

There lay the Sire of all, by Sleep and Love

Vanquish’d on lofty Gargarus, his spouse

Constraining still with amorous embrace.425

Then, gentle Sleep to the Achaian camp

Sped swift away, with tidings for the ear

Of earth-encircler Neptune charged; him soon

He found, and in wing’d accents thus began.

Now Neptune, yield the Greeks effectual aid,430

And, while the moment lasts of Jove’s repose,

Make victory theirs; for him in slumbers soft

I have involved, while Juno by deceit

Prevailing, lured him with the bait of love.

He said, and swift departed to his task435

Among the nations; but his tidings urged

Neptune with still more ardor to assist

The Danaï; he leap’d into the van

Afar, and thus exhorted them aloud.

Oh Argives! yield we yet again the day440

To Priameian Hector? Shall he seize

Our ships, and make the glory all his own?

Such is his expectation, so he vaunts,

For that Achilles leaves not yet his camp,

Resentful; but of him small need, I judge,445

Should here be felt, could once the rest be roused

To mutual aid. Act, then, as I advise.

The best and broadest bucklers of the host,

And brightest helmets put we on, and arm’d

With longest spears, advance; myself will lead;450

And trust me, furious though he be, the son

Of Priam flies. Ye then who feel your hearts

Undaunted, but are arm’d with smaller shields,

Them give to those who fear, and in exchange

Their stronger shields and broader take yourselves.455

So he, whom, unreluctant, all obey’d.

Then, wounded as they were, themselves the Kings,

Tydides, Agamemnon and Ulysses

Marshall’d the warriors, and from rank to rank

Made just exchange of arms, giving the best460

To the best warriors, to the worse, the worst.

And now in brazen armor all array’d

Refulgent on they moved, by Neptune led

With firm hand grasping his long-bladed sword

Keen as Jove’s bolt; with him may none contend465

In dreadful fight; but fear chains every arm.

Opposite, Priameian Hector ranged

His Trojans; then they stretch’d the bloody cord

Of conflict tight, Neptune cœrulean-hair’d,

And Hector, pride of Ilium; one, the Greeks470

Supporting firm, and one, the powers of Troy;

A sea-flood dash’d the galleys, and the hosts

Join’d clamorous. Not so the billows roar

The shores among, when Boreas’ roughest blast

Sweeps landward from the main the towering surge;475

Not so, devouring fire among the trees

That clothe the mountain, when the sheeted flames

Ascending wrap the forest in a blaze;

Nor howl the winds through leafy boughs of oaks

Upgrown aloft (though loudest there they rave)480

With sounds so awful as were heard of Greeks

And Trojans shouting when the clash began.

At Ajax, first (for face to face they stood)

Illustrious Hector threw a spear well-aim’d,

But smote him where the belts that bore his shield485

And falchion cross’d each other on his breast.

The double guard preserved him unannoy’d.

Indignant that his spear had bootless flown,

Yet fearing death at hand, the Trojan Chief

Toward the phalanx of his friends retired.490

But, as he went, huge Ajax with a stone

Of those which propp’d the ships (for numerous such

Lay rolling at the feet of those who fought)

Assail’d him. Twirling like a top it pass’d

The shield of Hector, near the neck his breast495

Struck full, then plough’d circuitous the dust.

As when Jove’s arm omnipotent an oak

Prostrates uprooted on the plain, a fume

Rises sulphureous from the riven trunk,

And if, perchance, some traveller nigh at hand500

See it, he trembles at the bolt of Jove,

So fell the might of Hector, to the earth

Smitten at once. Down dropp’d his idle spear,

And with his helmet and his shield himself

Also; loud thunder’d all his gorgeous arms.505

Swift flew the Grecians shouting to the skies,

And showering darts, to drag his body thence,

But neither spear of theirs nor shaft could harm

The fallen leader, with such instant aid

His princely friends encircled him around,510

Sarpedon, Lycian Chief, Glaucus the brave,

Polydamas, Æneas, and renown’d

Agenor; neither tardy were the rest,

But with round shields all shelter’d Hector fallen.

Him soon uplifted from the plain his friends515

Bore thence, till where his fiery coursers stood,

And splendid chariot in the rear, they came,

Then Troy-ward drove him groaning as he went.

Ere long arriving at the pleasant stream

Of eddied Xanthus, progeny of Jove,520

They laid him on the bank, and on his face

Pour’d water; he, reviving, upward gazed,

And seated on his hams black blood disgorged

Coagulate, but soon relapsing, fell

Supine, his eyes with pitchy darkness veil’d,525

And all his powers still torpid by the blow.

Then, seeing Hector borne away, the Greeks

Rush’d fiercer on, all mindful of the fight,

And far before the rest, Ajax the swift,

The Oïlean Chief, with pointed spear530

On Satnius springing, pierced him. Him a nymph

A Naiad, bore to Enops, while his herd

Feeding, on Satnio’s grassy verge he stray’d.

But Oïliades the spear-renown’d

Approaching, pierced his flank; supine he fell,535

And fiery contest for the dead arose.

In vengeance of his fall, spear-shaking Chief

The son of Panthus into fight advanced

Polydamas, who Prothöenor pierced

Offspring of Areïlocus, and urged540

Through his right shoulder sheer the stormy lance.

He, prostrate, clench’d the dust, and with loud voice

Polydamas exulted at his fall.

Yon spear, methinks, hurl’d from the warlike hand

Of Panthus’ noble son, flew not in vain,545

But some Greek hath it, purposing, I judge,

To lean on it in his descent to hell.

So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard.

But most indignant, Ajax, offspring bold

Of Telamon, to whom he nearest fell.550

He, quick, at the retiring conqueror cast

His radiant spear; Polydamas the stroke

Shunn’d, starting sideward; but Antenor’s son

Archilochus the mortal dint received,

Death-destined by the Gods; where neck and spine555

Unite, both tendons he dissever’d wide,

And, ere his knees, his nostrils met the ground.

Then Ajax in his turn vaunting aloud

Against renown’d Polydamas, exclaim’d.

Speak now the truth, Polydamas, and weigh560

My question well. His life whom I have slain

Makes it not compensation for the loss

Of Prothöenor’s life! To me he seems

Nor base himself; nor yet of base descent,

But brother of Atenor steed-renown’d,565

Or else perchance his son; for in my eyes

Antenor’s lineage he resembles most.

So he, well knowing him, and sorrow seized

Each Trojan heart. Then Acamas around

His brother stalking, wounded with his spear570

Bœotian Promachus, who by the feet

Dragg’d off the slain. Acamas in his fall

Aloud exulted with a boundless joy.

Vain-glorious Argives, archers inexpert!

War’s toil and trouble are not ours alone,575

But ye shall perish also; mark the man—

How sound he sleeps tamed by my conquering arm,

Your fellow-warrior Promachus! the debt

Of vengeance on my brother’s dear behalf

Demanded quick discharge; well may the wish580

Of every dying warrior be to leave

A brother living to avenge his fall.

He ended, whom the Greeks indignant heard,

But chiefly brave Peneleus; swift he rush’d

On Acamas; but from before the force585

Of King Peneleus Acamas retired,

And, in his stead, Ilioneus he pierced,

Offspring of Phorbas, rich in flocks; and blest

By Mercury with such abundant wealth

As other Trojan none, nor child to him590

His spouse had borne, Ilioneus except.

Him close beneath the brow to his eye-roots

Piercing, he push’d the pupil from its seat,

And through his eye and through his poll the spear

Urged furious. He down-sitting on the earth595

Both hands extended; but, his glittering blade

Forth-drawn, Peneleus through his middle neck

Enforced it; head and helmet to the ground

He lopp’d together, with the lance infixt

Still in his eye; then like a poppy’s head600

The crimson trophy lifting, in the ears

He vaunted loud of Ilium’s host, and cried.

Go, Trojans! be my messengers! Inform

The parents of Ilioneus the brave

That they may mourn their son through all their house,605

For so the wife of Alegenor’s son

Bœotian Promachus must him bewail,

Nor shall she welcome his return with smiles

Of joy affectionate, when from the shores

Of Troy the fleet shall bear us Grecians home.610

He said; fear whiten’d every Trojan cheek,

And every Trojan eye with earnest look

Inquired a refuge from impending fate.

Say now, ye Muses, blest inhabitants

Of the Olympian realms! what Grecian first615

Fill’d his victorious hand with armor stript

From slaughter’d Trojans, after Ocean’s God

Had, interposing, changed the battle’s course?

First, Telamonian Ajax Hyrtius slew,

Undaunted leader of the Mysian band.620

Phalces and Mermerus their arms resign’d

To young Antilochus; Hyppotion fell

And Morys by Meriones; the shafts

Right-aim’d of Teucer to the shades dismiss’d

Prothöus and Periphetes, and the prince625

Of Sparta, Menelaus, in his flank

Pierced Hyperenor; on his entrails prey’d

The hungry steel, and, through the gaping wound

Expell’d, his spirit flew; night veil’d his eyes.

But Ajax Oïliades the swift630

Slew most; him none could equal in pursuit

Of tremblers scatter’d by the frown of Jove.

BOOK XV.

ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTEENTH BOOK.

Jove, awaking and seeing the Trojans routed, threatens Juno. He sends

Iris to admonish Neptune to relinquish the battle, and Apollo to

restore health to Hector. Apollo armed with the Ægis, puts to flight

the Grecians; they are pursued home to their fleet, and Telamonian Ajax

slays twelve Trojans bringing fire to burn it.

BOOK XV.

But when the flying Trojans had o’erpass’d

Both stakes and trench, and numerous slaughtered lay

By Grecian hands, the remnant halted all

Beside their chariots, pale, discomfited.

Then was it that on Ida’s summit Jove5

At Juno’s side awoke; starting, he stood

At once erect; Trojans and Greeks he saw,

These broken, those pursuing and led on

By Neptune; he beheld also remote

Encircled by his friends, and on the plain10

Extended, Hector; there he panting lay,

Senseless, ejecting blood, bruised by a blow

From not the feeblest of the sons of Greece.

Touch’d with compassion at that sight, the Sire

Of Gods and men, frowning terrific, fix’d15

His eyes on Juno, and her thus bespake.

No place for doubt remains. Oh, versed in wiles,

Juno! thy mischief-teeming mind perverse

Hath plotted this; thou hast contrived the hurt

Of Hector, and hast driven his host to flight.20

I know not but thyself mayst chance to reap

The first-fruits of thy cunning, scourged[1] by me.

Hast thou forgotten how I once aloft

Suspended thee, with anvils at thy feet,

And both thy wrists bound with a golden cord25

Indissoluble? In the clouds of heaven

I hung thee, while from the Olympian heights

The Gods look’d mournful on, but of them all

None could deliver thee, for whom I seized,

Hurl’d through the gates of heaven on earth he fell,30

Half-breathless. Neither so did I resign

My hot resentment of the hero’s wrongs

Immortal Hercules, whom thou by storms

Call’d from the North, with mischievous intent

Hadst driven far distant o’er the barren Deep35

To populous Cos. Thence I deliver’d him,

And after numerous woes severe, he reach’d

The shores of fruitful Argos, saved by me.

I thus remind thee now, that thou mayst cease

Henceforth from artifice, and mayst be taught40

How little all the dalliance and the love

Which, stealing down from heaven, thou hast by fraud

Obtain’d from me, shall profit thee at last.

He ended, whom imperial Juno heard

Shuddering, and in wing’d accents thus replied.45

Be witness Earth, the boundless Heaven above,

And Styx beneath, whose stream the blessed Gods

Even tremble to adjure;[2] be witness too

Thy sacred life, and our connubial bed,

Which by a false oath I will never wrong,50

That by no art induced or plot of mine

Neptune, the Shaker of the shores, inflicts

These harms on Hector and the Trojan host

Aiding the Grecians, but impell’d alone

By his own heart with pity moved at sight55

Of the Achaians at the ships subdued.

But even him, oh Sovereign of the storms!

I am prepared to admonish that he quit

The battle, and retire where thou command’st.

So she; then smiled the Sire of Gods and men,60

And in wing’d accents answer thus return’d.[3]

Juno! wouldst thou on thy celestial throne

Assist my counsels, howso’er in heart

He differ now, Neptune should soon his will

Submissive bend to thy desires and mine.65

But if sincerity be in thy words

And truth, repairing to the blest abodes

Send Iris hither, with the archer God

Apollo; that she, visiting the host

Of Greece, may bid the Sovereign of the Deep70

Renounce the fight, and seek his proper home.

Apollo’s part shall be to rouse again

Hector to battle, to inspire his soul

Afresh with courage, and all memory thence

To banish of the pangs which now he feels.75

Apollo also shall again repulse

Achaia’s host, which with base panic fill’d,

Shall even to Achilles’ ships be driven.

Achilles shall his valiant friend exhort

Patroclus forth; him under Ilium’s walls80

Shall glorious Hector slay; but many a youth

Shall perish by Patroclus first, with whom,

My noble son Sarpedon. Peleus’ son,

Resentful of Patroclus’ death, shall slay

Hector, and I will urge ceaseless, myself,85

Thenceforth the routed Trojans back again,

Till by Minerva’s aid the Greeks shall take

Ilium’s proud city; till that day arrive

My wrath shall burn, nor will I one permit

Of all the Immortals to assist the Greeks,90

But will perform Achilles’ whole desire.

Such was my promise to him at the first,

Ratified by a nod that self-same day

When Thetis clasp’d my knees, begging revenge

And glory for her city-spoiler son.95

He ended; nor his spouse white-arm’d refused

Obedience, but from the Idæan heights

Departing, to the Olympian summit soar’d.

Swift as the traveller’s thought,[4] who, many a land

Traversed, deliberates on his future course100

Uncertain, and his mind sends every way,

So swift updarted Juno to the skies.

Arrived on the Olympian heights, she found

The Gods assembled; they, at once, their seats

At her approach forsaking, with full cups105

Her coming hail’d; heedless of all beside,

She took the cup from blooming Themis’ hand,

For she first flew to welcome her, and thus

In accents wing’d of her return inquired.

Say, Juno, why this sudden re-ascent?110

Thou seem’st dismay’d; hath Saturn’s son, thy spouse,

Driven thee affrighted to the skies again?

To whom the white-arm’d Goddess thus replied.

Themis divine, ask not. Full well thou know’st

How harshly temper’d is the mind of Jove,115

And how untractable. Resume thy seat;

The banquet calls thee; at our board preside,

Thou shalt be told, and all in heaven shall hear

What ills he threatens; such as shall not leave

All minds at ease, I judge, here or on earth,120

However tranquil some and joyous now.

So spake the awful spouse of Jove, and sat.

Then, all alike, the Gods displeasure felt

Throughout the courts of Jove, but she, her lips

Gracing with smiles from which her sable brows125

Dissented,[5] thus indignant them address’d.

Alas! how vain against the Thunderer’s will

Our anger, and the hope to supersede

His purpose, by persuasion or by force!

He solitary sits, all unconcern’d130

At our resentment, and himself proclaims

Mightiest and most to be revered in heaven.

Be patient, therefore, and let each endure

Such ills as Jove may send him. Mars, I ween,

Already hath his share; the warrior God135

Hath lost Ascalaphus, of all mankind

His most beloved, and whom he calls his own.

She spake, and with expanded palms his thighs

Smiling, thus, sorrowful, the God exclaim’d.

Inhabitants of the Olympian heights!140

Oh bear with me, if to avenge my son

I seek Achaia’s fleet, although my doom

Be thunder-bolts from Jove, and with the dead

Outstretch’d to lie in carnage and in dust.

He spake, and bidding Horror and Dismay145

Lead to the yoke his rapid steeds, put on

His all-refulgent armor. Then had wrath

More dreadful, some strange vengeance on the Gods

From Jove befallen, had not Minerva, touch’d

With timely fears for all, upstarting sprung150

From where she sat, right through the vestibule.

She snatch’d the helmet from his brows, the shield

From his broad shoulder, and the brazen spear

Forced from his grasp into its place restored.

Then reprimanding Mars, she thus began.155

Frantic, delirious! thou art lost for ever!

Is it in vain that thou hast ears to hear,

And hast thou neither shame nor reason left?

How? hear’st thou not the Goddess? the report

Of white-arm’d Juno from Olympian Jove160

Return’d this moment? or perfer’st thou rather,

Plagued with a thousand woes, and under force

Of sad necessity to seek again

Olympus, and at thy return to prove

Author of countless miseries to us all?165

For He at once Grecians and Trojans both

Abandoning, will hither haste prepared

To tempest[6] us in heaven, whom he will seize,

The guilty and the guiltless, all alike.

I bid thee, therefore, patient bear the death170

Of thy Ascalaphus; braver than he

And abler have, ere now, in battle fallen,

And shall hereafter; arduous were the task

To rescue from the stroke of fate the race

Of mortal men, with all their progeny.175

So saying, Minerva on his throne replaced

The fiery Mars. Then, summoning abroad

Apollo from within the hall of Jove,

With Iris, swift ambassadress of heaven,

Them in wing’d accents Juno thus bespake.180

Jove bids you hence with undelaying speed

To Ida; in his presence once arrived,

See that ye execute his whole command.

So saying, the awful Goddess to her throne

Return’d and sat. They, cleaving swift the air,185

Alighted soon on Ida fountain-fed,

Parent of savage kinds. High on the point

Seated of Gargarus, and wrapt around

With fragrant clouds, they found Saturnian Jove

The Thunderer, and in his presence stood.190

He, nought displeased that they his high command

Had with such readiness obey’d, his speech

To Iris, first, in accents wing’d address’d

Swift Iris, haste—to royal Neptune bear

My charge entire; falsify not the word.195

Bid him, relinquishing the fight, withdraw

Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep.

But should he disobedient prove, and scorn

My message, let him, next, consider well

How he will bear, powerful as he is,200

My coming. Me I boast superior far

In force, and elder-born; yet deems he slight

The danger of comparison with me,

Who am the terror of all heaven beside.

He spake, nor storm-wing’d Iris disobey’d,205

But down from the Idæan summit stoop’d

To sacred Ilium. As when snow or hail

Flies drifted by the cloud-dispelling North,

So swiftly, wing’d with readiness of will,

She shot the gulf between, and standing soon210

At glorious Neptune’s side, him thus address’d.

To thee, O Neptune azure-hair’d! I come

With tidings charged from Ægis-bearing Jove.

He bids thee cease from battle, and retire

Either to heaven, or to the boundless Deep.215

But shouldst thou, disobedient, set at nought

His words, he threatens that himself will haste

To fight against thee; but he bids thee shun

That strife with one superior far to thee,

And elder-born; yet deem’st thou slight, he saith,220

The danger of comparison with Him,

Although the terror of all heaven beside.

Her then the mighty Shaker of the shores

Answer’d indignant. Great as is his power,

Yet he hath spoken proudly, threatening me225

With force, high-born and glorious as himself.

We are three brothers; Saturn is our sire,

And Rhea brought us forth; first, Jove she bore;

Me next; then, Pluto, Sovereign of the shades.

By distribution tripart we received230

Each his peculiar honors; me the lots

Made Ruler of the hoary floods, and there

I dwell for ever. Pluto, for his part,

The regions took of darkness; and the heavens,

The clouds, and boundless æther, fell to Jove.235

The Earth and the Olympian heights alike

Are common to the three. My life and being

I hold not, therefore, at his will, whose best

And safest course, with all his boasted power,

Were to possess in peace his proper third.240

Let him not seek to terrify with force

Me like a dastard; let him rather chide

His own-begotten; with big-sounding words

His sons and daughters govern, who perforce

Obey his voice, and shrink at his commands.245

To whom thus Iris tempest-wing’d replied,

Cœrulean-tress’d Sovereign of the Deep!

Shall I report to Jove, harsh as it is,

Thy speech, or wilt thou soften it? The wise

Are flexible, and on the elder-born250

Erynnis, with her vengeful sisters, waits.[7]

Her answer’d then the Shaker of the shores.

Prudent is thy advice, Iris divine!

Discretion in a messenger is good

At all times. But the cause that fires me thus,255

And with resentment my whole heart and mind

Possesses, is the license that he claims

To vex with provocation rude of speech

Me his compeer, and by decree of Fate

Illustrious as himself; yet, though incensed,260

And with just cause, I will not now persist.

But hear—for it is treasured in my heart

The threat that my lips utter. If he still

Resolve to spare proud Ilium in despite

Of me, of Pallas, Goddess of the spoils,265

Of Juno, Mercury, and the King of fire,

And will not overturn her lofty towers,

Nor grant immortal glory to the Greeks,

Then tell him thus—hostility shall burn,

And wrath between us never to be quench’d.270

So saying, the Shaker of the shores forsook

The Grecian host, and plunged into the deep,

Miss’d by Achaia’s heroes. Then, the cloud-Assembler

God thus to Apollo spake.

Hence, my Apollo! to the Trojan Chief275

Hector; for earth-encircler Neptune, awed

By fear of my displeasure imminent,

Hath sought the sacred Deep. Else, all the Gods

Who compass Saturn in the nether realms,

Had even there our contest heard, I ween,280

And heard it loudly. But that he retreats

Although at first incensed, shunning my wrath,

Is salutary both for him and me,

Whose difference else had not been healed with ease.

Take thou my shaggy Ægis, and with force285

Smiting it, terrify the Chiefs of Greece.

As for illustrious Hector, him I give

To thy peculiar care; fail not to rouse

His fiercest courage, till he push the Greeks

To Hellespont, and to their ships again;290

Thenceforth to yield to their afflicted host

Some pause from toil, shall be my own concern.

He ended, nor Apollo disobey’d

His father’s voice; from the Idæan heights,

Swift as the swiftest of the fowls of air,295

The dove-destroyer falcon, down he flew.

The noble Hector, valiant Priam’s son

He found, not now extended on the plain,

But seated; newly, as from death, awaked,

And conscious of his friends; freely he breathed300

Nor sweated more, by Jove himself revived.

Apollo stood beside him, and began.

Say, Hector, Priam’s son! why sittest here

Feeble and spiritless, and from thy host

Apart? what new disaster hath befall’n?305

To whom with difficulty thus replied

The warlike Chief.—But tell me who art Thou,

Divine inquirer! best of powers above!

Know’st not that dauntless Ajax me his friends

Slaughtering at yonder ships, hath with a stone310

Surceased from fight, smiting me on the breast?

I thought to have beheld, this day, the dead

In Ades, every breath so seem’d my last.

Then answer thus the Archer-God return’d.

Courage this moment! such a helper Jove315

From Ida sends thee at thy side to war

Continual, Phœbus of the golden sword,

Whose guardian aid both thee and lofty Troy

Hath succor’d many a time. Therefore arise!

Instant bid drive thy numerous charioteers320

Their rapid steeds full on the Grecian fleet;

I, marching at their head, will smooth, myself,

The way before them, and will turn again

To flight the heroes of the host of Greece.

He said and with new strength the Chief inspired.325

As some stall’d horse high pamper’d, snapping short

His cord, beats under foot the sounding soil,

Accustom’d in smooth-sliding streams to lave

Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane

Wantons around his shoulders; pleased, he eyes330

His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees

Soon finds the haunts where all his fellows graze;

So bounded Hector, and his agile joints

Plied lightly, quicken’d by the voice divine,

And gather’d fast his charioteers to battle.335

But as when hounds and hunters through the woods

Rush in pursuit of stag or of wild goat,

He, in some cave with tangled boughs o’erhung,

Lies safe conceal’d, no destined prey of theirs,

Till by their clamors roused, a lion grim340

Starts forth to meet them; then, the boldest fly;

Such hot pursuit the Danaï, with swords

And spears of double edge long time maintain’d.

But seeing Hector in his ranks again

Occupied, felt at once their courage fall’n.345

Then, Thoas them, Andræmon’s son, address’d,

Foremost of the Ætolians, at the spear

Skilful, in stationary combat bold,

And when the sons of Greece held in dispute

The prize of eloquence, excell’d by few.350

Prudent advising them, he thus began.

Ye Gods! what prodigy do I behold?

Hath Hector, ’scaping death, risen again?

For him, with confident persuasion all

Believed by Telamonian Ajax slain.355

But some Divinity hath interposed

To rescue and save Hector, who the joints

Hath stiffen’d of full many a valiant Greek,

As surely now he shall; for, not without

The Thunderer’s aid, he flames in front again.360

But take ye all my counsel. Send we back

The multitude into the fleet, and first

Let us, who boast ourselves bravest in fight,

Stand, that encountering him with lifted spears,

We may attempt to give his rage a check.365

To thrust himself into a band like ours

Will, doubtless, even in Hector move a fear.

He ceased, with whose advice all, glad, complied.

Then Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete,

Teucer, Meriones, and Meges fierce370

As Mars in battle, summoning aloud

The noblest Greeks, in opposition firm

To Hector and his host their bands prepared,

While others all into the fleet retired.

Troy’s crowded host[8] struck first. With awful strides375

Came Hector foremost; him Apollo led,

His shoulders wrapt in clouds, and, on his arm,

The Ægis shagg’d terrific all around,

Tempestuous, dazzling-bright; it was a gift

To Jove from Vulcan, and design’d to appall,380

And drive to flight the armies of the earth.

Arm’d with that shield Apollo led them on.

Firm stood the embodied Greeks; from either host

Shrill cries arose; the arrows from the nerve

Leap’d, and, by vigorous arms dismiss’d, the spears385

Flew frequent; in the flesh some stood infixt

Of warlike youths, but many, ere they reach’d

The mark they coveted, unsated fell

Between the hosts, and rested in the soil.

Long as the God unagitated held390

The dreadful disk, so long the vollied darts

Made mutual slaughter, and the people fell;

But when he look’d the Grecian charioteers

Full in the face and shook it, raising high

Himself the shout of battle, then he quell’d395

Their spirits, then he struck from every mind

At once all memory of their might in arms.

As when two lions in the still, dark night

A herd of beeves scatter or numerous flock

Suddenly, in the absence of the guard,400

So fled the heartless Greeks, for Phœbus sent

Terrors among them, but renown conferr’d

And triumph proud on Hector and his host.

Then, in that foul disorder of the field,

Man singled man. Arcesilaüs died405

By Hector’s arm, and Stichius; one, a Chief[9]

Of the Bœotians brazen-mail’d, and one,

Menestheus’ faithful follower to the fight.

Æneas Medon and Iäsus slew.

Medon was spurious offspring of divine410

Oïleus Ajax’ father, and abode

In Phylace; for he had slain a Chief

Brother of Eriopis the espoused

Of brave Oïleus; but Iäsus led

A phalanx of Athenians, and the son415

Of Sphelus, son of Bucolus was deem’d.

Pierced by Polydamas Mecisteus fell,

Polites, in the van of battle, slew

Echion, and Agenor Clonius;

But Paris, while Deïochus to flight420

Turn’d with the routed van, pierced him beneath

His shoulder-blade, and urged the weapon through.

While them the Trojans spoil’d, meantime the Greeks,

Entangled in the piles of the deep foss,

Fled every way, and through necessity425

Repass’d the wall. Then Hector with a voice

Of loud command bade every Trojan cease

From spoil, and rush impetuous on the fleet.

[10]And whom I find far lingering from the ships

Wherever, there he dies; no funeral fires430

Brother on him, or sister, shall bestow,

But dogs shall rend him in the sight of Troy.

So saying, he lash’d the shoulders of his steeds,

And through the ranks vociferating, call’d

His Trojans on; they, clamorous as he,435

All lash’d their steeds, and menacing, advanced.

Before them with his feet Apollo push’d

The banks into the foss, bridging the gulf

With pass commodious, both in length and breadth

A lance’s flight, for proof of vigor hurl’d.440

There, phalanx after phalanx, they their host

Pour’d dense along, while Phœbus in the van

Display’d the awful ægis, and the wall

Levell’d with ease divine. As, on the shore

Some wanton boy with sand builds plaything walls,445

Then, sportive spreads them with his feet abroad,

So thou, shaft-arm’d Apollo! that huge work

Laborious of the Greeks didst turn with ease

To ruin, and themselves drovest all to flight.

They, thus enforced into the fleet, again450

Stood fast, with mutual exhortation each

His friend encouraging, and all the Gods

With lifted hands soliciting aloud.

But, more than all, Gerenian Nestor pray’d

Fervent, Achaia’s guardian, and with arms455

Outstretch’d toward the starry skies, exclaim’d.

Jove, Father! if in corn-clad Argos, one,

One Greek hath ever, burning at thy shrine

Fat thighs of sheep or oxen, ask’d from thee

A safe return, whom thou hast gracious heard,460

Olympian King! and promised what he sought,

Now, in remembrance of it, give us help

In this disastrous day, nor thus permit

Their Trojan foes to tread the Grecians down!

So Nestor pray’d, and Jove thunder’d aloud465

Responsive to the old Neleïan’s prayer.

But when that voice of Ægis-bearing Jove

The Trojans heard, more furious on the Greeks

They sprang, all mindful of the fight. As when

A turgid billow of some spacious sea,470

While the wind blow that heaves its highest, borne

Sheer o’er the vessel’s side, rolls into her,

With such loud roar the Trojans pass’d the wall;

In rush’d the steeds, and at the ships they waged

Fierce battle hand to hand, from chariots, these,475

With spears of double edge, those, from the decks

Of many a sable bark, with naval poles

Long, ponderous, shod with steel; for every ship

Had such, for conflict maritime prepared.

While yet the battle raged only without480

The wall, and from the ships apart, so long

Patroclus quiet in the tent and calm

Sat of Eurypylus, his generous friend

Consoling with sweet converse, and his wound

Sprinkling with drugs assuasive of his pains.485

But soon as through the broken rampart borne

He saw the Trojans, and the clamor heard

And tumult of the flying Greeks, a voice

Of loud lament uttering, with open palms

His thighs he smote, and, sorrowful, exclaim’d.490

Eurypylus! although thy need be great,

No longer may I now sit at thy side,

Such contest hath arisen; thy servant’s voice

Must soothe thee now, for I will to the tent

Haste of Achilles, and exhort him forth;495

Who knows? if such the pleasure of the Gods,

I may prevail; friends rarely plead in vain.

So saying, he went. Meantime the Greeks endured

The Trojan onset, firm, yet from the ships

Repulsed them not, though fewer than themselves,500

Nor could the host of Troy, breaking the ranks

Of Greece, mix either with the camp or fleet;

But as the line divides the plank aright,

Stretch’d by some naval architect, whose hand

Minerva hath accomplish’d in his art,505

So stretch’d on them the cord of battle lay.

Others at other ships the conflict waged,

But Hector to the ship advanced direct

Of glorious Ajax; for one ship they strove;

Nor Hector, him dislodging thence, could fire510

The fleet, nor Ajax from the fleet repulse

Hector, conducted thither by the Gods.

Then, noble Ajax with a spear the breast

Pierced of Caletor, son of Clytius, arm’d

With fire to burn his bark; sounding he fell,515

And from his loosen’d grasp down dropp’d the brand.

But Hector seeing his own kinsman fallen

Beneath the sable bark, with mighty voice

Call’d on the hosts of Lycia and of Troy.

Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons520

Of Dardanus, within this narrow pass

Stand firm, retreat not, but redeem the son

Of Clytius, lest the Grecians of his arms

Despoil him slain in battle at the ships.

So saying, at Ajax his bright spear he cast525

Him pierced he not, but Lycophron the son

Of Mastor, a Cytherian, who had left

Cytheras, fugitive for blood, and dwelt

With Ajax. Him standing at Ajax’ side,

He pierced above his ear; down from the stern530

Supine he fell, and in the dust expired.

Then, shuddering, Ajax to his brother spake.

Alas, my Teucer! we have lost our friend;

Mastorides is slain, whom we received

An inmate from Cytheræ, and with love535

And reverence even filia,, entertain’d;

B9 Hector pierced, he dies. Where are thy shafts

Death-wing’d, and bow, by gift from Phœbus thine?

He said, whom Teucer hearing, instant ran

With bow and well-stored quiver to his side,540

Whence soon his arrows sought the Trojan host.

He struck Pisenor’s son Clytus, the friend

And charioteer of brave Polydamas,

Offspring of Panthus, toiling with both hands

To rule his fiery steeds; for more to please545

The Trojans and their Chief, where stormy most

He saw the battle, thither he had driven.

But sudden mischief, valiant as he was,

Found him, and such as none could waft aside,

For right into his neck the arrow plunged,550

And down he fell; his startled coursers shook

Their trappings, and the empty chariot rang.

That sound alarm’d Polydamas; he turn’d,

And flying to their heads, consign’d them o’er

To Protiaön’s son, Astynoüs,555

Whom he enjoin’d to keep them in his view;

Then, turning, mingled with the van again.

But Teucer still another shaft produced

Design’d for valiant Hector, whose exploits

(Had that shaft reach’d him) at the ships of Greece560

Had ceased for ever. But the eye of Jove,

Guardian of Hector’s life, slept not; he took

From Telamonian Te5cer that renown,

And while he stood straining the twisted nerve

Against the Trojan, snapp’d it. Devious flew565

The steel-charged[11] arrow, and he dropp’d his bow.

Then shuddering, to his brother thus he spake.

Ah! it is evident. Some Power divine

Makes fruitless all our efforts, who hath struck

My bow out of my hand, and snapt the cord570

With which I strung it new at dawn of day,

That it might bear the bound of many a shaft.

To whom the towering son of Telamon.

Leave then thy bow, and let thine arrows rest,

Which, envious of the Greeks, some God confounds,575

That thou may’st fight with spear and buckler arm’d,

And animate the rest. Such be our deeds

That, should they conquer us, our foes may find

Our ships, at least a prize not lightly won.

So Ajax spake; then Teucer, in his tent580

The bow replacing, slung his fourfold shield,

Settled on his illustrious brows his casque

With hair high-crested, waving, as he moved,

Terrible from above, took forth a spear

Tough-grain’d, acuminated sharp with brass,585

And stood, incontinent, at Ajax’ side.

Hector perceived the change, and of the cause

Conscious, with echoing voice call’d to his host.

Trojans and Lycians and close-fighting sons

Of Dardanus, oh now, my friends, be men;590

Now, wheresoever through the fleet dispersed,

Call into mind the fury of your might!

For I have seen, myself, Jove rendering vain

The arrows of their mightiest. Man may know

With ease the hand of interposing Jove,595

Both whom to glory he ordains, and whom

He weakens and aids not; so now he leaves

The Grecians, but propitious smiles on us.

Therefore stand fast, and whosoever gall’d

By arrow or by spear, dies—let him die;600

It shall not shame him that he died to serve

His country,[12] but his children, wife and home,

With all his heritage, shall be secure,

Drive but the Grecians from the shores of Troy.

So saying, he animated each. Meantime,605

Ajax his fellow-warriors thus address’d.

Shame on you all! Now, Grecians, either die,

Or save at once your galley and yourselves.

Hope ye, that should your ships become the prize

Of warlike Hector, ye shall yet return610

On foot? Or hear ye not the Chief aloud

Summoning all his host, and publishing

His own heart’s wish to burn your fleet with fire?

Not to a dance, believe me, but to fight

He calls them; therefore wiser course for us615

Is none, than that we mingle hands with hands

In contest obstinate, and force with force.

Better at once to perish, or at once

To rescue life, than to consume the time

Hour after hour in lingering conflict vain620

Here at the ships, with an inferior foe.

He said, and by his words into all hearts

Fresh confidence infused. Then Hector smote

Schedius, a Chief of the Phocensian powers

And son of Perimedes; Ajax slew,625

Meantime, a Chief of Trojan infantry,

Laodamas, Antenor’s noble son

While by Polydamas, a leader bold

Of the Epeans, and Phylides’[13] friend,

Cyllenian Otus died. Meges that sight630

Viewing indignant on the conqueror sprang,

But, starting wide, Polydamas escaped,

Saved by Apollo, and his spear transpierced

The breast of Cræsmus; on his sounding shield

Prostrate he fell, and Meges stripp’d his arms.635

Him so employ’d Dolops assail’d, brave son

Of Lampus, best of men and bold in fight,

Offspring of King Laomedon; he stood

Full near, and through his middle buckler struck

The son of Phyleus, but his corselet thick640

With plates of scaly brass his life secured.

That corselet Phyleus on a time brought home

From Ephyre, where the Selleïs winds,

And it was given him for his life’s defence

In furious battle by the King of men,645

Euphetes. Many a time had it preserved

Unharm’d the sire, and now it saved the son.

Then Meges, rising, with his pointed lance

The bushy crest of Dolops’ helmet drove

Sheer from its base; new-tinged with purple bright650

Entire it fell and mingled with the dust.

While thus they strove, each hoping victory,

Came martial Menelaus to the aid

Of Meges; spear in hand apart he stood

By Dolops unperceived, through his back drove655

And through his breast the spear, and far beyond.

And down fell Dolops, forehead to the ground.

At once both flew to strip his radiant arms,

Then, Hector summoning his kindred, call’d

Each to his aid, and Melanippus first,660

Illustrious Hicetaon’s son, reproved.

Ere yet the enemies of Troy arrived

He in Percote fed his wandering beeves;

But when the Danaï with all their fleet

Came thither, then returning, he outshone665

The noblest Trojans, and at Priam’s side

Dwelling, was honor’d by him as a son.

Him Hector reprimanding, stern began.

Are we thus slack? Can Melanippus view

Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks670

How busy there with Dolops and his arms?

Come on. It is no time for distant war,

But either our Achaian foes must bleed,

Or Ilium taken, from her topmost height

Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain.675

So saying he went, whose steps the godlike Chief

Attended; and the Telamonian, next,

Huge Ajax, animated thus the Greeks.

Oh friends, be men! Deep treasure in your hearts

An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear680

Each to incur the censure of the rest.

Of men so minded more survive than die,

While dastards forfeit life and glory both.

So moved he them, themselves already bent

To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore685

Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass

Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell’d the foe.

Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach’d

Antilochus, and thus his courage roused.

Antilochus! in all the host is none690

Younger, or swifter, or of stronger limb

Than thou. Make trial, therefore, of thy might,

Spring forth and prove it on some Chief of Troy.

He ended and retired, but him his praise

Effectual animated; from the van695

Starting, he cast a wistful eye around

And hurl’d his glittering spear; back fell the ranks

Of Troy appall’d; nor vain his weapon flew,

But Melanippus pierced heroic son

Of Hicetaon, coming forth to fight,700

Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound

Of all his batter’d armor down he fell.

Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound

Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair

The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead,705

So thee, O Melanippus! to despoil

Of thy bright arms valiant Antilochus

Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye

Of noble Hector, who through all the war

Ran to encounter him; his dread approach710

Antilochus, although expert in arms,

Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds,

Conscious of injury that he hath done,

Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog,

Escapes, ere yet the peasantry arise,715

So fled the son of Nestor, after whom

The Trojans clamoring and Hector pour’d

Darts numberless; but at the front arrived

Of his own phalanx, there he turn’d and stood.

Then, eager as voracious lions, rush’d720

The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind

Of Jove accomplishing who them impell’d

Continual, calling all their courage forth,

While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took

Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium’s host.725

For Jove’s unalter’d purpose was to give

Success to Priameian Hector’s arms,[14]

That he might cast into the fleet of Greece

Devouring flames, and that no part might fail

Of Thetis’ ruthless prayer; that sight alone730

He watch’d to see, one galley in a blaze,

Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight

To Ilium’s host, but glory to the Greeks.

Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved

To that assault Hector, himself prepared735

And ardent for the task; nor less he raged

Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize

Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam

Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front

His keen eyes glisten’d, and his helmet mark’d740

The agitation wild with which he fought.

For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven

Assisted Hector, and, although alone

With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach

The heights of glory, for that now his life745

Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on,[15] his hour

To die by Peleus’ mighty son approach’d.

He then, wherever richest arms he saw

And thickest throng, the warrior-ranks essay’d

To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved,750

In even square compact so firm they stood.

As some vast rock beside the hoary Deep

The stress endures of many a hollow wind,

And the huge billows tumbling at his base,

So stood the Danaï, nor fled nor fear’d.755

But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host

Assail’d on every side, and on the van

Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved

Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam

Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm,760

And every seaman trembles at the view

Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes,

Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks.

But he, as leaps a famish’d lion fell

On beeves that graze some marshy meadow’s breadth,765

A countless herd, tended by one unskill’d

To cope with savage beasts in their defence,

Beside the foremost kine or with the last

He paces heedless, but the lion, borne

Impetuous on the midmost, one devours770

And scatters all the rest,[16] so fled the Greeks,

Terrified from above, before the arm

Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove.

All fled, but of them all alone he slew

The Mycenæan Periphetes, son775

Of Copreus custom’d messenger of King

Eurystheus to the might of Hercules.

From such a sire inglorious had arisen

A son far worthier, with all virtue graced,

Swift-footed, valiant, and by none excell’d780

In wisdom of the Mycenæan name;

Yet all but served to ennoble Hector more.

For Periphetes, with a backward step

Retiring, on his buckler’s border trod,

Which swept his heels; so check’d, he fell supine,785

And dreadful rang the helmet on his brows.

Him Hector quick noticing, to his side

Hasted, and, planting in his breast a spear,

Slew him before the phalanx of his friends.

But they, although their fellow-warrior’s fate790

They mourn’d, no succor interposed, or could,

Themselves by noble Hector sore appall’d.

And now behind the ships (all that updrawn

Above the shore, stood foremost of the fleet)

The Greeks retired; in rush’d a flood of foes;795

Then, through necessity, the ships in front

Abandoning, amid the tents they stood

Compact, not disarray’d, for shame and fear

Fast held them, and vociferating each

Aloud, call’d ceaseless on the rest to stand.800

But earnest more than all, guardian of all,

Gerenian Nestor in their parents’ name

Implored them, falling at the knees of each.

Oh friends! be men. Now dearly prize your place

Each in the estimation of the rest.805

Now call to memory your children, wives,

Possessions, parents; ye whose parents live,

And ye whose parents are not, all alike!

By them as if here present, I entreat

That ye stand fast—oh be not turn’d to flight!810

So saying he roused the courage of the Greeks;

Then, Pallas chased the cloud fall’n from above

On every eye; great light the plain illumed

On all sides, both toward the fleet, and where

The undiscriminating battle raged.815

Then might be seen Hector and Hector’s host

Distinct, as well the rearmost who the fight

Shared not, as those who waged it at the ships.

To stand aloof where other Grecians stood

No longer now would satisfy the mind820

Of Ajax, but from deck to deck with strides

Enormous marching, to and fro he swung

With iron studs emboss’d a battle-pole

Unwieldy, twenty and two cubits long.

As one expert to spring from horse to horse,825

From many steeds selecting four, toward

Some noble city drives them from the plain

Along the populous road; him many a youth

And many a maiden eyes, while still secure

From steed to steed he vaults; they rapid fly;830

So Ajax o’er the decks of numerous ships

Stalk’d striding large, and sent his voice to heaven.

Thus, ever clamoring, he bade the Greeks

Stand both for camp and fleet. Nor could himself

Hector, contented, now, the battle wage835

Lost in the multitude of Trojans more,

But as the tawny eagle on full wing

Assails the feather’d nations, geese or cranes

Or swans lithe-neck’d grazing the river’s verge,

So Hector at a galley sable-prow’d840

Darted; for, from behind, Jove urged him on

With mighty hand, and his host after him.

And now again the battle at the ships

Grew furious; thou hadst deem’d them of a kind

By toil untameable, so fierce they strove,845

And, striving, thus they fought. The Grecians judged

Hope vain, and the whole host’s destruction sure;

But nought expected every Trojan less

Than to consume the fleet with fire, and leave

Achaia’s heroes lifeless on the field.850

With such persuasions occupied, they fought.

Then Hector seized the stern of a brave bark

Well-built, sharp-keel’d, and of the swiftest sail,

Which had to Troy Protesiläus brought,

But bore him never thence. For that same ship855

Contending, Greeks and Trojans hand to hand

Dealt slaughter mutual. Javelins now no more

Might serve them, or the arrow-starting bow,

But close conflicting and of one mind all

With bill and battle-axe, with ponderous swords,860

And with long lances double-edged they fought.

Many a black-hilted falchion huge of haft

Fell to the ground, some from the grasp, and some

From shoulders of embattled warriors hewn,

And pools of blood soak’d all the sable glebe.865

Hector that ship once grappled by the stern

Left not, but griping fast her upper edge

With both hands, to his Trojans call’d aloud.

Fire! Bring me fire! Stand fast and shout to heaven!

Jove gives us now a day worth all the past;870

The ships are ours which, in the Gods’ despite

Steer’d hither, such calamities to us

Have caused, for which our seniors most I blame

Who me withheld from battle at the fleet

And check’d the people; but if then the hand875

Of Thunderer Jove our better judgment marr’d,

Himself now urges and commands us on.

He ceased; they still more violent assail’d

The Grecians. Even Ajax could endure,

Whelm’d under weapons numberless, that storm880

No longer, but expecting death retired

Down from the decks to an inferior stand,

Where still he watch’d, and if a Trojan bore

Fire thither, he repulsed him with his spear,

Roaring continual to the host of Greece.885

Friends! Grecian heroes! ministers of Mars!

Be men, my friends! now summon all your might!

Think we that we have thousands at our backs

To succor us, or yet some stronger wall

To guard our warriors from the battle’s force?890

Not so. No tower’d city is at hand,

None that presents us with a safe retreat

While others occupy our station here,

But from the shores of Argos far remote

Our camp is, where the Trojans arm’d complete895

Swarm on the plain, and Ocean shuts us in.

Our hands must therefore save us, not our heels

He said, and furious with his spear again

Press’d them, and whatsoever Trojan came,

Obsequious to the will of Hector, arm’d900

With fire to burn the fleet, on his spear’s point

Ajax receiving pierced him, till at length

Twelve in close fight fell by his single arm.

BOOK XVI.

ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK.

Achilles, at the suit of Patroclus, grants him his own armor, and

permission to lead the Myrmidons to battle. They, sallying, repulse the

Trojans. Patroclus slays Sarpedon, and Hector, when Apollo had first

stripped off his armor and Euphorbus wounded him, slays Patroclus.

BOOK XVI.

Such contest for that gallant bark they waged.

Meantime Patroclus, standing at the side

Of the illustrious Chief Achilles, wept

Fast as a crystal fountain from the height

Of some rude rock pours down its rapid[1] stream.5

Divine Achilles with compassion moved

Mark’d him, and in wing’d accents thus began.[2]

Who weeps Patroclus like an infant girl

Who, running at her mother’s side, entreats

To be uplifted in her arms? She grasps10

Her mantle, checks her haste, and looking up

With tearful eyes, pleads earnest to be borne;

So fall, Patroclus! thy unceasing tears.

Bring’st thou to me or to my people aught

Afflictive? Hast thou mournful tidings learn’d15

Prom Phthia, trusted to thy ear alone?

Menœtius, son of Actor, as they say,

Still lives; still lives his Myrmidons among

Peleus Æacides; whom, were they dead,

With cause sufficient we should both deplore.20

Or weep’st thou the Achaians at the ships

Perishing, for their outrage done to me?

Speak. Name thy trouble. I would learn the cause

To whom, deep-sorrowing, thou didst reply,

Patroclus! Oh Achilles, Peleus’ son!25

Noblest of all our host! bear with my grief,

Since such distress hath on the Grecians fallen.

The bravest of their ships disabled lie,

Some wounded from afar, some hand to hand.

Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds,30

Gall’d by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief,

And Agamemnon suffer by the spear,

And brave Eurypylus an arrow-point

Bears in his thigh. These all, are now the care

Of healing hands. Oh thou art pity-proof,35

Achilles! be my bosom ever free

From anger such as harbor finds in thine,

Scorning all limits! whom, of men unborn,

Hereafter wilt thou save, from whom avert

Disgrace, if not from the Achaians now?40

Ah ruthless! neither Peleus thee begat,

Nor Thetis bore, but rugged rocks sublime,

And roaring billows blue gave birth to thee,

Who bear’st a mind that knows not to relent,

But, if some prophecy alarm thy fears,45

If from thy Goddess-mother thou have aught

Received, and with authority of Jove,

Me send at least, me quickly, and with me

The Myrmidons. A dawn of cheerful hope

Shall thence, it may be, on the Greeks arise.50

Grant me thine armor also, that the foe

Thyself supposing present, may abstain

From battle, and the weary Greeks enjoy

Short respite; it is all that war allows.

We, fresh and vigorous, by our shouts alone55

May easily repulse an army spent

With labor from the camp, and from the fleet,

Such suit he made, alas! all unforewarn’d

That his own death should be the bitter fruit,

And thus Achilles, sorrowful, replied.60

Patroclus, noble friend! what hast thou spoken?

Me neither prophesy that I have heard

Holds in suspense, nor aught that I have learn’d

From Thetis with authority of Jove!

Hence springs, and hence alone, my grief of heart;65

If one, in nought superior to myself

Save in his office only, should by force

Amerce me of my well-earn’d recompense—

How then? There lies the grief that stings my soul.

The virgin chosen for me by the sons70

Of Greece, my just reward, by my own spear

Obtain’d when I Eëtion’s city took,

Her, Agamemnon, leader of the host

From my possession wrung, as I had been

Some alien wretch, unhonor’d and unknown.75

But let it pass; anger is not a flame

To feed for ever; I affirm’d, indeed,

Mine inextinguishable till the shout

Of battle should invade my proper barks;

But thou put on my glorious arms, lead forth80

My valiant Myrmidons, since such a cloud,

So dark, of dire hostility surrounds

The fleet, and the Achaians, by the waves

Hemm’d in, are prison’d now in narrow space.

Because the Trojans meet not in the field85

My dazzling helmet, therefore bolder grown

All Ilium comes abroad; but had I found

Kindness at royal Agamemnon’s hands,

Soon had they fled, and with their bodies chok’d

The streams, from whom ourselves now suffer siege90

For in the hands of Diomede his spear

No longer rages rescuing from death

The afflicted Danaï, nor hear I more

The voice of Agamemnon issuing harsh

From his detested throat, but all around95

The burst[3] of homicidal Hector’s cries,

Calling his Trojans on; they loud insult

The vanquish’d Greeks, and claim the field their own.

Go therefore, my Patroclus; furious fall

On these assailants, even now preserve100

From fire the only hope of our return.

But hear the sum of all; mark well my word;

So shalt thou glorify me in the eyes

Of all the Danaï, and they shall yield

Brisëis mine, with many a gift beside.105

The Trojans from the fleet expell’d, return.

Should Juno’s awful spouse give thee to win

Victory, be content; seek not to press

The Trojans without me, for thou shalt add

Still more to the disgrace already mine.[4]110

Much less, by martial ardor urged, conduct

Thy slaughtering legions to the walls of Troy,

Lest some immortal power on her behalf

Descend, for much the Archer of the skies

Loves Ilium. No—the fleet once saved, lead back115

Thy band, and leave the battle to themselves.

For oh, by all the powers of heaven I would

That not one Trojan might escape of all,

Nor yet a Grecian, but that we, from death

Ourselves escaping, might survive to spread120

Troy’s sacred bulwarks on the ground, alone.

Thus they conferr’d. [5]But Ajax overwhelm’d

Meantime with darts, no longer could endure,

Quell’d both by Jupiter and by the spears

Of many a noble Trojan; hideous rang125

His batter’d helmet bright, stroke after stroke

Sustaining on all sides, and his left arm

That had so long shifted from side to side

His restless shield, now fail’d; yet could not all

Displace him with united force, or move.130

Quick pantings heaved his chest, copious the sweat

Trickled from all his limbs, nor found he time,

However short, to breathe again, so close

Evil on evil heap’d hemm’d him around.

Olympian Muses! now declare, how first135

The fire was kindled in Achaia’s fleet?

Hector the ashen lance of Ajax smote

With his broad falchion, at the nether end,

And lopp’d it sheer. The Telamonian Chief

His mutilated beam brandish’d in vain,140

And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote.

Then Ajax in his noble mind perceived,

Shuddering with awe, the interposing power

Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms

Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain’d to mar145

And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks.

He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark;

Through all her length the conflagration ran

Incontinent, and wrapp’d her stern in flames.

Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said,150

Patroclus, noble charioteer, arise!

I see the rapid run of hostile fires

Already in the fleet—lest all be lost,

And our return impossible, arm, arm

This moment; I will call, myself, the band.155

Then put Patroclus on his radiant arms.

Around his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d,

With argent studs secured; the hauberk rich

Star-spangled to his breast he bound of swift

Æacides; he slung his brazen sword160

With silver bright emboss’d, and his broad shield

Ponderous; on his noble head his casque

He settled elegant, whose lofty crest

Waved dreadful o’er his brows, and last he seized

Well fitted to his gripe two sturdy spears.165

Of all Achilles’ arms his spear alone

He took not; that huge beam, of bulk and length

Enormous, none, Æacides except,

In all Achaia’s host had power to wield.

It was that Pelian ash which from the top170

Of Pelion hewn that it might prove the death

Of heroes, Chiron had to Peleus given.

He bade Automedon his coursers bind

Speedily to the yoke, for him he loved

Next to Achilles most, as worthiest found175

Of trust, what time the battle loudest roar’d.

Then led Automedon the fiery steeds

Swift as wing’d tempests to the chariot-yoke,

Xanthus and Balius. Them the harpy bore

Podarge, while in meadows green she fed180

On Ocean’s side, to Zephyrus the wind.

To these he added, at their side, a third,

The noble Pedasus; him Peleus’ son,

Eëtion’s city taken, thence had brought,

Though mortal, yet a match for steeds divine.185

Meantime from every tent Achilles call’d

And arm’d his Myrmidons. As wolves that gorge

The prey yet panting, terrible in force,

When on the mountains wild they have devour’d

An antler’d stag new-slain, with bloody jaws190

Troop all at once to some clear fountain, there

To lap with slender tongues the brimming wave;

No fears have they, but at their ease eject

From full maws flatulent the clotted gore;

Such seem’d the Myrmidon heroic Chiefs195

Assembling fast around the valiant friend

Of swift Æacides. Amid them stood

Warlike Achilles, the well-shielded ranks

Exhorting, and the steeds, to glorious war.

The galleys by Achilles dear to Jove200

Commanded, when to Ilium’s coast he steer’d,

Were fifty; fifty rowers sat in each,

And five, in whom he trusted, o’er the rest

He captains named, but ruled, himself, supreme.

One band Menestheus swift in battle led,205

Offspring of Sperchius heaven-descended stream.

Him Polydora, Peleus’ daughter, bore

To ever-flowing Sperchius, compress’d,

Although a mortal woman, by a God.

But his reputed father was the son210

Of Perieres, Borus, who with dower

Enrich’d, and made her openly his bride.

Warlike Eudorus led the second band.

Him Polymela, graceful in the dance,

And daughter beautiful of Phylas, bore,215

A mother unsuspected of a child.

Her worshiping the golden-shafted Queen

Diana, in full choir, with song and dance,

The valiant Argicide[6] beheld and loved.

Ascending with her to an upper room,220

All-bounteous Mercury[7] clandestine there

Embraced her, who a noble son produced

Eudorus, swift to run, and bold in fight.

No sooner Ilithya, arbitress

Of pangs puerperal, had given him birth,225

And he beheld the beaming sun, than her

Echechleus, Actor’s mighty son, enrich’d

With countless dower, and led her to his home;

While ancient Phylas, cherishing her boy

With fond affection, reared him as his own.230

The third brave troop warlike Pisander led,

Offspring of Maimalus; he far excell’d

In spear-fight every Myrmidon, the friend

Of Peleus’ dauntless son alone except.

The hoary Phœnix of equestrian fame235

The fourth band led to battle, and the fifth

Laërceus’ offspring, bold Alcimedon.

Thus, all his bands beneath their proper Chiefs

Marshall’d, Achilles gave them strict command—

Myrmidons! all that vengeance now inflict,240

Which in this fleet ye ceased not to denounce

Against the Trojans while my wrath endured.

Me censuring, ye have proclaim’d me oft

Obdurate. Oh Achilles! ye have said,

Thee not with milk thy mother but with bile245

Suckled, who hold’st thy people here in camp

Thus long imprison’d. Unrelenting Chief!

Even let us hence in our sea-skimming barks

To Phthia, since thou can’st not be appeased—

Thus in full council have ye spoken oft.250

Now, therefore, since a day of glorious toil

At last appears, such as ye have desired,

There lies the field—go—give your courage proof.

So them he roused, and they, their leader’s voice

Hearing elate, to closest order drew.255

As when an architect some palace wall

With shapely stones upbuilds, cementing close

A barrier against all the winds of heaven,

So wedged, the helmets and boss’d bucklers stood;

Shield, helmet, man, press’d helmet, man, and shield,260

And every bright-arm’d warrior’s bushy crest

Its fellow swept, so dense was their array.

In front of all, two Chiefs their station took,

Patroclus and Automedon; one mind

In both prevail’d, to combat in the van265

Of all the Myrmidons. Achilles, then,

Retiring to his tent, displaced the lid

Of a capacious chest magnificent

By silver-footed Thetis stow’d on board

His bark, and fill’d with tunics, mantles warm,270

And gorgeous arras; there he also kept

Secure a goblet exquisitely wrought,

Which never lip touched save his own, and whence

He offer’d only to the Sire of all.

That cup producing from the chest, he first275

With sulphur fumed it, then with water rinsed

Pellucid of the running stream, and, last

(His hands clean laved) he charged it high with wine.

And now, advancing to his middle court,

He pour’d libation, and with eyes to heaven280

Uplifted pray’d,[8] of Jove not unobserved.

Pelasgian, Dodonæan Jove supreme,

Dwelling remote, who on Dodona’s heights

Snow-clad reign’st Sovereign, by thy seers around

Compass’d the Selli, prophets vow-constrain’d285

To unwash’d feet and slumbers on the ground!

Plain I behold my former prayer perform’d,

Myself exalted, and the Greeks abased.

Now also grant me, Jove, this my desire!

Here, in my fleet, I shall myself abide,290

But lo! with all these Myrmidons I send

My friend to battle. Thunder-rolling Jove,

Send glory with him, make his courage firm!

That even Hector may himself be taught,

If my companion have a valiant heart295

When he goes forth alone, or only then

The noble frenzy feels that Mars inspires

When I rush also to the glorious field.

But when he shall have driven the battle-shout

Once from the fleet, grant him with all his arms,300

None lost, himself unhurt, and my whole band

Of dauntless warriors with him, safe return!

Such prayer Achilles offer’d, and his suit

Jove hearing, part confirm’d, and part refused;

To chase the dreadful battle from the fleet305

He gave him, but vouchsafed him no return.

Prayer and libation thus perform’d to Jove

The Sire of all, Achilles to his tent

Return’d, replaced the goblet in his chest,

And anxious still that conflict to behold310

Between the hosts, stood forth before his tent.

Then rush’d the bands by brave Patroclus led,

Full on the Trojan host. As wasps forsake

Their home by the way-side, provoked by boys

Disturbing inconsiderate their abode,315

Not without nuisance sore to all who pass,

For if, thenceforth, some traveller unaware

Annoy them, issuing one and all they swarm

Around him, fearless in their broods’ defence,

So issued from their fleet the Myrmidons320

Undaunted; clamor infinite arose,

And thus Patroclus loud his host address’d.

Oh Myrmidons, attendants in the field

On Peleus’ son, now be ye men, my friends!

Call now to mind the fury of your might;325

That we, close-fighting servants of the Chief

Most excellent in all the camp of Greece,

May glory gain for him, and that the wide-

Commanding Agamemnon, Atreus’ son,

May learn his fault, that he dishonor’d foul330

The prince in whom Achaia glories most.

So saying he fired their hearts, and on the van

Of Troy at once they fell; loud shouted all

The joyful Grecians, and the navy rang.

Then, soon as Ilium’s host the valiant son335

Saw of Menœtius and his charioteer

In dazzling armor clad, all courage lost,

Their closest ranks gave way, believing sure

That, wrath renounced, and terms of friendship chosen,

Achilles’ self was there; thus thinking, each340

Look’d every way for refuge from his fate.

Patroclus first, where thickest throng he saw

Gather’d tumultuous around the bark

Of brave Protesilaüs, hurl’d direct

At the whole multitude his glittering spear.345

He smote Pyræchmes; he his horsemen band

Pœonian led from Amydon, and from

Broad-flowing Axius. In his shoulder stood

The spear, and with loud groans supine he fell.

At once fled all his followers, on all sides350

With consternation fill’d, seeing their Chief

And their best warrior, by Patroclus slain.

Forth from the fleet he drove them, quench’d the flames,

And rescued half the ship. Then scatter’d fled

With infinite uproar the host of Troy,355

While from between their ships the Danaï

Pour’d after them, and hideous rout ensued.

As when the king of lightnings, Jove, dispels

From some huge eminence a gloomy cloud,

The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland heights360

Shine all, illumined from the boundless heaven,

So when the Danaï those hostile fires

Had from their fleet expell’d, awhile they breathed,

Yet found short respite, for the battle yet

Ceased not, nor fled the Trojans in all parts365

Alike, but still resisted, from the ships

Retiring through necessity alone.

Then, in that scatter’d warfare, every Chief

Slew one. While Areïlochus his back

Turn’d on Patroclus, sudden with a lance370

His thigh he pierced, and urged the weapon through,

Shivering the bone; he headlong smote the ground.

The hero Menelaus, where he saw

The breast of Thoas by his slanting shield

Unguarded, struck and stretch’d him at his feet.375

Phylides,[9] meeting with preventive spear

The furious onset of Amphiclus, gash’d

His leg below the knee, where brawny most

The muscles swell in man; disparted wide

The tendons shrank, and darkness veil’d his eyes.380

The two Nestoridæ slew each a Chief.

Of these, Antilochus Atymnius pierced

Right through his flank, and at his feet he fell.

With fierce resentment fired Maris beheld

His brother’s fall, and guarding, spear in hand,385

The slain, impetuous on the conqueror flew;

But godlike Thrasymedes[10] wounded first

Maris, ere he Antilochus; he pierced

His upper arm, and with the lance’s point

Rent off and stript the muscles to the bone.390

Sounding he fell, and darkness veil’d his eyes.

They thus, two brothers by two brothers slain,

Went down to Erebus, associates both

Of brave Sarpedon, and spear-practised sons

Of Amisodarus; of him who fed395

Chimæra,[11] monster, by whom many died.

Ajax the swift on Cleobulus sprang,

Whom while he toil’d entangled in the crowd,

He seized alive, but smote him where he stood

With his huge-hafted sword full on the neck;400

The blood warm’d all his blade, and ruthless fate

Benighted dark the dying warrior’s eyes.

Peneleus into close contention rush’d

And Lycon. Each had hurl’d his glittering spear,

But each in vain, and now with swords they met.405

He smote Peneleus on the crested casque,

But snapp’d his falchion; him Peneleus smote

Beneath his ear; the whole blade entering sank

Into his neck, and Lycon with his head

Depending by the skin alone, expired.410

Meriones o’ertaking Acamas

Ere yet he could ascend his chariot, thrust

A lance into his shoulder; down he fell

In dreary death’s eternal darkness whelm’d.

Idomeneus his ruthless spear enforced415

Into the mouth of Erymas. The point

Stay’d not, but gliding close beneath the brain,

Transpierced his spine,[12] and started forth beyond.

It wrench’d his teeth, and fill’d his eyes with blood;

Blood also blowing through his open mouth420

And nostrils, to the realms of death he pass’d.

Thus slew these Grecian leaders, each, a foe.

Sudden as hungry wolves the kids purloin

Or lambs, which haply some unheeding swain

Hath left to roam at large the mountains wild;425

They, seeing, snatch them from beside the dams,

And rend incontinent the feeble prey,

So swift the Danaï the host assail’d

Of Ilium; they, into tumultuous flight

Together driven, all hope, all courage lost.430

Huge Ajax ceaseless sought his spear to cast

At Hector brazen-mail’d, who, not untaught

The warrior’s art, with bull-hide buckler stood

Sheltering his ample shoulders, while he mark’d

The hiss of flying shafts and crash of spears.435

Full sure he saw the shifting course of war

Now turn’d, but scorning flight, bent all his thoughts

To rescue yet the remnant of his friends.

As when the Thunderer spreads a sable storm

O’er ether, late serene, the cloud that wrapp’d440

Olympus’ head escapes into the skies,

So fled the Trojans from the fleet of Greece

Clamoring in their flight, nor pass’d the trench

In fair array; the coursers fleet indeed

Of Hector, him bore safe with all his arms445

Right through, but in the foss entangled foul

He left his host, and struggling to escape.

Then many a chariot-whirling steed, the pole

Broken at its extremity, forsook

His driver, while Patroclus with the shout450

Of battle calling his Achaians on,

Destruction purposed to the powers of Troy.

They, once dispersed, with clamor and with flight

Fill’d all the ways, the dust beneath the clouds

Hung like a tempest, and the steeds firm-hoof’d455

Whirl’d off at stretch the chariots to the town.

He, wheresoe’er most troubled he perceived

The routed host, loud-threatening thither drove,

While under his own axle many a Chief

Fell prone, and the o’ertumbled chariots rang.460

Right o’er the hollow foss the coursers leap’d

Immortal, by the Gods to Peleus given,

Impatient for the plain, nor less desire

Felt he who drove to smite the Trojan Chief,

But him his fiery steeds caught swift away.465

As when a tempest from autumnal skies

Floats all the fields, what time Jove heaviest pours

Impetuous rain, token of wrath divine

Against perverters of the laws by force,

Who drive forth justice, reckless of the Gods;470

The rivers and the torrents, where they dwell,

Sweep many a green declivity away,

And plunge at length, groaning, into the Deep

From the hills headlong, leaving where they pass’d

No traces of the pleasant works of man,475

So, in their flight, loud groan’d the steeds of Troy.

And now, their foremost intercepted all,

Patroclus back again toward the fleet

Drove them precipitate, nor the ascent

Permitted them to Troy for which they strove,480

But in the midway space between the ships

The river and the lofty Trojan wall

Pursued them ardent, slaughtering whom he reached,

And vengeance took for many a Grecian slain.

First then, with glittering spear the breast he pierced485

Of Pronöus, undefended by his shield,

And stretch’d him dead; loud rang his batter’d arms.

The son of Enops, Thestor next he smote.

He on his chariot-seat magnificent

Low-cowering sat, a fear-distracted form,490

And from his palsied grasp the reins had fallen.

Then came Patroclus nigh, and through his cheek

His teeth transpiercing, drew him by his lance

Sheer o’er the chariot front. As when a man

On some projecting rock seated, with line495

And splendid hook draws forth a sea-fish huge,

So him wide-gaping from his seat he drew

At his spear-point, then shook him to the ground

Prone on his face, where gasping he expired.

At Eryalus, next, advancing swift500

He hurl’d a rock; full on the middle front

He smote him, and within the ponderous casque

His whole head open’d into equal halves.

With deadliest night surrounded, prone he fell.

Epaltes, Erymas, Amphoterus,505

Echius, Tlepolemus Damastor’s son,

Evippus, Ipheus, Pyres, Polymelus,

All these he on the champain, corse on corse

Promiscuous flung. Sarpedon, when he saw

Such havoc made of his uncinctured[13] friends510

By Menœtiades, with sharp rebuke

His band of godlike Lycians loud address’d.

Shame on you, Lycians! whither would ye fly?

Now are ye swift indeed! I will oppose

Myself this conqueror, that I may learn515

Who thus afflicts the Trojan host, of life

Bereaving numerous of their warriors bold.

He said, and with his arms leap’d to the ground.

On the other side, Patroclus at that sight

Sprang from his chariot. As two vultures clash520

Bow-beak’d, crook-talon’d, on some lofty rock

Clamoring both, so they together rush’d

With clamors loud; whom when the son observed

Of wily Saturn, with compassion moved

His sister and his spouse he thus bespake.525

Alas, he falls! my most beloved of men

Sarpedon, vanquished by Patroclus, falls!

So will the Fates. Yet, doubtful, much I muse

Whether to place him, snatch’d from furious fight

In Lycia’s wealthy realm, or to permit530

His death by valiant Menœtiades.

To whom his awful spouse, displeased, replied.

How speaks the terrible Saturnian Jove!

Wouldst thou again from pangs of death exempt

A mortal man, destined long since to die?535

Do it. But small thy praise shall be in heaven,

Mark thou my words, and in thy inmost breast

Treasure them. If thou send Sarpedon safe

To his own home, how many Gods _their_ sons

May also send from battle? Weigh it well.540

For under yon great city fight no few

Sprung from Immortals whom thou shalt provoke.

But if thou love him, and thine heart his lot

Commiserate, leave him by the hands to fall

Of Menœtiades in conflict dire;545

But give command to Death and gentle Sleep

That him of life bereft at once they bear

To Lycia’s ample realm,[14] where, with due rites

Funereal, his next kindred and his friends

Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb550

(The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.

She said, from whom the Sire of Gods and men

Dissented not, but on the earth distill’d

A sanguine shower in honor of a son

Dear to him, whom Patroclus on the field555

Of fruitful Troy should slay, far from his home.

Opposite now, small interval between,

Those heroes stood. Patroclus at his waist

Pierced Thrasymelus the illustrious friend

Of King Sarpedon, and his charioteer.560

Spear’d through the lower bowels, dead he fell.

Then hurl’d Sarpedon in his turn a lance,

But miss’d Patroclus and the shoulder pierced

Of Pedasus the horse; he groaning heaved

His spirit forth, and fallen on the field565

In long loud moanings sorrowful expired.

Wide started the immortal pair; the yoke

Creak’d, and entanglement of reins ensued

To both, their fellow slaughter’d at their side.

That mischief soon Automedon redress’d.570

He rose, and from beside his sturdy thigh

Drawing his falchion, with effectual stroke

Cut loose the side-horse; then the pair reduced

To order, in their traces stood composed,

And the two heroes fierce engaged again.575

Again his radiant spear Sarpedon hurl’d,

But miss’d Patroclus; the innocuous point,

O’erflying his left shoulder, pass’d beyond.

Then with bright lance Patroclus in his turn

Assail’d Sarpedon, nor with erring course580

The weapon sped or vain, but pierced profound

His chest, enclosure of the guarded heart.

As falls an oak, poplar, or lofty pine

With new-edged axes on the mountains hewn

Right through, for structure of some gallant bark,585

So fell Sarpedon stretch’d his steeds before

And gnash’d his teeth and clutch’d the bloody dust,

And as a lion slays a tawny bull

Leader magnanimous of all the herd;

Beneath the lion’s jaws groaning he dies;590

So, leader of the shielded Lycians groan’d

Indignant, by Patroclus slain, the bold

Sarpedon, and his friend thus, sad, bespake.

Glaucus, my friend, among these warring Chiefs

Thyself a Chief illustrious! thou hast need595

Of all thy valor now; now strenuous fight,

And, if thou bear within thee a brave mind,

Now make the war’s calamities thy joy.

First, marching through the host of Lycia, rouse

Our Chiefs to combat for Sarpedon slain,600

Then haste, thyself, to battle for thy friend.

For shame and foul dishonor which no time

Shall e’er obliterate, I must prove to thee,

Should the Achaians of my glorious arms

Despoil me in full prospect[15] of the fleet.605

Fight, therefore, thou, and others urge to fight.

He said, and cover’d by the night of death,

Nor look’d nor breath’d again; for on his chest

Implanting firm his heel, Patroclus drew

The spear enfolded with his vitals forth,610

Weapon and life at once. Meantime his steeds

Snorted, by Myrmidons detain’d, and, loosed

From their own master’s chariot, foam’d to fly.

Terrible was the grief by Glaucus felt,

Hearing that charge, and troubled was his heart615

That all power fail’d him to protect the dead.

Compressing his own arm he stood, with pain

Extreme tormented which the shaft had caused

Of Teucer, who while Glaucus climb’d the wall,

Had pierced him from it, in the fleet’s defence.620

Then, thus, to Phœbus, King shaft-arm’d, he pray’d.

Hear now, O King! For whether in the land

Of wealthy Lycia dwelling, or in Troy,

Thou hear’st in every place alike the prayer

Of the afflicted heart, and such is mine;625

Behold my wound; it fills my useless hand

With anguish, neither can my blood be stay’d,

And all my shoulder suffers. I can grasp

A spear, or rush to conflict with the Greeks

No longer now; and we have also lost630

Our noblest Chief, Sarpedon, son of Jove,

Who guards not his own son. But thou, O King!

Heal me, assuage my anguish, give me strength,

That I may animate the Lycian host

To fight, and may, myself, defend the dead!635

Such prayer he offer’d, whom Apollo heard;

He eased at once his pain, the sable blood

Staunch’d, and his soul with vigor new inspired.

Then Glaucus in his heart that prayer perceived

Granted, and joyful for the sudden aid640

Vouchsafed to him by Phœbus, first the lines

Of Lycia ranged, summoning every Chief

To fight for slain Sarpedon; striding next

With eager haste into the ranks of Troy,

Renown’d Agenor and the son he call’d645

Of Panthus, brave Polydamas, with whom

Æneas also, and approaching last

To Hector brazen-mail’d him thus bespake.

Now, Hector! now, thou hast indeed resign’d

All care of thy allies, who, for thy sake,650

Lost both to friends and country, on these plains

Perish, unaided and unmiss’d by thee.

Sarpedon breathless lies, who led to fight

Our shielded bands, and from whose just control

And courage Lycia drew her chief defence.655

Him brazen Mars hath by the spear subdued

Of Menœtiades. But stand ye firm!

Let indignation fire you, O my friends!

Lest, stripping him of his resplendent arms,

The Myrmidons with foul dishonor shame660

His body, through resentment of the deaths

Of numerous Grecians slain by spears of ours.

He ceased; then sorrow every Trojan heart

Seized insupportable and that disdain’d

All bounds, for that, although a stranger born,665

Sarpedon ever had a bulwark proved

To Troy, the leader of a numerous host,

And of that host by none in fight excell’d.

Right on toward the Danaï they moved

Ardent for battle all, and at their head670

Enraged for slain Sarpedon, Hector came.

Meantime, stout-hearted[16] Chief, Patroclus roused

The Grecians, and exhorting first (themselves

Already prompt) the Ajaces, thus began.

Heroic pair! now make it all your joy675

To chase the Trojan host, and such to prove

As erst, or even bolder, if ye may.

The Chief lies breathless who ascended first

Our wall, Sarpedon. Let us bear him hence,

Strip and dishonor him, and in the blood680

Of his protectors drench the ruthless spear.

So Menœtiades his warriors urged,

Themselves courageous. Then the Lycian host

And Trojan here, and there the Myrmidons

With all the host of Greece, closing the ranks685

Rush’d into furious contest for the dead,

Shouting tremendous; clang’d their brazen arms,

And Jove with Night’s pernicious shades[17] o’erhung

The bloody field, so to enhance the more

Their toilsome strife for his own son. First then690

The Trojans from their place and order shock’d

The bright-eyed Grecians, slaying not the least

Nor worst among the Myrmidons, the brave

Epigeus from renown’d Agacles sprung.

He, erst, in populous Budeum ruled,695

But for a valiant kinsman of his own

Whom there he slew, had thence to Peleus fled

And to his silver-footed spouse divine,

Who with Achilles, phalanx-breaker Chief,

Sent him to fight beneath the walls of Troy.700

Him seizing fast the body, with a stone

Illustrious Hector smote full on the front,

And his whole skull within the ponderous casque

Split sheer; he prostrate on the body fell

In shades of soul-divorcing death involved.705

Patroclus, grieving for his slaughter’d friend,

Rush’d through the foremost warriors. As the hawk

Swift-wing’d before him starlings drives or daws,

So thou, Patroclus, of equestrian fame!

Full on the Lycian ranks and Trojan drov’st,710

Resentful of thy fellow-warrior’s fall.

At Sthenelaüs a huge stone he cast,

Son of Ithæmenes, whom on the neck

He smote and burst the tendons; then the van

Of Ilium’s host, with Hector, all retired.715

Far as the slender javelin cuts the air

Hurl’d with collected force, or in the games,

Or even in battle at a desperate foe,

So far the Greeks repulsed the host of Troy.

Then Glaucus first, Chief of the shielded bands720

Of Lycia, slew Bathycles, valiant son

Of Calchon; Hellas was his home, and far

He pass’d in riches all the Myrmidons.

Him chasing Glaucus whom he now attain’d,

The Lycian, turning sudden, with his lance725

Pierced through the breast, and, sounding, down he fell

Grief fill’d Achaia’s sons for such a Chief

So slain, but joy the Trojans; thick they throng’d

The conqueror around, nor yet the Greeks

Forgat their force, but resolute advanced.730

Then, by Meriones a Trojan died

Of noble rank, Laogonus, the son

Undaunted of Onetor great in Troy,

Priest of Idæan Jove. The ear and jaw

Between, he pierced him with a mortal force;735

Swift flew the life, and darkness veil’d his eyes.

Æneas, in return, his brazen spear

Hurl’d at Meriones with ardent hope

To pierce him, while, with nimble[18] steps and short

Behind his buckler made, he paced the field;740

But, warn’d of its approach, Meriones

Bow’d low his head, shunning it, and the spear

Behind him pierced the soil; there quivering stood

The weapon, vain, though from a vigorous arm,

Till spent by slow degrees its fury slept.745

* * * * *

* * * * *[19]

Indignant then Æneas thus exclaim’d.

Meriones! I sent thee such a spear

As reaching thee, should have for ever marr’d750

Thy step, accomplish’d dancer as thou art.

To whom Meriones spear-famed replied.

Æneas! thou wilt find the labor hard

How great soe’er thy might, to quell the force

Of all opposers. Thou art also doom’d755

Thyself to die; and may but spear of mine

Well-aim’d once strike thee full, what strength soe’er

Or magnanimity be thine to boast,

Thy glory in that moment thou resign’st

To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d.760

He said, but him Patroclus sharp reproved.

Why speaks Meriones, although in fight

Approved, thus proudly? Nay, my gallant friend!

The Trojans will not for reproach of ours

Renounce the body. Blood must first be spilt.765

Tongues in debate, but hands in war decide;

Deeds therefore now, not wordy vaunts, we need.

So saying he led the way, whom follow’d close

Godlike Meriones. As from the depth

Of some lone wood that clothes the mountain’s side770

The fellers at their toil are heard remote,

So, from the face of Ilium’s ample plain

Reverberated, was the din of brass

And of tough targets heard by falchions huge

Hard-smitten, and by spears of double-edge.775

None then, no, not the quickest to discern,

Had known divine Sarpedon, from his head

To his foot-sole with mingled blood and dust

Polluted, and o’erwhelm’d with weapons. They

Around the body swarm’d. As hovel-flies780

In spring-time buzz around the brimming pails

With milk bedew’d, so they around the dead.

Nor Jove averted once his glorious eyes

From that dread contest, but with watchful note

Marked all, the future death in battle deep785

Pondering of Patroclus, whether him

Hector should even now slay on divine

Sarpedon, and despoil him of his arms,

Or he should still that arduous strife prolong.

This counsel gain’d as eligible most790

At length his preference: that the valiant friend

Of Peleus’ son should yet again compel

The Trojan host with Hector brazen-mail’d

To Ilium, slaughtering numerous by the way.

First then, with fears unmanly he possess’d795

The heart of Hector; mounting to his seat

He turn’d to flight himself, and bade his host

Fly also; for he knew Jove’s purpose[20] changed.

Thenceforth, no longer even Lycia’s host

Endured, but all fled scatter’d, seeing pierced800

Their sovereign through his heart, and heap’d with dead;

For numerous, while Saturnian Jove the fight

Held in suspense, had on his body fallen.

At once the Grecians of his dazzling arms

Despoil’d Sarpedon, which the Myrmidons805

By order of Menœtius’ valiant son

Bore thence into the fleet. Meantime his will

The Thunderer to Apollo thus express’d.

Phœbus, my son, delay not; from beneath

Yon hill of weapons drawn cleanse from his blood810

Sarpedon’s corse; then, bearing him remote,

Lave him in waters of the running stream,

With oils divine anoint, and in attire

Immortal clothe him. Last, to Death and Sleep,

Swift bearers both, twin-born, deliver him;815

For hence to Lycia’s opulent abodes

They shall transport him quickly, where, with rites

Funereal, his next kindred and his friends

Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb

(The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.820

He ceased; nor was Apollo slow to hear

His father’s will, but, from the Idæan heights

Descending swift into the dreadful field,

Godlike Sarpedon’s body from beneath

The hill of weapons drew, which, borne remote,825

He laved in waters of the running stream,

With oils ambrosial bathed, and clothed in robes

Immortal. Then to Death and gentle Sleep,

Swift-bearers both, twin-born, he gave the charge,

Who placed it soon in Lycia’s wealthy realm.830

Meantime Patroclus, calling to his steeds,

And to Automedon, the Trojans chased

And Lycians, on his own destruction bent

Infatuate; heedless of his charge received

From Peleus’ son, which, well perform’d, had saved835

The hero from his miserable doom.

But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails

Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight

The bravest, and the victory takes with ease

E’en from the Chief whom he impels himself840

To battle, as he now this Chief impell’d.

Who, then, Patroclus! first, who last by thee

Fell slain, what time thyself was call’d to die?

Adrastus first, then Perimus he slew,

Offspring of Megas, then Autonoüs,845

Echechlus, Melanippus, and Epistor,

Pylartes, Mulius, Elasus. All these

He slew, and from the field chased all beside.

Then, doubtless, had Achaia’s sons prevail’d

To take proud-gated Troy, such havoc made850

He with his spear, but that the son of Jove

Apollo, on a tower’s conspicuous height

Station’d, devoted him for Ilium’s sake.

Thrice on a buttress of the lofty wall

Patroclus mounted, and him thrice the God855

With hands immortal his resplendent shield

Smiting, struck down again; but when he rush’d

A fourth time, demon-like, to the assault,

The King of radiant shafts him, stern, rebuked.

Patroclus, warrior of renown, retire!860

The fates ordain not that imperial Troy

Stoop to thy spear, nor to the spear itself

Of Peleus’ son, though mightier far than thou.

He said, and Menœtiades the wrath

Of shaft-arm’d Phœbus shunning, far retired.865

But in the Scæan gate Hector his steeds

Detain’d, uncertain whether thence to drive

Amid the warring multitude again,

Or, loud commandment issuing, to collect

His host within the walls. Him musing long870

Apollo, clad in semblance of a Chief

Youthful and valiant, join’d. Asius he seem’d

Equestrian Hector’s uncle, brother born

Of Hecuba the queen, and Dymas’ son,

Who on the Sangar’s banks in Phrygia dwelt.875

Apollo, so disguised, him thus bespake.

Why, Hector, hast thou left the fight? this sloth

Not well befits thee. Oh that I as far

Thee pass’d in force as thou transcendest me,

Then, not unpunish’d long, should’st thou retire;880

But haste, and with thy coursers solid-hoof’d

Seek out Patroclus, him perchance to slay,

Should Phœbus have decreed that glory thine.

So saying, Apollo join’d the host again.

Then noble Hector bade his charioteer885

Valiant Cebriones his coursers lash

Back into battle, while the God himself

Entering the multitude confounded sore

The Argives, victory conferring proud

And glory on Hector and the host of Troy.890

But Hector, leaving all beside unslain,

Furious impell’d his coursers solid-hoof’d

Against Patroclus; on the other side

Patroclus from his chariot to the ground

Leap’d ardent; in his left a spear he bore,895

And in his right a marble fragment rough,

Large as his grasp. With full collected might

He hurl’d it; neither was the weapon slow

To whom he had mark’d, or sent in vain.

He smote the charioteer of Hector, bold900

Cebriones, King Priam’s spurious son,

Full on the forehead, while he sway’d the reins.

The bone that force withstood not, but the rock

With ragged points beset dash’d both his brows

In pieces, and his eyes fell at his feet.905

He diver-like, from his exalted stand

Behind the steeds pitch’d headlong, and expired;

O’er whom, Patroclus of equestrian fame!

Thou didst exult with taunting speech severe.

Ye Gods, with what agility he dives!910

Ah! it were well if in the fishy deep

This man were occupied; he might no few

With oysters satisfy, although the waves

Were churlish, plunging headlong from his bark

As easily as from his chariot here.915

So then—in Troy, it seems, are divers too!

So saying, on bold Cebriones he sprang

With all a lion’s force, who, while the folds

He ravages, is wounded in the breast,

And, victim of his own fierce courage, dies.920

So didst thou spring, Patroclus! to despoil

Cebriones, and Hector opposite

Leap’d also to the ground. Then contest such

For dead Cebriones those two between

Arose, as in the lofty mountain-tops925

Two lions wage, contending for a deer

New-slain, both hunger-pinch’d and haughty both.

So for Cebriones, alike in arms

Expert, brave Hector and Patroclus strove

To pierce each other with the ruthless spear.930

First, Hector seized his head, nor loosed his hold,

Patroclus, next, his feet, while all beside

Of either host in furious battle join’d.

As when the East wind and the South contend

To shake some deep wood on the mountain’s side,935

Or beech, or ash, or rugged cornel old.

With stormy violence the mingled boughs

Smite and snap short each other, crashing loud;

So, Trojans and Achaians, mingling, slew

Mutual, while neither felt a wish to fly.940

Around Cebriones stood many a spear,

And many a shaft sent smartly from the nerve

Implanted deep, and many a stone of grasp

Enormous sounded on their batter’d shields

Who fought to gain him. He, in eddies lost945

Of sable dust, with his huge trunk huge space

O’erspread, nor steeds nor chariots heeded more.

While yet the sun ascending climb’d the heavens,

Their darts flew equal, and the people fell;

But when he westward journey’d, by a change950

Surpassing hope the Grecians then prevail’d.

They drew Cebriones the hero forth

From all those weapons, and his armor stripp’d

At leisure, distant from the battle’s roar.

Then sprang Patroclus on the Trojan host;955

Thrice, like another Mars, he sprang with shouts

Tremendous, and nine warriors thrice he slew.

But when the fourth time, demon-like, he rush’d

Against them, then, oh then, too manifest

The consummation of thy days approach’d960

Patroclus! whom Apollo, terror-clad

Met then in battle. He the coming God

Through all that multitude knew not, such gloom

Impenetrable him involved around.

Behind him close he stood, and with his palms965

Expanded on the spine and shoulders broad

Smote him; his eyes swam dizzy at the stroke.

Then Phœbus from his head his helmet dash’d

To earth; sonorous at the feet it roll’d

Of many a prancing steed, and all the crest970

Defilement gather’d gross of dust and blood,

Then first; till then, impossible; for how

Should dust the tresses of that helmet shame

With which Achilles fighting fenced his head

Illustrious, and his graceful brows divine?975

But Jove now made it Hector’s; he awhile

Bore it, himself to swift perdition doom’d

His spear brass-mounted, ponderous, huge and long,

Fell shiver’d from his grasp. His shield that swept

His ancle, with its belt dropp’d from his arm,980

And Phœbus loosed the corselet from his breast.

Confusion seized his brain; his noble limbs

Quaked under him, and panic-stunn’d he stood.

Then came a Dardan Chief, who from behind

Enforced a pointed lance into his back985

Between the shoulders; Panthus’ son was he,

Euphorbus, famous for equestrian skill,

For spearmanship, and in the rapid race

Past all of equal age. He twenty men

(Although a learner yet of martial feats,990

And by his steeds then first to battle borne)

Dismounted. He, Patroclus, mighty Chief!

First threw a lance at thee, which yet life

Quell’d not; then snatching hasty from the wound

His ashen beam, he ran into the crowd,995

Nor dared confront in fight even the unarm’d

Patroclus. But Patroclus, by the lance,

And by the stroke of an immortal hand

Subdued, fell back toward his ranks again.

Then, soon as Hector the retreat perceived1000

Of brave Patroclus wounded, issuing forth

From his own phalanx, he approach’d and drove

A spear right through his body at the waist.

Sounding he fell. Loud groan’d Achaia’s host.

As when the lion and the sturdy boar1005

Contend in battle on the mountain-tops

For some scant rivulet, thirst-parch’d alike,

Ere long the lion quells the panting boar;

So Priameian Hector, spear in hand,

Slew Menœtiades the valiant slayer1010

Of multitudes, and thus in accents wing’d,

With fierce delight exulted in his fall.

It was thy thought, Patroclus, to have laid

Our city waste, and to have wafted hence

Our wives and daughters to thy native land,1015

Their day of liberty for ever set.

Fool! for their sakes the feet of Hector’s steeds

Fly into battle, and myself excel,

For their sakes, all our bravest of the spear,

That I may turn from them that evil hour1020

Necessitous. But thou art vulture’s food,

Unhappy youth! all valiant as he is,

Achilles hath no succor given to thee,

Who when he sent the forth whither himself

Would not, thus doubtless gave thee oft in charge:1025

Ah, well beware, Patroclus, glorious Chief!

That thou revisit not these ships again,

Till first on hero-slaughterer Hector’s breast

Thou cleave his bloody corselet. So he spake,

And with vain words thee credulous beguiled.1030

To whom Patroclus, mighty Chief, with breath

Drawn faintly, and dying, thou didst thus reply.

Now, Hector, boast! now glory! for the son

Of Saturn and Apollo, me with ease

Vanquishing, whom they had themselves disarm’d,1035

Have made the victory thine; else, twenty such

As thou, had fallen by my victorious spear.

Me Phœbus and my ruthless fate combined

To slay; these foremost; but of mortal men

Euphorbus, and thy praise is only third.1040

I tell thee also, and within thy heart

Repose it deep—thou shalt not long survive;

But, even now, fate, and a violent death

Attend thee by Achilles’ hands ordain’d

To perish, by Æacides the brave.[21]1045

So saying, the shades of death him wrapp’d around.

Down into Ades from his limbs dismiss’d,

His spirit fled sorrowful, of youth’s prime

And vigorous manhood suddenly bereft

Then, him though dead, Hector again bespake.1050

Patroclus! these prophetic strains of death

At hand, and fate, why hast thou sung to me?

May not the son of Thetis azure-hair’d,

Achilles, perish first by spear of mine?

He said; then pressing with his heel the trunk1055

Supine, and backward thursting it, he drew

His glittering weapon from the wound, nor stay’d,

But lance in hand, the godlike charioteer

Pursued of swift Æacides, on fire

To smite Automedon; but him the steeds1060

Immortal, rapid, by the Gods conferr’d

(A glorious gift) on Peleus, snatch’d away.

BOOK XVII.

ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK.

Sharp contest ensues around the body of Patroclus. Hector puts on the

armor of Achilles. Menelaus, having dispatched Antilochus to Achilles

with news of the death of Patroclus, returns to the battle, and,

together with Meriones, bears Patroclus off the field, while the Ajaces

cover their retreat.

BOOK XVII.