BOOK V.

How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and wounded

even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene.

But now to Tydeus’ son Diomedes Pallas Athene gave might and courage,

for him to be pre-eminent amid all the Argives and win glorious renown.

She kindled flame unwearied from his helmet and shield, like to the

star of summer that above all others glittereth bright after he hath

bathed in the ocean stream. In such wise kindled she flame from his

head and shoulders and sent him into the midst, where men thronged the

thickest.

Now there was amid the Trojans one Dares, rich and noble, priest of

Hephaistos; and he had two sons, Phegeus and Idaios, well skilled in

all the art of battle. These separated themselves and assailed him face

to face, they setting on him from their car and he on foot upon the

ground. And when they were now come near in onset on each other, first

Phegeus hurled his far-shadowing spear; and over Tydeides’ left

shoulder the spear point passed, and smote not his body. Then next

Tydeides made a spear-cast, and the javelin sped not from his hand in

vain, but smote his breast between the nipples, and thrust him from the

chariot. So Idaios sprang away, leaving his beautiful car, and dared

not to bestride his slain brother; else had neither he himself escaped

black fate: but Hephaistos guarded him and saved him in a veil of

darkness, that he might not have his aged priest all broken with

sorrow. And the son of great-hearted Tydeus drave away the horses and

gave them to his men to take to the hollow ships. But when the

great-hearted Trojans beheld the sons of Dares, how one was fled, and

one was slain beside his chariot, the spirit of all was stirred. But

bright-eyed Athene took impetuous Ares by the hand and spake to him and

said: “Ares, Ares, blood-stained bane of mortals, thou stormer of

walls, can we not now leave the Trojans and Achaians to fight, on

whichsoever it be that father Zeus bestoweth glory? But let us twain

give place, and escape the wrath of Zeus.”

So saying she led impetuous Ares from the battle. Then she made him sit

down beside loud Skamandros, and the Danaans pushed the Trojans back.

Each one of the captains slew his man; first Agamemnon king of men

thrust from his chariot the lord of the Halizonians, great Odios; for

as he first turned to flight Agamemnon thrust his dart into his back

between his shoulders, and drave it through his breast. And he fell

with a crash, and his armour clanged upon him.

And Idomeneus slew Phaistos son of Boros the Maionian, that came from

deep-soiled Tarne. Him in the act to mount upon his car spear-famed

Idomeneus pierced with his long dart through his right shoulder; and he

fell from the car and hateful darkness gat hold of him.

Him then Idomeneus’ squires despoiled; and Skamandrios, son of

Strophios, cunning in the chase, fell to the keen-pointed spear of

Menelaos son of Atreus; even he the mighty hunter, whom Artemis herself

had taught to shoot all manner of wild things that the mountain forest

breedeth. But now did Archer Artemis avail him naught nor all his

marksmanship wherein of old time he excelled; but spear-famed Menelaos

son of Atreus smote him with his dart as he fled before him, in his

back [between his shoulders, and pierced through his breast]. So he

fell prone and his armour clanged upon him.

And Meriones slew Phereklos, son of Tekton Harmon’s son, whose hands

were cunning to make all manner of curious work; for Pallas Athene

loved him more than all men. He likewise built Alexandros the trim

ships, source of ills, that were made the bane of all the Trojans and

of himself, because he knew not the oracles of heaven. Him Meriones

pursued, and overtaking him smote him in the right buttock, and right

through passed the point straight to the bladder beneath the bone; and

he fell to his knees with a cry, and death overshadowed him.

Then Meges slew Pedaios Antenor’s son, that was a bastard; yet goodly

Theano nurtured him carefully like to her own children, to do her

husband pleasure. To him Phyleus’ spear-famed son came near, and with

keen dart smote him upon the sinew of the head; and right through amid

the teeth the point of bronze cleft the tongue’s root. So he fell in

the dust, and bit the cold bronze with his teeth.

And by Eurypylos, Euaimon’s son, noble Hypsenor son of high-hearted

Dolopion that was appointed Skamandros’ priest and like to a god was

held in honour of the folk—by Eurypylos Euaimon’s glorious son, he as

he fled before him was pursued and smitten on the shoulder with a

sword-thrust, and his heavy arm was shorn away. All bleeding the arm

fell upon the earth; and over his eyes came gloomy death and forceful

fate.

So laboured these in the violent mellay; but of Tydeides man could not

tell with whom he were joined, whether he consorted with Trojans or

with Achaians. For he stormed across the plain like a winter torrent at

the full, that in swift course scattereth the causeys; neither can the

long lines of* causeys hold it in, nor the fences of fruitful orchards

stay its sudden coming when the rain of heaven driveth it; and so

before it perish in multitudes the fair works of the sons of men. Thus

before Tydeides the serried battalions of the Trojans were overthrown,

and they abode him not for all they were so many.

* Reading ἐερμέναι, with Aristarchos.

But when Lykaon’s glorious son marked him storming across the plain,

overthrowing battalions before him, anon he bent his crooked bow

against Tydeides, and smote him as he sped onwards, hitting hard by his

right shoulder the plate of his corslet; the bitter arrow flew through

and held straight upon its way, and the corslet was dabbled with blood.

Over him then loudly shouted Lykaon’s glorious son: “Bestir you,

great-hearted Trojans, urgers of horses; the best man of the Achaians

is wounded, and I deem that he shall not for long endure the violent

dart, if verily the king, the son of Zeus,* sped me on my way from

Lykia.”

* Apollo

So spake he boasting; yet was the other not vanquished of the swift

dart, only he gave place and stood before his horses and his chariot

and spake to Sthenelos son of Kapaneus: “Haste thee, dear son of

Kapaneus; descend from thy chariot, to draw me from my shoulder the

bitter arrow.”

So said he, and Sthenelos leapt from his chariot to earth and stood

beside him and drew the swift shaft right through, out of his shoulder;

and the blood darted up through the pliant tunic. Then Diomedes of the

loud war-cry prayed thereat: “Hear me, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus,

unwearied maiden! If ever in kindly mood thou stoodest by my father in

the heat of battle, even so now be thou likewise kind to me, Athene.

Grant me to slay this man, and bring within my spear-cast him that took

advantage to shoot me, and boasteth over me, deeming that not for long

shall I see the bright light of the sun.”

So spake he in prayer, and Pallas Athene heard him, and made his limbs

nimble, his feet and his hands withal, and came near and spake winged

words: “Be of good courage now, Diomedes, to fight the Trojans; for in

thy breast I have set thy father’s courage undaunted, even as it was in

knightly Tydeus, wielder of the buckler. Moreover I have taken from

thine eyes the mist that erst was on them, that thou mayest well

discern both god and man. Therefore if any god come hither to make

trial of thee, fight not thou face to face with any of the immortal

gods; save only if Aphrodite daughter of Zeus enter into the battle,

her smite thou with the keen bronze.”

So saying bright-eyed Athene went her way and Tydeides returned and

entered the forefront of the battle; even though erst his soul was

eager to do battle with the Trojans, yet now did threefold courage come

upon him, as upon a lion whom some shepherd in the field guarding his

fleecy sheep hath wounded, being sprung into the fold, yet hath not

vanquished him; he hath roused his might, and then cannot beat him

back, but lurketh amid the steading, and his forsaken flock is

affrighted; so the sheep are cast in heaps, one upon the other, and the

lion in his fury leapeth out of the high fold; even so in fury mingled

mighty Diomedes with the Trojans.

There slew he Astynoos and Hypeiron shepherd of the host; the one he

pierced above the nipple with his bronze-shod dart, the other with his

great sword upon the collar-bone beside the shoulder he smote, and

severed the shoulder from neck and back. Them left he there, and

pursued after Abas and Polyidos, sons of old Eurydamas dreamer of

dreams; yet discerned he no dreams for them when they went,* but

stalwart Diomedes despoiled them. Then went he after Xanthos and Thoon,

sons of Phainops, striplings both; but their father was outworn of

grievous age, and begat no other son for his possessions after him.

Then Diomedes slew them and bereft the twain of their dear life, and

for their father left only lamentation and sore distress, seeing he

welcomed them not alive returned from battle; and kinsmen divided his

substance.

* Or, “yet came they not home for him to discern dreams for them.”

Then caught he two sons of Priam of the seed of Dardanos, riding in one

chariot, Echemmon and Chromios. As a lion leapeth among the kine and

breaketh the neck of cow or heifer grazing in a woodland pasture, so

Tydeus’ son thrust in ill wise from their chariot both of them

unwilling, and thereafter despoiled them of their arms; and the horses

gave he to his comrades to drive them to the ships.

Him Aineias beheld making havoc of the ranks of warriors, and went his

way along the battle and amid the hurtling of spears, seeking godlike

Pandaros, if haply he might find him. Lykaon’s son he found, the noble

and stalwart, and stood before his face, and spake a word unto him.

“Pandaros, where now are thy bow and thy winged arrows, and the fame

wherein no man of this land rivalleth thee, nor any in Lykia boasteth

to be thy better? Go to now, lift thy hands in prayer to Zeus and shoot

thy dart at this fellow, whoe’er he be that lordeth it here and hath

already wrought the Trojans much mischief, seeing he hath unstrung the

knees of many a brave man; if indeed it be not some god wroth with the

Trojans, in anger by reason of sacrifices; the wrath of god is a sore

thing to fall on men.”*

* Or, “and the wrath of gods be heavy upon us.”

And Lykaon’s glorious son made answer to him: “Aineias, counsellor of

the mail-clad Trojans, in everything liken I him to the wise son of

Tydeus; I discern him by his shield and crested helmet, and by the

aspect of his horses; yet know I not surely if it be not a god. But if

it be the man I deem, even the wise son of Tydeus, then not without

help of a god is he thus furious, but some immortal standeth beside him

with a cloud wrapped about his shoulders and turned aside from him my

swift dart even as it lighted. For already have I shot my dart at him

and smote his right shoulder right through the breastplate of his

corslet, yea and I thought to hurl him headlong to Aidoneus, yet I

vanquished him not; surely it is some wrathful god. And I have no

steeds at hand nor any chariot whereon to mount—yet in Lykaon’s halls

are eleven fair chariots, new wrought, with gear all fresh, and cloths

spread over them; and beside each standeth a yoke of horses, champing

white barley and spelt. Moreover Lykaon the aged spearman at my

departing laid instant charge upon me in our well-builded house; he

bade me mount horse and chariot to lead the Trojans in the violent

mellay; but I obeyed him not—far better had that been!—but spared the

horses lest in the great crowd of men they should lack fodder that had

been wont to feed their fill. Therefore I left them and am come on foot

to Ilios, trusting to my bow; and now must my bow not help me! Already

have I aimed at two princes, Tydeus’ and Atreus’ sons, and both I smote

and surely drew forth blood, yet only roused them the more. Therefore

in an evil hour I took from the peg my curved bow on that day when I

led my Trojans to lovely Ilios, to do noble Hector pleasure. But if I

return and mine eyes behold my native land and wife and great palace

lofty-roofed, then may an alien forthwith cut my head from me if I

break not this bow with mine hands and cast it upon the blazing fire;

worthless is its service to me as air.”

Then Aineias captain of the Trojans answered him: “Nay, talk not thus;

naught shall be mended before that we with horses and chariot have gone

to face this man, and made trial of him in arms. Come then, mount upon

my car that thou mayest see of what sort are the steeds of Tros, well

skilled for following or for fleeing hither or thither very fleetly

across the plain; they will e’en bring us to the city safe and sound,

even though Zeus hereafter give victory to Diomedes son of Tydeus. Come

therefore, take thou the lash and shining reins, and I will stand upon

the car to fight;* or else withstand thou him, and to the horses will I

look.”

* Reading ἐπιβήσομαι, with Zenodotos.

To him made answer Lykaon’s glorious son: “Aineias, take thou thyself

the reins and thine own horses; better will they draw the curved car

for their wonted charioteer, if perchance it hap that we must flee from

Tydeus’ son; lest they go wild for fear and will not take us from the

fight, for lack of thy voice, and so the son of great-hearted Tydeus

attack us and slay us both and drive away the whole-hooved horses. So

drive thou thyself thy chariot and thy horses, and I will await his

onset with my keen spear.” So saying mounted they upon the well-dight

chariot, and eagerly drave the fleet horses against Tydeides. And

Sthenelos, the glorious son of Kapaneus, saw them, and anon spake to

Tydeides winged words: “Diomedes son of Tydeus, dear to mine heart, I

behold two stalwart warriors eager to fight against thee, endued with

might beyond measure. The one is well skilled in the bow, even

Pandaros, and he moreover boasteth him to be Lykaon’s son; and Aineias

boasteth himself to be born son of great-hearted Anchises, and his

mother is Aphrodite. Come now, let us give place upon the chariot,

neither rage thou thus, I pray thee, in the forefront of battle, lest

perchance thou lose thy life.”

Then stalwart Diomedes looked sternly at him and said: “Speak to me no

word of flight, for I ween that thou shalt not at all persuade me; not

in my blood is it to fight a skulking fight or cower down; my force is

steadfast still. I have no mind to mount the chariot, nay, even as I am

will I go to face them; Pallas Athene biddeth me not be afraid. And as

for these, their fleet horses shall not take both back from us again,

even if one or other escape. And this moreover tell I thee, and lay

thou it to heart: if Athene rich in counsel grant me this glory, to

slay them both, then refrain thou here these my fleet horses, and bind

the reins tight to the chariot rim; and be mindful to leap upon

Aineias’ horses, and drive them forth from the Trojans amid the

well-greaved Achaians. For they are of that breed whereof farseeing*

Zeus gave to Tros recompense for Ganymede his child, because they were

the best of all horses beneath the daylight and the sun. That blood

Anchises king of men stole of Laomedon, privily putting mares to them.

Thereof a stock was born him in his palace, even six; four kept he

himself and reared them at the stall, and the other twain gave he to

Aineias deviser of rout.** Them could we seize, we should win us great

renown.”

* Or, “Zeus of the far-borne voice.”

** Reading μήστωρι.

In such wise talked they one to the other, and anon those other twain

came near, driving their fleet horses. First to him spake Lykaon’s

glorious son: “O thou strong-souled and cunning, son of proud Tydeus,

verily my swift dart vanquished thee not, the bitter arrow; so now will

I make trial with my spear if I can hit thee.”

He spake and poised and hurled his far-shadowing spear, and smote upon

Tydeides’ shield; right through it sped the point of bronze and reached

the breastplate. So over him shouted loudly Lykaon’s glorious son:

“Thou art smitten on the belly right through, and I ween thou shalt not

long hold up thine head; so thou givest me great renown.”

But mighty Diomedes unaffrighted answered him: “Thou hast missed, and

not hit; but ye twain I deem shall not cease till one or other shall

have fallen and glutted with blood Ares the stubborn god of war.”

So spake he and hurled; and Athene guided the dart upon his nose beside

the eye, and it pierced through his white teeth. So the hard bronze cut

through his tongue at the root and the point issued forth by the base

of the chin. He fell from his chariot, and his splendid armour gleaming

clanged upon him, and the fleet-footed horses swerved aside; so there

his soul and strength were unstrung.

Then Aineias leapt down with shield and long spear, fearing lest

perchance the Achaians might take from him the corpse; and strode over

him like a lion confident in his strength, and held before him his

spear and the circle of his shield, eager to slay whoe’er should come

to face him, crying his terrible cry. Then Tydeides grasped in his hand

a stone—a mighty deed—such as two men, as men now are, would not avail

to lift; yet he with ease wielded it all alone. Therewith he smote

Aineias on the hip where the thigh turneth in the hip-joint, and this

men call the “cup-bone.” So he crushed his cup-bone, and brake both

sinews withal, and the jagged stone tore apart the skin. Then the hero

stayed fallen upon his knees and with stout hand leant upon the earth;

and the darkness of night veiled his eyes. And now might Aineias king

of men have perished, but that Aphrodite daughter of Zeus was swift to

mark, even his mother that conceived him by Anchises as he tended the

kine. About her dear son wound she her white arms, and spread before

his face a fold of her radiant vesture, to be a covering from the

darts, lest any of the fleet-horsed Danaans might hurl the spear into

his breast and take away his life.

So was she bearing her dear son away from battle; but the son of

Kapaneus forgat not the behest that Diomedes of the loud war-cry had

laid upon him; he refrained his own whole-hooved horses away from the

tumult, binding the reins tight to the chariot-rim, and leapt on the

sleek-coated horses of Aineias, and drave them from the Trojans to the

well-greaved Achaians, and gave them to Deïpylos his dear comrade whom

he esteemed above all that were his age-fellows, because he was

like-minded with himself; and bade him drive them to the hollow ships.

Then did the hero mount his own chariot and take the shining reins and

forthwith drive his strong-hooved horses in quest of Tydeides, eagerly.

Now Tydeides had made onslaught with pitiless weapon on Kypris,*

knowing how she was a coward goddess and none of those that have

mastery in battle of the warriors—no Athene she nor Enyo waster of

cities. Now when he had pursued her through the dense throng and come

on her, then great-hearted Tydeus’ son thrust with his keen spear, and

leapt on her and wounded the skin of her weak hand; straight through

the ambrosial raiment that the Graces themselves had woven her pierced

the dart into the flesh, above the springing of the palm. Then flowed

the goddess’s immortal blood, such ichor as floweth in the blessed

gods; for they eat no bread neither drink they gleaming wine, wherefore

they are bloodless and are named immortals. And she with a great cry

let fall her son: him Phoebus Apollo took into his arms and saved him

in a dusky cloud, lest any of the fleet-horsed Danaans might hurl the

spear into his breast and take away his life. But over her Diomedes of

the loud war-cry shouted afar: “Refrain thee, thou daughter of Zeus,

from war and fighting. Is it not enough that thou beguilest feeble

women? But if in battle thou wilt mingle, verily I deem that thou shalt

shudder at the name of battle, if thou hear it even afar off.”

* Aphrodite.

So spake he, and she departed in amaze and was sore troubled: and

wind-footed Iris took her and led her from the throng tormented with

her pain, and her fair skin was stained. There found she impetuous Ares

sitting, on the battle’s left; and his spear rested upon a cloud, and

his fleet steeds. Then she fell on her knees and with instant prayer

besought of her dear brother his golden-frontleted steeds: “Dear

brother, save me and give me thy steeds, that I may win to Olympus,

where is the habitation of the immortals. Sorely am I afflicted with a

wound wherewith a mortal smote me, even Tydeides, who now would fight

even with father Zeus.”

So spake she, and Ares gave her his golden-frontleted steeds, and she

mounted on the chariot sore at heart. By her side mounted Iris, and in

her hands grasped the reins and lashed the horses to start them; and

they flew onward nothing loth. Thus soon they came to the habitation of

the gods, even steep Olympus. There wind-footed fleet Iris loosed the

horses from the chariot and stabled them, and set ambrosial forage

before them; but fair Aphrodite fell upon Dione’s knees that was her

mother. She took her daughter in her arms and stroked her with her

hand, and spake and called upon her name: “Who now of the sons of

heaven, dear child, hath entreated thee thus wantonly, as though thou

wert a wrong-doer in the face of all?”

Then laughter-loving Aphrodite made answer to her: “Tydeus’ son wounded

me, high-hearted Diomedes, because I was saving from the battle my dear

son Aineias, who to me is dearest far of all men. For no more is the

fierce battle-cry for Trojans and Achaians, but the Danaans now are

fighting even the immortals.”

Then the fair goddess Dione answered her: “Be of good heart, my child,

and endure for all thy pain; for many of us that inhabit the mansions

of Olympus have suffered through men, in bringing grievous woes one

upon another. So suffered Ares, when Otos and stalwart Ephialtes, sons

of Aloeus, bound him in a strong prison-house; yea in a vessel of

bronze lay he bound thirteen months. Then might Ares insatiate of

battle have perished, but that the step-mother of Aloeus’ sons, fair

Eëriboia, gave tidings to Hermes, and he stole away Ares, already

pining; for the grievous prison-house was wearing him out. So suffered

Hera when Amphitryon’s stalwart son smote her on the right breast with

a three-barbed arrow, so that pain unassuageable gat hold of her

likewise. So suffered awful Hades a swift arrow like the rest, when

this same man, the son of aegis-bearing Zeus, smote him in Pylos* amid

the dead and gave him over to anguish. And he went to the mansion of

Zeus and to high Olympus, grieved at heart, pierced through with

anguish; for the arrow was driven into his stout shoulder, and vexed

his soul. But Paieon spread soothing drugs upon the wound and healed

him; seeing that verily he was of no mortal substance. Headstrong man

and violent of deed, that recked not of his evil doings, and with his

archery vexed the gods that dwell in Olympus! So upon thee was this man

sent by the bright-eyed goddess Athene; fond man—for the heart of

Tydeus’ son knoweth not this, that he of a surety is not long-lived

that fighteth with immortals, nor ever do his children prattle upon his

knees at his returning from war and terrible fray. Therefore now let

Tydeides, though he be very mighty, beware lest one better than thou

encounter him; and so Aigialeia, wise daughter of Adrestos, wake from

sleep with lamentations all her household, bewailing her wedded lord,

the best man of the Achaians, even she that is the brave wife of

horse-taming Diomedes.”

* Or, “at the gate of hell.” according to Aristarchos.

So saying with both hands she wiped the ichor from the arm; her arm was

comforted, and the grievous pangs assuaged. But Athene and Hera beheld,

and with bitter words provoked Zeus the son of Kronos. Of them was the

bright-eyed goddess Athene first to speak: “Father Zeus, wilt thou

indeed be wroth with me whate’er I say? Verily I ween that Kypris was

urging some woman of Achaia to join her unto the Trojans whom she so

marvellously loveth; and stroking such an one of the fair-robed women

of Achaia, she tore upon the golden brooch her delicate hand.”

So spake she, and the father of gods and men smiled, and called unto

him golden Aphrodite and said: “Not unto thee, my child, are given the

works of war; but follow thou after the loving tasks of wedlock, and to

all these things shall fleet Ares and Athene look.”

Now while they thus spake in converse one with the other, Diomedes of

the loud war-cry leapt upon Aineias, knowing full well that Apollo

himself had spread his arms over him; yet reverenced he not even the

great god, but still was eager to slay Aineias and strip from him his

glorious armour. So thrice he leapt on him, fain to slay him, and

thrice Apollo beat back his glittering shield. And when the fourth time

he sprang at him like a god, then Apollo the Far-darter spake to him

with terrible shout: “Think, Tydeides, and shrink, nor desire to match

thy spirit with gods; seeing there is no comparison of the race of

immortal gods and of men that walk upon the earth.”

So said he, and Tydeides shrank a short space backwards, to avoid the

wrath of Apollo the Far-darter. Then Apollo set Aineias away from the

throng in holy Pergamos where his temple stood. There Leto and Archer

Artemis healed him in the mighty sanctuary, and gave him glory; but

Apollo of the silver bow made a wraith like unto Aineias’ self, and in

such armour as his; and over the wraith Trojans and goodly Achaians

each hewed the others’ bucklers on their breasts, their round shields

and fluttering targes.

Then to impetuous Ares said Phoebus Apollo: “Ares, Ares, blood-stained

bane of mortals, thou stormer of walls, wilt thou not follow after this

man and withdraw him from the battle, this Tydeides, who now would

fight even with father Zeus? First in close fight he wounded Kypris in

her hand hard by the wrist, and then sprang he upon myself like unto a

god.”

So saying he sate himself upon the height of Pergamos, and baleful Ares

entered among the Trojan ranks and aroused them in the likeness of

fleet Akamas, captain of the Thracians. On the heaven-nurtured sons of

Priam he called saying: “O ye sons of Priam, the heaven-nurtured king,

how long will ye yet suffer your host to be slain of the Achaians?

Shall it be even until they fight about our well-builded gates? Low

lieth the warrior whom we esteemed like unto goodly Hector, even

Aineias son of Anchises great of heart. Go to now, let us save from the

tumult our valiant comrade.”

So saying he aroused the spirit and soul of every man. Thereat Sarpedon

sorely chode noble Hector: “Hector, where now is the spirit gone that

erst thou hadst? Thou saidst forsooth that without armies or allies

thou wouldest hold the city, alone with thy sisters’ husbands and thy

brothers; but now can I not see any of these neither perceive them, but

they are cowering like hounds about a lion; and we are fighting that

are but allies among you. Yea I being an ally am come from very far;

far off is Lykia upon eddying Xanthos, where I left my dear wife and

infant son, and left my great wealth that each one coveteth that is in

need. Yet for all that I urge on my Lykians, and myself am eager to

fight my man, though here is naught of mine such as the Achaians might

plunder or harry. But thou standest, nay thou dost not even urge all

thine hosts to abide and guard their wives. Only beware lest, as though

tangled in meshes of all-ensnaring flax, ye be made unto your foemen a

prey and a spoil; and they will soon lay waste your well-peopled city.

Thee it behoveth to give thought to all these things both by night and

day, and to beseech the captains of thy far-famed allies to hold on

unflinchingly; and so shalt thou put away their sore rebuking from

thee.”

So spake Sarpedon, and his word stung Hector to the heart, Forthwith he

leapt from his chariot in his armour to the earth, and brandishing two

keen spears went everywhere through the host, urging them to fight, and

roused the dread battle-cry. So they were rallied and stood to face the

Achaians: and the Argives withstood them in close array and fled not.

Even as a wind carrieth the chaff about the sacred threshing-floors

when men are winnowing, what time golden-haired Demeter in rush of wind

maketh division of grain and chaff, and so the chaff-heaps grow

white—so now grew the Achaians white with falling dust which in their

midst the horses’ hooves beat up into the brazen heaven, as fight was

joined again, and the charioteers wheeled round. Thus bare they forward

the fury of their hands: and impetuous Ares drew round them a veil of

night to aid the Trojans in the battle,* ranging everywhere; so

fulfilled he the behest of Phoebus Apollo of the golden sword, who bade

him rouse the Trojans’ spirit when he beheld Pallas Athene departed;

for she was helper to the Danaans. And Apollo himself sent forth

Aineias from his rich sanctuary and put courage in the heart of him,

shepherd of the hosts. So Aineias took his place amid his comrades, and

they were glad to see him come among them alive and sound and full of

valiant spirit. Yet they questioned him not at all, for all the toil

forbade them that the god of the silver bow was stirring and Ares bane

of men and Strife raging insatiably.

* Or, drew round the battle a veil of night to help the Trojans.

And on the other side the two Aiantes and Odysseus and Diomedes stirred

the Danaans to fight; yet these of themselves feared neither the

Trojans’ violence nor assaults, but stood like mists that Kronos’ son

setteth in windless air on the mountain tops, at peace, while the might

of the north wind sleepeth and of all the violent winds that blow with

keen breath and scatter apart the shadowing clouds. Even so the Danaans

withstood the Trojans steadfastly and fled not. And Atreides ranged

through the throng exhorting instantly: “My friends, quit you like men

and take heart of courage, and shun dishonour in one another’s eyes

amid the stress of battle. Of men that shun dishonour more are saved

than slain, but for them that flee is neither glory found nor any

safety.”

So saying he darted swiftly with his javelin and smote a foremost

warrior, even great-hearted Aineias’ comrade Deïkoon son of Pergasos,

whom the Trojans held in like honour with Priam’s sons, because he was

swift to do battle amid the foremost. Him lord Agamemnon smote with his

dart upon the shield, and it stayed not the spear, but the point passed

through, so that he drave it through the belt into his nethermost

belly: and he fell with a crash and his armour clanged upon him.

Then did Aineias slay two champions of the Danaans, even the sons of

Diokles, Krethon and Orsilochos, whose father dwelt in stablished

Phere, a man full of substance, whose lineage was of the river

Alpheios, that floweth in broad stream through the land of the Pylians;

Alpheios begat Orsilochos to be king of many men, and Orsilochos begat

great-hearted Diokles, and of Diokles were born twin sons, even Krethon

and Orsilochos, well skilled in all the ways of war. Now when these

were of full age, they bare the Argives company on their black ships to

Ilios home of horses, to win recompense for Atreus’ sons, Agamemnon and

Menelaos; but now the issue of death shrouded them about. Like them,

two lions on the mountain tops are nurtured by their dam in the deep

forest thickets; and these harry the kine and goodly sheep and make

havoc of the farmsteads of men, till in their turn they too are slain

at men’s hands with the keen bronze; in such wise were these twain

vanquished at Aineias’ hands and fell like tall pine-trees.

But Menelaos dear to Ares had pity of them in their fall, and strode

through the forefront, harnessed in flashing bronze, brandishing his

spear; and Ares stirred his courage, with intent that he might fall

beneath Aineias’ hand. But Antilochos, great-hearted Nestor’s son,

beheld him, and strode through the forefront; because he feared

exceedingly for the shepherd of the host, lest aught befall him and

disappoint them utterly of their labour. So those two were now holding

forth their hands and sharp spears each against the other, eager to do

battle; when Antilochos came and stood hard by the shepherd of the

host. But Aineias faced them not, keen warrior though he was, when he

beheld two men abiding side by side; so these haled away the corpses to

the Achaians’ host, and laid the hapless twain in their comrades’ arms,

and themselves turned back and fought on amid the foremost.

Then slew they Pylaimenes, peer of Ares, captain of the great-hearted

Paphlagonians bearers of the shield. Him as he stood still Atreus’ son,

spear-famed Menelaos, pierced with his javelin, smiting upon the

collar-bone; and Antilochos hurled at Mydon, his squire and charioteer,

Atymnios’ brave son, even as he was wheeling the whole-hooved horses,

and with a stone smote his elbow in the midst; so the reins white with

ivory fell from his hands to earth, even into the dust. Then Antilochos

sprang on him and drave the sword into his temple, and he fell gasping

from the well-wrought chariot headlong in the dust on crown and

shoulders. A while he stood there, being lighted on deep sand, until

his horses spurned him and cast him to earth, even in the dust; and

them Antilochos lashed, and drave them to the Achaians’ host.

But Hector marked them across the ranks, and sprang on them with a

shout, and the battalions of the Trojans followed him in their might:

and Ares led them on and dread Enyo, she bringing ruthless turmoil of

war, the while Ares wielded in his hands his monstrous spear, and

ranged now before Hector’s face, and now behind.

Then Diomedes of the loud war-cry shuddered to behold him; and even as

a shiftless man crossing a great plain cometh on a swift-streaming

river flowing on to the sea, and seeing it boil with foam springeth

backwards, even so now Tydeides shrank back and spake to the host:

“Friends, how marvel we that noble Hector is a spearman and bold man of

war! Yet ever is there beside him some god that wardeth off

destruction; even as now Ares is there by him in likeness of a mortal

man. But with faces towards the Trojans still give ground backwards,

neither be desirous to fight amain with gods.”

So said he, and the Trojans came very close upon them. Then Hector slew

two that knew well the battle joy, riding in one chariot, even

Menesthes and Anchialos. And the great Telamonian Aias had pity of them

in their fall, and came hard by and darted with his bright javelin, and

smote Amphios son of Selagos, that dwelt in Paisos, a man rich in

substance, rich in meadow land; but fate led him to bring succour to

Priam and his sons. Him Telamonian Aias smote upon the belt, and in his

nether belly the far-shadowing spear stuck and he fell with a crash.

Then glorious Aias ran at him to strip him of his armour, and the

Trojans rained on him keen javelins glittering, and his shield caught

many thereof. But he set his heel upon the corpse and plucked forth the

spear of bronze; only he could not strip from his shoulders all the

fair armour therewith, being overwhelmed of spears. Moreover he feared

the haughty Trojans’ stout defence, they being many and brave that with

their spears pressed on him, so that for all he was so great and

valiant and proud they thrust him from them; and he was shaken and

shrank back.

Thus toiled these in violent battle; and Tlepolemos son of Herakles,

valiant and tall, was driven of forceful fate against godlike Sarpedon.

Then when the twain were come nigh in onset on each other, even the son

and grandson of Zeus the cloud-gatherer, then first to the other spake

Tlepolemos: “Sarpedon, counsellor of the Lykians, why must thou be

skulking here, being a man unskilled in battle? Falsely do men say that

thou art offspring of aegis-bearing Zeus, seeing thou art found lacking

greatly beside those men that in days of old were born of Zeus. Ah,

what an one do men say* was mighty Herakles, even my father the

steadfast lion-heart, who erst came hither for Laomedon’s mares with

but six ships and a scantier host, yet sacked the city of Ilios and

made her highways desolate. But thine is a base spirit, and thy folk

are minishing. I ween that thou art in no wise come from Lykia to be a

bulwark unto the Trojans, for all thy great strength, but that thou

shalt be vanquished at my hand and pass the gates of Hades.”

* Or, “of other sort, men say,” if we read ἀλλοῖον for ἀλλ’ οῖον.

Then Sarpedon captain of the Lykians answered him: “Tlepolemos, he

verily overthrew holy Ilios by the folly of the proud man Laomedon,

that rewarded his good deed with harsh upbraiding, and paid him not the

steeds wherefor he came from afar. And for thee I say that slaughter

and black death shall come about here at my hands; vanquished by my

spear thou shalt yield to me my glory, and thy life to Hades of the

goodly steeds.”

So spake Sarpedon, and Tlepolemos lifted his ashen spear, and both

their long javelins sped from their hands together. Sarpedon smote the

midst of his neck, and the grievous point past right through, and the

darkness of night fell on his eyes and shrouded him: and Tlepolemos

with long spear smote the other’s left thigh, and the point sped

through furiously, grazing the bone; but his father yet warded off

destruction.

So his goodly comrades bare away godlike Sarpedon from the battle, but

the long spear dragging was heavy upon him, and no man marked it or

took thought in their haste to draw the ashen spear out from his thigh

that he might stand upright; such labour had they in tending him. And

over against them the well-greaved Achaians bare Tlepolemos from the

battle. And noble Odysseus of the patient soul marked it, and his heart

was stirred within him. Then doubted he in mind and soul whether first

to pursue the son of Zeus the loud thunderer, or take the lives of the

common sort of the Lykians. But it was not destined to great-hearted

Odysseus to slay with his keen blade the mighty son of Zeus; so Athene

turned his fury upon the multitude of the Lykians. Then slew he

Koiranos and Alastor and Chromios and Alkandros and Halios and Noëmon

and Prytanis; and yet more Lykians had noble Odysseus slain but that

great Hector of the glancing helm was swift to mark him, and strode

through the forefront of battle, harnessed in flashing bronze, and

brought terror to the Danaans; but Sarpedon the son of Zeus was glad at

his coming, and spake to him a word of pain: “O son of Priam, let me

not now be left a prey unto the Danaans, but bring me succour; howbeit

thereafter let my life depart from me in your city, seeing it might not

be that I should return home to my dear native land, to make glad my

dear wife and infant son.”

So said he, but Hector of the glancing helm spake no word to him, but

hastened on, desirous with all speed to thrust back the Argives and

take the lives of many. So his goodly comrades made godlike Sarpedon to

sit beneath a fair oak-tree of aegis-bearing Zeus, and valiant Pelagon

that was his dear comrade thrust forth from his thigh the ashen spear;

and his spirit failed him and mist overspread his eyes. Then breathed

he again, and the breath of the north wind blew round about him and

brought him to life from the grievous swoon of his soul.

Now the Argives before the face of Ares and mail-clad Hector neither

turned them round about toward their black ships, nor charged forward

in battle, but still fell backward, when they heard of Ares amid the

Trojans. And now who first was slaughtered, and who last, by Hector son

of Priam and brazen Ares? Even godlike Teuthras, and thereafter Orestes

the charioteer, and Trechos spearman of Aitolia, and Oinomaos and

Helenos son of Oinops and Oresbios with gleaming taslets, who dwelt in

Hyle and had great care of his substance, lying beside the Kephisian

mere; and near him dwelt all the Boiotians, inhabiters of a full rich

domain.

Now when the white-armed goddess Hera marked them making havoc of the

Argives in the press of battle, anon she spake winged words to Athene:

“Out on it, thou daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, unwearied maiden! Was

it for naught we pledged our word to Menelaos, that he should not

depart till he had laid waste well-walled Ilios,—if thus we let baleful

Ares rage? Go to now, let us twain also take thought of impetuous

valour.”

So said she, and the bright-eyed goddess Athene disregarded not. So

Hera the goddess queen, daughter of Kronos, went her way to harness the

gold-frontleted steeds; and Hebe quickly put to the car the curved

wheels of bronze, eight-spoked, upon their axle-tree of iron. Golden is

their felloe, imperishable, and tires of bronze are fitted thereover, a

marvel to look upon; and the naves are of silver, to turn about on

either side. And the car is plaited tight with gold and silver thongs,

and two rails run round about it. And the silver pole stood out

therefrom; upon the end bound she the fair golden yoke, and set thereon

the fair breaststraps of gold, and Hera led beneath the yoke the horses

fleet of foot, and hungered for strife and the battle-cry. And Athene,

daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, cast down at her father’s threshold her

woven vesture many-coloured, that herself had wrought and her hands had

fashioned, and put on her the tunic of Zeus the cloud-gatherer, and

arrayed her in her armour for dolorous battle. About her shoulders cast

she the tasselled aegis terrible, whereon is Panic as a crown all round

about, and Strife is therein and Valour and horrible Onslaught withal,

and therein is the dreadful monster’s Gorgon head, dreadful and grim,

portent of aegis-bearing Zeus. Upon her head set she the two-crested

golden helm with fourfold plate, bedecked with men-at-arms of a hundred

cities. Upon the flaming chariot set she her foot, and grasped her

heavy spear, great and stout, wherewith she vanquisheth the ranks of

men, even of heroes with whom she of the awful sire is wroth. Then Hera

swiftly smote the horses with the lash; self-moving groaned upon their

hinges the gates of heaven whereof the Hours are warders, to whom is

committed great heaven and Olympus, whether to throw open the thick

cloud or set it to. There through the gates guided they their horses

patient of the lash. And they found the son of Kronos sitting apart

from all the gods on the topmost peak of many-ridged Olympus. Then the

white-armed goddess Hera stayed her horses and questioned the most high

Zeus, the son of Kronos, and said: “Father Zeus, hast thou no

indignation with Ares for these violent deeds? How great and goodly a

company of Achaians hath he destroyed recklessly and in unruly wise,

unto my sorrow. But here in peace Kypris and Apollo of the silver bow

take their pleasure, having set on this mad one that knoweth not any

law. Father Zeus, wilt thou at all be wroth with me if I smite Ares and

chase him from the battle in sorry plight?”

And Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered and said to her: “Go to now, set

upon him Athene driver of the spoil, who most is wont to bring sore

pain upon him.”

So spake he, and the white-armed goddess Hera disregarded not, and

lashed her horses; they nothing loth flew on between earth and starry

heaven. As far as a man seeth with his eyes into the haze of distance

as he sitteth on a place of outlook and gazeth over the wine-dark sea,

so far leap the loudly neighing horses of the gods. Now when they came

to Troy and the two flowing rivers, even to where Simoeis and

Skamandros join their streams, there the white-armed goddess Hera

stayed her horses and loosed them from the car and poured thick mist

round about them, and Simoeis made ambrosia spring up for them to

graze. So the goddesses went their way with step like unto

turtle-doves, being fain to bring succour to the men of Argos. And when

they were now come where the most and most valiant stood, thronging

about mighty Diomedes tamer of horses, in the semblance of ravening

lions or wild boars whose strength is nowise feeble, then stood the

white-armed goddess Hera and shouted in the likeness of great-hearted

Stentor with voice of bronze, whose cry was loud as the cry of fifty

other men: “Fie upon you, Argives, base things of shame, so brave in

semblance! While yet noble Achilles entered continually into battle,

then issued not the Trojans even from the Dardanian gate; for they had

dread of his terrible spear. But now fight they far from the city at

the hollow ships.”

So saying she aroused the spirit and soul of every man. And to

Tydeides’ side sprang the bright-eyed goddess Athene. That lord she

found beside his horses and chariot, cooling the wound that Pandaros

with his dart had pierced, for his sweat vexed it by reason of the

broad baldrick of his round shield; therewith was he vexed and his arm

grew weary, so he was lifting up the baldrick and wiping away the dusky

blood. Then the goddess laid her hand on his horses’ yoke, and said:

“Of a truth Tydeus begat a son little after his own likeness. Tydeus

was short of stature, but a man of war; yea even when I would not have

him fight nor make display—what time he came apart from the Achaians on

an embassage to Thebes, to the midst of the multitude of the Kadmeians,

I bade him feast in their halls at peace; but he, possessing his

valiant soul as of old time, challenged the young men of the Kadmeians

and in everything vanquished them [easily; so sure a helper was I unto

him]. But for thee, beside thee stand I and guard thee and with all my

heart bid thee fight the Trojans; yet either hath weariness of much

striving entered into thy limbs, or disheartening terror hath taken

hold of thee. If that be so, no offspring art thou of Tydeus, the wise

son of Oineus.”

And stalwart Diomedes made answer to her and said: “I know thee,

goddess daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus: therefore with my whole heart

will I tell thee my thought and hide it not. Neither hath disheartening

terror taken hold upon me, nor any faintness, but I am still mindful of

thy behest that thou didst lay upon me. Thou forbadest me to fight face

to face with all the blessed gods, save only if Zeus’ daughter

Aphrodite should enter into battle, then to wound her with the keen

bronze. Therefore do I now give ground myself and have bidden all the

Argives likewise to gather here together; for I discern Ares lording it

in the fray.”

Then the bright-eyed goddess Athene answered him: “Diomedes son of

Tydeus, thou joy of mine heart, fear thou, for that, neither Ares nor

any other of the immortals; so great a helper am I to thee. Go to now,

at Ares first guide thou thy whole-hooved horses, and smite him hand to

hand, nor have any awe of impetuous Ares, raving here, a curse

incarnate, the renegade that of late in converse with me and Hera

pledged him to fight against the Trojans and give succour to the

Argives, but now consorteth with the Trojans and hath forgotten these.”

So speaking, with her hand she drew back Sthenelos and thrust him from

the chariot to earth, and instantly leapt he down; so the goddess

mounted the car by noble Diomedes’ side right eagerly. The oaken axle

creaked loud with its burden, bearing the dread goddess and the man of

might. Then Pallas Athene grasped the whip and reins; forthwith against

Ares first guided she the whole-hooved horses. Now he was stripping

huge Periphas, most valiant far of the Aitolians, Ochesios’ glorious

son. Him was blood-stained Ares stripping; and Athene donned the helm

of Hades, that terrible Ares might not behold her. Now when Ares

scourge of mortals beheld noble Diomedes, he left huge Periphas lying

there, where at the first he had slain him and taken away his life, and

made straight at Diomedes tamer of horses. Now when they were come nigh

in onset on one another, first Ares thrust over the yoke and horse’s

reins with spear of bronze, eager to take away his life. But the

bright-eyed goddess Athene with her hand seized the spear and thrust it

up over* the car, to spend itself in vain. Next Diomedes of the loud

war-cry attacked with spear of bronze; and Pallas Athene drave it home

against Ares’ nethermost belly, where his taslets were girt about him.

There smote he him and wounded him, rending through his fair skin, and

plucked forth the spear again. Then brazen Ares bellowed loud as nine

thousand warriors or ten thousand cry in battle as they join in strife

and fray. Thereat trembling gat hold of Achaians and Trojans for fear,

so mightily bellowed Ares insatiate of battle.

Reading ὑπέρ with the best MS. for ὐπ’ ἐκ.

Even as gloomy mist appeareth from the clouds when after heat a stormy

wind ariseth, even so to Tydeus’ son Diomedes brazen Ares appeared amid

clouds, faring to wide heaven. Swiftly came he to the gods’ dwelling,

steep Olympus, and sat beside Zeus son of Kronos with grief at heart,

and shewed the immortal blood flowing from the wound, and piteously

spake to him winged words: “Father Zeus, hast thou no indignation to

behold these violent deeds? For ever cruelly suffer we gods by one

another’s devices, in shewing men grace. With thee are we all at

variance, because thou didst beget that reckless maiden and baleful,

whose thought is ever of iniquitous deeds. For all the other gods that

are in Olympus hearken to thee, and we are subject every one; only her

thou chastenest not, neither in deed nor word, but settest her on,

because this pestilent one is thine own offspring. Now hath she urged

on Tydeus’ son, even overweening Diomedes, to rage furiously against

the immortal gods. Kypris first he wounded in close fight, in the wrist

of her hand, and then assailed he me, even me, with the might of a god.

Howbeit my swift feet bare me away; else had I long endured anguish

there amid the grisly heaps of dead, or else had lived strengthless

from the smitings of the spear.”

Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer looked sternly at him and said: “Nay, thou

renegade, sit not by me and whine. Most hateful to me art thou of all

gods that dwell in Olympus: thou ever lovest strife and wars and

battles. Truly thy mother’s spirit is intolerable, unyielding, even

Hera’s; her can I scarce rule with words. Therefore I deem that by her

prompting thou art in this plight. Yet will I no longer endure to see

thee in anguish; mine offspring art thou, and to me thy mother bare

thee. But wert thou born of any other god unto this violence, long ere

this hadst thou been lower than the sons of Heaven.”*

* The Titans, imprisoned in Tartaros. Others explain “lower than the

heavenly gods.” Zenodotos read ἐνέρτατος, “lowest of the sons of

heaven.”

So spake he and bade Paieon heal him. And Paieon laid assuaging drugs

upon the wound [and healed him; seeing he was verily of no mortal

substance]. Even as fig juice maketh haste to thicken white milk, that

is liquid but curdleth speedily as a man stirreth, even so swiftly

healed he impetuous Ares. And Hebe bathed him, and clothed him in

gracious raiment, and he sate him down by Zeus son of Kronos, glorying

in his might.

Then fared the twain back to the mansion of great Zeus, even Hera of

Argos and Alalkomenean Athene, having stayed Ares scourge of mortals

from his man-slaying.