Of the single combat between Aias and Hector, and of the burying of the
dead, and the building of a wall about the Achaian ships.
So spake glorious Hector and issued from the gates, and with him went
his brother Alexandros; and both were eager of soul for fight and
battle. Even as God giveth to longing seamen fair wind when they have
grown weary of beating the main with polished oars, and their limbs are
fordone with toil, even so appeared these to the longing Trojans.
Then the one of them slew king Areïthoös’ son, Menesthios dwelling in
Arne, whom Areïthoös the Mace-man and ox-eyed Phylomedusa begat; and
the other, even Hector, with his sharp spear smote Eïoneus’ neck
beneath his bronze helmet-rim, and unstrung his limbs. And Glaukos son
of Hippolochos, captain of the men of Lykia, cast his spear at Iphinoos
through the press of battle, even at the son of Dexios, as he sprang up
behind his fleet mares, and smote his shoulder; so fell he from his
chariot to earth and his limbs were unstrung.
Now when the goddess bright-eyed Athene marked them making havoc of the
Argives in the press of battle, she darted down from the crests of
Olympus to holy Ilios. But Apollo rose to meet her, for he beheld her
from Pergamos, and would have victory for the Trojans. So the twain met
each the other by the oak-tree. To her spake first king Apollo son of
Zeus: “Why now art thou come thus eagerly from Olympus, thou daughter
of great Zeus, and why hath thy high heart sent thee? Surely it is to
give the Danaans unequal victory in battle! seeing thou hast no mercy
on the Trojans, that perish. But if thou wouldest hearken to me—and it
were far better so—let us now stay battle and warring for the day;
hereafter shall they fight again, till they reach the goal of Ilios,
since thus it seemeth good to your hearts, goddesses immortal, to lay
waste this city.”
And the goddess bright-eyed Athene made answer to him: “So be it,
Far-darter; in this mind I likewise came from Olympus to the midst of
Trojans and Achaians. But come, how thinkest thou to stay the battle of
the warriors?”
And king Apollo, son of Zeus, made answer to her: “Let us arouse the
stalwart spirit of horse-taming Hector, if so be he will challenge some
one of the Danaans in single fight man to man to meet him in deadly
combat. So shall the bronze-greaved Achaians be jealous and stir up one
to fight singly with goodly Hector.”
So spake he and the bright-eyed goddess Athene disregarded not. Now
Helenos Priam’s dear son understood in spirit their resolve that the
gods in counsel had approved; and he went to Hector and stood beside
him, and spake a word to him: “Hector son of Priam, peer of Zeus in
counsel, wouldest thou now hearken at all to me? for I am thy brother.
Make the other Trojans sit, and all the Achaians, and thyself challenge
him that is best of the Achaians to meet thee man to man in deadly
combat. It is not yet thy destiny to die and meet thy doom; for thus
heard I the voice of the gods that are from everlasting.”
So said he, and Hector rejoiced greatly to hear his saying, and went
into the midst and refrained the battalions of the Trojans with his
spear grasped by the middle; and they all sate them down: and Agamemnon
made the well-greaved Achaians sit. And Athene withal and Apollo of the
silver bow, in the likeness of vulture birds, sate them upon a tall oak
holy to aegis-bearing father Zeus, rejoicing in their warriors; and the
ranks of all of them sate close together, bristling with shields and
plumes and spears. Even as there spreadeth across the main the ripple
of the west wind newly risen, and the sea grows black beneath it, so
sate the ranks of Achaians and Trojans upon the plain. And Hector spake
between both hosts: “Hearken to me, Trojans and well-greaved Achaians,
that I may speak what my mind within my breast biddeth me. Our oaths of
truce Kronos’ son, enthroned on high, accomplished not; but evil is his
intent and ordinance for both our hosts, until either ye take
fair-towered Troy or yourselves be vanquished beside your seafaring
ships. But in the midst of you are the chiefest of all the Achaians;
therefore now let the man whose heart biddeth him fight with me come
hither from among you all to be your champion against goodly Hector.
And this declare I, and be Zeus our witness thereto; if that man slay
me with the long-edged sword, let him spoil me of my armour and bear it
to the hollow ships, but give back my body to my home, that Trojans and
Trojans’ wives may give me my due of burning in my death. But if I slay
him and Apollo vouchsafe me glory, I will spoil him of his armour and
bear it to holy Ilios and hang it upon the temple of far-darting
Apollo, but his corpse will I render back to the well-decked ships,
that the flowing-haired Achaians may entomb him, and build him a barrow
beside wide Hellespont. So shall one say even of men that be late born,
as he saileth in his benched ship over the wine-dark sea: ‘This is the
barrow of a man that died in days of old, a champion whom glorious
Hector slew.’ So shall a man say hereafter, and this my glory shall
never die.”
So spake he and they all were silent and held their peace; to deny him
they were ashamed, and feared to meet him. But at the last stood up
Menelaos and spake amid them and chiding upbraided them, and groaned
deep at heart: “Ah me, vain threateners, ye women of Achaia and no more
men, surely all this shall be a shame, evil of evil, if no one of the
Danaans now goeth to meet Hector. Nay, turn ye all to earth and water,
sitting there each man disheartened, helplessly inglorious; against him
will I myself array me; and from on high the threads of victory are
guided of the immortal gods.”
So spake he and donned his fair armour. And now, O Menelaos, had the
end of life appeared for thee at Hector’s hands, seeing he was stronger
far, but that the princes of the Achaians started up and caught thee.
And Atreus’ son himself, wide-ruling Agamemnon, took him by his right
hand and spake a word and called upon his name: “Thou doest madly,
Menelaos fosterling of Zeus; yet is it no time for this thy madness.
Draw back, though it be with pain, nor think for contention’s sake to
fight with one better than thou, with Hector Priam’s son, whom others
beside thee abhor. Yea, this man even Achilles dreadeth to meet in
battle, wherein is the warrior’s glory; and Achilles is better far than
thou. Go therefore now and sit amid the company of thy fellows; against
him shall the Achaians put forth another champion. Fearless though he
be and insatiate of turmoil, I ween that he shall be fain to rest his
knees, if he escape from the fury of war and terrible fray.”
So spake the hero and persuaded his brother’s heart with just counsel;
and he obeyed. So his squires thereat with gladness took his armour
from his shoulders; and Nestor stood up and spake amid the Argives:
“Fie upon it, verily sore lamentation cometh on the land of Achaia.
Verily old Peleus driver of chariots would groan sore, that goodly
counsellor of the Myrmidons and orator, who erst questioned me in his
house, and rejoiced greatly, inquiring of the lineage and birth of all
the Argives. If he heard now of those that all were cowering before
Hector, then would he lift his hands to the immortals, instantly
praying that his soul might depart from his limbs down to the house of
Hades. Ah would to father Zeus and Athene and Apollo I were young as
when beside swift-flowing Keladon the Pylians gathered together to
battle and the Arkadians that bear the spear, beneath the walls of
Pheia, about the streams of Iardanos. Then stood up for their champion
Ereuthalion, a man the peer of gods, bearing upon his shoulders the
armour of king Areïthoös, goodly Areïthoös that by men and fair-girdled
women was surnamed the Mace-man, because he fought not with bow and
long spear, but with an iron mace clave the battalions. Him Lykurgos
slew by guile, and not by strength, in a narrow way, where his mace of
iron saved him not from destruction: ere that, Lykurgos came on him
unawares and pierced him through the midst with his dart, and he was
hurled backward upon the earth. Then Lykurgos despoiled him of his arms
that brazen Ares had given him; and these himself he bare thereafter
into the mellay of war. But when Lykurgos grew old within his halls he
gave them to Ereuthalion his dear squire to wear. So with his arms upon
him he challenged all our best; but they trembled sore and were afraid,
and no man took heart. But me my hardy spirit aroused to meet him in my
confidence;* yet was I youngest in years of all. So fought I with him
and Athene vouchsafed me glory. Tallest was he and strongest of men
that I have slain; as one of huge bulk he lay spread this way and that.
Would to God I were thus young and my strength were sound; then would
Hector of the glancing helm soon find his combat. But of those of you
that be chieftains of the host of the Achaians, yet desireth no man of
good heart to meet Hector face to face.”
* Or, “to meet his might,” according to the usual interpretation of ᾦ.
So the old man upbraided them, and there stood up nine in all. Far
first arose Agamemnon king of men, and after him rose Tydeus’ son
stalwart Diomedes, and after them the Aiantes clothed with impetuous
might, and after them Idomeneus and Idomeneus’ brother-in-arms
Meriones, peer of Enyalios slayer of men, and after them Eurypylos
Euaimon’s glorious son; and up rose Thoas Andraimon’s son and goodly
Odysseus. So all these were fain to fight with goodly Hector. And among
them spake again knightly Nestor of Gerenia: “Now cast ye the lot from
the first unto the last, for him that shall be chosen; for he shall in
truth profit the well-greaved Achaians, yea and he shall have profit of
his own soul, if he escape from the fury of war and terrible fray.”
So said he, and they marked each man his lot and cast them in the
helmet of Agamemnon Atreus’ son; and the hosts prayed and lifted up
their hands to the gods. And thus would one say, looking up to wide
heaven: “O father Zeus, vouchsafe that the lot fall upon Aias or
Tydeus’ son, or else on the king of Mykene rich in gold.”
So spake they, and knightly Nestor of Gerenia shook the helmet, and
there leapt forth the lot that themselves desired, even the lot of
Aias. The herald bare it everywhither through the throng, shewing it
from right to left to all the princes of the Achaians; but they knew it
not, and every man denied it. But when he came, bearing it everywhither
through the throng, to him that had marked it and cast it in the helm,
even glorious Aias, then he held forth his hand, and the herald stood
by him and put it therein. And Aias saw and knew the token upon the
lot, and rejoiced in heart. He cast it by his foot upon the earth, and
spake: “My friends, verily the lot is mine, yea and myself am glad at
heart, because I deem that I shall vanquish goodly Hector. But come
now, while I clothe me in my armour of battle, pray ye the while to
Kronos’ son king Zeus, in silence to yourselves, that the Trojans hear
you not—nay rather, openly if ye will, for we have no fear of any man
soever. For none by force shall chase me, he willing me unwilling,
neither by skill; seeing I hope that not so skill-less, either, was I
born in Salamis nor nurtured.”
So said he, and they prayed to Kronos’ son, king Zeus; and thus would
one speak, looking up to wide heaven: “O father Zeus that rulest from
Ida, most glorious, most great, vouchsafe to Aias victory and the
winning of great glory. But if thou so lovest Hector indeed, and carest
for him, grant unto either equal prowess and renown.”
So said they, while Aias arrayed him in flashing bronze. And when he
had now clothed upon his flesh all his armour, then marched he as huge
Ares coming forth, when he goeth to battle amid heroes whom Kronos’ son
setteth to fight in fury of heart-consuming strife. So rose up huge
Aias, bulwark of the Achaians, with a smile on his grim face: and went
with long strides of his feet beneath him, shaking his far-shadowing
spear. Then moreover the Argives rejoiced to look upon him, but sore
trembling came upon the Trojans, on the limbs of every man, and
Hector’s own heart beat within his breast. But in no wise could he now
flee nor shrink back into the throng of the host, seeing he had
challenged him to battle. And Aias came near bearing his tower-like
shield of bronze, with sevenfold ox-hide, that Tychios had wrought him
cunningly; Tychios far best of curriers, that had his home in Hyle, who
made him his glancing shield, of sevenfold hides of stalwart bulls, and
overlaid the seven with bronze. This bare Telamonian Aias before his
breast, and stood near to Hector, and spake to him threatening:
“Hector, now verily shalt thou well know, man to man, what manner of
princes the Danaans likewise have among them, even after Achilles,
render of men, the lion-hearted. But he amid his beaked seafaring ships
lieth in sore wrath with Agamemnon shepherd of the host; yet are we
such as to face thee, yea and many of us. But make thou beginning of
war and battle.”
And great Hector of the glancing helm answered him: “Aias of the seed
of Zeus, son of Telamon, chieftain of the host, tempt not thou me like
some puny boy or woman that knoweth not deeds of battle. But I well
know wars and slaughterings. To right know I, to left know I the
wielding of my tough targe; therein I deem is stalwart soldiership. And
I know how to charge into the mellay of fleet chariots, and how in
close battle to join in furious Ares’ dance. Howbeit, I have no mind to
smite thee, being such an one as thou art, by spying thee unawares; but
rather openly, if perchance I may hit thee.”
He spake, and poised his far-shadowing spear, and hurled and smote
Aias’ dread shield of sevenfold hide upon the uttermost bronze, the
eighth layer that was thereon. Through six folds went the stubborn
bronze cleaving, but in the seventh hide it stayed. Then heaven-sprung
Aias hurled next his far-shadowing spear, and smote upon the circle of
the shield of Priam’s son. Through the bright shield passed the violent
spear, and through the curiously wrought corslet pressed it on; and
straight forth beside the flank the spear rent his doublet; but he
swerved aside and escaped black death. Then both together with their
hands plucked forth their long spears and fell to like ravening lions
or wild boars whose might is nowise feeble. Then Priam’s son smote the
shield’s midst with his dart, but the bronze brake not through, for the
point turned back; but Aias leapt on him and pierced his buckler, and
straight through went the spear and staggered him in his onset, and
cleft its way unto his neck, so that the dark blood gushed up. Yet even
then did not Hector of the glancing helm cease from fight, but yielded
ground and with stout hand seized a stone lying upon the plain, black
and rugged and great; therewith hurled he and smote Aias’ dread shield
of sevenfold ox-hide in the midst upon the boss, and the bronze
resounded. Next Aias lifted a far greater stone, and swung and hurled
it, putting might immeasurable therein. So smote he the buckler and
burst it inwards with the rock like unto a millstone, and beat down his
knees; and he was stretched upon his back, pressed into his shield; but
Apollo straightway raised him up. And now had they been smiting hand to
hand with swords, but that the heralds, messengers of gods and men,
came, one from the Trojans, one from the mail-clad Achaians, even
Talthybios and Idaios, both men discreet. Between the two held they
their staves, and herald Idaios spake a word, being skilled in wise
counsel: “Fight ye no more, dear sons, neither do battle; seeing Zeus
the cloud-gatherer loveth you both, and both are men of war; that
verily know we all. But night already is upon us: it is well withal to
obey the hest of night.”
Then Telamonian Aias answered and said to him: “Idaios, bid ye Hector
to speak those words; of his own self he challenged to combat all our
best. Let him be first, and I will surely follow as he saith.”
Then great Hector of the glancing helm said to him: “Aias, seeing God
gave thee stature and might and wisdom, and with the spear thou art
excellent above all the Achaians, let us now cease from combat and
battle for the day; but hereafter will we fight until God judge between
us, giving to one of us the victory. But night already is upon us; it
is well withal to obey the hest of night; that so thou mayest rejoice
all the Achaians beside their ships, and chiefly the kinsmen and
fellows that are thine; and I throughout the great city of king Priam
will rejoice the Trojan men and Trojan dames with trailing robes, that
with prayer I ween will enter the holy assemblage. But come, let us
give each the other famous gifts, that men may thus say, Achaians alike
and Trojans: ‘These, having fought for sake of heart-consuming strife,
parted again reconciled in friendship.’”
So said he, and gave him his silver-studded sword, with scabbard and
well-cut baldrick; and Aias gave his belt bright with purple. So they
parted, and one went to the Achaian host, and one betook him to the
throng of Trojans. And these rejoiced to behold him come to them alive
and sound, escaped from the fury of Aias and his hands unapproachable;
and they brought him to the city saved beyond their hope. And Aias on
their side the well-greaved Achaians brought to noble Agamemnon,
exulting in his victory.
So when these were come unto the huts of Atreides, then did Agamemnon
king of men slay them an ox, a male of five years old, for the most
mighty son of Kronos. This they flayed and made ready, and divided it
all, and minced it cunningly, and pierced it through with spits, and
roasted it carefully, and drew all off again. Then as soon as they had
rest from the task and had made ready the meal, they began the feast,
nor was their soul aught stinted of the equal banquet. And the hero son
of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, gave to Aias slices of the chine’s
full length for his honour. And when they had put from them the desire
of meat and drink, then first the old man began to weave the web of
counsel, even Nestor whose rede of old time was proved most excellent.
He of good intent made harangue among them and said: “Son of Atreus and
ye other princes of the Achaians, seeing that many flowing-haired
Achaians are dead, and keen Ares hath spilt their dusky blood about
fair-flowing Skamandros, and their souls have gone down to the house of
Hades; therefore it behoveth thee to make the battle of the Achaians
cease with daybreak; and we will assemble to wheel hither the corpses
with oxen and mules; so let us burn them [a little way from the ships,
that each man may bear their bones home to their children, whene’er we
return again to our native land]; and let us heap one barrow about the
pyre, rearing it from the plain for all alike; and thereto build with
speed high towers, a bulwark for our ships and for ourselves. In the
midst thereof let us make gates well compact, that through them may be
a way for chariot-driving. And without let us dig a deep foss hard by,
to be about it and to hinder horses and footmen, lest the battle of the
lordly Trojans be heavy on us hereafter.”
So spake he and all the chiefs gave assent. But meanwhile there was in
the high town of Ilios an assembly of the Trojans, fierce, confused,
beside Priam’s gate. To them discreet Antenor began to make harangue:
“Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies, that I may tell you
that my soul within my breast commandeth me. Lo, go to now, let us give
Helen of Argos and the wealth with her for the sons of Atreus to take
away. Now fight we in guilt against the oaths of faith; therefore is
there no profit for us that I hope to see fulfilled, unless we do
thus.”
So spake he and sate him down; and there stood up among them noble
Alexandros, lord of Helen beautiful-haired; he made him answer and
spake winged words: “Antenor, these words from thee are no longer to my
pleasure; yet thou hast it in thee to devise other sayings more
excellent than this. But if indeed thou sayest this in earnest, then
verily the gods themselves have destroyed thy wit. But I will speak
forth amid the horse-taming Trojans, and declare outright; my wife will
I not give back; but the wealth I brought from Argos to our home, all
that I have a mind to give, and add more of mine own substance.”
So spake he and sate him down, and there stood up among them Priam of
the seed of Dardanos, the peer of gods in counsel; he made harangue to
them, and said: “Hearken to me, Trojans and Dardanians and allies, that
I may tell you that my soul within my breast commandeth me. Now eat
your supper throughout the city as of old, and take thought to keep
watch, and be wakeful every man. And at dawn let Idaios fare to the
hollow ships to tell to Atreus’ sons Agamemnon and Menelaos the saying
of Alexandros, for whose sake strife is come about: and likewise to ask
them this wise word, whether they are minded to refrain from noisy war
till we have burned our dead; afterwards will we fight again, till
heaven part us and give one or other victory.”
So spake he, and they hearkened diligently to him and obeyed; [then
took they their supper throughout the host by ranks,] and at dawn
Idaios fared to the hollow ships. He found the Danaans in assembly, the
men of Ares’ company, beside the stern of Agamemnon’s ship; and so the
loud-voiced herald stood in their midst and said unto them: “Atreides
and ye other princes of the Achaians, Priam and all the noble Trojans
bade me tell you—if perchance it might find favour and acceptance with
you—the saying of Alexandros, for whose sake strife hath come about.
The wealth that Alexandros brought in his hollow ships to Troy—would he
had perished first!—all that he hath a mind to give, and to add more
thereto of his substance. But the wedded wife of glorious Menelaos he
saith he will not give; yet verily the Trojans bid him do it. Moreover
they bade me ask this thing of you; whether ye are minded to refrain
from noisy war until we have burned our dead; afterwards will we fight
again, till heaven part us and give one or other victory.”
So said he and they all kept silence and were still. But at the last
spake Diomedes of the loud war-cry in their midst: “Let no man now
accept Alexandros’ substance, neither Helen’s self; known is it, even
to him that hath no wit at all, how that the issues of destruction hang
already over the Trojans.”
So spake he, and all the sons of the Achaians shouted, applauding the
saying of horse-taming Diomedes. And then lord Agamemnon spake to
Idaios: “Idaios, thyself thou hearest the saying of the Achaians, how
they answer thee; and the like seemeth good to me. But as concerning
the dead, I grudge you not to burn them; for dead corpses is there no
stinting; when they once are dead, of the swift propitiation of fire.
And for the oaths let Zeus be witness, the loud-thundering lord of
Hera.”
So saying he lifted up his sceptre in the sight of all the gods, and
Idaios departed back to holy Ilios. Now Trojans and Dardanians sate in
assembly, gathered all together to wait till Idaios should come; and he
came and stood in their midst and declared his message. Then they made
them ready very swiftly for either task, some to bring the dead, and
some to seek for wood. And on their part the Argives hasted from their
well-decked ships, some to bring the dead and some to seek for wood.
Now the sun was newly beating on the fields as he climbed heaven from
the deep stream of gently-flowing Ocean, when both sides met together.
Then was it a hard matter to know each man again; but they washed them
with water clean of clotted gore, and with shedding of hot tears lifted
them upon the wains. But great Priam bade them not wail aloud; so in
silence heaped they the corpses on the pyre, stricken at heart; and
when they had burned them with fire departed to holy Ilios. And in like
manner on their side the well-greaved Achaians heaped the corpses on
the pyre, stricken at heart, and when they had burned them with fire
departed to the hollow ships.
And when day was not yet, but still twilight of night, then was the
chosen folk of the Achaians gathered together* around the pyre, and
made one barrow about it, rearing it from the plain for all alike; and
thereto built they a wall and lofty towers, a bulwark for their ships
and for themselves. In the midst thereof made they gates
well-compacted, that through them might be a way for chariot-driving.
And without they dug a deep foss beside it, broad and great, and
planted a palisade therein.
Reading ἤγρετο for ἔγρετο.
Thus toiled the flowing-haired Achaians: and the gods sate by Zeus, the
lord of lightning, and marvelled at the great work of the mail-clad
Achaians. And Poseidon shaker of earth spake first to them: “O father
Zeus, is there any man throughout the boundless earth that will any
more declare to the immortals his mind and counsel? Seest thou not how
the flowing-haired Achaians have now again built them a wall before
their ships, and drawn a foss around it, but gave not excellent
hecatombs to the gods? Verily the fame thereof shall reach as far as
the dawn spreadeth, and men will forget the wall that I and Phoebus
Apollo built with travail for the hero Laomedon.”
And Zeus the cloud-gatherer said to him, sore troubled: “Out on it,
far-swaying Shaker of earth, for this thing thou sayest. Well might
some other god fear this device, one that were far feebler than thou in
the might of his hands: but thine shall be the fame as far as the dawn
spreadeth. Go to now, hereafter when the flowing-haired Achaians be
departed upon their ships to their dear native land, then burst thou
this wall asunder and scatter it all into the sea, and cover the great
sea-beach over with sand again, that the great wall of the Achaians be
brought to naught.”
Such converse held these one with the other, and the sun went down, and
the work of the Achaians was accomplished; and they slaughtered oxen
amid the huts, and took supper. And many ships from Lemnos, bearing
wine, were at hand, sent of Jason’s son Euneos, whom Hypsipyle bare to
Jason shepherd of the host. And specially for Atreus’ sons, Agamemnon
and Menelaos, Jason’s son gave a freight of wine, even a thousand
measures. So the flowing-haired Achaians bought them wine thence, some
for bronze and some for gleaming iron, and some with hides and some
with whole kine, and some with captives; and they set a rich feast
before them. Then all night long feasted the flowing-haired Achaians,
and in the city the Trojans and allies; and all night long Zeus the
lord of counsel devised them ill with terrible thunderings. Then pale
fear gat hold upon them, and they spilt wine from their cups upon the
earth, neither durst any drink till he had made libation to most mighty
Kronion. Then laid they them to rest and took the boon of sleep.