Before the Greek leaders retired to rest for the night, they held a
council in the tent of Agamemnon, at which they resolved to perform
funeral rites, early in the morning, in honor of their comrades who had
been slain in the battle. They also resolved, on the advice of Nestor,
to build a strong wall and dig a deep trench in front of their camp,
that their ships might be secure against the attacks of the enemy.
The Trojan chiefs, too, held a council. They were discouraged by their
losses in the battle, and many of them thought that they could not now
succeed in the war, because of the treacherous act of Pandarus in
breaking the league. The wise Antenor was of this opinion, and in his
speech at the council he advised that Helen and her treasures should be
given up to the Greeks.
"Send we the Argive Helen back with all
Her treasures; let the sons of Atreus lead
The dame away; for now we wage the war
After our faith is broken, and I deem
We cannot prosper till we make amends."
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII.
But Paris would not agree to this. He was willing to give up Helen's
treasures, and to give treasure of his own as compensation to the
Greeks, but he would not consent to restore Helen herself. King Priam
weakly gave way to his son, and ordered that a herald should be sent to
the Greek leaders to tell them of the offer of Paris, and to request
that fighting should not be resumed until the dead should be taken from
the battlefield, and funeral services performed.
Accordingly the Trojan herald Idæus went next morning to the tent of
Agamemnon. There he found the Argive chiefs assembled. Upon hearing his
message, they scornfully rejected the terms proposed by Paris, but they
agreed to a truce for the funeral ceremonies. Idæus returned to the
city, and told the Trojan leaders of the answer he had received. Both
Greeks and Trojans then began collecting their dead from the field and
building great piles of wood, or pyres, to burn the bodies upon.
All wailing, silently they bore away
Their slaughtered friends, and heaped them on the pyre
With aching hearts, and, when they had consumed
The dead with fire, returned to hallowed Troy.
The nobly-armed Achaians also heaped
Their slaughtered warriors on the funeral pile
With aching hearts; and when they had consumed
Their dead with fire they sought their hollow ships.
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII.
Before dawn next morning the Greeks set about building a wall and
digging a trench on the side of their camp facing Troy, as Nestor had
advised. They finished the work in one day, and a mighty work it was.
The wall was strengthened with lofty towers, and the gates were so large
that chariots could pass through. The trench was broad and deep, and on
the outer edge it was defended by strong, sharp stakes. The gods,
looking down from Olympus, admired these labors, but Neptune, much
displeased, made bitter complaint to Jupiter:
"Now will the fame
Of this their work go forth wherever shines
The light of day, and men will quite forget
The wall which once we built with toiling hands--
Phœbus Apollo and myself--around
The city of renowned Laomedon."
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VII.
But Jupiter relieved the anxiety of the ocean god by telling him that
when the war was over, and the Greeks had departed from Troy, he might
overthrow the great wall with his waves, and cover the shore with sand.
Thus the Grecian bulwark would vanish from the plain.
After their great labors on the wall and trench the Greeks feasted in
their tents, and next day, the truce being now ended, both armies
prepared for battle. Meanwhile Jupiter, held a council on high Olympus,
at which he gave strict command that none of the gods should take part
on either side in the fight before Troy; and he declared that if any of
them should disobey this order, he would hurl the offender down into the
dark pit of Tarʹta-rus, in the gloomy kingdom of Pluto.
Deep, deep in the great gulf below the earth,
With iron gates and threshold forged of brass.
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.
But Minerva begged that she might be permitted to assist the Greeks by
her advice. To this the king of heaven assented. Then mounting his
chariot, to which were yoked his brazen-footed, swift-flying steeds,
adorned with golden manes, he sped through the skies between the earth
and starry heaven to the summit of Mount Ida. There in a sacred
inclosure in which was an altar erected to him, the father of the gods
sat looking down upon the towers of Ilium and the ships of the Greeks.
The two hosts, led by their great chiefs, were now engaged in fierce
battle.
[Illustration: JUPITER ON MOUNT IDA.
_Drawn by Hubbell._]
The sounding darts in iron tempests flew;
Victors and vanquish'd join promiscuous cries,
Triumphant shouts and dying groans arise;
With streaming blood the slippery fields are dyed,
And slaughtered heroes swell the dreadful tide.
POPE, _Iliad_, Book VIII.
Thus the terrible conflict went on until midday, when Jupiter, taking in
his hand the golden scales of fate, weighed the fortunes of the Trojans
and Greeks.
By the midst
He held the balance, and, behold, the fate
Of Greece in that day's fight sank down until
It touched the nourishing earth, while that of Troy
Rose and flew upward toward the spacious heaven.
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.
Then the mighty god thundered from Mount Ida, and sent his lightnings
burning and flashing down against the army of the Greeks. In amazement
and terror the Argive chiefs fled from the field. Nestor alone remained,
though not willingly, for he too was seeking safety in flight when one
of the horses of his chariot was killed by an arrow from the bow of
Paris. The venerable king himself might have perished at the hands of
Hector, had not Diomede hastened up and taken him into his own chariot.
Both warriors then advanced against the Trojan chief, and Diomede hurled
his javelin. The weapon missed Hector, but killed his charioteer. Still
rushing on, the brave son of Tydeus was about to cast another spear,
when a terrific bolt of lightning flashed from the heavens and tore up
the earth in front of his steeds. Looking upon this as a sign of the
anger of Jupiter, the two heroes hastily retreated towards their camp.
Hector pursued them, and the Trojans, encouraged by his example, now
pressed forward until the Greeks were driven in behind their trench and
wall. Then Agamemnon, in deep despair, prayed to almighty Jove that he
would at least permit him and his people to get away in safety with
their ships.
"Now be at least one wish of mine fulfilled,--
That we may yet escape and get us hence;
Nor let the Trojans thus destroy the Greeks."
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.
Jupiter heard the prayer of the king, and in pity for his distress sent
a favorable omen. This was an eagle bearing in its talons a fawn, which
it dropped down by the side of the altar where the Greek chiefs were
just then offering sacrifice. Believing that the bird had come from
Jove, the Greeks took courage, and rushing out through their gates, with
Diomede and Agamemnon and Menelaus and Ajax at their head, they
furiously attacked the Trojans and slew many of them. Teucer, the
brother of Ajax Telamon, did great destruction with his bow and arrows,
in the use of which he was as skillful even as Pandarus. After killing
several of the enemy, he aimed twice at Hector, missing him, however,
each time, but at the second shot he slew the Trojan leader's
charioteer. Hector then jumped to the ground, and, seizing a great
stone, hurled it with mighty force, striking the unfortunate Teucer on
the neck, and felling him to the earth. And now the Trojans, rushing
once more upon the Greeks, again drove them back to their camp.
They drave
The Achaians backward to the yawning trench.
Then Hector came, with fury in his eyes,
Among the foremost warriors. As a hound,
Sure of his own swift feet, attacks behind
The lion or wild boar, and tears his flank,
Yet warily observes him as he turns,
So Hector followed close the long-haired Greeks,
And ever slew the hindmost as they fled.
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.
But night now put an end to the battle. This was a most welcome relief
to the Greek leaders, thoroughly disheartened as they were at the sight
of the enemy almost at their ships. On the other hand the warriors of
Troy "most unwillingly beheld the sunset," for it prevented them from
following up their victory. But Hector was confident that on the next
day he would be able to destroy the Achaian host and fleet, and so end
the war. He therefore addressed his troops, commanding them to remain on
the field for the night, that they might be ready to fall upon the
Greeks, should they attempt to go aboard their vessels, and "escape
across the mighty deep."
So high in hope, they sat the whole night through
In warlike lines, and many watch fires blazed.
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book VIII.
Meanwhile the Grecian leaders held a council of war, and Agamemnon
advised that they should take to their ships, and set sail for Greece,
as it now seemed to be the will of Jupiter that they should never
capture Troy. Upon hearing this the chiefs sat for a time in gloomy
silence. At length Diomede spoke out, censuring the king for his
cowardly counsel.
"The gods," said he, "have given you, O son of Atreus, high rank and
great power, but not much of courage. Return home if you are so
inclined, but the other Greeks will remain until they have overthrown
Troy, for it was by the direction of the immortals that we came here."
These words were loudly applauded by the assembled leaders. Then guards
were placed to watch the wall and trench, after which Agamemnon gave
the chiefs a banquet in his tent. When all had partaken of the good
things set before them, the wise Nestor advised that an effort be made
to appease the anger of Achilles. This proposal even Agamemnon warmly
approved, for he now admitted that he had done a great wrong in taking
away Briseis, and he declared that he would restore the maiden at once
to Achilles, and send him rich gifts besides.
"I erred, and I deny it not.
That man indeed is equal to a host,
Whom Jupiter doth love and honor thus,
Humbling the Achaian people for his sake.
And now, since, yielding to my wayward mood
I erred, let me appease him, if I may,
With gifts of priceless worth."
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX.
Agamemnon then promised that he would send to Achilles a large sum in
gold, with twenty shining caldrons, and twelve steeds which had won many
prizes by their fleetness. Moreover, when they should return to Greece
after having conquered the Trojans, he would give him one of his
daughters to be his wife, and with her, as a marriage portion, seven
rich cities of Argos.
The Greek chiefs were very glad to hear these proposals, and they
resolved to appoint ambassadors to send to Achilles to beg him to
accept these gifts and make peace with Agamemnon. On the advice of
Nestor they chose for this important mission the prudent Ulysses, an
aged chief named Phœʹnix, and the valiant warrior Ajax. Phœnix had been
the instructor of Achilles in his youth, and had been sent by King
Peleus with the expedition to Troy to be his son's friend and counselor.
The three ambassadors, with two heralds, accordingly set out for the
camp of the Myrmidonian chief. They found him sitting in his tent with
his friend Patroclus.
Amused at ease, the godlike man they found,
Pleased with the solemn harp's harmonious sound.
(The well wrought harp from conquered Thebæ came;
Of polish'd silver was its costly frame).
With this he soothes his angry soul, and sings
The immortal deeds of heroes and of kings.
POPE, _Iliad_, Book IX.
The ambassadors were received with great respect. Achilles rose from his
seat and welcomed them as warriors and friends. Then food and drink were
placed before them, and after they had refreshed themselves, Ulysses
stated the object of their visit. He described the danger of the Grecian
army, threatened with destruction by the terrible Hector and his
victorious hosts. He next told of the many gifts which Agamemnon had
offered, and then in earnest words he begged Achilles to lay aside his
anger, and come to the relief of his countrymen in their great peril.
But the wrath of the son of Peleus was not thus to be appeased. He
replied to Ulysses in a long speech, recounting his services during the
war, and bitterly complaining of the ingratitude and selfishness of
Agamemnon.
"Twelve cities have I with my fleet laid waste,
And with my Myrmidons have I o'erthrown
Eleven upon this fertile Trojan coast.
Full many a precious spoil from these I bore,
And to Atrides Agamemnon gave.
He, loitering in his fleet, received them all;
Few he distributed, and many kept."
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX.
As for the apologies which Agamemnon now made, the wrathful hero
declared that he could have no confidence in a man who had deceived him,
nor would he accept the offered gifts.
"Let him ne'er again,
Though shameless, dare to look me in the face.
I will not join in council nor in act
With him: he has deceived and wronged me once,
And now he cannot wheedle me with words.
Let once suffice. I leave him to himself,
To perish. All-providing Jupiter
Hath made him mad. I hate his gifts; I hold
In utter scorn the giver."
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book IX.
In vain also were the entreaties of Phœnix and Ajax. They too tried to
persuade the hero to dismiss from his mind the thought of his wrongs,
and lead his brave Myrmidons once more into the field for the honor of
his country. But Achilles persisted in his refusal to take further part
in the war, and so there was nothing left for the ambassadors but to
return to the tent of Agamemnon and report the failure of their mission.
In deep disappointment and distress the chiefs heard the story. Then
again they held counsel together to consider what was best to
do,--whether to prepare for another battle, or to betake themselves at
once to their ships and set sail for Greece. Nestor proposed that some
brave and prudent chief should venture into the Trojan camp, and, if
possible, find out what were the plans of Hector.
"Is there (said he) a chief so greatly brave,
His life to hazard, and his country save?
Lives there a man, who singly dares to go
To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?
Or favor'd by the night approach so near,
Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?"
POPE, _Iliad_, Book X.
Diomede offered himself for this service, and being permitted to select
a companion, he made choice of Ulysses. The two warriors at once put on
their armor, and took up their weapons. Then they went out into the
plain, each praying to Minerva to grant them success. Cautiously they
moved forward towards the camp of the enemy.
With dreadful thoughts they trace the dreary way,
Through the black horrors of the ensanguined plain,
Through dust, through blood, o'er arms, and hills of slain.
POPE, _Iliad_, Book X.
Now it happened that about the same time Hector had sent a young Trojan
chief, Doʹlon by name, on a similar errand,--to make his way into the
Grecian camp, and find out the designs of the Argive leaders. Dolon
offered to undertake the dangerous task on condition that he should have
as his reward the chariot and horses of Achilles, when the Greeks should
be conquered. Hector agreed to the condition, and the Trojan spy, arming
himself, set forth for the Greek camp. He had not gone far when Ulysses
and Diomede saw him advancing, whereupon they lay down among the dead
bodies and allowed him to go forward a considerable distance. Then they
rose up and followed him.
At first Dolon supposed that they were Trojans sent by Hector to call
him back, but, soon seeing that they were enemies, he fled with great
speed in the direction of the ships. The two Greeks hastened in
pursuit, and Diomede hurled a spear after the fugitive. He purposely
missed him, however, for their object was to take the Trojan alive, that
they might get from him the information they desired. The weapon passed
over the shoulder of Dolon, and sank into the ground in front of him.
Instantly he stood still, trembling with fear, and the Greek warriors,
hurrying up, seized him by the hands. The frightened Trojan flung
himself on his knees, and begged them to spare his life, promising that
his father, who was rich, would pay a high ransom. Ulysses commanded him
to tell what his errand was to the Grecian camp, and also to tell them
all about the Trojan army, and of the plans of Hector.
"Tell me,--and tell the truth,--where hast thou left
Hector, the leader of the host, and where
Are laid his warlike arms; where stand his steeds;
Where are the sentinels, and where the tents
Of other chiefs? On what do they consult?
Will they remain beside our galleys here,
Or do they meditate, since, as they say,
The Greeks are beaten, a return to Troy?"
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book X.
The terrified Dolon, hoping to move the Greeks to mercy, told even more
than he was asked to tell. There was a Thracian king, he said, who had
that very day arrived with a troop of soldiers to help the Trojans.
Rheʹsus was his name. He had steeds beautiful to behold, and fleet as
the wind, his chariot shone with gold and silver, and the armor he wore
was all of gold.
"Even now," said Dolon, "Rhesus and his followers are in a camp by
themselves separated from the others, and it will be easy to take them
by surprise as they lie asleep, and carry off the rich things they
possess."
This news was joyfully received by the Greek heroes. They had heard of
an oracle which declared that Troy could never be captured if these same
horses of Rhesus should once drink of the water of Xanthus or feed on
the grass of the Trojan plain. They therefore resolved to rob Rhesus of
his magnificent steeds. But first they killed the unhappy Dolon, paying
no heed to his prayers for mercy. Then they hurried on to the Thracian
camp, where they found the warriors sunk in deep repose, after the
fatigues of the day's journey.
There slept the warriors, overpowered with toil;
Their glittering arms were near them, fairly ranged
In triple rows, and by each suit of arms
Two coursers. Rhesus slumbered in the midst.
Near him were his fleet horses, which were made
Fast to the chariot's border by the reins.
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book X.
Diomede slew Rhesus and twrelve of his companions, while Ulysses untied
the king's steeds, and led them forth into the field. Then, hastening
across the plain with their rich prize, they soon reached the Grecian
camp, where Nestor and the other chiefs joyfully welcomed them.
Their friends, rejoicing, flocked
Around them, greeting them with grasp of hands
And with glad words.
BRYANT, _Iliad_, Book X.
[Illustration]