Nor Menelaus, Atreus’ valiant son,

Knew not how Menœtiades had fallen

By Trojan hands in battle; forth he rush’d

All bright in burnish’d armor through his van,

And as some heifer with maternal fears5

Now first acquainted, compasses around

Her young one murmuring, with tender moan,

So moved the hero of the amber locks

Around Patroclus, before whom his spear

Advancing and broad shield, he death denounced10

On all opposers; neither stood the son

Spear-famed of Panthus inattentive long

To slain Patroclus, but approach’d the dead,

And warlike Menelaus thus bespake.

Prince! Menelaus! Atreus’ mighty son!15

Yield. Leave the body and these gory spoils;

For of the Trojans or allies of Troy

None sooner made Patroclus bleed than I.

Seek not to rob me, therefore, of my praise

Among the Trojans, lest my spear assail20

Thee also, and thou perish premature.[1]

To whom, indignant, Atreus’ son replied.

Self-praise, the Gods do know, is little worth.

But neither lion may in pride compare

Nor panther, nor the savage boar whose heart’s25

High temper flashes in his eyes, with these

The spear accomplish’d youths of Panthus’ house.

Yet Hyperenor of equestrian fame

Lived not his lusty manhood to enjoy,

Who scoffingly defied my force in arms,30

And call’d me most contemptible in fight

Of all the Danaï. But him, I ween,

His feet bore never hence to cheer at home

His wife and parents with his glad return.

So also shall thy courage fierce be tamed,35

If thou oppose me. I command thee, go—

Mix with the multitude; withstand not me,

Lest evil overtake thee! To be taught

By sufferings only, is the part of fools.

He said, but him sway’d not, who thus replied.40

Now, even now, Atrides! thou shalt rue

My brother’s blood which thou hast shed, and mak’st

His death thy boast. Thou hast his blooming bride

Widow’d, and thou hast fill’d his parents’ hearts

With anguish of unutterable wo;45

But bearing hence thy armor and thy head

To Troy, and casting them at Panthus’ feet,

And at the feet of Phrontis, his espoused,

I shall console the miserable pair.

Nor will I leave that service unessay’d50

Longer, nor will I fail through want of force,

Of courage, or of terrible address.

He ceased, and smote his shield, nor pierced the disk,

But bent his point against the stubborn brass.

Then Menelaus, prayer preferring first55

To Jove,[2] assail’d Euphorbus in his turn,

Whom pacing backward in the throat he struck,

And both hands and his full force the spear

Impelled, urged it through his neck behind.

Sounding he fell; loud rang his batter’d arms.60

His locks, which even the Graces might have own’d,

Blood-sullied, and his ringlets wound about

With twine of gold and silver, swept the dust.

As the luxuriant olive by a swain

Rear’d in some solitude where rills abound,65

Puts forth her buds, and fann’d by genial airs

On all sides, hangs her boughs with whitest flowers,

But by a sudden whirlwind from its trench

Uptorn, it lies extended on the field;

Such, Panthus’ warlike son Euphorbus seem’d,70

By Menelaus, son of Atreus, slain

Suddenly, and of all his arms despoil’d.

But as the lion on the mountains bred,

Glorious in strength, when he hath seized the best

And fairest of the herd, with savage fangs75

First breaks her neck, then laps the bloody paunch

Torn wide; meantime, around him, but remote,

Dogs stand and swains clamoring, yet by fear

Repress’d, annoy him not nor dare approach;

So there all wanted courage to oppose80

The force of Menelaus, glorious Chief.

Then, easily had Menelaus borne

The armor of the son of Panthus thence,

But that Apollo the illustrious prize

Denied him, who in semblance of the Chief85

Of the Ciconians, Mentes, prompted forth

Against him Hector terrible as Mars,

Whose spirit thus in accents wing’d he roused.

Hector! the chase is vain; here thou pursuest

The horses of Æacides the brave,90

Which thou shalt never win, for they are steeds

Of fiery nature, such as ill endure

To draw or carry mortal man, himself

Except, whom an immortal mother bore.

Meantime, bold Menelaus, in defence95

Of dead Patroclus, hath a Trojan slain

Of highest note, Euphorbus, Panthus’ son,

And hath his might in arms for ever quell’d.

So spake the God and to the fight return’d.

But grief intolerable at that word100

Seized Hector; darting through the ranks his eye,

He knew at once who stripp’d Euphorbus’ arms,

And him knew also lying on the field,

And from his wide wound bleeding copious still.

Then dazzling bright in arms, through all the van105

He flew, shrill-shouting, fierce as Vulcan’s fire

Unquenchable; nor were his shouts unheard

By Atreus’ son, who with his noble mind

Conferring sad, thus to himself began.

Alas! if I forsake these gorgeous spoils,110

And leave Patroclus for my glory slain,

I fear lest the Achaians at that sight

Incensed, reproach me; and if, urged by shame,

I fight with Hector and his host, alone,

Lest, hemm’d around by multitudes, I fall;115

For Hector, by his whole embattled force

Attended, comes. But whither tend my thoughts?

No man may combat with another fenced

By power divine and whom the Gods exalt,

But he must draw down wo on his own head.120

Me, therefore, none of all Achaia’s host

Will blame indignant, seeing my retreat

From Hector, whom themselves the Gods assist.

But might the battle-shout of Ajax once

Reach me, with force united we would strive,125

Even in opposition to a God,

To rescue for Achilles’ sake, his friend.

Task arduous! but less arduous than this.

While he thus meditated, swift advanced

The Trojan ranks, with Hector at their head.130

He then, retiring slow, and turning oft,

Forsook the body. As by dogs and swains

With clamors loud and spears driven from the stalls

A bearded lion goes, his noble heart

Abhors retreat, and slow he quits the prey;135

So Menelaus with slow steps forsook

Patroclus, and arrived in front, at length,

Of his own phalanx, stood, with sharpen’d eyes

Seeking vast Ajax, son of Telamon.

Him leftward, soon, of all the field he mark’d140

Encouraging aloud his band, whose hearts

With terrors irresistible himself

Phœbus had fill’d. He ran, and at his side

Standing, incontinent him thus bespake.

My gallant Ajax, haste—come quickly—strive145

With me to rescue for Achilles’ sake

His friend, though bare, for Hector hath his arms.

He said, and by his words the noble mind

Of Ajax roused; issuing through the van

He went, and Menelaus at his side.150

Hector the body of Patroclus dragg’d,

Stript of his arms, with falchion keen erelong

Purposing to strike off his head, and cast

His trunk, drawn distant, to the dogs of Troy.

But Ajax, with broad shield tower-like, approach’d.155

Then Hector, to his bands retreating, sprang

Into his chariot, and to others gave

The splendid arms in charge, who into Troy

Should bear the destined trophy of his praise,

But Ajax with his broad shield guarding stood160

Slain Menœtiades, as for his whelps

The lion stands; him through some forest drear

Leading his little ones, the hunters meet;

Fire glimmers in his looks, and down he draws

His whole brow into frowns, covering his eyes;165

So, guarding slain Patroclus, Ajax lour’d.

On the other side, with tender grief oppress’d

Unspeakable, brave Menelaus stood.

But Glaucus, leader of the Lycian band,

Son of Hippolochus, in bitter terms170

Indignant, reprimanded Hector thus,

Ah, Hector, Chieftain of excelling form,

But all unfurnish’d with a warrior’s heart!

Unwarranted I deem thy great renown

Who art to flight addicted. Think, henceforth,175

How ye shall save city and citadel

Thou and thy people born in Troy, alone.

No Lycian shall, at least, in your defence

Fight with the Grecians, for our ceaseless toil

In arms, hath ever been a thankless task.180

Inglorious Chief! how wilt thou save a worse

From warring crowds, who hast Sarpedon left

Thy guest, thy friend, to be a spoil, a prey

To yonder Argives? While he lived he much

Thee and thy city profited, whom dead185

Thou fear’st to rescue even from the dogs.

Now, therefore, may but my advice prevail,

Back to your country, Lycians! so, at once,

Shall remediless ruin fall on Troy.

For had the Trojans now a daring heart190

Intrepid, such as in the breast resides

Of laborers in their country’s dear behalf,

We soon should drag Patroclus into Troy;

And were his body, from the battle drawn,

In Priam’s royal city once secured,195

As soon, the Argives would in ransom give

Sarpedon’s body with his splendid arms

To be conducted safe into the town.

For when Patroclus fell, the friend was slain

Of such a Chief as is not in the fleet200

For valor, and his bands are dauntless all.

But thou, at the first glimpse of Ajax’ eye

Confounded, hast not dared in arms to face

That warrior bold, superior far to thee.

To whom brave Hector, frowning stern, replied,205

Why, Glaucus! should a Chief like thee his tongue

Presume to employ thus haughtily? My friend!

I thee accounted wisest, once, of all

Who dwell in fruitful Lycia, but thy speech

Now utter’d altogether merits blame,210

In which thou tell’st me that I fear to stand

Against vast Ajax. Know that I from fight

Shrink not, nor yet from sound of prancing steeds;

But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails

Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight215

The bravest, and the victory takes with ease

Even from those whom once he favor’d most.

But hither, friend! stand with me; mark my deed;

Prove me, if I be found, as thou hast said,

An idler all the day, or if by force220

I not compel some Grecian to renounce

Patroclus, even the boldest of them all.

He ceased, and to his host exclaim’d aloud.

Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons

Of Dardanus, oh be ye men, my friends!225

Now summon all your fortitude, while I

Put on the armor of Achilles, won

From the renown’d Patroclus slain by me.

So saying, illustrious Hector from the clash

Of spears withdrew, and with his swiftest pace230

Departing, overtook, not far remote,

The bearers of Achilles’ arms to Troy.

Apart from all the horrors of the field

Standing, he changed his armor; gave his own

To be by them to sacred Ilium borne,235

And the immortal arms of Peleus’ son

Achilles, by the ever-living Gods

To Peleüs given, put on. Those arms the Sire,

Now old himself, had on his son conferr’d

But in those arms his son grew never old.240

Him, therefore, soon as cloud-assembler Jove

Saw glittering in divine Achilles’ arms,

Contemplative he shook his brows, and said,

Ah hapless Chief! thy death, although at hand,

Nought troubles thee. Thou wear’st his heavenly245

Who all excels, terror of Ilium’s host.

His friend, though bold yet gentle, thou hast slain

And hast the brows and bosom of the dead

Unseemly bared: yet, bright success awhile

I give thee; so compensating thy lot,250

From whom Andromache shall ne’er receive

Those glorious arms, for thou shalt ne’er return.

So spake the Thunderer, and his sable brows

Shaking, confirm’d the word. But Hector found

The armor apt; the God of war his soul255

With fury fill’d, he felt his limbs afresh

Invigorated, and with loudest shouts

Return’d to his illustrious allies.

To them he seem’d, clad in those radiant arms,

Himself Achilles; rank by rank he pass’d260

Through all the host, exhorting every Chief,

Asteropæus, Mesthles, Phorcys, Medon,

Thersilochus, Deisenor, augur Ennomus,

Chromius, Hippothoüs; all these he roused

To battle, and in accents wing’d began.265

Hear me, ye myriads, neighbors and allies!

For not through fond desire to fill the plain

With multitudes, have I convened you here

Each from his city, but that well-inclined

To Ilium, ye might help to guard our wives270

And little ones against the host of Greece.

Therefore it is that forage large and gifts

Providing for you, I exhaust the stores

Of Troy, and drain our people for your sake.

Turn then direct against them, and his life275

Save each, or lose; it is the course of war.

Him who shall drag, though dead, Patroclus home

Into the host of Troy, and shall repulse

Ajax, I will reward with half the spoils

And half shall be my own; glory and praise280

Shall also be his meed, equal to mine.

He ended; they compact with lifted spears

Bore on the Danaï, conceiving each

Warm expectation in his heart to wrest

From Ajax son of Telamon, the dead.285

Vain hope! he many a lifeless Trojan heap’d

On slain Patroclus, but at length his speech

To warlike Menelaus thus address’d.

Ah, Menelaus, valiant friend! I hope

No longer, now, that even we shall ’scape290

Ourselves from fight; nor fear I so the loss

Of dead Patroclus, who shall soon the dogs

Of Ilium, and the fowls sate with his flesh,

As for my life I tremble and for thine,

That cloud of battle, Hector, such a gloom295

Sheds all around; death manifest impends.

Haste—call our best, if even they can hear.

He spake, nor Menelaus not complied,

But call’d aloud on all the Chiefs of Greece.

Friends, senators, and leaders of the powers300

Of Argos! who with Agamemnon drink

And Menelaus at the public feast,

Each bearing rule o’er many, by the will

Of Jove advanced to honor and renown!

The task were difficult to single out305

Chief after Chief by name amid the blaze

Of such contention; but oh, come yourselves

Indignant forth, nor let the dogs of Troy

Patroclus rend, and gambol with his bones!

He ceased, whom Oïliades the swift310

Hearing incontinent, of all the Chiefs

Ran foremost, after whom Idomeneus

Approach’d, and dread as homicidal Mars

Meriones. But never mind of man

Could even in silent recollection name315

The whole vast multitude who, following these

Renew’d the battle on the part of Greece.

The Trojans first, with Hector at their head,

Wedged in close phalanx, rush’d to the assault

As when within some rapid river’s mouth320

The billows and stream clash, on either shore[3]

Loud sounds the roar[3] of waves ejected wide,

Such seem’d the clamors of the Trojan host.

But the Achaians, one in heart, around

Patroclus stood, bulwark’d with shields of brass325

And over all their glittering helmets Jove

Darkness diffused, for he had loved Patroclus

While yet he lived friend of Æacides,

And now, abhorring that the dogs of Troy

Should eat him, urged the Greeks to his defence,330

The host of Troy first shook the Grecian host;

The body left, they fled; yet of them all,

The Trojan powers, determined as they were,

Slew none, but dragg’d the body. Neither stood

The Greeks long time aloof, soon as repulsed335

Again led on by Ajax, who in form

And in exploits all others far excell’d.

Peerless Æacides alone except.

Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d,

In force resembling most some savage boar340

That in the mountains bursting through the brakes,

The swains disperses and their hounds with ease;

Like him, illustrious Ajax, mighty son

Of Telamon, at his assault dispersed

With ease the close imbattled ranks who fought345

Around Patroclus’ body, strong in hope

To achieve it, and to make the glory theirs.

Hippothoüs, a youth of high renown,

Son of Pelasgian Lethus, by a noose

Around his ancle cast dragg’d through the fight350

Patroclus, so to gratify the host

Of Ilium and their Chief; but evil him

Reached suddenly, by none of all his friends

(Though numerous wish’d to save him) turn’d aside.

For swift advancing on him through the crowd355

The son of Telamon pierced, spear in hand,

His helmet brazen-cheek’d; the crested casque,

So smitten, open’d wide, for huge the hand

And ponderous was the spear that gave the blow

And all around its neck, mingled with blood360

Gush’d forth the brain. There, lifeless, down he sank,

Let fall the hero’s foot, and fell himself

Prone on the dead, never to see again?

Deep-soil’d Larissa, never to require

Their kind solicitudes who gave him birth,365

In bloom of life by dauntless Ajax slain.

Then Hector hurl’d at Ajax his bright spear,

But he, forewarn’d of its approach, escaped

Narrowly, and it pierced Schedius instead,

Brave son of Iphitus; he, noblest Chief370

Of the Phocensians, over many reign’d,

Dwelling in Panopeus the far-renown’d.

Entering beneath the clavicle[4] the point

Right through his shoulder’s summit pass’d behind,

And on his loud-resounding arms he fell.375

But Ajax at his waist wounded the son

Of Phœnops, valiant Phorcys, while he stood

Guarding Hippothöus; through his hollow mail

Enforced the weapon drank his inmost life,

And in his palm, supine, he clench’d the dust.380

Then, Hector with the foremost Chiefs of Troy

Fell back; the Argives sent a shout to heaven,

And dragging Phorcys and Hippothöus thence

Stripp’d both. In that bright moment Ilium’s host

Fear-quell’d before Achaia’s warlike sons385

Had Troy re-enter’d, and the host of Greece

By matchless might and fortitude their own

Had snatch’d a victory from the grasp of fate,

But that, himself, the King of radiant shafts

Æneas roused; Epytis’ son he seem’d390

Periphas, ancient in the service grown

Of old Anchises whom he dearly loved;

His form assumed, Apollo thus began.

How could ye save, Æneas, were the Gods

Your enemies, the towers of lofty Troy?395

As I have others seen, warriors who would,

Men fill’d with might and valor, firm themselves

And Chiefs of multitudes disdaining fear.

But Jove to us the victory far more

Than to the Grecians wills; therefore the fault400

Is yours, who tremble and refuse the fight.

He ended, whom Æneas marking, knew

At once the glorious Archer of the skies,

And thus to distant Hector call’d aloud.

Oh, Hector, and ye other Chiefs of Troy405

And of her brave confederates! Shame it were

Should we re-enter Ilium, driven to flight

By dastard fear before the host of Greece.

A God assured me even now, that Jove,

Supreme in battle, gives his aid to Troy.410

Rush, therefore, on the Danaï direct,

Nor let them, safe at least and unannoy’d,

Bear hence Patroclus’ body to the fleet.

He spake, and starting far into the van

Stood foremost forth; they, wheeling, faced the Greeks.415

Then, spear in hand, Æneas smote the friend

Of Lycomedes, brave Leocritus,

Son of Arisbas. Lycomedes saw

Compassionate his death, and drawing nigh

First stood, then hurling his resplendent lance,420

Right through the liver Apisaon pierced

Offspring of Hippasus, his chest beneath,

And, lifeless, instant, on the field he fell.

He from Pæonia the deep soil’d to Troy

Came forth, Asteropæus sole except,425

Bravest of all Pæonia’s band in arms.

Asteropæus saw, and to the van

Sprang forth for furious combat well prepared,

But room for fight found none, so thick a fence

Of shields and ported spears fronted secure430

The phalanx guarding Menœtiades.

For Ajax ranging all the ranks, aloud

Admonish’d them that no man yielding ground

Should leave Patroclus, or advance before

The rest, but all alike fight and stand fast.435

Such order gave huge Ajax; purple gore

Drench’d all the ground; in slaughter’d heaps they fell

Trojans and Trojan aids of dauntless hearts

And Grecians; for not even they the fight

Waged bloodless, though with far less cost of blood,440

Each mindful to avert his fellow’s fate.

Thus burn’d the battle; neither hadst thou deem’d

The sun himself in heaven unquench’d, or moon,

Beneath a cope so dense of darkness strove

Unceasing all the most renown’d in arms445

For Menœtiades. Meantime the war,

Wherever else, the bright-arm’d Grecians waged

And Trojans under skies serene. The sun

On them his radiance darted; not a cloud,

From mountain or from vale rising, allay’d450

His fervor; there at distance due they fought

And paused by turns, and shunn’d the cruel dart.

But in the middle field not war alone

They suffer’d, but night also; ruthless raged

The iron storm, and all the mightiest bled.455

Two glorious Chiefs, the while, Antilochus

And Thrasymedes, had no tidings heard

Of brave Patroclus slain, but deem’d him still

Living, and troubling still the host of Troy;

For watchful[5] only to prevent the flight460

Or slaughter of their fellow-warriors, they

Maintain’d a distant station, so enjoin’d

By Nestor when he sent them to the field.

But fiery conflict arduous employ’d

The rest all day continual; knees and legs,465

Feet, hands, and eyes of those who fought to guard

The valiant friend of swift Æacides

Sweat gather’d foul and dust. As when a man

A huge ox-hide drunken with slippery lard

Gives to be stretch’d, his servants all around470

Disposed, just intervals between, the task

Ply strenuous, and while many straining hard

Extend it equal on all sides, it sweats

The moisture out, and drinks the unction in,[6]

So they, in narrow space struggling, the dead475

Dragg’d every way, warm hope conceiving, these

To drag him thence to Troy, those, to the ships.

Wild tumult raged around him; neither Mars,

Gatherer of hosts to battle, nor herself

Pallas, however angry, had beheld480

That conflict with disdain, Jove to such length

Protracted on that day the bloody toil

Of steeds and men for Menœtiades.

Nor knew divine Achilles or had aught

Heard of Patroclus slain, for from the ships485

Remote they fought, beneath the walls of Troy.

He, therefore, fear’d not for his death, but hope

Indulged much rather, that, the battle push’d

To Ilium’s gates, he should return alive.

For that his friend, unaided by himself490

Or ever aided, should prevail to lay

Troy waste, he nought supposed; by Thetis warn’d

In secret conference oft, he better knew

Jove’s purpose; yet not even she had borne

Those dreadful tidings to his ear, the loss495

Immeasurable of his dearest friend.

They all around the dead fought spear in hand

With mutual slaughter ceaseless, and amid

Achaia’s host thus spake a Chief mail-arm’d.

Shame were it, Grecians! should we seek by flight500

Our galleys now; yawn earth our feet beneath

And here ingulf us rather! Better far

Than to permit the steed-famed host of Troy

To drag Patroclus hence into the town,

And make the glory of this conflict theirs.505

Thus also of the dauntless Trojans spake

A certain warrior. Oh, my friends! although

The Fates ordain us, one and all, to die

Around this body, stand! quit not the field.

So spake the warrior prompting into act510

The courage of his friends, and such they strove

On both sides; high into the vault of heaven

The iron din pass’d through the desart air.

Meantime the horses of Æacides

From fight withdrawn, soon as they understood515

Their charioteer fallen in the dust beneath

The arm of homicidal Hector, wept.

Them oft with hasty lash Diores’ son

Automedon impatient smote, full oft

He stroked them gently, and as oft he chode;[7]520

Yet neither to the fleet ranged on the shore

Of spacious Hellespont would they return,

Nor with the Grecians seek the fight, but stood

As a sepulchral pillar stands, unmoved

Between their traces;[8] to the earth they hung525

Their heads, with plenteous tears their driver mourn’d,

And mingled their dishevell’d manes with dust.

Jove saw their grief with pity, and his brows

Shaking, within himself thus, pensive, said.

Ah hapless pair! Wherefore by gift divine530

Were ye to Peleus given, a mortal king,

Yourselves immortal and from age exempt?

Was it that ye might share in human woes?

For, of all things that breathe or creep the earth,

No creature lives so mere a wretch as man.535

Yet shall not Priameian Hector ride

Triumphant, drawn by you. Myself forbid.

Suffice it that he boasts vain-gloriously

Those arms his own. Your spirit and your limbs

I will invigorate, that ye may bear540

Safe hence Automedon into the fleet.

For I ordain the Trojans still to spread

Carnage around victorious, till they reach

The gallant barks, and till the sun at length

Descending, sacred darkness cover all.545

He said, and with new might the steeds inspired.

They, shaking from their hair profuse the dust,

Between the van of either army whirl’d

The rapid chariot. Fighting as he pass’d,

Though fill’d with sorrow for his slaughter’d friend,550

Automedon high-mounted swept the field

Impetuous as a vulture scattering geese;

Now would he vanish, and now, turn’d again,

Chase through a multitude his trembling foe;

But whomsoe’er he follow’d, none he slew,555

Nor was the task possible to a Chief

Sole in the sacred chariot, both to aim

The spear aright and guide the fiery steeds.

At length Alcimedon, his friend in arms,

Son of Laerceus son of Æmon, him560

Observing, from behind the chariot hail’d

The flying warrior, whom he thus bespake.

What power, Automedon! hath ta’en away

Thy better judgment, and thy breast inspired

With this vain purpose to assail alone565

The Trojan van? Thy partner in the fight

Is slain, and Hector on his shoulders bears,

Elate, the armor of Æacides.

Then, answer thus Automedon return’d,

Son of Diores. Who of all our host570

Was ever skill’d, Alcimedon! as thou

To rule the fire of these immortal steeds,

Save only while he lived, peer of the Gods

In that great art, Patroclus, now no more?

Thou, therefore, the resplendent reins receive575

And scourge, while I, dismounting, wage the fight.

He ceased; Alcimedon without delay

The battle-chariot mounting, seized at once

The lash and reins, and from his seat down leap’d

Automedon. Them noble Hector mark’d,580

And to Æneas at his side began.

Illustrious Chief of Trojans brazen-mail’d

Æneas! I have noticed yonder steeds

Of swift Achilles rushing into fight

Conspicuous, but under sway of hands585

Unskilful; whence arises a fair hope

That we might seize them, wert thou so inclined;

For never would those two dare to oppose

In battle an assault dreadful as ours.

He ended, nor the valiant son refused590

Of old Anchises, but with targets firm

Of season’d hide brass-plated thrown athwart

Their shoulders, both advanced direct, with whom

Of godlike form Aretus also went

And Chromius. Ardent hope they all conceived595

To slay those Chiefs, and from the field to drive

Achilles’ lofty steeds. Vain hope! for them

No bloodless strife awaited with the force

Of brave Automedon; he, prayer to Jove

First offering, felt his angry soul with might600

Heroic fill’d, and thus his faithful friend

Alcimedon, incontinent, address’d.

Alcimedon! hold not the steeds remote

But breathing on my back; for I expect

That never Priameïan Hector’s rage605

Shall limit know, or pause, till, slaying us,

He shall himself the coursers ample-maned

Mount of Achilles, and to flight compel

The Argive host, or perish in the van.

So saying, he call’d aloud on Menelaus610

With either Ajax. Oh, illustrious Chiefs

Of Argos, Menelaus, and ye bold

Ajaces![9] leaving all your best to cope

With Ilium’s powers and to protect the dead,

From friends still living ward the bitter day.615

For hither borne, two Chiefs, bravest of all

The Trojans, Hector and Æneas rush

Right through the battle. The events of war

Heaven orders; therefore even I will give

My spear its flight, and Jove dispose the rest!620

He said, and brandishing his massy spear

Dismiss’d it at Aretus; full he smote

His ample shield, nor stay’d the pointed brass,

But penetrating sheer the disk, his belt

Pierced also, and stood planted in his waist.625

As when some vigorous youth with sharpen’d axe

A pastured bullock smites behind the horns

And hews the muscle through; he, at the stroke

Springs forth and falls, so sprang Aretus forth,

Then fell supine, and in his bowels stood630

The keen-edged lance still quivering till he died.

Then Hector, in return, his radiant spear

Hurl’d at Automedon, who of its flight

Forewarn’d his body bowing prone, the stroke

Eluded, and the spear piercing the soil635

Behind him, shook to its superior end,

Till, spent by slow degrees, its fury slept.

And now, with hand to hilt, for closer war

Both stood prepared, when through the multitude

Advancing at their fellow-warrior’s call,640

The Ajaces suddenly their combat fierce

Prevented. Awed at once by their approach

Hector retired, with whom Æneas went

Also and godlike Chromius, leaving there

Aretus with his vitals torn, whose arms,645

Fierce as the God of war Automedon

Stripp’d off, and thus exulted o’er the slain.

My soul some portion of her grief resigns

Consoled, although by slaughter of a worse,

For loss of valiant Menœtiades.650

So saying, within his chariot he disposed

The gory spoils, then mounted it himself

With hands and feet purpled, as from a bull

His bloody prey, some lion newly-gorged.

And now around Patroclus raged again655

Dread strife deplorable! for from the skies

Descending at the Thunderer’s command

Whose purpose now was to assist the Greeks,

Pallas enhanced the fury of the fight.

As when from heaven, in view of mortals, Jove660

Exhibits bright his bow, a sign ordain’d

Of war, or numbing frost which all the works

Suspends of man and saddens all the flocks;

So she, all mantled with a radiant cloud

Entering Achaia’s host, fired every breast.665

But meeting Menelaus first, brave son

Of Atreus, in the form and with the voice

Robust of Phœnix, him she thus bespake.

Shame, Menelaus, shall to thee redound

For ever, and reproach, should dogs devour670

The faithful friend of Peleus’ noble son

Under Troy’s battlements; but stand, thyself,

Undaunted, and encourage all the host.

To whom the son of Atreus bold in arms.

Ah, Phœnix, friend revered, ancient and sage!675

Would Pallas give me might and from the dint

Shield me of dart and spear, with willing mind

I would defend Patroclus, for his death

Hath touch’d me deep. But Hector with the rage

Burns of consuming fire, nor to his spear680

Gives pause, for him Jove leads to victory.

He ceased, whom Pallas, Goddess azure-eyed

Hearing, rejoiced that of the heavenly powers

He had invoked _her_ foremost to his aid.

His shoulders with new might, and limbs she fill’d,685

And persevering boldness to his breast

Imparted, such as prompts the fly, which oft

From flesh of man repulsed, her purpose yet

To bite holds fast, resolved on human blood.

His stormy bosom with such courage fill’d690

By Pallas, to Patroclus he approach’d

And hurl’d, incontinent, his glittering spear.

There was a Trojan Chief, Podes by name,

Son of Eëtion, valorous and rich;

Of all Troy’s citizens him Hector most695

Respected, in convivial pleasures sweet

His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight,

The hero of the golden locks his belt

Struck with full force and sent the weapon through.

Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks700

Atrides dragg’d the body to his own.

Then drew Apollo near to Hector’s side,

And in the form of Phœnops, Asius’ son,

Of all the foreign guests at Hector’s board

His favorite most, the hero thus address’d.705

What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth

Fear Hector, who from Menelaus shrinks

Once deem’d effeminate, but dragging now

The body of thy valiant friend approved

Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eëtion’s son?710

He spake, and at his words grief like a cloud

Involved the mind of Hector dark around;

Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d

All clad in dazzling brass. Then, lifting high

His tassel’d Ægis radiant, Jove with storms715

Enveloped Ida; flash’d his lightnings, roar’d

His thunders, and the mountain shook throughout.

Troy’s host he prosper’d, and the Greeks dispersed.

First fled Peneleus, the Bœotian Chief,

Whom facing firm the foe Polydamas720

Struck on his shoulder’s summit with a lance

Hurl’d nigh at hand, which slight inscribed the bone.

[10]Leïtus also, son of the renown’d

Alectryon, pierced by Hector in the wrist,

Disabled left the fight; trembling he fled725

And peering narrowly around, nor hoped

To lift a spear against the Trojans more.

Hector, pursuing Leïtus, the point

Encounter’d of the brave Idomeneus

Full on his chest; but in his mail the lance730

Snapp’d, and the Trojans shouted to the skies.

He, in his turn, cast at Deucalion’s son

Idomeneus, who in that moment gain’d[11]

A chariot-seat; but him the erring spear

Attain’d not, piercing Cœranus instead735

The friend and follower of Meriones

From wealthy Lyctus, and his charioteer.

For when he left, that day, the gallant barks

Idomeneus had sought the field on foot,

And triumph proud, full sure, to Ilium’s host740

Had yielded now, but that with rapid haste

Cœranus drove to his relief, from him

The fate averting which himself incurr’d

Victim of Hector’s homicidal arm.

Him Hector smiting between ear and jaw745

Push’d from their sockets with the lance’s point

His firm-set teeth, and sever’d sheer his tongue.

Dismounted down he fell, and from his hand

Let slide the flowing reins, which, to the earth

Stooping, Meriones in haste resumed,750

And briefly thus Idomeneus address’d.

Now drive, and cease not, to the fleet of Greece!

Thyself see’st victory no longer ours.

He said; Idomeneus whom, now, dismay

Seized also, with his lash plying severe755

The coursers ample-maned, flew to the fleet.

Nor Ajax, dauntless hero, not perceived,

Nor Menelaus, by the sway of Jove

The victory inclining fast to Troy,

And thus the Telamonian Chief began.760

Ah! who can be so blind as not to see

The eternal Father, now, with his own hand

Awarding glory to the Trojan host,

Whose every spear flies, instant, to the mark

Sent forth by brave or base? Jove guides them all,765

While, ineffectual, ours fall to the ground.

But haste, devise we of ourselves the means

How likeliest we may bear Patroclus hence,

And gladden, safe returning, all our friends,

Who, hither looking anxious, hope have none770

That we shall longer check the unconquer’d force

Of hero-slaughtering Hector, but expect

[12]To see him soon amid the fleet of Greece.

Oh for some Grecian now to carry swift

The tidings to Achilles’ ear, untaught,775

As I conjecture, yet the doleful news

Of his Patroclus slain! but no such Greek

May I discern, such universal gloom

Both men and steeds envelops all around.

Father of heaven and earth! deliver thou780

Achaia’s host from darkness; clear the skies;

Give day; and (since thy sovereign will is such)

Destruction with it—but oh give us day![13]

He spake, whose tears Jove saw with pity moved,

And chased the untimely shades; bright beam’d the sun785

And the whole battle was display’d. Then spake

The hero thus to Atreus’ mighty son.

Now noble Menelaus! looking forth,

See if Antilochus be yet alive,

Brave son of Nestor, whom exhort to fly790

With tidings to Achilles, of the friend

Whom most he loved, of his Patroclus slain.

He ceased, nor Menelaus, dauntless Chief,

That task refused, but went; yet neither swift

Nor willing. As a lion leaves the stalls795

Wearied himself with harassing the guard,

Who, interdicting him his purposed prey,

Watch all the night; he famish’d, yet again

Comes furious on, but speeds not, kept aloof

By spears from daring hands dismissed, but more800

By flash of torches which, though fierce, he dreads,

Till at the dawn, sullen he stalks away;

So from Patroclus Menelaus went

Heroic Chief! reluctant; for he fear’d

Lest the Achaians should resign the dead,805

Through consternation, to the host of Troy.

Departing, therefore, he admonish’d oft

Meriones and the Ajaces, thus.

Ye two brave leaders of the Argive host,

And thou, Meriones! now recollect810

The gentle manners of Patroclus fallen

Hapless in battle, who by carriage mild

Well understood, while yet he lived, to engage

All hearts, through prisoner now of death and fate.

So saying, the hero amber-hair’d his steps815

Turn’d thence, the field exploring with an eye

Sharp as the eagle’s, of all fowls beneath

The azure heavens for keenest sight renown’d,

Whom, though he soar sublime, the leveret

By broadest leaves conceal’d ’scapes not, but swift820

Descending, even her he makes his prey;

So, noble Menelaus! were thine eyes

Turn’d into every quarter of the host

In search of Nestor’s son, if still he lived.

Him, soon, encouraging his band to fight,825

He noticed on the left of all the field,

And sudden standing at his side, began.

Antilochus! oh hear me, noble friend!

And thou shalt learn tidings of such a deed

As best had never been. Thou know’st, I judge,830

And hast already seen, how Jove exalts

To victory the Trojan host, and rolls

Distress on ours; but ah! Patroclus lies,

Our chief Achaian, slain, whose loss the Greeks

Fills with regret. Haste, therefore, to the fleet,835

Inform Achilles; bid him haste to save,

If save he can, the body of his friend;

He can no more, for Hector hath his arms.

He ceased. Antilochus with horror heard

Those tidings; mute long time he stood, his eyes840

Swam tearful, and his voice, sonorous erst,

Found utterance none. Yet even so distress’d,

He not the more neglected the command

Of Menelaus. Setting forth to run,

He gave his armor to his noble friend845

Laodocus, who thither turn’d his steeds,

And weeping as he went, on rapid feet

Sped to Achilles with that tale of wo.

Nor could the noble Menelaus stay

To give the weary Pylian band, bereft850

Of their beloved Antilochus, his aid,

But leaving them to Thrasymedes’ care,

He flew to Menœtiades again,

And the Ajaces, thus, instant bespake.

He goes. I have dispatch’d him to the fleet855

To seek Achilles; but his coming naught

Expect I now, although with rage he burn

Against illustrious Hector; for what fight

Can he, unarm’d, against the Trojans wage?

Deliberating, therefore, frame we means860

How best to save Patroclus, and to ’scape

Ourselves unslain from this disastrous field.

Whom answer’d the vast son of Telamon.

Most noble Menelaus! good is all

Which thou hast spoken. Lift ye from the earth865

Thou and Meriones, at once, and bear

The dead Patroclus from the bloody field.

To cope meantime with Hector and his host

Shall be our task, who, one in name, nor less

In spirit one, already have the brunt870

Of much sharp conflict, side by side, sustain’d.

He ended; they enfolding in their arms

The dead, upbore him high above the ground

With force united; after whom the host

Of Troy, seeing the body borne away,875

Shouted, and with impetuous onset all

Follow’d them. As the hounds, urged from behind

By youthful hunters, on the wounded boar

Make fierce assault; awhile at utmost speed

They stretch toward him hungering, for the prey,880

But oft as, turning sudden, the stout brawn

Faces them, scatter’d on all sides escape;

The Trojans so, thick thronging in the rear,

Ceaseless with falchions and spears double-edged

Annoy’d them sore, but oft as in retreat885

The dauntless heroes, the Ajaces turn’d

To face them, deadly wan grew every cheek,

And not a Trojan dared with onset rude

Molest them more in conflict for the dead.

Thus they, laborious, forth from battle bore890

Patroclus to the fleet, tempestuous war

Their steps attending, rapid as the flames

Which, kindled suddenly, some city waste;

Consumed amid the blaze house after house

Sinks, and the wind, meantime, roars through the fire;895

So them a deafening tumult as they went

Pursued, of horses and of men spear-arm’d.

And as two mules with strength for toil endued,

Draw through rough ways down from the distant hills

Huge timber, beam or mast; sweating they go,900

And overlabor’d to faint weariness;

So they the body bore, while, turning oft,

The Ajaces check’d the Trojans. As a mound

Planted with trees and stretch’d athwart the mead

Repels an overflow; the torrents loud905

Baffling, it sends them far away to float

The level land, nor can they with the force

Of all their waters burst a passage through;

So the Ajaces, constant, in the rear

Repress’d the Trojans; but the Trojans them910

Attended still, of whom Æneas most

Troubled them, and the glorious Chief of Troy.

They as a cloud of starlings or of daws

Fly screaming shrill, warn’d timely of the kite

Or hawk, devourers of the smaller kinds,915

So they shrill-clamoring toward the fleet,

Hasted before Æneas and the might

Of Hector, nor the battle heeded more.

Much radiant armor round about the foss

Fell of the flying Grecians, or within920

Lay scatter’d, and no pause of war they found.

BOOK XVIII.

ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK.

Achilles, by command of Juno, shows himself to the Trojans, who fly at

his appearance; Vulcan, at the insistence of Thetis, forges for him a

suit of armor.

BOOK XVIII.

Thus burn’d the battle like devouring fire.

Meantime, Antilochus with rapid steps

Came to Achilles. Him he found before

His lofty barks, occupied, as he stood,

With boding fears of all that had befall’n.5

He groan’d, and to his noble self he said.

Ah! wo is me—why falls Achaia’s host,

With such disorder foul, back on the fleet?

I tremble lest the Gods my anxious thoughts

Accomplish and my mother’s words, who erst10

Hath warn’d me, that the bravest and the best

Of all my Myrmidons, while yet I live,

Slain under Troy, must view the sun no more.

Brave Menœtiades is, doubtless, slain.

Unhappy friend! I bade thee oft, our barks15

Deliver’d once from hostile fires, not seek

To cope in arms with Hector, but return.

While musing thus he stood, the son approach’d

Of noble Nestor, and with tears his cheeks

Bedewing copious, his sad message told.20

Oh son of warlike Peleus! thou shalt hear

Tidings of deeds which best had never been.

Patroclus is no more. The Grecians fight

For his bare corse, and Hector hath his arms.[1]

Then clouds of sorrow fell on Peleus’ son,25

And, grasping with both hands the ashes, down

He pour’d them on his head, his graceful brows

Dishonoring, and thick the sooty shower

Descending settled on his fragrant vest.

Then, stretch’d in ashes, at the vast extent30

Of his whole length he lay, disordering wild

With his own hands, and rending off his hair.

The maidens, captived by himself in war

And by Patroclus, shrieking from the tent

Ran forth, and hemm’d the glorious Chief around.[2]35

All smote their bosoms, and all, fainting, fell.

On the other side, Antilochus the hands

Held of Achilles, mourning and deep groans

Uttering from his noble heart, through fear

Lest Peleus’ son should perish self-destroy’d.40

Loud groan’d the hero, whose loud groans within

The gulfs of ocean, where she sat beside

Her ancient sire, his Goddess-mother heard,

And hearing shriek’d; around her at the voice

Assembled all the Nereids of the deep45

Cymodoce, Thalia, Glauca came,

Nisæa, Spio, Thoa, and with eyes

Protuberant beauteous Halia; came with these

Cymothöe, and Actæa, and the nymph

Of marshes, Limnorea, nor delay’d50

Agave, nor Amphithöe the swift,

Iæra, Doto, Melita, nor thence

Was absent Proto or Dynamene,

Callianira, Doris, Panope,

Pherusa or Amphinome, or fair55

Dexamene, or Galatea praised

For matchless form divine; Nemertes pure

Came also, with Apseudes crystal-bright,

Callianassa, Mæra, Clymene,

Janeira and Janassa, sister pair,60

And Orithya and with azure locks

Luxuriant, Amathea; nor alone

Came these, but every ocean-nymph beside,

The silver cave was fill’d; each smote her breast,

And Thetis, loud lamenting, thus began.65

Ye sister Nereids, hear! that ye may all

From my own lips my boundless sorrow learn.

Ah me forlorn! ah me, parent in vain

Of an illustrious birth! who, having borne

A noble son magnanimous, the chief70

Of heroes, saw him like a thriving plant

Shoot vigorous under my maternal care,

And sent him early in his gallant fleet

Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy.

But him from fight return’d I shall receive75

Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more;

And while he lives, and on the sun his eyes

Opens, he mourns, nor, going, can I aught

Assist him; yet I go, that I may see

My darling son, and from his lips be taught80

What grief hath now befallen him, who close

Abiding in his tent shares not the war.

So saying she left the cave, whom all her nymphs

Attended weeping, and where’er they pass’d

The breaking billows open’d wide a way.85

At fruitful Troy arrived, in order fair

They climb’d the beach, where by his numerous barks

Encompass’d, swift Achilles sighing lay.

Then, drawing nigh to her afflicted son,

The Goddess-mother press’d between her palms90

His temples, and in accents wing’d inquired.

Why weeps my son? what sorrow wrings thy soul?

Speak, hide it not. Jove hath fulfill’d the prayer

Which erst with lifted hands thou didst prefer,

That all Achaia’s host, wanting thy aid,95

Might be compell’d into the fleet, and foul

Disgrace incur, there prison’d for thy sake.

To whom Achilles, groaning deep, replied.

My mother! it is true; Olympian Jove

That prayer fulfils; but thence, what joy to me,100

Patroclus slain? the friend of all my friends

Whom most I loved, dear to me as my life—

Him I have lost. Slain and despoil’d he lies

By Hector of his glorious armor bright,

The wonder of all eyes, a matchless gift105

Given by the Gods to Peleus on that day

When thee they doom’d into a mortal’s arms.

Oh that with these thy deathless ocean-nymphs

Dwelling content, thou hadst my father left

To espouse a mortal bride, so hadst thou ’scaped110

Pangs numberless which thou must now endure

For thy son’s death, whom thou shalt never meet

From Troy return’d, in Peleus’ mansion more!

For life I covet not, nor longer wish

To mix with human kind, unless my spear115

May find out Hector, and atonement take

By slaying him, for my Patroclus slain.

To whom, with streaming tears, Thetis replied.

Swift comes thy destiny as thou hast said,

For after Hector’s death thine next ensues.120

Then answer, thus, indignant he return’d.

Death, seize me now! since when my friend was slain,

My doom was, not to succor him. He died

From home remote, and wanting me to save him.

Now, therefore, since I neither visit more125

My native land, nor, present here, have aught

Avail’d Patroclus or my many friends

Whom noble Hector hath in battle slain,

But here I sit unprofitable grown,

Earth’s burden, though of such heroic note,130

If not in council foremost (for I yield

That prize to others) yet in feats of arms,

Such as none other in Achaia’s host,

May fierce contention from among the Gods

Perish, and from among the human race,135

With wrath, which sets the wisest hearts on fire;

Sweeter than dropping honey to the taste,

But in the bosom of mankind, a smoke![3]

Such was my wrath which Agamemnon roused,

The king of men. But since the past is fled140

Irrevocable, howsoe’er distress’d,

Renounce we now vain musings on the past,

Content through sad necessity. I go

In quest of noble Hector, who hath slain

My loved Patroclus, and such death will take145

As Jove ordains me and the Powers of Heaven

At their own season, send it when they may.

For neither might the force of Hercules,

Although high-favored of Saturnian Jove,

From death escape, but Fate and the revenge150

Restless of Juno vanquish’d even Him.

I also, if a destiny like his

Await me, shall, like him, find rest in death;

But glory calls me now; now will I make

Some Trojan wife or Dardan with both hands155

Wipe her soft cheeks, and utter many a groan.

Long time have I been absent from the field,

And they shall know it. Love me as thou may’st,

Yet thwart me not, for I am fixt to go.

Whom Thetis answer’d, Goddess of the Deep.160

Thou hast well said, my son! it is no blame

To save from threaten’d death our suffering friends.

But thy magnificent and dazzling arms

Are now in Trojan hands; them Hector wears

Exulting, but ordain’d not long to exult,165

So habited; his death is also nigh.

But thou with yonder warring multitudes

Mix not till thou behold me here again;

For with the rising sun I will return

To-morrow, and will bring thee glorious arms,170

By Vulcan forged himself, the King of fire.[4]

She said, and turning from her son aside,

The sisterhood of Ocean thus address’d.

Plunge ye again into the briny Deep,

And to the hoary Sovereign of the floods175

Report as ye have heard. I to the heights

Olympian haste, that I may there obtain

From Vulcan, glorious artist of the skies,

Arms of excelling beauty for my son.

She said; they plunged into the waves again,180

And silver-footed Thetis, to the heights

Olympian soaring swiftly to obtain

Arms for renown’d Achilles, disappear’d.

Meantime, with infinite uproar the Greeks

From Hector’s hero-slaying arm had fled185

Home to their galleys station’d on the banks

Of Hellespont. Nor yet Achaia’s sons

Had borne the body of Patroclus clear

From flight of darts away, but still again

The multitude of warriors and of steeds190

Came on, by Priameian Hector led

Rapid as fire. Thrice noble Hector seized

His ancles from behind, ardent to drag

Patroclus, calling to his host the while;

But thrice, the two Ajaces, clothed with might,195

Shock’d and repulsed him reeling. He with force

Fill’d indefatigable, through his ranks

Issuing, by turns assail’d them, and by turns

Stood clamoring, yet not a step retired;

But as the hinds deter not from his prey200

A tawny lion by keen hunger urged,

So would not both Ajaces, warriors bold,

Intimidate and from the body drive

Hector; and he had dragg’d him thence and won

Immortal glory, but that Iris, sent205

Unseen by Jove and by the powers of heaven,

From Juno, to Achilles brought command

That he should show himself. Full near she drew,

And in wing’d accents thus the Chief address’d.

Hero! most terrible of men, arise!210

protect Patroclus, for whose sake the war

Stands at the fleet of Greece. Mutual prevails

The slaughter, these the dead defending, those

Resolute hence to drag him to the gates

Of wind-swept Ilium. But beyond them all215

Illustrious Hector, obstinate is bent

To win him, purposing to lop his head,

And to exhibit it impaled on high.

Thou then arise, nor longer on the ground

Lie stretch’d inactive; let the thought with shame220

Touch thee, of thy Patroclus made the sport

Of Trojan dogs, whose corse, if it return

Dishonored home, brings with it thy reproach.

To whom Achilles matchless in the race.

Iris divine! of all the Gods, who sent thee?225

Then, thus, the swift ambassadress of heaven.

By Juno sent I come, consort of Jove.

Nor knows Saturnian Jove high-throned, himself,

My flight, nor any of the Immortal Powers,

Tenants of the Olympian heights snow-crown’d.230

Her answer’d then Pelides, glorious Chief.

How shall I seek the fight? they have my arms.

My mother charged me also to abstain

From battle, till she bring me armor new

Which she hath promised me from Vulcan’s hand.235

Meantime, whose armor else might serve my need

I know not, save perhaps alone the shield

Of Telamonian Ajax, whom I deem

Himself now busied in the stormy van,

Slaying the Trojans in my friend’s defence.240

To whom the swift-wing’d messenger of heaven,

Full well we know thine armor Hector’s prize

Yet, issuing to the margin of the foss,

Show thyself only. Panic-seized, perchance,

The Trojans shall from fight desist, and yield245

To the o’ertoil’d though dauntless sons of Greece

Short respite; it is all that war allows.

So saying, the storm-wing’d Iris disappear’d.

Then rose at once Achilles dear to Jove,

Athwart whose shoulders broad Minerva cast250

Her Ægis fringed terrific, and his brows

Encircled with a golden cloud that shot

Fires insupportable to sight abroad.

As when some island, situate afar

On the wide waves, invested all the day255

By cruel foes from their own city pour’d,

Upsends a smoke to heaven, and torches shows

On all her turrets at the close of eve

Which flash against the clouds, kindled in hope

Of aid from neighbor maritime allies,260

So from Achilles’ head light flash’d to heaven.

Issuing through the wall, beside the foss

He stood, but mix’d not with Achaia’s host,

Obedient to his mother’s wise command.

He stood and shouted; Pallas also raised265

A dreadful shout and tumult infinite

Excited throughout all the host of Troy.

Clear as the trumpet’s note when it proclaims

A numerous host approaching to invest

Some city close around, so clear the voice270

Rang of Æacides, and tumult-toss’d

Was every soul that heard the brazen tone.

With swift recoil the long-maned coursers thrust

The chariots back, all boding wo at hand,

And every charioteer astonish’d saw275

Fires that fail’d not, illumining the brows

Of Peleus’ son, by Pallas kindled there.

Thrice o’er the trench Achilles sent his voice

Sonorous, and confusion at the sound

Thrice seized the Trojans, and their famed allies.280

Twelve in that moment of their noblest died

By their own spears and chariots, and with joy

The Grecians from beneath a hill of darts

Dragging Patroclus, placed him on his bier.

Around him throng’d his fellow-warriors bold,285

All weeping, after whom Achilles went

Fast-weeping also at the doleful sight

Of his true friend on his funereal bed

Extended, gash’d with many a mortal wound,

Whom he had sent into the fight with steeds290

And chariot, but received him thence no more.

And now majestic Juno sent the sun,

Unwearied minister of light, although

Reluctant, down into the Ocean stream.[5]

So the sun sank, and the Achaians ceased295

From the all-wasting labors of the war.

On the other side, the Trojans, from the fight

Retiring, loosed their steeds, but ere they took

Thought of refreshment, in full council met.

It was a council at which no man sat,300

Or dared; all stood; such terror had on all

Fallen, for that Achilles had appear’d,

After long pause from battle’s arduous toil.

First rose Polydamas the prudent son

Of Panthus, above all the Trojans skill’d305

Both in futurity and in the past.

He was the friend of Hector, and one night

Gave birth to both. In council one excell’d

And one still more in feats of high renown.

Thus then, admonishing them, he began.310

My friends! weigh well the occasion. Back to Troy

By my advice, nor wait the sacred morn

Here, on the plain, from Ilium’s walls remote

So long as yet the anger of this Chief

’Gainst noble Agamemnon burn’d, so long315

We found the Greeks less formidable foes,

And I rejoiced, myself, spending the night

Beside their oary barks, for that I hoped

To seize them; but I now tremble at thought

Of Peleus’ rapid son again in arms.320

A spirit proud as his will scorn to fight

Here, on the plain, where Greeks and Trojans take

Their common share of danger and of toil,

And will at once strike at your citadel,

Impatient till he make your wives his prey.325

Haste—let us home—else thus shall it befall;

Night’s balmy influence in his tent detains

Achilles now, but rushing arm’d abroad

To-morrow, should he find us lingering here,

None shall mistake him then; happy the man330

Who soonest, then, shall ’scape to sacred Troy!

Then, dogs shall make and vultures on our flesh

Plenteous repast. Oh spare mine ears the tale!

But if, though troubled, ye can yet receive

My counsel, thus assembled we will keep335

Strict guard to-night; meantime, her gates and towers

With all their mass of solid timbers, smooth

And cramp’d with bolts of steel, will keep the town.

But early on the morrow we will stand

All arm’d on Ilium’s towers. Then, if he choose,340

His galleys left, to compass Troy about,

He shall be task’d enough; his lofty steeds

Shall have their fill of coursing to and fro

Beneath, and gladly shall to camp return.

But waste the town he shall not, nor attempt345

With all the utmost valor that he boasts

To force a pass; dogs shall devour him first.

To whom brave Hector louring, and in wrath.

Polydamas, I like not thy advice

Who bidd’st us in our city skulk, again350

Imprison’d there. Are ye not yet content?

Wish ye for durance still in your own towers?

Time was, when in all regions under heaven

Men praised the wealth of Priam’s city stored

With gold and brass; but all our houses now355

Stand emptied of their hidden treasures rare.

Jove in his wrath hath scatter’d them; our wealth

Is marketed, and Phrygia hath a part

Purchased, and part Mæonia’s lovely land.

But since the son of wily Saturn old360

Hath given me glory now, and to inclose

The Grecians in their fleet hemm’d by the sea,

Fool! taint not with such talk the public mind.

For not a Trojan here will thy advice

Follow, or shall; it hath not my consent.365

But thus I counsel. Let us, band by band,

Throughout the host take supper, and let each,

Guarded against nocturnal danger, watch.

And if a Trojan here be rack’d in mind

Lest his possessions perish, let him cast370

His golden heaps into the public maw,[6]

Far better so consumed than by the Greeks.

Then, with the morrow’s dawn, all fair array’d

In battle, we will give them at their fleet

Sharp onset, and if Peleus’ noble son375

Have risen indeed to conflict for the ships,

The worse for him. I shall not for his sake

Avoid the deep-toned battle, but will firm

Oppose his utmost. Either he shall gain

Or I, great glory. Mars his favors deals380

Impartial, and the slayer oft is slain.

So counsell’d Hector, whom with shouts of praise

The Trojans answer’d:—fools, and by the power

Of Pallas of all sober thought bereft!

For all applauded Hector, who had given385

Advice pernicious, and Polydamas,

Whose counsel was discreet and wholesome none.

So then they took repast. But all night long

The Grecians o’er Patroclus wept aloud,

While, standing in the midst, Pelides led390

The lamentation, heaving many a groan,

And on the bosom of his breathless friend

Imposing, sad, his homicidal hands.

As the grim lion, from whose gloomy lair

Among thick trees the hunter hath his whelps395

Purloin’d, too late returning mourns his loss,

Then, up and down, the length of many a vale

Courses, exploring fierce the robber’s foot,

Incensed as he, and with a sigh deep-drawn

Thus to his Myrmidons Achilles spake.400

How vain, alas! my word spoken that day

At random, when to soothe the hero’s fears

Menœtius, then our guest, I promised him

His noble son at Opoeis again,

Living and laden with the spoils of Troy!405

But Jove performs not all the thoughts of man,

For we were both destined to tinge the soil

Of Ilium with our blood, nor I shall see,

Myself, my father in his mansion more

Or Thetis, but must find my burial here.410

Yet, my Patroclus! since the earth expects

Me next, I will not thy funereal rites

Finish, till I shall bring both head and arms

Of that bold Chief who slew thee, to my tent.

I also will smite off, before thy pile,415

The heads of twelve illustrious sons of Troy,

Resentful of thy death. Meantime, among

My lofty galleys thou shalt lie, with tears

Mourn’d day and night by Trojan captives fair

And Dardan compassing thy bier around,420

Whom we, at price of labor hard, ourselves

With massy spears toiling in battle took

From many an opulent city, now no more.

So saying, he bade his train surround with fire

A tripod huge, that they might quickly cleanse425

Patroclus from all stain of clotted gore.

They on the blazing hearth a tripod placed

Capacious, fill’d with water its wide womb,

And thrust dry wood beneath, till, fierce, the flames

Embraced it round, and warm’d the flood within.430

Soon as the water in the singing brass

Simmer’d, they bathed him, and with limpid oil

Anointed; filling, next, his ruddy wounds

With unguent mellow’d by nine circling years,

They stretch’d him on his bed, then cover’d him435

From head to feet with linen texture light,

And with a wide unsullied mantle, last.[7]

All night the Myrmidons around the swift

Achilles stood, deploring loud his friend,

And Jove his spouse and sister thus bespake.440

So then, Imperial Juno! not in vain

Thou hast the swift Achilles sought to rouse

Again to battle; the Achaians, sure,

Are thy own children, thou hast borne them all.

To whom the awful Goddess ample-eyed.445

What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove, most severe?

A man, though mortal merely, and to me

Inferior in device, might have achieved

That labor easily. Can I who boast

Myself the chief of Goddesses, and such450

Not by birth only, but as thine espoused,

Who art thyself sovereign of all the Gods,

Can I with anger burn against the house

Of Priam, and want means of just revenge?

Thus they in heaven their mutual conference455

Meantime, the silver-footed Thetis reach’d

The starr’d abode eternal, brazen wall’d

Of Vulcan, by the builder lame himself

Uprear’d, a wonder even in eyes divine.

She found him sweating, at his bellows huge460

Toiling industrious; tripods bright he form’d

Twenty at once, his palace-wall to grace

Ranged in harmonious order. Under each

Two golden wheels he set, on which (a sight

Marvellous!) into council they should roll465

Self-moved, and to his house, self-moved, return.

Thus far the work was finish’d, but not yet

Their ears of exquisite design affixt,

For them he stood fashioning, and prepared

The rivets. While he thus his matchless skill470

Employ’d laborious, to his palace-gate

The silver-footed Thetis now advanced,

Whom Charis, Vulcan’s well-attired spouse,

Beholding from the palace portal, flew

To seize the Goddess’ hand, and thus inquired.475

Why, Thetis! worthy of all reverence

And of all love, comest thou to our abode,

Unfrequent here? But enter, and accept

Such welcome as to such a guest is due.

So saying, she introduced and to a seat480

Led her with argent studs border’d around

And foot-stool’d sumptuously;[8] then, calling forth

Her spouse, the glorious artist, thus she said.

Haste, Vulcan! Thetis wants thee; linger not.

To whom the artist of the skies replied.485

A Goddess then, whom with much cause I love

And venerate is here, who when I fell

Saved me, what time my shameless mother sought

To cast me, because lame, out of all sight;

Then had I been indeed forlorn, had not490

Eurynome the daughter of the Deep

And Thetis in their laps received me fallen.

Nine years with them residing, for their use

I form’d nice trinkets, clasps, rings, pipes, and chains,

While loud around our hollow cavern roar’d495

The surge of the vast deep, nor God nor man,

Save Thetis and Eurynome, my life’s

Preservers, knew where I was kept conceal’d.

Since, therefore, she is come, I cannot less

Than recompense to Thetis amber-hair’d500

With readiness the boon of life preserved.

Haste, then, and hospitably spread the board

For her regale, while with my best dispatch

I lay my bellows and my tools aside.

He spake, and vast in bulk and hot with toil505

Rose limping from beside his anvil-stock

Upborne, with pain on legs tortuous and weak.

First, from the forge dislodged he thrust apart

His bellows, and his tools collecting all

Bestow’d them, careful, in a silver chest,510

Then all around with a wet sponge he wiped

His visage, and his arms and brawny neck

Purified, and his shaggy breast from smutch;

Last, putting on his vest, he took in hand

His sturdy staff, and shuffled through the door.515

Beside the King of fire two golden forms

Majestic moved, that served him in the place

Of handmaids; young they seem’d, and seem’d alive,

Nor want they intellect, or speech, or force,

Or prompt dexterity by the Gods inspired.520

These his supporters were, and at his side

Attendant diligent, while he, with gait

Uncouth, approaching Thetis where she sat

On a bright throne, seized fast her hand and said,

Why, Thetis! worthy as thou art of love525

And of all reverence, hast thou arrived,

Unfrequent here? Speak—tell me thy desire,

Nor doubt my services, if thou demand

Things possible, and possible to me.

Then Thetis, weeping plenteously, replied.530

Oh Vulcan! Is there on Olympius’ heights

A Goddess with such load of sorrow press’d

As, in peculiar, Jove assigns to me?

Me only, of all ocean-nymphs, he made

Spouse to a man, Peleus Æacides,535

Whose bed, although reluctant and perforce,

I yet endured to share. He now, the prey

Of cheerless age, decrepid lies, and Jove

Still other woes heaps on my wretched head.

He gave me to bring forth, gave me to rear540

A son illustrious, valiant, and the chief

Of heroes; he, like a luxuriant plant

Upran[9] to manhood, while his lusty growth

I nourish’d as the husbandman his vine

Set in a fruitful field, and being grown545

I sent him early in his gallant fleet

Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy;

But him from fight return’d I shall receive,

Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more,

And while he lives and on the sun his eyes550

Opens, affliction is his certain doom,

Nor aid resides or remedy in me.

The virgin, his own portion of the spoils,

Allotted to him by the Grecians—her

Atrides, King of men, resumed, and grief555

Devour’d Achilles’ spirit for her sake.

Meantime, the Trojans shutting close within

Their camp the Grecians, have forbidden them

All egress, and the senators of Greece

Have sought with splendid gifts to soothe my son.560

He, indisposed to rescue them himself

From ruin, sent, instead, Patroclus forth,

Clad in his own resplendent armor, Chief

Of the whole host of Myrmidons. Before

The Scæan gate from morn to eve they fought,565

And on that self-same day had Ilium fallen,

But that Apollo, to advance the fame

Of Hector, slew Menœtius’ noble son

Full-flush’d with victory. Therefore at thy knees

Suppliant I fall, imploring from thine art570

A shield and helmet, greaves of shapely form

With clasps secured, and corselet for my son.

For those, once his, his faithful friend hath lost,

Slain by the Trojans, and Achilles lies,

Himself, extended mournful on the ground.575

Her answer’d then the artist of the skies.

Courage! Perplex not with these cares thy soul.

I would that when his fatal hour shall come,

I could as sure secrete him from the stroke

Of destiny, as he shall soon have arms580

Illustrious, such as each particular man

Of thousands, seeing them, shall wish his own.

He said, and to his bellows quick repair’d,

Which turning to the fire he bade them heave.

Full twenty bellows working all at once595

Breathed on the furnace, blowing easy and free

The managed winds, now forcible, as best

Suited dispatch, now gentle, if the will

Of Vulcan and his labor so required.

Impenetrable brass, tin, silver, gold,590

He cast into the forge, then, settling firm

His ponderous anvil on the block, one hand

With his huge hammer fill’d, one with the tongs.

[10]He fashion’d first a shield massy and broad

Of labor exquisite, for which he form’d595

A triple border beauteous, dazzling bright,

And loop’d it with a silver brace behind.

The shield itself with five strong folds he forged,

And with devices multiform the disk

Capacious charged, toiling with skill divine.600

There he described the earth, the heaven, the sea,

The sun that rests not, and the moon full-orb’d.

There also, all the stars which round about

As with a radiant frontlet bind the skies,

The Pleiads and the Hyads, and the might605

Of huge Orion, with him Ursa call’d,

Known also by his popular name, the Wain,

That spins around the pole looking toward

Orion, only star of these denied

To slake his beams in ocean’s briny baths.610

Two splendid cities also there he form’d

Such as men build. In one were to be seen

Rites matrimonial solemnized with pomp

Of sumptuous banquets; from their chambers forth

Leading the brides they usher’d them along615

With torches through the streets, and sweet was heard

The voice around of Hymenæal song.

Here striplings danced in circles to the sound

Of pipe and harp, while in the portals stood

Women, admiring, all, the gallant show.620

Elsewhere was to be seen in council met

The close-throng’d multitude. There strife arose.

Two citizens contended for a mulct

The price of blood. This man affirm’d the fine

All paid,[11] haranguing vehement the crowd,625

That man denied that he had aught received,

And to the judges each made his appeal

Eager for their award. Meantime the people,

As favor sway’d them, clamor’d loud for each.

The heralds quell’d the tumult; reverend sat630

On polish’d stones the elders in a ring,

Each with a herald’s sceptre in his hand,

Which holding they arose, and all in turn

Gave sentence. In the midst two talents lay

Of gold, his destined recompense whose voice635

Decisive should pronounce the best award.

The other city by two glittering hosts

Invested stood, and a dispute arose

Between the hosts, whether to burn the town

And lay all waste, or to divide the spoil.640

Meantime, the citizens, still undismay’d,

Surrender’d not the town, but taking arms

Secretly, set the ambush in array,

And on the walls their wives and children kept

Vigilant guard, with all the ancient men.645

They sallied; at their head Pallas and Mars

Both golden and in golden vests attired

Advanced, proportion each showing divine,

Large, prominent, and such as Gods beseem’d.

Not such the people, but of humbler size.650

Arriving at the spot for ambush chosen,

A river’s side, where cattle of each kind

Drank, down they sat, all arm’d in dazzling brass.

Apart from all the rest sat also down

Two spies, both looking for the flocks and herds.655

Soon they appear’d, and at their side were seen

Two shepherd swains, each playing on his pipe

Careless, and of the danger nought apprized,

Swift ran the spies, perceiving their approach,

And intercepting suddenly the herds660

And flocks of silver fleece, slew also those

Who fed them. The besiegers, at that time

In council, by the sound alarm’d, their steeds

Mounted, and hasted, instant, to the place;

Then, standing on the river’s brink they fought665

And push’d each other with the brazen lance.

There Discord raged, there Tumult, and the force

Of ruthless Destiny; she now a Chief

Seized newly wounded, and now captive held

Another yet unhurt, and now a third670

Dragg’d breathless through the battle by his feet

And all her garb was dappled thick with blood

Like living men they traversed and they strove,

And dragg’d by turns the bodies of the slain.

He also graved on it a fallow field675

Rich, spacious, and well-till’d. Plowers not few,

There driving to and fro their sturdy teams,

Labor’d the land; and oft as in their course

They came to the field’s bourn, so oft a man

Met them, who in their hands a goblet placed680

Charged with delicious wine. They, turning, wrought

Each his own furrow, and impatient seem’d

To reach the border of the tilth, which black

Appear’d behind them as a glebe new-turn’d,

Though golden. Sight to be admired by all!685

There too he form’d the likeness of a field

Crowded with corn, in which the reapers toil’d

Each with a sharp-tooth’d sickle in his hand.

Along the furrow here, the harvest fell

In frequent handfuls, there, they bound the sheaves.690

Three binders of the sheaves their sultry task

All plied industrious, and behind them boys

Attended, filling with the corn their arms

And offering still their bundles to be bound.

Amid them, staff in hand, the master stood695

Silent exulting, while beneath an oak

Apart, his heralds busily prepared

The banquet, dressing a well-thriven ox

New slain, and the attendant maidens mix’d

Large supper for the hinds of whitest flour.700

There also, laden with its fruit he form’d

A vineyard all of gold; purple he made

The clusters, and the vines supported stood

By poles of silver set in even rows.

The trench he color’d sable, and around705

Fenced it with tin. One only path it show’d

By which the gatherers when they stripp’d the vines

Pass’d and repass’d. There, youths and maidens blithe

In frails of wicker bore the luscious fruit,

While, in the midst, a boy on his shrill harp710

Harmonious play’d, still as he struck the chord

Carolling to it with a slender voice.

They smote the ground together, and with song

And sprightly reed came dancing on behind.[12]

There too a herd he fashion’d of tall beeves715

Part gold, part tin. They, lowing, from the stalls

Rush’d forth to pasture by a river-side

Rapid, sonorous, fringed with whispering reeds.

Four golden herdsmen drove the kine a-field

By nine swift dogs attended. Dreadful sprang720

Two lions forth, and of the foremost herd

Seized fast a bull. Him bellowing they dragg’d,

While dogs and peasants all flew to his aid.

The lions tore the hide of the huge prey

And lapp’d his entrails and his blood. Meantime725

The herdsmen, troubling them in vain, their hounds

Encouraged; but no tooth for lions’ flesh

Found they, and therefore stood aside and bark’d.

There also, the illustrious smith divine

Amidst a pleasant grove a pasture form’d730

Spacious, and sprinkled o’er with silver sheep

Numerous, and stalls and huts and shepherds’ tents.

To these the glorious artist added next,

With various skill delineated exact,

A labyrinth for the dance, such as of old735

In Crete’s broad island Dædalus composed

For bright-hair’d Ariadne.[13] There the youths

And youth-alluring maidens, hand in hand,

Danced jocund, every maiden neat-attired

In finest linen, and the youths in vests740

Well-woven, glossy as the glaze of oil.

These all wore garlands, and bright falchions, those,

Of burnish’d gold in silver trappings hung:—[14]

They with well-tutor’d step, now nimbly ran

The circle, swift, as when, before his wheel745

Seated, the potter twirls it with both hands

For trial of its speed,[15] now, crossing quick

They pass’d at once into each other’s place.

On either side spectators numerous stood

Delighted, and two tumblers roll’d themselves750

Between the dancers, singing as they roll’d.

Last, with the might of ocean’s boundless flood

He fill’d the border of the wondrous shield.

When thus the massy shield magnificent

He had accomplish’d, for the hero next755

He forged, more ardent than the blaze of fire,

A corselet; then, a ponderous helmet bright

Well fitted to his brows, crested with gold,

And with laborious art divine adorn’d.

He also made him greaves of molten tin.760

The armor finish’d, bearing in his hand

The whole, he set it down at Thetis’ feet.

She, like a falcon from the snowy top

Stoop’d of Olympus, bearing to the earth

The dazzling wonder, fresh from Vulcan’s hand.765

BOOK XIX.

ARGUMENT OF THE NINETEENTH BOOK.

Achilles is reconciled to Agamemnon, and clothed in new armor forged by

Vulcan, leads out the Myrmidons to battle.

BOOK XIX.

Now rose the morn in saffron vest attired

From ocean, with new day for Gods and men,

When Thetis at the fleet of Greece arrived,

Bearing that gift divine. She found her son

All tears, and close enfolding in his arms5

Patroclus, while his Myrmidons around

Wept also;[1] she amid them, graceful, stood,

And seizing fast his hand, him thus bespake.

Although our loss be great, yet, oh my son!

Leave we Patroclus lying on the bier10

To which the Gods ordain’d him from the first.

Receive from Vulcan’s hands these glorious arms,

Such as no mortal shoulders ever bore.

So saying, she placed the armor on the ground

Before him, and the whole bright treasure rang.15

A tremor shook the Myrmidons; none dared

Look on it, but all fled. Not so himself.

In him fresh vengeance kindled at the view,

And, while he gazed, a splendor as of fire

Flash’d from his eyes. Delighted, in his hand20

He held the glorious bounty of the God,

And, wondering at those strokes of art divine,

His eager speech thus to his mother turn’d.[2]

The God, my mother! hath bestow’d in truth

Such armor on me as demanded skill25

Like his, surpassing far all power of man.

Now, therefore, I will arm. But anxious fears

Trouble me, lest intrusive flies, meantime,

Breed worms within the spear-inflicted wounds

Of Menœtiades, and fill with taint30

Of putrefaction his whole breathless form.[3]

But him the silver-footed Goddess fair

Thus answer’d. Oh, my son! chase from thy mind

All such concern. I will, myself, essay

To drive the noisome swarms which on the slain35

In battle feed voracious. Should he lie

The year complete, his flesh shall yet be found

Untainted, and, it may be, fragrant too.

But thou the heroes of Achaia’s host

Convening, in their ears thy wrath renounce40

Against the King of men, then, instant, arm

For battle, and put on thy glorious might.

So saying, the Goddess raised his courage high.

Then, through the nostrils of the dead she pour’d

Ambrosia, and the ruddy juice divine45

Of nectar, antidotes against decay.

And now forth went Achilles by the side

Of ocean, calling with a dreadful shout

To council all the heroes of the host.[4]

Then, even they who in the fleet before50

Constant abode, helmsmen and those who held

In stewardship the food and public stores,

All flock’d to council, for that now at length

After long abstinence from dread exploits

Of war, Achilles had once more appear’d.55

Two went together, halting on the spear,

(For still they felt the anguish of their wounds)

Noble Ulysses and brave Diomede,

And took an early seat; whom follow’d last

The King of men, by Coön in the field60

Of furious battle wounded with a lance.

The Grecians all assembled, in the midst

Upstood the swift Achilles, and began.

Atrides! we had doubtless better sped

Both thou and I, thus doing, when at first65

With cruel rage we burn’d, a girl the cause.

I would that Dian’s shaft had in the fleet

Slain her that self-same day when I destroy’d

Lyrnessus, and by conquest made her mine!

Then had not many a Grecian, lifeless now,70

Clench’d with his teeth the ground, victim, alas!

Of my revenge; whence triumph hath accrued

To Hector and his host, while ours have cause

For long remembrance of our mutual strife.

But evils past let pass, yielding perforce75

To sad necessity. My wrath shall cease

Now; I resign it; it hath burn’d too long.

Thou therefore summon forth the host to fight,

That I may learn meeting them in the field,

If still the Trojans purpose at our fleet80

To watch us this night also. But I judge

That driven by my spear to rapid flight,

They shall escape with weary limbs[5] at least.

He ended, and the Grecians brazen-greaved

Rejoiced that Peleus’ mighty son had cast85

His wrath aside. Then not into the midst

Proceeding, but at his own seat, upstood

King Agamemnon, and them thus bespake.

Friends! Grecian heroes! Ministers of Mars!

Arise who may to speak, he claims your ear;90

All interruption wrongs him, and distracts,

Howe’er expert the speaker. Who can hear

Amid the roar of tumult, or who speak?

The clearest voice, best utterance, both are vain

I shall address Achilles. Hear my speech95

Ye Argives, and with understanding mark.

I hear not now the voice of your reproach[6]

First; ye have oft condemn’d me. Yet the blame

Rests not with me; Jove, Destiny, and she

Who roams the shades, Erynnis, caused the offence.100

She fill’d my soul with fury on that day

In council, when I seized Achilles’ prize.

For what could I? All things obey the Gods.

Ate, pernicious Power, daughter of Jove,

By whom all suffer, challenges from all105

Reverence and fear. Delicate are her feet

Which scorn the ground, and over human heads

She glides, injurious to the race of man,

Of two who strive, at least entangling one.

She injured, on a day, dread Jove himself110

Most excellent of all in earth or heaven,

When Juno, although female, him deceived,

What time Alcmena should have brought to light

In bulwark’d Thebes the force of Hercules.

Then Jove, among the gods glorying, spake.115

Hear all! both Gods and Goddesses, attend!

That I may make my purpose known. This day

Birth-pang-dispensing Ilithya brings

An hero forth to light, who, sprung from those

That sprang from me, his empire shall extend120

Over all kingdoms bordering on his own.

To whom, designing fraud, Juno replied.

Thou wilt be found false, and this word of thine

Shall want performance. But Olympian Jove!

Swear now the inviolable oath, that he125

Who shall, this day, fall from between the feet

Of woman, drawing his descent from thee,

Shall rule all kingdoms bordering on his own.

She said, and Jove, suspecting nought her wiles,

The great oath swore, to his own grief and wrong.130

At once from the Olympian summit flew

Juno, and to Achaian Argos borne,

There sought the noble wife[7] of Sthenelus,

Offspring of Perseus. Pregnant with a son

Six months, she now the seventh saw at hand,135

But him the Goddess premature produced,

And check’d Alcmena’s pangs already due.

Then joyful to have so prevail’d, she bore

Herself the tidings to Saturnian Jove.

Lord of the candent lightnings! Sire of all!140

I bring thee tidings. The great prince, ordain’d

To rule the Argive race, this day is born,

Eurystheus, son of Sthenelus, the son

Of Perseus; therefore he derives from thee,

Nor shall the throne of Argos shame his birth.145

She spake; then anguish stung the heart of Jove

Deeply, and seizing by her glossy locks

The Goddess Ate, in his wrath he swore

That never to the starry skies again

And the Olympian heights he would permit150

The universal mischief to return.

Then, whirling her around, he cast her down

To earth. She, mingling with all works of men,

Caused many a pang to Jove, who saw his son

Laborious tasks servile, and of his birth155

Unworthy, at Eurystheus’ will enjoin’d.

So when the hero Hector at our ships

Slew us, I then regretted my offence

Which Ate first impell’d me to commit.

But since, infatuated by the Gods160

I err’d, behold me ready to appease

With gifts of price immense whom I have wrong’d.

Thou, then, arise to battle, and the host

Rouse also. Not a promise yesternight

Was made thee by Ulysses in thy tent165

On my behalf, but shall be well perform’d.

Or if it please thee, though impatient, wait

Short season, and my train shall bring the gifts

Even now; that thou may’st understand and know

That my peace-offerings are indeed sincere.170

To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.

Atrides! Agamemnon! passing all

In glory! King of men! recompense just

By gifts to make me, or to make me none,

That rests with thee. But let us to the fight175

Incontinent. It is no time to play

The game of rhetoric, and to waste the hours

In speeches. Much remains yet unperform’d.

Achilles must go forth. He must be seen

Once more in front of battle, wasting wide180

With brazen spear, the crowded ranks of Troy.

Mark him—and as he fights, fight also ye.

To whom Ulysses ever-wise replied.

Nay—urge not, valiant as thou art thyself,

Achaia’s sons up to the battlements185

Of Ilium, by repast yet unrefresh’d,

Godlike Achilles!—For when phalanx once

Shall clash with phalanx, and the Gods with rage

Both hosts inspire, the contest shall not then

Prove short. Bid rather the Achaians take190

Both food and wine, for they are strength and might.

To stand all day till sunset to a foe

Opposed in battle, fasting, were a task

Might foil the best; for though his will be prompt

To combat, yet the power must by degrees195

Forsake him; thirst and hunger he must feel,

And his limbs failing him at every step.

But he who hath his vigor to the full

Fed with due nourishment, although he fight

All day, yet feels his courage unimpair’d,200

Nor weariness perceives till all retire.

Come then—dismiss the people with command

That each prepare replenishment. Meantime

Let Agamemnon, King of men, his gifts

In presence here of the assembled Greeks205

Produce, that all may view them, and that thou

May’st feel thine own heart gladden’d at the sight.

Let the King also, standing in the midst,

Swear to thee, that he renders back the maid

A virgin still, and strange to his embrace,210

And let thy own composure prove, the while,

That thou art satisfied. Last, let him spread

A princely banquet for thee in his tent,

That thou may’st want no part of just amends.

Thou too, Atrides, shalt hereafter prove215

More just to others; for himself, a King,

Stoops not too low, soothing whom he hath wrong’d.

Him Agamemnon answer’d, King of men.

Thou hast arranged wisely the whole concern,

O Läertiades, and I have heard220

Thy speech, both words and method with delight.

Willing I am, yea more, I wish to swear

As thou hast said, for by the Gods I can

Most truly. Let Achilles, though of pause

Impatient, suffer yet a short delay225

With all assembled here, till from my tent

The gifts arrive, and oaths of peace be sworn.

To thee I give it in peculiar charge

That choosing forth the most illustrious youths

Of all Achaia, thou produce the gifts230

from my own ship, all those which yesternight

We promised, nor the women leave behind.

And let Talthybius throughout all the camp

Of the Achaians, instant, seek a boar

For sacrifice to Jove and to the Sun.235

Then thus Achilles matchless in the race.

Atrides! most illustrious! King of men!

Expedience bids us to these cares attend

Hereafter, when some pause, perchance, of fight

Shall happen, and the martial rage which fires240

My bosom now, shall somewhat less be felt.

Our friends by Priameian Hector slain,

Now strew the field mangled, for him hath Jove

Exalted high, and given him great renown.

But haste, now take refreshment; though, in truth245

Might I direct, the host should by all means

Unfed to battle, and at set of sun

All sup together, this affront revenged.

But as for me, no drop shall pass my lips

Or morsel, whose companion lies with feet250

Turn’d to the vestibule, pierced by the spear,

And compass’d by my weeping train around.

No want of food feel I. My wishes call

For carnage, blood, and agonies and groans.

But him, excelling in all wisdom, thus255

Ulysses answer’d. Oh Achilles! son

Of Peleus! bravest far of all our host!

Me, in no scanty measure, thou excell’st

Wielding the spear, and thee in prudence, I

Not less. For I am elder, and have learn’d260

What thou hast yet to learn. Bid then thine heart

Endure with patience to be taught by me.

Men, satiate soon with battle, loathe the field

On which the most abundant harvest falls,

Reap’d by the sword; and when the hand of Jove265

Dispenser of the great events of war,

Turns once the scale, then, farewell every hope

Of more than scanty gleanings. Shall the Greeks

Abstain from sustenance for all who die?

That were indeed severe, since day by day270

No few expire, and respite could be none.

The dead, die whoso may, should be inhumed.

This, duty bids, but bids us also deem

One day sufficient for our sighs and tears.

Ourselves, all we who still survive the war,275

Have need of sustenance, that we may bear

The lengthen’d conflict with recruited might,

Case in enduring brass.—Ye all have heard

Your call to battle; let none lingering stand

In expectation of a farther call,280

Which if it sound, shall thunder prove to him

Who lurks among the ships. No. Rush we all

Together forth, for contest sharp prepared,

And persevering with the host of Troy.

So saying, the sons of Nestor, glorious Chief,285

He chose, with Meges Phyleus’ noble son,

Thoas, Meriones, and Melanippus

And Lycomedes. These, together, sought

The tent of Agamemnon, King of men.

They ask’d, and they received. Soon they produced290

The seven promised tripods from the tent,

Twice ten bright caldrons, twelve high-mettled steeds,

Seven lovely captives skill’d alike in arts

Domestic, of unblemish’d beauty rare,

And last, Brisëis with the blooming cheeks.295

Before them went Ulysses, bearing weigh’d

Ten golden talents, whom the chosen Greeks

Attended laden with the remnant gifts.

Full in the midst they placed them. Then arose

King Agamemnon, and Talthybius300

The herald, clear in utterance as a God,

Beside him stood, holding the victim boar.

Atrides, drawing forth his dagger bright,

Appendant ever to his sword’s huge sheath,

Sever’d the bristly forelock of the boar,305

A previous offering. Next, with lifted hands

To Jove he pray’d, while, all around, the Greeks

Sat listening silent to the Sovereign’s voice.

He look’d to the wide heaven, and thus he pray’d.

First, Jove be witness! of all Powers above310

Best and supreme; Earth next, and next the Sun!

And last, who under Earth the guilt avenge

Of oaths sworn falsely, let the Furies hear!

For no respect of amorous desire

Or other purpose, have I laid mine hand315

On fair Brisëis, but within my tent

Untouch’d, immaculate she hath remain’d.

And if I falsely swear, then may the Gods

The many woes with which they mark the crime

Of men forsworn, pour also down on me!320

So saying, he pierced the victim in his throat

And, whirling him around, Talthybius, next,

Cast him into the ocean, fishes’ food.[8]

Then, in the centre of Achaia’s sons

Uprose Achilles, and thus spake again.325

Jove! Father! dire calamities, effects

Of thy appointment, fall on human-kind.

Never had Agamemnon in my breast

Such anger kindled, never had he seized,

Blinded by wrath, and torn my prize away,330

But that the slaughter of our numerous friends

Which thence ensued, thou hadst, thyself, ordained.

Now go, ye Grecians, eat, and then to battle.

So saying, Achilles suddenly dissolved

The hasty council, and all flew dispersed335

To their own ships. Then took the Myrmidons

Those splendid gifts which in the tent they lodged

Of swift Achilles, and the damsels led

Each to a seat, while others of his train

Drove forth the steeds to pasture with his herd.340

But when Brisëis, bright as Venus, saw

Patroclus lying mangled by the spear,

Enfolding him around, she shriek’d and tore

Her bosom, her smooth neck and beauteous cheeks.

Then thus, divinely fair, with tears she said.345

Ah, my Patroclus! dearest friend of all

To hapless me, departing from this tent

I left thee living, and now, generous Chief!

Restored to it again, here find thee dead.

How rapid in succession are my woes!350

I saw, myself, the valiant prince to whom

My parents had betroth’d me, slain before

Our city walls; and my three brothers, sons

Of my own mother, whom with long regret

I mourn, fell also in that dreadful field.355

But when the swift Achilles slew the prince

Design’d my spouse, and the fair city sack’d

Of noble Mynes, thou by every art

Of tender friendship didst forbid my tears,

Promising oft that thou would’st make me bride360

Of Peleus’ godlike son, that thy own ship

Should waft me hence to Phthia, and that thyself

Would’st furnish forth among the Myrmidons

Our nuptial feast. Therefore thy death I mourn

Ceaseless, for thou wast ever kind to me.365

She spake, and all her fellow-captives heaved

Responsive sighs, deploring each, in show,

The dead Patroclus, but, in truth, herself.[9]

Then the Achaian Chiefs gather’d around

Achilles, wooing him to eat, but he370

Groan’d and still resolute, their suit refused—

If I have here a friend on whom by prayers

I may prevail, I pray that ye desist,

Nor longer press me, mourner as I am,

To eat or drink, for till the sun go down375

I am inflexible, and _will_ abstain.

So saying, the other princes he dismiss’d

Impatient, but the sons of Atreus both,

Ulysses, Nestor and Idomeneus,

With Phœnix, hoary warrior, in his tent380

Abiding still, with cheerful converse kind

Essay’d to soothe him, whose afflicted soul

All soothing scorn’d till he should once again

Rush on the ravening edge of bloody war.

Then, mindful of his friend, groaning he said385

Time was, unhappiest, dearest of my friends!

When even thou, with diligent dispatch,

Thyself, hast spread a table in my tent,

The hour of battle drawing nigh between

The Greeks and warlike Trojans. But there lies390

Thy body now, gored by the ruthless steel,

And for thy sake I neither eat nor drink,

Though dearth be none, conscious that other wo

Surpassing this I can have none to fear.

No, not if tidings of my father’s death395

Should reach me, who, this moment, weeps, perhaps,

In Phthia tears of tenderest regret

For such a son; while I, remote from home

Fight for detested Helen under Troy.

Nor even were _he_ dead, whom, if he live,400

I rear in Scyros, my own darling son,

My Neoptolemus of form divine.[10]

For still this hope I cherish’d in my breast

Till now, that, of us two, myself alone

Should fall at Ilium, and that thou, restored405

To Phthia, should’st have wafted o’er the waves

My son from Scyros to his native home,

That thou might’st show him all his heritage,

My train of menials, and my fair abode.

For either dead already I account410

Peleus, or doubt not that his residue

Of miserable life shall soon be spent,

Through stress of age and expectation sad

That tidings of my death shall, next, arrive.

So spake Achilles weeping, around whom415

The Chiefs all sigh’d, each with remembrance pain’d

Of some loved object left at home. Meantime

Jove, with compassion moved, their sorrow saw,

And in wing’d accents thus to Pallas spake.

Daughter! thou hast abandon’d, as it seems,420

Yon virtuous Chief for ever; shall no care

Thy mind engage of brave Achilles more?

Before his gallant fleet mourning he sits

His friend, disconsolate; the other Greeks

Sat and are satisfied; he only fasts.425

Go then—instil nectar into his breast,

And sweets ambrosial, that he hunger not.

So saying, he urged Minerva prompt before.

In form a shrill-voiced Harpy of long wing

Through ether down she darted, while the Greeks430

In all their camp for instant battle arm’d.

Ambrosial sweets and nectar she instill’d

Into his breast, lest he should suffer loss

Of strength through abstinence, then soar’d again

To her great Sire’s unperishing abode.435

And now the Grecians from their gallant fleet

All pour’d themselves abroad. As when thick snow

From Jove descends, driven by impetuous gusts

Of the cloud-scattering North, so frequent shone

Issuing from the fleet the dazzling casques,440

Boss’d bucklers, hauberks strong, and ashen spears.

Upwent the flash to heaven; wide all around

The champain laugh’d with beamy brass illumed,

And tramplings of the warriors on all sides

Resounded, amidst whom Achilles arm’d.445

He gnash’d his teeth, fire glimmer’d in his eyes,

Anguish intolerable wrung his heart

And fury against Troy, while he put on

His glorious arms, the labor of a God.

First, to his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d450

Studded with silver, then his corselet bright

Braced to his bosom, his huge sword of brass

Athwart his shoulder slung, and his broad shield

Uplifted last, luminous as the moon.

Such as to mariners a fire appears,455

Kindled by shepherds on the distant top

Of some lone hill; they, driven by stormy winds,

Reluctant roam far off the fishy deep,

Such from Achilles’ burning shield divine

A lustre struck the skies; his ponderous helm460

He lifted to his brows; starlike it shone,

And shook its curling crest of bushy gold,

By Vulcan taught to wave profuse around.

So clad, godlike Achilles trial made

If his arms fitted him, and gave free scope465

To his proportion’d limbs; buoyant they proved

As wings, and high upbore his airy tread.

He drew his father’s spear forth from his case,

Heavy and huge and long. That spear, of all

Achaia’s sons, none else had power to wield;470

Achilles only could the Pelian spear

Brandish, by Chiron for his father hewn

From Pelion’s top for slaughter of the brave.

His coursers, then, Automedon prepared

And Alcimus, adjusting diligent475

The fair caparisons; they thrust the bits

Into their mouths, and to the chariot seat

Extended and made fast the reins behind.

The splendid scourge commodious to the grasp

Seizing, at once Automedon upsprang480

Into his place; behind him, arm’d complete

Achilles mounted, as the orient sun

All dazzling, and with awful tone his speech

Directed to the coursers of his Sire.

Xanthus, and Balius of Podarges’ blood485

Illustrious! see ye that, the battle done,

Ye bring whom now ye bear back to the host

Of the Achaians in far other sort,

Nor leave him, as ye left Patroclus, dead.[11]

Him then his steed unconquer’d in the race,490

Xanthus answer’d from beneath his yoke,

But, hanging low his head, and with his mane

Dishevell’d all, and streaming to the ground.

Him Juno vocal made, Goddess white-arm’d.

And doubtless so we will. This day at least495

We bear thee safe from battle, stormy Chief!

But thee the hour of thy destruction swift

Approaches, hasten’d by no fault of ours,

But by the force of fate and power divine.

For not through sloth or tardiness on us500

Aught chargeable, have Ilium’s sons thine arms

Stript from Patroclus’ shoulders, but a God

Matchless in battle, offspring of bright-hair’d

Latona, him contending in the van

Slew, for the glory of the Chief of Troy.505

We, Zephyrus himself, though by report

Swiftest of all the winds of heaven, in speed

Could equal, but the Fates thee also doom

By human hands to fall, and hands divine.

The interposing Furies at that word510

Suppress’d his utterance,[12] and indignant, thus,

Achilles, swiftest of the swift, replied.

Why, Xanthus, propheciest thou my death?

It ill beseems thee. I already know

That from my parents far remote my doom515

Appoints me here to die; yet not the more

Cease I from feats if arms, till Ilium’s host

Shall have received, at length, their fill of war.

He said, and with a shout drove forth to battle.

BOOK XX.

ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTIETH BOOK.

By permission of Jupiter the Gods descend into the battle, and range

themselves on either side respectively. Neptune rescues Æneas from

death by the hand of Achilles, from whom Apollo, soon after, rescues

Hector. Achilles slays many Trojans.

BOOK XX.

The Grecians, thus, before their lofty ships

Stood arm’d around Achilles, glorious Chief

Insatiable with war, and opposite

The Trojans on the rising-ground appear’d.[1]

Meantime, Jove order’d Themis, from the head5

Of the deep-fork’d Olympian to convene

The Gods in council. She to every part

Proceeding, bade them to the courts of Jove.[2]

Nor of the Floods was any absent thence

Oceanus except, or of the Nymphs10

Who haunt the pleasant groves, or dwell beside

Stream-feeding fountains, or in meadows green.

Within the courts of cloud-assembler Jove

Arrived, on pillar’d thrones radiant they sat,

With ingenuity divine contrived15

By Vulcan for the mighty Sire of all.

Thus they within the Thunderer’s palace sat

Assembled; nor was Neptune slow to hear

The voice of Themis, but (the billows left)

Came also; in the midst his seat he took,20

And ask’d, incontinent, the mind of Jove.[3]

King of the lightnings! wherefore hast thou call’d

The Gods to council? Hast thou aught at heart

Important to the hosts of Greece and Troy?

For on the battle’s fiery edge they stand.25

To whom replied Jove, Sovereign of the storms,

Thou know’st my council, Shaker of the shores!

And wherefore ye are call’d. Although ordain’d

So soon to die, they interest me still.

Myself, here seated on Olympus’ top,30

With contemplation will my mind indulge

Of yon great spectacle; but ye, the rest,

Descend into the field, Trojan or Greek

Each to assist, as each shall most incline.

For should Achilles in the field no foe35

Find save the Trojans, quickly should they fly

Before the rapid force of Peleus’ son.

They trembled ever at his look, and since

Such fury for his friend hath fired his heart,

I fear lest he anticipate the will40

Of Fate, and Ilium perish premature.

So spake the son of Saturn kindling war

Inevitable, and the Gods to fight

’Gan move with minds discordant. Juno sought

And Pallas, with the earth-encircling Power45

Neptune, the Grecian fleet, with whom were join’d

Mercury, teacher of all useful arts,

And Vulcan, rolling on all sides his eyes

Tremendous, but on disproportion’d legs,

Not without labor hard, halting uncouth.50

Mars, warrior-God, on Ilium’s part appear’d

With Phœbus never-shorn, Dian shaft-arm’d,

Xanthus, Latona, and the Queen of smiles,

Venus. So long as the immortal Gods

Mixed not with either host, Achaia’s sons55

Exulted, seeing, after tedious pause,

Achilles in the field, and terror shook

The knees of every Trojan, at the sight

Of swift Achilles like another Mars

Panting for blood, and bright in arms again.60

But when the Olympian Powers had enter’d once

The multitude, then Discord, at whose voice

The million maddens, vehement arose;

Then, Pallas at the trench without the wall

By turns stood shouting, and by turns a shout65

Sent terrible along the sounding shore,

While, gloomy as a tempest, opposite,

Mars from the lofty citadel of Troy

Now yell’d aloud, now running o’er the hill

Callicolone, on the Simois’ side.70

Thus the Immortals, ever-blest, impell’d

Both hosts to battle, and dire inroad caused

Of strife among them. Sudden from on high

The Sire of Gods and men thunder’d; meantime,

Neptune the earth and the high mountains shook;75

Through all her base and to her topmost peak

Ida spring-fed the agitation felt

Reeling, all Ilium and the fleet of Greece.

Upstarted from his throne, appall’d, the King

Of Erebus, and with a cry his fears80

Through hell proclaim’d, lest Neptune, o’er his head

Shattering the vaulted earth, should wide disclose

To mortal and immortal eyes his realm

Terrible, squalid, to the Gods themselves

A dreaded spectacle; with such a sound85

The Powers eternal into battle rush’d.[4]

Opposed to Neptune, King of the vast Deep,

Apollo stood with his wing’d arrows arm’d;

Pallas to Mars; Diana shaft-expert,

Sister of Phœbus, in her golden bow90

Rejoicing, with whose shouts the forests ring

To Juno; Mercury, for useful arts

Famed, to Latona; and to Vulcan’s force

The eddied River broad by mortal men

Scamander call’d, but Xanthus by the Gods.95

So Gods encounter’d Gods. But most desire

Achilles felt, breaking the ranks, to rush

On Priameian Hector, with whose blood

Chiefly his fury prompted him to sate

The indefatigable God of war.100

But, the encourager of Ilium’s host

Apollo, urged Æneas to assail

The son of Peleus, with heroic might

Inspiring his bold heart. He feign’d the voice

Of Priam’s son Lycaon, and his form105

Assuming, thus the Trojan Chief address’d.

Æneas! Trojan leader! where are now

Thy vaunts, which, banqueting erewhile among

Our princes, o’er thy brimming cups thou mad’st,

That thou would’st fight, thyself, with Peleus’ son?110

To whom Æneas answer thus returned.

Offspring of Priam! why enjoin’st thou me

Not so inclined, that arduous task, to cope

With the unmatch’d Achilles? I have proved

His force already, when he chased me down115

From Ida with his spear, what time he made

Seizure of all our cattle, and destroy’d

Pedasus and Lyrnessus; but I ’scaped

Unslain, by Jove himself empower’d to fly,

Else had I fallen by Achilles’ hand,120

And by the hand of Pallas, who his steps

Conducted, and exhorted him to slay

Us and the Leleges.[5] Vain, therefore, proves

All mortal force to Peleus’ son opposed;

For one, at least, of the Immortals stands125

Ever beside him, guardian of his life,

And, of himself, he hath an arm that sends

His rapid spear unerring to the mark.

Yet, would the Gods more equal sway the scales

Of battle, not with ease should he subdue130

Me, though he boast a panoply of brass.

Him, then, Apollo answer’d, son of Jove.

Hero! prefer to the immortal Gods

Thy Prayer, for thee men rumor Venus’ son

Daughter of Jove; and Peleus’ son his birth135

Drew from a Goddess of inferior note.

Thy mother is from Jove; the offspring, his,

Less noble of the hoary Ocean old.

Go, therefore, and thy conquering spear uplift

Against him, nor let aught his sounding words140

Appal thee, or his threats turn thee away.

So saying, with martial force the Chief he fill’d,

Who through the foremost combatants advanced

Radiant in arms. Nor pass’d Anchises’ son

Unseen of Juno, through the crowded ranks145

Seeking Achilles, but the Powers of heaven

Convened by her command, she thus address’d.

Neptune, and thou, Minerva! with mature

Deliberation, ponder the event.

Yon Chief, Æneas, dazzling bright in arms;150

Goes to withstand Achilles, and he goes

Sent by Apollo; in despite of whom

Be it our task to give him quick repulse,

Or, of ourselves, let some propitious Power

Strengthen Achilles with a mind exempt155

From terror, and with force invincible.

So shall he know that of the Gods above

The mightiest are his friends, with whom compared

The favorers of Ilium in time past,

Who stood her guardians in the bloody strife,160

Are empty boasters all, and nothing worth.

For therefore came we down, that we may share

This fight, and that Achilles suffer nought

Fatal to-day, though suffer all he must

Hereafter, with his thread of life entwined165

By Destiny, the day when he was born.

But should Achilles unapprized remain

Of such advantage by a voice divine,

When he shall meet some Deity in the field,

Fear then will seize him, for celestial forms170

Unveil’d are terrible to mortal eyes.

To whom replied the Shaker of the shores.

Juno! thy hot impatience needs control;

It ill befits thee. No desire I feel

To force into contention with ourselves175

Gods, our inferiors. No. Let us, retired

To yonder hill, distant from all resort,

There sit, while these the battle wage alone.

But if Apollo, or if Mars the fight

Entering, begin, themselves, to interfere180

Against Achilles, then will we at once

To battle also; and, I much misdeem,

Or glad they shall be soon to mix again

Among the Gods on the Olympian heights,

By strong coercion of our arms subdued.185

So saying, the God of Ocean azure-hair’d

Moved foremost to the lofty mound earth-built

Of noble Hercules, by Pallas raised

And by the Trojans for his safe escape,

What time the monster of the deep pursued190

The hero from the sea-bank o’er the plain.

There Neptune sat, and his confederate Gods,

Their shoulders with impenetrable clouds

O’ermantled, while the city-spoiler Mars

Sat with Apollo opposite on the hill195

Callicolone, with their aids divine.

So, Gods to Gods in opposite aspect

Sat ruminating, and alike the work

All fearing to begin of arduous war,

While from his seat sublime Jove urged them on.200

The champain all was fill’d, and with the blaze

Illumined wide of men and steeds brass-arm’d,

And the incumber’d earth jarr’d under foot

Of the encountering hosts. Then, two, the rest

Surpassing far, into the midst advanced205

Impatient for the fight, Anchises’ son

Æneas and Achilles, glorious Chief!

Æneas first, under his ponderous casque

Nodding and menacing, advanced; before

His breast he held the well-conducted orb210

Of his broad shield, and shook his brazen spear.

On the other side, Achilles to the fight

Flew like a ravening lion, on whose death

Resolved, the peasants from all quarters meet;

He, viewing with disdain the foremost, stalks215

Right on, but smitten by some dauntless youth

Writhes himself, and discloses his huge fangs

Hung with white foam; then, growling for revenge,

Lashes himself to battle with his tail,

Till with a burning eye and a bold heart220

He springs to slaughter, or himself is slain;

So, by his valor and his noble mind

Impell’d, renown’d Achilles moved toward

Æneas, and, small interval between,

Thus spake the hero matchless in the race.225

Why stand’st thou here, Æneas! thy own band

Left at such distance? Is it that thine heart

Glows with ambition to contend with me

In hope of Priam’s honors, and to fill

His throne hereafter in Troy steed-renown’d?230

But shouldst thou slay me, not for that exploit

Would Priam such large recompense bestow,

For he hath sons, and hath, beside, a mind

And disposition not so lightly changed.

Or have the Trojans of their richest soil235

For vineyard apt or plow assign’d thee part

If thou shalt slay me? Difficult, I hope,

At least, thou shalt experience that emprize.

For, as I think, I have already chased

Thee with my spear. Forgettest thou the day240

When, finding thee alone, I drove thee down

Headlong from Ida, and, thy cattle left

Afar, thou didst not dare in all thy flight

Turn once, till at Lyrnessus safe arrived,

Which city by Jove’s aid and by the aid245

Of Pallas I destroy’d, and captive led

Their women? Thee, indeed, the Gods preserved

But they shall not preserve thee, as thou dream’st

Now also. Back into thy host again;

Hence, I command thee, nor oppose in fight250

My force, lest evil find thee. To be taught

By suffering only is the part of fools.

To whom Æneas answer thus return’d.

Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy,

With words to scare me. I have also taunts255

At my command, and could be sharp as thou.

By such reports as from the lips of men

We oft have heard, each other’s birth we know

And parents; but my parents to behold

Was ne’er thy lot, nor have I thine beheld.260

Thee men proclaim from noble Peleus sprung

And Thetis, bright hair’d Goddess of the Deep;

I boast myself of lovely Venus born

To brave Anchises; and his son this day

In battle slain thy sire shall mourn, or mine;265

For I expect not that we shall depart

Like children, satisfied with words alone.

But if it please thee more at large to learn

My lineage (thousands can attest it true)

Know this. Jove, Sovereign of the storms, begat270

Dardanus, and ere yet the sacred walls

Of Ilium rose, the glory of this plain,

He built Dardania; for at Ida’s foot

Dwelt our progenitors in ancient days.

Dardanus was the father of a son,275

King Ericthonius, wealthiest of mankind.

Three thousand mares of his the marish grazed,

Each suckling with delight her tender foal.

Boreas, enamor’d of no few of these,

The pasture sought, and cover’d them in form280

Of a steed azure-maned. They, pregnant thence,

Twelve foals produced, and all so light of foot,

That when they wanton’d in the fruitful field

They swept, and snapp’d it not, the golden ear;

And when they wanton’d on the boundless deep,285

They skimm’d the green wave’s frothy ridge, secure.

From Ericthonius sprang Tros, King of Troy,

And Tros was father of three famous sons,

Ilus, Assaracus, and Ganymede

Loveliest of human kind, whom for his charms290

The Gods caught up to heaven, there to abide

With the immortals, cup-bearer of Jove.

Ilus begat Laomedon, and he

Five sons, Tithonus, Priam, Clytius,

Lampus, and Hicetaon, branch of Mars.295

Assaracus a son begat, by name

Capys, and Capys in due time his son

Warlike Anchises, and Anchises me.

But Priam is the noble Hector’s sire.[6]

Such is my lineage, and such blood I boast;300

But valor is from Jove; he, as he wills,

Increases or reduces it in man,

For he is lord of all. Therefore enough—

Too long like children we have stood, the time

Consuming here, while battle roars around.305

Reproach is cheap. Easily might we cast

Gibes at each other, till a ship that asks

A hundred oars should sink beneath the load.

The tongue of man is voluble, hath words

For every theme, nor wants wide field and long,310

And as he speaks so shall he hear again.

But we—why should we wrangle, and with taunts

Assail each other, as the practice is

Of women, who with heart-devouring strife

On fire, start forth into the public way315

To mock each other, uttering, as may chance,

Much truth, much falsehood, as their anger bids?

The ardor of my courage will not slack

For all thy speeches; we must combat first;

Now, therefore, without more delay, begin,320

That we may taste each other’s force in arms.[7]

So spake Æneas, and his brazen lance

Hurl’d with full force against the dreadful shield.

Loud roar’d its ample concave at the blow.

Not unalarm’d, Pelides his broad disk325

Thrust farther from him, deeming that the force

Of such an arm should pierce his guard with ease.

Vain fear! he recollected not that arms

Glorious as his, gifts of the immortal Gods,

Yield not so quickly to the force of man.330

The stormy spear by brave Æneas sent,

No passage found; the golden plate divine

Repress’d its vehemence; two folds it pierced,

But three were still behind, for with five folds

Vulcan had fortified it; two were brass;335

The two interior, tin; the midmost, gold;

And at the golden one the weapon stood.[8]

Achilles next, hurl’d his long shadow’d spear,

And struck Æneas on the utmost verge

Of his broad shield, where thinnest lay the brass,340

And thinnest the ox-hide. The Pelian ash

Started right through the buckler, and it rang.

Æneas crouch’d terrified, and his shield

Thrust farther from him; but the rapid beam

Bursting both borders of the ample disk,345

Glanced o’er his back, and plunged into the soil.

He ’scaped it, and he stood; but, as he stood,

With horror infinite the weapon saw

Planted so near him. Then, Achilles drew

His falchion keen, and with a deafening shout350

Sprang on him; but Æneas seized a stone

Heavy and huge, a weight to overcharge

Two men (such men as are accounted strong

Now) but he wielded it with ease, alone.

Then had Æneas, as Achilles came355

Impetuous on, smitten, although in vain,

His helmet or his shield, and Peleus’ son

Had with his falchion him stretch’d at his feet,

But that the God of Ocean quick perceived

His peril, and the Immortals thus bespake.360

I pity brave Æneas, who shall soon,

Slain by Achilles, see the realms below,

By smooth suggestions of Apollo lured

To danger, such as he can ne’er avert.

But wherefore should the Chief, guiltless himself,365

Die for the fault of others? at no time

His gifts have fail’d, grateful to all in heaven.

Come, therefore, and let us from death ourselves

Rescue him, lest if by Achilles’ arm

This hero perish, Jove himself be wroth;370

For he is destined to survive, lest all

The house of Dardanus (whom Jove beyond

All others loved, his sons of woman born)

Fail with Æneas, and be found no more.

Saturnian Jove hath hated now long time375

The family of Priam, and henceforth

Æneas and his son, and his sons’ sons,

Shall sway the sceptre o’er the race of Troy.

To whom, majestic thus the spouse of Jove.

Neptune! deliberate thyself, and choose380

Whether to save Æneas, or to leave

The hero victim of Achilles’ ire.

For Pallas and myself ofttimes have sworn

In full assembly of the Gods, to aid

Troy never, never to avert the day385

Of her distress, not even when the flames

Kindled by the heroic sons of Greece,

Shall climb with fury to her topmost towers.

She spake; then Neptune, instant, through the throng

Of battle flying, and the clash of spears,390

Came where Achilles and Æneas fought.

At once with shadows dim he blurr’d the sight

Of Peleus’ son, and from the shield, himself,

Of brave Æneas the bright-pointed ash

Retracting, placed it at Achilles’ feet.395

Then, lifting high Æneas from the ground,

He heaved him far remote; o’er many a rank

Of heroes and of bounding steeds he flew,

Launch’d into air from the expanded palm

Of Neptune, and alighted in the rear400

Of all the battle where the Caucons stood.

Neptune approach’d him there, and at his side

Standing, in accents wing’d, him thus bespake.

What God, Æneas! tempted thee to cope

Thus inconsiderately with the son405

Of Peleus, both more excellent in fight

Than thou, and more the favorite of the skies?

From him retire hereafter, or expect

A premature descent into the shades.

But when Achilles shall have once fulfill’d410

His destiny, in battle slain, then fight

Fearless, for thou canst fall by none beside.

So saying, he left the well-admonish’d Chief,

And from Achilles’ eyes scatter’d the gloom

Shed o’er them by himself. The hero saw415

Clearly, and with his noble heart incensed

By disappointment, thus conferring, said.

Gods! I behold a prodigy. My spear

Lies at my foot, and he at whom I cast

The weapon with such deadly force, is gone!420

Æneas therefore, as it seems, himself

Interests the immortal Gods, although

I deem’d his boast of their protection vain.

I reck not. Let him go. So gladly ’scaped

From slaughter now, he shall not soon again425

Feel an ambition to contend with me.

Now will I rouse the Danaï, and prove

The force in fight of many a Trojan more.

He said, and sprang to battle with loud voice,

Calling the Grecians after him.—Ye sons430

Of the Achaians! stand not now aloof,

My noble friends! but foot to foot let each

Fall on courageous, and desire the fight.

The task were difficult for me alone,

Brave as I boast myself, to chase a foe435

So numerous, and to combat with them all.

Not Mars himself, immortal though he be,

Nor Pallas, could with all the ranks contend

Of this vast multitude, and drive the whole.

With hands, with feet, with spirit and with might,440

All that I can I will; right through I go,

And not a Trojan who shall chance within

Spear’s reach of me, shall, as I judge, rejoice.

Thus he the Greeks exhorted. Opposite,

Meantime, illustrious Hector to his host445

Vociferated, his design to oppose

Achilles publishing in every ear.

Fear not, ye valiant men of Troy! fear not

The son of Peleus. In a war of words

I could, myself, cope even with the Gods;450

But not with spears; there they excel us all.

Nor shall Achilles full performance give

To all his vaunts, but, if he some fulfil,

Shall others leave mutilate in the midst.

I will encounter him, though his hands be fire,455

Though fire his hands, and his heart hammer’d steel.

So spake he them exhorting. At his word

Uprose the Trojan spears, thick intermixt

The battle join’d, and clamor loud began.

Then thus, approaching Hector, Phœbus spake.460

Henceforth, advance not Hector! in the front

Seeking Achilles, but retired within

The stormy multitude his coming wait,

Lest his spear reach thee, or his glittering sword.

He said, and Hector far into his host465

Withdrew, admonish’d by the voice divine.

Then, shouting terrible, and clothed with might,

Achilles sprang to battle. First, he slew

The valiant Chief Iphition, whom a band

Numerous obey’d. Otrynteus was his sire.470

Him to Otrynteus, city-waster Chief,

A Naiad under snowy Tmolus bore

In fruitful Hyda.[9] Right into his front

As he advanced, Achilles drove his spear,

And rived his skull; with thundering sound he fell,475

And thus the conqueror gloried in his fall.

Ah Otryntides! thou art slain. Here lies

The terrible in arms, who born beside

The broad Gygæan lake, where Hyllus flows

And Hermus, call’d the fertile soil his own.480

Thus gloried he. Meantime the shades of death

Cover’d Iphition, and Achaian wheels

And horses ground his body in the van.

Demoleon next, Antenor’s son, a brave

Defender of the walls of Troy, he slew.485

Into his temples through his brazen casque

He thrust the Pelian ash, nor could the brass

Such force resist, but the huge weapon drove

The shatter’d bone into his inmost brain,

And his fierce onset at a stroke repress’d.490

Hippodamas his weapon next received

Within his spine, while with a leap he left

His steeds and fled. He, panting forth his life,

Moan’d like a bull, by consecrated youths

Dragg’d round the Heliconian King,[10] who views495

That victim with delight. So, with loud moans

The noble warrior sigh’d his soul away.

Then, spear in hand, against the godlike son

Of Priam, Polydorus, he advanced.

Not yet his father had to him indulged500

A warrior’s place, for that of all his sons

He was the youngest-born, his hoary sire’s

Chief darling, and in speed surpass’d them all.

Then also, in the vanity of youth,

For show of nimbleness, he started oft505

Into the vanward, till at last he fell.

Him gliding swiftly by, swifter than he

Achilles with a javelin reach’d; he struck

His belt behind him, where the golden clasps

Met, and the double hauberk interposed.510

The point transpierced his bowels, and sprang through

His navel; screaming, on his knees he fell,

Death-shadows dimm’d his eyes, and with both hands,

Stooping, he press’d his gather’d bowels back.

But noble Hector, soon as he beheld515

His brother Polydorus to the earth

Inclined, and with his bowels in his hands,

Sightless well-nigh with anguish could endure

No longer to remain aloof; flame-like

He burst abroad,[11] and shaking his sharp spear,520

Advanced to meet Achilles, whose approach

Seeing, Achilles bounded with delight,

And thus, exulting, to himself he said.

Ah! he approaches, who hath stung my soul

Deepest, the slayer of whom most I loved!525

Behold, we meet! Caution is at an end,

And timid skulking in the walks of war.

He ceased, and with a brow knit into frowns,

Call’d to illustrious Hector. Haste, approach,

That I may quick dispatch thee to the shades.530

Whom answer’d warlike Hector, nought appall’d.

Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy,

With words to scare me. I have also taunts

At my command, and can be sharp as thou.

I know thee valiant, and myself I know535

Inferior far; yet, whether thou shalt slay

Me, or, inferior as I am, be slain

By me, is at the pleasure of the Gods,

For I wield also not a pointless beam.

He said, and, brandishing it, hurl’d his spear,540

Which Pallas, breathing softly, wafted back

From the renown’d Achilles, and it fell

Successless at illustrious Hector’s feet.

Then, all on fire to slay him, with a shout

That rent the air Achilles rapid flew545

Toward him; but him wrapt in clouds opaque

Apollo caught with ease divine away.

Thrice, swift Achilles sprang to the assault

Impetuous, thrice the pitchy cloud he smote,

And at his fourth assault, godlike in act,550

And terrible in utterance, thus exclaim’d.

Dog! thou art safe, and hast escaped again;

But narrowly, and by the aid once more

Of Phœbus, without previous suit to whom

Thou venturest never where the javelin sings.555

But when we next encounter, then expect,

If one of all in heaven aid also me,

To close thy proud career. Meantime I seek

Some other, and assail e’en whom I may.

So saying, he pierced the neck of Dryops through,560

And at his feet he fell. Him there he left,

And turning on a valiant warrior huge,

Philetor’s son, Demuchus, in the knee

Pierced, and detain’d him by the planted spear,

Till with his sword he smote him, and he died.565

Laogonus and Dardanus he next

Assaulted, sons of Bias; to the ground

Dismounting both, one with his spear he slew,

The other with his falchion at a blow.

Tros too, Alastor’s son—he suppliant clasp’d570

Achilles’ knees, and for his pity sued,

Pleading equality of years, in hope

That he would spare, and send him thence alive.

Ah dreamer! ignorant how much in vain

That suit he urged; for not of milky mind,575

Or placable in temper was the Chief

To whom he sued, but fiery. With both hands

His knees he clasp’d importunate, and he

Fast by the liver gash’d him with his sword.

His liver falling forth, with sable blood580

His bosom fill’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes.

Then, drawing close to Mulius, in his ear

He set the pointed brass, and at a thrust

Sent it, next moment, through his ear beyond.

Then, through the forehead of Agenor’s son585

Echechlus, his huge-hafted blade he drove,

And death and fate forever veil’d his eyes.

Next, where the tendons of the elbow meet,

Striking Deucalion, through his wrist he urged

The brazen point; he all defenceless stood,590

Expecting death; down came Achilles’ blade

Full on his neck; away went head and casque

Together; from his spine the marrow sprang,

And at his length outstretch’d he press’d the plain.

From him to Rhigmus, Pireus’ noble son,595

He flew, a warrior from the fields of Thrace.

Him through the loins he pierced, and with the beam

Fixt in his bowels, to the earth he fell;

Then piercing, as he turn’d to flight, the spine

Of Areithöus his charioteer,600

He thrust him from his seat; wild with dismay

Back flew the fiery coursers at his fall.

As a devouring fire within the glens

Of some dry mountain ravages the trees,

While, blown around, the flames roll to all sides,605

So, on all sides, terrible as a God,

Achilles drove the death-devoted host

Of Ilium, and the champain ran with blood.

As when the peasant his yoked steers employs

To tread his barley, the broad-fronted pair610

With ponderous hoofs trample it out with ease,

So, by magnanimous Achilles driven,

His coursers solid-hoof’d stamp’d as they ran

The shields, at once, and bodies of the slain;

Blood spatter’d all his axle, and with blood615

From the horse-hoofs and from the fellied wheels

His chariot redden’d, while himself, athirst

For glory, his unconquerable hands

Defiled with mingled carnage, sweat, and dust.

BOOK XXI.

ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST BOOK.

Achilles having separated the Trojans, and driven one part of them to

the city and the other into the Scamander, takes twelve young men

alive, his intended victims to the manes of Patroclus. The river

overflowing his banks with purpose to overwhelm him, is opposed by

Vulcan, and gladly relinquishes the attempt. The battle of the gods

ensues. Apollo, in the form of Agenor, decoys Achilles from the town,

which in the mean time the Trojans enter and shut the gates against

him.

BOOK XXI.

[1]But when they came, at length, where Xanthus winds

His stream vortiginous from Jove derived,

There, separating Ilium’s host, he drove

Part o’er the plain to Troy in the same road

By which the Grecians had so lately fled5

The fury of illustrious Hector’s arm.

That way they fled pouring themselves along

Flood-like, and Juno, to retard them, threw

Darkness as night before them. Other part,

Push’d down the sides of Xanthus, headlong plunged10

With dashing sound into his dizzy stream,

And all his banks re-echoed loud the roar.

They, struggling, shriek’d in silver eddies whirl’d.

As when, by violence of fire expell’d,

Locusts uplifted on the wing escape15

To some broad river, swift the sudden blaze

Pursues them, they, astonish’d, strew the flood,[2]

So, by Achilles driven, a mingled throng

Of horses and of warriors overspread

Xanthus, and glutted all his sounding course20

He, chief of heroes, leaving on the bank

His spear against a tamarisk reclined,

Plunged like a God, with falchion arm’d alone

But fill’d with thoughts of havoc. On all sides

Down came his edge; groans follow’d dread to hear25

Of warriors smitten by the sword, and all

The waters as they ran redden’d with blood.

As smaller fishes, flying the pursuit

Of some huge dolphin, terrified, the creeks

And secret hollows of a haven fill,30

For none of all that he can seize he spares,

So lurk’d the trembling Trojans in the caves

Of Xanthus’ awful flood. But he (his hands

Wearied at length with slaughter) from the rest

Twelve youths selected whom to death he doom’d,35

In vengeance for his loved Patroclus slain.

Them stupified with dread like fawns he drove

Forth from the river, manacling their hands

Behind them fast with their own tunic-strings,

And gave them to his warrior train in charge.40

Then, ardent still for blood, rushing again

Toward the stream, Dardanian Priam’s son

He met, Lycaon, as he climb’d the bank.

Him erst by night, in his own father’s field

Finding him, he had led captive away.45

Lycaon was employ’d cutting green shoots

Of the wild-fig for chariot-rings, when lo!

Terrible, unforeseen, Achilles came.

He seized and sent him in a ship afar

To Lemnos; there the son of Jason paid50

His price, and, at great cost, Eëtion

The guest of Jason, thence redeeming him,

Sent him to fair Arisba;[3] but he ’scaped

Thence also and regain’d his father’s house.

Eleven days, at his return, he gave55

To recreation joyous with his friends,

And on the twelfth his fate cast him again

Into Achilles’ hands, who to the shades

Now doom’d him, howsoever loth to go.

Soon as Achilles swiftest of the swift60

Him naked saw (for neither spear had he

Nor shield nor helmet, but, when he emerged,

Weary and faint had cast them all away)

Indignant to his mighty self he said.

Gods! I behold a miracle! Ere long65

The valiant Trojans whom my self have slain

Shall rise from Erebus, for he is here,

The self-same warrior whom I lately sold

At Lemnos, free, and in the field again.

The hoary deep is prison strong enough70

For most, but not for him. Now shall he taste

The point of this my spear, that I may learn

By sure experience, whether hell itself

That holds the strongest fast, can him detain,

Or whether he shall thence also escape.75

While musing thus he stood, stunn’d with dismay

The youth approach’d, eager to clasp his knees,

For vehement he felt the dread of death

Working within him; with his Pelian ash

Uplifted high noble Achilles stood80

Ardent to smite him; he with body bent

Ran under it, and to his knees adhered;

The weapon, missing him, implanted stood

Close at his back, when, seizing with one hand

Achilles’ knees, he with the other grasp’d85

The dreadful beam, resolute through despair,

And in wing’d accents suppliant thus began.

Oh spare me! pity me! Behold I clasp

Thy knees, Achilles! Ah, illustrious Chief!

Reject not with disdain a suppliant’s prayer.90

I am thy guest also, who at thy own board

Have eaten bread, and did partake the gift

Of Ceres with thee on the very day

When thou didst send me in yon field surprised

For sale to sacred Lemnos, far remote,95

And for my price receiv’dst a hundred beeves.

Loose me, and I will yield thee now that sum

Thrice told. Alas! this morn is but the twelfth

Since, after numerous hardships, I arrived

Once more in Troy, and now my ruthless lot100

Hath given me into thy hands again.

Jove cannot less than hate me, who hath twice

Made me thy prisoner, and my doom was death,

Death in my prime, the day when I was born

Son of Laothöe from Alta sprung,105

From Alta, whom the Leleges obey

On Satnio’s banks in lofty Pedasus.

His daughter to his other numerous wives

King Priam added, and two sons she bore

Only to be deprived by thee of both.110

My brother hath already died, in front

Of Ilium’s infantry, by thy bright spear,

The godlike Polydorus; and like doom

Shall now be mine, for I despair to escape

Thine hands, to which the Gods yield me again.115

But hear and mark me well. My birth was not

From the same womb as Hector’s, who hath slain

Thy valiant friend for clemency renown’d.

Such supplication the illustrious son

Of Priam made, but answer harsh received.120

Fool! speak’st of ransom? Name it not to me.

For till my friend his miserable fate

Accomplish’d, I was somewhat given to spare,

And numerous, whom I seized alive, I sold.

But now, of all the Trojans whom the Gods125

Deliver to me, none shall death escape,

’Specially of the house of Priam, none.

Die therefore, even thou, my friend! What mean

Thy tears unreasonably shed and vain?

Died not Patroclus. braver far than thou?130

And look on me—see’st not to what a height

My stature towers, and what a bulk I boast?

A King begat me, and a Goddess bore.

What then! A death by violence awaits

Me also, and at morn, or eve, or noon,135

I perish, whensoe’er the destined spear

Shall reach me, or the arrow from the nerve.

He ceased, and where the suppliant kneel’d, he died.

Quitting the spear, with both hands spread abroad

He sat, but swift Achilles with his sword140

’Twixt neck and key-bone smote him, and his blade

Of double edge sank all into the wound.

He prone extended on the champain lay

Bedewing with his sable blood the glebe,

Till, by the foot, Achilles cast him far145

Into the stream, and, as he floated down,

Thus in wing’d accents, glorying, exclaim’d.

Lie there, and feed the fishes, which shall lick

Thy blood secure. Thy mother ne’er shall place

Thee on thy bier, nor on thy body weep,150

But swift Scamander on his giddy tide

Shall bear thee to the bosom of the sea.

There, many a fish shall through the crystal flood

Ascending to the rippled surface, find

Lycaon’s pamper’d flesh delicious fare.155

Die Trojans! till we reach your city, you

Fleeing, and slaughtering, I. This pleasant stream

Of dimpling silver which ye worship oft

With victim bulls, and sate with living steeds[4]

His rapid whirlpools, shall avail you nought,160

But ye shall die, die terribly, till all

Shall have requited me with just amends

For my Patroclus, and for other Greeks

Slain at the ships while I declined the war.

He ended, at those words still more incensed165

Scamander means devised, thenceforth to check

Achilles, and avert the doom of Troy.

Meantime the son of Peleus, his huge spear

Grasping, assail’d Asteropæus son

Of Pelegon, on fire to take his life.170

Fair Peribœa, daughter eldest-born

Of Acessamenus, his father bore

To broad-stream’d Axius, who had clasp’d the nymph

In his embrace. On him Achilles sprang.

He newly risen from the river, stood175

Arm’d with two lances opposite, for him

Xanthus embolden’d, at the deaths incensed

Of many a youth, whom, mercy none vouchsafed,

Achilles had in all his current slain.

And now small distance interposed, they faced180

Each other, when Achilles thus began.

Who art and whence, who dar’st encounter me?

Hapless the sires whose sons my force defy.

To whom the noble son of Pelegon.

Pelides, mighty Chief? Why hast thou ask’d185

My derivation? From the land I come

Of mellow-soil’d Pœonia far remote,

Chief leader of Pœnia’s host spear-arm’d;

This day hath also the eleventh risen

Since I at Troy arrived. For my descent,190

It is from Axius river wide-diffused,

From Axius, fairest stream that waters earth,

Sire of bold Pelegon whom men report

My sire. Let this suffice. Now fight, Achilles!

So spake he threatening, and Achilles raised195

Dauntless the Pelian ash. At once two spears

The hero bold, Asteropæus threw,

With both hands apt for battle. One his shield

Struck but pierced not, impeded by the gold,

Gift of a God; the other as it flew200

Grazed at his right elbow; sprang the sable blood;

But, overflying him, the spear in earth

Stood planted deep, still hungering for the prey.

Then, full at the Pœonian Peleus’ son

Hurl’d forth his weapon with unsparing force205

But vain; he struck the sloping river bank,

And mid-length deep stood plunged the ashen beam.

Then, with his falchion drawn, Achilles flew

To smite him; he in vain, meantime, essay’d

To pluck the rooted spear forth from the bank;210

Thrice with full force he shook the beam, and thrice,

Although reluctant, left it; at his fourth

Last effort, bending it he sought to break

The ashen spear-beam of Æacides,

But perish’d by his keen-edged falchion first;215

For on the belly at his navel’s side

He smote him; to the ground effused fell all

His bowels, death’s dim shadows veil’d his eyes.

Achilles ardent on his bosom fix’d

His foot, despoil’d him, and exulting cried.220

Lie there; though River-sprung, thou find’st it hard

To cope with sons of Jove omnipotent.

Thou said’st, a mighty River is my sire—

But my descent from mightier Jove I boast;

My father, whom the Myrmidons obey,225

Is son of Æacus, and he of Jove.

As Jove all streams excels that seek the sea,

So, Jove’s descendants nobler are than theirs.

Behold a River at thy side—let him

Afford thee, if he can, some succor—No—230

He may not fight against Saturnian Jove.

Therefore, not kingly Acheloïus,

Nor yet the strength of Ocean’s vast profound,

Although from him all rivers and all seas,

All fountains and all wells proceed, may boast235

Comparison with Jove, but even he

Astonish’d trembles at his fiery bolt,

And his dread thunders rattling in the sky.

He said, and drawing from the bank his spear[5]

Asteropæus left stretch’d on the sands,240

Where, while the clear wave dash’d him, eels his flanks

And ravening fishes numerous nibbled bare.

The horsed Pœonians next he fierce assail’d,

Who seeing their brave Chief slain by the sword

And forceful arm of Peleus’ son, beside245

The eddy-whirling stream fled all dispersed.

Thersilochus and Mydon then he slew,

Thrasius, Astypylus and Ophelestes,

Ænius and Mnesus; nor had these sufficed

Achilles, but Pœonians more had fallen,250

Had not the angry River from within

His circling gulfs in semblance, of a man

Call’d to him, interrupting thus his rage.

Oh both in courage and injurious deeds

Unmatch’d, Achilles! whom themselves the Gods255

Cease not to aid, if Saturn’s son have doom’d

All Ilium’s race to perish by thine arm,

Expel them, first, from me, ere thou achieve

That dread exploit; for, cumber’d as I am

With bodies, I can pour my pleasant stream260

No longer down into the sacred deep;

All vanish where thou comest. But oh desist

Dread Chief! Amazement fills me at thy deeds.

To whom Achilles, matchless in the race.

River divine! hereafter be it so.265

But not from slaughter of this faithless host

I cease, till I shall shut them fast in Troy

And trial make of Hector, if his arm

In single fight shall strongest prove, or mine

He said, and like a God, furious, again270

Assail’d the Trojans; then the circling flood

To Phœbus thus his loud complaint address’d.

Ah son of Jove, God of the silver bow!

The mandate of the son of Saturn ill

Hast thou perform’d, who, earnest, bade thee aid275

The Trojans, till (the sun sunk in the West)

Night’s shadow dim should veil the fruitful field.

He ended, and Achilles spear-renown’d

Plunged from the bank into the middle stream.

Then, turbulent, the River all his tide280

Stirr’d from the bottom, landward heaving off

The numerous bodies that his current chok’d

Slain by Achilles; them, as with the roar

Of bulls, he cast aground, but deep within

His oozy gulfs the living safe conceal’d.285

Terrible all around Achilles stood

The curling wave, then, falling on his shield

Dash’d him, nor found his footsteps where to rest.

An elm of massy trunk he seized and branch

Luxuriant, but it fell torn from the root290

And drew the whole bank after it; immersed

It damm’d the current with its ample boughs,

And join’d as with a bridge the distant shores,

Upsprang Achilles from the gulf and turn’d

His feet, now wing’d for flight, into the plain295

Astonish’d; but the God, not so appeased,

Arose against him with a darker curl,[6]

That he might quell him and deliver Troy.

Back flew Achilles with a bound, the length

Of a spear’s cast, for such a spring he own’d300

As bears the black-plumed eagle on her prey

Strongest and swiftest of the fowls of air.

Like her he sprang, and dreadful on his chest

Clang’d his bright armor. Then, with course oblique

He fled his fierce pursuer, but the flood,305

Fly where he might, came thundering in his rear.

As when the peasant with his spade a rill

Conducts from some pure fountain through his grove

Or garden, clearing the obstructed course,

The pebbles, as it runs, all ring beneath,310

And, as the slope still deepens, swifter still

It runs, and, murmuring, outstrips the guide,

So him, though swift, the river always reach’d

Still swifter; who can cope with power divine?

Oft as the noble Chief, turning, essay’d315

Resistance, and to learn if all the Gods

Alike rush’d after him, so oft the flood,

Jove’s offspring, laved his shoulders. Upward then

He sprang distress’d, but with a sidelong sweep

Assailing him, and from beneath his steps320

Wasting the soil, the Stream his force subdued.

Then looking to the skies, aloud he mourn’d.

Eternal Sire! forsaken by the Gods

I sink, none deigns to save me from the flood,

From which once saved, I would no death decline.325

Yet blame I none of all the Powers of heaven

As Thetis; she with falsehood sooth’d my soul,

She promised me a death by Phœbus’ shafts

Swift-wing’d, beneath the battlements of Troy.

I would that Hector, noblest of his race,330

Had slain me, I had then bravely expired

And a brave man had stripp’d me of my arms.

But fate now dooms me to a death abhorr’d

Whelm’d in deep waters, like a swine-herd’s boy

Drown’d in wet weather while he fords a brook.335

So spake Achilles; then, in human form,

Minerva stood and Neptune at his side;

Each seized his hand confirming him, and thus

The mighty Shaker of the shores began.

Achilles! moderate thy dismay, fear nought.340

In us behold, in Pallas and in me,

Effectual aids, and with consent of Jove;

For to be vanquish’d by a River’s force

Is not thy doom. This foe shall soon be quell’d;

Thine eyes shall see it. Let our counsel rule345

Thy deed, and all is well. Cease not from war

Till fast within proud Ilium’s walls her host

Again be prison’d, all who shall escape;

Then (Hector slain) to the Achaian fleet

Return; we make the glorious victory thine.350

So they, and both departing sought the skies.

Then, animated by the voice divine,

He moved toward the plain now all o’erspread

By the vast flood on which the bodies swam

And shields of many a youth in battle slain.355

He leap’d, he waded, and the current stemm’d

Right onward, by the flood in vain opposed,

With such might Pallas fill’d him. Nor his rage

Scamander aught repress’d, but still the more

Incensed against Achilles, curl’d aloft360

His waters, and on Simoïs call’d aloud.

Brother! oh let us with united force

Check, if we may, this warrior; he shall else

Soon lay the lofty towers of Priam low,

Whose host appall’d, defend them now no more.365

Haste—succor me—thy channel fill with streams

From all thy fountains; call thy torrents down;

Lift high the waters; mingle trees and stones

With uproar wild, that we may quell the force

Of this dread Chief triumphant now, and fill’d370

With projects that might more beseem a God.

But vain shall be his strength, his beauty nought

Shall profit him or his resplendent arms,

For I will bury them in slime and ooze,

And I will overwhelm himself with soil,375

Sands heaping o’er him and around him sands

Infinite, that no Greek shall find his bones

For ever, in my bottom deep immersed.

There shall his tomb be piled, nor other earth,

At his last rites, his friends shall need for him.380

He said, and lifting high his angry tide

Vortiginous, against Achilles hurl’d,

Roaring, the foam, the bodies, and the blood;

Then all his sable waves divine again

Accumulating, bore him swift along.385

Shriek’d Juno at that sight, terrified lest

Achilles in the whirling deluge sunk

Should perish, and to Vulcan quick exclaim’d.

Vulcan, my son, arise; for we account

Xanthus well able to contend with thee.390

Give instant succor; show forth all thy fires.

Myself will haste to call the rapid South

And Zephyrus, that tempests from the sea

Blowing, thou may’st both arms and dead consume

With hideous conflagration. Burn along395

The banks of Xanthus, fire his trees and him

Seize also. Let him by no specious guile

Of flattery soothe thee, or by threats appall,

Nor slack thy furious fires till with a shout

I give command, then bid them cease to blaze.400

She spake, and Vulcan at her word his fires

Shot dreadful forth; first, kindling on the field,

He burn’d the bodies strew’d numerous around

Slain by Achilles; arid grew the earth

And the flood ceased. As when a sprightly breeze405

Autumnal blowing from the North, at once

Dries the new-water’d garden,[7] gladdening him

Who tills the soil, so was the champain dried;

The dead consumed, against the River, next,

He turn’d the fierceness of his glittering fires.410

Willows and tamarisks and elms he burn’d,

Burn’d lotus, rushes, reeds; all plants and herbs

That clothed profuse the margin of his flood.

His eels and fishes, whether wont to dwell

In gulfs beneath, or tumble in the stream,415

All languish’d while the artist of the skies

Breath’d on them; even Xanthus lost, himself,

All force, and, suppliant, Vulcan thus address’d.

Oh Vulcan! none in heaven itself may cope

With thee. I yield to thy consuming fires.420

Cease, cease. I reck not if Achilles drive

Her citizens, this moment, forth from Troy,

For what are war and war’s concerns to me?

So spake he scorch’d, and all his waters boil’d.

As some huge caldron hisses urged by force425

Of circling fires and fill’d with melted lard,

The unctuous fluid overbubbling[8] streams

On all sides, while the dry wood flames beneath,

So Xanthus bubbled and his pleasant flood

Hiss’d in the fire, nor could he longer flow430

But check’d his current, with hot steams annoy’d

By Vulcan raised. His supplication, then,

Importunate to Juno thus he turn’d.

Ah Juno! why assails thy son my streams,

Hostile to me alone? Of all who aid435

The Trojans I am surely least to blame,

Yet even I desist if thou command;

And let thy son cease also; for I swear

That never will I from the Trojans turn

Their evil day, not even when the host440

Of Greece shall set all Ilium in a blaze.

He said, and by his oath pacified, thus

The white-arm’d Deity to Vulcan spake.

Peace, glorious son! we may not in behalf

Of mortal man thus longer vex a God.445

Then Vulcan his tremendous fires repress’d,

And down into his gulfy channel rush’d

The refluent flood; for when the force was once

Subdued of Xanthus, Juno interposed,

Although incensed, herself to quell the strife.450

But contest vehement the other Gods

Now waged, each breathing discord; loud they rush’d

And fierce to battle, while the boundless earth

Quaked under them, and, all around, the heavens

Sang them together with a trumpet’s voice.455

Jove listening, on the Olympian summit sat

Well-pleased, and, in his heart laughing for joy,

Beheld the Powers of heaven in battle join’d.

Not long aloof they stood. Shield-piercer Mars,

His brazen spear grasp’d, and began the fight460

Rushing on Pallas, whom he thus reproach’d.

Wasp! front of impudence, and past all bounds

Audacious! Why impellest thou the Gods

To fight? Thy own proud spirit is the cause.

Remember’st not, how, urged by thee, the son465

Of Tydeus, Diomede, myself assail’d,

When thou, the radiant spear with thy own hand

Guiding, didst rend my body? Now, I ween,

The hour is come in which I shall exact

Vengeance for all thy malice shown to me.470

So saying, her shield he smote tassell’d around

Terrific, proof against the bolts of Jove;

That shield gore-tainted Mars with fury smote.

But she, retiring, with strong grasp upheaved

A rugged stone, black, ponderous, from the plain,475

A land-mark fixt by men of ancient times,

Which hurling at the neck of stormy Mars

She smote him. Down he fell. Seven acres, stretch’d,

He overspread, his ringlets in the dust

Polluted lay, and dreadful rang his arms.480

The Goddess laugh’d, and thus in accents wing’d

With exultation, as he lay, exclaim’d.

Fool! Art thou still to learn how far my force

Surpasses thine, and darest thou cope with me?

Now feel the furies of thy mother’s ire485

Who hates thee for thy treachery to the Greeks,

And for thy succor given to faithless Troy.

She said, and turn’d from Mars her glorious eyes.

But him deep-groaning and his torpid powers

Recovering slow, Venus conducted thence490

Daughter of Jove, whom soon as Juno mark’d,

In accents wing’d to Pallas thus she spake.

Daughter invincible of glorious Jove!

Haste—follow her—Ah shameless! how she leads

Gore-tainted Mars through all the host of heaven.495